Fusion Yoga & Wellness

04/26/2026

And the Teacher of the Year award goes to…Pain ⚡️

🔥I have been MIA for a few weeks. This 4-letter word starting with a "P" has been in my vocabulary over the past year more than any other time in my life. That story is over! Dealing with lower back spinal issues for years as they waited for their voice to be heard, they finally got so agitated from my neglect. They screamed out, loudly! Seems one agitator started it in one area as I observed it's fiery sparks deciding to travel through my body to other spaces. Like an out-of- control freight train to all my body's tracks.

🏋️‍♀️An intense workout with equipment triggered the worst hip, back and leg pain ever. I call it a "10+". I'm a die hard to push through the discomfort but only worsened the damage with pickleball (yes, i am one of those players that don't give up), intense yoga practices, lack of rest and proper care, and so on. I just hoped it would go away with time. It didn't. I complained about it to doctors and anyone within earshot sometimes. It worsened. Apologies to those kind souls who listened.

✨What we think, we attract, the Law of Attraction. My husband often repeated an old saying to me that I understand better with time, "if you don't mind, it won't matter." For those that remember, the late comedian Jack Benny said something similar in his shows.

⚕️So I decided to take better control of my language, minimize this word's use, replace it instead with more positive thoughts and words, like "healing". Then take better action and open my energy tool kit and seek additional knowledge.

📣Instead of dwelling and feeding the sensation with negative thoughts, I am more grateful as it urges me to be a better student of this teacher. Listening to what it tells me like a major siren and change courses. It was saying, "knock it off". To get more rest and let my body do what it's designed to do, heal. I pushed through injuring myself more. I always want to live each moment of every day and not want to waste it. But I compromised future days. Time to reset.

🧐The researcher inside me got ignited to fire up and find healing beyond the prescriptions and temporary bandaids. To listen to my body and the warnings and practice ancient yoga philosophy, Ahimsa, non-harming. I didn't forget this principle of love, I just hadn't been practicing well. I was creating more harm.

💓My body needs rest and self-care focus.This explains why I haven't been writing my blogs, playing pickleball, declining invitations, and basically to retreat through the healing process. And why this blog's theme is based on the P word being our teacher.

🤔Listen to what your body's warning signals are saying, stop doing the things that make it louder, release the ego, and let your body and mind repair. Rest mixed with mindful movements, research natural healing methods, seek professional guidance, and listen to your intuition.

😌Stress triggers more tension and blockages. Calming practices have an immediate effect. Like Lamaze, the method introduced for pre-childbirth since the 50s to promote relaxation and reduce the intense sensations through breath practices, gentle movements, and a focus more towards having a more positive experience.

☀️My morning ritual in the sun with bare feet in Costa Rica for manifesting positve mind, body, and spirit health.

🥑Food is medicine and there are so many other natural remedies. Anti-inflammatory spices like ginger, turmeric with black pepper. Feed your body good nutrition, clean water and seek natural remedies. Sometimes ice is best to calm inflammation and the agitated nerves, sometimes heat is best to improve circulation to help us heal.

📚Ancient and modern practices have also been my focus filling my play time with care time. Physical Therapy, acupuncture, massage and rest. The best medicine seems to have been mindfulness, positive distractions to reset and bring peace.

🤗I am a Reiki Practitioner for healing and nature lover and I miss physical activity. So I sit or stand in stillness outside every morning with bare feet to feel the earth, soak up the warmth of the sun's rays on my skin, breathe fresh air, listen to the gentle sounds around me, shift my thoughts to my body's healing ability, and calm my nervous system while activating the Vagus nerve. I allow my hands to clear and harmonize the energy in and around me. These simple energy tools have been major game changers. They are nature's way to help us renew , repair and restore our mind, body and spirit.

So listen to the teacher in you. What does the teacher say you need physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? Your sensations and intuition will guide you. Be a good student and your body will repay you in kindness.

👩‍🎓On my way to graduation,
Gina

Fusion Owner, Registered Nurse, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, R.N.

Private Yoga Events and Reiki sessions available by request:

Call 239-498-8800 for quickest response or email info@fusionyogawellness.com

BREATHE. MOVE. CONNECT.

