Sometimes in life, you can fall down holes you can’t climb out of by yourself. That’s what friends and family are for – to help. They can’t, however, unless you let them know you’re down there.
As we draw closer to the end of another year, I’m reminded of what a difference a day, month, and year can make in our lives, and my heart is filled with so much thanks, gratitude, and appreciation for all that this year has brought to life.
At this time, eight years ago, Mind Body Flow Yoga was simply a space. I had just recently signed the lease (right before Thanksgiving of 2011) and received the keys. As the months drew on, I watched my vision come to life and the space transform into a yoga studio.
I held in my heart high hopes of creating a place where people could come and get away from the everyday stresses of life, discover themselves, and grow more intimately.
Outdoor Yoga
LIVE Music Vinyasa
Vocalist and guitarist
8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Today, Mind Body Flow Yoga, is just 3 months shy of celebrating its 8-year anniversary, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the beautiful community that we’re continually creating. What once was a dream of mine that I didn’t think was attainable, became a reality, simply because I finally got out of my own way and let go of fear. And I’m reminded everyday of how incredibly grateful I am for having taken this leap of faith.
This year has undoubtedly been one of the hardest years for me. Having lost my Papa (my maternal grandfather) whom I was extremely close to this year, was truly so very hard – mentally and emotionally. This being my first holiday season without him, is very challenging.
The one thing that has stood out most for me and that literally has helped to get me through this challenging time, can be summed up in one word, “community.” The way our community has supported me – I have no words that properly convey the magnitude of how deeply grateful I am. Whether it was flowers, a card, a meal, an email, etc. – it got me through – it literally got me through.
It’s a palpable reminder that we are not alone in this life. I have always been someone who has a hard time asking for help. Over the years, I’ve gotten better at asking for help and allowing myself to receive help. Challenging times, along with being a business owner, has taught me that there is no shame or weakness in asking for and receiving help, but rather so powerful and so much beautiful vulnerability when we surrender to the helping hands and generosity of others.
It’s what community and being there for each other is all about, and wow, how blessed are we all, to have the tribe that we have at Mind Body Flow Yoga? I know for a fact that I couldn’t have gotten through this year without our amazing tribe and I’m committed to moving into 2020 with a heart that remains open to help.
I have each and every one of you to thank for making Mind Body Flow Yoga the beautiful community that it is today and I encourage you all to take leaps of faith in your life. I sometimes think to myself, “Where would I be now, had I not taken the leap of faith and opened Mind Body Flow Yoga?” While I’m confident I’d be doing enjoyable work and fairly content, I’m not sure I’d be fulfilled, and most importantly, I’m not convinced that I’d be walking in my life’s purpose.
When you sit quietly with yourself, what speaks to you? Are you happy? Are you living your dream? Are you living the life that you always imagined for yourself? In what areas are you holding yourself back? Our mat practice teaches us how to explore our body’s potential and that we are often far more capable than we give ourselves credit for in our minds.
There is often so much more that we can do than we think. We learn on the mat that achieving our fullest potential comes in even that split moment that we can let go of fear and just go for it. What if we applied our mat practice to our daily lives even more? What if we applied the same tools that get us through the doubts and challenges that we face on our mat, off of the mat – in our life?
I’d imagine that we would take more chances, hold tighter to faith, release fear, be happy, live our dream, and not hold back. As we prepare to conclude another year, sit quietly with yourself – breathe in all that will serve you in 2020 and breathe out what you need to leave behind in 2019. Make it a great year ahead. It’s all in you!
Here’s to another great year of community, breakthroughs, and transformation ahead!
