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A Full Moon For Empaths

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Can you feel it? The Super Full Moon in Virgo is upon us. Virgo happens to be my Moon’s sign. Your Moon sign is just as important as your Sun sign (You know, the one you read about in horoscopes & such.) The Moon sign is your emotional profile and guidance system. Find out your moon sign here.

What is an Empath? An Empath is someone who is energetically sensitive to their surroundings be it a person, place, or thing. What is a Super Moon? Super Moons are Full Moons that are at their closest points to our Earth. This is why they appear to be larger. What these means for Empaths: More exposure to the energies that come with the Super Moon.

This Super Moon happens to fall in the sign of Virgo. Virgos are Earth signs which relate to the physical side of life. They are extremely organized and detail oriented. Do not be surprised by your insatiable desire to clean and get things in order today. Virgo energy also has the deep rooted need to grow and improve their circumstances and surroundings. Virgo energy is service. You may find yourself wanting to help another today. Whatever your vessel, do something for someone else today without expecting anything in return. Regardless of what sign you are, the Full Moon’s sign effects you. Being conscious of this will help you better navigate these energies so that you can maintain more balance in your inner and outer worlds.

This Super Moon also brings with it great opportunity for love, success, and change. Stay positive and focused on what you deeply desire. Full Moon energy has a tendency to coax the waters in our own body (Just like the ocean) and when that happens we can often feel agitated, tired, and fatigued. Take a deep breath when this happens and know that this too shall pass. Also remind yourself that because everyone is influenced by the moon energies, there are a lot of emotional people out there today. Since we are Quantum energy bodies, we feel it all. Most of what you are feeling is most like not your own. Ask yourself today, “Is this mine or someone else’s?” If it is someone else’s use energy clearing tools like washing your hands, saging, and grounding visualizations to keep yourself as clear as possible If it’s yours, try journaling, doing yoga, going for a walk in nature, and other mindfulness practices.

How do you stay grounded during Full Moon’s as an Empath?

Author: Alana Roach, Founder of Explorations Of Self, LLC

There’s No One to Blame or Shame

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I think what bothers me the most about him is that he regularly forgets about me, us, we.

The moments of really seeing me are irregular; a foreign act that often surprises me. He’s a criminal. Someone who often steals my sanctity, and who else is the one to blame but me.

But there is no blame or shame here, dear One. You are a child of God. There are Lessons to be learned from your Guides above. 

You’ll Bury your worries and set aside your fears, for just one more dose of longing, and one more helping of tears. Is it really worth it? Is HE really worth it?

No, child, but YOU are Worth it. Worthy of all that is Good and Right and Justice in the world. She is your biggest Fan and you are your biggest Hope. Cast aside your shadows, and lean into longing for what you long for is Spirit, and what you die for is a lie.

There’s really no difference between you and your shadow, it’s all to be your Guide.

 

 

 

 

 

Author: Alana Roach, Founder of Explorations of Self, International Yoga and Surf Retreat Leader  & Teacher, Board Certified Integrative Nutrition Expert, writer, poet, mindful eating & living coach, lifestyle guru, mother, martial arts/bjj/qi gong/tai chi, artist, singer, Law of Attraction, lover of life

Harness Your Inner Strength, Truth, & Sensitivities with This Full Moon in Taurus Ritual!

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This full moon’s theme:

Gravitate towards the things, people, and places in life that make you feel good, nourished, happy, & supported.
Shed the things, people, and places in your life that do the opposite.

For me, one of the places that offers nourishment and respite is nature. During today’s full moon in Taurus, the Earth element is beckoning to us to harness our inner STRENGTH, truth, and sensitivities.

 

Your full moon ritual today:

Alana Roach, Found of Explorations of Self Photo by: James Trudeau

Get outside. Even if it’s for a few minutes. Ground yourself in the beauty of nature, and as you do, journal on what lights you up inside! Ask yourself, “What makes me feel good, nourished, happy, supported?”

