2015 yoga teacher training

I'm all tingly with excitement (and some nervousness!) because registration is officially open for our 2015 yoga teacher training. 

I'm just thrilled to bring the training back to Lexington. After years of training awesome folks to become yoga teachers in Mexico, North Carolina, and California, we are right back where we started. It feels like a big, beautiful circle. Like one big delicious breath.

To get all the details click here.

As I've been revamping some training details I connected back to some students who completed this training with me by asking them about what has changed most since they went through the training. I was humbled by what they said. 

One student (who is actually leading his very own yoga teacher training) responded back, "Wow, what hasn't changed for me since training?!" 

Because I'm so giddy excited (and because I'm such a yoga nerd), I'm offering a sweet gift to those who register before December 2, which is all the yoga books required for training and my favorites.....notebook, pens, post its, index cards, and more. I'm not only a huge yoga nerd but the office store is a place I like to visit for fun. I know your itching to hang out with me on a Saturday night.

If you've been thinking 2015 might be the year your become a yoga teacher then I Invite you to grab a cuppa tea or coffee, settle in, and savor these words. 

the sweet spot of yoga

I was happily in student mode this weekend, participating in a virtual yoga workshop. For five hours Saturday and Sunday, Sarah Bowker, Meghan Skirha and I virtually joined our teacher in California, a student in Virginia, and another in Europe. Technology is amazing, yes?

I wanted to share something with you that I believe is a great skill for your yoga on and off the mat. In the Yapana methodology we explore holding patterns in relation to breathing, asanas, gravity, and movement. 

These are propping, collapsing, and yielding.

When we are propping in a yoga pose we are being overly rigid in our body. You might think  of a big giant boulder, or a big piece of furniture. It is hard for the breath to move through the body. In fact, students often are holding their breath when they are propping in their pose. Typically, when this happens a student is relying on his/her strength alone to hold them in the pose. 

When we are collapsing we are dropping the weight  of the body into the earth without maintaining a connection to the structure. There is little structure and stability in the body and the breath is more often shallow. Typically, when this happens a student is using too much flexibility and not enough strength.

The Yoga Sutras speak very little about actual asana (postures). What the sutras do tell us is that we are cultivating  effort (which equates to strength) and ease (which equates to the sweet feeling we get from a juicy stretch). It is the balance between those two that creates a healthy posture. A posture that enlivens and awakens. One that can bring more balance back into body, helping us to grow stronger in some areas of our body while opening up in other areas. 

This brings me back to the the third holding pattern, yielding. When we are yielding in a pose, there is a beautiful balance between strength and flexibility. When one is yielding in a pose you can almost see their whole body pulsing with breath. This is the sweet spot.

Does this show up off the mat? Yes, most likely. 

Do I have any Type A personalities reading this note right now (if you even have time to read it ;) ? We are the strong, dedicated, focused ones that can will our way through most anything and everything. Effort is a superpower.

Do I have any totally carefree, "it'll happen when it need to happen" folks reading? You might be a bit scattered and not so focused (and boy, I bet people adore you for it too). Ever feel like you are floating away, mentally or even physically? Ease is a superpower.

It is the combination of the two and the ability to yield, that gives such beauty, shape, and form to ALL the postures of your life.

What do you think? What is your natural superpower and could you benefit from cultivating the opposite energy a bit more? 

Lastly, here is a photo from our virtual classroom this weekend. Pretty cool, right?

do you have a spiritual practice?

Sarah recently joined me at Sonoma Ashram where she was a part of  our most recent yoga teacher training. Sarah is near and dear to my yogini heart and I just knew she would love this sweet place as I do. Please enjoy this thoughtful post from her. It's pretty perfect. I'm especially thankful that she got to spend some time with Babaji, the monk who founded and resides at Sonoma Ashram. Sarah also took these pretty photos around the property at the Ashram.

Many yoga students have asked me about my time and experiences at the Ashram. It is my hope and plan to share much more about this sweet place. One questions I get often is about taking a personal retreat at the Ashram. If this is something that interests you, you can read more details here. Enjoy Friend.

“Do you have a spiritual practice?” was the gentle question posed to me by Babaji as I sat with him at the Ashram just four short weeks ago.

