I hope your Thanksgiving week is off to a great start! I taught my regular Sunday morning yoga class yesterday and the message that we focused on was letting this week of Thanksgiving be about actively practicing gratitude and celebrating the abundant blessings in our lives. To begin class I read my yogis the following [...]
Yoga
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A Week of Workouts
November 23, 2013 { 29 comments }This week’s workouts were super diverse and a nice mix of yoga, cardio and strength. MONDAY Hot Yoga + CrossFit Benchmark WOD Elizabeth I am so out of the CrossFit loop. This was my first CrossFit workout in weeks. Cleans are my favorite movement and after coaching two classes through it, I couldn’t resist knocking [...]
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I Can’t Dance
November 14, 2013 { 36 comments }For my entire life (seriously) I have had this deep seated dream that one day I can be a dancer. I can see it in my head but my body just doesn’t cooperate. I was resigned to the back row for jazz recitals when I was growing up and I was always the last one [...]
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Happy Veterans Day + Weekend Part Two
November 11, 2013 { 14 comments }I have so much thanks and gratitude for all of those who have served and are currently serving our country. Both of my grandfathers served in the military (one was a West Point grad!) and my mom has been a social worker for the V.A. for over 20 years now. She has worked in multiple [...]
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Weekend Part 1: iPhones & Handstands
November 10, 2013 { 18 comments }Hi there. Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Here is a look at the first part of mine in photos. Somehow I lasted until 4 p.m. with NO COFFEE on Friday. I deserve a medal. I swung by Starbucks on my way to run errands and treated myself to a soy latte. First holiday cup [...]
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Updates All-Around: Career & The Usual Stuff
November 8, 2013 { 17 comments }It’s been a really good week. I recently stepped out of my role as general manager of the gym and into a position where I provide marketing, website, communications and social media support on a more part-time basis. This frees me up to spend more time teaching, training and writing while still allowing me to [...]
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Monday Productivity, Meals & Teaching Cycle
October 29, 2013 { 13 comments }When my alarm went off at 6 a.m. on Monday morning I considered rolling over and going back to sleep but instead I thought about all the things I wanted to accomplish on Monday and decided to start my day with yoga instead of blowing off my practice. It was a great decision! My practice [...]
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Week in Food & Fitness: Shrimp & Grits, Rest Days, Yoga & More
October 16, 2013 { 17 comments }Good morning and happy Wednesday! I really appreciate the likes, shares and comments on yesterday’s “Women Supporting Women” post. Y’all are awesome and I’m looking forward to moving forward with this initiative. Okay, there is so much going on this week so let’s take a breather from serious stuff and do a look at food [...]
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Wednesday Workouts & Eats + 3 Songs I’m Loving
October 10, 2013 { 15 comments }Good morning! I had an early wake up call for a 6 a.m. client. It’s always tough to get out of bed when the alarm goes off in the five o’clock hour but once I’m up, I love it. Early morning has always been the most productive time of the day for me. When I [...]
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This is going to be the best day of my life.
September 24, 2013 { 17 comments }What if you woke up every morning and said to yourself, “this is going to be the best day of my life.” Did you know that the oldest yoga teacher in the world is 95 and this is what she tells herself every day she gets out of bed? Oh, and she can still do [...]
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Decide What To Be And Go Be It, Round 2
September 23, 2013 { 49 comments }Two years ago today I announced that I was leaving my advertising job to pursue a career in fitness.The past two years have taken me from making training, teaching and blogging my living to accepting a full-time position as the general manager of Metro Fitness Club and Metro CrossFit. Each step of this journey has [...]
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Frittatas and Half Moons
September 23, 2013 { 19 comments }Hi and happy Monday! I hope that your week is off to a fabulous start! I got up and practiced yoga this morning and it was the most perfect way to kick off a short week. I’ve got a fun last-minute quick trip planned for this weekend. It’s not always easy to get out of [...]
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First Weekend of Fall // Dinner at Rooster’s
September 22, 2013 { 11 comments }Hi! Happy weekend! It is an insanely gorgeous day in Charlotte. It was very cloudy on Saturday and rainy Saturday night but I’m grateful that front brought us this sunshine and cool weather. Today is the first day of fall and I can’t imagine a more perfect day! I was working on this post after [...]
