Inside The Bungalow
Nourishment for Body, Mind & Spirit
Betty & Carrie (1972)
To be mother/daughter and business partners is a tremendous gift. Our mission is to provide quality products and services, fun activities and special events in a friendly historic neighborhood setting to foster community relationships, self discovery, and personal growth. Our blog is a reflection of the community we are creating at Inside The Bungalow.ITB Newsletter Sign Up
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Inside The Bungalow
Month One: Intention
I always giggle when I am given material (aka real life experiences) to use as examples in my classes and workshops. These examples provide reminders of what happens when my life becomes imbalanced. Old habit patterns of judgment, inferiority, and doubt kick into full swing. These are the times when I add too many responsibilities to my plate (the classic overachiever, perfectionist). These are the times when I grow overwhelmed (the victim role). These are the times when I create dis-connection, distance, separation from myself and all those close to me. I shut down and assume auto pilot mode. Before I found yoga, I could live on auto pilot mode for days, weeks, even months. One of the greatest gifts, I have personally experienced through yoga, is the ability to wake up. Over the years, I have learned to laugh at myself when I feel so self important and feel the need to overcompensate by adding to my plate. I have witnessed the pain and suffering from dis-connection. I am grateful that it takes much less time to recognize the signs of imbalance in my life because of yoga.
Each year, I create an intention. Intention gives way to purpose. With purpose, I am not quite as easily distracted. It's easier for me to stay focused and balanced. "Intention is defined as a course of action one tends to follow; an aim that guides action; an objective." Robin, Ingrid, and I have been having so much fun planning our upcoming workshop series, A Woman's Rite of Passage. The first month is about creating intention. I always ask myself two questions as I create an intention:
1. What do I want to create more of in my life? (ie. patience, compassion, forgiveness, balance, friendship, love, etc.)
2. In order to create space for my intention, what am I willing to let go of? (ie. self doubt, criticism, fear, anger)
Check back this week as we explore intention. I'd love to hear what intention means to you or what you do to create intention, purpose, aim in your life.
Namste',
Carrie
Children: The Portal To Our Future Workshop w/Yola Ghammashi
$30.00 Friday January 22nd from 6pm to 9pm
I CANNOT WAIT for this workshop. Yola is an amazing spirit who has shared so much wisdom with Chris and me regarding parenting. She has shared how to turn ordinary experiences into what she refers to as "teachable moments." How do we honor our children's spirits and yet set healthy boundaries, teach accountability, responsibility & patience? Come join me Friday for conversation, refreshments, and other like minded parents looking to help nurture our children.
Haiti Fundraiser w/Ingrid & Gretchen
Join Senior ITB yoga instructor Ingrid Ortega, tonight at 5pm for healing, love & Sunset Yoga. Gretchen Bickert will end the offering with a soothing Gong Meditation. All donations will be offered to the Red Cross.
5pm to 6:20pm
Inside The Bungalow
48 N. Robson
Mesa, AZ 85201
www.insidethebungalow.com
Equanimity Versus Reactivity
I recently had a discussion with a couple of my students about equanimity versus reactivity. Why is it that similar life experiences leave some people stronger, more grounded, humble, aware and others seem to remain "stuck", unconscious, and continue to repeat these negative life experiences? Yoga instructor and psychologist, Bo Forbes reminds us that, "according to yogic philosophy, we're born with a karmic inheritance of mental and emotional impressions- known as samskaras- through which we cycle again and again during our lives." For me, the potential to embrace equanimity versus reactivity has evolved over the years through my yoga practice. My mat has provided countless opportunities to challenge old thought patterns, emotions, and habits.
Yoga teaches us how to shift our perspective and remain in the moment. It is the human condition to avoid pain and seek pleasure. At the hint of pain, through past conditioning, we label our experience. For example, when we move into an uncomfortable pose, the natural tendency is to react, to resist. We may react mentally through our thoughts: "My right thigh really hurts in this Warrior A. I don't like this. The room is too hot." We may react physically by fidgeting, moving hair out of our eyes or looking around the room. We may also react by holding the breath. As we learn to shift our perspective on our mat, we learn to stop labeling our experience. Instead of becoming irritated that our right thigh hurts, we notice burning, vibration, pulsation, heat. Instead of fidgeting, we breathe into the sensation as it builds. In remaining present to each individual sensation, thought, emotion, breath, we realize that the only constant is change. Just as feelings arise, they dissolve.
As we cultivate this awareness on our mat, we learn to take it into our daily lives as well. What a different experience our daily trip to the grocery store would be. Would you count the number of items in the person's cart in front of you because it appears they have more than the allotted 15 items in the express lane? When we begin to recognize the impermanence of life, we are invited to awaken to the miracle and beauty of each moment. Instead of having a conversation with our children, while on the phone, we learn to give them our undivided attention because we will never get back that moment on that day on that time. When we experience each moment on and off our mat in this manner, we experience the grace, the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Yoga teaches us how to shift our perspective and remain in the moment. It is the human condition to avoid pain and seek pleasure. At the hint of pain, through past conditioning, we label our experience. For example, when we move into an uncomfortable pose, the natural tendency is to react, to resist. We may react mentally through our thoughts: "My right thigh really hurts in this Warrior A. I don't like this. The room is too hot." We may react physically by fidgeting, moving hair out of our eyes or looking around the room. We may also react by holding the breath. As we learn to shift our perspective on our mat, we learn to stop labeling our experience. Instead of becoming irritated that our right thigh hurts, we notice burning, vibration, pulsation, heat. Instead of fidgeting, we breathe into the sensation as it builds. In remaining present to each individual sensation, thought, emotion, breath, we realize that the only constant is change. Just as feelings arise, they dissolve.
