Then I Hung the Meditating Hippo

This holiday season I've spent most of my time resting, hanging out with Adam, reading books, and drinking lots of hot drinks.  There was the requisite gift exchange where I got enough "things" but not too many... and I like every single one of them. 

I got a few great yoga-themed gifts for christmas this year, but the most unexpected item had to be this adorably gaudy hippo ornament.

It's a fun reminder that meditation is always an option. 

Christmas Eve

Regardless of whatever holidays you do or don't take part in - 

May the rest of your days be filled with simple pleasures and warm feelings.

 Today's photos via my Pinterest Boards:

Christmas

Simple Things

Winter/Fall

Recycled Post: Stress Relief

Only 11 days 'til Christmas, so it must be time for a recycled post.

Stretch Out Your Stress

Shoulder stretches, for really any time of year, come in particularly handy in December.

Christmas Yoga Advent Calendar

Bonus Weekend Post!

It's always interesting to see what the yoga community comes up with to keep yoga fun for the holidays, and today's addition is no different.

At just one pose a day the Christmas Yoga Advent Calendar by Nicola Jane Hobbs makes yoga totally accessible. Start today to finish in time for Christmas Corpse Pose. If you want more - it could also be done together as a full sequence. You could even add on each day until you're doing the full sequence on Christmas.

Available to Download and/or Print. Free!

Yogi Gift Guide 2012 - Part 3

World Travelers:
Rosetta Stone $180+ - so they'll be prepared when they finally reach that dream destination.

Warrior Princess Dress/Tunic $78 - Keep packing simple with multi-use pieces like this dress that doubles as a tunic.

Ahnu Footwear $60+ - Comfy, cute, and packs well.

Hanuman Wrap $59+ - versatile, attractive, and great for chilly planes.

Yoga Vibes Subscription $20/month or $200/year - classes on demand when they can't get to a studio.

Yoga Teachers:
Lotus Wei Mini Serums $60 - This mini serums kit is great for giving adjustments and mini massages.

Punjammies $19+ - Beautiful  pajamas  for resting fully - "created in after-care facilities for women who have been rescued, released or escaped from a life of forced prostitution."

White Sage/Sweetgrass Incense $12/box - simplify the constant use of sage and sweetgrass.

The Anatomy Coloring Book $14 - keeping continued education fun.

Stark Skincare, The Whole Shebang $120 - The entire Stark line (minus the lip balm $12).

Toms Shoes $54+ - Tons of styles for everyone that are both comfortable and fashionable. Don't know their size, or think they'd like sunglasses, hats, shirts, etc? Maybe a Gift Card $5+. Just about anything purchased benefits those in developing countries with shoes or sight via the One for One movement.

Adventurous Types:
Hula Hoop $21+ - for getting into the flow in a different way.

We Love Colors Leggings $26 - choose from 51 colors.

Aerial Yoga Class - look around and find a fun new class for them to try.

Mystical Mandala Coloring Book $4

YogaSlackers slackline and dvd set $100 - take their yoga practice (and their abs) to a whole new level.

Yogi Gift Guide 2012 - Part 2

Glitzy Yogi:
Handmade Feather Earrings $30 - Dipped in Gold, or Forest Nymph Peacock, or Gypsy Magick Peacock

Nectar Creations Twist Yoga Leggings $50 - Amazingly comfortable ♥

Foat Design Pullover Shawl $42 - Handmade in Minnesota from rescued fabric

Kalyana Jewelry Holder $53 - a pretty holder for their pretty jewelry

Wreck This Journal $10 - remind him/her to get a little dirty

Down to Earth Yogi:
Organic Terrarium $22+ - small, beautiful piece of nature for home.

Kahina Giving Beauty Travel Basics Set $85- or just the argan oil at $36+.

Eat More Kale Tee $25 - Handprinted in Vermont.

Buddha Bowls $25/ea - Good sized bowls handmade in southern California.

Big Head Squirrel Feeder $15 - because squirrels.

Immaterialists: 
GaiamTV Subscription $10/month - Way more than just yoga classes - without clutter.

Experience Gifts - hot air balloon ride, ice skating, tickets to Cirque du Soleil, a massage...

Philanthropic Donations - take that money you would've spent on stuff and give it to a reputable charity.

Flowers – a literal gift of light

Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates $15 - Kindle Edition

Yogi Gift Guide 2012 - Part 1

This entire week is devoted to my annual 3-Part Gift Guide. Tons of ideas for everyone you know at a variety of price points. Why? Because giving makes people happy. Whether it's something small or something extravagant - and the holiday season is all about giving.

 Past gift guides:

2011 Yogi Gift Guides: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

2010 Yogi Gift Guides: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Dudes:
Prints of Hubble Photos $6+ - for connecting with the Universe

The Meditator’s Workbook: A Journey to the Center $11 - by Matthew Flickstein

Evolution Tee $44

Manduka 79" eKO® Mat $88 - it's big, and I support that.

Ashram Yoga Rug $50 - 100% cotton rug prevents slipping.

Beginners: 
YogaGlo Gift Subscription $18+ - cause people are more likely to try new things in the privacy of home

Kipling Adara Tote $89 - vegan friendly nylon is easy to clean and still useful if the yoga thing doesn't work out.

Yoga Is: A Transformational Journey DVD $15 - in case they're still on the fence about it.

"Beautiful" Tee $26

The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice $13 - by T.K.V. Desikachar

Stocking Stuffers/Small Gifts: 
S.W. Basics Vegan Lip Balm $5/ea
Essential Oils Deck $12
Buddha Nose Bath Tea Sachets $30
Hydrea Beechwood Body Brush $12
Karma Warrior Keychain $4
Yoga Teacher Barbie $19
Pocket Bhagavad Gita $24
Natural Deodorants: Lavanila $10+ or Soapwalla $12
iTunes gift card $15+ (for podcasts or music)

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 ♥

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: