My own little Eat, Pray, Love

Earlier this week I went to the movies with a girlfriend to see Eat, Pray, Love. It was "Okay". Maybe it didn't really move me in the way that I had hoped because I had read the book; maybe it felt disappointing because I had a very different experience in my own travels to India; maybe I was let down because I had high expectations so feeling let down is the norm. The movie wasn't aweful. It was just "Okay". Yes, of course the book was better. But you already knew that.

What I loved about the movie is that it got me to reflect on my travels to India almost two years ago. My story might not have the makings of a Hollywood movie but I never really cared for a lot of drama in my life. Ironically just today I found out that Fitness Magazine published some pictures and quotes from my India adventure. So between the movie and the article I was inspired to re read the blog I kept during my trip, which made me laugh, cry and get lost in memories of a trip that I still can't believe I had the opportunity to take.

I didn't travel to India because I needed to find myself or reconnect. I went mostly because I wanted an adventure, to be a little uncomfortable, to meet new people and experience a different culture. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. I wanted to deepen my yoga practice. I was turning 40 and my brother died suddenly at 43, so I didn't want to wait.

Reflecting two years later (thanks to Eat Pray Love and Fitness Magazine) I realize that my trip to India still makes me smile and fuels me (... And that this warrior is ready for another adventure!)

The words on the picture that I took while I was there (top left, which are posted in my office, my yoga studio and my living room)... Serve, Love, Meditate, Realize... summarize what I learned while I was there (my own little rendition of Eat, Pray, Love).

Stretch Your Potential

Hi all. I can't believe its been over a year since my India Adventure! That experience still has a huge impact on me almost every single day. I'm sure you've all had similar moments in your life, whether its the birth of a child, finishing a marathon, choosing to change jobs and follow your passion... Whatever it is, we all experience pivotal moments that shape who we are and how we percieve the world.

Yoga to me is so much more than the physical postures. Its the choices we make, how we respond to stress, what we do to Fuel our Prana (Life Force Energy) including people we surround ourselves with and how we nourish our minds and bodies.

I recently had the fabulous opportunity to attend the National Sports Forum, an event that I thought was WAY out of my league. A friend gave me her ID tag so I could attend in her place since she was going to be out of town. At $1300 a ticket (yes, $1300) and a long list of impressive presenters (mostly related to sports & marketing), I figured I couldn't pass up the opportunity, even though it intimidated the heck out of me. I managed to russle up some business attire and off I went.

Anyone who has ever practiced Pranayama (yoga breathing techniques) knows how handy it can be. I took some long slow breaths and entered the forum. As soon as the first session presentor was introduced I knew I was in the right place at the right time... The presentor was introduced as as "The emailyogi" he was born and raised in India and his topic was "New Media: 3 Social Media Musts". I was totally out of my comfort zone, but somehow I instantly felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

I got so much out of his presentation and the entire forum, but to narrow it down to three:

1) start blogging about Yoga for Sports (in addition to Facebook, Youtube & Twitter)

2) Avatar - Do things outside our comfort zone and be someone else sometimes to open ourselves to new possibility (wearing someone elses nametag was fun :)

3) The Business of Happiness (I'll explain this more in a future post)

So, thank you for friendship and support and for following me on my India Adventure! If you want to follow my new "Stretch Your Potential" blog you can sign up at ...

http://flexiblewarrior-stretchyourpotential.blogspot.com/