All posts tagged: love

Costa Rica Garden

The Butterfly Effect

A couple of weeks ago I had the most magical experience. I rolled out my yoga mat to begin my daily practice, but the universe had other plans… I got through only half of my warm up sequence when the most beautiful Monarch butterfly came to play. She flew all around my mat, radiating love and light, eventually landing on my foot… And there she stayed. She stayed for what felt like an eternity as I grew more and more blissed out. It was as though an angelic presence enveloped my space, and I became giddy like a schoolgirl. The butterfly continued to dance around me as I giggled uncontrollably… while my husband sat back and watched with curiosity and love in his eyes. My husband was the one that realized this was a message from the Divine. He directed me to go into meditation saying that he thought it was an angel and I should see what she’s trying to tell me. I spent the next 15 minutes in silence, feeling light, almost as …

yoga school Costa Rica

My Experience at Yoga School

Good morning world, It’s been a very long time since I’ve felt the desire to share anything on my blog. But today, I feel compelled and excited to give some insight into the two beautiful weeks I spent at Bodhi Tree in Nosara, Costa Rica, attending Teacher Training at Marianne Wells Yoga School. There is so much I could say, but I think it’s best to begin with the three over-arching aspects of training that I’ll carry with me forever… Teach people not postures. No matter what ‘level’ of yoga you are at, in Marianne’s classes you will always be doing something. Simply skipping a posture and going into childs pose is not an option. Marianne watches and observes her students and provides the necessary variations to ensure her classes are accessible to all who are participating. She taught us in training that it’s really not about reaching the ‘full expression’ of an asana, it’s about doing the right amount for your own body, and knowing the difference between pain and discomfort. Marianne’s teaching style is inclusive …

Vancouver Sunset

The Surrender Experiment

Good morning loves!! <3 I recently finished reading a book that touched my heart in so many ways. It’s called “The Surrender Experiment” by Michael A. Singer. My husband read the book a couple months ago and kept telling me how much I would love it, and he was right. I practically had tears streaming down my face through the entire book! And not because it was overly emotional or sad or anything like that…. It was simply because the author’s words touched me to my core. The only other book I read that had the same effect on me was “I Can See Clearly Now” by Wayne Dyer. And actually, these two books share a similar message, so perhaps this message keeps showing up in my life for a reason. In “The Surrender Experiment”, Michael Singer takes us through the journey of his lifetime. He decides early on in his spiritual journey to simply let go, and let life take hold of the reins. Wherever life decides to take him, he accepts it with …

Yoga Update + My New Fave Mat

Good morning loves, <3 There are quite a few advanced yoga postures I’m currently working on in my practice, so I thought I’d share a few with you (along with some tips) and perhaps you can relate it to your own practice. 🙂 The first posture I’m working on is king dancer! This pose seemed so far out of my reach even just a few months ago… But one day during my practice last month, I flipped my grip at the last minute and voila! I pulled it off… somewhat. 😉 King dancer is a very intense posture for me, so I make sure to warm up lots before getting into the full expression. I like to do lots of heartopeners and really focus on warming up my shoulders (lots of extended puppy) beforehand. You’ll notice a huge, positive difference in your ability to pull off ANY posture if you take the time to warm up and stretch first. I can’t stress that enough.  Another posture I’m working towards (and have been for some time …

Yoga Inspiration from Tulum, Mexico

Good morning! <3 I truly hope you’re all doing well and are excited for the beautiful things to come in the last quarter of 2017! I personally love this time of year… For me, it feels like a new beginning. Autumn is almost upon us, the air is fresh and crisp, the kids are back to school… It’s quite a nostalgic time really. 🙂 Irek and I arrived home from Mexico last week and are still getting back into the groove and finding our way back into our daily ‘routines’! I’m so grateful that we got to spend some quality time with our good friends, Amy and Carlo, in Tulum… and although the trip didn’t go exactly as planned, we bonded on a much deeper level and to me, that is worth so much more than a ‘perfect’ vacation with no hiccups or obstacles. I plan on writing a blog post soon dedicated to our Tulum trip where I’ll share some tips and tricks to help you if you do plan on visiting the area… But …

