Juniper Berry...I love saying the name...Juniper Berry...It sounds fun on the tongue as you say it and its smell is just as delightful to me.
The past several years I've been really drawn to using Juniper Essential Oil in my diffuser and as in an oil as massage on the body, feet and hands, even on the face...
When in a carrier oil like almond or avocado it just glides on in a warming gentle way making the smell even more delicious.

Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis) is a steam-distilled oil from the berries and needles of the juniper plant. The Appalachian Mountains in the Eastern United States produce a lot of junipers, but they can also be found in California, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Most people would recognize the juniper tree by the blue-green leaves that are similar to a needle, it's yellow flowers, the short red/brown trunks, and on the female tree, black or blue colored berries. Some juniper trees can grow up to 25 feet high. Juniper berries were also eaten by people in some Southwestern and Southern California tribes, and juniper leaves were frequently used as medicinal herbs. The best oils come from Bulgaria.

Juniper berry essential oil has warm, feel good, sweet citrus-y, woody, earthy and uplifting fragrance that pacifies the mind and brings optimism into the limbic system of the brain. It is the brain’s center of control and is in charge of transmitting commands to the entire body on thoughts, emotions and behavioral patterns.
Some of you may know it as a flavoring for alcoholic drinks and an ingredient for gin.

Because they have a large quantity of antioxidants, juniper berries have a long list of health benefits. Juniper Berry is a cleansing, diuretic essential oil which relieves skin irritations, strengthens heart, nerve and kidney function, and provides an energizing uplifting fragrance.

Juniper berry oil is non-toxic and non-sensitizing, although there are some people who have a reaction to it, so use it in moderation. Make sure you do a skin patch test before using juniper berry oil. Apply a diluted drop on your arm and see if any reaction occurs. This oil blends well with cypress, cedarwood, lavender, lime, grapefruit, geranium,

Since Ancient times Juniper berry has been used as a medicine and for spiritual purposes for healing and cleansing. Juniper berry has historically been used to purify the air. It acts as a natural cleansing and detoxifying agent.  It has also been used for spiritual purification, as well. I enjoy using it in my diffuser as well as as a massage oil blend.

I Am Worthy of Being Seen            ------by Alex Leikermoser
I am beautiful
I am worthy
I am free to express
I am flowing I am creative I am authentic
I am an expression of beauty as a living thing
There is only one 'me" and I honor my uniqueness

I don't force outcomes instead I allow myself to gently express my soul.
I dance with my inner Divine Masculine and Feminine
Taking time to connect to nature and honour my stillness 
Taking Action when needed to be of service in the world

I am like a beautiful Calatrava bridge extending over a river
Reaching towards the others side of the bank I reach out--- extending my arms in support and welcoming others to walk with me to the other side
Where there is light, love and joy from within 
I have been hiding on this side for a long time for fear of being seen

The real me has been waiting patiently, with open arms, wisdom and creativity for my ego to step aside so the real me can step out and step up and into who I really am why I came here at this time as a being of light

Letting go of people pleasing, constructs and expectations

I am no longer afraid to be free, to be naked, to express my souls true nature
Body, Mind, Spirit are one mind and together we create a oneness where  it is safe to let our spirits soar and come out of hiding 
Speak up Speak out Wise One
What does your Soul want to say?
Now is your time
Now is your time
to Shine To be seen 
I see you and you are so so beautiful
lets walk together 
lets fly together into the light oh awakened one
i am your partner in awakening
now
it is time...

What does it mean to be seen, really seen? For me that would be showing up 100% as my playful, fun, creative, spiritual self all the time (loving the parts of me I’ve labeled as the good, bad and the ugly). Once I started loving the parts of me I thought weren’t good enough or were not accepted I got to move into a place of more love and less and less fear.

