A Week in Photos

Namaste.

What has this Training meant to me?

What has this training meant for me is a loaded question to be sure. Baron Baptiste's training for me has meant a break through into awareness. Awareness of my habits; awareness of what is possible once I let my true self out; awareness as to how much I live in the past and future and how little I live in the present; and how much I was concerned to look good and be good enough for others.

I believe change is possible and I will start by taking responsibility for my words and actions. I do see and love the person I am - pros and cons. Change takes effort and understanding and being able to let things go and not creating stories around life events. Life happens to us all - "Let it Be."

As Baron said in one of his lectures "Giving something up is a health Secret." What will I give up? I am giving up self doubt. This is leading to indifference to my thoughts which is quieting my mind. Once this is accomplished it will give me freedom and space within my mind. Also I am talking straight and getting my point across without exaggerations.

This training has been a journey into awareness and has helped me drop some of my many masks of self doubt and has made me feel happier and lighter in my life. It has been an "I" opening experience.
Namaste.

*Note: The photo above is of "Hard Core" the small group I was part of during this training. Each one touched my heart and I am forever changed by their insight, straight talk and eye to eye contact!

What a Week!!!!!

I am back! I just spent the last week at "Baron Baptiste's Bootcamp for Yoga Teachers Level One" and wow - what a week. I am not sure even how to start describing my experience, so much soul searching and finding were done. Putting it all into words seems beyond me at this point. But what I can say is the people I meet, the stories I heard, the tears I witnessed are now part of who I am. Yoga for me has been transformational for a while, but this training seemed to have sent me into orbit. At times I was very confused and by the end I felt grateful that I found peace.

As I go back over my journal in next few days and weeks I am sure I will be writing more about my experience. Right now I feel exhausted yet energized - I know it doesn't make sense however it is true.

Let me leave you with a poem my mom wrote out for my graduation years ago that was recently found. It is by William Robert Lawerence.

"May you dedicate yourself not only to strive for the goals you have set, but to meet them and set even more. Not only to hold to the dreams you have had but to dream greater dreams than before... Not only to enjoy this land and its wealth but to make it a better place to live... And not only to take what you can from this life but to love and generously give."

Namaste.

*The photo above I took at Menla Mountain Retreat Center. The Tibetan bells are by the entrance to the Yoga Center.

Busy, Busy , Busy!!!!

Wow does this time of year fly by or what? Between baseball in full swing (no pun intended), end of the school activities and the normal running around I feel like I am moving at lightening speed with my head spinning like crazy. I need to remind myself that all that truly needs to get done will and the rest will just have to wait! And then of course I need to remember to "BREATHE!!!" (Isn't that funny coming from a yoga teacher?)

It is a fun time of year, remembering all the cool things that the kids did in school, how they have grown , what they have learned etc.., and planning for the summer. Sure there are still tests to get through, concerts to go to, and projects to finish but really you see lots more smiles this time of year!!! I bet the sun has something to do with it too.

As for me I am about to go to my first "Baron Baptiste Bootcamp for Yoga Teachers" starting this Saturday. I am thrilled and a bit nervous but all good energy I can assure you. I believe this series of classes will get me to the next level in teaching and my personal practice.

Things are falling into place so this experience is possible for me and above all I must thank my husband. His support is priceless. The boys have been excited for me too since I was excepted into this program back in January or February - I am having one of my hormonal brain freezes. And I know I am leaving them all in good hands.

Well I am off to watch another baseball game again, I have lost count as to which one this is so far for the week. Oh well go Penfield!!!!

Namaste.

My Mother is Still Teaching Me!

As I get older things are different that I never expected. I have always heard other women complain about their body's changing but I never thought much about it. I felt I eat right and exercise so I should be okay. Well as usually with me I am eating those words! I do, do all the right things but nature is taking over to some extent. I was feeling down and becoming very nit picky about different aspects of my body and getting a little down.

The other day, as I was cleaning and getting ready for my friends to come over for our bi-weekly breakfast club I came across a folder of my mother's. (Now for those who may not know this my mom passed away from leukemia 3 years ago and I was one of her main caretakers.) Well the folder I found was her notes dated before she was diagnosed with her cancer. These notes were written in her own hand, notes for her doctor because she wasn't feeling well and wanted to know what was going on. They were very detailed and as you can imagine brought tears to my eyes.

