I Live My Life, As I Teach My Class - By Debbie Wolff

Growing up in an affluent area of Long Island, I led a very normal life. My parents kept me grounded and I had a very healthy lifestyle. I had 2 older brothers who were out of the house as far back as I could remember.

When I was a senior in high school, at 17 years of age, my father fell ill and ultimately passed away and left me at home with my mother at a critical time of my life…college choices. 

I decided to stay local for college thinking this was best for both my mother and myself. If hind-sight is 20-20 I should have realized this was not in either of our best interests.  

Growing unhappy with my decision I began to take to food for comfort.  Before I was 22 years old my weight had ballooned to 182 lbs. I was uncomfortable, unhappy and insecure.  I tried every diet, including pills and liquids with no success.  If I lost 10 lbs I later gained back 12 or more.

I finally made a move to NYC to try to get my life in order.  I went on a physicians diet and lost over 45 lbs. I found myself at home watching TV when a woman named Jacki Sorenson was on showing her “aerobic dancing”. This looked like so much fun and what great music she played! With a number flashing across the screen for local classes I immediately called the one nearest me and enrolled.  I couldn’t afford the price of the classes but robbed Peter to pay Paul…when one day they announced that they were looking for instructors.  I knew I could never do what these ladies were doing but I tried out anyway. There was a running “test” of 1.35 miles in 12 minutes based on my age that I certainly couldn’t pass (so I thought) but I went out and started running to try to improve my times.

When the day came for the running test I was amazed that I made it and thereby became an aerobic dance instructor.  That was 1981 and since then I have taught non-stop fitness.  Through fads and changes I now own a fitness studio and currently am certified to teach spinning, kickboxing, kettlebells, trx, pilates, yoga and more, and am a NSCA certified personal trainer.

I live my life as I teach my classes..full and hardy.  Nothing is too hard to try to complete..no endeavor too much to endure.  I currently employ over 20 fabulous instructors and am living a dream that I could not even imagine as a 22 year old “former fatty”.  

I know that inside everyone there is a fit person..they just have to want to make that happen.  All you need is to just do it!

Debbie Wolff 
Owner Fusion Fitness & Yoga | Yoga & Fitness Teacher | Parkland, FL 
MSFIT27@aol.com
Click here to learn more about Debbie 

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

Is Normal Working For You? - By Mandy Sergent

With the holidays now quietly fading into the background, for most of us, our lives are returning to normal. I’m curious what normal means for you. And, is normal working for you?

With each New Year that falls upon us, it’s common to set a resolution or an intention for things to be different in the future than they were in the past. But, if we don’t take the time to get to the bottom of our desire for change and growth, if our intentions are not specific enough, or if our intentions are fueled by external pressures rather than internal longing, we might find that we are set up for failure. 

Each January, I see a surge in yoga class attendance, my phone rings off the hook, and my email in-box nearly explodes. Within a few weeks, things return to “normal”. Class attendance returns to the yogis who have practiced with me for years.  A lot of the new folks fade away (yes, some do stay).  And I have to wonder if this is due to the case of a generic New Year’s Resolution – one of those that we are all familiar with: eat healthier; exercise more often; take more time for myself…  There is nothing wrong with these resolutions, if they come from true desire and clarity. But, if you have chosen one of these because you think you “should”, you are not likely to follow through with it long-term.

The good news is that we can always start over again. Each time we come to our yoga mats, we start fresh with our yoga practice. We start with a few moments of being silent, reconnect with our breath, and check in with ourselves to see what we need in that moment. Some days, we have extra energy to burn and a vigorous practice calls to us. Other days, we’re tired and in need of rest, so a restorative practice is more appropriate. Some days, we balance so steadily that crossing a tightrope seems nearly possible and other days we are trees blowing in the wind. At times, we stand strong in Warrior pose and feel as if our energy meridians have all connected and we are being refueled.  Perhaps, other times we feel wobbly and misaligned and can’t wait for the posture to end. But that is what yoga is about, right – being in each moment? There is no right and wrong, not better or best, no one pose fits all.

Just as we get the opportunity to re-evaluate our practice each time we roll out our yoga mats, we can re-evaluate our lives each day. There is nothing more magical about January 1^st than any other day of the year. Whether you’ve set a resolution for 2011 or not, if you feel a subtle urging inside and want to make a change, try the following exercise to get really clear on how to move forward. It is important to take your time through this process.  Allow yourself at least 20 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time.

