68. Look Within, Love What's There / Tiffany Wood

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Tiffany Wood's life was transformed by yoga. She has now taught yoga full-time for 26 years. This episode we talk about Tiffany's story discovering yoga, the power of community, looking within, yoga retreats and much more. So excited for you all to hear! Don't forget to *subscribe* to the podcast so you get all the new episodes. SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: updates, workshops & freebies: katiekaygraham.com/newsletter

Tiffany Wood 1:47

You know, talk about breaking free I, I woke up one day, and I was on five different medications for migraines. And I just I was still having them. So I just woke up one day. And it was in that that space where you're ready to expand and ask for help from the universe. And so I did, I just said, Hey, show me if there's another way to do this, because what I'm doing isn't working. And I went into this little store, it's still in town, it's changed vibes quite a bit. But I went in there to buy a card or something. And there was a small book called learn yoga in a weekend.

And I checked it out. And it just, it made it seem so simple and accessible. And I did take that home and I just started doing the practices on my own in my bedroom and the house I was living in. And you know what, lo and behold, I started to feel better. And I started to really feel more grounded and more peaceful. And I just joke now the you know, 25 years or 26 years later, I'm still learning yoga in a weekend. But it was about three to four months into that journey that I started getting off of the medications I was on. And I'd really just like never looked back. You know, it just became the yes, that opened my life to so much more. And I'm grateful. I'm grateful for that moment where you feel like there's just whatever I'm doing isn't going to work anymore. And so I again, I I was attracted to your podcasts intention and your title, like when you're ready to break free of the old story and the old patterns that are holding you back. But you don't quite know what sometimes. And that's where I was.

Katie Kay 3:52

Yeah, 100% I think that we all can relate to just being in that place where we know we're on this path that is not serving us anymore. And I think that can be one of the hardest places because it's like you're stuck in the old kind of old way of doing things. And then the struggle still but trying to find some light, like trying to find the path like what's the one step? And I think a lot of the time the ego can kind of take hold of that story and be like, Oh, you need to take one step in the perfect right direction.

Because like that's where you need to go and in almost prohibits us from making change in that way because there is no perfect step. And in your story, it's so beautifully well said is that it is kind of a surrender. And you just let the universe guide you and something shows up and it doesn't have to be perfect it can can just be kind of this like, oh, like there's a book or there's something like a class or, you know, it's like just following that sense of intuition, but also just curiosity and letting yourself off the hook. For me, it's funny that you said that Tiffany is I'm actually going off some antidepressant medication right now. And I've been on three separate ones, and I'm on the last one right now. And it's scary, because you've been relying on this, this medication for so long, and but you know, like, at the same time, I'm like, I don't know what's going to happen, like, all I can do is I can trust that little whisper inside me and say, you know, I'm on, I know that this is the direction I need to go. And this is the best way to take care of myself right now. And before it was like staying on the medication was what made me feel good and comfortable. So yeah, I think it's like, I just make that point. Because I want us all to just remember, like, there's no, like, right or wrong, like, nobody's gonna give you the perfect step by step formula of how to approach your struggle, it's just when you get to that point, you know, you want to change, exactly like Tiffany was saying, like, you don't know, you just kind of have to surrender and let the universe guide you in that way

Tiffany Wood 6:23

you have any time, you have to show up and do the work to you know, like, if something resonates with you, and you're paying attention enough to go, okay, you know, I feel small improvements. And those small improvements support you to keep going. But you know, there's that piece of you that, I think is actually in somewhat tied to ego. And the piece of ego that has to want something good for yourself and has to want to not just go on autopilot and trust, mainstream thought pattern anymore. They like to me like ego is actually a pretty valuable resource that when it's in alignment with the highest good, and we can figure out what that alignment is, and really listen to that inner resource, then, you know, that's a good healthy use of ego stepping in saying, You know what, I'm going to help take care of you. It's not a, it's not always a bad thing that you go.

Katie Kay 7:28

Yeah, 100% I always have to remind myself that too, I think the conversation around the ego, we can think of it as being this really negative false illusions, like it's gonna play tricks on you. But sometimes I have to remind myself like living in this earthly body is like, so full of yumminess and joy. And the ego allows me to just feel like the sensations and eat yummy food and put my arms up in the air and go to concerts and feel the dancing. And, yeah, I've so got God, you brought in that perspective. And tell me more about that alignment, like, the clarity of finding that alignment with the ego and with your higher self. Can you tap into that a little bit more?

