Visual Gratitude #26: Art

In college I studied dance. While potentially making a HUGE sweeping generalization, I would say a large percentage of American parents simply shudder at the idea of their child studying dance in college. My parents definitely hated the idea. They'd constantly prod me with, "What will you ever do with a degree in dance?"

Of course I don't dance now and most likely won't be deeply involved with dance ever again, but I am grateful for the time I spent studying dance and the opportunities that came my way because of dance. I am also grateful for the amazing information that was offered to me through my studies in dance about the world around me. Not only is (most) dance, and other forms of (most) art, beautiful and visually or audibly interesting, but art is a wonderful tool to help people express their emotions and communicate with the world around them.
In high school I was introduced to modern dance. I always loved dancing as a child but up until high school I hadn't received any "technical" training. Of course I was your typical angsty teenager who thought she had a whole lot of expressing to do at the ripe old age of 16. And although I really did not have a whole lot to be upset about considering I was a very privileged white girl from suburbia, dance gave me an outlet to express myself in a way that I had never been able to. After high school I was lucky enough to continue working with dance students in the same studio in which I learned about Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. It is absolutely incredible how dance, drawing, music, theater, photography, and other various forms of art help kids, as well as people of all ages, through challenging times. It's not always greatly utilized, funded, or appreciated in
American culture, but I think everyone could use a little more art in their lives.

Visual Gratitude #25: Fresh Food

Last Spring I was in NYC for the Yoga Journal Conference. I'm lucky enough to have a good friend who lives there so I was about to stay with her and not spend a ridiculous amount of money on a hotel. It was my first time visiting her since she had moved to NYC. She was always destined to live there. She grew up in a small town in North Dakota and went to college in Minneapolis prior to her big move and, although she didn't express any amount of surprise, she would share with me the outrageous price of things like cereal, toilet paper, and bread in NYC. I of course left with a larger sense of pride and content with living in the Midwest. 

During my visit she wanted to take me to her favorite Thai restaurant. I love Thai food and love the Thai restaurant that's less than a block from my doorstep. My local Thai restaurant serves local ingredients from local farmers whenever possible. My friend was so excited to share her NYC Thai stop with me and continued to use the word "fresh" the describe the menu's offerings. 

I'm definitely a creature of habit and decided to order the exact same thing at the NYC restaurant as I do at my local favorite. With just one bite I felt let down. "Fresh" is not at all how I would have described my meal. By no means was it bad, but it definitely could not compare to the freshness of the Thai food I eat on a regular basis in Minneapolis. 

I had to share my experience with my boyfriend. He responded with, "What you had was probably some of the freshest food the city had to offer. Remember, it's New York City. Nothing is fresh in New York City." He was right. In the concrete jungle you won't easily come across kale that was picked from a local garden or eggs that were gathered up this morning from a family farm. That is unless you're willing to pay a pretty penny for those fresh commodities. 

Don't get me wrong. I love New York! However, living there is something I will never do. My short trip last Spring just solidified by deep love and admiration for the city in which I live. I am extremely grateful for the ability to eat fresh food that was grown within a few hours from my home. Of course the large super markets don't always have locally grown options, but I can easily make a trip to the co-op or farmer's market and find seasonal foods all while supporting local farmers. 

My most recent purchase was an obscenely large beet. Funny enough, this beet was the smallest beet the co-op had to offer! 

Visual Gratitude #24: More Cat Humor

I look at this magnet everyday and just can't help but chuckle. So precious.

Visual Gratitude #23: Honesty

Often times people say how they've started to lose faith in humanity. I know I've said it before. When you see something awful or you get treated poorly by a person, it's easy to dig into humanity and say it's all going to hell. Especially when you realize that truths you've been told and have believed have only been lies. But then there's a gleaming ray of light that makes you realize that there truly are good people out there!

While house hunting I have realized that there's not so much honesty going around in the real estate business. Realtors are always trying to make the not-so-great qualities of a house into a huge benefit to purchasing the home. "Large master suite on top level!" is actually an attic space with ceilings no higher than five and a half feet. Of course when I came across this gem of a sign, my faith in real estate had been reinstated. "Mold everywhere". Who would purposely advertise that?! I'll tell you who. An honest person. Now this person probably just wants to gain the interest of some investor who wants to rip out sheet rock and make some money on the rehab. But at least anyone who inquires about this home will already know the truth that this house indeed has mold everywhere.

The moral of this story is simple: Be honest. Don't just be honest with those around you, but be honest with yourself. Think of lies as mold. In the end, do you really want to have mold everywhere?

Visual Gratitude #22: MN State Parks

Not only are the fine people of MN pretty rad, but the landscape of MN isn't too shabby either. Minnesota has 68 state parks and all of them are beautiful and unique.

I'm eternally grateful that there's a state park anywhere from a 45 minute to 7 hour drive from my front door. Fresh air, hiking trails, bird watching, star gazing, and laying in the grass. State parks are just so awesome!

Visual Gratitude #21: The Fine People of MN

My love for Minnesota runs so deep that back in 2008 I was compelled to have the state tattooed on my body. I truly love being a Minnesotan.

Today, Thursday, May 9, 2013, I'm especially proud to say that I'm a Minnesotan. The MN House of Representatives voted 75-59 in favor of legalizing gay marriages in the state. I am so grateful for the people who spoke their truth and supported people who simply love each other.

Of course I didn't take this picture (thanks go to Minnesota Public Radio), but I am grateful for even those who oppose the legalization of gay marriage. I'm grateful that I live in a democratic society where both sides can put together signs, wear matching t-shirts, and sing out their message.

Visual Gratitude #20: Travel

I haven't had the opportunity to travel much, but when I do, I love it. I feel so blessed to be able to experience different places, people, food, culture, music, etc. simply by jumping on a plane and going where it takes me.

