Booking Myself Up

WOW! Excited to have my schedule open to teach more classes, it is my fuel, it is my love, it is my balance, I need it to get off my gerbil wheel.  I am so grateful that people love my classes, and I am happy that I consciously energy exchange, it is a mutual benefit, I need them as much as they need me.

Today I got to visit with a dear friend and her new baby, so amazing how life keeps moving forward, and all the different stages in it.  So happy for new beginnings, and so happy that I am done with those beginnings.  Most important lesson is for each parent is to trust their intuition and know that they are exactly right for their child, they are enough, they are wonderful, just try to enjoy the moments, even though its super intense.

Then while driving to work my friend asked for my help to sub a few of her classes because she didn't feel good.  This was an amazing opportunity to teach new students, I really love new students, to energy exchange, and present Yoga in a balanced, positive, feel good, to each their own way.  I figured it all out, and ran to teach that class, then had a little break to eat before I went to my Monday night Boot Camp that I co-teach and work out at.

Now looking at my schedule for the week, and for tomorrow, figuring out how to be on top of my schedule, so whenever an opportunity comes up, I know exactly how to squeeze it in.  I love booking myself up, so grateful for my family for supporting my need to be out of the house, in the world, with adults, I love adults.

Also I am figuring out how to be creative, connecting with projects, modeling, collaboration with makeup and hair artists and photographers, having a blast creating new looks and being a canvas.


I always say that I love the extremes,
I am either Yoga or Diva.





No makeup, simple hair, comfortable clothes, or
Full face, heels, clothes that fit nice on the curves!
So fun to be doing what I love,
So fun to just be simple me,
So fun to be me,
Have fun being you,
Coach Yulia

Happy Mother's Day

I am so blessed to be surrounded by the most amazing mothers, we support each other, stand up for each other, and are always there to help in every kind of situation.  I want to wish all of the mother's that I know a wonderful day with your family and friends, enjoy the love, affection, and attention.

Growing up I really didn't understand the Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, and it seems like there are so many more now.  I always thought why have one day, we should show how we feel everyday, and not run to the convenience store for some chocolate and flowers last minute.

Now as my kids go to school, there are more days, Teacher Appreciation Week, there is even Doula Week!  I like how these days make people take a moment in their busy lives to be present and express themselves, unfortunately it is rare, but at least during these days everyone tries to be genuine and see the positive.

I am grateful that this is my state of being on a daily basis with my children, husband, parents, brother, extended family and friends.  I am also sensitive to people that are sad today, people that have lost their mother's or mother's that are trying to conceive.  I wanted to share this amazing post by a son who suddenly lost his mother last year.

Mendel Minkowicz

Today is Mother’s Day and many people are probably wondering how this feels for me and my family so let me share some thoughts.

The last few days leading up to this day were a little hard for me, but thank G-d I managed.

The beginning of the week started off difficult because whenever I would go somewhere and see sales, posters or cards saying “Happy Mother’s Day” I would feel sad that my mother was no longer with me and I couldn’t just go buy a present and give it to her and say “Happy Mother’s Day”

One day this week I was walking with my friend and he got a call from his mother. When his phone rang and he took it out of his pocket I saw on the screen that it sad ‘mom. I suddenly remembered the time that I walked into my house after getting home from school and I ran over to my mother and gave her a heart shaped card that I had made in school for Mother’s Day. I remember her giving me a huge hug and then a delicious supper which she had made that day (really all my mother’s food was delicious).

So it started off being a tough week but as I said, I managed. The reason I was able to get through it was because I know the real meaning of Mother’s Day. It’s not about going out and buying presents, that is only how you express what you feel inside. It is about honoring your mother and living the way she wants you to.

So I am writing today to tell all of you that I am having a good Mother’s Day because she is being honored. Not just by me and my family abut also by the entire world through the Torah & Tea classes, Rashi’s Campus and much more.

Cherish the special people in your life,

Enjoy them, tell them how wonderful they are,

Every morning when my children wake up, I have hug time and I tell them how special they are and how much I love them, that is all we do, just lay around and love.

