Join the Movement

You are here: Home / Archives for #entrepreneur

Reasons to Incorporate Yoga in Your Morning Routine

//  Leave a Comment

Are you looking for a way to start your day off on the right foot?

Consider practicing yoga in the morning! Here are some of the benefits:

  1.  Boosts energy and immunity

  2.  Creates a positive outlook for the day

  3.  Helps you tune inwards and acknowledge your own needs before addressing others’

  4.  Improves mental health and reduces stress

  5.  Increases flexibility and strength

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, a morning yoga practice can help you feel more awake, alive, and ready to take on the day. So why not give it a try? Set your intention, activate your body and mind, and enjoy some me-time before tackling your to-do list. You deserve it!

Learn more about remote 1 on 1 and team Integrative Leadership Training.
📚Sources cited:

How to Maintain Your Yoga Practice & More Without Childcare During Quarantine

//  Leave a Comment

I was talking to a fellow yoga teacher and mama friend the other day and she asked me, “How do you do things with your little one at home since you can’t use help?”

I immediately thought of  my yoga practice and how much it has shifted and changed over the years since the birth of my daughter, and yet, I continue to practice daily, despite the perceived interruptions.  And that is the thing, they are only interruptions when I perceived them to be.  The truth is there is nothing other than this moment, and non-dualistic perspective gives us the opportunity to see all things as moving parts of our SELF.

So, she had a great question.

How do you continue to do things without the help that you might be used to?

For the last 4 years I have raised my daughter as a solo mom for the majority of our experiences and I have traveled the world, run international yoga retreats, ran several different facets of wellness businesses, AND she has been right there, the whole entire time.  When she was younger, I strapped her to me and I practiced yoga wearing her!  I did a lot of things wearing her.  That’s just one thing that you can do.  It’s great core work and great for baby!

I have hired help and used the help of the daycare centers at gyms when I taught abroad and locally. For the majority of the time I am alone with my daughter and I love it.  But, when this pandemic first hit and gyms were shut down, all of the sudden those few hours where I could get acupuncture or take a sauna were gone.  It DID take a few weeks to adjust to for both of us!!  My daughter missed playtime with kids her age.  We still prevailed.  We found new things to do together, which I am forever grateful for.  After those few weeks passed and I started to really relish in the fact that I was working less and had more time to be present with her.  We are in a groove now.  One that I am seriously grateful for.

So, we adapt.  We have this insatiable ability as humans to adapt to new situations and environments over time.  We can choose to make the best of it or not.  I suggest taking the high road here.  This takes mental diligence.

It has not always been easy to let go of the way that I think things should be done, or that hour long “Uninterrupted,” yoga practice, but when I surrender to the beauty of this sacred DANCE of life that I get to participate in, I get to do all of the things that I enjoy + household chores with a sense of joy and ease.

I set the intention every single day to co-create a day that not only nurtures our minds and bodies, but also, our souls.

I pray every morning to Divine to please keep me open to the miracles He/She has in store for me today.

When I do this,  I am blown away by the little things.  My daughter’s smile.  The leaves rustling in the breeze. The smell of fresh air.  The sun shine or the rain.  It’s all incredible.

I also whole heartedly believe that when I ask God for guidance in the way that I see my day, I am always given the opportunity to see the ease through out it all.   Divine gives us the opportunity to see Heaven on Earth all of the time.  The question is, do you want to see it?

Takeaways on “How to do things with your little ones at home & no help.” 

  • Remaining flexible and open to a new kind of day.
  • Staying open to the beautiful new ways of being.
  • Integrating my children with my day.
  • Remaining in witness to the miracles in each moment.
  • Remembering that we are human.
  • If your children take naps, use that time to do something for yourself.
  • When your children go to bed at night, take an hour to do self-care.
  • Take a deep breath.
  • Ask Divine to show you the reality of this moment.
  • Smile more.
  • They are only this age once.
  • You can do this.
  • Talk to other parents who might be in the same boat!  Connecting has this incredible ability to help us feel not so alone in our experiences, which can be very cathartic!!  Community, even if it’s remote, is so important.
  • Things are always changing so how can you adapt and raise up your vibration to meet this excellent new change?
  • Stay grounded in LOVE and be buoyed by the Divine Spirit.
  • Don’t forget to laugh… at yourself, at each other.  It’s most important.

