Angel Bear Yoga™ Teacher Training

Angel Bear Yoga Teacher Training
Teaching children ages 2-9
Saturday, May 22, 2010
12 noon - 8 p.m.

Ideal for Parents, Caregivers, Yoga Teachers and Educators.

Angel Bear Yoga™ was created as a way to nurture the spirit of a child and foster a sense of wonder for the natural world using yoga as the tool. Learn physical poses, breathing exercises, heart affirmations, visualizations, relaxation, and creative exercises in this complete Yoga for Kids program!

Curricula include:
• Angel Bear Yoga Main Curriculum
• A year's worth of lesson plans with 50 character traits and over 300 nature poses
• Literacy Curriculum - bringing books alive with yoga poses
• Calm Cottontails - 10 easy lesson plans for calming techniques
• Amazing Animals - 25 lesson plans on amazing animals
• How to lead a week-long summer camp with yoga and endangered animal themes!
During this one-day training, learn everything you need to know to lead children's yoga classes in your community. Receive a certificate after successful course completion.

Location: Kula Yoga, Austin, TX, 512-542-3334, AustinKulaYoga.com
Registration: www.AngelBearYoga.com
Cost: $180 + $50 registration fee, includes main lesson book. Register by 4/17/10 to receive bonus materials.

Founder Christi Eley is a Certified Yoga Instructor, with credentials through YogaKids (Phase I), and YogaEd. She is an IAIM Certified Infant Massage Instructor, Itsy Bitsy Yoga trained, as well as Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga Certified.

Mother's and Father's Day Mini-Sessions

I am pleased to announce that I will be opening up a few spots for mini-sessions to commemorate Mother's Day and Father's Day. What a special way to uniquely capture one of the best holidays of the year!

Mini-sessions are 30-minute portrait captures located in a beautiful outdoor setting or in my studio, in case of rain. For $125 receive a 5"x7" gift print along with either 50 playdate calling cards or a customized, handmade leather mini-book. Both options include a decorative box. I will also be offering discounts on other popular gift items so you can share with aunts and grandmothers, uncles and grandads.

Date: Saturday & Sunday, April 18 & 19, 2009

Time: Please call 638-5050 for available times.
UPDATE: only 2 spots left.

Location: NW Austin location will be emailed to participants.

Cost: $125 + tax, $45 non-refundable deposit required to book.

Subjects: Up to 3 people ($25 additional person)

Includes: One 5x7 gift print AND one mini book OR a set of mom calling cards.

NGY Creative Kids Yoga Teacher Training

I've asked Jodi B Komitor, esteemed kids yoga teacher and author, to come to Austin and provide some teacher training to our community. There are so few kids yoga teachers here and so much demand, so I thought this would be a helpful workshop for everyone.

In a challenging economy the smart thing to do is develop new skills, making yourself more marketable to your employer and your customers. Are you interested in expanding your teaching skills and incorporating the benefits of yoga in your classroom or therapy program? Do you simply love working with children? Then Next Generation Yoga Teacher Training is for YOU!

This is an inspiring 22-hour training program that provides you with the tools to teach yoga for rapidly growing and ever-changing 2-7 year old children. Receive a certification after successful completion of the course.

Sign up by March 15th to save $100. Visit AustinKulaYoga.com for more details.

Jodi B Komitor MA, RYT is the leading authority on yoga with kids and the author of the best-selling book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Yoga with Kids (2000, Macmillan). In 1998 Jodi founded Next Generation Yoga, the first children's yoga studio in the world, and certifies children's yoga instructors, educators and health professionals in NGY Teacher Trainings (TM).

Friday, May 8 - Sunday, May 10, 2009
Austin Kula Yoga
2415 Exposition Blvd., Suites A & B, Austin, TX
512-638-5050

On a separate note, I was privileged to spend this past weekend with five friend photographers. We shared tips and processes, fears and aspirations about our industry. I came away with a sincere feeling of sisterhood and inspiration about how I might contribute in this ever-changing world of photography. I'm realizing that what matters most is not how we compare with one another, but how we manifest what we are Divinely inspired to do. Plus, here's proof that photographers do exist in front of the camera!

The magical Crystal from Love, Me Photography

The soulful Eliza from Glimpse of Soul Photography.

The open-hearted Erin from Erin Carlyle Photography.

The visionary Jamie from Jamie Kutter Photography.

Our generous host, the energetic Lauren from Lauren Lesley Photography.

Cupids and Candy Hearts

A few times a year I schedule a limited number of mini-sessions. This is to make professional photography affordable for those looking for a simple but elegant milestone photograph or headshot.

My first of this year will be held at Kula Yoga just in time for Valentine's Day. Capture that sweet expression that is unique to your child when smiles are not coaxed and no camera is around. Then give that memorable gift to someone you love or keep it for yourself as a reminder of that perfect moment in time.

