Join the Movement

You are here: Home / Archives for Alana Roach

5 Ways To Approach Yoga From Addiction

//  Leave a Comment

 

Addiction once took everything I had. The insidious disease of addiction was the king of my court. Sometimes I wondered if I could have avoided the pain of it all if I would have been introduced to something that would have helped my mind and body be more balanced in a healthy, natural way. I came to realize that everything happened exactly the way it needed to so that I could get to where I am today. If I could take back the pain and suffering that my substance abuse caused, I absolutely would. No one wants to be that person, but I have learned that all of the pain from my past can be used to help others. I can let people know there is hope, and there is a lot of hope, of getting sober and leading happy fulfilling lives. I can tell you that from experience. This is just one way that it was done.

While using I was avoiding my emotions by distracting myself with outside things. I thought that if I could fill the unhappiness or uneasiness with something that would take me out of myself, everything would be OK. It worked at first. Or so I thought. Instead of acknowledging my emotions, I was shoving them down. Deep down. I felt like I had a solution but I could no longer stand being sober. Any amount of pain or unpleasantness while I was sober (Which wasn’t often) would set off a thousand switches in my body, triggering all of the other emotions I had been ignoring. That is no way to live!  The problem that occurs when we avoid pain is that we miss opportunities to learn and grow from it. Pain is there for a reason, it wants to be heard, and it will get louder and louder until we listen. Often times emotional pain will show up in the body and get trapped until we find ways to acknowledge and release them. Yoga was the first way I experienced doing this in a slow and gentle way.

Growth is so exciting. Now that I am sober, I can look back every 6 months along my journey and see so much positive change within myself. When I was using I felt like time sort of stood still. It was the same thing, day after day. Surviving addiction was a miracle. I should have died numerous times. Being on the other side alive and sober I knew I had to make some major changes in my daily routine. I started to thread in exercise, yoga, nutrition, and other holistic modalities to replace bad habits. Doing these things on a regular basis allowed me to express the Alana that I had been stuffing down for years. I was free. Meditation and yoga helped my mind be still enough to not identify with my thoughts. The same mind that used to go a mile a minute was now finding calmer seas. Yoga and Meditation have been a huge part of my long-term sobriety. However, I believe this is applicable to anyone who wants to begin a yoga practice. We all have difficulties in life. The practice of mindfulness is beneficial to everybody. 

It can be done in so many different ways, and the journey is as individual to a person as a snowflake. The best thing we can do is just start. My intention for you is that you feel unconditionally loved on your path, now and always.

Explore and Bloom! 

Costa Rica (6 of 10)

  1. Say Yes. With yoga (And really anything!) the hardest part is beginning. At some point, I just said, “Yes.” I said yes to attending a class with a friend one day and then I said yes again a couple days later. Pretty soon I was going on my own. The teachers suggested starting with 3 days of group practice a week, so I said, “Yes.” No longer than a week later I was feeling cool, calm, and collected while trying on some strength in warrior. It didn’t matter if I fumbled through sequences because I learned how to accept each piece of my path while practicing on the mat, for being exactly the way it was meant to be.
  2. Water The Seed. Once you make your first few yoga classes, you will most likely feel markedly different. I like to describe what yoga did to my mind as what a hot iron would do to wrinkled sheets. What was once anxiety seemed to magically transform in to a cool and encumbered sense of well-being. I was breathing a little more fully. My body felt less rigid and more open. Like all relationships, the relationship to self must be nurtured so that it can continue to grow. To water the seed of this new way of being, I was told to be kind to myself, to drop judgement, to be present, and to treat others with love and compassion.
  3. Bloom. Allow yourself to bloom. You deserve it. Let all of the sorrows, fears, regrets, and fabled thoughts GO. Let them go. You are meant for greatness. Yoga and meditations bring awareness and an ability to accept with loving kindness. You will learn how to de-weed your mental garden. Some weeds will come out easy, some many be a little stubborn, but no matter what, they will come to the surface and you have the choice to honor them and allow them to go.
  4. Sunshine or Rain. We can practice anywhere. We can learn that everything is exactly how it is meant to be. It is all a part of the crazy beautiful canvas called life. When we embrace everything this way, we can find our center in the middle of chaos. Just like the still and majestic mountain peaks who endure all of the earth’s wild changes, we embrace this moment knowing that we are unshakeable.
  5. Radiate Love. Yoga takes on a very special meaning for us who pursue it. It becomes a way of life because it’s so ecumenical. During practice the mat takes on the role of our mirror. We surrender to the incredible light that shines through each and every one of our sweaty, messy, glistening, radiant self because that is our Divine right! So we take what we learned on our mat and walk through our day with our heads held high. We do this together, knowing that if one of us stumbles, another one of us will be there to catch you with a smile. Let yourself be known in your yoga and wellness communities and get to know it. Smile at a stranger. Give thanks for your blessings. Try to help out without being discovered. Radiate love!

