HAPPINESS IS...

Life In Five: 11

Practicing: Reiki, in a whole new way. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know I just returned home from a 3-day mega-healing intensive class to get my certification as a Reiki Master-Teacher! I'm now able to instruct others and give attunements to this ancient yet evolving artform. We learned advanced techniques, two new symbols, and how to incorporate crystals into the practice. The more I discover about Reiki, the more it blows me away. This love-energy is so powerful - truly life-changing. I can't wait to share more of this gift with you - stay tuned, friends.

Reading: Art, Inc. by Lisa Congdon. If you remember from my last Life In Five post, I had just completed her Creative Live class. I was so impressed by her work, I had to check out her new book. It's about everything you'd want to know about the business of art and all the different revenue streams one can pursue, with insider tips and interviews from other artists. It's giving me the confidence I need to push forward in this field.

Relaxing: in a hammock for exercise! This is real, I promise. I've been doing Anti-gravity yoga through ClassPass - a form of aerial yoga where you're cocooned in a supportive silk hammock as the instructor guides you through a series of poses hanging 3 feet above the ground. The benefits are similar to the after-effects of sensory deprivation tanks - giving you a feeling of euphoria due to weightlessness. And it lasts all day!

Binge-watching: a ridiculous amount of television shows. Maybe it's the cold weather, but I love hunkering down underneath the covers at night with my iPad, getting lost in a show. I just finished this season's Walking Dead (sniff) and now I'm working on: Parenthood, How To Get Away With Murder, Nashville, American Horror Story, About A Boy - what else? Oh yeah, Scandal. A good mix of heartwarming, heartpounding, creepy, funny and guilty pleasure stories.

Anticipating: a Swiss Christmas. Every year, my family chooses a new worldly cuisine to cook and consume for Christmas dinner. This year, we decided on Switzerland, since my parents will be traveling there in 2015 to explore our roots. Do you have any fun Swiss recipe ideas? There's always fondue, but we do that often and we're looking to get creative, with dishes like Rösti or Älplermagronen or vegetarian Zurchergeschnetzeltes

What have you been up to lately?

My Experience with ClassPass

Friends, have you heard of ClassPass? It just launched in Seattle! It's an alternative to a gym membership, giving you unlimited access to participating fitness spots in town for only $99 a month. Brilliant concept, right? You get a chance to try out many different styles of workouts:  yoga, pilates, barre, cycling, dance, whatever your heart desires. Think of it as your own personal all-access pass to the best studios in the city!

I used my first ClassPass last night and it was awesome. Went to Corepower Yoga's candlelight class. I usually practice yoga at home, so it had been awhile since I'd gone to a group class, let alone hot yoga. And um, it was HOT. Like head pounding hot. But so so good. I'm sure I lost 5 pounds from sweat alone. And our teacher played the best downtempo mix. Practicing by candlelight might be my new favorite thing by the way. It messes a bit with your balance, but in the dark, you can't criticize yourself in the mirror, you don't notice the pools of perspiration dripping off your neighbors, and you're not concerned about what other people will think if you fall out of a pose. I will definitely be going back.

Since you're limited to 3 classes per studio per month, I'm also going to try out Inspire Pilates, Strala Seattle and and when I get a little more flexi, Levitas Anti-Gravity Yoga!

P.S.  For my loves who live in Seattle, Boston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Washington DC, if you join ClassPass before Sunday (Nov 16th), they'll give you $50!  Yep, that's right. Sign up here! 

This post is sponsored by ClassPass. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

 

{Pre-edited image via: Mirival Resorts}

Yoga At Home

Yoga and I have an on and off relationship. My desire to practice comes in waves and I'll go months on a yoga high, then completely burn out. Not because I've stopped enjoying it. But because of the time it takes to find a class that fits into my schedule, drive there, find parking, etc.

So now, I'm trying yoga at home, using YogaGlo's online classes. Have any of you taken them? I started the 15-day free trial and realized that one of my favorite teachers at Exhale, the yoga studio went to in Venice, is one of the founding instructors: Jo Tastula. I love her soft soothing Australian accent. She has a ton of classes available at any time of the day, and you can filter by style, level, duration and specific use. When I tire of Jo's classes (if that's possible), there are 20+ other teachers to discover.

I'm not sure why I hadn't done yoga at home before. It's so much more convenient. If you're interested in trying it out as well, I've rounded up the essentials. Here's what you'll need...

1. iPad or laptop. It was a bit tricky locating a place to put my iPad in the tiny space I have available, but I found a nice spot for it on a footstool which gives me visibility during mat stretches and yoga flow both. If you're using an iPad, having a solid stand is a good idea. I love this driftwood dock from Anthro.
2. Yoga mat. I have a plain orange one, but if you like a little pizazz with your poses, there are quite a few pretty patterned mats out there.
3. Skidless towel. When I was doing hot yoga, my Yogitoes towel was a life saver. You throw it down over your mat so your feet don't slip around. I started using it for regular yoga as well, because it keeps the mat from getting dirty and the towel can simply be thrown in the wash.
4. Candles. Ambiance is very important to me, so scented candles are a must. I'm dying to try these ritual Magic Hour soy candles. They're infused with herbs and essential oils and the wax is nestled around a gemstone that you remove when burned down to keep as a talisman.
5. Bra top. One of the many perks to practicing yoga at home? You can wear anything you want and nobody will ever see you. Bring on the belly rolls! 
6. Block. I love these guys placed under my hips during shavasana. They're great for proper alignment and extra support.
7. Water bottle. As you know, it's important to stay hydrated. I find that I drink more when I put sliced cucumber and lemon into my water.
8. Yoga pants. Let's be honest, cute clothes are completely unnecessary when you're doing yoga at home. I usually wear grubby sweats. Heck, you could practice naked if you really wanted to. But I spotted these foldover frill pants from Free People and couldn't resist sharing them with you. Besides, sometimes having cute yoga clothes to wear is the best motivation to get started.

