Photos Courtesy of John Pokrassa
Balance your DPYP! experience with consistent Class Times, convenient Babysitting, relaxing Massage, healing Cranial Sacral Therapy, personal Yoga Guidance, and beautiful, spacious Shower & Grooming areas. Valuable Membership choices also.
………….helping create MIRACLES ~~
“Many Individuals Realizing A Collective Love Expressed Simultaneously“
- Suze Curtis
“If something isn’t working, do something different.”
“Never argue about money …and… Always have faith.”
These two statements ~~ the first, from my father, who could fix ANYTHING from a toaster to a combine (large farm machinery) — and – the second, from my mother, whose very BEING is “how can I help?” ~~ became the mantras for my life. Their continued love for each other — throughout the years — their 7 children, 24 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild – compliments the compassion and integrity (they) instilled in all of us.
Throughout my entire ‘growing-up’, I was fortunate to witness strong, healthy parents and grand-parents. “Farm kids never get sick.” We had work to do – no time to be sick. My grandfather won an exhibition fight over someone half his age …and… my dad (prior to farming) was a “Golden Gloves” boxer. My mother (in her 60’s) volunteered at the local nursing home – LIFTING patients from beds to chairs and back again – and — at 69 years of age, while I was home visiting, I walked-in (on her) AFTER she had moved a huge treadmill from one room to another (through halls & corners & doorways!).
All of this positive “healthy” stimuli helped to create my BELIEF and subsequent KNOWING that we can have balanced health (yoga influence) as long as we “walk” this earth.
I (the eldest) grew-up on a farm in South Dakota – plenty of sunshine, fresh air, good wholesome food, good healthy exercise (chores). When I moved to the “big city” (Sioux Falls, SD) in 1979 and told my parents I had joined a gym, my dad’s first comment was: “You mean you’re going to pay money to go inside a building and lift weights! Come back to the farm and pick rocks.” (i.e. this entailed digging huge boulders out of the ground and lifting them into a truck to be hauled away — leaving the field open for plowing/planting). Gyms were virtually non-existent at that time — especially in South Dakota.
From 1979 through 1995, exercise was the “stress-relief” from my work-day. The majority of my career was spent in the legal field – peppered with banking – and, ten years in California stream-lining offices. But ALWAYS, my heart was in FEELING healthy …and… helping others do the same.
SO – Whenever I was free from “the office”, I was teaching or training or leading seminars/workshops in various local clubs/gyms/company wellness programs.
It became apparent to me very early-on that ALL parts of our being must be acknowledged if we are to TRULY heal – that “just” diet & exercise are NEVER enough.
In 1994 (the year yoga impacted my journey), I left “traditional” corporate America; and later, in 1997, began Total Health through Balance, Inc. Initially, this involved “one-on-one” weekly coaching/counseling (working with clients in all aspects of their health); and, presenting workshops/seminars at group wellness functions and Whole Life Expos.
Over these many years, I’ve accumulated numerous certifications and accreditations — aerobics, personal training, anatomy, nutrition, environmental; including various alternative care modalities (i.e. kinesiology/reiki/ meditation/reflexology, etc.); and (of course) yoga.
Though I thoroughly enjoy all types of exercise, yoga “brings-it-altogether” for me. (1993/4) I traveled from California to New Mexico, and from Colorado to New York — practicing, listening, learning and growing with great yogi’s and yogini’s -– Brian Kest; Mark Blanchard; David Swenson; Beryl Bender Birch; Shiva Rae; Eric Schiffman; Bikram; and many, many, many more.
By “holding a pose and breathing”, you must FEEL
…and…
in feeling & expressing (sound/vibration), you can HEAL.
Many personal experiences bring me to where I am today (Newsletters) – eating disorders & low self image ~~ (…..and years later…..) from making LOTSA’ money and no debt …to…. a year of debilitating depression ….to… no money …to…. “God! What am I supposed to be doing with my life.”
~~ It IS more than just diet & exercise — To BE & FEEL healthy, happy & balanced ~~
I know people who perform the most flexible, beautiful yoga poses; and yet, they struggle with depression or addictions or (other) dis-ease.
I know people who are very rigid & tight (in their poses); and yet, they have a consistent “…..if I open my eyes, swing my legs over the side of the bed & take a deep breath — it’s a good day….” attitude about life.
In the year I experienced depression, I called home and asked my mom, “What did I like to do as a kid?” (It seemed everyone I knew - who was happy - had always known what they wanted to be). My mom answered, “Well, honey, you played with your animals — LOVED riding your horses. You helped take care of your brothers & sisters – teaching & leading them around the farm — making sure they didn’t get hurt.”
I remember hanging-up the phone thinking — What in the heck does that mean for me today? How could I make that my career? How could that make me happy?
AND (interestingly) This is exactly what I am doing today
Leading, teaching, helping people heal.
YES ~~ Yoga is extraordinary!! And…..so are many, many other forms of physical movement ~~ as long as YOU feel enjoyment in its participation.
YES ~~ Eating healthy is extraordinary!! And…that means enjoying tasty things you LOVE — including chocolate or honey or a glass of wine or that morning cup of coffee.
YES ~~ Working for a Fortune 500 Company is extraordinary!! And…..so is being a Mom or Personal Trainer or Nature Guide.
YES ~~ Having the admiration of your parents or peers is extraordinary!! And….so is acknowledgement of YOUR OWN self-value (self-love).
YES ~~ Being a recognized leader your church or spiritual organization is extraordinary!! And….so is having your own private connection (spiritual practice).
Yoga means UNION ~~ The mainstream population mistake yoga to be (only) physical poses ~~ Yoga means to create BALANCE in all parts of your life ~~
If you eat or drink or exercise or have a career or relationship or spiritual practice that is IN CONFLICT with your own truth — you create IMBALANCE in your body — in your very being.
MOVE your physical body the way — that YOU love
EAT a balanced variety of food — that YOU love
Have a CAREER (or several careers throughout your life) — that YOU love
SHARE your life with those — whom YOU love
PRACTICE spirituality — the way YOU love
From Size 15-16 (@ 22 yrs) ….to…. maintaining Size 4-6 (these past 30 years); From farm chores to weight training to bench & step & sculpt & yoga; From diets & detoxes & fasting; From emotion coaching & bio-feedback; From religion & “new age” & quantum physics ~~
The most powerful theme I’ve found to create & maintain balanced health is:
~~ Be True to yourSELF ~~
Suze
