Feeling Mother Earth

It is a most gorgeous spring Friday here in New England. A lovely day for a New Moon. And it's the new moon in Taurus at that. Time to reconnect to our Mother that gives us life and energy. We celebrated Earth Day this week and saw the country in talks to actually start doing things about our environmental issues. But, as I mentioned in my classes this week...the more you come to your mats or your meditations, the more aware you'll become. Aware of yourself and your needs. Aware of your surroundings. Aware of what you put in and on your body. Aware of what you put in your mind and how you use it to treat others. I know you heard it all week, but Earth Day truly IS every day. And now is the time to be inspired and to set forth in your journey of what that means to you.

With that, it's been a somewhat long, tiring week here in Boston. Starting with Patriots' Day Monday...we saw so many come to bust their booties on the challenging course (props to Jess, Andreas, and Antonio!). Then it rained, rained all through the middle of the week. My computer completely shut down (as I write this from someone else's). People came to class dealing with family sickness, break-ups, work exhaustion, finals overload. And then this morning I discovered my flat bike tire, making me then have to book it the half hour walk to teach my class (and I just barely made it in time)! But ya know what?
Class was fantastic. Full of faces new and old that I was so grateful for. Great energy and peacefulness. And among all the little things from the week that maybe went a way other than expected, I realize today that there were more positive than not.
I took class from a friend this week, had lunch and dinner with friends, spent plenty of time with the person in my life that inspires me most, snuggled with cats, listened to fun music, talked up yoga in front of strangers in a boutique, and felt warmer air on my skin. Venus is very present in the skies at the moment. It's time for us all to keep invoking our creativity, and take pleasure in the art, beauty, and natural life around us. This new moon has us figuring that out within ourselves and starting fresh again, but also remembering to slow it down. Spring has sprung, yes. But as I learned in my hurried state to get to my students this morning, we can take in spring one day and one step at a time. For that I can't wait for the spontaneous surprises around the corner and the the gifts our Earth Mother might bring, if we simply remember to take her in and treat her right. Off to a weekend to do just that...

Spring Candlelight Playlist

Tonight is my 2nd ever Free Candlelight Yoga Class. (6:30pm at Shobu Aikido, 34 Allen St. in Union Sq. Somerville) This time it's my gift to you all as spring settles in. The days are much longer, we're promised a high in the 60's today, and life is blooming all around us! I've just returned this week from a visit to my family in Philly over the long Easter weekend...where I felt my little nephew kicking inside my sister's belly, got my Mom on a new yoga kick (woohoo!), and ate an abundant amount of chocolate. ;0
And to think this time last year I was arriving in Iceland for the first time! What a magical journey that was for my best friend and I. This weekend we'll be celebrating her birthday once again, with the magic of Iceland in our thoughts but the friends and life of Boston at our fingertips. Those of you wanting to experience Iceland in a yogic, adventurous, and spirit-filled way...well hang on for another week or so and I'll be posting all the details about my upcoming retreat there in September! Til then, do like the Buddha...tilt your head to the sky and laugh at the joy of life.

1. Hammock (am not sure of the song title, but this band is lovely chill music)
2. Angelique Kidjo: Malaika
3. Four Tet: Slow Jam
4. Feist: 1234
5. Gavin DeGraw: Free
6. Bat for Lashes: Good Love
7. Tiken Jah Fakoly: Allah
8. Bat for Lashes: Moon and Moon
9. Goddamn Electric Bill: Looking Up at Dawn
10. Jehro: All I Want
11. M. Ward: Blake's View
12. Krishna Das: Refuge in the Name
13. Sigur Ros: Agaetis Byrjun (live)
14. Sigur Ros: Heysatan (live)
15. Sigur Ros: Von (live)

Inspiration

Aries Full Moon in Libra:

Time to liberate yourself from what you think others expect from you or what you think you need to be like. This is a great time to find a loving attitude toward yourself and to trust that you know who you are and what your destiny is. Plus, it's the best full moon of the year to take in all the pleasures of life. To find sweetness in your days, to form a fresh attitude, and to be vibrant!

If you're in need of inspiration...check out my amazing friend, Meghan's story. She is such an inspiration and she is proof of someone who trusts in herself and her destiny.
http://meghantelpnerblog.com/2009/04/05/my-story-how-i-got-here/
I follow her blog (she's a holistic nutritionist and it's always full of helpful info and recipes).

I'm home visiting my family today through the weekend and finding time to take in sweetness of those I love. Hope you all can do the same. Upcoming April yoga event details to come...

"She (the yogini) is always aware. She is called a drashta- a seer. She is the witness of events. Your aim on the path to realizing and awakening your dormant potential should be to eventually unfold this faculty of awareness within yourself." -Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Starting Spring Fresh Playlist

With my spring has sprung attitude, I give you a new mix as we plunge into April.  GDEB is from San Diego and is great electro/ambient/yoga-inspiring vibes.  Theresa Andersson is a New Orleans artist by way of Scandinavia and she's totally eclectic and up my ally (thanks Inez for the reminder to check her out).  And Ms. Nina Fuller is one of my loveliest friends.  Look for her to play around town soon...

1. Goddamn Electric Bill:  March at Dawn 

2. GDEB ("): Before

3. Theresa Andersson: Hi-Low

4. GDEB: Lost in the Zoo

5. Theresa Andersson:  Birds Fly Away

6. Nina Fuller: Never Doubt

7. Theresa A:  The Waltz

8. Nina Fuller:  Grammy's Song

9. GDEB: Looking Up at Down

10. Nina Fuller:  Veiled Future

11. Gavin DeGraw:  Mountains to Move

12. Theresa A: Locusts are Gossiping

13. GDEB:  Witching Hour

14. Theresa A:  Innan Du Gar

15. Theresa A:  God's Highway

16. GDEB:  Opa

17. GDEB:  The Nuclear Family