Archive for the ‘Mexico’ Category

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

 

 

I feel satiated and not with food but with the blissed out body centered feeling that comes after a wonderful yoga class!

Returning from vacation, I felt like staying close to my home yoga studio of Shanti Yoga in  Tsawwassen and took in a ‘gentle hatha’ yoga class this morning with my friend Dori.   Heather led us in many hip opening asanas as collectively agreed on at the beginning of the class, gotta love the ‘soul-sisterhood’!  At Shanti Yoga, music plays during the active part of class and I LOVE this!  I wish more studios would do this.

I reconnected with another friend at class and really feel like the yoga folks are my tribe!  I miss the new friends I made at Shanti Yoga Los Cabos!  Maybe I’ll see some of the Mexico vacationing Vancouver folks who hang out at Moksha Yoga on West Broadway when I use my passport to prana.

Feeling energized and healthy after class I did a ‘power spring clean’ in our bedroom to the delight of my husband who is much tidier than I.

My daughters had given me a gift certificate to Shanti Yoga Tsawwassen as my birthday present and I used it today to purchase a pair of  tiny ‘OM’ disc drop earrings by Satya Jewelry.  I’m thrilled as I have been experiencing very sensitive ears, however, these earrings are so sweet and light that it doesn’t even feel like I have anything in my ear lobes!

I wore my fav comfy brown yoga pants with the leopard print detailing around the hips.  Dori wore her Lululemon Capri’s and the other women had some cool yoga pants too!  Lots of women were wearing the very wide legged yoga pants and one woman had these funky drop  waist champagne yoga pants that were rouched around the shin!  I really like some of the new tie dyed yoga pants, however, I don’t think that the style would suit my ‘womanly’ body.

Dori and I went for ‘tea’ after yoga and it was another great chat with one of my ‘soul-sisters’!  She had a chai latte and I splurged on a delish’ mocha with whip.

I plan to purchase my ‘passport to prana Vancouver’ soon and start exploring more wonderful local studios!

 

Enjoy this magnificent day!

in peace & mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

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

Prior to leaving on our recent trip to Los Cabos, Mexio, I had researched local yoga studios and had planned to drive into the town of San Jose Del Cabo to attend classes.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that our resort offered yoga three mornings a week. Words do not do justice to the amazing experience of yoga on the beach with Ivonne Lopez of Shanti Yoga Los Cabos!

When I heard that our resort offered yoga and was expecting a diluted yoga/exercise class experience.  I was appreciative and astounded to enjoy 4 amazing vinyasa flow classes with Ivonne.  Ivonne is one of those yoga instructors who has a gift!  Her complete and charming descriptions of the postures, sprinkling Spanish with English (spoken with a Scandinavian accent?) completed a solid and through grounding in many yoga traditions.  We all fell in love with Ivonne!

 

I attended class with my friend Bonnie who also enjoyed all the classes and was fortunate enough to take in some ‘sunset yoga’ as they stayed on longer than us at Casa Del Mar!  I was finally able to convince my husband to join us for a class after about 10 years of invitations.  He enjoyed the class and the ‘brotherhood’ of 4 other guys.

 

The soul sisterhood was evident in the easy chatting after class and we met other women from Minnesota, Vancouver and Mexico.  We received tips about shopping, other yoga classes and good restaurants.  I think that for women traveling, all one needs to do is attend a yoga class in the travel destinations and viola, a whole new group of friends!

 

We also met a couple from Vancouver who had Ivonne come to do private couples yoga and they said it took their yoga practice much deeper.

 

And, oh my, the yoga pants!  Due to the warm weather, I wore my athletic bike type shorts.  Bonnie wore her lulus.  One of the other women who attended the class had the most extensive selection of lululemon yoga pants I had ever seen!  Most of us were in stretchy, comfy, very casual leisure wear.

I arrived home excited to continue with my year and soul sisterhood of the traveling yoga pants!

 

Enjoy this magnificent day!

in peace & 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

International Women’s Day is coming and some of the things that connect us all are the ways we adorn ourselves and use art, jewelry, clothing and ink to give special meaning to our lives!

