How’s it all going?

I’ve been wondering for a while if I should send these e-mails to you post-retreatees, as not all of you are signed up to our Loveletter. After talking to lots of students, the answer seems to be a resounding YES PLEASE! So from now on, unless I hear from you, I’ll start sending you these weekly Love & Inspirations. Is that cool?

I’m great. I’m super full these days to be honest. (I try to avoid the word “busy” if I can…). I’m working super hard to dot my “i'”s and cross my “t”‘s, and put the finishing touches on our first ever YTT manual (only 16 days away!!!) Next week I head off to India for some moments of self-care and to do a Yoga course with a teacher who I’m really looking forward to studying with.

For me, in order to keep my cup full so that I can keep giving and holding space on these Pure Flow Yoga retreats and trainings here in Thailand, it’s so important for me to allow myself the time to be a student, and to let someone else hold space for me. I’ll tell you more about it all next week (provided I can get some good internet access!)

Here are some fresh inspirations for your weekend!

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Quote:

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!”

– Jack Kerouac, from On the Road

This quote was shared by one of our beautiful retreat participants, Sanjit, in an ongoing post-retreat, post-”Pabuk” (the crazy storm that almost hit us in early January) e-mail thread.

Beautiful Song I’m Loving:

La Luze del Bosque – by Issa-Elle

Book I’m Re-Reading:

Maps to Ecstacy – the Healing Power of Movement, by Gabrielle Roth
I am revisiting (and also highly recommend) this beautiful book, by legendary 5 Rhythms dance creatrix, Gabrielle Roth, who in this work, teaches us how to transform daily life into sacred art.

Blog:

Yoga & Sacred Activism: How to Stay Light in the face of Dark
Did you know that we’ve just been voted one of the top 15 Yoga Blogs on the Planet?! Amazing! Check out our latest blog post.

In this article, Atira Tan, one of our beloved Pure Flow Yoga teachers, and the founder of art of healing and yoga for freedom share about what sacred activism is and three ways to stay light while dancing with the dark.

Video to Inspire You:

I am supported – Root down to Rise up!
Enjoy this beautiful grounding sequence to help you feel supported, within and without. In this short dynamic flow asana practice, we connect meditation, breathing and asana in dedication to all the people, experiences and to the Earth that supports and nourish us

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Have a wonderful weekend & thanks again for being a part of this Pure Flow Yoga Tribe.

We LOVE you!

With Love & Blessings

XOXO

Francie

P.S. We have a couple spots left on our upcoming teacher training, Feb 17 – March 17, 2019. It begins in 16 days! So if you’re ready to invest in yourself, Sign Up NOW!

P.P.S What is your favourite inspiration from this e-mail? What would you like more or less of? HIT REPLY and please let me know!

P.P.S Sharing is Caring. If you enjoyed this little inspiration, please consider sharing it. We also have an awesome referral program if you know of someone would love and benefit from joining us in paradise.

Instagram Post of the Week

🌅 Sunrise Gayatri Mantra @whynambeach.
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Mantra chanting and sacred music has become a huge part of my personal journey towards bringing more peace, contentment, joy, and clear authentic expression into my life. .
It’s truly a journey: I always know how I feel in relation to how open my voice is. And I always know that if I want to bring in more openness, more love, I simply need to sing more and offer my song and prayer in devotion to the great mystery…
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Originating in the Rg Veda, the oldest of the 4 Vedic texts, the vibration of the Gayatri Mantra, said to be one of the oldest mantras known and beyond translation is said to significantly effect the consciousness of the chanter who repeats the mantra.
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Ga – to sing Yatri – Protection
dhi – sound that indicates Buddhi, the illiuminated ultimate state of the Yogi consciousness that arises in pure awareness
Savitr – the force of the sun’s light that brings each day into being from total darkness – avidya (also known as ignorance)
Sun is the metaphor for the light of our own awareness
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Om bhur bhuvah svah
Tat savitr vernyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat
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Earth, Air, Heaven
We meditate on Savir, giver of light,
May he illuminate our consciousness
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Want to sing and learn more about Mantra? Join @meldobra and I in a very special Yoga and Music retreat this July! More info on our website calendar.
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Upcoming Events

Invest in Yourself

Retreat Yo’Self!

Did you know that Koh Phangan is considered one of the top 3 places in the world to watch the full moon rise?!

Getting to watch the big orange moon sparkle across on the ocean is so magical. Such a delight. This full moon has been inviting me into a more quiet space with a lot more introspection.

How’s it been for you? High energy? Low energy? Clarity or fullness of mind maybe? Reply and let me know – I’d love to hear.

