Audio is now available for the grounding visualization! In 2:3o min you can feel ROOTED into the present moment! Check it out here!
Your Root Chakra Mantra: I AM GROUNDED! I AM GROUNDED! I AM GROUNDED!
enjoy the moment, it’s all you got! xoxo ar
Hello! to SpRiNg’S UpWaRd RiSiNG eNeRgY!
And then came the day when the risk to remain tight in a bud was greater than the risk it took to bloom. -Anais Nin
The month of March officially welcomes SPRING! Spring’s energy is dewey, refreshing, renewing, light, and colorful! Spring is the beginning of an upward rising energy- spirits are uplifted, flowers begin to bloom, & we welcome the season of upward rising veggies and fruits! The lighter vibes are here, are you ready for this joyous upward surge?! It’s a good time to do some spring cleanin’ & lighten up the eatin’! Your relationships with yourself, family, friends & significant others are affected by this rising energy too! Clear, open, healthy partnerships allow Springtime’s lightness & happiness to easily settle into the relationships. Take the time to shake off any stagnant issues from the Winter because as Spring’s mighty upward surge comes barreling through, unresolved issues will also come rushing to the surface….consider your relationships getting a Spring cleaning of their own :)
ways to welcome SpRiNg!
- Experiment with the foods that are becoming readily available in the Spring! HELLO! Apricots, artichokes, asparagus, collard greens, grapefruits, green peas, guava, mango, oranges, papayas, parsnips, strawberries, swiss chard! Check out the seasonal eating section for interactive seasonal maps, seasonal ingredients, menu planners & recipe ideas!
- Fuel your creativity with color! More vibrant colors are slowly creepin’ back into our lives. The scenery is sprinkled with more greenery & bursts of boldness- be inspired by it. Check out my motivation for bringing the vibrancy back into my life!
- Detox your life! Get rid of what no longer serves you! Clean out your living space- get rid of clothes that’s not flattering, say buh bye to that stack of papers you haven’t sifted through in years, wipe the dust off the nooks & crannies! Letting go makes you feel lighter & a clean environment will allow Spring to settle into all the right places. Go as far as getting a haircut and chopping off all the dead ends. Shift your focus onto the people who support and love you vs hanging onto those who don’t have your best interest at heart. Most importantly, get right with yourself! A healthy relationship with yourself allows you to see things more clearly, even more so now that Spring is lending itself to bringing in renewing & clearing forces. Check out meditations to help you get on track, look over yoga suggestions, & incorporate some fitness into your life to make room for Spring in your mind, body, & spirit!
- Let your Liver breathe! The liver & gallbladder are sensitive to upward energy, as they are governed by it. Spring’s energy gives your liver a natural boost. The liver is one of the body’s major detoxifying centers, so make sure your liver is healthy & clear so you can express your creativity and harness your own personal power. A stuffy, gunky liver can make you lethargic & irritable.
signed, sealed, & delivered with love, hugs, and upward rising vibes!
xoxo ar
Make your goals more powerful through the energy of 2011 & Numerology!
Every month I write a post specifically dedicated to bringing awareness back to the goals & new years resolutions that were set back in January. January focused on setting your goals, February was about re-visiting & re-evaluating your goals, & March is dedicated to understanding the energy of the year 2011 via Numerology in order to acknowledge how it can help us further manifest our GOALS :) Numerology is the science, philosophy, vibration, study and psychology of numbers. I was first exposed to the field of Numerology by one of my meditation teachers, I find it incredibly intriguing & hope you can benefit by learning something new!
The pace of our lives in 2011 has a “get down to business” vibe. You may have noticed that things are occurring quickly & opportunities are presenting themselves before you can even finish your thoughts. Since things are occurring at a faster pace, I am highlighting numerology this month to remind us about the importance of balance. Wherever you are in life, being in or out of balance can greatly affect the goals you wish to manifest this year for the better or worse. If you’re in balance you will be able to quickly attract what you desire, but if you’re out of balance, then that can quickly work against you. In the video below, Tania Gabrielle, a celebrity numerologist, encourages that 2011 promises to be a year of Powerful Manifestation – ANYTHING goes this year, so make sure you feel balanced and grounded.