Since posting on my Facebook timeline yesterday a bit about this topic, I got so many positive comments and messages that I’m inspired to write this post and explore the topic further.
With all your encouragement I know I’m not alone, you’re not alone, we’re not alone. Sharing my whole story would be a bit long winded so I’ll save that for another day and stay on topic with the theme of 'being seen. '
I’m afraid if I come out of the closet I’ll be seen as too woo woo, too far out there and just plain crazy! LOL And yet the irony is all through my 20’s and 30’s I never cared much about what others though and always beat to my own drum, so whats changed? I think whats different now is that this next ceiling I’m breaking through is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. As part of the awakening process, the ego dies a slow death and then only the soul can be left to express itself truly, its kind of scary because there is so much unknown and the ego likes to keep the status quo and will fight, kicking and screaming until there really is no other option. This was quite a process for me and didn’t happen over night, there is no pink pill for “fear of being seen” LOL at least not that I found, so a part of it was creating a safe place for healing in my home and daily rituals. 

I remember when I was a kid and I would just play and express myself and be so happy in my skin doing the things I loved to do like paint, draw, read, write, play out in nature, as an adult I want to come back to that place where the unique expressions of my soul are welcome and supported by myself and others. 

So if you are hiding and playing small spending some time getting to know your limiting beliefs is a good start.
Spending a bit of time daily to reflect on the parts of myself I rejected and I don't want to share and the parts I do, looking at the parts of me that leave me empowered when I express them... I also recommend having a guide or coach on your team to be there with your through this process as that is also one of the things that really served me well.

I’m available to support other women now that are in this place of hiding to be a guide that holds space and compassion for the real you to be safe to be birthed now. The world needs you to shine the way only you can!

Book Your 30 min Creative Soul Activation session with me at https://scheduleyourcallwithalexhere.as.me/
Ask me more about my women’s upcoming group program in October & 1-on-1 sessions. yogagurl.com

 
Eight Ways to Detoxify at Home for the New Year  

With the New Year come New Years Resolutions and the possibilty of New Habits. 

Health is often at the top of our New Years list, but how to get it? One area often misunderstood is "Detoxification". Detox is an important part of health that is often overlooked! Our bodies detoxify naturally with about 10% of that process occurring through the skin in association with organs such as the liver, and kidneys. Our environment is filled with toxins...chemicals in our homes; in the air we breathe; in the processed foods we eat; not to mention daily use of cell phones, TV’s, computers & microwaves. To top it off we don’t get as much movement as we should and we have high levels of stress…

All this leads to an increased toxic load on our bodies which means we may absorb more than we can naturally get rid of, which may lead to increased rates of diseases like Cancer or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

You can see the importance of detoxing as part of your daily & weekly routine not just for New Years! 

Top Ways to Detox
1. One of my daily rituals for years is to drink warm or hot water with lemon first thing in the morning, before anything else. This is a gentle way to wake up your body and the lemon gently flushes. As an added bonus this helps keep your blood at an alkaline PH (Note: a body with higher acidity is more likely to get sick).

2. Eating Raw Food – eating raw vegetables and fruits that are packed with water and nutrients allows the body to be assisted in naturally detoxifying as part of your day (you can also try my 7 day online cleanse (see link below) to learn the foods that encourage this and can be incorporated into your everyday eating habits!

3. Hydrotherapy – Hot & cold showers can promote detoxification and strengthens the immune system by increasing the white blood cells. Dr. Kneipp one of the forefathers of Naturopathic Medicine was a Bavarian Priest.  'He is most commonly associated with the "Kneipp Cure" form of hydrotherapy, the application of water through various methods, temperatures and pressures which he claimed to have therapeutic or healing effects.'1 Start with 3-5 minutes of hot water shower followed by less than a minute of cold water. Repeat at least once, finishing with cold. (ahhhhh.... if this doesn't wake you up! LOL)

4. Salt Baths – soak in a tub to which you’ve added epsom or sea salts. Add one cup of epsom salt to your bath and enjoy some home spa time! Salts contain minerals and trace elements that are beneficial to our health & assist with drawing out the toxins.

