Time to Mourn

 

A time to mourn? Celebrations cancelled, vacations cut short, illness, financial rockiness, loss of freedom to do, rejection... It's time to hold ourselves with loving arms, and honor the truth of what we've lost. It's ok to not be ok. 

My relationship with grief has been rocky. Without invitation she followed me, casting a shadow on everything... until I sat with her. Hand in hand she showed me why my heart was aching, and with every breath I softened into the comfort of her arms. 

The tears cleansed my being while she opened my eyes to my contentment with what truly is. Each journey I take with her, often times pen to paper, brings me to a richer experience of joy.

One breath at a time... Mourning the loss of what I thought I would experience, grief became the unsung hero to joy. Joy.. A deep feeling of contentment with what is. 

In Harmony

Time to recalibrate?

Start with a nourishing breath ...

11 years ago I committed to radical self care that included all sorts of activities... Many of which were not mainstream (at the time). My pursuit of wellness came at the cost of lost "friends" & conflict with family...

I don't regret a single choice.

No longer held down by chronic pain & illness... Now I'm empowering others.

Today, I find myself able to handle enormous hardship without losing myself or my mind.

 

My vow to honor my needs no matter the time or place has led me to seize minutes (or breaths) whenever I can to reset to my intention of conscious, harmonious engagement with the electricity of life .

 

I understand time is scarce, as responsibilities and commitments are waying heavy...

Will you make a lil for yourself...

to be fueled [another breath]

so that you continue to love on your people

& honor your heart's commitments without losing yourself?

United by Breath,

Lynn Marie 

PS Only 3 spots left in my Holistic Yoga Retreat this Sunday ... Don't miss this day where I take care of you.

Fresh Air Holistic Yoga

I adore the nature's beauty. It makes me feel so alive and frees me of my worries. This Saturday you're invited to join me as I'll be teaching the free 9am Saturday Yoga in the Park at Gray's Lake class.

BIGGER NEWS... over 600 people have giggled with me and the goats... selling out every class! This Sunday is the last Goat Yoga + Giggles class for the summer. It's sold out, but if you're dying to go... I'll be make a sweet little announcement on WHO Radio Saturday morning just after 10:30am.

One more thing... we'll be taking yoga off the mat for Hike + Yoga at Annett Nature Center & Brown's Woods.

So many ways to connect with your peace and free your body from tension. All class details are on my calendar . Don't forget... my classes are kept small so that you are able to create a healing and life giving practice. Sign up today to guarantee your spot.

May the warmth of this day envelope you in peace and joy!

Lynn Marie Nelson

Tickles My Funny Bone

The idea came my way, I didn't say yes... and to my surprise I couldn't say no. It's outside my comfort zone and not like anything I've ever taught, but in a way, exactly what I was looking for this summer.

Share Laughter & Play with Yoga

It stayed with me all afternoon, and with every reminder I smiled. The joy it gave me took me by surprise... and sure enough my yes has led to more smiles.

So my friends, I welcome you to join the fun at Goat Yoga + Giggles... think Laughter Yoga in the Park meets Baby Miniature Goat Petting Zoo. This anything goes class is sure to provide happy distractions from worry, and tickle your funny bone. (With 10 classes to choose from, the Facebook event has inspired 60 people to sign up.)

Laugh at or laugh with... I figure both are a joy-filled moment.

Peace begins with a smile.

Lynn Marie Nelson

Check Out the details of Goat Yoga + Giggles

More than a Warrior

Yoga reconnects me to my strength… in body & mind. When I step off the mat (or log 😉) I am more confident in how I share and engage with others. And because my yoga practice was an exercise of self-validation I don't need others to fill the holes within me. Their support becomes a gift not a requirement.

Our on the mat practice is what we make it to be. My approach in practice and teaching Holistic Yoga is to integrate and create balance in mind, body, and breath. When we balance all three we feel good, and are better for our community.

Issue in one area and another will suffer. Too much in your head and your body may feel disconnected and weak. Too focused on building physical strength may lead to buried emotions, anxiety, digestive distress, and dis-ease.

Holistic Yoga = Whole Being Wellness

I invite you to join me in a practice that clears the path for living well and being of good service to our communities. Check out my latest newsletter for ideas to practice at home and with me. Time on the mat is an investment that provides a quick return off the mat for you and those around you.

