The Shakti Shine - July 29, 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.
Some lessons have to be learned over and over and over again.
One of the lessons that lives on loop in my life is letting my own growth be a process, and not a set of goals intended to reach a certain point.
Basically, 'Life's a journey, not a destination.'
Every time I hit a growth spurt, there's an underlying feeling of accomplishment, as though the assignment is over.
And every time at a deeper level I know that's not true.
It's a mixed bag of emotions in the moment. I feel proud, content, excited, powerful, anxious, vulnerable, fearful, and hesitant all the time same time.
This space of inner tension makes my own growth an uncomfortable place to live in.
And while the content of my growing shifts and evolves and pushes me forward, the process feels the same.
I have to learn the lesson every time I feel like I've 'gotten somewhere.'
I wish there was a Chill Your Roll, Ruby button I could press, like a reset.
But since there's not, this rollercoaster gets to be part of my relationship with myself. There's no quick fix for it, and if I lose my awareness I quickly spiral into feelings self-doubt and unworthiness.
Over the course of my 27 years as an Achiever (that's a 3 on the Enneagram), there are a few ways I've learned to cope with myself in times of growth.
1. Talk to myself like I'm human. Better yet, talk to myself like I'm my 10 year old self. Say things like, "Good job, honey." "That's so human of you." "How can I support you right now?" "I love you, and you're doing great."
2. Ask for support. I've got a team of people who keep me in check. There are about 10 solid people who I turn to for different reasons, in different capacities, depending on what I need in the moment. And they are all consistently in my life, so even when I don't know I need them, we've already got a call or a dinner or a run planned. Thank goodness.
3. Go to therapy. My therapist helps remind me that I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere. It's pretty much that simple, and I pretty much need to hear that every week.
4. Cook, clean, read, breathe, sit in the sun, water my plants, light a candle. I can get real intense real fast about things I care deeply about (my personal growth is one of those things). When I feel the intensity rise, I have to force myself to pull back.COME BACK TO EARTH, PLEASE RUBY. Doing things that ground me serve as a reality check. I am right here, right now. I am ok. This is it, and this is enough. Voila, this is real life.
It feels good to level up in life, but knowing myself and what I need takes the edge off.
I actually think that the 'learning what I need' part is the bigger part of growth, and what I think is growth is just the entry point.
Life would be boring if there were no lessons to learn and no growth to discover.
From me to me and from me to you:
Slow down, lean in, uncover what you need, and take care of yourself.
xx
Ruby
As Shakti continues to grow and evolve it’s important that you, our community, have the opportunity to see what we’re up to.
This part of our website is about who Shakti is, where Shakti is headed, and choices at Shakti that impact you.
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.
Last week...
Down Dog Days of Summer
at The Graduate Athens
This event is the yoga party of the summer at Shakti. All the profits go to support the Get Comfortable Fund.
(More about why that's important to us HERE)
July's theme was all about bringing your intentions to life!
Join us Monday, August 19th, for the last DDD of the summer!
7:30pm // $10 donation
What's happening now...
Little Lights Yoga Camp! starts today
Reply to this email to sign up your Little Light
LLYC is a 5 day exploration into yoga, creativity, connection, and self.
Your child will experience meditation, yoga practice, creativity,
journaling, fun connection games and space to ask tough questions.
July 29 - Aug 2 // 1:30-3:30pm
Coming up...
There's a new cohort of teachers READY to lead your practice at Shakti!
Look for Erin, Bethany, Sonja, Harley, Morganne, & Angela on the fall schedule alongside our returning teachers starting August 12th!
August is Meditation Month at Shakti!
We practice meditation as an access to getting present and awakening.
As we learn & evolve, we wake up to a new way of being.
Every class will start with a 5 min meditation,
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!
Meditation: Necessary, Uncomfortable
By: Lane Carrandi
"Meditation can feel uncomfortable, just like when the jets turn off in the hot tub.
And sometimes in order to come to realizations, failure can be a crucial part to the journey of acceptance and awareness.
The most important part about mediation, though, is knowing:
I am whole and complete just as I am and as I am not."
keep reading
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 Crown Chakra ~
(Sahasrāra)
The sahasrāra chakra, or the crown chakra, is the seat of meditation, clarity, and liberty.
It’s new connections, creative thinking, vastness, and possibility.
Think of the crown chakra as the place for you to consider all that’s possible with your life, completely spacious and open for invention.
All of what you’ve learned about yourself, all the pieces you’ve put together in your psyche, come together here.
Inquiry:
+ What would be possible if you asked for help?
+ What would be possible if you did less “work” and more play?
+ What would be possible if you committed to the “impossible” goals or dreams you have?
(If you'd like more information on the chakras, check out Shakti's IGTV.)
/////
Thank you for joining me for the chakra series!
Is there anything you’d like to learn about next? Just reply to this email and let me know. <3
Announcements
Introducing: Shakti Scholarships
We have created flexibility within our pricing structure to support you & your yoga practice at Shakti as we all try to navigate the world we live in. Shakti scholarships come in all shapes & sizes and are available as needed.
We believe you, no questions asked. Thank you for being honest & open to receiving support.
Let us know what you need. We are here to support you however we can.
Capturing the essence of Shakti
Sabrina works the front desk, but she is also a badass entrepreneur and owner ofMila Promotional Films.
She'll be around the studio and in & out of classes capturing our Shakti spirit!
If you'd rather keep your practice private, just let the front desk know and we will make sure to respect your privacy 100%.
Fall schedule starts August 12th
Check out MBO now, and start considering your perfect Shakti schedule for the semester.
You gave us feedback, and we're giving you new options!
50 min 3:15pms, two chances for PPP, Sunday 8am, evening Revival
The new schedule goes into effect August 12th!
Waitlist worries no more!
We are ready for fall semester to be a time to move forward with clarity & simplicity!
So here's the dealio... Starting August 15th, you will accrue a fee for your late cancels & no shows. Thank you for understanding, cooperating, & committing to your practice.
Here to Dig a Little Deeper
* At Shakti we are actively committed to questioning bias, blind spots, and unconscious discrimination through inquiry within and outside of the Shakti team. Shakti teachers commit to acting in allyship for POCs and marginalized communities. We are committed to showing up and stepping into discomfort in order to open the closed doors that house internal bias and discrimination.
^ We're proud for this to be a cornerstone of who we choose to be as a community and business. Read more about what we believe here.