Book One!

I bought my mom a kindle for Christmas. She was reading Hunger Games and remarked that it was such a shame that dad couldn't read because he would really love it. It's like Survivor, but they hunt one another....right up his alley (kill Em and eat Em). Anywho, it sparked an idea and before we knew it dad was borrowing moms kindle and reading the Hunger Games, in the largest font possible. It was slow and steady, but he finished it yesterday, bringing tears of joy to both my mom and me.

Baby P and Mrs.P

Persephone and her Mama, Emily Paul, came for a visit today. It was good to have Lil P and Mrs.P in the house....a visit was way past due.

powerful and AMAZING.

Yay! I now love Saturdays classes...because there is a theme: loud, intense, sweaty, energetic and totally amazing. I had 15 amazing yogis come out this morning, of all different styles and skill levels. We started out class with 3 rounds of OM and one really loud rebel yell. The theme of today's class was to TRUST IN YOURSELF because we are POWERFUL and AMAZING. We laughed... a lot. We yelled and chanted and breathed and screamed. And we sweat. And smiled. We shouted to the person across the circle that they were amazing...and IT was amazing.

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*Thanks to YogaJournal for the insight about believing in yourself, and thanks to my outstanding friend Gray Richards in Encinitas for the mantra "I am powerful and amazing".

No matter how challenging it may seem, everything in life is there to point us toward healing and growth. When you infuse your intention with the spirit of service, you learn to believe in yourself. When you show up with focus and integrity, especially in lifes everyday moments, you uncover the essential trustworthiness within yourself.

I am powerful and amazing. You are powerful and amazing. WE are powerful and amazing.

Surround yourself with people who support you - let us hold one another up. When you believe in yourself, you can count on yourself to follow through on the smallest of details. You know you'll behave graciously, even when your first instinct is to run away. When you meet adversity, you know you'll communicate with clarity and composure. When you believe in yourself, life flows in abundant directions, your ability to love grows stronger, and your capacity to receive is revitalized. You're able to fearlessly generate more peace in the world through each of your interactions. This is your invitation to believe in yourself.

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Yay! Skype!

I skyped with Emmy tonight...she just moved from NYC to London, and I miss her already. She's only there for 9 months for work, but atleast we have Skype! Thank god for technology.

Cleanin' Up at Capt. Scrap

Went to my beloved Capt. Scrap Antique shop in woodbine today. I just woke up with an itch to hunt...and since most of the thrift shops around here are pretty crap anymore, I just went straight to the MECCA. Not only do they know me on a first name basis at this eclectic establishment, but they know what I like and what I hunt for. In the past, Capt Scrap was my home away from me...a place to search for all the oddities that one doesn't necessarily need but that make life a bit more exciting. Today I stocked up:

-Two adorable Fire King demitasse cups with saucers
-Two crystal cocktail glasses (to be used for the "cailins")
-Vintage Mink hat (as seen above)
-Some eclectic antique baubles...necklace, bracelet, earrings, etc
-A FABULOUS vintage embroidered shirt thingy that I'm going to wear as a dress...that looks straight outta Anthropologie
-vintage wrap skirt from morocco
-Two gorgeous silk scarves

Gah. Another successful afternoon--- three hours of putzing amongst piles of randomness.

Gratitude Meditation

Gratitude Meditation:

Bridget comes to all of my classes. Like, EVERY SINGLE ONE. The one day that she missed class I felt like my arm was missing or something ... she has become so much a part of MY experience as a teacher that it almost threw me off my game. Now that you've been introduced, let me tell you that Bridget also dictates many of my lesson plans. She doesn't dictate with demands, but with questions...amazing, simple, complicated, insightful questions. I love it. Her questions then inspire me to come up not just with an answer/suggestion/solution, but for a flow that would enhance it along with a meditation that plays into it as well. Her love for Yin yoga is on par with my love and admiration for it as well, so usually my Wednesday morning classes are an evolution of a question she asked me the week before. Last week she came up to me after class and said that she felt so blessed...SO much to be grateful for (she recently got married and bought a house!), and is there a way to express this abundant gratitude to the universe? She said that she had sat in meditation many times and just thought over and over "Thank You Thank You Thank You. Namaste!", but she was hoping that there might be a more authentic and deeper way to express this. So today's YIN class was focused on gratitude....starting with some chanting to open and awaken our heart chakra, focusing on the stomach and spleen meridians (which emotionally are associated to the heart chakra) and ended with a heart meditation, chanting WaheGuru WaheGuru. It was a beautiful practice, a beautiful way to begin the day. I am oh-so-grateful to be able to teach yoga...especially to this wonderful group of individuals. Bridget - I am grateful for your questions, thank you for helping me to reach higher and dig deeper.

