Morning Routine

A morning routine is an effective way to check in, clear, and reset for the day ahead. 

Mine takes 30-60 minutes and goes like this:

• Wake up
• Clear space
• Write morning pages (reference Artist's Way book) to clear thoughts, areas of resistance, internal conflict and to observe mind
• Meditate with slow deep breathing
• Perform astral body exercises, clearing, and charging (guided meditation available here)
• Plug in and connect fully with Higher Self and Source
• Choose one card from six decks (sometimes multiple pop out)
• Journal insights
• Meditate

Making the bed, eating breakfast, and cleaning fall before or after - before if I need movement or after if I want to start meditating.

Sample Card Interpretation from 4/29/18 (full moon scorpio)

Decks: Rider Waite, Morgan Greer, Druid Craft, Doreen Virtue Archangels, Doreen Virtue Goddesses, Louise Hay's Power Thought

Before choosing cards, I ensure that my channel is clear and that I am fully connected to Source.  I then open my eyes and ask for additional messages and insights.  Today I pulled 7 wands, Strength, 9 swords, 5 wands, moon cycles, Isis, and "I listen with love to my body's messages."

If more than one card pops out of each deck, I accept both.  For example, today Strength and 9 swords came out of the Morgan Greer deck.  Looking at two cards together sheds new light and insight.  In 9 swords, the tied arms prompted the inquiry, "how can we freely create if our thoughts are blocking us?"  I imagined the hands of the Great Creator assisting the woman in the strength card.  This inner strength comes from a divine source outside of human power alone.  Our arms and hands are an extension of the heart so swords or negative beliefs and cluttered thoughts stifle the feelings of our heart.  A key to clearing mental buildup is to channel higher power through the body and think of many hands assisting the effort rather than human will alone.

This is not the first time this week that 7 and 5 wands arose, boundaries and conflict.  There is work left to be done.  Today what came through is the idea of revising boundaries to flow with the course of events and shifting from a once firmly held position to forming a new stance or walking away altogether.  If no wall or push to counter oncoming boundary breakers exists, there is no resistance.  Complete surrender allows us to flow through conflict.  Other times firm boundaries must be set.  This is a theme to be observed today and this week.

The moon cycles card almost always comes on a new or full moon as a reminder to work with the lunar energies and to notice their effects.  The Isis past life card suggests that whomever or whatever comes up as resistance may be karmic and related to a past life.  Home relates to improvements or changes in the home, an area of foundation in which I have been working.

Our Astral Bodies

Throughout the evening our astral bodies travel and journey.  Depending on the circumstances, we need to repair, clear, and charge after the night's adventures.  Meditation and astral strengthening are very important to our morning routine to repair, fill holes, clear, and recharge.  We want our batteries at 100% for the day ahead.

Tips

What does your morning routine look like?  In what ways can you improve your routine?  Know that your current method may not be what you need next month or next year so if something is working keep it, and if not, revise it! 

Here is a look into the morning routine of Ayurvedic practitioner Julie Bernier from True Ayurveda.  Hers really nourishes the body. 

For examples of morning routines from world class performers, listen to Tim Ferriss' podcast episode #253.

Experiment and discover practices that work for you.  There is no wrong way to meditate.  Even listening to a song with your eyes closed or sitting for a few minutes is a great start.  Approach your routine with kindness, love and gentleness.

Crystal Readings

Background: In September 2016, one of my uber hip cousins who works in PR asked if I could do crystal readings for The Mondrian Hotel on Sunset.  "Of course!" I replied.  Though I had years of experience with tarot readings and crystals separately, I did not know much about crystal readings.

The Beginning: That night I researched crystal readings online and emailed metaphysical schools to see if they offered crystal reading classes but had no luck.  Within the next few days, I meditated for the best method and wrote it down.  After emailing the method to one of my teachers Naha, she suggested adding one crystal to have three instead of two (creating a grid).  After practicing, the technique felt right!

First Reading: Halloween 2016 came around, and I was all set up to do readings at the Mondrian Hotel for Dive In Pool Theatre, an outdoor movie screening by the pool.  I started off with a reading for the owner and then their head of marketing, did some readings for the girls at the PR firm, attendees of the event, and friends who dropped in.  The readings were detailed and clear.  Everyone enjoyed the experience!

The Method: After meeting the client, we close our eyes together and tune in.  I ask for one to a few important and succinct messages in alignment with the client's highest self and guidance for his/her greatest good.  We then open our eyes, I deliver the messages, we select crystals, continue the reading, and close.  A beautiful and effective aspect of crystal readings is that the receiver experiences a mini-healing and reading in one.  To honor time and number of attendees, I keep the readings focused and brief.

More Crystal Readings: Last year I met a magical and incredible woman, Michelle, creator of Holisticism.  She connected me with her friend Taylor and ever since, the opportunity to share crystal readings continues to grow.

Discovery: In the reading process and journey, I have come to understand that there are many forms of divination - tarot, crystals, sticks, coffee mugs, astrology, numerology, +++ - but ultimately the most important factor is the clarity of the reader, the purity of his/her channel, and to what source he/she is connecting.  

Divination Tools: I received my first tarot deck at age 12 but did not read for others until 2012.  Around the end of 2016, I began noticing how tarot kept me slightly in the mental body due to knowledge of the cards.  With crystal readings, I feel more space for direct connection.  Since then, I have experimented with a few hour-long readings without any tools.  The "readee" and I found them to be quite detailed, clear, helpful, and accurate.  However, for most events, clients prefer tools such as crystals.

Conclusion: We all have access to our higher self and the one true source through our intuitive channel; however, I believe that the manner and degree to which we all connect varies.  As readers and healers, it is so important that we keep our channels pure and clear, only delivering guidance for the highest self and good of the person for which we are reading.  Sure we can get an infinite number of messages, but that which we choose to deliver in alignment with the one true source is key.  It is important for those with psychic gifts to empower others by teaching and helping them learn how to connect.

If you are interested in learning more about crystal readings or want to book one for your event, please reach out!

You can also learn more about my readings here.

Spring is in the Air!

Happy Spring!  Doesn't the air feel crisp, sun rays warm, and atmosphere green?!

This post is a hodgepodge like a colorful bouquet of spring flowers!

I always love this time of year as the squirrels come out to eat, moss and grass cover the hillsides, vibrant blossoms sprinkle the Earth, and the sun radiates warmth.  We slowly emerge from our shells, our hibernation and the intentions set as tiny seeds sown during winter begin to sprout and blossom.  Seeing what blooms brings great joy!  That which does not emerge during spring may be marinading to birth during summer!  Just like sprinkling a variety of seeds across the hillside (mindfully selected of course ;) ), we get to observe what blooms!  

