Hi yoga fam.

Last week I was on the blog talking about deep stuff, you can read about that stuff here.

This week in our “off the yoga mat” convo, I’d like to build on that discussion and shift to another set of concepts. Concepts that have been incredibly helpful for me and the BMS Studio community as we’re working to create and achieve our dreams.

These concepts are:

➡️ The process of the pause

➡️ Reflection and acknowledgement

➡️ Celebration

➡️ Ownership

More often than not, we’re quick to point out the negative, what’s not working, or why we suck at something.

Related: Stuck in the negative narrative? Click here for 3 powerful mantras & mudras to destress and ground you!

While listening to a recent podcast that focused on neuroplasticity, I learned that our brains are 2.5x more likely to remember the negatives over the positives, and that this process has developed as a protective mechanism through evolution.

We’re literally hardwired to think negatively 🧠🤯

But, there’s also good news! I also learned that we have the power to overcome this hardwiring through consistency, repetition and practice (which is what we talked about in last week’s convo).

This means though we have to work 2.5x harder to make positive progress!

And in a world that rarely pauses to process, celebrate successes, or take ownership for what’s not manifesting, this can be incredibly challenging.

Related: Press play to celebrate your achievements & the progress you’ve made with a full body vinyasa flow!

With this in mind, I’m coming to you with a new way to view and use your yoga practice.

• What if you intentionally practiced yoga to pause and process?
• What if you practiced yoga to celebrate your creations and relish in your accomplishments?
• What if you practiced yoga to take responsibility and own what’s not working?
• What if you practiced yoga to understand what matters most to you and make changes accordingly?

This is the kinda yoga I like to practice, and it’s the kinda yoga I love to teach.

As a teacher, nothing brings me more fulfillment than hearing how your yoga practice is supporting you off the mat and in your daily life.

➡️ Like being able to reframe a difficult experience through the power of your breath.

➡️ Choosing to pause and process an event through gentle yoga or meditation before responding or reacting.

Related: Seeking to pause in a gentle yoga class? Click here for a flow for healing & positivity!

➡️ Celebrating yourself by moving your beautiful, badass body.

➡️ Acknowledging what’s not working by putting pen to paper, reflecting and making changes accordingly.

ALL OF THIS IS YOGA! All of it.

And I’m on a mission to help this yoga community understand and embody that everything we do can be a form of yoga — so long as the intention is there to support it.

Yoga fam, how will you show up for yourself this week? Which of these concepts will you practice?

Reach out here and tell me ✍️📝

I hope you have an incredible week ahead!

Thank you for being part of this “off the yoga mat” conversation and community.

Allie, xx

PS – Be back soon with a nourishing bedtime yoga routine 🌜