5 reasons why i love these yogi's

1. Not only do they rock on the mat, but they obviously rock in the kitchen. The food that my yogi's brought to the bash was de-licious. I wish I would have taken a photo of the spread, but I didn't. The cake which I brought says "Celebrating 1 Year of Yoga." Yummy cake from McGee's Bakery.

2. I love that one beautiful yogini phones me earlier in the day, saying "I don't think I've asked this question since high school....but what are you wearing tonight?" Oh good I thought, there could have been a lot worse questions to ask. ;-)

3. They'll try anything at least once. Even flying through the air. AcroYoga anyone?

4. They get as excited about Barefoot Works as I do.

5. They stay until late in the evening, post bash, insisting to help me clean and tidy the studio. Thanks Irene. :-)

I did make a favor to give away for the evening, a celebratory cd. Here is the playlist:

*Somewhere Over the Rainbow -Isreal Kam...

*The Rainbow Connection -Sarah McLachlan

*Buffalo Soldier -Bob Marley

*Banana Pancakes -Jack Johnson

*Always Look on the Brightside -Monty Python

*Have a Nice Day- Bon Jovi (we had to have at least one tune!)

*Relax, Take it Easy -MIKA

*Beautiful Day -U2

*When the Stars Go Blue -The Corrs

*This Little Light of Mine -Gospel Dream

*World Spins Madly On -The Weepies

*Beautiful Flower -India Arie

*A Smile Connects Us -Kermit the Frog

*Three Little Birds- Bob Marley

Thank you to all those in attendance, those that sent balloons (thanks Shelli) and those there in heart and spirit. I can't wait to see what the next year holds for all of us.

My very best to all of you!

a bash

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." Christopher Reeve

A bash, a gala, a gathering, a celebration or a party...call it what you will. Join in tonight at 6:30 for a celebration of yoga, dreams, people, and a place. It's been a year since Barefoot Works has been open, but it's been several years of dreaming, planning, and working that brought it into existence. What was once a tiny little seed has blossomed into a beautiful flower. As always, many thanks to you and the universe. :-)

new school supplies

Do you remember how much fun the start of the school was? Not because you were going back to school, but because you got all the fun stuff that goes along with the school year....new paper, fresh crayola crayons and a shiny little plastic box to put them in. Well I'm finding myself embracing that same feeling with the studio. I opened this time last year, when the school session begins. Last year I didn't get to experience that feeling of excitement about new stuff. Well I suppose I did, but I was probably more focused on "I hope people like me and that they come and do yoga." A bit more nervousness combined with excitement.

Now I'm getting to buy and do some fun stuff, preparing the studio for fall. I've replaced the lights in the ceiling (the Christmas lights did last nearly a year), done some reorganizing, ordered more Mexican blankets, got some new music, got another set of "cubes" for people to store their belongings, and I'm getting ready to buy a laptop for the studio and order software specifically for the yoga studio. Hopefully this will eliminate "signing in" as we know it and help me get rid of the paper trail. I've also gotten a couple new plants and have done some rearranging with old ones. I think it's important for students to enter a space that is maintained and well cared for. I love Barefoot Works and I can't help but hope that everyone that comes through the door loves it as I do. OK, so maybe they won't love it quite as much as I do. That's understandable :-)

It's also the time for new students to join and begin coming to the studio. It's very important to me to know people by their name. So I'm working on building a relationship with these new yogi's. Chatting with people before and after class helps build trust, and when you're teaching and leading people through poses that are mentally and physically challenging, trust is important.

I do enjoy this time of year. There is a certain sense of renewal and excitement in the air.

*Many congrats to my sis-in-law Beth and her husband Clint. They welcomed their very first little bundle of joy into this great big world today. Joseph Luke Netherland is his name. Welcome Luke. Lots of love awaits you.

the heart

This is Irene (I know, she's sute)! Irene posts comments on this blog quite often (thank you Irene). Tonight before the yin yoga class she and I were talking about yoga and of course the wonder-fullness of it. She has another yoga friend and when they speak they speak about "leading with the heart". And I just love, love this. And how many times do I say this per class? I haven't counted, but I'm sure it's a lot. Isn't it such a perfect idea....leading with the heart open.

When you take a look at people, notice their posture. Are their shoulders rounding forward, or are they back and down (heart open), is the head dipping down low (chin to chest) or is the head held high, chin parallel to the floor, steady gaze straight forward. The heart open and the held held high...that's the posture of a yogi my friend. I jokingly tell my students "Even if you are having a day straight from hell, open your heart and lift your head." It's a lot more difficult to be depressed in this position. And you'll even appear happier.

Leading With My Heart,

Sharon

lesson learned

"Look, I don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive you've got to flap your arms and legs, you've got to jump around a lot, for life is the very opposite of death, and therefore you must at very least think noisy and colorfully, or you're not alive." Mel Brooks"

I got to spend some time with family this weekend in Whitesburg. My three nieces, Whitney, Brooke and Lexie were getting a little bored on Sunday so I decided to take them out on a little adventure...and give a mama (my sister) a much needed break. So we hopped into the box and went down the road to the lake where I learned to swim.

I wondered how much fun they would have since they didn't actually have bathing suits and wouldn't be able to swim. What was I thinking?! I had clearly forgotten what it was like to be a kid and have the ability to find (or create) some fun where ever you might be.

