What is your M.O. in the mode of F.E.A.R.?
Do you Face Everything and Rise, or Forget Everything and Run?
It has been said that there are only two emotions, fear and love. Each day, each moment, each breath we have the choice. As our breath, we rise and we fall over and over again in our lives. Many of us have fears and some phobias - being alone, public speaking, leaving that which no longer serves us, using our voice, being visible, trying something new, getting into Chaturanga, flying, saying no, saying yes, unlearning, accepting, acknowledging the stories that we have told ourselves all of our lives as just that...the stories, the inner voice, that holds us back from what LOVE can do. "Let go and let God", I've told myself. "Feel the fear and do it anyway", I've said. "Be the change" echoes in my mind. Yet there are some days where I just want to pull the covers over my head, put my head in the sand, go back to my old ways for comfort. You feel me?
What are we risking when we give into fear? What are the risks if we try? When do we assert our needs and remember how our thoughts affect our choices & behaviors, either limiting us or empowering us?
I recently attended the Jessica Chilton event at the Diana Wortham, befittingly called THE SHIFT From Fear to Love. In the audience people spoke of their fears, their hurdles, their self-impressions and on the stage these fears were echoed and expressed in dance, vocals, and story. The experience was unifying and satisfied the need we have to know that we
are not alone.
There were prayers, there were revelations, there were tears. Some people stayed for the entire event. Others left. Some looked relieved and some looked horrified. The question that remains in my mind from the event is "What is love calling you to do?"
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Are you living in a box? In a trap of your own making? Are you seeking ways to rediscover your potential, access your divine gifts, serve in abundance and joy? What is holding you back? During a MAHEC event earlier this year about childhood trauma and resiliency, there were three ways I've learned we may respond to stress: flight, fight and freeze. I am challenging the meaning of these every day...instead of running away, I soar above. Instead of aggression, I choose to fight for love. Instead of freezing in the patterns, I choose to reset into a neutral mind.
Through breath, movement and connection, I choose to show up, body and mind. Is functioning even a choice? We have lives to lead and I believe most of us hope to live them well, together, despite any obstacles. "Whatever you do, do it in the name of God."
2019 gratitudes for the classes we have each week that bring us an opportunity to connect. Thank you for those who are offering there services in our brick and mortar. Thank you for our students who choose to be here, now. Thank you for those, friends and strangers, that remind us that the past is history and the future is a mystery. Thank you for those who are making a difference through their work, volunteering and at home!
Thank you for being a part of THE SHIFT from fear to love in our first year in business under new ownership. I have never in my life felt more joy, support and faith in the soul of our community, the collective purpose and the ripple effect we have on the world and in the universe.
When I feel a step is too big to make in the moment, I ask myself what some of my personal, practical, priority actions are. I may start small, but don't want to lose sight of the difference we can make by simply beginning. It is in my own journey that I've realized I fear "lack" and I fear that my past somehow shapes my current identity. When short on sleep, if you haven't eaten well, if you let worries own your mind like real estate, all of this stinkin' thinkin' seems like truth even when we know it's not. As anxiety increases, brain function goes down. Although stress is totally normal and can be "good" if it motivates us to activate solutions, if unanswered it can wreak havoc on our bodies and on our lives. Having a regular practice, like Yoga and Tai Chi, staying connected in nature and community, maintaining your spiritual and religious rituals, getting enough sleep and eating well can alleviate these symptoms and improve your ability to understand and respond to stress and fear. I know you can do it!
If fear is holding you back, you are not alone. If you are seeking ways to transform your fears and amplify your dreams, you are not alone. If you are living the dream, you are not alone. If you are regressing, you are not alone. If you are on the path, you are not alone.
In lifted love,
Heather
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through the lens of Swami Satchidananda (WATCH ON YOUTUBE)
Swami Satchidananda offers keys to developing a successful meditation practice and how to live a balanced and peaceful life. He explains the purpose of meditation: to make the mind calm. Yoga starts with handling your day-to-day life, postures, pranayama, daily keeping control over the senses, trying to fix the mind on one thing at a time. Life itself becomes a meditation when the mind is always calm and doesn’t get agitated. The mind is not calm due to anxieties and worries.
