Michele Ford Yoga

As I write this I am already home in Cleveland, seemingly far away from the 18 day yoga and music adventure…just days earlier Brandon and I were headed on the long road from New Orleans to Nashville talking for the first time about what it will be like when we get back “home” to our “real” lives.  Wait a minute…I feel as though I am home already!  Pumba from The Lion King had it right…home is were the rump rests! All of this just feels right!  I know I am on the path of freedom!

We got into Nashville just before midnight, checked into Union Station, a historic train station turned into a hotel…art deco gorgeousness! In the morning we had an awesome yoga class with Liz at Yoga Source, where we would be teaching later that day.  We spent a few hours relaxing and catching up with email at Fido, pet store turned eclectic restaurant, in the Hillsborough area.

After our evening Free to Be class we shared great company and food with Mike, the owner of Yoga Source (and baker of an amazing vegan ginger coconut carrot cake) and other wonderful yogis including Jennifer, a journalist with a food blog…her mission at the time was to use a bushel of cherries herself…check us out savoring her delicious cherry-basil gazpacho.

From Nashville to Evansville, IN for a quick stop at my younger sis’s (the newlywed), then to Bloomington for our final stop (tear). Vibe Yoga in Bloomington was the perfect last stop on the tour!  We stayed with a good friend of mine, massage therapist and aspiring Anusara yoga teacher, Andreas. Laura’s, owner of Vibe Yoga, vibrant energy and enthusiasm made us feel like we were already home. After the practice I spied Andy, a yogi from class, with a green drink.  Having been without my own daily green smoothie for the past 17 days I bee lined over to inquire about the elixir I so missed. The botanist/acupuncturist/Chinese medicine practitioner was drinking, as I had hoped, garden deliciousness blended…a taste was offered and happily accepted!

Andreas made us a tasty meal and we shared in conversation before turning in for the night.  The next morning Andy biked over in the rain with Sasha (Neeka’s distant relative) at 7 am to share with us his green smoothie recipe and endless botanical knowledge.  We went out in Andreas back yard and picked wild greens of lambs quarter, hibiscus flower, dandelion greens, grape leaves, violet leaves to blend with bananas, blueberries, sea vegetables, tumeric root, etc., jarred it up and were sent on our way home. I was high for the first few hours of the drive from the nutritional punch to the liver I hadn’t tasted in weeks…giddy with greenness! Perfection!

Foraging for wild greens in the backyard (no Neeka did not come with us!)

Brandon and I have so much gratitude for all of you freedom seekers we met along the way.  Our journey was blessed the entire way with angels, seen and unseen. While in St. Augustine, FL I found a wooden Balinese angel, called a Diwi, that held a mirror in one hand and a comb in the other.  The comb represented the external/material world, while the mirror reflects back the inner world.  Along this journey all of you have been my angels, my Diwis, holding up a mirror so that I may see the entire spectrum of who I am, out and in…I am already perfectly free…you are are already perfectly free… allow all the Diwis in your life (they are everywhere) to show you this.  Freedom is not the destination, it is the journey…you are already home.  Be Free!

Much gratitude to all the wonderful beings we met on our journey!! OMmmmmmmmm....

Free to Be Tank

$20 plus shipping and handling

American Apparel shirt, custom screen printed by Nate at KM Apparel

Each design available in pink or white print, size small, medium or large depending on availability.

Email michelefordyoga@gmail.com to check size availability and to order.

Abhaya mudrā represents protection, peace, benevolence, and  dispelling of fear.

After a long, straight, drive to Pensacola we found a small cafe in what appeared to be an old school…we did a little checking in with home, relaxed and then freshened up for our evening workshop at Abhaya Yoga Studio. Nancy LaNasa, a long time Jivamukti teacher and former Clevelander!, dished out all the Cleveland foolishness she could come up with (she had probably been thinking them up for the past month…hehe).  What a fun group! A bunch even joined us after the practice for sushi. We stayed with Nancy in her gorgeous home and hung out with her and her husband and 2 energetic, to say the least, boxers.  Morning wake up licks from Sally…I was in her bed. That morning we met up with Erin Taliaferro for an acupuncture session…ahh…back relief! Lunch with Nancy, blueberry and fig munching for desert then we hit the road for New Orleans…not before taking a dip in the Gulf! (though we didn’t make it to the “good” part of the beach).

Abhaya Yogis Smile! Say Ardha Chandrasana!

