Just Say YES!

I thank you God for this most amazing day,
for the leaping green spirits of trees,
and for the blue dream of sky
and for everything which is natural,
which is infinite,
which is yes.
--- e. e. cummings

Just Say YES!

I thank you God for this most amazing day,
for the leaping green spirits of trees,
and for the blue dream of sky
and for everything which is natural,
which is infinite,
which is yes.
--- e. e. cummings

NYC- TMD and Sobella Sample Sale

Jewelry designer, Tracy Matthews, is having another sample sale so here is your chance to get the jewelry that celebrities like Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry, Orlando Bloom and David Cooke covet. Enjoy a great savings of 50-90% off her delicate, personal jewelry for women and hip, edgy collections for men. Great time to holiday shop with gifts starting at $ 10.

For women:

Large Hammered and Criss Cross cuffs (as seen in Lucky magazine) regularly $ 45-60, now $ 15-20
Long geometric mixed metal layering Chain Necklaces, regularly $ 200, now $ 60-80
Tons of “grab bag” items for $ 10-20

For men:

Wooden dogtag and oxidized chain necklaces, regularly $80, now $ 30
Sterling silver and wood cufflinks, regularly $ 150, now $ 50
Deconstructed medallion necklace, regularly $ 200, now $ 60

Last Minute Additions! Sobella Handbags at 50% off of retail! You can own these fantastic bags at a fraction of the price!

Details: Thursday December 4th and Friday December 5th
Time: 10 am -7 pm
Location: Tracy Matthews Designs Studio Space
264 Canal Street Loft 6E
New York
Between Broadway and Lafayette
Subway lines: NRQW, 6, ACE, 1

cash and credit card only!

Phone: 212.863.9474

Email: info@tracymatthewsdesigns.com
Website: http://www.tracymatthewsdesigns.com/

Coexist

Its funny, I have been teaching 5 yoga classes a week for the past several months and it seems as though my time to practice has been quite limited. I have made a point to practice in the yoga studio (alone) after my Wednesday morning class. It always seemed like a good idea...there were no classes for at least an hour and a half after mine and the yoga room at Soho is beautiful....its funny how challenges in coexistence can occur even in the most unexpected places.

My first time practicing in the room, I was uninterrupted...so I thought...this is brilliant! Great space, no distractions, music and the great sounds system! What more could I ask for than this?...much better than my tiny living room in which my mat can almost reach from wall to wall.

Second week comes around...I noticed a new maintenance guy vacuuming the tile while I was teaching my class (annoying because the sound is distracting to the students). OK so I say something after class at the front desk and that problem seems to get resolved fairly quickly.

Third week, this is great, until said maintenance guys storms into the yoga studio immediately after class with his shoes on and iPod blaring.

MG: "Excuse me miss, but you are going to have to leave so I can clean the room!"

TM: "But I always practice after class and no one has made me leave before. the next class starts at 10:30!" (surely my tone wasn't as yogic as I would have hoped...he still was not biting)

MG: "I'm sorry but you are gonna have to move when I start mopping and you need to get out of the way so I can straighten out the mats."

OK a little disgruntled, I move my mat so he can do his job...which is all he was really doing anyway, right? I try to stay present and focused while he is humming and whistling away. Try not to get distracted as he rips open the curtains that hide the mirror and turn yoga sanctuary into something closer to a gym room. Shoot...now I am checking myself out in the mirror and fall out of my headstand.

Fourth and Fifth week roll around and I find that I am losing my level of irritation with this man who was just doing his job. I start talking to him nicely and respecting his space. He is not so irritated that he can't mop where my mat lies.

Sixth and Seventh week roll around, "hey miss, I am always amazed at those poses you do" (meaning the advanced asana, etc.), "I can't believe you can actually do that!" My response always, "years of practice."

Eight and ninth week roll around and he is waiting for me (not in a creepy way) but "hey, you weren't here last week". I start to look forward to the test of calming my mind and avoiding the distraction of his blaring hip hop and hard core rap on his iPod.

Now, many weeks into the scenario, I have learned a huge lesson in coexistence. You see, this man was just doing what he was supposed to be doing, his job. Even though it didn't fit into my plan of what worked for me, together we learned that by respecting each other and finding some way to communicate, whether it be through a smile, a hello or a gesture, that we can both do what we need to do and coexist pleasantly.

