Tools To Living Authentically Aligned

Mindful Living

May 14, 2018 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

Mindful – it is a word that happens to be everywhere these days. Want to know what is really exciting – you are already part of that tribe and club of living a mindful life. Yoga, you see, if that is how we know each other, is one of the most amazing ways to begin to live mindfully. Mindfulness is all about being present to this moment without the judgement. We are asked to become aware of our own awareness – what we are paying attention to and where our thoughts are leading us. Are we moving in the direction toward more commotion, strife and stress, or in the direction of more peace, gratitude or enjoyment? Sure you want to layer in the concept of releasing judgement – clearing out the direction piece that is. But this is where I personally differ a bit from the master teachers. I respect them fully and grateful they graced my path at such a young age. Except there is another layer to being present and inform the quality of your life.

First off, I truly believe Jon Kabat-Zinn (and many more) have brought forward an awakening in our modern day approach to life. Reducing stress and returning to spirit is the process of getting out of our heads to not be pulled, swayed and informed by the commotion of the mind. When we are in the present moment so much more becomes available that will nourish our life positively and optimally. This is so powerful and this practice informs my life and I continue to celebrate how much science demonstrates the power of mindfulness and meditation.

Second, being mindful puts the power back on the individual. This then depends on the individual’s relationship with life. You know, free will or predetermined. Mindful Living though for me requires us to tap into our spirit and go further than just be present. Because when I was first learning these practices here is what my inner child said: A peaceful life might be as simple as being present … and then what. (Yes, I realize that imposes a bit of judgement).

I believe we are being pulled forward by an amazing source greater than any of us but the same as all of us so the ‘then what’ is part of the process. Mindfulness based practices do offer the tool of if this is what it is then what am I going to do with it”. The practice brings us to the moment where we can slow down long enough to be present to ourselves, but then the big questions sits there – who am I , what am I here for and where am I heading. Well those questions right there can send us back into the stress and commotion of our life unless we have the tools to know our center, trust our center and move from our center. When we find our center, we find our hearts, we create a strong and healthy relationship with our true self. The one that is happy, the one that is enjoying life, the one that shines brightly, the one that knows how to get back on track when you get a little derailed (or a lot). Mindful living is truly about infusing the present moment with direction in relationship with your highest self. Cause at the end of the day, at the end of it all, what are we left with…our own articulation of life. What are we living for is a deep question and when you know you have a true self, the one that lives with joy and excitement for life while still being actively present, you trust more of the fact that life is happening for you rather than to you. Being mindful puts us in a relationship with choosing our life. I prefer to choose from my truth. For me our truth is that we are unique expressions of the divine – a source greater than you and I. This source is in each of us and that collective light is a beautiful and miraculous gift. Being able to lean into a tool kit that returns us to our center is what allows us to restore our connection to the enjoyment of life. This is what I will be sharing in the audio course FIND YOUR CENTER that begins in June. To learn more visit www.teresaphelpsmartin.com/events and if you want more clarity – take action and connect!

Baby Steps

April 27, 2018 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

Anyone out there ever have an idea or insight into their life, a dream, a way to change the world, a way to just help others feel better? It’s such an amazing insight or you’re so inspired yet the gap of where you are and where you want to be seems enormous. Even if the distance is small maybe there are so many obstacles in the way. So you get defeated or derailed because it doesn’t seem to happen fast enough. That sense of urgency is FOR REAL as I feel there’s a strong force pulling you in the direction of making the dream a reality. But the urgency is also what can derail us! The gap gets filled with self doubt that connects you to a life that negates the vision altogether.

What would happen if you committed to just taking baby steps to get there? Wouldn’t it be nice if all those baby steps supported the manifestation of your dreams coming true? Especially if each step along the way happened with your conviction that it is happening. Not to mention each step was building a strong foundation for others to also move in the direction of more joy, more peace, more connection to a better way of living. By living your dream you inspire others to do the same! (I’m assuming if you’re reading this your dream/vision is in alignment with allowing more people to live with more joy, peace and freedom). Here are three baby steps to help get you started.

1. Write It Down. We receive ideas and guidance all day long. They pass through our thoughts and awareness like clues towards a treasure. But they are fleeting which is a good thing as we might get overwhelmed. Giving yourself permission to just take note makes the idea 95% more likely to manifest. Think of a place you visit everyday and put a pen and paper there. Or use an app on your phone. Before you know it you’ll be receiving more guidance and support making this baby step an enormous leap in the right direction.

