Sober Girls Yoga Magazine - Issue 07

A Note from Alex

Dear Community,

When I first encountered the Yamas and Niyamas of yoga, I was obsessed with doing them right and wrong I'd take the principles of yoga, hold myself up against them, and judge myself. According to me, I wasn't kind enough, or honest enough, or good enough at letting go

What I've realized over time (a long time) is that the point is not being perfect at living yoga.

The yamas and niyamas give us a framework - a guideline - to help us find happiness. So what do we do with the yamas and niyamas? The goal is to witness our thoughts, words and actions. We notice when we're falling off track. We practice presence and gently and lovingly call ourselves back, saying to ourselves "This is not helpful let's start again "

I created some charts for my Yoga Sutra Study class which show this practice in depth.

If you're curious about yoga philosophy...my next Online Yoga Teacher Training starts on July 9th, 2023 and runs from 6-8am EST each week on Sundays I am so excited to connect deeply with you on this! Click here to learn more. I can't wait to learn with you on this journey!

Love, Alex

P S Me and Kristen, who leads the 30/60 Day Sober Girls Yoga Challenges, are going to start a new Facebook Live Philosophy show! Join us every Monday at 7:00am EST (12:00pm in London, 3:00pm in Dubai, 7:00pm in Bali) to chat about How to Live Yoga. We'll be live in the Sober Girls Yoga Facebook Group which you can join here

Our topic schedule is:

July 10: Ahimsa (Non-violence): How do you incorporate loving kindness into your life?

July 17: Satya (Truth): How do you live with honesty and truth?

July 24: Asteya (Non-Stealing): How do you avoid stealing? What does stealing mean?

July 31: Brahmacharya (Moderation)

August 7: Aparigraha (Letting Go)

Sober Girls Yoga A Note from the Editor

By Meg Geisewite

Healing is Trusting Your Inner Knowing

We are born perfect, whole, with a bright light within that shines outward into the world. Slowly, our light dims as the world tells us we are too much or not enough, too sensitive or aggressive. It is all so confusing, so we find coping mechanisms to help us feel safe and to fit into this world. We become people-pleasers, caretakers, peacemakers, and over-achievers to help us fit in and feel good enough. We get messages to take care of others over ourselves and slowly lose sight of what our needs are, especially in motherhood

As our light within dims, we feel disconnected from that inner knowing and we begin to look outside ourselves for approval and validation. As we get older, we find immediate connection, acceptance, and some glimpses of our old fun self when we drink The drink erases the chatter in our brains that we are not good enough It makes us feel like we are allowed to rest. It’s a societal permission slip to rest, especially in the mommy wine culture.

But slowly over time, alcohol starts to erode and corrode that connection to the small, inner voice, our inner knowing It is so insidious that when we awaken to the fact that it is in control of us, we are baffled at how we got to this place We are often left feeling confused as the world around us

-is modeling and mirroring that our gray area drinking is so-called “normal ”

Once we listen to that small inner voice and get curious about our relationship with alcohol, we can see that it never served us We awaken to the fact that it is a highly addictive drug that we are not warned about on the bottle. Getting curious and accepting what alcohol truly is; a depressant, carcinogen, toxin, drug, and poison shifts us out of a deprivation mindset with it

Now without a substance in the way, we start to reconnect with our mind, body, and spirit. A new connection sparks to feeling and leaning into our body’s hell yes ’ s and hell no ’ s We learn to create boundaries to put ourselves first and protect our energy We awaken to the fact that there are no bad parts of ourselves, only the protectors that kept us safe and helped us survive through life’s challenges.

We begin to shed the “shoulds” and the old, conditioned beliefs like that of a snake’s skin. We can see that the past version of ourselves was doing the best she could at the time with the information she had This is how we shed the shame. Rescuing and reconnecting with your inner child, your inner knowing, is how you begin to trust yourself once again

Meg is an ordinary mom who found herself trapped in the mommy wine culture She began her sober-curious journey in November of 2019 where her love of science led her to discover the real truth about alcohol and its seductive lies In Meg’s debut book, Intoxicating Lies, Meg flips the script of silence in the mommy wine culture and the five most common lies we tell ourselves about alcohol Meg resides in Delaware with her husband and two teenage children Her family has been her rock throughout her alcohol-free journey You can often find Meg enjoying nature on the beautiful biking trails of Delaware Learn more about Meg's book here:

SOBER GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD!

