Todays Yoga Magazine November 2016

FLORIDA

MIAMI F FORT LAUDERDALE F PALM BEACH

www.TodaysYoga.com

NOVEMBER 2016

OGA K ERRI VERNA SHE SEES SEASHELLS

BEACH YOGA GIRL

KARMA YOGA INSPIRES YOGI BEACH CLEANUP

YOGA JOURNAL

LIVE! FLORIDA

DIPLOMAT RESORT & SPA NOVEMBER 11-14

Plus: VINYASA, PADDLEBOARD POSES, VEGFEST & MORE!1 november 2016

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CONTENTS

TODAYSYOGA

november 2016

cover stories

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ON THE COVER Beach Yoga Girl

What Is Vinyasa?

A lot of Sanskrit words have many meanings, especially in yoga terminology, where there’s always a deeper meaning.

Kerri Verna

by Jules Lindsay

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Inspiring Beach Cleanup

Yoga for Sustainability aims at creating theme-based yoga classes, followed by environmental educational events.

by Asa Guilamo

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Beach Yoga Girl: Kerri Verna Much like most yogis who live in South Florida, I follow Beach Yoga Girl, who has over 1 million Instagram followers, does workshops around the world, and has her own product line.

by David Ramoy

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plus . . .

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Pose Sequence

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Yoga Journal LIVE! Event

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Yoga with the Dolphins

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with Erika Lima

Crystals & 3 Gunas of Nature

by Michelle Martin

Dolphin Yoga

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South Florida VegFest Interview with an Archangel The Eight Limb Path

by Leslie Glickman

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After your yoga practice treat yourself to a delicious organic dark chocolate that is nutrient dense and among the best in the world.

Find us at your local yoga studio or at http://pacarichocolate.us and for a limited time use code YOGA16 to get 10% discount plus free shipping on orders over $50.

Namaste

EC-BIO-141 Agriculture non-EU

@pacarichocolate

/pacarichocolate

@pacariusa november 2016

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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Michelle Martin is an Aquarian Age teacher & spiritual intuitive who works with the ascended realms of consciousness and the ancient medicine ways of the earth to foster personal and planetary healing. She has a private healing practice in Parkland, Fl., teaches a variety of classes and workshops as well as yoga at Anuttara Yoga, Delray Beach. www.amethystflower.com

TODAYSYOGA Managing Editor David Ramoy

Associate Editor Lynzy Ferris

Director of Photography Nikki Bruno draws her inspiration from the natural world. She has spent time as a marine biologist, trail hiker, science teacher, yoga teacher, writer, musician, and she regularly races sailboats. She is the founder of Student Coaching Services, an education company that teaches students the real-life skills they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced world. You can learn more about her and her work at studentcoachingservices.com

Sean Egiziano

Digital Manager

Corey Gleichenhaus

For Editorial:

call 844 - 600 - YOGA e-mail: editorial@TodaysYoga.com Leslie Glickman is known for her passion for building community. Her mission is to make yoga accessible to everyone so they can be the best they can be. She has been a teacher of teachers for over twenty years, a national presenter, guest speaker and community leader.

Her vast involvement with the community makes her one of South Florida’s most recognized yoga personalities.

Cary Bayer taught Transcendental Meditation for three decades and is the founder of Higher Self Healing Meditation. A Life Coach, he’s worked with Oscar-winner Alan Arkin and Emmywinner David Steinberg. He’s the author of 13 books, including Higher Self Meditations. His syndicated column, “Life 101,” appears in wellness publications throughout the country.

Visit http://carybayer.com/higher-self-meditation.html

Michelle Tamblyn graduated from the Anuttara 200 hour teacher training in July 2011 and the Level 2 Raja training in February 2012 after beginning a serious practice in yoga seven years ago.

In addition she has training in Restorative and Yin Yoga. She is also a Reiki Master and Integrated Energy Therapy practitioner. Michelle can be reached at michelletamblyn10@gmail.com

Regional Advertising Director of Sales & Marketing Pedro Luna pedro@TodaysYoga.com Production Manager Jenny Diaz jenny@TodaysYoga.com

For Advertising:

call 844 - 600 - YOGA e-mail: advertising@TodaysYoga.com

For Circulation:

call 844 - 600 - YOGA e-mail: delivery@TodaysYoga.com Printed on Recycled content 10% (post - consumer)

Christine Lewis began her immersion into Yoga in 2002 and by 2009 the spiritual evolution she experienced through Yoga inspired her to share the practice through teaching classes, leading life-shifting Yoga retreats, and recording Spoken Word Yoga flows and meditations. Christine purposefully structures her Vinyasa and Raja Yoga classes to stimulate the Chakras and the conscious mind by combining the physically rigorous practice of the yoga asanas with a mental “work-in” that purifies and reinvigorates the soul. For more visit www.spokenwordyoga.com

published by

TODAYS YOGA, INC President

Jeffrey (JD) Diaz

Denise Girard has been aware of food as medicine since her early 20’s when Dr. Francesco Borella was treating her in Geneva, Switzerland for a pituitary tumor. Today she is developing new food products at ZNatural Foods here in Florida. Her vision is to make super foods delicious and easily incorporated into our daily lives.

455 NE 5th Avenue, Suite D-151 Delray Beach, Florida 33483 844 - 600 - YOGA

Todays Yoga Magazine is published monthly and distributed to over 300 locations throughout South Florida.

Mike Arciprete is a NYC Firefighter, Certified PT, Clean Eating Coach, Musician, and loves Delray Beach, Florida, cooking and tattoos.

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Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2016 Todays Yoga, LLC, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.

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STAND UP PADDLEBOARD POSE SEQUENCE

Establishing a solid foundation on your board is essential in maintaining stability in each pose. When standing on your SUP, place your feet parallel and hip-width apart over the handle of the board. When you are on your hands and knees, let your inner ribs hover over the handle. That is generally a good place to start.

Here are a few fun and friendly poses, yet challenging and engaging for most levels of practice, to try on your board:

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Vyaghrasana / Tiger Pose

This pose will test your balance right from the start. Begin in tabletop with your knees aligned under hips and wrists under shoulders. Extend right leg toward the back of the board. Keep the ball of your foot grounded and then slowly lift the foot off the deck. Lengthen the left arm forward, and then sweep it back as you bend the right knee to eventually grab the top of your right foot. Push the top of the right foot against the left hand and lift the crown of you head and your sternum to create an upward back bend. Press the right hand, and the left knee and shin firmly onto the deck.

Story by

ERIKA LIMA Photos of Erika

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Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana / One-Legged Downward Facing Dog Downdog is everyone’s favorite yoga posture to try on a SUP and it’s one of the most exhilarating. The one-legged variation will bring about an even sweeter sensation of weightlessness and strength. From tabletop lift into downward-facing dog. Center the left foot on the board and then slowly raise the right foot off the deck until the leg is at a height where the position can be held. Keep your front and inner thighs engaged and the foot flexed or pointed. Mindful movements such as opening and closing the hip and bending the knee are great to strengthen your ability to balance on a moving surface.

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SEAN EGIZIANO by

STAND UP PADDLEBOARD POSE SEQUENCE

3.

Anjaneyasana / Knee-Down Lunge variation

From downward dog, lunge your right foot forward and place it next to your right thumb.

Lower the back knee on the board and drive your hips forward gently with each exhale.

The toes on your back foot can be pointed or tucked under if more stability is needed. Once you feel grounded, lift your torso, broaden your collarbones and lift your sternum; extend your arms and fingers towards the board rails as pictured; when you’re ready, raise your arms and point your fingers to the sky.

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Virabhadrasana I / Warrior I

The next progression from a knee-down lunge is to practice standing up and having only your two feet in an asymmetrical stance on your floating mat. From anjaneyasana, lift your left knee off the deck and turn the back heel down at an angle of 30-45 degrees. Slowly lift the upper body from the core sweeping the arms up as you rise. Once you feel stable, raise the arms overhead. If using the paddle as pictured, move the arms forward then overhead as the torso lifts. Once the arms are lifted, draw your shoulders down and away from your ears. Focus on the hips squaring, slightly drawing the right hip back while extending the left hip forward. Ground all corners of your feet and the pads of your toes into the deck, while lifting through the arches.

5.

Utthita Chaturanga Dandasana / Four-Limbed Staff Pose (a.k.a. Plank)

Developing a strong plank pose is an important element for the eventual practice of arm balances and inversions, on land and on water. Whether you transition to plank from a standing position or from a downward dog, make sure you are drawing your torso forward and your shoulders end up aligned slightly over the front of your wrists. Broaden the collarbone and rotate the outer arms inward; firm the bases of your fingers into the floor and spread your shoulder blades away from the spine. Keep the front thighs lifted and the tailbone lengthening toward the back of your heels. Zip up your lower abs and draw your ribs in and up toward the sky.

