Community

Hello fellow yogis!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tanya (like in the summer you get a tan-yeah!) and I have been practicing at Leap (on and off) since 2013.

I was first introduced to yoga through a DVD in 2009 and quickly fell in love with not only how it effected me physically but how it calmed and centered me emotionally and strengthened me spiritually.

I have had the honor of being on staff at Leap since April of 2015. Being welcomed into the Leap community was divine providence, truly! The opportunity came to me at a point in my life’s journey when I really needed it… and I have been so blessed by the doors that have continued to open for me since!

You may know me from the front desk, and we’ve possibly practiced along side of each.

In September 2015 I had the opportunity to go through Gena Foreman and Stacy Whittingham’s teacher training… and as so many forewarned me, it was truly life transforming!

Side note…

Have you heard that Leap is offering an Assistant Training in February?! Corey Mitchell and Gena Foreman will be teaching. Having taken Corey’s workshops, and gone through Gena’s teacher training I know they will make a dynamic pair to study under, and your own personal practice will grow to places you never imagined!

One of the qualities of Leap that I believe truly sets this studio apart from others (and I’ve practiced at many studios, I was a 30/30 hopper for years!) is the strong sense of family experienced within this community.

I was talking with one of you this past weekend (shout out to Lisa Hendricks!) about the value of community, and that is what so many of us have found at here Leap!

Leap has asked me to jump online and take the sense of community we already have and strengthen and broaden it online, which I am both humbled and excited to have the opportunity to do.

So, stay posted in the weeks and months to come. We will be posting on Facebook and Instagram and you can follow us on twitter more and more to keep you all in the loop with what we have going on in studio (we have some really exciting things lined up for 2016!)

I’d love to highlight teachers and students (yes… that could mean you) and share your stories. To share how your yoga practice has elevated the quality of your lives.
In case you haven’t heard… Stacy will be hosting a Detox flow Jan 16^th followed by a 7 Day cleanse Jan 17^th-24^th to support us all to start the year off strong and healthy, Its like hitting the reset button physically, emotionally and spiritually! Stacy has been working one on one and leading group cleanses for years and we are so fortunate to have her sharing her years of expertise and passion with us at Leap, and at such a deal!

What can you expect from jumping into this online community with us? Special online only promotions, Information to help deepen our practice on and off the mat, Interviews from teachers and fellow Leap yogis, updates from owners, you’ll find out first about workshops and upcoming events… and my hope is that we will all connect and encourage one another to live like yogis!

I invite you to join me as we all continue to learn to live out loud the lives that echo in our hearts; full, vibrant, healthy lives supported by a strong sense of community!

Here’s to you! Here’s to us, as we continue our journey and grow together!

Namaste,

Tanya

Today we are fortunate to share Janna’s birth story on the Leap blog. Thank you, Janna, for your honesty and courage in sharing your story. We are so grateful to have you back at the studio!

Hello Dear Leap Family,

First of all, I am so sorry its taken me so long to write this letter to you. I’ve missed you!!! You have all been on my mind so much the last 2 months. Cathy and Corey sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers when we came home from the hospital with baby Kingston and I was immediately flooded with a feeling of so much love and support from all of YOU!

I wanted to share a couple things that came up for me recently. First of all, having Kingston has been a huge reminder that things don’t always go according to our plan. Sometimes not at all according to our plan. However, this doesn’t mean its not part of the plan that is being divinely orchestrated for us. From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I switched my insurance to deliver at Sutter Davis, I knew I wanted a water birth. I hired my Doula, read all the right books, watched all the right movies, did my prenatal yoga, took a million natural childbirth classes and workshops (all with my amazing husband, God bless him) and I had no fear going into labor. I felt so prepared and was so excited.

Everything started off as expected; my water broke on his due date. What I didn’t know is that my son had a different plan and my labor went nothing like I planned. I labored for two days and eventually had to have an emergency c-section. Just about everything that could go wrong from moments before the c-section through the next couple weeks happened. It was a very dark and stressful time.

