I’ll never forget the moment I considered what life would be like without eggs, meat and dairy.
 
Background (which most of you know): I’m originally from Central Wisconsin. I lived there my entire life, up until I met Sean and moved west. My “motherland” is that of milk, sausage, cheese and the Green Bay Packers.

The way I grew up eating wasn’t gluttonous or unhealthy by any means — but the way I thought about “things that go on a dinner plate” was definitely locked in. You cook some sort of meat. A vegetable. And a grain. Done and done. I created that habit long ago, and I’d never considered changing it.
 
... until I did.

It was the night of my 32nd birthday in 2018 — something shifted.
 
I was standing in a hotel room in Salt Lake City, and I distinctly remember munching on cheese and crackers. Blaine, the owner of our sister studio, Yoga Hive Colorado, was seated across the room. She’s been plant-based as long as I’ve known her, and long before.
 
On this day, I was curious. I wanted to know why she was so passionate about eating (and living) this lifestyle.
 
I expected her to list the reasons humans are cruel to animals (which she did) and be done with it. But then she started to list more reasons like health benefits and the environmental impact — things that, against all odds, intuitively felt right in my brain — and she kept going, and going, and…. the moment happened: As I popped a slice of cheese into my mouth, I had the thought: Maybe I could eat plant-based?
 
The seed was planted.
 
The week after I got back to Montana, I hosted Yoga Hive's first 21-day program at the Whitefish studio, and I was excited: I had an excuse to investigate this whole plant-based thing. Part of the program was giving up three things for ONE WEEK, and I had a whole group of people to support me in my decision. To any confused friends and family, I could say “I’m doing it for Yoga Hive!" … the perfect excuse!
 
So I gave up eggs, meat and dairy for one week. And then, when I realized how easy it was to get creative in the kitchen… one week became two. Two became six, and flash forward over two years later, I’m still eating my own version of a plant-based lifestyle and I couldn’t be happier, healthier, or feel more creative when it comes to what I cook in the kitchen. To really make sure I knew the ropes, I even got my certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition last year.
 
So why did I take me 32 years to discover a way of nourishing my body that feels so good? Two reasons:

1. I didn’t have a reason to try it (I never got an email like this!)
2. I didn’t have the support network around me to light the way (until I did!)

 
These two reasons are my primary motivation for co-hosting The Yoga of Food — a 22-day fully supported plant-based challenge smack in the middle of Halloween and Thanksgiving, with Blaine — my plant-based muse and mentor! If it wasn’t for Blaine’s passion and willingness to answer ALL my questions (and more!), along with a handful of other Yoga Hive community members who also value a plant-based lifestyle (thank you, Erica and Shelle!), I would never have tried. 

You're invited to try it with us! 

And if you — like me — want to hear Blaine's story, click to hear her tell the story herself!
 
And please know: This challenge isn't about going cold turkey on the things that you love for the same reasons I did... or Blaine did it... or so many other folks have done it. This challenge is about YOU — spending 22 days with the support of a community to jump outside “what you know” about food to see if there’s another way of living and being that might feel good!

This, my friends, is how we live yoga.
 
The challenge officially starts Monday, and Blaine and I will host LIVE Zoom Q&As every Tuesday night for four weeks that will be recorded where we answer any questions you email us beforehand, or that you ask live on the Zoom call if you can make it. You don't need to be at all the Q&As, and you'll be paired up with an accountability partner next week to really have someone hold you accountable (and do the same for them!). 

To prepare your fridge and pantry over the weekend, we’re sending out a whole beautiful manual with shopping lists, all the info you need to get started, and a pre-recorded welcome video from us.

If you're reading this over the weekend and you want to sign up anytime before Tuesday, no problem at all — enroll yourself and we’ll catch you up to speed as soon as we see you’ve registered.

If you have lingering questions, don't hesitate to reply to this email — I'd love to hear from you and start a conversation!

PLUS: Don't forget these changes to train with us... coming up soon!

• 200 HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING: 200-hour yoga teacher training starts in January, and with the blessing from Yoga Alliance, we are offering you the chance to choose WHERE you take training from. It's all LIVE, so none of it is pre-recorded... and you'll be making real connections, getting real feedback, and feeling the accountability of a group that you can see over the screen and/or LIVE in the studio. Join training in-person in Whitefish OR choose to take it 100% on Zoom...  our tech department is completely set up to support you choosing your own YTT adventure!  Click here for all the details.
• ADVANCED YOGA TRAINING: I'm offering an advanced yoga teacher training this December, 100% on Zoom — and this is NOT a replication of the 200-hour content. The Energetic Body Master Training includes fresh concepts of yogic philosophy, initiation into new breath practices and Kriya, a meditation practice that will change your life, and connection to a community of people who are as committed as you are to diving deep into self-realization. Click here for more.

