swadhyaya & true colors quiz

Two of the eight limbs of yoga include the Yamas and the Niyamas. Because I believe in the importance of practicing yoga on and off the mat, I definitely think using the yamas and niyamas as guides for deeper living are very important. Lately, I've found myself gravitating toward the Niyamas. Essentially, the niyamas are how we interact with ourselves, our internal word. They are about helping us maintain and cultivate a positive environment in which to grow.

One of the niyamas, swadhyaya, or self-education and study is one that I find incredibly important. Essentially it's observing the self in relation to all life. It is so important to know ourselves in order to bring our best to the world. One of the ways I think we can learn more about ourselves is through personality tests. I find that I, personally, really enjoy these types of quizzes. They help me get insight into myself and how I interact with others. I recently took the true colors quiz, and here were my results:

"BLUE--To Love and Be Loved

Your heart-felt communication style creates peace and harmony in the workplace. You know how to bring out the best in others. As a Blue personality you are gifted with tremendous people skilss. You're a heart felt communicator who has a strong need to make a difference in the lives of other people. This strength is immediately noticeable in the way you make connections and bring out the best in those you encounter. People usually feel relaxed and comfortable in your presence. You love to build self-esteem and make others feel good about who they are. You can easily motivate and inspire people to make changes in their lives and reach their potential. This natural talent makes you excel as a counselor, teacher, social worker and journalist, but the list is far greater in the book."

I am a very strong blue, with green following. Interestingly, I had my sweet husband take the quiz and he was green with blue coming in second. If you'd like to see what color you are, click here to take the quiz! I'd love to hear your color.

Namaste'
Leslie

first class at creative space

My first class in my new space is in just an hour!

Namaste'

Leslie

gratitude list

Today I'm thankful for:

*doors opening
*my morning cup of decaf brew
*sugar and soy milk
*air conditioning
*my sweet husband and all his help
*my yoga studio opening next week
*an upcoming float trip with family and good friends

...did I mention air conditioning? It's supposed to be 96 degrees today with over 60% humidity. I almost feel like I'm back in Jamaica!

I can't believe our four year anniversary is in less than 2 short months!

Namaste'
Leslie

change of plans

We didn't end up going to my Uncle's today for Father's Day because my Aunt was sick, so our celebration has been postponed. We did end up going to do some more work at CREATIVE SPACE YOGA. Here are some photos:

The yoga room before...


The yoga room after...





It was a lot of hard work, but I definitely think it paid off! What do ya think? I cannot wait to teach my first class in the space!

Namaste'
Yogadiva

weekend of celebrating fathers

Today we are hosting a Father's Day BBQ for my Dad's side of the family and my husband's father. Tomorrow we will go to my Uncle's house to relax by their new pool and celebrate Father's Day with my Mom's side of the family. There will be a lot of fun, relaxation, and socializing this weekend.

This is definitely needed after the week of hard work we had. The floors at the new yoga studio are finished. Now, we just need to put up the baseboard, frame out a door, finish a little touch up paint jobs, and hang a screen wall. It's all gotta be ready to go by July 1! Last night I took my sweet husband out for sushi to try to thank him for all of his endless hard work!



On a different topic, the pups are getting groomed this morning, and my kitties are so excited to have the whole house to themselves. Here's a few photos of Zoey enjoying her dog-less morning.



Wishing you a fabulous father's day weekend!

Namaste'
Leslie

needing rest

Just a wee bit tired from working most of the day laying floors. It took us a little time to get started, but once we did, we were making progress fairly quickly. Here's a few photos of our work in progress:

I want to thank my sweet husband and my step-dad for all of their hard work and help. I definitely couldn't have done it without them!

Now, I need to rest a bit before bed-time. I have no doubt I'll have an extra good night's sleep tonight!

Sweet dreams.

Namaste'

Leslie

more painting, pictures, and a music recommendation

Today was our 3rd day painting my new little yoga studio space. We've now painted 2 rooms and all the trim, doors, and cabinets. I must say it looks so much better! Tomorrow we lay the floors. Here's a few photos of our work in progress:

Also, for all you yogis and yoginis out there in need of some good music, or those who like to listen to relaxing music...I picked up the Lifescapes "yoga: relaxation" cd at Target last night, and love it. I will definitely be using it tonight for the relaxation part of my power yoga class!

Namaste'

Leslie

p.s. Hope the Summer Sun Salutation and Meditation Challenge is going well. It's definitely getting more challenging by the day, huh? Remember to relax and breathe!

introduction, paint, and pets

When I began writing this blog, I had decided I wanted to stay semi-private for multiple reasons, so I didn't include my real name. However, I've recently decided to go ahead and put my real name out there. So, I wanted to introduce myself to you using my real name:

Hello, everyone. My name is Leslie.

