Category: Yoga

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Yoga for the People

YOGA FOR THE PEOPLE. 

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Yoga is not a work out, but a work in.

We practice yoga to awaken parts of ourselves that have fallen asleep.

We practice yoga to breathe more smoothly and joyfully.

We practice yoga to move fully and experience our bodies within our complete range of motion and expression.

We practice yoga to free ourselves from both physical and mental blockages and return to our pure, peaceful, and divine original wholeness and oneness. 

Yoga is not something we do, but something we are. 

Yoga cares not if you touch your toes. Yoga cares only how you let life bring love into your heart.

Through yoga we cultivate courage so we can walk bravely towards the unknown with curiosity;  an open heart, strength of mind and a grounded sense of stability within ourselves is what we building within this practice. We are not walking blindly but empowered to humbly accept the cosmic forces beyond our control the mighty, infinite, vast matrix of life in its entirety. (Ok.. now it’s getting exciting 😉) 

We are seeking connection far beyond what the eyes can see. We seek experience and acceptance fo the mystery of life. Life in all its totality… 

Embracing what was, what is, and what will be.

We practice yoga to release our grip on life and move with more ease and fluidizing through this delightfully beautiful, bizarre and challenging human experience. 

We practice yoga to connect our bodies, our minds, and our spirits – this is the foundation of our freedom, or our peace and of our joy.

In this union we are able to gracefully remove obstacles that life has grown around our hearts and our physical form. In the gentle removal of these physical and mental limitations we are able to return to our original pure-ness. A place void of judgment, fear, anger, jealously, greed…

In this place that yoga brings us to we learn to be content with ourselves regardless of outside circumstances. Yoga teaches us, that we are indeed, enough. 

Yoga helps us to breathe into all the parts of ourselves, and soften to be strong. Letting go, only creates more space to fill.

Yoga teaches, surrender and discernment. What to let go of, and what then, to bring in.

Yoga is a container to discover, explore an experience our bodies in deepest and most intimate ways, it is an invitation fall in love with all our perfect imperfections.

Nature grows, lives, thrives and blooms without agenda, or apology. And so should we. We are, after all, children of the Earth. When we can live in harmony with ourselves, all rives flow outward from there. 

Yoga teaches us that we are whole, complete, loving, dedicated, capable, truthful, kind, pure, brilliant and divine.

I invite you to take my hand and play and skip and dance and bend and breathe (and sometimes even cry and crawl) down this path of life with me. I invite you feel empowered within your own skin, simply because you exist. And that is the miracle in itself. I invite you learn, how the practice is the reward. How the journey is the destination. 

With the wild in our spirits, it should certainly be fun. 

Being human is not always going to be easy because let’s admit it, being in a human body, is really cool, but also really fucking weird.

I know not much beyond myself. But yoga has taught me life is not always going to be easy, but we can at least make it as beautiful🖤 

Join me, sweet loves. Join me in the bliss. 

Photo cred by the beautiful beings at https://www.myriselife.com GO check them out for all things health and wellness.

 

 

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Confessions of a Single Girl

You’re single so you date.

But then dating gets tired.

You get on  the  “Im a Queen kind of train.” (Empowering for sure, love to date myself – I’d recommend it at least once if your life if you are a woman and have yet to indulge in the magic of self.)

Okay, but then, sometimes with this single thing, you get bored. Or have needs. So you date. And every once in a while (cause you are for sure picky, and you deserve to be) you meet someone you like.

But, do you sleep with them just because your horny? 

Or because you actually like them?

Or, do you hold out?

Cause society says you should.

You wonder why there are so many rules. Because you don’t like rules. Why can’t you just do what you want?

Well, you can. But then, what exactly is it that you want to do?

Dating is fun, especially, like I said,  when you find someone you like to date. But then, the feelings thing. You love to love.

You fall in love every day.

With the clouds and the trees, and even him. Well, not completely him. But he is lovely. But it’s just fun right? Even though you kind of (really) like him. And games, are fun.

But you’ve been there. Done that.

So you wonder, is your free wild spirit ready to be tamed? 

And even if it is.

It’s only fair to ask yourself…How can you dive into a relationship again, just when you are about to launch off to foreign destinations. And you know how that goes.

Same song, different dance.

When you leave to these far off place, the romance of the journey becomes our love, and your heart goes right along with you. It takes no prisoners in this journey of gypsy fun.

SO how then, can you ask for more – when you don’t know what it looks like to give that of yourself.

Maybe this is what your tender wild heart really dreams of…

A safe place to always call home. Not in a location, but someone one on board, to hold your hand, and your heart on this magnificent cosmic ride.

Then you wonder.

Is any man going to rise to the challenge (and reward) of loving such a bold, free, untamed and sensitive soul…

And then this dating thing again.

You wonder again, should have slept with him so soon?

Well. yes. duh.

He make you feel so good. Those yummy lips, his manly body, his manly everything. His sweet smile. But there are 7 million people on the planet.

SO many more to meet in this life.

But you like this one. Right now.

So what do you?

Put yourself out there.

What have you got to lose? Dignity isn’t measured by times you’ve been turned down. And courage can be defined by how brave you are, especially when you are afraid.

Not of being vulnerable no, that’s the easy part. So – you go for it.

But. Well, your dating right? And alas, you learn. So is he. And not just you…

Even though he tell you he loves your energy. Maybe that’s what he says to the other girls too?? Or maybe he just wasn’t ready for someone so wild and refreshingly vibrant to enter his space.

Well fuck him you think?!

Yes. But no.

Cause he actually seems genuinely sorry to know he hurt your feelings.

It’s this dating thing…

Being together is lovely. But so is being alone.

NO feelings get hurt when you date yourself. No hearts get broken when you’re out on your own. So you straighten up your crown (the one he knocked sideways when fucked you like he owned you.) Which, let’s admit it you liked.

But that still does not mean he deserves your body or your time.

Because you know you know your depth, and your worth.

It extends far deeper than the soft spots he found inside of you.

Respect is just the minimum. He clearly still has much to learn.

And sex with yourself is uber fun too…

So, off you go. You stand up tall. You own your power. You keep on shining your magnificent bright light. That bright light that oozes out of your pores when you know the magic you hold in your bones.

You know, that his days a better with you around. Because you infuse life with generous, abundant love.

But you are happy to return to yourself.

You focus on you. And what makes you feel alive. Back to the waters of expansion and creativity. Masterfully crafting this path of your own. Boss babe shit. Is back on a roll.

You fill your days with indulgent self love.

No better time than now, to stay (or fall back) wildly in love with yourself.

And that’s why your own days are better with you around. In making your own company, the best there is, then everything else, is just a bonus gift.

So you stay single. And not a victim to this single life, but proud – that all you need is you.

And when he calls you again, you are have the power. To wish him away, or invite him along.

But there are no regrets when you stand in the radiance of your own divine self.  

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THE GRIND.

.The grind.

I’ve been spending time recently  focusing on clarity, alignment, and how I can manifest a life that makes me feel fulfilled and satisfied. Again, and again, I’m learning and seeing that in our achievement driven society people often seem over worked, under appreciated, and perhaps not so content. People are constantly being told they are not enough, they need to do more – have more, therefor leading to a lifestyle that I find ultimately leads to discontent. I’ve been thinking about “The grind” of modern life, and some possibilities we can choose to or consider to reverse this trend that has become the norm.

.The grind.

