Above is an old shot of Mike and I on the porch at his family’s place up on M22.

I’m all about breaking the wedding mold. Wait till 35 and you know who you are and what you want! Mike and I wanted to do something that really represented who we are. We realized we were getting married on the 22nd so all of a sudden Mike had his Moleskin and a pen out to dinner one night mocking this up (my sweet creative man). I loved it, and we went with it, not just because it’s cool but because it means something to us.

M22 is the road that Mike’s parents place is on in Northern Michigan. We love to ride our bikes on it and drive on it, visit the towns along the shore.

M22 is also a store that sells clothing, stickers and stuff with what I would call a lifestyle brand on their gear. When we read the back of the car decals we bought we realized, wow – this isn’t just a cool logo but the mission totally speaks to us!

M-22 is not just a road; it is a way of life.
Founded by kiteboarders in search of epic wind and waves, M-22 was created to express a common passion for Northern Michigan. However, M-22 shares this passion beyond Michigan’s borders. It is marked by the simplicity and appreciation for natural wonders such as bays, beaches and bonfires, dunes and vineyards, cottages, friends and family everywhere.

M-22 is the feeling you get when you realize there is no other place you would rather be.

They are right! It’s not just a place to go, or a road. It’s a lifestyle! We’re passionate about it. We love it for how simple and unpretentious it is, but also for how absolutely stunning it is there. I truly could not believe the beauty when Mike first brought me there. I mean, it’s got to be pretty incredible to make me pick it as our wedding location!

Not only that, but my brother who is 17 is quite the creative. Whether it’s finding awesome music or designing tee shirts for special family weekends, he’s a genius. The weekend IS about us, but it’s also about the kids and the people we love. It needed to be COOL!

In addition to all that, Healthy Voice is really going to be highlighting a lot of people, brands, and businesses that speak to the Healthy Voice. Those that inspire you, make you want to live life to the fullest or ignite a passion inside of you just speak to it. Of course, my wedding weekend and everything about it speaks to my Healthy Voice so it just seemed like there was a theme to it! Then I figured out that M22 may just be one of the first brands we highlight because it totally speaks to the Healthy Voice!

So, that’s why….we put a lot of thought into things and making them meaningful/personal…one of the reasons we’re so meant to be!

By the way, if you haven’t been to Northern Michigan, I suggest you go! The Pure Michigan ads like this one will make you want to go! (But that’s a whole other post).

http://www.michigan.org/pure-michigan-ads/

Also, check out the M22 store that’s in a few stores up there. They are a great, fun brand. Check them out here:
https://m22.com/ or at their store this summer!

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He is precisely why I fight for the Healthy Voice of the next generation. He seems to be someone who isn’t quite comfortable with himself and then makes this statement, “No fatties.” Really? “We go after the cool kids”…Wow. So you go after the way a kid looks on the surface. Hate to tell you buddy, but even the “cool” kids often have struggles on the inside…

If it fits you, and you like it, great. But considering his influence on the next generation, I’m not going to be buying much for my stepchildren there anymore.

He is a true example of a leader who can be an Unhealthy Voice for too many kids who don’t need it.

May you find the clothes that fit you and make you feel good about yourself, inside and out!

http://www.inquisitr.com/652679/abercrombie-and-fitch-fat-chicks/

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It came at a time when I’ve been really standing on the rock of my Healthy Voice instead of letting my Unhealthy Voice deflect me for that. I know in my book, I shared all about the journey I’ve gone down but even being just a few days shy of another year anniversary in it, I can still struggle with my Unhealthy Voice – in my mind, my body and my spirit and it’s important for me to each day empower my Healthy Voice so that Unhealthy Voice can lose more and more power. It’s a journey. It’s not something that went away the day I got into recovery. It takes work, but it’s worth the commitment. See below at what I needed to write today to call out that Unhealthy Voice and shine light on my Healthy Voice.

“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” —Paulo Coelho

I AM…someone in recovery from mental illness, from substance abuse and addiction.
I AM…someone who knows I need God in my life because only He can fill that void for me that I thought the addiction could for so long.
I AM…someone who has a powerful Unhealthy Voice in my life that with the strength of people in my life, I can choose to not listen to in my life.

I AM…someone who does not have all the answers. I’m just someone who is passionate about sharing my story and guiding those who want a different way than the fix, to find solutions for living the journey of life.