I "heart" boobs

October is Breast Cancer awareness month! In an effort to support causes that we believe in, TMD is having a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the cure. The funds will be raised in honor of Tracy's Grandmother, Margaret, a breast cancer survivor for 20 years (until her death at the age of 91 in 2006).

Purchase this beautiful pink vermeil "heart" necklace and earrings set (retail value of $ 123) for $ 112 and we will donate 10% of the purchase price ($ 11.20) per item to Susan G. Komen.

In addition, we will be donating 10% of our total website sales from October 15-31st.

Thank you so much for your support....cheers to beautiful, healthy breasts!

Removing Obstacles

Om Gan Ganapataye Namo Nama

A sacred chant offered up the the elephant headed deity, Ganesh or Ganapatai. Chanting this phrase over and over is considered a pathway to removing obstacles and reaching the fullest potential, in spirit, in prosperity and in success.

Most of us have prayed in one form or another to take away the things that are holding us back. Usually these things are within our own heads-self doubt, self destructive behavior, constant worry, critical judgements about ourselves and others, not feeling worthy of what we ultimately desire and want in our lives- and the list goes on. Ganesha, the elephant headed deity, represents success, prosperity and peace in all of our endeavors. He is know to be the remover of obstacles in our lives. By invoking Ganesh, it is said to remove the physical and mental blocks that prevent us from reaching our full potential for love, success and abundance. In addition, Ganesh is also the life of the party wherever he goes!

I recently purchased this Hip Hip album that is mixed with sacred chants by leading Kirtan singer call Elephant Power, by MC yogi...I love it...and it cracks me up listening to these hip hop beats with samples from artists such as Bhagavan Das, Jai Uttal and Krishna Das...cracks me up and makes me want to sing out loud...

Jai Ganesha! Rub your belly, breathe away the obstacles and receive what you desire!

Gratitude

In remembrance of September 11, 2001, let's take a moment to remember everything we are blessed with and be grateful for every moment. Life is way too short!

Happiness smappiness....

Here is an excerpt from 'Notes from the universe" from yesterday...

"For those who ponder and wonder and wrestle with the idea of what it is that they really want, I have an answer that each would wholeheartedly agree with:"Happiness."

http://www.tut.com/

In the personal search for happiness, sometimes so much can be lost...and what I mean by that is we spend so much time trying to figure things out most of the time, that we forget to be present and to remember that we have a choice to be happy. I know some of you will disagree with me but we all really do...

The other day, I was grappling with something that was weighing on my mind.....essentially a whole batch of confusing emotions that were swirling...we all know the feeling. I was tired and feeling a little self loathing when I realized that I had nothing to not be happy about. By setting the "stuff" aside for a moment and shifting my perspective to the amazing things that are going really well in my life, I immediately WAS Happy!

Happy, in my opinion is really a state of mind. None of us can change the past, but we can be present and create our own happy future just as we had always hoped for. We need not more than what is right in front of us....and nothing is more powerful and beautiful than that! Let go of expectations and embrace what the universe has to give you.....its as easy as that!

New Beginnings

The change of seasons always offers an incredible opportunity for New Beginnings. Summertime is coming to an end and although we technically have a few more weeks of Summer, Labor day signals the end of the Summer Season for most of us. Here on the East Coast, the change of seasons will happen before any of us truly know it. Soon we will be putting away our summer dresses and pulling out our knee high boots and sweaters.

New Beginnings can symbolize so many things for each of us individually...maybe moving on past a relationship that didn't work, accepting and receiving and new outlook on life or even shedding away the layers and the baggage of whatever you are holding onto. It also offers a new perspective to receive with Love. Marianne Williamson references in her book "Return to Love" that acceptance and forgiveness all come from finding a place of love within each person that we encounter. It may be a love relationship, a family relationship or even a friendship that has you in a twist. Once we are able to approach anyone from a place of love, we can find healing regardless of the distress, discomfort or pain that we have felt in relation to another. With this comes the ultimate freedom that anyone can have....letting go and starting over!