An idea we are all so very familiar with. As I imagine this “grind”ing, My brain instantly thinks of an aggressive, destructive process – a blender slicing/ dicing breaking down things- changing their form. And composition. A meat grinder… to get the point across.

And yet somehow, as a society. This grind. Is something we sign up for. We do this break down to ourselves. 

This is a contact I’ve decided not to sign.

I’d rather be, a little broke, talking story with the trees, diving into the adventures of nature, then drowning in a sea of possessions. There is a novelty in the mystery of the wild earth. Deep satisfaction is waiting in places where life is thriving in the canopies of the trees and dancing with the wind of curiosity. Places where the grind is sunrise churning of coffee beans and their sweet savory smell is the alarm of the gods.

Or if the tropics don’t excite you in the way they do me, maybe take 5 minutes at the beginning of our day to simply sit and breathe or stretch. Take time to go on a walk in nature or through your neighborhood. To practice active gratitude and appreciation for ourselves and all that we are. The idea here is taking time to connect, and cultivate a joy and peace in the wild simple bliss of simply being alive.  

In the dictionary- grind means 

“reduce (something) to small particles or powder by crushing it.” – “reduce (something) to small particles or powder by crushing it. Hard dull work.”

Crazy. Right? This is self prescribed madness.

Now in a yogic mind sometimes- this friction – this “tapas” as we call it – this determination to build heat and fire for transformation is necessary. BUT the key word here being. -sometimes- 

This grind my friends. Is exhausting and in my humble opinion over rated. Work is important. Contributing to society is important. Making enough money to take care of yourself your family and your basic needs is important.  But again. What is enough? 

In an achievement driven society once you’ve gained everything society said you need to be happy – will it be enough? Or will marketing, commercials, Black Friday deals – all the outside forces and influences around you tell you, N e E D more. Buy more. Have more… But for what? 

This is wild to me. Let’s try to slow or reverse this trend. After all, we are born not human doings, but human beings. And contentment comes from within. 

Why do we celebrate busy? What is it about our possession that gives us value? When you are rich in spirit, when your pockets are deep love, with stories and experiences, when connection to others runs through the veins of society- we will then be successful. Maybe then we will have a better understanding of how we can be content 🙂

Take a minute my loves. And ask yourself. Is all this grinding building you up? Or breaking you down? Where in life can you simplify, shift,  or let go, so maybe you can work a few hours less, and go on a walk. Go the gym. Or better yet, surf, hike- bike, practice yoga or get outside, play music, make art. Where in your life can you cultivate more joy that has nothing to do with things? There is a sweet luxury in looking within and finding all the richness money will never buy you. 

Take a minute my friends, for you, for your family, to do what bring you joy. Life keeps moving and will move right past you, if you are not awake enough to savor the moments now. If you slow down enough, you might  catch up to yourself and see what a glorious life that is thriving all around you: when you slow down. You will be able to see all the sweet details you miss when you move so fast. Maybe in this space you will find everything you are working tirelessly to achieve. Maybe the secret is not more things, but less.  Love yourself in new ways. Try new things and get new results- that’s how it works. 

Maybe not, but if you’re finding yourself overworked and worn out.

Maybe give it a try. I know being vulnerable, dipping your toes into the pool of the unknown can be scary and intimidating, but I also know, that we never learn what we are capable of if we never try. So give it a try, maybe you will learn things about yourself you’ve never dared to think before. What have you got to lose?  Maybe I’m wrong.

But maybe I’m right. 

Wishing you a peaceful week. Full of love and a slower pace of life. Even if everything around you moves fast, you can cultivate this peace within and shine it out to others.

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All my love,

Katie Mermaid

 

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RETREAT TIME! SO TREAT YO SELF

 

Hi Sweet humans!

I know I typically use this space to talk story, but in my humble opinion this too is sharing a different kind of story. A story where we come together in one of my favorite places, and share in an epic week of all my favorite things. Surf- Yoga and Travel.

By joining me in El Salvador the week of April 18th-25 2020 you can get an in person experience of all the love and light and sparkles I share on here =) Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have or if you know you are in, to reserve your spot!!! All the details to join us on this epic adventure are below!

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Join us in El Salvador!!

The tropical land of right hand point breaks, sunny skies, warm water, pupusas and paletas is waiting for you. This  *ALL INCLUSIVE* trip is a perfectly balanced week of adventures and relaxation. Waves,  waterfalls, nature excursions, daily yoga, journaling and meditations are the very best way to shift with the seasons and effortlessly transition from winter to spring! We are so excited to host you for a week of all the magic El Salvador provides. 

Pricing:

Cost per person:

  • Triple Occupancy $1450
  • Double Occupancy $1625
  • Private Room: Request Additional Info (if Available)

*** Non-Refundable deposit of half the cost secures your spot! ***

PAYMENT TO BE MADE IN FULL BY APRIL 4TH

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Trip Includes:

  • 7 Nights at the luxurious One Wave Surf House.
  • Transportation to and from Airport and to all activities
  • Daily yoga, meditation, and journaling sessions from the yoga deck with ocean views
  • A/C in rooms
  • All the waves you can surf!! Literally surf till your arms fall off!  (Sunzal, is a rolling dreamy right hand point break, just down the hill, a 5 minute a walk from the house)
  • 3 freshly prepared meals a day + smoothies, juices, snacks and non alcoholic beverages
  • 1 full body therapeutic or Swedish massage
  • 2 surf excursions to near by waves with photographer (or) 2 lessons with local surf instructor
  • Full day mountain excursion, complete with 3 of the following: A coffee plantation tour & tasting, A local food festival / colonial town tour, natural hot springs. **An optional zip line through coffee mountains ($35pp).
  • Volunteer beach clean up with local community and kids
  • Half day adventure with hike to waterfall
  • Local tour to La Libertad market with shopping and local fares
  • A night out on the town
  • And heaps of fun! =) 

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*Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase 

*Additional add on’s:

  • full day : Volcano Lake and hot spring  day (3 hours travel) ($70/person, min 3)
  • 1 full day : Mayan ruin (3 hours total  travel) ($70/person, min 3)
  • 1/2 day tour: See San Salvador ($45/person, min 3)
  • 1/3 day tour : Surf Excursions or lesson ($50/person min 2)
  • Surfboard Rental only $20/Day
  • Additional Full body Therapeutic Massage or Swedish massage ($50, one included)
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Honor Yourself

Honor Yourself

Life moves in continuous motions. There will be times of inner conflict and times of inner peace. So honor yourself, dear one, as you flow in and out of these phases. When you find yourself in moments of question. Moments where the wrong thing feels so right (or the right things feels so wrong) and life has you questioning your own morality. 

Know that you are okay.

Stand strong in yourself and honor the divine being that live inside your skin. You are so human, so divinely perfect, so divinely flawed. You are learning and growing in all the ways you need to in all due time. 

I understand that it may not always be easy to stay on course of choosing correct actions. And as I recently stood in solitude, surround by deserted beaches and stoic cliff sides, under the sticky air, on the jagged jutting rocks, below the stormy gray salty skies; I stood in stillness, watching the waves crash with reckless abandon into the black sandy shores. And there I knew. I knew the ocean was telling me struggle is okay, and I am not alone. And neither my friends, are you. On the days where the salt is as decadent as the sweet. And questions and answers do not feel aligned. 

Honor yourself in this space.

