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Jupiter Lighthouse Yoga

8/6/2014

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If you haven't yet visited the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse I highly suggest you do so. The park and its surroundings are stunningly beautiful, particularly at sunset. 

You can climb to the very top of the historic lighthouse for an amazing view of the Jupiter Inlet and Intracoastal waterways at designated tour times throughout the day.  The park also includes a museum, a gift shop, hiking trails, along with hosting many events and activities.   

One such event is 'Twilight Yoga' with Mary Veal. This all levels yoga class is taught outdoors under a sprawling banyan tree, directly below the lighthouse. I've never taken a class quite like this before. It truly was an outstanding experience. There was a mysticism about it that I couldn't quite put my finger on, so instead I just soaked it all in.  I left the class feeling both nourished and healed in some way, as if I had just experienced something sacred, something revered.



I arrived around 6:45 pm and found a long line of yogis itching to get up the hill and start their practice. The gate remained locked until Mary arrived to herd her flock to our nesting place for the next hour. We made our donations into an envelope at the gate and continued onward.  Some yogis chatted with their friends, obviously filled with excitement and joy, as we all made the journey closer and closer toward the brick-red beacon of light. (They must have taken the class before and knew what was coming!) I chose to ascend the gentle incline in silence, just observing the uniqueness of this particular setting for a yoga class. 

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The wait!
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The walk!
We arrived at our practice destination under the behemoth banyan tree, all snuggling in to find a spot, making room for others until we were mat to mat about 60+ yogis deep.  This jovial mass were laughing and talking just chock full of the days energy.  I wondered when the class would begin and how you manage to quiet down a group this size without a microphone, and then my internal dialogue was provided an answer. Class started, not with a clap of the instructors hands, not with a bell or a singing bowl, but with silence. Mary sat quietly at the south end of the platform with her back to the river and just waited for the attention of the otherwise occupied participants to be drawn forward and then inward. THAT said a lot about the power of presence. WOW! And just like that it began.
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Mary started with the topic of 'Change' and our relationship to it, saying that everything changes moment to moment and that is to be expected, but the stress in our lives is caused by our relationship with change, how quickly with learn to accept change, how long we struggle to hold on to things we don't want to change, not necessarily the change itself.  How we view change has a direct correlation to  the stress or distress we experience in our lives. She said it more eloquently than I just did, but you get the point ;)

We were reminded throughout the practice, as we gently stretched and breathed in the warm Florida evening, that control is an illusion.  Most of the time it is only our reaction to our surroundings that we can control and even that requires practice, lots of it, which is why most of us practice yoga in the first place! We can determine how well our practice is working by how we show up in our lives from day to day. 

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Such a sumptuous soul stretching practice! YUM! I enjoyed every bit of it, even the hip openers! I really loved the authenticity of Mary's teaching style. She gave us permission to meet ourselves where we were in our practice that day and to have no judgement toward ourselves in regards to whether we "did it better" yesterday, but to accept ourselves today. She didn't use any fluffy yoga language, she was genuine and I trusted her implicitly to guide my practice. 

I also loved the energy of so many like-minded souls, synchronizing with the vibrations of the natural surroundings (the flow of the river, the singing cicadas). This is what makes practicing yoga outdoors so exhilarating.  It makes connecting with that universal frequency all that much sweeter.

We slipped into our final pose of the class, savasana, as the sun set over the Loxahatchee and the ocean provided us with a gentle salty breeze. The song of the cicadas seemed to go up a few decibels, making it the only sound I heard for the remainder of the meditation.  That blissful state of complete surrender where I am able to hear and feel that inner OM, washed over me once again, and once again I am reminded that my true self is ALWAYS connected to a higher source. In that place there is comfort, peace & acceptance of all this is and will ever be, you just need to tap in, to connect to that universal hum.  Thank you Mary for sharing your wisdom and grace and reminding me how effortless it can be to reconnect <3


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Mary teaches 'Twilight Yoga' every Monday at the lighthouse rain or shine (if it rains the museum porch becomes the studio)! Classes usually begin around 7 but change throughout the year as the time of sunset changes. It's always a good idea to show up about 15 minutes before class since there is a little bit of a walk to get up to the practice area. The address is 500 Captain Armours Way, Jupiter, FL 33469.  You can also go to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Website for more updated class times. 
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Juno Beach Yoga Class

6/30/2014

4 Comments

 

Stacy Oneil's Saturday Morning Beach Class

Stacy's Juno Beach yoga class is a great way to start your weekend. The class runs from 8-9 am (before it gets too hot) and is located at walkway #25, at Marcinski Road in Juno Beach.  Look for the Tibetan Prayer flag.

