Happy Birthday to ...

I've reminisced a lot this weekend, it's the weekend our two youngest children celebrate their 19th birthdays... and neither of them will be home to celebrate.
This hit me HARD

It's the first birthday when I won't make cake or share hugs in person
The first birthday where wishes and love have to take place over phone lines and text messages.
I am oh so thankful for that technology and oh so proud of where our kids are (all 3 of them!) and what they are doing in life to work toward their goals and create the people they want to be when they are older.
Another trip around the sun, another chance to reminisce.
This is usually where I post Bry's birth story -- and think of all the ways I'm changed for having been a mother.
The mom role is different now that our kids are grown and in college.
I still promise to be here for each of them when they text or call -- it's the one call I'll ALWAYS answer and that will ring in the middle of the night loud enough to wake me.
The conversations are different now that our kids are grown and in college. But the hugs are the same and there's ALWAYS room for nuggets and tots over a game of Phase 10, Yahtzee or QWIXX and the hugs, the hugs are even better -- if that's possible.
The story is now one of new birth -- the birth of who you will be on your own and I cannot wait to watch you fly!

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take... but by the moments that take our breath away.

Where has the time gone? It's April 3rd again and I've been collecting thoughts for this year's addition to posts about my daughter's birth story; I always get choked up mid-way, right around 

Then I heard her...UBER cool nurse... "What do you MEAN they almost DIED ?!?! She was FINE when I left!"

Yup, I just read it again and lost my breath for a second. 

It wasn't hard to find a theme this year. She took my breath away again just a few months ago; stopped me dead in my tracks and left me speechless.

Bryanah turns 16 today. She is an ever-changing, ever-evolving, super-focused, powerful being. And she always has been. From the moment she was born she was fixed on the object of her focus. I smile when I recall my best friend at the time handing Bry back to me in the hospital after only holding her for a second; not because she was squirming and crying, but because her stare was so intense she couldn't help but think Bry was peering right into her soul with wise eyes.
She did have wise eyes, and she studied every person who held her ...right after she was born... I remember holding my breath in prayer hoping I was strong enough to be the mamma she needed and had the wisdom to teach her the things she'd need to know for the big things ahead of her... all as her birth dad lay snoring in a haze on the chair in the corner.

Breathe.

When she was 2, she took my face into her hands, looked me directly in the eyes, and told me I was beautiful. She meant it...and she knew I didn't believe it because she'd follow it up by grabbing my chin with BOTH hands saying, "I mean it!"

I've had this picture in our house for years and it's only recently that I even see myself as beautiful in this shot. 

Breathe.





She is powerful beyond measure. Maybe it is the years of watching the PowerPuff girls win out over MoJo JoJo, but her fearlessness is an inspiration to ME. When she knows she is right, she's unstoppable. Granted, this superpower is still in the honing phases so sometimes she comes across as immovable. Lucky for me, my superpower-in-training is patience, so we work on our traits together ;)

At 12, she called a local community theater and set up an audition for a production of Annie; be-bopped out of her room and said, "I have to be at XYZ Theatre on such-and-such day for my audition."  
Breathe.

Ultimately, she wasn't cast in that production but she was proud of herself every step of the way from the first round auditions where she "knocked it out of the park," to the week after call backs where the call never came and the cast list went up. 

She's never looked back. That can be scary for a mom... lot's of opportunities to catch my breath and just breathe.

This year she was cast in the musical "Crazy for You" and worked harder than we've ever seen her work for a production. This is a dance heavy show, mostly tap, and she rehearsed 24-7;  after seeing the show, my husband and son joked how they recognized several dance step combinations from her traversing through the house en tap.

I really didn't know anything about this show...sure, I'm familiar with some of the tunes but I did my best to avoid any rehearsals or offer any volunteer time that would give me a sneak peek before the show opened.
We purchased tickets for the Friday night show and I volunteered in the snack bar the night before. We finished cleaning up just as the curtain call was starting so I thought I'd sneak in for the bows. 

I opened the door just in time to see the follies with her center stage, eyes-wide, smile beaming, tapping her heart out...beautifully.
I.Could.Not BREATHE.
In that very moment every sense of love, and pride, and excitement and, and ... well when you slip into the Limbic part of your brain all words go away and you just swim in feelings so I'll stop trying to describe it...
I felt so many feels they leaked out my eye

I had to remind myself to Breathe.

We went back Friday night, as a family...Papi, Reed, Nana, me, Gramma Judy and Aunt Lee. And we all agree...absolutely stunning and just plain wow...how so very far you've come in your journey...the one you've set out for yourself. And how fortunate are we the ones who get to see it unfold.