Alana Roach

ERYT, Reiki, Intuitive Healing, Retreat Leader

AlanaRoachYoga.com

More links on yoga for recovery

http://alcoholrehab.com/addiction-recovery/yoga-in-recovery/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/yoga-for-addiction/

https://bradfordhealth.com/benefits-of-yoga/

http://www.recoveryranch.com/articles/recovery-at-the-ranch/yoga-help-during-drug-and-alcohol-rehab-treatment/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUtbkEGv5NU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlAyBp77rkA

5 Rituals I Use To Transform Holiday Anxiety Into Holiday Empowerment

//  2 Comments

The holidays are among us again and while I am in the tropics during Thanksgiving this year, it doesn’t take away from the fact that I still feel responsibilities to family and friends drawing near. I even had a dream last night that I was desperately trying to find the time and the money to get back to Maryland and give all of my loved ones gifts of their liking. The pressures of the holidays can leave us feeling exhausted, guilty, resentful, and the like. The old tapes of, “I don’t have enough,” and, “I don’t measure up,” start re-playing in our heads. When that happens I come back to a check list that I have compiled over the years that I have used to walk through these holiday seasons with love in my heart. I am inspired to pass on some rituals I use to transform holiday anxiety into holiday empowerment. Feel free to add some more in the comments below. Happy Holidays 🙂 In lieu of the Holiday Spirit I have included some of my personal special holiday moments from last year.

"Friends, though absent, are still present." Marcus Tullius Cicero
“Friends, though absent, are still present.” Marcus Tullius Cicero
  1. Transforming Food Habits:   Ok, ok, I know that the holidays are a good excuse to throw the diet out of the window for a couple of days and have all of the holiday pie with excess whipped cream and piles of gravy on your turkey. That is fine, BUT I realized that when I paid attention to what I ate at family gatherings, and altered it even just a little  bit, I felt so much more capable of social interaction AND my body + mind felt more stable = less stress. Over the years I have started having even more fun with this concept. I have probed the internet and recipes books for Healthy Holiday Recipes. You can follow my Pinterest Board to see some of my favorites. Your friends and family will thank you for bringing that delicious Gluten Free Double Chocolate Zucchini Brownie dish (You don’t have to tell them it’s healthy, it can be our little secret!).
    photo cred: Lancelaurence.com
    Sometimes me think, ‘What is friend?’
    And then me say…
    ‘Friend is someone to share the last cookie with.’ Cookie-Monster
  2. Transforming Money Relationships: A lot of us have pretty tragic relationships with money. It’s that 5 letter word that can bring someone to the most extreme of emotions in less that a second. Why do we let money rule our emotions like this? I believe it has been passed down through generations. It is ancestral baggage that you, yes YOU, can be rid of. I once had someone describe money as energy. That clicked with me. They went on to describe how there was infinite energy in the Universe, and all we need do is call it to us. I said, “Tell me more…,” and they responded with, “Find gratitude for what you have.” My mind was blown. If you can align your vibrations with gratitude for what you have, you can start to break the old chords of negative money karma beginning today. A lot of what is holding us back from receiving abundance is our feelings of LACK. The vibration of lack or not having enough sends out the message to give us back just that. If we can start becoming aware of the things that WE DO HAVE in our life and feel genuine appreciation for them then we start the flow of, “Manifesting abundance.” Try it now by making a list of some things you are grateful for in your life today and WHY you are grateful for them. Pause after each one and feel genuine gratitude and happiness in your heart. Take a few deep breaths in that gratitude and then move on to the next. I practice that simple exercise daily and I have experienced freedom from the worn out negative attitudes surrounding money. Remember, “Like attracts like.” 
    Photo cred: lancelaurence.com
    Peace begins with a smile.
    ~ Mother Theresa
  3. Transforming Negative Self-Talk Patterns: I have also found that the way our thoughts rule our mind can have a profound effect on our vibrational pull. If we are constantly saying to self, “I don’t have enough,” “I am not worthy,” “Look at what they have, that is not fair,” “I WANT ____”(and you get my drift?) then we will call that same vibration to us. Saying, “I WANT,” keeps you in a state of wanting. Saying to yourself, “I AM _____,” puts you in a state of just that. Some key Affirmations that I have used to break negative thought/vibrational patterns are

~I AM ABUNDANCE~

~I AM WORTHY~

~I AM ENOUGH~

              Try using these daily when you have a few minutes, I suggest doing it in the beginning of your day but anytime will work. To get started find a comfortable seat and close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and visualize white light energy drawing out through your heart center. Feel your whole body smile and roll your eyes up to point between the eye brows with your eye lids gently closed. Slowly begin to speak the affirmation of choice either out loud or silent while continue to cultivate positive energy through out. Repeat each affirmation 20 times or more. When you are done, try thanking your body, mind, and spirit for allowing you this precious time to nourish and sustain your oh so very important Self Care.

