Consistency is Key

It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.

Anthony Robbins

I say all the time in my classes that Yoga is how we show up in life. It’s taking the tools we access in a physical practice—steadiness, concentration, presence, acceptance, surrender, courage—and applying them to life.

At the beginning of August I started a program to help me get back on my Yoga mat (or chair) consistently. To be honest, I was dreading it. The commitment that I made felt overwhelming and more than I could handle. I was so stressed about the details of recording the videos, when I would carve out the time, would it be good, what would I have to give up to make the time, etc.

Surprise surprise it has been one of the best months of my life. I crave the time to go out and move my body. Just 15-20 minutes a day and I am feeling more grounded, more aware and my body feels good.

The practice of consistency and showing up in your life with a commitment to be the best version of yourself you can is where the magic is.

I believe 100% that every aspect of our life will be influenced by being consistent. Our friendships, intimate relationships, work place connections, and our presence is the world itself will be effected in a positive way when we consistently show up for ourselves and others.

Consistently showing up.

Something magical happened yesterday in my work world that bleeds into this commitment of consistency. I FINALLY broke the code at a house I’ve been going to for TWO years with zero interest from the residents, minus one guy whose feet I rubbed consistently for two years until he passed away.

Every two weeks for two years I would knock on the door and ask the residents if they wanted to hang out with me. Saying the words “yoga practice” is far too intimidating because the image comes up in most people that it requires being on the floor like a pretzel. I have found just getting them to sit down with me is step one.

Today I unlocked the code of their resistance.

I had talked many times before to this guy but usually just asked how he was and if he wanted to try yoga. Always a no. He said he preferred to walk. I often thought to myself “me too, dude”. Nevertheless, I offered.

Today I asked about what I knew was HIS passion. I asked him which foot goes on the back of the surf board. He grew up surfing in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.

That is all it took— meeting him at HIS INTEREST. The next 45 minutes three other residents joined (one young young YOUNG man who is new) and a man who has refused to even speak to me for two years.

Today I broke the walls. They all participated and I was so happy for them.

Consistency.

Showing up week after week even if they say no builds SO much trust. Trust that many of them desperately need. One student told me recently that the reason he comes to Yoga is because I am one of the only people in his world that do what they say they will.

Showing up in our own lives and practice takes consistency but the benefit is so remarkable. Whether you’re committed to your health, your business, your family or others the consistency is what will be the game changer.

Believe me, they are watching and you never know who you are inspiring.

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Creating a Ripple Effect

When you do some good work and if it inspires others, then you have just created the ripple effect. -Mohith Agadi

If you have been reading and watching awhile you know I have chosen a single word for my year for 19 years. This word acts as a compass for my thoughts, words and actions throughout the year. I create graphics, post notes, make screen savers, buy bracelets with the word embedded on it, I create essential oil blends to support my intention, I talk about it ALL THE TIME, and I basically embody the essence of the word and watch as my life adjusts. Sometimes the word and intention literally kicks my butt within days of declaring my intention and sometimes it takes months of work to reveal its magic.

It is a deep practice to me and one that I believe changes lives. For the entire month of January I basically ask anyone in my life what their word of the year is. If they look at me like I am crazy, I immediately dive into the readers digest version of the process and how we are all creators of our life.

I recently shared this lesson with the agencies serving adults with traumatic brain injuries that I teach adapt yoga and wellness in. Imagine my heart exploding when I learned today that over 30 individuals have chosen a word or theme for their year and have created affirmation cards for their bedroom. These are people with tremendous impact of disability and yet, they are showing up and doing the work.

I am so proud that one little (huge) lesson has impacted so many. This means that 30 people will be focused on living their best life, despite many challenges. It means that they will shift their focus from their limitations to what they want to create in their life.

They could choose to just be angry and wait until life takes them. They could be focused on being a victim and losing everything. They could be focused on the should have beens. They could have made excuses as to why it will never work.

Instead, they embrace a lesson and run with it.

That is the ripple effect that happens when someone does the work and then shares the life changing lesson with anyone willing to listen (or not). These brave people will be creating their best version of their life through the power of intention, and in return it will impact others. That is powerful.

So, are YOU ready to choose a theme for your year? Are you ready to create the life of your dreams?

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The Practice of Refinement

Many of you have been asking me about my reason for making some changes to my in-studio class schedule that I announced earlier this month.

A few reasons have led me to make this temporary decision. I have some exciting new things that I am working on, including finalizing a teaching manual and adaptive yoga teacher training program that I have been muddling over for awhile. The manual was originally going to be a published book, and perhaps it someday will be, but it is the perfect required reading for someone wanting to learn how and why to work with people with disabilities—yoga or otherwise. I would love to see more people with brain injuries and other neurological conditions getting access to yoga but it requires a special person and a little bit of training. This is something incredibly dear to my heart.

Another reason I am stepping back a bit from the studio is because I have some health related things going on that I would like to give more of my attention to. Nothing horrific—it is actually kind of fascinating—evidently I inherited a gene from one of my parents that causes a condition called hemochromatosis—basically I am storing too much iron in my blood and the treatment will require my attention, time and a little bit of rest.

And finally, I committed this year to working on the practice of refinement. So in my vow to always live a life of alignment, I have chosen to close the doors for group classes until the world feels a little more healthy in the physical and emotional way. This feels right for me and my business.There may be an occasional work shop, meditation gathering, or special small event over the next few months, but for now I am focusing on private students, wellness coaching, my yoga training, my health, my family, and helping others live their best life.

Not bad, right? Pop over and see some of the cool services I offer virtually.

Crystals and Oils

I have stocked up on crystals ready to go into some of my favorite essential oil blends.

I love adding the vibrational awesomeness of crystals to essential oils. Together they make for some powerful stuff.

My favorite place to apply these super high powered blends is at the back of my neck along my brain stem area. Did you know that basil and lime together have some serious brain boosting capabilities? They can support focus and mental fatigue!

Fantastic, eh? When I am sharing yoga with individuals with traumatic brain injuries I incorporate oils each session. They apply to their neck and of course breathe the aroma in. It’s amazing the shift in focus.

If you’d like more info on crystals, oils or brains, just shoot me a message! Email me at [email protected] ??