More on the lovely Briohny Kate-Smyth here and here.

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Lest I overstate how I feel about my first four days, I have to stress that my ADHD, crack addicted orangutan- I mean monkey- of a mind still prevails.  My early morning thirty minutes is a virtual cluster f*# of to-do’s, did-do’s, oh sh*t’s, oh-god-i-forgot-to-do’s, WTF’s, and so many more wonderful distractions.

And I indulge.

But I still sit.  I redirect.  I bring my attention to my breath.

Over and over and over again.

While it sounds tedious, it has been a most pleasant space early in the quiet of the morning.  Before the emails, the work, the kids, the noise… the chaos.

And somehow I’m energized first thing, better preparing me for the day.

And the nagging headache I’ve been waking up with?  Blissfully diminished at the end of the half hour… despite the orangutan.

OK… so things have kinda been falling apart.  Just a lil’ bit.

But inspired anew, with a tidy place to transform my butt-ugly-early mornings from groggily logging on to facebook- I mean, my email and other work related stuff- to something truly transformative.  I’m turning to meditation to aid in persistent headaches, a pesky snacking habit and even more pesky weight gain… and really just an over-all case of the blah’s- physically and mentally.

I’ll let you know how it goes.  Consider this a 365 Day Project of a different shade.

Forget New Years.  Meditation. Everyday. Now.

Tell it, Senor Kabat-Zinn….

But there’s another trend making its way through the yogic ranks and, as someone who lives near a lake, while I love the idea of it, I’m really not sure how, at $2000 bucks a pop just in equipment alone, it could really even catch on.

Yoga atop a paddle board on the water.  Everything about it sounds wonderfully peaceful with the additional benefit of really targeting the core, as you work to keep yourself steady and not flipped over into the water.

Again, the heat of the sun on your body… sitting only centimetres above the cool water… the gentle lapping of the waves… seagulls…. It really sounds idyllic. 

According to the instructor in the video below as well as others who are leading the trend, while balancing on the board helps you achieve a much more thorough workout for the core, it is really the connection to nature that is the biggest draw.  As you quietly practice, there is a whole other world of aquatic flora and fauna just beneath you.

Currently, I think it has grown popular in places like Florida, though more and more they seem to be cropping up all around the U.S.  It’s definitely made my list to try… though, given the outlay for a paddle board, I only have an old windsurfer at my disposal.

I’ll let you know how it goes…..

I know it’s only the end of July, but winter will be here before you know it… and you’ll be dreaming of frolicking with the kids on white sand and in azure waters.

So, plan ahead and consider combining yoga with your snorkelling this winter.  Sivananda Ashram, near Nassau in the Bahamas, offers family options, that keep everybody busy and relaxed, while still having plenty of time to enjoy the usual tropical vacation stuff.

From February 19-25, you and your family can enjoy games, activities, outings and more, along with regular yoga practice for the whole family.  Only a half-mile down the shore is the famed Atlantis Resort, where you can grab a snack and enjoy a splash down the 60-foot Mayan-temple slide to boot!

The real beauty of Sivananda Ashram as a family vacation, is that you can enjoy the best in beach vacations, with all you would expect from an island paradise with crystal clear water and pure white sands, for a fraction of what it might cost you to do otherwise.  It’s remarkably reasonable, particularly if you choose the tent option, though you can choose from a variety of accommodations, whether you’re into tenting or a beachfront private room with A/C and a view.

Make your plans now!  (242/363-2902; www.sivanandabahamas.org; from $79 per adult, including meals, yoga classes, and meditation sessions; children under 12 half-price; children under three free.)

So, without a doubt when I came across this lively combination that introduces the Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara) to little ones I put it to her for review. She’s on the older side for this presentation, as, like I said, she’s going on seventeen seven and she’s already pretty familiar with both Sun Salutes, but even despite her previous experience, she still found this a lot of fun and said she “would toooootally do this all the time!”

Certainly for tots who are a little younger, this is sure to be a winner!

The Sun Dance Kids Yoga/Music Video by Bari Koral Family Rock Band

However, recently, I’ve let myself succumb to the charms of another… whose methodology has opened a new door into a whole new way of practicing yoga.

Yes, I’d heard of him.  I’ve even written about him here.

But… I’ll be honest, I never really took him seriously.   What with the yoga competitions and all… he just seemed like just another egomaniacal one-named guru cashing in on the trend.

I mean, really.

But then, thanks to an extended trip to the city and the modern wonders of the Groupon… I received an offer I couldn’t refuse.  An inexpensive opportunity to experience that known simply as Bikram…

And, lo and behold, I’m hooked.

The first class nearly killed me… sending me into a claustrophobic anxiety attack, gasping desperately for fresh breath in the suffocating heat- never has savasana been so welcome.  But damn!  Even after that first class I felt transformed.

Cleaned, pulled and emerged, not unlike the slimy pupa freeing itself from the restriction of her shell.

And sweat?! Holy moly… I felt purged from the inside out.  All the yuck seeping out through my pores.  Not to mention the 600 calories I supposedly burned!

And more wondrous, throughout the rest of the day, the experience stayed with me, so much so that I enjoyed a heightened consciousness and deliberateness in everything I chose to put back in, from food to media.  Weird.

Everything about my day felt different… true renewal.  A feeling I want everyday.

But alas… my return to the sticks.  And trying to recreate Bikram on my own.

