"Calming, Smiling, Present moment, Wonderful moment."

Thich Nhat Hanh

Yesterday, I found myself spiraling from the "What if's"... With many potential paths currently in front of me, it was easy for me to live in the future, rather than the present. I felt a little shaken and at a state of unease, and I knew I needed to snap back to the now.

The cure?

Leading last night's incredible and uplifting singing bowl meditation alongside my beautiful friend, support and advice from friends and family, a restful nights sleep, and an early morning wake up for yoga, my favorite tea, and medicine cards. It was a good reminder that life can be tricky, and change and challenges will always arise, but we all have our personal tools to get ourselves through, help us grow, and carry us to the next adventure.

(Overwhelming gratitude goes to my father, who would always help me calm down as a child with the above Thich Nhat Hanh mantra, and who still helps me remember it as an adult. I would not be who I am today without your love, support, and guidance.)

"What you think, you become.
What you feel, you attract.
What you imagine, you create." 

Buddha

"You're going on vacation? That's great!" 

"Yeah, I need a break."

This past summer has held quite a bit of emotional events for me, and I decided that the way to reset myself would be a journey to the Oregon coast. Every time I mentioned it, though, I phrased it: "I need a break."

What I meant was: "I would like a reprieve from ongoing emotional trauma, and to take some time to reset myself in a positive manner that allows me to explore the world and myself."

However, I kept repeating:

"I need a break."

"I need a break."

"I need a break."

So about halfway through my 12 hour drive from Montana to the coast, what happened?

My car broke down.

It was as if the universe was listening to my inadvertent mantra and decided to be literal: "Alright, girl, I hear you already! Here's the dang break you asked for! You meant your wheel bearing, right?"

As I sat in the Motel 6 waiting for the Subaru dealership down the street to open the following morning, I faced the reality of what happens when you put intention out in the world. Without direction and positive intention, how can I expect the universe to send what I desire my way?

Motel yoga.... Mo-ga?

Although I thought the scenery of my "reset" would be when I was facing the ocean, I found it unexpectedly beginning in a tiny motel room in The Dalles, Oregon. After a hot shower, great conversation with some beautiful souls down in the lobby, a full nights sleep cuddling with the hound, a little yoga, and dropping off my car at the dealership, I began to rephrase my intent and redirect my outlook.

"I am ready for a joyous adventure."

"I am ready for a positive change in my life."

As soon as my attitude shifted, so did my situation. The car parts that were missing for the repair suddenly appeared. The man working on my car offered a discount on the repair. The car was ready at the exact time I checked out from the motel. Before I knew it, the dog and I were loaded up and heading westward once again. The following day was spent exploring with the hound on an almost private beach, with the waves lapping against my bare feet as we roamed for miles.

As I strolled along the shore, I was reminded of an important mantra that we all should repeat in times of confusion, upheaval, or stress:

"Most benevolent outcome."

This sends out the message that whatever the possibilities are, the one that will do the highest good will manifest.

After a day of hiking, exploring caves, drawing mandalas in the sand, collecting sand-dollars, and a long yoga practice in a secluded cove, we went back to camp for a good night's sleep (as we had to return to Bozeman the next day).

Although it did not end up being my initial expectation of my trip, embarking on this journey still allowed me to reset and remind myself the power of intent.

... and in case I forget, the bill from Subaru serves as a good reminder as well. Sheesh.

Today was a beautiful / uplifting /  marvelous / spectacular day.

Why, you ask?

Well, the sun was shining, smiles and laughter were in abundance, and my Zenned Out order arrived!

Check out the gorgeous packaging it came in! They even included a lovely magnet.

Let me rewind briefly to a week or so ago:

This summer, my lil' dingo and I shared our 4th year together, and I have been wanting to find him a special ID tag to celebrate his unique and clever soul. So while perusing Etsy one day, I was struck with inspiration to reach out to one of my favorite jeweler: Zenned Out.

Zenned Out is lovely little shop based out of Arizona that creates stunning handmade jewelry for the modern yogi! I have been a fan of their jewelry for a while (aka they have made frequent appearances in my Pinterest and Etsy boards), but I always been indecisive on what to order first. When I approached them about potentially creating a custom dog tag for Riggs, they got back to me lickity-split: Yes!

Fast-forward back to the present: it is finally here!

The hamsa on the top of the piece, which contains an evil eye, is for protection. Given Riggs's curious nature, along with his official title as my adventure co-pilot, I thought it would be a perfect symbol for him to wear everyday. Below his information, Zenned Out also included a lotus. Lotus flowers grow up from murky, muddy pools until blossom above the surface, which I feel wonderfully represents Riggs's past. Before he came into my life, he was found as a stray in Wyoming who was malnourished, fearful, and obvious traumatized from previous abuse. Now, after years of love and care, he has blossomed into a loving, playful hound who always ensures I am happy and safe.