As we cultivate this awareness on our mat, we learn to take it into our daily lives as well. What a different experience our daily trip to the grocery store would be. Would you count the number of items in the person's cart in front of you because it appears they have more than the allotted 15 items in the express lane? When we begin to recognize the impermanence of life, we are invited to awaken to the miracle and beauty of each moment. Instead of having a conversation with our children, while on the phone, we learn to give them our undivided attention because we will never get back that moment on that day on that time. When we experience each moment on and off our mat in this manner, we experience the grace, the extraordinary in the ordinary.
A Woman's Rite of Passage
Robin, Carrie, Ingrid at the St. Baldrick's Fundraiser 2009
"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."
~Joseph CambellHave you ever met someone and instantly felt that soulful connection? No words need to be spoken because you already understand each other...when you laugh together, you laugh with belly, eyes, and everything in between...Have you ever met someone and when you are at your worst, they love you even more for being human? Have you ever read The Red Tent and longed for that type of camaraderie between women? Can you imagine what it would feel like to feel completely supported to be you? What would you be willing to let go of? What would you be willing to try in order to reach new limits?
It is every woman's rite to feel loved, whole, sacred, and complete. There was a time when women came together, to support each other, to feel connected, and to help each other grow. Join Robin, Ingrid, & Carrie as they journey beyond the typical New Year's Resolution and commit to a year of personal growth, support, and truth. Create an intention for the New Year and each month gain tools through yoga practice, meditation, journaling, community, and more to help lay the foundation and seeds for your intention.
Last Friday in January 6pm to 9pm, First Fridays February through November 6pm to 9pm
Month One: January 29th: Intention
Month Two: February 5th: Empathy
Month Three: March 5th: Awareness
Month Four: April 2nd: Obstacles to Our Path
Month Five: May 7th: Fear
Month Six: June 4th: Trust and Surrender
Month Seven: July 2nd: Courage and Contentment
Month Eight: August 6th: Speaking Our Truth
Month Nine: September: 3rd: Balance
Month Ten: October 1st: Abundance
Month Eleven: November 5th: Gratitude
Month Twelve: Weekend of December 3rd-5th: Grace
Pre-registration: $30.00 per workshop; Registration day of event: $40.00 per workshop
(Receive a 10% discount by pre-registering for the first eleven months $324.00)
December pricing TBA once retreat details are finalized.
Click here to register. Spaces are filling up. We hope you take this journey with us.
Happy Holidays From Our Family to Yours
Thank you for sharing 2009 with us. Our family wishes you peace, joy, and love this holiday season. We look forward to sharing 2010 with you!!!
Author Jack Gilbert coming to ITB
Dr. Jack Gilbert is an expert in character education. Until now his focus has ben on what it takes to do the right thing at work, especially when our values rub up against opposing pressures. Gilbert's Fables reflects his commitment to help nurture children so they grow to live satisfying and giving lives shaped by positive values. They also reflect his commitment to support adults who love and care for children by providing them with ways to nurture positive values.
Jack is a presenter, academic, consultant and writer. He is the author of Strengthening Ethical Wisdom published in 2007 in which he addresses what it takes to do the right thing every day in health care organizations. He is director of the Master of Healthcare Innovation program and a faculty member in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University.
He earned his doctorate from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Jack is the father of three grown children.
Join Dr. Jack Gilbert at ITB December 11th 7:30pm
(He will be sharing excerpts from his latest book)
Inside The Bungalow
48 N. Robson
(located in historic downtown Mesa)
To learn more about Dr. Jack Gilbert and his new book, click here.
To learn more about Dickens on Main and the December 11th 2nd Friday, click here.
Real Wedding: Rian and Janet
Rian and Janet were married on November 15th. They were so much fun to work with. They were so sweet, nervous, and passionate for each other. It was a very special and emotional day because Janet's dad was able to attend the wedding and walk her down the aisle. Although I forgot my camera, we had the pleasure of working with a new photographer: Ivan Martinez. Ivan posted the below photos on his blog today:
It is always magical for me to see ITB through the eyes of amazing photographers. Ivan, what a beautiful job you did!! Check out his website here and more photos of Rian and Janet's wedding here.
Congratulations Rian and Janet! We wish you much joy and growth as you continue your journey together.
Best wishes,
Carrie
Best wishes,
Carrie
Real Wedding: Jen and Brandon
More photos from Jen and Brandon's wedding. I love when we get to work with authentic, sincere, and genuine couples. What I loved about Jen and Brandon is that they never lost sight of why they were marrying~ as a commitment to each other. Congratulations again you two!!