Are you Done? by Jessica Kenny

My brother has won every fight we’ve ever had since we were little. I would try really, really hard to win. I’d scream at torturous decibels, say spiteful things, even throw large objects. He would stand there, silent, unfazed. And every fight, at the first moment of quiet, he would calmly ask me, “Are you done?”

That question really fucking pissed me off.

I’m a fighter. And not in a hot Mark-Wahlberg-meets-Million-Dollar-Baby kind of way. I used to fight everyone, on everything, especially myself. Whether it was to save face, or to continue a cycle of denial/resistance that felt comforting and familiar, or simply to keep others from seeing something about me, I never really needed a reason. It had become second nature. A slippery, ego-driven, well-worn slope. But, once I’d start, even though I knew that it would pointless, it would feel impossible to turn back. The idea of giving up sounded so much worse.

Any time I felt vulnerable, raw, exposed, or weak, I fought to appear fine. Any time a friend suggested loving advice that felt like a threat to my cycle of fighting, I fought to stay right. Any time my ego felt scared or small, I fought.

I was in a war in which no one else was participating. And I was losing. Bad.

When I found yoga, my cycle of fighting become much more apparent to me. I would fight with the teacher who held me in a pose longer than I wanted to be. I would rebel by not taking wheel, if I didn’t want to. I would silently fight the girl next to me who seemed more beautiful, graceful, or together. It was My Way, or No Way. But, I didn’t do anything about it at first. I would leave class feeling more tired, more angry, and alone. I started to realize how often I met the people in my life with my dukes up. Even with the people I love, and who love me, I would sit feigning openness, but I had a six-shooter in my bra, just in case they crossed me. I was always preparing for a fight, and I started realizing I was always going to lose.

As I chose to step onto my mat more and more, I started choosing to fight less. I took the teacher’s suggestions, I listened more openly, and entertained the possibility that there could be another way than my way. Some of the best yoga practices, classes, or meditations came when I felt tired: I didn’t have the energy to fight.

The more I rolled out my mat--and, eventually, my heart in teacher training--the more unavoidably clear it became that my pattern was keeping me depleted, heavy, and alone. My brother may as well have not been in the room, because I was really just fighting with myself. Fighting with all the things I hated about me, all the things I refused to make peace with, I was fighting love.

It occurred to me: What if all the energy I wasted fighting went to something else? What if I became a lover, not a fighter? What if I did, in fact, give up?

(Whoa. Ego didn’t like that.)

Just as my ego found my brother’s question to be infuriating, my heart felt the truth of what he was truly saying: “Don’t you see how ridiculous and useless all this fighting is? When are you going to give up?” “NEVER!!!!” Ego would yell, blindly waving her Samurai sword. But, the real Me started growing more attracted to being “done.” It sounded like rest, and freedom. So, I started giving up the fight.

Fighting takes a lot of different forms: control, defensiveness, resistance, reactivity, or just straight up fighting. But, they all boil down to the same thing. They are all the ego’s way of keeping us stuck and exhausted so we stay smaller than it. My brother won every fight by not participating in it. I stayed in the same place by fighting.

Start to notice the areas in your life where you put up a damn good fight. Where you come out, guns blazing. On your mat, or off your mat. In a pose, in your relationships, toward yourself. What if you were “done?” What if the war was over?

You have officially been given permission to stop fighting. You will not lose, but gain. Hey. We just may find out, together, that giving up is the greatest victory of all.

Level 1 with Baron Baptiste! by Sarah Frick

Last week I began my training to become a certified Baptiste teacher. I attended level one with Baron Baptiste in the Catskills of New York Aug 6th-13th. I was scared, resistant (to say the least :), and beyond excited to learn, grow, and share my flow! The first three days of training I felt super resistant to the process. I was all up in my head and trying to "just get through it"... and then it ALL hit me! This is how I have been showing up in my life in so many ways... teaching, loving, eating, practicing, living etc... rushing from one thing to the next! I have been 'surviving' my life instead of being fully present and living and breathing every little second of it in! I have let certain instances over the past 3 years rule my life in a way of anticipation, sadness at times, and anxiety to get it all done and just get through it. Rushing around no longer serves me... nor does saying 'Yes' to every invitation keep me present and really connected because I am always thinking of what I have to do next. I decided last week to literally ground myself through my asana.. taking time to have a full breath (or 8 :) in each pose... taking time to really see the people around me- no longer hiding in my life or piling on all the 'stuff' so I am not exposed! I have learned to empower those around me and fill them up with love, honesty, truthfulness, and above all happiness! If you want good people around you... help them create a sense of love in their own lives. We did a lot of transformative work that I won't get all into (can't spill all the level one beans.. you gotta go for yourself!) and it totally helped me open up and let go of the 'story' I have been living. We worked on new ways of being and how to live this life and inspire others on and off the mat! All in all it was one of the best weeks of my life (I drank the kool-aid- I kinda did keg stands of it really :).. once I dropped the BS story in my head, and got into my heart I realized I am whole, loved, and perfect just as I am! From pure space I create and commit to my new way of being which is of speaking my mind, saying 'no'!, and being totally and utterly HAPPY! Come see me in class... I want to give you a hug and fill you up with lots of love and stuff!! :) http://www.baronbaptiste.com/

