ExhaleYogi

Being willing to let go of what you thought your life was supposed to look like and open to a fresh new perspective is not only a major part of healing, but of personal growth. No matter what part of your life journey you’re on, it’s in the letting go of that which no longer serves you that heals you most.

During the past 3 years of healing and recovery, I’ve fought internally about the life paths I’ve travelled during the past 18 years of my life. I’ve been on the yogic path for 18 years from an asana practice perspective but when I really think back my heart and mind for philosophy, truth, and love began in my early childhood years - taking me back as far as I can remember. I was born wired with this way of thinking - yoga simply refined it and offered me a safe place to express what I already deeply knew to be true.

Each path traveled since starting a physical asana practice offered me a space to be open to learning, to being a student, then grow into being an authentic, loving vessel - having received profound emotional healing experiences, I was eager to share with others. I am deeply grateful for every moment of my yoga path. There were times the path was full of joy, wonder, travel, connection, and bliss - other times rocky and painful. I’ve lived a full life without regrets.

In the past three years I’ve befriended death, suffering, and mourning in ways I didn’t even know were possible. I’ve learned how to transmute that energy within myself by leaning into and allowing not only my suffering but the suffering of the world to move freely through me, accepting it in, letting it do its work within me so I might transform with the practice of letting it go when that time came for the work to be complete.

It is said the work is never truly complete until the day we pass. It is only then “it is finished”. When we can lean into grace, hope, love, and forgiveness we can let go more easily, ready to accept the next steps of our journey.

I’ll be stepping back a bit from teaching and leaning into being a student once again in a new space.

This is giving me an opportunity to refine some things I’ve been working on so I can share them with you in the upcoming year.

In the meantime, I’ll be sharing some yoga one Sunday evening a month in Downtown Leesburg starting in September. A few Petals & Poses events still remain on the calendar for you to enjoy between now and the end of the year.

My first step into this new phase of life will be presenting the practices of mindfulness at the upcoming Loudoun Coalition for Women and Girls at their upcoming annual Girl emPower Summit on Sat. September 23, 2023. This is a free event that supports young women. The theme this years summit is “Inner Radiance and Self Empowerment”. I cannot think of a more wonderful space for me to share the goodness of this practice.

I have much to share and I’ve been so hesitant to share it.

In the next months, I’ll be posting less on social media in honor of keeping my practice a little private as I hold space for myself to have the mental, emotional, and physical strength for these next steps of my journey.

If you’d like to stay connected and up to date with the classes that will be offered, I encourage you to either download the app available on my website or sign up for my email newsletter - you can do this at the bottom of my website.

Thank you all for the beautiful connections, support, encouragement, and love these years.

I look forward to seeing you on the mat or in new spaces as I begin a new part of my journey.

With much love and gratitude,
Rhonda

Truth & Consequences - Satya "The Essence of Truth" & Connection with Others

Truth & Consequences - Satya "The Essence of Truth" & Yoga Have you ever told a "white lie"? How did telling the "white lie" make you feel? While most of us have told a "white lie" at some point of another in our lives, equally as many of us likely felt uncomfortable in the moment the words crossed our lips, or in today's age of technology, the moment we hi...

At the World Championships in Budapest, USA’s Anita Alvarez sank to the bottom of the pool.

Looking across the deck, and noticing she was under way too long, her coach, Andrea Fuentes immediately dove in after her fully clothed, pulling her to safety. Anita was unconscious and didn’t have the capacity to kick, paddle, or help herself in any way.

If Andrea would not have noticed, she would have drown.

But she knew Anita. She looked for her, quickly noticed she was under too long, then dove in without thinking twice.

This has resonated with me….

When you are under too long, who are the people that will look for you, notice, and dive in to pull you to the surface when you lose your strength to swim?

Who are the people that would do that for you?
And can someone count on you to be that person that would go looking and notice when they are under too long, diving in to support them when they are all out of fight and fuel to swim in these turbulent waters we call life?

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New tickets have been released for those who have been wanting yoga but can't commit to the full Petals & Poses experience.

Join us for Restore & Flow at Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg yards in August and 8 Chains North Winery in September.

