My friend Amani

Amani means peace.  It’s funny how I met Amani from the Congo.  I did not realize that he was a major figure so when I picked him up in my yoga clothes and immediately started joking with him and trying to speak funny French; we connected.  I was just a volunteer helping with a fundraiser in Santa Monica.  Now I am a friend of Amani.  He thanked me for my joy and said that I have a love and light that was genuine.  He also said not to be angry over things that we have no control over.  After hearing about how is mom and dad were killed by rebel groups in the Congo and his work to educate women and children by creating a peace market… he is the living example of not being angry over things for which we cannot control. 

We shared stories as we discussed life, love, and family.  He told me a funny tale about a fertility mask.  A woman came to visit the peace market in the Congo and shared how she was unable to have a child.  Amani gave her a fertility mask.  He told her that it was supposed to bring her luck and blessings and that if she believed she would get pregnant.  Then Amani looked at me and laughed… He said, Katie – the next year she was pregnant. And then he said – there is no such thing as a fertility mask…  I just wanted her to believe that she would be able to have children.  The mask was a means to an end. 
I can still hear him laughing. 
 Amani then invited me to be his friend and come to the Congo. 

Let it Unfold

If there is one thing I’ve learned it’s that life has its own natural way of unfolding.  No plans can create the Universe’s flow for one’s life.  There is no need to worry about what is the best path for life.  For the best path will be presented naturally.  When things are meant to happen – the stars align – doors open – it’s peaceful with a level of ease.  When things are forced – I have come to realize that I am not in the flow of the universal rhythm that I so long to follow.  I’m learning to step back, wait, create the space, and allow things to naturally unfold.  Things always work out and usually better than what I could have forced on my own.  I am to just be me, enjoy the beauty of the world and just be...  Breathing in life and appreciating the small things along the way. 
One thing I have learned.. Life has a natural way of unfolding...

Friendships Worldwide

Friendship is beautiful to me and I truly try to honor the relationship.  I have friends all over the world and they are friends.  Life is meant to be shared.  Life is sweeter with good friends.  As the summer is approaching and I'm planning another European jaunt I reflect upon travel with friends...  When living in Europe I was able to fly to Germany to visit my friend Ilona.  Took a plane to England and stayed with my friend Gemma in Leister, then went to London and stayed with my yoga friend Elina.  Flew to Italy to meet Laguna Beach friends and during that trip met Georgia.  Returned back to Italy with another Laguna Beach neighbor where I met friends Jill and Ron who own a vineyard in Tuscany.  Went to Paris for a weekend with Stephie and met her hubby Kevin.  My friends Seth and Christoph joined me for a fun surprise in France.  Took my mother to Venice and met back up with Georgia for her birthday party.  If I had enough time I would have flown to Florence to stay with Jill, visit Rebecca in Kosovo, taken a train to Croatia to meet up with Ana again, planned a time to see Louise in Scotland, gone to Spain to meet my friends Mayra and Raquel, and gone to Ireland to stay with yoga friend Eileen… just ran out of time.  I even had Bernie buy a ticket for me and Ilona to fly to Sweden.  Looking back living in Vienna with the Blaschitz boys was a true highlight.  Life truly is beautiful.

 

Private Yoga

I love my job as a yoga teacher...

Yoga is the union of body and mind.  Simple.  

The connection of breath with movement.

It creates calm.  Allows one to center.

Yoga is being present.

PRIVATE YOGA is what I do.  Helping others is what I love.

To me there is nothing better than taking someone to a safe edge and helping their body release and open in a healthy way.  I love to assist my clients in their stretches and I'm always looking for new fun ways to take them to the next level.  Stress is lowered, sleep is improved, peaceful thinking is cultivated.

Have I mentioned that I love my job!!!

The Art of Conflict

Last night I had the privilege to attend a fundraiser in Santa Monica.
Where:  Bergamot Station.
What:   The Art of Conflict
Cause:  Action Kivu
Area:  Democratic Republic of the Congo
Speaker: Amani Baro

It's amazing what I take for granted.  Seeing art showcased from conflicted war areas around the globe and hearing Amani speak - I am heartbroken in a good way.  I feel more educated... I feel more empowered to help with the crisis in the Congo.

