FREE Yoga class with Lucy Active Wear and City Yoga Chicago

Please join us for a relaxing Sunday morning yoga class in lucy Activewear, located in Water Tower Place!

Bring your mat and get ready for an hour of peaceful yoga followed by discounted shopping and snacks!

We will be teaching this class inside the lucy store, so space will be limited to 10 guests. Reserve your spot today!

lucy.com #LucyLetsGo @lucy

cityyogachicago.com @city_yoga_chicago

RSVP HERE

WHEN

Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (CDT) - Add to Calendar

WHERE

Water Tower Place 3rd Floor - 835 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 - View Map

TAGS

A yogi makes the front page of The Chicago Tribune

I woke up with the strongest desire to be at the beach . To plant my feet on the earth and feel the sun on my face . I made a detour before teaching my class so that I could spend some time at the lakefront , reflecting and sneaking in a short yoga practice .  I knew it wouldn't be the easiest to achieve as I would have my two youngest children with me, yet I also knew that they would enjoy playing at the beach . 

They played in the water and in the sand while I sat in solitude and did a short yoga practice . And slowly I began to feel at ease , reconnected to the divine . The water brings me peace , calms me in a way that nothing else can . It's these moments that make me appreciate living  just  blocks away from Lake Michigan .

A gentleman approached and asked if he could photograph the kids and I for an article he was working on and said to just keep doing what we were and to ignore him . As I once again got lost in my practice and my children played , he snapped away and captured my soul .much to my surprise  I woke up the next day to see ME on the front page of the Chicago Tribune . 

Humble , grateful and thankful . 

-A

NFL Draft 2015 Chicago

There were NFL Draft signs around Chicago for weeks on end yet it quite never clicked with me that the draft was actually IN Chicago .  I didn't put 1+1 together until the city started setting up staging and the NFL zone which was visible out my window . My first thoughts were 1. To take my kids to explore a little and 2. To leave town .

I've exposed my kids to college football and we always watch the Super Bowl together so I knew that my kids would enjoy exploring a little. Leaving town, that was a natural reflex for many reasons , one being to avoid the huge crowds and traffic in my back yard.

Being a yogi, we did what we do best and found a couple of our favorite teams and did a little yoga . The little guy especially loved climbing inside of the helmets and running through them while my girls tried to name all of the teams represented . No crowds, no hassle and something new and exciting in the city.

And then I left town .. And enjoyed 3 days alone : thinking ,healing and allowing myself to Just Be.

How to Get Started Using Essential Oils

We have been using essential oils in our home for some time now. Mainly because I have never liked medication, the idea of covering up an issue versus dealing with it head on. I stopped taking most over the counter medications after the birth of my last child, so almost 6 years ago.

Essential Oils have helped us with so many things in our home, from headaches, allergies, stomach aches, stress and the list goes on. I am thankful to BlackDoctor.org who reached out to me to write an article for them . Click on the link below to read.


Daily Uses For Essential Oils | BlackDoctor

In Love and Health
-A

Mind, Body & Spirit

Mind, Body & Spirit / City Yoga Chicago

This post is a sponsored conversation for thinkThin and Womensforum.com

Being a busy, working mom of three, I am always on the lookout for ways to make my day run a little smoother while maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. Women’s wellness is extremely important to me, which incorporates taking care of myself,  body, mind and spirit.  I like to thinkPositive!

Body:
I make an effort to move my body in some way each and every day. Whether it’s a quick lakefront run, spending some quality time in the gym, indulging in a yoga class taught by a friend, or exercising at home, championing weight wellness is part of my daily routine.

I am also conscious of what I put into my body as well. I take time to juice, make flavorful meals, as well as incorporate my favorite high protein, low-calorie thinkThin bars, which fit perfectly with my lifestyle. I have been enjoying thinkThin bars for over two years now, and my favorite is the Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Protein Nut Bar (think melted caramel drizzled over nuts-YUM).

Mind and Spirit:
Anything that keeps my home calm and less chaotic keeps my mind at ease.

For me, this includes being prepared for the school day the night before by making the kids’ school lunches and having them lay their clothes out for the next day. I pack their backpacks and sit them by the front door and sometimes prep breakfast as well. All of this helps to make the morning run a little smoother.

I also make sure to incorporate some “quiet” time in our home on a daily basis where no electronics are allowed. We take this time to read, paint, draw, or just rest. Doing these simple things focuses on mindfulness and helps both children and adults reconnect instead of disconnect.

