From Resistance to Wisdom

I just completed a 6 month Shaman journey with 8 powerful, spiritual and humble women. We all grew as a group and have decided to continue meeting once a month to continue sharing and meet in ceremony to keep the spirit strong amongst us. It's been my motivation and inspiration as I've stumbled through the new shifts in life. It's been a gift to carve out this time for my own learnings and grounding. I'm so grateful for the people who continue to carry the wisdom forward for seekers like me, like you. I hope in the months to come I can continue to share what I have learned.

We were re-introduced to a mythologist, Joseph Campbell. Campbell introduced a well known spiritual concept called the Hero's Journey. It is explained in three parts. Departure, initiation, and the return.

The 6 month training gave me the tools to see how I have been on my own Hero's Journey for the last 49 years. The coming of age, leaving my family, gaining my independence and self realization. I made my way through the initiation of loss, defeat, illness many times over.

I've nourished myself back into balance most days with self love, compassion and help from so many around me. I've survived things I did not think I could. Now in my own version of the return, I have drank from the cup of wisdom. It's bitter and still turns sweet. We all belong, we don't need to prove it to anyone. Here, in this life, we get to participate and share with eachother our gifts. Life doesn't seem to change much generation to generation, only the technologies that carry us through it. We are the Torchbearers🔥 so keep the light going.

The three stages of the Hero's Journey

1. Departure: The call to awaken

Leaving behind what is familiar. Often becuase of a challenge or calling. In yoga, this call may arise through physical discomfort, emotional suffering, curiosity, or a longing for something deeper.

2. Initiation: The transformation

Facing the unknown within ourselves. This is where the journey becomes challenging. The hero faces trials, fears and undergoes transformation. In yoga the practitioner begins to encounter not only physical limitations but also fear, resistance, attachment, impatience, and deeply ingrained patterns.

3. Return: Bringing the wisdom home

Living what we have learned. The hero, you, returns with newfound wisdom or a gift to share with others.

Campbell describes the hero returning with a boon, a gift of wisdom or renewal that benefits the community.

For the yoga practitioner, the return happens when the teachings leave the mat and enter everyday life.

✨ Your Weekly Vanderbilt Beach Yoga Schedule ✨

🌸 SUNDAY | Restorative Yoga with Alex

🌿 MONDAY | Gentle Yoga with Sheila

🌊 WEDNESDAY | Vinyasa Flow with Alex (subbing)

🌺 FRIDAY | Hatha Flow with Lo

⏰ All Classes: 9:00–10:00 AM

If you want to share a gift at our upcoming retreat Januaray 30th please reach out to me. Lo, 239-877-1293 or email lololo333@hotmail.com

Save the date and tickets available for :

December 20th 6pm-8pm Winter Solstice Softening and Meditian with Lo at ShangriLa

January 30th Lo's Go Love Yourself Yoga Retreat at Lover's Key 9-2:30pm

Yogic teaching	Connection to the journey
Tapas (disciplined effort)	The courage to remain engaged with difficult experiences
Svadhyaya (self-study)	Recognizing patterns, fears, and habitual reactions
Ahimsa (non-harming)	Learning to meet ourselves with compassion rather than force
Aparigraha (non-grasping)	Releasing attachment to a former identity or desired outcome
Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender)	Learning to act sincerely without needing to control every result