I believe the best approach is to have no expectations.  Remember, we don't get what we want, we get what we deserve - karma.  Flow with what grows.  Go with the flow and flow with the go.

There are key factors to full manifestation of our seeds. 

1. To be crystal clear and dialed in when planting.
2. To create a nutritious, whole and solid foundation.
3. To nourish our seeds with proper care.
4. To leave and allow SPACE for growth.
5. To fully surrender to the organic process of growth.
6. To accept and flow with the outcome!

Expounding upon "space" in this context, we can imagine finding stillness within long held yoga poses.  In breathing and resolving to remain still, we stretch and create space.  With this new space we expand our edge moving deeper into the expression.  There is no rush.  There is no forcing.  When all bodies are ready (emotional, mental, physical, astral, soul, +), we naturally move into this new space.  Acceptance, patience, and trust are key.

Another example of leaving space for manifestation, is say you desire to meet your conscious romantic partner.  Add a seat to your table, decorate the bed for two, get a love seat.  We must leave space into which the new can move.

Say you feel a deep calling to book a long trip and you do it but have no details sorted.  Once booked, create a new account or space in your account to manifest extra luxury dollars.  Plan a few things, but leave openness for magic to flow!

What is space to you?  What examples come to mind?

Happy blossoming, manifestation, growth and expansion!

5 Simple Spring Tips

1. Take morning walks and stretch.
2. Fill your place with lush plants and colorful flowers.
3. Leave space for those puppies to blossom!
4. Watch and observe your sprouting seeds with non-judgement and acceptance.
5. Visit your local farmer's market for fresh finds!

Dance in the magic of springtime!

Flow, Waves, The Surrender Experiment

For we who are seekers and trust the divine current of life and for those who wish to flow more…

I recommend reading The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer.

With age, I am much more specific on the literary content I ingest.  With daily meditation, so much inspiration flows through that creative content pours forth naturally, and reading or watching feels less necessary.  Therefore, I only read when inspired.  

Here is the status of my current reads: slowly moving through another version of the Bhagvad Gita, on week 6 of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, recently finished the Untethered Soul by Michael Singer, and almost done with The Surrender Experiment.  This is a lot more than I normally have on my plate.

I highly recommend all of these books, but want to talk mostly about The Surrender Experiment.  I usually pick up a book from the local Los Feliz bookstore after receiving three or more recommendations in a fairly short period of time from different people about that book.  I take it as a sign, that yes, this is time to read.  For a while, I resisted The Artist’s Way because I thought it was way too mainstream, and everyone was doing it.  I waited for five referrals until finally diving in.  After The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer, I was curious to read his subsequent book, The Surrender Experiment, which puts the ideas and theory of Untethered Soul into practice.  

The content is SO in synch with the way many of us live life!  As I was thinking about the book before getting it, I caught up on the phone with my cousin Rachel.  I asked, “hey - have you heard of or read The Surrender Experiment?”  She said, “actually the author is from my hometown, and I have been out to events at his spiritual center.”  She knew him personally - how cool!

Over the past year, I have been working with the theme, “say no to others to say yes to yourself.”  This came after feeling burnout and like I was being pulled in so many directions following the ideas and will of others.  I heard, “Want to collaborate?” “Want to do this?”  “Want to do that?” so many times, and most the times I would say, “Sure!  Let’s do it!”  Each experience was valuable but after some time, I was overdoing it and experienced burnout from saying, “YES!”  I then began to abide by Derek Siver’s words, “if it’s not a HELL YES, it’s a no.”  This helped save space in my days to decompress, be still, meditate, and prepare the body to receive inspiration.  The lesson of DISCERNMENT.

Currently I am at a new transition point or stage, where so much is coming in that seems like, “Hell Yeses!” Accepting everything seems overwhelmingly, but forgoing does not seem one hundred percent right either. 

Perfect timing for The Surrender Experiment!  Michael Singer recounts observing and watching that mental body voice in our heads and not choosing to do things based on preference: want, don’t want, like, dislike, but rather watching, observing, and opening up to let the current of life flow through and when pushed with a wave (a request, a new opportunity, etc.) to turn around and go with it!  The true essence of SERVICE to self and others.

I actually love this analogy of waves and surfing.  Imagine you are out there on your surfboard in the middle of the ocean.  Waves come, usually in sets of three.  As the rider, you choose your wave.  When first starting, I would go for every one that looked decent and burn out quickly from paddling so much.  I then started to be more selective of the waves.  Now I go with ones that FEEL good as they start to form.

Returning to The Surrender Experiment and waves, I believe Michael would say, “when a wave comes, take it.”  I think once we get to a place where we are fairly clear and open to divine inspiration, the hand of God guides us, and it’s less about standing at the crossroads waiting to make a choice and more about flowing in the divine current.  When in closer proximity to Source, the woods are less dark and thick, and usually we are not even in the woods anymore.

One helpful way to manifest, to allow the current to flow, and to bring inspiration down to the physical plane, is TO SHARE!  I believe it is very important to share ideas out loud with others.  This is a powerful tool for manifestation.  A few recent examples include: “Hey I want to record high quality MP3 meditations.”  A beautiful and talented sound healer I have worked with replied, “I’ll play, you record.”  Corporate wellness has been coming into my field lately and just while doing laundry the other day, I met a neighbor who is a research scientist at the local hospital and says they could use more people to guide meditation, yoga, healing, etc.  One of my best friends called on my birthday the other day, and said, “hey Linds, I’m coming into town for a week.”  I said, “let’s rent a place in the Malibu hills and have a little retreat.”  She said, “no need to rent!  I have a perfect place for us to stay for free!” The lesson of SHARING lends support in one’s wishes and endeavors.

When there is so much we want to do and so many options, let us allow the current to flow through us, with us, and for us.  We still have will.  We are just choosing to align our will in the direction of the current. ~

The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer

Why Being in the Middle Does Not Help

Are you a natural mediator?  Do you oftentimes find yourself in the middle of an argument, situation, scenario or conflict?  Naturally many of us want to restore balance, create or keep peace.  

This morning, I received a strong insight.  Insights are divine rays of wisdom, knowledge or information that clearly pass through us in the form of a message.  Today's insight was: "By being in the middle, you are blocking the connection between two beings."  The image of a roadblock or obstacle between two figures popped into my vision.

This was eye-opening!  Being in the middle, the third component of an equation to help balance and harmonize can feel helpful.  However, as "mediators" or "neutralizers" we are blocking the direct connection between two beings.  

