Learning to Fly!

Have you ever wondered why, especially in NYC, we come into contact with so many people on a daily basis, but there are a few that have some sort of power and influence on you...and for some reason you can't stay away from them? It's almost like a feeling of soaring or flying, the energy that some people have that keep bringing you back for more, even if you don't know why!

For me, one of those teachers, inspirations, and mentors to me is my yoga teacher, Bryn Chrisman. I met Bryn in her yoga class at Laughing Lotus shortly after I moved to NY about a year ago and a half ago. At the time, I was going through huge transitions....completely transporting myself and transforming my life in a cross country move from San Francisco. The level of stress that I was under was nearly unbearable...thank GOD for Bryn! Although she didn't know it, I could not get enough of her classes. Her quirky sense of humor, hilarious laugh, fantastic sequencing and soulful dharma talks really hit home for me. She has a sensibility that I relate to, intelligent and thoughtful, but definitely not too serious.

At times during this transition, even after 12 years of practice, I found myself wandering away from my mat. I did not feel like myself anymore and I am very grateful that I walked into her class that one cool Sunday morning in November...thanks for bringing me back to my mat...back to my practice and back home.

There are many magnetic people for me in my life and I thrilled to have teachers (friends, mentors and important people) that inspire me and keep me coming back for more...thanks Bryn!

Please please check out her classes at Laughing Lotus in NYC. http://www.laughinglotus.com/

Full Circle...

The interconnection between people, things and the event in our lives is quite incredible. Over the past year I have had a few "full-circle" moments- some call it karma or fate, even Justin Timberlake has a song based on the saying- "what comes around goes around, comes around, goes all the way back around...yeah!"

I am not sure what it is about me, but I seem to have a knack for attracting these "full-circle" moments into my life. I am continually reminded that everything is connected. Our dreams, our reality, our desires. Over the past year, I have been contacted by a few people from my past who were pivotal in my growth as a person in different phases of my life. Be careful what you ask for because it might actually happen and turn your world upside down. It is no mistake that I have made my choices in life based on my past experiences and sometimes the desire for long overdue resolution, may or may not be a blessing in disguise. My friend and mentor, Brooke Emery, likes to call the "premonitions" leading up to events "signs of land". Well, I have seen signs of land and hit land this week- a blessing in disguise, I can finally move forward.

A Matter of Perception

Perception is an interesting concept. Truly founded in our feelings, it is a powerful anomaly that is inexplicable to most.....how does our perception truly influence our reality? Its interesting isn't it and something that most of us deal with every day. A sarcastic comment taken as truth, fantasies about what we want turning into reality, the appearance of a situation shifting in a specific way because of our past experiences, the tone in our voice changing the meaning of a sentence and causing a different reaction than intended to the receiver of the message, the shifts in weather that to some seem beautiful and to others seem horrible....

This idea of perception and shifting our reality came into full focus for me this weekend. One of my new teachers, Stephanie Culen, said it best while in yoga class. She was on her way to teach a class, splashing through the rain and enjoying the beauty of the rain and the melting snow, when she overheard someone on his cell phone complaining about how horrible the snow and rain was. To many people, snow and rain is pure beauty. A friend of mine even said to me this weekend that he loves rainy mornings more than anything. Who doesn't love bundling up on a rainy day? There is something really comforting about it. There is a time a place for the rain and snow, just as there is a time and place for warm, brilliant weather.

Perception can negatively cloud your experiences or positively expand our views in any given situation. As difficult as it, letting go of past experiences and opening up our perception can be very powerful and life transforming. As a yoga teacher who is currently substituting group classes, I come face to face with this every time I walk into someone else's yoga class. For most students, attachment to the experience with their teacher and the familiarity of what to expect is the driving force and the reason students keep coming back. I am not immune to this either. When my favorite teachers are gone, I have been known to not even show up for class. On those occasions that I show up and walk into a sub situation, I expect to be disappointed. When faced with this, I start my meditation with a personal mantra to stay receptive to the experience and remain open to learning something. I am usually so pleasantly surprised that I am constantly reminded that their is so much to gain from shifting your perception and opening up to something new.

So, when I walked into class this weekend, I challenged my new students to keep an open mind when I came to teach for Leah, an instructor at Equinox. Since I had never practiced with her before, I did not know what to expect. My vigorous vinyasa classes are quite different from "restorative flow" which I was teaching. Leah is obviously loved. Her class was packed, there wasn't even room for another mat. By encouraging her students to release their attachments to their experience with her, shift their perception, and open up to something new with me, I was hopefully able to create a safe environment for these students to grow and expand. I think it worked...I received a few claps, many thank yous and several "when do you teach(es)" after class...the best compliment of all.