By Starting over, we naturally let go of the past. With letting go comes emotional freedom. And with that emotional freedom, anything can happen....Happy Birthday!

Namaste

Namaste literally translates as "the light within me acknowledges the light within you." A simple gesture and statement, sometimes finding our own light can seem daunting when our mind tells us otherwise.

Marianne Williamson says it well in her book "A Return to Love"

-'We get in life that which we focus on. Continual focus on darkness leads us as individuals and as a society, further into darkness. Focus on the light brings us into the light.

"I accept the Christ* (light) within" means, " I accept the beauty within me as who I really am. I am not my weakness. I am not my anger. I am not my small mindedness. I am much, much more. And I am willing to be reminded of who I really am."-

By focusing on our lightness and the truth of who we really are, true happiness and peace are abundant and available to all of us. We are all pure and perfect at the core of our being and by recognizing this essence we all have a unique opportunity to realize something truly beautiful, devoid of what are mind is telling us and what the world tries to dictate.

Yoga for accepting and embracing the lightness within you-

Sit in a comfortable seat and place the right hand on the energetic center of your heart (anahata chakra) place the left hand over the right. Close your eyes and breath into your heart center. Finding love and compassion for yourself is the key to happiness.

*Christ in this context refers to the light within us and does not denote a religious connotation.

Forgive to Live

Forgiveness is a heavy word...not just for the implication of what it means, but for the energy that is usually surrounding it. I had a dear friend who I had lost touch with recently say to me...."thank you for forgiving me".... for events that had transpired years and years ago. I stepped back for a moment when I heard this and thought about it. Yes, we had not spoken in many years (at least in the way this conversation developed) but forgiveness now???? I hadn't really thought about it in so long, because I had forgiven this person ages ago.

So why was it so important for me or for anyone to forgive? Especially, when there is no guarantee or even hope that you will ever see or speak to someone again in your life! I believe forgiveness is a path to freedom. We have all have witnessed people in our own lives that literally spend a majority of their time holding grudges against people who have done them wrong and have literally wasted their energy feeling bad about something that happened in the past. I am not proposing that you ignore your emotional process, but why hate, despise and fester when the only person that it is holding back and hurting is you???


I realized this many years ago after my life dramatically changed and my reality became something completely new and different. My new reality was born out of heart ache and pain....as I went through my emotional process, I immediately realized that the only person that was being hurt by not forgiving was ME! You see, the other parties don't ever feel your pain....as much as we would like them too, not so much. You are the only one who feels your pain....and the grudges and the anger....so unless you have magical powers, put away your voodoo doll.


What's not to forgive?...we are all human and all make mistakes, some bigger than others. The important thing is that we are sentient beings with the ability to learn from our mistakes (and other people's), forgive the pain that we have been dealt and to truly be free to LIVE an abundant and joyful life. Do whatever you need to do to get there....forgive yourself, forgive someone else, and you will find that you be truly LIVING, happy and free.


Find some compassion...try Supta Baddha Konasana to connect with anahata chakra (the heart center) and release tension and anger in the hips....a perfect pose to open yourself up to forgiveness.

Great!

My grandfather past away this last year and I have written about him before...today when I was getting my morning coffee before I went in to teach my Wednesday morning class, I was thinking about his fantastic optimistic attitude. Whenever anyone asked him how he was, he always shouted with resounding joy, "GREAT!" Just like Tony the Tiger. In his later years, with failing health, he perpetuated this sentiment when he could no longer speak...by knocking his large knuckles on a table...his new symbol of "Great!"

I reminisce about this for several reasons....you see, living with an optimistic and positive focus in life can considerably change everything around you. My grandfather was faced with adversity throughout his life, as well as, great abundance. Regardless of what he was faced with at any given time, he was always "Great!"

If you were to just start your day feeling great and shifting your focus to even say that you are great, maybe, just maybe you will feel great and then everything seems to fall into place. Depending on your beliefs, we only have this one life to live so why not make the best out of every moment....let go of what holds you back, forgive, be free, live with compassion and make a difference....even if only for yourself! Great things will come!

Notes on a Scandal....