The event was hosted by pioneers Cate, Kevin, and my dear friend Rebecca.  They all have full-time jobs and volunteer out of the goodness of their hearts.  They give 100% of all profit directly to the Congo.  With the help of their Congo representative Amani, they are making positive change in the world.
If you are interested in any way helping raise funds for sewing kits for women in the Kivu Sewing Workshop please check out the Action Kivu website or contact me.  

More writings to come on my new friend Amani. 
Today I was invited to the Congo.
I will go...

Thinking of Africa

Africa is often on my mind.  It's a continent you visit that forever leaves an imprint.  My life is world's away from some people I love dear, yet my heart is connected.  I miss my adopted son Mwendwa. Tonight I watched a short trailer by Invisible Children highlighting the current child soldier crisis still happening in Africa. 
Project Kony 2012 video.  Powerful stuff. 

Tomorrow I am going to a fundraiser in Los Angeles highlighting the troubles in the Congo.  The Art of Conflict...

As Africa feels so far away I am grateful to have opportunities to do what I can here and now.  An imprint has forever been made on my heart.  I will never forget.  I will never stop working for the good of the human race. 

Front Row with Trevor Hall

Spur of the moment decided to attend a concert last night after teaching my spin class.  Had a private yoga client reschedule and my evening was suddenly free.  Announced at the end of in-door cycle about Trevor Hall being in town at the Coach House and one of my spin/yoga friends in class said she'd go with me.  Soooo, no shower, not really getting ready we left after sweaty class.  Once we arrived the security guard took us to the front row and sat us center stage.  How did this happen?!  We did not pay for the expensive tickets!  And, I did not even shower!!! The concert was amazing.  Soul stirring.  Inspiring.  We were so close I could smell their sweat (or was that me)!  

I would describe Trevor Hall as a 4th cousin removed from Bob Marley with modern tones to a reggae under-beat.  As a yoga teacher I'm into the sound.  The most positive soul lifting lyrics I can find are in some of his tunes.  If I could choose one song to sing to the world it would be the melody of "Unity"... Take me to the table where we all dine together... whatever path you follow push on to tomorrow... love all serve all and create no sorrow... so many rivers but they all lead to the sea... love is the goal...  no more you and me-just Unity...

A Bad Day

Yes, even yoga teachers have bad days.  Today was one no exception.  It looked a little something like this:
 - Received some not so positive news (via e-mail)
 - In Physical Therapy and found myself over-emotional (usually I'm composed)
 - Started Crying (Shit - double shit)
 - It was the Physical Therapists Birthday so there was birthday cake
 - Frosting and Chocolate = feel good endorphines
 - Back to work
 - A few more tears
 - A little more cake (the people I work with are beyond loving)
 - 80 minutes on the elliptical at level 10 (I think I was sweating frosting)
 - More cake
Yes, even yoga teachers have bad days.  I am learning not to try and always hold it together.  To be vulnerable.  And while I would normally turn to meditation, tea and sleep - today I had cake. 

International Women's Day

International Women's Day (IWD) is getting ready to take place around the globe.
When:  Thursday 8 March Where: Everywhere
What:   International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women's Day is a national holiday.
Why:   Suffragettes campaigned for women's right to vote. The word 'Suffragette' is derived from the word "suffrage" meaning the right to vote. International Women's Day honours the work of the Suffragettes, celebrates women's success, and reminds of inequities still to be redressed. The first International Women's Day event was run in 1911. 2011 was the Global Centenary Year.
Events are held around the world.  To learn more check out the International Women's Day official website at:   http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

French Lessons

Je suis Mardi Gras.  Yes, I just wrote I am Fat Tuesday.  It's basically the only thing I can say in French.  I'm taking French lessons.  I have this desire to learn the language.  I'm hearing it and can semi-read it but when it comes to speaking it -oh my- saying I'm horrible is an understatement.  The gift of languages fascinates me and yet I have not found learning a second or third language easy. 
Once a week I work with a private French tutor.  She's amazing.  I'm the one who needs help.  My friends Mark and Susan host and I have to say out of the three of us I'm by far the worst.  But, doing something that is not easy stretches me.  Not being the best at everything is a good lesson.  I just feel bad for my tutor and friends who laugh with me as I mutter Je suis Mardi Gras. 
Yes, I'm going back to France this year - let's hope the language learning improves! :)