I DO NOT have to be afraid of sharing the fact that I’m in recovery.
I DO NOT have to be afraid of sharing that I have needed therapy over the years.
I DO NOT have to be afraid to say that I have to workout and eat right because that is where my disease wants to get me first.
I DO NOT have to be afraid to say I NEED GOD and I’m blessed to have found a relationship with him.

I am BLESSED to have much support in my life for walking the path that is better than what it was before.

I NEED God.
I NEED a program.
I NEED a purpose.
I NEED a life outside of my disease, and I’m choosing it.
I’m choosing to empower my Healthy Voice and turn away from my Unhealthy Voice.
Thank you Demi…for standing and choosing to empower yours too. Today it’s truly because of you that I had the inspiration to write this…

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I hope you enjoy it. I did.

SO SO proud of you STEPH!! You deserve it…

Here she is…

Great things happen in our lives everyday, and these things should be celebrated! Yesterday, I was honored with the amazing reward of being named Women’s Hall President of the Year at the University of Notre Dame, and my dorm also won the brother/sister dorm pairing of the year (an accomplishment our dorm had never received). When I realized that I won I was over the moon, because this wasn’t my goal as being the Walsh Hall president, but this just reinforced all my joy and pride in my work, and I couldn’t help but be happy!

However, sometimes when amazing things happens it is a new opportunity to hear your Unhealthy Voice. After I heard about my award I was ecstatic, but later that night many girls were rationalizing what this meant for our dorm. We still hadn’t heard about if Walsh won the overall Hall of the year award, and many people were telling me that the brother/sister award Walsh received, and my award in particular was just a consolation prize for not getting Hall of Year. I immediately started feeling guilty and questioning everything I was feeling and everything I had done over the past year. I thought that I couldn’t be happy for getting honored if it meant sacrificing something else. What I didn’t realize at the time was that what these people were saying was just a manifestation of my unhealthy voice. Thankfully I have many healthy voices in my life as well. After my final hall council I was talking to some of my friends and they remind me that I need to celebrate, because I deserved it. Also, that the things that others were saying were not necessarily true and no one knows how Hall of the Year correlates with these awards.

It is hard for some people, including myself, to accept praise and feel worthy of some accomplishments. If you do not celebrate the things that you are proud of then you will never be happy. This also reminds me of the scene of Akeelah and the Bee in which they discuss that our greatest fear is being too successful or great, and we can’t be afraid of ourselves. We need to embrace and celebrate our greatness, and listen to our healthy voice every step of the way. Being proud of yourself doesn’t make you selfish or conceited, it makes you rational and focused and happy above all else. I believe that pride can be detrimental, but without a sense of pride we can’t accomplish what we truly want.
When great things happen, celebrate them, embrace your accomplishments, and be proud of yourself, because like the great Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one (including your Unhealthy Voice) can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

(I mean LISTEN to that Healthy VOICE!!She’s a rockstar!)

xo

Mere

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However, I must start this post with a disclaimer.  This is a heavy topic.  I will simply share some different perspectives with you along with how my own spirituality found a place in my yoga practice.

Tapping into my spirituality while practicing yoga kind of happened without effort.  Growing up Catholic and attending Catholic schools, my faith has always played into just about every facet of my life.  From weekly mass at school to team prayers before basketball games, God was always involved.  Early adulthood then provided an opportunity to explore different faith traditions.  But, regardless of where I’ve been or what I’ve experienced, my faith has always been a priority.  Therefore, it seems natural that my yoga practice would end up being another way that I connect with God and my values.

My first yoga training in Integral Yoga provided a peek into Eastern philosophy and a worldview that was somewhat different than what I was accustomed to.  While I admit this was intimidating at first, I was also very intrigued.  It felt natural to spend time learning about another way to connect with God.  There were moments during our monthly Kirtans, while chanting to Hindu Gods and Goddesses that I felt more alive and connected with God than I ever had before.  I love this quote from Integral Yoga Founder, Swami Satchidananda, “Paths are many, truth is One.”

So for my own yoga practice, spirituality has found a place.  Whether it’s during meditation, Kirtan, or a hatha practice, I often feel peace and presence with the Spirit within me.  But…I know that it isn’t like this for everyone.  Some people are not coming to yoga to find God.  Maybe it will happen over time or maybe it won’t.  Some yoga teachers are spiritual leaders and some are not.  Like most things, it’s a personal preference.  When I reflect on my role as a yoga teacher, the image of a gardener comes to mind.  Someone who is sprinkling seeds and providing nourishment so that we can become healthier and able to flourish in all aspects of ourselves.

