So much beauty all around

"There's nothing more frightful than being completely well, because then we have to take responsibility for our lives and the world around us"- Scott Petersen

I had such a great time last weekend with Adi Carter and @redefiningbalance

at their Moab retreat.

#‎RedefiningPlay ‪#‎slackline‬ ‪#‎moabdoesnotsuck‬ ‪#‎slacklife‬ ‪#‎redefiningbalance‬ ‪#‎earthplayretreats‬ ‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬ ‪#‎wuwu_tribe‬ ‪#‎wuwu‬ ‪#‎woowoo‬ ‪#‎yahoo‬

“Opportunities are like sunrises -- if you wait too long, you miss them.” -- William Arthur Ward

I have really enjoyed learning and growing with the AcroRevolution teacher training #2 students and teachers. It is hard to believe it is almost over!

‪#‎AcroRevolution‬ ‪#‎Acropeutics‬ ‪#‎AcroLove‬ ‪#‎acropedia‬ ‪#‎Acro‬ ‪#‎Revolution‬ ‪#‎TT2‬ ‪#‎hawaii‬ ‪#‎teacher‬ ‪#‎training‬ ‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.”

― Og Mandino

I had such a great time road tripping with @theacrobear, @theacrosquirrel, and @lizasouras to the #acrolovefestival.

Strobist Info: SB-900 shot from behind rock at 1/32 power.

#univserse #stars #milkyway #utah #utahgram #801 #angels #landing #EricWardPhotography #yoga #ayinspiration

Everyone is my teacher. Some I seek. Some I subconsciously attract. Often I earn simply by observing others. Some may be completely unaware that I'm learning from them, yet I bow deeply in gratitude. -- Unknown

Exploring the Big Island before Acro Revolution teacher training begins.

Below is one more quote that I felt fit my thoughts and this image well too!

Women are the best teachers in the universe, because they teach men how to love in a very innocent way. -- Unknown

‪#‎yoga‬ ‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬ ‪#‎Hawaii‬ ‪#‎Universe‬ ‪#‎Stars‬ ‪#‎wonder‬ ‪#‎curiosity‬

“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” - Andy Warhol

Chase what is true, not what is convenient.

-- A. L. Ready

And sometimes this road might just feel lonely at points too...

#tbm #thailand #buddhism #monk #meditation #lonely #road #less #traveled #yoga #EricWardPhotography

Join Rebecca @bayoucountess and Aaron @aaronlindacro for some high flying fun in Hawaii with Sam @yogaslackers

and Raquel @poweredbyyoga for 5 days of slackro, pops, whips, h2h, and standing acrobatics. Look for THE Training Maui Edition March 30-April 4th.

bit.ly/theacrotraining

#THETraining #EricWardPhotography #AcroYoga #PartnerAcrobatics #AcroRevolution #AcroLove #AcroFriends #laugh #train #love #Acro #FlyingYoga #bangkok #thailand #partneracrobatics #aylifestyle #yoga #instagood #yoga #yogalove #yogaaddict #yogafun #bestrong #beinspired #yogainspiration #yogainstructor #yogateacher #yogaeverydamnday #yogadaily

Making art, cross country sking, sound bath, playing crystal bowls during yin yoga class... Sunday Funday indeed.

#Wonderful

#Vibrations

#Utah

#EricWardPhotography

“You've always been what you are. That's not new. What you'll get used to is knowing it.”

― Cassandra Clare

Taking a stroll down memory lane when I was enjoying the sunset in Tahoe with some great light and beauty all around.

‪#‎Tahoe‬

‪#‎Yoga‬

‪#‎Sunset‬

‪#‎Mountains‬

‪#‎scenice‬

‪#‎view‬

‪#‎beauty‬

‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬

#Wanderlust

#meditation

#freedom

#love

#woowoo

#loveyourself

#Tahoe

#fpme

#freepeople

#love

#nikon

#myyogalife

#yogainspiration

#yogaeverydamnday

#beinspired

#bestrong

#heart

#wind

#air

#elements

#dance

#beauty

#goddess 

Blue Flower

Flower, you're outstanding

in a field of weeds.

