Monday, December 17, 2012

Yoga in the Airport?

Don't ask...yes, a man rolled out a yoga mat in front of the gate...pulled down his pants...went into a headstand and then started doing serious yoga... As a yoga teacher you really don't want to know my thoughts on this one...

Saturday, December 15, 2012

230 5th Ave

New York, New York. The Rooftop Garden Bar at Christmas time. This is the place you want to visit at night. With amazing views of the city and directly in front of The Empire State Building this bar packs all the punches. You arrive on the top of the 20th floor where you walk out to a winter wonderland of sorts for adults. Lights, music, amazing hot drinks, and red Christmas robes to wear. It's fabulous! I had a triple hot chocolate beverage and I'm still happy. When visiting NYC, 230 5th Ave will not disappoint, promise:)





Pre Rolling Stones

Sometimes you just have to let your hair down. Throw caution to the wind... Live a little. This weekend is that occasion. 13 of us are meeting to see The Rolling Stones from the Tongue Pit. We are gathering in New York City for the live paper view event which is marking the last concert of their 50th anniversary tour. With our skull scarves in hand, we're ready to Rock. 
Know as the best rock-n-roll band of all times these men in their 60's and 70's are going strong.
Here's to some pre concert fun!

Flying to NYC

And we're off! New York City bound. Direct flight LAX to JFK, first class fabulous. I'm jetting off for the weekend with my friends. We're on a PLAY venture to see The Rolling Stones in concert. Champagne on our way to LA, Champagne on the plane, Champagne once we soon land and throw a birthday party for one of our NYC friends. The weekend is just getting started. Nothing like flying to NYC at night. Here's to some proper fun!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Kale chips

I love eating healthy. In my search for foods that taste yummy and are good for you, I've come across kale chips. They're like potato chips but healthier and with less sodium. When I know I'm going to be busy with holiday gatherings, I load up on kale chips. I made the batch below while visiting family this Thanksgiving.  It's simple.  It's easy. Here's how:   Turn oven to 350 degrees Wash a couple bundles of fresh kale and cut in small chip size pieces. Place in a large bowl and gently drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. Lay pieces individually on a baking sheet. Bake for 7-10 minutes. Allow time to dry and cool. Enjoy!:)

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Urdhva Dhanurasana (back bend)


I did my first back bend today after recovering from an injury.  Felt so good!  Less than 100 days since my break and I'm back... literally.  Why am I so crazy about yoga and back bends?  Let me tell you a little more - better known as Urdhva Dhanurasana (wheel pose) Urdhava means upward, dhana means bow or wheel.  The pose is said to replicate that of a bow as it arcs when pulled.  To properly hold the pose the soles of the feet are on the floor hip-distance apart and the hands are flat with palms on the ground.  The head and neck are relaxed and once the back arches up, leave hands firmly planted to receive a better arch and walk the feet back towards the hands.  This pose benefits the digestive system, respiratory system, cardiovascular and glandular systems.  Udrhva Dhanurasana places the body and nervous system in an abnormal, inverted position.  It causes one to have a strong respiratory system to lift up in the bow position.  I like the pose because I have to focus.  I am in the moment.  My body, my strength, my breath.  I like to do this pose when I travel...  Yes, back bend today... arm-balances and hand-stands tomorrow. 

Friday, November 16, 2012

Good News

Some of the best news I've received in a long time.  My friend is cancer free!  Yes, she had her treatments and was given a clean bill of health.  Oh Happiness!!!
I can't tell you how grateful I am.  A new start to life.  It's amazing how something like this can cause you to really see what is important in life.  It's not how much money we make or possessions that we have.  What is important is our health and the loving people that make life whole.  In this area, I feel rich.  Happy that my girl friend is free to move forward in her life with a strong body.  Feeling really grateful today! 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

A-typical Tuesday?

