Denman Island is my favourite place in the whole wide world. It's magic. Its no wonder I cry everytime I have to leave. Click pictures to enlarge.

The peace, the quiet, the natural untouched beauty of Denman Island... and only 75 km from Nanaimo. The place is truly a dream. My partner grew up on this tiny island and I am so glad he did, otherwise I probably wouldn't have ever heard of it. It is two ferry rides from Vancouver and I can not recommend going there enough. There aren't even words. We feel so blessed to have many wonderful friends there to see and visit when we go, but even if you didn't know a soul, the people are really lovely and friendly. This place is peaceful beyond words. If you want to nourish your soul, your mind, your body, write, practice yoga, meditate, play music, heal or restore on any level, Denman Island is just a hop skip and jump away from our big city! Personally, I can't wait to get back. Keep in mind that this post does not even include any photos of Chickadee Lake or Fillongley Park. Two other really amazing spots you wouldn't want to miss. You really must go. My pictures don't do it justice at all. No photographs could. Its really that spectacular. Namaste.

reflecting? i am.

Reflecting on this past year? The good and the not so good? Its a natural thing to do. We can all find lot's of things to be thankful for even through we can't escape challenges and hardships. Thankfully we all have each other and can ask for help when we need it. Happy new year to you! It's going to be a great year! I really hope to see you at yoga.

Quite simply, the way yoga spills out into our lives and relationships just makes everything else better. We are able to handle what life throws at us a lot better, and things just aren't quite as hard anymore. We slowly let go of things that are unhealthy for us/no longer serving us, without even trying. And we just feel better. We get rid of those aches and pains, we sleep better, are more fluid, and have greater range of motion. The list just goes on an on. Its the best self care I know of. It isn't going to solve all of our problems, but it is the one thing that keeps us in shape and balanced, yet doesn't take our energy away. It gives us energy, and peace and clarity at the same time.

I really hope to see you at yoga. All my classes are really affordable and even cheaper when you double up to attend twice per week (yoga shouldn't cost an arm and a leg), so register away!

I wanted to take this time to thank you all for your support and for just being you xoxo

2011 is going to be a great year! Plus I am in another teacher training right now and am learning lot's of new snazzy stuff! ;)

I've got a ferry to catch so better run! namaste & see you at yoga xo

Read this quote this morning, and since my mind keeps wandering back to it I thought I'd share. I think it's quite wise, and a good thing to remember as the new year approaches.

"The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for." -Maureen Dowd

Ever wonder how to "stop" people from following you on social media sites?

I know that most people want want want followers but I woke up to see a hate group following me on Twitter and it turned my stomach before I even got my morning coffee into me. You can probably tell by my blog that I am not all that saavy when it comes to these things (haha...and thats putting it mildly)!

Facebook is another story. I love it and have loads of fun on there. I love that it is so interactive. I spend a lot of time on there each day laughing and joking with friends etc. Facebook is really my 1st blog to the people who know me. People know what I am up to all the time, we share reviews on things, opinions, and all kinds of information. There's the occassional debate which I also enjoy, but most of all lots of laughs. Lot's and lot's of laughs. Facebook is probably my biggest form of entertainment and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I hope it never goes away.

As far as Twitter goes I don't participate much on there. I haven't really spent much time on it and don't understand it very well. My posts generally just go straight from here or my facebook fan page onto my twitter, therefore becoming tweets of their own. I don't really have to do anything to make that happen so I don't often take notice of who's following me and such, but this morning a picture of a baby with a red circle around it and a line going through it caught my eyes in my follower list. When I looked closer I knew I needed to blow this person/group right off my twitter page asap but didn't know how. Luckily a friend gave me a link and I blocked them.

Thought I'd put this out there because I didn't know how to get rid of them. Followers are great, but I don't want just anyone following me. Especially if they hate something or someone that I love! And with twitter you don't have to accept friends/followers etc. They can just choose you. If you have to sell a part of your soul for for followers? No thanks. I'd rather have none. I'll pass on any haters of any sort.

Below is a link to ditch someone on your twitter should you have anyone who does not represent the person you are/causes you believe in etc.

http://support.twitter.com/articles/117063-how-to-block-users-on-twitter

I'm into sharing two things and hate isn't one of 'em. Sharing information and sharing the love. Namaste.

Photography as mindfulness. Photography is mindfulness.

I have literally thousands of photos on this computer. I am not especially skilled at taking photos, and the camera I use is nothing special. Taking pictures is another way I practice mindfulness, and other than yoga I find nothing more relaxing and peaceful. To take a picture you have to be in the moment. Owning a camera is really wonderful for stress reduction. It takes you right out of your head (and off your butt haha). And the world is just so beautiful that you don't even have to go anywhere special to take pictures. My hobby used to be quite expensive before digital cameras came along with the cost of film and developing and such. Not anymore! There is still something to be said for a paper photograph though.

If you were thinking about taking up a hobby in the new year I can not recommend it enough. Especially if you live out here as the scenery doesn't get any more spectacular. Namaste.

hurtin' for cash now that christmas is over?

Don't forget your local library. There are so many to choose from and the library has so much more than books. And it belongs to you and me! Sheer peace and enjoyment I always find at the library.

I spend a chunk out of each day studying, and personally I find there is no better place to do it than the library.

Came across this quote this morning and love it so thought I'd share.

"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries"-Anne Herbert

To find a location near you, or to see what's shakin' at a particular branch click here

PEACE IS EVERY STEP

by Thich Nhat-Hanh

Peace is every step.
The shining red sun is my heart.
Each flower smiles with me.
How green, how fresh all that grows.
How cool the wind blows.
Peace is every step.
It turns the endless path to joy.