It's In The Bag: Things I don't leave the house without

I set my purse down on the chair just outside the class where I would be teaching yoga in about 10 minutes. Two things hit me at once. 

1. My purse is very organized today. (I should really take a picture)

2. You can tell what occupies most of my time just by looking at this one picture.

So, let's take this one at a time, shall we?

1. I NEVER leave the house without my Midori Travelers Notebook. It has become my everyday planner, my note taker, my list maker, my stuff storer ... If you've never heard of it, just google it and you'll find there is a cult following out there. It kinda holds my life. At this point, I'd rather loose my phone than my MTN. And that's almost not a lie.

Here are some pictures on how I use it. 

2. PENS!! & More PENS!! I have a slight obsession with pens. And I want them to write well. My top two favorite pens right now are: Sharpie Fine Point and Steadtler Pens They are great with little to no bleed through. They make me happy and make my handwriting pretty. And the come in all kinds of colors. Win Win!

3.BOOKS!! Yeap ... Cat is out of the bag. I do not go anywhere without a book. It's either in my purse or on my phone's Kindle App. I am always reading something. And most times, I'm reading at least 2 books at a time. But here, what you'll see is a little different and you'll see a theme. In this picture:

An Essential Oils Catalog. (If you want to know more, or see one for yourself, Click HERE)

A Yoga & Oils Book. I have loved integrating essential oils into my practice. I'm learning so much and I can't help but share that with my students. 

And last but not least: 

The Essential Life Book is new ... and amazing! If you look closely in the picture, you'll notice that I've tagged several pages. Want one of your very own? Click Here. You will not be disappointed. 

4. My Hobo International Lauren Wallet. Ok, let me confess yet another addiction. Hobo International. Yes. I can not get enough. The problem is I am a yoga instructor and do not make enough money to support this addiction. So, this wallet was purchased off EBay. After months and months of searching for just the right one. If you are having an issue keeping your stuff together or having enough room, invest in this wallet. Check them out!

5. Essential Oils & Suppliments There are several essential oils you can see and several in a side zipper pocket. I keep handy a headache blend that I made myself. One is a grounding blend that encourages mental clarity. The other is a joy blend that enhances a cheerful mood. Using them together helps me think clearly and be happy! Want the headache blend recipe?

Do you need quality essential oils? Message me HERE for more information! I'll be happy to help. 

6. Business Cards I try to always have a business card within reach. Between instructing Holy Yoga or educating others about the benefits of using essential oils in your home, I want to be available to those around me. I have been beyond blessed with the life God has called me to. And I have been blessed by my Holy Yoga community. If you are local and would like to join us on your mat, find a class HERE. If you want to know more about essential oils, chick HERE. If you want to know more about using essential oils in your yoga practice, message me HERE! It would be my pleasure to get you started on your own journey. 

Well Friends, You've seen inside my soul ... I mean, my hand bag. Yeap, that's what I carry on a daily basis. Maybe soon, I'll tell you about all the oils in my bag. And maybe if you're really lucky, I'll share everything I use on a daily basis. Who am I kidding ... You know it's coming ... I can't stop talking about these oils that have changed the life of our family! 

What oils are you using daily? Leave me a comment and lets learn together!

Hearts Open: February Playlist and Schedule

Hearts open and hands raised, I will praise the name of the Lord forever. This month ... can it be February already?!? January was something completely new for me. I have started working part time around my yoga schedule and let me just say ... it's been almost 7 years since I was away from home all day every day. I've had to figure out how to fit all of life into a shorter amount of time. So please forgive me for updating a few days late!

This month as we focus on the love of our Father, you'll see a lot of heart openers. I can't imagine trying to do this wife and mother thing without his strength. I need to breath in His goodness and grace every chance I get. He's good and faithful and loves us oh so much. So in this month devoted to love, I will choose to focus on the one who loves like no other. And I refuse to stay still. I want to grow and stretch and go deeper than I've ever gone before. I want an open heart ... and an open hand.

Here is the playlist for your listening enjoyment!

And as always, if you want the yoga that goes with the playlist ... 