Yoga plays an integral role in Lightning In A Bottle, lead by the likes of Shiva Rea and Micheline Berry, but what sets this festival apart are the unique series of workshops to satisfy any number of interests.  Want a cool way to make use your old clothes? Check out the Revolutionary Remix Upcycled  Fashion and Costuming with artist Sara Rodriguez. Interested in a new way of looking at your connections to yourself, your relationships and your community?  You’re bound to find a new perspective with Jessica Viola and The Life Garden.  Wanna eat algae?  Learn what spirulina can do for you and how to grow it at home.

Lightning In A Bottle is also family friendly where, in addition to the music, food and fun there is also MagiKids Village and Mystic Family Circus.  There they’ll find a fun, magical place to experience the festival. From exciting activities and little shows geared towards children, to arts & crafts tables, the Kidz Village is the place for parents to go with their kids. It also provides a safer zone for children to play and roam more freely and playful educational activities to engage in.   With arts and crafts, a play area with fun circus props, face painting and more along with entertainment suprises, your kids are sure to have a great time of their own at the festival.

Click HERE to see the multitude of interesting and inspiring workshops available at Lightning In A Bottle in only a couple of weeks!

Get educated, enlightened and inspired this Memorial Day weekend (May 27-30) and will be returning for the 2nd straight year to the beautiful Oak Canyon Ranch in Irvine, Ca.

A feature will be The Lucent Temple of Consciousness is a magical village nestled on top of the LIB mountain. The view is spectacular, the breeze is warm and the entertainment is absolutely mind expanding!

And when the moon rises above the temple, until the sun returns at dawn, the air will be filled with the sounds of sitars, violins, acoustic guitars, beautiful minstrels, tribal drums, and even a man who plays a shovel.

This is a definite must see!  Head over to Lightning In A Bottle for more info!

Seriously… in the spirit of keeping the jugs healthy, particularly with 1 in 20 women dealing with breast cancer, either in treatment or as survivors, here are some asanas to promote breast care, not to mention just helping the girls feel good day to day!

Breast health is sustained by the body’s lymphatic system.  A high functioning lymphatic system cleanses toxins and ensures a clean flow of blood to the breast cells and tissues.  Yoga, maintaining coordination between breathing and movements, can help in the circulation of blood and supplying vital energy throughout the lymphatic system.

Diagonal Stretch. Jump start the lymphatic system with some energetic movement and powerful breathing.  How to:  Sit in a comfortable position and place your thumbs on the palms of the hands, right at the base of your little fingers.

Be sure to rest your fingers in straight line. Now, slowly pull your arms to the sides, making sure they are parallel to the ground. Your palms should face downwards.
Now raise your right arm and bring down the left arm.  Breathe in as the right arm goes up and breathe out as the right arm goes down. Continue this exercise for 1 to 2 minutes.

Haiyyyyyy-yah!! This asana feels a little like a martial arts exercise.  The ‘snapping back’ movement in the asana helps in activating the lymph and breast tissues.  How to: On your mat, sit comfortably on your heels and take the pressure off your knee joints by placing a firm pillow in between your buttocks and legs.  Make a fist by tucking the thumb inside. Bring your fists to the level of your chests by pulling your elbows back.  Extend one arms fully and forcefully forward as you inhale powerfully. Open your fingers as though you were about to grasp something. Then close them again as you snap the arm back to starting position as you exhale. Do the same with the other arm and continue, alternating arms, for 2 to 3 minutes.

I love it. I hate it. I love it. I hate it. I love it.  Standing Forward Bend-ish. This asana enhances the flow of energy to all parts of the body.  How to:  Stand in a comfortable position and place your heels together. Now squat down comfortably and keep your heels off the ground.  Reach with your finger tips, stretching to the ground and straightening your spine as much as possible.  Inhale and straighten the legs and bring the head close to the knees. The finger tips should continue to touch the ground.  Exhale and return to the squatting position.  Perform this asana for one minute comfortably, and gradually increase the minutes.

Happy boobies… Happy Mother’s Day!!

My only criteria as I began perusing the many beautiful options was that I did not- DID. NOT.- want the typical, black, tight-fitting, lycra tight sort that tends to prevail in the seemingly endless world of yoga drawers.

I am looking for something that I can yoga in.  I’m also looking for something to sleep lounge in. Run errands in. Maybe even dress up and go “out” in.

I found several options, that will inevitably find their way here in future posts, I’m sure.  But what struck my eye today, came from the lovely shop of Grateful Threads.

In case you’re wondering, Muladhara or root (foundation) chakra, and is located at the base of the spine, your tail bone and refers to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality.

These pants are beautiful.  I can see them as truly multi-purpose, satisfying my entire wish list, which probably, subconsciously, also included instinct, security, survival and potentiality!  I could see easily wearing these on my soccer mom circuit but also, with the right tank and in the right colour- I smell plum or eggplant!- out to the local hot-spot for dinner.  I can also see this on my next trip- perfect for hours on the plane and chowing at Chili’s Too hanging at airports!

The Muladhara Pant is made from a 100% organic cotton/hemp combo that will soften with each wash.  They are hand-dyed people, by the hands of Leanna, herself at Grateful Threads.  And in a multitude of gorgeous, saturated colours ranging from conservative black to colours like “brazil nut” to “oxblood red”.

I wubs that I found these pants… and just in time for Mother’s Day!

Thank you Grateful Threads!