Something Worth Committing For

The word commitment is often associated with fear, self-doubt, procrastination, and impatience. Take a minute to ask yourselves why? Why can I not stick with something long enough to see the outcome that can completely transform my life and well being in a positive way. Committing to something such as yoga, martial arts, writing, mountain biking, etc can help you become more confident in yourself and your capabilities in life. You know how people say its not the top of the mountain with the glorious view that they look back and remember and feel, its the journey to the top. Once you begin to climb up that rocky, challenging, and strenuous mountain you know that deep down you have just committed to yourself that you will reach the top no matter what it takes. You have committed to go through pain, joy, peace, and challenge to achieve the goal only you have set. The greatest thing about this is that nobody else told you that you had to achieve this goal; that you had to get to the top to be a better person. You know that you must reach the top because it is something that will help you become truer to yourself. So you begin your climb, you stumble over a few rocks, sweat, and even get stung by a wasp. You have the fear that a grizzly bear can smell even your thoughts from miles away, yet you keep going. Why? COMMITMENT! So with physical obstacles, fear, and mental obstacles you still climb with one foot in front of the other taking one step at a time. You know that there is no easy way out or quick fix to the top other than to keep moving. So just keep moving, tell yourself you are almost there and how good it will feel to know that you have accomplished something so mighty like hiking this vertical climb to the top of a mountain. There is no time to procrastinate or to hide from fear or dwell on self-pity, you only slow yourself down. The climb down is always so rewarding and gratifying. You tell your self, "I did it, I committed and did it with everything I had in me and I achieved my goal!"

Bottom line, whether you are training for a specific event or sport, general fitness, or just for fun find something to strive for and to live for. Give your heart a run for its money and release the adventure from within. Committing to a practice can and will transform your very existence not just your physical appearance . Whats the fun in taking diet pills and yo-yo dieting or only pushing yourself in areas that you know are possible? Go beyond and dive deep. LIVE! COMMIT!

"Practice and all is coming" Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois -Ashtanga guru/founder

"Find your limits or edge and start there"-Abby

-Abby

Team Grappler's Guild Sandpoint Competes in Seattle

Congratulations to Jon Adams, Cord Rink, Curtis Mickelson, and Spencer Dawe for stepping into their first tournament and representing newly assembled Grappler's Guild of Sandpoint! We travelled together all the way to Seattle to compete in "The Revolution", a highly regarded tournament that drew many competitors from all over the Northwest.

Lets be honest, it takes some guts to step into a large competition for the first time after only training for under 3 months. All factors considered, the guys did excellent. The brackets were stacked with upwards of 20 men per division and we were proud to get great experience as well as take home a bronze for the team. Congratulations to Spencer Dawe for taking home our first medal!

We are all looking forward to our next tournament (competing is addicting) and I will be preparing for my return to the World Team Trials in Phoenix, AZ after taking forth last year (highlight was submitting the former World Champion of Team Grappler's Edge in Denver).

-Danny

Tim Miller's Workshop

Over this past weekend I had the opportunity to learn under Tim Miller, the first American to get certified in Ashtanga Yoga. Tim has over 30 years of practice and it was very evident in his teaching. I shared a very sweaty Mysore and Led Primary experience with about 40 other people while Tim strolled the room with confidence and grace giving adjustments. His adjustments transformed my practice. Tim's presence alone seemed so calm yet confident; masculine yet nurturing; strong yet graceful. He had this way about him that you just had no other choice than to want to just sit and absorb every word that came out of his mouth and every action that moved from his body. The energy among the practitioners who attended his workshop was very uplifting. I cannot express enough what it feels like to have about 40 people in one room practicing yoga, creating this energy through movement, breath, and focus. The more I put myself in learning situations like Tim's workshop the more life and my purpose becomes clear. Knowledge is a very powerful thing to have and the hunger for it is what keeps you alive.

Knowledge is power; The question is what are you going to do with the power?

Namaste,

Abby

Now We're Rolling...
Transformation of the Martial Arts Space

Before...


After...

PS - Very excited about the Kid's BJJ program starting Monday June 15th!

Tribute To Guruji

On May 18th 2009 I received an email from my yoga teacher in Richmond about a ceremony in honor of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. I wondered, what was the special occasion, an anniversary or birthday maybe? Sadly, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois who is also referred to as Guruji to many Ashtangi practicioners passed away. He was 93 ( he would have been 94 this July) years old and lived a long life teaching hundreds of thousands of people globally about the beauty of yoga.

The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system that Guruji has passed down over the course of 70 years has transformed not only my physical practice and health but my overall being. Entering womanhood I have grown to appreciate myself and to be thankful for the path that I have been following and who I have met along the way. My story has transformed from a girl living in a small town with big dreams to a girl not only living my big dreams but thriving and growing. Ashtanga has helped me to continue my pursuits of athleticism but to also take time to train my inner self and my mind. Having a balanced mind and body has affected my relationships, choices, and subsequently my outcomes.
Guruji has left a legacy that will fill the history books and his method will continue to prosper through everyone who practices. I can feel his wisdom around me, and his teachings will live forever for those who open their heart to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
Namaste-
Abby

The Kid Inside

The other day I found myself on my hands and feet sprinting up the side of a mountain. Not for a workout, but moreso because I let myself go and it just felt good. The sprint was, of course, short lived but as I collapsed and panted on the ground I felt a beat inside me that I hadnt felt shaken up in such a long time.



"That's just a kid. That's what I miss. Oh take me back, take me back to that beat again" - Dave Matthews Band



One of my favorite songs of all time, Dave puts it so simply, yet so truthfully. Take me back to that beat again. Being a kid isnt just tons of energy and no responsibility...its a totally different beat. Getting lost in the vitality of your body and mind is so natural; you dont even think about it because it feels so good to engage. But many of us are stripped of this gift as we age and forget to take care of our whole self. Just remember though... its never too late to get it back.

-Danny

Before and After of Our Studio

On April 3rd 2009 Danny and I opened our studio in the Cedar Street Bridge located in the heart of Sandpoint, Idaho.  We spent at least 3 weeks preparing and creating our space and along the way took some pictures so that you can see the changes we have made.  The space itself is awesome.  It is suspended over Sand Creek which flows into Lake Pend Oreille and  you can see Schweitzer Mountain (the ski slopes) from our studio window.  It took a lot of time and hard work but I think it really paid off.  Everyone that has walked into our studio comments on the positive energy and feels welcomed...exactly what we wanted. 

Before...

After...

-Abby