It is this space that is gently molding you into the being that you are meant to be. A beautiful complex being that is transforming and growing right as I speak. On these days or times when emotions can run unsettled like stormy seas…

Close your eyes and gently inhale into the mystery.

And with your eyes closed release the uncertainty as you empty yourself of breath. 

Let the tension ease out of your body and be absorbed by the earth below. There are things that are beyond our control. You are here and happening, and living and breathing with the orbits of the planets and the pull of the moons. If you want to slowly settle in the comfort of your infinite endless eternity, then I give you permission. I give you permission to honor your deep conflicts as well as your flickers of peace and know that in these fluctuations, that you sweet soul, are perfectly whole, and perfectly complete. IMG_2036

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Bliss is simple. The simplicity is the bliss.

The lines we draw, the paths we take, the simple joys, a simple life, I’m learning isn’t always (or at least completely) about the ocean. I’m learning that the simplicity of the ocean (in all its complexities) is the joy itself ✨ 

Try this idea on, it came to me a week or two ago, and it’s been sinking in really nice. I realized last month was one of the best months of my life (yes- injured and out of work, out of money & landlocked), I didn’t surf, of practice yoga asana once…

One morning, on a gray, glassy beach walk adventure, watching the waves crash into the rocks, feeling full of peace and joy I realized 

“Bliss is simple-The simplicity is the bliss”

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As one of my favorite authors put it “Samsara is Nirvana”

(If you haven’t read books from Jaimal Yogis – the Saltwater Buddha, and All Our Waves are Water, i would highly recommend it)

It’s funny, you see, when everything I thought I wanted was taken from me, (traveling, surfing, yoga, making $$, “progress”,) I learned that sometimes life is better than the waves. 

It’s wild really, how life gives us moments, moments that may seem bad, (like breaking your arm, blowing out your knee, being out of work for 9 months, being laid up in bed, and having the days full of surgeries, physical therapy and doctors appts) are really not so bad at all. If we trust, we surrender & we are open to the possibility that things are unfolding as they should, that it could actually keep getting better then it currently is, or was, then it does. When everything you –think– you want is taken from you, and the direction of your life path is shifted, somehow, magically you, are given –more-, (than you could have imagined or dreamed you wanted) and the path you are walking on becomes more abundant…

 

Life is cool like that. 

The waves and I will reunite. But in the mean time, life has given me a love (yes I’m talking about that wonderful man again) and many other lessons from healing as well, that only makes my connection to the sea, and my adventure in this life, that much sweeter. When you practice gratitude, and believe in the laws of attraction, of the power of positive thinking, of life without adornment being truly abundant, then your life simply becomes that; A beautiful manifestation of things always being right. Even when they are wrong. That my friends, is the secret. To stop worrying, stop forcing, let go, recieve, and love. Oh so much love. And then show up and let life rain down on you it’s wisdom, and it’s bliss, and allow yourself to dance in the the pure golden sun shine glowing in the sky. It might seem silly to you, or cosmic, or daydreamy, full of fantasy like fluff, and maybe it is, but if our real lives can take the shape of these daydreams, then doesn’t it seem logical, to do whatever it takes to make that happen? I’m not any better or different than any of you, and I just wanted to share this story, because those of you who do know me, know surfing, and yoga and travel are my “everything” so to come to a place in life, where I can say I have had the best month of my life, and none of those things have been present, is a powerful statement. That realization propelled me to examine a lot of things within myself, and have helped me come to the realizations I’ve shared above. (Obviously finding love helps 😍😍) but that’s part of it!! Cultivating a mindset, and attitude, a way of living, that brings joy and healing from the inside, that trusts and surrenders to the “obstacles” of life, is what will transform the ordinary to extraordinary. So when you do find yourself in challenging situations, they are nothing more than opportunities, to learn and grown and become a better version of yourself.

Cheers my loves. I hope your weekend is full of sunshine and the things that make your heart sing.

Xoxoxox

Katie Mermaid 

– some of the fotos above are just captures of stoke that have filled my days up on the  path to healing. There is most certainly a new “normal” of resting and healing, but I am beyond excited to get back into routines of working, and surfing, and yoga, and travel. This time for reflection and rest is lovely, but I’m ready to move forward away from the inertia and begin to take on a bit more action 🙂 Surgery on my knee was a success and as I lay in bed, knee elevated, and crutch bound for a month, I’ve definitely began the 183 days countdown to return to the surf. I hope you’ll join me on that epic day of my first surf in 10 months!! (Projected day I believe is April 6th…) All jokes aside I’ll probably sit in the line up and cry like a baby. Tears of joy of course. Ah, but what a sweet reunion is will be. Playing in the waves is one of the best feelings in the world 🙂

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Cultivating positivity- even when life gets all kinds of crazy. Staying humble and grateful amidst the madness.

Hello loves!

What a wild life it is. More delightful and beautiful everyday.  I’m not really sure where to start, so maybe that is exactly where I should begin. Over the last few months, since I was in Nicaragua frothing over life in the tropics, everything has changed.

But let’s backtrack a bit.

First and foremost, Nicaragua is in the midst of the worst political violence (and devastating oppression) it has seen in the last 20 years. I could go on for a while about the heartbreak and injustice happening to these beautiful people in this wonderful country. The reality is that when I bought my property, I could not have known that within two weeks of my signing date, the country would experience an uprising and peaceful protests that have resulted in over 300 innocent civilians dead in the streets and caused an exodus of expats and travelers alike. As the people push for a democratic solution, the economy has tanked and the tourism industry, in which I had hoped to thrive through my boutique surf bungalows, has crashed. My heart goes out to my friends and the Nicaraguans fighting this fight. I am fortunate to have other options and places to shift my focus and energy, as I hope and pray for a quick and peaceful solution for our neighbors down south.

After the realization that my Nicaraguan dream was on hold for a while, my mind shifted back to a free, gypsy lifestyle. I’d accepted, and quite frankly, was feeling stoked about traveling to new parts of the world, (South East Asia, Australia, Maldives, here I come) scoring waves, teaching yoga, and working in boutique hotels across the globe. In the meantime, I was trying to keep up with the American machine, working all the time, squeezing in surf when I could, and trying to grind out the summer months as I planned my next move.

My birthday was in June and if you asked me how I thought I’d spend the summer of my thirty second year of life, I probably would have shrugged and let a little grin dance across my face – let my eyes illuminate a little extra twinkle, as I fantasized about the limitless opportunities of where I might find myself on this gypsy trail, traipsing about this beautiful, magical planet.

