Yoga for a Healthy Body Image -- *free* workshop!

Yoga for a Healthy Body Image
Find Your Sweet Spot with this *Free* Love Your Body Month Workshop
at the Atlanta Ballet – Cobb Centre

How: Love yourself, move your body, live free. Through movement, breath work and body awareness meditations, learn when to push and when to surrender. Striking a balance between effort and ease can help you find your edge, your middle, your sweet spot. Let your intuition and breath lead your movement for your body and your life – Breathe and let the rest follow. Then, practice writing with the body to help connect your body, breath and spirit. Caroline Gebhardt, a registered yoga teacher and owner of FLOW Training, will lead the workshop creating a non-harming, non-competitive atmosphere.

When: Sunday, February 20, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, the Cobb Centre:
2000 Powers Ferry Road SE, Suite G4, Marietta, GA 30067 – (678-213-5000)

Why: Each February, the Eating Disorders Information Network (EDIN) launches LOVE YOUR BODY MONTH which provides educational workshops, seminars and other events to help promote positive body images and to help prevent disordered eating. For more information about EDIN, visit www.myedin.org .

Who: No yoga experience necessary. Just bring an open mind.

Cost: Free – Donations are welcome and will benefit EDIN 100%.

What to bring: Please bring a mat, a cushion if desired, water, and a journal.

Questions/RSVP: An RSVP is appreciated but not required. Contact Caroline Gebhardt at 404.210.6752 or caroline@mybodyflow.com


Love Yourself, Move Your Body, Live Free
www.mybodyflow.com

On Meditating...(and changing/fixing/transcending or finding plain peace)

In the book Women Food and God by Geneen Roth, her phrase on presence that I believe applies to us all -- yoginis or not -- appears on page 112 and 113:
"Usually, when people hear the word meditation, they think of transcending this clunky earthly plane. The kind of meditation I refer to has nothing to do with transcending or leaving or changing yourself in any way -- and everything to do with its opposite: showing up where you already are."

How beautiful. Stop fixing and/or changing yourself, and show up as you already are. At work in a boring meeting. In your car behind a slowpoke. In line at the post office. During a dance class or exhilarating run. Or in the middle of an addiction or struggle. Show up. Be present. Take it all in. Yes, just being where you are, clearing your mind, absorbing what you're doing, and not wishing time (or your thighs) away all count as meditation. You will benefit in ways you can't really control or imagine.

I used to get so irritated at the thought of sitting on a pillow before an altar and meditating. It made me want to scream and run and roll my eyes -- I had no intention of transcending. Life is short enough, I needed some holy EARTHINESS in my body with my loved ones, not to float in the clouds. I'd escaped my body too many times before. I needed earthly presence with peace.

So, before I read Geneen's new book, and while I was immersed in a yoga training, I decided to make peace with this thing called meditation. Sometimes I'd have a movement meditation while taking a great class or doing my own asana practice. Sometimes (okay, occasionally) I'd have a cooking meditation. Sometimes, I'd have a driving meditation. Many times a walking meditation, a bathtub meditation, and a mat meditation. The idea was to clear my head of the running thoughts that go something like this:

I should have checked the stove before I left the house; did the door shut completely?; am I going to hit the deadline?; what if I ask for an extra day -- will they think I'm slacking?; who cares what they think?; if the kitty gets out, I will never forgive myself; if the house burns with Nick still sleeping, I'll just die; God, we need to paint the shutters...

See what I mean? Those are the thoughts we can let go. Sometimes it just takes a little tweaking perspective. While India's a lovely place, and having a spiritual awakening during your committed pillow/floor/quiet time is nothing short of holy, we don't have to be so hard on ourselves. We can start now. All we really have to do is show up.

~ Namaste

If you've ever dieted one time too many, or if tell yourself ugly thoughts when looking in a mirror, you might just eat up this book. For more information about Women Food and God, visit: http://www.womenfoodandgod.com/

If you're interested in private yoga or personal training sessions, write me: caroline@mybodyflow.com

Facebook, Computers, Gadgets & Connecting

Someone (from Facebook) wrote to me insinuating that my blogs tend to be body-and-women-focused. Really? Good job noticing! While, I'm not really sure what he meant by it -- as if to say I should be writing about my personal Friday night plans or my favorite eye candy (mystery novels) -- he's on the mark.