2. Listen. Taking time to quiet our outer world so we can tune into our inner self is the baby step that offers direction. We are always being guided and when we tune in, breathe and just listen, we find ourselves being directed towards the people and places that are eager to contribute to the vision. That contribution shows up in all kinds of ways. Actively listening helps us receive the support accelerating the possibility of your dream coming to life.

3. Engage. Watch your relationship with the inspiration as it’s a sacred deserves to be nourished. When we have an idea that’s going to help the world be a better place well, it kind of follows you. It may show up looking different, disguising itself so perhaps you’ll pay attention, or resurfacing in other people’s conversations. This is just affirmation that your insight is hungry and wants to come alive. Engagement may look different every day, but if you schedule time to hang out and feed the potential, each day you’re a step closer and aligning more fully.

These baby steps are really essential when we are moved to bring something to life. When I think of where I was when I started this blog and where I am now, it’s radically different. When I think of the clients I’ve worked with individually they’ve experienced major shifts. Looking back they’d probably tell you they got where they are faster than they imagined. Having a vision to live a fulfilled life that nourishes their hearts and others is not a fleeting concept. The baby steps they’ve taken which include the above 3 (and 1 more…commitment) have brought them radically closer to living with more joy and happiness.

Imagine if we all took three baby steps together on a daily basis? There might be a collective momentum of uplifting each other. Even if our steps only uplift one other person, that energy is contagious and inspiring!

The live course I’m offering, Find Your Center, is also a baby step. By committing to 4 Sunday’s over the summer you’ll illuminate tools that will begin to sustain a relationship with a life that’s full of inspiration, connection and support. You can find more information at www.teresaphelpsmartin.com/events

If 3 baby steps seems overwhelming just try this shortcut…write down 1 idea and listen to how much the universe wants to support you!

Living From Your Center

April 16, 2018 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

Chances are you do yoga. Perhaps it’s been awhile and maybe you even find it hard to get your mat. Maybe you are just mad that you show up and the teacher you were wanting took the day off for some reason. But more than likely, if you are reading this, there is a 90% chance you have a relationship with yoga cause you have a relationship with me! (Thank you too by the way – it is such an honor really),

What I have realized in the past few months with all the transition we have experienced as a family – both joyous, hand selected and well heart breaking – it can be so hard to remain true to myself, communicate my needs, emotionally restore and just straight up stay centered. SO I find myself in a constant state of gratitude and appreciation for the tools I have gathered and chosen to implement. But then it hit me – most of us don’t even know where our center is and how to align with it, live from it and truly embrace it – true story. But when you know your center you know when you have drifted and you are able to return much more quickly. This gives you a powerful tool in managing the challenges and adversity that surfaces in life depleting us and devouring our heart’s intention. (Just in case – intention is living with a vision, holding space for your own self, and engaging in behaviors that supports this vision).

Our center is our own inner horizon that allows you to navigate life with a commitment to your true state (joy, love and peace) versus your false state (fear, anger and shame), It is a point of measurement that helps us take responsibility for our own life while still having fun, create healthy boundaries and live with healthy relationships as we have an understanding of the harmony between our internal and external experience of life.

Understanding your center is one piece and finding your Center may come easily. The beautiful thing is that it is available to everyone and allows you to live with deep authentic intention. Living this way brings more meaning, purpose and fulfillment to life. You know where you are happy, enjoying the ebb and flow but still showing up with integrity for yourself and the world in which you live. Since life requires you to be the pilot of your own journey you want to contain instruments that can guide you when the world looks fuzzy when you are not able to see the external horizon. You know when you are lost, confused, depleted or just plain stuck. Being able to come back to your Center provides the tools you need in order to always know what to do in your life. Being centered is an invitation to release the regret and be at peace with life. It allows you to be excited for where you are heading while also be in the present moment. Once you find your center you discover a safe space within that will reassure you, offers a wellspring for your own inner guidance, faith and will support the beliefs you live by that create the biography of your life.

What defines you and differentiates you from everyone else out there boils down to the choices you make. Sure our external environment influences us however honoring our own light, worth and life is entirely up to us. Side note, it is very helpful to keep good company. Being centered allows each of us to be more aware which improves our ability to choose consciously and intentionally. We recognize how to focus our attention and allow that to turn into aligned action. One of the greatest benefits is that it helps you to pay attention, see what is swirling around you and how you choose to contribute or redirect. Your center is the space where you can connect with spirit and dwell with the wholeness and goodness of who you are. It offers the highest version of yourself and you discover that everything you are looking for is contained right within yourself. Pretty freaking amazing if you ask me. It’s so amazing I’ve been inspired to share a beautiful process with you. If you are interested head over HERE to learn more.

