Love Yourself

Be Here Now

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Earlier this week I was sitting in the drive up waiting for my coffee and I got to thinking about how much time I spend thinking about the future. Where we are going next, what task is next, what bite of food is next, what class to teach is next, what thing to do is next, what worry is next, what dreadful event is next, what is next?!

Wait.

What if instead I just sat with the sun blinding me, enjoying the song on my radio (Bruce of course), and allowed myself to BE.

I am all for planning and strategizing but sinking in to the moment was awesome.

Lesson of the day? Don’t rush the moment to get to the next thing. Enjoy this thing!

Vision Statement

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When I took a course with Brene Brown in 2016 I learned the power of a personal manifesto and have fallen back on the beautiful creation that I wrote during the class many times since then.

Manifesto

I recently returned to the manifesto through the lens of my business and how I want to show up in the world, and who I want to surround myself with.

Being self employed is hard and it requires diligence that cannot be explained unless you know first hand the ups and downs. By linking arms with people who share an equal vision for humanity, for compassion, for striving to be the best human possible, I know that I am living in alignment with my deepest truths.

I would love to share visions with you—whether that is through yoga, wellness, business mentoring, or just giving goodness. If you’re looking for a passionate way to make a difference, let’s talk.

Be light. Be of service. Be kind.

The Practice of Svadhyaya (Self Study)

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Svadhyaya asks you to suspend looking outside for perceptions of yourself, and instead, look at your inner life–your beliefs, your priorities, and your actions. -Suzan Colon

The term svadhyaya literally means ‘one’s own reading’ or ‘self study’. It is is the fourth niyama of patnajali’s sutras and has the potential to deepen our yoga way beyond the mat.  My favorite translation or definition of this beautiful inner work called Svadhyaya refers to any activity wherein we quietly study ourselves and reflect upon our actions, thoughts, emotions, motivations, aspirations, desires and needs in pursuit of a deeper experience of our lives and our own selves.

The physical aspects to the yoga practice offers the perfect opportunity to explore svadhyaya.

To create each posture you must move and place the various parts of your body into a shape on a rectangle. You could do this without any real engagement or awareness, carelessly going through the motions while your mind is a million miles away, or you could work towards staying present with each and every moment as it arises. You could notice how the body responds to being aligned a certain way, observe physical sensations, watch how your mind reacts to what you’re doing with your body, experience any emotions that show up, and listen to the ebb and flow of your breath. 

Often when we’re practicing yoga on the mat discomfort—or sometimes pain—becomes evident.

If we slow down, apply this form of self awareness, or svadhyaya, and truly contemplate what’s happening in our bodies and minds, pain becomes an important teacher. We can examine the subtleties of pain and begin to understand the difference between “bad pain” that is harmful and injurious to our bodies; and “good pain,” mild or moderate discomfort that we can stay with, breathe into and observe as it shifts and changes.

Since my first hip surgery in 2016, I have greatly avoided the physical practice and therefore, avoided this kind of deeper self-inquiry. Sure, I did some chair yoga as I taught my classes and I would occasionally unroll my mat but honestly it was more as a way to simply say that I am practicing. Truth is I wasn’t practicing at all. Or at least very often.

I might find myself being a tad more consistent and then another injury and another surgery would put me back in the same resistance and emptiness of anything closely resembling a physical yoga practice.

With great honesty I can say that as time has gone on I have made up a million excuses as to why I was not practicing a physical yoga. Some of the excuses were legitimate and some of them were downright falsehoods.

I missed my time on the mat a lot, but I still resisting it until recently when I began to choose time on the yoga mat. Rather than spend too much time in the morning reading and journaling (and avoiding the mat), I have since shortened that sitting time to spend more of my so-called ‘spirit time’ with myself on the mat. This inner work has been transformative to me in just a few weeks.

I began to feel like I had come home after years of being away. I felt like the dear old friend has returned and without any judgment she has welcomed me into the sanctuary of pure love and acceptance.

This morning as I was paying attention to the sensations within my body (while also fighting the grumblings of any ego based thoughts entering my mind about what my body used to be able to do or feel…more self-study), I realized this magnificent practice of self study is a gift that opens the doors to so many other deep discoveries. I found the voice speaking softly to me while practicing the way any dear old friend would speak; encouraging, kind, compassionate, loving. This beautiful friend reminded my body of all that it has endured and welcomed her back to feel and soak in the sensations as perfect and whole.

Words Have Power

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The words we speak are so powerful.

