YOGA via SKYPE

Yes - Yoga and Skype can be a beautiful thing.
I teach yoga via Skype and it works.

Just yesterday something amazing happened. 
It was a picture and a moment I will never forget. 
Beautiful.  Tugged at my heart strings...

For the first time in one room doing yoga on the East Coast was my mother, my 80 year old grandma, and my 4 year old niece.  They were taking a yoga class lead by me on the West Coast. 
I was able to give my niece in her first yoga session.  She listened well.  Followed along and who knows... maybe one day she will take after her aunt. 

At the end of class we were seated on the floor with legs crossed, eyes closed, hands at heart-center in prayer position.  I instructed them to take a moment to offer up any prayers of gratitude - That's when I saw my 4 year old niece begin to quietly do so.  Her little eyes were closed, long blonde hair relaxed on her shoulders, and a peacefulness about her I have not seen.  I just sat, looked at her, my mom, and my grandma all participating in this yoga practice of gratitude. 
I can not describe the feelings that came over me.  Wonder.  Peace.  Happiness.
It's the small things in life that really matter...
Teaching my 4 year old niece how to say Namaste...
Yoga and Skype - a beautiful thing!

a love for travel...

The morning was still dark as I drove my friend to LAX.
4:30 AM is no time for deep thinking - or is it?
I found myself in complete excitement that I was driving someone to the International Terminal at the Los Angeles Airport.  Even at bloody 4:30 AM!  I wished I was the one flying...  I found myself thinking about the joys of travel.  The learning experiences.  The excitement.  The thrill of the unknown.

I find traveling to be one of the pure joys of my life.
It's an experience one can not describe in words.
It truly changes the way one looks at life.
To travel is to see the world through a different set of glasses.
To walk into a culture - an unknown - where all judgements are proven wrong.
To learn that the world truly is a beautiful place as vast and different as it is. 
To be unexpectedly surprised by the learning process that only comes from getting one's-self out of their comfort-zone.  That to me, is the best life has to offer.

Pulling up to LAX - I allow my mind to shift back to reality.  I hugged my friend goodbye as he ventured off for a month of exploring in Central and South America.
Driving back home at 5:30 AM, the morning was still dark...
I found myself smiling as I dreamed of my next trip.

Mental Vacation

I've taken the last month off - a mental vacation so to say.
Within the month, I have unloaded all my belongings from storage - after a 6 month move to Europe,
Moved into a quiet retreat that I can call home,
And allowed myself some proper time to rest. 

Turning one's brain off is necessary from time to time.
I call it a MENTAL VACATION. 
I suggest you try it sometime.
One is still present - Still in the moment.
But, there is no thought about the past or the future.
No to-do list.  No worry.
Just being. 
It's freeing.  It's refreshing. 
It allows room for creativity to re-enter the life.
A little zen can even be found...

Take a mental vacation, even for a week. 
See how your stress and mood begin to shift.
Mental holidays or mental vacas as I like to call them are great!
I'm back and feeling good after some needed brain R&R...