#projectbliss

#projectbliss day 8: WHAT DO YOU KNOW brought to you by my gorgeous gypsy girl @rebeccajoyoga What do I know? My monkey mind is always seeking new things to learn. One thing I do know is how to live from the heart & encourage others to do the same. To trust & believe in their inner strength and believe in themselves. In my yoga teaching, this goes hand-in-hand with inversions. I love love LOVE guiding someone into their first inversion or helping them take their practice one step further. On that note, I never push or cajole someone into going where they're not ready to go yet. We all travel at our own speeds & I respect that at all times. When I see/feel that one of my yogis is ready, I'm there to give them a gentle nudge of support. A big fat 'you an do it!' with a little guidance & the proper tools. Tripod headstand: 1. think tripod/triangle with the base: place hands flat to ground about shoulder width apart/p2. place crown of head where tip of triangle would be 3. funky downdog position 4. hug elbows in/think chaturanga arms 5. start to walk feet in & can start to transition two ways: A: place each knee to outside of arm or rest on top of arm base... I call this baby frog -engage shoulders down back/hug elbows in/engage bandas & belly & envision leg lifting up off back of arm - start to stretch one leg up toward ceiling & when ready follow by other - core core core/engage B. walk feet in and chose lead foot to kick up with - engage shoulders down back/hug elbows in/engage bandas & belly - as you kick up, think scissors by squeezing inner thighs to help draw bottom leg up - once up CELEBRATE & ENJOY! If using wall, play with lifting one foot away & then other. Flex feet & keep going through the 'engagement checklist': shoulders, elbows, core, inner thighs Once you've had enough, come on down and take childs pose to let all that delicious energy settle in. *please play safe either with a wall or partner if this is new to you *always listen to your body *if on lady's holiday, you may chose to skip this to give your body it's time & come back when ready Enjoy the process, enjoy the ride. If you cant get up today, tomorrow is always another opp to create something new. Let me know how it goes! Day 9 coming up with #supyoga queen @bluewaterlove followed by day 10 with @treehouseohm LOTS of time to play catch up with the tribe! We will hold off announcing a winner until Nov 4to give you all TONS of time to play. Follow & tag @rebeccajoyoga @bluewaterlove @treehouseohm @momentumsensorium & @blisswarrior to win!

day 6 #projectbliss: THE HUG PROJECT @treeehouseohm led the way yesterday with some love for our bellies & bodies. With souls nourished, my challenge to you is to spread that love through touch. Here are your challenge options: 1⃣ hug a random stranger or strangers / get a pic / ask that stranger what makes them shine 2⃣ hug yourself, hug your fur babies, hug your loved ones... anything and anyone & post pic(s) Today is all about reaching out & giving, sharing the healing aspect of touch. By definition hug means: a. To clasp or hold closely, especially in the arms, as in affection; embrace. b. To hold steadfastly to; cherish We rush through this world careful to not let others into our space. Putting up walls and barriers to protect ourselves from hurt, rejection, germs... whatever may be our reason. Today is the day to let down those walls, even if for the briefest of moments. Let someone else experience your soul, your touch, your healing & comfort. My plan was to take this project out to the beach with a sign saying "FREE HUGS" & video the process with some other fun stuff mixed in. BUT life stepped in & said slow down by way of a nasty virus. Sooooo, please stay tuned for that one. Once the rains stop & am feeling better, I'll complete this challenge as I planned. So instead, I captured moments with my partner, my fur babies, with nature. Hugs soothe my soul & yesterday was a rough day & I was in dire need. Aldo is the king of hugs so I was in good hands. This is my #yogaoffthemat Now it's your turn! Give a random stranger OR whoever a BIG GIANT SQUISHY HUG. Share the love, pay it forward with something that costs nothing but your time, willingness & courage to open your heart to others. You may heal someone even for just a moment in time... Stayed tuned for day 7 (wow...already!) with @momentoriumsensorium and follow & tag your hosts and sponsors @rebeccajoyoga @treehousohm @momentoriumsensorium @mamieruthxoxo @islajamesswimwear @v-keen @rebeccajoyoga @shauna_harrison via @UnderArmour @namastekaruna @affirmats & me @blisswarrior Happy hugging, #blisswariortribe #yogini #thehugproject #healyourself #movenourishbelieve #moveyoasana #dailyyoga #yogapractice #yogajunkie #yogaeverywhere #hug #love #kitchenyoga #globalyogis #yogaeveryday