We have our moments and our miffies and our grumbles...I'd worry if we didn't...but at the end of every day

I am so proud
You, Bry, are so beautiful
In your first 16 years around the sun, you are who you set out to be and the Universe has conspired for your good and I am so very honored to be your mama :) 

My Daughter Made Me Do It

It's April 3rd, my "mamaversary."
Typically on this day, I dust off my daughter's birth story; I always get choked up mid-way, right around

Then I heard her...UBER cool nurse... "What do you MEAN they almost DIED ?!?! She was FINE when I left!"

Yup, I just read it again and lost my breath for a second.

Today that baby girl is 15. Her 14th trip around the sun had quite an impact on me as a mom; she went from a baby who would not be kept from entering this world to a beautiful young lady right before my eyes. This is expected, everyone's kids grow up and change from being that little one you remember to resembling the adult they will become. But this beauty was intentional.

In January 2012 my hub, bry and I attended a new year's intention setting gathering. One of the activities was to write several intentions for the year on a 3 x 5 card and place it in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. In December we each received our cards. I was excited to see that my entire list came to fruition, or was in the process. Bryana shared her card with me; I remember there being a list of 5 things but #2 is the only one I remember verbatim, "To see myself as beautiful." I teared up as I read it and told her," I bet I can tell you the exact DAY this started to happen for you, Papi probably can too. You've always been pretty and had a beautiful spirit but one morning you woke up and just 'got gorgeous.' I'll bet that was the day you believed in your beauty."

After several hundred great conversations about this transition, I'm convinced the opportunity to be her mom is an important pillar in my journey to self.

I've done certain things for my daughter because I am a mom, my momness made me do it.
But now, as my daughter is becoming her own person I see that she is encouraging my Babsness, and because of her I'm doing and believing things I've been trying to for years.

Funny, this very quality in her makes me quite proud of my momness.

My daughter made me love my butt.

A few months ago she sent me this picture in a text and simply said, "This is how I want you to feel about your butt." Say what you will about the validity of the ad, the point is she watched me struggle through an eating disorder and heard me change the words I use about my body...with the exception of my back side... and with a quick glance to my phone, encouraged me to see myself in a new way.

heh, that's little Bry in front of me 2003

My daughter made me audition.

When Bry was little, I directed a K-12 summer musical theatre program for several years, I sang regularly as the leader of our church worship team and, as she puts it, "walked in off the street and nabbed the lead role in a community production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." That was all years ago, our new family, a career and pursuing a college degree put all of that on the back-back burner.

So, when the audition notice for a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar showed up on the announcement board at her dance studio, she pointed it out to me and wouldn't take "No" for an answer.
We opened on Good Friday and the cast is AMAZING :)

My daughter makes me a good mom.

While she was away for Spring Break this year, we redecorated her room. She spent months collecting ideas and designing it and when she was ready, invited me to friend her on Wanelo so I had access to the album with all the inspiration pictures. Scrolling through the pictures brought me back to when I was her age; she likes the same clothes, the same colors, even wants the same Doc Marten floral boots that I wanted back in the day.

The text exchange that followed is indelibly etched on my heart.

me: its scary how much you are like me when I was ur age

Bryana: Yay! I wanna be like u when I grow up

I asked her about it later, wanting to be like me, and she said "of course I do, I want my kids to like me when they're teenagers." Yeah, that was a heart melter of the NTH degree. I must've done something good.

She makes me do other things too... like buy a dress that looks amazing for no other reason than it looks amazing and sing harmonies to obscure folk songs, she makes me giggle, she makes me think, she makes me cry (good tears) and most of all, she makes me proud.

I remember quite clearly the sense of awe-inspired-fear I had when I held her as a newborn. She made eye contact immediately, as one friend put it, as though she were admiring your soul. I remember praying for the ability to be the mother this strong being needs, sensing she was put on this earth to do big things. I told her that on her birthday a few years ago. I shared her birth story and reminded her that not even a little thing like dying stoped her birth.

Know what she said?

"It didn't stop you either, momma. We're both still here and we both have big things to do."

Indeed we do Punkin, indeed we do.

xoxo

40 trips around the sun, the evolution

This year I turned my New Year's Resolutions on their proverbial ears and vowed my goal for this year be an understanding and practice of Sankalpa. A Sanskrit word, sankalpa means "will, purpose, or determination." To make a sankalpa is to set an intention. A sankalpa also praises the nobility of the effort rather than focusing on what you are doing wrong.
This year marks my 40th trip around our glorious Sun. I've been working on the same resolutions for at least 30 of those 40 years so it only made sense to give my Resolutions a resolution of their own...and oddly enough, none of them started in January... anywhere other than in my mind

So far, my intentions that have met action and developed a relationship include:

• Intentional, personal yoga practice - Ashtanga
• Healing my body with real food rather than supplements - Mila

So now I work on the next level I feel called to... Hrmm...that's another interesting thing about sankalpa, my changes evolve rather than being dictated by some thought that makes me feel less than or in need of change.