I'm fascinated with how we live (or don't live) in our bodies, and being in your body isn't just for women! Men, you can use a dose of listening to your body too! And, I tend to write for women because, hellew, I've got experience in that area. That's why I decided to create my business to help others find peace and energy in their bodies, and therein, their lives. Lo and behold, I created a blog that happens to be connected to Facebook where we all tend to connect in random and sometimes energy-sucking ways.

Like many of you probably, I have a love-and-hate relationship with computers and gadgets like Blackberries, iPhones, etc. They allow us to dive into a world of knowledge, videos, games, news and the all-consuming social networking. I think it's magnificent to have the world at our fingertips, but I think it's a shame sometimes our fingers are the only ones dancing.

If you read this by chance, take a moment to turn away from the computer (or iPad or B-berry), shut down the Twitter window, and forget browsing for the latest-and-greatest coupons. Take a deep breath that goes all the way down into your belly. Now, see if you can exhale. Let go. Let go of the drama. Take a few more deep breaths and notice how your body feels --

*How are your shoulders?
*Your jaw?
*Is your face relaxed or are your brows in a furrow?
*What about your spine - are you tall and awake or slumped?
*Now take note of your legs. Could they stretch? Walk, Kick, Run, Dance?

*What happens when you follow your body?
*How do you feel when you stay stuck?

Come back to your breath. That's all you really have to do. It will lead you to stay and continue browsing (which I'm not knocking, I'm just saying!). It will lead you to get up and get moving. It will lead you to your truth, your energy, your gut, your hunch. Take time to tune in, to check in, to connect with yourself. There's nothing Greater.

Disease is inertia. Healing is movement. If you put the body in motion, you will change. You are meant to move: from flowing to staccato, through chaos into lyrical and back into the stillness from which all movement comes. ~ Gabrielle Roth

Breath Made Visible - a film

I just happened upon such a beautiful message that I thought I'd share with whomever might be out there tonight....(in case you're wondering about how dance can teach, heal, inspire and transform...or any connected movement for that matter...)

Check out the trailer for this dance documentary featuring dance pioneer Anna Halprin -- I love how she says "Dance is the breath made visible. Anyone can do it -- I don't care whether they've had any training at all."

This website is too beautiful for me to try to summarize, so please see for yourself. Read the synopsis, then watch the trailer. The music is breathtaking as well as the message:

http://www.breathmadevisible.com/?lang=en

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Prana Patience Prayer

It's been way too long since I've written, so why not take advantage of this Saturday night after I've had chicken noodle soup for dinner, taken a hot bath, and while my fiance watches a "futbol" game by my side.

The past month has been full of change due to moving in and merging my belongings and my life with my fiance. I've now got quite a commute, which isn't too bad. And, we're still praying for peace among our pets (the two dogs are still amazed with my furry little feline who's found a new love for hissing and arching her back around our good ol' dogs). Patience and prayer - I'm minding my P's until they're all friends.

Then, while I thought all was well besides mileage increasing and pets freaking, I got sick. It was one of those things I thought I could ride out...then I finally went to the doctor...then I went to another doctor. Next thing I knew, I had two procedures scheduled one day after the other. I've been scared and for good reason. Thankfully, my doctor gave two thumbs up after each procedure, so now I'm working on healing.

I believe we're all working on healing in one way or another - throughout our lives. Even throughout each day if you're open to looking at it that way. Or, perhaps, I believe, with each breath.

This past month, and especially this past week, I've had to slow down - way down. And, while I'm not an obsessive exerciser, I like a good dose of physical movement nearly everyday. Whether it's flow yoga, or a run/walk, or a great step class, or a tough Cathe dvd, it helps my body, my soul, my mind, to move. And, when that doesn't happen, I get cranky. Bottled up. Tight. Tense. Crabby. Moody. Really, really blah. It's like I get "out of my body" - yet, dare I even say it for fear of having this "thing" happen again - but perhaps this experience has taught me something important about "staying in my body" despite the chaos I can't control.

In order for me to make sense of the past month, and especially the past week, like many people in difficult life situations, I've turned to prayer and prana. Prana is a Sanskrit word meaning life-force, breath, vitality of spirit. Although the meaning of prana doesn't necessarily follow a particular "religious" path, I highly encourage applying any sense of religion or spirit to this practice that feels good to you. Sometimes we connect in a religious way easily through prayer - sometimes we need something more than words to connect to Something Bigger - sometimes that can be through the breath, the body, the well of energy that resides within...

