Happy holidays! And, apparently I don’t blog enough.

K and I were having dinner the other night with some dear friends that we haven’t seen in almost a year, and the topic went from, ‘How have you guys been? What’s new?’ to… ‘You need to blog more! Do you know how long it’s been?? Much too long!’ Haha! Sorry, Hannah, had to throw you under the bus for that one.
But seriously, sometimes life is just WAY more exciting than the internet, and I just can’t seem to sit down long enough to pour out an entry. However- I am going to make this my New Years Resolution. I resolve to blog more. Because, in all honesty, I really love to do it. But sometimes I don’t even visit my own blog for weeks on end. And then I have beautiful comments from awesome readers and I feel like poop because I haven’t responded fast enough. And then the guilt sets in about abandoning the blog for so long and that makes me really want to stay away, because how many times can I say sorry for not blogging. Or is it Sorry for Party Rocking? But alas, here we are again. And yet again… Sorry for not blogging. Moving on…

We are enjoying this holiday season SO much! No stress, no rushing around, no angry shoppers fighting for parking spaces or the last DVD set of Sons of Anarchy Season 2. Ah… just bliss with my love being home, our sweet little Christmas tree, and lots of yummy vegetarian dinners at home. See, this year we decided to not buy presents for anyone, not even each other. No consumerism = no holiday stress. We did allow each other presents ONLY if they were hand-made by us. So instead of Christmas morning being the pinnacle of the holiday because thats when the presents are opened, we are enjoying every single moment just being together. And the days up to Christmas seem to last longer. They are being savored rather than having the feeling of rushing around to buy things for everyone. It is so nice. We are so relaxed and happy to just watch the chaos fly around us while we just look at each other and smile. I recommend this to everyone.

Until today. I did something completely out of my comfort zone, and far from my usual routine. I went to the mall today. Yes, December 26th, the Day After Christmas…! One of the cra-zaaziest shopping days of the year. WHY? I need a new coat for Alaska. And I figured I could sneak in under the radar and hit up the one store that was sure to have my perfect coat in stock for Uber-cheap, my color and size of course. And then I would whisk myself up to the register, pay and be out and on my way home in 30 minutes or less. Because I AM that confident and a total positive-thinker, and I only want one little thing, right?

{How I imagined my shopping experience was going to be...}

{What I actually saw when I got there}

Of course I asked K if he wanted to join me and get some new gloves. HA! He looked at me like I was looney and said no thank you love, but good luck. In fact, he actually suggested I bring my badass knife he got me for Christmas (Yup, of COURSE he broke the rules and gave me gifts). Anyway, I drive to the mall, happy as can be, calling upon the Parking Fairies to grant me rockstar parking right in front of the one store I knew would have my coat. Well, that didn’t quite happen. But I did get to see two older ladies scream at each other from their cars, fighting over a parking spot, obvs. That’s okay, I’m still cheerful and optimistic.
I can now see my store, but crap, with all the parking traffic, I am barely inching my way through the lot. I decide to park further away and walk. It’s a beautiful day out and I could use the walk after all the coconut milk egg nog I drank. SO I pull down an aisle and voila! A parking space appeared right in front of me! Thank you parking fairies! I get out of my car and start the pretty far walk to the store. I cut between cars and move to another aisle, then another. A car pulls up in front of me and a guy leans out of his car to yell at me for taking him on a goose chase. What the..? Apparently, he had been following me from aisle to aisle thinking that I was looking for my car to leave. Oops, I had no idea. Whatevs, dude. Two altercations in under 5 minutes but I am STILL having a good time. I just wave and carry on.
I finally get to my store and a whoosh of reality washed over me as I walked in. There were SO many people with angry, maniacal, and pissed off looks on their faces that I had to pause and find my courage to go on. Crying kids, yelling moms, people flinging through the racks with reckless abandon, throwing coats that didn’t fit them on the floor, others grabbing 5 at a time, not even looking at sizes, just so they could go take them to a corner to try on without having to shank someone for it. It was complete madness.
I took a deep breath…
And I walked over to the nearest rack that (miraculously) had only one person digging through. I found a couple nice ones, but my eyes were glazing over, my palms were getting sweaty, and my bottom lip was getting ready to pucker. Yes, my friends, I was thisclose to losing it. I wanted to either A. run for the door while screaming: “You’re all a bunch of f#*@ing lunatics!” or B. give up and sit down somewhere, where they would eventually find me rocking in a corner.

