January Events

Day 4, Riding the Waves of Life

Are you in the space you want to be in life? Do you make decisions for yourself based on who you are today and how you are feeling today or do you move through life with little awareness just going through the motions?

If you would have asked me these questions a few years back I would have given you a blank stare. Today, I am married to my best friend who encourages my wings to expand, I choose to love him endlessly because of WHO he is to me. I share my passion each day both on and off the mat with others. I keep a tidy house. I give love to both old friends and new ones. I have lunch with my mom. I drive in the car with my music too loud and sing when I really have no business. Lastly, I make crazy dreams come true by facing every fear that arises. 

It is good to be aware of our past stories, the ones that carried us to where we are but it's best to keep our eyes and heart in the present, sending our energy forward rather then backwards. Without great awareness, we won’t notice the shifts happening within us so change cannot be permanent. 

If I had my eyes in the past, I would be living the life I was living previous to this one. A life lacking awareness and based on fears from my past stories. I would have never ventured to a third world country alone and I sure as hell would NOT have attempted surfing! The whole experience of surfing is so much like yoga. Shiva really helped shift my fears of surfing before I ever hit the water. In life we tend to have the need to control. We need to know the outcome of our efforts and we expect people to act and live in a certain way. The water and the waves have no agenda. The oceans energy flows until the wave ends and then sweeps back out to do it all over again. To fight the waves of the ocean serves no purpose. The surfer will never succeed by practicing resistance or the need to control. This is true for yoga, the more ego you bring to your mat, the more your body and mind will resist. 

Walking out against the current with a board twice my size propped up on my shaved head, I felt so incredibly free and strong. I make it half way to where the “real” surfers are chillen on their boards waiting patiently for the right wave to come. This process cannot be forced. You must simply wait for the right time. Isn’t this true off our boards as well? 

Laying flat on my belly, hands under my shoulders, I then bring my right knee in, toes tucked under, the wave approached and thrusted the board forward and I can feel the oceans energy roaring. My heart was fluttering then as it is now sharing with you. I take a slow, deep inhale of the saltwater air and brought my back foot forward with ease and I AM NOW STANDING on the board crouched down with my arms extended. First time, first wave, and I am up! I think I even said, WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I then told every new yogi friend that I had made, “I did it, I did it!” Out of about 10 tries, I stood up every time except once! :) I can hardly wait to try again, maybe one day I will even own my own boards!

I think I am currently on a “breaking any and all fears” path. I am tackling the fears that are rooted from my past and also tackling any new fears that may arise in the present moment. I have a strong desire to see what I am made of and to rip every second of happiness I can out of the current space I am in. I want to give of myself to those that desire my love and appreciate my intentions in this life. Place yourself around people who encourage this freedom of growth and learn from those that are trying to hold you back or show jealousy. Treat these people with the most love possible, even if it has to be from a distance. You will learn more by loving those you struggle with than you will learn from those that are easy to love. 

I finish the day with the brightest smile ever. I choose quiet time to reflect, rather than participating in the evening session. I lay on my balcony looking up at the endless sky and stars. Trying my best to understand I am truly where I appear to be, in my Heaven. My chest seems as if it will burst open and butterflies and hearts will explode out, maybe even a unicorn or two :) (don’t laugh at me!!) 

I will be up with the sun to enjoy my last 8 hours at Blue Spirit Retreat, Until then, Namaste Tica style!

Day 3, A Yogis Costa Rican Xmas

It was around 6:30 AM Christmas morning. The warm Costa Rican sun had just peeked up from behind the mountains. The howler monkeys and their families were moving through the area just like every other morning. The dining hall floor was lined with yogis sitting on comfy pillows, each with their hot tea or local coffee, journaling about the day before. I have noticed that the yogi clan loves to document and share, for me it enriches my experiences immensely. I am a story teller. I have come into a place where I have a clear vision of the Truth in front of me but also open to any and ALL wisdom offered to expand my vision. The warm, sleepy eyes and truly genuine smiles from that morning will forever be with me. Actually as I write this, my heart flutters and is instantly warm. It is so beautiful how quickly bonds are made when we all have our guards down and are ready to receive love from whoever wants to give it! 

