Yoga Shine

Searching for the invisible wire . . . There are two kinds of people in the audience at a magic show. The ones looking for the the invisible wire and the ones trying not to see them. The great thing for the magician is both audience types keeps them in a job. Both are content to be entertained in their own way. ... . . . Arm balances are a magic trick. Seriously look at that picture. Doesn’t it look like my butt is just floating effortlessly? There is no misdirection, this pose is not really hard for me. Want to know why? . . . The invisible string is knowledge. I know where I need to engage, how to find my balance and how to breathe in this pose. Because of that knowledge - it feels effortless. . . . There are two students who attempt arm balances. The ones who muscle through it and don’t listen and don’t pay attention - like the audience member doing their best to not see the the magicians misdirection and invisible wire. Then there is the student searching for the wire. Both students will eventually learn how to do an arm balance. But one will get there faster and find effortlessness. Any guesses? . . . Want to learn how to search for the invisible wire that will help you float on your hands? This weekend join me: Friday night 6 pm, Saturday 930 am Sunday 9 am See more

kissed by the sun . . . Was blessed to practice under the moon setting and the sun rising this morning. I felt held in a balance of light and energy. ... . . . It has been magical to practice safely outdoors. I am completely in love with our outdoor studio, the positive energy you all bring to it and the fabulous one-of-a-kind memories we are making together. . . . Come practice with us! Regular schedule is back on. . . . #shineon #nipomo #yoganipomo #sloyoga #wellbesscoalition #nipomo #santamaria #orcutt #iloveyoga #yogainatimeofcovid See more

There are not enough words to express my gratitude for each of you. For staying the course with me, showing up whenever wherever and being the light that brightens my day. Thank you. #shineon #iloveyoga #yogaeverydamnday #yoga #nipomo #outdooryoga

I am rooted but I flow . . . I am happy to announce we are opening up an outdoor yoga studio this Friday September 18th! ... . . . Located in the parking lot of Yoga Shine! We have a beautiful reed fence, wood platforms for you to practice on, lots of open air and distance to keep you happy. . . . Wanna know what old school yoga shalas looked like? Straw roofs, wood posts and dirt floors. We can do a bit better than that now... . . . We will have lights, heaters and shade ready to face what may come. Limited schedule that will grow! . . . Come support our efforts by showing up and/or donating to the cause! Thank you all, classes will be listed on MINDBODY later today. #nipomo #centralcoast #yoga #outdooryoga #covidyoga #livingthedream #iloveyoga See more

Have body, will yoga anywhere ... . . . Our mantra this year... have body will yoga in my garage, on my porch, in my bathroom, in my kitchen, in my office, in a gazebo. It’s been fun, kinda over it. ... . . . Want to return to shine? Yeah me too! Well, we can’t go indoors yet but we can bring Yoga Shine outside! Stay tuned, we are building an outdoor studio this weekend in the parking lot! . . . What can you expect? Fresh air, lots of social distancing space, clean wood floor, shade, lights, located at Shine! . . . I’m excited for the first time in months! See you soon! . . . #shineon #yogaanywhere #yogaoutdoors #iloveyoga #nipomo See more

In the company of plants . . . Anyone catch the slo press release yesterday? Dr. Penny made a plea for small businesses. If you want us yoga studios to re open, it’s largely up to the daily decisions we all make as a community. Stay home when you are sick, wear a mask covering your nose and face, don’t gather in large groups and stay 6 ft apart. Simple and effective. ... . . . Meanwhile I go to Yoga Shine daily to watch these leaves unroll. Thinking of new ways I can be of service to our Shine Tribe. . . . Waiting. Lots of waiting until we can reopen. . . . Something new is unraveling at Yoga Shine other than this plant! Announcing tomorrow what it is and when you can give it a go! See more