I've been to Mexico a couple times. I spent a week and a half with a family in Cuernavaca, Mexico when I was in middle school. I appreciated it then, but I now wish I had fully taken advantage of the experience when I had the chance. While in college my boyfriend and I spent pretty much every penny we had to spend New Years Eve in Paris. It was lovely. Last year I had the privilege to explore Vieques, Puerto Rico. And although I thought I would never make it, I was in a wedding in Antigua, Guatemala last fall.

At only 26 I feel like I've been able to explore quite a bit, but I hope the future holds more exploration in various countries for me.

Photo taken in Antigua, Guatemala in October of 2012. 

Let's be real here...

So those of you who follow my blog (I know you're out there and I'd encourage you to officially follow my blog and not check on it every once in a while *wink wink*), have probably come to realize that my 30 Days of Visual Gratitude has kind of fallen behind. I'm still committed to posting 30 different pictures of things I'm grateful for, however, April was a challenging month. Below I will rant about my excuses...

1. House Hunting-I have been going through the dreadful process of house hunting. Anyone that is looking for a home to purchase right now can feel my pain. Friends, we are no longer in a buyers' market and inventory is way low. Good houses are selling in a matter of days. It's been a stressful time, but I know we'll find the right home soon!

2. Craptastic Phone-When given the opportunity to pay a little extra to update your phone, always say yes! I, of course, decided to go the cheap route and get the free phone when I was able to upgrade last year. Bad choice. My phone has been my primary resource when it comes to taking pictures, however, it has a memory capacity of about zero and now refuses to save any pictures I take.

3. An E-Reader Has Taken Over My Life-Long story short, I've had an unopened Nook sitting in my bedroom for the last year. A few weeks ago I finally figured I'd give it a whirl. Lo and behold I love that thing! Every spare moment I have has been spent reading various books on my e-reader. Seriously. It's taken over my life. I don't think I've actually seen my boyfriend's face in two weeks because I'm always staring at computerized book. It's time I set it aside and catch up on my writing... and spend time with actual human beings.

Visual Gratitude: #19 Camping

Up until the last year or so, I was not much of an outdoors kind of lady. Sure I liked going for walks and sitting outside on the beach, but that was about it. Last summer my boyfriend encouraged me to open my mind to the possibility of camping. I hadn't been camping since I was a child and only had horrid memories of the experiences. So many poles to put the stupid tent together. Chances were someone was going to step on one of the poles and ultimately ruin the tent. Oh, and at night, the tent was guaranteed to leak. Camping just wasn't for me.

After some discussion with the boyfriend, he convinced me that camping gear had come a long way. Within a few weeks we were onto our first overnight camping soiree. He was right. Times and technology had changed. My mouth was permanently agape with surprise as the tent took probably a total of three minutes to put together. And within a good fifteen minutes our entire campsite was assembled. My next thought was, "Now what?". Seriously. I recall showing up at our campsite as a child and from the time we got there until it was time to go to sleep we were busy putting stuff together and organizing our site. Maybe it just took so long because my parents had three unruly kids to take care of too...

Anyway, after a few overnights last summer, I was hooked on camping. I enjoy the simplicity of being outside and having everything you need in one place. My boyfriend and I typically do a bit of hiking on our camping trips too, so I of course like the physicality of it all. I also now have a hefty dividend at REI to prove my new love for camping.

Visual Gratitude: #18 Live Music

It took me quiet some time to get into concerts. I wanted my own seat, ideally with a cup holder, where I could sip my beer in peace. I wanted as much distance as I could get between myself and all the other sweaty concert goers. However, as I've gotten older and wiser, I have come to realize that the sweaty people, the not being able to see the stage due to my lack of height, my shoes smelling like beer, and the occasional bruised toes were all a part of the experience. It's an incredible experience to be surrounded by hundreds of other people who simply love the performer like you.

Granted, this picture was taken from a show where I had a seat and could easily sip my beer without someone punching it out of my hands. 

Visual Gratitude: #17 Open Minds and Kind Hearts

Of course I'm a bleeding heart liberal. I want everyone to be loved and feel love. I support gay marriage. I support people who want to love another person. I also support people who are willing to open their minds and hearts to the unknown or something that makes them feel uncomfortable.

 

I was incredibly proud to be a Minnesotan in November when the majority of voting Minnesotans voted no on the marriage amendment. The citizens spoke out and declared that it's time for everyone to have the right to marry the person the love. Of course gay marriage still isn't legal in MN, but we're on our way.

 

This is a picture of a great piece of seed art that was featured at the 2012 MN State Fair. 

Visual Gratitude: #16 Outdoor Baseball Games

I'm not one who enjoys sports much. I didn't play sports as a child, but I did grow up with a mother who screamed at the our television when the Vikings played. I would go to Twins games as a kid at the Metrodome. I enjoyed them, but I usually bought a ticket for something cheap to do with my friends. Seriously, you couldn't beat $5 tickets along with $1 hot dogs when you were in high school.

Now the Twins have an amazing outdoor park and the game has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I don't regularly follow the Twins. I can probably name at most 5 current players. But there's something about sitting outside in the sun enjoying a baseball game. A cold beer in my hand, sunglasses on, and an almost meditative gaze at the field. It's how baseball should be done.

Visual Gratitude: #15 My Nephews and Niece

Most people who know me well know that I am not a fan of children. Seriously. I have a good heart, but I have a hard time dealing with kids. However, from the deepest part of my soul I love my nephews and niece.

Alex is 14, soon to be 15, and was more like a little brother to me while growing up as he lived with me for most of my childhood. Of course now he's going through his teenage years and it's rare to get even a "Hi" out of him.

Gideon is 6 and probably the coolest damn kid I've ever met. He's just awesome. He's full of life and energy. I love that about him.