If you would like to express gratitude, here is a quick 15 minute meditation:

Begin by opening and igniting your heart chakra:

1. Easy Seat. Eyes closed. Neutral breath
2. Bring your hands into the mudra shown below (Sit cross-legged. Let the tips of your index finger and thumb touch. Put your left hand on your left knee and your right hand in front of the lower part of your breast bone (so a bit above the solar plexus).
3. Concentrate on the Heart chakra at the spine, level with the heart.Chant the sound YAM.**Chant YAM for 10 breaths, saying it 3 times on each exhale. Example: Inhale, Exhale: Yam, Yam, Yam. Inhale.

End with a Heart Meditation, chanting WaheGuru:

1. Bring your hands to your heart chakra in the center of your chest, right hand over left. Breathe directly into your heart. Feel your heart open and unfold. After several breaths, begin breathing into the space around your heart, allowing the heart to expand.
2. Allow the energy of gratitude and appreciation to fill your heart. Visualize this as a beautiful golden energy spilling out from your heart, then filling the space around your heart and overflowing into your body.
3. Begin to chant WaheGuru (wa-hey g'roo), or just mentally resonate with the chant.

This is a beautiful version of WaheGuru that I found on youtube, and have been singing along with:

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These chakra meditations use mudras, which are special hand positions, to open chakras. The mudras have the power to send more energy to particular chakras. To enhance the effect, sounds are chanted. These sounds are from Sanskrit letters. When chanted, they cause a resonation in your body that you can feel at the chakra they are meant for.

For pronunciation, keep in mind that:
the "A" is pronounced as in "ah,"
the "M" is pronounced as "mng.

Reference: http://www.eclecticenergies.com/chakras/open.php (check out this site for the mudras and sounds for each chakra).

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Know What You're Chanting: WAHE GURU

Wahe Guru is an expansive combination of words, which means much more than the simple four syllables it appears to be. It’s an expression of awe at all of creation and our participation in it. As you can see, it’s taken many words in English to even try to define it.

Wahe Guru is another way of expressing the joyous ecstasy that comes from knowing your true essence– call it God, call it soul, call it Self… whatever. Making the sound puts it into the mind’s vibration and like a seed planted, eventually it blossoms and what you get is the experience.

"LET US RISE UP AND BE THANKFUL, FOR IF WE DIDN'T LEARN A LOT, AT LEAST WE LEARNED A LITTLE, AND IF WE DIDN'T LEARN A LITTLE, AT LEAST WE DIDN'T GET SICK, AND IF WE GOT SICK, AT LEAST WE DIDN'T DIE; SO, LET US ALL BE THANKFUL." -- THE BUDDHA.

Big Fish.

The other night my Dad and I watched Tim Burton's BIG FISH. I've seen it a few years back, but I'd forgotten what a fabulous film this is. It's a magical story, about a charming, adventurous, teller of tales...Edward Bloom. He reminds me of my Dad in so many ways, and the movie was even more special because I was able to enjoy it alongside him. I was crying like a baby by the time the credits came on, and mozied over to give my dad a big hug. He told me he loved me, bigger than the universe, and he agreed that THIS was a GOOD movie! If you have never seen this, or of its been awhile- check it out!

Shit Yogis Say

Hahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa




Namaste Motherfuckers.

