 Tribe of amazingness, Ever feel like life is a treadmill (or as is commonly referred- the 'dreadmill') stuck on high? Wake up, jump on, hustle like crazy, erryday. Yeah, me too! I got the following image in a text message this week & could not stop laughing & crying because it so often true (of which I am not necessarily proud)  When I resemble Cruella Deville, I tend to hit the ground running, literally. I lace up & push, pound, sweat & usually get a good cry on, mile after mile, until I cannot take another step. As my wise son Wills observed me in this state often since he was little, he once asked, "Mom, you're just working it out right?" Yes buddy, mommy is working it out. After many years & many miles of running myself into a puddle of exhaustion & tears, into arms overhead in victory with a smile of satisfaction, into a more clear & sound mental state, into a more physically empowered self, I have recently come into new understanding--- what I have been running from... the smoking gun of looming deadlines, problems, worries, decisions, changes, the state of our environment, the weight of the world on my shoulders. You name it & I likely run from it. Or as I have been working on, trying to run with it but on hold- not toward anything. Run just to be, to breathe, to be fully alive. At the end of multiple miles on the 'dreadmill' kickin' it to U2 about 6 years ago, a song came on that stopped me in my tracks, literally. Bono was preaching & I was "Runnin' to stand still." The chaos of life had me running away from fear, worry, anxiety, crippling self-doubt, like someone running for her life; chasing after clarity, hope, faith, courage, & strength. In that moment I literally collapsed on the ground in a jumble of sweaty tears, choking sobs, and the realization I was running all just to tire myself out enough to sit & be still with my life- problems & all. Paradox as felt experience- liberating & terrifying. And I just thought I was running. Yoga like running has been my practice for over 15 years; my personal time to work it out. All to connect my body, mind, & heart to know the 'self' better and live life from a place of connection, peace, and oneness with something bigger than myself. When I tire myself out enough physically, I am more easily able to sit quietly with myself & my life just as it is. From that place I can ground in gratitude, stay peaceful in chaos, and find clarity amidst confusion. Bob Marley's words become manifest, "The day you stop racing is the day you win the race." Come join EmbodyGR this week as we wrap up the Jamacian vibes & bring in the energy of Usain Bolt, aka the Lightening Bolt, as inspiration for our gathering. Wear your fave "running gear"- shorts, sweat bands, tank tops, whatever you got let's rock it. We won't literally be running, we'll still practice yoga. Though the physical form will work so we can find stillness & connection within! One love, one heart... XO dana  Upcoming EventsApril 25, 2017
Who: YOU, mon! What: Wear your fave running gear & get your Bolt on! Where: FSC- Social Hall When: Wed. April 25, 2017 @ 6:30-8:00pm Why: Runnin' to stand still. April 28 - Function is Fashion Show & Luncheon When: Friday, April 28th from 11:30am - 1pm Where: Watermark Country Club What: Fundraiser for EmbodyGR Find more info or sign up HERE!!! May May 10 - Mental Health Month Yoga with EmbodyGR & i understand When: Wed May 10 @ 6-8pm Where: City Flats Hotel Grand Rapids What: Come learn, stretch, and grow with us during Mental Health Awareness Month! This free community class on May 10 offers sound therapy, yoga instruction, and an opportunity to learn more about collaborative non-profit organization's i understand and EmbodyGR. Appetizers and beverages will be provided for all participants, plus photo booth fun! Please bring your own mat and/or towel. A limited quantity of yoga mats will be available for complimentary use at the event. May 13 - Heartside All Stars for Health- Let's Cheer them ON! Fifth Third Riverbank Run! Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are the heart of the Revive & Thrive Project and we need a few more helping hands. Volunteering with the Revive & Thrive is very rewarding and we will provide you with training and gratitude. Contact Wendy at wendy@reviveandthriveproject.org or616-581-4103.