Maisoon, Shelly and Alex at BodyTree Studio in Abu Dhabi, where Alex used to teach yoga!

Madison, one of Alex's oldest friends from University, lives in Abu Dhabi and Alex stayed with her for a few days!

The group smiling at the table on the United Arab Emirates Retreat! Page 07

This group is some of the original Zoom folks from The Mindful Life Practice From left to right: Meena, who lives in Abu Dhabi and graduated from the 200 Hour YTT in fall of 2021, Alexandra who lives in Greece and was part of the first ever 200 Hour YTT group, Amber, who lives in Bahrain and did the first ever Sober Girls Yoga Challenge in July of 2020, Emma who was part of the first 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, and Laura who has been a main member in our community for ever. We're all wearing our MLPC merch by the way - which you can order here!

The whole group at the United Arab Emirates retreat sneaks in together for a selfie!

Alex and Kristen are together at a Rollerskating Event in Canada Kristen is the main leader for the 30/60 Day Sober Girls Yoga Challenges. (Alex pops in when she can!) Read about our challenge program here

Dear Sober Coach

MEET SOBER COACH SARAH.

Sarah has spent the last 12 years coaching and mentoring people who've struggled with their addictions and mental health, she knows that choosing to change your relationship with alcohol before you hit rock bottom is a powerful and positive choice to make

Sarah is passionate about spreading the message that our lives can be joyful and fun on the other side of our drinking careers and there's no need to feel lonely, stressed or bored on this journey.

Dear Sober Coach Sarah

I am stuck with trying to find my new identity - I just don't know who I am sober!

Please tell me this will all become clear, I'm starting to panic

Thank you

Love MB

Dear MB

Deciding to have a year alcohol-free threw me into a bit of an identity crisis. I was mostly OK about changing my home drinking identity but really struggled with my socialising identity Shared boozy experiences were a big part of my life and of who I was or who I thought I was I hear you finding out who we are sober is part of what we get to learn!

I have ended up piecing together a bit of a new identity over time I've reflected not only on who I had been, but also on who I wanted to be in the future I took time to explore what I enjoyed, and also consciously began to move away from activities I had stopped enjoying I also looked more closely at my relationships. Who did I want to see more of and who did I need to move away from a bit. Some of the most surprising support came from the least expected places. I discovered that chaos had been a default position for so long, that calmness was too unfamiliar. To start with, I had to move slowly towards the identity that I wanted I accept that some friendships have changed and some have stayed the same. I've also made new friends since becoming sober and a business owner.

Who am I sober? I'm just someone who chooses not to drink alcohol. I want that to be the least interesting thing about me

Who am I sober? I am an improved version of myself, more relaxed, more peaceful, more patient, kinder and more content. These were not words I would have used to describe myself when I was drinking. Internal chaos reigned.

I recognise now that a large part of the “wooohooo, let me lead the charge to the pub/bar/dancefloor” part of my personality looked like an extrovert but was indeed an introvert using alcohol as a coping mechanism in situations I didn’t feel comfortable. I’m really happy to lay claim to my more introvert nature now… let me have all the fun – but please can it be in pairs or small groups, please can it be in the morning or afternoon and please can I go home and have a lie down afterwards – thank you!

If you ’ re struggling to visualise/think about who the sober version of you might be then follow good role models to get ideas – read books, listen to podcasts and take action.

Also, the panic take a deep breath in (and maybe do a bit of yoga)!?

Love Sober Coach Sarah

Dear Sober Coach Sarah

I thought that six months into this sober journey I'd start to feel happier; I see people in sober communities talking about how much better their life is, how much has changed and how happy they are I really expected to feel the same Am I getting my sober life all wrong?

Thank you for your thoughts on this.

Yours in Yoga

Dearest AG

Are you getting your sober life all wrong? I suspect not, you're six months in! Congratulations

A friend of mine posted a meme on Facebook the other day. It was a quote attributed to Heath Ledger “Everyone you meet asks about your career, whether you're married, have kids, etc As if your life has some kind of grocery list. But no one ever asks if you're happy ”

So, in this post, my friend asked the question, are you happy?

He got lots of answers, some predictable some not so much. My answer was, “I'm happy right now, but I spend a lot of time feeling content, OK, fine and sometimes a bit sad.”

