three years of BW today!

I just got home from our lil' celebration that included a day of free yoga, henna, stamped bookmarks, eats, treats & fellow yoga friends.

I've been running around most of the day, either prepping to teach, teaching (taught a private and two classes), sending emails, running errands to the bank, Wal-Mart, Kroger, Liquor Barn (for the water silly). I could never be one of these gals that throws the BIG parties. It's just too much work for me. I'm good with a little celebrating on the front porch at the studio. :)

Enjoy a few pics! Thank all of you for allowing me to do what I love so very dearly.
Here's to many more years of yoga love!

holding togetherness

I love the idea of this. I've had the great joy of taking TWO yoga classes at the studio in the past 17 hours! Ahhh, such de-light. Jeanne subbed for Sarah last night and taught such a beautiful class and Lisa taught our brand new yinyasa class today at noon. I am so very proud of these two gals. They are both such wonderful new additions to teaching staff.

I especially loved it after class when Sarah said to Lisa, "You are such a perfect fit for Barefoot Works." And I nodded it agreement. So happy on the inside that Barefoot Works continues to draw such great souls in students and teachers. Holding. Such. Togetherness.

Which leaves me feeling very happy. Very giddy. It's been a good week and good stuff coming up. The online Mondo Beyondo class is really inspiring me (plan to post my updated list of dreams next week). I begin leading the Fall yoga training in Hazard next week, our NC yoga retreat is nearly filled with excited yoginis, trip to the lake this weekend, upcoming yoga therapy training at the studio, I'm learning Spanish, and did I mention I'm going to Mexico, AND I took two classes at the studio?!

Meanwhile I'm reading "The Wishing Year" by Noelle Oxenhandler (which is really good). I've dogeared a few pages that I come back to and re-read, re-think.
Here is a fave passage:

"It's something that is often remarked about the Mexican people, and on that day I saw it with my own eyes: their ability to hold together, in one embrace, the awareness of suffering and the celebration of earthly happiness."

Love. That. So while I'm sitting here going on about all the goodness, I am dealing with struggles and pain that exists very much in the lives of family that I love dearly.

Thankfully yoga has taught me how to stay connected to my center while the suffering swirls around me. Yoga has taught me to find the balance of it all. The good. The bad. And at times, the ugly. Yoga has taught me how to hold it together.

Hoping it does the same for you when you most need it to.

**All classes are held as scheduled this weekend and Monday. Have a safe and happy weekend.**

and still i rise

This is good. Really good. Enjoy....

doing things that scare us

I started Spanish lessons with Andy yesterday.

And I bought "the" plane ticket. To Mexico of course. Where else?

It took a little bit of courage in my part. Not the Spanish lessons so much but yes with the place ticket. Why? Because I had planned to do something this fall for "professional development". I was looking at spending four days in NYC for MindBody University (yep a whole conference for the software we use at the studio) or Level 3 Yoga Therapy in North Carolina.

I questioned myself and pondered if this was the best way to invest my money? Was this the best way to spend taking time away from the studio? Would Andy understand my need to go?

The left side of my brain, the one that is so much business said to go with NYC or NC. But the right side of my brain, and my heart told me to go to Tulum. To go there, take yoga classes two times a day, to eat fresh food, to get the most healing treatments ever, to sweat it out at the sweat lodge, to rest, and let the sea wash my stresses away.

So that's what I'm doing.

Learning Spanish and spending more time in Mexico are both on my Mondo Beyondo dream list. I feel like yesterday I took two small steps and the universe carried me an additional two steps. And that my friend is such a delight-full feeling.

So what about you....can you do anything today that may be a bit scary but move you forward towards a dream you hold in your heart?

speaking of dreams...

"This now is it. This. Your deepest need and desire is satisfied by the moment's energy here in your hand." - Rumi

Andy and I went out last night for a little mid-week date. Dinner at Fazolis (yep I love it) and conversation about our Mondo Beyondo dreams (see below). So funny, much of my list incouded travels to fabulous places (eat and drink my way through Italy with Andy for two months, have a cabana by the sea in Tulum, learn/study ayurveda in India). Andy's consisted of sports dreams (attend final four (preferably with UK playing, skate with Wayne Gretzky, attend Stanley Cup Final)
So funny.

We wrap the dream list up and go to Wal-Mart. Andy buys a cheap cd with 80's hits to use during PE at school (or so he says). We went back and had a lil dance party in the enrty way of our house. Swaying to Bette Davis Eyes and grooving to Wild Wild West.

And at that moment I thought that maybe it's not about all those dreams coming true. Maybe the art and joy of dreaming is enough. Enough to make one feel young, hope-full, and vibrantly alive. Who could complaing about the gift of that?

