Mind Body Aloha Wellness

December 7, 1941… it was called a “day that will live in infamy.” We like to think of it as a day that reminds us about what’s possible.

82 years ago the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and were a fierce enemy of the U.S. Today they are allies and friends.

This sacred place overlooking the Arizona Memorial was once a scene of chaos and death. It is now calm, quiet, and welcoming to visitors from all over the world… including some yogis who meet up here to practice regularly.

If two nations can heal a relationship… so too can people.

📸 Image of Jamie Alden by Robert Sturman ~ Artist/Photografía is part of the Pearl Harbor Yoga Project with Warriors at Ease.

Tis the season… gotta hot cup of tea, homemade cookies all the way from Tennessee (thanks Mimi), and Hawai’i “winter weather” (rainy and cool). ☔️🥶🌴

Is it just us or does it seem like this year flew by?

Happy Aloha Friday everyone!

🌟Mark your calendar!🌟

If you've not yet been to one of our Medicine Wheel gatherings, do not miss this very special year-end event in Kailua! We'll honor the journey of 2023 and lay the foundation for an incredible new year in 2024.

Together we'll explore the timeless teachings of the Medicine Wheel and learn how this ancestral wisdom can empower our individual and collectives journeys.

In this 2-hour workshop, you will:

💫 Practice powerful breathwork to access your higher consciousness
💫 Explore the teachings of the Medicine Wheel through the Four Directions and wisdom of the season
💫 Learn your position on your "Wheel of Life"
💫 Discover how your relationships play a valuable role in your Wheel & evolution
💫 Experience a deep guided meditation relevant to the teachings
💫 Immerse in a sound bath
💫 Make medicine bundles to honor your journey and activate your prayers and intentions for the year ahead
💫 Connect with an inspiring and uplifting community

P.S. This is REALLY powerful work to do with your friends, partner, your kids, or family members who shape your life. So mark your calendar and tell your ohana to do the same!

👉🏽 Visit link in profile to reserve your spot as this workshop will fill up fast!

We are grateful every single day... for each other, our many blessings, and the incredible people in our lives (including those of you we know and those of you we "know" only through social media).

🙏🏽 Thanks for being YOU and for being part of this rising collective of conscious beings who make the world a better place.

This weekend is a time for us to reflect on the depth of our gratitude. Reach out to people you've not heard from in a while and tell them thank you. Take some time to unplug, connect with nature, and write down some of the things for which you are grateful.

❤️ Gratitude creates an ever expanding field of love... so most importantly, LIVE YOUR GRATITUDE everyday.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

~ John F. Kennedy

“Know what your duty is and do it without hesitation….
Blessed are the warriors.”

~ Bhagavad Gita

Image courtesty of Robert Sturman ~ Artist/Photografía & Warriors at Ease.

Rolly Alvarado is a Marine through and through.
He continues to serve his country and fellow veterans through his work at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Rolly has been a strong advocate for the integration of yoga and meditation into VA programs that support veterans healing from the visible and invisible wounds of war.

Our journey as health professionals, started 25 years ago when we owned a wellness center in Fayetteville, NC. At that time, yoga wasn't very popular, and it certainly was not something that was offered in military and veteran clinical settings. We actually had therapists working at Ft. Bragg who would secretly direct their soldiers to the classes, workshops, and retreats we offered in order to better support their patient's healing.

Today all that has changed... and it's changed thanks to people like Rolly who continue to help fight for their fellow veterans to get the best possible care! It's changed because veterans like Rolly have said to fellow vets... "Hey... yoga and meditation have helped me maybe it can help you."

A lot of people will say that there aren't enough resources for veterans. We actually disagree with that statement.

There is no lack of resources, just lack of communication and connection. If you or someone you love is feeling isolated or lacking resources... let's chat!

We can help connect you to amazing people in Hawai'i and across the globe!

📸 Photography by the extraordinary Robert Sturman ~ Artist/Photografía courtesy of Warriors at Ease.

Happy Veterans Day! We honor all our fellow veterans especially this warrior yogi who is very special to us (even though she is a Naval Academy graduate).😉

Commander Hillary Darby spent three decades of her life in the Navy… as both enlisted and an officer. In addition to being a Navy pilot, she served as a fierce advocate for service members who’ve experienced s*xual trauma while serving in the military.

Hillary is a yoga teacher and founder Bella Kai Yoga which is the host studio for our workshops in Kailua. She is passionate about helping her fellow veterans and all people heal and thrive through the power of yoga, meditation, and holistic modalities.