Hold each posture for five breaths cultivating your balance through a mindful and humble practice. Remember to move slowly, breathe deeply with integrity, smile often and have fun!

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What is Vinaysa?

Jules Lindsay

This month Todays Yoga Magazine sat down with instructor Jules Lindsay for an in-depth look at Vinyasa.

What is Vinaysa?

A lot of Sanskrit words have many meanings, especially in yoga terminology, where there’s always a deeper meaning. “Vi” means in a special way and “Nyasa” means to place. However, it’s often referred to as “Vinyasa Flow” as per the more common translation of Vinyasa being “breath-synchronized movement”. Vinyasa is a way of linking movement to breath to create a kind of moving meditation. Vinyasa is a style of Hatha. “Ha” means Sun and “Tha” means Moon. The implication is male and female, hot and cold, positive and negative polarities and ultimately pushing and pulling energies through which we find balance.

Hatha is usually defined as “Forceful Yoga” which refers to asana practice (postures) along with pranayama (breath work) and mudra (body seals). Here in the West, most of what we think of as Yoga, is a derivative of Hatha. My favorite description of Vinyasa is from Seane Corn, who says, “it is linking movement to movement, moment to moment, breath by breath with the intention of staying in the present”.

Can you give us a brief history of Vinyasa?

There are differing schools of thought on Vinyasa, Ashtanga, etc. but Krishnamacharya is seen as the father of Vinyasa and really modern Yoga as a whole. His combination of breath and movement in the 1930’s spawned the style known as Vinyasa, which wouldn’t reach us for another 40 years. However, he never claimed to be the originator of anything, he attributed all of his work to ancient texts and his Guru and maintained that Yoga belongs to God. One of his students, Pattabhi Jois, was the most influential in popularizing the style. The

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incredible amount of variations and possibilities Vinyasa offers, and the exploration it allows the body, mind and spirit are all powerful tools meant for finding and listening to the wisdom within.

Why do you think Vinyasa is so popular today?

Freedom and creativity. There’s definitely an attraction to the fastpaced flow of Vinyasa that appeals to modern culture. The rules are broken and the sequencing can be played around with and tweaked in different ways, giving teachers their own flavor and style; and giving practitioners variety and choice.

The freedom of the practice is what initially appealed to me. I like to laugh and have fun, feel light and joyful; Vinyasa is great for that. It allows you to get lost and really explore yourself. There is something about moving through poses that just seems to pull you out of anything you might be stuck in or carrying around and helps bring your focus in. It’s a very organic way of practicing, more in line with how nature flows with impermanence from one form to the next.

I think a lot of people feel this on their mats, whether they recognize it or not.

In my classes I always give options for variation and modification of the poses, I think this is another very accommodative aspect of Vinyasa. My roots are in Bikram and Barkan Method, which are strictly structured and disciplined approaches. They are great compliments and good fundamental practices for Vinyasa. There is a lot of value there and I am grateful to them as a foundation for my practice. I believe there are still elements of structure and discipline to Vinyasa that need to be retained as it continues to gain popularity and evolve.

Who would benefit from a Vinyasa practice?

Anyone who is physically capable. The benefits do not discriminate.

Vinyasa is a dance to self-realization, self-awareness and inner happiness.

Favorite quote to live by?

“We are all just walking each other home.” – Ram Dass Where can we catch one of your classes?

My class schedule is on Facebook Jules Lindsay or Instagram #kissestobuddah. I lead different types of workshops and have led an annual Yoga retreat to Costa Rica for 8 years now. I am hosting another retreat this year at Pura Vida Spa in Costa Rica on December 3-10 2016 with Joe Di Stefano of the Spartan Races, among other hosts. It’s going to be a blast. To sign up or see the website for more details, go to Runga2016.com The best part about my job is getting to feel a sense of connection, whether it’s with my students, my teachers or my own being, Yoga shines the light of consciousness on everything. Namaste

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Karma Yoga for Sustainability

INSPIRES BEACH CLEAN UP

by Asa Guilamo

Yoga class at American Yoga in Deerfield Beach

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wenty yogis of all levels and ages gathered between the mirror and the natural-stone wall at American Yoga in Deerfield Beach to be guided through a mindful vinyasa flow. The theme for the class was the ocean and how yoga can help us make a difference through conscious action off the mat. Guided by Todays Yoga Magazine Associate Editor Lynzy Ferris’s powerful voice and enthusiasm of ocean conservation, the yogis were encouraged to connect with both themselves and Mother Earth through vinyasa sequences consisting of dolphin, fish, and bird poses.

After savasana, everyone is in yoga heaven. But on this day, that yoked inner power and kindness was put to good use for the common good. I, Asa, gave all yogis an overview of the current state of the world’s ocean from an environmental perspective: 80% of the garbage at sea originates from land and the majority is plastic waste. Did you know plastic never decomposes or disappears? It only dissolves into smaller pieces, which then become micro plastics. These ‘micro plastics’ get mistaken for plankton and quickly travel their way up the food chain until they end up in OUR bellies.

After this informative speech, everyone was given pickers and pails and began the trek to the beach. The sand looks very clean at first sight, but we soon realized how few of those “sea shells” are actually shells. I encourage you to look closer at the sand and see the small broken down plastic pieces that can easily be mistaken as shells!

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The yogis worked enthusiastically picking up garbage and educating curious beach goers. In 1.5 hour’s time, our joint effort resulted in 8.8 pounds of small plastic pieces and cigarette butts. Hard work pays off!

Yoga is more than doing backbends and standing on our head! Combining asana, and lifestyle observances with caring for the world we all depend on begins a true journey on the Eight Limb Path. Yoga for Sustainability aims at exploring these pathways by creating theme-based yoga classes, followed by environmental educational events.

We warmly welcome you to the next Karma Yoga for Sustainability class at American Yoga!

Asa Guilamo has her masters in Environmental Management and Audit from Stockholm University and has worked for the central Sweden government for over ten years. She has advised three governmental committees: The Scientific Council on Climate Issues, The Parliamentarian Committee on Climate Issues and The Delegation for Sustainable Cities and has served in different positions in the Ministry of the Environment.

Todays Yoga Magazine Associate Editor Lynzy Ferris strikes a pose

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PROFILE

Beach Yoga Girl

Kerri Verna

by David Ramoy

photo by Agathe Padovani

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y first time ever speaking with Kerri Verna was for this interview. Much like most yoga practitioners who live in South Florida and have an Instagram account, I follow Beach Yoga Girl. With over 1 million followers, workshops around the world, and her own product line, Kerri still had time to save a baby turtle during our interview. Today’s Yoga Magazine recently had the pleasure of getting to know her better.

photo by Kerri Verna

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Tell us about yourself and your journey with yoga? How has it transformed your life?

I had always avoided physical activity growing up because I was terribly uncoordinated and very out of shape. I suffered ganglion cysts in both my wrists, which limited my ability to use my hands.

I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which led me down a path of self-pity and unworthiness. I was very depressed most of my early adult life because I hated how I looked, and felt like I was doomed to live a life in pain. I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, but all that did was make it worse. When I got married at 27, and soon after got pregnant, I decided that I needed to change my life. I was shy and insecure.

Something inside told me that I needed a change, so I marched myself down to the local fitness center and joined. They were offering yoga teacher trainings and I decided that since I was pregnant, I’d try yoga since it was “easy”. After about 4 months of training, I realized that yoga changed me, deeper than I could have ever imagined. I started feeling peace after practice. Not only did my baby weight drop off, I was happy for the first time in my life. Yoga became something more than just a benefit for my physical appearance. It was something my spirit needed. Yoga became for me a spiritual path, leading me towards my purpose in this world.

With over 1 million followers on Instagram, you have a way of connecting individually with your inspirational messages. Why do you think that is?

Sometimes I wonder if anyone actually reads my posts. Instagram is a place for me to share about my struggles and my triumphs. I have experienced a wonderful spiritual change in my life, and I want to deliver the message of hope, that anyone can do the same. I think people connect with honesty and truth. That being said, social media does have its limits.

For example, in some posts, I will feel the spirit guide me into writing something personally powerful, but then no one comments or says anything. I will wonder if the message gets lost. That is, until I

physically meet the faces who follow me. I am blessed to travel the world to meet followers at workshops or appearances. Many will pull me aside to share with me how something I wrote on a post a year ago, impacted them. I hear countless stories that reflect my own story, how they too felt not good enough, depressed, even suicidal, and how a simple post made them re-think what they were feeling and gave them a glimmer of hope.