We slowly head up, one by one, to the most beautiful space I have ever stepped into in my life this far. The yoga studio floors are a rich local wood, they offer a silky sensation to the feet. The studio has floor to ceiling windows, capturing the jungle to the right and ocean as far as the eye can see to the left. Shiva had placed her alter in the center of the room which held some of items that inspired her. The ceiling is perched with bamboo and soft lighting. We are all scattered throughout on our meditation pillows ready to watch the waves roll in with a clear, steady mind with the sounds of the jungle as our music. This is where the non-doing comes in. It is so true that the more you do, push, or force the less you achieve. The less you do, the more you feel, see, and achieve. Letting go of control of the outcome and simply riding the waves of life with a smile on our face and love in our hearts. (Hard to imagine if you have never practiced this, I have been there!) It is not possible to be in harmony with others if we are not in harmony or peace within our own minds. Sitting in stillness, watching our own mind reacts without judgment is a great place to start down the path of harmony and inner peace. 

Mid morning holds another amazing practice with Shiva Rea, she is becoming more human in my eyes as the hours together go by. It is so nice to hear she has all the same life challenges we all do. It goes back to her choice of perception in these matters that keep her moving forward, floating through life with the sole purpose of sharing love and helping teach others to find their own Dharma. A good teacher doesn’t tell you how to find it, yet offers you a path, a flash light and then gives you the love you need to move out of your own darkness. 

I spent the afternoon is the sun, watching the waves roll in alone on the beach. So much better then being full of regret from the food I stuffed my face with, laying on the sofa rubbing my Buddha belly! 

Finally, the long awaited bonfire on the beach! A beautiful piece of driftwoods acts as our microphone. Each unique person gets up in front of the fire sharing their stories of gratitude for life and what brought them to that place in time. WOW is all I gotta say.. Such a great reminder of how we are all living our own karma and we ALL have such beautiful stories. Each of us is in one stage or another. Some of us our going through a major transition, others are fresh out of a transitional phase, trying to settle into their own space and then you have those that their heart fires are burning strong and we are just tending to the fire. Whichever stage you are in is not right or wrong, it just is. So give yourself all the love you can and give others the space to do the same. We can’t choose what is right or wrong for others.

I take one more gaze up at the stars, the brightest I have ever seen, and head off to bed, preparing for another day in Heaven. I look forward to be awakened by the howler monkeys and sunrise around 5am. (not everyone seemed as excited about that as me!)

What stage of life are you in? Are you able to look at this stage without judgement, but rather with love and compassion? Try practicing non-doing for just five minutes today. Sit in your favorite space or in your car on your lunch break. Watch your mind chatter without attachment or judgment. LOVE!

Be Your Own Best Friend!

Pour your heart out, sing, dance like EVERYONE'S watching, smile because you can, get down on your knees and thank someone that brought you pain and then thank yourself for having the power the rid it form your life, BE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND, jump, look a stranger in the eye and make him a FRIEND, listen more then you talk, TRUST YOUR GUT, observe the grace of a bird floating in the breeze, SHARE, SHARE, SHARE, embrace impermanence, understand the POWER of your thoughts, and LOVE as if your heart could never brake! Om Shanti!

Day 2, The Yin in Me

Yin Yoga targets the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones, and even the joints of the body that are normally not exercised in depth in a more active style of yoga. Yin Yoga generally targets the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine. Simply said, it's holding the poses we already know and resting in them for 3 to 15 minutes! I have been leaning towards this style in my own practice and it's nice to have it formally introduced to me here in CR.

Its a great reminder of how important balance is on and off our mats. I practice and teach a more Yang style yoga, so Yin Yoga is a great balance, teaching us how to slow down and nurture our bodies. Yin Yoga brings out the non-doer in us.

After a beautiful 90 minute Yin class surrounded by the jungle my bones begun to melt into the floor as blissful tears streamed down my face. The teachers soft voice led us through savasana with the monkeys and birds as her music. I then very slowly rolled to my right side and opened my eyes to see 10 shades of green, the red and pink flowers where painted in like a picture. The howlers monkeys sounded out one more time, almost acting as our "chimes" to come to seated :) Namaste Tica style!



