The Yoga of Alignment-An Interview with Rebbie Straubing

by | Aug 16, 2010 | Meditation, Recommended products, Spiritual Awakening

Today I am interviewing Rebbie Straubing. Rebbie and I knew each other in college. We had lost touch over the years (a scary number of years–how did we get this old?), but one day I was in a “I wonder what happened to….”  googling mood and I found her! She was doing something called the Yoga of Alignment, had written a book about it, Rooted in the Infinite: The Yoga of Alignment, and was teaching people about her alignment system as well as working closely with the law of attraction and the Abraham-Hicks materials. I read her book, we reconnected and I’ve been a recipient of her JHE sessions (more detail later) ever since. I’m a big fan of her work and am excited to share it with you.

1. You wrote a blog post recently about your transition from being a chiropractor to asking the Universe to “use you.” Would you share that story with my readers?

Interesting you should ask that, Atmara. I rarely talk about this, and even here I will make it brief. But I think you recognized the core of this story which is probably true for you, too, and for most of your subscribers. I had a time in my life of crisis and great loss. I think many people have experienced this to one degree or another. And if you have, you know that those moments tend to strip away everything that is not important and not true for you, and they bring into focus the true calling of your soul.

I was a chiropractor with a private practice on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. I was doing work that I absolutely loved. I was, as they say, “at the top of my game.” But I became ill and after pushing through it for a few months, I could no longer work. I hired someone to cover the practice for me for two weeks. Well, about three years later, still not able to work, I went to the office to close it. I was sitting in one of the adjusting rooms, slowly packing things up. I was coming face to face with the reality that I was not coming back to that office, or that life.

This is a moment that looks like a moment of great sorrow. I think many people have had moments like this too, perhaps not as extreme, but most of us pass through times of feeling defeated and hopeless.

At this moment in my life I called my sister Marsha. She told me about a song by Rickie Byars Beckwith and Rev. Michael Beckwith called “Use Me.” I said, “Use me?” She explained that this was about letting God work through you. It was about making yourself available for God.

The song says, “Use me, Oh God. I stand for you and here I’ll abide as you show me all that I must do.”

At that moment (in the mid 1990s) I chose to take on that stance. “Use me.”

2. I find your YofA system as outlined in “Rooted in the Infinite”, with it’s focus on the root chakra and the x,y,z axis unique. I’ve explored a lot of models for how energy works in the body, but none like this. Would you give us a brief summery of the system itself, and tell us how you develop or discovered this system?

The YOFA® System of Inner Alignment is like a tripod. Its three legs are:

  • The ancient science of Yoga meditation
  • The Abraham-Hicks teachings on Law of Attraction and Inner Guidance
  • The healing philosophy of chiropractic

These three fundamental influences merge in this system and branch in several directions. For example, YOFA offers:

  • a unique perspective for living a spiritual life in a physical body
  • a specific system of Inner Alignment meditation
  • a method of remote Inner Alignment Sessions
  • a deep integration of Law of Attraction into daily life and spiritual practice

This system came to me in a series of revelations over the course of years. And so, the book, Rooted in the Infinite, pieces together these influences so that you can see that they are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Once you see how intricately they fit together, they set the context for the specific YOFA® revelations that came more specifically through my instrument.

So let’s see if I can give you the system in a nutshell. We all want out lives to be joyful, prosperous, loving, etc. Another way of saying that is that we want our inner garden to flourish. This system teaches you how to do that. It’s a system of inner gardening that leads to inner beauty, fruition of talents, loving relationships, and the fulfillment of the true desires of the heart. That’s the “in a nutshell” version.

I can get a little deeper into how all this works if you like. Here goes: We live in a three dimensional physical world, right? Well, we don’t often realize it, but those three dimensions have metaphysical counterparts that live within our consciousness. You can picture a map of the three dimensions like a set of old fashioned monkey bars. There are physical monkey bars in the outer world and there are energy monkey bars in the inner world.

Each axis of this three dimensional world corresponds to a profound aspect of being human. And at the center of this three dimensional system, is hidden an unnamed dimension where we find pure consciousness. This is where we are rooted in the infinite.

It’s very useful to understand the meaning of these axes. By watching how our desires run along these axes, and how Law of Attraction responds to these movements, we can dramatically shift the course of our lives in a more satisfying direction. We become less dependent on circumstances and we manufacture our own joy from within.

By practicing the meditation aspect, you can bypass years of “trying” to meditate and move swiftly into advanced, beneficial states of meditation. The book Rooted in the Infinite outlines the system so that you get very grounded in your understanding. Then, there is a practice section in the back of the book. There is literally a complete training in that little book! And the recordings of the meditations are available as mp3 downloads or on physical CDs. You can use the book and recordings to train yourself into alignment and start harvesting fulfilled desires in all aspects of your life. Rooted in the Infinite looks like a paperback book but it is really a complete home study course. You can find out more at http://RootedintheInfinite.com.

