Gratitude off the Grid

It's Thanksgiving morning and for the first day in what seems like forever, I don't have much to do.  This is a beautiful thing.  At first I was honestly nervous to not have a check list. Unraveling my triple type A neuroses is a challenge even on Thanksgiving. But an hour to write a blog post without the panic of having way to much to do is a huge blessing.

The kids are still in their jammies as we sit by the fire in our Madeline Island cabin (It's 10:30 am). The sight off my deck is panoramic deep blue Lake Superior as the leaves have fallen to open up the view.   I don't have much to cook as we are attending dinner at at the home of our island friends. It's been a quiet morning filled with pumpkin pancakes and warm maple syrup and I'm seeped in gratitude for the opportunity of time to be reflective on what an amazing life I lead.  We are literally off the grid here without any access to an open business. It's a beautiful thing.

If you read my blog, thank you.  I am grateful that we have connected via this blog (and that you find my musings of some entertainment).  If you practice yoga with me, thank you.  I am grateful for the connection we share through breath, a movement towards a healthy life, and the general life journey that we mutually strive to understand. And if you are a friend or family member, thank you. Because I am most fortunate because of the people in my life.  It is the moments of my life with you that I am most grateful for today.

I'm off to make a cheese plate for my family.  With figs, fancy crackers, and homemade hummus.  Gratitude.

A few of the humans I am most grateful for.

A Change of Seasons

I taught my last yoga class of the summer this morning on Madeline Island. The fall chill hasn't hit the air yet but as we saluted the sun, I noticed a autumn hue on a few of the leaves overhead. And savasana at the end of class felt a bit more symbolic. It wasn't just the end of our practice this time, but the end of a season.

Change is not always easy to embrace when it means closing our studio doors on Madeline Island. There are no actual doors here, just wide open spaces where our feet root down through sand, our eyes turn up to a canopy of trees, and our drishti ( gaze) is often a sailboat on Lake Superior.

I am not the only island teacher preparing for a shift. Christy, owner of Yoga on the Rock, will be rolling up her mat for the last time tomorrow. I personally know how she feels about leaving but did ask her to share on my blog her thoughts and seasonal goodbyes. Here's Christy's take:

I spend my summer on Madeline Island and winters in the Twin Cities.
When I am asked how teaching on the island is different from my studio classes in the cities, it is difficult to answer. I mean, the sequences are the same, my style stays true, and I use the same playlists and themes. So why is it hard to explain? Fortunately, I recently came across a quote which struck a chord (I love quotes) and it sums up my feelings on our island classes:

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been re- arranged by the hand of man." - author unknown

Some of my students who have shared their outdoor practice with me have expressed these similar thoughts:

Biking to yoga is the perfect transition to shift from busy mother to calm yogi.

The view of Lake Superior is magnificent. I am mystified by the powers of this body of water. A shift occurs in my soul as I gaze out at the lake while practicing yoga or I'm floating on the water via kayak or SUP. In a supine position my view is the brilliance of green leaves blowing against it's blue sky backdrop.

An opening of senses occurs. Moving through asanas as you feel the breeze and sun on your face. During savasana, you listen to waves lap under the dock luring you into a deeper rest. Sometimes we are blessed with bald eagles soaring over us, sand between out toes, or even a gentle summer rain on our skin.

There is a healthy respect for challenge. Yoga often mimics life and just as challenges arise in our world, they are more apparent in an outdoor practice. Standing on a Stand Up Paddle as a moving yoga mat humbles your practice. Try a new life perspective of the world when you float into down dog on the SUP and quite literally flip your world upside down.

Simply, there is a deeper freedom experienced when the studio walls are stripped away and natural environment surrounds you. I think it parallels the runner or biker who spends summers on open trails only to have to return to a treadmill or stationary bike once winter hits. Something is missing. It may be a great workout but it can't even come close to the outdoor experience.

So, as I wrap up my summer and return to life back home I will longingly look forward to next summer on the island. It is with heart felt gratitude that I thank you for allowing me to guide you through your island yoga experience.

Christy Wandrei is a 500 hour RYT instructor and owner of Yoga on the Rock on Madeline Island.  She teaches yoga classes daily on the island in the summer months and is mom to two fantastic kids and one energetic Vizsla (dog). She teaches with Amy on Madeline Island throughout the summer.  You can find her on Facebook.    

Loving Kelsey

My family attended the We <3 Kelsey benefit here on Madeline Island on Sunday.  I've written a lot about the beauty of the island but never was it more prevalent than downtown LaPointe on a very hot Sunday across from Tom's Burnt Down Bar. 