• Consume a 90% plant based diet

This, unlike other attempts at change to my diet, will be one I allow to unfold. If everyone cut their animal product consumption by 10%, we could make a huge dent in not only the battle with dis-ease, but in worldwide hunger.
Why 90% and not 100%? Well, because I like some animal based foods sometimes, they taste good but are not always the most nutrient dense choices and definitely don't have to be the main component of my diet.

My plant based consumption will also be Gluten free based on my intolerance.
I'll be posting weekly updates/menus on my GF blog. If I'm feeling extra plucky...you may even get a shopping list :)

Yoga is like Sex

In my late 20's I worked as an educational interpreter in a public High School. I provided Sign Language services for 2 students during their freshman year.
Algebra, Creative Writing, World History, Intro to Computers, P.E., Reading and Biology.
I have many vivid memories of that year. It was the year of the Columbine shooting so people, emotions and events are etched into my brain. I'll never forget the role of mitochondrion thanks to 4th period Biology lessons on the parts of a cell and this catchy little earrworm.

Intro to Computers was my favorite class, not because of the subject matter but because of the teacher and the way he presented the material. His stature and presence reminded me of a late 1960's Burl Ives and he taught these kids, and me, far more than how to type.

The first 3 weeks for these kids was excruciating! Imagine sitting each day at a desk in front of a monitor and keyboard and NOT being able to touch it. First they learned about the machine, then they learned about the processes they would be mastering during the year. They spent time on theory and did some quizzes (with pencil and paper). There wasn't a whole lot to interpret during these first few weeks, mostly busy work for the kids so the teacher and I got to know each other. He and his wife were in the process of purchasing a new SUV, a shiny new Lincoln Navigator with all the bells and whistles. Everything I know about buying a car I learned from this man and I've been told...I'm quite a shrewd car shopper. This guy knows his stuff....he knew what he was doing making his kids wait to use those computers too!

The day finally came.
Oh the joy and exclamations that rose from the class when they got to push the power button!
"See how excited you are?  Sometimes it's good to wait...remember that" he said with a wink.
"Everything worth having or doing is worth waiting for, everything."

A few chuckles, embarassed eyes and whispers later and they were all focused on the task at hand utterly ecstatic to be typing  a s d f j k l ;

My week on the mat has been like the keys on a Qwerty keyboard. Each day I've been working to move past Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana and each day I've gotten a bit further.
Yesterday I was able to bind both sides with assistance from my teacher, this morning I reached the fullest expression of the pose on my right side without help but my left side toes are just past the reach of my left hand.
In Ashtanga, when you are learning the series in the Mysore method, you work on a posture by repeating it 4 or 5 times.

This is ONE vinyasa

Stop and take that in for a second... after Surya Namaskar A and B, the basic sequence, the primary series standing postures and moving into the seated postures (all with a vinyasa sprinkled in between to keep you warm) you work on the current pose 4 or 5 times. Let me expand on that notion...once you get to the seated postures you do a vinyasa between each side of each pose. That's a whollotta chaturanga!

So back to this morning's practice. Since I cannot yet bind on both sides and take the fullest expression of the.pose.affectionately.called.stuck ...I did it 5 times.
The right side came relatively easily and put a grin in the corners of my eyes. Three times and 6 vinyasas later...and I touched my left big toe with my left finger for the very first time! I SWEAR I heard the opening riff to a Madonna tune! I wriggled and reached and even poked my bottom lip out...I can't grasp yet...but I TOUCHED it and that touch.was.awesome! It was so worth the wait...my smile spread from the corners of my eyes to every inch of my face. My teacher says I'm close, I may even have it tomorrow...but I'm not thinking about tomorrow when there is so much to revel in today.

So the lesson
Don't rush
if it's worth doing
it's worth the wait
and it's sooo much better when you finally get there
asdfjkl;)

I do not like to be stuck

With Bandha, Drishti and Ujjayi your body becomes a temple when breathing and asana, tension and concentration come together into one unit. So with Ujjayi, Bandha and Drishti you create the foundation of your practice, and the spiritual dimension of Ashtanga Yoga develops. (source)


The spiritual dimension of Ashtanga has taught me that...
I don't like to feel stuck
:(

movement: V handshape to the throat

Funny, because the ASL sign for the concept "stuck" is also one of my least favorite signs...only because it means so much more than the English word "stuck" but people still say the word rather than the idea...but I digress.

