The Weepies, Live in Evanston!

The Weepies are one of my favorite bands ever. I belted out every song :)

The show last night was incredible. I am more in love with The Weepies than ever! Hubs and I smiled, laughed, tapped our toes, and sang along with every tune. Deb and Steve were adorable, as usual, and the band rocked out. I was very impressed by their stage presence, spot-on vocals and silly stories.

They all came on stage dressed in crazy Halloween costumes and wigs, Deb with black lipstick on and long, black hair. Steve was hiding behind a wild side-swept wig and sunglasses, and the rest of the band was sporting awesome hats and makeup. After a couple songs Deb laughed as she introduced them as "The Creepies." It was great.

My two favorite songs were "Can't Go Back Now" from their Hideaway album, and a fantastic ballad sung by just Deb and Steve called "Sing Me to Sleep," from his first album Big Senorita. I really loved all of their charming stories about the inspiration behind songs (anything from spam porn emails to their son playing peek-a-boo to fighting with each other). It was a beautiful night and they sounded even better live than on the recorded tracks. Lovely! Beautiful! Wondrous. I am still grinning and humming their songs.

I've checked another dream off the list :)

In case you don't know The Weepies and their playful lyrics, here are a few tidbits...

Yesterday when you were young
Everything you needed done was done for you
Now you do it on your own
But you find you're all alone, what can you do?

You and me walk on, walk on, walk on
'Cause you can't go back now

-from "Can't Go Back Now," which was my personal theme song earlier this year during a hard time. It inspired me to carry on despite challenge, pain, and worry. I truly believe in the idea behind the song: sometimes, in order to grow we truly have to take steps on our own!

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And at closing time we're a nickel and a dime
In the deep back pocket of America
Trying to find wings or something to carry you home
Right now you better make the best of your situation
Escape through a hole in the conversation
The sun comes up like a revelation and I'm so lonely without you

Baby sing me to sleep turn down the covers ‘cause talk is cheap
Baby sing me to sleep ah turn out the lights
Remember the nights when the rain fell eighteen inches deep
Baby sing me to sleep

-from "Sing Me to Sleep," a tune that's beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time. "A hole in the conversation?!" Brilliant.

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If you've never been to SPACE in Evanston, you should check it out. They've got one of the prettiest, classiest venues around. Delicious pizza and a warm, inviting yet modern atmosphere with gorgeous over-the-bar lights and ceiling art fans that look like jellyfish!

My view looking up at the ceiling. Jellyfish fans! They were so calming and stylish.

Summer Reading in the Fall

This is a sweet craft project I made awhile back simply by folding the pages of a cheap, library-sale-bought book.

If you're like me, your summer reading list extends year round, and fall is a great time for catching up on some of the books you've been meaning to read during the warmer months. 

When it's chilly, rainy or gray out, that's the best time to cuddle up to a good book. 

Here's what's on my shelf at the moment:

• The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope. An intriguing and approachable look into the yoga sutras by an intelligent psychologist and writer who knows how to tell a gripping story.
• Bikram Yoga by Bikram Choudhury. The man behind the madness tells all about his experience growing up as a yogi, bringing his infamous series to the West, and discovering the amazing benefits of the class.
• Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class by Bikram Choudhury. Bikram's other book outlines his 26-asana trademarked series, taking an in-depth look at each posture and how to do it and how it helps your body. Bikram also explains the difference between the ideal pose and your reality/ your edge, and how no matter how out of shape you are, it's never too late to start the yoga! 
• Divergent by Veronica Roth, pre-authorized copy. My amazing writer friend Veronica is about to publish her first YA dystopian thriller novel about a futuristic world where young people face incredible choices that will determine the rest of their lives. Think the Harry Potter series meets the Ender's Game series and 1984. Amazing stuff! Congrats and thanks for sharing, V.
• Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and One Raucous Year of Eating Locally  by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon. This fascinating tale is extremely well-written and informative. Ready to open up your eyes to the sad state of affairs in the American food industry when it comes to sustainability? Alisa and J.B. will show you the challenge, beauty, and reward of making the choice to eat foods only within 100 miles of their Canadian home.

             

I'm also listening to:

• Julie Rader's meditation CD. Amazing! Have I mentioned that you should buy this? You should buy this. It's wonderful.
• The Weepies. I am off to see them live in Evanston in about half an hour! I'm wiggling in my boots and just can't seem to wipe this grin off my face... :)
• "Club Can't Handle Me" by Flo Rida ft. David Guetta. It's just good for dancin'. No shame here!

What are you reading and listening to lately? Please share any of your favorites, yoga-related or otherwise, in the comment section below!

