Live for the moment

Just here in the ATL, settling into my deluxe suite at the Super 8. Yoga Teacher Training is going well. Every weekend is invaluable pertaining to what I want to do with my life. Luckily, this weekend is heavy on postures. Last weekend was just straight up intense, it took me a few days to get back to some state of normal!

My thoughts keep redirecting to you know who. How long is that going to happen? Luckily, after I go through a some sad moments remembering the wonderfulness, I ease into being happy with all the possibilities. I am so glad that we can be friends, moreover I'm so glad for the chance to feel. Maybe part of love is letting go. I am really looking forward to the day we can hang out and I don't immediately feel the urge to cry.

And it's not like I'm totally alone- I have fantastic, wonderful, spectacular family and friends close by. Speaking of family, my mother is coming this week. Sometimes we have good visits, sometimes we don't. I'm thinking positive thoughts.

Transition

Hi there! I said I would update, so here it is. Sorry it's taken so long. When the weather is beautiful I pretty much have to force myself to do anything on the computer.

I have had so many changes in my life recently. The biggest- breaking up with the one of the greatest men ever. It has been so hard, but I knew it was something I had to do. I miss everything about him, but I know that it would have never worked out completely since I want to have kids (I hate to leave out details, but it's a little too much to put in the post). But I am so grateful for what our relationship was, I feel like I learned how to really love without holding back. I really, truly hope that we can be great friends always, but right now I can't hardly think about him without giant tears rolling down my cheeks.

On a brighter note, I've been able to sit with my 4 month old niece. She is a sweet little baby! And I'm not just saying that because she's related. I've sat with many a baby, and she is fine company.

Fall plants are in the ground- mums, pansies, and dianthus, aesthetics. Kale, cabbage, collards, broccoli and brussel sprouts. I'll keep you posted on how they turn out. Currently we have tons of jalapenos from our late summer plants!

I'm going to be teaching some new classes in November- Group Power and Water Aerobics at Sportplex in Roebuck. I met the group exercise manager this morning and she is awesome! I also looked at the facility, and the group ex room is huge (bonus). I'm looking forward to meeting the members and pumping it up!

Lastly, I'm going to California at the end of the month. The present plan is to fly to San Fransisco, rent a car, hang out in the city for a day and then spend the rest of the weekend at the Mount Madonna Center. Mount Madonna is a yoga center not too far from Santa Cruz. I'm currently debating on whether I would rather camp or stay in a room. Sleeping on the ground is kind of appealing to me.... I've never been to Cali so I am so ready and so excited. Wish I could stay longer, but I am kinda constricted by my ATL trips and other obligations. Hopefully this will be the first of many trips.

In the past couple of weeks, I've continually reminded myself to have faith. I believe in higher consciousness, I know that everything is already OK and I already know everything I will ever need to know, and I know that I am loved and have the ability to love. Life is what you make it, so live it up!!!

Thanks for reading!

First Post!

Wow! A new day, a new blog. I feel like I should say a little about my purpose, but I think I'll post my class schedule and granola recipe instead. Happy reading!

Class	Day	Time	Instructor	Location
Meditative Yoga	Tuesday	6:30- 7:45 pm	Christina	Blissful Heights
Resistance Stretching	Wednesday	8:15- 9:00 am	Naomi	Blissful Heights
Water Aerobics	Wednesday	9:00- 10:00 am	Christina	Trussville YMCA pool
Gentle Postures	Thursday	6:30- 7:45 pm	Christina	Blissful Heights
Water Aerobics	Friday	9:00- 10:00 am	Christina	Trussville YMCA pool

Blissful Heights Pricing: $15 drop in rate. One Month Unlimited $90. 4 Class Pack $55. 8 Class Pack $100.

YMCA classes are open to YMCA members.

Meditative Yoga. Moderate class appropriate for any level student. This experiential class encourages you really get inside the postures and feel your body on all levels. The focus is on muscle engagement and joint stabilization while maintaining full, oxygenating breaths. Last about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Gentle Postures. Great for beginners, appropriate for any level student. This class emphasizes gentle movements, stretches, and breath. Come prepared to relax. Last about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Resistance Stretching. Try this innovative form of stretching where the muscle is contracted, then elongated as far as possible until the muscle can no longer contract. Olympic swimmer Dara Torres utilizes this method as part of her training routine. Last 45 minutes.

Water Aerobics. Great low impact, cardiovascular, and strengthening workout for all fitness levels. Tired of getting sweaty and hurting your joints on land? Give this fun workout a try! Last 1 hour.

Great Granola

Dry Ingredients:

5 cups organic oats

¾ cup pumpkin seeds

1 cup sliced almonds

¼ cup sesame seeds

1 Tbs. poppy seeds

¼ cup ground flax seeds (I like golden, personally)

½ cup flaked coconut

2 Tsp. cinnamon

Dash of nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

1Tbs. oil (I would vote for coconut , peanut, or safflower)

½ cup each applesauce, agave nectar or honey, and molasses

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ tsp. almond extract

1 tbs. good cocoa powder

Dried fruit to add after baking: 1 cup each raisins and craisins

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Heat wet ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat until thoroughly combined (add cocoa at the end). Mix wet ingredients into dry and stir to combine. Spread granola out evenly onto two cookie sheets sprayed with nonstick spray or lightly oiled. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and stir, then reinsert and bake an additional 20 minutes. Remove and let cool. Once cooled, mix in dried fruit and enjoy! This makes a lot so keep some and give some away.