Fit Girls Let Your Hair Down

The ponytail is synonymous with fitness. Fit girls pull their hair back constantly. Especially those athletes that dedicate their entire day to active pursuits. Maybe one of your new year's resolutions should be to wear your hair down more often.

Source: http://kristineforpresident.com/2010/02/15/tight-ponytails/

Have you ever heard of Traction Alopecia? 
"Traction alopecia is a form of hair loss caused by the sustained tension of hair. In general, this affects the hair follicles, and eventually damages them to a point where they can no longer grow hair. The result is gradual hair loss, and if serious enough, can eventually proceed to rapid hair loss, or losing clumps of hair at a time."

If you wear a tight ponytail or braids of any kind this could happen to you. If caught early it is reversible, so pay attention to your scalp and your hair. They may be trying to tell you something. Are you at risk? Do you need to give your hair a break?

Know the Warning Signs:

• Sore scalp from ponytail, braiding, dreadlocks, etc.
• Bumps and redness along the hairline
• Thinning or hair breakage around the hairline
• Itchy scalp or dandruff
• Scalp is scaly or oozing pus

If not caught in time - the hair follicles can be damaged to the point that it becomes permanent.

How to Avoid It:

• Wear your hair down often
• Wear loose braids, ponytails, etc.
• Don't subject your hair to chemical treatments which weaken it
• Massage your scalp to increase circulation
• In short - be nice to your hair.

Sources:

Hairloss.com

eHow Style

RapidHairloss.net

When It's Cold Outside

Just thought this pic was funny and needed to be shared.

Currently reading: Yoga Bitch

A Shift Not Unlike an Earthquake

Lately I've noticed a shift in my practice. Everything about it has changed. The music I play, the lighting I want, the time of day - the atmosphere is totally different. I haven't practiced with a set sequence in months and when I do practice lately it's much more internal. I'm more present in my breath and even the way I place my hands has changed. If that makes sense. 

There is much more internal and a lot less external happening. I'm still doing a lot of the same poses and I'm working just as hard, but the way I'm doing it has changed. I feel differently about it and there's a lot less dancing and singing. There's actually more flow and yet more awareness too. I'm assuming this is temporary, but I really like it. Of course I really enjoyed the dancing, singing, and planning too.

I'm enjoying fully inhabiting my body and that is still the same. 

There's just a lot more silence and candles right now.

Christmas Recap

Hope everyone had an amazing weekend full of love, cheer, and general merriment. I know I did. It was probably one of the best christmases I've had in a while. Kept things simple, made mexican food and cookies, and just kinda hung out watching movies with my sweet husband and dog. Yay!

We got tons of "things" for christmas, but here I post the yoga-related christmas stuffs:

You may notice that almost 100% of them were on my Yogi Gift Guides. I also got the Amelia dress as a christmas gift to myself, but I don't have any pictures of it yet.

Ashtanga DVD, Hand-Knit arm and leg warmers, 2 books, 3 CDs, GIVE scent, and W3LL People sticks.

I'm really psyched about these. The GIVE scent is intoxicating. I want to smell it all day.

Devvy's favorite gift: a new kong with peanut butter.

I redecorated at some point while Adam watched a boring movie.
The card banner really seemed to complete things.

Christmas Eve Eve in My House

"Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all whos far and near.

Christmas day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp.

Christmas day will always be. Just as long as we have we.

Welcome Christmas while we stand. Heart to heart and hand in hand."

- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas


I'm taking a long weekend - shall return the 27th!

I made the tiny packages out of cereal box and tissue paper

My newest addition: Christmas Llamas ♥

Yoga In New York Project - (Video)

You may have already seen this video making the rounds recently, but I wanted to fit it in here somewhere. I had seen the photos on Flickr, but I was psyched to watch this lovely video of the experience. If the holidays have your yoga practice falling behind - maybe this video will inspire you to do a few poses or just meditate in a moment of quiet.

Readers via Email - Click Here for the Video

 

By the way - Happy Winter Solstice ♥
Here's some wintery pics from around here.

Perhaps a Singing Bird Will Come

A recycled post that goes well with today's pictures:

An Offering to the Animals

Ya know, in case a singing bird does show up.

Source: http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2009/06/antiqued-wooden-signs.html

Except for the awesome sign - all these pics are mine.

Winter Party and a PSA

I went to Adam's company Winter Party on Friday, so I wanted to share some pics from the occasion. I never go anywhere - it's kinda noteworthy. I think the last time I wore heels I was getting married, and that was back in 2002. Nonetheless - someone even asked me how to walk in heels, so I must fake it okay.

Here's my yogic PSA for the day - Ladies please stop wearing heels all the time. They're horrible for your feet - and therefore bad for your knees, hips, and spine.

Adam at our table, food by the snowflakes, bar by the big white things.

Disco ball and a video.

Theme was "A Night in Vegas" - most of these people are gambling with play money.

The band played funk, wore giant wigs, and dressed super 70's. Fun!

Believe it or not - all that stuff came inside that stocking.

Wrapping Gifts as Seva - (Videos)

Only 6 days 'til christmas, so if you haven't wrapped your gifts yet it most certainly is an imminent crisis. Please enjoy this quick video on the basics of How To Wrap A Gift complete with a ribbon bow. 

How To Wrap A Gift. from Danyelle Mathews on Vimeo.

Now that you know how to wrap gifts like a pro... 

consider this act of RandomGood for your seva (selfless service): a free gift wrapping station.

Gift Wrap #RandomGood from Barkley Good on Vimeo.

Reusable papers, ribbons, yarn, embroidery thread, cloths, bags and boxes make my christmases less difficult every year. I even reuse bubble mailers when possible and practical. 

Here's a few of our gifts from this year:

Christmas in My Neighborhood - Trees

Tonight I'm going to Adam's company Christmas Party. 

I intend to sparkle as much as the lights on all these trees. 

Inner body bright!

Not a Tree, but come on it's a TRAIN!

Santa's Christmas Routine - eBook for Kids

Last week I received this little gem in my email and I thought this just needed to be shared. Santa's Christmas Routine is a christmas e-book for kids brought to you by Sanga Yoga  It is written and illustrated by Romi Walker. Such a cute story, and it teaches Santa (and the reader) the sun salutation.

For coordinating christmas card printables - Go Here.

Click Here to Read Santa's Christmas Routine