Putting Down Roots

Big announcement this week… Sweet Spirit Yoga has its own space in Rogers! This all came together faster than I could have dreamed after a local business owner reached out with an incredible offer for me.

The walls went from black and yellow-ish to “Everyday White” seemingly overnight. Between Wayfair and garage sales the space is on its way to being cozy and Zen.

I’m still working out the kinks of starting a physical business while I ride this wave of gratitude and joy. For now, my offerings include The Pure Energy Facial Meditation (you will love this!), Thai Yoga Bodywork, and add-ons such as an herbal foot soak and fascia release for the face. In the future I plan to offer yoga classes in the form of mini series and special events.

In addition to the incredible retreats we have planned for this year, I would love to offer day retreats in this new space! Let me know if that interests you and I’ll keep you connected.

More details are coming soon on how you can support and come along on this new adventure… stay tuned!

And thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every one of you that has supported me along the way. I have been so blessed by this journey.

With Gratitude,                                                                                                                                              

Amber

Amber Perry

Amber loves sharing retreats in MN and surrounding areas. She is passionate about sharing yoga-related tips & tools folks can use “off the mat” and in daily life. She shares her work through retreats, group classes, private yoga sessions, Thai Yoga Bodywork, & facial reflexology. Most of all, she just really loves people.

Gratitude: A Spring Retreat Recap

“Thank you, thank you, thank you…” was the message I heard as I stepped through the gate of the labyrinth. It seemed I had stepped into a portal for a moment in time to feel held and reflect on the events of the weekend. “Thank you, thank you, thank you…” became my mantra as I stepped slowly and gently on each stone. I reminded myself not to look back and check how far I’d come or look up to see how far I had yet to go, even when the path felt long. Like so many moments of this Spring Awakening retreat weekend, and so many moments in our lives, the beauty and the growth was on the path right beneath my feet, not behind or ahead.

The forest bathing experience with David Motzenbecker was a continuous practice in being present to the beauty and life around us. Hearing the reflections after each invitation was quite possibly my favorite part about the experience. I felt like I got a “peek” into everyone’s personalities.

The yoga loft welcomed us once again for our variety of practices, from the more restorative moments to the more energetic ones that warmed and transformed energy. I always love sharing the space with one of my teachers, Tanya Rice!

We all raved over the made-from-scratch meals at the ARC. We were truly nourished by the heartfelt blessings over the meals and the freshly baked breads.

My hope and prayer, as always, is that the folks who were able to join me on this weekend-long journey walked away with at least one thing that will improve their lives for the better. A short drive and a weekend away was what so many needed to refresh and renew their giving spirits.

Our closing circle was complete with this quote from Douglas Wood’s, “Things Trees Know”:

When life is hard and you’re not sure what to do, reach. Reach for the light, reach for where you’re rooted. Survive and endure. Grow. Through whatever hardship comes your way. Stay rooted and strive. Even if you never grasp your goals (what tree actually reaches the distant sun?) you will find something greater-your true self. You will fulfill yourself and somehow add something of beauty and value to the world.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you” to the sweet, vulnerable spirits that shared themselves this weekend and to the many hands that make this all work. May we all add something of beauty and value to the world.

{Matthew Phillippi quietly captured the beauty of the moments you see here and so many more.}

Until next time!

Amber Perry

Amber loves sharing retreats in Minnesota and surrounding areas. She is passionate about sharing yoga-related tips & tools folks can use “off the mat” and in daily life. She shares her work through retreats, group classes, private yoga sessions, & Thai Yoga Bodywork. Most of all, she just really loves people.

Mindfulness & Triple Warmer

I recently shared a short video of a simple tool that helps me with anxiety. In it, I mention “Triple Warmer,” a powerful energy system that governs the habit field & supports us when we’re fighting disease. Triple Warmer is such a powerful, beautiful energy system but also incredibly complex. I’ll do my best to share my understanding of this system with you here.

The habit field can be helpful so we’re able to do certain things without having to think them through every time. Tying your shoes, brushing your teeth, getting dressed and other repetitive activities form a pattern or habit for your body to follow with very little thought involved. Have you ever gotten in your car to drive home, only once arriving there realize you were “checked out” the entire time and almost wonder how you got there? That’s Triple Warmer, governing your habit field in auto pilot, in a sense.