My New Years Eve resolution for the past 8 years has pretty much never strayed from:

• stop biting my nails
• stop dating losers

On occasion I will throw in the "lose 5lbs", but even I know that a shallow endeavor such as this for an intention never sticks around for long. So, what to do - what to do? I figured that this year my aspirations should be a little bit higher, so I decided to utilize an exercise that Seane Corn ("Off the Mat, Into the World") had published in Yoga Journal a few years back {thanks Michelle for resending it to me!!}:

Making Positive Changes In The World:

1. Write down two or three words that someone who loves you would use to describe you. Choose the qualities that you think others appreciate about you.

2. Write down three of your favorite hobbies or talents (ex: gardening, surfing, etc.)

3. Write down your ideal vision of the world (ex: a world free from violence, where everyone has organic food to eat, etc.)

4. Now put it all together in a sentence.

This was mine:

1. Passionate, Authentic, Charismatic
2. Cooking, Traveling, Teaching Yoga
3. A more compassionate world.

Example 1:

I will use my passion for and through traveling to create a more compassionate world.

Example 2:

I will use my authenticity through teaching yoga to create a more compassionate world.

Last night when people would ask me my New Years Resolution....I'd respond with, "Well, I plan to use my authentic nature through teaching yoga in hopes of creating a more compassionate world". The response was first surprise, and then a huge, heartfelt smile.

What was YOUR resolution? Or better yet, what could your sentence be?

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."

Dancing My Way into 2012

I spent last new years eve in a warehouse in downtown LA with over a thousand people...6 hours of yoga, 11 minute meditation leading into the New Year, and then a wild and liberating dance party into the wee hours of the morning. I was sipping from red solo cups, but they were filled with Kombucha, not booze. It was the most fun that I had ever had celebrating the arrival of a new year. This year I was unable to get away, but hoped to be able to find something along those lines around here. Well, easier said than done.... But alas, I managed to find a 2 hour powerful prana flow vinyasa with the yogi ninja superstar, Simon Park, at Dhyana Yoga in Philadelphia.

"Simon Park was featured in Yoga Journal as "one of the most influential and gifted…next generation of yoga teachers." He draws inspiration from many styles (Vinyasa, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Thai massage, and martial arts) and teachers (Shiva Rea, Maty Ezraty, Joan White, Duncan Wong, and Dharma Mittra). Simon is dedicated to sharing the teachings of Shiva Rea, his first teacher. He leads workshops and teacher trainings in Vinyasa Yoga and Thai massage worldwide.

The class was vigorous, intense, sweaty, super challenging and totally inspiring. Afterwards delicious food was enjoyed (some briny oysters on the half shell, mussels and a champagne cocktail with St. Germaine), before heading to the World Cafe Live. Playing at the huge downstairs venue was a fabulous 20+ piece band, Philly Bloco. Tickets had been sold out, but thanks to Facebook I found the head honcho of the band, emailed him- offering up a gazillion dollars and my right arm in exchange for a ticket, and dont cha know it- voila. Ask and you shall receive! I danced to the intoxicating Brazilian Carnaval beats from 10:30pm til 2:30 in the morning. Everyone was dressed up but I opted for sneakers, and yoga clothes. Grateful for another amazing celebration of the New Year, and now-- I'm resting my legs....ALL DAY.

I wish that my camera would have been able to capture all of Philly Blocos booty-shaking-amazzzzingness!

Sent from my iPhone

The Zen Den!!

Starting this Wednesday, January 4th, I will be teaching two days a week at the Zen Den in margate!!! The studio is ammmmazing, and the owner Ari Green is one of the most bad-ass and sweetest Yoginis that you'll ever meet! The space is in a business complex that had a cute court yard. It's towards the back of the development, so it's nice and quiet. The address is 101 N. Washington Ave in Margate, and I'll be teaching on Wednesday's and Fridays. The Wednesday classes are Slow Flow Vinyasa...perfect for beginners and for those who want a more restorative, sweat-free practice. Fridays will be Yin (with a touch of Kundalini!), which is all levels- and if you've never taken Yin this will blow your mind!!! Hope to see some familiar faces for this weeks classes!!! Also- Ari offers up great class pass deals that you have 6 months to use!!!