Fast forward to now. (how about the “knee-kini” and the one piece?! lol

(and now meaning this time period form Accident unit today…Things have finally  started to heal a bit and I’m feeling like I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I visit my knee surgeon Tuesday- Ive been charging the PT hard just trying to regain mobility prior to surgery, fingers crossed we’ll set a date for incisions and things this week. As for the wrist, its on the mend. Casts are off, and Ive been graduated to being allow to carry what they ca;; “coffee cup weight” haha. Big things are happening! As for the smiles and this lovely salty hair!… I got I the ocean yesterday- first time in two months and if you know me- that’s like, LIFETIMES… (by getting in, I mean I sat in the shoreline with my arm above my head and let the waves wash over meeee. but oh the sweet giggles and  bliss of magic mama ocean. I feel like I know who I am again. Its certainly not surfing. But it will do =)

So I know for a fact, when musing about how I’d spend this summer, I wouldn’t have predicted surf-less days, left handed teeth brushing, complete immobility in my knee, lizard skin hands, torn ligaments, 7 screws in my wrist, family Costco adventures (I, for one, am not a Costco fan), puzzle night as my Sunday Funday, and for icing on the cake, sitting in the bathtub singing Al Green and Sade laughing so hard I can’t stop crying, as my mom washes my naked body. Yep, humble pie, served up whole. I told my mom it was bathtub music. Haha. A sense of humor is certainly a sweet medicine. And something I’d recommend you never leave home without. It’s been comedy hour around here… But check out these.. eeeep

 

In my dream-world/part-time reality, I spend my days surfing, teaching yoga, working in restaurants, traveling, playing my ukulele, painting, blowing bubbles, hula hooping, dancing, staring up at the clouds, writing blogs, and poems and short stories for my upcoming book (that will be published soon!), creating future surf/yoga retreats and last but not least, planning my big move to Nicaragua where I’ll be building those boutique surf bungalows. Whew… and when I say I’ll do all these things it mostly just boils down, once again, flirting with complete burnout and too much work. When I’m spending my days in Central America, time, freedom and play consume my soul. However, here in the States (even as a yoga instructor and restaurant server- fun right?), I often find myself overworked and uninspired. I would imagine that many of you can relate? 

As of recently ALL OF THIS (play and work) has been sidelined. For the short term, life has a different plan for me. LESSON ONE COMING IN HOT: we have no control- so let go. Release your grip on life. Whatever I thought I was going to do took a bit fat detour.  Plans are great, but sometimes they change and it’s far better to let the currents take you where they want rather than fight them all the way to shore. Cool?! =) I have learned, and am forever learning, that we don’t have control over what happens to us. We only have control over ourselves and how we choose to respond. And with this new found free time I’ve been enjoying, said activities (from Central America days…)

So I had a gnarly “skateboarding” (and when I say skateboarding, I mean I was trying to ride a one wheeled motorized skateboard thing) accident at the end of June, resulting in a severely displaced, broken arm requiring surgery, screws, plates, learning to move my wrist again and lots of recovery time. In addition to injuring my arm/wrist, in the same accident I completely blew out my knee, tearing both my ACL and MCL (on which I am still currently awaiting surgery, fingers crossed it will be soon.) I’m out of the water for up to 9 months, when it’s all said and done. No surfing, no yoga teaching, no working, no dancing, no driving, not too much individual freedom at all.  Though at least I can use the toilet by myself- hey- it can always be worse right? And, as I sit here and type this, I realize despite all that, one thing I have continued to do non-stop, is smile. If you know me, you know this to be true.

I suppose all those little whispers life was giving me to slow down should have been heeded. But being a believer that everything is unfolding exactly as it should (assuming you show up and do the work- which I do), should have, would have, and could have, are not parts of my vocabulary. Had said accident not happened, I would not be sitting here today, writing this to you. =)

Nobody wants to be injured, but injuries aside, life has given me a gift. Yes, I said gift, and again, I default to focusing on the positive, returning my awareness to all that is -good- in my life. And occasionally breaking down into tears, but if you want the rainbow, well…you need the rain!

Injuries are a beautiful time for growth, self-reflection and discovery. Right? (And what I really mean is more time for selfies and wine?!?! haha…) Jokes aside though, because now I do have more time to spend in good conversation, painting, making music, creating all kinds of projects, and enjoying friends and family. Everyday I am more aware of this opportunity to enjoy a different path that life is taking me on. A path, that I would have not chosen for myself, but here I am, embracing all the madness with a happy heart and an open mind. Humbled and awed by the magical mystery of this human experience. The blessings and lessons that continue to reveal themselves are abundant.

Obviously injuries do suck, but how you choose to experience life, the injuries, the heartbreaks, the ups and downs, is completely up to you.

LESSON NUMBER TWO

(Maybe a bit more subtle with this one, but your mind is a powerful tool, so use it. =) )

With that being said, and I say this a lot, we -always- have a choice. And you can choose to be grumpy, or the opposite. My mom used to always say “choose your attitude” and as a sassy, stubborn, know-it-all adolescent, this drove me nuts, but she’s absolutely right. If a situation isn’t ideal to begin with, why choose to make it worse with a shitty attitude. Instead, I encourage you to find the blessing. And it’s wild, and at first I thought, weird, but it’s not weird, it makes perfect sense. Where you focus your energy is where your life flows. So in looking at this accident as opportunity, in graciously and humbly receiving, surrendering to, and trusting what life is giving me – my mind has been blown by what has come in my direction. (Once again, coming back around to the power of positive thinking.)

In case you missed it, I’d like to say, I would not have chosen this for myself. But the lesson, one of many here, is that life is what you make it. And less than awesome things happen everyday, so it’s up to you how you choose to experience these situations. In yoga well call this Pratipaksha Bhavanam. Cultivate the opposite (If something is bad, your mind and attitude CAN make it better.)

But if that’s too far out there for you…winky face, kissy emoji…I get it.

I just wish you all were close enough to come to some of my yoga classes (and not the extreme pretzel, literally make-you-sweat-your-face-off classes, but the body, mind and spirit, slow-it-all-down, enlightening breathwork classes) so I could shower you with the  ancient wisdoms I have learned, that make my heart feel happy, my soul feel peaceful, and my face smile. But for now, one-handed and chicken-pecked stories on my computer will have to do. =)

I’m aware this might sound like being positive is easy for me, but it’s work, it’s a daily practice, one that I absolutely love and is as necessary as breathing. I’ve come to learn that the practice is the reward. If I can advise you in any way, add some tools to your tool box, help you cultivate a better attitude, might I recommend meditation, some restorative yoga, a slow walk in nature, a self-help book, listening to music, painting, ecstatic dancing, cooking yummy meals, trying a new hobby, whatever it takes. But you deserve a life that makes you feel drunk on the delight of both the challenges and the rewards. A life full of joy.

So, if I can sum it all up with a little lesson number three, it would be to emphasize an awareness around the importance of slowing down. Live a mindful, conscious life. Society moves fast and our time here is precious. Enjoy where you are at. Embrace the moments as they come. Make happiness a priority- and whatever road that is to you- take it. Listen to your heart; the longings never stop. Greet yourself and others with compassion and love. Everyone has a story. Focus on the positive; it is forever present. We are beautiful beings on a cosmic journey, all doing the best we can to make sense of this incredible human experience.

Namaste. Aloha. Pura Vida. Blessings.

Your Mermaid,

Katie

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On a side note, my friends, these beauties above (you can find them at) http://www.thiscolorfulworld.com have brought me on board to help them out with all kinds of fun communication specialty tasks and I’m just beyond stoked to be a part of their powerful, uplifting, conscious lifestyle community. They run a video production company, and have an have a beautifully amazing youtube channel as well! So wether you have video production and photography needs, or just enjoy learning about life hacks for topics ranging from relationship maintenance – self care- mental health –  and so many more… check them out! xoxoxoxo

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7oNjpoRhx2OY0VTGGHEsFQ

 

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Yoga-Life-Water-Love

Yoga- Life- Water- Love

My heart is bursting with gratitude. Like the way lava lurches from within a volcano and devours everything in its path. Completely consuming and changing life as it moves towards the sea – love flows from me in this very same way. It is subtle, but it is a mighty an undeniable force to any who witnesses it’s movement. The seeds you cultivate and water in your life become the jungle that grows around you. Its simple in theory but life brings all kinds of challenges, and my yoga practice has taught me that that practice is indeed the reward, and we are undoubtedly mirrors of those around us. 

