Introducing Alive in the Fire's 2015 Sponsored Yogis

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I’d like to introduce you to three very special yoginis… 

 The 2015 Sponsored Yogis!

Congratulations, Valerie, Elizabeth and Keyla! I could not be more excited to have you on board!

 I also wanted to take a moment to thank all of the yogis who submitted applications. It was harder than ever this year to narrow down my selections, because you are all SO amazing. (I seriously wish this program could be my full-time job so I could sponsor all of you!) I hope you will remain encouraged to deepen your yoga practice, and I hope that answering some of the questions on the application allowed you to explore what yoga means to you.

 At the heart of Sponsored Yogis is the yogic principle of seva, or selfless service. I hope that this program inspires you to give to others, whether you’re working directly with me or just reading about it here on the blog. We all have so much love to share, and the time for doing that is now. Don’t wait. Give hugs. Give thanks. It’s the most important thing we do – loving others, and ourselves.

 Here’s a little more info about each of these amazing women, and please stay tuned for more of their posts!
Valerie
Meet Valerie, a Sacramento-based yogini. She is a student and teacher of various yoga styles, including Raja, Hatha, Kundalini, and hot yoga. She graduated from New York University with a BA in Journalism and is excited to share her passion for writing. As Valerie says, “Yoga makes me a better person. There is a quote- today, be better than you were yesterday. Yoga helps me do that.”

 What drew you to yoga? 
I once heard in a yoga class that people either come to yoga because they want more or they need to let something go, or both. I was both. I had a yearning for more--- more meaning, more gratitude, more contentment. I was drawn to yoga because my heart needed to heal and it was the one place where I could quiet the thoughts in my mind and be in the present moment. 

 Why are you excited to be a Sponsored Yogi?
I love the idea of the yoga community coming together and working to help one another. I also see it as a chance to meet more like-minded souls. I would like to contribute by posting positive affirmations and look forward to writing about what I continue to learn on and off my mat. 
Elizabeth
Meet Elizabeth, a yogini, hula hooper, yoga teacher, mom from Sutter, CA. Elizabeth describes herself as a ‘baby-wearing, glittery, braids-in-my-hair, tattooed, ring-on-every-finger, incense-burning wife, daughter, devoted friend, community servant, head-over-heels-in-love with my husband kind of woman.’ She was exposed to yoga during a traumatic and devastating time in her life, and found that the practice was incredibly healing. 

 How has yoga changed your life?
I feel so grounded and connected with the present moment when I'm on my mat. I apply art emphasis in my yoga practice, and also in my parenting and daily way of life.

 Why are you excited to be a Sponsored Yogi?
I am always looking to learn more and more to better myself and inspire/empower others. I am motivated and committed. I can’t wait to promote and spread the love!
Keyla
Meet Keyla, a yogini, yoga teacher, break dancer and freelance artist from Orlando, Florida. She practices Hatha, Vinyasa and stand up paddle board yoga. Keyla is a holistic health coach, and raw chef with a passion for eating well (keep an eye out for her recipes—they are divine!). Keyla is excited to be a part of Sponsored Yogis because, as she says, “It’s easier to stay inspired when you are part of something bigger than yourself.”

 Why do you practice yoga?
My body asks for it. Nothing keeps me on it; it’s just part of me. Same habit as brushing my teeth daily. It’s just something that my body does naturally now.

 Why are you excited to be a Sponsored Yogi?
I love to write, I love to meet new people and I love to share great things going on in the community that I feel more people should know about. I would like to bring awareness to people that yoga doesn’t have to be something serious, you can have a lot of fun as you’re learning more discipline at the same time.
Photo by Jobi Otso.

More Sponsored Yogi posts coming soon… stay tuned!

Rest and Rejuvenation (Yogi Surprise January Box Review)

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Lately I’ve been pondering the importance of rest. Life gets so busy, and I know I spend more time than I’d like to running around, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of plans I have on my calendar.

What would your life look like if you practiced slowness, being present, and giving yourself time to relax on a daily basis?

We can choose to do this at any time, by noticing what’s going on around us, savoring the moment. Focusing on the breath. Pausing to feel grateful. Clearing time to just be instead of do.

And, of course, it helps to plan little retreat days! What’s your favorite way to get a little extra R&R?
  

Maybe you enjoy hot baths, aromatherapy, and massage. Or maybe you take a weekly hot yoga class and enjoy a leisurely lunch with friends afterward. Writing… meditation… a long walk… a gourmet meal. All of these things help us to rejuvenate.

This month, the Yogi Surprise box is themed around rejuvenation. This is such a powerful practice to engage in. When we neglect ourselves, we miss out on the beauty of the present moment and our ability to fully appreciate it. For me, rejuvenation helps me to fully enjoy good health, peaceful relationships, and contentment in all areas of life. It is a key to happiness!

My favorite products from this month’s box are the palo santo incense sticks and yummy snacks (Betsy’s best bar and chocolate-covered cherries). I’ve been keeping the palo santo in my car, and I love the calming, earthy scent. Each time I get in my car now, I think, ‘Mmmmm,’ and take a big, deep breath. It’s a feeling of being ‘home,’ if you know what I mean. Relaxed and comfortable.