Ready or not here we are . . . Here we are, September. Last night in class we felt the cool crisp breeze and on it the smell of fall. Six months with the studio being closed and 3 months teaching classes 6 days a week outside. We are heading into our third season of Covid. ... . . . Autumn with the crisp air that creates bright eyes rosy cheeks and cravings for spicy hot drinks. The leaves falling blanketing the ground with a crunch letting the world be just a tad messy. We get to enjoy more stillness and find gratitude for the beautiful chaos. I love the fall. We will embrace the outdoors for as long as we can in glorious California. And on this fall breeze a prayer that we can move back into our studio before the next season begins. . . . Missing the studio? It misses you!September 7th our infrared sauna will be up and running for business. Yes! We added an infrared sauna! All members get to try for free, so contact me for a time and day to set up your first session. . . . #nipomo #infraredsauna #nipomowellness #yoga #yoganipomo #outdooryoga #covidyoga #autumn #centralcoast #santamaria #yogainthepark #iloveyoga See more

Tread softly, tip-toe and balance the energy between you and them . . . In svasana this morning I breathed a breath of pure gratitude. Gratitude for my body. The same one I cursed the last time I was on the mat. Today the stars aligned and I had energy and strength where I didn’t have it last time. I had fluidity in joints that were locked tight 48 hours before. I am grateful. Grateful for good days. Grateful to not take moments of health for granted anymore. ... . . . Working in the wellness industry I have my fair share of experience with clients who are for lack of better word broken. Chronic pain like fibromyalgia, recovering rotator cuff, sciatic pain, arthritis, anxiety, depression- something that makes them feel not quite whole and just slightly to the side of everyone else. There are two things I always say to them when they open up with how they are struggling . . . 1. You are not abnormal/wrong/special. Don’t put yourself in the other category. We are all showing up to the mat slightly less than whole. We all come for different reasons, struggle in our own ways and have a different practice and walk away stitched a little tighter towards whole. . . . 2. You might have a wing that’s been clipped but the rest of you cannot be ignored. Rest your shoulder but your feet, legs, hips, spine, an other shoulder, your lungs and mind all need you to still show up for them. . . . So you tread lightly, check in often, tip toe through your practice with ease and find balance within your struggle. . . . Finding gratitude for what your body CAN do today. Finding gratitude for the lungs that are full of air. The chest with a heart beating. Gratitude for your practice and what it offers you everyday- no matter how it maybe fluctuate. . . . Practice flowing into something mythical, elegant and in its own element tonight at 6 pm. Guesses? . . . Saturday 8 am slow Flow and 9:30 am Solar Flow! See more

I don’t want to rush through life but take sips of it with a long ahh in between each taste . . . I tend to hustle through my to do list. I hold my breath and just plunge in; no stopping, no breaks, no distractions. Physically my body is telling me to knock it off. Mentally my body was telling me a long long time ago - but that was easier to tune out. Once I stopped moving and rushing through my day I was able to reflect how little I was enjoying my days. I was hovering, ...never fully present, I allowed my over stacked schedule to rule me. . . . I used to be more present. I used to have more fun. Covid quarantine has taught me so much about slowing down and letting go. I am so grateful for this lesson. By the way it’s ok, to be grateful for life’s lessons and blessing during a pandemic and various crises across the world. This is your life. It’s ok to develop personal growth and enjoy your personal wins. You growing means the world is getting a bit brighter and happier. . . . Here is to getting rid of the I have to’s and welcoming the I get to’s. Here’s to discovering you do have time when your not racing through life. Here’s to life’s lessons you didn’t know you needed! And here’s to the weekend! . . . Yoga weekend! Saturday 8 am slow flow and Sunday Core Yoga - few spots left sign up today See more

What does healthy look like on you? . . . Sit back, close your eyes, take a deep breath in and let it fall out your mouth. Imagine what peace looks like on you. What facial expression are you making? Imagine what balanced looks like on you. Where do you feel tension leaving your body? Imagine what being present looks like on you. What distractions are missing from the picture? What does healthy look like on you? How does it differ from your current state?... . . . Pay attention, the answers are creating a pathway to your goals. . . . Slow flow with me in the park tonight at 5 pm. We are gonna get real stretchy in the hips and maybe declutter the mind while we are at it. . . . #shineon #bealight #nipomo #nipomoparkyoga #outdooryoga #getoutside #stretch #yogaforthehips #meditation #slocounty #sloyoga See more

