what makes a blog interesting?

Honesty. Raw honesty. That's what I think. If it is too planned... what do we yet.

One of my personal strengths is connecting to people. I connect through openness and love.

Here goes:

My big sister has a huge mass on her ovary.  She may have cancer.  She lives in Massachusetts.  I feel helpless. All I can do is love her. Support her. Tell her I am here. It's hard. I'm sad.  I keep remembering our great moments together.  I know she will be okay. I just feel it. But this is causing a lot of reflection and heartfelt sadness.  I have been holding it in. Being a mom, a teacher, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a wife.

Today I apparently snapped.  Ben did something I felt was disrespectful to me and I lost it. I yelled at him. He cried. We were almost late for school. He was sad going into class. I feel like a horrible mom. I am crying as I write this.

UGH, how can I leave my house to teach yoga and tell people to be good, be present, spread love when I did that?

I am human, I know. But so so sad.

I am picking Ben up from school after my noon class - he has a dentist appointment. I will hug him.

I am so sad.

Nothing like a Dose of Reality....

... to minimize all the things you (read 'I') worry about.

I will not stress about my weight.,
I will be grateful for every day.
I will be present.

Thank you

oh voice, where are you?

This is another of those... random posts. A few things I'm thinking:

1) UH, I lost my voice AGAIN. Every time I get a cold. Bye bye Voice. But talking and projecting all the time... well, there it is. I have tried it all. Lemon hot water, cough drops, the spray, not talking, cold medicine, - everything but the neti pot. Why does that thing freak me out?

2) so it seems I may not be the only one doing internet research. my 'famous' neighbor showed up at my yoga class last night. Wonder  - was it a coincidence or not? geez I hope she liked it ;)

3) Here's something about me. I hate asking for things. I mean I really really hate asking for things. I am a spaz about it. And most of the time will only do it if I am asking for something for someone else. Even then, I HATE IT.  What is wrong with me? Why can't I ask for stuff?  I never want anyone to think I am taking advantage or getting free stuff. :( Spaz.

4)I have a new workout plan to lose these last four pounds. Thanks to a dear friend I had my VO2 test and metabolic test done. Valuable information.... too bad today I feel like I need to rest, rest my voice and my body so I can teach.

I think I will stop there for now.. more later, I think :)

Recipe

did you ever make something - hope for the best and get it? PLus more???

Greg is the chef in our family - I am what I call 'a functional cook.' I can make plenty - and I do... most of the time in 30 minutes or less... look out Rachel Ray - I may be next ;)

But this week - Greg handed over a recipe from Sunset Magazine - August 2010 and said - "hey I bought all the ingredients... I thought you'd want to try this one." Hmmm... I was nervous. But I did have the time since I don't teach on tuesday nights usually...

Oaaahhhhh - it was good. and Fairly low-fat (I counted my Weight Watchers and planned for it - each serving is about 10 points. - hefty but a whole meal unto itself)

Here it is - you should try it!!!

Chicken Puttanesca
by Leigh Trivino, Spokane

2tbsp olive oil
4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves (about 1.5 pounds total)
1/2 tsp each kosher salt and pepper
1/4 tsp red chili flakes
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 pt cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp oregano leaves
2/3 cup pitted kalamata olives
4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

Heat: oven to 450-Degrees with rack set 5 inches from heat source. heat oil in large ovenproof pan over high heat.

Sprinkle: chicken with salt and pepper. Brown Chicken in hot oil on one side, about 4 min. Turn chicken over and add chili flakes, garlic, tomatoes, oregano and olives.

Transfer: pan to oven and bake until chicken is cooked through, about 20 min. Lay cheese over chicken and bake until melted and browned, about 2 minutes


YUM YUM YUM

tell me if you try it! :) Hugs

Light and Energy

I was dragging a bit today - maybe it was noodle home - and that I couldn't leave the house. But I was struggling to get motivated to teach tonight.  But I knew this was going to be 'the week.' The week back for my peeps. Full rooms, lots of energy. FUN!

As predicted, sold out. Awesome. First off, I seriously cannot express enough gratitude for the constant love and support from my students. I am thankful everyday I get to do this and actually have happy faces and people in my room!

But anyways, let's get to the energy. I am not totally 'yoga - hoo hoo' you know that! But I DO believe energy is real. It effects you.  You can feel it.  You can feel the pulse, the love in a room.  That was tonight. From the beginning, love was coming toward me. I was open to receiving and I felt good. Ready to teach. Thanks to my sweet student, Amity - I got to put my hands on people. Adjusting, coaching, encouraging... loving. That IS a treat for me and for my students.....

I also believe some people have a light about them. A happy energy so to speak - you can feel them before they enter a room... warmth, love, happiness.  So so many of my students have this. But I feel my front row of students most. LEt's face it - their energy is on top of mine ;)

I have true Genuine love for all my students. The energy they bring to my class... to me.
Gratitude. Love. Thankfulness. Hugs.

