November's Happy Hour Event

This is the current flier for the Detox to Retox yoga happy hour.  A little blurry since it was curated to be the size of a flier.  I am becoming more confident with editing and will continue to do so.  It is all a work in progress.

I do think this is a childhood trigger for me.  Never wanting to look stupid and that has stagnated me in some areas of growth.  However, I acknowledge it is time to get past through limiting beliefs.  I must.  No one else is going to push me to the next level of business success.  I have been incredibly fortunate with word of mouth.  I am grateful to my tribe and the ripple effect that has been building.  When I first started out, I shut down the happy hours in November because I thought that people would be too busy with holiday parties and shopping.  I refused to put it out there.  I allowed myself to listen to others instead of seeing what could happen.  There is potential to offer happy hours year-round.  January might be a little subdued or juice driven, lol.  I won't know until I get there.

If you are interested in attending, please contact me.  Either a message on this platform or I do have an email account associated with my yoga business.  tastelifeyoga@gmail.com  

Have a wonderful start of your week!  Consider joining a virtual class, in person session or the happy hour.

Saturday morning yoga aka book club

Indoor yoga session this morning which was awesome.  Woke up to snow which was unwelcome.  I was thankful that we had already prearranged to have an indoor space available.  My clients went all out.  Tater tot casserole with homemade tomatillo salsa to accompany the wonderful Sauvage rose.  

Thes session, itself, was fire (in my opinion).  We rearranged the furniture.  Then, arranged us like tetris to make the most of the space.  I offered adjustments throughout the session which I am getting comfortable with once again.  The pandemic prohibited touching your face.  So, the idea of touching someone else has been off limits since then.  I forgot how much I enjoy adjusting people.

The conversation that occurred afterwards is a testament to the community I am building.  People paired off and moved around to catch up with others.  There is a pumpkin party to attend later this afternoon.  I managed to find a wig for my costume tonight at Dominique's house.  She had several options to choose from.

I overheard discussions about sports, dogs, grief, food and poop (long story).  I am thankful for my decision to pursue this path of yoga.  Make it a great day!

Consistency and other food issues

Continuing with the ripple effect.  Opting to create the life I want instead of settling for what is known or familiar to me.  

Not always easy.  Nor does it make sense.  When you pave your own path, you are entering unchartered territory.  Or, I have always considered it that way.  There is not a handbook on how to navigate the unconventional path.  Yet, it is the way that I have always preferred.  

In hindsight, maybe, I wish I had spent more time cooking at home.   I believe my body is a temple and I have done well by it for the most part.  However, in all honesty, I have been lazy.  Relying on what is convenient instead of what is best for me when it comes to nutrition.  Working in restaurants that offer staff meals groom you to eat whatever is put in front of you since you are hungry.  Even if you don't like goulash.  Or hot dogs (a high-end restaurant that will remain unnamed on a weekly basis offered that as staff meal at least once a week.  I loathed that option.  It was disrespectful in my option.  Especially since they did not have hot dogs on the menu.  It felt like the management believed we would eat anything.)  The best restaurant meal was probably the first restaurant I worked in.  FIfi's was the premier fine dining restaurant in Lawrence, Kansas, when I attended college.  Wine spectator awards, the best calamari, and the special occasion restaurant that everyone wanted to go to.  They made us whatever we wanted.  With the exception, if there had been an off-site event, we would eat what was offered at the event.  I was spoiled.  I learned how to make a martini, open a wine bottle (properly) and had access to phenomenal food.

I intend to do better.  More cooking at home, earlier in the day, and possibly changing how I eat.  Focus on the vegetables first, then the proteins and fats, before finishing with starch.  I listened to a podcast earlier about glucose and the importance of getting that in order.  Avoiding diabetes, a hormone imbalance and extra weight gain.  

Believe me, I have struggled for about a year to contend with that.  Trying to figure out where this sugar belly is coming from and how to minimize it.  After listening to the podcast, I am considering changing up not only how I eat but making sure that I get movement following a meal.  A walk, squats, dancing.... anything that stimulates movement.  The podcast also suggested drinking apple cider vinegar in water prior to the meal.  Actually, I do not mind drinking apple cider vinegar in water.  It was not a shock to me or something I thought was out of bounds.  I am curious to see if these small changes make a difference. I believe they will.  

This evening I loaded up my stirfry with broccoli and bell peppers.  I attempted to pick out the vegetables, first.  Then proceed with the rice.   It will be interesting to see how I feel after making a few tweaks.

