Why Yoga is the Best Stress Buster

Does this picture look familiar? Trying to juggle life and perhaps work harder and faster?

With the pace of most people’s lives these days, no one is immune to the uncomfortable feeling of having too much to do, or having too many problems to solve.  But what if during the day you could be transported to a secluded beach with crystal clear water, gentle breezes and be completely alone as your eyes are drawn to a huge sailboat moving across the horizon?

At that moment, if only for a few seconds, you can “unplug” from the day’s circumstances.  How does that feel?  Calm, peaceful, serene?  This is what you can expect from taking a YOGA class with us.  YOGA allows you to press the re-set button and get back on track, similar to how a GPS recalibrates the directions when you’ve made a wrong turn.

Most would agree that when we are a state of anxiety and stress, working harder and faster, we can’t think very clearly.  We can start to rant about the problems or make rash decisions that don’t serve us well.  Conversely, when our thought is calm, we are receptive to the right steps to take and we notice our surroundings where the solution often appears.

We believe that yoga and meditation are powerful resources and change agents for both individuals and businesses.  Our mission is to grow a culture of well-being in the world.

We are proud of the long term relationships between our clients and instructors and are so excited to see these yogi's lives thrive as a result.

With Gratitude,

Synergy Yoga

p.s.  Try Christin's Long Slow Deep Class on 11/5 at 2:30 pm in Rock Hill experience working smarter not harder in your yoga practice.

Uplifting Words
by Michele Tampa Hoag, E-RYT

Just for one week consider this....

Recently, a friend and mentor of mine posted the following quotation from Jeff Brown – “Words.  So powerful.  They can crush a heart, or heal it.  They can shame a soul, or liberate it.  They can shatter dreams, or energize them.  They can obstruct connection, or invite it.  They can create defenses, or melt them.  We have to use words wisely.”

My Grandmother always told me “you can say almost anything to anyone, however, it is all about HOW you say it”.  What if, for one week – we took this advice to heart?  What if, for one week, we used our words to heal hearts, liberate souls, energize dreams, to connect and melt defenses (and, that includes the “talks” that we have with ourselves)?  What if, for one week, we consciously chose to use our words wisely; to lift up what we love rather than tearing down what we hate?  What if, for one week, we really stopped to think before we react or speak? 

What do you think the results would be?  Here are my thoughts – we would improve the relationships that we have, we would cultivate positive energy and create new relationships, we would spend one week helping to eliminate anger, hostility and mistrust.  For one week, please challenge yourself to ask one simple question before you speak – that question is -- “how would I feel if those thoughts or words were directed to me?” – for one week, before you speak, make certain that the answer to that question is – “I’d feel pretty darn good!”

Use your words wisely for one full week, and see what riches next week might bring. I'd love to hear from you!

Love to all,

M

Building the New

Building the New

Change.  One thing in life we can absolutely count on.  After announcing the move of our Steele Creek location to inside a GIANT, Club Fitness, many clients and friends ask WHY?  The short story is, it was either close the studio OR move to Club Fitness.  Now don’t misinterpret that Club Fitness was our last resort. It was a well-considered decision. Now here’s the full story.

The Steele Creek studio 5-year lease is up this month.  For about 6-8 months prior, I researched all the possible options to either close, move, or stay in Steele Creek, Lake Wylie, or even Fort Mill. Financially the business was barely breaking even. So after 5 years in in the same location it was time to close.  In business and in life, there is a balance of discernment between knowing when to let go and when to keep going.  In my heart I felt I would find a solution that would keep my family’s financials safe and continue to serve the Steele Creek area.  After all, I too am a Steele Creek resident of almost 20 years. The wellness of this community is personally & professionally important to me and our Synergy Team.  I couldn't let them down. If there’s one thing to know, I’m very resourceful and won’t let go without a whole hearted try when Spirit is the driving force.

Now, since our area is in high growth mode, commercial real estate has sky-rocketed.  A Commercial Real Estate Broker shared the leasing rates are look like downtown Charlotte rates. We could essentially lease a space in the Bank of America building downtown for about the same price as the Steele Creek area. Yikes! At this mid-life stage, my husband and I look at lower risk investments as you can understand we have 1 son in college and 2 more to enter in the next few years and retirement to think about. In addition, over the years of stumbling, learning, and growing as an entrepreneur I figured out some of the equation about what it takes for our type of business “small box” yoga studio to financially make it (story for another day). It was time to move on.

When the good fortune of being introduced to the owner of Club Fitness arrived, I was all ears.  (I really don’t believe in good fortune, it’s all about when you’re living “on purpose” the right people and opportunities will arrive without struggle.)  He and I were able to agree on a business partnership quickly and easily because we both knew it was the right thing.  We are the one thing his business is missing and they are the one thing we were missing. Perfect. As with any change, we expect growing pains, emotions to swing, loss of some clients, gaining new clients, successes, and failures.  However, at the end of the day when you’re living on purpose, authentic, and guided by both the heart and the mind, good things will come.

As yogi’s we learn that change allows us the opportunity to grow and re-discover the strengths and the goodness within.  Without opportunity we wouldn’t be able to move forward and flourish.

The great Socretes said “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

Let's build the new! Thank you for being part of this journey!  See you on the mat.

Namaste,  Sara

p.s. Join us Saturday September 17th 8 am-1 pm for FREE Open House at Club Fitness Steele Creek ~ 11108 S. Tryon St Charlotte, NC ~  www.synergyyogawellness.com

Spring Soul Food Series

Soul Food Series

Are you ready to relieve stress, get inspired, and dive deep within to bring forth your true Self? The time is now!  We've been collaborating with several amazing guest presenters to offer you a workshop series called the Soul Food Series. Fuel for your Soul. During a time of heavy competition and performance expectations in the workplace, school, and athletics we're working harder and faster than we've ever had to in our lives. Then add in social media bombarding us with negative, fearful, and confusing information. It's enough to drive one crazy and we wonder why there's so much stress, disease, illness, arguing, and anger in the world.  It's time to initiate change. Claim your power, fix what's within first. It's time to feel good.

