Dec 4, 2014 |
This article first appeared on Elephant Journal back on December 6, 2012. It carries a message that is near and dear to my heart, so I thought I would dust it off and share it again.
A few years ago I attended a sold-out yoga workshop given by Kathryn Budig, an internationally known yoga instructor, foodie, and animal lover. Kathryn is living a life I dream of: writing, teaching and practicing yoga around the globe with the perfect accessory, a major book deal tucked into the back pocket of her Lululemon yoga pants.
Kathryn unassumingly walked her petite, well-toned body into the room, perfectly accessorized with a smile and pearl mala beads, looking super-cool in a well worn vintage Journey t-shirt. With a great deal of humor and enthusiasm, she began her talk, and right away she told us her goal in life: to live an awesome life.
Holy crap, that’s my goal too!
You can imagine my delight when she clued us in on how to do just that.
One of Kathryn’s yoga DVD’s is themed around “Aiming True” in our lives. What is aiming true? It is all about making the choice to move from a place of fear to a place of love. When we embrace fear, we experience anticipation, expectation, dread and doubt. And guess what? According to Kathryn, this nasty anticipation stuff is what freaks us out. When we can let go of fear, we can move to a place of love and embrace the present moment.
When we let go of fear, we start believing in ourselves, and that is when the awesomeness begins to happen. (If Kathryn doesn’t have a theme song yet, I’m thinking “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey would do.) The cool thing about this “Aim True” concept is that you can apply it to just about any life situation, not just those on a yoga mat. Here are a few simple ways to give this Aim True stuff a try in your life:
1. Sunday night meditation.
I don’t know about you, but most Sunday nights I start getting a little knot in my stomach as I start worrying about all the responsibilities of the coming week. This Sunday night (and every night and morning, for that matter), stop for a moment and take a few deep breaths, let go of the anticipation of what is to come, let go of the fear of what might happen, and just live peacefully in that present moment. Because right here, right now, according to Kathryn, is perfect.
I asked Kathryn if she gets the knots on Sunday night, and yes, she does experience these moments. But she applies her “Aim True” philosophy, and instead of dread, Kathryn focuses on how much she loves her job, how great she feels when she has completed a workshop, and how much she knows the students enjoyed it.
“My duty is to be my best, to show up as the best version of myself. It’s easy to get caught up in our own little bubble of insecurities and fears, and we need to break out of that bubble and venture out into the world. I’m grateful for the gift of travel, but most importantly, I’m so thankful for my traveling because it makes me realize how wonderful my life already is,” Kathryn explained.
I have started to teach a yoga class on Sunday nights at Yoga Bliss Akron called Sunday Night Relax and Recharge that is aimed at bringing a sense of peace and calm through an asana practice that consists of gentle stretching, restorative poses and deep meditation. The class is from 4:45-6:00 PM if you want to check it out.
2. Make a love (pros)/fear (cons) list.
What is it that you want in life? What do you dream about doing? What is holding you back? Is it fear, self-doubt, or worry about what others think? Whatever it is, write it down and then make a column with all of the good things (what you love about it, what it will bring to your life) and then make a column and list all the things holding you back from the dream (worry that you are not good enough, fear of the unknown). Study the two columns and then make a choice.
Are you going to embrace the love or the fear?
I went through this scenario when I was planning my first beach yoga travel retreat. I was letting fear paralyze me and allowing myself to fill up with self-doubt, and then, thankfully, I had an ‘a-ha!’ moment. I told myself, “WTF Maria! Did you not listen to a word of what Kathryn said at that workshop? Are you going to let the fear keep you from your dreams, or are you going to aim true and choose a place of love?”
I shut down the fire hose of fear and self-doubt in my mind, got to work, and guess what? I held my first beach yoga retreat in Aruba in April of 2013, and in 2014 I led yoga retreats in Stowe, Vermont and my second Beach Yoga Bliss Retreat in Aruba. In 2015 I am thrilled to be going back to the gorgeous white sand beaches of Aruba for my third Beach Yoga Bliss Retreat and in September I will be hosting a yoga retreat in Santorini, Greece.
So what’s it gonna be for you? One of the great things about life is that you have a choice.
Make loving and believing in yourself become a personal mantra, one you repeat to yourself each and every day. You can either stay in the fear camp, or you can come join me and Kathryn over at the love camp. Become the master or mistress of your mind, stop making excuses, start living out your dreams and enjoying a truly awesome life. I’m here to tell you that when you let go of the fear, life is way more awesome!
The theme and mantra for my 2015 yoga retreats is “I Am Love,” and together we’ll learn how to live that mantra, letting go of fear, stress, or whatever is keeping you from living out your intentions and opening the heart wide open to love.
