Tag: Yoga

• May the Life Force Be with You

  Posted at 7:00 AM by Brittany, on January 11, 2016

  “Prana (प्राण, prāṇa) is the Sanskrit word for “life force” and the term refers collectively to all cosmic energy, permeating the universe on all levels.”

  Have you ever stopped to sit with your thoughts? No distractions, no deadlines, no where to be, just you and your brain noise. I’ve been more in touch with my thoughts lately than I ever have been, both good and bad.

  This energy pull within the universe can be controlled simply by the manifestations you project within your own head. My goal for 2016 was to honor my thoughts and focus more on paying attention to them, and so far I’m off to a good start.

  

  As I watched the Star Wars movies with my family in Arizona the last couple weeks (I’m back home now) I realized this principle of “controlling” your mind made its way to the big screen back in 1977 when the movies were first released.

  In order to be a successful Jedi, one must be aware their thoughts to prevent them from slipping over to the dark side. When we let our negative thoughts take over, life becomes somewhat of a spiral. If only we all had someone like Yoda to fall back on.

  

  I’m Brittany, and I’m 12 yrs old.

  Jedi’s remind me of Yogis in a way. Both have a peaceful way about them and enjoy helping others. I’ve been going through a bit of an odd spot in my life lately where I’ve had to work hard to ensure my thoughts stay on track. To facilitate this process I’ve been trying to become a Jedi incorporate more yoga into my days.

  

  To be a Jedi, one must have the proper gear. I took it upon myself to ensure I’m bundled and ready to get my zen on with none other than prAna clothing company. With a mission to inspire healthy, active, and free-spirited living, I knew I had to get myself some of their clothes. The holidays may be over, but sale items stop for no one.

  I’m usually all about comfort without caring about style, but with prAna the two worlds collide. Just like a Jedi and a Yogi. I’ve clearly been bitten by the Star Wars bug.

  

  

  

  

  I fell in love with these two items and haven’t taken them off. So soft, so cozy, fit like a glove, and perfect for work and play. A company that seeks out sustainable ways of life for products and people just screams positive vibes.

  Prana means life force, Jedi mind mastering uses the force, and when combined to ensure a happy and healthy life I leave you with this: may the life force be with you. 

  Q: How do you practice manifesting a life you want? I’m all about the hippie dippie vibes. Manifest your destiny, and life follows somewhere behind.

  

  | 72 Comments Tagged Arizona, Manifesting, Prana, Review, Star Wars, Yoga

• Making my Meals Taste Better

  Posted at 6:12 AM by Brittany, on May 30, 2014

  I find that food takes so much better when I “earn it.” I always like to earn my treats such as cupcakes, cookies, or cupcakes AND cookies, but getting a good sweat in before an actual meal is just as rewarding. Running is my go to when I want to earn something like this…

  

  

  Local GF/Vegan chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes. Ohhh my swoon.

  These were savored and swooned over after a morning run.

  Another way I like to earn my meals is with a solid hike. I’ve been able to squeeze a good hike in every week lately, sometimes two in one week. My favorite local mountain is an easy default and after 9 miles on my feet and 3.5hrs in the heat/sun I head straight for food.

  

  View from the top.

  

  View from the restaurant.

  Sunshine and open decks mean sunnies and lots of water.

  I ordered a vegetable curry bowl, because for some reason I like hot foods even on hot days. I also always drink hot coffee, never iced.

  Can’t say I claim to be normal.

  

  Not a fan of the white rice, but I ate every last bit.

  I didn’t even attempt to use those chopsticks on the side of my bowl, give me a fork STAT. I usually give chopsticks my best shot despite looking like a sloth trying to pick up a piece of rice, but I was much too hungry for that nonsense. This meal was devoured. Moving on…

  I’ve been doing a lot of yoga lately. I start every morning with 10 minutes of sun salutations, and go to a class at least once a week-Ideally twice. I enjoy eating something light, but filling after a yoga class. Tofu spring rolls always hit the spot.

  

  Last, but certainly not least refueling after spin class always varies. Early morning spin classes usually result in a cous cous veggie bowl, and evening spin classes result in something lighter like a snack bowl.

