Tag: Yoga (Page 3 of 4)

Book Review: Yoga Girl, by Rachel Brathen

Rachel Brathen is an instagram sweetheart known as @yoga_girl. I’ve personally been following her for as long as I’ve been on instagram (about a year?). I may have resisted this platform, which as a photographer, is a little contradictory, but at some point, I was too curious about the insta-eye-candy out there. And even though you find all types of trends (uh, there are altogether probably more food and cat pics than anything), I was instantly drawn to this super rad lady because she seemed so full of life, so genuine and her photos were always colourful and her messages inspiring.

Rachel Brathen @yoga_girl

Rachel Brathen is @yoga_girl

Book Review: Yoga Girl by Rachel Brathen

When I noticed the buzz about her (then) upcoming book, Yoga Girl, I thought I needed to read her story. I was so excited when it came in that I read it in a few short days. I recently read over certain parts of her story again. Rachel is honest and so full of love. Her wisdom comes from experience overcoming challenges (some of epic proportions) but she is not preachy. It’s fortunate that she’s a beautiful person (inside and out) and that she has so many followers because her message of love, peace and bliss is much needed.

I like that her book is a combination of her story. yoga sequences, recipes, inspirational notes and breath-taking photographs. Her book feels like she’s offering a slice of harmony by showing us how she found peace and beauty in every situation. She’s also found her voice and I admire that.

I’ve tried her green smoothie and her guacamole recipes and they were huge hits with my family. Her words of wisdom resonated with me, which is why I keep going back to her book.

Rachel Brathen in a seated twist

Rachel in a seated twist

Rachel Brathen in Seated Meditation

She inspires me to trust that what I love will be of use to someone and it will bring meaning (to others and to me). Her perseverance through her emotional, spiritual and physical challenges shows me that I can do it too. I can heal my body from emotional pain and hormonal imbalance. I can heal my body from injuries. I can heal my heart from fear and disappointment. I can heal my spirit from illusion. It makes me want to go to my yoga mat as well and work out my issues there. I practice to know Truth as often as I can.

This woman does yoga every dang day! Whoa. It’s what I strive for.

Rachel in king pigeon

Rachel in king pigeon

I realize that yoga is for my body what writing is for my spirit. They’re both tools and approaches to the same state of peace and acceptance.

Yoga Girl Book Cover

Yoga Girl, by Rachel Brathen

I’ve also started trying her sequences. Because of Rachel, I’ve started my handstand challenge… Every day, I work towards doing a successful handstand. I also try to do a forearm inversion. Inversions scare me a little. I know that I’m not there yet and I know this isn’t a complete yoga practice. But the Universe knows how to speak to us so that we understand; the handstand is me facing something that terrifies me and that I once thought I could never do (because I didn’t “have the body” or “the upper body strength”). I *know* through this experience that I will succeed and I know that I am strong enough. I also know that I like to take big bites out of the elephant but that I’m committed to small bites. So the handstand, for me, is tackling a tougher part in small, consistent bites. I will eat that elephant. I will handstand. I am hand-standing even for a few seconds every day. Those seconds will transform into minutes as my body confirms my belief that I am strong.

I am so grateful to her for writing this book and I hope one day to take her class live!

Is there a book that inspired you into challenging yourself? Has social media introduced you to someone you find inspiring?

Raising Your Vibe

Have you ever wondered why some people just seem lucky? Or when they’re having a good day, all good things seem to happen to them? Sometimes, it feels like you have a stroke of good fortune and good things bring better experiences and even greater people to share these experiences with and it feels invigorating?

change-managementIt’s not strictly by chance.

I’ve experienced serendipity for myself, but also, what feels like a huge shift at a few periods in my life. I’m going through a shift right now.

Why?

Because I’m raising my vibe. *Notice the continuing verb tense here.* You could call it many things, but I think that “vibe” is accessible and encompassing. Your vibe is the energy with which you carry yourself; it’s more than the sum of your thoughts, feelings, attitude, beliefs and actions.

Science has been able to show that the body generates heat and uses colour to demonstrate this. Perhaps, one day, science will also be able to show that our energy surrounding our body (also known as our aura) extends outside of ourselves and can be felt. It is not yet seen by most of us, although, some can train to see energy fields or auras. That said, someone who is even remotely aware can sense another’s moods. Someone who’s very sensitive will be able to read much more than body language from another’s presence.