I, like most moms, seem to be running from sun up to sun down. Between drop-offs, after school activities, running errands and teaching several yoga classes per week, I find it difficult to find time for myself. Incorporating five minutes of “me” time throughout the day keeps me connected while maintaining an active lifestyle. Whether it is taking a walk, reading a book or indulging in my favorite thinkThin bar, these little indulgences keep me feeling optimistic and empowered to charge through my day!

Anhu Yoga Ambassador

I am so grateful to have been chosen by Anhu to be a Yoga Ambassador. The program was created for passionate Yoga teachers who inspire not only their students but also their extended community. It is truly an honor Anhu and I look forward to representing you this year.

This is an amazing company founded by two mothers and a friend, who wanted to combine fitness and passion. Work hard, Play hard.

You can find some amazing yoga clothing here as well as shop at a local retail store that carries their products, many of which are made in the USA.

Thank you Anhu for my awesome Karma Shoes!

Peace and Love,

Angel

I run

Why I run.

Running for me is therapy of sorts.. I don't run a certain distance, I run until my head is clear. I run and laugh, I run and cry, I run to let go. 

Last year I ran 3 half marathons ,a 9k, a 10k, a mud run, a 5k and a Girls on the run 5k with my daughter .. Each race had its unique challenges: extreme temperature , 80 degrees and humid in 

Florida to 30 degrees and rainy in Indianapolis . I ran through Disney, through the Indy 500 speedway, along the lakefront in Chicago as well as through the city streets, I ran through mud, climbed walls and ran thru bubbles, I ran the color run and came out full of laghter and completely tie-dyed.  

I run each race in complete quiet.. No music blasting in my ears, just me , the sky above and the earth below. pure divine connection. I don't run to beat a particular time, I run to finish and to finish without injury. I run for me,I run to Just Be.

Hot chocolate 10k in Chicago

Indianapolis 1/2 marathon

Disney Princess 1/2 marathon 

Giving Thanks Today and Everyday

A gentle reminder to practice Gratitude and Thankfulness Each Day. I give Thanks to those sharing in this beautiful journey of Life with me. I AM GRATEFUL . 

A little music for the soul.

"And these happy feelings, I'll spread them all over the world...from deep in my Soul"

Peace and Love.
-A

Yoga and Divorce

Yoga and Divorce

A story of love, marriage, divorce and finding myself. And Yoga, don't forget Yoga!

I joked with a friend that yoga caused me to get divorced. Not completely accurate but a lot of truth to it. My marriage had been in that “state”of stuck for a long time. We were roommates raising children and sharing a home for years. Our level of interest in one another was pretty low, it became more of a challenge to communicate with one another and doing things together was more of routine than anything else. Everything became routine. And as we all know, routine gets boring. Feeling lonely in a marriage is big NO NO. When two people are unhappy why do we feel the need to continue in that unhappiness? To force things for the sake of our children or stay together because of what others will think. Thus teaching our children that its ok to stay in an unhappy situation, to find comfort in unhappiness? We lived in a clouded haze for years, the days just melting into one another, year after year and led everyone else to think that all was perfect. After all, we had everything that should make someone happy. A well paying job, a nice home in an affluent neighborhood, 3 wonderful children and anything else that society deems necessary to obtain happiness. What was missing was our connection with one another: openness, trust, vulnerability and the ability to listen. These are all the foundation for a deeper connection, a connection of the souls.

Going through a yoga teacher training program made me aware of so much more. For the first time in a long time I felt like I was understanding who I was again. I was regaining my power and filling my heart and soul in a way that I never had before. This was amazing for me, yet not so amazing for a relationship that was not so stable and which suddenly made my husband feel like he no longer knew who I was. I felt kind of weird saying it, but it was true. He thought his wife had an alter ego or was in need of therapy but in actuality this is who I had always been deep down it side. The "real me" had been covered up and hidden while I became a person that I was supposed to be . I had lost myself.

I had friends ask how I was so calm and positive during my divorce. The only response I had was: Yoga. I'm not an expert on anything, so don’t expect any “aha” moments here, just my truth. I am 43 44 year old mom of 3 that decided she wanted to change her life and had enough courage to do so. Somehow I didn't go completely nuts or become depressed and I owe it to Yoga. So over the next few posts I'll be sharing, my ups and downs and how Yoga somehow kept me sane during my divorce.

Grab a glass of wine and turn the page.

KidQ App from Scholastic Parent & Child

                                                  

As the mom of three kids, I get asked tons of questions daily. Some I can answer, and honestly, some I can't. We generally  use the internet to research some of the answers to the questions or sometimes look them up in books we have in the house. 

