DailyOM: What inspired you to create a yoga course for empaths?
Sadie: I know from personal experience that there are many people who identify as empaths and who want more lifestyle and fitness plans geared toward their specific needs. Also, there are many sensitive, stressed-out people out there who may not know they are empaths and could benefit from some deeper guidance.
DailyOM: When did you first realize you were an empath, and how did it impact your life at that time?
Sadie: I always knew I was extra sensitive. Large crowds bothered me. I felt bad when I'd leave parties early, or I would find the quietest room and sit and read until my friends were ready to go. I was easily drained in conversations and life generally overstimulated me. I began to have panic attacks. My relationships were dysfunctional with porous boundaries, and I was always "giving my power away" because I could not tell which emotions were mine and which belonged to somebody near me. I had the urge to help, which can be a beautiful thing, but those feelings easily morphed into giving too much, resentment, and exhaustion.
I went on a deep journey into yoga practice, something that is supposed to balance people. In some ways it did, but the messages of total compassion, more and more selfless service, and the push to forever attain another complex pose began to overwhelm my systems once again. It wasn't until my mid thirties, after I'd begun teaching yoga and studying healing concepts professionally, that the concept of empath began to pop up in my reading materials. I cried like a baby the first time I looked at a list of empath traits, and I became enamored with this strange concept that 100 percent described me. Thankfully I was in a room full of empaths, so I got a lot of hugs that day!
DailyOM: Please walk us through the journey of this course and what students can expect over the 21 lessons.
Sadie: For over a decade, I went on a course of empath study with books, yogis, neuroscience experts, reiki masters, anatomy professionals, anybody who could add to my knowledge. I learned that being an empath can be incredibly intense but also intensely wonderful. Empaths who can stand in their authenticity and integrity, coming to a strong center within themselves, who are eating well and containing their energies in balance are a force to be reckoned with. Aligned empaths can change the world for the better, starting with their own lives!
I designed this course as a 21-day journey to get fit, to get centered, and to reclaim your empath superpowers. This adventure distills and offers a healing and strengthening path specifically for empaths, with a consistent exercise program that also works to realign and clear their bodies and energy fields. Empaths must nourish themselves with full attention, we can't be chemically imbalanced or toxic through our diets. So many regular yoga and fitness styles ask us to primarily give, but the empath's journey begins with giving to oneself in a positive way.
Here we move, sweat, flow, learn, and transform on many levels. The first week is all about the earth element: finding solid ground, rooting in, and reconnecting to nature and one's true self. In week two we inhabit the core relationship: abs, spine, whole-body core strength, empowerment, boundary setting, proper energy shielding, and much more. The element here is fire, and we use it on the mat and in our meditations to burn away what no longer serves our fierce greatness.
In the final week, we call on metal and air elements to cut away old negative energies, creating organic lightness to move into our poses, and our communities, so that we feel more openhearted and free. These crucial skills and many more assist the empath to get through life with bright empowerment.
DailyOM: Tell us more about the yoga, meditations, journaling, and nutrition guidance you give in the course.
Sadie: I designed anatomy-enhanced yoga flows, strengthening and invigorating yoga, and strength sessions specifically for what empaths need to practice to become healthier and consciously fit. But we also dive into many other levels: mind, heart, emotions, actions, and energy. I give empath meditations for energy shielding, better boundaries, whole-heart opening, core connection, emotional cleansing, discernment, and more, and I present motivations that speak directly to the empath's daily challenges.
I offer guidance for how to create lasting success in ways that don't overly trigger the adrenal system, and since many empaths require higher-quality diets, I help them stay clean, healed, and energized. I didn't want to stress my empaths out more than they already were, so I made sure that all this could fit into their schedules seamlessly.
DailyOM: We always want to practice what we teach. Have you used the same tools you teach in the course to help yourself come back to balance?
Sadie: I use them every single day. I have to or it's a quick slide back into imbalance, low energy, and confusion about who I am and what I need. Luckily, I've been doing them, morning to night, for so long that it's not anything I have to think about anymore—it's become my life.
DailyOM: Please tell me some feedback you've received from students about this course.
Sadie: The consistent feedback I get from empaths everywhere centers on relief and gratitude because someone finally sees them. They are delighted that they can also see a lot of physical changes for the better, but they're not tripping into anxiety or aggressiveness to do it. Students who do this work with me say that they are beyond pleased that they can multitask their physical wellness and still learn and grow in their self-realization.
One woman just told me she was first attracted to my work and took the course for the yoga and fitness aspect, but she was surprised that she began reclaiming a lot of personal power she thought she'd given away forever.
Another yoga teacher, one who interacts with a lot of bodies all day long, said she's especially grateful for the protection tools she gets through the meditations. Her family is more hyper than she is, and she uses these techniques with them to help harmonize her home life. And then I heard from a woman who said she's fitter and leaner but without triggering the adrenal imbalance she's struggled with for so long. She almost gave up exercise, but now she can rock a practice that helps her level up without the overwhelm.
DailyOM: Thank you, Sadie, for taking the time to speak to us. Thank you for also making this course for us! Until next time, be well.
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