Yogi Surprise October: Celebrating Abundance

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This is a wonderful time of year to cultivate gratitude for the abundance in our lives.

The air is colder and the nights are longer, giving us a stronger desire to turn inward and spend time in our cozy homes, share sweet moments with loved ones, and take more rest.

The theme for Yogi Surprise October is harvest celebration. These were my favorite items from the Yogi Surprise October box, all of which give me reasons to celebrate fall, to find gratitude for abundance, and to take time to reflect and rest.

I've been lighting this candle in the evenings when I write in my journal. I love the invigorating scent of balsam, lavender and sandalwood; the candle helps me feel calm and present.

 Banyan Botanicals Daily Massage Oil
This oil is lovely! Do you practice abhyanga, or a daily morning ritual of self-massage with warm oil? Truly a life-changing practice that can help set the tone for your day and help to calm your entire nervous system. If you've never tried it, read this article from Banyan Botanicals on Ayurvedic self-massage.


These are amaaaaazing. Best chocolates I've had in a long time, not only flavor wise but you can tell the handmade truffles have high-quality raw cacao. I went to order more but they're already sold out on their website! (No surprise.) Highly recommend!!


First and last photos in this post by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Ways to Wind Down After a Long Day

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What helps you wind down after a long day?


Recently I wrote about my morning rituals; here's a little list to balance out the other half of the day :)

Relaxing Rituals for the Afternoon and Evening
  • Light a fire in the fireplace, or the firepit in the front yard.
  • Take a walk in the woods, or around your neighborhood.
  • Light a candle.
  • Read a magazine in the sunshine.
  • Have a glass of wine.
  • Watch the sun set.

  • Take an epsom salt bath.
  • Journal for 15 minutes.
  • Practice relaxing yin yoga postures.


What helps you relax at the end of your day?

XO

Don't Be Stinky After Yoga Class

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Do you sweat a lot in yoga? Do you practice in a heated studio?

 Well, this post is for you :) 

 (And by the way, I do both of those things, too!)

 Here are some ideas about how to refresh before and after a sweaty practice.

Come to class having showered and brushed your teeth. You can also do oil pulling or use a tongue scraper. 

Please refrain from eating pungent foods right before class, smoking a cigarette on the way in, or wearing unwashed clothes from the previous day's practice.

Simple saucha practices go a long way!


Use a yoga mat spray like Mat Mist. This amazing, aromatherapeutic spray comes in scents such as Sandalwood lavender geranium, Thyme Douglas fir, Lemon myrtle peppermint vetiver and Colloidal silver water.

 What's especially rad about Mat Mist is that all you have to do is spray down your mat after class, roll it up, and go. The essential oils will disinfect your mat without requiring you to wipe it down, plus, next time you practice, there's a little scent there to awaken your senses and encourage deep pranayama breathing.

 Sponsored yogini Kelsie recently tried the product... she took it to class and not only did she love it, but she said all the yogis around her loved it and were asking where they could find some :) She also sprays it around her house because it's that good (!!) and she loves that it is all organic and natural.

Shower right after class, and do a pre-rinse of your yoga clothes, towel, and headband before washing them in the washing machine. You can wring them out by hand and also consider having a laundry detergent with baking soda.

Once every few weeks, let your mat air out. Some mats do well in the sunshine and others don't, so be sure to check whether your mat should be left in the sun (you can usually find this info on the manufacturer's website, and I know for sure that Jade yoga mats do not like sun!).



What other things do you do to stay fresh before and after a yoga class?

Photos in this post by Tom Huynh.

Bringing saucha, one of the niyamas, into your life.

 “The body is your temple.  Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

Gratitude is Contagious

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When you show gratitude, what happens?

 Do you notice a shift with the people around you?

 Do you see how gratitude increases?

 Do things become more beautiful and clear, and do those around you seem happier, more stable, more open, and more loving?

 I experienced an awesome shift this week. It started with a simple, conscious choice to share my gratitude with someone I love.

 Want to try it?

 Make a list of things you're grateful for, as they relate to someone you love. For example, I love days when we can get coffee together while you're in the middle of your work day, and I'm grateful for that extra hug you always give me, or, I'm grateful you're not afraid to call me out on my bullsh*t, and that you still say, I love you and I believe in you.

 Write about the ways this person shows you that he cares, and why you're grateful to share life's little moments together.

 Feel free to include little details and memories that only you two know about, or ones that you guys find funny. Or the things that haven't been easy lately, but that you've managed to get through.

 Then, share your list. Let this person know why you're so grateful for him, or her.

Allow this experience to shift your entire day (maybe even leave the note as a surprise in the morning!), and carry this mindset of gratitude into the rest of your week.

 How do you express gratitude? And what happens when you do?

 PS More ideas on expressing gratitude:
Make a gratitude list.
Simple ways to cultivate gratitude.
Questions to consider in your gratitude journal.