CO Yoga + Life® Magazine| Winter-Spring 2018-19

shine issue

NOEMI NUñEZ CREATES CULTURAL BRIDGE

IN THE PRACTICE

THE SCIENCE OF STRETCHING

TRAVEL

+ INDIA + CALIFORNIA + OREGON

HUT TRIP ROUNDUP

WINTER BACKCOUNTRY GEAR L I F E S T Y L E • C O M M U N I T Y • W E L L N E S S • N AT U R E • M O V E M E N T • A D V E N T U R E

WINTER + SPRING 2018 -19

Illuminate Your Authenticity

sponsored content

THE CO YOGA + Life® 1

Wish List 2

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1. Golden Root Tumeric Latte Mix Fight inflammation and find grounding energy with every comforting sip of this caffeine-free turmeric latte mix. Made in Denver, Colorado, Golden Root is mindfully created with all organic and non-GMO ingredients and makes for the perfect stocking stuffer or healthful holiday gift!

30-Serving Pouch: $29.99; Individual Serving Sachets: $9.99 - $39.99 www.goldenroot.co 2. Vail Valley Wellness Cosmetic Acupuncture Gift your loved one a natural, no down-time, transformative facial rejuvenation Cosmetic Acupuncture Package. Vail Valley Wellness is offering a 12-treatment, complete Cosmetic Acupuncture package with a $400 discount this holiday season. Goodbye botox, hello cosmetic acupuncture! Book your consultation online at vailvalleywellness.com.

3. Chill TONIC CBD Tincture Relieve anxiety, restore balance + #FixYourVibe with Chill TONIC. Chill combines 800mg CBD with the calming, restorative blend of Ashwagandha, Lemon Balm and Passion Flower.

All of the TONIC blends are handcrafted in small

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batches using CBD sourced from organic, sungrown hemp flower.

1 Fluid Ounce Bottle $75 www.tonicvibes.com 4. Lotus Wrap For those who love meditation and restorative yoga! The Lotus Wrap is a versatile, stabilizing yoga strap that supports your back in seated meditation postures, and cocoons your whole body to allow you to go deeper in your favorite poses. Perfect for people with tight muscles, back pain, or who simply want to be cradled in a seated position. Give the gift of inner peace this holiday season. $52 - $85 COLOVE = 20% Off all Lotus Wraps + tank tops at earthtoethers.com 5. Aspen Mugs by MusicalMud Studios “True growth happens from the inside out,” is yoga instructor and ceramic artist, Lori A. T. Raper’s life motto. It also describes the method used to create the aspen tree bark texture. She stretches the clay from the inside to achieve the unique texture then glazes to enhance the surface. Each mug, teapot, bowl, vase, lamp

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or vessel she makes is as unique as the trees they are inspired by. Through these one-of-akind pieces, she brings the beloved beauty of Colorado’s outdoors inside.

Mugs $32 www.musicalmud.com 6. MirrorMala Necklaces and Bracelets All MirrorMala pieces are handmade by Gabrielle Woods with specific soulful intention and prayers for world peace. There are many ready-made malas available, as well as custom pieces upon consultation. Woods works with clients to cocreate a beautiful healing meditation bracelet or necklace specifically designed for a specific intention. MirrorMala is a true labor of love, mindfulness and joy. Gabrielle is also available for mala repair, instruction and workshops. $35 - $180 www.mirrormala.com 7. Almeda Labs - Prasada Adaptogenic Synergy Food A proprietary blend of powerful herbs and plants go into this delicious plant protein infused superfood powder that can be used as a supplement or a meal replacement. This

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curated, adaptogen powered formulation is full of antioxidants and probiotics that will help you reboot your gut and replenish your cells. Shine from inside out! Enhance nutrient absorption and digestion while calcifying skin, improving nails, calming and de-stressing the body for better sleep. Organic ingredients contain plant-based protein, ashwaghanda, bitter melon, organic cacao, lions mane, chug, tulsi and berry juice. $54.99 www.almedalabs.com 8. Yoga Face Skin Care Trio Give a yogalicious gift to your favorite yogi this holiday! This simple three-step Yoga Face trio uses Ayurvedic formulas to cleanse, hydrate and plump the face leaving the skin glowing, hydrated and healthy. These small-batch quality products are allnatural and synthetic-free — perfect for all skin types and genders. Yoga Face has packaged a special gift set just for Colorado YOGA + Life readers!

Use code COlove108 and get this most special trio for $108. www.yogaface.com 9. Love & Asana Tank Not just a graphic tee — these soft, flattering tops empower both the person wearing them and under-served populations. Based in Colorado, COYOGALIFEMAG.COM

Tiffany Lord’s exclusive designs are inspired by her experience teaching and practicing yoga.

When you shop at Love & Asana, each shirt helps fund yoga programs for cancer survivors, eating disorder recovery, and military veterans. Use code COYOGA20 and get 20% off!

Back Row Yoga Tank $32 www.loveandasana.com 10. Vela Apparel Yoga Blanket + Hoodie The perfect way to cozy up after a yoga class.

Colorado based, Vela Apparel creates unique sayings on beautiful reclaimed material yoga blankets. The perfect gift for everyone you love.

In addition, the beautiful, comfortable and stylish bear hoodie is perfect for after class or paired with jeans.

Yoga Blanket: $39; Women’s Bear Hoodie: $58 www.velaapparel.com 11. Mary Jane’s Medicinals Salve This extraordinary salve is the perfect gift for just about anyone on your list! It will help Granny or Gramps with their arthritis or nerve pain without getting them high. It’s a wonderful product to rub into your partner’s tense shoulders or sore feet after a stressful day — it’s great in the bedroom too! For the athletes in your life it will aid them during tough workouts and help speed

the healing of injuries. And its regenerative properties make it an awesome product for many skin conditions —including anti-aging. Just put some salve on it!

2 ounce jar retails for $30 www.maryjanesmedicinals.com 12. Soul Seal Yoga Mat Topper These mat toppers have gripper technology to ensure a confident, slip-free surface so you can focus on your workout. Each Soul Seal is also infused with a silver ion anti-microbial to repel germs and odors. Machine washable and hang to dry. Made 100% in the USA, the toppers come in six different trim colors to give you a beautiful barrier between yourself and the dreaded “gym juice”. $99.95 www.soulseal.com 13. Sonnenalp Hotel Vail Gift Card Gift the gift of the Sonnenalp Hotel. You’ll always be ready to say “Happy Birthday,” “Congratulations,” “Happy Anniversary,” “Happy Holidays” or “Thank You” with a gift card redeemable in the spa, at the golf course, in the delicious restaurants or for lodging at The Sonnenalp. Available for purchase in any amount online at www.sonnenalp.com/gift-card or at the hotel front desk.

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COLORADO IS PART OF THE YOGA + Life® FAMILY OF MAGAZINES.

YOGA + Life® MAGAZINES Juli Rathke - Founder/Publisher The paper content of this publication has been certifiably reforested via PrintReleaf – the world’s first platform to measure paper consumption and automate reforestation across a global network of reforestation projects.

LEARN MORE AT PRINTRELEAF.COM

CO YOGA + Life® OWNER + EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kim Fuller CO YOGA + LIFE® OWNER + DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS Bobby L'Heureux CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chelsea Connolly CO YOGA + LIFE® EDITORIAL INTERN Lexi Reich CONTRIBUTORS

photo: flickr.com/nicholas_t | CC BY

Juli Rathke, Kim Fuller, Bobby L’Heureux, Lexi Reich, Julia Clarke, Ange Stopperan, Sandy Ferguson Fuller, Taylor Rose Worden, Dr. Jonathan Bloch, Emma Murray, Kaity Rose, Wendy Wilkinson, Alexandra Caffery, Angela Gaffney, Carley Smith, Holly Mandarich, Jeff Jepsen, Jordan Schultz, Justin Kaliszewski, Karen Fienberg, Karstee Davis, Kimberly Nicoletti, Phyllis Allen, Rebecca Treon, Sarah Tuff Dunn, Selena Rodriguez

PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Banker, Craig Turpin, Kim Fuller, Juli Rathke, Kim Benfield, Andrea Gibson, One Million Faces, Stephanie Lonon, Beth Sanders, MindSpace Yoga & Meditation, Kim Constantinesco, Shelle Lenssen, Vela Apparel, Michele Infante, Kathryn Samaltanos, Corey Ruffner, CarmelCalifornia.com, Jeffrey Murray, Pete Alport, Visit Bend. Anelise Bergin, PureLuxe Beauty Bar, Jordan Quinn Smith, Noah Cheney, SunWater Spa, Devi Stone Chung, Comeback Yoga, MW Imagery, Fabian Moller, Eberhard Grossgasteiger, Holly Mandarich, Summit Hut Association, Scott Carney, Wira Dyatmika, Cotopaxi, Miguel Maldonado, Meg O’Neill Photography, Jess Watters, Easton Oliver, Taylor Kiser, Jeff Jepsen, Angela Gaffney, Carley Smith, Fit Fest, Pink Vail

REGIONAL SALES Bobby L’Heureux NATIONAL SALES Juli Rathke, Bobby L'Heureux EVENTS Addison Gumbert SUBSCRIPTIONS Please subscribe to our magazine at www.coyogalifemag.com ADVERTISING CO Office: 860.230.8650 | National Office: 815.414.YOGA (9642) bobby@coyogalifemag.com | www.coyogalifemag.com FEATURES If you would like us to consider you as a contributor, contact us at kim@coyogalifemag.com

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AFFILIATE OPPORTUNITIES YOGA + Life® Magazine juli@yogalifemagazines.com | 815.414.YOGA (9642) www.yogalifelive.com COVER Noemi Nuñez captured by Kevin Banker 2019 CO YOGA + Life® Magazines. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of its publishers. Every effort has been make to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. The publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. Company cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in this magazine.

Letter from the editor / Winter + Spring

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t’s closing in on a beautiful Colorado evening as I sit down to compose my thoughts for this letter. A candle is my company, dancing its bittersweet flickers and reminding me of what it means to glow.

As night draws near, I am grateful to witness this brilliance as it becomes.

Winter is dark. It’s quiet and still. Really, when you listen to this season, its calming energy is composed of the deep chords that can sustain a song. We burn wicks, share gifts and tell stories, connecting with one another to celebrate community and a luminous spirit that is never fully dim.

Then we see Spring. The radiant illumination that emerges from depth and blooms

above the surface of our souls. This is the light and vibrant energy that provides inspiration for life and for love. It’s these essences of being that make us more than human — they make us whole.

And what do you notice? This is the cycle of the every day. We wake and we seek, question and shift, open and close.

We welcome the morning just as we honor the setting sun. I have never witnessed a more drastic and life-affirming duality that is the day and the night, except that of Winter and Spring. When a bleak sky offers the gifts of white-gold that then melt into the birth of an infant green sprout, how can we not be moved?

This is why we need to keep shining, even when the night feels dark and the morning far away. The words and images in this issue are an offering of light. May we all feel this bright energy, along with the intricate layers of darkness that make it a miracle to simply see our world lit up.

There’s really one message here; may we never stop living it within and beyond this time and place we share.

Let it SHINE! In Gratitude, Kim Fuller, Owner + Editor-In-Chief kim@coyogalifemag.com

photo by: CRAIG TURPIN

Based in Vail, Colorado, KIM FULLER is a freelance writer, editor and photojournalist in addition to her role at CO YOGA + Life®.

She is also a yoga teacher and co-founder of In Your Element, a yoga and outdoor adventure company. Kim has been published in The Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, Yoga Journal, Elevation Outdoors, Mountain, MTN Town, Outside, Snowshoe Magazine, Gear Institute, SUP Journal and more. When she is not diligently writing and editing in her mountain nook, teaching yoga around town or finding a new adventure, find Kim at a local cafe or craft brewery, where she enjoys the more indulgent side of inspiration. See more of her work at www.kimfullerink.com, and follow her on Instagram @lifeinfull.

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contents / Winter + Spring

CONTENTS

SHINE 7 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

"Shine On" By Kim Fuller

10 COVER SPOTLIGHT

Noemi Nuñez shares multilingual yoga

12 INTERN + AMBASSADORS

Colorado dream team

PROFILES

teachers // entrepreneurs // studios

14 TEACHER PROFILES

Megan Falley; Rob Schware; Melanie Lighthouser

20 STUDIO PROFILES

+ Yoga Loft - Boulder + Gunbarrel + MindSpace Meditation & Yoga Center - Edwards

20 RETREAT MAP

Plan a revitalizing getaway in 2019

LIFESTYLE

books // art // community // travel // what we love

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24 “SOLAR THE POLAR”

A playful picture book for the winter season

26 ARTIST Q&A

Elise Holmes of Vela Apparel

28 CO COMMUNITY

Community Yoga Project; Novo Coffee

31 HOT HANGOUTS

Colorado community hubs

34 YOGA OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Create your own Colorado retreat

36 HEART OF INDIA

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38 TRAVEL USA

+ Carmel, California

+ Central Oregon 42 WHAT WE LOVE

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Ange Stopperan’s pilgrimage and the journey home

Our favorite goods for Winter + Spring

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photo by: Greg LefCourt; Photo courtesy of: Vela Apparel

32 SHINE RESTAURANT & POTION BAR

Meet Boulder’s blissful sisters

WELLNESS

ayurveda // health // inspiration // food

76 AYURVEDIC SKINCARE

Your inner fire + your outer glow

78 CLEAN UP WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

YOGA + FITNESS

movement // retreats // seva // in the practice

46 JILLIAN KEAVENY

Music, yoga + fitness

48 THAI YOGA MASSAGE

Illuminating the benefits of an ancient practice

50 THE SCIENCE OF STRETCHING

Julia Clarke on making movement within reach

52 SHOSHONI YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

Lexi Reich reflects on a transformative time

54 COMEBACK YOGA

Veterans cope with trauma on the mat

56 RADIANT MOVEMENT

Yoga, belly dance + Nia

58 BREATHE

Three techniques to help your breath

60 YOGA NIDRA

A massage for the mind

OUTSIDE

Blends for a healthy home

80 HEAL CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Help from Dr. Jonathan Bloch

82 HOW I GOT MY GROOVE BACK

Inspiration from Karstee Davis

84 WINTER + SPRING RECIPES

Vibrant meals from chef Jeff Jepsen

86 SHINE FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Foods to alleviate anxiety + depression

88 THE BENEFITS OF BONE BROTH

Get your nutrients with these recipes

EVENTS + DISTRIBUTION Colorado fun

92 GATHERINGS

+ Fit Fest

+ Pink Vail 94 EVENT LISTINGS

Winter + Spring fun throughout the state

96 DIRECTORY

CO YOGA + Life® Distribution Partners

fresh air // environment // gear // adventure

98 NAMASTE

62 AWAKEN TO NATURE

And Mother Nature's reality

Cover photographer Kevin Banker

64 WINTER GREEN

Make the season more sustainable 66 WHAT’S IN YOUR PUFFY?

Support responsibly sourced down

68 SHIVER TO SHINE

Cold comfort with Scott Carney

70 WINTER + SPRING GEAR Photo by: Carly Smith

Go outside and play

72 ROAD TRIPS

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Spring adventure ideas

74 HUT TRIP ROUNDUP

Prep for a winter overnight in the mountains

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Q +A

profiles / About the Cover

By kim fuller owner + Editor in Chief

Noemi Nuñez

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photo by: Kim Benfield

Multilingual Yoga Instructor in Denver YOGALIFELIVE.COM

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oemi Nuñez is making big waves in this world. In addition to her roles as an immigration attorney, environmental activist, craft beer geek and judge, and her talents as a handpan drum player, Middle Eastern dance performer and former competitive gymnast, Noemi is committed to Seva as a multilingual yoga instructor.

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START DOING YOGA, AND THEN TEACHING IT? Well, technically, the asana part of my yoga practice inadvertently began when I initiated my gymnastics and dancing training at 5 years old. Sun Salutations were the warmup for both of these disciplines. However, in the true contextual framework of the eightlimb yogic path, I really began my devoted and consistent practice in 2010, prompted by two motor vehicle accidents as a form of self-rehabilitation, as well as to treat my chronic stress due to my professional legal and litigation career.

My journey to becoming a certified yoga teacher it is a most serendipitous one. My local yoga community petitioned it, and a scholarship was set up in place as encouragement to persuade me to embark upon this quest. As you can imagine this powerful and intentional action compelled and injected me with confidence, and support. Thus, after a significant loss while training — the death of my mother — I decided to teach yoga in a revolutionary and meaningful way, partly in her honor. Hence, I developed a bilingual yoga class format in a grassroots effort to serve and connect my local community; I committed to forever change our social fabric by beneficially influencing future generations.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR INTENTION AND MISSION WITH SHARING BILINGUAL YOGA? IN WHAT WAYS HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO SHARE THIS WITH THE DENVER COMMUNITY AND BEYOND? The mission is to serve as a cultural bridge by bringing diversity and inclusivity to yoga rooms around the world. The intention is to foster understanding and tolerance through this education and wellness tool.

I have been able to share this creation by presenting this bilingual yoga class format as a unique and accessible community offering, through the establishment and facilitation of

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The mission is to serve as a cultural bridge by bringing diversity and inclusivity to yoga rooms around the world. partnerships between non-profits, educational institutions and cultural organizations in the Denver area. Some of them are the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Museo de las Americas, Denver University, and The Center for Trauma Health & Resilience. I personally connected them to make this bilingual yoga program reach thousands of people that otherwise would have never been exposed to yoga of any kind.

It is simply unheard off to have these classes being offered at no cost, or donation-based, along with providing the incentives of transportation, childcare and admittance passes to enjoy the facilities that host the class, and this is possible in some cases due to private and government grants alike.

IN WHAT WAYS IS THIS SERVICE HELPING THE COMMUNITIES YOU TEACH? Primarily I notice students walking away with an integrative packet of sound information, moreover insight into their current state of wholesomeness due to experiencing the millenary practice of yoga in all its aspects. Tears, sorrow and laughter alike have been presents on those yoga rooms and mats. Both the individual and communal transformation that have followed and still is developing is astounding.

In the bigger spectrum of things, I have witnessed this bilingual yoga program narrow cultural gaps, I have observed the cultivation of social justice and the debunkment of myths about the practice of yoga within minority demographics and underserved populations, particularly in the Hispanic & Latino communities. The benefits of this class format is not only for the underserved and minority communities. The native

English speakers from all socio-economic statuses that have been seeking a wellness experience that will provide them with the added value of the Spanish language immersion, are filled with both joy and surprise that this has taken so long to be created and offered.

The progressive and gradual defeat of biases such as religious implications, gender connotations, and the nucleus of the "family oriented lifestyle" intimations continue to unfold and unravel. Overall, this bilingual wellness technology has raised the vibration of my community in an impactful manner, being an active part of this is incredibly humbling and joyful!

WHAT IS COMING UP NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR TEACHINGS? Presently, I am designing a certified training module to empower other yoga teachers in this particular bilingual yoga class format, which is based on the scientific knowledge of the language center and meridians of the brain. This format and its teaching methodology is clear, concise and precise in order to not be a chatter box by talking the whole class and therefore not holding a safe space for students.

Concurrently, I lead workshops and retreats, this is something that I do upon request every year, and as much as I enjoy them, the real passion in my yoga work is to continue to make yoga available and accessible to all, to the people that may need it the most, be it at the local, regional, national and even international level. I have been partnering with YogaDownload.com which has a worldwide reach by offering the bilingual format that I created as well as classes in Spanish for FREE. Simultaneously, one of my latest ideas is to form a non-profit that creates jobs in developing countries by certifying yoga teachers that reside in such countries. What better way to disseminate this proven-track knowledge. These new teachers would have the means to support themselves by teaching in their local communities and establish a market for themselves. I firmly believe that yoga as a lifestyle, can offer overall balance and quality of life. One of my deepest desires is to perpetually inspire others to want to be of service, and to embody the Seva portion of the yogic path. +

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profiles / Ambassadors

CO YOGA + Life®

ambassadors ANGE STOPPERAN is a yoga teacher, business coach, mentor to yoga teachers, sound healing practitioner, designer of sacred space, and helps her students learn the practice of creating rituals to help ground and connect to their inner guidance. Along with her role as a CO YOGA + Life® Ambassador, Ange is a faculty member at the Colorado School of Yoga. Ange runs online business courses for yoga teachers through the Colorado School of Yoga. www.angestopperan.com CASSIE SCALES has been practicing yoga since 2010. She has completed 200-hour teaching certifications in both Power Yoga and Integrated Vinyasa™. She currently teaches at Mountain Soul Yoga in Edwards, Colorado, and is an Ambassador for CO YOGA + Life®.

Cassie works as a Probation Officer in Eagle County, Colorado where she writes presentence reports for felony offenders. She spends her free time trail running and skiing through the beautiful Rocky Mountains, indulging in local eats, or cozying up with a good library book. She encourages direct communication, being fiercely authentic and cultivating balance between restoration and an active mountain lifestyle.

KAREN FIENBERG has been practicing yoga for 11 years and is currently a teacher in training. A former competitive cyclist, she turned to yoga for increased mobility and strength, discovering that strength came from surrender. Yoga allows her to access the healing qualities of her mind and body. Her preferred styles are yoga nidra, Iyengar, therapeutic and restorative. Karen is also a health educator, fitness enthusiast, craft chocolate connoisseur and plant-based food advocate and activist.

