Jul 29, 2015 | Sedona Yoga, Sedona Yoga Retreat, Yoga Conference, Yoga Festival, Yoga Philosophy
That’s us… Pondering… Well, I am Pondering, Heather is looking cool. On our way to another EPICasana experience at SYF2016!
Every year, as we deepen the experience of the Sedona Yoga Festival, there comes that time when we sit and ponder how it all began and where we are today. SYF has become an event not to miss; it has marked the transformation of many a yogi these past 3 years. In the beginning we saw an epic experience, situated in the Heart of Sedona, AZ that cradled the participant in the healing energetics and allowed for a truly transformative experience. Well, the Sedona Yoga Festival has become that and much, much more.
The 2016 Sedona Yoga Festival is rapidly becoming THE yoga festival to attend next year. Whether you have never done yoga or you have practiced meditation and asana your whole life, there will be something for YOU! Save the Dates and/or get your tickets at Early-Bird Pricing now because you will not want to miss out on this. Some big announcements are coming shortly, but for now, just cruise through the website to see what is coming so far… We have added little bits and pieces, so you yogi sleuths out there can start to imagine just how awesomenasana SYF2016 is shaping up to be.
We’ll leave you with a big blast from the past; Yogini Silvia Mordini honors us with her experience of the inaugural SYF2013. See ya in the ethers, dear friends.
Marc & Heather
First Penguins at Sedona Yoga Festival
February 8, 2013. Feels a little bit like the first day at a brand new school. Starting today, I am presenting at the Sedona Yoga Festival to a whole new group of yogis. It is my first time teaching in Arizona (although I’ve taken many a workshop/training here in my Anusara days).
As always before teaching, my thoughts turn to how will I best touch the hearts and minds of my students. What will they think? Will they understand me? Regardless of your experience, Yoga Teachers still get nervous. I may have over 11,000 hours of teaching experience but today will be my first hour in the teacher’s seat at this first ever Festival!
One of my biggest strengths is my humanness. After leading 15 RYT200 Teacher Trainings, I work hard to keep myself off the pedestal and keep things real. I am imperfect, fallible, sometimes quirky, certainly silly, and a bit earnest when it comes to manifesting happiness. Being born in Ecuador to an Italian father and Ecuadorian mother only adds to my uniqueness.
If you know anyone in Sedona coming to the festival, applaud them! They—like me—are First Penguins. The first penguin is a term coined by the late Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch who offered his last lecture there when he was dying of cancer. Here is one of his key pieces of advice: Be the first penguin. “I encouraged students to attempt hard things and not to worry about failing…failure is not just acceptable, it’s often essential.”
Pausch rewarded his students who took the biggest risk with a stuffed penguin representing how when a group of penguins takes to the water, one of them has to take the FIRST plunge. If that penguin survives in the potentially predator filled, dangerous water, then the other penguins follow.
I am grateful to everyone involved with Sedona Yoga Festival. It is heroic to manifest—from nothing—an entire yoga festival, replete with teachers, searchers and healers from all over the world. To every single attendee, presenter, volunteer, and staff, I present you the First Penguin Award! Thank You Silvia!!!
You are magnificent and your courage to jump into the water not knowing what will happen is inspiring. And that is why I am proud to be involved—even if I am also a bit nervous.
To those who are considering doing something that really scares you this year, be encouraged. Manifest your biggest dream! The world needs more First Penguins in yoga, in art, in science, in relationships, in life. Love yourself, love your day, love your life! Silvia
ABOUT SILVIA MORDINI, Happiness Coach, Yogipreneur, lululemon ambassador, manduka ambassador
Enthusiasm to love your life is contagious around Silvia. Her expert passion connects people to their own joyful potential. Silvia lives her happiness in such a big way that you can’t help but leave her classes, workshops, trainings and retreats spiritually uplifted! Born in Ecuador, raised traveling around the globe she is an enthusiastic citizen of the world and spiritual adventurer. She is a long-time Experienced Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with over 10,000 hours of teaching experience, owned a yoga studio for 9 years and has been teaching and practicing yoga over the last 15 years after being run over by a car and using it to recover physically and emotionally. Silvia will be leading a Tuscan Adventure in Happiness week long retreat in June 2013 and an Amalfi Coast Wellness Adventure in July 2013 as well as offering her Alchemy of Yoga RYT200 Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica this August 2013. Silvia is currently writing a book about Prescriptions for Happiness and has a popular blog called Loving Your Life, along with producing her “Loving Your Day” videos.
