Limbering up the County

Tag: orange county

  • Gone But Not Forgotten

    Gone But Not Forgotten

    Welcome back, my beautiful yogis! Unfortunately, I’m going to bring down the energy a little bit at the beginning of this post with some pretty sad news…the herb and succulent garden I’ve been cultivating at my studio is no longer with us.

    I try not to let the little things get me down, but I have to say, this has really been bothering me over the last few days. Apparently, a warren of rabbits that set up shop nearby took a liking to the various sweet shoots and healthy greenery that I worked so hard to grow!

    Gardening has been something I’ve wanted to try my hand at ever since I was little. My mother said that she was cursed and that every plant she ever touched died within days of her planting it, and so the house I grew up in was mostly covered up in concrete and brick hardscapes. I always envied the friends whose homes were flush with lively greenery in their yards!

    I never really got a chance to act on these dreams until recently. Being a yoga instructor doesn’t pay that well, so I’ve been biding my time for years keeping a few potted plants alive and healthy, just waiting for the moment I had a space of my own to begin cultivating.

    When I was finally able to buy the land around the studio, I wasted no time. I didn’t have enough to start planting all the food that I eat, but I knew I could at least make a nice little herb garden for myself! The succulents came a little later, when I realized that the space I had left probably wouldn’t be quite enough to grow much more in the way of rosemary or thyme.

    Well, I should have known that humans aren’t the only ones who find our herbs to be tasty! I came to work after a weekend off to find the ground dug up and all of my pretty little plants totally devastated.

    I was sad, but I know that this is all just a part of the circle of life! I’m not one for quitting, so I quickly began plotting my next garden, but the neighbors who saw what had happened put a stop to that plan.

    Apparently, the local wildlife is quite a nuisance when it comes to growing most any kind of greenery. Neighbors with similar gardens had been dealing with the rabbits for quite a while, and short of killing them before they had a chance to root through the greenery, there really wasn’t much of a way to stop them.

    I’m not much of a killer, so I had to start thinking of alternatives. Now that the studio has become successful, I thankfully have a yard of my own at the home that I bought, and the garden there is still doing quite well.

    Still, I couldn’t leave a barren plot of land next to my studio. The studio needs a pristine environment to transmit a sense of tranquility to my students before they begin their lessons! I needed an alternative, and fast.

    The alternative I went with made the most sense for our little desert oasis here in southern California. Synthetic grass uses significantly less water than natural turf, and I’d like to contribute to helping our parched state, even if it’s just a little.

    After a cursory search for installers of artificial grass in Lake Forest, I settled on NoMow Turf after seeing their spectacular reviews on Yelp. I was glad I did – the folks there were humble, helpful, and highly proficient at what they do!

    They managed to get the installation done in a little less than a week and the job was done perfectly on the first go-around. I was a little worried about the drainage when it started raining just a few days after they left, but the system they put in place worked flawlessly.

    My studio may not have my ideal herb garden, but the synthetic grass they installed looks great and the uniformity lends itself to a feeling of tranquility and focus for my students. If you find yourself looking for an alternative for your natural turf lawn, do yourself a favor and get in contact with NoMow Turf!

    +18559688873

    26674 Vista Terrace, Lake Forest, CA 92630

  • My New Environmentally Conscious Kitchen

    My New Environmentally Conscious Kitchen

    In times as precarious as the ones we are living in, I try to be appreciative of all the small things. No matter how uncertain the future may seem, I try my very best to live life as presently as I can in the here and now, day by day and moment by moment. 

    I am grateful to be alive. When I see the moon and stars as I pull my curtains closed each night and when I see the sun as I pull my curtains open each morning, I marvel at our planet earth. The miracle of life. 

    I believe that the earth is sacred. We are meant to cherish our planet. It is terrible that many large corporations and bad actors over time and around the world have polluted the environment with toxins. 

    The new moon has given me a strong urge to transform and change my living space. Of course, it wasn’t something spontaneous. I have been thinking about remodeling my home for quite some time. I suppose the universe gave me the push when the time was right. 

    I wanted to renovate the kitchen the most. I think I will be renovating or redecorating the rest of my house over the course of the coming months. The reason I wanted to remodel the kitchen the most is that it is where I spend most of my time. I love to cook and bake, especially with plant-based ingredients, plus I often work from home out of my kitchen table. It’s the space that gets the most light in the house. 