So here's the deal. I've given up my Monday night class to make room for some new things. I want to be really intentional with the time I have with you on our mats. So letting go of one class was hard, but will be worth it in the end ... for both of us. 

Something new? FRIDAYS ARE HOLY YOGA!! Yes, you heard me correct. Both my morning and evening classes are currently transitioning into Holy Yoga. I hope to see you there!

If there is anything I can do for you, answer for you, or pray for you, let me know. 

Holy Yoga 101

Friends, it's almost here and I could not be more excited. So many of you stay after class week after week and ask so many of the same questions. What I'm hearing is that you want to learn more. You want to grown in your knowledge of yoga and you want to make sure that what you're learning is good and safe. Me TOO!!

So starting Friday, January 16th in both my morning and evening classes, we're going to take a break from our regular flow. For the next four weeks we're going to talk through the history and benefits of a regular yoga practice. We're going to break down primary poses and I'll be helping with adjustments. The last week, we'll talk through breath work and meditation and the importance of both in a regular yoga practice. 

If you or anyone you know has been interested but just didn't know where to start, this is your starting place. This is a safe and welcome environment for you to bring your questions. And your friends!

All you need is yourself! Please wear something that's comfortable to move in and if you have a mat, bring it. If you have any questions on location, please feel free to email me or comment below. 

I can't wait to meet you on the mat so we can grow and stretch together!

Doing a New Thing: January Playlist & Schedule

"This is what God says,

    the God who builds a road right through the ocean,

    who carves a path through pounding waves,

The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—

    they lie down and then can’t get up;

    they’re snuffed out like so many candles:

“Forget about what’s happened;

    don’t keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.

    It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?

There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,

    rivers in the badlands.

Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’

    —the coyotes and the buzzards—

Because I provided water in the desert,

    rivers through the sun-baked earth,

Drinking water for the people I chose,

    the people I made especially for myself,

    a people custom-made to praise me."

Isaiah 43:16-21 (The Message)

So, it's January. It's a fresh new start. And it's the perfect time to do something new, find new space, open your heart to places it's been closed to ... 

For me, I'm making 2015 the year of healthy and whole. God and I spent a lot of 2013/14 in places of refinement. It was hard, but it was oh so good. He's brought some things to the surface that need dealing with. Two big things for me: Love Well, Live Well. That may sound simple, but for me, well there is a journey ahead. I'll tell you more about that later. 

For now: Here is our January Yoga Playlist. I hope that you enjoy and open your heart, open your lungs, reach your hands open wide toward the heavens and praise Him with all you have. 

As always, if you want the yoga that goes with the playlist, please check the schedule below. If you're local and need more info, please comment or email me. I'll be happy to help!

January 12th there will be no evening Yoga. It's our Team Lean Kickoff! I hope to see you all there. We'd love to come alongside you in making 2015 the healthiest year yet!

Also, I'll be teaching Yoga 101 for any of you who are interested in yoga but have been afraid to try. This would be a great place to start. Check back for details on times. 

Together We Breathe, Together We Wait, The Best is Yet to Come!

Some of you have asked for the playlist from the Christmas Holy Yoga class. Here is the playlist, a video of "God with Us" and the pray from the end. I pray you all had a very blessed Christmas and felt the love of your Father!

I can't wait to see all that He has planned for us in 2015!

Luke 2:8-20

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,

    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”^[a]

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ ButMary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Prayer: God, lay ourselves out before you this morning in awe of who you are. Of what you’ve done for us. For the fact that this was always plan A. We live in a world that believes you owe us something when in reality you owe us nothing! It’s only in your great compassion on us that you sent your son to be born into this world to die to make a way for us to be right with you. It’s only in your great compassion that we get to come to you at all. We are so thankful that you have given us your spirit to guide and sustain us. To breathe life into us and give us strength for the journey. You are a loving and gracious father! Oh God, may we never take that for granted. We are free in you. God help us to get free and stay free never becoming slaves again. And God, just like those so long ago waited for the coming of the long awaited Savior, we look back and celebrate what you’ve done, but we always look forward to your coming again. We love you Lord and we together, here on our mats today, we breathe … we breathe you in. We breathe in your grace and we breathe out your praise! And together this morning and in the days that follow, we wait. Because Lord, the best is yet to come.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus: December Playlist and Schedule

Christmas is my most favorite time of the year. The smells, the music, the excitement mounting in the air. It's almost palpable. But the thing that draws me in is the hope. The hope of whats to come. We know what's behind us, but we have no idea what's ahead. We know what this last year has brought. We know the joy and the sorrow. We know the health and the sickness. 