Thank you, Northwestern Library, for some seriously intelligent yoga-related books.

Focus Forward Friday: Be Honest

Mmmm: pomegranate white, acai green, and peach white tea.

Focus Forward Friday: A weekly ritual for deepening your Bikram practice.

Today's focus: honesty, and Honest Tea. I recently received some awesome samples from Honest Tea, one of my favorite companies. As they like to say, "Nature got it right. We put it in a bottle!"

They also say, "Be real. Get honest." These days it's pretty sweet to see a company with a mission that includes being transparent about their business practices, ingredients, and their approach toward taking good care of our planet. 

Honest Tea also promotes health (antioxidants and less sugar), fair trade, organic certification, and recyclable, BPA-free, thinner bottles. Amazing! And their teas taste wonderful. Super natural and not over-sweet.

I recommend you try one today and then ask yourself, "How can I be more honest? In my Bikram, in my relationships, in my concept of self?"

Be true. Live well. Namaste and happy weekend!

Urban Rockstar Ballerinas

Photo via The Ballerina Project on Tumblr.

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I just discovered these incredible pics on a sweet blog called The Rockstar Diaries that my cousin follows. If I were a ballerina, I'd be rockin' this look for sure. Aren't they stunning?

The Ballerina Project on Tumblr features some pretty incredible women.

Another, because I couldn't resist!

Oak Park's 105-Yoga Opening Monday!

Chicago yogis: a new Bikram studio is opening on Monday, November 1st in Oak Park!

105 Yoga

105 N Oak Park Ave

Oak Park, IL 60301
Phone: 708-613-6055
info@105-yoga.com

with Nancy Kalinowski, studio director & yogi extraordinaire

Check it out: 105 Yoga in Oak Park is offering an amazing intro special where you can get your first month for only $29 (regularly $150). Sign up now! Offer ends November 30th. 


Tell your friends!


One of my favorite Bikram teachers ever is achieving her dream this week. Nancy, I couldn't be more thrilled for you! It's going to be incredible. Hoping I can stop by for some classes soon and, like Bikram says, continue on my way to "a new body, and a new life!"


May the first few weeks at 105 Yoga, even if they are chaotic, be yet another yogic lesson in your journey about the way no one can steal your peace. If you let someone steal your peace, you lose!


Students, new and veteran: check out the class schedule, add 105 Yoga on Facebook and Twitter (@hotyogaoakpark), and get out your mat! Namaste.

See you soon in Oak Park, Chicago, for some awesome Bikram at 105 Yoga!

Mini Yoga Class @ NU

• Yogis in Evanston, I'm going to teach a mini-class in a couple of weeks! Please attend, invite your friends, and come enjoy some awesome meditation and relaxation postures. I'd love to hear from you if you're planning on being there, just to get a general sense of how many people will be coming!
  Here's the info...
  
  
  

  Love yoga? Interested in the ways that yoga postures connect with spirituality and offer the body and mind relaxation?
  Come to YOGA SHABBAT!
  Friday November 12 from 6:15pm to 7:30pm in the basement of Hillel
  @ 629 Foster St. Evanston, IL 60201
  An event sponsored by Northwestern Hillel andEnvironmental Campus Outreach (ECO).
• I'll be teaching a 35-minute yoga class focused on postures which promote relaxation and rest. There will be a good series to get your heart rate up, and then ample time for cool down and meditation toward the end.
•  
• We won't be in the heat, but I guarantee it'll be a perfect marriage of the heart and lungs, good for every muscle, tissue and system in your body. A good chance to practice a great mantra: "If you can, you must!"
• Please bring a mat, towel & water and wear comfortable stretchy clothes. 

• Open to all individuals of all backgrounds, fitness levels, faiths, and ages. Invite your friends!

  I will be around before and after class to answer any questions you may have and will offer some resources on yoga & local studios. If you're new around here, FYI I practice regularly at Bikram Yoga Evanston and I'm planning to do Bikram Teacher Training next spring.  (*Note: As you also know, I am not certified and will not be held liable for injuries resulting from class. Please listen to your body and move slowly so that you don't get hurt! Thanks.)

  Namaste and see you soon.

  

Men. Yoga. Yes.

Lithe and strong, like a yogi.

These incredible photos are by a friend of mine from high school, Emily Voigtlander. She's a talented artist with a dashing boyfriend, Jordan, featured above. They are living the dream in San Francisco with their adorable pup named Willow, writing a sweet cooking blog, adventuring in the city, and loving each other well.

I am about to feature a series on men who do yoga here at Alive in the Fire and I'm interested to hear more about your views on masculinity, strength, power, balance and equality. Do you tend to see a lot of women at Bikram classes? Feel outnumbered if you're one of few guys in the room?