Are you ready to nurture your spirit, refuel with positive energy, and find your bliss? If the answer is yes, please join me in either Aruba or Santorini next year! The deadline to reserve your space for Aruba is February 11, so don’t delay! The awesome team at The Travel Yogi is ready to help you make your reservation for either retreat.
Aug 10, 2014 |
Who doesn’t want to escape to an island for a few days to get away from it all, soak up some sun, sip fruity drinks, and have a few adventures? Better yet, how cool would it be to attend a yoga retreat while visiting such an island?
If you live in northeast Ohio, you don’t have to travel to the Caribbean to find this simple pleasure; you can hop on a ferry boat in Sandusky and be on idyllic Kelleys Island in less than 20 minutes. So pack your bags, leave your cares and car behind, and hop on the ferry for the Kelleys Island Yoga and Wellness Retreat this coming September 11–14, 2014.
It may only be 22 miles from the mainland, but once you step foot on the island, surrounded by the beautiful blue water of Lake Erie, you will feel like you are on a faraway vacation.
The weekend kicks off on Thursday with a 2-day reflexology workshop led by Amanda Conn, and then on Friday the beach yoga and meditation classes begin. You can come up just for the day for some yoga and island adventure or come for the whole weekend. Here are just a few great reasons why you should consider trying the island life!
Hop on the ferry and enjoy the blueasana on the way over to Kelleys Island
Daytripper. You don’t have to come for the whole weekend. If you like you can head over for just the day or a few of the classes or activities. There is an early-bird discount if you purchase the package of all the yoga and meditation classes before August 15, but each yoga class and the other activities can be purchased separately.
Goddess Tracy Rhinehart. I’m thrilled that yogini goddess Tracy Rhinehart is going to be joining me again this summer. Tracy will be offering Thai Massage and Body Wisdom consultations on Friday and Saturday. Tracy was completely booked on last year’s retreat! So contact her soon to set up your appointment at 216-551-0707, or email trhinehart108 at gmail.com. Tracy is also going to co-teach one of the Saturday beach yoga classes with me!
Community. I got so busy last year after the retreat that I never got a chance to write about how much fun we had and the amazing group of goddesses who joined together for the weekend. There were lots of giggles around the campfire, more midnight giggles in the camping tents, gourmet fire-grilled sandwiches and banana boats, trips to the local wineries, shared breakfasts, and new friendships forged. Best of all there was plenty of time to just relax, enjoy the beach, unwind, and feed the soul.
Looking for a place to stay on the island? The Kelleys Island Venture Resort
is right next door to where the yoga retreat classes will be held.
This is the view from the beach deck in front of the Kelleys Island Venture Resort.
Yoga With a View! Last year Mother Nature provided brilliant variety as we practiced yoga and meditated as the sun rose and set, while it rained, and while the waves were crashing up on the beach making us feel like we were on the shores of the ocean rather than Lake Erie. This year on Kelleys Island, the yoga classes will also be held rain or shine. When the sun is shining we will practice on the lawn across the street from the Kelleys Island Brew Pub with an outstanding view overlooking Lake Erie. In case of rain, the yoga sessions will be held in the historic Town Hall on Kelleys Island.
This lovely angel overlooks the area where the yoga classes will be held!
Food! The Kelleys Island Brew Pub will have food and drink specials all weekend for the yogis who attend and are also hosting a special brunch on Sunday to benefit the Humane Society. 
Explore! When you are not on your yoga mat or dancing up a storm,there is so much to do on the island. You can take a bike ride around the island with gorgeous views of the lakes, explore the glacier grooves that were formed about 18,000 years ago, visit and try out the wines at the Kelleys Island Wine Company, shop for souvenirs, and sip the island’s signature drink, the Brandy Alexander.
Don’t delay – get your reservations made at one of the many fine bed and breakfasts, hotels, or the state campground. Remember to book ahead if you want a session with Tracy. And then kick back and get ready for Kelleys Islandasana!
Hope to see you on Kelleys Island this September – and maybe next year on another island a little farther away in Santorini, Greece!
Click to find out more about upcoming Daily Downward Dog yoga retreats! Come join us!
Nov 29, 2013 |
So, today is Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. I’ve always disliked the term “Black Friday” – it sounds so bleak. I kept telling everyone to not go shopping, but to instead go to a yoga class to make it Beautiful Friday.
If you are curious about this term “Black Friday,” there are several stories behind the origins, but the one that has become most prevalent is tied to retailers, where Black Friday indicates the point at which they typically begin to turn a profit, or are “in the black.” This terminology has always confused me, because “in the black” never sounded like a good thing to me.