If you already live from your center. I would be honored if you shared bellow in the comments how it has served you. One piece I know without a doubt is that it really is the only way to live where you can access inner peace, joy and love no matter what is going on around you. If you are interested in Finding your Center and Living with Intention, head over HERE. Sign up before April 28 and receive a bonus valued more than the training itself!

New Moon – New Cycle

January 15, 2018 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

Looking at life and aligning it with the lunar cycle is a practice I have engaged in for over 15 years now. Anyone that has hung out with me on the yoga mat knows that chances are I will bring up the current lunar cycle and practice in alignment with the phase of the moon. This love affair with the moon happened as a young child. I was absolutely fascinated. Then one day someone suggested watching the moon rise, and well, in my early 20’s I was out looking for the moon and now in my 40’s enjoy the magic of a moon rise while I eat dinner with my own family. When I took an astronomy class in college my understanding of how our universe operates expanded at a level that, well, rocked my limited perception permanently. There was no way I could ever ignore this potent aspect of life again. Then as a yoga teacher I discovered the power of practicing in relationship with the moon. It is a practice that the farmers use and has been around longer than any of us reading this post and holds great insight to attuning to a more authentically aligned life.

A quick little Lunar 101… The moon offers a 28-day cycle with four quarters. The new moon, waxing moon, full moon and waining moon. Each quarter offers an opportunity to both be reminded of the bigger picture, but also to reflect on where we are in our life and how we are consciously engaging. From a yoga standpoint the moon is the feminine energy where the sun is masculine energy. From a physical science perspective it is a rock that rotates around our earth as we rotate around the sun. The reflective quality of the moon and it’s impact on the bodies of water on our earth all align with the emotions that can surface individually at either a new or full moon. If you are new to a lunar cycle, just start to notice the days when aspects of your life surface. Honestly, today, I had a moment with tears. It was easier to allow myself to feel what I needed to feel, carve out a little space for me to allow and accept, all because I knew it was a new moon – full of energy encouraging us to re-evaluate – which then allowed me to be more clear as I moved forward.

This January 16, 2018 moon is a Capricorn moon. Are their any Capricorns in the house?!? Capricorn is an Earth sign, qualities of the earth include foundation, rational, consistent, and even pragmatic. When I teach around the earth energy, not only do I acknowledge the ground in which we stand, I honor the vehicle in which we experience this life. Self care, self love, are key aspects. This moon is all about reevaluating how we are engaging through the actions we are choosing. You can think of the moon as a chance to pause, breathe deeply, reconnect, refine, and then return. It is a chance to connect to your vision you hold for the year, what plans are you making, how can you connect to ways of reengaging with daily practices so that you feel nourished. You get to decide on the theme for your own year. The message you want to bring forward – you know – how do you want your light to shine? Feeding your inner self and nourishing your whole self are essential in allowing your light to expand by the way. Paying attention to what comes up for you the next few days can reveal areas that can inspire you. It can also be loud calls to acknowledge what is requiring your love and attention as well. What could be nourished and supported? What is ready to come alive? Have I mentioned it is a good time to care for you – have some fun, seek an adventure – which can be as simple as going to the grocery store and truly enjoying the journey :). The moon being in Capricorn reminds us to be grounded and steady. My recent newsletter shares on the power of being grounded and gracious. Sign up here if you want to be in the know!

A theme for me this year which is really about remembering my own truth – my own light – and honoring the calls for help as well as honoring the gifts I have to share. One of those gifts is knowing from both intellect and experience that living in a greater relationship with the moon offers a greater engagement with life. This works for me and so I am sharing it with you. What works for you? How are you able to be disciplined in taking action to living the life you desire? Perhaps it is just about sprinkling fun into your life. Perhaps it is about going easier on yourself. Or maybe you are just in the process of being curious. If you are new to the lunar phase – welcome! If you are an old pro and want to share any extra insights, please do! One thing the moon reminds me – no matter what sign, season or year – is a deep and real sense of belonging. Anytime we can remember we are part of something magnificent – reminded how sacred our essential nature truly is – no longer feeling separate from our collective truth – is a miraculous moment no matter where you are on your journey.

Action – Manifest – Episode 49

November 27, 2017 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

Everything is Energy and everything is sacred. Yes, powerful statements brought up this month. Now let’s layer in the idea that by slowing your action down we actually gain momentum. What have you discovered so far?

