NICOLE OHME

My dear Global Yoga Community,

We always strive for balance in our life.
One topic that is not so much talked about, but is a big part of daily life, is finding the balance of giving and receiving.
For me it has been always easy to give while receiving has been a bit of a challenge.
The first time I became really conscious of my issue with receiving in all areas of my life, was through my journey with the Human Garage. This and the recent experience in my retreat in Morocco inspired me to have a deeper look into the possible reasons behind it. This is what I found and would like to share with you.

* * *
Balancing giving and receiving in relationships can indeed be a challenge, especially for individuals who tend to be more inclined toward giving. It’s essential to find equilibrium to maintain healthy and mutually satisfying connections. Here are some insights and tips that might help:

Understand the Importance of Receiving
Recognize that receiving is not a sign of weakness or dependence. It’s a natural part of any healthy relationship. Just as giving brings joy to others, allowing yourself to receive can bring joy to those who care about you.

Acknowledge Your Needs
Be aware of your own needs and desires. Understand that it’s okay to have needs and that allowing others to meet them fosters a sense of connection. It doesn’t make you a burden or less self-sufficient.

Practice Self-Compassion
Treat yourself with the same kindness and generosity that you extend to others. Acknowledge your own worthiness of care and support. Self-compassion can make it easier to accept help or gifts from others.

Communicate Openly
Share your feelings and concerns with those close to you. Let them know that you appreciate their generosity but may struggle with receiving. Open communication fosters understanding and allows others to support you in the way you need.

Start Small
If receiving feels uncomfortable, start with small gestures. Accept compliments gracefully, express gratitude, and gradually allow yourself to accept more significant forms of support or kindness.

Shift Your Perspective
Consider receiving as an opportunity for others to experience the joy of giving. By accepting what others offer, you allow them to contribute to your well-being and happiness.

Reflect on Your Beliefs
Examine any underlying beliefs or fears that may be contributing to difficulty in receiving. Addressing these underlying issues can help you become more comfortable with the idea of receiving.

Set Boundaries
It’s crucial to set healthy boundaries in relationships. Understand your limits and communicate them to others. This ensures that you receive in a way that aligns with your comfort and values.

Practice Gratitude
Regularly express gratitude for the kindness and generosity of others. This not only reinforces positive behavior but also helps you become more mindful of the support you receive.

Remember that finding balance is an ongoing process, and it’s okay to take small steps towards change. Developing a healthy balance between giving and receiving contributes to more fulfilling and sustainable relationships.

* * *
My magical yoga retreat in Morocco let me feel the fulfillment of this balance in depth. These wonderful group of people attending, created a precious space of love and kindness where everyone experienced a natural flow of giving and receiving. I am ever so grateful to all of you!

Monday 27.11.
What do you need
Flow

Wednesday 29.11.
Self-Compassion
3-Breaths Flow

Thursday 30.11.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 01.12.
Feel the Healing
Slow Flow

Monday 04.12.
Shift Perspective
Flow

Wednesday 06.12.
Counting your Blessings
Slow Flow

Thursday 07.12.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 08.12.
Power of Belief
Flow

I feel blessed to be able to keep on learning from you!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Global Yoga Community,

There are so many changes happening around us and most of them are very unsettling and stressful I find. To bring a change forth in this world we need to come back to
“The (wo)man in the mirror” as Michael Jackson tried to bring his message across already 35 years ago. It seems maybe more valuable then ever today!

* * * 
Autumn is a season that encourages change and reflection. The transformation of the nature during this time can serve as a metaphor for personal growth and transition in our own lives. The falling leaves and the cooler temperatures provide a perfect backdrop for contemplation and renewal.
There are a few ways we can embrace change and make the most of the autumn season:

Taking time to reflect on the year so far. What do I have achieved and what lessons have I learned?
*
Using the changing season as a motivation for what you want to change or improve in your life. Whether it’s personal, professional, or health-related, autumn can give you a fresh start to commit to positive changes.
*
Taking advantage of the beauty of the autumn colors and embracing the unique flow of this season by spending time in nature. Connecting in some way or form with the changing environment.
*
Autumn’s unique atmosphere can make it easier to be present and mindful. Consciously experiencing the senses like the crunch of leaves under the feet, diving deep into the colors around you, the crispness of the air on the skin and the special smell that comes with it.
*
Just as trees shed their leaves in preparation for winter, we can use this season to declutter our life. Letting go of things that no longer serve us, whether physical possessions or negative habits.
*
The holiday season is just around the corner.
Taking this time to connect with loved ones and strengthen our relationships. The warmth of human connection is a source of comfort and joy especially in the colder months.