Tiffany Wood 8:19

Yeah, sure. If so. The tradition and philosophy that I study, practice and live, non dual Tantra, you know, everything is consciousness, and there's no separation from the Divine restore resource that flows through all things. And if you, if you break down the layers of the mind, there's your higher intellect. And then there's the discerning mind and in between those two are is the ego. And I feel like the egos absolutely placed. Because it you know, it's allows us to acknowledge our preferences. And to me, that's one of the most powerful teachings in the yoga tradition is really getting clear with what are what is your preference, and you are distinct living breathing, a very vibrant, unique expression of the one source but to really understand, you know, I like this, I don't like that is a very valuable midline in which to live, and you wake up and you feel like shit on any given day or multiple days. And you're like, I don't like this. And maybe you have a good day where you're like, I like that. And how do I have more of that? And you know, because I feel like one of the things that happens in people's lives is we might get so bogged down by I don't want or I don't like or this isn't working or I don't feel good or I'm not Right, and I'm not perfect, like you said, but really you are. And it's just about how do we align and remember that we are and what steps do we need to take to get closer to that place where you're rocking your life and thriving more than you're letting your preferences take you for a ride and take you out of alignment, you know, like, I'm the first one to be like, you know, there's a time and a place to really throw down and have a good party. And then there's, you know, if that's happening too often, where you wake up, and you're not clear minded, and you're not taking care of your goals and your your, your life direction, then you've gotten out of balance with it. So, you know, wellness is the same thing. It's like, you know, we can orient to yummy foods, but it's not always cake and ice cream, me, you know, like, how can our preferences start to change because our ego is more in alignment with our higher intellect and more in alignment with the value of you know, that part of you that's going to wake up and shine and and when you don't feel like shining on a particular day? What steps do you need to do to come back to that place where, oh, this is, this is really the essence of who I am. And that cloud that has been following me around, you know, I get to shake it. That's a, those are choices, preferences that the ego helps us make for sure.

Katie Kay 11:32

Right, right. And I find that in my daily practice, the more and more I can just be the observer of my preferences, the less attachment I have on to them. So like, when I'm in a place of maybe just like a little bit less in alignment, I get into this place of high anxiety. And then I start controlling things. And I'm in a very, like, I like this, I don't like this, which you know, is kind of blurry in itself, because I've realized, too, my preferences obviously have changed over time. And I also feel like some of my preferences have just been from conditioning, or the way I grew up and what I saw my friends, my parents, which like kind of brings me back into when I can be in that place of being the observer. It just allows me to wake up and just go through my day, with more of a sense of ease more of a sense of flow and less of that attachment onto like, I want this, I don't want this. Because I've struggled with that for so long. I think it's really reflective in my relationships. And like different attachment styles, but my attachment style is pushing the other person away. And so when I'm feeling suffocated, when I'm feeling like I don't have my own space, that day, I don't have my own time, then it's like this frantic energy, I'm trying to, you know, like, be a people pleaser, but at the same time, I'm pushing him away. And then it's like, oh, my gosh, and like the day, the possibilities, and I love the word like that vibrant expression that you said, that is like sucked. It's like gone from the day like I have this very confined view of now my day is scheduled. Now I need to do this, this this now here's my free time. Here's what I'm doing. Here's what I'm not not wanting to do. Oh, it's like hard just to talk about it. But I, I do find that like preferences in itself, sometimes like are can be moved, like I mean, not completely. But like, isn't there kind of this place where you can just be the observer and just find a sense of curiosity with the day and just open up to the magnificence of whatever happens happens. Hmm.

Tiffany Wood 14:08

I think there is a beautiful time of day for that to happen. And I think it would be different for each person. And it's really important to tap in to that moment during the day for a lot of Yogi's that happens in the early early morning hours before dawn, where we open to the infinite possibilities of the day, and we're really tapped into the highest vibration of creative source energy. And when we tap into that first thing, which is a hard shift for a lot of people to make because it requires a whole list of other wellness habits to get to the point where you can willingly and want to set up your life so that you have some moments of stillness throughout the day where you've tapped into The essence of who you are in such a way that your program is, you know, you're finding more free time throughout the day because you, you aren't clear on what it is you're creating and what kind of vibrations you're wanting to entrain with. And you know, there's a lot that you just brought up, the attachment styles and so forth, and to really understand and how you interact with other humans, when you feel over scheduled, or you don't have enough space in your life. And each of the attachment styles being you know, I think, a very unique, deep dive that people can understand more about themselves, how do you relate to others, and really, you know, what is going on within yourself and to me the practices of not just yoga, but you know, all the all the places that are going to bring you into deeper knowing of who you are. It's important to do. And important to know, when do I create enough space in my life so that I can get clear with what my next steps are, so that I don't people pleased if that's your thing, and, or enable or, you know, whatever the pattern is, it's going to keep you from really aligning with, you know, the guru that lies within you. So,

