Life is one big adventure

Natalie Thomas 7/6/20 Natalie Thomas 7/6/20

Controlling Emotional Eating through Mindfulness

One thing that we all have in common here on Earth is that we eat. We literally need food to survive. In fact, for the majority of us, our days are planned around food. Food brings us together, socially, romantically, even spiritually. Food unites our families and strengthens friendships. Business deals are often made over lunches and dinners. Milestones, holidays, and birthdays are (normally) celebrated with food. With food comes great joy. Food can heal the body, reverse signs of aging, improve digestion, and lower cholesterol. We can reach optimal health through food. However, this is a two way street. If food is misused (and I am speaking behalf of the people that have the privilege to buy food and frequent restaurants), or we reach towards large quantities of food with little nutritional value, food can become a drug — a drug that has massive, often negative, control over our lives.

Let me explain.

In western society, people are running on stress. Fear of the future, stress from work, pressure to take care of the family, health issues, financial worries, trying to live in this “new normal”, the list goes on. We thrive off of being busy and tend to find familiarity in stress. Negative feelings become a void, leaving us with a sensation of “emptiness” or “not being in control”. In effort to reverse these feelings, escape from the pain, or gain control, we reach for food. I, myself, have spent time in this not-so-fun place.

Emotional eating is when we use food, usually junk food in unhealthy amounts, in response to our emotional needs. About 75% of overeating is caused by our emotions.

Signs of Emotional Eating:

Eating more when you feel stressed
Eating when you’re not hungry or already full
Eating to soothe yourselves
Rewarding yourself with food
Eating until you’re stuffed
Eating to feel safe
Feeling powerless or out of control around food

Please know you’re not alone, and almost everyone has experienced emotional eating at some point in their lives. But also know that suppressed emotions cannot be filled with food — or the debilitating, consuming cycle of guilt, shame, and self-hatred that washes over after a binge will continue.

Emotional eating can show up in many forms. As humans we are all unique, and therefore express our feelings in different ways. EE can show up from sadness, anger, loss, social anxiety, trauma, money fears, lack of self-worth, body shaming, and/or trying to take “control” of our lives (to name a few). When I used food to cope in the past, I was mentally not in a healthy place. These sensations surfaced after a tough job when I was 23, which left me feeling anxious, “powerless”, and on-edge. Over the years, I had to re-learn how to have a healthy relationship with myself — mind, body, and soul. Not thinking I would ever fully heal, I started to notice results when I began using mindfulness practices and techniques to improve my life. I realized it was not about the food. It boiled down to my lack of control I had over my own emotional well-being. I can now thankfully say I have fully healed.

In order to change the patterns and kick emotional eating to the curb, I listed 10 Steps to help you on your own inner healing journey.

Recognize the difference between Emotional Hunger and Physical Hunger. Sometimes this difference can be tricky, but here are a few tips. EH comes on suddenly, while PH is more gradual. EH craves specific unhealthy foods for an instant rush. EH also leads to mindless eating - eating a whole pint of ice cream or an entire bag of chips. EH is not satisfied when full, and leads to feelings of guilt after eating.
Identify emotional triggers. Stress, “stuffing down” emotions, boredom, feeling of emptiness or unworthiness, social influences, depression, etc.
Journaling to log when you are feeling the urge to reach for the box of cookies, and look at the thought pattern that is triggering the binge eating emotion.
Call a trusted friend or family member when the urge arises.
Make emergency packs — proportion healthy snacks into a small bag or container.
Inner child healing — most of the time our eating habits relate back to a trauma or situation as a young kid or teen.
Ten deep breaths, slowly.
Yoga and/or Meditation, first thing in the morning. Research shows that Yoga helps reduce unhealthy emotional eating. Through Yoga and Meditation, you align the mind, body, soul, training the mind to focus and be more present. The higher part of the brain (prefrontal cortex) becomes more engaged, decreasing impulsive decisions made by the lower part of the brain.
Mantras and the power of ‘I AM’ - I recommend the book “You Can Heal Your Life” by, Louise Hay.
No More Body-Shaming — making it a point to stop reading magazines, scrolling social media accounts, and/or following people that promote unhealthy body images or unrealistic expectations on how to “look”.
Do you struggle with Emotional Eating? Feel free to reach out, or schedule a Free 20 Min Wellness Call with Nat. Please know you’re not alone. You CAN and WILL heal.