I was told recently, by a follower in London, how one of my posts opened up a door for her to feel again, after turning to drugs to numb the pain. I know that pain and darkness. I am reminded with these uplifting stories of change, which even though some followers might be too scared or shy to leave a comment, the message of hope still gets through. Everyone needs hope. It is in those dark moments in life that sometimes something as silly as an Instagram post can be all that is needed to believe again.

photo by Kerri Verna

What do you hope people will come away with when taking one of your classes or workshops?

In my workshops, I want people to be inspired. It may seem silly to some when I say “learning to handstand can change your life” but I believe this is absolutely true. Learning to face fear and overcome feelings of unworthiness or unbelief can absolutely change you for the better. Taking the lessons from your yoga practice into your personal and business life will change how you do things.

I use to be afraid of everything. I would never have believed earlier in life, that I would inspire people and be teaching them how to handstand.

I am proof that anything is possible. If you want to change your life, no matter what your circumstances are, you can. Overcoming the fear of what’s blocking you from changing is the first step.

You clearly like the beach . . . How has turning the beach into your own personal yoga studio benefited you and your students?

I began teaching at the beach almost five years ago and it has been such a blessing. The elements offer a lesson that can’t be taught indoors. You will learn patience and surrender each time you want to brush sand off your towel or body. When it begins to rain or the wind blows hard, you find out how tolerant your nature is. The beach is a magical setting for the practice of yoga. No walls or floors to limit you, and no mirrors to reflect what you may be thinking about yourself. It is just you and nature.

Beach yoga is a practice about total surrender to move in union with the environment. It will teach you everything you need to know about what is going on inside you. The lessons learned on the sand can impact your life both in and outside the practice.

Tell us about the Pro Plus?

The Pro Plus Yoga Wheel is a patent pending product that I have been developing for over two years. I had used yoga wheels and back stretchers, but for someone with tight shoulders those products never addressed all my issues. I also LOVE core work and knew there was a way to combine strength and stretching into just one product.

Since I am a mom, yoga teacher and entrepreneur, I have little time to do everything. The Pro Plus is a simple, effective way to stretch and strengthen the entire body. I am developing classes as well, which should come out by the end of 2016. To find out more go to www.yogaprowheel.com.

Favorite quote to live by?

What someone else thinks of me is none of my business.

Tell us about your upcoming handstands and backbends workshop at the Yoga Joint? Where can people sign up?

I’m so excited to be coming to the Yoga Joint North Studio again on November 5th. Teaching and sharing my love for yoga is by far my biggest passion in life. All levels can sign up by going to my website www.beachyogagirl.com.

photo by Agathe Padovani

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Crystals and the 3 Gunas of Nature “ Just as a house may be fitted with a copper rod to absorb the shock of lightning, so the bodily temple can be protected in certain ways… the most effected of all are faultless jewels…” ~ Paramahansa Yogananda quoting his teacher, Sri Yukteswar

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he philosophy of yoga is the philosophy, of universal truth. For it is said, as one has attained the consciousness of unification, there is no knowledge to which the enlightened one cannot be privy.

We now know that when Einstein developed his Theory of Relativity, he mathematically revealed that everything is made up of the same ‘stuff,’ (aka energy) proving what the ancient wisdom traditions have been saying all along. In the words of Yogananda, “The difference between matter and Spirit is the rate of vibration – a difference of degree, not of kind”.

The ancients referred to this differentiation of energy as maya and further classified these in terms of the three Gunas: sattvic (spirit), rajasic (mental) and tamasic (earthy).

This triangulation of nature is beautifully expressed by the following analogy using the compound H2O in its 3 states: steam (sattvic), liquid (rajasic) and ice (tamasic). All three are made up of H2O, but appear, based upon the molecular rate of vibration to be three different things altogether.

Peering more deeply into this idea of ‘energetic differentiation,’ we can turn, again to H2O and the lifetime research of Dr. Masuro Emoto, whose water crystal experiments showed repeatedly that the energetic fields of words (sattvic) have direct correlation to how crystalline structures will form when water moves into its more tamasic

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BY MICHELLE MARTIN

state (ice). Water, after being exposed to words was photographed as it moved from liquid into its solid state. Positive, expansive words such as love or gratitude produced beautifully formed, symmetrical crystals, whereas negative, constrictive words, such as war or hate produced malformed crystals.

Since natural rock crystals, like quartz form by building an internal lattice structure beginning with a single microscopic crystal over millions of years, we can deduce, based upon Emoto’s research that the energetic fields influencing the crystal’s growth must have been positive and expansive in nature, for had it been otherwise, the crystal formations that would have been produced would have been disfigured and the internal lattice work would have collapsed in on itself due to lack of structural integrity.

It is interesting to consider natural rock crystals to be the tamasic expression of divinely emanated energies or consciousness that are positive and expansive in nature. Much in the same way many religious traditions have used a pantheon of deities to depict certain qualities of the Unlimited Divine – i.e., Shiva, the Destroyer, Kwan Yin, Compassionate Mother, Ra, sun God (and the list goes on and on), so, too varieties of crystals embody the very frequencies of the Divine emanations such as love, (Rose Quartz), spiritual growth (Amethyst), angelic blessings (Selenite) …again, a very large list.

Just as being in the presence of an enlightened one can open the devotee to new levels of awareness within themself, so perhaps being in the presence of crystals and stones can help shift our own frequencies to resonate more with ideas of the Divine, delivering us to new vistas of awareness…well, at least this is what the ancients have been saying all along.

The Seaside Sutras

By Nikki ‘Harini’ Bruno

Practicing Patience T he summation of life lessons I’ve learned from sailing can be contained in this popular quote: “You can’t change the wind, you can only adjust the sails.” Lately, I haven’t had the fortune of having much wind to change! That being said, light to no breeze requires an adjustment as much as a sprayfoam gale does. Whatever force nature imparts on you, acceptance is your only option.

In this way, nature becomes our teacher. If we try to resist the path it is leading us down, it will find a way to lead us right back - forcibly if it must. When we practice yoga, sometimes a teacher leads the way, but your true teacher is your own body. Just as in light breeze, where

gaining distance is slow and painful, so may our yoga practice seem to dread on.

We might strain to align our bodies, or frustratingly chase our focus when we meditate.

In these moments our true teacher talks to us, and tells us that the way forward is not so fast.

And this is just fine, because it takes time for our bodies and minds to learn the lessons that we need. Our hair and nails grow every day, but we barely notice. Our muscles and nerves grow just as slow. Moments of practice still give small gains in patience, grown from the comfort of knowing exactly where we stand. By working with nature, instead of against it, we strengthen our ability to hold

steady when forces challenge our balance. When we practice being steady where we are, it builds a solid foundation for the next level of experience.

As the month of thanksgiving commences, may we remember to be thankful that things are just as they ought to be, on the slow path that nature takes. All of our will in the world can’t make a garden grow faster. Our will can only make sure it stays strong as it grows upward.

• Steven Spielberg was rejected by the University of Southern California of Cinematic Arts multiple times.

• After Harrison Ford’s first small movie roll, an executive took him into his office and told him he’d never succeed in the movie business.

• Lady Gaga got dropped by her record label, island DEF jam, after three months. Upon receiving the news, she cried so hard she couldn’t talk.

Obviously the list could go on and on and on.

by Paige Held “The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.” – Stephen McCranie

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heard this quote recently and it really triggered something inside of me. I got to thinking about my own definition of success and failure both on and off my mat. On my yoga mat and in the studio, that’s my safe place so if I’m practicing a warrior two, or even something more advanced like a handstand and I stumble or fall, I typically just get back up, dust myself off and keep going in the class. I don’t harp on it and cry, I don’t roll up my mat and walk out, I don’t give up on myself just because I fell out of one yoga pose.

Although rejection feels lousy, try to remember the bigger picture of what your are trying to create in your life. Just like we heal an injury in our bodies, yoga and other tools can help us heal the psychological injures within. Let the falls in life be the very stepping stones for the growth. Learn to ride the knocks of life , instead of letting them pull you under.

Not one person in the whole world is immune to let downs. In yoga we say practice and all is coming, In life it’s the same, practice picking yourself up after you fall and day by day by day it will get easier. Remember when you’re struggling remind yourself how many times the master has failed to get where they are now. – #nevergiveup Paige Held

Why is it that we can be vulnerable in this environment but not so much in our daily lives? I think it might have to do with the fact that humans at the core fear rejection. Rejection is a psychological trigger for most of us, something that we’ve all experienced, whether we really ever get over it is another thing.

When thinking about writing on this topic I wanted to see who in history we could read about getting “rejected” and see how it worked out for them …

• Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because his editor felt he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”

• Oprah Winfrey was publicly fired from her first television jobs as an anchor in Baltimore for getting too emotionally invested in her stories.

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TEACH

A Famous Yogi Once Said . . .

