“The real payoff of a yoga practice, I came to see, is not a perfect handstand or a deeper forward bend—it is the newly born self that each day steps off the yoga mat and back into life.” 

Rolf Gates

Last fall, I began attending a small weekly yoga class, run by a wonderfully kind and experienced yogini who converted her home into a working yoga studio. After about an hour long class (which ranges from yin to ashtanga style, and always includes laughter and helpful assistance), we settle in for savasana. Once our instructor Chris ensures that we are all comfortable and relaxed (she provides all props, including cozy blankets and hot massage rocks to lay on for sore muscles), she typically reads us an excerpt from an article or book. While completely surrendered in savasana, I felt the words met no resistance and poured directly into my soul. By what I am convinced is some sort of yogini mind-reading magic, she would somehow choose passages that spoke directly to my current situations. I recall one day that the passage was so timely and encouraged me to release my fear, and I found myself needing a few moments extra to wipe away a few tears as well. On the days that I was particularly moved, I would ask where the passage came from. Her answer: Meditations from the Mat.

Meditations from the Mat is a book by Rolf Gates, and I recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in yoga. Divided into 365 passages for daily reading, each chapter studies all of the aspects of the 8 limbs of yoga in a very approachable manner, with tips and insights along the way.

I like to have it close to my yoga mat each day, so that once I finish savasana, I can sit with my tea and read a passage. Here is a quote I came across today that I absolutely love:

“Love is not a thought, it is an action. And each loving action that we take infuses us with more energy for loving action in the future.” 

Do you have a favorite yoga book right now? 

Looking around my home, you will notice a common theme... lavender hand soap, lavender bubble bath, lavender room spray, lavender candles, even lavender tea! Needless to say, I am absolutely in love with lavender!

Lavandula angustifolia, aka lavender, is known for its powerful relaxing qualities. Good for both the body and the mind, it should be staple in every household. I have always loved the variety of ways you can use it, and its positive effect on my life. In case you are in need of some inspiration, I compiled a quick list on how to add lavender into your life!

Drink a cup of lavender tea each evening, or whenever you are overwhelmed with stress. If you can, get the highest quality of loose lavender buds, brew it in a tea infuser like this one, add a tiny smidge of honey (if you must), and enjoy it about 20-40 minutes before bedtime. If you're like me, you might fall asleep before you even finish your cup!

Soak in a hot bath with a couple cups of epsom salts and a few drops of lavender essential oil. When my body feels tense, soaking in a lavender bath for at least 20 minutes releases any tension I have, softens the skin, and inhaling the lavender aroma calms my mind as well. When I am done soaking, the lavender scent stays with me long after I dry off.

In the summer, combine a drop of lavender oil with coconut oil, and apply it to sunburns or insect bites. This calms the skin and relieves itching, therefore allowing the skin a better chance to heal.

When doing laundry, insert a satchel of lavender buds to the dryer to result in yummy smelling clothing and sheets. 

Lavender plants are beautiful, smell wonderful, and are pretty hardy, so plant a few bushes in your garden so you always have access to some!

Use an essential oil diffuser to diffuse lavender into your bedroom at night, or to create a relaxing atmosphere in an office or treatment room. 

Put a sprig of dried lavender or a satchel of dried lavender buds in your car to freshen it up instead of using chemical-based air-fresheners.

Put a drop of lavender mixed with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) on the bottom of your feet at night for a deep, restful night's sleep.

I rotate in a coconut oil/lavender oil combination into my skincare routine a few times a week to give my face a break from salicylic acid treatments, while still fighting off acne and clogged pores. I moisturize my face, then use the mixture for the rest of my body as well!

When sick, inhaling the steam of lavender can help fight of bacteria and infections due to its antibiotic and expectorant properties. If you are feeling under the weather and stuffy, fill a bowl full of hot water, add a drop of lavender essential oil, and lean over the bowl with a towel over your head and the bowl (trapping in the steam). Be careful the water is not too hot, as to not burn your face with the steam. 

If you are prone to depression, anxiety, or constant stress, keeping a vial of lavender essential oil nearby can be helpful. When I feel like my mental health could use a tune up, either wearing lavender or just smelling it seems to be the emotional boost I need. (Obviously, if your need of a "mental health tuneup" is severe, consult a professional.) Put a drop or two in your hands, cup them to your face, and breathe in slowly and deeply. 

Well, now that lavender is on my brain, I'm going to go put the kettle on to make a cup of tea!