You're high on sunshine,

stoned to the seeds.

Love is just another

flutter-by butterfly

on you.

I'm talking spring cologne,

blown in on a breeze,

with hummingbirds

and honey bees.

Every little sugar sweet

"something-for-nothing"

seems to rely on you,

Blue flower.

Springs eternal, honey,

Oh, the hope of my heart,

when the Angels of April

Have torn me apart

And the everlasting wonder

If the summer time shining is blinding me.

There's a slow parade of lovers,

in the backs of parked cars, out where the moonlight is singing

to the shimmering stars.

It makes a long, low sound

that bounces all around town,

Reminding me of

Blue flowers.

August turned to Autumn, as we withered away

into the Indian summer

at the end of the day.

Now I must lay me down, alone,

In a field of sharp stone,

Still,

In all,

My faith is strong.

I'll just live on grace and patience,

turn my face to the wind,

until the winter is over

and it's springtime again.

I can hold on here forever, come Hell or hard leather,

Bad weather never lasts

too long,

Blue Flower.

Musical Lyrics Blue Flower - Still, Small Voice and the Joyful Noise

/ Chip Mckenzie

Helped make some art in Moab last fall as the moon, the stars, and a man with a flashlight illuminated the yogini and the landscape.

Double arches, kinda like double rainbows... What does this mean.

#onceuponatime #freepeople #instayoga #instadaily #instagood #artist #yogaeverydamnday #moab #wanderlust #grace #EricWardPhotography #Yoga #yogaart #801 #love #grace #a4gpa #nikon #myyogalife #yogainspiration #cats #yogalove #yogini #yogagirl #yogagram #fitgirl #fitness #fitspo #lovemylife #positive #glutenfree #dirtydancing

A Day in Miami. I was fortunate to meet and photograph a graceful and dedicated yogini Day Christensen. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Day during our interacts and conversation. Her dedication and practice are both very inspirational.

#yoga #yogalove #yogaaddict #ninja #ashtanga #yogafun #bestrong #beinspired #yogainspiration #yogainstructor #yogateacher #flexible #yogaeverydamnday #yogadaily #love #instagood #miami #day1yoga #instagood #EricWardPhotography — with Day Christensen.

Live by the heat of your breath.

Run by the sweat of your temple.

Love by the tear stains on your cheek.

Be the products of your emotions...

Be the products of yourself

Do not merely subsist.

Do not live gray, and colorless.

Paint your sorrows against your walls

in cerulean stars, and

your anger in coxcomb flames,

and when you find joy,

may you paint it with golden wings. -- Already @heresyandheartattacks

Looking back at a night in New Caledonia with the @YogaSlackers gazing at the stars and enjoying the sounds of the ocean.

You speak to me,

like a stranger,

like someone who has not the

faintest hint of my soul,

and how it has vibrated

in the past beside you,

and at your very altar. -- Already @heresyandheartattacks

Dancing in the wind, Elana Meta, simply adds to the beauty all around.

We can't always control what we don't like, Tiny Dancer. -- Nyrae Dawn

Strobist Info: D1 shot through a Mola Sollo camera left of subject

How may I walk more gently through this journey of opening? Let me breathe in the sands of solitude, and dance in the winds of connection. I carry in me generations of birth and death, and swaddled against my back the wonder of life. --@already86

Heaven is not somewhere above, rather inside deep in your soul. To get there you must work hard, real hard. -- Unknown

Another great moment from @adicarter's @redefiningbalance retreat. This photo shoot was an all nighter and some tempers did flare. Overall though the art we made was worth it. Long live Moab!!!

“It takes courage...to endure the sharp pains of self discovery rather than choose to take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives.” ― Marianne Williamson

Looking back at the experience of getting the chance to high line with the Christchurch community. While this specific line is more of a midline, it did it's job of bringing doubt and the sense of fear to me, the Christchurch community member shown in this image, and probably most individuals attempting to balance on the line. I'm not quite sure exactly what self discovery has been accelerated by attempting to high line, however, putting myself out on these high lines has made pretty much ever other fear I've faced seem so much easy to handle in the moment.