PS - That quote gives me goose bumps. Good. Stuff.

mondo beyondo baby

That's the name of the e-course that I'm taking that just started today. Well mostly....it's Mondo Beyondo (don't you love it?). It's and online class completely dedicated to dreaming BIG. Yep, my kinda class.

I just returned from a walk trying to recall how exactly I found Andrea (of Superhero Designs). Then it came to me, she was in Sark's book "Make Your Creative Dreams Real", which to me was opening the studio and creating a yoga community.

In the years that I've read Andrea's blog, I've probably left a handful of comments but to say that she has inspired me with her words would be an understatement.

When I was debating (and my web gal at that time was trying to convince me not to place my blog on a highly visible area of my website), I thought back to some random post of Andrea's and how she too had dealt with the dilemma of how much one should share on a "business" blog.

Ultimately I decided that I had already hidden in life more than I preferred. I knew that to experience growth, finding my voice and sharing my truth was what I needed to do. And I figured that a blog was a means to do just that. The early days of blogging (and at times now) it's a struggle or a challenge to be open and honest. Fear and judgement creeps in. Mostly I try to wave at the fear (and on a brave day I wink) and keep going.

I've witnessed magical things happening in my life. Call it work, call it luck, call it manifesting, call it what you may....I believe in the power of our dreams. Mine. And yours.

Over the next five weeks I'll be spending time thinking in mondo beyondo terms, "making room for my unspoken wishes to become a dream come true." It doesn't matter how outrageous, outlandish, ridiculous or daring the dream. And really, does the universe know any different? I don't know, but I'll keep you posted. ;)

PS - Pic of me, in my wedding dress, over five years ago. It was a gift to Andy for our three year wedding anniversary, and just before we ditched the jobs, sold the house in TX, and made our way back to KY. This pic sums up how I feel today.

PSS - Feel free to make your own mondo beyondo list and share here if you'd like!

yoga in no time at all

I'm a tiny bit late here, but the book signing with Joel was reallly realllly fun! I so enjoyed getting to be a guest at a par-tay at the studio!

You can purchase Joel's fabulous little book, "Yoga In No Time at All" at the studio.

Have a happy happy evening.....

seizing the day

"Life is a series of near misses. But a lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It's seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It's seeing what other people don't see, and pursuing that vision, no matter who tells you not to." ~Howard Schultz

spiritual springiness

I read that term in a magazine tonight when I returned by a walk just before dark. Just a little while earlier I'd gone to my "hot" yoga room with hot tea, book, notepad and pen in hand. I lit a candle, set an intention. After centering, easy stretching and a few downward facing dogs, I wasn't feeling it.

So I put on my shoes, grabbed my ipod, and set out for a walk hoping to catch the last of the sunset. Walking and listening to my ipod has become a new fun thing for me to do. I've always been a bit of a traditionalist with the walking/jogging, preferring to hear my own, breath, thoughts, and hopefully a few birds chirping over music.

But as a bopped down the sidewalk and through the cemetery with tons of little white clouds, streaks of orange crossing the sky, and the music of Ziggy Marley I felt it was just what I needed to put some spring into my spiritual step. Cheers to being flexible and going with the flow as needed.

Enjoy....

currently lovin'

Here is my random list of current little loves:

1. Basking in the afterglow of teaching yesterday. I taught one private and two classes yesterday. They were all so sweet and so perfect. And they were tiny, tiny classes. Two peeps in my noon class and three peeps in the 4:30. I shared a reading that I love during centering at the beginning. Not sure if this created the special-ness of the classes. But I truly loved teaching every minute, with each of the six people I shared with yesterday. It's always great teaching yoga. Some days it's even greater. This was one of the days for me.

2. Hot yoga in the big blue house (my home). We live in a 99 year old home and the upstairs doesn't have air conditioning, just one itty bitty window unit (which is ok for us cause our house is BIG and we mostly live downstairs.....but poor guests). We spend most of our time upstairs either in the office area or yoga room. Last nights practice in my hot yoga room was really good....perhaps the effects of the classes? And meditation time was equally yummy. Yay for yoga and self care.

3. New yoga buys....this yoga dvd by Nicki Doane,, this cd to celebrate the sun, and this little all in one wrap (so it's not a pair of yoga pants). A dress that you can wear 10 ways....love that.

4. Local hikes. I've gotten to go with the fam to Natural Bridge, with the nieces and nephew to a nice spot in Garrard County, and the new yoga teachers to Berea. So much beauty and so much to be learned by nature. I can feel the Summer days dwindling down so I'm trying to take full advantage of being outside as much as I can. Nature heals. And nurtures. For Sure.