Click here for yoga tickets only:
❤️ Restore & Flow Yoga at Cana Vineyards in Middleburg

❤️ Restore & Flow Yoga at 8 Chains North Winery - Back to School!

For Petals & Poses tickets:
🌸 Petals and Poses Summertime Edition at Cana Vineyard and Winery

🌸 Back to School with Petals and Poses at 8 Chains North

🌸 Abbie Palmer x Petals & Poses - An electric harp, yoga, and floral experience at Cana Vineyards

Two days later and I’m still pausing every time I pass my beautiful bouquet 😍 It’s wild and whimsical, reminding me everything I love about summer and it’s sweetness.

If you missed this Petals & Poses class but would like to join us for our next one, our next three Petals & Poses have already been announced and tickets are live! We would love to have you!

Aug. 20 at Petals and Poses Summertime Edition at Cana Vineyard and Winery

Sept. 16 at Back to School with Petals and Poses at 8 Chains North

Oct. 13 at Abbie Palmer x Petals & Poses - An electric harp, yoga, and floral experience at Cana Vineyards

Nov. TBA Details coming soon!

https://www.exhaleyogi.com/events

What a joy it is to know there are so many options for yoga available across Loudoun County this morning!

Here are 3 choices for yoga today:

Petals and Poses at Vanish Farmwood Brewery - Summertime Edition 10:00am Yoga + Flower Arrangements. Flowers are sold out but there are still yoga tickets! To join visit Restore & Flow Yoga at Vanish Brewery - Yoga Admission Ticket

Yoga with JKS Yoga at Fleetwood Farm Winery

Yoga with YogaSix at

The pop up yoga community is growing!

Looking forward to seeing those of you who are coming to Vanish today!

I’ve been doing some business reorganization to make yoga more accessible. Follow me on YouTube for free yoga resource shorts and longer class videos.

No matter what age you are or what your abilities there is a yoga style that will help you find more ease in your body.

Today’s video upload is a chair yoga session designed for those days where getting onto the floor and onto a mat might not be as accessible.

Chair Yoga - Shoulders, Hips, and Balance Follow for more classes or visit https://exhaleyogi.comFor yoga supplies visit my Amazon store at https://www.amazon.com/shop/exhaleyogi/list/3HX3KB2B5PJO3?...

Love. Non-Violence. Ethics. & Summer Events

New Blog Post Non-violence - an Ethical Practice of Yoga

I couldn’t have said this better myself.

The path of knowing oneself and healing oneself isn’t about a life of avoidance. It’s about integration.

It’s when you know truly and deeply that the things that once had a power over you and perhaps even caused you shame doesn’t have power at all, it’s then that you’ve won. You’ve healed an aspect of yourself. It’s a relational aspect.

Most of the things we’ve been taught to be ashamed of are influenced by a lack of understanding by someone else outside of us.

Find your shadow, the shame it brings and sit with it.

You’ll foster a new relationship with yourself.

Be free.

Breathe.
Feel.
Forgive.
Love.
Rinse.
Repeat.

The day you stop being embarrassed by your shadow self is when you truly become free.

(Has that day come for you yet?)

When you can look your demons in the eye and say "I see you, but you no longer control me," that's when you've won the battle.

The habits you hide, the thoughts you think you're "not supposed to have," the desires you repress - they lose their power over you. You realize your darkness does not define you, but by how you choose to walk in the light.

Free yourself. Stop judging your humanity and start embracing it. Drop the act of perfection and get comfortable with being imperfectly you.

Your shadow self was never meant to be hidden - it was meant to be understood, accepted, and alchemized into fuel for your purpose. Let today be the day you make peace with your whole self - shadow and all - so you can get on with shining your light.

The world needs that light. And the shadow you've been hiding no longer needs to dim it.

On Monday, June 26 at I’ll be leading a mindfulness based stress reduction practice before the networking session begins at Artistic Fuel as a part of the The Loudoun County Social Collective’s “Coffee with the Collectives”

We all know how getting up and talking to a group or chatting with new people can get your nerves going - this is an opportunity to ground and center yourself before making those connections.