Kelsey, a beloved islander, suffered a spinal cord injury on July 4rth.  Twenty five days later the community pulled together with such an amazing show of force and love that I realized early on I was witnessing something special.  It began with the small silver hearts with Kelsey's initials adorning many necks on the island residents in early July, the artistic signs announcing the benefit in downtown LaPointe, and finally, the request for donations, volunteers, and any community support scattered all over Facebook. 

Attending the benefit was something I will never forget.  Despite spending summers on this island for the past six years I'll admit at first I felt like a bit of an outsider at a family reunion.  But having met Kelsey and knowing some of her family, it seemed like the right place to be.  And appreciating the hugeness of this community involvement in the health and well-being of one of their own was something I wanted to share in with my family

Then her family spoke. There was  mention of her spirit, her progress, and her positivity.  More specifically her mother talked about the inter-connectedness of her situation and how it impacts not only the injured party but her family, her community, and the world. Personally I wasn't a good audience as I was so overcome and stuck with the enormity of that energy that I couldn't possibly give justice to the eloquence of her mother's message (read: I was crying way too much ). But, the power of a small community that pulled together and executed that kind of show of support in a very short period of time was nothing short of miraculous.

Kelsey still needs your love and support.  A Special Needs Trust has been established for Kelsey to pay expenses related to her disability that are not covered by medical assistance. 

To contribute, please make check out to Kelsey Peterson Trust and mail to
Kelsey Peterson Special Needs Trust
Wells Fargo Bank
1455 W Lake St
Mpls, MN 55408

If you'd prefer to transfer funds to Wells Fargo Bank,

the trust's account is #8558715283

   

 

Moving to Madeline

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
~ F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

How fitting that this gem of a quote fell into my lap just as I am unrolling into my Madeline Island summer. Not only is Gatsby my all time favorite book but just yesterday I began to feel those moments of pure presence that I experience digging my feet into the sands of these shores.

The first few days up here were harried and I didn't stop moving.  Planning, packing, ordering supplies to be shipped, picking them up at the ferry, and dusting the winter spiders away from the highest corners were among my first priority.  I have a new gallon of paint just awaiting to be opened for a bathroom make-over and of course prep for the incoming  Yoga and Art  retreaters is on my check list too. 

Finally yesterday I let out a big sigh as I joined Christy from Yoga on The Rock for her first yoga class of the season.  We practiced on the dock and as I was twisting into a pose a momma duck and her babies floated by.  It almost brought tears to my eyes when Christy verbalized the exact thoughts I was feeling in that moment, "How lucky are we?"

By the way, if you are looking for a summer get-a-way still and are on the fence about a yoga retreat, shoot me an email.  I have a pretty strong conviction that it would be almost impossible to not feel your breath release a bit more gently through your body as you experience the peace, presence, and Madeline magic that we island yoginis have fallen in love with.

Namaste and I hope to see you on the island.  Here's a pic my twelve year old took overlooking the golf course and marina a few days ago.

Dang. My Shoulder Hurts.

Not a lot.  But enough to cause a few sleepless nights.  And not because it hurts so much I can't sleep.  Actually it's just an annoying ache.  The sleepless nights are a result of the annoying little voice in my head that says, "What if its more than an injury?"

Regarding the shoulder: I firmly believe that our bodies sends us messages. Interestingly, it is a new annoyance, and on the left side where I  had the trauma of a few breast cancer surgeries.  I have decided that instead of communicating back to this shoulder via fear, (which typically manifests as tightness and pain), I'm trying the acupuncture route.  Interestingly, a femur full of needles is highly relaxing and that hour on the acupuncturist's table is full of moments of breath and meditation on my part.  I have to wonder when I leave, is it the relaxation that dulls the pain, a powerful nerve signal from one quadrant of my body to another, or a combination of both?

Whatever the case may be it seems to be helping.  Again, I'm not entirely sure if its just acceptance or acupuncture but it does seem to be helping.

That said, I'm still scared sometimes. I can wrap my brain around the knowledge that fear doesn't serve me, but my heart doesn't always listen.  I'm not sure I can count on acupuncture or even my beloved yoga practice for completely eliminating that anxiety.

So what are my choices?  Two years post C- word (cancer for those of you who don't know me and may  have just stumbled onto my blog)  and I try to find moments in every day for reflection and gratitude.  It's a new practice and I have found it as meaningful and necessary in my life as my yoga practice and my family life.  Days without reflection leave me feeling irritable and unbalanced.  April and May were incredibly busy and there were too few of those gratitude moments.  June is here, we are days away from being summer island residents, and I'm am breathing a big sigh of thank God it's June breath.