I woke up this morning with no voice.  Had to go teach 2 yoga classes (note: sounding like a crazy with my voice is not ideal for promoting zen).  Was supposed to start a 30 day detox/cleanse program but with my immune system low I'm going to wait until I feel better.  Bought myself a cashmere sweater - when you're not feeling well and it's on sale at one of the yoga studios, why not?!  Wrapped myself in it all day and kept warm.  It's going to be my new travel wrap.  Cozy and stylish.  After some down-dogs I was off to visit my holistic doctor.  Dr Jing (practiced medicine in China where she worked as a doctor for many years).  This lady is the real deal.  Makes her own teas, etc.  She keeps me healthy.  Today was a session of acupuncture and then hot cupping done on my back to open up my meridians.  It was intense!  I have a new release in my body but also burns on my back.  I feel better but hope these marks go away fast.  I teach tomorrow and don't want to look like I got in a fight with small circles and the circles won.  Dr Jing took me out to lunch after and she ordered me a bowl of spicy noodles and in her broken English demanded that I eat the whole thing.  Said I needed to eat, sleep, and drink tea.  Let my body heal itself.  So, that is what I'm doing.  After two more yoga classes this evening (one in which I had my first real intuitive experience) I am at home, in bed with tea.  It's 8:30pm.  I just finished talking to my best friend who is having her cancer scan tomorrow morning to see if she is in the clear.  Praying for her and feeling emotional.  I'm under the weather.  My best friend is under stress.  I have circle burns on my back and I sound like a man! Sometimes you just roll with what life hands you even if that means you shed a tear or two as you lay your head on the pillow, bundled in stylish cashmere...

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Wigs-Costumes-And Halloween


I have quite a collection of wigs.  Love to wear them at funky discos in Europe and sometimes even rock one in LA with my friends on the weekends.  Yes, this small-town country girl raised on a farm who teaches yoga by day can also get really fun and sport wigs/costumes on occasion.  It's all in good fun and honestly, why not?  My friend base in Los Angeles is one of the craziest yet most genuine group of friends I have.  They love to dress up.  There are over 10  of us, all in our 30's.  These fun-loving people work in the Hollywood industry and are crazy talented.  They are invited to the best parties and if not invited to one they think of a fun party to throw.  Most parties involve some sort of costume.  The months of September, October, November, and December are the peak months.  It's fun.  It's harmless.  It makes us all laugh and smile and feel like kids.  With such crazy busy lifestyles that we all live, sometimes it's refreshing to act a little goofy.  This year we went to The B-52's concert and dressed up - people thought we were with the band and kept taking photos of us.  It was exhausting.  I have no desire to be famous after that night.  Cameras are tiring!  We also went to The Hollywood Bowl (my favorite venue in LA) for our annual costume sing-a-long.  Throw in the costume contests I create in my fitness classes for Halloween and a couple of crazy themed 1920's and 1980's birthday parties and it's a season of fun.  Costumes, wigs, and all.  Here's to being an adult and every once in a while letting down my hair and having some proper fun.  I'm sort of a kid on the inside, even if I'm actually 33!  :)

Missing Europe

I'm missing my second home.  Europe is in my blood.  Often I find myself yearning to be back in places with friends of other cultures.  After living in Europe, it has become a part of me in such a way that I one day desire to own property and have a second home all of my own - European style.  What country, I do not know... that doesn't really matter to me.  I have friends in so many places it just depends on timing and whom I'm with during that time.  Today I miss Europe.  I feel it.  I can see it, taste it, smell it.  Wishing I was in Europe yet loving my life here in California.  I'm blessed really.  Just this week a wise man said to me, "Katie, you're a blend.  You are this half European, half Southern California woman... unique."  What a nice complement.  Yes, that is true - I do feel half European and half American if that makes sense.  Talking to my friends in Europe weekly I stay connected.  I will go back sooner than later.  Until then, I'll keep my memories abroad cherished in my heart.  Today I am deeply missing my life and friends in Europe. 

A DJ?

Some people desire fortune. Others want to be famous. I desire not to be a fancy model or actress... Actually my alter-ego would be to rock as a killer DJ. Yep, I love music. A good beat can set me off in such a positive way. Every week I am creating new playlists for my job. I research music. There are DJ's in LA that I go visit and learn from them as they give me some of their mixes. I've also lived in Europe and have a deep appreciation for all things sounding Euro. Two of my friends are in the music industry in Europe so I often get music from them. Music makes people happy. Music is healing. Music creates community.
This week I was asked to DJ my first event (200 people). It was fun. Much harder than I thought, but fun. I have so much to learn. Good thing for me that I love to learn new things and I'm always up for the challenge. Now just to come up with a clever DJ handle and see where it goes. To the unknown... I'm Pretty Optimistic

Breakfast at Katie's

I work hard and often find myself craving a day off. Today is that day. I have nothing, no plans- just me. It's amazing! This usually never happens, but when the stars align and I'm free to just be... I'm so happy. One could say that I'm mastering 'The Art of Nothing'. In a world of go, go, go - it feels good to have a movie and PJ day. Couldn't be more content!
Today I'm watching Breakfast at Tiffany's. I love the scene where they walk into the store and steal cat and dog masks and walk out wearing them on the street. Fabulous! Maybe tomorrow when I jaunt up to LA I can talk my friends into some similar fun...
Since I work out for a living, here's to resting the body and turning off the brain. Everyone needs a movie and PJ day every once in a while. Here's to The Art of Nothing... I must say, I'm mastering pretty well.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

I'm back to writing! Wrist is no longer broken. Typing once again comes with ease. Thank goodness that I can use my right hand again without pain. While having a broken wrist was not fun for me, it also gave me a sense of gratitude for the little things. I learned to slow down. And, I also learned how to be a really solid yoga teacher without having to do the poses. My classes kept growing, my teaching was improving and all while I had this stinky splint on my arm. It's amazing how injuries can have a gratitude effect. Troubles and trials can often foster appreciation. I'm back to writing. My wrist is no longer broken!

