Kickstart your Dreams: What I Learned in Thailand

October 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment

_P9A2139 (2)I just got back from Thailand. For me, it was a dream, the trip of a lifetime. I got a chance to take a pause, smile in the sunshine, appreciate my struggles and thank the universe for new opportunities.  Dreams can become a reality, I assure you!  Go after them and seek that ‘something’ that sets the colors of your world on fire. To help you get there, here is a list of my shortcuts…

1. Pay attention. Kismet is calling you. Fate is real, that is a fact. I know for certain my path was paved with cobblestones of fate. There’s no other explanation as to how I got here except that I paid attention to the signs, went with it, and never stopped trying. Whether you believe it or not, I bet if you look hard, you can find messages everywhere that were meant for you. Why are they meant for you? Because you noticed them, and that counts for something. Pay attention. Listen to the nagging voices. Look around… the universe is calling.

 2. Find the right partner. Don’t settle. I was lucky enough to find the right person for me who stuck with me and supported me no matter what hair-brained idea I came up with that I wanted to try next. To achieve your goals, it is imperative to have the right person by your side who’s a best friend, a confidant and a support network. I have told all three of my sons that choosing a spouse is the most important choice they will ever make, above anything. The right one can make the world brighter and challenges seem easier to reach.

 3. Give back. Give thanks. This one’s a biggie. First, let me give you a small backstory. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Cambodia within my recent travels abroad, and it was a place that absolutely changed me to my core. The second day I was there I knew I had to do something, and decided to start working on a foundation. If you are able, find a cause, contribute and volunteer. If not money, then donate your time. There’s a story about a kid standing on the seashore amongst millions of starfish that had washed up and were dying. He began throwing them out one by one back into the sea, and when a stranger approached and asked him what kind of difference he expected to make, he threw another starfish back and replied, “I made a difference to that one”. Be that person.  Try to make a difference, even if it’s a small one, and I guarantee you will find yourself closer to your own goals by default.

 4. Get a tattoo. Or something similar. What I really mean is that it is important to have a daily physical reminder to be thankful, pursue your goals and keep trying. If you aren’t into tattoos, wear a meaningful bracelet or keep a list of your goals in your wallet. Make the reminders that you need to ground you tangible. While in Thailand I received a sak yant blessing tattoo from a monk. That is my tangible reminder, and I’ve run my fingers over the blessing every day since I received it. If you are ever in Thailand, I highly recommend taking an adventure to Wat Bang Phra outside of Bangkok to get tattooed by a monk. It’s a wonderfully rad experience.

 5. Be Real. Don’t compromise. Find your voice. Find who you are. Be genuine and true to yourself and don’t copy other people. I have sadly watched friendships destroyed over businesses, money takeover principles, and greed destroy love. There are people who will lie, cheat and steal to great ahead, but those people’s successes never last. Strive to be the kind of person that your grandmother would be proud to know. Cut and dry, be an awesome human, don’t stray from humanity and success will find you.

6. Think big. Life is finite. All of those things you want to do… go out and do them! You may not see how to get there at first, but perseverance wins. Perseverance mixed with big dreams… wins big. Be unstoppable. And then go to celebrate on the sandy beaches of Thailand.

IMG_8831-150x150Tiffani Shipman graduated from University of Oklahoma with degrees in Psychology and Sociology, received her RYT200 through Tiffany Cruikshank Yoga Medicine, and is currently studying Acupuncture, Holistic Therapy and Sports Medicine. She is a contributor to Misfit Yoga and Wellness and you can also find her blog, yoga schedule and more at www.tiffanishipman.com.  When she isn’t studying her craft or teaching yoga, you’ll find her playing practical jokes on her friends and family, restoring old cars, baking cupcakes, hula hooping, or enjoying a beer in the backyard. She resides in Edmond, Oklahoma with her husband and three boys.

Filed Under: Intentional Living, Yoga + Spirit Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

From Hana with Love

October 16, 2014 By Leave a Comment

It was something we never thought we could do (which has made it all the more powerful).