Most importantly, Hillary Brooks Darby is a wife to a wonderful husband who served a career in the Navy and mom to an amazing young woman who is now beginning her own military journey in the Coast Guard.🙏🏽🇺🇸

📸 Photography by the extraordinary Robert Sturman ~ Artist/Photografía courtesy of Warriors at Ease.

“Veterans are the light at the tip of the candle, illuminating the way for the whole nation. If veterans can achieve awareness, transformation, understanding, and peace, they can share with the rest of society the realities of war. And they can teach us how to make peace with ourselves and each other, so we never have to use violence to resolve conflicts again.”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh, the late Vietnamese monk who deeply understood & loved veterans around the world.🙏🏽

We send love, gratitude, and blessings to all our fellow veterans and the family’s who’ve support them in their military journey. 🇺🇸❤️🙏🏽

The West Point Chapel with Benef Verell, a graduate / Veteran who I shared a few prayers with on a mysterious day at the academy that resulted in this stellar vrksasana.

We honor Veterans today and every day.

Warriors at Ease
Army West Point Athletics
Mind Body Aloha Wellness

Join us this Friday on a powerful journey designed to help you tap into the infinite potential of your own breath!

Learn how to activate latent energy inside YOU and leverage it to live a healthier, happier, and more fulfilled life.

November 10th
7:00-9:00pm
bellakaihotyoga
Kailua, Hawaii

👉🏽 Learn more and register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/activation-alchemy-transcend-and-evolve-through-breath-kriya-sound-tickets-727192310777

P.S. Are you a veteran, active military, or family member of one? If so reach out! In honor of Veterans Day, we are offering our fellow vets/military families a special discount on this workshop. We will share techniques that supported our health and well-being through decades of military service.🙏🏽

Wow! This is good know. Microplastics are screwing with our hormones and in some cases... killing us. In addition to what Dr. Hyman says here, A new study has now also found microplastics in human hearts another recent study found the first evidence that microplastics are present in human heart tissue!!!

Whether the plastics itself or the the toxic estrogens leeching from them, it can all lead to host of problems including fibroids, many types of cancers, mood swings, weight gain, and more.

We love tea... and honestly it's more fun to loose leaf tea. Make a ritual of it instead of the quick & easy tea bag!

If you are a tea drinker, use an organic loose leaf tea and steep it. Using a stainless steel or glass strainer will reduce your microplastic exposure significantly.

If you like using tea bags for their convenience or portability, make sure you’re getting the kind that’s free from bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, polypropylene, and epichlorohydrin. Look for tea bags made from organic h**p, cotton, or plant fibers instead.

Tea can be an incredible source of antioxidants in your life, but just like food—quality matters.

Study: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b02540

“Lettuce” all reconnect to the playful side of us that begs us to slow down, laugh, love and connect with the nature around us!

Happy Halloween!!!
What are you dressing up as???

We just LOVED this image. Go check out for more. ❤️

Aloha Oahu Friends! We are excited about hosting this special event this coming Sunday, November 5th. We invite you to come lunch & learn with us.

We'll be serving a farm-fresh meal and gathering in community to discuss some simple yet powerful things you can do to THRIVE in this increasingly toxic, crazy world. Join us Sunday, November 5th from 12:30-2:00 at a private home in Kailua.

👉🏼 Just say “I’m there!” in the comments and we’ll message you the details.

Grateful for this beautiful group of souls who came together for today’s “Empowering Wellness” workshop in Tennessee at (a special event offered as a fundraiser for Maui ohana who lost homes in the fires).

We look forward to breathing and BEing with ya’ll again next spring. We’ll be back in Music City in March. 🎶

P.S. Thank you for sharing your music with us and making today super special.❤️

Happen to live or be near Nashville? Then join us this Saturday, October 21st for a special workshop that will empower your health and well-being... and pay it forward to Maui families in need.

We'll explore breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and more through the lens of Hawaiian healing traditions. Curious about the practice of ho'oponopono??? This is an opportunity to learn what it's really about!

