Training and Workshops with Ari and Me.

Happy Birthday Ari!

Ari in Scorpion on the beach.

Lucy, Ari, Jack + Mick, and Adam. Amazing Family. 

Today is Arianne Greens birthday!! She is MY teacher, my friend, and my inspiration. Gratitude for all of the love and support that she has given to me this past year. Love, Love, Love. 

www.goodkarmaguide.com

Letting Go.

I really needed Ari's yoga class this morning. Physically I've been feeling horrible, which in turn has me feeling a bit down. My joints have been aching - mostly my hands (knuckles, wrists), elbows, and knees. Then there was the whole drama in Avalon with my job. And, something that always weighs heavy on my mind, my Dad. Ari's class was still super challenging, but she added a lot of forearm postures into the mix as well as a forearm stand, which my wrists and I were very grateful for. Knowing that I've been holding onto a good amount of anger, frustration and sadness, Ari started out with a little story to start our practice - which I held with me throughout my practice {and even after!}. I found a version of it online, and it goes like this:

Life offers up a heavy load to carry....Let Go.

Two monks, going to a neighbouring monastery, walked side by side in silence. They arrived at a river they had to cross. That season, waters were higher than usual. On the bank, a young woman was hesitating and asked the younger of the two monks for help crossing the river. He exclaimed, 'Don't you see that I am a monk, that I took a vow of chastity? I cannot help you woman.' "I require nothing from you that could impede your vow, but simply to help me to cross the river,' replied the young woman with a little smile. 'I can do nothing for you,' said the young monk. 'I will help you' said the elderly monk. 'Climb on my back and we will cross together.' Having reached the other bank, the old monk put down the young woman who thanked him in return. She went on her way and both monks continued their route. The young monk complained and carried on, scolding the elder monk saying, 'You shouldn't have carried that woman on your back. I cannot believe it! It's against our rule!.' 'This young woman needed help and I put her down on the other bank. You didn't carry her at all, yet she is still on your back,' replied the older monk.

LET GO. That is the lesson of the story here. Though the young monk never once held the woman, he was still carrying her - all the way from the river to the monastery. What is it that you are carrying with you? I always say if something isn't lifting you up - then its dragging you down. If something or someone does not serve you physically, emotionally or spiritually - then LET GO. And so my mantra during savasana was:

I let go of my anger, there's nothing I can do to enlighten her. 

I let go of my sadness, holding on to it doesn't help him. 

I let go of my physical pains, they are only temporary. 

I let go of anything that doesn't lift me up. 

I am vulnerable, I am available, I am celebrating.

I left class feeling much lighter than when I walked in, having gotten rid of all that I've been carrying around with me lately. Big gratitude to Ari Green for another enlightening and uplifting class, and to all of the yogi's that I share the classroom with every week.

Summer Schedules

Yesterday was my last class at Surfside Fitness in Avalon. I was fired after class, which I pretty much saw coming. I've had a million different jobs: nannying, yoga, music, surf lessons, waitressing, cleaning, massage, catering...and this is my first time ever being 'terminated'. Considering the terms, I gotta say that I'm okay with it - but I will say that I am going to miss my AVALON COMMUNITY very very much. Fortunately Arianne Green, my boss at the Zen Den, is amazing, supportive, appreciative and generous. She has opened a studio in Ocean City (9th + Asbury) and has given me my pick of classes. I'll be teaching there on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings {the schedule begins on Memorial Day Weekend}. Also, this will be my 4th year teaching yoga on the beach @ 41st street. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays I'll be doing a 7-8am all levels flow for $10 donation {beginning in June - sunday June 3rd}.  I will only be teaching two YIN classes this summer and they will both be on Wednesday night. Wednesdays 5:30pm - 6:45pm I'll be teaching a yin flow at the Zen Den in Margate and later at 7:45pm I'll be teaching a yin class at Living Well CrossFit Center.

I am really looking forward to the summer ahead -- it is going to be a good one: filled with music, beach, fishing, yoga and friends. Thank you to the outstanding community in Avalon who came out all Fall, Winter, and Spring to support me and to join in on the beauty of yoga. My apologies that I won't be in town this summer- but I'll see you in Ocean City and then come Fall 2012 I'll be back in Avalon!!

Namaste!! 

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Times.

Arianne ("Ari) Green is one of my favorite people. She owns the Zen Den, and teaches classes there throughout the week. As I've said before, her classes are challenging and intense - but wonderful and rewarding. Over the past few months that I've been working at the Zen Den, our relationship has shifted from a casual/business exchange to a wonderful friendship. Ari makes me feel appreciated as an employee, inspired as a student, and loved as a friend. And not only have I become close to Ari, but it was a two-for-one deal and I got her badass hubby Adam as well! Last night they wanted to take me out for dinner as a gesture of gratitude for teaching at the Den, but alas - no babysitter! So instead, we stayed in and Adam made his WORLD FAMOUS spring rolls. I was his sous chef, and I was let in on his top secret recipe -- but I'll never tell. If we told ya, we'd have to kill ya...THAT'S how good the spring rolls are! It was great to finally be able to relax and hang with these two, instead of the usual 15 minutes before, after and in-between classes. Around midnight we finally declared that bed time was in order, and since it was so late I just spent the night so I could be fresh for Ari's 9:30am vinyasa. Coffee, children (the Greens 3 little ones: twin boys {mick and jack} and a girl {lucy}), and conversation filled the morning and then we headed to the studio for class. I got my 80lb ass up in the air a few times, and even found myself *almost in a tripod headstand. Thank you Universe for always sending me exactly what I need, exactly when I need it. Love Love Love and Gratitude to Adam and Ari for being such amazing human beings, and for inviting me into the family. <3

Adam, showing me the A,B,C's of wrapping spring rolls...

Frying em up outside at a high high heat!

Ari was the drink-pourer and the sauce-getter...we were a solid team.

If I told you the recipe, I'd have to kill ya....