Katie Kay 16:33

oh, I love that how you phrase that Tiffany, like that was you just hit the nail on the head there. I feel like what you said about that deeper knowing of who you are, and finding the ways to tap into that. I just like love that and how you're talking about like, yeah, like, if you find the time in the morning, to be able to find that energy of self. Like what a beautiful way to start your day. And I think it any point to for me, like, especially when I was first kind of understanding this whole concept it's like, the more I could find a time to, and also a new perspective of my wellness, as these are the ways that I can tap into that true essence of myself, which you can also call it you know, universe or higher self tapping into that source energy. It is like it has completely changed the game for me. And it's allowed me to be able to see those parts of myself like the people pleaser and the feeling of not being good enough and trying to prove myself and my attachment styles. Like those just were able, I was just able to kind of, like, give a little space almost like a little spacer from my true essence, to be able to see these things and say, oh, like that's an area in my life that needs some more healing. And that might be a place in my life, that I'm not showing up in an unconditional loving way that allows me then an opportunity to be able to look at these and be like, oh, I need some more healing in this area. Or, you know, I can look at this with more love, or oh, maybe it's just something like I can let go of and release because it's not who I am. But that shift was so profound for me in the way that I could see my yoga practice, I could see my meditation practice, I could see all these like weird woowoo like I love going to all these like different kinds of spirituality and Kundalini yoga, and you know, all this stuff like Wim, Hof, breathwork, like, all this stuff, but I could look at those things as like, oh my gosh, like, this is such a cool practice that allows me to tap into that true essence of self. And then I get to live the net, like the rest of the 23 hours of the day, in that place of self, right. And so it's like a shift of, oh, I'm working out for this hour and bringing these calories. I'm trying, I'm improving. I'm proving myself and I'm trying to get something out of it into a place of Oh, like, I really get to tap into my truth. I get to tap into source energy. And that's how I want to live my life. And so I think that's like, one thing I really find in yoga especially, which I want to dive into Tiffany is just like this mind body, like being able to see, like, understand it consciously, like be an observer of it of the practice but also feel it somatically in my body and move through the stuff I need to move through What drew you to yoga? Like, once you found that little Yogi buck? Like, did you find it too, and I've seen some of your Instagram stuff. And I just love that like, providing content that we can understand more like all these concepts, all the, you know, Yamahas and the knee aamas, and the chakras and like little concepts that actually break open our life in a conscious way, within the yoga practice, were able to break into our body somatically and release those things. And I know, there's like, I just bombarded with you a ton of things. And I know that's just like one baby element of like the whole thing. But you can expand on that however you want.

Tiffany Wood 20:49

Okay, yeah, you are full of vibrance, it flows through you. So quickly, there's a lot of concepts that we could tap into here.

Katie Kay 21:01

Maybe not the best podcast host, because I'm just like, bombarded and

Tiffany Wood 21:05

you know, what the vibrancy and the playfulness of your nature comes through. And I think that the excitement you bring to this is it tells us, you know, you're in the right place, because you can just see and feel that your heart is lit up. And to me, that's that's what I noticed. That's why I kept going back to yoga, I would feel better and better and better. And I noticed when I didn't show up for my spiritual practices that I would fall off my map. And then I just started noticing the kind of people that I like to hang out with, were really truly the people who were invested in a growth oriented life. And, you know, I look at it now is like, that's the main thing that keeps me invested as a, as a practitioner, and as a teacher. And as a human, I believe we're really, at our best when we feel like they're, we're pushing a growth edge, wherever it is, whether it's in business, or in our wellness, or it's in our relationships. You know, as long as we are making some progress, you know, we feel better about ourselves. And that progress happens more easily when we're connected with you know, really identifying what is the, I look at it, like a diamond, there's people are people set, you know, we have our skill set and our tool set and our mindset, and then our people set. And the yoga practices can both be a tool set and and also, you know, the thing that we show up where we're, we've got our skill set, because we have to be able to use the tools that we have and to be willing to use them. So there's so many tools in the toolbox of wellness that you tap into, but then to know that your mindset is like I really thrive when I'm connected to a people set. You know people who want to go on this path with me and that's what I've learned over 25 years. And that's why I'm so passionate about this, you know, I love providing space for people to connect with growth mindset at people. And then you start to really identify it's important to have people who are practicing the skills invested in using the tools open to changing their mindset so that they can rewrite their you know, their their story of evolution keeps being exactly that an evolutionary process instead of a stagnated process and and then when we really connect with that growth oriented people set group, you know, it's so important to have

