"You time" Time for you and only you. Hope you get some.

You must have a room, or a certain hour or so a day, where you don’t know what was in the newspapers that morning, you don’t know who your friends are, you don’t know what you owe anybody, you don’t know what anybody owes to you. This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be. This is the place of creative incubation. At first you may find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, something eventually will happen.
–Joseph Campbell

Only the man who learns to relax is able to create, and for him ideas reach the mind like lightening. Cicero

Rain gettin' ya down?

Don't forget Balasana (childs pose.) It not only feels great but has a slew of benefits.* provided you don't have any knee issues/injuries. (if you are expecting take knees wide as not to compress baby.) And know you can use as many props as you like to make yourself more comfortable, such as a blanket under knees/ankles/ between your heels and buttocks, pillow under your head, arms outstretched... Get creative and do whatever feels good. Childs pose opens and stretches the hips, thighs and ankles and calms the nervous system in a big way. It has lots of psychological benefits.

It looks so simple (and for many of us who aren't injured it is), but do you ever go into one when you are at home? This is a childs pose kind of day in my opinion. Hope you get a moment to collect your thoughts and rest and restore today. The weeks almost over and before we know it it will be sumer again. Namaste.

I feel such extreme gratitude that I live in Canada.

Hope everyone has a super fun and safe Canada Day long weekend!

Breast Massage

Breast massage may sound like a strange concept for some but did you know it has amazing benefits? For all the stages of our lives.

*including helping lactating mom's with blockages etc.

We know that yoga stimulates lymph flow and strengthens our endocrine and immune systems, but breast tissue is still fatty tissue that doesn't really get exercised in the conventional sense. Even with all the yoga I practice I have fluid filled cysts that come and go, and our breasts just change and change. Its hard to know what's happening in there! I found myself this morning thinking about an RMT friend of mine here in Vancouver who is extensively trained in breast massage and her name is Angie Mrau. This video looks fine for familiarizing yourself with your breasts but I really can't recommend enough seeing a professional and Angie's your gal (And remember, Massage therapy is covered by MSP)!

For more info on Angie Mrau click here.

"Beware the barrenness of a busy life." -Socrates

I'm sick of the word busy. "How are you ? Busy...so very busy.." "You? Oh the same...just extremely busy".

I am just so sick of being busy. I find that thats all I hear, and say anymore. I am really bored of hearing myself say it.

I came to the realization last week when I was super stressed and unable to keep up with deadlines and such (and I found myself so stressed that even my decades long yogic tools weren't cuttin' it) that I have simply said yes to too many things. Since then I have been watching my use of the word. Yesterday I spent the most delightful day at my community garden plot and was so happy to see my garden friends. All we could speak about was how busy we are/have been. It's an epidemic. I am really convinced the whole world is busier than ever. I remember Seane Corn once telling me to "pick my battles wisely" when I asked her how she manages her time. As difficult as it can be to set limits, I am slowing things down. I am taking my own advice and practicing what I preach as far as the self care goes. I will certainly not be clearing my schedule (not by a long shot)! I'm just setting some limits. I love what I do so much. Both the teaching and the volunteer activities. I just plan on carving out more time for me. More nature and less busyness. More time at the garden, and less busyness. More road trips to the Island, less busyness, less computer time (my facebook friends will all tell ya, thats a HUGE one for me haha), and MORE downtime, doing more of what is depicted in the photograph above! Not sure where it all went wrong, and I know its easier said then done but I'm going to try. I'll let you know how it goes! Good luck to you as well. I know I am in good company. Summers almost here and its short in these here parts. Remember you & your self care.

Truly, nobody can do it for ya.

See you on the mat. Namaste xx

Maru keeps tryin' ;)

If you have or had cats you know that the great majority of them love love love boxes, laundry baskets, bags..anything they can crawl into. I once came home to a cat with a glass jar stuck on it's head (and that wasn't good). It had to be smashed off and was pretty scary (he wound up being just fine btw). Anyhow, a friend posted this on facebook and Maru is cute and never gives up. And he tries to make the most out of what he has. Thought I'd share

♥

Hope you're feelin' it on this glorious long weekend. I sure am ♥

No classes with me for a week (and a day)

There has been some confusion lately about which days I will be off on vacation. (haha..the confusion has been all mine!)

I booked off some dates months and months ago to go on a trip I am no longer going on. I have been debating whether to keep my classes going or to take the week off, and I decided to go with the week off.

Not sure what I'll do or where i'll go..

Although many of my students don't want me to take my week off, haha.. my gut is telling me to, so I will. Who knows what's in store for that week? Maybe I will get away for a couple of days after all? The garden perhaps? (I have been totally been slacking in the garden department)

Or maybe just loads and loads of glorious yoga for me?? That would be a treat.

Anyways, there is so much research on the benefits of a vacation and I am planning on reaping some of those benefits next week from Tuesday June 8 until Wednesday June 16. I'll be missing my classes though rest assured.

Maybe I'll even run into some of you during my little "vacation" ♥

Namaste & hugs to you,

P.S. How long has it been since you've had a vacation?