• Find a comfortable way to sit. You should be able to relax, but stay alert. Take a few deep breaths to settle into that position. Let go of any expectations of what your intention or resolution should be and allow your mind to quiet down.
• Now, reflect back over your last year (or day, or event, or whatever you want to take a closer look at). Take a few minutes to remember as much as you can, big or small; what worked and what did not work; events that happened daily as well as those that happened only once; things that people said to you, what you said to others, and also those gentle nudgings from that voice inside. After a few minutes of reflecting, ask yourself, "What ONE thing stands out the most?" Get really clear about why this particular thing stands out. As best as you can, put yourself back in that moment. How did you feel? Who was with you? What were your surroundings? Does this feel like something you want more of in your life, or less of?
• Next, keeping in mind what stood out, and its particular qualities, let your view grow a little wider and consider the rest of your life – all aspects: work, play, free time, relationships, your thoughts, your feelings and emotions. How does what stood out relate to your day to day life on a regular basis? Is there some kind of pattern that you notice? This could be an area of your life that has similar qualities as what stood out.  Alternatively, it could be an area of your life where those qualities are missing.
• Now, take a moment to connect to the all-knowing place inside yourself that you go to for wisdom or guidance. If you feel unsure about what that means, imagine that you have a best friend - someone who always has your best intentions in mind - sitting with you. What advice does this place (person) have to offer you about what stood out over the last year and how it relates to your day to day life? You might ask yourself, “Given all that I’ve noticed, how can life be even better for me?” Keep in mind that information can come in a number of ways - words, a feeling, an image - so listen with all of your senses. If nothing comes to you right away, don't fret.  Remember that simply having a new awareness is enough to start the process of change and this step might become clearer as time passes.
• Finally, when you've heard, seen, or otherwise sensed some guidance from this place (person), come up with ONE action step for how to move forward.  This step should be geared towards helping you bring that guidance more fully into your day to day life. If your guidance was to make a change in your life, what one step can you take towards that change? If your guidance was a feeling, perhaps peacefulness, what can you do to bring more peace into your life? Resist the urge to come up with an entire plan for your year. Remember that you can always stop to regroup and re-evaluate.

So, fellow yogis, tell me: did you set an intention or resolution for 2011? Are you still sticking with it? If so, how? And if not, how can you regroup, and change your intention to be so specific, so spot on, that you cannot possibly fail?

Mandy Sergent
Yoga Instructor, Yoga Therapist | Boalsburg, PA 
mandysergent@hotmail.com |  www.mandysergent.com

Waking & Walking In The River Of Consciousness This I Call Yoga - By Amy Figoli

My life over the past 25 years has been a landscape that I could not have imagined. At 20 years of age I was in the US Army- a missile specialist, several years later I had my first child and was able to leave the military. I  had my second child three years later, and my real education began! I have held various jobs and owned several businesses in my life and did not walk into  the path of Yoga until my early forties. 

One day I was walking,  I had grown tired of my life, I was bored with life and I was bored with me. I had worked very hard at developing my business savvy and being the smartest person in the room, this was a strategy to ensure no one would ever be able to pull any tricks on me or take advantage of me ever again. Well all of this just made me tired.  I was empty. It is a lot of armor to keep holding up! So I said to the Universe I do not wish to live the second half of my life the way I have lived the first half. I had many beautiful things but, I was so tired of not feeling my life had meaning. Shortly there after things changed quickly, I took my first Vinyasa class and after my second class I went home and wrote my teaching schedule, and 4 months later sold my business and began to pursue various Teacher Trainings.  Nine months after my first Yoga class I was now teaching in a small town in Maine, I knew I did not  know everything about yoga but I knew I had to share what I did know.

The process-Our life as we know it. What do we really know- the path of Yoga asks of me to meet that which I do not know, the practice asks of me to meet the unknowing, often I meet that which can not be explained,at least I have found a great struggle in trying to put words to the practice the path of Yoga. Somehow words can almost feel confining   a bit restricting in the expression of what is so vast. Of what we call Yoga. My practice goes beyond words, beyond form, the experience of  energy  that is exchanged is not yet tangible but yet so sweetly familiar as I crave to be with it. The craving becomes satisfied on my mat. The familiarity settles in and  the connection of Spirit is once again satisfied. My intention is to remember that I am not separate. Yes, I can say this and have a sense of understanding, of wanting to believe this is true -but do I believe this? I do, but feel I am in the process of truly believing this truth once again. The path helps me remember my connection. The connection that I have never been separate in the first place-this is what must be unlearned as some of our programming runs deep.