Thankfully, with my yoga and movement practice, I've discovered something beyond the physical part of movement. I've discovered that energy that lies within me regardless of whether I've had a great "workout" or not. It's always there, you can always tap into it by going deep within and being open to your own healing energy.

I'd like to share two things that have helped me lately - I'll paste those below hoping maybe they can help you too. Additionally, my hope for myself and for readers is to carry this sense of healing energy throughout all phases of your life, your sickness and your health, your day and your nights, your inhales and your exhales....

#1

Inhale Grace,
Exhale Fear,
Inhale New,
Exhale Old.
Inhale Receive,
Exhale Let Go.

(I believe you get my drift - Inhale what you need, Exhale what you need to let go...)

#2

I need to be still and let God love me.
I need to be still and let God love me.
When this old world starts to push and shove me,
I need to be still and let God love me.

(from "I Need To Be Still ( And Let God Love Me )" written by: Archie P. Jordan and Naomi Martin)

EDIN workshop

Writing with the Body: Words and Movement
Monday, July 21, 2008
7-8pm
EDIN’s Decatur office:
124 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030
*free

Join FLOW Training for a workshop
combining gentle movement and writing.
Drawing or coloring is also an option.
Practice tuning into your mind-body connection.
Let your body and your heart speak.

*Bring your journal and yoga mat.

Connect with your body, connect with yourself, connect with others. FLOW Training offers a variety of fitness training and workshops focusing on connecting the body, self, breath and community. For more information:

FLOW Training
404.210.6752
carolineflow@gmail.com
www.mybodyflow.com

*For more information about EDIN (Eating Disorders Information Network), please visit www.myedin.org

Your Story?

Hi all ~

I'm interested in gaining feedback from you. Along with my friend at www.phonomenalvideo.com, I am working on producing a piece of work highlighting the emotional eating recovery process. We would love to hear your unique feedback. Please email me at carolineflow@gmail.com !

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Thank you in advance for helping with this research. We are producing a video highlighting the recovery process for those affected by disordered eating. This includes those who personally struggle with disordered eating as well as those who have been closely involved (family, friends, mentors, coaches, therapists).

While there are many videos defining different types of disordered eating, we feel it’s important to show that recovery and “the other side” is possible. Because no recovery path is identical to another, we want to show an array of stories. Additionally, we feel the truth works, therefore, we understand the need to show realistic angles – the ups, the downs, the middle-of-the-road days, etc. Most importantly, we want to hear your unique truth, your insight, your hopes. Thank you.

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Optional info:
Name:

Required info:
Age:
Gender:
Cultural background:

Regarding the body wars or emotional eating, please answer the following questions. Feel free to write as much or as little as you want:

What did you overcome? Or, what are you overcoming? (the problem/dysfunction)

How did you overcome it (therapy, reading, group support, relationships, etc.)?

What was your turning point in wanting to stick to recovery?

How do you define recovery?

What has been the greatest challenge(s) in this process?

How are you today? What is your reality?

Do you consider yourself a “success story” (beating the odds, beating your own beliefs, etc.)?

What would you like others to know?

During your recovery journey, did/do you think a self-help, educational video on recovery, would help? If so, what messages would you like to have seen? And/or, what do you think should not be shown in a recovery video?

If you are able and willing and to share your story on camera in the Atlanta area, please provide your contact information below. Thank you.

Name:
Phone:
Email:

Welcome

Thanks again for visiting my blog -- I decided to create a blog because of my own experiences not trusting my body's signals. After finally reaching out and listening with the help of a local nonprofit EDIN, http://www.edin-ga.org, I feel so much more peace and excitement for life.

About me: I'm 25, grew up in South Carolina and currently work in television news production. While my tv experience has been beneficial, I'm moving toward educating and healing others in trusting their own body wisdom. I plan to use my idea of "FLOW" personal training -- Functional, Light, One-on-One Workout. (if you're interested, please email carolineflow@gmail.com for more information)

I love: interviewing people, teaching and taking fitness classes, tv bloopers, game night with funny friends so we can act like total goofs, entertaining friends, going to sleep early.

I hope my stories, writing, favorite quotes and encouragement help you to stay in tune with your body and spirit. Take good care of yourself.

“Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.” Seneca, Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD