My Mat Is My Gift

 

My mat is a gift. I continue to practice each day.

How I show up on my mat reflects how I show up in my relationships - for my family and my community.

I let out a big sigh as I move into ragdoll (Uttanasana)

I reach opposite hands to opposite elbows and pause here and allow gravity to pull my head closer to my knees.

As I shift my my gaze from the earth to my knees, the sand granules trigger more reflection of my character. Simultaneously, I let go of my thoughts and feel the release of my neck muscles,

I breathe in all that serves me and exhale all that doesn’t.

I prepare for halfway lift (Ardha Uttanasana).

I suddenly become more mindful of my practice, and deliberately engage in this posture.

I release any self-judgement, negative thoughts and regret as I fall into a forward fold (Uttanasana).

One breath, one movement...

What will my body, mind, heart and soul decide today?

The results are determined by just doing my best.

My thoughts create my feelings

My feelings dictate my actions.

My best changes from one moment to another.

How I show up on my mat is a reminder, and an incentive for how I choose to show up in my life.

My mat is my gift.

Follow me through my “One Breath, One Movement” journey as I continue my 200 hour yoga training certification and throughout my quest for Yoga Warrior, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization supporting recovery and resilience among our veterans, families, and communities.

TWO-FOR-ONE VOTING IS HAPPENING NOW! Please continue to vote daily until April 15th to help me get through to the Semi-Finals.

It’s not over until it’s over! I am a Yoga Warrior! Let’s go!

Link to vote: https://iamyogawarrior.com/2021/pam-wilson

My Mat is My Mirror

Today, the sand is my mat. The way I move on my mat directly correlates with how I move in this world. There are days I move freely without judgement nor resistance. There are others when I take my time and I’m a bit more deliberate and reflective.

I slowly move into child’s pose (Balasana) examining the granules of sand beneath my body and recognize that there are many granules within my character that deserve exploration, improvement, enhancement and others that need attention, acceptance and praise.

Regardless, I choose to move methodically, providing my body, mind, heart and soul with what they each need. I choose to find balance and stability in my core as I integrate gently into table top (Bharmanasana). As I hold this pose actively, I prepare for what my body and mind decide together -one breath, one movement.

With each inhale, I soak up all the good there is in this life. With my exhales, I release what doesn’t serve me. Today I choose the good and all the possibilities. My self-talk becomes more positive as I actively hold my table top. I am stronger as I integrate and I begin to prepare for the flow of my practice into the flow of this moment of this day in my life.

I move deliberately into downward dog (Adho Mukha Shvanasana) - yet again giving my entire being the opportunity to integrate into what’s next in my practice.

Move with me this week as I break down the sequences I am learning - three different poses each day. Today I am a student, learning from others in my yoga teacher training and learning to trust myself as my own teacher. When I commit myself to what’s uncomfortable and accept myself as I am today, I accept myself as I am and as I am not.

When I am able to let go of the control, I begin to believe in myself. I trust myself. A humble warrior emerges and I am filled with more strength than I could ever imagine.

I’ve made it to the quarter finals of @iamyogawarrior to benefit @veteransyogaproject. I am filled with gratitude for all who have supported me thus far!

Please continue to vote daily. It’s not over until it’s over! I am @iamyogawarrior

Click Here to Vote! - Pam Wilson | Yoga Warrior (iamyogawarrior.com)

Treading Water

Just when I thought I had life all figured out...I took a deep dive into the pool!

-I signed up for 200 hour YTT certification with @soulyogastudio

-I’ve been working harder to surpass my quotas at my day job.

-I signed a one year lease for my passion project, @thehavenyoga so I can continue to give back peace, serenity, personal growth & development to my community.

-I took on the @iamyogawarrior 2021 challenge to benefit @veteransyogaproject

And suddenly...I feel like I’m in the deep end of the pool, treading water for dear life, and I don’t have it figured out anymore.

So today I “surrender” (accept) my circumstances and change what isn’t serving me to recommit to myself and others.

I was recently asked “What does being a “Yoga Warrior” mean?

I started with a response of being a leader, setting an example for others to fight to live their most authentic life ever...but immediately felt the discomfort in my response because I was masking my intense feeling of vulnerability - recognizing that it’s not about the “fight”, but the “surrender”. It’s about being true to self.

So today, I am swimming over to the shallow end of the pool to place my feet on the bottom, to get grounded in my reality. I may even ask for some “swimmies” or “water wings” for support, to get even more vulnerable.

So from this space, I answer the “Yoga Warrior” question much differently.

Being a “Yoga Warrior” means:

-Checking the ego at the door

-Immersing in a tribe of like-minded yet open-minded individuals.

-Then kicking remnants of the ego to the curb, and asking for help when needed.