Let's Chat

Natalie Thomas 6/15/18 Natalie Thomas 6/15/18

MY 200H YTT EXPERIENCE IN BALI

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Yoga + Inner Transformation

If someone would have told me at the beginning of April what the month of May had in store, I simply would not have believed them. As fate would have it, I wound up receiving an opportunity to travel to Ubud, Bali to work while earning my 200-hour Yoga Teacher certification through the Shades of Yoga program at Taksu Spa.

Throughout my time in Bali, my experiences on and off the mat are quite hard to put into words. For one, the idea of participating in a Yoga Teacher Training can be scary, even daunting. The long hours, new faces, remembering the sequences, and thought of teaching a class is a bit intimidating. Off the mat, the foreign destination, new home/environment, and strong energy of Bali can create a massive shift in everyday life. Why are all of these concepts so scary? Because individually and collectively they all bring about change.

The definition of change means “to make or become different.” Like I discussed in a previous post, when we are settled in our daily routine, why would we want to incorporate change? Why would we want to personally be different? Why change your life and embark on a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in just 21 days? Simply put: because change can transform us in ways we have never imagined.

During the month of May, Yoga Teacher Training ushered in new energy to help explore aspects of myself I did not know existed. While I have been practicing yoga for eight years and in-depthly studying philosophy for six years, I felt my personal growth accelerate throughout the entire four weeks, which I credit to the Shades of Yoga program at Taksu. During the intensive training I was able to challenge my mind through new concepts and meditation techniques, and challenge my body through “correct” postures and alignment. These new changes to my daily routine soon started to transform my life.

My experience in Ubud, Bali at times felt emotional and uncomfortable, yet cleansing and liberating. From the second I arrived at my guest house (Kunang Kunang) to the moment I boarded the plane back to Chile, my life had gone through a transformation. Thinking back, I would not have had the opportunity for such growth if it were not for my time at Taksu with Shades of Yoga.

Before embarking on my new spiritual, yoga journey, I had a few days to settle in to the Balinese way of life. Ubud itself is a magical place. There is an array of delicious, healthy restaurants, a plethora of yoga studios, and different wellness spas on every corner. The small city itself radiates with high vibes and spirituality. The Balinese culture is rich, and the locals greatly value their traditional heritage. I immediately felt a strong sense of peace and acceptance upon arrival in this magical city.

After a few days of some relaxation from traveling, I was ready to begin my Shades of Yoga 200-hour Teacher Training course at Taksu. I must say, the venue is absolutely amazing. When I first walked into Taksu Spa, I was amidst a tranquil, tropical jungle, lush in nature. From the entrance, a small pathway leads straight to the Shades of Yoga Shala. The Shala is where my classmates and I spent the majority of our time, whether practicing yoga or engaged in lectures.

Monday through Saturday I made my way to Taksu Spa where the day began with 30 minutes of mediation, 30 minutes of pranayama breathing, and a one-hour asana class. After breaking for breakfast, the rest of the day was comprised of lectures, self-practices, and/or learning the sequences, always ending with a second one-hour yoga class.

The Shades of Yoga course is more than a teacher training, but a life course guide to living one’s highest potential. The program is designed to take you out of your comfort zone, providing the chance for all students to look deeper inside of themselves. In my experience with SOY, the regimented yoga and meditation practices began to release and uncover “blocks” or stuck energy I might have been holding on to, creating changes to how I think and feel. This process is cleansing, and causes life-lasting effects within your mind, body, and spirit. While change can be painful in the beginning, the benefits are astounding. I began to feel more “open” and my intuition became stronger. I even started to have “ah-ha!” moments to questions that have bogged my mind for quite some time. I really felt a strong shift in just four short weeks.