SHENNA JEAN is based in Aspen, Colorado. She’s a big fan of yoga, hiking, snowboarding, the Kansas Jayhawks and rosé. Shenna Jean loves her some personal and leadership development, be it a book, podcast, workshop or conference. She spends her days at the Aspen Art Museum and nights working on her photog skills and couples retreat company @adventuresandromance.

LEXI REICH CO YOGA + Life® Editorial Intern After experiencing a yoga ashram in the mountains of Colorado, Lexi became enthralled in the practice of yoga and meditation, and just earned her yoga teacher training at the sacred space. Originally from Chicago, Lexi loves the holistic lifestyle she found in Colorado, and combining this passion with her writing is what makes her truly happy. As a journalism and English major at the University of Colorado Boulder, Lexi spends most of her time reading novels and writing for her poetry and reporting classes. Besides this, you can find her skiing, hiking or traveling. Follow her on Instagram @lexi_reich.

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MEGAN FALLEY The Intersection of Poetry + Yoga www.meganfalley.com

E interview By Karstee Davis

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arlier this year, I found myself in a yoga class that was being led by a poet. I didn’t know she was a poet in the moment, but as we connected after class, I learned that, and much more, about her. Since then I’ve taken several of her classes (when she’s actually in town that is and isn’t out on tour somewhere), and I have even taken a poetry writing course that she led during National Poetry Month in April.

Megan Falley has a new collection of poetry that came out in September 2018 called Drive Here and Devastate Me, and she will be touring to promote her new works. When she is off the road you can find her in Boulder teaching at CorePower Yoga.

At Flatirons Coffee one afternoon, we sat down to go over some questions. Flatirons coffee has a wall of books that were right behind my head and for every question I asked Megan she was quick to point out a

title of a book behind me that matched the topic — you could say she has a knack for noticing details.

HOW DOES YOUR WRITING INFLUENCE YOUR YOGA? Classes are poetic. Language is important to me, the words and images I use to describe how somebody gets into a posture.

Spoken word is such a political art form, but my classes have the same message.

In a town that is so homogenous my message has been trying to make everyone feel comfortable, safe and to not hate themselves. I think there is a bravery required to step into that room if you aren’t like everyone else; whether that is your gender, ethnicity, etc. It’s nothing against CorePower or Boulder. Basically whatever messages I’m trying to unlearn is what I try to bring to the class.

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Photo by: Andrea Gibson

Q +A

profiles / Teachers

Helping homeowners & aspiring homeowners to achieve their dreams IN THE FIRST CLASS THAT I WENT TO OF YOURS, YOU TALKED ABOUT YOUR BODY AND HOW DURING YOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING YOU NEVER VOLUNTEERED AS “THE BODY” FOR THE DEMONSTRATIONS, BUT HOW NOW IT’S BEEN A YEAR AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE HAS CHANGED. I HAD FOUND THAT SO INTERESTING RIGHT AS I WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN MY OWN YTT AND I HAD MY OWN HANG-UPS ABOUT MY BODY, TOO. CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THAT? I did YTT about eight months after moving here, and I had always struggled with family and cultural values around body; so I didn’t want to volunteer and do it wrong, or have everyone looking at my body. But now a year later, I’m helping lead the training and I’m volunteering to be the body! There was no outside transformation, there was an inside one. I’m grateful to have a body that can do yoga, and it feels so good. Giving that as a gift to more people would be a really transformative thing that echoes.

HOW DOES YOUR YOGA INFLUENCE YOUR WRITING? So far I’ve kept the two worlds very separate. But yoga is less blaming, less victimizing; it’s more seeing the light and dark in us all, the wholeness. Yoga makes me feel whole, or closer to whole. It’s more of a commitment to the therapy of the mind.

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WHAT’S DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING A TEACHER? It’s nice to have an immediate impact; to watch someone come in one way and 99 percent of the time leave better. It almost feels like volunteering, like something I’d do for free, an act of service. Writing can have that effect too, or performing at least, but there’s more ego involved. And even though you are at the center of the room when you are teaching, it’s ultimately about the student. I’m also obsessed with the community. It’s a community that is really celebratory and rooting for everyone to do well.

WHAT IS YOUR SOUL’S MISSION? To be compassionate. I want to leave the earth more beautiful than when I arrived — so better than 1988.

YOUR WORDS AND THEMES OF CLASS ARE ALWAYS SO BEAUTIFUL, DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR YOGA TEACHERS OR STUDENTS OF WRITING? Notice the details around you, coming up with a theme or a poem is just noticing the details around you +

KARSTEE DAVIS is a writer and yogi living in the Boulder area. She has written for Folk Rebellion and for the Endometriosis Foundation of America. You can find her at www.purifiedoutlook.com or on Instagram @purifiedoutlook.

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By Justin Kaliszewski

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Executive Director Rob Schware, left, and his yoga teacher Beryl Bender Birch, right, co-founded the Give Back Yoga Foundation in 2007. Photo courtesy of One Million Faces.

ROB SCHWARE Co-Founder of The Give Back Yoga Foundation

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ver the years, Rob Schware has become one of my most trusted confidants in an often oxymoronic yoga/business world. He is a dear friend — an “uncle,” if you will — who speaks at every Outlaw Yoga teacher training, and provides valuable accountability for me personally.

When he says, “Justin, answer your emails, damn it,” I do it.

A daily runner who “seldom stretched,” yoga “found him” when he strained his back pulling his son from a tree. Six months later, he found himself at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies; that was 23 years ago and he's been practicing yoga on the mat — and in his marriage — every day ever since.

It was during his intensive studies with Beryl Bender Birch, founder and director of The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute, that the idea for the Give Back Yoga Foundation was born.

Over time the simple desire to give back has grown into a

charity that funds Yoga4Cancer, Yoga for 12Step Recovery, Eat Breathe Thrive, and has given out over 10,000 yoga mats to kickstart yoga service programs around the world.

Admirably 89 cents out of every dollar donated to Give Back goes directly to projects.

Amidst this mission, we talked about the biggest challenges facing the yoga community, like systemic racial inequality.

“I’m continually aware of how hard it is to just show up and practice — whether in my marriage of 34 plus years, or as a white male with unconscious attitudes that the social system has awarded preferences to … I try my best to be at ease with, not defensive of, healthy challenges on any level.”

Regarding the vast array of challenges facing the planet as a whole, “We can’t wait any longer to act on climate change,” he said. “We are running enormous risks.

In an earlier career, I was a social scientist working with a distinguished group of well-known climatologists and policy makers on the impacts of climate change.

It was the consensus of the international climatological community back in 1980 that if worldwide use of fossil fuels continued to increase, humans would likely cause a significant average warming of the Earth’s surface within the next 50 years … the long-term effects of changing climate on Colorado will mean a reduction of between

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Photo courtesy of: Rob Schware

Q +A

profiles / Teachers

two weeks to nearly three months of our beloved ski season. For millennials reading this article, I’m not optimistic your grandchildren will ski here.”

If a shortened ski season isn't enough to get, at least, the Colorado Yoga Community to act, then I don't know what is.

“Imagine the positive impact,” Rob implored, “on the climate if every child in the world could learn the transformative life skills of yoga from childhood.”

I didn't necessarily hang up the phone with any more hope for solving either (when it comes to the environment, I'm preppin'), but I did walk away with an enhanced sense of confidence … in myself.

See, at one point Rob outlined a recent business challenge that he and Give Back had faced; within the intense consideration they went through, he voiced the constant struggle of “identifying right action,” of determining whether our efforts are pointed in the right direction.

In a weird way, listening to him voice his own doubts were the most hopeful words I heard from him that day.

Rob's approachably wise; he doesn't know it all and is still confused every damn day — a place many of us reside in these days. He's unafraid to be vulnerable, a state that makes one supremely reliable if you ask me.

When pressed for real advice on these bigger issues, he suggested “moving to higher ground,” Googling Gail Parker (www. drgailparker.com), and connecting with the

“Justice Movement” (www.justicemovement. org); never mind that he could easily connect me on an email to either — Rob comes from a generation that believes in doing things for yourself, that hard work is its own reward, and he had to get back to cleaning out his basement before his “wife killed him” after all.

Frankly, it's these and many other positively stubborn attributes that I admire him for: his vulnerability and his willingness to get up every day, practice and try his best to make a difference. +

JUSTIN KALISZEWSKI is an award-winning artist, avid adventurer, and the renowned creator of OUTLAW Yoga. Author of “The Outlaw Protocol - how to live as an outlaw without becoming a criminal,” and the children's picture book “The Adventures of Babu – from there to here.”

He creates connection by delivering transformational yoga-experiences across the country, and at the Outlaw Yoga Littleton studio. Find him at justinkaliszewski.com.

C O C K TA I L S | W I N E | B E E R | R E F R E S H M E N T S | C O F F E E | F O O D Based out of Vail, CO | uprootedevents.com

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 @uprootedevents |  @uprootedevents

17

profiles / Teachers

MELANIE LIGHTHOUSER

M

soon — Melanie to Sunday school, and her elanie Lighthouser is one of Mom to church. During the service, her dad those loving, positive souls that walked in and began to yell at her Mom. you want in the same room The pastor asked them to take it outside. as you. She is a guardian of One of the members of the light because she welcomes the church who was a police officer darkness — that of her own, and By followed them to of others.

Ange the parking lot. Her dad pulled One week before she started out a gun and shot her mom, 7th grade, Melanie’s life comStopperan the officer shot her dad, and her pletely changed. And at a very dad shot the officer. The officer young age, she recognized her survived, but Melanie’s mom died experience and voice could instantly and her dad passed on the way to help others who have lived through prothe hospital. found trauma.

And in that instant she began a new jourMelanie grew up in Fort Collins, Coloraney, bearing the unbearable. With enough do. At the age of 11 her parents were going pressure, coal becomes a diamond and through a separation. Melanie’s dad, who Melanie’s story is one similar. was diagnosed with borderline personality Through the wisdom gained by this disorder, was heartbroken. One morning experience, Melanie now helps many break Melanie woke to her mom’s voice telling her out of their perceived limitations through to get up and get ready. They were leaving

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Transformational Breathwork, yoga and bodywork. She is a wise and empathetic healer. She points out, “If you have been through trauma, which all humans have on some level, you have to access both the light and the dark. In yoga, we focus more on the light, with Breathwork we allow ourselves access to the door of the shadow side where healing can begin.”

After college Melanie found herself in North Carolina. She completed her 230hour Yoga Teacher Training, received her Massage Therapy License and opened a yoga studio. She became comfortable sharing her story. Then Melanie discovered Shamanic Breathwork. She noticed how emotionally disconnected she had become from her story. Through delving into Shamanic Breathwork, she realized how much anger and grief was still lingering in her body. Breathwork became

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Photo by: Stephanie Lonon

Q +A

Just Breathe

the safe container for her to work through and release her own suppressed emotions.

After deciding to move back to Colorado in 2012, Melanie became a certified Shamanic Breathwork Facilitator and began to create opportunities for students to explore the healing of Breathwork.

Melanie explains, “We’ve all faced trauma within our lives, and we can either welcome it in and discover healing through the darkness, or we can push it down and carry it in our bodies. Breathwork gives the student permission to be their own healer. The Breathwork container that I offer is the headlamp to enter and guide you into the shadow side.” Stephanie, one of her students expresses her experience, “Melanie grants full allowance to laugh, cry, sing, howl, scream or remain silent. To move, dance, stomp, lie on your back, or any combo thereof. She guides you gently and lovingly through whatever it might be, or how it shows up.”

Melanie offers a sacred space to dive in, clear out old programming and rediscover your magic. “We are so programmed to look for the answer from someone else. The breath helps us get past the ego mind so the answer can arise from within. All of the answers we are looking for are there.” She says, “We can all see Shadow Consciousness is becoming more and more pronounced in our collective. The work to be done to change our reality is for each of us to look at our stuff. We can’t ‘light and love’ it away. Freedom comes from the willingness to FEEL.” Melanie mentioned there are other Breathwork facilitators in Colorado, and many forms of Breathwork, as well. She states that non-judgment is essential to get in touch with emotions. There aren’t good nor bad emotions. We’ve been programmed to believe that.

All emotions want to be felt. You have to go through it in order to let it go. You can’t let go of anger without feeling anger. With Melanie, you have the opportunity to feel the emotion in a non-judgemental environment, full of loving support. +

Discover positively perfect gifting.

Melanie offers Breathwork in a variety of settings: group, private, workshops, retreats and Transformational Breathwork Teacher Trainings. Melanie’s 200-hour yoga teacher training, Root To Rise, starts Jan 25, 2018. For more information about Melanie and her offerings you can visit her website www.befreehealing.com.

The good vibe cavalry has arrived!

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BREAK A STREAK OF BAD LUCK. YOU MOVED? WELCOME HOME. BREAKING UP’S A B*TCH!

–and more giftingly good stuff.

How will you Juju? Visit us online to learn more.

DENVER, CO

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JUJUBEGONE.COM

20 C h % e O ck FF o u yo t c ur od fir e st for bo x!

Along with her role as a CO YOGA + Life ambassador, ANGE STOPPERAN, E-RYT 500, is a yoga teacher, mindfulness and business coach, writer, co-owner of LC Yoga in Loveland, Colorado, and lead teacher in LC Yoga’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training.

Ange leads the Northern Colorado Ram Dass fellowship which speaks to mindfulness topics and lessons from Ram Dass. She is passionate about teaching her students how to connect to Yoga off the mat by incorporating rituals into their daily life. Ange enjoys hanging out with her family, traveling and getting into nature as much as possible.

Juju Be Gone’s ridiculously thoughtful gift boxes combine spirit and sass to help you shift energy, smile, and sail through life’s imperfect moments.

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profiles / Studios

lexi reich

Yoga Loft

BOULDER + GUNBARREL

Y

oga is a practice of identifying the obstacles in our hearts that disconnect us, then resolving those so we can join a higher state of self, says Jeff Bailey, founder and owner of Yoga Loft.

Bailey opened his Boulder studio in August 2012, eager to create a place of healing and peace where yoga is welcoming and accessible to anyone. Regardless of your age or stage in the fitness world, Yoga Loft meets students as they are, so they too can connect to a deeper place inside.

According to Bailey, the multibillion-dollar yoga industry is moving through the world like a speedboat. But some people are left in the wake, either injured or disenchanted from images on the “type” of person who can practice yoga. The aesthetic of asana postures swarming social media require flexibility not achievable to everyone and can appear intimidating. While the growth of this industry is promising, it is important to consider the essence of yoga.

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Inspired by the intelligence and healing power of the body on the mind, Bailey birthed “Avita Yoga,” which has become the signature style practiced at Yoga Loft. Avita Yoga slows the water down, deconstructing the practice to bring it to a level with predictable results.

“Yoga has always been about the mind,” shares Bailey. “When people walk through our doors, they feel a sense of community and peace knowing they will be taken care of.”

By working with the mind and listening to all systems of the body — not plowing

www.yogaloftboulder.com

LEXI REICH After experiencing a yoga ashram in the mountains of Colorado, Lexi became enthralled in the practice of yoga and meditation, and just earned her yoga teacher training at the sacred space. Originally from Chicago, Lexi loves the holistic lifestyle she found in Colorado, and combining this passion with her writing is what makes her truly happy. As a journalism and English major at the University of Colorado Boulder, Lexi spends most of her time reading novels and writing for her poetry and reporting classes. Besides this, you can find her skiing, hiking or traveling.

Follow her on Instagram @lexi_reich.

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photos by: beth sanders

By

ahead to access certain shapes — a harmonious union is created within the self. Flowing with intention and awareness plants oneself in the present moment, calming the fluctuations of the mind.

“Yoga is removing the physical, mental and emotional restrictions that limit us and moving towards our peaceful and whole selves,” he explains.

The nurturing atmosphere of Yoga Loft allows students to delve into the roots of yoga, letting go of outward fears on what yoga is supposed to look like and who is supposed to practice it.

“Anything can be yoga, as long as peace and wholeness are the goal behind it,” he says.

Surrounded by panoramic views of the Flatirons in a studio filled with props and high-end flooring, the Yoga Loft experience is one of nurture, growth and beauty.

Offering a space to anyone interested in the practice — veterans and newbies alike — has been successful, as a second Yoga Loft location opened in Gunbarrel in April 2018. Yoga Loft also offers teacher trainings in Avita Yoga and Yoga Nidra.

Yoga can be a sustainable practice when fit properly to one’s needs. Finding the space where you feel safe to honor your body and mind is where the true power of yoga shines. +

MindSpace

Meditation & Yoga Center EDWARDS

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photos courtesy of: mindspace

ext time you are in Eagle County and looking for a little retreat from the bustle, be sure to check out MindSpace, a new meditation and yoga studio in Edwards. With as many if not more meditation class on the schedule as movement classes, MindSpace creates a welcoming oasis to relax and dive deep in to your practice wherever you are into your journey.

“My hope is that MindSpace is a peaceful refuge for people to grow their personal practice,” shares Morgan Kulas, owner of MindSpace, “whether it is on the cushion or on the mat.”

Kulas Says MindSpace offers a variety of weekly classes, support groups, coaching services and education opportunities.

“We approach yoga and meditation with an open heart and welcome practitioners from all cultural and spiritual backgrounds,” Kulas shares. “Our classes are rooted in Buddhist, yogic and somatic technologies."

TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT WHEN AND WHY YOU STARTED MINDSPACE: MindSpace Meditation and Yoga Center was born out of a collective desire to belong, build bridges and grow. Our intention is to offer a kind, creative and soulful space for self-inquiry and transformation. MindSpace

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We do talk spirituality at MindSpace! It Bobby L’Heureux was important to me to offer this experience of yoga to my community.

My introduction to yoga was through the Iyengar lineage, where I studied under fewer teachers and was held accountable for my progress. My affinity for discipline was born from my lifetime of training in classical dance.

When I am not at MindSpace I am teaching dance or choreographing at Vail Valley Academy of Dance or working as a guest artist.

Dance is a significant part of my life. And because of it, I believe strongly in mentorship, in working with the same teachers for a long period of time, so that you can grow and advance your personal practice. We can learn the yoga asanas from photographs, but things like compassion and non-violence are taught through being in the presence of an experienced teacher. I have been blessed with mentors who embody the essence of yoga.

interview By

exists because of good karma, love and commitment. It is a bit more like a temple or community center, in that some of our offerings are free or by donation and we are focused on the mental-emotional-spiritual component of the practice.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY MAKES YOUR SPACE AND YOUR OFFERINGS UNIQUE? At MindSpace, we approach yoga in a classical manner, emphasizing the teacher-student relationship and alignment and therapeutics of asanas. I personally do not separate the mental-emotional-spiritual component of yoga from my physical practice. In my classes in particular, I invite students to know one another's names, to be patient with the progress of the room, to stop and break things down, and to share their experiences with the community.

WHAT IS COMING UP FOR MINDSPACE IN 2019?

We will launch our Teacher Training Institute in 2019 as well as our online studio. We will continue with our women's and men's meditation circles and add a Meditation Circle for Supporting Addiction (these offerings are free or by optional donation). We have several coaches working in the space, each with unique talents for supporting others in spirituality, health and mental-emotional healing.

Our local members will continue to benefit from more weekly classes, workshops and education opportunities as well as the addition of their online membership benefits. +

www.mindspacecolorado.com

BOBBY L’HEUREUX is the co-owner and Director of Partnerships for CO YOGA + Life™ Magazine. At the heart of his work, Bobby thrives on community and connection. He lives in the Vail Valley where he teaches yoga and runs Big Heart Big Hands, a non-profit that supports mountain safety and awareness. He is an ambassador for Lululemon Athletica Vail, and his yoga classes are always led with a big smile and a relaxed demeanor. www.bigheartbighands.org .

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profiles / 2019 Retreat Map

SP ECIAL P ROMOTIONAL F E ATURE

2019

RETREATS

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COLORADO Book Your Next Retreat SunMountain Center Manitou Springs, Colorado Searching for your next retreat or training venue? Look no further than SunMountain Center. Aligned in holistic well-being and a supporter of living arts, SunMountain Center is the premiere Colorado venue for hosting your upcoming yoga, meditation, art, leadership or couples retreat. Just minutes from downtown Manitou Springs and nestled among the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, SunMountain Center features two historic homes surrounded in natural beauty among terraced gardens, meditation trails and a biodynamic farm. Your guests will enjoy farm-fresh vegetarian meals and a complimentary two-hour mineral water soak at SunWater Spa. Learn more + explore upcoming retreats: www.sunwellness.net/sunmountain

Mother/Daughter – Girl Power Weekend Breckenridge, Colorado May 9-10, 2019 (Pre-Mother’s Day) Spend time together with your mother/ daughter of all ages as we enjoy this celebration of feminine energy on the days prior to Mother’s Day. Join Juli Rathke, founder of YOGA + Life® and her daughter, Lili, and local friends as they share the beauty of mountains during what has come to be a favorite weekend for the “girls.” We will share yoga practices and meditation for all abilities, dharma talks, women’s health, understanding the balance of feminine energy while we laugh, eat, drink and journey together. This is a Friday/Saturday event and lodging discounts are being offered.