My six days at the Ashram out in California were transformative.  I got to meet Babaji.  I got to slow my pace of life down, to simplify and un-complicate the schedule of my day. 

I got to spend time practicing yoga,
teaching yoga,
connecting to the people around me at the Ashram through seva (service),
meditating and practicing Puja at sunrise and sunset.
I had lots of time to just be.

 

I walked through the labyrinth and gardens.
I rested.
I reconnected with myself…

…as I disconnected from the busy-ness of my everyday life back in Kentucky.

And you know what? Turns out that all of that rest and simplification of my day allowed space.

Space for peace
And space for joy
To settle deeply into my heart.

Space to connect with my spirit. 
To shyly wave and smile at that part of me that transcends the do-to list, and all the other small things of my day to day.
 
The part of me that reminds me that I am whole.  I am complete.  I am perfection.

Back to that question…“Do you have a spiritual practice?”

My mind raced.  “Well, sure… I meditate, I do breath work, and I have my yoga practice…” I trailed off.  Babaji smiled a patient smile as I floundered to explain.

But the truth is I didn’t have a spiritual practice.  And I had no idea what it would take to start one.

How does one start a spiritual practice, exactly? And why is a spiritual practice important?

 

A few days after returning home from the Ashram and California, I started to understand the importance of a spiritual practice.

A few days after that deep peace and joy had settled into my heart in the sweet space of the Ashram, I found that I started to lose that peace back in Kentucky. 

I felt downright grumpy.

The busy-ness of my days was trying my patience.  I started to “sweat the small stuff” again.  What the hell happened? I asked myself.  How could I have so quickly lost my way again?

I felt like I had toppled off a mountaintop experience (my time at the Ashram), and found myself looking up trying to figure out just how I’d managed to lose that peace and joy so quickly.

And, in the midst of my internal questioning, I remembered Babji’s question to me… “Do you have a spiritual practice?”

Oh yes.  That’s right.  Hm.  Perhaps there might be something to that…

Reflecting back on my Ashram experience, I had this opportunity for simplicity. And this simplicity created the space for me to connect to spirit, to realize how whole and complete and perfect I already am, and to allow my natural state of peace and joy to bubble up and spill out of me.

Whoa.  So how could I possibly bring what I learned at the Ashram into my daily life here in Kentucky?

Babaji encourages anyone interested in starting a spiritual practice to commit to a very simple daily practice.  Here it is: three mind-full breaths.  Three mind-full breaths, you say…that’s it?

That’s simple, Sarah, you say to me.

Not so fast, I say to you.  I carried this intention home with me from California.  Three mind-full breaths, I thought…piece of cake.

The idea is that upon waking in the morning, to pull yourself into a seated position (in bed is fine), and to take three mind-full breaths.  That’s it.

In the first week I was home, I think I managed to remember this about 5 out of the 7 days.  One morning, I was driving to work before I realized I’d forgotten to take my three mind-full breaths. Whoops.  At the stoplight, I took my breaths.

After two weeks of this practice of three mind-full breaths, I was craving more. 

I remembered how when I was at the Ashram, upon finishing my dinner, I would find myself really looking forward to sitting down in the temple and getting quiet to meditate as the sun set and twilight rose.  Those sweet moments to connect to my spirit before settling down to sleep.

So I have established for myself a daily spiritual practice.

 

It doesn’t matter what I do (Although I put some though into it before beginning.  For me, it involves incense, a mudra, my prayer beads, and some time with my breath).  It doesn’t matter how long I do it (For me, it is averaging about 10-15 minutes) or when I do it (For me, it is first thing in the morning upon waking).

What matters is that I connect to spirit.  That what I do has meaning to me.  And that I make the space to do it every day.  No excuses.

And I am once again finding that peace and joy within me.  And I am remembering my wholeness, my completeness, and my perfection.

My spiritual practice becomes the thread that I can return to when I start to forget my peace or my joy.

So, I ask you the same question…Do you have a spiritual practice?

helllloooo goodbye

 

Greetings Friends,

 

I'm just poking in to say hello.

 

And goodbye. I'm leaving tomorrow for Sonoma and I'll be back at the studio in October.

Craziness.

