Intentions and Energy in Motion

Me and My Intention

Life is moving at a rapid pace, and I feel like I'm just barely keeping up. Things are happening, the ball is rolling, energy in motion...and I'm still trying to figure out what it is that *I* actually *want*. Sometimes we get so far into something that we don't realize how or when it ever began, or if its what we want or need. Awareness and deep understanding come from stillness, silence, and surrender. I've been moving so fast that the past few weeks just seem to be a blur. Breathe In, Breathe Out, Slow Down. Get a clear mind and set a clear intention. Lucky for me, the Lululemon booth at Wanderlust had a kickass "intention setting" table for those of us who wanted to put the pen to paper and own up to our intentions. I still have NO idea what I want, but the more that I settle into this stillness, the more clarity that I get.... What's YOUR intention for this year ahead?

Living with Eyes Shut.

Everyone is always telling us to live with our eyes wide open, but l think first we need to start living with our eyes shut. This came to me on my last day, in my last class, at Wanderlust. The class was called "5 Rhythms" and was led by Douglas Dammond, who is a huge New Zealander and looks like The Rock. I never would have guessed that someone who looked like him would lead a crazy, free-movement-flowing dance party- which just reassures the Truth that you cannot judge a book by its cover. This class,"5 Rhythms", is a moving mediation which was created by a woman Gabrielle Roth back in the 70's and the idea behind it is that everything is energy, which moves in waves, patterns and rhythms. The 5 Rhythms are:

1. Flowing

2. Staccato 

3. Chaos

4. Lyrical

5. Stillness

When you dance these together, they form a wave. "Roth describes the practice as a soul journey, and says that by moving the body, releasing the heart, and freeing the mind, one can connect to the essence of the soul, the source of inspiration in which an individual has unlimited possibility and potential."

I should rewind a bit. My first class this morning was Kundalini with Kia Miller. It was powerful and challenging and started my inward turning. I left her class totally tuned in, which carried over into the moving meditation. I decided to dance my way through the class with my eyes closed (most of the time) so that I wasn't influenced by anyone around me. We danced through the class with our ears open to the music which was helping to guide our inner rhythm, but our mouths were closed. If you bumped into someone you simply smiled at them. Now, I always let my Freak Flag fly- but in today's class, I flew it the highest it's ever been, and I flew it proud. The dance was controlling me, movement coming from deep within, flowing and moving through and out of my body. At one point in time we created a circle and a dozen or so people would enter at a time- and the circle was holding space for everyone's inner joy, demons, sadness, and excitement to express itself in any way, shape or form it pleased. I danced so hard, so hard, so hard, and as LCD Soundsystem sang, I "danced myself clean" (and into a puddle of sweat).

Towards the end of class I opened my eyes and danced the last few songs taking everyone in, and I saw people in a whole new way - a totally different perspective than I had when I walked into the room. Everyone was beautiful, and everyone's dance embodied that beauty. Judgement: it's a really ugly thing. We judge people by the way they look, the things the do, the things they say, and even by the things that they *dont* say. We judge people if they dance too weird, or provocatively or silly. And the crazy thing is that when we are judging others it's really just a reflection of our own ego and insecurities. We are judging because people don't fit into a box or criteria that we've assumed for them, and this is the same box and criteria that we try to fit ourselves into. If you move through life with eyes closed then you can tune into who YOU are, your subtle vibrations, your essence and inner sense. And from that space you are fully able to embrace your authentic self. When you are content in your being, free from expectations and limitations, then you can really *see* and *appreciate* those around you for who THEY really are. We are all divine beings...so let you freak flag, dance and dance HARD, live with your eyes closed- so that when you open your eyes you can truly see the beauty and divine all around. 

Aho. 

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

MC YOGI

Who is MC Yogi? He's a man with a message. Nicholas Giacomini is a reformed-bad-boy, yoga-teaching-sweet-talking-hip-hopping spiritual warrior who preaches giving love and living in love. His classes are a nourishing flow that he teaches in his Adidas sneaks, while beat boxing lyrical messages from the Gita through the mic. He weaves the most beautiful and moving stories into your asana practice and no matter how tired your body or spirit may be, he has the power to inspire. It's not just inspiration to physically ask more of yourself, but to ask more of yourself from a spiritual and emotional level. Give Love. Be Love. Share Love...with others and with yourself. He is humble, and kind- and he gives a mean high five. He looks every person in the eye who approaches them, and always has a kind word and a smile. His songs aren't only something great to flow to, dance to, or groove to- but they are also a history lesson into the core of yoga and the beautiful Hindu religion. A Ghandi-devotee who loves his beautiful wifey and hip hop music...I'm sold. A beautiful soul with a beautiful message. So tune in, listen up and enjoy. 

