Manifestation workshop Archives | The Manifest-Station

Guest Posts, Manifestation Workshops, Women

Women Are Hurting.

March 31, 2015

By Jane Eaton Hamilton.

Jen Pastiloff & The Hunt For Beauty.

There’s something I can’t get off my mind; it’s been nagging.

A couple months ago, Jen Pastiloff came to town. She’s the wunderkind behind the online home for great essays, Manifest Station, and a yoga/writing workshop phenom. I first came to know Jen through her site when she published my essay about Paris, ‘Things That Didn’t Happen,’ which now appears in the Caitlin Press anthology This Place a Stranger, about women traveling solo.

All this is a long-winded introduction to the fact that Jen asked me to attend her yoga workshop here in Vancouver, BC, when she came to town earlier this year at Semperviva Yoga, and, reluctantly, I went. (Jen knew getting me out of my house was like pulling teeth, but she kept at me.) Despite a background in dance, I’ve never been a yoga enthusiast, and I’m also an atheist, and morbidly shy, and the whole spiritual thing makes me roll my eyes. I slid down the wall at the back of the room, gamely played along to the limits of my creaky old body, and kept my eyes and ears open.

And, folks, a bunch of things happened.

She calls the workshop, after all, “On Being Human.”

But the transformative thing, the thing that hasn’t gone away, was this:

Women are hurting. Continue Reading…

Guest Posts, Jen's Musings, Owning It!

Here’s What The F*ck I Am Going To Do About It.

February 26, 2015

By Jen Pastiloff.

For Lidia Yuknavitch, my teacher, my heart sister, my friend.

I haven’t blogged in a while so here I am. Hi, hello, hi. I’m in Los Angeles, here at home for a few days before I hit the road again for more workshops.

A few weeks ago, I led a retreat in Ojai, California, with Lidia Yuknavitch, who wrote The Chronology of Water. The Writing & The Body Retreat. And yes, it was everything you’d imagine- and then some. And yes, we are doing it again in September.

In my own workshops, I ask people to write about the things that get in their way and the fears they have and what they are afraid of. I ask them to write and share about all sorts of things. That’s why the subtitle is On Being Human. It is not a “writing” workshop, per se, although there’s writing. Mostly, it’s about what it means to be a human being. They laugh and cry and let the snot fly, as I like to say.

And then I always ask this: Now what? Now what?

So you wrote about it and shared it out loud and you may “want to be a writer” and you may not, no matter really, what really matters is this: what now?

Writing and sharing is hard, and I think a pretty big deal, but you can write until you are blue in the face and go on retreats and camps and workshops and whatever but what are you going to do?

This is where I get stuck.

I talk a good talk.

But then I sit here and stare out the window all day.

So, when Lidia gives a prompt that is so similar to what I ask except she asks it in her Lidia-esque way, I know that this woman is my heart. She asks the group what was main thing was that was getting in their way. I participated in this one.

What was getting in my way? She asked us to write down the first thing we thought of.

Okay, done.

My own self gets in my way. Me.

Then she gave this exact prompt, and this is really where I knew I loved her for life, “And here’s what the fuck I am going to do about it.” We had five minutes.

This is what came out of it for me. This is my Now what?

Beauty Hunting, Guest Posts, Manifestation Workshops, Men

On Fear & Beauty: One Man’s Thoughts.

February 18, 2015

Note from Jen: Peter Tóth has been following me for a while on social media so it was a huge honor to have him schlep all the way to London to attend my workshop. He wrote this beautiful post after the workshop. The honor was all mine, I can assure you. I was simply blown away by this, and by him. I will be back in London at Lumi Power Yoga in Hammersmith for another workshop October 10th!

By Peter Tóth.

A re-view of a journey there and back

16-17. February 2015

Last three days (from 13th till 15th February) have been really interesting for me and I am unsure how to describe their magic in words. I feel like I can only miserably fail in attempting to do so, but I will try anyway. Although I’m not a fan of cheesy motivational quotes, I will use one now, it’s from Bob Proctor and it’s actually a good one (and not too cheesy either):

“If you know what to do to reach your goal, it’s not a big enough goal.”

So, here’s to attempting the impossible…

On Friday, the 13th, on the way home from work, I mind-travelled back to the moment I learned about Zina Nicole Lahr as it would have been her 25th birthday that day and after reading her essay Contrast And Catalyst (Click to download pdf. It’s beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and as far as I know it has disappeared from internet ) for about tenth time I felt the same connection to her as I felt back then (The only difference was, that this time I had a conscious knowledge of who she was and I was desperately trying to figure out why do I feel connected to her and why she occasionally comes to haunt my day dreams with her fragile, aetheric, otherworldly beauty.)