The girls excitedly took their shoes off ran into the water. They waded into the water and it didn't take long until that got boring. So Lexie was the leader in coming back closer to the shore. She proceeded to jump over these small waves with such joy and excitement. I swear, you would have thought it was Christmas morning. So of course Whitney and Brooke heard and saw how much fun she was having so they came and joined in. I looked down the beach a few minutes later and there were kids all down the beach jumping little baby waves. They clearly set a trend.

Well that got old (and tiring) about 10 minutes later. So their next adventure was finding beautiful little shells and rocks in the water. Here Lexie is showing some of her early finds. They searched for the smallest, biggest, most colorful and distinguished rocks in the lake. Each find was a "Oooh, look at this one!" And they would gather round and admire, then heads back down, scouring for the next find.

Every time I'm with these girls I'm reminded of the simple joys of life and it always instills in me the belief that there is really never an excuse to be bored. I mean really.... aren't there always waves to be jumped and beautiful rocks to be discovered? And I think it's funny and interesting to think about just how much there really is to learn from the little ones of the world.

I hope you all had a joyous weekend. :-)

Barefoot Works

Create Community
Go With the Flow
Support the Environment
Ignite Change
Be Happy
Breathe
Just Be
Move More
Explore
Nourish Yourself
Become a Powerhouse
Savor the Stillness
Go Outside
Be Joyful
Meditation in Motion
Be Your Best
Save Resources
Live Well
Celebrate Your Strengths
Pamper Yourself
Plant a Tree
Eat Wholesome Foods
Feed Your Soul
Giggle at Traffic
Cultivate Joy
Dare to Dream
Don't Wait
Move with Confidence
Play More
Think Less
Breathe With Intention
Move With Intention
Live With Intention

What do you think.... Anything else you would add to the list?

lovin' this gutsy gal....

So I'm officially adding another blog to my ever expanding list of must reads for the day. It's Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Cancer blog. I love the way that she embraces and stares adversity smack in the middle of it's scary little face. I am inspired by women like her, and today maybe a bit more than others.

You see I'm currently dealing with some annoying little summer cold. It came on yesterday and when I got home last night just after 8:00, I felt like crap. I laid on the couch, at least excited to watch Kris Carr's documentary on TLC. I even took a shot of Ny Quil, which I rarely do. I'm never sure which is worse...the feeling of being sick, or the feeling of being on the meds. Last night, the meds won. It didn't take long for the ny quil to kick in. I was dozing in and out while the documentary was on. One thing was for sure though...I loved this gal's will power, her strong spirit, and her drive. She simply refused to let canSer (and she tells people to spell it wrong, just to piss the cancer off) win....not even an option.

So here I am dealing with this pesky little cold, thinking I'm the first and last one. Thinking, "Dang it cold, I've gotta be on top of my game. Don't you know that I have things to do and yoga classes to teach?" Whatever Sharon...just get over yourself. The simple truth is that my body is ready for a rest. I just flipped through my planner and I've had two full days off during the seven weeks. So either I choose to take a break, or my body will force me to take a break. So I'm making some changes. I'm not even going to open my laptop on those days that I get home at 8:00 or 9:00 at night, I'm going to make a big effort not to work on Sundays, and I've rearranged my schedule some to try and get some more down time.

I'm finding that when you own your own business, and my business is pretty much a one woman show...it's hard to draw the line and distinguish where work ends and where it begins. And it's extremely challenging to "leave work at work", something that was very easy for me in previous jobs, but I'm at least working in the direction.

Now that I'm embarking on the one year anniversary of the studio, I find myself questioning things like this. Trust me (please universe hear me when I say this ;-) I am not in any way complaining. I am soooo very, very thankful for every single little thing that I have. I think I'm just trying to find more balance.

So a little baby cold. I'm already over it and feelin' better. When I felt my mind shift from, "Geez I feel like crap, I just want to sleep" to. " "Sharon it's a glorious day, just take a look around and be happy." I know it may seem corny, but these things really help me. So peace, happiness, butterflies, and all other corny things...from me straight to you. :-)

life stuff

I was clicking through photos to find one that would capture how I've been feeling lately and this one seemed appropriate enough. I feel exhilarated, excited, a bit anxious, a bit scared, scattered, but put together. In the photo, I'm holding on to dear life, but knowing that if I let go everything would be alright...similar to what's going on inside my mind and my heart.

These days I find myself so appreciative of my life and everything that I've got going on. I feel blessed in numerous ways. I'm glad that I'm figuring out this "life" stuff at a relatively young age...or at least what works for me and what doesn't. I feel blessed that people choose to come to Barefoot Works and explore the world of yoga. I feel blessed to have a husband that supports me in my journey, and thankful for a wild, crazy, wonderful family, and friends that understand me during times that I don't. I'm glad that I don't feel that I have to follow the rules that society imposes on many of us. I'm glad that I'm a strategic risk taker, and I'm thrilled that I've haven't lost the ability to daydream and actually choose to thrust my "head in the clouds".

Having one of those days when you can sigh and say..."Ahhh, the world is good, very good."