Coach Yulia

Positive Genes

Hi! I read an article today that was so powerful, and the paragraph that really grabbed me was,

"Research shows that a genetic variation in the brain makes some people naturally less anxious and better able to forget bad experiences, says Richard A. Friedman, clinical psychiatry professor at Weill Cornell Medical College. The “unlucky” tend to “be data collectors for bad experiences”—remembering every detail of negative events and weighing them all equally, so losing out on a great parking spot becomes just as awful as losing your mother’s heirloom diamond ring."                 http://parade.com/394046/kmccleary/5-ways-to-get-luckier/

I find this so powerful, we are all so different, some people have the positive view, and some people focus on what might go wrong.  I never understood worrying in advance, but it seems like some people are just wired this way.  I easily let things go, try to learn from them, do not let anything get me down, take it as a lesson, and move on.

I am just grateful, that is the way I stay sane.  Of course business could be better, and my journey to fitness and health after babies can better, but overall, I am so blessed, I would not change a thing, just keep working on and figuring out how to grow and thrive.

Looking forward to celebrating mother's day, really feeling motherhood this year, my last seven years has been a whirlwind, and now that the physical stuff is not as intense, I feel more like myself again and can enjoy the wonder and energy of the little people in my life.  Feeling grateful for my amazing mother, grandmother, mother in law, and all the women that have walked in these shoes.

Really appreciating the woman I am today because of the amazing women that raised me,
My grandmother and mother are the most positive people in the world,
Even with the ups and downs of life,
Their light was a beacon for everyone that crossed their path,
I am grateful for my light, and strive to shine as bright as they still do,
Coach Yulia

Pass It On

Some days I am not sure what to write about, I look for inspiration elsewhere, and today was one of those days.  Life is just good, and I love to say not horrible, not amazing, but just good, grateful for the every day.  Usually things stand out when they are amazing or horrible, and I need to get it off my chest and share in the hopes that others can relate and pass it on to someone that may need inspiration.

The post below is so powerful about messages all around us.  It made me smile because the lessons are everywhere.  I love to hear modern takes on ancient wisdom, I love to keep learning and staying open.  

We have had such a fun week with so many celebrations, and this is Mother's Day weekend, I hope everyone has a wonderful time.  

Full of Gratitude,
Present,
Appreciating my Health,
Appreciating what's to come, 
Grateful for my day of rest to stop creating and focus on all the blessings in my life,
Shabbat Shalom,
Coach Yulia

Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz

The Wink Bar

For several weeks now I have been struggling with whether to continue writing the Hirshy Bar. I had originally decided that I would stop at the first Yahrzteit (anniversary of passing). But when that weekend arrived I found myself needing to write more.

You have been a great audience and a listening ear. Perhaps you gain some inspiration or a warm fuzzy feeling but the true benefit has been mine.

Needing to share an episode every week of seeing winks, the light in the dark and the hand of Hashem at work has become a primary source of motivation and inspiration as our family navigates through this new life of ours.

I couldn’t give it up.

But another side of me was saying that maybe I should. It takes energy and vulnerability to share these thoughts each week. Perhaps a year was enough and it’s time to move on. Yes I have gained so much as have many others that read and adapt the messages to their own life, but perhaps it has been enough.

An energy bar called a ‘Kind Bar’ finally put this struggle to rest for the time being.

This Wednesday I was at Starbucks and decided to splurge on a Kind Bar which is a healthy, tasty, costly, Kosher, energy bar that stares at you every time you stand at the Starbucks check out counter. They even have some flavors that are Pareve (contain no dairy) which is what I eat, so that became my lunch that day.

As I dug my hands into my pocket to pull together the extra Shekels for my afternoon delight, the cashier stopped me and said “Today is your lucky day, the Bar is free”.

When I asked for an explanation she proceeded to tell me that the company places random Kind Bars amongst the others on which the barcode for scanning is replaced with a special message indicating that it is a freebie. Turns out that I had the luck of picking up the random free kind Bar.

