East Meets West Training

A lot of people think that because I teach yoga that I must be very chilled out and totally at peace with myself all the time.

That’s a big huge NOPE.

I’m still a neurodivergent human with a lot of complex trauma who’s living in a world that sometimes feels like a giant dumpster fire.

But yoga does teach me to come back to the here and now of life and make aligned choices that foster my growth.

While I can say yoga has helped me learn how to relax, it certainly hasn’t changed my entire personality.

All the parts of me that make me me are still there.

What the practice has done for me though is that it allows me to see myself more clearly so I can accept all of those parts of me that I learned to reject.

The self doubt
The self judgment
The fear of failure
The fear of success
The fear of heartbreak
The uncertainty and insecurity
My too-much-ness and my not-enough-ness

That’s the biggest reason why I practice – it gives me perspective.

It has given me tools I can use to come back to the present when my old pals anxiety, overwhelm, fear and anger decide they want to show up in my day.

Instead of jumping into familiar patterns of distraction, dissociation, numbing, avoidance and shame, I lean in.

When we can get curious about what these emotions are trying to tell us, and give ourselves the space and time to listen, they actually don’t have to shout as loud to get our attention.

When we know that the nature of mind is to be in movement, we can approach big feelings as a very normal part of our human experience.

When we stop looking at big feelings as a problem to be solved, but as an invitation to come back to self, to witness not judge, to accept not reject, they become invaluable friends on our journey to wholeness and self-acceptance.

If all you knew about yoga came from Instagram or from vinyasa flow style classes at most studios, it would be easy to think that either a) you need to be very flexible to practice yoga or b) you practice yoga because you want to become more flexible.

And there is some truth to this in the way that yoga is currently taught and portrayed on social media.

But what if I told you that yoga, at its core, actually has absolutely nothing to do with improving your physical flexibility?

Would you be surprised?

The entire purpose and aim of yoga is to achieve yoga or “the restriction of the movements of the mind.” Yoga (Sutras 1.2)

The sutras then go on to explain that there are 5 movements of the mind (proper judgment, false assessment, uncertainty or imagination, sleep and memory) and all of these movements “can either bring affliction or be free from affliction.” (Sutra 1.5-6)

Yoga as a philosophy teaches us about our nature.

It does not tell us we must lengthen our hamstrings in downward dog and it certainly doesn’t tell us we need to be more disciplined to get on our mat every day to practice yoga through physical poses alone, or really ever.

There is only a single reference to asana in the entire Yoga Sutras. It says that “asana (seat) should be steady and comfortable.” (Sutras 1.46)

There is nothing about how hard you have to try to get the splits or a handstand to become easy.

In fact, yoga teaches us how attachment to outcome and lack of acceptance of what is true brings suffering.

So no you don’t have to be flexible to do yoga, and no the purpose of yoga isn’t to become more flexible, and no you don’t ever have to do a single yoga pose to learn yoga and benefit from it’s teachings.

The regular practice and effort yoga asks us to do is only the effort required to achieve steadiness of mind. (Sutras 1.13)

So ask yourself…

When you are in group classes, are you moving towards evenness of mind? Or are you trying to achieve a particular shape?

Are you measuring your “progress” in yoga by how much more easily your body moves? Or is growth really about how you’re able to notice your mind move without making it mean anything?

(And if you're not following me on Instagram, go on, go do the thing. I'm way more active over there these day, and I usually forget to share on here since I turned off crossposting like a year ago.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C15gvtTJXs6/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

If all you knew about yoga came from Instagram or from vinyasa flow style classes at most studios, it would be easy to think that either a) you need to be very flexible to practice yoga or b) you practice yoga because you want to become more flexible. And there is some truth to this in the way that yoga is currently taught and portrayed on social media. But what if I told you that yoga, at its core, actually has absolutely nothing to do with improving your physical flexibility? Would you be surprised? The entire purpose and aim of yoga is to achieve yoga or “the restriction of the movements of the mind.” Yoga (Sutras 1.2) The sutras then go on to explain that there are 5 movements of the mind (proper judgment, false assessment, uncertainty or imagination, sleep and memory) and all of these movements “can either bring affliction or be free from affliction.” (Sutra 1.5-6) Yoga as a philosophy teaches us about our nature. It does not tell us we must lengthen our hamstrings in downward dog and it certainly doesn’t tell us we need to be more disciplined to get on our mat every day to practice yoga through physical poses alone, or really ever. There is only a single reference to asana in the entire Yoga Sutras. It says that “asana (seat) should be steady and comfortable.” (Sutras 1.46) There is nothing about how hard you have to try to get the splits or a handstand to become easy. In fact, yoga teaches us how attachment to outcome and lack of acceptance of what is true brings suffering. So no you don’t have to be flexible to do yoga, and no the purpose of yoga isn’t to become more flexible, and no you don’t ever have to do a single yoga pose to learn yoga and benefit from it’s teachings. The regular practice and effort yoga asks us to do is only the effort required to achieve steadiness of mind. (Sutras 1.13) So ask yourself… When you are in group classes, are you moving towards evenness of mind? Or are you trying to achieve a particular shape? Are you measuring your “progress” in yoga by how much more easily your body moves? Or is growth really about how you’re able to notice your mind move without making it mean anything? #yogateacher

This is your one chance this year to jump in on 1:1 fitness and wellness coaching at my lowest rates available!