Lynn Marie Nelson

Check Out Books+Yoga Event Details

This One Burns

That moment when something has to give. You know it's here, because the fire in your heart builds igniting your passion to change.

Once the smoke clears… and it will clear… new life appears.

My alarm… the crippling pain in my belly. It lit the fire under my butt that began my transformative pursuit of better health.

This spring I celebrate my ten year anniversary of making better choices and being holistically well. I am a better person, because of how I journeyed through the fire.

What alarm is signaling your time to change?

Check out my latest newsletter. It has your invitation to see spring flowers, view my pastime as Burn Boss as well as essential oil blends to thrive in the heat of life.

Remember your inner fire, a beacon for happiness, never dulls.

Lynn Marie Nelson

Check Out Hike + Yoga Event Details

Yoga Adapts to You

A few years ago, I had two surgeries on my dominate hand, and found myself exploring yoga in a whole new way.

Off the mat, I was challenged to slow down and mindfully approach my activities. I was thankful for my breath practice as it helped me stay patient with myself.

On the mat, I was able to embrace a full spectrum practice while still honoring my needs and recommendations from my surgeon.

Yoga isn't one-size-fits-all. It can AND should be adapted to suit your body and current needs. Size, strength, injury, illness, and flexibility are factors we embrace in our holistic practice.

Just because one part of you needs adaptations doesn't mean the rest of your body must wait. As well as giving options in class, I'm happy to talk with you after class about how to adapt poses for your unique needs.

You deserve a life giving practice that supports your healing and honors your needs.

Shine Through

Lynn Marie Nelson

Psst.... I've extended early bird pricing for my Books & Yoga to Monday. Our selected author's beautiful words are below.

Check out this Mini Retreat

Life Worth Breathing

The words took my breath away. Life carries on, but the sting finds me in every quiet moment. The stillness seemed to electrify my pain.

Breathe. I heard my heart say.

At first I ignored... but my heart persisted. Breathe.

I continued on. It whispered again. Breathe. Don't run. Don't busy yourself. Just breathe.

I sat... I cried... I breathed. Repairing my wounds with each nourishing breath. Time and time again.

Bruised by life's Beauty... healed with breath. HOW we walk life's path makes the difference between contentment with what is or shrinking with bitterness. Happily human or angry victim of life... our choice.

Together we practice. My latest newsletter has a few ideas for us to connect as well as recipes for an herbal hot toddy and refreshing essential oil blend. Community amplifies our connection to the electricity of life deepening grace's gifts in our journey.

Let's Breathe Together

Lynn Marie Nelson

Check out this Mini Retreat

Did You Hear?

I was surprised by the sadness I experienced after an acquaintance passed away. With only a few encounters, her friendship left a lasting impression by the kind words she extended.

Brief but supportive interactions = heart moved and touched by grace. This reflection fuels my commitment to share and inspire you to champion yourself and others as I challenge myself to do the same.

I LOVE that we practice yoga together honoring our unique needs without the pressure to push or conform... We are beautifully different and so is our practice. My latest newsletter has a few ideas for you to connect to your innate goodness.

With gratitude and love, I hope you find many reasons to share good words today. Don't forget to hear the ones you receive. And if you need a few good words... let me know.

Lynn Marie Nelson

The Brass Pitcher

"What's this for?" my three-old niece asks while holding up a tiny brass pitcher. On my entry table nestled by our coin jug and a picture of a stream running through the Maquoketa caves, it's a reminder of the abundant flow of love, energy, support and money. How am I to explain that to my eager to know 3 & 5 year old nieces?

Turns out the brass pitcher holds fairy dust. When we leave my home, we sprinkle fairy dust on our bodies with the intention to fill ourselves with love so that we are ready to share our love, smiles and thanks yous with everyone we meet. For two years, we've shared this ritual and although the words change, the intention is the same… We fill ourselves so that we are ready to give to others. [tweet this]

Iowa Cub puts on a fabulous display of fireworks that we enjoy from our deck and living room. After a wonderful afternoon of playing and firework show, we sprinkled the fairy dust all over us, and agreed to share our smiles like pretty fireworks to all we meet. Now 5 years old, Madison says, "There's always more than enough."