For believers, we know that we didn't take one step of it alone. We know this because of Christmas. We know what we celebrate this time of year, the birth of Jesus, is not another birthday. It's not another holiday that gathers families. It's the Father gathering his children. He's drawing us near. He's gathering his family together to celebrate. He gave us Jesus as our great promised deliverer so that we don't walk alone. We walk in hope. Expectant hope that He is coming back. 

We wait. 

As they waited all those many years ago. 

Generation after generation. 

With Hope.

With Faith. 

We know He's coming back.

"Before they left the garden, God whispered a promise to Adam and Eve: “It will not always be so! I will come to rescue you! And when I do, I’m going to do battle against the snake. I’ll get rid of the sin and the dark and the sadness you let in here. I’m coming back for you!” And he would. One day, God himself would come."

JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

 Isaiah 9:6

So below is the playlist, all except "The Darkest Midnight" by Bono. It's on Michael W. Smith's new Christmas Album and was not available on Spotify. But it's amazing! Go look it up.

If you're looking for the Yoga that goes with the playlist: You can find me here:

As always, tis the season ... and things may change. But as for now, here is my December Schedule. If you have any questions, please comment or email me!

Check back ... I'm looking for a place to do a special Christmas Holy Yoga class. More details to come.

Sunday: Get on the Bus

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Today is the day Friends! It's here!

God has worked in me so much to get me to this day. I can't tell you ... I just sit here in tears at how loving and faithful our God is. He completes what He starts Friends. Oh how much I want you to know that and experience that in your own lives. 

This has been one amazing story from the start. God has brought many characters into this story. Some I have known for a long time and others, I may never meet this side of heaven. But isn't that just like our God? It's all His story. We just get to play a small part. I'm so thankful. 

So Friends, pray with me. Pray that as I get on this plane and fly across the country that God holds it all together in his palm. Pray that as I board that bus with my sisters and brothers in Jesus, that we'll become a family before we get off. Pray with me Friends for all the people that God has for us to minister to after we come home. Because this gift of training, this gift of loving, it's not meant for us to hoard unto ourselves. It's meant for us to share. To spread the gospel of Jesus. So pray with me Friends. 

And if you don't know Him, ask me. I would love nothing more than to tell you about my Jesus.

Saturday: Rest

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Well Friends, it's the night before I leave for retreat. And thing are right on schedule. WVU played a great game and lost by 1 in the last 4 seconds. The husband is sad. The kids have been running around all day on a sugar high from Halloween candy. (we found them behind the couch several times today sneaking more) So of course now they are crashing with lots of wining and crying and oh my belly. Brewer is convinced that he's going to throw up at any moment. Please pray he doesn't. I really don't want to have to deal with that tonight. My dog keeps looking at my bag and then at me. He's following me around everywhere and I've literally tripped over him twice. If I break my leg tripping over the dog the night before retreat ... well ... I guess it was Gods plan all along. 

Those are just a few of the things going on in my house right now. I can only imagine all that the evil one is plotting at your homes and the homes of all those men and women who will join me tomorrow. So, we all need some prayer. 

My flight leaves at 7am tomorrow morning. Pray for me. Pray for rest. I need some rest. I need to feel my Jesus with his arms wrapped tightly around me. I need to rest in the knowledge that He's holding my family while I'm gone. I need to step away from my life and reconnect to His mercy and His grace. And I can't wait to do just that. I know it's coming, or the evil one wouldn't be fighting so hard to steal it from me and from you. 

My bags are packed and there is nothing left for me to do. So pray for ... rest. Pray for the rest of the things that I can't think to pray for. Pray for the whatever the Lord lays on your heart to pray for. 

Thank you for being part of this with me. Thank you for your prayers and for your support. 

