Tuning In With Nature: A Full Moon Eclipse Winter Solstice!

Want to hear something really amazing?

Scientists have found that the Earth and human beings resonate at the same frequency. To the best of my knowledge we’re the only beings living on this planet that actually vibrate at the same rate as the planet itself.

To me this is very real proof of our intrinsic connection to Mother Earth.

All ancient civilizations and indigenous cultures have honored the cycles of Nature and lived in ways that respected the direct relationship between the Earth and themselves. They lived in reciprocity and balance with the world around them.

Somehow our modern culture has created an illusion of separation from Nature. But so many people are finding ways to come back into balanced relationship with Mother Earth.

Tonight is a full moon eclipse on the eve of Winter Solstice! (Note: If you are reading this at a different time, the message still has meaning, simply discover what cycle Nature offers to you in the moment and feel how you want to honor it).

Celestial bodies are aligning, demonstrating yet again the perfection and incredible beauty of Nature’s Dance. This is a perfect time to become more in tune with this dance ourselves, and create our own experience of Divine Alignment.

The practice I offer you here blends the practice of yoga with Peruvian Incan Shamanism. This practice is offered in complete respect of what you already hold true in your heart – your own belief system can be honored with this sweet ceremony.

The Importance of Daily Meditation

Meditation is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

It has been celebrated by an overwhelmingly wide spectrum of people, from western doctors to the humblest of practitioners. Meditative practices are perhaps the most universal of techniques used in the pursuit of happiness and health, spirituality and success.

Remarkably, it doesn’t matter who you are or what your background is in order to reap the benefits. One of the biggest obstacles people have as resistance to starting is something like this:

“I can’t meditate, there’s no way my mind would slow down enough for that.”

Here’s the good news – you don’t have to make your mind slow down. It may do so on its own, but don’t get caught up worrying about the idea of trying to sit still for a length of time with no thoughts at all in your mind. That isn’t realistic, and doesn’t really happen for most people.

Instead, try approaching the idea of meditation as a momentary retreat; a way of reconnecting to who you truly are so that you can enjoy life more fully and on your own terms.

Also, keep in mind that there are a good many kids who have been labeled as ADD and ADHD who do yoga and meditate. These practices have brought them to a place where they can sit still and concentrate. If they can do it, so can you. 🙂

What are some of the benefits of meditation for you?

What’s New in the Kamloops Yoga Boot Camp?

One of the reasons the Kamloops Yoga Boot Camp for Women has been such a wild success is because it’s so much fun!

It’s really hard, of course, challenging you to push to your edge and play there, but we keep it light hearted while we give’er.

In fact, many campers have told me that they never knew fitness could be so much fun!

Now that we’re inside for the workouts and yoga practices, we’ve been coming up with some new ideas to make boot camp even more fun AND more effective. Your feedback has been really helpful in continuing to expand and enhance the program.

So what’s new at boot camp?

More Metabolism Boosting Interval Training. Why? Well, interval training is short bursts of high intensity exercise spaced out between periods of rest or easier exercise.

This is one of the most effective ways to get your body making muscle and burning fat. When you do Interval Training on a regular basis, your body burns calories even in your sleep!

Tips For Eating With The Season

You’ve likely heard how important it is to eat with the season. Well, I thought I’d share my perspective on the subject.

Your body is incredibly intelligent. It will crave certain things that you need so listen to your body and clue in when it’s talking to you. At the same time, it’s important to know healthy ways to interpret your cravings.

For instance, if you’re craving something sweet, rather than assuming your body is asking for cookies, you may be needing the antioxidants and vitamins that fruit brings. Or you may be craving the benefits of honey. And, yes, dark chocolate can be very good for you, but the key is that it needs to be in moderation. Like two or three squares, not half the bar.

If you’re craving hearty food, rather than going for high glycemic breads and pastas, use brown rice and root veggies to nourish and nurture yourself. Roasted veggies are especially nice. Sprouted bread is also a good lower glycemic alternative to white or wheat bread.

Personally, in summer I’m drawn to eat more fruits, green smoothies, fresh salads, and salad wraps.

As it gets colder and winter sets in, I eat a lot of soups, stir-fries, steamed veggies and greens, and roasted veggies.

How To Heal: Returning To Your Natural Pulsation

We have, as a society, done a smashing job of stressing ourselves out. Don’t you think?

How often have you felt the anxiety of overwhelm, or a desire to retreat into a cave until all the things-that-must-be-done magically take care of themselves?

Ask any doctor, Western or otherwise, and they’ll tell you that stress influences all disease. It may be the only thing they agree on, but health practitioners recognize the danger this pressure poses to the balance of the human body.

