Yoga

Many people have tried yoga, but not everyone likes it.  I have only done it a few times, and never liked it enough to be excited to go back.


WELL I now know that everyone should try different styles, different clubs, and different teachers.  I have really connected with the class at LA Fitness!  The instructor goes slowly and doesn't use any complicated moves.  And she always welcomes people to stay in a pose for longer if we need it and just catch up, which is great when Im getting a really good stretch.  She also talks about when the body shakes (like my muscles do sometimes) and that it's ok, and the body is just warming up.  It helps so I don't feel self-conscious about my arms shaking all over the place.  : )

There are two other yoga places in the area that I plan on trying - and they both give a week or two free!  Does anyone want to join me?  Namaste Yoga, and Yoga Shelter

Weekend Fun

So this weekend was my first weekend that was really integrated into my new life.  Yes, I had laundry, yes I had homework and paperwork ... but I wanted to take advantage of good friends and opportunities, so here is what my weekend looked like:

Fri:  Met with Jennifer Champagne of Milake Pictures and crew.  I have been invited to help out with throwing a VIP party at a hot club in downtown Detroit.  The party is to shoot a video for the band, Vinyl Station, and their new song, "Gone."  She graciously assigned me the title of "associate producer" although I don't know how deserved that is.  : )  Its been a long time since I have been in media, TV, and events.  I forgot how much I liked it, and I am very very excited to be a part of this!

Fri:  Ann Arbor art fair with my good friend and fellow elementary catholic schoolmate, Michelle.  She was a wonderful tour guide!  Unfortunately we saw about 6 booths before a downpour with tornadoes started, so the fair was closed up for the day.  She did show me around campus and show me various buildings at UofM and their histories.  It was awesome.  I especially liked the law school complex that looked like it belonged at Harvard or Cambridge.  Oh!  I did buy an amazing pottery berry bowl, with holes in it so the water from rinsing falls into the saucer below.

Sat:  2nd part of my Reiki 1 class.  I now know how to perform self-reiki for energy balancing.  when I take Reiki 2 I will be able to help others!

Sun:  Kensington Park water park with my GREAT friends Samantha & Michelle, and their little ones.  It was so great to watch all of these kids have SO MUCH FUN!  And I even went down the water slide several times.  Water slides are fun.  It just make SENSE to drive a little bit to put priority on people that really make my life more enjoyable.

Sun:  Donna's (my boss at Bloomfield Gymnastics) birthday celebration!  GREAT food, garden walks, refreshing NEW pool, cards, and almost a bonfire.

So it was a great busy weekend with GREAT friends!

Background

I suppose I should talk about my education and background in order to know where Im coming from:

1998 - BA in Telecommunication, Michigan State University
2001 - Work toward an MA in Computer Art, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
2010 - M.Ed in Exercise Science, Wayne State University
2010 - Graduate Certificate in Complementary Medicine & Wellness
2010 - Internship at Cardiac Rehabilitation & Prevention, Beaumont Hospital (future)

- Working towards a certification in Reiki
- Wellness Coach Training

The first days ...

A week and a half ago I was in my hometown of Marquette, MI. I have been there for every 4th of July since I left. Usually we (my brother and I) go to the bar and the lower harbor festival, and see all of the other people that are home for the weekend. I leave exhausted but I feel like I have made some connections. But THIS YEAR I realized that I rarely keep in contact with those people, and I have missed out on all of the beauty of the city.

So this year was different ...

THIS YEAR I enjoyed nature. I went kayaking with an elementary school friend (thank you Jessica!), and I found a spot. My spot. Do you know what Im talking about? That spot where you sit down and you just don't want to leave. It was on the end of the black rocks on Presque Isle. I closed my eyes and listened to the waves that were crashing 3 feet from me. I breathed in the fresh air, and listened to the seagulls. I smelled the water, and the hot rock, and the seaweed. I was far enough away that I rarely realized anyone else was there. It felt so good that I did that every day. I sat there until I felt it was time to leave.

So THIS YEAR I realized that the life I am living doesn't fit me anymore. I spend too much time at the bar and with people that aren't a priority. People that I don't have real conversations with. That I need to reconnect with earth. I need to garden, and kayak, and swim, and hike, and all of the things that gives me that deep-down energy you just can't get anywhere else. That although it takes a little bit more time and energy, I need to hang out with the people that MATTER.  The people that challenge me and teach me and make me laugh.  I came home full of energy and ideas. Changing my life isn't going to be easy, but Im the only one that can do it. And I believe my life is going to see some amazing things as I go through my transformation.

This blog will cover my transformation. Activities and learning such as: gardening, hiking, kayaking, making good friends a priority, composting, recycling, farmers market, cooking, wellness, my internship in cardiac rehab, yoga, exercise, nutrition, appreciation, reiki, integrative medicine, decorating, energy, family, and rain.