Just as the certainty that life is always changing, our yoga practice will, too!  Remaining open to the change is what’s key here.  If we become attached to some facet of our practice, we may become distressed.  Yoga is meant to help you let GO of what was and welcome what IS.  You may be pleasantly surprised to find that what IS is just as incredible as what was, because the core of Divine is in each moment as it is and THAT is the only thing that never changes.  Are you willing to remain open to that JOY within this moment as it is?

 

In love and light,

Alana Roach

Founder of Explorations of Self

Using Your Menstrual Cycle as a Guide to Success

//  1 Comment

Yes.  I’ve said it.  Your menstrual cycle.  A guide to success.  I call it a Moon Cycle and it is your super power. Ever since I  started looking into the moon phases a decade ago, I noticed my periods aligned with New or Full Moons almost always.  I’ve talked to MANY women about their moon cycles and they can concur.  Women are in sync with the moon and this synchronization is a creative force.  

Dr Christiane Northup noted:

Studies have shown that peak rates of conception and probably ovulation appear to occur at the full moon or the day before.

During the new moon, ovulation and conception rates are decreased overall, and an increased number of women start their menstrual bleeding. Scientific research has documented that the moon rules the flow of fluids (ocean tides as well as individual body fluids) and affects the unconscious mind and dreams.1

The timing of the menstrual cycle, the fertility cycle, and labor also follows the moon-dominated tides of the ocean. Environmental cues such as light, the moon, and the tides play a documented role in regulating women’s menstrual cycles and fertility.

In one study of nearly two thousand women with irregular menstrual cycles, more than half of the subjects achieved regular menstrual cycles of twenty-nine days’ length by sleeping with a light on near their beds during the three days around ovulation.2

We, as a culture,  often overlook our menstrual cycles as just one of those things that just happen.  I am often surprised about the lack of conversation within communities of women on this topic.  We need to re-claim our bodies as powerful, sovereign, MAGICAL, creative life forces.

I noticed long ago that my cycles were important for cleansing, creating, restoring, and balancing.  Our menstrual cycles are a gift.  They not only give us an opportunity to create an actual life, but also give us a huge opportunity to create life to our dream life.

 

If you do not know your cycle, there are so many great apps to help with that.  I use the Flo App and it’s free!

Follicular phase

The phase that happens right after your period.  During this phase you start to feel more alive and energetic.  This is a great time to start new projects, make new connections, be creative, be in front of the camera, write, and travel for business.   You will enjoy being around people and connecting with others at this time so take advantage of your outgoing nature!  I will often take on a little bit more during this time because I know I have the energy to manage it.

Ovulation

During your ovulation phase you will feel most likely feel magical.  People are attracted to you more than ever.  Schedule business meetings with people who have possibly been on the fence.  Get into receptive mode.  The more you can just allow the abundance to find you, the better.  This is a great time to ask The Universe to bring you people that you can help with ease.

Luteal Phase

During this phase we will want to slow down. Give yourself this time.  Don’t take as many appts.  Do less.  Self care more.  This is a time to allow all of the work that you have done earlier in your cycle to incubate.  There is an incredible intelligence at work here within our mind, body, and spirit.  Trust yourself.

Dr. Christiane Northup also states that:

“Women, too, go through a period of darkness each month, when the life-force may seem to disappear for a while (premenstrual and menstrual phases).4 We need not be afraid or think we are sick if our energies and moods naturally ebb for a few days each month. In many parts of India, it’s perfectly acceptable for women to slow down during their periods and rest more.

I have come to see that all kinds of stress-related disease, ranging from PMS to osteoporosis, could be lessened a great deal if we simply followed our body’s wisdom once per month.”

Menstruation

Our body is cleansing at this time.  In the Ashtanga Yoga tradition, women do not practice yoga for the first 3 days of menstruation.  They honor their bodies and the apana (Downward flowing energies.)  This is a time of transformation.  Energy that we have taken on or emotions that we have possibly shoved down away from the surface are released.  This is a great time to meditate, journal, take baths, get a massage, rest, organize and clean if there’s natural energy for that.  If there’s anything that didn’t quite feel right in your business this month, now is the time to release it and let go.

We should be celebrating our Moon Cycles. There is great MAGIC in it!  We are very blessed.  We are creative forces.  If our cycles can literally create a life,  why wouldn’t our cycles be able to create limitless possibility in every area of our life?

