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"Being Black in America should not be a death sentence." Knowing another black man was unjustly killed by police brutality, pinned by the full weight of a white policeman's knee on George Floyd's neck yesterday in Minneapolis, is beyond sickening. In his final moments he was pleading with the officer "I can't breathe, officer." 😢 . . Does this news make you uncomfortable? Honestly, I'd rather focus on sunsets and hummingbirds, but, my slight discomfort is nothing compared to the fatal knee #GeorgeFloyd endured. #ripgeorgefloyd . Please don't turn a blind eye. Awaken your #compassion and #empathy and ask yourself what can you do to stop these violent acts? Whether it's physically attacking african-americans or bullying asians with racist letters, hate crimes are a call for a cultural revolution. The kids are not alright, all is not well with the world, an epidemic of hatred has too many of our brothers and sisters living in fear and grief. #imsorry . . I could easily turn the channel to #positivevibesonly and turn my back on another senseless act of violence, but, that doesn't make the hatred go away, or bring the dead back to life. . . I pray for healing for the families of the attacked, and even for a change of heart of the offenders. Mostly I pray for clarity of action, to raise awareness, to STOP THE VIOLENCE. I choose peaceful action but, not non-action. . . @justinbieber and @oprahmagazine posted to #STOPTHEVIOLENCE . I know @chrisccuomo will report it soon...he's still following up on the #ahmedaubrey case. @gayleking said it feels like "open season" where black people are being hunted down. This is NOT okay. . . What is my #dharma, my being of service, in the presence of racism and violence? To acknowledge the hate as opposed to ignore it because it makes me feel uncomfortabIe. To look for the good in all, and steer clear of divisive generalizations (not all white police are racist). To speak out against violence. To stand for the oppressed. To open my heart & mind to take action aligned with peace, compassion & unity. ✌🏽I'm not a celebrity and my voice matters. So does yours. 🙏🏽 #namaste #ahimsa #yoga #peacefulprotest #spiritualactivist#BPYCaliChallenge Day 5. Back bend - What does "BE STILL AND KNOW” mean to you? ❣️ . . ✨ It means "this too shall pass." That inner-calm comes not from wishing for what was in the past or anticipating what lies ahead, instead it's being in the present moment and noticing all the things going right and working in my world, right now. ✨ Much easier to write than practice. 🤪 I miss how we used to teach and practice hot yoga packed mat to mat. I wonder when I'll go back to my hometown to see my folks where this #upwarddog pic was taken. A deep breath connects me to presence, and shifts me from worrier to warrior. 🧘🏾♀️ When I'm still and listen, I trust and know everything is already okay...NOW. 🙏🏽. . 💥 AND, I also know this week's yoga challenge has been a gift! The daily inquiry work has invited a welcome sense of #connection, #grounding and #presence. #thankyou #grateful #svadhyaya #namaste . . ✨✨✨ #yogaChallenge #BPYCaliChallenge #whybaptisteyoga May 18-22 Join us in our first Baptiste California Instagram challenge created to build community and connection even though we are apart! Each day every participant will post a picture from the list below and answer the correlating inquiry prompt. Thanks to all the hosts!! @baptistepoweryogasf @warrioryogaturlock @spotteddogyoga_folsom @powerofyourom @baptistepoweryogasv @soulyogasr @baptistepoweryogasandiego @wepoweryoga @brightheartyogastudio • • —————————————— Pose List and Inquiry Prompts: Day 1. Balancing Pose - How is “relax with what is” showing up for you lately? Day 2. Warrior Variation - Where in life can you drop what you know? Day 3. Hip Opener - When do you know that it's time to step out of your comfort zone? Day 4. Inversion - What helps you shift your vision? Day 5. Back bend - What does “be still and know” mean to you? . #backbend #heartopener #urdhvamukhasvanasana #paddleboardyoga #meditation #trust #presentmoment #everythingisalreadyokay #tgif #fridayvibes #loveportangeles #lakecrescent #olympicpeninsula #portangeles #pnwgirl @alderstreetretreat#BPYCaliChallenge Day 4. Inversion - What helps you SHIFT YOUR VISION? ❣️ . . ✨ A wake up call through a jarring incident, like when our tire blew out while driving a few weeks ago, will quickly shift my focus to what matters the most and, bring clarity to shift my vision AWAY from what SEEMED important. When our family was in the car, debating about where to hike, a jolting tire blowout put a halt to our dispute. We shifted to gratitude that we were safe and even close to an exit where a tire shop was open just two minutes off the freeway. #grateful #blessed Our vision shifted away from the disagreement, which we no longer cared about or even remembered why we were bickering! #Yoga, #meditation, mindful breathing, and #drishti in the present moment also help me shift my vision. Paying attention to my body sensations will alert me if I need to shift my vision. When my solar plexus and eyes feel tight, breath uneven and emotions off-center (either seeing red, seething with irritation -or- the opposite, feeling unmotivated, numbed out, unable to get out of bed), I recognize it's time for a shift, to #disruptthedrift ❣️ Mindfulness, paying attention to body, mind, and breath, that helps me shift my vision. 