2011= The year of BALANCE!
2- Balance in relationships- finding honesty, harmony, & compromise.
11- Balance in YOUR inner life. Make discoveries in your own life & bring them into balance. Release what no longer serves you in order to live in the moment. This calls for the NEED TO GROUND YOURSELF! Check out ways to ground yourself here! For an exercise in finding your balance & exploring your center try playing with THIS!
2+0+1+1 = 4
4 is all about manifesting (working on bringing things into reality), Earth, & discovery!
Note that this video was posted on January 8, 2011. Therefore, many of the things stated were predicated based off of numerology. Below I want to review how impacted we’ve been thus far by Earth events in 2011. We’re only 3 months into the year & the Earth events that have occurred so far should be an indication of how much the Earth is seeking balance. We are a direct reflection of the Earth, so it should also be noted that we need to be seeking balance in our own lives & with that, we need to be ready for any drastic changes that may occur.
- Earthquake Tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011. The 8.9-magnitude earthquake in Japan might have shifted Earth’s axis by some 8 to 10 centimeters. The fact that this devastating event occurred on the 11 th further signifies that even the Earth itself is seeking a centered balance.
- Oil Prices are affected because Oil is from the Earth. “When crude goes up, gas prices go up. When crude goes down, gas goes down,” said John Griffin, executive director of the Associated Petroleum Industries of Michigan. There are concerns over the instability in Egypt & the Middle East. Worry that there will be a disruption (an imbalance, if you will) in the worldwide flow of oil from the Middle East is driving the price of crude oil up. And that, in turn, is influencing the prices at the gas pump to sky-rocket, experts say.
- Birds & Fish are from the Earth and massive amounts of them dying off represents an imbalance in the Earth’s energies. In 2011, we have already seen numerous reports of massive animal deaths. Here are a few examples…
Natural News Reports: “100,000 fish washed up on the shores of the Arkansas River, dead. Also in Arkansas, thousands of red-winged blackbirds fell from the sky and plummeted to the ground where they were also found dead. The scene repeated itself in Southern Louisiana where 500 red-winged blackbirds recently plunged out of the sky, dead on arrival, and in Chesapeake Bay, thousands of dead fish have begun washing up onto bay shores.”
The Huffington Post Reports: “On Wednesday, hundreds — possibly thousands — of dead and dying birds in Italy. Countless turtle doves were found scattered in the streets, in flower beds and hanging tragically from trees “like Christmas balls” in the town of Faenza. Many of the birds that fell dead from the sky were discovered with a mysterious blue stain in their beaks.
In the past week, similar incidents of mass animal deaths have been reported across the world. Thousands of dead birds fell from the sky in Arkansas on New Year’s Eve, and similar incidents were reported on different days in Louisiana, Kentucky and Sweden. Two million fish were discovered dead in Maryland, with other fish kills also reported in Brazil, New Zealand and Arkansas — approximately 100 miles from the bird incident. 40,000 crabs washed up on England beaches in the past few days, as well.”
The LA times reports: “Millions of dead fish at King Harbor in Redondo Beach, CA.”
How to apply Numerology to your specific goals & intentions in 2011!
You have your revised & revamped goals from February in hand (and if you don’t, it’s never too late to start!), now let’s have some fun & use numerology to give you further guidance on the matter! We are going to calculate which numerology cycle you are in this year! We already discussed that 2011 added up in single digits equals 4, thus to make this calculation specific to YOU and THIS YEAR, we will use YOUR BIRTHDAY & the NUMBER 4. You want to keep breaking down the numbers & adding them until you have a numerology cycle number that is a SINGLE DIGIT.
Birth Month + Birth date + 4= YOUR NUMEROLOGY CYCLE OF 2011
example birthday: March 17.
