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Your body is a temple!

8/19/2020

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Tribe of love and commitment,


One of my favorite yoga guides is the late BKS Iyengar who said, "My body is my temple and asanas are my prayers "This man dedicated his life to his practice and lived well, doing six-minute headstands at age 83, vibrantly taking the stairs, possessing an ability to walk lightly, with a flexible spine and spirit. Though he was born weak, frail, and suffering from many illnesses, Iyengar dedicated his life to healing himself and bringing this transformational practice from the East to the West. His discipline, intense practice, and devotion kept him on the path of health, vibrancy and leadership. 

Iyengar is quoted as saying, ‘Stand on your feet. Feel your feet. How can you know God if you don’t know your big toe?’ ” Makes me laugh. I love how he utilized humor to inspire us as yoga aspirants to dig deeper, know & honor our bodies, and open ourselves up to something greater than ourselves (whatever that means for you). 

Our bodies are divine. The asanas, yoga postures, are our transformational sacred language on the path of liberation. Let us remind ourselves of these truths daily and continuously rededicate ourselves to our practice. Allow Iygengar's light inspire us to stay committed to our personal health and well-being by having a loving relationship with our bodies and prioritize our daily practices of yoga, mindfulness, and giving back to our world.

Though I never met BKS, I still miss his earthly presence & fiery spirit. When he left our realm it was as though the axis of our planet shifted slightly for me. Each day, my personal practice consists of a timed five-minute headstand where I honor his teachings and draw continual inspiration, especially when I feel tired, defeated, or would prefer to give up. Iyengar brought yoga to the world and I burn with a personal passion to continue his legacy. My mission is to positively impact global health and well-being through creating access for ALL people to the tools and practices of yoga, mindfulness, and community service. That is what Embody does; that is who we are. Together we have created a 'feel better do good' movement that is changing the world. Together we are unstoppable.

Remember: You are divine. You are beloved. Live your sacred. Revere the temple of your being. Shine your light; the world needs YOU!

Love and light,
Dana


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Upcoming Events

August 19
Embody Weekly Virtual Practice with Dana

When: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - hosted on Embody's Facebook page
3:30PT | 6:30ET

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“Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.”

~ B.K.S Iyengar
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Mindfulness and Resilience

8/11/2020

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Hello precious ones,

I do hope you are navigating your days with health, hope, and a semblance of happiness! I know times are tough for many so remember you are not alone. Thanks for being part of Embody and taking time to read this newsletter. It is my wish for it to serve you each and every week.

Who among us these days is not experiencing some new or added amount of stress, worry, confusion, anxiety?... the list could continue. Probably no one unless you live in a cave, monastery, or on a private island. So if that, in fact, is true for most, let's focus on the solutions. What emotions and ways of being would be preferable to you? How about peace of mind and an overall sense of calm, centered groundedness? Sounds pretty sweet to me. In my personal practices, that is what I strive for each day. Am I there all the time, even most of the time... nope. But there are moments; sweet pockets of awareness that is only in the present & that is magic. The sweet spot where all seems like it not only will be okay but it IS better than okay. 

Mindfulness, in its basic sense, is being in the present moment without judgment. There is no guilt, shame, regret, or bitterness that can often spring up when ruminating on the past. The future is free of anxiety, what if, or what is going to happen to me. This is a powerful state of being.

The benefits of mindfulness are vast. You can lower your blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and increase levels of patience, creativity, and energy just to name a few.

Resilience is simply grit. It's not giving up or shutting down in the face of adversity or struggle. When you are resilient you know you won't shatter. Life cannot paralyze you or put you into a deer in headlights moment. 

Mindfulness and resilience are a powerful combination.  They are like a muscle that needs to be worked regularly to keep healthy, strong, and functional.  There is a dedication involved; a commitment to your own health and wellbeing. And it's an almost foolproof guarantee that when you take action you will feel more powerful, in control and able to regain personal agency over your life. In short, you will be the author of your life, not the victim of your circumstance. Sound good?

Join me this week for our weekly gathering on Embody's facebook page. Our practice will offer tools to help enhance your mindfulness and resilience. I hope you can join me. 

Health, happiness, &  community,
Dana

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Upcoming Events


August 11
Driveway Concert featuring Chris Bursley benefiting Comprehensive Therapy Center

What: An outdoor, socially distanced, acoustic guitar performance benefiting CTC, a local non-profit that helps individuals with disabilities walk, talk, learn, and play so they can read and write!
When: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 @ 7pm
Where: Grand Rapids, near the FM Gardens (address when you register)
Learn more: 
https://therapycenter.org/news/driveway-concerts/
How to register: https://forms.gle/k2bdbdkukUeqL6Nj6


August 12
Embody Weekly Virtual Practice with Dana

When: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 - hosted on Embody's Facebook page
3:30PT | 6:30ET

 
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“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.”
~ Amit Ray
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Prioritize YOU!

8/5/2020

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Tribe,

Just a quick note to let you know you are loved, you are important, and you are missed so deeply. Plus a gentle reminder to prioritize YOU; your own health & well-being.

Stoked to announce Embody team teacher, Jen Jettner, will be leading our virtual yoga & mindfulness practice tonight. Tune in at 6:30 pm EST to @feelbetterdogood on Facebook- that's our global page where we are trying to reach people from all areas of the globe to expand our feel better, do good movement. It's what everyone needs right now. Be sure to share with your family and friends! 

Love to you,
Dana


Upcoming Events

Embody in Grand Rapids:

August 5
Embody Weekly Virtual Practice with Team Teacher Jen Jettner
When: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 - hosted on Embody's Facebook page
3:30PT | 6:30ET
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"When we strive to become better, everything around us becomes better.”
~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
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    ​“The EmbodyGR community embraces and supports, says ‘yes you can’ when the noisy inner voice says, ‘no you can’t’ – Kari Wilson, Community Member

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Our Mission

Embody 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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