3. You offer something called “jhe” sessions. Would you explain what this is?

Some people sign up for physical “healing,” others for relationship issues, some for financial issues, many for general well being. I also have a free service I do for people dealing with autism. (Parents can sign up their child who is on the autism spectrum at www.UnconditionalLove.info .

The first thing that members usually notice when they receive these sessions is a feeling of lightness. They feel physical and emotional lightness. You know the expression, “walking on air”? That’s the feeling people usually get when they are in love. That feeling is an indication of Inner Alignment. And so, when you come into alignment through the YOFA® Inner Alignment Sessions, you feel something like that even though the conditions in your life may not have changed. (Atmara: I can confirm this–I even felt this from reading the book!)

As you spend more time in that state, and as you get more fluent in finding your way back into alignment when you’re out, you start manifesting different conditions. And so, eventually, conditions can actually change quite dramatically. We’ve seen years and years of chronic pain go away. We’ve seen job offers come in at a significant increase in salary (double in one case). We’ve seen years of stressed family relationships morph into happy loving holiday celebrations. These things change so radically and so beneficially because Law of Attraction has a chance to bring you the true desires of your heart. When you are in alignment with the desires that vibrate with your inner truth, they manifest.

By the way, you may have noticed that I put the word “healing” in quotes before. I prefer to use the word “jhe” which is an acronym for “joyful harmonious expressiveness.” I like to use this phrase, or word, to replace words like “health” and “healing.”

I do this because words like “health” have collected a very mixed vibration over the years. And words are powerful. So, if you are seeking health, you certainly want your words to be helping your efforts, not hurting them. When you think of healing your body, don’t you instantly think of a body that is less than well? When you think of healing your finances or your relationships, doesn’t your mind immediately start wondering what the problem is? Our minds are a little bit like rubber bands. If you give the mind a word like health, it stretches briefly toward the real meaning of health, but then it lets go and springs forcefully toward its opposite.

I came up with the word formula “joyful harmonious expressiveness” because, at least for me, it more accurately conjured the desired state. If it works for you, I invite you to use it.

I do the YOFA® jhe Sessions, or Inner Alignment Sessions, in service to each member’s joyful harmonious expressiveness in all areas of their lives. What many people love about this membership is that there is nothing they need to do. I find that people have so much to do and so little time. Many people don’t want one more thing to read or to listen to. They just can’t fit it in. Since I do these sessions for you, it takes none of your time. Isn’t that great? In fact it can even give you more time because as you come into alignment, you become more efficient and things go more smoothly. Of course I have to add a disclaimer. I am not a medical doctor or psychologist and I do not diagnose nor treat medical conditions. I cannot guarantee that you will have any of the improvements that others have had. What I can guarantee is that if you don’t feel that it is working for you, I will refund your payment, so you get to try it at no risk. I think a refund was only requested once. But I love having that “no questions asked” guarantee because I really prefer only having members who love the jhe sessions. It’s best for everyone.

And many people stay on for years. It’s like brushing your teeth. You don’t stop doing it after you’ve done it a few times. It is a way of life. Inner Alignment is like that. It is a way of cleaning up your vibration on a regular basis. I recommend that members also do the meditations themselves, but it is not necessary at all. You can find out more at http://AlignmentforHealing.com.

4. What other products and services to you offer?

One of my favorite of the YOFA® products is the “I Am Love” Affirmative Contemplation recordings. These are guided meditations of spiritual affirmations. They focus on the cultivation of Divine Love. There are short recordings for the morning and lunchtime. There are longer recordings for going to sleep (excellent for insomnia). These are available as mp3 downloads at http://AffirmativeContemplation.com or as a physical CD on CD Baby.

I also have a popular ebook for finding your soul mate. It is a Law of Attraction method for creating your new relationship. It has worked over and over again. It’s more of a method than a book. The instructions are clear and all you have to do is follow them. You can get that at http://greatrelationships.net

You can also get the free ecourse called “7 Secrets for Manifesting Your Heart’s Desire.”

These low priced (and free) products provide an excellent entry into the YOFA® perspective. Of course there are others and anyone who is interested can find out more about YOFA® at www.YOFA.net

5. Anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to encourage people to love themselves. Not in an egotistical way. In a pure way. One of the affirmations in the Affirmative Contemplation collection is “I love being me.” This specific word formula makes a wonderful mantra for bringing yourself into alignment. You can also sit and write a list of reasons why you love being you. This is a great way to get a joyful hum going in your life.

