Jodi's Journal

I did it!!

2009-06-04T12:31:00.004-07:00

"I did it" were the 3 words I said after we stomped on the glass which completed our wedding ceremony. I married my beloved last week, on May 25th in Sedona Arizona and I am so happy I did it! What a beautiful ceremony and celebration we had.

David & I wanted our wedding weekend to be filled with quality family time, so that our parents and siblings could connect and get to know each other. Our time together was more than what we ever imagined was possible. There was so much joy, love and laughter. Together we meditated, hiked the Red Rocks of Sedona, drummed in a circle, saw many rainbows, toasted many Mazel Tov's and created a weekend memory we'll always cherish as pure love. It was exactly as we wanted it to be and we know we are so blessed.

David & I continued the fun by honeymooning in the Grand Canyon. We kicked it off with white water rafting on the Colorado River, followed by 3 days of backpacking, hiking and camping. We learned that less than 1% of all visitors to the canyon actually descend and climb back up. We...did it!! Our treat and icing on this cake was a night at The Boulders Spa & Resort in Phoenix filled with wine, massages, saunas, steams, pool and a lot of R & R!!

I'm finding myself at a loss of words to truly express how awesome these 10 days were. I trust the pics do it justice.

Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women

2009-05-18T16:39:00.003-07:00

I took this workshop this past weekend and realize it was an amazing way to spend the weekend before our wedding. In fact it was one of the best wedding gifts we have received thus far!

Some may fear that taking a workshop about Men may be all about man bashing. Quite the contrary. Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women is about putting down the sword & committing to no longer emasculate men. Honoring men for who they are, how they are wired and accepting men for being men. Emasculating can mean anything from those kids shirts: "Boys drool, Girls rule" to stereotyping men for being couch-potatoes. It exists, and sadly, our culture doesn't even realize half of it.

I learned about the less obvious differences between men and women, and how we think, operate and feel differently. Often times women, me included, want men to be like an ideal women, and they just can not! I learned that men are single-focused, problem-solvers, providers by nature and lovers at heart. I gained a greater understanding of how men communicate, listen and hear and how I can do so effectively...getting what I want.

Like, I said, this course was the perfect pre-wedding weekend workshop for me. And for so many other women, they were inspired and determined to save their relationships.

Healing

2009-04-30T14:09:00.003-07:00

I just returned from a week in Sedona with David & my parents, what a special time we had. Healing was inevitable.

David took me to Sedona to celebrate my 35th birthday, and since we are to wed there next month (5/25) my parents met us there to join the B-day celebration and also for wedding planning. The 4 of us had lots of fun, enjoying Sedona restaurants, hikes, meditations, sunsets, spa treatments, peace and quiet in the mountains and lots of laughs.

I feel so blessed to have been able to heal in the Red Rocks with the peole who love me the most.

Soul-In Coming

2009-04-20T16:58:00.004-07:00

Yesterday would have been the 120th I was pregnant. David & I believed in this Yogic tradition... that on the 120th day the baby's soul enters the body. Weeks ago we were excited and inspired to celebrate this upcoming day and chose to surround ourselves and the baby with positive and high vibrational friends. We planned for a potluck and invited guests to bring an instrument for singing and playing.

When we miscarried last week, we were unsure what to do, for it too is my birthday, we thought why not celebrate my life. We muscle tested ourselves several times and kept getting that having the gathering was our highest choice. I am so glad we did as it was such a beautiful day and so healing on many levels.

The day was filled with loving friends, innocent little souls, yummy food, communal music and supportive reconnections. David & I continue to be overwhelmed by the love and support we are recieving from near and far away family and friends. Thank you thank you.

2009-04-17T19:11:00.006-07:00

This morning we buried Truman in a very special place with friends - all that he chose. We had been talking to him this past week, asking him 'yes' & 'no' questions and listening to his answers. He told us exactly what he wanted, where he wanted his body to rest, and who to attend his ceremony.