What I particularly liked and thought was different at this beach class was the use of thicker foam mats that Stacy so kindly provided to each student.  I find beach yoga relaxing yes, but also irritating at times because of the lack of stability of the earth.  So this foam mat really was a nice solution to providing a bit more stability for my practice. 

I really enjoyed Stacy's teaching style as well. Her use of imagery and the way she gently connected us to the universal rhythm of all that is, felt very nurturing and relaxed. I left feeling very at ease. There was no judgement or the need to do the perfect Warrior III, just moving the body how it is able to move and grounding into the present moment. Steady and strong yet soft and loving.  Great class beautiful instructor. You should absolutely check her out.

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Photo credit: Stacy O'neil
All levels welcome. Bring a towel, water & some sunscreen.  Then allow Stacy to guide you through a sweet practice, dedicated to your beautiful self, while staring out at the vastness of the Atlantic's horizon. Like I said, great way to start a weekend.

If you want more information about Stacy you can find it on her website Jupiter Yoga!
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Yoga on the Garden Deck

5/20/2014

1 Comment

 
If you are looking for a genuinely lovely, nurturing experience you must join Julie on Tuesday mornings at Kula Yoga Shala.  She teaches an 8:30 am class on the studio's outdoor garden deck and it truly is a wonderful gentle way to begin your day.

The class is titled 'Slow flow' and it is just that, a slow gentle flow into the beginning of your week.  The breeze was a sweet reminder that I was practicing outdoors yet the sturdiness of the deck allowed me to feel grounded and supported.  The canvases above provided shade from the rising sun that was just starting its ascent for the day. We even had the resident lizard make a visit, with his purplish blue scales & his bold attitude.
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photo credit: Julie Allen
Julie's sweetness resonates through her teachings.  She is a tried & true loving spirit that was meant to share this practice with others. Her compassion, and genuine ability to go with the flow, completely put you at ease and allow you to enter that space of awareness, where your body is able to communicate to you its needs, and you are able to hear the response. Her tender adjustments allowed me to open slowly and more deeply into alignment. 

I also appreciated how she planted seeds of 'taking a new perspective',  'what is your breath doing?' and other ideas to ponder. It gave me a chance to dive further inward instead of allowing my attention to drift outward to thoughts of the laundry list of 'to do's' in store for the day. 

We stretched, expanded our breath and opened our hearts.  We even had a brief threat of rain that was smoothly handled by placing our worldly possessions within the confines of the studio and seamlessly returning to the deck at the chance of possibly practicing with a spritz from the sky.  The rain held off and we ended our practice in a delicious savasana. DELICIOUS! The birds sang us a lullaby as we melted into the earth and allowed the fruits of our practice to permeate our cells, bathing us in that universal vibration.

Thank you miss Julie for sharing your space, your heart & your devotion.

P.S. Julie also teaches SUP paddle boarding yoga classes, leads workshops, makes divine sugar scrubs and other amazing creations and give the most beautiful massages.  You can follow her at JAH Arts, find her other classes here on Scenicyoga or contact Kula Yoga Shala directly to schedule a massage.  



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Meditation: Releasing Fear, Cultivating Love

12/2/2013

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Sustaining a morning yoga practice for me has been a lesson in self discipline like nothing else I have ever experienced.  I know how my day goes when I get up and get on my mat.  I also know how unsettled and discombobulated I can feel when I skimp on my practice or start my day by rushing out of bed.

With the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend (staying up late, drinking & gathering with friends) I found my morning practice was completely left by the wayside.  This is often how it works with me. I get into a routine, a beautiful routine of 5:30 am wake ups and an hour or more on my mat with yoga and meditation. Then an interruption, like a holiday or vacation or visitors, throws me right off track.  A day or two is fine, I don't so much notice the effects of my missed practice, but then 2 days turns into 3, then 4 then my morning practice has all but disappeared and I am a crazy maniac again stressed out and anxious for no reason that is worth the suffering I put myself through.  I need that morning practice. I need it so that I can enjoy my life, without it, I seem to suffer unnecessarily.  

