Bhakti Bliss

Bhakti Bliss

by | Feb 27, 2018 | 21 Day Challenge - Finding Flow, Health, Wellness & Lifestyle

 Bhakti Bliss

Yoga of the Heart

Bhakti Yoga / Mantra Yoga

Yoga of the Heart 

“The power of mantra lies in the vibrations, and these vibrations work on many levels, whether the sayings are pronounced out loud or silently …The simple act of saying a mantra will still bring the heart and mind into alignment with its subtle goal, which is to bring heightened self-awareness and a deeper sense of peace and calm.” – Alanna Kaivalya

Bhakti Yoga

Today, I invite us to turn our awareness towards the heart and explore the sweetest of the Yogic paths; Bhakti Yoga.

In Bhakti Yoga, or the yoga of devotion, we surrender the ego, our intellect, our doubts, judgments & fears, and we harness the power of our emotions to help fuel our connection with the divine.

In opening our heart in this way,  we create relax into a flow of universal love and trust, a greater awareness and understanding of our true nature, bringing us into deeper levels of contentment, sweetness, compassion, light and energy.

One of the main practices of Bhakti Yoga is Chanting, Singing and Mantra Yoga.

 

Mantra Yoga: “Man” – thinking mind, “Tra” – to protect or expand.

 

Mantras are powerful sound vibrations that have the ability to alter consciousness.

Through the practice of chanting, we center consciousness on Spirit through the repetition of powerful incantations and seed sounds of universal sounds. The power of mantra lies in vibrations, and it works on many levels, both subtle and overt. We can invoke an intention or the quality or essence of a particular deity.

 

 

Chanting – Chants are uplifting compilations of vibrations that can be used as prayers for peace, health, wellbeing, to focus the mind and empower whatever we want to give energy to. Chanting has the power to awaken our physical and energetic bodies. It can be used to loosen mental chatter to still the mind, becoming one-pointedly focused, and bringing the heart into alignment.

In kirtan, or call and response devotional singing, we lift our voices to heal our spirits and raise our vibrations by repeating mantras over and over, shifting our awareness from our heads to our hearts. Singing reminds us of our essential nature: joyful, openhearted, centered, and blissful

 

Bhakti Bliss: Music as Medicine

When we sing, we open the throat chakra and allow a free flow of energy to groove through the passageway that connects heart and mind.  This allows us to bring balance and a free flow of energy to the heart and mind, so that we are not too caught up in mental chatter or emotionality, When we sing, we rise in Joy, Freedom, Peace and Connection.

I Invite you to take a moment now, PRESS PLAY, closer your eyes, and use whatever emotions or energy present within you to fuel your voice in opening and singing this beautiful mantra with me:

Jai Sri Ma Kali Kali Ma Jai Sri Ma

Ananda Ma, Durga Devi

Jagadambe Sri Ma

 

“If you want to find the secrets of the Universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration”. – Nikola Tesla

 

P.S. Check out this incredible video on Cymatics, the study of visible sound vibration that effectively shows us how sound affects matter:

 

 

We Love Hearing from You!

Do you have a favourite mantra? What do you love about it and why?

Please feel free to Comment & Share Below

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5 Reasons to go on a Yoga Retreat

5 Reasons to go on a Yoga Retreat

by | Feb 19, 2018 | Health, Wellness & Lifestyle, Retreat & Travel Info

5 Reasons to go on a Yoga Retreat

by Krishna Chan

There are many different definitions of the word “Retreat”. My favorite one is “ a period of withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a” teacher. As taken from Merriam-Webster.This winter, I secured my dream yoga-teaching job, leading yoga retreats in Koh Phangnan, Thailand. I think yoga retreats are great, and if you get a chance to go on one, you should. And here’s why 

 

1. Deepen Your Yoga Knowledge

 

 

From what I’ve seen, yoga retreats can run anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks. Here is an opportunity to delve deep into a daily practice with qualified teachers who are passionate about yoga. At Pure Flow Yoga, we spend a lot of time breaking down everything from meditation, pranayama, asana and philosophy. When you are in a space where you are practicing everyday, you can really start to see shifts in your practice. 

A retreat can introduce you to different aspects of yoga that you have not had a chance to try before.   These include Kirtan (chanting), partner yoga, karma yoga, restorative yoga and the sister science, Ayurveda.

For some, yoga retreats are a halfway point to yoga teacher training. I have had a few students who came on retreat, unsure if they wanted to pursue teaching. Then the following year, emailed me to say they had enrolled in YTT.

 

2. Gain perspective

 

 

For those of us who live in the West, it can be challenging to focus on spiritual practice when you are juggling a million things at once. It seems that most people fit their yoga practice somewhere in between their 9 to 5 jobs, their partners, children, friends and responsibilities. Yoga in the city is sometimes that 1-hour class you fit in between work and dinner. And most probably don’t reflect that much on what yoga really is. On retreat, there is an aspect of solitude, self-study and reflection. When you take yourself out of your regular routine, allow yourself the time to be in nature, practice, eat well, sleep well, you can create the space for transformation. Hopefully, you’ll be able to take some aspects of the retreat and integrate them into your regular life.

 

3. Connect with like-minded people

 

 

One of my students had said to me, it’s so great to meet other people who have the same interests as me. Here, I feel like I can really be myself. Back home, none of my friends are interested in spirituality, and would not even consider eating vegetarian. A lot of them are very focused outward appearances: like wearing expensive clothing, going to fancy restaurants and looking good. They don’t understand why I am even here. And it’s so nice to find people I fit in with and who accept me for who I am. 

On destination yoga retreats, you have an opportunity to connect with yoga people from all over the world. This becomes your community on retreat, but hopefully these connections may even evolve into lifelong friendships. Ideally you can support each other on the yogic path.

 

 

You always have the choice of whether you want to be social or prefer solitude. Most students tend to find a balance somewhere in between.

Some students use their yoga retreat as a starting point. They will come on retreat, get to know the lay of the land, and then continue on to travel on to other parts of the country.

 

4. See a different part of the world

 

 

A yoga retreat can be a chance to explore. These days, you can pretty much go on retreat anywhere in the: India, Bali, Thailand, Hawaii, Nicaragua, etc.

I love Thailand because you have access to beautiful beaches, stunning viewpoint hikes, healthy, and affordable delicious food. Sounds kind of funny, but for me, a big factor in trip enjoyment is the food! I LOVE Thai food.

If you are going on holiday, why not go to a beautiful destination, where someone has already tested the place as a good yoga spot? You can go away, and come back feeling refreshed & looking amazing.

