Yoga as a Path to Health, Healing and Wholeness with Monica Angelatos Part 1 l S1E061

Hello and welcome to a call for love. I believe the most powerful gift you can offer yourself is to give and receive love more freely. I'm your host Linda Rossini meditation guidance spiritual coach. Everyone has the desire to be seen, heard, respected and loved. The journey to becoming more connected to your greater purpose lies within the ability to live from the deep source of love within you. Let's begin.

Welcome Friends, Welcome to a call for love. And today I'm thrilled to share with you a two part series yoga as a path to hell healing and wholeness with my friend, Monica Angelatos, and she is the owner of be yoga wellness in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, where I guide workshops and classes. And in this episode, Monica and I talk about yoga. Now listen, either you really love yoga, or you want nothing to do with it. Or you could take it or leave it, it doesn't matter what camp you're in, you are going to love this conversation. Because it's so much more than just the practice of the shapes. Monica and I discussed, the Yoga is a path. It's not just a practice. And we offer deep insights, we laugh, we giggle we share it is a body, mind and spirit practice. So as a listener of a call for love, chances are you may be on this journey. Well, it is going to deepen your knowledge and your practice, I guarantee it. And if yoga has not been part of your life, it may be something that you consider, you know, we're always in seasons of our life. And this may be the season that you may want to invite the practice of yoga. So this is part one of a two part series. I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think. Send me messages, you can find me at global wellness education.com.

I would like to welcome you to Monica, Angelatos and she is the co owner of the yoga and wellness studio. And Burlington, Ontario, Canada. And I love her she we have become dear friends and just offers so much to her community. She is a big heart. And I know that you are going to just love meeting her as much as I always love sharing time and talks with her. So welcome, Monica.

Awww Linda, thank you so much. I you know I totally love and adore you right back.

Yeah, you just so sweet. I know that you are from Winnipeg, Canada and you have come here. What kind of skill sets did you bring when you came in to be yoga? unwellness? Because I know that you have had your hand in the studios, different studios all over the place. And you've lived all over the world. I really well, what particular skill sets do you think really accredit your studio be yoga and wellness?

Wow, what a great question. Well, you know, I mean, I've been in this industry for a long, long time. And but before I was even in an in a professional way, I, like I knew it to be true for myself, I understood that, you know, understanding myself mindfulness my body and moving my body moving, moving energy, having a relationship with the energy around me, and being able to manipulate the energy within my own body can help in my overall sense of well being and my healing. I've actually had a healing experience, where, by Through, through, I guess you could say visualization and connecting to my body on a deep way and like through meditation, and with intention, I was able to release, trapped energy in my body to help me heal. And then this was really kind of the foundation. My own sort of healing journey was the foundation to my yoga teaching. So then I you know, I wanted to learn more about how to move my body and how to how to work with the energy. When I talk about energy, I'm just talking about pranic energy or Chi energy, you know, we are all made up of energy. So it's not this abstract thing. I know that, you know, we don't, it sounds a little taboo but maybe less and less these days, I think More and more people are talking about energy and recognizing that we are just pure energy. And that often if the body is in kind of a shrunken state that it can create a blockage in the body. So for example, if you, if you like, let's say you get into a little fender bender, and I don't know, if you've ever had that experience where your your body goes into shock, because you know, you, you, you were, you were startled by this, your heart jumps out of your chest, and then your whole body tenses up. And then we get what we call whiplash. And that's the muscles essentially going into this state of being a holding pattern of tension. And then that causes all kinds of problems. So that's just like one one way or one example of how like the body can hold on to this tension in terms of it's like, it's like data that's stored in the tissues of the body. And so then the body needs, we need to know how to be able to release that stress to release that tension to release the anxiety to release the fear to release the trauma or whatever it is, it can be a physical trauma and emotional trauma, or a mental trauma that we are holding in our bodies. And so then I knew that in my case, it was definitely a trauma that I was holding on to in my body that was unprocessed. And so I was able to, through my meditation through my visualization, and through my intention, and by changing the way that I was feeling. So this is like this is truly a call to love, right? Because you're learning how to, to change your energy, right to a tune it to the frequency of love, essentially, it's just love, like I love that you call your podcast, because essentially, everything is just pure love, really, it comes right down to that. And so if you can really tap into the frequency of love, you can shift at all. And so essentially, that is what I did for myself. But there were, there's so many other things that you can do. And so the yoga piece, the mindfulness piece, these are all just tools by which you can use to, to tune into your body, and to be able to release the stuck energy so that you can be free from it. And so yoga is definitely one way because quite literally you're you're you're stretching the muscles, the tissues, the fascia, the fascia content to them as the muscles tighten, the fascial network also shrinks up. And so with the with the movement, we're able to literally loosen up your drawing in your drawing in moisture, you're getting things nice and juicy and kind of spongy. And then you're able to intentionally with awareness and with intention, and with breath, to move to move it to quite literally loosen the stuck energy. So your fascial network, in fact, has the ability to store information. It emits information, like it transmits information, it stores information, and it receives information. So your fascia is it receives it stores, and it transmits information. And so if we can, if we can tap into that, then we can release stored energy that's not really serving us any good. Right? And so, essentially, move it out. Yeah, yeah. So so the yoga so basically, you know, I'm sure like, I mean, I've done so many as you know, as you have yourself like so many trainings, you know, whether whether it's the you know, countless hours of yoga, teacher training, or of human teacher training, or yoga, Nidra training or hypnotherapy training, or do you know, all the restorative training, whatever these things are, I mean, the, you know, they all sort of come together and then, you know, create this really beautiful toolbox that we can tap into. And we all have similar toolboxes maybe a little bit different, but, but that's kind of like my, my toolbox. Yeah, and then of course, the studio. So I think my job now is more so around, you know, recognizing other people's toolboxes and just being oh my god, I gotta I you got to be here. You got to be here with me. I love you so much. i Your my community needs you. I need you. I love you and let's do this together. So I'm I'm I'm like, I've got my own little toolbox, but I also love all the people sort of close to me and close to the studio with their toolboxes as well and I love having the space to be able to little sub hub of love to be able to share that with the community.