However, I also am grateful for the experience of having an absence in my practice, because when I finally returned to it this morning, although begrudgingly at first (not too excited about having to leave my very comfy warm safe bed), it wasnt long before I was enveloped in the space that I love more than anything else in the world.  That space of utter acceptance of self, complete self love, peace, abundance and so much more.  And all it took was a small inner spark to reignite the flame of self discipline once again.

I write this today to share with you what a beautiful savasana meditation I experienced.  I have been feeling a high amount of anxiety, self induced of course, with Christmas approaching and all the chaos that joins the holiday 'spirit".  I need peace, abundance, joy & love to be present today, sooo I cultivated these beauties.  And it really worked wonderfully.  Below is the meditation I used.  I hope it may be helpful to anyone who needs it today or in the future.


*Begin by closing the eyes & scanning the body from toes to head.  Bringing awareness to each body part, then envisioning that body part becoming warm and heavy and sinking into the mat, into the earth, along with any tension, anxiety, pain or frustration you may have been holding onto.  Systematically work your way up from your toes all the way to your abdomen moving to the top of your head, remembering to include the eyes and ears as well. Go slowly and really see and feel the part of the body and the warmth and heaviness move into that specific area. Feel the entire body now warm and heavy, draining out any negative/toxic emotions or thoughts into the earth to be absorbed.


*Then, once all the negativity has drained from the heaviness of the body envision Love, Peace, Joy and Abundance slowly & gently seeping in to fill all the space that was created by all the negative emotions leaving.  All that fresh empty space waiting and willing to be filled with positive emotions. Envision these emotions expanding and stretching into all the nooks and crannies of your being, filling up all the space it could so that you are full to the brim with joy, overflowing with abundance and peace, and radiating with love. As your body fills with these positive emotions envision yourself getting lighter and lighter, almost to a point of floating. Then slowly open your eyes and observe.

The weight of toxic emotions like fear & anxiety can and do pull us down.  Only by releasing them and freeing up space with in the body do we have room to allow positive emotions to enter. 

Release what no longer serves you. You don't need it! Let the heaviness of negativity sink away and instead float into this Holiday season filled with joy, abundance, peace & love.  Let it overflow to all that you meet and interact with in the coming week.

Namaste~
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YOW! Yoga on the Water in Jupiter Florida

9/30/2013

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SUP Yoga

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I love being out on the water, on a Stand up paddle, on a sunny day & I also love doing yoga. I've played with yoga poses on a SUP board on numerous occasions but had never taken a class.  A few Fridays ago I decided it was time to learn a bit more from an instructor who was well versed in this particular type of yoga practice. The experience was balancing, calming & revitalizing all at the same time.  And to top it off I got to meet a bunch of amazing kindhearted Yogis.

Kim and Chris were the instructors this particular Friday, teaching in tandem.  I introduced myself to them both, filled out and signed a waiver and then paid the $5 fee for the class.  Typically the cost of the class is $10, which includes a board rental, however if you bring your own board its only a $5! Super affordable either way.

Its a good idea to come dressed and prepared to get wet, just in case you lose your balance and fall in.  A bathing suit is definitely a smart choice. Or at least wear clothing that you don't mind getting wet.

The class started with all of us getting onto our boards and gently floating out just beyond the dock. Kim led us through a brief heart centered meditation and then led us through some simple poses such as child's pose, warming our bodies up, working slowly toward the more challenging poses. 

During the class boards drifted a bit out of the group, or ended up in the docks, but we all just gently paddled back out to a more open space.  We were literally going with the flow and letting the water guide the practice. When boards bumped each other we just gently created space between them or let them rest upon the other joining each other's practice briefly, literally feeling the vibrations of the other paddlers energy through the contact of the boards. One moment you were practicing next to someone and the next moment they were gone and someone else was in there place.  I loved the fluidity of it, so different than the structure of a studio class.

I also loved how Kim would teach a portion of the class and then her male counterpart Chris began to speak and guide us through a practice all his own, with his own unique words and imagery.  I love experiencing different instructors and their varied techniques and language, its always such a treat to see their unique spin.  I truly enjoyed the instruction provided by both Kim and Chris, similar in concept yet different in delivery.