We started our 3rd week of Ashtanga practice yesterday. We've been progessing swimmingly through the poses and have moved into the seated postures of the primary series. We left off with Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana on Friday of last week so we fully expected to be moving on when we returned.

Nope. Keep working on this one until you get it.
Grr, I don't want to, I want to learn the next one
I "get" this one, my hips just don't allow the fullest expression yet....
Hubs was even MORE aggravated about it.
He's looking forward to some of the quad stretches and grumbled about being stuck.

Admittedly, I did too. On my way to work I grumbled
After each grumble, I reminded myself to let my ego just step aside because this is a practice.
It worked, by the time I made it to work I was appreciative and looking forward to the extra time it will take to truly experience the benefits of this pose. I mean, I've been practicing downward facing dog for 11 years and the nuances I've found in the past 3 weeks have made a huge difference in my practice.

photo credit



Monday was a grumbly day for my mini me too.

And I, as a mom, was stuck.
My hands were tied.
There was nothing I could do.
I was caught between a scylla and charybdis.
Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana
(HA, next time I see that sign I'm gonna voice THAT!)


This morning we worked through our practice and stopped at the last pose we learned, the one I affectionately call stuck. It was a great practice, I felt strong, worked up a good sweat and waited for today's teacher to tell us what to do next.
"On Tuesdays, we take it easy. Once you've moved through the standing poses and get to the seated postures of the primary series, we don't teach anything new on Tuesdays. Krista (my fave yoga teacher of all time and the owner of the shala) doesn't teach new postures on Tuesdays, neither does her teacher...so this is an opportunity for you to work where you are..."

So we did, I went back through my seated postures because I had forgotten one the first time.
I did my back bends and closing postures...and had an AHmazing Savasana.
Hubs even said so...we joked about being grumbly yesterday and today being just fine.
We did not move further into the series...but we did progress!

It really wasn't any different than yesterday
but it was
I'm still in the same place
but I'm not stuck

My mini me got up this morning, dressed herself up in a snazzy outfit and faced the day...with whatever it may bring. She knows it's okay to be sad...but I don't think she'll let herself be stuck.

Fundamentals First

Today is day 3 of Ashtanga for the hub and I.

We've learned our poses through the fundamental asanas (standing series).

http://www.yogasandals.com/

Whoo whee...I could feel my feet towards the end of our session! Definitely time to invest in a new pair of my favorite sandals.

So my memorization trick for the day to get me through what I know so far

A

B

2

2

2

floor

hips

shoulders

toes

BANGLES

That could be a nursery rhyme for baby yogis :)

Suryanamaskar A
Suryanamaskar B
2 forward folds
2 triangles
2 side angles
Wide Stanced Forward Bend:
hands to the floor, hands on hips, hands clasped shoulder stretch, big toe peace fingers :)
Pyramid (which make me think of 'walk like an egyptian')

I may have to put this into a saturday morning yoga flow soon :)

When I Practice, I am Strong

Practice, Practice, Practice
All is coming ~K. Pattabhi Jois

Day 2 of our Ashtanga journey

Today we moved into the first few standing postures of the series after going through Surya Namasakar A and B 5 times each on our own. Just flowing through the salutations that many times, conscious of my drishti and my breath, was work. Half way through I realized while I have come to the understanding of engaging mula bandha...I'm not always sure about when to disengage. :/

I did find some new found freedom in my downward facing dog simply by remembering my drishti. My head knew I should be looking at my navel but I don't always remember that!

We worked through triangle, revolved triangle, side angle and revolved side angle... we worked through them a lot.
I felt invigorated, I felt strong, I felt focused...

That focused feeling lasted ALL day.
I worked a 9 hour shift at work and managed to do so with energy and a positive attitude all day long. I don't care who you are...9 hours is a LONG day stuck in a cubicle...today was a good day :)

My finishing sequence this morning included wheel ...the braid worked :) Utplutih
I've always had trouble with Utplutih,  but I'll get there with practice, practice practice.

AHHHH Ashtanga

Typically February has me taking a peek to see what new challenge Christine has for us. In addition to that, this month the hub and I have signed up for a month-long beginner's course in Ashtanga yoga at the Yoga Shala. I have practiced Ashtanga before and have the great fortune of having studied under some amazing teachers so when I noticed one of my favorite mentors and teachers actually owns the studio, we were there!