Open Up Let the Light In

Friends, I am leaving tomorrow for Holy Yoga retreat. I am beyond words excited to see what all God has planned for me there. But more, what He wants me to bring back to you! I am completely in awe of the Great God we serve. He continutes to blow me away at every turn. 

Here is the playlist of songs that have meant something to me over the last few weeks and months. Looking toward Thanksgiving and trying to give thanks for all He's done. I will never live enough Thanksgivings to write them all down. I will just continue to be humbled ... over and over ... 

So here's the thing. If you noticed from the above playlist there are several songs missing. Steffany Gretzinger ... her album "The Undoing" has not been uploaded to Spottify. I'm so sorry to leave those songs out here. But they are listed above and I hope that you'll look them up other places and listen. 

Also, with so much going on and changing in November, I am not posting a schedule. I'll be teaching and I'll be out of town. If you want to find me, comment or email or text and I'll let you know where I'll be. 

Thank you Friends, for all your support! I can not wait to share with you after retreat!!

Friday: I Shall Fear No Evil

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And the words of the Lord are flawless,

    like silver purified in a crucible,

    like gold refined seven times.

You, Lord, will keep the needy safe

    and will protect us forever from the wicked,

 

who freely strut about

    when what is vile is honored by the human race.

Psalm 12:6-8

I was driving down the road this morning praying. I was thinking about Halloween and I was thinking about my kids and my husband and my life and memories and the memories we're making for them. I thought about what the world looked like when I was there age and what it looks like now. And I was thinking about, if the Lord waits, what it might look like when they have kids this age. And I started to get scared. What will my children have to fight to stand up for their faith. What will they have to live through? And I prayed. Before I was finished I passed a sign on a local business and all it said was Psalm 12:7-8 I immediately looked it up and began to cry. 

I don't know if you follow me on Instagram but yesterday I posted something. I've been asking the Lord to speak to me. Give me a specific word. I wanted to hear from Him so badly. And today ... He spoke. 

The Lord will protect. The perfect word of our perfect Lord. He spoke to be about refining. And Oh do He and I know about refining! We've been working through a lot of it! He reassured me that he protects his children. This wicked world, this vile human race, it can not thwart what the Lord has planned. His timing is always and forever perfect. 

As I am preparing to leave my family in less than 48 hours, would you pray with me? Please pray for protection. We've prayed for travel, we've prayed for lonely hearts, we've prayed for wellness ... so please pray for protection. Protection from the evil one. He's always lurking. He's always trying to steal kill and destroy. He has power in this world, but he cant hurt my soul. Please pray for protection from thoughts. Pray for protection from oh so many things that I could name that could go wrong. Pray that God would protect and would be glorified through it all. 

I love ya'll. I am so honored to be used by our Lord. I'm so honored to pray with you and have you pray with me. We serve a good and faithful God. He is so ready to use us if we are willing to be used. 

 

Thursday: Under His Mighty Wing

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"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

I only have a moment today, but this verse has been on my mind all day. As the time draws near to leaving, I'm getting a little more anxious about leaving my family and all I should pack and flying. It's not the flying that scares me, it's how close my flight landing is to the time I'm supposed to be there. Yeah, I need to be in a meeting at 12;00 and my flight lands at 12:03. You read that right. I land 3 minutes after my meeting. 

Would you pray with me? Would you pray for safe travel. Please pray for good weather. Pray for flights that take off and land on time. Pray for luggage and carry on bags. Pray for yoga mats and essential oils. Pray for good traveling buddies! Pray that God will use me to spread the gospel. Pray that I will trust that whatever happens, He is the one in control and not me. I am only along for the ride. 

There are so many of us traveling from all over. God has ordained this week. I know that He is all over this. Thank you Friends for loving me and all your encouragement! It means more to me than you'll ever know. Thank you for the emails and messages. 

Love you guys!

Wednesday: Open Hearts & Hands

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Friends, I just finished my last online class for my 225h Holy Yoga Certification. It went by so fast! As much as I've learned and as much as God has changed me, my heart, my practice ... I feel like I have not learned a thing. There has to be more. There is still so much I don't know. 

As I look forward to next week, to being with all my fellow trainees and all those who've been through this training already, I am so humbled. I know I say this a lot, but Friends, I'm just a girl. I'm nothing special. The only thing special about me is that Jesus loves me! 

