“The Hill We Climb” – Inauguration poem by Amanda Gorman

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Listen to Amanda Gorman’s full Inauguration poem.

When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast, we’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace and the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it, somehow we do it, somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished.

We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one. And, yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect, we are striving to forge a union with purpose, to compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.

So we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us. We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside. We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another, we seek harm to none and harmony for all.

Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: that even as we grieved, we grew, even as we hurt, we hoped, that even as we tired, we tried, that we’ll forever be tied together victorious, not because we will never again know defeat but because we will never again sow division.

Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one should make them afraid. If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in in all of the bridges we’ve made.

That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb if only we dare it because being American is more than a pride we inherit, it’s the past we step into and how we repair it. We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it. That would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy, and this effort very nearly succeeded. But while democracy can periodically be delayed, but it can never be permanently defeated.

In this truth, in this faith, we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us, this is the era of just redemption we feared in its inception we did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour but within it we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves, so while once we asked how can we possibly prevail over catastrophe, now we assert how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us.

We will not march back to what was but move to what shall be, a country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free, we will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation, our blunders become their burden. But one thing is certain: if we merge mercy with might and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children’s birthright.

So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left, with every breath from my bronze, pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one, we will rise from the golden hills of the West, we will rise from the windswept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution, we will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the Midwestern states, we will rise from the sunbaked South, we will rebuild, reconcile, and recover in every known nook of our nation in every corner called our country our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful, when the day comes we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid, the new dawn blooms as we free it, for there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.

Happy Inauguration Day 2021! Yoga and Meditation for VITALITY!

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In honor of celebrating the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Madame Vice President Kamala Harris, the theme of today’s Spiritually Fit Yoga podcast episode is renewed VITALITY! Grateful for this new chapter for the United States of America. Breathe deep and big sighs of relief!!

This podcast episode is recorded for Week 2 of “40 Days to Personal Revolution – A Breakthrough Program to Radically Change Your Body and Awaken the Sacred Within Your Soul” by Baron Baptiste. The focus of Week Two is VITALITY!

30 min. Yoga + 5 min. savasana + 5 min. meditation.

Enjoy!!! ❣️ Meels (Amelia)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritually-fit-yoga-with-amelia-andaleon/id1508949757#episodeGuid=aa1bc65f-2f1b-46c6-920d-f16476846743

Yoga with me ! Week of January 18, 2021

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Happy Monday!! In remembrance of MLK Jr.:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today’s Spiritually Fit Yoga Podcast – honoring MLK, Jr. and Meditation for Week 2 VITALITY “40 Days to Personal Revolution” by Baron Baptiste

Virtual classes this week:

See you on your mat soon!!!

Amelia

Yoga Video for Week One “40 Days to Personal Revolution” by Baron Baptiste

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This is a 25 minute video to accompany week one of your Baptiste 40 Days Program, or “40 Days to Personal Revolution” book. There is a short into, 20 minute practice, 5 minute savasana. Subscribe to my youtube channel to get notifications as I post more videos to support your Baptiste 40 Days to Personal Revolution! Enjoy! Amelia Andaleon

PRESENCE (week one) “40 Days to Personal Revolution” by Baron Baptiste

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One of the best decisions I ever made in my life was embarking on my Baptiste yoga journey. And, one of the most impactful Baptiste programs and books is “40 Days to Personal Revolution – to Radically Change Your Body and Awaken the Sacred Within Your Soul“ by Baron Baptiste.

I am on an amazing team of teachers leading this 40 Days program through Baptiste Power Yoga San Francisco and am offering support and commitment to the daily yoga and meditation practice by publishing weekly episodes aligned with the weekly theme and focus points.

Week One theme: PRESENCE.

And, the first two laws are:

  • Law One: Seek the Truth
  • Law Two: Be Willing to Come Apart

Here are the iTunes podcast links to a meditation and yoga class you can use during Week One of your 40 days program, or even if you’re not following the 40 days book! First preference is to get yourself to a class AND for times when that’s not possible, these episodes are for you! Creating a “no excuses!” option to support your commitment to a daily practice! Of course, remember one day of rest every week from yoga! Meditation every day, asana practice 6 days/week.

If you’re new to my podcast, there are other yoga, meditations, and guest interviews on my Spiritually Fit Yoga too! (My podcast is also on Spotify, Google podcast, Anchor, and more.)

Have you listened to my episodes? I’d appreciate a review an iTunes with your feedback (5 star ratings always appreciated) or comment below. My. intention is to offer you podcast episodes to empower you using the tools of yoga and meditation, and from the insight and wisdom offered by my guest interviews! Thank you for being here.