Rather than exchanging energy back and forth directly, the energy flows to you.  Likely your channel is not completely open and clear because mediation entails the conversion of raw input to refined output.  It then becomes a game of transmuting energies.

AWARENESS To start, let's become aware of every scenario we are in the middle: two parents arguing, delivering messages for others, judging people in a romantic relationship.  List all instances.

COMMUNICATION Next, where possible and when called, go down your list and directly communicate to all members of these parties that you no longer wish to be "in the middle."  You may say that you are coming from a place of care and love.  You hold the space for resolution but are no longer the middle person.

OBSERVATION Watch drama and stories unravel as people now have the space to work out and resolve their karma directly either strengthening bonds and connection or releasing and letting go.

There is a difference between staying in the middle versus building an efficient bridge and moving on.  Once a bridge is safely and carefully built, it stands on its own for a long time.  Occasionally repairs and updates are needed, but contractors are definitely not hanging out on their completed projects.

If we feel called to mediate, let's build our sturdy and efficient bridges and move on!

Renewal Cleanse Kits

Renewal Kits for the complete beginner…

Cleanse and charge for 2018 using the elements and focused intention ~

Ingredients: bath salts, rosewater spray, wood incense, candle.

How to Use

Step 1 (Earth/Water, release): Bathe with your salts declaring all that you wish to release (mental and emotional programs, beliefs, habits, patterns, external energies).  When complete, stay in tub while water drains imagining every last aspect released and cleared.

Step 2 (Water, soften): Spray yourself all over with the charged rosewater.  Spray your space.  Imagine sparkling golden-white, rose-pink light within and around you.

Step 3 (Fire, warm): Light your candle in a holder or fire-safe dish and place in front of you.  

Step 4 (Air, breathe): With your candle flame, light wood incense cone on a fire-safe dish.  Let burn and imbibe the delicious earthy aroma.

Step 5 (Spirit intend): Sit (looking into the candle or closing your eyes) and imagine all that you wish to embody, manifest, and create.  You may even say these intentions aloud in the form of affirmations or prayers.   To absorb and integrate your renewal cleanse, sit in silence for an amount of time that feels natural soaking in the goodness!  Close with a word or phrase of your choice (Ex. thank you, amen, so it is, aum).

This renewal cleanse should leave you feeling clear, charged, and fulfilled.  Try it!

Grounding

Simply put, to ground is to place our bare feet on the Earth.  Native Americans knew that shoes cause illness by cutting off our connection to the ground.  Through our feet we absorb important minerals and balance our electrical charge.  Therefore, if our feet are indoors or in shoes for most of the day, we miss out on vital electrolytes, energetic rooting, and charge.  

Sunday morning I awoke with sore feet.  After slipping those puppies into high heels for a holiday party the night prior, subsequent results were no good.  For years I have worked to open, stretch and strengthen each toe through yoga to deepen and enhance connection to Earth.  Shoes, especially those with a tapered toe or highly uneven surface counter this work.

A very skilled personal trainer I used to see said, "don't play on both teams."  Option A will move you toward your goal and Option B away.  Option A: proper sleep, hydration, nutrition.  Option B: overindulgence, stress inducing activities, not enough sleep.  When broken down simply, this made sense. 

To wear shoes or not to wear shoes opens the inquiry for an A or B option.  What best serves the body?  What allows us to step into full health again?  We are completely healthy and whole.  Leakages, injuries, and stress take us away from complete well-being.  To heal simply put means to make whole.

Though we city dwellers may not be able to spend most of the day barefoot, we can ground everyday.  Here are some ideas:

• Pause at a special place on a hike and walk around bare feet
• Walk around on the grass at a park
• Lay on a blanket with bent legs, feet rooted into Earth
• Visit the beach and mountains more often
• Move to an abode with a nice backyard
• At work, find a grass patch at your lunch break and picnic
• Practice yoga and meditate outside (no mat)

More and more, we are beginning to see, experience and respect traditional ways of being and healing modalities - plant medicine, ancient healing techniques, returning to nature for solutions and answers.  The question is how can we best implement and integrate these practices into modern day reality?  I say weave it in, prioritize and gracefully shift.

Watch this 15 minute video on the energetic and scientific benefits of grounding:

It's That Time Again...

I have noticed a pattern since age 21: changing the focus of my work every 2-3 years.  Prompting starts with a small urge that there is something more to explore or develop.  This urge becomes louder and transforms to a sensation of outgrowing - feelings of repetition, stagnation, and discontent. 

Questions follow: what is the root of this?  Do I transform and alter what I am doing now or move into something entirely new?  If the latter, what's next?  How do I get there?

I have a friend who moves residences regularly (even more often than I change my line of work).  Thinking about the main earthly three - career, home, partner - I believe that some of us need regular turn over in at least one of these areas to stay fresh and excited.

I used to dwell on the downsides of switching my work often: missing areas of mastery that would come with time, ditching good money, and facing unknown transitions more frequently.

Now I highlight the positives: tapping into new gifts and potential, increasing resilience, resourcefulness and creativity, learning lessons, and exploring different aspects of self.

The inner urge to shift focuses cannot be ignored.  I now accept this and keep my channel clear for guidance and messages during the transitional period.  Sometimes I am called to "ride the wave" and witness transformation.  In other instances, the woods feel thick like moving through molasses.  In all cases, staying clear and connected to Source is key ~

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” 

Why I Love Flotation Therapy

I have never been to the Dead Sea but think I found the closest place to it in LA: Just Float.

Upon transitioning from majestic Hawaii back to the City of Angels, concrete and cars, I wanted to observe every detail in re-assimilation with the same care and attention as transitioning between Yin Yoga shapes.

Desiring to keep the Aloha vibes high so far I have jumped into the ocean at sunset, been eating tropical fruits and coconut, using Muse Bath's Aloha mist, keeping calm, and FLOATING.

If you are unfamiliar with flotation therapy, in a nutshell, you shower and enter a closed tank filled with body temperature air and salt water.  You lay still on your back, press the start button, and float in a dark, serene space.  The temperature is perfect and the boundary between your skin and the water/air dissolves.

I like to stay for 1.5-2 hours and fall into deep meditation.  Sometimes it feels like sleep, other times like active meditation.  Colors swirl in the mind's eye, visions, and clarity arise.

Afterwards, your skin and hair radiate with shine and silkiness.  

Even as I lay in bed at night before sleep, my bones seem to be floating and drifting apart in a gelatinous substance.  No one practice has created space so instantly in my body.  Huge effects are felt after one session!