04/21/2026

Fusion’s Explore & Restore Retreat!

🌳Escape the noise if the world to the Blue Ridge Mountains in beautiful Appalachia country in Western North Carolina this July.
The same steep ridges and lush forest valleys our early American frontiersman, Daniel Boone explored with wonder.

☮️ Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
We will create powerful intentions to manifest so “all beings everywhere may live happy and free”.

💚An amazing retreat and mind, body, spirit immersion for you. Filled with hope, inspiration, serenity and tools for when you return home.

🌄Reserve early, space is limited for your sanctuary in the majestic mountaintops where incredible sunrises in the Smoky Mountains greet you each morning.

📣The cool summer mountains are calling you!

Join us for this extended weekend in July.
Sign up early:

https://fusionyogawellness.com/explore-restore-retreat-landing-page/ — with Cheryl McBride Bailey at Art of Living Retreat Center. — at Art of Living Retreat Center. — at Art of Living Retreat Center.

04/13/2026

Become a Friend of BERT. We need better options for outdoor spaces for all to enjoy. Walking, biking, running while improving our mental and physical health 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚴🏿🌳☀️

04/10/2026

Fusion’s Explore & Restore Retreat!

🌳Escape to the Blue Ridge Mountains in beautiful Appalachia country in Western North Carolina this July.

☮️ Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Together we will create powerful intentions to manifest and celebrate so “all beings everywhere may live happy and free”.

💚We have an amazing retreat and mind, body, spirit immersion ready for you. Filled with hope, inspiration, serenity and tools for when you return home.

🌄Reserve early, space is limited for your sanctuary in the majestic mountaintops where incredible sunrises in the Smoky Mountains greet you each morning.

Hi there! Would love to have you join us at the Art of Living in Boone NC in July. Here are the details

https://fusionyogawellness.com/explore-restore-retreat-landing-page/ — with Cheryl McBride Bailey at Art of Living Retreat Center.

REGISTER HERE NOW The Beautiful Blue Ridge Smoky Mountains Are Calling You!Your body knows when it's time for a reset.You've thought about taking a break,Looked into a retreat,Dreamed about a long weekend getaway.You want to attend an experience that will feed your energy, not take from it.To gather...

03/22/2026

💪🏽Being Brave with Baron Baptiste

I never thought of myself as brave. Maybe a warrior as I tend to gear up for the good fight, but in a positive way fueled by compassion fused with passion. Whether being vocal to save the butterflies and bees, or for a healthier lifestyle for those who seek, I am ready.

But brave, no. If I reflect back on times I needed courage, I hoped for it just like the Scarecrow in Oz.

So I manifested some courage when I registered and showed up for a 3 hour Master Yoga class with world renowned, Baron Baptiste. The class was appropriately named, Ignite Your Edge. I prepared for a hot and powerful class per the instructions.

In a room at full capacity, heated over 90 degrees with side-by-side yogis, we ignited our Tapas, our inner drive. Baron encouraged us to stay...to hold a difficult pose longer than usual without attachment to expectations (aparigraha in sanskrit). And to instead be open to possibilities and see what transpires. So we did, and I stayed. I am brave. 💪🏽

Reflections of other Brave Acts that required Courage:

Relocated away from family and friends to Virginia to attend nursing school.

Committed to marriage, bought my first home, and had a baby even though a high risk pregnancy.

Left a salaried corporate executive position to become an entrepreneur with no guaranteed income or benefits.

Attend a Yoga Teacher Training, then become a teacher,  less than two years later opened a full service wellness sanctuary open 7 days a week for almost 12 years.

Lived in Costa Rica's jungle "off the grid" for 3 weeks to earn my 500 hour Yoga Teacher certification.

Solo trip as a pilgrim in NW Spain for 2 weeks to navigate and walk the Camino de Santiago (Way to St. James) and subsequent solo hiking and international trips.

Experience 4 major hurricanes since I wasn’t required to evacuate, so I chose to hunker down. Ian was the worst.

The list goes on if I reflect back. Then I am inspired to stay strong, stay mentally and physically healthy to live my life to its fullest. To stay and be present as Baron emphasized. Then reap the rewards.