Always be like a water. Float in the times of pain or dance like waves along the wind which touches its surface. -- Santosh Kalwar

#EricWardPhotography #Wanderlust #dancer #yoga — with Beau Campbell at Lake Tahoe.

“I hated him most

for not having the courage

to ruin us grandly.

To break all the dishes

and burn down the house.

Instead he sunk quiet

into the arms of a beautiful,

weak little bird.

Denied me my spilled blood,

my great war, everything

except his confession.”

— Clementine von Radics

Tweaked my neck, made some great art.... Nashville, Tennessee. The more time I spend here, the more it grows on me.

‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬ ‪#‎yoga‬ ‪#‎art‬ ‪#‎Nashville‬ ‪#‎Tennessee‬

The creative process is not like a situation where you get struck by a single lightning bolt. You have ongoing discoveries, and there's ongoing creative revelations. Yes, it's really helpful to be marching toward a specific destination, but, along the way, you must allow yourself room for your ideas to blossom, take root, and grow. -- Carlton Cuse

Acro, Lightning and Pellet Guns OH MY!!!

We decided that it would be fun to do some acro in the rain and lightning. One of my neighbors decided it would be fun to shot the people doing acro with pellet guns. She was shot in the butt and I was shot in the bicep. I guess adventure means different things to different people, and where they are on their path.

The shot turned out great, but not worth having one of my eyes taken out!!! And here we were worried that we might be hit by lightning.

#yoga #yogaaddict #yogateacher #yogainstructor #yogainspiration #yogaeverydamnday #beinspired #bestrong #801 #AcroRevolution #AcroLove #Acro #EricWardPhotography #aylifestyle #MyYogaLife #love #freepeople #fpme #lightning #storm #pellet #gun #shot

The Invitation

Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Indian elder

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.

I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.

I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.

I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with the pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.

I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty every day, and if you can source your life from God's presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver moon, "Yes!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.

I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me who you are or how you came to be here.

I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or whom you have studied.

I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

----

Reflecting back on my time spent with some amazing people out in Hawaii. Here is one moment during the time that I cherished being alone, making art and finding peace. Harman Arora

, thank you for so many great memories, calling me out in areas where I can clearly grow, and sharing this poem me.

#EricWardPhotography

#poem

#hawaii

#long

#exposure

#stars

#solitude

#meditation

#growth

There are millions of things to smile about you just have to pick one for yourself. -- Anurag Prakash Ray

#EricWardPhotography #smile #beauty #breathe

So much fun adventuring down in Moab last week with @danceswithpenguins_ , @theplayfulwarrior, @lux_seattleacro, @theacrodragon, @chelleslacks. Thanks Michelle for hosting us and showing us so many cool places. My hope is to process and distill the experience down and share some of my thoughts about what i learned in an upcoming post.

#EricWardPhotography @a4gpa #love #Moab #Utah

“Love is not healthy when it always feels good, that's why there's always pains and disappointments. Love gets better when it is balanced.” ― Carl Lomer Abia

#love #balance #acro #slackline #connection #universe #EricWardPhotography #yoga #yogaaddict #yogateacher #yogainstructor #yogainspiration #yogaeverydamnday #yogaguru #goddess #yogini #beinspired #bestrong #backbend #801 #hawaiiyoga

It torments me to see you just a few hours and then surrender you. When I see you, all that I wanted to say vanishes. The time is so precious and the words are extraneous. But you make me so happy, because I can talk to you. There is still too much sacredness clinging to you. I don’t know how to tell you what I feel. I live in a perpetual expectancy. You come and the time slips away in a dream. It is only when you go that I realize completely your presence. And then it is too late. You numb me. —

The Diary of Anais Nin

The beautiful and talented Beau Campbell @yogarinabc doing her thing.

"There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man."

