"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." - Groucho Marx
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Just Stretching?!?!
I hear a lot of people try to say that yoga is "just stretching". Those people annoy me and those people have obviously not done much yoga. I am always insulted by this misguided dismissive claim.
When I was young I was always involved in sports (though I was awful). Eventually in high school we got into weight training. I hated weight training because I was terrible at it. I have a natural tendency towards weak little stick bug arms. In school I got made fun of because I couldn't even bench press the empty bar. It was embarrassing and I got no joy out of being unable to do anything. Everyone knew I was small and weak.
Nowadays, I am freakishly strong for such a small girl. Whenever people doubt me, or I start to doubt myself - I just remind myself that I can do arm balances and inversions that many people can't do. Things that take strength, focus, flexibility, dedication, and serious practice. I can do some awesome things with my body that people don't suspect, and it's all because of yoga. (Oh if my former schoolmates saw me now.) Most women come to their early classes unprepared for the upper body work that yoga requires. Initially their shoulders, arms, and chest get tired shaky and sore really fast. I was the same way at first. Downward facing dog was my nemesis pose for years because my upper body was so weak. Now it's pretty much a resting pose.
To make a grand generalization - women usually lack strength and men usually lack flexibility. Yoga will provide balance. Your practice will meet you wherever you are and give you whatever you need. Don't shy away from it.
When I was young I was always involved in sports (though I was awful). Eventually in high school we got into weight training. I hated weight training because I was terrible at it. I have a natural tendency towards weak little stick bug arms. In school I got made fun of because I couldn't even bench press the empty bar. It was embarrassing and I got no joy out of being unable to do anything. Everyone knew I was small and weak.
Nowadays, I am freakishly strong for such a small girl. Whenever people doubt me, or I start to doubt myself - I just remind myself that I can do arm balances and inversions that many people can't do. Things that take strength, focus, flexibility, dedication, and serious practice. I can do some awesome things with my body that people don't suspect, and it's all because of yoga. (Oh if my former schoolmates saw me now.) Most women come to their early classes unprepared for the upper body work that yoga requires. Initially their shoulders, arms, and chest get tired shaky and sore really fast. I was the same way at first. Downward facing dog was my nemesis pose for years because my upper body was so weak. Now it's pretty much a resting pose.
To make a grand generalization - women usually lack strength and men usually lack flexibility. Yoga will provide balance. Your practice will meet you wherever you are and give you whatever you need. Don't shy away from it.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Puppies, Eye Drops & Workshops, Oh My!
It's been an odd kind of week. Came home from Portland to have a tough time getting everything back to normal (haven't done a bit of yoga yet) - not to mention the giant pile of laundry that comes from workshopping for 3 days and partying for 3 nights. Over the weekend the dog got some clouding in his left eye. He's almost 9 years old, so we worried it might be cataracts. The only treatment for that is surgery, so that would be bad bad news. Today we finally got him in to see the vet (where they took notice that he'd lost 2 lbs - YAY!!). The vet says it looks like he may have a scratch on his cornea so we're giving him medicinal eye drops every 6 hours around the clock for the next week. Hopefully it'll heal up... if it doesn't we'll be doing some traveling to see a doggy opthalmologist. Sounds expensive. Right now I'm just lucky he allows me to give him eye drops.
I have been planning a trip to Boise, ID for a Noah Maze Anusara Workshop in March, but if Devereux requires a trip to the specialist I'm pretty sure that'll be cancelled. We'll see how it all goes. As long as my dog can see I'll be happy. In the meantime, the husband came down with something too - so I'm in full time doctor mode here at home. Hope everyone else's week is going fabulously and you're all super duper healthy.
Photos: (Top) Devvy at about 2 months old.
(Right) Devvy at about 6 years old.
I have been planning a trip to Boise, ID for a Noah Maze Anusara Workshop in March, but if Devereux requires a trip to the specialist I'm pretty sure that'll be cancelled. We'll see how it all goes. As long as my dog can see I'll be happy. In the meantime, the husband came down with something too - so I'm in full time doctor mode here at home. Hope everyone else's week is going fabulously and you're all super duper healthy.