I wanted to celebrate her birthday, but I didn’t know how. (Not long ago I met a girl who told me to fucking forget about Zina and to concentrate on the real life instead. In a way it felt like an insult, like if she didn’t understand that every thought we think is real and that a person can be dead and still be a catalyst, an agent that provokes changes and actions and we should not be judged if we somehow found ourselves attracted to such being. Because what if each life silently continues after it disappears from this world, where we can witness and measure it? It might go unnoticed, unobserved, unsung, but so what? It might as well be, that it is simply us who don’t pay enough attention to what goes around us, after all who knows? … )

In a painful moment of realization that I will never meet her, I sort of promised myself to remember her through creativity. Through manifestation of myself via any act of creating, whether it’s writing, drawing, photography, or a paper modelling. And it was shortly after all this happened that I found another beautiful American, Jennifer Pastiloff. Once again, my moth like personality felt attracted to her flame immediately. It too happened through her writing. But this time it wasn’t as much about what she has written, or how (although its beauty and power is undisputed and I loved everything she has written). It was the courage with which she has written it. The rawness of her essays. The willingness to look the pain in the eye and the humility which shone through her after she came victorious from what must have been exhaustively tiring staring contest. I just love female warriors. I decided I must meet her. And talk to her, like one human being to another. I wanted to see her, not visually, I wanted to witness the poetry of her being.

And soon she pulled a workshop in London and although the yoga bit and the seemingly feminine character of it all scared me, I booked it immediately. That was in November 2014.

Jen Pastiloff is the founder of The Manifest-Station. Join her in Tuscany for her annual Manifestation Retreat. Click the Tuscan hills above. No yoga experience required. Only requirement: Just be a human being. Yoga + Writing + Connection. We go deep. Bring an open heart and a sense of humor- that’s it! Summer or Fall 2015.

~ Continue Reading…

courage, Guest Posts, Manifestation Workshops

What Fear Looks Like.

November 26, 2014

By Jen Pastiloff.

This was my status update on my Facebook just now but I thought I would share here since some of you crazy (read: smart) kids are not on Facebook:

Let me tell you about stepping out of your comfort zone and fear and being ballsy and what that looks like to me.

A few years back I started doing these workshops which have since morphed into something else entirely. I have no idea what to name this thing. What to call it. It’s not really a “yoga” thing but I do it at yoga studios and we sit on yoga mats.

It’s not really a writing thing because you don’t have to be a writer or even like writing, but we write.

And we share. And we laugh. And we cry.

And it’s heavy but also really really light.

And like, how do you describe that? How do you say, call up a studio in Chicago and say, “Hey, I want to come do this thing I do there at your place. I can’t really describe it. You’ll just have to see for yourself. People will come. Trust me.”

And I mean, there’s a deep knowing that I will sell it out (but there’s also the other part of me that’s like, “OMG, you have never been to Chicago or Vancouver or whatever city it is. Who do you think you are?”)

But.

I do not listen to that voice for very long. I put on my big girl panties and shut that voice up and carry on with my cup of coffee and hush that little voice that says, “How dare you create something that is not definable and expect people will show up?”

Why do I hush that voice?

Because I did do that. I am doing that.

Is it scary as f*ck? Yes. Continue Reading…

Gratitude, Jen's Musings, Manifestation Workshops, Mindwebs, Vulnerability

Don’t Judge Your Pain. Or Anyone Else’s.

June 2, 2014

By Jen Pastiloff.

I broke my foot three weeks ago.

I intend to mine that break for any and all material so watch out. It sucks so I at least better get some “life lessons” out of it.

I haven’t been able to put any weight on my right foot due to the break and, because I have severe carpal tunnel, the crutches have slayed me. I have barely been able to move. I’ve alternated between this chair (I’m sitting at my desk and have done for so long that my arse is numb), my bed (many many hours), and the sofa (I’ve stained it like a toddler would and indented it as if I hadn’t risen from it in 35 years.) Chair, bed, sofa. Chair, bed, sofa. I also have a terrible injury in my left leg and have laid off doing any exercise on it for years so I have no strength in it. So basically, I have only one leg to hop on and that leg is kind of crappy. Wah. I know it could be worse but my God, I have been feeling low.

My friend who has also broken her foot and struggled with anorexia texted me yesterday that the inner torture of a break cannot be comprehended. For me, it’s been the inner torture as well as the physical. It’s scary to write because I am 100% clear it could be worse and I feel like who am I to talk about pain? I know nothing of pain. Look at So and So. Or So and So. Now, they are in pain. They know pain. Who am I to speak of such things?

But the thing is, most people do that all the time, so everyone walks around swallowing their pain. They eat it and they fake a smile and go on with their day. Keep calm and carry on.

Way too much time to think. Way too much time to look on Facebook and make up stories and get caught up in my head. Way too much time to think about irrelevant things. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve written a few essays and worked on my book Beauty Hunting and read a few books but the bulk of the time has been spent wallowing and feeling stuck and broken and then being mad at myself for wallowing and feeling stuck and broken.

The truth. I hesitate to write it, but hell, I have a reputation of being a truth teller, so here it is: I had been struggling with depression (and written copious amounts about the struggle as you guys know) before the break. So the break kind of sent me into a tailspin.

I had gone off my antidepressants last year and a lot of my “stuff” came up with this break. Imagine: being immobilized and having nowhere to “run” to. Having to sit with it all.

