ANother one bites the Dust

ANother pose down!

 Eka Pada Koundiyanasana.

I have no idea what is going on this month, but I am knocking out poses left and right...now to start to perfect them...I love this one though...great stretch. I have to be nice and warm/stretched out before attempting this one...We did it last night in our hot class...went home to show my peeps..did it again! we'll see what today brings.

Namaste Motha Fuckas.

crow to headstand

I have been really enjoying this new mini sequence we did Saturday:

Bakasana (crow) to Salamba Sirsasana (headstand) back to Bakasana then to plank for a push up...fuuuuuuun working my abs and guns! saweet...and it's always fun going upside down!! Oh and I read somewhere that Kathryn Budig is like the world champ of arm balances....OMG....I must look into this..I LOVE LOVE LOVE HER!

that's it for now..

Namaste.

My pigeon

Namaste

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RPM

I recently learned the term RPM from my Yogalicious workshop from this weekend. which was fabulous...Yoga jam session, nutrition, juicing, why i shouldn't eat dairy of any form, stress be gone...all sorts of fun stuff...anyways.. RPM - RISE, PEE, MEDITATE.

Trying to do this today though was not happening...i did manage to squeeze it in Sunday morning...now trying to pencil this in at 0430 is definitely going to be challenging. hmmmmm.

namaste.

Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana in the works

So, been trying to work on this one...I was able to do my right foot up yesterday in session, but not bending over yet, and not binding...grrr binding....how I hate and love you..grrrrr. So, this is in the works. Maybe this week during training I can get a little closer...breath moves pain and moves us right?!

Namaste.

Inspire Journal

                                                                                                                                                                24JAN12

Journal:  What keeps you inspired about yoga?

What doesn’t?

For me I love having new students show up to class or different providers send me referrals. I love that the… I guess the “taboo” of yoga in my work environment is changing and becoming more accepted and appreciated. I’m inspired to stay one step ahead of my co-workers and patients. I love being in the position to bring yoga onto a military base and to be able to educate those who might never even think twice about yoga.  I love that yoga is breaking barriers all over.

I’m inspired too because it never gets old…and boy do I love that. There’s always something new to learn and discover about the practice, about what to teach, and also about my own practice. I feel like I’m back in college sometimes…always researching better postures or readings, doing note cards, practicing, teaching. . . I also love that fact that there’s always a new training coming up around the corner. I just want to keep learning, keep growing. Love Peace Grow…my Sankalpa from week one. That’s what inspires me too. I can’t just say “this” or “that” inspires me…It ALL does –

Namaste.

KB quote

I saw this on Kathryn Budig's fb page...i totally have a girl crush on her. Awesome quote. love love love her...can't wait to see her in Boston....

Namaste.

Pigeon

This is one of my got to have poses! I love this one..feels sooo good and finally just this year 2012 I am able to get one of my foots to touch my head...well, maybe not the whole foot like this picture, but it's definitely a toe!! Excited! Trying for the other side, then trying for the whole foot - looks amazing feels amazing...2012 gonna be a good year!

Namaste Motha Fuckas ~

My Surya Namaskar Kick Ass Class

                                                                                                                                    23JAN12

5 min of breath(comfortable seat), OM, neck rolls, then right into Surya Namaskar…(slow stretch first 5).  Nice and easy – deep belly breaths -

Then start next round of Surya Namaskar

 – downward dog – inhale lift up right leg, stack, bend knee, look under left armpit to try and see right foot. Bring right knee to nose, all the way up to lunge prepare for Virabhadrasana 1.

Virabhadrasana 1, 2, Urdhva Virabhadrasana II, Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana (extended angle, bind), unbind, Virabhadrasana 2… 3 (standing on right foot) into Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana (standing split), back to Virabhadrasana 3, Tadasana – Repeat on Left side starting with one Surya Namaskar.

Take one or two Surya Namaskar(feel the difference between these and the first couple) -Vrksasana, Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana, then Utthita Hasta Padangustasana (extended hand to big toe) – repeat on left side from Tadasana.

Surya Namaskar into Virabhadrasana 1, 2(on right side), Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana(bound extended side angle)  into bird of paradise Svarga Dvidasana. – pinnacle pose Repeat on left side starting with one Surya Namaskar.

Tadasana. Trikonasana stretch both sides.

Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide leg stance stretch) with and without arms behind, (variation c) and holding toes (variation d).

Child’s pose in there somewhere…anytime..

