5 Tips for Cultivating Gratitude in your Daily Life to bring Abundance

The great poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once said it so wisely, "cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously." When we live in the present moment and are aware of our thoughts, words and actions, and practice gratitude then and only then will we truly live in the abundance of all that we desire. Being grateful is the key to a happier and healthier life. Gratitude shifts our focus into the present moment. Being appreciated and feeling connected, feeling needed and desired are deep human needs. You can practice gratitude simply by thanking someone for a job well done at work or for something that you like that they did. A simple compliment or pat on the back goes a long way. Simply acklowledge the people you come in contact with with warmth and compassion. Set your phone down in the check out lane of the grocery store or drive through, and take a moment to say "thank you."  It does not take much to practice gratitude.  You will feel better and so will those around you, improving relationships and decreasing stress!

So here are my top 5 Suggestions for How To Practice Gratitude Daily to Create Abundance in Your Life:

1. Journal:  write down one to five things you are grateful for each and everyday this month! Some days may be simple and other days may be more complex and that is ok.  Do this without judgment of any sort. There are no wrong answers.

2. Random Acts of Kindness:  Give what you can when you can. This has a ripple effect like you cannot imagine. which raises the vibrational energy all around you bringing you love and good energy. Hold the door open for a stranger, smile, buy a hot meal for a homeless person, volunteer (giving your time is an amazing gift), pay the toll for the person behind you, donate your old coats......

3. Be grateful for what you already have. Practice the concept of needing less.

4. Know that you are ENOUGH. Practice the I AM mantra each morning when you wake up. Say I AM and then follow that with possitive affirmations such as I am enough, I am loved, I am strong, I am forgiving, I am compassionate, I am grateful, I am kind.... Then look in the mirror and say "I LOVE YOU" yes, to YOURSELF! Practice loving yourself! It is amazing how far this will go.  You must first love yourself deeply before you can love others and before others can love you. 

5. Finally, learn from your own experiences. Be aware of what shifts your energy from dark to light, from sadness to happiness... then do more of what makes you happy and THAT will bring gratitude. 

Often the people who have suffered the most trauma and hardships in life are the most grateful and for the most simple things.  So, my advice is keep it simple, stay aware, stay grateful and keep your heart wide open.  Let that love energy flow freely. Peace and love to you all this holiday season and throughout the new year!

Much gratitude, 

Libby

Tips for Combatting the Growing Obesity Epidemic and How the PHIT Act Can Help

Obesity is a gowing epidemic in the United States. According to the CDC, "Obesity related illness including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancers are the leading causes of preventable death." It is truly "sad" that this is happening in our country. Ironically S.A.D. is also the acronym for the Standard American Diet. 

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Our government considers this to be such an enormous problem, with health care costs going through the roof, that Congress is working on a bill called the PHIT Act. The PHIT Act will provide tax incentives to encourage physical fitness by allowing you to take a tax credit of up to $1000 as an individual, or $2000 per household for fitness expenses such yoga classes and gym memberships.

Inactivity is now the 4th leading cause of death in the USA and it contributes to the number one leading cause, which is heart disease.  Exercise and meditation, combined with breathwork can significantly reduce your chances of developing heart disease. Type 2 diabetes can also be reversed with a combination of a diet rich in plant based foods and physical movement. 

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Inactivity is a HUGE problem and electronic devices and video games are adding to it. Physically fit kids on the other hand have been proven to get better grades in school. Add yoga to their physical activity and you will also see an increase in focus, memory and concentration.  I would eventually love to see all schools incorporate yoga and meditation into the school day and I believe we are headed in that direction, but we are not there yet. So parents, bring your kids and teens to yoga in the evenings or on the weekends. Even consider practicing yoga together. It is a great activity for the whole family! 

Your health is one of your greatest assets! Your body is your temple. WE can be in control of our lives for the most part. It is not easy to lose large amounts of weight, but it is not as hard as you may think if you break the weight loss process down it into small attainable steps. In other words, set simple goals that you can realistically achieve, be kind and accepting to yourself along the journey and know that there is always help. I have worked with clients who struggle with their weight and they have told me how intimidating it is to join yoga classes because their bodies literally cannot fully do many of the postures. I know that is a major point of frustration and discouragement. If that sounds like you, I am here to help you lose weight and feel better about yourself. I will modify everything in your yoga practice to make it work for you. 