5. Kick my butt workouts. Andy and I are on a new fitness adventure. There is something so wrong about some of the stuff we do. So I don't do it. Or modify it. But I do really enjoy sweating. And working. And pushing myself. Feel like I need to do that right now.

6. The Four Agreements. Have heard about this book for a long time. Downloaded it last weekend and I've listened to it twice now. It makes sense to me, it's simple yet effective. If you haven't read it yet the four agreements are: be impeccable with your words, don't take it personally, don't make assumptions, and always do your best. I'm working on each day by day. Being mindful.

7. Sunsets. Tuesdays was amazing. I was subbing for Emily and I could see the sun setting from the studio. And it put on a most fabulous little light show for all of us while I was driving home.

8. Cherries. Eating them every single day. I picked some great ones up at the Fresh Market on the way home last night. Yum-O.

That's it for me. What are the simple (or not so simple)things you are lovin' these days? Would love to hear!

PS - Lots of opportunities for free fun this weekend at the studio.....book signing and party Friday at 6:30, knitting on Sunday at noon, and community yoga Sunday at 4:00. Come on out!

believe

"Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.”
~Charles Kettering

Words to the 2009 yoga teacher trainees
Words to You
Words to Me
Words to all of us. :)

**I just love this pic! Taken this past Sunday during a reunion hike with 2009 teacher trainees....Since they are finished I guess now it will be....hike with yoga teachers. :)

36 Hours in Tulum, Mexico

So really, I'm trying to lay low on the Tulum love. I have a tendency go a little (ok a lot) overboard. Last week since several yoginis sent me a link to an article in The New York Times about Tulum. And today when I checked my mail another sweet yogini had actually cut the article out and mailed it to me. Yay!

Here is the intro....

"IT is hard to know who recited the first Om or unfurled the first yoga mat upon Tulum’s epic beach. But it is true that Tulum, on the southern edge of Mexico’s Riviera Maya (and a healthy distance from the bunkerlike developments there) is a hot spot for yoga tourists.

Don’t be afraid if you don’t know your downward dog from your dolphin: it’s more of a yoga aesthetic that prevails here, a mood and a look that draws misty-eyed boomer professionals (heavy on the fashion and publishing industries) with fond memories of youthful forays to Thailand for Ko Samui’s full moon festival — or maybe just those who wish they’d hit that Lonely Planet trail when their knees could still take it. You might call Tulum “Ko Samui-lite” — a strip of beach and jungle peppered with stylish haute-bohemian huts that are off the grid and just a few hours by plane from New York or Los Angeles.

And instead of hallucinogens to bend your mind, there is stunning (and pricey) cuisine that reflects the eclectic tastes of the expats — from Italy, France, Germany and the two coasts of the United States — who have settled here."

Click here to read the rest of the article where the author outlines 36 fabulous hours in Tulum.

Ahhh.... Don't forget, 10% off when you register for the retreat this month! Adios Amigas. :)

PS - And because I'm all amped up again to learn Spanish, I'll be starting lessons in a few short weeks!

still not perfect

The reading that I shared this morning after class was from what I call my fave sassy book on spirituality, The Red Book.

The reading seemed most appropriate and reminded me of an idea that I've recently revisited....the idea being that I'm still not perfect. Damn.

The basic idea of the reading is that sometimes on this spiritual path, as delightful and awakening as it is, we can get in our own way. Especially when we get so caught up in "my path", "my calling", and so on. Just insert all the dreamy words that I've come to love so much.

We're also halting our own growth when all we think about is ourselves and make every decision based on "me, me, me". Sometimes we forget our ethics, our relationships, and the larger community in general. Seems kinda counter intuitive, eh?

Last year I came completely clean in a post titled "a yogi confesses" or something along those lines (I'd link to it but I don't do things like labels that would make that easy). In the post I came clean about how imperfect I actually am. How I like to have a cold beer on a hot evening, and how much I enjoy some not so nice four letter words, and so on. I am a yoga teacher. And I am oh so human. And have just a few faults.

One new "thing" that I've come to recently discover is that sometimes I get so wrapped up in the studio and all the spirituality goodness that I forget who I am when those are stripped away.

It's murky. Cause so much of what I do and what I share is how I live. So relating in the world with my husband, my family and my friends in a way that is supportive, helpful and loving, yet not coming across as that "I am Sharon and I am perfect" sorta way. Does that make sense?

