the good stuff

I'm happy today.
Life feels full.
And if feels good.

The good stuff is not the yoga clothes that I love, nor the new nail polish I've fallen for. It's not a rug for my house, nor this cup of coffee I'm enjoying. It's not the pose I'm trying to perfect. It's not even dreams of places near and far.

It's the serene and beautiful lake that I got to spend the day at yesterday. Seeing the sun shimmer on the lake was enough to remind me of the spark that exists within us all. I felt lucky to be in the presence of this pretty place.

It was the family that I love. The one that I appreciate more and more every day.
It's the sharing, talking and the laughing that really puts it all into perspective. It's seeing how we're all so very different, yet so very alike at the same time.

It was the drive back through small towns like Booneville, Beatyville, Ravenna, and Irvine. It was seeing the sun shine so brightly through the trees. It was winding around the hills, up and down the valleys.

It was the talks of spirit, meditation, and prayer.

It's just enough to make you realize how lucky you are.
How life is always full of the good stuff when we stop and take notice.

What's the good stuff in your weekend?

classes this weekend

We will be having all of our yoga classes as scheduled this weekend at Barefoot Works. Join Liz tomorrow morning for a level 1/2 vinyasa class and Teresa Sunday for yoga for stress relief.

In Sundays class Teresa will be focusing on heart opening and twisting postures. She'll also lead you through two wonderful breathing exercises (pranayama), bhastrika and kapalbhati. The meditation for the day will be Zazen meditation.

We will also be having our evening classes on Monday. Plenty of opportunity to practice the art of wellness this weekend!

All of us at Barefoot Works wish you a safe and happy weekend.

need a laugh?

focus

I'm here at the studio applying some major focus in getting some things done that I've been procrastinating on. I did want to drop a note and say hi and give you some links worth checking out. Each has a connection to Barefoot Works!

Crystal Heis, lovely yogini at BW - Entertaining blog post, titled "Don't try this at home". I bet you're already intrigued. :-)

Emily, phenomenal yoga teacher at BW - Entertaining blogging on hives, yoga, nursing school and life in general. Adam, her husband takes incredible photos. Check out their month long journey to Alaska and back. Before you know if you'll be ready to head our on your own adventure.

Teresa, world's greatest teacher of pranayama and meditation - You'll enjoy learning more about her and all the great things she's doing on her website.

Retta, cutest hair at BW (yes I just officially assigned you that title) - I just discovered this from a comment she left. So of course I must share. ;-)

Shannon, one of BW's most gifted artist - Have to be careful here cause we have a few talented artist that frequent BW. But I have to give props to Shannon because her work is amazing AND she's from my neck of the woods. And so is Retta.

Debra - BW's best sense of humor and she is such a smarty pants....in a good way of course. Check out her blog if you're in the field of massage therapy or need some biz know how.

Leigh Ann - one of BW's first yoga teachers. Most of you probably don't know Leigh Ann, but she taught here when I very first opened. She's a great friend and she has the cutest new baby boy named Tate. Check him out here. Because really, who doesn't enjoy a little buddha baby?

There that should keep you busy for a few minutes. I'm back to happily working!

sometimes when i sit

It's bliss. Like yummy ice cream and a cherry on top. It's real and it's authentic. I find answers and I find peace.

Other times it goes something like this....

As I go to cross my legs I notice how pretty my nail polish is...
And we're off....

Wow, I really love this nail polish.
I never fancied myself for being a lover of brown polish.
But this is great.
I'm so glad Tracy turned me on to it.
She wore it in Mexico.
Ahhh sweet Mexico.
I do miss you Maya Tulum.
I can't wait to see you again next year.
I wonder what the weather is like there today.
There's still four more days for people to register
and save 10%.
I wonder how many have signed up?
Oh crap, "Thinking"

Inhale.
Exhale.
Repeat.

My palms are resting down on my knees.
Maybe I should have them facing up?
I could use a little wink from the universe
and be open to her guidance.
No, just stay here.
Is there a bug on my face
or is it just my hair?
I really feel the urge to move it.
Don't Sharon it's just your mind playing evil
little tricks on you.
You know that,
you are a yoga teacher after all.
Come on get with the program.
Oh shit, "Thinking" again.

Inhale.
Exhale.
Repeat.

How about you....what goes on when you sit?

barefoot works playlists on itunes!

