Deborah Williamson's Wild Abundant Life
Yoga Teacher, Coach & Author, Deborah Williamson
Yama #4: Brahmacharya – Nonexcess Brahmacharya is interpreted by many to mean celibacy or sexual abstinence. When I first read this I thought: “This is going to be easy!” In the past week, I have come down with laryngitis and pink eye, and my husband has shingles. “Hey there, wanna apply my back ointment?” (uhhh, NO) is about as sexy as it gets around here. And unless … [Read more...]
Yama #3: Asteya - Nonstealing My name is Jessie and I steal tampons. Well, not steal EXACTLY…I have yet to run out of CVS with a box of Playtex Gentle Glides stuffed under my shirt. But if there are tampons out for the taking –in the toiletry basket at a wedding or at the gym – you better believe I am grabbing a handful. I bet one thorough search of my many bags and jacket pockets … [Read more...]
The Second Yama: Satya- Truthfulness If you search for tenderness, it isn't hard to find. You can have all the love you need to live. But if you search for truthfulness you just might as well be blind. It always seems to be so hard to give. I take comfort in the fact that even Billy Joel struggles with satya. Why is truth telling a challenge-and in his opinion-a rarity? Honesty … [Read more...]
Last weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to spend two days with Beryl Bender Birch at her workshop being held at The Center in Downingtown, PA. I met Beryl briefly last year, but this time I really had the chance to bask in her wisdom, humanness, and humor. She is 8 limbs of awesomeness. Beryl is the founder of The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute, the name inspired by the Zen … [Read more...]
This past weekend I completed Debbie’s Yoga Life Coaching weekend at Epic Yoga in Brentwood, TN. I think I am still letting myself marinate in the experience; there was so much to absorb that I think it may take a few years weeks to let it all soak into all those little grooves in my brain. I must admit that I was a little skeptical going into the weekend. What exactly is a life coach? … [Read more...]
In the past 10 years of practicing yoga, I think I have come a long way in the realm of reactivity. I rarely hurl things yell at my husband, I am less likely to crumble when someone hurts my feelings, and my Jersey Girl road rage is under control…with the exception of a few run-ins with some senior citizens. Don’t judge me. However, there is still one person who always manages to push … [Read more...]
“A**holes are your teachers,” is what yoga teacher Philip Urso said at my 5-day Live Love Teach yoga teacher training in Mexico. His colorful comment was part of a larger discussion dealing with the LLT principle “See everyone as a higher being.” Especially a**holes. Why? One reason is because the a**holes really need our compassion and forgiveness. Another reason (in case that one … [Read more...]
At yoga trainings, there is one piece of constructive criticism I get pretty consistently regarding my teaching: "You are standing weird." "Do you normally hold your arms like that?" "Do you need to go to the bathroom?" "Why are you hovering by the door?" Despite the unanimous feedback, I still have trouble breaking out of my awkward, wallflower persona. Just last week I had a … [Read more...]
It has been five days since completing Debbie's 21 day Yoga Body Cleanse, and I am still in awe of the experience. I began the cleanse with as much grace and confidence as the first time, at about 11 years old, I climbed the endless beanstalk of stairs leading to the high dive at the town pool. After about 2 seconds of standing on the board, I turned and climbed back down and got to the back of … [Read more...]
Hi Debbie, I am interested in opening a yoga studio. I'm worried that I won't be able to come up with the money I … [Read More...]
I've had a yoga studio for about a year now and have had teachers from all different yoga traditions teach here. I'm to … [Read More...]
How do I work for you? How do I travel full time with you? I've been at programs where you have mentioned that all we … [Read More...]