In light,
Mollie
 
PS — Registration is open for our spring retreats at Arctic Hive. We have 5 spots remaining for the first set of dates, and 4 spots for the second set of dates. Click here for all the details (and check out the northern lights a few nights ago during an Aurora Flow in the igloo!)

There, I said it. 

And everywhere I look these days, someone is vying for my attention. They want my vote. They want my money. They want my commitment. And I'm tired of hearing empty promises (followed by big asks) from people who don't walk the walk. Talk all day long about how you can heal me, help me, coach me, teach me... but a little sniffing around on social media, listening to your podcast interviews, and reading every email you've sent me?

Yeah. It all feels empty. 

That's the thing about yoga — as I've consistently practiced all aspects of movement and stillness, I've become sensitive to people around me. My discernment improves daily. My attention is mastered and re-mastered all the time. I've become more equanimous in daily life — like the eye of the hurricane.

With consistent practice, and increased sensitivity to truth, authenticity in marketing sings out like church bells on a quiet day. Fake news wears a neon sign that says NOT WORTH YOUR TIME. And sales pitches? I'll be blunt: I don't really care what you offer. I care how you — the teacher — live your life. And if I like how you live, and if I want what you're offering, then sign. me. up.

That's really all we're looking for, right? We're looking for a skill, and we need someone to teach us. And we're willing to engage because that person has something we want. And it's not just that they have some knowledge rattling around in their head... they have knowledge, they live the wisdom, and breathe the tradition. They are the living advertisement we're really paying attention to.

The final stage — the confirmation that your discernment is on point — is when you realize your authentic teacher (or in our tradition, guru) doesn't show you the way back to their own teachings, their coaching, their products as the solution to your future growth. Although you may continue to learn with that teacher over and over again, it's primarily because a true guru shows you how to shine a light on your own self. Because the only way we learn more about ourselves is through our own experience. Not the experience of someone else.

All this to say: We've got some incredible opportunities for yogic studies coming up — and as I send these emails every week, regardless of where you live, you can get a nugget of wisdom or two, and know that our actions and our offerings are backed up by true dedication to this way of life. We walk the walk — and we're excited to show you how we do it if you want to learn. 

That's the part of Yoga Hive that I love the most: Our team of authentic teachers log on to Zoom and roll out their mat at the studio to show YOU what yoga means to them. And while everyone's approach to the practice is slightly different (which is what yogis often say they love the most about Yoga Hive!), our team all agrees:

Our yoga isn't a fitness routine or an Instagram post. It's a way of life.  

Study with us in one of these life-changing opportunities this fall... if you have questions, reply here and let's chat.

• Final two Chakra Journeys with Shelle are coming up in the next two weeks — the Crown Chakra, and then a class integrative all 7 energy centers... you don't want to miss this transformative opportunity! Register, or scroll for details.
• 200 HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING: 200-hour yoga teacher training starts in January, and with the blessing from Yoga Alliance, we are offering you the chance to choose WHERE you take training from. It's all LIVE, so none of it is pre-recorded... and you'll be making real connections, getting real feedback, and feeling the accountability of a group that you can see over the screen and/or LIVE in the studio. Join training in-person in Whitefish OR choose to take it 100% on Zoom...  our tech department is completely set up to support you choosing your own YTT adventure!  Click here for all the details.
• ADVANCED YOGA TRAINING: I'm offering an advanced yoga teacher training this December, 100% on Zoom — and this is NOT a replication of the 200-hour content. The Energetic Body Master Training includes fresh concepts of yogic philosophy, initiation into new breath practices and Kriya, a meditation practice that will change your life, and connection to a community of people who are as committed as you are to diving deep into self-realization. Click here for more.
• THE YOGA OF FOOD: Blaine and I are offering a Plant-Based Challenge this Nov. 2nd through Thanksgiving... there couldn't be a better time to reel in toxic consumption and kick off the holiday season on the right foot. Specifically, without eggs, meat or dairy — and a community of folks to support you on this path! Blaine and are passionate plant-based advocates, each with our own unique take on this lifestyle. We're both certified in plant-based nutrition, and we are SO EXCITED to bring back this challenge after such a fun time running it last year! All the info is below, or click here to sign up.

In light and authenticity,
Mollie