{Images via: Jago Yoga; 1. Anthropologie; 2. Free People; 3. Yogitoes; 4. Summerland; 5. Free People; 6. Anthropologie; 7. Lululemon; 8. Free People}

Yoga Engagement Photos

Here's an engagement session you don't see every day. Kelsey and Isaac are doing acro-yoga, which I'd never heard of until now. It's a partner style practice that combines acrobatics and thai massage. It's supposed to be great for couples who want to build trust and foster a sense of play.

I'd like to think Hal and I would enjoy this. But knowing us, we'd be laughing too hard to hold the poses. Have you ever taken acro-yoga before?


{Images via Junebug by Kiera Eve Photography}

Staying Afloat

My loves, I knew this time would come, but I'm afraid it's happening sooner than anticipated. It may seem like everything is perfect in Shannon land, since I only blog about things that make me happy. But in all honesty, I've been drowning emotionally. With the wedding planning, work, family, and some recent personal issues, my stress level is through the roof. Which defeats the entire purpose of Happiness Is. No matter what I do, I can't quite keep my head above water.

This blog will stay alive, but I need to cut back. Since 2009, I've been posting 3x every weekday. I knew it was an ambitious schedule and I don't know how I adhered to it for as long as I did. From here on out, or at least until my life slows down, I'll only be posting once a day. I hope you'll forgive me! I realize I may lose some readers with this change, but I guess I'll have to take that risk. I appreciate your continued and loyal support over the past few years. This blog would be nowhere without you. xo


{Image via B Tru Yoga by Daan Verhoeve}

The Top 10 Most Relaxing Tunes

According to scientists and sound therapists, the most relaxing song in the world is Weightless by Manchester band, Marconi Union. The tune uses specific tones, frequencies and intervals at a continuous rhythm of 60 beats per minute, which causes brainwaves and heart rates to synchronize.

Apparently, it has been tested to be even more relaxing than a massage, walk, or cup of tea. So relaxing, that people are advised not to listen to it while driving!

The top 10 most relaxing tunes:

1. Marconi Union - Weightless 
2. Airstream - Electra 
3. DJ Shah - Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix) 
4. Enya - Watermark 
5. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing 
6. Barcelona - Please Don't Go 
7. All Saints - Pure Shores 
8. Adele - Someone Like You 
9. Mozart - Canzonetta Sull'aria 
10. Cafe Del Mar - We Can Fly

What music do you listen to in order to relax?


{Pre-image via Nom Nom Kiwiii; List via Short List}

How Pilates and I Met

Fun fact: I was THIS close to being in a pilates infomercial. One lonely night while living in LA, I was lured into purchasing the Windsor Pilates DVDs. Soon after they arrived, Windsor Pilates called and offered me 3 months of free mat classes in exchange for my before and after testimonial. They were testing out a new resistance band product and wanted "real people" to demonstrate its potential on the next infomercial. I didn't want to show my bikini body photos on national television, but I really wanted free classes! So I bit the bullet, said yes, lost massive amounts of inches, and fell in love with pilates. And lucky for me... they eventually decided to not release the product or film the infomercial  ;)

Now, many years later, I've decided to get back into it. I can't wait to have a super strong core again. Do any of you practice pilates?

{Image via This Made Me Smile}

Ballerinas

So I went to a party at my yoga studio on Saturday and it was full of members of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, who frequent the same classes that I do. As honored as I am to share the same floor space as these rubber band girls made of pure muscle, including this girl and this girl, it is admittedly quite humbling to do the standing splits next to them. Their legs go beyond their heads while mine barely get off the ground. Jealousy aside, ballerinas are beautiful and phenomenal creatures, aren't they?

P.S. Needless to say, I was the only one wolfing down the hour'derves.


{Images by: 1. Visualize Us, 2. and 4. Stefano Rapino, 3. Weronis, 5.The Things That Excite Me, 6. Richard Calmes}

Shanti Town Yoga Blog

For my fellow yogis out there, you might want to check out my dear friend, Lia Aprile's yoga blog, Shanti Town. She is an incredibly talented yogi, actress and writer who has the ability to draw you into her world by humorously revealing the life lessons she learns from her daily yoga practice. Thank you Lia for your beautiful and hilarious words. You are an inspiration.

P.S. She's going to be on the February cover of the Kripalu catalog!


{Image via We Heart It}

Hot Yoga

I'm off to clean the studio of Urban Yoga Spa.  No, I do not moonlight as a janitor.  I'm incredibly lucky to be a "karma yogi" where I get free unlimited classes for simply cleaning the studio a couple hours a week. I've been doing yoga for the past few years, but I was new to hot yoga. To be honest, I was adamantly opposed to it until now.  Once you get used to the heat, sweat, dehydration, slipping and sliding, and the potential stink of neighboring yogis, it's all good!

P.S.  Can you believe people are now going on "yoga dates"?  I don't know about you, but I look horrible after my hot yoga class.  Nice first impression!  I did get my man to take classes as well, but we've been together for 7 years and he refuses to take the same class as me!


{Image via Master Jack}