Loving Life Blog

Spur of the Moment Reflections

Breaking Through October 11, 2011

Blue Angels by Roland H Slee

Blue Angels by Roland H Slee

When I took my coaching certificate through CTI, the Coaches Training Institute three years ago, we were asked to find a metaphor for our coaching style. The one that came to me was “Blue Angels”.

This is how I described the coaching relationship back then:

Blue Angels. We fly together – we are strong, extremely strong, and we have a common goal. We can go high and low and we can do magical things, and still safe. We are not afraid of anything – what ever comes up is good. Everything is top secret. Blue Angels see what is important.

I get especially reminded of that every year during Fleet Week, that just passed. Sharing this fantastic photo taken by a friends, friend of mine, Roland H. Slee.  An FA-18 Hornet approaches the sound barrier during during the air show, on Saturday 8 October 2011.

Breaking trough. Sometimes I do it for and with others. Sometimes with myself. We all have challenges, or “areas for improvement” – or just a deep wish, mission, quest (you name it) that in some situations be “on the other side”, where imagination is reality. What ever you can use as inspiration on the way, take it. It may be a coach, your own metaphor, a song, an incident, frustration over something you really want to have but can’t, someone who passes your path and inspires you… let it push you over the edge.

I think I absorb inspiration from everywhere. Those are the lenses I am wearing, most of the time these days. It’s quite a survival strategy when I come to think of it. Life could be miserable, if you let it. Really – where ever you look, there is a little nugget you can get out of it. One of the wizard principles say: “Every little present comes wrapped in a problem.”

As my beloved yoga teacher, Rusty Wells, put it Sunday: “achieving something great – it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to work very hard. It may just mean that you need to stay open, and curious, and present.” That rings exactly well with the philosophy of Herringbone – envision the future, embrace the present, achieve more than you ever imagined.

Are you ready for the break through? Really? Can you face it?

I am. Come join me.

Johanna

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Prezi Pilgrimage December 1, 2010

Grateful and inspired.

The thanksgiving class by Rusty Wells and assisting team at Urban Flow Yoga was out of this world. Grateful.

The presentation software Prezi that will kick powerpoint and keynote out of this world. Inspired.

Now – the first thing I have done for a few years. The last one for 2 hours. Inspired by Tom Shadyac and Jan Troell, I decided to film it.

With a handheld camera. [iPhone]. Combining the two. Sort of. Here it is:

And yes – music by Rusty Wells: “Govinda Adi Purusam”, album Bhaktify my Love.

And – if you are as lucky as I was when having tested the film, a short documentary about Urban Flow Yoga by Rusty  came up. In case not – I have included it below.
Enjoy,

Johanna

 

And did you notice? The winter season is here! Snowflakes falling on the site. Don’t you love seasons?

 

Bonus!! This is the official Urban Flow Thanksgiving Video

 

Notes to Self: November 7, 2010

1) Don’t you ever dare even thinking about quitting something that you gain so much energy and joy from. Love singing. Love these people. Free the time to do it.

The acapella group Keeva has resumed from the summer break and is now putting a set together with new world music. Groovy.

Celebrating Change IMOW

Last performed at the Celebrate Change! event at the Metreon in San Francisco, a fund raiser event for International Museum of Women exhibiting stories of change. And, yes, we can do it for you too! Email: keevasf at gmail.com.

Inspired by Tom Shadyac, I took my second hand bike to rehearsal for the first time… over the hill. Filbert street is at one point the most steep street in San Francisco. Union street that I took is parallel. Coming over the top, I realized that my bike probably is 5th hand… the breaks were no good.

2) When buying a bike – always test the breaks in steep hills. Fast forward – can do that! Fast downhill – without breaks – not so much. And yes, I had a feeling, so I tested it early – but the thought of it…

Downward facing dog however – I love that! Urban Flow Yoga has been written about in Wall Street Journal – being the best place for downward dogs in San Francisco! Can’t more than ditto that.

Maybe one day, the International Museum of Women will exhibit all the change created by the yogis at Urban Flow Yoga, much thanks to it’s practice led by Rusty Wells. It is plenty. Amazing small and big stories with ripple effect. To be told…

With love,

Johanna

 

9/11. A New Beginning. September 11, 2010

Filed under: coaching,Entrepreneur,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 9:17 pm
Tags: , , , , ,

9/11/2001. I was in the air, one hour from landing in New York, when we suddenly turned around due to a message saying, “No airplanes are allowed to enter US air space”. Needless to say, it was turbulent times that followed.