I can do hard things . . . I can do hard things. I know this because I have done them. I can live through hard things- cause I have. I am not broken nor have I been broken down. I can smile through the pain because I have been to the other side of it before. ... . . . The strongest and most incredible people I have known were women. That is not perspective or even opinion, that is just how the cards landed in my life. To join their ranks as a strong opinionated woman is all I have ever wanted. . . . I have been called a bitch when I should have been called intelligent. I have been called bossy when I should have been thanked for my leadership. I have been called a drama queen when I should have been called a peace maker. I should not have had to work so hard to get half as high, but I’m glad I did. . . . Cause women have been training. Rising. Raising one another. We smile through tears and challenge the odds. . . #challengeaccepted . @misscynthiatsai @jenjoi See more

Look up buttercup, there is a reason to smile today . . . Sit down. With nothing in front of you. No electronics on or near you. Close your eyes. Breathe in and breathe out ahhhhhh. Like sigh of satisfaction. ... . . . Open your eyes and search for beauty. Beauty you can see around you. Beauty you can feel inside of you. Beauty you can think of in your life. Then look for joy- around you, inside of you and in your life. Keep going. Look for what you want and chances are you will find it, right there, in front of you. . . . We are blessed. Live life with gratitude in your heart and joy on your lips. Spread that beauty and peace in the world. It’s not all going to work out alright, this is reality. But it is all working out and you can make it the best it can be. . . . #yourattitudemakesadifference #gratitude #thankfukheart #blessmewithyoursmile #iloveyoga #yogaeverydamnday #nipomo #blossoms #centralcoaststrong #communityyoga #shineon See more

What yoga looks like to me . . . I didn’t grow up in a yoga studio. I was a married adult mother of two the first time I ever stepped foot into a yoga studio. I had been doing yoga since I was 12, but never in a studio and rarely in a group setting. ... . . . Why? There were not a lot of studios (maybe any??) where I grew up. Even if a studio did exist there was no way I could afford it. We are incredibly blessed on the central coast with many fabulous studios that are affordable and welcoming to all. This phenomenon did not exist outside of major cities when I was a kid. I have loved being a part of this opening. . . . Now we are on month 4 of the studio being closed. I have the exact same answer to when we will reopen as I did 4 months ago. It starts with hopefully... and ends with a we will see. This is no way to run a business or guide a community. But it is my new way. . . . So we keep moving forward. Have mat will yoga needs to be our mantra. We need to be looking at what we can do instead of focusing on what we can’t do. We can still yoga. We can still gather (in small numbers and outside while being spaced out) We can still encourage and support one another. We can still protect and keep each other safe by being careful with social distancing. . . . Live classes this week, be there! Say hi afterwards! Outdoor yoga this week, sign up on MINDBODY and let’s gather in small numbers! Cause as much as a home practice can rock there is nothing quite like a group class! . . . Schedule in the highlights, website and MINDBODY! Have any cool ideas on ways we can gather as a community for one another please reach out! See more

Your opinion of me is quite frankly, none of my business . . . I try to social distance myself on social media. I try to stay 6 ft away from either side. I have my opinions formed from scientific facts that I base my life choices on. My dharma is to live in a compassionate way for the greater good, so when science fails I lean on what helps more people? So, if someone calls me an idiot for the way I live... it doesn’t bother me, I know I’m not an idiot. If someone says I’m ...living in fear...I laugh at the concept because if you know me well, you know I don’t live in fear. And that’s where it all goes south, people on social media don’t know each other well. It’s a platform for blind reactions. . . . And it’s contagious. . . . Anger doesn’t move mountains. Name calling doesn’t create change. Know yourself. Own up to your own short comings. Believe in yourself and you will be an unstoppable force for change and good. . . . #shineon #nipomo #believeinyourself #yoga #dharma #safetyfirstthenteamwork #iloveyoga #8limbsofyoga #compassion #socialmedia #socialdistancing #socialdistancingsocialmedia See more