She turned over the package to show me what it said. I smiled as I read the words. Not because I had just save two dollars but because of the wink and message it contained:

This bar is not for sale.
It’s a treat for you.
You’ve been kinded.
Pass it on.

Indeed the Bar is not for sale. The Hirshy Bar is a treat for me. I have been kinded by your continued listening and support, and I need to continue passing on the inspiration through these weekly columns.

The Kind Bar became the Wink Bar for the Hirshy Bar. It was the best lunch I ever had. It was my lucky day.

Shabbat Shalom

BEAUTY SLEEP

This article is very interesting, it talks about how pregnancy really takes a toll on the body, and even our brain loses 5% because it is needed for the developing baby, http://goop.com/postnatal-depletion-even-10-years-later/.  I am just in a daze lately, a total daze, mixing up days, today I was subbing a Yoga class that I will sub again next week, and for some reason I was telling them that I would see them next Monday, even though it was Thursday.  Then I was wondering why I thought it was Monday, and then I remembered that I saw a street cleaning sign not to park on Monday, so I was happy not to park there, forgot it was Thursday?

All I can think of is that I am getting more sleep than I have had in the past seven years, and my body just doesn't know what to do with all of this natural high feel good energy.  My wonderful three year old is fully toilet trained, and now learning how to go to sleep with my other two, and not waking up at night.  The best part is that sometimes I sleep so deep, my husband tells me he woke up to go to the bathroom, stood by my side of the bed, but I did not wake up, it makes me so happy that I am sleeping through not important things.

I have always led a non stop life doing a millions things and being on the go, so for me my naps were my recharge.  It was a specific formula of one hour and a half, I would wake up refreshed and ready to go.  Now my nap luxury is only on Saturday when my husband takes the kids to synagogue and I have a quiet house all to myself, and I enjoy my nap so much.

The night sleep just started this week, I am tired now it is almost 10pm, the kids are all asleep.  One of my students told me that I need to find my rhythm now in my new stage of life, where my time is mine again, this is the first time I have been kid free in 7 years.

My father would always tell me I looked "green" when I didn't get enough sleep, it shows on my face right away.  I am so excited to look and feel like myself again, I have a wedding in August, getting back in shape, got my workout routine, figuring out my health and nutrition, I want to get an allergy test, everything else Thank God looks good.

Good Hair Always Helps, but do I look green to you?

Ready to be fabulous,
Ready to feel good,
Ready to be rested,
Ready to birth other things,
Ready to focus fully on my business,
Good Night,
Beauty Sleep Time,
Coach Yulia

LIGHT

So excited to go with my family tonight!  This is a big party day in the Jewish world, this is the day when it is allowed to have weddings, hair cutting ceremonies, birthdays, and music.  Here is a bit of history and details about the counting between Passover and Shavuout, and Lag B Omer in between, http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/679300/jewish/What-Is-Lag-BaOmer.htm.

The theme is about respect, light, and learning from our history.  When I think about light I think of it in a few different ways.

1. Shining your own light
2. Listening to your light within
3. An actual light, like the sun or fire
4. It also means the opposite of heavy, (physically, spiritually, emotionally heavy)

Listening to your gut, your intuition, especially as a parent is really the only way to function in my opinion.  There is so much information, especially with the internet, and of course we always hear how something we thought was good is now bad, and vice versa.  A friend of mine had a positive pregnancy test, but when she went to the doctor it was negative, so she kept on taking tests, and it turned out to be positive.  Then she went in to hear a heartbeat, and the doctor sadly told her there was no heartbeat.  My friend started counting, and realized it must be too early in her pregnancy to hear a heartbeat, and she was right!  TRUST YOUR MOTHER'S INTUITION.

Also as your children grow, there are so many statistics, and bell curves, and charts.  I just don't care about those charts, I always trusted what felt right with my own children.  Such a powerful post below, and it is so true, we all feel like something may be wrong, and our children should always be tested, nobody gets to develop at their own pace anymore.  But in saying this, if you really feel your child needs specific services, seek them out, trust your gut.