However, I pulled up my big girl panties and did C. Made one last scan of the coats with authority, wearing a confident smile while still being ready to fend off the crazies if I found My Coat. And then… there it was. The only one of its kind in the store, Michael Kors, down, mid-thigh, puffy but fitted with a faux fur trimmed hood,  in MY size, marked down from $400 to $109. True story. It was only a coat, but the victory I felt in that moment could only have been better if there was a soundtrack playing in the back ground, like in a Katherine Heigl movie. I took my starry eyes and my new favorite coat EVER up to the register. Where I waited.

Yep, still waiting.

But that’s okay because I WON. I wrapped my arms around my coat to snuggle in its warmth while I waited. I walk up to the register and she sweetly tells me that My Coat is now only going to be $85 because it has been marked down yet again for today only. Ahhhh sweet victory. I abandoned the rest of my plans and just went home to have lunch with K. My day was complete and oh so sweet. BUT- I vow to NEVER do that again. I have no idea what I was thinking…

So me and My Coat are heading up to Anchorage with K on Thursday for their New Years Eve concert. I am so excited! See, I was born and raised in Hawaii. However, for a couple of wild years when I was a little one, my parents, my dog and I were nomads and went from Hawaii to California, then up to Maine and all the way through Canada (in a van with shag carpet walls!!) to Nome Alaska where we lived on the tundra for a year or so. I don’t remember any of it, but I have some great photos, and I love hearing the stories…

{Yes, that is me. Could I look any more uncomfortable?}

Then I came back to Hawaii, all before I was 3 I think? Mom, dad, you can probably fact check me here. But I have never been back to Alaska, and now we have the chance. I’m very excited to see the Aurora Borealis again, and to visit a glacier south of Anchorage. It wasn’t on my Life List, but I am eager to experience it just the same. Are any of you readers out there in Anchorage? Anyone coming to the show? We will be there for about six days and would love to have some recommendations of restaurants, fun things to see, etc. And wouldn’t you know it… there is a yoga studio next to the venue. Boom.

It has been such a wonderful year, and one word sums it all up for me. Gratitude. I am so grateful for everything in my world: My love, my family, my friends, my studio, our travels, our life together. It’s been a fabulous ride so far, and I am so excited to see what the New Year brings! I would love to hear from all of you… What are your plans for New Years Eve? Are you making a resolution this year? Of course, mine is to blog more, blah, blah. But other than that, I really don’t have another one in mind. Just to Live. Live happily, live healthily, and honestly and lovingly. Enjoy every. single. moment of this beautiful life and to appreciate and love my closest like it’s the last day of the world.

Happy New Year. Peace to all.

Currently…
Reading: Jimmy Page. Magus. Magician. Man.
Listening to: Chris Cornell- Live acoustic tour. Swoon…
Eating: Homemade Vegan Harvest soup (basically any veggies I have on hand)
Grateful for: Kaleo making me delicious breakfasts every morning. I’m spoiled.

I hope Thanksgiving (or Gratitude Day as I like to call it) was wonderful for everyone….

EDIT: Every single time I watch this video it keeps getting more and more hilarious. Even Kaleo is cracking up, and I don’t know if he is just laughing because everything in the video is true to life, or if he’s laughing at me. Hmmm

Lately my yoga practice has been to leave every person I come in contact with a little better than I found them. That isn’t to say that I am changing them, no. What I mean is that I want their experience with me to be a positive one leaving them feeling good about themselves or at least feeling incredible in that moment. With each person that crosses your path throughout your day you have a choice. A choice to make a lasting impression in a positive way, or in a negative, dull, or minimal way.

