Shannon's Yoga Pilgrimage for Peace
Donation protected
My Story
Background:
Over two years ago I listened to my heart’s call and shifted my entire life in a dramatic way. I left my quaint apartment in Plymouth, MI, as well as my established massage therapy business, family and friends, and moved to the middle of the woods in northern Michigan where I immersed my life in a mission driven non-profit yoga retreat center and intentional community called Song of the Morning. I feel so fortunate to have established a deep connection with this place when my parents brought me there when I was a small child. Song of the Morning will always be a home to me.
Song of the Morning has been a deeply nourishing experience in many ways. I've gained a priceless amount of wisdom there; how to live, work and collaborate with others in a variety of ways. I’ve gained many new skills and abilities, but it wasn’t easy! I’ve experienced so many highs and lows. So much joy and beauty, and so much pain. My intention with coming to Song of the Morning was to grow spiritually, and boy did I! I learned how to be humble, to let go of so much of my ego, pride, and protective layers of myself. I learned how to be vulnerable, how to set boundaries, how to love and accept others fully. I am far from perfect and have much more to learn, but I’ve certainly learned quickly why Song of the Morning is often called a “rock tumbler” and a “hot house”.
However, I feel that I’ve learned as much at SoM as I am able to, at least for the moment. It’s now time to turn a new leaf, listen to my heart and allow it to guide me into a new direction. An endeavor I’ve been wanting to do since I was a child.
Intention:
I just purchased a humble little motorhome. It’s a giant blue pick-up truck with a tiny home on top. My plan is to travel across the country, where I’ll be teaching and spreading the deep peace that hatha yoga and meditation provides and learn to cultivate trust and faith that the Divine will take care of me along the way.
I plan to teach donation based classes in parks, beaches and anywhere else that makes sense. In addition to in-person classes, I also plan to start up a small virtual online business where I’ll be teaching hatha yoga and meditation classes, workshops, facilitate retreats, and conduct one-on-one yoga therapy sessions. I also plan to visit the Self-Realization Fellowship International Headquarters in Los Angeles, California where I hope to receive initiation into Kriya Yoga.
Financial situation:
But!
There is one issue with this plan. Like many others during the pandemic, I’ve definitely struggled with finances and will not be able to take this journey, at least in a safe and comfortable way. This is why I created this GoFundMe.
A large aspect of living a spiritually centered life involves practicing Karma Yoga (selflessly giving without expecting anything in return). For this reason, and to be able to live and support intentional self-sustaining community living I was happy and content with working my first 7 months at the retreat center on work-exchange where I did not receive an income. Once a staff position opened up, I was happy with accepting minimum wage as payment for a 40 hour work week. During a large portion of 2020, the staff’s pay was cut in half because the pandemic caused the center to close down. On top of an already financially challenging life and exceptionally challenging year, I slipped on ice while driving and totaled my car. Fortunately, I am okay, but unfortunately, I was not able to receive any income from insurance and had no other choice but to scrap it.
And I used nearly every last bit of my savings to purchase my new tiny home.
Now.. I have nearly no funds left to travel with. I am asking friends, family, and all souls (who are able) to help me in this new endeavor and all those who will be helped along the way.
With donating towards my gas for me to travel to Florida, California, Oregon and back to Michigan, you will have an opportunity to not only help me start my small business and deepen my spiritual growth, but to support others’ physical, mental and spiritual well-being through yoga and meditation: the most valuable teaching that can be shared (in my opinion).
Conclusion:
I plan to do my initial take off at the beginning of June!
Additionally, if you donate $25 or more, and private message me your email address, I will email you a link to access one or more of my virtual yoga or meditation classes.
My sincere thanks and gratitude goes out to all of you who will donate and to those who offer their energetic loving support and encouragement towards my soul's purpose!