Learn more about this special weekend, Juli’s Autumn Breckenridge ROOTED Weekend Retreat and Global Adventure retreats: www.julirathke.com

A One-Of-A-Kind Spiritual Retreat Center

UTAH

Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Rollinsville, Colorado

Moab Yoga & Adventure Retreat

Looking for a place to unplug, open and experience the transformative power of yoga and meditation? Visit Shoshoni, a retreat center nestled in the Rocky Mountains just outside of Boulder. Immerse yourself in unique and customizable retreats, whether you’re seeking spiritual growth or just taking time to relax and reflect. Eat nourishing, home-cooked vegetarian meals. Choose daily from two yoga classes, two meditation classes, an art program and more. Explore miles of hiking trails or relax in the hot tub and sauna. No experience necessary; Shoshoni’s vibrant community of dedicated practitioners is available to offer guidance and support wherever you are in your journey.

Learn more + book your next retreat: www.shoshoni.org

In Your Element Moab, Utah May 9-12, 2019 Spread your toes, take a deep breath in, and get ready for the most empowering adventure of your Spring. Join Mariah Schuette and Kim Fuller of In Your Element for good times around the fire at Moab's Goose Island campsite. Navajo Sandstone cliffs and the Colorado River provide the backdrop for morning and evening yoga and meditation practices. Enjoy gourmet camping cuisine for breakfast and dinner, and free time during the day to explore Moab's world-renowned trails, rocks, rivers, rejuvenating spas and unique and funky downtown — just 4 miles from your tent. Exploring Earth, Fire, Water and Air through daily practices and inquiry will leave you In Your Element. $495 includes daily yoga and meditation, gourmet camp breakfasts and dinners, 3 nights of riverside camping, group adventure hike, free time to relax or explore.

Learn more + register: https://moab2019yogaadventureretreat. eventbrite.com Contact: inyourelement.info@gmail.com

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MEXICO Baja Glamping: Connect and Rebalance MOVMNT Fitness/Women in Balance powered by Root Adventures Isla Espiritu Santo, Baja Sur, Mexico January 29 - February 2 + February 6-10, 2019 Embark on travel that empowers and inspires. Explore rugged destinations and immerse yourself in amazing cultures with fellow explorers, while enjoying just the right amount of pampering. Emerge from your vacation refreshed mentally, emotionally and physically. It’s all possible with Root Adventures. Expertly planned by Breanne Kiefner, join a mid-winter excursion to the sunny, uninhabited island of Espiritu Santo in Baja where travelers will enjoy SUP boarding, kayaking, swimming with sea lions, glamping and delicious locally-sourced food and drink. Two trips are booking now: Choose to challenge yourself with a daily MOVMNT Fitness Bootcamp or reboot, rebalance, and recharge with Women in Balance. Email Root Adventures to join or design a custom trip!

Learn More: www.RootAdventures.com/Retreats Contact: Breanne@rootadventures.com; 720-840-0866

List your 2019 retreat online with CO YOGA + Life! Email kim@coyogalifemag.com for details.

23

lifestyle / Books

“Solar The Polar”

Q&A with Author Kim Constantinesco and Illustrator Jessica Linn Evans

A interview By Sandy Ferguson Fuller

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ingai! (Hi!) I’m Solar, a cool Arctic Polar Bear, here to tell you about my new picture book, Solar The Polar.

Do you play outside in the winter? Well, I do. Winter is NO time to hibernate. Still everyone MUST stay safe in the backcountry. This book is about me and my friend, Sunny, who uses a sit-ski while I snowboard because she is missing part of both of her legs. Nothing stops Sunny … except an avalanche almost does! It’s me, Solar-to-therescue and everyone learns about being with a buddy and having the right equipment for the outdoors, and also about trying on life’s challenges.

The author, Kim, and the illustrator, Jessica, created my book together. I got to ask them some questions …

DO YOU DO YOGA? OR MEDITATION? MY SNOWBOARDING BEGINS WITH SUN SALUTATION. I MEDITATE ON STARRY NIGHTS OR UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS. Jessica Linn Evans: Does Pilates count?

Soooo good for my core! With a strong core, after long hours spent doing illustration, I can still walk. And I do yoga. I love child's pose. So relaxing for my back! Least favorite is down-dog. My calves are too tight!

Kim Constantinesco: If I crash on my snowboard, I end up in child's pose! Otherwise I meditate and practice mindfulness daily.

I believe in the mind-body connection and encouraging my body to lead my mind at times. I practice deep breathing exercises everywhere, from the shower to the airplane to resting on the floor with my dog, Shasta.

Focused breathing offers flexibility. You can choose how, when and where to engage, to be present and integrate that awareness into your daily life. You can breathe life into your days, improve your mood and decrease anxiety simply by shifting focus. Powerful stuff.

WOW! KIM, YOU ARE A COMPETITIVE SNOWBOARDER. MUCH BETTER THAN ME. WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO TO KEEP FIT AND BALANCED? Running (especially trail running), hiking and performing functional lifts and movements

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Photos courtesy of: Kim Constantinesco

Kim Constantinesco is a writer and editor-in-chief for a digital publication featuring inspiring stories of athletes, coaches and fans who overcome odds and make a positive difference. She is a competitive snowboarder, climber and versatile athlete. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her Australian Cattle Dog, Shasta. www.Purpose2Play.com

in the gym. Also, I love pick-up basketball and co-ed flag football. I love competing with men because I have to dip more into my athletic talent and pay attention to good fundamentals. I compete a few times each season, ideally in new places, meeting new people.

Doing things on a whim keeps me happy.

It’s easier to stay in shape than to get in shape. Mental fitness, as it relates to snowboarding competition, includes imagery-work before my run down the mountain. Visualizing success is a direct road to achieving it.

When I don't feel like training (or writing!), I redirect my thoughts to a place of gratitude for motivation. I try to go from "you HAVE to" to "you GET to” … making it a privilege.

Photo By: Shelle Lenssen

KIM, YOU HAD A SERIOUS SNOWBOARDING INJURY. HOW HAS HEALING CHANGED YOUR LIFE? SUNNY (IN THE BOOK) ENJOYS SPORTS WITH HER INJURED LEGS AND INSPIRES ME TO DO MORE. HOW ABOUT YOU? With hindsight, my injury was positive. I learned how resilient the human body and the human spirit are. I went from having major surgery (cut open the front of my neck, removed a body part, replaced it with a cadaver bone and secured it with a plate and screws) to getting back on the mountain, doing backflips and entering my first competition.

Loren Landow (now Broncos head strength and conditioning coach) helped me to get my body “back." He has coached Olympians, MMA fighters, NFL players, World Cup soccer players and more. He taught me about training, recovery and improving performance.

I gained confidence to test this knowledge in new ways ... so empowering!

WHAT INSPIRED YOU, JESSICA, TO BECOME A CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATOR AND WHY IS YOUR WORK IMPORTANT TO YOU? Solar, that’s like me asking you, “why do you have giant paws and a black nose?”! It's just part of me. I don't take credit for it, but I try to improve. I want to bless others with God’s gift that I’ve been given through my work.

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Jessica Linn Evans is an accomplished illustrator who loves the outdoors and fairy stories. Her children’s books showcase whimsical characters and settings, celebrating the wonder of the natural world. She lives in Moscow, Idaho, with her husband, Ed, and four children. www.jessicalinnevans.com

KIM, WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE FOR CHILDREN? (OTHER THAN ME, OF COURSE!) I wrote Solar because I like that “anything goes” in children's literature. A polar bear can talk and snowboard­­— no explanations needed.

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY. (HEY, A BEAR CAN WRITE ARTICLES TOO!) WHY IS SOLAR AN IMPORTANT BOOK FOR KIDS AND ADULTS TO SHARE? Children have natural empathy and cognitive flexibility. Engaging kids with memorable characters and relevant plot lines can shape the way they view and interact with the world.

Sharing Solar is important because, in these divisive times, any springboard into acceptance and inclusion is positive. Sunny skis in a different way, but she's as adept and passionate as a traditional skier. It’s her talent, not a disability. The theme of backcountry safety is also key, and a nod to Arctic warming.

WHAT DO KIDS SEEM TO LIKE BEST OR TAKE AWAY FROM SOLAR? K: Kids love that a polar bear can snowboard and that Sunny skis her own way.

They realize how others can adapt and thrive, no matter what. It’s also reassuring that Solar and Sunny become fast friends, willing to help each other.

J: Yes, what I love most about Solar is their final hug!

AND WHAT MAKES YOU EACH “SHINE?” K: Exploration, good company and growth-producing challenges. My favorite song, "I'm Alive” by Michael Franti.

J: When I just dive in there, whether I feel like it or not, and get the work started. I find that it brings out the best in my illustration.

I SHINE BECAUSE MY NAME IS SOLAR! I HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR BOOK! Nakurmiik! (Thanks!)

Aingai! (Bye!) +

SANDY FERGUSON FULLER began her children's book career over 40 years ago as a student of Maurice Sendak at Yale University. Once introduced, the picture book genre captivated her imagination with its unique blend of story and illustration. She is an international literary agent, editorial consultant, bookseller, author and illustrator. Her life’s work has exposed her to a wealth of ideas and wonder. She hopes that her own books, as well as those she has helped others to publish, will touch many souls, young and old. www.alparts.com

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Q +A

lifestyle / Art

ELISE HOLMES

E

lise Holmes has been drawing her whole life. Now, you can see her art on clothing that is popping up all over Colorado and beyond.

“I always knew I wanted to be an artist,” shares Elise, “even through the doubts of society and the practicality talkers that said ‘you can’t make a career out of it.’ Ha.” In college Elise studied photography, graphic design and art history.

“After college I worked at a screen printing shop in Asheville, North Carolina,” she explains. “I feel like this is where I really found my love for graphic design in a style that can just be for me. I learned the ropes of how to create for clothing, how to use color simply and effectively in designs, and how to do everything from design, to make the screens, to print them all by hand.”

Elise says she loved working in this world, and she knew she wanted to do something with it at some point.

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“During this period in my life I became a yoga teacher and studied yoga and meditation,” she shares. “This combination forged a deep desire to follow my heart in what I wanted out of life.”

In a meditation, she says she found that she really wanted to move back to Colorado.

“So I started searching, and with a bit of serendipity, I got a job as the graphic designer for Warren Miller Entertainment in Boulder. This job allowed me to really hone in on being simple, being clear, and working with a team for designs. I designed everything from the logos to posters, to the shirt designs for each season along with all the ads and signage in between. I have treated every job since as a way to grow my skills in business, understanding of bigger industries, and during down times continue to work on my style.”

When Elise and her now husband, Matt, moved up to Vail six years ago, she stopped

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF: VELA APPAREL

Vela Apparel Artist + Co-Owner

working for others as a designer and began moving into the business development and management at a local agency, 970 Design.

“This move created such an opening in my creativity and from there I began to explore more of my current style of line art and colorful watercolor,” says Elise. “Once the iPad Pro came out, everything took off for my designs. I was able to combine my style with my design skills in a new way. Everything I create now is either drawn on my iPad Pro, or finished in it if it is a watercolor to add some of the stronger lines and such in the paintings.”

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START VELA APPAREL AND CREATING THE DESIGNS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS? My husband and business partner were traveling in Italy on a particularly rainy stint two years ago. We would have wonderful nights in our airbnb’s and in coffee shops where I would draw. The first drawing that started Vela Apparel was the whale drawing.

This piece combined my line art, the ocean and the mountains in the body, and from there Matt and I knew we had to do something with this particular drawing along with the other five I created on the trip. Where most people may go out to a club and explore more of the city life in Italy, Matt and I then worked on our business plan, explored names, and worked on figuring out this new business that could combine my artwork with my skills of screen printing and color theory.

The name Vela comes from the constellation. Vela is the sales on a ship of a larger constellation called Argo Navis. This can be seen sailing across the Mediterranean in the summer. We felt it only apropos to name our company after this.

are calm and peaceful to allow inspiration to come up. Sometimes I will have an idea for a drawing, but until it fully surfaces through movement or meditation it can sit as a sketch and not become finished for weeks or months.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE START TO LOOK FORWARD TO FROM VELA IN 2019?

We are opening a store in the Vail Valley in Eagle Vail! We are thrilled to make a permanent place to house all of our fun designs and creations. We are also working on some custom designed yoga pants, and a baby line of products now that we have our little one here. +

www.velaapparel.com

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR ART? Travel, mountains, nature, adventure. Inspirations have come from trips to huts with good friends, hikes through aspens, camping in Iceland, walks to waterfalls in Hawaii.

Every piece I create is a mini-meditation on what I have experienced, loved, admired or have become in awe by.

DOES YOUR YOGA PRACTICE CONTRIBUTE TO OR ENHANCE YOUR CREATIVITY AT ALL? Absolutely. Through my practice of yoga and meditation I find those moments that

COYOGALIFEMAG.COM

27

Out of Darkness

Community Yoga Project Takes on Suicide Prevention + Mental Health

By Jordan Schultz

I

n 2014, Breckenridge locals, Amy Sabreen and Leslie Glenn, lost their third friend to suicide over the course of the previous year. As the two mourned for their friends, both women felt overwhelmed with a sense of loss and a desire to impact what seemed like a growing issue in their peer group.

“I felt like we were missing something as a community,” Glenn shared, “and we wanted to make a positive impact and difference.”

As the memorial service ended, the two briefly discussed ways to help prevent future suicides. The idea simmered between the two yoga teachers and friends, as they thought about how they could create healing with something they both loved: yoga. Sabreen added, “I knew yoga was going to be my way to help but I hadn’t been able to connect all of the dots on how I was going to use it.”

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For a while, it simply remained an intention the two had set, as they began to explore how to bring a “yoga as suicide prevention” concept to their town. The initial idea was to bring yoga out of the studio and build a safe space to share the practice and talk about the realities of suicide and mental health. Sabreen said, “We really wanted to serve populations that weren’t being served in a studio and make yoga less intimidating for everyone. We wanted to make sure our classes were a safe place for all to feel welcomed.” Out of these early manifestations, the Community Yoga Project was born.

As Sabreen and Glenn brainstormed how to create their vision, their close-knit county experienced another string of prevalent suicides, which left the community reeling.

Out of grief and concern, a mental health initiative was formed to tackle the difficult

subjects of suicide prevention and mental health. Summit County is a beautiful mountain resort community located in the Rocky Mountains, where adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts flock to play.

However, Summit County’s suicide rate is three times the national average. “There can be a lack of connection and support here. So many people move from around the country and it can be a transient community, which can lead to feelings of isolation,” Glenn offered before sharing, “It also can be hard to discuss mental health with friends; there is definitely a stigma around these difficult topics.”

In 2016, the Building Hope Summit County initiative was born out of the community’s suicide prevention work; it began to run “community connectedness” events as a way to foster relationships, reduce isolation and share mental health resources. Glenn and Sabreen were also ready to launch their Community Yoga Project — the timing was perfect. Sabreen spoke about the collaboration, “It was the perfect opportunity to connect our idea with their mission and they were excited about moving forward with it, so our first classes were with them.”

The goal was to offer classes twice a month in different locations around the community. A key component of the class was to offer it for free, reducing a barrier that often keeps people away from yoga.

The turnout to the first few classes was huge and it seemed clear the Community Yoga Project was meeting a need for people.

“We see a really diverse group of students through our classes. Everyone from young families with kids, seniors and people who have never come to yoga before,” Glenn said.

The two teachers are also intentional about creating time to connect before and after

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Photos by: Michel Infante

lifestyle / CO Community

class, often with tea and snacks. “It creates a space for people to open up and share their life experiences in a way that isn’t always possible in traditional yoga classes.”

Betsy Casey, Building Hope’s Program Director, also shared about the partnership: “Attendance at the Community Yoga Project classes has been incredible. I really think we hit the right formula of providing structure and local awareness through Building Hope with yoga, which has been a great vehicle for our active community by weaving concepts from class into an individual’s life off the mat. Sabreen and Glenn are so approachable and have created a space of love and safety for anyone to open up and feel a sense of connection that stays strong well after the class ends.”

While the Community Yoga Project has been going strong for the past two years, Glenn and Sabreen feel their work has just started. “We started with the intent of working toward suicide prevention but we have realized there is a need for access to yoga

for more populations.” The two are currently discussing bringing yoga into school settings and expanding options for individuals with physical or neurological challenges.

Perhaps most reflective of who they are, they want to create a framework for other yoga teachers, ambassadors and communities to be able to duplicate their efforts.

The issues of suicide and mental wellness are more prevalent than ever, as communities across the nation struggle to find the right formula to prevent future losses.

Yoga, which is often thought of as a physical practice in our culture, is well positioned to

support many of the risks people experience with their own mental wellbeing.

Offerings like the Community Yoga Project allow individuals to take yoga off of their mats and into their lives, and to see yoga as not just an active practice, but one of true self-care. By focusing on the simple ideas of reminding people that they are worthy of love and acceptance, offering gentle movement and breath to manage emotions and helping people to rediscover their purest form of self, Sabreen and Glenn are using yoga as a true opportunity to help people out of darkness. +

JORDAN SCHULTZ is a Colorado native and long-time resident of Breckenridge, Colorado. She is a Licensed Social Worker, a Certified Yoga Teacher and an avid outdoorswoman. She is passionate about outdoor adventures, the benefits of yoga and people and loves to find ways to connect these passions in her life. Her favorite place to be is in the outdoors with her husband, daughter and two labs. You can follow Jordan’s adventures on Instagram at @skichica.

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126 RIVERFRONT LANE | AVON, COLORADO 81620

970.790.2051 | ATHLETICCLUBWESTIN.COM

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lifestyle / CO Community

novo coffee

Colorado Roastery Sets a High Bar for Its Beans

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ately packaged, labeled and shipped.

Novo thrives on its wholesale business, but the coffee is also available at four different retail shops around Denver. At the Glenarm location, connoisseurs can enjoy the fine varieties, including decaf, and add a pastry delight. Novo has also begun a creative collaboration with several small local breweries like Renegade and Epic to produce seasonal signature beer and coffee blends.

Anyone can become a skilled Barista.

Perhaps the most unique offering at Novo Coffee is their Barista Training School, free to wholesale customers and at a modest fee for the public. The school was started over two years ago with the intention of training baristas, coffee professionals and coffee enthusiasts in the art of all things coffee. The four fundamental classes act as a required base training for all Novo staff and are taught by experienced teachers who specialize in their subject. Students who complete all four classes (approximately eight hours of course work) are eligible to take the fundamentals examination and receive a Certificate of Completion.

While not carrying any third party accreditation, many students find this certificate useful as a resume builder for advancement in their current or future work.

The staff at Novo is exceptionally qualified in Barista Training. They roast more than they boast, but it’s worth mentioning that several members have won national honors. This includes 6th overall in the 2017 U.S. Barista Competition Championships in Seattle from an original pool of 120 competitors nationwide, the first time anyone representing Colorado has ever made it to the final round.

So getting to know Novo is the perfect way to get closer to coffee, whether you train as a barista, take a roastery tour, experience a cupping, or simply grab your favorite blend at one of four Denver-area retail locations. + —SANDY FERGUSON FULLER

NOVO BARISTA TRAINING SCHOOL MILK STEAMING AND DRINK BUILDING Learn the techniques for steaming milk on an espresso machine, mixing that milk with espresso, and creating a delicious beverage with basic latte art.

COFFEE BREWING Learn the basics of building a coffee brewing recipe. Understand basic terms like “extraction,” “brew strength,” and “grind particle distribution.” Experience (by tasting) how different brewing methods and recipes can change the flavors of different coffees.

ESPRESSO Perfect the art of pulling the perfect shot of espresso! Learn the process handson and what can affect the flavors of a perfect espresso. Recreate that same espresso time and again!

SEED-TO-CUP Explore the journey of coffee as it transforms from a common seed planted at origin all over the world into the daily beverage. Learn about all aspects of the coffee chain including processing. Gain an appreciation of the “third wave” approach to the artisan roasting process. Experience the tasting method of coffee cupping and learn how to distinguish between different flavors of coffee by region.

Visit Novo’s website to learn more about scheduling and enrollment.

www.novocoffee.com

303-295-7678 3008 Larimer Street, Denver

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Photo by: kim fuller

A

visit to the headquarters and Roastery of Novo Coffee in downtown Denver begins with an invitation …“Get Closer” … painted as a colorful entrance wall mural, resembling a shining sun. The greeting reflects the purpose and pursuit of this family-owned and operated business, founded in 2002 on the cutting edge of the “third wave of coffee movement.” Novo joins other “third wave” roasters who aspire to source and produce some of the world’s most flavorful and distinctive coffees, like wine or craft beer.

At Novo, everyone gets closer to coffee.

“We like to taste coffee. We like to talk about coffee. We like to talk about tasting coffee!” Work is specialized, skilled and serious, but fun, and customer appreciation and inclusion is key. Tours and small group tastings (or “cuppings”) are available at the Roastery every Friday afternoon and participants take away a rich knowledge and a bag of freshly roasted coffee of choice.

The folks at Novo get closer to their coffee before it arrives in Denver. They purchase primarily through loyal relationships with farmers who share in their commitment to highest quality and to social, environmental and economic sustainability. Staff members make personal visits to farms at least every other year. A tasting process for final approval begins before the coffee is shipped, either at origin (the farms) or via pre-shipped samples.

Novo coffees, espressos and blends originate in eight different countries including Kenya, Columbia, Sumatra and Central America.