I I think that's so true, I think what happens is that people come to yoga or to studio or to any place that really focuses on the blue, maybe possibly start exercising. And then they begin to realize that oh, you know, I'm actually feeling a little better in my mind, you know, my, my mood is improving, my relationships are improving. So there's a shift, and into No, you don't need to know exactly why that's happening. Just kind of embrace it, and then see which area really resonates with you. Because I think a well rounded community of wellness such as be yoga, and wellness, and even ID that is that you can come together and choose which really speaks to you, in order to move your body to move the energy to release the stored trauma, or stress or anxiety or pain. And then, you know, it is a call for love. It's a call to live better in our bodies. That's

right, yeah, it's really honoring it's honoring life, do you know it's living better in your body, but this body is just really a vessel. And we don't want to have the distractions of the ailing body, which prevent us from enjoying and appreciating living life and feeling grateful to be alive to have this experience in this world at this time, right now. And so you know, the body piece and the body piece and the emotional piece and the mind pieces, like bringing all these aspects of ourselves into this perfect harmony and balance, so that we can just stay in that state of gratitude and love and just really appreciating our existence in this world. Because I

agree completely. What do you say when people say I, I can't stand yoga? It's too slow. What do you say? Yeah,

well, I mean, there are different styles of yoga. But I would say especially to those there. I mean, there are different styles of yoga that are more vigorous, you know, you can go to power yoga class, or you could go to a Vinyasa class, which is, you know, faster paced, moving and a little bit more vigorous and a half is definitely, you know, can be really challenging as well, I mean, if you've ever been to Maureen's class, do you, you know, you would know that she, she can really bring you out in a very gentle, kind and loving life. And I, you'll often see me in those classes, because I love being pushed to that to that place. But I mean, you might hit up a class that's a little bit gentler, or a class that's has total stillness, like in a restorative class, you're not moving a lot, but the person that's going to go to a restorative class and doesn't really have any idea of what they're getting themselves into, is going to struggle with that. Because there's so much momentum in their minds, they're so sped up from their day, that if they come into this stillness, suddenly, all that momentum, just kind of keeps going. And it's almost as though the mind is like driving you crazy, you can't find stillness, and you absolutely, there's so much resistance, to relax, relaxing. But if you if you can come to the class with that awareness, and then you challenge yourself to remember how to relax because our nervous systems, and especially in this day and age, we are all in, we don't even realize that our baseline of of, of our normal state has, has the baseline of that has has changed, like we're all functioning out of fight or flight for the majority of our day, whether we recognize it or not. So that means that we're constantly releasing stress hormones and flooding our bodies with stress hormones. And this is in fact, taking its toll on our on our overall health and well being so it could literally shorten your lifespan, because you're in a state of stress all the time. And so we've forgotten how to relax we feel it's not just a matter of relaxing, we've forgotten of how to just be so so people now feel stress and a and feel anxious all the time. And that becomes their normal state of being they don't even realize that they're in I had this big moment one time when I was going through a stressful period in my life. And but for like an extended period of time, and I always it was kind of like this buzz inside like just that kind of underlying current of anxiousness. Right, and it was I'd wake up that way I'd go to sleep that way. I'd wake up that way I go to sleep in throughout the day, it would just be like that. And then I remember at one point when I was started, I started to do a lot of mindfulness work and you know, I have this moment in my car in the hour. sense of that buzz, you know, and I just I remember kind of looking