How to backbend

Happy Thursday DXB!

I'll keep this short.
This week has been a whirlwind.. with an ever expanding to-do list and a messy bed. I just want to vent on the topic of health and wellness considering the amount of dumb conversations I've heard this week.
"Are you an a diet?"
NO. I just eat healthy.

"You are young, this is when your body is strong and you should eat everything and enjoy your life"

Oh really? How did that work out for you dear 30year old beluga with arthritis? - I'm not blessed with the strongest metabolism of asian women or the muscle definition of black women. I am willing to work for it and I'll do the best I can to prevent looking like death at 30.

"You should try taking XY vitamins and Blabla supplements"

Don't mess with me unless your a certified nutritionist or a doctor. Nothing works unless you get your ass off your couch.

"Yoga is a hindu practice, I am Christian/Muslim"

Read a book. I can't help you with your ignorant statement. And don't talk to me about Jesus with that KFC in yo mouth.

I'm DONE.

And for those who care - this is what I've been working on perfecting. Eventually I wanna be able to drop back without support and get into a handstand without breaking in half lol. I love inversions! can you tell?? Namaste!

Lifting one leg straight up while in upward bow/full wheel (Urdhva Dhanurasana) will help you work on your core strength! Sorry I had to crop the pics - I didn't realize how short my shorts were lol

xo

How to make an attempt.

Hey guys!

I just realized I had a 24 hr day last Friday. 4.30am to 4.30am! Is it safe to say that I officially have a life now?? ...Probably not.

#DRR10K

The morning's first event - the Dubai Road Runners10k was my second 10k race ever and for someone who almost never does hill training (I live in Dubai and hate treadmills) I was pretty proud of myself. That 9th monsterously uphill kilometer was sincerely just a mental game.  And guess who was waiting at the top of the hill?? - A photographer!! lol - there goes my chance to get a good pic this time around. Life after that last kilometer though.... A+




My day was filled with genuinely good people, great food and phenomenal drinks. Endorphins FTW. Here are a few pics and hashtags to go along with them.

Gaucho boys.

#TasteofDubai

THIS HUMMOUS was the best I've EVER had.
Times of Arabia #win

LAST - but definitely not least. #Tweetupdxb

How we really looked.

How we hoped we looked

*Hope you all had a great St.Patty's day! *BURP*

xo

 

How to stop "traffick"

Happy Sunday everyone!


While your probably inspired and riled up (rightfully so) about the KONY2012 campaign - just get off the bandwagon for a quick sec to check this out. It's a one day event - but a lifelong campaign and cause. There are many ways to help, and this is one way I did and you can too. So maybe one day when it goes viral; you can say you were there all along.

Here in Dubai, charitable events like this are not easily accessible or organized. Laura Farrier, uber Ashtangi and teacher at Zen Yoga, explained this to me as I met her for the first time last night. As human "trafficking" is such a sensitive issue in this region, it's not easy to legally slap it around the media. Secondly, dealing with money in the free zone area - whether charitable or not - is not an easy task either. The authorities here are unfamiliar with us and the goal is to make them familiar next year - eventually getting a bigger event going to get Dubai on the map. Laura's intention along with the rest of ours was clear on this issue as we took off into our practice.

Anyways, after 10 minutes of mindful silence, she graciously took us through our asanas and let us challenge ourselves comfortably.We may have not done the traditional 108 sun salutations, but the energy in the room was an A+ for a whole 2 hours. Thanks Laura! xo

http://www.facebook.com/YogaStopsTraffick

Check out more pics here!

Love, light and all things bright xo

How to be inspired.

I used to draw, paint, sing, play the piano and love all things artsy fartsy. I say "used to" because it's actually been over a year and a half since I've felt like this. Inspired.

Can't really pinpoint what it is. Is it the lack of a dead soul-less corporate environment (unemployment)? Or maybe it's the yoga helping me find some soul? Or maybe just meeting some inspirational and driven people. Whatever it is - I'm ready to become a slave to the canvas again. I was flipping through my old sketchbooks last night and I want nothing more than to start on a brand new sketchbook and create. Funny how life reflects art and vice versa.

I'll be using this space to share my creativity with you guys as well. xo

PS. I love drawing people and I'm mostly inspired by music and anatomy in general. I love portraiture and nudes. So if you guys have any suggestions or pics I should cover, drop me a comment :) mwahs.xo

How to be vegetarian - Part 2

Omg - almost 2 weeks of no meat!! Not even seafood - and my favourite vegspiration bestie @leannemark just recently turned back to meat.

I think I need to give into some fish sooner or later. I've been finding myself consistently going cray on the carbs - NOT good. However, this Sunday afternoon vegetarian meal of mine just made my day brighter. #Rajdhani is an Indian restaurant in the slightly grimey-er side of town where the BEST food awaits. Seriously - if you haven't explored Bur Dubai, your losing at life. Read a review from @timeoutdubai here.

The best part was the HOT whole wheat roti with extra ghee and melting JAGGERY! - my favourite kind of sugar for my no-refined sugar lifestyle. It's to die for.

I know the pic makes no sense and does NOT look appetizing. But trust me - just trussssmeee.

xo

How to Manduka.

It's been a Bob Marley kinda yoga morning. Usually, practice is done sans music - but when you're in the comfort of your own home and a new sexy Manduka soulmat. Why the heck not?

The goal is to make my toes touch my head in this pose. I'm clearly not there yet! But I was told by several yogis that taking pics of ur posture and progress during self practice will let you bring more awareness to your posture. So here we go.

This is called "Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana" -  or Standing Big Toe pose. and it WILL give you sexy legs.

Now playing; Lauryn Hill & Ziggy Marley - Redemption Song


Happy weeekend xo