Think about it, every single person you see leaves with something. A memory of the conversation, an energetic feeling, or a bad taste. YOU have the opportunity to create the impression you want. You never know how you can affect a persons life, big or small, at any given time. So why not make a lasting positive effect? A simple kind sentence such as, You look beautiful today! Or, It is really good to see you. While looking them in the eye (and meaning what you say), can do wonders. Even just a silent smile can have a lingering, great feeling. Try holding the door for a stranger, or complimenting someone on how well behaved their kids are. The ways to make someone else’s day are limitless, just get creative!

There is a doctor in Japan, Dr. Emoto, who did a study on water. To summarize a wonderful, in depth study- he would have his assistants tell one jug of water that it was worthless, ugly, etc, and to another jug of water they would say I love you, you are beautiful, etc. Then he froze the water and placed samples of each under the micro scope. What he found was that the positive-water showed beautiful crystals and the negative-water was dull, lifeless and sad looking.

{water with negative words}

{water with positive words}

This got me thinking, the human body is made up of an average of 75% water. Our cells are  filled with liquid. Imagine how much we are affected ON A CELLULAR level when someone says negative things to us, or treats us in a hurtful way. No wonder we feel shitty! It’s not just our feelings that are hurt, but our physical body as well! So on the other side of the coin, imagine how much we can help  one another just by our kindness. It’s an empowering thought to say the least. We all have the ability to change someones entire day, maybe more. We can make them feel good down to the quantum level. Wow, that is powerful right there. So what are you going to do with that power? Imagine this is a super-hero power. I know, it’s totally dorky, but just try it. You have the super-hero power to make others happy and feel good about themselves. (ok, Kaleo and I watched X-Men last night, hence the super-hero excitement…)

In a society where we are so disconnected from each other, it’s really nice to be of service to one another and strive for the positive in life. We are all connected. There is no Them, only Us. I found this sweet video of a tortoise helping out a friend. Love.

Have a great rest of your week!

Currently…
Watching: The Walking Dead (we are SO hooked. Kaleo: ‘Zombies, who would have thought they were the new vampire?’)
Cooking: Everything from my recent purchase, The New Vegetarian Epicure. Yum!
Grateful for: My love being home, and falling to sleep while he plays my lullaby on guitar. Bliss.
Counting down the days to: Going home to Hawaii!
Listening to: Going to California- Led Zeppelin Ah, love.

bella + bug

Beachy, Boho designs for the savvy lovechild…

Our pieces are handcrafted using gold and silver, with gorgeous stones such as new jade and colorful sea pearls. We love to use shells and natural elements we’ve found on our travels to the beaches of France, Portugal, Bali, Costa Rica and beyond. We make what we love to wear, creating own personal collection of pieces that have a Bohemian, Beachy vibe. It just started to grow from there!
When I return from tour I will be staging some photos to post here and then hopefully our site will be up not too long after. As of October 1st, you can find them in my boutique, and a couple of others very shortly after. Eden visited this weekend and I sent her home with some pieces for her birthday. First person ever to wear bella + bug besides Whitney and I!  :)

Okay, enough shameless self-promotion. I should get back to my to-do list shortly. I feel like I have been extremely productive lately, which feels amazing. However I must say, I think I need to slow down a bit. The other day I got ready to go to the studio and it was pretty cold out. In fact it was the first day of Fall, so it was seriously chilly. I put my slippers on as I walked out the door and quickly decided that I needed shoes with socks. So I went back in and put on my running shoes. As I stepped out, I noticed I was still freezing so I ran back in and grabbed a scarf. That should do it! Third time locking my front door and walking out to my car that was parked on the street. Why am I still so cold?? I can’t wait to get in and put my seat warmers on… As I put one foot in the car I looked down and realized that I was NOT WEARING ANY PANTS. Underwear, yes. Yoga pants? Not so much. Here I was, looking like a fool wearing running shoes, a tee shirt, underwear and a scarf. On my street in the morning when everyone is out walking their dogs. With pants on. Them, not me. Even some of the dogs wear clothes, for crying out loud! I was horrified as I ran back into my house, frantically trying to unlock the door with my cold, bare ass out there for the world to see. (sigh)

So that’s my awkward moment of the week. Now I must get back to my packing so I can fly out in the AM. So excited to se my love. Falling in love everyday is so important, and oh so fun. Have a wonderful week!