To participate and join us for a morning of coffee, conversation, and new connections RSVP here:
https://www.evite.com/event/00B4IPJLHEZFSMVH2EPOAC5CVRODZY?utm_campaign=send_sharable_link&utm_source=evitelink&utm_medium=sharable_invite

Can’t wait to kick off the party with a little Island Vibes Restore & Flow at Lost Rhino Brewery Reggae Fest!

This weather is perfect for a little outdoor yoga!
See you in the morning, Yogis!

Attention teachers who are looking to deepen your understanding and experiences of breath work.

Take a full breath in and a full breath out. 😮‍💨 Attention, yoga teachers! Let’s talk about cueing breathwork.

Instructors are certainly meant to offer guidance for breathing in an asana practice.

But what about taking some time to pause and consider the ramifications direct breathwork can have on an individual?

From a trauma-informed perspective, it is important to consider the student’s relationship with their breath.

Breath of fire, for instance, with its rapid, heated nature, can be anxiety-inducing or triggering for someone.

Breath retention, on the other hand, can have a similar effect on someone else.

While as teachers we might find it useful to incorporate different styles and methods of pranayama in a classroom setting, it is important to remember that we should not pigeonhole anyone.

Consider offering options.

Simply encouraging everyone to bring awareness to their breathing and how it can support them is invaluable.

Head to the YMO practice page to explore some of the various styles of pranayama and touch up on your cueing skills!

If you’re not already a YMO member, grab a FREE 7-Day Trial at the link below to get instant access! 🔥

✅ Our extensive library is home to over 800+ on-demand classes full of endless inspiration and learning opportunities for yoga teachers. 🙌

https://yogamedicine.com/ymo-home/

Managing pain and anxiety takes breath practice.

As I sit here managing my usual pain and dealing with anxiety as I wait for a root canal procedure it feels like I’m frozen. My breath is short and shallow. I feel like I’m overwhelmed.

There are many people who get bitten by anxiety paralysis- this is that “freeze” state when the sympathetic nervous system is over active. Aka when you are freaking out.

If you’re like me, the next time you find a moment when life is knocking the wind out of your lungs, pause and try this simple practice.

https://youtu.be/eUKpkgUnx54

Mindful Breathing - Belly Breath aka 3 Part Breath (Part 3) For more information visit: https://www.exhaleyogi.com/post/breath-practices-for-calming-your-mind-body

An easy practice to incorporate into your bedtime routine.

Yoga for Sleep - Wall Yoga For more info visit: https://www.exhaleyogi.com/post/yoga-to-improve-sleep

You are stronger than your traumas.

Surviving and healing from trauma is a testament to your resilience and worth. Embrace the truth that you are not broken, only bruised in unseen ways. The wounds may linger, but they don't define who you are.

Your spirit remains indomitable, shining with a light that no darkness can extinguish. Each day, you grow stronger and discover new depths of courage. Let go of the belief that your worth is determined by your past, and embrace the power within you to create a meaningful life.

Remember, healing is a journey of self-discovery and self-compassion. Every step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to realizing your true potential. Embrace the strength that lies within you, and believe in your ability to reach unseen heights.

Acknowledge how far you've come and celebrate your progress. Each struggle you've faced has shaped you and gifted you with wisdom. Embrace the beauty of your own journey and have compassion for yourself as you continue to heal.

You are deserving of love, happiness, and a life filled with purpose. Keep moving forward, knowing that you are strong, resilient, and capable of extraordinary things.

Summer is here and it’s not too late to start your wellness journey.

This month we return to our top two most popular yoga event venues!

On Saturday, June 11 we are heading back to Lost Rhino for a special island inspired Restore and Flow Yoga class to kick off the Lost Rhino Regge Fest! Join us at 10:30am outside in the grass for an outdoor yoga experience. Stay after with friends and family to enjoy live music, food and drink specials celebrating Lost Rhino’s 12th Anniversary!

Then on Sunday, June 25 we head back to Cana Winery in Middleburg for a Petals & Poses event celebrating summer! It’s an event not to be missed! Both classes have early bird ticket pricing available!