While that habit field can be a positive thing (how mentally draining would it be to have to think about each sequential step every single time we ate a meal or drove a car?), we are human and often form undesirable habit fields as well. As we all know, it’s incredibly difficult to change a deeply ingrained habit no matter how much we want or need to.

So Triple Warmer can be our happy little helper, until we want to make a change. Then this “general” may have different ideas on where and how the troops should head into battle. When we want to change a habit or work towards healing, it’s to our greatest benefit to calm Triple Warmer (referred to as “TW” from here on). When TW is out of balance or overactive, it throws the immune system into overdrive, aka fight-or-flight at unhelpful times (like bedtime!). We might be attempting to do healing work and/or make positive changes for our bodies, but if TW isn’t addressed and we are still on “high alert,” healing is next to impossible. Positive changes are unachievable.

TW is frequently being activated in this modern world with all the distractions and products our bodies experience as “foreign.” When we are able to calm TW, we are able to begin to shift towards healing and new, positive habits and changes. When we engage mindfully with our surroundings and make an effort to be present, we can notice much more quickly when our system would benefit from a calming technique. Then perhaps instead of mindlessly turning to our typical distractions (devices, etc.), we would utilize the tools that are beneficial to us.

In a retreat setting, guests get the opportunity to practice exactly this. They’re encouraged to “unplug” and turn inward. New tools to reflect, process, & move forward are gained. Body, mind, and spirit are nourished in a safe space in order to progress on an individualized healing journey.

Mindful Connections in October at the Hideway at Xanadu in Battle Lake, Minnesota will be a safe, nourishing experience to gain mindfulness tools and aid your own innate healing abilities.

I plan to share many more TW calming techniques in this space in the weeks and months to come as well! This is just one of the tools that works for me. Join me for a retreat or reach out for a personalized Energy Medicine Yoga or bodywork session to experience many of these for yourself.

Take the best care of yourself this week!

Amber Perry

Amber is passionate about sharing yoga-related tips & tools folks can use “off the mat” and in daily life. She shares her work through retreats, private yoga sessions, & Thai Yoga Bodywork.

Fall 2023 Retreat Guides

I am SO honored and grateful to share this space once again with one of my dearest friends and mentors, Tanya Rice!

Tanya first practiced yoga in 2010, became certified as an instructor in 2012, and almost immediately began teaching and sharing this transformative passion with family and friends. A few short years later Tanya’s dream of opening a yoga studio to the public was realized. Azitala is now something of a staple in the Elk River community and draws a wide range of bodies. People flock to Tanya’s classes to soak up that yummy energy! From powerfully active classes to deeply moving meditations, her wide range inspires each practitioner to truly feel YOGA — that union between mind and body.

{Tanya is E-RYT 200, E-RYT 500, Module in Kundalini, Module in Yin/Restorative, Module in Yoga Alchemy, Module in Bhakti/Sound Healing, Pranayama, Grief and Trauma yoga, and Certified Reiki Master.}

My dear delightful friend JennieRuth Warren is also joining us again this year!

JR’s yoga journey began in fall of 2016 as an empty nest was approaching. She attended her first yoga class at her church and knew immediately that she had experienced something special. Yoga helped her find balance during a time of immense transition.
She is currently leading yoga and Sound Healing classes at Azitala, along with traveling to other studios and wellness centers. She is currently building a private healing practice and looking forward to releasing her first CD this Fall!
JR is grateful for this journey and looking forward to sharing learning, reflective, healing, and restorative time at another Sweet Spirit retreat.

{JR is RYT 500, Reiki Master, & has a certificate in Sound Healing.}

I (Amber) began my history with yoga over 15 years ago. I loved that post-yoga high and was inspired to become a teacher once I experienced the possibility of a deeper connection. Teaching yoga feels like both a service to others and a fulfillment of passion and joy for myself. I teach a wide variety of classes and bodies but find that people connect most with my style if they are open to spiritual development and growth.

In January of 2020 I began training in Thai Yoga Bodywork and have been so blessed to share this healing work with a wide variety of people. I work to put my clients at ease and provide sessions that are very grounding and nurturing.