Drop Your Expectations

This has been an intention of mine for years! The first time I was introduced to this idea was in my first training with Baron Baptiste. He had us each tell what we expected to get out of the week, and then asked us to Drop Our expectations. Really? I paid a lot of money for this training and had lots of expectations! But what seem ridiculous to me at first was exactly what I needed.

My whole life has been planned out in my head, in great detail. Every job, relationship, vacation, training, day off, you name it. But this was me having a certain idea of how things had to go in order for me to be happy, feel safe, or loved. And if things didn't live up to my expectations (and how could they?), I was always disappointed, frustrated and even more determined to have a better plan next time. What a vicious cycle.

Many vacations, special events and moments have been ruined by something not going according to my grand perfect plan. And rather than embracing the authenticity of each moment, I resisted and rejected what I viewed as flawed. I have pushed people away because they did not live up to my inflated expectations of the perfect BFF, Sister, Boyfriend, etc. I have given up on myself more times than I can count because I was not as perfect as I thought other people expected me to be.

Over time I have come to see that when I approach each day with no expectations, what I actually receive is freedom and possibility. The moments that have gone off track have been the most fun, most adventurous moments of my life. I now allow people to show up as they really are, not how I want them to be. I allow situations to unfold in an organic way, manifesting love and truth. A great man once told me "When you hold on to Nothing, you can receive Everything" This would be impossible to do if we hold on to our great expectations.

My biggest challenge now is dropping my idea of what I think people expect of me. I am trying to allow myself to show up authentically, flaws and all. I'm not the perfect teacher, or yogi, or friend or daughter. But I am no longer willing to limit myself through over inflated expectations, and I am ready to embrace every day as it comes, and get washed in the natural flow of life. What other people think of me is really none of my business.

Through Dropping Our Expectations we are even taking steps toward non judgement and acceptance. It is only our expectations that cause us to label a situation or a person as Good or Bad. We have no control over other peoples actions, we can control our reactions to them.

When we are free from Expectations, we allow the rest of the world to be free as well! My Mantra this month is "Good Day or Bad Day, no Expectations". Cant wait to see what blossoms!

Beth Thomas

Namaste Ya'll Gets Down with Jessica at CPY!

Empower Yourself Lowcountry Style!

If you are planning a trip to the Lowcountry anytime soon, please save time to stop into Charleston Power Yoga for a class. Charleston, South Carolina has always been know for great historical sight seeing, fabulous beaches, and incredible southern cooking, but recently Charleston is emerging as a leader in the southern yoga community. Charleston is a town of just 120,000 folks but supports a "big city yoga scene."

Charleston Power Yoga, a Baptiste Power Vinyasa Affiliate Studio, brings a message of personal empowerment and growth to the Holy City. If you love power yoga, please visit Charleston Power Yoga while in the lowcountry. The space and the teachers are both inspired and inspiring! CPY is located in historic downtown Charleston tucked in between hip pubs and shops on King St directly across from Super Bad. The building itself is a historical masterpiece, you can almost feel the energy of thousands of souls that have passed through the structure during its lifetime.

I attended the Saturday morning Power Vinyasa class (the studios signature class) taught by instructor Jessica Kenny. The class was challenging like all Baptiste style classes but the delivery was truly inspired. Jessica is so kind and gentle and her directive is so supporting that the message of personal empowerment rounds off the sharp edges of the Baptiste sequence. Her message is simple, leave your fear based like behind (like now). I left Jessica's class feeling invigorated and inspired, but most of all this class reminds me of all the reasons I love yoga so much.

If you need a good workout, a good stretch, and a reconnection to your personal power, check out Charleston Power Yoga. If all the instructors are as inspiring as Jessica, then CPY is going to have to expand soon. Do not miss this southern jewel. Baron Baptiste himself should be proud to be affiliated with this "powerful" little studio. Have you lost your personal power? My guess is you'll find it on King St.

Taken from Namaste Y'all, written by Brantley Beene-Crowder. Check their site for everything Yoga in the South!