Once stateside, head roaster Brady Quinn spins his professional magic. A small roaster makes test brew batches. The main production roaster is also used once a week for close quality control to maintain a consistent profile for each flavor. Daily roasting takes 15 to 20 minutes per batch with an average yield of 800 pounds per day. The beans are immedi-

lifestyle / CO Community

COLORADO COMMUNITY HUBS

Stop In + Stay Awhile at These Hot Hangouts Around the State

Denver Central Market

2669 Larimer Street, Denver Meat and fish counters plus a greengrocer, bakery, pizzeria and much more in an airy marketplace. www.denvercentralmarket.com

Acova Restaurant

651 Navajo Street, Denver A new Denver eatery in a historic building offering indoor and outdoor seating, along with an entire kids’ play area. www.acovarestaurant.com

Wonder Press

946 Pearl Street, Boulder A 100-percent organic, cold-pressed juice and nut milk shop in downtown Boulder. www.wonderpress.co

Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market

378 Walnut Street, Fort Collins All-day New American café and bistro in the Elizabeth Hotel with a gourmet market and wine shop. www.emporiumftcollins.com

Peak Place

Suite H1, 2360 Montebello Square Drive, Colorado Springs Locally sourced coffee and healthconscious snacks, plus wine, beer and music, in hip, industrial digs. www.peakplace.com

The Yoga Room + Two Brothers Deli

1424 Miner Street, Idaho Springs Nestled in the back of Two Brothers Deli in Idaho Springs is quaint mountain yoga studio offering classes, retreats, workshops and private instruction. www.theyogaroomis.com www.twobrothersdeli.com

10 Mile Music Hall

710 Main Street, Frisco At 9,097 feet above sea level, this new concert and event hot spot is the highest year-round music venue in the country. www.10milemusic.com

Breckenridge Distillery

1925 Airport Road, Breckenridge Craft distillery with rustic tasting room and stylish New American dining room. www.breckenridgedistillery.com

Two Arrows Coffee Company + Root & Flower

225 Wall Street, Vail Craft coffee in the morning and cocktails at night, located in the heart of Vail Village. www.twoarrowscoffee.com www.rootandflowervail.com

The Bookworm of Edwards

295 Main Street, Edwards Neighborhood independent bookstore, gift shop and a café that serves a variety of speciality crepes. www.bookwormofedwards.com

City on a Hill Coffee & Espresso

508 Harrison Avenue, Leadville A family-owned coffee shop in Colorado’s high-altitude community of Leadville. www.cityonahillcoffee.com

Aspen Art Museum & Café

637 East Hyman Avenue, Aspen A non-collecting institution presenting international contemporary art, with a café featuring an innovative, rotating weekly menu. www.aspenartmuseum.org

The Lariat

206 E Main Street, Buena Vista Informal bar and American restaurant inside a historic Buena Vista building, with pool, darts, live music and a heated patio. www.thelariatbv.com

Center for the Arts Crested Butte 606 6th Street, Crested Butte Home to popular signature events and a wide variety of indoor and outdoor attractions. www.crestedbuttearts.org

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lifestyle / CO Community

Shine Restaurant + Potion Bar

By Karstee Davis

T

here is a block in Boulder known as The Village, where 90 percent of businesses are locally owned; The Village also has the highest ratio per square footage of women-owned businesses in Boulder. It is on this block that you will find the relatively new home of Shine Restaurant & Potion Bar. Shine is owned by the dynamic triplets known as The Blissful Sisters but even better known to locals as Jessica, Jill and Jennifer Emich.

One afternoon, I follow Jessica out the patio and through the little fairy garden to a cement table behind the restaurant where the sisters like to go for breaks and meetings. We sit down and Jill joins us shortly with a potion for me called Fairy Bubbles. Jennifer arrives and I have to say I feel right at home with these three;

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I have three sisters of my own (two of whom are identical twins), so naturally I want to get right to the important stuff: “Did they ever play tricks on anyone in their teenage years?” They laugh and share stories of switching licenses, switching boyfriends and other shenanigans.

When they laugh, they all three get the most amazing laugh lines, and their whole aura seems to, well, shine.

I ask them, “Why Shine?” In addition to their restaurant, the sisters have a cookbook out called “Eat, Drink, Shine.” Their Shine Potions are sold in local grocery stores and have recently made their way to Amazon. Shine is their way of life, so we delve deep into what that means to them.

It comes down to their mission: nourishment from the inside out to help people

shine from within, and connecting with community outwardly in an authentic way. The ladies embody “shine” in their day to day lives through their restaurant, from knowing where their food comes from and from knowing what their dollars support.

Since I’m about to go into business with my own sisters I was particularly interested in their thoughts on the topic. As always with sisters, it’s complicated. Jessica put it beautifully when she said, “it makes us bump into each other, find ourselves and then surrender. Without the business, our relationship wouldn’t be as close. The business is a blessing because it peels back the layers and forces us to go through whatever is there.”

Each of the three has their own strengths and roles they play. Jessica was born first and is the alpha. First to get married, the

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Photos by: Kathryn Samaltanos

The Blissful Sisters of Boulder

only one to have kids (two daughters). She is a perfectionist and loves to make sure everyone is ok. On the business side of things

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you can find her in the kitchen and overseeing the menus. Her favorite potion is the Golden Eagle (a seasonal drink) and on wild nights she likes to add tequila; her current favorite dish is the 100 percent grass fed NY Strip Steak.

Jill is the middle of the three and she is definitely more apt to get in trouble. She considers herself a rebel and the black sheep. She was the last to get married (recently). In the restaurant she does community outreach and all things potions! Her favorite potion is the Owl Eyes with Tequila, and she loves adding CBD during the day for a grounding effect. She also loves the brunch and biscuits!

Jennifer is the youngest of the three and the most organized. Her sisters describe her as the “nuts and bolts” – she tightens everything up. In the restaurant she is all about the front of house operations and knowing the guests and what makes them smile. Her love of the staff shows when she speaks of their dedica-

tion and knowledge. Jennifer is currently loving the Golden Eagle with rum and the creamy fettucine.

The sisters have been serving Boulder for 20 years, and it is their pleasure to do so. They want you to know that when you come to Shine you are supporting local farmers, and everything is sustainable. They have new bamboo straws, their herbs are fair trade and organic, and somedays you will see the local farmers coming right in the front door. They soak all grains, nuts and seeds because it’s more nutritious and easier to digest. Plus, they prep days in advance which is rare these days. No white flour, sugar or potatoes. Gluten free menu. Only whole foods, real sweeteners. Everything is baked on site.

The space is intimate. The hosts are lovely. The food is nutritious. The vibe is local.

The effect is 100 percent pure Shine. +

www.shineboulder.com

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lifestyle / Colorado Escapes

programs are designed to guide seekers on a path of personal transformation.

Accommodations range from rustic cabins and hillside tents to top-notch lodge rooms with modern amenities. www.shambhalamountain.org

Off the Beaten Path

By Rebecca Treon

C

olorado and yoga are a natural fit — the practice flows perfectly with the healthful, laid-back lifestyle so many residents embrace.

These days, there are trends that incorporate lots of variety into yoga: some classes add animals like goats or puppies, some add adult beverages like beer or wine, some are done in everyday locations like a park or roof top, still others add elements like stand-up paddle boarding or aerial silks. And while these styles range from fun and funky to physically challenging, a few special places in the state use their unique location as part of the appeal.

Here are a few of Colorado’s most distinctive places to practice.

Shoshoni Yoga Retreat • In Rollinsville, just outside of Boulder, the Shoshoni Yoga Retreat offers everything from drop-in classes or a Sunday morning two-hour yoga and meditation practice followed by a vegetarian lunch to month-long yoga and meditation retreats. Beyond a meditation-focused blend of hatha and vinyasa poses, the acreage is home to solar greenhouses that provide organic produce for the ashram’s meals, sustainably heated cabins and common spaces, three temples filled with sacred art and miles of hiking trails that criss-cross the Rocky Mountains. Shoshoni offers all-inclusive yoga and meditation retreats featuring daily art classes, inspired by co-founder and artist

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Faith Stone. One of the first yoga schools in the country, Shoshoni also offers 200 and 300-hour yoga teacher trainings. The center offers the one of the only Yagna — a Vedic fire ceremony used for transformation and purification — in the U.S., and a few of their offerings are family friendly, so even the littlest yogis are included. www.shoshoni.org

Shambhala Center • On 600 acres nestled in the mountains near Fort Collins, the Shambhala Mountain Center is home to one of Colorado’s most notable architectural and spiritual landmarks: The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya. Built to promote harmony, prosperity, longevity, good health, and peace, it is a monument to Buddhist teachings. The more than 100 classes offered a year range from Buddhist meditation and lucid dream yoga to nonyoga classes like contemplative astronomy, women’s self-defense, and mindfulness.

Some programs run for a day, while other retreats last for a week or more but all the

Crestone • Known for decades as a center for spirituality. Once a mining town, in the late 1970s, the Strong family purchased a large tract of land that was designated for development. When a mystic told them the land had spiritual qualities, they donated the land instead to religious organizations that agreed to build centers there. Today, Crestone is home to more than two dozen ashrams, monasteries, temples, labyrinths, and sacred landmarks, including a ziggurat modeled after those found in ancient Babylon.

In a unique town with spiritual synergy in the air, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Native American spirituality and New Age practices all share space peacefully. A quick google search will reveal a number of options for yoga classes, among them, the beautiful Crestone Mountain Zen Center. www.crestoneretreats.com

REBECCA TREON is a Denver-based freelance food, travel and lifestyles writer who has written for publications like 5280, DiningOut, American Bungalow, Reign, Denver Hotel, The Coastal Table, the Huffington Post, Tasting Table, Food 52, Time Out, BBC Travel, Livability, The Cape Cod Travel Guide, Edible Cape Cod, Edible Denver, Edible Lower Alabama, Alabama Journey, The Denver Post, and DRAFT magazine. She is the proud mother of two.

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Photo by: corey ruffner

yoga

Ganjasana • Rachael Carlevale’s remarkable personal journey is what inspired her to combine medicinal plants, including cannabis, with her yoga practice.

Diagnosed with cancer at age 23, Carlevale sought healing with shamans in Peru, which eventually led her to develop her unique style of yoga, using cannabis plant spirit medicine, mindfulness, Hatha yoga and pranayama. She is especially involved in supporting women’s spirituality, hosting women’s retreats called Cannabis Queens and The Green Tent. The retreats offer yoga, of course, with tribal dance, hiking, swimming, music, and organic meals. Carlevale also certifies other yoga instructors who want to be certified in cannabis yoga. www.ganjasana.com

MOAB 2019 YOGA + ADVENTURE RETREAT

INQUIRY | YOGA | EMPOWERMENT

May 9 - 12 | $495 Register: https://moab2019yogaadventureretreat. eventbrite.com

More Information: Facebook.com/BeInYourElement

Element inspired yoga classes Gourmet camping cuisine Riverside camping Guided meditation Group adventure hike Time to relax and explore

lifestyle / Travel

Heart of India Pilgrimage and the Journey Home

Photos by: Stephanie Lonon

By Ange Stopperan

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YOGALIFELIVE.COM

O

n my knees I bow, the cold marble floor penetrating into my forehead, tears rolling down my face, short of breath, my heart racing. I soon notice that I’ve been bowing for quite some time — there is a row of people behind me waiting to present their offering. I wipe my tears to the side of my face and sit back onto my heels and realize for the first time that I am fully present on my knees at the Kainchi Temple in India. My body awakened fully allowing myself to be at peace in this moment alone. I slide to the side of the Neem Karoli Baba morti to sit down on a wool blanket as those behind move forward to bow.

As I’m sitting in the temple, an unexplainable wave came over me with the question, “How did I get here?” It all began last summer as I was reading the book, “Love Everyone” — a book about the journey of souls who traveled to India and their experiences with the saint Neem Karoli Baba. In this book, many of these individuals stayed here in Kainchi. While I was journaling last summer, I heard a voice say, “Go to India.” I trusted this whisper which carried me to teachers who were offering a Yoga Yatra (spiritual pilgrimage) to India in a few months. I instantly said yes, trusting this call and allowing it to lead me in the direction I needed to go. When my feet touched the soil of this country steeped deep in spirituality, I walked as if I knew where I was going, like I had been there many times before. There was an ease that poured over me; I was being held and had nothing to worry about.

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Before I move on, this is not a story about the travel experiences I had in India, it’s about what happened when I returned from the pilgrimage in a complete quandary.

While in India I stayed at an ashram in the Himalayas in the village of Ramgarh, visiting the temples of Neem Karoli Baba in the Kumaon Hills. This is a truly special place which I hold very near and dear to my heart.

As I returned back to America, I was in more of a culture shock here than I was when I arrived in India. I began to isolate myself into the room of my home where my alter sits. My head had to jump back into being a mom and wife, but my heart was deeply mourning. I would wake from my jetlagged slumber, to take my son to school and drive back to lay on my floor crying as I tried to sew my opened heart back together.

I was feeling a heartbreak and pure bliss at the same time. I felt as though my body was here but my heart was still

there. My heart had harpooned an anchor in India’s ground with a red string attached to my body here. Draped in confusion of my next steps and not knowing how to work with these sensations, all I knew how to do was bow. Bow to these feelings, bow to the experience, bow to the unknown. Re-entry became an unfoldment process of emotions and teachings, each day a reminder of the potent lessons I learned along my journey. One of those lessons being from a man by the name of KK Sah. As I and others in my Yatra group sat with him in his home and enjoyed a cup of coffee, he spoke about devotion. For him, growing up in India, devotion is always number one. He said, “Every morning I wake, devotion first.” I began to realize as I was unpacking the spiritual guidance that what will help me most in this time of bewilderment is devotion; To bow to it all — the good, the bad, the heartbreaks, the awakenings. It’s all there for me to honor and respect through my practices of devotion. As I began back into my regular teaching schedule, that’s all I knew how to teach — how in our yoga practice we have the opportunity to bow to whatever is going on in our lives. As we bow we begin to practice surrender, as we surrender we begin to connect to the divine essence that we all carry.

Every morning I bow, I return to Kainchi. The depth in which I lovingly stepped into stays with me, kept in a grace-filled locket. I am mindful to bow to each moment whether in despair or gratitude. I bow to all of the unanswered questions. I bow to my India Yatra group, family, friends and their loving support. I sit, I bow to my spiritual practice, I remember to stay open as I only have love to gain. +

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lifestyle / Travel

By kim fuller owner + Editor in Chief

CALIFORNIA LOVE:

Photos courtesy of: CarmelCalifornia.com

Carmel-by-the-Sea

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YOGALIFELIVE.COM

T

here is something truly magical about Carmel-by-the-Sea. The quaint beach city on California’s Monterey Peninsula is known for its wine tasting rooms and art galleries, oceanfront access, fairytale cottages and delicious bistro scene. The offerings of yoga and mindfulness are becoming increasingly available to locals and visitors, and now with a direct flight to Monterey from Denver, there’s no reason not to plan a visit. My fiancé Bobby and I went last April, greeted daily by blue skies and pleasant temperatures.

There are a number of cute bed & breakfast-style accommodations in Carmel. We found the Horizon Inn for our long weekend. It has a convenient location on Junipero Avenue, just a 10 minute walk from the village center and a few minutes more to Carmel Beach.

Our days began by opening the guest room door to a continental breakfast basket — a thoughtful touch and tasty start to the morning.

Book a few things in advance, but also leave time for wandering around town. We arranged a Mindful Walking & Meditation session, led by Monterey Bay Meditation. We met Katie Dutcher at the Palo Corona Regional Park, located right off of the California State Route 1 on the way out of town toward to Big Sur. We spent a little over an hour with Katie, walking on the spacious hillside before stopping for a guided seated meditation. Her voice drifted on the light breeze passing between us, and as I opened my eyes after about 20 minutes of stillness, I recall the calm surrender of that moment being so tangible and rich. We sat for a little while longer, looking out over the seaside community and the long beach where Carmel meets the water. www.montereybaymeditation.com Beyond daily walk or runs, yoga and meditation, our time in Carmel was mostly about not planning. We made one dinner reservation at family-owned Italian restaurant, Il Tegamino. It’s a perfect date night spot, tucked away in a beautiful and romantic courtyard. We relished in finding the gems of the city by instinct, or luck. Wine tasting rooms are everywhere on and around Ocean Avenue, so most afternoons we sauntered between them. Our dinner at Cultura Comida y Bebida, a Mezcalería serving modern Mexican cuisine, was particularly memorable for the inviting atmosphere, creative mezcal cocktails and unique menu.

There are plenty of plans you can make to experience tourist attractions, as well. The 17-Mile Drive takes you on a leisurely driver's seat tour of some of the area’s most scenic natural treasures. We decided that next time, we’ll rent bikes to pass through through the pristine Del Monte Forest and quietly luxurious Pebble Beach. It was actually on this drive one evening of trip, during a dinner stop at The Inn at Spanish Bay, where Bobby asked me to marry him as the Scottish bagpiper serenaded us at sunset.

It’s for all the reasons I mentioned, and many, many more, that Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Monterey Peninsula will always have a very special place in my heart.

As I mentioned above, traveling to Carmel from Colorado is easier now that Monterey Regional Airport has re-launched a twice-daily direct flight from Denver International Airport. +

Carmel has a Mindful-by-the-Sea Retreat coming up December 12-14, 2018, and another March 20-22, 2019. Learn more at www.carmelcalifornia.com.

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lifestyle / Travel

A WINTER VISIT TO

Mt. Bachelor, Bend + sunriver

Shining Stars of Central Oregon

By Photo by: Jeffrey Murray

kim fuller owner + Editor in Chief

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YOGALIFELIVE.COM

Photos by: Pete Alport and couresty of Visit Bend; Anelise Bergin; kim fuller

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f Central Oregon isn’t on your vacation list yet, now is the time to add it. From the 360-degree skiing and snowboarding experience at Mt. Bachelor to Bend’s authentic West Coast culture and amazing craft beer, there are so many reasons to plan a visit.

I went in the winter, so while I didn’t get a chance to check out any hiking or mountain bike trails, the trip was full of fun, adventure and so many memorable spots to eat and drink.

Night one was in Sunriver, a 3,300-acre residential and resort community that is known as Mt. Bachelor’s “other” base area. It’s located less than 20 miles from the ski resort and from Bend, so it’s ideal for an overnight or even just a stop at the Sunriver Brewery (honestly, this spot makes the best beer I had the whole trip, and that’s saying something).

For breakfast in Sunriver, Carson’s American Kitchen has everything from hot cinnamon-sugar donut holes to an antioxidant salad. During my meal I read all about the 4.75-mile River Loop trail that takes you on a paved path along the Deschutes River, through Meadows Golf Course and past fields of grazing horses and Sunriver Airport. My running legs started to itch, but it was time to get up to Mt. Bachelor for a day on the slopes.

With 3365-feet of vertical terrain, Mt. Bachelor is a unique mountain. I found it inviting and peaceful — a welcome change from the hustle bustle of Colorado’s high-end ski resorts. Mt. Bachelor has no slopeside lodging or base villages, which creates a noticeably mellow vibe.

It’s all about the mountain, and that’s a pretty special experience.

Here is the best way to play: stay in Sunriver or Bend, and spend the day at Mt. Bachelor. Enjoy lunch at Scapalos in the Pine Marten Lodge at mid-mountain, and in the afternoon families or groups of friends

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may want to enjoy a sled dog ride with Oregon Trail of Dreams from the Lower Sunrise parking area. This was a true highlight for me and a wonderful way to experience some of the miles of National Forest land that surround Mt. Bachelor.

Onto Bend, dinner at Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails and a night at The Oxford was a way to warm up and settle in with style.

Sophisticated design, luxury amenities and a downtown location make The Oxford an ideal hotel for a refresh from adventure.

I enjoyed a glass of Oregon pinot noir at Zydeco, along with an amazing beef filet with brussels sprouts and au grain potatoes.

The next morning I met my friends who live in Bend before sunrise for an 8-mile run. I don’t know what trails we were on, as I followed them and it was quite dark outside the range of my headlamp, but I thoroughly enjoyed the rolling and wide dirt terrain we were scampering over starting at 5:30 a.m.

Breakfast in Bend was at The Victorian Café, a laid-back eatery that’s known for classic diner dishes and incredibly large bloody marys. I had one, virgin-style, and was most impressed by the buffet of shrimp, cheese, meatball and more on the drink’s skewer.

After another big day at Mt. Bachelor, a brewery tour and tasting at Immersion Brewing hit the spot, followed by some live music at The Pine Shed at Spoken Moto, and dinner at 900 Wall. The new American eatery serves locally sourced cuisine, and a glass of red wine (Oregon pinot, of course) paired perfectly with my pancetta rigatoni entrée.

Leaving felt a bit sad, as there is so much more of Bend I want to experience.