If you are experiencing difficulties with your cycle or would like 1 on 1 life coaching for a particular area in your life, go here to schedule your free 15 minute consult!

With love,

Alana

Sources:

https://www.drnorthrup.com/wisdom-of-menstrual-cycle/

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menstrual-cycle

5 Ways to Prevent Burnout

//  Leave a Comment

It’s so easy to make up excuses when it comes to self-care. You could spend your whole day thinking about your desire to take it easy, or the need for a break, but you keep putting it off, putting everything and everyone else first. The next thing you know it, you’re running on empty, tired and run down. You feel like you’ve been here before… well… because you have.

What’s the pattern here? Where are you negotiating with your self about your true needs? Are you allowing others to run your day, job, schedule?

There’s always a way to find time to tend to the self. We need to put our self first or we will inevitably face burn out.

I have encountered burn out more times than I am willing to admit along my path. I get better at recognizing the signs now. The journey is always coming home to the self with love and care.

Some signs you may be on the verge of burn-out.

  • Irritability
  • Anxiousness
  • Poor sleep
  • Lack of concentration, motivation, and inspiration
  • Sadness
  • Feelings of overwhelm
  • Body imbalances (Aches, injuries, anything that starts to flare up and effects your physical health. As always, consult your doctor if there is a concern!)

 

There is always something to learn from your moments of imbalance. 

“If you wait until you are sick before you begin to try to focus more positively, it is much harder than if you begin to tell the story of Well-Being from your place of feeling good…but, in any case, your new story will, in time, bring you different results. That which is like unto itself, is drawn – so tell the story you want to live and you will eventually live it.” -Abraham Hicks

Life is a journey. A  journey that I, for one, would not ever want to miss. Being out of balance can be a delight because I am then reminded to revise my thoughts and actions to live in a better way.

5 Ways to Prevent Burnout

1. Self Care: Spend time in nature, do an Ayurvedic or superfoods cleanse (Always consult with your doctor before making radical changes to your diet, especially when there are underlying medical conditions) take slow walks, take a nap, deeper breaths, do more yoga, do less talking, read a book, be still, get more massages, laugh more, love more, worry less.

 

 

2. Positive Thinking: Shift your negative thoughts to thoughts of gratitude and appreciation. It can make all the difference. Perception is everything. You can think your way into a prison or you can think your way into freedom. Which do you choose? I love the poem “All the Hemispehres,”  by Hafez as he illustrates it so well…

All the Hemispheres

Leave the familiar for a while.
Let your senses and bodies stretch out

Like a welcomed season
Onto the meadows and shores and hills.

Open up to the Roof.
Make a new water-mark on your excitement
And love.

Like a blooming night flower,
Bestow your vital fragrance of happiness
And giving
Upon our intimate assembly.

Change rooms in your mind for a day.

All the hemispheres in existence
Lie beside an equator
In your heart.

Greet Yourself
In your thousand other forms
As you mount the hidden tide and travel
Back home.

All the hemispheres in heaven
Are sitting around a fire
Chatting

While stitching themselves together
Into the Great Circle inside of
You. ~ Hafez

3.Vacation: Even if it’s a couple of days, take time to respite.

A pause from your daily routine is necessary to reset and regain inspiration. If you simply can’t make time for a mini respite this month, ask yourself what sort of things you would be doing on that retreat. Would it be a spa day? A long walk? A healthy meal with wonderful company? I asked myself this a couple of years ago and started to implement vacation like practices in my day to day life by getting regular acupuncture, massages, taking long baths, electronics fasting, and long walks in nature, and it has made all the difference. If you are looking to schedule f a 9 day relaxing journey this September 12-20, 2020, Join me in Bali for a decadent Yoga & Meditation Escape. 

 

 4. Clear your schedule:

Make a list of everything you’re investing your energy in.

Also, know that it’s ok to say NO to that dinner party on Thursday night if you don’t really want to go. Allow your calendar to have to space to breathe. Some of the best experiences I have ever had were when I had not scheduled them. They happened because I created space for The Universe to deliver an experience. Now ask yourself: If I only had 6 months to live, what would I be doing? Gaining perspective on what truly matters will help you, overtime, refine your priorities. If there are things you can immediately shift and let go of, ask yourself: Why am I holding on to this? If it’s a career shift or something that may take time to shift, ask the Universe to provide you with clarity on how to make this attainable. Make a list of tiny steps you can take daily towards this great vision. In the mean time, know that everything you are doing is contributing to the bigger picture.