people that are at your own level, that are going through the same challenges and tribulations that you are that you can learn from because they might access a different tool for another, you know, or they might have a different skill to use the same tool that you can, and you're learning from your peers. That's really important to me, like I really thrive on creating a dynamic where it's a community driven process. I there's not really one leader, we're all learning from each other. And with that said, you know, there has to be someone in the room, you know, that's why I understand why people like to hang out with me, I'm just, you know, a step or two or three, or maybe sometimes 10, ahead of where people want to be in their life. And I know how to show up in that way, you know, because the things that used to be hard for me to integrate and apply in my life have now just become habit. They are automated and they work like it's not a question for me what my morning routine is, it just happens. It's not a question for me when I travel, and I get out of a timezone, how I shift that morning routine, so that it still happens. And it's why I show up to teach yoga, because I can be having the worst day, and all of a sudden, it doesn't get to matter anymore. And your highest self gets to show up and the people who show up, lift me and I lift them and and then it's important for me to have connections in my people set of people that are thriving at a level that I don't quite have in my grasp yet. You know, like, so that they keep me at the edge of my growth process. So that's what's so cool about it all. And yoga can be so many things to different people like it's just, in my opinion, way more than the physical practice or the meditation practice. It's really how do we create connections, to you know, reverence for how we live in community and how we show up in communion with the world around us and stay in our heart more than we stay in our doubt. And, you know, it's it's part of the toolbox. And so, you know, can you learn a lot about yourself through a downward dog? 100%? Can you learn a lot about yourself by having to sit in stillness for you know, anywhere from two to 20 minutes every day? Absolutely. You learn a lot about yourself when you're like you said, you're observing your behaviors when you're out to dinner, and you might be feeling insecure. And you have to access something that maybe you learned from somebody else that says, hey, you know what, when I feel that way, this is what I do, and you remember it. Right? And

Katie Kay 27:34

Deveny, that was so good. I loved like everything that you're saying, I just soaking it up. That idea of bringing in that people set like that connection with other people. That's one of the most profound things I think I've heard on the podcast. And I think it's just like in itself is just such a profound thing. It's something that all of us are craving is that soul connection. And also being with other people that you exactly what you said, like being where you are giving yourself that permission and then being that support system that they might be in the same place or similar places you and then you also saying like surrounding yourself with people that might be thriving at a little bit higher level. And it's like we and I think about the Body Keeps the Score and Bessel Vander Kolk talked a lot about the how we just also innately at the root of everything want to feel that belonging and that connection. And I didn't understand that for so long. And like I talked about earlier, my attachment style is pushing people away. And I was more of a an introvert. And I Oh, man, it's like it's crazy how the once you start to realize how profound other people are and significant and your life and how you feel and when you go to that in person yoga class, how you're bringing in that energy of other people that surround you like, how significant that really is, is so like, such a great topic just to talk about yoga. And I'm so glad that you brought that in. And I'm like, this is perfect kind of transition into your retreats. Because I you know, I often kind of think like, Why? Why are certain people like so, like love leading retreats and why is that such a big deal and we can kind of tap into that community aspect that you just talked about Tiffany and maybe there's success that you see in your clients because of that community healing because of that leaders share it with you, but also that integration of you just have that like grounding energy of being like, I'm in it with you guys. Like, I'm in it too. So there's something to be said about that as well. I can just see how you'd be such an amazing leader. Tell us about the retreats. Like what's that energy? How do you see that success happening with that community connection?