Enjoy your night!

Thankful Thursday

I am grateful for a solid night of sleep.  As noted yesterday, I have been struggling with insomnia to a certain extent.  Waking up, routinely, at 3:15ish to toss and turn.  When I manage to calm my mind, eventually, I wake up to the recurring thought.  Be it work stress, financial stress, work related dreams (the absolute worst which I still frequently have back decades to when I worked at Fifi's, the Bull or Palm.  The worst places were the high-volume ones where I would have dreams where the printer wouldn't stop printing tickets.  I'd wake up, convinced, that I was surrounded by 50 unmade drink tickets.  And that the servers were furious with me for having to wait for their drinks.)  To avoid some of that nonsense, last night I read for about fifteen minutes before I went to bed.  Truly, I believe that minute amount reading helped me relax and ease into sleep.  The lack of stimulation from technology really is something.

I woke up, naturally, around 4:45.  Purposefully, I woke up, listened to a guided meditation before beginning my routine.  I eat a clove or two to aid in my oral hygiene.  Oil pull for twelve minutes.  I listen to the Reid out, typically, while setting up my fruits and vegetables to juice.  Relaxing start to the day and keeps me accountable.  Today I read for forty-five minutes which was a new addition to my routine. A welcome addition to how I start my day.  The meditation component seems likely as well.  Inspires the tone of the day and leaning into the echo/ripple effect.  Creating the life, I want, instead of the uncertainty of where I am at now.  

A couple years ago, I bought an infrared sauna bag with the intention of using it daily.  Unfortunately, the sauna is subpar.  I should have invested more research and money into this product.  I wish the heat was more intense.  I tried to use it for three weeks or so.  Since then, it has been tucked away in my storage closet.  Yesterday as I was contemplating how to spend the next few days, I considered adding the dry sauna back into my morning routine.  While lying in the sauna I could either meditate or read.  Two items that I want to include in my morning.  Or doing sun salutations.  

During the pandemic I was more active.  Stronger, even.  Inspite of the amount of chatarangas I do on a daily basis. Looking back, I did lean into inconsistencies, underperforming and enjoying wine lunch with Tom.  He is the ultimate enabler.  

Stress, eating at random times, becoming lax with my no dairy policy all things that have occurred in the last six months.  Yes, my echo reflects precisely where and I am at this point today.  It's as if I cannot get out of my own way.  I have so many things to be thankful for--my health, my relationship with Tom, supportive friends and an amazing yoga base.  Why am I limiting what I want to achieve?

Meditation will be helpful and remembering how many wonderful things I have in my life.  Clean water, a reliable vehicle, family, opportunities to write letters to friends and walk on a daily basis.  I am thankful and fortunate.  

Thank you for letting me unload my endless monologue in my mind.  Celebrate, enjoy & taste life~

Yoga, happy hour and insomnia

Last night's happy hour was fantastic.  Initially, I believed that seven to nine people would attend the yoga happy hour.  As the day progressed, I received a few text messages informing me that a few people would be unable to attend.  Mandatory work events, contending with family issues or work prohibited them from attending.  I appreciated the heads up but was disappointed that I would have fewer people attend.  Still, it was great.  I had four people show up and the energy was amazing.  Solid flow, decent music mix and a fun happy hour to finish.

I prepped seven-layer Greek dip, a cream cheese mold with bacon, scallions and parmesan, cowboy caviar and a light watermelon salad to finish.  Isaac brought sparkling wine and I offered a spanish red wine, vino verde and tequila (of course).  The seven dip and cheese mold were the fan favorites.  Tom made his family recipe which I knew would be delicious but terrible for you.  And it was.  

As much as I enjoy teaching yoga (I do), I love the community networking about the same amount.  Last night the majority of us are around the same age and share similar viewpoints about life, experience, the current state of affairs.  There was one student who is younger than the rest of us by a considerable amount.  I have watched him evolve and mellow through the last few years.  He offers insight and listens as opposed to talking over people if that makes sense.  I truly believe he enjoys attending the sessions and spending time with all of my clients.  One of my other clients is witty, dry and full of entertaining stories.  He never ceases to amaze me.

I watched game seven of the national league series.  Happy with the results as I have always been a Diamondback fan from my first stint in Phoenix from 99-01.  It is exciting to see new teams in the final series.  

