How Yoga Heals: Gabbi's Story
Gabbi was referred to me for weekly Reiki energy healing sessions. I also recommended gentle restorative yoga to help her body heal and to improve body awareness. Right before she came to see me, her arthritis inflamed and she threw out her back. She was curled into a ball in pain so she started researching yoga for sciatic nerve pain. She created a home practice that helped, so she was open to learning more yoga.
The Fashion of Yoga #2
It may be white winter time in certain parts of the world, but here in Southern California, the sun is shining and we're enjoying the beach well into December. I feel truly blessed to live in such an amazing place! And even more blessed that I get to continue showing off my new yoga looks while others are layering with fleece and faux furs (keep the fashion cruelty free, please!). Let's take a look!
Crossroads Kitchen: High-End Vegan Dining on Melrose
It's a treat to retreat to the Mecca of vegan deliciousness - Los Angeles - every month or so to enjoy a favorite restaurant. Crossroads Kitchen is one such favorite. It's on Melrose Ave. and was created by Chef Tal Ronnen. VegNews awarded Crossroads the 2013 Vegan Restaurant of the Year and it's been showered in accolades ever since. Crossroads is fancy fine-dining, fit for the fanciest of patrons (we've seen a handful of celebs there), and features food that's guaranteed to delight vegans and non-vegans alike (or pre-vegans, as I refer to them).
Yogi Entrepreneur Part 2: First Saturn Return
As we near the end of 2015, I am overcome by gratitude for all that's unfolding, has unfolded, and will unfold around me. This has been the best year of my life, as the year before was, & the year before that. Bottom line: things just keep getting better, and I have no doubts that 2016 will be the same - EPIC as ever. I have a never-ending faith in the process of what is, and this faith allows me to enjoy each moment, finally able to let go of attachments & nostalgia. Learning to live without material attachments, nostalgia for the past , or a fear of missing out is a constant practice & journey. Living a nomadic, entrepreneurial lifestyle has helped me to make great progress in the regards.
The Fashion of Yoga #1
Fashion may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of yoga. However, if you're spending the majority of your time teaching classes in studios or private lessons in offices or homes, working in a studio, or simply being active - chances are you want to look good while you're doing it. Heck, you may just be sitting on your couch watching Netflix - nothing beats the perfect pair of yoga pants.
Alexis Franklin: The Inspired Wanderlust Loving Yoga Teacher
I met the gorgeous and talented Alexis Franklin (aka Yoga Warrior Goddess) earlier in 2015 after we formed an Instagram relationship. She participated in our challenge called #WakeUpYogis and caught everyone's attention with her fantastic photos and graceful yoga practice. We started chatting and instantly formed a close bond. She came to LA to and we met there and had a lovely time getting to know one another! Since then, we've spent a lot of time together both in person, on the phone, on Skype, and through Instagram, collaborating on many projects together (like each designing a pair of yoga shorts for Daughters of Culture, photoshoots, challenges, a future retreat, our blog launches, and more)! It's been a challenge for me to meet really solid people both professionally and personally and if there's one thing I can say about Alexis is that she's a solid woman. She's reliable, hardworking, organized, motivated, and talented!
Gone Natural Part I: Hair Care
I'm going down memory lane (in pictures) and giving you two of my all-natural hair care recipes that have contributed to my hair being healthier and more beautiful than ever!
Leading a natural life is easier said than done in our chemical-laden society. One may not realize the amount of chemicals we consume throughout the day until trying to eliminate said chemicals. I'm making progress each day but I, like everyone, fall back on old habits when in a hurry or traveling. For this "Gone Natural" series, I'll share my journey (successes and failures) on leading a more natural existence, one that coexists with the processes of nature versus an existence that tries to reverse nature or lives in combustion with it.
Chia Pudding Parfait Recipe
A delicious and nutritious breakfast packed with super foods. You'll be excited to wake up and eat this every morning and you'll feel satisfied until lunchtime. The recipe can easily be adapted and transformed into a dessert or to match special occasions/diets
4 Ways I Know I'm Not a Cow or a Calf
Perhaps we are facing a confusion of identity. It seems logical to me that many humans mistakenly believe they are calves, needing and craving the milk of their mothers (cows) in order to lead some semblance of a normal life. Stuck in perpetual bovine adolescence, these humans mock the thought of drinking human breastmilk while reveling in the opportunity to consume all things dairy.
In order to make sure that I'm not the crazy one (I mean, there are literally billions of people that must think they're calves so it's a possibility that I'm off my rocker), I examined the differences between myself and cows to make sure I'm not losing my mind.
Sweet Dumpling Squash filled with Quinoa Apple Stuffing
Sweet Dumpling Squash filled with Quinoa Apple Stuffing
A festive and easy recipe to wow guests and experiment with Fall's bounty of squash varieties. This recipe is simple enough for the newbie chef but unique enough for the seasoned culinary expert who's crowd has come to expect a lot.
Rima's DIY All-Purpose Natural Home Spray & Disinfectant
Make your own, cost-effective and non-toxic all-purpose spray at home with the ingredients in your cupboard.
Have confidence that this cleaner will kill germs & cut grease and grossness. I've used this recipe in my home for over five years now, and it's the only thing I use the clean my whole house.
This recipe is perfect for the person who wants to:
- Save money;
- Be eco-friendly;
- Have a chemical free home while still getting a quality clean;
- Have a non-toxic, safe environment for family, kids, and animals!
These 5 ingredients are gentle and safe on their own but they combine to make a mighty disinfectant that you can use for a multitude of purposes are the home. You can be confident that your space will be clean for whatever life brings your way.
Photo Diary: Costa Rica Yoga Retreat 2015
... with LOTS OF PICTURES!!!!!