Photos: (Top) Devvy at about 2 months old.
(Right) Devvy at about 6 years old.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Celebrate Local Teachers
"I believe that we can once again celebrate local yoga teachers for the great work they do each day to help their communities get healthier and more vibrant through yoga. I mean let’s face it, not too many other jobs require you to be newly inspired on a daily basis in quite the same way. Not too many jobs can make an impact on people’s every day lives. It is the local teachers who are the glue that keeps the community thriving. It is the local teachers who spark the fire consistently in yogis of all levels to live more meaningful lives." - Amy Ippoliti
Quote via Amy's Elephant Journal article Public Yoga, Local Teachers: Reviving the Lost Art Form of the Public Class.
Quote via Amy's Elephant Journal article Public Yoga, Local Teachers: Reviving the Lost Art Form of the Public Class.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Rocking Bhakti Weekend
This weekend I attended a five piece workshop with Sianna Sherman on her Rock the Bhakti Tour. She is known for being a great storyteller and I have to agree that I'm always kind of blown away by her stories and the skill with which she translates that into a practice. We have friends in Portland, OR (where the workshop was held) so we stayed with them. I did just shy of 6 hours of yoga a day and partied into the wee hours of the night. It was a lot of fun. I'm still recovering from it, hence the late post today.
The overall experience was great - as I generally expect from world-class yoga and friends. I can definitely say, though, that I'm not going to be moving to Portland if I can help it. The yogis there were not as nice or welcoming as the people I've met anywhere else. The whole atmosphere was snippy and disrespectful to say the least. They didn't seem to value Sianna's presence or authority very much. People were rude towards me, towards my husband... eventually I was trying to spend as little time around them as possible. Not the yoga community feel I'm used to.
The classes were definitely sweat-inducing and challenging. With all the sweating - the practice room was like a sauna. The air was humid and filled with sweat. The floors and walls were wet - people were leaking transformation everywhere. On my final day I got a photo with Sianna after class. Between the windows above and the moisture hanging thick in the air - none of them came out very well. After a few tries we decided it was just meant to have an aura to it. We hugged and she thanked me for coming... and I got the hell outta there before someone else could ruin my good day.
The overall experience was great - as I generally expect from world-class yoga and friends. I can definitely say, though, that I'm not going to be moving to Portland if I can help it. The yogis there were not as nice or welcoming as the people I've met anywhere else. The whole atmosphere was snippy and disrespectful to say the least. They didn't seem to value Sianna's presence or authority very much. People were rude towards me, towards my husband... eventually I was trying to spend as little time around them as possible. Not the yoga community feel I'm used to.
The classes were definitely sweat-inducing and challenging. With all the sweating - the practice room was like a sauna. The air was humid and filled with sweat. The floors and walls were wet - people were leaking transformation everywhere. On my final day I got a photo with Sianna after class. Between the windows above and the moisture hanging thick in the air - none of them came out very well. After a few tries we decided it was just meant to have an aura to it. We hugged and she thanked me for coming... and I got the hell outta there before someone else could ruin my good day.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
This is Not a Real Post
Today I am at the Sianna Sherman workshop I spoke about before. I will return on Monday; hopefully with lots of pictures and at least one fun story. No Guarantees.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Love Yourself
Whether you do yoga or not you use your body every day. Even if you're a paraplegic - your body is working to support you all the time. Our bodies do so much for us nonstop. Our feet support us, our hips tolerate the torture of chairs, our stomachs turn food into usable bits, and our hearts work nonstop since shortly after conception. That is amazing. When is the last time you showed your body some appreciation?
We ask so much of our bodies - take some time today to give something back. Especially if you've been taking out some particularly harsh self-thoughts on it. Maybe indulge in something tasty, get a massage, take a long bath, go barefoot, do a restorative practice, take a nap, or just give yourself a hug.
You deserve it.
We ask so much of our bodies - take some time today to give something back. Especially if you've been taking out some particularly harsh self-thoughts on it. Maybe indulge in something tasty, get a massage, take a long bath, go barefoot, do a restorative practice, take a nap, or just give yourself a hug.