3 + 17 + 4= 24
2+ 4= 6 (numerology cycle of 2011)
Once you figure out YOUR NUMEROLOGY CYCLE OF 2011 click on the links below to read about your specific number. As you’re reading, try to gain insight as to how you can apply this information to your goals this year!!
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
May you continue the rest of 2011 in health, happiness, & BALANCE :)
xoxo ar
Teaching Sculpting Yoga & Zenergy Meditation classes @ Believe Fitness Studio!
I am happy to announce that I have joined up with Believe Fitness Studio in El Segundo, CA to offer my time, talents, & joy! I am here to serve all the lovely peeps who are committed to their personal growth & well-being and just so happen to be living in or traveling through Sunny Southern California! When it comes down to deciding how I will spend my time & energy, I stay true to my in
tu
ition & follow my heart. When this opportunity came a knockin’…the stars aligned, the weather was just right, & at the core of my being this decision felt GOOD! The space is pulsating with creative energy & is filled with positive vibes! We are offering everything from TRX to trapeze, Yoga to Pilates, Martial arts to Meditation, Core to Cardio, Zumba to Hip Hop Ballet…all led by inspiring & well qualified instructors! We JUST opened our doors in March & are committed to always keeping fitness creative, fun, & fresh! Can’t wait to create a community of like-minded individuals! I would LOVE, lOvE, LoVeee to see you! Here’s what I AM offering for now. Check back often as my schedule will change in MAY 2011….
Sculpting Yoga: This class will flow through yoga sequences while slowly incorporating the use of weights to strengthen & lengthen. Sculpting all the major muscles in your body while simultaneously doing yoga will have you feeling lighter, leaner, & stronger.
- Mon: 7a -8a
- Sat: 8a -9a
Zenergy: Reiki is a hands-on energy healing technique which promotes positive shifts in your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Reiki Master Amanda will help to guide you in developing your own energy amplification practice while you simultaneously benefit from the enhanced energy of a group setting. A group stretching warmup is followed by a guided energy experience & meditation. Relax, release, and enjoy your own powerful positive energy! Learn more about Reiki by clicking here.
- Sat: 10a -11a
Address: 113-117 Sierra St, El Segundo, CA 90245
Phone: 310.648.8023
Pricing: single class: $14/ 5-class pass: $65/ 10-class pass: $120/ 20-class pass: $200/ Monthly Unlimited: $99
Parking: In front or behind building & plenty on the streets.
Website: www.believefitnessstudio.com
IF YOU PLAN ON COMING, YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE (REGISTRATION CLOSES 2HRS BEFORE CLASS). REGISTER HERE! https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=14443
my path of self-awareness & becoming a reiki master!
I previously said I had many exhilarating things to share, and one of those things is that I recently completed my Reiki training & have officially become a Certified Reiki Master :) A who?! Let’s back track a bit and let me explain how I even got to this point in my life…
Growing up in my household has always been a mixed bag of tricks- in the most loving & enjoyable way possible. I distinctly remember one point in time in which I swear there were at least 30 books on Reiki stacked & sprawled out across the kitchen table. The fact that my mom would check out 30 books from the library (which by the way is the MAX amount of books you can check out from our library) seemed a little ridiculous to me. Then again, my mom has ALWAYS been ridiculous- in the most loving & enjoyable way possible ( I LOVE YOU MOM!). So by ridiculous, I really mean amazing! For God’s sake her latest endeavors include growing some healing mushroom elixir under our sink & becoming a laughing yoga instructor. Sometimes you just have to be right there with her laughing and accepting, honoring & loving the woman’s WILD, divine spirit & soul (ps I am very blessed to call her my mama!).