Not. So. Easy.

A few days ago I posted something on my Facebook. I woke up the next day with what Brene Brown calls a “vulnerability hangover.” I wanted to delete it but didn’t because it seemed to strike a major chord with folks. And because I was telling the truth and I know that’s important.

Here is what I wrote:

Feeling grateful for the people who’ve been supportive during what has been a shitty ass motherfucking time for me. Feeling equally disappointed by the people I have yet to hear from. Not even a text or an acknowledgment. Which makes me question why I give a shit? Why do we let ourselves create expectations of people based on how we think we’d act? I understand that people have short memories. Also, that it’s easier to be with people who are “doing great, everything’s fine,” but my God, what an eye-opening experience this has been. I am sure I will write a piece on it, but meanwhile, a public thank you to the people who notice when another person is in pain. Truthfully, that’s the kind of person I am drawn to anyway: the kind who pays attention. May I always pay attention. And, may I be willing to be with someone even if it’s messy, even if feel like they are broken. Thank you. You know who you are. Nothing, and I mean nothing, goes unnoticed with me. I may have bad ears but I hear it all.

Here are a couple little lessons I learned:

1) If you are in pain, let people know.

2) If someone is in pain, reach out. Even a text. A card. A nod. Some form of acknowledgement. Anything. A balloon. A cookie. Wine. (I like wine.)

3) Never feel like you shouldn’t say something because why would your voice matter? Because that person already has a lot of support. Because you think you will be a burden. Because you don’t know what to say. (I got a few texts from people that said they didn’t reach out because they thought I was probably inundated. Or that they didn’t matter.)

4) Pain is pain. Even though I am not dying and I don’t have cancer or whatever else it may be, I have still been going through a hard time. That’s not nothing. Don’t judge your pain. Or anyone else’s.

5) Be willing to be with people even if they are not fine, good, happy, perfect, rainbows, unicorns.

6) Notice your tendency to pay attention to the one who doesn’t text/call/like you rather than the loads that do. Notice that.

(I have an exercise in my workshop I call “The 1 and 100.” I ask the room if there’s a room with a hundred people and they all love you except one, who do you focus on? Yup. Most say the one. Notice how this exemplifies say times one million when you are stuck on your ass for weeks on end with a broken bone. Notice that.

7) It sounds corny but Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers said “look for the helpers.” So yea, do that. Pay attention to them.

8) Kindness matters. Teeny tiny minuscule baby kindnesses. Or large as the sea kind of kindnesses. They matter. Act like they do.

9) Empathy. Compassion. Those words.

Being human is tough at times. But it’s what we signed up for. That’s why I do what I do. That’s why my workshop is called The Manifestation Workshop: On Being Human. The On Being Human part is really my concern. May we all work on that a little more.

May we always pay attention to what makes us so.

So, I’ll not only NOT delete my status update but I will share it here. And I will probably have a vulnerability hangover again tomorrow. But I’ll nurse it, ever so slowly, ever so gently, ever so lovingly.

Jen Pastiloff is the founder of The Manifest-Station. Join her in Tuscany for her annual Manifestation Retreat. Click the Tuscan hills above.

Jen Pastiloff is the founder of The Manifest-Station. Join her in Tuscany for her 2nd 2015 Manifestation Retreat Sep 26- october 3rd. Click the Tuscan hills above.

Join Jen Pastiloff and Emily Rapp at a writing and the body retreat in Stowe, Vermont Oct 2015. This will be their 3rd one together in Stowe. Click the photo to book.

Uncategorized

Share Of The Day: Inspired.

May 25, 2012

I received the following email yesterday and it made my heart burst so I asked C. if I could share it. C. took my workshop in Philly at Dhyana Yoga ( I will be back there Sep 2012.) Such honesty and courage.

Dear Jennifer,

Just want to send a thank you your way for being such an inspirational force.

I attended your manifestation workshop at Dhyana Yoga in Philly and was really moved by it. I have to say though, I was met with a lot of self-resistance before I could finally let myself start to “make shit happen” haha. After leaving your workshop I actually felt a little bit anxious, a little bit panicky that I was not in fact making anything happen that I wanted to be happening!!

I was (and still am) working at a job that I feel is “dulling” me, and could not put my finger on what it was I even wanted to be doing in life. It took a while, nearly two months, before the answer just suddenly came to me and seemed so simple and obvious. I have been doing yoga for the past year and committed myself to it in a big way. It has changed my life in every sense and makes me feel good to know I am still capable of being motivated and passionate about something (because my job was starting to make me feel like I had no fire left in me).

I decided about two weeks ago that I am going to to do the teacher training at Dhyana, and fully dive in to my yoga practice. When it finally dawned on me that I should do this, I had such a “duh” moment, like why on earth had I not realized this already?? Because it just wasn’t time for me to realize it yet.

I wasn’t ready to recieve it.

Now that I am, I feel so greatful that I attended your workshop, because it really lit a fire in me I think. All that anxiety and fear I felt after leaving was so neccessary for me to get to where I am now. I am still at a job I am not loving, but I am making moves to get myself into a much better place.