    I sought out the best Kitchen Remodeling Contractor in the OC, because I wanted the renovations to be done right the first time. Luckily, I discovered Inspired Remodels and found them to be highly respected and reputable in Orange County. There were lots of transformations in their portfolio on their website which showcased their expertise and craftsmanship. 

    IMG_3771

    I knew I wanted a new and environmentally-friendly kitchen, so I did some research online. It turns out that cabinetry can be really problematic. I had no idea that there is something called “off-gassing”; the release of chemicals from the material. I opted for urea- and formaldehyde-free timber that is FSC-certified. Not only does this protect the environment, but it also protects my lungs from breathing in these problematic chemicals!

    In an effort to design for the long-term, I asked the designer of Inspired Remodels to show me several options and help me choose the right materials and colors for my new kitchen! I highly recommend their services if you are looking for contractors to remodel your home. 

    Read Debbie M.‘s review of Inspired Remodels on Yelp

    Many people forget to think long-term when choosing wall paint and countertops. Everyone loves a new splash of color. It’s important to choose paints that are eco-friendly or are manufactured by a company that practices recycling. To my shock, countertop replacements can be quite bad for the environment. 

    I also finally changed my stovetop from gas to induction, which happens to be better for the environment! Make sure to always use the ventilation fan when you are cooking.

  • Inspiration

    Inspiration

    Hello, fellow yogis! Today we’re going to talk about something a lot of people have trouble with, even in the best of days: inspiration!

    I know for myself, there are plenty of days where I wake up and just want to laze around, being warm and snug in my bed rather than doing anything productive. For each of us, we have to find that little guiding light inside that speaks up and says, ‘no! We can’t just lie here and watch Netflix, we have to do x so that we can get to y!’

    That voice only wins out if our y is compelling enough to get over the hurdle that is our x, and so inspiration needs to come from a deep resonance within our souls that aligns with our goals. Inspiration can come from many sources, whether that be from something simple, like pictures we see scrolling through Instagram, or something more significant to us, like a person who we admire greatly. Whatever the source may be, you can feel it resonate with something deep inside you – your inner muse, if you will.

    If embraced, this resonance can be a more plentiful fount of useful energy than any other in your life (except maybe love!). It can be harnessed to achieve heights that you could only dream of, and should be ignored at your own peril, as a life that does not resonate brings about stagnation and dreariness.

    To give you a brief example from my own life, I recently have been feeling more ‘down’ than usual – more days dreading leaving the comfort and warmth of my bed to start my days. Trudging around my home felt like a chore – I began noticing that my energy greatly improved when I left the house to go to the studio or even just go to the grocery store.

    Wondering why my own house seemed to be dragging my energy down, I began doing research on what I could do to liven up the place. Needless to say, this took me down quite a rabbit hole, as I bounced from studying things like feng shui to getting hooked on watching HGTV.

    Even as I was regretting getting sucked into watching a 3rd season of Property Brothers, I realized the reason for this new obsession was that it legitimately inspired me – it resonated with something inside of me, and I could not stop watching and dreaming of creating a space of my own inside the century-old home that I own here in Orange County. I needed a change in my living environment, one that was harmonious with both the history of the house and my own soul.

    Upon this realization, I set about finding a suitable company that could help me realize this new vision. I happened to find a company whose name comported with the spirit of the desire for change – Inspired Remodels – and new that I had found my guys. (The sterling reviews for their services definitely helped me solidify the choice, just take a look at their Yelp page:)

    Read Johnny B.‘s review of Inspired Remodels on Yelp

    I have a consultation scheduled for this coming week, and it’s a beautiful feeling getting excited to wake up and start my day again. Live in accordance with your natural vibrations, friends: they can be your compass to a more fulfilled and happy life.

    Inspired Remodels

    +19497161938

    21098 Bake Pkwy Suite 102, Lake Forest, CA 92630

  • Revamping The Studio’s Small Office

    Revamping The Studio’s Small Office

    Last weekend I was thinking about the early days of setting up my yoga studio. That was a time when all I had was a dream. I bootstrapped everything on my own. It was so difficult in the beginning because I didn’t know if I would be able to pull it off: self-funding, marketing, and managing an entire business on my own. According to Forbes, 20% of businesses fail in their first year.