So my mom goes on to study Reiki, which is an hands on energy healing system. She did self-healing treatments on herself & also did healing sessions with me & our family. At that time, the whole concept of Reiki was something I didn’t completely understand, so I never truly rejected it or accepted it. She then encourages me to become interested in it because she’s heard of many doctors using this approach & she believes I can use it to make my sessions with my own patients even more powerful. NATURALLY, I think that this is RIDICULOUS…and I went about living my life. I went on to complete my yoga teacher training certification & would tell my mom about all the wonderful & magnificent things I was learning. I was learning how yoga could help you learn about your imbalances, it could clear your chakras, it could help you find you Higher Self! This was deep & juicy stuff mama! Then she came back at me saying she also learned all about chakras, auras, & self healing journeys through Reiki. Mmm, oh really mom? What is this 
Reiki thing you speak of again? (I’m pretty sure I’d heard her explain Reiki a million times before) Reiki is an ancient hands on energy healing system. Reiki is capable of balancing & harmonizing energy on physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, & karmic levels. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “Universal Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. Realizing that Yoga & Reiki had so many parallels allowed me to finally be more open to the idea of energy healing.
Then I found myself in a situation in which I needed more healing than I could ever imagine. My relationship at the time fell apart in the most unimaginable way possible. It all unraveled so fast I didn’t have enough time to process what happened. All I knew was that it felt like someone took a 2 x 4 to my heart & went to work. Then the dust started to settle and I felt hurt, betrayed, & lost beyond words. I struggled to understand how it was possible for me to regard such dishonesty from someone as something so real and true. I was restless thinking about how someone could make me feel like my most genuine commitment & unconditional love wasn’t enough. I choose to invest an endless amount of MY time, energy, and trust into someone who, even then, still stepped outside of our relationship to feel fulfilled, and that left me feeling hurt & disrespected on so many levels. All the unraveling and sleepless nights weren’t really contributing to my cause either. It was easy to sit with the heavy feelings & give into the darkness of the circumstances. Forgiveness, on the other hand, was a difficult road to travel. Especially, when I felt like every time I brought my peace offerings & sought out closure, it never failed, the situation became more complicated & more hurtful.
Forgiveness was something I felt would set me free from my pain, but I was unsure how to get to a state of forgiveness. Insert guidance from Reiki Masters, other energy healers, meditations, family, friends, psychologists, yoga, books, & my intuition Here. 
All the advice pointed in the same direction…Know the Truth will always set you free. Your happiness is not determined by anyone or anything but yourself and your Truth. You can’t control another person’s actions, but you can forgive their actions & send them love so that in time they begin their own journey of self healing. In the mean time let this go & focus on healing yourself.
In time, I stopped focusing on myself being the victim. I stopped thinking “all these horrendous things are happening TO me”, and adopted the belief that “all these things were happening FOR me”. Everything that has occurred over my lifetime has only served to shape who I am & allow me to reach the next level. I am the person who I am for EVERY moment (good or bad) that I have lived. The universe is a tough teacher if we aren’t open to learning from it. One of my favorite Reiki Healers that I work with recommended that I read a book to aid in my self-awareness. One of the most memorable things I read went a little something like this: At some point on your personal journey, everyone must separate themselves mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and at times even physically from the silent pressures of society, parents, family, & friends. Sometimes these influences can hold us back from finding ourselves. Only when we make decisions that feel right in our heart & souls can we reap the benefits of self-awareness & responsibility. The great thing about making a commitment to knowing your truest self & understanding your motivations and beliefs is that it opens up your ability to see the fears and painful wounds that you unknowingly allow to drive your life.
These words spoke to me because there was a point in time in which I felt so broken I was unsure whether I would be able to put myself back together again. Then it dawned on me that if I didn’t begin on a path of self-discovery now, then when? Sifting through the ruble of a painful situation isn’t fun per se, but it allows you to uncover the root of your fear and pain in a way that makes you aware of your patterns and tendencies. This can be very powerful because it gives you the potential to heal and make yourself whole again.