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Finally Feeling Workout Motivation
September 19, 2013 { 8 comments }http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/SocialBoom/OID5175_GreenMountain_Q3-Q4_SocialBoom_073/@x13 http://ads.blogherads.com/75/7551/campaigns/13/1342/1342743/x93.js Today was such a good day! It started it with a yoga private followed by a streak of crazy productivity at work and then a management team meeting, practicing yoga, teaching BodyPump and a CrossFit coach’s meeting. I finished my day with a conference call with a group of women where I talked [...]
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Sweet Sullie + Yoga Love + Run Inspiration
September 16, 2013 { 8 comments }I hope your week is off to a wonderful start! Sullie’s certainly is! She has been camped out in my office playing with her toys…one of her favorite things to do is play with multiple toys at one time. Today it’s laying on her duck while she chews her bone. I cannot tell you how [...]
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Labor day weekend: from housework to yoga inversions to I am so not meant for clubbing…
September 2, 2013 { 6 comments }My Labor Day weekend hasn’t provided much of a break from laboring but it sure has been productive. And there has been a bit of fun involved so I can’t complain. Housework has continued in full force and the following has been accomplished… – HVAC repaired – Installation of two new toilets – New light [...]
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All I Seek Is Within
August 27, 2013 { 33 comments }http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/ECU/OID5039_Whirlpool_KitchenAid_ECU_097/@x13?_RM_HTML_FRAMEWIDTH_=450http://ads.blogherads.com/campaigns/13/131/1310892/1311534/x92.js One of the things that keeps me coming back to my yoga mat over and over again is that my practice always seems to deliver what I need, whether I came looking for it or not. I’ve had a lot on my heart and mind over the last few weeks as I’ve worked to [...]
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The Practice of Love
August 11, 2013 { 13 comments }I was having a discussion with someone last night about teaching yoga and explaining that when I teach I feel the most authentically myself. I have a tendency to detach and not to open up in my day-to-day life, even with some of my closest friends but I can sit down in front of a [...]
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What I Ate + How I Worked Out Wednesday…On Thursday
August 1, 2013 { 16 comments }Hola…my intent was to publish this post last night while I was on the couch eating takeout and drinking a glass of wine but I got sidetracked by HGTV and catching up on reading other blogs. So here is my “What I ate and how I worked out out Wednesday” on a Thursday! I subbed [...]
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Celebrating National Ice Cream Day + Weekend In Photos
July 22, 2013 { 18 comments }A photo heavy look at the last couple of days of friends, food and ice cream. Late night dinner of cheese, crackers, fruit, meats and wine on Friday after the acro yoga workshop. I’m having this again for dinner tonight! I am fairly certain that I could live off of cheese and meat plates. We [...]
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Acro Yoga Workshop with Scott Cooper
July 21, 2013 { 21 comments }I spent my weekend in an acro yoga workshop being lifted, spun around and turned upside down. Y2 Yoga, the studio where I practice and teach, hosted Scott Cooper this weekend. (photo) What is acro yoga? The AcroYoga website describes it as “a blend of the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics and [...]
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The Most Important Practice: Self-Care
July 18, 2013 { 18 comments }Take care of yourself so you are more able to receive. When I take care of myself — sleep, movement, space for not-doingness — then I’m better able to hear and see which way to go. You can’t be tuned in if your head and body are static with fatigue and stress. – Via Danielle [...]
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Where Is Summer? And Scallops, CrossFit Craziness, Baking and Yogi Clothes
July 13, 2013 { 19 comments }Well, it’s cloudy, raining and unseasonably cool for July in Charlotte again this weekend. It’s a trend this summer. I’m seriously not kidding. – Rain has fallen somewhere in Mecklenburg County daily since June 23. – Since June 1, more than 11.7 inches has fallen at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte’s official measuring station. That [...]
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Video Blog: Workout Ruts, CrossFit Questions, Working Out With Injuries & Ashtanga Home Practice
July 10, 2013 { 10 comments }Hi everyone. Thank you for your thoughtful (and kind) responses to my last post. I wanted to check in via video today so you could have a chance to see me smiling! I received TONS of great questions on Facebook and Twitter. I wasn’t able to answer them all but many will become a full written [...]