Not only can our sharp tongue be hurtful to others but also the words we choose can have an effect on how life unfolds for us. Remember, the two most powerful words we say are “I AM”, and whatever you say after that you’re welcoming in. Also, choosing certain words can have a subconscious effect to our minds and then our outcomes.

Many years ago when I was struggling to shed some weight, someone told me to stop saying “lose” (I want to lose 10 pounds), because our subconscious mind hears the word “lose” and that indicates we must go find it again. Swap out “lose” with “letting go” and the mind hears it as a finality rather than a go find. Cool, huh?

Another wise person taught me a powerful lesson that I still try to catch myself practicing. When I was struggling with hip pain between surgery two and three, I would often say “I am dying of pain…or my hip is killing me”. This beautiful man who had suffered two horrific brain injuries spoke quietly and said “Ms. Stacie why don’t you say instead ‘my hip is reminding me that I am alive’”. Boom!

Words are so powerful. Be mindful of how you speak them.

The Journey

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I had a wonderful day turning 50 filled with love and goodness. I woke up with a sense of wonder and excitement for this beautiful next season. And the journey continues..

One day you
finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Healthy Start

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Have you been seeing essential oils popping up everywhere? Even the dollar store! Ack! When it comes to putting anything in, on or around my body, I want to make sure it is pure and safe.

For years I grabbed oils wherever and had no idea they could be unsafe for me or my kids (including the furry ones)!!

I did my research and chose a company with high ethics and a deep desire to change lives.

What I love the most is the co-impacting sourcing. This means the farmers and their families and communities all over the world are paid and treated with honor and integrity. Every drop I use is helping someone else benefit too. Whether it is building a school or hospital, getting fresh water available, teaching communities how to better themselves, the growers lives are improved.

I also wanted to make sure what I was investing in was pure and unadulterated essential oils.

I didn’t want additives or false claims of purity. I wanted the stuff hospitals use.

I know you can get oils anywhere, but I hope that you’d consider linking up with me and my tribe. This means you have support using the oils, you’re part of a community of like minded health seeking people with a heart of service. Helping others find solutions and light in their lives is what I am all about.

If that resonates with you then let’s get going!

I love this starter kit because it has everything a household needs! Plus the diffuser is a perfect one for bedrooms, kitchens, etc. I love that it runs for 11 hours!

This bundle comes with:

  • On Guard—Energizing, Daily Immune Support
  • Oregano—purifying, Mega Immune Support
  • Lavender— Calming, Skin, Sleep, Babies
  • Frankincense—Renewing, Relaxing, Brain & Immune Support
  • Lemon— Revitalizing, Cleansing, Uplifting, Detoxing
  • Tea Tree—Cleansing, Ear and Skin Support, Lice
  • Peppermint—Stimulating, Cooling, Focus, Bug Repellent
  • DigestZen—Relieving, Digestive Support, Bloating, Gas
  • Breathe—Invigorating, Respiratory Support, Clear Breathing
  • Deep Blue—Soothing, Aches and Pains, Muscle Support
  • Stone Diffuser—Diffuse 5 hours Continuously or 10 hours Intermittently

Plus, you’ll get access to my VIP group, ongoing mentoring, free wellness consultation, and an amazing welcome package.

You can also gift this to someone! The gift of health and wellness–how awesome!

Grab this bundle – Healthy Start Kit

Principles to Live By

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In the Yoga world, Pantanjali wrote ancient texts thousands and thousands of year ago and have become the “rules” in which a Yogi attempts to live by. Part of the texts include the Yamas and Niyamas. The Yamas focus on the ethical standards of how we should conduct ourselves in daily life and the behavior to develop during interactions with the self and others. The five Yamas include truthfulness, non violence, non stealing, non greed, right energy. The five Niyamas are constructive tools for cultivating happiness and self-confidence and they are purification, contentment, self-discipline, self study, and self surrender.

As I have been going back to studying the Sutras, reviewing these principles is always a rich self exploration, especially during this month as I have been teaching my classes around the concept of understanding the foundation of our spirit.

Over the years I have found that knowing (and living within) my values or principles is paramount for my success and overall well-being. When I step aside from them and life becomes challenging, as it often does, I am less likely to respond well.

In contemplative questions, it is useful to ask yourself what are some of the core principles in which you live by.

I like to think of the foundation of a home being what sustains the rest of the structure when storms come by, or the roots of tree that holds it upright during turmoil.