 

5. Practice living yoga

 

 

Mindfulness is a focus on our retreats. We begin each day with meditation and pranayama. One of the first things we tell people is to get into the habit of cleanliness: encouraging them to make their bed everyday, try vegetarianism, and even to put the computer away. Why not try a digital fast for a couple days? We assign karma yoga tasks so that everyone contributes to the shala. For some, performing simple karma duties such as sweeping the floor can be extremely humbling. These practices may sound simple, and we all know they are beneficial but sometimes it takes group motivation in order to put them into action. 

So what are you waiting for? Why not treat yourself to a trip of a lifetime?

 

Feeling so grateful for the beautiful photos taken by the talented Stig Jaarvik

 

Phyllis is an international yoga teacher based out of Vancouver, BC. She found yoga to be a powerful practice that helped calm her busy mind. It was the blissful moments of euphoric peace she discovered in savasana that kept her coming back to yoga again and again. In times of stress, she knew she could always return to those moments of freedom experienced in yoga.

Phyllis is interested in exploring where science and spirituality meet. She is fascinated by the science of the human body and dedicated to intelligent sequencing. She is inspired by nature, raw authenticity, radical kindness, and music. Phyllis believes that yoga can be for everyone and one of her gifts is her innate ability to connect with people, making them feel comfortable and at ease. When you attend her classes, you can expect to explore functional movement, experience deep breathing techniques, and simply enjoy the peace of mind that the practice of yoga brings.

***We are so excited to welcome Phyllis back to Pure Flow Yoga to share retreats in May 2018***.

Click here to learn more about Phyllis

Phyllis Chan

Yoga Teacher RYT 500HR , Phyllis Chan Yoga

Want to share your story? We LOVE hearing from past students.

 If you’d like to share comments, feedback, or if you’d like to submit your own post for us to share, let us know  by contacting us!

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Developing a Successful Home Practice

Developing a Successful Home Practice

by | Feb 19, 2018 | 21 Day Challenge - Finding Flow, Health, Wellness & Lifestyle, Practice: Yoga & Meditation

Developing a Successful Home Practice

Strategy for Successful Home Practice

Creating the conditions for your Rhythm & Routine

One of the most beautiful and liberating aspects of yoga is that you don’t need any fancy equipment or a designated building or field to practice. Yoga is available to you where ever you are at – as long as you are willing to approach it, and have a strategy..

In Yoga, we stretch and open our physical body, to promote a more easeful and comfortable flow of energy within the body so that we can sit for a long time – essentially we are creating the conditions in which meditation can occur.  Similarly, to set ourselves up for a successful daily practice, we need to create the conditions in which your Rhythm & Routine can occur.

The willingness and desire to create a habit of Practice is not enough to sustain us on the path in and of itself.  As we’ve all experienced by now on Day 4, motivation is transient – its comes and goes, ebbs and flows. Everything from our sleep last night to the conversation we just had can effect our motivation.

We need a strategy!  We need to create the conditions in which practice can occur.

Developing a home yoga practice and committing to it is a profound tool for deepening into your own personal relationship with yoga. Here are some tools that have helped me in my home practice of Yoga:

1) Create a foundation for your practice: Start with a set sequence.

 

It can be powerful to repeat the same poses every day, Practicing the same poses every day helps you keep consistent with your practice. This repetition offers you a clear vantage point from which to watch yourself grow and change.

Click below to access a dynamic & energising flow sequence. 

Let us know what you think in the comments at the bottom of the page.

 

2) Commit to a specific time of day & a minimum amount of practice time. 

 

For some of us, first thing in the morning works best, for others its when you have a bit of time in the afternoon or before bed.  Experiment with yourself, find a time that works best for you and stick to it.  The more consistent you are, the more the habit of practice will be able to stick.

For me, I wake up every morning excited about coffee.  So my first sip of coffee is my trigger for my first sit on the mat.  I do my journaling, my coffee drinking, then I begin to open my body and meditate.  What an you use as your practice trigger?

Choose a minimum amount of time that you are prepared to commit practicing for.  Even if it’s just 5 , 10 or 15 minutes, make yourself a promise that you will do your time. That’s your practice – just that – everything else is bonus time! Start small (baby steps!); this way you can stick with your commitment and feel positive about your practice rather than guilty if you don’t have a lot of time/energy that day.

This is why we have our “big” and our “small” practice: Ultimately, it’ more important to establish a steady, grounded and stable routine of practices that we can sustain over long terms adding in bits and pieces as we journey through life. 

3) Clear Space / Clear Mind: Sanctify your practice:

 

Our outer space reflects our inner space: Creating the conditions in which practice can occur is absolutely key.

Today we invite you to spend some time cleaning your bedroom or house. Start with making the bed,  clearing off any surfaces that collecting scattered papers, cleaning out the nooks and crannies. Then noticed how you feel. 

Creating a space in which you feel good and free to practice is key to a successful home practice. You want to create an intentional space, and I would even recommend creating a small altar of what it is that you want to focus right now. It can be simple. A candle and incense maybe a picture of someone who inspires you, maybe a crystal or something you found in nature that inspires you. Let it be uniquely and personally meaningful.

Create an altar. As you clean and look around your room look for objects or flowers, and arrange them in a beautiful place in your space of practice. You’re welcome to keep adding to the altar as you find things in nature or are gifted things from loved ones.Tadah! Now as you come to your mat each day, you can infuse your altar with your intuition and intention.

Alters our ancient tools of transformation, and act as a focus point for ritual, reflection and contemplation and a serve as reminder of your intentions, wishes, prayers and gratitudes for that which is the highest good within you.

4) Amazing Resources are all around. Use them!

 

There is so much inspiration all around – from yoga classes and community centers, to podcasts, online videos, yoga books, movies, documentaries and more.  You can take online classes, read blog, visit Yoga website.

 

I love being a student and often will go to classes for a little tune-up.  

 

Working with a great teacher can be a total game changer. Find someone whose style you resonate with and start to going to some of their classes.  This will help bring attention to areas of your practice that need assistance, and it will also provide you with new inspiration and motivation for your daily home practice.

 

Tip: Some of the online resources I like to use when I am travelling are YogaGlo / See Hear Be Now / Yogadownload.com – all of which offer free trial memberships and classes with great, experienced teachers.