By taking time to tune in we then bring forward awareness and an opportunity to align in a way that will bring forward our best offering. This is what we call INSPIRED ACTION. Being inspired 100% of the time is not the idea. Being able to tune into the progress and level in which you are participating is.

This weeks offering includes tools to check in with the momentum or lack there of in your life. If you are stuck or reluctant in your life right now this will be powerful. For those of you on the fast track to HAPPINESS, well, this will only encourage the speed in which you are moving.

I am going to tie this episode back to elements of yoga as well as a pattern of cultivating optimal thoughts or at least restoring your thoughts to be more uplifting and helpful in finding answers to the best steps forward. It is a practice that will help you take inventory of where you are and where you are heading and redirect you into the flow of fun…that is if you are interested in moving through life with a smile on your face and joy in your heart.[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5984150/height/90/width/450/theme/standard-mini/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/” height=”90″ width=”450″ placement=”bottom” theme=”mini”]

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Action – Meditation – Episode 48

November 20, 2017 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

One might believe that stopping or pausing to meditate is the opposite idea of taking action in life. But this is where we get tricked. When we slow down we connect to so much more energy. Think for a moment of a time when you have not slept well how productive are you? It can be so hard to take clear and conscious action that supports the greater vision you hold for your life when you are depleted, stressed or just plain exhausted.

This meditation guides you inward to reconnect, renew and remind you of the power of slowing down. It’s like plugging in to a universal outlet that recharges you so that you can take aware, aligned and inspired action![podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5963589/height/90/width/450/theme/standard-mini/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/” height=”90″ width=”450″ placement=”bottom” theme=”mini”]

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Action – Movement – Episode 47

November 13, 2017 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

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As we take action in our life it helps to have awareness and alignment in the process. When we bring all of this together we create direction in our life. Sure it is not entirely up to just our individual action there is an entire collective energy at work as well. Hence why Awareness truly is everything. Our intention is so powerful but if we just wait around we are going to be disappointed. The other piece is that action is not a place of control but rather discipline. This is where yoga holds so much as the practice in of itself is discipline. You have to decide to show up for yourself, slow down, breathe, connect to your whole self and allow for the union of the body, mind and spirit.

This week’s episode is all about movement which of course is action in of itself. Poses that will surface in the flow included standing forward fold, lunges, triangle, down dog, cobra, bridge pose, reclined twist and legs up the wall. What!?! So when you practice you will want to practice in a way where you can have wall space to put your legs up. Please note you are responsible for the actions you take! If you need guidance on what the pose looks like you can visit the Sacred Essence Facebook page for a little tip on how to get into the pose.

Next episode will guide you inward which wildly holds so much action even though it appears we are doing nothing more than closing our eyes. But for now, grab your mat and connect your breath with your movement!

Action – Marvel – Episode 46

November 6, 2017 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

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While we have been on a journey with Awareness and Alignment it only seems logical to continue with the next phase which is Action. This idea of action comes from the simple idea that EVERYTHING is ENERGY. Yes, EVERYTHING! There is nothing that is not energy, it may appear that things are not moving like a rock or perhaps they move so fast that we cannot see the movement like sound, but everything is energy. With energy this reminds us that everything is in action. What pace is another topic. The action we take comes from both our awareness and our alignment.

Emotions, thoughts, all energy. The beating of our heart, a consistent (ideally) beat that expands and contracts. So not only is everything energy it is also either in a place of expansion or contraction; fast or slow; supportive or restrictive. You getting the picture now? What is really cool, our life also holds energy and we get to direct that energy – up or down; forward or backwards; side to side; and help collaborate in what direction we want to move.

The topic is a bit broad and so it is complicated and my intent is to just plant a seed and watch it bloom. The awareness we bring and the way we align combine to give it momentum, direction and the result, expected or desired is another story, but there is a result. I am not going to go all scientific on you, but there are even laws of motion that govern how we exist in this life. Gravity is an energy that keeps our feet on the earth, but the energy of our minds can easily keep us ungrounded and this in of itself brings us out of alignment and thus the action we take can create more pain that keeps us more stuck in our life. Listen to go deeper with me and enjoy this month’s Sacred Journey!