Our offerings during this series are for everyone to help you on the path. They're designed to take time for yourself and heal heart and soul so that you can present yourself to the world as a whole healthy grounded person. The world needs us to heal within so that we can Shift our own reactions, communication, thinking to create a more positive environment in our homes, schools, workplaces, and community. When we feel good emotionally and physically our thoughts about our selves are more compassionate, our communication with others becomes calm, objective, inspired, this then radiates out of our being. If we want peace in the world it starts in our hearts, peace within ourselves.  This workshop series is designed for you to be able to slow down and connect within, work towards healing, listening within, and step into your own power.  

Teachings for healing and connecting to your heart and intuition, should not be regarded as the gift of the few - they are the birthright of everyone on Earth. These abilities are latent within us all - intuition, healing, and empowerment development can occur through practices, such as yoga breathing, mediation, music, and mantra. 

Peel away the layers, get inspired, get connected, raise your vibration, and receive the fuel you need to Shine! Anchor the frequency of love for ourselves and the world. 

Join us on the mat!

Namaste,

Sara & The Synergy Yoga Team

SOUL FOOD SERIES SCHEDULE:
Book online www.synergyyogawellness.com under  Workshops

Book 3 classes at once and receive 10% off each (at the studio or over the phone).

Energy Flow with Sara & Denise:

Sara will guide us through a soulful flow class assisted by Jen along with meditation while Denise offers personal intuitive messages from the Divine for each participant.  These messages are positive & inspirational to help guide you on your path. http://denisepeters1.wix.com/denisepeters

March 12th 4 pm-5:45 pm Rock Hill

April 30th 4 pm-5:45 pm Steele Creek

$25 each / $30 day of

Prana Vinyasa Flow Yoga with LIVE Drumming with Carson & Joe:

Carson guides us a Prana Vinyasa Flow, an energetic, creative, full-spectrum approach to embodying the flow of yoga cultivated by Shiva Rea. Students of all levels are empowered to experience Prana - the universal source of breath, life-energy and conscious intelligence - as the navigating source of yoga practice and vital living. Accompannied by LIVE drumming by her husband Joe. www.sahajaspirit.com

April 3rd 2:30 pm-4 pm Rock Hill

$25 / $30 day of

Sound Soak with Beth:

Be prepared to get comfortable on your mat, and soak in the sounds of live blissful Harp music. A Sound Soak offers our bodies nourishing cellular alignment and relaxation, balancing both hemispheres of the brain. Historically, the harp has been a symbol of relief and comfort. No movement, all levels, all people. Feel free to bring your own cushions and blankets if desired. www.theharpwhisperer.com

March 20th 6 pm-7 pm Steele Creek

April 9th 5 pm-6 pm Rock Hill

$15 / $20 day of

Relax & Renew Harp and sound experience with Beth & Sara / Rita:

Our signature Relax & Renew class accompanied by Beth Brown playing live healing instruments such as the Harp, sacred drum, and her voice.  No yoga experience needed. www.theharpwhisperer.com

May 14th 5 pm-6:30 pm with Beth and Sara in Steele Creek

June 18th 5 pm-6:30 pm with Beth and Rita in Rock Hill

$25 / $30 day of

Create Space for Transformation

by Carolyn Adickes, RYT200 and Synergy Yoga Operations

Every new year, we're provided the opportunity to start fresh.  We set new intentions (or resolutions) and we face them head on with enthusiasm.  We make lists, agendas and spreadsheets, all in the hopes that these things will help us transform ourselves.  Within a month or two, we are exhausted because we're under the impression that it's our responsibility to do all the heavy lifting or transformation will not happen.  

While there's nothing wrong with lists or spreadsheets, these things will do no good if you don't first create space within yourself for transformation to occur.  

Transformation starts on the inside.  

"As far as inner transformation is concerned, there is nothing you can do about it. You cannot transform yourself, and you certainly cannot transform your partner or anybody else. All you can do is create a space for transformation to happen, for grace and love to enter." ~ Eckhart Tolle

Here are 5 tips to help you create space and begin your journey:

1. Be Present - As you move throughout your day, take time to really focus on the task at hand.  Whether it's driving the car, talking to a client or simply playing with your children.  Don't worry about what you need to pick up at the grocery store or what time the neighbors are coming over for dinner.  There is nothing you can do about them in that moment.  So, stop, take a breath and return to the present.
2. Meditate - Even five minutes a day to sit in a comfortable position and connect with your breath will allow your mind a chance to slow down, process the days events and create more space.    
3. Practice Yoga - The benefits to mind, body and spirit are endless.  But for anyone who has practiced yoga, you know that the moment we create space in our lives for our practice, our lives transform.  Even creating space within the body will allow us to go deeper into a posture.  Simply rolling out your mat at home and connecting with your body and breath is enough to get started.
4. Stay Positive - Your outlook has a profound impact on the life you live. There is always a silver lining.  Find that point of good and hold onto it.  
5. Be Kind to Yourself - The most important thing to remember as you work on achieving transformation is to be kind to yourself.  There are going to be days when you stumble or even fail.  Forgive yourself, pick yourself back up and try again.  No amount of angry words will change what has happened.  By stopping our negative self-talk, we are creating space for a kinder and gentler internal monologue.

See you on the Mat!