Here are some fresh inspirations for you to help kickstart your weekend. 🙂

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Quote I’m thinking about:

“On this path effort never goes to waste

And there is no failure. Even a little effort

Toward spiritual awareness will orotect you

From the greatest fear. (2:4)

– The Bhagavad Gita

Book I’m Reading now:

Sacred Sound: Discovering the Myth and Meaning of Mantra & Kirtan – by Alainna Kaivalya

Excellent bite-sized short stories of gods and goddesses, to help us understand and love the fascinating depth and mythology behind 21 of the most popular mantras.

Yoga Playlist I’m Loving:

Morning Breath Dance – Vinyasa Flow Playlist

Loving this Yoga Flow playlist curated by Gentle Techtonics , aka Jonny Rose. Jonny is an incredible being and also one of the Sanctuary’s main Yoga Teachers.

Blog I’m Reading:

4 Lessons Learned on Koh Phangan
Nicole Barton, a Yoga Teacher and Well-being blog writer, shares with us her fully informative and interesting blog about her journey to reconnection on our 2 week Bliss retreat last year., She shares 4 big lessons she learned here along the way, which I think you’ll find very illuminating.

Pure Flow Yoga Practice Podcast:

(#22) Balance Flow – Be All And See – 90 mins Energising Jungle Flow
Build core strength and enjoy an expansive heart opening and balancing flow with us all in the jungle.

TEDx Talk to Inspire You:

The surprising habits of Original Thinkers – Adam Grant
I’ve watched this at least 3 x now. I often find myself in a state of procrastination. I know my deadline is ages away, and I endeavour to use this wisdom, to try and avoid stress and prepare for it with ample time. Time and time again, I find that despite my efforts and intentions, I pretty much only buckle down and get ‘er done just before the deadline. Turns out I’m not alone: Some level of procrastination, giving ideas and projects time to gestate, is actually a key ingredient to creativity and original thinking.

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Have a wonderful weekend & thanks again for being a part of this Pure Flow Yoga Tribe.

We LOVE you!

With Love & Blessings

XOXO

Francie

P.S. Did you enjoy this e-mail? What is your favourite inspiration that I shared with you today? What would you like more or less of? HIT REPLY and please let me know!

P.P.S We have 23 days left til our first 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, and we’d love to have you. Please feel free to reach if you’d like some support to make this investment into yourself.

Instagram Post of the Week

In a world filled with thousands of yoga retreats 🌏it can be confusing to choose 🤷‍♀️ This is what makes Pure Flow unique:

1.No roads! no cars! 🚘Our paradise is only accessible by long tail boat⛵️ The secluded natural environment and incredible tropical beauty 🌴provides an ideal opportunity to let go and just listen to the waves 🌊

2. Yoga teachers that are highly experienced in facilitating retreats 🤸‍♀️ While many teachers lead a couple of retreats a year, we do this every week for many months of the year and love it💖

3.A strong focus on meditation and yoga philosophy📖 We love teaching students about the entire system of yoga🙏🏻 This yoga stuff is so much more than bending yourself into crazy shapes🧘‍♀️

4.Community, connection, mutual support and encouraging each other on the yoga journey💕Many of our students meet life long friends on retreat and it’s beautiful to witness✨
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2 week yoga retreat at Pure Yoga Flow
I had the chance to participate in the 2-week yoga retreat and it surpassed my expectations. Not only I got to deeper my yoga skills and practice, but I became familiar with mediation philosophy and learned many new tools. The atmosphere and energy of the place really helped to connect with others and to focus on the moment. The teachers impressed me with their competencies but also with their openness and care for all of us. They can adapt to any kind of yogis and explain concepts so everyone understands. I loved everything about this retreat, including the food and beverages available on this part of the island. – Laurence, Quebec, Canada

Hope you are so happy and well!

Here are some fresh Yoga-Inspirations for you to help kickstart the weekend. 🙂

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Quote I’m thinking about:

“In many shamanic societies, if you came to a shaman or medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited or depress, they would ask you one of four questions:
When did you stop dancing?
When did you stop singing?
When did you stop being enchanted by stories?
When did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of silence?”
– Ageles Arrien, from the forward to “Maps to Ecstasy”.

Book I’m Reading now:
the Bhagavad Gita – Introduced and translate by Eknath Easwaran
As I prepare for our upcoming 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, from February 17 – March17, 2019, I am brushing up on the classics: The Bhagavad Gita, “Song of the Lord,” is probably the best known of all the Indian scriptures, and Easwaran’s clear, accessible translation is the best-selling edition. The Gita’s timeless wisdom focuses on the subject of the war within, the struggle for self-mastery that every human being must face. The Gita offers us sublime instruction on living and dying, loving and working, and the nature of the soul.

