Everyday Yogini

I will not die an unlived life.

I will not live in fear

of falling or catching fire.

I choose to inhabit my days,

to allow my living to open me,

to make me less afraid,

more accessible;

to loosen my heart

until it becomes a wing,

a torch, a promise.

I choose to risk my significance,

to live so that which came to me as seed

goes to the next as blossom,

and that which came to me as blossom,

goes on as fruit.

-Dawna Markova

I read, and synthesize, a lot of information about stress reduction, healing, pain, and working with the mind into my own life and into my coaching.  I was thinking the other day that it would be great to have a way to share this knowledge outside of one-on-one coaching, with a larger group who is interested, but may not have the time or inclination to get coached one-on-one, or read all the books and put everything to practice.  I would like you to benefit from my book obsession plus my experience as a coach, Yoga instructor, and someone who has tested the concepts in all of these books through my own dealing with stress-based illness and pain.

Would you like to put the healing concepts in these books (and more) to work in your life - with some support?  What about a mind-body mastery group? Sort of a book club - coaching hybrid, in my mind, however, I want to know what would be most beneficial to you.  Do you want to read the book, or, do you just want me to distill what I believe the most important concepts are and provide those for you?  Do you want a social networking site where you can connect with others who are working with the same ideas and types of issues?  Do you want an audio guide to the material for download that you can refer to again and again?  Would you like me to try and interview the author?

If you are interested, and this sounds like your kind of thing, please take the survey below.  And, if you are<em> really</em> interested, I would love to contact you when I have it ready to go.  Will you leave me your contact info in the survey?  No spam, ever.  Just me, contacting you, when I have more information about putting this together.  The poll is really short - less than 3 minutes.  I so appreciate your time and willingness to tell me more about what would be best for you!

You can visit the survey here.

I know I’ve mentioned Ode Magazine before.  A magazine for intelligent optimists.  I definitely consider myself among that group!  I get magazines on a bit of an odd schedule due to general mail wonkiness overseas, meaning I just received my August issue of Ode.  The entire issue is devoted to laughter: how it evolved, how it helps us, how it heals us.  The last one I’m particularly interested in… the benefits of laughter Yoga as part of healing our bodies.  It’s a short and sweet article, if you care to read up on the subject.

This week I had an epiphany about my coaching blog and how I want it to look and feel for the readers who come and hang out, I would love your input!  After all, it’s about you (if you read it), not about me.  I also wrote an entry about the purpose in pain, a topic close to my heart that I believe in passionately.  And, as always, some gratitude.  I was referring to my weekly gratitude practice as a well-loved life, but thought it would be more appropriately called Gratitude Junkies.  Gratitude has figured prominently in my own life as a vehicle to view challenges in a new light, so I often refer to myself as a gratitude junkie.  I love company in practicing gratitude - either on your own blog or, in the comments.

May your week be filled with laughter and happiness.  See you next week…

I just wanted to share with you some excellent news that arrived in my inbox this morning!  Everyday Yogini has been listed on another “Top Yoga Sites” list!  What a boost to my day!  The folks who compiled the list at Physical Therapy Assistant Schools did a lot of work to summarize what the blogs are all about.  And there are some great blogs listed, so please, go check it out!

Also, a while ago, I was listed on the Top Yoga sites list for X-Ray Technicians school and I failed to mention it.  Their list is comprehensive and worth exploring as well. 

What other blogs do you read and love that are related to mindfulness, Yoga, healing, and closing the gap between who you are and who you want to be?  I would love to check out some new stuff. 

 Have a wonderful Tuesday!!

Yoginis -

This just came across my email today, and I thought I would share.  This sounds like an amazing opportunity!  I’ve always wanted to go on a volunteer vacation, so someone please go and tell me  how it is??

Also, Elaine, the wonderful woman who sent this to me is offering a discount to any readers who mention my blog when they sign up.