I didn’t get a chance to try yoga at Wren & Wild, or spa services at Spa W, or ice skating at The Pavilion — all activities that were recommended. So, it’s easy to say that I’ll be back to Bend, maybe next time for mountain bike season. +

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lifestyle / What We Love 1

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1. Costa May Sunglasses With a medium to large fit, these polarized sunglasses are as stylish as they are functional for every day wear, travel or adventure. $249 www.costadelmar.com

4. ESYM Yoga Mat Spray Awaken the senses and inspire your yoga experience with our 100-percent natural handcrafted aroma. $18 www.esym.co

7. Alchemy Goods Rainier Zip Top Shoulder Bag This large capacity tote style shoulder bag is vegan-friendly, made of reclaimed bicycle inner tubes. $80 www.alchemygoods.com

2. Nau Nazca Alpaca Cardigan This versatile sweater is light and easy to pack, and wraps you in the luxurious softness of superfine alpaca. $298 www.nau.com

5. The Aspen by EcoVessel A 25-ounce insulated and stainless steel water and wine bottle vessel. It will keep your drinks cold for up to 100 hours and hot for up to 20 hours. $31.95 www.ecovessel.com

8. Olukai Nalukai Slip-On Leather Shoes A premium look and drop-in heel option make these shoes very versatile, from the office to vacation. $110 www.olukai.com

3. Helly Hansen Lifa Loft Insulator Coat Great for winter travel, this insulator is built for functional fun with a waterproof and breathable coating on top of tough fabric construction. $250 www.hellyhansen.com

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6. Boulder Denim 2.0 Inspired by rock climbing, all Boulder Denim jeans have stretch retainment, hydrophobic wash, trap pockets and reinforced stitching. $148 www.boulderdenim.com

9. Nau Utility Down Shirt Jacket This vintage-inspired down jacket has 700-fill power recycled down insulation to keep you warm as temperatures drop. $245 www.nau.com

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10 11 13

12 15

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10. Yoga Face Warrior II Muscle Mask This highly effective formula relieves bothersome muscle and joint discomfort through the synergy of ancient Ayurvedic herbs and the potent action of clay. $45 www.yogaface.com 11. Topo Designs 40L Travel Bag A piece of luggage is large enough for European backpacking trip, but streamlined and professional enough to carry your laptop and change of clothes for longer work trips. $229 www.topodesigns.com

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12. Love & Asana Colorado Shirt Inspired by old wooden ski signs and the colors of the CO flag, this shirt has all the style and state pride. $30 www.loveandasana.com 13. KAILO Perfect Balance Body Oil Kit A chakra wellness kit consisting of a body oil for each of the seven chakras, designed to restore balance. $288 www.kailo-wellness.com 14. Vivobarefoot Kanna A vegan and lightweight movement shoe with a with a soft and seamless fit that hugs the foot and lets your toes splay in comfort. $125 www.vivobarefoot.com

15. Sherpa Adventure Gear Zangbu Hoodie Sweater An extrafine 100-percent merino wool hoodie, this sweater has a pattern inspired by the rich tapestry of Bhutan across the chest. $99.95 www.sherpaadventuregear.com 16. ThePureBag Yoga Bag With hypo-microbial protection from bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew and other gross stuff, this stylish, functional and sporty bag keeps you clean and has a reversible color option. $148 www.thepurebag.com

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lifestyle / What We Love

PurLuxe Beauty Bar Cherry Creek

By kim fuller owner + Editor in Chief

A

ny excuse to make a day trip to Cherry Creek is a good one, and now that PūrLuxe Beauty Bar is open you can add a nail or skincare treatment to your plans.

Unlike a number of traditional salons, PūrLuxe is free of toxic chemicals and has a mission to offer clients a new form of beauty treatments in a health-conscience environment.

Owner, Tuyen Vo, opened PūrLuxe in the Steele Creek building, next to Matsuhisa Denver. The space feels clean, luxurious and modern, yet pleasantly inviting and comfortable. The pedicure I received

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this past summer was very relaxing and professional, with results that lasted far beyond most pedicures I generally get. I’m not exaggerating when I share that I didn’t even have one chip on my toenails for over a month.

PūrLuxe’s mantra to “Indulge in Beauty” coincides with their pursuit to carry the best organic polish brands such as: Dior, Chanel, Smith & Cult, Spa Ritual, LVX, Essie, CND, SNS, Zoya, OPI and Butter London, as well as organic skincare lines like Osmosis, Lira Clinical and Jan Marini. Another sweet addition, the salon uses sugar wax for sensitive-skin for their waxing services.

All the services offered use the latest technology in skincare, including LED light therapy, microcurrents and oxygen blasts.

PūrLuxe’s menu of services is extensive, from nails to facials, micro-blading, make-up application, eye-lash extensions, micro-needling, micro-dermabrasion and waxing. The salon’s estheticians also can accommodate private group bookings for bridal, birthday or corporate parties, as well as provide mini-services such as nails, facials and eyelash extensions for any off-site gathering. +

www.purluxebeauty.com

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paid partnership

THE FUTURE OF WATER WaveMakers Raising the standards of sustainability

President Mike Bitonti

Founder Nick Teixeira

T

he wave of change starts with a ripple.

Isn’t it true that one choice, one action, is what leads to all the proceeding moments and outcomes of the future?

This is why Mike Bitonti and Nick Teixeira have become the brand they represent: WaveMakers.

This global entity is a stand for sustainability in a way that empowers individuals to take health and longevity of life into their own hands.

“It’s not that people don’t want to change, it’s that they don’t know how to change,”

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The ionization technology can be hooked up to any faucet, using electricity to split the water and raise the PH level to make acidic water high alkaline. Through electrolysis, the water molecules are also micro-clustered, creating cellular hydration which allows for a 40 to 50 percent higher absorption rate. The electricity creates a negative charge inside the water, making the water extremely high in antioxidants. The combination of these properties is a true depiction of the future of clean drinking water and its medicinal uses.

“It’s not the water itself that cures ailments — the water puts your body into its most powerful state to heal itself,” says Teixeira.

“You are hand-delivering antioxidants to kill the free radicals and repair each individual cell in the body.”

Not only is this technology revolutionary on an individual level — a water ionizer eliminates plastic bottle consumption, because what’s coming out of your sink is more valuable than what you would go buy in a bottle.

In addition, 10% of total revenue goes towards the WaveMakers Water Initiative Fund where the WaveMakers team goes to countries like Uganda, Kenya and El Salvador to build and install clean water wells for those communities.

The investment of clean, quality water starts with WaveMakers. It’s here, and it’s time to have it in your home. +

The Thirst Project

Bitonti shares.

From an education platform to a market of sustainable goods, WaveMakers provides what people need to live their most vibrant and mindful life.

WaverMakers is most passionate about protecting and sharing one of our world’s most precious resources — clean and quality water.

From pre-filters to full house filtration systems and the newest technology of water ionization, WaveMakers is committed to instilling this valuable life source within as many homes as possible.

For More Information Call/Text: 720.608.1377 Email: wavemakersglobal@gmail.com Visit: www.wavemakersglobal.com

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YOGA + FITNESS / Movement

by emma murray

Heart Worlds Combined

I

t’s 4:45 a.m. and Jillian Keaveny is walking down a hallway lined with old photographs. The Beatles and Annie Lennox and Bruce Springsteen stare down, welcoming her to the reality of her dreams like a sports cheer tunnel. In tow she carries her controller and laptop, which she’ll set up on the Red Rocks Amphitheater stage sitting at the end of the hallway.

But before she steps out to the multi-thousand person venue, she pauses, wondering about the legends on the walls, many of them her idols, who’d performed there before her. Did they have sleepless nights leading up to their shows, too?

“I get emotional even thinking about it,”

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Keaveny says, referring back to that day — her first time DJing at Red Rocks. It was 2016 and she’d spun music for River Power Vinyasa’s annual “Yoga on the Rocks” event.

“Of course I was super obsessive planning that set and the whole thing, thinking it’s got to be the best. But it was so,” she pauses, “beautiful. The sun, watching people move, them just loving it and hearing the music … it was beyond.”

Pursuing that sense of “beyond” — the extra energy that’s released when complementary forces combine, á la concept of a whole being greater than the sum of its parts — is what Keaveny, 34, is all about. For her, the equation is simple: add the right music to a

yoga or fitness experience, and it’s like nailing the right code to a locked door.

“The music element, it’s not just background noise; it’s not the dominating force.

It’s this special in-between. You can really play off the emotional part of the fitness or yoga experience with a music complement, and that’s what I’m obsessed with,” she says from the couch in her new multi-dimensional fitness studio, Compass, which she coopened in Denver in early 2018 with three other fitness instructors. “When you hear music and notes and rhythm and beats, you can start to see where it intensifies and where it falls, just like when you move your body. It’s the same thing.”

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Photo by: Jordan Quinn Smith

Jillian Keaveny’s Quest to Unlock 'The Beyond' via Music, Yoga + Fitness

Since becoming a yoga instructor in 2010 and learning to DJ in 2015, Keaveny has cultivated a relationship between the physical and the sensory, reading and mixing energies in yoga flows or HIIT-style workouts like she would remixed songs. But, her love for the weight and comfort of sound started long before that. “My dad died when I was 16, and my connection to him was through sports and music,” she explains.

Now, in addition to teaching her own yoga and fitness classes, she collaborates with other teachers to create specialized music sets — inquiring about the class’s theme, the message students should take home, what peak postures or cycles the class will build towards.

Then she DJs the sets live during class.

“She’s a well-rounded person in terms of knowing the behindthe-scenes of sound, and also teaching classes,” says Phil Galaviz, program director at SoundOff Colorado. “So she can easily bring both worlds together.”

Since 2015, Galaviz and Keaveny have been co-producing silent disco versions of fitness and yoga classes using SoundOff’s technology.

Students receive their own headphones and Keaveny speaks into a microphone that channels her voice and music into everyone’s ears.

“Immediately with the technology I was like, holy shit. This is a game changer for the experience,” she says. “You know when you’re in a studio, especially with mirrors, people’s outfits, thinking ‘what is she doing?’ It can be distracting. Part of the experience is tuning that out — that’s part of the work, but I do believe the headphones take care of that layer, and now what else are you able to focus on?”

For Keaveny, it’s just another way of digging deeper and going further into an experience. “I’ve taught classes of 250 people [using SoundOff technology] and after they come up and tell me, ‘Jillian I felt like you were talking directly to me.’”

Since fusing her passion for music, yoga and fitness, Keaveny has instructed and DJed at world-class events like Wanderlust and the GoPro Mountain Games, not to mention Red Rocks. Some classes are upbeat and energetic, while some are grounding and rejuvenating. “I’ve got to hit that range,” she says, and while she’s a planner at heart, DJing live classes has helped her grow more comfortable adapting on the fly.

“There are two things that bring you to the present moment, and it’s movement and it’s music. They bring a sense of now. I hear this now, I am moving now, and everything else sort of goes away,” she says. “For someone who lives in their head so much — I am constantly processing and looking at myself, looking at the worlds — it’s two things that can cut that in a good way and bring me to the present moment. You can’t work out all day every day, there's got to be another outlet.” +

EMMA MURRAY is an award-winning adventure writer and all-around mountain lover. Her work has appeared in the pages of national magazines, local papers and academic journals. She currently lives in Boulder, Colorado, where you can find her running dirt paths or scaling vertical rock when she's not behind a keyboard or curled up with a book. To follow along her daily adventures, search for @emmaathenamurray on Instagram. To peruse her other work — fiction, nonfiction and otherwise — visit her website: www.emmaathenamurray.com.

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47

YOGA + FITNESS / Movement

Wendy Wilkinson + Alexandra Caffery

Thai Yoga Massage Illuminating the Benefits of this Ancient Practice 48

T

he history of Thai Yoga Massage is said to have been developed by the legendary physician Jivaka, thought to have practiced almost 2,500 years ago. History tells that Jivaka, from northern India, was a friend and the personal physician of the Buddha, and a renowned healer in the Buddhist tradition.

Thai Massage is one of the four branches of Traditional Thai medicine — a healing technique that was practiced before doctors. The massage involves deep stretching and yoga poses on a firm mat. It is a therapeutic procedure that provides relaxation and restores healthy blood circulation — also treating energy blockages, aches and pains, stress and tension.

SunWater Spa in Manitou Springs, Colorado, offers Thai Yoga Therapy with roots in yoga, Ayurvedic medicine and Buddhist spiritual practices. This unique and powerful therapy is performed on a soft, dense mat using rhythmic movements, acupressure, gentle stretching, assisted yoga poses, energy work and meditation.

SunWater Spa offers both private and couples Thai Yoga Therapy led by lead practitioner Kat Tudor, and others trained in the Ritam Healing Arts style.

“I find the practice is beneficial for both the giver and receiver of the massage as the therapy works on all levels, including both emotional and physical release,” explains Tudor. “It helps energy flow, which reduces body pain when our circulatory, respiratory and lymphatic systems are not functioning as well as they should. Thai Yoga Massage is my favorite treatment to both give and receive, as it leads to a deeper understanding of the body and how profoundly we effect others through touch.

The benefits are very dynamic — people can even have visions and greater insight.”

Tudor trained with the noted Ritam Healing Arts, founded by Saul David Raye, with whom she has studied and traveled and collaborated with for over 10 years.

“Until I trained in Thai Yoga Massage, I didn’t have a full understanding of the body and the benefit of keeping energy flowing,” she says. “Some call the therapy the lazy person’s yoga, because we move people in and out of poses. Thai training informs everything I

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photos by: Noah Cheney and SunWater Spa

by

The following are four additional bodywork centers in Colorado that either practice or/and teach Thai Yoga Massage

do as a yoga teacher. And what keeps it fresh are the other elements I add to the sessions such as using sacred oils and crystals, and doing work on a Bio Mat with infrared rays to penetrate deep into the fascia.”

“Thai Yoga Massage Therapy for couples provides each participant with enough knowledge about the therapy in one session to give the experience of Thai Yoga to each other in a non-intimidating and personal setting,” she says.

SunMountain Center, a SunWellness Company, also offers a 9-day Introductory Level Thai Yoga Therapy Training and Certificate Program with Phoebe Diftler, the author of “Urban Guide to Ancient Thai Massage” and Kat Tudor. This program gives students the skill and immediate tools to work with people after the training, as well as useful tips to set up a successful practice. SunMountain Center will offer the Training and Certificate Program January 14 - 26, 2019 with additional dates to follow. +

PEACE OF MIND MASSAGE 249 S Pearl St. • Denver Peace of Mind Massage offers many different massage and wellness services, including Thai Yoga Massage. Denver’s Peace of Massage mission is to help and heal their clients, while stressing that not everyone is suited for Thai Yoga Massage, such as those with uncontrolled high blood pressure, brittle bones, serious heart conditions, etc.

YOGA YUKI 577 76th St. • Boulder Yoga Yuki not only offers Thai Yoga Massage, but they teach private lessons to couples on how to do Thai Yoga Massage at a studio or in the privacy of their home.

For example, if your partner complains a lot about lower back discomfort from sitting for a long time, the can make a sequence to reduce the discomfort in low back and open the hips/legs. If you want to learn the fundamentals of couple’s Thai massage, instructors can teach you about the whole body.

www.sunwellness.net/sunmountain/ retreat

WENDY WILKINSON has been a writer and publicist in the celebrity/lifestyle worlds for more than twenty-five years. Her work has been published in many national and regional publications including the Los Angeles Times, Colorado Living Well, Cowboys & Indians, and Fit and Fit Yoga. As an author she co-wrote Parents at Last, Celebrating Adoption and the New Pathways to Parenthood, People We Know, Horses They Love, with cover Robert Redford, and Morgan Freeman & Friends, Caribbean Cooking for a Cause.

ALEXANDRA CAFFERY graduated from the University of Colorado and is pursuing a career in communications. For the past two years she has been working with a health and lifestyle publicity firm.

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SUNSHINE MASSAGE STUDIO 616 W Lionshead Circle Suite 300 D • Vail

Sunshine Massage Studio located in Vail, CO, offers Thai Yoga Massage that specifically helps skiers. Their Thai Yoga Massage stretches and massages up to four parts of your body the same time~ this type of massage takes multi-tasking in the healing realm to the next level. This style of massage increases energy flow throughout the body and is the perfect massage to enjoy before starting any athletic activity, such as skiing.

BEYOND MASSAGE ASPEN 300 S. Spring St. Suite 203 • Aspen

Above are several Thai Yoga Massage poses that couples learn in a Thai Couples workshop. To learn more about Thai Yoga Massage poses and benefits, please go to www.sunwellness.net/thai-yoga.

Beyond Massage Aspen offers traditional Thai Yoga Massage, which help clients regain a greater range of motion, more balance, as well as a more centered mind.

They also offer acupuncture, acupoint injections, diagnostic testing, and a variety of classes from Thai Yoga Massage workshops to Maya Abdominal Therapy.

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YOGA + FITNESS / Movement

by Julia Clarke

THE SCIENCE OF

P

STRETCHING

eople in impossible shapes.

The promise that stretching will bring unrestricted movement within reach.

Yoga, today.

The glorification of “bendy” has long been synonymous with yoga. Flexibility remains the number one attraction that draws Americans into yoga classes according to a 2016 Yoga Journal report, and simultaneously the primary intimidation factor that keeps others out. My pursuit of it long dominated my practice, and the more yoga I did, the more flexible I became.

Some years ago, I read an article that

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suddenly changed how I thought about flexibility. I’d learned that “tight” muscles were short, and stretching “lengthens” muscles to increase flexibility. The article contradicted this in simple terms: your muscles aren’t getting longer when you stretch them because they’re attached, via tendons, to bones that aren’t getting longer. You can move the two ends of a muscle apart to feel a stretch, such as in your hamstrings in Half Splits, but when you relax, your hamstring length hasn’t actually changed.

The discovery left me with lots of questions: What is happening when we think we are stretching? Why do we want to increase flexi-

bility? And should everyone be stretching?

My inquiry revealed that nothing I thought about stretching was true. Muscles can be strong or weak, but not short or long. The sensation of “tight” doesn’t necessarily correlate with strength: “You can be strong and inflexible, but you can also be strong and flexible,” says Jules Mitchell, yoga teacher and author of Yoga Biomechanics: Redefining Stretching being published this year.

I attended Mitchell’s Science of Stretching workshop in Boulder in 2017, where we discussed the neurological component of flexibility. I can put my leg behind my head today and 20 years ago couldn’t touch my toes, but not because my hamstrings got longer. Rather, my nervous system just adapted to larger ranges of motion through repetition.

“Tight is a sensation, but it doesn’t have a biological expression,” explained Mitchell. The sensation is your nervous system detecting unfamiliar ranges of motion and bracing against perceived danger (injury). But go there again and again and your nervous system will start to detect it as familiar, and potentially allow for more range of motion.

What we call “flexibility” is more accurately mobility, which describes the different aspects that contribute to range of motion, including soft tissue, joint structure and motor control, and this is what we are often seeking to improve. There are physical reasons for why we may want to increase mobility, according to Colorado School of Yoga Founder Gina Caputo, who says that even though muscles may not work the way we thought, muscle extensibility can still impact the mobility at your joints “People with limited mobility who are unable to do some of the things they’d like to, or are experiencing pain because of that limitation, may benefit from increasing their muscle extensibility so as to increase their mobility.”

She also identifies sociological reasons for the focus on mobility: “Because our bodies adapt to what we do, once we shifted from an agrarian culture to a more industrial culture, we started moving our bodies less and then started to experience the results of that adaptation, which often feels like stiffness, tightness, restriction or even pain.

That adaptation created a ‘problem’ the market could ‘solve’ with group fitness and practices like yoga and Pilates.”

So shouldn’t we all be stretching? Not

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Flexibility remains the number one attraction that draws Americans into yoga classes, and simultaneously the primary intimidation factor that keeps others out. necessarily, says Caputo: “If you already have adequate mobility, increasing your flexibility might not have great value. And if you already have hypermobility, increasing your flexibility could result in injury or excessive wear-and-tear stress on your joints. So, like basically everything, what’s of benefit to some may be of detriment to others.”

But we’ve been taught that we should stretch to offset activities like hiking and biking which explore short, repetitive movements. Yoga tends to explore unused ranges of motion, like shoulder flexion in Dolphin and external hip rotation in Warrior Two, so in theory it’s therapeutic. However, Mitchell warns that may not be in every athlete’s best interests: “If an athlete wants to improve at a certain athletic skill, the principle of specificity tells us she needs to practice that skill. Athletes adapt to the

demands of the sport to give them a competitive edge, so reversing those demands might not be the best practice. That said, the mind-body aspect of yoga can be really helpful for athletes, so I think it's a great practice to add to their routine.”

All of which led me to the conclusion that the secondary reason people reported for coming to yoga — stress reduction — is likely the more important one. When it comes to

M O V E

stretching, Caputo recommends considering which movements you do frequently, and which you do seldomly, and focusing on balance: “If you’re already quite mobile, focus on the strength aspects of your yoga practice.

Slow down so you’re using less momentum and gravity and more muscular effort. If you’re less mobile, focus on slower, gradual stretches and in gradually increasing your strength in new ranges of motion.” +

JULIA CLARKE, E-RYT 500 and MS Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine, hails from Scotland and found the rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado just enough like home to move here in 2009. She is the co-founder of Mountain Soul Yoga in Edwards, Colorado, and a faculty member at the Colorado School of Yoga. In her free time, you can find her exploring Colorado's endless playground on foot, ski, bike or belay, or traveling the world.

F E E L

L I V E

B E T T E R YOGA: Daily Classes

Teacher Trainings Special Events Workshops $35 Day Passes $250 10-punch $125/mo Memberships

VAIL ATHLETIC CLUB VailAthleticClub.com 970.476.7960 352 East Meadow Drive | Vail, CO

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51

YOGA + FITNESS / Retreats

SHOSHONI

by lexi reich

A

balm of cayenne dark chocolate melted in my mouth as nerves pattered inside. “You are here to facilitate your yoga experience,” my teacher, Yogini, had said moments before I taught my first hour yoga class. She assured me my only responsibility was to stay true to myself and teach from within, a main point highlighted in the Shoshoni Yoga Teacher Training.