I also want to thank all of you who take the time to read my blog and comment. It really means a lot to me. I truly value my friends and newly found cyber-friends. When I started blogging, I never really expected for it to be a way to connect with others, I mainly just wanted to write. Now, while I still enjoy writing, I enjoy even more hearing from you.

On another note, today we began painting my new small yoga studio space. The yoga room is a calming gray-based lavender (called Celestial Mauve--love that name). The entry room will be a calming green, and the bathroom is lenox tan. Today we were able to completely finish painting the yoga room. Tomorrow more painting of the entry room and bathroom, and later this week we will be laying a new floor in the yoga room. Here's a few photos showing the celestial mauve:

more photos to come...

Lastly, we spent the weekend at my fabulous mom's house, and here are a few pictures. You know how people say dogs start looking like their owners? What do you think?

Seriously, aren't they too cute!?!

Namaste'

Leslie

day 11 and exciting news!!!

Welcome to Day 11 of the Summer Sun Salutation and Meditation Challenge. How's it going? As the number of sun salutations increase, know that you can rest when your body needs to rest.

Now, for my exciting news...I've mentioned in a few previous posts that I had some exciting news to share, and I decided today is the day to share it with you (drum roll, please, and no, I'm not pregnant, for family and friends who were probably thinking/hoping that was the case--but I am giving birth to a dream that I've had for almost 5 years now!):

Last month, I received notice that the studio where I teach yoga is closing. While I was saddened to find out this news, I made the decision in that moment that rather than return to teaching in a gym setting, I would take the plunge and find a space to rent and teach on my own! This has been a dream of mine for years now, and although I always knew it would happen, I wasn't always able to wrap my brain around when or how.

Since making up my mind that now is the time, it has been amazing to me how all the puzzle pieces of making this happen have so nicely come together. I already have a small space lined up and, with the help of my sweet husband, will begin painting and creating a welcoming, Zen atmosphere next week. Since I'm off work for the summer, the timing truly couldn't be better. I will begin teaching classes in my new space on July 1. I cannot wait! I feel completely and totally euphoric about the whole process. I know I will encounter challenges, but I know I am ready to handle them, and I definitely think there will be much more joy and rewards than challenges!

I'd like to share a little about my new business:

After much thinking, I've named it CREATIVE SPACE YOGA (I chose this name for 3 reasons: 1. My life motto (and the three main points of my graduate commencement speech) are: Create your life*Seek balance*Live with a spirit of gratitude--Creative Space Yoga will be a place where people can come to start consciously creating the life they want and dream about. 2. I had to be creative about finding a space for yoga...hence, Creative Space. 3. It's a place for all my fellow yogis and yoginis and me to express our creativity!

CREATIVE SPACE YOGA's mission is to provide a safe and nurturing space for you to practice yoga and use it as a catalyst to consciously create your life, seek balance, and live with a spirit of gratitude. CREATIVE SPACE YOGA values include: life-long personal growth*creativity*community*service*gratitude

So, all you ladies (and gents) out there, please wish me luck and lots of good vibes! I've never been one who was very business-minded or oriented, but I am so very passionate about yoga and how it can change lives that I'm definitely ready to jump in and learn about business in order to share my passion with others! I even purchased my first business read this week. (One of my goals this year was to read a minimum of 3 books about business to learn more), so I bought Ladies Who Launch: entrepreneurship & creativity as a lifestyle by Victoria Colligan & Beth Schoenfeldt. So far, it is full of inspiration!

Here are a few yogathoughts from this fabulous book:

"Our culture tends to discourage women from reaching for the stars and embracing our creativity. The messages we are more likely to receive are: "Work hard," "Stay our of trouble," "Get good grades," "Play it safe," and "Be responsible." Because of these admonitions, it becomes easy to let years of precious life go by without writing that book, pitching that idea, creating that loving relationship, or simply decorating the house exactly the way you want it. Your "inner entrepreneur," the creative engine that can transform your dreams into reality, is kept in check."

"Rather than suppressing your desires because you don't want to be too bold, too proud, too much, too greedy, we say let them loose and allow them to grow!...First, you have to realize that you can have a say in your life; you can escape the expectations that you learned from your school, work, family, and friends. You have to appreciate that you can custom-design our unique path and that no matter what you were told, you are a brilliant, innovative being."

"When you're birthing something, from a new room in the house to a lemonade stand, your inner magic wand is in action. It's not about what, but more about doing. This means that going out in the world, making things happen, and stirring the pot is more than just fun and possibly lucrative; it could save you big bucks on therapy bills and also fill in a few of the holes that crop up and make you feel like something might be missing."

Never forget: When one door closes, another door always opens. Look for the opening door.

Namaste'
Yogadiva