Jodi's Journal

Despite practicing yoga & drinking a home-made organic mixed green juice, I was feeling low energy this morning. After I taught a noon family yoga class, made work phone calls, Chants & walked through the Encinintas annual street fair. Lots & lots of goodies including original artwork, crafts, jewelry, tshirts, etc. I was most interested in plants - so I bought succulents to plant.

After the fair, was doggy beach. On the way home I picked up soil, and committed to being quiet & meditative the rest of the late afternoon & evening.

I happily planted till it got dark out, then made a fire, ate a healthy dinner, put on a face mask, took a lavender bath, body scrub, music & candles. Lotion & desert completed the night!

I felt SO much better than earlier today. I needed this rejuvenation time. From traveling to Seattle for Teacher Training, celebrating my birthday, friends visiting from NYC...I needed to stop, be present & just take care of me!

One more thing...while driving home from the gardening store today, I talked on the phone to a friend who asked me about my birthday celebration. She asked if I had bought myself a fabulous present or done anything super special for myself. After thinking hard, I told her I bought myself a stainless steel salad spinner with a birthday coupon I had. We both laughed, and agreed that was GREAT, but simply NOT enough. Our conversation clearly reminded me that we don't have to wait for a birthday to treat ourselves, buy something sweet, or just love & care for ourselves.

I read that my 33rd year of life is going to be a special one, filled with significant change. Cool! It's a good thing I LOVE change. Before I left NYC, I got together with girlfriends & we talked about CHANGE. Most resist change. I embrace it! What about you, dhow are you with change?

Its apparent that change is present in my life: NYC to SD, way away from home, living on the beach, meeting new people, sharing yoga with Cali kids, could life be any more different for me? I also read that moving is one of the top 3 stressors in life, the other 2 being divorce & death.

Ahh, the life! Why not, THINK BIG!

On my 33rd birthday, it is a honor & a gift for me to share my life with you! Thank you for reading my blog, for being in my life & sharing the love. It is to you that I offer blessings, peace & love.

I am teaching 4 classes at the Soul of Yoga in Encinitas and it feels gooooooood. The children & parents are so very open & connected to yoga.

I am especially enjoying teaching the lil ones. Wednesday mornings, moms & toddlers as young as 20 months join together to share the sound of om, animal yoga stretches, foot rubs, relaxation time, affirmations, hugs & loves. How sweet it truly is, this week there are 20 of us sharing in this bliss!

Wednesday afternoons I teach 5-7 yr. olds & 8-13 yr. olds, and Saturday is Family Yoga. Today in class I shared with a mom, dad & 2 girls ages 7 & 10, yoga for the first time as a family. Imagine during final relaxation, they were holding each other, in love & connection. They were glowing when they left class, and so was I.

There are boy & girl yoginis in all classes as well as some kids with special needs. I have been teaching about where yoga comes from & what it is, how animals & nature are yoga and lots of giving thanks to the sun. I find it inspiring & desiring to connect yoga & nature, especially living at the beach.

I have heard that Encinitas has the most yoga studios than any other town - its kinda true...you drive down the 101 & there are YOGA signs everywhere. Ill say its like Starbucks in NYC. Its no coincidence because it is the homeland of Yogananda, the Self Realization Fellowship. I too heard that the temple is built on a vortex or chakra if you will. I can physically feel the energy & magnetism of this spiritual place in San Diego. Come see for yourself!