Sunday, June 30, 2013

Creating a life you love

June was one fantastic month. Never before have I jammed packed so much into four weeks and what came out of it was life changing.
First up was planning a visit to see my new niece, Madeline Elise or Maddie, born May 27. She is just beautiful and I have never been one for babies, however she has changed my world. I love her so much and enjoyed just holding that precious soul in my arms. I'll be making many trips up to Iowa to see her. I even contemplated moving there to be her nanny!

I also had a remarkable yoga teacher workshop with Max Strom. We spent four days learning the ways of alignment, use of props, meditation and how to be a great yoga instructor. I had just completed all the required materials for my 200-hour yoga teacher training through KC Fitness Link so it was a great way to bring it all together. Such a wonderful experience not only because of the knowledge I soaked up from Max, but also because of a lovely lady I was able to connect with, Maylo Anderson. She teaches yoga and has been through so much in her life. She is very open and helped me see that anything is possible and in her words “Live to be safe or live to live.” She has a beautiful spirit.


CoreEnergy opened it's doors this month and I am so extremely happy to be teaching there. I met the owner, Susan Rodriguez, at a lululemon event in April and knew I had to get in on this hot, power, vinyasa yoga. She invited me to a workshop with Sid McNairy the next day and as they say the rest is history. It was meant to be and Susan has become a fast friend, helping me on my yoga journey. She was in the corporate world and needed a change (sound familiar), went to her first yoga training and within a year opened her own studio. Ah the tenacity! Very grateful for her and her family who have welcomed me with open arms. Core Energy focuses on the Baron Baptiste style and I'm looking into going to his level 1 training next year.


And all of this was building up to the biggest change of all; a new job! I knew the time had come to leave my advertising job at PlattForm after almost 10 years and continue on my path of a yogi. At first I didn't know what I was going to do, however with the support of family and friends I knew it would work out. I put it out there that I was looking and talked to people about what I wanted, what kind of life I saw myself living and I took a leap of faith. I think I found something pretty special. Your Wellness Connection is a wellness center with everything, chiropractic care, wellness coaching and a corporate wellness program. They have massage therapists on staff and acupuncture, nutrition, yoga. I am going to work the front desk and learn all I can from the owner, Dr. Michelle Robbins, focusing on corporate wellness. It is still a little surreal that I only have seven more days at PlattForm, but it also feels right.


And if that wasn't enough, I ended June with a great trip with my dad to Vancouver. We spent a week exploring the city and of course I had to go to the first lululemon store for a little shopping spree. Other tourist hot spots were Granville Island public market, Canada Place where we experienced Fly over Canada, Vancouver lookout, Stanley park, Grouse mountain, Capilano suspension bridge and the Chinese Garden. Favorite part was running around the Seawall of Stanley Park where I captured this awesome shot of the Lions Gate bridge.



As I reflect on the month of June I see how everything was leading me to this next phase in my life with lessons in asking for help, facing fears, letting go and creating a life I love. So, now that July is here I plan to take the next few months and get into my new routine at the wellness center, teach yoga and train for my next half marathon. The fun never ends!