Thank you so much for sharing your positivity, realness, and courage. I hope to be half as inspirational as you are to others.

Love, CP

Manifestation Workshops

Positively Positive & Other Positive & Holiday Weekend Vibrations.

May 25, 2012

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, Dear Manifesters!

My latest just went up on Positively Positive and I would love to hear your comments. Please comment on actual Positively Positive post and not here. I will pick a commenter at random and give away a spot at my Manifestation Workshop June 2 in Santa Monica, too. Here is link. It is a very personal one to me and your support and love mean a tremendous amount to me. I read each and every one of your comments and take them to heart. I love hearing how you all define success. Also, feel free to share if inspired.

Click icon to read and/or comment on article.

https://www.positivelypositive.com/2012/05/24/to-me-success-means-blank/

On a side note, I am teaching a very special candle-lit class this Sunday night at Yogis Anonymous in Santa Monica on 2nd St. I have never taught there and would appreciate the love if you are in town. 8 pm! Candles and deliciousness. If I continue on there, you will be able to see my classes live streamed.

Love you all. Keep manifesting your life, one laugh at a time, and as always, keep me posted on YOU!

Love, Jen

PS, a spot just opened for my Italy retreat July 2-9. Email me if you want to come. One word: MAGIC.

Guest Posts, Manifestation Workshops

What My Manifestation Workshop Is Like.

April 3, 2012

It’s very hard for me to describe my workshop.

It’s NOT a “yoga” workshop.

Someone just wrote this blog about my workshop on Sunday in NYC at PURE YOGA WEST so I thought I’d share to give you a glimpse of what it is and the effect it had on someone. To say I am touched would be an understatement.

This week’s theme is ” I take responsibility for ______” especially your own awesomeness.

I take responsibility for being me, sure. Yea. I take responsibility for that part.

But beyond that, the lovely gal who wrote this, Dana Jacoviello, must take responsibility for all she is and all she has done. I didn’t do anything.

I just showed up.

It’s all her.

Here’s the post:

My Manifestation Workshop with Jennifer Pastiloff!

Lets Talk About It – From NYC w/Dana J.

I can’t begin to express what Jennifer Pastiloff’s Manifestation workshop did for me right at a time when I needed it, but I will because I am a writer and that is what I do. If you would have asked me the other day if I was writing or doing much of anything, I would have to say that was a big NADA! The past month and a half for me has been nothing but one thing after the other. So much sad news on top of other stress factors is just too much in a very short period of a time. I was feeling extremely lost, stressed, and overwhelmed with so much anxiety, anger, and frustration. There were times I felt like a volcano about to erupt at any given moment. I knew there would be that one thing that just set me off and that would be it.

Suffering one loss and than another MAJOR loss changed me for a moment in time. The most heart breaking of all was losing one of my most favorite people in the world. My grandmother was a big piece of me as I was her. Talking to her always made everything seem ok. When she got sick that is when I knew that our time would be over soon. It was something I had to come to terms with quickly as it happened faster than I expected. It was as if something punched me in my heart and made a hole.

Anyway, this was all happening after a friend and I had made plans to go to Jennifer Pastiloff’s Manifestation Workshop in NYC at Pure Yoga. This was something I was greatly looking forward to as Jennifer and I connected awhile back through social media. She was a friend I couldn’t wait to meet and also experience her amazing workshops and classes I heard so much about. She was coming to New York, and I did not want to miss seeing her again as I did the last time. I knew by the time I got out to LA it would be awhile, but was I up to it being in the place that I was? The answer was at first no! I wrestled with the fact should I go or wait until next time. At that moment I realized how often we say those words and later possibly regret the decision. This is much like saying your going to go visit someone and never do until it is too late. Yes, these are two different arenas but with the same principle in mind.

All smiles and fun!

Jennifer’s blog is very inspiring and real. She does not hold back much like myself :0). I love that about her. I am always pulled into people I feel that type of connection with. Of course we want to have people in our life we can relate to or have things in common with, but what it is really about is just a simple connection! Seriously look up her many accomplishments and sites. She also is a contributor on other sites such as Positively Positive, which is just positively fabulous. Jennifer also has shirts and bracelets she sells, which you can find information on through her sites. All proceeds go towards a charity very close to Jennifer’s heart, which is called Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Look it up, get involved, donate, and do what you can. Anything is always something.

Anyway, as I was saying, this workshop blew my mind. It was so much more. I did not go there for yoga, but a connection. I felt I NEEDED to go for that purpose alone. I am so glad that I made the decision to go. It was one of the most enlightening experiences I have had in my life in a long time. My faith gets me through everything in life; however, I think it is important to have several outlets. The more positive you can put into your life the better. Jennifer’s workshop certainly put that into perspective for me. I sat there in awe of her. I might have a similar calling, but it is often hard to do it for yourself. It is much like a therapist going to see a therapist. We all need people in our lives like this, because we can’t do it alone.