5. Skin Brushing – stimulates the lymphatic system and white blood cells migrate to the skin, as well as increasing blood circulation. Use gloves or natural bristle brushes, start with the feet and work your way up the body, always brushing towards the heart.

6. Foot Baths – Either epsom salt baths at home in a bucket or book a session with a pracitioner where an ionizer sits in a foot bath with your feet; acting as a conductor it pulls neutralized particles (toxins, heavy metals, etc) out of your body.

7. Infrared Sauna – There are many powerful reasons to have an infrared sauna. When you sweat, your body eliminates toxins; this is a profound method of eliminating environmental chemicals that are stored in fat cells. Start out for a 2-5 min (a short time  to see how you feel) and work your way up to 15 minutes at 150 degrees. Regular use contributes to as much as a 75% reduction of harmful toxins.

8. Last but not least ---YOGA!! Yes, hot yoga and regular yoga can assist with detoxing and the twists can act almost like a sponge being wrung out to help move toxins out, which is why it is important to drink lots of water pre & post yoga. 

There are many more ways to help your body detoxify your body for optimum health! Ask your massage therapist about Lymphatic Drainage Massage. 

Warning: Always consult your physician first before adding any new exercise, heat or detox regimen.
1 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastian_Kneipp, Source Wikepedia 

It's that time of the year again in cooler climates to layer up and keep toasty and warm!

(Although if you are lucky enough to live in a hot climate I have worn my belly warmers when I was living in LA and Hawaii in air conditioning and they work great when the air con messes with your core temperature!)
​
Remember when your Mom always told you to keep you head warm ---well you also need to keep your belly warm to keep your core temperature up and your overall energy and chi flowing...

YAY! Not only can you have chocolate for breakfast you can have it all day long...With this recipe because it contains no sugar, no gluten, no additives & is all raw ! So what are you waiting for I have used this recipe to assist my coaching clients to wean themselves off sugar, and snacks and other cravings....


Yogagurl Bliss Energy Balls
Ingredients:
1 cup almonds
3 tablespoons coconut oil--
1½ cups sunflower seeds
1/4 cup or less of dates 
2 cups pure raw cocoa powder 
Pinch of finely ground Himalayan sea salt
Up to ¼ cup water ( add as needed for consistency)
1 cup dried and shredded coconut
½ cup goji berries
½ cup raw cacao nibs
2 drops wild orange essential oil from doTerra or slim and sassy blend (Contact me to attend a free essential oil class or order these yummy therapeutic grade oils!) 

Instructions:
In a food processor, grind the nuts into a fine mill (or chop by hand for a courser consistency). Mix the rest of the ingredients in a mixing bowl with your hands. Add dry or oily or wet ingredients to taste & for desired consistency...

With wet hands, use a tablespoon to scoop then roll the mixture into 1"size balls. Keep the fudge balls in the refrigerator in a glass airtight container. Will keep for up to a week! But I'm sure they won't last that long! LOL Let me know how it goes! 
xox
​yogagurl 

BLISS OUT!

Kale-Ginger-Strawberry Smoothie

Breakfast, Nutritional Supportive Recipes, Smoothies, Snacksantioxidants, carotenoids, fiber, flavonoids, ginger, kale, minerals, NOTES, phytonutrients, snack, strawberries, vegetables








I call this my "LIQUID SALAD" I have it for breakfast, an afternoon snack or a drink “on the go”. A smoothie is the perfect food to help give oneself nutrient dense fruits and vegetables filled with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, water and phytonutrients in a fabulous drink bursting with flavour.

