Do you feel stuck, weighed down or contracted at times? Do you hold back saying what you really feel or acting according to your true heart's desire? Freedom is defined as "the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint." Freedom is our inherent nature. From the moment we take our first breath, depending on how we were raised, we are supported to continue to freely express ourselves or we are given a set of rules and beliefs of what is "right" for us and what is "expected" of us. Sometimes these rules and beliefs that we learn are not in alignment with our true self which leads us to feel like we are living in a box. For example, you may have been taught that people of a different religion or race are not as "good" as you. Racism is...
Michelle Alva Blog / 21.02.2013
5 Ways To Empower Yourself
The word EMPOWER means to promote the self-actualization or influence of.  The topic of self-empowerment offers many solutions to the problems our society faces today. When we feel empowered we are able to accomplish our goals. The feeling of empowerment comes from feeling wholly connected to our authentic self. Gaining an awareness of how to empower yourself helps you to feel more balanced, healthy and powerful! Try these 5 easy tips on how to empower yourself: 1. Know Yourself and Believe In Yourself.  Know that you are amazing just because you are yoU. Know that you don't have to "become" anything or anyone to be "better." Every human being and living creature is sacred and special. Living from a place of seeing everyone and everything as holy and sacred brings a sense of magic and enrichment to your everyday life. 2. Be Authentic. Speak your truth. Be honest and...
The word Love has many different meanings. We experience the love hormone, oxytocin, when we gaze into one another's eyes in a non-judgmental way with full presence. According to Dr. Michel Odent, a mother who carries her newborn child on her chest and breastfeeds her baby experiences the highest levels of love hormone. Copulation that leads to orgasm and a loving embrace with complete vulnerability and surrender oozes with love hormone. Touch and affection with hugs and kisses stimulate the love hormone big time! Love is a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties. Love can also be the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another such as the brotherly concern for another. Love can be felt through a person's adoration of God. Love is everywhere...
Michelle Alva Blog / 07.02.2013
3 Tips On How and Why To Love More.
Did you know the word "Love" is one of the most searched words on Google? We all desire to be acknowledged, accepted, respected, admired and most of all loved. Everyone wants it, yet some of us don't know how to receive it, give it or get more of it. Our bodies are perfectly designed to produce love hormone. This neuro-hormone is called Oxytocin. Our bodies need it to grow, connect, focus, calm and heal. It is because of Oxytocin that humans are able to birth naturally, breastfeed, experience love and pleasure, gaze at one another, hug and orgasm. We need love hormone to grow and heal. Babies that are deprived of love die.  Love hormone causes us to deeply relax, feel energized and boost our immune system. Love is the most powerful anti-aging drug! Have you ever seen a person "in love" stressed out or tired? The key...
DO YOU REALLY HAVE TOO MUCH STRESS, OR JUST NOT ENOUGH Play and Pleasure In Your Life? Did you know play is actually a great way to relieve stress and get to know yourself and someone else? Plato said "You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Let's define what play really is and try some easy ways to integrate play into all areas of your life. We can weave into our day playful experiences so that we actually start to live our lives as though everything including our work is experienced as a playful and pleasurable experience! What is the definition of play? Play is all about Being in the moment. Play is healing, sensual & brings us so much pleasure, excitement and creativity! We are truly "in the zone" when we are playing. HOW CAN I PLAY? The...
 Love and Lust: Why both are Important in a Romantic Relationship by Michelle Alva, PT Have you ever wondered if you were truly in love, or truly in lust? Did you know that falling in love actually forms over time, and it has a predictable course dependent on many different factors, of which personality and temperament have much to do with, along with how much you have in common with your partner? Love is an intense feeling or affection and care towards another person. It is a profound attraction that forms an emotional attachment over time. On the flip side, lust is a strong desire of a sexual nature that is based on physical attraction and happens rather quickly. Lust can transform into love, but usually it takes time. Two individuals will transform their lust into love when they get to actually see the whole individual and...
Michelle Alva Blog / 27.01.2013
What Does Yoga Mean To you? What Do You Love About Wearing YOGIIZA Organic Cotton?
Every Wednesday at Yogiiza Headquarters in South Beach, a yoga teacher from the Miami community shares their passion and personal teaching style of yoga by guiding a free Karma Yoga Class as part of the Yogiiza Unified Progam. Mark Oliver and Dawn Oliver, founders and CEO's of Yogiiza Organic Clothing sponsor this weekly event and workshops like the Upcoming February 23, Empower The Empress For Women I am co-teaching with Yoga Teacher Jennifer Pansa, to create awareness of the benefits of yoga, to build community and educate people about the personal and environmental benefits of wearing Yogiiza organic, chemical-free clothing. DID YOU KNOW? According to Mark Oliver, "Polyester or Nylon is made from petroleum. It does not breath. It is highly flammable so it is usually treated with toxic fire retardants   When poly comes in contact with water such as sweat, toxic monomers may be released....
Michelle Alva Blog / 24.01.2013
5 Tips To De-Stress At Your Desk
Do you sit for at least 6-8 hours per day? Does your body feel tired, tense and drained at the end of your day? Did you know that sitting for 6-8 hours per day is detrimental to your health? Recent research reveals that sedentary behavior causes an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer and pre-mature death. Try these 3 easy tips to de-stress at your desk: 1. Align Your Spine. An erect and neutral posture minimizes stress to your spine. Bring your ears, shoulders and hips in the same vertical line. Avoid slouched postures which cause excessive stress on your body and mind. Add a lumbar roll to your low back area to enhance posture and comfort. 2. Expand The Front Of Your Body and Breathe IN Life To The Fullest. Stand up and bring your hands behind your back. Inhale to extend your upper body...
Did you know that how you welcome the new day in the morning as soon as you wake up greatly influences how the rest of your day goes? Do you wake up tired and grumpy or awake and excited for the endless possibilities in your day? Try these 3 easy tips to get your day started with your hormones flowing full of love, joy and peace! 1. Breathing IN Life To The Fullest. As soon as you wake up, turn your palms facing up. If you have space, bring the soles of your feet together and your hips and knees wide apart. Reach your arms overhead and take the DEEPEST, FULLEST Breath possible for you. Imagine the sun shining over you and filling you up with it's energy, life force and vitality. Breathe in the oxygen that nature feeds us to full capactiy. Feel the expansiveness and aliveness that...
Michelle Alva Blog / 21.12.2012
It's The End Of The World As We Know It… It's An Opportunity for a NEW BEGINNING…
Today is an auspicious day according to the Mayan calendar and as R.E.M. sang it, "It's The End Of The World As We Know It!" How healthy is this world anyway? Where Chronic diseases – such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis – are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in the U.S according to CDC? Globally, every night, there are people going to sleep hungry and homeless, yet we have every means to afford each person a home and food???? I am so excited to welcome the death of the old world, and the birthing of a new way, but I am not waiting for tomorrow. I am beginning RIGHT NOW! THE NEW WORLD is NOW! Here are my top 8 Recommendations for a new world, NOW! 1. Learn how to experience unconditional LOVE within. Let go of all expectations and just LOVE!...