Here is the thing, our journey, yoga or our sanctification, is never finished. There is always something else to learn. There is always a deeper layer than were you've been before. There is always more to grow and stretch. With that being said, I cant stop thinking about where this will take me. This Holy Yoga? God did not bring me here to learn about the body. He didn't bring me here so I could be bendy. He brought me here to grow and bend and stretch. To mold me into the image of Jesus. And, even thought it would have been enough, He didn't do it just for me. He did it for you too. And I can't stop thinking about you. 

Wednesday: Would you pray with me? Would you pray for my training this week? Please pray for God to show up in a mighty way. Pray for God to open my heart to things He wants to teach me. Pray that I'll be open and grow and stretch. Pray that I will be wrung out like a rag on my mat. Whatever needs to be emptied, let it be left behind. Whatever I need to pick up, that I'll have the strength to carry it. But I know I wont have to carry it alone. 

Friends, what God is teaching me here today and there next week, it's for you. It's for me to bring back and be a better instructor. It's for me to create a space where I can move out of the way and you and Jesus can meet together on your mat. And for you to move and grown and stretch with Him. I can't stop praying for you. I've been praying for you since He called me here in this space. This yoga thing, it's not about me. It never has been. It's all about Him all about His glory. And I am ever so thankful for that. 

Pray for me Friends, because I'm praying for you. 

Tuesday: Resting in His Hands

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Tuesday; I am resting in His mighty hands today. As I type this I am sitting Tire Kingdom. I'm trying to get things ready for my family before I leave. So, when I looked down and noticed that it's time to get an oil change, the next obvious step is to take the family vehicle and get it prepped for me to be gone and my family to be safe. The good news: my SUV will be ready for my husband to drive all week. Bad news: I waited until my mom was out of town and no one could help me and so for the next few hours, I'm sitting in a waiting room waiting for my car. Now, my OCD listing checking self is going crazy. There are so many things that need to be checked off my list before I leave. But I have to laugh at the way God is so sweet that He's given me this time to sit and be still. Because I have no other choice!

The thing is, He always knows what we need. And He will give it to us if we ask. So, how did I end up "trapped" at the car place? Because I asked God yesterday to help me relax and find some rest before I leave this weekend. You have to be careful what you ask for because the gift does not always look like what you thought it would. But I'm thankful that me makes me laugh. I'm thankful that He gives and blesses me beyond what I thought was best. 

I'm trusting Him for next week too. Would you pray with me?

For my Family: Jamie, Brewer and Eva. 

Please pray first for their safety, that God would hold us all in His mighty hands while we're apart. Please pray for good health. It always seems that when one of us is gone, those left at home get sick or hurt. So, please pray for good health for all four of us. 

Second, would you please pray for our hearts while we're away from each other. I know we'll only be gone a week. But I'll be honest with you, this is the first time I've left my husband alone with the kids for a week. I trust that He'll be just fine, but it can drain you. God designed families. God's design was perfect with a partner to carry and support the load. When your partner is gone, grace abounds. Pray for grace to about when we feel the weight of the loneliness. Pray for grace to abound when we feel the weight of the responsibility. Pray for grace to abound when we are tired and at the end of ourselves. Pray for my sweet babies to be kind to each other and respectful and kind to their Daddy. 

Please pray for the other men and women who will be with me. We are all leaving behind family and loved ones. Pray for our hearts, our health and our freedom. God is working Friends. God is faithful. God will complete what He's started. Not one of us ended up here on accident. He has called and wooed us. He has worked in our hearts and in the hearts and lives of those around us. We know this full well. And that is what gives me the strength to get up, board a plane and leave my family behind for a few days. It's all for His glory. It's all for His Kingdom. 

And if you think about it, please pray that the dog gets fed. 

Monday: Breathe Fresh on Me

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Guys, I am leaving next Sunday for the Holy Yoga immersion retreat. Can you believe it?!? Since God called me to teach yoga (you can read about that here) and since he introduced me to Holy Yoga and told me it was a part of my future, and then the waiting and praying and working and refining that took place ... its finally here. 