day 4 #projectbliss: GIVE BACK @bluewaterlove is challenging us to pay if forward. Get out there and show some love for your community and so I did that in a way that's true to my heart. I spent the morning at a local animal shelter. With my trunk loaded with goods, I hopped in my rental car and hit the road. Rain, windy one lane roads and almost getting lost couldn't stop me from hitting to my final destination: Tierra de Animales (Land of the Animals) animal shelter about 30 minutes outside Cancun, MX. I've been meaning to visit this magical land for quite a while now & it's been on my to-do list to meet Ricardo, the charming man behind the animal rescues. To put my expeince down in words is a challenge... I was overwhelmed by the incredible depth, devotion & fortitude this man has. His absolute love for the animals under his care is incredible to witness. He's Cancun's version of Cesar Millan... only younger, inked & nicer on the eyes. (sorry, Millan). On this rainy day I was lucky enough to be granted a private tour of his shelter & lands. #TierradeAnimales is located smack dab in the middle of the jungle & over the past two years, he's worked tirelessly to create a safe haven for the 282 dogs (yup, you read right!), 20+ cats, turtles, chickens, a turkey & pigs. Each with their own special place on this land and in his heart with the cats contributing to the maintenance by being the guardians of the food. He explained, laughing, that they're the only ones with actual jobs. They help keep mice & other pests out of the food. Genius! As we entered into 'dog land', the barking filled my ears as I was bombarded with hand licks, nudges & sniffs. If you're not an animal lover/dg lover, this would prob be over the top for you... and in that case, your tour would end there. He relies on us to give his pack the respect they deserve by being calm, loving & open. Needless to day, I was in animal heaven! Noses poked at me, tails swished against my legs as we made our way over to his latest rescue... and this mama took a piece of my heart. She was a pitbull who'd had pups & was feared by the locals because she was getting a little 'aggressive'. I use quotes because it's a misunderstood word in my dog world. We humans are aggressive everyday... subtly & not-so-subtly in our thoughts & actions. But when it gets translated to the animal word, we turn it into something to be feared rather than understood. Long story short, she was cut on the head with a machete in most likely an attempt at her life & undoubtedly in pain & fighting for her life & her babies. Thank god for the women who put in the call to Ricardo to come rescue her. She's now safe... loved and, as you can see in the pics, pretty sweet on her saviour. Aggressive... not-so-much. Untrusting of humans who've taught her that we can be heartless & cruel... much. But with Ricardo's magical connection to these souls, after two days, she's putty in his hands. After the tour, we stood under a shelter from the rain and he shared his story with me. His BFF #chinopimental who helps him educate on animal kindness, treatment & sterilization. His connection to these animals in unwavering, as is his devotion. Humbled & honoured to be given a glimpse into his life, his day & his heart, I got back into my car and was on my way. But the dogs, the cats, the turtles, chickens, turkey & pigs stayed with me... there's now a space in my heart filled with Tierra de Animales. If you're headed to Cancun, Playa or anywhere along this coast, please plan a visit. The reef, the buffets, the ruins... they're not going anywhere. But without our help & support, his dream could fold. Food, bleach, $... oh, and beer is always appreciated. He's got thirsty helpers. A little goes a long way... donating, sharing, giving here or at your local shelter. When we give back a little of the love, the universe smiles... oh, and so do the pigs when they sleep :-) To contact Ricardo: www.tierradeanimales.org