A Break from C&Y

It seems the gaps in between entries in this blog are getting bigger and bigger. I have given this a lot of thought and decided to write an entry on what's been going on in my head. I have been paying much more attention to my jewelry business and working very hard on getting the word out on my work and promotion and networking and yadda yadda yadda. It is not an easy task. As a result, my practice has faltered quite a bit. I still love yoga very much but right now, especially in these crazy times and the holidays coming, I have struggled to find that balance. It's not happening at the moment. Maybe in the new year once things quiet down a bit.

Where I am going is, I don't know how much more I can commit to updating Cupcakes & Yoga. I have tried other ideas I've had but they never quite panned out. The fact is I have been focusing more on my main blog and just can't bring myself to update two blogs on a regular basis, especially if I don't have much to say on the matter. I can't even make the time to write a decent review! I love this blog and I love the connection I've made with many of you and have learned quite a bit and I thank you so very much! This isn't a 'goodbye' as I said, I will still be blogging over at Pulp Sushi. Maybe once I start practicing again, I will post yoga updates on there as I don't just want my main blog to be a shop blog. I hope to see you there!

9 cupcakes from Nine Cakes

9 cupcakes from Nine Cakes
Originally uploaded by Marilyn P. Sushi

I went to a craft fair today and came home with some cupcakes. Don't they look yummy?

Gingerbread Yogis

Poor gingerbread men, they always seem so....stiff! They need to loosen up a little like these guys from Patti Paige Baked Ideas Custom Baking.  How wonderful!   The alignment is not too shabby either, always with a smile on their face. Now THIS is someone who has found enlightenment!   Nice considering they will eventually end up in someone's belly, OM.....

Owl-O-Ween Cupcakes

Chocolate! Lots and lots of chocolate! Visit this how to on Ezra Pound Cake to make these cute cuppies! Whoo! Whoo!

Top 100!

I received some wonderful news today.  C&Y was included in a Top 100 Yoga and Meditation Blogs.  If you check it out, you'll see some other familiar names on there.  Very pleased for the recognition, thank you very much! 

Oh! I also wanted to share a necklace that I made for my Etsy shop. I usually wouldn't do something like this on here but I have to make an exception..

In case you're curious, you can see more details about it here.

Surya Yoga cupcakes

I absolutely love Flickr, anything you want to find, you will find it here. Sometimes finding something related to both yoga and cupcakes can be a challenge but every now and then something pops up.

Here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26458168@N08/2885036394/?addedcomment=1#comment72157608089316947

I am just impressed with the grass, sand, shells and eventually the yummy looking ocean, I'll have one of those!

You have got to be kidding...

I just came across this listing on Etsy from the shop Pamper Me Please. They're not cupcakes, they're bath bombs! How amazing is that?

Halloween Cupcakes

Halloween Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by mysweetandsaucy

My favorite time of the year is upon us. What better way to enjoy it than seeing some spooky cupcakes? Check out this great post from My Sweet and Saucy. Its all pumpkins and Fall leaves!

Jivamukti At Home

In finding more ways to develop a stronger home practice, I haven't ruled out yoga dvd's. It has been maybe a year since I practiced with a dvd (thanks Netflix!). I was very fortunate to have received some from the wonderful folks at Acacia. A dvd I had wanted to get for a while now was Transform Yourself with Jivamukti Yoga. I remember first hearing about a Jivamukti dvd coming out and not only was excited, I was curious to see how they were going to capture the vibe you get in a classroom setting and bring it into your home. The truth is they didn't, but that's ok and I'll explain in a bit.

The cover of the case says "Experienced beginners & beyond" so this is not exactly a dvd for brand spanking new yoga. But I guess you can see that just judging by the twist/balance pose on the cover. There is an introduction by David Life & Sharon Gannon, the founders of Jivamukti Yoga. They share their passion for yoga and the benefits this practice can bring to a more fruitful and happier existence. The session itself is only 60 minutes (a studio class is 1 hr 35 mins) and you can choose between instruction from David or Sharon. First I sat down and watched it, then I followed along.

Unlike other dvd's, but in Jivamukti fashion, they include chanting in the session but only briefly. The flow of the practice is fast paced where the longest you're holding a pose may be for only five breaths. They even instruct to not worry about the pace of the practice so much. If you do fall behind, you can catch up in Downward Dog. The practice includes standing, balance, twisting, backbends, forwardbends, and inversions providing modifications if you are not quite ready for the full pose. Another reason why this is for "experienced" beginners is the instruction isn't quite for newbies and at some points I noticed it was a little off but I was familiar enough with the sequencing to continue. It may not be the same for others. I think you have to be familiar with the asanas already as there is little instruction on the poses themselves. Come to think of it, they should just remove "beginner" from the title.

I know music is very important to the Jivamukti practice and the instrumental Raga music played thoughout the practice was wonderful. They had a Kirtan group playing their instruments in the room as they practiced. However, for some reason during Savasana they switch to a folky lyrical song which didn't fit at all and I ended up muting the television. Overall, it is a wonderful dvd to have to your collection.

Meet Even Keel

Elizabeth Matthews discovered the benefits of yoga during her freshman year of college and instantly became an avid yoga student. Throughout her growth, she continued to work in the profit and non-profit sector hoping to one day have her own business. Finally, Liz decided to pursue this desire and incorporate her passion for yoga and create something wonderful out of it.

Part hipster, hippie, athlete, do-gooder, and cynic, she wanted yoga gear that fit her personality and lifestyle. Liz recognized the need for unique, functional, and sustainable yoga apparel. "I've been practicing yoga for years and didn't adore any of the pants that I had in my closet", so with no background in fashion, Liz started Even Keel in December 2007 based on the philosophy of maintaining balance in our personal and professional life and all of the activities big and small that it entails.

The Even Keel’s styles are made with a sustainable blend of bamboo and organic cotton fabric which means it's produced without the harshness of chemicals and earth-friendly! This fabric blend is incredibly soft, lightweight and breathable. The bamboo has natural anti-bacterial and wicking abilities - important qualities in yoga and exercise apparel.

Now I can speak from personal experience, I received a pair of the Luscious Leggings to try out. Normally, I would prefer to wear something a little looser. Sometimes us curvy girls may not want to show off the curves but in the fairness of yoga journalism, I took one for the team. I put them to the ultimate test. I wore them to a sweat inducing Open Level class at Jivamukti in NYC, Russell Simmons was there ok??? I went with the lovely Mary from Om Bites. I was already sweating the first five minutes into the asana but my legs were feeling pretty good. The looseness at the bottom of the leggings enable me to fold them up to my knee without any tightness around the leg. The high waist is a definite plus as I'm always fidgeting with the back to make sure my underwear isn't showing. No worries with these leggings and the truth is, I didn't look bad in them at all! I'm a size 12, sometimes 14 depending on the store and a size L almost felt a little TOO big on me but I didn't want to chance it with a Medium. I would have taken a photo of myself modelling them but I sweated in them way too much to post on the internet but trust me, I was very happy with them and would gladly wear them again, curves and all!

As part of celebrating Yoga Month, all Even Keel products are 20% off from Sept 1-30, 2008. Use promotion code "NYM2008" at checkout. Offer valid only through EvenKeelYoga.com. Even Keel is also available at Jivamukti Yoga studios.