May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility -- Mary Anne Radmacher
May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility
— Mary Anne Radmacher

4.  Transforming Body Habits: This hearkens back to the #1 as they have a lot of interplay. Be sure to drink enough water to help your body recover from all of the holiday fun whether you are drinking holiday mixers or not. Staying hydrated will help your immune system, digestion, and mind stay strong throughout the season! It is good to drink hot water with lemon or lime in the mornings and at night to help digest food (An Ayurvedic Remedy! You can even put a tablespoon of raw honey in for a treat). Get some exercise. I tend to like to hit the gym or a yoga class the day before as it helps with my mood and aids me in making the healthiest choices for me. Exercise raises serotonin levels and if you are an emotional eater this helps immensely!

photo cred: lancelaurence.com
May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility
— Mary Anne Radmacher

5. Transforming Guilt: YOU ARE PERFECT JUST THE WAY YOU ARE! This is the most important transformational holiday technique of them all. FORGIVENESS AND COMPASSION! Ok, so you had every intention of doing techniques 1-4 and when the time came you fell flat on your face. It’s OK! When we practice consistent self forgiveness and self compassion we will always find our way. Feel empowered by your so called mistakes, achievements, and the like, for they are all a part of what brought you to this moment. Be grateful that you are who you are for there will never be another quite like you. You are especially important and an ultimate expression of LOVE.  And remember, you can chose, in this moment to embrace everything and everyone in your life (Including yourself) for being exactly the way they are meant to be in this moment!  Enjoy yourself, enjoy each other, and have a very Happy Holiday!

photo cred: lancelaurence.com
“We often forget our human connectedness. Throughout my life, I have felt the greatest beauty lies in this connection. It has been in the deepest connections with others that I have experienced the greatest degree of learning, healing and transformation. This connection is a powerful thing, with the ability to transform lives, and ultimately transform human experience.” ― Kristi Bowman, Journey to One: A Woman’s Story of Emotional Healing and Spiritual Awakening
Vajra Tank Top & Maya Pants can be purchased at www.multiversalyoga.org
Photo by: lancelaurence.com

Alana Victoria Roach

E-RYT, Reiki, Retreat Leader & Wellness Support

AlanaRoachYoga.com

10 Reasons to Visit Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

//  Leave a Comment

All photography is done by Lance Laurence photography: lancelaurence.com / Facebook.com/lancelaurencephoto /instagram.com/lancelaurencephoto

I discovered the beach of Santa Teresa, CR through word of mouth while on vacation in March from a backpacker in Monte Zuma. If we never had run into this person we would have been headed in another direction on our adventures and I am so glad that we ended up here instead. Little did I know, many others have discovered Santa Teresa and it has even been featured as a top 10 destination by Trip Advisor within the past 5 years. It is known to have attracted home owners like Mel Gibson and Gisele Bundchen. I decided to do my first Costa Rica retreat here in January. We actually MOVED HERE four months ago. I hope you get the chance to visit this sacred space.  So whether you are trying to decide on where to fly to next, planning a trip, backpacking through, need some down time, desire healing, or are simply Costa Rica curious, here are the…

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

  1. Beautiful Beach : Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, set on the Pacific coastline, the beautiful beach of Playa Santa Teresa is ranked one of the best in the world. 1606416_10103334852760182_3129375104136475082_o
  2. Surf: Santa Teresa has consistent beach breaks all year for all levels of surfers from sunrise to sunset. Trip Advisor has named Santa T one of the top surf spots in the world.
    Photo Credit: Lance Laurence / lancelaurencephoto.com Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
    Photo Credit: Lance Laurence / lancelaurencephoto.com
    Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
  3. Healing Vortex: What used to be a sleepy beach town that didn’t have any electricity or running water until the 90’s, is now what is trending for tourist from all parts of the globe. Most people came here to surf 10 years ago and then fell head over heels for Santa T, making it a wonderful mix of all cultures. People are drawn here for the beauty and the good vibes that the land and sea has to offer. I am one of many who have come to this sacred space with skin conditions, digestive issues, fertility issues… only to have them clear up within days sometimes. I have read that many years ago, the native Indian’s did sacred rituals on these lands and they are protected, offering a great deal of healing energy. The people that live here keep this land charged by living in such a way that is harmonious with nature. boca
  4. Yoga and Wellness: From Pranamar to Hotel Tropico Latino to Casa Zen, there are yoga studios and retreats centers all along the strip making Santa Teresa a yoga haven for all styles of yogi. Not only that, but there are a plethora of centers for acupuncture, massage, martial arts, surf lessons, meditation, nutritional guidance, and everything in between. medriftwood
  5. Healthy Eats: Most of the fruits and vegetables supplied at the markets are locally grown, making Santa Teresa’s produce rich with flavor and nutrients. When I moved here a few months ago my digestion rapidly improved and a skin condition I had went away (You can read 5 Ways Moving to Costa Rica Improved my Health).mesantaanaangelwing
  6. Simplicity: Since Santa Teresa didn’t really get, “Discovered,” until the 90’s (Seriously picture no refrigerators, lamps, cars, phones, etc) there are still remnants of it’s beautiful simplicity. There are still dirt roads here and no high rise buildings, making the coastline picture perfect, and very tranquil.lancelaurencecoastline
  7. Honey Moon and Destination Weddings. Santa Teresa is sought after by couples these days as it has the feel of a distant island and amazing accommodations spanning the whole area for all budgets. Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen chose to spend their very special honey moon here just a few years ago at the Florblanca Luxury Resort.wedding dress
  8. Animal paradise. Since Santa Teresa is nestled into the rainforest, it is home to many beautiful creatures. Expect to see howler monkeys, parrots, happy beach dogs, wild horses, and much, much more.
    Alana Roach experiencing FREEDOM! Wild Horses on in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica with lancelaurence.com
    Alana Roach experiencing FREEDOM! Wild Horses on in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica with lancelaurence.com
  9. Great spot for kids. Thriving with new families, Santa Teresa has such a great community for the little ones. If you are trying to get pregnant, come pay this beach a visit, something is in the air.misszia
  10. Pura Vida. Pura vida is a local saying that means, “Pure life.” Pura vida is freedom and getting in touch with the essence of who we really are. Join me in paradise this January for I Am You and You Are Me: A Costa Rica Yoga Experience. Click here to find out details.
    Lynne Roye Photography https://www.facebook.com/lynne.roy.9
    Lynne Roye Photography
    https://www.facebook.com/lynne.roy.9