“No

act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

- Aesop

MEET Charles Siedler ... NamaStacy Yoga Corporation’s newest Teacher Training Scholarship Recipient

South Florida native Charles Siedler, grew up in Pompano Beach, and after a move to Orlando, studied business at the University of Central Florida. He fell in love with the art of yoga and after taking classes at the University’s health center, Charles continued his practice with breath work and basic yoga postures.

The stillness that yoga brought him kept him grounded during his time in college.

When he moved back home to Fort Lauderdale, he continued his yoga practice.

The physical and mental practice of yoga sparked his interest, so he started practicing full time at Anuttara Yoga Shala in Delray Beach, eventually taking their 200-hour Yoga Alliance recognized teacher training program to better his own practice.

Charles now teaches a traditional vinyasa flow to modern music. He believes that incorporating modern music and pop culture to yoga could potentially introduce people to yoga who otherwise would not try it. Starting with helping one student, he believes the whole world could benefit.

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Florida’s Premier Yoga Event

Yoga Journal LIVE! Florida 4 Days, 25+ Master Teachers, 100+ Classes, and new On-Site Trainings at the Diplomat Resort and Spa on November 11-14

October 10, 2016 — (Boulder, CO).

Experience the world’s finest yoga teachers at Yoga Journal LIVE! Florida (yjevents.com/ fl). Beginning November 11 at the famed Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, FL, renowned yogis Dharma Mittra, Shiva Rea, Colleen Saidman Yee, Rodney Yee, Seane Corn and others will offer 100 plus classes, workshops, and on-site trainings for all levels and styles of yoga.

Yoga Journal LIVE! Florida highlights at a glance: (see full details at yjevents.com/fl) • Keynote Address: Danielle LaPorte, #Truthbombs (November 11). Join this inspirational keynote conversation with bestselling author of The Desire Map. Part compassionate coach, part hilarious girlfriend with guts, and known for her “kick-a#$ spirituality,” LaPorte will inspire you to be real about who you are, what you want, and how to start. Join her keynote and start your own self-styled spiritual journey.

• Get Out of Your Body and On To Your Yoga Mat with Jessamyn Stanley (November 12). Celebrate your body and join this rousing dialogue and inclusive high-energy vinyasa yoga flow fueled by body love and positivity.

Learn to ask yourself “How Do I Feel?” rather than “How Do Look?”, and ultimately transform the way you experience yoga and yourself.

• Live Coaching for RYTs: The Art of Teaching (November 11-13) helps yoga teachers make dramatic leaps in their teaching and leadership skills. In this threeday mentoring program, teachers get oneon-one feedback from master yogis Coral

Brown, Alexandria Crow and Giselle Mari as they attend sessions of their choosing at the main event along with exclusive mentoring sessions.

• Ayurveda 101 for Yogis (November 11).

The secret to enriching your day with more energy, clarity, and motivation is Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old Indian system of healing.

Attendees will experience these time-tested tools in a full day Ayurvedic retreat led by Larissa Hall Carlson, Dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda and yoga teacher.

• Business of Yoga (November 9-11). A 3-day business-building program for yoga instructors who are serious about taking their career to the next level. By the end of the workshop, yoga teachers will complete a website, headshot, yoga photos from top yoga photographers, and more. Taught by Justin Michael Williams and Karen Mozes.

• 4-day Main Event (November 11-14).

Comprised of All classes Thursday - Sunday plus evening classes, keynote, and special events Event Pass options include 4-day, 2-day, 1-day, and a 3-class pass. Additional class options include Full Day Workshops, Half Day Workshops, and On-site Training for CE credits throughout the event.

• The Yoga Market featuring 40+ indie, artisanal, and national brands with the best in clothing, jewelry, and more. Plus, FREE community activities, including children’s classes, community yoga, Fashion show and Happy Hours are open to the general public in the Sangha Space.

Event Costs: From $99 to $1050.

See www.YJEVENTS.com for more info.

For more information or to register, go to www.yjevents.com/fl or call 800-561-9398.

Presenting Partners: Gaia Herbs, Kripalu, Learning Journeys, Lorissa’s Kitchen, MindBody, Spiritual Gangster, and Zebra

MEDITATION

101

BY CARY BAYER

THE YOGA TEACHINGS OF CATS

Storyboard Squad - Cat on woman doing yoga - bandofartists.com

L

ife teaches us lessons in myriad ways if our eyes and our ears are open enough to receive them. Sometimes, we need to have our mind and our heart open as well. I absorbed some important lessons just the other night at a gathering of a dozen conscious folks. What taught me was not their spirituality; it was the hostess’s cat. We two-legged folks might have been chanting, but the four-legged one was enchanting.

She was a pretty long hair with lovely green eyes, whose grace and self-esteem imparted life lessons wordlessly, much like the Buddha’s famous Flower Sermon. Amidst meditations, prayers and philosophy, this furry Buddha was teaching Feline Yoga. It wasn’t the devotional songs (kirtan) that drew the most devotion from one and all; it was the regal bearing of little Kitty that - no kidding - is her unpretentious Zen-like name.

A lover of cats, who’s lived with at least one for the past 28 years, I wasn’t surprised that Kitty and I hit it off instantly. I also wasn’t at all surprised that she spent a great deal of time with me, giving me the pleasure of giving her pleasure. Talk about self-esteem! Rare are the cats who don’t immediately recognize admirers, and generally make a bee—or cat—line to them.

Kitty then would strut over to another pair of hands, stay for a while, and move on. Wherever she went, fingers, attached to praying hands, reached out to stroke her. Kitty’s presence in the here-andnow in our world seemed to have greater appeal to us than our prayers to the other world.

She improved my understanding of selfesteem greatly. How? Let me count the ways.

Kitty’s Dozen Lessons to People

1) Think highly enough of yourself so that others will be attracted to you.

2) Carry yourself with grace and a touch of the regal, and others will want what you’re having.

3) Allow yourself to be pleasured, so that others will drop what they are doing to pleasure you in abundance.

4) Let others support you in untold ways.

5) Let others hold and touch you.

6) Exercise keeps you young at heart, and lively in body.

7) Nap when you feel like it; it’s good for your soul - and not bad for your body either.

8) It’s innocent to be the center of attention.

9) Since curiosity thrills the cat, it thrills you, too.

10) The more playful you are, the more you’re loved and the more you prosper.

11) Most of all, when you’re happy, let the whole world know it and purr . . . er . . . smile away.

12) Relax and let go of the fear of death - you have at least eight more lives.

I didn’t count letting others flush your litter box deposit into the toilet. You’re probably happy enough with your own plumbing.

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FOOD • NUTRITION Vegan Meat and Cheese Deli to Open in Miami Early Next Year

(latestvegannews.com) – Delis that deal in animal products are so five years ago. The new breed of butcher carves plants — not animals — and that’s the theme of Atlas Meat-Free Deli, a fullservice vegan deli opening soon in Miami, Florida.

The new spot will launch in Miami’s Little River District in early 2017. The shop will sell all the usual delicatessen fare — sliced meats and cheeses by the pound, fresh sausages, burgers (on pretzel buns, no less!), piled-high pastrami on ryes, rib tips, meatball subs, salads, et al. All of the deliciousness, none of the cruelty.

The idea started in 2014 when owner Ryan Bauhaus opened the first incarnation of the deli inside Hollywood’s Yellow Green Farmer’s Market. A former cook (and carnivore), Bauhaus was disappointed in the plant-based meats and cheeses on the market. So, he decided to create his own fresh recipes.

Since then, he’s expanded his product line, gotten his handcrafted meats and cheeses into local eateries — and earned a reputation for making carnivore-friendly comfort food.

The new Miami storefront will have the same kinds of specials, with even more additions to the menu. It’ll also host brunches, BBQs, live music, and other events.

For more visit www.atlasmeatfreedeli.com

OPTIMAL NOURISHMENT

I

n yogic tradition, and what we are learning in the latest nutritional science, is that all calories are not equal. Every calorie does not pack the same punch. In yogic tradition food is classified as sattvic, rajassic or tamasic to describe how effective it is at nourishing you.

In modern nutrition we are speaking about “functional foods” as a way of expressing the most vital regenerating diet. From the point of view of tradition, sattvic foods would be functional foods. Let’s think about why you want to choose sattvic most of the time.

Sattvic foods nourish us easily and leave no toxic residue in our body. In fact this category of food cleanses the body, taking out with its healthy soluble and insoluble fresh fibers; the dirt. This category of food is all fruits and vegetables, herbs, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, lentils and grass-fed ghee and milk.

“

Eating quality plant foods is

your best health insurance policy.”