My husband took the big kids to the cabin.  Envious that I could not join them, but today's gratitude moment was a text picture from him of tonight's sunset overlooking Lake Superior.  There are many of those in my near future and it almost makes me giddy with happiness just thinking about it. And in thinking about it, I notice my shoulder doesn't hurt. Hmmmmmm. 

The 2012 Courage is Contagious Project Scholarship Recipients

 

"The past few years have brought challenges to my life that I never could have dreamed of. Marriage, five children, a professional career and breast cancer all by the age of 37. It wasn't easy, but I found strength through faith, family and friends"

 -Kandi, The first Courage is Contagious scholarship recipient 

Over the past two weeks my great friend and 5ive for Women magazine creator Jen Theisen and myself, with the advisement and  emotional support (yes, we needed the emotional support), of a few others had to make the decision to choose from many incredible women to receive the Madeline Island Retreat scholarship.  It was borderline comedic how often I had to pull out the Kleenex box.  I remember thinking that surely I won't cry as I read through this pile of incredible stories again.  But each time a different fragment of a story spoke to me and I was a blithering mess.

Without a doubt every nominee was deserving.  Every nomination spoke to us, and as we narrowed it down we agreed that the concept of rewarding a courageous woman with a healing retreat opportunity was......well, contagious.  We only hope (legs crossed in lotus) that each year we can offer more and more of these scholarships.

Our first recipient is Kandi.  Her story spoke to me personally as a survivor.  Even though having cancer is not a pre-req for receiving this award, I am acutely aware of the battle a woman faces dealing with cancer.  The emotional side of it is multiplied when your are the mother of young children who mean everything to you (and you to them).  Her sister-in-law Tina wrote the nomination:

The person I would like to nominate is Kandi, my sister-in-law.  Kandi has inspired me in ways that words cannot describe.  I can only comment by saying that I feel I have become a changed person by watching her these past few years.  She is honestly one of the most “courageous, inspiring women “I know.

 Kandi just turned 40 this past December.  We were grateful to see her celebrate this milestone.  Kandi was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at age 37.   Kandi’s cancer did spread beyond her breasts.  As a result she endured a double mastectomy with lymph node removal, chemotherapy, radiation, breast reconstructive surgery, and a complete hysterectomy. 

Kandi would say her most precious accomplishment is her five children ranging in age from 7 to 13.   She is also the wife to my brother and the Director of Special Education and Student Services for the Wrightstown School District, located right outside of Green Bay.  During her battle with cancer she continued on with her full-time career.   She had to persevere because it was also at that time when my brother lost his job for a year, adding additional stress to an already “scary and stressful reality”. 

Kandi’s faith and her belief in God has been a pillar of strength for her.  She and her family are active members of St. Nicholas Parish.   She uses that strength to continue to help others through difficult times.  Her faith and her personal experience with cancer recently empowered my Father who was just diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer.  Kandi has helped my Father with his personal battle in ways that other family members could not.  She was able to provide hope to him from a place that none of us have ever been to.  We have been so grateful to have her provide that comfort for him.  My Father tears up every time he speaks of how she is helping him.

In addition to motherhood, working, and maintaining a very active household, Kandi also coaches her only daughter’s soccer and softball team.  Kandi and my brother, Troy, have always valued health and wellness and they instill that value into their children.  Having four boys and a daughter, they are very active members of a booster club that supports their children in soccer, softball, baseball, football, basketball and wrestling.  Kandi loves the outdoors and values the time spent with her Mother and Stepfather in Door County and at their lake home.  In addition to staying active, Kandi also tries to eat healthy.  She is a vegetarian, and she is constantly researching healthy foods/diets that will promote health and wellness.

Kandi states that one of the professionals that has helped her most (and is still helping her) is her Integrative Medicine Clinician/Counselor.  She has been seeing this clinician since her diagnosis of cancer and this clinician has been encouraging Kandi to begin a yoga practice.  Kandi recently told me, “Now is the time”.  She wants to learn more about yoga and begin her own practice.  I cannot think of a better way for Kandi to learn about the benefits of yoga and wellness-- if she were selected to spend a few days with Amy Annis on Madeline Island. 

I would love to be a part of providing this once in a life time opportunity to Kandi because she has given so much to me and others.  As I said earlier, I am a changed person because of her.  She has provided me with hope to know that when times get unbearably tough, there is an inner strength that knows no bounds.  She is the living proof of that. 

The picture I am including is a picture of Kandi handing out Dilly Bars at our family’s annual Easter Egg Hunt.  She was the winner of the Family’s March Madness NCAA Bracket Standings.  She actually beat out all of my brothers and the other men in the competition.  She spent her winnings on buying Dilly Bars and bringing dessert for our entire family.   

