Laughter is Good Medicine...

This week in yoga I decided to emphasize laughter.  I often find that funny things happen to me.  Humor has been my long time friend.  So, as the holiday season is approaching I decided to highlight how laughter can help  through the seasons.  Be on the look out for funny things, they are all around you...
For example - two weeks ago, I was invited to a house wedding reception in Los Angeles.  Wanting to look as cute as I could, I wore a sleek black dress with high black boots and a trendy scarf (I'm single).  I get to the house and they have a no shoes policy.  WHAT?  No shoes... this is not good!  I also have a fetish for fun socks and had on the most ridiculous pair under those hot black boots.  Sometimes ya just gotta roll with life.  Take a deep breath, laugh, and go with it.  I took off the boots (picture insert of socks worn at wedding).  Needless to say, I received many stares and left the party single and laughing.  I'm still laughing. 
Sometimes Laughter is Good Medicine...

Fit Female-CSUF

I'm learning not to take myself so seriously.  Really. 
Last week I was nominated Fit Female for the month of November at CSUF.  Went to work and was showered with some craziness.
I entered to teach my yoga class with the max of 42 yoga mats and 42 faces staring at me when my boss comes in and gives me this lovely award.  It's sponsored by Nike, Schwinn, and Playtex Tampons.  Playtex is the biggest supporter and so what do I get... Yep, a bright pink yoga mat that says 'Playtex Tampons - Be Unstoppable'  Their marketing director should be fired!  I was given a nice supply of tampons and some lovely clothes to wear.  I thought I was being PUNKED.
The guys in my class were laughing so hard.  Photo shoot is next Monday in class where I have to wear all the lovely sponsor clothes and use the Tampons Yoga Mat.  This was the first time in yoga class that I passed out tampons.  I'm learning to laugh a lot and just go with the flow. 
I would advise the same to you... when life throws you the unexpected (or a lifetime supply of tampons) - just roll with it and don't take things so seriously.  Really...

Following the Current

With the month of October rocking my world, I'm going to just go with the flow.

I'm stepping into the riverbed of my life and swaying in the deep blue...
PEACE!

'The expression "Go with the flow" is a metaphor that applies to navigating a river. When we go with the flow, we follow the current of the water rather than pushing against it. People who go with the flow may be interpreted as lazy or passive; but to truly do so requires awareness, presence, and the ability to blend one's own energy with the prevailing energy. Going with the flow does not mean that we toss our oars into the water and kick back in the boat, hoping for the best; rather, it means that we let go of our individual agenda and notice the play of energy all around us. We tap into that force and yield to it, which gets us where we need to go a whole lot faster than resistance will.
Going with the flow does not imply that we don't know where we are headed, but simply that we are open to multiple ways of getting there. We are also willing to change our destination, clinging more to the essence of our goal than to particulars. We acknowledge that letting go and modifying our plans is part of the process. Going with the flow means that we are aware of an energy that is larger than our small selves and are open to working with it, not against it.
Many of us are afraid of going with the flow because we do not trust that we will get where we want to be if we do so. This causes us to cling to plans that are not working, stick to routes that are obstructed, and obsess over relationships that are not fulfilling.
When you find yourself stuck in these kinds of patterns, do yourself a favor and open to the flow of what is rather than resisting it. Trust that the big river of your life has a plan for you, and let it carry you onward. Throw overboard those things that are weighing you down. Be open to revising your maps. Take a deep breath and move into the current.' - The Daily OM.

Nieces

I'm grateful that I get to be an aunt.  My older brother has two nieces and they are the loves of my life.  I can only imagine how life will be when I have kids.  Ryane and Reese (4 and 6).  The sad part is they live 2,000 miles away and I do not get to see them as often as I'd like.  During the month of October I had to fly back East 2 times and was able to spend some fun weekends with them.  We painted pumpkins, carved pumpkins, had a slumber-party, made their mom a birthday cake, sang goofy songs, danced around grandma's house... it was beyond fun.  I love that I have two little women in my life.  They add so much value, like a sweetness only kids can create.  I'm so grateful for my nieces and hope to always have a close relationship with them both.  Love you Ryane and Reese! :)

Hollywood Bowl: Sound of Music Sing-A-Long

The Hollywood Bowl is one of my favorite venues.  It's the closest thing I can find to Europe in LA.  An outdoor amphitheater located in the Hollywood Hills.  People come, picnic, and sit under the stars while watching an outdoor concert.  Nothing better than eating, drinking, and being merry with 18,000 other people.  It's large, yet it still feels like a small community of people. 
I try to attend the annual Sound of Music Sing-a-Long.  It's beyond fun.  We get a group of friends together, choose a song from the famous movie, and then we dress up to the song.  It's hilarious.  People get creative and get their freak on.  This year the song was "How do you solve a problem like Maria."  I dressed up as the clown... If you are ever in LA and can attend this event I highly recommend it.  Connect with the kid in you and have some fun (with 18,000 other people).  It's great, so good it sells out every year.  Check out the Hollywood Bowl

Laugh at Yourself

The last 24 hours have been complete 'laugh at the idiot in me' status.  Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself.
Last night in my vinyasa flow yoga class I had 43 people; was at max capacity.  I had just finished taking them through a challenging flow and took them into child's pose to relax and focus on their breathing.  I told them to take a deep breath in, exhale out, and FOCUS ON YOUR BREASTS!  Yeah!  I have no idea where that came from... I was not thinking about breasts, 43 people were in child's pose and I could see no breasts... what did I just say!  I meant to say, take a deep breath in, exhale out and focus on your breath.  I'm still laughing!

Today after my first private yoga client I headed to Trader Joe's to pick up a specific item.  I'm sending a couple of care packages to friends afar and wanted to add in the most amazing thing on the planet... The Dark Chocolate Carmel Sea Salt bars.  I kid you not when I say they are amazing.  With 3 chocolate bars in hand I go to check out and of course choose the hottest cashier (total cool surfer with a tan, funky hair, and tattoos).  It was about the time that he looked at me that I got my Dior sunglasses stuck in my hair!  Bloody hell - how was this happening to me?!  Didn't I embarrass myself enough last night in yoga?!  I started laughing.  He started laughing.  Tries to tell me it happens to him all the time.  My hair is in a knot, I ended up having to pull some out in the detangle process...
Sighhh - looks like my expensive damn Dior's ruined my chance for love at Trader Joe's.
Sometime you just have to laugh at life and laugh at yourself...

A New TATTOO

नमस्ते:शांति
Today I am getting a new Tattoo.  I've been wanting another one for a while and today seems like the right time.  Since I teach yoga and get to do this for a living, I thought getting Namaste and Peace would be cool and it's meaningful to me.  I always end my yoga sessions in Namaste, which is a greeting used in India.  In Sanskrit it means a couple of different things:  "the light in me honors the light in you", "the spirit in me bows to the spirit in you", "I honor you", and it also know as a way to give respect.  I love it.  It's simple.  Namaste : Peace...
 Forever engraved on my wrist...
 Today I'm getting a new tattoo!