Living Lightly Lifestyle

Come out and awakening your latent Kundalini energy!

2017-09-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

Have you tried Gentle Yoga yet? If not, what are you waiting for?!?

2017-08-22T11:09:00.001-07:00

The "art" of flexibility

2017-08-06T14:55:00.000-07:00

Nothing in life goes as planned and the same holds true with your yoga practice.

Being flexible simply means you have the capability of bending without breaking. I find I have to exercise quite a bit of flexibility off the mat being the mom a toddler. :) Even though I've been practicing yoga for more than 15 years it's only been in the last 3-4 years that I've truly learned and experienced the art and power of being and staying flexible.

One of the eight limbs of yoga is non-attachment or Aparigraha. We often lose sight of being flexible, or practicing non-attachment, in our yoga practice because we allow the ego, the lower self, to speak louder to our sub-conscious than we allow our higher self to be heard. In the end, when we maintain a flexible perspective and practice non-attachment we quiet the ego which allows enlightenment to develop. A stagnant point-of-view, posture or mindset leads to death of opportunity and growth or essentially, a motionless ocean.

Mastering the art of flexibility is more than just bending with the water. It's becoming the water.

- Be the Light -
Namaste

Perfectly imperfect

2017-07-30T11:53:00.002-07:00

I'm flawed. I mess up at least 10x per day….that's a totally made up number because let's be honest…I'm not keeping count. I am nowhere near perfect because perfection does not exist.

What does exist is my ability to forgive myself for being imperfect. I forgave myself a long time ago for being unapologetically who I am. I forgave myself for having the courage to say what I feel without filtering my thoughts through socially expectations. For having the strength to walk the journey of my own choosing not a journey based on labels others have attached to me. For being comfortable with my abilities while at the same time owning my weaknesses. I'm perfectly imperfect and I am me.

Namaste

Is this a "gateway drug"?

2017-07-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

It will come as no surprise to those who intimately know me but I love making my own products!

It started with a simple body butter. Some in the natural community say, "shea butter is a gateway drug to holistic hygiene care" and I would be inclined to agree! I've perfected my body butter recipe over the years and it is a velvety whipped dream consisting of mango and shea butters, almond and jojoba oil and natural essential oils to name a few of the ingredients. My body butter protected my skin through pregnancy leaving me with no visible reminders of my big round belly and has since protected my son's delicate baby skin. It's pretty much the bomb.com.

Once I found the key to happiness with my body butter, I started experimenting with other holistic hygiene care products. In addition to my body butter, I've finally perfected the following recipes:

1. My natural bentonite clay based deodorant
2. My botantical essential oil perfume
3. My "kitchen beautician" hair gel
4. My natural fresh breath toothpaste

In the end, what's most important to me is transparency on what I'm putting in my body. I love creating things with my hands whether that means tending to my potted garden, making a meal for my son or creating natural hygiene products for myself and my family. So yes. Shea butter is a gateway drug but it's a gateway drug that has opened up an entire universal I never knew I couldn't live without.

- Be the light - Tiffany

My favorite podcasts this week!

2017-07-24T13:58:00.005-07:00

I am a wellness geek.

I love learning about the body. Considering the human body is my semi-professional "subject" it makes sense that I am passionate about learning how to it can be improved. I've been enjoying a few new podcasts this week that are focused on educating listeners on how we can each practice functional medicine. Functional medicine encourages us all to take control of our wellness regime and proactively take better care of ourselves. We shouldn't wait until we're sick to make conscious wellness decisions. Here are a few of my favorite podcasts from this week that support functional medicine. What are a few of yours?

- Be the light - Tiffany

1. Healthy Moms Podcast
2. Radically Loved with Rosie Acosta
3. The Yoga Talk Show with Lucas Rockwood

*Photo courtesy of BGIO

It's time to FLY again!

2017-04-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sunday April 23rd 12:30-2:00 PM

My light

2017-04-21T08:03:00.001-07:00

I love yoga.

It's been a part of my life for more than 10 years. It keeps me balanced, humble and alert. The only thing I love more than yoga is being a mom. My number one objective everyday is to be strong and present a mother to my almost 3 year old son. He is my light, my love, my center. Yoga magically swirls around us bringing calm to our sometimes chaotic lives. Yoga takes care of me so I can take better care of him. I'm in love with them both because in my life they're two sides of the same coin.

Liam made me a mother and yoga keeps me present so I can enjoy each moment being one.

Namaste.

Acro Yoga Workshop this weekend!

2017-01-19T09:27:00.003-08:00

Come fly with me this weekend at our Acro Yoga Workshop, January 21at at 2PM Chagrin Yoga!

Acro Yoga is a combination of yoga and acrobatics that invites you to move and be moved in space. It may make you laugh. You will certainly at some point smile!

Register Now!

Come Fly with Me! July Acro Yoga Workshop.

