Create Balance

“The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you've lost it.” ~Anonymous

Wow, this month is flying by!  February is nearly over and I just realized this is my first blog entry of the month!

February has been jam packed--so much going on!!!  Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to squeeze in a vacation--a much needed one!  When I started my own company, I assumed getting away from work would be much easier since I was my own boss.  It’s actually the complete opposite!  And while it was difficult to leave work behind, it was wonderful to take some “me” time to recharge my batteries and seek new inspiration.

I don’t know about you, but it seems life just keeps getting crazier by the day.  With so much going on, I find it hard to carve out “me” time.  And trying to meet up with friends?  Gosh, I have to schedule that out at least a couple of weeks in advance since their schedules seem to be equally insane!  Going on vacation and slowing down the pace was a great reminder to recreate the balance.

Without balance, we’d go crazy.  It’s not healthy.  I learned that myself a few years ago.  I was a self-proclaimed workaholic, “married to my job” as I used to joke.  When I quit that job, I spent quite a bit of time at the other end of the spectrum--sleeping in every day, reading the newspaper at Starbucks each morning, practicing yoga like crazy and traveling.  Also not reality--at least not unless I win the lottery! :)  It’s all about balance.

Through my yoga practice, I’ve worked on finding balance in my life.  Unfortunately, I haven’t been to a class in quite awhile due to a grumpy body.  It’s amazing how easy it is to get off track--which is why my trip came at a great time.  Relaxing, soaking in some sunshine and enjoying the beauty of nature through some magnificent sunsets helped me check back in and focus.

So now I’m back, recharged, and ready to roll.   It’s difficult to juggle our work and personal lives, but it’s worth the effort to keep the scales leveled and constantly work at creating balance.

As of reminder of this to myself, I bought a cute little frog figurine doing yoga while on vacation that literally says “create balance.”  How perfect!  Cute, huh?

Smile! :)

Namaste

Be the change.

“Man stands in his own shadow and wonders why it’s dark.” ~Zen Proverb

It doesn’t take a science degree to know that something is off.  The weather in the midwest has been above normal.  40+ degrees in January can hardly be considered winter, right?  And where is all of the snow?

Whether or not you believe climate change is a reality or just some kind of political conspiracy, it’s evident that the weather has been unusual.  I actually saw a couple robins the other day, which is typically the first sign of spring in Michigan.  It breaks my heart to see nature so confused.

What’s my point, you may ask?  I will get to that...

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline.  Yesterday, President Barack Obama rejected the permit.   After a hard fought battle, hundreds of thousands of activist rejoiced that their voices were heard.

While there is no doubt this isn’t the last we’ve heard of the Keystone Pipeline, it does gives me hope.  Hope that expectations have risen in moving away from our dependency on oil and toward a greener future.  Hope that each of our voices, should we choose to use them, can make a difference.  We all have the power to channel our inner activist and demand change for a better world.

So...how does this tie in with my babbling about the weather? I believe this whacky weather is nature telling us it’s out of balance.   It’s a wake-up call to change our ways.  We need to focus on cleaner and greener energy and embrace the environment rather then destroy it--and by saying no to the Pipeline--Americans have done just that.

And yes, all of this coming for the tee shirt girl.  Well it is after all free to be yoga tees, yoga apparel & state of mind!  If this is of no interest to you, just ignore me of course.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. :) It’s been interesting to watch all of this unfold.  It was also quite amazing to witness those most passionate about it stand firm for a cause they so deeply believed in--and no matter which side you tend to lean--I think you can agree it’s wonderful to have the freedom to be heard!

The message is loud and clear...it’s time to put your foot down and stand up for what you believe in.  Collectively we can strive to make a difference and build a brighter (and greener!!) world for future generations!   The Keystone Pipeline is a prime example of this...proof positive we truly can be the change.

Until next time...

Namaste

Win a yoga tee!

"Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is." ~Zig Ziglar

Want a free to be yoga tee?  Now is your chance!

Starting today, through Friday, Jan. 27, free to be yoga tees is giving you the chance to win your very own tee!

There are several ways to enter, which are outlined below.

1.) E-mail contests@freetobeyogatees.com for your chance to win!  Please include ‘contest’ in the subject line and in the body of your e-mail include your name, mailing address and e-mail address (if you’d like to be added to the free to be e-database) and you are officially entered.

2.) Enter via Twitter during this time period by RETWEETING @freetobeyogatee tweets.

3.)  Enter via Facebook by sharing ‘free to be yoga tees’ Facebook posts on your page during the contest window.