Today, I am grateful that the universe ejects things out of my life that distract me from my goals, purpose and desires....Tracy Matthews

Yes, I just quoted myself....hilarious. I talk about the shedding and releasing of old patterns here and in my yoga classes all of the time....sometimes this wisdom is VERY difficult to put into practice while you are in any given situation. I am REALLY hard on myself most of the time...but also extremely compassionate. Today when I was teaching, frustrated that my iPod was being temperamental....I felt as if I was losing it...just for a sec...and after calming down realized that this was all in relation to some outside frustration, resistance to surrender and a rebirth that has been happening within me. You see, the universe keeps reminding me of my old patterns and my desires to seek what is comfortable rather than what I truly want.

So, after a second of collecting myself, I went inside myself and although I forgot all of the profound things I was going to say to the students, I ended up teaching a great class....and offered my blessing and offering of gratitude to them...I am grateful today that the universe ejects things out of my life that distract me from my goals, purpose and desires (bruised ego and all). I ended class with a round of kapalabhati breathing or cleansing breath to clear the mind and cleanse the soul.

I have learned my lesson....thank you for sharing....time to move on!

Interview with Tracy Matthews

I was just interviewed for the max and chloe website....thought I would share it with you....

Have you always wanted to design things?

I can’t say always…..but when I was a little girl I used to draw all of the time and thought that I wanted to design wedding dresses. I found my passion for jewelry design when I was in my early 20’s in college after taking a jewelry fabrication class.

How did you decide to become a jewelry designer?

Once I realized I had some talent (see above question), my jewelry instructor at LMU began mentoring me, so to speak. I quickly began selling my jewelry to friends and family and decided that this was my passion and dream.

What is your favorite creation?

Currently, my rose-cut cocktail rings….although every season it differs. The most classic and longstanding designs that I have designed are my collection of hoop earrings. Most are simple and basic, but they are so wearable….I wear hoops every day.

How would you describe your jewelry?

Delicate and personal! I am inspired by nature, vintage jewelry and art, but a lot of my ideas come out of my yoga teaching and practice. Strange things happen when you are fueling creative energy. My hope is that clients collect my jewelry. My friends and regulars still wear jewelry from my first collections (over 9 years ago) usually layered with pieces from the newest collections.

How did you get started?

After college, I moved from LA to San Francisco….and put my desire to start my business on hold for a bit. With the encouragement of friends and family, I had made a decision that I wanted to design jewelry full time and one day quit my job in retail and created my first collection. Within a few months, I was in several stores and hired my first employee…that was 9 years ago.

Who do you admire?

Has this helped you in your career path? There are so many people that I admire that it is difficult to choose one…people like Ghandi and Audrey Hepburn have always inspired me….but on a more intimate level…I think I have always been inspired by my grandparents for many reasons. Mainly because my grandmother was the person who ran the ship in my mother’s household (she had 12 children who then spawned 55 grandchildren and too many great grand children to count) and my grandfather started a restaurant empire with nothing more than a 8th grade education. In addition, they were people of great faith, charity and conviction. They lived their lives in alignment with their values which I feel is something that is faltering in our society. Although my beliefs are different than theirs, I would like to think that these fundamental values are things that I aspire to as an entrepreneur, business owner, yoga instructor and someone who believes in the importance of giving back to society.

Have you ever expressed yourself through another path apart from jewelry design?

Yes, I am also a yoga instructor (currently at Equinox Fitness in NYC) and for me this is a true expression of creativity on a fundamental level. I love inspiring people. The expansion of personal growth that I have experienced is beyond words and I just hope that I can motivate my student to find that type of growth and creativity in themselves. I also write a blog that was originally supposed to be about jewelry and things going on at TMD…but has definitely turned into something else. It was recently picked up by a fantastic website that mentors and inspires women called http://www.realbeautyis.com/. You can view my blog at http://tracymatthewsdesignsinc.blogspot.com/

Where did you grow up? Where did you go to college, and what did you study?

I grew up in the “OC” (Newport Beach, California)! Most people would never guess by meeting me. I received a BA in European Studies, Cum Laude, from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Can you describe your favorite piece of jewelry from your childhood?

Anything in my mothers jewelry box….but when I was older, my Laurel Birch enamel earrings….so strange since I don’t even know if she is around anymore…but loved, loved them in the 6th grade.