I think this picture (above) captures many of Kandi’s qualities, such as her generosity, love for children, and of course her tenacity to persevere and “come out on top”. 

Tina will be joining Kandi for our Fall Yoga and Wellness Retreat on September 23rd-26 on Madeline Island.  It will be, as Kandi so eloquently put it, "a celebration of  the spirit of women." There are spaces still available for this retreat.

In closing,  I am sharing Kandi's words as she was told of her upcoming adventure:

"I feel so honored and blessed to be one of the recipients of The Courage is Contagious scholarship. What a wonderful celebration of the spirit of woman. I accept this on behalf of all those women who went before me offering advice, support, tears and trials. I couldn't have made it through diagnosis, surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation without all of them. It has taught me that we all have an inner warrior. I agree, the Courage is Contagious! I strongly believe that it is now my calling to help those that come after me offering support, experience and motivation. When I am on Madeline Island finding my inner peace, I will keep all of those who are fighting the battle, those that are winning the battle and those that have lost their battle in my thoughts and prayers. You continue to motivate me to live each day to the fullest and make the time to remain healthy"

It will be an honor to share the beauty of Madeline with Kandi and the soon to be announced other recipients.  I have the distinct joy and pleasure of surprising another nominee tomorrow night (I am sooooooooo excited!) Feelin a bit Ed McMahon like with these great surprises. Stay tuned.

Easter on an Island

Sandhill cranes at the Madeline Island Marina

With the beautiful Wisconsin weather this spring I was thrilled to open the cabin early this year and travel to Madeline to spend Easter with the family. The first spring trip usually means a lot of cleaning for the mamma (me) but that doesn't shake me one bit.  This opening of the cabin means that summer is just around the corner and our summers on Madeline Island are the highlights in our lives.

It feels very much like a new beginning and especially to have this coincide with the Easter Holiday seemed uniquely special. I was looking forward to every Madeline moment, from reuniting with island friends to cleaning the winter dust off the dishes.  This morning I made my spring list of everything we need to stock the cabin for the upcoming summer (it was long) but even the idea of re-stocking made me slap happy.

Easter's highlight was capturing the sight of two Sandhill cranes at the Marina this morning.  I know its only the first of many lovely mornings where we experience daily beauty in this naturescape.

As we unlocked the cabin door and the smell of closed-up cabin hit us, one of my kids commented "I love that smell."  Two minutes my husband walked in, groceries in hand, and said the exact same thing.  I laughed, not because the smell of the closed up cabin is anything great, but because the familiarity of where we spend our happiest days smells good to all of us.

"The Courage is Contagious Project"

It's been a busy, exhausting, wonderful week.  I can finally share the details of my newest project the I have been working on with my dear friend and 5 for Women magazine creator Jen Theisen. 

 I have been asked many times if we have a scholarship available for Madeline Island Yoga Retreats. This led to some  brainstorming between friends  to create an experience for a women who has made a difference in her community.  We came up with "The Courage Is Contagious Project." Scroll down below to get the details on how you can nominate a woman of courage from your life.

   

The idea: to reward women who have demonstrated exemplary courage an opportunity to experience groundedness and renewal during a wellness yoga retreat. There is a universal understanding that women who practice yoga lead a healthier life and tend to feel better about themselves. The natural extension of this is to create a better world around them. We rely on the principal that the scholarship experience will be one of healing and renewal as well as an effort to inspire them to make a difference in the lives of other women.

In 2012 we will award two women a scholarship to attend our fall yoga retreat on Madeline Island. The retreat will include beautiful accommodations, organic and local meals, a daily yoga and meditation practice, hiking through the incredible State park, and sponsored discussion from wellness experts on the topics of health.

The award criteria is broad by definition (we know there is a buckets of feminine bravery out there) but we are thrilled it applies to so many. The scholarship is open to the many women who inspire us in daily life. It is the woman who kicked cancer to the curb, who overcame financial hardships and returned to college to improve her life, or who devoted her career to teaching in an effort to create a better community. It is that woman/ guru/guerilla who profoundly impacted her community with her devotion to a seemingly impossible task. The beauty of his program is women will decide. The scholarships will be awarded by selecting these women based on nominations from their peers. A team of women professionals will evaluate the nominations and publish the names of the two selected in the (May/June) issue of Five for Women and on The Clean Spirit Yoga blog.

Nomination Criteria

1. The women we are looking for have a healthy and positive approach to life.

2. They are 30 years or older and understand that with age comes both wisdom and a desire to be of service.

3. Would be able/willing to attend the fall 2012 wellness retreat.



It is our hope that through fundraising efforts, sponsorships from community leaders, and the repercussions of a positive energy that will be put forth in this endeavor that we will continue to offer this amazing experience for more and more courageous women each year. Or that our lingo, “Courage is contagious “will continue to inspire.