I asked him if he was happy.

It is just one feeling, just one of many, many different feelings that we get to experience Don't get me wrong, I think it's a lovely feeling and I’d choose it over a whole host of other emotions any day of the week but sometimes it feels like a pretty high bar to reach

DContent, OK and fine, are probably the feelings that I feel most of the time I consider happy to be a quite elevated feeling Content happens to be one of my most favourite feelings. I love the cosiness of it, the simplicity, its unsurprising nature Content feels like there is nothing wrong. No emergency, no immediate danger or threat to life but a feeling in which I can flow into a task, relax into a rest or look around and know that most things are pretty OK or OK-ish.

Here's another good word - OK. OK, isn't given enough kudos I don't think OK, is such a good way to be.

How do you answer the question? How are you?

I spent years saying, “I'm good Thanks” because, you know, that's what all the kids were saying but I've gone back to my roots and the chances are if you ask me how I am now, I'm much more likely to tell you “I'm fine, thank you. ” Feeling fine rates highly on my feel‘o’metre, fine, OK, content I like them all and they seem so much less pressurised than happy

I love all the emotions I associate with feeling happy, optimism, excitement, hopefulness, and joy. Joy, that's my favourite. I love those total moments of bliss When you almost feel your heart squeezed for a moment. When you take a deep breath and cannot believe this love filled moment is real I accept that those moments are fleeting, they're supposed to be they are part of the ebb and flow of life

Don't compare yourself to anyone else - do you! Become aware of how you are feeling and accept whatever you can do Your feelings are indicators, signposts opportunities to stop, observe and learn from, lean into or adjust.

Well done Sober Friend - Awareness is key!

Best wishes

Sober Coach Sarah

Sarah Williamson

-------------------

www.drinklesslivebetter.com

Listen: to the Drink Less; Live Better Podcast

Sign up: free 5 day experiment

Follow on: Insta and FB

Details: 90 day 1:1 coaching programme

Book: a free initial call with me

FOUR FREE SOBER RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOURNEY

TheSoberYogaGirlPodcasthasover100,000 downloads!Listentotheseepisodestohearinspiring, upliftingstoriesaboutalcoholfreejourneysaroundthe world

Our Youtube Channel, Alex McRobs & The Mindful Life Practice, features hundreds of on demand yoga, meditation and breathwork practices

The Sober Girls Yoga Facebook Group is your private community of women around the world sharing their sober journeys. With almost 3,000 members, youre bound to find someone you connect with!

We have a free seven day sober girls yoga challenge If you are new to sobriety and yoga, check it out

Hi I’m Jules, each month I will be exploring and looking at various mental health and wellbeing topics, sharing with you simple

Therapeutic and Wellbeing Tools.

In what can be sometimes the chaos of our daily lives, it's essential to find moments of stillness and self-reflection One practice that has gained significant recognition for its ability to enhance wellbeing and promote self-discovery is journaling Whether you're an experienced writer or a complete newbie, journaling offers a powerful tool to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. In this article we will take little steps to delving into the world of journaling, exploring what it is, different ways to journal, and the transformative impact it can have on your overall wellbeing

In the midst of life's ups and downs, I found solace in a simple practice that changed the way I perceive myself and the world around me Journaling, an age-old tradition of putting pen to paper, has become my personal sanctuary of self-expression, reflection, and growth Today, I want to share with you the transformative impact that journaling has had on my wellbeing

Little Steps….. To Creating A Journaling Practice

By Jules Allan

What is Journaling?

At its core, journaling is the act of putting pen to paper and capturing your innermost thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It is a personal practice that allows you to create a safe and non-judgmental space for self-expression. Journaling provides an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and gain insight into your own thoughts and emotions. It can be as simple as jotting down daily experiences, writing poetry, or engaging in deep self-reflection.

A Safe Haven for Emotions: Like many, I often found it challenging to navigate my emotions. Bottling up my feelings led to a constant state of mental clutter and unease. But through journaling, I have discovered a safe haven for my emotions. The blank pages of my journal became a non-judgmental space where I could pour out my thoughts, fears, and dreams. The act of writing allowed me to acknowledge and validate my emotions, leading to a deep sense of relief and understanding.

