Susan enjoying the Three Minute Egg block

Susan and many others this week had the opportunity to "play" with these blocks. Many people really enjoyed them! I feel a big difference when I use these rather than conventional blocks.

Now for a happy post

I needed to get that stuff off my chest. Vic and I celebrated out 15th anniversary on Thursday. I taught classes until 8 so we celebrated on Friday night. We went to the Red Pepper Deli for dinner and then to the Tipping Point Theatre to see Shakespeare Abridged. It was so funny my stomach hurt until Saturday from all the laughing. We really needed that after the gloomy week we had. It was nice to spend some time together, without having to do anything.

15 years ago if you would have told me that we would have had a vegan raw dinner to celebrate our anniversary, I would have been like "yea right." Wow how we have changed, for the better!

Check out the http://www.tippingpointtheatre.org/. Saturday between classes I popped into Twelve Oaks and picked up some white jeans and a cute cutout tank top. We had my sister's family over that night and Susie and I went into the hot tub. I felt so relaxed, the glass of chardonnay helped too. We're off to Ann Arbor now. Get outside and be present!

What a week!

We had a very emotionally draining week. We have received news of the death of one of the fathers in our football family. Another friend of the family lost a daughter and her fiancee to a drug overdose, two young fathers we know are in the hospital from cycling accidents and a dear fellow yogi's son had a terrible accident on his motorcycle and is still (thankfully) in the hospital. All this tragedy and pain reminds me to be more thankful for our health, and all the blessings of love life and family. According to the yoga community, karma is played out to take the soul where it is supposed to be. Accidents, deaths and tragedies are hard to accept and harder to cope with. Just knowing that there is a plan and that we are not in control, that we can't really make decisions because life has a funny way of seeping in is a bitter pill to swallow sometimes. All my thoughts and prayers go out to these families in their time of need. All my classes this week sent their positive energy to Christopher who is thankfully recovering from his motor cross accident. Gratitude for the goodness and the shadows that make us grow is necessary. It's about the balance in life.

Good karma

What does it mean to give or have good karma? During the karma flow class at the conference, Seane Corn said that karma exists to take a soul to it's path through this lifetime. What happens is supposed to happen. Not easy to understand or accept sometimes. Good karma is the act of kindness, forgiveness or loving. Non-judgmental acceptance and an ability to see the right where we find wrong is a gift. She shared many amazing stories and really inspired me to be more active in human rights movements. She said that she continues to do activist work to keep her good karma flow coming. Greed and hoarding stop karma and we become a smaller version of ourselves. Checkout the work she is doing www.offthematintotheworld.org.

Give some good karma today! A smile, hug or a prayer for someone spreads this goodness.

Thanks for the suggestion Jen, the pic I took does look good as the header for my blog!

Hmmmm, nice day to garden

A pic of a sunset that we enjoyed last night. How gorgeous.

I should correct myself, I actually pulled weeds and trimmed everything. I managed to finish my planting yesterday so all my annuals are in. My perennials are really blossoming. Gardening was my first real joy in life, followed by cooking, my husband, antiquing, then my kids, then yoga. I still have special affection for all my "attachments," especially the human ones. My flower children are my most forgiving, as I have not been as attentive lately. Oh if they could talk..."she forgot to water us, when is she going to put more humus and manure on us, why are all these weeds soaking up our water.?" My families long term goal is to have some land and a small "farm" actually a goat to eat the grass and chickens to eat the bugs in the gardens. I love animals and would love to have some space to let the dogs run wild. Green Acres...hmm...interesting.

Cool cleaning products that I love!

Mrs. Meyer's lemon verbeena is so awesome, got the shower spray too. The caldrea counter cleaner and dish soap are basil blue sage. I also got the dishwasher powder. These products are natural, safe, and smell amazing!!

Mark Whitwell

I had the luck to meet this amazing yogi at the conference and I can finally say that there is a video to recommend. You can get his video at Amazon.com or other online sources.

goodies from Lush

My latest trip to Lush yielded a new face mask called The Sacred Truth. It has neroli oil and is made for nurturing my kind of skin, not young or old. It smells so good I did not want to take it off! It left my skin feeling so soft! I also got another seanik shampoo. I love it, it leaves my hair so soft! I got a sample of gorgeous face cream, it also smells divine, and is so silky! I finally got Garrett to use his honey bee bath bomb, he was saving it because he loved how it smelled. He had a blast in the tub!