We are all different and therefore need and respond to different self-care practices.  If you are looking to cool off, tune in, go inside, even back to the womb, create space in the body, and heal on all levels, I recommend flotation therapy. ~

Weekend Insights | A Grid of Three Domes

Never had I seen a newspaper at my neighbor's door but glanced down and noticed bold LA Times title, "Lethal and stranded."  I skipped the fine print as I was walking to teach yoga but assumed the piece was on nuclear weapons.  

Upon arriving home from the yoga class, I received a photo message from my mom of the same headline.  The article (click link above to read) is about San Onofre's nuclear power plant and options/obstacles in handling the waste.  Just last night I arrived home from San O.

This synchronicity (trip, article, Mom's note) prompted me to reflect further.

I started by making a Facebook album.  In fact, after memorable experiences, I enjoy reflecting to absorb and integrate.  With full schedules, it's common to move from one activity to the next without pause and full appreciation between.  Posting a photo or album to social media is part of this integration process because one must first have a window of time to review the images, select one or a group, think about the feeling in each, and make a title or caption.

I received valuable insights from a string of experiences occurring in the past 48 hours that were different but connected.  The cycle began and ended with yoga.

After wrapping up a vinyasa flow class Friday morning at Stadium Fitness Yoga, I took off to San Onofre for a short surf/camp trip with one of my best friends, Bri.  I first had to stop home for my surfboard and a few items.  Power in the building was out due to scheduled DWP maintenance so I took the stairs up and down three times to pack.  I had to run upstairs one last time for something unexpected, and I remembered thinking, "oh well.  I am delayed a few more minutes, but everything happens for a reason."

While driving, I listened to Tim Ferriss podcast episode #249: How to Make a Difference and Find Your Purpose - - Blake Mycoskie.  This episode contained highlights from a longer interview with Toms Shoe's founder Blake, the process of creation, his early childhood, and obstacles along the way.  Two highlights for me were Blake's safe of journals and comparison of innate versus learned entrepreneurship.  Also, his passion and motive for launching did not involve large profit.  

Earlier that morning a plane had crashed on the 405 freeway along my planned route so I took a detour.  I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for life and for all the times my planes had landed safely.  I also felt a dull sense of danger ~

First to arrive at our campsite, I parked and walked up the cliffside to enjoy a majestic view of chaparral, crashing waves, and air elementals.  I discovered a perfect spot upon which to meditate and sat.  The vibration was high - similar to moldavite/phenacite.  One can relate the vibrations of crystals to places.  Meditating on land between driving and surfing is an effective anchoring tool.

After the rest of our group arrived, we set up camp and headed to surf.  San Onofre is one of our favorite spots.  However this time I could not help thinking about the nuclear power plant, storage, and unreported effects.  

Upon arriving, the parking attendant warned that there had just been a shark sighting.  Lifeguards had cleared everyone out of the water, and it was "enter at your own risk" territory.  There were warning signs and a KTLA news van on the beach.  Sharks - another small danger noted with the plane crash.  Was entering the water safe?  Higher self said, "yes."

We had a wonderful session of afternoon and sunset surfing, retired to camp, cooked a delicious dinner, chatted around the campfire, and slept.

The next morning we awoke and made out with the perfect Hawaiian style beach campsite.  Higher self again said it was safe to swim.  Shortly after exiting the water, lifeguards announced that two sharks were spotted just south of us.

After surfing we lounged.  I did not want to leave but looked forward to Hollywood Bowl night with Natallia.  Drove home and made it in time for the bowl.

Natallia made a colorful and delicious spread of tapas and wine.  We chatted, indulged, danced and laughed for hours under the beautiful sky and hillsides.  Natallia chose seats in the most magical part of the dome (high, bird's eye, gorgeous view).  By chance we ended up down the centerline.  I thought about how prior experiences sitting in boxes were nice, but from bird's eye view, the boxes looked contained, crowded and constricting.  

We were free, filled with joy, laughing, loving, honoring, and celebrating freedom, abundance in many forms (health, wealth, people, nature, more) and unity - music, food, and dance have the same general meaning where ever one is in the world.  

Just today, I realized the connection between the two domes at San O and the dome of the bowl.  My teacher Naha says it takes 3 crystals to make a grid.  I thought about this grid of domes and connection between the bowl and power plant - one a space for outdoor music acoustics and celebration, the other to house radioactive waste.  What a contrast.  I also noticed visual symbolism between repetitive tarot card two of swords, Natallia and I clicking our fries, the crossing sky lights, and church cross on the hill.  Duality, choices, forks, left, right, in, out, opposing forces, light, dark, no grey.

The trip, today's release of LA Times article on San Onofre's nuclear waste, and my Mom's photo were not a coincidence.  The guides and universe were clearly pointing to this place and issue.  Energy cannot be created nor destroyed but the use/harboring of energy for impure intent cannot be smoothly and effortlessly transmuted.  There are clear and complex ramifications.  Acumen, strategy and execution are required to handle.  

Reflecting on these domes used for very different purposes made me question intention.  As humans we create, but do our creations ultimately bring peace, unity, joy and serve the light or do they in some form involve corruption, ego, and power struggle?  Intention and purpose are everything.   

Nothing is coincidence.  Every cause has an effect.  Seen or unseen, energy returns in some form.

How do we solve and resolve?

Teaching: Journey, Thoughts, Pause, Reflection

Teaching Yoga

A few years ago in class, yoga teacher Francesca Asumah of Hot8Yoga said, "once you practice long enough and feel called to share the work, you may look into teaching."  As I lay in savasana, I thought to myself, "well, I really want to keep yoga as my practice without teaching it so I don't think that path is for me."

In the past, I always ended up teaching what I practiced (group fitness, kick boxing, spin, pole).  Though enjoyable and fulfilling, time for my own practice seemed compromised.  Since I loved yoga so much, I decided that I did not want to teach.

In the fall of 2015 one of my teachers Julia PT mentioned that she would be leading a teacher training and that we were welcome to take the training not necessarily to teach but to deepen our practice.  The latter sounded better and after meditating on the option, I said, "Yes!"

In the fall of 2015, everyday I asked my guides to assist in aligning me with my highest path and life purpose.  Therefore, before making choices I would meditate on, "is this choice aligned? Does it feel good, right?"  If yes, I would go for it.  If no, I would decline.  This training seemed aligned so I signed up for the Hot8Yoga 200-Hr Power Teacher Training with Brit.

2016 was definitely one of continued transformation, personal evolution, endings, beginnings, shifting relationships, shadow work, and more.  Yoga TT was a huge part of this.  Another interesting occurrence was that I had a positive balance of $250+ on my Hot8 account at the announcement of the Yin fall TT with Rebekah.  It was the perfect place to allocate the funds!

