a good start

Being able to start my day on my mat makes me happy. When practice flows well, I am even more happy. But even on days when I'm not feeling my best, I would rather have practiced than not. 

I read somewhere that the world would be a happier place if we all practiced yoga and I seriously believe that.

good for the soul

Even though Saturday was a working one, this weekend has been great so far.

On Friday night, we went to dinner with E&R to Oxheart, a new-ish restaurant we've been wanting to check out. They love it and now, so do we!

While we see them almost everyday in practice, having time to chat and catch up and plan is so so nice. I can't imagine our lives without them.

We have another friend, S, who just opened her own yoga studio. And we are so happy for her and our yoga community in general. Houston is such a big city and now we actually have different choices for places to practice ashtanga? Yes, please!

Do not try this at home without adult supervision. 

Our yoga has brought such a diverse group of people together...and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Happy Birthday AYH!

My dear friend R started teaching yoga out of their studio this time last year. She started with 3 students and is now probably up to 20+ with a waiting list! So happy and proud to be part of this yoga community.

I haven't been talking much about yoga on the old blog...think my last post about it was in March of last year! This is mainly because I feel that yoga practice is just about that - practice. Talking (or bragging) about which post you can or can't do really doesn't matter. What matters is to get on your mat everyday (except Moon days and Saturdays, of course!). But it is still a huge part of our life. It's hard to describe why sweating in a room full of warm bodies makes me happy but it really does.

One thing I can say - didn't miss a practice day in January! That is a goal this year - no missed practices. This is most difficult when traveling, so we will see how it goes!

Namaste.

on the mat | thank you, guruji

Today marks the 4th anniversary the passing of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the father of the yoga that I love to practice. While I never had the privilege of learning with Guruji, he still inspires me every time I get on my mat.

Practicing in India with Sharath as my teacher was an experience I will never forget and hope to repeat some day in the future. Until then, my (new-ish) teacher here in Houston is amazing and we are so lucky to be learning from her.

Namaste.

december daily | 11

We practiced yoga with our friends E&R on Sunday at their house. It was wonderful to practice with them and also spend some time with them. R was my savior in India and she is returning at the end of December. I am happy for her to be going back but I am sad that she will be gone fore 3 months and even sadder that I won't be joining her this year. India seems like almost a dream to me now...

december daily | 2

Fridays are sometimes the end of a work week, but always the end of a practice week. Erik has been teaching us on Friday evenings for as long as I have been practicing ashtanga and I really look forward to his class.


One of my favorite parts of practice is the chanting at the beginning and the end. I have translated the Sanskrit into English for my page here. And just in case you didn't know, Shanti means peace. I love the idea of sending peace out into the world after a good practice.

Week in photos

Observations for the week:

"Po-po" (grandma in Chinese) loves her baby buddha. Can those eyes be any bigger?


Baby J is still the cutest 22 months old around. And why is it easier for babies to say "no" instead of "yes?"


The days are definitely getting shorter which makes for nice sunset bokeh.


We have a fun group of friends.


During our led class on Friday, Yannis played Sharath doing the count. I miss India.


The large tree in our yard thinks fall is coming even though it still feels like summer. (We did get some much needed rain last night and tonight though - woo hoo!)


I still need to perfect action shots of the hubs on his bike.

week in the life | wednesday

Work days are more difficult to snap interesting pics. especially when it gets busy. I like to keep my work life and personal life as separate as possible. Yesterday got pretty crazy in the afternoon so I rewarded myself with a trip to Anthro (among other stores). I bought a skirt there in May and still hadn't worn it so decided to return it and pick up a few other things. I adore the pattern on the first dress I tried on, but the fit was all off - too tight up top and too loose on bottom, which is usually exactly the opposite on most things I try on. Guess what came home with me! I promise to debut them sooner rather than later.


I was too tired to take a proper outfit photo, so this will have to do. I tried on a few things at Crew for sizing but passed (even with extra 40% off!).
All items remix'd
top: Anthro
skirt: J. Crew
shoes: Ann Klein
earrings&cuff: gift'd
belt: Ann Taylor

Feeling cheated

top: Old Navy
pants: J. Crew, remix'd
shoes: Marc Jacobs, remix'd
earrings: gift'd
necklace: Collingnon Designs

We are starting to get temperatures in the 90s this week. I am so not ready for it (again!). I feel a bit cheated because I didn't have a real winter this year.


And the real reason I feel cheated? I didn't get to wear my tall boots as much as I would have liked!

I guess on the flip side, the weekend I am going to search for some more flats to wear to work. As much as I love them, heels definitely make practicing yoga more difficult so I am limiting their wear.

Getting in the groove

all items remix'd
top: Old Navy
skirt: J. Crew
booties: Aldo
earrings: gift'd
belt: Gap

Being away has made me appreciate the creature comforts of home, such as taking a regular shower and having air conditioning.


I have also enjoyed exploring my closet again. Skirts have definitely been the work theme last week (this outfit is from Friday).


I do, however, have to strategize when I can wear heels, as they tighten up the leg muscles and getting into the asanas a bit more challenging. I guess I shouldn't complain if wearing heels or flats is the most difficult decision of my day!


I bought this tank a few years back specifically to wear with the striped cardi, but it has proved to be much more versatile than I originally imagined.

LBD

all items remix'd
dress: CK
sweater: Gap
shoes: Taryn Rose
earrings: gift'd
necklace: boutique in H-town
tights: Loft
belt: H&M

I have decided that Thursdays will be designated to wearing heels. I used to wear them all the time, but since becoming more serious about my yoga practice, I found that they tighten up my hamstrings and make certain poses more difficult. Since I don't have practice until Friday evening, I figured one day won't hurt. I was smart, however, and brought a back-up pair of flats with me to work, which I changed into after lunch. Anyone who says heels are more comfy than flats is lying (I know, I used to feel that way!).


This dress has gotten a lot of use for work, but I find I don't wear it in my "normal life" because I feel it's a bit too conservative. Any suggestions on how to "hip" it up would be welcome.

Twenty-four

8 + 24 + 29
Notice anything new?


I chopped off my hair! Please excuse the clips; they were leftover from yoga this morning. Having almost no hair is quite liberating. And hopefully distracts viewers from the budda belly :)


We got our tree today! This photo is obviously not of the tree, but a reminder to myself to keep up my yoga practice during the craziness of the holidays. Yoga definitely helps me focus on what is important in my life.

Inspired

This past weekend was really incredible beyond words. I have been practicing yoga for about 7-8 years now. First just at our gym, but later here. In fact, I have been practicing Ashtanga yoga for over 6 years now. I mainly started it because I liked the way it made me feel physically but this weekend made me realize how important it can be to me spiritually.


I took this same clinic with David Swenson last June, but only attended two classes. This time around I took the whole thing and experienced yoga in a whole new light. I got chills hearing all the yogis in the room with our "Oms." I think I am just beginning to understand what the practice is all about. I guess I have the rest of my life to keep figuring out.


His wife Shelly was also a joy to learn from.


I am so glad I got to share this experience with my favorite boy in the whole wide world.


We ate here a lot (I think this is the original Whole Foods!)


As well as at Central Market.


We even took some goofy snaps.


I also learned that Texas can be a beautiful place.