Bella is 3 going on 18. She's sassy, spoiled, and a smarty pants. Of course she's a princess and probably always will be.

Both of my sisters are currently pregnant so more are soon to be added to the clan. I have a nephew that will make his appearance within the next few weeks and what I'm assuming will be a niece in November. I'm excited to add these new beings to the family, but happy I can hand them back over to their parents when I'm done with them...

Below is Gideon with the his Christmas gift from the best aunt ever.

Visual Gratitude: #14 Driving With the Windows Down

Spring is finally here in MN! Kind of... And there's nothing I love more than driving with the windows down.

Visual Gratitude: #13 My Cats

One eats my clothes and the other wakes me up every few hours throughout the night to be fed. Yes. They're jerks, but I still love them.

Owen, the furry one, has been with me since I got my first apartment back in 2005. I was lonely and needed a companion and, although it took him some time to warm up to me, he's been a loyal companion these last 7 years or so. He has an appetite for my clothing and he demands to sleep under the covers most nights. He's more like a dog than a cat and I love every inch of him. Even when he eats my favorite shirt....

Bodhi, the fat one, came to me in 2008. I adopted him from a shelter and loved him because of his messed up ear. He's fairly independent and doesn't care much to be held, however, he'll let you know when he's hungry. His meow is absolutely dreadful. He wakes my boyfriend and me up at all hours of the night to be fed. We typically spend an hour or two pushing him off the bed to leave us alone and he lands with a huge thud. Quickly he's back on the bed and meowing in our faces. He's a good cat, but he interferes with my beauty sleep.

Visual Gratitude: #12 Eastside Co-op

I'm so grateful that I have an amazing co-op right by my house. The Eastside Co-op in Northeast Minneapolis makes it easy for me to eat well and take care of myself. Just walking into the place makes me want to eat better! Right as you walk in you're surrounded by fresh produce. Some produce I have never even heard of! And that's what excites me the most. I can walk to a store that encourages me to try out new foods.

Also, I love the smell. You know that smell. The slight patchouli, I'm too cool for Cub Foods/Rainbow Foods, and I'm buying a 10 pound bag of carrots and joining to juice all of these bitches smell. I just love it!

Visual Gratitude: #11 Cat Birthday Cards

'Nuff said.

Visual Gratitude: #10 A Good Sense of Humor

Oh the dentist. I'll admit, I loath the dentist. I'm sure this is a very common statement to be made, but my dislike for the dentist kept me away for quiet some time. I'm embarrassed to say how long. We'll just say it's been a long time since I last visited the dentist.

A couple weeks ago, after many months of shaming by my parents and boyfriend, I finally went in for a cleaning. During my visit I found out that I had my first cavity ever. The dentist actually applauded me for having my first cavity at the ripe age of 26. Fast forward a week and I was back in the chair getting my first cavity filled. Without going into too much detail there was a freak incident where a blood vessel in my face was punctured while the dentist was giving me Novocaine. I was then left with a very swollen face and the inability to move the left side of my mouth. To say the least, I was very upset. I looked awful! My left cheek was so puffy that I could barely open my left eye while driving home from the dentist.

I got home and just cried to my boyfriend. I cried mainly out of frustration. Of course their really was nothing I could do to change the situation, so I wiped away the tears and just had to smile. And every time I smiled I had to look at myself in the mirror and laugh. I looked ridiculous, but it was hilarious. In the end, I just had to keep laughing my ridiculous face.

The evidence is below, and it really isn't pretty.

Visual Gratitude: #9 Stretch Denim

This one has a story that goes along with it: About 4 years ago I took a yoga class from an instructor I had never taken class from. She was quite a powerful teacher. She was tall, skinny, and intimidated the shit out of me. I recall her encouraging her students to identify one thing that they're thankful for everyday. She then shared that on that particular day she was thankful for stretch denim. My first reactions: "Wait... What? Here I am thinking I'm grateful for my family, my friends, my health, etc. and this chick is thankful for stretch denim?! Aren't we in a yoga class? Shouldn't the material possessions be put aside?"

Fast forward a couple of years and this powerhouse of a teacher and I are teaching at the same studio. She is definitely fierce, but one hell of a person. Genuine through and through and doesn't pretend to be something she isn't. Yes her gratitude towards stretch denim took me by surprise on that one day, but let's be real, stretch denim is pretty amazing.

Our paths have taken us in different directions, but I hope that teacher realizes the impact she made on me, and I'm sure on her students and other fellow teachers. Yes we're yoga instructors, but we're also real people. No need to embrace the "Om Namah Shivaya" 24/7. The stretch denim moment was something that would take me years to understand, but now I fully embrace it. And as someone who lives in Spandex, on the rare occasion that I wear jeans, you better believe those jeans are at least 50% Spandex.

Visual Gratitude: #8 Local Fare

I live in an amazing neighborhood in Northeast Minneapolis. Once the home of many Polish immigrants, Northeast (commonly referred to as "Nordeast") is now home to a wide variety of people from all over the world. Just steps from my home many families now have shops and restaurants that are inspired by their home land. Our favorite Thai restaurant serves the freashest curry dishes. Two of the best taco shops are just blocks apart from one another and within walking distance of our home. Holy Land provides our community with the best Middle Eastern foods with fresh breads, olives, and hummus.

All of these places add to why I love living in Minneapolis. I am so grateful that I have so many authentic places to dine at within steps of where I live. I will most likely be moving this summer and the thought of moving away from such places breaks my heart a bit.

Visual Gratitude: #7 Positive Perspective

The winter of 2012-2013 will forever go down in Minnesota history as the winter that never ended! Seriously. We got our first snow fall some time in November and here we are in the middle of April with a forecast of more snow. We just can't catch a break!