  Early morning spin classes also earn me my coffee.

  

  

  Starbucks reserve coffee is such a rare treat!

  

  How I really feel.

  The Starbucks I work at is not a Reserve Store, so I don’t get to have reserve coffee as often as I would like. Anytime I find myself near a reserve store I get myself a clover brewed reserve coffee.

  I love coffee, I love to eat, and I love getting my sweat on. Life is good.

  Q: Would you agree that meals taste better after a good workout?

  

  | 62 Comments Tagged Coffee, Hike, Hiking, Run, Spinning, Starbucks, Vegan, Yoga

• Balance is Bliss

  Posted at 8:06 AM by Brittany, on January 3, 2014

  I have been running nearly every day since being on vacation in Arizona, if you could call it that. My runs have been getting progressively worse, starting at 4 miles and going down to 2 miles. My body feels heavy and I can’t really get into a groove. Thankfully I have found other activities to get me moving, so that I can eat my weight in these almonds.

  The mountains in Arizona are nothing like the mountains in Washington. I go from green- moss filled paths, to brown- dirt filled paths. The change up is fun though, and I love hiking in both states. I just love hiking in general. Give me a path that goes up and I am happy.

  

  I went hiking with my sister and my dad a few days ago and the weather was perfect.

  

  I have hiked this mountain many times, but it’s still just as exhilarating and exciting reaching the top. Looking down over the city is magical, and surprisingly peaceful.

  

  I had a sudden desire to partake in some mountain yoga, and thankfully my photographer was happy to oblige. Thanks dad, I never claimed to be normal.

  

  

  Close up

  

  Far away, and stamped with an Instagram filter

  Balance is bliss – this is clearly my phrase of the century.

  I’m amazed by the weather in Arizona right now, and going back to temps in the 30’s wont allow for leisurely bike rides in a tank top. I’m taking full advantage while I can.

  Q: What’s your favorite outdoor activity? Mine changes by season…and by day! 

  

  | 50 Comments Tagged Arizona, Balance, Hiking, Mountain, Outdoor, Running, Workout, Yoga

• Dancing with Hippies

  Posted at 8:57 AM by Brittany, on October 18, 2013

  Yesterday my friend and I hit the streets of a local town and enjoyed the lovely fall day.

  

  

  Something about wandering outside with leaves littered along the streets makes me feel so warm and full of life. I had the most wonderful day, and fall continues to make me swoon. There were plenty of photo ops, and naturally I had to take part.

  

  

  

  I’m not sure what’s going on the last photo, my face is clearly facing the wrong way. This is definitely my kind of girl though, having two of the same outfit. I also ran into Gigi, and by ran into I mean I superimposed her face into the hole next to mine so I wouldn’t be alone.

  

  How neat is this building? I want to live here.

  I also made some new friends.

  

  Bullfrog rides: $0.25

  

  Yoga with the locals.

  The only downside was not being able to find any vegan treats. Only one bakery had a slab of cake (only one option) but I didn’t have cash and that’s all they accepted. I went into every cafe/bakery in attempts to find something. While rounding a corner to another cafe, we saw some local hippies dancing at an intersection. My friend called them crazy, I called them intriguing. So…I went and danced for 19 seconds with no shame.

  I don’t know what compelled me to do this, but it was liberaring!! What I do know is that my dancing skills are zero (I was trying to mimic that lady) and this lady had the hairiest armpits I have ever seen. Once I saw that I ran the other way. Dance on my friends!

  We ended our afternoon at a coffee shop that was connected to a wine bar with live music. I swooned so hard over the guy singing. His voice was like a combination of Fergie and Jesus. Inside the adorable coffee shop I saw the most adorable sign. I want.

  

  “Luv can be so blind. & strangely blissful. Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

  Amen.

  Q: Do you like wandering cute local towns?

  

  | 55 Comments Tagged Adventure, Fall, Hippies, Love, Random, Vegan, Yoga

• Falling in Love

  Posted at 9:06 AM by Brittany, on March 18, 2013

  I used to really dislike walking into my kitchen and seeing this..

