Yoga Fundraiser at Country Springs Hotel 2/28/10 February 15, 2010
Greetings,
I hope this finds you well and enjoying the winter sunshine! I wanted to let you know about an upcoming benefit that the area yoga community is sponsoring at Country Springs Hotel on Sunday, February 28 from 10a.m. until 4:30p.m.
Attached you will find a flyer describing this all day event that will benefit the children of Haiti. 100% of the proceeds will be going to “Save the Children” foundation. Local business owners, and yoga teachers are donating time, services and auction/raffle items to make this event successful. Experience a wonderful variety of yoga styles and great local teachers. Please join us and show your support.
For more information and/or registration, please see the attached flyer or visit www.yogabringshealth.com. A complete schedule of classes will be available on the mentioned website in the next week. I am honored to be a participating teacher in this event and hope to see you all there!Benefit Flyer
Namaste,
Patti
Patti Breitbach Rashid, RYT/OTR
www.BodySoulWellness.com
patti@bodysoulwellness.com
262 894.1212
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It’s winter-feed your face! December 14, 2009
“Oh the weather outside is frightful…”. So go the lyrics to a popular holiday song. While the weather today is not quite “frightful”, it is less than ideal for someone who doesn’t cherish the cold, blustery days of winter. For me, winter weather brings dry skin, and creaky joints. I was examining my skin earlier this morning and I noticed that it’s a bit dry and dull. I thought it would be a perfect day for a little home facial.
I whipped together some ground oats, honey, almond oil and water to make a paste. My intent was to create a facial cleanser not a mask. I applied gently to my face and throat prior to getting in the shower and after several minutes, rinsed off while in the shower. My skin was noticeably softer and I felt good because I took a little extra time for me and I fed my face with natural ingredients.
Healthy skincare products are just a cupboard away. A great resource is “Absolute Beauty-Radiant Skin And Inner Harmony Through The Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda” by Pratima Raichur. This book contains a wealth of information as well as recipes for skin care products based on Ayurvedic principles. There is also a section in this book that lists common ingredients found in many over the counter skin care products. Remember, the chemicals you put on your skin are absorbed into your body. Many of the chemicals in products today are known carcinogens. Take the time and learn to be a health conscious consumer. I try to adhere to the rule “if I can’t pronounce it or eat it, then it can’t be good for me”.
So next time your skin needs a little attention, look to your cupboard!
The Gift of Presence December 14, 2009
The Gift of “Presence”.
With so many tasks to attend to during the holiday season, it’s easy to become preoccupied with all that needs to be done rather slowing down and enjoying the moment. Getting caught up in the frenzy of our “to do” list can leave us feeling stressed out and irritable; unable to enjoy the real gifts that the holiday season brings. This year, give yourself the gift of “presence”. Take the time to be truly absorbed in the present moment of whatever you’re doing. Spend a few minutes to breathe slowly and deeply. Take time to really notice the sensory extravaganza of the season. As a wise person once said “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that’s why we call it the present.”
August 31, 2009
“I do not at all understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.”
—Anne Lamott
Inspired by Julia! August 31, 2009
Well, it’s been awhile since I last posted. It’s been a crazy summer with all of life’s everyday events and preparing for our son to go to college. I’ll write more on that when I can distance myself a bit further from the emotion of his absence.
My reason for getting back to the blog is twofold. I have been reading a business column that I subscribe to and one of the things suggested is keeping a blog. The second source of inspiration was seeing the movie “Julie and Julia”. For those not familiar with this recently released movie it is about a modern day woman who decides to challenge herself to cooking all of the recipes in Julia Child’s 1st cookbook in 365 days. The movie parallels the modern day Julie as she attempts to accomplish her cooking feat with Julia Child as she embarks on her cooking journey while living in France in the 1950′s. Modern day Julie blogs her trials, triumphs and tribulations which helps her to realize some very important life’s lessons.