One of the many inspirational moments during this class!

I laughed so hard for the first time since my life became a whirlwind of mixed emotions. I can’t fully convey what it was like to be in her workshop. All I can say is look her up and experience it for yourself when you get the chance. She travels all over, so it’s not like you necessarily have to fly to LA. Two hours of pure thought, feeling, emotions, meditation, and yoga. She posed several questions and thoughts to me that I could have written a novel about at the time. See below:

1. I AM…(As in finish this sentence)
2. Who would I be if nobody told me? (This was a question I never asked myself. Why? Well, because I was always concerned of what others wanted to be or what I was expected to be)
3. Things that bring me joy…(List what makes you jump for joy)
4. If I wasn’t afraid I would…(How many of us really think about this question that would REALLY makes us think about our lives)
5. Dear sixteen year old me…(Oh how some of us could answer this question. I am sure all of us would have plenty to say to our teenage selves. Very deep question)
6. I feel fear when…(Here is another most of never really think about. How often do we analyze our fears without just moving past them rather than dealing with them?)
7. Where does fear stop me in my life…(How often do we not do something because we are afraid of the what, why, where, when, and how?)
8. I take responsibility for…(Exactly what it say. How often do we make excuses?)
9. My calling is…(What do you feel you are meant to be or do?)
10. I forgive blank for blank…(Who do you forgive and for what? Often we believe we have forgiven and in reality we have not)
11. I forgive myself for…(This is GOOD one because we are so busy forgiving others we forget about ourselves. We deserve forgiveness just as much as the next person)

Now, really marinate on these questions. They are not just for people who participate in yoga. These are life changing questions that most of us probably never think about. I know I haven’t, but it was not until her class that I focused on them in detail. I usually just sweep it under the rug until it would creep back up. When we were in complete darkness at one point, which is where I feel I have been lately, she came to me and laid her hands on me. I felt the love she exudes, her big heart, and her compassion. At that very moment I knew I was supposed to be there. Everything happens for a reason. We connect to people we are meant to connect with and have in our lives.

You might find a completely new and different path. You have no idea how simple questions we put on paper can change our direction in life. It can open your heart. Many think it might be silly or yoga is for stereotypes, but it is not. Jennifer is unorthodox, but in a AWESOME way. It is not just an hour or two of this pose and that pose. She really delves into each of her students and the class as a whole. It is about dancing, laughing, crying, and whatever other emotion you want to show. She plays incredible music that just magically goes along with each moment. Each song she played meant something to me as I use music an outlet at times. It was so incredible for me. I felt as if I was dreaming what was happening to me. She lets you go with whatever you are feeling. If you can’t do something, than do whatever it is you need to do. You can write, take a break, or choose to do your ow thing. Nothing is forced on you.

Again, I can’t stress enough how it is more than yoga for her. It is about connecting. She wants to connect with each person she comes into contact with or leave a mark. She is and represents what she wants and who she wants to be, which is love, inspiration, compassion, joy, and so much more. She stands for many things. She says what she believes in, and she makes you laugh as well, which is the best medicine anybody could give. You might think you go in just for yoga, but you walk away with a gift.

More Yoga fun! 😀

Don’t laugh because that is what I was doing when I fell from my pose! *giggles*

Everything I participated in was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! As I said already, it is hard to put into exact words. I fully opened my heart for the first time in awhile. I felt it open, because the pain I felt while it was closed was at times unbearable. The smile on my face that I walked out with was big and bright.

LOVE IT!

From pain to healing. From start to finish. Life goes on if you allow it!

Later in the class Jennifer said something to me that caught me off guard in a good way. It doesn’t matter what she said because she knows, but for me it meant something. It is truly amazing when certain moments like those happen in our life. It just reaffirms the connection.

I felt so free and and relaxed during and after the class. I still feel her words, and I embrace everything I learned. The light I needed I found along with myself. I walked out with so much more than I expected. Not that I expected anything less, because I already knew what she was capable of. It is almost like flying when you walk out of her class. I only wish I could be a full time student. Maybe one day? You never know what life brings you. Her manifestation is all about that. Put it on a board, create it in your mind, or say it in the mirror everyday. She creates her goals and her life. There are no hand outs. Manifest what you want, pray, and you shall receive all in good time when it is right. That is what it is all about. In her class she reveals things about herself and her own life as well. She teaches and learns at the same time. You will find some just teach. Jennifer is adorable is so many ways. I thought I adored her before, but she more than confirmed those feelings.

I can write a short story on this experience and life her up in so many ways; however, it would not do her justice. She builds relationships with amazing people and just reaches out. Though, she is not one to reach out without telling you to reach out as well. It is a two way street with her. I know if I needed a friend she is one of those friends and people out there that would reach right back in an instant. There are no excuses…just action!

I asked her before I went to her workshop to rock my world. I needed her to do something for me that most would consider a heavy responsibility. She never said I can’t or I don’t want to. She said I WILL! I felt like I put a bit of pressure on her, but of course she knows I was playing around with her. Well, you know what I have to say about that? She took it completely serious and did it.

