Alignment

What I love to focus on most in my classes is form and alignment because it is universal, a right angle is a right angle.  Yes there is breath, finding the pose that fits your body, clearing your mind and so much more, but the alignment guides each person to find a more comfortable, steady pose that leads to more effective workout, stretch, and results.

I just realized that I wrote alignment is universal, and it is exactly that.  I have been experiencing universal alignment all of my life, Thank God, and I am always in awe of the connections that come about.  I feel blessed for always being connected to my gut, trusting it, and being open to possibilities.  That is what helped me align with my husband!  My roommate at the time would ask me how it was going when my husband and I were first introduced, and as we kept seeing each other I told her that there was no drama, nothing to report, nothing to talk about, it just fit, and it was just going.

Recently I was introduced to a group of women that run a children's group, they were looking for a Yoga instructor for themselves in the evening.  An amazing girl in our community that runs Babycinno, a mommy and me group that I was going to, also teacher kids Yoga at that children's group.  Not only did I meet the most amazing group of women, that are also of Russian descent, but my son was approved to go to their center and started his first day of school today.  Everyone I am meeting is so helpful, really doing their career and purpose in life 100% in order to serve and benefit the people they work with.  In the spirit of alignment my baby's speech therapist asked us today in the session to change the time we meet, that perfectly fits into his new school schedule.

Alignment is so magical.

a•lign•ment (əˈlaɪn mənt) 


n.

1. an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line.

2. the line or lines so formed.

3. the proper adjustment of the components of an electronic circuit, machine, etc., for coordinated functioning: rear-wheel alignment.

4. a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc.: an alignment of political parties.

5. a ground plan of a railroad or highway.

Appreciating all the connections and feeling grateful is what being present is all about.  Sometimes you keep on hearing about enjoying the moment and feeling blessed for what you have, well this is exactly how to do it. Start noticing the magic right in front of your eyes, be open, allow yourself to receive and follow through. Many times exactly what we need is right in front of us, but we are not open, it my pass by unnoticed.

Let it in,
Coach Yulia

Thank You For Letting Me Vent

We all vent in different ways, sometimes to our family, parents, siblings, or friends.  For me it just feels good to write it and also to share it, hoping that it gives others a door to walk through, an OK to let it out, because in my opinion holding it in is the worst thing anyone can do.  It is also good to let it out in a way that it doesn't hurt anybody, sometimes when there is anger or frustration it feels like someone vomits on you, and then they feel better for letting it out, but you are still stuck with the vomit.

I am grateful to all of the moms that relate, and my own mom that tries to give me suggestions and advice. Luckily my wiring is always positive, so even if I have a moment of explosion, my brain automatically works on figuring out how to not let things happen again, how to improve, how to grow, and ultimately to be grateful for all the positive that comes out of it.

Recently I have randomly called a friend or family for one reason, and they feel comfortable in that moment to share with me and vent over something that is troubling them, even cry.  I feel blessed that I can be a safe place for venting, and maybe even for a positive view.  I encourage everyone to see where you can do that for people around you, sometimes it is surprising where it comes from, but just an objective, open ear is quite rare in our world.

Listen and Silent are made up of the same letters, I read that recently and love the power of how important it is to stay silent and listen, to nature, to our environment, to our inner voice, to our friends and family.  There are so many distractions, it is so rare to have silence in our lives.  My Pilates classes I teach with no music, our breath becomes the music, and when I walk around the room to check form and alignment, I love to see that each person is inward, only focusing on their movement, their breath, how they feel, complete mind and body connection.  I also love to watch the movements as the mind and body connection happens they look like a dance or martial art, it is a beautiful sight for my eyes, I receive such pleasure when clients find their own way, tune in, tune everything else out, fully present, and a beautiful energy exchange for me.

I had a moment of feeling so blessed with everything happening in my life, my children, my husband, and my family all over the world.  They say just being present to what you love and are happy with brings more.

Bring More,
It's up to you,
Be Present,
Be Open,
Just Be,
Coach Yulia

Toddler Tantrum

God Help Me

The Joy! That is the best thing to say when children are showing their parents how strong, independent, and will get their way, also known as toddler tantrum.  Yes, this is how my mothers day ended, with an hour long toddler tantrum, where they saw the other not so nice side of mom.  I try to keep talking, negotiating, debating, but in a tantrum it is something that will pass, but in the moment they don't want to hear it.

The crazy thing is once it ended, my child wanted a hug and a kiss and quietly went to bed.  I know some of it was brought on by exhaustion and also by transition.  I hear many parents counting minutes, or having a conversation telling their child its time to go.  For me transitions and bed time are always a whole production. Lately I have been giving them time to play before bed, and I think that makes it worse, they are tired, I think it will just be lights out early from now on, I will keep you posted.

That is the way I can stay calm, cool, and collected is try to figure out how to avoid it in the future.  In the moment it is the biggest challenge to let it pass, when I have to put a baby to sleep, when I am exhausted myself, and when I know that I have to be firm, and that is what may be prolonging the insanity.  What was it yesterday? My child wanted me to bring water, and I said I would bring water when they went into their bed, maybe if I brought water right away I could of nipped it in the bud.  Eventually it all calmed down, but I felt that I had to set the way it was going to be even if the screaming didn't stop.  I did not bring water, and that is the dilemma, to bring water and to have a quiet night, or to show that it goes both ways, I will do something for you if you do something for me.

Oh this teaching stuff is so not for me, Thank God that my children go to school and are taught these lessons, it is a big challenge for me to deal with.  Anyone else in our lives we can just walk away, or take a break, or get back to it later.  One of the joys of motherhood and parenthood, there is no later, there is only now.  Not like a Yoga now, or a Shabbat now, but a not so pleasant now.

