Mountain Trails and Mental Pathways

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes” - Proust

Each journey I embark on eye opening and thought provoking in its own way. My most resent trip to Nepal was certainly no different and the spirit of the Himalayas reached out and kissed my soul once again. There is definitely something special about these mountains.

I had the great pleasure of guiding a lovely group of individuals in a country whose landscapes and people have stolen my heart. My favorite part of what I do in my business is arrange  international yoga adventures. When I decided that I wanted to be a yoga instructor back in 2008 I said to myself, "I want to be a yoga teacher and I want to take people on grand adventures". Back then I was trying to find a career path that spoke to me and would allow me to keep traveling. Back then I didn't know it would cultivate such passion in me and be the vehicle for tremendous growth, 

On the first part of our trip earlier this month we trekked for 5 days on the “Everest Panorama Trek” and it was nothing short of breathtaking. There were some tough days and the apex of the hike we climbed to 13,000 feet. The effort was so worth it to take in the view of Everest and Amadabla on the veranda of the Everest View Hotel with a cup of hot and delicious chai in hand. Each day was filled stunning views of snow capped mountains and peppered with prayer wheels to spin as I recited my mantra; I believe. Each day we stopped for the evening at a tea house and were always met with gracious hospitality. Aside from Everest View Hotel my favorite stop was Namche Bazaar, a small village with a beautiful monastary on the hill overlooking the valley. The cobbled paths that led through town were lined with tourist shops and although I often don't like this type of thing it was part of the charm in Namche. Yoga sessions throughout the hike were often outside and here we had a stunning view of the valley and surrounding mountains from the rooftop of the teahouse. In spite of the cold, I woke up at dawn for some solo sun salutations to take it all in. It was an easy place to practice gratitude. 

I spent most of the hike walking with my guests and sharing experiences and observations, but periodically I would fall back and spend some time in quiet contemplation. The past months have not been easy for me. I have fallen off track in a few ways, not the least of which is my mindfulness practice. The stress of getting settled in China and a new job that makes me feel like a fish out water sometimes has really gotten to me. I was allowing the anxiety to take over more often that I care to admit. Although I have some tools to reign in my mind my fuse was short and I was losing confidence. I don't need to go too far down that road but suffice it to say I was really in need of a mental reset. Getting back into the Himalaya and doing what I love gave me a chance to reconnect to myself; and this was only the first part of the trip.

After our trek we visited a remote village in the Dhading region called Achane. On my 2016 trip we took our group there and raised money for the local school and helped with some earthquake clean-up. That experience touched me deeply and I knew I wanted to return and do more to help. So When I planned this recent trip I decided to link it with a fundraiser. A portion of each person’s registration fee went toward a fund raiser so the village can purchase a water pump and improve farming efforts. Other individuals who came on the 2016 trip donated to the cause and some other generous souls  contributed as well. In the end I raised $4100 for Achane. They were deeply grateful for the contribution and we were welcomed into the village with open arms and great hospitality. While in Achane we paid a visit to the local school, saw the place where the water pump will be installed and practiced yoga overlooking the Dhading River. We even joined in the village dance party on the night of our arrival. Laughter was abundant and I was deeply touched to see immense joy on my guest’s faces as they danced with the local women. On the night of our departure one of the local residents told me that I’m like family now. Tears filled my eyes and they return as I write this. This kind of experience is what makes travel the most special. True connection to a country and its people is not made simply being an observer. Having the opportunity to make these connections fills my heart with joy. There was one old woman I had a particularly special connection with. She’s 85 and doesn’t speak a work of English. But when she looks at me its as though she looks into my heart and her wise eyes speak volumes. That day of our arrival as we sat in the sun listening to the music she gently held my hand. It is a moment that I will always hold close to my heart. 

After returning to Kathmandu we had a few more days to relax and I took my group to a retreat center for more yoga and some time for stillness. It had been a busy tour and it was the perfect place for my guests and I to unwind. I was able to go for a run up the Buddha Cave (I spent time there in May and discovered it) and had time to reflect on my own experience. It was the perfect way to end the trip.

Over the course of the two weeks I felt the stress of the past few months melt away. Detaching from it helped me look at my life in Shanghai with a new perspective. I have been failing to notice the little things that make life here special. I was forgetting to have gratitude for my friends here, the opportunities and the unique life I have created for myself. I was getting too caught up in what I saw as shortcomings and that is certainly not a recipe for a contented life. I was nervous to come back here. I was afraid of falling back into those negative patterns. I was afraid I would lose the joy I had returned to in the Himalayas. As the plane touched down I felt bits of anxiety creep back into my belly. But then, something shifted. When got in the taxi and watched the buildings fly by glittering in the sunshine I felt glimpses of that joy again. Sure, snowy mountain peaks provide a far superior view; but the view and the life I have here are pretty great too. When I returned to my little apartment and headed to the market to buy my veggies I knew I would be ok. I knew I could hold onto the joy the journey in Nepal reminded me was there all along. Travel is amazing and new places, astounding views and new experiences do have the power to shift the mind. Yet the ongoing magic is the shift in perspective that can be possible if we choose to pay attention. I think a lot about perspective and write about it from time to time. I fully embrace the power of the mind to shift our reality but it sure can be hard to put that into practice. I guess all that we can all do is to continue to work to do better. All I can do is remind myself to stay rooted in the present, breathe through the issues that arise and remain confident in my ability to persevere. Thank you Nepal for these reminders. I can’t wait to see you again.