Returning home, I cleared out my car and enjoyed another glass of wine.  Fell asleep on my couch and woke up around 3, unable to sleep.  I knocked over my water glass at 5:30 when the alarm went off.  Forgot to change days for the alarm which was not a welcome way to wake up.  I had finally fallen back to sleep.  Too lazy to deal with the water on my floor, I wiped off my phone, moved my laptop and prayed that my phone was not damaged.  I did not relish the idea of returning to T-mobile to have a third phone this year.  

Insomnia has been a recurring problem for me as of late.  My mind refuses to switch off.  I think of work, travel, friends from high school.  This morning, I had a phone dream around 6:30 as a result of the spilling water on my table...ugh.  I think I finally woke up at 7:45 which is late in my world.  Jacked up my day.  Then a few clients had to reschedule which threw me into a self-induced funk.  

That and catching up on the speaker vote was a trifle depressing.  I forced myself to listen to another podcast which was more uplifting and helpful.  I needed it.  I needed the reminder of why I chose to be on this path and provided some food for thought.   The man spoke of echos and how we create where we are, today, from our habits from 60 to 90 days ago.  Reflecting on that, it does make sense.  Some of my habits went to the wayside.  I was lenient with my consistency of following up with clients.  I knew I wanted a change but not how to do it.  It is time to think about where I want to be in six months.  Not worry about how to make it happen, but where I want to be.

Tonight, I will be in bed early.  Fully hydrated and relaxed.  I have written a list of tasks for tomorrow and know it is going to be a great day.  

Yoga at the Park

Last two chances to join yoga in the park.  It's grounding, earthy and fun.  Last weekend, a buffalo was an interloper.  Earlier in the summer, a hawk joined.  

Always great people watching, dogs, and an energetic flow.  I love this class!  I never know who will join or how we will flow.  All I know is that it is fantastic.  

Think about joining.  There is parking along 17th, Detroit, Fillmore, St. Paul, Steele.  We meet near the stoplight at 17th and Fillmore to enter the park.  Typically, we post up where there is a sun/shade option.  Last Saturday started off super chilly.  My clients showed up with leg warmers, socks, hats.  Midway through the class, everyone had stripped down to bask in the sunlight.  No hats.  No socks or leg warmers.

Think about joining.  I have a few yoga mats if needed.  It is amazing to practice outside.  I don't know how else to explain it.  Absorbing the earth energy, sunlight and vibe.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

Happy Hump Day and some improvements

Ankle is improving and I see many walks in my future.  I am incredibly thankful for my health.  When I was younger, the bounce back factor happened much quicker than now.  Now, I must take steps to baby whatever ailment I am dealing with.  For example, I spent three days elevating my leg, sleeping on my couch, soaking my feet in Epsom salts, wrapping my ankle in apple cider vinegar, icing, taking pain medication and resting.  I couldn't push it like I did in 2018.  I didn't really have a choice.  I had been hired at a high-volume restaurant and had thirteen days of training to complete.  

In hindsight, I should have gone to a physical therapist sooner than I did.  Stubbornly, I thought I would be able to right the injury.  I had not dealt with a high ankle sprain until that point and had no idea how difficult it would be to fix.  In my mind, I thought if I went to a doctor, the doctor would tell me to rest, ice, compress and take alleve--all of things that I was doing already.  It seemed foolish to pay someone to tell me to do things I was already doing.

However, looking back, had I gone to a physical therapist instead of a doctor, I probably could have avoided the lengthy recovery, all of the acupuncture I paid for (hoping to get some relief) and what is happening now.  Each time I tweak it, I sweat through the knowledge that I will be told I need to rebreak it to fix it.  I think that is my fear or the worst-case scenario.  It is there in my mind.  I avoided wearing a boot but probably should have.

I must be careful with my right ankle.  Each time I tweak it, it makes it worse, and my recovery takes longer.  The therapist the other day asked me how my achilles tendon was and I was so grateful to respond that it felt fine.  That would have been a tragedy.

I have been able to continue to teach yoga, daily.  I make a few modifications and focus on the client.  Balance will become an issue for me.  I know that I must make that a priority to strengthen and stabilize my ankle.  Perhaps a chiropractic adjustment is in my future.  It is all connected.  If I am overcompensating to address my weak ankle, everything else will be affected.  Plus, I could use a neck adjustment.  I do love having my neck cracked.

Midway through the week.  How is it going for you?  My week is pretty awesome.  More yoga.  More vision and productivity.  Plus, Chef Tom is visiting, which always improves my mood.  Here is to a successful remainder of the week!