It's In The Bag: Things I don't leave the house without

I set my purse down on the chair just outside the class where I would be teaching yoga in about 10 minutes. Two things hit me at once. 

1. My purse is very organized today. (I should really take a picture)

2. You can tell what occupies most of my time just by looking at this one picture.

So, let's take this one at a time, shall we?

1. I NEVER leave the house without my Midori Travelers Notebook. It has become my everyday planner, my note taker, my list maker, my stuff storer ... If you've never heard of it, just google it and you'll find there is a cult following out there. It kinda holds my life. At this point, I'd rather loose my phone than my MTN. And that's almost not a lie.

Here are some pictures on how I use it. 

2. PENS!! & More PENS!! I have a slight obsession with pens. And I want them to write well. My top two favorite pens right now are: Sharpie Fine Point and Steadtler Pens They are great with little to no bleed through. They make me happy and make my handwriting pretty. And the come in all kinds of colors. Win Win!

3.BOOKS!! Yeap ... Cat is out of the bag. I do not go anywhere without a book. It's either in my purse or on my phone's Kindle App. I am always reading something. And most times, I'm reading at least 2 books at a time. But here, what you'll see is a little different and you'll see a theme. In this picture:

An Essential Oils Catalog. (If you want to know more, or see one for yourself, Click HERE)

A Yoga & Oils Book. I have loved integrating essential oils into my practice. I'm learning so much and I can't help but share that with my students. 

And last but not least: 

The Essential Life Book is new ... and amazing! If you look closely in the picture, you'll notice that I've tagged several pages. Want one of your very own? Click Here. You will not be disappointed. 

4. My Hobo International Lauren Wallet. Ok, let me confess yet another addiction. Hobo International. Yes. I can not get enough. The problem is I am a yoga instructor and do not make enough money to support this addiction. So, this wallet was purchased off EBay. After months and months of searching for just the right one. If you are having an issue keeping your stuff together or having enough room, invest in this wallet. Check them out!

5. Essential Oils & Suppliments There are several essential oils you can see and several in a side zipper pocket. I keep handy a headache blend that I made myself. One is a grounding blend that encourages mental clarity. The other is a joy blend that enhances a cheerful mood. Using them together helps me think clearly and be happy! Want the headache blend recipe?

Do you need quality essential oils? Message me HERE for more information! I'll be happy to help. 

6. Business Cards I try to always have a business card within reach. Between instructing Holy Yoga or educating others about the benefits of using essential oils in your home, I want to be available to those around me. I have been beyond blessed with the life God has called me to. And I have been blessed by my Holy Yoga community. If you are local and would like to join us on your mat, find a class HERE. If you want to know more about essential oils, chick HERE. If you want to know more about using essential oils in your yoga practice, message me HERE! It would be my pleasure to get you started on your own journey. 

Well Friends, You've seen inside my soul ... I mean, my hand bag. Yeap, that's what I carry on a daily basis. Maybe soon, I'll tell you about all the oils in my bag. And maybe if you're really lucky, I'll share everything I use on a daily basis. Who am I kidding ... You know it's coming ... I can't stop talking about these oils that have changed the life of our family! 

What oils are you using daily? Leave me a comment and lets learn together!

How We Roll: Essential Oil Blends for School

School is back in session!! 

And all the moms said, Amen.

For real though, I'm glad to see them off in the morning (like really glad) and I'm thankful to see them come home in the afternoon. And between all the things I do during the day, I worry about them. Just like every other mom out there, I want to make sure my kids are safe and taken care of and are learning and having fun and making friends. If they're not feeling well, they are not doing any of those things.

So, here are two homemade essential oil blends that they can easily apply and help me feel a little less anxious while they're away.

Roller Bottle for Headaches: 

What you'll need:

• 5ml roller bottle
• Essential Oils (need some? click here)
• Fractionated Coconut Oil

What you mix:

• Peppermint: 10 drops
• Lavender: 10 drops
• Frankincense: 5 drops
• Fill the rest with Fractionated Coconut Oil

Why I used what I used: 

• Peppermint & Lavender when used together helps to alleviate headaches
• Frankincense is a great anti-inflammatory and helps to focus and reduce stress. 