Well, I do love to write and I love to cook but I find that daily life gets in the way of staying dedicated to writing posts as well as finding the inspiration to prepare a meal. While I don’t intend to attempt an undertaking like Julie Powell, I will try to stay dedicated to posting here. I also would like to venture out and try some new recipes( like Julia Child’s recipe for beef stew). The movie did inspire me to gather a group of foodie friends who also enjoy cooking and spend an evening creating and eating together. What better way to express gratitude than being with people you love and savoring a good meal.
The beginning of ZUMBA!! January 12, 2009
I have been recently asked, “Why is a yoga teacher teaching ZUMBA? And my answer is this……
Many of you know that in my past I was a dance major in college. While studying dance I also had the great opportunity to perform and teach with a professional modern dance company in Madison, WI. As I got older and forged my path into a health career and later into the world of healing, the dancer in me never left. I continued to teach dance aerobics and offered theatrical dance to our local recreation department and as part of “Drama Club” at my kids’ school. When I was having a bad day, I’d put on some tunes and “rock out” around the house. I always felt much better after that!
Movement brings me joy, it makes me feel good. Even tho my “shake and shimmy” are a little slower and maybe not as pretty, I still love to get on the dance floor and “let loose”. I’ve participated in several styles of dance fitness and healing dance and have enjoyed all but I think Zumba reaches down to the core of my soul. The deep beat of African drums, the sultry rhythm of the Latin music, the magic of belly dancing connects with a fire deep within.
So while yoga continues to provide me with the peace and calm of my heart and mind, ZUMBA will heed the calling of the more primal me. It’s fun, and it’s a great workout without feeling like it’s a workout. I hope that others will share my enthusiasm!
Peace,
Patti
Notes from the Canyon October 27, 2008
Day 3 St George, Utah 10/27/08
Yesterday we had the privilege of visiting Zion National Park. The drive in is spectacular. At first I was a bit confused with the landscape of the southwest. When I think desert, I think sand. I was informed by my kids that I was envisioning the desert scape of Africa. As we drove north thru St. George and a valley by the name of Hurricane, the landscape sometimes reminded me of the quarry pits back home but on a grander scale. The scruffiness of the land was visually annoying yet intriquing. As we got closer to Zion the panorama of the canyons and the multicolored rock formation was spectacular!
We arrived in Springdale which is the town most south of Zion Nat’l Park. Small, quaint and sprinkled with Obama signs 
. We took a shuttle to the visitor center and from there decided which of the many trails would christen our virgin voyage into the canyons. We, rather Nick, chose Watchman Trail, a moderate 2.7 mile/2hour round trip hike. This trail climbs 368 feet and ends with a spectacular view of lower Zion canyon. There are minor drop offs and on some parts the trail was only several feet wide. It was here that I experienced a yogic moment of great proportions.
While I enjoy hiking immensely, I have a fear of heights, especially when I am so close to the edge of a cliff. I have in the past expereinced vertigo, and a panic, but nothing like what I experience when I watch one of my children standing on the edge of a precipice for that perfect Kodak moment. It is then that I experience a sick, sinking feeling that only a mother can feel. I have tried to describe this feeling to my kids as they dismiss my instincts as “over protectiveness”.
So my yogic moment came as we climbed higher on Watchman’s trail and we came to a very narrow part of the trail with a drop off to the left. While part of me said “maybe this is where I head back. This is a challenge I’m not comfortable with. The other part of me said “you can’t let fear overtake you”. The quote “you have nothing to fear but fear itself” became my mantra. I took a deep breath on continued onward. While this may seem trivial, for me it was facing a fear and accepting the challenge with faith and courage.
We all have our moments where we are thrown a challenge that may seem daunting and we react from a place of fear. We can choose to take a breath and accept the challenge or let fear control us. I chose to accept the challenge and was so grateful that I did. The reward of the view at the top was breathtaking.
Have I conquered my fear of heights? Hmmm, I’ll keep you posted. The request has been made to tackle Angel’s landing, a narrow, strenuous trail with long drop-offs. Stay tuned………….