So I'm pretty excited about this! It appears that people really enjoy the yoga tunes we play at the studio. People are always asking me after class what I was playing during this pose or that pose. As much as I love the music, many times I can't give an answer cause I download straight from itunes.

BUT now I'm gonna start burning a new cd each month....sort of the theme music for the month and I'll give you the link so you can burn it if you love it!

Click here to see the "sample" playlist. I've been playing this cd for a few months but I wanted to get one started before the official kickoff for Septempber. Be sure you have itunes downloaded. Enjoy! And if you want rate it and leave some sweet words.

Meanwhile, I'm still drinking hot tea....but really missing my coffee. :-)

your intuition

Your intuition is your best friend.....says the package of my ginger yogi tea. I'm still trying to shake this summer cold. I came out for Teresa's Yoga for Stress Relief class (as did a bunch of other people) and it was simply perfect. If you haven't been to this class, I would really, really encourage you to do so. It's the perfect way to prepare for the week ahead. But get here early cause' the space may fill up!

Teresa's class included a great pranayama practice, a tonglen mediation AND yoga nidra. And of course there was praciticing of asanas (postures). I was so happy that Teresa led the tonglen meditation as I've been practicing it myself lately. I told her how much I enjoyed it and she let out a little sigh of relief. We briefly chatted about how as teachers it sometimes pushes us out of our comfort zone in leading some of these practices. Ultimately we just go with our intuition and trust that what we teach is what we need to teach, to those people in the class.

Tonglen in a Buddhist practice and as we all know each of us have our own beliefs, religion, and ideaologies that we prescribe to. The great thing about yoga is that you can use the practice to enhance and build upon what you believe. Yoga presents a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with ourselves and the world around us.

May your intuition may be your best friend today and let's all learn to call upon that friend frequently!

the yoga love

I met a yoga friend at Coffee Times yesterday (imagine that ;-) to catch up. We hadn't seen each other in a while so we had plenty to chat about. Our chat quickly turned to yoga as it does often (and quickly) with most of my yoga buds. We spoke of trainings we'd been to, ones we hoped to attend, yoga teacher training, and future projects.
We chatted about how yoga is definitely on an upswing here in Lexington which is so very exciting to see and to be a part of. I explained how I felt about this, stating basically that it's all very fabulous. And like all good yogi's we decide how amazing the world would be if only we all did a down dog a day. Even if half of the people in Lexington practiced yoga, can you imagine the difference?

Could you imagine if every person you walked by on the street knew that something as simple as breathing deeply could calm them down?
And what if all these people knew the importance of not harming themselves (ahimsa) or others?
What if they knew that we're not so different and that really we have much in common, that we are indeed connected?
What if they talked nicely to themselves and those they encounter?
What if they knew they were beautiful and kind and perfect and filled with peace somewhere in their body and they just had to dig a little deeper to discover it?
What if they radiated joy just because it's better this way?
What if they had a healthy body and an open mind?

I can see it. Can you? Please keep spreading the yoga love! Share what you know, how yoga makes you feel better, how it makes you more nice, and all those other reasons you keep rolling your mat out.

a warrior

A warrior accepts that we can never know what will happen to us next.
We can try to control the uncontrollable by looking for security and predictability,
always hoping to be comfortable and safe.
But the truth is that we can never avoid uncertainty.
This not knowing is part of the adventure.
It's also what makes us afraid.

A fave of mine - Pema Chodron

Come out and practice being a warrior this evening in yoga class. I'll be teaching at 5:45 and Emily will be teaching at 7:15.

a reminder

Is this video not beautiful? It serves as a reminder of how very lucky we are to be able to practice something so beautiful and powerful. This video demonstrates what sets yoga apart from contortionists and other types of exercise in general. When practiced with intention, yoga has the ability to transform more that just our body, but our mind and spirit as well.

Enjoy yet another beautiful day!

yoga for a cold

I woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather. So I chose to spoil myself with a restorative yoga sequence. But to be honest, it wasn't too much of a choice as the thought of one sun salutation was exhausting simply to think about. :-) If you find yourself wanting to give yourself some extra love today, or if you're feeling bad find a clear wall, plenty of pillows and cushions, and just rest. Just Be.