 

 

With Infinite Love & Endless Gratitude

XOXO

Francie

Contemplation Questions for Clarity, Self-Love & Self-Study

Contemplation Questions for Clarity, Self-Love & Self-Study

by | Dec 1, 2017 | Health, Wellness & Lifestyle, Practice: Yoga & Meditation, Retreat & Travel Info, Yoga 101: Yoga for Beginners

Contemplations & Journal Question

for Self-Study, Clarity & Self-love

Questions for Clarity,  INsight & Self-Love

Everyday’s a school day! Everything that arises can be seen as a lesson to be learned if you are willing to see it that way.  This is the attitude of the curious seeker, a Yogi. 

 

Ready for some homework? 

 

I invite you to join me in some self-study, to spend some time with these questions over the next few days,  or lifetimes, journaling or simply contemplating, and see how they can help you on your journey to emotional mastery, self-love, peace and clarity.

 

  • What is happening right now?
  • Can I be with it?
  • If I can’t be with it, can I be okay with that for now?

 

  • What would life look like if it were easy?

 

  • When faced with a decision – is it Love or is it Fear choosing?
  • What would a person who loves themselves do?

 

  • What wants to be birthed through me?
  • How am I avoiding it?
  • How am I keeping myself small?

 

  • Who am I?
  • What do I love?
  • Knowing I will die, how should I live?
  • What is my greatest mission?
  • What are my gifts to humanity?

 

  • What do I need to do right now to really walk the talk?
  • How can I open my mind?  my heart? What am I resisting?

 

Blessings on your journey.

XOXO

Francie

Is this retreat right for me?

Is this retreat right for me?

by | Jul 6, 2017 | Health, Wellness & Lifestyle, Retreat & Travel Info, Yoga 101: Yoga for Beginners

Is this Retreat Right for Me?

Take this short Quiz and find out

People join us on retreat for many reasons.  While people are coming from all different backgrounds, ethnicities, professions, age and income brackets, there are some truly beautiful and deep human commonalities that bring us all all together here.

Perhaps you have some time off coming up and you are looking for a way to find more joy and freedom, travel with purpose and deepen your practice.  With so many options out there, we want to help support you in choosing a Virtual Yoga Retreat as your next staycation.  

Retreats are an amazing way to connect to stillness, calm, clarity, self-awareness, healing, freedom, simplicity, joy and transformation.  They are the best way to truly immerse oneself in Yogic Philosophy and Lifestyle, while cultivating community, discipline and depth.  No need to take our word for it – Check it out for yourself!

Consider the following questions to find out if you might be ready for a retreat:

—

Why would you Join us on a Virtual Retreat?

Have you had any of these thoughts or feelings lately?

 

1.I need to get back in to my body.

I want to feel more energised and healthy in your body and mind. I want to make better food choices, and I want to stop feeling stuck or heavy in certain places in my body.

 

 

2. I need a break. I feel burnt out.

I need a break from the busyness and hustle of my everyday life.   I need more time in nature and new surroundings to get perspective, clarity and space. I feel tired, BUSY, and drained – like I’m running on empty all the time.

I feel there is more to life that this 9-5 reality I’m living.  l want off of this hamster-wheel.  I want a break from the daily grind. I feel like  complaining too much. Everyone and everything really seem to frustrate me at times for no good reason.

 

 

3. I don’t know what’s next…I’m in a big life transition.

I’m at a crossroads.  I’m ending or changing my job / career, my relationship is transitioning, my kids are all grown up now, my marriage of 30 years is ending, I am retiring…. and I don’t know what to do next . I feel indecisive at times. Totally unable to get clear. I feel paralysed by choice and am constantly looking to outside sources: friends, blogs, therapists etc. for answers. I need help finding clarity

 

 

4. I want to reconnect with myself

I want to reconnect with myself, with others, with my purpose, with nature.  I want to remember who I really am.  I have a deep desire to reconnect with the real me again, beyond the busyness, beyond all the roles I play in life as an entrepreneur, layer, doctor, teacher, student, parent etc.

 

5. I want to invest in myself

I want to learn, grow, evolve, change.  I want to open to new experiences and new ways of being so I can be more happy, peaceful and free.

but I can’t afford (the time off work, the money…)

 

6. I want to deepen my practice.  

I want to get into my body more, and also in the the deeper aspects of life.  I want to take a break from sufercial coversations and instead have more meaningful and purposeful conversation about the bigger picture and the deeper aspects of life.

 

7. I want to connect with others. I’m craving community

 I want to feel accountable, motivated, and celebrated. I feel alone sometimes.  I really want to feel like I’m a part of something bigger, a community perhaps.  I just want to feel safe, warm and heard. I am craving community. I want to feel a sense of belonging and connection to the people and world around you.

 

8. I’m an aspiring Yoga teacher – I’m not quite ready to teach, or I’m on a break…but I feel I need to invest in myself more first.

I just finished my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training and I’m not sure if I’m quite ready to teach…. I need to dive more deeply in the practices and philosophy, and get more experience and mentoring.

 

9. I want to be more emotionally and spiritually balanced

Sometimes I feel like my emotions are just taking me over.  i want to understand how I can understand and manage them more efficiently.

Now Close your eyes a moment.  Tune into how you feel.  Really Listen.

The Results are In:

Our Yogi Experts believe that a retreat could be PERFECT for YOU right now, (especially if any these thoughts are repeating like a broken record in your mind at times…)

We could all seriously benefit from, and enjoy taking a step back from our day-to-day realities to get some space, perspective, and clarity and to create “me”- time for self care and self love.

What are some other reasons you have for practicing Yoga and wanting to go on a Retreat?  Click here to let us know. We’d love to hear from you! 

 We invite you to join us at Pure Flow Yoga’s Retreats in Paradise

… the perfect sanctuary for your soul in Koh Phangan, Thailand.

Click here to watch some past Student sharing their Life-Changing experiences.

 

Say 'YES' to a Retreat!

Francie is a passionate and free-spirited Yogi, hula hooper, musician and lover of all things Magic. She has over a hundred retreats over the past 5 years, and is the inspired founder of Pure Flow Yoga in Koh Phangan, Thailand where she spends half of the year offerings daily Yoga classes, workshops and ongoing transformational Yoga Retreats in Paradise. She is also the founder of Hoop Love Tribe, an international co-creative collective of flow artists offering weekly community by-donation hoop jams for Spark! Circus, as well as the bi-annual “Hoopapalooza Flow Fest”, a 3-day beachside Hula Hoop and flow arts immersion experience. Check out some of Francie’s Music on Soundcloud, and like her Facebook page: Francie Fishman :Yoga Hoop Music Love  to stay tuned in about Francie’s personal travel & teaching calendar, music, playlists, blog posts and more.  Want to invite Francie to teach near you? Contact here

Francie

Founder, Pure Flow Yoga

10 Awesome Reasons Why Retreats are a Healing Must!

10 Awesome Reasons Why Retreats are a Healing Must!

by | May 29, 2017 | Guest post, Health, Wellness & Lifestyle, Retreat & Travel Info, Yoga 101: Yoga for Beginners

10 Awesome Reasons Why Retreats Are a Healing Must!

by Chantal Di Donato

Ever reached that point when everything around you is falling apart and you need a serious break?