And so this idea of shifting perception can expand, grow and be applied to just about every experience that we have in life...something that seems important to me, may seem trivial to the next. Our perception of a situation is what shapes our feelings and our feelings about a situation, is what shapes our perception...it may be because of our past experiences and history are shading our reality, preventing us from releasing attachment and moving forward. Who really knows??? All I know is that my perception of life is quite different than the person standing next to me and regardless of what our mind is telling us, we have a choice to make a shift, and with practice, any shift can happen.

Peace out!

Inner peace is something very difficult to attain for most...peace of mind, quieting the mind and finding resolution with the way things are is a daily challenge for all of us, especially the overachiever types, such as, moi.

In the last few years, my meditation practice has not been the most consistent in my life and is generally "practiced" in conjunction with my yoga practice, rather than every morning. My lack of intention makes it difficult at times to deal with the monkey brain thoughts....why does my but look big or why didn't he call me or how am I going to produce that huge order....we all do it...and maybe it is even in the knowledge that our thoughts manifest into things when we buy into them.

My new practice is one of the "cheesy" affirmation-turn that frown upside down. It has started to work...so when I am feeling insecure about something that is illogical, I turn it into a positive. I have truly found so much more peace...and I have a lot more FUN!

Speaking of Doves...the Dove Bar will be going off tonight at the 2nd HH with Erin, Cat and Me! see you there, Thompson street, bet bleeker and w 3rd.

Just Fine!

"well, I like what I see when I'm lookin' at me when I'm walkin' past the mirror, don't stress through the night at a time in my life, not worried bout if you feel it, got my head on straight, I got my vibe right, I ain't gonna let you kill it, cuz' I wouldn't change my life, my life its just fine...." -MJB

Mary J couldn't say it better could she? I have been obsessed with this song since I first "really" heard it in dance class on Christmas Eve. Something about the heavy rotation of the song, a crowded dance class full of expert dancers (except for me) and an inspirational and incredibly, hilariously, talented teacher really pounded this into my head...that yes, there are things that I desire and would like to have....but my life is great right here right now.

Since I decided to make 2008 the year of manifestation and conscious intention, I have really started by taking a step back and REALLY looking at how great I have it. My life is fantastic!- more than JUST FINE and when I realize that I am truly and 100% grateful for all of my experiences (including the horribly devastating ones), it has made it significantly easier to move forward a take a look at myself and my impact on the people around me.

So maybe my salary is not up to par or that account that I have been dying to land is still on the fence or mr. perfect is waiting to meet me or come around, I feel comfort in knowing that with gratitude and conscious intent anything can happen....hey, within a few hours of affirming my celebrity clients, Orlando bought something, so surely this is possible in all areas of any of our lives.!

Most importantly- our lives are just fine, right here right now and we are all exactly where we need to be even if it seems less than savory at the time. Time to Celebrate!

p.s. buy this album its awesome!

Blossoming Bloom!

I am happy to say that we have a new TMD men fan in Orlando Bloom who recently purchased one of our most popular pieces, the double ring necklace. For fun today, I affirmed to myself that tons of celebrities wear my jewelry and the same day the hunky Orlando purchased a piece.

Excellent Choice Orlando! Can't wait to see you wear it!

Felix the cat...

...the wonderful wonderful cat...

Who says salsa dancing in champagne soaked floors late on Sunday afternoon is out of the question? Definitely not this weekend!

I have never experienced a place like Felix in Soho on a Sunday afternoon until yesterday. Needless to say, incredible company make for incredible entertainment, including free flowing champagne, salsa dancing for hours on end (even when your hair is dripping in sweat), and friends swiftly balancing their dance moves on a chair....I am sure there were more shenanigans going on...in fact I witnessed a few..I think my time to go home was after my amazing and patient friend Catherine reminded me that I had an important meeting on Monday Morning...

A special shout out to my dance partner who only dropped me once....he was a great dancer! What fun!

Did'ja Get Lucky?

Did you? Get Lucky last night? Well it was Valentine's day...and it seems like an appropriate question (smile).

Even if you didn't get Lucky last night, maybe you can just pick up the most recent issue of Lucky Magazine and get some great deals on TMD jewelry- 25% off the entire site. Wahoo!

As seen in Lucky Magazine, March 2008, enjoy 25% off at tracymatthewsdesigns.com. The entire site is onsale (using the promotion key below) including 14K and 18K renewed gold and sample sale merchandise!

Great Stuff for MEN too!

enter: luckybreaks2 at checkout

You are fantastic....just look at you! Have a great weekend!