5 Ways To Feel Into What Works For Health

//  1 Comment

I was recently approached by someone who was curious about the way our mind and body connect in relation to the food they give it. They, like me, had more than one expectation when, “Going mind/body green.” Expectations can lead to confusion, and I have explored my own questions with vigor and dedication for the past 6 years. Yoga has opened me up to a mind/body/Spirit connection that I had never dreamed possible. Shortly after my first yoga class I stopped eating chicken and beef… why? I simply lost the taste and it felt right. I have been FEELING into what is right ever since and benefiting leaps and bounds. A lot of it, for me, is trial and error. I want to share some of these trials with you. Please know that I am not a doctor, please seek a health professional before trying any of this on your own.

Please remember that these are merely examples of my own experience and I truly believe that everyone is a bit different. I am an advocate of learning how to LISTEN to your body with and open heart and attuning that heart so you can more easily access Self-Love & Acceptance.

5 Ways To Feel Into What Works For Health

1. Trying new things. I had to say it, but if I don’t try it, how do I know if it feels right or not. That could mean that yoga class or 5k marathon you have been putting on the back burner. Typically when I try something knew I reflect for a bit afterwards. I close my eyes and take about 5 or so long inhales and exhales, being mindful of my breath. After I empty my mind, I notice how I feel in that moment. If I feel even a little better than I did when I walked in, I mark it off in the, “Do it again category.”
2. Eating slowly and deliberately. I try to only eat when I am hungry and when I eat slowly I am able to savor the flavor of the food I am eating. I can feel the textures, taste the juices, and I give my body time to fill up! It takes about 20 minutes for our belly to chat with our brain and let it know that it’s full. I eat extra slow these days (Or maybe it feels that way because I am usually the last one to finish).
3. Journaling how you feel after you eat. This can be fun and also a little disheartening. When I started to recognize the patterns in how I felt after I ate certain foods, I realized I had to make major changes in my diet. This also means to recognize how you feel in the morning after you eat that late meal. Timing food can be a big factor in feeling your best. So once again, eat your meal or drink your juice and close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and say to yourself, “How do I feel in this moment.” With love and kindness, answer HONESTLY (Honesty is the only way this works)… If you feel tired, groggy, grumpy, foggy, upset stomache, bloated, and the like… you may have to reconsider what you are putting in your body.
4. Eating the Ahimsa Way. Ahimsa is a yogic term which means non-violence. This could mean non-violence for you but also non-violence for whatever it is you are consuming. I am not saying to go vegan because again, no two bodies are the same… but I am saying to notice where your energy level is after you eat that farm raised egg, chicken wing, etc. Do you all of a sudden feel angry, sad, etc? The cleaner I started eating, the more sensitive to this I became. Opting for organic whole foods is always a safe bet, but no two people are the same in what they need, breathe/pause, feel into what’s right.
5. Environment. Surrounding myself with positive, uplifting people and seeking out healthy environments (Excluding bars, etc.) helps me stay on track. This becomes easier the healthier one gets. I believe we are all mirrors for one another, and like attracts like. Water will seek water at the same level, so the healthier and whole you get, the more of the same will come to you. So work on yourself, practicing self-compassion, unrelenting forgiveness the whole way. Just be mindful of what or who you put your energy towards or into. Breathe/Pause/Ask!

With much love, light, and honor for your Inner Journey,

Alana Roach
CYT, E-RYT, Wellness Motivator, Travel Blogger/Writer/Artist
alanaroachyoga.com

Want to explore feeling into your health with me in Costa Rica this January? Click here to find out more!

Wildlife Refuge in San Jose, CR

//  Leave a Comment

While we walked through, my talented and handsome companion took these beautiful pictures www.lancelaurence.com
While we walked through, my talented and handsome companion took these beautiful pictures www.lancelaurence.com
 
As we walked through this breathtaking sanctuary we were guided by a lovely and knowledgable lady who proceeded to tell us some devastating stories about these beautiful conciousnesses. A lot of them were bought through illegal animal trafficking and when the Refuge took them in they were in really bad shape. A monkey who was kept in a small cage for year by a drug trafficer now has nervous ticks and though they are working with him to reduce his stress on a daily basis, he swings wildly with ptsd.  A turtle who was poisoned by someone coating their shell with toxic red paint because they got bored of the natural markings it came with and another who got run over by a car and was left to die. A crocidile who was tied up by a group of people with the intention of killing it and left it there so long it lost both of it’s front arms and dislocated it’s jaws. While I am forever grateful that Refugees exist, it is extremely disheartening to know that all of the abuse cases I saw were because of humans. It reminds me to be mindful of ALL living creatures, and how even a small action good or bad can have a mass chain reaction that can effect the world. This was just a microcosm of what is going on, on a much bigger scale. We are in trouble and desperately need to work in harmony to save all species in this world. Concious co-living is the answer to this. 

