Day 8 - what a gift this practice has been! In the midst of a very emotionally challenging and chaotic week within our Nation, this practice was a touchstone for me. I am so grateful for the flexibility to do the practices at times that worked best for us and found pre-dawn was an amazing way to start each morning. I am taking so much from this experience and have a journal full of notes I know I will reflect on often. I love the meditations, as they are often the most difficult for me to be still, these were perfect in helping me to slow down and be with my thoughts for just a moment. I feel strong emotional and physically thanks to this experience. I'm looking forward to creating my calendar today as I enter the Monday morning with the mantra: I AM FIERCE.
On the final day of our challenge, I am grateful; grateful for this experience amid a chaotic world, grateful for the ability to refocus my intentions and reconnect with inner most self for a new year, grateful for a community where I feel safe being vulnerable, grateful for the time I dedicated to myself each day, grateful Dani's grounding presence and wisdom, and grateful for the opportunity to grow into the most present, whole, and true version of myself I can be. This challenge was a great way to kick start new habits and get into the practice of setting aside time for myself each day to reflect, move, and find stillness.
i took a leaf from kelley's book and went back to review my i am statements.
i am at peace.
i am listening.
i am inactive.
i am kind.
i am amped.
i am building.
i am transforming.
what a beautiful self study, simply those statements alone! the i am's from the beginning of the week are so content, so an emily sitting in her zone of comfort and fear. but once we got to the upper realms, holy shit, let's gooooo. my heart knows it's time to put myself out there, time to trust that the way has prepared me for where i am going. that when i continue to be true to myself and what sings to my heart, i can do anything, and i am determined to grow.
day 8: This week flew by and I wish we had one more! I went back to each of my posts and wrote out all of my I AM statements from each day (I AM stable, allowed, independent, accepting, listening, envisioning and expanding) I think what I've learned most about myself during this challenge is that there are things I can control (my actions, my choices, my responses, my words (to myself and others), my story) and things I can't control (global events, a pandemic, opinions & reactions of others) But using this practice, and self-study, I can use the things I can control to choose how I allow things outside of my control to impact me. I am accepting of where I am, listening to my emotions and feelings and making independent decisions based on how I envision my expanded life in the future. I'm so appreciative of all of the readings, the asanas and the meditation, and the forum, which has been my journal this week.
On day 8: I AM Continuing. Continuing to do this work, this studying, developing better understanding and continuing to go deeper inwards.
day 7: I am Expanding! I'm growing, I'm learning, I'm changing, and I am capable of designing the life I choose. This week has been challenging and rewarding and invigorating, and I want to continue to incorporate the lessons of this week into my practice throughout the year and continue to do this inner work that always brings me a sense of accountability and purpose. I'm so thankful for the lessons, the readings, the movement and Thank You Dani for designing this week in such a beautiful, thoughtful and organized way!!
Today I am grateful. I’m so grateful for the time and ability to participate in this 8 day challenge. The readings, meditations, and daily practice helped me connect to all the things in my life that I’m thankful for, and reaffirmed my belief that I am the architect of my life. I know that having the ability to get on my mat and move my body every day is a tremendous gift and this week helped me tune in to and celebrate all of the gifts in my life that make it possible for me to do so. I’m grateful for knowing you Dani and for all the incredible opportunities you‘ve brought into my life. I’m looking forward to getting on my mat with you again soon. Namaste 🙏
my mantra for day 7 is I am learning. I identified with the quote from the readings - "Things you resist and don’t like are doorways to a deeper understanding of yourself; use everything. Learn to live at your edge where the most creativity and growth is available." At times in the past when moments or situations have been uncomfortable I have found it easier just to avoid them, but I am learning to see these moments as opportunities for growth and expansion. I am learning to allow myself to embrace that discomfort and identifying why I feel that way and how I can move through those feelings to learn more about myself.
my mantra for today: i am transforming and i am limitless.
today i really allowed myself to witness. to see how i've been transformed by the inquiry and action of this week. to see how i respond vs how i want to respond. to see what i say yes to vs what i want to say yes to.
i will continue working on the language to say no to things that don't speak true to my heart. to claim what i love wholeheartedly, and not just do the things i feel i "should" be doing.
i am here now. claiming myself as i am, and who i want to be.
Day 7 - I have been so very grateful for this community this week. Today I loved the daily reading, especially the succinct definition of Spirituality as the "willingness to fully participate in, take in, take responsibility, and fall in love with your own life" and how life's task is to "fulfill a mission ingrained in the soul." These words touched me deeply as I have been working to take in (align) the events of the past week, year...years. I have learned so much along the way from some tremendous teachers. Both the positive and the negative mentors in my life have helped to bring me to this exact moment and I am more open than I have ever been. I will continue to trust this process and trust my heart. My journey is not in vain, it's purpose is to lead me to love.
My mantra: today: I am right where I am meant to be.
I am a little behind and worked my way through the readings for Day 5 this morning. I've been spending the last couple of weeks thinking about how I often get in my own way with self doubt. Rather than figuring out how to "fix" this I'm working on listening to my inner dialogue, identifying my feelings, a noticing patterns in the way I speak to myself. I'm learning that consciousness is helping me be more compassionate and kind to myself :)
Having not seen your note Dani about today‘s yoga practice not being available until later in the morning, I woke up relatively early (for a Saturday) to be on my mat by 8:30. I was surprised to find that there wasn’t a yoga video and assumed there was no yoga planned for the day. I put my iPad away, turned off my phone, and used the time to do some things for myself, feeling grateful for the “extra” time in my day. Once I got back to my phone and checked my email I was surprised and again grateful to know that there is a flow waiting for me. I’m not sure when I’ll get to it now, but I know it’s there for me. So today my mantra is I am ready, whether for unexpected events, planned events, or nothing at all. I am ready 🙏
"let's be mindful that when we envision ourselves in one specific way we limit what might be possible and are met with disappointment..."
this line struck a chord in me. after working for almost 7 years tied to a work permit (working for other people) i am finally free to be my own boss and am trying to navigate what that looks like for me and for my community. i've noticed this week though that i am still stuck in old patterns and old ways of working that serve others and not what sings true to my heart. my intuition has been calling me, but i haven't been listening. that ends now--i'm listening.
today's mantra was i am building (which feels similar to architect, but i'll take it). building myself, building my vision, building my business. building the vision of who i want to be. the vision doesn't necessarily look far from where i am...but its starting to feel more authentic.