Unearthing Self-Discovery: Journaling opened the door to self-discovery like never before

As I penned down my experiences, desires, and challenges, I gained valuable insights into my own thoughts and behaviors. Patterns emerged, and I began to understand the motivations behind my actions. Through self-reflection, I unraveled layers of my own psyche and discovered my true passions and values Journaling became a powerful tool for aligning my actions with my authentic self

Progress and Celebrating Achievements: As I continued my journaling journey, I realized the power of using it as a tool for goal setting and personal growth By documenting my aspirations and progress, I was able to track my achievements and celebrate even the smallest victories The tangible record of my growth served as a constant reminder of my resilience and capability, boosting my self-confidence and motivation.

Different Journaling ideas to try….

Stream of Consciousness: This is a form of journaling where you let your thoughts flow freely onto the page. Write without any predetermined structure or topic, allowing your mind to wander and explore. The goal is to let go of judgment and self-editing, creating a space for raw and unfiltered self-expression.

A Bridge to Gratitude and Positivity: One of the most remarkable transformations in my wellbeing came from incorporating gratitude journaling into my practice By consciously acknowledging the things I was grateful for each day, my perspective shifted. I started noticing the beauty in the simplest moments, the kindness in everyday interactions, and the abundance that surrounded me Gratitude journaling rewired my brain to focus on the positive aspects of life, fostering a sense of contentment and joy.

Stress Relief and Mental Clarity: In the chaos of modern life, finding moments for space for yourself can be a challenge Journaling became my anchor in the storm. Whenever stress overwhelmed me, I retreated to the pages of my journal, letting my thoughts flow freely. The act of writing allowed me to release tension, organize my thoughts, and gain mental clarity It became my therapeutic outlet, helping me navigate challenges with a calmer and more considered mindset.

Gratitude Journaling: Cultivating gratitude has a profound impact on our mental and emotional wellbeing In a gratitude journal, focus on recording things you are grateful for each day It can be as simple as appreciating the small joys in life, such as a warm cup of tea or a kind gesture from a friend This practice shifts your focus towards positivity and helps you develop a more optimistic outlook on life.

Prompted Journaling: Using prompts or thoughtprovoking questions can stimulate your journaling practice. Consider questions like "What brings me joy" or "What are my aspirations for the future?". These prompts provide a starting point for selfreflection and allow you to explore different facets of your life and personality

Visual Journaling: If words don't come easily to you, visual journaling offers a creative outlet for self-expression. Incorporate drawings, paintings, collages, or any form of visual art that resonates with you.

This form of journaling allows you to tap into your creativity and communicate your thoughts and emotions visually.

The Impact of Journaling for Wellbeing

Emotional Release Journaling provides a safe space to express and release your emotions. By putting your feelings into words, you give them a voice and acknowledge their presence This process can lead to a sense of relief, allowing you to process difficult emotions, reduce stress, and improve your overall emotional wellbeing

Self-Reflection and Clarity: Writing down your thoughts and experiences provides an opportunity for self-reflection and gaining clarity By examining your thoughts on paper, you can better understand your own beliefs, values, and desires Journaling allows you to explore different perspectives, gain insights into patterns of behavior, and promote personal growth and self-awareness

Stress Reduction and Mindfulness: Engaging in journaling can act as a form of meditation, allowing you to be present in the moment and cultivate mindfulness By focusing on the act of writing, you can quiet the mind, reduce anxiety, and increase your overall sense of calm. Journaling can serve as a therapeutic tool for managing stress and promoting mental wellbeing.

Goal Setting and Achievement: Journaling serves as a powerful tool for setting goals and tracking your progress By documenting your aspirations, dreams, and ambitions, you create a roadmap for personal growth

5 Top Tips for Starting a Daily Journaling Practice:

Consistency is key when it comes to journaling. Set aside a specific time each day for your journaling practice It could be in the morning to reflect on the day ahead or in the evening to process your thoughts and experiences from the day Choose a time that works best for you and make it a nonnegotiable part of your daily routine Don't overwhelm yourself with the idea of writing lengthy entries every day Begin with a manageable goal, such as writing for just 5-10 minutes each day. Starting small will make it easier to stick to your practice and build momentum. Remember, the goal is to create a habit of journaling, and consistency is more important than quantity.