However, this weather has taught me one good lesson, there's no benefit in being negative. Complaining about the weather will not change the weather. Cursing at my fellow drivers during a blizzard while they speed by going 70+ miles per hour will not make the driving conditions any safer. And wishing I was in a tropical locale while I'm wearing my down parka in April will not make me happier. In fact, it will do the complete opposite.

I do not applaud Lady Nature for her horrific joke, I do, however, appreciate the fact that I'm forced to have a positive outlook this Spring (if you can even call it that...). 

Visual Gratitude: #6 Peace and Quiet

I am typically surrounded by people all day at work. I am so grateful for the many different faces I see throughout the day, but I also savor the quiet times. In the last few years I've taught at least 12 yoga classes a week, usually more, and as time has passed I have come to the realization that I require lots of down time. It just comes back to the whole "take care of yourself before you take care of others" philosophy. If I don't have my quiet time, there's no way I'll be able to care for my students.

The epitome of quiet time is my Su Doku book. Most nights, before I go to bed, I pull out my fine-tipped, black Sharpie pen and start to fill in those blank boxes with numbers. I've gotten to the point where I can get through most puzzles within a matter of minutes, but there's also a sweet satisfaction in taking my time and double checking my work to guarantee my success.

Visual Gratitude: #5 The Starbucks Indulgence

I've been doing my best to save my cash these days, but occasionally I have to partake in a small indulgence. I truly enjoy a small treat from Starbucks.

Of course it depends on the time of year. Right now it's unseasonably chilly for April in MN, so my drink of choice is a grande vanilla soy chai. I find myself craving the sweet and slightly spiced drink at times. On a cold day it instantly warms me up.

When the sun starts to shine, and the heat and humidity begin to rise, I can't wait to switch to my venti unsweetened passion iced tea lemonade.

Starbucks lingo. Get it.

Visual Gratitude: #4 My Feet

As a dancer my feet were like my medals of honor. Sure they were gross, but all the scars, cuts, and scrapes on my feet were something to be proud of.

Of course now I'm not dancing, however, my feet are still something to be proud of. Although tiny, my feet have taken me all over the place. Throughout the last 26 years my feet have taken me all over the place. I took my first steps at my home in Apple Valley, MN. Later in life I would spend a week each summer walking along the beach of Leech Lake. When I turned 16 I wore awful shoes during my first visit to NYC and spent every night of my vacation mending my wounds. In the last ten years I've been lucky enough to have my feet traipse me around Paris, Chicago, Reno, Puerto Rico, various states along the east coast, and Guatemala. I feel so privileged to have experienced all the lovely places I've been able to visit throughout the last few years.

And now, every day I stand with bare feet guiding students through their yoga practice. I couldn't be more proud of the feet I stand on.

Visual Gratitude: #3 Cheese

Now maybe it's my close proximity to the cheese state (Wisconsin), but I can't ever seem to get enough cheese in my life. Cheddar, gouda, brie, swiss, bleu, any cheese! I just love it so much. So today, my friends, I am grateful for cheese.

Those who know me well, know that for about a month 50% of my diet consisted of just brie. Seriously.

Visual Gratitude: #2 My Parents

I know it seems pretty obvious that I'd be grateful for my parents. They did bring me into this world after all. But I am truly grateful that I'm related to these people.

It's your typical child to adult story. Growing up I hated my parents. They just didn't "get me". We were constantly arguing and I couldn't wait to grow up and get away from them. Fast forward about a decade and now I see my parents in a completely different light. My parents are actually pretty cool. We still don't see eye to eye on a lot of things and they still don't always "get me", but my parents are rad! I'm 26 and honestly enjoy hanging out with my parents.

Once I took a picture of my hands and my sister right away pointed out how much my hands look exactly like my mom's hands. I'm proud of my hands. I'm proud that my hands look like my mom's. I hope that in 28 years I'm half the person she is. I also hope that in a couple decades I have a partnership like my parents' marriage. In September my parents will have been married for 35 years. As the years pass I'm constantly amazed by what a strong relationship they have with each other.

So just remember, no matter how challenging your parents may have made your life as a child or teenager, there's a good chance things will turn around with time.

Visual Gratitude: #1 Early Morning Yoga

For my first day of my 30 days of Visual Gratitude, I decided to take a picture of something that I love and kind of hate at the same time. I teach 6am yoga classes every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The alarm clock goes off at 4:30am on those days, and as I hit the dismiss button on my phone I always ask myself, "Why am I up so early?" However, once I get to the studio and see my amazing students' faces I'm reminded why I do this.

Early morning yogis are the best! They roll out of bed, walk through the studio doors half asleep, and go through their Sun Salutations with sleep still in their eyes. That is inspiration! I am forever grateful for these dedicated yogis.

30 Days of Visual Gratitude

In light of my most recent post on why Instagram is better than Facebook, I became inspired to take more photos. More specifically, I'd like to take more photos of the things around me that bring so much happiness to my life.

It's easy to lose sight of the good things in our lives. I figured this month long "visual project" would help me to stay focused on all things great and beautiful.

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." -Anne Frank

Why Instagram is Better than Facebook

Social media is everywhere. You just can't escape it. Criticize it all you want, but social media is morphing the way our society communicates and conducts business. I actually love social media (obviously). Although it often times becomes a substitute for actual human interactions, I think social media is an amazing way for people to express themselves in a low pressure environment. Of course that's only when it's used in a positive manner. I won't even touch the subject of negative use of social media. 

My first interaction with social media goes back to the MySpace days. However, I'm just going to skip over that because I like to pretend that those days never existed... So... My history with social media goes back to my freshman year of college. At the time I was enrolled at a local, private college. I was working at an on-campus restaurant and my colleagues were all excited about The Facebook. They were discussing the rumor that The Facebook might start to include our school. I had no idea what The Facebook was, but my colleagues had informed me that only large universities, like the University of Minnesota, were included in The Facebook. Of course as time progressed The Facebook started to include smaller colleges, businesses, and then it just became open to all. Oh, and I can't leave out that "The" was eventually dropped and it's now just Facebook. (If you aren't familiar with the whole history of the social media empire just watch "The Social Network".) 