Write your heart out, don’t stop until you’re really done.

This is your full moon ritual. Tonight, go back outside with your piece of paper, and burn it under the full moon light with a silent prayer of, “Thank you,” to the Universe as you watch the smoke carry your full moon intentions away, reflect on the aspects of your ego that you would like to release… let them go with the smoke as well.

When you free yourself of the past, the present moment is an opportunity to lean into your best self more than you ever have before.

Remember, anything is possible, and you are a co-creator with the Great Spirit that made the stars, sky, Earth, cosmos.

Belief is everything.

Re-direct your intentions to the positive, always, always, always.

Much love,


Founder of Explorations of Self

This Is A Call To Your Spirit

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Every single morning, when I wake… I pray & meditate.

I ask God/Goddess how I can serve.

My prayer stems from the Buddhist monks, who say something like this, before they chant:

Great Spirit, may I be a flute for your Divine whim.

That expression comes through all of us when we ask for it. It takes many forms. This morning it has taken form in smiling at my daughter this morning when she woke me up at 5:30am, making her breakfast with love in my heart, bringing my boyfriend coffee in bed, cleaning our kitchen, and then sitting down to write this gift for you.

If you’re reading this, then:

This is a call to your inner spirit.

Wake up.

Let your spirit glide and hold space for other’s to do the same.

Realize your potential as swiftly as possible.

Don’t hesitate another moment.

Love unencumbered.

Forgive often.

Bless everyone.

Create a safe haven for your friends and family to come to.

Create a nurturing environment for yourself.

Self care first.

Be an emblem of hope for your community at large.

Help at least one person today.

Give more than you seek to receive.

Receive with open arms, you’re worth it.

Smile when you wake in the morning.

Count your blessings next.

Don’t give up on yourself.

Realize your passions, and you’ve realized your purpose.

Go live your Purpose.

There’s only 1 you.

The world needs your best self.

The world needs your vulnerability & your truth.

Thank you for you,

 

 

 

Alana Roach
Founder of Explorations of Self, LLC. 

The Launch of The Enhanced & Enlightened www.Explorationsofself.com

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2018 is the year of the butterfly.

“This is the year to dream a heaven on earth both personally and collectively,” Soul Matrix

I am happy to announce the launch of my enhanced and enlightened version of www.Explorationsofself.com !!

Explorations of Self, aka EOS, is a community of believers, seekers, dreamers, and visionaries. We come together through our common curiosity of bettering our lives with health, nutrition, mindfulness, nature, travel, and over all well-being.

A little background on EOS’s caterpillar to Butterly journey.

I first launched EOS’s website while living in India during 2010. It was there that I found out what my life was supposed to be about, which was everything I was passionate about. My purpose: To help others live passionately and joyfully in every area of their lives. I had to ask myself, “What am I truly passionate about? What really lights me up?” My answer: Helping others. Yoga. Writing. Travel. So, Explorationsofself.com started as a travel and wellness blog. I started creating content, even though I was terrified of publishing my work. I didn’t want to be judged for what I wrote. I had fears about being judged by the public eye, but because I knew that this was part of my purpose here on this Earth, and that this was a medium that God would use through me to teach His/Her children. I pushed through. My first 10 blogs weren’t even edited. I would write them, hold my breath, and then post them. That is was got me comfortable with writing! I love that part of my journey. Eventually I developed the courage to go over what I wrote, so that I could put on finishing touches. I love this process now. Writing is such an incredible journey, both inner and outer. With that being said, no matter how long you have been blogging, if you are a passionate writer, feel free to send me your wellness content! EOS would love to share your inspiration with our growing community!