In 300 words or less describe how this courageous woman inspired you. Please include:

1. How this individual exhibited courage and perseverance in her accomplishments.

2. The outside impact on her community of friends, family, and/or faith life.

3. How does your nominee leads through example a health and wellness based life and

4. Tell us why your nominee would benefit from a yoga and wellness retreat on Madeline Island.

5. Please include (with her permission) a picture of your nominee exemplifying her “inner warrior.” She may be running a race for a cause, displaying her inner beauty through her service, or shining out her heart in a yoga pose. JPEG please as this photo may be posted in our magazine and websites.

6. Her name, address, phone number and email. Your name, address, phone number, and email. You may self-nominate.

7. Mail the nominations to:

The Courage is Contagious Project: PO Box 3073 Eau Claire, WI 54701 or email a microsoft document and a jpeg to amy@cleanspirityoga.com  

New! Fall Yoga and Wellness Retreat

New! Fall Yoga and Wellness Retreat September 23rd-26th , 2012

This retreat is an opportunity for every woman to step away from the pressures of everyday life. Discover both a connection with nature and develop skills to stay in tune with a healthy life even after you leave the island.  In addition this retreat will be a celebration in the courage and strength of every woman. Some small details (stay tuned) are still under wrap but as those unfold it will just be vegan frosting on the cake. 

Rest and renew in this fall wellness retreat. Madeline Island is truly vibrant in the fall as the changing leaves glow against the background of the magnificent Lake Superior. This retreat will be a celebration of the spirit of woman as we honor The Courage is Contagious scholarship recipients as well as find ways of tapping into our own inner warrior. Besides developing a yoga practice we will focus on all things wellness including juicing, connecting to nature, hiking, biking, or kayaking (considering weather) , and journaling. By the end of the stay you can call yourself a connoisseur of courage. This retreat is all-inclusive and includes:


3 night stay at the Stunning Light keeper’s Lodge overlooking Lake Superior


Daily yoga


Delicious gourmet and organic meals.


Meditation and tips on how to develop your own meditation practice.


A guided hike through the magnificent State Park


A 30 minute massage


Expert discussions on the topics of health and wellness.


Return home feeling refreshed and renewed with a toolkit of information on how to continue experiencing your best life.




Luxe private room and bathroom overlooking Lake Superior: 1,585.00 per person

Shared room with 2 queen beds and shared bath 1,190.00 If you do not book with someone you know we will help you find a roommate.

More details on our website http://www.madelineislandyogaretreats.com or

email: amy@cleanspirityoga.com with questions.

Lucky Daughter

My parents visited for a few days this week.  I was almost giddy before they came because Mom and Dad, who are approaching 70, are aaaammmmmaaazing.  Finally in my forties I have learned to truly appreciate them.  Besides the fact that my father usually falls asleep on the couch before 8pm, newspaper in hand (which I think is kind of cute), they can usually run circles around me.

They come to spend time with their grandchildren and to help our family out with things that we can of course do but our busy working schedules don’t always allow the time for.  So stuff happens like every bit of laundry is done, socks sorted, and light fixtures cleaned.  They replace burnt out bulbs, bake homemade bread, and stock my pantry with home-grown canned tomatoes and other jars of yummy foods.  At night they help my kids with homework and usually reward them with a game of cards before bed. 

At one point we did have a chance to take them out for dinner and I reflected on the wisdom they have shared throughout my years.  The two values that I grew up with and appreciated even at a young age were the importance of health and education.  As a child I could have any book I wanted and they encouraged me to take art and music classes for fun.  My father was a runner and a yogi and my mother grew an acre of gardens every summer, canning and freezing for the cold months.  Our vacations were centered around places with good bike or ski trails or sometimes around one of my Dad’s marathon destinations.

But Mom said something this weekend that really made me think more than usual.  She wasn’t trying to be wise or even teach a lesson.  I had commented on the new birds at my feeders and she stated that she believed that people experience real fulfillment when they connect with nature.  She went on to say that the younger generation is so technology focused that they don’t take time to connect with the beauty of being outside in her opinion, leading to much inner discontent. (Meanwhile, my children are milling around the kitchen with a set of new headphones plugged into an iPhone and I’m feeling a little sheepish).  At the same time that message must have seeped into my brain at some point in my life because I know I am at my best when I’ve been spending a lot of time outdoors.