I am in awe of who God is and how He works. I am so honored that He would use someone like me. I'm nothing special, just a girl. But I'm a girl after His heart. I'm a girl who was changed by scandalous grace. And I'm a girl who wants everyone to know they can be changed too. He's oh so good Friend, oh so good and so faithful!

So, today I'm asking for prayer. Each day until I leave I'm going to post something you can pray for with me. 

Monday: Please pray that God will use these last few days to prepare me and my family for all that God will do while I'm gone. Please pray that He will be all over the trip in general. Please pray that He moves in ways we have not yet imagined. Please pray that God would work in Jamie and the kids while I'm gone to prepare them for who I am when I get back. Please pray that I am changed by this certification process. 

Oh Friends, I have been changed. This training over the last few weeks has already changed my practice, changed my time on and off the mat in so many ways I couldn't even count. 

Thank you Friends. Thank you for your prayers and for your love and support. 

6 MORE DAYS!!

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom: October Playlist and Schedule

October ... this is my favorite time of the year. Fall is on its way. College Football is in full swing. (LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!) There are bonfires, sweaters, cookouts, chili and endless soups to devour. The leaves are turning and falling. And last, but not least, Halloween. 

My kids already have their costumes picked out and hanging in their closest ... just waiting. They are ready to dress up and for one nigh, get to be someone else. Oh yeah, and consume and ungodly amount of sugar. 

When I think about Halloween, I think about people escaping their real lives and for one night and getting to be someone they're not. Why is that fun? Because when you put on a costume, you know who you are. You're Batman, you're Hello Kitty, you're a cowboy or a nurse. You get to choose and you get to take on all the characteristic of those characters. You get to be brave and fearless. You get to be sweet and loved by all. You have an identity. 

Isn't that what we're all looking for? To know who we are and why we're here? Could it be that is what makes Halloween so fun and so scary? For one night we know who we are, but when the costume comes off, we enter back into that world of the unknown. We become Moms and Dads and Brothers and Sisters. We become (insert job title here). And we slip back into the world of confusion and struggle. And it can be hard and it can be scary. 

But the good news is that no matter how many of those titles that you do hold, mom sister friend wife ... you can still know who you are and what you're here for. Finding out who you are does not begin with looking within yourself. That's a strange place to start. To find out what you've been made for, shouldn't you first look at the one who made you?

So this month, my focus is on rooting down into who God is. It's in Him alone that I find out who I am. So join me Friends, unroll your mat, breathe deep, and root down into the word. 

And for you locals who want the yoga that goes with the playlist, find me below. If you need any more info, please comment or email and I'll get back as soon as I can!

Falling into Grace: September Playlist & Schedule

So I've been reading through the book of Hebrews. I have learned so much about Jesus and who he was on earth and what His time here means to me. It's made me look at Jesus in a completely different way and made me fall in love with Him all over again.

 

I am in a season of Grace. I'm in a season of taking control of my life away from others and placing it in the Fathers hands. He is always faithful. He is always good. And He is always right ... even when it doesn't feel that way to me. I can trust Him. And so can you.

 

So this month, our playlist is about Grace. It's about learning to come to Jesus in the middle of your yuck. He's standing beside you waiting for you to call out to Him.

 

And since some of you have asked for a way to play the playlist without having to look them all up ... look what I learned to do! (Hope it works, if not comment below and let me know)

  

 

And for you locals who want the yoga that goes with the playlist, find me below. If you need any more info, please comment or email and I'll get back as soon as I can!

 

What are you listening to this month? What's on your playlist?



August: Playlist & Schedule

Ok Friends, Here it is! The August Playlist. I can not tell you how pumped I am about August! I can not wait to see what God has in store for us on our mats this month. Summer break is over and our kids are back in school. While I hate to see them go, I'm sure thankful to get back to a regular schedule. We all need it!