Tiffany Wood 30:22

Hmm. That's it blows my mind. And it is the reason why I love doing retreats. I mean, logistically, and from a business perspective, there are a lot of work, you know, I mean, you gotta, you gotta want it. But what I always align myself to, and I get so excited about when I see who starts to sign up for it. And if I know them, I can understand a little bit about oh, cool, you know, this is where this person gets to grow, because they're gonna spend an entire, whether it's a three day retreat, or a seven day retreat, it's a deeper dive. And they've had to put some of their life on hold, and they've had to set boundaries in order to do that, which is really cool. They've had to believe in themselves to a level that they deserve to be there. Whatever level of abundance, they aren't mean being be monetarily that they deserve to pay for it. It may be that they deserve to take time away from their family. It may be that they deserve to go do something completely unsupported with a with a loved one or a friend. And they have to dive into unknown territory. Because they're ready to make that big of a shift for themselves. I don't know what it is always. But what I do know when the group starts to formulate, like I get really curious, like, what's the common thread that's tying this particular group together? And what tapestry are we going to weave in this period of time. And, you know, one thing that's cool is, a lot of my retreats are I call them repeat offenders, you know, there are people who come back over and over and over again. And it's because they know at this point, that tapping into that wellspring of community and love and the deep dive that happens physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, is what they need to keep leveling up. And I've watched people shift. You know, one of my one thing I can say, with confidence to people is, you know, whatever it is, you're up against right now, where you're, you're sort of at a place where things aren't flowing the way you want them to, I can use an example of somebody who very successful woman, but she couldn't go on a retreat, because she was actually struggling for money, she had too much asset tied up in a particular real estate thing. And I said, you know, if you come on this retreat, I can pretty much guarantee that energy is going to shift, and it will sell. And she said, she looked at me kind of with that funny, you know, like, she wanted to believe me, and she really wanted to go on the retreat. And she wanted to stop having to limit ourselves from you know, if this than not, and I said, What about, you know, we create the container that you want to live in. And then you learn how to step into it. And within a week, after the retreat, the property sold. And that's just it happens over and over again, I watched people get better jobs, I watched people uplevel their relationships, they learned that they don't have to get a divorce, that they can actually go home and have a loving conversation because they feel empowered. Like that stuff like that happens once we elevate the vibration and keep it there. And then they get support after the retreat. Because you know, we do meditation groups after we do other things that keep people invested to, to that particular growth set community that they're in, like the sometimes they walk in and they're like, oh, you know, I didn't know that I belonged here. But I they leave there without a doubt in their heart like these. Some of them have become like somebody sent me a message the other day, and she said, You know, I just want to let you know that when I went on my first retreat with you, I didn't know anybody. Enough five of the people there have become my best friends in life and we do everything together. And it's you know, that stuff like that gives me you know, that happy hair that like when your hair stands on it and like it's one thing to feel like Oh, and here's what I know 100% When I'm talking to people and interviewing them about is this retreat right for you, I look for why they want to be there. I totally, like that's important to me. But I also know that there's aspects of what's going to happen for them that they can't even name

that their spirit is asking for, that I might be able to see in from the get go. But it wouldn't be the reason they're signing up for the retreat initially. It's just, you know, there's this magical thing that happens, and I don't know what it is about me. But I thrive in that environment so profoundly, and to be able to show up and step in and live that uninhibitedly. At the full capacity that I know how to is, it's like, I'll never stop doing this because it is what keeps me elevated and thriving and alive. And if I have one of those days, where, you know, everyone has one of those days where you're like, everything goes wrong, and this doesn't happen. And that doesn't happen. And by the end of the day, you just feel like you should give up. I mean, I wrote a post the other day, like, Man, I think I'm just going to become a sandwich maker. It would be so much easier not no offense to people who make sandwiches, it's just like, it's it just seemed in that moment, just like a simple solution to backing off of, you know, what I have to do to show up to create the world I want to live in, because doing hard things is important. And when I get to those days, I tap into it, do visualizations all the time. I did one this morning of someone in the Joseph retreat that just happened last weekend, and she walks up to me with tears in her eyes. And she says thank you for showing me that I get to be who I am. Thank you for showing up in you know, because I'm the kind of teacher that's going to drop an F bomb, probably more than some people are comfortable with. And, you know, she just said thank you for showing me that I get to show up and actually be myself. I don't have to be this pious yoga teacher that has everything right. It's just you. And that that was the particular moment I focused on the day like why do I keep showing up for this? You know, because people living in their authenticity is only going to create a better world.