I want to write about some of the things I've had going on in the past weeks and about upcoming projects, but I haven't had a chance to sit down and compile it just yet. Hopefully in the upcoming days I can share more. Things are busy, but wonderfully busy.

crazy sexy cancer tips....

is the title for a new book. The author was on The Today Show about half an hour ago and she was a beautiful gal with a clear, strong, inspiring voice. She lists breathing as the single most important thing she did/does during her cancer adventure. She says that instead of thinking of cancer in terms of "battling" it, she chose to view it as a cancer adventure of sorts. Taking what many view as a tragic situation and turning it into a creative expression. And I love that she formed a cancer posse....a group of family and friends that supports her in her journey. Click here to learn more about the gutsy book.

The Learning Channel is broadcasting the premiere of Kris Carr’s unforgettable documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer on August 29, 2007 @ 9:00-11:00pm.

Have a lovely Monday. It is a beautiful day here in central Kentucky!

pondering this....

"The average human being thinks that happiness lies in stability, in tying up all the loose ends and having things under control. … But actually, happiness lies in being able to relax with our true condition, which is basically fleeting, dynamic, fluid, not in any way solid, not in any way permanent. It's transient by nature." Pema Chodron

schedule changes

Fall is almost here and we're making some changes to the schedule at Barefoot Works. Next Monday (August 27) will be the last noon Express Yoga class. Next Tuesday (August 28) will be the last 9:15 Basics class.

We will be closed Monday, September 3 for Labor Day. The following Monday (Sept. 10), we will begin a Level 1 class. This class will begin at 4:30 and end at 5:45. Plan to join Teresa for what's sure to be a delightful early evening class! You'll actually be able to get your yoga practice in AND still get to eat dinner with your family! Nice, huh?

I'm also playing with the idea of adding another yin yoga class. I know that many of you really loooove this class. It would have to be an hour long class (4:30 - 5:30) on either Tuesday or Thursday. Anyway, if this strikes any of you as a great thing, please leave a comment or send an email to barefootworks@hotmail.com and let me know. Also, if you have any other suggestions for additional classes/times, please let me know! I'm here for you...really. :-)

All of this information will be in your email newsletter. Which if for some reason you're not getting it, please let me know. Peace to all of you!

attachment

"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another." Anatole France

I received an email from my Maya Tulum contact Dena. This is the update, "Maya Tulum was hit pretty hard but we are going to rebuild. We lost eight beachfront cabanas and 4 are a partial loss. The other 10 or so will have some small structural repairs. We have a lot of cleaning up to do but hope to be up and running within a month or two. The eye of the storm came in at Chetemal which is just a few minutes south of Tulum and we experienced a devastating blow of surge and high winds. We prepared as much as we could but with 180 mph winds and 15-20 feet of surge waters there is only so much a staff can do. All of our friends, staff and guests are safe though. Thanks so much for your prayers."

After reading the email, my heart was feeling a bit heavy. Of course my rational side was saying, "Well it could have been worse". Then I found myself pondering a concept I mention often in class, which is attachment. Teaching students not to attach to how perfect they feel their pose is or isn't, not attaching to your thoughts, etc. I clearly feel somewhat "attached" to Maya Tulum, and to a certain degree this attachment left me with a heavy heart.

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali says that "Attachment is that which rests on pleasant experiences. Aversion is that which rests on sorrowful experiences." I think that in our daily life we are constantly being pulled in one direction or another. Experiencing these highs and lows and attaching to them, can leave us feeling like we live our life on a roller coaster. For example, you open the mail and get a big hefty check from the IRS. Awesome, right? You can go shopping, maybe buy some new yoga clothes and so on. Then two hours later you go to start your car and it won't start (you are on your way to buy new yoga clothes after all). Oh great, there goes the money you just got from the IRS. You just went from one extreme to the other. Sent your little body and your mind on that big ole wooden roller coaster.

I'm not suggesting that we don't celebrate, get really happy, or simply have preferences. I think it's human nature. I think it's when we cling to these things that we create unnecessary suffering. Maybe the first step is just recognizing it, being aware of our attachment.... experiencing it fully, living in the moment, and then just letting it go.

Beautiful picture above taken by Tim Carpenter.

do good for the day

This morning I was driving to the studio on a beautiful country road. I was behind this big truck, a work truck for a local gutter company. Out of no where the driver pitches what appeared to be a Mountain Dew can out of the window. I was half shocked and fully pissed. I was torn between pulling over and picking up the can and speeding up next to me and expressing myself....in one form or another. And typically, I'm a really understanding person when I'm driving, choosing to think that the person that just cut me off on the road is racing to the hospital to see his child being born, etc. This just helps me more than anything else. But this type of behavior, littering for no good reason, infuriates me.

So I chose a happy place in between pulling over and picking up the can or cursing this man. I drove really close behind him. Close enough that I got his phone number, picked up my cell phone and called the company he worked for. Inside I was hoping that he wasn't the owner, me watching him answer his cell phone while I was driving behind him. Luckily I got the manager of the company. I expressed to her my frustration and gave her the details. She seemed very concerned and said she would deal with the situation. Whether or not she will, I'll never know. But I do know that the phone call left me feeling empowered and satisfied. I felt like I did a little deed to help watch out for our Mother Earth.

So all the litterbugs should watch out for the little yogi driving a little box....I'm watching. ;-)

be well

Last night after I posted about the "big storm" I went downstairs and turned on the tv. I flipped to The Weather Channel where they were taping from Mexico. At that moment I felt so helpless. I wondered what it must feel like for those people there...specifically in Tulum, just because I feel such a connection to that place. So I did the only thing I knew to do. I went to my yoga room, lit some incense that I purchased in Tulum, sat down in the dark, said some prayers did a meditation.

