Blogging Around the Christmas Tree

Friends, the holidays are officially over. I took the last two weeks to rest and rejuvenate…well, I tried! While the holidays are probably the most joyful time in my life, it is also the busiest. I have always been a huge Christmas nut. When it comes to finding gifts, I’m that person that will spend more on a gift than I expected to if I think the person I’m shopping for will reallllllly like it. But most importantly, I’ve always spent the holidays with those I love, and this year was no exception. I got to see friends I hadn’t seen in a long time, and got to spend some much needed quality time with my family. Christmas itself has been even more special in the last few years as my family now has 3 little rugrats. With my niece and nephews around, the magic of Christmas seems to blossom even more profoundly. Their smiles and excitement are absolutely priceless. I think that’s my favourite part of Christmas- living vicariously through my little kiddies, and just feeling so happy to be surrounded by so much love.


Now other than spending time with those we love and gift giving and receiving, the holidays also bring something else: food. My goodness. So much food. I really outdid myself this year. It was as though I was testing my insides to see how much food I could stuff in. Have you ever been to the Teddy Bear Factory, where you stuff your own bears? That’s kind of what I felt like. I just couldn’t resist the urge to taste a little bit of everything, and with about 6 dinner parties on my schedule, my tummy got quite he beating. My first Jazzercise class was yesterday, and I thought I was going to pass out on my step. I could literally feel and smell the Tofurky roast oozing out of my pores. However, I felt like a million bucks afterwards. And my first yoga class today since the holidays? Mind-blowing. Triangle pose never felt so good. Oh and that side plank with tree pose intertwined in it? Magical. I woke up this morning feeling a little bummed since I had to return to my desk at work after a two week hiatus, but yoga brought my mind back to its regal place and now I am welcoming all of my daily work’s challenges with a smile.

The holiday season winded down with New Year’s Eve. And that evening was spent with close friends, in our pyjamas, playing Partini, eating finger food (of course, more food), and watching that ball drop. In my own expert opinion, there is nothing that can beat that. Oh wait, yes there is: seeing New Kids on the Block performing live with The Backstreet Boys right before the ball dropped? Yeah, I giggled like a school girl, I’m not gonna lie. And what comes along with NYE? Ah yes, that fear-provoking resolution. It creeps up on you, and you can’t ignore it, because everyone will ask you: What’s your resolution for 2011? So let me share my 2011 projects with you.

1. To continue to fuel my body with the most positive of energies. Yoga, jazzercise, family, friends, Roxanne, smiling…all these things will help.
2. To be more crafty and creative. Rather than going out and buying things, I am going to first ask myself: can I make these? And if I think I can, then I will try. Example: I needed curtains for my kitchen. Rather than going out and buying pre-maid curtains, I turned a lovely table cloth into lovely curtains. Not bad for someone who has never really handled fabric- I still tape my pants at the bottom when they’re too long rather than hem them- oops, embarrassing confession!
3. To be more confident. I have a nasty habit of convincing myself that I can’t do anything as grand as I hope to. Well, that needs to change, and it will! I think number 1 and 2 will help with that.

I hope that you all had the happiest of holidays. May 2011 bring you much deserved happiness and hugs.

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Happy 26th

Well, my birthday has come and gone! Yes, on the 14th of December I celebrated my 26th birthday.


I don’t like to make a big fuss out of my birthday. Everyone asked me “What will you be doing? Going out? A bar? A club?” For the last three years, I have enjoyed celebrating my birthday with friends in a quiet and intimate way. Whether it’s a small dinner at a cozy restaurant, or even at home, or going out to a movie. This year, I celebrated in a few ways:

1. I spent the day with my best blonde friend K, going to Bulk Barn (my new obsession, really), cooking, baking (improvised coconut macaroons, yum!) and watching Christmas movies.
2. I enjoyed a tasty pizza party with the family at mom and dad’s!
3. Vinny prepared me a tasty Indian-style dinner. He is quite the chef, I may add.
4. I indulged in the glory of a wonderful yoga class. Nothing better to offer yourself on your birthday than that!

I am always left so dumfounded at how wonderful the people in my life are. Yes, there was about eleventy zillion facebooks messages on my wall, and I loved reading every one of them. And there were also the phone calls from friends, some whom I hadn’t heard from in a little while, which made it even more special. And I received hugs and gifts from so many people, I felt ridiculously spoiled. I especially loved all those hugs- those are my favourite!  And the cards...those wonderful cards.  I have kept every card that has ever been given to me since I was 18 years old.  They are so lovely to go through every now and then.  My grandpa's cards always make me teary, and this year was so exception.  Vinny's card was bigger than I am.  And my Big Bro and Sista in Law got me a great yoga themed card actually- how à propos!

I guess what I’m really getting do is that when my birthday rolls around every year, it acts as a constant reminder of how fortunate I am so have so many people in my life who love me, and that I love back. In the end, there really is no better gift. Oh, and when it’s your birthday, treat yourself to a little yoga class, it really is a lovely way to celebrate.