Experiment with different journaling mediums to find what resonates with you. Some people prefer traditional pen and paper, enjoying the tactile experience of writing. Others may find digital journaling apps or online platforms more convenient Explore different options and choose the medium that feels most comfortable and enjoyable for you

Journaling is a personal and intimate practice Release any pressure to write perfectly or impress others. Embrace the freedom to express yourself authentically, without judgment or fear of being judged. Remember, your journal is for you and you alone Give yourself permission to write without constraints and let your thoughts flow naturally

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to journaling Explore different styles and techniques to find what resonates with you. Try stream-of-consciousness writing, gratitude journaling, prompts, or even incorporating art and creativity. Allow yourself to evolve and adapt your journaling practice as you discover what works best for your needs and preference

SOBER PRIDE

Alex our Founder and Kristen, leader of the Sober Girls Yoga 30 and 60 day challenges, went to a Toronto Sober/Curious Roller Skating Pride Event this past June in Toronto. Check out some photos from this amazing event celebrating the LGBT2S+ Sober/Curious community. The organizers of this event were Luc, @marathon2sobriety and Myles, @mylessexton. Check out some of the beautiful photos from this event, and follow Luc and Myles on Instagram if you are in Toronto and want to attend their regular events in the future!

SOBER IN DALLAS

This past month, three of our members got together in Dallas for a yoga in the park event! Cindy who attended our January Bali Retreat organizes the Sober in Dallas community She is part of the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training right now Amanda and Jane who are also 100 Hour Students were present at this gathering, too.

We love seeing your gatherings around the world getting together. Email pictures to magazine@themindfullifepractice com

GOING THROUGH DIVORCE SOBER

ALONE & ALIVE

BY: LAUREN DITTLE

I found myself newly divorced Then I made the decision to be totally sober for it

I wasn’t even drinking a lot when I decided to quit alcohol last year. I remember it had been a month or more since I’d last had a drink, and I sat on the dock of my childhood lake home with my mom around the 4th of July We both had a spiked seltzer and I realized the drink just didn’t *DO* anything for me anymore.

I briefly felt a tiny buzz, then got tired, then noticed my vibration totally lower

“Why am I even doing this?” I asked myself.

I had been on this mission of gaining consciousness, clarity, and deliberately raising my frequency … So why would I be consuming something that literally poisoned, dulled, and weakened me?

I decided to jump into the 75 Hard challenge right after that, so that was the last drink I had for

several months (The challenge says no drinks, sugar, stick to a nutrition plan of your choice, drink 1 gallon of water, read 10 pages of personal development, and do two 45 minute workouts one of which has to be outdoors .. each day, for 75 days Apparently I was in the mood to kick my own ass It worked )

To be clear, I would not identify as an alcoholic before giving up booze.

But in the past I have definitely numbed myself with drugs, alcohol, crappy relationships, overbooking myself, you name it, to not feel the hurt of what was really going on inside.

Finding myself newly divorced and living on my own, co-parenting my young children in February of 2021 would have definitely been an understandable time in my life to have wanted to numb out and not think about the pain and disappointment It was deep, dark winter in Minnesota for heaven’s sake

But since I had already been on a healing journey beginning a few years prior, I was repelled at the thought of hiding these intense emotions

It’s like that part of me had died. I wanted to feel it all, I wanted to walk through the fire. I wanted to get it out to get it over with Which isn’t as clean-cut as we’d like, but there are absolutely PIECES of that pain we can “get over ” and leave behind.

I toggled between joy and bliss while I had time with my kids, freedom and self-care during time with myself on my best days / hours and guilt, anger, sadness, resentment, and self-pity on the heavier in-betweens.

I know it can seem crazy to cut off parts of your past while going through a big life transition, especially something that was a crutch before. But what you will find on the other side is your TRUTH Your baseline Your authenticity Your connection with your higher power

Because numbing, dulling, and kicking the pain down the road for another day is really not doing anyone a service Not you, and not your loved ones

You are here right now reading this because you were made for more, and you know it. So if you are going through a similar season, know you ’ re not alone, it’s SO possible to come out ahead on the other side Read on to see how I did, and continue, to do it.

Here are my best take-aways from going through a divorce, sober-like:

Feelit.AllofIt. 1

When we are out of our bodies, we are literally blocking these feelings. You’ve heard of coldhearted, closed- hearted, etc? Literally the heart chakra is energetically blocked and not allowing the feelings in, trying to protect us

from the pain But by staying closed and it is doing the opposite and NOT allowing love in or out

So hit the floor, cry in the car, let all of the emotions flow through you and out of you do not let that energy stay stagnant. Stuck energy creates physical pain and bodily issues!

