day 1 – #dailysoul

my yoga instructor, mary beth larue, has combined forces with two of her inspiring friends, rachelle and caley, resulting in, handstands, hamsas and BLISS!   their intention is to inspire personal strength through practice, to emphasize the importance of finding bliss in all things, and to give us the tools to learn how to spread our message and the message of others who are making this world a healthier, brighter, more soulful place.  they will be doing this thru challenges, workshops, outreach, etc.

i thought it would be fun to join in on their very first challenge for the month of june, called #dailysoul.  the challenge is to take a picture via instagram everyday in the month of june of something that feeds our soul.  something that inspires us and lights us up from the inside out.  to read more about the challenge and to join in on the fun, click here.  if you join in on the fun, make sure to tag your image with the following: #dailysoul @caleyalyssa @melarue @the_neshama_project

here is my day 1 – #dailysoul picture…

day1_dailysoul

“tasting & enjoying the sweeter parts of life!”

if you haven’t already, follow me on instagram, @inacard, to see more of my #dailysoul pics.

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.”

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