Big Changes

Holy Cow it’s May! I guess you could sum up the last two & a half months (since I clearly didn’t post anything) in a word: rough! For whatever reason I’ve been in a funk. I’ve felt like a shell of myself watching life play out and doing my best to participate. Phil and I had ski weekends, wine country trips, a Palm Springs getaway, and fun times with friends but still…this funk. I hated my body, I was under motivated to do much of anything I wasn’t obligated or scheduled to do, & I even began to resent my job (and I’ve got the greatest job in the world – just look at my awesome students at the last UNRAVEL workshop *click here for link to sign up for round 2 this Sunday*)!I am quite skilled at forgetting to practice what I preach & it was time for me to take a deep dive into the root of the problem. I realized certain shifts had to be made, and while change may scare the shit out of me, it is inevitable. As my father always says, “The only constant is change.” If we want to keep succeeding and taking steps towards future goals, things have to change. So what did I change? I adjusted my studio offerings to give myself self care time in the mornings. I’ve started doing more meditation and activities I like, rather than exercise to look a certain way. I also stopped lying to myself. I didn’t want to admit it but I was living for others – trying to be perfect for everyone instead of just being happy with myself. I know that I need to be my most authentic self, & I can’t please everyone. I can only take responsibility for my own happiness & hope it rubs off on those around me. Oh, also Phil and I are moving to Walnut Creek. Yep, in a few short months we will be moving over the bridge & establishing a new routine in the East Bay. For the record, we are NOT moving because we are pregnant, haha (my family ALREADY asked), but we do think this is better for our family. The thought of leaving the city is bittersweet but I’m sure they’ll be more to come on that later.

 

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

 

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Thursday Thoughts

Hey Friends, I hope everyone is making this a wonderful week! I am particularly excited about today because Phil and I are celebrating the anniversary of our first date. Two years ago today we met at a local Philadelphia favorite, Pub & Kitchen, for dinner and drinks. If the fact that we’re now engaged to be married and living across the country isn’t evidence that things are always changing, I don’t know what is! I’m elated by the idea of spending the rest of my life with this amazing man and over the moon we’ve  decided to enjoy this crazy roller coaster of life together! More importantly though, I’m so blessed to be with someone who recognizes that life is always changing. We have the choice to evolve and get on board with the opportunities we’re given, or let them pass us by. While change isn’t always the easiest or most comfortable thing in the world, it’s a part of life. I’ve found that in embracing  the inevitability of change, I don’t find it to be as scary anymore. I’ve never been someone to enjoy change all that much, nor has Phil, but being together we’ve changed each other, ironically enough. Today, we’re open to the possibility of what changes are ahead and celebrate the unknown. We’re both so excited to embrace this year of change & enjoy what life brings in the years to come!

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

Thursday Thoughts

Happy Thursday Friends! With Spring around the corner and New Year’s resolutions slowly becoming distance memories, I’m finding it important to reflect on the concept of making room. For me, especially when I don’t want to deal with something, I fill my day with anything else I can think of just so I don’t have to tackle the one thing I’m dreading…and you can say the same when it comes to food or fitness too. If I eat all these chips, I’ll be too full to eat my salad later OR I can watch this Vanderpump Rules marathon and not go to that yoga class. These are pretty silly examples but you get the idea. In order to incorporate the things we want, in order to experience growth, change, success, etc… we need to make room for it.

I would never have been able to hold Pincha Mayurasana (forearm stand) 2 months ago. I am hyper mobile through my scapula so any balancing on my forearms was unpleasant and something I avoided in practice all together. But I know in order to be a great teacher I need to be able to teach from my experience, so made room in my practice to do the work and now, I can…that feels really good!

Today, I invite you to think about what you want. See if there is something that isn’t serving you or that isn’t good for you and maybe put it aside to make room for this new, exciting change.

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

It’s Official

As I watched the colors of this morning’s sunrise dance over the bridge and listened to the seals sing their morning song it officially sunk in, San Francisco is my new home. The last 12 days have been spent flying, finishing my yoga teacher training (more on that later), and moving into a second temporary apartment in San Francisco. If I have learned anything through my transition it’s that flexibility is a necessary survival skill. Those who know me well understand how difficult it can be for me…sure I can fold up like a veritable Gumby but ask me to switch seats with you on the plane or move out of the apartment I just started to settle into and I can become a bit rigid. I am using this transition as an opportunity to shift my perspective and be flexible – it has been making a world of difference…I’m definitely not perfect but I’m working on it 😉

I owe a lot of that shift to my yoga training and the Yoga Medicine family! I was blessed with the chance to share a week with 50+ incredible yogis and experience each one of their unique gifts. I have learned so much from our time together and am excited for all of us to continue to grow. I can’t wait to start sharing my gifts with the world as a Yoga Medicine 200hr Vinyasa Teacher. 

