MIA…But For Good Reason

Where Have I Been?

If you subscribe to my newsletters, you may (or may not) have noticed that they stopped cold turkey. My life has been quite hectic these last few months. Not “hectic” in a negative kind of way, but just busy, busy, busy, with not a lot of time to focus on anything else. In January, I decided to enroll in the Spring Yoga Teacher Training Program at Lift Yoga and Body. Can I just tell you…it was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself! Seriously!

The training began in March and ended the first week in May. For six weeks, Monday through Friday, we were in the studio from 9 am to 3 pm learning about all things yoga. It was INCREDIBLE! There were only nine of us, and needless to say…these beautiful souls- each of us from all walks of life- quickly became my “tribe.” I miss them dearly, but we will no doubt stay in touch over dinners and yoga classes! 😉 They are all destined to be incredible, wherever they may land.

Our motto handed down from our fearless warrior and teacher trainer, Kim Saunders was…”Feel the fear, and do it anyway!” I know each of these brave, incredible human beings will do just that- no matter what that entails!

If you know me, then you know I love all things “health and wellness.” Obtaining my yoga teacher certification fit perfectly with my new health coaching business. I am planning on incorporating the two to help individuals implement the perfect balance of wellness into their lives, and to help others live a life of authenticity, despite the inevitable occurrence of day-to-day stressors.

There is so much more to yoga than just the poses (asanas). The benefits of yoga can completely transcend your physical practice and stay with you long after you step off your mat. I could write pages and pages on what that means, or what that looks like, but it took me 200 hours to learn it all and I don’t think you want to read 200 hours worth of my writing! 😉 Let me just say if you have ever given a single thought to going through a Yoga Teacher Training Program, as Nike says, “Just Do It!!”

Another part of the equation to my absence was the fact that I also had a graduating senior this year. Let me just tell you…that kept me extremely busy this spring! There was so much going on that last month of school that I could hardly keep up. I have to admit though, it was a LOT of fun! On July 1, we will be dropping my first-born off at the United States Military Academy (West Point). This momma is so incredibly proud, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad. I know it’s cliche, but I’m not sure how we got here so fast.

Staying Present

As Joan Borysenko says, “Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace.” For me, this season finds me on a tightrope. Our family is in the process of facing some big changes, and it’s bringing a lot of inner-chaos, uncertainty, insecurities, and fears. Change will do that.

With the time passing so quickly, God has definitely been showing me in this season what I needed to work on. I have learned to be more present, even in the more mundane moments of life. Perhaps it is easier in those moments to remember to be present, simply because there is usually more silence in the “mundane,” and silence usually equates to a little less distraction- in the physical sense, at least.

Remember To Breathe

You may be thinking, what about those super-busy chaos-filled seasons when you literally don’t know whether you are coming or going? The key for me has been the priceless gift of learning to be conscious of the very one thing that God gave us to sustain us. The breath. It may sound silly to someone that only does yoga for the physical aspects. However, learning to connect with the breath is one of the most important gifts I think we could give ourselves. It’s also one of the eight limbs of yoga (another portion of the 200 hours)! 😉

So What’s Next?

Xtreme Health and Wellness is here to stay. However, within the next year, I will be rebranding to incorporate yoga into my health coaching practice, and calling the business by the name originally set up for the LLC, Compass Health and Wellness.

I am also currently teaching yoga at a studio in Roswell, Georgia. Firefly Yoga and Movement Center is a wonderful new studio dedicated to supporting, empowering and inspiring every person through exploring yoga, movement, and meditation. I highly encourage you to try this studio out if you live in the area.

I am also looking forward to offering private one-on-one yoga instruction, in addition to continuing my health coaching. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact me here.

In the meantime, NAMASTE, MY FRIENDS.