Savasana.. at least 10 minutes.

Namaste.

Learn more journal

23JAN12

Journal:  What do you want to learn more about as we approach the end?

Ummm. Everything?! With only 3 more weekly sessions left in our training…I’m starting to realize how much I’ve learned and how much is still out there waiting for me…I’d like to continue reading and try for a book/two a month. Keep doing workshops…3 planned so far (this weekend Yogalicious, the PTSD yoga workshop in April, one in May with Melina Meza , and the Kathryn Budig one in June) ok maybe 4…good start.

A lot of what I want to learn seems to be me just learning the Sanskrit and that becoming like a second language to me. I want more of the yoga culture from foods, to yoga in all aspects of our life – on and off the mat. Then I’d like more restorative stuff to benefit my patients (which I’m learning from Lava too…the physical therapist here at work I shadow on Tuesdays). Always more Thai practice and reflexology work…who doesn’t love a good rub down?! I just want to enclose myself in a yoga bubble and let all the knowledge seep into my skin like a tea bag seeping in hot water. I think when matt leaves here soon again for work, I’ll be able to have lots of “ME” time which translates to “Yoga studying time”, meditating, going within and just being silent…well besides my dog drake trying to meditate with me…

Ohh..how do I found out who my spirit animal is?! Is it the turtle? The dog? What?! Ever since the sweat lodge this has been pecking at my brain…wondering which animal I am…I’m serious..how do I find this out?

Well, I think that’s it for now…I’m sure more will come later…the more I learn, the more I’m like damn I want that book or ooohh I need to google that. Thanks for all the knowledge !

Namaste.

AM

OH YEAH, I DID IT

So I was practicing this weekend (Saturday 21JAN12), at my house, in my room (while Matty was cooking for our Oyster Roast we were attending later that afternoon)...such a good man :) So I was in the zone...some sun salutations and just letting it flow...nothing planned, just going where my body wanted...which lead me to conquer not one, not two, but 3 freakin' poses I have been working on...well not really working on like everyday, but working towards...if that makes sense! Wooooo hoooooo! The first one was Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana or extended angle with the bind ON BOTH SIDES!!!!! I have always been able to do my left side, but my right is just not binding...IT DID!!! A little work and elbow grease and it came together!!! OMG I wish I could have seen the look on my face!!! Huge accomplishment for me! I was like saaaweet!!! Still am :)

Then, I kept trucking along...was chillin' in Warrior 3 which just flowed into Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana or standing split. So standing split is cool, great strecth..do it all the time with my hands on the ground for balance or attempt to grab my ankle with ONE hand...not today son...I just went for it without even thinking...it felt so natural...straight from War 3 to Standing Split no hands on the right leg...holy freakin' shit batman I was in standing split no hands and boy did I breath and enjoy this pose!!!! Whooooooooooooo. The planets were in alignment for me that day! Tried left side..a little more difficult, but I did it, just not as long as I did on the right side, but who cares at this point!! I did it!!! oh yeah baby!! I was sooo excited I ran into the kitchen and showed Matty!! lol

Finally the last one of the day...had no clue why this pose even came to me...i've only really done it maybe twice in a class...stephanie's class I'm sure of it...man I love her classes...anyways..so feeling frisky and bound worthy I wanted to test my limits a little..you know push the edge. That one last grrrr before savasana. So I took Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana to the next step...I didn't even know the name of this next pose until today when I googled it...it's the bird of paradise pose or Svarga Dvidasana! BAM! Did it! Fuck yeah!!! Not quite all the way straight, but I got up in the pose, and I was able to bind on both sides, what what!!!!?!?!!! SO EXCITED!! AND SO EXCITED TO TELL KAS AND MY FELLOW YOGI'S...so now I'm creating my next class from this sequence...with Svarga Dvidasana as the pinnacle pose....oh yeah.

Namaste Motha Fuckas ~

Why I started Yoga Teacher Training

Describe your original intentions for your training, has it changed, what do you feel is shaping you?

Original Intentions for my training…ummmmm to dive/divulge/immerse myself into yoga.

To make a yoga bubble for myself.

To learn as much as I can.

To learn to grow in my practice and for my patients.

To live and breath yoga.

To learn Sanskrit.

To finally after 8 + YEARS become a RYT.

To finish what I started in 2003.

To be the best lil yogi I can be.