Where do you travel to?

Anywhere that I can….India, Mexico, New Zealand, Hawaii, South America, Europe (all over) and Sun Valley, ID! I am going to Buenos Aires in December and cannot wait!

What inspires you in everyday life?

There are so many things that inspire me…so I will list them…My sister, Carlie (she works with me), and my friends. They are a great support system, always keep me on path and grounded when I waver and have the best advice when I am stuck.

My Yoga Practice…I have been practicing yoga for 13 years and teaching for 5….it brings me so much joy and I always feel better after…no matter what.

Gratitude….I try to be grateful every day for what I have…because often times things don’t go our way, and it is really easy to get stuck in a slump….and I am not saying that I never get stuck there…I just prefer to celebrate the fantastic things in my life…

Music, laughter and dancing….I walk to work everyday with my iPod on usually singing out loud and dancing….and then I laugh at myself when people look at me funny!

What is the most important thing you have learned about who you are since you've started to pursue your dream of designing jewelry?

I have learned that “I am who I am” and not what the market indicates. I do not design “Fashion Jewelry” as translated by the fashion market. My jewelry is collectible, personal and delicate and I decided to stop trying to be something different than that.

How would you describe your ideal jewelry?

Layers and layers of necklaces….delicate, simple and easy.

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?

Besides the pieces that I have that were once my mothers, vintage or ethnic (purchased on my travels)…..My recycled gold and rose-cut diamond necklace from my fine jewelry collection and Hoops…I have at least 20 pairs and have designed at least 50 styles of hoops since I started my business.

What is your favorite trend?

My own personal style…not a trend but I just said that I don’t design “trend” jewelry

What do you hope to accomplish as a jewelry designer?

Long term, I hope to develop a business that has a standard practice of giving back to communities and charities. I am moving my company in an ethical direction, developing my line from sustainable and fair trade materials and resources. I also hope to merge my worlds as yoga instructor, philanthropist and designer into something bigger than just being a company that sells jewelry.

Notes on Clarity

The only way to get what you really want, is to know what you really want.
And the only way to know what you really want, is to know yourself.
And the only way to know yourself, is to be yourself.
And the only way to be yourself, is to listen to your heart.
I do, The Universe

I subscribe to this daily email service call "Notes from the Universe" and admittedly, the website is a little hokey, but the message is so very clear. I am always amazed at how perfect the timing is for the strangely profound messages.....they always come just when needed....

In my usual process of self analysis, I often have to pause for a moment and remove myself from my current situation in order to gain the clarity I need to make choices that move me in the direction of finding and receiving what I truly want. Sometimes, these choices aren't so much choices made even by myself, but choices made by others.....but the universe has a powerful way of ejecting things out of our lives that can hold us back from what we want.

I truly believe that we always know what is good a right for us and what moves us in the direction of our desires...but often we don't listen to what our gut is telling us and we make choices that aren't in line with what we need. Finding clarity is often the pathway to remove the obstacles that stand in front of what we truly desire and want....In listening to our heart, we are always able to be ourselves, and in knowing ourselves, we are able to truly define what we really want, and once we know what we want, we can finally have the capacity and the ability to receive it!

When all is said and done, there is nothing more empowering and beautiful than knowing what you want and actually going for it!...without reservation or shame.....it is the only way to living the life of your dreams and staying true to your heart. Get clear, listen to your heart and follow your dream!

Breaking the pattern

Have you ever wondered what holds any of us back from getting what we want, need, desire? Without getting too deep into the deepest parts of our psyches, I am clearly reminded (almost daily) of how my past is working in the present. The stories that my parents told me about finances, relationships and life (whether they realized they were telling me these stories or not) continue to resurface in one way or another in my adult life....it is CRAZY!

This is a pivotal time for many of us in the universe at this moment.....recession, lost money and homes, increasing debt across the board...its freaking scary. On top of that, add personal and emotional issues that can break or grow deeper during times like these....everyone is dealing with a ton of baggage...trunks and trunks so to speak!

So...in these times, how is it possible for any of us to stay sane and allow what the universe has to offer to come to us? Sometimes I am not sure, but other times I truly believe that in allowing ourselves to receive, we face a profound opportunity for change...often times it just means taking a look inside to determine what it is that you truly want, and how the patterns of your past affect you today. Without blame or fault, identifying what is holding you back can catapult you forward....so stop the pattern...you deserve whatever it is that you seek.