Teaching yoga was natural and fluid: teacher training graduation, mentorship, community classes, audition, regular classes.  The system guides you step by step if that is part of your calling.  Some people from our group decided to teach, others not right away.

Whenever I lead XPERT Pole & Aerial Teacher Trainings, I tell the group that we are all teachers and our journeys differ.  Perhaps you pass the training course, take a few more months of pole classes and you're teaching.  Perhaps you take the course and end up teaching years down the road after gaining more experience.  Maybe you already teach and are deepening your skills with this training.  Maybe you are retaking the course to refresh.  Whatever the case, we are all here, and we are all teachers.  We all start at a certain point and if meant to teach, we will.  It will be natural.

Last Week's Experience

Last week was intense: schedule completely full and energetically slammed by what felt like a tornado - workshop, social events, wedding, birthday parties, business meetings, family developments, healing sessions, classes to teach (regular + subbing + first week at Stadium Fitness Yoga and Evolve Dance).  As stand-alone events, I was thrilled for and looking forward to each one.  However, together in a row with little to no breaks or space between, I could not fully embrace and enjoy each experience.  By Saturday morning, my battery was nearing 0%, patience tattered, energy drained, body in pain, aura leaking, vessel clogged.

In 2015, I had to think of ways to free up my schedule.  To start I refrained from pre-planning as much as possible (mainly social events).

However, last week when worn down, I broke my rule and felt the consequences.  I compromised my own privacy, time, space, energy and value.  Therefore, over the weekend I decided that I needed to clean, clear, recharge and practice some serious self-healing and recuperation.

The weekend was absolutely perfect: Hot8 Beach day volleyball and ocean swim with fun and joyful friends, meditation + Reiki Circle with beautiful and nurturing girlfriends, Mel's awesome 90s birthday party, sound bath with Kathy, and private Middle Pillar healing with Naha at HOI.  

The results were tremendous!

Lessons Learned

From just a week's experience, I was closely reminded of these invaluable lessons:

• Carefully set and maintain boundaries (lines in the sand) with communication to respect your own time and value
• You cannot operate and function at your highest potential when worn down
• Practice what you preach.  Oftentimes, we discuss with other yoga teachers that we do not have as much time to practice when we are teaching a lot. Change that.  Make time.
• Regular time in nature (beach/mountains) is a must
• Cook your own food as often as you can
• Time in certain environments with certain people/energies can be equivalent to a solo spa day reset/recharge
• Be specific. Discern and refine.  Make choices that serve you best.  Your best self serves others.

Instructing vs. Teaching

I will use the specific terminology of instructing vs. teaching only to make a point and to distinguish between two far ends of the teaching spectrum: learned, memorized and regurgitated material versus shared deep, insightful wisdom and experience filtered through personal experience.

To me, "instructing" means passing a certification and reciting material per the manual.

To me "teaching" means sharing and expressing bits of knowledge, experience and wisdom plus weaving in that learned from ancient texts and trainings.

Takeaway & Finding Balance

In order to continue growing and evolving as a teacher, one must have the time and space to go deeper, to study, to experience, to deliver and to share.  

Allowing the time and space to do so is vital~

Question for Thought from My Friend Eileen

Move deeper into the truth of what your soul is now.  How does your soul want to express its light in human form?

Clean, Clear, Charge: Humans and Crystals

In this post, I recount deeper insight gained into the human experience through a recent revelation and ongoing crystal care~

I came off this weekend charged and alive with joy, radiance, excitement, and electricity!  WOW - how and why did I feel so good?  Two weeks prior I had landed from Africa and went straight into teaching and healing sessions.  I didn’t get enough sleep, but work called.  A higher force said, “push through” so I did.  With more sleep and conscious clearing practices, I slowly navigated back “on track.”  “On track.”  What does that mean?  Balance, centered, awake, alive, free from external pulls and pushes.  How to achieve this sense of harmony?  Handle business, catch up, communicate, deliver on commitments, leave space, and most importantly be present in the now.

As a teacher and healer, it is important to maintain Saucha, cleanliness, clearness and purity of body, mind and emotion.  Proper and clean hygiene, attire, living/practice area, head and emotional body space are essential.  When meditation, visualization, prayer, chant, Reiki, breath work, white light healing, smudging, time in nature, epsom salt/eucalyptus baths are not enough, perhaps a mini staycation in nature will do the trick.

In general, I am aware and mindful to keep clean and clear, but only this weekend did I have an epiphany about CHARGE!  I capped off a weekend of yoga, chakras, breath work, learning, teaching, delicious Indian and vegan feasts, group middle pillar ritual, friend time, and solo reflection with my good friend’s Kundalini teacher training graduation.  A group of 70+ radiant teachers clad in all white singing and celebrating on stage and a delicious post-celebration feast further filled my vessel with utmost love and joy.  A few days before, my friend gave me a 10 subtle body private kundalini lesson in the park on fresh grass with wind blowing.  The effects were profound and I experienced the science of how energy moves through the body.  We did a special Kriyā, chanted and meditated.  I felt like a vibrating quartz crystal!

Yesterday (Monday morning), I left my friend a message: “WOW!  I felt so incredible after this weekend, was in such an amazing mood, and completely charged up and vibrating. She replied with something similar to what she had said before: meditation alone is not enough.  Additional modalities are needed to stir up energies and create CHARGE.

It became apparent again that I oftentimes become comfortable and content with silent meditation and a serene, peaceful, calm, and blissful state.  However, what about the charge and passion?

This reminded me of different crystal states and care: clean, clear, charged.  First physically clean the crystal with a cloth or water.  Next clear the crystal with elements: water, fire, earth, air, spirit.  Then charge the crystal with elements.  I thought of the difference between when my chakra wands are clear (light) and when they are full moon charged (pulsating with energy).  I then saw myself as a crystal and realized that lately I have been too focused on the “clear” (balanced, light, not holding others’ energies) and have not paid enough attention to the “charge” (pulsating with passion and electricity).  