Healer: Hollyann
Beautiful: Mali Music
Shake It Out: Florence & The Machine
Anchor: Beautiful Eulogy (Josh Garrels)
Keeps Me Going: Melinda Doolittle
Wanted: Dara Maclean
Beautiful Day: Jamie Grace
We Are Brave: Shawn McDonald
Lose My Soul: Tobymac (Kirk Franklin & Mandisa
The Mountain: Trevor Hall
Only Love: Ben Howard
I Believe: Mali Music
Beautiful King: Danyew
Be Still, O My Soul: The City Harmonic
Calling on Fire: Bellarive

There are several questions that are recurring at the end of my yoga classes. One is about the music I play. The other is about my schedule. A few months ago I started posting my music because it was just easier to direct my student here. I thought, why not do the same with my schedule? That way, even my husband can look it up when he forgets!

So this is my schedule for August. These are the classes and locations I'll be at if you're looking for me. Theses are subject to change as life happens, but for the most part, it's correct. I do want to mention that the two facilities I work at have other amazing instructors whose schedules are not mentioned here. This is just for those who are looking for me.

  

I want to thank you all so much! I love what I do and I'm still in awe that I get to do this job. I couldn't do it without you!

So, if you can, join me in class. If not, grab the playlist and your mat. Move your body and worship. Friends, we are called to love the Lord with all our hearts and all our souls and all our strength. In Him we move and breath and have our being.

Anything you want to hear next month?

Finding Freedom: July Yoga Playlist

Oh Friends, this playlist was painful in the process and beautiful in the conception. When I set out to make a playlist for July, I wanted the theme to be freedom. I'm not sure if that's what I've accomplished here, but I can tell you that several of these songs brought me to tears.

 

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

 

Friend, if you have found freedom in Christ, don't become a slave to anything else. There is such freedom to be had in understanding that we have surrendered our lives to Jesus and therefore never have to be a slave to anything again. Not food, not body image, not money, not wine, not time. We are free. Hold fast to that Friend.

 

 

Be Set free: Josh Garrels
Reason: Tal & Acacia
Break Every Chain: Will Reagan
Freedom Road: Amber Hunter
More than Conquerors: Rend Collective
Freedom: Josh Garrels
Alabaster: Rend Collective
Children of the Earth: Josh Garrels
Oceans: Hillsong (Zion Acoustic Sessions)
Vapor: The Liturgists

 

 

Oh this last one, Vapor, brought me to my knees Friends. If you don't listen to any of these, please find this one. Beautiful. Holy.

 

As always, these are my suggestions for the month. I hope that you'll take them and get on your mat. Open your heart and mind before the Lord in worship. If that's not your thing, listen in the car. Whatever you do, I hope that you meet with God in a powerful time of worship and adoration to our King.

 

We are Free Friend, Free to worship the one who breaks chains.

June: Yoga Playlist

Grab your mat. Grab your bible. Grab your journal and spend some time with Jesus this month. I hope this playlist can lead you into a beautiful flow.

As always, take what you like and leave the rest. Everything I offer is only a suggestion. Whatever leads you closer to Him ...

Enjoy Friends!

Nehemiah: Daily Repentance/Worship/Recommitment

 

If I’m going to tell you a story, I guess I should start at the beginning  …

Just a quick update, my name is Annie and I’m a yoga instructor. It’s not where I saw my life going, but God did. He called me to be a light in a dark community. If you want to read that story, start here. Go ahead, I’ll wait …

So, by now, you’re probably wondering what that’s got to do with Nehemiah. I’m not quite there yet, just hang with me a minute. So, after a while of teaching yoga and learning how to do that well, I wanted to know more. I wanted to go deeper. I prayed about how to grown in knowledge and still guarding my heart. One of the things God was teaching me at the time was that I couldn’t teach what I didn’t know. If I was going to be a light in a dark community I needed to be in His word deeper. I needed to know yoga deeper. If I was going to be taken seriously on either subject , I needed to know more. After a while of praying and listening, I found Holy Yoga.

Over the next few months God made it clear that was to be my next step. But it was not quite time. It’s really hard when God shows you a bit of your future, but will not let you have it. There was work that needed to be done first.

One day I was praying and confused and frustrated. God took me to Nehemiah. Through our afternoon there, God told me that there was a great work to be done. He was preparing and providing for each step of the way, I needed to listen and trust. He showed me there would be a time of waiting and planning, He would give me a plan. There would be opposition from the outside and from the inside, because a mighty work of God does not come without some pushback. But that opposition was not for me to worry about. He would take care of all my obstacles. And the last thing He told me that day was, all of this time of waiting has a purpose. When the time comes to move, just like Nehemiah and the King, it will be quick.