Some women use henna tattoos prior to marriage as symbolic adornment. Some women wear necklaces and earrings, some women have tattoos, some adorn themselves with third eye art; I have created my own ‘sacred stack’ bracelet and each one has a special and sacred meaning to me.

My personal sacred wrist stack includes a pearl & leather bracelet made by an artist in Sayulita and it reminds me of how much I love traveling in Mexico; a fragrant rosewood mala from Tiny Devotions which reminds me of all the different Spiritual traditions and how these traditions meet ‘in the middle’, 3 Satya bracelets, 2 crystals, one wood with a lotus, tree of life & Om which remind me of my own spirituality, the heart and soul and that we are all connected and also that there is a Soul-Sisterhood in the world as I have become connected with the women where I purchased these, 3 small beaded Love Pray bracelets which reminds me of the spirit of entrepreneurship and all my virtual friends & an individual twist of a beaded necklace that I added which reminds me that I am unique, creative and whole! The bracelet circles remind me of the circle of life and that we are all connected!

 

A huge acknowledgement to the women artists and women entrepreneurs who have created these amazing pieces of  sacred jewelry and who have connected with other women to market and sell their jewelry!  Women in small business support many families around the world!

And, a special thanks and shout out to the yoga studios who have carried some of this wonderful jewelry; Chantal and Shanti Yoga in Tsawwassen and Semperviva Yoga Kitsilano Studio in Vancouver.

May your day be filled with sacred delight and 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

So, this week should really be called ‘The Year and Soul-Sisterhood/Brotherhood of the Traveling Yoga Pants!

 

I am pleased to report that I traveled to three different locations for yoga this week, met a wonderful woman and felt blessed to be part of the yoga community in Vancouver!

 

Thursday, Feb 23: – attended a Yin Yoga class at Semperviva Sea Studio on Granville Island in Vancouver.  I want to give a huge shout out to Gloria Latham, owner of Semperviva as years ago, before yoga hit Vancouver, when I was facilitating women’s retreats, Gloria would always act as a sponsor or donate a gift basket!  Semperviva really contributes to the community!

At the Yin class, I found the staff to be warm and welcoming, the room and surroundings peaceful and our instructor Bernie, experienced and very funny!  I haven’t been to a yoga class with so many people for awhile either, I think there were about 80 people in there.  I didn’t actually meet the limber yogi on the mat beside me, nor his neighbor a mat over but we did touch hands while doing a twist.  The Yin was blissful as always and I wore my fav comfy brown yoga pants from Winners.  My new woman friend shared the best thing with me!  You may already know about this, I think most cities offer it, however, just in case… google ‘passport to prana’ and pick your city.  For $30, you can go to 30 different yoga studios around the city and you have a year to use your passport!  How perfect for a year of the traveling yoga pants and what a wonderful example of the ‘sisterhood’ of the yoga community!

 

Sunday, Feb 26th – attended Bikrams Yoga in Tsawwassen and man, were there ever a lot of sweaty bodies in that room and quite a number were male!  Here’s to the brotherhood!   It has always interested me that towards the end of the Bikrams class most of the men (who look very fit) are lying on the mat taking a break and most of the women are happily continuing the yoga.  I like to think it might have something to do with our ability to endure childbirth and bear children.   I happen to be one of those folks who love hot yoga, don’t mind other people sweating around me and am fascinated by what my mind does during a hot yoga class.  Sample thoughts: I think I’m going to faint; I can’t believe that so much sweat could come out of one body; does my towel smell like ammonia, I think that has something to do with the Krebs cycle; how can she do that; naked yoga wouldn’t be so bad; I think my heart is going to explode and I’m so glad I’m at the back by the windows!  In spite of my thoughts, I seem to make it through each class and feel the better for it!   My skin glows with the detox, although my husband was somewhat concerned once when my  face was still pretty red the next morning!  I loved our instructor who kept me engaged and was wonderful with the new people. I wore my yoga shorts which I rolled up to expose as much skin as possible just so I could get more air

 