When I began creating a healthy relationship with myself, things changed. I realized The Universe helps those who help
themselves. I reconstructed my thoughts and patterns to become more positive. This required a whole hell of a lot of self-compassion. Through this, I came to the conclusion that not only do I enjoy independence, but I am also the type of woman who will always make the most out of love and life & I want to be with someone who wants to be a part of that. I choose to surround myself with the positive & I choose to share my time & energy with those who are committed to self-awareness & personal growth. I pursue ONLY the things I LOVE, because I know I can only become truly accomplished at something I love. THAT is who I truly am when I set myself free to be ME.
It’s now very clear to me that that which does not support or sustain me is blocking me from my own personal growth & spiritual progress. Acknowledging this is what led me towards learning more about Reiki on a deeper level. Reiki works on so many levels, it can serve as a holistic approach to: support the body’s ability to heal itself, expand spiritually, align with your unique Purpose & Truth, reduce stress, and promote relaxation & well-being. For me, it is now a lifestyle. Now, I choose to wake up everyday & live positively, live from my Highest Truth, LOVE at every moment, and have faith that The Universe has prepared me and The Universe will take always care of me. Reiki is not the only form of energy healing, it’s just the path I choose because of what I have had experience with before (thanks to my super rad mom). In fact, the more I expand my knowledge, the more I will begin to incorporate other healing techniques into my sessions. Reiki in conjunction with any other positive beliefs & techniques can only serve to amplify the benefits received :)
How did I exactly get to the status of Reiki Master, you ask? First, I got right with myself and did a lot of soul searching and self-healing. Then, I took a series of Reiki courses. In each level, I continued to set the intention to LOVE, live from my Highest Self, trust my intuition ALWAYS, & practice, practice, practice my Reiki! There are a total of 3 levels/Degress of Reiki. The 1st level is focused on self-healing. Which holds up to the belief that you can’t help anybody else, until you help yourself. The 2nd level is dedicated to healing others & doing distant healings. The final level, Reiki III/Master qualifies you to teach the Reiki Energy Healing system & certify others.
I am so happy to have finally become a Certified Reiki Master because I feel passionate that through my experience & commitment I am going to be able to use Reiki to provide others with insight & direction for their Highest Good. To some, the word Master may sound like a title of exaggerated importance, but it’s really not. Master doesn’t mean end all be all. Rather, your extensive experience in the matter develops a familiarity with it, an expertise if you will. You never stop being a student though. The day you renounce your status as a student is the day you no longer learn. When you can no longer comprehend things with an understanding that keeps evolving you lose your status as “Master”, but more importantly teacher.
As I continue on my path of self-awareness, I can honestly say that I am 100% committed to this journey & am dedicated to inspiring those out there who need help workin it, twerkin it, & keepin it real! I’ll soon be making my Reiki Healing, educational, sensational, yoga services more accessible through ar-yoga.com. I’ll keep you posted, stay tuned :)
Live consciously! Own your power, beauty, & happiness ALWAYS,
xoxo ar
Explore www.ar-yoga.com & read more about:
Trip to New York! Concrete jungle where COLORFUL dreams are made of…
There’s nothing you can’t do, Now you’re in New York, These streets will make you feel brand new, The lights will inspire you!
This Spring I made my way from LA to NYC! My trip across the country was incredibly inspiring & filled with many exciting experiences. In order to clear my head so that I would be better able to pack for my 2 & a half day adventure in the big apple, I headed to the gym. It was such a beautiful day in LA that I chose to walk there. Along my walk, I saw a breathtaking bed of SPRING flowers. I couldn’t help but be in awe & be incredibly INSPIRED by this BURST of COLOR! This solidified ever ything…When packing for NEW YORK I refused to pac k black (one exc eption though! my favorite & most f abulous black trench :)). This was operation Splash color all over NYC with my palette of knockout hues. Afterall, my insider source says Spring is a ll about the-bolder-the-better BRIGHTS!! Now that I was off to visit Ciav, I was certain that all the upbeat colors I packed were bound to bring him a bit of California sunshine, which would allow him to shake off any new york funk he may have acquired while he’d been living out there for the past month.