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

A Sweet Yoga Treat

For those of you who don't know this about me, beneath the tattoos is actually a little Suzy Homemaker just eager to pop out.  And as a result, here is what happened.

Yes, delicious shortbread cookies in the shape of Warrior II, one of my favourite yoga poses.  This past weekend was my last Yoga Teacher Training until after the holidays, and I decided to make a little something for the wonderful ladies in my class.  With the three simple ingredients at hand (cane sugar, whole wheat flour and soy based maragarine) the grandma in me spent the night baking these bad boys and individually wrapping them for each person.  I owe the shape to cookie cutters I found called Ninja-Bread Men.  By slightly adjusting one of the ninja shaped cookie cutters, I was able to deliciously recreate this asana and turn it into a tasty treat.  Oh if only my bloga was edible. 

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Happy Mornings

I feel great. I have countless people around me that are sick with some sort of viral bug, but I still manage to feel great. *Knock on wood* And do you know why I feel so great? Vinny and I have been waking up an hour earlier lately, and have devoted that extra hour to sipping tea and stretching. Yes, we sip tea- in the manliest of ways, in Vinny’s defense. We then lay out our mats and partake in some gentle morning stretches that leave our bodies feeling awake and ready to start the day. We alternate the kind of stretching that we do. Some days we practice yoga poses that stretch out various parts of the body. The next day Vinny will show me some stretches he used to do way back when, as a football player. Funny though how some of the tough guy football player kind of stretches resemble many of the yoga poses, notably the ones that stretch the legs. While Vinny demonstrates these stretches, he is actually showing me Staff Pose, Great Seal Pose, Posterior Stretch…yoga is all around!


This decision to start stretching in the morning has come at quite the perfect time as one of my last reading assignments for YTT concentrated on the importance of stretching. How à propos!  Now, we have decided that not only will we begin our morning with tea and stretching (oh, and of course we enjoy a healthy breakfast, too) but we will also add in some cardio work. It’s incredible how letting your body feel alive first thing in the morning, before the sun comes up and before even anyone on your street is awake (the houses are still dark at that time) leaves you feeling completely and utterly wonderful for the rest of the day.  You should all try it sometime if you don't already, you won't regret it!

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

101!!!

You know what movie I love?  101 Dalmatians.  Pongo!

Speaking of 101...this is officially post number 101!  Wowzers.  Have I really already logged in and blogged more than 100 times? 
So, what is something special to write about for this grounbreaking 101st post?  That's easy- I put up my Christmas tree last week.  Yes, I tried to wait until December 1st, but the excitement of the holiday season ate me all up and I had to do it!  Plus my new ornaments were calling out to be exposed.  But what does putting up a Christmas tree have to do with yoga?  Well, yoga makes me happy.  My Christmas tree makes me happy.  I have been doing my YTT readings, comfortably on my couch, with my tree gloriously displaying all its beauty.  It allows me to enjoy my homework even more than I already do!  Does that sound dorky?  Well when you love your schooling as much as I do, homework doesn't seem like a chore, but more of a wonderful experience and oppurtunity to grow.

I'll make sure to upload some pictures of my tree, and of course all the other pretty decorations.  Oh, and my stockings are literally hung from the fireplace- love it!

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Confessions of a Dilligence-Deficient Lady

1. It has been almost two weeks since my last bloga entry. Though I have promised numerous times before to blog more often, I inexorably continue to fall back on my word.

2. Today, I went to yoga class, after an uneccesary week and a half hiatus from practice.

3. Since my last November 12th YTT weekend, not once have I practice taught- a substantial train wreck when you consider that practice teaching is one of the most integral components to the teacher training process.

4. Every second week for the last month and a half I have stayed home on the couch rather than attending my Monday night Jazzercise class. Yes Jazzercise, the activity all our mothers relished in, clad in body suits and sweat bands.

5. Almost everyday I have besmirched my dinner habits to quick fixes, not taking the proper time or means to ensure that my vegetarian eating habits are met with the appropriate nutrients.

If it is not yet evident through these last five personal disclosures, it has become quite obvious that I have done something awful: I have let myself fall out of love with my body.

There were times where I would delight in the thought of updating my blog, that I would make it the very first priority of my day.
I used to sacrifice sleeping in and come in to work earlier just so I could take a longer lunch break and enjoy a blissful afternoon yoga class. With my new position at work I don’t even need to sacrifice anything as my Nu-boss is very considerate of the importance of yoga in my life that he lets me go whenever I please because he trusts that I am doing a swell job.
I used to prompt Vinny in to letting me use him as my yoga student guinea pig so that I can practice my teaching language and my posture adjustments.
I would come home from work after an à la Garfield kind of Monday and change into my work-out clothes, pumped for Jazzercise- a change from my usual yoga, something requiring quick and smooth coordination was a challenge I took on full-heartedly.
I would fill my cupboards with mason jars full of delicious food items bought in bulk at the local organic food store, excited to test new healthy recipes.

