Dream Realized : Yoga in Brooklyn

Posted | 0 comments

Something that I dreamt about, only shyly admitted to some trusted individuals, and definitely questioned my worth of if I even could… happened!

When I landed back in Brooklyn this fall, I wanted to start teaching yoga. I knew there were a million and one routes to go about that, but I was picky, and I really only wanted to teach at my favorite studio in Brooklyn : Prema Yoga. 

photo-202

A few hours before our flight to Europe, I went to a teaching audition at Prema. I thought of not even showing up, since everything was so crazy in our rush to leave, I wasn’t feeling well, and I probably wouldn’t be good enough anyway. I was actually pretty positive I wouldn’t make the cut. Luckily I just showed up, taught, and then was offered to teach on a rotating basis!

So now – you can find me (and LOVELY other teachers) teaching on Tuesdays @ 4:30 pm + some other special classes I am hosting. You can see my upcoming schedule here. I’d love nothing more to see you there.

Two lessons : Don’t listen to the crap that runs on in your brain (it’s NOT true!!) and take time to dream. It’s worth it. The tricky thing is that sometimes it doesn’t happen on our predetermined timeline, so you might be tempted to give up and say forget about it. But don’t. Just go ahead and trust wildly. It’s all coming to you. I can’t wait to hear when it arrives!

Read More

Claim It

Posted | 0 comments

What are you ready for?

Imagine you could experience anything you wish – with out getting caught up in what seems possible or worrying about how it could get done. Give yourself a moment to full on dream. Then write it, draw it, collage it, make it as simple or detailed as you’d like.

photo-143

Get your journal, a post it note, or an app open and make a list with your wishes and see what happens.  Let me know what you are ready for!  I’m ready for some space + connection + fluid focus.  I’m also so grateful for The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte that gave me permission to tune into my desires and what I really want.

Read More

The Sacred Push

Posted | 0 comments

I pushed two things into existence this January: a jewelry line and a baby (in chronological order), and it is with huge excitement I introduce you to both:

charm & magic: a collection of mini japa malas that serve as a visual & tactile reminder to seek out the charm & magic that exist in daily life.  A japa mala is a string of 108 beads often used in yogic and Buddhist traditions to offer a grounded focus while chanting a mantra or prayer.

photo-57

and then came…

Luca Jack Sherman, born January 15th at 5:23 pm, weighing 7lbs 4 ounces and measuring 18 inches long.

photo-66

Both births were supported by phenomenal women and my amazing husband.  Here is a little about both.

Part 1:  Creation of charm & magic

As I waited for Luca Jack to make his arrival, I started to craft necklaces.  Making jewelry has been a dream brewing in my mind and my heart for years.  As drawn as I was to this idea, I never quite knew where to start.  Not to mention the swirl of thoughts that played in my head over and over: I’m not talented enough, plenty of other people are making jewelry, I have no time, it would be too hard, what would people think? etc…  These negative thoughts always seemed to stop me before I began.

Then, thanks to my husband, I had the pleasure of meeting Rachelle Tratt, the creator of a company I love dearly, The Neshama Project.  Sitting and talking with her felt like a visit with an old friend.  I shared my dream of making mini malas with her, something I only sheepishly shared with a handful of trusted people.

She held the space as I shared my vision, and the negative thoughts living in my brain got quiet.  Suddenly, I had a brand name (charm & magic), a tagline (movement. color. love), and new mantra: Shut Up & Do It.  This blunt mantra is exactly what Rachelle said to herself to get her soulful business up and running.

Since then I have been churning out necklaces, getting completely lost in the color and design of these playful, delicate, and asymmetrical expressions of my heart and soul.  Then came January 15th.

Part 2:  Arrival and care of Luca Jack

I bow to all mothers that ever were, and will ever be – labor is hard!  I will spare you the details, except for this one moment.

I was halfway through labor, when I started crying, fully believing I couldn’t do it.  It was already so hard, and the end was nowhere in sight.  Totally unprompted, but just what I needed, my husband handed me my japa mala.

I held each bead and started digging into my inner reserves.  Mantras emerged that helped me believe I actually could do this.  Lying on the bed, I repeated “I am a powerful goddess,”  “I was created to deliver this baby,” and “I trust my body, she is infinitely wise,” until I started to believe it.  This gave me a much needed second wind.  Almost 12 hours later, with the help of three grounding midwives, many compassionate nurses, and one very strong doctor, we met our baby boy.  I have yet to experience anything so miraculous.

So now our little family is hibernating as we figure out this whole parenthood thing, with my collection of mini malas dangling in it’s storefront in the living room. 

photo-65   photo-47

I have always been a person with many interests, and I’m excited to see A Well Fed Body live alongside charm & magic, and watch them both inform each other, with Luca Jack adding wonder when necessary.

So with that, I leave you to chew on this:

“Ideas in secret die.  They need light and air or they starve to death.”   – Seth Godin  

Is there something you are ready to bring into existence?  Are you waiting for the perfect time?  Are you waiting for someone to give you permission?

What if you just started, taking small steps and watching where it leads, playing along the way, knowing it is OK that you don’t know it all now, but reveling in the fact you are putting things in motion?

It’s amazing what happens when you trust and believe in yourself.

Love, mala beads, and baby hiccups,

Leah

 

Read More

From Paper to Paper

Posted | 0 comments

“In the universe there is an immeasurable, indescribable force which shaman call intent, and absolutely everything that exists in the entire cosmos is attached to intent by a connecting link.” —Carlos Castaneda

In May I dreamed in my journal that we would find a beautiful apartment in NYC and our hunt will be featured in the NY Times.  I claimed it.  And then a few months later…this happened:

Manifestation.

Read More