"Truman, do you want to buried in the yard at our house?"
"No."
"Do you want to be buried at the beach?"
"No"
"Near the Soul of Yoga studio?"
"No."
"In LA where you were conceieved?"
"No."
"North of here?"
"No."
"South of here?"
"No."
"West?"
"No."
"East?"
"Yes."

Hmmm, where east of our house would our lil guy want to be laid to rest? David talked to him more and got his answer.

There is a beautiful park, directly east from where we live called Black Mountain Open Space Park. It is very near to where David plays floor hockey on Sundays. Last week I went to watch David's game and we believe he passed on that Sunday, because the next day my belly popped (physically looking) and the contractions started. This is where Truman wanted to be.

It's no coincidence that the Jewish religion says to bury close to where the death occurred.

He also said he wanted 3 friends to attend. David & I each made our list of the people we thought he may want. We picked the same 3 people, the 3 Goddesses who supported us during the birth: Lorri our friend & doula, Evelyn our acupuncturist and Michelle our Midwife. Truman said "yes."

I love that we honored our son and did exactly what he wanted. May we continue to listen to our children and hear their truth.

The ceremony was beautiful, perfect and sacred. We each read a blessing, the poem that David wrote and covered him with rose petals. We tucked him away in a recyclable box, placed him in to the earth to return to where he came from.

Please join us in saying these prayers or any of your own.

A Prayer By Vienna Cobb Anderson

O God of love, Source of life, hear our prayers for Jodi. Her baby died before it ever came to birth. The blessing of your love was torn from her body, leaving her empty and devastated. Comfort her now in her sorrow. Restore her hope for a child to come. Give her courage and new delight in the days ahead. In good time, grant her a new life that her soul may rejoice and her body give birth; In Your name we pray.

Amen.

The Same Prayer for David

O God of love, Source of life, hear our prayers for David. His baby died before it ever came to birth. The blessing of your love was torn from His body, leaving Him empty and devastated. Comfort Him now in him sorrow. Restore Him hope for a child to come. Give Him courage and new delight in the days ahead. In good time, grant Him a new life that His soul may rejoice and His body give birth; In Your name we pray.

Amen.

A Prayer for the Families in Mourning

Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship, and their lives encircled by your Love. Amen.

Love Is Stronger Than Death, By Mary Hollingsworth

Love is stronger than death. So we must be content to know that Love is not affected by death-- it doesn't end, it doesn't diminish, it doesn't change. Instead, Love is immortalized and eternalized through death. And the possibility of that Love ever being damaged or broken is eliminated forever. We put our trust in Love.

A Prayer for Burial

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant Truman, and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints, who liveth with thee now and for ever. Amen.

Blessing After a Miscarriage

For those who trust in God, in the pain and sorrow there is consolation, in the face of despair there is hope, in the midst of death there is life. ...as we mourn the death of our child we place ourselves in the hands of God and ask for strength, for healing and for Love.

Prayer of Gratitude for God's Gifts

For this new morning and its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For every gift His goodness sends We thank you, gracious God. Amen.

TRUMAN

You did what was best for You, your Daddy & Mommy,
You did so by leaving your Mommy's tummy.
We are certain You had a good reason,
Perhaps You will come back to stay in a different season.
Until then, our hearts will remain open for You
And Your name for now we'll change back to Tru.

Should You choose to return as a She,
You shall go by the name of Truly.
If You are to be a boy to us again,
Then back You will have the name, Truman.

We love You so much and can hardly wait,
For You to return and thus a family create.
May Peace be with You each and every day,
For Your Spirit, Your Soul we promise to pray.
Come back to Us when You’re good and ready,
Wait for You We will: Your Mommy and Daddy.
Love, Us

Heaing

2009-04-15T15:31:00.003-07:00

It has been less than a week since I birthed our 18 week old fetus and I feel the healing process is happening. Physically I am cramping less, so my uterus must be returning back to its original place. I am still bleeding, that too seems to be lighter.

Because I am human, I continue to ask questions of what I did wrong. I realize that is a conversation for the ego. I did nothing wrong. I ate healthy, I exercised, practiced yoga, meditated, prayed and sent love and light to the baby daily. So why did he leave us? Was there a health issue? Was it his karma to come for just a short time?