Get the details & register here:
https://www.mindbodyaloha.com/events

Aloha Ya’ll!!! Happy to be here in Tennessee for a bit! If you’re near Nashville, join us this weekend. Details in next post. 😀🍁

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CycWpUlLAPF/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Aloha Ya’ll! Here’s a look at this week’s Sunday Farmers Market… about 5000 miles from our usual! Happy to be here in Tennessee for a bit! Looking forward to sharing our “Empowering Wellness” workshop in Franklin on Saturday, Oct 21st. Join us! 👉🏽 See link in profile for details or go to www.mindbodyaloha.com/event. #mindbodyaloha #franklintn #alohayall #fallvibes #breathwork #meditation #mindfulness #healing #health

Aloha Ohana! Here are the workshops that are open to the public between now and the end of the year. Join us on one of these journeys! Please share or tag someone who may benefit from what we have to offer!

October 21 - NASHVILLE
Empowering Wellness
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-the-power-of-breathwork-principles-of-hawaiian-health-traditions-tickets-707959324397

November 10 - KAILUA
Activation Alchemy
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/activation-alchemy-transcend-and-evolve-through-breath-kriya-sound-tickets-727192310777

December 29 - KAILUA
Medicine Wheel Journey
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/journey-w-the-medicine-wheel-ancient-wisdom-to-activate-your-potential-tickets-727197857367

Links to all events can also be found on our website here:
https://www.mindbodyaloha.com/events

Come and explore the health-promoting power of your own breath, body, and mind through the lens of the ancestral wisdom of Hawai’i!

Don't miss this opportunity to join Susan Pualani Alden in Tennessee for a workshop that will expand the way you approach health and empower your wellbeing!

This workshop is for you if you're interested in...

🌟 Experiencing the power of your breath and learning how to activate non-ordinary states of consciousness

🌟 Understanding how patterns of dis-ease lead to disease

🌟 Clearing negative energy and self-limiting beliefs

🌟 Healing from the past and stepping into a healthier future

🌟 Feeling a deeper connection and sense of purpose

🌟 Integrating health-promoting practices into your daily life

🌟 Connecting with the incredible spirit of Hawai'i

🌟 Helping support Maui families who were impacted by the deadly fires

Saturday, October 21st
Franklin, Tennessee

👉🏽 Click here to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-the-power-of-breathwork-principles-of-hawaiian-health-traditions-tickets-707959324397

Explore the Power of Breathwork & Principles of Hawaiian Health Traditions Experience the health-promoting power of your breath, body, and mind through the lens of ancient Hawaiian healing traditions.

Food is medicine. Is your "medicine" making you sick? We work with people who say they are eating healthy and yet still struggling. When we dig into root cause and and have a look at people's blood and urine tests, we see this is often a HUGE part of the problem... something many people never think about.

In this video, Zach Bush, MD, a triple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, endocrinology and hospice care offers an enlightening answer to many of the health conditions we see arising. Check it out:

Chemical Farming & The Loss of Human Health - Dr Zach Bush Zach Bush, MD is triple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, endocrinology and hospice care. He is the founder of Seraphic Group, an ...

“You are a light being. The whole purpose of your food is to release energy within your body so you become a healing machine that vibrates at the highest potential.”

~ Dr Zach Bush

Remember the old saying… you are what you eat? Well it’s really true. What you consume is building the cells that are building your body.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

Here’s a simple thought, maybe even a challenge…

If you want to live in a body that feels like it’s thriving and a mind that is clear and connected, eat closer to the earth, ditch the packaged food! Do it for a day or even a week and see how you feel in your mind, body, and spirit.

Your ancestors didn’t rip open a package of granola bars when they needed a snack!

👉🏽 What little steps can you take to eat better and live healthier?

Mahalo to all these beautiful beings for sharing your mana last night! We can’t say it any better than this, so we’ll just re-share these words…

Repost from
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🍂🌀✨ Embracing the Equinox: A Night of Reflection and Renewal ✨🌀🍂

Last night, I had the privilege of joining a beautiful Medicine Wheel Ceremony in honor of the Fall Equinox. 🌗🍁 Surrounded by a circle of amazing souls, we gathered to release what no longer serves us and set intentions for the coming season of reflection, learning, and growth.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we embarked on a journey within, guided by the rhythm of our breath and the soothing melodies of a sound bath. 🎶✨ The harmonious vibrations washed over us, grounding our spirits and connecting us to the energy of the Earth.

In the center of our sacred circle, a Medicine Wheel stood as a symbol of unity, balance, and the cycles of life. Each direction held a profound significance: East for new beginnings, South for passion and transformation, West for release, and North for wisdom.

We embarked on a journey of introspection, releasing our burdens, fears, and doubts into the gentle embrace of the universe. ✨ With each breath, we let go, making space for the abundance of wisdom and growth that the fall season promises.