By using a blender to make green smoothies (aka fruit and vegetable drinks) vs. a juicer allows one to reap the health benefits of retaining the fiber vegetables and fruits have to offer. It is important to drink the smoothie right after you make it if you can!
Enjoy!
Love,
yogagurl
xox

Kale-Ginger-Strawberry Smoothie
_____________________________________________

1 serving

1/4-cup water

1-Tablespoon lime juice

3-Kale leaves–variety of your choice (washed well)

3/4-cup fresh OR frozen strawberries ( ou can substitute other berries or fruit you have on hand)


small piece of fresh ginger( 1/2 inch cube)


1/2-teaspoon honey OR sweetener of choice if needed

2 ice cubes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1) Combine all ingredients into blender, adding liquid ingredients in first.

2) Blend until smooth.

3) If too sweet add a bit more lime. If not sweet enough add a bit more honey.

4) Create extra  thickness by using frozen strawberries OR adding an extra cube of ice.

NOTES


* Kale’s health benefits are linked to its very high concentrations of the two antioxidants–flavonoids and carotenoids.

* Scientists have identified over 40 different flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol are among the flavinoids in kale having the highest concentration). These flavinoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits which are believed to help avoid chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Within the carotenoids–lutein and beta-carotene have a  very high concentration in kale.

* Strawberries have a high concentration of Vitamin C and are a good source of Fiber. They have particularly high levels of polyphenol antioxidants. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition offers an overview of experimental, clinical and epidemiological effects polyphenols have on health.

* This smoothie may help to replenish nutrients and fluids lost when undergoing chemotherapy.


Gems are not only beautiful but also have powerful healing properties. They have been used in ancient cultures for healing and are a wonderful way to bring into your daily rituals today. Hildegard von Bingen was a visionary and well known for working with crystals and  incorporated gems into a holistic health concept. She used gems and crystals both externally and internally: the healing stones were either placed on the body or used in preparation of elixirs that were to be ingested by the patients. 


Making a gem elixir or crystal water can be easy, fun and healing! If you use the direct method where you put the crystals in the water be aware the crystals you are using are not are toxic. 




MY FAVOURITES: I use rose quartz, amethyst, clear quartz crystal as a basic gem elixir I love to drink!

You can explore various stones that attract you and drink them mindfully and gratefully as they can give you new ways of connecting to yourself and the earth!

Items needed to start:
- A glass vessel
-1-3 raw or tumbled gems 
-spring or charged water

1. Place a cleansed crystal or gemstone (only use non-toxic crystals) in a plain glass tumbler or pitcher.
2. Fill with fresh spring water ( or water charged in blue bottle & moron glass) cover and leave overnight.
3. In the morning remove the crystal with a spoon, and sip the water throughout the day.
4. The water will keep in a refrigerator for a few days.
5. This water is also great for your animals and your plants.

Again the key is to start simply and you can elaborate later!

Suggestions on How to drink:
1-3 glasses a day for 2 weeks to work on your particular condition. 

The healing properties of a gem elixirs depend on the gems and crystals used in their preparation. Healing stones transfer their vibration to the molecules of water thus changing the energetic pattern of this medium. This patterns are then incorporated into our own energy field. The healing process is gradual and requires patience and perseverance as the changes must take place at the molecular level before they manifest themselves on the macro scale.

How does it work?
The energetic information stored in gems and crystals incorporates into our own energy system.

Gem elixir prescriptions:

• Stress - Quartz Crystal, Rose Quartz, Amethyst
• Weight loss - Apatite, Quartz Crystal, Magnesite, Red Jasper
• For more energy and stamina - Quartz Crystal, Selenite, Moss Agate
• Immune system - Calcite, Quartz Crystal, Amethyst, Black Tourmaline
• Diuretic - Magnesite, Red Jasper, Quartz Crystal
• Insomnia - Aragonite, Rose Quartz, Black Tourmaline
• Skin conditions - Amethyst, Quartz Crystal, Red Carnelian 
• Skin rejuvenation - Amethyst, Agate, Red Carnelian
• Libido - Red Carnelian, Red Jasper, Rose Quartz
• Concentration - Agate, Apatite, Fluorite, Quartz Crystal

Many gems can safely be used in gem therapy. However, certain gems are toxic and should never be used in making a gem elixir. If you are not absolutely certain about the stones you are using, ask a certified holistic therapist or a gemologist. 