I didn't even try to quiet my mind in the beginning. I thought about all the people and the things about Tulum that I was so deeply touched by. I thought about the people that work at Maya Tulum. I envisioned Liz with her daughter sitting on her lap as she patiently helped me in checking out. I thought about Victor and our lovely conversations and how willing and able he was in making things right for our group. I thought about Megan and her warmth and kindness. I thought about Fabian and how much he resonated with me. And literally everyone I spoke to about him felt the same way. He had a way of really connecting to everyone that he worked with. I thought about all the other yogi's that know and love this place. I thought about the yogi's that are there right now for teacher training with Bryan Kest. I thought about all the people who haven't been to this special place, but it needs to be there in order for them to know and love it.

So then I let the thoughts go and my meditation went something like this:

Inhale, Be well

Exhale, Tulum

Inhale, Be well

Exhale, Megan (then I proceeded to go through all the names of people I met)

Inhale, Be well

Exhale, Nineteen (it was my cabana)

Inhale, Be well

Exhale, Beach

Inhale, Be Well

Exhale, Yoga Room

Inhale, Please

Exhale...Be well, be well, be well. I thought and dedicated goodness to everything I could recall (even the mangoes, yes I know...kinda silly).

Then I imagined something connecting myself from my yoga room to the beach that I meditated on at Maya Tulum. I didn't want to visualize just a straight line, so I envisioned a rainbow connecting us. Yes, corny as it may sound...that's just what I did. And I figured it was appropriate enough. A rainbow after the storm that would spread all over Mexcio, Tulum and the Mayan people.

Please send well wishes their way. Namaste.

go away

This great big storm is headed directly for the Mayan Riviera. My little heart will be shattered if this monster of a storm hits Maya Tulum. I'm crossing my fingers and sending big love across the sea to the people of Tulum.

a yoga break

A got an email from a student requesting some suggestions for a short sequence to do during her workday. It seems that she has been terrible busy at work. I think that we can all use a yoga break throughout our day. A little yoga break will leave you feeling refreshed and will help carry you through the rest of your day. Here is what I shared with her:

Start by practicing kapalabhati, a great energizing breathing technique. If you decide to give it a go, be sure to practice on an empty stomach.

I recommended that she practice standing and back bending poses since she spends most of her time seated (and probably slumping at times) at a desk. This is the sequence. Start by leading with the right leg.

Warrior 1

Warrior 2

Triangle

Downward Facing Dog

Repeat with left leg

Cobra Pose (2x, 5-8 breaths each)

Saddle or Half Saddle Pose

Bridge Pose

Reclining Twist

Corpse Pose

For those of us that may not have the space (or privacy) for such poses, click here to view the office yoga sequence I came up with. It's a great sequence you can do right at your desk.

I also pointed out that it's really important to take a moment and really tune into your body. Our bodies are always speaking to us. It's just a matter of listening. Sometimes we may just need to do some head and shoulder rolls to combat the stress that we store in the shoulders. Other times we may need to close the eyes and take some slow deep breaths, silently counting to 4 with the inhales and exhales. This deep breathing can leave you feeling calm and relaxed.

I hope this yoga break finds you well this Monday.

today's practice

Looked something like this....

I've come to realize that recovering from a night out when you're 30 isn't as easy as recovering when you're 20....I mean 21. ;-)

happy 30th

Sending BIG happy 30th birthday wishes out into the world for my silly, supportive, adorable, and mischievous man! Our 20's had us meeting, falling in love, graduating from college, moving halfway across the country, starting our careers, getting married, buying and selling houses, crossing half the country back to Kentucky, being jobless, buying a big beautiful blue house, and embarking on new jobs/careers. All of that in nine years! Yes, the 30's should be an exciting time.

fave and not so fave

Please play along...what is your current favorite loved yoga pose, and your least favorite yoga pose. You know the ones we practice in class and your heart either smiles or it feels like a knife soon to be stabbed through your heart (so this is a bit of an exaggeration, or I hope so ;-) And I say "current" because it probably changes from time to time. I know that mine do.

My favorite pose these days is headstand. I love the way inversions make me feel. Even if I've had a crappy day, you know one of those days where things just continue to go wrong? Headstand can almost make it all better. That and some chocolate. I just find it a great thrill to be 30 years old and flip myself upside down and stand on my head or hands. Really, who else other than yogi's and gymnasts do this? I think it's fabulous!

My least favorite is purvottanasana, or reverse plank. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I feel terribly tight in my shoulders or maybe it's because I can't get my feet to press all the way in the floor. In fact, you can probably tell that I don't like it, I never teach it. I take that back, I did teach it Thursday. After asking students what their favorite and least favorite poses were. Sam said this was his. So I had to teach it (if you're reading this, thanks Sam). All joking aside, the poses that we dread the most are the poses that we should be doing most often. So I'm making a commitment, I'm going to practice reverse plank every day next week. Yes, that's right. And I'll be teaching it in class next week so all of you can experience the joys of it.

do what you love

That's the title of the new September issue of Oprah. Many of you can probably tell that I really love to post on this topic, as I speak of this pretty regularly. I just truly feel that when we are doing what we love, we're a little (or a lot) happier and nicer, which in turn makes our kids and family happier and nicer, which in turn makes our community happier and nicer, which in turn makes the world happier and nicer, which in turn makes our Earth happier and nicer. Yes I know that it's not that simple, but I view it as throwing the stone in the water and watching the rippling effect. I think that many times we underestimate the power of individuals.

