The Shakti Shine - February 25, 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 didn't know I wanted to open a yoga studio.
I did know that I had made up my mind to drop my plans and follow my heart.
So that's what I did.
I followed my heart to Nashville from Blue Ridge, Georgia. I followed my heart to Shakti. I followed my heart into yoga teacher training. I followed my heart (and my stubborn strong will) to Los Angeles. I followed my heart to Athens. I followed my heart to 940 Prince Ave. I followed my heart to build a business & grow a community.
It happened little by little. And it's been happening little by little since 2010.
Little by little I gave up my plans in order to get empty-- I dropped what I thought life should look like. Little by little, I listened to my plans less and the gentle whispers of my heart more. Little by little I worried less about what people would think and relied more on the people I trust for support. Little by little I still give up the need to know. I give up the need to get it right. I give up the need to do it on my own. Little by little...
The three themes of Baptiste Yoga Methodology are, 'Come from You Are Ready Now,' 'Give Up What You Must,' & 'Be a Yes.'
I didn't know anything about Baptiste Yoga in 2010. I heard these themes for the first time circa 2013, and I knew these themes in my heart by 2017... because the three themes are what I had been living all along.
Little by little, as I gave up my plans and followed my heart, the three themes were what moved me forward.
The choice to open Shakti Athens was a daydream of an idea one day in July 2016 -- I had moved to Athens for a boy and that was working out, but the yoga I knew and loved as my practice wasn't here; there was something missing. What if...
An idea was sparked. I thought, 'I could be ready for this. I could be ready NOW. What's in the way? What do I need to change? What must I give up in order for this to really happen? Yes, I'm open & ready. Yes, let's see what happens. Yes, I'm willing to take that risk, that move, that feedback, that support.'
On March 1, 2017 I opened the doors of Shakti Power Yoga Athens.
Since then we have grown, learned, shifted, changed, connected, loved, shared, shown up. Since then I have grown, learned, shifted, changed, connected, loved, shared, shown up.
Shakti is where I belong.
The joy of owning a business, growing a team, and cultivating a community is indescribable, totally magical. I would have never taken any of the leaps of faith it took for me to get here if it weren't for the themes of Baptiste Yoga Methodology, even when I didn't know what they were or how to describe what was happening.
It took all the steps along the way to get here. It took all the following of my heart. It took all the giving up. It took all the yeses. It took all the detours, all the friendships, all the insecurities. It took all the anxiety, all the meditations, all the long runs. It took all of our teachers, all of our students. It took your presence, my resolve, and our community's support. It took it all to get here-- to Shakti Yoga Athens's second birthday, 2 years in business, and a web of support.
I didn't know I wanted to open a yoga studio, and yet here we are.
Thank you.
Some days I still don't feel ready. AND I know I am. Come from You Are Ready Now.The risk is worth the reward of living life fully today.
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.
recap:
Self. Centered. Self Care Starts Here.
This event was nourishing, brimming with connection & educational-- yoga, meditation, & how to style trends from yoga to work to happy hour-- We left feeling ready for spring! And grateful for the reminder to self-care.
Zumba After Dark
If you ever need a moment to get lost in the music & press refresh, pray that there's a ZAD that Friday night! You gotta come with us next time!
Tania Yelton is the head trainer at Orangetheory Fitness by day, and a badass salsa dancing queen by (some Friday) nights. She uplifts women and inspires everyone into their greatness, and we love that about her! She's a force in our community. Check out her blog because she is real & raw & cares about making space for every single person she meets along the way.
Yoga & Coffee
Round 2 of Yoga & Coffee brought the sun out! Sign up for our final session of this series on March 24th @ 9am. $10 gets you 45 min of yoga & a cup o' Bell's Blend, and all proceeds go to the Get Comfortable Fund. win - win - win.
this week:
Shakti Movie Night
Join us for a *free* showing of On Yoga: The Architecture of Peace ~ TONIGHT, Monday Feb 25th, 7:15-9pm ~ We'll have popcorn!
It's our birthday!!!!
We turn 2 on Friday, March 1. Celebrate with us! *Free* yoga classes all day (sign up on mindbody), cake & champagne 6-9:30pm so stop by the studio and say hi!, & next Monday, March 4, @ 7:30pm join our team at Homewood Social for bowling & chill.
She Struts for Justice
Mokah Johnson is the founder of Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement and a force for equality in our community. Check out this socially conscious presentation at Hendershots on Thursday, Feb 28, 6-8pm.
>> The purpose of the “She Strut for Justice” tour is to bring awareness to social injustices affecting the black and brown community, women and girls; and to reinforce the importance of voting. To encourage women to unleash their voices, get involved, and join the movement, each event will begin with a roundtable discussion followed by a fashion show that focuses on the power of personal expression as a means to spark social change. << Read more.
Spring Yoga Series
w/ Creature Comforts
Sunday, March 3, 11:30am-12:30pm
We're back in 2019 March 3, April 7, & May 5th! Sign up on mindbody. The $10 donation goes directly to the Get Comfortable Fund. Sign up now! (here)
Hang out with us at Homewood Social ~
Monday, March 4, 7:30pm
Sometimes it's nice to put on normal clothes and get outside the studio. So our team will be at Homewood Socialbowling...and we'd love for you to join us!