Just a little over a week ago on Friday, it was close to 60 degrees here in Boston.  Then it poured and there was thunder and lightning, causing much chaos and fallen trees in the area.  The next day, we were back down to the low 30’s, with crazy, strong, gusty, ‘if-you-don’t-watch-out-your-car-door-will-fly-open-into-another-car-when-you-open-it’ type winds.  And by the middle of this past week, the temperature was back to normal (low to mid 30’s).  However, by Friday afternoon, it reached the low 40’s and about an inch and a half of rain fell starting from early morning until late afternoon.  By 7pm, the temperature dropped and we got about an inch or so of snow.  We got a break on Saturday, with clear skies and normal temps, but yesterday morning greeted us with about 2-3 inches of fluffy, white snow.  And this morning, we have sleet and freezing rain…

Sound sorta nuts to you?

Well, it does to me.  You’d think that being born and raised in Massachusetts, I’d be fine with the unpredictable and inconsistent (or consistently changing) weather, but not this gal.  In fact, it actually makes me kinda bonkers.

Just as the weather was getting warmer and the sun was shining brighter, I felt as if spring was right around the corner.  I started daydreaming about driving with the windows down, taking long and leisurely walks around my neighborhood and I even put my winter boots away (yes, that was sorta jumping the gun a bit).  And then it snowed, and the winter that seemed to vanish overnight came back as fast as it had left.

To say the least, I was bummed.

However, as I sat stewing in my disgust for the weather, I began thinking about all the things in my life that are constantly changing and evolving: technology, my preference in food, my yoga practice, the way I go about in making decisions, the latest in fashion, relationships with my family and friends, my appearance (hello fine lines and dark circles under my eyes), my views and opinions, health trends and even astrology (I don’t care what anyone says, I’ll always be a Leo).

To try to even keep up with all the change that occurs would be next to impossible, not to mention exhausting.  But to get upset or disappointed would be futile.  The world will constantly be in a state of flux; it is just a fact of life.  I realize that growing attached to things may be natural and for some (like me), it’s even comforting.  However, when you can embrace the fact things are going to always to change and you can understand that change brings forth possibility, then it won’t be so hard to let things go.  If you can be happy and at peace with who you are and with where you are (physically, mentally and spiritually), adapting to life’s changes won’t be such a daunting task.

“To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.” -Pema Chodron

Of course, saying is much easier than doing, and for me, this has been a lifelong process.  Just when I think I’ve mastered something or I’ve become complacent, the Universe has a way of suddenly shifting things.  But I’ve found that the more grounded I become, the more aligned I am with my core and the more grateful I am for all that is in my life (and all the good that is to come), the harder it is for me to get knocked down – even in the toughest of storms.

When was the last time you had to adapt?  How did you do it? Do you think it gets easier with time? Or, is it always difficult?

Namasté,
Nicole

This sign hangs in my yoga studio.  I see it practically every day, but I don’t truly read and absorb its message every day.

Whether it be our significant other’s non-stop support, the warm sun shining through our bedroom window, the happy face on our pet that greets us at the door or having a hot and nutritious meal whenever and wherever we want,  I think we sometimes tend to overlook the little things in our lives that carry so much significance (in this case, it was a ‘big’ thing since this sign is almost as big as me).

Last night, as I was getting ready for practice, I looked up and remembered to read these profound words.  The words are simple, but the message has great meaning.

So, I decided to snap a picture of the sign and share it with you (yeah I know, I’m good like that).

I hope it inspires you like it did me last night.

(On a funny side note, this sign hangs right next to the ‘changing’ rooms at my studio…hahahaha!)

What’s your favorite condiment?  I love ketchup, gobs of it.  But, I’m a dipper, I don’t like drowning my food in it.  Hello?  Soggy fries?  No, thanks!

Namasté,
Nicole

Source – am-bush.tumblr.com

(Ummm, Gavin, you’re hot.  We’d like to see you naked, not your yoga mat!)

Namasté,
Nicole

Source – iamblairhill.tumblr.com

What’s holding you back?  Can you let it go?

No matter if it’s something big or small, set it free and see what happens.  You might just be surprised as to how far you can travel.

But you’ll never know until you try.

Is today the day?

What spring fashion trend is getting you excited?  I’m loving the contrast of feminine prints and pieces with masculine ones (think silk and lace with menswear-inspired).  So HOT!

Namasté,
Nicole

Source – tilkedom.tumblr.com

HA!  This is SO me.

Sometimes I think I’m being so ‘zen-like’ and centered and then something as trivial as a strand of hair on my mat or the cute shirt on the woman behind me makes me lose my focus.