Connect with Silvia Mordini:
Web: www.alchemytours.com or www.silviamordini.com
Email at silvia@alchemytours.com
Twitter @alchemytours @inspiredyogagal
Facebook Silvia Mordini (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1164596386)
Nov 22, 2014 | Sedona Yoga, SYF2014 Presenters, Yoga Philosophy
We make a point during this time of year to outwardly express gratitude for the good things in our lives. Some take to social media or a journal each day to write about something for which they are thankful, while others specify time for prayer with the theme of gratitude. There seems to be no limit to the quotes, blogs, images, and articles (like this one) available on the topic.
As yogis we often advocate making gratitude a year-round practice. But what is the best way to incorporate gratitude into daily living, and what makes it worth the effort?
Gratitude is all about perception. As an example, think of the classic “glass-half-full or glass-half-empty” conundrum. One aspect of our yoga practice is learning to become observers of our thoughts and feelings so that we may avoid feeling consumed by the deleterious effects of negative thoughts and emotions. By becoming not the subject, but the observer of our inner monologues, we can alter our perception of transient events, and therefore decide whether to let them affect us in negative or positive ways. Gratitude is a strong positive emotion that we can choose to express whether we really feel it or not. But why work so hard to act grateful at times when we don’t feel grateful? What about when we are stuck in a doom-and-gloom mental cycle, and it seems impossible to think of anything good happening now or in the future?
read more…
Nov 21, 2014 | Sedona Yoga, Yoga Philosophy
Once upon a time a group of Pilgrims sailed from England to America to start a new life that included freedom. The independence they sought provided them with the liberty to believe what they wanted to believe and live the way they wanted to live. However, they were faced with many challenges and hardship, often resulting in death.
In the kinship of human kindness, the Natives of the land decided to lend a helping hand. 
They taught the Pilgrims how to grow and hunt for food, treat illness and care for their families. To show thanks, the Pilgrims invited the Natives to a three day dinner —the first Thanksgiving.
As we have continued to celebrate Thanksgiving for nearly 400 years, we have come to associate this special day with elaborate meals, parties, watching sports and everything else in between. Unfortunately, these lavish celebrations are also often accompanied by unnecessary stress and over exaggerated indulgences.
So how has the celebration of expressing our gratitude for the kinship of human spirit become secondary to the excesses we now know as Thanksgiving? How did it become turkey with a side of gratitude?
…read the rest on Denise’s blog
Nov 19, 2014 | Sedona Yoga, SYF2014 Presenters, Yoga Festival Experience
Living in Sedona and consciously practicing what you preach it’s easy to forget how it is “out there” in the “main land” for most people… I get frequent reminders with clients from big cities visiting for tune-ups and their much needed “Sedona time”. I observe them arrive enveloped in broken grey auras, lower energy centers clogged with what seems like slabs of “concrete” – aka “survival concerns”, dull eyes, lack of presence, stress and drama addictions, constant dependency on their electronic devices, indigestion, anxiety, poor sleep. Their complexion is dull, eyes empty, health in decline. I welcome them, I embrace them, I speak… I know I will have to later repeat everything I’m saying as for the first few days they hear nothing except internal chatter about ginormousness of their problems. And so for the first few days they try to express to me how so important and absolutely unavoidable all of the problems in their lives really are.
