Style is the mind skating circles around itself as it moves forward.

- Robert Frost

Practicing yoga is a great way to find a part of you that you never knew existed, or has been missing for a while, or one that you don’t ever really get a chance to unleash in our crazy world. At least that is what I have found through my own yoga practice. There are types of yoga classes and styles that I prefer and then ones I don’t. I used to wonder how this could be as much I truly love yoga and all that it encompasses, but as I continued to practice and listen I learned the answers.

One of my friends and I used to ride to the studio together and then seperate once we got there to take different classes, she Bikram and myself either power or flow. One day in class it came to me why I didn’t care for the Bikram over the flow (vinyasa style) and it had nothing to do with the actual poses. You see Bikram is a set series of 26 postures, each done twice in a heated room and flow is whatever the teacher makes it when they teach, each class being a little different depending on the teacher and their style. So, when I realized, gosh – my day to life is very structured and my friend Nicole’s hers was not, hers was very creatively open each day as she worked in sales. Her schedule was hers to schedule as she wished and mine was not. Therefore, when I went to practice yoga I wanted a more creative style and she wanted a more structured one.

Later as I learned more about Ayruveda and the principles that encompass it, I realized that with my pitta doshas (being a natural red head) I already generated enough internal heat that I really didn’t need extra added heat with a heater in my practice. Maybe if I lived in Chicago (in the winter) that would be different, but in Florida it was what it was.

Those of you who are new to yoga, or just experiencing all of the elements you can, you might find that there is a particular style that you enjoy practicing more than another and you might not. But, don’t let what you choose be determined (just like anything else in your life) by those around you. You decide! It’s your practice!

All that being said, many of you have asked as I have given you Yoga Vibes free class passes to try a class on their site, which classes I like the best and can I recommend some for you – well of course – I can and here they are, but please remember they are all about the styles that I like- Vinyasa Flow & Yin. I have to be honest though, I haven’t come across a single yoga class on Yoga Vibes that I didn’t like. However, it seems when I sit down to choose one and see how my body feels in that moment I choose according to that feeling. Actually, now that I think about it, that is another nice thing about Yoga Vibes, you aren’t locked down to what classes are offerred at the studio you are practicing at the time you can practice.

So here goes (in no certain order of course):

• Christina Raffa (shoulder opener)
• Denise Payne (level 3-4 class, poses you have never seen before)
• Elinore Cohen
• Chrystal Rae Almeida
• Erin Jacquez
• Erin Morgan (both classes)
• Gabriel Azoulay – yin
• Ingrid Yang – energetic flow/power
• Jene Rossi
• Jennifer Beyt Coffin
• Joan Hyman
• Kathryn Budig (handstands!)
• Teen yoga class
• Laura Schneider
• Rolf Gates (all)
• Sadie Nardini (live class)
• Sage Roundtree
• Shayla Worsley (great hips here)
• Shawn Shaw
• Issac Pena (different type of flow – one of my most favs)

Classes I haven’t taken, but are on the list to take soon-

• Joe Taft’s Anusara – this class fills up in Asheville, NC
• Faith Hunter

What is your yoga style?

“Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire,
and begin at once, whether you’re ready
or not, to put it into action.”

As you can see, I haven’t posted anything in quite a while. There are several reasons for this, one my site seems to have picked up something called a spam bot (I know it sounds like something from outer space- actually it is something from cyber space) and everytime I post a new post, I get what seems to be a like a million, although I am exaggerating, junk, jibberish comments on my blog.  It is so annoying! I get them other times too, but mainly when a new post goes up.

Then my school year ended and I have been really busy enjoying my flexible time this summer, traveled a little to the beach some, painted with friends, lunch dates with friends, more yoga of course, more fun computer time, etc. The Lululemon Tampa opened up and so I have been busy with my ambassador ship too.

I enjoy having my own blog to update too, but I decided that I didn’t want it to be a chore that I have to do, something that I have to keep up with. I decided that I would write, when I write and had something to write about. I have been enjoying writing for other blogs as well and decided I really like doing that more, it is like a contribution from me to them a gift to write for someone else.

In our lives, we transition, we have periods of deeper more profound transitions, we have short ones. Our brain adapts, our bodies adapt, our personalities adapt. We take it all in and in time a shift happens. I have just been experiencing my own shifting times lately, watching what I enjoy, listening to what my heart says, dreaming big, making time for friends old and new, listening to what my body says as I practice yoga,  and just being present.  There are times when life is simple, there are times when it is not.