You deserve it.
Back Tattoos
Back tattoos can be deeply personal, meaningful and symbolic. There are no end of beautiful tattoo designs and if you choose carefully over a period of time, you can make sure you have a very cool piece of body art you can be proud of for a long time to come. Back tattoos have become popular for a number of reasons. The main reason is that the back is considered to be a very sensual spot. Tattoos on the back look sexy, and make women feel sexy too.
Something needs to change when it comes to how you find collections of back tattoos. Without this change, you will most likely, clicking randomly through an untold amount of bad, generic artwork. Something so simple can help you grab a hold of the sites that have 20 times better back tattoos for men and much higher quality art.
All you have to do is jump in and leisurely browse some of them. Doing this will provide you with all the info you need, because the topics are filled with artwork lovers, talking about the awesome galleries they have found over the years. You now have a fresh approach to finding back tattoos, no matter which style you prefer. It’s time to leave generic junk alone.
You will never let on that she has a tattoo on her back. It is a secret that she keeps, or that only her lover knows. This can heighten the effect of the tattoo for the woman. It is something that the world doesn’t know is there. Her lover may appreciate knowing that he is the only one who knows that it is there. Yes, back tattoos for women can have seductive powers too.
Something needs to change when it comes to how you find collections of back tattoos. Without this change, you will most likely, clicking randomly through an untold amount of bad, generic artwork. Something so simple can help you grab a hold of the sites that have 20 times better back tattoos for men and much higher quality art.
All you have to do is jump in and leisurely browse some of them. Doing this will provide you with all the info you need, because the topics are filled with artwork lovers, talking about the awesome galleries they have found over the years. You now have a fresh approach to finding back tattoos, no matter which style you prefer. It’s time to leave generic junk alone.
You will never let on that she has a tattoo on her back. It is a secret that she keeps, or that only her lover knows. This can heighten the effect of the tattoo for the woman. It is something that the world doesn’t know is there. Her lover may appreciate knowing that he is the only one who knows that it is there. Yes, back tattoos for women can have seductive powers too.
Airbrush Tattoos As Marketing Tool
Marketing managers across America are constantly looking to find the next greatest giveaway for tradeshows and corporate events. Airbrush tattoos are the marketing phenomenon many marketers have been waiting for.
At the most recent US Open of Surfing, hundreds of tattooed teenagers were running around imprinted with the "Honda" logo. What an innovative and creative method for promoting your brand. Not only were these temporary tattoos not something picked up one minute and thrown away the next, people were lining up to see what the commotion was all about.
At a recent software tradeshow at Moscone Center in San Francisco, one innovative company, CedarCrestone of Georgia, utilized a local temporary tattoo company to put their company logo on guests who would be attending the companies private party later in the evening. The tattooed logo was the "Private Invitation" to let guests in the door.
The tattoo company works directly with other large corporations such as Google, Yahoo, CNET, Tellme, Maly's, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Fireman's Fund Insurance, IKEA, GenArt and Sprint. Although temporary tattoos have been around for decades, their mainstream use in film and advertising have contributed to their popularity.
Airbrush Tattoos
If you are wracking your brain trying to come up with new ways to provide excitement at your child's birthday party or corporate event, consider hiring an airbrush artist to come in and give your guests tattoos. The kids will have a blast sporting their new 'ink' and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that it is not permanent. The added bonus is the parents can live a little and get that special tattoo they have always wanted.
Airbrush Tattoos
The drawback to temporary tattoos, besides its lack of permanency, is that they are often hard to find. Tattoo parlors usually do not offer these less expensive features. Searching the web is the best method for finding an airbrush company.
Whether you are looking to take your next promotional event to the next level or bridging the gap in entertainment, airbrush tattoos are safe, temporary, painless and fun for the whole family.
Aries Tattoo Designs
If that you're browsing distinct aries tattoo designs and thinking about receiving a single carried out, you're off to a amazing begin. Zodiac tattoos are a ideal method to express your exclusive personality and inner globe. The Ram may be the pioneer of your zodiac-ambitious, adventurous, enthusiastic. Born leader and lover of freedom, the Ram has inexhaustible really like for existence.For those who identify your self with these qualities, then the symbol of this Ram is appropriate for you personally.