No matter the day I am having- time with self, in yoga practice, in meditation, silently dancing with the great expanse of everything, always resets my heart and mind. Yesterday, after a morning of great coffee talk, and inspiring creative brainstorming, I headed off to serve tables (and share smiles) at the restaurant. Days of waiting on people hand and foot can be rewarding but also an “energy suck” and after such a super charged AM of “big dream” stuff, that became a day of “work” I was feeling depleted, a bit unrewarded and in need of tapping back into  the sweet vast source self. The 5:30 pm class at YO (Yoga Oceanside) with amazing teacher the amazing teacher, and friend, Rick Worthington always ends in happy fuzzy yoga bliss. Come join us if you are in town! http://www.Yogaoceanside.com =)

So.

I am a woman with dreams and ambition. My wild heart calls me to rouge parts of the world, and although it may not be the most “safe or secure” path of life, I can not turn off the call of the winds that lure me to Nicaraguan Tropical Paradise. Its a simple life I crave, but in creating this vision, first I get to put in a lot of work. I am building Surf House Nicaragua http://www.surfhousenicaragua.com (check it out, just a basic page now, but so much more to come)  through this Boutique Surf style Accommodation I am creating   a community to spread the seeds of love (from my tribe here in oceanside) to people and travelers across the globe. 

For now, and a temporary now, I’m living in my hometown Oceanside, CA. I work at the   a super fun spot called Local Tap House (which I do love) but it’s not my passion or how I want to live my life long term. I am also blessed enough to teach yoga and give reiki in the amazing Yoga Oceanside yoga studio. 

 

For the last few days my friend Caroline has been in town visiting me.  She is a boss babe, full of fire, passion, ideas and an work ethic second to none. Her thought process I so different than mine and she only challenges me to think about things from a different avenue than my natural thought process; not to change my way of thinking, but to simply expand my mind to consider other possibilities.

In our relationship, being the yoga teacher and energy healer, I am the “yogini” but her ability to understand this power of mind makes her a yogini in so many ways she doesn’t even know. One of my favorite yoga quotes that I teach often in class  is this “As the mind so the man – if you believe you are bound you are bound, if you believe you are free you are free” Its a quote from Patajanli’s Yoga Sutras a book loaded with all kind of amazing esoteric wisdoms. Its a great read even if you don’t have a physical asana practice i’d recommend gibing it a read.

 My point to this story is I have gotten comfortable, “bound” perhaps, to limiting thought and beliefs about how and when I can make my dreams happen- and as I write and reflect I’m becoming aware that maybe thats  the reason I’ve been feeling stuck. I’ve adopted a routine for the first time in my  life, and it’s a beautiful routine, but Im  now feeling it’s time to shake it up.  In life we go back and forth from protection mode to growth mode. From times of getting grounded and rooted, (feeling safe and secure) to times of radical growth and change. When I returned home from living in Costa Rica, a year ago today, I was in big need of this nurturing, I had massive emotional healing to do and was in need of finding stability and happiness within in myself. So this “groove” here been 100% necessary and everything I’ve needed for the past 12 months but its not the place I can stay if I want to live the biggest, and most vibrant version of my life. It’s perfect for right now, but that’s no excuse to get complacent. If you have dreams, that have found their way in to the back ground maybe it’s time to shift all your energy into these dreams, manifest them and create and work them into fruition. Or maybe for you its time to slow it down a bit and continue to water them and wait for them to grow- either way having awareness around this cycle and process makes you a powerful being. 

This awareness leads me to a  big lesson that continues to present its self to me in big and small ways. Im a believer that is that life is about learning to wait. This “wait” I’m refering to is not sitting back and doing nothing. It’s embracing the pause or grounding phase of life that has to happen in order for things to grow.  When we slow down long enough and listen to the space between what we thing we know, that is where the answers are revealed. Jimi Hendrix said “knowledge speaks but wisdom listens.”  To me this quote implies that to arrive at wisdom we need to slow down, turn off our own ideas and truly hear whats being said by those around us, and to our self within.

Turing my attention to my root chakra has been not so glamorous, but where I lacked in “glamor” it has made up for in power, and connection to source. Growing deeps roots creates the foundation for a sustainable and fulfilling life. As I started writing this last night I  realized that today is my year anniversary from moving home from Costa Rica. (a place where I was lusciously, flippantly and superfluously living in my heart space, which is a good place to be as long as proper roots have been grown, which they hadn’t which is maybe why the tree fell (me) the way it did- but it was what was needed to happen for the seeds to spread and grow as they have… Ah, the joys of trusting and surrendering, embracing what comes our way as opposed to what we think we know or want. Ive said it many time but heart break is a fucker. But I am only greatful for the deeply satisfying lessons I have learned  as a result. As I reflect on how much my heart  has softened, but also my soul empowered, and the growth that I have traversed in the last year, it’s incredible. We as human beings are capable of great feats, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. Everything I wanted to happen continues to. Maybe not the exact way I’ve imagined, and not to say Ive gotten everything I “wanted”. But life unfolds everything we need. When you are able to get specific about what you want and let go of how it comes about, it always, always always comes. This is where he power of a yoga practice becomes the best tool. I can only speak from my own experience but my yoga practice is the reward. Despite the ups and downs this last year has contained my Yoga practice has given me tools  to know that everything is not just okay, but perfect, even when its not. Life isn’t happening to me its happening for me. And although the jungles and in a bikini is where I want to be, and where I will be, through a devoted practice I have arrived in a place of the sweetest contentment within myself regardless of life’s external circumstances. Not to mention, a life here in San Diego cocooned by so much sweet sweet love is blissful. To keep it all in perspective if surfing in a wet suit is the worst part of my its really not so bad hey?

Life is cyclical indeed. So this positive, unattached, loving, humble, vulnerable, open free life style and mindset  does not deny or negate that bad things can and do happen, it’s just a shield, or tool, to constantly remind me to stay in the present, to let go, to trust and surrender to forces beyond my control. It is a knowing that  sun sets, and it gets dark, but then the sun rises and it is light again (not to mention the magic of the moon while the sun is away). This way of living to protects me from unnecessary struggle that could lead to drowning in the same currents that float and pull me safety. We can let go or be dragged. We can work hard for what we want, as I have, but in this hard work and of following my dreams am in constant flux, remembering to stay fluid, and let things happen as they should- finding a perfect balance between working your ass off, and going with the flow. (Of being in that place right where the tide changes, it goes from a dead low beings to push in, the winds switch offshore, and what looked like shitting conditions, transform into an epic session of pumping waves.) Sorry… haha, couldn’t got a whole explanation of life and love without some kind of ocean reference, default I suppose of being a mermaid =) Anywho, Letting go of what we think we know, and accepting what is, this is  Aparigraha. Aparigraha is a yoga philosophy that teaches abundance and recognizing the blessings off all things the come our way. Embracing its wisdom has saved me many many headaches, and soothed many heartaches in reassuring me that despite external circumstances that everything is going to be fine, and in clinging to an outcome I desire and not accepting what is only causes more suffering.