A special thank you to Kumar and his team at Asahi Treks and Adventures for taking such good care of my crew. It was a pleasure working with you again. Thank you to everyone who donated to make the fund raiser a success and thank you to the wonderful souls who joined me for the grand adventure. It was a great joy to guide you and to get to know each of you. 

Finding my flow in Jaipur, India

From my first day of exploring India in 2008 I was hooked. From a very young age I was enchanted by the far east and had a yearning to see the world. My wander lust took me many places, including time spent living in Ireland and Japan. But India was different from any other place I had yet experienced. On that first wander around Delhi I was enthralled.

I found India to be a constant stimulation of the senses. The noise of the traffic and muslims being called to prayer, the women gracefully navigating busy streets adorned in beautiful saris, the smell of the coagulation of 17 million people, countless dogs and cows wandering the lanes, the beautiful architecture alongside the makeshift homes of people living on the street, the heat of the day and the palpable emotion of the people....the chaos drew me in. 

On that trip to India I explored the Himalayas, the grand state of Rajastan, experienced the grandeur of the Taj Mahal and the relaxing beaches of Goa. After 5 weeks there, I knew I would be back. I traveled to India again for my yoga teacher training in 2010 and again in 2014 for my first international yoga retreat. Each time I visited India I longed for the opportunity to stay, to soak it in for a while; to become a local in this fascinating place. I finally got my chance.

As the result of a very serendipitous encounter in Nepal in 2016 I was offered a position to teach yoga and English communications at a small design college in Jaipur called Gurukul School of Design. As everything was coming together for my position and relocation I kept feeling as though I was in a dream. The job seemed to be the perfect fit. I was to be a wellness coach, yoga instructor and English teacher for students learning fashion design. And the location seemed great. I had only spent a day in Jaipur on a previous trip and I remembered it as a city rich with culture and liked the fact that it it's not too big. Yes, 4 million people live in Jaipur but that pales in comparison the the 17 million living in Delhi just 4 hours away. 

Although I had long wanted to live in India I was faced with a tough choice. I loved living in Portland. After nearly 8 years in the Pacific Northwest it had become my home. I had lost love, found love, grew my business and have a wonderful community of friends who became my family. Yet, I knew that if I didn't seize the opportunity I would always wonder what might have been. Maybe the job wouldn't be great, maybe I wouldn't love living in Jaipur; but maybe I would. And after all, my wander lust still lives, my sense of adventure guides my heart and I knew I could always return to the PNW....so off I went.

Those first nights in the hotel were filled with dreams. Dreams of the past; stressful disorienting dreams of the future. I would wake up tearful and exhausted, wondering whether I made the right decision. I was thrown into things at work and felt out of sorts. The noise of the traffic got to me and the intense heat was stronger than I thought it would be. The hotel was clean and quiet and when I stepped out the door in the morning I felt bombarded by the surroundings. I knew there would be an adjustment period and I tried hard to keep that in mind.

The days passed and things got easier. My co-workers and I became fast friends which has been a huge help. I found an apartment, found where to buy the things I needed to make it a home and slowly I am finding my way. I have made a few more friends, gotten (more) comfortable running through the neighborhood in the early morning hours, found a gym and become acquainted with the local vegetable markets. Its slowly becoming home. I've traded the cab ride for a 30 minute walk to catch my ride to school and love how it feels to be part of the city starting its day. The rooftop of my apartment building provides the perfect backdrop for my morning yoga practice and I'm becoming accustomed to the heat. (although I am definitely looking forward to the "winter" people keep talking about)

I am slowly finding  rhythm in my life in India. Its been 1 month since my departure from Portland and as I find my routine I'm finding my flow. Like so much of life, its the little things that make such a huge difference. Naturally, I'm looking forward to returning to Goa, camel rides in  the desert and train rides to visit enchanting palaces. This is all part of what enticed me to take this leap. But life is made up of many small moments, not just the exciting ones. It's how we choose to live each of those small moments that forms our reality. Wherever we choose to go we have to learn to seek out happiness, to find our flow that brings us peace. My flow is in friendships, love, health and laughter. I am finding all of that here. How do you find your flow?