Under the starry sky, we felt the magic of the equinox, a time when light and darkness find perfect balance. 🌌🌟 It reminded us that in life, too, we can find equilibrium, even in the face of challenges.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to connect with such beautiful souls, to breathe, to release, and to welcome the autumn with open hearts and open minds. 🍂❤️

May this fall season bring each of us the wisdom, growth, and abundance we seek, as we journey onward, together, and toward the light.

So much love and gratitude for this event! Thank you Jamie & Susan!

Looking forward to sharing a journey of Breath, Sound, & Ancestral Wisdom tonight Bella Kai Yoga. We'll explore the Medicine Wheel and harness the energy of the Fall Equinox.
This is a powerful time of transition as we move from summer to fall! If you're on Oahu and interested in a meaningful evening of breathwork, meditation, sound bath, learning, ceremony, community, we have a few spots left. Join us!

Get the details and register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-medicine-wheel-ancient-wisdom-to-activate-your-potential-tickets-695074054207

You are a light being. Right now, as you breathe, you are creating light.

Every time you breathe, oxygen is transported within a blood protein called hemoglobin, and it starts the process of cellular respiration. Once oxygen gets into your cells, it diffuses into your mitochondria, the powerhouse of your cells.

You make 2 billion mitochondria every second of your life, and those little cellular “batteries” are literally creating the light energy that you are.

So every time you breathe, you are creating more and more light. ✨

Take a few deep breaths and imagine turning on billions of lights inside your cells, illuminating and energizing your entire mind, body & spirit.

Keep breathing.
Keep shining.
BE the light.

Mitochondria are known as the power house of your cells. Did you know they are key players when it comes to you brain health and mental wellbeing???

Studies suggest these organelles could be key players in virtually every type of brain disorder, including neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, psychiatric illnesses like depression and schizophrenia, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. They may even be at the heart of an enduring mystery for researchers who study brain disorders: how genetic predispositions and environmental influences interact to put people at risk for developing these conditions.

Our cellular activation products specifically target the cell-signaling pathway that governs healthy mitochondria. Our product may look like a typical supplement, but it works VERY differently in the body.

If you have or a loved one is concerned about brain health or who have mental health challenges, reach out to us. We'd love to tell you more and support you in transforming your health... mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Oahu Ohana... don't miss the opportunity to journey with us around the Medicine Wheel! Join us Friday, September 22nd from 7:00-9:00pm at Bella Kai Hot Yoga in Kailua.

In this workshop you will:
✨ Learn about the Medicine Wheel and how to use it to empower your life, navigate transition, and activate your potential.

🧘 Practice powerful breathwork to support the learning experience

👫 See how your relationships play a valuable role in your Wheel and your evolution

🎶 Experience a deep meditation and sound bath to anchor your experience

🙏🏽 Make medicine bundles to represent your prayers and intentions

Together we will harness the potential of the Fall Equinox as we transition from Summer to Fall. This is a powerful time for transformation!




👇 REGISTER HERE:

The Medicine Wheel: Ancient Wisdom to Activate Your Potential Ancient wisdom to expand your capacity for growth and gain clarity around your past & future so you may harvest the gifts of the present.

Happy Monday. ❤️

Making time for yourself is a good step to making it a good week.

Get out in nature. Breathe the fresh air. Place your bare feet on the earth. Lay on your back and gaze at the sky. Listen to the sounds of nature. Take a moment to stop and BE. We are human BEings, not human-doings.

Where do you go in nature to reconnect with you and just BE? 👇

Happy Monday! Feeling a little burned out?

Break into "biohacking"....

How I Use Biohacking to Overcome Burnout at Work | Entrepreneur Work stress resulted in depression and led this entrepreneur to seek new solutions.

Good “medicine” for good people. We’re honored to give back to a community that’s close to our heart. We’ve been sharing yoga, meditation, breathwork, the Medicine Wheel, sound baths, and acupuncture with military families this weekend in Waikiki. It’s been powerful to witness shoulders softening, stress releasing, hearts opening, ah-ha moments unfolding, and connections strengthening.

Self care is not selfish… it’s essential. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

We sure love pouring into people so they can do what they do and live their best life in mind, body & spirit.

Thank you .core for helping make todays sessions so special.

There is a PROFOUND connection between your gut and your brain! The "gut-brain axis" involves various pathways that allow bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the gut. This is why the gut is often called your "second brain."