2016-06-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Selfish Generosity

2016-05-13T05:15:00.001-07:00

Remember to take care of you so you will have a full, abundant heart of love and light to offer others. 🙏🏾 Namaste

Being a Goddess

2016-05-07T06:26:00.001-07:00

I'm always impressed with how ancient societies captured the feminine essence. They understood women had strength, mystic, sexuality and maternal instincts. They were able to incorporate and celebrate all elements of her power. This Mother's Day weekend, try to celebrate your female loved ones full essence . Our mothers are more than our nurturers, our providers, our comforters. They are strong, sexual, mystical and magical women.

Namaste

Full Moon Looming Emotions

2016-02-22T14:26:00.002-08:00

I had an awakening this morning while reading a short article in Elephant Journal entitled, Full Moon in Virgo. I've been wrestling with emotions over the last few days tied to decisions of past with no resolution in sight. Where was this all coming from? What was the impetus for these feelings? Then it dawned on me. There is a full moon tonight which has significance beyond its general beauty and wonder. To quote the EJ author, "Full moons tend to bring our underlying personal relationship issues to the surface. It’s not that it exacerbates what wasn’t there, but more like the fullness of the moon is a reflection of our hearts." Drop the mic.

I'd forgotten how powerful and significant the moon's orbit on the earth is to our emotional well-being and consciousness. I've always been sensitive to the lunar cycle but as I've gotten older it's influence on me has gotten even more pronounced. Or perhaps, I've become a better student of the universe and am more attuned with my surroundings . So if you're like me and tonight's Snow Moon, as referred to by Native Americans, is the universe reflecting your inner true self, rest-assured those emotions are real and have an origin. Their impetus is your hearts' true desires. Your inner most thoughts pushing out past your outer shells to find their place among your reality. Remember, don't discount what you're feeling tonight, tomorrow or the night after because eventually everything will become evident in the light of the night.

- Namaste

Above it all

2016-01-21T14:31:00.001-08:00

While in flight from Cleveland to Chicago I spent a good amount of time rehashing old conversations from this week. Disagreements where I left a discussion not fully aligned but simply wanted, needed to get away from the battlefield. Flying above the clouds, above the chaos and disillusion below reminded me to rise above what I'd already left in the past. If i'd already decided to walk away once why revisit a place mentally, physically or spiritually that wasn't serving my best interest? I encourage you all to elevate your conscience and free yourself from conversations, places or people that are shackling you to despair.

-Om Shanti Shanti

Believe in yourself

2016-01-19T06:23:00.001-08:00

I saw this photo on Instagram and it first resulted in a laugh, then a head shake and finally some serious pondering. Why do mediocre white men or for that matter mediocre people have so much confidence? We all see how they fall short of greatness yet they continue to firmly believe in their excellence. This made me wonder what would happen if I firmly believed in my own excellence for a day? Not once questioning myself or second guessing my intuition. Well, the result of my test first made me smile, then shake my head and finally laugh. I was happy. I was so happy. I was happier then I've been in a long time and I believe this happiness sprung from an internal focus versus external. When I invested my energy on greenhousing my thoughts and ideas instead of looking for someone to validate them I released myself from self-doubt shackles. I encourage you all to experiment with unapologetic, firmly believing in your excellence. Have confidence in your greatness.

Stretch yourself

2016-01-16T07:17:00.001-08:00

This resignated with me for so many reasons. We stretch ourselves with our commitments, our aspirations or our duties. But sometimes we stretch ourselves to do more, be more and it pulls our entire existence into perspective. Stretch yourself in meaningful ways and find your true north.

-Namaste

The power of juice

2015-12-30T11:53:00.001-08:00

My boyfriend graciously gifted me a new juicer for Christmas this year and since then our entire family has been on a juicing kick. Our now full blow liquid nutrient obsession started with a humble glass of beets, ginger, apple and lemon juice. The first sip was so refreshing and thirst quenching we began to crave the "blood juice" as we now jokingly call it. Each day we explore new recipes and further realize the deep healing properties of pure fruits and vegetables. Plants are your medicine. Drink and be whole.

Namaste

Breathe

2015-12-27T18:18:00.001-08:00

Being present is a challenge for most. Asana exerts the body so the mind can rest. Your breath is always the connection to life and living, live in the breath.

-Om Shanti Shantith

I dare you to dream big...

2015-12-23T08:06:00.001-08:00

2015 was a year of big dreams for me. I planted seeds that will blossom in 2016. New Outlook, Same Dreams. Believing in my magical powers just got easier. 😉

Namaste

Reflections

2015-12-21T04:46:00.000-08:00

I've returned to my roots; Cleveland, Ohio and Yoga. I'm so excited to continue on this journey and bring along my expanded family. Life has a funny way of presenting opportunities in the form of obstacles.

This is the beginning of something great.