Hmmmm, something to think about.

office yoga sequence

Take a break and give yourself some yoga love.....

super sweet weekend

I was home for an entire weekend! And even better, Andy and I were home together for an entire weekend! It's been a while and I was really needing it. Here's a recap of all the goodness:

Saturday:
*Yoga class with Emily. So very awesome to have Emily back from India and teaching once again at the studio. She was kind enough to hop right back into our rotation of Saturday teaching. BIG thank you to Emily!
*Observed Debbie teaching a yoga class at the studio with a few of her friends. And she did really amazing. How far one can come in six months completely blows my mind. And Debbie gives some of the best hugs I've ever had. Big bear like hugs. I happy to really enjoy them. :)
*Coffee, then an attempt at a cupcake run with no success then onto meet the fam at Miguels for pizza then a little hiking at Natural Bridge.

We did a little hiking and of a course.... a little tree posing.

We ate ice cream and pondered life's biggie questions like baby raising. This is my new fave picture:

Andy and I came home and I had a nice long bath complete with bath fizzy and candle from Soapwerks. I finished reading "Mexican Days" and highly recommend. And is if the completion of the book wasn't enough, I browsed website and blogs about Mexico until my eyes had nearly glazed over. Bookmarked a few, with the faves being Tulum Living, Dropped In, and The Truth About Mexico. I learned that the latter two are by the same peeps. A young husband and wife who moved to the Yucatan and started a life. Very cool. I want them to be my new BFF. Anyway, this was one of my fave reads.

Enjoyed another yoga practice on my own in my sweet little home studio. Love it in there.

Sunday:
After spending way too much time perusing the net about Mexico I decided I should be laptop free for the day. It worked out nicely.
Andy and I did yard work and house work. It had been a while since I had done either. So I was happy to do both. :)

Car shopping. Andy is in the market for a new car so we (or so we thought) strategically went shopping on a Sunday. We were good for the most part, only one salesman at one place. Nothing against the guys. They are earning a living as the rest of us. We were just hoping to look and not have to talk. ;)

Lunch at Five Guys Burgers & Fries. Yeh, I'm vegetarian but thought that they would surely have a veggie burger. I was excited when I asked, "Do you have a veggie burger?" and she says, "Yes". Yippy! Only to have another employee come over and say, "It's a bun with the veggies you choose." Ok, whatever give me a bun loaded with veggies. And a lot of fries. I love potatoes. In all forms.

Later walked to Main and Maple to enjoy a chai tea latte and read two mags. It was a pretty day to stroll down the street, sip yumminess and read the new Yoga Journal.

Walked the doggies then enjoyed a lovely ninety minute yoga practice. I did the sequence in Yoga Journal by Dana of Lauhging Lotus. And I ended with a couple yin yoga poses, supported recline butterfly and meditation. Good. Stuff.

Love the
Super
Sweet
Weekends.

what the future holds for tulum

After being surrounded by ten sun goddesses
After ten nights of sleeping by the sea
And fifteen walks on the beach
After twenty two hours of teaching
And four yoga classes taken
After four massages received
One detoxing sweat lodge
And millions of stars to gaze upon

I left Maya Tulum.
Leaving Maya Tulum I look over my right shoulder to soak in the view of the turquoise sea one last time.

I see improvements being made to the road. I see a sidewalk and think to myself, "I don't think that was here last year." I see new eco chic establishments....a coffee shop, a boutique, and a couple new "hotels".

I can see the "progress" being made. My heart aches a tiny bit as I wonder what will become of this beautiful and sacred land in years to come.

Victor, the front desk manager told me that they are building an airport that will be within 45 minutes of Tulum.

Easier access means more people.
More people means money.
More money probably means bigger establishments.

I wonder how long one will be able to see the millions of stars at night.
I wonder how long before the beaches become crowded.
Wonder how long before the bulldozers come and the high rises are built.

But I'll happily take what I've gotten so far. The lessons. The experiences. The healing. The teaching. The laughing. The crying. The simple. And the sacred. It's more than I could have ever hoped for. Enough to last a lifetime.

In the meantime, I'll you'll find me back at Maya Tulum next July. And in all likelihood I'll be back before then. It's my happy place. **This concludes the gushing over Maya Tulum. Thanks for allowing me to indulge!**

forms of healing at maya tulum

"Maya Tulum is full of wonderful people, healers, and yoga folks who create an atmosphere of kindness, peace and healing. The resort is a place of ease, with delicious, fresh food, experienced bodywork professionals, and beautiful spaces to relax on the beach. Practicing yoga everyday within sight and sound of the ocean was restorative to my mind and body. By the end of the week I was able to find release from my chronic pain."

I was so delighted to see an email from a retreat-ee this morning. Her email got me to thinking about the various forms of healing that one encounters while retreating at Maya Tulum.