“In every change, in every falling leaf there is some pain, some beauty. And that’s the way new leaves grow.”
~ Amit Ray

In embracing the unique flow of autumn, you can find inspiration and motivation to make positive changes in your life and appreciate the beauty of the season.

Monday 30.10.
Celebrate your Achievements
Flow

Wednesday 01.11.
Tap into the Senses
Slow Flow

Thursday 03.11.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Monday 06.11.
Trust your Heart
Slow Flow

Wednesday 08.11
Letting Go
Flow

Thursday 09.11.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 10.11.
Gratitude
Flow

Monday 13.11.
New Intention
Flow

Wednesday 22.11.
Grounding
Slow Flow

Thursday 23.11.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 24.11.
Thanks for Twists
Flow

I know that all of you are open hearted beings and that is one of the reasons why I love you. It is easy to be swept away by the energies around us and I hope these classes will provide for you a space of comfort, to recharge and build resilience 🙂

Love,

Nicole

My dear Global Yoga Community,

Some of you might remember the story of my mother and I not having a good relationship. Each time when I would go and visit, I would think ‘she can’t hurt me anymore, I am past that point and age’ etc.
Boom – there she did it again. This year I went to see her and I felt deep inside of me that she can’t anymore.
Guess what?! She couldn’t even though she said hurtful things again. I am grateful for the Human Garage and their facial maneuvers that lead me to feel changes physical, mentally and emotionally.

“Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome.”
~ Nelson Mandela


That being said this is not the end of the journey. So many more layers are waiting to be peeled off.
I have been working on self love and I progressed a bit by setting more boundaries, making myself the priority etc.
Last weekend when I did my first IG reel for the human garage, I fell into a big crises. Seeing and hearing myself in the reel over and over again while I tried to edit, let a storm break loose inside of me. I tried to ignore my feelings of shame, self-judgment, criticism, embarrassment and posted it anyways. I could feel myself spinning down, everything narrowed down on me and I had a huge crying fit. I had no idea that this would hit me so hard and I could tell that came from way deep inside and was tucked away very well.

This as an other example of me thinking I am loving myself by doing all the right steps, but I am far from feeling self love. I am sharing this so openly, because being vulnerable shines light on my darkness and I hope to inspire some of you to look at yourself where you are just rationalizing and thinking and where you really can feel the depth of that emotion.

Teaching movement is my safe heaven where I am of the picture. When I feel my body and all the information comes to me in the moment. All critics inside of me are not present and I enjoy the movement, being at service.

Monday 16.10.
How does it feel
Slow Flow

Wednesday 18.10.
Midweek Detox
Flow

Thursday 19.10.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 20.10.
Three Breaths
Flow

Monday 23.10.
Fascia Balls
Flow

Wednesday 25.10.
Elasti-Band
Flow

Thursday 26.10.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 27.10.
Fascial Maneuver
Slow Flow

I am grateful for your appreciation and trust in my evolving, changing classes!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Global Yoga Community,

We all feel them, but not always properly acknowledge them – our ups and downs in life. Partly because we are spending most time of the day in our head and not in our body.

~ ~ ~

Honoring the natural wave of life and not resisting the downs is a philosophy often associated with embracing the ebb and flow of existence. It’s about acknowledging that life has its ups and downs, and each part of this cycle holds its own significance and purpose.
Here are a few inspirational thoughts on how to lead a more meaningful and fulfilled life.

Acceptance and Mindfulness 
Embrace the present moment, whether it’s a high or a low. Mindfulness encourages being aware of your thoughts and emotions without judgment. When you accept and observe your downs without resisting, you can better appreciate the natural course of life.

Resilience and Growth 
Viewing the downs as opportunities for growth helps build resilience. Challenges can teach valuable lessons and foster personal development, preparing you for the inevitable ups that follow. Every low point is a chance to learn, adapt, and become stronger.

Gratitude and Perspective 
Experiencing the downs allows you to truly appreciate the ups. Gratitude for the highs becomes more profound when you’ve experienced and overcome the lows. It’s all about gaining a broader perspective on life’s fluctuations and being thankful for the entire journey.

Balance and Harmony 
Understanding the natural rhythm of life helps you find balance and harmony within yourself and with the world around you. Just as nature has its seasons, life has its cycles, and finding peace within this understanding is key to navigating the journey.

Embracing Impermanence 
Recognize that nothing stays the same forever. Impermanence is a fundamental aspect of life. The downs, like the ups, are fleeting. Being mindful of this impermanence can help you ride the waves with a sense of equanimity.