My mom is still teaching me to be grateful every step of the way and these notes reminded me how blessed I am and that health is the greatest gift of all. So even though my body is changing as I get deeper into my 40's, it is healthy and strong and really what could be greater than that?
Namaste.

They Say it's My Birthday!!!

Timmy, Nick and I on my Birthday! What a beautiful day! I started my day out at 5:00 as usual for a Friday. Today I actually broke the 10 minute mile. I did 1 mile is 9minutes and 50 seconds, I was thrilled! Now I will need to work on sustaining it! Maybe that will be next year goal! After I ran I taught yoga, got the kids off to school, walked the dog then I took a heated yoga class at my favorite studio - "Breathe" here in Pittsford, NY. After cleaning up I volunteered at Timmy's class for their "Write-O-Thon", what a blast!!!! after grocery shopping, I started to watch "Leap Year" my favorite movie at the moment but I fell asleep. When I woke up we all decided to go to "Aladin's" for dinner then when we got home the boys put on a "French Horn" concert for Mike and I. It was wonderful! All in all a beautiful day.
Namaste.

Let the Beauty of What You Love Be What You Do

My morning started out at 5am as usual on a Friday. I ran 3 miles on the "ProCor" machine which should be named "The Kick you Butt" machine, then I taught yoga for an hour, and all along I was thinking "How lucky am I?", and I mean that sincerely.

Fast forward...I got my boys off to school, kissed my husband as he went off to work, walked the dog, chatted with some neighbors I saw along the way and am now enjoying a steamy cup of coffee. As I was writing my "To Do List" which includes errands that need to get done and artwork I have to finish for clients, I had a small "Aha" moment as I got side tracked - daydreaming - about what I'd love to do today.

My "Aha" moment was pure gratitude - I am doing what I love. Then I saw this quote and thought I need to share it with you, "Let the Beauty of What You Love Be What You Do" by Jalal ad-Din Rumi.

"Aha" moments for me are small and tend to build upon each other. Nothing major by themselves but added together can make quite an impression on the soul. Some people may have huge life changing "Aha" moments but that is not me so far. I used to be saddened that I hadn't experienced that but now I am glad they come when they do and keep me appreciating all that I have.

As we all head into this "Mother's Day" weekend let me wish you all joy, happiness and to remember, "You're only limited by your imagination" - Marcia Ceppos. So dream BIG and remember that the small things in life bring great comfort.

Namaste.

Opening Day!

Opening Day in Penfield, NY was this past Saturday. We had so much fun! The weather was amazing, the kids were electric and the friendships awesome! All in all a blessed day!
Namaste.

Need Your Help

Happy Monday everyone. I have a huge favor to ask-here it goes. As you may know I have been organizing "Donation Yoga" classes with the hope of helping Haiti. 100% of the money raised has been given to the Red Cross here in Rochester for this cause. This Saturday I will be hosting another donation class and need your help. Please come and also pass this information on to all your friends. Together we can make a difference.

Date: Saturday May 8th.
Time: 11:15am-12:30pm
Where: Eastside YMCA here in Penfiled, NY - 341-4000
Donation: $10
Teacher: Me!!!
Reason: Because I care
Who can attend?: Everyone - members and non-members
Please pay it forward!!!!!!!

Let's be the change we wish to see in the world.
Namaste.

Gearing Up For Mother's Day

As I continue to create new work in time for Mother's Day I wanted to put out a quick reminder of where you may find and purchase my work.

In Rochester, NY: "Craft Company #6" has a large selection. They are located at 785 University Ave.; Phone number is 473-3413; Website is http://shop-handmade.craftcompany.com/Joan-Nichols-Jewelry.html

In Penfield, NY: "Wendy at Work" also has a great selection. They are located at 1867 Penfield Road; Phone number is 249-9777; Website is http://www.wendyatwork.com/

Feel free to contact me through my blog by commenting or you may go to my ETSY site which is www.nicholsforpennies.etsy.com

Thank you for stopping by and more new creations will be posted early this week, along with the next of the "Four Agreements".

Make it a peaceful day - it is your choice!
Namaste.