You don't need a storm to see a rainbow...

Finally back home after at least 200 hours of Yoga Teacher Training and 18 days living life in Costa Rica. As I reflect back I realize that I have learned way more than I could have ever imagined. I can honestly say, I'm not meant to be Vegan !

The truth is that I learned that I am my own master teacher. I listened to my body, heart and mind and embraced being present with 40 amazing people. There are many YTT programs offered locally and through studios that do not involve travel. I found that traveling outside of my comfort zone. allowed me to be vulnerable and yet strong. I pushed myself to the edge and then accepted being there.

The path of life is certainly not easy or free of obstacles. Sometimes we often mistake pleasure for happiness. A fabulous meal, a great massage or even a shopping spree. True happiness is showing up everyday authentically without judgement and with kindness. Kindness and acceptance for you are on any given day. Difficult situations arise and often it is easier to take the safer path but we know deep down that our heart wants to divert into a different direction but we get stuck. Stuck in the dance of life as we know it and we really hate the damn music.

The only way to change, to divert your path is to embrace your fear and lean into it. Time is not permanent. Nobody is stuck while we can still breathe freely. It is ok to have a bad day, week or even month but know that it will pass. Every day we get to begin again, to practice the art of yoga and finding freedom within ourselves. Finding the true balance within ourselves to allow us to just be.

Sometimes it takes time away from your normal routine to slow down and see that even when it drizzles you can find a rainbow....

Incredible Journey with Incredible Leaders...https://www.instagram.com/kestyoga/

https://www.instagram.com/andrew7sealy/ https://www.instagram.com/ashleygriffinyoga/

https://www.instagram.com/mrs.jessib/

https://www.instagram.com/becomeayogi/

Monkey Brain

The first morning of training we were told to meet in the Yoga Shala at 7:15 am. Excited and full of energy I showed up ready to GO! Jonah Kest https://www.instagram.com/kestyoga/, one of our Yoga teacher trainers explained that we would be meeting every morning at 7:15 to practice a 30 minute silent meditation. Instantly I panicked and thought "What you talking about Willis?!?" 30 minutes of not moving or speaking? In 50 years of life I do not think I have been still and quiet unless I was sleeping! Even then, I may snore sometimes!

Day 1 of meditation was a challenge because my mind was racing aka "Monkey Brain" with so many thoughts. I kept having to bring myself back to the breathing and slow down my brain. I have to be honest I was thankful for my "Monkey Brain" as it seemed to make the time pass faster.

As the days went on I was learning that the meditation was stillness of the mind like a lake with no ripples. Day 5 was harder than I could ever imagine. My legs fell asleep halfway through and I was trying harder and harder to concentrate on my breathing. I thought for sure these crazy trainers were testing us and and making us sit there for 45 minutes. Jonah is sponsored by Nike so all I could think was "JUST DO IT!" Mental Toughness. I made it as I was constantly saying that Nike slogan until the end of the meditation. It was the same 30 minutes as all the previous days.

Just like any sport we all need to practice mental toughness. Train ourselves to balance the chaos in our heads so we can learn how to stay calm in adverse situations. At the end of the day happiness is truly to find balance within ourselves and melt into it.

Be You.....

"Not Everyone likes Lemon Zinger"

What does "Be You" actually mean? We all try and be true to ourselves everyday or so we think. I realized wearing sparkles on my face is not the definition of being me!

One of the wisest women I have met through this journey of life is someone I would never have thought that I would connect so deeply with. We are from completely different backgrounds. I honestly do not think she thought we would connect the way we did either.

I started working in a local market during Covid to get out of the lock down. I was stir crazy! I came in with endless energy and sparkles on my eyes.. I tried so hard to make everyone like me. I was new and this was a tight knot group of employees. I wanted everyone to like me. My biggest nemesis. The insecurity of someone not liking me. The less someone gave, the harder I tried. Not everyone liked me and I really struggled because I could not understand why. Had I said something wrong? Was I not always kind?

Finally this amazing woman I speak of, I call her the Doctor. She always mended my kitchen knife wounds, She shared something so very profound. Are you ready for the guru words of the Doctor?

She said "NOT EVERYONE LIKES LEMON ZINGER TEA!" I paused for a second and she said, "you are Lemon Zinger tea". She then went on to explain not all of our customers like spice, or sauce or even chocolate.... Mind blowing isn't it? It is ok if someone doesn't like your type of tea. Wise beyond her years...

We all try so hard in life to be true to ourselves. Trying hard I have realized is not being true. Yatta Butta in sanscript means "Be who you are" ( I am learning lots of cool things like sanscript during this training)

Being true is know who you are and be comfortable with it. This trip has really given me the time to remember who I am. And honestly at 50 I really do not give a sh*t what people think, although sometimes I catch myself wondering....

Think about who you really are......