Friday, November 2, 2012

my best friend has cancer?

My best girl friend has been dealing with cancer for the last year.  Next week is her year scan to see if the cancer is gone or still in her body.  This week is a strict diet and then next Wednesday will be the big day.  Until then, it's peace with a side of nerves.  I'm sending her as much love as I can and praying that she will be okay.  I worry for her.  I love her.  She is 30, fit, beautiful and fabulous.  How the fuck did she get cancer?  I only want her to be healthy, happy, and free to live her life.  This last year has been a year of major ups and downs.  In the midst of it all I am inspired by her strength.  Her heart to love others and her ability to navigate through this with such grace.  I don't know if I could.  I'm also stoked and happy for her that even in this year of total shit sadness that she has found love.  Not just any love, but the true love of her life.  This guy/man is amazing.  He loves her regardless and just proposed to her last month.  I am crying at how happy I am for her.  She deserves nothing but the best in life.  Now... just deep breaths and prayer until Wednesday.  Sending love up to San Francisco to my best girl friend who hopefully will no longer have this horrible fucking thing called cancer... I'm the goofy one in the wig, she's the hottie next to me :)  Love you Sista Blabe!!!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Keeping it in the Family

I Love my nieces! So, when I was asked to teach yoga at an indie music festival over Labor Day weekend that was close to my favorite little girls, I instantly booked a flight. The second day of the festival my nieces joined me in yoga fun. We spent the morning by the lake and played outdoors. They are natural yogis...not afraid to try new things and quick to learn. Reese, my 5 year old niece learned how to do her first backbend and Ryane, who is 7, is on her way to partner yoga and downdog handstands. So proud of them and love them beyond words. Seeing them do yoga was the highlight of my trip. Keeping it in the family, here are some pictures of our fun yoga morning. I sooooo love my nieces!!! :)

Broken Wrist

I broke my wrist! Hate to admit it but I was doing some partner yoga at this mini hippie festival and took a fall. Here is what I've learned:
- you can brake a bone & still move it
- broken bones hurt like hell!
- never trust a person who has been drinking and says they're also a yoga teacher... Never!
- never let another yogi practice partner yoga with you if any ounce of alcohol has been involved... Never ever!
- Acro yoga and alcohol do not mix
- when booking music festivals, only teach yoga poses where your feet are on the ground
- even if you are sober, it doesn't mean other practicing yogis around you are
- I'm way over trusting with others...must be more safe with my own body.

Stupid was I to allow another yoga teacher who had been drinking to be my base in acro-yoga. Our first stunt went perfect. The second sequence ended in me taking quite a fall. It was either going to be my neck or my wrist... My wrist is broken. I thought it was just a sprain and tried to teach a class on it right after but when I could not put any weight on it in downdog and sharp pain shot through my entire body I knew something was wrong. I'm lucky it's only a broken wrist. Now 6-8 weeks of recovery I will learn to be an excellent verbal yoga instructor. Sitting on the plane flying back to California with quite a souvenir from this trip... My first and hopefully last broken bone from careless yoga.

Stinky feet

The flight attendants must be having hot flashes! I've not been this cold on a plane maybe ever. It's 102 degrees where I'm headed but the temperature on the flight feels like minus-2. I'm drinking coffee trying to stay warm.
The man next to me smells like a combination of stinky feet and alcohol. Thank goodness he's so tipsy that all he can do is sleep.
My flight was 1 hour delayed and my connection flight already missed. On standby with hopes of returning back home so I can open the yoga studio tomorrow morning and teach my 7am yoga class. Fingers crossed I'll be off the hot-flash, drunk passenger plane soon... Coffee to keep me warm and hopes of a standby connection... And even with all this, I still love traveling. It's the journey and the unknown I find fascinating. Oh no, the passed out drunk man next to me has just started snoring!

Friday, August 31, 2012

I was not ready for this...