There are the obvious things that come to mind....
The healing that simply comes from being with like minded women. As one retreat-ee put it perfectly, "I loved walking into the restaurant and knowing that not only would there always be an open seat at one of the tables, that I would be welcomed with open arms and that I would spend the next hour to three hours conversing with other amazing, extraordinary, powerful women about all of the ways in which they were impacting the world through their teaching, their healing arts, and their vocations." Wow, that is pretty darn cool.

The healing of the yoga practice comes to mind. Getting a whole week, four hours a day to get reacquainted with your body, your breath, your mind and your emotions. Yoga is strong and powerful medicine. Even more strong and powerful in the context of a retreat. And I'm not the only one missing yoga at Maya Tulum...."I am writing this longing to be back in the beautiful round yoga room of Maya Tulum in class with Sharon and all of the very lovely members of the Barefoot Works studio." Ahhh, me too Rebecca. Well not in class with me...but me teaching. Or taking yoga. I'm not picky.

Healing for me took place at the ruins overlooking the sea in Tulum. I've been twice and didn't have the intention of even leaving the resort this trip (just like last year). A small group of the gals were going to the ruins on our free day. I awoke that morning and just had a feeling that I needed to go. So I did. And it was amazing to share the powerful place with the yoginis. But the most healing part took place under a tree during meditation, with little white blooms that lay scattered on the green ground. Yes, very Buddha-esque.

Healing took place in the food. Remember Louise with the sparkly, twinkly eyes? I believe she blessed each dinner. They were that good. And others agree...."I can't possibly say enough about the food: I was amazed by the love that seemed to go into the preparation of each deliciously prepared meal."

Healing took place with the body workers. Who are unbelievable. And amazing. Yeah you've probably heard enough in this area. Remember. We. Heart. Them. All. They pour such love into each and every encounter with you. I walk away every year feeling amazed that they can be that present and that giving when they see what must be thousands of yogis each year. Yet you feel like you are the only one.

Healing took place in the goofy times with new beach buds.

And in the reading and sharing of books.

In the quiet moments on the beach, in the sea, and resting in ones cabana.

Healing took place during the singing and chanting with Pedro.. Joining with those of a different culture, different ages. Yet feeling and knowing that we are ultimately one.

In the walking of a brand new labyrinth at Maya Tulum. Constructed by my new friends from Asheville, NC....Quiana and William.

Healing took place in the sharing of fears and struggles. In the stories of travel, success, life, and love. Healing took place when one became five. Healing the whole person.

Years ago. Before I had a yoga studio. Before I was even a yoga teacher.
I found this space, this place that now feels like home every time I visit.
I didn't find Tulum.
It found me.
So happy that it found these ten gals.

Ahhh, the gushing continues. ;)

remembering who you are

Maya Tulum offers the most perfect opportunity for just that. When we strip away the phone, the tv, the internet, the modern conveniences. Who are we?

When we can remove the daily to do's....the driving, the appointments, the schedules to keep, the places to go, the laundry, the cooking....who are we?

When we can unplug from society and plug into spirit.....who are we?

We begin to forget that I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an employee, a boss, a student, a caretaker, a healer. We ask ourselves....really who am I?

We remember that we are
Joy
And light
And life.

We remember that we're Here to be
Happy
Healthy
Filled with Peace

That this is our true authentic Self. That is our nature.

It can be hard making the transition at Maya Tulum. Going from who we are supposed to be to remembering who we truly are at heart.

The quiet, the space. Being surrounded by the jungle on one side and the sea on the other.Even the abundance of time can be unsettling for some. But I believe it's among the silence and the distance that true revelation, healing and understanding comes. And what a beautiful place that is.

That's why I continue to go back.
And back.
And back again.

**This photo of Sarah truly represents the Joy that we all are. Thank you Danielle for capturing it so beautifully. The aeriel view photo is provided by Maya Tulum**

maya tulum & my home....apples to oranges

That's what one of the gals said when I asked her how she was adjusting to life back in Kentucky. She told me, "Actually I'm having a harder time than I thought. I wake up and miss paradise!" We had a quick talk and both decided that to compare the two is silly and would only lead to heartbreak we continued to look at it that way. It's like comparing apples to oranges. Simply can't....or shouldn't be done. Two entirely different things.

So I was super happy when Andy and I decided to have a date on Saturday to Midway. Since we live in Nicholasville, we go a "back way" in which we wind through Central Kentucky, weaving through small towns of Nicholasville, Versailles, and Midway.