-Exercising daily rituals of self-care and personal growth such as yoga, meditation, exercise, journaling, etc.

-Being the best and most authentic, well rested version of myself so I can give back and lead effectively.

The Yoga Warrior Challenge benefitting @veteransyogaproject is just days away from selecting the Top 5. For the next 9 hours receive 2-for-1 votes benefiting Veterans Yoga Project. I hope you will cast your “free” 2-for-1 votes to support this mission!

VOTE HERE:

https://iamyogawarrior.com/2021/pam-wilson

#embracewhatsgood #breathe

-Pam

Embrace The Scars

You’ve got your share of battle scars.

We all do. 

You are one with the flaws which the battle wounds create.

Only if you choose to be. 

Your inner voice leads you to where you are in a lifetime starting in this very moment. 

Despite the scars,

Regardless of the flaws

Your body, Your mind, Your soul

Combined, is an Incredible machine

All three align. 

As you embrace the deficiencies, 

They flow together into alignment

The flow of it all is designed by you, to you or for you 

It’s what you choose

Created by awareness, acceptance, and the declaration that no matter what the condition, 

It is your very own!

When you focus on your very own flow, 

It is then, you allow others to do the same. 

Today, embrace the scars and declare a universal flow.

Anything Is Possible

 My life follows suit of my thoughts. When I was 49, I decided to do a 28.3 mile hike for @makeawishsc. When I was 51, I became a life coach through @thecertifiedlifecoachinstitute. When I was 52, I was given a second shot at opening my own business @thehavenyoga.

Today at 53, I embark upon my journey of being a certified yoga instructor at @soulyogastudio.  People ask me why and how do I find time. My answer is always the same. 

I listen to my inner voice. It directs me on the highest path that I am meant to be on. I choose to believe that anything is possible so I can give what I have to those who want and need it. I want to give back what’s been given to me...The support towards personal growth and self discovery. 

The first place I lose the battle is in my mind. What I dwell on is what I draw in. Today and every day, I pre-condition my mind for success. 

I’m not going to lie.  I’m sitting in the parking lot @soulyogastudio writing this. This 53 year old is scared. I choose to replace the fear with excitement, and give life to my body with a positive attitude. Which makes me better and better every day in every way. 

So when I’m asked “why?” And “how”?  My response is always...I keep my mind set on the higher things.  I always #embracewhatsgood”

Now let’s do this!!!!

For Today

Personal growth and development allows for perspectives to change. 

Surrender to the change. 

For some, 

“To surrender” means

“To fail”

But what if we interpreted “to surrender” as “I accept”?

“Acceptance” allows us to go deeper into our personal growth journey. 

Self-acceptance enables each of us to give our greatest gift to the world...

...our authentic self!

Some who know us from our past, may not recognize who we are today.  

That’s okay. 

Despite the judgement or criticism, remember to continue to give your gift to others. 

Let them take what they like.  Allow them leave what they don’t.  

Surrender...

Accept...

Be comfortable where we are TODAY. 

When we embrace the change, those meant to will also. 

Some may be uncomfortable. 

That’s okay. 

When we accept ourselves as we are, we won’t ever say or do anything wrong to the right person. 

That’s right. Say it again. 

We won’t ever say anything wrong to the right person!

Because TODAY, when we commit so much time to the improvement of ourselves, we won’t ever have time to criticize others. 

TODAY, I am me.  

TODAY, You be you.

TODAY, Imagine walking a path where there’s  no guilt, shame or judgement. 

TODAY, surrender and hold your head and heart high in who you are. 

TODAY, embrace your authentic self. 

TODAY, find it @thehavenyoga

#raw #truth #authenticity

 

Life Is Simple!

.  

Life is simple.  

So why do we sometimes tend to make it so convoluted?

The past year was a rough one for opening a new business. No lie. 

But not only did we survive. 

We thrived!

Despite how many temper tantrums we wanted to throw because we were angry about what was happening “to” us, 

We picked ourselves up, gathered our tribe and together, we forged through it.

Our perspective becomes refreshed when we are mindful how we choose to think, feel and act. 

With the new perspective, those things thrown at us, then happen “for” us.  

We #embracewhatsgood and rise above. 

What we give the universe,

is exactly what we get back. 

What we believe about ourselves comes true for us. 

Each of our beliefs create different experiences. 

When we create peace, harmony and balance in our minds, we find it in our lives. 

I find mine in these beautiful hearts each day. 

Come find yours!

ALL CLASSES ARE FREE this week until 2/19. 

Check out @thehavenyoga.  Call 864-399-4428 to book your COMPLIMENTARY yoga, meditation and/or breath work class. 

Happy 1st Anniversary to us!  

We thank you for your support