Handstanding into the unknown!

Releasing my Yoga in Paradise video series

  •   12/07/2018 10:45:15 PM
  •   Vickie Saito

While in Cabo, Mexico this past Summer, Al and I were on vacation staying at my favorite timeshare location. We went last year with my son Kai, and my adopted mom Jane, and had such a fantastic time that we decided to go back in August 2018. We planned a longer stay this time, 10 days, and promised to do as little work as possible to make it pure vacation. Since Al and I do a lot of work together, workshops, retreats, classes, etc., we desperately needed a break from our head down, focused lifestyle. Plus, we just wanted to play and relax in paradise!

We did a great job playing and resting for the first 6 or 7 days and then Al reminded me about my vision that I had the year before: to film yoga videos on an exquisite beachside platform outside our resort.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I can come up with super awesome ideas and I get excited about how cool the idea is, but I don’t take action or follow through on it. My limited mind gets in the way and always has a reason or an excuse for why I can’t or shouldn’t do something. Usually my excuse is time or money. I tell myself that I don’t have enough time or money, so I stop right there - which inevitably halts my creativity. Let’s face it, it takes effort, focus and planning to shape our life in a new direction. It’s so easy to just float through life on autopilot without putting creativity or effort into things.

From 2011-2017, my world got rocked with the loss of my parents, divorce, pets dying, selling my dream house, and my daughter moving out. It felt like I was on autopilot for those years just getting by and not wholeheartedly IN my life the way I knew I could be. I knew that being in charge of my life meant taking risks, moving forward with my new ideas and braving the territory of awkwardness and the unknown.

So I did just that: I committed to filming my first ever Yoga in Paradise video series!

Al filmed me for 4 days straight doing yoga on the beach platform and I instantly felt that something had been reignited in me. I was inspired to share my yoga videos with the intent to provide an accessible opportunity for others to begin a yoga practice or expand on their existing practice through watching my videos online.

Video On Demand is mainstream now that DVD players are almost non-existent and many of our computers do not even have a CD drive! I’ve been geeking out with video editing software and teaching myself how to edit, do voice-overs, lay down music and establish a YouTube channel. This takes so much time and patience and a lot of self-love! As I watch with loving eyes, I remind myself that I don’t have to be perfect.

A teacher of mine once told me, 80% is enough when you are learning to do something new. Just begin producing value and results for the people you want to serve.

Although I am somewhat scared to share these videos with the world and nervous about how I will handle all the critical voices, it’s not going to stop me. I believe the people who want what I have to share will come. Those who do not want what I am offering will find their person or practice elsewhere.

For those of you who haven’t yet done yoga near the ocean, these videos will transport you there. The sound of the waves crashing, the sheer beauty of looking out at the water, and the cameos from horses, birds, people, lawnmowers, and even dune buggies all make the series authentic and real.

My Yoga in Paradise Series features vinyasa flows for both the beginner and intermediate practitioner: a core flow, a heart opening flow, hip opener and a shoulder strengthening flow. I plan to offer some beautiful guided meditations as well.

In addition to offering many of my videos for FREE on YouTube, I am excited to share that I will be launching my own streaming video site, Inspire Movement Arts Studio, on January 1st!

My new site will feature the full Yoga in Paradise Series, new yoga videos monthly, live classes, private training virtual sessions, my newest dance choreography, guided audio meditations as well as my favorite whole foods, plant-based recipes!

It is my honor and passion to share all of this with you and step into 2019 with purpose and creativity!

~Vickie

P.S.  Keep your eyes open for a follow-up Yoga in Paradise series to be filmed at our Xinalani Retreat in Mexico in 2019!