About a year ago, I really enjoyed an article in Yoga Journal called “Beyond Belief: Does Yoga conflict with your Religion?”  It’s worth reading.  You can find it in the December 2011 issue.  Four prominent yoga teachers weigh in on this question. The responses vary from the perspective that yoga does not have to encompass any elements of spirituality to the other end of the spectrum with the belief that promoting Yoga without spirituality is not doing it the justice that it deserves.  I found this article to be compatible with my experiences of sampling different styles of yoga and teachers here in the United States.  In some classes, there’s an emphasis on spirituality, and in others it is absent.  As free people, we can choose which classes we attend and how we interpret the teachings once we are there.  Similar to how we seek out a style that can physically suit our needs; we can also seek out a style that attends to our interests in the spiritual side.

Just like the other elements of a yoga practice — the psychological, emotional, and physical components — the spiritual component is yet another element of one’s self that receives greater attention and analysis from practicing yoga.  Our “outer” world is often in the forefront of our minds, using up most of our energy and effort.  I will leave you with a quote from Jacqui Neurauter from her article “Being of Both Worlds” in the March-April 2013 edition of YOGAChicago.

There is an “inner” world where you can retreat and find solace, become nourished, and regroup to face the outside world effectively.  This world is free and always available for all to access! You might call it the world of spirit, God, or pure consciousness.  Whatever name you give it, when you go there, you may experience a great peace, love, or sense of being cleansed of the vestiges of the outer world.”

Wherever you are on your journey, may you find peace and love so that you can continue to nourish yourself and spread your bliss to the entire world.  It’s been wonderful sharing some of what Yoga is with you all. Namaste and shine bright!  Roxie

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One of these words is the word “retarded.” This word can be easily tossed around in everyday language in substitution for silly, messed up, or wrong. However, what people don’t realize when they use this word is the effect it has on the special needs community and those who care for and support them. When people use the r-word instead of one of those I mentioned earlier, they are implying that those with mental and intellectual disabilities are silly, messed up, or wrong. And that, my friends, is silly, messed up and wrong. Here at Notre Dame, we recognize the hurtful effects of this word on our community and every year participate in a national day of awareness and “Spread the Word to End the Word.” Yesterday was our 4^th year of participation in End the R-Word Day, for which we sold t-shirts and collected pledges in our student center and dining halls. This year, we’re hoping to surpass the number of pledges from last year, which totaled to be 2,935. Another goal for Special Olympics this year was to try to spread this campaign to local communities, so I took it back to my hometown of Hinsdale, IL and started the campaign at my high school, Nazareth Academy. I feel so fortunate that I had the opportunity and the support to make this happen and continue to “spread the word to end the word.”

As one of our star athletes, Mary Beth, put it, “Of all the words in the dictionary, they could use another word besides the R-word.” We hope that our campaign allows people to understand this and make a conscious effort to remove the r-word from their vocabulary and continue to “spread the word to end to word.”

Megan Pelino is a sophomore at Notre Dame from Hinsdale, IL. She is studying sociology and science, technology and values and lives in Walsh Hall (Meredith’s former home!). She is involved in Special Olympics and it currently a coach for the Special Olympics and Notre Dame unified soccer team, who is looking to host and participate in the first ever inter-collegiate unified soccer tournament this spring!

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Have you heard one of these excuses before? I certainly have! The styles of hatha (physical) yoga range from sitting in a chair to rigorously moving in 105 degree heat. There is most definitely a style for you!
In this week’s post I am addressing the physical component of yoga. The term for the physical aspect of the yoga tradition is Hatha yoga. Tony Sanchez, a well-known yogi from the Ghosh tradition has this to say about Hatha yoga.

By transforming the human body we can make it a worthy vehicle for self-realization. According to the Upanishads, “The Hatha yogi strives after liberation by means of the creation of a yogic body immune to disease and free from physical limitations.” This practice is based on daily asana, breath control and everything also related to the wellness of the body.
While there are many styles of yoga out there, what often happens is a person is exposed to one style or another and that creates an impression of what all “yoga” is. Hatha yoga takes on my different forms. There are styles that can serve anyone, ranging from those with very limited mobility to athletes at the professional level. You just need to find the style and teacher that can best serve you.
One of my Gurus, Swami Satchidananda said it best, “Pick one style that suits you and go deep.”

