I am a Mom of 4 year old boy, Luca and an almost 1 year old baby girl, Skye. I am an athlete, yogini, and infinite soul, interested in getting higher and going deeper. I need to get “activated” everyday through exercise of some kind, preferably first thing, to remember why I am here, to be balanced and to spread LOVE – for myself, others and the Earth.
I am a Massage Therapist, CMT, and a Yoga Instructor, RYT. Because I wanted to learn more about my “craft” and spread more LOVE in the world, I started, www.YogaPeeps.com. I have learned infinite amounts from chatting with these peeps. I hope you will too.
Here is a bit more about Hedinism, and why I started this new dialogue with myself and with you.
Hedinism – HD Get Higher, Go Deeper…is an idea that came to me one day when I was out trail running, training for my first half marathon. It’s a concept very similiar to Hedonism – the pursuit of pleasure – but, is different in that pain is actually a welcome motivator and aggregator, and creator of pleasure. For it is through the pain, that the pleasure comes. It’s also a play on my last name, for I felt that this has everything to do with my life’s purpose.
Often, I would run from pain, discounting it, hiding from it. And yet, I loved athletics all my life, but never wanted to work too hard. Mostly I would rely on my natural ability and enthusiasm for the sport.
It wasn’t until after the birth of my first child, Luca, and the subsequent parenting of him, that got me experiencing the inability to run from painful situations. I had to stay with him through sickness, tantrums, sleepless nights, traveling etc. And, it was through those painful times, and lots of awesome times, that my love for him intensified.
Then, with the birth of my daughter, Skye, I was cut open for a second time. I had cesarean births with both, both were breech babies, and my doctors would not allow me to labor and go for a vaginal birth. Both had low amniotic fluid, and the doctors were concerned the babies would not turn, and would get suck during labor. As I was laying on the operating table, with Skye being born, that I was overcome with fear of death. I wanted so badly to live! To raise my beautiful children, and to share more love with the world. When they brought Skye over to me, I was crying and she was crying. When she heard my voice and I touched her cheek, we both stopped. We connected and got very calm. I could feel the love and connection, and I knew this was everything.
In the subsequent months that followed, I had a newfound strength to heal my body, and regain my strength. I had 50lbs to lose as well. I started by walking 2 miles in my neighborhood. Then, added Skye, in her baby carrier. Then I walked 4 miles, then started jogging, and walking. Within months, I was running 5 miles, and training for a half marathon. In 6 months, I ran my first half marathon, 13.1 miles in 2 hours 20 minutes. I was elated!
What I learned though, that the endorphins and stoke released, were hugely energizing and intoxicating. It was fascinating. And, it was what I always quested after – intense pleasure. But, it came after, and through intense suffering. Often, I would tell myself, “pain is temporary”, and indeed it was. If I could just get through the pain of the next mile, this kettebell set, this 3 year old tantrum, this intense yoga pose, I know on the other side, is extreme pleasure. Thus Hedinism’s tag line, Get Higher, Go Deeper.
My desire is to release the need to run when things get manely, and instead go deeper, into my breath, into the pain. When I do this consciously, with intention, the reselt is a higher, stronger, lighter, freer me. And, more love is freed up within me, to share. Sweet!
Ten months after Skye’s birth, I am 5lbs from my goal weight, and am so excited to have this blog space, to share with you the things related to the pursuit of pleasure, through remembering why we’re here, and by activating ourselves every day.
For me this activation comes from getting active everyday, through yoga, running outside, swinging kettlebells, lifting weights, playing tennis, stand up paddling, dancing on the beach, anything that gets my blood pumping and my breath moving. And, preferably, outside, on a beach.
After 10 years of practicing yoga, and 5 years of teaching and interviewing yoga teachers worldwide, at www.yogapeeps.com, I have come to understand my desire to activate others. It is my life’s mission to share my activation with others, so that they may remember their purpose, be ignited to activate daily, and live the life of their dreams. For living your life’s purpose is the ultimate pleasure, the ultimate love you bring to this earth.
I look forward to meeting you on this hedonistic journey, and to chatting more about hedonism – HD, sharing some awesome inspirational peeps, and to hearing from you.
