Who Are You!

Hello Yogi,

We are continuously asked some version of this question.

What’s your name? What do you do? Where are you from?

Yada, Yada, Yada. (No, not that Seinfield!)

And we answer, we label, we put ourselves into theses boxes, these categories.

There is nothing wrong with this. It’s an evolutionary defense mechanism when others ask. They’re subconsciously wondering if we’re safe or a danger; with them or against them; like them or different.

And it’s natural for us to compartmentalism who we are. We are pack animals, after all, belonging is in our genetic makeup.

The challenge comes into play when we amputate parts of who we are to fit into these boxes. We must find ways to share our truest selves, to some degree at least? Compromise, adaptation, personal growth and evolution will continue to keep us fluid creatures.

So, how do we do this?

How do we live a life aligned with who we genuinely are?

Truth be told, we must first discover who we are. With and without the masks we carry. In and out of our life experiences. The silence and stillness beyond all the noise.

You may have heard that we practice this curious, self exploration on our mats, which I agree, we most definitely do. But I’ll also argue that those mats must be in the right place.

I don’t know about you, Nicole but I’ve certainly had experiences on my mat where my personal practice was not welcomed. Adapting or outright avoiding poses to accommodate my bodies needs in that moment on that day was not encouraged. Sometimes, I was courageous enough to defend my body, however, often I was not. My ego got the best of me. I attempted to make my poses look like the person next to me, for whatever reason-to prove I could, to show my strength, to blend in, to belong… to feel like I was enough, like I was worthy of taking up space in that room, in this world.

It’s natural.

It’s normal.

And here I am asking you to stop being normal.

To be weird.

To be unique.

To be you.

You’ve heard me say this many times before-always do what’s best for your body, you’ve known it far longer than I have, you are the only one who will know it from birth til death. I’m simply your guide.

Be your bodies advocate.

Be its biggest cheerleader.

But to do so…you must stop being its enemy.

Amazingly, when you do so, inner peace pours in. You start sticking up for yourself in ways you’ve never known before. Not aggressively, not defensively, simply, organically, peacefully.

When you sit confidently in your power you exude strength. Your need to seek fights externally dissipates because there’s no longer a battle internally.

Others will see it, they will sense it and they will stop striking, because deep down they know you’re a battle they cannot win, a nation they cannot conquer.

I see this war on the mat. Students come in, contorting themselves into poses that they think are “impressive." So, I ask how they feel. Most likely they say it hurts or it's easy, when they do this or that. Then, I take them back to basics. We break down their Child’s Pose, realign their Down Dog to suit their boney structure, which allows their muscles to fire properly, making the poses feel safer, stronger, more authentically them. (Note I did NOT say easier because instead of sitting in their joints to make the pose look "pretty", they use their muscles.)

And then the pieces of themselves that’s been hiding in their muscles, fascia, connective tissues, rise to the service flooding them with this sort of “remembering.” This reconnection of their authentic selves. This reminder of the badass being they already are.

If you're interested in this reconnection, I can help you to remember.

That’s what we will be doing at the Well-Being Weekend ReTreat. And it’s what I offer in our Virtual Classes and in our 1 on 1 Wellness Services.

Again, the first step must be yours. I will never rob you of this choice, never convince you with gimmicks, never manipulate you with sales tactics, I will never disrespect your authentic self like that.

Whenever you're ready, I'll be here.

Stillness, Awareness, Wellness,

Nicole Starr Bacon