At Chicago Airport: headphones on, leaning against the wall, waiting for my connecting flight... Staring up at the sky - trying not to cry.
I just found out that one of my best friends was denied visa and access back to the US. I'm in shock. Just talked to him while at the airport, it's real... He's not coming back anytime soon. He's my closest guy pal. Most of my fun memories go back to Raj. I'm so sad. I'm sure we will stay in touch and meet somewhere on the globe, but it's not the same. I was expecting to see him next week for another season of laughs and fun nothing's... Now I wait. Knowing that everything happens for a reason but sometimes in the moment it hurts... Good friends are hard to come by; best friends are rare. I guess I'm blessed to have such good friends, even if they are 9 hours away. Headphones on, deep yoga breathing, getting ready to board my flight.

Flying

I'm jetting somewhere in the clouds. Flying makes me happy! This trip, yoga mixed with music and familiar faces. Teaching yoga at an outdoor indie music festival this Labor Day weekend. Heading East where friends and family will meet me for the fun. It's been too long since I've seen my nieces... excited that I get to mix work and family time.
Last night I finally unpacked from Europe, did a quick load of laundry and repacked for outdoor hippie music fun. Not sure what to expect but one thing is sure, I'll try my best to rock a fun weekend... Slumber party with my nieces, yoga, music festival and all. I'm flying high :)

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Honestly Me

I find that as I'm getting ready to head back to the US, I'm Sad.  Every time I travel I leave a part of my heart on my journey.  To me traveling is living.  Traveling is loving; loving life and presently loving those whom are in your company.  Traveling keeps me open-minded and connected to the world.  It is important to me to always be a Citizen of the World.  I will continue to make sacrifices in my life in order to make sure that I keep the joy of traveling alive.
My goal is to enjoy life more, work less, save money and travel more - using the gift of yoga as I go.  To work hard 8-9 months a year and then spend my summers traveling and teaching international yoga.  This last year has been a year of non-stop working, sometimes 12 hours a day 6 or 7 days a week.  I was burnt-out.  I never want to go back to that crazy work work work all the time mentality, even if it is doing what I love.  I'm learning that having time to just be is so important.  I'm also realizing that living and working in Southern California is a blessing and a curse.  CA is its own beast.  Beautiful but the pressure to look and be a certain way is exhausting.  I find that working in yoga and fitness I'm expected to be/look a certain way.  I'm a size 4.  In CA a size 4 might as well be a size 10.  I'm constantly working out, watching what I eat, pushing my body too hard.  Every time I travel, I am reminded of how the world is different.  There is not always the pressure to be thin.  When abroad, I work out less, eat whatever I want, take long walks, drink plenty of wine and I always lose weight.  I'm happier.  I do not feel the pressure to look a certain image... I'm just me.  So this time as I pack to head back to LA, I'm going to try my hardest to not care about the CA image.  I'm not going to try and be a size 2 or an XS (extra small-that's the new size now).  I'm just going to be me...

Shopping in Paris

My pockets are empty but my hands are full (of shopping bags)!  As I am ending my holiday in Paris, I had to hit the stores one more time.  Amazing fashion finds are in Paris and London like no other.  I love both cities, especially the shopping.  For some reason, fashion in Europe is better.  The look.  The style.  The sexy/classy vibe.  I love it!  I'm going home with some cool pieces, some trendy, some classy, all super fun.  My friend Stephanie has shown me the best places.  She is a fashion diva - tres chic!  So when in Paris, I recommend shopping at Massimo Dutti and Kookai.  My favorite areas are Chatelet and the shopping on Rue des Rosiers... in my opinion they are the best locations for French fashion.  After 2 days of shopping, I'm beat.  Now trying to sort out how to pack all this back in my little suitcase... hummm - creativity is needed.  I'm so excited to start wearing some of my new looks - yeah to shopping in Paris!
Check out Massimo Dutti
Check out Kookai

Friday, August 10, 2012

The South of France

The French Riviera... a place I've always wanted to visit.  The South of France has been on my travel list for some time.  Finally, the day arrived when I was here.  I've spent the last week on an island off the coast of France.  I'm not lying.  This is a dream.  It's remote.  It's not easy to find.  It's beautiful.  Stunning.  From London it took an entire day to arrive but was well worth the voyage.  I've been staying at a retreat that is not on a road, one has to hike to get to the location.  I thought I might have a heat stroke hiking with my luggage to the resort house, but I finally made it.  Yoga friends met me and it has been a fun time.  From swimming to hiking to cooking to yoga to meditation to even attending a locals birthday party... I have enjoyed my time here.  I find the French to be beautiful people, warm, hospitable, loving, and just really genuine.  I am really grateful.  Living life with locals, laughing with the French (even if I don't understand half of that they are saying!).  It's been a fun journey on the coast.  Now back to Paris...