Okay, so you know this already. Good. That means you are in the position to do something about it. Seeing as you’re reading this in a magazine dedicated to yoga, you probably already know how good yoga and meditation are for relieving stress and anxiety.

But I’ll let you in on a deeper knowing… The most profound healing occurs when you re-connect with your own natural pulsation. This is why yoga and meditation work so well.

This example might help you understand better.

Meditation: Bringing In The Love Light

Let me get straight to it; Light and Love are the two most powerful forces we can work with. With these frequencies of energy and our intention, we can transform anything.

Think of the term “Enlightened”. It literally speaks of being of the light, of embodying light. This is the goal of so many people and spiritual disciplines; to become an Enlightened One.

Yet often this seems an unattainable thing, especially living in this busy world. We don’t have time to go sit under a sacred tree for 40 days, or wander the desert, or retreat into a cave.

So how do we, as everyday people, become enlightened?

Practice bringing more light and love into your life. Practice living from the heart.

When I teach yoga, the goal of every single class is to bring you into your heart space. To guide you in a practice that helps you reconnect to who you truly are; a good person who is capable of feeling myriad emotions and experiencing a full spectrum of life.

You have the choice of what state you choose to be in most of the time. Sure, we ride waves of emotion and experience many things, but we can do so from a place of fear or separateness, or we can choose to feel from a place of love and a knowingness that everything is interconnected.

Bringing in light and love does not have to be complicated. In fact, you can practice it right now.

Mini-Meditation: Being the Love Light

Sit beautifully and take a deep breath.

Who Won the Grand Prize for Yoga Boot Camp?

This month in Yoga Boot Camp there was a Grand Prize for the person who made the biggest transformation in their body and lifestyle.

The winner is Constance Ladell, lawyer extraordinaire and an all around wonderful woman! (Even though she isn’t sharing her biggest smile with us in this photo, it’s under there. She’s got a fantastic sense of humor.)

I did a little interview with Constance to see what her approach was. Read on to find out what motivated her and what tips she has to share!

Constance, congrats on such great results! It was wonderful to hear you report that you were down 2 pounds each week of camp for a total of 8 pounds in 4 weeks!

What was the biggest change you saw during the last boot camp session?

The scale provided valuable feedback and encouragement. But the biggest change was an improvement in my energy and well-being – I just felt good. I noticed an improvement in stamina at Boot Camp but, more importantly, but I had more energy overall.

What approach did you take with eating and nutrition?

A Metabolism Boosting Tip

Okay, we all want to have more energy and enjoy food without putting on weight. This approach can help in a big way…

Here’s a quick metabolism boosting tip you might want to keep in mind. Casey and I just celebrated American Thanksgiving (complete with a feast of food), and I definitely practiced this one!

Tip: Get your metabolism going before you eat!

What does that mean? Well, if you do a quick (or full on) workout before you have a meal, your metabolism will already be working when you put food in your mouth. This means your body will burn the calories faster.

This is one of the reasons the Yoga Boot Camp is so excellent – it gets your metabolism up first thing!

Boosting your metabolism with exercise also helps your overall energy levels, so you feel more energetic.

Here are some ideas to get your body pumped before you eat:

Honouring My Yoga Students

By being my student, you not only give me a chance to share my skills and my interests with you, but you also encourage me to deepen my own wisdom.

Thank you. Each of you.

This is for you.

Kamloops Yoga Student Spotlight

(Cue announcer voice.)

And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, there are a few select students I want to shine the spotlight on for a moment of recognition and gratitude. Though I can not name you all, let the celebration of Charlotte, Jo-Anne, Elizabeth, and Brenda be a representation of my celebration of everyone.

(Normal voice may now resume. In case you were wondering.)

These women have been with me from my very first yoga class where they and the other ten students actually gave me a most touching surprise applause at the end! What a welcome as a first time teacher! They have supported my growth, personally and professionally, and cheered me on the whole way.

Let me introduce Charlotte. She’s fire and laughter, nearer 60 than 50, and legendary in my Yoga Boot Camp. By the time I say “Go for a lap” she’s gone, and pretty hard to catch. I want to be like her when I have silver in my hair – that’s shiny silver for FAST, y’all.

Heart Space Meditation

The following meditation cultivates a spaciousness and light in your heart center, and a connection to the heart that holds us all.

When you are moved you feel it in your heart.

If the emotion you’re feeling is joyful or loving, you’ll likely feel uplifted, open, and bright. If the emotion is fear based or sadness, chances are both your posture and your internal feeling will be more closed down and contracted.

The more you practice feeling joy, love, peace and the like, the more these qualities show up in your life. The same goes for fear based feelings.

We create patterns based on what we experience, so you’ll find yourself greatly rewarded for cultivating an attitude that brings brightness to your heart.

Even knowing this, however, it is sometimes a challenge,