I was also so inspired by all the amazing hearts that were practicing in unison, sending love and light and positivity out into the world, all at the same time, while hovering angelically above the water.  People were not timid or standoffish, as can sometimes be the case in a studio setting, but instead were introducing themselves and chatting it up.  Being outside makes everyone nicer and more relaxed, even already kind, sweet yogis get that extra love boost from mother nature and just want to spread it even further. 

You leave your ego on the dock for this class.  You need to focus on your breath and balance so you stay up on your board, which really clears and focused your mind.  And if you lose your balance and fall in, so what, its bound to happen to all of us from time to time and is a good reminder for life...you fall off, you get back on. What I noticed and loved about those that did fall off is that they laughed! They could laugh at themselves, there was no need to be embarrassed, and it probably felt great to get a refreshing dip after practicing in the hot sun!

After the peak of the class was reached, with the standing balance poses, we came back to a few relaxing asanas and ended the class with another standing, balanced meditation led by Kim.  We all balanced on our boards in unison, letting the warmth of the sun spread across our smiling, sweat speckled faces.  It was a perfect end to a fantastically fun & challenging class. 

After the formal class ended folks stuck around for a bit and were playing around on the boards working on postures of their choosing, falling in, getting back up, doing it again.  It was great to see people enjoying themselves on the water.  

If you've never tried a SUP Yoga class I encourage you to do so.  Surrender to the experience and you are bound to enjoy yourself, meet some great people and get a little exercise and some mental clarity in the process.*


Channel 5 news was also there this day. If would like to see the newscast check out Kim's interview here!

You can also contact Blue Line Paddle Surf for a schedule of YOW classes and updates on other SUP clinics.

Namaste~
Jamie

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Simple Arugula Summer Salad

8/26/2013

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Simple, refreshing & oh so healthy!  You can throw this salad together in no time flat with just a bag or box of organic arugula, the juice of 1/2 a grapefruit, shredded Parmesan cheese and a little olive oil . I adapted it from a raw kale salad I make pretty often & the results with the arugula were equally as good, if not better. In fact, my biggest recipe fan & critic (my boyfriend) was the one who requested I try substituting arugula for the kale.  Good suggestion Manny! Hope you enjoy it too ;)

How to make it:

~1 bag or box of organic Arugula ( usually 5 - 8 oz box/bag)
~Juice of 1/2 of a ruby red grapefruit
~1/4 cup of olive oil
~1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan
~2 TBSP of finely chopped shallots (optional, I've made it with and without and they are both good)


1. Get a large mixing bowl and toss the Arugula into the bowl.
2. Whisk together the grapefruit juice & olive oil in a small bowl. (If using shallots whisk those in too)
3. Pour grapefruit juice & olive oil mixture over arugula.
4. Toss gently with tongs.
5. Add Parmesan cheese & toss again.


You can chill it in the fridge for a bit before serving or serve immediately, your choice.

Easy as that! Serve it up with a slice of grapefruit as garnish & enjoy!

 
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Arugula ~ AKA~ Eruca Sativa & Rocket Salad ~is a leafy green that is in the same family as Kale, Cabbage & mustard greens.  It has a wonderful peppery spiciness to it and it hailed for its cleansing/detoxifying/cooling effects. It's bitterness is balanced by the sweet/sour taste of the grapefruit juice in this recipe. It is loaded with antioxidants, Vitamins A, C & K, phytochemicals & minerals, including folate. A great addition to your summer menu as it has hydrating & cooling properties.
Grapefruit ~ AKA~ Citrus paradisi~ loaded with Vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system.  So fitting its scientific name represents paradise, as that's where the fruit originated, in the Caribbean. This jewel of a fruit is also packed with Vitamin A, beta-carotene & Lycopene. The Lycopene is what is responsible for the pink color of the flesh of the fruit.  Lycopene also gives the body a natural protection against UV rays from the sun as well as helps protect men from prostate cancer.
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references: 
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/arugula.html
http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/05/21/why-you-should-be-eating-more-arugula/
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/grapefruit.html
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'Honeydew Heaven' An icy refresher for those blistering end of August days!

8/22/2013

2 Comments

 
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So here we are, it's August already.  Boy has this summer just flown on by.  With a move cross-country and settling into a new home it feels as if the season has just *poof* disappeared! But boy are we still feeling the heat.  Dog days of summer are here!

