Forget What You Think You Know

Photos via Pinterest and Yoga Dudes.

In this moment, can you release expectation?

Be curious about the present. Instead of dwelling on the way your body, mind, heart and spirit felt yesterday or an hour ago, sit with where you are now.

Perhaps you’ve tried a challenging posture (like an arm balance or an inversion) a hundred times. Perhaps every one of those times you fell out. Today, you are ready. Your body moves into the pose effortlessly. Or your mind releases resistance to the teacher’s words. Instead of trying to control, you relax and let go.

Forget what you think you know. Learn to be OK with not knowing what will happen when you try. Be open to possibility, receptive to what is.

You may surprise yourself.

What Do You Want to Do with Yoga?

Photos via Pinterest.

Leave behind the comfortable. Find a way to make it harder to go back to what you’re used to than to go forward into strange, exciting, but uncomfortable new territory.

Get rid of the possibility of comfort, so that the scary journey you want to take is your best choice.

—Leo Babuta, Zen Habits

My heart did a little flip in my chest while reading these words over at Zen Habits today. As my vinyasa teacher training goes on, and as I grow deeper in my practice and more connected to my yoga community, the question arises: where do I want to go from here?

And my soul calls with a resounding and startlingly simple answer: farther down the yogic path!

I so want to teach, falling more and more in love with yoga and all it has to offer, the way it opens me and brings peace. I am called to share.

I met up with one of my most inspiring teachers last night to chat about the path toward teaching. At one point in the conversation he turned to me and asked, “So where are you in your yoga career?”

And I laughed. “Um, two weeks in to my first training?!” I said, and he nodded in a way that told me he knows what it means to be in that place of beginning and to see the horizon in the distance.

I couldn’t help but smile because all of a sudden, I could imagine the wonder and thrill of realizing my passion, of having a career in yoga. I can picture it. I can feel it happening already.

I am living it now, embodying my voice as a teacher, making connections and considering the possibilities of where I will teach.

He also asked me this: “What do you want to do with yoga?”

And as I’ve turned that question over and over in my head, I see that the answer is simple: give it away. Let it fill me up. Let it allow me to serve.

Yoga draws me deeper to that place of truth, of inner knowing, of spiritual connection. Yoga humbles me. I want to do whatever I can with it. And I plan to.

Namaste.

Being Vulnerable, Being Seen

Photo by Max Wanger.

Do you practice being present in each moment?

When is the last time you really looked into someone’s eyes while you spoke to them?

Photo by Tyler Branch.

When you are connecting with others, do you allow yourself to be seen?

Vulnerability challenges us; it requires us to trust ourselves and to honor our self-worth, to live in truth.

Photo by Tyler Branch.

When we are vulnerable, we can embrace any experience, whether we perceive it as positive or negative. We take it all in, allowing what is.

Commit to being present with those around you. Connect. Stare deeply into their eyes; witness them. Allow yourself to be witnessed. Listen. Even if there is a moment that feels awkward or uncomfortable, stay. Do not abandon this person who you love, who is just like you. 

Photo by Sarah Rhoads.

You deserve to see clearly, and to be seen.

The Edge in Yoga

The edge is where we come right up against ourselves and what we can do and be.

It is the boundary between where we are and where we grow, the place of comfortable discomfort, where all growing and healing happens.

The edge is the point in every pose when you are still within your capacities but are challenging yourself to go just a little bit farther. Stepping up to this edge and daring to leap is how you break through and thus break with old ways of being.

- Baron Baptiste, Journey Into Power

Last night I practiced falling in love with my yoga practice. The path there was simple: finding my edge, over and over. There was something electric about the work I did on the mat. I felt the energy present between my hands in samasthiti as we chanted om gam ganapataye namaha, my heart filling up. I could feel myself connect with the other yogis in the room, with the teacher, with a collective oneness in that first om.

Even during the warm up postures –core work while lying on my back, and a few rounds of cat/cow—I kept asking myself,

Where is my edge? What does it feel like to be gentle in the process of finding that place where I am reaching for something more?

Flowing through sun salutations allowed me to move deeper. Each repetition felt like an awakening, a compassionate unfolding, an expression of my Self in the moment.

When a pose became hard, I focused more on my breath. Instead of backing away, I allowed myself to feel into the sensations – the physical burn of muscles working, the emotional release of surrendering to the moment, the cognitive clarity of becoming wholly focused on only the breath.

