A few things that caught my eye

Baby, mommy, photo and recreational related. Hope you enjoy and find something you like.

You name it!
This is a great website for finding baby names. Has a great search system and lots of info about origin, popularity, history…you name it! I got lots of ideas here for number two but that is a secret until he or she makes their arrival! http://www.babynamewizard.com/

Websurfing for what?
Stumbleupon.com is a pretty cool website if you are surfing the web but don't know what to surf for. Punch in your interests and let it do the work for you. Start here to see some interesting inventions, or here for some cool photos, or here for some amazing looking recipes.

Locket up
When I first became a mom I wanted a locket to hold my daughters sweet little face close. She loves asking me to open it to see herself. I found this amazing designer on-line. Sadly my budget doesn’t allow for most of these but they are still so pretty to look at. These would make a great gift for any mom. http://shop.fineartoffamily.com/default.asp

Book Exchange
Book worms on a budget check this out. A great “reuse” program for books. http://bookmooch.com/

What to do with all your digital photos?
I have used tinyprints before for announcements and invites but then I discovered that they also offer photo books (through mycanvas), and crafty ones at that. You can choose from a huge selection of pages with themes for any event you can think of. Or be like me and spend hours upon hours creating your own from scratch. It is like digital scrap booking. The only downfall is although the pages are printed on quality 100lb stock paper it is still not something I will let my daughter handle for a while. http://www.tinyprints.com/photo-books.htm

Carry your baby
I was so fortunate to have one of my students give me a sling that she designed. I love it. It is functional and wearable. Without any stings or straps to tighten or clasp it is easy and simple. Complete with a pocket and a removable hook it comes in three sizes to fit you perfectly. http://www.wahloo.com/index.php

I'm back!

I am crawling out of the black hole that has been my misery for the past 14 weeks…most call it the first trimester. Besides pulling myself together for my classes (which thankfully granola and adrenaline got me through) I have felt pretty awful. Doing as little as you could imagine in the midst of a 21 month old my husband politely tolerated my sickness making runs for french fries and soup when needed. I don’t remember it being this bad with my first pregnancy. With very little sadness I hope I never have to endure this again.

Everyone experiences pregnancy differently. For me it has been like having a hangover for 3 months, complete with the pounding headaches and need for greasy food…which has done nothing for my waist line! As I move towards the light of the second trimester I am officially out to the public which feels good. It doesn’t seem fair that you have to conceal this secret during the time when you need the most sympathy.

I have to say that I feel a little guilty about this pregnancy. Other than “feeling” it I have not focused on it as much as the first one. This is obviously because I am chasing around my nearly 2 year old which distracts from anything outside of keeping her safe, encouraging good behavior, and sneaking in hugs and kisses when I can. Today I had an ultra sound and it allowed me really grasp onto the miracle this is. Seeing her (my guess for now) made it so much more real. She moved around so much, opening her mouth and slurping up the amniotic fluid and sucking on her hands. It makes me realize how incredible this is. There is a person growing inside of me who I can’t wait to meet.

Next is to grasp onto the reality of what it will be like adding another little one to this family. I can’t even begin to prepare myself for that. About the only thing I can think about now are names. We will likely not find out the sex so we need names for both. We are looking for names that are unique but not to trendy. Any suggestions…here of any names you like but didn’t get to use? Please comment and give me some suggestions!

So I am back. Feeling almost like myself again, minus the expanding belly. Headed for the last piece of cheery pie, the baby likes it ;-)

Peace,
Cassie

Interpretations?

My step daughter's english assignment to interpret this famous Emily Dickinson poem. She called home for some help. Many texts online indicate it is about rage. I saw the relationship between body and soul. I have read it over and over, each time more curious of what exactly was in her mind. Any thoughts?

My Life had stood - a Loaded Gun -
In Corners - till a Day
The Owner passed - identified -
And carried Me away -

And now We roam in Sovereign Woods -
And now We hunt the Doe -
And every time I speak for Him -
The Mountains straight reply -

And do I smile, such cordial light
Upon the Valley glow -
It is as a Vesuvian face
Had let its pleasure through -

And when at Night - Our good Day done -
I guard My Master's Head -
'Tis better than the Eider-Duck's
Deep Pillow - to have shared -

To foe of His - I'm deadly foe -
None stir the second time -
On whom I lay a Yellow Eye -
Or an emphatic Thumb -

Though I than He - may longer live
He longer must - than I -
For I have but the power to kill,
Without--the power to die--

Emily Dickinson

I'm a New Woman!

Well I survived the 5 day intensive with Para Yoga Master Rod Stryker I wrote about last post. As a friend commented there, “He is the real deal” and she was right. I am so amazed and feel so lucky when I can be in the presence of such beautiful and eloquent knowledge.

I was absolutely drawn to every word. The training which I anticipated would be life changing was. I have never felt a more profound realization in my own self. I can sense that this is the beginning of something great. I can not share everything here but if you are more interested I am more than excited to tell you one on one.

This great teacher will be releasing a book based on his training “The Yoga of Fulfillment” but it can not come soon enough for me. Until then I have invested in some of his powerful teachings on CD (http://www.parayoga.com/store/). The meditations are so attainable no matter what level you are at. In just the 5 days of working with him I was able to reach into layers of myself that revealed amazing wisdom.

My favorite Rod Stryker quote, ”Okay yogi’s…” Thank you Rod for such a insightful five days.

Peace and Love,
Cass

Apps, apps, apps!

Does anyone NOT have an iphone? These things are truly incredible. I'm not even using mine to its full potential but there are so many great things about it.

This post is to actually share and marvel in these awesome creations but I thought it would be appropriate to briefly play the devils advocate.