Katie Kay 37:50

100% Oh my gosh, Tiffany, like, my soul lights up when I hear you talk about that. And I think it's because you are thriving, talking about this topic. And tapping into that energy. It just also gives me chills. Helping people step into the life that they deserve. And feeling worthy, feeling good enough to show up in that way. I have heard from a lot of the listeners about this underlying feeling of No, I'm not good enough. And that's it. And that takes a little work just to be able to see that part. Because usually it is the surface level, like I need to make more money and I need to, you know, eat better, like Baba will exercise more blah, blah, blah, but I see this like, deep unworthiness. And it I just think that's what keeps me going is you know, we being able to let that go and see that what you talked about at the beginning we are perfect, like we are this perfect beam of light and love and the lie is that we're not good enough. The lie is that we're not worthy. And that deserving part just that one step of being able to say you know, I deserve to go to this retreat or however you know, whether it's monetary, what you talked about is like in a way of that being that growth minded, being like I want to show up and be better I want to grow whether it's superficial or not. I talked with Adam Lewis a few episodes ago and we were talking about sometimes you show up with this superficial reason and that's okay, like you meet yourself where you are, and your soul is telling you something deeper and it will show up it will show up for you. And the truth will get uncovered and bringing in that authenticity more and this container of the vibration I want to talk a little bit more about that because I think having a resin sense of energy. And being able to tap into that in a retreat, you can really feel that higher vibration, you can really feel that and carry that into your life. I have learned so much about being at this place of feeling unlovable feeling not good enough feeling not worthy. And trying to perform trying to do do do and go, go go. And it wasn't it didn't help, right. Like, I didn't start feeling better about myself. And then I started trying to tap into these higher vibration of energy, like gratitude and acceptance and feeling love. And in listening to people on podcasts that gave me that uplift of energy, I started to realize, oh, my gosh, what I was missing was tapping into this energy, like we're all chasing a feeling, right? Like, we're all chasing that feeling. And that's that vibration. And so talk about that at the retreats a little bit Tiffany, like, how do you see that influencing? And like, how do you see that energy because I think a lot like I want to talk about the energy a little bit, because I think a lot of us are in this mindset of like, energy's a little woowoo. It's more about the effort, it's more about showing up and being there and trying, like, and the intentions and blah, blah, blah, I've already been built, like a list goes on and on. But what is that, like? Yeah, how does that energy affect what you see in your clients?

Tiffany Wood 41:35

I well, I want to back up a little bit. And I, for me, I think one of the things most important, you know, when we talk about it's true, we could narrow down, you know, I call them the black holes that we get sucked into, you know, like, I'm not I'm not I'm not enough, I'm not good enough. I'm not lovable enough. I'm not smart enough. Those are the three main nos. And really, what I think is so powerful for people is to realize, you know, what, we are perfectly imperfect, you know, we're bent, we're crooked, we're, you know, everybody has funky toes on their feet and, you know, part of their body that you're just like this, I don't even know where this came from, and why is it here or, you know, this thing that you do that, you know, nobody understands, but it is who it makes you who you are, and how do we start to embrace those the clashes, you know, the the imperfect, the stains are the marks that, you know, do come in and kind of disrupt our who our vision of who we think we are, you know, in our culture is very much taught to perform and to perform on a standardized scale, where a lot of people don't fit into the standardization, and they would thrive if they were allowed to color outside the lines, and, and so forth. So that's what I think is really important, you know, how are, how can each person first of all, feel what they're feeling and recognize it is human, and they're human, and the mistakes we've made and the challenges we are going through are really, truly probably going to be your greatest asset at some point. You know, if you're going through a divorce and your heart is broken, bring the broken heart. And let's love it and nurture it. And once we get to tap into, there's a lot of hurt there and a lot of betrayal or whatever's going on. You can also see that, you know, there's that deep yearning to feel full again, and that's what's going to lift you to that higher vibration. And we must tap into that desire. Desire not being a bad thing unless it's taken on alignments and becomes greed. But really, truly that the energetics of it like the woowoo part that you access that part eight you know, that's a different journey for each person and some people will never be able to get their dislike, you know, I can't expect every single person that comes into my field to automatically embrace the home or like it's all one you know, there's this big universe tap into the energy of it, you know, we have to meet people where they are and let where they are be the place where we teach them and show them and reflect to them, that they're enough. And that reminds me of that question you wanted to know like the last retreat I just taught where we really cultivated some I am statements. And that was a powerful retreat, if people really got it that I am enough and fill in the blank of what enough is for you, it's one thing to think it. It's one thing to use an affirmation and repeat it and over and over again until, you know, you might start to believe it, or you're, you know, and then when the doubt creeps in, you have to, you know, you throw it away, and you're like, Ah, screw it, you know, that doesn't, it doesn't really work. But to start to be able to feel it, and to me, that's where the asana practice comes in, and how to skillfully cultivate an asana practice that generates a deeper why. And this is one of my really big passions, you know, it's got to be able to take people to a threshold where they can have success, but they also realize there's still room to grow,

you've got to be able to take people whose skill sets are excelling in the room, and celebrate them in such a way that it inspires the people who are struggling and invites them to want to step up and play with the people who are just past their skill level, you know, you've got to take the people in the room who think that they're there so enough, that, you know, they're like Teflon. And everything's just gonna, like, you know, you can't get in here. But really inside there, all they want is to, you know, have to let down their shield, and stop proving that they're enough to somebody and so each person's a unique blend of perfect, imperfect. And how do you inspire each person then to feel comfortable and safe. So that's another thing you know, that's really important to me is safety within the group dynamic and allowing people to touch in and be vulnerable, just enough, and usually, there's one or two people that are willing to break the ice. And to know who they are and encourage them. And then there's sometimes there's people in the room where you get to encourage them to kind of back off a bit and not be the shiny star. so that others can raise their vibration because they're lurking in the background and afraid. So like, it's a really fascinating psychological behavioral science experiment. You know, like, how do we take the pool of people that are in the room and start weighing in the the the unique vibration that's going to raise everybody a little bit higher.