After three days on the Irish west coast I arrive in San Diego via Atlanta. Viveca, the president of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce greets me at the airport and smiles: “Welcome Johanna, people stay here”.

I was supposed to stay four months – maximum nine. Today it is nine years.

This morning at 5:46 – 7:28 a.m., Urban Flow Yoga opened up their doors for a Meditation on Universal Peace in conjunction of 9/11 and Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganesha’s Birthday).

Ganesh is the elephant-headed diety of India, known for his ability to remove obstacles and bring success to new endeavors.

Whenever you have wishes or issues you can express that to Ganesh, with his fan-like ears, he hears everything you are expressing.

Towards the end of the meditation we were guided to meditate on what we wanted more of in our lives. “If something doesn’t work in your life – it may be time to let it go. Make room for new. Ganesh hears you – if it was your birthday today, what would you wish for?”

We sang a Ganesh mantra. Per Himalayan Academy one may always use it before beginning a journey, a new course in school, new career or job, or before entering into any new contract or business so that impediments are removed and your endeavor may be crowned with success.

Urban Flow shared this slightly modern version later today on facebook:

We ended by singing “the most ancient mantra there is” to celebrate this day:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Rusty Wells and Urban Flow – you always bring a smile to my face.

To a new beginning,

Johanna

 

Get Unstuck. Savor the Success! August 20, 2010

Savor the Success posted the following on facebook this week:

Savor the Success Women entrepreneurs! We all have our ups and downs… What do you do to motivate yourself when you you need a “pick me up”?

There were many responses – including mine – here are some of them:

Allison T Moore I always remember the “why” …The reason why I do what I do. http://www.allisontmoore.com/

Tieast Smith I look at my children and that helps

Lisa Meloche I go to the bookstore and browse books while drinking hot chocolate. Somehow I always find something to inspire me there and can’t wait to implement when I return.

Bridget Hogue I dance around my home office to Motown hits…for some reason this ALWAYS works for me 🙂

Todra Payne Take a few hours off and walk along a creek not far from my house. Very relaxing.

Mendy Cleveland I put myself around people who are positive and who influence me.

Savor the Success Wow, these are FANTASTIC words of advice. Go, ladies, go!

Felicia B. Wright icecream (lol) and positive thinking…it doesn’t help to focus on negativity

Dequiana Brooks I do a couple things when I’m down: 1) Have a good chat with a funny friend who always know how to pick me back up, and 2) Remind myself of how many people I won’t be able to help if I give up now. http://www.inspiredmedia.net/

Justine LadyLuna Lackey Ug I am a Debbie Downer today. Its a simple “put one foot in front of the other” sort of day. Other days I use music, aromatherapy, good friends, and lots of laughter.

Inna Shamis Indulge in a piece of chocolate!

Judith George Go on to Ted.com and find an inspiration talk.

Debi Rose Stay connected. Attend a Meetup of like-minded women or get involved in an online discussion. Also a good hard workout!

Ruth Stroup I clear my desk.. but dancing around the office sounds so much better. Chaka Khan, Chaka Kahn.. I feel for you….

Angie Walker Griffin Listen to Lincoln Brewster songs (This is the day and Everlasting God).

Johanna Nilsson Movement for me is key. Love dance. However, Rusty Wells yoga at @urbanflow is unbeatable. Not enough words. Makes magic.

Savor the Success Movement is so important when you feel stuck… physical movement! I was feeling down the other day because all my employees were sick and I had to keep the ship moving. I decided to cook, go to a family spa… all physical movement that was healing! Love your answers, ladies. –AJK

Now – I need to say a couple of more words about that. I know yoga is not for everyone. Vinyasa Flow yoga is now for everyone. But if it is, and you don’t try it out, you miss out of a great great gift. It is Rusty Wells and the Urban Flow Yoga team I am taking about. And here are the details:

Urban Flow – Bhakti-style

1543 Mission Street

San Francisco, California 94103

415-355-YOGA.

Enjoy. What ever you need – what you put in, you get out.

Johanna

 

 
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