- Dr. Francesco Borella

Some natural sweeteners like honey are acceptable, but my personal preferences are coconut sugar, yacon syrup and of course everything as organic as possible. Always try and use the freshest possible foods, as they pack vitality, antioxidant action and an enzymatic activity, which is the fundamental distinction of sattvic/functional food. They are alive!

I hope you can see why a calorie from fresh vital foods does not equal a calorie from Kentucky fried chicken. The metabolic cascade of effects which take place from a calorie from fresh vital sattvic food rich in antioxidants and the calorie which comes tamasic fried dead saturated fat are not the same. And they never will be! Nope!!

So one creates a strong constitution by consistently feeding themselves quality food over a long period of time. Dr. Francesco Borella who showed me the road to “food as medicine” said, “Eating quality plant foods is your best health insurance policy!” I believe that because 30 years later my vitality and vibrant energy comes from having done exactly that all these years, and not by paying premiums. I have seen myself and other people achieve all kinds of amazing results with just the food they eat. It seems if you get that right, everything else seems to fall into place.

Finally western medicine has recognized the importance of Hippocrates’s request of, “Let food be thy medicine!” and are actively

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BY DENISE GIRARD

establishing functional medicine programs which include a serious look at your nutrition.

Dr. Mark Hyman who advocates a plant-based diet is now the Director of the Cleveland Clinic. One of his first goals is to get the fast food concessions out of the hospitals. Fast food is tamasic food and the antithesis of nourishment.

Personally, I have delved into rajasic foods, which are the warrior foods but very little if any tamasic foods. They just don’t feel right in my body. I don’t find their smell or taste appealing except for pizza, which I simply don’t eat or I get the real thing and have a day of the dead party with some good red wine, another warrior food like garlic, onion and red meat. So it’s really not about following rules, it’s more about feeling the effects of the way food feels being digested. Does it create energy or does it make you want to sleep? Are you excited and anxiety ridden?

To sum it up: Sattvic food will create a peaceful, balanced healthy mind and body.

Ragassic will give you some piss n vinegar, and tamasic foods will potentially kill you.

Our bodies are true alchemists that manage to tweak out life from dead materials albeit warped and degraded in quality eventually with degenerative diseases. If you know that the food you eat equals the energy you have, then for me the choice is simple. I choose the foods that make me feel great for the short and long term. Namaste

South Florida'’s Yoga Bulletin Board

www.TodaysYoga.com

South Florida VegFest Kicks Off

War Memorial Auditorium Event Set For December 3 Being a vegan has never been more celebrated then it is today. So much so, that Kyle Michaud, president of Experience Expositions decided to have a festival in honor of it. VegFest is an event that is happening in Fort Lauderdale on December 3, 2016, and Today’s Yoga Magazine had a chance to sit down with Kyle to learn more about the event.

What is South Florida VegFest all about?

It’s an entirely vegan festival that showcases plant-based cuisine and cruelty-free products that are part of a vegan lifestyle – but ultimately the festival is all about food, community, and entertainment.

Vegan food is more often than not of an exceptional quality and flavor, simply because it has to stand out and compete in a fierce food market and often has to win over skeptics. That vegan burger has been created with a lot more thought and care than your normal meat burger – and that’s why it tastes so good.

‘Vegan’ has grown enormously over the years, why do you think it appeals to so many people?

Not long ago, to utter the word ‘vegan’ conjured images of an intolerant community; of evangelical preachers who could cast an accusing glare even at vegetarians. However, attitudes on both sides have developed, there is far more understanding and open-mindedness that has led to exploration and encouragement. The atmosphere at VegFest is very open and welcoming. No one is there to judge!

As much as it’s welcoming to those who are looking to dabble in vegan and vegetarianism, and those new to certain ideas and food, it’s an equally fantastic event for those already

vegan and vegetarian. VegFest is a chilled-out event where everyone can relax and enjoy the atmosphere and not have to worry about asking about where food is from, as it’s a guarantee that everything is ethical and 100% vegan.

The whole weekend caters to everyone: your youngest might be engrossed in the various kid’s activities, your ethical teenager will find plenty of talks to attend and clothes to buy; mom can pick up some tips as to what to cook her fussy teenager and dad can chill out with a burger and a beer and let the music wash over him.

Tell us about your other events!

Experience Expositions also produces 2 other events; The Yoga Expo & Women Empower Expo. All three events share in the mission to uplift and inspire our communities to be the best version of ourselves.

What is your favorite food?

I’m a burger guy. Vegan burgers are deliciously crafted, energized and light!

You have inspired many people to rethink and change their attitude to food; who has been your greatest inspiration?

I believe in people and ideas, I also am a firm believer in role models. I’m a Big Brother for Big Brothers Big Sisters and I really am motivated by our future and teaching them the right things. I believe in inspiring by doing.

What’s a top place for vegan chow in South Florida?

Green Bar & Kitchen – great for grain bowls and veg burgers!

Where is VegFest going to be held, and how do we get tickets?

VegFest is going to be on December 3, 2016, starting at 12pm. It will be held at the War Memorial Auditorium (800 NE 8th St. in Fort Lauderdale). You can purchase your tickets from http://southfloridavegfest.com/info

The Yoga of Entertainment Higher Consciousness in Pop Culture

The Yoga of Entertainment: Higher Consciousness in Pop Culture, a new book by Todays Yoga Magazine columnist and Life Coach Cary Bayer has just been published

by Heaven on Earth Publishing of Hillsboro Beach, FL. Bayer has been a contributor to the magazine, writing his column “Meditation 101.”

The 191page book features 49 chapters, which provide insights into how TV shows, movies, songs, comedians, and comic books give expression to higher states of consciousness.

What’s more, it offers new ways of appreciating how entertainers are attempting to not only lift your spirits but to awaken your Spirit, as well.

The new volume profiles such entertainers as the Beatles, Robin Williams, and Jim Carrey, among others. It also reviews such spiritual films as Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, and Groundhog Day. TV programs like Seinfeld, Modern Family and The Twilight Zone are also seen from a Yogic point of view. The same goes for superheroes like Superman, Batman, and the Green Lantern.

Chapter titles in the film section include “Moving Heaven & Seas: Finding Nemo;” Benjamin Button & the Best of Both Worlds;” “Field of Dreams & The Field of all Possibilities.”

The music section features such chapters as “Broadway Yoga: Songs that Point to Awakening;” and “Pop Music, Transcendence, & Meditation,” while the comedians section includes “Stand-up Consciousness: Comedians as Philosophers,” and “The Marx Brothers: Comedy that Destroys.”

Cary Bayer is a Life Coach in Florida and New York, who’s worked with Oscar-winners Alan Arkin and Pietro Scalia, and Emmywinner Judy Henderson and comic/director David Steinberg.

Bayer has also been a regular humor columnist for National Lampoon, Media People and New York Sports, and has had his humor featured in countless other publications. The Yoga of Entertainment: Higher Consciousness in Pop Culture, is available for $20, plus $3 for shipping and handling either from http://carybayer. com/meditation.html; by email at successaerobics@aol.com, or by calling (845) 664-1883.

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YOGA , INC Oska Pulse

THE 9-5 YOGI

BY STEPHANIE GADALETA

FINDING YOGA SPACE IN YOUR WORKPLACE

Workout Pain?

Relief at Last

For a limited time, purchase an Oska Pulse for $349. $50 off the regular $399 retail price (plus free shipping).

To order visit oskapainfree.com or call 844-317-4433. Mention yoga15 to receive your discount.

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Like many of you out there, I am a yogi/ teacher, who works a 9-5 job Monday through Friday in an office. While many of my cohorts at work have a spacious, private work area complete with a door, I reside in a very open space with cubicle walls that barely reach my shoulders. This used to bother my introverted self, but now I have come to enjoy the interaction opportunities and inclusive energy it brings.

I know I am not alone in stating that I more than frequently get the urge to “stop, drop, and yoga”- but it might feel a bit inappropriate to frequently bust into a downward facing dog or seated meditation. Also finding the space to do so can be hard when there are coworkers, customers/ clients, and boss’s constantly meandering aboutbut trust me it’s doable.

So how can we bring yoga to our workplace?

And how can we find time to incorporate it into our workflow when sitting at our desk/standing on our feet is our constant? Here are a few options to help you throughout your workday: Set an intention. Find a sip of stillness and gift (yes GIFT) yourself an intention for your day.

Some examples: “equanimity”, “I am equipped to handle everything that comes into my path today”, or my favorite “let that shit go”…. you get the picture.

Breath work. Rough meeting? Did you fall into a time warp while responding to your hundreds of emails? Noticing our breath (pranayama) coming in and out is heaven on a busy workday. Bring your awareness to the steadiness or shakiness of your pranayama and take 5-10 breaths to smooth it on out. Reset yourself for success.

