Abundance Is...

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What does abundance mean to you?

Lately I've been pondering the things besides money that make me feel full, happy, and content. Things like:

Love notes to remind me I'm awesome.

Waking up to a house that smells like coffee, because it's already been made.

Warmth on a cold day.

Love from a sweet old pup.

The feeling of being out on the water.

The feeling of fresh air on my skin, and sunshine.

Beautiful, simple things. 

Yoga books I get to review on this beautiful blog. 

My knowledge of yoga. Being familiar with the poses.

Understanding my own body, and of how the body can heal.

Friends who will practice with me ;) Friends who are loving, fun, and encouraging.

My practice.

And the sweet surrender of Shavasana.

In what ways do you feel abundance in your life lately? I'd love to hear...

PS I think I'll make this a regular thing, reflecting on abundance.

I often find myself thinking about:

  • money and how much money is enough

  • what things make me feel at peace, whether it's my practice or my bank account

  • what I deserve

  • what I manifest

  • how my identity gets wrapped up in my work

  • what my career goals are

  • when my heart feels most full

Stay tuned for more posts on this topic of abundance, and how it relates specifically to teaching yoga. May you witness abundance all around you today.

A Guest Post on Aloe Vera

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Photos via Pinterest.

Oh, summer sunburns. I recently suffered a bad one, and was reminded of the healing properties of the aloe vera plant.

Today I bring you a guest post from Louise Ross on the many wonderful benefits of aloe vera, which go beyond just treating sunburns. Happy reading, and be sure you wear sunscreen while it's still hot out, yogis!


Aloe Vera: It's More Than Just a Plant

I often blog about natural remedies for many medical conditions because they're easier to apply, are highly effective, and have less side effects on our health. Today, I bring you the 'plant of immortality', as the Egyptians referred to it thousands of years ago, aloe vera plant.

Used as a beauty regimen, a cure for insomnia, and a solution for baldness, it is even considered as a potential AIDS and cancer fighter. Scientists and researchers are still studying its antiseptic properties but aloes definitely sound promising. 


To give you an idea, here are the highlights:

1. It has soothing effects on skin.
If Cleopatra is known to be the most vain woman that ever lived (she regularly bathed in fresh milk, mind you), then her use of aloe vera is a certain sign that it's a good routine. She used the succulent juices on her skin as a daily beauty regimen to, you know, keep away wrinkles and keep herself looking radiant.

Plus, aloes have a cooling effect that's great during summer. I once applied this on my son's sunburns and the results were instant. It's the perfect first aid for rashes and sunburns.

2. It has healing properties for scars and tattoos.
Ever been victimised on a drunken night at 17 and ended up with an Elmo tattoo on your tummy when you woke up? Well, you don't have to suffer endless ridicule and horrible memories of that night because aloe vera is your go-to. Although it can't fully erase inked skin, it can assist tattoo removal cream in getting rid of your tattoo. You don't have to go through painful laser treatments just to erase your barbwire arm ink.

I haven't tried this routine myself because thankfully I don't have embarrassing tattoos, but it's certainly a must try.


3. It moisturizes and exfoliates skin.
When I was 5 months pregnant with my 1st, I was desperate for an anti-stretch marks lotion. All I found in cosmetics stores were creams promising smooth skin but without any assurances of 'no side effects'. Fearing risk for my baby, I looked for an alternative. It was a relief I discovered aloe vera. Sure, I knew about aloes good for the hair and all that, but I wasn't aware that it was good for baby bumps as well.

Now, I have no stretch marks and my tummy is even smoother and wrinkle free. Try applying raw aloe vera juice gently on your belly after you bathe and before you sleep. Notice the difference in just two days.

4. It helps with digestion problems and boosts immune system.
Anybody who's had digestive problems should keep a pot of aloe vera plant close to their kitchen windows. It's a natural remedy that can sooth your tummy and, well, help with any digestion issues you have.

Plus, it's the perfect boost for your immune system, it has high levels of anti oxidants, and it stimulates white blood cells, essentially the ninjas of your body.

It really doesn't get any better than this. 

Photo by me.

Aloe Vera can also help with:
  • Skin troubles
  • Burns and irritations to the skin
  • Removal of scars and blemishes
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Digestive problems
  • Detoxification
  • Cardiovascular health
You'll find a lot of cosmetics products like lotions, creams, deodorants, and even makeup feature aloe vera in the ingredients list. It's a world renowned plant with terrific medicinal and healing properties.

Conclusion 

Aloe vera has been here for thousands of years, and yet we're only scraping the surface of its potential for medicine. Given studies and researches about this plant for many years now, who knows what it can do in the next few months, years?

About the Author: This article is written by Louise Ross for Lazer Cream - a leading provider of a quality tattoo removal cream in the UK. You can find success stories and photos from customers found on their site.