Sometimes you just have to set an intention and put out to the universe what you want and see what the universe brings back to you.

Let’s see what happens!

I bet you are wondering, hummm….what’s been going with Tiffany. Well here it is. You already know I teach full time at a middle/high school (so as the end of the year comes closer to an end – it just can’t get here fast enough), then I teach at the community college and the semester just ended, but another one is getting ready to start (no break there either).

A few weekends ago I wen to yoga at the Tampa Bay Museum of Art in downtown Tampa, after I journaled in my art journal after class and took some great pictures from the beach where I sat in peace.

Then Bryan and I headed down to Sarasota for our 13th anniversary (we even splurged a bit and stayed at the Ritz!) and that was supa dupa fun! No pics to share though because my battery charger was missing in action, had to get another one, but it didn’t happen in time. I took some pics with my cell phone, but blah, blah, blah I didn’t like how they turned out. While we were there we did this crazy hard workout, CrossFit.I am all about training that way this summer when my body is more rested from not having to get up at the crack of dawn.

Then you know I signed up to do the art journal class, that was going great the first week and then I just got behind and have now decided that I am going to resume when my summer starts so I can participate with mindfulness and ease.

I have been taking a lot of Yoga Vibes classes online because I just can’t seem to get to the studio when a class begins. That is working out great, but I do love to practice in the studio too.

Then a friend of mine and I met the Lululemon ladies (Erin and Amber) at the Soho Cycling spinning class on Fri. and I love it. I hadn’t taken a spinning class since last summer, but this location plays awesome music with screens where the videos show. New favorite dance song for now – Tea Party by Kerli from Alice and Wonderland.

Afterwards, they talked about a Tampa running club that meets on Tuesday evenings at 6 and everyone runs together. Sounds really fun and then they eat afterwards. I love it and will go this summer and check it, but waaah it’s on a practice night for me. Poo.

Two more great things going on lately, no actually I take that back, 3 more great things.

1. On Saturday 5/15 when I got ready to teach my 12 Flow class at Yogani, Erin and Amber from Lululemon asked me to be a Tampa Bay Lululemon ambassador, they wrote my name and all these fun adjectives about me, like othat I was fun, soothing, energetic, etc. n the mirror and then they proposed and asked me. They gave me the prettiest flower too. See above! So sweet. I almost cried. All of my dreams are coming true. Somebody pinch me!

2. I am headed to the keys this week with the seniors from my school, lots of activities like kayaking, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, etc. Should be really fun! I am excited.

3. Then my birthday is this week and on Sat. 5/22 a bunch of my friends are headed to Jackson’s Bistro to dance, dance, dance and celebrate. I will be 39 years old. I know – Supa Dupa old – the end of my 30′s. My dad is even flying down and you already know that he loves to dance.

All in all, I am busy as usual it’s life in the fast, but oh so fun lane! But, all this time, I keep seeing how much of life I have missed out on and still do, because I work so much and stay so busy. I have missed out on lots of great friends that I just don’t take the time to develop, or ones that fall through the cracks because I don’t have the time once me meet to get and stay close and allow the friendship to develop. I have been thinking – why is it that I feel the need to do so much, what is wrong with just being? Do I like being really busy? Do I really like it, or do I just do it because it is what I know? Do I have to be responsible for so much? If so, why?

I have decided that this summer, I am going to go to the beach a lot, spend time with new and old friends a lot, cherish each and every moment, travel, dance, floss and live each day a little more fully than before. Oh yeah, paddle boarding is on my list too!

What are you up too?

What are you reflecting on these days?

Check it out – this is my first creation for page 1 of my journal.

Art is not one of my forte’s although I sure do love to learn new stuff, but I was surely not born with the gift of drawing. However, I always say, anyone can dance, so in this case anyone can be an artist, it is all about how you see the art.

Check out the Tell Your Story site for yourself and see if you are interested in taking the class too.

Doesn’t it look fun?

Back to Kindergarten I go! Come – jump into another rabbit hole with me!

“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”
Buddha

Let’s face it, most of us have trouble staying present. I always think of it as just putting my mind to it – no pun intended. There are all kinds of strategies we can practice to help us stay present in our meditation practice.
Just a few of many ways to try to stay present in your meditation practice are:

• Focusing on the breath – counting it, practicing Pranayama to stay present while meditating (there are tons of Pranayama techniques to do too)
• Listening to a guided meditation

(There are some great ones of all types, on Itunes – like Meditation Oasis)

• Even candle gazing is an awesome way to stay present, clean out the tear ducts and open the Ajna Chakra. (I love this one.)