Let’s work together to save this planet and all beings that reside on it!

With much love and light,

Alana
CYT, E-RYT, Reiki, Wellness, Travel Blogger
www.alanaroachyoga.com

 

 

www.facebook.com/lancelaurencephoto
www.facebook.com/lancelaurencephoto

5 Ways Moving to Costa Rica Improved My Health

//  2 Comments

Pura vida or PURE LIFE holds true in Central America for me. It was a big reason why I came back after visiting for the first time only 6 months ago. Despite my best efforts on the East Coast in the US, I still had some troubling symptoms that led me to believe I was less than healthy. Costa Rica inspired me to redesign my life because running from errand to errand to then sleep and dream about errands was not conducive to my well-being. My body and mind revolted. I would be so often tired by the end of the day that I had no time to even share my day with loved ones. I would fall sick from exhaustion. My mind felt fogged over. A general haze seemed to be engulfing every fiber of my being. I would get covered in tinea versicolor. I would have what they call, “Teacher burn-out,” and there is seldom serenity coming from within when a teacher is running on E. My hips hurt. My digestion got blocked up from God knows what because I ate as organic and healthy as I could.

During our vacation visit in March, I experienced my first dose of PURA VIDA. My mind started to de-fog, I slept more soundly, the food here felt more nutrient dense, I had energy despite rigorous hikes, I felt like I could BREATHE, omg… the air quality here is so magnificent, you should smell it! I became fortified and purified by Costa Rica. It became even more pronounced to me as soon as I left this paradise, that I needed to come back asap. When I left Costa Rica the haze crept back in, my energy body immediately felt sludgy, my mind felt chaotic, my digestion returned to it’s sensitive state, I got sick a week later, and I got consumed by consumerism once again. No longer than a month back in the US and I knew I had to come back to Costa Rica for my health.

So here we are in paradise, and I am here to share with you 5 Ways Moving to Costa Rica Improved my Health!

1. Vibrant skin. Tinea Versicolor Gone! I am prone to what dermatologist call Tinea Versicolor, which is a long term fungal infection. I have had it since I was 13 . TV breaks out in humidity and in being a yoga teacher that means I was covered in them. 2 weeks after arriving in HUMID Costa Rica, eating the local grown fruits and veggies, breathing the air, drinking the water, they went away. I have heard this is the case for some others who suffered from this fungal annoyance. It is gone, it is humid here, those two factors don’t usually line up for Tinea, but apparently PURA VIDA wins in this case. I won’t try and figure out the mystery, I will just enjoy (Thank you, Costa Rica).

Tinea Versicolor free! Nurturing my body/mind/spirit with fresh rain in the jungle.
Tinea Versicolor free! Nurturing my body/mind/spirit with fresh rain in the jungle.

2. Cardio Haven. There is so much raw beauty here that I can’t stand being inside for more than shut eye, it is incredible how nature draws you out when there is a beautiful symbiosis between you and it. Since moving here we are surfing almost every day and walking EVERYWHERE. My body is thanking me for it. I would squeeze in 20 minutes on the tread mill when I could between errands before and now my whole day is rich with heart healthy activity.

Alana Roach Yoga in Playa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica! Living the pure life :)
Alana Roach Yoga in Playa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica! Living the pure life 🙂

3. Digestion. Maybe it’s all of the locally grown fruits and vegetables that you can buy at any and all of the markets in town (There are about 5 to chose from.) Maybe it’s the quality of the water. Whatever it is, my digestion hasn’t felt so smooth in years. I am seriously boosting this as a reason why you should consider visiting here because I feel like digestion is KEY to leading energetic, happy, healthy lifestyles through all ages. I barely take any vitamins here and I don’t feel like I need them (I used to take about 20 vitamins a day) because everything has so many vitamins naturally.

Fresh and local fruit and vegetables! I am in heaven![costaricantimes.com]
Fresh and local fruit and vegetables! I am in heaven![costaricantimes.com]
4. Freedom. In the town I live in there are no McDonalds or shopping malls to speak of. There is no reason to bring your phone with you everywhere because the island life won’t allow for it. There aren’t tabloid magazines hanging in a checkout line. There are no sounds of traffic or sirens whirring by every second. There is mostly the sound of nature, ocean waves, and silence if you chose it. I can’t express adequately with words how freeing this all is, but you have to experience it for yourself or perhaps meditate with it in mind to get a taste. It is truely ineffable. I have found a new way of being and my body, mind, and spirit feel renewed by it.

Alana Roach experiencing FREEDOM! Wild Horses on in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica with lancelaurence.com
Alana Roach experiencing FREEDOM! Wild Horses in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica with lancelaurence.com

5. Happy mind. I get to wake up everyday knowing that I am painting my life the way God intended it to be. I had a lot of, “What ifs,” “Can I really do this,” and “Am I worthy of this?” When I sat in silence and tapped deeply within the resonance of my Higher Self, the answer was always, “Yes.” Yes, I am taken care of. Yes, I can do this. Yes, I am worthy.” Moving to Costa Rica is another leap in my saying YES to my soul’s deepest yearning. I am co-designing my life with the Creator, sharing my passion for love through yoga with the world and let me tell you, my health is reaping the rewards more and more everyday because of it.