Our vibe, is the particular brand of energy, tuned in to a low (negative) or high (positive) frequency. Energy can be viewed as having levels, including positive and negative, on a spectrum. It can be compared to a radio station; within the station’s range, the broadcast will come in clearly once the radio is tuned to the frequency. On the other hand, regardless of the high or low frequency, if the station you’re looking for isn’t tuned on your radio and you’re not searching in the correct circuit (AM or FM), then there’s static and there’s no clear communication.

(I know, what an old school example. I’m a child of the 80s!)

souls recognize vibesWhen you tune yourself to high frequencies (let’s say FM for the sake of the metaphor), such as positive emotions like love, you are near the station (your purpose, your harmony or sense of peace), you receive clear communication and you can access other “FM” stations. A high frequency or FM station can be your purpose, your harmony, your sense of peace or fulfillment… And the communication can take the form of ideas to inspire you into taking action, or abundance and dreams may manifest tangibly. When you’re searching AM stations in the hope of finding FM content, you’re out of luck.

So if you are hoping for love, but your attitude, your beliefs and your actions resonate with a low frequency, then the broadcast just won’t work. The good news is, higher frequencies are more powerful and have a broader reach than lower ones do.

Wanting change isn’t enough though. True change requires commitment; we must want the new state more than the effort it takes in order to continue despite fear and discomfort, long past the spirit in which the intention was set.

Start with one thing and stick to it. Start now.

David-Jakes-on-Change-2.jpg.scaled.1000-400x533My Personal Shift: Raising My Own Vibe

Since I began reconnecting to reiki (over a span of about 3 months), many internal changes have happened for me, which then in turn, manifest outwardly. I can then, honestly say, that I’m changing my life from the inside out.

I’ve adopted a new perspective on my health that is not focused on weight-loss but rather, on body awareness and self-care. I deserve health and so, I lovingly and happily develop newer habits that benefit my overall health. This lead me to recommit to my yoga practice. I see myself as responsible, as opposed to guilty. I’ve also started using MyFitnessPal as a guide, not as an ultimate tool. To me, it helps show me habits that are beneficial and it encourages me to focus on those. I even run a little (and I use to only run if I was being chased or if I was about to miss the bus). Deeper the realization still; health to me, is a wheel, a holistic system.

I’ve also decided to break up with guilt and crazy-making. If I make a decision to do something, I don’t beat myself up about not doing another. I stand by my choices, but I’m not afraid to adjust when necessary. I try to respect my rich personal time and honour it with reading, music, writing… whatever my heart needs.

I’m feeling a huge draw towards simplification. I do not want to spend my life cleaning, sorting and accumulating “stuff”. It’s been a journey and it’s not over. I have to frequently remind myself that I am making a conscious choice in shedding layers, years of debilitating beliefs and enslaving decisions. It’s not too late to make a change. But I’m patient with myself.

I am actively aware of my emotions and my moments of ‘unconsciousness’, also known as the moments when the ego takes over. I am learning to forgive in a different way; out of compassion for others but also for myself.

VibeTribeOne of the results is that my social circle is changing. As they say, “your vibe attracts your tribe.” I am gaining incredible insights through new friends and acquaintances. Even my work environment’s completely changed and reflects a new dynamic. I see all these changes as beneficial and as results of personal work. I am creating in my outside world, the inner world I have nourishing.

I am on a journey to make time for stillness. One form this takes for me is yoga, but I practice this every time I practice reiki as well. The place of no mind is filled with great peace. I enjoy Elizabeth Gilbert‘s quote on the mind in her upcoming book #BigMagic… (seriously, I can’t wait for that book to launch!)

Possessing a creative mind is like having a border collie for a pet; if you don’t give it a job to do, it will find a job to do – and you might not like the job it invents.
– Elizabeth Gilbert

My own journey is showing me, in a relatively short period, that true change begins within. I may not be where I want to be, but I am where I need to be right now. And that’s a beautiful thing because I see the bounty of lessons and growth available to me. I also see my power and I can no longer doubt it. I wish I could share this feeling with you and you would not doubt yourself either. Try it. Raise your vibe.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)