Personally, I have been working in this space and once I identified why I was making poor choices and actually addressed it, the outcome that I desired came to me out of seemingly no where. These little jewels land all around us and we all have the opportunity to learn, grow and find what we want just by breaking the pattern....

In a gesture of offering and receiving, come to a comfortable seat and open your palms face up towards the heavens...

Life and Legacy

In this practice that we call life, we are often left to consider the legacy that we might leave behind. Personally, I have been considering this question for many years....you see, often times your life can move in unforeseen directions, quickly and unexpectedly, and often all we are left with is ourselves and our place on this earth. Earlier this year, my 90 year old grandfather passed away. An incredible man, he transcended his humble upbringing as the son of Ohio farmers and moved to California to build a restaurant empire with little knowledge, education and, for sure, no money. Although he was an extremely successful person throughout his life, he never forgot what his values were and what was important to him. Over the years he earned and lost his fortune, but what always stayed with him was a certain type of respect.

At both of my grandparents funeral's (my grandmother passed away 18 months prior to my grandfather), the things that people spoke about were deep and real....their strong values rooted in their unwavering faith, family values, philanthropic goals, business relationships and strong willed determination. With that being said, the superficial was not mentioned....it was all about the love, conviction and passion for the lives that they led.

So we are left with the question of the what, how and why? How do we want to be remembered???.....life is too short to be caught on the surface...many of us are struggling economically in this down market and watched our fortune slip away. But like the market fluctuates and changes, remembering that change is the only thing that we can count on might help us stay aligned with what we really want in our lives, what we want to be known for and how we want to REALLY live.

I think of some of the famous people in this world who have the MOST money....Bill Gates and Oprah are the first 2 that come to mind...although it might be foolish to say that people won't remember that they were wealthy, what I can say that they WILL be remembered for is the good that they do...both Bill gates and Oprah are so dedicated to living a life aligned in accordance to their values...so much so that (and I might be modest in numbers here) hundreds of thousands of people's lives have been changed and affected by their philanthropy, mentoring and vision. They had a choice....hoard their money and keep it to themselves and do their job but otherwise escape from their power to make an impact in the world OR use their wealth not only for themselves, but to make a difference in the world and align with what is good for humanity.

Don't get me wrong...money really has nothing to do with it...no one will remember that you were the richest person on the block or that your abs were the super ripped, or even that you can float a handstand in the middle of a yoga room unsupported....what they will remember is the impact you had on their lives and how you lived your life.....and if they only remember you for the superficial than I am sorry for you...

Today, I challenge you to live your life with conviction and passion, open your mind and consider new things, do something kind for someone else, be a friend (truly and deeply) and make a difference, life is way too short! What are you waiting for? Its not too late!

Fearlessness

Fear can be overwhelming and inhibiting at times.....regardless of what you are afraid of, it is often the main driving force and motivator in our lives. It can be debilitating....worry about finances (especially in today's economy), relationships, acceptance, health and wellness, body image, self esteem....all rolled up into a ball they can hover creating overwhelming anxiety and stress that can seem like a black hole.

What if instead of the worry and anxiety, we were able to shift our perspective, celebrate and attack the the fear and consider solutions as to how we can embrace the fear (not run away from it), step outside of our situations and create a positive outcome to whatever might be holding us back. Sometimes this shift is all we need to attract a solution or a healthy fearless situation...

In my yoga practice over the years, many poses have generated great fear. Overcoming the fear of practicing these poses has helped me become more fearless in my own life. Just knowing the I can stand on my hands or drop back into a hand stand without breaking a limb, herniating a disc or killing myself, is so empowering and reminds me that if I can do this...anything is possible and the rest begins to lose its grip on me.

For you today...poses to reduce fear and create fearlessness!

1. Urdva Danurasana (wheel pose/ "eka pada (one legged)" variation show above)- lay on your back with your knees bent and your feet no wider (or narrower) than hip distance apart. Place your hands underneath your shoulder blades and squeeze your elbows closer together so they are in line with your shoulders. Inhale, come to the crown of your head. Exhale, straighten your arms into wheel. If you are open and warm, try drawing your right knee into your chest and straighten your right leg towards the ceiling. repeat on the left side.