The common aries tattoo designs is really a straightforward Y glyph with arms arching outward or significantly more complex representation on the Ram. The simplicity with the Y glyph allows it being incorporated into other styles.
What do ypu consider the color of aries tattoo designs. Yes, you are best, Red will be the colour of passion, really like and energy. It's also the color linked using the sign Aries. Acquiring an aries tattoo designs with red ink(or at least some parts of it) can bring way more life on the tattoo. And a lot more symbolism as well.
You can find quite a few ways to produce your aries tattoo designs special piece of artwork. On the other hand, make certain you think about different styles, prior to you pick the a single that genuinely works for you. In terms of tattoos, rash decision can turn into lifelong regrets.
The common aries tattoo designs is really a straightforward Y glyph with arms arching outward or significantly more complex representation on the Ram. The simplicity with the Y glyph allows it being incorporated into other styles.
What do ypu consider the color of aries tattoo designs. Yes, you are best, Red will be the colour of passion, really like and energy. It's also the color linked using the sign Aries. Acquiring an aries tattoo designs with red ink(or at least some parts of it) can bring way more life on the tattoo. And a lot more symbolism as well.
You can find quite a few ways to produce your aries tattoo designs special piece of artwork. On the other hand, make certain you think about different styles, prior to you pick the a single that genuinely works for you. In terms of tattoos, rash decision can turn into lifelong regrets.
Laser Tattoo Removal
As the technologies creating, all it is possible to do consist of for those who want to remove tattoos on your entire body. Essentially the most effective common known method is Laser Tattoo Removal. Through this method, you are going to be capable to have rid from any style with smallest possible to leave scars.
Lots of people believe that Laser Tattoo Removal may be the most dependable approach rather than a large number of other conventional strategies. The conventional methods of tattoo removal are dermabrasion or salabrasion, and excision that use the abrasive of salt. In the event you choose to abide by standard cure on getting rid of any design, you may locate such moist gauze pads saturated that is going to be capable to graze at the area. Diverse with traditional remedies, the Laser Tattoo Removal possess a special ability to remedy the pigment of tattoo via selection.
Many people discover Laser Tattoo Removal remedy gives the very best results on removing the ink on particular colors than other colours. Especially the black and blue that individuals colours can be cleared correctly through the therapy. However, the others' color responds to this method still on an investigation process. When you are proceeding to obtain rid from any photos in your body, you have to consult it while using physician, as there can be a particular case on each and every individual.
Laser Tattoo Removal may be the trusted solution to help you get rid of all the images, there are nevertheless any side effects you've to understand before carry out the cure. As a result of the process, you get the threat of infection since the ink is placed about the dermis layer. The total pigment elimination also could be happening in the course of the process. There's also some possibility that you can expect to get a scar that will exist in whole of our life.
Lots of people believe that Laser Tattoo Removal may be the most dependable approach rather than a large number of other conventional strategies. The conventional methods of tattoo removal are dermabrasion or salabrasion, and excision that use the abrasive of salt. In the event you choose to abide by standard cure on getting rid of any design, you may locate such moist gauze pads saturated that is going to be capable to graze at the area. Diverse with traditional remedies, the Laser Tattoo Removal possess a special ability to remedy the pigment of tattoo via selection.
Many people discover Laser Tattoo Removal remedy gives the very best results on removing the ink on particular colors than other colours. Especially the black and blue that individuals colours can be cleared correctly through the therapy. However, the others' color responds to this method still on an investigation process. When you are proceeding to obtain rid from any photos in your body, you have to consult it while using physician, as there can be a particular case on each and every individual.
Laser Tattoo Removal may be the trusted solution to help you get rid of all the images, there are nevertheless any side effects you've to understand before carry out the cure. As a result of the process, you get the threat of infection since the ink is placed about the dermis layer. The total pigment elimination also could be happening in the course of the process. There's also some possibility that you can expect to get a scar that will exist in whole of our life.
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