Meditating on the chocolate, I honored the 200 hours of training I had just completed. I softened my shoulders from my ears and danced into my final with confidence.

Channelling my inner poet, I breathed cues

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from a decorated place inside my head and transcribed onto fellow students’ mats why I practice yoga, and in doing so, helped illuminate to them why they may as well.

Tracing back three weeks, my skin smelled of a hot yoga studio and library textbook concoction — I was eager as ever for a change of pace. Shoshoni has been a sacred space for me ever since moving to Colorado, so when I felt ready to deepen my practice with teacher training, it was no question that I would be learning from the yogis at Shoshoni.

Shoshoni Yoga Retreat is a yoga ashram nestled deep in the mountains of Rollins-

ville, Colorado. Whether you’re there for a weekend getaway or earning a teacher training, Shambhava Yoga will be sure to transform your perception of yoga. Personally, it transformed my perception of what it means to be human.

Shambhava yoga is a holistic practice that encompasses asana (physical postures), pranayama (breath), meditation, seva (service) and daily rituals for conscious living. Yoga is more than mere physical postures, but all one does to unify the mind, body and spirit. This philosophy resonated in the deepest parts of myself when I first visited two years ago; so to delve into this calling sensation, I immersed myself in the practice so I could better share with others all yoga can offer.

Two-hundred hours in three weeks requires a rigorous schedule, which turned out to be the most nourishing part of this experience. Waking up with the chickens and watching the sun fall to its knees over the Rockies each night kept me focused and centered on my personal growth. Being able to digest what I was learning by fully living in it aided in making this experience as transformative as it came to be.

Starting at 5:30 a.m. each day, I flowed to the tune of my heart. In the next hour and a half I’d practice teach asanas in Sanskrit to fellow trainees, and end with a 30-minute guided meditation led by a Shoshoni resident.

We chanted Ganesh mantra, experienced visualization exercises, and were given freedom to silently meditate with whatever knots needed loosening in our brains — all while being hugged by the majestic studio layered with paintings of yoga deities.

By 7 a.m., a glorious vegetarian breakfast would be waiting for us: tofu scramble, vegan jam muffins, apple and date oats — oh my! Letting each flavor simmer in my mouth was part of the conscious living I was practicing. Many of the vegetables we ate for our meals were grown in the garden just a few feet away, deepening the intimate

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Photos by: Devi Stone Chung

Yoga Teacher Training

connection of the energy I fed my body.

While the hearty meal digested, it was seva, or selfless service, hour. I cleaned the yoga studio we spent our days in, enjoying the nurturing quality of treating the space with the respect it in turn gave to me. The harmony existing in my living space, my eating and my yoga practice allowed me to turn my focus to the inner self, which is the ultimate purpose of practicing any form of yoga — to connect inside.

My days at Shoshoni required an open mind and heart to be vulnerable in a new environment. My training group swam in laughter, letting it coat any nerves or reservations. This planted the seed for my growth, as I felt ready to shed light on a passion waiting to sprout: teaching. Seeing this divinity grow inside myself allowed it to shine through everything I did, but it took a moment of darkness to discover this.

The scattered aspens of Rollinsville, Colorado, can make any hiker feel helplessly disoriented. No matter how many cairns mark a trailhead, I still feel swallowed by the endless lanes of trees. Shoshoni hikes are not impossible to map, but their overall lack of direction is everything I needed it to be — the no-cell-service vibe fits perfectly with the solitude of a slightly-paved path leading to nature in its purest, forested form.

Secure from the hustle of urban life, wildlife shares this space with Shoshoni residents. I’ve been told there’s nothing to fear, but as I am not native to Colorado, living close to bears and moose is not something I’m attuned to — and while I’d prefer not to admit, does scare me.

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My training group swam in laughter, letting it coat any nerves or reservations. This planted the seed for my growth, as I felt ready to shed light on a passion waiting to sprout: teaching.

I embarked on an adventure up Rollins Peak early one evening and spent my ascent scanning for signs of life. While I knew I was alone, my eyes kept tricking me into seeing outlines of bears behind trees. In combination with the rapid incline, high elevation and utter fear for my life, my breath was uneven and short.

I’ve been taught pranayama to control the breath during challenging asanas, which in turn centers the mind. Pranayama is an intimate connection to the inner self, and is practiced through manipulating the breath in exercises that affect the nervous system.

All that was in the classroom. This was a real-life situation with which I could apply this lesson.

I ran the projected 90-minute hike in less

than half that, and was crawling by the time I reached the rocks that would escort me to the magnificent view.

I cried and bellowed “I am a yoga teacher!” to the rapid stream below me.

Then I let the silence absorb my voice.

I turned my attention inward to my chest, noticing the shortness between each inhale and exhale. Engaging my diaphragm, I massaged my breath deeper into my tummy, creating a circle of breath from my third eye to the pit of my stomach.

This flow of energy coexisting in my body rooted me in the present moment. Warmth expanded in my heart space and I felt light as mountain air. This is the power of yoga, I thought to myself.

My favorite way to end the packed days at Shoshoni was with Kirtan and meditation in the sacred temple. To illustrate, Kirtan looks like a lot of yogis dressed in temple attire chanting mantra and dancing, honoring yoga deities on the temple’s stage.

The statues represent the divinity already existing in each one of us. My meditations were always the deepest after the flow of Kirtan: the people, the space and the time all aligned perfectly with my energy to truly delve inside with more ease.

I practice yoga to tap into my truest self.

With knowledge of proper alignment and body awareness, focusing on the breath and the inner self has never felt more accessible.

The human experience is one of connection to others and the self, and yoga teachers can act as guides to illuminate the divinity we all have within us; it just takes a moment of trust and surrender to let it shine through. +

53

YOGA + FITNESS / Seva

by phyllis

Photo courtesy of: comeback yoga

allen

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YOGALIFELIVE.COM

Comeback Yoga

T

Veterans Cope with Trauma on the Mat

he class is small. The yogis are a varied lot. The lighting and music are soft. The teacher speaks gently, encouraging her students to consider what might best suit their bodies today. It looks like a regular yoga class in many ways, but it’s very different.

This is a Comeback Yoga class, offered at the Veterans Administration Clinic in Golden and designed specifically for veterans. It is one of 39 free classes offered in the Denver/Boulder metro area, Eagle County and Colorado Springs each week to veterans, their friends, families and caregivers. It is tailored to the special needs of veterans.

With this emphasis, the classes are different than a traditional yoga class.

“I am not sure what I would do without these classes,” said one veteran yogi after class was over. “The peace and calm I find here are a life changer.”

A Vietnam War vet, this student has dealt with injury for more than thirty years. She is now a regular Comeback Yoga class attendee, finding classes throughout the week and all over town to work into her schedule.

“I was not a yogi before, but I am a yogi now,” she said. “Comeback has made this happen for me, by having classes where I feel ok going. I depend on these classes.”

Ned and Margot Timbel founded Comeback Yoga in 2014 to help veterans return to healthy living by providing appropriately designed yoga classes. The life experience of veterans might include post-traumatic stress (PTS), a condition triggered by overwhelming stress or trauma. PTS leaves the brain and body “trapped” in a fight or flight

response and makes self-regulation difficult.

It may cause an individual to feel unsafe with themselves and others, impacting every area of life and relationships. PTS can be debilitating — the trauma-informed yoga taught in a Comeback Yoga class offers a way to cope with it.

Yoga is a proven stress reliever. In particular, trauma-informed yoga is particularly designed to address the symptoms and effects of PTS. By connecting the moving body and conscious breathing with intention, yoga helps to develop mindful self-awareness.

As yoga improves self-regulation and the ability to stay focused on the present, it may help veteran yogis to feel more comfortable in their bodies and become more resilient in their daily lives.

“Trauma-informed yoga is based on science,” said Ned Timbel, Comeback Yoga cofounder. “It’s based on brain research and the effects of PTSD on people who have experienced trauma. wWhen we teach a yoga class, we can use methods that appeal to the parts of the brain that have been damaged by trauma.”

Every veteran is different, every body is different. Comeback Yoga classes offer a wide range of difficulty, allowing the student to choose modifications and moderate intensity. Classes are tailored to those in attendance. The veteran population served includes active duty, recently deactivated, women, healthy aging, transition from homelessness, family members and supporters, and the clinicians who serve the veterans. Comeback Yoga serves about 200 students each week, all ages and all

service branches. The classes are offered where there is already a large veteran community. Comeback Yoga has classes at numerous locations: the VA Hospital in Denver, VA Outpatient Clinics, VFW Post #1, Auraria Campus, Fort Carson and Buckley Air Force Base. Comeback Yoga also offers yoga through their website, for those who cannot get to class or who want to get a sense of what a class might be like.

Comeback Yoga works with more than 35 teachers as independent contractors. In addition to the numerous weekly classes for yogis, it provides periodic master teacher training for its teachers. These trainings enable the teachers to provide yoga classes best suited to the population that Comeback Yoga serves. All teachers who wish to teach for Comeback Yoga must have a 200 hour YTT certified and go through a screening process.

The final element of Comeback Yoga's mission is to offer scholarships for Yoga Teacher Training to veterans who are interested in becoming yoga teachers themselves. The application can be found on the website with periodic deadlines throughout the year. +

Comeback Yoga is a 501(c)(3) organization and is sustained by the support of friends and family, private donors and a few foundations and grantors. It does not receive any funding from the government or the Veterans Administration.

For more information, visit the website: www.comebackyoga.org.

PHYLLIS ALLEN has been practicing yoga since 2002. She has been teaching since 2011 and has been working specifically with veterans since 2015. Her father was a veteran and she grew up in the military community. Sharing yoga with veterans allows her to honor her father, his role in her life, and his legacy as a Naval officer. In her classes, Phyllis offers peaceful instrumental music and gentle breathing guidance to both begin and end class. During the more active parts of class, she provides a combination of posture demonstration and verbal cues. She offers modifications on poses, to allow for differences and variations in each of our bodies. The class atmosphere is generally relaxed and fun. She supports and encourages each student, whether brand new to yoga or experienced with his or her own practice. She understands and appreciates that yoga feels different in every body, every day!

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YOGA + FITNESS / In The Practice

THE R ADIANT POWER OF

Yoga, Belly Dance and Nia On Body Image by Kimberly

Photo by: MW imagery

Nicoletti

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tretching tall, firmly rooted through one leg; undulating hips silky side to side; music flowing through as you dance. Each example stems from three modalities, which all help promote a better self-esteem and body image.

Yoga, belly dance and Nia are three practices that naturally increase self-confidence.

They all contribute to muscle building and flexibility, which help people feel better about themselves; but it is the mind-body connection each one fosters that aids in deep self-acceptance.

TAPPING INTO THE CORE Yoga poses, meditation and basic principles converge to support core strength and an attitude of acceptance. Principles of nonharm and non-attachment remind people to be kind to themselves and not hold onto society’s rampant distortion of what the “perfect” body looks like.

“It’s non-attachment to what I perceive beauty is,” says Alyxandra Citron, vinyasa and restorative yoga instructor at Radiance Power Yoga in Boulder. “It’s affirming … I am beautiful, I am powerful. I am strong.”

Poses such as Warrior further develop a sense of strength and perseverance by teaching people they are “strong and rooted and grounded and beautiful within and without,” Citron says. Increasing core muscles helps participants feel safer “in day-to-day existence, in how [they] walk and hold [themselves] … if you’re balanced in your core and solar plexus, then you’ll find yourself feeling lighter and joyful every day.”

Then, through moments of stillness, people find peace.

“Through meditation, everything falls into place,” she says. “If you’re stressed or depressed, you’re harsher on yourself than if you were more in balance. If you know your truest self, something external won’t rock your boat as much. Yoga helps you learn more about yourself, both with confidence and peace and love.”

Every yoga teacher she has taken a class from emphasizes loving oneself. A positive body image naturally emerges from this self-love.“It starts with loving yourself that day, no matter where you start,” she say-

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SENSUAL SIDES Citron also has taught belly dance to students ranging in age from 15 to 70. Belly dancing culture doesn’t revolve around flat bellies; instead, all bodies become sensual through the dance.

“Each student radiates this internal confidence,” she says. “[It’s about] seeing yourself as sexy and beautiful and powerful and letting all of that shine through you.”

Throughout history, the female form has often been forced to hide according to societal norms.

“It’s really liberating when you can bare your belly and bare your soul without any judgment and with just pure acceptance,” she says.

While moves like the shimmy can intimidate women initially because it involves opening, or expanding through, your chest, belly, pelvis and buttocks and letting everything jiggle, “once you let loose, it really helps to support that body image,” says Erin Jones, owner of Erin Elizabeth Belly Dance in Denver.

Most other dance forms include stigmas, be it age, training or ability, whereas belly dance welcomes all people of any age, size or ability. The community, usually made of women (though historically men have belly danced), offers connection in a time where many people are disconnected through technology, isolation or staying a little too busy.

“It offers an inclusive sisterhood,” Jones says. The norm to perform also helps dancers build confidence as they support one another and receive positive audience responses.

MOVES FOR EVERY BODY Nia, founded in the early 1980s, fuses martial arts, dance and healing arts like yoga, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais into 60-minute routines. They begin with

a gentle, embodied warm-up, rev up to solid cardio workouts, and end with slow, grounded movements. Every class starts with a step forward, encouraging rooted, present-moment awareness.

Instructors use a variety of metaphors, such as reaching arms out like tree branches (as opposed to just telling students to put their hands in the air), to further a sense of connection to one’s own body. While it’s based on 52 basic moves, every class offers a couple short minutes of free dance, where people can “tap into oneself and notice what’s going on inside,” says first-degree black belt Nia instructor Karen Olsen of Boulder. It also encourages the use of vocal sounds every so often, which can improve self-esteem and confidence by connecting with the power of voice.

Nia encourages people to take time for themselves as they become immersed in the movements.

“It feels like self-care,” Olsen says. “Body cues and speaking about sensation in different parts of the body brings awareness without judgment.”

Like yoga and belly dancing, it offers an accepting, joyful community.

“Nia is very freeing,” Olsen says. “There’s a joy that comes through dance. First the body gets happy, then the mind and spirit calm.”

Through the process, participants begin to appreciate body sensation, and thus, their own body — no matter what shape, form or ability.

“It helps to lengthen my body, open my mind and calm,” Olsen says. “It gets obstacles out of the way for me to dance.”

While individually, yoga, belly dance and Nia each contribute to better body image, when practiced together — or even coupled — the modalities can highly amplify confidence, positive body image, sense of community and overall joyfulness. +

KIMBERLY NICOLETTI is an award-winning freelance journalist, editor and writing coach. She has taught yoga, Nia, Zumba and tai chi throughout Summit County, Colorado, and earned a master's degree in Somatic Psychology and Dance Therapy from Naropa University. She loves traveling, outdoor adventures (especially floating through deep powder and diving), photography, dance, her dogs and her family.

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YOGA + FITNESS / In The Practice

THREE SIMPLE TECHNIQUES

To Breathe Easier This Season

by Kaity Rose

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photos BY: fabian moller

reathing is life. Our breath is a catalyst for the process of oxygenation, which brings life to our cells. Practicing slow, mindful breathing also lowers our resting heart rate, which increases lifespan and overall health. When we harness the power of our breath, we can bring energy and life into every cell of our body.

There are times when our breath becomes stuck and we feel unable to breathe to our fullest capacity. In the winter season, this can be particularly noticeable. Nature itself slows down and our bodies follow suit. For many plants and animals, this is a time of hibernation and rest. For us, it’s an important and powerful time to reflect, realign and nourish ourselves. Without this period of introspection, we would miss the opportunity to prepare for the rest of the year, when our energy becomes more and more outwardly focused and expansive.

The heaviness of wintertime can leave us feeling weighed down, uninspired, depressed or stagnant in body and mind. By liberating and loosening our breath, we open our body and mind and set ourselves up for a season of nourishment. We can then harvest the fruits of our winter slumber in spring, summer and fall. Keep your energy flowing smoothly this winter with three techniques to activate healthy breathing and enliven your being.

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TAPPING This technique helps us awaken and inspire breathing muscles that have become dormant or disengaged.

• Lie down on your back in savasana, or constructive rest pose.

Notice your breathing.

• Begin gently tapping the collarbone area with the fingertips for 30 seconds, or up to one minute. Lower the hands, pause, and notice any changes in the breath.

Repeat this process in the following areas: • Tap the fingers up and down the sternum.

• Tap the low ribs. Tap the front, sides and back of the ribs (as far as you can comfortably reach).

• Tap the ASIS (front hip bones).

• Relax and take a few breaths, noticing any changes.

"HA" BREATH

A yogi measures the span of life by the number of breaths, not by the number of years. ~ Swami Sivananda

This technique uses strong, full exhalations to inspire deeper, easier and slower inhalations. Excess CO2 is released from the body, allowing oxygen to rush in and feed our cells.

• Take a deep breath in and bring the shoulders up toward the ears.

• Exhale with a long "HA" sigh out the mouth. Engage the belly in toward the spine, and exhale all the way out.

• Repeat 3-5 times. +

DIAPHRAGM RELEASE When the body is inactive, the fascia surrounding the upper abdominal organs can stagnate, restricting movement of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm is restricted, deep breathing becomes more difficult. Practice this exercise each morning on an empty stomach to release the diaphragm and deepen the breath. Go slowly and gently, as the stomach is one of the most tender areas of the body.

• Bring the right fingertips to just beneath the ribcage on the right side. Grab your right wrist with your left hand for support.

• Take a deep breath in, while expanding your belly outward.

• Exhale, curl the torso forward into seated “cat” and gently press in with the fingertips.

• Inhale, continue pressing and lift the torso up into a slight backbend, or seated “cow.”

• Release, Repeat beneath the left and middle of the ribs.

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KAITY ROSE is a certified Yoga Therapist and retreat leader based in Boulder, Colorado. Kaity specializes in helping women heal and recover from anxiety. Her style of teaching invites students deeper into self-acceptance and awakening their inner wisdom. Kaity has been practicing yoga for 15 years. Her daily practice provides a means of connecting to the wisdom of the body and the earth, and through teaching she helps others do the same. Follow her on Instagram at @kaityroseyoga or visit her webpage www.bewildearth.com to connect.

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YOGA + FITNESS / In The Practice

Yoga Nidra

A Massage for the Mind

By Karen Fienberg

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instructor’s voice and move your mind freely and rapidly.

Every experience we have, consciously or unconsciously, is registered by our subconscious mind as grooves, or samskaras, that reside on a level deeper than the mind. Some samskaras are more ingrained than others and may be difficult to release, becoming beliefs, habits and patterns that may not serve us. Yoga nidra provides a beautiful opportunity to release various long-held thoughts and emotions. It does this by bringing the deeper layers of the psyche into conscious experience as your consciousness travels through one layer to another.

The mind gradually becomes one-pointed during the practice and while not conscious on the sensory level, your brain is completely awake. When you are in the state of yoga nidra, there may come a moment when you don’t even know you are in yoga nidra. I have repeatedly experienced this as I find myself dropping into deeper states of

consciousness the more I practice, but I am present and aware when the instructor gently guides us back at the end of the meditation.

Lying still and shifting attention inward in an external-focused, multi-tasking, buzzing society can prove to be a challenging task.

At the end of every class, my mind feels like it has experienced a thorough and deep massage. I experience an extremely peaceful feeling and know that something has transpired within me at a profound level. The benefits of the practice remain long after the class is over.

Other benefits of yoga nidra can include increased ability to concentrate, increased stress resistance, improved brain neuroplasticity, increased creativity, reduced anxiety and effective symptomatic relief of psychosomatic conditions such as asthma and hypertension.

Yoga nidra is a unique and beneficial practice. Don’t let the name prevent you from trying it, and you may feel refreshed in a way you never thought possible. +

KAREN FIENBERG is a devoted yogi who has been practicing yoga since 2007. A former competitive cyclist, she turned to yoga for increased mobility and strength, discovering that strength came from surrender. Yoga allows her to access the healing qualities of her mind and body. Her preferred styles are Avita, Iyengar, yoga nidra and restorative. Karen is also a craft chocolate connoisseur, a fitness enthusiast and a plant-based food advocate and activist.

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photo by: Eberhard Grossgasteiger

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ou know that nanosecond of space between sleeping and waking first thing in the morning? The space that can be hard to describe, yet we all experience it?

Imagine dropping into a similar space in a yoga practice designed to take you there.

The practice is called yoga nidra and it disengages your thinking mind, allowing you to enter that divine space between waking and sleeping.

The name of a yoga style can sometimes dissuade students from trying it because they don’t understand what it involves, and yoga nidra might fall into that category. Yoga nidra at its root is yogic sleep; however, it is sleep with awareness that uses a systematic method to induce complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. A single hour of yoga nidra can be as restful as four hours of conventional sleep; if you find that hard to believe, give it a try and you’ll understand how it is possible.

One of the greatest things about yoga nidra is there is no way to do it wrong.

It is phenomenal how much can be accomplished by doing nothing more than lying in savasana (corpse pose) and following a guided relaxation meditation.