 

I've spent the last few days dedicated to caring for my self and getting ready for yoga teacher training. I'm leaving in the morning to spend 16 days at Sonoma Ashram. I'm looking forward to being in the sweet, sacred, and healing space of the Ashram. I'll miss my yogababy daddy. The baby bump is officially here. Clearly.

 

I'm packed my yoga props.

Gathered my books.

Folded all my yoga clothes.

Printed tests.

And done all of the other lovely tasks of getting ready for an intensive yoga teacher training.

While fully expecting I will get there and realize I forgot something.

 

Please think of the awesome souls I'll be gathering with to explore all things yoga.

I believe passionately, wholeheartedly, in this work we'll be doing.

It's important.

It's healing.

It's transformative.

And it's fun!

 

I'll be peeking in and hopefully posting a few words and photos. You can also look forward to reading guest posts from the lovely teachers at the treehouse.

 

Adios.

 

xo,

sharon

why yoga teachers love love love trainings!

Please enjoy this guest post (including pictures!) from Sarah Bowker, beloved teacher at Barefoot Works.

 

“The land of healing lies within, radiant with the happiness that is blindly sought in a thousand outer directions.” ~Swami Vivekananda

I am still on a high after spending the past weekend in the yoga treehouse immersed in a Yapana training called Structural Assessment!

We hosted another Yapana teacher training from Leeann Carey Yoga.  This time, the focus was on how to assess a person’s body structure.  Once you know how someone’s “insides” work, then it becomes easy to apply yoga poses and stretches to therapeutically address their unique needs.

 

Chrys Kub was our teacher, and she was every bit as knowledgeable about the topic as Leeann and Jules have been with their teaching.  I simply love her personality.  She is upbeat, fun, and you can just feel and see how much she loves to teach yoga therapy.

 

One special treat was the two (yes, two!) Yapana classes Chrys taught.  We had a lovely Saturday morning practice with the Barefoot Works yogis and yoginis while the rain softly fell outside.  And a 15 minute Savasana.  

Ohh, how nice to have a 15 minute Savasana!

 

 

Our Sunday class was nearly three hours long.  Three fantastic hours of an upper body focused practice…

 

There are so many things I will take away from this training…we learned a ton of neat arm stretches, more ways to incorporate props into the practice to create joint mobility, and so much else.  I look forward to incorporating some of Chrys’ wisdom in my classes!

Sarah

weekend yoga fun

Please excuse the randomness of these photos! The Blogger App has a mind of it's own.

Yesterday was filled with lots of yoga awesomeness. I taught class at 9:00 at the newly opened Lululemon.

Such. A. Delight.

Jenny Wiseman  manager/yoga extraordinaire) has simply done a fantastic job. I love the space and the yoginis that came out for class were just the loveliest. There were some very familiar faces, such as the cute yoga gals I snapped photos of above. Some new faces. Some I hadn't seen in a long time. And five women who came out and took their very first class. Loved the mixed group!

I only had a few minutes to look at all the yoga merchandise before skipping off to the studio to meet with the treehouse teachers. Loved seeing all the smiling yogis streaming out the studio and off to enjoy their Saturday. Word was that AnneDean taught a superb class. Of course she did!

I met with the teachers for over an hour and we have some new and exciting things coming up for the local yogis......think new classes, a challenge,workshops, and yoga teacher training (yep, it's coming back to Lex!).

After our meeting concluded we rolled up our sleeves, got the broom, and cleaning goodies out and took to give the studio a nice deep clean. It felt pretty awesome having these gals that love yoga and teaching at the studio, chatting, laughing, catching up, all while cleaning. I am blessed to have people like them on my team. Forever thankful.

And check out the cute boys frolicking in the studio. Cute, eh?! Those yoga rock stars belong to Liz, a dear student and friend.

As I drove home I couldn't help but smile the whole way.

Big thanks for all those who helped put that smile on my face. :)

xo

faith, hope and love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,

I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the

gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,

and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love,

I am nothing....

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;

then we shall see face to face. 

Now I know in part.

Then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain:

faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians

Passages like these leave me feeling spellbound.

I could sit and ponder....

Ponder and sit some more.

This was the reading I shared at the end of today's class.