And thus our work together begins… It’s a journey back Home, back to their Souls, back to who they really are. The day the cell phone is turned off or
left behind in the room, I know they are ready to embrace the transformation, this is the day of “re-introduction to self”. For those who are ready and willing Source works its magic through Sedona vortex energies, through me and the work that I do, through mystics and healers they meet here, through synchronicities and strangers who say “just the right things”…
Right information assists: becoming aware of conditioning, programming, limiting beliefs, self-sabotaging habits brings “aha” moments and tears to eyes where the next step is change and letting go of what no longer serves. Finding connection with one’s own Soul, one’s true nature, one’s Divine Guidance allows the “big” every day problems to “suddenly” look much less important. Hearing the gentle voice of one’s Heart brings in miraculous synchronicities, lightness and ease into decision-making. Focusing on joy instead of problems and suffering creates more reasons to be happy. A couple more days and the inevitable “aha moment” sweeps them of their feet with inspiration, excitement and determination for change: either big or small, and the “old familiar life” no longer looks like an acceptable option.
I observe expanded glowing auras, shining eyes full of life, tears of gratitude, re-awakened sense of purpose and joy for life, faces clear and radiant, physical sickness removed, years off their spirits and faces, Source shining through with all of its magical brilliance. Off they go and later letters come from the “main land” telling of changed, inspired, incredible lives.
Blessed are brave souls who seek change and transformation as when they do it is always assisted with and given. And so it is.
Oct 28, 2014 | Sedona Yoga, SYF2014 Presenters, Yoga Interviews, Yoga Philosophy
by SYF2015 presenter Hope Zvara
Yoga has taught me a lot about life and living. My mom (also a yoga teacher) and I often chat jokingly about how being awake in the world is a blessing and a curse. As yoga heightens your awareness of the things, people, actions, and words that are around you as well as what goes on inside of you, it can feel like a double-edged sword.
I was blessed to have my first real yoga experience at an ashram. I was guided by a wonderful teacher with whom I contribute much of my understanding of spirituality and truly living in commune with God (or Universal Consciousness). Fast forward twelve years, I have evolved. Yet my roots are grounded in keeping the spirit in yoga and more recently I have added a passion for functionality and deepened core awareness.
Keeping the understanding that when you come to yoga–real yoga–expect to grow radically, expect to be uncomfortable, expect to be challenged in thought, word, and action. Expect to be confused, frustrated, angry, sad, mad, happy, and in sheer bliss. Why? Because… read more on Hope’s Blog!
Sep 27, 2014 | Sedona Yoga, Sedona Yoga Retreat, Yoga Festival
Toe Reading – David Dhanvantari Tietje and Leah Lila Misty
I had no idea anything like Toe Reading existed until this past February. My girlfriend and partner, Leah Misty and I were attending as presenters here at the Sedona Yoga Festival and she seemed quite excited about one class. I saw nothing else on the schedule that piqued my curiosity as much, and knowing this would be fun for her, we went. Lo and behold (a phrase my Father’s friend used to punctuate his stories with), I think I got way more excited about it than she did! The instructor was very enthusiastic, warm and hilarious and certainly held our attention. I remember feeling such love emanating through her and it was contagious.
KC Miller is her name and she is the author of “Toe Reading – Are You Walking Your Destined Path?” She was very generous and gave each person attending the class the introductory 16 hour course absolutely free. Leah and I registered for the online course soon after returning to Dallas. I had never taken an online course, except for Defensive Driving a few years ago. Although we were excited, while downloading the materials for the class we almost didn’t get started because all the technical things seemed overwhelming This was new territory for both of us and looking back I can say it really wasn’t that problematic, but it brought up stress and many feelings of inadequacy.