Monday Blues

Oh, I had a plan today - Lots of stuff to get done. But being a mom trumps it all. Ben is sick. Home sick on the third week of school  I almost made him buck up and go - but then I looked at his eyes. You know you can tell alot about a kid looking at their eyes. And this kid's eyes looked sick. Cancel appointments, meetings, dentist. All cancelled. Must pamper the little guy.

But not all is lost, I'll be at haute tonight. This week marks - what I think is a new 'fall beginning.' The students should all come back and settle into their 'rainy and cool' schedule. which most certainly includes yoga - and hauteyoga more specificially.  Maybe even brings to mind thoughts of January and the need to escape to the sunshine with their fav yoga teacher ;)

There's just 10 days left to get the $50 off - if you register for the retreat before 9/30. Of course, we have room, you can register later - but this way you get a discount, get first dibbs at cool, cheap housing and cool cheaper flights.

ok, enough promotion.  Loved having a sellout for yoga church at yogalife last night. Let's keep 'em coming because the energy of that is intoxicating. I hope for everyone... not just me ;)

Love love to you all
See you on the mat.

2.5 miles, 2.5 pounds

I'm a typical woman, right? trying to lose those 'extra' pounds. Always trying to lose.  Well, week one left me 2.5 pounds lighter (4.5 to go), I ran 3x this week - today 2.5 miles and I am following my weight watchers :) yay.

It was a beautiful  morning to run. Sunny, but muggy.  I started out begrudgingly. but my heart started pumping, the music in my ears was motivating and for a moment I was enjoying it. A moment. I am a runner at heart. 

But then I got tired. Came inside at the end and um, feel a little sick to my stomach. Maybe I ran a little too fast. thinking I was in my 'runner's shape.'  Um, I'm not ;)  A little water - I feel a little better.

latest playlist

MLK - U2
Crystalised - The XX
Family Tree - TV on the Radio
The Dog Days are Over - Florence and the Machine
Undone - FFH
Talk to Me - Thick as Thieves
Only Girl - Rihanna
E.T. - Katy Perry
You Make the Rain Fall - Kevin Rudolf and Flo Rida
Commander - Kelly Rowland
Walk with Me - Thick as Thieves
The Catalyst - Linkin Park
Closer - Thick as Thieves
Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars
September - Daughtry
Better Days - Eddit Vedder
Not Like the Movies - Katy Perry
Let Your Heart Be Known - Steve Gold

new class?

if I taught another class - tuesday nights in Belltown - who would come? you'd have to pay cash at the door ($10)
Thoughts? Discuss. BTW, it would only be one tuesday a  month. non heated. But fun.

Thursday - Oh Thursday

I'm down a pound. that's something to celebrate right? No, not with food silly - with Smiles :)
Yesterday I ran, I taught two classes, I followed my weight watchers.... a good day.

I have to say, I am so so proud of one of my students.  She used to be a training client, a student and of course a dear friend. She came back into yoga - not so sure about haute or 'hot' yoga. But she stuck with it. Now she is a self-proclaimed 'yoga addict.' She has lost 26 pounds and I witnessed her holding crow (Bakasana) for literally 3 minutes!!!  I am so deeply inspiried by my own students. By their drive, devotion, excitement, happiness.
I told her she should start a blog called ' yoga addict' - she laughed (an awesome laugh BTW) and said - I don't have time - I have to go to yoga! :)

I love you E.

Random Thoughts - some made me smile.

I love those blogs you read that are amazing!!! Ty - this means you! http://kunovsky.blogspot.com/ (for those interested) Like you cannot wait for the next entry.  I will get there, I hope. For now, I am just trying to be consistant and well - that's it. :) I was a journalist, afterall - I should be able to 'nail it.' I have people interested and reading ... I hope I can hold the readers :)

Random thoughts:

The virtual world is incredible, isn't it. We sit at our little computers and type,  thinking - does anyone see this? Not just blogs either - facebook, twitter, myspace, etc.... I love when people you would never expect... say something perfectly referencing your writing. 'JL - how's the running?'  'Love your playlist' 'oooahhh I want to sign up for your next workshop. That sounded amazing.' 

It's funny to have our virtual world intersect with the 'real' world. Why is that funny? it's all real, right?  I can see how people could get 'addicted' to being online only.  You can say what you want - and MAYBE someone will respond. Or maybe you have more 'guts' here. I don't know. I just think its cool.

another....
it's a little scary what you can find out about a person on the internet... with little or no information.

