The importance of awareness allows your mind open and understand why you should

Move your body. Grow food. Smile at a stranger. Host freecycles and clothing swaps. Love nature. 

​Movement is power. The power of taking the very first step in life, in work, and in breath. It promotes circulation, greases up the joints, and releases stagnent energy.  Growing your own food. If you're on the go you, live in a dense urban setting, or just don' t have a green thumb, this one might not be possible. What can you do? Learn about the food you eat. Support local farmers by purchasing fresh veggies and fruits at farmers markets or the local farmer in the chain store. Food that is grown closer to where you live will have more nutrients. Smile at a stranger. There's a joke that Germans don't smile. (Here's a secret-- they do just maybe not as much as Americans.) A smile can change someone's day or even your own. Give it a try, unless you're feeling like a sad kitten, then cry. LET IT OUT. Host freecycles and clothing swaps. I have articles on this one and I will direct those of you who don't what these are to that article: Clothing & Art Swaps: What are they? How do they benefit you and the environment? - Smiles Yoga Wellness and Meditation For those who do... save yourself some money, give the clothing industry a scare, and Mother Earth a break.  Which floats right into Love nature. I can't say this one enough. We are part of nature. Our environment at its roots is born of wood from trees, walls made of stone, and plants that have been pulled and transported from their original homes (those that aren't crafted in a lab). Nature is within us and all around us. Take a moment to pause and breathe in the air, listen to birds and bugs, and be reminded to just be. It's all connected. If you choose to acknowledge this can ignite the magic of living but if not, it may just dim the light you seek. 

As the season slows and winter settles in, I find myself reflecting on the transitions that have shaped my path.
For nearly ten years, I was a full-time pet care provider—working around the clock, supporting staff, and caring deeply for animals. But somewhere along the way, I began to fall apart, mentally and physically.
In 2019–2020, I made a change. I stepped away from that life and onto a new path—one rooted in self-growth, awareness, and yoga. What started as a practice for teaching evolved into something much deeper: a process of unlearning and remembering.
Over the years, I’ve watched yoga trainings become more focused on producing teachers than cultivating personal transformation. So, I took a step back, burned a few bridges, and turned inward. I chose to study yoga at its roots—to learn from the East, from India, where it began—not to reject the West, but to walk a different road.
Today, my lessons often unfold outside the classroom—in quiet conversations, one-on-one connections, and the everyday moments of life. Whether I’m working my day job in communications, chatting with someone at a language meetup, or connecting on the road, yoga continues to guide me.
As we enter another winter, a few events still await: clothing swaps in Columbus, donation-based classes for Bottoms Up! Yoga, and upcoming wellness retreats in the South.
To those who’ve stayed in touch, deepened your own practice, or simply crossed paths with me—thank you. Before I enter a season of deep rest and study in January, I hope to see many of you soon.
This next chapter will be one of growth, exploration, and sharing knowledge in new spaces. Let’s stay connected. 🌙

​Event Details: Global Gallery Coffee, Sunday, Nov 9th from 12pm - 2pm

FREE! This event brings the community together to support local business while promoting sustainability by keeping clothes, shoes, and textiles out of landfills.

Clothing swaps offer a fun and eco-friendly way to refresh your wardrobe and reduce the impact of an already overproduced industry.

What is a clothing swap? A clothing swap is a community event where participants exchange gently worn items for fresh new styles. Guests bring clean, quality garments and browse others’ contributions—creating a free, eco-friendly shopping experience. By participating, you help refresh wardrobes, cut down on textile and packaging waste, and extend the life of clothing pieces that deserve a second story.

What to bring? This event will be late autumn/winter themed (coats, sweaters, long sleeved shirts, leggings, boots, closed toe shoes, scarves, knitted hats, jeans, and pants) items but other styles are welcome (t-shirts, button ups, dresses, stockings).

Is it mandatory to donate to participate? No, but it helps to bring items to swap so we can support varying bodies. 😊

Pre-registration is not mandatory but it gives us an idea of how many people to expect. Please invite your friends and neighbors!

Contact: Carmita Smiles https://www.instagram.com/carmitasmiles