Where The Lotus Grows

So, every once in a while, Tonya and Kim like to have a purely anecdotal episode to just chat and share some personal stories. This is one of those episodes. We hope you enjoying.
   
In this episode the ladies share few personal stories in which they faced a life change head-on despite fear, acted bravely and how it shaped them.  Tonya talks about learning that her first pregnancy would result in having a child that would need certain accommodations for the rest of his life. Kim shares a story of dealing with an eating disorder throughout her teen’s and 20’s as a result of controlling something in her life when life was out of control.  

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Grief and loss aren’t always associated with death. Grieving can occur anytime something is lost, given up or walked away from.  Sometimes loss comes out of nowhere and sometimes we find unexpected grief even though we walked away from an experience or person with confidence it was the best possible choice. 

Today Kim and Tonya talk about the process of grief and the different types of losses we all experience. 

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Treating chronic disease and injury is never as straightforward as treating a bacterial infection. It requires close evaluation of setups, compensations and consequences.  Healing involves more than waiting for tissues to repair themselves and often requires tremendous mental and emotional stamina and resilience as well. 
Today Kim and Tonya talk about the lesser discussed components of healing from illness or injury from a whole person prospective. 

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Today Kim and Tonya are so excited to share this discussion with  Amy Wheeler, PhD! This "getting dirty & growing strong"  interview covers, stepping up and speaking truth, the role of diversity in leadership, and some very exciting advancements in the Optimal State Programs and the future of Yoga Therapy.

Amy Wheeler, Ph.D. is a Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, San Bernardino for 20+ years. Amy's degrees include a B.A. and M.A. in Health Promotion and a Ph.D. in Education and Psychology.  Amy has travelled to India many times and was certified to teach Yoga/ Yoga Therapy in the Tradition of T. Krishnamacharya.  Before that, she was certified by several other internationally recognized Yoga and Yoga Therapy Training Programs. Amy also helped the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) set standards for Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy.  Amy is the Founder and Director of Optimal State of Living Programs, which provides both Yoga and Yoga Therapy Training Programs.  She served as the President of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Yoga Therapist (2018-2020).    See www.AmyWheeler.com for details.

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We’ve all been shaped by people before us, generations and individuals whose paved the way for us to become who we are/define ourselves, and hopefully, in turn allow us to do the same for others. In today’s episode we want to discuss mentor-ships, inspirational figures, and talks about why it's important to routinely reflect, and give credit to people who helped us become us.

Today Tonya and Kim discuss needing and being mentors, and the women who have guided them most. 

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Why are you afraid to shine your light? Fear of success? Fear of your power? Jesus said in his sermon on the mount “Let your light shine before all men, that they may see your good works. Do not put your light under a bushel” Don’t lie afraid that you’ll overshadow other people with our light, because if you have the courage to shine, you subconsciously give others in your environment permission to do the same thing. As we do the work to grow we liberate ourselves from our own fears and that presence naturally liberates others to do the same. 

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What is a ritual? From the late 16th century used as an adjective  from the word rite a body of customary observances characteristics of a social custom, practice or conventional act. Rituals allow for connection with self or others, a time to catch up, to share wisdom stories, take off your armor for a moment, confirms your existence. The real meditation is how you live your life!

Today Kim and Tonya discuss rituals, particularly in the form of self care, and how this form of mindfulness can turn the mundane into meaningful, contemplative practices.

Loving rituals put you back in the present. Are you simply moving through your day, without fully living?Today is prepping for tomorrow, today is the main event.

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Equanimity is when we have mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. In Latin it means even mind/soul. Aequanimatas aequus=even and animus = mind/soul as a psychological stability and composure which is undisturbed by experience of or exposure to emotions, pain, or other phenomena that may cause others to lose the balance of their mind.

In episode 51, the ladies discuss the how’s and why’s to finding balance in life; practice not perfection in seeking mind/body harmony. 

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As you grew up do you remember being around women who modeled true sisterhood for you?  Do you have a woman who ended up being a lifelong mentor for you?  

Usually these woman model ways for you to feel beautiful and powerful, to challenge you to stop playing small and hold space for you to blossom into the fullest expression of yourself. What if instead of doing things alone, we came together in a sisterhood with many incredible women by your side?  Women supporting women,  and lifting one another up.

Today Kim and Tonya discuss the importance of female friendships, why the catty, jealous female trope is often perpetuated and what it could mean for our future if we were more supportive of our sisters. 

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Kim and Tonya have had many conversations about drugs.  Much of this particular conversation started over discussions about cannabis, differentiation between CBD and THC and the legalization of marijuana (MJ) for recreational use in their state of Michigan.  Then Tonya started reading a book....

Today the ladies discuss the different uses for marijuana & psychedelics including medicinal and spiritual purposes.  As practioners that work with populations seeking relief from mental and physical pain, they share in the general excitement of the health and wellness community regarding the uses of these drugs, particularly the ones derived from nature, as options to replace pharmaceuticals for anxiety, depression, and opioid pain medication.  

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