Root to Rise, Queens!

I have a confession to make. I am the girl in yoga who has no qualms about laying in corpse pose while everyone around me is moving through sun salutations. At least once a week, you can find me on my mat, flat as a pancake, envisioning my body time-lapse decomposing as I let all of my egoic thoughts melt away. On a good day, I might even fall asleep. IYKYK!

When I first started practicing, I cared so much about the opinions of others - the instructor, the super yogi at the front, the creepy dude next to me - that I acted like it was a yoga competition, totally disregarding my body’s limitations. Aside from the occasional good stretch, this self-abandonment wasn’t serving me, and it took me 20 years and countless healing modalities to step into the version of myself that listens to what my mind, body and soul needs and acts accordingly.

Now, when I am practicing yoga, my time on my mat is magical. I set an intention to be sovereign and honor my soul’s desires as they arise. This stillness offers deep connection to source and, unsurprisingly, this is where my most expansive ideas and inspiration for authentic self-expression flow in. Grounding down into my inner wisdom so I can flourish. This is what I consider ROOT to RISE, and it is my whole vibe.

In life, as in yoga, I wholeheartedly believe that our sovereignty should be celebrated, so consider this my invitation to keep the good times rolling by emanating this sacred authority beyond the 12 square feet of our yoga mats. Because... let’s be honest…these streets can be mean, and even the most self-actualized human can get blown off course. Some days, you might feel at peace, other days you might feel like a tumbleweed. Consumer messaging, societal conditioning, and the seemingly never ending opinions of others can instigate your own deep need to be accepted. It can feel conditional and stifling and disempowering, but we can transcend.

The energetic expansion of tree pose is limitless and STRONG, and honoring your soul’s deepest desires feels like the most natural, supported, expansive vibe possible. In moments where you feel shaky, remind yourself to ground down and create a stable base of unconditional love by quieting the noise of outside opinion and connecting to source energy.

We ROOT by 

• Listening to our intuition

• Letting our inner wisdom guide us in both big and small decisions

• Being in the highest integrity with our soul’s desires

We RISE by

• Committing to our authenticity at all costs

• Honoring the unique needs and preferences of both ourselves and others

• Continuing to acknowledge our intuitive nudges

You have to nourish to flourish, Queens, and it is a daily practice. As always, I celebrate you in your sovereignty.

xx

Ali