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Green


Lying in the grass while traveling, I feel a connected to all that is, to all that represents the good.  I am grateful.  I find inspiration.  A new poem emerges...

GREEN:
Drawing Me In
Calming My Soul
Connecting to Something Bigger
Foundation of My Being,
I Find Rest.

Soft
Strong
My Quiet Haven

From London to Paris
To Traveling the World,
You Are with Me...

Providing Me Rest
Leading Me Back to Myself. 

Green - Drawing Me In, Calming My Soul, Foundation of My Being, I Find Rest.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

London Fun - Olympics Yeah

 London during Olympic festivities has been awesome.  Crowded but amazing.  The city is full of life.  People from all over the world... it's exciting to see so many cultures coming together in one place.   England has done an amazing job of turning the city into this magical place.  The evenings are bursting with life.  From Hype Park to Green Park to The Queen's River Walk... these are must see places for Olympic fun.  I am so happy that I was able to go and meet my good friends from Vienna.  I'm also very fortunate to have worked with the Acro-Yoga Company of London on this trip as well.  I keep meeting so many great people.  My life is truly blessed.  Enjoy the pictures.  Next stop, South of France for a little yoga retreat.  Namaste!  :)






Friday, August 3, 2012

Olympics in London

I'm heading to London today.  Leaving Paris for 4 days at the Olympic Games.  Excited to be in a city where so many cultures are merging.  Meeting with old and new friends from all over the globe in London is sure to be fun.  One of my best friends from Vienna is flying to meet me and I'm staying with some yogi's.  This is sure to be a fun weekend filled with lots of laughter, pub crawling, and maybe even a little yoga.  Going to watch some Olympic games and just let the weekend naturally unfold.  I find that when I travel with an open agenda and no set plans, it always turns out to be better than what I could have put together.  So, to a fun weekend in London... then to the South of France for a yoga retreat.  I am blessed! 

Girls Night Out

Girls Night Out in Paris!  Once a month my friends have a 'girls night out only' rule.  They leave their boyfriends, husbands, babies, dogs, cats (you name it) at home and go out dancing.  High fashion women in beautiful dresses and high heels.  French women know how to look sexy and classy at the same time.  This month my girlfriends and I went to a tres chic club called Bizz-Art.  2 levels.  Dinner on the up and concert, stage, dancing on the first.  The clubs in Paris go until 5am.  This night was no exception.  It started with a live concert (10 of the finest getting up and performing - amazing is an understatement) and then 2 DJ's took over mashing music for us to move to until the early hours of the morning.  The dance-floor was hot and the people were have a good time, classy sexy French style.  If ever in Paris, take at least one night and go out dancing.  There are many popular clubs.  One of my favorite is Bizz-Art... www.bizzartclub.com/


Thursday, August 2, 2012

happy birthday to me


Luck am I to celebrate my birthday among friends in France. I arrived here knowing 3 people and had 14 people attend my birthday party. I'm blessed that I have the gift of making friends and connecting all over the globe. And the people I connect with are real/genuine individuals. This year my birthday was celebrated outside a country French home with a big backyard party/BBQ. It was intimate and fun. The lights went out that night but we just lit candles and stayed up eating, drinking, talking, dancing, singing, and laughing till the early hours of the morning. My friends brought out a cake and sang to me in English and in French. Lucky am I to celebrate my birthday among friends in France!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Notre Dame Cathedral



Have you ever been so moved by art that you are speechless?  There are two pieces of art that have brought strong emotion over me.  The Statue of David in Florence, Italy and Notre Dame Mosaics in Paris, France.  With the Statue of David I'm in awh, can not speak... With the Notre Dame stain glass I actually find tears.  This is the only piece of art that has ever cause me to cry.  For my holiday the one thing I wanted to do was take a day and just sit, with no time limit, and admire the beauty and wonder in this work of art.  The colors are breathtaking and the grand nature of the piece makes me feel small.  It is here that I realize how grateful I am to have eyes that can see something much more beautiful and bigger than myself.  This trip, I went and stood... lit a candle, offered up prayers of gratitude and then when tears started to slowly run - I took photos.  I wait until I am moved in the most purest way and then I shoot abstract photos full of color.  Some turned out better than expected...waves of light and color... so happy!  I spent the afternoon just looking in silence.  Allowing myself to be moved from the inside out.  The Notre Dame stain glass is my favorite piece of art in world.  If you have the chance, visit it.  My wish is that even you too will find art that inspires you in such a deep way.