As Im nearing the completion of my 31st trip around the sun I feel so grateful, so empowered and so excited to share with you the secret powers of a yoga practice that I have been fortunate enough to receive. None of these wisdoms are my own.  Im am however a believer in myself. My wild passion and free spirit are viscously infectious, and as I get to know myself more everyday I I feel more honored to share my stories and my sparkle with you. 

I’ve got a few poetry books I hope to be publishing soon full of inspiration and yogic wisdoms and short prose about nature, travel, and love. Some beach cleans ups in the works and if you follow me and my merbabes at the _mermaidmafia_  on intsagram and FB we are always filling your days with positive ideas about how to live a more mindful eco conscious life.  Also always promoting, check out Avasol. They are skin safe, reef safe sun protection product and Avasol is a company I endorse who heartily.

As for my big dream, my big vision – Surf House Nicaragua is reaching its dawn. Its a bit scary, but I’m stoked for the adventure into business ownership and the opportunity to create something that has a positive lasting impact. Any one who has ever watched the sunrise knows what a moment of great magic this is. 

In addition to building an epic space to host travelers and share my love of yoga and surf, In the next year I will also be hosting a Yoga and Surf and Volunteer adventure to a tropical Latin paradise not far from here… Hope you can join me =) =)

I am a woman on fire, inspired, in love with my self, with life and engaged in this magic mystery as it unfolding all around. I can only thank the people closest to me who continually uplift me, guide me, love the heck out of me, remind the importance of following your dreams and teach me to live a full vibrant life.

So many blessings and so much love-

The mermaid.

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Surf House Nicaragua When dreams become reality 😍

Traveling is one of those things- you can never know what to expect. I suppose this can apply to life in general- but specifically when you travel. The possibility of what can happen when you are away from home, not in normal routines, on the road, is exciting to me. I like the unknown- I feel so comfortable moving about- it’s weird. I almost feel more uneasy when I’m only in one place for too long. I find the growth and insight that comes from constant change is profound. For me, it seems that maybe the secret is finding consistencies- routines- normalities- within the change. By this I mean, findings constants, the things that keep you grounded and secure, within the comforts of your own (magical, divine) self. I am always pretty stoked to spend time with myself. I can only speak from personal experience but the allure of the unknown, of the potential challenges, what I learn from new people, places, things, is what drives me to move, to expand, to create and to love. At this point in my trip (which is now the end- haha since it took me a month to finish writing anything) I’ve been all over the place. Costa Rica to Nicaragua, Nicaragua to El Salvador, El Salvador to Nicaragua, Nicaragua to Costa Rica, and currently back in Nicaragua. And lots of cities in between. Playa Grande, Liberia, Asseradores, Managua, La Flores, La Libertad, Puerto Sandino, Leon, Playa Negra, Nosara, Garza, and at this particular moment I’m in laying in my bed in a hotel room in Granada thinking how silly it is that I haven’t wrote yet. Although I do use my social media to share, it’s not the best avenue to actually tell stories- and I believe it’s our stories that tie us together. These stories allow us to realize that we are all human beings with the same basic need of food and shelter- to love and be loved. We are citizens of planet earth and that is why it is so very important to be kind and spread love to one another.

**Quick disclaimer- now that I’m reading all this after a month of non publishing it’s eh- average, but I wrote it, so here you go. Hope you at least enjoy the pictures:)

 

Up until this point I’ve taken a hiatus on finishing this blog (twice) and have spent a day and a half in the town of my future home, could 9 is floating all around. (Yes- one more writing break to come before I actually finally finish this story, but it’s hard to be inspired to write on my cell phone especially, when I can lay in a hammock and watch nature and be endlessly entertained- clouds and animales, trees and waves… absolute uninterrupted stoke)
So I’m dreaming. But I’m not. And it’s bliss. I’d found myself speechless with a silly smile plastered to my face, and for those of you who know me, the smile is normal. But speechless, haha- pretty special moment in my life. Ive never been so excited for so much hard work. Yes rad- to find something you are passionate about sharing and want to do nothing but enjoy the path of that dream. I can’t help but feel excited and inspired by everything around….

And then haha- took another hiatus from finishing this story yet again, cause life continues to happen and the “distractions” of nature and waves and naps has been keeping me busy- still (was, until this morning) in this same town, still in love with everything I see in front of me, but just a few days away from finishing up this month long adventure..

Let’s rewind a bit. I started this trip In Costa Rica-

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because sometimes I don’t know what the heck I’m doing and let’s be real- i didn’t plan this one well at all… all part of the journey. Se la vie. And when you have no specific “plans” you go with what you know- so I flew into Costa Rica. Less than 24 hours later, a quick trip to and from the beach at playa grande, a random encounter with a friend of a friend of a friend in and from Costa Rica (yes it’s a small world), and back to Liberia I go. So back in libera I’m pumped to head north, buss ticket in hand, El Salvador bound, via Nicaragua…

 


But In Liberia is where I stay, holding true to the idea of is something can happen it will, even if you actually properly planned (and for once I did). Well the bus never came. Prepaid ticket in my pocket, i waited for that damn buss for 3 hours. Long story short, I caught a cheap cab to the border scooped up some Imperials on the way and wondered what the heck am I doing from here. As I’m walking across the boarder from Costa Rica to Nicaragua I hear a voice holler at the back of my head “katie! Is that you?!?”

 


Ha. Yes only me. And from here the long way home continues. I took at ride with my friend 4 hours out of the way north and 4 hours all the way back south to Managua the very next morning. Being a “yes” girl gets me in some funny situations, but I always end up with a good story to tell. My detour oddly enough took me Into the town I’m moving to, I met some new friends, caught some waves and then continued my journey north, with another 12 hour travel day Into El Salvador.

El Salvador-
What a beautiful country. Everyday we have choices to make. And if I listened to the things people said to do, to play it safe, my life, I feel would be boring, unsatisfying, and average. I believe I am not here to be average. I’ve been here before, I’ve learned some things and it’s my role is this life time to share this inspiration, this passion to live life fully, with others. Code orange. Says the president. Code love says Katie. El Salvador is a little bit sketchy, but at no point did I ever feel unsafe. I planned a week Tour with a rad company based out of LA called AST. First stop in El Sal, was the location at the “east” of the county called Las Flores. Anywhere the jungle meets the sea is absolute perfection for my salty soul. Add in a Birdseye view of a fun playful right hand point break- Cherry on top:) Oddly enough, El Salvador is a country on the pacific coast of the americas that actually faces East. So every morning the fiery blood red sun levitated into the still, calm sky. Absolute Bliss.

 

I’ve got a whole blog on AST coming up next, but go visit these people:) I then stayed at their Punta Roca location. The hotel is perched on the edge of another epic right hand point break, I saw some waterfalls, ate delicious food and I am hoping to be hosting a surf and yoga adventure here next year!:)

From El Salvador. I go back to Nicaragua. In addition to my life being a gypsy trail of places it is also a wild journey of love and heartbreak. If you follow my shenanigans, you know my transparency about feeling the feels, loving hard and my practice (of yoga, a practice goes much deeper than the physical poses) – it’s trusting, surrendering and learning to let go of things that no longer serve you. This part of the path is sweet. A love story, tender and pure, it’s softens me to the edges of everything.