I believe that I am emotionally healing because we have received SO much love & support from family, friends and our community - we feel so blessed. Some are even impressed by our willingness to share our experience. David received this email from his coach that I love so much...

Dr. David: I once had a friend whose very first expression, when we shared our news that we were pregnant with him, was “Oh, you shouldn’t tell anyone until the first trimester is over in case something happens.” His intent was innocent, perhaps, but fear-based…as if it was a horror/burden to have to tell everyone that knows you are pregnant that you miscarried if, in fact, you did. I was somewhat upset or disappointed that he was not immediately happy for us but instead reacted with fear/suffocation. I told him that if something should happen to the baby we will get more love and support from those we’ve told than anyone who chooses to walk that road in fear/silence….

We have been blessed, indeed!! Thank you so much for your love & support!

Life Changes...

2009-04-11T15:39:00.005-07:00

It truly is amazing how quickly life changes. Just when I was feeling euphoric, thrilled & glowing from 2nd tri-mester pregnancy...cramps came on. Being a newbie with pregnancy, I had no clue they were contractions, I thought they were my uterus growing, normal & natural. I called Michelle, our midwife to report the cramping and little bit of spotting I was having. "No worries, no sex, drink lots, and stay in touch" she responded.

3 days later the cramps continued with more intensity. David & I went to Michelles office for an exam and to listen for a heart beat. Turned out my uterus was not growing at all and there was no heart beat either. I went to an OB for an ultrasound to confirm, and despite being 18 weeks pregnant, our lil babes was measuring at 14 weeks, with no heartbeat.

My life changed. I went from being full of baby thoughts, dreams and talks, to no longer having one...

The Dr. gave me the choice of either laboring & delivering on my own at home, naturally, or meeting the him at the hospital where I would be given an internal pill to bring on contractions and delivery. Well I was already feeling contractions (cramps!) and they were pretty strong and frequent...I opted for our original intention: a natural home-birth.

It was perfect...in early labor, David & I ate a yummy home-made lunch, made by my dear friend Lorri. She wound up staying on for the birth and acted as my doula, even though she had retired from this position years ago. Bless you Lorri!

The 3 of us then laid in bed, Lorri massaging my back, David guiding my breath, I moaned through contractions. By the time they were 3 minutes apart and 1 minute in length, Michelle arrived.

I soaked in the bath and the contractions lessened. Knowing the baby was not alive, I wanted it out fast, so I got back in bed for stronger and more contractions.

Evelyn who I have been seeing for acupuncture came over to put some needles in. David turned on some music and within 3 minutes of the needles being in me, and just 3 hours of labor, I pushed and out came our pre-mature baby: 4:32pm at home, naturally, just like we wanted.

But no placenta...I had more work to do. The contractions had lessened, my cervix was closing and I was losing lots of blood. I went in to shock and fainted for a short time. I recovered with oxygen, coconut water, maple syrup, rescue remedy and lots of love.

Michelle later administered Pitocin to bring on more contractions to birth the placenta. No go.
At 7:30pm we knew the smart thing was to call for an ambulance and head to the ER. We called the Dr. I saw earlier in the day and thankfully he met us there. He attempted to get it out with tools, but it required surgery. Just 10 minutes worth, I went under general anesthesia, and by 11pm, David & I were home with our lil babes (preserving in the fridge.)

I have come to accept that there is no reason for a miscarriage, it just is. During this process, I have gone through all of the "what ifs" and now release them. I know it is nothing that I did wrong and believe that it was just not this baby's time to come to us. I accept and surrender.

I can hardly wait till I am a mommy again!!

Pregnancy High

2009-03-31T17:14:00.003-07:00

I have been hearing from many that midway during pregnancy I will feel a "high" like no other. Today it set in and what a relief, because truthfully the beginnings of the pregnancy was anything but.

This past weekend I led a 3 day NGY Teacher Training...13 women, 10 of which were moms of young ones. I felt so loved and supported, with lots of wisdom learned. I know the Law of Giving & Receiving was in full effect, because they loved the training and my offerings, and I too learned and received so many blessings.

