YogaGlamGirl's Weblog

Yogaglamgirl Rejuevenates with Thai Massage

I had a fabulous Thai Massage this weekend. The practitioner, Vika Teicher, gently pulled and pushed my muscles~slowly and carefully allowing the muscles of my legs and back to soften and release. One of the things I really appreciated about the work, was the fact that Vika used her whole body (hands, arms, feet, legs and core) to work on me. In Zentherapy we use hands, fingers, knuckles, arms and elbows...but not feet. Her whole body was engaged and involved to create a harmonious flow.
I left feeling open and calm...and surprised at how much water was needed to flush out my body after the work. I must have drank a gallon of water that evening and the next day.
I highly recommend seeing Vika if you're near Oakland, CA...or seeking out a good practitioner near you.

Yogaglamgirl finds Juicy Gems and Artists

Thanks to good ol' Glam.com I just discovered Jewelry and Beading which I will have to pay regular visits to along with Pulp Sushi and her cool Etsy Store with paper goods, magnets, and photos (served Raw!).

Yogaglamgirl on Earth Energy

A wise woman who knows about energy told me that I am not pulling enough energy from the earth up into my body. This energy has the capacity to nourish and fuel me and help me give energy to others in a healing way.
Without this energy, I can become stagnant and stuck...and this does happen to me from time to time.
This morning I decided to try to work on this energetic flow from the earth up through my feet and up through the base of my spine (near the perineum). It felt like nothing was happening, especially through my feet, so I tapped them for a while with my hands and massaged them gently to wake them up. After this, I tried to tune in again and was able to feel the energy movement upwards…WOW. What a difference it makes to be connected to earth’s energy.
I have not had much experience or learning yet about mulha bandha in yoga. I imagine it to be extremely similar and am excited to play with these new tools.

A fun coincidence…today’s Daily Om talks about the nourishing earth energy in foods: Here’s the Article: Eating Close to the Earth

Yogaglamgirl Wants to Learn Tools for Creativity

I'm going to a community college tonight in hopes of getting in to a multimedia design class.
I'm dying to learn how to use photoshop. I think it will help me a ton with my day job...doing little touch ups to proposals without having to bug someone from the design team...and perhaps for that day...some day...SOON...when I re-do my website and start selling jewelry online.

I'm just a little worried b/c my eyeballs feel hot and my head is spacey..which leads me to believe that my body is currently fighting something. Really hope its not that aweful flu going around.
If you're reading this I hope you're being extra loving and kind to yourself so you don't have to get sick.
I'm off to heat up some chicken noodle soup right now.

Yogaglamgirl's Tribute to Women's Circles & Authenticity, Friendship and Love

Today I want to talk about a special group of women.

About a year and 1/2 ago I was in a lonely place...I was living in a new town, feeling isolated, and down. My critic was so loud in my head that I rarely felt whole and definitely did not love myself. Even if I was constantly active, doing or acheiving it didn't help. I could feel familiar clouds of doubt, fear, grief hovering...I had a strong desire to connect with women and create bonds out of spirit, creativity and love. I knew that being around other women would help me get through this scary time.

So I put a post up on craigslist inviting other women to join me in a supportive, spiritual and creative environment. We would come together as a circle once or twice a month to light a candle, share our life experiences, create together, share dreams, be mirrors for one another, encourage each other, and in many ways just be there.

As the months passed, we all have come together. It hasn't always been easy. But it has been real. I have grown and learned that it is possible to love myself. It is possible to have compassion and a renewed excitement about life. I have made it through really big challenges at work and in my relationships. I have discovered that I have wings.

Last night, I bade farewell to the group of women who have helped me grow stronger. They understood that I needed more time to spread my wings..to finally build my Zentherapy practice, to explore a future jewelry business, fuel my time in technology...and still have room to nurture my spirit on my own.

Each woman in the circle blessed me in their own way and gave me permission to follow my heart.
I cried because not only do I love myself, but they love me too...enough to let me go.

To Anne, Barbara, Leena, Lia and Nyla. I cherish your authentic selves. I wish you lives full of love, spirit and happiness.
Thank you for being part of mine.

Yogaglamgirl finds a fun Astrology Site

Astrology-Online provides a pretty comprehensive description of your individual sign. It will even tell you what physical ailments you are more likely to have based on your sign.

It reminded me that as an Aries, I like to lead and be a starter...but that doesn't make me the best follower or finisher. (oh well) Since the body part that is most important for an Aries is the head, we are more likely to have headaches, migraines, etc..(hmmm, this has definitely been the case for me)

What does it tell you?

Yogaglamgirl on Yoga Book Recommendation

Jai Sivananda claims that the best yoga book in the world is Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha
I haven't read it myself, but I intend to buy it right away. The reason is...as both a yoga student and teacher I have spent hours flipping through BKS Iyengar's book studying the poses and (as Jai Sivananda says):

...it is rather difficult to follow the asana list because you must follow plate numbers of the photos and search amongst the pages to locate the particular pose. [In this book] it is neatly tabled.

In addition it has a detailed list of contraindications (poses you shouldn't do if you have certain ailments), preparatory poses for beginners, instructions for pranayama, clear illustrations and more.
I'll send you an update once I've read it...

Yogaglamgirl Becomes a Witness Rather than a Raging Lunatic

Ever have a weekend where you are more worn out afterward then before it started?
I had visitors in town and the weekend just was not my own.
On top of it...watching some of my old emotional obstacles surfacing.
Noticing how easy it is to slip from place of confidence, security, and relative calm into an abyss of chaos. Spending time trying to observe. Watching my reactions...

A zen priest once explained to me the most important moment is the instant after a thought or emotion arises right before any reaction that needs careful attention. He said I needed to become an observer in that moment and practice taking my time, making careful choices rather than just reacting to life's happenings.

I am fiery by nature. I react quickly and with anger...sometimes rage.
The calm driver who returned from Bali seems to have disappeared this morning.
I am learning to become a witness. It is not an easy task.
I feel disappointed in myself. I am still learning to accept myself when practice is difficult and old habits seem so difficult to break.

I am open to thoughts you might have on becoming a better witness...
Namaste.

Yogaglamgirl on Feldenkrais Movement Therapy and More

Chris Elms gives a description of The Feldenkrais Method in a recent post from WakeUp Feldenkrais®
There's lots of other yummy stuff on Life on Earth : : : Slow Sonoma and Tai Chi Yoga Health Weight Loss

Yogaglamgirl Preps for a Cleanse

Several weeks ago I mentioned that I was getting some blood tests done in attempt to measure my current health and discover any ailments that might be causing my recurring headaches. All the tests came back fine and the headaches are a little less frequent. I'm assuming that a combination of accupuncture and a glorious vacation in Bali has something to do with the improvements.

That said, it is a new year, and I'm ready to clean out the closets and start fresh. Physically, that means doing a cleanse and ridding my intestinal track of (for lack of a better word) crap. I started reading Cleanse and Purify Thyself and have ordered all the supplements I will need in this little venture. The more I read the more motivated I am getting....but I will miss little warm bowls of chicken noodle soup (like the one I just finished) as I am loading up on raw veggies and juices.

More to come on that later...