What they do?

This blend is rolled onto the back of the neck. 

Roller Bottle for Focus and Calming:  

What you'll need: 

• 5ml roller bottle
• Essential Oils (need some? click here)
• Fractionated Coconut Oil

What you mix: 

• Peppermint: 10 drops
• Wild Orange: 10 drops
• Vetiver: 10 drops
• Fill the rest with Factionated Coconut Oil

Why I used what I used: 

• Peppermint and Wild Orange when used together help to rejuvinate and focus. 
• Vetiver is grounding, calming and stabilizing. It helps to calm those wild emotions. 

 What they do?

This blend is rolled onto the back of the neck or the bottom of the feet. This is typically used in the afternoon when they are getting tired and having a hard time focusing. 

I tend to use the 5ml roller bottles because they are small and easy to carry around. The teachers don't mind them hanging out in their desks and they typically use them without being prompted. As a mom, I love that they can use them without disrupting the classroom. I love that they don't have to go to the nurse. I love that they have control over two very simple distractions that can hinder any kind of progress. And I love that it gives me a little less to worry about while they're away. 

Do you want to make these for your family and need a little help finding quality oils? Message me and let's talk!

Have you made something that worked well for your kiddos? Share it with me! I'd love to hear about it!

Midnight Madness! Sleepy Time Blend

Tonight we have open house. Yeah, I said it, open house. Tonight we learn who the kids will be learning under this year and what friends made it into their classes. Tonight we get all excited about book bags and new shoes and what’s packed in their little lunch boxes. Tonight … will be hard to sleep.

We’ve been working on getting to bed earlier. We all know that summer is a time for relaxed rules and schedules. And as much as the kids want to get a good nights sleep, their little minds are on full alert! So, here is a little blend I’ve mixed to help turn the mind off and turn the sleep on.

What you’ll need:

• 5ml roller bottle
• Fractionated Coconut Oil
• Essential Oils (more info)

What you mix:

• Grounding Blend: 10 drops
• Calming Blend: 10 drops
• Vetiver: 10 drops
• Protective Blend: 10 drops
• Respiratory Blend: 5 drops
• Soothing Blend: 5 Drops
• Fill the rest with Fractionated Coconut Oil

Why I used what I used:

• Grounding Blend: Helps to calm the mind and body.
• Calming Blend:  Supports restful sleep.
• Vetiver: Has a calming grounding effect and supports the immune system.
• Protective Blend: Supports a healthy immune system. (We want to keep them well for school!!)
• Respiratory Blend: Helps clear airways and breathing.
• Soothing Blend: Helps with tired muscles and growing pains.

Once you’re done, pop the top on and roll away! I roll this on the bottom of their feet and have them rub it in while we settle into bed. Sweet dreams are in the very near future! And hopefully some good grades as well. Are you having trouble sleeping at night? Can't turn your brain off when you lay down? This works for you too. Make one up for your family and let me know how it worked.

Want to make your own Sleepy Time Roller Bottle but need some Essential Oils? Email me here for more details.

What's In The Diffuser?

Whats in the Diffuser?

Well we’re down to the last few days of Summer Vacation. School starts back in less than a week. So that means it’s time to get the kids geared up and ready to go. Bed time has been moved back from 9 to 8:30. The school supply list has been crossed off, book bags have been packed and first day of school clothes are laid out. The “sleepy time” blend is in full effect. And in the diffuser, Protective Blend is on full blast.

We want to make friends and build relationships. We want to dive into this new year head first. But we don’t want to miss any of these foundational days. So, in order to build up that immune system and keep us all well, we are adding Protective Blend to just about everything. It’s in the diffuser. It’s added to the night time feet rub and we’re using the Protective Blend soap in the bathrooms now.

The Protective Blend has a combination of Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus and Rosemary essential oils. We use it topically for support healthy immune functions. We diffuse it to protect against environmental threats. I love that it comes in so many forms to use around the house as well. We have a hand wash, laundry detergent, and toothpaste! I absolutely love the toothpaste. As many types of toothpaste are a blast of mint early in the morning, this is a soft cinnamon.