    Green Wooden Chair on White Surface

    I remember starting out with simply one chair for my office. For the rest of the office, I took hand-me-downs from friends because I could not afford any new office furniture. But my office wasn’t my main focus at the time anyway. My priority was the student experience. I wanted to ensure that every single customer had an amazing learning experience at the studio. I wanted them to fall in love with yoga because not only would it benefit their health and well-being, it would benefit the studio with repeat business. I did everything I could to provide excellent customer service.

    Over the years, my clientele has expanded and I have been able to hire administrative staff to help me run the show. I realized that it was time for me to expand the office to accommodate my small but growing team of administrative staff. I wanted to expand the office, but I still wanted to keep costs low. I needed to create spaces for privacy, to separate my internal meetings from client meetings. I knew that there was no way I could afford to renovate the office. After doing some research on Pinterest, I came upon the idea of installing cubicles in my office.

    Cubicles intrigued me because they wouldn’t require demolishing or changing the structure of my studio. I envisioned a pretty interesting setup. I could have one main cubicle for the front desk, and the rest of the cubicles for my staff. I reached out to some office furniture suppliers for new units and was astonished at the price. At this point, I realized that the real challenge would be to find good quality cubicles at an affordable price. I stumbled upon Creative Office Design, an office furniture supplier that offered used cubicles in Los Angeles.

    I gave them a call and stopped by their warehouse the very next day, amazed to find office cubicles that looked like they were new, even though they were used! I was able to save so much money by not having to renovate the office, and not having to buy brand new furniture.

    As an entrepreneur I have learned so many lessons throughout the years. The most valuable lesson I have learned by far is to spend as little as possible on capital assets, and to only buy what you need gradually over time. The moral of the story is to trust that the universe will always present you with the right solutions at the right time.

    If you are looking for some solutions, you can give them a call:

    Creative Office Design
    5230 Pacific Concourse Dr #105, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States

  • Inspiration Comes from the Strangest Places

    I’ve mentioned it a few times over my years as a blogger, but when my business as a yogi really started picking up, I became the proud owner of an extremely old house here in southern California. I’m pretty sure it was built in the early days of the county, back in the late 1800s or early 1900s, because it has all those gorgeous old Victorian-era fixings!

    Unfortunately, as beautiful as the house is, it’s definitely starting to show its age in some ways. Over the years it has taken a beating from the weather, termites, unruly tenants, and sloppy previous owners. I swear, the other day I was trying to get a nail out of the wall and it took an inch-thick piece of wall with it. Turns out, it was about a millimeter of drywall with the rest being layer upon layer of paint! It almost looked like a piece of taffy it was so colorful.

    That’s not the half of it, either. Turns out the house is chock full of galvanized pipe, the last time the kitchen was updated I’m pretty sure we were still in the Vietnam War, and the basement looks like something out of a particularly scary horror movie!

    So what’s a girl who loves the look of an old house but also wants to live in the 21st century to do? The answer is watch HGTV for about five minutes and become instantly enamored with the idea of a full redesign of the house. After another couple hours watching the experts knock down walls and put up gorgeous new cabinetry and trimmings, I realized I needed to shut it off, wipe the drool off my mouth and seriously evaluate my living situation.

    Yup, I’m a yogi, not a contractor! To be honest, I didn’t know the first thing about remodeling homes or how to effectively use the space I had available to me. All I knew is that I had a list of things that I wanted (quartz countertops, an island, and new stainless-steel appliances! Plus new piping, I suppose.) That same night I started sniffing around for a good contracting firm, and I just so happened to find the best remodeling contractor in Orange County: Inspired Remodels!

    The guys over there were friendly, responsive, and my goodness did they ever know what they were doing. We scheduled an estimate to take place one morning during the week and the guys stayed with me nearly the whole day as we went over the particulars of what needed to be updated now vs. what could be done a little bit later. By the end of it, I had new cabinets, paint colors, and a new basement pretty much designed and planned out!

