winter bliss yoga retreat

/

I took a leap and gathered with a group of women I have never met before for an entire weekend of yoga bliss.  I have always been attracted to yoga and have bounced around to different classes in the area but I never stuck with it until Dustin nudged me to join the local gym.  The gym we joined offers many different classes including yoga.  

When I started training for the marathon I found the perfect accompaniment to my weekend long runs; a yin yoga meditation class.  I had never tried meditation before and I was way out of practice with my yoga but I went to the class anyway and I was instantly hooked.  The teacher, Sarah is AMAZING.  She has this beautiful energy and the words she speaks during class go directly to my heart.  

When Sarah asked me if I would be interested in the retreat I immediately said YES!  I felt a calling in my heart that I couldn't ignore.   Even though there are many times that I get lost in Yoga class a weekend of slowing down and showing up on the mat felt like something I needed to do for myself.  

It can be hard sometimes to follow our hearts and say yes to the moments that will nourish us.  However it is deeply essential to take the time to do these things.  We become better people for it, and in turn are able to be better people to those we love.  

We began the retreat with a two hour yoga session that was amazing!  I have never done yoga for two hours and the time flew.  My body stretched.  My mind let go.  I dropped the fear that I was carrying with me that I would look like a fool because I had no idea what I was doing and I was encouraged to do whatever felt right for my body.  What an incredible life lesson, to listen to the sound of your own voice and body and do what feels right.  

The retreat space was filled with lots of windows, incredible light, and a spectacular view of the mountains.  We ate the most nourishing, delicious meals that were made with so much love.  Sarah carved out intentional spaces of silence which I deeply appreciated.  It was wonderful to have the silent time because it let go of any need to feel like I had to come up with conversation and allowed me the time to really process what was going on.  I was also able to get some amazing writing done.  It was fabulous.  

We took time to create vision boards and burn what didn't serve us. My dream of bringing women together emerged on my board.  It felt so satisfying and real to share this dream with the group.  Even though I am not sure exactly the way it will look I know that is the direction I am meant to be traveling in.  

From the "Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards" I pulled:

  • Past - Bodies of water
  • Present - Infinite Supply
  • Future - The Arts

These cards felt so true and timely to where I am on my journey and where I want to go.  

On Saturday night in front of the fire we had a group Reiki session.  During my time I immediately felt a rush of energy leave my body.  It was fierce.  After the session while in different yoga poses I felt my hands getting pulled deeply into the ground.  There were moments when I had to wiggle my fingers just to ensure that my hands were still there.  

I didn't sleep well that night and woke up with a terrible headache.  I wasn't sure I would be able to participate in the morning yoga but showed up and am so glad I did. With each pose energy was brought back into my body.  I began to feel better and better.  

Oh it was a divine weekend!  I am so grateful I took the leap to go and look forward to deepening my yoga practice.  I am buzzing with inspiration and positive energy.  I feel so good.  

Sarah is offering another retreat in June and I couldn't recommend it enough.  If you are in the NJ / NY area check our her Spring Bliss Yoga Retreat.   Sarah has a beautiful way of teaching and makes you feel right at home.  She encourages you to listen to your own body and she is so in tune to the collective energy of everyone in the room.  Go ahead, take the leap.  You won't regret it.  

unfurling

/
rocks

YOU are writing the stories of your life every single day.  These storeis unfold in your common moments.  When you wake up in the darkness, make a single cup of tea, and begin your day.  They unfold as you travel throughout what you feel is an ordinary moment but have the possibility to turn extraordinary.  You never know when a moment or a person will change your life forever.  

You tuck your stories into your pockets. Keeping moments like love, adventure, and travel, as well as heartbreak, sadness, and loss.  As you go about your day your stories revisit you and you are reminded of a person you met or are transported back to a specific time. Something triggers your memories and instantly you are there.  

These stories are yours and yours alone.  No one else has taken your journey.  No one else sees the world the way you do.  These stories need to be celebrated, acknowledged, and sometimes let go off.  

You have stories of bravery and courage that are filled with inspiration.  You need to acknowledge that you are the star in those stories.  YOU are the one who made them happen.  