We had spent time focusing on the neck, shoulders, and upper back.

The areas of my body I find needing so much attention after the intensely delicious process

known as yoga teacher training.

We also focused on connecting physically and emotionally to the heart space.

Using the breath to let go of tension held in and around this space.

Today I'm reflecting of the ways that yoga helps one to see themselves more clearly, more accurately.

I'm thinking about how the practice is designed to reveal and reflect back our shiny, sparkly, bright, and beautifully radiant light.

I'm thinking about how it has the capacity to instill faith, trust, and a letting go that can be felt when we do indeed have faith.

I'm thinking about my word for the year, wholehearted.

How it inspires me to love bigger than I've ever loved before.

And reminds me that maybe the Beatles were on to something when they said......

All you need is

love

love

love.

Love is all you need.

rainbow connection

It's been 48 hours since I returned from yoga teacher training in the Outer Banks. I've slept 20 hours the past two nights. The first night back in my bed in the big blue house I woke in the middle of the night not knowing where I was. This happens after each return from training.

For two straight weeks I set my alarm to go off at 5:00 a.m. I would find my way out the sliding door and carefully make my way down the steps to our hot tub. I would slide into the hot tub, tilt my head to the sky, and gaze at a sky full of stars. It was magical.

There are few things that would lure me out of a deep slumber daily at this hour. Yoga teacher training is one of the few.

I had my first visit back to the treehouse, the studio today. A smile naturally spreads across my face as I open the giant door. The sun pours onto the floors and I feel the natural warmth this place exudes. It too is magical.

I greet students. They enthusiastically ask how the training went. I try to briefly explain the goodness of yoga teacher training. I know my words will never do it justice. They never have. It goes so far beyond what I imagine.

Each time this happens.
Each time I wonder if I can make more room in my heart for this process, for new people.
Each time I feel silly for even wondering such a thing.

The perfect women presented themselves for this training. The rainbow above magically appeared just before our closing graduation ceremony began. A student throws open the door as I was blow drying my hair for the first time in over two weeks. "I'm so sorry to interrupt you, but you HAVE to come see this!" Her eyes lit up the same way a child's eyes sparkle on Christmas morning.   

I wondered how it could even be possible. Yet, it was.
At our closing one Harley Davidson ridin' yogini with two grown children said that yoga teacher training was the best, most transformative experience she ever had. And her motorcycle's name is Samadhi. Cool? Yea, I know.

Another yogini who recently retired from teaching beautifully stated that she wished something so important, so crucial to the growth and development of children could be integrated into school. Amazing? Yea, I know.

On Sunday as I jammed down Interstate 64, The Rainbow Connection came on. I thought back to the past two weeks and tears spilled down my face.

They were tears of joy.
Tears of gratitude.
Tears of pure yogic bliss.

"Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see. Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Who said that every wish would be heard and answered when wished on the morning star? Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me.
All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.
Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices? I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors. The voice might be one and the same. I've heard it too many times to ignore it. It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me.

We found it.
The rainbow connection.

The lovers.
The dreamers.
The yogis.
And me.

it is an intensive yoga teacher training!

Hellllooo Dear Friends, We're five days into our yoga teacher training! Yip...happy! All is well here in the Outer Banks.

The yoginis are rocking along. We've covered sun salutations, standing poses, balancing poses and more.

We've dived into the oh so juicy eight limbs of yoga.
And the five koshas....you make my heart go pitter patter.

We're talking Sanskrit, yoga speak, and breath cues. There are toes touching the sand daily. And a few nose dives into the Atlantic Ocean.

We're dancing meditating levitating gravitating to the love y'all.
We've got Shelli on the harmonium...
We've got kirtan, singing, and yoga yelling.

Did I mention daily hot tubbin' and sauna sittin'. These bodies are working hard hard hard.

We're sharing the most delicious meals ever (thank you Miss Jen Lile) prepared with so much intention, attention, focus,and heaps of love.

There are blocks and bolsters and blankets and straps and yoga mats covering this yoga mansion which today we learned Jennifer Lopez and rented and stayed in the yoga mansion. Yep, cool.

As the yoginis practice and I teach, out the window we see dolphins dipping in the ocean. Birds soaring, pelicans diving, even deer frolicking! Yes, deer!

