Here at uforia, we’re always looking to find the time and space to think outside the box. Inspiration comes in many forms and sometimes you have to step away from your daily routine to see what else is out there. Our uforia Rockstars inspire us everyday and to give back to the amazing people who lead us in embracing the sweat, we’ve created the uforia Inspiration Scholarship. Whether it’s a trip to a fascinating city, a workshop in their discipline, or investing in exciting new training, this scholarship sends our Rockstars on an Inspiration Journey that they chronicle with journaling, photography, and videos.
This spring, Rockstar Lissy inspired us with her application to try something new: Paddle Yoga!
“I am in constant search for new ways to help people find their passion for a healthy mind and body. I believe it is just as important for me to practice what I preach about having balance in life. As Gritty as I may get during the week with all the #gritgirls and #gritguys, it’s not all about the go-go-go constant push. There has to be time to slow down and let your mind and body recover. I want to try something I have never done before and document it so others can be inspired to try something new and create the self awareness to take time to slow down when their mind and body needs it.”
Read Lissy’s uforia Inspiration Scholarship Blog to learn all about her experience finding some inner bliss while practicing Paddle Yoga in Hawaii:
Balance
When I was notified that I was being awarded the first uforia Inspiration Scholarship, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, but honestly had no idea what I wanted to write about. I saw a sign in a cute beach boutique in Waikiki that said Live, Laugh, Love. I have this fear of being very cliche and telling people to live, laugh, and love. I feel like it creates this illusion that life should be all butterflies and rainbows. The message that I want to send is about BALANCE.
Along my journey, I was inspired by these wise words:
“Half of me is filled with bursting words and half of me is painfully shy. I crave solitude yet also crave people. I want to pour life and love into everything yet also nurture my self-care and go gently. I want to live within the rush of primal, intuitive decision, yet also wish to sit and contemplate. This is the messiness of life- that we all carry multitudes, so must sit with the shifts. We are complicated creatures, and ultimately, the balance comes from this understanding. BE WATER. Flowing, flexible and soft. Subtly powerful and open. Wild and Serene. Able to accept all changes, yet still led by the pull of steady tides. It is enough.” -Victoria Erickson.
Maybe this is what draws me to Hawaii so much–it’s the water.
Paddle yoga was such a great experience for me. I have to admit, I went in pretty confident the first day. I wasn’t just going through the motions, I was present, I was aware and I felt like I was doing great! Day two came around and I wasn’t doing so well- traveling always messes with your eating habits, and WATER intake. I had spent all day in the sun and the ocean was messing with me! I got sick to my stomach. But I went back and finished with a strong, fun third day.
I don’t want a perfect life, I want a balanced life. I can laugh until my abs hurt and truly appreciate it because because I know what it means to cry myself to sleep. I will love with a love I have never experienced before because I have experienced disappointment and heartache. I work hard so I can take multiple trips a year to visit family, friends, and experience the world. I eat clean during the week and have pizza–usually once a week…and maybe some Froyo too 🙂
I want to be like WATER. Flexible and soft. Powerful and open. Wild and serene. Able to accept all chances, and grounded by the pull of steady tides. BALANCED. Alaska has my heart, but Hawaii has my soul, it keeps me balanced.
Uforia has been a large part of my success as a group fitness instructor, and I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to use the Inspiration Scholarship to further advance my personal fitness journey. It is so important as fitness professionals to listen to our own advice and practice what we preach. Finding time to really wind down and relax between teaching Grit and Revolutions classes can be harder than you think on a weekly basis. Having a mind body connection and knowing when it’s time to take a break is so important. Finding that balance means everything.