Cryling like a little girl

I went to visit my parents today to see them before I leave for Bali. They’re also letting me borrow a bigger suitcase as well as some other odds & ends like a cord adaptor for my laptop, a laptop bag, and my dad had a shit load of those surgeon masks to cover your nose & mouth with–he says that if I happen to sit next to someone on the plane who’s coughing or sneezing, I should put one on. Hell yeah I will! I don’t care if I look like creepy Jack-O…if it’s going to prevent me from getting sick, I’ll do it!

And then I totally wasn’t expecting this, but they gave me a check to help out with the expenses on my trip! As soon as my mom gave it to me, my eyes instantly welled up. I was just so overcome with gratefulness and gave each of them a big hug. They were so supportive–from my mom helping me to pick out the right suitcase to my dad handing me

Crying like a little girl while driving from Diamond Bar back to LA

all those face masks. I don’t know if it was the sappy classical music that turned on when I started my car or if it’s

because I’m pms’ing, but as we said our good-byes and I drove away, I started crying again.

I think they were tears of thankfulness & gratefulness.  I felt like I had my parents’ blessing for this trip. Even as I write that last sentence, I feel my eyes getting wet. It’s not that I was seeking for their approval or anything, but up until today, I hadn’t realized how important this trip means to me. For me, this is a big trip. By “big trip” I not only mean the distance and miles I’ll be flying but I feel like this trip is somehow symbolic of all that I have gone through this past year, all that I have accomplished, AND all that I have to look forward to.  It seems to be a culmination of closing one chapter and beginning a new one. And it’s a journey I  must I take alone. Whether or not they know that, it doesn’t matter. I feel their love & support for me and that’s all I need.

The Power of Your Breath

Often times when I am doing massage therapy on a client, I am amazed at how little they breathe. I’ll notice their breath is very shallow. For example, today, I was working on a patient at the medical office I’m a part of once a week, and a man came in with lower back pain. It wasn’t caused by an injury but was actually caused by having recently joined a boot camp at the gym and the lack of stretching. As I worked on his glutes & hips with my elbows, I had to tell him to take in deep breaths periodically. We could both feel the muscles relaxing & letting go with each breath he took. He was amazed at how his muscles released and how much better he felt! It’s always amazing to witness someone discovering the power of their breath!

All it takes is 1 deep breath to feel so much better! Try it right now. Take another one. See how good that feels? Connect to your breath and stay connected by coming to class tonight!  ♥

P.S. Lets stay in touch when I’m in Bali! Check back frequenly–I’ll be writing and posting my photos & adventures…so subscribe or just bookmark this!

YOGA CLASS w/ Stella
Tuesdays, 6:15-7:30pm (all levels) $10
Thursdays, 10-11am (gentle) $10
at APCHV
1530 Hillhurst Avenue (community conference room)
Silverlake 90027

park on the street or in the lot (free), mats provided or better yet, bring your own!
Starting December 1st, my dear friend and one of the most fantastic teachers in LA, Gage Bock, will be your guest teacher. Please come experience her heart opening classes: Same times/Same days. Please note there is no Tuesday night class on 12/29.

Cheers to a Healthy. Happy. Sexy. You.
♥ Stella

Bali in 1 week…any packing suggestions?

I can’t believe that in exactly 7 days from now, I’ll be boarding my plane to go to Bali! I haven’t even been able to think about my trip much less pack. But I have started putting things aside on the corner of my couch to start a “packing pile”. Do you ever do that?  It’s as if 1/2 the work is done if you already know what you need to take. As you can see, all I know is that I’m taking my bathing suits, guide books, wraps, and a book my assistant gave me, “She’s Come Undone”.

 

My Packing Pile

 

 

I also started a list of friends and family that I want to be sure I get some goodies from Bali for.There are so many special peeps in my life, it seems like a big list. Not sure how I’m going to fit all the goods. I plan on packing very lightly since it’ll be so hot over there. My biggest article of “clothing” is really my heavy duty Manduka yoga mat. I’d bring my travel mat, but since I’ll be practicing every day, I just need to suck it up and carry it on the plane with me. Do you have any packing tips or suggestions on what to bring?

…only 7 days to go!