The Birth of Yoga Beats

A good yoga playlist mimics the practice, with each song specifically tailored to the moment.   

Recently I began teaching a power vinyasa series at YogaFly studio and I have become obsessed with creating different playlists for each class I teach. As a novice yoga instructor/playlist junkie I sometimes place a lot of emphasis on music to guide a class both when I'm teaching and practicing. The playlist-making process in itself ignites creativity and adds a more personal touch to class. So to satisfy my inner wannabe DJ self I am starting Yoga Beats where I will post playlists and music from my classes.  

To begin the first installment of Yoga Beats I give you Yoga Groove, a fusion of funkadelic and beat-driven jams  ideal for getting your guru groove on:  


1) I feel good (Pretty Lights Remix) : James Brown (Pretty Lights)               
 
2) Superstition (Funkanomics Remix) : Stevie Wonder               
 
3) The Hop : Radio Citizen feat. Bajka             

4) Fool : Donavon Frankenreiter              

5) On Fire : JJ Grey        

6) Daydream In Blue : I Monster         

7) Here I am Baby (Come and Take Me) : Al Green        
        
8) Anything Could Happen : Ellie Goulding    

9) Because : Across the Universe (Music from the Motion Picture) [Deluxe Edition] Soundtrack        

10) Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) : The Hollies   

Complete Happiness Still Exists: A Reflection on the Recent Deaths at LFHS

In lieu of the recent deaths at my high school, I wanted to take a step back from the chaos and stress in my own hectic life and reflect on what life means to me.

It's incredible how much I've let get in the way of truly living my life. On top of a jam-packed course load, I'm attempting to juggle being a manager at Behind the Glass (the boutique where I work), writing for the Auburn Plainsman, two online internships and an active social life. Although I love, love, love everything I'm doing, I'll be the first to admit I'm in over my head.

I look at everything I have, or everything I have accomplished, and think, "You should feel completely happy now, you're doing it all." But deep down, I know I don't always feel complete happiness. 


This is when my complete happiness occurs:

I felt complete happiness when I was standing in the sand in Michigan and looking up at the stars and my Mom said to me, "Even when you're overwhelmed and stressed by life, remember this moment and everything will be OK." 


I felt complete happiness when I was lead in Deer Path Middle School's rendition of Pinnochio, even though I had to say the line, "I'm a real boy!" 
  
I felt complete happiness when I fell asleep in shavasana at the end of an amazing hot yoga class.  

I felt complete happiness when I painted fish on a huge mural in Keysville, Georgia on work trip. 

Complete happiness doesn't require good grades or a stacked resume. Complete happiness happens when you least expect it.

Take the time to step back and think of those unexpected moments when you have felt complete happiness. If those moments are few and far or hard to remember, let everything go and make complete happiness your main focus.

I'll leave you with some quotes and the notion: complete happiness still exists. 

 
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."
-Les Brown

"If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way."
-Buddha

"When a person is down in the world, an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching."
-Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton 

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
-Bill Cosby

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!"
-Anne Frank