Know that your emotions are just a part of this human journey, they are not good or bad, they just ARE and how lucky are you to get to feel these things??? Dragonflies or lizard probably don’t get to fall in love or have these experiences, so consider yourself lucky ;)

Let the emotions roll over you and move through your body like a wave, and know they will dissipate before your know it. Feeling the intense pain for 1 minute is SO worth the release and the relief you feel afterwards.

2.Getyourselfadailypractice,

Having a morning and evening ritual will set you up for mental, physical, and spiritual wellness

We are all different, but what works amazingly for me is a workout (weights or yoga!), meditation, a quick journal session to see what needs to be cleared or what is coming through. Other healthy habits to really engrain the showing-up-for-yourself vibes could include prayer, reading, healthy breakfast, or being in nature right away. I highly recommend keeping your phone, especially social media or email off for the first hour or more upon waking!

If you ’ re one of those who want to take your journaling to the next level, my mentor and I created this 3 month tool. In the front are our best healing tools (which helped me through my divorce, and continue to this day, btw), and then we have 3 monthly check-ins and 90 daily connections The Daily sheet takes me 5 minutes and gets me super plugged in, full of gratitude, self-awareness, and abundance!

3.ChooseyourCommunityWisely 4.DoWhatYouLove

out But I had to say NO to a lot of lower vibrational people in my life too The ones who complained a lot, who had a victim mindset, who pitied me and were painting worst-case scenarios I just did not have the energy to combat the negativity in my life, and this is something that is still serving me To know when hanging out with someone is a “hell yes ” or a “hell no ” is imperative. Stay true to your own guidance system and you will find your people!! Quality over quantity definitely applies

u ’ re en ou, uch do again!! Draw, sing, dance, paint, write, move, cook, garden, build Tap into your creative sacral chakra / inner Madonna and EXPRESS yourself! Have so much fun with this. If you need permission to play, consider it granted I got myself an iPad and taught myself how to draw digitally :) It’s a great funnel for the creative energy I have as an artist! I have digital downloads of yoga / mantra prints and created an affirmation deck as well which helped me stay busy with positive projects

5.

KeepLearning,KeepHealing!

As a self-proclaimed self-help junkie I have always eaten up all the books, podcasts, teachings etc. Pick some great mentors that resonate and keep growing! This will help get you out of funks and those darker days (However let’s not do what’s called spiritual bypassing and pretend everything is rosy when something needs to be addressed, mmmkay? Go back to #1 for those times, they are crucial for true transformation )

Books that helped me through this time -

Spiritual Divorce: Divorce as a Catalyst to an Extraordinary Life by Debbie Ford

A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

And I could not have jumped through this crazy time with such grace and dignity without my mentor Investing in yourself and a mentor that you click with is CRUCIAL!! With her help I was actually teaching workshops on peaceful divorces just months after my own split.

Now I personally offer 1:1 private coaching and occasional group sessions to help others create

their own fabulous, expansive, limitless next chapters!!

This life is as good as you allow it to be.

If you feel it’s your time to go after what you truly want to do here on Earth, please get in touch I would love to get to know you!

Summer Zoom Schedule

I am SO excited to share that after a bit of inconsistencies with my schedule for the past few months I am back with a regular, consistent yoga schedule for the summer of 2023!

Join me for once a week yoga or sober girls club The expectation is that when you sign up, you commit to all 8 sessions so we can build a special container of the same people consistently meeting and practicing together If you miss a session, we will email you the recording!

The classes have a max of 15 participants - in the past many have sold out, so make sure you sign up quickly! Sign up here.

See you on the mat!

-Alex

Sober Curious Yoga Saturdays 8am BST

Sober Curious Yoga Classes are different from a regular yoga class in that they begin with a fifteen minute check-in, giving each person a chance to pick up a “talking stick” and share how they’re doing The check-in is a judgement free zone, where we listen with compassionate curiosity and avoid interruptions and giving advice. This creates a sense of belonging, where everyone feels included and accepted, wherever they are on their journey.

After the check-in, we will transition into our practice. The first half of Sober Flow and Let Go is a more dynamic vinyasa inspired sequence of postures with the objective of building heat and moving energy The second half is focused on yin or restorative postures: an introspective practice in stillness and patience.