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I would strongly suggest if you are looking to lose more than 30 pounds that we schedule a private consultation, take body measurements (the scale is not always the best indicator for weight loss) and make a plan that will work specifically for you. I can teach you modifications that you can then use in group classes. I will also help by holding you accountable (accountability is a big motivator). Commit to yourself to creating a happy, healthy and active lifestyle. You will be amazed when many of your aches and pains disappear and by the energy and the enthusiasm that will flow back into your life.  You were designed to feel good!

Health & happiness,

Libby

PS -  My monthly membership cost is $130. If the PHIT Act passes, you will be able to write off $1000 from your yoga class fees annually on your taxes as an individual, or up to $2000 for a household.  You can even use this tax credit for Teacher Training and turn it into a money making venture for yourself! Please, I urge you, reach out to your Member of Congress and say YES to the PHIT Act! If you or a loved one (children included) are overweight, see me or someone who can help you.  

Live the Life You Love.... Do you LOVE your Job?

Do you wake up every morning excited to hop out of bed and start your day? If so then you are likely doing what you love.  If not, then it might be time to explore a change. What if I told you you could listen to your favorite music, light relaxing candles, exercise and meditate all day in a job with very little to no stress? Well, it IS possible and the answer is Yoga Teacher Training! Become a yoga teacher and not only help others relieve stress and tension, but you too will benefit! I tell you from my heart it is the BEST JOB EVER!!!!!!

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My next training session begins October 28th. We will meet approximately one weekend per month. I am very flexible, within reason, if you need to miss a session I will work with you. My training program is different than most other programs for multiple reasons. I designed it because I loved my training under one of the best Rocket Yogi's out there, Amber Gean at Yoga Ah. However, once I began teaching I realized that Rocket Yoga, even though I loved it, does not fit the needs of the general population. So I had to learn quite a bit on my own. I said "yes" to every teaching opportunity that came my way when I finished my training and was soon teaching 27 classes a week at various studios throughout Cincinnati. I learned what worked and what did not work. I designed my training program to encompass all that I learned in my training, and all that I learned on my own so that you will have all the knowledge that I now have after thousands of teaching hours.

You will learn the history and philosophy of yoga, as well as how to teach Ashtanga Yoga, Rocket Yoga, Hatha Yoga, restorative Jaba Yoga, Yin Yoga, Thai Yoga and how to teach to people with injuries and disabilities (yoga truly is for everyone and its growing popularity in the USA is a very positive trend). I will equip you with the tools and the knowledge for you to be able to confidently teach the style that feels right to you, and for you to work with whatever might come up in a given class. You will learn modifications, alignment, anatomy, history, adjustments, body composition anaylsis, weight loss plans, nutrition... This is really so much more than yoga training. It is a wellness program for whole life living. You will be prepared and ready to teach by the end of the program.

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My Teacher Training course is dynamic in that we will start with a group circle and a short information session. Then we will always practice together. Following practice we will have another circle where we go over interesting and informative subjects such as philosophy and Sanskrit. Then we get up and move again focusing on alignment, adjustments, or the topic of the day. You are never just lectured to for 8 hours. It flows easily and quickly and is very fun! This experience is truly life changing and you will build lasting friendships and bonds (please read Wendy Riker's and Ben Brynjulfson's stories from my past blogs to get student perspectives on my Teacher Training program).  

In addition to all that you will learn, Teacher Training increases your personal strength, your agility, your flexibility of body and mind and your confidence on and off the mat. It will also enhance public speaking skills, reduce stress, improve sleep and improve your posture.  The benefits are endless! 

You can decide if you want to make teaching a full time or a part time career. It has beautiful flexibility and pays roughly $15-75 an hour. I know that is a broad span, but it is indeed true. My program also has a strong a business module where you will learn how to maximize your earning potential.  

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Sign up now for the early bird special to save hundreds of dollars! There are only have 8 spots remaining. I cap the amount of students to assure that you get quality attention and personalized instruction. I will work with you and I have payment options, so please do not be overwhelmed with the tuition fees. Your investment in yourself through Teacher Training returns to you in many ways when you begin teaching. Both in terms of the money that you will earn as a Yoga Alliance certified instructor, in the personal growth that you will undergo, and also with the satisfaction that you will receive from helping other people improve their lives through yoga. 