I reflected and journaled, and came up with this list of “charging” practices:

• ☆ Visit your special beach and spend time in the water and on the rocks and sand, surf
• ☆ Visit a power place (energy vortex) such as Lake Shrine
• ☆ Get a campsite for the night and camp solo or with friends/family
• ☆ Hike at a spot that makes you feel alive (Topanga, Santa Monica Mountains).  Some spots resonate more deeply/powerfully.
• ☆ Indulge in delicious, nourishing food and drink
• ☆ Surround yourself with good company that uplifts and excites you
• ☆ Add invigorating breath work, chanting and singing to meditation practices
• ☆ Go outside and play: practice inversions, acro yoga, aerial play with the Ring Flyers at Santa Monica beach
• ☆ Make passionate love
• ☆ Lay out in mild sunlight (too much can be draining)
• ☆ Bathe under the full moon
• ☆ Spend time with energizing crystals such as tigers eye, carnelian, nirvana quartz, lithium quartz, moldavite, phenacite
• ☆ Douse in a natural waterfall
• ☆ Attend a sound bath with a facilitator/healer you love and enjoy his/her energy
• ☆ Fill your space with fresh, beautiful flowers
• ☆ Apply, spend time and learn about essential oils
• ☆ Act on divine inspiration to create art and express - draw, paint, write, sing, dance, start a project

When feeling ready to go beyond balance and peace (the clear), ask, “how can I, do I experience passion and excitement (the charge)?”  

Start by closing your eyes...visualize yourself as your favorite crystal...embody it...all its rainbows, facets, and qualities.  Feel the cleanliness, clearness and CHARGE~

Recommended Readings: The Charge by Brendan Burchard, Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Reigniting Altar Intentions with Sanari Candle

This weekend while meditating I asked for a way to bring more joy and warmth into my living space, and an answer to my request arrived that night!  Years ago I had looked for a loft but never found the perfect spot.  Since then, I have had the subtle longing to move.  The urge became stronger around New Years (1/1/17).  I sense a new living space on the horizon that is on ground level with a garden.  In the meantime, however, I am meant to be here and would like to make the most of it!  One way is to express gratitude for the perks: sunny rooftop, pool, view of Griffith Park mountains/Observatory, a neighborhood village and close community.

Below is the ritual that came.  Read all the way through with notes before trying.

1. Prepare space/self with Palo Santo, rose water, selenite, sound instruments and any other methods you use. 
2. Light candles on each altar.
3. Light your Sanari Candle and place on East facing altar.
4. Invoke Spirit and Guides of Light.
5. Start with candle on East altar and invoke Archangel Raphael + air elementals.
6. Say out loud, "I ask for assistance in reigniting the intentions of altar/grid 'A': <list original intentions>.  So it is!" Chant AUM 1x.
7. With your Sanari candle in hand, walk in a clockwise circle to your South facing altar while envisioning a quarter circle of light between East and South altars.  Place candle on South altar.  Invoke Archangels Michael and Zadkiel + fire elementals.
8. Say out loud, "I ask for assistance in reigniting the intentions of altar/grid B': <list original intentions>.  So it is!" Chant AUM 1x.
9. With your Sanari candle in hand, walk in a clockwise circle to your West facing altar while envisioning a quarter circle of light between South and West altars. Place candle on West altar.  Invoke Archangel Gabriel + water elementals.
10. Say out loud, "I ask for assistance in reigniting the intentions of altar/grid 'C': <list original intentions>.  So it is!" Chant AUM 1x.
11. With your Sanari candle in hand, walk in a clockwise circle to your North facing altar while envisioning a quarter circle of light between West and North altars. Place candle on North altar.  Invoke Archangel Uriel + earth elementals.
12. Say out loud, "I ask for assistance in reigniting the intentions of altar/grid 'D': <list original intentions>.  So it is!" Chant AUM 1x.
13. With your Sanari candle in hand, walk in a clockwise circle to your East facing altar while envisioning a quarter circle of light between North and East altars. Place candle on East altar.  You have now completed the circle of light.
14. Fill in the entire circle you traced with golden white light and imagine this sphere glowing all the way to the edges of your room and beyond.  Perhaps to the walls of the building, the block, the neighborhood the city, the state, the US, the globe.  I got carried away :D!
15. State any intentions you have for your space. Ex. "May my space be warm, golden, loving, cozy, filled with 100% pure love and light, etc."
16. Walk with your candle to the center of the room and place on floor.  Take a comfortable seat in front of candle and draw hands to prayer.  Chant AUM 3x.  Meditate.
17. Close by thanking Spirit and Guides. NAMASTE. 

Notes:

• Stop at noteworthy spots in your room as you trace the circle.  Ex. your bed (Say, "I dismiss and release any past energies that are less than 100% light and not aligned with my true self.  May they be sent up and transmuted to light."  Good for clearing energy from past lovers.
• You can do this ritual in your main meditation room or in each room of the house.
• I use Sanari candle because it is 100% natural, plant-based infused with essential oils and love.  Makes a difference.
• Feel free to revise parts of this to make it resonate with you.
• Example of my altars: East altar = love for inner child and play, South = main altar for charging crystals, healing, abundance, meditation, chanting, West = creativity, self-expression, North = physical foundation and new living space.

Sending much love to you and your living space! ~~~

PARADIGM SHIFT, PURPOSE, CELEBRATION OF LIFE

We just shifted and are shifting into the age of Aquarius, but traditional schooling has not fully prepared us for this new era as these institutions are based on the past looking toward an unpredictable future.  I love learning, education, and school and spent much time studying in wonderful private institutions: science, math, history, business, art, English, accounting, athletics, more.

However, we must acknowledge a new form of learning: “schools” that teach self-knowledge and intuition.  Taking information for face value and blind belief do not withstand.

Some of these schools include, yoga studios (uniting body, mind, emotion, soul), aerial studios (flipping your relationship with gravity to gain perspective), nature (return to our roots.  Go outside and you will learn lots), study of invisible knowledge (22 Teachings at House of Intuition - learn how to develop/use your Intuition and much more), and individuals themselves.

Institutions, physical infrastructure, big business, duality - black/white, masculine/feminine, good/bad - and patriarchy, characterized the Age of Pisces.  However, in the age of Aquarius, roles shift/redefine, masculine/feminine qualities blend/harmonize, the divine feminine rises, and individuals reclaim their human power.  We move away from titles that define our occupations based on old institutions, and we move toward new labels or non-labeling. 

Traditional job titles such as CEO, manager, digital analyst, doctor, lawyer, advertising agent, homemaker, etc. are not all-encompassing.  In a sense, simpler more traditional titles such as craftsperson, teacher, healer, entertainer, artist, medicine man/woman are more fitting.  Since many of us are pioneers and road pavers, we need to think of our own titles.  I met someone last year that gave me his business card: title, “Communicator.”

As reincarnates of this time, many of us are here to help usher in the new age, raise consciousness, to connect, and build the bridge between Pisces and Aquarius.  

We all have our unique ways.  My friend Lauren “weaves consciousness in our material world.”  My friend Eileen holds space for people to release the old while nurturing the growth of their gifts and talents.  My mentor Saharah pierces to the core of issues blasting through the emotional body into our soul contracts.  I am a catalyst for change.  I help people define and SEE their current situations with clear lenses.  I spark change and growth by inspiring questioning, curiosity, and disruption of old habits.  What about you?  

