“The Stretch Gazette” is our studio’s monthly blog. Every month we will bring you some motivation through Words of Wisdom, Yoga Tips & Facts, and personal thoughts from co-owner, Daniella. Please subscribe to receive email notifications of our latest publication by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.
I’m still a bit in denial that May has come and gone. Not gonna lie, it was a challenging month. Aside from accepting that Spring weather made its appearance for just one week, I was met with a rush of – life! Not problems, or hurdles, or difficulties…life. It’s all about perspective, right?
As the saying goes, “When it rains, it pours.” (And it’s literally been raining a little too much around here!) However, there doesn’t need to be a negative tone attached to it. It may not be easy, in that given moment, to release the tension, the fear or the negativity, but it’s not so much about that. I think we tend to forget that as humans, it’s natural for us to react defensively, be it physically and/or mentally….and that’s ok. What’s not ok, is allowing those reactions to take over, and dictate how we treat others and ourselves. Even worse? Allowing negativity to rob us of life experiences.
I recently had to make an unexpected trip to CA to see my grandmother. She was in the hospital and we had quite a scare. When I got the call, I panicked. I started looking ahead and thinking about all I had coming up. I felt overwhelmed and even angry at God for the bad timing. Then a good friend reminded me what I already knew….to stay present. Right now, what did I need to do? The answer was clear. I had to go see her and be with my family. My grandma is home now, and while she is very fragile and weak, she is stable for the time being. My siblings and I really pulled together to help her, as well as my parents. It’s brought us all closer together. I know that this is teaching me to embrace that in every “negative situation” lies a positive….whether it’s an emotional growth, a learning experience, or even the opportunity to spend time with loved ones. I am so thankful I made the decision to go.
Some of you know that one of our instructors, Kimmy K, just welcomed a beautiful baby girl. One of the things that worried me prior to my trip, was that she was due around that time and I was scheduled to be at the delivery as her doula. Kimmy gave me her blessing to go and I left it in God’s hands. Imagine my delight (not so much Kimmy’s!) when I got back and little Vivian had still not made her debut. A few days later, I was fortunate to be by Kimmy’s side when she arrived (a week overdue!) It was a beautiful experience that I am so honored to have had the privilege to share.
These are just two of my recent experiences that have left me feeling different, inspired, humbled, and extremely grateful. The biggest reminders I’ve received are to find the positive in the negative and to truly enjoy each moment and embrace each one as an essential part in my life story. There will be challenges along the way and we are going to run into those moments where we feel that it’s just pouring rain on us. Even the recent rainy weather can play tricks on our spirit, which made me think of another old saying, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” But then I ran across another one that resonated a little better with me….
Thank you for taking the time to read. Hope I’ve been able to inspire you a little, or maybe help you feel like you’re not alone. What keeps me from giving in to negativity is my yoga and my support system. Please know you have both at The Twisted Monkey. I would just like to end by thanking my Yoga Family, you know who you are. Thank you for holding down the fort and supporting me when I needed it most. Though I’m not a fan of the saying (only because of its overuse!) “I am blessed.”, I truly know that I am. Thank you all for your love and friendship.
Bhakti and Namaste,
~Daniella 
The Twisted Monkey 