The relaxation technique that is used systematically rotates your consciousness through different parts of the body, but does not involve any physical movement.

The only three requirements during the practice are to remain aware, listen to the

paid partnership

WELLNESS BENEFITS OF CBD A dose of cannabis education from Native Roots Wellness

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ou may have heard of CBD (Cannabidiol), but do you know the medicinal properties of this non-psychoactive constituent of cannabis? CBD oil is becoming an increasingly popular product for those looking for a natural wellness solution.

Simply put, cannabis oil is the concentrated liquid extract of the cannabis plant. Unlike the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) cannabinoid, CBD isn't known to cause psychoactive effects, and is therefore attractive to those who want to avoid the high but who want the benefits. CBD products, including CBD oil, are becoming more socially acceptable and increasingly popular for those looking for physical and mental relief.

According to a team of Stony Brook University scientists, CBD functions as an anandamide reuptake and breakdown inhibitor, thereby raising endocannabinoid levels in the brain’s synapses.

Enhancing endocannabinoid tone via reuptake inhibition may be a key mechanism whereby CBD confers neuroprotective effects against seizures, as well as many other potential health benefits that include relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, psychosis, spasms, and other conditions — all without disconcerting feelings of lethargy or dysphoria.

As research deepens and evolves on CBD, its potential as a treatment for a wide range of conditions includes arthritis, diabetes, MS, chronic pain, epilepsy and more. CBD has demonstrable neuroprotective and neurogenic effects, and its anti-carcinogenic properties are currently being investigated at several academic research centers in the United States and elsewhere. Further evidence suggests that CBD is safe even at high doses. +

For More Information www.nrwellness.com

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61

Outside / Fresh Air

Awaken to Nature And Mother Nature's Reality

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by juli rathke yoga + Life® founder

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Flower. A Tree. The Clouds. The Rain. Whether you are in the gridlocked cities of the east, the wideopen plains of the Midwest, atop the peaks of the Rockies, or beneath the western Redwoods of the California coast, nature abounds all around you. I need my daily dose of nature just like the rest of you — a connection to something greater than myself to reset my perspective, my intentions and to align with my own authenticity.

But to what extent should we adventure into the unknown and at the expense of mother nature? Please read on.

It’s no secret that this world has an ever-growing population problem. I have recently traveled to Bali leading retreats. This island is home to some 4.2 million people at its size of just 60-some miles across and 90 miles north to south and has become a very popular destination for those of us seeking something within ourselves. It seems, even us yogis are affecting tourism, and the environmental and socioeconomic impacts in countries that may not have the infrastructure to be sustainable. Here at home, the current census in the LA metropolitan area is 18.1 million, and New York City is booming at 8.6 million people. What is this exponential growth doing to not just our cities, but also to our natural surroundings that inspire so many of us?

In Colorado, in the past decade, it has become even more popular to climb our state’s Fourteeners (14,000 ft. mountains.)

You now have to get up at 2 a.m. to avoid the crowds or choose to be pushed up the peak like a herd of mountain goats.

Quite honestly, the “locals” have turned to climbing some of the lesser-known peaks to avoid this overcrowding. But how long before all of our mountain paths are overcrowded as well?

A few years back, the state of Oregon and their tourism office conducted one of

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the industry’s most successful “get outside” campaigns, and to even their own surprise, their "7 Wonders of Oregon” was so successful their parks and tourism offices had to start issuing maximums due to overcrowding in their parks. Now you have to take a number and wait your turn to get in — much like a popular night club in Manhattan — red rope and all.

Like many of you, I have traveled all over the world. Growing up in the 1970's, it seemed only the adventurous families were the ones to get in their VW Vanagons to set out on the interstates of America, filling their sticker charts to all of the lower 48 parks and natural phenomena. Now, it is trending and everyone is in search of a quick glimpse of some of the wonders Mother Nature provides. The more I travel, the more I realize the current impact isn’t sustainable, and responsibility is setting in. I have recently engaged in dialogue with conservationists who live and breathe trying to undo all that we have done. I have witnessed not just park vandalism, but I have also seen necessary animal population control for fear of introducing predatory balance (the wolf) in places like the Dakotas, Wyoming and Colorado, where ranchers’ voices seem to speak louder than the ecosystems. “It’s not all rainbows and unicorns,” as the park service at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota put it, as they are involved in an extensive genetic inbreeding study with Colorado State University of their park’s feral horses and bison populations.

There is an ever-looming problem that spirals into multi-faceted issues that I can only scratch the surface on, but like anything, awareness is everything. The trending

idea that to find true inspiration in nature one needs to travel to our nation’s parks and wildlife refuges is insanely untrue. Don’t get me wrong, your park fees are more than needed after the current administration has cut these exact resources — but would a national park donation (www.nationalparks. org/support) serve the greater good as we look for more ways to support nature in our own backyards and create more awareness around some of the issues?

Mother Nature is always working miracles. Can we as responsible and conscious consumers of this planet find our inspirations on a daily basis by paying more attention to the little things? Can you lead or attend a yoga retreat that also serves the local community or helps educate on clean water or teaches recycling to the locals, like one of our favorite places Entres Amigos in San Pancho, Mexico? (http://entreamigos.org.mx/) I challenge you to think and do things differently... perhaps, even sustainably.

Plant a flower or herb garden or take the opportunity to sit in the park and learn the songs of the native birds. The littlest connection to the amazing power of nature inspires our own inner flow as it syncs with the rhythms around us. So, get out daily and go for a walk and look up, not at your phone or down at your feet. Look around and find that your nature — our nature — is everywhere. And let’s conspire to help the Mother of all mothers heal and catch up … and while we are here on this earth be reminded it is our unique responsibility to take care of it as we would our own children. We are but just visitors passing through. So please, leave no trace — just love. +

JULI RATHKE surrounds herself in nature’s beauty every chance she gets living in the mountains of Colorado. She serves as a multipassionate entrepreneur, the founder of YOGA + Life™ Magazines, wife, mom of three and a yoga and fitness teacher of 25 years. She is a human condition expert and an unshakable optimist. Juli serves as a high-performance executive coach, culture expert, personal mentor, speaker, motivator, retreat leader and enjoys traveling the world.

Connect with her at www.julirathke.com or @julirathke.

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SUPPORT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION Over 400 national parks preserve 84 million acres of the world’s most treasured landscapes, ecosystems and historical sites. Your gift will help the National Park Foundation protect these treasured landscapes for generations to come.

National park friends groups and other partners sometimes take on major projects with parks that require widespread public support to achieve extraordinary results.

Recent projects include: • Yosemite Conservancy is raising $20 million to restore Yosemite National Park's Mariposa Grove. This project will preserve the trees and the extraordinary experiences they make possible, as well as the unique wildlife that call the Mariposa Grove home.

• Grand Teton National Park Foundation has joined Grand Teton National Park in a $17 million, multiyear partnership project honoring the NPS centennial. This project will transform Jenny Lake's trails, bridges, key destinations, and visitor complex creating an inviting trail system and captivating experience for the 21st century visitor.

With your support, we enrich the park experience for more that 275 million visitors every year and enhance our care of more than 400 national parks.

DONATE NOW:

www.nationalparks.org/support

63

outside / Fresh Air

Winter Green By

photo BY: wira dyatmika

Selena Rodrigue z

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photo BY: easton oliver

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ustainability is hitting the mainstream. We’re coming off the heels of a major shift in our collective consciousness surrounding all matters eco-friendly. And with big corporations such as Starbucks committing to shift toward more sustainable practices, many individuals want to make the switch in their own lives as well.

This can be a difficult transition. Humans exist in a legacy of wastefulness. We’re accustomed to the temporary. That can make it challenging to know where to begin when it comes to going green. How does one kick their single-use plastic habit when much of what lines our grocery store shelves are covered in it? And is it even possible to make your daily commute downtown while also reducing your carbon footprint? It’s a tricky lifestyle switch. And the winter can provide its own unique challenges when it comes to staying sustainable.

One major issue many face is how to secure an eco-conscious winter wardrobe.

Fashion is ranked the second worst industry for the environment, right after the oil industry.

According to a recent study by Quantis, the apparel and footwear industry accounts for eight percent of global greenhouse gas emission. So how do we combat this negative impact and dress for the weather? The solution can not only save the planet but also your wallet: buy from consignment and thrift shops. You’d be surprised at the high quality winter wear that end up at The Arc, a thrift store that operates throughout the nation. If used clothes isn’t your thing, buy timeless, sturdy clothes you can wear for many years to come. Bonus points for seeking out recycled or eco-friendly clothing brands!

Keeping your home warm in the winter is a notorious energy sucker. A great way to lower that heat bill and lessen your environmental impact is to insulate, insulate, insulate. Make sure your windows are air tight.

Our homes lose most of their heat through the roof so don’t forget to insulate your attic well. It can even be helpful to insulate the first six feet of your hot water pipes so your water stays hotter while using less energy. If for whatever reason you can’t insulate your home properly, you can always turn down

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the heat and bundle up. Either way, it’s also a good idea to lay out a rug on linoleum or wood floors to keep your feet warm.

The holidays are a time of celebration and togetherness. But even the most wonderful time of the year can have its negative environmental impacts. One way to make this holiday season a little greener is to make your own wrapping paper.

Many traditional wrapping papers can’t be recycled. This year, try using newspaper, old maps or perhaps a scarf to wrap your gifts.

For those who celebrate Christmas, make sure your tree doesn’t become one of the 10 million to end up in a landfill. Many cities have programs that will turn your tree into mulch or wood chips. When it comes to getting gifts for your loved ones, opt for locally made or DIY. Aside from being eco-friendly, these gifts can be far more special than that throw blender you were thinking of buying from Target. These are just a handful of ways to offset the environmental effects of the holidays.

Taking the initiative to make better environmental choices is essential to securing a brighter future. Some might think our society is stuck in our ways; doomed to live wastefully until we can’t sustain ourselves anymore. They say that our individual efforts are meaningless until big corporations take mass action. To an extent, that is true.

We can only do so much. But don’t forget, we are the consumers. Companies thrive on providing us with services and goods.

That leaves a lot of power in our hands. If enough individuals put their interest and money towards sustainability, companies will have no choice but to join in on the trend. And it’s already happening. So keep steadfast in your mission to make good choices for our planet and make this your greenest winter yet! +

A FEW MORE GREEN TIPS

Don’t use harmful chemical de-icers.

Instead use alternatives such as cheese brine, beet molasses, coffee grounds or potato juice.

Use a reusable tumbler when getting your hot cocoa fix at your favorite cafe.

Take advantage of ridesharing programs when you hit the slopes this year.

Cook up locally sourced, organic grub for holiday dinners.

SELENA RODRIGUEZ is a recent graduate of Colorado State University.

She hopes that her Bachelor's Degree in journalism will help her share stories and perspectives through a variety of mediums. One of her favorite pastime is wandering the Colorado wilderness with a camera at her side and her dog Mayzee in tow. Yoga outside on a beautiful day is her idea of a perfect day.

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Outside / Environment

By kim fuller owner + Editor in Chief

What’s In Your Puffy?

t may be the warmest jacket you own, or it’s the staple that stays hanging at the door during most seasons in Colorado.

Known lovingly as your “puffy,” this garment may seem more like a longtime loyal friend than just a piece of outerwear. But do you really know what’s inside?

Down is a natural by-product of the food industry, coming from geese and ducks.

There has been controversy surrounding the down industry, but companies and consumers are increasingly paying more

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attention to supporting the use of humanely-sourced down.

“These animals can be treated humanely with plenty of space, quality food and access to water, or they can be force-fed to make Foie Gras and live plucked for their down,” explains Matthew Betcher, creative director of ALLIED Feather & Down. “Consumers should be aware of these harmful practices and select apparel that uses only humanely-sourced down.”

ALLIED is one of the pioneers in down

supply chain transparency, having helped to create the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). Available to any supplier, manufacturer and brand who wants to ensure their down is responsible sourced, this certification incorporates a network of third-party auditors who certify down is sourced from humanely-treated animals and certifies this all the way through the final product.

“Until the RDS, it was almost impossible to educate the consumer about the positive attributes of down such as its incredibly

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Photo courtesy of: Cotopaxi

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How to Support Responsibly Sourced Down

sustainable potential without putting a target on your back,” Betcher says. “Now with this and other standards, we are able to work closely with our brands and build tools like TrackMyDown to help educate the consumer and dispel much of the misinformation out there.

Down insulation is incredibly complex and now brands can be more open to working with it in new, unique and precise ways.”

Knowing where your down comes from also ensures that the material has been processed sustainably, shares Betcher.

“While down can be amongst the most environmentally friendly insulations available, it can also be treated and processed with chemicals that can be incredibly harsh and damaging to both the down and the world around us,” he says. “So it’s not as easy to simply look for a certified material like that certified to the Responsible Down Standard.”

Check the hangtags on down jackets and sleeping bags to see if they contain ALLIED Down, says Betcher. Consumers can also look for the Track My Down hangtag.

“These hangtags will feature a lot number and a website URL that will allow consumers to see exactly what's in their jacket or sleeping bag and where it was sourced and processed,” he says.

Any jacket or sleeping bag that has the ALLIED hangtag or a Track My Down hangtag will ensure the down is sustainably and humanely sourced and processed through the industry’s leading environmentally sustainable processing methods.

“ALLIED is proud to have been the first down supplier to join the bluesign system partners and remains the only down insulation fully approved as a bluesign approved ingredient,” Betcher explains.

“The Track My Down hangtag will feature a Lot Number that will allow the consumer to go online and see exactly where their down comes from.”

You can try it out yourself by going to www.trackmydown.com and entering the designated number.

For those who are curious about the synthetic materials in puffy jackets, companies like PrimaLoft are making insulations from post-consumer recycled (PCR) material.

And for those that want to go down, it’s great to know that ALLIED is creating and representing what it means to support responsibly sourced down and environmentally-friendly processing.

“We want to educate the consumer that not all down is created equal and that what’s inside your jacket or sleeping bag is just as important (if not more so) than what’s on the outside,” Betcher says.

To accomplish this, ALLIED has continued to build out the Track My Down experience based on feedback and tracking the analytics.

“We want the consumer to feel confident that their choice has positive impact as well,” shares Betcher. “ALLIED also continues to push processing technology to lessen its impact even further and educate the consumer with socially responsible detergents on how to make their down product last a lifetime and reduce overall waste.”

ALLIED Feather & Down partners with a number of clothing, outerwear and gear companies, including The North Face, Helly Hansen, Eddie Bauer, Feathered Friends, Outdoor Research and Nau, to name a few. +

MA N ITO U S P R IN G S , COL O R ADO

Soak in the b e aut y of Pikes Pe ak and relax in our HOT mine ral-wate r c edar po ols filled w ith the famous he aling wate rs of Manitou Spr ings!

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Outside / Adventure

By Dunn

Cold Comfort

Scott Carney Reveals How Shivering Can Make You Shine

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ake a breath — a very deep breath. Now, do 80 push-ups on that single breath.

No dice? The secret is ice, as Scott Carney reveals in What Doesn’t Kill Us, recently released in paperback. In 2012, when the investigative journalist, anthropologist and longtime yoga practitioner traveled to Poland to prove that the Wim Hof Method was all wrong, he discovered it was all right, and then some.

“It was unexpected,” says Carney, a Denver resident. “I was on assignment to debunk him as a charlatan, and I was incredibly surprised that the Method worked, and it worked very quickly.”

The Method: breathing, cold exposure and commitment, which Hof (a.k.a. The Iceman, a Dutch fitness guru who lives in the mountains of Poland) has practiced for years, with the theory that it provides numerous health benefits from improved im-

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munity, endorphin release and greater endurance. For Carney, what was meant to be a simple magazine assignment for Playboy magazine turned out to be a life-changing experience as he learned how to breathe differently and not only withstand freezing cold temperatures, but embrace them.

“The first time I stood in the snow, it felt a lot like walking across hot coals,” he says. “It was a painful signal, and I didn’t like it.” But just like any athletic training, adds Carney, he found that a little discomfort could provide tremendous benefits.

There are millions of things we don't do every day because of our innate fear.

On his first attempt, Carney could stand for only five minutes barefoot in the snow, but after learning to breathe with Hof, he could stretch that to 45 minutes just two days later. During the course of those seven days in Poland, he lost seven pounds of body fat. Four years later, Carney climbed Mount Kilimanjaro — shirtless.

“Anything that you feel uncomfortable with or that scares you, you need to assess where that fear is coming from,” says Carney, “and if the fear is just an emotional response, there’s probably good reason to push yourself to do things that scare you.

There are millions of things we don’t do every day because of our innate fear.”

Carney advises readers to start pushing their own comfort zone with simple ice-cold showers, which can begin switching the way the body responds to the cold to trigger a different metabolic response. Then, by lying down on one’s back and taking 30 deep, controlled breaths, exhaling fully and holding one’s breath — working up to one, two or three minutes — before doing push-ups or sit-ups, one can dramatically change how the body perceives exertion.

Plenty more details are available in What Doesn’t Kill Us, which Carney is following with a new book on how any stimuli — heat, light, sex, sound, drugs — affect us. And that just might leave us breathless. +

SARAH TUFF DUNN is an award-winning writer with nearly 25 years of experience writing health, fitness, travel and adventure features for such national outlets as The New York Times, Condé Nast and Men’s Journal, among others. Educated at Middlebury College and Columbia University, she began her career at Time Inc., reporting for Time and co-founding Time for Kids before joining Wenner Media and then serving as executive editor of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games. An runner, skier and mom of two children, 10 and 11, she lives in Louisville, Colorado.

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photo Courtesy of: Scott Carney

Sarah Tuff

BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY STARTS OFF THE MOUNTAIN

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BIG HEART BIG HANDS IS A COLORADO NONPROFIT THAT RAISES MONEY FOR MOUNTAIN RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS, SUPPORTS THE AWARENESS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MOUNTAIN SAFETY EDUCATION, AND PROVIDES FREE TRAUMA HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED. WHEN BACKCOUNTRY ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND RESCUES OCCUR, IT IS OFTEN THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA THAT IS THE LONGEST LASTING IMPACT TO INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. JESSICA HEANEY, FOUNDER OF VAIL RELATIONSHIP INSTITUTE AND CERTIFIED EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED THERAPIST, WORKS WITH BIG HEART BIG HANDS TO OFFER FREE COUNSELING TO THOSE IMPACTED BY BACKCOUNTRY RESCUE.

WWW. BIGHEARTBIGHANDS.ORG

outside / Winter + Spring 2019 GEAR 3

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1. Spy Colorado Marshall Snow Goggle Goggles with maximum optical clarity and an anti-fog spherical dual-lens, the Colorado Marshall delivers high performance and local style. $140 www.spyoptic.com 2. Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Alpine Touring Ski Boots Lightweight yet responsive, Tecnica upgraded these boots to have an entirely new shell, walk mode and creative buckle system. $899.95 www.tecnicasports.com 3. Rumpl Puffy Poncho A waterproof torso, three-panel hood, zippersecured 'roo pouch, media port and beverage holder makes this ideal for home or snuggling up outside. $179 www.rumpl.com

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4. Adidas Parley 3-Layer Jacket This jacket provides supreme and breathable protection that keeps you dry and comfortable in wind, rain or snow. It features Parley For The Ocean yarn made from reclaimed and recycled ocean waste. $299 www.adidasoutdoor.com 5. Salomon Sense Ride GTX Invisible Fit Maximum comfort and weather protection for winter running. $160 www.salomon.com 6. Hillsound Trail Crampon Utilizing an ergonomic plate system, these crampons are a necessity for added traction when out hiking on the local trails or deep in the backcountry. $65 www.hillsound.com

7. Klean Kanteen TK Pro For coffee or cocktails, this thermal canteen keeps drinks cold or hot and includes an integrated double-wall stainless steel cup. $39.99 - $49.99 www.kleankanteen.com 8. Venture Zelix Splitboard A “seamless split technology” on this board aims to achieve zero tolerance between the two skis once they are together, making for a better ride. $879.99 www.venturesnowboards.com 9. Meier Skis Big Nose Kate (BNK) An all-terrain, all-mountain, handcrafted downhill ski with minimized traditional camber and early rise tip, tight turns become effortless from stash to stash. $735 www.meierskis.com

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10. Sherpa Adventure Gear Gulmi Hat Handcrafted in Nepal and made of naturally warm and durable lambswool, and lined in soft moisture-wicking fleece for warmth and itch-free comfort. $34.95 www.sherpaadventuregear.com

13. Sherpa Adventure Gear Kalpana Hike Tight Made from a lightweight, four-way stretch that will not fade, these tights are quick-drying, breathable, durable and abrasion-resistant. $79.95 www.sherpaadventuregear.com

11. MTN OPS Hot Ignite Try a dose in the Mountain Mocha flavor for sustained energy, no jitters and a brain boost. $39.95 www.mtnops.com

14. Skida Alpine Neckwarmer This creative collaboration with Wild Rye will be your go-to winter accessory. $26 www.skida.com

12. Patagonia Capilene Air Hoody With a seamless, 3-D knit structure in an airy blend of 51-percent merino wool and 49-percent recycled polyester, wicks moisture, resists odor and dries in a flash. $149 www.patagonia.com

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16. Danner Raptor 650 Full-grain leather and wool make for a formidable combination on these winter boots that were inspired by life in mountain towns. $240 www.danner.com

15. Features! Merino 10 Socks A sock that insulates when wet, keeping your feet warm in wet, cool conditions. $16.99 www.features.com

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Outside / Adventure

SPRING ADVENTURE IN

Capitol Reef By Holly Mandarich

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ust two hours west of the haven of Moab is Utah’s most underrated national park, Capitol Reef. The park itself is a free entrance park (with the exception of the scenic drive) and offers unique experiences with a lot less crowds.