Alana Roach Yoga with Lance Laurence Photography
Alana Roach Yoga with Lance Laurence Photography

I look forward to resonating with you here in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica in the New Year, January 17-24 for Explorations of Self:A Costa Rica Yoga Experience. Register Here.
I’ll see you on your mats and in the ocean, PURA VIDA!

Love and light, and pura vida!

Alana Roach
CYT, E-RYT, Reiki, Retreat Leader & Travel Blogger
www.alanaroachyoga.com

alanaroachyoga@gmail.com

Follow me on facebook/twitter/instagram @alanaroachyoga

 

5 Ways To Beat Negative Self Talk

//  Leave a Comment

“Remember sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” Dalai Lama

Today I look to the true beauty with-in and surrounding me and I am in awe because if it weren’t for all of the relationships, jobs, & material items that did not work out the way I had hoped, I wouldn’t be where I am. Yet, in those moments, where it’s not going according to “plan,” I sometimes feel utterly lost, angry, confused, and alone. I think all things negative before all things positive. I stop trusting in Spirit and I want to give up, but it is in those moments I grow the most. How boring this life would be if it all went according to, “Plan.” It is certainly navigatable by positive thinking and intention, but there are always bends and twists that I never see coming. I think that is so cool in retrospect, because it always works out for the best. Why is that? Some would say there is a Divine plan. I certainly think believe there is.

So when my mind starts beating me up in times of uncertainty and doubt I try to remember these 5 things.

1. I am not my thoughts. Thoughts come and go, I have a choice whether or not to latch onto one of those suckers and let it take me on a wild ride.
2. I am fully alive. Being alive is being present to all things, not just the, “Good,” ones.
3. There is a reason for EVERYTHING. The mantra, “I am exactly where I am meant to be in this moment and I have great purpose,” keeps it real for me.
4. Get present, get grateful. GRATITUDE, I can’t say it enough. If I am grateful in this moment, fear can not exist.
5. Is it true? Is it really true? How do I know that it’s true? (The work) My mind will turn on me in a second, and when it does, these questions bring me back to the now, and in this moment, I am always taken care of.

Namaste and pura vida 😉

Alana Roach
CYT, E-RYT, Reiki, Travel & Wellness Writer, Life Lover
www.alanaroachyoga.com

Gaining Self Love Through Slowing Down

//  1 Comment

Once upon a time I was newly determined. When I first got sober in 2009, I started to live. I not only desired to live a more honest and pure life, but I felt the need to make up for lost time. I don’t think I am alone in this effort as I have talked to newly sober individuals who have felt the same. Relating to you has been such a comfort to me. I can’t thank you enough. 10 years in a malaise of blackouts made life sort of stand still as the days slid together. Time whirled by and all of a sudden I was a 23 years old with the mentality of a 13 year old girl. Those first few months of drying out felt like I was looking in a mirror at a reflection that was totally foreign. I was feeling emotions again. Drinking for me was an escape from emotions, but I was really just shoving them down. The emotions, just like damed water, go no where, they just build & build. Take the drink or drug away and the emotions come gushing out. I had a lot of support & I still do in recovery, but at the end of the day I am still left with me.

Making up for all of this “lost time” was exhausting. I was shorting hours of sleep to make early yoga classes before school. I was taking classes for college 6 days a week, staying after for honors programs and book club, and working 5 to 6 days a week. I was running 10 – 18 miles before working a 6 to 8 hour shift at a restaurant. I was driving all day and eating in my car while drinking copious amounts of caffeine to keep going. I was running around trying to be everything to everyone and yet I was struggling to keep up with my own self-care. Does this sound familiar?

The Universe will always plead with us to slow down and smell the roses. Sometimes it starts with a tap on the shoulder and if that doesn’t get our attention something louder and more palpably alerting will. It could be in the form of a cold or flu. . Did that stop me? No. I am embarrassed to admit this but I have definitely pushed the limits while sick. I didn’t rest unless I couldn’t move. Sometimes it shows up with injury. Did that stop me? Not at first. I went to work with a broken nose once after a soccer game. I thought it meant I was strong. No pain, no gain! Right? Wrong. Thankfully, yoga and meditation have taught me that strength comes through honoring my body, mind, and Spirit. For me, my big wake up call was a car accident. I was running on empty energetically. In retrospect this accident was a few years coming. I felt the exhaustion every step of the way and I still pushed the envelope. The morning of the accident I felt it in my bones that I could use a few more hours of sleep. Totally disregarding the signal my body was sending me, I pushed through it anyway. I woke up at 6am to make my way to the gym and I took a left turn when I clearly shouldn’t have, got hit on the drivers side, my head cracked against the window, car totaled, other car totaled with an injured party and we were both in that ambulance together afraid for our lives. Luckily we would both be ok, but until that moment I could not slow down. Even with a regular meditation practice and a million signs that I should, I was addicted to doing more. I was addicted to filling my day with, “Things,” just so I didn’t have to sit with me.