For the sake of time here, we’ll just say that last 11 months have been a refining period in my life. God has been working in me and burning off things that I cannot carry into the next chapter of my life. Some have been very painful and some I didn’t even know I still carried. He’s grown relationships and cut some others off. It has been a good and sweet and very hard time with the Lord. If I tried to tell you everything that’s happened over the last year, we’d be here forever. So can you just trust me that He’s spoken in some pretty significant ways? Just to give you a taste, I’ll tell you this one with most of the details.

So a few weeks ago I was again at a place where, in reference to Holy Yoga, I was broken down and frustrated and confused. I know beyond a shadow of doubt this is where I am supposed to be, but I just don’t see a way there. (Did I mention this is about a $3,000 commitment?) What I’m about to say, I do not encourage as a way of speaking to God. But this day, I got angry. Praying I said, “God I just don’t understand what you’re doing. (knowing full well what I was saying was wrong) God if I am too distracted by Holy Yoga to see what you really want from me, please take this desire away. But God if this is what you want from me then do it! God I want there to be a clear sign. I want someone to come up to be and hand me a check. I want them to say, ‘God wants me to give this money to you for Holy Yoga’ and God, I don’t want it to be someone who knows me. I want it to be a complete stranger. If that happens, then I will know that this is you. If not, then I’ll forget about it and walk away.”

 

Pretty bold way to speak to God. I think He was laughing at me. Literally four days later, I got a message from a woman I don’t really know. She’s been a friend on Instagram, but other than that, she’s a stranger. She said, and I kid you not, I would like to pay your down payment to register for Holy Yoga. I wanted to do it a while ago, but I didn’t feel like God wanted me to yet.

I was floored. Again, even in my unwillingness to just trust, God was faithful. Because that’s who He is. Over the next week, Jamie and I prayed about it and talked about it. On Monday, Jamie went on a trip, one that I would not have contact with him for a week. On Monday, SHEREADSTRUTH started the book of Nehemiah. I was thrilled and could not wait. I could feel the Lord working and I couldn’t get into this book fast enough. On Monday, I got a call from Holy Yoga about my down payment. It was time to put the plan into action. I was worried but God made it clear through that first day in Nehemiah, the time of waiting was over, put the plan into action. I will take care of the rest.

In the last 17 days in the book of Nehemiah, God has taught me so much.

1. Extraordinary things happen when you move with God. Not running ahead but walking beside.
2. Keep God in His rightful place. Don’t exalt the power of man and diminish the power of God.
3. God’s plan always has more eternal value than we can understand.
4. What good is a strong wall, if the people inside the wall are corrupt?
5. Faithfully living for God includes DAILY Repentance/Worship/Recommitment. DAILY

So why does the book of Nehemiah, a great and mighty work of God, end the way it does? The people have yet again, taken their eyes off the Lord. They have intertwined their lives and beliefs with those around them. They have forsaken the word of God. Why is that encouraging to me?

Because if the book had ended one chapter before, I could walk away with a list of things to do, and thought it would be easy to return to God and keep all His laws. By seeing this, I am again reminded that, it’s a DAILY Repentance/Worship/Recommitment. Don’t get comfortable in thinking that I worked for the blessing in my life. It’s nothing that I’ve done, but all the goodness and good gifts of a loving God. It’s all Him! Never forget, don’t get lazy, keep working to know Him better.

I’m so thankful that God has used the book of Nehemiah intertwined with my yoga journey. It’s a reminder to me over and over that God can do great things I don’t understand through me for the kingdom if I trust Him and walk with him step by step. For me to be used, I must continue to learn, because I can’t teach what I don’t know. That goes for yoga and His word. And He’s teaching me to keep my eyes on Him always, DAILY, so that I don’t get lost in the culture around me that could easily draw me away from God. Keep my eyes on Him. Give Him all the praise and glory. Keep Him in His rightful place. DAILY repentance/worship/recommitment.

What big thing is God doing in your life?