You’ve been thinking about getting stronger.

Yes, actually building those muscles that shape your physique.

But also developing the mental and emotional strength you want to be unshakably resilient.

You want a modest approach that’s flexible, one that won’t kill you on your way to your goals, but you don’t want to sacrifice results either.

You want a plan you know will get you there AND you want the support to stay focused when life gets stressful.

You need someone who can handle it all — your fitness, your nutrition, your recovery, your spiritual growth — a coach who sees the whole you.

Don’t wait! DM me today to get started!

All new clients will receive a free consultation to determine alignment and strategy session to figure out the next steps for you.

Offer available for in-person sessions, virtual and hybrid coaching.

Did you know spending time outdoors actually makes you feel better?

Studies show a number of benefits from being outside, and some of my favorites are:

-lowering cortisol
-improving depressive symptoms
-improving anxiety
-improving one’s sense of overall well-being

Tʀᴀɴsʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴏᴜᴛsɪᴅᴇ ʟɪᴛᴇʀᴀʟʟʏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ!

And while there’s even more benefit to being in nature, research shows that’s not necessary. All of the benefits from being outside can come from something as simple as taking a walk around the block.

This fall I’m challenging you to spend more time outside with Fitness Outside The Box.

This 6 week challenge runs 9/18-10/23 and more information can be found if you swipe or visit the top link in my bio!

Get outside, play outside, and fall in love with fitness this fall.

Early bird registration closes next week! Sign up now and tag a friend below who you want to play with outside more 🌳

Movement is medicine. There’s lots of opportunities to move and play with this week including a new TRX offering .be

“Legs for Days” will be offered this Wednesday only at 4:30 pm. Expect a well rounded class with an emphasis on the lower body - legs and glutes.

Just because TRX is body weight training doesn’t mean you won’t still get an excellent legs workout in.

Come explore new ways to challenge and grow your muscles and strength!

Speaking of Body Weight training… Sunset Sweat is happening again tonight at 7:00 .

This intervals workout will have your heart pumping and your body sweating. There’s something for everyone here as intensity can be leveled-up and leveled-down depending on you.

Shoutout to the Sunset Sweat Debut Crew! Y’all showed up and showed out and made tonight super fun! See y’all next week!

Each week we’ll explore a different part of the garden while we get our workout on.

There’s still time to join! You can join one week or join for the rest of the series. We move Mondays nights at 7 pm until August 22nd.

Just head over to and check out their events on the website to get your ticket.

Shoutouts to the super sweaty crew!

averitt

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚐𝚊 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚒𝚗 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝…

Welcoming all emotions as old friends is a process of getting to know the fullness of yourself and the expansiveness of your humanity.

On the mat and off the mat, it all starts with noticing your breath 🧘‍♀️

𝐼𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛，𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒 𝑎 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑒． 𝐼 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑔𝑎 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑠 ）𝑣𝑖𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 ＆ 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛） 𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓－ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟．

Your ability to trust yourself is a direct reflection on the depth of connection to yourself.

You must first know yourself to trust yourself.

When you accept the fullness of who you are, worts and all, you develop an unshakable confidence in who you are as a human being.

Yoga, meditation and mindfulness are all tools to help you both know yourself and accept yourself.

But it’s what you choose to do with these tools of awareness that matter most.

Are you caught in the trap of comparison and judgement? A longing for more because you don’t believe you are already enough?

Or are you growing into your truest freedom through the acceptance of what is AND the desire to become more?

You can have both.

I’d argue that you need both in balance for true growth and healing.

It’s a paradox.

Life is a beautiful paradox.

I’m going to Alaska at the end of the week!

The Yoga Connection is cancelled on account of my trip and Nearly Naked Yoga is cancelled on account of having tickets to coming to give a talk in Houston.

Come stop by .be and check out TRX or Yoga, or DM me to schedule a free consultation for private yoga.

TYC is now FREE! For the next three weeks, this gathering will be totally free as my service to you.

Okay, so it’s really the next month but July 3rd will be cancelled because I’m going to Alaska!

But the next three classes are totally on me!

You can still make a love donation if you’d like, but I just want you to come check it out so you can see how powerful this practice is.

And not just the power of gentle slow flow, the power of planning — of connecting to your highest self and setting your goals and intentions for the week and reflecting on where you honestly want to improve.

When you start connecting the dots, you are able to start taking those quantum leaps.

The smallest things make the biggest differences.

Plus you’re getting to connect and network with a community of other women on a mission to change their lives for the better.

I want this for you and if you think you want this for you, just show up. It costs nothing and could change everything.

I love you ❤️

………………………………………………………………….

to that time when low rise leggings were in and when I had purple braids down to my butt. What do y’all think? Should I bring the braids back? I miss them.

𝑺𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒔 🛑

You don’t have to rush.

You don’t have to get it all done at the expense of your well-being, at the expense of yourself.

Who told you that?

Take your time.
Enjoy the little moments.
Savor the sweetness of life.

And most importantly, take time for yourself.

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We meet every Sunday evening to do just that in 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.

We connect to ourselves first, then to other women on their own growth journeys, then to our goals and intentions.

And let me let you in on a little secret, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡’𝑠 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑘𝑒𝑦 to getting more done each week while staying balanced and in joy.

Tonight’s meeting is at 7 central. DM for the zoom link if you’re interested.