Results are in!  Empowering Yourself to Transform Workshops are Complete.

We just completed my post-South American spiritual journey inspired workshop series called Empower Yourself to Transform™. I must say the jungle did us good! We experienced two weeks of Yoga every morning and 3.5 hour Sunday Workshops that included one hour of motivational speaking and two hours of meditation, chanting, pranayama and Yoga. The Sundays were just outstanding!

Getting up every morning at 6:15a to get over to The Dance Loft in San Francisco was no small feat. I was used to doing this when working with the Amazonian Shamans since they rise with the sun, but in the city, when it’s cold and windy, it’s a different feeling. But every morning like clockwork, I entered that beautiful studio and found myself remarkably at home, on my mat breathing. I was so inspired that by the 7th day I started a food cleanse so I could boost my energy naturally instead of using those morning lattes!

We worked through the Chakra system for the first 7 days visualizing each energy body, beginning to understand where it is and how it affects the whole body temple. We observed each chakra as a container and asked to release emotional tension, resistance or fear. We went within to understand where blocks might reside. We accepted the emotions as they bubbled up and addressed them with compassion and love.

Sunday, May 8th was Mother’s Day and our Releasing Negative Thoughts and Patterns workshop. What a perfect day! For the moms in the room we gave eternal gratitude for their courage to bring energy into form, into matter, the root word for mother.

We discussed the human condition of the mind and its role in our experience here on this plane of existence. We explored how we use tools like Yoga, Meditation, and Inspirational Teachings to guide us out of the subconscious negative thinking to a more conscious awareness of who we really are.

We learned to not think of “negative” as being bad, but as a gift and a signpost along our journey that we can acknowledge to help guide us to decisions that feel good. Negative is not to be judged as bad, but simply the opposite of positive. We addressed the concepts of negative thoughts being fear and resistance. Once we could see our fears and resistance we could acknowledge those fears, identify the resistance and challenge our thoughts. In challenging our thoughts we became creative and could see other perspectives. We also played with tools from Yoga and the Law of Attraction. In Yoga when we are addressed with negative thoughts we replace them with positive ones, called Pratipaksha Bhavana. In the Law of Attraction, we call this Pivoting.

On Sunday, May 15th it was Bay to Breakers in San Francisco. A big day of celebration in the city, so it was vibrating with some seriously fun energy! This was our Tools for Transformation workshop day. This workshop was designed to be the follow up to the prior week. Once we release emotion and identify our resistance what do we do with this new information? I have spent the last several years in deep study of the Laws of the Universe and I wanted to share some fun games that I’ve encountered along the way. We laughed, we shared, we cried. It was a beautiful day. We watched videos about the power of language and words. We shared some of our patterns of thought. We explored partner work using affirmations and journaling. We powerfully affirmed each other’s gifts. We used engaging tools from the Law of Attraction work and other great inspirational teachers. In the end, we started to feel how we really could EMPOWER OURSELVES TO TRANSFORM™!

After each inspirational discussion, we got on our mats and explored the various gifts that we were granted 5000 plus years ago. I’m sure these gifts are a lot older than the recording of them. We practiced meditation and pranayama techniques to clear our mind and extend our prana through the breath. We chanted beautiful mantras and then opened our bodies with Yoga asanas.

Just writing this I get goose bumps (or as my friend calls them, truth bumps!). This work really resonates with my heart. I know that my path, my dharma, is to help inspire people to reach their highest potential. I am here for Joy and Love. That’s it. I want to bring you more Joy and Love!

 

Below are testimonials from some of the workshop attendees. If you wish to bring these workshops to your city, I would be honored and I love to travel!

“You are pure BRILLIANT Nicole-your words of wisdom, your knowledge, your teachings all truly Inspiring and Uplifting!” ~Val C

“Thank you for such a great workshop. Even though it was just an afternoon it shed light on what has been happening for me this entire year. Such a gift you are! ” ~ Michelle M.