For more information please visit: www.IntegralYoga.org
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Yin is in!
Polly, Marian & Christie
Mondays & Wednesdays 6:00-7:15pm
& Fridays 8:30-9:45am (NEW TIME), 1:00-2:15pm (NEW CLASS)
Fun Flow with Props, Wall & You!
Bitsy Merriman
Mondays 4:00-5:00pm (NEW CLASS)
Yoga Flow & Core
Jenne Sluder
Tuesdays, 11:15am-12:15pm (60 MINUTES INSTEAD OF 75)
Kundalini Yoga
Thursdays 5:00-6:30pm (Jagdeesh will be subbing for Daya Narayan in April) and maintaining the First Three Sundays of every month, 4:00-5:30pm
BODY Mapping will not longer be meeting regularly
Class cards are welcome for all regular classes.
we are doing away with the 12 class packages, introducing new membership levels and will be including some amazing New Student specials! We will be sending out information in the coming weeks to help you prepare for the changes! Class cards do not expire.
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Tuesday, April 9th, 4:00-7:30pm Anniversary Open House
Join us for all or part of the event! Chamber Ribbon Cutting at 4:30pm
Live music! Harp/Cello, Song & Flute!
Fresh Food & Beverages
Student & Teacher Sharing
Demos
Awesome Raffle Goods & Services
Community
LOVE!
Are you ready to engage in a courageous, outrageous, bold and beautiful creative journey surrounded by support and guidance, nurturing and encouragement? YES! Of course, you are!
Using the chapters (lessons) from her recently published book, Creative Alchemy: Accessing the Extraordinary Power of the Muse to Transform Your Art & Your Life, as the curriculum, we'll explore the alchemy of creativity by learning to:
1. Gather the Courage to Create (accountability, risks, freedom)
2. Honor your Muse (cultivating, caring, making friends)
3. Light the Creative Fires (imagination, sacred space, creative rituals)
4. Listen to Life (dreams, intuition, body wisdom)
5. Find Your Unique Voice (self-love, authenticity, destiny)
6. Transform Your Life (community, service, faith)
Infants 6-24 months are the intended audience for this month's series as we expand vocabulary for the increased perception of the world around them.
Learn a gentle somatic yoga process to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and to elevate your physical and emotional vitality. Each monthly workshop will have a different focus, combining Somatic Yoga and Yoga Nidra, to Ignite Your Sacred Center and will re-sculpt your energetic center of creativity and sensual expression. Participants will leave this workshop with an enhanced Brain-Body-Yoni Connection and a deep invitation to express their feminine presence.
Singing gently at the thresholds of life in over 200 communities around the world. Traditionally, the choir sings at bedside of those at end-of-life. This community Song Bath is a tremendous opportunity to experience the gentle voices, simple songs, sincere kindness, soothing and reassuring presence for families, caregivers, anyone experiencing a threshold in life. Join Michele Skeele and other local Threshold Choir members in this unique opportunity to be bathed in song!
The AARP Smart Driver course is the first research based, refresher course designed specifically for older drivers. We will answer many questions and cover “What’s Changing”, which is everything from cars, roads, and traffic patterns to, of course, all of us! Join us for Smart Driver to refresh your skills and become an even safer driver! There is no “behind the wheel” time to worry about, no one is assessing your abilities, and there are no tests to take! We’ll even make sure coffee and snacks are available.
More information TBA
Gong meditation is a unique type of sound practice that involves using therapeutic gong sounds and vibrations to bring about healing. This practice is also sometimes referred to as a “gong bath” because participants are “bathed” in meditation gong sound waves. The goal of “gong meditation” is usually therapeutic, whereas mindfulness meditation has many
therapeutic benefits
, but its deeper goal is awareness and non-judgmental appreciation of the present moment.
Gentle stretching, self-massage, and a restorative yoga session set to soothing live music, culminate in a Yoga Nidra practice. Yoga Nidra guides you to the twilight place between awake and asleep where ultimate relaxation resides, with an invitation to connect more deeply to life. Clinical research highlights the effectiveness of Yoga Nidra for increasing vitality, improving sleep, managing chronic illness, and relieving stress, anxiety, and depression.