So I will be brave. Join me. Maybe sign up for our first Fusion
Explore & Restore Retreat and Immersion in the Blue Ridge Mountains!🌳
Details here:
https://fusionyogawellness.com/explore-restore-retreat-landing-page/

The Wayne Dyer quote on the back wall was my perfect reminder, "Have a mind that is open to everything and attach to nothing."

Evaluate your past acts of Bravery.
What were they and how did they turn out?
What courage do you need to go on your next adventure?
What will be the benefit of having that courage?

Ok, let's go! I would love to hear about them all.

Brave and courageous warrior for possibilities,
Gina

Fusion Owner, Registered Nurse, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, R.N.

Private Yoga Events and Reiki sessions available by request:

Call 239-498-8800 for quickest response or email info@fusionyogawellness.com

BREATHE. MOVE. CONNECT.

03/07/2026

Woohoo for Raffle Winner for February Kristin!  🎁🙌
Prize = Private and Personalized 1 hour yoga class with Gina
🧘🏻‍♀️🧘🏼‍♀️
Yoga all levels class Mondays 12:00


03/01/2026

Climb to Summit and see the Light

When navigating a difficult mountain hike, I must stay focused and trust I will discover an amazing summit upon arrival. It may not be easy and there will be distractions tempting me to go off course. But I know there is always a reward waiting for me when I get back on the trail.

The same goes for navigating with determination through the lower chakras to arrive at the top, the Crown Chakra. First we must clear, restore, and balance the other six chakras; our Root, Sacral. Solar, Heart, Throat, and Third Eye. An ongoing journey of life, not just a destination.

We align ourselves physically and energetically towards Higher Consciousness. Enlightenment, a term we often hear when seeking ultimate and divine connection with a higher power. We all have a name for something bigger than us, this consciousness. What's yours? Maybe God, Creator, Divine, or Universe, for instance.

Glowing, lustrous violet hues form into a pure white royal crown found at the top center, slightly above our head. Our Crown Jewel, Sahasrara (Suh-has-ra-ra) in sanskrit means a thousand petals. We discover incredible awareness of unity, and spiritual deepening or awakening. We feel whole, infinite, and peaceful.

There are many effective methods for harmonizing our chakras and specifically for our Crown. Specific breath practices, yoga poses and meditation are beneficial.

Breathe/Pranayama:
Alternate Nostril Breathing/Nadi Shodhana with eyes closed while seated is my favorite. Seal off the right nostril as you fully inhale through the left, seal the left as you fully exhale right. Inhale right, seal right and exhale left. Pause in between breaths as able. Repeat several rounds, release then notice the shift while in stillness. Works like a charm for meditation, calming stress, and for insomnia.

Poses:
Inversions place your head below your heart, and Yin poses help us stretch while seated when held 3-4 minutes to release tension.

Savasana/Corpse Pose in stillness while lying down challenges us to release distractions and soften the physical body.

Easy Pose, Sukasana must be comfortable to enhance your ability to clear and connect. Gentle stretches first will help immensely.

Meditation:
Gentle breaths, softly, closed eyes.
Visualize violet to pure white light.
Silent O-M mantra with each exhale.
Guided meditations, and pleasant sounds like peaceful music, crystal bowls, chants, and nature release distractions so we may concentrate inward to notice what divine may reveal for us.

When we have intention and understand that what we seek is attainable with some adjustments, we are motivated to align our energy centers and nourish our Crown energy frequency. We feel and see more clearly.

Say silently or out loud, each chakras related Affirmations to energize and harmonize each frequency, starting at the Root.

❤️ I am Safe
🧡 I am Creative
💛 I am Strong
💚 I am Loved
🩵 I am Expressive
💜 I am Connected
🤍 I am Divine

My favorite mantra, "I am ready, show me the way".

Peace and Connection Seeker,
Gina

Fusion Owner, Registered Nurse, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, R.N.

02/22/2026

Gateway of a Seer

✨Do you ever just know something and then it happens, but shake it off as a "coincidence"? Or ever wonder how and why clairvoyants and seers know so much? Long ago I eliminated the idea of coincidences and now trust that I am able to "listen" to my inner light that guides me like a personal lighthouse. Trust your vibes, they speak to you when the mind is less distracted, just listen.