I was inspired to create retreats where folks could experience an immersion of sorts; an all-inclusive experience that could refresh the spirits of caregivers in our community.

{Amber is RYT 500, E-RYT 200, and certified in Thai Yoga Bodywork & Energy Medicine Yoga Foundations}


In the words of Patanjali, “…with a peaceful mind you can go out into the world and serve well.” Join us for a weekend of cultivating authentic, mindful connection in your life so you may continue to love and serve well.

Ready to register for Fall 2023? Click here

Feeling Stuck or Sluggish?

Me too! The seemingly endless cycle of grey and snowy days, everyday life struggles, and a milestone birthday over here (hello 40!) have me feeling like a “sad, soggy box” as one of my kids would say! (Have you ever heard a better description for the end-of-winter doldrums?)

Here are 5 questions that help me get unstuck:

What am I feeling and where am I feeling it? Sit or lie down and tune in. Get specific- does it feel hard, prickly, warm or cold? Notice the body parts that are holding the sensations. I find it incredibly powerful to explore what I am feeling even when I can’t identify the why behind it.

How does it feel to focus on my breath? Take a deep inhale through the nose, and a long exhale through the mouth. Repeat, taking a 2nd sip of air this time then exhaling through the mouth. Does anything feel different?

Have I had enough water & nourishing foods today? Most of us aren’t drinking enough water throughout the day. Dehydration can seriously tank energy levels! And while some people don’t understand how it’s possible to forget to eat, others of us are in the camp of forgetting these essentials when we’re stressed. Or turning to foods that don’t keep us feeling satisfied. (May I add-if you want the ice cream, enjoy the ice cream guilt free. Comfort foods sometimes truly bring needed comfort. Enjoy and move on!)

How would it feel to rest right now? On the flip side, how would it feel to take a walk or move my body in some way that I typically enjoy? On the days it seems like there’s an endless to-do list and no time to rest, taking just 10 minutes to unplug and rest can make a world of difference. On the other hand, getting the blood flowing with movement can be just the ticket for that mid-afternoon pick-me-up! The key here is tuning in, leading to the next question…

Finally, and most importantly, what do I need? Sit quietly with this one and fully explore what comes to mind. What do I need right now to feel supported? What will bring me a sense of ease? What will lighten my load? This might be cancelling plans or other commitments. This might be calling a friend to make plans. This might be taking a bath or setting aside time for uninterrupted rest. This might be putting the phone in airplane mode and playing a game with family, going outside, or something else that changes the perspective of the day.

Listen quietly and trust that voice within.  

(Disclaimer: This is simply a list that has been helpful for my own personal wellness. Please seek medical support when necessary. If you are in crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm please call or text 988 for support.)

Shed the winter layers at Spring Awakening Retreat! Support your overall health & wellness with 2 nights at the peaceful ARC with nourishing meals, yoga, meditation, a forest bathing experience and more!

Amber Perry

Amber is a yoga teacher & Thai Yoga Bodywork provider in MN who strives to love & serve well in all she does.

All the Ways to Rest (& Retreat)

Sleep is inevitable – we can’t survive without it. Rest must be intentional. We were fortunate to practice intentional rest in so many beautiful ways this past weekend at Sweet Spirit Yoga’s second winter yoga retreat in Minnesota! Learn more about the 7 types of rest here.

What a weekend- and what a way to break through some of the winter doldrums! We returned to the ARC for another winter yoga retreat here in MN! Everyone agreed it’s just far enough to feel like a getaway without being too far to drive during a Minnesota winter.

I love seeing how different each retreat group is from the last! We had an interesting mix of returning faces and new ones but somehow everyone felt like old friends by the time this retreat came to a close.

We laughed, we cried, we rested, we snowshoed, we ate some great meals, we connected. And may I say- it’s all yoga! One of my highest values when I started Sweet Spirit Yoga was to create wellness spaces where people didn’t just have a great time. Anyone can put together a fun weekend! I wanted guests to actually bring ideas and practices home with them to not only improve their own lives but also make the world a better, brighter, softer place to land.