All this Black Friday nonsense got me thinking about when we have our own personal Black Friday. In other words – what time of the year does our spiritual well-being really start to prosper to a point where we begin to reap the benefits from it?
Do you feel like you’re “in the black” in terms of spiritual well-being?
Some of you may feel that way, and if so, that is awesome (keep up the great work and don’t slack off in December)! If you’re not feeling the spiritual love, no worries, there’s still a whole whole month left of 2011 – and we’re going to focus today on what we can do right here, right now, to take our spiritual health from red to black, or better yet, let’s turn it to gold.
Here are a few strategies to enrich your spiritual well-being:
#1 Daily meditation. Spend a few quiet moments each and every day to let go of the mind and the mental chatter. Peace and wisdom come to the heart, not the mind.
#2 Let go of worry.
#3 Let go anger (and while we’re at it, in the same category, let go of judgment, fear, grudges – any of the nastiness that is not serving you). By practicing a sense of detachment, you can release anger, sadness, anxiety, or fear when it has a hold on you.
#4 Remember to honor your parents, elders, and teachers.
#5 Show gratitude to every living thing.
#6 Carve out some time for yourself each and every day. And of course, attending a yoga class is a great way to do this!
#7 Make a mental list of the most important people in your life. When the list is complete, figure out how you can spend more time with these VIPs. To quote James Taylor, “Shower the people you love with love.”
#8 Get outside and hug a tree. You don’t have to take this one literally, but even if it’s just for a few moments, time spent communing with nature can help restore your sense of peace in this crazy, stressed-out world.
#9 Give the gift of love. Volunteer some of your time, visit a neighbor or person who is shut-in, share a smile, give to a charity, or call someone you love today just to let them know it. If you give with your heart, without any expectation of what is to be gained or lost, that, my friends, is true spiritual gold.
#10 Got a great tip on how to flourish in spiritual health? Share the wisdom and leave a comment below.
December can be hectic, so I’m wishing you a peaceful month and a beautiful journey that takes you from red to gold on your path to spiritual well-being.
Photo: Fabian Nick
This post originally ran on December 2, 2011 – You gotta love an oldie but goodie!
Aug 9, 2013 |
What would you think if I threw a yoga retreat?
Would you grab your mat and come to the beach?
Lend me your ears, and I’ll chant you a mantra
And I’ll try not to chant out of key
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get a yoga high with a little help from my friends!
Oh yeah, it never ceases to amaze me what I can do with a little help and support from my friends.
I’m having a little yoga retreat the weekend of September 6–8, 2013 at the beautiful Firefly Beach Resort in Huron, Ohio, and it just keeps getting better and better because I have an awesome group of friends who are going to share their talents with you. Let me tell you a bit more about these exciting activities!
Jim Lawhead, the owner of Lake Erie Paddler is going to bring 10 stand-up paddle boards (SUP) and provide demonstrations on how to use the boards. Plus, he’s offering mini-lessons in paddling and hybrid yoga fitness for anyone who is interested. If you would like to go paddling or even to try out a few yoga poses on the water, you can rent a board for $10 an hour. Quite a few of you have expressed an interest in trying out the boards, so I would recommend that you contact Jim at (440) 935-1645 to reserve your space at 10 am, 11 am, or 1 pm. You can contact me to make reservations as well.
Another good yogini friend, Tracy Rhinehart, is an E-RYT 200, RYT 500 yoga instructor recognized by the Yoga Alliance. She is also a Thai Massage practitioner and Body Wisdom practitioner and will be offering some unique ways to relax this weekend. On Saturday, you will have the opportunity to get a 45-minute Thai Massage or a Body Wisdom consultation with Tracy from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm.
So what is a Thai Massage you ask? With a 2200 year history founded in Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga, Thai Massage is gaining popularity in the West. This unique form of bodywork is a part of the traditional healing practices in Thailand. It is done fully clothed on a cushioned floor mat. It is often described as having someone ‘do yoga to you’. Thai massage is appropriate for all ages and compliments any lifestyle. Benefits include:
- Improved circulation
- Detox of the lymphatic system
- Increase in flexibility and range of motion
- Improved muscle tone
- Heightened immune functioning
- Recovery from over-exertion
- Relaxation of sore or tense muscles
- Enhanced natural healing processes
Body Wisdom is a therapeutic process that allows you to listen to your own body and access your inner wisdom. While resting comfortably in savasana, you are guided into a deep meditation that helps you access your personal information and insight. Through releasing and affirming statements, your old, unproductive patterns are released and new, productive thoughts and behaviors are acquired. This healing art can help you hear the guidance you need to make healing, empowering and meaningful changes in your life.
