yoga – Pedis-n-Passports

Brooke’s Balance Bracelets

January 25, 2018January 26, 2018pedisnpassports

Since I can remember, I have wanted to own my own business. I am a natural boss–just ask my two older brothers. They’ll tell you just what a “leader” I really am! (Don’t you love euphemisms?)

Honestly though, as far back as preschool I can remember starting businesses–from selling pretty rocks I’d find in the woods in the brook behind my house, to Brooke’s Beauty Spa where I’d sell certificates for fifteen minute massages and charge a few bucks extra for a therapeutic cucumber eye treatment, to a few years later creating and editing a neighborhood pet newspaper, “The Bow Wow News,” where I’d feature a different neighborhood dog each month. The list goes on and on. Entrepreneurship runs through my veins.

Besides co-owning PedisNPassports, I have branched out to becoming a jewelry maker. My yoga teacher introduced me to mala bracelets as a part of therapy and stress relief and we would enjoy making them together. She would bring beautiful stones all the way from Bali and we’d create beautiful bracelets together that I’d give to family and friends. Then, of course, the business light bulb illuminated. I could sell these!

Three Reasons Not To Start Practicing Yoga

October 1, 2017October 1, 2017pedisnpassports

Today is my two-month YOGAversary. Yes, I’m aware of the exact date I began practicing yoga and am celebrating each and every second, minute, hour, month–everyday should be a celebration of something, right?

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But heed my warning: Yoga is a powerful force that you may want to avoid at all costs. I was not aware of the spell it would cast over every aspect of my being. I am writing this to save you! BEWARE!!!

Vino and Vinyasa–When Two Worlds Collide

September 7, 2017pedisnpassports

If you were to look up “Kristen” in a thesaurus, you’d probably find the first synonym “vino lover.” However, since I’ve begun the practice of yoga just about a month ago, I’ve experienced profound internal changes–I would honestly call them near religious experiences. In my stillness, I am able to process the deepest of emotions–grief, regret, loss, trauma and despair. Yes, I’ve cried on my mat. I’ve been able to release these pains from my past and let go of all that does not serve me. I feel grounded, balanced, present, vibrant, alive, awake, full of hope and inner peace–more than I’ve felt in decades and it’s absolutely divine.

My First Hot Yoga Class Was A Hot Mess

August 27, 2017August 27, 2017pedisnpassports

Today officially marks one month that I’ve been practicing yoga. Attending Vinyasa and Yin 5-6 times a weeks has been so enlightening. This journey is remarkable. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about how I feel inside and out.

That is until my first Bikram (hot) class. Due to a conflict in schedule, the hot class was the only one I could attend that day, so I figured after a month into this, it was time to give it a shot.

Now I have given birth three times, one being completely natural childbirth. Nothing in my life has ever come close to that level of torturous pain–until now.

Our Yoga Journey

August 1, 2017August 1, 2017pedisnpassports

Brooke and I have been trying to find a sport or activity we enjoy doing together as mother and daughter. We’ve tried running and quickly learned that is not a passion of ours. We love to hike but that is not something you can do year round in Illinois. We’ve also recently taken up kayaking, but again, a seasonal activity.

The logical choice for a million reasons is yoga–physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing to be a few.

Just Breathe

April 9, 2017April 9, 2017pedisnpassports

Besides healthy eating and exercise, our amazing nutritionist, Diane Bubeck, recommended that Brooke and I focus more on mindful breathing. Since we already practice yoga and meditation, we honestly thought we had the breathing thing knocked. Little did we know, we are superficial breathers. (Not sure if we should take that as an insult or not) Anyway, to learn how to become deep breathers, we just finished this incredible book– Jumpstart Your Metabolism by author, Pam Grout.

Loving My RajRang Mandala Tapestry

November 5, 2016November 5, 2016pedisnpassports

Hi All! It’s Brooke. I have to tell you I’ve been in love with Mandala Tapestries since I saw my first one on a You Tube video. It was hung on a wall in a bedroom and I immediately knew I had to have one of those for my room! I researched a few different companies and found that Rajrang had by far the best variety with the richest colors and patterns I’ve ever seen. Rajrang’s mandalas were also within my budget so I was super excited!