Today I feel like a new pregnant woman! I feel light, inspired, creative, motivated, powerful and peaceful. In celebration of feeling good, I planted lots of veggies, herbs, strawberries and flowers in the garden, made my first roast chicken, got a haircut and am on my way to teach an adult Yoga class at the Chopra Center.

More goodness soon!

Being Pregnant

2009-03-16T10:59:00.002-07:00

I always had it in my mind that I would LOVE being pregnant. In fact I could hardly wait for that time in my life to arrive. Well now that it is here...I have to admit, it doesn't feel what I dreamed it to be.

My body is changing and I am not in control, in fact I hardly even recognize it. It's little things surprise me. I feel sore from gardening yesterday, I get out of breath easily when I walk Chants and my heart rate soars when I lift up from tying my shoes.

I'm not saying I don't love it, I do. David reminds me to LOVE what challenges me. By opening that channel and allowing positivity in will release attachment and resistance. "Kiss it" he says. SO even though being pregnant feels challenging to me, YES, I do love it!!

Savasana Proposal

2009-03-05T15:23:00.004-08:00

Last nights Yoga class is one I'll remember for the rest of my life...David proposed to me.

It was perfect...being in the same place where we first met, where we first said 'I love You' and now where we first said 'Yes' I will marry you.

The class of 30 people, including dear friends, and our spiritual teacher truly held sacred space for us. In conclusion, we were blessed and recieved open palms and a powerful "Ohm."

We are heading to Florida tonight to celebrate with my family, so this is a quick entry. I did want share the beautiful news, and post this picture of my blooming belly and ring :)

3 months pregnant & Im back surfing

2009-02-26T16:21:00.002-08:00

Yesterday I milestoned out of the 1st trimester, and today I felt good enough to get back in the water! I haven't been surfing much lately, mostly because I have just been too cold or too tired to get in the water. Amazingly though today on a warm spring like gorgeous day, just one day in to the 2nd trimester, I felt good to go. I just loved being back in the water, especially with baby in towe. We were both swimming in the womb of the mama.

Hug It Foward

2009-02-09T11:08:00.005-08:00

Last weekend I had the privilege of contributing to one mans dream. Along with 30+ other GREAT souls, in a course called Spirit of Greatness, during a team building exercise we created a vision, a plan & made it happen.

The mission is similar to FREE HUGS, but Hug it Forward is about each person giving 10 hugs a day. Imagine if you hugged 10 people today, and they hugged another 10 each, in 10 days that would be 10 billion hugs!!

To me, the power of a hug, is so much more than body contact. It is an exchange of energy that soothes the soul, better than any medicine or drug I think.

Be alert to Hug it Forward, as it is coming to YOU, sooner than you think. And I am proud to be on the team that launched this vision.

2009-01-11T18:43:00.002-08:00

This past week has been full of challenging emotions for me and I trust they are for the betterment of me as a human being, friend, woman, teacher and lover. David moved in to the house with me, and even though I am thrilled to be cohabiting with him, I have been challenged with letting go of living alone. You see I have spent the last 10 years living solo, blessed with large living quarters where "my stuff" was spread out luxuriously. I never had to squeeze clothes in a closet or drawer, kitchen appliances had room to breathe, and the bathroom sink was free of clutter. All that has changed as this spacious for 1 beach house is now cozy for 2.

What has become so clear for me is that I have been given the opportunity to surrender attachments, something I endeavor to be free of. Attachments don't serve us as they keep us limited and tight. I believe we are boundless beings. In the past, I have had the tendency to be rigid and by releasing attachments, I am less anal and militant. What a gift this lesson has been and now I get to enjoy it all while living with a lover :)

Visiting the homeland

2009-01-04T16:42:00.004-08:00

David & I just returned from a holiday tour back to each of our homelands: his Toronto, mine NJ/NYC. What an amazing way to truly get to know each other on a deeper level, how could we not...we got to meet each others immediate families, saw lots of childhood photos, ate at favorite pastime restaurants, hung with friends from our youth and toured the old hoods. Despite the triggers that are natural to arise when returning to our homelands, the whole experience was a gift that I am so grateful for.

