Yoga is just a fad...

Oh my gosh, if I hear this one more time, I'm going to pull my hair out. I know, I know, the "yogi" response should be to breathe deep inhales and exhales repeating "Namaste" in my head, but lets be real. Yoga has been around for thousands of years. That sure is quite a fad. It is, in fact, a practice that transforms your life on the mat and is reflected in your every day life off of it. From relationships, work environments, financial decisions, diet choices, and how you treat yourself in general are all upgraded with a consistent yoga practice.

We all have our "stuff", whether heavy or petty, that we deal with on a daily basis.  Wouldn't it be nice to channel that energy into good, rather than hurtful to ourselves or others?

For me, a silly struggle is looking in the mirror and only seeing "man-arms" and "linebacker" thighs. I  see something so far from femininity that I avoid mirrors altogether when I can in studios. It's something petty that I've dealt with the majority of my life, and with the help of yoga, I now see strong arms and legs that are simply and wonderfully a part of who I am. I could choose to look in the mirror, pick myself apart and gain nothing from it. Or, I could choose to not let my insecurities define me. It's all about perspective, and finding a healthy one at that. Being beautifully strong is my new vision.  I am choosing to see the way that I was created as perfectly imperfect. What do you let your brain tell you about yourself that doesn't serve you? Why should we beat ourselves up?  The world does that enough already. We should be on our own side for crying out loud! Another bonus of truly loving ourselves is that once we do that, we can truly love other people, which will help them love and accept their true self. It really is a win, win!

Now, this didn't just happen for me the first time I rolled out my mat.  I've been practicing yoga for almost 6 years, and I'm still learning new things about myself all the time.  It has been a fruitful journey learning bits and pieces of the real Kristen.  It is even more exciting to know that more breakthroughs are coming. The wonderful thing about yoga, is that it's a never-ending process.  There is always a deeper expression of a pose, and another part of your life to enhance.

Yoga was introduced to me in a time of my life that had no direction. It was as if I was in a constant downward spiral that I couldn't escape.  I was making terrible relationship decisions, not focusing on school, neglecting my family, definitely NOT taking care of my temple...basically wasting my life on temporary satisfactions that continually brought disappointment. One day, the light bulb turned on, and BAM, my life changed forever.  I was literally on my knees, begging God to take over my life (because obviously, I was terrible at making personal decisions for myself).  Just like that, things started to change for the better.  One day I was flipping through T.V. channels and came across this show called Namaste Yoga, by Kate Potter on FIT TV. I decided, why not?  There, in my parent's living room, over 5 years ago, I was instantly hooked on this "fad" called Yoga.

After a few months of getting the hang of postures and breath work, I decided to face my fear and get my hiney into a studio.  It was the happiest I'd been in months.  I finally found direction and discipline that I needed, along with a community of wonderful people that were on journeys of their own as well.  It turns out that the discipline I developed on the mat followed me into my life.  I knew, then and there, that someday, I would teach this practice to other people and share what it was doing for me. 

Take a moment and ask yourself if the decisions you are making on a daily basis are serving you or hurting you. Let today be the day you stop being your worst critic, and become your biggest fan! As the fabulous Brett Dennen says, "Blessed is this life, and I'm going to celebrate being alive!"  It's never too late to start something new!

This girl is fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who doesn't make mistakes. You are too.

Namaste & God bless!
Kristen

It's Official!

Have you ever had a dream that was always "on the five year plan"? Well, becoming a certified yoga instructor has been that dream for exactly five years.  And as of Sunday, November 17, 2013, this girl is 200 hours certified in Power Vinyasa! Can I get a Whoop Whoop?!

For years, I've attempted to make time, be finacially stable "enough" and mentally be ready for teacher training, and something always prevented me from taking on the challenge. Honestly, I had given up on this dream for a while. It was when I finally gave up trying to force it, and instead give it up to God, that everything began to fall into place. Not only was Charleston Power Yoga's fall teacher training on the weekends, but my amazing co-workers had my back and supported me throughout the entire process! Of course, I had the support of my friends and family, but their support was so much more than just the norm of family and friends. I have to give a special shout out to the most amazing boyfriend for dealing with a girlfriend working 40+ hours a week, with 30 hours of teacher training on the weekends, looking a hot mess and still claiming her in public. ;) All of a sudden,finances seemed to come into place and provide just what was needed. I can take no credit for how this opportunity came to fruition, and I give it all to Him for providing everything I needed (and more). I feel blessed far beyond what I deserve, and I want to take the knowledge I've been given and change the world.

I can hardly belive that just 14 weeks ago, I was walking into a studio, that I wasn't a member of, to start a journey with eight strangers, who are now a part of my life-long family. My life is forever changed for the better because of them. I am so proud to stand beside them as we finish this chapter of our journey together. I can't wait to see how everyone blossoms into their practice of teaching. Y'all be sure to look out for treehouse yoga studios, amazing meditation classes, yin classes, kick-butt power vinyasa classes, corporate yoga, military yoga, and so much more! The sky is the limit for this group! Each one of them is going to have such a beautiful impact on the world! My heart is full of thanks for the laughter, tears, anxieties, doubts and achievements that these wonderful individuals experienced with me.  This adventure would not be the same without them!

This dream was so much more than just becoming a "yoga instructor". It's about using a dream to make a difference; To make it bigger than myself. My hope in creating this blog is to reach out and share what yoga has done for me, and in turn, bring about love, inspiration, hope, thankfulness and possibility to those who read it.  Whether it's a pose, a chakra, a sequence, Scripture or a Sutra, please let me know what about yoga you'd like to know more about! The possibilites are endless! I thought my journey began 14 weeks ago, but that was just the beginning of many, and I can't wait to kick off this next chapter with you!

Namaste & God bless!
Kristen