The cost for either a Thai Massage or a Body Wisdom session is $45, and you should definitely make a reservation to ensure your spot by contacting Tracy at 216-551-0707 or email trhinehart108 at gmail.com or me at (330) 289-7026 to book time with Tracy in advance.
Tracy is also going to co-teach the 8:30 AM yoga class with me on Saturday morning, and I am really excited about sharing her energy and passion with all of you. Did I mention that Tracy is one of my favorite yoga teachers? You are in for a treat!
Wanda, Joy, and Patty – the Firefly Beach gals – extended their friendship and had the belief in me to allow me to bring beach yoga to Firefly a few years back, and for that I will always be grateful. They have a pretty incredible little slice of heaven up here in Huron, so if you are looking for a place to stay, please check out their cottage rentals, or pitch your tent next to mine in their camping facilities (RVs are welcome too). The Erie Kai Tavern has a tiki bar vibe and is a cool place to get a bite to eat, or a refreshing drink after class.
And, I could never get by without my friends who continue to show up for my classes each week. You know who you are, and I love you! I am thrilled to hear many of you are planning to attend this special weekend of yoga. Sharing yoga is my passion, so thanks for allowing me to do what I love.
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends.
With a little (well more like A LOT) of help from my friends.
Beach Yoga Bliss at Firefly Beach, Huron, Ohio
Yoga classes will be held right on the beach overlooking the lake at Firefly Beach Resort in Huron, Ohio.
Friday, September 6
Sunset Vinyasa & Meditation | 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Saturday, September 7
Sunrise Meditation | 7:00 to 8:00 AM
Vinyasa & Meditation with Tracy Rhinehart & Maria Santoferraro | 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Afternoon: Free time to explore Vermilion and Huron on bike, kayak or standup paddleboard. Have lunch at one of the great restaurants in downtown Vermilion, visit the shops and nearby wineries, hang out at the beach, relax, and unwind.
Sunset Vinyasa & Meditation | 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Sunday, September 8
Morning Vinyasa & Meditation | 8:30 to 10:00 AM
All classes except for the Saturday morning meditation class are one hour and a half to provide extra time for discussion, pranayama breathing exercises, a longer savasana, and meditation. Each class is $15. The sunrise meditation class on Saturday is $5. Early bird pricing for the entire weekend is $55 if you sign up before August 30.
All Levels Welcome!
If it is raining or there is a chance of rain, classes at The Firefly Beach Resort will be held under a covered pavilion that has an awesome view of the beach!
How to Get There
The Firefly Beach Resort is located directly behind the Erie Kai Tavern at 4903 Cleveland Road East (Route 6) in Huron, Ohio, just minutes away from Sandusky, Ohio and Vermilion, Ohio.
Please park in the front by the Erie Kai Tavern or in their side parking area and walk down towards the beach. Check-in for classes is under the pavilion at the top of the beach.
You can sign up in advance for one class or the entire weekend below using PayPal.
Aug 6, 2013 |
Peace of mind is great, but who wants it just for a short commute? Shouldn’t we all be striving to have it for the longer journey? Peace of mind to me is all about living in the present, and ultimately that’s what yoga is all about – letting go of the chatter, the worry, the stress, any fretting about the past and the future, and being fully present and full of gratitude and peace in the here and now. It’s not the easiest of tasks, especially if we think about sustaining this state for the long haul.
The folks over at the Robinson Trucking Company totally get it, and may have found one of the most awesome marketing taglines I’ve seen in a while – the title of this very post! As a former advertising executive, I have a fondness in my heart for clever and well-thought out taglines. Who knew a trucking company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, could be so Zen? I can’t even tell you how much it made me smile when I was driving on the Ohio Turnpike last week and saw ”Peace of Mind for the Long Haul” emblazoned on the side of one of their trucks!
This isn’t the first time I’ve commended a company for sharing yogic lessons. I gave Liberty Mutual a shout-out last year for “Slow down – there’s plenty of fast out there.”
Peace of mind is such a beautiful gift. Why not set an intention to strive to practice it, not just for little trips around the corner, but truly for the long-distance journey of your life? You can start by focusing on peace of mind on your yoga mat, especially during savasana, and by developing a meditation practice, even if only for ten minutes a day with Hang Ten Meditation. Take this peaceful practice out for test drives until you become a seasoned long-haul peace of mind trucker.
After all, if you are always worrying about the past or the future, what happens to the moment you are in?