Here's the lil goober modeling his new tag on our afternoon hike to the water falls.

However, now that Riggs's has some Zenned Out bling, I am getting a little jealous! I suppose it is time to pick one for myself... but which one?

chakra rings / no mud no lotus necklace / moon phase bracelet / labradorite moonstone ring / om mani padme hum ring

If you are unfamiliar with Zenned Out, click here to head over to their page and show them some love! Thanks again Zenned Out!

PS: As you probably noticed, that is not my phone number pictured above. Hooray for Photoshop protecting my privacy!

I am a big believer in nighttime yoga. I fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and feel more relaxed the next morning. My only issue? I get so relaxed afterwards that the journey from my yoga mat to the bed seems a million miles away! My solution? Yoga in bed! Once you are done, close your eyes and drift off... perfect!

Unlike the typical, fast-paced yoga class you may have attended at your yoga studio or gym, this practice is very yin based: slow, relaxing, and deep. Spend a little while in each pose to enjoy all of the lovely benefits.

This is a short and sweet version of my nightly routine... aka: no excuses not to do it! Some nights I spend more time and add in additional poses, but at the very least, I do this routine nightly to release any stress and tension (and recommend you do the same).

Begin by sitting cross legged in the center of your bed. With your back straight, center yourself by focusing on your breath. Hands can either rest on your knees or held in front of your chest in prayer. Using Ujjayi breathing (yoga breathing where your breath sounds similar to ocean waves), take the first few moments of your practice to let go of the day's events and stress.

Place your right hand on your left knee and your left hand behind your back. Exhale while gently twist your torso to the left, and allow your gaze to follow. Breathe in deeply and allow the breath to fill the empty space being created by your stretch. Slowly release, and repeat on the right side.

Turn to face a wall (or your headboard). Laying flat on your back, scoot your butt a few inches away from the wall, and place your legs straight up against it. Relax into the pose, and make sure not to lock your knees. If the stretch is too much, back away slightly from the wall. Remember to breathe in deeply, and feel the breath filling your belly as you sink heavier into the bed.  Remain here for a full minute or two.

Next, lie on your back with your knees bent. With an exhale, bend both legs back towards your belly. Inhale and grip the outsides of your feet with your hands. Bring your knees towards your armpits by opening your knees slightly wider than your torso. Make sure your ankles are stacked over your knees so your shins are perpendicular with the bed. Breathe deeply, and slowly pull your hands down to increase the stretch to a point you feel comfortable with.

When you are ready, return to laying flat on your back with your arms and legs stretched out slightly away from your body. The goal is total relaxation, so if need be, place a pillow to support under your legs. Remain here for at least five minutes. If you're like me, however, you will snoring pretty quickly!

Enjoy the restful sleep, and namaste!

For thousands of years, yogis have believed in the power of breath. To this day, yoga instructors even go as far as to say that if you lose track of your breathing during your yoga practice, you basically void the benefits of your asanas. Long story short: breathing is a crucial part of yoga!

Pranayama, or yoga breathing, makes you more connected to your breath. Although it is important to practice during your yoga practice, it can be beneficial to practice before meditation, right before you go to bed, right before you wake up, or when you just need to recharge. I have found that returning to my yoga breath can really help when I am stressed and need to reset my brain, like when I am hanging off of a mountain on a hard rock climbing route.

A technique that I love and have been using everyday is alternate nostril breathing (also known as Anulom Vilom). It is a great beginning pranayama practice, and can be done by everybody!

Alternate nostril breathing can be an extremely therapeutic and calming ritual. It cleanses your lungs and your mind, calms your emotions and your nervous system, encourages the flow of prana (energy), and can relax a restless brain and body. Doesn't that sound wonderful? Lets get to it!

Begin by getting into a comfortable seated position on your yoga mat. Sit up straight, with your neck, back, and tailbone stacked. Using your right hand, place your pointer and middle finger on your third eye (in the middle of your forehead just above your eyebrows). Take a few relaxed breaths until you feel centered and ready to begin.

Using your thumb, close off your right nostril. Slowly breathe in through your left nostril for a count of four. Hold breathe for a count of four.

Close off left nostril with your ring finger, and release your right nostril. Slowly breathe out for a count of four. Inhale though the right nostril for a count of four. Hold for four, then release through your left side as before. Repeat a few rounds of this alternate breathing and feel how your body responds to this gentle and nourishing practice.

Remember:
Never be forceful with your pranayama practice. If holding four counts is too much, try shorter increments until you can work your way up to it.
Health conditions, such as high blood pressure, might mean that you shouldn't participate or hold your breath. (Translation: Talk to your doctor.)
If possible, try to practice on an empty stomach or if has been a few hours since eating.

