Focus Forward Friday: Breathe Deep

Illustration via Daily Cup of Yoga. Look at those pranayama lungs!

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

Today's focus: breathing deeply. How are you doing with your Pranayama at the start of class? Are you opening up, expanding your lungs, breathing deeply to the point of feeling a bit lightheaded?

If not, consider trying to bring in more sips of air, even when you think you're done. I can guarantee it will increase your power and endurance in class, and make you feel like you're glowing from the inside out!

Got a smartphone? Check out this awesome Pranayama app!

Also try this YouTube vid for more info and practice. 

Hope you're having a happy, healthy Friday. What are you up to this weekend?

Yogi Love

I saw these recently via this blog and had to share. Who would you hug after yoga?

Better yet, who would you bring along with you to get all the benefits of class? :)

Winter Yoga, Wing Night & The Greatest Feeling

A crowded class reminds you to find your private practice. Photo via Coffee and Yoga.

Class was super crowded last night at the studio. Lots of beginners around. Looks like a lot of New Year's resolutions have been set!


The mats were lined up in neat rows, lots of yogis packed into the room. All the commotion and bustle really pumped me up. I warmed up with big smiles, and energy coursing through me. I love a good crowded class.

Breathe together, move together. That's the yoga. Photo via Lululemon's Flickr photostream.

What's funny is I arrived there with my good friend Lindsay, who's a Bikram teacher and massage therapist at the studio, and we both entered the Hot Room separately to set up our mats. Little did I know, I had plopped my stuff down right next to hers!

The close quarters made for an inspiring class. Linds is a super yogi and having her next to me during the postures gave me the motivation to push a little harder, focus a little stronger, and let go of the crazy energy from the beginners in the room.

That's Lindsay at her Teacher Training in Acapulco. She is an incredible yogi!

Being close to other yogis in the room also brought my thoughts to Teacher Training. I seriously can't wait to be there!


On some days it feels like I've got a lot of preparing to do before I go. I want to have at least the first four  postures down before Training, plus I could really use a challenge or two before I kill myself for 90 minutes... twice a day, for three months! Ha.


On other days, though, I feel ready to pack up a little suitcase and get my ass to the Big Tent right away. I've got my wardrobe of tiny shorts and sports bras, my set of yoga mats, my Bengal tiger strength and English Bulldog determination. I've got my open mind and willingness to let go. I'm ready, right?


And especially after crowded classes like last night's, I just can't help but imagine the energy in the room with Bikram up front and a bunch of advanced, eager trainees lining the floor from wall to wall. It has to be electric!

Standing Bow next to Standing Bow. Gotta love a crowded class! Photo via Lululemon's Flickr photostream.

Regardless of when I get to Training, I am very grateful to know that it is a goal I will turn to reality. It's not a "new year's resolution." It's a life goal. It will happen... "eventually or in the future." (And for those who are curious, it's looking like Fall 2011 is going to be my time, but nothing is set yet. I will keep you posted for sure!)


I can't wait to get back to class -- both at Bikram Yoga Evanston and other studios in the area. One of my goals this year is to expand my practice into new forms. I am hoping to buy a few DVDs for at-home practice (to meet my budget), as well as review some local studios on the blog (and hopefully score a few free classes here and there). There are plenty of cheap or free community classes as well!


The greatest feeling of all is to be surrounded by your fellow yogis as you work through class.


The surrender, the energy, the love in the room: it's overwhelming and wonderful. All at once. All together. All you need: your yoga!

Which Reminds Me

Oh, if I could I would attend this awesome seminar on photography at Alt Summit.

My recent post on kiddos in the blogosphere reminded me of an awesome conference coming up this month in Salt Lake City, UT that I wish I could attend.

Every time I look over at the Alt Summit website, I drool a little bit. All of the seminars look so fascinating! What a fun way to learn new creative processes and connect with other bloggers.

Alt says about themselves: "Altitude Design Summit is the next cool thing. A conference for design-minded folks — bloggers, lifestyle sites and the companies that want to connect with them."

Are any of you lovely readers planning to attend?

If you are, you need to get to Rachel Devine and Ryan Marshall's seminar on photography (called "Getting It Right in Your Camera"), held on Thursday, January 20. Looks fantastic!

The details on Getting it Right in Your Camera (January 20, 10:30-11:30 am):
This photography panel promises brainy discussions, advice and sweet reminders (remove that lens cap, please!). Topics to be covered: Lens selection, raw vs. jpeg, sharpening your focus, white balance, using external light, pushing your ISO, being bold with your flash, aperture, shallow depth of field, and getting the most from your camera. Panelists:Ryan Marshall, Rachel Devine.