Falling is not failing . . . What if I told you you couldn’t fail? That failing is a man made idea. An idea that breeds on fear, weaknesses and ego. ... . . . Every attempt you make toward growth- is growth. Even when you get 50% of the questions wrong. When you forget the baking powder in the cake. When you jump into handstand and land back on your feet. Or worse yet, when you don’t show up and try. You are growing and learning. Each attempt, a lesson learned, a detail observed, a sensation felt. . . . If you are no longer worried about failing, do you think you could enjoy the process of learning a little bit better? . . . Enjoy the journey, the falls, fails and triumphs. Love them equally. Endure them gracefully with gratitude. . . . #shineon #hopup #fall #failingforward #nipomo #pismoyoga #iloveyoga #centralcoast #learning See more

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. -Maya Angelou . . . What does this white girl have to offer all the black lives that matter so very much? ... . . . My vote. You have it, I will vote responsibly so that the person in charge of our country wants justice and unity. . . . My open ears and closed mouth. I can be quiet so that you can be heard. . . . My evolution. I will continue to educate myself and share what I learn along the way. . . . My privilege. I will check in regularly with my privilege and find ways to share it. . . . I will never understand but I will always be here to hold your hand. . . . Tonight I am asking my Shine community to gather at 6 pm for a yoga class. One based on the third eye chakra - our energetic center of wisdom. It is important that we are in a constant effort to know better. 100% of the donations will go to @racemattersslo. Link for the class in on our website (link in the bio) and the password is yogashine . . . #shineon #racematters #blacklivesmatter #racialjustice #yogaforequality #nipomo #centralcoast See more

Tonight please join me on ZOOM for a third eye chakra based yoga class. All money donated today will go straight to RACE Matters SLO.

peacefully heavy . . . Did you know that I was a lifeguard and swim instructor before I was a yoga teacher? There’s some trivia for you. I used to spend my summers in a pool telling people how to move and breathe. I love looking back and realizing how obvious it all really was. ... . . . I can’t tell you how many times someone has said to me I can’t float or my body simply doesn’t float (it’s probably the same amount of people who say things like, I can’t do yoga cause I’m not flexible). Here’s the thing, you can. There is no such thing as a person who can’t float. There is, of course, a lot of people who don’t know how to float. And a large quantity of them who are scared to try. But there isn’t a person, who is alive, who doesn’t have air and water in their body. . . . So it’s not a question of can or can’t, but rather how. You float by breathing slowly and deeply. You float by relaxing. You float by getting heavy. It’s true. The heavier you let your body be the deeper you relax. In order to float atop the water you must become peacefully heavy. . . . So how do you float through life’s uncertainty? You must peacefully root into your deepest truths. Then let yourself spread out, enjoy the shapes, the currents, the flow- relinquish control allowing peace to hold you up. Rest here. . . . Then when it’s time, flip over and move purposefully. . . . #peacefulmindpeacefullife #peace #peacefulprotest #rest #selfcare #yoga #breathe #vibratehigher #shineon #yogashine #nipomo #centralcoast See more

When the light shines bask in it . . . After months of I don’t know and finding a way to relax into the uncharted waters- it’s time to paddle in a new direction. ... . . . Outdoor yoga starts this Friday June 19th 6 pm. . . . Studio classes will begin July 10th! . . . #shineon #nipomo #yogashine #centralcoastyoga See more

It’s ok to be silent . . . We all want to be heard. So that means we all need to take turns being silent. Listening not to speak but listening so your neighbor can be heard. This exchange of energy is necessary for healing and understanding. ... . . . When times are confusing be quiet, they will be less confusing when you hold still and listen to your breath. To your thoughts. To other’s thoughts one at a time. . . . When it is your turn to speak. Make sure it’s what is true to you. Make sure you speak from a place of love and understanding. Black lives matter to me and to Yoga Shine and all who work for me. I want equality for all races, genders, sexual orientations and any other divisions that people have created. I have been quiet. Quietly listening, paying attention, sharing what feels right. My actions have been minimaI because I want to tread lightly and stand to the right making room for others who need to be seen and heard. I have, however, purchased books from black female authors whose voice needs a megaphone to be heard and I’m looking forward to my education there. . . . We will have a donation based class June 24th Wednesday 6 pm. All donations made for this Live class will be donated to @racemattersslo more info coming in a little bit. . . . Use your light and SHINE ON . . .#blacklivesmatter #supportblackwomen #equalityforeveryone #racematters #americacanchange #slo #pismo #nipomo #yoga #yogaforacause #yogashine #shineon See more