Ahhhhhhhh…I can’t stop writing. This is what she did. My writing was completely blocked before her class. I barely opened my computer. Now, I am back to work on my script, my book, and my blog. I am ready and willing to go for my dreams. I am ready for anything! We all are in negatives places at times. She does stress that about us and herself, but we have to find a way out of that tunnel. She does not preach happy happy joy joy every moment in our lives, but she does preach that something good comes out of things we feel are bad. I do the same.

Take note: She blogs about and discusses her being hearing impaired, but she does not let that stop her from living life to the fullest. Don’t let an ailment control you or your life. Find a way to CONTROL IT, ACCEPT IT, MAKE IT A PART OF YOU, EMBRACE IT, AND RELEASE IT.I AM FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE….FREEEEEEEEEEE FALLINNNNNNG! 😀

Look her up, follow her on Twitter, look her up on Facebook, check her sites out because she is one to keep an eye on. She is going to blow the scene up!

So much love for Jennifer Pastiloff aka ManifestYogaJen!

Be grateful! Everyday is a blessing!

“Own your awesomeness” – Jennifer Pastiloff

Inspiration, Manifestation Retreats, Manifestation Workshops, manifesting

What I Learned From An 8 Year Old.

February 29, 2012

By Jen Pastiloff.

This past weekend I taught my first workshops in Austin, Texas.

It went incredibly well. Here is the blog about that and my love letter to Austin.

I have been holding a Twitter contest with my friend Karen Salmansohn. It goes like this: Whoever tweets us the most what inspires them, wins. They also have to use the hashtag #manifest.

It’s been a little life changing to see what everyone has been tweeting to us.

It’s a win-win contest. The actual prize is a spot at my May Manifestation retreat to Ojai and a book by Karen (notsalmon.com).

So two people are in the lead for the contest. One woman lives in San Antonio and has a family and one is a college student who lives in Santa Barbara. I look forward to their hourly tweets. It’s a bit of an addiction. They keep me going throughout my day. Here are a few examples of their tweets.

@CarolJackson365 Inspired by kick ass cool contests that make me a better person. Thank you @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen #manifest

The sun rising on unfamiliar horizons inspires me to replace concept with reality. #manifest @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen

Inspired by chats w/strangers that fill heart w/joy. Funny how lovely folks r when u let them b them @ManifestYogaJen @Notsalmon#manifest

Inspired by london and the oneness and connection of different cultures. @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen #manifest

inspiration is a cheeky pub waitress who gives you hell when you order a diet coke. such a delight! @ManifestYogaJen @Notsalmon

Gloriousness and wretchedness need each other. One inspires us, the other softens us-Pema chodron. @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen#manifest

@KthrnGee The past couple of years I’ve been SO inspired by those who are AWAKE..if you know what I mean 😉 @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen#manifest

Inspiration makes my heart beat faster, it excites and motivates action for a better self. @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen #manifest

8yrs ago I was pressured to be in a gang. Crazy, right? Inspired by how far I’ve come. @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen #manifest

Lately, friendships have inspired me to stay away from those who add little value to my life. @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen #manifest

I choose to be inspired by the beauty of everyday life. I also choose love & wisdom. What do u choose? @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen #manifest

People who are cold towards me inspire me to be kind. Love is a human need. @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen #manifest

What would you do if your toddler told you she’s too fat? Love your INNER child; this inspires me. @Notsalmon @ManifestYogaJen#manifest

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Carol is the mom who lives in San Antonio and Katherine is 21 and in college.

Carol shows up to my workshop in Austin. Get this: with her 8 year old daughter! Naturally at first I am thinking: Oh Shit!

Because yes, I say Shit a lot and I was a bit afraid I would have to censor myself.

Boy was I wrong!

(As a side note: Carol lives in San Antonio. She drove all the way to Austin. How did she find me in the first place? From my articles on Positively Positive. That my friends, is the power of social media. )

So Carol walks in with her daughter wearing my “What Are You Manifesting” tee which she had ordered last month. Her daughter gives me a gift. Two books about poetry. Because she told her 8 year old that I love poems.

(As a side note. Dear Universe, Thank you for sending me these people. There. Are. No. Accidents.)

I immediately ask Carol if she won the Twitter contest (as I knew at that time she was tied with sweet young Katherine) would she be able to fly out to California and get away? She said ” Oh, let someone else win. I have gotten more out of this then you will ever ever know.”

To say I was touched would be an understatement.

The people you need to meet always show up when you need them. I feel that way about them and I am sure they feel that way about me. Bam!

I needed to meet someone who was participating so fully in their life. Who was raising a child in this way. Who was so willing to be attentive and present and inspired.

And did I ever need to meet this kid of hers.

By the way, the 8 year old? Her name was Jen, too.

So at one point I ask the group to write a letter to their 16 year old selves. (Everyone had journals in the class. It’s a big part of the Manifestation workshop.)

I felt bad because Jen was only 8 so I said to her ” Jen, you can write a letter to your 5 year old self, ok?”

