The Shakti Shine - September 9th, 2019
Shakti Love Notes
We are always growing. I love that! And the more I grow, the more I recognize how important it is for us all to share what we're going through-- even (and especially) me.
So these Love Notes are a space for me to share with you each week-- about the studio, my life, how our community is growing.
The long weekend really got away from me.
In a good kind of way.
I was in Mystic, Connecticut for Labor Day weekend with some of the people I love most in this world to celebrate the wedding of two of those people. It was admittedly.... mystical.
Thursday to Tuesday was brimming with love, moments of pure pleasure, tears of joy, hugs, ease, & (of course) sweat. While I was happy to get home, missing my daily routine & normalcy of life, I woke up in my bed Wednesday morning with an anxiety that took me two days to shake off. My to-do list was a mile high, I was booked to lead 2 privates, 1 class, & leadership team, and there were (still) only 24 hours in the whole day.
Life felt unfair, overwhelming, & out of sorts.
And I felt crazy, ridiculous & alone for feeling this way.
I was seriously derailed, feeling detached, unmotivated and frustrated. At the same time, I knew the feeling would pass. It always does. But in the moment it feels so real- like it's going to last forever.
On Thursday my therapist had me write down the negative thought, the subsequent feeling, when it occurred, the facts that supported the feeling, the facts that didn't support the feeling, and a new way to think. For me that looked like this:
- The Negative Automatic Thought was: I can't do it all.
- It started when I got back to work. I made a list of all the things that need to be done. ALL of them.
- I felt overwhelmed.
- The fact is that between my classes and meetings I had 4 hours to do work and 8 hours worth of work on my list.
- Another fact, supported by experience, is that everything will be okay. Everything that needs to get done will get done.
- A new thought: I can do what needs to be done right now & what must be done today.
- A new feeling: spacious, clarity, direction
In doing that exercise something shifted.
I started to think about why or how this overwhelm came on so suddenly and the ways in which my time-bound mind hi-jacked the joy from my weekend by causing me to resent my time away.
With some fresh space, I recounted the weekend for what it was...
- Orange and lilac sunrises from my bedroom window at 5:42am
- Warm outdoor showers in the sunshine with a gentle breeze tickling my skin and the glisten of the sun on the water
- A deliciously indescribable lobster roll for $15
- Being immersed in a collective moment of love & getting to show up for people who matter
And then I started to look around...
- Beads of sweat rolling down my face in Maggie's power class
- The satisfying cadence of All I Need by AWOLNATION on repeat while I walk to the studio
- The tart sweetness of the On Cloud Nine juice at Journey Juice
- Closing my eyes and feeling the warmth of the sun on my eyelids
- The tangible love felt in the firmness of a hug
Eckart Tolle says what is precious is not time.
What we recognize as precious is Now.
"Getting back to life" and the overwhelm that ensued was a result of expectations, past & future. Not here. Not now.
Baron says, "The answer to how is NOW. Hold this moment tightly."
Hold this moment tightly.
Look around. Maybe what you've been looking for isn't what you thought you needed. Maybe what you've been looking for is already here.
Maybe what you're looking for can be found with a little space, grace, & to get present.
xx
Ruby
Beyond the mat...
We love Athens.
And we love you.
So let's have more of that-- together.
Here's where you can see what we're up to outside of the studio.
Have ideas about where we should be / what we should check out / how we can show up?
Reply to this email to let us know.
the Leadership Retreat
w/ the Duality Project
September 14 & 15
Nashville, TN
The Leadership Retreat is a time for leaders (especially in the fitness community) to come together for personal growth, professional development and real deal community.
This is an opportunity for RYT CEU's
The weekend includes:
+ Panel discussion about how to make the wellness community inclusive
+ Setting boundaries / personal & professional
+ Clifton's Strength-Finder
There are three pricing options available as well as an option to pay-over-time.
Lodging / carpooling can be arranged.
Invite a friend from your gym or studio.
Invite your favorite instructor in town.
Share this with someone you care about.
Thank you for being here and doing the work.
Put a pep in your step with us on Saturday mornings @ the Athens Farmer's Market!
This *FREE* event is once per month. Let us know you're coming! Sign up online. Extra mats will be avail for use.
JIP POWER SERIES w/ Ruby
10 sessions / $10 per session
10 people max per session
Grounding - Thursday, Sept 19th - 7-8pm
Igniting - Thursday, Sept 26th - 12-1pm
This is for you if...
+ you're curious about Baptiste yoga (the yoga @ Shakti)
+ you want to get the most out of your practice!
+ you're curious about fundamentals
Inquiry Corner w/ Emily
Hi everyone, Emily here! If you’re new to inquiry, this looks like moving through questions, prompts, activities, and conversations that help you learn more about yourself. I’m excited you’re here!
We're moving IC to IGTV and the blog, but we'll always give you a teaser here.
This week: Pranayama—or controlled, rhythmic breathing—is all about harnessing power. Breath is the way our bodies take energy and keep our bodies alive.Pranayama is creating vitality!
Hop over to Instagram to learn more about why pranayama is so important in today's (Monday's) video and come back for some related inquiry on Wednesday.
Meet the Shakti Team!
*Lucy Stelmack*
Why do you teach at Shakti? Not only was Shakti the place I began my yoga journey it was also the place that provided me a safe place to heal and learn without judgement where I felt supported and valued. I knew that being up to something bigger meant being apart of the Shakti team.
How do you honor the roots of a yoga practice in your every day life? By honoring and listening to my body and by doing "the work" that arrives for me each day.
What kind of teacher do you strive to be?Empowering- I want my students to know that they are powerful just for coming to their mat!