Laying there in my bed, recovering from the accident for a few weeks allowed for a lot of reflection. I was resting more than I had in years. I realized how precious every moment is. I stumbled upon the quote, “Life is a journey, not a destination,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Constantly striving for more while making endless lists and running around to no end was not the answer for me. I had not truly let go. I was still calling the shots. I couldn’t believe it but I finally realized I was not truly happy because I couldn’t sit still with me. The, “Me,” who wasn’t striving for the next goal, or trying to impress you, or looking for attention. When I took away all of those masks, and sat in the presence of my own Self, I realized I had been missing out on a beautiful truth. The truth that, “I am whole without doing anything.” Mind blown. I couldn’t believe it. My first introduction into, “The art of non-doing.”

I found a solution.

1. Saying No. No is a complete sentence. As simple as that sounds, boy was it oh so ever a challenge. I was a people please to the max. I thought I had to be for you to think I had worth. Saying no didn’t always make people happy but I realized I had to take care of myself first, otherwise I was of no use to anyone!
2. Self care!! No matter what! If my mind, body, Spirit connection needs tending to, that is what comes first. I can’t help anyone until I am healthy. Getting enough sleep really helps with this. I get at least 8 a night and yes, sometimes that means I am in bed by 9pm.
3. Focusing on one thing at a time. Having this clear, I would then have a great teacher months later say to me,”Find your purpose and get to it immediately.” What was I waiting for? I ended up having a lot of down time in India just a few months after my car crash and I embarked on what I knew was my dream after my return. Teaching yoga, writing to inspire, and intuitive healing.
4. Listening to my Body. Feeling tired, weak, foggy brained, irritated, sluggish are all signs to slow down, rest more, take a break. Even if it’s retreating for a few deep breaths to become present.
5. Create Space to Restore. working with people can take a lot of energy, even just being in crowded spaces. Make a sacred space that re-fuels you. Giving myself some time to re-boot through naps, energy work, meditation, de-charging can make all of the difference. These are some great ideas for creating a sacred-space.
6. Love, Laughter, Letting- Go. As self-awareness grows with my spiritual practice of choice, I learn to become more loving & accepting of myself. When I become aware that I am falling back into old patterns of “Over-achiever, perfectionist mentality,” I have to laugh at myself, take a deep breath, let go & let Jah.
7.Giving thanks for who I am in this moment.  It takes mental persuasion to bring my loosy goosey attention back to gratitude and self-love. However, the effects are astounding and my whole perspective shifts when I do this. I use positive affirmations & gratitude techniques. I commend myself for a job well done or not done. I honor karma and if I act less than perfect, I forgive myself and try better next time. When I am honoring myself in this way I can better honor you and Gaia.

I am grateful for my, “Get to it” determination today. It is a positive aspect of who I am, but just like anything if it becomes something that starts to burn me out I have to go back to the practices that bring me to the present moment and allow me to slow down. I have to let go a little or a lot. When I do, the Universe holds my intentions close and I am taken care of in more ways than I could have imagined. This has been proven to me time and time again.

So to all of my fellow acheivers out there, just for today, take a few minutes to smell the roses as you walk by them, the most vibrant and rich blooms are surrounding you and you could have missed it. Pause, take a deep breath and say, “There is nothing I have to do, be, or have because I already am.” Remember your Divine nature. You are bountifully amazing just as you are.

Until next time with love and light,
Alana
www.eosretreats.com

Season of Change

//  1 Comment

Rainy Day Costa Rica www.lancelaurence.com
Rainy Day Costa Rica www.lancelaurence.com

This is the first fall season I will be spending in the tropics for the entire duration.  My body is remembering the excitement of the leaves beginning to turn orange and yellow and the smell of pumpkin spice at coffee shops.  There are seasons in the tropics of Costa Rica as well, just a bit different.  We are coming into “Rainy season.”  Appropriately named because, well… it rains, a lot.  It is only starting to rain here and for the most part, we have been lucky I hear from the locals.  We had one torrential downpour 2 weeks ago and then it’s only been scattered showers since.  I love it when it rains here.  Since our place is only screened in and there are no windows and earth walls, we get to experience the thunder storms with incredible surround sound.  It’s amazing. Rainy season is also known as, “Green season,” also aptly named because everything comes to life here when it rains. The forest is lush with reverent fervor.   There is this magical hummingbird who sips from the blossoms every day, literally drinking in the beauty. Fall is also a great time of reflection as it brings in external and internal changes.  Here are some of the ways I honor the, “Season of Change,” no matter where I am in the world.