As I have been looking inward and reviewing the Yamas/Niyamas, I spent a few weeks discovering the ten principles in which I live by.

I have come to learn that when we know who we are, we can begin to show up in life through our thoughts, words, and actions in alignment with that inner truth. Knowing who we are is very different than what we are. To learn more about labels, check out this post.

I know when I am showing up outside of these parameters or guidelines because I get easily rattled, I am quick with sharp words, I am impatient and easily overwhelmed. When I am in my truth and aligned with these principles, I feel the wholeness of who I am and know that I am showing up in my most authentic self.

Have you ever thought about what guides you? What your foundation is?

After several weeks of pondering, here are my ten principles.

My Ten Principles

  1. Faith (in my purpose)
  2. Service (to do without gain)
  3. Kindness (just be kind)
  4. Acceptance (for everything)
  5. Diligence (don’t half ass)
  6. Action (necessary for success)
  7. Awareness (stay awake to now)
  8. Belief (knowing, empowering)
  9. Fulfillment (attention to good)
  10. Love (act in alignment with my heart)

Follow me for more goodness

Becoming a Storyteller

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I believe we all have a story and being at peace with our story usually inspires others to do the same.

Becoming a storyteller has been part of my practice for years and I am coming into an amazing place that lends itself to revealing myself on a deeper level.

It is my hope that in the coming months as you learn more about my story it will awaken something in you that seeks to be found.

If you’re hoping to learn to touch your toes, I may not be the best yoga teacher for you. If you want to crawl into your spirit and bring out the best of yourself, then I am.

Let’s tell each other our stories. Let’s listen and shine the light on each other.

A Home Yoga Practice Space

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Nothing can take your yoga as deep as practicing at home. There are many reasons why you think you can’t, but those are often mental obstacles that are preventing you from a rich and intimate yoga practice.

To help hurdle some of the obstacles, it’s important to set yourself up for a great home practice by creating an inviting home yoga space.

Here are a few tips:

  1. Your space can be small. An intimate corner tucked away is a perfect place to create zen. Once before I had a studio I arranged my furniture in my family room so I had a place behind the sofa big enough for a make shift alter, and my yoga mat. Add in a device to view my videos and you’re there. A spare bedroom, unfinished basement, a tidy walk in closet, your entry way, a back patio or deck, or even a corner of your office all make great spaces.
  2. Make your space beautiful. Add a pretty plant, some nice art, a photograph, crystals, and a candle. I used an old breakfast tray for my alter and would light a candle, and have my pretty treasures near the top of my mat.
  3. Aroma is everything. Our sense of smell is directly linked to our mood and our excitability. My favorites to diffuse are sandalwood, any citrus and mint combo, or simple lavender.
  4. Be grateful. It is an honor to unroll your mat and spend time with yourself. You don’t need a fancy studio to bring you back home to yourSelf. A thankful heart doesn’t care where you practice.

If you would love a free thirty minute chat to help motivate you to get started and answer questions, I would LOVE to chat with you! Send me a message and we can set something up!

About Stacie

Stacie believes that it is her life purpose to share the gift of Yoga with anyone who is willing to say yes. In addition to raising a family and being an advocate for those with disabilities, Stacie is founder of Embracing Spirit Yoga which specializes in bringing adaptive Yoga into community centers and rehabilitation clinics. Bringing her depth of compassion to the mat–or the chair–she offers students the opportunity to grow as an individual in all aspects of their life.

Captivated By Purpose

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I didn’t follow the traditional path when it comes to becoming a yoga teacher. I knew early on that my path would lead me to sharing yoga with those who are unable to easily access a traditional setting. I got many small certifications and began teaching before I even thought about getting a 200 hour accreditation. And to be really honest, I still cringe when someone asks me “where did you do your 200 hour?” I cringe because so many times our culture puts a focus on a title or a perceived standard. As my favorite poem the Invitation says—“it doesn’t interest me where or what or with who you studied, I want to know what sustains you on the inside when all else falls away”.

My path to becoming a yoga teacher was the same old monkey on my back that I carried because I didn’t take the common path and go to college. Instead, I got married and became a mom. I didn’t take a college class until I was 43 years old! Until I was able to see my own success I always felt less than others because I chose a different way.

What I have come to learn is that the path we take is OURS. There is no space for comparison when you are fully engaged with your purpose. I knew I was supposed to be a young mom and I also knew that I was supposed to teach yoga a certain way. I knew then and I know now that the paper certificate or who I studied with is irrelevant—it is how I show up on the world that matters. And that is with divine PURPOSE.