Of course, you can use the phrase, “I love myself,” but this might bring some static into your vibration. “I love being me” is a clearer path, I believe, to a pure state of alignment.

I strongly recommend choosing words that feel good to you. Words seem like they mean the same thing to everyone. After all, you can look up their definitions in the dictionary. But they are actually very personal. So be sure to find the words that feel best to you and use them often. And if you like the feeling of, “I love being me,” I’d be honored if you use that in your inner journey.

Thank you, Rebbie, for taking the time to do this interview. It’s so great to reconnect with you in this way.

If any of you have had experiences with Rebbie’s work that you would like to share, please leave a comment.

I look forward to your thoughts and comments! (if you are reading this on the home page the link to comments is found to the far right of the post title)

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Guest Post by Cyndi Briggs: Living the Heart’s Desire

by | Aug 2, 2010 | Inspiration, Spiritual Awakening

Today we have a guest post from Cyndi Briggs, http://drcyndibriggs.com/.  Cyndi writes  The Sophia Project, a blog for inspired and inspiring women. I highly recommend it. Here is her take on Living the Heart’s Desire:

The summer I was nine years old, I became obsessed with performing gymnastics on the red, white, and blue metal jungle gym my parents erected in our small suburban backyard. I would spend hours hanging upside down by my knees from the rusty trapeze bar or trying to balance with arms outstretched between the white plastic rings.

When I was done with my workout, I’d rest, sweaty and fatigued on the top of the monkey bars and watch the setting sun disappear behind the hulking black shadow of the Blue Ridge mountains.

My heart swelled in my chest like a great balloon as the blaze orange faded to red then indigo then black. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I felt singularly confused by the intensity of my own emotions.

Those late summer sunsets continue to define for me the meaning of “living the heart’s desire”. What I couldn’t put my finger on then I understand now – my deep yearning to follow that setting sun westward, to have great adventures, to always feel the magic of a setting sun even on the cloudiest of days.

As children, we exist as open conduits for intense emotion: joy and pain, anger and heartbreak, glee and exhaustion. The spectrum of emotions is as accessible to children as air, the eternity of a summer day a continual progression from one sensation to the next.

Somewhere in young adulthood most of us learned the heartbreaking and tragically misguided lesson that logic subjugates feelings, that we must do what is reasonable and right, rather than what feels good. As children, we observed the hallmark of adulthood as this kind of linear thinking. I remember weeping at age 13, tragically grieving the loss of my childhood freedom.

It remains a mystery to me why we as free adults continue to believe the lie that our lives are meant to be a slow progression of obligations and tedium until the grave. Nowhere is this demonstrated more clearly than on social media outlets on Monday morning: the status updates lamenting the return to drudgery for another week of soulless living is enough to make the angels weep for us.

Life does not have to resemble a to do list. I say this not as a hopeful romantic, but as one who lives it. I also say this as a counselor with 14 years of experience working with people who perceive themselves as sick and broken.

At no time in history have we needed more desperately to return to our heart’s desire, to reunite with our emotional and intuitive selves. What your heart most desires for you is what you’re meant to do with your life.

Here’s what I know above all other things: you were brought to this earth at this point in time with the singular purpose of living your higher truth. Your story, your experiences, and your perspectives are entirely unique and entirely your own.

So what you yearn for, what fills your eyes with tears with tragic and enormous love, what fills your imagination with delight, what haunts your dreams – THAT is what you are here to do with your life.

Be forewarned, however. Emotions are not logical. Your heart is wise beyond your knowing, and if you choose to follow its guidance (and I hope you do), you’ll find yourself in places you never expected, meeting people you never imagined and becoming the very best version of yourself in unanticipated ways.

In 2003, after years of subtle guidance and meditation, I finally succumbed my heart’s mysterious desire to move to Oregon to obtain my doctorate. Three years in that magical place surrounded by strong and inspiring women changed my life radically. In Oregon I became a writer and a teacher. Most importantly, I became the person I most wanted to be when I was nine years old, crying at the sunset, sitting on a jungle gym in the mountains of Virginia.

Just before I moved to Oregon, I found an almanac of Oregon facts. I learned that the state motto is “She flies with her own wings.”

Miraculously, after reading that, my head became entirely aligned with my wise heart, which knew all along what I most needed.

So I challenge you today to pause in your busy life and listen to your quiet, persistent beating heart. What is it calling you to do? What is your heart most yearning for? What does it tell you about your needs and desires in the middle of a pretty good life?

And today, trust that you are your heart’s beloved, and it wishes nothing but happiness for you.

And peace to you on your journey.