The practice of Yoga in it’s various forms of Asana/Hatha, Karma and Bhakti, Raja and Juana have given my life meaning. The practice has placed me in touch with  what I can not touch but is exquisitely comforting. I teach, and I am grateful. I am grateful because I know this is what I am meant to do, I/we  like knowing what we are here to do. I do not always know what I am here to teach specifically or here to do,  and at times become unsettled and restless as I want more. This is a human condition, and a dominate one in the states, as well as our states of mind. Our culture is  often referred to as the land of plenty and of Freedom- Oh I do want freedom, but what  do I want freedom from? We teach what we need to know, and we teach from experience. I am afforded    the opportunity to teach , and  I fully understand that every student that walks through my door is my mirror-some days I must meet "frustration", some days I must meet the feeling of "I am not enough", and many days I meet " I am so glad to be on my mat- choosing ease in my body and choosing to  move what is stuck and holds me back".

I am blessed to be waking and walking with others, changing a world that we can not see the outcome to, but feel we are making a difference in the lives of others,  knowing our actions of today are effecting generations to come. My hope for you in reading this, is to invite you to embrace the courage needed to meet yourself on the mat.  That you choose to begin the process of meeting yourself where you are and not where you think you should be. Meeting compassion.

Changing the world one Yoga Class at time!

In light and love - Sat Nam

Amy Figoli

The Yoga House Owner | Certified Yoga Teacher

amy_maineyogahouse.com

www.MaineYogaHouse.com

Yogi vs. Dentist - By Gretchen Fruchey RYT

Recently, I went to the dentist. Left with no excuses (and threatened with a fine), I could postpone my appointment no longer: I had a cavity and needed a drill to fix it. This encounter unexpectedly served as an odd metaphor for courage in my life. The short experience (that only felt like a lifetime) forced me to confront issues of control, ego, resolve, and fear—it tested many of the guidelines I use to live. Suffice it to say, not only was it uncomfortable, it was humbling. Most people would describe me as a strong person, a person with gumption and a backbone. I think of myself and as a spiritual soldier, armed with the bravery that accompanies detachment and deep breathing. So a little filling was no match for me. Right? 

Ah, that day…Ipod in hand (chuck full of meditations and soft, soothing playlists) I sit first for the cleaning, put my earphones in and begin focusing on my breath. I use the experience as a test of my ability to scan the body and release any areas of tension.

As the technician cleans, I breathe and try to focus and un-focus, re-focus and relax. Every few minutes I become aware of my shoulders rising up, my hands clenching or my jaw tightening. Eventually, I find a wave pattern of relaxation, starting at the top of my head, working my way down to my toes—and over and over again I keep relaxing. I’ve transported myself to a far away field of green grass and butterflies and sunshine. Before I know it, the cleaning is over! I couldn’t believe an hour flew by—my jaw didn’t have the usual dull pain it has after a cleaning. I rocked it! I was so yogi, it wasn’t even funny! 

It was now time for the filling. At this point I am feeling a little nervous, but confident in my abilities. After a little topical gel for numbing, the dentist comes in to administer the Novocain. I internally scoff at the humongous needle, feeling superhuman in my powers of detachment. I’ve conquered Discomfort, I can take you Dentist! He puts the needle in, starts to depress the syringe and….OH MY LORD THE PAIN! THE PAIN!! My body cringes, I whimper, my eyes tear and roll into my head! Panic sets in. My heart starts beating like a caged animal and I begin to sweat uncontrollably. What was I thinking!? This is horrible! This is going to be excruciating! And that was only the shot! (Apparently, he hit a nerve. “Bullseye.” He said.) So we wait for the numbing to begin. I turn up the volume on my meditation and breathe, lengthening my exhales to slow my heartbeat. I am calmed by how quickly I get my heart and breath under control. After about five minutes, we test my lips. They are not numb. A couple more minutes go by, I can still feel everything. I tell him, only half joking, “I repelled it. I used my yogi strength to dissolve the elephant-sized dose of Novocain you just gave me.” He gets another needle. Lets just say, after two large needles, that crazy tent thing (which gives me claustrophobia), and two drills (I still wasn’t numb—cringing and shivering in pain), I was beginning to doubt my abilities. Clearly I am a creature of earth, full of human weakness. 

