the YOGA place (213) 290-1897 Yoga Studio, Vinyasa Classes & Instruction Downtown LA

My life is yoga

Denise — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:43:42 +0000

My recent tweets sum it up! My life is yoga. Yoga life, yoga love, yoga work, yoga studio, yoga teachers, yoga practice, yoga asana, yoga, yoga and did I mention yoga? I love yoga more than I’d ever imagined. Gratitude? Absolutely! Then I became an entrepreneur. I didn’t even know what that word meant until now. Yoga and entrepreneur go hand in hand? Yup and I’m doing it. Did I ever think I’d be here? Hell no. At least not now. But each step forward and each step back brought me here…to the present. There are the times where I think it can’t get more challenging and then BAM! Life happens all over again. Which is what keeps us on our toes. I opted out of the ’9 to 5′ for the ‘Will I make it today’? And each day is a challenge. Some days more than others.

Some days I go back to remembering the steady paychecks, the great benefits, the holidays off…the fluorescent lighting which, no matter what, does not flatter you. I remember getting up, getting ready, driving in traffic, sitting at my desk, in front of my computer, waiting for lunch hour. Extending lunch hour, dreading going back to work. Anticipating the hour I could leave. To get in my car, drive in traffic, go home, chill out for the 4 hours before going to bed. Then getting up, getting ready….you get the picture. Think Office Space.

Ok, so it may not be so bad, but there’s the uncertainty. The loss of control. Taking a plunge that I’d never thought I had the courage to take. And it’s up to me to pave an unpaved road and whether or not it’s going somewhere is yet to be seen. Then the feelings of fear and doubt come into play. And these are the moments when I close my eyes, take a deep breath, ask for strength and make one more step forward so I can continue on with my journey.

Yoga Life – Green Living – Backyard Composting

Denise — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:31:29 +0000

I've decided to do backyard home composting after being inspired by one of my students. I was so tired of throwing all my vegetable and fruit peels etc in the trash when I know there can be nutritional value. And I figure since I live a yoga life and reuse or recycle everything I can, why not food...eliminating waste in my life. Take care of you also means taking care of the earth we've been given.

I've found several websites that give detailed info on composting in Rubbermaid Bins. I'm still figuring out if I want to use worms or not. I'm a little reluctant because there's a chance you could kill the little guys. So may go the regular route instead. There are 2 sites that I particularly like. One of them is called You Grow Girl (what a clever name) and the other, Young House Love has fool proof instructions complete with pictures. And if you want to use worms (Must be composting Red Worms), Composting 101 is great.

Red worms seem difficult to find. So I looked for locations online and turns out you can buy the little critters online! Worms online...huh you really can buy ANYTHING on the internet. A tidbit of info a friend shared...you can buy Coyote urine online to keep away raccoons. Yeah, have fun with that! And know that you can also compost indoors if you live in an apartment or don't have a backyard. So good luck to those of you who want to live a little greener!
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Just a little update: With the crazy rains lately it's left my compost a bit muddy. So I'm keeping it in the sun so it evaporate some of the moisture. To help you keep the moisture level under control check out this site! Happy composting!

Yoga Life – Gratitude

Denise — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:46:26 +0000

Over the years I've thought alot about gratitude. What are the things in life that make me grateful, happy, secure, loved etc. What I have found is that they are such simple things...

- The beach. I never get tired of going to the same place. Each time I go there's always something different, yet there are things that remain the same. They seem to find that common ground in encompassing its beauty.

- Lily, my dog. She has my heart...literally. Her heart marking on the back of her neck reminds me everyday. Seeing her play and what makes her happy, grounds me. Reminds me to live simply and rely on the things I have and let go of the things I don't have.

- Practicing yoga. In each class I feel gratitude to have the ability to practice - mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

- Painted toenails. When I practice and see my toenails are painted and pretty, it makes me smile.

- A good PB & J. The bad kind includes Jiff, Smuckers strawberry preserves & Wonderbread. So I've settled for wheat bread, strawberry jam with less sugar and organic peanut better. Regardless, it still makes me smile.

- Making other people smile.

- Dancing around with my swiffer as I clean the floors....to Christina Aguilera Stripped album. Awesome.

- Brasso, my favorite dessert.

- Children. So pure and real before the influences of society.

- Christmas. My favorite are the festivities. Decorating my front bay window with lights and window hangings and looking at my 2ft tree. And I get to be with my family, a treat once a year. And I take in every moment.

- My home. I created my sanctuary.

- My car. She's been so good to me.

There's so much more that I'd love to list, but I'll keep it here for now. Take the time to think about or list what gives you the feeling of gratitude. Don't care about people judging you. It's all about what makes YOU happy! I guarantee, by the end of your list, you'll be smiling.