We have new neighbors. totally cute. Seem normal enough. We have a neighborhood email list. So I know their names. I'd like to think I was using my journalistic skills to research that's why I had so much success... but seriously. It's scary.  anyways, I noticed that on both their cars was a sticker saying 'Flylow'... Hmmm I say. Must be important to them. I searched - names plus Flylow. So Cool! - I have a superstar skiier who lives across the street - oh and her boyfriend (and company sponsor) is the owner, president of a neato company 'flylow' that sells sweet ski clothing.  just cool. Could have been scary. but this is cool.  So how do I introduce myself and ask for ski lessons for Ben?? ;)

another...
I put my trash out a full day early. I have no idea why. This made me laugh.

another....
I was stopped at a stop sign - a man was clearly there before me. I waved him on to go - he shook his head pissed. huh. Weird.

another...
I am an open, loving person. really... what you see is what  you get. I truly care deeply about many people. I let them into my soul. For good or for bad.  I love my people. But those people who I think are 'my people' and then who hurt me. Hmmmm. this makes me mad. So mad. So hurt. I have one of those in my life right now. At some point I will tell this person. But for now -I am cold as ice. not pretty.

that is all for now.
:)

just found this old pic

Its a favorite of mine. A little piece of me :) Thanks for taking it mom.

New Rihanna

I now have the song I wanted. Only girl in the world.
Wednesday - noon and 7:30pm
oooaaahhh. it will be fun. :)

Transformation

Every day since Saturday - I've been given the gift of someone new telling me about their 'transformation' after the workshop.
Every day. I know it's only tuesday... but Saturday, sunday, monday and today - every day. A new story.
Last night, I was particularly moved by a student who thanked me for the insight and gifts she has received because of her transformation. This is a student I wasn't sure if I was 'reaching', if you know what I mean. 

I am blessed every day I am a teacher. But some days are especially wonderful. The days when I know I had an effect on someone - on their life, on their spirit.  I am a changed person nearly every day because of the gift of teaching... I (sometimes) cannot believe how fortunate I am. Really.

I mostly just wanted to thank you. Every student I've ever had. Ones who connected with my style and the ones who didn't. I am grateful. so grateful.
Thank you.

Running

okay - so as most of you know - I've been a runner. A lot of my life, I've been a runner. But I stopped running last year. Why? Because it hurt me. I have a deformed L4 - so my back is just not built for running.  But even with that - I have run a full marathon, and a few half marathons and numerous road races.  I just had to stop. My career as a yoga teacher is too important to me. And as my husband, who is the one who keeps me grounded, said - is running worth giving up yoga? Uh, no.

Now I am here - six to seven pounds heavier... still doing yoga every day. Trying to eat less. and 39 years old.  As I approach my 40th bday (next summer) I am sensitive to my aging body. Not taking more care of it, but battling the bulge. I fight my genetics every day. Literally.  I want to look fit, be fit and feel great. I know you may be thinking - what???? she does power yoga every day. I do. But okay - I want to be skinny! I can't help myself.

Will vanity win over? I ran two miles this morning... and walked one. Pretty good. Most times I would have powered through the entire loop of Greenlake. But I tried to practice my yoga and back off... at the right time.  Can I do both - take care of myself AND lose the 6 pounds? I'm going to try.

Teaching Teachers and growing as a teacher

I am part of a team of teachers at Yogalife leading the teacher training for the next nine months. I will say, during my more than eight years as a yoga teacher - I have had MANY students become teachers. It's so exciting. And now to be OFFICIALLY teaching teachers is validating.

Every day I grow as a teacher, every day I try to become a better, stronger teacher for my students.

Yesterday I lead a workshop called, "Body Prayer."
This workshop was inspired by Seane Corn... but because I talk a lot about 'authenticity' - I made it my own with my own spin.... a Half Yoga Mala (54 Sun Salutations) and my own topics to work through. And Readings and Music to support.

It was the first time I lead this particular workshop.  It was so incredibly moving to have the group of people I did... all willing to do this devotional practice.  I was personally moved to share some of my own issues to work through using the physical practice.     It is amazing - the power of physical prayer.  I believe the practice monumentally changed some people. I believe the experience provided new eyes to look into their hearts. I know the experience changed me. 

I will continue to try to grow and change as  a teacher and bring my growth to the mat. I hope you will come with me :)

latest playlist

oooaahhh - here's a way to rope you in. I'll list my playlists here :)

hauteyoga QA playlist:
MLK - U2
Crystalised - The XX
Family Tree - TV on the Radio
Space - M.I.A.
Undone - FFH
Talk to Me -Thick as Thieves (my new Fav band)
E.T. - Katy Perry
You make the Rain Fall  - Kevin Rudolf & flo Rida
Commander - Kelly Rowland
Walk with Me -Thick as Thieves
DJ Got Us Fallin in Love - Usher
The Catalyst - Linkin Park
Closer - Thick as Thieves
Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars
September - Daughtry
Better Days - Eddie Vedder
Not Like the Movies - Katy Perry
Let Your Heart Be Known - Steve Gold

Should I?

Should I start a blog? Seems like lots of people have them. I know I have things to say... about yoga, life, motherhood, etc....
hmm... If only I could figure out this page. How do I tell people - OH FACEBOOK :)
see this is already stream of consciousness typing.
I think I will give this a shot. First, let's make sure this worked :)