Katie Kay 48:12

Wow, I love that that unique vibration. It's like that collective vibration. I love that. Yeah, you know, when you're talking about that woman that signed up for the retreat. Dealing with some of that pain, it reminds me of this quote, I once heard from somebody suffering is pain without purpose. But pain with purpose is power. And sometimes they come back to that quote, because it I mean, even the, if the purpose is just self growth, I think that you know, it's like you show up with your pain, like we all have pain. And we can choose to be in the suffering we can choose to be swimming around around in our own s h it or we can choose to transform it into something purposeful and maybe something powerful, whatever that means to you. And just like I'm so glad that you brought up that Joseph I am retreat. I was going to ask about that. And I'm just like, I want to know when when the next offering is because I want to be there for that. Just sounded so powerful. I heard from somebody that went to that retreat, and she was just like, she was totally lit up by it. But like so profound, you could tell like the deep root of her core, like something had shifted. And I was like, wow, whatever she's got like that. Whatever she's got. But yeah, I typically tell us about like, what's your next upcoming retreat? Maybe the next maybe the next next one, if you have it planned, because it Sounds like you might have a retreat happening immediately. But if not just let us know. And and how long have you been leading these retreats? Because it does sound like oh my gosh, like this psychology, and you just seem so well like attuned to how it functions and how to approach it. Like, have you just like been? Do you just learn as you go? Like you held the first retreat? And you learned a little bit? And then you did the next? And like, what was that progression? Like?

Tiffany Wood 50:33

I just, you know, I think everybody's skill set is a cumulation of their life's journey. And I have been fascinated by humans and human behavior from a very young age. But I started traveling when I was 12. And I would live with families in Europe as a dancer. And so I immediately got put into environments where I was the odd man out, and I had to, you know, figure out, like, how do these humans operate? And how do I connect with people that I can't even speak the same language. So you know, I can go all the way back to that experience, and then my studies in university in psychology and then in business, and then take that forward. And I've done a tremendous amount my whole life, I've always been in therapy and different kinds of therapy. And then I did a a two year life coaching program. And part of that was really learning how to facilitate. And I'm in another program right now, so you know, where I'm up leveling my game even more, because that's important to me to keep learning and growing. And so you know, I've been leading yoga retreats, and they're now I'm clear that it's yoga and wellness retreats because I'm evolving. And it's not just about the yoga asana or the meditation like this last one. And Joseph, we learned how to do specific ru Vedic self massage. And that was a powerful thing for me. There's a woman in the room who is really experiencing bipolar, and a tremendous depression, but to watch her, she disengaged for most of the retreat. But to really watch her get into and love her body was a powerful, sacred moment for me. The next retreat that I have is actually here on the East Coast, it will be at Kripalu. It's a very cool, really amazing institution in and of itself, you know, I'll get to walk in and there will be probably 10 or 15 other retreats happening at the same time. So I'll get to you know, wander around and see all the people that are there doing things similarly, but at a very high level of the game, which is cool and get to connect with them. That's happening this coming weekend, if anyone's free and you're like What the hell am I going to do for Labor Day weekend? You know, I'm gonna fly to Kripalu and do yoga retreat. It's with me and three other really top top Ansari yoga teachers in the world. So super high level teaching and super high intention on how to expand our consciousness through metaphors of the three goddesses Kali Saraswati and Lakshmi, and then the relationship between the three of them and how that plays out in life in general. And then after that, there'll be my yoga retreat in Mexico, which is October 29, through 22nd. That retreat I've been doing for 12 years. And this will be the third time I'm doing that particular retreat in 18 months. And the reason I go back to the same place over and over and over again is I am highly aligned with the retreat center and their mission and why they how they show up with all these social programs for not just their the community of Chicagoland but the surrounding community and even now how they're helping the Wichita people negotiate and preserve land for their tribe and the Mexican government between them and the Mexican government, like they really care and 20% of their retreat tuition goes to their social programs. So you You know, I've gone to other places, and dealing with a corporation is, you know, it's cool. It's one thing but dealing with a family run opera operation that really cares. That's why I go back to Chicago and Mexico over and over and over again. It just so yeah, that'd be the next one. And then I think I'm going to take a break for a little while after that and reinvent a new

habit evolution and lifestyle wellness program for people to really take part in a year long group dynamic of really coming up against there. Where is it that you need support in order to uplevel your well I hear wellness, maybe you've got an autoimmune dysfunction, or you've got anxiety chronic or you've got sleep dysfunction, or a you know, chronic inflammation of any sort, whether it's showing up mentally, emotionally, physically. And how do we take some and involve your habits so that you can really show up in any do some good healing?