Saturday: January 31 from 12 - 4 p.m. Sunday: February 1 from 9 a.m. - noon

Receive a 5"x5" professionally handcrafted and mounted print, which sits on a decorative easel. Delivered Saturday, February 9th just in time to surprise the lucky recipient.

Total Cost is $75 with a $35 non-refundable fee due at time of booking. Other special products and discounts for future sessions will be available. Call (512) 542-3334 to book your appointment. Time slots fill quickly!

Mamas & Money

It has been so long since my last post but I hope to get better at staying more current. Last night Melanie Johnson of Athena Wealth Management came to talk to our stay-at-home moms group's "Moms Night Out with a Message." I have been hosting these series with topics that include Taming Tantrums, Healther Food Alternatives for Toddlers, Beyond Birds & Bees, Fall Styles for SAHMs, Self-Care for Moms, Nurturing our Parenting Partnerships, and Mamas & Money: Eliminating our Limiting Beliefs About Money.

In this ecomony, it is easy to feel afraid of our financial futures. As SAHMs, we are already living within a one-income structure and all the emotional "stuff" that comes with it. Melanie spoke to us about examining the financial beliefs we learned in childhood and how to begin to change the thoughts that hold us from feeling wealthy on many levels. Once we acknowledge our current relationship with money, we can choose to act more powerfully.

I really appreciated the openness of the moms who were willing to share about how their mothers and fathers handled money and how some were subconsciously repeating the not-so-benefical behavior. These included shopping trips where purchases were hidden from the spouse, a dad who insisted on controlling all of the family's finances, and a mom who was extremely successful in the corporate world, but handed over all her paychecks at home.

Next, Melanie recommended some ways that we can pass on more positive money messages to our children. From identifying shapes and colors of coins for tots, to ways of dividing that hard-earned babysitting money (10% savings, 10% charity, 10% investing, 70% spending), to how to find ways to buy that expensive toy together, to methods of encouraging delayed gratification, which will lead to prosperity.

Some of the Web sites she recommended for great information are:

http://www.wife.org/ (womens institute for financial education)
http://www.msgen.com/
http://www.prosperity4kids.com/
http://www.kiplinger.com/
http://www.bankrate.com/
http://www.mom.salary.com/ or http://www.salary.com/ (find out your mama salary!)

Jackie, one of the moms who attended has taken the lead in getting us together to form an investment club. I love how she says:

"Some of us are interested in exploring the idea of getting together fairly regularly to talk about investing ideas and ways to make ourselves more aware of finances, monetary goals, and good practices we can teach our children from the beginning, etc. These are just a few ideas. I believe one of the main goals is to be present in a conversation about money so we don't feel unprepared/left out/'dumb'."

For those interested in exploring this topic further, Melanie is co-hosting an event with Dr. Pam Monday, a licensed marriage and family therapist and counselor, for "Secrets of Successful High Earners." It is scheduled for Friday, October 3 from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Carmelo's, 504 East 5th Street, Austin, TX 78701. Check out womenandmoneyworkshops.com.

I'll end this post with some photos of Gabriel at my recent soccer games. I've joined the Round Rock Women's Soccer League and play for an over-30 7v7 team called "Just Add Lime." We also play indoors at SoccerZone as the "Purple People Eaters." Playing again at 40 has been a blast!

The Purple People Eaters in Blue?

SoccerZone in Round Rock

My Biggest Little Fan

Old Settler's Park

Mama's Helper

Patience in the Texas Heat

Cool as a Cucumber

My Inspiration

Beyond Birds and Bees

On Tuesday, July 15th I hosted another Mom's Night Out with a Message at Kula Yoga. Our speaker was Katie Malinski, LCSW, who gave us a brilliant 1+ hour talk about healthy childhood sexual development and how to talk about sex with children. About 20 of our stay-at-home moms attended and the event garnered rave reviews.

A big concern since Gabriel has started Montessori and is with sitters sometimes, is assuring that he understands what inappropriate touching is and communicating in a way that he gets it without being scared. Like with all great intentions, the universe happened to send Katie's workshop information my way through our Business & Balance group, a wonderful gathering of supportive mompreneurs.

The evening was so informative and I feel a lot more empowered as a parent, especially when it comes to dealing with this subject. Katie is right in that this is a new topic for many of us. We weren't taught it, our parents most probably weren't either, except for maybe those creepy sex ed movies at school, or through our older friends in the neighborhood. Katie's sense of humor put us all at ease.

When Katie defined human sexuality as "a very comprehensive concept. Think: language, psychology, communication, self-esteem, body image, assertiveness, anatomy, autonomy, gender, peers, sensory experiences, the media and more," I knew it was more than just a topic about "sex." I appreciate understanding it for myself as an adult as well hoping to teach it to my son so that he may have healthy relationships with others on many different levels. How, as a parent, can I begin the conversation from the very beginning without scaring him or overwhelming him (and myself)?