Octavia Lindlahr

http://www.otbee.com/

It saddens me to no end that parents are placed in such fear over their children's natural development. Weekly, and it feels like almost daily, I come in contact with a parent who has been "advised" to get help, usually it is OT/PT, or to see a Speech Pathologist because they are not crawling or walking soon enough, or for the 2 year old boy-child is not talking yet, and ALWAYS for the preschooler who won't "sit down and listen". With HB 985 lingering, where teachers in schools with no formal development or neuroscience education or background will be able to "diagnose" your children with mental illness - I have to say, this is getting ridiculous and dangerous! We get children at OTB all the time who are misdiagnosed with autism or ADD, when really what was going on was some sort of "sensory disorder". My point being, if the DOCTORS are misdiagnosing (which they ARE!), then what is going to happen here with the teachers? The children in this country are already WAY over-medicated (from birth) with antibiotics, vaccines, etc. I see a disaster on the horizon if this bill goes through in Texas. The truth of the matter . . . something is always developing in the brain. It may not be "timely" for crawling, but that is the one kid who has advanced fine motor skills! Boys often talk later because they receive, process and archive data differently than girls do, and that impacts speech development! Young children are always NOT going to want to sit, be quiet and pay attention - they aren't made that way. We need to be the "advocates" for our children. WE ARE ALL THEY HAVE IN THIS LIFETIME.

You Know What You And Your Children Need,

Coach Yulia

Mrs. Hadassah Spalter of Ohel Sara Institute of Higher Learning seminary in LA (Chaya's mother) made this request:

5/4/15, 5:06:31 PM: On behalf of my Seminary and I, we are requesting that in memory of our Chaya, if you can light Shabboscandles 5 min earlier. And try and get someone else to do that or someone that never lights candles to get them to light at least just this week. It would mean so much to us!! May the Neshama of ChayaMushka bas Menachem Mendel have an Aliyas Haneshama!!!!

Chaya was a girl filled with light and happiness, and we wish too spread the light she had and add more, to bring the final redemption right NOW!

Lets Light to Ignite!!!

Our Own Thoughts Are RARE

Technology is so amazing, but there is so much out there now, and figuring out what is right for me is not an easy feat.  Obviously I am married to Facebook and I am clear about that, I have attempted Instagram and Twitter, and it just does not work for me at this time.  The blogging I love, yes I also physically and mentally need it, it is a time to share the thoughts bursting out of me.  I hope everyone has a place where they can share their thoughts.  Whether it is with someone special or in a public forum, there are so many thoughts out there in social media, but each one is unique, and we all connect with certain ones and are not interested in others.

I am having my own issue with the original technology, our brain, and modern technology, which is like an add on to our brain.  I love having so much amazing things on my plate, and usually my brain can keep up, but sometimes it doesn't, and I am looking for a system that will help my brain remember all of my stuff, specifically work stuff.  The children stuff luckily I am not forgetting, I know when to pick them up from school and take them to their various extracurricular activities and weekly birthday parties.  My work stuff suffers because my schedule is changing literally by the second, and I kind of love that, I want things to flow, and if somebody cancels, then I have that time slot to focus on something else, and trust me there is always something else.

This is the real conundrum, I am communicating with people from all kinds of devices and methods, email, text, call, and messenger, as well as work related scheduling boards.  I do not have one place where all of these collide, so if I have something on a regular basis, it is instilled in my brain.  If I pick something up to substitute or there is a change in my schedule, it is sitting in a text or on a website, and if something is happening with my children or my community, my brain goes blank, and I have reneged on a commitment.  This is not fair to the people relying on me to take over when I said I would, this is me not keeping my word, I cannot go blank anymore, I will not go blank anymore. I am asking advice, and trying new things, because as I get busier, maybe I will be able to hire a personal assistant and then MY world will be a much happier place where I can just flow and fly.

This post was for me to try to figure out how to utilize technology better for my work life,
however, I really never want to let go of my naturally high happy bubble where my energy lives,
In Yoga I say Think of Nothing Feel Everything,
But our thoughts, dreams, creations, desires, inventions, and unique outlook on life
makes the world an interesting place to live,
Our own thoughts are rare,
Coach Yulia