Recently I was approached by Scholastic to try out a new app that they were launching called KidQ, which is an amazing app that is FREE and kept my children engaged while learning. Each day a question posts on the app that has a playful question such as: Why is the sky blue? or Why do we say "ears" of corn, or my favorite "What are freckles?" (as we all have these little "angel kisses", as I call them ). We would all give the answer we thought was correct and then have fun comparing our explanations to the facts.  My little ones look forward to the questions daily and its a nice way to transition from after school into our evening routine. 

One of the best ways to connect with our children in through conversation and the app allows us to do just that. The app facilitates conversation via fun Q&A's about the things that kids are most curious about.  The app is completely free and available iPhone and Android. You can download Here at Scholastic Parent & Child 

Disclaimer: I received compensation in return for my agreement to post on behalf of this program. I have been asked by Scholastic Parent & Child to write this post. My review  of the product is  my honest opinion.

The Storm

I'm right here in the middle of it-- kind of ironic as its actually been storming everyday here in Chicago as well. Symbolic maybe?

Everyday has been a challenge, frustrating, trying and just plain Hard! I've wanted to crawl into a cave and hibernate.. Like a bear.. Sleep thru the cold winter and come out when the sun is shining. 

But then I realized that its better to walk right thru the storm with my head up! Rain on my face and embracing the thunder and lightening. Knowing that after it storms, the sun comes out and for some reason looks brighter than it ever has before. Isn't it funny how after an afternoon storm, the sun shines and you can hear the birds chirping away? Kind of like they are signaling that its over and it's ok to sing again.  We need rain, it helps everything grow and it cleanses, washing away the old and dirty and making way for new growth and new beginnings. So instead of wallowing in self pity and being stressed, I choose to put on my big girl panties, some high heels and some red lipstick and march straight thru this mess! 

We have a choice in how to deal with our obstacles... We ALWAYS have a choice. I CHOOSE strength, fearlessness and to walk thru the storm with love in my heart .

Kids Yoga

I was happy to be asked to help teach some children yoga at The Children's Museum at Navy Pier last Sunday.

My friend and fellow yogi Shalise from Blossfolds Yoga invited me to help some Chicagoland Girl Scouts earn a badge by learning how to be fit and healthy .

We had so much fun with the girls and even had a 22 month old join in on the fun. We incorporated poses such as octopus (partnering with another girl), lizard on a rock, bridge , boat, conch shell, tree and everyone's favorite pose..savasana.

Yoga has so many wonderful benefits for children . It teaches them how to focus, teaches patience and mindfulness as well as teaches them how to calm themselves in a stressful situation .

Thank You Blissfolds for asking me to help out with the girls . Such a wonderful way to spend the day!

(Photos ©Blissfolds and ©city yoga Chicago )

Yoga Heals

Little by little, Yoga has become more prominent in my life. What started out 10 years ago as me going to a pre-natal yoga class slowly became me attending classes weekly, teaching my kids and girl scouts yoga and finally me taking teacher training and sharing my joy of yoga with others.  Each of these steps over the years has re-connected me with myself..guiding me on my journey of self discovery and transition. 

It's funny, I never expected yoga to completely change my life, to turn my world upside down and to open my eyes to all around me. For the first time in years I can see things clearly, no longer looking at things from the outside in, feeling like a stranger in my own life. No longer feeling that I had to go with the flow...or just blend in. Instead making choices of which way to turn and which path to take. 

Let's face it, most of my life, I was the one that stuck out in the family. The earthy one, the hippie, the one who wouldn't eat meat,(nor touch it)the one that wanted to have babies and nurse them, the one that loved laying in the grass and enjoyed taking care of animals.This was in a family that said "eat what you are given and do as you are told", and "nursing is for animals" and gave no value to my difference of opinion,  so I became the shy, introverted child.  I grew up in a matriarchal family...my grandmother was the head of the family..with my mom and aunt right behind her..strong willed and stubborn. Hard working women, single mothers....no time to enjoy life nor all that it had to offer. Simply going thru each day without living life at its fullest. Maybe they didn't know how to live differently? How to slow down and LIVE, how to give and receive love openly, how to be Present in the moment. I chose a different path from them, because I wanted a different outcome. Not that their way was "wrong" but it wasn't "right" for me. We each have the ability to change old patterns and to move forward with our own lives, to enjoy our own journey. 

I don't want to live up to someone else's expectation of what I'm supposed to be. I AM ME.I'm Imperfectly Perfect at its best.  Confident, strong, silly, free spirited, random, passionate, loving, giving and am usually pretty extreme. I experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and sometimes all in the same day. It's just who I am, and I love me AS IS.

Yoga heals us from hurt and pain, helps us to open our hearts to all that is waiting for us. 

Namaste