By practicing true rest(oration) in so many different ways, my hope and prayer is that we were able to send women home with new tools for the journey ahead. I personally walked away from this beautiful retreat experience re-committed to my own journey of healing and restoration.

Many hands make light work. My heartfelt thanks to the following:

  • staff & volunteers of the ARC for providing a sacred space for us to commune
  • JennieRuth Warren & Brittany Meyers (a.k.a. the “heart monitor” and “vibes manager,” respectively) for sharing their gifts and talents with us, and working hard to help me bring this vision to life
  • Amy Miller-Strand for being a rockstar and providing massage at all 6 Sweet Spirit Yoga retreats so far!
  • Sarah Fitzgerald for jumping in somewhat last minute to share her massage skills
  • Jeremy Gruber for sharing his incredible Thai Yoga bodywork talents
  • Matthew Phillippi for capturing some of the magic that happens here
  • You, dear reader, for making it this far…
  • Last but not least, God through whom all things are possible and blessings flow, and all the little love notes that are issued when we need them the most.

                                                

I am forever changed and humbled by yet another opportunity to do what I love. May you find what lights you up, because the world needs more of that.

Amber Perry

Amber builds yoga & wellness retreat experiences in MN

Yoga Just for You

Are you a new yoga teacher looking for guidance with cueing and sequencing?

A beginner who is hesitant to try group classes?

A “seasoned” student wanting to focus your growth & learning on one particular aspect of yoga?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, you’re a great candidate for private yoga!

Where do I start? After you fill out the form below we chat to not only see if it’s a good fit for both of us, but for me to better understand your goals for our time together.

What are some examples of goals for private sessions? To build confidence as a new teacher (or a new student), to learn to meditate on your own, to set up your personal practice that you can continue on your own, to build strength, to create balance in the mind & body, to learn about & practice Energy Medicine Yoga, and more! (If I don’t think I’m the right person to help you reach your goals, I will refer you to another teacher that may be a better fit).

What can I expect? Expect an individualized yoga session to include rituals to ground & connect, guided breath work, asana (movement) to meet your particular needs, hands-on adjustments, & optional body & energy work at the end of the session to leave you feeling balanced.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Desired Time (required)

Choose one

**Yoga is not a substitute for seeking professional medical attention in case of illness or injury.

Limitless: A Journal Practice for the New Year (or any time you need a reset)

Every year I am both amazed and overwhelmed by the bombardment of goal setting, resolutions, etc. While I can appreciate the auspiciousness of observing a reset with a new year, many years I have found myself half heartedly committing to a goal or resolution simply because it seemed everyone around me was doing the same.

Time and self reflection have delivered a little more wisdom for my dreaming and goal setting. Here we are more than a week into the new year but there’s no hurry. In fact, waiting for the pressure of those early days to pass can bring the spaciousness we need for true reflection.

Whether it’s January 1 or April 23 here is a compassionate practice when you need a reset:

  1. A restful space is essential to tuning in to the heart’s true desires. Set aside a chunk of uninterrupted time. Create a cozy space free of clutter and distractions. Hang the “do not disturb” sign on the door and the phone.
  2. Come from a place of peace and gratitude. Start by acknowledging your blessings, rather than focusing on what you lack.
  3. Journal any challenges from the past year or season and the wisdom that resulted. Honor and celebrate how far you have come!
  4. Examine all the pieces of your life- your home, family, friendships, work, hobbies, habits, etc. Do any of these areas feel stuck? Does anxiety come up just thinking about that thing? Does it feel like anything is out of alignment?
  5. What would bring you into a feeling of alignment? Often, saying “no” or setting firm boundaries can bring about needed change rather than trying harder or doing more. What would create a feeling of spaciousness in your life? What do your dreams look like without limits or inhibitions? Is there a clear and obvious dream or goal that rises from these reflections?

Practice with me? Here’s a 15 minute meditation with crystal bowl sound experience (I recommend pausing before the sound experience to spend time journaling through the above questions): Limitless: A Meditation for the New Year-NEW $6

Amber Perry

Amber is a private yoga teacher & Thai Bodywork practitioner living, loving & leading retreats in Minnesota.

How are your insides?

