big, little things.

after a yoga class this morning, i confessed to a fellow teacher that i still get nervous before teaching sometimes. i finish each and every class and think to myself: "wow, i pulled it off again! phew."

he reassured me that if i love it, (which i do) i have to just accept my nerves and show up anyway.

so i've been thinking... how much of our lives is just about showing up and doing our best?

all of it, actually. right?

"we show up, burn brightly, live passionately, hold nothing back, and when the moment is over, when our work is done, we step back and let go." - rolf gates

(photo credit: xanthe berkeley)

happenings at naturally nina.

hello friends! i'm not usually great at promoting myself, but today i'm delighted to share some exciting new yoga and photography services i'll be offering throughout new england in the coming months.

yoga
1. introduction to yoga: 10 private lessons over the course of one month, designed to give you a basic understanding and experience of yoga asanas (postures) & philosophy. completely customized to meet your needs and goals, we will work together to build strength, flexibility and tranquility. perfect for beginners.

2. yoga for brides: as your wedding day approaches, take a moment to relax, rejuvenate and tone your body. over the course of 5 private lessons, we will work together on breathing techniques, relaxation, and strength. you also have the option of scheduling a brief yoga class for you and your bridal party the morning of your wedding.


photography
1. month-by-month munchkin: document your baby's first year by scheduling a mini photo shoot with me once a month. we will work together to come up with a fun and creative style to capture your babe's personality and growth.

2. shop, prop or etsy: are you looking for high quality images to enhance your business? book a session with me to photograph your handmade creations, vintage clothing, or other objects. styling is included.

book now
for more information, rates and dates available, please send me an email at naturallynina[at]gmail.com. book early, as spots may fill up! thank you. xo.

tossing and turning.

i couldn't sleep last night.

thoughts of japan, this tragic incident, and a dear friend of mine who is suffering immense grief made me feel fragile and helpless.

as is always the case when i don't know what else to do, i plan to hit the mat today. yoga will, at the very least, help me breathe.

what do you do when it all gets to be too much?

(photo credit: ashlikaan)

have a beautiful weekend.

                 

here's a little summary of my week:
homemade biscuits and chocolate cake. three canceled yoga classes due to snow. (boo.)
the help. simon working from home, (which means lots of mid-day jokes and stolen
kisses). crossed fingers and toes for good luck. icicles as far as the eye can see. flickering
candles. waterproof boots. impromptu yoga stretches in the living room. and an epic trip to
trader joe's, where i walked away with more bags than i could carry. how was your week?

p.s. more importantly, what are you up to this weekend? it's taco night in our house! huzzah.

(photo credits: floraison)

on the mat.

yoga journal recently launched a 21 day challenge, and i am participating. as a teacher, i try to practice yoga every day, but i am taking this opportunity to move beyond my usual postures and attend more studio classes. so far, i'm loving it!

tonight, i practiced with a fellow soni yoga teacher, and he reminded us that we are always exactly where we need to be, both in life and in our asanas (postures). whew. if only i could remember that when i'm having a bad day. :)

is anyone else participating in the challenge, or wants to join?


(photo credit: j-seven)

my week, in photos.

hello! can you believe that the holiday season is over (sad face.) and that 2011 is here?! i don't know about you, but i'm already feeling like the new year is off to an impressive start (minus, of course, the fact that i spent the evening of january 1st eating a bag of doritos). but otherwise, it feels like it's going to be a big year. :)

the week leading into new year's i taught yoga at the studio three times, and also made time for my own practice at a great studio in colorado. i quickly noticed a theme emerge, both as a teacher and as a student. i really need to start taking better care of myself, (see above mention of doritos as an example). i'm having visions of fresh fruit smoothies for breakfast, and calming tea at night. and maybe, just maybe, i'll start eating a real dinner every day. ;)

i spent a lot of time in airports over the past week, so this is a snapshot of how i entertained myself. (p.s. secrets to happiness is a fun book.)

my sister and i baked a fantastic kransekake and i couldn't help but love the fact that it ended up looking a little like the leaning tower of pisa. perfection in imperfection, as they say.

we also decided in the eleventh hour that my mother needed new centerpieces for a big dinner party, (sorry, mom)... so we threw some dried juniper berries into a vase. i love how sweet and simple they turned out.

and last but not least, here i am with a lucky napkin on my head.

the story: dating back almost twenty years, we have a tradition in my family that as a participant of a board or card game, any of us can place a napkin on our head for good luck. (in this particular case, i was so beyond losing, the napkin didn't work. it was hopeless.)

here's to a fantastic year! xo.

reflecting.

