Hannah Williams Yoga
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meditation + Music + Yoga!

1/9/2019

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meditation series
​MUSIC + YOGA

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
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Everything truly happens for a reason

8/18/2017

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"I am releasing resistance, impatience, stress, worry and fear." 

This is what I wrote during our leaf "release" ceremony for our Mother's Day retreat held at Sweet Harmony Yoga.

I didn't know at the time how much I would TRULY need to live and breathe by those words in the coming months. When I received my "cease and desist letter from the HOA board, it felt like I had been punched in the gut. Moments after, it felt as though my spirit had literally been pulled out of my skin and cradled with love. In order to move forward with grace, all I could do was keep breathing and completely surrender. I truly believed that I was being led and guided to something bigger, something that would better serve me and the greater good of all.

My lovely friend had reminded me that when Sweet Harmony began, everything was flowing, like a river, so perfectly. And now, there was merely an obstacle in the path; I had to shift directions to move back into the flow. I looked at her with despair and said, "but where is it telling me to go?!"
I wanted to control it.    I don't like being in the unknown.    But I couldn't. 
I had no choice but to close my eyes, lean back and be carried by that flow. I chose to not make any fast decisions; just notice, observe and witness what felt right. I entertained many different options, many potential spaces to transition to; partnering up, renting space as an independent contractor again, etc. Then, I reached out to a lovely, amazing woman I met with a year ago, who is the operations manager for a new wellness center that was going to be opening some time this fall. Before Sweet Harmony, I was really hoping to teach there when it opened and wanted to be involved in any way I could. 

When we met up the second time, we hit it off just as well as the first time, but it was even more exciting because I was talking with her about not only teaching, but taking the roll of "Yoga Coordinator." The blessing here is that although I had managed several optical businesses in the past, I had only taught in yoga studios and wasn't sure I had been qualified to do such a job. But now, I had run a yoga studio and built a great community in a very short time. I felt very qualified and our visions for what we were hoping to contribute to the yoga community aligned seamlessly. I taught a class for the owner and staff the following week and it was during the auspicious day of 8/8. I felt so in the flow as if I were exactly where I was supposed to be. 

A few days later I got the invitation to join the team as their Yoga Coordinator! I am so THRILLED and excited. This is an incredible and supportive team of people and a facility that will be fostering wellness and community, being the amazing HUB for all holistic goodness that it will be.

It's called Alive + Well. They are located in Bee Cave and the opening date has been pushed back to spring. I want to pinch myself just to make sure I'm not dreaming! The owner and staff are so authentic and awesome. I am over the moon!

This wellness center will have a healthy cafe with food, coffee and tinctures, massage, chiropractic, a Integrative medicine Dr, compounding pharmacy, IV Vitamin drip bar and soooooo much more! You can see their website and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates. 

I will be transitioning back to "Hannah Williams Yoga" and posting this and future correspondence through my blog there as well. 

Sweet Harmony was an incredible journey and huge learning experience. I thank each of you who came and gave a little part of yourself to our community. I hope you will continue to grow with me at Alive + Well! The coolest part for me is that now, celebrating my 10 years of teaching this month (!) Bee Cave is a good central location for all of the students I've had the pleasure to teach over the past ten years; South Austin, Dripping Springs and now Lakeway.

As always, I'm here for you to answer any questions or help guide you along your yoga or mama journey in any way I can!!!

Sending you all so much love and gratitude!


​~Hannah


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Been a while!

8/18/2017

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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


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I am featured in the Baby Proofed Parents Blog!

2/5/2014

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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!

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Welcome 2014!

1/3/2014

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May you dream big and celebrate the love and joy in your life!

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? 

New class begins this week!

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
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Drippin' Yoga

11/7/2013

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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 told myself earlier today, after losing hours of sleep dreaming about this studio idea...."right now I should just focus on the family....I can open a business in the future..." then I proceeded to buy the domain and get this thing rolling! (yep, unpredictable me! As soon as I make a game plan, I seem to go with 

Life's too short you know? You need to make things happen!! This EXCITES me!! I HAVE to do it! And of coarse it must have a stage, foster community building and have a place for kiddos.....anyone want to invest?! : )

So here it is friends....only a few thing up, but it's a START! 

www.drippinyoga.com
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Savor Everything

10/23/2013

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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!

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    I am a yoga teachin', guitar slingin', singer-song-craftin' mamsita and wife to my high school sweetie.

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