I re-launched EOS’s website in 2012 as a travel, yoga, and blog business. This is when I moved to Costa Rica, and taught my first yoga-retreats. This site in particular holds a very special place in my heart. This is when the pieces of my life’s purpose puzzle started to really come together. I was putting my visions into fruition. I wasn’t just thinking about living my purpose and passion, I was living it. I am tearing up right now even reflecting on this period of my life. Do you understand how exhilarating this was? I was a brand new teacher who had been teaching a lot since receiving her E-RYT 200 in 2011, but to start a yoga retreat business?! I just knew I had to. I had WIND at my back. For those of you who are living to serve others, you get this. I filled that retreat on my own, with the help of Spirit of course, but that just goes to show you how powerful FAITH and TRUST are. My yoga retreat business has been steadily growing ever since. I have been running annual retreats in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Peru since this launch of that site. I have testimonials upon testimonials for EOS retreat go-ers who have had their lives vastly improved and positively changed from these week long explorations. God is so good, you guys.

So today, EOS grows again, because the community has, and so have I. I have been very, very blessed and fortunate to have furthered my wellness education so that I can serve you even more. I have been very, very blessed to have the support of my beloved co-retreat leaders, artists, web designers, accountants, mentors, guest blog writers, interns, and more. I have been VERY, very blessed to have a supportive group of family and friends who believe in my wild dreams, even when I, at times, would become discouraged. Thank you so much. EOS would not be what is without you. Seriously. The impact that you, I, WE are making on this planet is so profound and important for the betterment of Mother Earth and her inhabitants… it’s unreal.

So, I welcome you to explore the new and improved www.explorationsofself.com , the home to:

?‍♀️Life Coaching with Alana Roach
?‍♂️Integrative Nutrition Coaching with Alana Roach
?‍♀️Shamanic Healings with Alana Roach
?‍♂️Spiritual Hygiene training with Alana Roach
?‍♀️International Yoga Retreats with Alana Roach, Kate Grove, & Angelique Karditzas (More incredible co-retreat leaders will be announced very soon, signing contracts as we speak!! Stay tuned!)
?‍♂️A much easier Shopify retreat payment system (Per your request ??.)
?‍♀️The best CBD out there
EOS apparel (For infants & toddlers, too! You know I love family yoga and travel!! Yes!!)
?‍♂️A bigger and better blog, featuring subjects like: #travel #mindfulliving#nutritious #moveyourbody #integrativehealth #lifestyle #sustainability#parenting #fashionandbeauty

So, my Facebook tribe! Dig in to your new online wellness home, and feel free to share it with people whom you believe it would help! www.explorationsofself.com

So much and gratitude,

Alana Roach
Founder of Explorations of Self, LLC.

I Overcame PCOS and Birthed a Perfect Little Girl

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I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2009, and I remember when the OBGYN called me with the results.

She said, “Alana, you have something called PCOS. This means it could make it very hard for you to have a baby.”

My heart sank. I cried right on the spot. I’ve wanted to be a mother my whole life. I wasn’t ready yet, but I knew I would be by the time I was 30.

I asked what my options were, of course. She said, “Birth control.”

No way. I know my body and how it reacted to birth control when I tried it. I believe birth control caused my mother’s pcos to grow into the tumors that caused her to get one and a half of her ovaries removed BEFORE she birthed my sister and me years later without any IVF. A miracle.

I knew miracles could happen for me, too.

SO, I prayed, of course… for guidance.. and..

I believe I was led to research my own diet, belief systems around myself and others, belief about fertility and pregnancy, exercise, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, moon cycles, and more.

The diagnosis of PCOS literally changed my life for the better, because sisters, I was determined to overcome it.

And I did.

I birthed my beautiful, perfect baby girl on May 4, 2016. My pregnancy had 0 complications.

I’ve been teaching yoga and meditation since 2011. Something that was totally inspired from a space of inner and outer pain. I’ve been coaching women and men in business, life, nutrition, yoga, movement, meditation, world travel, energy healing, and more ever since. I am a student of life. A lover of God. A believer in all. A mother of 1.

I am humbled and so grateful everyday.
I believe that you, me, and everyone else are greater than we can even imagine. I believe, like Marianne Williamson said,

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.,”

&

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.”