Warrior-Flow Fall Happenings

Happy Hour....and "Journey to Ecuador" 

Thursday, November 3rd, 6pm

Hello Friends! Want to grab a drink and talk yoga and tropical adventures? Join Kimi Marin and me at the Bye and Bye to learn all about our NEXT yoga, mediation and volunteering trip...."Journey to Ecuador". We will share our plans for the trip, answer any questions you may have and build excitement for our next once in a lifetime adventure. Join us for on November 3rd and you will receive $50 off the price of the trip. Not in Portland? No problem! Kimi and I can set up a Skype call to and we can have a cyber toast.

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Warrior-Flow @ Yoga Union

Saturday, November 3rd, 1-3pm

Join me for this very special Warrior-Flow workshop. No experience necessary, just a willingness to try something new and HAVE FUN.
$25 before October 22nd, $35 at the door
 

Reserve your spot TODAY! 

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Healthy Appetizers For Your Holiday Happenings

Sunday, November 6th,  4 - 6:30 pm

Tired of bringing the same nibbles to holiday potlucks?
Join me to learn step by step preparation to make simple, fun, seasonal, and healthy recipes with a creative twist that are sure to be a hit for large parties to more intimate ones.

Lots of samples provided and recipes to take home!

$30 @ Rain Meditation and Yoga, 2735 SE Main Street
*RSVP by 10/30 so I can determine food amounts*
 

Journey to Nepal...a journey within

As many of you know, I am co-leading a yoga and meditation retreat to Nepal with Kimi Marin.

This adventure has been in the works for a year and it's a project Kimi and I are so excited to be working together on. Our partner in Nepal, Asahi Treks and Adventures, has been a great pleasure to work with. Thank you, Kumar for all of your help. This trip is another dream come true for me and as I prepare, I find myself filled with butterflies and joy. I encourage you to put your dreams on paper, make a plan and set the wheels in motion. Find what brings you joy and gratification and keep it in sight.

Arranging the volunteer component of Journey to Nepal has also been a moving experience for me, an experience from and of the heart. I am grateful for our guests' enthusiasm for this endeavor and for the many individuals who contributed to the cause. I embrace the opportunity to travel to this enchanting country and practice Karma Yoga, yoga of service.  I am grateful for each individual who is joining us on this journey.

I will be posting messages and photos periodically throughout the trip. Follow me on Facebook for updates on our adventures. 

Each year I will offer a new opportunity to travel with me to an amazing location.  Next year's retreat is already in the works.....Journey to Ecuador! Save the dates, March 23-April 1. It is going to be another amazing adventure with yoga, reiki, meditation, horseback riding in the jungle and more. This trip will also include Karma Yoga. Stay tuned for details. 

Step Beyond Your Comfort Zone

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I heard someone once say, "the magic happens when you step out of your comfort zone". This phrase has really stuck with me and I come back to these words of wisdom when I am fearful of putting myself out there. While I still get stuck in ruts and hide from change, I try to catch myself when I feel this happening.  

Over the years, I have definitely stepped beyond my comfort zone in some big ways. So far I have lived in 2 foreign countries, moved around the world and across the country for 2 career changes, traveled on my own to 8 countries, competed in full contact kickboxing competitions and fell on my face numerous times when trying to master side crow.  In each of these experiences I remember the vibrancy of my nerves, the butterflies in my stomach and the edge of fear. However, each of these situations taught me something new. Some of the lessons were painful, but each experience has made me a better version of myself.

Some of my best memories that involved me leaving my comfort zone have been found on the road. When I stepped off the plane on my first trip to India I was excited, nervous and a little apprehensive about whether I made the right decision to travel there on my own. That 5 week adventure had its ups and downs as any trip will, but overall it was amazing. To have a positive experience traveling in India one must be willing to embrace the unfamiliar. Amidst the chaos, the crowds, constant sensory stimulation and heat, I found peace. I found joy, I found presence, I found kinship, and I found a connection to this amazing and spiritual place. My time in the Himalayas was a big part of each of these treasures.

The Sherpa people of Northern Nepal have named Mt. Everest (the Himalayas and the world's tallest peak) Chomolungma or "Mother of the World". This speaks to the deep reverence people of that region have for these mountains. The Himalayas exude power, majesty and command respect. Next year I will again be traveling to the mighty Himalayas, this time by way of Nepal. And this time I will have the great pleasure of traveling with a dear friend and anyone who is inspired to join us on this grand adventure. 

Along with Kimi Marin, I am hosting "Journey to Nepal". We will hike together, practice yoga, explore the treasures of this fascinating country, and take our yoga off the mat by volunteering in a small village hard hit by the recent earthquakes. This is an adventure you don't want to miss. And you have just 3 more weeks to get in on the special early bird pricing. Contact me today at warriorflow@gmail.com for more information on this once on a lifetime adventure. Step away from a traditional vacation and wander from the comforts of home. Who knows, it just might change your life!