But, another great way that seems to have dwindled down the meditation practice list (at least in a yoga class is) is Yantra Meditation.

Yantra Meditation is done by using a mandala (a universal symbol) or a yantra (a geometric design). A person would preferably place the yantra or mandala in front of them equal to their eye level and sit upright, (not stiff or wood like of course) and gaze at the symbol seeing whatever they could see inside the shape. I really enjoy doing this type of meditation because I learn more about myself than I do from some of the other meditations I do. I watch and see whatever it is that I see in that shape on that day, at that present moment.

Meditation practitioners can get cd’s with mandalas and yantras on them to use to gaze at, they can use a design of their own that they have created or my absolute favorite are mandalas made by Susan Bloom in Asheville, NC.

I originally found out about the mandalas in a Mindfulness Training with Shala Worsley at the Asheville Yoga Center. She used them as we practiced yantra meditation and then we got to journal after viewing several different ones. We searched for patterns in our lives from our journals. It was so fun to see what we saw, to learn and to reflect on it.

Then of course, I had to find out where Shala got the beautiful mandalas and she revealed the secret and yes – now I am sharing it with you.

I purchased a notebook full of mandalas from Susan to use when I teach yoga, for my own meditation practice and also for fun gifts for friends – they look awesome in frames too. Take a look!

I have no idea how she makes them, but boy oh boy aren’t they beautiful?

And these pictures don’t even do her work justice!

Each and every time you can see something different inside them.

Try it out, see what you see, see what you learn about yourself and you life.
Susan even has some posted on You Tube too, so that you can watch and do a Yantra meditation.

Do you have a regular meditation practice, a pranayama practice that you incorporate into your meditations?

How do you take/find the time to meditate?

One of the yamas that I have been having a tough time really adhering to lately is Satya – Truth. Growing up I didn’t always say that something was bothering me with my friends or even my parents until I just blew up and it came out. Some of that I might have been able to blame on my redheaded hair and fiery temper. But, nonetheless, not all of it and not at my age now.

In our world today, to speak our truth as many state it, can be a very tricky matter. My determination recently is that when I do say or speak my real feelings about something, to the best of my ability, of course, without dressing it up in an exaggerating nature and putting a huge bow on it (as that isn’t something we should have to do in order to say what we really think )- the world isn’t ready for it. Or at least, a lot of the world isn’t.

Humm…..to say what you think, not dress it and up and make it something it’s not, be tactful, acting without malice or harm in mind, but truthful in nature – I’m thinking that sounds so easy, so truthful, so honest. So how it is that it can get turned into something else, something it’s not, something different?

The answer is, it can! And very easily, here’s why:

We all have issues, some are listened to more by our inner egos than others. But they are there. When you tell someone something that you are thinking, feeling – your truth, even though it is not meant to hurt, belittle or demean them in anyway shape or form, they attach what you say to their own issues and then it gets hairy.

But, really satya is about living our truth. As is yoga, satya is a practice. Living your truth each and every day, not allowing the issues of the world around you take your truth away, not masking your truth until it isn’t a truth any longer. As Rolf Gates says, “We live in a world where truth is a rare commodity. Over time you will have the pleasure of watching this beautiful practice blossom in your life in a way that is honest and authentic. As you learn to speak the truth, you will learn to be true to yourself, to all that is best in you.”

So when you get an email at work that could be misread – don’t invest false energy into it.

When you hear what someone says, don’t judge them, really allow yourself to hear them and clarify what they mean by what they say.

Don’t involve yourself in idle gossip about others, do you know their real truth? Do they even know their own truth?

Then let it be. Commence yourself to the practice of satya and all that is and all that is says. Know that all is exactly as it should be as if you wear your truth on your sleeve.

How do you practice satya? What real world experiences do you have to share? Do you ever get overwhelmed after speaking your truth?

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

— Mahatma Gandhi

I do, actually I am a recycle queen I must say. I will go above and beyond not to throw something in the garbage if it can be recycled. I am almost a little OCD about it. But, you have no idea what I have to go through to actually recycle. You see, my huge, ginormous town home development that I live in, in Brandon is an upscale, gated community, but do they offer recycling to their residents – NO! They should be arrested for a crime for not doing so – and I’m serious when I say that.