Do you love lavender as well? What is your favorite use for it?

"I honor the place in your where the entire universe resides... a place of light, of love, of truth, of peace, of wisdom. I honor the place in you where when you are in that place and I am in that place there is only one of us."

Mohandas K. Gandhi

If you've been to a yoga class (or probably even if you haven't), you've heard the term: "Namaste."

What does it mean?

In Sanskrit, the word ‘namah' means bow, ‘as’ means I, and ‘te’ means you, translating into “I bow to you.” Due to a varying language translations, there are many additional interpretations, but every translation contains the same essential intention:

The Divine light in me honors the Divine light in you.

Used by Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, and other religions, it is commonly said with a slight bow and hands in prayer position either at the heart or raised to the forehead. It can be a greeting or a closing, or simply a way to acknowledge someone's blessed spirit.

So namaste, my beautiful friends, and may the light, love, beauty, power, gratitude, spirit, and strength in me honor that within you.

"There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them."

Sylvia Plath

Over the past year, I have experienced a lot of "life" (career changes, moving, medical emergencies, family death, etc.), and it was easy to find myself occasionally overwhelmed with stress.

Have you ever noticed how when you have a lot weighing on you emotionally, your body feels physically weighed down as well? It almost feels as if you are wearing a heavy coat of negativity. Not so fun...

When you are stressed, it can be hard to carve out time to just sit down and meditate. Therefore, I have found a quick solution that lets you (literally) scrub off some of those heavy thoughts: shower-time or bath-time meditation!

Since it is something that everyone does everyday (give or take), it can be a great way to squeeze in a little mental tuneup. Many times, people rush through washing up on autopilot: shampoo, soap, scrub, shave, done. This basic meditation allows you to bring a little mindfulness to your day, and do a little good for your emotional self as well. Depending on whether you prefer showers or baths, you can chose between the two meditations.

If you are showering: As you stand under the stream of water, envision it washing away all of your negative thoughts, as if they were mud stuck to your skin. Some emotions might take a little extra scrubbing, but as you lather up, release all of your fear, anger, and regret so that it may go swirling down the drain.

If you are soaking in the tub: Allow all of your muscles to sink into the hot water. Using a loofa or wash cloth, massage your skin from head to toe, visualizing any negativity within being released into the water. Once you feel truely relaxed and surrendered, unplug the drain and send the water that now carries all that detrimental energy away.

By the time I dry off after a shower or tub meditation, I always feel a lot better, both inside and out!

I always like bringing a cup of yummy tea in the tub with me as well!

I love to use natural bath and shower products, such as Epsom salts, essential oils, Jason shower gel, and my favorite homemade sugar scrub. What are your favorite natural products? Have you ever meditated in the tub before?

Once you begin learning about crystals, you may find yourself... accumulating. Gemstones in the windows, on table tops, in bowls, in your jewelry box, in your garden... everywhere! So what do you do with your collection?

The answer: crystal grids!

Crystal grids are a powerful tool that allow you to harness the energy of multiple stones and direct it towards a specific intention. By aligning crystals strategically, you can create!

The first step is deciding on what goal or creation you would like to manifest. Do you want to improve your overall health? To bring more prosperity and abundance into your life? To sleep better? To improve self-esteem? To bring about world peace? There are endless possibilities, but whatever you choose, make sure that it possesses a positive intention.

Next, find a place where the grid will be set up. They can go anywhere that feels pertinent, such as a sacred space, an alter, a desk, your garden, or even under your bed! Ensure that the space will be undisturbed so the grid can do its work, and that it is clean both physically and energetically (I like to use a cleansing essential oil spray on the surface and in the air).

Now comes my favorite step: collecting and placing your crystals! (Make sure your crystals have been cleansed recently... learn how here.) With most crystal grids, there is a central crystal, typically larger and occasionally pointed as to direct the energy. The central crystal's properties and purpose are amplified by the other crystals present, and is chosen due to its pertinence to the grid's intention.

After placing the central crystal, place your surrounding crystals that will enhance the intention of the grid. By following a sacred geometry pattern (either printed below or intuitively), symmetrically spread the surrounding crystals around the center crystal. While placing your gemstones, focus on what the grid is intended to achieve, and once all the crystals have been arranged, link the crystals (either with a crystal wand or your finger) to get the energy flowing.