I needed to see the beauty of our home. The fences made of stones, barbed wire, and wood. I needed to see rolling hills, the green pastures, the horse farms, and the old beautiful homes. I needed to see the cows taking a siesta by the creek. And the beautiful horses frolicking in the field. I needed to hear the wind rushing in through the window and feel my hair blowing wildly around.

I needed to see the contrast of the green fields and green trees with the back drop of the blue sky with puffy white clouds. The display of green in KY continues to inspire me. So very beautiful.

And with this I finally let out a big E X H A L E. This is it I thought. The beauty that surrounds us. It's always here. Just waiting to be noticed. Much like the reading that I shared on Saturday (and below). How much (beauty) are we missing when we're making comparisons or simply rushing to and from?

Then I think back to the beauty that exists in the physical landscape of Tulum. I realized that one of my fave views is from inside the restaurant at Maya Tulum. Looking out this window and seeing the contrast of the green of the palm tree with the blue of the sea and sky. This is it. Although the photo doesn't do it justice.

It's as if the window creates this most perfect frame for a view that is awe inspiring. The simplicity of it is one of the reasons it's so dear to me. It's a complete contrast to what I see so much here of in KY.....lots of green with accents blue. In Tulum.....lots of blue with accents of green.

The grounds of Maya Tulum are so simple yet so astounding. I'm sure that there are far more fancy and "manicured" properties just north of Tulum in Playa Del Carmen and Cancun. I have come to the conclusion that one of the many reasons I love Mexico (and Tulum) is that is really reminds me of my roots of Appalachia, growing up in southeastern KY. Where many things can be so simple yet so complicated at the same time. A place that one must live in to love and (try to)understand.

This is Ricardo. Every morning he rakes the sand at Maya Tulum, making beautiful circles. It's a process that involves time, patience, and several different rakes. What he makes is beautiful and our group is so very lucky to have witnessed his craft. His skill. I imagine that he might wonder if what he does makes a difference. But it most certainly did to our group, especially Tracy and myself. Most every day we would comment on how beautiful the sand was. He was a quiet guy. Made very little eye contact. And to get an "hola" from him was a bit of a challenge. Unlike every other person at Maya Tulum.

I'm so reminded of my family at home and their ability to be creative and resourceful. And simply speaking for myself, when I left home at 18 to go to college, I was a super shy (much more so than now), quiet gal who had a hard time making eye contact and being able to assert myself in a number of different ways. I now see myself in Ricardo.

There is a certain beauty that exists that is hard for me to explain. Hard to put words to. And some people are certainly concerned about the "realness" perhaps the "rawness" of Maya Tulum. For me personally, it's those things that make me want to continue to going back. And back. And back again.

As one of our yoginis (now uber fan of Maya Tulum) says,
"What I really want other people who are considering the trip to understand is that all of the things that Maya Tulum warns about on their website: the wildlife in your room, the lack of air conditioning, the lack of TVs and radios and all of the "conveniences" of the modern age, not having a hair dryer -- none of those things matter when you step onto the resort grounds. Those were things I was concerned about: can I live without my hair dryer?? Can I really survive without air conditioning?! And ohmygod, wildlife in my room???? And I didn't think about any of those things once I was actually there. None of my concerns were valid. The rooms were pleasantly cool; I loved the fact that I fell and asleep and woke up to the gentle caress of of the sea breeze and the sound of the Caribbean crashing into shore just yards from my windows."

**Thanks to Lisa Miller for so beautifully taking a picture above that truly represents Maya Tulums tag line.....Paradise at the edge of the sea. **

maya tulum....it keeps getting better

Since returning from Mexico quite a few people have asked me how this trip compared to past ones. I can say with all honesty, it simply keeps getting better.

First of all, I had a sweet surprise on the day the participants arrived. Ten was my magic number for this year. I went to Tulum thinking I had nine gals attending but learned the day the retreat started I had a tenth. Mary Jo, a delightful yogini from Chicago also joined us. So I was quite pleased to have exactly the number I was hoping for.

So how does the retreat get better? As far as the participants (or this is what I heard) this is what I'd say. The combination of yoga classes combined with the bodywork makes for a pretty fabulous, healing week in many ways. The yoga classes in Tulum are extra special for a few different reasons.

First off the space is amazing. Imagine our current space with thatched roof/ceiling, windows that look out to the sea on one side and the jungle on the other. There are three different light sources. We always have candles on hand AND they always provide a vase full of fresh cut flowers from the property. Between the ceiling fans and the ocean breeze it's just perfect.

