ANNOUNCING REEL GIRL POWER!

At Heart of Love Yoga, we love our youth and think they're pretty special.  So, we created something special for them - Reel Girl Power.

Reel Girl Power is all about empowerment - building self-esteem, self-love and transforming young lives with the power of movement, mindfulness and movie magic.  This summer, Reel Girl Power is offering our first online camp for girls and young women, ages 10 to 17. 

The camp is a fun blend of creative games, yoga, dance, self-discovery, writing, photography and filmmaking.  During our Camp Reel Girl Power experience, participants will learn the basics of film production and create experimental, documentary films using collaborative filmmaking and reflection on self-acceptance and self-love.

Camp runs July 15th - August 14, 2020. 

Learn more about Camp Reel Girl Power at ReelGirlPower.com.

The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything most of us have experienced.  Sure, we’ve read about pandemics in history books.  But, right now, being quarantined in our homes, away from our friends and family and wondering when life will return to normal is far, far too real.  

This time of great uncertainty naturally triggers anxiety and stress for many of us.  While it’s important for us to stay home to protect our health, we also need to find healthy ways to cope while sheltering in place.  

One of the best and easiest ways to reduce and manage stress and anxiety is to practice yoga and meditation.  These practices are known for boosting our resiliency and immunity in tough times as well as boosting our immunity.  And both are extremely important at this time.

So, to keep us connected, healthy, moving and feeling better, I’m offering FREE, online yoga classes and mindful meditations.  These will be very gentle, easy yoga practices perfect for all levels, especially beginners. 😃

If you’d like to take part in these classes, email me through the "contact me" page.  See you online!

Wishing everyone health and the miracle of a quick end to this pandemic.

Happy Leap Day! 

If you're like me you probably spend way too much time contemplating and analyzing the leaps you take.  Analysis paralysis, anyone? ;-)

One of the greatest things we can do for ourselves is move out of our own way.  And sometimes, that means getting into action. Or as Henry David Thoreau put it, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you have imagined."

So here's to a new year and a new decade of bravery and fearless risk taking that propels us into the future of our dreams.  Let's take a leap together!  😃

So I went to turn on my computer this morning and got the screen asking me which language I wanted. 😳 Clearly, not a good sign.

I clicked "English" as that was my only option because for a number of years in a row I failed to live up to my New Year's resolution to speak Spanish fluently. (I dropped that resolution years ago saving myself from failure. 😄)  Having clicked "English," I was now at the Disk Utilities page - not good. Fingers crossed I could quickly fix the problem and get back to work.

But there it was...the sinking feeling that I hadn't backed up my computer in I don't know when and what if this wasn't going to be a quick and easy fix? 😱  I thought to myself, "What was I thinking?  I know I should be backing up regularly. And now, I'm here feeling a little anxious about possibly losing my files. Ugh."

Feeling this rise in stress, I stopped and took a couple deep breaths to bring my mind back to calm. And I mentally noted that no matter what - it was all going to be just fine.

As a yoga practitioner and teacher, deep breaths are my go to as an instant game changer. Deep breaths create positive shifts in our bodies, moods and energy, reducing stress, the flight and fight response and bringing in mental clarity and ease.  And from that place of calm and clarity, we are best able to tackle the day to day stressors of our very busy lives.

Unfortunately, stressful situations are ubiquitous. They include the mundane like the daily commute, job dissatisfaction and petty conflicts with our loved ones to major incidents like financial crisis and critical health challenges.

Thankfully, deep breaths can help us deal with the stressors and move through these tough spots.  For me, those deep breaths helped me to reinstate calm and find clarity to work through my computer's reboot, thankfully without losing a single file. Whew!

At this very moment, I am backing up ALL my computer files. 😃 If you haven't backed up yours lately, I encourage you to do the same.

Today, I am adding a new New Year's resolution to my list: regularly back up computer files.   I'm writing it down as "Back That Thang Up!"