Let the Qi be free!

In New Orleans we stayed in a beautiful old mansion that had been divided into 8 apartments.  We met up for lunch at Surry’s with Keith a partner at Swan River Yoga and Jivamukti teacher. Such a genuine and caring woman! What a fun evening at Swan River!..Brandon was particularly energized and kept us moving with his rockin’ beats, he even danced out from behind his buffet of instruments! After the practice we played with some arial yoga (yoga and using a low hanging fabric trapeze) then grabbed a bite to eat with Aaron Lind, an aspiring Anusara yoga teacher, at Juan’s Flying Burrito, then headed to a concert we heard about while in Pensacola called Playing for Change. Street performers from all over the world, including Grandpa Elliot a New Orleans favorite, came together inspire peace through good vibrations…Bob Marley, Cranberries, Marvin Gay, Bobby McFerrin…dancing fun!  Brandon had a little too much fun and made lots of New Orleans friends!

Aaron came over in the morning bearing cantaloupe for some breakfast and fun in the park across the street…acro and partner yoga, what great therapy!

Small feet, big heart, big feet, big heart!

The intention is there...mine and Aaron's expression of Sharon Gannon & David Life's photo.

Perched and ready to be free as a bird!

To see more partner yoga and trip pics become friends with me on Facebook.

Whether it is dancing to your own beat, traveling to new reaches of the world or new reaches of the mind, trusting in someone else or something greater than your self though the outcome is unclear, doing anything and everything with a sense of play and/or acting from the heart in a way that honors that which is innately good in all things despite what is most apparent; there is no doubt about it…living fearlessly leads to freedom! Can you live more fearlessly?

Our stop in Jacksonville, FL was a little bit like coming home.  This was my third visit to this city this year; which included a trip last March to teach at Yoga Life, host of our Monday night gig (this ended up being our only Jax workshop as unfortunately, our Tuesday night one was canceled…bummer).  Coming into this space that I was already familiar with, welcomed by the familiar face of director, Sara, made this experience the most comfortable thus far. Many thanks to Sara and all those who shared this evening with us!

Touring has forced Brandon and I out of our comfort zone of what and who we know and crammed us into an everyday tinier and  tinier Chevy Impala.  Our traveling home seems to move on before we get too comfortable in any one place or way of being.  Being in a familiar place brought up many old thought patterns, that since having hit the road in order to push the limits of our comfort zone, have not been as prevalent.

While in Jacksonville we stayed at Brandon’s best friend’s family’s home, who just happened to be up in Cleveland (I guess that is where you vacation when you live in the south)!  The house had a similar appearance and energetic feel to the home I grew up in Solon…especially evident by the numerous cereal boxes in the pantry, all with less than a serving left.  Memories and feelings from my childhood bombarded me. Old habits and ways of being with these often unpleasant sensations initially took hold, gripping so tightly I felt bruised from the inside out.

I turned to yoga to loosen the hold…Tuesday night I took a yoga class from a vibrant woman, Siddie Friar, whom we met in Savannah a few days prior. The sweat of the class released much of the building tension as did the action of reaching out to connect with a wonderful individual.

Storm rolling into St. Augustine, FL

Wednesday we headed down to historic St. Augustine and found ourselves at Present Moment Cafe, raw vegan nourishment made with the special ingredient of love. As we were savoring the deliciousness, Brandon struck up a conversation with a lady whom had just come in for a late lunch and must have  overheard us talking of going to the beach earlier. She offered us use of her private beach at one of her rental properties down the road (need a place to stay on the beach in St. Augustine www.rentaoceanhouse.com).  A bit taken aback at her generosity and openness; we excitedly took her up on her offer with gratitude. We plugged her address into Tabitha (our GPS companion) and were off to take a dip in the Atlantic.  A storm rolled in rather  quickly and no more than an hour later sheets of water were falling from the sky.  This is not the first time we had experienced such offering and trust for purely to spread joy and happiness…how refreshing and what a great reminder as to the innate goodness in people.

The family returned!…the kids, Evan and Christina, were there to great us along with Holly, an energetic dachshund. Immediately I felt a part of their clan. We cooked, ate, laughed just as I always imagined a family dinner night to be. The tension was gone and all that I had desired as a kid seem to be answered in those few hours with the family.

Evan, Brandon, I and Christina...brothers and sisters!