Secondly we have so much more time to delve more deeply into the full spectrum of yoga. We meet for two hours in the morning (finished by 9:30 am so they still get a full beach/spa day in) and two hours before dinner. There is always a theme for the week (this year it was the idea of filling ourselves with something yummy each day...strength, compassion, acceptance, discipline, joy, gratitude). The theme is woven into the asana practice as well as yoga philosophy. The morning sessions are more vigorous and the evening sessions are more chill. It's a great balance.

The spa is simply outta this world. Words don't do the therapists nor the setting justice. As one of the gals recently said to me in an email, "I felt that the massage therapists were healers in their own specialities. I've never encountered so many experts in one short time frame--- they each seemed to care that clients on the table received what they were there for. Also, they made themselves available at unscheduled times!"

As many of you have probably heard we have a certain favorite therapist/healer/shaman by the name of Fabian. Imagine our surprise when we arrived at Maya Tulum and saw that he wasn't scheduled to be there while we were. The folks at Maya Tulum will do most anything to make you happy while there. So they arranged for Fabian to come in and just work with our group. All I had to do was pick the days and times we wanted to see him. They made it that easy. And he even led temalzcal (sweat lodge) for us. We. Heart. Fabian. And Adrian. And Chandree. And Elodia. And Gina. And Sergio.

I heard so many great things about so many other therapists that I haven't worked with. I'm not sure where they find such powerful people, but they do. And I am all the happier for them doing so.

This year I added a special treat for our closing night. I arranged for us to do singing/chanting with another local Shaman by the name of Pedro. When I was in Tulum in January with my brother and sister, Pedro led the sweat lodge and we did a lot of singing. He has the voice of an angel. I knew I wanted him to share with the group. So on our last night, they set our yoga hall up so beautifully with a big circle, lots of candles and extra special touches. For nearly an hour and a half we sang amongst the group, with Pedro and several other local ladies all dressed in white. It was beautiful. And powerful. And inspiring. We'll definitely do this again next year.

Other goodies.....On this trip you can be with the group as much as you'd like or you can have your own private time. It's very easy to do and I feel like everyone easily finds a balance between the two.

"I looked forward to meal times together, and to beach business with girlfriends." Beach business...I love that! And as far as alone time, it's so easy. You can rest in your cabana, find a quiet nook on the property, take a walk on the beach, walk to the shops just up the road, or read a book at the restaurant. And every ones fave alone time....getting a treatment.

The food was even better this year than last. I didn't think that was possible. Louisa is the new night chef and her food was ahhhhh. Heavenly. And she's so kind and humble. Every night she stands out by the buffet greeting our group and telling us all about the yummy food for the evening. She has a kind way and I swear her eyes twinkle.

I love going to Maya Tulum in the summer. And I say this even after being there in January. To me I really didn't notice that much of a difference with the temperature. And no I'm not lying. All the gals can vouch for me when I say, "It's really not that hot." Sarah was quite amazed really at how comfortable it was. The ocean breeze is so much more than what one would think.

But the two main reasons I love going in the summer:
1. It's so very quiet. Really, it's like you have your very own private beach, private resort, and private restaurant. It's fabulous.
2. It's cheaper. The airfare, the cost of the retreat. Pretty much everything.
Bonus #3. The timing is perfect for me. By the time the retreat rolls around, I've just finished teacher training and summer time is much more slow for me.

And mostly the retreat rocked this year because of the group. Aren't they so cute? Loved that we had two mother/daughter duos. Some recent graduates from teacher training, some friends, some newbies for me and it all worked out splendidly. I feel strongly that each one of us needed to be together at that specific time at that specific place with those specific people. In order to grow, to share, to teach, to learn, to heal and be healed.

Thanks to all you gals that attended. I feel blessed to have shared such a week with each of you.

stop and hear the music

Reading that I shared this morning. Thanks for passing it along to me Lisa. Enjoy!

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the best music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made...
How many other things are we missing?

*I've had lots of people asking about our amazing journey to Maya Tulum. Beginning tomorrow I'm going to post each day about our trip. I hope you enjoy. :)

makes me happy

*How the top of the mountain was lit by the setting sun last night.
*The remains of a golden glow from Tulum....inner and outer.
*Getting back on schedule with work.
*Seeing people I haven't seen in a while at the studio.
*My mom and niece away on an adventure together.
*My brother-in-law.
*Seeing the movie "The Hangover" for the second time with my brother and sister. And laughing hysterically. Again.
*Planning for the rest of the year.
*Working out with Andy.
*The new website.....still.
*The thought of seeing my friends.
*A girls trip to Chicago this fall with Liz.
*My sister's strength.
*Meetings with people about the upcoming yoga teacher training. Dates coming this week.
*A new nephew that will be welcomed into the world next month.
One of my BFF's new website.
*The compassion of so many people I know and love.
*Walks with the doggies.
*Morning beach walks have gone back to morning cemetery walks. Both beautiful in there own ways. Could there be any greener place than in KY? And I still have birds singing to me on my walk. What more can a gal ask for?