Facebook opened me up to a new way of socializing. I could "friend" people I barely knew. I could then read their posts for the day, look at the pictures they uploaded to their page, see what restaurants they frequented. I could even "poke" them and throw a virtual sheep at them! Facebook started from fairly humble beginnings with small colleges just waiting anxiously for their school to be added to the list, to what it is now. Facebook is now an enormous corporation with over 1 billion users worldwide. It has become a regular part of most people's lives. We wake up, brush our teeth, and check Facebook. Everyday.

I find Facebook to be utterly fascinating. I, of course, am an avid user and love to tag myself with certain people or at certain locations just so that all my "friends" know how cool I am. However, I have become so overwhelmed by the use of Facebook as a way for people to air their dirty laundry or start conflict. Most personal matters are meant to be kept private. Most personal matters should not be posted all over your Facebook wall.

Last summer I was introduced to another form of social media, Instagram. I noticed on Facebook that all of my friends were posting pictures via Instragram. When I finally got a smart phone I had to figure out what this whole Instagram thing was. I was obsessed! I was taking pictures of anything and everything and tried out every single filter so that I had the hippest pictures around. Of course after my pictures were posted on Instagram I then had to post them on Facebook so that even more people could be privy to my level of awesomeness.

Of course the novelty of Instagram slowly started to fade. My phone's memory became overwhelmed and I actually had to delete my Instragram app. I took a few months off of Instragram and recently decided to make space on my phone for Instagram again. As I started flipping through the photos of the people I follow, I realized that Instagram is just so much better than Facebook. I could spend all day going through people's photos. Sure some of them are dumb pictures of people hanging out at a bar or self indulgent "selfies". But I look at most Instagram photos as a way to see from someone else's perspective. Ultimately I am seeing the beauty of the world through the lens of others. With Facebook I'm bombarded with words about all sorts of topics. With Instagram I'm bombarded by images that my "friends" took the time to capture and manipulate. I could much rather have the latter.

I would rather see the beauty in this world than read negative words. In a post from a while back I introduced the world to Bodhi the Lionfish Slayer. Of course his name isn't really Bodhi, but he started this awesome page on Facebook called 15 Steps Project. The idea is simple: Take no more than 15 steps from your front door, take a photo, and then post that photo on the page. The inspiration for the page is for people to see the beauty in the most mundane images we might see every single day. The page is filled with photos from all over the world and, to me, does exactly what I see from Instagram. Take a picture of something beautiful. No need to ruin it with words.

Life Lesson from Yoga #4: It's Just Stuff

I love my cats. I'm not necessarily a crazy cat lady, but I do really love my cats. Owen, the fluffy one, has been by my side since November of 2005. Bodhi, the chubby one, has been with me since July of 2007. They are great companions and always keep life interesting. 

As most pet owners know, we love our pets when they're well behaved and feel frustration towards them when they're not so well behaved. Owen, the fluffy one, is often also known as the mischievous one. He really should be featured in the Cats Can Be Jerks video on YouTube. I'll be eating at the kitchen table and he'll most likely jump on the table at some point during my meal. Late at night he'll decide to pick at the cabinet door just to annoy me. But above all, he likes to eat clothing, blankets, and towels. Yep. Just like a dog. He eats stuff that he shouldn't. 

Sometimes I wonder if this behavior comes out because he hasn't gotten enough attention. However, it's hard to believe that the cat who is carried around by either myself or my boyfriend for a large portion of the day isn't getting enough attention. I also wonder if he's just unhappy. Nope. Owen purrs loudly and wags his tail all the live long day. I think I've just come to the conclusion that he's just a jerk.

His ultimate jerk move is when he eats an enormous hole in my favorite articles of clothing. This is a normal occurrence. If I leave my clothes laying around in the bedroom or if a sleeve is hanging out of my laundry basket, Owen thinks it's fair game for him to snack on. Today, for example, I went to the yoga studio to take class. I stepped into the office to put my belongings away and chatted it up with a friend. I looked down and noticed a huge hole in the shirt I was wearing! My favorite lululemon long sleeved shirt had been consumed by my cat. I shared a few choice words and got mad. Of course he never eats the sweater I rarely wear or the shirt I just got a stain on. He eats my favorite pieces of clothing. 

A few minutes later I rolled out my yoga mat in the studio and stewed in my outrage toward my cat. Of course my practice was going to be tarnished by my cat's appetite for shirts. I noticed my frustration with my cat rise up inside of me and then I just had to let it go. The shirt had already been consumed. My cat was satisfied by his snack. And anything I do or anything I feel moving forward will not patch up the hole in my shirt. Ultimately my shirt is just a material possession. My experiences with my cat are much more enjoyable than the happiness my shirt brings to me. 

One of my teachers talks about measuring your wealth by your experiences and not in what you own. I constantly have to be reminded of this idea. It's hard to not buy the latest yoga top in the studio or feel like I need the newest pair of Tom's. What I need are good people in my life. What I need are memorable experiences in my life. Of course deep down, Owen, the mischievous one, has the intention to eat my belongings to remind me that it's all just stuff. 

Practice with a Purpose

Back in December I became inspired by an amazing student of mine. Long story short, she inspired me to start giving more to those in need. I feel incredibly grateful for the fact that I make a living teaching yoga. At only 26 I have my dream job. There is definitely nothing awful about that! Since I was so inspired by this one student, for Christmas I made donations to various charities in my family members' names as a part of their gifts. My family and I are very lucky to have the things we have in our lives, and I thought it was important to give back to those who aren't as lucky. Not only did I want to give to others for Christmas, but I was hoping to inspire my family to give to others too. 