I see them supporting one another. A hug here. A kind word there. Sharing and caring. Becoming a true yoga community in and of themselves.

Different. Yet the same.

It's just THE coolest thing ever.

I thank the sun, moon, and stars daily for this opportunity to be here doing this work with these people.

Blessed.
Blessed.
Blessed

do you feel the possibility?

Do you feel the possibility?
Awakened energy is poised to flow.
Freedom beckons from every direction.
This is a moment to throw caution to the wind and dive right in
or fly high above the rocky terrain of doubt and fear.
You've lived your life anticipating this opportunity.
Rejoice, for it is here.

This brilliant passage is by Danna Faulds. I saw it posted yesterday on Facebook by Barbara, one of the lovely yoginis joining in this yoga teacher training adventure.

I think it speaks so beautifully to what we're all feeling right now.

It may look like this training is beginning and finishing in two short weeks. That couldn't be further from the truth.

I can tell you that this is a long planted seed beginning to take root for these women. Some of these yogis have dreamed for years of doing a yoga teacher training. They have fallen in love with yoga. And likely out of love with it too. Only to fall back in love again.

They have thought of the perfect program in the perfect place. They have made sacrifices to be here. Their families and friends have made sacrifices to support their decision in being here.

To prepare they have read books, practiced with teachers, honed their own practice, started a meditation practice, observed yoga classes, spent hours on the phone with each other, and shared their stories of excitement, fear, joy, and anxiety in a private forum.

Today those dreams begin taking shape.

My dream of sharing this powerful practice of all things Yoga continues to spiral, twist, turn, unravel, and unfold.

Oh.
My.
Goodness.

on the yoga road again - outer banks bound!

Nine strangers....
Picked to live in a house....
And learn what happens when yogis get real.

Andy called me this morning as I was packing for the big trip, the big training in North Carolina.

That was how he greeted me....the opening from The Real World. I was a big fan back in the day. ;)

The house above is the yoga mansion where the nine yoginis joining together from across the US and up to Canada (love that there is always a Canadian!)will live, work, and play. Isn't it amazing?!! It really is perfect.

My boxcar is loaded with my prized possessions.....

Vitamix
Juicer
and yoga mat of course.

I've got lots of yoga clothes, blankets, blocks, straps, and a zafu cushion.
I've got some treats packed (including a HUGE bag o' coffee). You can take away a lot of things from yogis....but for some....well best not to mess with the coffee.

I've got half my weight in books packed. Tests are printed, certificates in folders, handouts and manual. Speakers, pinktop, incense, candles, Ganesha, and more. A framed photo of Andy and myself on the beach.

I have a lot.
Yet I'm sure there will be something I forget.
And that's ok.

I read this poem this morning by Rumi and thought of the gals I'll be with for the next two plus weeks. The work we'll do.

And how so much of it is just as Rumi says...
We're going mining for magnificence.

Whatever you love here in existence
Has been gold-plated by God's qualities;
When that gold goes back to Origin
Only a dull copper will remain,
And you will be disgusted and reject it.
Don’t go on calling counterfeit coin "beautiful"
That beauty you love is only borrowed.
Gold will abandon all surfaces in the end
And return to the Mine of Magnificence.
Why not set out for that Mine?
The light will return from the wall to the sun;
Go now to that Sun that dances always in harmony.
From now on, take your water from heaven directly
Why go on trusting a rusting drainpipe?

Please send awesome thoughts our way. I would greatly appreciate that.

I'll be thinking of the treehouse, the teachers, the students, and all my fam and friends and I journey off to do this work that truly lights my heart afire.

so much love,
sharon

mind mapping to-dos + a closer look at time

Happppy Friday Friends!

I snapped the above picture a few moments ago. This time next week I'll be leaving to travel to NC to lead our intensive yoga teacher training (!!!!).

I have a mile long to-do list. I've made a commitment to enjoy this process of "getting ready" as much as I can. I started with my to-do list. Rather than making a list in black ink in my planner I chose to bring my lil jar of color pencils and map it all out....similar to a mind map.

I have to say it was much more enjoyable and having the linking visual helped me to think of things I'm not sure I would have thought of otherwise.