Most of us, especially in busy cities with equally busy lives, feel that way! I hit the wall a few times a year, when I know I need to unplug completely – from my surroundings, my phone and even people around me. When we get to that point, most of us would normally say that we need a “vacation.” But is a vacation enough?

I love traveling, it is a true passion, but since I became a yoga teacher, I woke up to a great reality: vacations are not always enough! Of course, it is great fun to get away, visit terrific places around the globe, maybe even chasing the sun, but oftentimes, we select places that have so much to see and do, that by the end of the vacation, we are exhausted and need another break to recuperate from the holiday we just had!

Yoga, meditation and other holistic healing retreats are the answer when a holiday is just not enough. There is something about retreats that is very special and can really create a platform for transformation! How, you ask? Here 10 reasons why your next holiday should be a retreat:

 

 

1. It is all about ME time

 

Holidays surely mean fun, discoveries and adventures, but if you are in need to care for your wellbeing, a retreat is the only place you can get the “ME” time you deserve. The idea of a retreat is to create a safe space where you can nurture your body and soul. The atmosphere is relaxed, everything is taken care of and you really have to do nothing but enjoy the activities, surroundings, food and company (or alone time if you need that).

 

2. An opportunity to feel present

Retreats are designed to offer a comprehensive escape embedding fun with relaxation. Because the activities, classes, therapies and meals are made for you, you can enjoy being present without needing to plan anything! At most, when you have free time from classes, you can decide if you wish to visit the surroundings, cities nearby or nature, all at your own pace, without any schedule or watch to adhere to.

 

3. Allowing a break for the digestive system

 

Most retreats will offer comprehensive meals in the package and generally the idea is to have food that can boost your body’s ability to work at its best and even kick-start a little detoxification plan! You can certainly look for specific dietary requirements (like a juicing retreat) but retreats often include food that is healing and can support good digestion and even the restoration of a healthy gut!

 

4. Daily routines to calm the mind

Routine in the standard sense can be quite tiring! We see getting up, going to work and going back home as routine too, but it doesn’t make us feel very well. On retreats, the routines created are for health! Routines (like yoga classes in the morning and meditation classes in the evening) can allow the body to feel in tune with the rhythm of the retreat and discover how to calm down knowing that those healing activities can impact your brain and body positively.

 

 

5. Meeting like-minded people

On holiday, we may meet a lot of people, but oftentimes the context does not allow for deep connections. We may meet someone on the beach or at a restaurant or bar, but when we spend enough time with someone like we do on retreats, we can really enjoy discovering who they are and connecting deeply. Research shows that it takes a person an average of seven hours to start trusting another. On retreats, you will spend a lot of time with people who, like you, are there to find a way to relax, to discover their inner voice. Therefore, you can share something deeper than a drink with them, and many people return home friends from retreats!

 

 

6. Time slows down

A fascinating thing I noticed on all my retreats was how time seemed to slow down. It is quite daunting that we spend our days rushing from one place or task to another and time flies! Retreats allow time to slow down because we are no longer chasing tasks; we are living in the present! That sort of connection allows us not to worry about our watches, but rather feel that we are enjoying what we are doing right “NOW.” It is a pretty powerful state of mind and it affects how we perceive time in every possible way!

 

 

7. Personal growth

 

I have a little anecdote about a group of girls who came to my retreat to Morocco last year. When I went to pick them up at the airport, at their arrival, they seemed distressed and tired, were happy to be there but had a very chaotic energy about them! A week later, when they left from the same airport, their aura was completely transformed. I always wish I had filmed their arrival and departure to show the difference! It looked like they had blossomed and found inner peace!

Being on the retreat, eating live foods and connecting with people around them allowed a lot of fears, frustration and discomfort to leave and allowed space for growth. The retreat had some tears, moments of distress when dealing with personal issues and emotions, but the result was all worth it! This is probably the biggest difference between a vacation and a retreat and why retreats are so powerful! You go there knowing that you want to feel better and, consciously or not, are ready to deal with personal demons and open up the door that will take you to the next level.

 

 

8. Human Touch

 

This one’s another personal favourite when it comes to retreats. I love the idea that someone is there 24/7 to take care of me, to nurture me, and just pamper me and assist all my needs! From yoga classes to massages or coaching sessions, retreats offer so many opportunities to feel seen and heard! Most of us need that, in a world where we seem to be part of a rushing herd and we are dying to stand out! I love feeling unique and retreats are designed to accommodate accordingly!

 

 

9. Accommodates all budgets!  

Just like holidays, retreats also accommodate according to our budget. You can select a standard, daily yoga and accommodation retreat up to five stars experiences. You can read feedback from people and see what their experience was and normally the feedbacks are very comprehensive, giving a good idea of how the entire retreat is, from classes to hosts to food.

It is nice to know what to expect and it is nice to know you can tailor your experience so that even if your budget is not big, you can still allow your retreat to give you an amazing time. I personally prefer to save for slightly more comprehensive retreats so that everything I need is taken care of, but I love that there are choices for everyone!

 

10. You realise retreats are holidays

The beauty of retreats is that they turn out to be the vacation you needed, to begin with! Although some people think all retreats are about drinking clay, keeping quiet and meditate for days, the options available allow so much choice and the opportunity to create the experience you want with so much more! Time to think, staying quiet, enjoying the surroundings and people, as well as the freedom to visit a new place, country and exploring the culture, all come with the knowledge that everything has been taken care of and you can just relax! This is what I call a vacation!

 

 

Whether you are a seasoned “retreater” or a newbie, I can ensure that you will not only love the experience but become addicted to it! Retreats have transformed the way I see holidays and although I still enjoy traveling all over, I find that the opportunity to stay in a beautiful place being looked after allows me to heal within and out, feel better about myself and gives me time to make better decisions in life too. A moment to STOP and RESET;  that is truly life changing!