2. Eka pada Rajokapotasana or Pigeon pose-come into downward facing dog pose (inverted "v" pose). Inhale your right leg to the ceiling for down dog splits. Exhale, swing your right leg forward in between your hands so that the shin is coming towards parallel to the front of your mat. Your right knee is close to your right wrist and your right foot is close to your left wrist. Inhale lift your heart and lengthen the spine, exhale fold forward. Repeat on the left side. If you have tight hips, you can place a blanket underneath your right hip to level the hips. alternate variation: lay on your back and cross your right ankle over your left knee. Interlace your fingers underneath the left knee cap and draw the leg closer to your body. breath. repeat on the other side.

3. Hand stand- come into downward facing dog close to a wall so that your finger tips are spread wide and your middle finger is facing directly towards the wall. walk your feet as close to your hands as possible. With the left knee slightly bent, spring forward and up with your right leg. Using the wall for support and your arms straight, come into hand stand. Switch legs to come up and repeat. Breath.

In all of these poses, overwhleming feelings might come up, fear, sadness and self doubt or maybe even exhilaration, happiness and joy ....this is normal, nothing to run away from and the power of a successful yoga practice. Breath into the space, cry if you need to and let go of the pain (literally and figuratively).

Namaste!

Liberty and Justice for All

Important things often come in small packages. My cousin's daughter, Justice, is one of those "things." Well, actually, she is a brilliant woman at such a young age. Her passion for life and her conviction in her beliefs is so apparent at such an early age...she is only 9.....(8 when this was filmed).

I would like to share with you one of the most impressive things I have ever seen from someone so young. Justice is truly a leader and a visionary...I can only imagine the woman she will grow into some day. She is wise beyond her years and a role model for me, 28 years her senior! And although this is more about human interest and saving lives, she is political as well. The daughter of politically conservative parents, Justice is a huge Obama supporter. When I was her age, I was "rooting" for whoever my parents were "rooting" for...(which happened to be Reagan)!

Justice wrote this letter to the president as a project for her second grade class. It was submitted to a national competition and she was then hand selected to read the letter on stage at a Spearhead concert. You can see the actual video at the end of the blog...

Dear President,

Hi President...how are you? Well, war kills people and a lot of people have died already. We learn to talk to each other to solve our problems in my second grade class. Can't presidents of countries do that too?

If you believe that we must have war, I was thinking that the people at war could use water guns, those really big ones. It would be better, and whoever gets soaked is out. The other team wins. I'm just thinking, and I'm still a kid....if you don't like the idea, that's fine with me. I will understand.

Maybe presidents could choose teams to help you and you guys could have a water gun fight. This would save a lot of people from being killed.

From a concerned citizen,

Justice (second grader)


If it were possible to just teach our children to have this level of interest and conviction at such a young age, maybe the future of our country and our universe has a fighting chance! Justice for President!

Justice is a featured in the real beauty is forum on http://www.realbeautyis.com/

Get to know yourself...

Knowing others is intelligence;
Knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.

Chapter 33, Tao te Ching- translated by Stephen Mitchell

I am on my way to teach this morning and I felt inspired to write beforehand....it is interesting because I have been reading this passage in my classes on and off fo the past couple of weeks.

We have all been there, tying to figure out someone we are in some sort of relationship, whether it be a family relationship, a business relationship, a romantic relationship, even a friendship. Over time we feel as though we get to know these people really well. Often times, I find myself in situations where I am trying to figure out the motivation behind what someone is doing.....usually in a situation of conflict. When we are able to step back and take a look at ourselves and our reaction in the situation, often times if offers an opportunity for amazing growth and a deeper exploration of our true selves.

Getting to truly know yourself is a difficult process.....our ego always gets involved and our "monkey mind" often tells us lies. Through self exploration, breath and meditation we may find that we come closer to seeing our truth and who we really are....and what we all are???? Fantastic, brilliant beings, full of love and hope....and when you really connect with who you really are, the rest of the "stuff" seems to lose power and melt away!