Jodi's Journal

2008-05-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

It has taken me a full week to recover from the 2 day shoot I did last week for the Next Generation Yoga video. This being my first experience with video production, I never imagined so much intensity would be present. The learning is brilliant!

Thank goodness for the children, they were incredible. It was easy to go on set and do yoga with them, as they were so positive, eager and inspiring....they reminded me to stay connected, present & away from camera stress.

The footage is in my hands, and I get to now review it and pray it will come together, along with the magic of editing, to become a fantastic video that kids wont wanna stop doing!

NGY Video Out-Takes!

2008-05-07T22:05:00.001-07:00

2008-04-30T14:27:00.001-07:00

Today I taught 3 kids yoga classes on the theme of "eggs". For no other reason, except I love to incorporate shaky eggs in the yoga class & it felt just right for spring.

We began the class closing our eyes & visualizing an egg, any shape, size, color we wanted. I asked the question imagine "what comes out of this egg? It could be anything you choose it to be..." Here are just some of the responses...a bird, a chic, a penguin, a dog, egg yolk, a turtle/tortoise, a jaguar. For each of these ideas we began by shaping our bodies into a little pose as if inside and protected by a shell. Imagine.

We beautifully and slowly transitioned to the next phase of life being this animal as if it were the first time coming out of our shell!

This theme is so clever. The classes were filled with learning points, traditional yoga poses, breathing, self-expression, affirmation, and so much more than I could have imagined, and we did!

NGY Video

2008-04-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited, just 1 week from today and we'll be shooting the 1st Next Generation Kids Yoga video. I've had this treasure in me for a long time, and it feels pretty good letting it up and out.

Of course it is crunch time, a lil stressful, intense and of course the time when magic happens!! So, I am putting it out there to the world...I would love to have at least 3 more yoginis in this video. Do you know anyone between ages 6-12 who would like to participate in the filming? Oh what fun we are having creating this beach themed yoga DVD.

Details are...
Location of shoot: San Diego, CA
Dates: May 5th & 6th (yes, these are school days!)

2008-04-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

What a wild & crazy time in life it is! In my past 18 hours, I was a witness to a hit & run drunk driving accident and walked on the shores where a 66 yr. old triathlete was just fatally attacked by a great white shark, yes here in San Diego!

My friend asked me today, "so what can I learn from all this?"

It's clear to me that life is short and so so precious. That at on my very next breath, life as we know it could change forever, or end so quickly!

So with the horror, negativity, I understand that our life is based on duality. That will the good, we have the bad. I choose to recognize the gifts in my life, especially those during this last day.

Yesterday was my birthday (I am now 34!) I received so many loving phone calls, text messages, emails gifts & cards from family & friends near and far away - that feels good, thank you!

On this day, I also was given the gift of teaching 12 pre-teen boys (all with a "learning disability") a yoga class at the Chopra Center. It was a transforming experience for all. For the kids & teachers, it was many of their first time practicing yoga, so turning their attention inside was mind-expanding for them. I know this because when I asked how they were feeling, one boy said "connected to my inner-awareness." Recently, I have been studying the Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga Teacher Training and loved sharing Sanskrit mantras, chakras and principles for success, according to Deepak Chopra.

I also celebrated at a lunch party including a yummy salad from my garden!

Lots & lots of gifts tucked in my last day of madness..."I am so grateful" is certainly my mantra.

2008-04-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

I had a joyful experience sharing yoga with parents & educators at the CCPPNS convention in Irvine. Basically a gathering of families & teachers who support early childhood education in an engaging, hands-on, participatory way. I was invited to teach a Family Yoga class - so great!

Most of the children had been inside all day, at child-care, while their parents went to workshops & studied. What an amazing thing for children to witness...that their parents are students & thirsty to learn too!

We did a lot of gross motor poses, balanced with quiet stillness, Yoga & Music Routines(TM), Sun Dances and family yoga bonding. Relaxation time felt so intimate.

I blessed this day at the beach in Laguna with the sun setting, dolphins feeding and beautiful company.

Pics to come!

2008-04-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am a Loving, Authentic and Vulnerable Leader - this is my contract with you and the universe! Affirmations are so powerful, I post them in my bathroom, on my altar & by my bedside. They call me to my power.