As the last few months have passed I started to brainstorm ways to inspire more people to donate, volunteer, and give back. I came up with a yoga challenge for my students. I have dubbed it Practice with a Purpose. The rules are simple: For every student that takes 25 yoga classes in the month of March, I will donate $10 to a local charity, Second Harvest Heartland. If a student signs up for the challenge but does not complete 25 classes in March, they donate $10 to the charity. I have 40 students signed up for the challenge. They are all so excited to attempt the yoga challenge, but they're also inspired to give back to others. 

When I first started to announced the challenge in my classes, smiles beamed across my students' faces. Some students have even been emotional while talking to me about the charity challenge. So many of my students feel lucky to have found yoga (I am also added to this group) and know what yoga has done in their lives. They now feel compelled to give to others since yoga has given so much to them. That right there is inspiration. It's all about Karma. Pass it on. 

Empower Your Students

A couple weeks ago I encountered a new student. Her friend, a regular student of mine, encouraged her to try this yoga thing and finally got her to come to the studio. Her first class was with another instructor. I happened to be in the studio lobby while this woman was in her first class. Within the first 20 minutes she walked out of the studio. While panting she asked, "How much longer is this class?" Now the class she was taking was a rather intense, more fitness based yoga class that is done with weights, but this poor lady was just destroyed. I responded with, "There's still 40 minutes left". Completely defeated, the lady dragged herself back into the hot and sweaty room.

Two days later, this new student returned to take my class. Her friend forced her to return and take the same class, but encouraged her to take my class. The new student said she had doubted this whole yoga thing. She thought it was for wimps and it would be a piece of cake. But two days prior she realized how wrong she was. (Granted this specific class format is not your gentle yoga class with lots of Wah! and MC Yogi softly playing in the background. Instead it's Crescent Lunge and Warrior II with bicep curls and military presses all while sweating the calories away to Rihanna.) After reassuring her that she'd be just fine in that day's class, she slowly walked into the studio and rolled out her mat. Her friend pulled me aside and told me to really talk about form and technique in that day's class so that her friend could understand what was going on. I assured her I would. Shortly after I walked into the studio to make sure everything was set up for class, the new student grabbed me. She looked at me and without hesitation said, "I need your help. I don't know what chow-a-bunga is". Of course I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Of course she meant chaturanga (hi to low plank), but she honestly thought she was hearing the instructor say "chow-a-bunga" during her first yoga class.

After the humor passed, I suddenly felt compassion for this student. With zero knowledge of yoga postures, technique, or alignment, this new student was completely lost. Now of course I do not necessarily blame the instructor that taught the first class this woman took. Unfortunately, with the type of class this student had walked into on her first day, there's this mentality to push yourself to the limit. There's also the assumption that students already have a foundation of basic yoga postures before taking this class. However, there's always new students who just want a killer workout and jump right into these classes. What is an instructor to do when over half of your students want to get drilled into their mats for 60 minutes while only a few students don't even know how to set up a Low Lunge?

After my interaction with this new student, I realized I need to be held accountable for what I do as a yoga instructor. It's my job to keep my students safe. It's my job to make my students feel successful in the classes they take. For a while I was running with the mentality that when I teach an advanced level class, I'm only going to teach "advanced" level postures (whatever that means). For those who can't keep up, too bad for them. How un-yogic is that?! I never want a student of mine to leave my class feeling defeated, unsuccessful, or confused. Yoga is meant to be accessible. As Darren Main suggested in the Skype session I posted about a while back, give all of your students something to do. If they're more advanced physically, give them the option of binds/wraps, arm balances, and inversions. If you're faced with a beginner or a student looking for a more basic or foundation based class, then give them simple alignment to focus on and continue to offer modifications. Similar to the famous military quote: No yogi should be left behind!

So here's my request to all teachers: Empower your students. It doesn't matter if you teach  elementary school students, knitting, college level biology, photography classes, brick laying, the Russian language or yoga. Empower your students with the knowledge they need to be successful. Isn't that your job as a teacher?

When the Student is Ready...

There's a Buddhist proverb that states, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear". I've had many teachers and mentors in my time as a yoga student and instructor, but the teacher who impacted my life the most came into my life when I needed him most. Our relationship just kind of happened.

First, we started as colleagues. He ran one of the studios I taught at and I, on a whim, applied to be his assistant at the studio. I was transitioning from a very unhealthy lifestyle as a bartender to a clear-headed studio manager and yoga instructor. This was a time of transformation and there should be no surprise that I needed a mentor.

Although he may have not realized it, he was (and still is) an incredibly inspirational person in my life. He was a vegetarian, rarely drank alcohol, and had a relationship with his wife that all people should envy. Being around him made me want to take better care of myself and better care of those around me. Magically I started eating better, I didn't stay out as late, I became more committed to my yoga practice, and started to create better and more meaningful relationships with the people around me. Not only was he a great human being, but he was a tremendous yoga instructor. His classes were just marvelous. I hate to put people on a pedestal, but he was able to create a 60 minute class that felt like it went by in the blink of an eye. Dance was my first true love, and every time I stepped onto my mat in his class I felt like I was dancing. He also pushed me to try postures I never thought possible in my body. People often ask me how I learned a certain posture and I always have to give the credit to my mentor.

As time passed I realized that a position in management just wasn't the best fit for me. Almost three years ago now, I decided to step away from my position and focus more on teaching and my yoga studies. Although a part of our working relationship was severed, my mentor was extremely supportive of my decision and continued to challenge me both on and off my mat.