My very first day in NYC I began my adventure by walking to Chelsea Market to meet up with Ciav. As I’m heading there, I am making it a point to soak in all the uniqueness & excitement that the streets of NYC have to offer. AND THEN..I run into this absolutely amazing garage door. Garage door?! Come again? Yep, garage door! This thing was bold! brilliant! creative! and of course bursting at the seams with COLOR! So from here on out, Done AND Done! COLOR was officially the theme of not only my NYC trip, but also of the Spectacular Spring that lies ahead. This was a sign that this upcoming Spring is meant to be fueled by color and creativity, it’s going to be animated, happy, & injected with LIFE! Good Times lie ahead my friends.
Below I highlight the most memorable moments from my trip to NY!
The Metropolitan Museum of 
Art:
Saw the Egyptian Art Exhibit & the Asian Art Exhibit! So much culture, authentic craftsmanship, & history all under one roof.
Dinner at Alta & Drinks at Fat Cat:
Alta was great a tapas restaurant. Fat Cat was a dope little spot that not only offered live music, but also had ping pong, pool, shuffle board, checkers, chess, & scrabble to keep us entertained.
Hot Vinyasa Yoga at Yoga To The People on 6th ave:
$5 for a class here! LOVE! Yoga to the People Studios make a statement & they make it well- make yoga accessi ble to 
everyone! It’s for sure a space where all
bodies rise. Check out my Yoga to the People NYC review here!
Lunch at the Simple Kitchen:
Quite the little gem I stumbled upon when exploring the Chelsea Market area. This place offers satisfying, natural, organic & freshly prepared deliciousness! Check out my The Simple Kitchen review here!
Carrie Bradshaw’s Sex & the City apartment:
I found THE iconic steps from SATC. Here, Carrie experienced everything from bliss to heartbreak throughout the 6 seasons that the show aired. It’s located about 1 mile away from The Simple Kitchen, so I suggest you grab a bit e to eat there, and as you head towards the famous steps, mak e time to check out Chelsea Mar ket and 
The High Line which are along the way!
Watching the sunset from The High Line:
The High Line is located o n Manhattan’s West Side. It’s a 1.45-m ile park built on a section of the former elevated fr eight railroad spur c alle d the West Side Line. It has been redesigned and revamped as an urban park. The recycling of the railway has spurred the development of fun and funky shops, restaurants, and bars in the surrounding area. The park itself is very modern, peaceful, & artsy. The unique design and particular placement of so much greenery makes it feel like a true urban oasis.
Take in the NYC skyline while walking across the Brooklyn B ridge:
We needed to find the perfect place to catch a gli m pse of the NYC skyline & walking across the Brooklyn Bridge at night was th 
e perfect way to bring my trip to a close
!
The last th ing I ended up snapping a picture of in NY was these EYE POPPING TULIPS! Seeing these Vi brant flowers sealed my intent to use deep- down- from- my- core creativity & COLOR to make this SpRiNg blossom with brilliance!
in live living COLOR,
xo xo ar
post valentine’s day report!
Why hello there! I’ve totally been MIA for some time…since February 14th, to be exact :) For good reasons though! I h
ad an avalanche of tests to study for and that somehow has a way of consuming my life from time to time…thank you grad school! Pursuing my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at USC has required a lot of commitment on my end and often results in 3 am nights, but I am so grateful to be doing what I am doing. Some say it’s a love hate relationship, I like to consider it an ALL love, no hate relationship. I couldn’t imagine waking up and going at school from 7am-5pm & then coming home and trying to absorb even MORE knowledge and not being 100% grateful for the opportunity to do just that. If you’re not waking up 100% dedicated and absolutely head over heels IN LOVE with what you’re doing, then why are you doing it? I’d like to take a moment to say, Physical Therapy, I would totally marry you xoxo! Interestingly enough though, Physical Therapy is going to be just the foundation of what I plan on doing. My practice will entail so much more than that, in fact, it’s going to be EPIC! By taking the time to look around this website you may notice that everything that brings me joy ties together the WHOLE person. For me it’s not just one aspect of life that I focus on, rather it’s the entire way of living and existing…it’s a lifestyle. My approach to Physical Therapy will be holistic in nature & my intention is to take the time to address the mind, body, AND spirit. Regarding that, lately things have been falling into place faster than I can imagine and thus am overflowing with things to share. So let’s get crackin’! When I say overflowing, I mean I got LOTS & TONS of exciting, ah.mazing. absolutely bah.nanas things to share! Starting at square one, let’s recap valentine’s day shall we? It’s may be March 21st, but what the hell…better late than never.