DJ Drez and MC Yogi

GIVE LOVE ! Rachel and Me @ the MC Yogi Concert

The Man. 

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Wanderlust, Vermont

Drez, MC Yogi, and Budokan amazingness. 

ACRO YOGA....insane. 

KIND (granola bars) had this epic set up....

The Zen Den ladies and MC Yogi

Paddleboarders on the Lake @ Wanderlust

Caravan Palace.

CARAVAN PALACE.
Electro-Swing music that makes you want to dance dance dance dance and smile. Download....not now, Right now.

MC Yogi and DJ Drez

riding the ski lift in the middle of summer

pedicures make ya feel good

MC YOGI and the Family.

Hanumanasana in MC Yogis flow...

DREZ! DREZ! DREZ! 

In between Gabrielle Bernsteins talk and our next class, Jaime and I hopped on the ski lift and just did a lap...up to the top of the mountain and the ride back down. It was beautiful and sunny and a nice dose of some super fresh air. Then....drum roll please....MC YOGI AND DJ DREZ. I've never "liked" a DJ, or really KNOWN of a DJ to "like" for that matter. But I will follow DJ Drez wherever he goes. His beats, his mixing...everything--- it's intoxicating. And then the singer/yogi hiphopper MC Yogi and his smokin' sweet wifey Amanda led us through an awesome flow. It was so high energy and so much fun. We were jumping and shouting and dancing and crying and laughing. The music that Drez was spinning was coaxing the emotions out of you, and MC Yogi was threading together the most beautiful stories which was so moving. We took a family photo after class and you could really feel the love. Woke up this morning exhausted and grateful. Ready for day 3....

All Around Me.

Today my Dad was ALL around me. I could feel it when I woke up this morning, and it only got more pronounced as the day continued...

I went to Gabrielle Bernsteins speakeasy this afternoon. Gabby is a New York Times best selling author, a kickass Kundalini goddess and just an all around amazing person. Her lecture started off with some meditation to center us all and connect us, and it ended with some kundalini as well. But in between our final two kriyas and chanting Ong Namo Gurudev Namo, she had started blaring SHAKE IT OUT by Florence and the Machine through the speakers. Well for those of you who read the blog- you KNOW how much this song means to me and how connected it is to this past year and the passing of my Dad. Such a powerful song. So as several hundred of us were shaking out all of our negative energy, vigorously shaking, we then started to add in some screaming and shouting. Gabby didn't know it but Florence, Rebel Yelling, Shaking and crazy Kundalini are some of my favorite things--- and the combination helped me to remember, honor, and digest emotions concerning my favorite man. Needless to say I was bawwwwwling my eyes out, literally buckets of tears. One of Wanderlusts photographers snapped a photo of me in my moment of despair and grief, and (go figure) it was on Instagram shortly thereafter. At first I was embarrassed that this photo was out there for thousands to see- but...it's my truth. I am every bit as vulnerable and broken as that photo shows...but as Gabby said, these low lows are actually divine opportunities for spiritual growth. Such an amazing afternoon and amazing woman. 

All in all, Gabrielle is a goddess with a powerful message. Live well, Serve well. God bless. 

"Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent. Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form."

― Rumi

Bryna, Jaime and Me. 

SHAKE IT OUT, SHAKE IT OUT

Me and Gabby Bernstein

Yep, thats me...bawling my eyes out as I shake it out.

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Traveling Girl.

My friend Xocitl and I met in India. We went white water rafting down the Ganges, studied Palmistry together, and shared many a meal. She is a goddess. Yesterday she shared this blog entry with me about 'loving a traveling woman', and it brought me to tears. Traveling is my passion, but I also attribute this passion to being single. Shawn had straight up said to me before we were over that he'd already seen Asia, and didn't want to travel, but wanted a family. I have been told by another that I'm not domesticated and he couldn't date me because he wasn't sure when I'd just up and leave. This blog really empowered by hurt ego when it comes to being single, so thanks to Aleah Taboclaon for sharing...