Five Steps to Allow Your Intuition to Guide Your Way In Life

October 30, 2017 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

We each hold the greatest guide available which is directly connected to the bigger universal guidance and that is your intuition. Of course there is so much support, so much coming at you, but at the end of the day only you know best. Our intuition is not something that we have to be initiated into though there are many practices that support this deeper knowing. Yes it is true that mother’s have a powerful intuition that I like to say you get injected with as soon as you have that baby, but truth be told, every man and woman contains this power. How can I be this confident, other than my own experience, and working with individuals and supporting them in ways that they can begin to connect to their intuition but also trust the guidance that is offered, but also that I believe we all come from source. That we are miracles (I believe I have said that a few times already this month). That we are all made of love. Sure that love expresses itself differently and can quickly and easily get misaligned and ungrounded. However we all are connected and part of something greater. How you describe that something greater is up to you but being able to ground that practice is essential in being able to trust your inner guidance system. I know if you are reading this then you know this also to be true.

Acknowledgment: Think of a moment where you ‘just knew’ or ‘had a feeling’ or perhaps you just ‘saw exactly what you needed to see’ and it helped you make a decision. I am thinking there is more than one occasion where your inner guidance was affirmed. Or perhaps you did not listen or trust that deeper knowing and made a choice that was not in alignment with this deep instinct and well you felt miserable. Yes! We all have been there! When we make a commitment to trusting the light within we begin to have a greater sense of belonging and connection to not just the life we are living but the people we are living this life with – loved ones and complete strangers. Our entire experience feels a little more authentic and well way more aligned.

Mindset: What we need help with is how to ground these practices and shift our perspective around allowing our intuition to lead the way. Like self talk and outlook, if they are negative, or always the limited expression of the light, there’s no possible way we can really be happy and authentically aligned. There’s also no way we really are utilizing our intuition.

Restore: Another part is that we have to take the time to unwind and decompress. As when we are in the energy of fear, worry, anger or misery, there is no way we can even hear the guidance unless it is a life or death situation. Which happens, just ask me.

Wisdom Body: Another aspect is being in tune with our physical being. Our bodies hold so much wisdom and speak loudly to us if we are willing to pay attention. My neck reminds me how much I am trying to control, my wrist tells me I am gripping to tightly, my knee usually reflects back major transition, and my low back has a lot to share with me too.

Action: Intuition also requires action. It requires us to be aligned but also do something about it or with the wisdom being revealed. Our intuition is always ready to support us even if we have ignored it our entire life – it holds no judgement – it just takes a little work to tune back into the guidance. But as soon as you do you realize your have a powerful say in your life and it is also easier to surrender in the moments where you are being guided differently. My intuition is a main reason for where I am in my life today but it is also because I trusted her and have always acted upon it. Little did I know that this is my greatest attribute.

How are you using your intuition? How easy is it for you to trust this guidance? Want to connect with it more fully and allow it to guide your way on? Let me know…I might just have something for you….but you won’t know unless you take action and reach out to me to start the conversation.

Alignment – Manifest – Episode 45

October 23, 2017 by Teresa Phelps Martin Leave a Comment

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In the conversation of alignment there is so much that can be said. From the angle of bringing the body, mind and spirit into a whole optimal package it is a little complex even. But this universe that we live in is also complex so my hope is to allow this practice to be as easy as possible. You see so much is already in alignment for you to be here, reading this, listening, and honestly living your life. The universe is not conspiring against you but rather is in working in your favor to provide you an amazing opportunity…but we, well, we get in the way. Our incarnation as a human being creates a lot of challenges except we are so miraculous and hold so much potential there is an opportunity to take action and engage with life aligned with the highest version of ourselves.

This requires then for you to believe that you hold this potential. That you are here living life with a devotion or at least curiosity to be the best version of you. Alignment in the practice of manifestation comes back to what your beliefs are as this informs how you are engaging with life. Believing the universe is mean, hostile and dangerous will create the conditioning to be constantly under threat, surviving. Now I realize this is the reality for some people. Let’s face it, there is an enormous population that is living in an environment that is threatened, repressed and hostile. If you are like me, compassionate, you care about helping and supporting the whole so that more people can live in freedom, and that requires you to come back to yourself and live with congruence. How can you possibly support anyone else if you are living with inner turmoil but share that you can be of service to others.

When we want to manifest more alignment we can begin to notice evidence of how life is supporting us and our endeavors. Take the sun rising everyday. The sun is ever present and constantly exploding to illuminate our daily process of life. Our entire life revolves around the sun – literally, but if we have a week of clouds we can forget that this ball of light is the center of our existence. We forget that the light sits behind the clouds until the weather pattern changes and we are back in the grove with what we love most – a beautiful day. As soon as we can start to notice all that is working out for us, the faster we can see and believe that our life is in alignment with the highest expression of ourself.

If manifesting on the theme of alignment is resonating with you, then listen for the practice on the podcast and share what evidence you see appearing or revealing itself to you in the comments below or over on the Sacred Essence Facebook page.