The Flow of Iceland

"Maybe the goal with anything you do is to find the flow, it makes you feel alive, and it's important to me to feel alive.  And the more it flows the purer it gets, you know, you get into this mode where the things just happen and you don't even think about it, and afterwards you look at what you've done and you feel like 'wow that's really amazing.'"  --Jonsi 

I found this quote (from one of my heroes) in the magazine at the hotel where we started out our Iceland Yoga Adventure.  It pretty much sums up our experience there and how it feels to genuinely get into your groove on and off the mat.  It's certainly my goal in life.  

So, here I begin my story-telling of the month-long journey I just took.  Bare with me as I try to make interesting posts and share my stories.  ;)

We arrived in Iceland on the early morning of Sunday, June 6th.  There were 6 of us from New England, ready to feel the power of a new land.  My partner and I were the only ones who had been there before, so it was up to us to bring the enthusiasm and insight into such a special country.  The first thing we did was have skyr (Icelandic yogurt) and swiss mochas at the airport.  It was lovely for all of us to gather and chat over breakfast.  We already began a yogic discussion and I knew that the week was going to be a special one.  Then we took the drive to the Blue Lagoon.  It was there that we overcame our tiredness from the red-eye flight as we soaked for a couple hours in the healing, milky-blue, warm water.  Two of the gals got in-water massages.  You can also put the silica mud on your face and body as a sort of mask.  After turning our fingers to prunes, we decided to leave.  Drove into the capital of Reykjavik and had a nourishing vegetarian lunch at one of the restaurants there that specialized in simply veggie cuisine.  I was SO excited to be back in this city that I love.  Was constantly asking questions to our driver for the day (Siggi) as well as constantly pointing scenery and facts out to the group.  I am a total nerd about Iceland, but I feel this only adds the experience of everyone...right?  Haha.  

Once we arrived in the small town of Reykholt in the area called Borgarfjordur, it was late afternoon and the sun was shining bright.  We checked into our rooms at the hotel, took time to freshen up and relax, then met for our first yoga session!  It was warm enough that we did our 1 hour practice outside on the deck by the hot pots (the geothermal hot tubs).  We were facing the mountains and had just the sound of the birds and wind to rejuvenate us after the long day.  I led a rinsing flow for our hips and legs with a few backbends.  No warriors or standing poses at all.  It was just the right beginning for our week ahead.  

Dinner was beet salad with a lentil/barley mishmash.  Delicious and creative cuisine which had us excited for the week as well.  Bedtime around 10:30pm.  It was still light out and easy to want to stay up and explore/play, but sleep was calling.  First day in Iceland=success!  In fact, one of the gals said she could have left the next day and been satisfied.  Oh, just wait...

Hey friends,

In Sweden now. Been away from home for 2 weeks! Missing you all back at Karma and Bow Street. Happy start to summer! My Iceland Yoga Adventure was a beautiful and fully adventurous week. SO much to talk about and report, but I'll have to leave that for later. I am not travelling with my computer so pictures will have to wait til later, too. But, in the meantime you can go to SolYoga Trips to see an update about our retreat. I am still processing it, as it was a truly remarkable moment of the year.

Since then, been in Denmark and the past 5 days with dear friends with the south of Sweden. It's been picturesque and I've had many practices on my own. I'm in the countryside here, so it's been ideal to practice. Just filmed one today, so I'll have that to post in the future. ;) The biggest lesson I'm gonna try to take from this stay is to remember that the peace I feel here can be taken with me. It's a hard task at hand, especially while in the hustle and bustle of bigger cities and spaces, but it's one I'm going to try to fulfill. I haven't really been watching anything, listening to anything...just listening to nature, and reading books/writing. It's truly a joy to feel at ease.

Off to Stockholm in the morning through the weekend. Sending peace and greetings from this prana-filled land.

xx,

Jenn

June Pose of Month & Send-Off

Godan daginn!  The time has come for my Yoga Adventure in Iceland...and so it's my last few days teaching in Cambridge/Somerville for about a month!  (I leave this Saturday, 6/5) There is a group of 6 of us total about to excursion near the Arctic Sea in one of my favorite places.  We'll be there for a week; meditating, flowing & growing in our yoga practice, and discovering new things.  After that, my adventure will continue.  I have  great friends in the south of Sweden who invited me to visit, so the rest of the trip evolved from there.  My partner and I will be in Denmark, Sweden, Berlin, and London before returning to MA in early July.  

I must say...I've never been on a trip this long and I was feeling guilty for a bit about leaving you all for so long.  However, my spirit must continue to strengthen and discover new ideas, new teachings, life outside of Boston.  I am lucky to have this opportunity before me and I plan to make the most of it!  

June Pose of the Month?  Prasaritta Padottanasana into headstand!  (wide-legged forward fold-headstand).  Why?  Because we're gearing up for the Summer Solstice and it's time to conquer our fears.  The group in Iceland will be doing just that and trying this pose again and again to open up new boundaries in our practices.  Don't force it.  Just keep breathing into your low back, your knees, your hamstrings, your head...and when the time comes (whether it be tomorrow or 5 years from now), you'll discover that maybe your arms have become stronger, or your legs more open, or the fear of going upside down has subsided.  

So, I am taking a video camera with me to document some yoga time overseas.  I hope to share it all with you upon my return.  Check back from time to time while I'm away, as I hope to update a couple times with how things are going.  ;)

**While I'm away, something to consider/check out:

--The Karma Yoga Studio 200-hour Teacher Training Program with me is set to begin this fall.  Applications are now at the front desk and sign-ups are open!  Check out the website for more details...