active or passive you decide the direction of change . . . It’s a time of resistance and I am grateful. Grateful the voices that have been muffled are being given a mega phone. I’m listening, watching, learning and supporting. ... . . . Have you ever had to clean out a storage facility/garage/house? Walked in and took in the big picture and just want to shut the door light a match and walk away? It’s so overwhelming you just feel heavy in your feet and can’t figure out where to start? You are defeated and you haven’t begun. Me too. Looking at social media, news, comments and whatever else feels like that moment; that moment when you first see the big picture. It’s overwhelming and the only thing you feel is too small to handle the too big project. . . . So I do what my mama taught me. You start in one corner of the house. Once that’s done, you move one step forward toward the other side. You are not too small or insignificant to make change. . . . Take in a big breath, hold it long enough to feel the heart beat in the pause and then exhale. You are alive. You are significant. You are a part of the change weather you are active or passive you are deciding the direction of flow. #blacklivesmatter #yogaflow #vote #icantbreathe #california #slocounty #againstracism #antiracial #humankindness

When the world feels so dark . . . Know that there is a light within you even when it doesn’t feel like it. ... . . . Black lives matter. There are real big problems in our world right now that don’t have easy solutions (covid, politicians, pollution, mental health, medical care, hungry kids...) but this one is solvable. Human kindness is the solution. . . . Be nice. Love first. Light each other up. See more

It’s ok to not know... . . . Anybody else apologize when you don’t know something? My daughter has a tendency to do this. As I was telling her how crazy it was to apologize for not knowing something you haven’t been taught or told. That this actually creates a narrative of self blame and useless shame. I couldn’t help but remember an email I had just sent a member- apologizing for not knowing when we will be able to open and what the exact protocols will be. We do this. We ...take the burden of blame and feel shame. Which will then emphasize the fear of the unknown. . . . During these crazy times we are swimming in the deep end of the unknown. That feels heavy to say, till you remind yourself that all our days are crazy and unknown. This is just a day- like all the many days you have survived before- full of uncertainty. And that is ok. Because it is ok to not know. . . . Relax. Breathe. List off what you do know. I am safe. I am loved. I have purpose. I am breathing. I am alive. Everything else is just shifting. . . . Join us for free recorded classes on our website (link in the bio) and live classes (schedule on our website) yoga is for everybody- anywhere-anytime. @heatherfariasphotography See more

We have a lighter schedule this week with live classes- but we have a TON of recorded classes for you to choose from! Including all the new 20-30 minute classes. No excuses, do somthing for yourself today.

This weeks schedule got shook up! Here are many of your requests! Saving some for next week! Please send me any requests you have for classes. Types of classes, what you want to focus on, when it’s best for you to practice live and what time length of class you like. Hope to see you all on your mats through the safety of the computer screen

Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat . . . You know that reminder never gets old on the yoga mat? Breathe You would think that you wouldn’t need that reminder so often. ... . . . We hold our breath when we concentrate. We hold our breath when we have a strong emotion. We hold our breath when we anticipate pain. We need the reminder to breathe through the hard things. Holding the breath only makes them harder to bear. . . . Anyone feel like they are holding their breath right now? Anticipating the re-opening before we are ready? Holding our breath this distance doesn’t do permanent damage? Holding our breath that this doesn’t last much longer. Holding our breath that our loved ones stay healthy. It’s a lot. . . . But you gotta let it go. Exhale. Unclench. Soften. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. We can breathe through this together with compassion. . . . #shineon #yoga_shine #yoga #breathe #letitgo #flow See more