Often times we go through life without seeing who is there with us in that moment…walking down the street, sitting across the restaurant…and though sometimes we may see them there, but yet we do not reach out from our own comfortable bubble to connect. We may sense their energy and know their subtle presence at that level, but how often do you just stop and say “hey” to a stranger?

In the Free to Be workshop there is one point were I ask everyone to step off their mats, close their eyes and to move…move with the beat of the drumming and move to ones own inner vibration. This ultimately leads to some bumping into one another; when you bump into someone, automatically your eyes open.  It is through this bumping into others that we begin to open our eyes, to really see…as the Buddha says, “to wake up!”  By bumping into others we begin to see our own limits, where we have opportunity to grow, to live more fully. Through feeling the presence of the Rodriguezes before they came home and then interacting with them, bumping up against them, Brandon, Sara, Siddie, and all the others that I have had the fortune of meeting on this tour, my eyes are opening to a much brighter world!

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in seeing with new eyes.” –Marcel Droust

After the potluck gathering in Hillsborough Friday evening, we hit the road for Charleston, SC to make a quick stop at the Jivamukti Yoga Center. Brandon began training the night before for this late night drive.  We got in at 3 am to Allison’s, a fellow Jivamukti teacher, rolled out our sleeping bags on the living room floor and settled in for a good 4 hours of sleep.  9:30 am yoga! What an energizing class taught by Polly! The Jiva fam, Allison and Polly, took us to the farmers market for a picnic lunch in downtown Charleston. Our 12 hours in Charleston left a good impression on me…except for the 10 mosquito bites in 5 minutes while out eating breakfast…I was breakfast!

Alter @ Jivamukti Yoga Charleston

We hit the road again…headed to Savannah to meet up for dinner out on Tybee Island with one of the directors of the Ashram Savannah Co-op, Lynne, and our hosts for the evening, Will and Betsy. Out of pure tiredness, Brandon finally relinquished the car keys to me, not before putting me through a verbal driving test and making a phone call to bequeath his stereo:)

After dinner we ventured to the beach…sunset, dolphins, shells. There was a point at the bend of the island where the waves crossed, crashing in on one another.  This made me think of our own lives and how they constantly crash into one another’s…nature makes it seemless, blending the waters together…why do we resist? Why do we try and stop our wave mid crash, limit its power, its freedom, when we all have the same intention…to be who we are for the pure joy of it and to grow and expand that joy….to crawl as high up that beach as we can.

The sun rises...the sun sets...the tide comes in...the tide goes out.

After the sun set, a peaceful calm flooded in with new colors and subtle vibrancy. With the changing sky and high tide coming in, each moment brought about new beauty… there was no end to natures creativity…

Night on Tybee Island

Our evening hosts, Will and Betsy, entertained us with great generosity and conversation that night. They exemplified the above quote and though their eyes have seen much, they sparkled with a fresh vibrancy for life.   The sun rises…the sun sets…the tide comes in…the tide goes out. Ahhh…the journey and the destination are one…

The next morning, in the rising heat of the sun, Brandon and I ran on the beach  and then seeking refreshment, dove into the cool embrace of the Atlantic. The same beach was even different now from the night prior.  We honored the sun’s radiance with yoga asanas and then prepared for the afternoon workshop at Ashram Savannah.

The energy of this group was amazing…subtly intense and undeniably present! Together we sweated through an invigorating exploration of Free to Be, followed by delicious food and community.  Thank you to all that joined us and the many students that came from a good distance away to share in this exploration, which magically continued into the evening with a kirtan lead by Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band.

Ashram Savannah workshop

Sacred  Sanskrit chant for awakening and honoring the sacred and powerful aspects of the feminine in all forms:

Shakti Ma, Om Shakti Ma

Hey Ma Durga, Hey Ma Durga

Maha Devi, Maha Devi

Om Kali Ma, Kali Ma, Kali Ma

Jai Ma!

–Mantra and translation compiled by Sean Johnson

From the hills of Virginia we ventured southeast to Durham, NC for our next workshop scheduled for later that week.  We stayed with Dawn, a good friend of mine, and her new and expanding family; Dawn and Nate are expecting their second child this November.  The timing of our visit allowed Brandon and I the opportunity to be apart of one of the greatest forms of creation…that of a child.  Creating doesn’t end after the initial point of conception, but rather that point is a marker for the beginning of growth and expansion into full potential.  Creation and creativity springs forth from the feminine aspect of ourselves, the aspect of our being that is intuitive and reflective and truly knows that we are but an interwoven part of a greater whole.