She wrote ” Dear 5 year old self…. being 8 is awesome!”

At one point everyone was in child’s pose. I was reciting one of my favorite quotes:

“If you knew who walked beside you at all times, on the path that you have chosen, you could never experience fear or doubt again.”

― Wayne W. Dyer

No one budged from child’s pose except 8 year old Jen.

She got up to pick up a pen and write down what I was saying!

I needed to meet this little angel to be reminded what is possible and to be inspired again.

To allow myself to be surprised.

She asked her mom after they got back to San Antonio if, for her birthday in July, she could have a yoga lesson by me.

I learned from an 8 year old: how to be brave, how to ask for what you want, how to pay attention, how to listen, how to laugh, how to do a fierce backbend, how to show love, how to be okay with the fact that you might be the only one in the room who doesn’t understand something and conversely how to be the only one in the room who DOES understand something.

So here is a letter to my 8 year old self, which is the age I somehow feel I stopped growing. It’s when my dad died. (Maybe that little Jen was a version of me. I have to make sure I didn’t imagine her.)

Dear 8 year old me:

Being 37 is awesome! I know you don’t believe me now because life sucks since your daddy died but it will be ok. You will fall in love and you will go out and inspire people with dance parties and twitter contests and you will meet little girls who will show you what it means to be fearless. You will never get over that little piece of sadness, that part of you that died when your dad died but you will indeed transform that into a whole lotta love. You will make up for all that frowning you do now when you are 37. You will remember who you really are. I’m here waiting for you.

Oh, and that noise in your head? Get used to it. It’s called tinnitus.

My Manifestation Workshop. Me, Carol from San Antonio and her 8 year old daughter Jen. Black Swan Yoga, Austin Texas.

Thank you mini Jen for showing up Saturday and showing me what it means to be inspired and committed and fearless. That’s what an 8 year old looks like to me.

All of Jen Pastiloff’s events listed here.

Join Jen Pastiloff in Tuscany for her annual Manifestation Retreat. Click the sunflowers!

Manifestation Workshops

Black Swan Yoga, Austin.

February 28, 2012

Wanted to share a short little interview I did with Lilyana, who manages, and teaches at Black Swan Yoga. Please run, don’t walk there, if you are ever in Austin. Stay tuned for my next date at BSY.

“I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing Light of your own Being.” ~Hafiz

Manifestation Retreats, Manifestation Workshops, Travels

From Austin, With Love

February 27, 2012

A more apt title would be: To Austin, With Love.

I led my first workshop in Austin this past Saturday.

Just look at their faces! Joy!

It was the second time I’d been to this fantastic and charming little city.

The first was about ten years ago when two of my best friends were living here and I acted in a short film they were making in Austin. Needless to say, the short film is probably somewhere in short film heaven, but one of the girls, Shana Feste, has gone on to write and direct The Greatest and Country Strong.

I didn’t really remember much of that first trip. Those were sort of the Dark Years for me, I was deeply unhappy and I have somehow managed to unglue most of those memories from my mind from that period of time.

Most of my 20’s fall into that category. TDY= The Dark Years.

I remember I had liked Austin. I had covered a few shifts from my waitressing job so I could fly out and ‘star’ in a short film being shot somewhere near the University. I remembered that the people were really friendly. We had gone out and listened to music. I think we’d eaten good Thai food. I remembered my character’s name in the short film was “Jane.” I think.

I was excited to come back to Austin during this particular period of my life. I am more alive and present and, as far as I can tell, doing my life’s work.

I figured it would make for a different experience.

I was right.

My Manifestation Workshop on Saturday was at Black Swan Yoga (which is now my yoga home in Austin, Texas.)

To be clear: I had no students to speak of in Austin, prior to this workshop. I knew only one person: my beloved friend Amy Esacove, who happens to be an incredible teacher at Black Swan Yoga.

What can I say about the workshop last Saturday?

It was like coming home.

That’s how I described it to someone last night. The first thing that came to my mind was: it was like coming home.

The students were so receptive, so open-minded, so gracious, so full of beauty and humor that it was hard for me to process the fact that I had never met them before. That I hadn’t personally picked all my favorite people on the planet and asked them to come support me at my first ever workshop in Texas.

After the workshop ended, I jokingly suggested that I moved here. I won’t move (not yet) but I will be back. Often.

The workshop itself was beautiful, heart-achingly so. I wish I could describe it to you in words but it doesn’t work that way. As most experiences go, you simply have be there, body and soul to understand what transpired in those moments. You can get close to an experience, through words or music or art, but in order to fully live it, you must be there.

And boy, were we we ever there.

They laughed and cried and sang and danced. They did handstands and worked with partners and journaled and meditated. It was like a full experience of “Life” condensed into two hours.

It’s hard for me to describe what it is that transpires in my workshops and retreats. Here is what one student said of the workshop: “it was a blissful self immersion. Like being wrung out and reawakened.” Another said it “was a a forest of love love love.”