Here's the sequence I practiced:

*Legs Up the Wall - Sit close to a wall. While you take your torso back, swing your legs up the wall. If this is too much for your hamstrings, move your bum a little further away from the wall.
*Reclining Twist - I moved into this twist from legs up the wall. Just bend your legs and pull your knees into your chest. Release the legs over to the right and release your arms out to the sides shoulder height, palms facing up.
*Supported Bridge Pose - I used two big meditation cushions that almost ran the length of my body. Sitting down I shimmied around until my shoulders and head released off the support and stretched my arms out open wide.
*Supported Bound Angle - I stacked the two meditation pillows and placed another pillow in front of those so that when I reclined back I was in a very comfortable spot. Bring the soles of your feet together, release the knees out, close your eyes, and just relax.

Those poses felt really good for me as they allowed my chest to open up and helped to get circulation up into my upper torso. I rested in each place for about five minutes. Of course you can stay longer. Five minutes or more will really help to relax your nervous system. And if you don't have all the "proper" yoga supplies just get creative in using things that support you and simply feel good. Cause' really that's what it's all about.

If you want to see other restorative poses then click here for pics and full details.

I'm off to drink some orange juice then get ready to meet my dear sister at Joseph Beth for catching up and a late lunch. If the restorative yoga doesn't do it for me I figure the trash mags, spiritual and self help books will definitely bring a smile to my face. ;-)

Check out the Barefoot Works Yoga Teachers in the pic above. We had a very fun meeting Friday night to catch up, chat about the art of teaching yoga, discuss future offerings at the studio and much more. It's so exciting for me to have such amazing gals be a part of Barefoot Works.

May all of you have a lovely Sunday....

come out today!

Why?

Because it's a gorgeous day to do yoga!! Come celebrate your body and all the amazing things you can do, unwind your mind and let your spirit soar.....Just like those pretty clouds. ;-)

I've been playing with this sequence in my own practice:

Warrior II (using the breath to move in and out)
Exalted Warrior
Triangle
Half Moon
Warrior III
Come to standing, extend leg out, arms up, balance, and smile
Eagle
Warrior II

Come out this evening and I'll joyfully lead you through the whole sequence! I hope to see you here.

kimberly wilson at barefoot works

One of the things I'm planning to do more of is bring well known yogi's and yogini's to Lexington to share their teachings. I'm thrilled to have Kimberly Wilson join us in October for a whole day.

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, author, activist, entrepreneur and designer with a masters degree in women’s studies. she is the creative director and founder of tranquil space which started in her fourth-floor walk-up apartment in 1999 and now has three locations. Tranquil Space has grown into a socially conscious haven named among the top 25 yoga studios in the world by travel + leisure.

She penned hip tranquil chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat, and is currently working on her next opus due out december 2009 – a fusion of spirituality, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

When she's not bookstore browsing, you'll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle line and her one-of-a-kind tranquilista jewelry collection, sipping oodles of tea, or leading retreats globally. her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, Yoga Journal, Lucky, and Shape.

I hope that you'll be supportive in my efforts to bring more yoga to Lexington as our yoga community continues to grow and expand. Here's the scoop for the workshop(s) with Kimberly.

Saturday October 11, 2009

Jivamukti Yoga, 10:00 till Noon
Jivamukti Yoga is a dynamic vinyasa practice emphasizing the goal of yoga as liberation. It includes a focus on scripture, music, non-violence, meditation, and devotion as well as challenging asana. Explore this path of enlightenment (innate happiness) through a practice focused on spirtiual activism. Come away inspired and encouraged to do small things daily that make a difference on and off the yoga mat.


Yin Yoga, 12:30 till 2:30
The perfect slow and deep practice of holding floor poses for three to five minutes at a time. With an emphasis on the connective tissues of the hips, thighs, pelvis, and lower spine, it is the ideal compliment to the more muscular, or “yang,” forms of yoga. Savor drawing your awareness away from your muscles and deeper into your bones to experience a strong sense of calm, opening, and tranquility.

Book Signing and Tea, 2:30 - 3:30
Celebrate all things hip and tranquil with a reading and tea from Kimberly's book, Hip Tranquil Chick. She will be available to sign books, give a reading, offer lifestyle tips, and mingle after her workshops. Tea and cookies will be served. This is free!

Pay only $40 per session, or $70 for the entire day.

Space is limited so if you want to attend, Click here to register now!
You can also shop Kimberly's eco line, TranquiliT at our online store. Click here to check it out.

breaking surface

Let no one keep you from your journey,
no rabbi or priest, no mother
who wants you to dig for treasures
she misplaced, no father
who won't let one life be enough,
no lover who measures their worth
by what you might give up,
no voice that tells you in the night
it can't be done.