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

He’s Here!

As I predicted, my sister had a beautiful baby boy yesterday and he couldn’t be more perfect….

Brayden Mayer Mangat is a healthy 7lb 11oz and according to the hospital 21 1/4 inches long but I swear that kid is longer! His hands and feet are so big, his skin is so soft and everything about him is just so delicate…such a precious gift.

With the excitement of my new nephew I have still tried to stay on track with my Yoga Medicine 200hr YTT & did an amazing observation with the inspiring Kristin Ritter of Nourishing Storm. I absolutely love her new studio and the community she is building in Hatboro…sad I have to leave. Even though its about an hour commute to get there from the city, its worth it!!

Phil and I continue to make progress with the San Francisco move and with only 22 days until we depart I think I can confidently say all the major things are covered: we’re donating and selling our furniture and trying to get packed at this stage…hopefully things will all work out!!

I guess the only bitty bummer is my company is not going to keep me on during my transition. I’ve spent the last 6 months building a home at WorkZone and its with a heavy heart I accept what both my bosses believe this is the best option for me – San Francisco has become an even bigger adventure now that I will be starting to look for a new career on top of tackling a new city.

Everything happens for a reason and I am remaining confident the best is yet to come!

’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂

Change and Challenge

Some of you may recall  I’ve had two ceiling leaks recently. Well, leak #3 happened yesterday in the early morning hours forcing me to make the tough decision to move out.

I have a choice: find a place on my own or move to another neighborhood in the city since the management company has nothing else near me. With two jobs, school and seven weekends worth of wedding commitments over the next nine weekends, I don’t exactly have the luxury of time.

I can’t say I have been handling this with calm and grace (more like moments of insanity) – though I am praying for them both – but I can say I’m taking it one step at a time. There are a million things swirling around my brain and if I try and tackle them all at once, I’ll get no where fast.

Are things going to be difficult? Maybe. Is moving my belongings, transferring my insurance, cable, internet and utilities going to be time consuming? Probably. Is it all going to be worth it in the end? Absolutely.

Change is scary and sometimes challenging but nothing worth it is ever easy. So for today, I breath, count my blessings , and put one foot in front of the other!

Change it up!

Just like the header of my blog (did ya notice, no more Big Sur?!?), its always good to change things up, keep them interesting and branch out!

I know the header of my blog isn’t THAT big a change but its a perfect example of my point. When I started the blog I wanted a peaceful, natural image and that was the best one I had. The image was shot by one of my colleagues, Vince Piecyk, and I always meant for it to be temporary. The newest image I’ve added was also shot by Vince but the colors, life and natural feel of the flowers/foliage resonate strongly with my personality and the message I’m trying to send. For me, there is still a sense of peace in the chaos!

Finding peace and happiness in the chaos of life is exactly what I strive for and I find that keeping things interesting, by changing it up, helps me accomplish just that.

There are so many ways you can make little changes in life to keep things interesting. In my opinion, we all are guilty of becoming complacent in our routines and could stand to spice it up a bit.

Whether its a change in your workout routine, a change in the color you paint your nails, a change in the cuisine you choose when dining out, whatever…just change it up!

Making Moves

In life, change is inevitable. For some, change is exciting: the prospect of moving into a new space, starting a new job, entering a new relationship, or growing up is an opportunity for a fresh start! For the rest, change is daunting: the idea of anything outside the daily routine is simply an invitation for chaos.

For the former folks, congratulations!!! Its wonderful to approach such things with an open mind and an open heart! To the rest, I feel your pain, haha! While I would like to say I handle change with ease and grace, its more like an anxious fool bumbling in the dark!

Alas, I can’t fight the inevitable, so I either need to adapt or die (I swear, I am not dramatic in the least)! One of the ways I try and be more open minded about change is looking at the positive side – “how is this going to positively effect my life?” Its much easier to worry about all the little things that will be different, that will require adjustment, and that might not work out, instead of being excited for the positive outcomes down the road.

Don’t be afraid to make moves! Look on the bright side, you could just be standing still!