09/06/2025
I'm Amelia Diaz Andaleon and let me introduce myself by sharing a few stories and lessons learned. Whether you're new to me or have known me my whole life, you haven't heard THESE stories and lessons. This is me sharing a process of how I had to walk the walk, what happened when I got off track, and, the humanity of falling, getting back up, resetting and beginning again. 😊
So...I did a thing! I could have left this post right here, with the links below, but, the story behind making these things happen is much more important.
1) I FINALLY hired someone to update my website: http://spirituallyfityoga.com
2) I created a private group, for students and teachers to connect, network, learn, and share. Connect with me here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1095350445997531/
Maybe there's something you might learn from my behind the scenes insights. Make yourself comfortable. There's a LOT here. You might even want to grab a journal to glean any personal wisdom which may arise from my teachings. You might read this in one shot or in different chunks, taking time to reflect after each section.
In case you don't make it all the way to the end. I just want to thank you for connecting with me here. xo, Amelia
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The backstory...
PROCRASTINATION or MINDFUL HESITATION?
LOL Call a spade a spade. I was procrastinating. Sure, I was VERY AWARE that I was MINDFULLY putting things off. In my mind, and on paper, I wrote down two intentions:
* Update my website.
* Create easier, more accessible connection with my online community.
Just being aware wasn't moving the needle. ACTION creates MANIFESTATION. I wasn't taking action.
MEMORY: I remember my daughter and her friends running up to me in middle school and asking "Will you manifest for us that we get A's on our math test?" LOL
That's not how it works. And, yet, in the "law of attraction" "setting intention, manifestation world", there is a misunderstanding about just putting your positive thoughts and energy out there to make your dreams come true. Kind've like the myth I heard in college, that "learning by osmosis" worked by soaking up the information while you slept with your text book under your pillow overnight.
It's in our nature to choose ease. Sometimes that shows up as wanting the easy (lazy) way out. No criticism. No shame. This is just how our unchecked humanity can manifest itself.
==> Are you mindfully aware of what you're putting off, like a little gremlin nagging you in your peripheral vision, and choosing to ignore it?
IS HABITUAL THINKING RULING YOUR WORLD?
Unknowingly, you might be repeating thoughts, creating strong affirmations like: "Not now. I'm too tired. I'll get to it later. I have other priorities."
Instead of creating a habit to focus and complete your projects, are you normalizing distractions and procrastination? OR, if you dig a little deeper, maybe your "WHY" is not strong enough to motivate you over the finish line.
I had all kinds of excuses which I told myself:
- Too expensive.
- I can do it myself.
- I can't decide. Too many choices.
- I was waiting for the "perfect" person and solution.
- I had better things to do (that had nothing to do with my business.)
Finally, I realized I just had to do the thing.
Nothing is permanent. I have agency to undo, edit, choose differently, or take a detour later.
-->. Are you waiting for things to be "just right" or "perfect", and in the meantime, you're doing NOTHING at all?
WAIT, IS MANIFESTATION ABOUT DOING NOTHING OR TAKING ACTION. I'M CONFUSED!
I get it. I can get confused about this too.
I start and end my classes with "Inhale: set your intention. Exhale: I release attachment to outcomes or results."
Doing “nothing” — not forcing or controlling — can allow what’s meant to unfold. Taking action by listening to the inner wisdom which arises after you set your intentions, can move the needle towards manifestation. (eg. study and show up to classes vs. sleeping on your text books.)
Manifestation unfolds by doing nothing AND taking action, without controlling.
OUR CONDITIONING INFLUENCES OUR THOUGHT PROCESSES
If you are procrastinating, do you know why? Are you like me?
- you aim to get things right (aka you are perfectionist)
- you are a "recovering perfectionist"
- you hesitate to take action for fear of making a mistake
- you don't want to feel embarrassed
- you SAY you don't care about what others think BUT, you do
- doing something out of your comfort zone feels scary
- your expectations were shaped by your professional job
- your upbringing taught you to not make mistakes
- your life's choices are directed by trying to prove something
- you want to stop procrastinating but, don't know how...yet
Let me know if you can relate!
