The Shakti Shine - July 15th, 2019
Shakti Love Notes
We are always growing. I love that! And the more I grow, the more I recognize how important it is for us all to share what we're going through-- even (and especially) me.
So these Love Notes are a space for me to share with you each week-- about the studio, my life, how our community is growing.
I used to believe that I was always a lesson behind.
Whenever I would learn something new, I would first judge myself for not knowing before. I would agonize over my own ignorance and recount all the ways that 'I should've known.'
Last week I listened to an interview with Abby Wombach, and she talked about ‘watershed moments.’
One for her was realizing that gratitude was an old belief. She says, “Being grateful is an old rule. Being grateful AND demanding what you want and what you deserve and what you’ve earned is the new rule. Out with the old and in with the new.”
My last 18 months have felt like a watershed moment.
The old rule? I used to believe that I was always a lesson behind. That I had to do everything right and nice in order to be liked and successful. I had to follow all the rules and stay a step ahead in order to be a good human.
But I’ve been learning a lot, consistently, for the last few years. I've been learning a lot about a lot of things I didn't know much about before, which means it's time to change the rules.
There's something new to see and believe now.
The new rule? Now I believe that I am right on time. That I get to do the right thing-- the thing that is kind and founded in my ethics. That I deserve to appreciate all the moments 'in between.' That I don't have to get anything 'right.' And in spite of the old rules, now I choose to believe that my voice always matters. I get to make new rules for myself over and over again as I grow and evolve. Gather information, listen & learn, meditate, check in with core values, make moves, take the necessary action. Now success means seeing-- seeing people, seeing myself, seeing the world-- and acting with good intentions in full awareness of my impact.
Now I'm a good human just by being honest and real and right here, right now.
Stepping into the new rule means that I can trust that I am always right on time.
It means I can look back at myself a day, a month, 6 years ago, and I can love where I was then and appreciate the timing of each lesson along the way.
It means I can love myself where I am right now, and I can give up being in a hurry to get to the next big lesson.
Because as cliche as it is,
Life and all its lessons really is all about the journey, not the destination.
xx
Ruby
Beyond the mat...
We love Athens.
And we love you.
So let's have more of that-- together.
Here's where you can see what we're up to outside of the studio.
Have ideas about where we should be / what we should check out / how we can show up?
Reply to this email to let us know.
...in JULY
In the studio: Sabrina will be in and out of classes taking photos so we can update our website. Thanks for being part of our community!
If you prefer not to be photographed just let us know at the front desk, and we will honor & respect your choice 100%.
Coming soon
August is Meditation Month at Shakti!
Every class will start with a 5 min meditation, we will have challenge cards & prizes for everyone who meditates 20+ times, instalive meditations every day...
AND we want to come to you to lead a meditation.
Reply to this email to set up a 10 min meditation for your work, team, friends, or organization. This is our gift to you during the month of August!
Inquiry Corner w/ Emily: The Chakras
Hi everyone, Emily here! If you’re new to inquiry, this looks like moving through questions, prompts, activities, and conversations that help you learn more about yourself. I’m excited you’re here!
For the next eight weeks, we will focus on the chakra system, or the subtle/energetic bodies. This week is an overview.
The chakras are seven energy centers that sit along the spine of your physical body. The chakras start at your tailbone and move to the tip of your head: Root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. Each chakra has a specific location, energy, theme, action, color, texture, sound, and *quality*.
~ The Throat Chakra ~
(Vishuddha)
The throat chakra is the bridge between your heart and your head:
Sentiment and cognition,
love and logic,
passionate intuition and intelligence.
The vishuddha chakra ties the head and heart together and "clears" through communication.
I think of it like this:
The throat chakra is the seat of communication and self-expression. When you talk, journal, process, & move, you're self-expressing. You're taking what you feel and what you know and creating something new.
Expressing ourselves is a form of freedom, because we're sharing and releasing something we've spent time pulling together. Releasing creates space for our next step forward.
Inquiry:
-- Where in my life am I not speaking up? Why?
-- What places in my life feel like a battle between heart and head?
The whole point of balancing the throat chakra is enhanced expression.
So, go out and express yourself in your favorite way! Talk with a confidant, dance, practice asana, journal, talk to your cat.
Share what you find, and find more space for peace.
(If you'd like more information on the chakras, check out Shakti's IGTV.)