Gentle AHHsana. When you go to grab water, use the bathroom, or finish with a customer, take some movement. Bring your hands behind your back into your back pockets (real or imaginary) and take a gentle supported standing backbend pushing your hips outward and squeezing into your glute muscles.

Another crowd favorite is seated or standing with arms behind you, with clasped hands.

Squeeze your shoulders back and down, crown lifts, and open up heart center. This will undo any rounding of shoulders from being on technology, computers, (cough social media cough) or poor posture. Take what feels good and what makes you feel comfortable in your environment.

Like any teacher tells us in class, take what YOU need. Work isn’t an exception, so take modifications to YOUR day as needed.

Love and Light.

Nicole Bowdler:

Interviewed by Lynzy Ferris

INTERVIEW WITH AN ARCHANGEL Nicole Bowdler is a yogini who talks to Angels. She is an extremely gifted channel for Archangel Metatron who came into her life when she was 14. He activated her path as a physical medium and helped her attune to multi-dimensional reality. The Angelic mission here on Earth is to help humanity remember their Divine Self. The divine remembrance of humanity is love, unity, and abundance for all of creation.

Hi Nicole! Will you start by telling us about Archangel Metatron? Who is he as an Archangel and what does he specialize in?

SURE! Archangel Metatron specializes in truth, your truth, and talents you wish to share with the world. He came to Earth during one incarnation as the prophet Enoch, who was the great-great grandfather of Noah and Abraham. Although Archangels do not adhere to a religious text, they want to show their lineage through stories, much like the Vedas of the Yoga Science.

Archangel Metatron is your biggest supporter in the ethers. He will change reality around and give you the building blocks to success. Also, he enjoys teaching people about the Universal Mind and the Collective Consciousness to help navigate your life path and create change on a global scale.

Archangel Metatron oversees all of creation and had his hand in creating this specific universe. He is also the scribe of the heavens and will watch over humanity, carefully taking notes while translating intelligence back to the Angelic Realm. The purpose of this is to help the collective move forward and learn from their actions.

How can we work with him to help us throughout our everyday lives?

Focus. He encourages deep focus and direction. Metatron will not do the work for you. Ask questions of him and you will receive action steps to implement into your chosen reality.

If we’re ready to embark on our life’s purpose yet seek guidance, does Archangel Metatron have any advice to give us?

Trust yourself. By trusting yourself, your innate wisdom will be revealed and all will be well. There is ALWAYS a miracle behind every experience in life. Your job as a conscious human is to figure out exactly what that is.

What does the Archangel suggest for how to show more love, kindness, and compassion to one another?

Just be you. That is it. When you peel back the layers of “human”, you will find that your heart only wants to express love, kindness, and compassion. Any separation of that is a fallacy.

What content will your forecasts include and why should our readers be keen on following up with them?

The monthly forecast will be a collective of topics, shifts in humanity, how to implement guidance and reveal your truth. The Angels will know in advance who is reading the specific content and will tailor it to the needs of the community.

“

There is ALWAYS a miracle behind every experience in life.”

- Nicole Bowdler

(How) Does yoga help us when it comes to receiving messages and divine guidance?

Every asana is a prayer to the divine within.

Practice yoga and the guidance of your divine self-streams forth. Messages will naturally appear and you will understand reality.

If we are looking for more information on Archangel Metatron and your services, what will we find on your website, metatronangel. com?

You will find a description of my services, how to get in touch with me on social media and examples of my work. I am a physical medium, which means I go into a trance and allow the Angels to speak directly to you. The energetics in a session alone will transform your life. We would be honored to work with you! Namaste.

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FASHION

Bitsy Bottoms Beautiful

Amanda Lippman Brings Dream and Desire to Yoga Apparel Hi Amanda! We are excited to hear about your awesome yoga apparel company, Bitsy Bottom! Will you first tell us how you got into practicing yoga?

The yoga room became my sanctuary when I needed to find some solace and peace during a traumatic time in my life. It was the first time I was able to spend so much time in my own thoughts and get deep. It was the only time my phone wasn’t allowed near me. I had no distractions. That was in 2005 and my love for the practice has only grown. It has no doubt changed my mind, body and life.

What made you decide to create your own yoga apparel company?

Driven by a dream and the desire to find stylish and affordable yoga clothes, I began designing the perfect hot yoga shorts that would cover my “bitsy bottom” and still be comfortable, fashionable and sexy. Bitsy Bottom was born with the goal of making quality active wear available to everyone

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wanting to look and feel more “bootyful”.

When my partners joined, they came with a plan to build the brand, expand the line and helped facilitate this exciting venture.

How and where did you initially start selling your Bitsy Bottoms?

I designed them and had a local seamstress create them. I initially started selling them out of the second bedroom in my apartment and out of the trunk of my car!

What can you tell us about the new leggings and capri designs that you have added to your line of apparel?

The leggings and capris have changed the game for us. We launched them this past spring and are thrilled with the positive response. It’s so awesome to be able to dress those who don’t feel comfortable in the shorts. We can provide them with the “booty scrunch” design we are known for, with more coverage. We’ve created products that we love and are excited to wear on a daily basis in and out of the studio.

Amanda Lippman, Jaime Hidalgo, Yadira Sussman

Besides Bitsy Bottom being great yoga wear for all types of hot and non-hot yoga, what makes Bitsy Bottom lovable to all of our yoginis?

Bitsy Bottom is all about style, comfort and versatility. Our shorts have adjustable ties for preferred coverage and can also be worn for SUP yoga and watersports. Our leggings can be worn over the heel and our lotus pants can also be worn as a strapless romper. Our smooth fabric, bold prints and signature booty scrunch set us apart from the rest.

Lastly, what words of inspiration about the practice, and following your dreams would you like to tell the South Florida yoga community?

You are never too young, too old, too weak or too inexperienced to follow your dreams.

Ever. It’s all a choice – Choose You! www.bitsybottom.com

TRAVEL • RETREATS

Yoga Room Welcomed at Miami International Airport

Area Hindus have applauded the launching of the Yoga Room at Miami International Airport.

“The Yoga Room is a tranquil space devoted to practicing yoga”, a Miami International announcement stated. Located in Terminal H, it is open daily from 9am to 9pm.

Calling it a step in a positive direction for Miami International, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, urged all top world airports to provide yoga facilities for their passengers if they wanted to help reduce their stress levels and be “world-class” airports. Zed urged Miami International authorities to keep the Yoga Room open round-the-clock and invite local yoga studios and teachers to hold occasional free yoga classes there for the passengers, employees, vendors and visitors.

Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, noted.

Rajan Zed further said that yoga, although introduced and nourished

by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

According to the US National Institute of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and

get rid of stress. According to “2016 Yoga in America Study”, about 37 million Americans (which included many celebrities) now practice yoga; and yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self image. Yoga was the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed added.

Founded in 1928, awards winner Miami International is the secondbusiest US airport for international passengers and top US airport for international freight. In 2015, it serviced 44.3 million passengers and 2,172,676 tons of freight.

THE YOGA CHRONICLES

BY MICHELLE TAMBLYN

POWERFUL MESSENGERS

BALANCING YOUR EMOTIONS WITH YOGA

O

ne of the most frequently asked questions I receive as a yoga teacher is about the concept of emotions stored in different areas of our body and how yoga postures can help to release them. In a Yin type of practice where poses are held for a longer period of time and the deeper tissues are accessed, it is not only physical feelings in the body, but also strong emotions that are experienced.

When we experience an emotional reaction to a situation, the body tenses and tightens. If we are not able to express and release our emotions associated with the event, the body will remain tense causing the tissues to become dry and increasingly inflexible. Emotions held in the body block our energy and create holding patterns.

Once the emotion is released, it frees up the energy bringing us into a more balanced state.

In Yin Yoga, the stress created through the postures in different areas of our bodies stimulates various meridian lines which stimulates the flow of energy throughout the body. The meridians connect to our organs.

Organs are the home of emotions. Hip opening poses, frequently part of a Yin practice, generally access the Gall Bladder meridian and the Liver which is the home of anger and frustration.

These are common emotions to surface while holding such a posture. On a deeper level, the Gall Bladder also relates to our passion for life, feeling

inspired, taking action, and being assertive.

It is possible to design a Yin sequence to access the meridians connected with the Organ containing a particular emotion you are having.

A series of back bends will help to confront fear, working into the Kidneys, which are the home of fear and wisdom. By addressing your fears you are increasing your wisdom.

Scientific research now shows a connection between the mind, body, and the brain. The emotional operation that is mainly in the brain, endocrine, and immune systems is a biochemical process that affects all organs. The emotions and thoughts are the glue that unites the body and the brain.

Emotions cause the release of peptides, or information carrying molecules, that move throughout the body to regulate a wide variety of feelings such as pleasure and pain.