🤓🙏🏽 #namaste . . ✨✨✨ #yogaChallenge #BPYCaliChallenge #whybaptisteyoga May 18-22 Join us in our first Baptiste California Instagram challenge created to build community and connection even though we are apart! Each day every participant will post a picture from the list below and answer the correlating inquiry prompt. Hosts: @baptistepoweryogasf @warrioryogaturlock @spotteddogyoga_folsom @powerofyourom @baptistepoweryogasv @soulyogasr @baptistepoweryogasandiego @wepoweryoga @brightheartyogastudio —————————————— Pose List and Inquiry Prompts: Day 1. Balancing Pose - How is “relax with what is” showing up for you lately? Day 2. Warrior Variation - Where in life can you drop what you know? Day 3. Hip Opener - When do you know that it's time to step out of your comfort zone? Day 4. Inversion - What helps you shift your vision? Day 5. Back bend - What does “be still and know” mean to you? . #inversions #getupsidedown #downwarddog #handstand#BPYCaliChallenge Day 3. Hip Opener - When do you know that it's TIME TO STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE? ❣️ . . ✨ My hips don't lie...they take me out of my comfort zone because my ego can't stand that I'm uncomfortable in "and not good at" #hipopeners . All of the pigeons, lizards, cow-faced pose, compass pose (#fuggedaboutit 🤪!) - my lie shows up "I suck at yoga." 🤦🏽♀️ When ego or fear steer my decisions, and keep me from an opportunity to move from stuck to unstuck, that's when it's time to move out of my comfort zone. Is it true my hips are tight? Yes, and no. Initially, I might SEEM tight AND with time to stay, breathe, and receive, my body allows an opening, through letting go of needing to look like I've got my shit together. 🙏🏽 #letthatshitgo #namaste . . ✨✨✨ "Yoga allows you to rediscover a sense of wholeness in your life, where you do not feel like you are constantly trying to fit broken pieces together." ~ #BKSIyengar . . ✨✨✨ #yogaChallenge #BPYCaliChallenge #whybaptisteyoga May 18-22 Join us in our first Baptiste California Instagram challenge created to build community and connection even though we are apart! Each day every participant will post a picture from the list below and answer the correlating inquiry prompt. Hosts: @baptistepoweryogasf @warrioryogaturlock @spotteddogyoga_folsom @powerofyourom @baptistepoweryogasv @soulyogasr @baptistepoweryogasandiego @wepoweryoga @brightheartyogastudio • • —————————————— Pose List and Inquiry Prompts: Day 1. Balancing Pose - How is “relax with what is” showing up for you lately? Day 2. Warrior Variation - Where in life can you drop what you know? Day 3. Hip Opener - When do you know that it's time to step out of your comfort zone? Day 4. Inversion - What helps you shift your vision? Day 5. Back bend - What does “be still and know” mean to you? How to play: 1. Follow all hosts 2. Follow each day's pose by posting a photo or vid on your feed - be sure to tag #bpycalichallenge and all of the hosts in each post! 3. Help us spread the word by re-posting this flyer and by tagging some friends to play along 4. Spread love and encourage other participants and HAVE FUN! #yogaeverydamnday #whybaptisteyoga#BPYCaliChallenge Day 2. Warrior Variation - Where in life can you DROP WHAT YOU KNOW? ❣️ . . ✨ I can drop anywhere I think I'm so right, I make others wrong. 🤦🏽♀️Loading the dishwasher - scrub the dishes before you load? Put utensils up or down? (I have strong opinions here!🙈🤪) Being opinionated isn't right or wrong. When I am attached to my truth so firmly that a rigidity and closed-mindedness creates an energetic posture of "us vs them", that's when I need to drop what I know. To be in relation with others with compassion and empathy is possible when my mind is flexible and my heart tender. It's a challenge for me, since my spicy, fiery, passionate, latina nature can come across as condescending and feel like an energetic shove. #imsorry Ugh, that's when I really need to drop what I know! 🙏🏽 #namaste . . ✨✨✨ "We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness." - #ThichNhatHanh . . ✨✨✨ #yogaChallenge #BPYCaliChallenge #whybaptisteyoga May 18-22 Join us in our first Baptiste California Instagram challenge created to build community and connection even though we are apart! Each day every participant will post a picture from the list below and answer the correlating inquiry prompt. Hosts: @baptistepoweryogasf @warrioryogaturlock @spotteddogyoga_folsom @powerofyourom @baptistepoweryogasv @soulyogasr @baptistepoweryogasandiego @wepoweryoga @brightheartyogastudio • • —————————————— Pose List and Inquiry Prompts: Day 1. Balancing Pose - How is “relax with what is” showing up for you lately? Day 2. Warrior Variation - Where in life can you drop what you know? Day 3. Hip Opener - When do you know that it's time to step out of your comfort zone? Day 4. Inversion - What helps you shift your vision? Day 5. Back bend - What does “be