When our founder, Diana, tried to make it to Hana, Hawaii back in February she had to turn around at the halfway point after suffering from severe motion sickness.

Even though she was feeling a strong unexplainable pull to get there, she surrendered to her body and said to her husband “there’s probably nothing there I had to see anyway” (she was wrong).

A few days later while flipping through photos on Instagram she was e-introduced to our Tiny Devotions Ambassador Eliza Darling (who she then discovered lived in Hana).

Eliza embodies the spirit of Tiny Devotions. She is a beautiful yogini filled to the brim with energy, truth, strength and magic.

Diana instantly knew that this was the missing Hana piece and regret started to set in that she hadn’t made it.

Then the idea came to bring Hana to our Tiny Devotions community. It was partly selfish (we wanted to experience the free spirited, raw, and gorgeous life of untouched Hana ourselves). But it was so necessary for us. Anything you can’t do, is usually something you must do. We made some calls, pulled some lei’s and we got the breathtaking, awe inspiring photos to prove it.

If there is still a modern day bohemia it’s Hana, Hawaii and we are so thankful that Quincy, Eliza, Iris, Jess could bring it to us (and you)…

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Finding Bliss in Bali, Kundalini Style

October 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment

wanderlustmalaI just recently was lucky enough to travel to Bali with my boyfriend for three weeks. In answer to your question, yes it was as dreamy as it sounds. Prior to jetting off, my mind was filled with the thoughts of beaches, pristine rice fields and breezy afternoons spent meditating (think, Julia Roberts, Eat Pray Love). Bali most certainly did not disappoint and I know with certainty that it is a place I will have to visit again in my life.

In my research leading up to the trip, it became clear that checking out a yoga class while in Bali was a must. Bali is the home to many renowned yoga teachers, schools and retreats. My boyfriend and I splurged and spent two nights at the gorgeous, Desa Seni Eco Village. Desa Seni is a popular spot for tourists and locals to enjoy organic meals, relax in authentic Balinese cottages and of course, practice yoga.

I carefully studied the yoga schedule, and decided to try a class I was not as familiar with. While home in Vancouver, I love a sweaty Vinyasa Flow or Hot class. I have only practiced Kundalini once, so decided Bali would be the place I would learn more about this form of yoga. Despite being intimidated by a sea of experienced yogis, I joined them for Kundalini on a beautiful Bali morning.

desaseni1Before entering into practice, our instructor gave us a brief introduction to Kundalini. This tiny, tanned, glowing yogi explained that Kundalini practice involves repeated movements and chants with the intention of awakening and strengthening the spiritual and physical body. She said that “if you aren’t feeling some sort of discomfort during your practice, you are probably doing something wrong.”

This discomfort kicked in almost immediately as I bumbled through chants (note to self: learn Sanskrit) and felt my arms nearly light on fire as we moved them up and down, in circles and every other which way for minutes on end. In addition to warning us of the potential for pain, our instructor explained that some people claim to experience a unique sense of euphoria during and after Kundalini practice.

As we moved towards the end of class, something funny happened. While chanting (I learned to fake it) and pushing my body through repetitive, taxing motions, I felt an energy buzzing through myself and the yogis around me. The more I leaned into the discomfort, the more exhilarated I felt after the posture was over. I left that class feeling amazing and alive.

desaseni4The post-Kundalini bliss lasted a few days and over that time I began to think about the parallels between this practice of yoga and travel itself. Like Kundalini, travel involves discomfort, uncertainty and sometimes pain. I experienced mind-numbing jet lag, was pummelled by a wave while relaxing on the beach and learned the hard way that my stomach and Indonesian pizza are not friends.

But, as I worked through these travel woes I also felt near perfect moments like watching the sunset on Lombok (an island off Bali), swimming in a pool, in our private pool with my lovely man and seeing countless Balinese people greet me with some of the most genuine smiles I’ve ever seen. These moments and my post-Kundalini endorphins would not have felt the same without enduring some discomfort beforehand.

