Meditation Series - A Free 5-week Course begins Thursday, Jan 10 at Alive + Well!
A couple of years ago, I attended a meditation series based on the teachings of Joey Klein from his book, The Inner Matrix. It was life-changing for me. I learned to meditate in a more effective and productive way and saw REAL results in how I observed and managed my emotions.
In the past, I had always enjoyed meditation, but it never really DID much for me. I got more out of journaling than sitting quietly noticing my thoughts. In this meditation series, we learned about our brains and how our emotions trigger reactive behaviors, how habits are created and the same scene plays out no matter how much we think we have grown or changed.
I had "intellectually" understood so much about the brain and emotional intelligence, but it hadn't been fully embodied. I would read an inspiring book or attend a workshop and walk away feeling renewed and inspired, but after a week I was back to the same old reactive "habits."
Doing the daily guided meditations provided in these Inner Matrix groups helped me not only feel inspired, but empowered to have accountability tools to make a lasting change. 

I am so honored and excited to partner with my mentor Jodi Filleman as we lead another  mediations series beginning Thursday Jan 10th at Alive + Well, There are still a few spots left, if you'd like to jump in, please sign up here! 

Music + Yoga
Music and yoga were always two separate worlds for me, two websites, two business cards, two brands and two different identities. Life as an aspiring touring musician is no longer a reality as energy is taken up by kiddos and a busy daily schedule. Music still flows out of me every chance it gets. Times change and goals shift, but love of the craft remains forever in my heart. I didn't want to merge the worlds of yoga and music for the sake of saving any confusion. But, most of my songs have a silver lining and a yogic-type message to the lyrics. Music professionals would say to make my songs more "edgy" to write more about "love" and things people could relate to. But my heart wants to sing what's inside of it, what's true for me, what feels authentic and REAL. Sometimes, sure,  it's about love-  I've been in a relationship for 25 years, so lots to write about there. But I love writing about self-growth. It's my life's path and I love sharing it. It's appeared from pen to notebook since I was 17. So, it seems absolutely crazy to NOT mix yoga and music. It's who I am and the message in both the worlds align. 

This past year I got to bridge the gap and perform live music during a yoga class. It was so moving that I was brought to tears! I had to look away from the students for a moment so my voice didn't crack. I was in heaven watching a beautiful teacher lead while the class gracefully flowed through postures, my songs the soundtrack on that fine chilly winter morning. 

On Christmas Eve, I played "Let There Be Peace on Earth" during an incredibly soulful and gifted teacher, Sylvia's Vin/Yin class and again at the end of my Gentle class. It was awesome to play for my sweet community and to share the holiday spirit through music. 

Check out my most recent Facebook Videos to see the clips!

May you have a year of peace, ease and joy!

~Hannah

Wow, I see I haven't posted on this blog in a very long time. So much has happened that I'm just going to start fresh today. I had abandoned this webpage for awhile while I built up the brand and business, "Sweet Harmony Yoga" a lovely and huge learning experience. Back to me, my roots, as Hannah Williams....there are some very exciting things happening and I am so excited to continue to serve in all the best ways I can. My kiddos are now in school full time, both of them!! So, now I have time to do things like, edit websites, post blogs, fold the laundry and actually get it put away......it's a whole new world! 

If you're interested in backing up a bit to learn more about Sweet Harmony Yoga and the story behind it, please visit the webpage. My blog with NEWS updates will have all the info needed for a good proper "catch up."

I am forever grateful for your continued support! 

Warmly,

​Hannah

I was so excited, humbled and honored to be featured in a very cool new parenting blog. They asked some really wonderful questions and I'd love for you to check it out here! http://babyproofedparents.com/2014/01/28/pre-postnatal-yoga-guru-wednesday-wisdom/

For new parents this is a great blog to sign up for! It's funny as well as really helpful. 

Off to go do a modified workout (taking care of my diastisis recti) while Paisley naps!

Happy New Year! I get so excited this time of year for so many reasons; setting intentions, making new goals, self reflecting... It's a time rich with transformation and I feel the buzzing excitement all around me.

As my husband, Damon, and I closed out 2013 and welcomed 2014, we reflected, like almost everyone, on ways we could make our lives even better. We remembered the power of intention and positive thinking and made a commitment to ourselves and each other to stay on the path together. When we set daily intentions, we are so much more able and ready to serve the world, to let our brightest selves shine. So far it's been amazing! Either I catch myself when I start to slip, or I get to have a back up to remind me when I need an extra set of ears. 

I also love this time because at the beginning of every year, in yoga class, I go over the yamas and niyamas (the basic ways of being in mind and body) from the yoga sutras. It's so inspiring to figure out weekly how each one pertains to our current life situation, especially in pregnant and postpartum moms. 

This week we are talking about Ahimsa (practicing compassion, acceptance love and understanding to ourselves and all beings.) As new moms we can tend to scrutinize our every move. We are exhausted and going through major life changes and yet we try to push on through and are disappointed when we realize being a 'super mom" isn't as realistic as we'd hoped. We may be irritable and judgmental towards others around us as well. This week we'll practice loving kindness toward ourselves and others and feel the difference that makes. 

What are your new years rituals? Have you noticed anything different yet? 

I am so happy to be renting space at Head to Toe Dance in downtown Dripping Springs for a Mommy and Me class! (crawlers - toddlers) Class will being this Wednesday, January 8th from 11am - noon. It's a great way to practice yoga with your little one and have fun with your fellow moms!

*I will also be teaching another prenatal class in addition to my current 11:00am Saturday class. It will be 2  6-week sessions on Tuesday nights at 7:00 at the DSISD Administrative building, starting in February. Sign-up info to come!

*A new postnatal series will also begin through DSISD in Feb! It will be on Mondays at 10:30. Sign-up info to come!

I hope to see you soon!

With love and gratitude,

~Hannah

It's no wonder that I won "Most Unpredictable" my senior year of high school.....Although opening a yoga studio wouldn't be TOTALLY unpredictable.... releasing a record, getting pregnant, moving, having a baby, getting a puppy, joining the PTA, making plans to get back to gigging AND opening a yoga studio seems like a little much! 

I recently saw a post somewhere that said..... "If you had two words to tell your younger self, what would they be?"
I thought about this for a few days and it was fun to come up with the different answers. I thought I was really clear about what I'd say, but couldn't settle on one thing! And choosing just two words was hard, I am a serious talker!

So, this fine crisp morning, I was sitting out on my back patio waiting for the puppy to do her business, looking up at the stars, kinda feeling like shit. I'm getting sick AGAIN, it's been non-stop around here with everyone passing their germs around, and I don't like not feeling well. Who does? Well, why I really hate it is because I'm crabby, I'm snappy, I'm not the person I intend to be and I'm not being my highest best self. So I forced myself through the motions of prayer/ intention setting this morning. "I choose to be my best self....I choose to love and be joyful even when I feel like crap. I choose to savor everything. 


Then BOOM! (ha ha, I accidentally just wrote boob....you can tell I'm breastfeeding!)
I got that wonderful delicious inspiration feeling. That spark! That bit of TAPAS! The fire! The zest for life! I hit a nerve!
SAVOR EVERYTHING.
The good, the snot, the ick, the smiles, the coos, the laundry piles, the dirty dishes, the dog hair, the dog piss, the whining, the joyous singing. This is my life! And I am truly blessed and grateful for it. Scratchy throat and all. 

Ah.....It's good to write a fresh new blog post on a fresh new site. New beginnings. I was going to transfer all my old stuff from blogspot over, but I think I won't. I'm going with the new fresh perspective here. 

What are you savoring in your life right now?? I'd really love to hear from you!