Flow Together, Stay Connected - By Shani Elyse

We're coming out of the heart of winter here in South Central PA and I've been hearing from many people that they are struggling with staying motivated.  

I want to remind you you that nothing is impossible. Everything we are meant to experience will arrive in perfect order. Whatever we perceive to be "missing" is in its own state of flow.  DO your life - CREATE it!  No matter what your age or your past experience, continue to learn and be open, there is so much to be known.  It's exciting!  

I have come so far on strengthening my conviction in this principle, yet I have so far to go.  I explore new moments with an open heart - no matter how much it aches.  I refuse to allow anyone or anything to dismiss my principles or to manipulate my ability to steadily advance with love.

My heart does get struck by distress from time to time, and I find myself questioning my convictions.  For me, when my heart is challenged, I have learned to harness the energy of a tenacious goddess! It is very useful to use clear communication with a graceful calm and use strength as needed - in defense of personal commitments, not as defensiveness. When someone expresses an attack on our character, it is often a projection of their own lack of self-worth.  And in those arduous moments, when we may feel the impulse to be defensive ask, " What choice am I making with this decision?".  

Are your choices fulfilling the purpose you are driven to fulfill?

Everyday we are presented over and over again with choice. You are choosing what to put in and on your body, you are choosing what/who you share with and what you pass on.  All of these choices deeply influence living the life you are meant to live.  Your choices crave your pathway to success, and to abundance, and to all things beautiful in your life. Choices create expansion for everything you want. 

Also, living yoga emphasizes service, but we also must know how to take care of our own needs.  Whether on or off the mat, Stop fighting with yourself.  At times, you may need to go off on your own for a while. Honor your needs in all their forms - take a hike in the woods, sob your eyes out, enjoy a belly laugh, dive into acts of kindness, become very private, say NO.  You'll be drawn back to expressing your life with others because you have a responsibility to share yourself with the world. This is IT! This is the only opportunity for the world to experience YOU!  Don't deny others of the gifts, blessings, love and insights they were meant to know through being close to YOU.
Flow together ~ stay connected ~ authentically.

Shani Elyse
Flow Together Yoga Center Owner | Certified Yoga Teacher 500RYT | New Cumberland, PA

shanielyse@hotmail.com
Click here to learn more about Shani

Discovering The Unseen - By Tracy Barbuto

Six years ago if you asked me what I knew about yoga the answer would have been – “very little”.  My knowledge on the topic was limited to what I had seen on television and anyone who practices yoga knows that this is never a good example. It was only at the urging of a dear friend who was a yoga teacher that I decided to give it a try.  She had invited me to her class on more than one occasion but I was no less than mortified at the thought of a going to a group class.  So she offered to practice with me at her home.  She led me through the primary series of Ashtanga and wow!  I was hooked!  I had no idea up until that point that yoga could be a total body workout.  

 With my interest peaked I started taking her classes. Every week I sat in "watchasana” amazed at the things that the people in the class were doing!  They made it look so easy.  Standing on their heads balancing on their hands not to mention the acts of contortionism!  I kept going back with the hopes of one day floating up effortlessly into tripod from a wide legged forward bend, sitting in a perfect pigeon pose, and maybe one day balancing beautifully in scorpion.  I was really only interested in what it would do for me physically or what shape I could get my body into.  I had no idea at the time that this yoga would change my life.

Fast forward 6 years, a 200 hour Ashtanga teacher training and countless classes taught.  It is a beautiful and wonderful thing the way that a yoga practice grows and evolves over time.  It just kind of sneaks up on you when you are least expecting it.  You are going about your business of sun salutations, warrior poses and Ujjayi Pranayama and all of the sudden...something changes.

Like so many other yogis, over time my practice has become less about asana and striving for that perfect posture and more about the internal work.  Don't get me wrong...I'm still in awe of the grace and strength of the floaters and flyers and the flexibility of the contortionists.  But when I think about what my practice means to me and what it is that keeps me coming back to my mat not only to practice but to teach, it is always the things that you don't see.  It's the clearer mind and the gift of presence in every moment of my life.  It's being able to embrace my limitations and to accept where I am in my practice and in my life with gratitude.  It's the deep inner peace and calm and the quiet strength and confidence that has grown out of knowing I can do what I once thought was impossible...on and off of my mat.

Namaste

Tracy Barbuto
Yoga Teacher 500RYT | Smyrna, TN
tracybarbuto@gmail.com
Click here to learn more about Tracy