Back to the issue of Oprah (I sometimes have a tendency to ramble). I love reading about women who take a leap of faith and choose to follow their dreams. As one of the gals stated, "In the end, I had one thought that put all the others to rest: My life will be more interesting if I do this than if I don't." Isn't that great?! And what a refreshing was to view something.

The article features a 49 year old gal that went from a marketing executive to stationary store owner, an attorney to bakery co-owner, stay at home mom to adventure travel company owner, and my favorite...a publishing executive to sailor and author! If you haven't gotten the latest edition of Oprah, run out and pick it up today for some inspirational reading.

Have a beautiful day.

marvel

"And what do we teach our children in school? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the world there is no other child like you. In the millions of years that have passed there has never been another child like you...You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel." Pablo Casals

Shouldn't we all relish in our uniqueness a bit more often? Children and adults alike?

doing the work

"The body itself is to reveal the light that's blazing inside your Presence." Rumi

I have a confession....not every yoga practice of mine is full of bliss breaths and sweet surrender. The truth is that there are days when I have to force myself to my yoga mat. I'm like a little child stomping up the steps to my little yoga room. I'm experiencing resistance, but it's more mental than physical.

Luckily for me, I understand this whole concept and I move forward with my practice. I realize that I can show up on my mat and be happy, sad, angry, bored, or confused. But most importantly I allow myself just to "be". I'm there and I'll "do the work". I accept my body and my mind for what it is in that moment. And it never fails, I always finish my practice feeling like the light in me burns a little brighter.

8 random things

I've been tagged by the lovely Mindy. Here are 8 random (and sometimes strange) things about myself:

1. The season finale of The Real World always makes me cry. Never fails. Even if I've only watched a few episodes. Doesn't matter.


2. I'm a lefty living in a right handed world. I eat and write with my left hand, everything else I use my right hand.


3. I had big hair and wore dresses with beads and sequins for the three high school proms I attended. And my bouquet for senior prom was larger than the bouquet I carried for my wedding. My boyfriend at the time, he had an aunt that owned a floral shop. I took advantage of that.


4. I blowdry my hair while standing in uttanasana (standing forward bend). This is the extent of my multi-tasking abilities.


5. I get really, really crabby when I get really, really hungry. Feed me, and feed me fast. Then I'm happy and the world is good again.


6. I'm not scared of many things. Snakes, bears, bugs, bats....couldn't care less. But in the past I've been a bit terrified of worms. That big scar on my shoulder (it kinda looks like a worm now that I think about it), it was a result of me running from a worm....and a brother that was chasing me.


7. I've had a mild obsession with Bon Jovi for a while. Since the fourth grade to be exact. This "relationship" began in the 80's, withheld through the 90's, and is still going strong through the 2000's. I still rock out to Livin' On a Prayer. Doesn't everybody?


8. And last but not least, I love taking foot shots. I think I can get away with this with a yoga studio called Barefoot Works. Wouldn't you agree?

the power of presence

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." Maya Angelou

I got back home late last night from my yoga therapy training. I spent five great days in Asheville and was really able to immerse myself as a yoga student once again. That alone was enough to make me one happy little gal. But this training and the people was so much more than I could have hoped for.

My initial reason for signing up for this training was to learn more about working with private clients. Within a week, I had several people that were dealing with chronic illnesses contact me about private yoga sessions. I thought I was at this training more so for the sake of others (students and present and future clients), but was I ever wrong! I was quite the little Phoenix Rising Rookie, having no idea. I learned much more than I had imagined. More about yoga, techniques, the power of being really present with others, and so much more about myself, and this was like a great gift wrapped in a pretty little package.

I truly believe in the power of yoga and the amazing "things" that yoga can bring to a person's life. After this training, I am completely convinced of the transformative power of yoga, and especially the method used in Phoenix Rising. During these sessions, the client is in poses that are supported by props and/or the practitioner. Traditional hatha yoga poses are the foundation of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. Imagine a thai yoga session in which you are in the poses for a looong time. You take your time in working to your "edge" (and we speak about this all the time in class). A place where it's just right, and it's interesting to you. As our teacher Ruth said, and I love this..."It's a level of intensity that calls us to aliveness." We may encounter physical, mental, and emotional edges. And during a session, the client is free just to witness was arises, or to speak about what arises. The Phoenix Rising sessions combine ancient and modern theories and wisdom. This type of yoga therapy is also less about technique and more about people going deeper into their truest selves and gaining insight.

To be completely honest, I wasn't exactly sure how I would feel about this whole technique. The thought of someone working so closely with me (physically and mentally) during a yoga practice....kinda freaked me out a bit. I don't consider myself someone that just naturally opens up to people. But having someone else present to support you in these poses frees you and allows the opportunity to go so much deeper in the poses. You get the chance to listen, to really listen with all of your senses. And with someone holding your leg in reclined hand to big toe pose for 15 minutes, you can't easily escape. For a flow yoga lover like myself, this was a challenge. And yes, I did see the correlation here to my everyday life! It really was a phenomenal experience.