Three Minute Egg

I got a set of these ergonomically designed yoga blocks yesterday. The kids tested them and loved them. I placed them under my lumbar and laid back for a while to relax after that 5 hour ride. I did feel a sense of support that allowed my muscles to relax. Can't wait to play with them in class!

Where to begin?

Cindy, Mark, Gretchen and moi

Lilas Folan

Paul Grilley, he gave us Yin Yoga and so much more.

Oh my, I look terrible in that photo. My eyes were so puffy! I slept good but could have used another hour or two. I got home late yesterday (7:45), was so incredibly happy to see my family! I had to decompress for a little while, a long car ride does wonders on your lumbar! I was so saturated from all the information that I could barely contain it in my brain. I was debriefed on all the male bonding that transpired over the weekend (dinner and games at Lucky's, the boys' friends came over on Saturday for play dates and then more guys over on Saturday night to watch the Wings, way too much junk food, pop and Xbox). As I sat on one sofa conversing with my husband who was on the other sofa, he looks over at me and very sweetly said " I really understand how important balance is. Without you here we ate terribly, had way too much activity (the poor puppies were having fits, way too much stimulation for them) and I would never make the house this pretty. As I was watering all the flowers you planted, I thought "I would never do this, the house would be so ugly." He went on the say "this is your house, you worked so hard to make it so beautiful. Without you the house is so imbalanced." I looked over, smiled and nodded. He had a yoga moment. Balance. They were starving for home made food. I was exhausted but happily made them dinner, knowing how much they missed the love I imbued into my cooking. We cuddled, finished up homework and got to bed. The puppies look relieved, they have barely moved this morning (such a testosterone hangover)! Now on to the conference. Where I can, I include web links so you can check things out for yourself and to help spread the word for the amazing people that I met this weekend!

As with everything I have been introduced to through my teacher, I was pleasantly surprised and totally overwhelmed by the depth and richness of the experience. Not knowing what to expect and not wasting energy thinking about it I simply accepted what transpired and appreciated it.

I was graciously adopted by Gretchen and Cindy when Nikki backed out at the last minute. Gretchen drove us and I am so appreciative! We spent a lot of time learning, eating and singing together. We started out together on this yoga journey and I am so lucky to know them.

We arrived at the hotel at 11:00 Thursday night and was wiped out from the drive. I went to bed quickly knowing that I had an early morning.

I attended a 7am meditation session with Johnnie, he had us go through a brief asana to warm and stretch. Afterward I spoke to him and told him that I had given up coffee for good. He asked "how long? " I replied "6 weeks," and that I had only done so for three people, him and my two boys when I was pregnant. I told him that his constant reminders sank in, and it wasn't until I asked myself why I needed coffee, that I was able to understand my habit and break it. A big hug and huge smile affirmed that he was happy that I listened. Then I went onto a class with Seane Corn, she is amazing. She tailored that class to the teachers, as there were so many of us in the room. So much information streamed out of her it was like a river! She encouraged us to sequence classes with substance and not flash. Everything resonated with me and I am so inspired! I had another class with her on chakra flows and how the chakras that are blocked can affect the body physically, another amazing class. Then I went to Paul Grilley's Yin yoga class, got the lowdown from the man himself! He is funny and really pragmatic. He kindly posed for a picture as I told him that he is a celebrity in my house, and that the kids didn't believe that I was meeting him. We watched the bone anatomy video a few times during teacher training and the kids call him the bone man. His information really changed and enhanced my understanding of how bones and anatomy affect postures. His inspiration was Pauly Zink, who was a yogi who was "never hurt." Check him out at www.Pauliezink.com. I met Jason from http://www.threeminuteegg.com/ who developed a ergonomically designed yoga block. He gave me a set to share, along with a video so I can learn how to use them to help others deepen their practice. Friday night wrapped up with a Kirtan concert with Steve Ross.

Saturday morning began with a "start the day in a sacred way with Lilas Folan, Queen of Yoga on PBS. She shared a Native American dance, song and light ceremony with us, she is so funny, nice and a generous soul. Went onto Saul David Raye's Life Bliss Meditation class, amazing! I got the CD to use at home. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced and it really made sense too.

