My own personal Eat, Pray, Love

Usually, I like to think myself as a rational and logical thinker, specifically when it comes to my financial and employment status. I always have a job and backup plan.

I worked at Dish Network Corporate headquarters as a Traffic Coordinator. After two painfully long and unrewarding years, a 200 hr Yoga Alliance Certification, management decided to offer me a promotion right around the time Brandon had left me. I gladly accepted with a pay increase and all.

It wasn't a good time or fit. Just like other things in life, sometimes unexpected things happen but I didn't know I would do the unexpected. I quit. Just like that. Only yoga and some savings to support me. No job waiting other than the yoga classes on the side. Some people think I grew some balls and I am their hero, others say "you are crazy and don't know what you are in for." I say, "there is a method to my happiness."

Which brings me to "Eat, Pray, Love." If you have seen the movie, it should be called "Julia Roberts Vacation." Anyways, I am taking the summer to submerge myself into yoga. No, I will not be going to India but dream of going there someday. I plan on a regular practice, working with mentors, attend workshops and retreats. I want to continue to grow as a teacher and facilitator for students to grow, feel welcome and have fun.

I am also taking this time to Love myself. I am not looking for love in Bali but I am looking to love myself. I don't know if I truly loved myself, I am overly critical and deprive myself of so much happiness. This is my time. I don't know what Loving me entails entirely but I have some time to figure out. There will be some traveling involved. I am also looking forward to loving my family and others around me. Love is everywhere, you don't need to have a significant other to love and be loved by.

As for Eat, I plan on eating a more energetic, nutritious yoga friendly diet. I feel that is one key I'm missing. As much as I want to eat pizza in Italy, who knows maybe I will, I yearn to treat my body well and giving it what it needs.

This is my own Eat, Pray, Love and I understand if that sounds ridiculous to you. However, I related to this, it is cliche and I don't care.

Michelle Obama

Was in Denver today. I didn't know, but when I was driving home after yoga in Lodo Denver, traffic was completely shut down at 20th and Market. 20 cop cars and 10 vans and SVUs stormed by. Later, I found out Michelle Obama was in my midst. Pretty rad.

French Friday

Last Friday, my wonderful roommate, Jill and I decided to culture ourselves and celebrate the French. You may be questioning, "what does French Friday consist of?" Good Question.
1. Good French Playlist
2. French Toast the night before as preparation
3. Baguettes
4. Delicious French Food
5. A few French words to insert randomly in conversation
6. Dress like the French

It was a wonderful celebration. I highly recommend it to anyone that cannot afford to go to France.

Playlist

I have recently discovered that I really do have impeccable taste in music and created a playlist to share. Please use good music resources to download a sample of these wonderful artists, visit Pitchfork, Insound and Shuffler.fm

1. That Ghost "Calls"
2. Papercuts "Do What You Will"
3. Lonely Dear "Lonely Blues"
4. La Sera "Never Come Around"
5. The Seedy seeds "Verb Noun"
6. Heavy Ghost "Lucid"
7. Mint Julep "Invisible Waves"
8. Eternal Summers "Pogo"
9. Milagres "Glowing Mouth"
10. Ducktails "Hamilton Road"
11. The Narcoleptic Dancers "Unique Tree"
12. Tennis "Marathon"
13. World Tour "Sparks"
14. Lower Dens "Tea Lights"
15. Bridal Party "The Light Holds"

enjoy.

Project - Potential

As part of the extreme changes occurring in my life right now, I have decided to embrace the change and live to my fullest potential. A piece of this project includes photography. I am an aspiring mediocre photographer. Tonight my roommate Jill and I ventured off to the eclectic Santa Fe first Friday Art Walk. After chatting about the interesting people around us, we had this great idea, to take photos of influential people (in style and such) around the great city of Denver. This project will provide opportunities to strengthen my mediocre photography skills. This photo is from the Santa Fe Art Walk, this guy has some street cred with his green hat and dancing skills.

Excellent

I can honestly say, tonight was the most fun I have had in a long time. I had the opportunity to teach a Yoga Sculpt class (yoga + weights = kick your butt hard).

Later, my wonderful friend/roommate Jillian Williams and I cooked this crazy meal...grilled brie cheese and raspberry sandwiches. I embraced my inner DJ which led to an epic dance party followed by intense yoga postures. Finished with scripture reading and a great little chat.

This was an unforgettable night with an amazing friend. I am so blessed to have family, friends, the gospel, really good music and extraordinary dance moves. Thank you Jill.

The Hips

I'm trying something new and experimenting with my yoga classes. I have memorized this great beginner flow but my students seem ready to move forward. Now I am focusing on specific areas of the body creating a theme revolved around opening that part of the body. Included are benefits to these postures and smart poses that correlate with the theme. Last Week:

The Hips

Opening the hip and hip muscles are significant for releasing emotions of control & opening oneself to new ideas, pleasure & new emotions. The seed of our creativity, figuratively & literally starts with the pelvis & hips. If we release control, we are free to express all aspects of our human creativity & our hips should move & flow without pain or issues.

Poses

(Sun B)

Downward Facing Dog
Low Lunge
Half Hanumanasana/splits
Low lunge
Warrior II
Extended Side Angle
Reverse Warrior
Chaturanga Dandasana
(Repeat opposite side, first set long, 2-3 sets 1 breath per pose)


(Crescent Series)

Crescent Lunge
Warrior III
Standing splits
Seated Twist
Fire Log
Side Plank
Runners Lunge
(repeat on opposite side)

Chair Pose/Utkatasana
Prayer twist
Gorilla Pose
Chair Pose/Utkatasana
(repeat on opposite side)
Frog
Frog/Wide Legged Crow

Warrior I
Warrior II
Triangle
Prasarita Padottanasna
Warrior II
Reverse Triangle
(repeat opposite side)
***Replace Prasarita Padottanasana with a variation of Frog on the floor***

And to finish...Half Pigeon, both sides.

Class seemed to enjoy it and felt open in the hips after this flow. Enjoy.