Creativity and Inspiration 
The ebb and flow of life can inspire creativity and innovation. Some of the greatest works of art, literature, and inventions have been born out of challenging times. The downs can fuel your creativity and drive to make positive changes.

Connection and Empathy 
Experiencing the downs allows you to relate to others who are going through similar challenges. It deepens your empathy and compassion, fostering connections and a sense of community.

~ ~ ~

The more I resisted the natural wave and flow of my life, more pain and suffering I would experience. Changing my perspective, spending time in nature and moving my body help me to move stagnant energy. This way everything stays in a flow.

Monday 02.10.
Acceptance and Mindfulness 
Flow

Wednesday 04.10.
Resilience and Growth
Flow

Thursday 05.10.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 06.10.
Gratitude and Perspective
Slow Flow

Monday 09.10.
Balance and Harmony
Flow

Wednesday 11.10.
Connection and Empathy
Slow Flow

Thursday 12.10.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 13.10.
Embracing Impermanence
Flow

Let’s gracefully ride the waves together backed up and supported by our beautiful global community!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Global Yoga Community,

This is the translation for above:
“You don’t have to learn to endure more, you have to learn not to allow everything”

I am certain that the dog I chose, came into my life for reason. She is suppose to teach me something valuable and I believe that it is like this for everybody who has an animal. Just like people as well.
As you know I have worked on myself and with my dog on living more harmoniously side-by-side.
One thing I came up against over and over is:

SETTING BOUNDARIES

I can’t believe that it took me more than half of my life to fully comprehend the extend of these words. I slowly manage to do it and I can see and feel just a glimpse of how empowering and freeing this can be on all levels. This time I am determined to follow through with it.
The beauty of learning it with your dog is that it is non-verbal which makes it even more powerful, but also easier because of their conditional love. If you mess up you can start the next day fresh over again with them.

I was researching “Setting non-verbal boundaries” and was blown away by its actual simplicity and clarity. We have been here before – simple, but not easy! For me the key is that boundaries are set in an unemotional manner.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Setting non-verbal boundaries is a crucial aspect of communication and interpersonal relationships.
Non-verbal communication, including body language, facial expressions, and gestures, plays a significant role in conveying your boundaries and ensuring they are respected. Here’s how you can harness the power of setting non-verbal boundaries.

Body Language
Posture: Maintain an assertive and upright posture to signal confidence and self-assurance.
Eye Contact: Establish and maintain appropriate eye contact to convey attentiveness and seriousness about your boundaries.
Personal Space: Demonstrate your boundaries by managing your personal space and not allowing encroachment without consent.

Facial Expressions
Firmness: Use a firm and composed facial expression to convey the seriousness of your boundaries.
Disapproval: Express disapproval or discomfort through your facial expressions to signal when someone has crossed a boundary.

Gestures:
Palm Up/Palm Down: Use palm-up gestures to welcome appropriate interaction and palm-down gestures to indicate a stop or boundary.
Gesture at a Distance: Use appropriate hand gestures to indicate the desired distance or space you want to maintain.

Voice Tone and Volume
Firm Tone: Speak in a firm and clear tone to assert your boundaries without being aggressive.
Appropriate Volume: Adjust your voice volume to match the situation, emphasizing your boundaries when needed.

Consistency
Ensure that your non-verbal communication aligns with your verbal communication and remains consistent across various situations.

Awareness:
Be mindful of others’ non-verbal cues and respect their boundaries as well.
Pay attention to how people respond to your non-verbal cues and adjust them if needed to effectively convey your boundaries.

Practice Self-Awareness:
Understand your own body language and the messages it conveys. Practice using non-verbal cues consciously to communicate your boundaries effectively.

Empowerment and Confidence:
Cultivate self-confidence and empowerment, as these qualities will naturally reflect in your non-verbal communication, reinforcing your boundaries.

Remember, setting non-verbal boundaries is about communicating your needs and limits effectively without necessarily using words. It’s a powerful tool to ensure your boundaries are respected and to maintain healthy relationships.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Who new that the body language one would be the hardest for me! I know if I manage to get my dog to respect me fully, all other areas of my life will be influenced and changed.