YES!

Happy Valentine's Day....

Many people have mixed feelings about this day of supposed love...over the years I have heard many...Valentine's day is (fill in the blank)...

...the ultimate day of love, a hallmark holiday, the best/ worst evening for a date, it's under/overrated ...The perfect day to get married or engaged...or to say "I love you" for the first time.

My Valentine's day experiences have run the gamut through all of these...a romantic at heart, I have never been extremely excited about Valentine's day...even in those times when I have been in a committed relationship. My experiences have been memorable from going to a party alone (and knowing no one in London), to singles night out with friends, to having a romantic dinner with my significant other. So while other people get depressed and down because they are not on a date...I say YES to this Holiday...what a better day to take care of and love yourself (even if you would rather be loving someone else).

My dear friend, Ashley, walked me through this exercise one time....every morning she wakes up and says "YES" to the day and whatever it brings her....so today, while others are saying YES, I will marry you, YES I love you or YES, let's go out with our friends....I say YES to this amazing day and whatever it brings me. Dinner with great friends and a massage sounds fantastic!

Retail therapy can't be too bad either....ladies, you can buy yourself something at tracymatthewsdesigns.com and receive 25% of with LUCKY breaks. Enter luckybreaks2 at checkout!

Thank You!

Gratitude is one of those words that you hear a lot of these days. Even though it is a word that that most of us use one a daily basis, it can often be difficult for us to focus on feeling grateful for the "seemingly" negative experiences that we have been through....

I have been reminded recently of how gratitude for our experiences and the blessings that we are given (whether or not they appear to be blessings at the time) impact our future development and growth. Out of the blue I recently received an email from a former employee who I truly considered (and still consider) a dear friend. Unfortunately, when she left my company and moved on....it wasn't on the most positive of notes. I battled for months about the terms of the ending of our relationship, I think mostly because we had become friends over the years, I sincerely cared about her well being, and the ending of this agreement seemed as though our relationship was pretty much over. When I read her email, a wave of emotion came over me, because she had moved on and was able to step back from our situation a bit (which I had done, as well, and had made peace with it). Her gratitude was deeply expressed in this letter and it reminded me of the reasons that I am so grateful to have her in my life. The best part about the whole thing is that she is truly flourishing and has grown tremendously since she has moved on. Seeing through the fog, I am sure we have both realized that we needed to move on in order to move forward.

I am truly grateful to her and what she has taught me about myself. My relationship with her has helped me become a better employer and friend. I miss her daily belly laughs and find comfort in knowing she will remain in my life...even if from afar. Today, I am grateful for you!

(I am also truly grateful that my new furniture is here!)

Practice in Patience

Waiting for a delivery of anything has got to be the most annoying thing ever! Today...Patience is the word.....

Repeat Offender

"History never repeats, I tell myself before I go to sleep"- Squeeze...

Oh if only that was true for most of us.....have you ever wondered why Human nature seemingly forces us to engage in activities that, in our conscious mind, we know are not good or healthy for us? Maybe it is a matter of the ego or some attachment we had to a "feeling" we had when we were previously in "said" situation. Finding a way to move through it and still loving ourselves in the process, may be the greatest challenge of all.

For a few years, I have had a chronic shoulder injury that has prevented me from moving deeper into certain yoga postures and has definitely become a nemesis at times. For awhile, I took care of it, other times I ignored it, but now I embrace it....finding ways to work through the pain and mentally acknowledging why I continually put myself into situations where I trigger pain in my shoulder...including practicing hand stands and shoulder stands. Maybe its my ego, maybe its because I want to ignore my limitations, maybe its because I know I can do these advanced postures and they don't always bother my shoulder, or maybe because I think I can handle it today? I am sure it is all of these things and so much more....and perpetual "repeating" of things that once were....and not looking at what I need today.

I guess the first step in breaking the pattern is acknowledging that you are going to that place and recognizing that it may not be healthy, physically or emotionally. For me, reconnecting can offer a sense of nostalgia and comfort....and maybe that is why I keep turning upside down. The exhilaration and the rush of facing fear is enough for me, even with the knowledge that I might continue to hurt my shoulder more....When completed, a sense of extreme accomplishment arises and it can be difficult to remain unattached. With this practice in patience, I have learned that by becoming friends with my shoulder, I can embrace the experience and move forward knowing that it is mine...and I love it!

Such is true for everything in our lives: the patterns that we repeat, the activities that we continue to engage in, the relationships we embrace and the lessons we choose to learn or ignore in the process. Wanting what I can't have will always be something that I need to look at. For now, becoming friends with my shoulder, as well as, my choices, is good enough for me.

