dance, dream, chant and other weird things i do

Today I'm thinking about the things I do that help me feel balanced, that bring me happiness, and serve as general goodness. Things that help relax me, help me stay calm and carry on:

• Read a magazine (yoga journal, people, and body & soul are faves)
• Take a long bath with a lush bomb
• Walk (and sometimes skip) in the cemetery. As my brother Joel says, “it’s impossible to skip and feel sad at the same time.” We most recently skipped together at Kripalu. I highly recommend you try it.
• Bust a yoga pose….down dog & yogic squat are faves)
• Spend time in my yoga room
• Go to a bookstore
• Get a cup of coffee and write in my journal
• Go to bed early
• Pull weeds (this is something I don’t necessarily like, but it does help relax me)
• Sing positive mantras, chant, recite poems and engage in other things considered weird by lots of Kentuckians.
• Riding on a country road
• Dance wildly in the foyer of my old home
• Enjoy a glass of wine while cooking and listening to Pandora
• Dream of Mexico
• Listen to music
• Teach a yoga class. Nothing makes me focus as much as this. And when I’m focused and present, I’m usually calm and relaxed.
• Go through magazines and pull words and images out to update my vision board
• Use scents that remind me of good things and help invoke relaxation (fave candle I discovered years ago in TX, copal incense from Mexico, sandalwood incense from Chopra Center, yummy Chakra body mist spray Tracy gifted me with from Aveda, and another aromatherapy oil from Whole Foods.

How about you…..What's on your list?

mondo beyondo update

Some of you may recall that last fall I took the online Mondo Beyondo course (which I highly recommend). It's an online class full of other dreamers and the sole purpose is to dream any little thing your heart wants to dream. To "put it out there", right? Then sending a lil' message to the universe to bring only the dreams that are "divinely right for me and the best thing for the world."

I love the last part. I love the idea that the dreams that do come to me are divinely right for me, my heart, and the world. Because lets face it...sometimes dreams don't come true. So for me rather than becoming cynical about the process of dreaming I can simply rest in a place knowing that perhaps that for whatever reason, that is not a dream that's divinely right for me. For a dreamer and believer like myself, that was a really important part of the process.

My Mondo Beyondo list has been underneath my bed since last September. I only shared what was on my list with Andy. No one else. It felt right to keep my little dreams more private. Last Wednesday on my birthday I took my two pieces of paper from underneath my mattress. In the cafe at Joseph Beth I took my list out to review. I was pretty happy to see the dreams that have come true and the ones that are in the works. Here is a rundown:

**Learn more about Ayurveda - will begin my studies with California College of Ayurveda within the month

**Learn how to prepare delicious vegetarian food - this has greatly improved with the help of retreating at the beginning of January where I learned great tips and recipes from an Appalachian vegetarian. Plus learning more about Ayurveda and Indian cooking at Kripalu is greatly helping too.

**Be serenaded by Jon Bon Jovi - so it wasn't a one on one deal, or a small gathering as I have dreamed, but it was a concert in Atlanta with Andy and thousands of other fan. ;)

**Spend one to two months per year in Tulum working and playing - this is in the works for this year. Have myself scheduled to be there for over six weeks this year.

**Go on retreat to Kripalu - check, did Ayurveda Spring Cleanse in April

**Go to Mexico with my mom and sister - place tickets are purchased for July! This is actually a pretty big one since my mom has never flown and never been out of the country. Been so exciting to watch all of this unfold. Can't wait!

**Feed my body foods that support and nourish me physically, mentally, and emotionally - again with cooking more, making more green smoothies, juicing more often, doing cleanses, and learn more about cooking, the foods I'm eating are much better.

**Connect and learn from my father. Inspire him to be more healthy - I haven't put this on my blog, but three weeks ago today my dad was in the hospital in ICU. It was really scary for me. Since that day I've called him nearly everyday, I'm getting to know more about him, sharing Ayurveda, and encouraging him to make healthier decisions. And he's doing really great. 40+ years of smoking and he hasn't smoked in over three weeks! Yippee! Needless to say when I saw this on the list that I made last September, it was an eye opener.

So there they are....the dreams that I put out there last fall that have or are becoming a reality. If you haven't allowed yourself to dream in a bit, I highly encourage it. :)

PS - the pic above is a note I wrote at the beginning of the Mondo Beyondo class and have taped on my bathroom mirror. It's a daily reminder to dream. :)

thank you

I've had quite the delight-full birthday. Greeted the day with self massage (abhyanga). A practice I brought back from the ayurveda spring cleanse at Kripalu. Followed by neti pot, shower, then 30 minute meditation. There is truly something special about starting the day in this way. Giving myself time and engaging in self care.