Serotonin and dopamine (which we sometimes refer to as the "happy hormones") are two types of neurotransmitters that are made in your gut. In fact, 90-95% of serotonin and 50% of dopamine in our body is stored in your gut... not your brain as you might think.

Serotonin helps regulate respiration, digestion, behavior, and neurological functions. Dopamine is released during reward-motivated behaviors such as eating certain foods, having s*x, or doing any activities that you enjoy. Dopamine helps regulate our learning, attention, memory, and mood.

The microbes in your gut are not only essential for your digestion and metabolism, they can also hugely impact our mental and emotional health.

Gut Health is truly foundational to your overall well-being.

Are you struggling with poor gut health? We can help!
Reach out to us and let's chat.

When you heal your gut you heal your life.
Get ready to feel like a new human in mind, body and spirit!

Join us on a Journey around The Medicine Wheel on Friday, September 22nd from 7:00-9:00pm.

The Medicine Wheel is like a roadmap for navigating a life of greater joy and meaning.

✨Learn how you can use the Wheel to move through transitions, get unstuck, and tap into your true potential.
✨ Understand how your relationships play a vital role in your journey.
✨ Explore your unique gifts and how to use them to the fullest expression.

We look forward to being your guides and harnessing the power of the Fall Equinox.

Thank you to our gracious hosts Bella Kai Yoga.

👉🏽 Get the details and register via this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-medicine-wheel-ancient-wisdom-to-activate-your-potential-tickets-695074054207

Breathe. Expand your awareness and take a moment to be in awe of the great mystery of life in and around you.

This beautiful hibiscus (gloriously called the “Cosmic Dancer”) will bloom another couple days before she turns inward and eventually drops away from the bush. Other Cosmic Dancers will come and go… all unattached as to whether anyone notices them (though maybe they like it when we do).

These beauties come simply to manifest in the fullest expression of their divine blueprint, despite the inevitable the storms, lack of water, scorching sun, and even an occasional wayward weed-whacker. 🫣

Breathe and tap into the beauty in and around you.

BE the Cosmic Dancer that you are.

Stress. Overwhelm. It's a part of life. These 5 powerful ingredients found in our cellular activators can help you manage stress more effectively.

POWER to the PLANTS!!!

Read about it here:
https://mindbodyaloha.lifevantage.com/us-en/blog/powerful-ingredients-to-manage-everyday-stress

Trauma happens. It happens at any age and to anyone. Few people, if anyone, get through life without having experienced some type of traumatic experience.

Living with and navigating the impacts of trauma, especially PTSD, is as unique to each person as is the treatment. One thing we've learned over the years is that overcoming the effects of trauma requires a holistic approach.

There is no silver bullet when it comes to healing.

Doctors and Behavior Health Professionals are increasingly open to integrating acupuncture, medicinal herbs, meditation, yoga, breathwork, nutrition, Tai Chi, and various mind-body therapies therapies into patient care.

We are passionate about serving as a bridge between doctors and patients and have worked side-by-side with medical professionals for over two decades, supporting people from all walks of life, especially our fellow military veterans and their families.

Are you someone who has suffered from the impacts of trauma?

What has been most helpful for you in your journey?

We love teaching breathwork but we love practicing breathwork with other teachers too. Mahalo for a great class tonight! It was the perfect “tune up” for us as we prepare to lead our SOCPAC (Special Operations Pacific) Ohana in a transformational retreat this weekend.

We look forward to guiding our fellow veterans and their families though a powerful journey of breath, movement, meditation, and much, much more.

When you turn down the volume from the old record that keeps spinning those subconscious programs playing in your mind (the old songs that keep you stuck), you can actually hear the music of your inner teacher who is always connected to Creator, God, Kumukahi (however you might language that Source from which you came and from which you will return).

✨YOU are your best teacher.
✨Your life is the school.
🔑Your breath is the key to the door to “higher learning.”

Whatcha think… the bigger the better? We always find something fun at the market.

Join us on the Fall Equinox for one of our favorite workshops rooted in the ancestral wisdom of the Medicine Wheel.

If you've attend one of these gatherings before, this is your opportunity to dive deeper. If this is a new journey for you, we promise you'll leave with some practical tools and powerful wisdom to navigate your own "Wheel of Life" as we head into a new season.

See you at Bella Kai Yoga on Friday, September 22nd from 7:00-9:00pm in Kailua!

Get more details and register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-medicine-wheel-ancient-wisdom-to-activate-your-potential-tickets-695074054207