Then there were assignments and deadlines that brought more challenges, but I was determined to finish no matter what. Leah and I supported each other through the homework and I found my intuition and even a writing style I certainly would never have believed. We both felt energized, in sync with each other and thrilled we were on this path together. Usually writing on a computer has always taken so much energy out of me because I seem to take so long getting my ideas out of my head and down on the page, but this time was different. I felt a sense of calm and the words flowed. Part of the homework was to comment on our classmates postings in a meaningful way which was difficult and at the same time brought out my creative side. This was a first for me and certainly a mind expanding opportunity. We even asked our Facebook friends to send pictures of their feet and this kept us busy practicing for a few weeks!
Maybe you are now curious about what exactly is this ‘Toe Reading’ thing I’m talking about? “It is the metaphysical understanding that the direction and formation of the toes are the physical printout of the path a person’s life has taken. The toes are one of our bodies depositories for stories and emotions. The energy of emotion changes the shape of the toes, especially if it is negative. A Toe Reader is someone who honors the stories coded in the toes and is spiritually and emotionally available to unlock the storyline stored in the cells of the body, specifically stored in the hologram of the toes.”
For example, if a persons right pinky toe and the fourth toe seem to look very connected, like maybe the pinky is hiding under the fourth, this may possibly mean this person is dependent upon a relationship for financial security. Why? Because the pinky toe is the Abundance/Prosperity toe and that fourth toe is all about Relationships. This is only one of the more obvious examples. “A trained toe reader listens and makes inquiries, quietly observe and senses the energy, and presents metaphoric connections. Toe Readers move the client to action by asking questions, propelling them to integration and healing.” The process is about listening, asking questions and having the client physically describe the shape and everything about their toes. Those descriptions are the key to understanding what is happening in your life, becoming aware of it and accepting the encouragement to embrace change.
‘Soul Coaching’ or Toe Reading Part 2 was scheduled for the end of July in Tempe, AZ at SWIHA, the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, which is the school KC Miller founded. We signed up to attend and decided to take a road trip from our home in Dallas and also return to Sedona for a few days. (We fell in Love with Sedona, “ChocolaTree” particularly!) It was even more exciting than the online class, one reason being that when we arrived, KC was celebrating her 60th birthday and the whole school was invited. Leah and I got to thank her, sing Happy Birthday and also eat some cake with her and the wonderful staff at SWIHA. In the course, taught by Cheryl Speen (Amazing!) we learned how to use essential oils, and to trust our intuition when working with clients. On our last day we practiced Toe Reading on a complete stranger and it was definitely not as scary as I first thought. I felt very connected to this client almost as if we had known each other for years.
It is now just after Labor Day weekend and both of us have returned from Free Day of Yoga Dallas where we were set up to practice Toe Reading and Vedic Thai-Yoga Bodywork with other healers for short 15 minute sessions. We are doing these and other sessions to acquire our Master Toe Reading certificates. Leah has been getting more inquiries and sessions than me, but we also have a Toe Reading Party scheduled together for this month. The times we’ve worked together have been my favorite sessions because it seems we just get in sync, roll with it and have lots of fun. This has been the biggest, surprising, fun and rewarding journey that I’ve had in my adult life which seems to be happening to me even more often lately.
When I started teaching yoga 17 years ago I began noticing other people’s feet. Some new students didn’t know that yoga is practiced in bare feet and we sometimes talked while I asked them to remove their shoes. I had to look at many different bodies and parts so I could let students know what to do with themselves. This is when I noticed the many different shapes, sizes of toes and of course all those feelings, positive and negative that I had. Some feet and toes I saw as appealing and others seemed very odd looking. I saw people the same way, and now realize that had nothing to do with their feet and everything to do with how I saw myself. Yes, I was a ‘Yoga teacher’ and I also wasn’t perfect as I believed I should have been. Now I am very O.K. with that.
Much Love and Happiness!
David ‘Dhanvantari’ Tietje
Vedic Thai-Yoga Massage
LMT 106542
Spiritual Healing Yoga
214.663.7001
thaimiles@gmail.com
Amrita-HealingArts.com
