as you are: a playlist

i haven't updated this blog in quite some time. i don't feel bad or guilty about my absence - life has been treating me well! but sharing on here, creating connection is something that i *have* missed. sometimes i just need a push to get going again. and i got it last night. 

after teaching a cozy candlelit yin class, a few students asked about the music from class. and here it is. a dreamy 77-minutes that i hope brings you peace and ease as we enter the holiday season.

much love & light

gratitude practice: day 29

while black friday (aka the day after thanksgiving) didn't have me getting up in the early morning hours to hit up some sales, i was out and about today teaching a couple classes over in lake oswego. i turned on the christmas music radio station in the car and took in the signs of the holidays that were all around now - christmas trees tied to car roofs, wreaths hung off of lamp posts, lights wrapped around trees. my favorite moment was driving over to the studio for my evening class and seeing the white stag sign turned into rudolph. it brought a huge smile to my face and i'm thankful (and excited) for the holiday season!

are you excited for the holidays?

gratitude practice: day 22

nothing makes me happier than finding an amazing new song. i love that song even more if i can fit it into one of my class playlists. i try to keep my playlists fresh - always circulating in new finds and old goodies. but sometimes i hit a rut and i can't seem to find any new music. i can spend hours looking through blogs and sampling songs on itunes and still come up empty. the music gods and goddesses must have been smiling on me today though because i found not just one but TWO songs that i'm absolutely loving and i wanted to share them with you.

 

first up is stars (hold on) by youngblood hawke. i found this song browsing around on itunes. once i bought it, i listened to it three times in a row (at least!) and immediately put it on my class playlist for this weekend. it's fun, upbeat, and will put a huge smile on your face.

 

the second song came to me while listening to the alexi murdoch (who i *love*) station on pandora. megan by anesthesia struck me right away. i just sat and listened to the beautiful melody and knew it would be perfect for a blissful savasana. onto the playlist it went!

so today i'm super grateful for these new-to-me artists and their creations that they've put out into the world. 

what song (or songs) are you totally in love with right now? 

what's your favorite song to hear in a yoga class?

gratitude practice: day 6

michael franti & spearhead's latest album // post-yoga teaching, pre-concert this past august

while i was helping out at the studio today, i decided to put on some michael franti to keep me energized. if you've ever been in any of my yoga classes, you've most likely heard some of his music. the energy and message that he shares is incredible and every time i listen to his music, i find myself smiling and dancing and loving life.

thanks to the magic of social media, i had the unbelievable opportunity to lead a private yoga class for michael (plus j and sara and jesse!) before his concert at the edgefield this summer. he was down to earth, present, and so full of life. i'm pretty sure that day was one of the best in my life. 

as if he wasn't inspiring enough thru his music, he and his girlfriend sara started the do it for love foundation earlier this year. the foundation is a wish-granting organization gifting people who are living with advanced stages of life threatening illnesses live concert experiences and meet-and-greets with their favorite artists. their facebook page is constantly updated with heart-warming stories of how michael, sara, and his band have connected to (and uplifted!) people all over the country. check out the work they do and share the love. 

so today i'm thankful for michael franti, his music, his work and his message.