Be a Part of Where you Live – Contribute!

Pearls for Life;Family Yoga
Pearls for Life;Family Yoga

Many of you know me only as a yoga instructor, but my other day job is leading a 3 month creative program every summer in Spain. While not leading the program in person every summer, I spend the preceding 9 months, educating college students about the program opportunities and getting the word out through conferences, fundraisers, creative events, church-related events and speaking engagements.

This week I had the awesome opportunity to speak to thousands of college students about the beauty of dance and movement for self and spiritual expression.

If you have never been a part of a religious organization, you may not know that traditional churches historically have not given place to creativity as a means of spiritual expression; thankfully those times are changing.

One of the most beautiful parts of my life have been using my dance, yoga and storytelling to make friends around the world. While living in Germany for years, I used dance as a way to become part of the society, because citizenship and cultural appreciation go beyond learning the language and living in the community; it’s essential to share a part of who you are. So I used dance.

A few nights a week I taught everything from swing dancing to waltz to meet people, make friends and contribute to our town. So often people are afraid into integrate into the place they live; perhaps it’s based in fear or a false sense of superiority, but in the end, it’s a lose/lose situation – you miss out of wonderful friendship and the place you live misses out on your abilities and gifts.

Living in North County has been for me an all-consuming opportunity; I have wanted to give as much as receive from this little beach community I call home. Pearls For Life; Family Yoga has been a means to do what I love and meet people – not sure which I love more!

Take time to become a part of your community. Take time to give back. People who pour themselves into a place, help to create the DNA that makes it so appealing to begin with. Contribute and thrive.