You've been warned. There's lots of pictures coming your way. As I sit here, the Saturday after my retreat ended, reflecting on all of the experiences & adventures we packed into 7 nights and 8 days, I am blown away. It's difficult for me to fathom what the retreat guests must be experiencing right now, as I know that it took me a couple of days to reacclimate back to life and to process what had happened - and I've done this many times before! On our time, we had two people that had never traveled outside of the United States before! They had quite the adventure. It's going to be difficult to write succinctly on this memorable week as so many amazing things happened, but I'll try to keep it brief! I hope you will consider joining us in 2016. I'm working on an event calendar now so please let me know what time of the year works best for you! Join my mailing list to stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Yogi Entrepreneur Part 1: Chasing Dreams in Costa Rica
I'm back in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica - my favorite place in the world! I've covered my trips a few times on the blog so if you want some more reading when you're done here, check this page out. This trip, I'm here for two weeks. I arrived on Monday (it's Friday now) and have been working to close a real estate deal that I talked about in this article. Closing the deal will change our life dramatically, so I've been working as hard as I can to learn, create, accomplish, & flow. Pete and I will have a nice cushion to move here as well as manage the property that sells. Due to reasons of confidentiality, I'm unable to disclose at this moment the specifics of the deal, but rest assured that Part 2 of this article will give the full resolution of the story - no matter which outcome occurs.
The second part of my trip is a retreat with Yoga Travel Tree! I am so excited to teach a group of eager yogis and take them around my favorite parts of Costa Rica. Stay tuned for photos on Instagram and live scopes on Periscope!
How to Do Kapalabhati - Breath of Fire Pranayama in Yoga (Video)
What is Kapalabhati?
- A form of breath control.
- In Sanskrit. Kapal means "skull" and "bhati" means "illuminating". The increase of oxygen and prone illuminates the skull, face, and skin! It's purifying for the frontal brain, as well.
- Part of the yogic principles of the body cleansing techniques - shatkarma. Therefore, it's cleaning as well as breath work.
- You focus on the exhales instead of the inhales (inhales happen naturally)
- Traditionally done for 3 rounds for 30 pumps of breath each round.
- A very meditative practice - aligns both hemispheres of the brain.
- Can be practiced daily.
Body Rock Gems: "Exquisite, handcrafted body adornments created with love."
Who is @BodyRockGems
Body Rock Gems is a super cute, small company founded by the lovely Yogi Renee-Marie Brewster of out Los Angeles, California. The line of jewelry uses precious stones, fine silver, gold and features body chains, rings, bracelets and more. Everything is hand-mand and custom orders are accepted.
5 Reasons Why I'm Not At Burning Man
Maybe I'm alone on this one, and that's totally fine, but I'm just not a "festival" person. I've tried, and I get it - people loveeeee them. Be it Burning Man, Coachella, EDC, Wanderlust... whatever thing you got going on, it's just not my jam. I've tried to force myself to be into it, I've tried to pretend like I'm into it, I've attended the events, I've smiled in the pictures. I have a high percentage of friends that frequent these events. So clearly, it's not that I'm below or above festivals by any means, or that I think I have it right and others have it wrong. It's just that when I face the cold hard facts of the matter, I can't bring myself to justify attending these events, for personal reasons.
I've spent a lot of time wondering what's wrong with me that I'm so weird and I've decided that nothing's wrong with me, I'm just different - and that's cool too. In the pursuit of figuring out why I'm so strange, I narrowed down 5 reasons why you won't find me at Burning Man.
Karma Collective: "Inspire and empower to share good karma & to give back."
Who is @Karma_Collective
Karma Collective was founded by Cordia Chan. She started the brand after 10 days at a silent meditation retreat led her to the vision. Now that Karma Collective has come to life through this experience and through the charity of others, they "aim to share good karma through [their] apparel and hope to inspire and empower you, like it did for [them], to give back."
Malabella Jewelry: "May your travels be adorned with crystals and lit by the moon"
Who is @Malabella_Jewelry
Malabella Jewelry in a newer small company passionate about creativity with crystals and gemstones. Stemmed from the founder's desire to find the ideal Mala for her intentional meditation practice, she taught herself how to make jewelry when she couldn't find any pieces she felt connected to. Things evolved from there and Malabella was born!
This week - play to win a mala from @Malabella_Jewelry!
On Instagram, follow, repost, and like to win! Full rules below! You have until Wednesday 12 pm PST to enter and win.
5 Hacks to Nail Your First Broadcast on Periscope
W.T.F. is Periscope?
...you may ask. I have only been using Periscope for a week but I can already see it's going to be a big game changer for social media, marketing, blogging, and reality TV. I wanted to talk about it on my blog because, as an entrepreneur (as well as for yoga teachers, independent professionals, animal rescues, brands... companies of all kind), it provides a world of value. It shortens the time between "introduction-to-sale" because people get to know you in real time and get to trust you much quicker. If you take a few moments to learn the essentials to getting started, you can hit the ground running and look like a pro on your first Scope.
So you want to go live? Here a 5 hacks to nail your first scope.
Jala Clothing: SoCal Inspired with Seva at Heart
Who is @JalaClothing
Jala Clothing has their offices in Southern California and was founded by Kelly Kolterman in 2008. The word Jala means "sacred waters of life" in Sanskrit. For designers and lovers of Jala alike, this metaphor of water symbolizes "transformation, creativity, and adaptability". The logo for Jala has a lotus flower to stand for the infinite possibilities we have within our Self and the ability to connect with Source, or "a higher consciousness". Jala's become known for their "soft buttery fabrics, comfortable flowing styles and positive designs fuse mindfulness, yoga and fashion".