I got ready and took myself to one of my fave places in Lexington...Joseph Beth. I got there when they opened at 9:00. Went to the cafe and treated myself to a cappuccino and lemon poppyseed scone. I sat down at a table and pulled my Mondo Beyondo list out. It's been chilling underneath my mattress for months now. I thought today would be a great day to review it. I went through my list and was totally surprised and happy to see some of my Mondo Beyondo dreams coming true (plan to dedicate a whole post to this). I also browsed through a new book I recently purchased and thought about the theme for the free yoga classes I would be teaching.

I spent over two hours at Joseph Beth. Perfect. I went over to Whole Foods and purchased myself some aromatherapy oil to keep in my purse. I've been playing with this idea of practicing santosha (contentment) as often as I can, as often as I think about it. Truly hoping to embody this word someday (which somehow seems a little counter intuitive to the whole idea of contentment...but). I purchased a scent with the hope that every time I use and smell it it will take me to a place of contentment (perhaps another blog too). Also got some treats to share with the yogis today post class. Little baby bundt cakes and two bite brownies. Yum

Classes were really good for me. We talked about the idea of purna, which in Sanskrit is this idea of wholeness and completion. Since I'm always trying to improve myself and always striving for more, I thought my birthday would be a great day just to Be. And feel perfect, complete, and whole....just as I am. Also played a sweet cd gifted to me by Anne Dean, darling yogini she is. :) It was titled "A Yogi Birthday." Love it.

Andy gifted me with exactly what I've been wanting, a new blender. During our cleanse in which I was making 12 drinks a day, I quickly realized it was time for a new one. Can't wait to try a new green smoothie out with it.

Andy and I went for a yummy dinner to Asian Wind. I've only been here two times now. And oh my it is so very delicious. The vegetarian food is so perfect that even Andy opted for a veggie dish. Also got ice cream from Graeters. Andy and I are a bit of ice cream fanatics. This was definitely not a ayurveda eating sorta day. Back on the wagon tomorrow.

At home I took a nice long bath (with a Lush bomb) in the dark, no lights, no music, none of the extras I typically love. Just closed my eyes. breathed, and felt so very thankful for the celebration of another birthday. For being surrounded by such kind people. So much love today. Really really special.

Now off to bed early to watch "The Lovely Bones". I really have no idea what it's about. But totally looking forward to slithering into bed early and watching a movie.

Again thanks to all of you. You fill my heart with much gladness. Much more than you could know.

PS - Silly pic of my brother during our time at Kripalu.

birthday treat

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others."
-Audrey Hepburn

I'm pretty excited to be celebrating my 33rd birthday today! I consider myself so very lucky for many reasons. One big reason being that each of you support me in doing what I truly adore.

I recently heard this quote, "When asked what gift he wanted for his birthday, the yogi replied: "I wish no gifts, only presence."

Today I am welcoming each of you to join me in celebrating my birthday with a FR*EE yoga class. I teach at 12:00 and 4:30. Would love for you to be present.

Cheers,
Sharon

PS - Andy has field day today and tomorrow! Such a BIG BIG day for him and the kids. Asking the weather to kindly cooperate with him. :)

baby zoey

It's easy to forget the stresses
when I look into her sweet sweet eyes
and see her smile.
A smile that lights the room up
from far far away.

There is a sense of such joy
with this little babe.

On the day before my birthday
I celebrate this sweet little gal.
Am thinking I can learn a thing or two
from her.

daily affirmation

Feeling quite inspired by this young gal. Never too young to begin. :)

mesmerized

by this idea....

"Each day I do the dirty work, the effort that attracts no notice but my own, and in this very place I find the ordinary ingredients for genuine fulfillment."
Karen Maezen Miller

I read this quote (it's from the Book Hand Wash Cold) on a blog a couple of days ago and I'm pretty blown away by it. Definitely not there most days, probably not most moments. But I'm holding the idea of it close to my heart. And reveling in the beauty and simplicity of the thought of it.

how knowing my values helped me make a big decision

I've been debating on something for a couple of weeks now and still hadn't come up with a clear answer until today.


I tried all of my "old" tricks for making decisions....

Getting input from trusted people that know, love, and support me.

Setting an intention of getting clarity during my yoga practices.

Meditating on it.

Making a list of the pro's and con's.

Journaling about it.

Asking the universe for a sign, then flipping open a book and seeing what I land on (I know you've tried this?!).

Nothing seemed to be working. I still couldn't make a decision.