Tis the season for shiny cocoa and Christmas tree cards and social media full of picture-perfect memories! It’s all too easy to sit back and think nearly everyone has it “together” but you.

Please do me a personal favor and press “pause” on that thought process right now. Take a long deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Soften your neck and shoulders. Place a hand or two someplace on your body that feels kind & calming.

Know that you are only seeing a sliver of what’s happening in the lives around you. Rather than comparing the truth of your insides to everyone else’s shiny highlights, trust that you are right where you belong, struggles, imperfections and all. There’s no race. There’s no prize for getting the decorating done or the cards or beautifully wrapped gifts, or any of it really.

What is most important & meaningful to you this season? Place your focus there and put the blinders on. No more looking around, no mo/re comparing yourself to your neighbor. God placed you right where you belong.

Ready to retreat? Click here for all upcoming retreat info!

Join me for a peace-filled practice to “clear the slate” & prepare for 2023 with mindful intention.

12.5 minute meditation w/ Amber Perry & JennieRuth Warren

Amber Perry

MN yoga & meditation teacher, retreat host, & Thai Yoga Bodywork practitioner

Meet the Healers ~ Spring 2023

Amy Miller-Strand of Bodywork Transformation​ will be offering 1 hour long relaxation massage with (optional) essential oils and cupping.

I have had the personal privilege of experiencing massage with Amy and can say it is heavenly! She works intuitively with a variety of techniques to both relieve muscle tension and leave the recipient feeling incredibly relaxed.

Amy is an instigator of self care and promotes the adventure of self exploration through bodywork of all kinds. She is trained in Western Massage Modalities and Eastern Medicine Philosophy. Amy creates a fusion of both worlds using Swedish/Deep Tissue/Trigger Point Therapies/ Essential Oils with Shiatsu/Thai/Reflexology/Chinese Cupping Techniques.

{Signup will become available for massage one month in advance of the retreat.}

Ready to register for the retreat? Click here

I’m so excited to welcome Rebecca Benstead back to another retreat! I love the warmth and regeneration I experience through Rebecca’s healing sessions. She has a gift for making people feel welcome and safe.

Rebecca’s practice brings a therapeutic and individualized approach to wellness. She started her journey in 2001 studying TCM and Shiatsu Therapy and has since evolved her work to include Reiki, visualization, breath work, Thai yoga bodywork, and Somatic Therapy. She works with each body to meet them where they are and tailors every session accordingly.

Rebecca will be offering 60, 90, & 120 minute Thai Yoga Bodywork sessions at the retreat. {Signup will be available one month prior.}

Ready to register for the retreat? Click here

Jeremy’s back by popular demand! He exudes a warm & positive energy and has a powerful, compassionate healing practice.

Jeremy Gruber trained in Thai Yoga Bodywork this past year and has completed 5/5 levels at Devanadi School of Yoga & Wellness. He is currently training as a yoga teacher at Devanadi as well. He has studied Chi Gong and Tai Chi just shy of 20 years and is currently certified in Tai Chi Fitness through ASFA. He has been trained in traditional Reiki for 10 years and a Holy Fire Reiki pracitioner for 5. If you feel like you need an energy overhaul with some bodywork, then he is the right fit for you.

Jeremy will be offering 60 minute Thai Yoga Bodywork sessions at the retreat. {Signup is available 1 month in advance}

I’m thrilled to announce Tanya Rice will be offering Reiki at the Spring retreat!

Tanya first practiced yoga in 2010, became certified as an instructor in 2012, and almost immediately began teaching and sharing this transformative passion with family and friends. A few short years later Tanya’s dream of opening a yoga studio to the public was realized. Azitala is now something of a staple in the Elk River community and draws a wide range of bodies.

Tanya will be guiding a number of classes over the retreat weekend and will also be offering a handful of one-on-one Reiki healing sessions for chakra clearing and energy wellness.

{Tanya is E-RYT 200, E-RYT 500, Module in Kundalini, Module in Yin/Restorative, Module in Yoga Alchemy, Module in Bhakti/Sound Healing, Pranayama, Grief and Trauma yoga, and Master Reiki practitioner.

Ready to register for the retreat? Click here

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