    The remodel is scheduled to start a little later during the month and I gotta say, I’m really excited not to be living out of water bottles and getting scared every time I hear the pipes groan when I turn the dryer on. If you’re like me and your house is starting to show its age, give Inspired Remodels a call and get your home the facelift it deserves.

    Inspired Remodels

    (949) 716-1938

    21098 Bake Pkwy Ste 100 Lake Forest, CA 92630

  • Practicing Yoga With Nature

    Every morning, I step outside to gaze at the sky and trees. I have come to deeply appreciate the fleeting nature of every moment and the miracle of every new day. I am captivated by the breathtaking beauty of sunshine. As the sun’s rays fall across my face, I breathe in the fresh air.

    This is how I start my day.

    Beautiful Wooden Houses with Lawns

    As I begin the morning with a renewed sense of hope and wonder, I move to my living room for my daily yoga practice.

    Yoga is the practice of intentional movement. In many ways, it is a ritual of connecting your body to your mind. As you develop flexibility, strength, and stamina, you become someone who is breathing and flowing thoughtfully. Yoga brings clarity to your mind, and relaxation to your muscles.

    I began practicing at a time in my life when I was experiencing severe depression. It was so crippling that I could barely function. I couldn’t focus at work. I couldn’t even be at peace in normal day-to-day conversations.

    Yoga has benefitted my life in so many ways. It has alleviated my depression immensely. As it turns out, Harvard researchers have conducted studies to discover how mindfulness can change the brain in depressed patients.

    Through breathing, movement, stretching, and meditation, yoga relaxes me into my surroundings and grounds me into the present moment.

    It also connects me nature. A few weeks ago, I started thinking how lovely it would be to bring my morning practice outdoors. I have been always wanted to connect with nature on a deeper level.

    The only problem was that the grass in my front lawn wasn’t in good condition. I had invested a lot of time and money into improving it, only for it to be unmanageable. I have never been able to grow soft and luscious grass, and I have always had patches on my lawn.

    I came to discover that the reason for this was because of the soil conditions in my area. If I really wanted to get my grass into perfect condition, I would have to invest in an immeasurable amount of upkeep. It definitely wasn’t going to be feasible.

    I was pretty disappointed to think that I wasn’t going to have a healthy lawn, but moreover, that I wasn’t going to be able to move my yoga practice outdoors.

    Just as I was about to give up on the idea, I stumbled across a synthetic turf provider who is based in Orange County. I took a look at the photos on their website and read some reviews. I also did some research on my own about the benefits of artificial versus natural grass, and realized that artificial grass installation could give me so many time and cost saving benefits.

    I now have a beautiful lawn that no longer requires intensive upkeep. It has been my dream to be able to practice yoga on a daily basis outdoors, and I have finally done that.

    If you are looking to transform your lawn, I highly recommend giving NoMow Turf a call.

    NoMow Turf, Inc. – Synthetic Lawns & Putting Greens

  • Breathe out with the Bad, In with the Good

    Breathe out with the Bad, In with the Good

    One of the main purposes of my yoga class is to create a calm space for my students to decompress and find balance in their lives. As such, I take great pride in knowing my students well and fostering a small, supportive community.

    So, when one of my students came in visibly upset, we all knew something was wrong. She maintained a small smile, but with just a little prodding, fell apart. Her marriage with her husband was coming to an end.

    Unfortunately, this wasn’t completely out of the blue. It was apparent they were having issues at home, and then finally came the straw that broke the camel’s back. She knew she needed to speak to a divorce attorney. Luckily, my networking led me to know exactly who to recommend. I am a vocal part of our larger community, and I’ve worked with a lot of people in my time, especially women trying to improve their lives.

    I didn’t even need to research for a divorce and family law attorney in Orange County. I knew the perfect law firm, Shuff Law Firm. Shuff Law has been the backbone of changing family dynamics for a long time.  With over 40 years of combined experience, they focus on bringing resolutions to every case with the needs of their clients at the forefront in a cost-effective, timely, and as easy as possible way. Sometimes working independently, and sometimes working as a pair, Joe and Tamara have been praised many times for their dedication and commitment to their clients.

    I gave my student Shuff Law’s information. At first, she hesitated. After all, divorce is an incredibly intimidating experience. According to psychologists, divorce can be one of the most stressful life events one can go through. It takes a lot of time, effort, and stress to divide families. The effects were obvious. With support from the group, she reached out to the lawyers and was well on her journey of starting a new life.