Upekkha Meditation

Equanimity is a perfect, unshakable balance of mind, rooted in insight. "The state of being calm and balanced, especially in the midst of difficulty".

"The real meaning of Upekkha is equanimity, not indifference in the sense of unconcern for others. As a spiritual virtue, upekkha means equanimity in the face of fluctuations of worldly fortune. It is evenness of mind, unshakable freedom of mind, a state of inner equipoise that cannot be upset by gain and loss, honor and dishonor, praise and blame, pleasure and pain. Upekkha is freedom from all points of self-reference; it is indifference only to the demands of the ego-self with its craving for pleasure and position, not to the well-being of one's fellow human beings. True equanimity is the pinnacle of the Four Divine Abodes."

NONATTACHMENT * NONDISCRIMINATION * EVEN MINDEDNESS * LETTING GO.

The full essence of Upekkha is to go beyond attachment and detachment, beyond likes and dislikes, to relate to things as they are.

"The Great Way is not difficult, For Those who have no preferences."

"The Great Way is not difficult, just give up thinking right and wrong."

UPEKKHA: The state of being calm and balanced in the face of those things that should be let be. It is the guardianship of our own karma and the acknowledgement that we are responsible for what we think, say and do. Equanimity is a spacious balance enabling us to work with, rather than against, change. Indifference is the near enemy of equanimity. It is a cold distance from a heartfelt sense of life. Indifference blocks the potential to engage the love and freedom life has to offer.

Upekkha Meditation Mantra:

I am the owner of my own karma.

Happiness & unhappiness arise with my own actions,

and not outside sources.

First repeat this several times for YOURSELF.

Now focus it and send it to someone dear to you (You are...)

Send this to someone neutral. A neighbor, acquaintance, coworker, etc. (You are...)

Focus on someone negative or difficult. Someone that maybe you just don't like. Now send it to them (You are...)

Finally, send it to All Beings Everywhere (All beings everywhere are...)

UPEKKHA IS NOT BEING UNDULY SWAYED BY EMOTIONS, AND SEEING THE SUFFERING AND JOYS OF LIVING BEINGS WITH AN AWARENESS THAT SUFFERING AND JOY ARISE AS A NATURAL PROCESS.

Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation

Dean Randazzo is a local legend...a kid from south jersey that made his mark in the world of professional surfing. Kelly Slater (11x asp world champion) said that when Dean was on fire, it was him that he was most scared of competing against. He is responsible for putting New Jersey on the surf map! Unfortunately in 2001, Dean was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease...and it has been a long and challenging battle. Since then he has become an avid spokesperson for cancer awareness and research, and has founded the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation. Why am I telling you all of this? Because tomorrow night (Friday December 30th), the Atlantic City Surf Club is honoring Randazzo with the Surfer of the Year Award. The festivities are taking place at Le Grande Fromage in AC, starting at 9pm. I've volunteered to sing from 9-10, and I would love it if everyone came out to support this great foundation and a great man. There will be $5,000 worth of raffles, drink specials and of course- live entertainment. All proceeds go to the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation :)

A Winter Farm Feast

A winter farm feast for the family.

MENU:

• Apple and Bartlett Pear Sauce
• Pasta Salad with Lemon, Fresh Herbs, Capers, Olives and Parmeasan Reggiano
• Pickled Green Tomatoes
• Freshly Ground, Freshly Packed (Freshly Killed) Venison Burgers

Pasta Salad with Lemon, Fresh Herbs, Capers, Olives and Parmeasan Reggiano

• 2 bags of small shells (cooked and drained)
  
• 1 lemon (juice of 1 and zest of 1/2 lemon)
  
• Fresh basil and oregano (small handful each)
  
• 1 small container (small) capers (drained and rinsed)
  
• 1 cup kalamata olives (pits removed and diced)
  
• 2/3 cup good quality shredded parmesan reggiano
• 1/2 cup EVOO
• salt, to taste

Apple and Bartlett Pear Sauce

• 2 Granny Smith apples: peeled, cored and quartered
  
• 6 *VERY ripe Pears: peeled, cored and quartered
  
• 1/2 cup of water
• 3 tablespoons agave nectar
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• cinnamon stick

Put the apples in a pot with the water, agave, lemon and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook for 5minutes (until apples are soft). Turn heat to medium, add VERY RIPE pears and cook for 5minutes. Turn the heat to simmer, cover. Smash. EAT.

