If something isn’t working, do something different.
Never argue about money and always have faith.
These two statements – the first, from my father, who could fix anything from a toaster to a combine (large farm machinery) — and the second, from my mother, whose very being is ‘how can I help?’ – became the mantras for my life. Their continued love for each other — throughout these many years — their 7 children, 24 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild - compliments the compassion and integrity (they) instilled in all of us.
Throughout my entire growing-up, I was fortunate to witness strong, healthy parents and grand-parents. ‘Farm kids never get sick.’ We had work to do – no time to be sick.
My grandfather would win exhibition fights over men half his age – and my dad (prior to farming) was a Golden Gloves boxer. My mother – in her 60’s – volunteered at the local nursing home lifting patients from beds to chairs and back again – and — at 69 years of age (while I was home visiting) I witnessed her moving a huge treadmill from one room to another (through halls/corners/doorways!).
All of this positive, healthy stimuli helped to create my BELIEF and subsequent KNOWING
that we can have balanced health (yoga influence) as long as we walk this earth.
I (the eldest) grew-up on a farm in South Dakota – plenty of sunshine, fresh air, good wholesome food, good healthy exercise (chores). When I moved to the ‘big city’ (Sioux Falls, SD) in 1979 and told my parents I had joined a gym, my dad’s first comment was: ‘You mean you’re going to pay money to go inside a building and lift weights! Come back to the farm and pick rocks.’ (i.e. this entailed digging huge boulders out of the ground and lifting them into a truck to be hauled away — leaving the field open for plowing/planting). Gyms were virtually non-existent at that time — especially in South Dakota.
From 1979 through 1995, exercise was the stress-relief from my work-day. The majority of my career was spent in the legal field – some banking - and ten years in California, stream-lining offices. But ALWAYS, my heart was into feeling healthy and helping others do the same. It had became apparent to me very early-on that ALL parts of our being must be acknowledged if we are to truly heal – that diet & exercise alone are never enough.SO – whenever I was free from the office – I was teaching or training or leading seminars/workshops in various local clubs/gyms/company wellness programs.
In 1994 – the year yoga impacted my journey – I left corporate America; and in 1997, formed Total Health through Balance, Inc. Initially, this involved one-on-one weekly coaching/counseling – working with clients in all aspects of their health; and, presenting workshops/seminars at group wellness functions and Whole Life Expos.
Over these many years, I’ve accumulated numerous certifications and acreditations — aerobics, personal training, anatomy, nutrition, environmental; including various alternative care modalities (i.e. kinesiology/reiki/meditation/reflexology, etc.); and (of course) yoga.
Though I thoroughly enjoy all types of exercise, yoga ‘brings-it-altogether’ for me.
(1993/4) I traveled from California to New Mexico, and from Colorado to New York — practicing, listening, learning and growing with great yogi’s and yogini’s – Pattabhi Jois, Eric Schiffman, Bikram, Brian Kest; Mark Blanchard; David Swenson; Beryl Bender Birch; Shiva Rae - and many, many, many more. In 1996, I began passing-on my passion for this great practice – and – I’ve been a teacher (and a student) ever since ~~ always growing, changing, evolving.
By holding a pose and breathing – you must FEEL – and in feeling & expressing (sound/vibration) – you can HEAL.
Many personal experiences bring me to where I am today – eating disorders & low self-image. And years later – from making lotsa’ money & no debt – to – a year of debilitating depression – to – broke – to – ‘God! What am I supposed to be doing with my life.’
~~ To be & feel healthy, happy & balanced ~ It IS more than just diet & exercise ~~
I know people who perform the most flexible, beautiful yoga poses; and yet, they struggle with depression or addictions or other dis-ease. I know people who are very rigid & tight; and yet, they have a consistent - ‘…..if I open my eyes, swing my legs over the side of the bed & take a deep breath — it’s a good day….’ – attitude about life.
In the year I experienced depression, I called home and asked my mom - ‘What did I like to do as a kid?’ It seemed everyone I knew – who was happy – had always known what they wanted to be. My mom answered, ‘Well, honey, you played with your animals – you loved riding your horses. You helped take care of your brothers & sisters – teaching & leading them around the farm — making sure they didn’t get hurt.’
I remember hanging-up the phone thinking — ‘What in the heck does that mean for me today? How could I make that my career? How could that make me happy?’
AND (interestingly) This is exactly what I am doing today
Leading, teaching, helping people heal.
YES ~~ Yoga is extraordinary!!
And…..so are many, many other forms of physical movement ~~ as long as YOU feel enjoyment in its participation.
YES ~~ Eating healthy is extraordinary!!
And…that means enjoying tasty things you LOVE — including chocolate or honey or a glass of wine or that morning cup of coffee.
YES ~~ Working for a Fortune 500 Company is extraordinary!!
And…..so is being a Mom or Personal Trainer or Nature Guide.
YES ~~ Having the admiration of your parents or peers is extraordinary!!
And….so is acknowledgment of your OWN self-value (self-love).
YES ~~ Being a recognized leader your church or spiritual organization is extraordinary!!
And….so is having your own private connection (spiritual practice).
Yoga means UNION ~~ The mainstream population mistakes yoga to be (only) physical poses ~~ Yoga means to create BALANCE in all parts of your being – your life ~~
If you eat or drink or exercise or have a career or relationship or spiritual practice that is IN CONFLICT with your own truth — you create IMBALANCE in your body — in your very being.
MOVE your physical body the way — that YOU love
EAT a balanced variety of food — that YOU love
Have a CAREER (or several careers throughout your life) — that YOU love
SHARE your life with those — whom YOU love
PRACTICE spirituality — the way YOU love
From Size 15-16 (@ 22 yrs) ….to…. maintaining Size 4-6 (these past 30 years); From farm chores to weight training to bench & step & sculpt & yoga; From diets & detoxes & fasting; From emotion coaching & bio-feedback; From religion & “new age” & quantum physics ~~ The most powerful theme I’ve found to create & maintain balanced health is:
Be True to yourSELF
Suze
………….helping create MIRACLES ~~
“Many Individuals Realizing A Collective Love Expressed Simultaneously“
- Suze Curtis