What was so beautiful however, was that even during this most challenging time, I kept getting signs from God and my angels that we were not alone, that we were okay, that we would never get more than we could handle. These reminders were not small either, and they would come at exactly the right moment when we were at our breaking points. All of this taught me a huge lesson in surrender.

It was never about me and my plan. There was another plan. I now know with all of my heart that my son chose me, because he knew how strong I was, he knew I could handle it and he knew it would make me stronger. it did. What an honor and blessing that he chose me.

The second thing that came up for me in the last week is that there is always…ALWAYS light after the dark. Transformation happens when you stay, when you go through the tough times, when you walk into the fire and come out on the other side. I know for me, I came out so much stronger, and with so much clarity.

Please remember my dear friends, if you are going through something really challenging, do not lose faith. Hang on and trust. You may not understand and know why events are happening right now. It doesn’t matter. Breathe and take it one moment at a time and I promise there will be light after the dark.

One last thing. I was able to practice yoga for the first time last week. I had wanted to for so long but I was still in too much pain. Each practice, I would struggle and cry and cry, and for the most part, I loved it. I’m doing my fourth yoga teacher training and I know well enough now that clearing during these trainings leads to the greatest transformations. It may sound weird but I really love a good cry! I knew it was my body clearing out all the birth trauma that happened and I was being healed, so I could make room for new.

This yoga practice that we do WORKS! Period. Sometimes we don’t know why we burst into tears during hips or savasana, but its simply because we’re moved energy and cleared out old negative energy and made room for new. Be compassionate and patient with yourself if you’re body is processing something, or if you’re clearing out old energy, this is a good thing, embrace it, we cannot make room for new if we are holding onto the past. The feeling after a really good clearing is amazing!!!

I cannot wait to see you all very soon! I’m back to teaching and will be bringing Kingston to the postpartum classes so I hope to see you very soon!

I love you!

Janna

Here’s another update from Leap yogini Brittany… reflections from her first day at Peace Retreat.

If you haven’t decided yet where you are going, then you cannot be lost.

If you would have asked me one year ago where I was going, I could have told you with certainty. Today I am not going there anymore.

If you would have asked me five years ago where I was going, you would have received a completely different answer, with just as much as certainty. Today I am not going there anymore.

Yet for all of the so-called certainty in my chosen path, I’ve spent a lot of time filled with the anxiety of wondering how I was going to get there. Every detour and obstacle seemed like an insurmountable challenge. Today I am much happier and calmer. I’ve learned how to live in the present moment, accepting each day’s gifts and challenges, and finding the opportunities behind each closed door. Costa Rica_1

Practicing yoga and receiving support from the LEAP community has played a vital role in my transformation. Because of the love and inspiration I’ve experienced at the studio, I have set out on my first solo international adventure. I hope this blog inspires you to find love, inspiration and an adventure of your own.

May 12, 2014

Rule #1 of Traveling with an Open Heart: Listen to others around you and don’t be afraid to speak up if you have something to offer. Kindred spirits will not only accept your gift of experience and advice with gratitude, but can share with you from their own experience as well.

As I was sitting at the table in the restaurant in the George Bush International Airport I overheard a young waitress talking to another female patron about how she was unsure of her path in life and that she may be interested in pursuing medicine or even surgery. I looked right at her and said, “You should talk to me.”

They both looked at me, a little astounded. “Why? Are you a surgeon?” I paused for a moment. “I was.” Costa Rica retreat (2)

Our conversation evolved into an interesting discussion about what happens when we are searching for something more on this journey through life. We talked about education, careers, and what it means to truly be healthy and to inspire health in others. I learned so much from each of them and by the end I felt much closer to each one and even felt that I had learned so much more about myself.

When you really listen to what you are saying about yourself while speaking with strangers, you find out what you think about who you really are. That is such an important lesson that many of us miss. How often do you listen to yourself in a conversation?