Something clicked. I held side crow on each side for 5 breaths. I rose into bird of paradise fluidly, feeling ease and space in the posture. Headstand was a relief, a breakthrough into peace, simply a chance to breathe. During the third round of wheel pose, I straightened my elbows and knees. And when the teacher told us to come down, I still wanted more.

As I settled into savasana, I could feel energy moving up and down my spine with each inhale and exhale.

Sushumna Nadi, the center channel.

I could feel new space, new light.

I pushed through my edge last night. I trusted the words of my teacher, not resisting any moment or any pose. At the moments when I wanted to give up or allow myself to fall out, I stayed. I breathed deeper. I felt the heat in my body, the feelings of curiosity and elation. I noticed the thoughts coming and going, not attaching myself to them; instead, I stayed present in the body.

Today as you practice, I challenge you to challenge yourself. What are you holding back? What more can you give? What more can you soften?

At the moments when you want to give up, stay. Give yourself the gift of finding your edge.

Marika Athletic Wear for Yoga, Skydiving, and Rock Climbing

Illustration above via Pinterest. Other photos via

Marika

.

When it comes to

yoga wear

, I tend to look for a couple of key things:

• Is it comfortable? (and hopefully flattering)

• Is it functional? (meaning it won’t get in the way or slip down as I stretch)

• Is the style unique? (good colors, fun design)

• Can I wear this outside of yoga class? (bonus!)

Marika

women’s active and yoga wear fits all of these categories. Their products are the kind of athletic wear that makes you feel like a million bucks, and that gets out of your way so you can focus on your practice.

I am so grateful I connected with their savvy, passionate team. They sent me an awesome new outfit to try:

The Balance line

dream sequence seamless tank

…and

the Balance line

divine intervention flat waist capri

.

Both fit wonderfully—the material is soft, stretchy, and snug without being bunchy. The capris are the perfect length for a hot yoga class, and I love the fun printed waistband. And I love that the print on the shirt looks like a heart, but every time I wear it someone comments that it looks like an owl! :)

And my favorite part about this new outfit?

Not only have the tank and capris been perfect for yoga class, but I’ve worn them

skydiving

 and

rock climbing

, too! And I’m pretty sure I could pull off wearing the top under a hoodie at work, or out to dinner with friends (which makes for an easy transition if you’re in a hurry to get to the studio for class, by the way!).

If you’re looking to find high-quality yoga wear from a stellar company with great customer service, add

Marika

 to your list. Highly recommended!

PS You can browse their new items here: 

Marika New Arrivals

. And their

tie dye

tops are fantastic!

OmStays: HomeStays for the Yoga Journey

Photo via OmStays.

Are you a traveling yogi?

I just discovered a website/ community that will rock your world! OmStays is a reciprocal guest/host program that connects yoga travelers.

Photo via Pinterest.

Picture this: you're planning to hit up a big yoga or music festival, or go on vacation in a spot where you know there are a bunch of awesome studios you want to try. But you'd rather not spend a fortune on a hotel room... and you'd really like to plug in to the local yoga scene and meet some fellow yogis and teachers...

Photo via OmStays.

With OmStays, you can stay the night with an awesome host. You'll spend only $15 as a thank-you gratuity. You also have the opportunity to act as a host for other traveling yogis, a great way to meet new people and support fellow yogis in their adventures.

Here's how it works:

• You join as a member for $35/year, set up your profile, and you can get started searching for other hosts.
• You can use reviews on the website's directory to see what other members thought about their hosts and their OmStay experience.
• Contact a host directly to inquire about availability and work out the details of your stay.
• After your visit, share your experience as the guest or host on the OmStays website.

Photo via Pinterest.

The website also features ride shares, pet sitting, nonprofit opportunities, and an event board where yoga studios and teachers can post info about their classes. SO RAD!

OmStays is on Facebook, too!

I can't wait to try out OmStays. Stay tuned for more info soon...  I met recently with Kathie, the site's founder, and could not be more excited about helping her grow this community. I hope you guys will all check out the site!

Teacher Training Week One: Humility, Openness and Embodying the Fearless Voice

I did it! Week one of teacher training is complete!

My heart feels so full of love and gratitude right now. My body is exhausted, my mind present and awake. Already I've learned so much and connected so much with my practice, my teachers, and my fellow trainees. 