If you happen to live in a small town (like where I grew up) you may have trouble finding any yoga, let alone a variety of classes to choose from. If that’s the case, then I would suggest seeking out any yoga class that you can find and give it a shot or at least contact the teacher to learn more about the class. Even if that particular class isn’t right for you, the teacher may be able to recommend something else in the area that you weren’t aware of or give you guidance in another way. If you start a search and come up empty, send me an email and I will gladly help you with your search. info@yogawithroxie.com

After a Hatha practice, I come away feeling more alive and healthy than I did before I started. It’s very similar to the “runner’s high” or rush of endorphins after other forms of physical exercise or competitive events. But what separated yoga for me was the realization that after yoga class not only did I feel amazing, but I had also just taken care of my body in a very different way. An image that comes to mind is wrapping a warm blanket around my entire body to warm from the outer surface all the way to the deepest organs and tissues. It’s such a healing practice. And not only does your physical-self receive healing and warmth, but our inner selves-our souls-receive nourishment as well.

The Integral Yoga website www.yogaville.org has a wonderful page that describes the many benefits of the Hatha yoga postures. I will summarize a little bit of it for you.

If you wish to eliminate the toxins that have already found room in the body, then Hatha yoga can help. The yoga postures and breathing techniques purify the physical body. The asanas can bring immunity to the body to resist all types of ailments and cravings that are caused by the toxins that are already in the body. We can maintain our vitality. You can get back your natural good health and vitality by eliminating all the toxins and tension, toning the spine, increasing flexibility and range of motion, building the nerves, and correcting any malfunctions in the glands.

There you have it. Whether you are in the worst condition of your life or get paid millions for your physique, yoga can be right for you. Learn about different styles, find a good teacher, and see how your life can change for the better. You are still alive so take time to FEEL alive every day. Feeling good physically can be the first step.

Namaste, Roxie

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Frustration, guilt, love, fear, confidence, anxiety, and sometimes pure peace and joy.  Journaling those feelings as they came up was a great way to reflect back on what possibly sparked that reaction and what can be learned from the experience.  Meredith Terpeluk, Founder of Health Voice, is often seen with her moleskin pad and pen right next to her yoga mat when in class.  Surprising things can come to the surface when you bring movement and fluidity to your physical and energetic self.

Following up on last week’s topic of how yoga can affect our psychological state, this post will focus on the emotional component of yoga.  Monitoring and evaluating emotions during a yoga class isn’t at the forefront of everyone’s mind, nor does it have to be.  My own experience with this is that it developed over time.  For me, it was this deeper look at myself and how I operated that synched me with yoga.  Whether it’s an intense hot vinyasa class or a slow-paced restorative class, each one provides time and space to witness the intertwining of our physical and emotional selves.  With time and practice, more mindfulness and presence begins to unfold and what follows is a beautiful opportunity to discover more about the real you.

I think the best way to describe these instances is to share with you a few ways that my own emotional awareness has improved while practicing hatha (physical) yoga.

Noticing how I react in a challenging posture has provided many learning opportunities.  What happens when I face a challenge—do I “keep calm and carry on” or do I quit? How can I adjust my breath, thoughts, focal point, or expectations to make a difference?  We encounter situations that challenge us all of the time.  Noticing how I handle challenge in a yoga class has had a tremendous impact on how I handle challenges in other areas of my life.

How do I feel when someone around me is further advanced in their practice?  Do I let envy and jealousy take over or do I respect my level and capabilities? Instead of noticing what I don’t have, I can appreciate and respect the abundance around me.    

How do I treat myself when I encounter resistance and lack of grace in my postures?  Sometimes we just have bad days and we have to accept that.  Do I push beyond my edge and risk injury or do I use the resistance as an opportunity to slow down and listen more? Fostering greater compassion with yourself ultimately breeds more compassion with everyone that you encounter. 

How do I respond to the judgment that comes up while practicing—of myself, the teacher, the style, etc.?  When these thoughts and feelings enter our minds, we have to figure out what to do with them.  Do we enable them to stay and fester in our minds?  Or do we acknowledge that they are there and work finding a more positive way to see ourselves and those we are around?    

Beyond the physical benefit of the yoga postures that we practice, there is a real opportunity for growth in all aspects of ourselves.  There is much more to the teachings of yoga than just the postures that we learn in the studio.  When I started on this path more than ten years ago, I never thought that I would end up so invested in yoga and its healing qualities.  But it captured me as it does so many others.

