Last week, I decided to change my morning routine. I get up and after using the restroom, immediately put on my sweatpants and tennis shoes and walk out the bedroom door, with Clay and Chloe, and go straight out the front door for a walk down to the cul-de-sac. I have been doing this now for a couple of weeks and loving the still morning air, the singing birds, and the blossoming trees. Each day, Chloe spots a lizard or rabbit on the driveway and after a short pause, races to catch them. It is one of the highlights of her day as her large-gummed grin says it all. Clay, on the other hand, keeps a regular pace except for the thousands of bushes (they are actually small weeds, but I wouldn't tell him) he feels the need to lift his leg to. Proud and determined, my little man leaves a lasting impression.

Each of these past mornings, I woke up at exactly 5:41. I do not keep a clock by my bed, but when I go into the restroom, I can see the time and each day it has been the same....5:41. If you already know me, then you know how much I love my Angel Numbers book. It has every number from 0 - 999 mentioned with a message for the viewer. So I looked it up -

541



I am always amazed at how important and necessary the message is.

Today I decided to stay in bed a little longer. Yes, I woke up at the earlier hour, but my body wanted to stay horizontal so I laid there and did what I used to do. I picked up my I pad and checked my emails, Facebook and the Square report from The Parlour. (This is actually a really cool app which documents every sale we do, and for some reason, it fascinates me as to how many small cups or cones we sell.)

Clay and Chloe sleep with me which I love. I get to see Chloe's brown eyes look over as she opens them for the first time. Ahhhhhh.... Pretty special. Today she looked, she waited, she closed them. Eventually I did get out of bed and get changed and walked them straight out the front door. The temperature outside was perfect. All seemed the same. Then we noticed our neighbor, Dave, with his pit bull mix on his leash, coming up to the bottom of our driveway. I picked up Chloe and stopped walking. Clay couldn't care less and went right up to meet him. The greetings were cordial. Chloe said hello and all was fine. I had forgotten that they walk after we do, but today it was at the same time. Possible problem averted! Yay.

They went on ahead as the next surprise drove down our driveway...Kelly. He loves leaving for his daily tasks early in the morning. "Stop. Sit." Second hurdle handled. Without a thought, I said, "Let's go." We walked back up the driveway at a quicker pace. It was just too early in the morning for me to have any more chance meetings. Chloe didn't feel the same way. She froze on the drive up and growled with a dead stare at one coyote in the desert. I say one because they usually travel in packs. Again, I held her head still with a firm grip so she would understand the intensity of the possible issue. You see, I never put Clay and Chloe on a leash in the early morning because it had never been necessary. They are such great listeners and they mind me when I ask them to stay or follow. Today, obviously, that would have helped.

The coyote's tail was lowered between his legs. He stood and stared right back at us from a safe distance. Neither of us wanted to be the first to move. Knowing the third in a series of challenges thrown at me this morning had just appeared, I figured i wouldn't tempt my guardian angel any longer and just get back inside.

Of course the moral to the story changes as I change. Today I learned that it is best to listen to your guides when they are helping you rather than challenge them by staying in bed just a little longer. I know all would have gone smoothly had I just gotten up at the time they suggested :) Not that the morning wasn't eventful. It was. But sometimes easy and calm is a beautiful uneventful way to start the day :)

Winter wonderland at the Sedona Yoga Festival

It has been such a beautiful time here in Sedona! In the middle of the night last Friday, snow blanketed the entire landscape. I woke up in awe at the sights of the white and red mountains. So amazing for us as you know.

During the last few days, I had the opportunity to share some girlfriend time, teach a workshop, sing kirtan with a large group of yogis and eat healthy homemade meals. There really is nothing better to fill the well then a short getaway to an inspirational place with friends who support you and share time with you.

I get to drive home alone tomorrow. Not always at the top of my list of things to do, but happy to have the space to reflect on all of my blessings. I will also spend some time mentally planning a retreat for you all here in this magical place. It truly is a special place to be shared with others.

If you feel the urge to take a break from your routine and make the journey to Sedona, let me know. I would love to pick a date that works for those of you are interested. :-)

See you soon....

Setting Intentions vs Setting Goals

This morning I reread a very interesting article about the difference between intentions and goals.

1. Setting an intention is about understanding what you're doing, and why you're doing it. It's more about spending time "inside" visualizing and getting very clear about what you want.

Goals are the concrete result of your intentions. An intention is not concrete, but energetic. It's the way we send messages to the Universe about what we want to create.

