Laura Jane Mellencamp in Showing Up: Dare to Live From Your Heart, a Film

Certified yoga therapist Laura Jane Mellencamp talks about reaching for the wrong things in life in the upcoming film, Showing Up: Dare To Live From Your Heart.

Showing Up encourages you to live a life that matters to you, to show up.

The film offers insightful interviews with teachers, ministers, therapists, and others who illuminate the journey from your head to your heart. They explore why we struggle to slow down, even when we say we must. A meaningful life requires we move out of our comfort zone, they explain. Do you wonder what gets in the way of taking your next daring step? They have answers.

Central ideas are inspired by the book Unfolding: Slow Down, Drop In, Dare More, written by Downers Grove local, Nancy Hill. From Unfolding, “Courageous choices that proclaim our essence are both risky and rewarding. They reveal who we are.” Heartfelt living is not a place we’ll reach someday. It happens in the moment. It happens when we show up. The film is directed by local Keith Kelly.

In the film, you will also meet people like you who face their fear and keep going.

• Travel to a Maasai Village in Tanzania where an American woman’s dream results in the education of thousands of children.

• Follow the journey of a classical violinist who longs to be a rockstar. It seems impossible. Could it happen?

• Be inspired by an artist who receives a devastating diagnosis. Will this end her painting career?

These uplifting stories and others show you how obstacles can be doorways to deeper self-expression. Already living from your heart? This film will encourage you to keep going. Do you question what it takes to live from your heart? This is a brilliant depiction of that journey.

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EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE SHOWING

Showing Up: Dare to Live from Your Heart

Saturday, October 15, 2022
at the Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove.

Tickets are $10 advanced purchase, $15 at the event

9:00 AM Doors open

Cover Girls, featured in the film, will perform

A professional photographer available to take your Premiere Photo

10:00 AM Film starts

11:3O AM Q and A

Hope you’ll join us!

Will you trust where your heart longs to go?

Learn more about the film on their Facebook page.

"Zooming" in the Blessed Space of Your Own Home

Laura Jane Mellencamp

I am so humbled by the constant reminder that I am not in control of anything. I can only set an intention, do my best, and leave the rest. I could never imagine when we closed our doors in March that we would still be in such a state of confusion come July.

After sitting in the uncertainty, I am holding the future loosely. I feel at this time, it would be too hasty to open our doors and bring students into our space with so many conflicting messages around this variable virus. I have to respect my teachers and the students. To return too soon would not be a healthy decision considering all the unknowns.

I feel that all the safety concerns being presented are only going to agitate the minds; wearing a mask, keeping social distancing, and having to practice without the air conditioner is not offering our community a joyous place to practice. I must honor the first principle of yoga, Ahimsa (non-harming), is my first intention.

Therefore, I am postponing the reopening of the studio until we have better protocols for teaching without causing emotional stress. We are remaining to be steadfast in our commitment to share and teachings via zoom and to enhance the community with nurturing love as we ride the wave of this airborne virus.

Who would imagine six months ago that my life work of touch, offering hugs as a healing modality, would be eliminated. Breath is all there is for life. As teachers of yoga, our commitment has been to teach the value of exhaling. Now we learn this is how the virus thrives.  

My heart is sadden but my spirit remains more confident than ever. We will return to the studio slowly and yet for today, YAF will remain a home base for all of us to stay healthy and vibrant and positive moving forward in the comfort of our homes. Community is the most important healing foundation and so please continue to practice and bring your soul to the mat.

We are collectively breathing for the world, and your intention to spread the kindness of respect, patience, forgiveness, and love is our mission statement now. Let go of harming judgements, fearful projections and angry resistance.

Life is moving us forward. Transformational creativity is happening but we must be still enough to listen. “Zooming” in the blessed space of your own home and trust that our teachers are holding all of you in a safe and caring way.

We maintain our practice to experience our collective consciousness of beauty, wonder and grace. Let us remember our true nature and extend this intrinsic harmony into the world.

We can breathe together and as one vibrational sound—be the love! This might sound “Kumbayah”, and too simple for the complex nature of our times, but the strength of intention is not from a lack mind but from a full and grateful heart.  

In light and love,

Laura Jane

Midwest Yoga & Oneness Festival Discount

We proudly announce that we’re a sponsor of the 5th annual Midwest Yoga & Oneness Festival! Join Laura Jane November 15-17, 2019 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

The festival’s mission is to create an embodied experience of oneness, release of the spirit, an exploration of yoga for all levels, shapes, and sizes as expressions of life and joy, and to radiate transformational vibrations of love and light to the world.

This year’s festival headliner is Laura’s teacher, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, the renowned teacher, author, visionary and spiritual head of the Himalayan Insititute.

He will be sharing the system of meditation as taught by the great masters Patanjali and Buddha and will lead participants in a 30-minute meditation in support of Himalayan Institute's YEAR LONG MEDITATION (YLM).

Register now to reserve your spot for intensive training and other sessions with worldwide, and nationally known, teachers. See the Festival schedule and teachers/presenters.

Plus, connect with others. Whether its mingling in the vendor marketplace, sharing space in the on-going meditation vigil, or sharing the collective “OM” in the morning sangha gatherings, all are welcome and encouraged to be with others who share a bond in their practice, their belief in oneness, and their desire to feel at home.

Use our Teacher/Student discount code LMTS1920 to get 20% off your registration! To learn more and register: https://www.midwestyogaandonenessfestival.com.

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YAF Supports Year Long Meditation

Because we too are passionate about global peace and transformation, we are participating in the Himalayan Institute's YLM project. And while many of our classes include a meditation piece, here are some dedicated classes and workshops that support the practice and participation in the YLM. Click the photos below to learn more and how to register.