IN HINDSIGHT, I NEEDED THIS REMINDER TO ASK.
[substitute your words.]
- WHY do I need to [update my website]?
- WHAT is my intention of [creating online content]?
- HOW does [being online] align with my life's purpose?
--> If you want to be intentional about how you use your energy and align the words and actions you choose with your purpose and divine guidance, ask yourself WHY, WHAT, and HOW.
REASSESS.
To live a purposeful life, aligned with your natural gifts and talents, keep coming back to your WHY, WHAT, and HOW.
Yoga, meditation, and self-inquiry are everyday practices which bring me back to my center, to who I am and how I want to show up in this world...today. We update the software on our phones and computers, tune-up our cars, refresh our nail with mani-pedis.
==> Are you giving yourself routine tune-ups and check-ins?
It's like a train and the tracks, without periodic maintenance it can create a rough ride or a derailment.
TOXIC TRAIT
My personal aha moment is acknowledging that my sense of independence, confidence, self-sufficiency, and knowledge can actually be am obstacle to my personal growth.
When I am my best as a yoga teacher, I remember that I am a student first. Yet, in life, I forget that. I've lived with the habitual attitude of "I can do it. I don't need anyone's help. If I need help it makes me look weak", and, if this attitude takes over, then I become stagnant.
The biggest way this shows up is when I don't WANT to learn from others, I stop taking classes from other teachers, I create inertia by getting comfortable in my limited world of what I know.
To expand and evolve we need to be willing to learn.
THE UNTRUTH I NEEDED TO UNLEARN
If someone else has something new to teach me then it means they are better than me, that I am "less-than"; it means I am not good enough. With this way of thinking, I shrink, the gremlins of doubt creep in, and if I don't bring myself back to the present moment, it can lead me into a spiral of depression and isolation.
I didn't know I was going to travel down this road of self-discovery while reflecting on why it was so hard to check off the boxes of my website and a facebook group. But, identifying and reading what I wrote is really powerful.
You can't trip over things you are aware of and can see clearly.
Now that I see what was tripping me up, it has less hold over me.
That's the beauty of journaling and self-reflection. Whether you write it down or say it out loud, sometimes when you share you realize "wow, it seems so small now that I've said it out loud" or "no wonder I was having such a strong reaction." Self-compassion grows when you have a better understanding about what's underneath the situations which trigger strong reactions like resistance, procrastination, anger, and avoidance.
When you can shine the light on your shadows, they lose control over you.
==> Can you identify an untruth which makes you shrink and become a less powerful and confident version of yourself? Write it down. Acknowledge "who" is saying those thoughts. Shine a light on your shadows, with love, compassion, and grace.
You still with me? I know this is a lot! For some reason these insights bubbled up. When that happens, I allow it. Which is how I teach, write my newsletters, mentor, and guide. The teachings come from my personal insights. When something flows out of me, I trust there is someone reading this who may need to hear it.
Now back to the original backstory...
WHAT WAS MY MOTIVATION TO TAKE ACTION? WHAT WERE MY LESSONS LEARNED?
1) DAUGHTER WENT OFF TO COLLEGE. Once she got settled, it freed me up emotionally to focus.
LESSON LEARNED: I was putting energy into worrying about her, thinking I would be more available to her by freeing up my schedule (aka putting things off.) I was using parenting as an excuse.
2) I PRACTICED WHAT I PREACHED. I know HOW to get myself on track. I do that for others. But, I was not applying it to myself.
LESSON LEARNED: The investment I encourage students to make in themselves I finally did for myself by paying for a mentorship program which guided me and kept me accountable.
3) I RECEIVED SUPPORT, FIRED SOMEONE, AND GOT PICKY. I researched solution-providers. With my first contractor, it started great. I thought I found my person. Before my new site got launched, I realized the changes he made went LIVE before my approval. He skipped the approval process. My website, which is my business, looked like p**p for a few days and the content was wrong. WTF. Rookie mistake on his part. My mistake was giving away too much control. It gave me the urgency to get it fixed, step up my game in the vetting process. I missed the initial deadline I set for myself. I finally found someone qualified and got more involved in the process. In the end, all worked out as it was meant to be.