In the past seeing a list of this magnitude or a map with so many branches would have left me feeling all out of sorts.

For a while now I've worked on my relationship with Mr. Time. I consciously eliminated the phrase "I don't have the time to....." from my vocabulary, knowing well that I do indeed have all the time I need to do whatever I choose to do. Mostly it's a matter of how I choose to use my time. The choice and the responsibility falls back on me, which is pretty empowering.

Sometimes I use my time efficiently and effectively. Sometimes not so much (hello internets).

Just like yoga, it's all I practice and as long as I stay present and awake with it....well it's all good.

happy random

Such a treat to live to here in the great bluegrass state! Spring is quickly arriving and it's such a feast for my eyes. I look around and see the grass growing greener before my eyes. Yet it seems like it happens overnight....spring, that is. How does it happen so quickly?

Simply astounding.

This past week offered many other treats. I'm still reveling in the joy of having Wah! at the treehouse on Tuesday. A day a later Sarah, Jeanne, Laura and myself hopped on over to Louisville and had dinner at Zen Garden (an Asian vegetarian restaurant) then participated in a sound workshop taught by Wah! Total treat. Spending good quality time with gals I adore, singing, chanting, bonding, and have delicious conversations.

In the middle of the week I went on a work picnic too! I laid in the grass by the big pond (or is that a man made lake or are the same?), ate my lunch, read, made notes, and did some journaling. Between the beautiful weather, picnics, Wah! and roadtrips it was pretty perfect.

Then we had a great weekend of basketball games. I do love this time of year and am a big fan of college basketball! It' about THE only sport I actually delight in sharing with Andy.

Today I gathered on the phone with the NC yoga teacher trainees from 11:30 - 5:00. We talked about what to expect and getting ready for the training (everything from what to pack/bring, to making lists of "things" that we needed to do/tend do before arriving, getting all the hOMework completed prior to training, etc). My good pal Shelli Carpenter and antaomy guru Jules Mitchell also got to introduce themselves and share for a while on the topics they will be teaching.

It's sure to be an awesome group and I am filled with anticipation.

But first things first. With the week that felt like a total vacation I nearly forgot that I'm actually leaving tomorrow for an actual vacay. I'm taking my annual trip to the beach with my BFF. I take few trips that aren't work/yoga related (and no I'm absolutely not complaining) and this is one of the few.

Yip, yip....it's time for big sunglasses, tank tops, flip flops, beach reads, tasty fruit drinks, key lime pie, swimming,late night talks, and long walks on the beach.

babaji speaks on being wholehearted

I just finished listening to a recording of one of Babaji's discussions at Sonoma Ashram. I nearly jumped out of my bed and did a lil dance when I heard him say,

"Engage in something wholeheartedly."

He mentioned that when we are engaged wholeheartedly there is no resistance. There is no holding back. There is no doubt.

Wholehearted is my word for the year. As I attentively listened and wrote ferociously in my notebook I would throw the occasional, "Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!" in there. As well as "Wow!"

He went on to speak of three things used in yogic teachings, three things to utilize once you wholeheartedly devote yourself to something:

1. Good thoughts and intention
2. Actions that support said intention
3. Speech and words that support said intention

He asks "How many things do we engage in wholeheartedly? No wishing to be anywhere different, nor doing anything different? What in our life can we engage in wholeheartedly? It's not a chore, not an obligation, not a duty, or responsibility."

A part in which I write "yes" numerous times and follow it up with exclamation points he says, "Wishing is not enough. My actions have to follow. What I say, what I put out has to follow. Holding intention is not enough. It has to be a part of my being."

At the end of the discussion (which for me is about 7 pages of my lefthanded scribbling) he goes back to his original question...

"What is it in our life that supports all three? I think this is a good thing to do. By doing it I feel good. When speaking of it I am there wholeheartedly."

I couldn't help but think of my love affair with yoga. I thought about how I have literally dedicated myself wholeheartedly to the practice and the philosophy of yoga. Then I could clearly see how I utilized the three aspects Babaji spoke of (good intentions, followed by action, followed by a passionate voice for the yogic teachings).

Such goodness to ponder.

What are the things and the people I'm wholeheartedly dedicated to?