Self-portrait by Ryan Marshall of Pacing the Panic Room.

Ryan Marshall is the genius behind Pacing the Panic Room, an awesome blog about raising a family, being a dad, and documenting pregnancy. I recently posted about him here.

 

The Marshall family is a beautiful one. Meet Cole, the Littlest Buddy, and Tessa Tangerine.

Rachel Devine is a talented photographer who runs her own business and blogs about it and her three cute kids. Talk about a lady who can balance it all! She's got a super creative eye for those moments you never want to forget, like when the kids are bouncing around on the couch, looking cute in their Christmas Eve pajamas.

Self-portrait by Rachel Devine.

Photo by Rachel Devine.

You can also connect with Alt on Facebook and Twitter. Keep me posted if you attend the conference, lucky ones!

Kiddos in the Blogosphere

Photo by the talented Rachel Devine.

Are you a new mama looking for inspiration to decorate your babe's nursery? Or a dad desperately seeking to read about the adventures of a guy who's honest about parenting and how tough it can be?


Next up in the Beyond Childhood series, I bring you a roundup of great blogs for the family-oriented. Enjoy!

 Photos by Joanna Goddard of A Cup Of Jo.

A Cup of Jo: Joanna Goddard's posts about her baby Toby and all things maternity are super inspiring and authentic, plus she posts all sorts of wonderfulness on fashion, beauty and travel.

 Photos by Joanna Goddard of A Cup Of Jo.

Kelle Hampton: a mom with a heart of gold, Kelle's posts are heartfelt and include lovely photos. I recommend reading the birth story she wrote about her daughter Nella, who has Down's Syndrome. (It brought a tear to my eye.) And oh man, look at this earthy belly!

Photos by Kelle Hampton. 

Pacing the Panic Room: Ryan's one of the few honest blog dads I know who never ceases to amaze me with his profound words and beautiful photos. He documents the life of his charming wife, Cole, and their two little ones, Tessa Tangerine and the Littlest Buddy. Pacing the Panic Room featured an amazing series called Do Fun Stuff to benefit SMS by selling a fantastic benefit album. Buy it for your kiddos, and dance together! And if you missed Cole's pregnancy series or the Walk to 40 Weeks, get to it. Those photos are beyond rad.

 Photos by Ryan at Pacing the Panic Room.

 Photo illustrations by Ryan at Pacing the Panic Room.

Rummey Bears: Meet Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Baby Bear, some of the cutest people on the planet. Enjoy reading about their beautiful life in Australia, and all the fun design, photo, surfing, and family adventuring they do together. PS: Baby Bear will melt your heart. She is one of the cutest babes out there! Plus, the Rummeys had a very lovely DIY wedding you should check out.

Photos by Anna Rummey of Rummey Bears. 

Lena Corwin: Lena runs the lovely Wee Textile, a shop you should definitely check out if you love handcrafted baby wear. She carries the cutest sweaters you'll ever find! On the blog, she documents preparing for her babe and all the pretty things she's making for him. Plus, she has an awesome eye for design and one of the most rad closets around.

Photos by Lena Corwin of Wee Textile. 

Mila's Daydreams: Last but certainly not least, a wonderfully imaginative blog that will make you laugh and swoon over a mom's lovely dreamscapes she creates for her babe while she naps. That Christmas one had me smiling at first sight! Adele is going to be releasing a book with all of the lovely photos of Mila's dreams soon. Keep an eye on her blog for the info and in the meantime, watch the breathtaking video Mom and Dad made together about their beautiful  little girl.

Photos by Adele Enersen of Milas Daydreams. 

Healthy Lifestyles Workshop from Heaven Meets Earth Yoga Studio in Evanston

Ashley, a friend of mine and an amazing yoga teacher at Heaven Meets Earth, is teaching a workshop on healthy lifestyles, weight loss, and mindful exercise and eating.


If you're in Evanston or the Chicago area, consider attending!

Healthy Yoga Body

with Ashley Moran

6 Week Monday night series 

Mondays 7:30-9pm, January 3-February 7.

Starts tonight!

Photo via Heaven Meets Earth.

 Please feel free to share with friends you know who are always dieting or who could use a boost in their body image and self-confidence.


A few details:

Whether you want to lose weight, detoxify your body, or learn more about the ancient art and science of Ayurveda, this class is for you!


Healthy Yoga Body is a mindful approach to weight loss through yoga and the Ayurvedic lifestyle.

Photo via Heaven Meets Earth.

We will explore the basics of Ayurveda, the doshas (body types), and identify appropriate foods and exercises for your type. You will learn how to create a personalized home yoga practice and a community of support. Discover how mindfulness can transform your relationship with food.