Sacred Song I’m LOVING to dance to:
Cuando La Luna – Giselle World & Walker Bernard

Podcast with Malaika Darville: Walking the Beauty Way
Episode #21 – Talk – Walking the Beauty Way

Introducing the incredible Malaika Darville – shamaness, ceremonialist, Yogi, musician, community elder, 5-elements Ecstatic Dance facilitator, and DJ. In this episode, Malaika shares:

– the Rise of the Feminine and why we need to balance Shiva & Shakti
– Being in the body, Ecstatic Dance & Community‘s for Healing ourselves and our planet
– Walking the Beauty Way – Emergent Culture and the rise of festival and retreat culture
– the Importance of Ceremony, Ancestors, & Tribe for initiating people and bringing people together to heal
– Indigenous Wisdom – Ho’oponono – conscious relating to bring freedom from the trauma / drama cycle
– Elemental Awakening and the benefits of planting seeds for exploring our shadow as well as our light
– Going with the Flow & why we need to have experiences timelessness for our inner evolution

Video to Inspire Your practice:
Introduction to Sun Salutations with Francie – 6 mins
New to Yoga? Want to refine your alignment. In this video, I help you break down the basic Sun Salutation sequence to help empower you to feel confident to practice at home.

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Have a wonderful weekend & thanks again for being a part of this Pure Flow Yoga Tribe.

We LOVE you!

With Love & Blessings

XOXO

Francie

P.S. Have some thoughts or suggestions? What is your favourite inspiration that I shared with you today? What would you like more or less of? HIT REPLY and please let me know!

P.P.S Sharing is Caring. If you enjoyed this little inspiration, please consider sharing it. We also have an awesome referral program if you know of someone would love and benefit from joining us in paradise.

Hope you are having a beautiful start to the new year!

Today we want to experiment with sharing some bite-size LOVE + INSPIRATION,

and also ask you:

What questions do you have about Yoga? What are you working on in your own practice? What would you like help or guidance with?

We are gonna start doing some facebook or instagram lives in the near future, and our purpose is really to connect with you and share more depth from this vast tradition of Yoga and it’s practices to help you go deeper with what you’re interested in.

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Inspirations from Francie:

Quote I’m thinking about:
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

Book I’m Reading now:
Waking the Tiger, by Peter Levine
Waking the Tiger offers a new and hopeful vision of trauma. It views the human animal as a unique being, endowed with an instinctual capacity. It asks and answers an intriguing question: why are animals in the wild, though threatened routinely, rarely traumatised? By understanding the dynamics that make wild animals virtually immune to traumatic symptoms, the mystery of human trauma is revealed, and through a series of exercises that help us focus on bodily sensations and heightened awareness of these sensations, trauma can be healed.

Song I’m listening to on Repeat:
Cunaq – Raio {Mose Remix}
I love and am fully grateful for how awesome the people in my life are. I totally love and support the art you/they are creating. This medicine song was recorded at the home studio where I live part-time in Bali, from two of my favourite sacred music artists, Raio and Sophie Sofree. Hope it inspires your flow, and that you love it as much as I do!

Blog post to Inspire You:
My top 5 favourite Asanas to do Everyday
A home practice can be as simple as sitting in your mat for 5 minutes and stretching, breathing and witnessing. Ultimately our practice of Yoga is designed to guide us inside, to listen to our inner wisdom and to the body, to be able to feel what feels stuck, tight or tense, and thus what we could benefit the most from next. Try these 5 simple yet awesome poses and their variations with me. Feel free to do these poses anywhere and anytime you have a few moments to open your body/mind!

Today’s Practice on our Pure Flow Yoga Podcast:
Episode #20 – Fall in <3 with where Your are – 90 mins
Recorded live in our jungle shala this morning! You’ll love this flowing, meditative dynamic flow class, where we set our intentions, and allow our practice to be in dedication of the highest good. We explore a creative standing sequence with fallen star, gekko lunge, wild thing and we also play with a fun yet challenging balance sequence including dancer’s pose, levitation pose and more, to bring you to your edge! Please enjoy! And let us know what you think!

You can find more live classes and conversations on our Podcast here as well as on Itunes, Spotify, Google podcasts and More!

News I’m excited to share with You!
Yoga of Music Retreat with Mel Dobra and Francie, July 7 – 13, 2019
So excited to announce this beautiful musical offering: Calling all music lovers, musicians, body shakers, embodiment lovers; Free your Voice, Awaken your Heart and discover your Creative and Expressive Potential. On this retreat you will learn the meaning behind the mantras and sacred songs, and connect to your inner song, as we open your body, heart, mind and voice through daily Yoga, Meditation and Music practices, techniques and tools to explore and express yourself. All levels welcome | Prior music experience unnecessary. EARLY BIRD ON NOW!

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Happy Weekend & Thank you so much for being a part of this community.

We really love YOU and we LOVE staying connected and helping to inspire you!

With Love & Blessings

XOXO

Francie