My mantra today was I am patient. The mediation today was just what I needed. After an especially challenging and disheartening week, it really helped bring me back to the larger picture. When imagining my ideal day I was surprised to find it wasn't some elaborate trip or far off destination, but it was centered around spending time outside with beautiful weather and being able to see my friends in person and give them a huge hug. It reminded me that if I change my way of thinking about things, my current reality isn't too far off from my ideal day. I just need to remind myself to find joy in the small moments and remember that nothing lasts forever. I am safe and have everything I need in this moment and for that I am grateful.
Such a powerful insight! When we're stuck in seeing things how they are out of habit, we miss the other perspectives that are so readily available. I love that you came to this. So so beautiful
Day 6: Architect. First-- I loved that meditation!! I usually find it difficult to articulate or even imagine what I want my life to look like a year from now, but that mediation of imagining the simple things, the colors, my surroundings, made it feel much easier to think about and feel. What I came to realize during the meditation is that my ideal day is just being happy with myself. Feeling close to family and friends, feeling loved in a stable and happy relationship, and feeling fulfilled in a job. I feel like I have the all of the building blocks I need to design this ideal day (which isn't something I felt like I had one year ago), and its up to me to continue to design this ideal day for myself, but I need to continue to come back to this practice of observing how I describe myself and my story and continuing to design the story exactly how I want myself and others to see it. Today I am Envisioning. Envisioning my ideal day and knowing that it is possible by choosing what to see and learn in each situation.
Beautiful Mantra! I love how the simple aspects of meditation were able to help you access a clearer vision. You have constructed your life so beautifully Kelley. I hope you take the time to look around and really see what amazing things YOU have created for yourself.
Day 6 I am so grateful for that mediation! As I envisioned one year from now my ideal day was exactly where I am at this moment. I couldn't believe it! It was not some exotic vacation, my future goal is to be in this exact home (which by then I am owning, not renting), watching my boys running out back with their best friends as I am right now. I clearly saw the view of the harbor, the boats on still (ideally clean, swimable) water as I toast a fabulous glass of champagne with the love of my life as we begin to prepare an amazing dinner for our dear friends on their way over in this COVID-free, peaceful year on the 8th day of January 2022. *sigh*
My mantra today: I am the architect of my own destiny.
Good morning ladies! The universe had different plans for me today as I tried to film your final flow that drops at midnight tonight. Due to some very distracting and noisy construction that was happening right outside of my filming location, I will have to try filming again tomorrow AM. Meaning, the flow will not be posted in Thinkific until 9 am tomorrow morning EST.
Tomorrow is the last flow and meditation for the week, & the practice will be RESTORATIVE!
Sunday, you will receive a reading, & only be asked to share everything you've learned over the course of the week.
Have a great day and let me know if you have any questions!!
Today my mantra is I am in control. I really connected with today’s reading and theme because I use visualization to guide my life all the time. I’m a visual learner and use things lists and imagery to organize and guide my actions. Through these practices I’ve learned that I am in control of my life and my path and I can use visualization to get me where I want to go (except a handstand 😂).
When I read the line "how do you articulate the inner most you?" I immediately felt it described exactly what I have been feeling the past few months but haven't put into words. I've had a lot more down time this past year (like most people) and it has allowed me to reflect on what I invest my time in and if those things truly bring me joy. I have been exploring what new things I could bring into my life that would help me align with my true inner self. The beauty of all this alone time is having the space to explore these questions and to reflect on how to move forward as a stronger and more loving version of myself.
today i feel inspired and amplified after yesterday's practice and reflections, and am working today to articulate what i want and how to get it! i am asking the question "how do i share my authenticity with the world in a true and honest way?" i've noticed i've been trying to advance my career by saying yes to every opportunity that comes my way, even if it doesn't align to my values. i've allowed myself to be fit into molds that serve other people rather than myself, and i'm over it! working to amplify and articulate what sings true to me.
i am enough. i am open + strong. i am listening. i am trusting. i am not rushing. i am moving one step at a time. i am clearing.
Day 5 -"How do I want to show up for what is going on?" A question I returned to repeatedly today as I spoke with my children about the devastation at our Nation's Capitol yesterday; as I spoke with my colleagues within the Federal government; and I sat with a deep sorrowful ache within myself. This practice was a lifeline to me in the early morning hours - when I would have otherwise spiraled in thoughts - it helped me to re-center and focus. I'm still processing much, but today my mantra is I AM HOPEFUL FOR CHANGE
Day 5: I am listening. There is a lot happening this first week of the new year and I know I need to set aside some time to listen and respond to all of the moving pieces. This week I am enjoying skiing and this yoga challenge in the mountains of Spain, but I can already feel myself pushing aside other feelings of stress related to starting a new job next week, hesitance to reach out to friends and family at home about the terrible situation in the US, and uncertainty still about how covid regulations and restrictions will impact the next few weeks/months/year. I can very easily tell myself, "ok this is all stuff I can deal with later", but I know it will build up and eventually come crashing down quickly if I don't stop to listen and feel each of these emotions as they arise. So today, I'm listening to and acknowledging that these feelings are real, and I don't have to wait for a perfect moment to process them, I can listen, acknowledge and just become more aware.
I decided to take today’s theme and reading literally with the mantra I am listening. And in order to really focus on listening I completed today’s yoga practice with my eyes closed, so I could truly tune in to myself without being distracted by the things around me. During the first eagle pose, I found myself saying how hard it is to do a balance pose with my eyes closed and of course I then fell right out of it. On the next round I told myself I am strong and I can do this, and while I imagine it wasn’t my prettiest eagle, I was able to get into and hold it without falling. A very powerful lesson!
I have been working really hard to build rituals, routine, and structure into my days to weather the pandemic. I had a plan set for yesterday afternoon (including the reading and practice for day 4), but ended up glued to the tv watching the events at the capital unfold. I woke up this morning exhausted, wishing I had spent less time worrying and more time reflecting. When I got around to yesterday's reading this morning I was reminded to love myself and practice self compassion. These are unprecedented times and giving myself permission to take in what is going on and feel the weight of it even if that means a disruption to the routine I've build for myself is a form of self love.
