Tag Archives: yoga

Unity~Community: Heartland Yoga Fest

7 Jun

HYFNamasteInTheHeart

Hello from Kansas City. I never mean to neglect my wellness advocacy side of life that I like to chat about here in the world of food allergies, lifestyle medicine, and autoimmune stuff. I’ve been busy working on something pretty cool this year which has been consuming a lot of my time. But it has been SO inspiring, healing, and actually something I adore being a part of. What a nice shift from past instances of missing out because I was too busy and tired, or too sick from working decades in toxic and ill fitting job environments. Enter the first ever Heartland Yoga Festival. I will spare you all of the details, because if you want those, you can & already have clicked on the link (which I highly recommend you do if you are free June 22-24, love yoga, & want to take a healthy vacay or staycay near my hometown of Kansas City)

I am meeting and working with some of the most interesting and truly visionary types of humans while I work on this project. And during the different stages of a festival coming together, so many other areas have come together with my own perspective and feelings for the heartland. Stuff IS really happening here. Like the things that I have felt for years were so far off that I would have finally opted to move away, or have passed away by the time KC experienced these particular concepts. I am so thrilled that I AM alive and still residing here to witness change as it happens. It feels so incredibly good. And in the case of the yoga festival, I feel fortunate to be a part of something like this that will help further bring the community together. I’m glad that we did not end up moving seven years ago when I was so fed up with my health, that I thought the only answer was leaving town. I know that part of the series of things that led to me settling down and feeling more content with my location, and actually excited about the potential for growth was the opening of Hagoyah, my home away from home. It started out as the “coming soon” sign on the vacant spot that was just blocks from our house. And behind those doors, I knew that some day would be a yoga studio, where I could WALK to class, and cultivate that community I was feeling I had to seek outside of KC. After over five years of practicing yoga there, and working part time behind the scenes with Hagoyah, (which is a Holistic Beauty and Wellness concept bringing together yoga, massage, skincare, hair services, & local retail, artists, and makers in the community) I have been lucky to grow with the different evolutions of where things started. And for 2018 this brought the chance to work with the Heartland Yoga Festival, which was co-founded by the owner of Hagoyah along with the owner of Karma Tribe Yoga (KC’s non-profit, donation based studio). All of this (and more) has kept me grounded with the current mindset that I’m OK to stay in the heartland. Maybe not forever – who knows. But I no longer have one foot out the door, booking my next flight to escape twice monthly as I once did. I’m finding contentment, peace, opportunities, community, Vitamin IV therapy, dog friendly establishments, other people who are child free by choice (I am overjoyed that this is finally a THING in KC – it seriously was such a rarity for so many years), and EVEN kombucha on tap + people who know what functional medicine is IN my own hometown. I need these things if I want to stick to my autoimmune protocols, and move forward with healing.

So my update to everyone is that yes, I’ve been away. But this time it’s not because I had a setback with my inflammation that was so terrible that I could not use my arms (that was last year).  I’m so glad that the *busy* state which has kept me away from the blog, and the social media for Feud With Food, and many of the other endeavors that I absolutely look forward to returning to has been for a healthy reason. It feels good to finally be doing things that help with my healing vs further contribute to chronic illness and autoimmune flares. I have found my tribe, and am slowly working in the direction that I know aligns more appropriately with my path. I don’t know what is next in line for me. But I know that my current experience in the present is giving me much to think about, tons of learning opportunities, and a plethora of gratitude. And for now, I am going to Namaste in the Heartland.

 

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How do you nourish yourself?

13 Jun

I have to ask myself this question daily, due to living with a body that does not always cooperate (not being able to absorb nutrients, reacting in arrest at certain ingredients, etc). Nourishment is a top priority at all times. But prior to working with a Naturopath, I had not fully realized the broad definition of nourishment. I was neglecting the very things that would allow me to truly be nourished outside of the food sources I was putting in my body.

Something that I love about working with providers who look for the root cause vs just treating symptoms is the fact that they focus on all aspects of your health. Considering how you might be feeling when you put something in your mouth can impact how your body processes that food item. Enter – Mindful Eating. It all comes together in such a beautiful fashion once you recognize that being mindful as a regular practice can carry over to your eating habits, which in turn can impact how you digest, process, and metabolize your food.

But back to nourishment. Ask yourself what feeds your soul? What makes you happy? What makes you laugh? When was the last time you felt full belly laughter and liberating freedom and relaxation? And as you consider that moment, pinpoint what was it about that experience that allowed you to feel so full and alive? Whatever it was, that is another component of your own personal recipe for your path to nourishment.

For me, one big one is undoubtedly music. Going to live shows, listening to, analyzing, and sharing a musical experience with others takes the cake though. But I also get value from playing music, listening to my favorite songs at home, and discussing all things music with other music lovers.

I also derive a huge amount of enjoyment and life from animals and nature. I just returned from a healing and mood changing walk with a dear friend. I left the house cranky, stressed, and a bit out of sorts. But once we embarked on our path I was already feeling more calm and centered. The path I chose just happened to be a very green, lush trail full of flowers, trees, mystery bird calls, baby birds learning to forage with their flock, and a majestic, calming and ever so regal Great Blue Heron. Between being outdoors in nature, and seeing the animals around me I was already in heaven. Add in the fresh air, getting a little exercise, and spending time with a treasured friend, and it was magic. I seriously returned home a completely different person than the one who left the house earlier.

Another area that I personally obtain my nourishment from is my support system, which I include my beloved pets in that mix. Getting a regular dose of those who are near and dear is priceless. I also tend to get a little boost from meeting other peoples’ pets, too. Not gonna lie. I love animals. I can’t help it. And let’s not forget yoga. Yoga is likely second to food in regards to how my body not just appreciates but requires a certain type of nourishment. I find that with a regular yoga practice, I maintain a more mindful lifestyle naturally, and am more in tune with my body.

I also very much adore and need to travel. And that one has taken a huge back seat during the past few years due to being on healing protocols. I still sense that I am missing something every day, and this happens when I don’t have a trip planned to look forward to. I may need to work on that one a bit – find a way to be at peace with not always being able to pick up and leave the way I used to. Making my own adventures locally is becoming a specialty of mine. So maybe that can evolve into something I can feel more nourished by within time.

So what about you? What boosts your mood, energy levels, and sense of value? Maybe it is something simple like reading, or sitting on the back porch sipping your tea. Whatever it is, make sure to find a way to incorporate all aspects of nourishment into your life every day. Because your wellness is not fueled by the food intake form of nourishment alone. It is supported by the many different ways you choose to nurture and nourish yourself.

 

 

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