Peace out,

Amelia Andaleon, founder Spiritually Fit Yoga

How to Deal with Political Stress?

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Recent events in this country have disrupted my sense of peace. How about you? Here are a few resources to help cope with the experience of stress, including a link to an instagram live meditation I shared this morning.

5 Tips to Cope with Political Stress

  1. You are not alone. I acknowledge you feel stressed. Acknowledge that what you’re experiencing is part of being a living, breathing human with a beating heart with the beautiful capacity to feel deeply. What’s happening can feel jarring, like mentally, emotionally, and physically receiving the impact like shockwaves. You are not alone in experiencing the impact of stress.
  2. Breathe. Inhale to a count of 4, pause with a full inhale, slowly exhale to a count of 4. Repeat 5 times or until you feel more relaxed. Start and end your days with this mindful breathing, and use anytime you you want to a calm body and mind.
  3. State of Mind and Body. Stress is a state of mind and body, which can be shifted and shaped. How you feel and think is temporary. Take a break from negative images and thoughts. Limit your intake of anything disturbing Turn off the news/social media. Instead of watching repetitive news stations, read or listen to your news. I opt for the 20 minute weekday morning Start Here podcast. Choose an activity that floods the brain with positive thoughts. One of my mindset shifters is laughing at Friends reruns. What makes you laugh and feel happy? Get out of your head and into your body. A vigorous yoga class with challenging poses does the trick for me. When my practice invites me to focus on my breath, my physical sensations, and a positive affirmation or mantra, I fill up with positivity and crowd out the negativity. A positive mindset practice is protection towards letting negativity pentrate your mind and body. Choose to deflect negativity like teflon, not have it get stuck to you like velcro! Do what you love! Getting out in nature is another fav activity. Do what you lifts you up, which nutures your body, mind, and spirit.
  4. Connect. Reach out and connect to another person. Facetime and audio messages can feel more intimate than texting. Joining a virtual zoom yoga class can help you feel less alone. I teach zoom yoga classes and we do a mood check before class. In my free/donation livestream meditation and yoga classes on the Insight Timer app, I do a quick check in before and after class where students can share comments and questions in the chat box. It is amazing how connected we feel as if we were together in a community class.
  5. Meditate. A regular meditation practice can train the brain and nervous system to be less-reactive to stress, to cultivate a calm, neutral state of mind. Anger, fear, worry, sadness are all real emotions worthy of our acknowledgement and compassion. My meditation and mindfulness practices have taught me, when uncomfortable emotions arise it’s a warning bell reminding me to pay attention and check in with myself. “Ok self, what’s really going on? Let’s breathe, sit, and pay attention to this exact present moment.” Imagine stress makes its appearance like your hand in a boiling pot of water. The more you practice being in tune with your physical sensations you’ll notice the temp of that water before it even starts simmering then you stop and drop everything for a selfcare break. What happens is we don’t pay attention and before we know it we’re reacting like our hand in boiling water and primal, freak out stress kicks in. Noticing what is triggering stress can signal you to change course and learn lessons to avoid those triggers. Meditation and mindfulness is the practice of paying attention. Give it a try! Here is a link to a short meditation and a brief commentary about spirituality and politics on my Instagram page @spirituallyfityoga: click here.

CURIOUS NOT FURIOUS: Lastly, after meditating and doing all the things to calm your body and mind, from a centered state and with clear thoughts, ask yourself if there’s an action you can take which aligns to what you believe is right. Stress can often be telling you that you care deeply about something. Pay attention. Are you being called to be of service? Channel your energy towards a cause or allow a passion project to arise. Stress can be a powerful way to motivate you to make a difference, to support a cause that really matters to you.

An additional resource I found helpful: click here

Was this article and the meditation helpful? What are you struggling with? What are YOUR tried and true methods for coping with stress, especially during this current political climate? Please share to benefit and support others. Leave a comment below. Thank you being here. Peace out 🙏🏽 Amelia Andaleon

Connect with me:

Happy New Year!!! January 2021 schedule!

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Looking forward to get back to teaching in 2021! Here’s my schedule the week of January 4th: (time zone Pacific Standard Time)

  • Monday 530-630pm Zoom Baptiste Power Vinyasa – book here
  • Monday 830-9pm Mindful Monday Yoga Nidra livestream on Insight Timer. Join here
  • Tuesday 430-530PM Zoom Vinyasa for Just Be Yoga – book here
  • Wednesday 530-630pm Zoom Deep Flow – book here

See you on your mat!!!

Amelia Andaleon

Warrior Pose at sunset on
Mount Diablo – Danville, CA