Without regret- today is the day to live!

The Power of Touch

Have you ever noticed how you feel more relaxed after you have been touched in the right way? The power of human touch is quite amazing in all forms...you name it. It creates a unique type of intimacy and human connection that goes beyond words.

The power of touch in the form of massage is even better. I took a workshop a few years ago called Falling Awake. Dave Ellis, the author and leader of this celebratory line of coaching and being, expressed the importance of massage and touch so much that it was mandatory to get a daily massage if you were participating in the workshop! It is amazing when you start releasing so much stress, how creative and FREE you become.

As a special treat today, an amazing woman came in to my office and gave me and my staff 20 minute chair massages. Folks if you want to increase productivity and make your employees happy, this is the way to go! We are all blissful and relaxed....

Call her up, Laurie Moon (917) 767-9525 or http://www.nychairmassage.com

She also makes house calls! I'll be calling!

Fantasy World

One of the most amazing realities in process of attracting desireable things into your life is to really feel that it is happening in the here and in the now. I was at dinner with my friend, Erin last night and we had a fantastic time experimenting with this!

I met Erin years ago and we came together when I began teaching her private yoga lessons. Searching for some balance and equanimity, we bonded quickly. Little did I know that this woman would be in my life, now, as one of my dearest friends. Similar in outlooks with slightly different approaches, Erin and I are true believers in manifesting our destinies. A few weeks ago we took a course in attraction together and one of the exercises is to pretend that you have all of the things you desire now and talk about it as if they are already in your life.

Last night was so great...we were making present plans for things we desire in our lives and I am starting to believe my story. I can't believe how successful I have become-I have 10 investors knocking on my door as we speak- and seriously, my boyfriend is incredible! For now, it is my vision of my future...but just you wait and see...it will be my future! We're goin' on vacation!

You are LOVE!!!!

This morning, in my daily yoga practice, I had an amazing experience and exercise in stating my personal mantra. My teacher encouraged us to stay in a seated meditation or move into savasana (corpse pose). During said meditation, I spent my time repeating and creating a personal mantra for myself for that moment and for the rest of my day.

Instead of listening to the voice inside my head telling me that I am not good enough, or pretty enough, or successful enough, or I hate the brown spot on my face..and the list goes on... I opted for this:

I am LOVE
I am BEAUTIFUL
I am SUCCESSFUL
I am ABUNDANT
I am A YOGA TEACHER!!!!
I am INTELLIGENT
I am SEXY
I am AMAZING
I am HILARIOUS
I am COMPASSIONATE
I am CREATIVE
I am TALENTED

...I can seriously keep going on for days, but for me in that moment, the negative thoughts just went away. I encourage you to try this, as well. Create a daily mantra for yourself!

Today mine is, I am abundant, wealthy and creative!

Remind yourself of the love you have for yourself with these amazing Heart Studs available at http://www.tracymatthewsdesigns.com/

Eye Candy

Just looking at these pictures gets me tongue tied! This is eye candy in the purest definition of the word...oh david, why you have to look so good...and make my jewelry look even better.

Introducing David Siik, model du-jour and TMD men spokesperson...

Introducing beautiful photog taking pics of beautiful people (and jewelry)...Raquel Lauren, green advocate and brilliant shutterbug.

One gorgeous day sometime this Fall, the three of us walked the streets of NYC taking some of the most amazing high fashion pictures for my men's line, TMD men. We somehow roped Raquel's fiance, Brad (sorry boys, she's taken), into our master plan and he popped in for a few pics, as well. True professionals (David and Raquel), I could not maintain my giggling the entire day...its like a dream come true....professional, HOT model showing off your jewelry- half the time with his shirt off- high fashion photog, snapping away like a true vet- I am so cool! We had many fans and observers that day....and many blushing ladies along our path (including me).

Highly recommended comes 3 things-

1. TMD men jewelry- guys, you can all wear-even Brad wanted a bracelet after the shoot

2. Raquel Lauren Photography (raquellauren@gmail.com) she is amazing at all types...I have her shoot stills and my headshots.

3. David Siik, Model, can be reached via Ford Models in NYC!

They Picked Me!

Just thought the inquiring minds might want to know......I have received an email informing me that Equinox would like to hire me! yay! they picked me...on to phase 2...

Mentors and Teachers All Around!

Invocation to the Guru
Guru Bramha
Guru Vishnu
Guru Devo Maheshwara
Guru Sak Shat
Param Bramha
Tash Mayishri Guruvey Namaha

-Patanjali

For many years, this mantra has been a part of my daily practice. I chant it to myself after my yoga practice and anytime when I am feeling overwhelmed (which is often)...before you go running of, passing judgment and calling me an eastern religious freak, you must first understand the translation of this mantra....its meaning is universal regardless of your dogma.