Save your spot early and get the best priced tickets.
Find out more: https://www.exhaleyogi.com/events



Visit Loudoun

We pause to remember …

Every breath we take, every freedom we have -
Let us pause to remember.

Remember those who lived before us, lived with us, and made the greatest sacrifice while in service of hope -

Hope for stability, hope for prosperity, hope for freedom, and hope for peace.

Pause in reflection of their lives -
This gift we were given at such a great price.

May we pause so we can remember, and may we learn to continue to be as brave in moments where we also need to be -

Let us live in ways that honor that great legacy those who paved the way left for us to protect, defend, and secure.

Thank you to all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who have survived them.

You are not forgotten.

“Vulnerability is the
core, the heart, the center of meaningful
human experiences.” - Brené Brown

This Sunday it will be my first time back to Firefly Cellars in a year! What makes this visit extra special is this sweet winery was the first winery I taught my first class back after a hiatus from teaching.

Join us on Sunday, May 28 for Restore & Flow Yoga at Firefly Cellars - Anniversary Celebration! - an outdoor yoga class experience.

Class will begin at 10:30am and will be for 60 mins.
Class will end in time for you to enjoy the rest of the festivities Firefly Cellars will be hosting in honor of their 2 year anniversary!

Tickets are still available both on my website (link in bio) and on Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restore-flow-yoga-at-firefly-cellars-2nd-anniversary-memorial-weekend-tickets-619244054637?aff=efbeventtix&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Remember to dress in layers for the weather, bring a yoga mat, sunscreen, and any other items you’d like to make your practice comfortable.

What an amazing journey.

It’s taken me a few days to really absorb the experience of sitting in a room with other like minded professionals who wish to elevate the experiences of living in and visiting Loudoun County.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been able to attend an event of this magnitude again and I’m just so grateful.

I’m grateful for my amazing friend, colleague, and Petals & Poses co-host, Angela Rabena of blooms2u.net for walking this path with me and for guiding us to this point after a long term vision.

My love of merging lifestyle and adventure in Loudoun County by way of yoga and complimentary experiences goes back to 2014 when I collaborated with a local paddle board company to introduce paddle board yoga tours to our area. Our inaugural class was June of 2015, after a year the company partnered with Nova Parks as their only paddle board partner at Beaverdam Reservoir. From there I continued my journey of learning, teaching, travel and adventure, bringing back to our area all the fun experiences I could offer.

Fast forward to 2018, some time after Angela and I crossed paths in the fitness world online, Lansdowne Resort and Visit Loudoun hosted a video and photo shoot inviting anyone with interest an opportunity to be a part of their marketing initiative to support Loudoun Tourism. Angela and I met in person on site for the first time and immediately clicked. Neither one of us had kayaked before and we laughed as we were led down to Riverpoint Drive Trail head to be led by a local fishing and kayaking tour guide, and be taught on site how to kayak in the bubbling waters that danced and glistened in the sunrise, all while being filmed and recorded from both shore and drone angles. What a memory.

The next few days we participated in hiking, picnicking, paddle boarding, and even dining alfresco at Lansdowne Grille. That experience led me to working in collaboration with the marketing and events team at Lansdowne Resort to build a wellness retreat schedule, one that to this day can be enjoyed by visitors.

Life kept moving swiftly, as it does, and in 2019 Angela and I planned on collaborating together to offer the first Petals & Poses event at a studio I held dear to my heart. Needless to say the entire world shifted and that class was put on hold.

On June 5, 2021, with Angela, a team of teachers and other supporters, including but not limited to OmFLOAT in Ashburn, we hosted our first Petals & Poses event at Firefly Cellars in Hamilton, Virginia. This was just the first of many collaborations we have shared. Thank you to Firefly Cellars, 8 Chains North Winery, Kalero Vineyard, Breaux Vineyards, 50 West Vineyards, Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg, Sunset Hills Vineyard, Bear Chase Brewing Company, Vanish, Lost Rhino Brewing Co., and Beltway Brewing Company who have shared your beautiful venues with our guests.