It was my first time in Toronto and I loved it. The city proper definitely felt smaller to me than NYC, yet more full of happy and easy going people. Like NY it is overflowing with culture and yummy ethnic foods. We made a tourist-o visit to the Niagara Falls, also a first for me. The energy of the falls is like none other. I felt an overwhelming beautiful connection to the divine, I know the reason why it is a wonder of the world.

NJ & NYC were a little tourist-y. We ice-skated in Wollman Rink, walked all of Central Park and since I could only tolerate a taste...we made a quick stop in Times Square. I really enjoyed sharing this visit with David and the tourist perspective. I especially loved doing the things I never did before as a NY'er.

All in all, like I said, the trip was perfect. It felt quick for all, parents included, but we did it. We introduced each other to our families, which was the purpose of the trip. And now our families know and understand our love for each other, and also who we are living with because today David moved in to the house with me :)

Ganesha

2008-12-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

David returned from the Dominican Republic with a precious gift, for us to share. Instead of just giving it to me, he created an intimate ceremony...sitting in easy crossed legged pose, palms face up, eyes closed, we went in to meditation. After at least 10 minutes, he placed the new treasure in my hands, and requested we keep our eyes closed. His hands joined mine, and without any idea of what this gift was, together we poured our love into this "thing." I had no clue what it could be, and that didn't stop me from giving 100% love.

After another 10 minutes or more, without direction, David and I made eye contact. I hadn't even looked at the gift yet, I was full of love and intimacy.

Ganesha is a Hindu God in the form of an elephant. He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. He is here to protect us as we embark on a life together. David & I are moving in together, and Ganesha is here to protect us.

28 Days Past & Still Cleansing

2008-11-18T17:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I completed the 28 day cleanse...with honor roll! It was incredible and I am so proud of myself!!

The final week was absent of food yet filled with vegetable juice, mineral broth and lots of psyllium and bentonite shakes. I had enough energy that week to deliver 2 NGY Teacher Trainings, teach 7 kids Yoga classes, 1 NGY Birthday Party, recieve 2 colonics, a coffee enema, daily beach walks with Chants and lots of lovin with my lover. Amazing, I think!

What I loved most about the cleanse is how the toxins and what wasn't naturally part of me poured out of every part of my body, mind and spirit. Early on in the cleanse, David said he smelled THC in my underarms. Through out the weeks, my teeth felt sore and had a coating on them. Daily, my thighs were achy as that muscle correlates with the large intestine. At times, I was emotionally sensitive and irritable...because perhaps letting go of my "sh*t" was challenging for me.

Most impressive is what came out of my intestines, I'm talking major mucoid plaque - pretty much the reason for doing an intestinal cleanse. Ill admit that while I didn't take any photos (David did of his), I did relate to many of the pics I found online. Enjoy at your own risk!

BTW - even though I have completed the 28 days cleanse...this week I remain on an alkaline diet and am still releasing the lovely mucoid plaque!

2008-11-04T22:24:00.001-08:00

Entering week 3 of the Arise & Shine 28 Day Cleanse, I am just starting to feel layers shed. I am not just talking about releasing mucous from bi-weekly colonics which are crazy intense, but also the many emotions that I am feeling. I embrace it all, am free from attachment and surrender to all that is.

During the past 3 months I have experienced huge changes in my life including one that I am extremely proud of. I mindfully weaned myself off an anti-depressant, that I was on & off for the past 10 years. I am committed to feeling all that comes up, vs. numbing myself with medication. I know I have the tools to channel fears and negative emotions, which include daily meditation, yoga, connecting with nature, journaling, open and conscious communication and surrounding myself with high vibration people and environments. I am so grateful to be in this space and embrace all that I arises. I share this with you now, because I am feeling and I am psyched! This is what happens during an intensive cleanse.