Two months ago my mentor decided to take a promotion in Colorado. Although proud of my mentor and his success with our company, I was devastated. First, it started as a rumor that he might be taking a position elsewhere. Then it became an email to the studio's instructors that he decided to take the promotion. And then he was gone. I was saddened because my teacher who inspires me and challenges me on so many levels was now going to be thousands of miles away. Was my teaching going to suffer because I no longer had the inspiration of his teachings? Was my physical practice going to diminish because I wasn't taking his classes anymore? Of course the answer to both of those questions is "NO", but in the first few weeks of his absence, I was constantly battling with these questions.

It's been two months now since his departure and the world hasn't ended and I'm not a train wreck of an instructor or student. Although I do miss my teacher and my friend, I believe his absence has actually empowered me. He gave me so many tools as an instructor that I can now fully utilizing the information I gained from him. His absence has also pushed me to seek out more teachers and I am so thankful for that. I got into a rut of only taking his and a handful of other instructors' classes, and not that he didn't encourage me to take other instructors' classes, but now I'm seeking out new and different teachers. A lot of those instructors teach nothing like him, and that's great!

At this point in my studies I may not be ready for just one teacher, but many. Or perhaps I'm starting to discover the inspiration and challenges that I see within myself.

Life Lesson from Yoga #3: I Truly Feel Alive

Last night I had the incredible opportunity to sit in on a Skype Q & A session with Darren Main. I'm currently mentoring a group of new yoga instructors through the studio I work for, and part of their education has been to read Darren's book The Yogi Entrepreneur. The book is about the business of and ethics within the yoga world. The students I'm mentoring, along with about 40 other newer instructors, had the chance to do a Q & A session with Darren via Sype. Being the yoga nerd that I am, I forced myself to sit as far away from the computer as possible so that I wasn't the crazy yogi with the huge eyes who was constantly nodding her head in agreement to every syllable that came out of his mouth while making that strange "mmm" sound that intellectuals make when a speaker makes a poignant statement. I swear, I didn't do any of that....

Anyway, nearing the end of our Q & A, one of my fellow instructors asked Darren about longevity in the yoga world. "How, after teaching for 20 plus years, do you still do it without feeling like you're just going to burn out?" Deep down, I was so grateful that my colleague asked this question. It's something I often worry about. I've been teaching yoga non-stop for the last three and a half years. I have no intentions of slowing down. I never feel like I'm worn out or sick of it. But my concern is that someday it might happen. Darren had so many great responses to the question, but there's one thing he said that truly resonated with me. He said, "Because of yoga I am alive." Not only was he sharing that yoga has helped with his physical health, but he was expressing the feeling of being alive through yoga. And cue tears streaming down the face of the crazy yogi in back!

Seriously. Darren hit the nail on the head. It's so hard to put into words, but through yoga I now feel 100% alive. I think back a few years in my life at times when yoga wasn't part of my life and those memories feel like dreams or like they happened to someone else and I was just a bystander watching the mess unfold. I can say that I now truly experience life because of yoga. Perhaps yoga has taught me to be kind and compassionate towards others and that kindness has oped my eyes and mind to so many wonderful people and experiences. Maybe yoga has allowed for me to be comfortable and confident in myself and my own being so that I am not timid to truly be myself. Or maybe it's my, as I like to call it, Spidey Sense that I've acquired through yoga so that I'm now deeply in tune with my mind, body, and spirit in a way I had never been before. Whatever the reason, there's no doubting that yoga just makes me feel alive.

Of course stepping outside and experiencing the current weather in Minnesota, a lovely wind chill of -20, could also make someone feel amazingly alive!

Seeing the Light Within the Dark

My immediate yoga circle was all abuzz after reading a recent article in the Huffington Post. Entitled "Yoga's Dark Side", yoga and pilates instructor, Erin Motzenbecker, describes what she feels is the "dark side" of yoga. She believes some yogis are becoming characters straight from the movie Mean Girls, critical and aggressive, in what should be an non-judgemental community. She also points out the ever expansive consumer driven side of yoga.

There's a lot going on in Erin's article. There's a lot that I agree with, but also a lot that I see in a different light. First, I can totally identify with her food issues in the yoga world. On a daily basis I'm surrounded by people guzzling down green smoothies and eating Lara Bars like they're going out of style. When I started to teach yoga more regularly, I would be very mindful of what I packed in my lunch. I'm not a vegetarian, but there was no way in hell I was going to bring a turkey sandwich to a yoga studio! I was sure to be judged while eating sliced up animal flesh! Of course that was just my own insecurities shining through. I know eating a plant based diet is better for me, but no one was going to criticize me for eating meat. That's a decision I was making on my own. The judgement I was worried about was simply from an internal dialogue. Of course now that I'm more immersed in my yoga practice, I'm just naturally drawn to a more plant based diet as I know that's what serves my body best.

Second, Erin points out the egos that are growing in the yoga world. She states, "Studios are full of people who can barely be bothered to make eye contact, let alone build any kind of friendship". This is definitely alarming. Granted Erin maybe has never experienced the "Minnesota Nice" yoga community, but rarely have I come across such cold yogis. Majority of my closest friends are yogis from the studio. However, I have practiced in more serious spaces where people are simply quiet and keep to themselves so that they can fully focus on their individual practice. I don't see anything wrong with that. When working with a guest instructor, especially if it's only for a short workshop, I keep very quiet and to myself. When I'm focusing on my studies, I rarely go out of my way to make conversation with my fellow yogis. Maybe that's me being self-righteous, or maybe that's me clearing my mind and preparing for my practice.