🍍Those who are more able to tap into higher consciousness and understanding give credit to connection with the magnificent, yet mini, Pineal Gland. It's located deep within our brain between the two hemispheres above the brainstem. The pea sized gland, our hidden "eye" is shaped like a small pinecone, pronounced pin-ee-uhl.

😴It guides our circadian rhythms through its regulation and production of the melatonin hormone triggered by light exposure. Darkness produces more melatonin to induce sleep, and light decreases production for wakefulness.

🦌Most vertebrates, like mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles also have a pineal gland and I believe that's why they have such keen intuition about people, events, and potential danger. They are not bombarded like humans with too much thinking so they are able to be more aware. Babies and small children with their minimal use of words and questioning what they may see are often tapped into mysterious knowing, like "old souls".

It is common unfortunately for the pineal to become calcified due to toxic chemicals in our water, air, and food. A safe detox plan helps clear the gland's abilities for intuition and perception to thrive. A healthy diet, clean air and water, sound healings with specific frequencies, and meditation practices give us a tune-UP to tune-IN to higher vibrational consciousness. Like finding the clear radio signal after the radio's static is removed.

💜💙The associated color for the Third Eye chakra is indigo blue or deep purple. The sound related is O-M, the same frequency of our universe as recorded by scientists. When we have balanced lower chakras from Root to Heart we are then able to surrender physical consciousness to hold space for this 6th sense to speak to us. "Repeat, "I seek and listen my inner wisdom for guidance".

🕉️Activate your Third Eye for clarity. Visualize the OM symbol. Close your eyes, take a deep inhale, and release breath and sound with a long exhale as you chant O-M sound vibrations. Let the M linger a little longer. No one is listening, just do it. You're on your way to deeper meditation to connect with your higher, inner wisdom.

☀️Awaken. Let your eye(s)see the sunlight. Wear 💜💙to launch purposeful intention for higher connection through divine Light of the Third eye as you clear the clutter. Join the Seers.

ALL eyes wide open,
Gina

02/15/2026

Mr. Miyagi, my water bound buddy tolerates daily greetings and seems to enjoy my antics. As my beautiful blue Betta fish ages, he is less active in his vessel. It takes encouragement to get him moving. I create sound vibrations in the water intending to show my fondness for him. I speak kind words, chant various sounds, and even sing happy songs for him. He reacts as his fins flare like he's clapping and waving to me. He swims closer to this source of sound, me. The one who never sings in public for fear of embarrassment. Silly but true.

As I create these sounds with positive intentions I am also clearing and energizing my throat and neck area, our Throat Chakra. Like a Command Center where messages pass through between your brain and other receivers in and out of your body, it is also a funnel for vital food and fluids.

Like a processing plant, it takes in and sends out signals and nutrients. Our job is to keep it clear and healthy by protecting and filtering this often neglected region I call, "my body's superhighway".

Communication is a 2-Way passage. We send out and receive when we listen, speak, breathe, eat and drink.

Vishuddha, Sanskrit for our Throat Chakra energy center located in the neck area includes all sides, front to back. Sky blue in color, containing the elements of space and sound. Visualize a radiant, glowing, blue light with each breath.

We have quite a bit compacted in this small, vulnerable and vital space to sustain life. The carotid arteries and veins, cervical spine, vocal cords, wind pipe/trachea, esophagus, lymph vessels, muscles, and glands fit in to this area to keep us alive so we may experience sensations and our body may follow our brain's commands.

Deeper pranayama/breathing practices that cause vibration clear and charge the throat and help us focus the mind. Three high vibrational pranayamas are Brahmari/Bumble Bee, Ujjayi/Victory or Ocean, and Simha/Lion's Breath are fun and effective to enhance the throat chakra while clearing toxins and calming our mind.