What also happens is...David & I go to Glen Ivy Hot Springs. Amongst the steams, saunas and swims in the mineral baths...we got down & dirty in Club Mud with red clay which is a yummy purifying agent from ancient times. A total sensory experience, it draws from the pores, absorbs impurities, and releases waste and dead skin cells while tightening and revitalizing the skin. Definitely a highlight for me, I loved globing on the mud and playing like child. Who me? YES ME!

Week 2

2008-10-27T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of week 2, or day 8 of the 28 day cleanse, however you want to see it - I feel f*%king awesome!!

To celebrate week 2, I had a colonic, ahhh talk about cleaning house. I think I released plaque and gunk from my intestines that has been lodged in there since my teenage years of eating Doritos & Burger King. But it doesnt stop there, the results of a colonic are so freeing. I feel lighter, grounded and pure. I am looking forward to the my next round at the end of this week, yep I'm going for 2 during week 2!

People who I tell that I am doing this cleanse with David are so inspired, so I wanted to share with you! It has been transformational for our relationship. Not only do we have the obvious support like reminding each other to take the herbs, making shakes for each other, etc. but we get to witness and be with each others unmasked souls during this deep emotional cleansing too. I'm not sure if you realize this, because I dind't before I started...but cleansing is not just about eating healthy, taking herbs and psyllium shakes - its proven to be a lot more. Every moment we have a new energy level along with a different emotion and to name some of the sacred ones we get to indulge in together are vulnerability, sensitivity, passionate love, fear, humility, gratitude, irritability, spacey-ness, and so many more. Through it all, we are communicating, accepting and honoring what ever comes up. It seems to be the best thing for our new found love.

Arise & Shine

2008-10-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

Today I started a 28 day intestinal cleanse. This is the first time I have embraced such a journey for this length of time, and along with fear...I am so excited to be doing it! I am so ready to detox and release whatever may be holding me back: physiologically, emotionally, spiritually & physically - all of which I trust will move through me exactly as it should during this next month.

The Arise & Shine cleanse was developed by Dr. Rich Anderson who made an herbal expedition in the beautiful land of Oregon. After surviving for a time on fresh raw herbs gathered in the meadows he discovered a formula for internal cleansing. In addition to his creative herbal formula, I get to enjoy the other most basic and natural foods: fruits & veggies, which is one of Mother Earth's most delicious gifts. I also get to drink some YUMMY delicious Bentonite (clay) and Psyllium shakes 4-5 times a day. ***Notice I am using the words "get to" as I have chosen this cleanse, and there are absolutely no "have to's!"I am being sarcastic, the shake is narley - but Dr. Anderson says: Love and joy can be cultivated to such a degree that not only can they heal our own bodies, they can also heal those with whom we come in contact. Those who Love enough never want for anything. It does not matter whether you are a saint, a devil, or in between! To cultivate the power of Love is the wisest venture anyone can ever initiate. For nothing, absolutely nothing in the universe will bring greater benefits and happiness.

Best yet, is that David & I are doing the cleanse together. We have each others love and support throughout through the journey. We are RPM'ing (rise, pee, meditate) daily and amongst other healthy and spiritual commitments, we have agreed to abstain from sex. Ahhh, love - it feels so good to share this passage with him.

Love

2008-10-08T16:56:00.000-07:00

Lately all of Tom's Yoga classes have been on the theme of Love....I picked an angel card that said Soul Mate 2x in 2 days, and in September, astrologyzone.com said I would meet a life long partner...I love the way the universe provides! I am in Love! (NOTE>>>It does feel a tad weird writing this in online, for everyone and anyone to read, but this is Jodi's Journal, my blog! And I believe in sharing Love with the whole world!)

New Love has me feeling alive, light, loving, present, giving, accepting, joyful, playful, content and free.

Who is he?

Dr. David Revivo from Toronto, Canada - he is a Sephardic Jew, Yogi, warm-hearted, creative, funny, leader, lover and practices energetic chiropractics. We have so much in common and lots of levels to connect on.