  1. Self love.  Change can bring restlessness and irritability, fear and resistance.  Breathing into the moment and going with the cycles of change with self love make change a miraculous unfolding.  Remember, God wouldn’t bring you to it, without bringing you through it.
  2. Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla, Cinnamon, & Nutmeg. I put it in everything and anything. I love adding it to coffee, quinoa/oats, banana mush.  Your favorite fall spices are really good for your system as well, read more on this here.
  3. Pumpkin Seeds. I love roasting pumpkin seeds in the oven and playing around with new healthy treats like this healthy carrot bread. The heat from the oven on those cooler fall days is a nice bonus.
  4. Meditation. Being still through change brings a greater perspective with non-attachment! See what I have to say about meditation here.
  5. In Ayurveda, we suggest cleansing every season and eat foods that are locally grown in that season for optimal health.  See here for suggestions.
  6. Marathons/Triatholons. All of that hard work has paid off and most of you thon-ers are about to run/bike/swim through the finish line. Way to go!
  7. Gratitude. Gratitude has improved the way I live my life in the most profound way.  When we find things to be grateful for, we can know no fear.
  8. Yoga.  Create space in your day for yoga, even if it’s 5 minutes.  Yoga helps you connect with your Divinity. A great reminder that you are eternal and this moment will come and it will go but you remain the mountain through the seasons.
  9. Family time. While being able to sit with you alone is important, the importance of establishing a sense of community is too.  This of course means our roots but also our extended community. We all are so deeply connected. I know this and so I greet you into my family as so many of you have welcomed me into yours.  In my personal journey I am looking to create more space for celebrating togetherness for the sake of being together. Aho. 
  10. Staying inspired. What motivates you? What is that one thing you have been thinking about doing all year but haven’t started? Feel blocked? Find someone who has done what you are trying to do, ask them how they did it.  Or start slowly, and ask yourself, “What is the first step of making this become my reality?” For instance, I always wanted to world travel and 5 years ago I realized that in order to get the ball rolling, I should get a passport, even if I did not have an itinerary. Taking that first step opened my creative center and began my initiation into what faith in action really means. Everything fell into place after that, it just took a beginning. If travel is something you have been thinking about doing, but haven’t made the leap, check out my upcoming retreat in Costa Rica! Explore the possibilities!
Beautiful stream with mini waterfalls in Santa Teresa www,lancelaurence.com
Beautiful stream with mini waterfalls in Santa Teresa www,lancelaurence.com

No matter where you are in the world, you can always stay inspired by fall.  Every fall I am always brought to the song lyric by Bob Dylan, “And the times, they are a’ changing.” Fall, for me represents change with radical acceptance, breathing into the moment, and remember that the only constant is change.

What inspires you in the Fall season?  I’d love to hear you!

With love and light

Alana Roach
CYT, RYT, Reiki, Life and Wellness Enthusiast, Writer, Globe Trotter

www.AlanaRoachYoga.com

 

Great Tides

//  Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Lance Laurence / lancelaurencephoto.com Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Photo Credit: Lance Laurence / lancelaurencephoto.com
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Courage has been a repeating theme in my life this year. “Courage,” keeps echoing to me in the core of my soul. To combat fear we must have the courage to love ourselves completely. I am discovering that courage takes on many different forms but it always stays true in the way that I am to trust it with every fiber of my being in times of trial. When faced with decisions, I am always given options, opinions, and ego. The high tide here in the Pacific brings with it great power. It comes closer and closer to you, crashing against the shore, washing with it debris and pulling back into the great mass under the great blue sky. When encountering the ocean’s power, the ego mind says, “I am afraid,” “I am going to fight with it,” “I am going to win,” and, “I am not good enough.” Depending on your level of training you might have the courage to ride the high tide, because you’ve studied it for years, you’ve started from the beginning working with a guide and surfed your way through the tides. Depending on your level of training you might say, “I haven’t studied this tide, perhaps I should start from the beginning and come back with a guide.” Perhaps with your level of training, you go into the high tide and feels it’s majesty halt you before you even get in knee deep and then you are faced with a decision, do I go forward or do I retreat? Which establishes courage? It takes courage to be humble and begin something new. It often takes guides, consistency, and trust. Even when you have the training to surf the high tide you are aware of its unpredictability, and you must stay present, and you are always learning something new about yourself, you are always growing, getting stronger. It’s an impossibility to become complacent in the ocean.

Alana Roach in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Photo Credit: Lance Laurence/ lancelaurencephoto.com
Alana Roach in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Photo Credit: Lance Laurence/ lancelaurencephoto.com

Just like the tides of the ocean, the tides of the mind are ever changing. It takes courage to stay present, to be humble, to respect and accept where you are on the path. To have the courage to be still in moments of flux, to have the courage to flow with change, to have the courage to be open enough to learn from life’s great lessons, and take them in stride. It takes courage to realize the greatness of the ocean, just as it takes courage to realize the Greatness of You. It takes courage to really go for it, whatever that means for you in the moment. Just know to channel your Courage is a great teacher within itself. It could start with a mental exercise that I use all of the time. It’s simple. Whenever your mind starts to run, in yoga we call this the, “Monkey Mind,” direct your mind to the tip of your nose, take a deep breath, and say, “This, I am not.” You might be surprised to find that not identifying with your thoughts can take a lot of courage. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with courage. Find the courage to journey with Self. Join me Jan 17-24 in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica for Explorations of Self: A Costa Rica Yoga Experience. Registration is open through October. If you sign up before September 1, receive great savings. I look forward to exploring courage deeper with you on your mats.

The light within me honors and sees the light within you, and in that moment we are one, Namaste.

Alana Roach CYT, RYT, Wellness Support, Writer, Travel Enthusiast

www.alanaroachyoga.com

Like me on Facebook! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Instagram!