My goal in trying out a contest (this is the very first one!) is to increase the free to be yoga tee community.  I hope to grow and need your help in doing so!  :)

As a thank you for your help in spreading the word, you are entered to win a yoga tee.  It’s that simple.  Feel free to enter as many times as you’d like during this period.  One winner will be chosen at random on Monday, Jan. 30.

The winner will receive a complimentary tee--the ‘peace, love, gratitude’ baby-rib tank in purely natural.  Yes, the prize is a women’s tee--but men, if you enter and end up winning, you could always give it as a gift-Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! ;)  You will have the choice in size--small, medium or large.

Good luck!

Namaste

New Year

“Change is not something that we should fear.  Rather, it is something that we should welcome.  For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they’re meant to be.” -anonymous

I came across this quote and was immediately inspired.  What a great way to kick off the new year!

Hello 2012!

Time to start making your list of New Year’s resolutions, right?  Does it ever make you wonder why we wait until a new year to make changes in our lives?

We can embrace change anytime we want.  It doesn’t have to be a new year to set goals for positive change.  Whether you want to exercise more, eat healthier, work on relationships, or perhaps save the world, there is no one standing in your way of doing that any day of the year!

So even if you set out with a list of resolutions to kick off 2012, have no fear if you fall short.  Tomorrow is a new day, and change is ready when you are!

Seize the day!

Namaste

Be Merry

“May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through.” ~unknown

Tis the season to be merry!

The holiday season is upon us, and December seems to be going by far too fast!  Yes, it’s the busiest time of year, but don’t forget that it’s also one of the most special.  Let us all take time to slow down, enjoy the season and all of life’s blessings.

On behalf of free to be yoga tees, I’d like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Om Shanti--may peace be with you!

Namaste,
Julie

Traveling Mike

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."  ~Lao Tzu

I love traveling.  Mind you, my bucket list of places I’d like to go is about a mile long, as I really haven’t had the chance to truly explore the world...yet.

So while I sit here and daydream of the places I’d like to go one day, I am also enjoying a trip around the world vicariously through my cousin Mike--who shall be known going forward as Traveling Mike.  :)

My cousin, a true free spirit, has inspired me.  He left his stable and well-paying job for a one year sabbatical--opting to travel the world by himself!  With a one-way ticket to Hong Kong, he left with only a carry-on bag and a list of places he’d like to hit on his year-long journey.

I was amazed, not to mention shocked, by the lack of luggage or a planned itinerary.  If it were me leaving for a long trip, I’d have to bring my whole closet!!  Haha--I’m really not joking though!! ;)  In addition to over-packing, I would most likely have over-planned every detail of my trip in advance-because that is what I tend to do!  But Traveling Mike’s mentality is to go with the flow.  He can always pick up things he needs along the way and regarding destinations, he’ll just see where the winds take him next so to speak.  Profound.

Before he left for his adventure, I gave him a free to be yoga tee.  I crossed my fingers it would make it into his small bag for the year-long journey.  And to my amazement, Traveling Mike has been sporting it on his travels.

I can’t describe how happy I was to see Traveling Mike sporting his free to be yoga tee while I was flipping through some photos he had posted of his trip so far.  First Hong Kong and then Vietnam...I almost felt like I was there....almost!

So as my free to be yoga tee (actually Traveling Mike’s tee!) travels around the world, I will be posting pictures in an album named “Traveling Mike” that can be found on free to be yoga tee’s Facebook page.  You can enjoy the journey with me as the yoga tee sees the world!

And feel free to submit your own pictures to me via e-mail at freetobeyogatees@gmail.com or via Facebook.  Would love to check out your adventures sporting a free to be yoga tee, whether it’s to an exotic location or even an outdoor adventure at your local park!

To Traveling Mike, safe travels and thanks again for taking your free to be yoga tee on your around-the-world adventure!

Until next time...

Namaste

"charitee"

“Among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” ~Maya Angelou

I’m excited to announce something new for the month of December!

A portion of sales from each free to be yoga tee purchased during the month of December will be donated to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC).

The NRDC works to solve the most pressing environmental issues we face today: curbing global warming, getting toxic chemicals out of the environment, moving America beyond oil, reviving our oceans, saving wildlife and wild places, and helping China go green. According to the New York Times, the NRDC is “One of the nation’s most powerful environmental groups.”  For more information on NRDC, please visit their website at www.nrdc.org!

Buy a free to be yoga tee during the month of December and we’ll donate a portion of sales to charity!  With an attitude of gratitude, it only seems natural to give back, especially this time of year! :)

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Namaste