zoom & boom

Here's what I say:
We will ignore the cult of doom and gloom
and embrace the cause of zoom and boom.

We will laugh at the stupidity of evil and hate,
and summon the brilliance of praise and create...

Life is crazily in love with us - wildly and innocently in love with us.

The universe always gives us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it."
~Rob Breszny

i go out walking

In an attempt to see the beauty in the ordinary everyday, I decided to record my walk from my house to the coffee shop (my monday morning ritual).



And the sky is BLUE today! Since it's been such a long time with gray skies, it looks even more beautiful and magical.


This is the cemetary that I always walk in. On a good Monday, I get three walks in here. Once with the dogs, once with Andy and the dogs, and once with me and the ipod.

This house sits at the end of our street (or beginning, depending on which direction you're going). It's the oldest house on our street and for most of my four years of living in Nicholasville it's been neglected and abandoned. It's now being shaped, tidied, and prettied up and being rented as office space. Each week I look in the windows to see any new develpments.
The brick is old and beautiful. I think it speaks to you.
And our courthouse sits on a wee hill and looks all grand (and a little leaning here, eh?)
A nice little wine bar.
And pretty buildings. With more blue sky.
And a great little wine shop (I'm seeing a trend).
And horse-ey parking meters. Of course, you're in KY.
And that's "my" window seat at the cofee shop.
Since it's taken I happily take a spot under these beautiful horses where I sip a chai tea latte and laugh out loud reading the Lifestyly Refugee blog, "Honey what the hell are we doing in Mexico." It's just what I need.


Have a happy happy Monday. :)

heart full

Yesterday I taught the gals at Florence Crittenton Home. Or perhaps I should say that they taught me. When I arrived yesterday the babysitter have left for the day. So it was me, some super cute (and tired) teenage gals, and five of the cutest babies I've seen in a while.

The gals impressed me when they stated, "we still want to do yoga and work on some breathing and relaxation." I can now see that even with the supper cute kiddos around they NEEDED this time.

The babies were on there best behaviors at that time so I just suggested that we let them sit in their little bouncy chairs over to the side where we could keep a close eye on them.

We then explored breathing. I let them breathe naturally and study their breath. We then had a conversation about the most effective and efficient was of breathing. We talked about how they could use their breathing in stressful times and how it can help remind them to stay in the present moment.

We sat on the floor, close to one another, legs outstretched and did a few super simple seated poses. I was reminded of how little it was about the stretch and the poses, what they looked like. What they could and couldn't do.

It was so much more about connecting and hoping that in those 45 minuted together I could somehow help them to connect to their beauty, their joy, their gifts, their courage.

I realized that really what I always want to remind and teach myself, students at the studio and pretty much everyone I share is essentially self love. As crazy (and corny) as that might sound. When we let go of the doubts, fears, judgements, and so on we are moving to a place of love. And if self love fills like really big shoes to fill, perhaps we can at least like ourselves for what and who we are today.

So as I drove away from Florence Crittenton Home my heart felt so big and FULL I thought it might explode. My hope is to move forward into my weekend of teaching in Hazard with this heart full ness. Cause I gotta tell ya....it feels pretty damn good. ;)

on getting quiet & letting go

Hi there, it's me....peeking in and saying hi here on blogland. When the people go MIA on the blogs that I read I wonder what's going on....are they ok? Perhaps they are traveling? Maybe they're sad or mad? Funny how I do that. Wondering where they are and wishing they were providing me with some entertaining reading. :)

I'm doing really good and have been spending time lots of time working (Hazard training,retreat planning) learning (hello spanish & yoga therapy), and playing (mid day movies, mondo beyondo and general dreaming).

It seems that I go in spurts here on the blog. Sometimes I'm feeling all open and chatty wanting to share everything that's on my mind and in my heart at that particular moment. Other moments I prefer to be quiet. To be like the turtle choosing to close up in its shell. To not share and not put myself out there so openly. I've been spending a lot more time writing in my journal which has been so nice.

Someone did ask me in an email this morning about the mondo beyondo course that I've been taking. We're now in the fifth and final week. The e-course has been so much fun. And good.

I've followed Andrea and Jen's blogs for a long time so I really just wanted to be a part of anything they were doing! It's really helped me to get clear about what I really wish and hope for in my future. It's been an interesting process.

I've come to understand that there is a reason (even if we can't understand or don't know) that we have our particular dreams. And I believe that we already have everything we need (not necessarily talking about money) in order to fulfill and live our dreams. We just have to peel back the layers of negativity, self doubt, fear, anger, etc. and then we see what and who we really are. And just how much we are really capable of.