By Aleah Taboclaon

"Date a girl who travels. Date a girl who would rather save up for out of town trips or day trips than buy new shoes or clothes. She may not look like a fashion plate, but behind that tanned and freckled face from all the days out in the sun, lies a mind than can take you places and an open heart that will take your for what you are, not for what you can be

Date a girl who travels. You'll recognize her by the backpack she always carries. She won't be carrying a dainty handbad, where will she put her travel journal, her pens and the LED flashlight that's always attached to her bag's zipper? In a small purse, how can she bring the small coil of travel string, the wet tissues, the box of cracker, and the bottle of water she's always ready with, just in case something happens and she can't go home yet.

Yes, a girl who travels knows that anytime, anything can happen and she just has to be prepared with it. Nothing takes her by surprise, she takes everything with equanimity, knowing that such things are always a part of life. She's reliable and dependable, traits that she's learned while on the road.

You'll also recognize a girl who travels by the fact that she's always amazed at the world around her, no matter if she's in her hometown or in a place that's totally new. She sees beauty all around her, not just the ones featured in travel guides or shown in postcards. A girl who travels has developed a deeper appreciation for life. She won't judge you, or pressure you to do things you don't want to do. She knows too much about the importance of identity and self-efficacy, and she will appreciate all the more if you won't pretend to be who you're not.

You can make mistakes with a girl who travels, and you can also be as idiosyncratic as you can be. Trust me, she has seen so much worse in her travels, and knows firsthand the vagaries of human nature.

Date a girl who travels, because when you're with her, you'll realize that even though she's napped at a temple in Angkor Wat, went boating down the Mekong Delta, ran by the streets of Saigon, or went skinny-dipping in the caves in the Philippines, she still retains that humility that is the mark of a real traveler. She knows she's been to a lot of places, but she's humbled by the fact that the world is still a big places and she's only seen a small part of it. Seeing this in her can make you feel all right with yourself too; there's no need for you to do more, to be more. What you are is enough.

When you meet a girl who travels, ask her where she's been and what she's going to do next. She will appreciate your interest, and if you're lucky, she may even invite you to join her. When she does, do. Nothing bonds people better than traveling. On your trip, you will both see each other's best and worst characteristics, and you can then decide whether she's worth fighting for.

It's easy enough to date a girl who travels. She won't want expensive gifts, you can buy her (or both of you) cheap ticket to Thailand for the weekend, and she'll be more than happy to take you to the longest wooden bridge in the country. You don't even have to go overseas, you can take her out on day trips, caving or hiking, or treat her to a full body massage.

You can also buy her the little things that she keeps forgetting to buy for herself; that carbine that will attach her backpack to her seat so that she will feel easier about sleeping on her bus trip, or a backpack cover, a small alarm clock, a money belt, or many another sarong that will replace the one she lost in China.

She won't mind if you get lost on your way to a date. She knows that often times, the journey is more important than the destination. She will help you see the lighter side of things. She'll walk along with you, not behind you, pointing out the interesting bits of things you'll see on the way. Before long, you'll realize that yes, the journey has been more memorable than the destination that you've planned to take her to.

Is a girl who travels worth it? Yes, she is. So when you find her, keep her. Don't lose her with your insecurities and doubts. Because when she says she loves you, she really does. After all, she's seen so many things, met so many people, and if she has chosen you, better grab that opportunity and thank the gods that you were lucky enough she's chosen you and not that bloke she met while watching the sunrise in Angkor Wat, or while whitewater rafting in the Padas Gorge in Sabah.

If she says she loves you, she must have seen something in you, something that can always call her back from her travels, something that can anchor her to the world in the way that she wants to after weeks and months of being on the road.

Date a girl who travels. Make her feel safe, warm and secure. Make her believe that no matter where she goes, and however long she's gone, you'll always be there for her, the one that she can call home.

Find a girl who travels. Date her, love her. and marry her, and your world will never be the same again."

 

(Blog Solitary Wanderer – http://www.solitarywanderer.com/2012/02/date-a-girl-who-travels/#axzz2GhJXuvOC)

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Beautiful Teachers, Beautiful Day

Bryna and Me @ Ana Forrests class. 

I love Vermont

Acro Amazingness. 

Me and My Dance Partner

My morning started with Ana Forrest, and my afternoon ended with Kia Miller. Really..need I say more?! Two of the most amazing teachers, in the most amazing location, in the same day. Boom. There was some freebies and sunshine in between, a green smoothie, some sunshine and hot tea. The night ended with an epic acro-yoga performance and a dance party dj'd by the fantastic DJ Drez. I'm laying in bed now and you couldn't wipe this smile off my face if you tried!

Free and Fun in the Vermont Sun.