“Add “motivational speaker” to the already impressive array of hats that miss Doherty wears. I just attended her Sunday class on “How to get rid of negative thoughts and patterns” and have instantly noticed a boost in my energy, outlook and general satisfaction with life. I only wish the sessions were longer and had more interaction between classmates. Next up: Tools for Transformation. If I am a better yoga practitioner and person at the end of this year, Nicole will surely be a huge part of it.” ~ Michi V.

“I have been taking private yoga as well as group yoga from Nicole for a couple of years and she is a truly gifted teacher. Her warm approach and extensive knowledge of anatomy make taking class with Nicole not only relaxing but beneficial for our tired, tight bodies. Most recently I attended a workshop called Empower Yourself to Transform with Nicole. The information she gave us was very helpful and pertinent to anyone’s yoga practice. The fun style in which the workshop was held makes it accessible for any level yoga student from the beginner to the seasoned yogi.” ~ Roxanne G

“Thanks sssooooooo much for the workshop.  I truly enjoyed it.  I’ve already had 3 opportunities to apply what we learned about the power of words!  It is amazing how sharing that with 3 different friends was so inspiring.  I didn’t really intend that to happen.  I was just going to start applying it for myself.  But, Sunday evening a friend called and said something like, “Wouldn’t it be nice if all I had to do is (blah blah blah?)”  And, I just said, “OMG, I have to share what I just learned in this workshop today!”  And, we just had a great laugh.  Then, early this morning, a friend started texting me from NYC about how horrible her life was going to be as soon as she moved and how she wasn’t looking forward to it.   And, of course, I immediately sent her the video via email and started explaining the power of words and what I’d learned.  Then, this afternoon, I was talking to a friend about her career….same thing!  So, I just wanted to share with you the impact you made on my life this week and thank you again for an amazing yoga class.  I look forward to another one soon.” ~ Lisa H

To bring these workshops to your city email Nicole Doherty at nic@nicolepresents.com
Website: http://wellness.nicolepresents.com
Yelp Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/nicolepresents-yoga-health-and-wellness-san-francisco
Follow Me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nicolepresents
Become a Fan on Facebook: Http://www.facebook.com/wellness.nicolepresents

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Free Yoga All Week in San Francisco! 

Monday May 9th – Friday May 13th

7-8:30am

Before we get into the details of the free yoga, I just wanted to say thank you to all the attendees for today’s workshop, Empower Yourself to Transform. It was absolutely incredible and inspirational to have you all participate, especially our moms. We had such a blast!  It was wonderful to celebrate the Shakti energy of the Universe and give thanks to our creators and our Mother Earth. We started the day with an inspirational talk, stoked our internal fire with chanting, deepened our breath with Pranayama techniques, gained inner strength through our Vinyasa flow practice and became deeply present with meditation!  Sounds divine doesn’t it?

As part of the Empower Yourself to Transform workshop series, I’ve opened the doors to the public!

If you are seeking some free yoga in the mornings before work come down to the studio.  BUT this space is limited so there are instructions that you need to follow!

1) EMAIL ME THE NIGHT BEFORE NO LATER THAN 10PM at nic@nicolepresents.com with your NAME, EMAIL and PHONE NUMBER to let me know that you are coming, so I am prepared to let you into the building and teach you!

2) I WILL EMAIL YOU and/or CALL YOU TO CONFIRM SINCE THERE IS LIMITED SPACE.

3) VINYASA FLOW – BRING A  MAT. WE HAVE PROPS.  (min of 10 flow classes previous experience please)

4) DONATION -  NOT REQUIRED, BUT I WILL GLADLY ACCEPT ANY ENERGETIC EXCHANGE

This is a great opportunity to have fun and get your Yoga in before work!!!

ADDRESS:
2475 3rd Street Suite #311 (3rd fl.) San Francisco, Ca 94107
This is off the T line and in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco.