Let go of the distraction to compare and compete and instead step into who you really are. You’ll find a treasure within yourself that will change the world.

When I made the decision to go online due to covid, I knew I didn’t want to take another traditional path of online offerings. I wanted to stay true to me—raw, real, authentic, and definitely not staged or overly “perfect”. I hold true to that, tho I will say I have found each week to be more and more my true voice as I get comfortable teaching to a screen.

If you’re ready to follow a path that’s true to you, I’d love to link arms with you.

The Power of Choice: Creating Your Path with Intention

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The Power of Choice: Creating Your Path with Intention

Every moment offers us a choice. Sometimes they’re small—what to eat, how to move through the day. Other times they feel monumental—deciding which direction to take when life asks us to grow.

Choice is where our power lives. It’s in the pause between stimulus and response, the sacred space where we can listen deeply to what we need and act from a place of alignment. Even in seasons where life feels heavy or uncertain, we can choose to breathe, to soften, to take one mindful step forward.

In this post, we’ll explore how embracing conscious choices—both big and small—can bring more peace, clarity, and meaning to your everyday life.

Over the last few weeks, more and more people have mentioned to me that they think  I am lucky.  People have said thing like I am lucky because I have an amazing house, lucky I have my own studio, lucky I can still make a living during the COVID outbreak, lucky I have amazing sons, and lucky I am active, thin and healthy.

Lucky? How about instead I made choices.  I made really important, life-changing, courageous choices. These choices were made with the Divine guidance of Spirit consistently nudging me along. There were many times that I was not able to see the clear path, but somewhere deep inside of me, I had faith, even when I did not know it existed. When I chose to commit to becoming the best version of myself and to be of service to my family and the world, the things that might appear to others as luck, became my well-deserved life that continues to be in alignment with Spirit.

First of all, I never got a penny of alimony following my divorce and I received child support for about a year. The inheritance I got when my father died was simply $100. I paid the full listing price for the house I bought from my mom.  Nothing was handed to me. I have earned every single amazing lucky thing that I have. I chose to create this lucky life.

Here is how:

My first major choice came when I was facing a divorce with three young children, one of whom is disabled.  I chose to commit to being the best mom (and dad) I could be.  I chose to keep the stability of my home for my kids at the cost of eating way too much french toast and hamburger helper sans hamburger.  I chose to stand my ground when it came to raising them with integrity and values. No matter how strapped we were for food, I can see now that something much greater than me was operating and we were always provided for and somehow, we made it. My grown men are amazing people and luck has nothing to do with it.

The second major choice came on an early spring day.  I woke up one day knowing that I was tired of being heavy.  I was done with eating unconsciously and I was done self-loathing my size 16 body. So, I chose to get a weightloss book and take action.  I stopped the habits of mindless snacking and afternoons lazily laying on the sofa.  I even gave up ice cream and wine!  I chose to create new habits; daily walks twice a day, preparing healthy snacks, using smaller plates, putting the kid’s snacks in a high cabinet that required serious thought to scramble with a chair for a goldfish cracker, I taught them to wash their own dishes so that I no longer cleaned their plate while I loaded the dishwasher, I chewed gum while I cooked so I would not be tempted to taste-test each step.  I chose health.  I chose to love myself enough to stop unhealthy habits and instead make new habits.

The third major choice I made was on another spring day when someone recommended that I read the book Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss.  I remembered the day I was listening to her audio version while I was out for a second walk, and the moment I felt as if God was speaking directly to me, I got it.  I chose to wake up.  I chose to live in alignment with who I wanted to be.  I chose to live with the right thought, right actions, and right words. I chose to feel the indwelling Spirit as me become, and radiate, the Light I had always been, rather than hide behind the chronic complaining and blaming.  I chose to let go of anger and disappointment and welcome in forgiveness.  I chose love.

The fourth major choice I made was investing myself into radical personal development books and courses.  I immersed myself in therapy.  I gave myself the gift of learning boundaries and self-love practices.  I began taking yoga classes.  I got back on a bicycle.  I surrounded myself with people who uplifted me. I said yes to joy. I committed to a rigorous financial plan that set me on course to someday own a home, be financially self-sufficient and stable, and save each and every month. I chose to take ownership of my life.