Flying solo for Christmas hasn't brought any sadness at all, rather strength and self love. It's been nice flying against the flock this year. The self love I'm able to create here will carry out way more then any gifts I couldn't of purchased and my belly is not missing the food AT ALL! Sitting in a circle with 30 other yogis instead of a table with my mom and dad.. The unknown, but awesome!



After Christmas what intentions will you be setting for the New Year? What actions and communications are no longer working for you? The energy we create inside ourselves effects everyone around us, on and off the mat. Are you willing and ready to take responsibility for what you bring into each situation, into your life?

Just ask the questions. Don't search for the answers. The answers will show up when you least expect it, when you need it most. LOVE

Om

Day 1, My Soul is Fearless!

Costa Rican adventure day one:

I am sitting here with my local organic coffee eating fresh local pineapple, mango, (my favorite), banana, and watermelon. The breeze is light but consistent, so many different birds singing their tunes, I wonder if they know how in harmony they really are. The howler monkeys are can be heard for miles and their calls are super intense. Sitting parrell with the ocean, the coast line and the jungle stretch as far as the eye can see. Not a bad set up uh?!

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The propeller flight in from San Jose was challenging for me to say the least! I got to sit up front with the pilot, perks of traveling alone and being petite! The ride only took 30 minutes and was stunning, flying in and out of the puffy clouds hovering above the jungle. Stepping off the plane in Nasora the first thing noticed was the temperature increase from San Jose, 15-20 degrees warmer! That heat is what I was looking for, this girl does not care for being cold! The ride I had arranged was not there, no need to panic, or at least I felt no need. A very friendly yogi, the only one left in the tin building resembling a bus stop known as the airport approached me and asked if I happen to be traveling to Blue Spirit. Yea, I now then our sweet driver with the kindest eyes arrived. The universe/God sent me just what I needed to continue releasing my fears of traveling in a 3rd world country! Cruising down the dirt roads weaving in and out of motorcycles, dads carrying their young while riding bikes, and women carrying their baskets on their heads. Horses and cows roam freely and the houses are made of tin and scrap wood. Everything holds such beauty and simplicity. 

As our kind eyed driver attempted to pass a motorcycle the engine begun to sputter out. Little by little we came to a complete stop. After attempting a few restarts with no luck, I look back at my friendly yogi and we grin to one another. We both had a look of confidence and faith, we knew we would get to where we needed to be safely but we were BOTH very happy to have one another! He grabs his tools and gets to work! “How fun” we say! He is apologizing the best he can with his broken English and we are laughing our asses off and taking pictures. The people are zooming by and dust from the road fills the warm air. NO luck with the wrench.. A passer by stops and our friendly driver says to us yogis, “You be ok 5 minutes?” Of course, caught off guard, I say, “You mean leave us here?” The driver says, “You be ok.. 5 minutes!” Without having the time to answer he hops on the bike and rides off.. Well, alrighty then!! I grab my mace out of my bag and we sit on the back of the van joking about our situation. She comments how lucky she felt to be with someone as calm as me in a situation that could of called for some major freaking out! A few passer by’s stopped in curiosity but all in all we were just two yogis in the middle of NO WHERE, chillin. The driver returns with gas, still no luck! A friendly man stops to help and attaches the van to his truck by rope. He takes off pulling the van, with our stuff, (passports, cash, credit cards, YOGA MATS!) We first stand there, look at each other, and yes, we laugh!  How awesome is this we say! We thought maybe we ought to start out on foot and chase the van down, so we did just that. We walked about half a mile and then saw our van in reverse coming down the dirt road to get us. At last, at last, free at last!! My new yogi friend says, “What a great way to lock in a friendship!”

Arriving at Blue Spirit was like taking the biggest inhale ever imagined, so happy to be in heaven. Lunch was first on my list! Yummy, Yummy, Yummy to my tummy!

I spent the afternoon by the pool, roaming around with my camera and then settled in on the beach picking up shells. At this point I am just trying to let it soak in that I was as far south/west as I could possible be, alone. Completely alone! A very connected, powerful feeling for this little girl. So humbled and grateful for every ounce of this experience. 

