I can’t believe that the 8 week Somatic Adventures series has now come to an end. It was such a pleasure and honor to share some of what I am continuing to learn with you all. 

I have some pretty epic trauma when it comes to the dentist. (Can you relate?) I’ve learned that due to my red headed gene….

How frustrating is it when someones says…just let it go! Especially if….

Acceptance. Wow, this is a hard one…right? This morning, I woke, ready to take on the day. But I wasn’t ready for my Monday Kundalini class.

Non judgment isn’t about not having judgments. Some judgments are needed, like judging if a situation is safe or not. Practicing non judgment is about taking notice of the judgment that arises, getting curious, and seeing where it comes from, asking questions like: why is this good? bad? neutral? Why do I want this? Why don’t I want this?

In Eastern philosophy, Wu Wei is the art of non doing, or doing without doing. A concept westerners, like myself, struggle with. How can we do without doing? How will anything get done without doing. Wu Wei isn’t really about not doing it’s about non striving. It’s more about being, while doing.

When we rush to get things done or to get past the pain of something or to get something over with we miss out on the present. I have found that when I am present, the pain I’m isn’t as bad. I have found when I am present, the joy is grounding. I have found when I am present my thoughts become quieter, giving me a feeling of deeper connection within and around me. 

In our lives, a disconnection within Trust is inevitable. Either from trauma, the pandemic, or from so many other reasons. So how does one reconnect within Trust? This week in Somatic Adventures we explore Trust within our bodies, minds, within others, within the world.

This weeks Somatic Adventure classes we will learn to become aware of our inner experience as we focus on small, slow steps to bring awareness to our body with the lens of curiosity without judgement. Make sure to sign up for classes, if you haven’t already!

Outta the scape goat of simplicity I am now within the realities of complexity. I’m gonna call this realm a world of Mindfulness, Movement, and Connection. Others would call it Yoga Teacher Training with a Mindfulness Meditation Certificate.

Nomadic Morning : A Photo Essay from 2015 Van Life w/ India

Years ago, I took this amazing photography class at Metro Community College. My kickass instructor helped challenge my creatively....This is for you Matel, a 12 pix photo essay of a nomad van life morning. Enjoy!!

Navigating uncharted territory is hard! I’ve been here before (during van life, bike camping, and most adventures) but why does this place feel so different? Dear Capt’…I need your help!

Fellow squatters….who wants to pee standing up?? Or at least squat without our cheeks blowing in the wind??? Show of hands please!!! Well, my journeys within nomadic life, van life and as a bike camping fanatic, has made me an expert on some things that I NEVER thought I would be. A pee funnel is one of them. Back in 2018 I wrote a blog bout this journey. 

The Boulevardière is a feminine twist to a classic cocktail with Campari, Bourbon, and Aura’s Teranino spiced red wine brandy. Perfect cocktail for the holiday season, includes the recipe.

Our first stop in Croatia, Rovinj, full of magic, clear blue seas, delicious classic cocktails, and lots of wondering.

Leonard Knight spent 3 decades creating Salvation Mountain to spread the message of Love. This was my first trip to this magical place.

FINALLY is a one-of-a-kind online jewelry art show by Casey Sheppard and goes LIVE HERE Dec 1st @ 6am PST.

The Delta Five Cocktail is a gluten free cocktail made from raiding the fridge and having an imagination. Short film, made in Joshua Tree, explains it all with recipe to follow.

NEW Stop motion, cocktail recipe, GF Bitter Liqueur info, and more created from my travels to Italy where I fell in LUV (obsession) with the Spritz.