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE TOOLS FOR TRANSFORMATION WORKSHOP NEXT SUNDAY MAY 15TH:
$40 IN ADVANCE RSVP AND PAY BY 5/12.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP AND GET INFO ON FACEBOOK.

http://www.facebook.com/wellness.nicolepresents#!/event.php?eid=156268257770860

 

Blessings,

Nicole

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I am incredibly inspired to write this evening after watching a new movie called Y Yoga that was handed to me yesterday by its filmmaker Arthur Klein.  I am so thrilled Arthur that our eyes met at Exhale studio in Venice at Maty Ezraty’s workshop yesterday.  Her workshop, “Moving From the Outside In: Winter Holiday Intensive for Teachers” has been intense and incredibly amazing. It is so Divine that you handed me your film during this weeks’ experience as I have been so touched at the core of my being about the importance of our jobs as Yoga teachers and how we always will be doing the work.  But most importantly, how incredibly rewarding it is to discover yourself in this process.  As much as I am humbled to be sharing the room with teachers that are in your film like Seane Corn, Vinnie Marino and other influential teachers like Kia Miller, Annie Carpenter and Jeanne Heilmann, I have a strong sense of equality in the understanding that we all started in the same place and through our steadfastness and dedication to Yoga we have let the Yoga do us!

As I watched this film I got goose bumps (called “truth bumps” by a friend) all over my body, a sure sign of its resonance that I am on my life’s path with Yoga and Spirit.  I am on a journey of the Soul and Yoga has touched me at the core of my being and has enveloped my heart.  Each day my pains, habits and past untruths get revealed and unearthed toward a state of true healing.  I see this same discovery of light emanating from every being interviewed on camera.  This film has simply captured the pure essence of why we get up and practice Yoga.  It shows the illumination and the vision that ensues as a result of its practice. It celebrates the “Y” of Yoga.

I say the timing is Divine too as I sit here thinking about my upcoming three month journey to the Amazon jungle in Peru. I have chosen to listen to what Yoga and the Universe is unveiling to me and  I am embarking on a journey of self discovery and healing. I am taking advantage of an opportunity to embrace Self-Love and Acceptance and to gain a deep understanding of the concepts of Allowing, Trust, Surrender and Love.  These are concepts that Yoga has been re-introducing to me bit by bit over the last several years.

Maty said brilliantly this week two things that are just many of the millions of gorgeous incites I’ve learned since my Yoga journey began that I wanted to expound upon. The first is that “compassion doesn’t always look sweet” and the second is “what shows up on your mat is what shows up everywhere in your life.”

Compassion doesn’t always look sweet.  Yoga isn’t a quick fix or a pill that cures you over night.  It’s a long, steady and in some cases arduous process that challenges you because its helping you discover  your capacity for dedication and gratitude.  Yoga allows the mind and body and soul to align over time.  Sometimes a class can be fast, hard and sweaty and other times it can be slow, still and tearful. There are huge lessons in all forms. Yoga is not a trend, although some try to argue that’s the case today, but if you are like me, and almost every one else I know, once you start Yoga gets ya.  I know very few people who stop practicing once they feel that first “wow”… the Soul connection.  The learning process never ceases and the Spirit grows stronger and the joy more astounding.

When Maty said “what shows up on the mat is what shows up in your life” I decided to test the theory. Boy…was she right on!  All those lovely old friends from my past showed up in spades on my mat that day and say a big hello.  I saw my need to be noticed by authority figures, my drive for perfection, my constant comparison to other people, my self doubt and worries that I’m not good enough.  I almost laughed out loud on my mat in Savasana because I was so glad that the class was finally over! The lesson though was huge and exactly what I asked for.. an opportunity to observe the mind and see how these things show up in my life time and time again preventing me from receiving things I desire.  Thank you Yoga and thank you Maty for allowing me this space for discovery and for showing me that I am at a place through Yoga where I can separate my mind and its misconceptions and see my Soul.  I no longer need to believe those old friends.

It is amazing to me that it took me until my late thirties to start to release all the negative patterning and distortions of the mind, but I know its unfolding perfectly the way that it was intended.  So as I wind down for the evening tonight I feel nothing but gratitude, grace, compassion, dedication and forgiveness and a bit of muscle soreness from this week!

Thank you Arthur for your movie and inspiration. Y Yoga is fantastic.  I recommend getting a copy at YYogaMovie.com

In closing, I wanted to share something that my YogaWorks teachers gave our Teacher Training class this past June upon graduation.  It’s a compilation of excerpts from essays from every student in our class that explains the “Y” in Yoga.

