Hi Friends,

I’ve always been nostalgic for summer camp, even though I never went as a kid. My life was full of awesome adventures in dance, and in family camping trips, so no complaints of fun and exciting activities, but for some reason my heart got stuck on summer camp. I think because I love to be in group so much, love the energy that a bunch of people with the intention of self-improvement and positivity bring. It’s just so uplifting and fun.

We’re in the middle of Strala Summer Camp at the studio here in NYC. It’s an awesome time sharing the practice of moving and leading with freedom and ease in a vibrant group representing 20 countries around the globe. We just finished July’s vibrant camp with 20 countries as well. Lots of amazing people coming together around this concept of ease, freedom and fun. There are a few things we are learning in the group, which is the power of coming together in a group. To share, to experience, to learn, and to grow.

5 Lessons from Strala Summer Camp

1. The breath fuels the body. This is an element in Strala classes. The breath fuels the movement in this movement system, creating space for the body to move easily through simple and challenging movements alike. Every inhale lifts, opens and expands like opening a door. Every exhale moves your right through. Moving this way feels amazing and bring our attention right back inside.

2. Reminding is more exciting than permission. In the “old Strala” training I used to teach people to give permission to move how it feels good, as far as instructing the Guides. A lovely gal at the Yoga Journal Conference corrected me and said,  you use the language of permission, but your spirit is in reminding. Genius! Reminder to feel brings us the freedom to linger where it feels nice to linger and allows us to feel free in our bodies and of course, accomplish more with less effort. It’s all about feeling great, and a result is we accomplish more than feeling not great.

3. There is movement in balance. Check out the trees. Watch the ocean. Reflect on your life. We’re never still. We’re always moving. When we want thing to be still, on balance, and “perfect” we become unbalanced. Perfection is in the diversity of movement. All the trees are different keeping the forrest interesting. So are we.

4. You are a space maker. When we allow our bodies to move fueled by the breath, with ease, moving how it feels great, we create a grand sense of space in our bodies, minds and lives. This practice is magic. With repetition, magic becomes obvious and normal. With lots of practice we realize we are magic. Of course!

5. What works is easy. In our practice and our lives the things that work best are easy. It doesn’t mean we aren’t working efficiently to achieve our goals, but we are working with ease. There is no need to force or push anything. Moving with ease will not just feel great, but will get you much further, help you blow past your goals, with loads of space left over to reflect and enjoy the ride.

Bonus, and the most important take away from me is that it’s super important to be together, to come together, to learn and grow together. I’m so grateful and happy so many of us are connected from around the world. We come in the spirit of ease and freedom to support and uplift each other. We grow, we nurture, we share our art, our passions, our desires, our fears, our stories, and our deepest dreams with each other. We help each other. You help me every day by simply showing up. Whether a comment on this blog, in person for a class, or a wave on the street. Our stories, our journey, and these daily moments connect and uplift us all.

We radiate light by the power of our energy of coming together.

Much love to you all.

Thank you for being there.

Going for a swim in the ocean of this energy is uplifting beyond words.

We are all co-creating this amazing experience for each other and healing those we come into contact with by simply taking care of ourselves through practice.

Check out some more pics of #stralasummercamp

Thank you.

xo Tara

About Strala Yoga Training

Strala combines the movement and healing wisdom of tai chi with the form vocabularies of yoga, tai chi, qigong, and Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine, to help people release stress, move easily through challenge, and live radiantly inspiring lives.

It begins with a mindset, that says our best way to get where we’re going is to feel good along the way. It also works miracles for whole health, helping us to find ease in our bodies and minds, and create the right conditions both for healing and optimal performance.

In our Strala Training Courses, you learn to shape your destiny on every level that counts, from your psychology, chemistry and neurology, to your chromosomes and even gene expression. The unique set of skills you develop – for connecting with yourself and others, unblocking your energy, healing what needs healing and accomplishing challenge with ease – uncovers your ability to create the life you want, and be an inspiring leader to the people around you.

Who’s What’s and When’s of Strala Yoga Training