Namaste

(credit)

Goal Setting

How many times have you set a goal or intention and fallen this close to achieving it? Goal coach, Jacki Carr, gave some great tips to help everyone, not just yogis, to accomplish their goals.

Breathe. Flow. Goals.

Create a space
Find a place that inspires you; it could be your yoga mat, the beach crashing into waves, perched on a mountain top, or your favorite spot on a hike. Once you are in this space, give yourself time, space, and love to feel and envision all of the possibilities and what your future can hold, what your most ideal life would be. Be patient. Know that this is for you and it will come.

Write it Down

Set goals and inspirations that move you towards your big, wonderful vision you had. Always, always, always write them down and use the present tense, making sure to have a clear end date. You will own your goals this way and have accountability as to when you will achieve them, providing focus and flexibility. An example of this: I am a certified 200-hour yoga instructor by April, 2015. 

Feel it

Like intentions, bring your goals with you, to your yoga mat, on your hike, on your swim. See how they feel in your body, let them move into your being, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Your body ALWAYS knows what feels good and right and when. Listen. 

Let go

Forget how things should look. Be open to the path your life will take you and what doors open or listen to whatever conversation transpires that get you that much closer to reaching your goals.

Accountability for the win

Support from loved ones and friends that believe in you is SO important. ASK for it. Goal partners keep you connected to your goals and committed to the journey to get there. Together. 

(credit)

(credit)

Yoga Space

Yoga Space 

(credit)

(credit)

(credit)

To practice yoga, all you really need is a bit of space and your mat. Some would even argue that you don't even need the mat. Now that I am on the search for a place to hold my classes, I am struggling to accept that knowledge. I find myself wanting a beautiful hardwood floor, a bright and airy space to practice in. I want a place for an alter, a place to hang beautiful tapestries. But this isn't about what I want. This is about helping people to find a moment of calm in their busy days, to help them relax and have some 'me' time. This is about helping them to develop a home practice, to help them fall in love with yoga the way I have. 

Freshen Up

Ever need a quick spritz to feel refreshed and clean? I do! I was reading an article on Alignyo the other day about this very topic. Seems really easy so why not give it a go? 

A few essential oils to try (either on their own or as a combo)

Bergamot – A mild citrus that is a wonderful agent in deodorizing blends. The aroma of bergamot – like many citrus oils – is an almost universally pleasing aroma.

Lime – The sweet aroma of lime blends well with other aromas. As a single essential oil ingredient, it's good at both cleansing the skin and uplifting to the spirit.

Lavender – The one oil that does it all, lavender is perfect for body blends, thanks to its soothing properties. It's another popular aroma and combines well with other essential oils.

Spearmint - Refreshing spearmint is a great addition to a mist you want to use to cool down after an active class. It's awakening as well, which makes it perfect for morning classes.

To make your own:
Add 6 to 7 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of distilled water. Try combining some of the above, like lavender/bergamot or spearmint/lime, or try some of your own favorite oils.

Will be going into town tomorrow to buy a little mister and then will be making my own. Can't wait to give it a try!

Weekly Loves

Weekly Loves

**Perfect Mamma?**

Love this great letter to the 'not so perfect mother'.

**Listening**

Can't stop listening to this when I start my yoga practice. Makes me think of Q.

&

This has been in my head for days!

**Controversy?**

Why does this not surprise me?  And yet, this  expounds why it is so good for kids to practice yoga :)

**Kiddos**

How can this be controversial? It's too adorable!

Can't wait to try this with some kiddos soon.

**Mamma Time**

How to enjoy some 'you' time while the little ones are around.

Been looking at this and this to add to my repertoire. What do you think? 

Weekly Links

The blog is going to take a slight shift...

Starting on a Sunday, I am going to try to get out my 'Weekly Loves' (name subject to change ha!). Things I have been reading online and things that I find interesting. Hope you enjoy!

Weekly Loves

**Allergies**

I've always had them. they got worse when I moved to BR, Cancer Alley, if I remember the nickname correctly. Found these two links via Never Homemaker and thought they were very appropriate!

Allergy Tea Appropriate since I am loving all things natural

Sinus soother DIY and natural

**Sleep, what's that?**

Anyone that knows me and knows Q knows we don't get much sleep round these parts. Stumbled upon this article after an awful night and boy, did it make me laugh!

Thank God for laughter  :)

**Sugar**

Interesting article comparing different sugars 

**Education**

Love reading  How We Montessori and loved reading this entry the other day.

**Inspiration**

This video has been around for some time, but I love it and never fails to amaze me and perk up my spirit :) 

Hello again..

Hello again. How are you? We are making it. I am sorry I have been absent for so long. I wish I could say it was because we were getting enough sleep and having amazing weather and just enjoying life. I can't say that at all. We have been having a very rough time of it lately. Very tough. Really, a tough time since December-since the fateful Yorkshire Pudding incident of 2012. I have been sick. Q has been sick. J has been sick. The adults have been stressed. Ok, I have been stressed. The weather has been awful. I've been crying. A lot. We are on week 2 of a horrible cold and even worse cough. I think we have all had 5 nights (?) of decent, comfortable sleep since December. That is tough on anyone. J and I, mostly me, need more things to do that don't revolve around Q. There is nothing wrong with spending lots of time with your children. However, for me, I think that it can become an obsession and not a good one. I need to have my down time so that I can be a better mumma to Q and a better wife to J. 

It hasn't all been doom and gloom though. I have started a new book in the attempt to create more peace in our daily lives. Buddhism for Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children is great so far. It teaches you how to be more mindful in your parenting-how to be more present, to just be. And isn't that something that we all need in our busy, hectic lives? Isn't that my mantra every day? Anything to help me achieve this is brilliant in my eyes. We have had Q in our lives for 14 months and I still need a rhythm. I know they change every day but sheesh, I should be a bit better by now, shouldn't I? I can only say that I am trying-really, really trying.

I seem to have dropped the ball on my weekly picture series. Will try to catch up. I am sure J has taken pictures when I haven't so I should be able to do a few posts. I may change the focus of this space but I am not sure yet. I don't want it to become a place where I constantly apologise for not being around-I am going to actively start taking the time to be here. To be present. To be.