The fifth major choice I made was to listen to the longing in my soul and share yoga and the process of waking up with anyone willing to say yes.  And, this included my heart and passion of reaching those with disabilities or other barriers to a traditional practice.  I said yes to my purpose.  I said yes to the gift Spirit chose for me to share. I chose to listen and take action.  I left a j.o.b. and I ended a relationship that gave me financially security, but left me empty and alone. I chose to be free.

You see none of what I have is luck.  None of what I have was given to me by another human.  Nobody saved me and nobody did this for me.  I did it.

I co-created through Divine Love the life I wanted and then with an open heart, I said yes!

That is a choice, not one bit of luck.

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If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

The Practice of Intentions

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You have probably heard about intentions, right?  Especially at the beginning of a new year, it is quite the buzz.  I am all for people setting new year goals, visions, intentions, or whatever you want to call them, but I am talking more about a daily focus on something you want to create in your life.

Over the years I have worked with intentions and affirmation on a daily basis. I have seen first hand when they work, and when they do not work.  They work when you truly feel what you are saying, when you visualize it often to the details,  and the same holds true when they don’t work.  Feeling it is key. You can’t expect results just by just repeating it. The more you speak it, the more you feel it, the more you feel it, the more you speak it, and the cycle continues.

Positive affirmations require a consistent and regular practice if you want to make lasting, long-term changes.

The good news is that the practice and popularity of positive affirmations are based on widely accepted and well-established psychological theory, –yes, science backs up the new agey, hippie feel-good vibes. Pretty amazing, right?

Practicing positive affirmations can be extremely simple.  You pick a statement that is positive and you repeat to yourself.  Over and over.  You write it down. You sit with it.  You believe it. You can also try this awesome meditation called Japa meditation using mala beads.

You can choose intentions to motivate you, encourage positive things in your life, or even boost your self-esteem. The subconscious patterns of negative self-talk can be eliminated by a regular positive affirmation or intention practice.

Here are the steps I follow to living my intention with affirmations:

  1. Get clear. Sit quietly without distractions and think of one (or two) areas in your life that you would like to be different. Some ideas include generating more income, finding true love in a partner, having a healthier body, or increasing self-esteem. I also love to use lime and rosemary essential oil when getting clear.  These two essential oils are powerful when it comes to the brain and can bring a sense of focus and inner knowledge.
  2. Create a powerful statement. Whatever you choose, having a very clear and deliberate statement, preferably spoken in the terms of I AM_____ (healthy, abundant, happily in love with a loving partner, surrounded by supportive friends, confident and strong). The two most powerful words in any language is I AM, so start by speaking in those terms versus I want, or I need.  I AM is ownership.
  3. Incorporate your intention into your daily life. Write down your affirmation and put it in a place where you will see it often.  Or even better, invest in sticky notes and put throughout your home. Mirrors, refrigerators, planners, cabinets, your car, etc. are great places.  I also like to may a simple photo and make it my wallpaper on my phone.
  4. Affirmations as a practice. Recording your voice on your phone and listening to yourself speak the affirmation is a great way to reinforce your intention. There are also some awesome apps you can get on your phone that remind you throughout the day to pause and listen to your affirmations.  Setting aside five minutes each morning to get still, quiet, and then repeat them in your meditation practice is also wonderful. If you want to incorporate the mantra/affirmation into your japa meditation practice, this can be incredibly powerful as well.  Basically, find a way that works for you to repeat the affirmations as often as you can.
  5. Be deliberate with your actions. Setting an intention is an amazing way to create the life you want, and deserve, but sitting back and expecting the Universe to plop it into your lap is a set up for a big-time disappointment. Manifesting and creating also take effort on your part.  Let’s say you want a healthy body.  Speaking about it but continuing to be a couch potato and indulging on cheeto’s probably isn’t going to make that happen.  Expecting or desiring to have a steady source of income while absorbing yourself in leisure activities (TV, video games, reading novels, going fishing), isn’t going to make a lot of financial deposits. The truth is, whatever you desire in your life,  you first have to FEEL you deserve it so begin sort through those common feelings of not being enough now because it’s blocking your flow, FEEL it in every cell of your being when you speak it as if it has already happened, and FEEL so strongly about it that you begin to take mindful and deliberate actions steps towards making it happen.  That is what we know as co-creating.
  6. Gratitude. Without a solid a practice of gratitude all the affirmations in the world aren’t going to make a difference. And by solid, I mean a deliberate and consistent sitting down and acknowledging all the good in your life. Remember, what you focus on is what you’re inviting in. So, the more you focus on your abundance the more you will have. So simple.

Now, it is time to get busy. What do you want to create?

When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.

If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.