So, I broke a toe as summer was ending.  And this little piggy has been slow healing.  My podiatrist outfitted me with some killer soft shoe fashion footwear - the kind you won’t see on the Paris runways.  😂

Lucky for me, I’m not the kind of woman dying to get back into a pair of heels.  What I am is a woman learning to be more patient because “Why is this not healed already???” 🤷🏾‍♀️ and “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

Looking for the lesson in the moment, I’ve used this opportunity to dive deeper into my study and practice of energy healing modalities which I’ve neglected for too long.  The Universe never fails to remind us of what’s important when we get off track, now does it? 😊

In this experience of limping, hobbling and healing, I’ve also learned to pay even greater attention to how my body feels and how it moves.  I’ve noticed how an uneven gait disrupts the comfort in my hips and lower back, and how the muscles in my legs, hips and glutes compensate for the lack of flexion in my toes.  👣

One thing I love about yoga is that it teaches us to be more aware of our bodies. And this awareness allows us to better care for our bodies and to be more present in the moment which brings greater peace, joy and contentment into our lives.

So, how is your body feeling today?  Is it tight, sore, painful?  Could it use more care, energy, relaxation or pain relief?  Yoga can help provide all these things and more.  And now is the perfect time to treat yourself to better health!  

If you want ideas on how you can incorporate yoga and meditation into your life before the next year (and decade) roll around, email us through the "contact" page.  Together, we'll usher in a healthier new year and a happier you!

Lots of Love,
Anietie

Here it is fall again.  By the end of summer, I'm usually ready for the slowing down that autumn brings.  But, not this year.  This year, I'm gearing up to grow and expand as the days grow shorter and cooler. 

I recently read a number of articles on how to get the most out of the rest of the year, revitalize those most important New Year's Resolutions and plan for 2020.  Well, I'm all about it. 

No, I didn't reach some of the goals I planned for 2019.  But I'm not giving up.  I'm ready to get to work, to grow and expand.  And yoga is my super boost to help me along the journey.  

You see, yoga requires perseverance, determination, courage and commitment.  It's the perfect practice to help us elevate all areas of our lives because a consistent yoga practice and yogic lifestyle eventually affects every part of our lives.

So, go ahead and strike a tree pose and rise high.  Grow, expand.  Reach for the stars.  You can do it!

Love and Hugs,
Anietie

The path to success is hardly ever straight.  Be willing and ready to make a shift, while finding joy in the journey!

If you're like me, you're full of ideas, but usually feel short on time, energy or resources to launch all those big ideas.  It's true that we can't do everything.  But it's also true that we are capable of accomplishing extraordinary things.  And  sometimes all we need is a little extra boost to move in the right direction.

Yoga is my boost.  Through yoga, we can realize that our limitations are formed only in our minds.  When we begin to train our minds to exchange the thoughts of "I can't" into the thoughts of "I can," we open a whole new world of possibilities for ourselves and others.

Whatever you want to begin or create; however you want to change your life -- make up your mind to start now.  And believe that you can.  

Bringing your ideas into fruition is possible and most likely a whole lot simpler and easier than sending a rocket into space.  And if we can send rockets to space and men to the moon than you certainly can make your dream come true right here on Earth.

So get the faith and get busy.  And launch now!  The world is ready for your genius.

Lots of Love,
Anietie

The recent synagogue shooting in San Diego, burning of African-American churches in Louisiana, slaying of Christians in Sri Lanka and mass shootings in mosques in New Zealand are heartbreaking reflections of ignorance and hate.  Our houses of worship should be places of love, community and devotion where all can feel safe.  Instead, the rise of hate crimes and terrorism leaves many feeling unsafe and on edge, wondering whether to bow heads in prayer with one eye open.

No matter what house of worship you attend or don't attend, let's support each other with love and eradicate the ignorance that leads to hate through our loving thoughts, words and deeds.  No matter how long the struggle, love will eventually topple hate.

We are one.  One race.  One Love.