Then, as though something came crashing down on me, these actions quickly disappeared. And for the last month or so, I have succumbed to being comfortable with simply doing nothing. But not the good kind of nothing where you take time for yourself and enjoy reading a good book. The kind of nothing where you simply stop caring, and prefer a sedentary lifestyle rather than fueling your body with all the wonders it is capable of. The good news, however? I have finally woken up and realized that I have been lacking the zest for life, and am now doing something about it.
Here is how it happened. Last night, I found myself yet again looking for an excuse not to go to Jazzercise. Actually, let me take a step back and explain to you my newfound love for Jazzercise- see, had I been kind to my beloved bloga, you would have already known by now that I have graduated to official Jazzerciser status.  Having moved back to the burbs, I discovered the large range of community activities one can get involved in.  These activities are restricted solely to residents of our town- ooh how exclusive!  I woke up one day and decided that I would take part in one of these ventures.  My initial goal was to sign up for a yoga class, but all three classes filled up in the blink of an eye so I missed my chance.  That's when I thought to myself`why not try something completely new?  And as my eyes scrolled down what appeared to be a never ending list of cultural and physical activities, one in particular tickled my fancy- Jazzercise.  I suddenly fell into a lucid daydream where I remembered following my mom to her Jazzercise class every Sunday and watched as dozens of women (and the occasional man) would tone their buns, chassé across the floor, stomp on their steps and sweat to the sweet, sweet sounds of early 90s pop.  Then, to my utter surprise and enjoyment, they introduced a JuniorJazz course.  The observer became the partaker, and I got together with a bunch of girls and a handful of boys my age every Saturday and learned fun choreographies whilst remaning physically active.  Yes, it was actually a very fond childhood memory.  Once I stumbled back to reality, without hesitation I clicked the register button, and 67$ later committed myself to Monday night Jazzercise classes from September to December.  Now that you're up to speed...last night I putzed around with the idea of not going to class.  I didn't care that I hadn't gone the previous week either.  But Vinny looked at me and said "Babe, just go to your class...you love it."  And he was right.  I do love it, so why am I struggling with the notion of whether or not to go.  Well, I put on my stretchy pants, changed into a tank-top, laced up my running shoes, took a puff of my asthma pump (the workout is surprisingly extremely intense, a puff is a must before leaving), filled up my water bottle and made my way to class.  The class, by the way, is literally at the corner of my street, I'm not even joking.  As I grabbed my step and strategically placed myself not too far back but not too up close where people can see my sometimes humiliating lack of dance coordination, something dawned upon me.  "Geez, I really do love coming here." And as the class started I thought to myself "Geez, this feels wonderful!"  And when the class ended i thought to myself "Geez, I feel like I can conquer the world right now.  I feel strong, I feel grounded, I feel...like I've just done a yoga class- except I'm way sweatier and my heart is pumping a lot faster."  I had ignored the great similarity between something calm like yoga and something energetic like Jazzercise.  Both leave me feeling so happy and so empowered.  After class I stayed back and chatted with my Fab Jazzercise Teacher (who is actually the mama of one of my childhood friends) and told her how wonderful I felt when I took her class.  As I left I promised myself never to miss another session.  If ever Monday evening arrived and I found myself doubting my decision to go, just remember exactly how I feel in this moment. 

And that, my dear readers and friends, is how the lightning bolt hit me.  I realized that I had slowly started giving up on so many things that I love, and as a result my body and my mind were suffering.  I didn't love my body anymore.  I was blatanly malnourishing it by placing so many beatutiful things on my life's backburner- writing, movement, food...But now, I have awoken from this awkward and unpleasant place that I let myself get lost in, and am taking hold of myself.  I am going to update and share on my bloga way more often.  I am going to embrace my on-the-mat/off-the-mat yoga practice.  I am going to Jazzercise the heck out of myself.  I am going to indulge my tastebuds with food that is worth while to take the time to prepare.  I have fallen back in love with my body, and will continue to fuel every part of it physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  This since-yesterday unveiling has already left me feeling more comfortable in my skin and more confident with my work.  I went to yoga class today and left there feeling so happy that I wanted to cry.  I just finished a delicious home-made dinner chock full and oozing of tasty vegetable goodness.  Now, if you excuse me, I need to go practice teach with Vinny...

Namaste,
Lady Lotus

Can I Wear my Poppy All Year Round? It's So Pretty on my Jacket.

On this 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, I did a solid minute of sun salutations. Funny how a minute felt much longer as I lost myself in the moment and dedicated my minute of sun breaths to so many men and women, present and past. I’m not going to pretend that I know a whole lot about war and politics and what not, but what I do know is that Vinny’s great grandpa, both his grandpas, and my grandpa are amongst the men who went to war. So those sun salutations were for them, and everyone else who went to war, and their families and friends that were affected.

Namaste,

Lady Lotus