Interested in adding this Protective Blend to your families healthy habits? Ask me how! 

Hearts Open: February Playlist and Schedule

Hearts open and hands raised, I will praise the name of the Lord forever. This month ... can it be February already?!? January was something completely new for me. I have started working part time around my yoga schedule and let me just say ... it's been almost 7 years since I was away from home all day every day. I've had to figure out how to fit all of life into a shorter amount of time. So please forgive me for updating a few days late!

This month as we focus on the love of our Father, you'll see a lot of heart openers. I can't imagine trying to do this wife and mother thing without his strength. I need to breath in His goodness and grace every chance I get. He's good and faithful and loves us oh so much. So in this month devoted to love, I will choose to focus on the one who loves like no other. And I refuse to stay still. I want to grow and stretch and go deeper than I've ever gone before. I want an open heart ... and an open hand.

Here is the playlist for your listening enjoyment!

And as always, if you want the yoga that goes with the playlist ... 

So here's the deal. I've given up my Monday night class to make room for some new things. I want to be really intentional with the time I have with you on our mats. So letting go of one class was hard, but will be worth it in the end ... for both of us. 

Something new? FRIDAYS ARE HOLY YOGA!! Yes, you heard me correct. Both my morning and evening classes are currently transitioning into Holy Yoga. I hope to see you there!

If there is anything I can do for you, answer for you, or pray for you, let me know. 

Holy Yoga 101

Friends, it's almost here and I could not be more excited. So many of you stay after class week after week and ask so many of the same questions. What I'm hearing is that you want to learn more. You want to grown in your knowledge of yoga and you want to make sure that what you're learning is good and safe. Me TOO!!

So starting Friday, January 16th in both my morning and evening classes, we're going to take a break from our regular flow. For the next four weeks we're going to talk through the history and benefits of a regular yoga practice. We're going to break down primary poses and I'll be helping with adjustments. The last week, we'll talk through breath work and meditation and the importance of both in a regular yoga practice. 

If you or anyone you know has been interested but just didn't know where to start, this is your starting place. This is a safe and welcome environment for you to bring your questions. And your friends!

All you need is yourself! Please wear something that's comfortable to move in and if you have a mat, bring it. If you have any questions on location, please feel free to email me or comment below. 

I can't wait to meet you on the mat so we can grow and stretch together!

Doing a New Thing: January Playlist & Schedule

"This is what God says,

    the God who builds a road right through the ocean,

    who carves a path through pounding waves,

The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—

    they lie down and then can’t get up;

    they’re snuffed out like so many candles:

“Forget about what’s happened;

    don’t keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.

    It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?

There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,

    rivers in the badlands.

Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’

    —the coyotes and the buzzards—

Because I provided water in the desert,

    rivers through the sun-baked earth,

Drinking water for the people I chose,

    the people I made especially for myself,

    a people custom-made to praise me."

Isaiah 43:16-21 (The Message)

So, it's January. It's a fresh new start. And it's the perfect time to do something new, find new space, open your heart to places it's been closed to ... 

For me, I'm making 2015 the year of healthy and whole. God and I spent a lot of 2013/14 in places of refinement. It was hard, but it was oh so good. He's brought some things to the surface that need dealing with. Two big things for me: Love Well, Live Well. That may sound simple, but for me, well there is a journey ahead. I'll tell you more about that later. 

For now: Here is our January Yoga Playlist. I hope that you enjoy and open your heart, open your lungs, reach your hands open wide toward the heavens and praise Him with all you have. 

As always, if you want the yoga that goes with the playlist, please check the schedule below. If you're local and need more info, please comment or email me. I'll be happy to help!

January 12th there will be no evening Yoga. It's our Team Lean Kickoff! I hope to see you all there. We'd love to come alongside you in making 2015 the healthiest year yet!

Also, I'll be teaching Yoga 101 for any of you who are interested in yoga but have been afraid to try. This would be a great place to start. Check back for details on times.