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Showing posts from 2018

The Story Behind the FMB Yoga Project

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The story behind the FMB Yoga Project is simple.  I am a Yogi. I live on Fort Myers Beach (FMB) & have for the last 5 years. I have been "complaining" that I can't find enough classes on our 7 mile stretch of sand. So . . .  I decided to put up or shut up!    I met with some fabulous supporters & like minded folks on FMB.  Anchor Mind & Body ,  We Choose Yoga , IslandFit Physical Therapy  and most importantly, Kristen Strain of  ParadiseRAW   the result . . . The FMB Yoga Project was born.  This is a Passion Project that has 3 simple goals: 1.  To Support ALL efforts to raise the level of Wellness Programing on FMB. 2.  Create a common calendar to share classes, dates, times, and prices. 3.  Provide a set of common classes taught by qualified, insured, passionate instructors to anyone who desires one.  (We refer to these as our Punch Card Classes) . It is that simple.  Since our creation we have had wonderful support from  The Town

My Favorite Yogi Gifts

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Over the last week, I have received multiple emails from all my favorite yoga places, so today, I combine and share with you.  Please feel free to share your favorite yoga loves in the comments!!! I love subscription club boxes.  I think one from a place like Karma Club  or  Yoga Club Box Referral Link (25% Off)   (I share my referral link for a discount) are awesome! I like trying new products and equipment.  If your Yogi does too, here is one I think is super cool. Books, Books, and More Books (Journals are Books too.) Some of my other Personal Favorites:  ANY thing by  SivanaSpirit  &  Saje . Finally, and please proceed with   Subscription Programs like Gaia.com , YogaDownLoad.com , or Passes to Local Classes are GREAT for people who would not get them for themselves.  They are NOT great for someone who is not interested. If you get a local class for a busy Mom or Dad, offer to watch the little ones while they take advantage of

Rule 3- Be Flexible

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This has always been my approach to traveling.  It should be moving, rewarding, but it is not always easy.  I have a theory, that when you travel a lot, periodically, you will have a trip where everything goes wrong.  You miss a flight, you get sick, the beautiful hotel you choose online is a roach infested hell hole.  The list goes on. So what do you you?  In order to have an enjoyable trip you have to learn to be flexible.  Learning to go with the flow has been my biggest challenge and I am forced to perfect that skill when I travel.  I admit it, I have control issues.  I hate it when things don't go as planned.  So what do you do when the travel gods are not shining on you? Step 1 Breathe .  This is such an overlooked practice.  I mean literally, stop, and take 5 deep breaths in and slowly let them out.  The practice of breathing is often lost but it has/ and can have a profound impact on your physcology and physiology.  (Need some help, check out t his video I did for my

Rule 2 - Travel Light and with a Uniform!!!

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Warmer Weather Travel Uniform So, I have friends who fly for airlines and who also travel, a lot!!!  Here is the consistent message.  Travel light and with a Uniform.  I am not talking about something stogdy, but something that you know goes well together and that you can mix and match. Uniform for Travel - I always want to be comfortable when I travel, however, PJ's on a plane are not my Jam.  The picture to the right is a go to for the warmer trips or seasons.  All are cotton and breathable.  Leggings, shoes that come off easily if you are not TSA Pre Check, Lilly Pulitzer 3 quarter sleeve top, and a wrap.  Tip - Planes, airports, and hotels are notoriously not temperature consistant, layers allow you to adjust and stay comfortable. TIP - I always travel with my water bottle.  When we travel internationally, I travel with one with a built in filter (thank you Britta). I choose outfits that require no belt or pockets to travel, it prevents slowdowns through screening.

Where in the World Are . . . Megan & Renee? - Rule 1

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Remember that Today Show Series?   Several people mentioned this past week that we are often hard to find and we are living a life envied by others.  I do believe we live a blessed life, but we, like everyone else, have our own set of challenges.    You have to decide, for you, what is a priority, and what is not.  We make choices so that we can spend our resources traveling.  We also don't always travel lavishly.  Sometimes, of course we do! However,  most of the time, we focus on minimizing our expenses so we can travel more.   All that is needed for a 6 day Work Trip! Our June is looking to be an adventure in Travel.  Plus I am still committed to my Yoga Teacher Training and daily practice.  So how does this all work? If you really think we live the life you want, I am going to share some thoughts on how to get there.  If you only travel sporadically, or just love the yoga side, stay tuned.  I may share something that works for you. Rule 1 - If som