You also have stories that play on repeat in your head, dragging you through the mud when you don't deserve to be.  These stories need to be let go of.  

I invite you to unearth these stories.  To gain trust in what spills out, celebrate the glorious moments, and let go of what no longer serves you.  The page is there to catch your moments.  Allow it the opportunity to hold your words safely.  

picnic table

I invite you to gather around my virtual table and join me for four weeks of unfurling.  Writing and photography are the two tools that help me bravely step into my life.  The page catch's my words and the images capture exactly where I am in the moment.  

I want to sit along side you and guide you in using these two tools to unfurl into YOUR beautiful life.    

Join me for four weeks as we explore the different ways our stories emerge through writing and photography.  We will do this by diving into:

  • setting intentions
  • creating alters
  • digging into the beauty of ceremony
  • meditation

week one :: intentions
We will explore setting intentions, learn how to clear the path, and acknowledge your every day stories and the stories you most need to tell.

week two :: speaking to ourselves
We will hold gently the stories we tell ourselves and how we speak to ourselves.  We will learn to show up with love and compassion even in the midst of the most difficult stories. 

week three :: letting go
There are stories that we avoid telling, bury deep, and do not want anyone to know about.  But these are your stories and they need to be told even if no one else hears them but you.  Gently we will let go of these stories as we tell them one word at a time.

week four :: dreaming with ease and grace
t is time for some deep celebration and we will do that by acknowledging how far you have come and dreaming up where you may want to go next.  

wish

How does this work?
All lessons will be posted on a private blog.  You will have full access to this content for four months after class ends.  Therefore you will not have to feel rushed to get through it when life creeps in.  You can go at your own pace and slow down when something really resonates with you.  

What will you receive: 

  • A weekly video digging into that weeks lesson
  • Three post a weeks filled with writing prompts and different exercises to help you unearth your words
  • Stories and inspiration to open you up and get the pen moving on the page
  • An open email box where you can communicate with me any time.  I am here to support you through this process. 


What do you need:

  • Access to the internet so you can enjoy the weekly lessons on the private blog.
  • Your favorite writing tools be it a pen and a notebook or your computer.  Whatever works for you.  
  • A camera.  Nothing fancy needed - your phone will do just fine.  


You do not need to be a writer, creative, or a photographer to be in this class.  I will be taking you through with many different ways to approach each exercise.   This class is about opening up and unfurling into the great unknown.  For it is there that your true self is waiting for you. 

Questions:  Drop me a note at jbelthoff@gmail.com with any questions you have.  

january joyful jar

/
happiness jar

This is my first year I am using a joyful jar and it has made me so happy!  You can read my initial post about it HERE, but the intent is simple:

  • Get one jar
  • Each night write down one thing that made you happy
  • Drop it in the jar

It has been such a delight to watch this jar fill up with colorful slips of paper.  The jar sits on the center of my kitchen table.  I precut a bunch of paper and have them ready to go next to my jar along with a marker.  Seeing the jar every day and having the paper ready to go has made it super simple for me to keep up with the practice.  

Have you been keeping your own jar?

I thought it would be fun at the end of each month to dig my hand in and pull out one slip of paper.  To have a moment of celebration for one of my happy moments.  So I did just that.  I dg my hand in and pulled out:

:: Waking up this morning feeling so well rested.  The blanket feeling soft.  The waking up easy and gentle.  Yes, this is happiness ::

I write my moments down each night before I slip into bed.  The house quiet.  The day coming to a close.  It has been the perfect night time ritual.  

Go ahead and dig your hand into your own jar.  Pull out one slip of paper and together let's celebrate your happy moment.  I would for you to share it in the comments or over on the love notes Facebook page.  Celebrating is way more fun when we do it together!  

unresolved

/
snow light

Emotions running rampant
Filled with thoughts of what was
And the wondering of what could have been
The timing was never right
The beginning was all wrong
We never seemed to find our footing
And just when I think you are gone
You emerge
Unexpected and filled with dreams
Through the passing of time has come growth
We may be lifetimes apart 
Yet a string of connection keeps bringing us back
Unresolved 
Standing in our own perpetual darkness