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July 4 = Friends, Food, Fun & Productivity
July 5, 2013 { 6 comments }Hello. I have been absent. And I can’t promise this trend won’t continue. I’m not sure that I can commit to posting every day right now. There are other things in the works. For example…a little website project. More details to come very, very soon. I’m overflowing with excitement at levels I haven’t felt in [...]
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A Private Andy Grammer Concert
June 27, 2013 { 3 comments }We were very lucky yogis at Y2 Yoga on Tuesday night…Andy Grammer played a private charity concert at the studio benefiting ALS. It’s kind of a crazy story…Andy played at the studio three years ago when it first opened to all of about 10 people. The studio was lucky to have 5 people in a class [...]
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Sustainability
June 23, 2013 { 15 comments }I’m back in Charlotte but only for a few days before I take off on my next adventure. Details to come on that later this week but I should have lots of good stuff to share with you from my upcoming travels. The past few weeks have been really crazy and stressful on both personally [...]
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Friday Stuff: Google Reader Alternative, Read This, Music, Summer Love
June 21, 2013 { 13 comments }Happy Friday everyone. I’ve got nadda to show you on the food/life front although I assure you that you aren’t missing anything. My life has been extremely photo unworthy over the past couple of days. I’m just doing the best I can to even get through this week right now. However, I do have several [...]
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30th Celebration Comes Early
June 10, 2013 { 23 comments }The 30th birthday festivities started a little early on Sunday with an accidental surprise party. My friends planned an early birthday pool party for me since my birthday falls on Father’s Day…and they forgot to tell me about it! I was teaching yoga on Sunday morning and after class one of my friends said, “I [...]
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Sharing Day: Soup, Cauliflower, Yoga Pride, Pam’s Wise Words
June 5, 2013 { 18 comments }Sharing a little of this, little of that today…everything from smoothies to soup to yoga (always yoga) to The Office. I had my first non-smoothie breakfast in 6 days today. Breakfast after coaching 6 and 7 a.m. CrossFit was a Chobani Pineapple topped with bananas, blueberries, Bare Naked Fruit & Nut Granola and Earth Balance [...]
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On Stopping The Storytelling
June 4, 2013 { 23 comments }Last Sunday I talked to my yoga class about storytelling. Not the kind of sweet stories you tell children but the stories you make up in your head that cause you fear, anxiety, questioning and doubt. This is something I have struggled with for a long time. I completely freak myself out about things and [...]
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Monday + 20-15-10 Workout
June 3, 2013 { 25 comments }Hello and happy end to Monday. I had a great day but I am so happy to be home and cooking dinner. I’m about to watch last night’s Game of Thrones and from what I’ve seen on Facebook and heard around the gym today…I’m in for a shocker! Can’t wait!!! Just a few things to [...]
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Weekend: Erin McDermott + Cheese & Wine + Market + Cute Sullie
June 1, 2013 { 23 comments }I feel like I’m finally starting to recover from last week. It was a short one but so jam-packed. I didn’t get home from work until 7 on Friday night so I took Sullie out for an easy run so we could enjoy some fresh air after being cooped up in the gym all day. [...]
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Gratitude Overflowing
May 30, 2013 { 37 comments }I had the most wonderful Thursday. I feel so grateful for so many things…my job working at Metro not only doing something I love but doing it with amazing people, the friendships I have made here in Charlotte, the opportunity to teach yoga and being a part of the yoga community as a whole and [...]
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Memorial Day Weekend “Staycation”
May 27, 2013 { 24 comments }Three-day Memorial Day weekend was a huge success. I ate good food, relaxed by the pool, spent time with friends, did yardwork, QT with Sullie, taught and took yoga, CrossFitted and more. Now you know why I haven’t been around to update all weekend! I figured y’all were out having fun too so here’s an [...]
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Going Through The Motions v. Being Really In It
May 21, 2013 { 13 comments }A few things to share… – My heart breaks for those facing devastation and loss in Oklahoma. Have you seen this touching live interview where a woman is reunited with her dog? – I updated the Workouts + Yoga page. So excited to continue to add to this. Maybe one day I can find a [...]
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Supported Backbending with Blocks Tutorial {Video}
May 20, 2013 { 8 comments }The yoga classes that I teach are power/vinyasa style with a heavy emphasis on flow. We spend the majority of the class doing standing work and then spend the last 10-25 minutes on the floor at the end of class depending on the length of the class. In an hour long class we really only [...]