Rainie, nearly 2, drew me in with her clear deep brown eyes, playful nature and shining innocence. At first, I felt a sense of resistance to her and the settled family life; after all we are exploring freedom, and to me at this point in my life, raising a child seems like a lot of work rather than an opportunity to experience freedom. Not having spent much time with young kids, I have often felt this responsibility to be an obstacle to ones own growth. But Rainie’s undiscriminating love persisted and I soon craved to experience this world we all live in in such a way that NOW is all there is. To give so completely to another being in such a simple and uncomplicated way made my heart sing.

Our new roadie/chauffeur; she works for naps.

She even tunes instruments.

The night before our workshop we had the good fortune to attend a yoga class with a vibrant Jivamukti teacher and friend, Allison, at Carborro Yoga, Inc.  The next evening our workshop was hosted at Hillsborough Yoga & Healing Arts by owner, Paula Hoffman.  Paula specializes in teaching pre- and postnatal women.  She is currently experiencing the manifestation of 17 years of teaching, having just birthed her lovely studio and healing center with her daughter, Judith, at the end of last year.  Thank you to both of you for sharing your creative energy with us, your students and the world.  We shared in an inspiring evening with some who we had practiced the night before with, Gwen, a new Jivamukti teacher (check her out in Danville, VA), a couple from the Krishna temple (thank you for the beautiful garlands), and other wonderful beings. Blessings to all!

Tour stop #2: Hillsborough Yoga & Healing Arts.

I have often thought that to be in touch with and to express my creativity and to create what it is that I want in my life, I must first be free from all that is holding me back from that wide open space from which creation springs forth.  But maybe I have had it reversed and to be free you must first create. Honoring the feminine aspect of ourselves (no matter our gender) and listening to our own innate wisdom and the uniqueness that come from this eternal well spring. Our uniqueness and the expression of this uniqueness is the essence of all the beauty in this world. From creation springs growth, as with a child or a new business endeavor; spiritual growth (growth with awareness of the whole) moves one in the direction of intention and ultimately sets our true Self free. Maybe creation, with its constant companion of growth, is actually the key to being free…

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. –Anonymous

The drive to Roanoke, VA was winedy, long and rainy.  Our first out of town stop was at The Yoga Center, Inc., a warmly inviting studio.  We shared a vibrant evening of yoga, music, food and conversation with wonderful yogis. I am so grateful for their sharing their presence, especially of the owner, Debbie, whom not only welcomed us into her beautiful studio, but also her home.

New friends at The Yoga Center Inc. and tasty delectables.

Brandon and I spent the next morning relaxing on her front porch, so content we broke out in song. Check out Brandon’s rendition of Let Me Be by Xavier Rudd on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJw8BOG3DnE. My singing will not be posted as I don’t want to show Brandon up

Debbie’s home was quite an inspiration.  She is a wonderful being and creator of life.  Her home was such a refreshingly wonderful illustration of her unique expression of Truth. This Truth is so perfect, whole, holy.  Thank you, Debbie, for being so open to sharing your Truth with us, your students, the world.

Integrity, the state of being whole, entire, undiminished.

I am inspired!  Inspired to be me, to be more me than I have ever expressed. Every thought, word, action is an expression of my unique Truth. But how many times do we shy away from creating that Truth by hiding in the past or planning for the future instead of living in the moment from the heart? My first reaction is that expressing what makes me me seems to be a lot of work!  But isn’t that our purpose? It seems much easier to stay in an unsatisfying job when the money is right and the economy is struggling,  to follow suit in the thought patterns of others and the ideals of society, and to plop down in front of the TV after a long day with a less than nourishing convenience meal. To be an expression of who we are takes intention and integrity.  When you step into the natural flow of your inner Truth, you can’t help but get swept along on a joyful ride down stream, where your be-ness  is all there is.  You are whole…complete…perfect…free!

Serendipitously found on Debbie's book shelf.

Brandon and I headed out on the 4th filled with excitement and anticipation!  Very fitting to begin our Free to Be Tour and our own personal explorations of the meaning of freedom on the anniversary of our country’s declaration of freedom. First stop: Columbus to visit with my Auntie and a good friend.

Peace!