I enjoyed the training so much that I definitely plan to attend the level 2 training. In the meantime, I'm practicing some of the techniques that I learned during the training. So the first three people to leave a comment can schedule a free hour long session. So go ahead...don't be shy!

on the road again

I'm leaving tomorrow after my morning class to make my way to Asheville, NC...one of my favorite spots to get away. I'll be going to the Asheville Yoga Center and participating in a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Teacher Training. I've been seeing some private clients here recently and I'm super excited about learning new ways of using yoga as a form of therapy, and more about working with clients one-on-one.

I always get so excited about trainings of any sort. And when it comes to yoga, I just want to immerse myself and learn as much as I possibly can. I'll consider myself a student of yoga for as long as I live. Really is there any way that we can ever know everything about this ancient old practice? When you take what you learn on the yoga mat and apply it to your everyday life...at home, at work, in relationships, at the grocery store, shopping, etc. it just keeps evolving. So I am ready to be a yoga student for a few days, take notes, give my full attention, open my mind and heart for new information and knowledge.

And of course, I had to stop by Joseph Beth today to pick up a couple new yoga books for the trip...Yoga as Medicine (appropriately enough) and The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman's Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras.

Today I saw a lady at Sew A Lot and she had the most beautiful jewelry on, which I complimented her on. She said that jewelry and sewing machines are the things she spends money on. I thought for a moment and said, "Well, mine must be books." And that my friend, probably makes Andy a very happy man. :-)

seek that

There is a force within which gives you life

seek that.

In your body lies a priceless gem

seek that.

O, wandering soul,

if you want to find the greatest treasure,

don't look outside,

Look inside,

and seek that.

Rumi

summit city

Andy and I went to Whitesburg this weekend to join in the pre-opening festivities of my brother's coffee shop, Summit City. I've been assisting Joel in planning and purchasing things for the coffee shop for a while now. He purchased this building more than a year ago and has been diligently working on restoring it...or the contractors have been working to restore it. :-) That beautiful tin was hidden underneath a dropped ceiling and those beautiful floors were buried beneath carpet. Really, why do people do such crazy things?!

Saturday night Si Kahn a renowned folk artist and Gravy of Los Angeles (not together, that would have been a bit odd) played until late in the night. Over 110 people came out to enjoy the music, mingle, and see the hippest spot in all of eastern Kentucky (and quite possible the hippest coffee shop I've ever been in). This much support in a town of about 1500. It was really, really amazing. Following the music, we put a closed sign on the door and friends and family turned the stage into a dance floor. I literally danced for about four hours straight. It was the most exhilarating night.

This is Joel and Amelia. Closing time, finally a moment to revel in the space they've created. This is my brother's second business. The coffee shop is really more of a hobby, a place for people to gather and have a grand time. And I think that many people are going to enjoy this special place.

celeb yoga scoop

Yes, I've come out of the closet with my teeny tiny obsession with keeping up with what's going on the celebrity world. Sometimes I do run across pertinent info...such as these stars sharing their love of yoga...

"Yoga is a metaphor for life. You have to take it really slowly. You can't rush. You can't skip to the next position. You find yourself in very humiliating situations, but you can't judge yourself. You just have to breathe, and let go. It is a workout for your mind, your body and your soul." Madonna

"I'm learning yoga. It's fascinating. Once again, it's all about getting to know your "self." Connecting your heart and your mind in order for you to not make compulsive or obsessive decisions in life. Simplicity is the medicine." Ricky Martin

"I started [yoga] about five years ago. I will say, definitely, it changed my life. It made me calmer. It puts you right in the place of witness - which is great." This is a testament to the fact that yoga really does teach people about life in general. The practice differs from a 'regular' exercise regimen where the physical body is only focused on. Having a personal trainer does make one feel better physically and can increase strength, but there is little focus on meditation or calming the emotions. " Meg Ryan

Really, how did you think Madonna got those arms? I heard she can crack walnuts with her biceps alone. ;-)

Have a lovely, lovely weekend.

inappropriate yoga guy

Check him out here. Thanks for the link Irene. :-) The inappropriate yoga guy even mentions a retreat in Tulum!

alive

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Howard Thurman

I wonder how happy we would be as individuals, as a whole society, if we did what we truly loved...what we felt complete passion for...what made us come alive. The things we think we're not good enough at, the things that we think would embarrass our family, or the things that society frowns upon. I do think that when we are happy, when we are doing something that feeds our soul, we burn just a little bit brighter. And others see this. They see the glow, they feel joy just being in your presence.

Burn baby burn. My wish for all of us, all of you.

paradise found

Tulum is one of the most beautiful, serene places that I have ever visited. The outside world floats away as you make your way towards Maya Tulum. I was so pleased when our van driver pulled into the half circular stone drive and said "Welcome to Maya Tulum". The reception area was a tiny looking cabana that housed a small boutique on the left and the office on the right. There was always a staff member sitting at the desk outside in the open air. Victor and Abraham called taxis for us, scheduled tours for our group, carried our bags too and from our cabana, and helped with a variety of other things. The sincerity, and the energy of the staff was beyond amazing. Megan was wonderful in coordinating our yoga classes and making sure everything was perfect, the restaurant and bar staff were courteous, efficient and impeccable in service, and Fabian a massage therapist and spiritual healer deserves a huge thank you for his warmth, kindness and peaceful ways.

