Ya gotta love ya-self!

Dear blog and those who read it, Have I been busy? Have I forgotten what I started? Have I failed? No, I neglected to commit myself to writing and instead I think my 'blog posts' come in the form of my classes. Teaching is my space for sharing and my hot vinyasa class today was a reminder of how inspired I want to make the space I teach in. Candles are lit, lights are down and I started class flipping thru my Yama and Niyama book (Deborah Adele). Ahimsa. Sounds insignificant to those who don't know sanskrit, but the meaning behind it is universal and constant. 'Non harming' or 'non violence'. Lately I have been challenged personally with having confidence and courage. What lies deep in that search, is quite simple. Self love is a HUGE part of Ahimsa, or non violence. 'Our ability to stay balanced and courageous has much to do with how we feel about ourselves." With out love for one self, how can we ever expect to love outwardly, but more important, feel joy and contentment in our own lives? "...(the way we) treat ourselves is in fact how we treat those around us." When we take care, nurture, respect and love ourselves, that light within us shines out and affects those around us. It's a beautiful contagious quality that we posses and it's powerful. Reflect on the idea: "If you are a task maker with yourself, others will feel your whip. If you are critical of yourself, others will feel your high expectations of themselves as well. If you are light hearted and forgiving with yourself, others will feel the ease and joy of being with you. If you find laughter and delight in yourself, others will be healed in your presence." A friend of mine inspired me (although she may not know it) to get my blog up and running again. She is possibly one of the most joyful, energetic, non judgemental people I've met rescently and I'm guessing when I saw that she started a blog about the funny, ridiculous things she and her friends say, I wanted to rekindle my outlet for inspiring and sharing my ideas and processes with others. Class evolved into a steady, breath conscious flow that continually reminded you not to judge, expect or pressure oneself to go where it didn't feel right. We explored with options to amp up your flow, while being mindful that whatever you were doing shoud simply be done with 100% intention and that contentment could be found within it. Teaching tonight also gave me perspective that I may have lost- I've been a bit stubborn lately, and those feeling are surrounded by and insecurities and frustration. No part of me should want to feel those things, but it's like I can't help myself! How do you change it? I don't know exactly, but what I do know is that I need to remind myself of who I am, what my intentions are and that I am uniquely spectacular in every way. "Our inability to love and accept all the pieces of ourselves creates ripples- tiny acts of violence- that have huge and lasting impacts on others. 'Perfect love casts out fear.' Where fear creates harm and violence, love creates expansion and nonviolence is woven with love, and love of others is woven with love of self; these cannot be separated." D.Adele There is so much more to explore within Ahimsa, but for now those are my thoughts and I encourage you to explore the idea of Ahimsa in your life or yoga practice. Light and love, Kristine <3

Design your Monday...

So normally, Mondays are loathed, despised and dreaded. So before you even start the day, you have doomed it to weekday hell. Well, WAKE UP, people. Let this day breathe light into a week of productivity and experiences. DECIDE right NOW that TODAY is going to ROCK. Make a tiny to-do list of things you KNOW you CAN accomplish. Setting expectations- HIGH expectations- will only lead to disappointment when they are not met. Start simple, no big umbrella ideas. Here's my To-Do for Today..

-organize patterns from development
-work out a pattern for new short- make 1 sample (I can always do a second draft if I have time)
-deposits to the bank
-put away laundry- it will make the space more clean, therefor my mind gets more clear!!

Cool- attainable tasks and I will feel SO accomplished when they are complete. There is nothing wrong with setting yourself up for success. So often we do the exact opposite, because we expect SO MUCH from yourselves and others. If you are in an environment where you rely on others to get things done, ask them to do the task, but have them break it down part by part, so they can have multiple wins leading up to completing the task- the ultimate win :)

So you have things to DO.. that's great. But often we get wrapped up in the DO this DO that.... We are not HUMAN-DOINGS, we are HUMAN-BEINGS!! Make your TO-BE list, or you can call it your I-AM list, as we live in the present. Maybe this list is simply what you are feeling, what you want to feel or HOW you are going to BE today. Here's my I-AM list..

-open hearted
-peaceful, calm
-meditate or concentrate for a few minutes if my work starts to get frustrating or overwhelming (it's got potential)
-smile- dance session? ok!
-I want to feel more positive- I know I am talented, I know I will succeed, because what I do comes from the LOVE I have for myself, the LOVE I receive from others, and the LOVE that I share..
-yoga :)

Simple, come back to some key words throughout the day, LOVE, PEACE, OPEN, SMILE, CALM, BREATHE, SUCCESS-- those little reminders will give you a boost and bring awareness to FEELING good throughout your day!

OH! and totally get on the mat... if you can't get to a class, you know what to do!! Maybe a few sun salutations, a pose or two to open your heart, do something active where you can let your mind quiet from the day's hustle and bustle.. Go for a walk and simply focus on your breath, make a rhythm out of your steps and see how refreshed you are by the end. Yoga can present changes inside your mind and body that will bring light, love and happiness into your life. In some capacity, do yoga today :)

Me, I'll be heading to the HOT room.. in my Bum Bums..... http://www.kdeerhauteyogawear.com/ --I have to test my sample ;)

<3 k.deer