There is no recycling program whatsoever. I cringe as I drive through and see newspapers that people have delivered to their home and I know that chances are they are not going to be recycled. Such a simple task, but when there is no convenient way to recycle and unless you care about the environment, care about recycling, care about the ability to reuse something, then you won’t go above and beyond. Any that’s just newspapers! That doesn’t count the countless other items that can be recycled in my neighborhood that aren’t, i.e. glass, aluminum, magazines, plastic, paper, etc.

Ugh…is all I have to say.

So, here’s one of the things I do to recycle – I have a great friend Karen! Such a  great friend that she takes my recycling from me each week and places it beside her recycling (she lives in a neighborhood that recycles). An angel from heaven! Thanks Karen!

Can you even believe that I recycle all of the paper and plastic products from my school where I teach. Yep, the county the school is in, only recycles newspapers and magazines – no other paper products! Can you imagine? Yep, I KNOW!

How do you recycle, what do you recycle, is it a difficult task in your area? Do you compost? Do you reuse?

I hate to say this, but since I have always been a work aholic I haven’t always had a lot of friends, not because I couldn’t have, but because I never spent time with friends I would just work instead. It wasn’t until I began my yoga teacher training a few years ago, and someone asked me what I was going to do all summer while I was off from teaching and said work and she said, “What about hanging out with your friends?” that I discovered WOW! I don’t really do that sort of thing – do I? A huge eye opener for me. So, as I have been really trying to do is incorporate saying yes, to my friends so that we can be friends and better friends at that.

 “You can’t always sit in your corner of the forest and wait for people to come to you… you have to go to them sometimes.” – Winnie the Pooh

So, that is just what I did this week, I took a little me time and a little time with friends.

Monday began my week when I forgo sleeping in, so precious to a girl that gets up at 5 am each morning to meet a dear friend for coffee in Hyde Park. Carol is a new mom that comes to my yoga classes. We meet when she began coming when she was pregnant, practicing flow yoga up until the week before her precious baby girl – Grace – was born. Amazing. Then I headed off to yoga. The rest of the day consisted of an afternoon nap, shopping and then teaching my own flow class that evening.

Tuesday was a sleep in day- of course! Then to another yoga class, today was Hot Flow – with Thom. I love Thom, but his schedule is one of mostly Bikram classes so I never get to take his classes. I am not a Bikram girl – too much of the same for me, plus my Pitta doesn’t care for the intense heat.  Then running errands, a wax, the gym and nice run outside and off to teach another yoga class.

Wednesday - ahhh yes – you guessed it another sleep in day! Woot! Working on the computer, blogging, reading blogs, contemplating a new book to read, etc. Then off to get some new make up, practicing and playing with some new spring colors, to yoga, run Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa Bay – one of the most beautiful places to run ever. Don’t forget your sunscreen though, little to no shade.

Then a massage. I recently got one from a different girl and ewwww….won’t do that again, what a waste of money. This time Annette worked on me – she is amazing! Then you guessed it happy hour with friends!

The week is off to a great start and although I will be sad when it comes to an end, I am so thankful that I had it to begin with.  

So remember, when you need a little time for yourself  do what comes more natural
- TAKE IT!

What do you do when you have time off? 

Like good friends, Bolsters should provide reliable, effective support, even when you place yourself in difficult positions. Bolsters are great for stretching & supporting your belly, back, hamstrings & chest. They should be made firm & dense — this way it provides support for you to relax deeply and stay in a shape awhile.

My favorite bolster maker is Angela McWilliams @ InnerSpaceYoga. She makes bolsters for the Asheville Yoga Center, so you know they rock (but arent’ hard like rocks, of course !)

She makes two sizes in bolsters, a round one and a flat. Honestly, I like them both for different reasons, but the largest of the two is the round. Angela uses fun, lively fabrics and you can choose which fabric you want your bolster to be made with too. Check out this brochure for more information and details. You can follow her on Twitter to under InnerSpaceYoga.

Take a look at these fun pictures too —>

Angela is such a cool Yogini that she is offering $25.00 off the purchase of 1 of her bolsters for the best comment on this blog.

She normally charges $55.00 for a bolster, so you would be getting a great bolster for $30.00.

That’s Supa Dupa Cheap!

She will even pay for the shipping.

So if you are in the market for a bolster, want to save a few dollars and you want a great bolster, post a comment by March 21st and once again my high students will choose the winner since they are very impartial and don’t know any of my blog followers. The winner will be announced after the contest is over.

The bounty is out for the best bolster blogger!!!