Oh how I love pleasant now,
Otherwise we would be bored,
Maybe we can think of it as spicing up our lives,
Infusing our lives with energy,
Waking us up to be in the moment,
Ultimately facing ourselves,
OY!
Thank you kids,
Coach Yulia

My Mom

This picture is from a couple of years ago, my mom flew into Los Angeles and stayed with my kids while my husband and I went on a business cruise that also coincided with our five year anniversary.  That was our first time without kids, it was amazing, when we stepped on the plane to go my husband said that we should definitely do it more often.  The baby was 8 months old in this picture, my daughter was almost three and my big boy was 4 1/2.  She was a rock star, my daughter was almost potty trained, this was the first time the baby was without his parents, and my big boy as usual was the biggest helper.

In my opinion my mom is the happiest woman on earth, of course we all go through the ups and downs of life, but her positive view that came from her mother is ingrained in me.  I choose to live in a happy space and feel blessed and present with everything that I do have in my life thanks to my mom.

My parents took a big risk taking my brother and me out of Russia for a better life in 1980.  They always raised us as adults and let us teach them about this new country, trusted us, and let us be independent and fly.  My goal is to raise my kids with the same confidence, fearless trust, and faith that everything will turn out as it should.

Thank You Mom For Molding a Happy, Fulfilled, and Strong Woman,
Who shines her light just like you shine yours,
Coach Yulia

Mothering

Continuing in this weekends theme of all things mother, I am in observation mode.  My daughter stayed home with me today while my husband took the boys to synagogue.  For me four years old is quite a doozy, totally in charge, demanding, forthright, and most of the time my nice conversations don't work.  So I do one of two things, I either reward a fun place to go or I take away something I know that they would like to do and it usually works.  But in my experience the female energy is so much more intense than the male energy, even if I win in the end, I have used all of my tricks, and I am thanking God that it has worked in my favor.

Last week my daughter stayed home too, I don't even remember for what, but I figure a lesson has to be taught, and this week she was just not using her words, so it had to be taught again.  Usually I love for all of the kids to go with my husband, so I can have complete quiet, me time, and a nice nap.

Last week she played quietly and let me nap, this morning she woke up crying before 6am, would not tell me why, so when all the boys left, I told her to please let me sleep, and when I woke up from my nap, I found her asleep on the couch and it really made me smile.  She was quiet, she did not come to sleep by me, she respected my wishes, was tired, and fell asleep on her own.

My motto is always take care of mama.
She gave me the best mother's day present ever.
If I could say the one thing I miss most about life before children is my naps.
Thank you dear daughter,
You are one of a kind,
God Willing you will be a mother one day,
You are so full of love,
So full of affection,
Ultimately that is what family is about,
We drive each other nuts,
But we can be 100% ourselves,
Respected for it,
We can go for a walk and take some breaths,
I always say otherwise we would be bored,
Feeling blessed for my kids,
I cannot imagine not being driven nuts,
God Bless Them,
Appreciating Mothering,
Coach Yulia

Mother's Day Weekend

This is hilarious, this year I am enjoying all the hoopla around mother's day.  My oldest is 5 1/2, my girl just turned four and my baby just turned two, I have been in a whirlwind of motherhood, and maybe finally now seeing the dust settle a bit.

All of these big holiday's on our calendars I have never been a fan of, people say they are created by hallmark.  Especially Valentine Day, it never meant sense to me to show love on one day.  Now that I am in a community that celebrates something daily, Solar birthdays, Lunar birthdays, it just never ends, and I honestly cannot get enough.  Why not have a day just for moms, and recently there has been teacher appreciation week, administrative assistant week, and so on.  Why not?

I still feel we should love everyday and celebrate our family every day, so why not have a day that the everybody hops on board, and all the energy and love is directed towards the one and only mom.  Whether you are a mom, hoping to be a mom, in the process of being a mom, have a mom, enjoy this day, or even this weekend.

We are not planning to do anything too over the top, going to spend the day with the family and with my mother in law.  Everything in life is about getting together, that is what makes life fun and full of memories.

Have a great weekend everyone,

Shabbat Shalom,

Coach Yulia

My Happy Place

I am very proud of me, I have been working on getting my teeth and gums healthy again after having babies, that is my weak area, genetic after my mom, but I have been a good girl and a good listener and its getting better and better, YAY!

I live in a bubble, that bubble makes me happy.  Sometimes life happens and my bubble is popped, but Thank God temporarily.  I work hard to recreate the bubble, yes of course sometimes it is a challenge, and the ups and downs of life help us really feel grateful for what we have.

Today was a long yet productive day, and I just was under my covers so ready to sleep, and I was thinking of my happy place, and I thought, well I might as well write about that, so here I am.

For some reason during the day there is so much happening, and I do have a moment to write, but nothing sticks out lately, and I am not in a rush, so for some reason it is at night that I have the OH YEAH moment. No matter what happens in my day, I feel grateful that 99.9% of the time I go to bed content, blessed, and leaving what ever has to be done for tomorrow.  I was saying that the last few nights I haven't slept well, but not because of things really running through my head, but being aware of noises and being bothered by them.

Who knows, I give some great advice in my classes, and I should really listen to what is channeling through me sometimes.  Our thoughts are our reality, what we tell ourselves is what we truly believe, we live in yesterday and tomorrow.  Whatever gets you present, try to go there at least once a day, and then if you are able once a week stay there for 24 hours, it does magic for your perception and gratitude.

Where is your happy place?
Where is your bubble?
Where can you be present?
If you don't take a break, you will break,
Coach Yulia