So I've made a big long list of new dreams. I had thought that I would share here. But again, I'm feeling more quiet so I've opted to only read them out loud to one other person, Andy. He didn't laugh out loud (just a snicker), or yell at me.

For a while I felt like I was trying to control the unwinding and the happening of some dreams. Something I have a tendency to do sometimes. It's certainly more of a challenge for me to loosen the grip, do some work and let the universe do it's fair share too. I think I have...to...do...it....all. And I also found the more I controlled, the less fun the process was.

So I gave my dreams one final read over the other night then I stuffed them underneath my mattress. I've let go a lil bit more and every night I feel comforted knowing that I sleep atop my wishes and the things, people, places, and opportunities my heart desires. This certainly puts a smile on my face as I drift off into a deep slumber.

Getting quiet. Letting go. One more time.

yoga therapy

This weekends yoga therapy training with Ginger (and David) was really quite amazing. Ginger is an amazing teacher with a great skill in blending the west and the east. In holding true to philosophy of yoga but also honorig the research that's been done in the west and teaching from that perspective. She is strong in her beliefs and passionate about her program and yoga. I had the good fortune to do the Level 2 training last Fall and this weekends was Level 1 (yeah I flipped them around).

It was so nice to be on the receiving end of the yoga training. To get to be fully present as a student. To ask questions. To explore the poses differently. To think differently. To meet people from across the US and share in yoga. AND I got to learn alongside a few student at Barefoot Works and that was really cool!

Ginger's approach to asana is intriging, exciting and refreshing to approach all the poses from a therapeutic standpoint. My intention for doing these trainings is to be the best, most well rounded yoga teacher that I can be. To share yoga in a way that is safe and celebrated. To have this information to share in our yoga teacher training, and to work with private clients. I also feel somewhere in my mind, and my heart that these yoga therapy trainings may someday be used in my home of Appalachia. I see such value here.

During my home yoga practice today I explored some things that we worked on this weekend. My plan is to practice in this way and see what will work for me and my body. Then to share in my yoga classes. I have a few plans for doing so. So come on out for class and let me share with you!

classes this weekend

A reminder that we will not have the Friday noon class tomorrow (Sept 18) and weather permitting, Saturday and Sunday morning classes will be held outside. I'll be spending the weekend up in the yoga tree house learning all sorts of yoga therapy goodness. :)

Hope you have an ahhhmazing weekend friends!

enjoying the moment

“Traveler, there is no path. Paths are made by walking.” ~Antonio Machado

It's been a few days since I've visited the blog. I've been out of town teaching a lot, and the act of teaching a lot has led me to spending lots of time outside over the past few days, connecting with people I need to connect with, and unplugging from the computer (with the exception of the online Mondo Beyondo tribe which is so much fun).

On Thursday I left after my morning class to go home (to Perry County) to lead a fall yoga teacher training that is held in Hazard at the college. I got to spend time with my family. Outside of work, I had the pleasure of a date with my mom to the Appalachian Artisan Center & an Amish bulk food store and a date with my 14 year old niece. This included a trip to Wal-Mart and dinner (there wasn't much going on). When did she become a teenager?!

I taught yoga for 23 hours over the course of 2.5 days. It was intense in many ways but so gratifying and exhilarating in others. On my drive home I listened to an Alanis Moriseete song (thanks Brian for including this on your yoga mix and sharing with me). One sentence completely grabbed ahold of me and nearly shook me at the shoulders...

"How about enjoying the moment for once." Ahh thank you Alanis for this. It was just what I needed to snap out of the fretting over the details and the little worries about the group dynamic, the location, and of course me and my abilities.

Ultimately this sentence in this one song reminded to let go of the worries, the fear, the insecurity and rest in a place of knowing, believing, and enjoying. The moment.

I reminded myself that I was fulfilling one of my mondo beyondo dreams. I was doing something that was HUGE and that literally meant so very much to me. Going back home and sharing yoga with this community is beyond words for me. The town in which I grew up (Vicco) now has a population of about 250 people and the annual median income is $13,000. Statistics show that people (my family) in Appalachia do not fare well. They have much stacked against them. There is little health education and tiny emphasis on preventative care. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

This community needs yoga. And I'm lucky enough to play an active part in sharing the teaching of yoga. Yes, finally allowing myself to enjoy the moment for once. And it feels good. Thinking I'll do it a bit more often. :)

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.