October 24, 2013

Destination: Big Sur

October 24, 2013/ Laura Costa

Destination: Big Sur, California “The perfect blend of Northern and Southern California Coast”

I recently had the itch to run away from home. Big Sur is one of my favorite places on earth, and only a 2 hour drive from where I live. It has a magic, power, and prana like no other. I am a solitary individual who has a career and hobbies that involve regularly meeting new people, public speaking, facilitating support groups, and energetically hootin’ and hollerin’ while dancing my butt off. Thus, solo getaways are essential to me.

October 07, 2013

Monday Mantra: I love my boobs!

October 07, 2013/ Laura Costa

It’s October, one of our favorite months of the year… the leaves begin to change colors, the breeze gets cooler, the pumpkins are ready for harvest, and costumes are made for All Hallows Eve. October is the month of awareness; our senses become heightened, aware of the changes around us and within us, we start to reflect on the past 10 months of the year, thinking what we have and haven’t done, and what we’ll do to make the next two months (yup, two months!!) of the year [more] memorable. Most importantly, October is the month of awareness and support for women’s health.

September 30, 2013

Monday Mantra: Fresh start

September 30, 2013/ Laura Costa

Every day is a new day to change what you want to improve. It's easy to want to wait for a new month, a new week, or a new year to be able to start fresh, but every new day is a fresh start to what could be a "new" you. Be the change you want; accept and thrive in each new breaking day. Start the day with a smile, genuinely say hello to a stranger, send positive thoughts and energy into the universe. Tomorrow, you will be thankful you started today, and the day after that. Sometimes we fall into a procrastinating rut, especially when it comes to working out or dieting. "Oh well, I'll start tomorrow", "I'll start next week". If you didn't work out or eat right, it's not too late to start fresh again. Don't wait for tomorrow or next week, or a new year's resolution, you have the chance to seize in the now! Look at this way, if your phone falls on the ground and the screen crack a little, you don't say "Oh well, might as well keep stomping it since it already fell and cracked" or "Oh, I'll pick it up tomorrow."

September 23, 2013

Monday Mantra: Silence is Golden

September 23, 2013/ Laura Costa

Oh Monday, you again...You always seem to come too soon & leave too fast. Always so much to plan & organize that by the time the day ends, there always seems to be a few unchecked ta do's left on the list. If you are busy body like me, I can imagine a little time out in the day can go a looooong way. Remind yourself to:

September 16, 2013

Monday Mantra: Pull in Positivity

September 16, 2013/ Laura Costa

Beautiful things are on the horizon: Pull it in!

This quote helps me get through tough times & reminds me that for the amount of bad comes even more good. Don't give up. Believe in yourself. Create your own happiness. Pull in Positivity. :)

September 13, 2013

How To: Bird of Paradise

September 13, 2013/ Laura Costa

Tips & Tricks

When bringing your leg up move super slow so you can be hyper aware of your balance.

Do what you can! If you can't straighten your leg right away, no worries. Start with getting your foot off the ground. If you still feel good, bring your knee up to the side of your body & straighten your spine. Once you feel stable, slowly extend your leg as much as you can & hold your balance.

Your shoulders & spine will want to round forward, so tap into your core strength to help straighten the spine. Focus on lifting your chest up to bring the shoulders up & back as well. (*I find it helps to take a nice big inhale while doing this)

Keeping the standing leg straight is difficult in the beginning so be patient with this! As you build the strength & flexibility to hold the pose you will eventually be able to keep your standing leg strong & stabilized.