5. Receive:

A lot of really talented, genuinely good, capable people can have one fault.

They are great at creatingopportunities, getting things done, and taking care of others. However, when it comes to receiving, they have a major block. If that’s you… listen. From my own experience here. It takes a village. It just does. Every single person you see out there thriving has a team. Allow yourself to receive support and love from your community. Allow yourself to receive love and support from your Creator. The Universe yearns to provide for you. It will come in many forms when you allow it to come in. Practicing receiving. The next time someone gives you a compliment, say, “Thank you,” and breathe that compliment in. The next time someone wants to help you with your groceries to your car say, “Ok.” Allow. You deserve support, everyone does. The smallest acts of allowing can make huge differences in your life.

 

Take care of yourself. Remember that self-care should be your 1st priority. Your capacity to give will increase naturally when you give yourself the LOVE that you so deserve.

If you are looking for a lifestyle change and need support, I work 1 on 1 with people to help you improve balance and joy in any area of your life. My modalities include an entire lifestyle reboot using monthly sessions and remote energy work which are specifically designed to help you at the level of your needs. No two sessions are the same. Whether you are looking for guidance professionally, in your health, or otherwise, book in with me for a free 15 minute Integrative Lifestyle Coaching consult now.

Founder of Explorations of Self

Mom, Yogini, Lover of Life

#Godisgoodallthetime

 

 

8 Holistic Ways to Manage Grief During The Holidays

//  Leave a Comment

Sometimes the holidays can be a reminder that someone we have loved dearly is not with us in the physical any longer, or that a new chapter in our life is beginning, which means another chapter, for better or for worse, is ending. Grief is grief. Anytime you go through a big transition, you will inevitably experience some sort of grief.  If that is the case for you, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I recently lost my step-father & his presence is definitely missed by my family.  With all that being so, I am feeling particularly grateful to be at home with my family during this holiday. Losing someone close can really put life into perspective. You realize what is truly important in life and that can make all of the difference in what you prioritize.

Here are 8 Holistic Ways to Help You Manage Grief During The Holidays:

  1. Gratitude: Expressing gratitude is one of this quickest ways to access your inner peace.  List what you are gratitude for and WHY. For instance, “I am grateful for my sight because it allows me to see all of the beauty surrounding me,” or, “I am grateful for the ability to take a deep breath because it helps to calm me down.”
  2. Surround yourself with good people: Stick with people who remind you of the good in life, uplift you, and that it’s also ok to be exactly where you are in the moment. Surround yourself with people who manage their own emotions in healthy ways.
  3. Meditate & Move: Meditation and movement will help to activate your para-sympathetic nervous system and actively get you out of your fight or flight response. This is a great meditation for Grief.  If you are looking for some easy, at home movement, here is a short Qi-Gong routine and a Yoga Sequence for Grief.
  4. Journal: Journaling has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and boost your mood. In addition to this, according to Cambridge.org, “Writing about traumatic, stressful or emotional events has been found to result in improvements in both physical and psychological health, in non-clinical and clinical populations. In the expressive writing paradigm, participants are asked to write about such events for 15–20 minutes on 3–5 occasions. Those who do so generally have significantly better physical and psychological outcomes compared with those who write about neutral topics. Here we present an overview of the expressive writing paradigm, outline populations for which it has been found to be beneficial and discuss possible mechanisms underlying the observed health benefits. In addition, we suggest how expressive writing can be used as a therapeutic tool for survivors of trauma and in psychiatric settings.”
  5. Ask someone else how they are doing today. The quickest way to get out of your head is to ask someone else how they are doing, and if they are not doing well,  be the Light for them. Remind them that it’s ok to feel what they are feeling and remind them of HOPE. At the end of our life we are remembered by our loved ones for how we impacted their lives. It’s not typically how hard we worked or what accolades we acquired. It’s how hard we loved and who we directed that love towards.
  6. Good nutrition: We have all been there. Emotional eating. When we feel stressed it’s easy to reach for the unhealthy carbohydrates. The more we lean towards healing our gut and improving our digestion + decreasing inflammation, our mood and energy levels will increase. Email me at Explorationsofself@Gmail.com to receive $50 towards your Superfoods Transformation.
  7. CBD: While more clinical trials still need to be done, there are rave reviews for the efficacy of this incredibly plant medicine. Consult your doctor before adding CBD to your regime to see if it’s right for you. If you would like 20% on your first CBD order through Explorations of Self, contact me at Explorationsofself@gmail.com.
  8. Prioritize Self-Care: Make sure that you are taking the time to tend to your self-care first and foremost. Take a bubble bath, treat yourself to a spa day, go to your favorite fitness class, read a great book, or take a nap. We can feel especially run down when we go through Grief. That is our body wisdom screaming at us to slow down and take care of ourselves. Be sure to listen.

