Embodying Truth: Alignment as a Daily Practice
Your body is your compass.
Alignment isn’t always graceful or easy. And it’s certainly not all roses and champagne bubbles getting there. Sometimes, it’s messy and gut-wrenching. But there’s always an invitation to listen, tune in, and get curious about the source of the fracture, the splinters of your deeper concerns.
Your body often knows before your mind does when something is off, i.e., out of alignment. Physical sensations like tightness, discomfort, or ease and openness can signal whether something is registering as a disjointed “no”, or a congruent and emphatic “yes”.
At times, this may inspire action, including the liberation of your voice to express concerns to other trusted leaders in the community. Ideally, it’s met with understanding and love, but it can also spark conflict and create tension. (This is all good news!)
“No mud, no lotus" ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Conflict doesn’t have to destroy relationships or friendships. It often reveals their true nature. In moments of friction, true alignment asks for honesty, perhaps stepping away or leaning in closer, but always with more clarity on who you can trust.
This is Amara Pagano (founder and creator of The Path of Azul), a mentor who’s consistently shown up with unwavering self-trust and alignment. She’s a remarkable teacher whose compassion is only surpassed by her integrity and wisdom.
Amara has been teaching movement as a spiritual practice for over 30 years. She began her journey at a young age, studying with Anna Halprin and diving into various healing movement practices. She was trained by the late Gabrielle Roth, the visionary founder of 5Rhythms, a powerful legacy of movement, presence, and transformation.
One of the embodied explorations in Azul is the art of being off-center, misaligned, or off-beat. It’s a playful invitation to step out of equilibrium and intentionally lose your balance as a dynamic way to push yourself beyond the expected, embracing the creative tension of being “out of sync”. Growing on purpose, with giggles and in wonder.
As your presence and alignment sharpens, it’s fascinating to notice when there’s an aversion to someone on and off the dance floor. Instead of brushing it aside, get curious and listen. No more steamrolling intuition, silencing the spidey senses, or overriding the body’s signals that something isn’t quite right.
Physical alignment doesn’t only refer to posture, but also to how your body reacts to certain people, spaces, or situations. Trusting these physical cues is paramount. If your body feels discordant with another’s energy, that’s a sign to trust. The body communicates what words often cannot.
Notice the people who make your heart feel seen, and your nervous system calm. Those are your people. There's no need to justify not wanting to dance with someone. No one is entitled to your movement, your eye contact, or your energy. Simply twirl in the other direction.
What is truly meant for you will arrive in clarity, not confusion. The goal is to align so deeply with your values, desires, and highest intentions that you suddenly find your dreams chasing you.
The below impromptu video was taken by my friend Sarah Dadush during a trip to Costa Rica, and feels like a solid example of alignment in action, where diverse energies merged to create something magical. Enjoy!
Alignment in Action: 🎶Costa Rica: Impromptu Musical Collaboration by the Fire...🎶
Move towards what energizes you. Your body is a tuning fork, and the resonance of inspiration is irresistible.
What is truly worthy of your time and energy? Follow your curiosity…
❤️🔥
There’s still time to join our complimentary Ignite series this Thursday! Last week’s beautiful session with Molly Ruben was recorded. You’ll have access to all the goodness once you register. We’re offering this to you, our community, to remind you that your desires, your creativity, and your voice are sacred.
I hope you’ll join us.
Click here to register! 🎟️
Awaken Desire & Activate Your Creative Potential ~ Ignite: A 3-Part Catalyst Series
This 3-part series of live, virtual 90-minute workshops is scheduled for:
Thursday, May 15thThursday, May 22nd
Thursday, May 29th
*All sessions start at 5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern
Meet Your IGNITE Co-Facilitators:
Jenn Brown is a passionate student and guide in the world of self-development and transformational healing. Her journey began when a weekend program cracked open a lifelong pursuit of inner work, self-healing, and liberation. Since then, she’s been on a mission to heal generational trauma, break through limiting beliefs, and help others do the same. Through her work, she empowers people to reconnect with their truth, rewrite their stories, and create lives aligned with their highest good. Whether she’s speaking, coaching, or simply holding space, Jenn brings deep presence, compassion, and realness to everything she does. To learn more about Jenn and her work, visit loveliveinspire.com
Molly Ruben is a Confidence & Boundaries Coach who’s been on a personal growth journey since age 14 and knows what it’s like to lose yourself in people-pleasing. Today, she helps smart, gentle-hearted women break free from self-doubt, speak up with confidence, and create unapologetic lives that feel true to who they are. Trained as a Feminine Power Professional Coach and Group Facilitator, Molly creates a safe, judgment-free space for recovering people-pleasers to reconnect with their power, reclaim their joy, and honor the parts of themselves they’ve long suppressed. She brings fierce compassion, lived experience, and deep insight to every step of the journey. Learn more atmollyruben.com.
Erica Wood began her embodiment journey in competitive ballroom dance with Daniel McGee of TopHat Dance Studio in Philadelphia, performing nationally in dinner dance shows alongside the late choreographer Arte Phillips. Over time, her path deepened into somatic exploration, studying with Amara Pagano of The Path of Azul. Since 2018, she’s been facilitating dance experiences for awakening love and embodied storytelling, leading workshops, retreats, and festivals around the world.
Beyond the studio, Erica brings nearly 20 years of experience in leadership development and organizational transformation. She served as Chief People Officer at a high-growth Insurtech in NYC and has advised executive teams at over 200 multinational organizations spanning industries from healthcare and fintech to aerospace and entertainment. She holds a Master’s in Organizational Psychology from Villanova and a Bachelor’s in Psychology & Business from Temple University, where her academic research focused on emotional processing and alexithymia. She trained closely with neuroscientist Dr. Dan Radecki, founder of The Academy of Brain-Based Leadership, in the neuroscience of leadership. Learn more at emotionmedicine.com.