As summer approaches, I take solace in the fact that our family will experience that connect with nature every single day on Madeline Island.  This mild but somewhat dreary winter will mean our summer will be that much sweeter. When my parents visit we will take them to our favorite trails, bike routes, and kayaking the sea caves.  My father will golf and my mother will tell me how if I move certain flowers and plants I will have better luck with my gardens (on this one I will dutifully listen but know that I did not inherit the gardening gene).    And they will probably drop some more valuable tidbits of knowledge into my lap reminding me again of how lucky I am to have them.

Have Mat, Will Travel.



Happy place.



It is so interesting to me what leads people to the mat.  Many times it is a very broad reason such as finding some inner balance.  Often I will hear that they want to strengthen their core and relieve back pain.  One woman I know used yoga to cure a broken heart.  I myself, although a teacher for many years, assert that yoga did not present itself to me until I had received a cancer diagnosis at which time I immersed myself in it as a means of restoration. And to be completely honest, I am of the camp that believes it is completely OK to come to the mat with an intention of developing Madonna’s arms.

More recently, in planning my Yoga and Art retreat, I have become fascinated by the link between Yoga and creativity.  In essence I have always felt like there was inherently more room in my head to let the creative juices flow after a good yogic mind clearing took place. There is typically a generous amount of mumblings and rumblings from the daily grind of kids and career that seem to stuff my brain with too much mind chatter.  If I don’t take the time to renew, that “stuff” leads to many attempts to sit down and write, only to end up mindlessly grasping at literary straws…..and bad writing.

And speaking of bad writing, prior to yoga I was afraid to let go of any of the words I chose, fearful that putting myself out there would lead to criticism.  Yoga has redefined my sense of self and taught me to accept that I am always evolving.  Sometimes my writing isn’t great, but it’s mine and it’s me and I am finally at age 42 pretty comfortable in my skin (again, thank you yoga).

So, yoga has brought me here to a pretty good place.  But again, the beauty of the practice is that I will continue to absorb the many benefits.  More and more I use the philosophy on my kids, try to incorporate it into my life when I become impatient with my spouse, and yes, even to revel in the bit of knowledge that my own arms look a little more sinewy than they did in my twenties.  

I can't write this post without concluding that yoga amongst beautiful surroundings, surrounded by the sounds of waves and the smells of nature, is the finest.  I don't write this is an effort to promote the retreats on Madeline Island but to encourage all practitioners to find a surrounding that gives them peace and the best of the entire combination of senses.  It is a beautiful means of renewal and compliment to whatever brings you to the mat.    

Kids Unplugged

Teddy is his favorite class,
Ecomnomics with Mr. Lud

In our home my husband and I are the perpetual managers of four very active and tech savy kids.  Despite the fact that I agonize over it; they are often plugged in.  By many family standards I have probably done OK, mindfully keeping them active in outdoor play, athletic activities, time with friends, and family connections.  But the challenge is daunting especially since the world they live in perpetuates that plugging in is appropriate.  Even in school they now sit at a desk with  computer notebooks. 

I think the biggest problem is trying to find a healthy balance.  But what is that? As a child I had one computer in our school library that I got to sign up for once a month (yes, I am dating myself).  My kids roll their eyes when I talked about those ancient days but it was not something my parents ever had to worry about.  No monitoring of cell phones, computer time, or even TV was necessary back then.  The technology in their lives never rests and taunts them with continuous updates to keep them even more tech-connected. My kids just installed fliptoast on my computer so we can get status updates from Facebook right on our desktop erasing even the slightest inconvenience of logging in. What’s next?  In their world the “next” is only days away.

And admittedly, there are times I appreciate the convenience of technology for my family.  After school texts from the older three clue me in to what they are doing for after school activities and when they need a ride. Big time saver and mind-easer for mom.   

Treasured time on the trails.

Still, there is a need for mind clearing in their lives. Some bit of simplicity.  That getting lost in the bookstore feeling, or a long hike through the woods with the dogs. I long for these opportunities myself to keep my self centered and balanced.  As products of my upbringing I can only imagine that their souls crave it too.

Lately I’ve noticed two of my daughters find their zen time in their musical instruments.  Similar to my time on a yoga mat; they can become lost either on the piano (Kiki- 14) or strumming a guitar (Grace -12).  This is literally magic to my musically untrained ears.  Last week I took some video of both of them playing.  Because I was there, camera in hand, it erased  the emotion of music that I hear when I’m listening behind their closed doors. That’s when they really allow themselves to get lost in what they love……unplugged.      

Butternut Squash, Kale, and Orzo Soup

Healthy Soup for Fall Days

     When the seasons change and the air gets crisp I'm always inspired to re-focus on the family food.  I  miss the summer food terribly (especially fresh caught whitefish on Madeline Island) but love the colors of fall and how they transpire in our food and table.  A friend made me this fantastic fall minestrone soup and I loved it.  I am especially delighted that is another way to get kale into our meals.  Don't be afraid of it.....it gives a nice texture to this bountiful soup. (which, by the way, warmed up nicely for a few lunches too).

