Yoga With Nick

Today was a very special day in both my classes. We honored and celebrated the legacy of Dolly Parton.
Though we feel the loss of her physical presence, at the same time, we can connect to all of the love, light, laughter, and bravery she shared within our world.
We did not just honor Dolly by playing her music, but by cultivating a feeling of purpose, peace, and freedom that she spoke and sang about during her 80 years on earth.
A few of the quotes I shared from Dolly with our class to honor the life of Dolly and our purpose here were:
“Find out who you are and do it with purpose.”
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you’re an excellent leader.”
“I think it’s important to instill in children to have faith and to know that there is great things out there, greatness you can tap into. But it has to start from within your heart.”
“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”
“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”
Thank you, Dolly, for being a shining example of goodness in our precious world. May your message continue to expand through every heart you touch.
May all beings be free, happy, and well. 🤍

Do you feel fragile when an unexpected change occurs?
This has been a topic I’ve been talking about and how a daily mindful practice can help you stay peaceful in times of transition.
I learned many years ago that the only thing constant is change. These days, change represents new beginnings, expansion, and the path forward.
Many people are waiting for the other shoe to drop, expecting the worst. But what if you expected everything to go right?
Yes, I’m talking about learning to trust.
As we continue to talk about this topic this week in class, it’s my hope that participants gain awareness of their own patterns around change and cultivate their inner ability to move with the flow of expansion, with a feeling of trust.
Remember, you are resilient, and you can be, do, and have anything you desire. ✨

Everyday this month I’ve been reading one page from the book ‘How to Smile.’ It’s a reminder that every morning that we wake up we get to choose how our day will go. This book reminds us that you can experience sorrow and joy at the same time. You can practice and create new patterns of thought through the power of your smile. Here’s one page we previously read., “ life is filled with suffering, but it’s also filled with many wonders, such as the blue sky, the sunshine, and the eyes of a baby. To suffer is not enough. We must also be in touch with the wonders of life, they are within us and all around us, everywhere, anytime. “ -Thich Naht Hanh Join me in class or on retreat to learn practical techniques to create inner peace.

Thank you Abraham Hicks for another amazing segment.

Today marks my 50th ride around the sun. 🌞
I am so grateful that I got to do what I love most on this special day—sit in front of class and be with my students.
It is my belief that every day we get to breathe is a reason to celebrate.
The message I shared in class today was to consider the concept of forgetting. So many humans spend much of their energy trying to forget the past—an experience that happened which they don't want to relive. Yet the simple act of trying to "forget" keeps that negative experience present.
Yoga teaches us that happiness and joy, sadness and frustration, can all exist at the same time. Through awareness of our thoughts and through presence, we can make a conscious choice to create and follow a better-feeling thought. It's allowing emotions to be present while choosing to move in the direction of what is wanted.
This is the art of deliberately creating your life, improving your relationship with yourself, and living life on purpose, with purpose. And perhaps the purpose of life is freedom and joy.
So as life happens—when people annoy you, work is challenging, kids pull you in different directions, or you experience loss, illness, and all the other ups and downs—remember that, at the very same time, many wonderful experiences are happening too.
Stay present. Smile. Enjoy all of life. 🤍