Each class will include a lecture, yoga practice, and meditation. Students will leave class every week with amazing resources --delicious, healthy recipes and short mindfulness exercises to support your efforts during the week.

Cost: $120 for six-week series. Beginners welcome! No yoga experience necessary.

Materials: This class will reference texts “Yoga Body Diet” by Kristen Schultz Dollard and John Douillard and “Eating Mindfully” by Susan Albers, psy.d. These books are fantastic resources for your body/mind transformation!

Ashley Moran, CYT, was inspired to create Healthy Yoga Body community after taking a Yoga and Ayurveda workshop with John Douillard. 


Register at Heaven Meets Earth or call 847-475-1500.

Photo via Yoga Journal of a Not Very Calm Character.

Kids + Leaves = Awesome

Bulldozer via The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo. Life for babies doesn't get any better than this! If you need a laugh, I highly recommend watching. Thanks to Ryan over at Pacing the Panic Room for posting, and for being an awesome dad.

The Kiddos

All photos by Jose Villa.

Photographer Jose Villa has a way of capturing the most heartfelt moments, don't you think?

I love when kids are silly, zany and beautiful.

Welcome to the new series:

Beyond Childhood

(How To Love Your Kiddos Better)

More inspiring posts to come soon. And if you know of some awesome toys I should be posting about, or sweet kid snack recipes, please write in!

Ready for the Impossible?

 

Photo via Pennyweight.

I have a feeling 2011 is going to be an incredible year. Are you ready for it?

I'm ready for quiet moments, full skies and elaborate dreams. I plan to do plenty of yoga, healthy cooking, and reading for fun.

And I want healthy relationships to be at the top of the list.

Photo via Andrew + Carissa.

Photo via Atlantic Tree Fox.

Now is one of those times of year I feel pretty reflective. I find myself reminiscing about my favorite memories -- which means reliving the Big Day over and over. Anyone else wish they could enjoy their wedding day all over again just because it was so wonderful?

Before we left California, I was also helping my mom pack up a few boxes and get rid of some of my old stuff. I spent a few hours going through old papers -- birthday cards, love notes from my lunchboxes as a kid, letters from penpals, journal entries, high school essays. I found myself feeling strangely sentimental, and sad to leave my family. The cards from both of my late grandmothers almost brought a tear, and more so they have inspired new poetry.

Photo via A Desert Fete. 

Photo via Oh Happy Day!

Getting back to our wonderful little apartment has also inspired me. I endured a particularly long and ridiculous journey home (delays at the airport, delays for the bags, delays for the cab) so I was pretty happy once I made it to bed last night.

I spent the whole day today cleaning, organizing, and getting rid of old stuff. The perfect New Year's purge!

It felt great to free up some space and tidy up. I still have a bit to do -- and I have big plans for my own new planning schemes to keep things easy to find! 

Photo via David and Sarah.

Photo via Stephen Beadles Photography.

At the start of January, it's easy to look forward and think how lovely and open the new year is. It's just as easy to look back at the year behind us and get overwhelmed by how much we had to do to survive it.

Are you busy looking forward, or looking back?

At this very moment, I am equally at peace with my goals for the new year and my accomplishments from the past year. I feel prepared to do better, to grow, to let go. I'm as ready for the impossible as I can be.

Photo by Jose Villa.

A final quick note: I'll be featuring a new series here on Alive in the Fire very soon! It's called:

Beyond Childhood (How to Love Your Kiddos Better) 

Get excited; you're going to be seeing a lot of adorable baby pictures, parenting advice, thoughts for expectant moms-to-be, reviews of green products, and ways to make family your top priority in 2011! I hope you'll follow along and consider contributing your comments and ideas.

If you know of a mom who might want to share her story, please have her email me here: aliveinthefire at gmail dot com.

I'd also love to hear from you with ideas about:

• Family-focused companies
• Eco-friendly and green products for babies
• How to put family first
• Raising kids with love, hope and spirit
• Eating well for you and your family

Thanks and namaste!

Bikram Yoga Time Lapse

Ever wondered what a Bikram class would look like on fast forward?

You're in luck. I just discovered this amusing time lapse video via Being. Love it! Sort of makes you aware of how little time you actually spend in the posture, huh?

Morning, Yogis

Photo via Mika Yoga Wear on Facebook.

Hello morning yogis! Are you rolling out your mats for your first class of 2011? Me too. I'm really excited to get a 90-minute torture session in before we pack up and head out to Chicago today.


I need the heat!


I hope you're enjoying the day and sticking to your practice. There is nothing better!


Here's to making 2011 a year for yoga.