That's the beauty of our lessons. Everything is always leading us towards love. It's all practice. Experience and practice. What a beautiful reminder <3
The line "when we tell ourselves that we are worthy of love, we become open to receiving it, available to giving it, and remember that we are it" spoke to me today. There are things from the past I have been holding on to and carrying with me year to year. I am realizing part of the reason why I haven't let them go is because I have not forgiven myself and shown myself the compassion and love I would have shown a friend going through a tough time. The past is the past and in order to move forward I need to accept each step for what it was and focus on fulfilling my desire to feel love through my own actions before looking for it externally.
i didn't sleep well last night, so today's mantra was reminding myself to be kind and compassionate with myself and my thoughts today. "how would love respond?" became a constant question! and i made it through, as we always do, but a little more gently than i would have without this reminder.
today's theme also helped me put into words the question that's been on my heart the last few weeks: how do i want to amplify what is true to my heart and my being? i feel encouraged to move forward and find out!
i wrote a short love letter to my best friends. i am grateful for my people. grateful for movement. grateful for safety. grateful for love.
Day 4: my mantra for today is I am accepting! Accepting and celebrating what is and not trying to change it or consider the what ifs. I struggled with some big changes last year and I catch myself often focusing on the negative (what could have been different, should I have made other decisions, would I be happier if I choose a different path) I am going to focus today on accepting where I am and knowing that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. This quote from the reading really stuck with me today "Let the past be in the past and forgive the fact that it couldn't have been any different than it was"
I absolutely love reading through your daily learnings and mantras. Seeing the way you each interpret the intention for the day is beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for your continuous commitment! You're really at the halfway mark today. Keep going!
Today my mantra is I am present. I woke up feeling unmotivated to get on my mat and was distracted during most of the practice today. As a result, I was not giving much love to my heart center until the beginning of the second side of the last round where I told myself to just be present, and I finally was.. It was really a powerful lesson in forgiveness and self love in such a seemingly small way.
Day 4 As in the past three days, today's practice was exactly what I needed...I've been struggling in a relationship and realize that my responses have all been lead by my head and not my heart. I'm trying to "fix" it instead of just being in it and appreciating all the lessons I have learned and all that I'm learning right now. I love the question in the daily reading, "What if we were to see everyone in the world through the eyes of their desire to be loved?" I also loved Dani's quote in practice "acceptance is the love medicine."
Today, there is nothing to fix, I just need to remember. Today, I forgive myself. I am connected to Divine guidance. I am unlimited.
After completing the readings today I settled on my mantra of "I am enough". I thought of all the people, activities, and things that I give my time and power to and analyzed if these things bring me joy and happiness, or if I am doing it out of obligation or guilt. I have the tendency to overextend myself sometimes, which leaves minimal time for me to give myself at the end of the day. I have been feeling more tired than normal this week as a result of many factors. Although this would normally stress me out and leave me feeling unproductive, I am allowing myself the time and space to slow down and relax without pressuring myself to do more. I am listening to my body and reminding myself I am enough even on the days when I need to take a break and focus on me.
Today I was struck by the question "who or what are we giving our power away to?" and contemplated what it would look like if I owned and internalized my power rather than giving it to things that no longer serve me. I am choosing to "reclaim and chose my power" and internalize that "my level of enoughness is measure by me" and not external factors.
first of all, that danielle doby poem is one of my absolute faves! ugh i cannot tell you how much i love it, how much it ALWAYS speaks to me. i know it by heart, so it was cool to remind myself of it and our mantra to activate throughout the day.
my mantra for today is I AM INACTIVE, because inaction is action too! I ended up having a few cancellations in my schedule, and used the time to putz around the house, put things back together post christmas, and feel at home in my space. so productive through being relaxed and not busy...it was so nourishing.
Day 3: My manta for today is I am independent! I have the power to make my own choices and take action to be the best version of myself. I always tend towards people pleasing and often turn to others to help me make tough choices. For me to continue to move forward and to grow I really want to focus in on my inner power and trust myself more with important decisions and actions.
Day 3: My mantra today is I am calm. I focused on letting go of the tightness in my body during the meditation, it takes a lot of work for me to relax my face and my shoulders. It was fitting that I did todays readings and meditation directly following finally turning in my application for PPP Forgiveness. My anxiety over the forgiveness application and making sure I had calculated everything properly and wasn’t missing anything has been at an all time high and I avoided it for so long and kept skipping my plans to sit down and complete it. As soon as I hit complete I felt a sense of relief from this year and a sense of calm that I want to hold onto.
The quote from the readings “Life offers us the greatest gift of continuous evolution” really hit me today as an amazing concept and one that I need to remember as I move into this new year. I want to make a conscious effort to evolve and to do things that my fear of failure has kept me from exploring.
I shouldn’t be surprised that today’s reading was so relevant to my day, because I’ve learned from Dani to be open to the signs that are all around us. My calendar is completely open today (aside from yoga and meditation) so the message about being productive without worrying about productivity is spot on for me. Today I am challenging myself to be open and to embrace the openness of an unscheduled day. I also challenged myself to be more present during meditation which is still a work in progress! My mantra for today is I am open.
Day Three - Today's practice was so powerful! While it was a physically challenging series, what was more difficult for me was pushing myself just to my edge and no further. Paying close attention to the wisdom of the daily reading that sometimes action can be inaction is one of my greatest challenges. I realize I do not always have to push myself to the extreme, to muscle through it, or to exhaust myself in the "doing". My mantra: today I am a peace.
I really resonated with the quote "this is a being practice, not a doing practice." I think I often tell myself that if I am productive enough or achieve enough I will feel at peace and at home with myself. I want to continue to work on "building safety and a home within myself" rather than trying to muscle to changing things that are out of my control to achieve a sense of calm.
The reading today resonated with me, especially the part that discussed acknowledging feelings that come up but then sitting with them and being present without needing to change them. I often get caught up in the moment and tend to immediately react to my feelings - either by finding a way to "fix" them if they are something I perceive as negative, or hyper-focusing on them if they are positive in an attempt to make that feeling lasting longer. Instead of judging my feelings and reacting, I can sit with the temporary uncomfortableness that may come up and let myself just be. The line "you are not what you feel" was very freeing and is something I will remind myself of often.