We will hold seated and supine yin or restorative postures for a long duration of time, getting a deep stretch for the tissues and releasing tension from the body This practice balances the yin and the yang and you’ll leave here feeling centered.

Mindful Flow 2: Saturdays 8am EST

Alex is so excited to be back with a consistent, eight week season of yoga classes! Mindful Flow2 is strong, fluid and dynamic Similar to vinyasa style of yoga, this class links movement with breath, and breath with movement. This is an active and challenging class, however it will be easily modified and accessible to all levels Yoga is not supposed to look good, it's supposed to feel good - so move in the way that feels good for your body today! Page 30

Mindful Sweat: Sundays at 8am EST

Join us for uplifting music, a fun vibe and a good sweat! Inspired by the fitness of Barre and the atmosphere of a Bar! After a yoga-inspired warm-up, we will move into power modetoning and strengthening the body with functional movement exercises set to upbeat music Depending on the theme, there may be a yoga flow interlude or a cardio burst, with low impact options offered. We'll seamlessly transition into a powerful core section, and then a mindful stretch at the end You'll leave having strengthened and stretched your body, and centered your mind. A chair or countertop in place of a Barre is highly recommended for balance and support Light weights are optional but encouraged, and you may also like to have yoga blocks handy

Sober Girls Club Speaker Series at 9am EST

Sober Girls Club is a special weekly session only for women Begin with a check-in and meditation led by Alex each week After the meditation, Alex will have different offeringswhether it's a journal prompt and share or a guest speaker. These meetings will help you connect to community, establish your self worth, and discover yourself

Krysty Krywko (New York) July 9

Krysty, the founder of Purple Dog Sober, is a Canadian residing in New York She is a Gray Area Drinking Coach, teaches Radical Sketchbooking, and is a student in Alex's 100 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (Deep Dive)

Kelly Belew (Virginia) July 16

Kelly Belew has been a member of the Mindful Life Practice community for a few years! A graduate of the Sober Curious 30 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Kelly led circles with us for a long time on our platform and also founded her own sober community We are so excited to have her share her story with us on July 16

Jane Ballard (Texas) July 23

Jane Ballard came to Bali on a Yoga Retreat that Alex taught on in April of 2023 and thats where they met! From Texas, Jane is currently a student in the 100 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (Deep Dive). She is a licensed social worker and a parent Join us on July 23 to hear her sober story.

Brandi Ezell (Oklahoma) July 30

Brandi Ezell joined Alex's Bali Retreat in March 2023 and that's where they met! A mother and working in pharmaceuticals, Brandi will be joining us on the Sober Girls Yoga Adventure to India in March 2024 and also is a student in the 100 Hour Deep Dive into Sober Yoga Join us on July 30 to hear her story

WORDS FROM MINDFUL LIFE PRACTICE MEMBERS (SHARED WITH PERMISSION)

"Hi Alex

As you can tell I'm doing my reflection on the weekend

My first full yoga experience...I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating such a perfect weekend for us all. There are so many words to express the experience...healing, recharging, empowering, educational, safe and positive. I can't thank you enough for following your passion as it led us to this experience

It was honestly an experience that will always stay close to my heart. I learnt so much about my mind and my body and although I'm definitely feeling the burn a little bit today I am so happy that I had the chance to push myself into something new

You really are gifted as a yoga teacher and event planner, and I look forward to what comes next. Everything was so well organized and smoothly run. Thank you, thank you, thank you times one million."

-Mikayla in Abu Dhabi

UPCOMING YOGA TEACHER TRAINING SCHEDULE

PROGRAM

200 HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING (ONLINE)

200 HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING IN BALI

300 HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING IN BALI

START DATE

JULY 9, 2024 AT 6-8AM EST (SUNDAYS)

JULY 1 - 21, 2024

ONLINE & IN PERSON AUGUST 918, 2024

UPCOMING RETREAT SCHEDULE

RETREAT

MEXICO MANIFESTATION

SOBER GIRLS YOGA ADVENTURE TO INDIA

SOBER GIRLS YOGA BALI RETREAT

THE CONNECTION RETREAT IN TARIFA, SPAIN

START DATE

JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2023

MARCH 9 - 16, 2024

MAY 3 - 10, 2024

JULY 27 - AUGUST 3, 2024