Not only did yoga and meditation accelerate my self-growth, but the lecture classes played an important key to my development of self-awareness and inner knowledge. The May students and I learned about the Ennegram Personality system, Yamas and Niyamas, Chakras, Spiritual Philosophies, and Anatomy (to name a few). Our group was also lucky enough to experience an hour long sound healing session. The Shades of Yoga program is extremely well-rounded, providing the students with the most top-notch teachers in the field. I felt humbled to have found a curriculum that tapped on so many different subjects. The program was also extremely supportive, providing one on one guidance and personalized attention to each person partaking in the course.

While the Shades of Yoga program is amazing in itself, the cherry on top was the serene, peaceful venue known as Tasku Spa. Taksu is not only home to SOY, but is both an exquisite restaurant and state of the art wellness center. Taksu offers an organic breakfast, lunch, and dinner made only with the finest, freshest ingredients. For Shades students, breakfast is included in the training, and I must say, this was one of my favorite parts of the program! After morning meditation and asana practice, we were given a one-hour break to indulge in the breakfast buffet. The Taksu breakfast included fresh, tropical fruit (my favorites were the papaya and dragon fruit!), granola, oatmeal, yogurt, spring rolls, sushi, coffee/tea, and an array of hot food (I definitely got hooked on the coconut yogurt). It was such a great perk to the teacher training.

Not only does Taksu Spa offer healthy, delicious meals, but top-quality spa services as well. During my time in Ubud I was lucky enough to experience the amenities and relaxing treatments Taksu Spa has to offer. For example, during lunch after a particularly physically challenging day, I was able to squeeze in a reflexology foot massage. Immediately after booking my appointment, I was lead down a cobblestone pathway to a tranquil spa house – all located right next to the Shala. Not only was the foot massage exactly what my body needed in that moment, but the session was conveniently located. During my two-hour lunch break I was able to decompress for a full hour, with time to spare to eat a healthy lunch outside at Taksu.

Aside from my reflexology treatment, I had the chance to decompress for two hours deep in the jungle for another rejuvenating spa service called The Royal Mandi Lulur. The Royal Mandi Lulur is a (highly) recommended treatment consisting of: aromatherapy Balinese massage, full body scrub, and soothing bath filled with fresh flowers. When I checked into Taksu Spa for my Royal Mandi Lulur appointment, I had the option to choose which aromatherapy scent and scrub I wanted for my treatment. From there, my masseuse lead me through the lush forest to my room – surrounded by the vibrant energy and the soft whispers of nature. Taksu is uniquely designed and sits on a small hill in the jungle. The walk to the spa is also quite beautiful. Throughout my treatment I truly felt like a queen! The staff was beyond friendly, attentive, and extremely professional, and the atmosphere gave me a sense of relaxation, peace, and ease.

With all of the changes my mind and body were experiencing, I felt extremely thankful that Taksu Spa is home to the Yoga Teacher Training venue. The space proved to be healing and nurturing, a great outlet for both myself and the other students.

As the Shades of Yoga Teacher Training came to an end, I realized how much I experienced in such a short amount of time. Life is comprised of one change after another, some external or internal, some changes we facilitate, some out of our control. Moving forward, how do we deal with these shifts when they arise? How can we release fear? How can we use change to our advantage? We must "let go" and learn to trust ourselves and know timing is always perfect. Change is the catalyst to growth, which facilitates positive transformation, which pushes us to living our divine potential. Without change, how would we reach our goals? Our dreams? How would we ever fulfill our heart’s (authentic) desires? We must believe in ourselves as we shift out of our mundane routine into a space that is foreign and new. I know for a fact that positive, yet uncomfortable, situations can lead to new friendships, better ways of living, and experiences not even imaginable. Opportunities we never thought possible all of a sudden come into fruition once we embrace change.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to deepen my insight and gather tools to use during day to day life. What a month of self transformation! Thanks to my time in Bali, I am a different person for the better.