Monday 18.09.
Set an Intension
Flow

Wednesday 20.09.
Set an Intension
Slow Flow

Thursday 21.09.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 22.09.
Set an Intension
Flow

Monday 25.09.
Intension on Self-Boundary
Slow Flow

Wednesday 27.09.
Intension on Self-Boundary
Flow

Thursday 28.09.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 29.09.
Intension on Self-Boundary
Flow

I hope this is an inspiration for you, unless I am the only one who has issues with setting healthy boundaries! 🙂

Love,

Nicole

My dear Global Yoga Community,

I arrived back home from my trip, but I am still continuing my inner journey. I have been and will be as honest and authentic as possible with you while I am taking you with me on that journey.
The video from the Human Garage was presented to us to watch. Following questions were raised to reflect and share our answers to:

“What is your biggest takeaway from this story of helping people?
Do you help people without them asking?
Do you try to help people when they aren’t ready or willing to help them-self?
If yes, what have you learned?”

This video left a big impression on me and maybe it will have an effect on you as well.

This is what I shared back then:
I have tried to help my family and people around me all my life without them asking for it and was seldom heard. Somehow I felt it is my obligation to help my family, but my mother is one of the victim behavior individuals and hearing this gives me the reinsurance that it has nothing to do with me nor can I help.
I always had a hard time asking for help that’s maybe one of the reasons why I wanted to help other’s without being asked.
Listening to this powerful interview I will be even more aware of it and more likely will ask for help myself now 🙏 

It comes natural to me, wanting to help or be of help. Since I saw this interview I did conscious changes to come out of this habitual pattern of trying to help no matter what. I also started to ask for help myself. I don’t know what has been more challenging 😅

Monday 04.09.
Listen to Help
Slow Flow

Wednesday 06.09.
What do you need
Flow

Thursday 07.09.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 08.09.
What do you need
Flow

Monday 11.09.
What do you need
Flow

Wednesday 13.09.
What do you need
Flow

Thursday 14.09.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 15.09.
What do you need
Slow Flow

Glad we have a safe and loving community where we can ask for and be of help!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Global Yoga Community,

As you know I arrived back in Spain a few days ago. I am proud of myself to have overcome my fear of driving. I drove the last 1500 km with “bad” breaks and learned to drive pro-active instead of reactive which turns out to be a good skill 😉
With me I brought a suitcase that I had stored a long time ago in Switzerland. Not knowing what was all in there anymore, I opened it up already back in Switzerland. A big emotional wave hit me and I started crying. The suitcase is filled with video tapes from my dance performances – from rock’n’roll dancing over stage performances to my collaborations with artists. There are lots of photos and news paper articles covering my whole life of passion for movement that continued to be my life thread till now.

It took me a while to figure out what is so overwhelming and is touching so deeply. Partly it is the pain I feel knowing that I haven’t given myself enough credit for all that I have done in my life and accomplish on my own. And the other part is looking at photos of myself when I was young and seeing the passion that radiates out of me beyond my eyes. Feeling that unwavering determination and intuition I had about what I needed to do and the deep trust in life even if I didn’t know what would be there for me next.

The reason why I am sharing with you my inner most self is that I want to inspire you to do the same. Have a look at your past and see how far you have come and maybe what you have “lost” on the way. To encourage you to tap back into it. It is never too late to live your passion or/and fulfill your life purpose.

My safe place was always when I was moving my body. Then intuition hits and I feel safe in and with the unknown. Encountering my past this way, encourages me to love myself more, find more self-worth and tap back into my intuition in all other areas of my life. Leading me away from fear to freedom and trust in my future.

Today is my birthday. I was never big on celebrating it, but for the first time I can feel deep gratitude for what was, what is and what will be. I will sit down in front of my past stored in suitcase and cherish myself and my life.

Monday 21.08.
Trust your body
Flow

Wednesday 23.08.
Cherishing
Slow Flow

Thursday 24.08.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 25.08.
Joy of Movement
Flow

What is your purpose in life?

Love,

Nicole

My dear Global Yoga Community,

I felt the urge to change the way I address my blog 🙂
You are not random yogis and yoginis that do online yoga together. You are Yoga! You made it happen that we can feel, care for and support each other despite the hurdle of being online. Starting out not knowing each other you all opened your heart to each other and anyone joining this community after.

This community provides a sense of belonging, understanding, and connection that is hard to find in our fast-paced and often disconnected society.

The digital age has brought about many conveniences and for us it bridged the gap of isolation and offers a sense of connection even if we are geographically distant. Emotional support, positive Energy and gratefulness helped us through a time of social isolation and continues to be some of the core values of this community.

Being part of this global yoga community where I can share my passion, support others, and receive support has lead me to a sense of fulfillment and purpose in my life.