It is so fitting that the first line in today’s reading spoke of feeling pleasure, joy, and guilt, because I have been feeling all of those things all day. Today I was fortunate enough to get the COVID vaccine and while I am full of joy for so many reasons, I also feel guilt that I was able to get it while others who “deserve it” more than me have not gotten it yet. Those feelings informed my mantra for today which is “I am grateful.” I am so grateful to have gotten my first dose of the vaccine and for the possibility that it holds for me, the people I love, and for the world. I am grateful to have come home and moved my body through today’s flow and to have worked on quieting my mind for meditation (I know you’re talking to me Dani when you say “you might want to get up and walk away” 😉. I’m grateful for the practice of yoga and the time and space to tune into my body and my mind.
listening to my body and to my inner-most desires. noticing how they come to rise in the physical, and then doing further inquiry to WHY these sensations might be happening. i feel like i tend to skip the WHY and just acknowledge the feelings and move on.
after claiming this mantra this morning, i ended up listening to a podcast and the speaker said "the quality of your day isn't what you THINK about the day, but about how you FEEL about the day" and i loved that! really taking the time to think about how certain things may seem like good in thought or at face value, but aren't making me feel good in my body and heart.
Day Two: My mantra for today (it feels like a bit of a cop out, but... ) I am Allowed. I set a lot of goals for this week, first week of the new year, last week before I start a brand new job, a week of firsts and lasts. I had big plans to fully focus on getting back on track with my diet (I told myself no wine, no dairy, no bread) and exercise (yoga everyday, get back into a running routine), but I had a last minute opportunity to go skiing for the week and I'm allowing myself to enjoy it and cherish it (with wine, cheese and bread) and enjoy the present moment while I can, because I don't know when I'll have the next opportunity to take a week off to ski. It's not what I originally intended in terms of diet and exercise, but I enjoy the sport, I'm enjoying the movement and fresh air, enjoying my company and time out of the office and I fully intend to continue with my commitment to this yoga challenge (brought my mat to the mountain and woke up at 6am to complete the asana before we got in the car). So even when things do not go as planned, I can allow myself to go with the flow, accept, enjoy and adapt my plans without guilt.
Day Two: Daily practice: My mantra today is to strive for balance. I have gotten out of balance lately and that has led to feelings of guilt. Specifically mom guilt; for running errands and not spending enough time with my daughter, work guilt; from spending more time with my daughter and less focus and time on work and self gulit; for missing workouts or ignoring my body when it comes to eating. A lot about my schedule has changed in this last year and I think I have resisted and fought it instead of allowing myself to lean into it and find balance in a new way. I think I will be a better version of myself for my husband, daughter and me if I can allow myself to be more flexible and not carry so much guilt or anger when something falls out of place in the structure that I am used to. Thinking about what I need versus what I want is a starting point for my efforts to re-balance that I will be working on this week and this entire year.
Day Two: Daily Practice. The quote in today’s reading moved me: “The feeling of desire is the soul’s longing to move forward”. It reminded me of a passage from a book I’m currently reading based on the poem “The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer: “There is no preparation for the fierceness of the ache of longing. It is the voice of the parts of myself I have left behind in the deals I have tried to make with life, trying to trade dreams for safety.” If you haven’t read it, this poem is one of my absolute favorites http://www.oriahmountaindreamer.com/
My mantra today is that I will let me senses guide me and trust my inner voice.
I wish I had started this yesterday as planned but life happens and I got behind. The message of anchor hit home for me because I have been feeling rushed and like I am constantly playing catch up instead of being anchored in the present a lot lately. I choose to practice slowing down and focusing on each moment. Unknowingly I did accomplish the assignments for yesterday as I spent the afternoon decluttering from the holidays and prepping food and laundry for the upcoming week. I felt accomplished and ready for a fresh start when these tasks were complete. I am looking forward to continuing this practice, on the right days! Thanks Dani!
I loved this passage from the Daily Practice and turned it into a powerful "I statement" for my daily mantra: "With the wisdom of experience at hand, I know I could not have gotten where I am without every movement I have ever made." Thank you, Dani, you are a gift!
This year I want to strengthen my practice of letting go of fear and anxiety surrounding the future/the unknown. This is something I have always struggled with, but recently it has been showing up in my life more than ever before. Today presented me with a few situations that led to feelings of stress and anxiety, but focusing on being present and taking steps to ground myself helped me feel safe and at peace.
I've been struggling with anxiety at work and today's practice was a needed reminder that I have all the tools necessary to overcome challenging/uncomfortable situations by coming home to by body and breath.
I worked on decluttering a closet and basement and found some items to incorporate into my yoga space/altar to remind me of why I practice and what my purpose is.
anchor was such a welcomed theme for today! i woke up feeling unwell and had a busy day ahead--reminding myself to ground in and focus on presence was how i got through my morning, and it was so beautiful to find this reading and theme later in the day when i logged on for the challenge. i spent a lot of time this afternoon getting grounded for my week ahead by tidying the house and meal prepping.
my mantra for the day was I AM AT PEACE--no stress can touch me.
For this first day, I embraced the anchor theme with the message to myself that I am grounded. Throughout the day I was conscious of and grateful for the knowledge that the ground is beneath my feet to keep me steady and safe even when things feel anything but that. This mantra was extra useful during the yoga practice when the mic dropped out towards the end of the final round while I was facing away from my screen. I could see and I could barely hear, but I focused on being present and grounded to get through to the final tadasana. Thank you Dani for the inspiration and the beautiful flow and meditation. I’m looking forward to these 8 days 🙏
Hi! I'm joining the challenge from Barcelona, so won't be able to join the live sessions, but I'm really excited to take on this challenge. The asana class today kicked my butt and was exactly what I'd hoped for.
My mantra for the day is I AM stable.
I resonated with the reading and activity for today because while I was home for the holidays I cleaned out all of my clothes that I've left at my parents house, from high school, college, and in between moves. I was able to donate 3 large bags of clothes to the Salvation Army and when I returned to Spain, I left my packed bags hidden under my bed for 3 days. So today after reading, I finally unpacked, decluttered my space and felt much more zen and accomplished.