Are my thoughts, my actions, and my speech helpful? Do they make in a difference in my life, in the lives of others?

Have a delicious weekend Friends.

*Above photo taken during one of Babaji's discussions at Sonoma Ashram. AND if you didn't hear, Sonoma Ashram is the location for our fall intensive yoga teacher training. Yep, I'm feeling pretty very excited, a little nervous, very humbled, and so thank-full.*

scenes from sanderling inn

Let me say quickly that my photos here do this place little justice. Now that we've got that behind us let me gush for a few moments about this jewel.

The Sanderling Inn is spread out over 12 acres at the edge of Duck. On one side where the inn and guest rooms are you have the Atlantic Ocean. A stones throw, or a walk across the two lane road you have a few more facilities including a reallllly great spa. On this side you have views of the Corrituck Sound. I had an amazing view of the Sound plus a setting sun yesterday during my massage. Love.ly.

I spent most of my time today reading, writing, and walking the beach. I did go out once to measure distances from the house for yoga teacher training to restaurants, grocery store and so on. After all, doing the prep/planning work for our upcoming intensive yoga teacher training is my whole purpose in being here.

So yes, The Sanderling Inn. Everything has been phenomenal. My room, the food, and the staff? They have been superb. Each person I run across asks me how my stay is going and if I need anything. I love good customer service and they are excelling.

My massage and time at the spa was great. I spent three hours at the spa yesterday between hot tubbing, pool swimming (indoor heated pool, getting my massage then lounging in the "whisper zone" with delish tea (Barney & Sons, a fave) and magazines.

I was out on the beach walking three times today. Once at sunrise, after breakfast, then after lunch. I did yoga in my room then went for "tea time" for what else....more tea. And cookies. I read and wrote in my journal. I sat a while on one side and enjoyed water views of the sound then moved across to other side and enjoyed views of the ocean. Divine.

I went back to the spa tonight to do all the above minus the massage (other yumminess is included in your nightly rate). Ordered room service for the second night in a row (feeling a bit spoiled) and turned the tv on for the first time. To watch what? The Cats game of course. ;)

I'm planning to wake up early tomorrow. Have one more rendezvous with the ocean. Blow Her a kiss, explain I'll be back in over two months with precious yoginis, then hammer down and head back home to The Big Blue House. I could care less about the Superbowl game but I don't want to miss Madonna's performance.

More sharing how this all relates to yoga teacher training next week. I have some more relaxing to do. Love to you all. xoxo

Today's sunrise. Love. Love.Love

Tea time and journaling with a view of the ocean and a cozy fire.

Gift from the sea. One of my walks was a treasure hunt.

Steel cut oats with all the toppings for breakfast plus a great read and time for writing.

here i go again.....

Last night I threw some clothes and books into a weekend bag. Printed off directions and went to bed feeling a wee excited about my spontaneous road trip.

This morning I taught my 9:15 class, met with someone interested in joining the studio for yoga, had a quick lunch, then filled the tank with gas and hit the open road.

Could there be a more perfect day for a road trip? I think not. I've felt light and happy driving on the big road. The sun so bright, the sky so blue, with perfect white fluffy clouds. I'm diggin' on bright and blue. Can go for some light and happy.

Thoughts on my mind, music on the radio. And the most perfect music is coming on the radio. If I had better planned I'd have made a playlist with fabulous driving tunes, but......well I didn't plan that well.

Instead I'm getting to hear Madonna, sing "Vogue."
And the big hair band with the hot girl that dances on the hood of the car singing,
Here I go again on my own. Going down the only road I've ever known."
Perfect.

On I-64 I see a sigh that says Lewsiburg was one of the "coolest small towns in America in 2011". How many times are you passing through one of the coolest small towns in America? Not that often I figure.

So I made a stop. Oh, it's cute here. I mean, cool. We've got two bookstores, wine shops, cafes, health food store, and a coffee shop in which I'm writing from now. All nuzzled into the mountains.

I have no hotel booked so I'll see where I land tonite. I do however have a destination....

The Outer Banks.
Yep doing a lil prepping and planning for the intensive yoga teacher training coming up. Yip!

Have I mentioned that I love my job?