I has been brought to my attention the we clearly turn to these devices to often and unnecessarily. Sliding the digital bar to the side to fill in the gaps of time, the uncomfortable silence, or to flat out avoid human contact. I had a conversation with a friend about this and she shed her insight on the topic.

She pointed out that all the technology we have available to us should be making our lives easier and give us more time to do what is important or meaningful to us. Instead of using the time we receive from all the gadgets, we have filled that space with more stuff, in most cases, more work. Or we are using the time to zone out of the reality around us and into the touch sensitive worlds of these micro computers.

Many of us might benefit with setting some limits on how often we succumb to these mini machines. How many times do you unnecessarily check your facebook, or email? When you do check email how often do you click on links that pull you away from the task at hand? When you are waiting for a program to load do you try to open another while you wait (which actually will take longer)? Just food for thought. Perhaps when we are not using them for the purpose they were designed we can enjoy the silence and space they were meant to create.

Now, that is out of the way we can get to the fun stuff! What apps do you love and use the most? See, this way we can make the most of our time by only using the most efficient programs available (right?) Here is a list of the apps I use the most. Bear in mind I am cheap so I mostly stick with the free apps. Remember this site is all about sharing so please comment on your favorites so we can all be super sufficient iphone junkies together.

Music: I think everyone knows of Pandora and Shazam…if you don’t you better get these free apps now. I also have iRelax but have not used it much. It seems nice in theory, turn on and off various sounds of instruments and nature to customize your own “serenity now”.

Yoga: YogaDeck (70 poses with there Sanskrit pronunciation, cueing and benefits), Gita (Ancient text of the Bhagavad Gita).

Info: Wikipanion (self explanatory), Yoink (like freecycle for iphone users, doesn't seem to have a lot of momentum yet but keeping my eye on it), Nutrition Menu (a great app to give you nutrition info for all foods and chain restaurants with an exercise and calorie calculator to help you keep on track), Google Earth (cool).

Stupid Games I love: Scoops, Flood It

Kids: I don’t know what I am more embarrassed about, that my 18 month old knows how to scroll through pictures or that I have more apps for her than me. Here are the ones she seems to love the most. Barnyard Animals, iZoo, ABC Phonics, and Bus (as in wheels on the).

So which do you use the most? Post your favorites in the comment bar below. Happy "tapping", in moderation of course ;-)

Peace and Love,
Cassie

So why am I here?

I have been toying with the idea of starting this blog for sometime. I am not quite sure of why I am here exactly or what this blog will turn into in the end. I can start by listing why I am not here.

I am not here to give detailed accounts of my adventures or day to day life (although I do love reading others). I am not here to be grammatically correct or to land a book or movie. I am not here to spend hours upon hours of time. As a new mother I am not here to compare, contrast or examine the complexities of motherhood (but from time to time I may vent about it). As a wife I am not here to delve into the ups and downs of marriage. As a yoga teacher I am not here to spiritually enlighten you (but would like to share things that move me). I am not here to change your life, my life or the world (although all or none may be in need).

Okay, so now why am I here? I am here to share small bits of information possibly linking others to something new and interesting. This could be anything, books, music, stories, movies, websites, recipes, clothing, quotes, crafts, places, people, things....you get the idea. Some of these things may be deep and reflective and some may be superficial and just fun.

So let's start with these two things...

First is an amazing exhibit Ashes and Snow.

I have never seen anything so beautiful. It makes me want to escape to these exotic lands and reinvent my self as a wildlife photographer. Elephants are by far my favorite animal, so magnificent. I once rode on and then walked under one in Thailand (three times is thought to bring good luck). Hope you enjoy these stunning images (there is also a very cool literary component to check out, a cd of the magical music and a few clips of the video on youtube).

Next, the question in the title of this post as it applies to my life. I am preparing for a 5 day intensive with Rod Stryker of Para Yoga who teaches Tantric Yoga. One translation of Tantra is to "weave", vinyasa is to "place". Thus, to weave the subtle practices of yoga (pranayama, banda's and mudra's) in a specific way into the asana practice for a certain desired effect. The sequencing is very carefully thought out to bring balance depending on many variables such as your personal state of being, the season, and even the time of day. Basically it concentrates more on the energetic effects of yoga (using knowledge of ayurveda) to guide you towards reaching your highest state of being. For more about Tantric Yoga click here.

I am excited to train with him but am a little nervous about this particular training which is titled "Yoga of Fulfillment." Here is a quote from Rod giving a hint into the training...“Your soul longs for the richest kind of fulfillment, one that includes both spiritual contentment as well as worldly happiness. The ultimate practice of yoga is to let the light of your soul guide you to achieve the life you are meant to live.” - Rod Stryker

It sounds amazing right? So why am I apprehensive about this? Because I have a feeling it will be life changing (really any and all experiences like this are) but am I mentally ready to change my life, my view of it, of others around me right now? I usually openly invite this sort of prospect and as a yogi and self proclaimed seeker I could not be more excited.

The question at hand is do I have the time and energy right now. My life is go go go (or should I say my 18 month old is) and in a constant state of flux, and I feel like I am barely keeping up (I am sure many can relate). Will I have to time in my head to give this training my full attention?

I was recently at Phoenix Zoo. The caretaker of the land turtles was explaining to us how turtles generally live 140 years but one in India has been documented 225 years (RIP). "If we all moved that slow we would probably live longer too" she said. So simple but in my mind so profound. A reminder to slow down. So my goal will be to live like a turtle and slow down enough to let this experience and hopefully all others ahead slowly seep its way into my self. It is probably just what I need.

Peace and Love,
Cass

p.s. just saw Funny People with Adam Sandler...currently deciding if it is my new favorite movie.