It's hard to put the experience into words, and I hope to write a more complete post later on... but here were a few highlights:

• Practicing with some of my favorite teachers at LEAP each day of the training. Pushing my body to a new edge and diving deep into the asana even after I thought I wanted to give up. Listening to each teacher in a whole new way -- as a teacher and as a student. Noticing the cues, the transitions, the wisdom offered.
• Working through fear. 
• Becoming connected to my experience physically, emotionally and cognitively. Becoming more present than ever before.
• Doing partner work with fellow trainees, and discovering the beauty of trust.
• Teaching for the first time in front of a big group, and laughing as I stumbled through the words :) Accepting myself and allowing myself to feel strong even after moments of hesitation. Knowing that with practice, all will come!
• Laughing over stories together and after hearing about the wild, ridiculous things that yoga teachers deal with and experience. Smiling while imagining myself experiencing those things.
• Asking the big questions, like: what do I want to bring to my students? Why do I want to teach? What do I offer as a teacher? Who am I?
• Committing to deepening my daily practices of asana, meditation, conscious eating, healthy relationships, open communication, and self-love and self-acceptance.

The path is laid before me, and I am walking it!

om namah shivaya om

Here's to enjoying the journey!

XO

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Yoga Books

Photo via

Pinterest

.

Have you read any good yoga books lately?

I’m about to start these two as part of my

yoga teacher training

:

Journey Into Power

by Baron Baptiste

The Yamas and Niyamas

by Deborah Adele

I think together they’ll be a great mix of information and inspiration for practicing yoga both on and off the mat.

I’m also hoping to dive back into this anatomy book: 

Scientific Keys Volume 1: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga

(If you’re interested in ordering it, click

this link

to support my affiliate page!)

Reading is a great way to complement your yoga. As you learn, you deepen the experience.

If you have any suggestions for books, I’d love to hear!

PS I also highly recommend 

Yoga Cures

 by Tara Stiles, 

Hellbent

by Benjamin Lorr or 

The Wisdom of Yoga

 by Stephen Cope if you’re in need of a good yoga read!

Climb On (This is the Beginning)

Yesterday I scaled Ballbuster Rock in Tahoe -- a little 5.7 climb to the top of a 50-foot boulder with a lot of great chimneying. 

I am really falling in love with the thrill of rock climbing. There is something breathtaking about the physical and mental challenge of following a route and executing each hold...the way my stomach sometimes still does little flips when I look down... and the satisfaction of reaching the top and knowing I made it by my own strength and determination.

It's also refreshing to experience the beginning, of being new to the whole experience. Rock climbing involves so many skills and techniques, and I have only just scratched the surface.  

Being a beginner allows me to be open and vulnerable, to check my ego. To persevere through discomfort.

The rock challenges me to face my fears and insecurities; in order to complete a climb I have to trust my instincts and my own strength. I must breathe through the moments that feel impossible. Keep going. I hear my inner knowing speak the truth, of knowing I am strong.

Like with the yoga, I am simply practicing flexibility, strength and balance. I am reaching within, and trusting that as I practice, all is coming.

Rock climbing gives me a chance to let go of my expectations and to be receptive to what's happening in the moment.

I return to the breath. I detach from the outcome. I push myself to my edge.

I climb on.

PS Do you climb? Have any tips or resources I should check out? Leave a comment below!

Freefalling (My First Tandem Skydive!)

Yogis... I still can't believe it: over the weekend I jumped out of a plane!

Skydiving was such an insane and amazing experience. Leading up to the day of our jump, I wavered between feeling excited and nervous, but once I was strapped into that harness, I felt stoked.

It totally helped that my instructor at Skydive Sacramento, Justin, was hilarious. He made me feel comfortable by explaining the whole process, talking through what I should do right before we left the plane (crouch down like in chair pose and lean my head back) and during the fall (arch like a "happy banana" aka boat pose and breathe through my nose). 

And on the way up, he faked me out like he was about to push me out of the plane. I definitely started cracking up and the photographer was able to catch it :)

When we reached 13,000 feet, we didn't hesitate to scoot over to the door and prepare to make the jump. I lined up my toes on the edge of the plane, leaned my head back, and let go.

That's the beauty of doing your first tandem jump: the instructor is in total control, and you're just along for the ride!

We tumbled through the air...

And I loved every second of the exhilarating, wild ride of the freefall. 60 seconds of being purely present to the moment!

Then, once the parachute was open, it was so peaceful and serene, like the whole world had slowed down. I felt like I was floating, connected to the earth below, suspended in a quiet purity.

I could do this every day, I thought. And I told my instructor, "Now I see why you do this!" It felt like such a unique, almost sacred, experience. 

There is nothing quite like the feeling of swaying and swooping back and forth, the calm of the air and sun on the body, the beauty of the sky, the gentle sound of the wind catching in the chute. 