After hearing no too many times to count… no more ice cream… no more time on the drum… no more coloring… no more picking on your brother… no, no, no… she still had the mindset of abundance. "There's always more than enough."

Was she talking about smiles, love, thank yous, or joy? I don't know. Whatever it was, she was exactly right.

The next day I bathed in her words when the noise in my head wanted me to believe I wasn't appreciated or loved enough. Her words, our ritual, reminded me... There's always more than enough. [tweet this]

I’m convinced the tiny ones know life's secrets. We just have to listen. No… not now… you can't do that… that's not right. Ugh… it's not just little kids that hear these words. They come at us from our boss, colleagues, significant other, and friends. Even worse these messages hit from all sides not just from the people in front of us. Our media feeds, articles, inner dialogue and email gather a plethora messages that can leave us feeling less than, not good enough, and rejected.

It's my hope that our holistic practices together… yoga, conscious breathing, meditation, hikes, discussions, healthy eating, Reiki, sound baths… fill us so that we may be of good service to our community. [tweet this]

May we know when and how to refresh our vessel. 

May we give from our always overflowing pitcher of love.

Lynn Marie Nelson

Yoga with a View

Live music, skyline view... and free... do I really need to say more? Hope to see you on the mat under the Brenton Sating Plaza Canopy or on the trail at Lake Ahquabi. By the way, I have 2 spots open for tonight's (July 11) refreshing yoga practice featuring Christopher Raven playing live. See you soon!

Grateful for Your Beautiful Light in Our Community!
Lynn Marie Nelson

Home of the Brave

The call comes and the words bounce in our heads... the unthinkable becomes our next challenge. Feeling hopeless, rejected or unappreciated... we continue not knowing what should come next next. Facing our fear... we breathe... we engage and learn.

Hot mess? Stuck? Actually we are moving forward. Our bravery is found in the moments of solitude when we choose to look through our neighbor's eyes... when we comfort ourselves without validation from another... when we take a break... rest and listen... when we dare to take the next step.

We are BRAVE. 

Life happens... How do we deal and continue on? The choices... wallow in drama or reframe our story... get buried in defeat or begin again... limit ourselves or find joy on our path.

Our practice fills our bag with tools to make the path less difficult. Yoga helps us live well. We practice on the mat so that when we step off we're at ease in our bodies, connected to peace, and prepared to engage in life.

Perfectly Imperfect...We share our light with the world.

Whether we step on a trail, ride a bike, swim, run or unroll our mat... we connect with the peace and bravery within. Together we continue the path with grace.

I hope to see your beautiful, brave soul soon.

Lynn Marie Nelson

Riverwalk Yoga

I'm happy to be sharing my "backyard" with you on a beautiful downtown Des Moines Yoga walk. I'll teach you how to practice yoga anywhere anytime with a walk by the river. Save your spot for one of these or another Yoga Walk today.

Yoga Off the Mat

No need to roll out your mat to loosen tension and get your zen on. This week we'll use our environment to explore tools and techniques to bring yoga's benefits into our everyday activities. You are welcome and will be given choices to personalize yoga to your body.

• 5:30pm   June 22 Yoga Around Downtown @ Shattering Silence 
• 11:00am June 23 Yoga Walk @ Downtown Trail by Principal Park

Did you notice? My announcement pictures are of the amazing views we have at our outdoor classes. Friday and next Thursday night's Yoga Walk features the beautiful bridge and river shown below.

May the light of day inspire you to share your light with others AND yourself.

Yoga by the Water

Mother Nature invites us to cultivate inner harmony as we practice in her beauty. Breath, movement, and mind unite as we practice holistic yoga by the water. The canopy will shade our bodies and create a dance of sunlight on the grass beside us. Our time together will leave you refreshed and inspired.

I hope to see you soon. No worries if it has been a while... you may always begin again. Registration required for most classes as I keep them small so that you get the attention you deserve.

Peace to You & Yours
Lynn Marie Nelson

One to Feel Better

I get it… time is hard to come by and when those sweet five minutes of freedom arrive you're left with your phone or tv and the scrolling begins. Is there a better choice that would leave you feeling refreshed and more present?

By making that better choice you are likely replacing a bad one. So pick ONE thing you want to do for yourself tomorrow. Just one. Then do it. Look ahead and schedule one thing into your week that will help you feel better.

