This past Sunday morning, in church, our pastor gave some of the congregation an opportunity to share what they are thankful for. After a couple people shared, the mic was passed to a little girl in the front pew. I thought to myself oh cute how cute and brave of her. There was a brief pause, and I was worried she got a little nervous with us all staring at her now holding the mic, but I couldn't be more wrong. The pause was the time it took for her to climb up onto the pew with one had and turn around and face us all! She smiled and giggled the cutest giggle, bad preceded to say, "I am Thank-You-Full for..."

What a cute little trip over her words she had, but it wasn't a mistake at all. At the start of each sentence she said it again "I am Thank-You-Full for..." She was so happy and proud to share her thoughts, with none of the fear or nervousness so many of us adults have. She inspired me to share some of what I am Thank-you-full for!

There are so many things I could list, but the one I really want to share is my journey to becoming a Yoga instructor. I first had the desire to become a Yoga instructor while living in Southern California. I was a regular at Core Power Yoga studio, a studio chain known for its Vinyasa power flows, and yoga fitness. Wanting to be better at all the Asanas (poses) we practiced in class, I registered for Core Power's 200 hour teacher training scheduled for summer of 2020. Enter COVID-19 and no 200 hour teacher training.

Years passed and the desire to become a yoga instructor, never resurfaced. I would lead some yoga poses at my summer camp, or offer them during paddle board sessions, but still becoming a full instructor was not on my mind. My former summer camp boss, who does not do yoga, told me about her other friend who used to work at summer camp and now owns a wonderful yoga retreat in the Arctic circle. That sound amazing, I thought, so I immediately followed The Arctic Hive on Instagram!

For the next few years I loved seeing the Arctic Hive's amazing photos of retreats they hosted, the northern lights, dog sledding, skiing, and so many more amazing parts of their life in the Brooks Range. With my family being in a transition period (moving states, buying a house, and changing jobs) the cost of traveling the Brooks Range was never an option for me. Finally as things settled down I could finally consider attending one of they're retreats, and of course I tried to drag along my sister and my bestie.

Winter of 2024 my sister and I made the long trek up to Fairbanks Alaska, traveled 7 hours up the Dalton Highway, 63 miles North of the Arctic Circle, finally arriving in Wiseman Alaska. Where we would meet our hosts Mollie and Sean Busby, owners of the Arctic Hive. The next 5 days were an amazing blur of Yoga, meditations, outdoor adventures, and amazing views. I loved every minute of it. Mollie was not like any other Yoga instructor I had in the past. Yes we did all the asanas and flows that I love and had done for years, but she seamlessly wove in the totality of Yogic tradition, and her specialty Himalayan Kriya. For the first time in my life I learned about all parts of Yoga, and began to realize Yoga is Life. All parts of life. I had to know more.

The following year I came back to the Arctic Hive, to complete my 200 hour Yoga teacher training, and it has changed my life forever. I am so thankful that this is the 200 hour training I took, and that it found me at the perfect time in my life, a time when I am ready to share what I love with others. The decision to create Roaming Mat Yoga happened more on a whim then it probably should have, but the more Mollie taught me, the more I thought I want to share this with everyone!

Mollie reminded me during our graduation ceremony, then on one of my first days at the Arctic Hive I told her I was coming back to take teacher training with her. Another decision made on a whim that I stuck to. I am so Thank-You-Full for all the little things throughout the years that led me to training at the Arctic Hive, and the intuition I had about each step of the Journey (that I call whims).

I encourage you to take some time and write down what you are Thank-You-Full for, and write it in detail to really give it the time it deservers!

P.S. Check out all the Arctic Hive has to offer here: https://www.arctichive.com