Peace in, Peace out… 
M

Currently:
Reading: Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein
Loving: LIFE! And all it has to offer…
Watching: Sons of Anarchy
Grateful for: our day off of tour in Austin together, alone…
Listening to: How Deep Is Your Love? by the Rapture (another great song to dance in your underwear to. Just don’t forget to put pants on before you leave the house afterwards.) 

In the classes that I teach, I usually bring in a theme that arises from a personal experience. For example, I will tell a story of something that has happened to me, and then weave in an intention that most everyone can relate to. An intention such as, practicing humility ,or not listening to the fearful ego voice that is inside all of us, or looking for the good in everything and everyone. Just something that we can all work on whether it’s on the mat or beyond in our daily life. A big one lately for me has been to choose love over fear. We have the opportunity to practice this all day long with basically any choice we have to make. We can come from a place of Love, or we can come from a place of fear. Hear me out.

When you feel a positive reaction or feeling to something, you are feeling Love. If your reaction is negative, you are coming from fear. So- if you pause to ask yourself, what am I really afraid of here? And then address those fears, they usually aren’t anything that you can’t handle. So by reacting instead in a loving way, you are empowering yourself to step out of the ego and fear mode, and into the light and the Love. Trust me, everyone will benefit from this, especially you.

Let’s say that someone cuts in line at the grocery store. Usually it will piss us off, right? So if you are feeling a negative reaction, you can ask yourself, what am I afraid of? Break it down to that level. Hmm, ok. One, we might fear that we have been disrespected. Or, we might fear that we will be late. Or that we have been taken advantage of. When you break it down, you realize that none of that is really that important coming from a stranger in the big picture. So you choose to come from a place of Love. Maybe the line-cutter is very unaware and/or rude, but is it really our job to teach them a lesson or make them feel bad? Hmm not so much. Send them some love and Let It Go…. Try this next time you are irritated with someone or something. Pause and ask what the fear is in the situation. When you bring it out into the light, it usually fades away or at least gets manageable, and sometimes even comical.

Anyway… My point is that I have been teaching all these amazeballs theories and lessons in class, but when it comes to my day to day, I have been so extremely busy that I keep finding myself not taking my own advice. But I never said it’s easy, and that is why they call it a practice, right? So recently I have been very active in Living My Yoga. And it is so fun. I feel so alive energetically, and the people around me are probably feeling the love too! No matter how much our friends and family love us, if we are negative and fearful, we are a bummer! There, I said it. And I feel like I was beginning to be a bummer.

There is so much out there to be in Love with! Start with yourself. What do you love about yourself? Be honest, no one will have to hear it. You’re not being vain, you are falling in love with yourself. Now move on to your loved ones, your friends, your job, your home, your community, your country, it goes on forever! Start a list of everything that you are in love with. And begin to really feel the gratitude for all of these things. When you start to feel this gratitude, and the sense of being in love with life… It is much more difficult to choose fear. Fear just sounds like waaay too much work. And muuuch too much drama. Who needs it??

My practice recently in living my yoga has brought me to realize that every once in awhile I need to spot check myself and see if I am just going through the motions to teach yoga and mentor people, or am I really practicing what I teach? And that in and of itself has ignited my passion for what I do all over again! I am falling madly, deeply in love DAILY. With myself, with my husband, with my life. I am in no way saying that fear has left the building. It’s just that for now, Love has the stage, and fear has stage fright. And that, my friends, is the way I like it.