Thursday, March 1st – back at Shanti Yoga in Tsawwassen for another wonderful Yin class, wearing my comfy brown yoga pants again.  Kaitlin joined me (in her lulus) and we scooped our favorite spots in the back of the room.  It was a small, ‘all women’ class and words can’t describe the mystical, spiritual experience of it!  I adore having music playing! Both of us felt ‘yoga stoned’ after the great class taught by Heather.  I was tempted by the Satya jewelry, however, as my birthday is coming up (birthday people get 10% off at Shanti ) I decided to wait!  Our new B friend F and Shanti Yoga owner, Chantal, was in the class, which gave both Kaitlin and I a warm glow, although we were sad when we had to say goodbye.  We both love Chantal and wish we could bring her home with us!

Next week I travel to Los Cabos, Mexico and plan to take in a yoga class or two.  Not knowing what my internet connection might be like, it may be awhile until I can report back!  The picture above is from one of the yoga and coaching retreats for women that I hosted on Isla Mujeres, Mexico a few years ago.

Enjoy your wonderful day!

in peace & mindfulness,

namaste,

Zoey

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

 

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

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

I first met Jean or Juanita as she is known locally, about 8 years ago on our first trip to Yelapa! We had a connection as not only were we staying in the same ‘neighborhood/hillside’ in Yelapa, but Jean spends her summers in BC and is Canadian. We have travelled to Yelapa as a family and I have hosted ‘women’s retreats’ in the village with wonderfully positive feedback about the friendly locals, the amazing physical beauty and the broad range of activities.

Intrigued with her business and life choices, I’ve gotten to know Jean better over the years and I absolutely love her approach to teaching Spanish!

Here is what she says about YESI or the “Yelapa English Spanish Institute”:

‘The YESI school was destined, it was never a plan, I hadn’t planned to teach, although I did want to be a Russian / French/ English translator.’

Yelapa is a novel gem, it is like ‘stepping back in time’ into an authentic Mexican beach paradise.

Jean serves her students very well, giving personal attention both in training/coaching, house/home stay arrangements, tours and activities.There are classes for everyone; children, adults, teachers, medical people, families, bird watchers. All classes are largely oral using a book of collected materials.

Jean says “We’re trained to be visual, I try to reinforce the oral approach, as it “fixes” the language quicker and better. Classes are very interactive, lots of pictures, games, songs, role playing. I strive to make each experience of Yelapa and Spanish studies memorable. I try to tailor to the needs of the class, giving the short cuts to the structure of the language, but add variety and novelty to keep the students and myself inspired! I’ve set the location in a peaceful mountainside setting under bird-filled trees with an ocean view and breezes, close to the village and beaches. Summer classes really see a side of Yelapa seldom seen – verdant green, crystal warm ocean water, a Mexican community at play in their normal non-tourist lives. I have time to assist family groups in learning together and experiencing Yelapa at its best with activities daily. I serve many adults who want special attention for specific work interests.”

While staying in Yelapa and learning Spanish at YESI with Jean, you can also attend yoga classes with Judith at the Sky Temple, soak up the sun on the beach, swim, snorkel, travel up river to the waterfall, eat luscious food at the amazing restaurants and dance at the local disco!

Situated on the ocean, south of Puerto Vallarta and only accessible by water taxi, Yelapa is a safe, quaint Mexican village untainted by big development or obnoxious tourists. Yelapa attracts a very laid back visitor who enjoys an authentic experience. There are many choices for accommodations and in my opinion, some of the best food anywhere in the world. Describing the food and restaurants would require another entire blog posting, however, I will highlight our favs: Cafe Bahia for brunch or lunch, El Manguito, El Cerrito, the Yacht Club and Angelina’s Garden Restaurant! The ceviche at Hotel Lagunita is excellent too!

Having lived in Yelapa for many years, Jean is a wonderful resource for planning your trip as well as providing you with an exceptional opportunity to learn Spanish.

Hotel Lagunita in Yelapa

Consider planning a special retreat to Yelapa and enjoy an adventure in learning Spanish with Juanita!

In peace & mindfulness,

namaste,

Zoey

Happy New Years Day, may your year be filled peace, love & abundance!

Enjoy some photos from Yelapa!