In a world where divisions and polarizations often dominate, it is heartwarming to be with people that focus on commonalities and understanding which promote unity and empathy. We created a space where everybody can be their authentic self, find encouragement, and contribute positively to each other’s lives.

Last but not least, your openness to new experiences and approaches was a safe ground for me to evolve and explore my teaching and to grow as a teacher.

Monday 14.08.
Meditative Repetition
Flow

Wednesday 16.08.
Three Breaths
Flow

Friday 18.08.
Heart – Lung – Dance
Organ Flow

Monday 21.08.
Going with the flow
Flow

Wednesday 23.08.
Grounding
Slow Flow

Thursday 24.08.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 25.08.
Going with the flow
Flow

I am grateful beyond words for this beautiful community! 🙂

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

This is probably the most personal blog I have written so far.
A friend of mine, I visited near Hamburg said that I am on my own created “Way of St. James”. Obviously I was not walking from Spain all the way to Denmark and back, but maybe being by yourself driving that distance and visiting the past can have a similar result.
I have been doing my FM’s (Fascial Maneuvers from the Human Garage) during my travel and did some live teaching on the way in Denmark, Switzerland and Germany which was a great experience.

The whole last week I have been reflecting on all the people I re-met on my trip and how even the perception people had of me changed this time. I also got a stronger sense of who still belongs in my life and knowing where I don’t belong. So all sorts of shifts happening while being loyal to my process and FM’s 😉

Today I took all my courage to ask questions in the Lifestyle Artist meeting we had. Even though I can perform/dance on stage and teach with confidence classes when it comes to speaking up in meeting I get super nervous. I went for a walk with my dog after the meeting and thinking about what Garry (Founder HG) said about the need for my to open up my heart and allow myself to receive.

Thinking about it made me realize that my heart has always been wide open to “god and the world” so stay. Yes, I had my share of being deeply hurt, so that a friend of mine even said “your heart is way to open, I want to close it a bit up for you”. I never did, but I did fail to open it up to myself. The self-judgment, feeling of never being good enough, shame, guilt, negative self-talk that were repeated habits/patterns taught in childhood by my family. All of this prevented me from loving myself. I never saw it as clear as now.
I guess I haven’t even been able to allow myself to receive love fully or believe that someone could love all of me. The feeling of unworthiness I was able to cover up nicely my whole life by loving others even more. Being taught putting yourself first is selfish wasn’t helpful in the whole process either.
So I guess learning to love myself is on the top of my list now 🙂

Monday 07.08.
Pelvis Awareness
Slow Flow

Wednesday 09.08.
What do you need to learn
Flow

Thursday 10.08.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 11.08.
What do you need to learn
Flow

I am grateful that I can always share my authentic self with you!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

I have been I week back in my “home town” and will have one more. Over all these years since I left I have come back and even lived here for a few years and never felt at ease.
Actually the contrary, a lot of resentment, sadness and other negativ feelings that I just couldn’t shake off.
I know it sounds weird and you probably can’t hear it anymore, but I do feel I have to give the credit to the Human Garage.
The shift that the fascial work created in me are subtle and at the same time profound.

I can see the beauty of Bad Harzburg like others do and feel a healthy detachment now.
In the past I was not able to enjoy my walk with my new dog around the area, because of the memories of my beloved dog I had to let go of here. The sadness is not anymore pulling at my heart so heavily and overpowering the deep gratitude I feel for the time I was allowed to spend with my beautiful soul mate.

My situation with my parents over my life time has been anything else than ideal and peaceful. For the first time I could meet them open hearted without judgment or fear to get emotionally slapped. I choose where I comment on and where to be quiet without the negativ feeling rising up. I don’t feel the need to protect myself from them anymore, because of the peace I feel inside.

I have been teaching a fascial maneuver and restorative yoga workshop this weekend. The people that joint, I used to teach rehabilitation classes and yoga to. They asked me if I don’t want to come back. As flattering as it is to be asked and appreciated, after all I still wouldn’t want to live here again. But I leaned by now – never say never!

I learn to really listen more to myself and act accordingly. There is still the constant pull to satisfy other people and their needs before mine, but each time I choose myself instead it feels like a win. Giving myself the love and attention first will have a ripple effect on all the people around me.

Monday 24.07.
What do you need
Flow

Wednesday 26.07.
What do you need
Flow

Friday 28.07.
Full attention on yourself
Slow Flow

Monday 31.07.
What do you need
Flow

Wednesday 02.08.
One Love
Slow Flow

Thursday 03.08.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 04.08.
What do you need
Flow

Thank you for accompanying me on my journey!

Love,

Nicole