Day 8 - what a gift this practice has been! In the midst of a very emotionally challenging and chaotic week within our Nation, this practice was a touchstone for me. I am so grateful for the flexibility to do the practices at times that worked best for us and found pre-dawn was an amazing way to start each morning. I am taking so much from this experience and have a journal full of notes I know I will reflect on often. I love the meditations, as they are often the most difficult for me to be still, these were perfect in helping me to slow down and be with my thoughts for just a moment. I feel strong emotional and physically thanks to this experience. I'm looking forward to creating my calendar today as I enter the Monday morning with the mantra: I AM FIERCE.
On the final day of our challenge, I am grateful; grateful for this experience amid a chaotic world, grateful for the ability to refocus my intentions and reconnect with inner most self for a new year, grateful for a community where I feel safe being vulnerable, grateful for the time I dedicated to myself each day, grateful Dani's grounding presence and wisdom, and grateful for the opportunity to grow into the most present, whole, and true version of myself I can be. This challenge was a great way to kick start new habits and get into the practice of setting aside time for myself each day to reflect, move, and find stillness.
i took a leaf from kelley's book and went back to review my i am statements.
i am at peace.
i am listening.
i am inactive.
i am kind.
i am amped.
i am building.
i am transforming.
what a beautiful self study, simply those statements alone! the i am's from the beginning of the week are so content, so an emily sitting in her zone of comfort and fear. but once we got to the upper realms, holy shit, let's gooooo. my heart knows it's time to put myself out there, time to trust that the way has prepared me for where i am going. that when i continue to be true to myself and what sings to my heart, i can do anything, and i am determined to grow.
on day 8: i am limitless.
day 8: This week flew by and I wish we had one more! I went back to each of my posts and wrote out all of my I AM statements from each day (I AM stable, allowed, independent, accepting, listening, envisioning and expanding) I think what I've learned most about myself during this challenge is that there are things I can control (my actions, my choices, my responses, my words (to myself and others), my story) and things I can't control (global events, a pandemic, opinions & reactions of others) But using this practice, and self-study, I can use the things I can control to choose how I allow things outside of my control to impact me. I am accepting of where I am, listening to my emotions and feelings and making independent decisions based on how I envision my expanded life in the future. I'm so appreciative of all of the readings, the asanas and the meditation, and the forum, which has been my journal this week.
On day 8: I AM Continuing. Continuing to do this work, this studying, developing better understanding and continuing to go deeper inwards.
day 7: I am Expanding! I'm growing, I'm learning, I'm changing, and I am capable of designing the life I choose. This week has been challenging and rewarding and invigorating, and I want to continue to incorporate the lessons of this week into my practice throughout the year and continue to do this inner work that always brings me a sense of accountability and purpose. I'm so thankful for the lessons, the readings, the movement and Thank You Dani for designing this week in such a beautiful, thoughtful and organized way!!
Today I am grateful. I’m so grateful for the time and ability to participate in this 8 day challenge. The readings, meditations, and daily practice helped me connect to all the things in my life that I’m thankful for, and reaffirmed my belief that I am the architect of my life. I know that having the ability to get on my mat and move my body every day is a tremendous gift and this week helped me tune in to and celebrate all of the gifts in my life that make it possible for me to do so. I’m grateful for knowing you Dani and for all the incredible opportunities you‘ve brought into my life. I’m looking forward to getting on my mat with you again soon. Namaste 🙏
my mantra for day 7 is I am learning. I identified with the quote from the readings - "Things you resist and don’t like are doorways to a deeper understanding of yourself; use everything. Learn to live at your edge where the most creativity and growth is available." At times in the past when moments or situations have been uncomfortable I have found it easier just to avoid them, but I am learning to see these moments as opportunities for growth and expansion. I am learning to allow myself to embrace that discomfort and identifying why I feel that way and how I can move through those feelings to learn more about myself.
my mantra for today: i am transforming and i am limitless.
today i really allowed myself to witness. to see how i've been transformed by the inquiry and action of this week. to see how i respond vs how i want to respond. to see what i say yes to vs what i want to say yes to.
i will continue working on the language to say no to things that don't speak true to my heart. to claim what i love wholeheartedly, and not just do the things i feel i "should" be doing.
i am here now. claiming myself as i am, and who i want to be.
accepting and evolving, one day at a time.
Day 7 - I have been so very grateful for this community this week. Today I loved the daily reading, especially the succinct definition of Spirituality as the "willingness to fully participate in, take in, take responsibility, and fall in love with your own life" and how life's task is to "fulfill a mission ingrained in the soul." These words touched me deeply as I have been working to take in (align) the events of the past week, year...years. I have learned so much along the way from some tremendous teachers. Both the positive and the negative mentors in my life have helped to bring me to this exact moment and I am more open than I have ever been. I will continue to trust this process and trust my heart. My journey is not in vain, it's purpose is to lead me to love.
My mantra: today: I am right where I am meant to be.
My mantra for today is I am listening.
I am a little behind and worked my way through the readings for Day 5 this morning. I've been spending the last couple of weeks thinking about how I often get in my own way with self doubt. Rather than figuring out how to "fix" this I'm working on listening to my inner dialogue, identifying my feelings, a noticing patterns in the way I speak to myself. I'm learning that consciousness is helping me be more compassionate and kind to myself :)
Having not seen your note Dani about today‘s yoga practice not being available until later in the morning, I woke up relatively early (for a Saturday) to be on my mat by 8:30. I was surprised to find that there wasn’t a yoga video and assumed there was no yoga planned for the day. I put my iPad away, turned off my phone, and used the time to do some things for myself, feeling grateful for the “extra” time in my day. Once I got back to my phone and checked my email I was surprised and again grateful to know that there is a flow waiting for me. I’m not sure when I’ll get to it now, but I know it’s there for me. So today my mantra is I am ready, whether for unexpected events, planned events, or nothing at all. I am ready 🙏
"let's be mindful that when we envision ourselves in one specific way we limit what might be possible and are met with disappointment..."
this line struck a chord in me. after working for almost 7 years tied to a work permit (working for other people) i am finally free to be my own boss and am trying to navigate what that looks like for me and for my community. i've noticed this week though that i am still stuck in old patterns and old ways of working that serve others and not what sings true to my heart. my intuition has been calling me, but i haven't been listening. that ends now--i'm listening.
today's mantra was i am building (which feels similar to architect, but i'll take it). building myself, building my vision, building my business. building the vision of who i want to be. the vision doesn't necessarily look far from where i am...but its starting to feel more authentic.