We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t notice these things, and we’d be lying to ourselves if we said we never got distracted.

The important thing here is to not beat ourselves up over noticing the distraction (or to concentrate on the distraction even more) and to move on.  We can’t control what goes on in our surroundings.  Just when we think there is silence (physically and mentally), someone’s car alarm will go off, the person next to you will begin cracking her knuckles (yes, that happened), you’ll remember you need to buy cat food on your way home, your stomach will start growling or maybe even the odor from the mat next to you starts wafting over into your personal space (this happens way too often).

In other words, there will always be distractions.  But it’s up to us whether we choose to get distracted.

We can always get that pedicure after class…

What is your favorite comfort food recipe?  Do you have any specific foods that bring you comfort?

Namasté,
Nicole

Source

If you want to see a clip from the movie, you can watch it here.

***Have you seen the movie, Inception?  If you haven’t, you might want to stop reading.  I wouldn’t want to ruin the movie for you.  But if you have, please keep reading!***

Just the other day, as I was half asleep and half awake (actually, I think I was still mostly asleep), I remembered part of my dream and thought it was reality when I opened my eyes and mumbled to Patrick, “Um, are we going to our neighbors’ party?” He laughed and said, “I think you must still be dreaming.  Our neighbors didn’t invite us to any party.”

As soon as I mumbled my words in my semi-awake state of consciousness, I knew I wasn’t completely lucid.  I had to chuckle a bit to myself because what I blurted out probably sounded like something that came out of left field and was such a random question at 7 am.

But what can I say?  I am random.

Because I was having a hard time deciphering between my dream and reality for those few split seconds that morning, I started joking around to Patrick that I should carry around a totem like the characters (extractors) in Inception.  Naturally, this led me on a mental wild goose chase as to what I would use as my totem (you see, completely random) if I had to select one.

What would I use?  Maybe a stone?  Some sort of a figurine?  A special and rare coin?  Perhaps a mini paperweight?  According to the movie,  the totem has to be “a personalized small object whose behavior is unpredictable to anyone except to the totem’s owner, to determine if they are within another person’s dream.”  (source)

This question plagued me for quite some time and then I realized the answer was really a simple one, and one that was rooted deeply inside of me.  I kept thinking about and searching for these fancy, inanimate objects to use as my totem when I should have just gone back to the basics.

My totem would be my breath.

In the movie, Cobb (DiCaprio) and the other extractors carry around their totems in order to help them distinguish between the dream world and the real world.  Cobb’s totem is a top; it spins continuously in his dreams and stops in the real world.  These totems are only supposed to be handled by the owner of the totem, in order to prevent another from controlling your perspective of reality by duplicating your totem exactly.  In addition, the totem has to be something small and private so that it can be taken with you everywhere.

Source

When I’m practicing yoga and I can feel my thoughts (and baggage) taking over me and my focus starts to wane, there is only one thing that can bring me back to my center: my breath.  I can be struggling to hold myself in a bind or feeling as if my leg won’t lift any higher, and as soon as I bring myself back to my ujjayi breath, the confusion and chaos that seems to be overwhelming me is all of the sudden gone and I’m brought back to the present moment.

So if you’ve been contemplating what you would use as your totem (I mean, who doesn’t ponder these things?!) or you wonder what can help you stay grounded in the real world, just remember what you’ve always known: your breath.

After all, it’s intimate, it has an impact that only you can know and it’s with you – always.

Have you seen Inception?  What did you think?  Do you ever have a hard time distinguishing dream from reality?

Namasté,
Nicole

(Now if only I can find my shovel…)

Namasté,
Nicole

I know many consider Valentine’s Day a ‘Hallmark holiday’ and just view February 14th as just another day.  I know many who spend days (maybe even weeks) finding the perfect gift and preparing for how they’ll celebrate the ‘day of love’ with their special someone.  And then there are those who wear all black and will do all that they can to mock those dressed in all red and denounce the day dedicated to St. Valentine.

I’m not going to pass judgment on how anyone chooses (or not chooses) to celebrate today, since I’ve been a member of each of the aforementioned camps.

I’m just going to tell you this: treat everyone with kindness (including yourself).

Whether kindness translates to you as holding the door for a stranger, buying a cup of coffee for your co-worker, telling your wife how much she means to you, giving your parents a call to say you love them, taking your dog for an extra long walk, acknowledging all of your positives instead of noticing the negatives, grabbing drinks with good friends you’ve missed but have been meaning to see, baking chocolate chip cookies for your boyfriend, remembering to use a reusable bag, thanking a service person for all that they do for our country (I actually did this yesterday and the feeling I received from doing so was tremendous) or even making time in your busy day for your yoga practice, just remind yourself to do it.

