Variations of Goddess Pose, utkata konasana, are sometimes called Spider Pose…but, is there a sanskrit name? I don’t know and to me it doesn’t matter. Does it feel good in my body? Does it invite strength, vitality, clarity, calm and connection to self? That’s what matters to me. It’s funny how yogis can sometimes get judgy, criticizing others because something is not “real yoga.” It makes me ask “Is criticism or judgment of others’ practices ‘real yoga’? Is it only yoga if it’s taught in sanskrit? Or if you chant or burn incense?
I know what works for me and I remind my students that ultimately each one of us is our own inner teacher. If you don’t agree with another’s practice, why not just lift them up by letting them be, and you do you? Words I need to hear myself to keep my judginess in check.
These words by Tara Brach often remind me to practice compassion. This is my intention for you when I teach and for everyone. May all beings be free from harm. May all beings be held in loving presence… Filled with loving presence. May all beings touch great and natural peace. May all beings be free.
Inspired by Gabby Bernstein’s blog post titled “”Say This One Sentence to See the World Differently.” Repeat this mantra ““The light in you is all I see” throughout your day to shift your perspective, rewire your brain, change your mood.
“When you proactively see others in light, you allow the stream or well-being to flow.” – Gabby Bernstein
Yoga has made the most impact on my inner-life, in the way I experience life with ease, with less reactivity and more assuredness and connection to who I am. Yoga and meditation taught me to cultivate a habit of being intentional…intentional about the energy I choose to breathe into each moment, into my relationships, into my thoughts, into everything. Sure, I am grateful for the benefits of a strong, flexible, lean body resulting from years of a consistent practice AND the transformation I appreciate the most is the flexibility in my mind, softness in my heart, release of grasping and clenching onto habits and lies and stories which kept me stuck in an experience of sadness, depression, anxiety, and anger. Even just remembering when I used to live in heightened fight or flight I had to take a breath of relief and gratitude. It wasn’t that long ago that my life felt small and fake and forced. What if you could live each moment as if you stretched yourself out fully, from the inside out, into your body, into how you wish to express your highest self into this world, into how you want to play big? My wish is that you to use the tools of yoga, meditation, breath, and awareness to habitually experience life with ease, to expand and shine as you impact your existence with the gifts and talents your highest self is urging you to share. Go inward yogis and express out. May you experience life with ease….and play big! Namaste…
My updated teaching schedule this week:
Tuesday 3/28 5:30-6:45 Vinyasa Flow at The Yoga Fusion in San Ramon
Seven years ago I attended a yoga retreat where I set an intention to manifest my dream. After being led through a process of inquiry and, making a declaration in the present tense, I simply wrote “I am a yoga teacher.”Four days after my retreat I was invited to sub a yoga class, although I had not yet started my yoga teacher training (I was a certified fitness instructor.) It didn’t matter, I taught anyway, rocked the class, and I began my path as a yoga teacher. Was that coincidence? Abolutely not! There is power in putting out energy for what you want, and what I asked for was a “job” which allowed me to connect to my sacred path and support others in walking in their sacred footsteps. Duh! Yoga!
My teaching path has led me more towards the spiritual aspect of yoga, through the physicality of flowing and holding yoga poses (asana.) When I teach from my heart, and see my students, I sense I am in my greatest flow when I connect to why I really teach: I teach because I care. I believe in namaste: May all beings be free of suffering. I’ve experienced my share of suffering, and in life, suffering happens…shit happens. Yoga, meditation, and rewiring my brain has taught me to sift through the crap and go with the flow. I speak to this often in my classes and craft workshops dedicated to releasing self-limiting beliefs and choosing and generating an experience of ease. In this moment, in this chapter of my life, I feel called to spread the news that contentment, joy, laughter and love are possible and there is a way out of the muck of depression, anxiety, and despair. I KNOW this to be true. I’ve been there and I do the work to choose the path of least resistance instead of my old pattern of wallowing in the muck. And, now I’m equipped with tools to pull me out of the muck although I just don’t go there as often anymore. Nonetheless, my tools are at the ready, like a best friend throwing me a life-line if I notice I’ve dipped my toe into old, familiar yuk. Get the fuck out of the yuk.
Last Saturday’s Create Your Sacred Life On Purpose workshop was all about sharing those tools. The participants did the work to release the old, energize the new, and left with tools to notice the yuk, choose the clear path, play big and manifest their heart’s desires! To witness transformation in my students leaves me feeling like I’m on the right track…I’m spreading namaste and leading my sacred life on purpose! Yes!
Some reviews left by my amazing students:
Amazing teacher! I love Amelia’s flow classes! She makes it challenging and fun and when I’m done I feel relaxed but energized. Her spiritual guidance during classes opens up new ways of thinking for me. I appreciate her so much!
– Mary
Amelia’s the Best! Amelia is an excellent teacher. Very upbeat, friendly, knowledgeable and caring. She is an inspiration as she is so healthy and strong.
– Karen
Excellent, knowledgeable, professional I know Amelia, as she has taught me yoga from many aspects..physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Not only does she have a grand grasp of the physicality of yoga and the body, but she’s very spiritual herself, thus weaves spirit into her teaching seamlessly. She’s trained in a strong style of Baron Baptiste and continues to study and teach with enthusiasm. Her latest workshop in 2017 was fabulous and effective! I highly recommend Amelia!
– Carolyn
Practicing with Amelia has made me a better yoga student and more importantly, a yogi in tune with her soul and truth. I’m so grateful to have her as a guide along my path, making sure I have the tools to keep my compass pointing true.
– Jamie
Stay tuned for my next workshop.
Spread your love and light!
Yogamama Meels Namaste. May all beings be happy and free. May all beings be without suffering.
My sacred place. Another beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Jan. 2017 Kauai, Hawaii
Stand up tall and proud.
Sink your roots into the earth.
Be content with your natural beauty.
Go out on a limb.
Drink plenty of water.
Remember your roots.
Enjoy the view!
One of my goals during this 21-day mindfulness challenge was to find my slides from Nepal, then scan and share them to bring awareness to the recent devastation in this beautiful himalayan country.
I put word out in my community that I’d like to borrow a scanner and a friendly, new neighbor let me use it for this project. And, finally, I have enjoyed seeing my backpacking adventures come back to life through my pictures.
I am working on a fundraiser for Nepal, including my photography and leading a donation-based yoga class. Stay tuned…and Pray for Nepal.
Variations of Goddess Pose, utkata konasana, are sometimes called Spider Pose…but, is there a sanskrit name? I don’t know and to me it doesn’t matter. Does it feel good in my body? Does it invite strength, vitality, clarity, calm and connection to self? That’s what matters to me. It’s funny how yogis can sometimes get judgy, criticizing others because something is not “real yoga.” It makes me ask “Is criticism or judgment of others’ practices ‘real yoga’? Is it only yoga if it’s taught in sanskrit? Or if you chant or burn incense?