Looking for your next Yoga + Travel + Retreat experience?

Check out Pure Flow Yoga Retreats in Koh Phangan Thailand. Their retreats are awesome: super-affordable, intimate groups, and community-oriented.  The location is beyond beautiful too! The perfect place to find “Me” Time:

Chantal is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, yoga teacher, author, nutrition and diet advisor with NLP, and founder of Live Lean Health and Live Lean TV. She believes medicine is on our plates and she implements both nutrition and lifestyle in her coaching practice. She works with people who seek positive change, physically, spiritually and emotionally, and other clients who want to regain their health and feel their best ever! Chantal is also a contributor at BookYogaRetreats.com.

Chantal Di Donato

Founder, Live Lean Health

Want to share your story? We LOVE hearing from past students.

 If you’d like to share comments, feedback, or if you’d like to submit your own post for us to share, let us know  by contacting us!

The Art of Meditation

The Art of Meditation

by | May 4, 2017 | Guest post, Health, Wellness & Lifestyle, Practice: Yoga & Meditation

The Art of Meditation

by Kristen Powell

“Deep Centering” was made with sound waves from a guided meditation. I love how the sound waves show the periods of stillness and silence during a meditation. The colours deepening as the mind settles in.

To hear and practice our Morning Meditation, you can visit Pure Flow Yoga on Soundcloud 

Calgarian artist Kristen Powell is known for her vibrant mixed media pieces that incorporate digital media and striking handmade elements. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. She works as a high school art teacher and creates art on weekends.  For Kristen, music and sound are often connected to important moments and memories. She uses these moments as inspiration to create abstract paintings that include sound waves and symbolic colours. Her pieces resonate with viewers because of our shared experience with music and sound. Kristen aims to make emotional experiences tangible and relatable. She enjoys experimenting with new mediums and seeking to create images that resonate with others.  Resonance is the ability to evoke or suggest images, memories and emotions. Kristen connects to frequencies in life to gather inspiration. She is inspired by music and sound, emotional experiences, the senses, the beauty of nature, her spirituality, vibrant colours, and new materials. Kristen’s preferred medium at the moment is alcohol ink.

Visit Kristin’s website Resonance Art to learn more and view her epic art.

Kristen Powell

Artist, Resonance Art Studio

Want to share your story? We LOVE hearing from past students.

 If you’d like to share comments, feedback, or if you’d like to submit your own post for us to share, let us know  by contacting us!

Journey to Self-Love on a Yoga Retreat

Journey to Self-Love on a Yoga Retreat

by | Apr 21, 2017 | Guest post, Health, Wellness & Lifestyle, Retreat & Travel Info

Letting in the Light:

My Journey to Self-Love on a Yoga Retreat

 

*** GUEST POST ***

I have returned to my paradise. This paradise is located exactly at 9.6914° N, 100.0740° E, and it goes by the name of Haad Yuan beach at Koh Phangan. This magical corner of the world with white sandy beaches, lush jungles and gorgeous rocks is where I started my spiritual journey a bit more than a year ago, and now I have been blessed to return.

A year ago I was still healing from an ended relationship, struggling with loving myself enough to be happy and peaceful and to live the life I always imagined for myself. I was lost with my studies, not knowing if it was what I wanted to do, and lost with all the expectations I set for myself to execute a so-called perfect life. Somewhere deep in me, I knew that the one thing I most desperately needed was to love myself unconditionally, without expectations. I was sure that most of the other issues would resolve themselves, if I only had this love towards myself and my life.

Now, all that was missing was a way to achieve that love. Six months before setting my foot on the sand of Koh Phangan, I had subscribed to an Ashtanga Yoga course in my hometown Helsinki, and quite enjoyed it. Ashtanga was competitive enough for my ambitious mind, and so it felt like a good option to look for an opportunity to do some yoga during my two-week holiday from work. I googled yoga Thailand, booked my retreat and bought my tickets, and was on my way to my first-ever yoga retreat on my first-ever trip alone.

So, to me this island is a paradise, it was a year ago and it still is. It truly is Yin and Yang with its party scene and spirituality beautifully mixed together, but what is even more magical about this island is that it just seems to make people more receiving, open to encounter their emotions and their own vulnerability. Maybe this emotional clarity stems from the fact that the island is made of quartz crystal, but I could feel how, since day one sitting on a rock watching the gorgeous ocean, something that I had been holding back started opening in me. All those feelings, pretending to be so strong and capable, it almost felt like my walls started to fall down, and I was receiving what would come. And it was exactly the right thing to do.

And as it was the right thing for me to encounter my own vulnerability, this universe has an incredible way of sending like-minded people on each other’s paths. At Pure Flow Yoga  I would enjoy the company of people from different cultures, backgrounds and age groups on a very similar journey towards better self-understanding, love and balance. The environment really invites you to open up, because you feel like you are safe and these people are there to share your journey for a week or two.

In the beginning of the retreat I tried to soothe my ambitious and competitive mind by executing my practice the best way possible. I wanted to be able to do every single asana every single time, but very soon I realized that it is not possible. Sometimes my body was just so tired, that I let myself lie in the child’s pose and just breathe. At first I felt angry at myself, “why can’t I do all these poses, what is wrong with me?” I kept on thinking I’m not strong enough, not good enough, not worthy enough. And I think it was the third day, when I burst into tears, that I realized this was the circle that I had to break to get closer to self-love and acceptance.

So I surrendered. The resistance had taken so much energy, blaming myself for not being good enough in sports, in school, in a relationship, in life, and I couldn’t help but to surrender. I let myself go, giving my best effort, telling myself it is enough, that I am worthy and loveable and enough. Just doing my best, and sometimes it is more, sometimes less. Sometimes we are strong and could do a thousand Vinyasas or fight the battles in our life and sometimes we just feel like crawling into a comfortable nest and laying in the child’s pose or let our life take its course by itself. And it is all okay.

As the week progressed I realized that I felt comfortable enough to surrender to self-acceptance as well. This is my body, perfect as it is, my temper and personality, grateful for them being what they are. Slowly I could be more kind towards myself, I could observe myself, see what attachments I hold in my life, and still tell myself it is okay to hold them. I would just observe, and acknowledge that these attachments too will change, like everything else in my life.

It is not like one week of meditation and yoga will fix all your problems or challenges, or change your personality and offer you peace of mind. But if you have ever had that lights-on moment in your life, you know that moment, when suddenly you see something very clearly, like you have a solution or explanation right in front of you, and you wonder how you couldn’t see it before, taking a week to focus on yourself can be quite close to that. Almost as if someone were to operate the dimming lights or there would be a rising sun peeking through your curtains to shed a little bit of light for you to see more clearly. And then it is up to you to take that journey and to open the curtains completely and let the light in.

