Edith Wharton

Begin with 5-10 Sun Salutations to warm your body up

Come to downward facing dog

(Hold the following poses 3-5 breaths)

*Warrior 1-right leg leading*

*Warrior 2*

*Reverse Warrior-but straighten front leg*

*Triangle*

*Extended Side Angle*

*Walk hands and body to the left for Wide leg forward fold*

*Walk arms around to face front of mat in a low lunge*

*Revolving Lunge-right leg still leading*

*Side Plank-right arm up*

*Plank*

*Downward facing dog*

(Repeat all on other side)

Breathe…Breathe…Breathe…

Namaste’

Leslie ~Sparkling Yogini

**Always make sure to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise regime. This sequence is meant for those who have a regular yoga practice and are very familiar with the poses!**

Heart Opening

(You will need 2 yoga blocks for the end of this sequence.)

Start in Child’s Pose

(Bowing to yourself, breathe deeply through your nose. Feel your heart space opening a little more with each inhale.  With every exhale, surrender any heaviness of your heart to the earth. Just let. it. go.)

Alternate Cat/Cow 5-10 times

*Melting Heart Pose*

Warm Up with 5-10 Sun Salutations

(Hold each of the following poses 3-5 breaths)

*Sphinx Pose*

*Forearm Plank*

*Left Forearm Side Plank~lift right arm high*

*Downward Facing Dog~lift left leg*

*Flip the Dog (or Wildthing)*

*Downward Facing Dog*

*Forearm Plank*

*Right Forearm Side Plank~lift left arm high*

*Downward Facing Dog~lift right leg*

*Flip the dog (or Wild Thing)*

*Plank*

(Lower down to belly)

*Locust Pose*

*Downward Facing Dog*

*Low Lunge~right leg leading w/eagle arms*

*Downward Facing Dog*

*Low Lunge~left leg leading w/eagle arms*

*Plank*

(Drop your knees to the floor)

*Camel*

*Child’s Pose*

*Downward Facing Dog*

(Walk your hands back toward your feet at the back of the mat)

*Forward Fold*

(Inhale up to standing)

*Lord of the Dance Pose~holding right leg*

*Warrior 3~right leg lifted*

*Eagle pose~right leg over, right arm under*

(Come to Mountain pose for transition to other side)

*Lord of the Dance Pose~holding left leg*

*Warrior 3~left leg lifted*

*Eagle pose~left leg over, left arm under*

*Mountain Pose*

(Forward fold & walk both hands forward back into a downward facing dog.)

(Lower to your belly)

*Bow Pose*

(Roll over onto your back, and pull your knees into your chest.)

*Supine Spinal Twist both sides*

End the practice in the following heart opening yin yoga pose (demonstrated by Sadie Nardini) with your blocks.  Stay in this pose for 3-5 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boVUNSPlDko

(Once again while in the heart opening pose, breathe deeply, and feel the expanding sensation you created in your heart. With every inhale, allow that space to open a little more, expanding all the way into the back body. Exhale, surrender and release. Your heart is full!)

*Savasana*

Namaste’

Leslie ~Sparkling Yogini

**Always make sure to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise regime. This sequence is meant for those who have a regular yoga practice and are very familiar with the poses!**

print by BettyTurbo on Etsy

I found this fabulous print on one of the blogs I read regularly, and I just had to share it here, as it’s perfect for this little February self-lovapalooza we’re having! Go on over to   http://www.kindovermatter.com/ and check out all the other sparkling words of wisdom & inspiration!

While you’re at it, you also might want to check out these sources of shining inspiration:

http://blog.kimberlywilson.com/

http://jeancompton.com/

http://thedailylove.com/

Don’t forget to shine your light on this lovely Saturday!

Peace, Love, & Lipstick,

Leslie ~Sparkling Yogini

So, what does this have to do with self-love? When we get in the habit of negative and critical thought processes about ourselves, it can become challenging to break free.  It begins to feel natural and normal and even right to beat ourselves up mentally. Self-negativity becomes the norm. The good news is that we can practice changing our thoughts to more self-loving ones, and the more we do it, the more these thoughts create a new norm (a little re-wiring of the brain, so-to-speak).

Everytime I bring up the words positive affirmations, my mind immediately goes back to the Saturday Night Live skits with Stuart Smalley standing in front of a mirror saying, “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And, doggone it, people like me.” And while I appreciate the humor in this, I fully believe positive affirmations, over time, work.    The key is to use them enough you start to believe them.  Then, once you believe them, you start to feel them in your body. And, once you get to that feeling space, you act in ways that allow you to fully spread your love and light out into the world!

So, let’s have a little self-lovapalooza here!  Think, write, and say (over and over and over)any of the following whenever you find your negative, self-critical mind creeping into those nasty, habitual patterns. Use your breath to help ground and center and calm yourself, and integrate the thoughts more into your body. 

(Breathe in) I treat myself with love & compassion. (Exhale & trust)

(Breathe in) I make choices that honor myself. (Exhale & trust)

(Breathe in) My heart is open and full. (Exhale & trust)

(Breathe in) I am worthy. (Exhale & trust)

(Breathe in) I am enough. (Exhale & trust)

(Breathe in) I am love. (Exhale & trust)

Peace, Love, & Light,

Leslie ~Sparkling Yogini

*Dr. David Walsh was the presenter at the workshop today.  I highly recommend anyone who has kids or works with kids, check him out.

Get ready for a challenge!