Sag Full Moon in Gemini Playlist

1. The Album Leaf/Explosions in the Sky

2. Broken Social Scene- World Sick

3. Imogen Heap- Earth

4. Mum- A Little Bit, Sometimes

5. Broken Social Scene-Highway Slipper Jam

6. Caribou- Odessa

7. The National- Bloodbuzz Ohio

8. Forro- Limoeiro Do Norte

9. Bat for Lashes- Sleep Alone

10. Broken Social Scene- Sentimental X's

11. Beach House- Zebra

12. Jonsi- Sinking Friendships

13. The Black Keys- Everlasting Light

14. Seabear- Fire Dies Down

15. Arms and Sleepers- The Paramour

16. Frou Frou- Hear Me Out

17. Bon Iver- Blood Bank

18. Imogen Heap- Half Life (instrumental)

19. Tori Amos- Cloud on my Tongue

20. Olafur Arnalds- Pau Hafa Sloppid Undan Punga Myrkursins

21. Sigur Ros- Untitled 3

Thankful for neighborly nights, working with shenpa, and moon practices

May is almost over and is it just me, or has it been an intense one?!  It's been the busiest month I've had in a long time.  Family visiting me, me visiting them, teaching/learning/yoga-ing non-stop, rehearsing music & performing, baby showers, bbq's, concerts, and planning my upcoming trip.  Whew!  On top of that, the moon has brought intense emotions to the forefront.  I've seen it with a lot of my friends and their transitions during this time, and I've also seen it within myself.  

Been reading and listening to a lot of Pema Chodron, the wise Tibetan Buddhist nun.  She talks a lot about the power of positive thinking, getting unstuck, awakening lovingkindness towards yourself and then to others.  My partner and I have been working on our shenpa this month.  It could be why the emotions start to rise up...because shenpa refers to dealing with the negative thoughts and urges that arise, that we give into over and over again, thus reinforcing our cravings, habits, addictions.  And when you recognize shenpa, it is the first step to refraining, then relaxing, then resolving it.  But, it doesn't mean it'll be easy.  

I recently had a friend ask me what my shenpa could be.  I am a yoga teacher after all, with a very sunny outlook on life.  At the same time, I am also a human being.  A Cancer Sun with a Leo Moon...full of emotions, sensitivities to emotions, and the constant urge to want to deal with them and move towards my intentions.  This means that yes, I too, deal with fears, irritabilities, sadness, and anger.  And try to deal with it in a healthy way, through yoga, meditation, and friends.  

That said, I have such amazing support around me in my loved ones and even in my acquaintances that moving forward always seems in reach.  The full moon on Thursday reminded us of the power of our thoughts.  It reminded us that if we imbue them with the power to know ourselves/be the person we are deep within our core being, then we will awaken our potential to contribute to the world around us.  

I developed a special Full Moon practice on Thursday out of the blue, and have been teaching it the past few days.  It has revived me and my students in ways that are indescribable.  I feel so lucky to share such things when they come to fruition and to help everyone who steps on their mat under my guidance to feel safe and open to this very awakening.  How grateful I am to do what I am meant to do and love doing.  

And last night, my partner and I had a spontaneous encounter with our neighbors that ended up with sharing a meal in their backyard.  We met their friends, watched two 5 year olds build and bounce around, and talked til late in the night.  It was a warm and welcome break in the long month that's been had.  

Now...one more week of teaching and planning til my adventure abroad...

Hey, End of May-Playlist

Have recently acquired some more new music!  Been obsessed with listening to Icelandic (trip is less than 2 weeks away!), but thanks to friends and remembering to look up some new stuff, I have this new fun playlist.  And there will me more where this came from.  

Thanks to the beautiful ladies who joined Naz and I yesterday in our spring yoga/reiki workshop!  It was a delightful afternoon together.  xo

1. Olafur Arnalds-- Pu Ert Jordin

2.      "            "     --  Pu Ert Solin

3.     "             "     -- Haegt, Kemur Ljosid

4. Stars-- Look Up

5. Sigur Ros-- Inni mer syngur vitleysingur

6. Mum-- Blessed Brambles

7. Jonsi-- Tornado

8. Broken Social Scene-- All to All

9. Thievery Corporation-- The Outernationalist

10. Jehro-- Master Blaster (Demo)

11. Leona Naess-- Un-Named

12. Stereolab-- Neon Beanbag

13. Tiken Jah Fakoly-- Missiri

14. Olafur Arnalds-- Tunglid

15. Deb Talan-- Whetstones

16. Theresa Andersson-- Hi-Low

17. Mr. Silla & Mongoose-- Do Not Know

18. Olafur Arnalds-- Gleypa Okkur

19. The Kinks-- Strangers

20. The National-- Little Faith

21. Sin Fang Bous-- Fa Fa Fa

22.  Sigur Ros-- Med Blodnasir

23. Olafur Arnalds-- Pau Hafa Sloppid Undan Punga Myrkursins

24.      "           "       -- Kjurrt

25.      "           "       -- Undan Hulu

26.      "          "       --  Loftid Verdur Skyndilega Kalt

Teaching at Majestic Yoga the next few Saturdays!

Yogis in Boston area--

I will be teaching a Saturday morning all levels vinyasa class at a gorgeous, light-filled studio in Huron Village Cambridge for the next couple weekends (before I head to Iceland!).  

This is a welcome opportunity for me to switch it up for a moment and see you all a bit more before I head off for an adventure.  ;)

Where:  Majestic Yoga,  223 Concord Ave.--across from Hi Rise Bakery

When:  Saturday May 22, May 29-- 10:00-11:30am

What:  My usual Lunar influenced, open-hearted, mindful vinyasa flow

Classes are $17 drop-in.  There is parking in the back.  Hope to see you there!

**Bring a friend for FREE this week only (May 22).  

www.majesticyogastudio.com