Muscle Testing

THIS is my AMAZING friend EMILY BOGY.

I have known Emily for about 6 wonderful years now, and she is a powerful and amazing individual. She's been living in Boulder, Colorado for a little more than two years now - and as some of you may remember, this is who I connected with while driving cross country earlier this fall. Em knows a lot about everything that I am familiar with, and also with things that I HOPE to become familiar with. She's a baker out in Boulder, but for years she has worked different jobs in the Health and Holistic field. If you have a question about supplements, diet or energy work: Emily is your girl. She came to my Tuesday night class and then came back to my house for some dinner and a good old fashioned sleepover. As exhausted as we both were, we chatted on into the evening about yoga, meditation, babies (Emily is becoming certified to be a Doula), supplements, food, astrology, love, energy and all that other stuff that most people in South Jersey aren't too concerned about. My brain was in overload, and my heart was on the brink of combusting. I was soaking up all that she had to said, asked a million and one questions, and enjoyed running through some of lifes difficulties with her -- a compassionate, insightful, thoughtful and wise woman. The depth of the conversation is a bit too much to share with the WWW, but I WILL share the amazing MUSCLE TESTING sequence that she taught me....

MUSCLE TESTING: So, I was telling Emily about how my joints have been aching...to the point that it hurts to move (lymes disease). For this she recommended a super potent, high quality fish oil and lots of turmeric root and ginger. Excited - I reached for our huge supplement cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Fish Oil and a bottle of Turmeric pills...."Is this what you'd recommend", I asked. She responded with "Well, does it resonate with your body?". Huh? What the friggin' hell does that mean? She explained how to do the Muscle Testing, and godddamnit - the freakiest thing ever - and it worked!!! She had me stand and hold my phone against my chest with my right hand (if you are a righty- you'd use your right hand...a lefty, use your left). Then she had me extend my left arm straight out. Then she said that she was going to try to press my left arm down, and to resist. Sadly, it went down rather abruptly. "Shit", I thought, "I need to build some muscles...add in a few more chatarungas to my practice". Then she had me hold the bottle of turmeric to my chest, and when she pushed my arm down it barely moved!!!! Well shit balls...I was intrigued. So I was grabbing things all around me and holding them to my chest, having her press down my opposing arm. My body did NOT resonate with the brand of fish oil that we had. After going through a bunch of different objects, I was completely sold on the power and accuracy of the "muscle testing". Emily said that the next time I'm at the store and want to pick out a supplement -- just close my eyes, hold the container to my chest and have someone try to push my arm down.

Well goddamn - people ALREADY think I'm a bit looney - I can't imagine what everyone will think when they see me doing this! But who cares, I know that I'll be taking supplements that energetically correspond with my body.

In addition to just the beautiful physical presence of Emily, she also came with a present for meeee!! Sonia Choquettes' "Ask Your Guides ORACLE CARDS". My dove for a card and she picked "REST" and I dove for a card and came up with "BALANCE". How spot on! Mom has been saying for all of December how EXHAUSTED she is and how she needs to just take some time to sleep, rest, and rejuvenate after a very long, very exhausting (physically and mentally) year. Balance was perfect for me because lately I have been spreading myself thin - trying to give 180% of myself to each and every yoga class. I'm reading half a dozen kundalini/zen/meditation/vinyasa/and philosophy books simultaneously, as well as trying to promote myself and create a business. Balance, yes. I promise to honor that.

Anywho -- all in all, a FABULOUS visit from my very wonderful friend, the lovely and amazing EMILY BOGY.