"Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open." - B.K.S. Iyengar
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13
Jul
I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It’s just that the translations have gone wrong.
11
Jul
Consistency
This is my biggest challenge in life.
You know when you know someone that is so focused in what they want, they do whatever it takes to get it? My sister Thalita is one of them (check out her blog and you’ll know what I mean HERE!) this is what I’d like to call: discipline. There is a song by a Brazilian band called Legiao Urbana that has a verse that goes “discipline is freedom”. Yes, I do believe that once we commit to something we free ourselves from bad habits allowing ourselves to break open out of our shells and truly reach our highest potential. For years, I have struggled with discipline, why is it so hard for me to commit? Why is it so hard for me to be consistent? It is not my fault that life took me to this place and I do believe that I am exactly where you I am meant to be. Right now, I’m trying to figure out what is it that I am supposed to see, what is exactly am I supposed to learn.
Throughout our lives, we create patterns or bad habits, that kind of shape our believes of ourselves. I always feel depleted when I get back in the bubble, and what I mean when I say that is, the bubble of inconsistency and the voice of failure that comes to visit. So what is the remedy? Get back on track, consistency, with my meditation practice, with my eating habits, my self-care routines. I think that instead of beating myself down for falling into old patterns I should, as they say, dust myself off and try again. Our mind is a muscle and it needs to be exercised , I will keep on trying until my mind gets it, it might take sometime but I will always keep on trying, in my own terms and in my own time.
Namaste
Nat
23
May
09
May
On a positive note about getting old, hehe. Happy Birthday to me!
08
May
I know this pain
Why do lock yourself up in these chains?
No one can change your life except for you
Don’t let anyone step all over you
Open your heart and your mind
Is it really fair to feel this way inside?
Hold On - Wilson Phillips
Things will go your way if you just hold on for one more day
07
May
So this month I celebrate 27 years of life on this planet but I also celebrate 1 year “really” practicing yoga.
It all started when my life was in a random place and I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go or do. My first yoga teacher Nixa DeBellis (an amazing teacher!!)introduced me to a yoga I never knew existed, then I thought to myself this is what I want to do teach yoga. Man, it has been quiet a ride. I’m not yet a certified teacher or even started taking my certification course for that matter (I start in October). It has been a dark, beautiful journey, that has only led me closer to God and to have faith once again in life itself. A few months after taking classes with Nixa I decided I needed to expand my horizons and explore different studios and teachers. I then found Laughing Lotus, a colorful, warm place full of light, laughter and the first place that encouraged me to move like myself -as they say it. There, I was able to really dig in, go deep and concentrate on my inner self. The beginning was tough as I went through a detoxification moment as I like to call it. It wasn’t like a juice cleanse detox, but a detox of all the feelings and emotions I carried in my body. It was interesting as I literally cried my feelings away. I was angry, hurt, crazy. My teacher Alison Cramer said was normal to release these kind of emotions during our practice; it’s all part of the process. A year later has truly made a huge difference in my perception of yoga, life and myself. I can’t even imagine the amazing surprises ahead. Now, I’m focusing in getting my teacher certification so I can share with people this beautiful transformational practice that really changes lives, but most importantly learning to be a student of life, now that’s is not an easy one, as the ego and mind will battle with you all the time. I am up for the challenge though, the challenge of growing, evolving and be the person I know I can be, at my highest potential.
I’ll leave with with a classic mantra that I always find myself saying out-loud when I feel the mind trying to make me believe something other than my real truth, that is a huge obstacle in my opinion.
“Om Gum Ganapataye Namaha”
-Om and salutations to the remover of obstacles for which Gum is the seed
Jai to my first year of this new book, new page and new life! Forever grateful to all my teachers: Nixa, Ali, Dana, my Mom Claudia, my beautiful friends Rica, Vanessa, Corrine, Lauren, Kenzie, Karen, Bella, my sister Thalita, my grandma Nelsi for always telling me to know my worth, my cousin Maryah for being such a great friend and spirit, my aunt Tania for encouraging me to dream, and all the others who have pushed me so over the edge that I fell into this amazing path.
NAMASTE FRIENDS NAMASTE
NAT
06
May
SWAHA
They say everything can be replaced They say every distance is not near So I remember every face Of every man who put me here. I see my light come shining From the west unto the east Any day now, any day now, I shall be released. They say every man needs protection They say every man must fall So I swear I see my reflection Someplace so high above this wall. I see my light come shining from the west unto the east Any day now, any day now, I shall be released. Standing next to me in this lonely crowd Is a man who swears he's not to blame All day long I hear him shout so loud Crying out that he was framed. I see my light come shining from the west unto the east Any day now, any day now, I shall be released.
The stars, Iyengar, John and I.
05
May
My teacher Dana Trixie Flyn was concidered by Well and Good the “50 and Fabulous: These 7 women prove that fitness is the fountain of youth”. I say she doesn’t act a day over 25. So much love and gratitude, Jai Dana Ma!
If God had a name what would it be?
And would you call it to his face?
If you were faced with him
In all his glory
What would you ask if you had just one question?And yeah, yeah, God is great
Yeah, yeah, God is good
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahWhat if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Trying to make his way home
-Lara Brunn
In the midst of chaos you can always stop breathe and calm the mind.
Even
After
All this time
The sun never says to the earth,“You owe me.”
Look
What happens
With a love like that,
It lights the
Whole
Sky.
02
May
STRESSFUL DAY?
Try the following and don’t let stress take you down the drain. The only thing that should go down the drain is your stress.
1. Go for a run or take a restorative yoga class
2. Take a long hot bath. Add an essential oil of your choice or bath salt and soak in for 20 min. Try not to think of work or your grocery shopping, just lay back and enjoy sometime alone
3. Skin brush. Skin brushing is great for your lymphatic system and circulation. Please use a natural bristle brush
4. Moisturize with almond oil or coconut oil. After skin brushing it helps soothe and relax the skin
5. Do a face mask or scrub your body. Make it a spa night just for you!
6. Lay on the floor and put your legs up on the wall. This will help you blood circulation, and will relax you just before bed time
Sweet dreams!!
Remember, when we are stressed we tend to make choices that are not so “good” for us like maybe I’ll just eat the whole pint of ice-cream or I’ll have a massive cheeseburger with fries. Instead choose something healthier that will not make you feel sluggish and sometimes even more stressed. Trust me, trying one of these choices will make you feel rejuvenated and you’ll wake up with more energy to deal with another day at work.
Namaste
Nat
**Products I personally use (pictured above):
Find these products at organic health stores or online (click on the name above for their website)
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