 

I found my way back (to an epic little reef in central Nicaragua) and really, the important part, into the arms of a man, (the vibrations of a soul) I have loved for millions of years. I do believe we are from the same star. And although our time together always seems short, I’m learning with this kind of love there is no hurry. And I’m also learning the graciousness and humility and peace that comes with acceptance of things as they are, regardless of how you want them to be. My soul needed to see him and touch him after 10 months of “exile” from one another, it felt like…
One of those things, that’s leaves you staring up at the stars for hours in comple awe of things you can’t explain, and this is one of those things- I don’t have words to explain…and maybe it would cheapen it it if I did. I feel at peace to know one way or another he and I have reconnected. AND to know all the wonderful things I feel in my heart, despite our physical distance we had- are true.

From here pura vida time:)
Yew!!!
Oh how I love Costa Rica. I can’t afford it. But having so many magical souls there I get to call my friends, and so many fun fun waves to surf- no price tag can keep me away indefinitely.

 

So I crossed the boarder (again) and rented a car this time right at the border. Epic. If you travel to Costa Rica and find yourself on not too tight of a budget- I would recommend this entirely. So easy. Almost felt too easy. This simple process sure beats busses and dragging around my stuff (surf board bag included.) My heart and soul are pleased to the heavens with my decision to splurge a bit. Fuck it, it’s just money right? I love Costa Rica road trips. Well, any road trip for that matter, but especially ones through the wandering, winding roads of this magical place- something special, particularly reflective, healing, and wonderful always happens to me as I move… especially solo, especially in this part of the world. First stop. Playa negra- good friends- bright shining love friends, always bringing me the best little unassuming moments and conversations. Moments that fill my soul, that make life worth living. These are the times I live for, connection to others. I believe it’s one of the things we are all really searching for. I’m so grateful to have this “home” my body, my soul, that I get to move about in and with all across the globe and connect to others. The very best way to experience life is through the lens of your true authentic self. I spent the next morning surfing a secret spot, an outer reef tucked somewhere in northern Costa Rica. Then having coffee, doing jungle yoga, and enjoying the company with one of the most generous, brilliant beautiful souls I know. Woohoo, positive vibes pumping, and off to Nosara I go. But first a poem inspired by the blessing of true friendship and a handful of morning spent like this that always seems to linger long after the moment.

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-Friendship-
Can be better described in flavors…
Like Morning coffee talk.
The sweet organic taste of
::Fresh roasted smiles::
Straight from the mountains
And into my heart.
Porch hangs.
Chats about love and life.
-All positive everything-
Time well spent
Doing nothing but indulging.
In our stories, in our dreams.
Sharing our secrets with the trees.
Laughing like wind
Celebrating this simple bliss.

 

Nosara.
Welcome home.
I never realized what beautiful words these are to hear. It’s weird to you go back to place where your heart broke, and you haven’t been since. But it’s also powerful to be able to return to that place and be reminded of those emotions that used to be so painful…and no longer feel pain. I have done so much self work since I left this place broken hearted and broke- its wonderful to come back and to be in such a positive, grounded, inspired, loving physical, mental and emotional space. I am now able to greet these feelings with nothing but peace and gratitude for the growth and lessons they have given me. I encourage you to not let life not make you bitter. I instead encourage you to stay humble and try to receive the high and lows as they come, search for the blessings. Embrace the sweet mystic joy of life in its entirety. The journey is indeed, the destination. Final stop….

Northern Nicaragua.
Asseradores. Santa Maria Del Mar
Surf House Nicaragua.

From Costa Rica back to Nicaragua I go and finally to spend some time in the place I get to call my home. Oh man, smiling heart shaped eye emoji. It’s perfect here. Perfect is relative. But it’s perfect to me. As David Henry Thoreau so nicely put it-

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

And I see beauty all around. It’s amazing actually, I’ve been here just a little over a week- and even though time moves slow here, in the best kind of way, it seems like so much has happened. For this part of the journey I randomly scooped up an Aussie friend of a friend on the way, and for a woman who loves to go
solo, having a side kick to share this huge week of my life with was a very special gift.

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Did I mention I bought property in Nicaragua?… No big deal. Holy everything… Non stop, puppy wiggles, super happy, stoke fest, little kid on Christmas kind of dance party…
But first- Waves, nature, conversation, and latin men, just a few of my favorite things:) Then there was Saturday. Saturday was super special. I went on a beach walk- into the black sparkly sand and past all the broke down palaces lining the palm tree shores. I saw a mama and baby horse grazing in an abandoned yard.
Then as I continued on to the beach two more beautiful wild horse crashed through the jungle trees and paused to look at me from afar. They proceeded in my direction and joined me for several minutes and we wandered down the sand and through the waves together. It was magic- so pure. The most raw level of energies, horses and human, nature and human- finding a place together on a secluded beach in Northern Nicaragua. Something happens when you slow down enough to receive and witness the miracle of life coexisting, breathing and thriving as one. The flocks of birds living in the trees graciously celebrating and announcing every sunrise and sunset. The chickens, little baby chicks, and roosters roaming around the yard. Pelusa the kitten, who I’m convinced thinks he’s half dog – sleeps, plays and snuggles with religion, he loves to chase toes, frogs and spiders at night, and snuggle in my lap purring with delight.
The yellow chested birds baithing in the pool. The sweet gimpy puppy who adopts you for half the day to join you on your afternoon walk about, panting and smiling the whole way. The goats and cows gently grazing and passing the time in sweet innocence. Life here is simple. The man with his 3 daughters who lives in the beach side property and is kind enough to let us walk through their property to enter the waves. These precious little girls told me the want to learn English and I asked them If they also wanted to learn to surf. With sparkles in their eyes and giggles in their bodies they said yes. I am beyond grateful life has brought me here, to live and share, and teach. To empower and uplift and ultimately to learn as much as I get to share. Life after all is one big give and take. It’s reciprocal, cyclical and forever full of endless knowledge. From books, the sea, to the poor family living in peace, there isn’t a soul or thing from whom we cannot learn.

 

So now- my property. Daaaaannng. Boss babe things in full effect. My property is perfect. I feel so happy when I stand on it go near it and envision what a place of conversation, connection, and love it is going be. Surf House Nicaragua is a dream- my dream- that is now a reality- in the making. I’m full of humility and happiness to be living this life. Inspired. Humble. Excited and even scared. Fear is good. It’s in this space I am finding we learn and grow.

I left this magical paradise this morning and am now in Leon, feeling moderately assaulted by over stimulation of a busy city. Honking horns, loud music, cars and motos zooming by. But as the sun began to set I was naturally drawn west and made it just in time to a Euro vibe room top bar called el mirador. 🙂

 

It’s not the beach, but still special to watch the sun fade away, off shores blowing solid, sweeping the sun below the roof tops and shadowed city scapes. As my trip comes to a close it’s nice for once to actually be looking forward to going home. Every other time in the past I have felt so sad to go back to the states. This is the first time ever I have been so content with where I am, and where I am going, and where I have been. I’m stoked to work, and keep the ball rolling as I stay focused in my dreams. I guess my point for all of this, and it’s not something I’m preaching, but truly living, is to believe in yourself. And to believe in your dreams. Yoga and the breath, and my practice in mindfulness, daily intentions and positive affirmations continue to shape my life and my dreams exactly as I imagine. And when things don’t go my way, my practice allows me to accept and understand that this too is all part of the plan. So live your life my loves. And remember, keep smiling, be kind, be patient (life is about learning wait). Take your sense of humor with you every where you go, and go with love. The law of attraction is real. What you seek is seeking you, and the people crazy enough to dream the dreams are the people who actually see them come true.