PREVENTION happens one little choice at a time. We take care of ourselves now to prevent hardship later. [tweet this] My latest newsletter has a few ideas for you to try. Wellness is not one size fits all; so buzz me if you want to feel good more often. I'm here to help you.

Fresh Air Holistic Yoga

I adore nature's beauty. It makes me feel so alive and frees me of my worries. This week we'll explore yoga off the mat with hike through Brown's Woods and a walk downtown.

If you'd prefer a mat practice... I'm the volunteer instructor for the free 9am Saturday Yoga in the Park at Gray's Lake class. BIGGER NEWS... Attend my 5:30pm Tuesday night class you get 5:30pm Thursday class overlooking downtown skyline at no charge?

So many ways to connect with your peace and free your body from tension. All class details are on my calendar. Don't forget... my classes are kept small so that you are able to create a healing and life giving practice. Sign up today to guarantee your spot.

May the warmth of this day envelope you in peace and joy!

Lynn Marie Nelson

Alive Not Just Living

Go to that moment where you felt alive. Maybe it comes after a run, great conversation, sex, workout or meditation. Mentally take yourself to that experience. Feel the energy of life pulsating through your body. That electric sensation courses through your body, makes you feel alive, and fully in body.

Can you still feel it now after the activity has long past? It's inevitable that burst of energy into our system eventually slows. To be alive and not just living is to ride that electric pulse as it calms to a purr. I love exploring mindfulness and presence, but their path to trendiness has dulled their buzz. So when I read Mark Nepo's words, "When one with what we see, hear, and feel, we enter the secret kingdom of aliveness that is only secret when we remain separate," I was sparked.*

As I play with the ideas of presence, mindfulness, and aliveness, I've come to believe that they're all on the same team but have slightly different responsibilities. To be alive is to be intimately connected to the electricity of life, fully in the moment, and thoughtfully engaged. [tweet this] We are alive when we embrace our experience in all its glory without stifling the energetic purr. Caving into the temptation to numb a bad feeling cuts off our energetic connection to life and the good feelings too. We don't know happiness without sadness or excitement without boredom.

What amplifies the pulse of life within can ignite our drive to stay connected. It is how we respond to life after that that makes the difference in feeling alive and not just living through the tasks of life. I practice and teach others to dive into sensation of mind, body, and breath and respond with compassion. We train our awareness on the mat/cushion/trail/etc. so that when we step off we're intimately connected to the buzz of life within and empowered to make better choices. In practice and when we take the techniques into our day, we are alive and enjoying the Beauty of life.

As we encounter the ups and downs, may we maintain our connection to the electricity of life and thoughtfully engage with compassion. [tweet this]

Lynn Marie Nelson

*From The One Life We're Given by Mark Nepo. 

Cursing the Yoga Teacher

Have you ever cursed the yoga teacher under your breath? No, I can't read your mind. I'm a student too and I've been there in class hanging out in Warrior II for what seems like forever. Or there was that time laying on my back listening to my monkey mind play when I should be deeply relaxing. As a student I get it… as a teacher I get it too, and trust me the teacher didn't take a nap or plan dinner while you were stranded in that challenging or boring position.

Those moments are opportunities to practice responding with PEACE. We practice our response to discomfort when on the mat so that we make the choice of PEACE off the mat. I'm not just saying this to stop the, I hate this pose looks. Rather I hope to open your eyes to how your practice enables you to live well off the mat.

Life's got ups and downs, let's explore techniques to navigate the bumpy path relaxed and at ease in our bodies.

In the Woods We Return

Sunshine, green grass, flowers... Nature's beauty inspires our connection to peace and joy. Hiking allows me to explore and feel my world. Climbing the hill my heart pounds and energizes my whole body. My mind stimulated by the sounds, sights, and scents. No hike is ever the same.

A walk calms our nerves, clears our head, and brings fresh ideas. Forest bathing amplifies these benefits for all who journey through trees.

In the woods we return to our authentic self. Our mind, body, and breath unites, and our whole being is balanced. Take your practice outside with a Hike & Yoga practice or a Yoga Walk by the River. 

Practice on your own by trying the tension releasing exercise Progressive Muscular Relaxation. Get tips to try anywhere anytime from my Facebook page, and make it a first to see in your feed.

I hope to illuminate your path for life's adventure.

Lynn Marie Nelson