These peptides travel through extracellular fluid (or fluid that is outside the cells) to specific receptors on the cells to deliver messages that impact how we respond to and experience our world. The receptor transmits the message from the surface of the cell to the interior which can then change the state of the cell. This can result in changes in our mental state, behavior, beliefs, and expectations as well as physical activity.

There are more than sixty kinds of peptide molecules related to emotions. Depending on

how much of a particular peptide you have actively working in your body will directly affect your emotional experiences.

Emotional imbalances can be addressed through your yoga practice. We control our emotions through contracting and tightening.

Through movement we release this tension and allow our feelings to surface. By releasing the tension in our bodies, our energy is able to flow into areas that were previously blocked. As a result, we have a greater feeling of balance in our emotional state.

A regular practice can help you maintain this balance and begin to work through longer held patterns of emotional blockages so you can create new, more healthful patterns of expression.

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The Eight Limb Path to live your life as a yogi…

by Leslie Glickman

T

he Eight Limb Path laid out by Patanjali for yoga is not only a way of discovering this magical and ancient practice, but also a way of living consciously. This is a lifelong process and must be taken in baby steps. Come on this journey with me one issue at a time and discover the simple yet profound insights in this teaching. I will challenge you to look at ways that you can incorporate these concepts into your life. One in each issue and I will ask that you do the work over the next few weeks to become more consciously aware of how you live. Are you really practicing yoga on and off the mat?

The first step in this journey is called the yama’s: They are broken into five distinct teachings and I will begin in this issue with the very first one.

Ahimsa: literally means “non-harming” I can understand how this would be an important concept to learn as a yogi, of course we do not want to do any harm to ourselves or others, but what does that really mean? Can we really live a life that has no negative consequences?

Our daily existence on this planet has an impact in some way. Just think about driving your car daily, what you eat, products we use?

As a teacher, I believe it is important to be very careful with our words so let’s look at non-harming as our ability to do the least amount of harm possible. One of the most important things that I have learned from yoga is balance, nothing to the extreme. So how much do we really have to drive? Can we carpool, walk or ride a bike as an alternative? When making food choices, what does the least amount of harm? That doesn’t mean that everyone must become a vegan. These concepts are to be applied both in the world and to yourself. To really understand the work of ahimsa you must apply it to everything, every day!

This month’s challenge is to take a look at the choices you make every day. What products so you use and purchase? What decisions do you make? Do you consider the feelings of others? What words do you choose to speak? Finally the hardest one, what are you thinking about yourself and others? This simple concept can become deeply profound work. This is the first step to really being a yogi! Take this month and go to work. Apply it on and off the mat.

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Hot Yogi Fest Out West

A Conversation with Lori Scott of Yoga Factory and Fitness Yoga Factory and Fitness in Weston is a popular studio with something for everyone. Not only do they offer a large variety of classes and amenities, they throw festivals too. Today’s Yoga Magazine had a chance to sit down with owner Lori Scott, to talk about her studio and her upcoming Hot Yogi Fest Out West.

Tell us about your studio “Yoga Factory and Fitness”?

Yoga Factory & Fitness is the largest hot yoga studio in West Broward. It is for all levels, from beginner to advanced. We are the only hot studio that uses a special Healthy Infrared Heating system with extreme health benefits.

We cater to six local cities surrounding us, and are the only studio offering childcare services, as well as a strong yoga program for kids. We take great pride in welcoming everyone for all level classes, especially beginners.

Your studio offers a remarkable amount of variety. Tell us about the different types of classes and services Yoga Factory offers.

We have a wide variety of classes both heated and non heated for all levels. From our Factory Vinyasa Flow to our Deep Stretch and Yin classes, we use external heat and humidity to safely go deeper into the postures.

Students are guided through our Factory Flow, a dynamic yoga sequence that will warm up the body with a diverse range of poses for all levels providing a complete practice with a cool down and savasana that will leave you feeling blissful.

We also offer childcare services, kids yoga, non heated yoga, plenty of parking, showers and we are the only studio in Florida using the infratech infrared healthy heating.

POSE OF THE MONTH

The Gonzoulay Family We are a blended family that got married in March of 2014. We blended our family names and call ourselves the Gonzoulay family.

Our family started practicing yoga about 3 years ago. We are all self-taught, home-practicing yogis. We mostly practice vinyasa and power yoga. Mom and Dad love to acro yoga whenever we can. The 4 men in the house also practice jiu jitsu regularly. Mathew just received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Mom is working on her 200-hour YTT certification at Yoga Aura. All our family vacations include yoga photo bombs now. We love how yoga has brought us closer as a family and adds more positive vibes in our home.

Dad: Uriel Gonzalez (right downdog base) • Mom: Nancy Sol Azoulay (left downdog base) • Oldest: Lucas Gonzalez - 13 years old (on top of the downdog pyramid) • Youngest: Noah Gonzalez - 10 years old (on the left of the photo in wheel) Middle: Mathew Hughes - 11 years old (on the right of the photo in wheel)

Send us your pic! In your post:

• Get creative! • How has it possibly improved your life in some way?

• Let us know how yoga makes you feel! • #potmc and tag @todaysyogamagazine We will choose a few each month to be featured on www.TodaysYoga.com AND we’ll choose one unique pic to feature in the printed issue of Todays Yoga Magazine ! Thanks again Yogis!

What made you decide to start Hot Yogi Fest Out West?

I attended Kieth Fox’s Festival in East Ft. Lauderdale and thought to myself, ‘What an awesome way to bring the community together and create a healthy fun day of love and awareness.’ Later that day, a local teacher from out west asked why we don’t have one in Western Broward. I laughed and said, ‘I don’t know, let’s create one!’ And so it began! I immediately got to work on building one out West.

The response from both the City of Weston and Sunrise, as well as parks and recreation, was greatly received and so “Hot Yogi Fest Out West” was born! It is our honor now to hold our 2nd Annual Yoga Fest Out West on Dec 10th! What a great way to introduce health and wellness, while creating unity and strength among communities.

What can people expect at your upcoming Hot Yogi Fest Out West event on December 10th?

FUN, YOGA AND MORE FUN & YOGA! We will have ongoing yoga classes all day with some of the top local instructors in the industry sharing their love for yoga. If you’re a beginner, it doesn’t matter, come explore, the day is for EVERYONE! There will also be live music, non-stop shopping from local vendors, food trucks, sound healing, motivational speakers, Dharma talks, meditation, drumming circles, Reiki & massage, kids yoga, Y-Fit kids zone plus much more. There will even be a special visit from Santa. It will be a great healthy day for family & fun.

What do you hope people come away with from your studio and your upcoming event?

Our studio: We guarantee you’ll feel more confident, more at peace, calmer, happier and leave with a whole new uplifted attitude.

From there, the magic begins!

Hot Yogi Fest Out West: A fun day full of family, friends, shopping, new experiences and a whole lot of YOGA! Any advice to someone who is new to yoga?

YOGA IS FOR EVERYONE! All you have to do is build up the courage to SHOW UP! We welcome and love when beginner yogi’s walk through our doors. We get to sit back and observe their amazing transformations! No matter what size, condition, or age, I promise you, the benefits of yoga are life changing!

Where is Hot Yogi Fest Out West being held and how do we get tickets?

Hot Yogi Fest Out West is being held at Weston Regional Park in Weston on Saturday, December 10th from 9am to 4pm.

Get your tickets at http://yogafactoryfitness. com/weston-yogi-fest/ november 2016

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ON THE HORIZON mind remains alert and calm. All are welcome — no previous experience needed. $30. 561-735-7172 visit www. simplyyogadelray.com

november 3 Shakti Dance™: The Yoga of Dance.

Dance with your Soul & Spread Love 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM EDT I Love Yoga Studio 2980 Griffin Road #4 in Fort Lauderdale $35 – $45 november 4 Copy of Get Your Pink On!!!

by OM Yoga & Wellness Studios LLC 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT Om Yoga & Wellness, 410 Northwood Road in West Palm Beach Join our donation-based class for Breast Cancer Awareness. All proceeds benefit the Sari Centre. november 5 Free Clinic - Twisted Crow...a Guide to Side Crow with Naya Rappaport Yoga Journey Studio, 1950 Glades Road, Boca Raton in the Wyndham Hotel (5th floor) 4-5pm This free workshop is open to all students.

Naya will explain and break down the warm up, preparation, variation and modifications for side crow. Come with curiosity, an open mind and no expectations. www.yogajourney.com november 5 Yoga Alignment and Adjustments Workshop with Alex Halenda 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT Red Pearl Yoga 918 NE 20th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale $45 – $60

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november 5 Yoga & Yolks-With Terry Allen

by Shooters Waterfront 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EDT Shooters Waterfront, 3033 Northeast 32nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale Taryn Allen will offer a free 60-minutes all-level yoga class on Saturdays. Bring your own yoga mat and towel.