My cabana (cabana 19) was a charming place to call home for the week. The simplicity of the room, the openness and airiness was just what I wanted. No television and no telephone made is quite easy to disconnect. There were two comfortable adirondack type chairs in the front of the cabana that offered amazing views of the sun rising over the ocean. I woke every day around 6:00 and enjoyed the sun rise. Some mornings I did sun salutations, some I tried to capture the beauty by taking photos, and others I just sat in a chair sipping coffee, taking it all in.

The food was so fresh. I left every single meal feeling nourished and refreshed. Our group met for nearly every meal and ooohed and ahhhed at how tasty it was. Gathering together at meal times was a favorite thing to do of ours. And of course, doing yoga at this place was just as magical as everything else. We were able to hear the waves as we sat in meditation and relaxed into savasana. Types of yoga included vinyasa, hatha, yin and restorative yoga.

It was such a joy to be at a place where you could literally go barefoot all week long. All you needed was a couple bathing suits, yoga clothes and some sunscreen. Our entire group really, really enjoyed Maya Tulum and I find myself looking forward to my next visit. This place and the people was paradise found.

one last day in paradise

Gonna soak up the sun and enjoy this beautiful place one more day. The past couple days we have gone to the Tulum Ruins, kayaking and snorkeling, and explored the city of Tulum a bit last night. But I have to admit that the best has been being at the resort and simply relaxing and unwinding. We are finishing up the retreat tonight with a restorative yoga session. I think everyone here needs it!

Going to the Tulum Ruins was a little bit of a shocking experience. After spending several days seeing minimal people and not even riding in a car it was just too much stimulation. There were people everywhere. So, so crowded....but very beautiful and rich in history. We did see many beautiful, colorful fish while snorkeling and the bay was so, so pretty.

I am having one more massage today. Tuesdays massage was 50 minutes and it went by way too fast. So todays will last 80 minutes...yippy!

I hope to see you guys next week. Have a great weekend!

the best yet

I had the best, most amazing massage last night. The spa here at Maya Tulum is a world renowned spa. And now I can see why. They offer such a variety of treatments, including the most popular ones that we have at home. But they offer so much more. Shelli had a mayan clay massage where they used local clay that they slathered all over her, massaged and let it dry. The best part was that she got to go the ocean and rinse it all off. I heard she looked like some sort of goddess and she pranced from her massage room and down to the beach...sheet floating around her and hair blowing in the wind ;-) Tracy is having a massage where they use local honey and I had the holistic massage last night. I loved it so much that I have scheduled another one for Friday.

As a group we are doing a whole detox last night, complete with a sweat lodge. It lasts 2.5 hours and we get fresh fruit and hot tea afterwards. We have heard and read great things about it. I will let you know how it goes.

I have been waking up around 6:00 in the morning. I decided yesterday to get up and greet the sun this morning. So around 6:00ish this morning I took the 23 steps from my cabana to the beach (yes I have counted) and did a whole lotta sun salutations on the beach, with the sun coming up over the water directly in front of me. It was beautiful, to say the very least. I finished with a nice meditation, then left me feeling like the luckiest person in the whole world.

How are the yogis in Lexington doing?

another day in paradise

Highlights from yesterday:

1. Getting up at 6:00, taking a walk on the beack and taking pictures.
2. Chatting with a sweet new yogi friend named Fran. There are yogi´s roaming around everywhere here! It´s great.
3. Taking a fun class with Shelli where we got to pracitce all sorts of fun arm balancing poses...including handstand (on the wall). Makes you feel sorta like a superhero of sorts afterwards.
4. The food...all of it. Delicious.
5. The drink...poncho villa. A tasty concoction of rum, tequilla, banana and cocunut creme. Boy, you can´t have very many of those.
6. Teaching yoga on the beach. That´s a challenge for the balance. To be in the sand with the water just steps away is quite a wonderful feeling. Appropriatley enough,I have changed tree pose to palm tree pose for the week.
7. Walking up a very dark road with a flash light that a nice man named Ron let us borrow. There are very little lights and the stars were literally breathtaking.
8. Making it to Zamas and Tracy and I shaking our groove thing on the sand dance floor. A cover of No Woman No Cry, a fresh ocean breeze, and the sounds of the ocean in the background. Need I say more?

paradise

We have made it safely to Tulum and had our first full day yesterday to settle in. This place is completly magical. Maya Tulum, is an eco resort. There is no electricity. The resort runs off of generators and solar. If you want to be pampered and have the New York Times delivered to your cabana each day, this is not the place. What you will find are the most amazing, unique cabanas that are scattered about the property, with all of them linked together by a sandy path that meanders around the property. And the beach...it is literally steps from the front door of your cabana. When you go to bed at night, all you can hear is the humming from the ceiling fan and the gentle crashing of the waves. It is truly a place to relax and find balance and peace.

And the food is probably the best food I have ever eaten. It is pretty much vegetarian. But there have been no complaints from the carnivores, the veggies, or the vegans. All of us have been thrilled by the selection. Tracey saw the local farmers pull up at the resort today and deliver fresh fruits and veggies. The mango is delicious. As are the mango margaritas.

The yoga sessions have been really special. The space that we are in is great. Windows all around the walls to allow the breeze in and tall hut ceilings with six or so ceiling fans. This morning we explored arm balancing poses and worked on building upper body strength. This evening I am leading a yoga class on the beach.