Summer at the Lake (Happy 4th of July!)

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Did you have a happy 4th of July?

Mine was beautiful! I spent the day at Folsom Lake with my sister, brother-in-law, and my nephew. Then we joined my mom for dinner and watched some neighbors set off fireworks.


My favorite part of the day was just being in nature, swimming and playing in the water, and laying in the sun.

The California landscape and the heat of the day made me think of a NeedtoBreathe song I've been listening to lately:

Come down to the river
Come and let yourself in
Make good on a promise
To never hurt again
If you're lost and lonely
You're broken down
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay 'em down


Granted, we were at the lake, not a river... but anyway :)


What did you guys do for the holiday? Are you celebrating all weekend? Traveling somewhere fun? 

 Whatever you're up to, I'm hoping you find happiness and the relaxation you so deserve. Namaste, beautiful ones!

Free Shipping All Summer at Sweaty Betty

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Summer has started and the heat is here to stay. 

It's a great time to shop for new yoga or swimwear. I recommend checking out Sweaty Betty... they have an amazing deal going on all summer where you can get free shipping on orders over $100!

Just use the code USAFREESHIP when you check out. Ooh la la!

 

Rock Solid

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Yoga requires focus.

Strength. Determination.

Not just the flexibility to put your foot behind your head.


I love the challenge of meditation. I'll get restless, twitchy, distracted. But in the perseverance, I learn. I begin to let go. 

In meditation, we train the brain to think differently.

Re-routing those neurons to fire in positive ways, rather than negative ones.

Are you missing your practice right now? You let it go and can't seem to get back to the mat?



Return. You deserve your practice. 

It's been waiting for you :)

Happy Traveler

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Photos by my silly little phone.

This summer I am a happy traveler. Let me on that bike, train, plane... I'll go. :)



In the past few months, I've been lucky enough to see Boston, Sacramento, and Detroit... 

Happy memories, leaving little parts of my heart every place I go. Teaching. Learning. Being free.


Evanston

Student is teacher is student.

And it's been wonderful returning to Chicago every time. Chicago, Evanston, Chicago...


Chi

I love this place. I love the yogis here. I love the architecture, and that view of the lake where it feels like it's the end of the universe. I love the way the sky glows because of all those bright lights, that energy. I love, too, that I know where to find the mountains where the air is so clear the satellites are easy to see. No lights except the ones farthest away.




Detroit 

Knowing home. 

Coming back.

Knowing home is in the coming back.

Again and again, I love.


Chi 
Evanston

Happy summer, beautiful people. Thanks for reading. Namaste.

PS the poem form of this post goes a little something like this...


city of chicago
breaking my

heart chakra
open

green
wide

let's ride
farther and back

I am
(my own) home


Effortless

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All photos via Everyday Musings.

There is just something so effortlessly calm about this blog. I've been perusing the photos for a while now. I especially love the beach house scenes. They're making me think of my sister, who just moved to North Carolina.


Wouldn't it be lovely to spend this afternoon by the water, wrapped in a hoodie and clutching a cup of coffee, snuggling up together?


I'll race you there.




Cooler Temperatures

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Photos via Carl Zoch Photography.
I am so ready already for fall. I keep walking down the stairs in the heat saying, "If only it were 60 degrees right now!"

The other day, I even wished for snow. Snow?!

"That's a big step for you," my friend told me. "Since you're a California girl and all."

I smiled. It's so true! I've come a long way. :)



Solitude & Summer Thunder

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Summer is a great time for knowing your own strength.

Last night, I experienced the sound of a thunderstorm rolling in and passing through. The deep bellows reminded me of the greatness of the earth. The way things can be wide, expansive, open in the summer. 

The way things change. They heat up, hover. Carry on. There is new movement, new air, new circulation. 


Summer is a time when we can experience the peace of solitude.

Being alone -- it's so often thought of as a burden or a weakness. My challenge to you is to linger in your time alone -- let it be light, effortless. Let it be purposeful.

Give yourself time to be with yourself -- here, in the moment.

You may find you hear your body speaking to you, asking for rest or silence. It is worthwhile to listen.

Enjoy the feeling of being strong, alone. Not isolated, but whole.


I spent today enjoying a relaxed balance of solitude and togetherness. Being surrounded by people and friends at the Evanston farmer's market gave me energy and reminded me of the wholeness in food that comes from real people. It was a beautiful start to the day.

I shared yoga class with three other yogis. I enjoyed the silence of the room as we transitioned between postures, the sounds of people walking by on the street outside, the quiet of my mind in meditation.




The stillness opened up new possibilities for writing. New thoughts. New stories.

And one majorly awesome outline on my living room floor :)


Alone time can be lonely, but it is also useful. Out of solitude and summer thunder come peace.

Namaste.