In preparation for shooting the video, co-producers came to my NGY class yesterday. They gave me this feedback: that not only was I teaching children about yoga, the physical poses & breathing, relaxation, etc. but that I was instilling affirmations for a lifetime. They witnessed the children as free to express themselves, happy, safe and in their bodies.

At the end of the class, after savasana, we individually declared an affirmation and together repeated them...I am excited...I am powerful...I am bright like the sun...

I love these affirmation cards for kids!

2008-04-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

When I moved to California, I dreamed of a house with a yard, where I could grow food in a garden, nap on a hammock, chill by a fire pit and eat at a picnic table.

Right now, so it is...

This past week I truly embraced my vision for my outdoor living. My garden is filled with fresh herbs, various kinds of lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, lemon & Japanese cucs, 3 kinds of squash, peas, strawberries, corn and a whole lotta lotta love. Digging beds, tilling soil (especially Encinitas soil!), designing a garden is no easy gig. It requires creativity, patience, strength and focus. All of which I embraced in building this garden.

I am in awe of how plant life grows, that a gorgeous sunny day gives so much energy that I can actually witness the growth. That a lil drink of water perks up bok choy instantly and that sweet smelling organic compost is like a rich lush hug. There is truly nothing I enjoy more than eating food I grow.

If you look closely in the photos, you will see the fire pit, hammock and picnic table too have joined my life!

2008-04-01T17:44:00.001-07:00

I had the most beautyFULL phone conversation with Next Generation Yoga Teacher, Kathryn, last night. She was sharing with me how inspired she is because of her present passion: Acro Yoga. She has been taking classes for about a year, completed their teacher training and is now teaching this acrobatic style yoga class.

I asked Kathryn if she was still passionate about teaching kids yoga? She was downright super positive about it.

What was meaningful about our talk was that we shared how we both love to explore personally, to grow, learn, shift, change. Of course there are challenges along the way, but we are in agreement, we love to learn always, infinitely, and eternally will we be this way.

I expressed how bold, humble and free I feel learning to surf and even with my BUSY schedule I enrolled in the Chopra Centers Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga Teacher Training. Woohhhoooo!

Spring = New Life

2008-03-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

Spring is definitely here - not only has the weather been steadily GORGEOUS here in Southern California, but my garden has been GROWING! I have been dining on yummy delicious, organic, me-grown Romaine, Arugula, Kale, Sugar Snap Peas and lots of fresh herbs like: parsley, cilantro, oregano. Making killer salad dressing, and juice.

I also am surrounded by re-birth, new life, moves, transitions, transformations...specifically, I have 3 friends who are moving to Cardiff, Encinitas, Leucadia area. Lucky me, to be surrounded with loving community. With so much joy, there is always the duality...my closest friends that i made since moving to the area, they are moving to Florida...for their new life there. Ah yes, it is the circle of life.

Chantsy is healing too, loving Spring, the weather and sun bathing.

Also super stoked about the conception of a Next Generation Yoga kids video.

Please send light

2008-03-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

I have never seen Chants act this way, I know him - and he is not himself. It started on Saturday, he sat next to me at the kids yoga teacher training I was leading and tears were dropping from his mouth, a different kind of salivation than he does when begging for food.

Yesterday he was limping, like he couldn't hold his own body weight up when he walked. All he wanted to do is lay down and sleep.

I took him to the Vet hospital on Sunday.

They took xrays of his spine & belly, NOTHING! A lil arthritis, so they gave him anti-inflammatories & Cosequin. Hellooooo???

He has his appetite, which is good - though I cant imagine him ever not! No fever and his heart sounds good.

This morning he was perk-ier, after a short walk he got tired and limped.

He is sleeping a lot today, which clearly he needs. But what is wrong with Chantsy Pants?

Please send him healing light.

Gardening, Surfing & NGY!

2008-03-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

That's what my life is here in Encinitas, and I am very well content with my life! Contentment is Santosha in Sanskrit. Such a beautiful word and such a liberating, existence. I truly have the feeling of excitement when I think about my life.

The herb garden is complete, I am growing 2 kinds of rosemary, 3 kinds of basil, fennel, green onion, cilantro, parsley, cutting celery and oregano - yahoo!!! I also planted a 6-pack of arugula YUM!