With LOVE,
M 

Currently…
Reading:  Yoga Bitch
Eating: Ahi cooked with coconut oil, lime, and chili peppers over a cabbage salad with avocado. Yummm
Loving: the fact that Kaleo bought me a pear in NY, after all these years. Personal story, but oh so sweet.
Making: jewelry for the line that Whitney and I created, Bella + Bug. Launching soon!
Listening to:  Avicii & Sebastien: My Feelings For You (great song to put on and dance around to when you need to feel the love!!) :)

“Everything you take for granted is a blessing. Everything you fear is a friend in disguise. Everything you want is a part of you.  Everything you own does not define you. Everything you feel is the only Truth there is to know.

Everything you wish for is already on its way to you. Everything you think creates your life. Everything you seek for you will find. Everything you resist will stick around. Everything you let go of stays if it’s supposed to. Everything you need is right where you are.

 Every time you blame another you lose your power. Every time you think you can, you can. Every time you fall you must get up and try again. Every time you cry you’re one tear closer to joy. Every time you ask for forgiveness, all you have to do is forgive yourself.

Everyone you see is your reflection. Everyone you know mirrors you. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to live in joy. Everyone seeks a higher purpose. Everyone breathes the same breath. Everyone needs love to survive. Everyone has a purpose to fulfill.

 Everyone’s the same as everyone else. We just get caught up in labels, names, skin color and religion. Everyone’s the same as everyone else. No one wants to feel the pain. Everyone’s the same as everyone else. Everyone is dying for love to remain.”

- Jackson Kiddard, author and polymath.

Currently…

Loving: my new Chinese Laundry peep toe uber-high heels in Nude – makes my legs look longer
Grateful for: all of the new students that have been coming to my studio! Everyone is loving yoga!
Eating: big, colorful, organic salads with a squeeze of lemon and a squirt of Bragg’s aminos
Listening to: Florrie – What You Doing This For?

Which brings me to the topic of health and well-being. I know, Whomp, whomp. Kind of a boring topic after I mentioned yoga retreat, Kaleo, Vegas and Playboy Mansion in the same paragraph.  But just hear me out.

If you pay attention to yourself and are able to recognize how the daily choices you make affect your overall health, you know what you should/shouldn’t do in order to feel like your optimal self. Most of us, when feeling stressed or time constrained, revert to things that are comforting but ultimately not good for us. It’s so easy to grab some bad food when you don’t have the time to cook, or stay home and watch TV on the couch because your day has been so hectic instead of getting some form of exercise. And when you make those choices, how easy is it to say, well I’ve already (ate crappy, drank too much wine, fallen off my workout plan, etc), and blew it, so why bother now…? I know, me too!
But this is the most important time to stop, think about what makes you feel good (physically good, not emotionally satisfying for the time being), and create your own little go-to program of healthy choices that you can easily implement in a time of stress, busy life, travel, anytime when you feel like your routine has been altered beyond your control.

So, my go-to program for my busy-like-Whoa schedule for the next month is going to be something like:

1. Always have healthy (preferably protein) snacks on hand for those times when my meal option might be a chain restaurant or late night food that I will regret in the morning. Snacks like hard boiled eggs, protein bars, nuts, seaweed snacks, etc. The protein will sustain and satisfy you for a longer time than, say, a bag of chips.

2. Do some form of exercise NO MATTER WHAT (even if you had a late night). A ten minute yoga practice in the hotel room, a brisk walk for 45 minutes, some squats and abdominal crunches, whatever makes you feel like you’ve gotten some sort of workout in. If you can do an entire  workout/yoga practice/run? Awesome! But if you don’t have the time? Do not let that discourage you from doing just a little bit. Yes, it’s good for you physically, but emotionally? Even better. You will feel great.

3. Hydrate. I can’t express this enough. Bring your water bottle with you everywhere and keep refilling. I keep mine in my purse and probably drink 4-5 refills a day.

