going within


this morning i took to one of my new favorite activities- classes on yogaglo.com. i am so thankful for the internet that i am able to practice with some incredible teachers!

the classes are truly amazing. today i had the honor to practice with elena brower. the lesson is a nice steady heat building anusara vinyasa flow focusing on consistency in daily practice, shining through your lower back and kidneys, and becoming that which you wish to attract with patience and healing. elena's approach to yoga is very compassionate to yourself, really about building a beautiful relationship with your body and your mind.

i tend to be very active, sometimes overwhelming myself with how much i want to get done. i zip all over the place, thinking this is the best way for myself to accomplish my goals on my daily lists.

elena mentioned in her class that when we are busy, patience is usually the last thing on the menu, but ultimately it is what we need. to give yourself space, the time to nurture and take care of yourself, is a gift that you can continuously receive every time you step on the mat.

today it is raining buckets and i feel a little more introverted than usual. it is so wonderful to know that i can go inside, take some time out, recharge and reground. it really is a blessing to stop, listen to my body, and give it what it's asking for- to slow down.

not all activities need to be so thoroughly active. i can get the same things done, perhaps even with more efficiency and grace, when i take my time and allow patience to come to the surface once more.

elena asks in the class 'what do you want to attract?' i want to attract kindness, humor, confidence, patience, open mindedness, and peace. this basically sums up my daily mantra. i want to remain these qualities through every bump in the road, through whatever change life brings me.

my daily practice; devoted to me, and ultimately to all the relationships i have in my life, is becoming the rock i can always come lay on and bask in the sunshine. even on a rainy day like today i can find a little brightness in my body, draw it out from within and share it with the world.

thank you elena for sharing your beautiful yoga on yogaglo! check out her lesson here: 'anusara flow for consistency and space' at yogaglo.com

utthita trikonasana

*worn: purusha dali straight leg yoga pants

triangle asana may be my favorite yoga posture. it leaves me feeling open, exhilarated, and refreshed. and it's so simple to do, it's accessible to all levels of yoga. try it to give space for your kidneys, to strengthen and tone your legs, and to wake up your spine!


instructions from yoga journal:

(oo-TEE-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna)
utthita = extended
trikona = three angle or triangle

Step by Step

1. Stand in Tadasana. With an exhalation, step or lightly jump your feet 3 1/2 to 4 feet apart. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and reach them actively out to the sides, shoulder blades wide, palms down.

2. Turn your left foot in slightly to the right and your right foot out to the right 90 degrees. Align the right heel with the left heel. Firm your thighs and turn your right thigh outward, so that the center of the right knee cap is in line with the center of the right ankle.

3. Exhale and extend your torso to the right directly over the plane of the right leg, bending from the hip joint, not the waist. Anchor this movement by strengthening the left leg and pressing the outer heel firmly to the floor. Rotate the torso to the left, keeping the two sides equally long. Let the left hip come slightly forward and lengthen the tailbone toward the back heel.

4. Rest your right hand on your shin, ankle, or the floor outside your right foot, whatever is possible without distorting the sides of the torso. Stretch your left arm toward the ceiling, in line with the tops of your shoulders. Keep your head in a neutral position or turn it to the left, eyes gazing softly at the left thumb.

5. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Inhale to come up, strongly pressing the back heel into the floor and reaching the top arm toward the ceiling. Reverse the feet and repeat for the same length of time to the left.

my right side can be very tight. liam watches me do yoga :)

adho mukha svanasana & urdhva mukha svanasana



i love the basic asanas. so simple, yet so effective. wearing an oldie but goodie purusha tank- 'let the sky get you high'.

etsy favorites i really love shopping on etsy. haven't bought anything on there in a while, but i am always thinking about things i'd like to have once i get the $$$ ! check out my recent favorites:

dyeing i now dye clothes every day of the week! dyeing in my kitchen- soon i'll be installing a large sink in my basement as i am quickly outgrowing this lil space! i mix all my own colors from red, yellow, blue, brown- thanks mom for teaching me how to create colors! shakin up the pigments!! me wearing purusha dali skinny yoga pants, 'all you need is love' on my own tee, and playtex gloves mmmmm.. :)

choose calm as business has been picking up, and in the absence of a second job, i have allowed stress to creep into my life. it's easy to allow yourself to feel overwhelmed when there is just so much work to be done! running your own business is a little crazy, i'm realizing. . . starting out is especially difficult. i am the factory worker, the seamstress, the designer, the advertiser, the book keeper, the marketing person. sometimes my 'to do' list is so out of control and lengthy, just looking at it gets me worried! i had a bit of a break down the other day, as i allowed my stress to build itself into a wall around me. and i was leaving it unchecked. i continued with my normal life- working hard on purusha, running/biking, yogaing. though my life was basically the same as always, i couldn't help but feel like i was running on empty. my temper and patience became shorter and i started eating a lot more sugar. i felt a bit hopeless and helpless. my mind went into autopilot, and i forgot that i had the option to steer my own ship. taking the time to meditate is hugely important. sometimes i'm just so go, go, go! that i have a hard time remembering to slow down, reflect, and decide if my current thought process is workable. upon watching my recurring thoughts i saw fear, anxiety, and dread- ugh well of course i felt like shit! my thoughts took control, when i should be controlling my thoughts! it's quite liberating- to realize stress is not necessary by any means. it doesn't get the job done any better or faster, and it's so unhealthy for the body. as a person that preaches yoga and health and calm, well i know i must first become an example of that before i can influence anyone else. so i'm choosing calm. it's not that the feelings of anxiety are gone, but rather i won't allow them to become my daily mantra. instead i am watching myself, like i would my own baby, and i'm not allowing the negativity to have power over me. the simplest answer is usually the best- to take a deep breath and let go of unusable thoughts. replace them with laughter, thoughts of love and intention, and with patience that all the work will get done.

my favorite cup thanks to my dear friend naomi, i have a favorite beautiful glass for drinking water :) ! i have been more hydrated than ever these past few days! it's so dainty and sweet, yet thick and durable. when i look into the glass with water in it, the small clear spots look like shining stars! i love it! over the past year or so patrick and i have been accumulating some gorgeous pieces from naomi lee glass. they are each so unique and special; containing much love, creativity, and positive energy! this drinking glass makes ice water a treat! our spectacular rain drop piece love the curves, the movement, and ultramarine shades. my lil' cup shining in the sun! glass in the kitchen, antiqued. check out naomi's beautiful glassware at ---> downright music & art in collinsville and online at ---> glass by naomi lee