“This was the most alive I had felt in years……”

FLOW is the subtle solution to so many challenges in life. I know because I’ve experienced it as such over and over again.

I’d like to promote FLOW so you can decide for yourself… what it is, why it matterss and how to find it for yourself faster than the years it took me to find mine.

You may have heard of Flow States  when referring to such activities as skydiving, a championship game, a concert pianist.

An extreme state of mind that allows for precision performance.

But FLOW is not just for professionals.

It’s actually a state of being every Brain can access.

A state in which your inner critic is quiet, your courage expands, your having fun and operating on what feels like autopilot.

It’s the subtle art of letting go, diving in and floating amidst the larger essence of LIFE! That’s pretty big, right?

So why aren’t more people talking about this? Why aren’t more people creating more FLOW in their lives?

I believe it’s because most think it’s TOO simple, TOO subtle and TOO vague to be taken seriously.

But I take it very seriously… so much so that I’ve made a life out of Finding Flow… every chance I get.

WHAT EXACTLY IS FLOW?

It’s that state of mind where everything just clicks. Time flies, you’re lost in your own little world and you feel like you’re, ‘in the zone’, ‘in your groove’, ‘on fire’, ‘in the flow’, etc.

Your brain releases a ‘chemical cocktail’ that gives you focus, creativity, courage, motivation and satisfaction’.

You are totally engaged in an activity that takes a little effort, a lot of focus and some level of fun. For you.

And that FUN part is what makes FLOW something different for everyone.

For me, it’s YOGA. Getting lost in the practice to the point that I wasn’t thinking of anything else. Time flies and before I know it I’m floating in Savasana.

For me… it started when I was younger with reading. I could disappear for hours into a good book. Then it was writing, then driving and rollerblading, then yoga, then meditation, then breathwork and more.

YOU may have experienced a state of flow while gardening, fishing, skiing, swimming, playing piano, drumming, working, running, painting, singing, dancing….  you get the drift?

Now you might be thinking… yeah that’s great but we can’t be in FLOW ALL THE TIME.

I agree.

But I don’t want to live a life where I’m never in FLOW either.

Focusing on creating Flow increases my chances of floating downstream more often.  So, I make an effort to do the things that create FLOW for myself.

The ways in which I find it most often these days is walking the dogs, practicing yoga, teaching yoga, learning Qi Gong, writing emails, playing pickleball and meditation.

It took me YEARS to Find my own Flow. I knew snowboarders, golfers, knitters, painters, hikers… who all had ‘their thing’.

I tried them all… but it wasn’t until I landed in a yoga class that I discovered that bouyant feeling for myself. I was high on Flow. My vision seemed sharper, colors seemed brighter, my food tasted better, my energy was next level.

THIS was more alive than I had felt in years. THIS is what I want to feel more often. THIS is what I hope everyone finds for themselves.

So if you haven’t yet found your flow… might I suggest a yoga class, a brisk 45 minute walk, a 30 minute silent drive, a guided meditation, or a dog. These are the quickest, most accessible ways I’ve found if you’re just starting your search… short of skydiving, water skiing or glass blowing. All of which ignite a state of flow almost immediately.

And when you do Find your Flow…. please share it. Someone else may still be searching for theirs.

: )

Suzanne

Summer Studio Updates: 

We’ve got Fun New Flows, new teachers and more sounds happening all month long!

First, we’re welcoming new teachers Payton Hermsen and Anita Earl! They are not new to yoga, just new to teaching. So you’ll have fun experiencing new voices, new styles and new flows.

Payton is teaching the Sunday Morning class. If you have a pass, use that. If you don’t have one, no worries and no pressure… it’s just a $10 drop in on Sunday mornings. And you can pay online or in the studio.

Anita is bringing ‘old school’ yoga.  What does this mean? It’s a vibe. An essence. It means – like me – she’s been practicing since the 80’s/90’s so she’ll bring her old school experience which includes a steady, focused flow, a bit of a groovy feeling and finish with stillness.

Next, we’re bringing Chris Hood back with his Sound Healing Sessions – twice this month. Wednesday, July 17th & 24th @ 7pm.

For those that attended his first one, we are making a few adjustments plus we’ll have ear plugs available. That way you can still experience the powerful feeling of the music at your personal, audio comfort level.

Two More Fun Flows, Save the dates:

Flow with Aunnie at Ankeny Vineyard, Saturday, July 20th. 11am

Flow w/Suzanne @ Bamboo Valley, Saturday, July 27th 11am

I often think I have all the answers… just ask my son This is why I am SOOOOOO passionate about FLOW.

Because FLOW is a state of mind where everything falls into place almost effortlessly, which naturally resolves a lot of issues in body, mind and soul. (answers).

You know the feeling.

You’re on a roll, in the groove, you’re on fire, time flies, things just click, your energy is FLOWing, you’re completely immersed in whatever you’re doing to the point that nothing else matters.

Maybe you find flow playing pickleball, running, reading, drawing, gardening, skydiving, driving, playing piano, working, traveling, writing…. Yoga’ing.

You are present… in that moment. (which means you’re letting go of everything else).