4. If you are really exhausted, honor that. Just chill. It’s ok to say no once in a while and just do nothing. Of course, after you have eaten healthy, exercised, and hydrated. Just kidding. If you need to rest, DO IT. But seriously, drink water.

5. And take care of yourself in other ways too. Take a little time for yourself to read in the bath for 10 minutes, or style your hair how you love it, or wear those favorite shoes that make your legs look fabulous. And I always put a flower in my hair, and wear my favorite essential oils. It’s the little things that make me feel put together, relaxed, and me, even in the middle of a chaotic schedule.

Speaking of chaotic schedules, I must get some sleep before my much too early train ride to SB in the morning. Good thing the station is a 3 block walk from my house.
Have a beautiful weekend and be good to yourself. Love all that you are.

Peace,
M 

Currently…
Eating: raw cashews and organic blueberries
Grateful for: dad’s surgery went well on Tuesday
Making: Jewelry! (and a mess)
Playing on my guitar: ‘All I want is you’ performed by Tristan Prettyman (original by Barry Louis Pollisar)

I ask you this: Without spending any money, how can you be of service to the world today?

Peace in, Peace out… 
M 

One of our favorite things to say at night is: “Tell me about your perfect day tomorrow.” And then each one of us describes what our ideal day will be like. And you know what? It’s works. Now, I don’t necessarily mean that if I say that I want to fly to Brazil in the morning, we just hop on the plane. But we describe how our day will play out with all of the things that are already on our schedule, and of course adding the events that we want to happen. It’s a little manifestation practice that shows immediate, positive results. And you will be so pleasantly surprised at how your outlook on your day changes when you are focusing on the positive, perfect day you have already created in your mind.

Alright, so I can almost hear the nay-sayers out there: Yeah ok, but what if I have the day from hell tomorrow, and I’m just dreading everything about it?

Very good question. My opinion? Your day is going to happen anyway. You might as well accept it for what it is. I mean, a person can find anything to complain about, no matter what the circumstance.  Coming into your day with the dreadful feeling of, Ugh, this is going to be such an awful day, I can’t believe I have do this, why can’t I just get a break, I have the worst (insert here: life, job, luck, etc) ever. Getting into a negative state of mind will not make your day any easier, more positive, or any better at all. The only thing you can control? Your outlook and your thoughts. Again, your day is going to happen anyway. Embrace it with dignity and a positive frame of mind, and push through. You will come out of it on the other end with a feeling of accomplishment and peace.

So what if you aren’t facing a crappy day, you just aren’t really inspired to chase rainbows and butterflies? Another good question!

My answer to that is, well why not?? Why can’t you make up your mind to have the Best. Day. Ever. Each and every day? It doesn’t have to be a day filled with activities, decadence, shopping, dates, whatever floats your boat. It can be a simple day of a phone call to a friend, making a pot of your favorite tea and cuddling up with a good book, taking your dog for a walk, making your loved one’s favorite dinner, laughing hysterically with friends, anything that brings joy to your heart. If you look to the simple pleasures in life, the things that really make you happy… You will find inner happiness. This is the happiness that buying a new purse can’t give. This is the happiness that warms your heart and makes you smile from the inside. This is the happiness that inspires you to want to make others happy as well.

And we all have it in us. We all have the ability to take control of our own day, and make it a great one. Just as we all have the ability to face a difficult day with grace and make it to the other side. You know… the side where the rainbows and butterflies live.