These feelings of bliss may not always require some prior struggle, but in my experience they often do. Whether it is in travel, your yoga practice, or life in general, the good can sometimes come with some struggle. I wore my Wanderlust Mala, throughout my trip in Bali. Whenever I look at it, I am reminded of this beautiful contradiction. You don’t need to travel to Bali to experience this. Embrace the discomfort of a new job, yoga class (I highly recommend Kundalini!), or whatever feels foreign or scary to you. I guarantee you will get a least a little bliss out of it.

Liz works in Digital Engagement at lululemon athletica.  Books are her one true love, with Pinterest as a close second. Expressing her thoughts and wisdom through writing is what lights her up. Her goal is to one day work as a freelance writer. See what she is up to on Instagram, @lady__lizz. ?

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Devotion to the Ocean: How to Rock Mermaid Style on Land

August 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Processed with VSCOcam with k2 presetMorning surf sessions are vital.  Although they don’t leave much time (or energy) for getting ready post-slide, we have Mother Nature to thank for helping us out.  The transition from sea to land isn’t as tough as we think.  Mermaid style is effortless.  It is as simple as cutoffs over a bikini and coconut oil in your hair… minimal or no make-up and gold dainty jewelry.  The little secret to the mermaid muse is… it’s easy.  And we like easy.  Because let’s face it.. we’d rather be surfing.  Here are a few style tips every sea babe should know:

1.  Find jewelry you can wear in and out of the water.  I am constantly in and out of the water and I don’t have time to be taking my jewelry on and off.  Tiny Devotions has an awesome line of feel-good jewelry that literally exude positive energy as soon as you put them on.  I have the Gangster Stack that came with me to Maui.. in the water, sand, and all elements.

It was packaged with a lovely reminder of what each bracelet represented.  This is a bettering stack – The ‘how to” of awesomeness for the strong goddess.  A pretty reminder of how strong you truly are.

  • Faceted Labradorite: The stone of good fortune and new beginnings.  Labradorite also helps with a good aura.  Cultivating a good energy attracts fabulous things.
  • Faceted Pyrite: The stone of luck and fire and protection.  For the fiery spirit who get’s things done.
  • Faceted Hematitle: This is a strength stone and grounding.  In ancient times, Hematite was actually used as a mirror – a vision into oneself.  If you don’t think you’re strong, who will?

2. Coconut Oil is your best friend.  Head on over to your local health food store and pick up a jar of this goodness.  You will use it for EVERYTHING.

tumblr_inline_n9a5r4CD1h1qd5fyb3. Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen.  If you love the ocean as much as I do, you should make sure to give your skin constant TLC.  Protection and post-nourishing skin-care is extremely important.

4.  Effortless beach waves are a forever yes.  Don’t have time to run to the ocean to get your hair all salty?  There is still hope to waking up with those beach locks you love.  This, this, and this.  You’ll thank me later.

5.  Always keep a bikini, beach blanket, and sandals in the back of your car. Enough said.

6. Save money on clothes, so you can buy surfboards and pretty fins.  Find awesome statement pieces from your favorite brands, and then stick with the basics.  Boyfriend jeans, vintage washed tee’s, cutoff’s, and bikinis are pretty much what I’ve been living in lately.

7.  Sun-kissed skin can be safe.  Bronzer will give you an extra glow, you won’t have to do much more (this is the one I use and I will never go back to any other brand.. Leaves my skin bright and sun kissed all day long).  My usual beauty routine consists of tamed brows, a dust of bronzer, blush, and a little illuminating powder.

Processed with VSCOcam with k3 preset8. Less is more.  Makeup is used to compliment your beauty, not cover it up.  Use the “less is more” mentality when applying and let your beauty shine through.  It gives you more time to enjoy little things, like your favorite cup of tea in the morning, or one extra wave.

9. Get a good pair of sunnies.  Keep your eyes happy and find a pair of sunglasses you love.  Sunglasses are like a marriage.. you’ll want them forever and feel kind of lost without them.  I literally take mine everywhere.  Everywhere.  I wear them more than I wear shoes.

10. Smile.  It’s good for the soul.

Now get off the computer and go in the ocean, you mermaid.