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Customer Service Win + The Best Grilled Cheese Ever
May 18, 2013 { 10 comments }This was a working Saturday for me which I was prepared for. Unfortunately, it also ended up being stressful on the life front for a couple of reasons including my car going crazy. Car trouble is always no bueno but I am so lucky with how my situation turned out. Let’s start with breakfast. I [...]
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The Week In Fitness And Food
May 17, 2013 { 11 comments }Annnddd let’s return to regularly scheduled programming. Well, I don’t know that any posts have been “regular” around here lately but today we’ll get back to food and fitness which I guess is the “heart” of the blog. Although lately I feel it’s kind of been a steady rotation of yoga, what I’m eating, workout, [...]
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Yoga Tripod Headstand Tutorial {Video}
May 13, 2013 { 20 comments }Time for another yoga tutorial video and this time I’m covering tripod headstand. Many of my students and blog readers have expressed that headstand is something that they want to add to their practice but need a little help with mastering it. Headstand is one of the more common inversions in yoga and offers some [...]
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Back At It
May 7, 2013 { 15 comments }I thought I’d take a little break from the Chicago posts for a dose of reality. I actually do have a little more Chicago to share with you later this week, especially our multi-course, multi-hour dinner at RPM Italian! ;) But for today, here is how I transition from a weekend of splurge back to [...]
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Baking Projects + Winning Chicken Dish + Artichokes
April 29, 2013 { 34 comments }It’s going to be a good week. I kicked it off by looonnngggg overdo catching up with some of my dear friends with lengthy phone calls on Sunday night. I have several fun events to attend this week and I’m heading to Chicago on Friday for a girl’s weekend. I’ve also got lots of good [...]
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Standing in the Same Spot Two Years Later
April 28, 2013 { 24 comments }It’s been a rainy, cool weekend and that has felt pretty perfect for me. I have spent a lot of time in the yoga studio, coaching CrossFit and hibernating at home. On Friday afternoon I got an SOS request to help out with the yoga teacher trainees at the studio. I led them through their [...]
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Side Crow Tutorial and Variations {Video + Yoga Post}
April 22, 2013 { 18 comments }A few weeks ago I posted a tutorial on the yoga arm balance crow (bakasana) along with variations. When I asked what yoga pose you wanted me to feature today, the Facebook vote was for side crow. This is a nice progression from crow so I am happy to oblige. Some of you may look [...]
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A Better Sunday
April 21, 2013 { 8 comments }How can you not smile when you get to look at this face all day? Please look at those paws. I need to take her in for a trim but I love her little slipper feet so much. Today was a better day than yesterday. Starting with a new nut butter at breakfast this morning. [...]
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Life Lately: Workouts, Meals and More
April 17, 2013 { 28 comments }Some photos from the week to share with you. I started the week on my mat with a 6:30 a.m. yoga practice. It ended up being the best practice I’ve had in a really long time. I felt so good in my body for the first time in weeks. Pumpkin overnight oats in April. I [...]
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A Bright Weekend
April 13, 2013 { 15 comments }I haven’t had a weekend like this in a lonnnnggg time…off work at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, dinner out, Saturday yoga and farmers market followed by pool time. So nice! I went out for wine last night and loved this Slingshot Cab. The wine bar we went to was also a wine shop so we [...]
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Video Post: Early AM Workout Nutrition, Packing Gym Bags, CrossFit Recovery and More
April 12, 2013 { 17 comments }Happy Friday! Happy Friday! Wait, let me say it again…happy Friday! Thank you so much for the amazing feedback on yesterday’s post. I’ve said it so many times but I feel so grateful to have this space where we can all share and contribute. Your feedback and openness touches my heart. Seriously. It has been [...]
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What I Love To Do
April 7, 2013 { 31 comments }I have had a really nice weekend. Spring finally decided to arrive in Charlotte and it’s been all blue skies and sunshine. I was able to take some space from work and spend the weekend doing things I wanted to be doing. One of my favorite things about this weekend was having long blocks of [...]
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On Renewal and Softening
March 31, 2013 { 10 comments }I hope everyone has enjoyed Easter. I had the honor of teaching yoga on this special beautiful Spring morning. Regardless of your belief system, I think that Easter and Spring encourage and welcome renewal and rebirth. I read the following passage to my yoga students at the start of practice today. German writer Johann Wolfgang [...]