Yesterday while surfing at Cardiff Reef a seal popped up out through a wave, his lil bald head looked so cute! So cool to be with dolphins, seals & surfers, oh my!

NGY is soaring, to South America! I am excited to share that I am licensing "NGY" to Carolina Ortiz & Borka Bozovich where they will open a Next Generation Yoga studio in Lima, Peru. C & B are loving, talented, courageous women, mothers & school teachers who are committed to educating children with health and yoga at the forefront. You can imagine, I am thrilled - can you say Machu Picchu NGY Yoga Retreat!!

Strep it Is!

2008-03-06T12:26:00.000-08:00

Don't think I have had Strep Throat since I was 9 years old, and boy do I wish I was still a kid to be taken care of by my mom, to miss school (not work!), soup, Gatorade, anything I needed right there for me. Instead...I have Chants the dog nurse - he has been laying with me for over 24 hours, his face on my chest - so sweet. I'm taking care of myself, that's what I get when I move 3000 miles from home, well actually that's what a 33 yr. old soon to be 34 yr. old should be doing. And I do have some loving friends who have brought me goodies to help me get better fast. Thank you angels who too have been sending light & healing my way.

According to the Astrological cycles, Pluto has moved in and rocked the world, tearing things apart and rebuilding them in a very different way - turning everything upside down. Do you feel it too? I have heard from parents that kids are experiencing challenges, tantrums, unusual outbursts.

What can we do?

Embrace it all, I say. All we have is right now, this moment, as I type this word NOW. Gone, to the next moment. So why not embrace these moments, most likely we'll never see them again. I guess that's our good news though. Be conscious to the "off-ness", be aware of the strange-ness, and always remember what my mom taught me: This too shall pass!

Back in Cali

2008-03-04T15:47:00.000-08:00

I had such a blast with my niece & nephew back in NYC last week, but it feels goooooood to be back in Cali now. I'm taking deep inhalations of coastal air, not polluted city air. I do not miss NY, I do miss my family & community.

The weather was so frigid in NY, my shoulders were up to my ears. The past two days have been 75 degrees here, yes I choose Southern California weather over east coast winters. I wasnt the only one either, everyone's shoulders are up to their ears. It cant be good!

Since I returned from the concrete jungle...I surfed Swami's - my 1st time since I started surfing; no wonder it's a favorite, that break is sweet, consistent, felt pristine to me. I also planted more herbs in my garden: parsley, cutting celery & rosemary. I loved coming back and seeing how much the garden exploded! The sugar snap peas grew at least 8 inches! Sunflowers that I planted before I left, too popped out of the earth.

With a visit back east, it's easy for me to recognize the peace in my every day life here in Encinitas. I am thrilled. Though with all the traveling, lack of sleep, being with the kids and flying, my immune system is down, and so I too am sick. Please do send health & light, aim it right at my throat chakra, that's where I need it most!

No I have not fallen off the face of the earth...

2008-02-27T21:26:00.001-08:00

Ive been quite the busy one lately, with so much to be grateful for. Over the last 2 1/2 weeks, I had the honor to study with Deepak & Dr. Simon at Journey into Healing (an Ayurveda immersion.) My brother, Barry, and my cousins, from NY, came for a visit and I honored them with a gathering of food, friends and jamming music.

This past weekend, I co-led a beautiful Family Yoga retreat with Tom & Trisha, Soul of Yoga, at Warner Hot Springs. Finally, as I type this I am in New York City connecting with family, spending quality time with my new nephew JJ and big sister Lia.

This morning...

2008-02-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

I was headed to the beach with Chants, driving in Cardiff when I experienced heart-ache...the SUV in front of me hit a dog running in the street. OYE! I saw it all, can still see it now...the lil white shaggy dog running with his leash dragging. There was another dog too that ran in the street, a chocolate lab, but was not hit. This medium size doggy was.

I stopped my car, left it parked in the middle of the street, and got out to give it light & love. My legs straddled around the doggy, my hand on its heart, my other hand massaged it's neck. It lay still, breathing & heart beating fast. Others drove by looking, a few stopped, one gentleman called for help, thank you!