 

Sofia is a young woman on a quest to unconditional love and acceptance through yoga and meditation. She is a student, young professional and above all a curious human being, who loves seeing other cultures, meeting new people and understanding what sets their heart on fire. Besides helping others to fulfill their potential, Sofia loves writing, reading, going out with friends and family, animals, laughing, nature and her morning coffee.  You can follow Sofia’s adventures on her travel blog and Instagam @sofiasmap.

Sofia Pohls

6 Ways to Integrate Post-Retreat Bliss into your Everyday life

6 Ways to Integrate Post-Retreat Bliss into your Everyday life

by | Apr 6, 2017 | Health, Wellness & Lifestyle, Practice: Yoga & Meditation, Retreat & Travel Info

6 Ways to Integrate Retreat Bliss into your Everyday Life

 

Post-Retreat tools for bringing more Magic, Peace, Love and Presence into your life.

 

“Forget your perfect offerings. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in”. – Leonard Cohen

You’ve just spent the last week sipping luscious coconuts and swimming in the palm fringed crystal blue waters of paradise. You’ve just done more Yoga asana and meditation in a week that in the past month combined. Your body feels more open and free than you can ever remember and your mind feels oh so clear. You feel inspired. Your life has been transformed and you feel that you are evolving.

So now what?

And then you remember:

After each expansion, comes a contraction.

After each inhale, comes the exhale.

What goes up must come down.

This is the nature of all things – to be in a state of flux and change.

The retreat is over now and those pesky thoughts come back in…”I’ll never be able to do this on my own!!!! Or “Oh NO! How am I going to keep this up?! Its so easy to be practicing and peaceful when I’m here but what happens when I go home?’. They want to know, “How can I keep this feeling alive? How can I stay in the practice of LOVE and gratitude and openness to new ideas?”

The reality as most of us live it, is that we have busy lives, full of ever-evolving, super important, pay attention in this very moment, distractions. The habits, routines and stresses of daily life begin to seep back in, and much quicker than we would have hoped.

Life happens very quickly and suddenly our time fades into a golden memory. That wide open hearts and spirit you may have felt at certain points on our retreats seems to have been just a peak moment, a fleeting memory.

Life is a relentless fury of waves that will keep coming. All we can really do is manage how we surf the waves.

Here are some Tips and Suggestions to help your integrate the Bliss into your everyday life and carry it forward to help navigate this lifelong journey.

1. Love What Is.

I have spent a lot of time this life, trying to better than I am, trying to heal myself, to perfect, purify and fix myself in order to somehow feel that I am good enough, smart enough, disciplined enough, successful enough, worthy enough, fill-in-the-blank enough. It’s exhausting.   Just for a moment contemplate the possibility that you are enough as you are in this moment, that you are perfect with all of your imperfections, that. How does that feel? Come back to this practice again and again. Be mindful. Love what is.

2. Practice for 10,000 Hours.

It can take time to truly integrate the wisdom and inspiration we have into action, but as Pattabhi Jois, the founder of Ashtanga Yoga reminds us “Practice and all is coming”. – Pattabhi Jois

Malcolm Gladwell in his best-selling book Outliers, offers us the theory of the 10,000 hours towards mastery of anything. If we want tomaster the guitar – 10,000 hours. If we want to master hula hooping – same thing. If we want to master mindfulness, peace, presence, joy, being in our center…10,000 hours. So basically, every time we practice meditation, asana, or spend time in sangha we are shoring up those 10,000 hours. Each little bit counts. Knowing this, we can let go of any judgment we have towards ourselves with regards to where we are in relation to where we “should” be and simple celebrate every time you do! Instead of focusing on how you didn’t show up to the mat today, celebrates every time you do, even if it’s for 5 minutes.

3. Remember the 3 Jewels of Buddhism:

Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

Buddha – nature – Our Essence

Buddhism offers us a framework for integrating bliss, by reminding us that

each one of us has the potential to wake up from the dream of separation, from the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, from the fears that limit us. We each have the potential to be free from sufferings in this moment, here and now, even though it can be hard and situations around may present us with challenges. Mother Thesesa, Hitler…..everyone can wake up. And it’s not a simple meritocracy. Just because you do well in the world, does not mean you will wake up. Being in full alignment, though, words and actions is ideal for setting up all the conditions in which waking up occurs., but so much more is involve – primarily, Yoga reminds us to close our eyes. Look inside. Everyday. For as long as you can. And this will help connect you to your Buddha-nature.

Dharma – The Path

Yoga Retreats, intensives, workshops and trainings are amazing because they give us the opportunity to really engage and go deep with the timeless tools offered by the 2000 year old + tradition of Yoga. We can get new insight and re-discover aspects of ourselves that we may have lost a little a long the way. Yoga offers us the 8 limbs to freedom – the Ashtanga Yoga system , which includes the yamas and niyamas, asana, prananyam, pratyahara, dhyana, dharana and Samadhi. We can model our lifestyles on these, we can read dharma books or books by contemporary teachers like Eckahrt Tolle, Wayne Dyer, the Dalai Lama…. We can spend time with living Masters and teachers . You will find a lot of repetition on this path. Repetition is said to be the mother of all teachers. Even after a decade of devoted yoga practice, I am still amazed how the simple reminder from a yoga teacher to breathe in any given moment, can take me so deep. So the moral of the story here is practice. Sadhana. The practice is there for you always to take you home – and it will never judge you ever for not coming back sooner.

Sangha – Stay connected with this amazing Community of truth-seekers

Often after an unforgettable retreat like this, you make connections and feel your belongingness to community. We realize that people of all ages and backgrounds are coming to these retreats all wanting more happiness, more freedom and joy. The first noble truth of Buddhism – all being suffer. We are united in our suffering and we are united in out desire to be happy and free. So at the end of the day, actually we are all the same.

It never ceases to AMAZE me, how at that at the end of each retreat week, people from all around the world, of all ages and backgrounds, have connected so deeply and formed such powerful bonds and friendships.   And nowadays, it’s so easy to stay connected with the people you meet along the path who inspire you to be in your highest self.

 

 4. “Be the change you want to see”. – Gandhi

You have the wisdom and you are invited to use it whenever you so chose. You know how to live your life in more balance. You know the discipline your require from outside to get you on track. And you also know that it requires discipline and showing up. Showing up = success in life.

