yoga

February most always puts a skip in my step. There are vdays and bdays and the ever-entertaining question- to leap or not to leap. And sure, we're only dealing with the accumulation of a slight excess in time, but golly it's nice to jump on board the metaphor and saddle up for a grand leap into the unknown, cuz.... well, why not?

This year has provided even more bounce for me than the average. I've cocooned myself in, as i am like to do 'round this time, taken a peek forward and back, integrated any stragglers that i have the honor of finding, and proceeded on my way. What i've been peering in to of late is an overwhelming sense of love and i have an inkling about the why on that:

Now granted, i have always been a lover of love, from a very young age reading voraciously the correspondence of some of the worlds most beautifully-articulating lovers (as if we could even begin to wrap language around this mystery of all mysteries, but dern if some of these didnt come close)- Rilke and Andreas-Salome, James Joyce and Mora Barnacle, Gustav Flaubert, Kafka to Milen, Oscar Wilde to Alfred, Virginia Wolf to Vita, Vincent van Gogh to his brother, Theo, Annais Nin and Henry Miller, Walter and Lao Russell, Frieda Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and on and on and on and then some... ahhh the memories..
But this month, this year, also marks the anniversary of coming to Texas- two years ago- when things were a little trying to say it simply. I had come down with a rather torrential case of lyme disease/ toxic mold/ heavy metal toxicity, and was having a difficult time functioning across the board. Through a divine river of synchronisities, i somehow landed in the lone star state, of all places, and it has been nothing short of a miracle ever since. The road to health is long and winding, but every day sees improvement and i have learned more than i could have ever imagined about the whole autoimmune, body burden connection and our system's remarkable resilience and desire to heal. And of course, doing what i do, i'd be remiss not to investigate the psycho-spiritual angle of health and healing, so... there's that....
(I've been writing along the way and will soon be trickling out bits and pieces of that if you've interest).
Needless to say, the 3 year ordeal (when i first came down with lyme) has dropped me off in a space that has my heart exploding, and gives new meaning to this time that celebrates love. I feel i've fallen madly in love with life itself. All over agin. Thank you all for being a part of that life.

A few fab Feb highlights and further cause for celebration:

**Yoga love:
Yoga Vida Austin has been a gift from beyond- delivering not only my doctor's ordered detox of a daily dose 'o sweat, but a community of friends and family. In deep thanks, i offered a free class to which we sweat the night away. Sooooper good times.

Timeless Self Love: The Greatest Affair of Them All

This yoga class will explore the theme of modern love as it pertains to the Self. Set to a soundtrack of some of the world's best love songs, we will visit the emotional landscape of this very human experience with its myriad hues and contours. We will also weave in and around a creative vinyasa sequence, the teachings of the Four Immeasurable Minds of Love as taught by the Buddha. At the intersection of now, then, never, and beyond we'll inquire into that path made possible only by way of the heart.

(pic compliments of Bob Neroni)

**Brother love:
I got to see my bro for the first time in almost 2 years which made me o so happpppy, i cant even begin to say!!

**Chocolate love:
Have wandered (pretty liberally) outside of my sugar-free zone for the month and INdulged. I am all about supporting the local chocolatier, especially when they have something as mouthwateringly mind-blowing as the scandanavian inspired dark chocolate, black liquorish, sea salt mouth bomb. Find Tom (the gent clad in dapper headwear) at the downtown farmers market on saturdays or get ur fix here... holy yummola!
http://www.cocoapuro.com

**Philly friend love:
Had a couple friends from Philly visit this month as part of their Texan tour de force and we stopped off for the obligatory shot at south austin's iconic mural (dunno how we got so much air after the belly bustin brunch at Bouldin Creek?! Miracles happen is all i can say.
LUuvvvv u B 'n P!! (yup- which makes us together, a PB 'n J- that's right, classically scrumptious :)).

**Paleo Cowgirl Love:
In between clients, i often sail over to a stellar paleo food truck for some organic grass-fed vittles, bulletproof beverage, and apparently some practice at embodying my new role as a Texan. Always a rollicking good time at Picnik.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BB_RCd4P6s3/

**Random Love:
Most every day i pass this random hand-painted love note that hangs right outside my RV park. Makes it pretty dern difficult to forget that of which we are made.

I hope you have all been finding the joy of your own love.
May we continue to explore the wild terrain of the heart with utter awe and reverence and humility, that it might lead us where it may- gorgeous beast that she is.
Leap on in, friends.

In love and respect,

Julia

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