Peace and Love,
Shannon Lynn Smith
For mailed donations, please send to:
6345 Newburgh Rd.
Westland, MI 48185
Background:
Over two years ago I listened to my heart’s call and shifted my entire life in a dramatic way. I left my quaint apartment in Plymouth, MI, as well as my established massage therapy business, family and friends, and moved to the middle of the woods in northern Michigan where I immersed my life in a mission driven non-profit yoga retreat center and intentional community called Song of the Morning. I feel so fortunate to have established a deep connection with this place when my parents brought me there when I was a small child. Song of the Morning will always be a home to me.
Song of the Morning has been a deeply nourishing experience in many ways. I've gained a priceless amount of wisdom there; how to live, work and collaborate with others in a variety of ways. I’ve gained many new skills and abilities, but it wasn’t easy! I’ve experienced so many highs and lows. So much joy and beauty, and so much pain. My intention with coming to Song of the Morning was to grow spiritually, and boy did I! I learned how to be humble, to let go of so much of my ego, pride, and protective layers of myself. I learned how to be vulnerable, how to set boundaries, how to love and accept others fully. I am far from perfect and have much more to learn, but I’ve certainly learned quickly why Song of the Morning is often called a “rock tumbler” and a “hot house”.
However, I feel that I’ve learned as much at SoM as I am able to, at least for the moment. It’s now time to turn a new leaf, listen to my heart and allow it to guide me into a new direction. An endeavor I’ve been wanting to do since I was a child.
Intention:
I just purchased a humble little motorhome. It’s a giant blue pick-up truck with a tiny home on top. My plan is to travel across the country, where I’ll be teaching and spreading the deep peace that hatha yoga and meditation provides and learn to cultivate trust and faith that the Divine will take care of me along the way.
I plan to teach donation based classes in parks, beaches and anywhere else that makes sense. In addition to in-person classes, I also plan to start up a small virtual online business where I’ll be teaching hatha yoga and meditation classes, workshops, facilitate retreats, and conduct one-on-one yoga therapy sessions. I also plan to visit the Self-Realization Fellowship International Headquarters in Los Angeles, California where I hope to receive initiation into Kriya Yoga.
Financial situation:
But!
There is one issue with this plan. Like many others during the pandemic, I’ve definitely struggled with finances and will not be able to take this journey, at least in a safe and comfortable way. This is why I created this GoFundMe.
A large aspect of living a spiritually centered life involves practicing Karma Yoga (selflessly giving without expecting anything in return). For this reason, and to be able to live and support intentional self-sustaining community living I was happy and content with working my first 7 months at the retreat center on work-exchange where I did not receive an income. Once a staff position opened up, I was happy with accepting minimum wage as payment for a 40 hour work week. During a large portion of 2020, the staff’s pay was cut in half because the pandemic caused the center to close down. On top of an already financially challenging life and exceptionally challenging year, I slipped on ice while driving and totaled my car. Fortunately, I am okay, but unfortunately, I was not able to receive any income from insurance and had no other choice but to scrap it.
And I used nearly every last bit of my savings to purchase my new tiny home.
Now.. I have nearly no funds left to travel with. I am asking friends, family, and all souls (who are able) to help me in this new endeavor and all those who will be helped along the way.
With donating towards my gas for me to travel to Florida, California, Oregon and back to Michigan, you will have an opportunity to not only help me start my small business and deepen my spiritual growth, but to support others’ physical, mental and spiritual well-being through yoga and meditation: the most valuable teaching that can be shared (in my opinion).
Conclusion:
I plan to do my initial take off at the beginning of June!
Additionally, if you donate $25 or more, and private message me your email address, I will email you a link to access one or more of my virtual yoga or meditation classes.
My sincere thanks and gratitude goes out to all of you who will donate and to those who offer their energetic loving support and encouragement towards my soul's purpose!
Peace and Love,
Shannon Lynn Smith
For mailed donations, please send to:
6345 Newburgh Rd.
Westland, MI 48185
Organizer
Shannon Lynn Smith
Organizer
Vanderbilt, MI