Our landing was smooth and easy, just me holding my legs up and sliding to the ground. I landed feeling more alive and more fearless than I have in a long time. I felt a new appreciation for the ground beneath my feet, for my body, and for trying something new.

There is power and beauty in feeling fearless while you're trying something new.

Almost immediately, I realized... I can't wait to go again!

Thanks to the team at Skydive Sacramento for making my first skydiving experience a fantastic one, and cheers to more jumps very soon!

PS I hope to do a post soon on yoga for skydivers (it's all about boat pose and pranayama breathing!) as well as a series on fearlessness. Stay tuned!

Just Breathe

Photos via Pinterest.

In this moment, you have the choice to simply be.

Be in tune with your breath. Be present to the sensations in your body.

Be willing to let go of your judgments about what is happening.

You can be grateful for the blessings that surround you.

For your experiences, your relationships, your love.

You can generate gratitude in your heart.

You have the choice to simply breathe, and be.

Just Be

Photo via Pinterest.

This is a good reminder...

Have you taken a moment today just to be?

Yoga on the Beach

Video via Meghan Currie on YouTube.

This girl has a stunning practice. Where do you bring your yoga?

Moving Slowly

Sometimes the practice is about savoring the journey.

The point is not to strike a perfect pose or to cure your mind of wandering.

The process itself is the true experience.

What does my breath sound like?

How does it feel to raise my arms gracefully above my head? To stretch my fingertips wider on the mat?

What can I let go of in this moment?

In class today, try moving slowly, more slowly than you normally do. Savor the way your body feels as it moves toward a pose, or as you transition out of it. 

Is there anything you are avoiding by rushing?

Experience the yoga in a new way, one where you are at peace with the process.

Yoga at Lake Tahoe (And Falling More in Love with My Life)

I am a big fan of taking my practice out of the studio. Often being in a new location can bring new perspective. When I am

in nature

, I feel more grounded, more connected to the heart of my practice.

I see my yoga with clear vision.

I am not caught up in the little habits that come with a familiar class.

I allow myself to move freely through the postures, listening for what my body needs.

Yesterday I hiked down a little path not far from Hidden Beach at Lake Tahoe and rolled out my mat on the pine needles. I had an amazing view of the water.

I sat on a flat rock, breathing, letting my mind settle.

I meditated on the power and beauty of the physical world. I let my heart fill with gratitude for the chance to be present in such a gorgeous place. I did not hurry to move from stillness into the postures.

I slowed down my flow between postures, pausing to notice alignment. I let each breath be full and deep, feeling the difference from the elevation and the subtle smell of pine and water.

The sound of the lake lapping at the shoreline.

The sunlight falling through the trees.

I am grateful for days like these, when the yoga feels natural, grounded, true. 

I am grateful to wake up sore the next day, my muscles reminding me of the efforts I made, reminding me that I am strong.

Over and over, I am falling in love with this experience we call

yoga

. Yoga simply teaches me to hold a perspective that is peaceful, loving, aware, grateful.

At the end of a practice like yesterday's, my heart full and my head clear, I realize: the asana is simply a way for me to fall even deeper in love with my life.

Holding Space for Gratitude

What are you seeking today? Shape your experience by setting an intention.

Today my intention is to let go of negativity that does not serve me.

Today my intention is to resonate peace to those around me.

Today my intention is to let go of fear.

This practice can also allow you to open up new space for gratitude.

I am grateful for time on the mat.

I am grateful to carry my practice into my day to day life.

I am grateful for the journey in yoga-- that it is an ongoing learning process instead of a one-time occurrence. I am grateful that yoga is more than performing a posture.

Celebrating 1,000 Posts at Alive in the Fire

Photos via Pinterest.

Wanna know something crazy?

I've posted over 1,000 times on Alive in the Fire.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pretty exciting, right?!

I think we should all celebrate. :)

Hopefully I'll have my act together and be back to regular posting again soon, lovelies! It's just been a whirlwind of enjoying life to the fullest lately... which often means less time camped in front of the computer screen.

Thanks for your patience and namaste!

Why Do You Love Yoga?

Video via Lululemon on YouTube.

I love this video from Lululemon featuring Wanderlust yogis speaking about their love of yoga.

How has the practice changed you?

How does yoga wake you up? Help you fight through challenges? Bring you home? 

It is through the challenge that we discover a new space or a new pathway to change. I come right back to myself.

PS Read this for more inspiration on how yoga is a true love story, one that sometimes requires walking through darkness before you can find new consciousness.