Have a happy happy day!!

maya tulum magic

My time in Tulum was cut a tiny bit short. I am such a blessed gal to have the time(s) there that I have. Here is a teeny tiny conversation I had with Pauline, the originator/owner of Maya Tulum (who happens to be from Lexington and went to UK)......

Me, "You have something very special here at Maya Tulum."
She, "The people that need to find us do."

Eleven of us found them and I'm quite certain our lives are either a little or a lot changed after being there.

I'm glad to be home and looking forward to teaching at my fave place....Barefoot Works.

yoga for a good cause

Please share the word:

Community Yoga at Barefoot Works
Third Tuesday of each month
July 19, 4:00 - 5:00

Free/Donations Welcome that benefit Florence Critteton Home.

More silliness from myself and 2009 yoga teacher trainees. I promise we did work. ;)

a brand new look!!

I'm so very excited to have the new website finished AND a beautiful blog to match! I got home late last night after teaching and the drumming workshop (which both were outta this world cool, watched the mini version of Michael's memorial, went upstairs to check email and checked to see if the new website was up yet. When I saw it I nearly did a flip!

After a couple days of calling Blue Host and Go Daddy, and what felt like a trillion emails to my old graphic designer the new site up sitting pretty in the world of web. It's been a process as I hadn't planned a whole new website but I am beyond thrilled with the end result.

Retta has been amazing throughout this process. We've met at Panera by the studio, Panera close to my home, chatted before and after classes, she came and took photos, and we've exchanged more than a trillion emails. If you ever need a website I so highly recommend her. As you can see she's quite talented. And the time and effort she takes to really get it just the way you want it is simply astounding.

This yoga retreat page is my most fave. It's one of my fave Tulum pics and one of my fave quotes. I recall asking Retta quite tentatively, "Any way you can make this into a postcard and include this amazing quote?" I think I had actually grown a little fearful of making requests with my previous folks (hence the change). She excitedly says, "Ooooh that would be cool! Let me work on it." And she did. And it's perfect. I love it. And Retta. She's truly a website goddess. Gush. Gush.

I really feel like this website represents myself, the studio, and our yoga community a little better. I was forced to sit down and think again about what we're trying to do here and who we're trying to attract to Barefoot Works. Writing the intro for the flash slideshow was fun. I debated on several things here. Quotes, long passages, or a blurb by me. Went with the blurb and still got to use the quotes that you find sprinkled about the website and the passage here. I love the colors. Love that we actually have pics from the studio, pretty pics of the teachers. We have a couple new pages, one for a yoga therapy program, private sessions, and one for studio rental (we're hosting our first yoga/book club event in August!).

We have a handy FAQ page along with the handy "guide to yoga at Barefoot Works youtube video. You can find us on facebook, twitter, and youtube from the homepage. AND my second favorite page is the Love Letters page. You have to see it from the homepage, scroll on down. That was another request for Miss Website Goddess...."Can we use this quote from Addie and make some sorta fun image to link from?" And it's so very perfect! Love the Love Letters.

OK I'll quit with the new yoga website excitement. Cause I still got Tulum to be excited about! Yay! Leaving on a jet plane early in the morning. Don't know when I'll be back again. Kidding. I'll be back in two weeks. On the 23rd.

If I didn't see you last night (with the packed out yoga/drumming class) I didn't get to say "bye" and give you a hug. So I'm sending one out via long distance. From me to You. And You. And You. I'll miss you (honestly), but looking so forward to being in my favorite place of all. Appears that "favorite" is the word of the day. :)

Be happy. I'll catch ya in a couple of weeks.
xo,
sharon

PS - I'll probably blog a few times from Tulum, so check in!

PSS - If you have any trouble viewing the new website or blog please let me know.

the sweetest things

beach books?

OMG, a whole week has passed! Crazy.....Lots of stuff going on these days and sadly I just haven't had time to hang out with Miss Blog.

But the very important question is....If you could take only one book to the beach, what one book would that be?

I'll have some extra time in Mexico this year and I'm hoping to get a good amount of reading in. I would LOVE to hear some of your faves!!

Have a sweet day. Don't forget that class is tomorrow at 6:15 and set to drumming. So cool! Come on out, even if you don't usually attend class on Tuesday evenings. I'm hoping to see a lot of you yogis! And following class is a workshop from 7:30-9:30!