It feels like everything is OK.

So, if you’re ever feeling stiff, stressed, stuck, sleepless or sick… I believe the answer… is FLOW.

Vinyasa Flow to be specific.
Our specialty here at Love.

A good Yoga Flow gets me out of my head and completely absorbed in what I am doing. At. That. Moment.

Once you access this FLOW state for yourself, you can tap into your own FLOW… anytime you want. Whether it’s yoga, walking, skiing, climbing or baking…

What’s your FLOW activity?

“Suzanne, Just Calm Down”…..    That actually is the worst thing my ex ever said to me.

He’s truly a gem… but that pissed me off every time.

If I had a nickel for every time someone said this to me in my 20s when I was struggling with anxiety…. I’d be wealthy enough to be living my dream, touring with Sting and writing songs about single mums.

In a way, they were right. But the harsh reality was that I didn’t know HOW to relax.

And they didn’t know HOW either.

I have since spent my entire adult life studying HOW to RELAX. And then how to help others RELAX. (I hope we’ve helped you).

I’ll tell you how, plain and simple: breathe slower, only through your nose. It will become your more natural state of being.

You will become calmer.

I have 100 other fun tips and techniques that support this.. because that’s how many I had to test to figure this out. (see a few below).

Simple? Yes. Easy? Not so much.

Simply because Life happens and we forget.

IT. TAKES. PRACTICE.

Being stressed raises excess cortisol and causes other reactions, which contribute to inflammation and illness.

So lowering them… aka calming down and relaxing…. decreases it.

This is why Doctors recommend Yoga. 

Because the combination of moving, breathing and being still… LOWERS STRESS, your reactions and their complications.

One of YOU recently told us you lowered your blood pressure while IN THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE by slowing down your breath.

Another told us that you lowered your cholesterol by 40 mg/dl.

Someone else told me they already sleep better after just a few weeks of practicing.

We know it works. (And we know some people who really need it. )

So, instead of suggesting they, ‘just calm down’… try the 4 helpful tips below to get them into a calmer state without them even realizing that you’re ‘yoga’ing them’. ‍♀️

FOUR TIPS FOR CALM:

1. Have them Look at something very far away and soften their gaze. (A soft focus is a direct signal to relax your nervous system. Like gazing at a sunset, a far away tree, the landscape, etc. The trick is to soften the gaze).

2. Don’t tell them to take a deep breath. Instead ask them to breathe OUT as slow and as long as they can. It will make the next inhale naturally deeper and easier. (Slower exhaling also relaxes your nevous system).

3. And if they’re not already in a frenzy, have them hold their breath for a few seconds at a time. Maybe you’ve heard of box breathing? Use any length: 3 seconds, 4 seconds, 5 seconds… whatever works best.  (Box breathing:  4 second inhale, 4 second hold, 4 second exhale, 4 second hold. Repeat twice).

If they are already in a frenzy, have them breathe into a paper bag. You can google that, it works.

4. Last one… if you’re trying to calm yourself down… or talk yourself through anything… Use your own name. Say… “Suzanne, Slow down your exhale”. Because research shows that your subconscious responds best when someone uses your name. And it will probably piss you off less coming from yourself.

This is a Work in Progress. Isn’t everything? Well, it’s better than just a pile of mats… but THIS is the Mat your Must See…. YOURS!

Because we’re revamping the mat room this weekend and I can’t wait to show off the new storage. Neater, cleaner, cooler, roomier, easier…. you’re gonna love it!  (Thanks John!)

I can sense that your enthusiasm for this isn’t quite as high as mine… but to me… everything about the studio is ALWAYS… a work in progress. The schedule, the events, the flow, the design, the vibe….

I love rearranging. I love change. I love freshening the place up! ‘Freshening’? … is that the right word? Refreshing?….

Anyway… this is just a quick warning shot… more change is coming and it’s ALL GOOD!

That’s why we practice, so we can embrace change, light up our brains without setting our nervous systems on fire and enjoy every step of the way.

So keep practicing consistently! You know that’s how it works best.

And btw, You not only contribute to your own wellbeing when you practice with Love… you are contributing to the well being of this entire community… by helping us provide free TEEN Yoga, sharing yoga at the schools, offering free passes to new yogis and creating a calm community that also loves to embrace change.

THANK YOU! FOR SHARING THE LOVE.

What’s coming this Summer? Outdoor Yoga, Qi Gong workshops, Summer Solstice Celebration, More Booch, More Gong sessions, New Mats for the new mat room and more!

Embracing change with Love,
: )
Suzanne

I’ve tried to write one email a week for the past 14 years. That’s 728 -ish emails! That’s a LOT of subject lines!

I’d rather spend my time naming the colors of crayons, cars or paint chips. I mean, whoever came up with ‘mauvelous’ was just brilliant.

So LoveNote #729 (this one) is all about Yoga Training. Teacher Training. Personal Training. Meditation Training. Whichever you want. They’re all included!

If you have EVER considered it, THIS is my heartfelt invitation for you to ask yourself… what’s stopping you?