    Before I knew it, her whole demeanor changed. After just a while, she arrived in class with obviously greater peace of mind and a calmer presence. The divorce happened quickly and quietly, and she got her fair share just as she deserved. 

    During the process, we worked on poses that focused on inner peace and balance. It certainly helped her, but we both knew that the calming professionality of Shuff Law was a major factor in her newfound independence. 

    Shuff Law Firm is certainly one of the best divorce and family law attorneys in the Orange County region. I know that they helped my small community, and we’re all the better for it. Sometimes, you have to break a few eggs to create an omelet. It feels good to know that my students and family will be well looked after by Shuff Law Firm if the need were to ever arise. 

    In the meantime, I may let my students off easy into a Savasana pose to start out with. To relax the mind and body. It’s good to keep both trained together.

    If you need a great family law attorney, I would suggest contacting: 

    Shuff Law Firm

    2107 North Broadway #301, Santa Ana, CA 92706

    (714) 834-0175

  • Why Do You Yoga?

    Why Do You Yoga?

    Evie, the owner of Moss-Spa Yoga, woke up to 5 AM 5AM alarm clock and sprung out of bed. She absolutely loved running her own yoga studio and was thrilled with the new marketing campaign she had been working on. She was in the process of interviewing some of her afternoon regulars about their 9 to 5 jobs.

    The interviews focused on why they incorporate yoga into their routine. Today, after her 6 PM class she would be interviewing one of her favorite regulars, an immigration lawyer from Orange County. Evie can still remember the first time she came to one of her classes. She had recognized her right away from the News. She was an up-and-coming immigration lawyer who had made a name for herself by winning a variety of different large profile cases.

    The hours ticked by and soon enough 6 PM arrived. Evie greeted her class and waved to the lawyer specifically as she entered the room. After an hour of shavasana, lotus position, kapotasana, and more Evie wrapped up.

    “Thank you all for coming today, and namaste,” Evie said, bowing her head towards the class. A couple of participants came up after class to thank her. She smiled and made small talk for a few minutes until the interview was going to start.

    “Hey friend, whenever you are ready I was thinking we could grab a cup of coffee and do the interview,” Evie yelled across the room waving her hand.

    She smiled and replied, “Sounds good, I think I am ready whenever.” She slung her backpack over her shoulder, her yoga mat protruded out the top.

    “Great,” Evie replied. She grabbed her bag and keys. The two women walked out the door and Evie locked up. “So, why don’t we just head across the street to the Maysville Café?” Tina nodded, and the girls headed across the street.

    “So, basically I am interviewing and writing profiles on some of the regulars for my website. I am hoping to attract more members, and shed some light on the benefits of yoga,” Evie said as they snagged a table by the window.

    A waitress approached and asked if she could take their order. “I would love a soy vanilla latte,” she said.

    “I’ll have the same,” Evie said smiling. The waitress returned minutes later, and both women thanked her. “So, how is work going?” Evie questioned.

    “Oh, it’s going really well. I actually just wrapped up a huge case, you may have heard about it,” she replied.

    “Oh yeah, of course,” Evie replied. “The case involving the school systems and stuff.”

    “Yes, that’s the one,” Tina laughed. “That was a really big win for us.”

    “That’s awesome,” Evie replied. “So, I just have a couple of questions. First, what is it about yoga that you enjoy?”

    She thought for a second then she replied, “I love what I do for work, but it can get intense preparing for cases and being in court. Having the opportunity to clear my head before going home. It is a great way to unwind!”

    “I love that answer,” Evie replied. “Okay, the other question is, would you recommend yoga to other working professionals?’

    “Of course, I would,” She replied. “Yoga is a great way to stay in shape, stay flexible, and clear your mind. It has become a pretty regular part of my routine. Also, the instructor I have is great,” Ahw winked at Evie and took a sip of her latte.

    Evie laughed and said, “Well, that quote is definitely going on the website!”

    If you are interested in Yoga classes, we have a free trial for first-timers. And if you need a good immigration lawyer, you can find one here:

    K Nair Law Group, P.C.
    31897 Del Obispo St Suite 225, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
    (949) 493-4150