as this year comes to a close, and i'm hitting the six month mark since i quit my full-time job, i've been doing a lot of thinking. i would be lying if i said the transition hasn't had its ups and downs.

some days, i just wish it would be easier. even as i make progress (i'm now teaching an average of two-three yoga classes a week) and good things happen (students coming up to me after class and telling me they loved it) it still feels altogether too slow. i'm impatient. and uncomfortable. and worried about failing at every moment.

i try to remind myself that being outside of my comfort zone is a good thing; it's where growth happens. but sometimes people say (unintentionally) hurtful things, and my self esteem plummets. the other day i was referred to as someone who "doesn't work." my heart ached. "maybe it's true," i thought. maybe this is how the world views me?

as a friend once told me, it's easy to dismiss "work" that can't be measured in titles, raises, and promotions. a lot of people don't understand why i wouldn't want to have a "career" in the way that they do.

but the good news is i love teaching yoga. i'm just crossing my fingers for more yoga classes in the new year, and perhaps another job too.

so, my dear readers, i'd love to hear if any of you have any thoughts to share on this subject. freelancers, moms, artists, and fellow yoga teachers... have you experienced similar things? how do you deal with people who aren't supportive of your life choices?

p.s. while i'm on this subject, i'm happy to announce that i now teach yoga at soni yoga studio in burlington. i have a regular class on wednesdays, at 10 a.m. and will be subbing often too. please come join me, and say hello! :) beginners welcome.

(photo credit: ismay ozga)

happy december!

today i'm taking a little break from gift guides to share my new favorite song. i heard it on the radio in the car yesterday and immediately started humming along.

now that i am teaching yoga more regularly, (more on that soon), i've been having so much fun building playlists and coming up with songs that are yoga-appropriate, while still not being too new agey. *

mind you, the video is odd. but i still like the song, so here you go!

junip - always from city slang on vimeo.

* i actually don't mind new agey music in moderation.

a good week.

this week, i...

• taught two yoga classes: one to a group of fabulous ladies who sent me home with banana bread, and one to a beautiful woman who happens to be my sister. (after this class, we partook in some whitewineasana.)

• skyped with a dear friend in germany. it made me just a teeny bit nostalgic for the year that i lived in munich. the holiday markets and snowy roads were incredibly picturesque.

• took a field trip to ikea and stocked up on a ridiculous amount of scandinavian holiday goodies. i swear, i will never tire of pepperkaker (ginger snaps) norwegian mulled wine, and kitschy scandinavian decorations.

• found some new places of inspiration on the web: a beautiful yoga podcast, wee textiles, and an inside garden diary.

• and last but not least, finished this book. highly recommended.

have a nice weekend, everyone!

on teaching.

this morning i taught yoga to four lovely ladies, and it was... delicious. they were warm and loving, and i felt calm, centered and knowledgeable. simply put, i found my groove and it worked.

but there are also days when i have so many doubts about myself as a teacher. i wonder if i'll ever "make it" (i know... what does that mean anyway?). i worry about whether i am using the correct language and providing enough breath cues. i worry about whether my students are content, enjoying themselves, and getting the most out of my class.

all of this being said, one of the things i love most about yoga is that what happens on the mat is often a reflection of what's happening in your life. for example, if you tend to push yourself too hard on your mat, you are probably pushing too hard in your career too.

as it turns out, the same is true in teaching yoga. i worry about my teaching skills, because i worry about where my career is going in general. go figure, eh?

but anyway, today, i'm going to celebrate. i'm going to let my successful morning seep into the rest of my day and my week. and i'm also going to try to remember that teaching yoga is a process of learning and growing just like anything else.

and even though it doesn't always feel like it... i'm probably doing just fine.

namaste.

(photo credit: keri)

yoga in the park, quiet time and pumpkin spice lattes.

hello, my lovelies! how are you?

yesterday i taught my first yoga class as a certified teacher and i was so nervous. we practiced in a shady little spot in the park, and my two students were encouraging and supportive. but honestly, i still struggled. i guess it will take some time to find my groove.

in other news, this week i am taking a wee break from our never-ending wedding to-do list. i am determined not to fret over the little things. instead, i am planning to write thank you notes, watch a silly romantic comedy and start brainstorming a yoga business name.

i'm also on a mission to enjoy my inaugural pumpkin spice latte of the season. hurray! have you had yours yet? :)


p.p.s. thank you, thank you, thank you, to those of you who sent us mixed cds for our honeymoon. you are so kind. i can't wait to listen to them!