PEACE Volunteer Vacation Yoga Retreat  

Punta de Mita, Mexico   

September 14th, 2009 - For Immediate Release - The newest trend in travel includes volunteer vacations.  The Punta Mita Yoga Retreat (October 17th – 22nd , 2009) benefiting PEACE MEXICO, a non-profit charity in the Bay of Banderas is hosting an exciting experience for the new and avid yoga fan who wants to take their vacation, one step further.

At a PEACE Volunteer Vacation Retreat, guests will experience another culture while making a difference in the lives of others:  Children, Women and Animals. As a PEACE Volunteer you will help raise awareness and contribute to the overall love, community and hope to the people and animals affiliated with the PEACE organization.  

This 5 day retreat combines the relaxing practice of yoga with the gratifying joy of helping others in the beautiful backdrop of Punta de Mita, Mexico.  In between classes brought to you by highly acclaimed yoga instructors at the Villa Ananda beach resort, you will partake in volunteer activities, thus creating a healthy mind, spirit and body.

Participants will receive top notch yoga instruction from Certified Yoga Teachers.  Experience the bliss of your own essence at Villa Ananda, Mexico’s premiere luxury Ayurveda destination Spa.  Villa Ananda was inspired by the grace of the divine with the intent of guiding people into experiencing balanced health and inner peace, through the all encompassing principles of Ayurveda and Yoga.  

There will be 5 morning classes, each 1 ½ hours long with afternoon classes, each 1 hour long. There  will be adjusters in each class so you will receive a lot of love and hands on adjustments.  In between yoga sessions, participants will wor with PEACE, a local non-profit with their Volunteer program which welcomes all who want to make a difference by helping to change lives and save animals for the community of Punta de Mita.  There is no age limit, we welcome ALL who want to make a difference. 

Cost to participate:  

Single Room:  $1799

Double Room:  $1399

Includes 5 night stay in luxury accomodations, 4 PEACE Volunteer Events, all transportation (minus airfare), 8 yoga classes, goodie bag, healthy meals, town tour, gratitude, peacefulness and relaxation!

Contact:  Katherine Fisher at katherine @peacemexico.org or 303.250.4319 

for more information on PEACE visit, www.peacemexico.org

I decided on a whim to switch my coaching blog from Typepad to Wordpress this weekend.  THIS blog is a Wordpress blog and I love it.  Typepad wasn’t doing it for me…  ANYWAY, I’m happy to have changed it up, however, the links in many of the posts below do not work now.  You can poke around my new blog here, if you click a link below and it doesn’t go anywhere.  I will be fixing those links in the next few days.

Happy weekend, Yoginis!!

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Seeing how much I love Squidoo, I decided to create another “lens” with links to some of my favorite books and Youtube clips related to healing, health, and happiness.  Do you have resources that you rely on or have found really helpful?  Tell me in the comments - I will absolutely check them out!

I can hardly believe it.  School is starting for my little girl tomorrow.  The weather has (finally, thankfully) started to change here (though it’s still quite warm) and, my job at the Embassy comes to a close next week and, my Fall Yoga series starts as well.  All very exciting changes. Doesn’t Fall seem to bring change with it?

As life ebbs and flows and fluxes and changes, it is critical that we protect ourselves from the stress of everyday life. Especially as we approach the holiday season (crazy, but true), this becomes so important. This week, I offer you my top three tools (plus a bonus tool) to protect yourself from stress.

Speaking of tools, I read a lot of books on all sorts of subjects, but my favorites (as you might guess) are books about mind-body medicine and healing, living your best life, nutrition, Yoga, and, neuroplasticity. This week I talked about the personal development spectrum and how to change your life no matter where you fall on the spectrum.

As I mentioned last week, I am reviving my gratitude practice on my coaching blog and this week’s well-loved life is brought to you by one of my best teachers, my body. I hope you will join in and share your own gratitude with me in the comments.

Probably the most exciting and fun thing that I found and played with last week is Animoto. Oh, Yoginis! So fun! I will close with this video and wish you a wonderful week!