Breathe, Yoga, Water, Joy

Stop where you are right now and listen and feel your breath. Does your breath reflect your mood and environment? If you are in a busy store reading this, your breathing will be rushed and guarded. If you are reading this by the beach, your breath will be slower, and encourage deeper breaths. If you are annoyed, yep your breath will be all over the place and perhaps not breathing at all. The whole of us and the universe shapes how you breathe in subtle and powerful ways.

Lo's Yoga Studio With Waves

Imagine yourself here now, breathe. Feel that!

Imagine laying down on your towel, where the sound of gently crashing waves instantly welcomes you. The refreshing salty breeze fills the air, invigorating your senses. This is not merely a physical space; it's a sanctuary where creativity flows effortlessly. Your body is familiar with this process and you feel safe, activating the restful or parasympathetic nervous system.

Now imagine your breath synchronizing with the rise and fall of the waves. Inhale then exhale to the sound of that water a few times. Pretty undeniable.

The Ebb and Flow of Practice

Every creative journey includes bursts of inspiration alongside quiet times. Yoga flows go through this and you go through the warm up, the climax of the class, slowing things down to savasana. All of this is reflected by the breath. At the beginning when you are doing only one thing at a time it's easier to manage the breath to a steady beat. As we build up, the challenge arises, do you even notice what has happened to the breath? Then again at the end, back to slowing down to complete stillness the breath takes center stage, or we attempt to at least.. It's the managing of energy.

Managing Energy

Our minds can often feel turbulent, filled with racing thoughts of how I can accomplish everything I need to do today. However, like the ocean on a calm day, our minds have the potential to be serene. Something I've learned recently is about managing my energy which has blown my mind.

In the past I would look at my phone a day in advance of my next teaching day and decide how I would save enough life force to serve everyone on my list. There has been a HUGE shift now. I now look at my phone calendar and decide what time to wake up to get MY time in first. I've learned how precious my life force is and I need to take care of ME first. So instead of rushing out the door to go serve the world in a chaotic state of breath/prana, I am taking my time for me. I wake up and enjoy my coffee, take a walk or practice yoga listening to my favorite inspirational teachers then I go out and change the world. I'm learning to manage my energy. It's not a perfect consistency yet, but I like where I'm headed and so does my body.

Breathing with the Waves

Breath is critical f-9-10or both our physical and mental well-being. Just as the waves rise and fall, so too does our breath. Research indicates that engaging in consistent breathwork can reduce stress levels by 40%,. A recent client of mine who looked at Yoga as drinking the Kool-Aide, and too weird, told me it has changed her life. Mind you we've only had a couple of privates. She has always though I was off my rocker but she's getting it. She even said that in her work meetings she is actually aware of how she is breathing and in turn she is able to not get pulled in by the tornadoes around her. She's doing the work.

Finding Balance in the Chaos

Life is full of ups and downs, much like the patterns of ocean waves. Much like our breath, much like music, like brain activity. It is as it should be, or well it would be flat lined. Think acceptance and take a big exhale. You can fee the effect.

By embracing life's ebb and flow, we can learn to face challenges with grace. Finding balance in life takes a lifetime for most of us, as it is always changing as we do. A survey conducted by The Happiness Research Institute found that individuals who practice acceptance during tough times report higher levels of life satisfaction.

The Power of Yoga & Yoga In Nature

Nature profoundly impacts our well-being. The sights and sounds can soothe our minds and stimulate the joy of life. Spending time in natural settings, especially by water, can help us reconnect with ourselves and gain clarity. Spending time at the beach practicing yoga, is medicine for my soul. Anytime you feel stagnation, blah, go outside to a breath of fresh air and feel ALIVE.

Embracing the --Journey As it is Revealed to Me. Thank You!

Vanderbilt Beach August 18-24 th 2025

9- 10am

Monday - Shiela Slow Sun Flow

Tuesday - Sheila Gentle Yoga

Wednesday- Lo Kundalini Inspired

Friday- Lo Shoulder Stability for a Stronger Practice

Sunday- Alex - Beginners and Beyond