Lastly, the consumerism part has been a constant struggle for me. I own expensive mala beads that usually just sit on my bedside table. The outfit I'm wearing right now probably cost me no less than $125. Because I have the newest and best pair of yoga pants does not mean I'm going to serve my students better on a particular day. I know yoga is not about material goods. However, when I'm teaching students in studios that are no less than 95 degrees all day long, it's important to have clothes that are going to last and withstand my lifestyle. Usually those $80 yoga pants are the only things that'll do the trick. Of course most of my students wear the same brands and are happy to shell out the big bucks to be seen wearing those brands, but who am I to judge them? If a student walks in wearing Target brand yoga clothes I don't treat them any differently. I even have students approach me about not being able to afford the expensive yoga brands so they ask me tips on how to care for their few articles of yoga clothing to make it last longer and stink free. I'm happy to share this with them because I want them to stay with their practice! I even tell them where to shop to find great deals on the best brands! No one should feel like they can't practice yoga because of the clothes they practice in or the mat they practice on.

In a nutshell, it comes down to judgement. Erin definitely has valid points, but where is the judgement coming from? Is it an internal dialogue on something she's insecure with? Are these judgements that she's making about others? Or is she just simply feeling judged in her yoga community? It's hard to say, but there's a good chance it's all of the above.

It's 2013 and People Still Smoke Cigarettes?

I am aware that the question "It's 2013 and people still smoke cigarettes?" is probably a pretty dumb one to ask. However, I am completely shocked at the amount of people who STILL smoke cigarettes in 2013. Hasn't enough research come out to inspire people to take control of their health and put the cancer sticks down?

I was driving to work this morning and Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) reported that 19% of adult Minnesotans smoke cigarettes. 19%! That means about one in every five people in Minnesota smokes! (http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/01/29/health/one-in-five-minnesota-adults-smoke) WHAT? REALLY?! Now maybe my world has been completely turned upside down by this information because the people I'm typically around don't smoke. (Of course I can't leave out those certain friends who think it's a great idea to light up when they've had one too many cocktails.) Maybe I'm just being naive about it all.

The real shocker came when my mom, sister, and I were meeting up with a group of ladies at an establishment that allows indoor smoking. They do also, however, offer non-smoking areas. My mom and I, who are non-smokers, made it to our meet-up spot first so we decided to set up shop on the non-smoking side. Considering my mom was just getting over a horrible case of bronchitis, my sister was on day 15 of trying to quit smoking, and I just didn't want to put my lungs through two hours of smoky hell, we thought it was the best choice. As the rest of the group joined us it became clear that they did not appreciate our decision to be on the non-smoking side of the room. Without acknowledging the situation, the rest of our group just turned around and set themselves up on the smoking half of the room. In a group of ten women, only three were not smoking that afternoon. Although my mom felt guilty about separating our group by smokers and non-smokers, I just refused to fall victim to secondhand smoke.

There's no doubt that cigarettes are extremely addictive. It's the instant buzz that's processed through the brain that makes those tobacco filled tubes hard to quit. Both of my sisters successfully quit smoking cigarettes while they were pregnant, however, even after nine months of clear lungs they went right back to lighting up. But I must say I am so proud of my one sister who currently hasn't had a cigarette in almost one whole month without being pregnant!

It's such an odd thing. As a society we're aware of the dangers of tobacco smoke to our overall health. It's even printed on the cigarette packages! No one can play dumb to the effects of smoking cigarettes. But what makes humans decide to ignore all of that and still light up?

Now with all of this rant about tobacco usage, can't we say the same thing for the food we eat?

Planning + Patience = Change

I recently read a blog entry that resonated me. Gretchen Rubin, the mastermind behind the Happiness Project, had a post entitled "Why I Treat Myself Like a Toddler. A Cranky Toddler.". The blog post focuses on the idea of referring to oneself in the third person, or more specifically like a toddler, in order to stay on track in life. Anyone that has spent time with a toddler, or more specifically a cranky toddler, knows that things just move along so much easier if everything is planned.

For instance, in the morning when I'm preparing my food for the day, a typical conversation with myself will go as follows: "Erin, you know you can't just pack dark chocolate in your lunch. A spinach salad is a much better choice." Of course that cranky toddler within me responses with, "But chocolate tastes soooooo much better!" It's a never ending battle, but typically the adult Erin wins out.

As we're now in the new year, it's resolution season. It's only January 9th and I can guarantee most Americans have already broken the promises they made to themselves only a week ago. Unfortunately, that's just how it goes. It's normal to break down on New Year's resolutions, but I think Gretchen Rubin's advice to think of yourself like a cranky toddler can help with any resolution you may have set.

Now usually resolutions have to do with health and changes you wish to make to your health, so that's what I'll focus on, but of course resolutions are different for everyone. Want to get more sleep? Set a mandatory time that you must be in bed by every night just as you would your 3 year old daughter. Want to add more vegetables into your diet. Plan out your meals for an entire week. If you're away at work all day and typically stop at the local deli for a sandwich, buy a lunch box and pack your own sandwich with lots of leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and whatever else tickles your fancy that day. Want to exercise more? Get out  your calendar and schedule in the exact time you'll be heading to the gym, going for a run, rolling out your yoga mat, etc. Keeping children on a schedule makes their lives more manageable. Same goes for adults.

Of course this all sounds much easier than it truly is. However, there are a few more keys to your success. Children love surprises. Of course sticking to a schedule is important, but adding in something special every once in a while is important too. Maybe on Fridays you put in a little bit of candy in your lunch for an extra treat. Perhaps after your Sunday morning workout you treat yourself to massage that day or even a beer at night. If you feel like you're a slave to your plan of action without some type of reward, it feels like change is just impossible. Treat yourself and add in small surprises.

Lastly, be patient. I cannot stress this enough. I get so down on myself when I stray from a plan or schedule, but I just have to remember that tomorrow will happen and it's okay if I need to jump start everything on the next day. Maybe today I didn't consume as many vegatables as I was planning, I shouldn't feel like I need to make up for it later in the week. Instead I just get back on schedule tomorrow and know that my plan is still there to keep me grounded. Be patient with yourself and just know that the small steps you're taking now are moving you in the right direction toward something bigger and better.