Katie Kay 56:18

Wow. Wow, that would be like so life, life changing. And that's amazing. Tiffany and I can tell that you just like you do you like have this essence of just keep growing keep changing. So that you can show up for for the people and for out of service. And it's just really It's so inspiring to, to hear that. Thank you. Yeah, I think like this, like I've learned so much from this conversation. I'm just like, so honored to sit down with you and chat. Last question, I love to ask all the guests that come on, is sharing their own daily wellness routine, so we can gain a little bit more inspiration into our own daily practice.

Tiffany Wood 57:10

You know, I saw that on your list of questions. And I was like, Oh, that's a good one. For me, my daily wellness routine starts the day before. Like I'm I'm consistently asking myself, you know, how do I want to feel tomorrow when I make my choices today, and so eating an earlier lighter dinner and going to bed I'm in the in this is this is hard for people in this culture, but really, you know, if we look at the biological clock and the way, nature works, like there's, there's times that are more appropriate to do certain activities, and I have my big meal in the midday between 12 and two, that's, I kind of feel like a lion in that way. No, I just eat that big meal. And then later earlier, like by 6pm, I'll have a light dinner so that by the time I go to bed, and I have a whole wellness routine that takes me into bed, which is actually my favorite time of day where I get to let go of the day and do some really loving kind things for myself, like a hot bath or some oil massage and put myself to bed by 930 so that I'm asleep by 10. And then I wake up at, you know, 515 530 I just traveled to the east coast so I let myself you know sleep in today until 630. And then it starts in the in the morning was scraping my tongue and drinking enough hot warm water that I have a really good poop and make that a priority for myself before. And then that goes into a little bit of meditation and a little bit of breath body practices that may only last for about 10 minutes. But to get in my body and really like feel my breath and my body moving and I'm a big fan of breakfast. So all that happens before breakfast. And if I set myself up like that, the whole rest of the day goes so well. And you know, I think it's really important for people to know that if you took a little bit of time and shifted your bigger meal to your lunchtime. You're actually going to be more productive in the afternoon time when you want to be able to solve problems and show up and and get some good work done. Because your brain will have received Eat the food and the nutrition that it needs. So having a light lunch or skipping lunch or eating lunch in your car, I drive down I in Park City, I can't tell you how many people I see eating in their car on a day to day basis. And, you know, that used to be me, and I totally get it. And then there's days when that still happens, but I would, if there's one thing I could tell people that would be, you know, shift your big meal. Earlier in the day, give yourself time to really have some good brain power. Take time you deserve it. Like, Yeah,

Katie Kay 1:00:37

amazing, amazing inspiration. Thank you. And last thing is where can we find you? Like, where's the best? I know you have a website and Instagram, which I'll put all in the show notes. But is there like one place that you would recommend we look, look you up

Tiffany Wood 1:00:55

right now. Because the shop and Park City remains closed my whole life you want to do yoga asana with me, you can find me on Zoom. And that's on my website. And I have just two classes a week. And I love that I love that community that has has grown, there's a lot of people who don't show up for the live classes because I offer recording, you can get the recording and do it when you want. So a specific package for people who want to be able to they can come to the live class and get the recorded class and do it as many times as they want. Because a lot of people who study with me are serious teachers. And they want to be able to take the class a few times, and then use it in their teaching. Then when the shop opens, hopefully, and I'm gonna say hopefully October I'll be there on Monday nights at 530. And I'm only going to teach one class a week live and in person because I'm focusing on a lot of other aspects of in myself and in my business so and then come on retreat with me. You know, like a deep dive of a three to seven day retreat is like that's that's where we really gonna make some big shifts. Yeah.

Katie Kay 1:02:22

Amazing. Amazing. Tiffany, thank you so much for spending the time being here. Thank you listeners for spending the time I know your time is precious. So showing up for yourself is amazing showing up for you your body, your mind, your body, your spirit. Thank you so much. And I will see everyone next week