One woman who showed up after reading my blog said “workshop was incredible! Tears, laughter, singing, dancing, asanaing and loving every minute of it!”

(As a side note: this is what is great about social media. You can touch people you might never have touched before and profoundly affect their lives. And vice versa.)

What struck me most about this group in Austin was their willingness.

They were willing to show up and go on this journey with someone they had never met. They were willing to trust, themselves, the others in the room, and me. They were willing to leave fear and judgement at the door.

They were willing, and this is perhaps my favorite, to play.

Regarding our dance party, one person said “I didn’t exactly expect this out of a yoga class…and yet, it was just a small part of a hugely awesome, totally perfect, much needed class. Thank you so much!”

They were true yogis, through and through.

I am honored I was able to lead this group on this journey. I am honored to say “I taught at Black Swan Yoga.”

I am not sure what is going on down there. I am not sure what sort of Awesome they’re drinking but I do know this: I want some.

I am going to steal a bit of of their Awesome and bring it back to LA with me.

Hope y’all don’t mind.

Dear Austin, I love you.

I thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

Dear Black Swan Yoga, keep singing and dancing until I return.

Alli Akard “Austin is a little better after such an amazing workshop. manifesting, laughter and yoga…three of my favorite things. love, love, loved it!!!”

Michael Grey, the amazing owner of Black Swan Yoga

Black Swan Yoga, Austin, Texas.

The lovely and talented Amy Esacove who teaches regularly at Black Swan Yoga

Lilyana ( who manages Black Swan and teaches there), Amy and Michael

I am proudly wearing my OMIES tshirt! " I am a Giddy Omie" The lovely Dahlia, who owns the Austin based company with her husband Rick, stands with me and 8 year old Jen, who also attended my workshop. Love both these ladies! In fact, at one point as I read a quote, this 8 year old was the only one who picked up her pen and paper to jot down what I was saying! OMIE-indeedy!

You can order your OMIES shirt here.

You can learn more about Black Swan Yoga by following them on Facebook here.

To learn more about me or to book a workshop with me email jennifer@jenniferpastiloff.com

Or visit my site jenniferpastiloff.com.

I lead workshops and retreats around the world.

Daily Manifestation Challenge, Manifestation Retreats, Mindwebs

Who Would I Be If Nobody Told Me Who I Was? The I Am Question. Daily Manifestation Challenge.

October 14, 2011

What a powerful question! Who would I be if nobody told me who I was?

I first heard Wayne Dyer ask the question at one of his conferences. Who would you be be if nobody told you who you were? in his shorts and cute little flip-flops. Holy Sweet Baby Moses, I don’t know the answer. I don’t know who I’d be.

At that time the question blew me right out my seat. I came back fully inhabited as somebody else.

You mean I get to decide who I am? I get to say who I am in the world rather than simply letting someone tell me? What the what?

For a long time I let the people around me dictate who I was. Sure, I was dealing with depression but the constant reminder that I should smile more, that I was so sad all the time actually had the effect of keeping me in that space. Eww. So I decided that was who I was. Sad and depressed. Woe is me Jen P. And that was that about that.

I also have a severe hearing problem and before people knew that fact they would think I was an airhead, someone who was eternally checked out. You kind of start to believe it after a while. I’m just a dingbat. Enough people tell you what and who you are and what do you know? You start to decide it’s the truth! You start to accept that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.

Ain’t so! You get to decide as many times as you like just who you are. I was a waitress kind of pretending to be an actress and now I am a yoga teacher and a writer. Not pretending.

And guess what else? I decided that I am not an airhead, I simply CAN’T HEAR!

Despite what the world told me about who I was and my character I chose differently.

I just love that Einstein quote above. It makes me feel sad for someone so close to me who was abused and believed that they were worthless for a very long time.

As I said in my poem “How To Make A Life” you get to decide over and over, as many times as you like, as many times as your socks, just who you are.

I lead an exercise in my workshops and retreats where I have people finish the sentence I am _____.

You cannot finish the sentence with: I am fat, I am broke, I am tired , hungry, bored etc.

It has to be something powerful. Something that you truly believe you are despite all the buts and ifs. If you’ve thought of yourself as ” just a mom” for years (and I know many who have thought themselves that even though the “just” makes me cringe), especially if you have done that, this exercise is profound.

You are the one making the rules.

You get to finish your I am-ness with whatever you like.

Why not? You are the creator of your world.

So here’s who I am. At least today: I am a healer. I am a writer. I am inspired. I am inspiring. I am powerful.

My exercise in the workshop is a bit harder. You say it aloud and then pick someone in the room and tell them your I am-ness before you look in their eyes for 3 minutes straight, without saying a word. It’s no joke! Some people weep. Some laugh. Some want to crawl out of their skin and beat the sh*t out of me.

But all know that the person looking in their eyes sees them exactly as who they said they were.

I am.

Who are you?

Be brave.

I dare you.

Today’s Challenge is the question: Who Would You be if Nobody Told You who you were? YOu can add your response below in comments. I encourage you to finish the sentence I am ________. Fill it in with something powerful and inspiring.