Today, day 1
6:30am at the Shala
Yoga Shala teaches traditional Ashtanga in the Mysore method and it was absoluely awesome walking into the studio where other yogis were moving through their individual practice flowing with inhale and exhale. Mysore encourages each person to go at his or her own pace, you learn the poses one at a time, as your teacher deems you ready. You progress at your own pace and develop a personal practice.
So Awesome.

We were up at 5:10am (admittedly, I was up before the alarm...excited to go!)
This morning's lesson took us through Surya Namaskar A and B series, bridge, wheel...my pony-tail got in the way :(

Tomorrow we add some call and return, standing poses ...and I wear my hair in a braid!
:)

Let it Flow, Let yourself Go...what the heck is a yoga flow and why am I crying?

2011 brought me back to my yoga mat (yay!) as a practitioner and instructor. I teach in the beautifully quaint downtown center of Winter Garden at Ananda Yoga and Massage. Downtown Winter Garden offers a cluster of family owned business in a nostalgic setting and Ananda fits in perfectly; the vibe in the studio is very welcoming.

2012 launched a bunch of new and exciting things for the Studio and I'm so excited to see the hustle and bustle that will be happening there. We have great teachers throughout the week, several massage therapists and exciting specialty classes like guided meditation, candlelight yoga and even Crystal Singing Bowl meditations!

I started out teaching a yoga basics class on Saturday mornings. It's a class where we focus on technique, form, alignment and phases of different asanas or groups of asanas (think twists or backbends) and it's good for any one from a baby to a seasoned yogi. I love teaching this class because it brings ME back to basics. Sometimes it's just easy to fly right through a sun salutation without even thinking about it...but then later wonder why my neck is out of whack :\

This month I added a Funk and Flow class ...yes I said FUNK :)
It's set to great music, including rock, reggae, hip hop, blues and world beats, and is geared to the student who likes to sweat and be challenged both physically and mentally. A strong emphasis on linking breath to movement creates a steady and consistent flow from pose to pose, encouraging a meditation in motion.

It's amazing how physically and emotionally cleansing a flow class can be. Not only can you be motivated by the music, which usually follows a theme (even if that theme is just to DANCE), the process of the flow actually acts as a physical and emotional scrub brush so it's not unheard of to find yourself in tears as you find your inner warrior or while you rest in savasana.

Why is this?

For starters, we'll discuss the class format.
As I mentioned, the class is set to an eclectic mix of music ...last week included the Beastie Boys, Eurythmics, Sting, Jack Johnson, Steve Ross and Camille ... you're welcome to sing along, tap your toe or just flat out dance, after all ...it's your mat, it's your space.

We start out with a warm up that leads into an invigorating round of Sun Salutations to warm the body. Then we BOUNCE...yes Bounce (more on that later)
Once we're good and warm we move into the work phase. This includes more challenging standing poses incorporated in a vinyasa flow...think "Inhale-move, Exhale-move" and definitely SWEAT.
We take it to the floor for some core work and move into seated poses that are held longer for a deeper stretch to the muscles now that they are good and warm. Class will always end in an inversion and a deeply relaxing savasana to seal in the benefits of the class.

There's no doubt this is a physically challenging class and you should have at least 6 months of prior yoga experience or a teacher recommendation before attending. But what about that emotional scrubber part I mentioned?

Well, this has to do with the lymphatic system and the way we "work it" in this class.
Stop and think of every emotion you had in the past 24 hours
Did you yell?
Did you laugh?
Cry?
Stub your toe?
Did your heart gush with love?
Were you frustrated?
Were you relaxed?
Each and every one of those feelings...and ones you don't even realize, release hormones into your system. Once you're done "using" those hormones in the moment, they "sit" in your lymphatic system. This system is the only one in the body without it's own pumping system (Respiratory - lungs, Circulatory - heart, etc.) So what happens to all these used up emotes? They sit in your body...sometimes they cause pain...either way they are "toxic" and need your help to let them out.
THIS is why we bounce...we get warm, we bounce (creating an internal pump to release toxins from the lymphatic system), then we work...to sweat out all those toxins. Sometimes, sweat just isn't enough and our eyes leak too. Sometimes you feel that original emotion all over again...this is why we slow down, allow our selves to go deeper into our stretches, cool down the body with inversions and seal in the benefits of our practice through savasana.

Call it Invigorxhausting
Refreshiboosting
Awesome :)
(but I'm biased)

There's lots of other great stuff happening at the studio this year!
We continue to offer Crystal Singing Bowl meditations once a month and monthly guided meditations are back too! New this year is a monthly Candlelight Yoga class and exciting new Sunday workshops are on the  planning boards too!
Stop by and visit. Ananda has a wonderful and caring yoga and massage staff with several teachers and massage therapists; you're sure to find a place to fit right in/