Hope you enjoy!

1 tsp. oil

1 cup chopped onion

2 minced garlic cloves

6 cups veg. broth

2.5 cups cubed baking potato

2.5 cups cubed butternut squash

1 cup of 1 inch cut green beans

1/2 cup diced carrot

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. black pepper

4 cups chopped kale

1/2 cup uncooked orzo

1 can 16 cannellini beans drained

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Heat oil & sauté onion & garlic for couple minutes to tender.  Add broth & next 7 ingredients & bring to a boil.  Reduce heat & simmer 3 minutes.  Add kale, orzo, and beans & cook 5 minutes until orzo is done & veggies tender.  Sprinkle w/ cheese.

I served this with Quesadillas.  I used Giada’s sun dried tomato pesto (available at Target) and spread it on the tortillas with Monterey Jack cheese and brushed with olive oil.  Toast in a skillet to bottom is lightly browned and cheese is melted.  Flip over for a minute, cut into quarters and serve.

Point A to Point B

Recently, I had one of those experiences where someone says something to me and I literally think about it for days. I mull, ponder, consider, and write about it.  Yep, that is what I do.  Not over the very basic statement like, "please pass the guacamole"  but often something very insightful that reminds me to also always be mindful of what I say  to other people.

Point A

This time the statement caused a very positive reflection and actually made me quite teary.  Thinking about it  reminded me of many of the reasons I feel grateful.  It was spoken from the lips of my  friend Lucinda who is an incredible  photographer.  She was on Madeline Island taking some pictures for Madeline Island Yoga Retreats.  Halfway between the shoot she stated, "this is so much better than the last one I did with you."  Simple comment, but I knew what she meant and remembering it momentarily took my breath away.  Our last photo shoot was actually quite sensitive as I had just started to lose hair from chemo treatments and all of my yoga teaching was on a health-hold.  Looking back at those pictures I remember vividly how the emotional pain cut deeper than any of the surgeries or treatments ever could.



Point B

 To sum it up, it reminded me of how many of the survivors I know pull an incredible strength from somewhere deep within themselves. I look back at that first photo shoot (point A) to the pictures I just received from Lucinda today (point B) and am very grateful. And, honestly......I feel better than ever before.  Life is a little bit sweeter knowing what I can do and that when obstacles present themselves in my path, there is a potential for even more strength.

So thanks for that my thoughtful friend.  And a shout out to all of my sexy survivor buddies too.

Back to Life, Back to Reality.

A little bit of Fall in Madeline's State Park

O.K., I've really dated myself with the En Vogue song lyrics in this blog post title but it's been a common theme running through my head the last two weeks as we packed up our family and moved off the island and back to Eau Claire, WI.   It was tough to leave and I think we all shed a few tears on the Ferry ride back to the mainland.

I've decided that the transition is hard not just because we are leaving the island but because life changes so drastically when school begins. I have to remind myself that there are many positives to the change also.  The kids go back to school and we hunker down into a sometimes hectic but often entertaining round of kid activities that keep us busy day in and day out.  Ted ramps up his business with the return of the school schedule and I open my doors to my Clean Spirit Yoga Studio in Eau Claire.  The routine itself of expected days is comforting. 

That said there are a few things of Madeline's summer that I will miss.  Planning for these same adventures in summer of 2012 will be my focus when the Eau Claire winter gets old around March and April.

1. Kayaking.  Whether with a group of friends or women experiencing the beauty of Madeline's sea caves for the first time, I've grown to love the sport of kayaking more than any other since I was introduced to yoga over a decade ago.

2. The State Park.  I spent a lot of time exploring our parks this summer and it never got old.  The beauty is pristine and immense and one would never guess you were in the state of Wisconsin standing on the shores of Lake Superior.  The landscape and vegetation are vastly different from both the Southwestern part of the state where I grew up and (rolling farm hills) and Eau Claire with its rivers and pines.

3. Teaching yoga at The Lightkeepers Lodge, on the beach, and the dock.  One of my dear Eau Claire friends was visiting and kindly remarked that she appreciated my Eau Claire studio but nothing compares to a savasana on the dock with the lapping of water underneath. That, along with teaching daily classes with Christy Wandrei from Yoga On The Rock, was one of my favorite summer experiences.

4. The Retreats.  Meeting like-minded women and sharing my love of both yoga and the island was a fantastic experience.  I love my job.  Next summer look for more retreats with Yoga and Kayaking and Yoga and Art returning, and two new adventure retreats Yoga and Bike, and Yoga and Horses (more info to follow).