Literally translated, the invocation to the guru has a profound meaning-

I bow down to all of my teachers
the teacher which is the life that I was born into
the teacher which is this life that I continue to lead
the teacher who is all hardship and difficulty set before me on my path
the teacher who resides within and sits without
and the teacher who is beyond all of this, formless and supreme
I offer all of my efforts, bowing down with love, respect and devotion.


Who are your teachers? The answer is "everything and everyone who you have ever encountered in your life, especially those who you disagree with!" I have always held a special place in my heart for this mantra. It is really important to me in my discovery of whom I am and who I aspire to be. As human beings, we tend to get caught up in situations without taking a moment to look at what each situation is teaching us about whom we are and its impact on our lives.

Recently, I was debating with a friend about dating and relationships. Both liberal and independent women, we were debating our ability to date, or consider, a long term relationship with someone who had opposite political views (for example, conservative man with liberal woman). Playing the devils advocate, I said that for me, as long as they are willing to listen to and respect my viewpoint, that dating someone with differing views was not always a deal breaker for me...she begged to differ. Our conversation really went in a circle and our evening out ended shortly thereafter. Contemplating the context of the situation, I truly believe that there is a lot to be learned from people who are different from you. I guess, for me, growing into my liberal views in a sea of Conservatives, has been a great teacher for me. This current administration is one of the greatest teachers on how NOT to be...

A few weeks ago, my grandfather passed away. The man lived a life that American Dreams are made of.....some of you already know his story, and for those of you who don't, on the surface, the 2 of us have the most opposite views about everything. But when I actually dug deep and looked back at this man, his life, and the impact that his conviction had on the people around him, I quickly realized that all along, regardless of his views, he was always a great teacher and a mentor to me. Unwavering in his values and conviction, he lived his life in great devotion to family and friends, enraptured in love with my grandmother, faithful and spiritual, an entrepreneur and businessman, and dedicated to charity. Once I was able to single out his values as actual values, rather than the fluff surrounding them, I realized that each and everyone of these traits was something that I aspired to incorporate into my life...he has been my mentor and teacher all along.

Politics aside....My point being...everyday and in everyway, we meet people, celebrate life in its glory, encounter hardships, and listen to our inner guidance....my challenge to you is how can you learn from these situations, the good, the bad and the ugly. Maybe it’s your choices in relationships....healthy or unhealthy...what can you learn and how can you change so that you break the energy draining and venomous ones and foster the healthy, glowing, brilliant ones? Possibly, it is what you are putting into your body or how you are treating yourself? So if your daily vocabulary includes words like, if I only had this or if I was just a little better at that, why can't I meet the right guy/ girl or I am not good enough....maybe you should take a look around you, acknowledge what your teachers are telling you and reach out to the positive teacher....replace those phrases with words like....celebration, love, admiration, abundance and gratitude. You'll notice the shift right away!

When you are walking down the street, embrace what you see....enjoy what feeds your soul, acknowledge that which is different and not in line with your values (and learn from it) and create your own mantra....today mine is love, abundance and laughter...I'll be dancing my way to work...I'm sure!

(having faith and trusting yourself allows you to do amazing things...like this arm balance)

Laugh till You Cry!

Have you ever notice how your mood shifts with just a little giggle? For me, Laughter is one of the funnest things ever...(yes I said "funnest")! Since I was a child, I have used the power of laughter and smiling to basically get through life...I know that my day is not complete without a full out belly laugh about something. People sometimes stare at me as I am walking to work..... because I am cracking myself up! You may think its odd...but it brings me great joy.

Reasoning and psychotherapy aside (yes, I have been analyzed for my bizarre reactions of laughter to intense situations) , I have found that finding a reason to laugh at any situations is the best therapy money can't buy. I challenge you to try it sometime. My challenge is to try NOT to laugh or giggle when it may appear inappropriate...I know my job is not complete unless someone says to me, "why are you laughing at me?" No dear, not laughing at you, just like to laugh when I am having fun!

Memories of my childhood: my neighbor's nickname for me (smiley), hysterical bouts of laughter after lunch in middle school- as my friend Shannon likes to remind me-brush your braces after you eat tuna fish (eeew- I know), laughing with my siblings (all 7 of them), and finding ways to make light out of seemingly devastating situations is what makes me tick....even as an adult.

Hey, if I can't laugh at myself then I would not be complete! Sometimes a good snort is fun too!

(See photo of me in a hysterical bout of laughter)