And at the very least, I recommend reading through just to see what you’re missing

(The relaxation kit, icebreakers and yoga jeopardy game alone are worth it!).

But beyond that, you’d be sharing this doctor recommended, scientifically and medically proven, healing practice with the world… or a neighbor. How helpful is that!

Here’s the practical pitch….

LoveStrong Yoga Training
is a powerfully transformative journey.

(quoted from many teachers and participants)

Are you ready to elevate your mind, body, energy and spirit?

Are you ready for lifelong transformation?

Are you wanting 2024 (or anything else) to feel different?

Are you up for the challenge?

Yes, It’s challenging to try something new.

It’s challenging to do something out of the norm.

But YOU CAN do it.

Because you know challenge makes you stronger, braver, more confident and more YOU.

Our Training simplifies the 8 limbs of yoga so that you can easily infuse them into your own personal day or into classes if you choose to teach. (That’s optional).

The Training is worth it… to Everyone.

To Teach, or Not to Teach? That is the only question.

In this training, you will focus on YOU.

You’ll explore how you breathe, how you express yourself, how you find flow in your life and in your brain. You’ll learn postures, history and traditions.

You’ll hear lots of stories, You’ll tap into your own insights and intuition. And you’ll leave this training with a profoundly deeper sense of who you are and how you feel.

You will rediscover balance, create a more holistic lifestyle, ignite your passion for this practice.

This is your time… for a journey that expands your mind, body, heart and soul.

You will receive expert guidance and encouragement from myself and our teachers.  Love Yoga is a fully accredited yoga school with Yoga Alliance at the highest level of certification. And our experienced instructors skillfully blend tradition with modern research, ensuring you receive a positive and practical experience.

You will step into a future where wellness, wisdom (and a little bit of woo woo) bring us all together.

I strive to make every step along the way… entertaining, educational and engaging. Because It’s not all ancient texts and anatomy over here. We know… when it’s fun, it lasts. A lifetime.

Remember…. every one of us started off hesitant, uncertain and inexperienced.
But look at us now! ; )

Click Below to send any questions.

Click below that to see the dates, details, costs & application

Start with the 8 Limbs Workshop on Feb. 4th

It’s a MUST see before any training.

Ice, Ice, Baby….

Aloha Yogis! Today is your lucky day!

Because in Just a few more hours (24) this winter ice storm will be history!

Hang in there!

I know you’re home…

(I probably even know where you live. Nothing creepy about that… lol)

So, while you’re waiting it out, here’s a lucky little 20 minute flow with Charlie and I because we care about keeping you moving! Even when we can’t get to the studio.

**Remember we also have lots of other videos, meditations and tutorials in our Video Library, if you have a pass:  https://loveyogastudios.com/video-on-demand

THIS class is mostly sun salutations to get your energy moving and your blood pumping. Because all kinds of magic happens when our energy is flowing!

Feel free to take it up a notch if you know how… or just take your time and keep flowing and breathing deeper.

Moving is the key.

Just keep moving.

(Sue G:  there’s even a little something in there for your hamstrings, you can do this one too : ). Gently! )

Do this as many times as you can until we can get back to the studio and back on the mats! And don’t forget….

NASAL breathing!

Nasal

Always

Slow

And

Light

Much Love,

Suzanne

MY MOM has been practicing yoga for 16 years.

And if it weren’t for her Love for me and Belief in me… none of us would be here reading this email right now.

But her Love of Yoga is what’s really impressive.

Because she STARTED… when she was 64!

She grew up in the 50s, got married, raised a family, got divorced, went to work and retired at 62.

So it’s not like she was a health nut her whole life. She was busy raising three kids and figuring out her own life. Making meatloaf, volunteering, taking us to swimming lessons and then later, working, dating and eventually remarrying, traveling and Yoga’ing.

I tell you all this not to disclose my Mom’s personal history…. but to show that it’s never too late to benefit from a yoga practice. NEVER.

She credits her excellent health to this practice. It keeps her strong, calm & healthy. (She’ll probably kill me for sayin this… but…  ‘she’s regular, takes no meds and walks everyday… but she is…‍♀️ and does).

Now that I think about it… she already had a lot of ‘yogi qualities’ in her.

She believes that things will usually work themselves out and she doesn’t let little things get to her.

She’s also often said, “When it’s your time, it’s your time”. So she’s not staying up at night worrying about her age. And like her Mom before her, she says, ‘We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it”. Classic Yogi staying in the present moment : ).

She just has this calming sense of peace about her.

So with this email I hope to inspire you with my Mom’s and my yoga practice.

I’ve talked before about how this practice saved me from a life of anxiety and fear.

But for my Mom, it was different.

It saved her from the ‘aging painfully’ and instead has given her the strength and confidence to ‘age gracefully’. (as noted by her elegant half moon pose in yesterday’s class!).

And still for others, perhaps you, it gives them energy, a sense of community, peace of mind, or flexibility.

We hope you find something here that gives you strength, peace and health.

I hope you see what a badass she is and make this practice a priority in your own life.

I hope you wish her a happy 80th birthday if you get the chance. : )

Much Love,

Suzanne