Your gesture of kindness does not have to be an exaggerated one or an overly generous one.  All I’m saying is to be a bit more mindful and to take the time to care.

Maybe then it can be something you start to do a little more each day, even when it’s not in honor of a Saint.

What’s your favorite way to celebrate or not celebrate Valentine’s Day?  I just like having a good meal, whether it’s with a group of friends, with a special someone or by myself.  And oh yeah, dessert is a must!

***Happy Valentine’s Day, Patrick.  I love you!***

Namasté,
Nicole

Often times in yoga class, my teacher has told us, “We stop doing things because we get old.  But in reality, we get old when we stop doing things.”  He was referring to staying active, whether it be in our yoga practice, on the soccer field, on the basketball court, on the pavement running, in the water swimming or whatever else we do, it’s important to keep our bodies moving and flowing.

If Gladys Morris doesn’t prove this theory as being true, I don’t know what does.

This 90-year-old woman (her birthday was on January 31) has been a yoga teacher for more than 40 years and currently teaches Hatha yoga classes at the Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre in Oldham, England, three days a week (twice on Thursdays).  Her students are so inspired by her and so grateful for all that she’s give them that they’re rallying to get Gladys into the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest yoga teacher.

In an interview with the Oldham Evening Chronicle, Gladys states, “Yoga has been a huge part of my life for a very long time, and I have made lots of wonderful friends over the years. I credit yoga for keeping me fit and flexible.”  She also goes on to say, “I’ve got no plans to give up because it’s what keeps me on my feet. I would recommend yoga to everyone,” according to the Manchester Evening News.

Source

Umm yeah, Gladys, to say you’re fit and flexible is an understatement.  And not only are you supple physically, but you’re also supple in mind.  When you have a combination of the two, it makes for a great formula for living a long, healthy and happy life.

Happy Birthday, Gladys!  Keep on practicing, teaching and being an inspiration to us all!

Source

What keeps you young at heart?  Do you have any secrets?  I would love to know!

Namasté,
Nicole

**You can read more about Gladys here.

We’ve all seen it.   Heck, many, many, many moons ago, I was victim to it.  Yes, I’m talking about that transitional part of the day when one goes from the office to the yoga studio (or gym or boxing ring or karate dojo or whatever else you might be into) and inadvertently becomes a ‘bag lady’ (or ‘bag man’).

Source

(An exaggeration, maybe?  Or maybe not?)

We’re so busy rushing around trying to leave the office to get our sweat on (not that I ever left the office earlier than I should have or that any of you ever do that…*cough, cough*), that the end result is often us running out of the office with our workout clothes shoved into a shopping bag or any other bag we can find, our purse or carry-all bag slung over our shoulder filled to the gills with stuff like our leftover lunch, water bottle, wallet, cellphone, keys, other personal items, etc., and then our poor little yoga mat is left to fend for itself as it’s tucked under our arm.

Sound familiar?

No need to feel embarrassed, ashamed or foolish.  Like I said previously, I’ve been there, too.  I’m here to tell you that I’ve recovered and want to help you…

The Plank Messenger Yoga Mat Bag is perfect for those of us on the go and who want to make that transition from going to the office to the studio as seamless as possible.  You can store your laptop, work stuff, clothes and other ‘non-workout’ gear in the bag while suspending your trusty mat in the metallic mat clasps.  This bag is made of heavy duty cotton canvas with leather trim and will keep you looking stylish while you’re in the office and on your way to practice.

This color is absolutely gorgeous!  It’s also available in Sage.  There are all sorts of inside pockets, too, for everything and anything you might need – at the office, in the studio or anywhere else in between.

And for those of us who like to take everything with us (ahem, ME), let me introduce to you the Plank Tote Yoga Mat Bag.  There’s so much room in this beautiful bag that I dare to find someone that can’t manage to fit all their belongings in there (ahem, ME).  As with all of Plank’s yoga mat bags, this one is also made of heavy duty cotton canvas with leather trim and has metallic claps to hold your mat.  But with all the room in the tote, feel free to carry your mat in there, too.  You can save the clasps for hanging your jacket, towel, or anything else that strikes your fancy.

The color of this bag reminds me of the sky on a lovely spring day.  It’s also available in Chocolate and Red.  IMHO, you can’t go wrong with any color in this bag.  And the design?  Insane.

And there you have it!  Problem solved.  No worries, you can thank me later.  I accept gratuities in the form of baked goods, shiny jewelry and fabulous boots (because really, you can’t have enough of any of these things).

Do you get ready at the office before going to the studio or gym?  Or do you prefer getting changed once you arrive?

Namasté,
Nicole