While in savasana in my Bikram yoga class today, I was crafting a letter to my teacher, who I hold as one of my most influential teachers. Every time I am in her class, I reflect on the space of encouragement, truth, and unconditional love she holds for her students that ignited my flame back in 2005. 6 months later I quit my job, gave up my NYC apartment, unloaded all of my belongings, and packed 2 duffle bags for my journey to LA where I would learn from Bikram Choudhary. It was the first journey in my life I’d embark on without a plan. I only knew I’d be living and breathing yoga for 9 weeks. It was a journey of letting go, releasing my story of trauma, choosing sobriety, all in hopes that I could learn how to love myself.
Almost 7 years later (today), I walk out of my loving teacher’s class and she thanks me with deep gratitude for being a seed of courage for her – for my understanding of what this means, how the courage takes root, feels, and manifests deep within the fibers of our being.
I giggled and shared with her that throughout the class I was reflecting on how she feeds me courage. And here’s just another event in my life that reminds me how we are all one. When we are open to each other, we are each other’s teachers. We are mirrors for one another. If we are willing to release our fear to stand in our own truth, I believe love becomes abundant, accessible, and spills into every facet of our life. With this vulnerability, we begin to love ourselves.
My goal was to go 60 days on just juice. After 31 days I stopped counting. I think I juiced for 35 – 40 days. During the juice feast, I experienced profound shifts. I’ve maintained almost a daily Bikram yoga practice. I’ve been making it to the gym 3-5 times a week. I’m nourishing my body from the inside out. I’ve been in constant action. My body is opening up. Everyday in yoga, I’m in awe of my increased flexibility. I recognize my reflection in the mirror. The bags under my eyes are disappearing. I feel reconnected to my faith. I feel more trusting to the process. There has been a letting go of fear. I’m more at ease. Everyday challenges no longer throw me off. I feel deeply connected to my gratitude. Where I’d normally turn my back and run, I’ve stood in my discomfort and created an opportunity to grow. I know I have a lot of love to share and I’m not holding back. I also allow myself to feel my pain and move through it until I come back to that special sweet spot of unconditional love… for myself and others.
My intention for just drinking juice was to create space for me to come back to feeling aligned and confident with my purpose. I did not want it to become a count down to the day I could chew solid food again and treat myself to something sweet. It was about creating positive patterns; re-training myself to nourish my body, mind, and spirit and drinking the magic juice.
So, when I started to experience some weakness in my yoga practice and with my workouts somewhere around day 35-40, I decided to transition slowly back into consuming food with fiber – first with just juice and shakes. Today, I’m drinking 1-2 quarts of green juice everyday with a midday meal. My body craves our Sweet Lady Green and I now treat myself like a Sun In Bloom guest and put my order in for a week supply of juice every Monday. I know this juice is a key to me living my best life possible.
And just after I made this contract with myself to drink at least 2 organic cold-pressed Norwalk green juices everyday, I received an email from my special teacher requesting to purchase a month of Sun In Bloom’s green juices to support her in drinking 2 a day. Yes, we are all connected.
We look forward to seeing you this weekend for brunch or whenever the time is right for you to return to Sun In Bloom. We are always here for you. And, now open 7 days a week!
Wishing you abundant joy, pleasure, and love in your life.
Love,
Aimee
Sun In Bloom 