  

  Spotted bananas usually meant my family was buying more than they could consume. If you hang around me, you know wasting is not an option. These days I have fallen in love with spotted bananas. Anytime I see them I know it’s the perfect excuse to bake something.

  

  Something like banana, applesauce, almond milk, cranberry, pumpkin seed, chocolate chip, cinnamon breakfast cookies. Or as I like to call them, anytime cookies.

  I used to only read school books, and even then I would only half read them. Lately I have really begun to enjoy, dare I say love reading books. I recently finished a book written by one of the most selfless people I have ever had the privilege of reading about.

  

  Kisses from Katie is one of the best books I have read in such a long time, I finished it within 5 days. What an inspiration, oh and now I want to travel to Uganda and spread the word of Jesus. Anyone that wants to fund that trip hollerr!

  I used to go to yoga because it helped stretch and build muscles in my body. For at least five years this has been my yoga practice. This past week I have gone to yoga every.single.day. sometimes multiple times a day and I have fallen in love with not only the physical aspect, but the mental aspect as well.

  

  I have discovered something magical on that mat when it comes to quieting my mind. My thoughts have been awry this week and forcing myself to focus on the current moment has been amazing.

  I used to eat popcorn with just a little bit of sea salt. Since discovering nutritional yeast my world has been rocked. I have fallen in love with this simple yet amazing..yeast.

  

  The only problem is that a lot of the yeast falls to the bottom of my bowl..

  

  Don’t ask me how I cleaned the bowl.

  I have always been in love with the power I hold over my furry children.

  

  My treatshake brings all the cats to the yard.

  Q: What have you fallen in love with this past week, month, year?

  

  | 65 Comments Tagged Bananas, Cats, Cookies, Nutritional Yeast, Popcorn, Yoga

• NYE-I’m Getting Old

  Posted at 9:03 AM by Brittany, on January 1, 2013

  I’m not one for New Years Resolutions, however I do think the idea of setting goals can be exciting. 2012 was my year of running. One race per month, with at least one half marathon. New Years Day last year included running and jumping into freezing water. Great way to start off a year of good running. This year my goal is to run four half marathons. No resolutions, no diets, just four half’s. Oh and I also have a goal of keeping my cool at the gym when all the resolutioners hog my spin classes. At least they only come to the gym for about a month.

  Enough about goals and running, you all want to hear about my wild night on the town for NYE!! Before I get to that, I’ll start with the beginning of my day. What better way to spend the end of the year than in a room full of half naked sweaty people?

  
  My first hot yoga class showed me beads of sweat on my skin in places I’ve never seen before. There is something magical about seeing sweat roll off your body, knowing that you are releasing stress and toxins onto your yoga towel. I did get dizzy a few times, and at one point felt a little queasy, but a few deep breaths and a burp cured that and the 90 minutes flew by.

  I was a little disappointed with how clothed everyone was. My yogi master (Manfriend) advised me to go with just shorts and a sports bra, so that’s what I did. There was only one other woman in there without a shirt. Once we started flowing, the heat really brought out my abs.

  

  Don’t be jealous, it takes a lot of cookies and cake to achieve this ab perfection. I had a blast doing this with my aunt, and can’t wait to get home and do it again with boyfriend.

  After a much needed shower and refuel, I did some running around with my cousin to kill time before our big party of the night. On our way out of Walmart, some representatives were giving away free food. It’s always a good day when you get free food.

  

  Four hours later, it was time for the main event.

  

  Once again, please hold back your jealousy for my night of Bingo. You know you’re getting old when you’d rather play 3hours of bingo and be home by 9:45 than go out and party. Unfortunately I didn’t win anything, but I got close. Next time..I’ll win the jackpot.

  Today is a day spent running, enjoying family time, and relaxing. Happy New Year!!

  Q: How was your NYE??

  

  | 48 Comments Tagged Bikram, New Year, Running, Yoga

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• BRITTANY- Self proclaimed minimalistic nomad striving to maintain a balanced, healthy life with good food, long bike rides, deep connections, exploration, and lots of cucumbers.

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• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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