Motivation, Fitting it All In, and Yoga Teacher Training

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Photo Credit Suzi S.S., St Louis I have seen lots of social media posts on Motivation, how to find it, how to keep it.  It is also a common challenge among my clients.  Honestly, I struggle with it too.  Life is busy, it is easy to get UNMOTIVATED and off track.  I am also at the National American College of Sports Medicine Meeting this week, surrounded by people who are motivated and passionate about physical activity and health.   So Motivation is on my Mind. So here are my thoughts, tips, tricks on Motivation, and how to Fit it All In. 1.  Surround yourself with people who are supportive.   I have been scheduling meetings all week with highly motivated, and BUSY, women.  We have pushed meetings back so one member could fit in her workout.  Decided to meet for dinner, not lunch, so we had time to squeeze in a noon workout.  If you don't feel supported by your friends, have you asked them for their help?  " I need you to help me succeed, can you help me to find

The Bhavagad Gita & Girl Wash Your Face

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As part of my Yoga Teacher Training, we are required to read several books on the spiritual side of yoga.  This is something that I rarely discuss, so please bear with me as I stretch my comfort zone. The first book I picked from the list is  The Bhagavad Gita .  The Gita is considered the foundation of Yoga and Hinduism.  Many believe that The Gita is also a significant world text.  Now as way of background, I did my undergraduate work at an amazing liberal arts college in Mt. Vernon, IA, Go Rams .  I took some amazing classes, but one has stuck with me- Religions of the World .  It was taught by an Observant Jew who brought in Hare Krishnas, a Buddhist, and a Catholic Priest to talk to us.  We studied The Bible, Torah, and Qur'an, The Gita.  Now, Cornell College is on a block system, meaning that we take 1 Course-at-a-Time, and took this course about all the World's Major Religions in 3.5 Weeks.  This is important because it allows you to see connections amongst texts and

New Adventure - 500 Hour Teacher Training

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Jennifer Mossburg Photography I have been doing yoga since graduate school at the George Washington University, a peer suggested it.  She was older than I was, and in much better shape.  I hated it, I was doing distance running at the time so slowing down to do yoga showed me just where the muscle imbalances were AND I wasn't good at it.  (Isn't that how most things go.)  So, I stuck with it.  It helped me after the Tall One was born, and it became run one day, and yoga the next.  I have continued my practice over the last, 20 years.  About 10 years ago, I decided I wanted to get trained as a yoga instructor.   As a long time group fitness instructor, personal trainer, downhill ski instructor, exercise physiologist, it kinda makes sense, right? Well life was not conducive.  There was a nasty divorce, graduate school, again, and a growing family.  It just never fit in.  I could not take a month of from "life" and do an intensive training AND my life is

Pay it Forward- Update on S/V Second Chance

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Thank you to Sailing Satori  for a great article on the "rescue" of S/V Second Chance.  We are very lucking to have a ski community. a boating community, and a beach community that all come together to support individuals in need!  The entire Fort Myers Beach community helped to provide aid to S/V Second Chance providing supplies, boats, housing, dinner, and friendship (and more than a few beers-lol).    We wish them best of luck on their next adventure.  If you want to follow their progress check out  S/V Second Chance Facebook Page . Sailing Satori - You Tube Video Abandoned Ship S/V Second Chance

My Yoga Journey - Yoga on the Fly - Denver

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Over the last 20 years I have practiced or taught yoga.  It was never my sole focus but a piece of my fitness program.  I have decided to change that - I am embarking on a full time Yoga Journey .  In May I will begin my 500 hour yoga teacher certification.  My current plan is to explore different studios and yoga experiences.  I am going to document my path on my blog.   One of the unique places I that I have had a chance to practice is in the Denver Airport.   Yoga on the Fly  is located in Terminal A.   After selecting my sessions (I did 20 minutes of Vinyasa, 11 minutes of Standing Postures, and 10 minutes of Energy Balancing Meditation).  I was lead to a private mini studio.  The programs were great, the instruction was perfect for a beginner- non yogi.  The sessions use a Gridded Mat for posture placement.  The space was warm and inviting.  The sessions I choose were not hard, but did allow me to feel open and calm, never easy to do in an airport.