2. With goals, the future is always the focus. Setting an intention is quite different. It puts your attention on the ever-present NOW in the constantly changing flow of life. You set your intentions based on what matters most to you and make a commitment to align your worldly actions with your inner values.

3. Send out a thank you in advance. "This place of knowing is a place of intense and incredible gratitude. And that perhaps, is the biggest key to creation: to be grateful before and for the creation. Such taking for granted is not only condoned, but encouraged. It is a sure sign of mastery - knowing in advance that the deed has been done.


"You cannot exercise much power without gratitude, because it is gratitude that keeps you connected with power."

A great article - Living Backwards in Time, shows the difference between "what if" and "as if" written by Michael Formica.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/enlightened-living/200806/living-backward-in-time-how-set-intentions-and-remain-present

Feeling grateful,
Karen

Happy Happy New Year!

I hope you have all enjoyed the last month of great celebrations, family gatherings, and joyful moments. In addition to yoga classes this month, I would love to have you over to create a 2013 Vision Board. Every year I set my intentions with pictures, words, and phrase which direct my goals and dreams for the upcoming year.

If you would like to make your own vision board among friends, please rsvp for either Wednesday, January 9 or Saturday, January 12 following our scheduled yoga class. Plan on being here for a couple of hours. All you need to bring are magazines and maybe a snack to share. This is simply a time for us to get together and share and focus on where we are going.
Email me for more information.

Yoga and meditation have proven to be a necessary aspect to my daily life even more so now than ever before. As my schedule and personal commitments creep back into BUSY, I am reminded by my physical stiffness and mental chatter that yoga must remain near the top of my list of things to do.

Like you, it is easy for me to let it go and spend my time on what may seem to be more pending. Yet, as I feel my way through this special season of womanhood, my body sends me numerous reminders of what I need to do in order to maintain my health and wellness. Movement, stillness, and calm energy create a space of peace and ease for all of us and can turn a day around quicker than chocolate. :)

Please, please listen to your own body and mind and pay attention to the signals and signs they are sending you.

The January RosaYoga calendar is now posted.

http://www.rosayoga.com/schedule.html

Looking forward to sharing more of what we love together in 2013!

Karen

It's a _____?

The clock says 3:30am Hawaii time. Back at home, Kim and Jason are getting ready for their doctor's visit. Today they find out whether they are having a baby boy or baby girl.

The entire family is on alert.

I got up early and walked into the closet, sat Indian-style on the floor, holding my cell phone in my hands. As I closed my eyes, I felt the tears well-up and my heart start racing. I could feel Jason's anticipation and excitedness as he paced the waiting room floor. Kim, always the calm one, elated from the inside out.

A prayer and a blessing, I waited for the phone's message.

"It's a boy!!!"

He is going to be the smartest and most inquisitive boy to grow up with. What a sweetheart!

Our hearts are full and ready to share this lifetime with him. We are still smiling over here. Happy. Blessed. Grateful.

Ahhh, The Joy of Vacations

It has been some time since my last post. I not only feel as though I have neglected the writer aspect of me, but the chance to stay in touch with those of you who mean so much. So here I am.

Hawaii. Every picture in your mind and breath of fresh air you conjure up as you imagine a cobalt blue ocean against the black lava rocks and coral crushed sands with dancing palm trees spotted in just the perfect outlines of the shore is here and well. The change of scenery and opportunity to put my toes in the sand has been a gift. Not to mention the fact that our time has felt unlimited. No rush to fit every excursion and adventure into 7 days. Taking a full month to experience the life and ways of island living has been a blessing.

Life here is simple and casual on the big island.

The routine starts with a conversation with my husband, "Where do you want to go today? Shall we go for a walk or go out to eat breakfast?" Really big and difficult questions to answer. But decisions all the same. Thankfully, we do both.

But food is always in the picture. You may not know this about me, but the conflict of weight gain is a daily conversation topic I have inside my head. And with the "vacation" mindset, my decisions have been a bit too "yippee-ki-o" lately.

My inner dialogue usually goes something like this -
"That waffle looks good."
"It does, but then you will have to take a nap later."
"I know, but you haven't had one in so long."
"I know, but it looks so good."

The dialogue used to last for many minutes before I made my breakfast order. Thankfully, now I cut to the chase and already know my answer.

"Order anything with more good fruits and veggies than anything else."

Honestly, breakfast is my simplest "choose healthy" meal of the day.

That's my update for now. Ahhhh...the joys of vacationing.
"What?" My husband Kelly is calling me from the other room.
"Time for lunch?"
Gotta go.

Love to all of you.

Kelly planted this sunflower from a seed. How terrific is that!