It gives us so much joy to share our passions by way of this offering and we look forward to what this upcoming season will bring.

If you live in Loudoun and have visitors we would love to share your love of our area with them! If you’re visiting here and need a little rest and creativity in your travel itinerary, Petals & Poses experiences are the place to be! We’d love to have you!

Congratulations to all the other nominees and winners of these categories! Each one was so well deserved!!

PS. A shout out to my stylist Laura Guyton for doing my hair and to Tim of Instyle nails for always keeping my nails in polished perfection.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32

This weather has been absolutely incredible this week and Friday will be equally amazing.

opens at 1:00pm on Fridays and has Wi-Fi for those who want to have a little travel work day before we settle into a 6:00pm candlelit, sunset yoga class.

Class will be restful and will leave you feeling light as a feather.

Stay after class to enjoy a glass of wine while watching the sunset and making new friends.

There are just a couple tickets left for this special class. To purchase, click the link in my bio or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/586053219957

For the planners out there

Restore & Flow Yoga at 8 Chains North Winery - Mother's Day Weekend Feel good in your body with a restorative slow flow yoga session designed to increase mobility, flexibility, strength, endurance, and joy.

Transiting from Spring Break into a week of being back in the swing of things has me looking forward to this next class. It's rare for me to host these but they are SO incredibly special. Just a few spots left!

Candlelight Sunset Yoga at Kalero Vineyard Candlelight sunset slow flow yoga designed to release tension, increase mobility, and allow your body to find deep rest.

Slow steady breath in……
Slow steady breath out….

One of my favorite tools for practicing being present is a breathing meditation. The best part is that it’s not complicated… you simply watch the flow of your breath.

As needed I layer on
“I am here.” as I inhale
“This is now.” as I exhale

Thank you • for sharing these tips to welcome ourselves to the present moment.

Forgoing the joy of living in the present moment can create stress. compares this push-pull of living in the present, but wanting to be in the future, to being split in two. Do you relate?

Here are some simple tips for staying rooted in the present moment: (1) Practice mono-tasking to focus your attention on one activity (2) Pause to take inventory of your surroundings using each of your senses (3) Develop a conscious breathing practice (4) Allow yourself to feel your feelings deeply. Check-in with yourself regularly, meaning ask yourself how you really feel and give your most honest answer avoiding blanket terms like “fine" (5) Schedule time to be present. Consider doing an activity that allows you to get into a flow state like painting or writing (6) Be gentle with yourself if you stumble in your practice. Distractions are all around us. 🙏

The Banshee Reeks Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists and the Loudoun County Master Gardeners will be at Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy's Native Plant Sale.

Stop by their booths for lots of great information. The Sale takes place on April 22 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the main parking lot in Morven Park, Leesburg.

To learn more: https://loudounwildlife.org/event/spring-native-plant-sale/.

Limited Tickets Available! Join us for our April Food and Wine Pairing and Sunset Yoga this Month April Events at Kalero Vineyard           Join us on Fridays!   Join us on Fridays from 1pm - 7pm! "Spring in" and enjoy our outdoor patio with fire pits! *We are a 21 and older establishment. **Lite

Happy Sunny Thursday, Yogis!

I hope you've all been enjoying this remarkable weather and sunsets so far this week!

Just a quick heads up for anyone who has been considering coming to the Candlelight Sunset Yoga class on Friday, April 14 the tickets are quickly selling out! We've already reached a group size of 20 and it will be a blend of both men and women. If you or your partner have been waiting to purchase, this is the time. I only have space for about 25-30 comfortably at this venue. Right now tickets are available on the exhaleyogi website as well as Eventbrite.

Kalero is open on Fridays and has wifi so I encourage everyone to go out early and enjoy their Friday afternoon before we wind down the evening with some restful slow flowing yin style yoga on April 14.

In the meantime, Happy Easter weekend to you all!!

Sending all the Yogi love!

https://www.exhaleyogi.com/challenges

Saturday morning brunch to kick off Spring Break with the kiddos.

When they were younger they loved quiche. Not having a crust handy this morning frittatas it was!

What is one of your favorite family morning rituals that keeps you connected to the people you love?