This festival is top notch. Vermont is top notch. And the stuff that they are giving away is top notch. Unfortunately I can't eat 98% of what they are giving away (although its dairy free, gluten free, superandioxidant- almost everything has cane sugar or something along those lines which means I can't have it). BUT, today two men were giving away FREE HAIKUS, and that's something that I *can* have. The guy asked me for a topic and all that I could think of was zucchinis, so that's what I gave him...

Vermont! Vermont!

Sweet Vermont! Ah! It's amazing. I didn't think that I'd need a vacation so quickly after getting back from my winter abroad, but I have been a bit overwhelmed with my schedule, the teacher training, and the emotions of being home. So- yay vacation! Yay for me! I headed up with my yogis Bryna, Jaime and Ari. Jaime drove, Bryna was shot gun, and ari and I sat in the back ironing out the final details for our upcoming teacher training. It was great to have some uninterrupted time to really get shit done. We made it up here in record time, from margate to Stratton in less than 6 hours! Ari found us the most amazing, luxurious condo right at the base of the mountain- and yay for us, there is a huge amazing kitchen. We grabbed some provisions and then I threw together a vegan, vegetarian, Paleo, candida friendly and totally delicious soup.

1 large head caulifower
1 green apple
1 red onion (medium)
1 box vegetable broth
Garlic powder
Curry powder
Cilantro
Salt
Drizzle with some EVOO

Bring it to a boil in a pot and then purée in a vitamix or food processor. Enjoy.

Wanderlust...

 

I'm a few days shy of being home for one month...and I already feel the travel bug...oye oye oye. Looking forward to this amazing summer -- as well as the amazing winter to come ;) With that being said, I'm heading to Vermont tomorrow for the WANDERLUST Yoga Festival and will be back on Sunday night! All my classes are covered while I'm away, so get to the studio!

Sunday Funday

Well...Friday night I had to take a bunch of Benadryl. I managed to rally for my powerful vinyasa class the next morning, but as soon as I got home I took more Benadryl and the day was kind of a wash. Well - there was SOME excitement. I went out for lunch with my parents, kinda in a benadryl-haze, when my Dad proclaimed that my mom spilled coffee all over the place upstairs because she knocked it off the bedstand when they were having sex. I was crying because the laughter was so hard, my cheeks were red with embarrassment and I just kept trying to say "Dad, thats enough!!". God bless them...though I find it totally disturbing. 30 years together and a failing body and my Dad still loves to "Diddle" *Yes, embarrassingly enough, this is what he refers to it as. So, after all of THAT excitement, I came home and crashed again. I had plans to go see my friends band play but I simply wasn't up for it. Woke up yesterday with yet another Benadryl hangover and still some itching around my arms and neck. What to do, what to do? I messaged Kylee about going to see a movie, but I couldn't decide which one. Wanderlust @ 11am at Franks theatres on Tilton road, or The Grey @ 1:45pm at Tilton9 theatres on Tilton road? WHY NOT BOTH? I have to say, both movies were AMAZING. Wanderlust was hysterical, about a young couple who has had to make some major changes and somehow ends up in a free-love, hippy commune. It was awesome. After scouring all of northfield for a coffee shop (there are none, by the way) we ended up at McDonalds at their McCafe for Lattes. Kylee threatened to take a picture of me walking into the dreaded McD's, so I figure I'd better admit it upfront. The lattes were actually pretty damn delicious, and I've heard from some fellow foodies that they are actually using Newmans Own Organic beans...? I'll pretend that's fact. After our coffee we made our way to the Tilton 9 for the thrilling, intense new Liam Neeson (*SIGH* ilovehimsomuchitsborderlineedwardcullen) film THE GREY. This is about a broken man taking a job on in Alaska, working with the lowest of lows at an oil refinery. The plane thats taking them back to Anchorage goes down and it's about their journey trying to make it out of the most wicked of conditions, being stalked by wolves. Holy shitballs. I literally sat on the edge of my seat the whole movie.

And now, why let Sunday Funday end there? We headed to the Tilton Bar next for some late afternoon pints of Guinness. Our friend Joe joined us, I left my number for the cute guy who was sitting two down from me - who left when I was playing pool, and then my friend Pam joined as well. Joe went home and then us ladies went to the Bonefish Grill for some appetizers and chit chat.

Home by 9, watched the rest of the Oscars with my family, took ANOTHER bendryl because I was rashing on my chest, and slept in til 10:30 this morning.

....time for Monday Funday?