What is your PCOS story? How are you coping? I specialize in Integrative Nutrition for fertility, prenatal, and postnatal care.

I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you.

??Much love and deeeeeep respect!!!

<3 Alana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author:

Alana Roach

Owner & Director of the Explorations of Self Travel Community

Mother, Yogi, Business Owner, Dharma and Meditation Instructor, Surfer, Artist, Singer, Life and Nutrition Coach, Social Media Marketing, Lover or LIFE.

“I want to become a Yoga Teacher.” Questions from an aspiring teacher.

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Are you curious about becoming a full time yoga teacher? 

The following is a Q & A featuring the interviewer, Jenny Michele, business professional from Baltimore, MD and the interviewed, founder of Explorations of Self, Alana Victoria Roach as she explains what her journey has been like since she got her yoga teacher training certificate in 2011.

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What were you looking to accomplish when you started your career teaching yoga?

World peace and healing for all.

What are you looking to accomplish now regarding your career? The same thing.

How many hours did you work per week when you started? I taught anywhere between 15-25 hours a week after teaching for just a few short months.

After becoming certified, was it a struggle to find work? No. I was driven and the Universe co-conspired with me to bring in teaching gigs. I have taught everywhere from studios to college credited courses to retirement communities to kids yoga. You name it, I’ve done it. If you’re open to deepening your own skills as a teacher, and driven to find the work, you will flourish as a teacher. You must be willing to put in the action, though!

How many hours per week do you work now?Depends on what I have going on. Ideal work week is about 15 hours a week, but there have been weeks where I am crunching for a promo or teaching a festival or leading a retreat where I have to be on all the time so you’re talking 12 hour days, BUT, I love what I do and I don’t consider it work necessarily. It’s just disciplined action to achieve goals, help others, enjoy abundance, and play!

How did you build a following? Getting emails from every class I taught. Always ask if people want to sign up for your email list. Talking to your students before and after class. Maintaining your social media presence. Have a website to direct people to.

How did you network? Teaching everywhere I could.

How did you push through fears? Just do it. Once you start it, the fear subsides and you become a conduit for the Divine. It’s all about service.

Were there poses you could not do when you started? Yes! Your practice will grow as you teach. You have to remain a student of yoga when you become a teacher. A wise mentor once told me to, practice as much as you teach. It makes you human to your students when you can’t do all of the poses, but I would suggest to teach what you know. As you grow in your practice, teach what you learn.

I recently read the ” 7 Truths About Being A Yoga Teacher That No One Will Ever Tell You” by Edward Vilga and he wrote that centers insist teachers follow a strictly vegetarian diet.. Is this a truth for you? I LOVE a vegetarian diet, don’t get me wrong, but, no. I suggest you fuel your body with medicinal food. That means cutting out processed junk and fueling yourself with really good whole foods. I eat a largely vegan diet but in recent years have learned to listen to my body, which sometimes, craves fish, steak, chicken. I suggest students listen to their bodies. Eat organic. If you eat fish, make sure it’s organic and wild caught. Don’t eat too much of it. If you eat meat, make sure it’s grass fed and was not treated with hormones. Don’t eat too much of it. Fill the rest of your diet with organic (Local if possible) produce and cut out the processed junk all together. You’ll live a healthy and happy life if you do this. I am an advocate for being vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and carnivorous, just as long as it’s benefiting the person eating it while keeping the animals and the environment in mind. I always thank my food, where it came from, the sunshine, soil, farm, handlers, you name it, I thank it BEFORE I consume. I pray over my food to lift the energy of the ritual. Whatever you eat, you take in the energy of that thing. Sending your food good vibes and gratitude helps to commune with that food and that creates vibrancy and synergy within your body. I am also an advocate for eating mostly vegan because the Earth needs it now more than ever.

What inspires you to keep going? The feeling I get every time I teach. The incredible testimonials I receive after I lead a yoga retreat or teach an event or class. The outpour of people who say how inspired they are because I’ve created a business that was founded on passion, belief, happiness, love, purpose, and faith. The inner knowing I have that I am meant to trail blaze a lifestyle that is meant to inspire others to live a life that dreams are made of.