Live the life you love, love the life you live,

Libby McAvoy

PS - Call me at 513-237-5330, or write to me via my contact form to reserve your space before this class fills up.  As I mentioned earlier, I only conduct Teacher Training two times a year, and enrollment is limited to 8 students to assure that you get a high level of personal instruction.  My "Early Bird Special" will also save you a significant amount of money if you enroll now.  

*Teacher Training will be held at Breakthrough Fitness (not far from my former location). They are in the process of creating a space just for us!

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The Power of Breath

Have you ever noticed how powerful the force of water in nature is? Your breath is similar. Now visualize a large body of water. Sometimes that water is choppy with whitecaps. Sometimes that very same water is flat and still. The water moves with the wind. When we are stressed or angry, our breath tends to be rapid and shallow and the body, as a result, becomes taxed. When we are calm, our breath is naturally slow, steady and deep. But you have the power to instantly use your breath to turn your stress or anxiety into calm.  The key is awareness! Try the following meditation. 

Now, close your eyes for a moment. With your eyes closed, breathe in deeply through your nose and out deeply through your nose. Put your awareness into your breath as you allow the other busy thoughts in the mind to fade away. Acknowledge any thoughts that pop up, but save them for later, they can wait. Simply listen to the sound of the waves in each breath going into shore, and back out to sea. Breathe in, breathe out.  Feel your breath slow and listen as it quiets. 

 Now, with your eyes still closed, visualize that body of water. As your breath calms and quiets, that body of water will begin to still. The body of water represents your soul conciousness. Once the chaos of the external world subsides, your natural state arises like the surface of beautifully calm and crystal clear water. Small ripples represent the effects of others upon us and us upon others. But underneath is where the depth occurs. Your true authentic self is deep below the surface. It is in this calm where the breath is slow and steady, and that the body and mind can truly become one and work to be their best. Your natural state is one of calm and joy. Your natural state is divine love. It is here in this silence that the answers you seek will come. There is in essence no need to worry. Just let go. Just be.  Just breathe. 

 Breathe in, breathe out, release and let go... 

Breathe in peace, breathe out chaos.

Breathe in acceptance, breathe out judgement.

Breathe in divine love, breathe out divine love.

 You are enough. You are all you need. In times of chaos, turn to your breath. Take just a moment, listen to those waves and let that calm you. It is proven to lower your heart rate. It works and it is in your power all the time! Have an incredible start to this week!  

Clarity

Happy Monday, 

Libby

Reasons to Consider Yoga Teacher Training for the Summer of 2016

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There are sooo many reason’s to consider yoga teacher training, even if you have not considered teaching! Teacher training will boost your self confidence, offers the freedom of self employment, and will challenge you mentally and physically.

What to expect from Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Fit Boutique:

1.     We take our program seriously, however, it is Yoga and we encompass the rules of acceptance and can work with you both financially and with schedule conflicts within reason. We want our program to be accessible to everyone.

2.     Expect to grow spiritually. Yoga is not religious specific, however we do believe you will grow in many ways spiritually.

3.     Learn correct and healthy alignment for your body and then how to share that with others.

4.     Deepen your own self study, svadhyaya. The 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga teach you to live your yoga rather than just practice the physical aspect.  

5.     Yoga will add more meaning to your life. You will create an awareness on the mat that will eventually carry off the mat and into your daily life. This awareness will grow into cosmic consciousness allowing you to stay centered and focused in each moment free from judgement.

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Our program is different from other training programs.  We will prepare you to lead multiple styles of yoga.  You will develop your verbal cues and speaking skills right from the start.  We teach not only sequencing, but also how to develop your very own sequence to teach any class at any moment to any level practitioner including modifications and the aids of props.  Our program also has a very strong business and marketing module, which will prepare you to market yourself as a teacher, private instructor or business owner. 

Register TODAY! We have several spots available for our summer session.  WE meet the last weekend of each month, beginning Friday, June 24th, 5:30-8:00pm.  For more information please visit the Teacher Training Tab on our website www.yogafitboutique.com .  ****I will honor early registration through June 12th***

Namaste,

Libby McAvoy