I off for a short walk back to the resort. I am at the internet cafe right now. I hear the warm waters calling my time.

Enjoy your time. And of course, I am sending love and warmth your way.

nightmare

I awoke bright and early this morning, ready to greet the day when I felt a tingling sensation on my top lip. This was a sensation that I've grown quite accustomed to. I immediately started to freak out when I felt my lip and discovered the beginnings of a cold sore. "Just perfect, I thought." The very day before I leave for Mexico. I hopped out of bed, got dressed, and slathered some prescribed ointment for cold sores on my lip. I barely brushed my hair (I didn't even brush me teeth. I didn't want to wash the cream off my lip) and dashed out the door. I knew that my sister was my only hope in taking care of this pesky problem. She always has these "magical little pills" that will zap a cold sore if you take them upon the very first sighting of a blister. They're completely legal, I promise.

I was driving through Jessamine County towards the river to hop on the ferry and make my way to Richmond. And yes, it's more than a hop, skip, and jump away. We're talking like a 45 minute trip one way. But all I kept thinking about was having this growth on my face the whole time I'm in Mexico. I thought, "The sun will make this thing a monster." I had finally calmed myself down by the time I made it to her house. I walk in the door and she was waiting for me, pills in hand. "How many do you want", she asked. "As many as you can spare," I responded. This all coming from the gal that never takes meds. There's no telling what I would have done at the moment just to take an eraser and wipe my lip clear of any signs of a cold sore.

A bit drastic you think? Maybe. But I've had this thing about cold sores for forever. I feel like such a mutant when I get one. I've downed about six pills and luckily this thing is going away.

So I've gotten to move forward with packing, getting my teaching materials ready, and downloading some new cd's for my classes in Mexico... Bob Marley's Legend cd. How perfect is that for the beach?!

I'm planning to disconnect from my cell phone, email and Internet while I'm in Tulum. I'm sure I'll have lots to blog about when I get back home and plenty of pictures to share. I will miss all my yogi's, but know that you will be in wonderful hands with Teresa, Leigh Ann, and Toni. And of course, I'll be sending lots of sunshine your way.

guess what?

The Barefoot Works blog and myself had a little part in a great big article written about "women bloggers staking their claim in the online community." The article is in this month's Business Lexington, and was written by David Wescott, who also has a blog (It's Not a Lecture). Take a look here to see what David had to say about "women leading the way". Check the other featured blogs out for some fun and entertaining reading. I feel completely excited to be included along with these creative and inspiring gals. Yes, a very happy day. Anytime the studio name gets out there is great. I love being a part of these things as they develop and witnessing how they unfold. Such excitement for me!

I took some photos of Teresa's chair yoga class this week at the senior center. It was refreshing to see this group so interested and excited about yoga. It was a real treat to be there and of course, I took lotsa photos! Enjoy your evening. :-)

goodies

Special goodies from the last couple days for Mexico:

*A big, bright floppy sun hat from Joel.

*A fun package from Teresa that included a Gaiam yoga shirt made from organic cotton. It's bright orange and has two big flowers on it that will be perfect for Mexico. Teresa was also sweet enough to include incense and yummy smelling soap and a most perfect card.

*A fun little jaunt down the street to CVS to stock up on beach necessities...suncreen, creamy lotion, new nail polish, heavy duty hair conditioner, etc.

*Tomorrow I plan to spend too much money on magazines and possibly a new yoga book or two. It is a yoga retreat afterall. I'll have to resist the urge to devour the magazines before landing in Cancun.

Ahh, I do love going to the beach. :-)

YOGA NEWS

Hillary Clinton and her team take weekly yoga classes at the campaign's Arlington headquarters.

Rodney Yee and his wife barely escape going to jail.

What the future holds: Yoga in 2030

How could it possibly be July 8?! This week, this year, is just blowing right on by! And I'm terribly busy. It's been kinda funny. This is my first summer owning the yoga studio and I just figured that this would be my slow time. That's the trend for yoga (and many other businesses). During the summer months people are out playing, gardening, traveling, and just generally enjoying the sunshine and the long days. But things haven't really slowed down at the studio (which is awesome, might I add) and I've picked up more teaching time with private yoga sessions. Combine that with planning my first ever international yoga retreat, 200 hour teacher training, marketing the studio, doing day to day book-keeping at the studio, and teaching yoga close to 20 hours a week, and well....I've been busy. Does it sound like I'm complaining? I hope not! It's a great feeling being busy and doing something that you've created and something that you love and feel passionate about. It really makes a HUGE difference! So that's why blogging time has been minimal here lately.

If you're up for some celebrity smut...check out Eva Longori'a wedding details from yesterday. Yes, I'm one of those. The secret is out. Now you know. ;-)

splish splash

Highlights from the weekend at the lake:

*Waking up and having a beautiful view like this from the front porch.

*Taking what felt like 3,000 pictures of these amazing little hummingbirds, and completely loving every bit of it.

*Having delicious homemade food. Waffles with strawberries for breakfast, the best grilled corn on the cob ever, and my first sip of lemonchello.

*Spending hours and hours out on the water. Plenty of time to kayak, ski, go tubing, flip around in the water, and read magazines on the front of the boat.

*Practicing boat pose on the boat. How could we not do this pose here?!

*Watching fireworks in a teeny tiny town.

*Hanging out with great friends. Laughing and just generally enjoying life.