The snacks were perfect for on-the-go energy. I tried the Betsy’s bar as soon as I opened the box, actually. It had been a long day at work and I got home after teaching yoga and was exhausted and so hungry (borderline hangry!). I saw that the bar had 10 grams of protein and thought, ‘Perfect!’ It was the ideal snack to enjoy while cooking myself dinner. As for the chocolate-covered cherries, they are a lovely indulgent treat for any time I’m feeling the need for a pick-me-up. They’re a great reminder of summer, too, and how much I can’t wait for long, sunny days.

If you haven’t checked out Yogi Surprise yet, I highly recommend cruising over to their website. They post great information and inspirational content on their blog, plus every month they offer their customers the chance to enter in a giveaway for a yoga retreat. 


Use the code 'LOVEYOURSELF' to get 20% off your order!

I love getting the boxes each month because they are a great reminder to slow down and take time for just me.

Namaste, yogis. Here’s wishing you a rejuvenating rest of January 2015!

Divine

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Photos via Pinterest. 
You are  divine.

Filled with light.
Lovely outside, and in.

What’s that? You didn’t hear me? 
Oh, I see… it’s because you were dancing. Your skirt ruffling and the wind in the trees and the sound of your own laughter, they had your attention.

Well, now that you’re listening, let me tell you again: you’re beautiful. Absolutely divine. 

Seeking Sacramento Area Photographers

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Photos via Pinterest. 


Are you a Sacramento-area lifestyle photographer? Are you interested in building your portfolio with lifestyle and/or fitness photos?

I’m looking to do a yoga photography shoot in the next few weeks, possibly in a studio space or outdoors. You can use the photos to promote your work, and I’ll also publish them on Alive in the Fire and social media outlets, with credit to you of course! Please contact me here or in an email (aliveinthefire at gmail dot com) for more details. Thanks!

PS I'm also looking for contacts for boudoir shoots (more info about that coming soon). If you are a boudoir photographer in Sacramento or know one who you recommend, please let me know! :)

What Will I Choose Today?

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Every action is a choice.

Am I acting from a place of fear, or a place of love?

Can I take a deep breath before reacting to what’s happening?

I can choose to encourage others, instead of becoming angry or frustrated. Even when someone hurts me, I can choose to love them and treat them with compassion.

I can choose to treat myself well, by doing daily self-care practices. By honoring myself, I increase my capacity to enjoy life, happiness, and good health. By loving myself first—unconditionally—I also increase my capacity to love others.

My day is filled with choices. What will I choose today?

Alive in the Fire

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What does it mean to be alive in the fire?

I feel alive in the fire when I am willing to sit with what’s difficult – by facing my fears head on, and breathing through the discomfort.


Alive in the fire is being willing to burn off the old habits that no longer serve me.

To change, even when change is hard.


Humble, yet fierce.

Calm, and ready.

Willing.

Alive in the fire.

The Goddess Within

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Photos by Jobi Otso.

When do I feel connected, inspired, and whole?


Sometimes it is in a quiet moment... when I try a posture that I've never done before, and find it suddenly accessible. When I am willing to move toward sensation, rather than hide from it.

When I am able to relax, and smile. Ah, here it is, I say to myself. This is the pose.

Or, when I can look into the mirror and soften, rather than resist anything that I'm seeing.

I'm comforted, too, by the familiar things I love... the ease in a yoga pose I've visited many times before. The way my body settles into the shape effortlessly, the way my mind becomes calm and clear.

Here I am, I think.

Yoga allows me to soften.

To go inward, and meet myself the way I am. Noticing the imperfections, the beauty, the strength.

Yoga allows me to experience feeling wholly vibrant, connected, divine. To embody my inner goddess.

Ayurvedic Oil Pulling

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Have you ever tried the Ayurvedic healing practice of oil pulling?

 It's a simple form of oral detoxification where you swish oil around in your mouth for 3 to 15 minutes. The results can be pretty profound: improved oral and systemic health, increased energy, weight loss, clearer skin, and pain relief.

 So far, I've only pulled oil a few times and right away, my mouth felt clean and refreshed. I'm excited to start a more consistent practice of using it to see how it helps me detox.

Oil pulling works to rid the body of toxins that build up from poor diet, environmental factors, sedentary and stressful lifestyles, and lack of hydration. These oil soluble toxins get 'dumped' into the mouth through the salivary glances, and the pulling oil (which is swished and then discarded) takes them out. (Reminder - you'll want to discard the oil into the trash, not your sink!)

 My favorite brand of oil is Gurunanda, an all-natural blend of organic sesame, sunflower, coconut, and peppermint oil. Having a mix of oils allows you to balance the three doshas while the peppermint oil acts as a catalyst ('agni').

 It's a great product and an easy process, so it's worth a try!

 You can purchase Gurunanda oil on Amazon, and read more about oil pulling on their website. Feel free to comment or email me with questions, and happy detoxing :)