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Happy day mon (yes, island vibes continue)... What a gorgeous spring weekend. Colors are exploding, flowers opening, birds singing, all while kids play & people run, bike, walk, and enjoy the outdoors. New life abounds. And as earth day approaches on April 22, let us remember to honor our great mother, especially at this time of year! Amidst all this beauty, I was personally a little off all weekend. Easter Sunday I awoke after a restless night's sleep at 5am sad and surly. My kids were with their other parents, my pastor husband was working in preparation for Sunday services, and our extended families are a 2.5 hour car ride or a plane ride away. No baskets, egg hunts, laughter or normal family chaos I adore Easter morning. Life was quiet & I felt lonely. After 6amcoffee did not shift my mood, I expressed my feelings to my husband who listened carefully and then needed to get back work (as is totally appropriate, albeit a little frustrating). Not knowing what else to do, I turned to nature. I flipped on our backyard lights and wouldn't you know it... there sat the easter bunny right on our lawn. A beautiful momma bunny, pregnant and peaceful. As she too sat alone, her sweet message to me seemed to channel Bob Marley... 'don't worry about a thing mon. It's gonna be 'irie.' Laughing and crying I smiled and knew she was right. Irie is a Jamacian Patwah word. It's considered Rastafarian slang that means alright, good, pleasing. It's a pleasantry exchanged when people greet one another with 'Good morning mon. How are you?" IRIE. I like it. Simple. Positive energy & vibes flowing for you and the other person. Even though you &/or they may not be doing well at all, this standard response sets a positive tone, an exchange of uplifted energy, and hope for a 'no problem' way of living.  Though Easter did not go the way I hoped, life did abound. The situation did not shift, I did. I chose to live the day in a more beautiful state. With the help of my friend Mrs. Easter Bunny I was able to let go of my sad story, take a breath of gratitude for the life I have been blessed with, and make the day 'irie' for someone else. I got out of my small self by taking a run then going to church. This put me in a present state where I was able to see the pain on another's face at church, invite them alongside me, and hold compassionate space of love & friendship for them. It was better than irie. Jamaica continues to speak to me in subtle yet powerful ways- the people, language, culture, and island vibe. And this week at EmbodyGR it's gonna be irie. Show up, bring your whole self, problems and all, and do your work in community to shift your life in the direction you choose to go. Live life irie, dana  Upcoming EventsApril 19, 2017 Who: YOU, mon! What: yoga, meditation, & service Where: FSC- Social Hall When: Wed. April 19, 2017 @ 6:30-8:00pm Why: To live life irie!  April 22 - GR March for Science (Earth Day) - FREE! When: April 22nd from 10:30am - 12pm Where: GVSU Pew Campus, 401 Fulton St What: A satellite March for Science: Science plays a vital role in our lives and our democracy. This event will illuminate, appreciate and support science. April 28 - Function is Fashion Show & Luncheon When: Friday, April 28th from 11:30am - 1pm Where: Watermark Country Club What: Fundraiser for EmbodyGR Find more info or sign up HERE!!! May May 13 - Heartside All Stars for Health- Let's Cheer them ON! Fifth Third Riverbank Run! Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are the heart of the Revive & Thrive Project and we need a few more helping hands. Volunteering with the Revive & Thrive is very rewarding and we will provide you with training and gratitude. Contact Wendy at wendy@reviveandthriveproject.org or616-581-4103.
 Hey 'mon'! I am fresh off the plane from Jamaica and still carrying the island vibe with me. Long, sunny days with the beach, water, kids, and mellow pace. And absolutely NO INTERNET! I unplugged for one week. It was way more challenging than I anticipated thus prompting a more mindful awareness of my day to day flow of working and living. One of my biggest island realizations is that I have been continually 'on." No time to power down, put on sleep mode or simply just recharge. Tough to discover for a yogi who teaches mindful ways of living. I guess that is the paradox of life- how to be on & make it happen while also being able to take note when it's simply just too much. The hustle is good until it's not. So... this week we will be bringing the Jamaican vibe to Michigan- reggae music inspired yoga with a 'don't worry be happy' pulse. As Bob Marley sings, "One love, one heart. Let's get together & feel alright." Yeah, let's do that tonight, mon! xo ~ dana  Upcoming EventsApril 12, 2017
Who: YOU, mon! What: yoga, meditation, & service Where: FSC- Social Hall When: Wed. April 12, 2017 @ 6:30-8:00pm Why: To cultivate less worry & more happy! April 15 - Dance in The Annex When: Saturday, April 15th @ 8pm Where: Wealthy Theatre What: Join us for an evening of contemporary dance and live music featuring artists from across Michigan. April 28 - Function is Fashion Show & Luncheon When: Friday, April 28th from 11:30am - 1pm Where: Watermark Country Club What: Fundraiser for EmbodyGR Find more info or sign up HERE!!! Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are the heart of the Revive & Thrive Project and we need a few more helping hands. Volunteering with the Revive & Thrive is very rewarding and we will provide you with training and gratitude. Contact Wendy at wendy@reviveandthriveproject.org or616-581-4103. |
“The EmbodyGR community embraces and supports, says ‘yes you can’ when the noisy inner voice says, ‘no you can’t’ – Kari Wilson, Community Member Archives
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Our MissionEmbody is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to positively impacting global health and well-being for all people. We provide access to physical and mental wellness education for all regardless of race, identity, orientation, creed, abledness, or ability to pay. Using the healing tools of yoga and mindfulness, and through providing meaningful volunteer and service opportunities, we help people regain agency over their own well-being. Our FREE weekly programs and events empower individuals to become healthier, happier, and make the world better in their own way. We are dedicated to improving the quality of people’s daily lives so they can “Feel Better Do Good.
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