My valentine’s day was absolutely perfect simply because I spent time with people I absolutely adore. Surrounding yourself with positive, loving people can be very uplifting. I woke up, went to school and we discussed a topic very near & dear to my heart, spinal cord injury (SCI). Later that night I got to indulge in some Anusara Yoga at Still Yoga Studio. We went through a lot of heart-opening poses, as expected, and I definitely felt my vibration shift to become more open to receiving and giving LOVE. Our instructor even went around the room and left each of us a unique message on our mat while we were in final relaxation pose (savasana). She had typed them out on her TYPE WRITER, so the messages felt vintage & gen
uine and were absolutely bad-ass. Mine said: ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR HEART. :) Those words most certainly make my heart sing & put an instant smile on my face. What a sweet way to end our practice. Then me and my dashing date ended up at this new organic, raw, & vegan dessert shop in Pasadena called Kind Kreme. These non-dairy frozen treats were beyond delightful. There was no skimping on richness or flavor, yet we didn’t leave with the feeling of a post ice cream cone coma either. To make everything even more incredible, I received gorgeous flowers. I went to sleep that night knowing that at any 
minute I could explode into a million molecules of happiness, glitter, sparkles, and love.
I eat, breathe, and live yummy yoga & soul satisfying food, so, as promised, I’ve started 2 new sections on the website: a yoga studio review section & a healthy restaurant review tab!! I’ve included a Still yoga studio Review & a Kind Kreme Review. Keep checking back often, as I have a ton more worthwhile places I want to support and report on!
in love and light,
xoxo ar
healthy, mellow, & inexpensive valentines day with a heart-healthy meal & anusara yoga
Hey Pretty People! Happy Valentines day :) Today, I encourage you to…
- spend the day with people who truly inspire you
- follow & speak the Truth in your heart
- express your love & gratitude to those who matter the most & even to the stranger on the street!
- show yourself a little love (practice self-compassion & rock on with your brilliant self!)
- engage in some exercise & get your heart rate up to keep your heart pumping strong
- do yoga! try heart opening poses so you’ll be more receptive to receiving love (check yoga journals heart focused poses)
- focus on your heart chakra
Me and my super rad valentine’s day date have a healthy, mellow, & inexpensive day planned, but I couldn’t be more excited! No matter how you spend your day, as long as you’re in good company that’s what truly matters. So grab your mom, dad, sister, brother, best friend, or significant other & try out my fun, laid back, health conscious valentine’s day plan….
- Cook a meal that’s loaded with heart-healthy nutrients that help protect your cardiovascular system. Make sure to get a wide variety of colorful vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains & legumes. With my fabulous friend Jenny in mind, here are some meatless monday ideas: Almond Mushroom Dip. Mushroom Risotto with Caramelized Onions. Raw Lasagna. Brown & wild rice with asparagus. Avocado Wasabi Salad. Roasted Balsamic Veggies. Dark Chocolate Strawberries. Try including some of these 25 heart-healthy foods.
- Check out a yoga class. It’s valentines day so I’m assuming many teachers out there will take the opportunity to have a heart centered theme in their classes today :) For a guaranteed heart opening themed class check out an Anusara Yoga studio.
Anusara Yoga?
Anusara (a-nu-sar-a), means “flowing with Grace,” “flowing with Nature,” “following your heart.”