Do you practice pranayama? How do you use yoga breathing techniques in your everyday life?

As we all know, crystals and gemstones can carry fantastic positive energy that can benefit our lives and the world around us. However, crystals absorb a lot of negative gunk over time, so it is beneficial to cleanse and recharge them!

There are multiple ways to cleanse crystals, like letting them bask in the sunshine, tossing them through a candle flame, burying them underground, or washing them in a flowing stream. However, some crystals will fade in sunlight, like amethyst, and others will dissolve in water, like selenite. Therefore, one of my favorite methods is using the full moon! The full moon is known for its power and the wonderful energy it brings, so it makes a great tool to re-energize your crystals.

Firstly, go on a scavenger hunt for all the crystals in your house, including jewelry! This took me quite a while to find all the crystals hiding on random shelves and in drawers, but if a crystal has been sitting around for a while, it especially could use a cleanse!

Once you have everything you want to cleanse, I start off by rinsing my crystals in running water. From there, I place them in a bowl of water and sea salt (I usually put a few spoonfuls into a big bowl and stir until it dissolves). Leave them in the bowl for up to 24 hours. I like to do the cleansing the night before the full moon, so the following evening I pat all of the crystals dry and then put them in a place they will be exposed the most moonlight (like a window or outside).

Remember, if you have selenite or other gemstones that can dissolve in water, skip the water steps and just put them in the moonlight!

By morning, you will wake up to find new life in your crystals! I have noticed a big difference not only in the energy of my cleansed crystals, but in their shine and color as well.

Time to enjoy your newly refreshed crystals!

Do you have a favorite way to cleanse your stones? Have you ever done it before?

PS:

Check for the next full moon here!

If you have run into me lately, it is a safe bet that I was wearing my elephant pants! (Seriously, it is almost to the point of too much, but oh well!) I wear them to yoga, work, and just to lounge around the house. They are ridiculously comfy, super cute, and a percentage of the proceeds goes towards charity. It is a win-win-win!

The Elephant Pants is a company dedicated to helping save the elephants of the world. $1-2 dollars of each item sold goes directly to the African Wildlife Foundation. Currently, they have donated over $80,000! You go guys!

Elephants are amazing animals that deserve our attention and respect. The Say No Campaign (by AWF) is a public awareness campaign with the goal of stopping the demand for illegal wildlife products, specifically ivory and rhino horn.

If you live here in Bozeman, you can find these incredible pants over at the lovely MaYarising downtown. If you live anywhere else, check out The Elephant Pants online to learn more and grab your own pair! There is a great variety of colors, and they have even started making shorts, rompers, and bags as well. (P.S. Guys can look very stylish in these as well!)

Much love to my beautiful friend, model, and fellow elephant pants fan: Margaret!

As an added bonus for Blue Lotus readers, use the code bluelotusbozeman on The Elephant Pants website for 15% off!

Have fun shopping!

“The whole of meditation practice can be essentialized into these 3 crucial points: Bring your mind home. Release. And relax!”  

Sogyal Rinpoche

When my brain starts getting a little frazzled, I can usually trace it back to not meditating enough (aka I've been a lazy bum that day and pressed snooze instead). Therefore, whenever my friends and loved ones are stressed, my suggestions usually involve a little meditation to recenter themselves.

However, sometimes they express a little hesitation at the idea for a variety of reasons, like they are intimidated, unsure how, or believe that it is solely religious based. To which I say: Don't be silly! Meditation is for everyone, regardless of experience or religion. Studies have shown the positive effect meditation can have on your life, so there is no time like the present to begin!

If you don't know where to start, take a peek at these suggestions:

1 - Carve out a little time. Set aside a specific time everyday to sit and meditate. Whether it is 5 minutes in the morning before work, or 20 minutes after dinner every night, honor it as a time for meditation and nothing else.

2 - Establish a ritual. Light a candle. Create a meditation corner that you can retreat to. Acknowledge the positive change you are bringing to your life, and make it a special moment.

3 - Start out easy. In the same way that you wouldn't run a marathon without any training, you shouldn't begin meditating and sit for two hours. Meditation is mental training, and nobody gets monk-like meditation power overnight. Start off with 5 minutes (or even lower if needed) and work your way up over time.

4 - Focus on your breath. Allow it to come naturally and feel your body relax further with each inhale and exhale.

5 - Experiment. There is no wrong way to meditate, and what works for one person might not for another. There are numerous techniques you can try. Adopt a mantra and use a mala to keep track. (Learn how to use a mala here.) Use an app to take you through a guided meditation (I like Headspace). Go into nature and find a quiet place to listen to the calm rustle of the trees and the hum of the life around you. Listen to a singing bowl CD. Attend a local meditation group. Anything works!

Do you have any meditation techniques or routines that you follow?