I want people to feel good, dive deep within themselves, and ask this question on a daily basis, “Am I following my heart?” That is what keeps me going.

It’s not a choice. It’s my PURPOSE. When you follow what you love, the Universe will support you to create it. Trust the process and don’t give up!

Do you still lift and do other types of work outs?  Absolutely. I have been cross training for almost a decade. Lately I have been really intro HITT and Crossfit style work outs that leave out the Olympic Lifting for the most part and have a big focus on form to avoid injury. Cross training keeps my body strong and balances out my 6 day a week yoga practice. I cross train at least 3 days a week.

What is your least favorite part of the training/ job? The spiritual ego!

What is your favorite part of the training /job? Helping others find true inner peace, good health, happiness, purpose, and connection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author:

Alana Roach

Owner & Director of the Explorations of Self Travel Community

Mother, Yogi, Business Owner, Dharma and Meditation Instructor, Surfer, Artist, Singer, Life and Nutrition Coach, Social Media Marketing, Lover or LIFE.

Do Date a Girl Who Travels

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“SHE’S MAD BUT SHE’S MAGIC

THERE IS NO LIE IN HER FIRE”

Do date a girl who travels. Stroke her messy, unkempt, sun-bleached hair when she’s asleep and you’ll feel her whole being unfold in your arms.

Trace the map of her wounds, scars and wrinkles with your fingertips until you know it by heart and you’ll understand her story. It’s not easy to follow and there are more exclamation and question marks than full stops and commas, but it’s worth reading for not a single word is empty of meaning.

Do date a girl who travels and you won’t be bored. She’ll make you close your eyes, jump out of a plane, talk to strangers, watch the moon, climb rocks, hike mountains, dance barefoot, chat until sunrise, skinny dip, sing karaoke. She won’t be easy to keep up with. She won’t be easy to please. But every day you’ll be grateful for her endless energy, free spirit and infectious zest for life for it will make you live fearlessly, mindfully, blissfully.


Do date a girl who travels. You won’t need to buy her expensive dinners or gifts. You won’t need to prove you’re worth her. Walk with her, hold her hand, talk to her, laugh with her. Keep it simple. Be genuine and never try to impress her with anything else but who you are and who you’re working on being. And remember that she won’t be fooled. She’s seen it all.

Do date a girl who travels for she will show you the world you never knew existed. The world where the sky is no limit. The world of dreams made into reality. The world where willpower and determination are the only prerequisites for success. Success which is not measured by fame or material possessions, but by finding your purpose and living your truth and passions. The world often stripped of order, logic and analytical thinking, but full of intuitive decisions, spontaneous changes and internal conviction. Do date a girl who travels for she’ll knock out all the walls you’ve built around yourself and find her way to places you’d never let anyone into.

Do date a girl who travels. She won’t need you. She won’t be scared of losing you. She’ll be with you because she choses to. Because life is simply better with you. Trust her. Learn when to follow her and when to let her go. If you manage to touch her soul, she’ll be back. And when she is, hold her so tight that all the beautiful, wobbly, faulty, mismatched pieces of her stick together. And every day you’ll thank the universe for bringing her your way.

This post is a rebuttal to “Don’t Date a Girl Who Travels” available

here: https://medium.com/@adizarsadias/dont-date-a-girl-who-travels-802c49b9141c

 

 

Author: Magda Procner 

Yoga Teacher, Retreat Guide for Peru, Found @ Mags Yoga

You can read more about her on her websites: www.magsyoga.com 

And follow her on Instagram: @Magsyoga

 

Spring Cleanses Were Meant to Be Broken

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So you’ve cheated on your spring cleanse somehow. You feel guilt and shame. Why? Perhaps the cleanse was meant to be done imperfectly.