The sun is nearly setting and the breeze from the day has dropped to a cooler temperature, kissing the skin, leaving a soft chill behind. I am watching the hermit crabs carry their dinners and preparing shelter for the night. As the tide gets higher the ocean mist hovers above, creating a beautiful glow as the sun drops. In this stunning moment of complete presence, there is no fear, all fear has dropped away. No fear exists in a raw present moment. When fear creeps in you have dropped back to the ego, the past, or anticipating the future. Think about all fears or anxieties you may have, most likely they all stem from a previous experience, conversation, idea, exc. This is very true for me. I spent several years of my younger life in fear due to very inappropriate behaviors towards me from a family member, and the rest of it in fear of the unknown due to an alcoholic father. This is all okay with me. I see it as a beautiful piece of my story and it is all part of what has gotten me to where I AM. But, these events have left sub-conscience fears deep inside me. I can choose to be a victim, or I can thank those that have shared with me, remember that each soul is doing the best they can with their level of awareness and then do what I fear most. Transforming my fears to LOVE. 

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If you cut each of our souls open you will see rings of life in each of us, like a tree, telling our stories. These rings aren’t who we are, rather just a beautiful part of our story. Grow your roots deep into the earth to be grounded, but then soar your branches toward the stars and never look down. Trust that your roots are solid and continue evolving! 

Today, my soul is FEARLESS. 

Intentions..

"Om Namah Shivaya Gurave Sacchidananda Murtaye Nisprapancaya Shantaya Niralambaya Tejase".

"I offer myself to the true teacher within who assumes the form of reality, consciousness and bliss, who is never absent and is always full of peace, independent in existence, he is the vital essence of illumination."

Overwhelmed with Joy

Sitting here alone in the local Costa Rican airport waiting to board the propeller plane! Overwhelmed with the freedom I feel. The confidence I have developed and the fears I've overcome to be right where I AM.

I AM who I AM because of the pain AND love I've received in my life. It takes both darkness and light to grow into our fullest self.

At this point in my life I welcome ALL opportunities of growth with open arms. Today, I face several fears head on and will turn them to LOVE!

Om'ing Tica style!!

Living in color, Escazu, Costa Rica

I love this!

“Yoga balances the body, the hormonal system, and the stress response. People tend to think of yoga as being all about flexibility – it’s not. It’s about rebalancing and healing the body."

Penetrating Postures: The Science of Yoga - Forbes

www.forbes.com

Communicating through our mind chatter..

Good communication must begin with ourself before being effective with others. How can we expect to move forward with others if we are turning circles in our own mind? When communicating with others, it's best to put out there what your really needing, no mind games and no beating around the bush hoping they will catch your point. Once you feel confident in your needs, you can even say, "It is important that you hear only what I am saying and nothing more, please repeat back what you have heard me say." People have different meanings or interpretations of the same words, so clarifying before moving on will only help.

Listening is truly one of the best gifts we can give someone. If we haven't walked the path that is being shared, we cannot truly understand, so our open heart and ears may be the gift that is needed. Try understanding what they might be feeling rather than judging the situation in our head. Listen with our heart. Our soul.

In EVERY situation WE are responsible for creating the energy we want. If we are uncomfortable with the other person in which we are communicating with, try not to judge that, just watch what arises inside. Respond rather then react. When the ball is in our court, know that we can pause we can think and feel what needs to come next. We don't have to say everything going through our minds! Observe the mind chatter and pull out what FEELS right.

Compromise does not exist in every set of communication that we enter. That doesn't mean there isn't something there for us. So when do we know we have said our peace and it is time to move on?

For me, I have pulled curtain situations toward me (subconsciously of course) and held them tightly until I FELT my lessons or karmic involvement had been served. This wasn't always clear to me. This does NOT mean you get tired of dealing with it and quit! When you get to the place where you stop playing the victim, and the questions like, "Why is this happening to me?" or "Why would he/she make me feel so bad?" turn into questions like, "What is in this situation for me?" or "In what ways can I offer love?" Evolution has occurred, YEAH!