I arrived at Peace Retreat late at night. It was very dark and there were many strange and wonderful sounds being produced by the local fauna. Immediately I started to feel like I was out of my comfort zone. Costa Rica retreat (4)

Rule #2 of Traveling with an Open Heart: Let go of expectations and start having experiences. I looked outside at the hundreds of fireflies buzzing around, and I remembered seeing them throughout my childhood summers in Wisconsin. I could feel the weight of the humidity in the air, and realized it was not unlike the weather I’d felt before in the Midwest and the South. Though this place is unfamiliar, perhaps it is not quite as uncomfortable as I thought. More tomorrow.

This week a group of LEAPers are headed to Peace Retreat in beautiful Costa Rica for a yoga immersion adventure! Brittany, one of the yoginis on the trip, will be sharing her experience. Here’s a little introduction to Brittany:

Leap Yoga_Brittany 2 Leap Yoga_Brittany 3

I came to Leap Yoga about 6 months ago looking to add a new dimension to my fitness routine. I never imagined that what I would gain was a deeper insight into myself through the beautiful inspiration of the teachers, assistants, staff and fellow yogis. I am still discovering my path to helping inspire health in others and learning that instruction and inspiration can come from many non-traditional sources.

I am looking forward to discovering more about how yoga can improve health and support holistic wellness as I travel to Costa Rica with Leap Yoga. I hope my blog posts can inspire others to make yoga more than just exercise.

Namaste, Brittany

Have you ever thought about assisting in yoga class?

Leap is hosting an Assistant Training next weekend and it’s not too late to sign up!

Take your practice to a new level. Dive in. Connect with your community.

Here’s what some assistants say about the experience…

Photo via Pinterest.

I love to assist because it is a unique time in a yoga practice where there a one on one connection. Non-verbal, energy connected, and really support going both ways. When it works it is so powerful. You can actually feel the shift in the students practice as they accept the support and let go. So awesome.

-Karl

I assist because it allows me to connect with and nurture others. I am grateful about about my students willingness to let in love. I feel connected and honored when I assist.

-Rachel

Assisting allows me the opportunity to connect with my community and support my students in feeling poses. It allows me to help them deepen their experience of yoga.

-Tracy

I love to assist because it is meaningful for me to support others in their yoga practice. I am grateful for the willingness and courage I witness in my students. I feel connected, inspired and grateful when I assist.

-Valerie

I am so grateful for the assists. Those wonderful hands help me through the practice, especially if I am sore. These loving hands are a blessing.

-Lisa

Photos via Pinterest and Yoga Dudes.

In this moment, can you release expectation?

“Yoga teaches us to cure what needs not be endured and endure what

cannot be cured.”

~B.K.S. Iyengar

Be curious about the present. Instead of dwelling on the way your body, mind, heart and

spirit felt yesterday or an hour ago, sit with where you are now.

Perhaps you’ve tried a challenging posture (like an arm balance or an inversion) a hundred times. Perhaps every one of those times you fell out. Today, you are ready. Your body moves into the pose effortlessly. Or your mind releases resistance to the teacher’s words. Instead of trying to control, you relax and let go.

According to Ram Dass, “[The] distortion comes from defining ourselves in terms of doing instead of being. But behind all the doings, all the roles, you just are – pure awareness, pure consciousness, pure energy. When you reside fully in the present moment, you are outside of time and space.”

Trungpa Rinpoche notes, “Our lives awaken through ordinary magic.” It’s in everyday things that the miraculous happens. If we practice being here now, we develop the sensitivity to perceive and appreciate the daily miracles of our lives.”

Forget what you think you know. Learn to be OK with not knowing what will happen when you try. Be open to possibility, receptive to what is. Just BE.

You may surprise yourself.

“Yoga is not about self-improvement, it’s about self-acceptance.”

~Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

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About the Author:

Rachel Stroud is a yoga blogger at Alive in the Fire. She is a passionate vinyasa, Dharma, Bhakti and yin practitioner, and is currently completing her 200 hour vinyasa teacher training at Leap Yoga.

Community

Fresh Start

Janna’s Birth Story – A Love Letter to the Leap Community

Traveling with an Open Heart

Costa Rica Retreat: Reflections from a LEAP Yogini

Vote for LEAP in the KRCA’s A-List!

Assisting in Yoga

Forget What You Think You Know