And you may start to feel a certain niggling dissonance anytime you do something that is outside of that wisdom of your higher self.

 

5. Practice Gratitude

 More gratitude = More happiness

Gratitude is said to be the most powerful prayer of all. Gratitude is also the #1 pre-cursor to santosha – contentment.

And let’s face it: You rock!

The decisions and choices you have made up until this point in your life have landed you on a Yoga retreat in paradise. So lets take a moment to celebrate your amazingness. We all get here though all kinds of unique trials and tribulations, challenges and breakthroughs. But you got here. And you have a week or two or 3 to really dive deep into your being, to explore your consciousness and open your body. Again, Amazing. You can even do it again if you want. What a life!

 

6. Dream Big & Plan your next trip.

Part of the great joy of coming on a trip like this is the anticipation. Having goals and setting intentions are really profound ways of manifesting what you want. Mike Dooley – the creator of “The universe” offers a metaphor that has been sticking with me through time. Life works like GPS system and there are two keys things we need to do to manifest our dreams. The first is to put in the destination address of where we want to go, this is our big dream or intention. The second is to put the car in drive, and begin taking actions and steps in the direction of what we want. . We can then let go of all micro managing, the worrying about the “how” and all the other details!

Let the universe work its magic in navigating you in perfection towards your dreams. And hopefully, that means coming back to visit us again!

So take a moment now to dream up your next trip, or the next way you will nurture your spirit, and reconnect with your self and nature, even if its just a day trip or a weekend – anything can help keep you focused on maintain your practice!

 

In Conclusion

Yoga Retreats are amazing eye-opening transformational experiences. It’s a common experience for people’s lives to shift into more alignment after this experience. But it takes courage and willingness to step out of the habits, the comfort zones, continuously, in every moment. Be patient. It takes more than a week to truly achieve Yoga – the state of union – of experiencing no-separation.   It may even take 10,000 + hours. Every step a long the way counts and will bringer you into more lightness of being.

So remember – You have the capacity within you to AWAKEN NOW, you know the tools and you know the path – they are there for you in every moment, and you are supported by people just like you, all around you, and around the world, in yoga retreats, in your office, in your local yoga studio, or meditation center or meet-up – Find them.

P.S. We’d LOVE to hear from you. Comments? Thoughts? Ideas? Send us a message.

Ready to feel more clear, more freedom, more joy?

Book a Session!
Francie is a passionate and free-spirited Yogi, hula hooper, musician and lover of all things Magic. She is the inspired founder of Pure Flow Yoga in Koh Phangan, Thailand where she spends half of the year offerings daily Yoga classes, workshops and ongoing transformational Yoga Retreats in Paradise. She is also the founder of Hoop Love Tribe, an international co-creative collective of flow artists offering weekly community by-donation hoop jams for Spark! Circus, as well as the bi-annual “Hoopapalooza Flow Fest”, a 3-day beachside Hula Hoop and flow arts immersion experience.  To follow Francie’s personal calendar, to receive her playlists, blog posts and music, like her Facebook page: Francie Fishman :Yoga Hoop Music Love
Francie

Founder of Pure Flow Yoga

Love at first Yoga

Love at first Yoga

by | Oct 24, 2016 | Health, Wellness & Lifestyle, Practice: Yoga & Meditation, Retreat & Travel Info

Love at First Yoga

“I do” – Love at First Yoga – My Journey

 

Becoming a student of Yoga

Once upon a time, I was backpacking in India and decided to try a 10 day silent meditation retreat at Tushita in the Himalayas.

I thought that such a feat would be nearly impossible for such an incessantly talkative, extroverted, enthusiastic person such as myself.

It was surprising to me how easy it was to melt into the Simple Life.

I knew immediately how important this experience would be for my life.

It was challenging at times, don’t get me wrong, but I was in deep gratitude everyday for having discovered this practice of Being in my early 20’s.

On this retreat, they offered Yoga practice everyday.  

From the first downward dog I ever took, I knew:  This was it.  FULL YES.

I fell head over heals in love with Yoga.  Everything about it. The movements, the breath, the philosophy, the community of truth-seekers.

Truly, madly, deeply in LOVE.

As soon as I started loving and practicing Yoga, I felt openings and awakenings in my body and almost instantly the mind benefits started to creep in.

With more space, flexibility and awareness of my body, I learned to heal 16 years of chronic pain in my IT band – in my outer knee and thigh.

I also began to feel a lifetime full of indecision and the dances with depression begin to loosen their grip.

Resilience continues to grow strong all the time.

 

Poly-Yogamous

The next move on my travels was Thailand, where I met Lily of the Blooming Lotus.  Again, instant Love.  We kept in touch and I always knew that I wanted to learn more from this incredible embodied and wise Yogi.

Over the next many years I became a true Yogaphile: I really gave time to and tried Anusara Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Kundalini, Satsang, Yin, Restorative, Bikram, Hot Yoga, Ashtanga, Mysore practice, Iyengar. 

You name it, I tried it. Mostly…

Travelling for Yoga, taking as many classes and workshops I could, reading all the books.

I studied thousands of hours with countless teachers, masters, took endless trainings and workshops…

We know that life isn’t always easy.   Buddha’s first noble truth state that “all beings suffer”.  Its part of the package of being gifted this embodied life.

Yoga always helped make things better.

Yoga started to make my life easier and more enjoyable. 

It started to help me become more resilient and to help me overcome the bouts of depression that have been a signature part of my life throughout my child and adulthood.

 

Becoming a Yoga Teacher

After living for some time in Bali, teaching Pre-Kindergarten at the Green School (I’m actually a qualified and certified Primary school teacher!), 

I decided it was finally time to take my Yoga to the next – level with a Teacher Training course.  Of course Lily was top of my list of who I wanted to study with, even though I had only met her for a few days 6 years before.

The teacher training blew my mind and my teachers invited me to assist and work with them.  

Shortly thereafter, I moved to Thailand and started running classes, then retreats at the Blooming Lotus.

Dream come true.

For me, despite the statistics that share that there are anywhere from 2450-650,000 Registered Yoga Teachers in the US alone, I’ve always know that if its my dharma, or sacred purpose to teach, the universe will guide me.

I guess I’ve become a little woo-woo like that.  But it’s proven true.

A few years later, my teachers decided that it was time to move to Bali and open a beautiful new centre and world there.  We parted paths.