There’s a quote on my desk (and on my bff’s desk) I look and read everyday that reminds me of why I originally wanted and started my yoga teacher training…it’s a bit long, so bare with me. “This is your LIFE. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it. If you don’t like your job, quit. If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you START DOING THINGS YOU LOVE. Stop over analyzing, LIFE IS SIMPLE. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. TRAVEL OFTEN; Getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. LIFE IS SHORT. Live your dream and share your passion.”

There’s a lot of good stuff in that quote. “if you don’t’ have enough time, stop watching TV” – love it. “Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself” – so true. Travel travel travel. “life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating” – EXACTLY!!!! And finally to tie in all my rambling babble to the question; “LIVE YOUR DREAM and SHARE YOUR PASSION”. Yoga is my passion – living life with yoga is my passion. Teaching others who would have never had the opportunity to take a yoga class or even try it – is my passion. Educating others, helping others – is my passion – my original intention for my training. Whooooooph. That was a mouth full.

A little more than half way through my training, and my intention is the same. The only problem now is I WANT MORE! It’s like my new addiction – I’m researching trips to India, looking up workshops in Boston, writing lesson plans, reading, teaching….I don’t want the training to stop, and I’m sure it’s not going to. I’ve opened up a whole new chapter to my life and I LOVE IT!

What’s shaping me? Hmmmm.  A little bit of everything, everything around me. The books I’m assigned to read, the journals I write, the classes I observe, the classes I teach, my new students, my fellow yogis – they really inspire me – their stories from week to week –like our preggers who week to week comes in no matter what – sick, tired..or the yogi who shared with us the intimate decision she is battling with to stay or to leave. Whatever it is – I always look forward to the first day back to hear what everyone has been doing. And last but not least Kas – my wonderful yogi instructor – so powerful, so knowledgeable, so bright, so real. She has opened up a whole new world to me – and all the guest speakers/teachers she introduces us to week after week.

Namaste Motha Fuckas

Breath Journal

                                                                                                 Started -à12JAN12….written 17JAN12

Journal for Yoga: When do you notice yourself breath

Hmmm.

 I’ve been thinking about this question for almost a week now…at first I thought to myself – well, DUH always…I’m always breathing. I inhale followed with an exhale, repeat. And the cool thing is the breath is on auto pilot – it does it when I’m sleeping, it does it when I’m not thinking about it, it even does it while I’m eating. Cool ~huh?!

 Then I started thinking when do I catch myself breathing deep, or counting as I breath, or even closing my eyes as I take a deep belly inhales. I’ve come up with 3 so far: times of agitation and stress, times of trying to relax my mind – clear out the chatter in my head, the never-ending to do list running on overdrive, and then I really notice the loud fire breath during sex. Well I do. You asked…now you know lol. J

Ø  Just 2 weeks ago I caught myself doing it when not one, not two, but 3 people couldn’t change my tire. Usually I would have feelings of screaming, calling them idiots, and or having an emotional breakdown, because now due to their incompetence I am going to be late for YOGA CLASS – AHAHHHHH. However…none of those actions occurred.  I was able to look at the big picture – take a couple of deep deep breaths, and look around me. 1) nice strangers stopped to try and help me 2) I was in a safe place 3) it wasn’t raining. Then it became later and the option of being late to class was over – I was missing class entirely. Boooooo. Few more breaths, then I realized, it’s ok….I don’t have to always be on time, or even present. All in all it turned out just fine. I got to spend the night with my honey, he fixed my car the next day, and on my way I went – breathing happily!

Ø  I also catch myself taking a deep breath or 3 when I feel overwhelmed or the feeling I want to snap/yell at Matt. Breath totally works! J

Ø  Then, the times where I just want the mind to be silent I breathe. Breath and writing help with that. It’s still hard for me to sit and do a meditation for an hour, but I’m practicing.

Ø  Then the sex breathe. The loud, lion, fire breathe that has a mind of its own! Wooooo!  I won’t go into much detail, but come on…admit it…you definitely notice your breath during sex!!!! Whether it’s louder, longer, harder, deeper, shorter…you notice the difference. Maybe a panting like after running.  You get the point…

So, there you have it. I breathe when J

Gentle Sequence

One of my go to gentle sequence I use weekly...