Emily Watson looks at CONTROL

A lot of thoughts have played over and over in my mind that I’ve accepted to be true. I never tried to challenge these thoughts. I didn’t know I could. For example, one of the many lies I’ve told myself is that “I need to be in control”.

Does this sound familiar? When did I become God? I have learned that I’m NOT in control. Who knew? Things happen everyday that I have no input on, even if I want it. For example, my husband lost his job in the same month that we bought a house and my transmission went. In my small world, that was catastrophic. I worried and worried. After everything worked itself out, I learned that no matter how I reacted to those things, the outcome was as it should be, without me causing it. The outcome happened just the same regardless of my reactions, so why not take a deep breath and enjoy each moment?

It’s actually pretty reassuring that I’m not in control. When I look back on things that happen, the way that it turns out is way better than if I had planned it. That also helps me remember that I am NOT God and there is someone more suited for the job causing and solving issues in my life.

Island Trike Rentals on Folly Beach. SC

If you are looking for something new and different to do on a date, or while on vacation in our beautiful city, check out Island Trike Rentals. These one of a kind 3 wheel bikes for two are a great way to spend the day, and a lot of fun! Unlike other tandem bikes, Island Trikes have you seated beside your pedaling partner, so no more hanging out on the back seat getting a free ride:) This allows you to actually talk to the person you are pedaling with, great for a first date or with that favorite cousin you haven't seen in years! Folly Beach is slim on parking spots , but these bikes can be parked pretty much anywhere, and they come equipped with locks and lights for a unique evening out. And best of all, they are super affordable, only $25 a day ($25 for 24 hours!), or $100 for a whole week. You can help but smile at the simple fun of riding a bike with the wind in your hair, and its Eco Friendly, so you'll raise your Karma with every pedal! Call and reserve your Trike today!! Island Trike Rentals, Folly Beach , SC 843-513-3149

Yoga for Your Hair

Okay, I know, I'm a yoga teacher so the last thing I should be worried about is frizzy hair. I should be able to drop my Ego, and know its no big deal to have unruly locks that frizz at the slightest hint of humidity. That I should be okay with unmanageable hair that has a mind of its own , and let my inner light shine. But instead, I have spent years of my life trying to coax my hair into laying straight and smooth. I have spent hundreds of dollars on the newest products and tools, only to have it frizz up as soon as I stepped out into the steamy Charleston summer day. But then I found the Keratin Complex, and it changed my life. Yea, I know, it sounds shallow, and I'm okay with that. Yoga has changed my life too, in countless amazing ways! And I am thrilled that I no longer have to leave a heated yoga class with frizzy hair, and I have added hours back to my life now that I no longer have to blow out, flat iron and straighten my hair! That leaves me more time to practice, to relax and enjoy life. Keratin is kind of like yoga for your hair!

Keratin Complex is an All Natural treatment that will straighten and de-frizz your hair without damaging it or chemically altering the texture. Keratin is the natural protein found in your hair, skin and nails. Frizzy hair girls like me have less Keratin, than those blessed with sleek, straight hair. The Keratin is brushed on to your hair and left in while it is blown straight and flat ironed. The process takes 2-3 hours, depending on hair length and volume and you have to leave it in for 72 hours before washing. Avoid sweating, getting it wet or pulling it back during that time period. A pain, I know ( I have to take 3 days off work!) but it is SO WORTH it!! Your hair will be super straight and flat for those 72 hours, but once you wash it (preferably with Keratin Complex Shampoo and Conditioner), you will be amazed at how quickly you can dry it and how silky, shiny and smooth your locks have become. You can let it air dry and still have some wave, but the frizz is gone! I finger dry mine with a blow dryer for about 8 mins (compared to the 30 it used to take me before I flat ironed it) and it is smooth and sleek with no hassle! The treatments last 3-5 months, depending on what products your use and if you spend a lot of time in the pool.

I know the big question is... how much does it cost? Bigger salons charge upwards of $300,which I understand, their overhead is high, the product is expensive and it takes a lot of time. But that's a little out out of my price range. However, James, my other half, has finally made the move from the Outer Banks to Folly Beach (yay!) and his prices start at $200 (slightly more for longer/thicker hair). BUT for anyone with a Charleston Power Yoga key tag, he will take $25 off your first treatment! A little bonus for those of you have supported us this past year:) He can even come to your house if that works better with your schedule, just add $25 to the price of your service.

Come by CPY and check out my silky, smooth locks and sweat out those toxins from all the fun summer parties you've been invited to! Make your appointment today for your Keratin treatment and see what all of the fuss is about! You will wonder what took you so long! Call me at 843-513-3400 to set up a time for you before he is all booked up!