Do NOT use these GEMS in elixir making:

• Amazonite - contains copper inclusions. Copper is toxic to the body.
• Azurite - copper content makes it toxic.
• Boji stones - sulphur content make them unsuitable for an elixir
• Chalcopyrite or the peacock stone - contains copper and sulphur. Potentially toxic.
• Chrysocolla - contains copper
• Cinnabar - contains mercury and is toxic to the body
• Cuprite - contains copper
• Dioptase - contains copper
• Hematite - due to the iron content may rust in water
• Lapis Lazuli - pyrite inclusions are potentially poisonous. Porous.
• Malachite - contains copper and is potentially toxic
• Wulfenite - toxic. Contains lead

SOME more books you can buy form my Amazon Links here! Thanks for supporting our site!

This meets the check the list for daily-free, sugar free and Coconut is on top of the list as its full of anti-bacterial properties and naturally occurring fat that keeps blood sugar stable. 

You’ve heard of fresh coconut, dried coconut, coconut water, coconut oil, coconut milk…

And then, coconut ice cream! And the latest Rock Star: Coconut yogurt!

I caution you to become adept at reading ingredients on packaged foods. I am a bit of a frisk this way. 
SO I decided to make my own coconut yogurt! 

So Delicious Cultured Coconut Milk ingredients: ORGANIC COCONUT MILK (WATER, ORGANIC COCONUT CREAM), CHICORY ROOT EXTRACT, PECTIN, ALGIN, MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, RICE STARCH, LOCUST BEAN GUM, LIVE CULTURES, GUAR GUM, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, GELLAN GUM, XANTHAN GUM, VITAMIN D2, VITAMIN B12.

So Delicious Blueberry Greek Cultured Coconut Milk ingredients: ORGANIC COCONUT MILK (WATER, ORGANIC COCONUT CREAM), CHICORY ROOT EXTRACT, BLUEBERRIES, ORGANIC DRIED CANE SYRUP, RICE STARCH, PECTIN, TAPIOCA DEXTROSE, NATURAL FLAVOR, ALGIN (KELP EXTRACT), MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, BLUEBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, LOCUST BEAN GUM, LIVE CULTURES, CITRIC ACID, GRAPE, CARROT AND BLUEBERRY JUICES FOR COLOR, GUAR GUM, MONK FRUIT EXTRACT, SODIUM CITRATE, VITAMIN D-2, VITAMIN B12.

Ok, not bad for healthy---but if you are wanting to go to next level of just probiotics I guess you gotta do it yourself right?

This journey reminded me of when I started making home-made kombucha ----ooops you need a starter culture!
Now I'm in Hawaii as I'm making this so it's pretty warm so I didn't need the oven light. I just kept it in a warm place as it was fermenting. My friend did tip me off that you could try probiotic capsules ( refrigerated) so I decided to experiment! 
Now I used real coconut which I grated and ran through a sieve to get the cream, of course you can buy the "Organic" coconut creams (make sure there are no additives like carageenan)
Remember to have fun and play in the kitchen!

YAY!
----------------------------------------
Here are 2 blogs I really enjoyed on making coconut yogurt:
http://tasty-yummies.com/2014/06/03/how-to-make-coconut-milk-yogurt/

COCONUT YOGURT 
The simplest way to make your own coconut yogurt:
Print
Prep time
4 mins
Ripening Time:
24 hours
Total time until ready to eat
24 hours 4 mins
 
Author: Alex Leikermoser
Makes: 1 quart
Ingredients

• 2 cans full-fat coconut milk
• 1-2 probiotic capsules (super potent probiotic capsule )(25 billion ea.)