- Sir Winston Churchill

I’m having such a beautiful time learning just how powerful horses are in keeping me in check with my emotions and being congruent. Thank you for making this knowledge and experience possible Jane Strong. Learn more about The Equus Effect Program at:

www.theequuseffect.org/

#EricWardPhotography #horses #Equus #Effect #Program #horse #congruent #emotional #release #horsemanship

The Journey

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice--

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do--

determined to save

the only life you could save.

Mary Oliver

Thank you Vanessa Sandvig DeHart for sharing the soulful poem and Gillian St Clair for sharing your alluring yoga practice and art!

‪#‎AcroRevolution‬ ‪#‎Acropeutics‬ ‪#‎AcroLove‬ ‪#‎acropedia‬ ‪#‎Acro‬ ‪#‎Revolution‬ ‪#‎TT2‬ ‪#‎hawaii‬ ‪#‎teacher‬ ‪#‎training‬ ‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬ ‪#‎yoga‬

While processing this image I couldn't help but think of the phrase into the wild. I was then reminded of a movie I watched a few years back by the same name and how much I loved it. There are several quotes from that movie I wanted to share since they spoke to me in this moment:

To forgive is to love...

Happiness is only real when shared...

If you want something in life, reach out and grab it.

“Being more self-aware means welcoming more light into a dull life. When we throw light upon our self-perceptions, we immediately realise that the light has always been there, yet we had created an illusion of darkness.”

― Raphael Zernoff

#EricWardPhotography #utah #utahisrad #nighthawk #light #universe #stars #nature #rugged

Tiny Dancer

We can't always control what we don't like, Tiny Dancer. -- Nyrae Dawn

#utah #EricWardPhotography #yoga #dancer #reflection #life #yoga #yogalove #yogaaddict #ninja #ashtanga#yogafun #bestrong #beinspired #yogainspiration #yogainstructor #yogateacher #flexible #yogaeverydamnday #yogadaily #love #instagood #instagood #salt #flat

It's amazing how you could miss the presence of one person, although there are seven million other people in the world. -- German Quote

Oh how I miss my German based Marina Heaven-OnEarth. Until we play again somewhere on this globe.

Strobist Info: SB-900 fired from camera right. Light Painting also going on with led stick.

#acroyoga #aylifestyle #yoga #utah #sunset #instagood #yoga #yogalove #yogaaddict #yogafun #yogagirl #yoga_girl #bestrong #beinspired #ashtanga #ashtangayoga #yogainspiration #yogainstructor #yogateacher #thailand #chiang #mia #yogaeverydamnday #yogadaily #love #EricWardPhotography #strobist #lightpainting #art

The myths have always condemned those who 'looked back.' Condemned them, whatever the paradise may have been which they were leaving. Hence this shadow over each departure from your decision.

-- Dag Hammarskjold

Looking back an early morning on Oahu making some art with Jameson Henkle and Amy Bell. Such golden light on those islands.

#onceuponatime #freepeople #instayoga #instadaily #instagood #artist #yogaeverydamnday #hawaii #wanderlust #grace #EricWardPhotography #Yoga #yogaart #acroyoga #aylifestyle #grace #wanderlust #nikon #myyogalife #yogainspiration #cats #yogalove #yogini #yogagirl #yogagram #fitgirl #fitness #fitspo #lovemylife #positive #glutenfree #dirtydancing

Just about to drive down to San Diego to photograph the AcroLove Festival - Aug 2016, meet some friends, make some art and play my crystal singing bowls at as many sound baths as time will allow.

‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬ ‪#‎yoga‬ ‪#‎acro‬ ‪#‎acrolove‬ ‪#‎sandiego‬ ‪#‎california‬

#freepeople #acro #instadaily #artist #yogaart #grace #wanderlust #fitgirl #instayoga#instadaily #instagood #artist #grace #nikon #myyogalife #cats #yogagram #yogaeverydamnday #hawaii #love #acroyoga #acrorevolution #training #capturerad #travelstoke #simplyadventure #yogapose

Back on the Big Island for Acro Revolution Teacher Training - Hawaii to document the event and make some more art. Excited to meet all the new teachers and capture some of the moments.

‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬ ‪#‎Yoga‬ ‪#‎AcroRevolution‬ ‪#‎AcroYoga‬

“I have realized; it is during the times I am far outside my element that I experience myself the most. That I see and feel who I really am, the most! I think that's what a comet is like, you see, a comet is born in the outer realms of the universe! But it's only when it ventures too close to our sun or to other stars that it releases the blazing "tail" behind it and shoots brazen through the heavens! And meteors become sucked into our atmosphere before they burst like firecrackers and realize that they're shooting stars! That's why I enjoy taking myself out of my own element, my own comfort zone, and hurling myself out into the unknown. Because it's during those scary moments, those unsure steps taken, that I am able to see that I'm like a comet hitting a new atmosphere: suddenly I illuminate magnificently and fire dusts begin to fall off of me! I discover a smile I didn't know I had, I uncover a feeling that I didn't know existed in me... I see myself. I'm a shooting star. A meteor shower. But I'm not going to die out. I guess I'm more like a comet then. I'm just going to keep on coming back.” ― C. JoyBell C.

Spent a morning several weeks ago watching this shooting star at one of the Wanderlust's on the road. I think this moment happened in Thredbo, I could be wrong. All I know is that I had taken myself just a bit out of my element while creating this art. And loving every moment of it. --

Yellowstone National Park @ Night

#astro #astrophotography #EricWardPhotography #night #nature #stars #universe #silhouettes #trees #wonder

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair” ― Kahlil Gibran

Such a great soul having some fun on the beaches of Hawaii. I'm glad I've gotten the chance to work and play with such a refined individual.

‪#‎Hawaii‬ ‪#‎beach‬ ‪#‎wind‬ ‪#‎hair‬ ‪#‎free‬ ‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬

“When all is done, you must look in your own heart to know the truth. It lies at some middle depth, half-truths above, half-truths below. Even my truth, what I tell you know, is colored to fit my vision. Find your own truths as best you can, only remember that few are courageous enough to tell a tale of which they are not the hero.” ― Alida Van Gores, Mermaid's Song

Going through the archives and I find myself loving this image more and more. It is as if time makes a photo so much more rich emotionally and artistically for me once time has had a chance to age the memory, the moment, the feeling.

Kellee Dohrman and Jameson Henkle, I plan to be in your area in the middle of July timeframe and would love to make some acro art in the Redwoods. Just saying.

Such a beautiful and graceful Mermaid Kellee Dohrman!!! Flyer: @k.dohrman_acroandyoga

Base: @knalubalance

‪#‎EricWardPhotography‬ ‪#‎AcroYoga‬ ‪#‎Art‬ ‪#‎Hawaii‬ ‪#‎AcroRevolution‬ ‪#‎TT‬ ‪#‎Archives‬ ‪#‎Memories‬

I've only recently realized how many strong and grounding Taurus people I have in my life. While sometimes it feels like the running of the bulls with them, I'm thankful for their influences in my life. Here birthday boy Brock Axthelm provides a strong and solid foundation for the people around him in life. Happy birthday to all my Taurus friends this month.

#EricWardPhotography #Taurus #MonthOfTheBull

#cali #freepeople #utahyogi #artist #yogaart #grace #wanderlust #fitgirl #instayoga #instadaily #instagood #grace #acroyoga #cats #yogagram #yogaeverydamnday #balance #love #yogapose #yoga #yosemite #sunset #paradise #acro #snow #universe #nature #aylifestyle

Yellowstone National Park @ Night

#astro #astrophotography #EricWardPhotography #night #nature #stars #universe #silhouettes #trees #wonder

Our dreams inspire us to live life to the fullest, our sorrows guide us in learning & accepting who we are, wisdom is what we achieve from experiencing both. -- Nishan Panwar

So glad to have met such talented souls at the AcroRevolution Teacher Training. Grateful for the opportunity to capture some of their magic.

Flyer: @acronerd

Base: @knalubalance

#AcroRevolution #Acropeutics #AcroLove #acropedia #Acro #Revolution #TT2 #hawaii #teacher #training #EricWardPhotography #aylifestyle #MyYogaLife