When I first started learning about crystal grids, I found them a little intimating... How do I do it? How many crystals do I need? Where do I put them exactly? Now, I love trying different grids and creating my own! Now, I love to incorporate crystal grids with other elements, such as candles, oracle cards, written intentions, you name it! So if you are just starting out, until you get to the point where you feel you can create grids intuitively, I will share a few grid combinations so you can get creating!

 Crystal grids ideas are coming your way soon, so stay tuned!

Until then, I would love to hear: What grids would you like to see examples of? Do you have any experience with crystal grids?

"It’s time to be uplifted and liberated to take your next step towards passionate purpose and divine destiny."

Alana Fairchild

When I was younger, my grandmother and I would choose cards from her Angel Card deck and snuggle up to talk about what they could mean. I have always valued the memories of those times, and nowadays, I own a few different decks, including The Goddess Oracle, Animal Medicine Cards, and Wild Kuan Yin. Like tarot, oracle cards are great tools that you can use to find out information and gain insight to situations. For those new to oracle cards, I thought I would give a brief tutorial on how to use them!

Find a time and space where you feel at peace, without outside distractions (cellphones, loud music, television, etc.) I like to use oracle cards before or after meditation, or sometimes I will spread them out on my bed before I go to sleep.

Take the deck in your hands and shuffle while focusing on your intention behind drawing cards... What areas in my life do I need guidance in? What am I not paying attention to? What information am I in need of? The questions can be vague or specific. Although most of the time I ask for general guidance in life, other times I will use a specific spread. My favorite spread is to have three categories I draw for: what guidance do I need in my personal life, what guidance do I need in my romantic life, and what guidance do I need in my work life. Many oracle card books suggest alternate spreads, so feel free to experiment and use ones that work best for you at that time!

Once shuffled and intention decided upon, spread the cards out in front of you face down. To chose a card, there are a variety of techniques. I like to close my eyes, slowly sweep my hand over the cards, and see which ones my hand touches down on. My close friend is a very visual person, so she can which cards she should select just through looking. Another friend has a strong inner compass, and feels directed to the cards she needs. With practice, you will feel your intuition grow and find which technique works best for you. With general questions, and occasionally with spreads, you will find yourself drawn to multiple cards. This is okay! I have found some days I only need one card, others I pick out half a dozen!

Once you have selected your card(s), set the others aside. Turn over what you have selected, and use your reference book (usually included within the deck box) to decode the message. Some information is easier to decode than others, so if you feel puzzled, I like to write down what cards I have drawn and study them for a few days.Other times, I have even texted my friends asking for their interpretations!

If you draw cards often, you might find a certain card pops up more frequently than the others. With The Goddess Oracle deck, I chose Sophia so often that it seems to pop up almost every other drawing! This card is important to you and your life's journey, and likely is information you should always keep in the forefront of your mind. Pay attention!

Oracle cards can be wonderful tools to help you learn more about yourself and guide you when you feel lost, but they can also be a fun thing to do with your friends! On nights-in with friends, we will pour some wine, spread out the cards, and all pick one! It is interesting to see which cards everyone chooses, and gives a little insight!

My favorite oracle card drawing was when I once asked for specific information about the future of a relationship. It wasn't really something I wanted a direct answer for, but curiosity got the best of me... I found myself drawing seven Goddess cards, and when I turned them over, I started laughing. The cards told me to enjoy the amazing present, leave it a mystery, trust in the way of life, and to mind my own dang business! These ladies have some sass!

Do you have any experiences with oracle cards? What was your most powerful reading?

One of the questions I am most commonly asked is "What are the main crystals I should have?"

Although there are always some of the more popular stones you can always turn to, such as amethyst, clear quartz, and rose quartz, every person's energy and situation is unique, and that dictates what stones would be most beneficial.

Regardless, I always love to share what crystals I have connected with best and feel the most benefit from wearing everyday.

First off, I have an amethyst bracelet, which is a fantastic crystal to protect, heal, calm, and helps calm and focus a worried mind during meditation.

On my opposite wrist, I have an aventurine bracelet, which helps release anxiety and stress, aids in love relationships, and manifest luck and prosperity.

On my pointer finger, I have a large chrysocolla ring. Chrysocolla benefits all the chakras by providing calming, cleansing, and energizing vibrations. In addition, it increases self confidence, self-awareness, and inner-balance.