FC58C150-4D69-444E-BCF1-70193D612CD8
Have a beautiful day 🙂
The mermaid gypsy

 

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Travel.Surf.Yoga.

Travel.yoga.surf.

A few days ago as I was winding through the mountain roads of Guatemala en route to the magical lake I felt a smile grow across my face as everything began to slow down. The essence of why I travel. Which is the same reason I surf or practice yoga. It brings me peace and joy of the tender bliss of living in the moment -In my proper Cali beach slang, it makes me stoked 🙂 It takes me out of my comfort zone and brings me into present- it is the opportunity to savor and enjoy life as it’s unfolding. It separates me from the agenda that is conformity and creates an experience that represents all of eternity. It is in these moments that I feel most alive. They are without a time stamp -these moments deepen the perspective of relativity. And confirm the reality that life is happening all over that planet- and you are only relevant, only important, only as connected, complete and whole as you choose to show up. And these
moments are what life is all about.

 

The more I dive into my yoga practice, the more I learn- about love, about life, about spirituality – the more I learn to let go, the more able I am accept and adapt to all facets of life. Yoga, my friends, has very little to with the shape of your body- and everything to do with the vibrance of your soul….

Yoga -surf -travel – and not in any particular order have shaped me more than anything else (with the exception  of my wonderful goddess of a mom of course)

These 3 things also have also been especially relevant to different phases of my life.

Travel
When I was young the wanderlust was infused into my being. I spent quite a bit of time with my mom (and/or/solo/brother) on the road; headed out to nature- new campsites, fun adventures to hike mountains or across continents to the ghettos of Brazil and Mexico to learn about others, and the value of service and loving one another. Receiving the gift of perspective and learning that barriers are man made and we are all inherently the same.

Surfing.

Surfing has been the newest adventure – Its a passion I have learned later in life but has no doubt profoundly affected my plight of my existence on this planet. It is unquestionably the single most task I have dedicated my time to over the last 3 years. Honestly, as soon as I found a surfboard everything else took a back seat and I’ve genuinely not spend too much time doing anything but chasing waves and warm water since then ….Knowing the ocean and waves have such a consuming effect on me Im actually quite happy that I didnt find surfing Until later in life. i feel confident in saying I would not have done the amazing things I have done, had I grown up with the ability to surf. The ocean has always been a constant in my life, the salt is in my blood but a powerful love affair with waves is fresh. It’s crazy actually how everything works our just the way it’s supposed to, and Im so grateful for all the landlocked experience, that lead me to the salty sea, that have lead me to here (which is currently the Tijuana airport waiting for a red eye to Guatemala ) which has become a palatial lake side estate perched aside lake afilan. Before all this tho, the love of surf…

 

Around June I realized the tropical jungle daze and salty Central American adventure had to be put on the shelf for a bit. It was time to come back to San Diego to explore my own landscape: the wild universe of my dreams. It was time To create more magic, to get grounded and rooted, to reconnect to self. Although returning has brought so many challenges my simple minded self didn’t anticipate, after quite a bit of stubborn resistance I am now accepting. I’m learning being grounded does not mean stuck. It simply means growing deeper roots to grow a bigger tree to spread my love as far and wide as possible, all while staying connect to the nurturing earth, but allowing the wind to float the seeds where it may. My time is San Diego is a wonderful opportunity to feel safe and secure. To manifest and plan ways to finance this wanderlust, this gypsy mermaid lifestyle. Cause wether I like money or not, seashells I love to discover I the sand are not a currency that will pay for my dreams.

On a side note and the more I think about the period of my life ( Los Angeles living) where none of those things 3 things were present, I realize that was quite possible, the most shallow and empty times of my life. That’s not to say I wasnt growing or learning, I just perhaps wasn’t fully present. And I believe whole heartedly that time period, that pain, that lack of substance or depth despite the excessivess of “things” needed to happen in order to be here today, it’s just an interesting realization to come to in Hindsight. I doesn’t negate how grateful I am for that time, just like all the others…

Getting back on track-
let’s talk about yoga-
Yoga which is most dominant in my life right now is a teacher of so many things. When I began to learn about yoga philosophy it shifted the paradigm through which I see the world and how I experience life. It opened up Pandora’s box to vast exsistence I was unaware of. It compliments my already positive disposition by teaching this….
Yoga philosophy is magic- it says that everything is good. People are good, experiences are good, pain is good because in traversing all of these things you become the best version yourself. And all of these things the highs and lows have to be present in order for you to learn and expand and experience bliss. Even the bad is good- because it is. Experience can be neutral. Yoga encourages you to be a witness. Feel every moment as fresh and new and it allows life to be as tender. so perfect. Full of abundance and oozing with gratitude. I don’t mean yo dumb it down. But it really can be that simple. If you are looking for some books that share this info 2 of my faves are Bringing yoga to life by Donna Farhi. And The Yama and Niyama book by Deborah Adele. These two pieces of literature take yoga practices that you may have seen as peculiar or outdated and apply to our lives right here in the 21st Century. The qualities it teaches of how to live the largest life available are something that are times. I mean really, who doesn’t want to experience a life with as much joy and as little suffering as possible.

So that brings me back to now. My skin is no longer brown. I’m slightly sunkissed at best. And When the waves at home are good. They are FIRE. Like 4-5 straight days of pumping barrels, but the air is crispy, the water is cold, the tan lines form around the cozy edges of a wetsuit. And then, the swell passes and magic mother ocean goes flat. Knee highs waves, singles fins, and wavestoms. After the spoils of the tropics Im still challenged to percolate enough stoke to charge early mornings with booties or frozen toe nugglets. For a girl who believes life is better in a bikini, or naked at that, all this necessary neoprene is a serious task. I’m learning though, my need for the ocean is greater than my distaste of the cold. Im also learning however, the beauty of balance and less surfing is an opportunity to dive into other things that feed my soul. Perhaps this is the universe telling me balance is possible as she gently grabs my hand and leads me into an energetic, spiritual and physical place where I can surf, travel, do yoga, teach yoga and profit from it all at once. I know Nicaragua is not far away. And when the times comes it where I will be.

Patience. Trust. Surrender.
I’ve got some exciting business (surf-yoga-service retreats) and some bi-country living in the works.
Although leaving Costa Rica felt devastating at the time. I’m now able to see it was necessary. All the growth I went there to do was done. And it was time to return.

And so I will let the winds blow me south again. Even if it’s just for a short while. My heart feels excited for the adventures Guatemala continues to offer. For me on this trip no waves. A little bit of yoga. But mostly a gypsy soul in search of the unknown – traveling to new countries, with artisan food, deep culture and beauty that extends beyond the visible eye.

 

Ultimately the lessons from the ocean, the breath and traveling the planet have all been the same, they have just come about in different ways. These lessons confirm my belief in benefit of living beyond our fears. That there in fact a plan a greater matrix working beyond our control- but we have to show up. Buy the plane ticket, paddle out, sit still in nature- whatever “it” is to you that brings your right smack into the center of it all.

In my modest experience I have learned to follow my heart, stay humble, practice gratitude and live with love. lifeand from here life continue to reward me for being willing enough to take the risk, to embrace the challenges and live the life I dream.
With all my salty and sunkissed love
we’ll chat soon 🙂 complete story on Guatemala travels will be up next week!

xo
The mermaid.