Currently…
Reading: A Stolen Life- A Memoir
Drinking: Mama Chia (Blackberry Hibsicus) – One of my yoga students started the company and I am hooked!
Grateful for: My gorgeous hubby who inspires me to have the Perfect Day, everyday
Listening to: Beautiful day by Donavon Frankenreiter

It’s about to get all kinds of real up in here.
So as you know, I am a yoga teacher. The teachings of yoga are so accepting and beautiful, and offer up the idea that we all are already perfect, whole, complete, and inherently good. This is what I teach my students, and what I truly and whole-heartedly believe. It teaches us to be accepting of ourselves and to see our so-called  ”flaws” with loving eyes and humor. Sounds amazing, right? It is… But when does acceptance become complacency?
What I am trying to say is, When on Earth did I gain these 7 pounds??  I mean, I feel happier than I have ever been, I do yoga everyday, I eat extremely healthy and always organic food… But I have come to realize that even though I accept myself exactly as I am (which hasn’t always been the case), it doesn’t mean that I don’t think I could be, well, better.
So of course my yogic mind is telling me: Hey, whatever! So you gained a few pounds. You need to love yourself no matter what, even though you don’t want to wear that little dress right now. Just put your yoga pants back on.
But my realistic, girly, vain mind is saying: Oh, hold up! We need to talk. Are you really ok that your favorite jeans are snug? Reeaally??!

And so it is. (I told you I was getting real.)

Good news is, I am having SO much fun with my new daily routine of at least one yoga class, a five-mile walk (on the beach while listening to the best playlists ever!), and my ballet warm-ups infused with more core and butt a la Tracy Anderson’s mojo. It’s just a lifestyle change and something I look forward to everyday. I get so caught up with my work and studies, that the change is delightfully welcome. And of course a lifestyle change wouldn’t be complete without some favorite food!

Besides juicing lots and lots of yummy organic fruits and veggies daily, I have two favorite meal/snacks that I am absolutely loving right now. The first one was ‘invented’ by my hubby. It’s a Wasa cracker (I prefer the MultiGrain or Hearty) with a light spread of organic almond butter and blueberries on top. To die for.
 

My next fave was created out of wanting a meal and a sweet ending, but not wanting a lot of both so that I was too full. And it had to be healthy and light and full of protein. Start with an Ezekiel sprouted grain tortilla, heated. Cut it in half and on one side, spread hummus (I’m loving red pepper humus), cucumber, spinach, tomato, avocado, shredded carrot and a quirt of Braggs aminos. The other side gets that yummy almond butter and either blueberries, banana slices, or both. Roll them each up like wraps and just try to tell me you aren’t totally satisfied and impressed with yourself.

So anyway, I have successfully lost a few pounds, but it isn’t about that. It’s about how I am feeling, and I feel great.
On to other things…

My Santa Barbara Yoga Retreat is coming up here very quickly, and I am really excited. I have 18 yogis signed up so far; most of them are my students, a couple others I have yet to meet.  We will be taking the train up to the White Lotus for the weekend, and by the time we come home it’s almost time for Kaleo’s return. How perfect is that timing?? Yoga retreats are such an incredible gift to yourself. There is much time for reflection and re-connecting with you. It’s also a very valuable experience being with others in an atmosphere that is supportive of personal growth and exploration. One such tool is by practicing silence in the mornings. Wow. If you haven’t ever tried it, I highly recommend it. It’s one thing to be silent with just one other person (still really hard!), but to be on retreat and sharing a meal with 17 other people who are all practicing silence is a very powerful thing. I think as humans we need to be able to be comfortable being by ourselves. Even being alone while in the presence of others. It’s a pretty cool experience to be able to go within and really enjoy your own company. It isn’t a narcissistic practice, it’s just simple self-awareness. Once you are able to be with yourself, it is much easier to be in a healthy relationship with another person. On the retreat we only practice silence in the mornings until after breakfast, so it’s not all rigid. We will be hiking, doing lots of yoga and creative writing, lounging by the pools and hot tub, eating gourmet vegetarian foods with wine and chocolate… Oh yes. It is going to be awesome. And I am planning on holding this one every summer, so think about next year…

Well my friends, thanks for going there with me. I know this post wasn’t a funny, entertaining one. But if just one person can relate, then it’s all good.

I will leave you with song I seem to keep coming back to. Love love love Swedish House Mafia, and if you ever get the chance to experience one of my favorite DJ’s, Tiesto , mixing this… do yourself a favor and go.

Have a great weekend!

Peace,
M