Throat Chakra Harmonizing T-H-I-N-K before you speak Affirmation:

T Truthful
H Helpful
I Inspirational
N Necessary
K Kind

Clear the clouds in the throat and reveal clarity. Cleanse the throat with a gargle, oil pull, and brush teeth, gums and tongue. Breathe clean air.
Gentle neck stretches sideways, forward, upward and only gently back, and massages in a downward direction help clear blockages, loosen tightness, and improve drainage of lymph and blood.

Charge your Vishuddha. Wear sky blue, gargle with pure warm water, hum and sing happy tunes, and chant the mantra H-A-M,
like H-U-M.

Fish Whisperer,
Gina

P.S. This week in class we will practice sound vibrations and lymphatic self-massage.

Fusion Owner, Registered Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, R.N.

01/12/2026

Chock Full of Chakras
❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🤍

Spinning Wheel, got to go round. Clear the obstacles, restore the power centers and adjust the direction. We're going for a ride!

Time to get energized with our favorite Fusion tradition, exploring and restoring our life force energy centers, the 7 Major Chakras. We always become more connected with ourselves as we review each one, including their functions and how we can best optimize their energy and flow patterns.

The 7 Major Chakras run along the spine and are spinning spheres. These energy centers influence our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Our goal is to maintain their energy sources and movement pattern to an optimal state. We can do this in many ways with purposeful breathing and movements, meditation, sound frequency, energy healing practices and focused mindfulness. Even spending time in nature or with other positive energy sources prove to be beneficial.

A rainbow color system assigned to each chakra help us better understand their related focus. Included below is each major chakra, sanskrit translation, color and character:

Root (Muladhara) Red Stability
Sacral (Svadhisthana) Orange Creativity and Pleasure
Solar Plexus (Manipura) Yellow Inner Power
Heart (Anahata) Green Love and Compassion
Throat (Vishuddha) Blue Communication
Third Eye (Ajna) Indigo Intuition
Crown (Sahasrara) Violet/White Higher Consciousness

🎶 Enjoy these lyrics to our opening line, Spinning Wheel. by Blood, Sweat & Tears.

What goes up must come down
Spinnin' wheel got to go 'round
Talkin' 'bout your troubles, it's a cryin' sin
Ride a painted pony, let the spinnin' wheel spin

Ya got no money and yeah, ya got no home
Spinnin' wheel, all alone
Talkin' 'bout your troubles and ya, ya never learn
Ride a painted pony, let the spinnin' wheel turn

Did ya find the directing sign
On the straight and narrow highway?
Would you mind a reflecting sign?
Just let it shine within your mind
And show you the colors that are real

Someone is waitin' just for you
Spinnin' wheel, spinnin' true
Drop all your troubles by the riverside
Catch a painted pony on the spinnin' wheel ride

Someone's waitin' just for you
Spinnin' wheel, spinnin' true
Drop all your troubles by the riverside
Ride a painted pony, let the spinnin' wheel fly

So get reacquainted with your wardrobe and wear the colors that relate to your desired state of overall health! Stay tuned for additional writings as we explore together to raise the good vibes within and around us. Our energy fields are transmissible!

Chakra Enthusiast,
Gina

Owner, Certified Yoga Teacher 500ERYT, Reiki Master Teacher, R.N.

Private Yoga Events and Reiki sessions available.
Call 239-498-800 or email info@fusionyogawellness.com

Breathe. Move. Connect.

01/04/2026

I struggled trying to finalize this blog theme as I insist it must be written from my heart with guided intuition, no A.I. except spell check. It just didn't flow in, then out onto my keyboard. So I paused. Although I wanted a perfect a New Year's message, a simple one would be enough. The world would not stop revolving without more, humanity would survive. At least a few days, haha.

Joy need not come from some grand accomplishment or deed. Little things that can make every day special when we allow them to be enough and smile BIG. This treasure box from my mom reminds me, Enjoy the Little Things.

Mike Rowe, television host, narrator, and podcaster recently clarified the correct title, "Dirty Jobs", not "Dirtiest Jobs" to a caller. He points out that TV trained us to expect the extreme version and everything is being oversold. Makes sense. More, more, more mentality.

A Little IS Enough

I was blessed with little and big things this past year. My heart is happy, my soul peaceful, and my mind grateful. As I share these in writing I believe I seal the memory, and my future intentions. May it inspire you to do the same.