My mantra today was I am patient. The mediation today was just what I needed. After an especially challenging and disheartening week, it really helped bring me back to the larger picture. When imagining my ideal day I was surprised to find it wasn't some elaborate trip or far off destination, but it was centered around spending time outside with beautiful weather and being able to see my friends in person and give them a huge hug. It reminded me that if I change my way of thinking about things, my current reality isn't too far off from my ideal day. I just need to remind myself to find joy in the small moments and remember that nothing lasts forever. I am safe and have everything I need in this moment and for that I am grateful.
Day 6: Architect. First-- I loved that meditation!! I usually find it difficult to articulate or even imagine what I want my life to look like a year from now, but that mediation of imagining the simple things, the colors, my surroundings, made it feel much easier to think about and feel. What I came to realize during the meditation is that my ideal day is just being happy with myself. Feeling close to family and friends, feeling loved in a stable and happy relationship, and feeling fulfilled in a job. I feel like I have the all of the building blocks I need to design this ideal day (which isn't something I felt like I had one year ago), and its up to me to continue to design this ideal day for myself, but I need to continue to come back to this practice of observing how I describe myself and my story and continuing to design the story exactly how I want myself and others to see it. Today I am Envisioning. Envisioning my ideal day and knowing that it is possible by choosing what to see and learn in each situation.
Day 6 I am so grateful for that mediation! As I envisioned one year from now my ideal day was exactly where I am at this moment. I couldn't believe it! It was not some exotic vacation, my future goal is to be in this exact home (which by then I am owning, not renting), watching my boys running out back with their best friends as I am right now. I clearly saw the view of the harbor, the boats on still (ideally clean, swimable) water as I toast a fabulous glass of champagne with the love of my life as we begin to prepare an amazing dinner for our dear friends on their way over in this COVID-free, peaceful year on the 8th day of January 2022. *sigh*
My mantra today: I am the architect of my own destiny.
Good morning ladies! The universe had different plans for me today as I tried to film your final flow that drops at midnight tonight. Due to some very distracting and noisy construction that was happening right outside of my filming location, I will have to try filming again tomorrow AM. Meaning, the flow will not be posted in Thinkific until 9 am tomorrow morning EST.
Tomorrow is the last flow and meditation for the week, & the practice will be RESTORATIVE!
Sunday, you will receive a reading, & only be asked to share everything you've learned over the course of the week.
Have a great day and let me know if you have any questions!!
Dani
Today my mantra is I am in control. I really connected with today’s reading and theme because I use visualization to guide my life all the time. I’m a visual learner and use things lists and imagery to organize and guide my actions. Through these practices I’ve learned that I am in control of my life and my path and I can use visualization to get me where I want to go (except a handstand 😂).
I am curious.
When I read the line "how do you articulate the inner most you?" I immediately felt it described exactly what I have been feeling the past few months but haven't put into words. I've had a lot more down time this past year (like most people) and it has allowed me to reflect on what I invest my time in and if those things truly bring me joy. I have been exploring what new things I could bring into my life that would help me align with my true inner self. The beauty of all this alone time is having the space to explore these questions and to reflect on how to move forward as a stronger and more loving version of myself.
i am amped.
today i feel inspired and amplified after yesterday's practice and reflections, and am working today to articulate what i want and how to get it! i am asking the question "how do i share my authenticity with the world in a true and honest way?" i've noticed i've been trying to advance my career by saying yes to every opportunity that comes my way, even if it doesn't align to my values. i've allowed myself to be fit into molds that serve other people rather than myself, and i'm over it! working to amplify and articulate what sings true to me.
i am enough. i am open + strong. i am listening. i am trusting. i am not rushing. i am moving one step at a time. i am clearing.
Day 5 -"How do I want to show up for what is going on?" A question I returned to repeatedly today as I spoke with my children about the devastation at our Nation's Capitol yesterday; as I spoke with my colleagues within the Federal government; and I sat with a deep sorrowful ache within myself. This practice was a lifeline to me in the early morning hours - when I would have otherwise spiraled in thoughts - it helped me to re-center and focus. I'm still processing much, but today my mantra is I AM HOPEFUL FOR CHANGE
Day 5: I am listening. There is a lot happening this first week of the new year and I know I need to set aside some time to listen and respond to all of the moving pieces. This week I am enjoying skiing and this yoga challenge in the mountains of Spain, but I can already feel myself pushing aside other feelings of stress related to starting a new job next week, hesitance to reach out to friends and family at home about the terrible situation in the US, and uncertainty still about how covid regulations and restrictions will impact the next few weeks/months/year. I can very easily tell myself, "ok this is all stuff I can deal with later", but I know it will build up and eventually come crashing down quickly if I don't stop to listen and feel each of these emotions as they arise. So today, I'm listening to and acknowledging that these feelings are real, and I don't have to wait for a perfect moment to process them, I can listen, acknowledge and just become more aware.
I decided to take today’s theme and reading literally with the mantra I am listening. And in order to really focus on listening I completed today’s yoga practice with my eyes closed, so I could truly tune in to myself without being distracted by the things around me. During the first eagle pose, I found myself saying how hard it is to do a balance pose with my eyes closed and of course I then fell right out of it. On the next round I told myself I am strong and I can do this, and while I imagine it wasn’t my prettiest eagle, I was able to get into and hold it without falling. A very powerful lesson!
Day 4: I am worthy.
I have been working really hard to build rituals, routine, and structure into my days to weather the pandemic. I had a plan set for yesterday afternoon (including the reading and practice for day 4), but ended up glued to the tv watching the events at the capital unfold. I woke up this morning exhausted, wishing I had spent less time worrying and more time reflecting. When I got around to yesterday's reading this morning I was reminded to love myself and practice self compassion. These are unprecedented times and giving myself permission to take in what is going on and feel the weight of it even if that means a disruption to the routine I've build for myself is a form of self love.
My mantra today was I am forgivable.
