Prior to my recent trip, I was really struggling. I hid it from most, but those close to me knew, even without words. Physically, emotionally, mentally, socially… and more. When I left my government career to pursue my passions in January 2021, I had this idea in my mind that my health would start to improve; that stars would instantly align in my favor, and my stress would fade away like a cloud on a windy day. HAAH!

This journey over the last year and a half has been the biggest gift, yet it has come with some intense struggles as well. My health, for one, has seemed to bring more confusion, of course at a time when I’m hoping and expecting to feel better. Typical, right?! Not only am I encountering some age-related changes (though I don’t allow this to be an excuse, it is a reality to acknowledge and deal with), but I’ve also been dealing with the repercussions of pushing way too hard for way too long. For the first time in years, my weight and metabolic function is fundamentally changing; my hormones have been out of whack; my skin has been breaking out ever since I had covid; my liver was showing signs of weak detoxing; and my body was chronically inflamed. And, after leaving the government, with the wonderful health insurance we had, to now the life of the Entrepreneur, this has certainly upped the fear factor as well; say HELLO STRESS.

Luckily, Divine grace (via a best friend) landed me to work in a functional health clinic. A genomics test, a sensitivity testing, functional bloodwork, and other tests have allowed me to dig a little deeper and really learn more about my body from a whole new level. After these years of studying and learning more about my soul’s journey, my spiritual, mental, and emotional journey (thanks to yoga, enneagram, etc), these tests have helped me start to understand the journey of my physical body: what inherent tendencies exist, what patterns and habits were beneficial vs. harmful for my particular body.

But despite the knowledge, doing the work to change habits is HARD. Accepting that what is ok for some people is not ok for your own body is HARD. Denying yourself things that are so convenient, common, accepted, even touted in society as “good” is HARD.

I have been working on changing my habits, with the support of a coach, a group, and others. I am working to incorporate and retrain my body/mind/being to align to habits based in a foundation of ancient wisdom (Ayurveda). I have also been studying every chance I get to learn more about hormones, Thyroid health, metabolic function, women’s health, and more. In trying to learn, absorb, and change what I needed to change for my own health, I was also activating more cortisol response and creating even deeper issues with my hormones.

So, Greece was a chance for me to just unplug. Get away from the demands from others and myself, and just ALLOW myself to BE. I left with a hope to just allow myself the freedom and space to let my body find its own rhythm, the natural circadian rhythm that exists within all of us. Waking, eating, sleeping, activity, movement, meditation… With what I had already learned about some very basic ancient wisdom habits, could I give myself the space needed to allow my body to re-align itself to the circadian rhythm? That was my wish.

Right before my departure, actually, during a group coaching call and upon hearing of my current specific health struggles, my teacher’s direct instructions were that I needed to just get away, push all of the distractions aside, and focus on re-alignment. Little did she know that I was heading out to this 2-week trip of travel and yoga retreat to Greece. Talk about confirmation that I was exactly where I needed to be.

There were some aspects of the trip which did not quite support those wishes, which called on me to be flexible and, again, not try to force myself to think, belief, feel a certain way about the plans laid forth. Just ALLOW, Jess; Allow. For example, during the yoga retreat, the schedule was already set with later than desired movement, breakfast and dinner. However, I allowed myself to fall into a groove with it all. One of the best things was the food. For 2 weeks, I ate loads of fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of yummy olive oil and fresh olives, local Greek and feta cheeses, and a satisfactory amount of meats and fish. What I had (almost) none of? Processed foods, sugar, chemicals. Also, no pressure to meet a certain macro level of protein, or hit a specific quantity of water. What a gift!

Now, upon returning to learn that I had actually lost weight despite eating loads of healthy, fresh foods, I’m also noticing the processed foods and sugars creep back in, and the health issues starting to take hold again! Literally that fast!

I had known for some time now that I was very much under-nourishing myself: either not eating enough, or eating too much of the wrong things. I’ve been longing to implement a natural, whole-foods based, paleo/western price style diet for some time, but it becomes so difficult in this busy life, especially when a teenager in the house does not have the same wishes.

But here, I can directly see the shift in my own body from one lifestyle to the next. The only processed foods during my travels in Greece were the occasional gluten free bread and digestive cookies; sugar in my coffee and homemade gelato. Everything else was fresh, local, whole-foods and plant based. I did have more movement while traveling (yoga, walking); fewer long periods of sitting but no “workouts” as I feel pressured to do here. I also had more sun, natural vitamin D (though while important, it’s not the cause for this immediate return of apparent health triggers). Lastly, while I did not escape stress entirely, it was certainly minimized. We really do underestimate the effects of stress on our day to day lives. It is a silent killer.

So, I don’t really know if this will help you or not, but it’s helped me and thus I’ve decided to share this experience and journey with you. Thank you for reading! Enjoy some pictures of the yummy food we enjoyed while in Greece, and my “return to fresh” breakfast re-do from this morning. My breakfast while in Amorgos at the yoga retreat was almost exactly like this every morning; and it was wonderful. May this kick my arse in gear to really accept and ALLOW these nourishing habits to have their rightful space in my life. Do the HARD things until they no longer become hard, so that I can truly nourish and feel my best.

Announcements & Offerings:

· YIN YOGA at my intimate, private Many Paths Wellness studio is coming back! Starting the 25th of September, I’ll be offering the Sunday evening 90 min Yin yoga twice a month. Since this is a longer class, the price will be $25/class, but I’ll offer some class pack discounts and honor any remaining class packs you have. Visit the website to reserve your spot!

· END OF THE SEASON SUP YOGA! The weather is starting to change. Before we put on the sweaters and jeans, how about one more trip out on the water?? Come join me 6 pm, Monday September 25th at Azalea park in Roswell for our last SUP Yoga session of the season. Visit the website to reserve your spot!

· SACRED HEALING GODDESS CIRCLES: more on this to come, but this calling has been burning in my heart for some time now, and especially revived during my recent trip. If you can envision a welcoming safe space of deep connection, sharing, BEing, growing, and more with other women, look no further. Keep an eye out for the schedule and details coming out shortly.

· Regularly scheduled classes at Honor Yoga Roswell (HYR) and A Mindful Movement (AMM) have resumed:

o Sunday 10-11:15am Kundalini (AMM)

o (Alternative) Sundays 5:30-6:30pm Yin (HYR)

o Wednesdays 9-10am Slow Flow (HYR)

o Fridays 11:30-12:15pm Yoga HIIT Core (HYR)

o (Alternative) Fridays 6:30-7:30pm Gentle/Restore (HYR)

· PARENT/TEEN FOCUS GROUP: I’m looking for a few local parents and teens/young adults who would be interested in a night of discussion around self-development/self-confidence/self-care/self-acceptance needs of the youth today. I’ll provide some yummy food and drinks while we chat! If interested, please send me an email @ jeotieno@gmail.com.

· OTHER UPCOMING OFFERINGS: Lots of workshops and trainings asking to be released. Ayurveda, cooking, Women & Lunar cycles, Enneagram, Reiki, and more! Let me know what you’d like to learn about today! Email jeotieno@gmail.com or text me @ 404-312-0569 and give me your wishlist!