Do you notice a difference when men teach in comparison when women do?

How do you witness yoga as a tool to bring together members of a local studio, and of a world community, regardless of gender?

What would you like to see change? Are there ways we can use the yoga to transform our perspective and truly bring an open mind to our life experiences whether we experience inequality or not?

Are you personally willing to practice the genuine concept of "Namaste" in your life?

"The good in me sees and acknowledges the good in you." I am here; you are here with me. 

"I bow to you." I recognize your beauty, presence, power. 

"I honor that place in your where the whole Universe resides. And when I am in that place in me, and you are in that place in you, there is only one of us."

Men, women, yogis. We are one.

Em and Jordan and their pup, Willow! I couldn't resist; I really couldn't. :) 

Such a happy family! Miss you guys and hope all is well.

Wanted: Bikram Men

Guys with Bengal Tiger strength, guys who can hold Triangle like it's nobody's business, guys who rock short shorts: where are you?


I hope you'll share you story on why you practice yoga, how it's changed you, and why it makes you a manly man. Send me your story with a couple paragraphs on your yoga, your favorite posture, and your goals for the future. Feel free to include photos, too!


Email aliveinthefire@gmail.com today.


Namaste.

Hooray for Evanston Shopping: Walsh Natural Health & Healthy Green Goods

Photo by Jacinta Moore via the 1010 Project.

Yo Evanston yogis! Do you need some new places to shop for all-natural products for your home? I'm talking: amazing bath sea salts, vitamins and supplements, food storage containers, clothing & linen, baby supplies, and more?

I've got some great spots for you: Walsh Natural Health on Central Street, and Healthy Green Goods on Main Street!

Not only do these stores carry fantastic products, but their owners are extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and passionate about their healthy approach to living well.

Located at 2116 1/2 Central Street in Evanston.

Located at 702 Main Street in Evanston.

I recently got some wonderfully relaxing Masada eucalyptus dead sea mineral salts from Walsh, and a super-handy and compact ChicagoBag from Healthy Green Goods. I use them both quite often and love the results! The sea salts leave me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and the shopping bag is quite convenient since it fits in my purse and I tend to forget my other reusable bags when I go to the store.

If you're looking for a new place to shop, I highly recommend these two stores. I've also recently visited J.D. Mills Health Food Store in Evanston and loved that place too! Quite a selection of all-organic foods, bulk foods, frozen foods, and vitamins and supplements.

Hooray for Evanston shopping!

Where do you stock up on organic & all-natural goods?

Photo by Victoria Hannan via the 1010 Project.

The Challenge of a Challenge

Nature knows perfect balance, like in the petals of a camellia flower. This pic was taken right outside the Capitol in Sactown. So lovely!

I believe in balance. I also believe, "If you can, you must." So what should a passionate yogi do when she's motivated to do her yoga for 30 days in a row, but some crazy awesome things erupt into the mix of her day-to-day life?

I've been struggling for the past several months to find a job I love, can make enough money doing, and feel excited about. I am excited to say I recently started a full time job.

But this means a couple things:

1. I'm doing the nine-to-five now, Monday through Thursday.

2. I've got to budget my time so I still have a chance to edit for editZING clients.

3. I must be careful not to get overextended so that I can maintain healthy relationships, get enough rest, have time to cook dinner, and fit in Bikram.

Anyway, long story short, I've put my 30-day challenge on hold... again. I feel a little sad saying that, because I know I'm up for it and could handle the heat for a whole month. But I also feel a strong need to keep things centered, so I don't get stressed, sleep-deprived, or overwhelmed. About a year ago this time I was not doing well and it's because I signed myself up for disaster: too many projects, commitments, and self-imposed expectations about the future.

Too much worry!

This year, I'm deciding to pick and choose what I let slide into the #1 spot on the list of priorities. Some days, it's yoga. Some days, it's work. Most days, it's family and loved ones.

How do you balance your time, energy, and relationships so that you have enough you to go around? Where do you draw the line when it comes to meeting the goals you set for yourself, or deciding when it's best to let them go?

I'll admit, it's tough seeing my name up on the wall at the studio, next to all the other yogis who are keeping up with their month. All those little stickers lined up, showing off the sweat and struggle they've endured, next to my blank spots where I thought I would have been taking class.

But I'm pretty excited that I have the willpower to say my sanity matters more! and that I have a heart that knows there will be many, many years of yoga to come.

I can rest easy knowing life is in balance, and the yoga is always there waiting.

A staircase goes down, a staircase comes up. We choose to see opportunity in change!