Reservations required as space is limited: Save your spot by registering here on the Eventbrite page or by emailing Tatiana@ shooterswaterfront.com FREE november 5, 12, 19, 26 Yoga Journey in the Park with Leslie Glickman. Every Saturday at Sanborn Square Park, Federal Hwy, Downtown Boca Raton 9 - 10 am. Free Weekly Community Yoga Event. november 5-6 Florida Flow Fest 2016 Workshop passes on sale now! This festival is free, but to get the most out of it you’ll need a workshop pass! Join us at Bryant Park in beautiful Lake Worth for 2 days of flow arts/circus arts, dance and yoga. http://floridaflowfest.com/ november 6 Yoga Nidra with Live Music at Simply Yoga from 4-5:30pm Yoga Nidra with the blissful live music of Richard Brookens, to transport you into your “yogic sleep”. Yoga Nidra is a form of guided relaxation, experiencing deep rest in the body, while the

november 6 Meditation Workshop with Anna Crane Yoga Journey Studio, 1950 Glades Road, Boca Raton in the Wyndham Hotel (5th floor) 121:30 pm. Investment $20 Reap the benefits of seated meditation. We will explore mantra, breath & mindfulness meditation. Includes pranayama and yoga stretches to prepare for meditation. www.yogajourney.com

november 11 Morning Meditation with Donna Melanson at Yoga Journal LIVE! Florida 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM EST Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood 3555 South Ocean Drive in Hollywood Join Donna live, beachside, for a guided chakra meditation. Balancing as we shift to a more unified whole. A whole that is pure awareness with all that is.

Donna will broadcast the meditation live to her global community via www. periscope.tv/azulyoga FREE november 12 Community Class with Paige Held & Kelly Green at Yoga Journal LIVE! Florida 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM EST Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood 3555 South Ocean Drive in Hollywood

november 12 RastaYogi Tour: Ft. Lauderdale 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST 1310 Southwest 2nd Court in Fort Lauderdale. Tha Namaste Flight crew is back to 1310 Gallery in Ft. Lauderdale with a full day of yoga fun for you. The schedule will be: 10am-11:15am Chakra Flow 12pm-2pm Inversion/Hip Opener Workshop 3pm-5pm Namaste Flight Acro Workshop $20 – $70 november 13 Taoist Bowing Practice at Yoga Journal LIVE! Florida 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM EST Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood 3555 South Ocean Drive in Hollywood An ancient morning practice of humbling oneself to nature, honoring ancestors, and awakening an healing the physical body. 103 bows will be performed in a meditative style. FREE november 16 Yoga SoundXperience Harbourside Place, 200 U.S. 1 in Jupiter Held on top of the rooftop terrace overlooking the water...Imagine a yoga experience all of your own and yet jointly linked together with others around you through the transmission of sound. With the use of SoundOff LED Headset technology, Jennifer has creatively curated a vinyasa yoga class with the music mix of DJ Adam Lipson.

This experience will leave you feeling the perfect balance of energy and introspection.

Our last event SOLD OUT so get your tickets NOW! 7:00-7:30pm Check In • 7:30-8:45pm Yoga SoundXperience Class

ON THE HORIZON november 17 Adventure Awaits - Namaste-Yoga in the Natural Areas by Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM EST Yamato Scrub Natural Area 701 Clint Moore Road in Boca Raton FREE EVENT Join us for a beautiful afternoon by unwinding, lake side, under the oak trees! Participants will be led on a short hike to the wetlands at Yamato Scrub Natural Area where Certified yoga instructor Radha Devi will lead the group in a 45-minute Hatha yoga session. Total hiking distance is approximately 1/2 mile.

Please bring a yoga mat or towel and shoes to hike to the yoga spot. november 18 Raw JUCE & Yoga Journey Studio team up to present Yoga on the Third Friday of the month at Raw JUCE East Federal Hwy, Boca Raton on the rooftop 6-8 pm this month featuring Heather Berg and DJ Sal Vecchio... a new twist on HAPPY HOUR... on the Roof Top. Just another way for us to connect as a community!!!

Class begins at 6:00 pm and will be followed by fresh JUCE and light bites. Come and hang out with old friends or make new ones.

Saturday. These simple movements, practiced mindfully, will help you on your path towards restoring and optimizing your health. Cost: $10 9am

november 25 EAUmmm at EAU Spa with Nancy Gage 7:00 PM – 10:15 PM EST Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa 100 South Ocean Boulevard in Manalapan. Please Join us for our monthly EAUmmm Yoga Social Night featuring Nancy Gage owner of Yoga Path Palm Beach for an alllevels Vinaysa Yoga Flow followed by an evening of relaxation in our Self Centered Garden and Wet Lounges.

Practice with Naya 7:00PM to 8:15PM Cost $40 Purchase Ticket online or call 561-540-4960 to book by phone. november 26 TaiChi Harbourside Place, 200 U.S. 1 in Jupiter Learn how to cultivate your own “Qi” or Divine Live Force Energy through this ancient Chinese Internal Arts exercise at the waterfront amphitheater every

november 27 Crystal Singing Bowl Meditation and Chakra Balance with Tecia Linville From: 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm Simply Yoga Delray The session is $20.00 per person & is approx 90 minutes so please register online. Join Tecia Linville the last Sunday each month as she leads a meditation while playing the singing crystal bowls to balance and align your chakras. Come out an have a relaxing hour, let go of your worries and stress.

De clutter your mind and your body as the sound vibrates through your body. december 3 YogArt Basel Saturday Morning Session 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Take a Breather During Basel with us at The Sacred Space, 105 Northeast 24th Street in Miami. Join us for a unique yoga practice and leave the hustle and bustle of Art Basel weekend behind.

Class is led by Miami’s own Dawn B with musical performances by DJ Drez and Marti Nikko. A portion of the proceeds generated from YogArt ticket sales go to support local Design District MiamiDade Magnet High School, DASH.

december 3 South Florida VegFest Noon – 6:00 PM War Memorial Auditorium 800 NE 8th St, in Fort Lauderdale Vegfest is a celebration of the health, environmental, and animal welfare benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, there will be vegan food to sample and purchase, engaging speakers, exciting performers, and members from the local vegan community to answer questions and showcase what inspires them. For more info visit http:// southfloridavegfest.com december 10 Hot Yogi Fest Out West 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Weston Regional Park, 20200 Saddle Club Road in Weston. A day of health, wellness, family fun and YOGA. Created and sponsored by Yoga Factory & Fitness. For more information or to become a vendor, call 954-370-6869 or visit www.yogafactoryfitness.com Send listings to us at: calendar@todaysyoga.com

For more event listings visit TodaysYoga.com

We’re jumping for joy over our new issue!

Let us introduce you to our passionate readership and you'll be jumping for joy too!! advertise@todaysyoga.com • 844-600-YOGA november 2016

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Yoga With The Fins

Dolphins Host Event For Breast Cancer Awareness

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n Tuesday, Oct. 4, Miami Dolphins alumni and Women’s Organization Members, in partnership with the Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC), hosted an evening of yoga with cancer patients and survivors in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

“The Miami Dolphins and DCC are committed to fighting cancer of all kinds,” Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs Jason Jenkins said. “We are happy to host this event for the second year in a row and invite those who have been affected by cancer to come together and take part in a fun and relaxing evening centered around yoga.”

The event took place at the Baptist Health

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Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University. Upon arrival, the women received pink Dolphins Breast Cancer Awareness shirts and were invited to take pictures in a DCC themed photo booth.

The group then heard from Dolphins Cancer Challenge Director of Operations and Logistics Amanda Chase, pancreatic cancer survivor & DCC participant Camille Moses and Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida Oncology Exercise Physiologist Joann Santiago.

“Exercise was considered to be taboo during cancer treatment, not only in breast cancer

patients, but any cancer patient,” Santiago said. “More studies are emerging on the benefits of exercise and yoga in relationship to breast cancer patients. They’re starting to see that cancer patients can benefit from participating in physical activity. It’s exciting to be a part of an event like this and it’s something that I’m very passionate about.”

Participants then performed synchronized yoga poses while listening to relaxing music.

Dolphins alumni in attendance included Elmer Bailey, Troy Drayton, Arturo Freeman, Lousaka Polite and Twan Russell.

At the conclusion of the event, everyone received Dolphins bags filled with Miami Dolphins head bands, necklaces, breast cancer awareness bandanas and wristbands as well as Miami Cancer Institute water bottles. Pink cupcakes, fruit and granola bars from Publix also were served.

Namaste

“Love the life you live, and live the life you love.�

BOB MARLEY november 2016

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