I also appreciated knowing the "red flags" to watch out for, and the not-so-small ways in which we may be able to stop/diminish abuse in the children who come in contact with our own.

I liked how she told us to state the facts in an age-appropriate way (she gave examples), and then how to explain what our family values are. I also liked her examples on how to "direct" the appropriate behavior and not shame our child. My husband and I answered all the questions on the back of the handout and I'm relieved that we are on the same page when it comes to handling this topic.

One thing we did disagree on was the question: "Does your child have the right to say yes or no to physical closeness/touching?" Katie's example was saying: "Can you say hello to grandma?" instead of "Go give grandma a hug and kiss." I agreed with Katie, but my husband (Latin by design) believes in the closeness of family and would prefer to say "Give your grandma a hug." Our compromise was to encourage closeness, but if he says 'no' to be OK with it. Nice!

I got so many answers that evening. If you missed this mini-talk or would like to expand upon what we learned, you can attend the full workshop on July 20th from 2 - 5 p.m. by visiting beyondbirdsandbees.com. I will be asking Katie to come back for another MNO to talk about nurturing the relationship with our parenting partners. If there is interest, I can also try and host this topic of BBB again.


Oh, and by the way, Gabriel turned three in June! You didn't think I would post without mentioning that, did you? He transitioned easily to his big-boy bed (a big thank you to the abuelos and lola for the great gift!) and is already a brilliant negotiator.

Follow Your Bliss

We hear it all the time but when it comes to your life's work, how do you do it when there are bills to be paid and music classes for your toddler guitar prodigy? I got a glimpse of it on Friday night when I attended Laura Arnold and Elizabeth New's Cuisine, Culture and Conversation: An Evening in Provence. The evening promised to "explore classic recipes from Provence, the tradition of preparing food according to the rhythm of the season, the delights of shopping outdoor food markets, the pronunciation of cooking terms a la francaise, and vivid images and places of the Midi made famous by numerous artists and writers." A tall order, right? Well, it turned out to be one of the most nourishing, unique and fun "mom's nights out" that Christina and I have ever attended.

Let me give you little background. Laura was the facilitator of our Personal Renewal Group (PRG), founded by Renee Trudeau. During that once-a-week-for-six-months discovery group, everyone experienced a major life change, from the death of loved ones, to switching careers, to moving, and starting a business. Laura was one who left her long-time career in human resources to step into her glory and love of cuisine. She formed At Table, specializing in culinary workshops, classes and community. The evening in Provence was her first partnered offering and it was perfect.

Laura opened her beautiful home for the event and made sure to present recipes that were easy but profound in their flavors and presentation. We enjoyed watching her make Pissaladiere then continued to the living room to watch Elizabeth's presentation on the delights of Provence. Then we went back to the kitchen to learn about "Salade de Tomates, Citron, Croutons, Capres et Basilic, Saumon Braise au Viognier," "Le Flan d'Asperges," "Gigot d'Agneau," and "Gateau Breton et Fraises a la Creme de Yaourt."

The actual dining was poolside in her backyard, and as we turned the corner, we were greeted by the most beautiful white tables with vases of sunflowers, yellow and variegated sunburnt oranges. She even used her real silver and had candles in hurricane lamps. Laura's husband Russell and little son Dan attended to every empty glass or finished plate, and her mother was the experienced angel helping to make sure everything was in order and delicious. Christina and I could not have asked for better company at our table, and the French music was the topper. At the end of the evening, we went back inside to view the top things to experience in Provence and were surprised by an authentic almond treat (Les Calissons d'Aix) that sent us over the edge into pleasure overload.

These are women who obviously love what they do. They found their niches and the love they bring to their businesses shows in all their attention to detail and care for every one of us there. It was fun relaying my entire experience to Pedro late that evening.

Back to reality. This morning Pedro and I went over the painful task of reevaluating our household budget, which I should have done before resigning my consulting work. But I really want to focus on finishing my book and growing my photography business, both of which have taken a back seat for something that was easier and provided a good immediate salary. It scared me a little to think about how much I need to contribute financially--without my consulting crutch--to afford the things to which we've been accustomed.

SARK read my heart when she said, "...ignoring the dream had become so painful. I was living the opposite life I wanted to live, but once I started my dream, I was fierce and relentless. I don’t know if I would’ve been that committed if I hadn’t done all of those other things. I’ve been down to the end and almost died. I tried everything not to live the dream. I finally asked myself: why haven’t I ever tried living the dream?"

And just today my mom, whose husband recently passed in January said, "This is a big storm. I can either hunker down and ride it out hoping it will pass, or I can dance in the rain. I'm choosing to dance in the rain." So inspiring. She's coming to Austin for Gabriel's birthday, yay!

Tomorrow is Monday. Another day to start over and begin to move in the direction of my dreams. I'm posting this photo of my other little Bliss, holding his first lima bean plants he created at preschool. It starts with a little seed, right?