Now for the revelation that the universe aligns us for the path we are chosen to take. I jumped classes to attend Mark Whitwell's because I felt like I needed to, in some strange way. It was difficult for me to choose classes in February not knowing what to take, so I trusted my intuition. Wow am I happy I did. I was honored, blessed and just lucky to be in this man's presence. His wisdom, basic belief in the power of love and unity settled in like never before. I can honestly say that he affirmed my belief in what I have found yoga to truly be, and what is really important. I have found my anti-guru! Buy his video, listen to him as he speaks the truth! http://www.heartofyoga.com/

Another Seane Corn class, Karma flow...more amazing information and a quote I will never forget " Ignore the story, see the soul, love always and never regret" Billy S.

Wade Morrisette delivered an amazing Kirtan concert and we had a blast! I got some great hugs to pass around! We had a nice discussion with Mark and Raj (an Oncologist attending the conference) after the concert.

Sunday morning began with the Swami (formerly known ad Rama Birch). She taught us the proper technique for saying Om. You can practice it so it resonates all throughout your body. It was very moving and beautiful. I went to Annie Carpenter's relax deeply class, it was very yin oriented and just what I needed. I wrapped up the day with Vinnie Marinos' arm balance class. Whew! Lots of headstand to bakasana, and so many others. Got a few new cool ones! I got a super cool tank top and headband from http://www.iloveyoga.com/. Moses designs the shirts and they are a one of a kind work of art. He doesn't sell the patchwork styles online because they are one of a kind but if you contact him he will make one for you and send it to you. Check mine out in class. He is so nice, and talented. I also got a cool shirt from http://www.beloveforall.org/, check them out! Mine is black with pink sprays of flowers and the words "my life is my message."

Before leaving for work today, Vic looked at me and repeated his appreciation for my presence and the balance that I bring to our home and lives. I am so thankful for his ability to see what is, and what has to be. His request was for a vegetarian week as he overdid it this weekend. I said" no problem!"

That sums it up! Live in love for when you do everything else falls in place. Namaste, Tricia

Day 2 still alive!

I am having so much fun! I just had a session to start the day in a sacred way with Lilas Folan. She is so funny and nice! I am attending a life bliss meditation session now. More to come. Namaste, Tricia

Three classes and I'm beat

I am so tired and I want to finish my mint tea, so I'll share a little of me to let it cool a bit. I taught three classes today, I am trying to get all my stuff ready for the conference and cleaned the house all day. How did you guess that you can't tell that it was cleaned? Well, I left to teach and my family went cookoo as usual! The impermance of life is really rearing it's head today in many ways. Goodnight!

Here is a view of my gorgeous iris. Ahh the majesty of nature

So much to say!

At church today our Pastor said that we have to weather many storms in our lives, just as Jesus and the disciples did when the sea tossed their boat to the point of near death. The point he made was that we need to trust Jesus to be there and to have faith that we will be okay. I can honestly say that I feel at peace and generally happy. I feel free from the anxiety of worrying about the economy and the future, as those are not in my control. I just trust God that I will be fine and work my hardest to serve his as best as I can. I feel so fortunate to be able to share yoga and the message of peaceful acceptance and gratitude with all those that practice with me. I try to be very careful not to come across as I am attempting to evangelize. There are better times and places for that. My hope for all who practice with me is that they can come to a realization that they are where they should be and that they will be fine if they find internal happiness. freedom from external expectations is bliss in itself!



My blogging has really suffered due to my early nights. I did have one cup of coffee this morning, and did not enjoy it. Just checking. Rosehip and green tea worked well today. A few months ago I was thinking about tracking down a book or resource to help me balance vegan recipes. I am very concerned about getting the right amount of amino acids, proper protein and other essential nutrients. I serve quite a few vegan meals to my family and want to make sure that we aren't going to become malnourished. I have been pretty obsessed with nutrition and my kid's health and vitality are a pretty good indication that I have been doing my best.


We watched the Secret tonight, again. I swear we need to watch it over and over to remind ourselves, especially the kids that the Law of Attraction pervades all in our lives. I try to live in bliss as much as I can and can honestly say that compared to a few years ago, I am not the same person that I was, in such a good way! I was not a bad person, just a nervous, competitive, anxious and materialistic one. Wow, it is really easy to say that now, honesty is very telling of where we were and where we are now. So the point about the Secret is that we can attract what we need. I found an awesome book about vegan nutrition for athletes! Brendan Brazier took two years to develop a balanced nutrition profile that meets his needs as a Professional Ironman Triathlete. It has a lot of good recipes, many raw and very easy to use. Hey the secret worked! The book is titled Thrive, The Vegan Nutrition Guide.