If you are dealing with grief during this Holiday Season, I am praying for you. I pray that you are surrounded by love. I pray that you feel the nearness of your Creator. If you feel cut off or alone, please here me. You are not alone. There are communities around the world that want to support you. This is just one. Please reach out to someone and allow yourself to receive support. This is one of the best gifts you can give someone. When we allow others to be of service, we are being of service to them. Acts of service are what this life is all about. Learning to give and receive love unconditionally is so important in life because it is what connects us to one another. 

 

 

With much love and respect for your journey,

 

Alana Roach

CNS, E-RYT, Author

Yoga, Nutrition, and Wellness

Founder of Explorations of Self

 

You Will Question Everything You Know When Aligning With Your Soul Purpose

//  2 Comments

In the process of Becoming the most Divinely ALIGNED version of yourself, you will question everything you know.⁣
⁣
I am in process during this time in my life. I barely recognize the person I was emotionally a year ago. I have been stretched through spiritual and emotional growth so much this year, it’s unreal.⁣

& then I look back to 2 years ago….. & then 3, 4, 5…

I have grown mind/body/Spirit substantially every 6-12 months ever since I chose to embark on the Spiritual Path of unpacking old traumas, stale beliefs, learned and unconscious destructive patterns over 10 years ago.

I choose to believe with every fiber of my being that every single experience and relationship that I have had, completely & totally has been there for MY BENEFIT.

I choose to do the work with my Creator to heal facets of myself so that I can fly like the Phoenix and rise out of the ashes to newer Heights.

It’s not easy. The ego… everything that makes us HUMAN, loves to keep us comfortable, and yet, it’s much more challenging to stay stagnant in your Spiritual growth. Your most Spiritually Aligned Self is beckoning you to be liberated. In yoga we call this, “Mukti,” and in Hinduism & Jainism it is know as, “Moksha.” I quite like the definition of Moksha found in the Merriam Encyclopedia:

Definition of moksha

Hinduism & Jainism
: release from samsara and liberation from karma together with the attainment of Nirvana for the Hindu or kaivalya for the Jain : salvation from the bondage of finite existence

 

I don’t know about you, but YES, absolutely YES, PLEASE.

What a gift Self-Awareness & Self-Work is because it reminds us to continually empty ourselves of anger, resentment, and fear. It reminds us to look at the places within ourselves that scare us and give those places a name. In Tantric philosophy, The Tantric Goddesses started out as fearful beings, who reaped havoc as they were living in a constant state of fear. As soon as these beings were face to face with their own destructive habits, they were shown the illusion of what they were doing and gave each habit or Samskara a NAME. From that very simple, not EASY, but simple act, they began to surrender to the TRUTH or Satya. From that TRUTH they were shown compassion and thus became transformed into Mothers. They in essence began to Mother their own inner child…. these Mothers turned into Goddesses… Fully embodied in their Truth of Love and Light..

When you call out the underlying emotion, memory, or root of why you are experiencing a so called negative emotion or habitual pattern, you are shedding light on WHY. When we shed light on why and what disrupts or blocks us from inner PEACE, we can start to understand where this belief came from. Understanding is the root to all compassion. This becomes mothering. You begin to give your inner child the mothering it always desired and once you start to do this, you will begin to shine brighter than ever because your inner child will feel safe and supported. You will stop self-sabotaging and you will begin to self-heal. Healing will attune your mind, body, and Spirit to the vibration of gratitude and JOY.
⁣

“To be fully alive, fully human and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest. To live fully is to be always in no-man’s land, to experience each moment as completely new and fresh. To live is to be willing to die over and over again.” ~Pema Chodrun

I’m so grateful.⁣
⁣
Shedding the skin of who you once were to become the person you were always meant the BE takes time… be patient and loving with yourself. Roll with the tides of your evolution & TRUST that ⁣