Find Meaning, and Move Along

Good morning loves, <3 Today I want to share a little bit about dealing with people and situations in your life that don’t necessarily match well with your energetic vibration… As you know already, yoga and meditation are a huge part of my life, and for me, they really are the key to sustaining balance and peace in my heart. But regardless of how much you meditate, or how peaceful you are (or at least try to be), situations will always arise that test your resolve and your ability to keep the peace. I don’t often have much negativity surrounding me but it does happen from time to time. I think the number one lesson I’ve learned when challenging experiences arise, is that you always have to come back to your heart… Come back to that quiet place within you, that knows the truth. <3 I find it very difficult to sift through intense, conflicting emotions because I am usually in such a loving state… So, the only thing I can tell you is that …

The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary

Good morning! I’m so excited to share a little bit about our visit to The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary! Irek and I have been wanting to visit for months now, so last Saturday we headed to Aldergrove to meet all of the beautiful animals at Happy Herd! 🙂 Happy Herd is the first farm animal sanctuary on the West Coast- they officially opened in 2014 and have since touched the lives of so many animals (and humans alike). The sanctuary is the most beautiful, peaceful, loving place I’ve been… I was in heaven! We got to meet all of the different animals that call Happy Herd home, including: Baby the Donkey, Larry and Moe- the resident turkeys, Lucy the pig, Sparky the Cow… and many more! You can tell the animals are showered with love and kindness, as they themselves are gentle, friendly, and peaceful… except the white goat… don’t pet the white goat! hehe 😉 but on a serious note, JillyBean the white goat was an SPCA seizure. It took Stephen and Diane a …

Yoga Vernon, BC

Loving, Growing, and Flowing Through Life

Good morning, I hope everyone is having a beautiful week! <3 At the moment I’m listening to an audiobook book called “The Four Agreements”… This particular book has been on my mom’s book shelf for as long as I can remember. I never felt drawn to it over the years but it’s come into my life now… For a reason, no doubt. 😉 I love that I have a connection to my mom while listening to it. I can picture so clearly the copy that sits in her living room, to this day. 🙂 My mom is such a sweet soul, and the kindest person I’ve ever known. I love listening to it, thinking about how much I love and cherish her. As soon as I started reading The Four Agreements, I knew immediately that the words were meant for me… Sometimes, things just show up in your life at exactly the right moment. I no longer believe in coincidence, so when something speaks to me, or jumps out at me, I pay close attention. …

Costa Rica Beach

Abundance; It’s All Perspective

Good morning! 🙂 I just wanted to share a little bit about my thoughts on abundance… I recently finished reading “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle and something he said about abundance really resonated with me. He said that anytime you’re feeling like you’re living from a place of scarcity, go outside and immerse yourself in nature. Observe abundance all around you… Observe the abundance of greenery, the vast blue sky overhead, the sand between your toes, the trees, the sun, insects, whatever it is. Nature is abundant- it is lacking nothing, and neither are you. This simple practice is something I’ve implemented everyday of my life since reading that chapter of “A New Earth”. And let me tell you, it works, it really does. Anytime I’m feeling down or a bit off, I simply take a walk, and I observe everything… Every bird flying overhead, every leaf swaying in the wind, every child laughing with innocence and grace. It’s all perspective. Our whole world is shaped by what we choose to believe is true. So, …

My Top 3 Asanas for Stress Relief

We live in a very fast-paced, somewhat chaotic world… it’s so easy to become overwhelmed, stressed out, anxious, etc. The key is recognizing when you’re in these negative states and neutralizing them as quickly and calmly as possible. Therefore, I thought it may be helpful to share with you my top 3 asanas for stress relief. If I ever feel like I can’t catch my breath,  these are my go-to postures. I spend anywhere from 5 – 15 minutes in them. Puppy Pose The first posture is called Puppy Pose. Puppy is a great stretch for the shoulders and spine. Personally, when I’m in this pose I feel an overwhelming sense of surrender to the posture; this gives me the ability to let go of any tension or stress I may be carrying. If you’re a beginner, this posture may actually feel quite intense on the shoulders, so take it slow and only go as far as feels good. Savasana (with legs up the wall) The ultimate relaxation posture a.k.a. just lay there and do nothing. Stay in Savasana a minimum of …