We went to One World Market and got some Japanese food and then went to Happy Hippo Pastry house to get our favorite pastries.



I'm so excited about the conference. I am going to blog a lot of pics of our conference antics and will give tips along the way that I pick up.



My mother in law is having a ball in Hong Kong and is really enjoying her time with baby Ashton. He is such a cutie!

Donation Yoga in Northville is up and running!!

Every Monday at 8:15 pm and Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9 am we meet for a slow flow yoga practice that centers around the breath, feeling the movements and presence.

Miss Harriet's Dance Studio in scenic Downtown Northville.
133 W. Main Suite 190
In the Northville Square Mall

Flowers, yoga and soup

I went to Johnnie's class yesterday and I can still feel it today. That to me is the sign of a good class. I definitely could not do another one today. I did practice a mild slow flow and breath for a while. For the last few days, I have been busily planting the annuals and veggies that I got this weekend. I had a piece of vegetable lasagna from Nico and Vali for lunch today. It is so amazingly delicious, with tender pasta, the right amount of sauteed veggies and a perfect cream sauce. Nico and Vali is a small Italian eatery in Plymouth. Check them out for authentic Italian food that is fresh and Ala cart. Also try the almond cake, it is mouth watering. I chaperoned Garrett's class on a field trip to the Natural History Museum at U of M. We love this place and have been there at least 6 times, but this time we had a guided tour of the dinosaurs and got to touch fossils. My lunch was really late and I was famished, so I really enjoyed every bite. Great food makes me happy and I don't miss meat at all! I made a huge pot of vegan veggie soup and I have been eating it pretty much all day long for three days now.

The recipe is very easy, I use all organic ingredients

The night before soak one cup of organic dried beans in water, rinse once or twice

coarsely chop 1/2 pound of baby bella or crimini mushrooms and saute in Olive oil

add in :
1 onion diced
5 stalks celery diced
1/2 to 3/4 pound carrots diced
saute until soft
add in:
1/2 head of cabbage, sliced into fine shreds
6 cloves garlic
2 chopped tomatoes
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes with broth
1 6oz can tomato paste
add in pre soaked beans minus the soaking water
1 cup barley
enough water to cover everything with a few inches left over
simmer for while until the beans are tender

Now add some salt to taste and pepper, chop up a whole bunch of flat leaf parsley and throw it in. Enjoy!

Learn about yourself

When is the last time you really thought about why you do the things you do? This question really hit me today as I was in class today. Why I drive 40 minutes to take a class, why I can now not drink coffee and not want it. Introspection and self evaluation are valuable tools that we have to learn to break down our patterns and habits. I absolutely love taking classes and need to fit a few more in per week. My home practice always leads to arm balances and not enough of the postures that I have difficulty with. It is so important to have a teacher to lead you on your journey of self exploration. This teacher can be yourself in the form of journaling and looking back at events and how you processed them. It could be reflecting on difficulties with a trusted friend or family member. Discover ways to look inward not outward for happiness and a greater understanding of why you are who you are.

Three weeks of coffee free life!

This goes to show you that someone can say things for a while and repeat themselves and someone is listening! Johnnie repeatedly encouraged us to give up coffee during teacher training, and at every class that I attended. His constant reminders rang in my ears and it stuck. I have listened to him say this for nine months, it took me being ready for it to happen. I am coffee free and really happy about the relaxed outlook that I have. I am not jittery and do not have the highs and lows that I had with constant coffee consumption.

Live your life as an example for those around you to follow. Lead others to believe that they can be the best and to acheive their dreams. Most importantly live in love.

Namaste, Tricia

Quote of the Week

Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.
Mahatma Gandhi

Interesting weekend

I hosted a party for 50 people this Saturday. I was running out the door with my sister to the church service. We hopped into her car and I realized half way there that I forgot my slip. She is such an awesome sister, without hesitation she said "Here take mine, I'm wearing a heavier skirt and it won't show." I told her that I was going to blog about it. She is so awesome! She ordered four gourmet cheese cakes for the party, they were so good. The cheesecaks ladie's business is called the Sugarplum Fairy. We had such a fun time, the party lasted until 3am! I spent most of Mother's day straightening out the house and just finished up today.

New classes

Contact me at yogatrish@wowway.com to find out where the new Weds and Friday classes at 9am are.