Finally the woman who's dog it was came over. She is Mexican, does not speak English & is in shock. Not much emotion, she can not recall the dogs name nor does she want to hold or touch the dog the way I do. The woman who hit the dog is also Mexican the two women speak in Spanish.

Out of no-where, the dogs heart just stopped beating on my hand, I continued to hold the baby, my heart & stomach were aching. Finally, maybe 15 minutes after the strike, a police officer showed up. He called animal services. The owner of the dog is still distant, I hug her and ask her if she wants to say a prayer or do anything for her dog.

Feeling super queezy, I choose to continue to my morning to get coffee & walk Chants on the beach. Less than 1 hour later, I drive back that way and the dog is still there, left where I covered him with a towel. WHAT! Why has no one come for this dog. Where is the owner. I am sick and must do something.

I call animal services, it's after 9am and they are closed! WHAT! Finally, I get a human on the phone, they let me know I need to call an animal removal service, and that is what I do.

Please join me in sending light & love to this doggy, mommy & family.

Encinitas Yoga & Surf Mecca

2008-02-05T20:26:00.000-08:00

How cool to be living in such an inspiring community where yoga is the culture. It's more common than not that if you live in North County San Diego you surf and do yoga, or at least have tried them at one time in your life. Being a yoga teacher and living in Encinitas, the town with the most yoga studios per capita in the US, and learning to surf...I am at home.

The media thinks so too...this month Encinitas magazine, they featured a full spread on all the local studios. In Vision magazine, I expressed my perspective on kids yoga.

Pic is of local favorite surfer yogini: Kira Nevaeh.

2008-01-30T18:51:00.000-08:00

Jaime & Donna Komitor have brought a beautiful light being into the world, his name is JJ (Jarrett James), what an awesome name! I definitly feel odd, different, physically uncomfortrable being so far away from my family during this time of new life. Pictures just don't do a new family member justice!

I cant quite believe that Lil Lia is now a big sister, my brother is a Dad of 2, and I am a Aunt Jo Jo living across the country - where is time going? Fast for sure! Brings me to the present moment, with acknowledgment for the gift of life.

Please join me & send light to JJ - he is experiencing a traditional Jewish Briss on Thursday, January 31st @ 4:30pm, EST. And also to Donna for healing post cesarian surgery.

My 1 year anniversary

2008-01-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

One year ago today I landed in the gem town of Encinitas, California. I recall it so clearly, driving north on the 101 into town...we were starved and ate at the first Italian restaurant we found, I think it is called Little Roma. That same meal, I pulled out my laptop and found me a furnished cottage on Avocado Street in Leucadia. Yummy ocean air & waves crashing 24/7, I was living in San Diego!

1 year later I am sharing this time with 2 women from Peru who came to study kids yoga with me. They desire to open a studio in Lima and said they wanted to come "learn from the one who started the studio." Thats me! I am so grateful to the world wide web, because they found me & now children in South America will too get to go!

Borka & Carolina are tecahing me so much this week too. Im learning to sing NGY songs in Spanish, about Peruvian lifestyle, economy, education system, and so much more. This is an amazing time of my life!

Surfing with Dolphins

2008-01-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

I still cant believe it, it feels so surreal. But this morning I was feet away from a pod of 3 dolphins. At first I saw a fin far away & said to my friend, "is that a shark?!" Nope it's dolphins. Made me so happy & excited to see them so close. I talked to the babies as they porpoised around me & my board.

Cant wait till they ride a wave with me. How cool, in SO CAL to swim with dolphins, my dream for sure.

NGY DVD

2008-01-12T18:40:00.000-08:00

2008 is the year I am committed to releasing the 1st NGY instructional video for kids. I am so excited about this project, and if you know me, you know this has been brewing for too long, so the time is now.

I'm relatively in the beginning stages, so Id like to take this blog-oportunity to do some market research. Whether you are a parent, teacher, yogi, producer, investor or friend - Id love to hear from you and get your feedback on a childrens yoga video.

Have you ever seen a kids yoga video? Which one? What did you think?
Describe the video you would like to see me create?
How much would you pay for a NGY dvd?
What age would you want it for?

Thank you thank you, all feedback is helpful information. And its karmic!

Taking Inventory

2007-12-24T17:43:00.000-08:00

Tis the season - it's the holidays!! A new year, closure with 2007, new beginnings for 2008.