5. Quality Family Time (QFT).  We had a great summer.

Last night, after shopping all day for back-to-school stuff (is it really possible that Target doesn't have a single  Number 2 pencil left in stock???), Ted and I went to a surprise 40th birthday party.  As we danced the night away with great friends we had missed all summer it felt really good to be home again.  

 

Geocache on Madeline!

One of the my favorite things about leading yoga retreats on Madeline Island is sharing the picturesque beauty of our seemingly untouched nature with women.  Still, it seems as though so few people are aware of the many opportunities here for the visitor. I could write all day on the many experiences of the Madeline Island Yoga Retreater but recently I had the opportunity to write about family fun with geocaching on Athleta's Chi Blog.  




Hiking for treasure with friends on Madeline Island



Madeline Island and the 4rth of July Parade

La Pointe on Madeline Island is often touted as the best place to watch fireworks and I definitely agree.  But for me the real treasure is our Fourth of July parade.  Its is an expression of patriotism and creativity unlike any other.  Old cars, a community band, unique family floats, and it wouldn't be Madeline without a few political statements thrown in.  This year was no exception.  These pictures tell the story better then my words are able to.....

Pirates of The Pub

A bit of royalty visits Madeline Island



Lupine on Madeline Island



  

It's Lupine season on Madeline.  There are patches of the purple, pink, and white flowers in ditches scattered throughout town as well as full fields across the whole island. There are many variations of wildflowers but Madeline is especially known for its late spring flurry of this beautiful flower.


Settled In

Stress is a funny thing.  It manifests itself differently in so many people. Some hold their shoulders up at their ear, others stiffen up in their lower back, and some even collect stress in their hips (how many yoga masters have  sung the praises of pigeon pose as a release of emotional stress?).

Before the final big move to the island I was running the hamster wheel at a very speedy pace.  There was never enough time with my kids or husband, not to mention time for my personal yoga practice.   I could feel my own stress build up and I was a ticking yogini ready to blow. My stomach felt like I had a knot in it. Every time I tried to get a few good breaths of air in there was no breaking through that big ole stress ball.

We arrived last night to a pretty wet island that had suffered through a good ten days of bad weather.  It was cold and pretty dreary upon arrival.  But to the delight of my kids and myself, today was spectacular.  It was also a turning point as we all settled in  for the anticipated great summer months ahead. 

These days are the very happiest.  We played on the beach most of the day. As I was taking pics of the kids I did a mental body scan of my own and realized that my breath was long and even, my stomach soft, and my shoulders released. I swear it has something to do with the magic of Madeline Island.

Meditation for Type A's

Natural surroundings; the best meditation opportunity.

"Bring your thoughts into the present moment and focus on your breath."  Sounds simple, right?  But over the years both as a teacher and a practitioner I find meditation the most challenging part of my yoga practice. I've half expected that as I have aged (and become a much wiser yogini - ha!) that meditation would become easier.  Perhaps the mind chatter would soften and my practice would not be a continuous stream of thought on how to brush away the to-do list for just 5 minutes.  Hello brain, is five minutes really too much to ask for?


What is the matter with me?


I know the benefits of meditation.   Most notably is the reduction of stress and anxiety both of which lead to a myriad of health problems. For this reason alone I file away a minimum of ten minutes a day to devote to my practice.  But the time set aside never guarantees the quiet stillness of my mind.  It often eludes me.


Guided meditation is always a part of my class.  At first it was the most difficult thing to teach.  I would hear the rustling of students and it would almost strike fear in my heart. "They are bored" my brain would tell me,”you have lost them."  I would wrap up the class on the quick likely reversing any benefit my meditation guidance my teaching had afforded them.  So why is it second nature to lead a class of yogis in challenging vinyasas only to bomb guided meditation?


I have come to the conclusion that the cards of successful meditation are stacked against me.  The fact that the society that I (and you) live in that suggests self-worth is based mainly on the check list of accomplished tasks. I was raised by the hardworking parents and that is what I aspired to. We Midwesterners know the value of hard work, darn it!  The idea that there is value in quiet stillness (or to my parents doing nothing) was just not a principle that I was raised with.  Therefore, the inability to successfully meditate is a blend of my environment and my genetics.


That said, I will continue to try.  Especially since my fight with cancer, I tell myself to keep at it and find the peacefulness inside of me.


For whatever reason the time I can connect in meditation is on the island.  The beauty of Madeline is inspiring and it just feels easier to breathe. The sounds and smells of nature for whatever reason do not distract me, they guide me.....