Processed with VSCOcam with k2 presetArtist, surfer, and designer, Taylr Kreutziger was born and raised from salt and sand.  The ocean is her home and inspiration.  With an eye for simplicity and collaboration, Taylr’s personal style is the foundation of the The August Fox aesthetic. From her study of Fine Arts, to her involvement in the surf community, Taylr is perpetually submerged in creativity. Her organic, sea-centric creative style, captured in a series of photographs, paintings, and illustrations displayed at gallery shows, paved the way for the creative adventure that is The August Fox.

Website: taylranne.tumblr.com

Instagram: @taylranne

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Our Recipe for an EPIC Bohemian Summer…

July 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment

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     http://shop.lovetinydevotions.com/ 

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Surf’s Up! Get Bikini Ready in 5 Easy Steps

May 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment

IMG_7958By Beata Rydyger BSc, RHN

The dog days of summer are well upon us – finally! – which means you’re probably gearing up to bare it all at the beach, pool or just because. Whether you’re an east- or west-coaster (or somewhere in between), you’ll surely agree that summer promotes shorter hemlines and slimmer waistlines. But before embarking on a caffeine-induced mega-marathon at the gym, check out these 5 simple tips that will have you bikini-ready before you can shout “surf’s up!”.

Count nutrients, not calories

Sounds shocking but it’s true! Calories are nothing more than a number and a nasty source of restriction with little value to overall health and vitality. Instead, fill up on foods that are closest to their natural state like seasonal fruits and vegetables, fibrous whole grains like quinoa or millet, power-packed proteins like hemp seeds and essential fats like the omega-3’s to guarantee a full spectrum of nutrients. Doing so will keep your metabolism high and fat-burners set to full blast. Become a clean eating machine and kick calories to the curb—for good!

fgrG-DMbJBLImD-D74IFNEM0ArQAqCZtkUgWSYBCStYChew chew chew!

Here’s a weight-loss remedy so simple that even a bunny rabbit can do it: chew, chew, chew! You can eat all the nutritious foods you want but if your digestion isn’t up to par your waistline will suffer. Chew your food at least 10–15 times before swallowing or until it feels like soup in your mouth (which is gross, but good!). This allows the digestive enzymes in your saliva to start breaking down food particles so that your stomach and intestines don’t work overtime. The result is better absorption of nutrients, more efficient elimination of waste and a flatter, bloat-free belly.

Ditch the drip

Sorry my dear java-drinking boho beauties but attaining that bikini-ready bod might mean cutting out coffee or at least trimming to one cup per day. Believe it or not but when you drink coffee your body releases many of the same hormones as when you’re stressed. These hormones, namely cortisol, wreak havoc on your insides by boosting inflammation, causing blood-sugar instability and by affecting fat storage and abdominal weight gain! Try cleaner, reduced-caffeine alternatives like green tea, yerba mate or caffeine-free coffee subs like Dandy Blend, kombucha or rooibos tea.

j_mVg1AgHFpvcNQuekrHRVpBHwz05xqSp9f116CaypQSnack smart

Eating 3 meals a day is becoming so outdated it’s ancient! Nowadays it’s all about snacking—and snacking smart! That means you want to be noshing on 3 or so mini meals and 2–3 snacks per day. This allows the body’s blood sugar levels to remain stable so as not to disrupt insulin levels and fat storage. As a quick rule of thumb: add protein to each snack, eat slow and eat until you feel almost full.

Before you catch a wave, catch some ZZZ’s

Getting an adequate amount of shut-eye per night is just as important as daily exercise for optimal weight loss and management. When you compromise sleep your body produces more of the hormones that trigger hunger and fewer of the hormones that reduce appetite. On top of that your body becomes depleted of nutrients that help keep stress in check and blood sugars stable! Tips for a solid sleep? Avoid eating at least 3 hours before bedtime and sleep in complete darkness sans electronics. Sweet dreams!

Beata Rydyger is a Holistic Nutritionist. Health Writer. and Natural beauty expert. Find more of her below: 

5kHcgObbFacebook: She Lives Clean
Twitter: @shelivesclean
Instagram: @shelivesclean

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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