- Namaste

Wild and Wonderful

2013-05-19T17:32:00.001-07:00

Friends are family we choose. They are the fabric of our lives that connect the good and hard times in-between adolescents, adulthood and old age.

They make us laugh.
They make us grateful.
They make us remember what's important.
They make us smile on the inside and outside.
They make it worth showing up for the party!
They always know your favorite drink and
They always have your favorite song playing.

I love all of my wild wonderful soul sisters.

Namaste

My beautiful mess

2012-07-09T19:24:00.004-07:00

Being our beautiful selves is a messy process. I'm inspired everyday by strong people who help me remember what true beauty is and where it comes from. It comes from a strong spirit and love for life and sometimes life gets messy.

I've recently taken on a somewhat messy decision to wear my hair everyday as I was born; curly, kirky, imperfect, messy and beautiful. No more weekend only fun times with crazy, curly hair and I love it. I love how unruly it is. I love how parts have their own opinion; some parts are coils, some are spirals, some are frizzy and some are...well I'm not really sure what they are. lol...I love the way my boyfriend smiles at me when he plays with my curls. I love seeing other curly haired women and smiling at them in shared frustration at the humidity. I love not fighting with my DNA. I love being a beautiful mess.

A slicked back bun is still a staple and eco styler gel can be a girls best friend but my commitment is to enjoying the bouncy, beautiful and down right sinfully messy hair I've been blessed with and simply adore. Namaste.

We are not seeing a situation as it truly is if we have expectations

2012-05-30T06:37:00.002-07:00

I'm trying to make a consorted effort to be a better listener. I've practiced active listening in the past with some success but I've recently found people, myself included, often listen with expectation. We're listening for hidden meaning. We're listening for truth. We're listening for inconsistencies. We're listening with fear, anxiety and doubt. We're listening but we're not. We cannot truly see a situation as it is if we have expectations of the outcome. It seems simple enough to just listen so why do so many people not hear what's being said?

We live in a fast-paced world where information chances each second. Not being able to engage and actively listen is dangerous because at some point you begin to alienate yourself. You don't need to hear the rest of the story, you know what happens. You don't need to sit through the meeting, you know what direction the company will take. You push yourself away from the dialogue and observe from the peripheral. At some point, people will stop coming to you with their stories or strategic discussions because you're simply not open.

We have to practice being open daily; it's a skill that can be improved but never mastered. Being open means we're willing to be present and offer ourselves to others. My practice has brought me to a place where I'm more open, less expectant and happier seeing each situation for what it truly is. A closed eye can't see, a closed ear can't hear and a closed hand can't be taken.

Making dreams come true

2012-05-22T09:32:00.002-07:00

There are those who do and those who dream about doing. Most days I fall into the latter category but I’m influenced everyday by important people in my life to change my ways. My boyfriend, being the most influential, is the eternal Doer. He thinks in straight lines, I talk in circles. He starts a task thinking about how he’ll finish, I think only about each step in front of me. In the end, being a Dreamer is what makes me every bit the person I love being. I’m a risk-taker, an adventurer, a curious Georgiana of sorts. I love dancing in my seat, I’m an social introvert, I can’t remember what I ate for breakfast and I don’t know what I want for dinner.

Dreamers make the world a more colorful and exciting place to live while Doers create stability and confidence for everyone around them. Doers are secretly drawn to the freedom of Dreamers while Dreamers are envious of Doers sense of accomplishment. I love the life I live but I also want the life I dream about living. I’m finally starting to figure out how to close the gap between dreaming and doing, of course with the help of my special someone. For the first time in a long time, I believe my dreams won't remain a figment of my imagination. Standing next to my Doer I have a new found confidence that all of our dreams can and will come true.

Focus on what’s in front of you.

2012-05-18T08:16:00.005-07:00

I sometimes find it difficult to concentrate on what’s in front of me and center my future intention. Distractions are plentiful but when I take my eyes off of what’s in front of me and instead focus on what’s behind me I lose my balance, path and purpose.

We all have an inner eye that sits along our meridian which separates our left and right hemispheres and ultimately is our balance center. Our inner eye is within the anja chakra, the brow region, and offers us the opportunity to connect with a higher consciousness. This consciousness brings with it vision, enlightenment and balance especially when channeled into your mediation, yoga or praya practice.

I believe that opening all three of my eyes to the path that lies ahead is like opening a window on a breezy spring afternoon. I’m not focused on what happened yesterday, the day before or even the year before that instead, my focus is on the open window in front of me. I feel the wind blowing on my face, I see the curtains swaying in the breeze, I hear kids laughing in the distance and I smell fresh cut grass but more importantly I finally see my future intention. My inner eye has refocused my view and now my senses are alert, my body feels pliable, my muscles start to warm with the confidence that I can and will walk along my chosen path. Open yourself, focus ahead and allow peace to come into your heart.

Namaste.