The Shakti Shine - February 4, 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 feel guilty when I take time off.
I'm writing from Paris this morning, and while... Wow, amazing, I can't believe this is my life... I also feel like... Who do I think I am, I should be working, also the world (my world) might fall apart while I'm gone...
I feel guilty that I might not be doing things 'right;' I feel guilty for leaving the studio; and I feel and anxious about not being 'productive' and about what people might think of me.
It's the kind of guilt & anxiety that I can identify. It feels like Saran wrap wrapped tightly around me, keeping me small and afraid. Under the plastic encasement my mind feels safe, albeit frenzied and uncalmable. She reminds me: IF I STOP PERFORMING-- IF I STOP WEARING MY ROLES-- IF I AM NOT MAX PRODUCTIVITY-- WHO AM I, DO I MATTER, AND WHATEVER'S ON THE OTHER SIDE I DON'T WANT TO KNOW BC THAT MEANS TAKING OFF THIS CLINGWRAP & NO WAY, NOT AN OPTION.
It's laughable because, well for starters, what good has plastic wrap ever been for protection, except of course to keep leftovers sealed up for one more day.
It's also laughable because I KNOW it's not true or real. I know how fear works.
So I relax a little. Still, it takes some time and a lot of deep breaths to remember what Love feels like.
...
At the beginning of this year I started taking Friday's off-- no work on Friday's. This was something I did after college and remember loving the freedom and space it offered me in my week.
Now, it feels like a struggle to turn off my mind or to know how to spend all the hours to do whatever I want instead of what I feel like I need to accomplish.
I am hopeful that with practice this will become easier... and for now, a two week vacation helps to remember the feeling of just being me.
...
To me, this is self-care: to Pause.
Pause for two weeks to go to Paris; Pause for an afternoon to turn off my phone; Pause for 10 minutes to meditate; Pause for a day to clean my house & budget; Pause for a few hours to watch a funny movie; Pause to take a deep breath; Pause to be with friends; Pause to be alone; Pause long enough to listen to what I need.
Presence feels like self-love, like a reminder of what it's like to just be me.
I wonder what's on the other side of totally & completely unraveling the Saran wrap...
I hope we get to find out together.
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:
ESP @ Shakti
We had the privilege of hosting Athen's Extra Special People! What a JOY to practice with this glowing group!!
Intro to Power Yoga w/ Maggie
15 new yogis learned True North Alignment as the foundation for every yoga pose we practice at Shakti! "I have loved answering follow-up questions this week in the studio & seeing the excitement generated from learning something new and discovering integrated alignment." (Maggie) Keep asking questions and keep showing up!
this week:
Meditate @ Means Classroom, Benson Hall C010
Wednesdays @ 3:30pm this semester
Self-Care month
February is the time to focus on (truly) giving some TLC to yourself. We're here to remind you of that. So make sure you follow us on Instagram & Facebook. And start thinking.... What do I do for me? What can I do for me? ... Get ready to make time for yourself.
Missing your yoga mat?
Our lost and found is overflowing with mats & water bottles! If you're missing yours, email hello@shaktiyogaathens.com. We will donate everything not claimed by the end of this week!
Self-Care Starts Here.
Shakti x Cheeky Peach
February 18th, 6-8PM
THIS EVENT IS TO RECONNECT YOU WITH YOUR INNER GODDESS, BASICALLY. YOU'LL GET A LIL' YOGA, A LIL' PAUSE&REFLECT, SOME STYLING TIPS, AND A LOTTA TLC.