The line "when we tell ourselves that we are worthy of love, we become open to receiving it, available to giving it, and remember that we are it" spoke to me today. There are things from the past I have been holding on to and carrying with me year to year. I am realizing part of the reason why I haven't let them go is because I have not forgiven myself and shown myself the compassion and love I would have shown a friend going through a tough time. The past is the past and in order to move forward I need to accept each step for what it was and focus on fulfilling my desire to feel love through my own actions before looking for it externally.
i am kind.
i didn't sleep well last night, so today's mantra was reminding myself to be kind and compassionate with myself and my thoughts today. "how would love respond?" became a constant question! and i made it through, as we always do, but a little more gently than i would have without this reminder.
today's theme also helped me put into words the question that's been on my heart the last few weeks: how do i want to amplify what is true to my heart and my being? i feel encouraged to move forward and find out!
i wrote a short love letter to my best friends. i am grateful for my people. grateful for movement. grateful for safety. grateful for love.
Day 4: my mantra for today is I am accepting! Accepting and celebrating what is and not trying to change it or consider the what ifs. I struggled with some big changes last year and I catch myself often focusing on the negative (what could have been different, should I have made other decisions, would I be happier if I choose a different path) I am going to focus today on accepting where I am and knowing that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. This quote from the reading really stuck with me today "Let the past be in the past and forgive the fact that it couldn't have been any different than it was"
Hi Ladies!
I absolutely love reading through your daily learnings and mantras. Seeing the way you each interpret the intention for the day is beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for your continuous commitment! You're really at the halfway mark today. Keep going!
Today my mantra is I am present. I woke up feeling unmotivated to get on my mat and was distracted during most of the practice today. As a result, I was not giving much love to my heart center until the beginning of the second side of the last round where I told myself to just be present, and I finally was.. It was really a powerful lesson in forgiveness and self love in such a seemingly small way.
Day 4 As in the past three days, today's practice was exactly what I needed...I've been struggling in a relationship and realize that my responses have all been lead by my head and not my heart. I'm trying to "fix" it instead of just being in it and appreciating all the lessons I have learned and all that I'm learning right now. I love the question in the daily reading, "What if we were to see everyone in the world through the eyes of their desire to be loved?" I also loved Dani's quote in practice "acceptance is the love medicine."
Today, there is nothing to fix, I just need to remember. Today, I forgive myself. I am connected to Divine guidance. I am unlimited.
After completing the readings today I settled on my mantra of "I am enough". I thought of all the people, activities, and things that I give my time and power to and analyzed if these things bring me joy and happiness, or if I am doing it out of obligation or guilt. I have the tendency to overextend myself sometimes, which leaves minimal time for me to give myself at the end of the day. I have been feeling more tired than normal this week as a result of many factors. Although this would normally stress me out and leave me feeling unproductive, I am allowing myself the time and space to slow down and relax without pressuring myself to do more. I am listening to my body and reminding myself I am enough even on the days when I need to take a break and focus on me.
Day 3: My Mantra for today is I am powerful.
Today I was struck by the question "who or what are we giving our power away to?" and contemplated what it would look like if I owned and internalized my power rather than giving it to things that no longer serve me. I am choosing to "reclaim and chose my power" and internalize that "my level of enoughness is measure by me" and not external factors.
first of all, that danielle doby poem is one of my absolute faves! ugh i cannot tell you how much i love it, how much it ALWAYS speaks to me. i know it by heart, so it was cool to remind myself of it and our mantra to activate throughout the day.
my mantra for today is I AM INACTIVE, because inaction is action too! I ended up having a few cancellations in my schedule, and used the time to putz around the house, put things back together post christmas, and feel at home in my space. so productive through being relaxed and not busy...it was so nourishing.
Day 3: My manta for today is I am independent! I have the power to make my own choices and take action to be the best version of myself. I always tend towards people pleasing and often turn to others to help me make tough choices. For me to continue to move forward and to grow I really want to focus in on my inner power and trust myself more with important decisions and actions.
Day 3: My mantra today is I am calm. I focused on letting go of the tightness in my body during the meditation, it takes a lot of work for me to relax my face and my shoulders. It was fitting that I did todays readings and meditation directly following finally turning in my application for PPP Forgiveness. My anxiety over the forgiveness application and making sure I had calculated everything properly and wasn’t missing anything has been at an all time high and I avoided it for so long and kept skipping my plans to sit down and complete it. As soon as I hit complete I felt a sense of relief from this year and a sense of calm that I want to hold onto.
The quote from the readings “Life offers us the greatest gift of continuous evolution” really hit me today as an amazing concept and one that I need to remember as I move into this new year. I want to make a conscious effort to evolve and to do things that my fear of failure has kept me from exploring.
I shouldn’t be surprised that today’s reading was so relevant to my day, because I’ve learned from Dani to be open to the signs that are all around us. My calendar is completely open today (aside from yoga and meditation) so the message about being productive without worrying about productivity is spot on for me. Today I am challenging myself to be open and to embrace the openness of an unscheduled day. I also challenged myself to be more present during meditation which is still a work in progress! My mantra for today is I am open.
Day Three - Today's practice was so powerful! While it was a physically challenging series, what was more difficult for me was pushing myself just to my edge and no further. Paying close attention to the wisdom of the daily reading that sometimes action can be inaction is one of my greatest challenges. I realize I do not always have to push myself to the extreme, to muscle through it, or to exhaust myself in the "doing". My mantra: today I am a peace.
Day 2
My mantra today is I am home.
I really resonated with the quote "this is a being practice, not a doing practice." I think I often tell myself that if I am productive enough or achieve enough I will feel at peace and at home with myself. I want to continue to work on "building safety and a home within myself" rather than trying to muscle to changing things that are out of my control to achieve a sense of calm.
My mantra today was I am in control.
The reading today resonated with me, especially the part that discussed acknowledging feelings that come up but then sitting with them and being present without needing to change them. I often get caught up in the moment and tend to immediately react to my feelings - either by finding a way to "fix" them if they are something I perceive as negative, or hyper-focusing on them if they are positive in an attempt to make that feeling lasting longer. Instead of judging my feelings and reacting, I can sit with the temporary uncomfortableness that may come up and let myself just be. The line "you are not what you feel" was very freeing and is something I will remind myself of often.
