Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

News Flash! South of the Fraser, BC

West Coast Seeds and Burns Bog Conservation Society Join Forces

West Coast Seeds and the Burns Bog Conservation Society are celebrating International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day, May 1st.

Never heard of it? Well neither had Sharon Edelmeier of West Coast Seeds, and Eliza Olson of Burns Bog Conservation Society. That is, until they decided to do a fundraiser for the Society using seeds.

This last January, boxes and boxes of sunflower seeds arrived at the Burns Bog Conservation Society’s office. “I had no idea how I was going to do the fundraiser. I went on the internet and I discovered International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day!”

The Brussel’s Farmer, a group dedicated to transforming neglected public spaces, declared May 1st, International Sunflower Guerrilla Day in 2009. Now sunflowers are popping all over the world!

“I designed the invitation to “our first Annual International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day. West Coast Seeds designed the seed packets,” commented Eliza Olson.

A $25 donation comes with a promise to plant the seeds in your backyard. A $50 donation comes with the promise you will give the seeds to a friend. You can choose your own gift to the Society. In return you promise to help a child plant the Sunflower seeds. “I can hardly wait to see the sunflowers popping up in people’s yards. The seed heads make great bird feeders in the fall!”

International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day is taking off all around the world. West Coast Seeds and the Burns Bog Conservation Society are just the latest groups to join this movement.

“It is one of those unexpected moments,” said Eliza Olson. “I always wanted to do a fundraiser with seeds. Our volunteers loved working on this project. And I get to give back something to our wonderful supporters!”

If you want to get in on the fun, call the Burns Bog Conservation Society at 604.572.0373. Choose your gift and get your package of sunflower seeds while they last. This is a Guerrilla movement worth joining. Phone early. Our supply of sunflower seeds is limited.

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Contact: Eliza Olson, Burns Bog Conservation Society, 604.572.0373, cell
604.418.2314, or Sharon Edelmeier, West Coast Seeds, 604.952.8820 for more information.

This week, as I felt I was babying a virus that had come visiting, I chose to complete my week of yoga and soul-sisterhood at home, with my wonderful dog Teagan as my ‘soul-sister’.

I truly do find that when I do my home practice, our pets often accompany me with some stretches. Of course, they don’t wear their yoga pants and I am most often in my pj’s, however, we enjoy our practice together!

I usually do a slow flow sun salutation each morning and some restorative postures in the evening.

Teagan does a pretty great down doggie!

Here is a recent picture of my sweet dog!

Week Five in the Year & Soul-Sisterhood of the Traveling Yoga Pants!

I’m inserting this yoga experience at Sky Temple as my week 5, even though I attended this yoga class in December while vacationing in Yelapa, Mexico. I’m taking some editorial license.

I actually attended my wonderful local Shanti Yoga this week for a gentle Hatha class but wanted to jump back and include Sky Temple in my travels.

Sky Temple Yoga is a breath-takingly beautiful studio, perched on the hillside in the tropical jungle around Yelapa.

Yelapa is a quaint and beautiful Mexican pueblo located south of Puerto Vallarta and only accessible by water taxi.

Judith Roth, a well known yoga teacher from the Pacific Northwest, relocated to Yelapa around 10 years ago. Over the years she held yoga classes in numerous locations in the village including little palapas, grand rooms in quaint estates and upper decks of homes.

Recently Judith organized the construction of Sky Temple, a yoga studio, home and retreat centre with a view of a sparkling bay and gorgeous beach. Accessible via a path winding through trees and jungle foliage Sky Temple offers beginner and advanced classes.

Karen, our next door neighbor and myself, attended a gentle Hatha class with about 10 other folks from Asheville Oregon, Northern California, England, the Gulf Islands of BC and Vancouver. The age range was about 25 – 65. Judith didn’t teach the class but I did have a chance to connect with her after class.

The yoga wear was very eclectic, funky, fun and functional, given the warm temperatures. There were brothers and sisters and lots of tats, piercings and long gray braids. I wore my cozy brown yoga pants (again) and Karen wore a pair of black leggings. I wore my tie-dyed t-shirt and mala beads in a gesture of a deep bow to the hippies and singers like Bob Dylan, who introduced Yelapa to us in the ’60s!

I credit Judith with awakening my love of yoga! She is a woman who embodies power and courage with gentleness and authenticity. Prior to attending a class with Judith, I had viewed yoga more as exercise but in Judith’s class, I experienced a deeper and more profound experience. Yoga with Judith made my body sing and she feels like a soul-sister for sure!

Sky Temple is available for other yoga instructors to use for retreats with their students as well as for those living in and traveling to Yelapa.

In addition to amazing yoga, a wonderful beach and very friendly people, Yelapa boasts outstanding restaurants with delectable food made from fresh ingredients.