Gentle Sequence – Restorative Mondays

·         Start in a comfortable seat – breathing exercises/clear the head/usally ujjayi breath (5min)

Warm Up / on the ground

·         Neck rolls, sitting cat/cow, rolling ankles out in front of you, Baddha Konasana – right, middle, left walk out stretch sides

·         Janu Shirshasana – modified with both legs out (for my knee people)

·         Paschimottanasana (5 breaths) – mindful of knees

·         Slowly bring knees into chest and roll onto our backs

·         Supta P series (sometimes this takes forever…)

·         Another Paschimottanasana

o   Sometimes throw in a Purvottasana – 3 sets

o   Sometimes Ardha Matsyendrasana

·         Then onto our Bellies

·         Locust/Shahbhasana – Ardha then full

·         Bhujangasana

·         Ardha Bhekasana

·         Dhanurasana – regular and or on the sides

·         Balasana – rest – 3 mins

Here we go

·         Table top – cat/cow

·         Adho Mukha Shvanasana

·         Surya Namaskar – modified

o   Tadasana, uttanasana, step back to knees (no planks), chest chin, bhujangasana, balasana, table top, Adho Muka Shvanasana- bend knees look up STEP up to hands (no jumping), uttanasana, reverse swan, and repeat…each pose is just one breath…to get them moving and flowing

·         Trikonasana

·         Parshvottanasana

·         Prasarita Padottanasana – walk hands out drop to knees

·         Table Top

·         Balasana

·         Roll onto backs

Cool Down

·         Roll knees from side to side (can’t think of the Sanskrit for this)

·         Shvasana (5-10 mins)

Namaste.

Chakra Journal

                                                                                                                            07DEC11

Journaling Homework:

What Chakra is your dominate? Excessive or defiance...name ways to bring balance.

I would have to say, hands down my dominate chakra is the Anahata/Heart Chakra. The 4th chakra; the green/pink one. Never realized until just now looking at the chart, but it’s also the middle chakra…kind of the glue holding all others together…hmmm. The heart chakra is love, compassion, kindness, affection, balance, new beginnings (Aries), love teaching, etc. Growing up everyone always said I had and have a big heart...I have my daddy’s heart. I remember always adopting stray animals, taking in friends for the holidays, taking guest into the house when there’s nowhere else to go…if I could live on a farm and adopt animal after animal I would. If and when I win the lottery I want to donate, pay it forward, share with friends/family, give to the less fortunate…I have always been big into volunteering whether it’s with children, building playgrounds, tutoring, or picking up trash along the highway, doing good for the environment – for the future; educating people on recycling, helping others. And now in the past few years it’s been spreading the practice of yoga to my patients, co-workers, and friends, family. Whoever listens I’m talking about it. I feel if I can reach one person a month and let them feel what I feel when leaving a session I’m doing my part. To give back. That’s what it’s all about. The love of teaching most certainly fits my description…I’ve been teaching others in one field or another since 2003…lately yoga, in the past bartending…but I love it. I love introducing new ideas to people, opening up their view point, educating. One way I bring balance to my heart chakra is through volunteering – which I would always love to do more and being kind to friends, family, co-workers.

After reading and teaching my patients today about the Manipura, our 3^rd Chakra the Solar Plexus…I can associate with this one too...not as much as the heart, but definitely a close second. I don’t know if I’m just drawn to the thought of sunshine and that it’s the strongest of all energy centers or what. Honor. Courage. Power. Love this. Every morning driving into the hospital I see the same signs Honor, Courage, Commitment…it’s powerful. Makes sense these are associated with fire. I read fire is energy...true, true. Aries-fire-energy-ray of sunshine!! LOVE IT ALL. My co-workers and patients always ask me what I’m on…why am I so happy, always smiling, always positive…I tell them I’m on yoga, coffee, water, veggie, and fish oil – they laugh. It’s just who I am…why be stressed or pissy all the time? What’s the point? Whatever happens is going to happen. I like being the little ray of sunshine when people need it the most J when we learned about this chakra in class and how when you hold more weight around the middle it’s due to “mom issues” I was like BINGO! Ding ding ding…you got it. So the past week I have been letting go, finding forgiveness for my mom, unconditionally loving her, and no more resentment towards her for something that happened 20 some years ago..I felt better immediately when I told myself…geeze, just let it go! To maintain balance in my solar plexus it says to run to create fire in the belly…running just doesn’t come natural to me...I always feel great afterwards, it’s the starting off point that’s troubling lol. So I like to do hot yoga to create fire within – or lightly jog with my dog.

So, not sure this is exactly what we were supposed to do with our Chakra journaling…but this is where it led me. Enjoy. Namaste.