(Begin by warming up your body with 5-10 Sun Salutations)

(Hold the following poses 3-5 breaths)

*Downward facing dog*

*Warrior 2 w/ right leg forward*

*Reverse Warrior 2*

*Triangle*

*Half Moon*

*Half Moon Sugar Cane*

*Revolved Half Moon*

*Pyramid*

*Revolving Triangle*

*Downward facing dog*

(Walk your hands back toward your feet)

*Forward Fold at the back of your mat*

*Standing Split w/ right leg lifted*

*Forward Fold*

(Walk your hands forward to downward facing dog)

(Repeat all on other side)

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Namaste’

Leslie ~Sparkling Yogini

**Always make sure to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise regime. This sequence is meant for those who have a regular yoga practice and are very familiar with the poses!**

Self-love is truly a non-negotiable if you want to sparkle & shine your light brightly out into the big, wide world.  Nothing dims our light more than self-judgement, shame, guilt, and other negative emotions directed towards self. Why is it that we can be so utterly hard on ourselves? 

Throughout this month, I’ll be posting regularly on the topic of self-love. I fully believe that self-love is the key that opens the door to living a fulfilled & shining life. Over and over, when I work with people who perceive themselves as broken or make poor choices coming from a place of lack, it is because somewhere along the way they became disconnected with who they really are: LOVE.

This month, pay attention to the stories you tell yourself about yourself. Notice when you are judging. Notice when you are critical. Notice when you are mentally beating yourself up. Notice. Then, soften to yourself. (This may feel very uncomfortable at first if you aren’t used to it, but just keep trying. Soften to yourself a little more each day.) Treat yourself with the same love, compassion, acceptance, and support that you would your most beloved friend or family member. You deserve it. You are worthy. You ARE Love. Practice telling yourself that every single day, and see how you begin to shine even brighter!

Love,

Leslie ~Sparkling Yogini 

Enjoy!

*Begin by warming up your body with 5-10 sun salutations*

(Hold each of the following poses 3-5 breaths)

*Mountain Pose*

*Chair Pose*

*Twisting Chair Pose with left elbow on outside of right knee*

*Lift your left heel up (so you’re on your tippy toes), and then bring your entire left foot up towards your bum. Balance here on your right leg for 2 breaths, then slowly step the left leg way back and come into revolving side angle pose* 

*Place your left hand on the floor on the inside of the right foot and move into side plank~left hand down, right arm up*

*Step your right leg behind you for wild thing*

*3-legged Downward facing dog w/ right leg lifted*

*Swing right leg through to pigeon pose*

*With arms shoulder width apart, lift your body up, and move into fallen warrior pose*

*3 legged dog w/ right leg lifted*

*Swing the right leg through to high lunge*

*Warrior 3 (left leg lifted)*

*Mountain Pose*

(Repeat on the other side)

Don’t forget to relax & breathe especially through the challenges!

Namaste’

Leslie ~Sparkling Yogini

**Always make sure to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise regime. This sequence is meant for those who have a regular yoga practice and are very familiar with the poses!**

*Chanel Illusion d’ ombre in Mirifique*

During the cold and somewhat dull month of January, this incredibly unique eyeshadow/eyeliner is the best way to add a touch of sparkle to the eyelids.  I have been using it for an eyeliner all month long, and I LOVE the effect it leaves. The photo definitely does not do it justice. It was definitely worth the splurge!

*Chanel Peridot Nailpolish & My Sweet (and ornery) pup Ziggy*

I also splurged on this nail polish right before Christmas, and it’s been on my fingernails  quite a bit this month, too. Peridot is a beautifully unique color that looks gold, green, and even a slight bit turquoise depending on how your hold your hand. (My husband says it looks like a japanese beetle). 

My little pup Zig (who isn’t looking so little these days due to all his hair) has been my  heater this month when he snuggles up next to me on the sofa or bed.  Ziggy pup is almost always a favorite!

*Teaching Yoga in my living room to my Mom, Step-Dad, & Sweet Husband*

Teaching yoga is most definitely one of my all-time favorites. I love feeling like I’ve truly helped others feel good and hopefully inspired them to live a full and sparkling life.  It was a special treat this particular morning to get to teach my family!

*Jimmy Choo Perfume*

Those who know me well, know I love all things yummy smelling~scented candles, lotions, & perfumes.  I was able to test out this perfume on a day trip (also a January favorite) I took to St. L with my Sweet Husband, and from my first stiff, I knew I had to have it.  To me, it’s like two of my other all-time favorite perfumes got together for a fun night out: Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb meet Chanel Mademoiselle. 

*Wheel Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana)*

Ok, so I don’t usually look or feel quite like Madonna while doing wheel pose (this pose typically isn’t one of my favorite poses), but this month I happened to do a yoga class where the instructor had us do 5~yes 5~wheel poses, and I must admit by the last few times, I was so exhausted I was actually able to fully surrender into it and was able to soak up some of the wheel sweetness. This is why it’s made my January favorites list.

*Day trip to St. L with my Sweet Husband & pups*

*Bitter Sweet Pandora Station* 

What’s on your favorites list this month?

Peace, Love, & Lipstick,

Leslie ~Sparkling Yogini 

*Warm your body up with 5-10 Sun Salutations*

(Hold each of the following poses 3-5 breaths)

*Downward facing dog*

*Lift your left leg up and move into Wild Thing~or flip the dog*

*Come back to a 3 legged dog with the left leg lifted*

*Swing it through to a lunge w/ hands still on the floor*

*Hop switch the legs 3 times so the right leg is now in front*

*Plant the back foot and come into Warrior 1*

*Eagle pose~left leg over, left arm under*

*Warrior 3~right leg grounded*

*Warrior 1*

*Warrior 2*

*Triangle*

*Half Moon*

*Standing Split*

*High Lunge*

*Downward Facing dog*

(Repeat on the other side by lifting the right leg)

Breathe Deeply & Enjoy!

Namaste’

Leslie ~Sparkling Yogini

**Always make sure to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise regime.  This sequence is meant for those who have a regular yoga practice and are very familiar with the poses!**