(photo credit: flora douville)

what really goes on at yoga school, part 2

i want freedom for the full expression of my personality. -gandhi

one of my favorite aspects of being at kripalu was meeting complete strangers and slowly getting to know them, and then growing to love them. the process was particularly rewarding because our teachers were always reminding us to be ourselves and embrace the notion that we're all human beings just doing the best we can.

we were encouraged to talk to new people daily, listen to each others' struggles without trying to "fix" them, and work through challenging moments together... like teaching for the first time!

a great lesson for me was noticing how i am drawn to people who are unapologetic about who they are, confident in themselves despite being imperfect, and honest about how they feel. it's a quality i am striving to embody, particularly as i develop as a teacher.

i am also infinitely grateful to my new friends, who embraced me despite my insecurities, my daily need for time alone, my silliness, my occasional complaining, and my sensitivity to well... everything.

and wow, we had a blast. seriously, if you want to meet like-minded souls, who are as "real" as they come... go to yoga school. :)

what really goes on at yoga school, part 1

(our yoga teacher manual a.k.a. the bible.)

what am i doing here?
when we first arrived and were seated in a large circle, i think every single one of us had a moment of panic. "all these other people are going to be better yogis than me. this is going to be nuts. i want to go home!" luckily, it turned out we were all terrified. and we made it.


(my kripalu mug)

fifteen hour days:
i woke up at 6 a.m. every day and usually fell asleep around 10 p.m. it wasn't nearly as hard as i thought it would be... i got tired, yes, but the constant yoga and healthy food was very energizing. (and i still had my daily cup of coffee. of course!)


(a little nook in my room)

speaking of...
the food was local, organic, mostly vegetarian, fresh, and made with love... what more could a girl ask for? i became addicted to the fresh avocados, the kripalu house dressing, the chai tea, the kale (i know!) and the morning granola. yum. i really miss having all of my meals prepared for me... :)


(hilary and me)

the silliness:
we all bonded immediately, laughing about the fact that one our teachers resembles a ninja, sharing our life stories, and taking walks around the campus. i am so proud of all my friends who blossomed into yoga teachers over the course of the month.


(my friend athena doing some yoga in the grass)

and i'm even more appreciative that they let me talk about my bowels. :) yes, there was constant talk of bodily functions. maybe that's what happens when 57 people eat more fiber than ever before!


(ding! time to stop meditating.)

camel pose:
my favorite new pose is ustrasana. i used to avoid it like the plague, but several other yogis encouraged me, helped me, and supported me... and now i love it. funny how that happens.

om shanti! until tomorrow.

home sweet home (and lots to share!)

(me in downward dog by the lake)

hello sweet readers! so guess what? i'm officially a yoga teacher. woot woot!

i graduated on friday and am now settling back into life in boston. it feels a little surreal but i'm so happy...

this week i will be sharing lots about the past month, and i hope to be back to my regular posting schedule. thank you so much for sticking around and being so supportive.

i love you guys!

somewhere between overwhelmed and euphoric.

today is my 11th day at kripalu. wow.

at times, i feel like this month is moving at snail speed. i'll be sitting on my little cushion in the classroom, trying to soak up everything the teacher is saying about utkatasana, when in reality i'm just trying to keep my spine straight, lamenting that my pedicure is chipping, and wondering... when can i take a nap? :)

at other times, we'll be sitting in a circle and applauding each other's accomplishments, or practicing yoga outside on the cool grass, or dancing (there is so much dancing here!), and i'll feel an incredible amount of joy and energy.

still, i have hours (or days) when i feel like i'm never going to be able to pull off this whole "yoga teacher" thing. i had my first practice teach yesterday (30 minutes) and it was overwhelming. i felt like i was trying to juggle, on one foot, while singing a song, while counting backwards. but hey, i did it. :) and to be honest, i'm looking forward to doing it again.

and other than all of that, we're having a big 'ol blast. the people here are so lovely.

i've played in the rain, had bunnies for lunch company, soaked in the whirlpool, taken a field trip to a local coffee shop (huzzah), listened to beautiful music, built a lot of muscle strength, eaten gourmet meals every day, seen a celebrity (!), and laughed all day.

it's been an adventure! and it's not even half over...

kripalu update!

yoga school has been fabulous so far... it's amazing how much can happen in a week though; i don't know where to begin. :)

first, i'd like to thank you all for being so welcoming to our guest bloggers. i really appreciate it. aren't their posts fun? (also, i know the fonts have been wacky, and i'm going to try to fix it. thanks for your patience.)

now onto the juicy stuff... shall we start with some pictures?

kripalu is located smack dab in the middle of endless "om-trees." (that's our little nickname for them since they are so big and perfect!) the campus is incredible, and i've been taking short little walks daily.

this room is our home for the month. the instructors sit in the front, and all of the colorful shapes on the wall are our intentions for the month. the space is much larger than it looks in this photo though; we fit 57 yoga mats!

we've been learning lots of anatomy this week. i never thought i'd like bones so much. in fact, i can already tell i'm going to be the kind of yoga teacher who is obsessed with anatomy and safety. very cool.

this is a little lounge area where i sometimes sit. and by sometimes, i mean on the rare occasion that we actually have time to lounge. :)

a few other things about this first week:

- we practice yoga twice a day, for a total of 3.5 hours. the rest of the time we're either learning how to teach postures, or we're learning theory. i've also been going to dance classes during lunch. so you might say, i'm blissfully exhausted.