At 6:30 this morning I was up in my yoga room at home. Incense and candle lit, a soft glow just outside my window, nice soothing music playing in the background. It was a beautiful morning, a beautiful moment. I glanced over at one of the few items in my yoga room, my vision board.

I scanned the images and the words, all of which have some sort of meaning for me. Then I asked myself, "Is this the right time to embark on a new training?"

One at a time my eyes landed on the values that I identified for myself the last time I retreated to Tulum, Mexico. I saw them there on my board....

personal growth
wisdom
service
spirit
freedom
abundance
creativity

I thought again about my desire to learn, study, and practice Ayurveda (the science of life, also known as the sister science of yoga).

One by one I went through these values that I had identified for myself. I got a clear "Yes" on each one. Becoming a student of Ayurveda aligns with each of these values. I love how these values are a compass of sorts for me. As I'm navigating life and making decisions I keep coming back to them and they continue to guide me.


I just sent my application in to the California College of Ayurveda. If accepted I'll be participating in distance learning and hands on training that equals 545 hours of study. I'm super excited in taking this next step and learning even more about the "whole" person - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and how creating harmony and balance with each leads to a vibrant and healthy life. And of course I can't wait to share what I'm learning with all of you!

PS - Above pics of me and my friend Debra in Tulum, writing our biggie word in the sand.

PSS - If this sounds like something of value to you, join me this Saturday from 11:00-2:00 and explore your own values!

what propels you forward?

That's the question I'm asking myself today. I looked up the definition of propel and it says...
To cause to move forward or onward.
To impel, drive, or cause to move forwards.

I got to thinking about what propelled me forward in the earliest days of my teaching career. It was all about a vision I held dearly for myself. One that included embarking on a journey of healing on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. A vision that allowed me to be creative and flexible in my job and how I spend my days and time. And a huge part of my vision was being surrounded by other like minded, good hearted, soul-full beings that want to be healthy in the fullest of ways and wanting to live life with passion and purpose.

I have also spent time asking myself what continues to propel me forward today....day by day. I'm feeling like some much of it continues to be about my own personal journey. A journey towards sound health in body and mind. A journey towards wholeness in every sense of the word. It's in this process of discovering, learning, and living, that I heal a bit more(on a good day:). Then sharing this with others with the hope, the wish that it helps them in their own personal journey. Living, learning, sharing....that's what is propelling me forward.

So I ask you the ever important question...what propels you forward?

may goodness

Mark your planner for these events!

Free Mother's Day Yoga Class
Sunday May 9, 4:00 - 5:00
call 859-433-7787 or email
barefootworks(at)hotmail(dot)com to
reserve your space!

Radiant Yogini
with Sharon Tessandori
Saturday May 15, 11:00-2:00

Community Yoga
Sunday May 16, 4:00
Free

Beauty: A New Definition
with Sat Purkh
Sunday May 23, 1:00 - 3:30

Barefoot Works Book Club
(our knitting group is breaking till fall, but we've replaced with a book club!)
Sunday May 30, 12:00





Barefoot Works Book Club
The Untethered Soul

The Barefoot Works community is starting a book club! Our plan is to meet monthly to discuss books that are relevant and resonate with the Barefoot Works community. We will read and discuss one book per month.

Come join us for our first session on May 30, 2010, at noon. At this meeting, we will discuss our first book, "The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself" by Michael Singer. We will also select books for upcoming sessions, so come prepared with your suggestions.

Bring your book and a vegetarian snack, if you wish, and join us for interesting discussions. We hope to see you there!

"The Untethered Soul" is widely available at local booksellers or online. Amazon has it for $11.53 - http://www.amazon.com/Untethered-Soul-Journey-Beyond-Yourself/dp/1572245379/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272630557&sr=8-1.


More details here!!

hellllooo

Greetings Yogis!

Feels like I've been away for a really long time. My trip to Kripalu last week with my brother was pretty amazing. I have pages and pages of notes and things I want to share. I met some special people and the teacher was phenomenal.

Since returning home I'm dealing with some challenges that have thrown me for a loop. When this happens I find myself needing to get quiet and deal with the rawness of emotions.

Which isn't easy for me (staying present with the sadness part). But I'm trying. And really making a conscious effort of applying so much of what I learned last week like waking early, doing a self massage, netti pot, cooking nutritious food, connecting to the earth and so forth. Doing the things I know I need to do to have a healthy mind and body.

So looking forward to getting back into the groove of things and getting back to teaching my classes. I do miss them....and you too. :)

Have a beautiful Tuesday.

PS - I still want to share about the last days of mine and Andy's cleanse which really worked out great in the end!