1. Reluctantly participated in my first women-only retreat in Costa Rica. Self-Love, not a topic I felt comfortable with, but have since discovered it's a happiness necessity. How can we love others if we don't know how to love ourselves?

Intention: Love me a little more, to love others a little more.

2. Attended my son's medical conference in Scottsdale, AZ where he was a key moderator on stage with prominent physicians. Like a proud mom, I thought, "my kid stole the show". Well, he did!

Intention: Keep celebrating his journey and cheer him on (even if it embarrasses him).

3. Survived the anguish of vacating from the most amazing wellness sanctuary, Fusion Yoga & Wellness, by practicing the Serenity Prayer. I surrendered and now teach fun yoga classes at other locations, our teachers and practitioners landed safely in their new homes, and our community still thrives.

Intention: Use wisdom to accept things that cannot be changed, move forward with courage, observe and trust what reveals itself, for us.

4. Started our weekly Explorers Book Club in the park to share and grow, and I committed to lead our first Explore & Restore Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina which has received great interest.

Intention: Envision, commit, and follow through.

5. Fusion Yoga & Wellness won an award voted on by the communities surrounding Bonita Springs & Naples. An incredible honor and will always cherish this as you recognized our small but mighty business.

Intention: Gratitude for little things, apparently enough.

6. I learned a new sport, Pickleball, in the hopes of meeting new friends. Got hooked on the game, and am taking lessons for a new skill, gaining incredible new friends along the way.

Intention: Keep moving the body (safely) and work the brain. Learn new things, grow a great circle of friends.

So, how lucky am I! Many things to celebrate, little and big. Be open and accepting of possibilities as the Universe is always conspiring for our highest good. Follow your intuition, then get out of it's way!

A little may be enough so let's not be so hard on ourselves. Things work out with good intentions.

Commit to create your amazing story, play your part. Observe and applaud as a grateful audience by reflecting on the littlest of things.

So what "little" things happened in your life that are now great treasures? Smile, write them down, say "thanks", and set an intention to bring more every day, every year.

Happy New Year!

Grateful and excited,
Gina
Fusion Owner, Registered Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, R.N.

Private Yoga Events and Reiki sessions available by request:

Call 239-498-8800 for quickest response or email info@fusionyogawellness.com with requests.

Breathe. Move. Connect.

12/18/2025

P Words have Positive Powers

During our Book Club gathering we explored the New York Times Best Seller, The Four Agreements. On the last week for this book we each summarized their messages and our perspective on how they may influence us positively for our future.

Be Impeccable with Your Word.
Don't Take Anything Personally.
Don't Make Assumptions.
Do Your Personal Best.

Then we took it further, as one of our Club participants and a retired school teacher of over 30 years shared the 4 P's she introduced as she started every school year. She posted and directly told her wide eyed students, "follow my guidelines of these P words and you won't be sent to the Principal's office". I'm sure they paid extra attention that day.

So easy! If only I would have been offered these same requirements I would have spared myself many dreaded walks to the office as misaligned student.

PROMPT
PREPARED
POSITIVE
POLITE

Typical for me, I later pondered (another P word!) each of these and then thought of some others that would be good guiding words.

For instance, Powerful, Passionate, Perceptive, Productive, Purposeful, Persistent, Perseverance, Playful, Proactive, Patient (challenge for me sometimes), and Peaceful Peacemaker.

So as I prepare for days ahead to present a better version of me in the future, I will think about many of these P words that may lead me with more focused intention.

What words most resonate with you? Are there any "P" words you would like to add?

Join us next month in the beautiful outdoors when we welcome our next read, the follow up book, The Fifth Agreement, by Don Miquel Ruiz and his son, Don Miquel Ruiz.
We meet Mondays at 1:30pm at Estero Community Park on Corkscrew Road after our noon yoga class. Join us for class or meet in the park under the pavillion.

Always an Explorer,
Gina
Fusion Owner, Registered Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, R.N.

Private Yoga Events and Reiki sessions available by request:

Call 239-498-8800 for quickest response or email info@fusionyogawellness.com with requests.

BREATHE. MOVE. CONNECT.