My big move across the country stands out this year - my life has definitely taken significant turns & changes in 2007. In less than a year, I made a 2-week drive across the country to land in the most beautiful, spiritual, magical yoga-surf town called Encinitas. I've made 3 trips to NY, 2 to Seattle and 1 to Portland. Let's just say it was a LOT of travelling!

This year, I met so so so many amazing people, creating new relationships & possibilities...I have integrated with an open community at Soul of Yoga, taught 7 kids yoga Teacher Trainings and brought NGY classes into 5 after schools in San Diego county. Chants & I have met a bazillion other dog lovers, made great new friends who are now family, and I've even done some dating ;)

I am grateful that 2007 is the year I found my daily meditation practice, learned to surf & started my organic garden. LIFE IS GOOD!

I wish you all a blessed holiday & new year filled with loved ones & fun!

Encinitas Surf

2007-12-15T20:47:00.000-08:00

Encinitas truly is one of the most beauty-FULL spots in the world, at least from what I have seen. I'm so inspired by the climate, nature and indigenous plant life in southern California. I am my highest while planting, gardening, walking the coast, soaking up winter sun...today it was surfing.

The culture here is surfing. Everyone surfs - kids, women, teens, seniors, even dogs! So when in Rome...today I bought a wet suit, some booties & joined in the 58 degree fun. Gratefully I had friends to show me the way.

I love the ocean & was so excited to be in her again. I am at home - held by mother earth in her vast, open arms. Just fills me up with happiness.

The surf culture is so fascinating to me and I have so much respect for it. Every "break" has a name with local surfers, swell & a very sexy lingo. I've heard it before, and now see that surfing is a metaphor for life. The ocean is life with waves we ride, ups & downs, crashes, wipe-outs, taken under, fear...duality is serenity, calm, peace, beauty & joy. Other surfers are our relationships: competitive, aggressive, respectful, cordial, playful, courageous, risk taking. Surfers coast the waves full of bumps & adventure.

It goes on & on...and I so look forward unfolding my surfing career.

Dharma

2007-12-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

What an amazing week, I have so much to be grateful for.
I stop, review, and share my many blessings with you.

Sunday, 108 Sun Salutations for Peace was the event I participated in. With other yogis we practiced yoga & raised money for the San Diego Fire Relief Fund.

Monday, I taught over a dozen kids yoga at El Camino Creek about the 6 different ways our spine moves.

Tuesday, I meditated with over 50 people at the Chopra Center.

Wednesday, I taught 3 kids yoga classes, with kids ages 18 mo. to 10 yr. olds.

Thursday, I made potato latkas & celebrated Hanukkah!

Friday, I led a community family yoga night at Soul of Yoga with Tom & Trisha, oh & the Blue Fairy Goddess came & granted wishes & prayers for all the children present.

Now of course, through this week I experienced my daily day to day activities including work, stress, exercise, chants walks, yoga, friends, etc...But when I stop & look at what stands out from this past week - I recognize the gifts BIG & clear. I cant help but feel empowered - because I am living my dharma, I am on my life's path.

2007-11-29T14:11:00.000-08:00

For the past 5 months I have begun my day with a morning meditation. My friend David from the Chopra Center named it RPM: Rise, Pee, Meditate. That is what I do - starting at 6:30am.

I have been practicing Primordial Sound Meditation, which I too learned from the Chopra Center. I received my very own primordial sound that, according to Vedic Scriptures, was the sound that was heard at the time I was born into this lifetime. It is a mantra that I repeat in order to get lost, go into the gap, away from my thoughts. Now, of course, my thoughts follow me everywhere, but that is why it is called a practice. Sometimes, I go away from my thoughts for a second, sometimes a minute - sometimes much more. With practice, I am sure I will go deeper into the gap.

With a recent move to a new house, I now have tile floors - so I have had my eye on a sheepskin rug that they sell at IKEA. I wanted this to use for meditation. Last weekend, in Portland, I scored my new meditation mat & I love it!! Apparently - so does Chants! I cant keep him off of it! Not sure if its the energy, the texture or the smell of the sheep who sacrificed himself for my meditation rug. Thank you sheep!

Chants has integrated himself into my daily meditation practice. I find I actually love his breath & warm body next to mine as I detach from my own.