I will share an example from today:

This afternoon atop my sunny rooftop, I read my friend Natallia Nemes’ book from start to finish.  Natallia is a beautiful, vibrant, vivacious and remarkable woman who embodies the celebration of life.  In her book, The Sh*t They Should Have Taught You in College, Natallia recounts her own life journey and valuable lessons learned along the way in a humorous, clear, easy-to-read style with fun cartoon illustrations.  

Natallia is 100% real and honest as she covers topics such as family addiction problems, financial struggles, personal eating disorders/addictions, and failed romantic relationships.  She integrates invaluable life lessons from these experiences such as how to celebrate yourself and take even better care when sh*t hits the fan, that the root of charity is compassion and the pure intention of giving, to take vacations, the more we give, the more we get, how to redirect the quality of courage from destructive outlets to creative ones, the value of meditation, yoga, dancing, going upside down and having fun, and the most important lesson: to love ourselves.

The book feels like a personal friend-to-friend conversation and conveys wisdom in an accessible and relatable way.  Thank you, Natallia, for sharing your journey and for inspiring.  You remind me to c’est la vie.  Your presence is forever reinvigorating and a beautiful reminder to celebrate life!  Thank you for sharing openheartedly and for embodying truth.  You create space for others to do the same.

Read Natallia's book on iBooks and Kindle | Connect with her on Facebook, IG, Twitter

More than ever, it is important for us to know and understand our purposes.  Many of us may be operating within an outdated model/institution irking for change but are unsure of how to proceed.  Start with baby steps, follow what feels good and stay away from what does not feel good.  Seeing ourselves for exactly who we are and why we are here, can set us free!

Freedom Redefined

Just the other day, a transmission triggered epiphany - one on the meaning of freedom, perhaps a life lesson that needed to be learned through experience.

Throughout my 20s, I believed freedom equaled time, money, health and the ability to do whatever desired whenever desired.  I thought barriers to freedom were being an employee, lacking money, and limiting leisure time.  Working in corporate America equaled prison.  Not having funds to travel or do whatever I wanted was limitation.

Hence I made alterations and tailored a life devoid of anything that could block ultimate freedom.  However why wasn't doing whatever you wanted any time you wanted "freeing?"

I began to sense a lack of purpose similar to the feeling of traveling for so long that even the most majestic landscape becomes ordinary.  

Only recently do I FEEL that freedom is who you are mentally, emotionally and physically within an infrastructure.  Whether you are picking grapes, lounging on a raft in Bora Bora, gliding down the Alps, working a 9-5 office job, teaching yoga, running a company, or operating within any environment, freedom is in self and presence.  Freedom is the enjoyment of everyday moments - people, relationships, signs of progress and connection.

The initiation of healing work and teaching yoga this year has proven to be a path of newfound emotional and mental freedom - helping others, connecting, sharing knowledge from experience, and spreading light in a new manner.

I am excited for the mystery, excitement and journey of 2017 and hope this share opened something for you to carry forth into the new year!

Somatic Sexual Wholeness: My Experience

Rahi and I met in class at Hot8Yoga and randomly crossed paths at the Shen Yun show.  We connected soon after and agreed to share healing sessions.  I would experience one of Rahi's sessions and he one of mine.

My session with Rahi took place in August upon arriving home from Hong Kong.  After about a week of encountering repetitive lotus flower imagery prior to my appointment, I smiled at the beautiful Kuan Yin tapestry hung so gracefully in Rahi's sacred healing space - there was the lotus again.  My eyes danced over beautiful amethyst, clear quartz, selenite, Ganesha, and a picture of Yogi Bhajan.

To begin, we caught up with conversation and reviewed relevant points from our pre-session Skype.  My main intentions included liberating remaining energy from past sexual partners, further activating and empowering the sacral chakra and my own divine feminine essence, and exploring and discovering anything new in the physical and emotional bodies.  

The physical part started with Trauma Release Exercises.  I learned how to tremor, which releases tension held in the nervous system and past emotions from the psoas muscle.  The feeling for me was similar to holding smokey quartz - detox and energetic drainage.  The sensation of a whitish purple strobe light pulsed at my third eye indicating clarity, openness and activation.

We then moved on to a full body prone massage during which I felt like a delicate flower gracefully and slowly opening.  Now the lotus flower imagery was clear and perfectly aligned (aha moment)!  

Next was a full body supine massage including inner pelvic release.  Sensations included, full body tremoring, tingling, bright greenish white light at third eye, heavy breath, laughter, release, snake and serpentine stone images at mind's eye, flower petals opening, SELF LOVE, and finally REBIRTH! 

In the subsequent days I had greater internal physical body awareness including how the mouth connects to the pelvis, the subtle differences between left and right sides of certain body parts, and the evolution of pain or neutral sensation to pleasure.

Whether one has undergone sexual trauma, I think Somatic Sexual Wholeness should be experienced by ALL women not only for deep healing in the sacral chakra, but also for greater body awareness, for heightened sensitivity at the seed of creation, and for amplification of one's life force!

A trailer of edited clips from testimonials by female health and wellness professionals speaking about their experiences of Somatic Sexual Wholeness and receiving sessions.

Learn More:

Holidays and Conflict

Oftentimes during the holidays, we get together with family that we would not otherwise choose to spend time.  We attend family gatherings out of tradition, for enjoyment and perhaps to keep peace.  

I personally am not a fan of holidays at all - the drama, conflict and inability to be myself without judgement or criticism.  I used to escape by snowboarding to avoid them altogether.  However, recently I have attended the big ones focusing on those whom I enjoy.

After each event comes a "recovery period" - healing, making peace with whatever part of self felt probed or derailed, and physically from food I would not generally eat.

Every year, I am torn.  I have wonderful groups of friends that have lovely and vibrant dinner parties, but once again: to go and escape or to face another cycle of obligation?

I have tried viewing the situation and people through a lens of compassion and forgiveness. Before every event, I prepare with strong energetic protection.  I push my limits, tolerance and flexibility to the max.

Despite much effort I concluded that frequencies and personalities are disparate - they do not vibrate harmoniously.  They don't match.  They don't get along.

I know there is a karmic lesson here but I'm stuck and unresolved.  What are your opinions and ideas?  Would love to hear your insight.