Let nothing dissuade you
from seeing what you see
or feeling the winds that make you
want to dance alone
or go where no one
has yet to go.

You are the only explorer.
Your heart, the unreadable compass.
Your soul, the shore of a promise
too great to be ignored.

Mark Nepo

wanna dance?

It's only 10:41 and I'm already having a pretty near perfect day. Maybe it was last night's sunset.....did you see it?? Gosh it was amazing. Amazing enough that I slammed on my brakes, pulled my car off the road a little too quickly and took some pictures. Sorry, haven't downloaded them just yet.

I got up early took a walk. I felt a hint of fall. It was cool enough that I had on long sleeves and didn't get hot once during my walk of 40 minutes. Then I was off to my yoga room for practice. Flipped open a great read, read a passage where my eyes landed, lit a new soy candle (that smells sooo good), did a 45 minute practice followed by 25 minutes of meditation. Had a piece of toast with peanut butter on the back deck. Thought briefly that the garden looks a mess and weeds need to be pulled. Decided that rather than bashing myself over something silly I'd continue with the near perfect day.

Came inside put Loretta Lynn's, Van Lear Rose in the cd player and took to cleaning the house. I love this cd. It always reminds me of the sweetness, the uniqueness and the complexities of my home. It all get's wrapped up into some pretty package, even though it's somewhat distorted. I washed, scrubbed,vacuumed, organized and it was during the process of folding that a song came on and I had to tear myself away from the laundry, run into the foyer and break out into a dance. This dance felt so very good that I had to put another cd on (Pink) and continue on with my dance party. So with heart rate up, a smile on my face, and a lightness in my heart I forge on with a day that's sure to be grand.

Have a beautiful weekend lovelies! Andy is graduating tomorrow with his Master's Degree in Education! It's been a long tough road, but he's all done. Yippy....Myself and the fam are all soooo very proud of this pe teacher. :-)

barefoot works, youtube, & maya tulum

After what feels like a whole days work, I'm figuring out this YouTube stuff! Please be a peach and rate my video, or even better leave a comment on the youtube page. I'm downloading a couple more actual videos and hope to have those online soon.

Also don't forget that through the end of August you save 10% when you register for our retreat to Maya Tulum! All is takes is $300 to reserve your space for this amazng trip to paradise.

blossom

"If I get stuck in who I am now, I will never blossom into who I might yet become. I need to practice the gentle art of letting go."
~Sam Keen

I've been thinking a lot about Barefoot Works and the direction(s) that I want to move in. It's been an interesting process. For four years now I've mostly focused on becoming a good yoga teacher. For four years I've lived, breathed, walked, talked and sang the art of being a better yoga student and a better yoga teacher. Two of those years was prior to opening the studio and the other two has been since the opening of the studio. All that work has paid off. I'm happy & confident with who I am a teacher. Now I'm realizing that I need to give up a little control to grow in other areas.

With the business part of the studio I have many other hats that I wear of a daily basis.

Here is what happens when my phone rings....
Ring, Ring (actually it's Micheal Franti singing)
"May I speak to the person in charge of your advertising?"
This is she.
"Oh wow that rarely happens."

And if someone was calling about the person in charge of accounting, public relations, teaching, or cleaning the studio. I again would answer....this is she.

I'm realizing that in order to grow Barefoot Works and to grow the yoga tribe here in Lexington I need to take a serious look at how I'm spending my time and decide the best place to focus my energy. With a tiny bit of sadness and a bit more excitment I will be giving a couple of my classes away to some of our recent graduates of teacher training. We'll also be adding some new things to the schedule. With the new addition of teachers and classes I need to focus some energy on filling those classes and helping my teachers be the best they can be. I need to spend some time visualizing where I want to take Barefoot Works and spend more time making a plan on how to get there.

This will be an interesting shift for me because I LOVE to teach and share yoga. So of course my plan is to continue teaching and sharing my love of yoga. I cannot imagine not doing this. But to do it in a way that allows me to focus more on the building of Barefoot Works.

The changes scare me a little. But I've never been one to get stuck in a place of fear.
Feel the fear.
Respect the fear.
But do in anyway.
Because don't we all want to blossom to the absolute best we can be?