LESSONS LEARNED:
1) I wanted to just pay and let someone else just magically give me what I wanted, without me spending a lot of time and effort being involved. That was my FIRST MISTAKE.
2) Treat your business like a business. I was too casual because I was working with a family member. Yup, I was warned. "What could go wrong? Those kinds of things only happen to OTHER people."
3) Never give the keys to your content (eg. login, passwords) unless you get clear about expectations, the approval process, get it in writing, sign a contract. Be diligent. Don't be "nice."
4) You don't really know someone, until you take the time to get to know someone. Sadly, the first contractor was a relative of mine. I thought the Universe was telling me we could help each other out. I loved the idea of giving a job to someone who could really use it. I honestly thought it was going to be a great fit. I've learned not to be so casual about who I hire. This experience gave me the opportunity to practice firing someone with compassion and facilitating communication to keep our family connection intact, positive, and healed. There were misunderstandings, things to learn, but, no intentional harm was meant. Lessons were learned by both of us. A lot of personal and professional growth came out of this situation, and a story which may help someone else learn from my experience.
5) I feel like I need to speak specifically to yoga teachers or anyone who upholds compassionate and loving kindness as strong values (like me, and probably you if you're on this page.) Asking for what you want is not being high-maintenance or being a nag. You can be BOTH business-savvy AND kind. If your provider can't work with you and your expectations, find someone else. Don't squeeze yourself into relationships, business or personal, which are not a good fit for you. You wouldn't do that with what you wear, right? This is your life, not a pair of shoes.
WHEW! THAT WAS A LOT!
I've been feeling called to share more of my insights online. I share in my classes and especially in retreats, but, not always online. I decided I'd like to try a private group as a platform for these more personal teachings. If you're interested in more insight like this, join my group, it's free: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1095350445997531/
Let me know if you benefitted from me sharing my process and my lessons learned. If you are interested in learning more, DM me. I'm really good at teaching yoga after 15 years and teaching fitness classes for over 40 years. I've learned a lot over many decades and now support others who want to build a yoga or meditation business, or how to live your live with purpose and meaning. Lately I've been focused less on the physical practice and postures of yoga. Sharing about being "spiritually fit" feels more meaningful and purposeful to me.
The principles and practices of yoga and meditation can apply everywhere in your life, not just on your yoga mat.
If you resonate with me and find my teachings valuable, you might want to subscribe to my free newsletter for more inspiration: https://tinyurl.com/sfityoga-subscribe
SHARING CREATES CONNECTION
I mentioned that this was a way to introduce myself. I bet you feel like you know me a little better through my stories and insights, right? In my yoga teacher training my trainees learn the art of the "heart share" and storytelling. Want to create deeper more heartfelt connections in your life? Tell your stories, from your heart.
When in-person connections are not possible, I am discovering the benefits of cultivating community through online platforms like this. There is a different part of our brain, heart, and storytelling, which can give us courage to share more freely and with more clarity when we put our thoughts into writing.
CONNECTION CREATES COMMUNITY
If this introduction was your first time "meeting" me. Welcome!
And, to all of you, welcome to my online voice and virtual community. That doesn't mean AI. I am discovering my online teachings are a little different than my in-person teaching. It's an interesting observation and right now, I'm personally finding the benefit of teaching through the written word.
MY PROMISE TO YOU (AND TO MYSELF)
My posts will NOT always be long like this! Bite-sized teachings are more my style. But, today, this is just what flowed out of me!
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
I know a lot of readers will NOT read this long post. If you made it this far I assume it's because you are a seeker and something I shared sparked self-reflection and inner-wisdom. You are the person I was divinely inspired to share my heart with today. I'm grateful you are here. If you discovered about yourself, please share in the comments below. OR, join my private group if you feel more comfortable sharing there. :-)
My light shines brightest when I fulfill my purpose of leading others to discover their personal power, purpose, and peace.
May we pass the torch of loving kindness to each other and make this world a brighter, better place to live.
Namaste,
Amelia Diaz Andaleon