- we've also spent a great deal of time learning how to breathe! if you're not a yogi, you'd be surprised how much there is to learn about deep breathing. the other day we were practicing dirgha breathing and i burst into tears. i think i was releasing some built up anxiety. breathing is powerful stuff.

- the food. oh, the food. truthfully, i can't verbalize how yummy it is. sometimes in the middle of a tough yoga pose, i just daydream about the food. (don't tell, ok?)

- i've made some friends and they are all so special: a school teacher from calgary, a community center director from florida, an environmental genius from vancouver, and so many more... i feel so lucky to be spending this month with them.

- that being said, i miss simon.

i think that's about all for now. it has felt like a long week, but it's also been an empowering one. i will continue to update you all as time allows. :)

much much love and thank you for being patient and supportive while i am on this adventure!

p.s. today is our day off, and i'm getting a facial in a few hours. yay! 

kripalu day 1

hello, friends!
 
i am currently sitting in the kripalu cafe, looking out over rolling hills and a gorgeous lake. today's activities haven't started yet (they gave us a one time pass on 6:30 a.m. yoga) but i was awake most of the night anyway (a combination of excitement and nerves, i think). either way, i have my coffee next to me (shh) and a great view of the surrounding beauty. i'm happy.

kripalu is a very special place. if you've never been here, it's kind of hard to describe the vibe without using cliched words like "peaceful", "warm" and "vibrant". but it's true. there is an energy to this place that impresses me every time.

last night we had our opening circle, and it was surprisingly not intense. the two main instructors are lovely and funny, and made us all feel so welcome. there are about 60 people in the program, but only two guys. poor souls. :)

at one point we were moving around the room, getting our bodies warmed up, when all of a sudden a song came on... justin timberlake's rock your body. at that moment i knew this whole adventure was going to be a really good time.

oh my god! i just saw a bunny hopping around outside! seriously. okay, it's official: this place is ridiculous. :)

much love and see you soon!

p.s. pictures of my room and everything else coming soon! :)

off to kripalu!

eeeee! i am so excited as i type this... today i leave for my kripalu yoga teacher training.

it's been a long time coming, but i am finally packed and ready to go. simon is driving me to the beautiful berkshires, and then he'll help me set up my room. it kind of feels like i am going to college or summer camp! :) then we'll say goodbye (a part i'm not looking forward to) and i'll head off to program's welcome session.



i have lined up some awesome guest posts for the month, so i hope you enjoy them. but i'm also going to blog as often as i can. wish me luck, ok? i'll be thinking of all of you, and i promise to take lots of pictures!

p.s. if you happen to be at kripalu during the month of august and you see me, please come say hello! :)

packing for yoga school.

in just a few days, i'm heading to western massachusetts to participate in my yoga teacher training. since i'm dorky and excited, i've been meticulously planning what to pack, and i think i've finally settled on a thoughtful and reasonable amount of "stuff" for the month.

in addition to approximately twenty pairs of yoga pants and an equal amount of tank tops, i'm bringing a few special little things that will make me feel at home and happy:

my sigg water bottle, comfy flip flops, a travel candle, a fan for the warm august nights, a soft blanket from home, mala beads from india, a journal to record my thoughts, china gel to soothe sore muscles, and my favorite hoodie.

my dears, do you have any other suggestions for ways to make me feel at "home"? i'd love to hear. you always have the best ideas!

the yoga journey.

the other day i was rolling up my yoga mat after class, when the teacher approached the girl who had been practicing on the mat next to me. the teacher said: "you have such beautiful form" and the student graciously smiled and said: "thank you".

as i walked away, i couldn't help but feel a tremendous sense of envy wash over me. why hadn't the teacher told me that my form was beautiful? was i doing a bad job? was my form unworthy of a similar compliment?

i realized later, of course, that my form had absolutely nothing to do with the situation. clearly, i was feeling insecure about my yoga practice and needed to address that. yoga is the furthest thing from a competitive sport, and yet i still fall into the trap of comparing myself to other yogis. often.

have you ever had similar moments of unnecessary jealousy? ugh. how do you deal with it?

(photo credit: sunsinger)