Not there yet? Sound impossible? I bet! I have been in that impossible stage for longer then I have been in the loving stage. This loving stage takes just as much effort in the beginning because we have conditioned ourselves to react with fear rather then to respond with love. It is just like running a race, you have to condition the mind and heart. Practice makes perfect!

Remember, you can do nothing for another that they will not do for themselves. The love we have, just like anything else, has to start with love for our self. From there, in order to protect our own soul, we must be willing to "disappoint" another. If we do our complete best going into the situation with love, the soul in which we are communicating with still may not be ready to receive this love or form of communication. So what now? This may mean that your time and lessons with this soul may have come to an end in the physical sense but no one can stop you from sending love and good thoughts their way. Talk about rising above. Taking the higher road.

It is our job to create the loving energy we want. Release our stories, our perceptions of what HAS been, step out in faith to what WILL be and filling our heart in the present moment with only LOVE. Trust me, practice in this will truly create great shifts throughout our whole life. We now have control of our thoughts. Don't let anyone live rent free in your mind!

Now that the load is lighter, it is our time to shine. Thank those that have shared their stories with you, learn the beauty from them and then release them, put them in your treasure chest and move forward with love! Face your fears head on and you will transform them to LOVE!

Events

Join me Saturday January 14th, 2012 at The Canebrake for Moving Mindfully into 2012!

Email me for more questions or contact The Canebrake 

Mind Chatter

Every present moment in thought and every scattered moment in thought are all actions towards our creation. Creations that trickles out to those we love and those we have yet to meet. Each moment created mirrors in the way we fill it...

What intentions are you filling your life with?
How much responsibility do you take for your present life?
Do you play the victim or are you a seeker of the TRUTH?

Jump on this roller coaster we call life and throw your hands up in the air! Set your intentions to your truest, non judging self,  show the world your biggest smile, keep your heart open and let the winds of change flow though you with peace and grace!

OM!

Loved This!

‎"Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured." -B.K.S. Iyengar

YOUR Dreams!

Running 5k's, blog writing for someone other then myself, practicing peace and love with Shiva Rea in Costa Rica, creating & hosting workshops.. WHO is this girl?!

If you don't live your dreams, someone else will! Get out there and snatch up ur happiness. Give and get all the love you can. Go out and experience everything your heart desires, big or small. Walk the walk your heart aches for regardless of tradition. Step outside your box each day. Keep your faith in the human connection. Reach for the stars even on cloudy nights and believe in today before you ever open your eyes.
Namaste!

Pre-Race Inversion!

Creation..

I AM addicted to creation of my truest self!

Keep bulldozing through the dark and you will come out as light on the other side, then you will realize why the perceived darkness is soooo vital to our evolution! When this truly sinks in it gives us the freedom to release our judgment of others and the outcome of life! Live present, live FREE!!

Events

• If your looking for a new way to bring in your New Year, I may have something for you! Join myself and Dub Dara as we turn the lights low, the beats high, and down dog our good intentions into the New Year with "Vino and Vinyasa 2012". This Vino and Vinyasa will be held inside Ascent and will be 75 minutes of Power Vinyasa. As I have said before this won't be your momma's play list. We have thrown a new twist here in Tulsa with the yogi's vrs the Dj scene! Thanks to you, these events have booked full each time so if your interested, don't delay getting your spot! TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT YOU MUST GO TO, OR CALL ASCENT TO BUY YOUR TICKET. 12-31-2011 Class time: 10:30pm-11:45pm 12am-2012 toast! Class investment: $20 until the 31st, if there are any spots left at that time, the investment will be $30 1325 East 15th Street Tulsa, OK 74120-5849 (918) 794-0243 Phone Store Hours Mon - Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 7:30am - 6pm Closed on Sunday As always, I will provide some light snacks and a small assortment of wine, but please feel free to bring your favorite wine?champagne along to share with others as well as your non-practicing spouse/partner as they can hang out at White Owl with my husband and slid back over just in time for kisses and toasts!! Lets make this the first of many Rockin New Years Eve Celebrations! OM!

Ascent

1325 E. 15th St. Suite 105, Tulsa, OK 74120

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