Not sure if CFCA is right for you? We offer a 14 day trial membership for $65 so you can test the waters before fully committing to improving your health/fitness and life!  Trial memberships start with a private intro session with one of our coaches. The intro will give you an opportunity to check out our facility, learn more about our program, watch an actual class in progress and learn some of the basic movements that we use on a regular basis. More importantly, it’s a chance for us to get to know you… (your goals, athletic background, previous injuries) and address any questions or concerns that you may have. This session generally lasts 40-60 mins. Once you have completed your intro… come to class as much as you want for the next 14 days! Get a feel for our workouts, our coaches and our supportive community. When the 14 days are up… let us know if you think CFCA is the right fit for you. Email us get started! info@crossfitcapeann.com

For more information: www.crossfitcapeann.com

We’ll be on the water for about 2 hours. Please arrive 5 minutes prior to the start of class so we can get all your gear sized up. Can’t wait to see you!

Cost: $40 Includes all rental equipment including board and paddle NOTE: If you have your own equipment, email amanda@treetopyoga.com to receive rental discount PRIOR to registering.

Please NOTE: Pre-registration is required for this event as it takes place off site.

Class is limited to 10 so sign up in advance to save your space! REGISTER HERE

HAPPINESS:  FACT OR FICTION?

Greetings my fellow spiritual seekers! Our topic for today is:                                                   HAPPINESS! So much has been said about happiness. Happiness is “where it’s at.” There are countless products and services that claim to be the cure for an unhappy state: nutritional supplements, Botox, positive thinking, meditation/mindfulness, dating sites, diets, to name just a few… So, out of curiosity, do you remember where you first learned about happiness? For me, I remember the concept being introduced at a young age in children’s books and Disney movies. Take The Cinderella story, for example. Here an innocent, orphan girl is forced to clean cinders by the fireplace and scrub the floors by evil stepsisters and a horrific stepmother! Oh my! Eventually, by some serendipitous turn of events, which includes a magic Fairy Godmother, Cinderella ends up at the Royal Ball and finds herself dancing with none other than the illustrious Prince Charming! In a mad rush to make curfew, her shoe falls off and is left at the establishment. Mr. Charming finds the shoe and sets out to look for her. He finally tracks her down, the shoe fits, and Voila! ALL of Cinderella’s problems are instantly solved! The final page/scene shows some version of them riding off into the sunset, alluding to something about them living “happily ever after.” All needs taken care of, no more worries or being “relegated-to-being-the-cleaning-servant” for Cinderella. Nirvana. Bliss. Perfection. Perhaps you had similar fairy tales and stories poured into your mind at a young age? There are so many. Is anyone with me here? Do we really still think this is TRUE? Are we kind-of in agreement that life just ISN’T REALLY LIKE THAT? Nowadays, we are in a kind of a subliminal, or perhaps obvious, competition with others on social media. Although I personally enjoy Facebook, I can see why some schools of thought say that it isn’t healthy for morale to constantly look at how perfectly “HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER” everyone else’s life can appear to be. This is especially true during those times when we do not particularly enjoy how we ourselves are feeling. Although it is wonderful to celebrate people’s victories, it is important to also be reminded that even the most “fortunate” of folks regularly go through “stuff.” Nobody, except perhaps some enlightened masters, is happy ALL OF THE TIME. If you have children (or if you can imagine it), could you see yourself telling them that if they are not happy that you would have a real problem with that? Good parenting includes teaching your child how to cope with less-than-optimal feelings in any situation and at any given time – and, ideally, that you help them to accept and love themselves no matter what. Tony Robbins, Master Life Coach, says that the most successful people in life have learned how to master their “state.” That means, when they are in a state of NOT feeling positive and energized, they pro-actively use techniques like exercise, affirming self-talk, connecting with others, to bring themselves to a better “state”. I find this to be extremely valuable advice, especially since it acknowledges the reality that we are naturally not-always-happy. We CAN get to happiness, with a little attention and work. The next time you are faced with a negative emotion, like fear, for instance, do your best not to fight with it. Do not berate yourself for not being in a state of bliss. That really only compounds the problem! Try this process: Take a deep breath. Calm yourself. Be in the present moment. Do a little talking-to-yourself: “Okay, Self, it seems we are not liking this feeling that is happening here. Let’s take a look at what is going on.. is it truly a disaster? Is it just growing pains? Is there an opportunity for some healing here?” And be PATIENT. Is there really THAT big of a rush to get back to being “happy?” (And.. if so, WHY?) Not being happy all the time is okay. It shows us that we are human. We are vulnerable. We are not perfect. The next time somebody, perhaps on Facebook, posts a picture of total happiness – just recognize that it’s a moment in time, and NOT a constant state. Denying our real feelings and pretending to be happy when we are not delays our true opportunities for those precious, happy moments. For it is through processing and clearing away the negatives that happiness can emerge. Let us make a way. To schedule an appointment, and for more information, call or text Annette at 978-239-3586 Annette Dion is a gifted Spiritual Counselor, author, musician and creative person! Her new office is located at 114 Main St., Suite 207, Gloucester MA. Phone sessions are also available. ************************************ UPCOMING Gloucester Block Party: Saturday, AUGUST 11, 6:00-10:00pm. Main St. Mini-Tarot Readings! $20 for 12 minutes. (Best deal of the year!). Stop by and say hello! Meditation Mondays: starting on Monday, July 30th at Gloucester Yoga Collective, 114 Main St. (across the hall from my office in Suite 207). 6:00-7:15pm Guided meditation for all levels.  Beginners are especially encouraged. Only $5 per person ************************************