Instructions

1. Blend coconut milk with contents of probiotic capsules. Transfer to a 1 quart glass mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. (If you have a hand blender, just put everything into the jar and blend it right there.)
2. Find a warm spot to store the jar 
3. After 24-48 hours, it should look & smell like yogurt. It may be runny, more like kefir than yogurt. If you like it thicker, leave it out longer.
4. After 48-72 hours, it should be thick and have a more tangy flavor.
5. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week!

Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe

 YAY! Ready to go! I love it as a topping on my sprouted or raw bread and also on home-made granola or a spoonful on top of warm gluten-free millet or amaranth (only some organic oatmeal is gluten free). Use as you would yogurt but also get creative --I dare you! Let me know how it turns out! 
Remember I make this because I also try to eat sugar free, so if you are wanting mores sweetness add some fruit, fruit puree, maple syrup or honey! 
P.S. Vanilla flavoured coconut yogurt I also tried making a vanilla flavour by adding some natural raw ground vanilla!
P.S. If you are a real keener & don't like to waste anything (like me)---you can make coconut flour with the leftover pulp!

Re: BPA Can linings:
You can buy coconut cream in plastic packaging, if you’re worried about the BPA in cans, I get it. For now if you can't get a fresh coconut I say it's still a good option! 


See instagram for more photos 

Breathe, groove, ahhhh...

Check out some great mixes! I used to do all my own mixes for my classes over 10 years ago! Taking yourself on a journey with music & yoga is so transporting! 
Check out this Cool Yoga mix by Ineeda of Vancouver of girlvana! Tunes for the summer season.  Yup as she says "We’ve got your summer yoga practice covered."
Think: Headstands in the grass and Warrior 2 on paddle boards.

ALTERNATIVE SUMMER YOGA MIX
1. Stateless- Bloodstream
2. Ry X- Howling
3. Ed Thomas- Hurt
4. Jaymes Young- Habits of My Heart (Sufjan Stevens Remix)
5. Benjamin Francis Leftwich- Shine (Kygo Remix)
6. Bonobo- Cirrus
7. Harvest Moon- Poolside
8. Vance Joy- Riptide
9. Wax Tailor- Que Sera
10. Chet Faker- 1998
11. Wet- Don’t wanna be your girl
12. Shura- Touch
13. Alt J- Dancing in the Moonlight
14. Kerry Muzzey- Light at the end of the tunnel .

For easy listening purposes, you can check out the playlist & others here under yogagurl 8tracks.com here (link). 

I went strawberry picking today with my Mom, something I haven't done in a long time! It was fun picking & then thinking of ideas for the fresh strawberries...instead of just freezing them whole or making jam I was thinking of sugar free ideas!

I am not diabetic or sugar-restricted but I do choose to avoid refined sugars. I really wanted to make a sugar-free jam using natural sweeteners (honey, fruit juice, fruit juice concentrate, etc.) or Stevia; but what I realized is you still have to use pectin & gelatin.

So I have decided to make a Strawberry Puree instead of jam that last about 1 month ( or more) in the fridge or you can freeze extra! And the good news is its RAW & delicious alternative to sugar laden jams from the grocery store! 
Ingredients:
-fresh pureed strawberries
-optional ( rhubarb )
-lemon juice 
-chia seeds (optional)
-optional (honey or fruit juice to taste)

Not just a Jam! Great for snacks! How could I use this?
-topping on your goat yogurt, coconut yogurt or gluten free cereal with almond milk
-spread on your gluten free crackers or bread
-a great addition to a smoothie 


Warning: Not adding any sugar to the jam will be a naturally less sweet, so I added some lemon or lime!  Also the color will be darker and it generally is a bit more runny --that is why I added the chia.

PS After making this I looked on the internet & realized there are lots of recipes for this LOL --so check it out & create your own version of chai strawberry jam!
PS If anyone has a great recipe they made please comment or email me! I even tried this recipe and added some bananas for a different rendition & it tasted great! So I have a few flavours now in my fridge!