Last Tuesdays, 6pm Spark Your Soulfire with Rebecca Wray
Stay tuned for more info. Free/Studio Love Donations Welcome
SAVE THE DATE!
THE SHIFT EVENTS
Saturday, May 1st, 1pm Qoya Workshop with Marina Logan
Thursdays in May, 6:45-7:45pm Toltec Wisdom with Michele Laub
Wednesday, May 8th 2:30-3:30pm, Nutrition & Brain Health with
Taft Draper, RD, CSSD, CSCS, CLT
Saturday, May 25th 11:30am-12:30pm Pranayama Workshop (Conscious Awareness of Breath) with Kathleen Sweeney
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Meet Taft Draper, RD. CSSD, CSCS, CLT
Taft believes in living the life you deserve by taking care of your body through eating a variety of foods and incorporating exercise into your schedule most days of the week. Everyone deserves to be happy and healthy and by supplying the body with the right nutrients you can prevent illness and disease as well as provide the nutrients in managing your symptoms.
Taft is a Registered Dietitian and Fitness Coach. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Western Carolina University. In his career he has continued to stay up to date with the latest scientific research and part of the reason he enjoys this work so much is due to the wealth of information and the opportunities for continued growth.
Taft is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition, Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Taft is also a integrative and functional nutritionist, Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and a Certified LEAP Therapist. In addition, he has a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management and intrinsic coach.
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You are invited!
Nutrition & Brain Health,
presented by Taft Draper
Wednesday May 8th
2:30-3:30
This event is FREE. Donations accepted for the studio.
More info to follow
Taft has provided nutrition education in many different areas, from the health department and hospitals to corporations, high schools and colleges. He enjoys educating everyone on how powerful nutrition is to our well-being. In addition, he believes in supporting our local farmers and protecting the environment. His career is currently reaching out around Western North Carolina and beyond to provide all ages optimal nutrition. He finds if very gratifying in being a part of so many peoples lives. Taft has worked with many different nutrition-related conditions including weight management, sports nutrition, food sensitivities/intolerances, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease as well as many others. With any condition someone may have, correcting your system imbalances and addressing the root causes allows the body to function at its best.
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Read more about Nutritional Psychiatry from Harvard Medical School
here
.
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Sandi completed her 230-hr Yoga Teacher Training at the Asheville Yoga Center, a 100-hr Iyengar Yoga training with Cindy Dollar and holds certificates in Advanced Yoga, Nurturing the Teacher Within, Restorative Yoga, & Yoga for MS.
Sandi combines a good sense of humor and encouragement with her love of being active that the belief that anyone can do yoga...all you need is to be able to breathe!
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Meet Sandi Hartz!
Sandi is one of the most loving, spirited and devoted women I know. She cares for her children, her pets, her students and the earth with such grace and peace. Sandi loves to travel and enjoys laughter.
Sandi is a dreamer, an artist, and a wonderful friend. She joined The Shift last year in April. Happy anniversary, Sandi!
Sandi has been dedicated, starting with just a couple students in the classes that she began here at The Shift, meanwhile still teaching in other locations. She teaches more classes in a week than we realize and we are so grateful she is here with us on Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays.
Now, a year later, many of her classes have doubled and tripled in siz.e! Her classes attract a multi-generational student base and she leads with a greatness that can be better felt than explained.
Her classes give just the right touch of instruction, motivation and assistance. She can aid students with necessary modifications and believes in the power of listening to one's self in the practice.
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We honor you, Sandi! We are so grateful with creative liberty and your spark, with the education and experience of Yoga as a technology for well-being that you have created Good Morning, Yoga! We are motivated by your power and your Vinyasa skills as well. Thanks for keeping our hearts, minds and bodies in better shape because of you!
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"I have been practicing Tai Chi Chih, Joy through Movement, for more than 2 years. This gentle movement practice has given me so much benefit on all levels, mind, body and spirit, that I decided to register for an accredited teacher training to share the joy with others. Please come and join."
- Walker West
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FINAL THOUGHT:
"Everything you want is on the other side of fear."
-Jack Canfield
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The Shift Studio, 708-B Fleming St., Hendersonville, NC 28791
www.theshiftstudio.com
theshifthendo@gmail.com
828-450-1166
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