The first challenge to freedom arose in the initial few hours of our departure and was then brought back a day later: forgiveness. I embarked on this journey 3 months ago with few expectations, but as the trip neared expectations arose as they tend to do. That first evening did not meet my expectations and did not go as planned at a fault of another. To forgive and forget?  I pondered this and the power of forgiveness…and came to the feeling that forgiveness is a path to freedom. As Brandon said very definitively, “Forgiveness is the essence of love and essential in every relationship.” I sat with the swelling emotion and let it go; I forgave in my own heart…the tension in my body receded and my mood lifted as we continued on our drive to Roanoke, VA the next day.

Our capacity to forgive and our desire to be free was again tested early this morning.  We stayed the evening in Floyd, VA (a “hippie” town along the Blue Ridge Parkway) unexpectedly due to a change in plans.  We had planned to work on a organic permaculture farm in Boone, NC for a few days.  The owners had just said goodbye to a number of volunteers and were looking for a break, so cancel on us as we were on our way there.  In an amazing antique store in Floyd, I received the call.  The owner of the store (we’ll call her Nan) overheard our dilemma and came to our rescue with the mention (and even so much as called them up for us to arrange a place to pitch our tent) of a the Miracle Farm, a vegetarian B&B in town. Nan shared the highlights of the town (a town of 452 “oh, I mean 453, Stephanie just had a baby”)… Floyd Fest, music, wineries, markets, etc.

We ventured out to explore the downtown charm, friendly folks, beautiful vistas and eventually made our way to Miracle Farm, feeling very blessed. Here we set up camp by a river, prepared some grub and settled down to enjoy some local wine, homemade honey mead and the company and inspiring conversation of a new friend, Pierre, the only other visitor at the farm and a meditation teacher. In the light of the nearly full moon we laughed and frolicked in the fields till early hours of the morning, elated in the energy of this magical place!

Pierre our "magical" friend.

Pierre’s interpretation of being free, “…sometimes being free won’t get the response you are looking for, but that doesn’t make it any less of the right action. Intention seems to be the key, and sometimes it just won’t jive with others, but being right with yourself and your fullest expression is far more important than any one else’s response.”

6 am came and we awoke to unexpected yelling for us to pack up and be out in 10 minutes or else we would be mowed over. Still groggy with sleep we left in a hurried daze of shock and confusion and found a mountain top to catch a few more zzzz.

Sleepy-eyed vista in the too early morning sun.

Mountain top resting place.

Emotions of anger and hatred arose and my faith in humanity quickly disintegrated.  At this moment I felt less than free and holding contempt in my own heart shackled me to those emotions.  I felt walls being built up around my heart.  Our actions are not always perfect and are not who we are. I forgive her for her actions…I softened.

Forgiveness=Freedom

When do you feel the most free? When can you express perfection? Through YOGA and MUSIC!
“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” — Aldous Huxley
Explore what it means to be perfectly free with a Jivamukti Yoga class taught by Michele Ford joined by the vibrational energy of LIVE MUSIC by Brandon Kocher of Fireside Symphony, reiki and meditation. The Jivamukti Yoga Method is a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings. Jivamukti Yoga classes are vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating including vinyasa, pranayama (breath control/expansion), meditation, Sanskrit chanting, yogic philosophical teachings, scriptural study, devotion, hands-on adjustments, deep relaxation, partnered with uplifting music. Coming to a studio near you!

2009 Tour Dates

Thursday, July 2
Cleveland, OH
6-8 pm OneTree Yoga
Potluck to Follow
details

Sunday, July 5
Roanoke, VA
5-7 pm The Yoga Center Inc.
Potluck to follow
details

Friday, July 10
Hillsborough, NC
6-8 pm Hillsborough Yoga
Potluck to Follow
details

Sunday, July 12
Savannah, GA
2-4 pm Savannah Co-op
Potluck to follow
details

Monday, July 13
Jacksonville, FL
6-8pm Yoga Life
details

Tuesday, July 14
Jacksonville, FL
6:15-8:15 pm Ananda Yoga
Potluck to Follow
details

Thursday, July 16
Pensacola, FL
5:30-7:30 pm Abhaya Yoga
details

Saturday, July 18
New Orleans, LA
5:30-7:30 pm Swan River Yoga
details

Sunday, July 19
Memphis, TN
2-4 pm Midtown Yoga
details

Monday, July 20
Nashville, TN
5:30-7:30 pm Yoga Source
Potluck to Follow
details

Tuesday, July 21
Bloomington, IN
6:30-8:30 pm Vibe Yoga Studio
Potluck to Follow
details