You can also take Spanish classes, go birding, take a day trip to the Marietas Islands, go snorkeling, go hiking or fishing

A trip to Yelapa for rest, relaxation and yoga would significanty contribute to living a life in balance.

This picture below is a beautiful mosaic announcing the entrance to the path leading to Sky Temple.

Enjoy your glorious day.

namaste,

Zoey

Observe Earth Hour 2012 and help the Planet!

March 31, 2012

8:30 – 9:30 pm

In peace and mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

Invitation

From the School of Sacred Arts:

“The School of Sacred Arts is a Yoga Alliance registered yoga school offering
Yoga teacher trainings, retreats and workshops throughout the world.”

(Shel Silverstein, from “Where the Sidewalk ends”)

 

I personally resonate with this center of sacred studies as one of the founders is Canadian (as am I) and there is a blend of the ancient teachings of yoga, Ayurveda and tantra.  My dream is to attend one of their yoga teacher trainings in Bali!

 

Enjoy your day and may we all be filled with loving kindness!

 

In peace and mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

One key part of my personal self care as a life & leadership coach for women is an annual retreat vacation with my life partner/husband of more than 25 years!

We find that this nourishes us both and creates a strong foundation for our relationship and lives!

This year, we were fortunate enough to be in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. Being on the water, seeing dolphins and whales contributes to the nourishment and rejuvenation!

Sending you all sunny and warm wishes for your day!

Now, it’s off to yoga, wish it still was yoga on the beach…

Namaste,

Zoey

 

in peace & mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

 

 

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan the flames.” ~ Rumi

We just returned from a fabulous vacation, including a lot of restful pondering, a lot of fun (dancing, dancing, dancing), a lot of sun and a lot of yoga!

Even though I had checked out yoga studios in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico and planned to attend classes in town, I was extremely surprised and over-joyed to find that our resort provided yoga on the beach. Not having any expectations other than enjoying the beauty of the surroundings and some stretching, I was absolutely in heaven with the yoga provided by Yvonne of Shanti Yoga Los Cabos!

Through out our trip, I was reminded of the importance of down time in our busy lives to nourish and heal ourselves and our relationships!

My body softened and soaked up all the yoga and I was reminded of the importance of the eight arms of yoga and the fellowship of the yoga community.

I was reminded of the sweet dance of yin (quiet, restful, relaxing) yang (high energy, more intensity, hotter) energy and how important it is for a life in balance!

I was reminded of the importance of holistic self-care!

May your day be filled with joy, delight and the power of soul-sisterhood!

in peace & mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan the flames.” ~ Rumi

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all
Even if they are a cloud of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each guest has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~~~

This is one of my favorite poems! I have found that the more I welcome every visitor, the lighter and airier my ‘house’ becomes, there is a freshness and newness with each day and it is easier to greet each visitor with laughter!  This is not to say that it has been easy!  I have found it really hard to ‘welcome’ emotional pain, or perceived wrong doings by someone close to me.  While ithasnotbeen easy, I have found a deepening sense of enrichment coming to my life.

Enjoy your day and as a guest to my blog, lets share a laugh together with this adorable child and camel! This picture I found on facebook, I don’t know who took it, however I would love to acknowledge the photographer.

in peace and mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

Don’t be a woman going crazy at work, learn sustainable marketing strategies with a hippie marketer and reduce your stress at work.

Check out Tad Hargraves workshops in Vancouver tonight and this weekend!

Tad specializes in helping values based business owners and hippie women entrepreneurs who wish to earn with integrity while being socially responsible.

In peace & mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire & soothe your soul

I’ve decided to take a year, starting now and visit as many different yoga studios as possible!

I’m going to try a variety of yoga classes in as many geographical places as my usual daily life allows and report back.

Here’s the deal. I’m a mid-life woman who loves yoga but I have never been trained in yoga nor am I an expert. I’m not a jock, although I’ve enjoyed sports and being active most of my life. I’m simply your ‘average Jane’ , a kind of rounded curvy married working mom with 3 young adult daughters who feels better when I do yoga! I am trained in body centered life coaching (as well as other types of coaching for women) so I do know the many holistic health benefits of yoga!

On to my yoga pants! I currently have 4 pairs: my original lululemon cropped capris with a back slit,, a very comfy pair of classic straight legged mid-calf brown yoga pants from Winners, a pair of long wide legged black Lulus and a pair of short above the knee black athletic shorts.

This week, I’ve already attended a Yin Yoga class at one of my favorite studios, Shanti Yoga in Tsawwassen and my plan is to go to a Semperviva or Moksha Hot Yoga class this weekend in Vancouver!

Stay tuned!

in peace & mindfulness,

namaste,

Zoey

Coaching to set your heart on fire & soothe your soul