Since it's our first summer in Florida we were a little nervous about how hot it would really get. We got heckled by so many about how crazy we were to make a move to Florida in the dead of summer, but so far we are doing surprisingly well handling the heat & humidity.  The summer here in Florida reminds me of my childhood summers in CT, except in CT the heat wave eventually broke and we had some days of 70-80 degree temps.  I can now equate a Florida summer to one long CT heatwave ;)  But that's ok, It's just nature's way of slowing things down, taking a breather and giving us an opportunity to indulge in the sweetness that summer has to offer. And oh the sweetness that is to be offered: melons, nectarines, peaches, plums, berries and so much more are all so abundant at Farmers markets and groceries this time of year. So grab some and gobble them up in whatever ways your hearts desire. 

Moving from San Diego this heat is quite a change from the cool nights and refreshing ocean breezes we were once used to during the summer months.  But I love the warm nights sitting on our screened in porch (because yes the bugs are a new pleasantry as well). I love the thunderstorms that rattle the house, the lightening that creates its own amazingly unique spectacle in the sky & the driving rain that comes down in sheets and then stops as quickly as it starts.  

Nonetheless, I am embracing the heat and finding ways to keep & stay cool.  One of the ways I have been doing that is by making a variety of icy fruit refreshers.  I just kind of willy nilly chuck stuff in the blender, hit liquefy and see what deliciously divine concoction emerges.  


Ice cold beverages do wonders to bring our body temps down and keep them there for a bit. That and a dip in the pool sure does help, although that too has reached a temp of 93 degrees. And I must say I appreciate air conditioning more now then ever before in my life! You can also creat your own personal AC by practicing a yogic breathing technique called 'Shitali Pranayama'. 


Laura Plumb, my mentor/teacher and Ayurvedic genius, posted a watermelon drink on her blog, Food: A Love Story, which you should also check out.  That post inspired me to try making some of my own variations of a refreshing summer drink to beat the heat. 


So what are you waiting for? Summer's almost over...better go grab some fruit and ice and get to blending up some refreshing combinations of your own.  Don't be too worried about how many cups of fruit or ice or water, just have fun creating something surprisingly delicious with fruits you love. Really, you can't screw this up. Enjoy!


'Honeydew Heaven Refresher' 

2 Cups of  honeydew melon or cantaloupe (cut into about 1 inch pieces)
1 Cup of Coconut Water
1 1/2 Cups of Ice
a few sprigs of mints

Toss all the ingredients into a blender and blend well until all fruit and ice chunks have been incorporated.  Pour into a glass & garnish with a few more sprigs of mint. Delicious & so refreshing!

You can also do variations of this with other fruits as well.  I substituted strawberries for the melon and it to was an amazingly refreshing, tasty treat. 

Makes about 4 servings.  Hope you enjoy as much as I did!


Did you know? 

MINT~ Mint is amazing! It has so many health benefits. It facilitates digestion, but can also soothe indigestion and inflammation in the stomach as well as helping stem nausea.  A whiff of mint can also cure a headache and help alleviate congestion in the nose, chest or lungs and is helpful for respiratory infections. Want to learn more about the benefits of mint? Check out this link all about the amazing health benefits of Mint!
MELON~ Packed full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that help to prevent cancer, keep eyes young and healthy, boosts your immune system with a whopping dose of Vitamin -C, the beta-carotene and Vitamin A in melons helps to keep skin healthy and strong by increasing the rate of cell re-growth and repair. you can get more info on the healthy benefits of eating melon here.



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A Little Rumi Reminder

6/12/2013

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One of my Favorites

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival. 
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes 
as an unexpected visitor.  
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, 
treat each guest honorably. 
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight. 
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing, 
and invite them in. 

Be grateful for whatever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
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    Jamie Rollins

    Lover of animals, nature, food & people.  A bit of a hippie dippy at heart who enjoys cooking, traveling, volleyball, yoga & painting. I'm also a Deep Yoga instructor and an RN who is passionate about health, nutrition & empowering others to take charge of their wellness.  I love a good adventure and so far this life has not disappointed.  I want to use this blog to share recipes of mine and of others, quotes, health news and anything else that peaks my interest. Enjoy! Namaste friends~

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