Check out more recipes from Chia Vitality, the new book by 
Mamma Chia founder and CEO, Janie Hoffman. http://www.mammachia.com/chia-vitality-recipes/
Fresh Strawberry-Chia Seed Jam

Sending you all light & love from Maui as I complete my 21 day joinery & retreat here... Hope you are celebrating summer & bathing yourself in light! 

Please read this blog post on mystic MAMA as I think it covers the topc & gives some great inspiration for rituals!

..."Dearest Light*beings! Namaste~the *Light* in me honors the *Light* in youOn the Solstice, we honor the Light, we remember the Light, we celebrate the Light.These seasonal turning points remind us of the essential, the elemental…wherein lies our planetary unity. Whether we welcome Summer in the Northern hem or Winter in the Southern hem, we enter a new cycle. We cross over a new threshold."


http://www.mysticmamma.com/solstice-light/

We just celebrated International Women's Day and Mother's Day is around the corner. Already the shops and the Internet are filled with Mother's Day cards for mom, flowers for mom, bathrobes and bon-bons for mom. I really want to inspire & encourage you to be inspired to give gifts that are from the heart & that are truly going to enhance health...including spending time together & sharing new memories...Commit to spending time together! 

When we realize the beauty of our own dreams from our hearts and share it with other women we can begin to live our dreams collectively & support eachother! 

This allows us to thrive as we are filling our own cups with self nourishment & self care & in turn this creates extra for us to be able to give to others in the way of time, knowledge and money! 

I've always had a broad streak of optimism, sharing my dream reinforces this optimism for me. It proves to me that there are potential solutions to my own problems and to global issues which, some days, seem overwhelming. With each woman and female entrepreneur, there is hope. 

There are tangible routes to action we can all take. This Mother's Day, I will honor my own mother's resolve and fortitude in providing for me and my brothers and by being an example for us by helping many people in her own community. For it really does start in our own lives, in our own families and in our own cities! Also Mom thank you for being brave enough to come to a foreign country 44 years ago without speaking the language & being pregnant with me in your belly & dreaming up a new life here.
As a female entrepreneur I have been able to create opportunities in North America for which I am truly grateful... Thank you Mom!

We hope you can join us every Tuesday and Thursday 12:00pm-12:45pm EDT for unique yogagurl online live streaming classes!   The next class is scheduled Tuesday May 6th!

To register follow below...

1.  Visit http://www.powhow.com/classes/yogagurl

2.  Scroll down to third block 'Live Class with Recording' and select your desired class date

3.  Click 'Sign up' and either Create an Account or Log In.  Choose your time zone (Toronto = EDT)

4.  Enter your billing info using Visa, Mastercard, or Pay Pal

5.  Plug the date into your calendar or write it down so you don't forget:)

6.  Five to ten minutes before the class begins, please sign in and ensure your webcam and Internet are working for the live stream class.  Remember that both Alex and the other students will be able to see you and interact! CLOTHING IS NOT OPTIONAL ! LOL
Make-up is...

7.  Breathe, Move & Enjoy!

If you would like to sign up for a monthly membership and have unlimited access to all of yogagurl's recorded videos as well as participate in the live streaming ongoing classes please see our monthly membership options for only $35/month

Note: when the class begins please ensure you 'allow' the Pow How pop-up to participate in class as your computer may block it by default.

Thanks so much! See you online!  If you have any questions email us at click@yogagurl.com

Whine Less, Breathe More,
yogagurl
xox

When was the last time you blew bubbles?
by Alexandra Leikermoser

We all breathe, right? Well, that’s the best tool to help take you into the present moment, says another first time contributor, Alexandra Leikermoser, an eco designer and Yoga teacher from Toronto. And it helps to think outside of the box, a suggestion that Leikermoser adopts in the middle of her column when she launches into a free-flowing writing exercise. Don’t try it at home, she cautions, but maybe you will, or should. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hurry, hurry don’t be late. Go here, do this. Go there, do that. Don’t forget this and don’t forget that. Did you remember to do what you were supposed to do, or did that errand slip by you? Does any of this ring bells of familiarity? Often our days are crammed with so many things to do and so many places to go and a host of people to see, that it seems like it might be easy to forget to breathe. Here’s a few ideas to consider that can help slow the pace and help us touch base:

• Stop.
• Breathe.
• Be.
• Savor the moment.