“Yoga is breathing. Yoga means union. Yoga is communion with God.  Yoga is a great health care plan.  Yoga is union of the mind, body and soul. Yoga is about process, not perfection. Yoga is a great tool of transformation. Yoga creates a space in which to open. Yoga is a hand to hold when you’re lost. Yoga is a way of creating oneness with my body. Beginning a Yoga class is a like a re-birth of the body. Yoga allows one to understand how to realign the pieces. Yoga. It is such a small world that yields such a great meaning. Yoga is any methodology strictly practical that leads to Samadhi. Yoga is the world around me and state of full awareness in being. Yoga is a way of life and my definition of Yoga is always evolving. Yoga is truly seeing and learning myself…all of myself without labels. Yoga is about letting an asana practice move me closer to my real self. Yoga is going home. Home to my soul, where its safe and warm. Yoga is a journey to find our truest self and to light up the path we should take. Yoga represents the conscious and unconscious melding of mind, body and spirit. Yoga is universal, for everyone, young, old, religious, non-spiritual, men and women. With Yoga we can separate from Ego and connect with our bodies and a greater whole. Yoga is seeing God in everything. It’s being comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. Yoga is a physical prayer…to move the staleness out and the possibilities in. It is a blessing.  Yoga is about connecting with my Inner self, knowing me completely and respecting who I am. Yoga means balance. Balance in life, balance in body, mental balance, and emotional balance. Yoga is a never ending journey as well as an endless body of knowledge to be learned.  Yoga isn’t just one thing – it’s several – it’s the acceptance of growth as well as the acceptance of limitations. Yoga is the most intimate relationship that I have. It is the relationship I have with myself. The one that brings me home. Yoga serves as the chance for me to connect to the roots of what is important and attempt to let the small stuff go.  Yoga is a meditative experience that challenges me to try new things with my body and release old ideas about myself and the world. Yoga is a collection of ancient practices and postures designed to heal ailments and maintain perfect health and well being by realigning the body, mind and soul into perfect alignment and harmony. Yoga is healing and calming for the mind and body encompassing divine enlightenment in simple small everyday things in realizing, “I can do this,”  “life is good,” “wow. ” Some people come into our lives and quietly stay. Others stay for a while, leaving footprints in our hearts and we are never the same.”

Thank you Yoga!

Namaste.

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***NEW CLASSES***

I have added a donation based class to my schedule at my home.
I have an awesome back patio and pool, so come join the family and have some fun! ;)

WEEKLY CLASSES:

Tuesdays & Thursdays – 9am  Level 1
Urban Lily (urbanlilyyoga.com)

Wednesdays – 8pm – All Levels  * Donation Based *
Beverly Hills
EMAIL FOR ADDRESS & INFO

Sundays – 10am
Hiking Yoga Leader – Temescal Canyon
(hikingyoga.com)

PRIVATE YOGA *** INTRO SPECIAL $100 OFF***

I’m running a Fall Special…..
3 INTRODUCTORY PRIVATE SESSIONS for $150!
That’s over $100 off.

Learn the basics or master a pose. You decide what your goals are and I will provide a road map to get there.  Privates are an intelligent approach to Yoga.  I can help you meet your objectives by customizing a program designed for you. It’s an extremely effective and safe method of learning.  Yoga is not just a physical exercise, but an entire mind, body and spiritual practice.  Privates can take many forms ranging from the physical to a more philosophical approach.

Individual, duets and small groups
In-home services (travel charges may apply)
60 or 90 min sessions

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GET YOUR DANCE ON!!! Come join YogaWorks and Wanderlust for some dancing fun on Saturday June 5th with DJ Dundhee 8pm – 11pm. Complimentary Raw Chocolate, Kambucha and Organic Wine. Santa Monica Yoga Works!

After the party Saturday night, Yoga on the Promenade by YogaWorks and Wanderlust! Santa Monica Blvd & 3rd with Kia Miller, Joan Hyman, David Kim & Tommy Rosen. Free class bring your own mat! 9- 10:30a, Sunday June 6th

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