Imagine how wonderful it feels to get off of an airplane after a long flight when your muscles are tight and circulation is stagnant.  Starting a yoga practice is kind of the same way—bringing more range of motion, increased circulation, enhanced energy, and deeper breathing. A dedicated practice with focus on deep breathing while in the asanas (postures) can open up areas of our bodies that have been dormant for many years.  Places in our bodies that have held emotional scars can be released and healed.  Aspects of ourselves that we have lacked confidence in before can be transformed into what we like the most about ourselves.

Maybe you’re thinking that yoga isn’t for you because you lack flexibility or any ability to concentrate, but what that really means is that you are the perfect person to start yoga.  Next week’s post will discuss the physical component of yoga – the myth about being flexible, different styles, and how yoga is more than just another workout.

May peace and love come your way this week.  Namaste, Roxie

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I often tell people that my time practicing yoga feels a lot like a therapy session.  It hasn’t always been this way and it certainly isn’t always this way even now.  Our minds are so incredibly busy that it takes a great deal of effort to slow everything down. I often instruct students to keep their thoughts within the confines of the studio walls while practicing in an effort to encourage mindfulness and awareness in the present.  Why?  Because more often than not, we live in the past or the future.  For me, it takes a lot of effort to remain present.  But as I continue practicing and noticing changes, I know that it is worth the constant effort.

Three psychological qualities that are cultivated in a yoga practice are presence, mindfulness and connection.   Unlike many forms of physical discipline that we engage in, yoga class typically cultivates a different mindset.  We can let go of competitive behaviors and embrace healing behaviors.  We start to do what feels right for our bodies.  We begin to hear a different voice speaking to us from within.  Instead of the usual critical voice, this voice sounds different.  Meredith would call this our “Healthy Voice”.  It’s a healing sound.  When we are present with ourselves and our experiences, we are tuned into our real selves.  We are responding to what is happening right now; what we need right now.

The mindfulness arises out of enhanced ability to “tune in” to what is happening in all aspects of yourself as you encounter different experiences.  I often think of it as being proactive instead of reactive.  We begin to master the mind.  Once we become more of an observer of the mind, we are in better control of how we respond to stimuli.  However, the key to this is to first learn how to quiet all of the normal chatter and random stream of thoughts.

Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh says, “Be there truly.  Be there with 100 percent of yourself.  In every moment of your daily life.  Each of us knows that we can do that, so let us train to live each moment of our daily life deeply.  That is why I like to define mindfulness as the energy that helps us to be there 100 percent.  It is the energy of your true presence.”

The research and findings around mindfulness practices and meditation are growing by the year. Studies are linking better health outcomes for heart patients, pain reduction, addiction recovery, and treatment for depression and psychiatric symptoms.  With mindfulness and concentration we can train our bodies, the flowing breath, thoughts, and spirit to become more synchronized.  This resulting harmony brings a deeper connection to yourself.  A deeper connection with our true self.  Not the self that we let others define for us, but the self that we know we are or have the potential to be.  We all know how easy it is to lose sight of this.  We sometimes get stuck in the thinking that our happiness always exists in the future.  But do we ever get there?  Do we ever reach our final destination happier than we were before? Perhaps in some cases.  But does your happiness last?  My experience tells me that it typically fades and I start thinking about the next thing I need in order to find it again.  Fostering a deeper connection with our present self can help us come to the realization that we already have everything that we need.  We are alive and breathing.  We are well.  We already have everything that we are looking for seated inside of us.  We just need to slow down and tap into our potential.

Next week I will get into the emotional component of yoga.  I will be discussing our energy body, how we can learn more about our emotional self, and ways that yoga can help with controlling and understanding our emotional reactions.

Have a wonderful week! Namaste, Roxie

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Now I want to introduce you to my yogi, Roxie. She and I became fast friends when she moved to South Bend from out East with her family. She has a huge fan base in her teaching practice, and is extremely humble when you tell her how powerful her presence is to the class. I am so blessed to call her friend and appreciate sharing the journey with her.

I’m excited to mention today that she’s going to be doing a series of blog posts on yoga and it’s multiple benefits as well as myths. We talk a lot about what yoga really is about and I get asked all the time about it. So I wanted to have her speak truth into the many benefits of it so that those who are interested or practice can learn more. A lot is spoken about how it’s beneficial physically, but it’s important to speak about the rest. I hope you enjoy her few guest posts over the next few Wednesdays.

Friends, her website is below. Check her out. I introduce you to one of my Healthy Voice People, Roxie. Look for her next week.

Namaste.

http://yogawithroxie.com/

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