It is so fitting that the first line in today’s reading spoke of feeling pleasure, joy, and guilt, because I have been feeling all of those things all day. Today I was fortunate enough to get the COVID vaccine and while I am full of joy for so many reasons, I also feel guilt that I was able to get it while others who “deserve it” more than me have not gotten it yet. Those feelings informed my mantra for today which is “I am grateful.” I am so grateful to have gotten my first dose of the vaccine and for the possibility that it holds for me, the people I love, and for the world. I am grateful to have come home and moved my body through today’s flow and to have worked on quieting my mind for meditation (I know you’re talking to me Dani when you say “you might want to get up and walk away” 😉. I’m grateful for the practice of yoga and the time and space to tune into my body and my mind.
day two:
my mantra is i am listening.
listening to my body and to my inner-most desires. noticing how they come to rise in the physical, and then doing further inquiry to WHY these sensations might be happening. i feel like i tend to skip the WHY and just acknowledge the feelings and move on.
after claiming this mantra this morning, i ended up listening to a podcast and the speaker said "the quality of your day isn't what you THINK about the day, but about how you FEEL about the day" and i loved that! really taking the time to think about how certain things may seem like good in thought or at face value, but aren't making me feel good in my body and heart.
Day Two: My mantra for today (it feels like a bit of a cop out, but... ) I am Allowed. I set a lot of goals for this week, first week of the new year, last week before I start a brand new job, a week of firsts and lasts. I had big plans to fully focus on getting back on track with my diet (I told myself no wine, no dairy, no bread) and exercise (yoga everyday, get back into a running routine), but I had a last minute opportunity to go skiing for the week and I'm allowing myself to enjoy it and cherish it (with wine, cheese and bread) and enjoy the present moment while I can, because I don't know when I'll have the next opportunity to take a week off to ski. It's not what I originally intended in terms of diet and exercise, but I enjoy the sport, I'm enjoying the movement and fresh air, enjoying my company and time out of the office and I fully intend to continue with my commitment to this yoga challenge (brought my mat to the mountain and woke up at 6am to complete the asana before we got in the car). So even when things do not go as planned, I can allow myself to go with the flow, accept, enjoy and adapt my plans without guilt.
Day Two: Daily practice: My mantra today is to strive for balance. I have gotten out of balance lately and that has led to feelings of guilt. Specifically mom guilt; for running errands and not spending enough time with my daughter, work guilt; from spending more time with my daughter and less focus and time on work and self gulit; for missing workouts or ignoring my body when it comes to eating. A lot about my schedule has changed in this last year and I think I have resisted and fought it instead of allowing myself to lean into it and find balance in a new way. I think I will be a better version of myself for my husband, daughter and me if I can allow myself to be more flexible and not carry so much guilt or anger when something falls out of place in the structure that I am used to. Thinking about what I need versus what I want is a starting point for my efforts to re-balance that I will be working on this week and this entire year.
Day Two: Daily Practice. The quote in today’s reading moved me: “The feeling of desire is the soul’s longing to move forward”. It reminded me of a passage from a book I’m currently reading based on the poem “The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer: “There is no preparation for the fierceness of the ache of longing. It is the voice of the parts of myself I have left behind in the deals I have tried to make with life, trying to trade dreams for safety.” If you haven’t read it, this poem is one of my absolute favorites http://www.oriahmountaindreamer.com/
My mantra today is that I will let me senses guide me and trust my inner voice.
I wish I had started this yesterday as planned but life happens and I got behind. The message of anchor hit home for me because I have been feeling rushed and like I am constantly playing catch up instead of being anchored in the present a lot lately. I choose to practice slowing down and focusing on each moment. Unknowingly I did accomplish the assignments for yesterday as I spent the afternoon decluttering from the holidays and prepping food and laundry for the upcoming week. I felt accomplished and ready for a fresh start when these tasks were complete. I am looking forward to continuing this practice, on the right days! Thanks Dani!
I loved this passage from the Daily Practice and turned it into a powerful "I statement" for my daily mantra: "With the wisdom of experience at hand, I know I could not have gotten where I am without every movement I have ever made." Thank you, Dani, you are a gift!
My mantra for today was I am present.
This year I want to strengthen my practice of letting go of fear and anxiety surrounding the future/the unknown. This is something I have always struggled with, but recently it has been showing up in my life more than ever before. Today presented me with a few situations that led to feelings of stress and anxiety, but focusing on being present and taking steps to ground myself helped me feel safe and at peace.
My mantra for the day is I am enough.
I've been struggling with anxiety at work and today's practice was a needed reminder that I have all the tools necessary to overcome challenging/uncomfortable situations by coming home to by body and breath.
I worked on decluttering a closet and basement and found some items to incorporate into my yoga space/altar to remind me of why I practice and what my purpose is.
anchor was such a welcomed theme for today! i woke up feeling unwell and had a busy day ahead--reminding myself to ground in and focus on presence was how i got through my morning, and it was so beautiful to find this reading and theme later in the day when i logged on for the challenge. i spent a lot of time this afternoon getting grounded for my week ahead by tidying the house and meal prepping.
my mantra for the day was I AM AT PEACE--no stress can touch me.
For this first day, I embraced the anchor theme with the message to myself that I am grounded. Throughout the day I was conscious of and grateful for the knowledge that the ground is beneath my feet to keep me steady and safe even when things feel anything but that. This mantra was extra useful during the yoga practice when the mic dropped out towards the end of the final round while I was facing away from my screen. I could see and I could barely hear, but I focused on being present and grounded to get through to the final tadasana. Thank you Dani for the inspiration and the beautiful flow and meditation. I’m looking forward to these 8 days 🙏
Hi! I'm joining the challenge from Barcelona, so won't be able to join the live sessions, but I'm really excited to take on this challenge. The asana class today kicked my butt and was exactly what I'd hoped for.
My mantra for the day is I AM stable.
I resonated with the reading and activity for today because while I was home for the holidays I cleaned out all of my clothes that I've left at my parents house, from high school, college, and in between moves. I was able to donate 3 large bags of clothes to the Salvation Army and when I returned to Spain, I left my packed bags hidden under my bed for 3 days. So today after reading, I finally unpacked, decluttered my space and felt much more zen and accomplished.