Meditation Journal

MEDITATION JOURNAL:

I was supposed to write about meditation for last week’s class…I sat at my desk staring at the computer telling myself sit down read Eric Shiffman’s meditations and write about it…it’s easy. Read, write, done. Well, here we are a week later and still nothing…

Meditation to me is letting go. Breathing. Listening to your breath and your inner soul. It’s my favorite part of Savasana – the last part of each yoga session. The part where you get to let go of your body, your thoughts, it’s my Ahhhh moment of most sessions. Recently I have been meditating sitting up with Gayla (at work), once with Catherine Ibsen (during class, which was amazing!), and by myself..oooooh and the Kundalini  yoga with Fletcher.

Most of the meditations I have done I try and either focus on a mantra, a one word mantra is easiest for me, or simply focus on nothing, clearing my thoughts…empting the mind.  I now have been using some of Fletcher’s mantras he taught us: Sat Nam and the Ad Guray Nameh – I love these.

My intention when I meditate usually starts with relaxation or to reduce stress, but then always ends with feeling more aware of my mind and body…it’s strange sometimes.  Meditating and looking towards my 3^rd eye I see lights sometimes…colors, blurry visions. The first time it happened I was teaching a class at work, walking them through the final pose and savasana, which I too feel deep into – the music was right, the session was intense, and I just felt like I was melting deeper and deeper into my body…I felt tingling, almost like my head was dancing…I don’t know. I guess that’s the best way I can explain it.. anyways… that’s what I’m trying to get too. The light feeling. Which takes me back to my favorite sutra 1.29 ~ from this practice all the obstacles disappear and simultaneously dawns knowledge of the inner self.  Ahhhhhhhhh. Simply, beautiful.

Now, I won’t lie…I tried to meditate yesterday afternoon in my office after reading up on Eric Schiffman. I got into a comfortable seat on the floor, closed my eyes, breathed…and just couldn’t get there…for whatever reason it just wasn’t happening. The noise on the floor, my racing “work” thoughts. Just wasn’t the right time or place. Uggggg. Today I will try at home, and then keep trying, and then walk to the beach on my days off and try there. I wish I could have my own personal meditation guru with me at all times..well the times I try to meditate. One day. One day it will just come naturally.

OM

My favorite sutra journal

So each week of class we are given journal homeworks. I will begin posting the old ones and keep the new ones coming.

TATAH  PRATYAK  CETANĀDHIGAMO -‘PYANTARĀYĀBHĀVAŚ   CA.

Choosing just one single sutra has not been as easy as I thought. Reading through the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and highlighting, staring, flipping the corner of the pages on the sutras I like the best was phase one.  Phase two consisted of jotting down all the Sutras I had marked as “my favorite” and trying to comb through them; weeding out the ones that didn’t jump off the page and grab me by the heart and soul. This is not an easy task. As I am going on day 5 of my search for my most favorite sutra I have finally…finally narrowed it down to three. Ugggggg. Sometimes being an Aries bites me in the ass, being somewhat indecisive or is it just being super duper particular in the choices I make…idk.

Alright I DID IT! I have narrowed it down to my all time favorite sutra, well that is my favorite sutra for today, for the week, the one that truly speaks to me and my practice, the one that I can’t delete. Drum roll please……TADA Book 1.29 ~ from this practice all the obstacles disappear and simultaneously dawns knowledge of the inner Self.

I’ll start with the first half of this sutra; from this practice all the obstacles disappear. For me, every time I leave a class I feel like a whole new woman. The minute I step outside the studio, I feel taller, I feel cleansed. As I’m driving home, usually in silence because I don’t want anything to interrupt my blissful state of mind, I’m at peace. I’m guessing it’s the endorphins bursting out of my body, or the emotions that have been released from my inner organs…it’s a very, extremely, intense euphoric feeling I keep going back for more. After a hard, stressful day at work of non-stop running back and forth in the hospital, calling commands, making sure I’m doing the best I can, but better…I need some yoga in my life. I need peace and bliss and that “ahhhhhh” moment. After a hard day with my mother I need yoga, I need the practice to clear my head, to re-boot my system, to cleanse my body, soul, and mind. And that’s exactly what it feels like when I step out of the studio, especially after a hot session! I can just breath, no obstacles.  No physical obstacles, no racing thoughts, no to do list running a mile a minute in my brain - no obstacles period. Just sheer freedom and bliss!

…Simultaneously dawns knowledge of the inner Self…My take on the second half of this sutra is, after all of my obstacles have disappeared I can begin to see/feel the knowledge of my inner being.  Everything just seems a bit clearer. I guess what I’m trying to say is once you clear all the smoke and garbage out of the way you are able to see the true inner beauty of one’s self. Oh wow, that sounds cheesy, the inner beauty of one’s self…geeze-a-pete. It’s like the feeling of the sun on your face on a cold cold day. The warmth of the sunshine radiating down on your skin and for that one moment in time everything stops. The obstacles disappear and the sunshine seeps into your soul. That’s what yoga feels like to me. Yoga is my sunshine beaming down on my skin, stopping time, and seeping into my inner self. Maybe that should be my sutra; Yoga is my sunshine! J

~ Ann-Marie

Goal Pose

Only 3 more months until I graduate from Teacher Training...hoping to get to one of my goal poses...well my main one...anyways.. these are the two I really really want to get by the time I'm 30 and a RYT!!!! YAY!

Namaste Mothera Fuckas...:)

Sweat Lodge

So Saturday afternoon I met my fellow yogi's out in town for our sweat lodge session...I didn't really know exactly what we were getting into, but I was excited and curious about this adventure. We had our Sweat Lodge Leader Susan come talk to us the day before to prep us and of course I googled it for myself...this is what I learned before partaking in this journey.

So we all sit in this round t-p looking hut with hot stones in the middle, like a sauna..ok - cool. I've been in plenty of saunas...just not with 17 girls lol. Then Susan tells us what to wear - something comfortable, flowing, cotton, no metal, and make sure we hydrate all day prior. ok, check. Then she says we have to be there at 3pm to build the fire. AWESOME! I LOVE FIRE!

So, of course I was the first one there...damn my ocd-ness. I hate being late. So I chat with the owner of the sweat lodge and his ole lady - very cool down to earth people :) what else do you expect though right? then Susan and her husband were there...so I unload my organic muffins and veggie juice and chill. Help a little with the fire wood until more and more people start showing up. No one from my class could make it, so I was with the other yogi class - the men really built the fire, we sat around and watched..they built the most awesomeness fire ever! and they put the 20 stones inside it. The stones remain in the fire until they are ready (about an hour or so). Once everyone got there, and the fire was ready we had to get smudged with sage and sweet grass. Sage is wrapped up like a giant joint and the sweat lodge leader waves it around our entire body with feathers to pull all the negativity out of our bodies. Fun! and smelled Sooooo Good! So the structure itself is all natural made of trees and sticks with blankets covering over...

Susan put us in the order she wanted us in then we entered into the lodge. The way it works is 4 rounds. After each round the door is opened to get some air then closed and you start again. Round 1 is for yourself, Round 2 is for women and children, Round 3 for our ancestors, and 4 for mother earth. We pray and thank the spirits, and chant and sing, laugh, and cry. At times I was sweating sooo much I couldn't tell the difference from sweat and crying. It was very cramped and it was hard for me to get comfortable so I kept moving and switching positions knocking into my fellow yogis. Once we got into the 4th and final round I was hot, sweaty and ready to get out. half way through this round I thought I wouldn't be able to make it...I kept breathing deep and touching the cool cool ground. We finally finish it's probably 8pm now...stand around the fire drink water, then go in and eat our feast. It was strange because there was no smell...none! at all! weird...


All and All, it was an amazing experience - very spiritual, very in tuned with ourselves and a bonding experience like no other.

Not only was it an all female sweat, but it was a full moon! whoa. Oh and you can't just show up to one of these things...you have to be invited! I would love love love to do this again...maybe take Matty, HB, KB, and BJ too....hmmmm...wonder what they would think of this?

I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to be apart of this all women sweat. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Ahoe.

*these are all pics I found online...no cameras were allowed near the lodge*

My Yoga Journey

So, I finally have done it...finally I am creating my yoga blog! Aaaaaaa...or should I say Ommmmmm :)

I'm in my 4th month of Yoga Teacher Training at Porter's Neck Yoga in Wilmington NC...and am loving every minute of it...so I thought in order to keep up with all my homework, to educate others, keep educating and challenging myself, keep ya'll updated on my journey..I should start my very own yoga blog.

What I foresee this blog being about is my journey through teacher training, classes I take, teach, observe...pictures, my journals and homework, books I'm reading and using for my practice, and just everything yoga...from the practice, to daily living, juicing, eating healthy...being the best lil yogi I can be...so hop on aboard your mat and lets do this!

Welcome to my Sankulpa - Love Peace Grow.