for it, I'm like, it's not there. And I, I, it was the first time that I realized that I had sort of come back to my normal state of being. But prior to that I was just in this other place where that anxiousness was just constantly there. And I sort of had that moment. And then I really like it was, so it was just the, the, the, the polarity of it, like it was just so profound, you know, and then I really knew like how important it was to be able to remember what it feels like to just be in that normal, normal state of being. And I try to kind of weave that in to almost every single class that I teach as a little reminder for people to just check in with, like, how are you feeling like what is going on in your heart, what is going on in your mind, it's just a level of awareness, right, bringing awareness to it. And that's kind of the, that's kind of the starting point is just being aware. And when you can bring awareness to it, then you have the ability to, it's at the starting point, the shift will has already started, you know, just by being aware, you've already you're already there, it's like taking that first step through that, you know, the precipice. Yeah.

And I say this all the time on a call for love, you know, it's all about being aware, you know, if you are in a place that is not, where you're not feeling great, as long as you're aware of it. And then you know, maybe Yoga is the place for you, maybe you go for a run, or maybe you go for a walk, or whatever it is creating that awareness, and then doing something. And I often say to people, you know, if yoga is something that they don't do, and they're kind of resistant to it, as well, maybe try it, maybe try a relaxing class, when you're not feeling so great. And I don't mean sick, so that you're going to spread germs, I mean, when you're kind of feeling low or depressed, because then you're a little bit more open, to try new things. And that little stillness might be just the self compassion that you need, in order to create a space for your emotions to move through them. So if you're like, oh, gung ho, and you know, you're a runner, and you got all that adrenaline, maybe Yoga is not the time, but maybe when you're feeling a little low, like after a death, somebody passes away, or there's something a loss, I feel like there's a little bit more willingness a little bit, being more.

Yeah. But with awareness, if, like, if you, you could approach it, you could approach trying yoga with that level of awareness. And I think that that will, it will allow you to open up to this whole new world. So because like, often I'll have people come to a restorative class. And if they come, if they just come kind of blindly, then they hate their first class, and they'll never return again, do you know, they'll never come again, because they weren't able to get into that stillness. But if you come to the class with the awareness that if this is just part of the process, I'm sped up, I've got all this anxious energy, it needs to go through its course, that whole momentum, I have to let it kind of spin itself out. And then once I can get myself to that state, you're gonna have the most incredible experience where we're, you can feel your nervous system, releasing, you can feel a tingling sensation surfacing to your on on to the surface of your skin, it's like an effervescent feeling. And you just feel so light and so relaxed, and you can just see it in people's faces, you know, they take these pictures of before and after, you know, with the, the wrinkles and the smart lines of people coming into, you know, mindfulness practice, or meditation or restorative, then they leave and they're literally floating out of the room and their face is smooth and open, and their hearts are open. And it's just incredible. And now they can go back into their worlds and their lives and you know, be in the center of the storm of whatever, you know, their their life has has swirling around them.

It's so true. And, you know, if you have tried yoga, or meditation or any form, years and years ago, then maybe it's time to just try it again. Right? Maybe it's a new opportunity. We're always changing. We're always growing. And if you are a seasoned yogi, and there's a class or a form of yoga that you have not tried, maybe try it again, because maybe it's a different time in your life. Maybe it's a different guide, whatever it is, you never know how you're going to receive it, but just kind of being open open to that.