 

Becoming a Yogi-Preneur

This transition invited me to step up in to a new role – as a Yogipreneur – a Yogi + Entrepreneur, to take over the space in Thailand and create my own flavour of offerings.  

Another dream come true!

This has been a really challenging part of the journey. 

The beginning of our paths with Yoga is often a lot of Love + Light.  Which is great.

Eventually though, we need to sustain the practice, sustain the learnings, integrate the lessons…

So, it’s been 3 years now of running a business, and I’d say its been mostly rewarding.

I’ve learned sooooo much.  I’ve made countless friends, connecting with incredible people from all over the globe, I’ve help ed to positivly impact the lives of thousands of people. I’ve been able to live in paradise and practice Yoga and meditation in peace.

Running a business is no piece of cake. Its been very demanding and at times, I even forget that I’m a Yogi first. 

I’m doing my best, and definitely feel like I’m earning the equivalent of a Masters degree in Spirituality and Business.

Mostly though, having a business demands that I step out of my comfort zone and learn things that are not in my so-called “Zone of genius”.

For this I am grateful…and challenged.

 

What’s next for me?

No matter what happens in terms of my career or trajectory as a human being….Yoga and Meditation are next for me. 

If life has taught me anything, it’s that everything changes.

So I don’t know that I’ll be teaching Yoga in this way for the rest of my life, and I don’t know if it’ll be here in this paradise.

Yoga teaches me to be present, to be grateful and  love what is, and to accept change with grace.

Again, not always easy. 

Yoga is a practice.  It’s not something you do, then tick off the list.  

I think of showers in the same way.  Great! I had a shower today – that doesn’t mean I won’t need one again tomorrow or in a couple days right?!

Yoga is something you show up to in every moment, day after day after day.

Teaching Yoga does not mean that I have mastered it.  It simply means that I am dedicated to being a student of life, dedicated to facing my shadows, to learning, to growing and to evolving

Yoga is my forever teacher,  in the good times and the bad.

Yoga always helps to remind me of who I really am, beyond the stories and emotions.  It helps guide my way home.

I feel beyond blessed and grateful to dedicate my life to practicing and sharing Yoga, opening my heart, discovering deeper dimensions.  

And I vow to continue to evolve and grow, and become a more balanced and diverse person,  teacher and entrepreneur along the way, so long as that is what feels like the highest good for all, 

 

Til death or beyond…do us part Yoga.

Thank you for all that you give me.

 

In a nutshell, Why Yoga?

Hatha Yoga combines movement, conscious breathing, and mindful awareness and presence to offer physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual practices that connect us to the deepest aspects of our selves and our true nature.

The Benefits of yoga are boundless and include alignment, balance, strength, flexibility and connection to nature, community and our highest selves. 

Yoga helps me so much to navigate the reality of what presents in each moment. Its help me to know what the “highest alignment” is in each given situation, and it helps me to the see a true reflection of the roots of my suffering more clearly.  It improves each present moment most especially when I am in a really dedicated space of active practicing.

Life is still life. Up, downs, waves, emotions, times where I feel alone, time where I feel not enough. But every time an emotional fluctuation arises, it lasts less long and I can see the progress and resilience, I can feel it…

Yoga is the one thing I can absolutely commit to for the rest of my life. And I love nothing more than sharing this passion for the Practice, for being a student of life ever-after, and for living the ever – evolving dream of sharing this love with you all!

Yoga literally means “union” or “to yoke” our everyday selves with our highest most divine selves. Yoga is a powerful tool that teaches us how to live a life of balance, peace, harmony, strength and flexibility on all levels. The practice of yoga helps us become stronger, more open, free, happy, flexible and balanced, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Through yoga, we open ourselves to the infinite possibilities of life, allowing us to connect more deeply with ourselves, nature and community.

A Discipline Practice

A Disciplined Practice of yoga has the transformational benefits of deepening our connection to the body, mind and spirit, supporting us in living and loving long, vibrant, happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.

 

Yoga teaches us the art of letting go, letting grow, letting flow.

 

We move our bodies to move energy and restlessness to ultimately still the mind and enter the bliss of meditation, wherein our individual consciousness can merge with the ultimate or spiritual oneness consciousness, leading to our remembrance that we are not separate from that which appears to be outside of our own minds.

In practicing yoga, we become humbled and cultivate our trust in the body of wisdom that is sacred and vast and greater than our individual selves.

The Shift

We are invited through our practice to look at the reflections life shows us in the form of experiences, the people we come across, emotions that enter.

We practice the art of receiving, giving, continually striving for an open heart especially when it wants to close.

We come to believe seemingly impossible to be possible and begin embracing feelings of gratitude for the perfection of it all either way

From wherever we are at,  breaking through our somewhat uncomfortable comfort zones of who we think we are, the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves that we believe – “I’m not good at yoga”, “I’m too stiff/ old/ etc.. allows us to have the biggest heart, mind and body openings and shifts in our attitudes, mindsets, behaviours and thoughts.

Becoming more consciously aware, more mindful, in the choices we make everyday, from diet and lifestyle to the company we keep, so that we are living in full truth, love and integrity, is another great ripple effect of the practice.

Yoga helps inspire a deeper connection with mother nature and her cycles.  Perfectly orchestrated symphonies of synchronicities and coincidences being to more readily flow and stream through life.

And most importantly,  at the end of the day, Yoga is simply a practice.

So all you really gotta do is show up.

Be present.

Allow.

Let go

Breathe

and

Be.

Do you love Yoga as much as we do?  Let us know in the comments section! 🙂

 

Enjoy this short practice that explores a simple standing sequence to build strength in alignment, flow with the breath and movement and openness in the hips and heart.

Francie is an experienced life-transformation expert from the Yoga perspective, having curated and led more than 150 + retreats, workshops and programs with over 500+ students from all walks of life from all over the world.  She is a passionate and free-spirited Yogi, hula hooper, musician, social entrepreneur and world-traveller dedicated to uplifting, inspiring and empowering people to live embodied and awakened lives.

She is the inspired founder of the award-winning Pure Flow Yoga, True:Nature Experience and Hoop Love Tribe.  Francie is currently living her dream between Thailand, Bali and the rest of the world, sharing intimate, magical and life-changing experiences, including her signature Retreats in Paradise, as well as festivals and community gatherings.

Receive her weekly Love & Inspirations when you Sign up for the Love letter- music, playlists, blog posts and more.T o follow Francie’s personal calendar, to r like her Facebook page: Francie Fishman :Yoga Hoop Music Love

Francie

Founder , Pure Flow Yoga