Seek Without, Find Within

Coasting atop Swiss Alp powder,

Bathing in Hokkaido hot springs,

Charging in Capri’s electric blue waters,

Drinking from the fountain of Evian,

Getting lost in Japan’s blue forests and cherry blossoms,

Living as a monk at Koya-san,

Feeling spirits at San Francesco D’assisi’s tomb,

Farming in the French Pyrenees,

Experiencing the magic in Coelho’s literature while retracing his footsteps,

Riding horses on sands of many seas,

Diving in the warm, pristine Gili Islands,

Swimming amongst parrot fish, turtles, sharks and colorful ocean life,

Biting into ripe Tahitian fruit for the first time,

Exploring Caribbean shipwrecks,

Overlooking and pondering the Bitter End,

Understanding the true sacredness of water at L’Alhambra,

Dancing in the red Flamenco fire of Sevilla,

Dining spontaneously with locals on the seas of Southern Spain,

Adventuring through untapped beauty of Cabo de Gata,

Tasting juicy Barcelona bites,

Practicing yoga in lush Sayulita,

Exploring eagerly as many museums, paintings, sculptures, cathedrals in Europe,

Climbing spiral staircases of grand Austrian castles,

Reflecting solemnly on the grounds of German concentration camps,

Connecting deeply with the philosophies of Emerson and Thoreau,

Tracing Napoleon’s footsteps across Elba Island,

Catching Oia Santorini sunset,

Vespa-ing in the Tuscan countryside,

Admiring compassionately wildlife of Africa,

Observing remnants of Pompeii,

Reliving past lives in Knossos,

Floating in beautiful Bora Bora mermaid lagoons,

Watching geishas in Kyoto,

Gliding atop Alaskan glaciers,

Tumbling in Hawaiian seas,

Sipping tea in the verdant British countryside,

Tingling in redwood forests,

Mud bathing in the magical Earth of Ubud.

To…

Realizing, that no matter where or what, I was still me in my own body.

What Can We Learn from Judgement and Shadow Work?

"The effect of the shadow is judgement - positive or negative - of another that we do not think is related to us personally."

"Sometimes we need to enter into the unknown parts of ourselves to find exactly what we need to grow in peace, creative self-fulfillment and happiness.  The challenge can be to trust that we will arise from this darker place again.  Just as the Spring always follows the Winter...so too will any inner work with the shadow precede a beautiful rebirth."

- Kuan Yin Oracle Maiden Ma Gu by Alana Fairchild

Judgmental is the furthest adjective I would use to describe myself.  Someone could say her dream in life is to ride a rainbow on a unicorn and it would not phase me.  I view all people equally - homeless or wealthy, mentally ill or "sane," highly educated or self-taught, scientist or artist, mean or kind, child or adult.  Acceptance blurs lines and boundaries (Neptunian).  Its focus is soft, not sharp.  Anything is possible in this realm. Think Jupiter.

In these past few weeks, however, I have been judging people constantly:

• How can a teacher mispronounce terms?
• Why do people continually post conceited photos of themselves?
• Why did a student leave my 1.5 hour yoga class after an hour?
• Why are people so self-absorbed and self-centered?
• How can someone not know "X" (in an intellectual capacity)?
• Why do people talk so loudly and so much?

Every time these thoughts or words arise, they seem not me, but something external and darker, an unfamiliar territory.  My higher self rushes in with the reminder that we are one and to view everyone and everything through the lens of love and compassion.  

Yet, this judgement persists.

Yesterday after much reflection, it became clear that these past two weeks have consisted of deep and ugly shadow work further explained by the following incidents:

• Initiation of Yin Yoga Teacher Training (style of yoga that asks one to go within and explore the darker side of self)
• Crow/Fly totems
• Strong need for a Purify candle
• Constant urge for long, deep exhalations 
• My clairaudient friend delivered a question from Spirit during our magic date, "how do you handle darkness?"
• Fall Equinox (from light to dark, outer to inner themes)
• Sun shift to Libra
• Goddess Maat presence (judgement)
• Chat around self-trust/confidence with Naha during our Middle Pillar Session
• Idea of walking through fear and darkness in Kundalini with Colin

Egyptian Painting of Maat and Hathor on Papyrus from Venice Boardwalk

Shadow Work Insights - New Moon Tarot Spread - Morgan Greer Deck

We choose what we see in people and the world so if my past two weeks have been thoughts and words of judgment, what does this indicate and what can be learned?

• Judgement helps one discriminate for positive outcomes such as knowing how to set healthy boundaries that protect personal time, space and energy.
• What do I seek to gain from these judgements?  For example, if noticing the arrogance and self-absorbed nature in individuals, how can I embody humility?  Or perhaps I wish to better communicate and express myself?
• Oftentimes judgement arises from insecurity.  Where am I insecure and how do I develop confidence in this area?
• If judging the selfish qualities in another, how may I cultivate selfness (a positive focus on self)?
• If noticing anger, where can strength be built?
• If observing manipulation, where can I be direct in my own needs?

Though uncomfortable and dark, through shadow work, beautiful facets of self emerge.  From dark comes light.  From the muddiest swamp blooms the most radiant lotus flower. 

Kuan Yin Oracle by Alana Fairchild. 

My Pole Dance Journey

In 2006, my friend Lisa invited me to pole at BeSpun by Leigh Ann Reilly.  At the time, I was working in Westwood, and driving to Hollywood in rush hour was not appealing.  Instead, I referred my friend/co-worker, Perri, to meet my friends and try lessons.  She became an avid student and teacher.  

In 2007, I moved to Japan for a year.  From afar, Lisa would update me on her progress and I would watch Leigh Ann’s mesmerizing YouTube videos. 

Upon arriving home in 2008, I decided to take a class at BeSpun (then located on La Brea/Hollywood).  The first week, I felt clumsy, ungraceful and weak!

However, after executing a fun spin and pirouette, I became hooked and began attending classes 5 days/week.  All I could think about was pole! 

Back in those days we would spend all night at the gym dancing, creating new moves (~6:00pm-10:00pm).  I naturally gravitated towards helping others learn and started teaching in 2009.

The first day of pole to present has been a transformative journey from learning, to teaching, to performing, to competing, to working in the industry and to discovering self.

Pole has always been an outlet for self-challenge, expression, creativity and movement.  Unlike traditional fitness where the majority of action occurs in linear planes, pole dance movement is circular, elliptical, and rotational.  This latter type of motion activates energetic centers (especially the emotional body at the hips).  Pole has helped energize the divine feminine, awaken the inner goddess, and ultimately free my soul!  

Now I run the PCS (Pole Championship Series), lead XPERT Pole and Aerial Fitness Teacher Trainings, instruct classes, jam and perform for fun.  I enjoy my ever-changing relationship with pole and look forward to what the future holds!