Around my neck, I have my labradorite necklace and my rainbow moonstone necklace, both by Joyful Jewelry (

click here to read more about Jenn's beautiful jewelry

). I wear both of these stones together as they encourage a harmonious balance: yin/yang, new moon/full moon, masculine/feminine energy. Both stones are crystals assist in the creation of creative ideas,  aid in transformation, and are useful companions through change as they encourage strength and perseverance. Labradorite is a power stone which helps determine the form of your dreams and goals. Moonstone is a wonderful crystal to assist in meditation, especially when attempting to connect with ones self and ones goddess/emotional side.

My current "daily crystal" essentials have accumulated over time to reflect where I am in my life and what energy I want to draw in. On the days that I require a little extra help, I find combining other crystal energy can be beneficial, usually by placing gemstones in my pockets. (P.S. Ladies: Your bra can actually an awesome place to keep small crystals... I have had friends and clients frequently admit it's their favorite place to keep them because it centralizes the energy right near your heart center... but obviously, to each their own.) However, I'm sure as I change and my energy changes there may be a shift of what crystals I will be drawn towards and wear.

What crystals do you like to keep with you every day?

As I am sure you have figured out by now, it is a safe bet to say that I love the potential of crystal healing. I use crystals for elevating my home, my health, my meditation, even my yoga practice! So when I learned there was a safe way to use crystals to enhance my drinking water, I jumped at the chance!

Enter VitaJuwel, the solution to all my problems. Well, maybe not all my problems since crystals have yet to pay off my bills, but I digress.

Vitajuwel creates beautiful glass vials filled with different crystal elixirs that you can place in your normal drinking water so you can enjoy all of the wonderful crystal energy without having to place gemstones directly in your water. Most recently, they created a water bottle, Via, so that you can take your crystal elixirs on the go! I'm in heaven!

The idea of creating gemstone-charged beverages has been around for centuries, dating back to when the ancient Greeks used amethyst with their wine to keep them from getting too drunk and enhance the flavor. (PS: VitaJuwel makes a wine decanter that is absolutely gorgeous!) Nowadays, we know that it can be harmful to place crystals directly in what we consume due to the potential for toxic substances to be released (copper, lead, etc.). By encasing different blends of gemstones in sealed vials, VitaJuwel lets you enjoy that beneficial energy goodness without the potential toxic nonsense.

VitaJuwel was kind enough to send me a Via to review, and to be honest, I have been addicted to it since it arrived! They sent the Five Elements bottle, which features amethyst, chalcedony, petrified wood, rose quartz, ocean chalcedony.  The description that accompanies it states: Traditional Chinese medicine has developed over 5,000 years and recognizes health as a harmonious balance of five elements: Wood for growth, water for reflection, earth for grounding, metal for strength and fire for passion. Every person is a unique blend of these elements. Following this ancient philosophy, we have included one kind of gem for each element in this blend to reflect each attribute. Get your life in balance. Experience this ancient wisdom. It is extremely beautiful... I've certainly never had a water bottle that looks like a work of art! All you have to do is fill your bottle with regular tap or filtered water, allow the water 7-10 minutes to charge, and it is good to go!

Once the water is charged, I notice a palatable difference from normal tap water... the texture and taste seems smoother and softer. (I even heard that using your VitaJuwel with juice can change the taste so that is not as acidic, and I can't wait to try it!) Sometimes people have trouble understanding the power crystals can have, so I like giving them a comparison taste test so they can taste the evidence for themselves.  I make sure I always have a full bottle of Vitajuwel water ready, and it always gets so many compliments. 

The only downside to this amazing bottle is that it is relatively fragile, so it requires a bit more thought than the typical water bottle you can just throw in your bag. It is a piece of art, so treat it like one! I like to either keep mine at my desk, beside my bed, or set aside for after my yoga/meditation practice, as to limit the risk of breaking it. If I absolutely have to pack it, I put a drink coozie on each end to protect it!
 

Drink coozies on either end before it goes in the purse!

All things considered, however, I would highly recommend purchasing one yourself and for the whole family! (There is a kids Vitajuwel that is adorable and is sure to help your kids drink more water as well! Who needs sugary drinks when you can have beautiful crystal water?)

Many thanks for the folks over at VitaJuwel for sending me a Via to review and enjoy, and keep doing the wonderful work you are doing!

Want your own? Head over to VitaJuwel's website! Or if you are a local Bozemanite, check out the amazing selection of VitaJuwel goodies at the Dari Rasa Trunk Show downtown. 

Do any of you have a VitaJuwel? Do you have any experience with gemstone elixirs?