Everything is happening in Divine timing… ⁣
⁣
✨Stay in the moment.⁣
✨Keep returning to your breath.⁣
✨Keep taking action daily toward your Soul centered visions.⁣
⁣
What are you releasing to create space for the new YOU? Write it down, share it with someone you trust. Begin surrounding yourself with positive and loving community if you haven’t already. If you need support, I offer 1 on 1 Lifestyle Coaching, and do not hesitate to reach out: Explorationsofself@Gmail.com

Much love with deep honor for your Soul Aligned Path and Purpose on this beautiful planet,

Alana

 

Alana is the Founder of Explorations of Self, single mama, international yoga and dance teacher, surf and yoga retreats, happy digital nomad entrepreneur, lover of LIFE.

A mother’s love.

//  Leave a Comment

A mother’s love.

My relationship with my own mother has been the best it has ever been since my daughter was born. My mom is a GREAT mom. She is my super hero now. She raised two girls by herself, working multiple jobs to do so. Our relationship wasn’t always perfect. I was often angry with her during my teenage years, and she had every right to be angry with me as well. I rebelled all. the. time. She loved me fiercely anyway.

We both made mistakes. Some felt unforgivable, but the power of LOVE is bigger than all of that. I can tell you that I was still harboring anger at my mother right up until I was in my birthing room at the hospital with my daughter, and then all of the sudden… I wanted no one else to be there but her and my sister. Baby’s are miracles in so many ways. My daughter’s birth was incredible. Not only was she born at 6:21am on May 4th, 7 lbs 10 ounces of pure SWEETNESS, but my new relationship with my mother & sister was re-born as well. It’s just been so amazing to see this family become united by her presence…

I now understand my mom a whole lot better than I used to. I get her because I get a mother’s love now. It’s unbreakable, all nurturing, all forgiving, and all protective. A mother’s love is the purest love there is and I am so grateful that I get to shower that on this little girl. Loving her has made my heart grow bigger. All of God’s children have become my children. I love everyone so much.

It’s exciting for me to know that YOGA is raising my child with me. Yoga and meditation have completely transformed my life, and I get to lead with yoga and meditation as an example for Zya. I hope that you will share this amazing practice with the women in your life. I believe it’s one of the best gifts that we can give someone..

I hope that during your Mother’s Day, you take time to appreciate the amazing women in your life. Devote your morning yoga practice to them. Women deserve to be treated like a goddess e v e r y single day. I pray that this Mother’s Day devotion continues on a daily basis. Sometimes women forget their inner goddess, and we must remind her how amazing she is by appreciating her with words and gestures.

“What is a goddess? She is: A women who is in the process of learning of to know accept and love herself on all levels Mind Body and Spirit A women who because she focuses on personal growth and self awareness experiences life increasingly filled with peace love joy passion fun and courage. A women who understands that she has an unlimited capacity to make her life anything she wants. A women who is inspired to give to those around her because of her sense of gratitude and abundance.” ~Author Unknown

Happy Mother’s Day to you!

 

Author: Alana Roach, Founder of Explorations of Self

There’s No One to Blame or Shame

//  Leave a Comment

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

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

//  Leave a Comment

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.

11 Ways To Fill Your Home With Hygge.

//  Leave a Comment

I was inspired by the Danish term for simplistic, cozy living after a friend sent me an article on it a few years ago. Hyggehouse.com describes it like this.

“Hygge (pronounced hue-guh not hoo-gah) is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cozy, charming or special.”

Hygge is practiced in the homes and hearts of the Danish, and in the home and heart of a lot of inspired families around the world, including ours, due to it’s exposure through countless articles and books on the subject circulating throughout the internet.

Hygge is that feeling you get on a rainy Sunday. The feeling that makes you just want to curl up in bed and read a good book with some favorite snacks in arms reach. I LOVE cozy living and practice it daily.

Here are 11 ways I practice Hygge at home whether I am literally at home or in a retreat center somewhere in the world.

  1. Warm cocoa or tea.
  2. Cozy blankets.
  3. Candles.
  4. Good smells.
  5. Baths.
  6. Board games.
  7. Books.
  8. Journaling.
  9. Togetherness.
  10. Decorating with plants and good lighting.
  11. Unplugging from the internet and other electronics.

How you practice Hygge?

Author:

Alana Roach

Owner & Director of the Explorations of Self Travel Community