When it was all over, I felt like I’d run a marathon—my armpits were wet, my hair was glued to the back of my neck and I’d teared mascara all over my face. While I did now have a nice, clean filling instead of a decaying tooth, I was annoyed by how frightening the experience had been. I failed to control my reaction, and I was disappointed in myself (then also angry with myself for feeling disappointed). But as I got further away from the terror of that day, I kept thinking about it in relation to life. I know the dentist is a hyperbolic version of trauma; there are many more serious tests for strength and bravery! But, like my appointment, we can avoid experiences we find uncomfortable or we can face them. Most times, we eventually have no choice—things have a way of knocking on our door no matter how much we try to avoid them. When we summon the courage to face what we fear, we can arrive prepared, knowing the philosophy, the practice, the breath. Sometimes we will succeed: we will float through that experience less scathed than we thought, maybe even indulge our ego and be proud of our strength. Sometimes, we will use everything we have, but still will find ourselves overwhelmed by what we fear, by this experience of earthly life. We’ll falter, lose our faith in ourselves, and feel utterly human and disappointed. With the aches and stings serving as reminders, we have the option of carrying that pain forward and allowing it to define all our future experiences. Or, connected to Spirit, Universe, God, family, our soul, we can acknowledge that courage is our superhero cape even when we are afraid. We can feel that fear, trepidation, and insecurity as we take charge and meet head-on that which does not serve us. To continue the metaphor, when we come home from the dentist we can take an Advil and then get back to our lives. I had to acknowledge that while I did fall victim to panic and fear that day, I made it out alive. Clearly, I will go to the dentist again and I can choose not to let this particular appointment describe all future visits. I can choose to let it be what it was: one rather unfortunate day in the life of my mouth. 

As with everything we face, we must take the experience at face value and learn from it what we can. Even if the information you receive doesn’t flatter the idea you have of yourself—use it. This small act takes a tremendous amount of courage itself. I could see that going into that day, I wanted to be bigger and stronger than the Dentist. I wanted to waltz in and out of that situation free of frazzle. It was more about my expectations than my will. (Well, also a bit about lack of Novocain). That is information I can use. I can apply it to future confrontations with other villains in my life—Anguish, Greed, Betrayal, Disappointment, Judgment—and allow it shape a better version of me. Flashing a bright white grin, I think to myself what my grandfather always said “It is what it is…now what are you gonna do about it?” Personally, I’m going to change Dentists. How about you? 

 

“Life only demands the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible—not to have run away.” Dag Hammarskjöld.

Gretchen Fruchey RYT
Certified Yoga Teacher  
yogafruchey@gmail.com  
www.gretchenfruchey.com

Waking Up - By Erin McGuire

Things, both good and bad show up in our life as they are supposed to.  They show up with the divine timing of the universe and when something unfavorable shows up it may be a way for us to go deeper.  To look at things differently, to be more real.  The real point is that every moment is valuable.  That people will always come and go.  That this body, this earth, these material things around us are not permanent.  We must cherish every person, good or bad in our life to give us the lessons that we need.  The information that we need to take with us on our journey.  To thank them.  To hug them and tell them we love them when they leave, because we never know when we may see them again.  If we can just let go of the pain in our hearts.  If we can just get real with ourselves and see how precious this life really is, then we can begin to see the love that is at the very depth of everyone.  

If we can just take our own sledgehammers to our own walls, knock them down and start over.  Start at the beginning.  When there were no walls to begin with.  I am sick of my walls.  I am sick and tired of working so hard on pushing everyone away.  It is a lot of work.  It is so much easier to just be yourself.  To just be loving and open.  It hurts less.  It changes others more and allows them to be more open.  I am tired of walls.  I am tired of sledgehammers.  I am tired of only seeing cracks of sunlight peeking in, when I want the whole sun to shine upon me and those around me.  A crack of sunlight can change darkness into morning, but the light of the whole sun can wake up a planet.  It is time to start waking up.  It is time to stop just letting the cracks of sun in and start allowing it all to shine through.  I am tired.  I want to wake up.  I want others to wake up around me.  I feel like no matter how much sleep I get I am still tired.  Like I am in an eternal dream world where life is a bit dead around me.  People walking like zombies in their sleep induced states, not fully aware of what they are doing to each other, to the planet to their own psyches.  This is the dream.  This is what we need to wake up from. 

 So today we begin again.  We open our eyes maybe for the first time ever and see the world and its inhabitants as they really are.  We see the divine in everything and we acknowledge that. We are a little softer, a little sweeter, with a little less stress in our bodies.  We treat each other with a little more kindness, knowing we are all the same, we all hold the same light within us.  Today we begin again. Today we wake up.

Erin McGuire

Pure Light Yoga and Wellness Coach

www.mypurelightyoga.com

323-836-5556