still and know” mean to you? How to play: 1. Follow all hosts 2. Follow each day's pose by posting a photo or vid on your feed - be sure to tag #bpycalichallenge and all of the hosts in each post! 3. Help us spread the word by re-posting this flyer and by tagging some friends to play along 4. Spread love and encourage other participants and HAVE FUN! #crescentwarrior #anjaneyasana #yogaeverydamnday #whybaptisteyoga#quoteoftheday#BPYCaliChallenge Day 1. Balancing Pose - How is “RELAX WITH WHAT IS” showing up for you lately? ❣️ . . ✨ When I relax with what is, I #breathe, set my #drishti, and pull into midline, I experience the calm and the grounding I need so much right now. It would've been easier for me to post one of my go to balance poses like half moon or crow pose and instead I played in #eightlimbpose #astavakrasana and asked myself "why not?!" 🤪 It felt a little clunky and messy at first then when I literally leaned into the space of uncertainty, I thumped onto the floor. 🤣 I reset, tried again, focused my eyes, anchored to my breath, hugged into midline, relaxed with what is, then BOOM! 💥Balance & ease.🙏🏽 When I relax with what is, I shift from impossible to possible, from struggle to play. And, I'm a #hellayes for that!! 🤪🙏🏽😍 #namaste #grateful #possibility . . . ✨✨✨ #yogaChallenge #BPYCaliChallenge #whybaptisteyoga May 18-22 Join us in our first Baptiste California Instagram challenge created to build community and connection even though we are apart! Each day every participant will post a picture from the list below and answer the correlating inquiry prompt. Hosts: @baptistepoweryogasf @warrioryogaturlock @spotteddogyoga_folsom @powerofyourom @baptistepoweryogasv @soulyogasr @baptistepoweryogasandiego @wepoweryoga @brightheartyogastudio • • —————————————— Pose List and Inquiry Prompts: Day 1. Balancing Pose - How is “relax with what is” showing up for you lately? Day 2. Warrior Variation - Where in life can you drop what you know? Day 3. Hip Opener - When do you know that it's time to step out of your comfort zone? Day 4. Inversion - What helps you shift your vision? Day 5. Back bend - What does “be still and know” mean to you? How to play: 1. Follow all hosts 2. Follow each day's pose by posting a photo or vid on your feed - be sure to tag #bpycalichallenge and all of the hosts in each post! 3. Help us spread the word by re-posting this flyer and by tagging some friends to play along 4. Spread love and encourage other participants and HAVE FUN! #balance #armbalance #relaxwithwhatis #yogaeverydamnday #fitover55 #mondaymotivation #positivevibes
Tag Archives: creating a yoga space
Day Twenty SFY Mindful May Challenge – Festival Yoga at the JFFA Festival in Port Angeles, WA
Such a pleasure to teach festival yoga this past weekend at the Juan de Fuca Foundation of the Arts Festival again. And, coming HOME to Port Angeles? Oh…so good for my soul. xoxoxo Namaste… – Yogamama Meels
Posted in family friendly yoga in port angeles, Mindful May, photography, special yoga event in port angeles, spirituality, yoga challenge, yoga classes in port angeles, yoga photography, yoga poses
Tagged balance, creating a yoga space, festival yoga, flexibility, instagram challenge, JFFA, Juan de Fuca festival of the arts, Juan de Fuca foundation of the arts, mindfulness challenge, photography, port angeles, sfy mindful may challenge, SFYMindfulMay, spiritual fitness, spirituality, spiritually fit yoga, strength, yoga, yoga anywhere
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Day Nineteen – Memorial Day weekend – Airport Yoga #travel #yogaanywhere #airportyoga
Yes, I got funny looks at the Oakland Airport, and my daughter was embarrassed but, I did it anyway. And, damn it felt good. Thanks to my hubby for being my fearless and generous photographer. BTW – AFTER I took … Continue reading
Posted in Mindful May, photography, spirituality, yoga challenge, yoga in the east bay, yoga in the san francisco bay area, yoga photography, yoga poses
Tagged airport yoga, balance, bay area, creating a yoga space, east bay yoga, flexibility, hamstring release, instagram challenge, mindfulness challenge, oakland airport, photography, sfy mindful may challenge, SFYMindfulMay, shoulder opener, spiritual fitness, spirituality, spiritually fit yoga, strength, yoga
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Day Eighteen SFY Mindful May Challenge – Practicing yoga at home #homepractice #yogaspace
One of the easiest ways to bring more attention and time to your home practice is dedicating a space for yoga and meditation. Choose a space big enough for your yoga mat, a meditation cushion, maybe some props and an … Continue reading
Posted in Mindful May, photography, spirituality, yoga challenge, yoga in the east bay, yoga in the san francisco bay area, yoga outside, yoga photography, yoga poses
Tagged bay area, creating a yoga space, east bay yoga, home practice, instagram challenge, mindfulness challenge, photography, sfy mindful may challenge, SFYMindfulMay, smile, spiritual fitness, spirituality, spiritually fit yoga, yoga, yoga at home, yoga outside, yoga with kids, yoga with pets
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