Well, you know, it's interesting that you say that I always when when there's resistance on the part of the student. I'm always sort of suggesting that they inquire as to what their aversions and preferences are. And so when we start to look at, like, you know, what is the thing that we don't like doing, like, what are the hard lines for us, and then you sort of like dig into that a little bit deeper, that's where the individual will have the greatest biggest breakthroughs in their lives, when you start to look at the things that when you catch yourself saying, I hate that I don't like that, or when the when there's so much resistance to particular thing, that is such a huge thing. It's like, those are the biggest opportunities and and you'll have the greatest biggest shifts in your in your in your life. So if you don't like something, you know, inquire why don't I like that? And, and can I can I reframe it? Can I look at it in a different way? Can I put myself in, you know, in that position? Or in that person's shoes, or, you know, Can I can I can I observe this from a different angle or a different perspective. And and it's just that is the opportunity for absolute growth. It's

so funny you saying that, because I just think back in the day, I hated brussel sprouts hated, because I always had them steamed. And it was like, Ah, right. And then it was like 2030 years later, I made these compounds, brussel sprouts, and they had this great sauce, and they are in the end, and they're crispy. Oh, my goodness, I can't get enough of brussel sprouts. So it's so interesting. We have some times that we participated in anything. And in this case, we're talking about the realm of yoga, which is very big. And we're just inviting it in again, and your brain, just when you are so resistant at something, it's really something to look at. It's a call for love. I always say this, I always bring it in again. It's a call for love. It's a call to really look. And I don't like to say change your mind. But just be open if you could soften and be open. What else can we ask more of ourselves? Yeah, yeah, I love that. And of course, I always say yoga is interesting, because one of my emails is Linda Orsini yoga. And I was thinking of changing it. But yoga, I don't think of yoga as a saunas and Asana. So shapes and poses, I think of it as a philosophy which is, which is yoke to union. So it's right, know that you, we both share this passion like crazy. But what do you think when you think of the word yoga without the asanas without the shapes? In terms of the essence of it? What do you think?

Yeah, well, I mean, even within the philosophy, so we teach this all the time. So Yoga is the asana part is literally one of eight limbs. So of Patanjali Yoga Sutras is an ancient text. And in it, he discusses these eight limbs, the eight limbs of Patanjali. So yoga, the asana part, is just one aspect. So you've got the yamas and Yamas. These are ways of conducting yourself. It's kind of like the 10 commandments, when I think about the yamas and the ominous, like, how do you behave? Like how do you how do you what do you do for yourself in order to sort of act in a proper way? And then so the moral like a moral conduct and an ethical conduct, these are sort of guides to living well, right. So you've got Yamas, neon, is Bennett goes to Tirana, Yama, you've got Asana, you've got meditation, then there are three stages of meditation. So these are all sort of the ways by which you're these are the ways that you conduct yourself in the world and the way that you're behaving, the way that you treat your body, your breath, work and your meditation, all help you in this process of evolving as a human being, of becoming a better person. And by becoming a better person like that perfection that we're striving for. We are taught that it's already within us we are already born our essence that purity is still there that love it's essentially love and and so but when we're born then you know we were going through all these things in life, there's so many things that can cause us to shrink up to become better to become hard. And the rock this is teaching us how to it's like peeling those layers away and coming back to that true essence, so that we can find our own perfection. And in the practice leads us through these various stages. And we also know is just a part of it. It's just one way we can do it through Chrono Yama, we can do it through meditation. And then through all the stages of meditation as we go up to the state of Samadhi, which is union union with what union was Love, some will call it God, but like, literally, God is just love. Do you know so I mean, in different traditions and different philosophies and different religions, and I mean, yoga is not a religion, it literally is a way of life. It's a philosophy. So we don't really like, you know, refer to God. But I mean, it's just another word. Do you know, it's just another word for love? And so,

I love that but you know, I want to say that I am so passionate about yoga. It's, it's really interesting. And my husband said to me, once God says to me, okay, what do you love more yoga or me? Love you. And I said, No, I love you more because of yoga.

That's it. I said, it makes me a better person all encompassing Linda. So your husband is stupid, so you can't possibly not love him. If you're in a state of love, you're in a state of love and that state of oneness. When we get to that state of oneness, that Samadhi it's it encompasses everything, right? And because because you are in a pure state of love, and which means that nothing can be outside of that. It includes everything, including your hubby

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