In addition to the yummy vibration of being in love, I am learning so much about myself. I now get to see myself in another human being, up close and personal, eye to eye, Soul to Soul. I get to know myself in a different way, I get to witness myself and how I show up as a "girl-friend", a communicator, a supporter, a lover.

Truly, it feels so good to be with someone who is conscious, on a path of spiritual and personal growth. We met at Soul of Yoga by introduction from a friend, just 1 week after I manifested him. Someone suggested that I write "the list" - criteria that I would want in a partner. I did & along came David.

Now that is powerful! Thank you G-d.

Too blessed to be stressed.

2008-09-15T20:11:00.001-07:00

I just got out of the water, what an divinely beautiful experience...surfing in the Pacific Ocean while the sun is setting. Very inspiring, I love sunsets! It is a ritual of mine to recapitulate my days events, while the sun lowers. I bless the day and say goodbye to the date, for never will it be again. I did this on my surf board tonight.

I am so blessed. Even when daily life stressors show up, I am too blessed to be stressed.

I look west and there is an every color of the rainbow sunset. As it got darker, I saw a single bright star, probably a planet. I look east there is a vast deep night blue sky. The conditions were weak and Casey (surf buddy) and I were the only ones at the peak. Pure bliss! I was screaming, I have so much gratitude.

2008-09-02T21:15:00.001-07:00

This Labor Day weekend while the local San Diego beaches were crowded with surfers and vacationers, I headed out of town with New Love & Chants. We went to the pit stop town on the way to Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead - I've got a friend in Running Springs! Lynn Klopher is a also a colleague and is converting her home into a community retreat center. It is sacred space with mountain energy, quiet, crisp, clean air. We are creating a NGY Family Yoga retreat to happen this fall!!

What stands out most for me are how completely different the energies of the beach & the mountains are, and I how much I love them both.

We hiked a beautiful trail, and at a gorgeous lookout on the edge of a boulder I did Uttanasana (standing forward bend). Except for us, there was no one around. There was pure silence, with the golden ball of sun shining. The clouds moved fast, there was a a cool breeze. My breath and our Souls were all that could be heard.

After being away from the beach for 48 hours it felt delicious to get in the ocean. Chants & I romped in the white wash! Seeing the waves pealing, feeling the wet, smelling the coast damp air, it feels good to be back.

At Parkland, the retreat house.

2008-08-20T20:36:00.002-07:00

I am so grateful now!
I am so grateful now!
Every morning, I greet the day and say I'm so grateful now.
(Lyrics by Ron Franklin)

I personal challenging time, I feel so blessed to be in community with the friends and families I have met here in Encinitas. A special acknowledgment to Tom & Trisha who created Soul of Yoga, the magical center where I met many of these earth angels. The level of consciousness, love and support is enough to make me shift in less than 3 minutes :)

I have also been connecting with friends and family around the world. Amazingly positive and loving people. Through these rocky times, I am learning that I have extraordinary people in my life and that I am so grateful NOW!

2008-08-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

My friend Ashley needed a player for her Beach Volleyball team tonight, ouch! I haven't played in at least 15 years, and now know why - every time I hit the ball I vibrated. Not like a yummy Om vibration, more like a konk on the head, ow pulsation! Sprinting in the sand, throwing my body around, and hitting the ball in pain is not fun for me. More players came & I opted out.

Ahhhh, I took Chants & lil Acesa (19 mo. old beautiful girl) to play in the waves crashing.

My body is my temple and I choose to move in ways that nourish me. Besides my horoscope warned me to be careful with my body this month.

2008-08-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

I finally registered my car in California & let go of my NY license plates. Ah the shedding of layers from moving to the west coast. It's actually kind of funny how my car feels different having CA plates. I feel different!

I hung with an east coast friend yesterday and she asked me if people notice a change in me since Ive been living in San Diego. How can I not be different!? There is something that just magically happens when one spends so much time at the beach. The ocean is so medicinal, healing that is. Ive been surfing 5 days a week, and being thrown around, riding waves and floating in the warm summer water is all therapy for me.

My intention is to immerse myself in environments and with people who soothe and nourish my soul.