Ahhhh. . . being in the moment. It is so easy to forget, yet it is most important and it is really what makes up the fabric of our lives. A moment in time. Momentary. A piece of time. Do we know exactly what a moment is? Can it truly be defined? I can share my personal definition.

For me a moment is synonymous with breath and breathing. It is being present enough to enjoy what is hap- pening in the moment – the now. I can try to let go and not worry about doing things like trying to capture it on camera or in writing. I can release the need to feel like I must go somewhere or accomplish some task. I can just enjoy “be- ing” to the point where I am in a complete state of “allow- ing.”

For me, these moments come more easily when I am out in nature connecting with it on a personal level. When I walk on the beach, I can feel each tiny grain of sand be- tween my toes. I feel the sensation of the wind’s soft touch, gently caressing my cheek.

These moments also come when I am in a balancing yoga pose that requires me to breathe deeply and be really present, or else risk falling over. Capturing and enjoying a present moment isn’t so easy when you find yourself in a pressure-and-stress filled situation, like being caught in a jam of city traffic. Those are the moments where the good habits I formed in meditation and yoga practice come in very handy. There is one central key that is very helpful:

• This is where we call on the breath.
• The breath is the key to the moment. • We cannot breathe in the past.
• We cannot breathe in the future.

Think Outside the Box

The breath is an excellent tool to take us into the present. The breath helps us to move more mindfully and slowly. Fast is an illusion. Slow isn’t so bad. It may seem surprising


but when we move slowly we are able to get more done. Everyone knows Aesop’s Fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare.” Slow and steady wins the race. Be a turtle and try it some- time; observe the outcome.

If the present is truly all there really is, why are we so caught up in what could be or what could have been? Per- haps the element missing in our lives is the ability to be free-flowing human beings. Maybe we are too uptight and spend too much time confined by the “box” of our habits.

It’s complicated, made more so by deadlines, appoint- ments and, well, this, that and the other. I am being fully in the moment as I write this piece. But what about taking this task “out of the box” to a free flowing, freeform writing exer- cise? What happens?

Disclaimer:
Please do not try this at home unless you are prepared

to be in the moment! Here goes: The truth is all there is. The moment is all there is. Discover the power of being present. Being in the now. Listening. Being. Breathing. Feeling. Ahhhhh. Letting go. Breath. Listen. Honor your place. Let- ting be. Tuning into our intuition. Playing. Seeing with fresh eyes. Gratitude. Grace. No goals. No desires. Contentment. Surrender. Freedom to be. Singing. Dancing. Playing. Now I am in the moment. . . with very short sentences!

The truth is that there are so many ways to just “be.” But often we are stuck in the only way we know. Part of the beauty of our journey is experimenting and finding new modes for self-expression that give us new or expanded abilities to be who we are, while staying present and fully awake, aware and in the moment.

We really can’t live in the past or the future. We can only live in the moment. Today as you walk in you present moments, don’t draw from the past or project to the future; do your best to stay in each of those moments. Allow your- self to experience a kind of temporary amnesia and watch your day shift. I leave you with one last thought to gnaw on: if the answer is being in the moment, then what is the ques- tion? Hmmmm... Thank you for your precious time! Thank you for sharing this moment with my words.

Alexandra Leikermoser, an eco designer and Yoga in- structor, also produces inspirational writing, clothing and accessories, aimed at promoting a serious “practice” while keeping the ability to laugh at one’s self. When she is not facilitating creative goddess retreats and workshops, you can find her playing on the beach, drumming and singing to the waves.
Excerpted from The Journeymag.com  November December 2008