Anusara is a heart oriented, spiritually inspiring, & yet grounded in the Universal Principles of Alignment for both the inner & outer body. It is a uniquely integrated style of hatha yoga in which the artistic glory of the human heart blends with the scientific principles of biomechanics. – John Friend, Founder of Anusara Yoga
I’m personally hitting up Still Yoga, an Anusara Yoga Studio on the East side of LA, for the first time tonight. Review coming your way soon ;)
I leave you with one of my favorite songs, L.O.V.E sang originally by Nat King Cole, & re-done here by Joss Stone!
Sending love your way, all day , everyday!
xoxo ar
Skin Detox. Purify your skin with a natural tea remedy
Blending powerful herbs together can optimize the health benefits that nature has to offer. 
Definitely, not a coincidence that our own backyards have the ingredients to heal us; Mamma Nature is always on our side trying to sustain us. Teas have been a tried and true natural remedy for centuries. Some of my favorite blends come from Yogi Tea. I love that they encourage to purify your skin from the inside out! They stand behind the thought that our skin reflects our diet & lifestyle choices: it’s the mirror to internal health. It’s just as essential to cleanse from the inside, by reducing internal impurities, to have clearer, glowing skin.
I’m currently sippin’ on Yogi Tea’s Skin DeTox. Here are some of the key players:
Detoxifying ingredients often target the liver because it is one of the body’s important detoxifying centers. Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP informs that “the liver is the foundation of your body’s ability to detoxify. The largest solid organ in your body, your liver is situated on the right side within your rib-cage. This powerhouse organ has some spectacular skills, including the astonishing ability to heal and regenerate itself. It’s the main metabolic “clearinghouse” for both naturally-produced chemicals and foreign or toxic molecules that invade your body. Use the 2 following links to read further information about the liver’s functions & the body’s detoxifying capacities.
- Burdock Root: Herbalists value burdock as one of the few herbs that is better known for detoxifying the liver.
- Dandelion Root: This herb is celebrated as a liver cleanser in the world of herbal medicine. Dandelion root is one of the best remedies to support liver health, which in turn supports the health of the skin. Dandelion root can help normalize bile flow, causing the liver to produce the proper amount of bile to send to the gall bladder. It also acts directly on the gall bladder, causing it to contract and release stored bile, benefiting liver congestion and bile duct and gall bladder function.
- Yellow Dock Root: In herbal medicine, it has a long history of use as a detoxifying herb. Yellow dock root is used to support healthy skin and cleanse the liver; for those purposes it is often combined with dandelion root. A rich source of iron, yellow dock root is traditionally used to add iron to the diet.
- Red Clover: In herbal medicine, red clover flower is used as a general detoxifying (blood cleansing) herb.
Cooling Ingredients are used to target inflammation. When the body’s systems are stressed it can result in inflammation. Signs of inflammation include: warm/hot to touch, redness, swelling/puffiness, & pain. Cooling down the affected area is often the first line of defense in treatment (RICE= rest, ice, compress, elevate).
- Rose Petal: In herbal traditions rose petal is especially good for reducing heat in the body and soothing mucous surfaces. Since Rose petal cools and soothes the skin, it is a popular ingredient in many topical skin preparations.
- Hibiscus Flower: Known to be a natural body refrigerant (to have cooling properties) in North Africa.
This tea has a fragrant smell & is quite delightful read more about it at Yogi Tea’s Skin DeTox page.
This post is part of my newly added Tea Review Section under my Food Insights Tab!
Enjoy!!
xoxo ar
Hiking in LA: Temescal Canyon Gateway Park
I hiked Temescal Canyon twice this week. I love getting out into nature & reconnecting with everything that sustains me. It allows me to appreciate all the elements in their purest form….from the soil that supports me, to the breeze that I breathe, to the water that nourishes me. Can’t wait to get back out there. For anyone living or traveling through the LA area, I highly recommend it! Check out more details about the Temescal Canyon Gateway Park trails under the hikes tab in the fitness section :)
love,love, love
xoxo ar
