Create a Retreat for Yourself

Create a Retreat for Yourself

Going on a retreat can do wonders for your spirit. There is something powerful about all that space and time dedicated to one’s practice that creates a depth to the work. When I think of retreating, I think of turning inwards, time for silence, simple food, flowing through postures, my breath moving in and out, sunlight, salt water, and lavender scented sheets. Retreat isn’t just one thing – it is a layering of many small things to create an environment infused with healing. Sadly, retreats are not cheap and while I understand the reason for it, it makes it awfully cost prohibitive for the typical yogi to experience. Although I have been lucky enough to go on several extended retreats – they are far and few between. About ten years ago I started creating retreat days for myself and now I do them monthly, usually over a weekend. On those days, I retreat from my typical activities of hustle and bustle and choose to immerse myself in my practice. I eat simply, I rest and I create an environment of healing in my own home. These days have become a touchstone and an important anchor to my practice. To prepare: Clear your calendar for the day/weekend/week that you choose to retreat. Clean Your House. Clean sheets. Clean Tub. Dishes done. Groceries (stock-up on simple and nutritious food) Create a schedule of several classes or workshops – building yourself a full day immersion (sometimes all at one studio, sometimes at several studios) Arrange flowers and create a space of healing for your beautiful self – even if it is just...

REIKI YOGA HYPNOSIS DAVIDSON

Reiki Yoga Hypnosis Davidson Moving to Davidson has been wonderful for me, my fiancé, and our dog child (who now has a yard). The community of Davidson is charming but more importantly it is welcoming.  In the few short months we have lived here we have met many lovely people and feel so grateful to call our neighbors friends.  I am already feeling attached to this adorable town! I am so pleased now to not only live here but also have a Healing Arts Office in beautiful Davidson. At my office I will be working with clients privately or in small groups. Each session is tailor made to suit your needs and often is an interweaving of one or more technique (Reiki, Hypnosis, Yoga, Sound Healing, and Stress Management). Over the past 15 years I have been practicing, studying and honing my skill set to maximize the time we will spend together. A session would benefit you by: Relieving your Stress. Reducing your Chronic Pain. Lessening your Anxiety. Increasing your Relaxation. I absolutely adore helping my students to transform and I would love to assist you. In addition to my local work in Davidson, I will continue to travel as a teacher and further my work for the University of Maryland as a Hypnotist, Reiki Master and Yoga Teacher Trainer. REIKI YOGA HYPNOSIS DAVIDSON My private office is located at 102 South Main Street, Suite 3, Davidson, North Carolina 28036 in a small building that overlooks Lake...

Change, Transition, Growth

I teach about change a lot.  I have a workshop (In Transition) dedicated to its power. I push my students to transform themselves and step out of their comfort zones.  And at this moment, I am being schooled on how much change, even when it is positive and kick-ass, is uncomfortable.  Frankly, change is hard. Changing is not for sissies. Currently I am mid move (state-to-state). I am packing 3,000 square feet of living and studio space.  I am shifting my business, letting go of my beautiful studio, and transitioning from brick and mortar to: traveling as a teacher, writing my second book, and working with clients online. I was recently and joyfully engaged to my longtime love. A new member of my family was born . My best friend just had twins. I published my first book and with its printing finished a project I had worked on for eleven years. Things are definitely different and in FLUX to say the least. Change is gonna come, like the weather They say forever, they say ~ M. Gray     It is times like these, even though I would prefer to eat pizza, brush my teeth with coffee, and drink martinis straight and dirty, that I have to be the most diligent about my practice, my diet, and my sleep.  That is because when my stress gets high my nature shifts and I am ready to GO. In times like these I have to rein in my own intensity. I have to actively stop myself from going into overdrive.  Otherwise my ass would be up at 3am jumping like...

What makes Quiet Winds so darn special?

Top 8 reasons Quiet Winds – a Baltimore Yoga Studio – is so special: We offer out Nurturing Practices to create a Nourished Community. Yoga Classes are diverse and include: Kundalni Yoga,  Anointed You: Aromatherapy and Yoga, Restorative Yoga Yoga Classes are not as hard as possible – quite frankly they are less about your ass and more about your soul. In Anointed You, for example, you will flow through postures, breathe deeply, and rest. You will also leave smelling better than when you came in. All teachers utilize the practices they offer to heal themselves. Although the room can fit over 30 mats the classes are limited to 20 students. We believe that Yoga is for every Body. If you are nervous about attending there is no need. This is not a studio that promotes gymnastic yoga or expects you to be in a fancy outfit.  So throw on some comfy pants that stretch and come on over! Reiki – with your permission – is an active part of the majority of classes. Please come in and visit us soon!  Amber, Atvar, Nancey,and I are here to welcome you!    ...

Chakra Yoga: Lam. Vam. Ram. Yam. Ham. Om. Om.

Over the many years that I have been teaching I have spent the majority of my time instructing beginners.  I love the challenge inherent to teaching people new to the practice but even more than that I love their openness.  Beginners have yet to define what Yoga means to them so they are flexible.  If I say Yoga is chanting, they are in. If I say Yoga is breathing, they are in. If I say Yoga is stillness, they are in. What has always seemed strange to me is that many students over time become rigid about their practices. They define Yoga for themselves and are no longer open to new ideas or new styles.  To be honest that rigidity makes me sad.  Yoga is a 5,000 years old tradition and from my experience every time you try to limit it the practice will expand beyond the boundary you set in the sand. This last week I challenged myself as a teacher and taught Chakra Yoga with the bīja (seed) mantras to beginning students. That basically means that for over an hour my students sang while holding postures.   It was a huge risk as a teacher and while I am rarely nervous about teaching on Monday I was. Through that agitation I caused myself to grow, after all the only way to expand a comfort zone is to be uncomfortable. As usual my beginning students were my teachers.  From the Root Chakra to the Crown, twenty-two students sang with open minds and hearts and I am proud of every one of them for it. To me the myriad of...