Whether or not teacher training is YOUR calling, I hope that everyone reading this can welcome change with open arms. Buy the plane ticket, embark on that adventure, start a new project, or sign up for a 200-hour Y Your life is not in the past or future, but this exact moment. Now is always the perfect time, embrace it.

“IN THE END… We only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.” – Lewis Carroll

Natalie Thomas 4/22/18 Natalie Thomas 4/22/18

5 GROUNDING TECHNIQUES

My Top 5 Techniques To Stay Grounded...

We are awakening this very moment to a global transformation. Intense energy is coming through at lightning speed, through solar activations, lunar cycles and shifts in consciousness (to name a few). It is important during this time to protect ourselves and to stay grounded as our DNA is re-wiring and re-activating, dissolving old timelines and programmed thoughts that have been embedded in our soul since the beginning of time. As the energy shifts, we can feel less balanced, lethargic, experience head aches, and just feel “off”.

The new year energy started off STRONG (leaving many of us feeling confused and a bit sad) as we dropped old habits, people, situations, and thoughts that no longer serve us. Below are my top five ways to remain grounded during these intense, yet transformative, times of change. <3

1. SPEND TIME IN NATURE

Spending time in nature + simply connecting to the Earth rejuvenates the mind, body, and soul. Take time by the beach, go on a hike, or simply dig your bare feet into the ground. A mere 20 minutes can do wonders, leaving you with a new sense of clarity and peace.

2. YOGA + MEDITATION

Through yoga, one not only receives a great physical work out, but obtains a healthier mind as well. Yoga and meditation teaches us the act of breath work as we train our minds to become still by sitting in silence and/or hold challenging poses. The practice of yoga also creates balance and detoxification within our bodies and organs. Old emotions and dense vibrations are released, creating more space for light energy.

3. JOURNALING

Journaling is one of my favorite techniques to release old thought patterns and to gain insight about a specific situation or obstacle I might be facing. Journaling gets our creative juices flowing as we let our emotions pour out on paper. I find this technique freeing. Sometimes a single thought turns into a few pages worth of expression and releasing. If you are a first timer, I guarantee you will be surprised how much information reveals itself on paper.

4. SEA SALT BATH

Sea salt baths purify you on a spiritual level. The salt draws out and dissolves negative energies that are held within our bodies — from our own thoughts and experiences, or through interactions with other people. When we surround ourselves with others who might feel anxious or stressed, we can naturally take on these energies as if our own. Salt not only grounds you, but clears your aura as well — leaving you feeling lighter and more balanced.

5. CREATIVITY

What drives your soul? Do you like to paint? Draw? Play an instrument? Plan an event? Think of something that you LOVE (or miss) doing. If this seems impossible, what small step can you take to get closer to feeling creative? As we embrace our passions and acknowledge our creativity, (without judgement), our vibrations rise, creating a balance between mind, body, and spirit.

"With greater understanding comes greater knowing. With greater knowing comes greater self realization. With greater self realization comes greater wisdom. With greater wisdom comes greater truth. With greater truth comes comes greater self expansion. With greater self expansion comes greater knowledge that we are everything, yet nothing."

- The Now With Nat

Natalie Thomas 3/20/18 Natalie Thomas 3/20/18

FEELING THE SHIFT

With all the new (and rare) moon cycles since the beg of December, which has brought an intense flow of new energy, we have all been feeling the shift - which has been somewhat (or very) difficult for a lot of us. Personally, the last month has been challenging after not feeling well and very low on energy. I am just starting to get my groove back! My life also completely took a new direction and pointed me towards my next path here in Chile. It is scary, yet exciting, but the goal is to work on staying grounded and present during these intense energetic changes.

We just had one more new moon this month in Pisces which brought a sense of completion as we wrap the astrological new year (phew!) Now is the time to go deep within and focus on healing sensitive issues and past life events. Focus on honesty, communication, and truth within yourself - this will bring a greater sense of balance during this time. Tap into your creative juices and don't hold back - let your imagination run wild.