 

I can’t remember a cleanse that I didn’t do imperfectly. When I was living in Costa Rica years ago, I did my first 3 day water cleanse and guess what? I didn’t just have water. I had the fresh juice from a coconut

and I had bubbly water AND I stopped 2 1/2 days in because I could feel my body needed to. The last two 10 day superfoods cleanses I did, I enjoyed a full cheat meal at least once or twice because my body was craving it and still got tremendous benefits. I trust myself today. I trust that my body may need something else than was subscribed. I use cleanses or re-sets or whatever you want to call them as gentle guidelines to self-growth and purification. They always help me gain more clarity and lead to more peace. Always.

I urge you to allow the imperfections as being PERFECT moments in your, “Cleanse.” The main thing is to not give up on yourself because you decided to listen to YOURSELF rather than the fine print written by someone else.

How have you been imperfect today? How has that led you to trust in YOURSELF more?

 

Do you want to begin your imperfect and powerfully potent journey into health and happiness? Send me a private message to Explorationsofself@Gmail.com to chat about Life and Nutrition Coaching with Alana Roach.

Author:

Alana Roach

Owner & Director of the Explorations of Self Travel Community

Mother, Yogi, Business Owner, Dharma and Meditation Instructor, Surfer, Artist, Singer, Life and Nutrition Coach, Social Media Marketer, Lover or LIFE.

A Rooted Practice for Mahashivarati

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Hello Explorations of Self Community!

This week’s pose is, “Easy Pose,” aka “Sukhasana,” (In Sanskrit, India’s sacred language of yoga) accompanied with the first of the 7 main energy centers in our body called the, “Root Chakra,” or Muladhara.

The root chakra is at the base of our spine, and it is said to connect us to the earth. It governs our sense of security and practicality. When this center is out of balance, one can feel spacey, fearful, and insecure. A regular root chakra balancing practice is necessary to feel more in control of your mind and body.

As we enter the new moon and solar eclipse of February, we may feel a little un-grounded. These new energies can stir up old energies that are no longer serving us, and while they come up and out to leave, it is most necessary to find stillness through this mindful practice.

I love guiding my clients through gentle breathing and visualization exercises while in this pose. If you would like to try this at home, find a blanket, pillow, or yoga prop to sit on, and let’s get started.

1. Fold the blanket in half or thirds so that you have a half a foot length to sit on. If you have a pillow, make sure it is also about this height. Come to sit on the edge of your prop. First extending your legs out, and then gentle bending your knees to find a comfortable position with your shins crossed, guiding each foot behind opposite knee.

2. Gaze down to make sure that to make sure that your feet are relaxed and that there is a bit of a space between your pelvis and feet.

3. Allow your pelvis to stay neutral. Guiding the bottom tip of your tailbone towards the earth, while lengthening the crown of your head towards the sky.

4. Rest your hands gentle on your stomach. Close your eyes, and start to center your mind by focusing on your breath, , feeling your abdomen rise and fall.

5. Visualize your root chakra as a swirling 4 petaled lotus flower at the base of your spine. Every breath in you see your flower grow brighter and brighter, and with every exhale you see it spin faster and faster. As it spins, you may notice old energy leaving this energy center as dark and oily drainage. This is completely natural and to be expected during this meditation. Breathe slowly and rhythmically. Inhale through the nose slowly, and exhaling through the mouth while creating an, “O,” shape with the mouth as you exhale slowly. Syncing your breath with your visualization will enhance this sadhana or spiritual practice.

6. Stay with the visualization for about 10-20 breaths.

7. Feeling grateful for this time that you have taken to connect with yourself, smile softly, and blink your eyes, slowly coming back into the room to continue on with your day, a little more centered, calm, and happy.

 

So much love,

Alana

Alana Roach, founder of Explorations of Self, “A Mindful Travel Community.”

Yoga, Integrative Nutrition, Reiki, Tantra, Shamanista, Travel Enthusiast.

Contact me: info@explorationsofself.com

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN.