hot yoga

i was introduced to yoga about 2 years ago and since have been practicing on a weekly basis.  i recently decided to try something new as i’m constantly reminded how important it is to push myself and do things i wouldn’t normally do.

enter hot yoga.  not bikram, as i originally imagined the two to be one and the same, but instead a vinyasa style yoga in a 100 degree room.  sounds crazy, right?  well i thought so too and never in a million years did i think i would be trying it, much less practicing it on a daily basis.

my friend marsinah tried getting me to go years ago but i found every excuse in the book not too.  the thought of being in that heated room was intimidating to me.  also, the fact that i had never practiced yoga in my life stopped me completely from even giving it a chance.  all i kept thinking about was not being able to breathe and passing out the minute i stepped into the heated room.

purple_yoga

my boyfriend’s mom has been practicing hot yoga for the past year and she’s always inviting me to go, so finally i just told myself, “just go do it!”  and so i casually signed up with purple yoga, in long beach, to go try a class with her.  i figured, i might as well sign up for their new student online deal, $20 for an unlimited 2 week trial.  if anything, i’d at least get my moneys worth if all i did was try 2 or 3 classes.

little did i know that after my first class, i’d recruit two of my friends and was basically hooked after my second class.  although the temperature was an intimidating factor for me, i actually find the heat to be quite relaxing.  it also helps me focus on my breathing, which, as you find out, is key to your yoga practice.  and the water-dripping-off-your-body-like-you-just-walked-out-of-the-shower-with-your-clothes-on-sweatiness that goes on… yup, even that part is addicting as well!

practicing almost everyday now, i’m still incorporating my regular yoga practice because as much as i love hot yoga, i still love my wednesday evenings with mb at studio surya yoga.

so, lesson learned, never say never and always try something at least once!

save the world tour

i’ve had the pleasure of working with jennifer, at sunsets, inc. for the past 3 years.  recently jennifer made a selfless life changing decision to sell her car, give up her condo and leave her work to follow her dreams of helping others by creating, “Save the World Tour.”

What is the ‘Save the World Tour’?
A self-made solo 6 month journey consisting of 17 weeks of hands-on volunteering in an effort to help others and to make a positive difference in the world. The first month will consist of volunteering in California, then volunteering will continue to Ghana, Kenya, Southern India, and Cambodia. I will also be traveling to Egypt, Uganda, Northern India, and Thailand during the trip.

Mission of the ‘Save the World Tour’
To journey across the World lending a helping hand and carrying unconditional love and kindness to those in need through volunteering. To return to the United States with first-hand knowledge of the social, economical, and environmental issues around the world and to use the knowledge gained during trip to continue to make a positive change in a bigger way…

you can read more about jennifer and her inspiring story here as well as donate to Save the World Tour.

jennifer, you are a true inspiration to us all and i am so proud of you!

l.o.v.e.

red_roses

a quote by Barbara Cage:

“Love is a partnership of two unique people who bring out the very best in each other and who know that even though they are wonderful individuals, they are even better together.”

happy love day!

relax, breathe, and surrender

i received a wonderful book this past Christmas by Baron Baptiste called, ” Journey Into Power: How to Sculpt Your Ideal Body, Free your True Self and Transform your Life with Yoga.”  it’s been a great read so far.  here’s a quick quote from the book i thought i’d share with you.

baptiste_journey into power

“There is a power in the universe more powerful than you are, and all you need to do to access it is relax, breathe, and surrender.”

o’ christmas tree, o’ christmas tree

when i was little, december was my favorite month!  my birthday AND Christmas all rolled into one month… SCORE!

well as you get older, that little kid feeling starts to change and life just happens.  and it happens fast!  so fast that you sometimes forget to take a second and enjoy some of the things you use to when you were little.  i remember having a tree every year growing up and making sure we got one within the first 2 weeks of december, so that it would be up and decorated by the time my birthday came around.  and that simple little tree made me the happiest little girl.  so this year, as it is also the first Christmas of me and the boyfriend living together, we decided to get a tree.  and even though this month has been super busy and crazy, we managed to squeeze some time in to get our tree.

xmas_tree_lot

the minute we got out of the car, i smelled the amazing fresh tree scent and felt like i was transported back into time and the excitement i once felt as a little girl ran through me.

2012xmas_tree

now every time i look at our oh-so-cute decorated little tree, i can’t help but smile and be reminded of how magical the holiday season can truly be and feel.

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