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good . . . I don’t know who wrote that, but I heard it said by Dr. Kendal in an interview I listened to. He was referring to nutrition... but it was damn near poetry to my ears. ... . . . I have now put out over 40 free online videos during this Covid crisis. Not a single one of them perfect or professional but I am uber proud of myself. This is a big deal for me. I have tried in the past to video yoga classes upon request and have never been able to. I’d get nervous. I’d forget stuff. I’d watch the video and see it was beyond editing. More importantly I’d doubt myself- what can I put into a yoga video that isn’t already out there? The problem was I was trying to capture and create perfection and it kept me from sharing all together. . . . The day we decided we had to close the studio down for the time being was horrible for me for many reasons. The worst was I knew I’d have you record classes. I have never even heard of zoom until that day. I knew that first class at 6:30 am was going to be everything but perfect. My expectations were on the bottom of the barrel so when I tripped up on my words or forgot a pose... I just continued. After, when I reviewed the video and realized I cut off my arms and a bit of my head, I just readjusted they camera for next time. Then the second bravest thing I did that day was share the recording for any and all to view. Often and on repeat my innate humanness could and would be on display. . . . Wishing we could all lower our expectations. Not look at our imperfections as failures but lessons. Our mistakes as redirections. Our humanness as a blessing. And what a blessing it is. . . . Join me for live classes six days a week, link at yogashinenipomo.com password yogashine . . . #shineon #yogashine #nipomo #centralcoast #ilovenipomo #iloveyoga #yoga #beachyoga See more

Gratitude a word, an action and a feeling . . . I came home to flowers on my door step. Big pink daisies and a thank you card. A thank you for keeping Shine going during this strange moment in time. ... . . . I opened up my email to someone wanting to pay for a 3 month membership even though no one knows when our doors will open again and our classes are free online. She knows. She gets it. She is grateful and she is making it possible. . . . I check my transactions expecting to see a zero. Instead I see a repeated $100 donation being given. She is a member who pays monthly but is donating on top of that. She is investing in her future and ensuring the doors open once again for her and her friends. . . . She is a teacher who shows up when I can’t. Little notice. Little time to herself. But she teaches to the community she loves with a grateful heart. . . . It’s all if you. Showing up on the screen with me. Rolling out your mats in less than ideal situations and using cans as blocks and couch pillows as bolsters. I feel your presence and I am so grateful. . . . Express your gratitude! Sing it from a mountain top or whisper it into your journal. Give back or hold it tight. Just feel that gratitude down to your bones. It will radiate. It will shine. We will feel it. . . . #thankyou #gratefulaf #gratitude #yoga #bethankful #yoga_shine #nipomo See more

no mud...no lotus . . . My daughter says this when things are not going great. More lately. It’s our own shorthand that reminds us that we have to go through some stuff to get to where we wanna be. I used to teach kids yoga three times a week. I devoted three-five hours a week preparing and teaching children what yoga is and what it could do for them. Two such kids were my own. I loved it. It was exhausting and equally rewarding. I learned so much during this time. Like th...at a kid can hear 4 words and 6 years later it’s tattooed on her brain and is repeated like a mantra when things are tough. . . . I don’t remember the exact class or how it came up. But the kids learned lotus pose and lotus mudra. We did an art project around the lotus flower and they learned how this unique plant grows. It germinates in the darkest thickest mud. It slowly grows up through the water and doesn’t begin to bloom till it reaches the surface and absorbs sunlight. You can see why this symbol is so powerful for us humans. We go through incredible times of darkness. Moments where we feel suspended in time to perhaps live in eternal unknowing. Fear, anxiety, depression, separation, denial, addictions .... all of these and more live here with you. Like the seed pod we have to trust the process. Let ourselves feel it all and root into what feels solid and true, gaining strength to grow upward, eventually finding the surface. . . . Feel the mud. Swim in it. Discover yourself. When it feels right begin to root and grow up out of your darkness. . . . @heatherfariasphotography makeup @christian.castaneda.hmua . . . #nomudnolotus #iloveyoga #kidsyoga #nipomo #lotuspose #centralcoast