When Mud Season hits the mountains, it becomes the ideal time for exploring Capitol Reef’s wonders. With temperatures being warm but not too hot and everything in bloom, you’ll be sure to have a fun-filled desert getaway. The park is about 400 square miles, facilitating lots of sections to explore. A few of my favorite ways to be adventurous in the park are as follows.

SCENIC DRIVE Inside the national park, there is a highlighted 8-mile drive called “The Scenic Drive” that features many worthwhile stops to different hikes and various overlooks, even some ever sought after arches. At the very end of the road you can explore a hike called “The Capitol Gorge.” Following the base of a canyon, the walls above you tower with petroglyphs from the pervious cowboy and native settlers — a great way to see some history while still taking in the red rock canyon views.

For a more “rugged” adventure, set out to explore the Cathedral District of Capitol Reef by taking a drive down Harnet Road, off of Highway 24 (on your way out of the east entrance to the park), to connect to Cathedral Road that then loops back to Highway 24. The loop totals about 70 miles of unpaved high clearance dirt road and includes a river crossing at the beginning, not to mention limited to no cell reception, so you’ll definitely feel “out there.” On your

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PHOTOS BY: Holly Mandarich

CATHEDRAL DISTRICT

Outside / Adventure

drive in, there’s a hike worthwhile to the overlook of lower Cathedral Valley, roughly two miles roundtrip. The hike provides a peak to the other side of the mountains you see to your right and views galore. If you have the time, it’s nice to break up the drive by camping a night. There is a six site first come first serve free campground inside the park at the juncture of Harnet and Cathedral Road. If you don’t catch a campsite there, Cathedral Road winds in and out of the National Park and BLM land, where you’ll be sure to find a campsite. On your way out of Cathedral Road, stop to see the Temple of the Sun and Moon and Glass Mountain, you won’t leave disappointed. The Cathedral District provides an experience that feels so remote and quiet you’ll want to stay awhile.

NEW WINTER HUT IN SUMMIT COUNTY

ORCHARDS + FARMS

HOLLY MANDARICH is a freelance photographer, storyteller and graphic designer based in Vail, Colorado. She works with clients all over the nation to create content. Her primary focus lies in the adventure lifestyle world, working with brands and collectives like The Outbound to communicate the wondrous experiences that come from playing outside. Her outdoor passions include hiking and mountain biking in the summer, and skiing in the winter. You can find more of her work at www.HollyMandarich.com.

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fter more than a decade of planning, Summit Huts Association (SHA) is opening Sisters Cabin this winter. Outside of Breckenridge, it’s the fifth backcountry hut in the Summit Huts system and will be located in Weber Gulch on the northern flank of Bald Mountain (a.k.a. Baldy), at an elevation of 11,445 feet. Operating under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service, it is the first new hut to be approved on public land in Summit County in 22 years.

Sisters Cabin will be a winter-only hut, open to guests from the third week of November through the end of April. The 2,090-square-foot hut will offer state-of-the-art design and green-building techniques to minimize its environmental impact and offer users an experience similar to those they have come to expect at SHA’s flagship huts, Janet’s Cabin and Francie’s Cabin.

The hut will be build using structural insulated panels (SIP) as well as a Douglas fir timber frame. All materials will be flown in by helicopter due to the remote site.

“What we’re trying to do is make a hut that has all the traditional appeal and comfort and coziness of Francie’s and Janet’s, but with cutting-edge technology,” said Robbie Dickson, Breckenridge architect, former Summit Huts president and principal of Equinox Architecture LLC. Among its features, the Sisters Cabin will accommodate 14 guests with beds for two more in the hutmaster quarters. It will be heated by a wood stove in the main living area and passive solar energy via large south- and west-facing windows, with electricity drawn from a solar array outside the hut. Two bathrooms within the hut will feed a composting toilet below, similar to those at Janet’s and Francie’s, while an adjacent sauna and woodshed will be connected to the hut by a covered walkway.

To accommodate Sisters Cabin guests and minimize the impact on other recreationists, SHA worked with the Town of Breckenridge and Summit County government to plan a new, 17-space parking lot that will be constructed near the Sallie Barber Trailhead on French Gulch Road this fall.

For more information, email summithuts@colorado.net, call 970-453-8583, or visit summithuts.org.

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photo Courtesy of: Summit Hut Association

Inside this gem of a national park, there are acres of orchards and farms that were from the previous Mormon settlers. Take a stroll through the fields and find yourself looking up at not only fruit trees but towering canyon walls. When the fruit is in season, you can stop at the local Gifford House inside the park to purchase homemade pie made from the fruit in the orchards — an experience unlike anything else you’ll find in a national park. +

outside / Gear: Hut Trip Roundup 1

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1. K2 Wayback 106 This is a great ski for skinning into the hut and for shredding on those deep days in the backcountry. They are lightweight and incorporate a Ti Spyne for control and stability previously used in designated alpine skis. $699.95 www.k2skis.com 2. Mystery Ranch Patrol 45 Pack Coming in just under 5 pounds, the patrol 45 has enough room to fit your needs for a few nights out. With multiple options to carry your skis and a quick access avy pocket, you will be prepared and comfortable on your trek. $299 www.mysteryranch.com 3. Hydro Flask 12oz Coffee Mug I love this cup. Yes, it was designed for your coffee, but it does a great job keeping your

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whiskey or beverage of choice cold. Keep it in your camping kit and bring it on all hut trip adventures. $29.95 www.hydroflask.com 4. Kari Traa Lokke Long Sleeve Top + Pant This set didn’t really fit me, but my fiancé approves.

You can wear them on the way in to the hut and they double as your lounge clothes while you sip hot chocolate around the fire. $125 each www.karitraa.com 5. FOURPOINTS Rocky Mountain Macaroon Bar Not all bars use the same ingredients.

FOURPOINTS bars have a plum base for sustainable energy on the multi-hour expeditions.

I really love that these bars don’t become frozen bricks on those super cold days. $36 a box www.fourpointsbar.com

6. Adventure Medial Kits Mountain Backpacker Medical Kit All of your pals should have a med kit in their packs on your trips. The Mountain Backpacker is perfect support for two individuals for short adventures. From cuts and allergies, to upset stomachs and dehydration, you’ll be covered. $39 www.adventuremedicalkits.com 7. Platypus DuoLock Soft Bottle The best collapsible bottle I have ever owned.

The DuoLock system has double leak protection.

I would trust it in the same bag as my laptop. The clip handle makes it perfect to keep accessible along the trail. $11.95 - $13.95 www.platy.com

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8. Sanuk Puff N Chill Who doesn’t enjoy a a nice slipper at the hut? The Puff N Chill has a great look and a cozy liner. I felt like I was walking on clouds. The sole has a saw tooth pattern making get snow to melt for water at the hut or just to just wear by the fire. $80 www.sanuk.com 9. Mammut Barryvox Avalanche Beacon Package This kit has your main avalanche safety tools and is designed to be super lightweight without sacrificing the technology you need to feel safe in the backcountry. $449.95 us.mammut.com 10. Thermarest Space Cowboy Sleeping Bag The bag is designed to be the lightest in its class. It compresses down to fit perfectly in your pack and will keep you warm inside the hut. Add a little more weight to your pack and get the sleep pad that is

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integrated with the bag. $139.95 – $159.95 www.thermarest.com 11. Alpine Start Instant Dirty Chai Latte Perfect for the person who really appreciates their morning beverage but doesn’t want to bring the French press and milk frothier in the backpack. Alpine Start makes an instant coffee that travels well and actually tastes good. $8.99 www.alpinestartfoods.com 12. Fjallraven Keb Touring Trousers These technical trekking pants are made from durable, weather-resistant stretch fabric that lets you move with ease on skis, foot or by any other way you choose to play in the mountains. $250 www.fjallraven.us

13. Helly Hansen Odin Stretch Jacket This super lightweight insulator jacket with Primaloft® Gold Active makes the perfect mid-layer. It super comfortable and warm. The breathability of the Odin makes it perfect piece for the skin or hike in. $240 www.hellyhansen.com 14. Wigwam Moarri Ultralight Socks Ultralight socks with moisture control. They are ideal for long days in boots, especially with the zone cushioning over your calf. $21 www.wigwam.com 15. Salomon S/Lab Shift Bindings An evolution in touring bindings with a conventional toe piece that transitions into a full tech binding with pins for skinning. This is your all-in-one backcountry binding that will also give you lift access on resort days. $549.99 www.salomon.com

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wellness / Ayurveda

Ayurvedic Skincare

The Outer Glow Reflects the Inner Fire

photo by: miguel maldonado

By julia clarke

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YOGALIFELIVE.COM

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ast year, the skincare industry generated record profits for sales of products like face masks, exfoliants and moisturizers, responding to a growing desire for an age-defying look, but the allure of a glowing complexion is nothing new. Archaeologists have found evidence of early cosmetic regimes practiced by Egyptians dating back 6,000 years, the Roman Philosopher Pliney the Elder extolled the benefits of almond oil to fight wrinkles in his first century text Natural History, and yoga’s holistic sister science Ayurveda outlines daily skincare regimens from oil massage to exposing the skin to the early morning sun.

Were humans always just vain, or is there a deeper reason for keeping our skin healthy? According to Ayurveda, the skin is not only a protective barrier keeping pathogens out and water in to maintain homeostasis, it’s a reflection of one’s inner state of being. An Ayurvedic practitioner may perceive dullness or lackluster complexion as representative of poor digestion, redness and inflammation as heat in the liver, or dryness and wrinkling as symptoms of stress.

Healthy, glowing skin on the other hand depends on good digestion, strong immunity, balanced state of mind, and lots of oil!

AYURVEDIC FACE MASK ¼ tsp turmeric powder ¼ tsp neem powder 2 tsp ground chickpea powder

photo by: taylor kiser

Blend with rosewater and whole milk until you have a smooth paste Apply to skin, leave for five minutes, wash then tone with rose water and moisturize using almond oil.

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BALANCED AGNI: THE DIGESTIVE FIRE

SATTVA: A BALANCED STATE OF MIND

Unlike modern preference for topical applications, in Ayurveda the first key to healthy skin is a healthy diet. Ayurveda describes the digestion (Agni) as the root of all health, and closely links the state of your skin with the health of your digestion and liver.

The skin and nervous system develop alongside each other in the embryo and remain connected throughout our lives, making the skin as sensitive as it is protective. For this reason, many skin disorders like acne, eczema and psoriasis also have a psychosomatic component.

Ayurveda recommends taking stressreducing measures to improve your skin, such as Restorative Yoga, Meditation and Yoga Nidra.

FOODS TO REDUCE: Salt Hot chillies Processed foods Alcohol Cheese Yogurt

OIL: THE MASTER HEALER

FOODS THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY SKIN: Dark leafy greens (especially baby spinach) Zucchini Coconut Mangoes Raisins Dates Almonds Whole grains Red Lentils Chickpeas Cloves Aloe Vera juice

Forget acids and scrubs, Ayurveda has long held that easily absorbable oil is the key to a youthful look. In addition to hydration, enjoy a daily full-body oil massage (abhyanga) to keep your skin naturally supple and soft. Sesame oil is the primary oil used in Ayurveda (and rumored favorite of Cleopatra!) but it has a heavy, warming quality. If you already have heat or inflammation in your skin, try cooling coconut oil, and if you tend towards oily skin, try lighter almond oil.

OJAS: STRONG IMMUNITY

1. Submerge bottle of oil in warm water 2. Dry brush your skin to remove dead skin cells and prepare it to absorb oil 3. Begin your massage with circular motions on your abdomen and work your way out. Use circular motions on your joints and long motions on your limbs.

4. Allow the oil to soak in for 5-10 minutes 5. Wipe oil from the soles of your feet then take a warm shower

Ojas is described as a state of vitality, reflected in physical robustness, mental clarity, good immunity, emotional balance and radiant skin. Since the skin is our first line of defense when it comes to pathogens, it can often bear the battle wounds when our immunity is weak. Boost your immunity with these simple measures: • • • •

Get to bed by 10pm Rise with the sun Start your day with a cup of warm water Exercise daily

HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF DAILY ABHYANGA:

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wellness / Health

Taylor Rose Worden

CLEAN UP WITH

Essential Oils Blends For a Shiny, Healthy Home

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elcome yourself to a happy, healthy and squeaky clean home! You can now throw out all those chemical home products and replace them with natural alternatives that smell amazing. There are hundreds of ways to use essential oils to enhance your home cleaning experience.

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the flowers, stems, roots, seeds, bark and other parts of plants. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and being pleasantly fragrant to people, essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their multitude of benefits to people. Modern scientific

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study and trends toward more holistic approaches to wellness, are driving a revival and new discovery of essential oil health applications.

Micro-organisms come in many forms, many of which are unwelcomed in the home. Given that plants have had to deal with them throughout their evolutionary history, it is hardly surprising that some have developed an effective way of dealing with these tiny enemies in the form of volatile aroma compounds, or essential oils.

KITCHEN BLENDS

The following blends can be made and kept ready for use in clean, dark glass

Lavender — 8 drops Lemon — 10 drops Eucalyptus — 5 drops Grapefruit — 8 drops Palmarosa — 5 drops Thyme — 4 drops Cinnamon — 2 drops Mix 5-6 drops of the kitchen blend essential oils with water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in a spray bottle to cleanse and purify surfaces: including countertops, tabletops, chairs, sinks, tiles and appliances.

For stainless steel appliances, mix lemon essential oil with olive oil for best results.

Additionally, lemon essential oil is excellent for removing sticky stuff such as tree sap, sticker residue and permanent marker.

When it comes to extreme odors, try blending in equal parts wild orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary and lemon essential oils.

Garbage inside a dark cabinet is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and horrible odors. After taking out the garbage, spray the cabinet and trash can with the above blend.

Caked on black oven gunk does not easily come off and often requires that you run the oven’s self-clean cycle. After the cycle completes, spray the extreme odor blend onto the oven interior. This will clear up all of the greasy smells as well as the smell of the oven cleaner.

BATHROOM BLENDS

The best kind of bathrooms are like the best kind of kitchens: germ and toxic chemical-free.

Bergamot — 5 drops Lavender — 10 drops Cinnamon — 5 drops Lemon — 10 drops Citronella — 10 drops Mix 5-6 drops of the bathroom blend with half a cup of baking soda to clean the surfaces in your bathroom and remove the need for harsh bleaching chemicals.

Hard-water and calcium deposits can easily build up, along with soap residue. Lemons

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photo by: Meg O’Neill Photography

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bottles. These are extremely effective being disinfecting and antibacterial, plus leaving a delightful fragrance.

contain citric acid and vinegar contains acetic acid, which when combined can help prevent this from happening. Mix 1 teaspoon of white vinegar with 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 3 tablespoons water, and 2 drops of lemon or orange essential oil. Apply regularly with a sponge to prevent build up and rinse well afterwards. If build up has already occurred, combine with bicarbonate soda and leave on for serval hours before rinsing.

For toilet bowl cleaner, combine 10 drops of melaleuca (tea tree) oil with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup vinegar. Additionally, the original bathroom blend mixed with water is a great toilet bowl spray for before and after use to minimize odors.

LIVING + BEDROOM BLENDS

To primp your carpets, add 15 drops of the extreme odor blend to 1 cup of baking soda.

Mix, sprinkle and rake on carpet, allow it to sit for up to an hour and then vacuum it clean.

For laundry detergent, simply add 4-5 drops of lavender to white vinegar. The es-

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sential oil takes the acid out of the vinegar for a more bearable scent. Wash clothing and linens in cold water to preserve fibers and the environment.

To keep moths away from clothing and outdoor gear, use 2-3 drops of oil on a cotton ball. This is particularly useful when camping gear and clothing is stored away for the winter, or when coats and wool sweaters are stored away during the summer. Moth repellent oils include: lavender, lemongrass, vetiver, eucalyptus, citronella, and cedarwood.

For clean and fresh furniture such as

your mattress, cloth sofa and chairs, sprinkle a mixture of 1 cup baking soda and 10 drops of lavender essential oil over each piece. Allow the mixture to sit for at least one hour and then vacuum it clean. You can combine with drops of eucalyptus, peppermint, clove or rosemary as well for your aromatic preference.

HOLIDAY DIFFUSING BLEND

Combine equal parts cinnamon, clove, lemon and orange into a diffuser. This provides the appropriate seasonal aroma while creating a flu-free zone in the home. +

TAYLOR ROSE WORDEN is a dreamer, writer and wildly energetic being.

She has her Masters in Environmental Leadership, is certified in Authentic Leadership, and teaches various forms of yoga. She believes we are a physical embodiment of the sacred source and our purpose is to not only witness, but to participate in the inexhaustible celebration we call life.

Taylor Rose strives to help others reach new levels of awareness and appreciation for the magic and mystery of our world, both internally and externally. www.taylorroseyoga.com

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wellness / Health

HOW TO HEAL

chronic INFLAMMATION by Dr. Jonathan Bloch

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YOGALIFELIVE.COM

photos by: Jess watters

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nflammation is a natural process that helps your body defend itself from harm and heal from infection, illness and injury.

Unfortunately, inflammation can sometimes run wild, become chronic and lead to various health problems. Fortunately, there is much you can do to reduce inflammation and improve your overall health. This article will describe the inflammatory process and provide advice for what to include or avoid for optimum daily health and enhanced ability to heal from disease.

Inflammation in the body is intended to serve as a protective response when harmful damage occurs, such as from trauma, irritants and pathogens. Inflammation involves a host of biochemical reactions that function to alert the body, eliminate the cause of injury, clear out any resultant dead or damaged tissue, and then attempt repairs.

Typically, we think of inflammation from something like an infection or burn, a metabolic cascade increase blood flow with an influx of cells of your immune-system, which causes redness and warmth. Then blood vessels become permeable enabling the immune system to infiltrate the tissue, which causes swelling. The biochemical reactions leave tissue acidic, which causes pain and reduces one’s desire for activity.

This generic inflammatory cascade is innately wired into your genes, like a common reflex. The benefit of an easy go-to response that lacks specificity is the ability to respond to a variety of damaging agents quickly. The downfall is that it allows biochemical overreaction, hypersensitivity and even autoimmune mistakes. Thus, inflammation needs to be managed well or it can become chronic, or long term.

Chronic inflammation occurs when we (1) fail to eliminate the reason for acute inflammation, (2) develop an autoimmune disorder that mistakes healthy tissue for something pro-inflammatory, or (3) have continuous exposure to low levels of irritating stimuli such as emotional stress or environmental pollutants and toxins.

Once inflammation lets the immune

system in, the immune system matures and evolves antibodies as well as other cellular mediators that are now part of you, sometimes permanently, to help address inflammatory sources more effectively in the future should you re-encounter them.

Termination of the inflammatory response when it is no longer needed prevents unnecessary damage to surrounding tissues. Failure to do so results in chronic inflammation and scientists are now asking the question, “What role does chronic inflammation have in many severe and common disease states?”

Certain lifestyle factors promote chronic inflammation, like overly sedentary lifestyle, obesity, excessive stress, lack of sleep, poor diets, smoking, etc. Environmental factors also promote it, from genetically modified organisms to processed food, antibiotics in our healthcare and food, radiation, metal exposure, environmental pollutants, constant traffic, lack of clean food and pure water, long work hours, etc.

Last year we saw a decrease in life expectancy for the first time in history, while at the same time we have rising incidences of disorders ranging from heart disease and atherosclerosis to depression, cancer, celiac, inflammatory bowel, gluten sensitivity, early aging, hair loss, rosacea, arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, microbiome imbalances, leaky gut, etc. It is safe to say that despite modern medical advances, we are afflicted with more chronically driven inflammatory illnesses, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity disease than ever before.

Fortunately, many health practitioners are discovering ways to deliver better anti-inflammatory advice, diets and lifestyles for chronic sufferers: 1. Eat healthy 2. Supplement 3. Exercise 4. Relax and decompress The most anti-inflammatory types of foods include kale, pineapple, mushrooms, broccoli, green foods, seaweed, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, avocado, green tea, some beer, some wine, some

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Last year we saw a decrease in life expectancy for the first time in history, while at the same time we have rising incidences of disorders. It is safe to say that despite modern medical advances, we are afflicted with more chronically driven inflammatory illnesses, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity disease than ever before.

coffee, dark yellow or green leafy vegetables, peppers, grapes, virgin pressed olive oil, coconut oil, dark chocolate and cocoa, tomatoes, walnuts, almonds, sauerkraut, whole grains, spices, herbs, garlic, ginger, turmeric, bone broth, wild salmon and other fatty fish like sardines or anchovies.

The most inflammatory types of foods have sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, processed and red meats, organ meat, processed snacks, packaged foods, unhealthy fats, trans fats, vegetable oil, soybean oil, corn oils, fried food, red meat, excessive alcohol, high-energy beverages, refined grains and carbohy-

drates such as white bread and pasta are the most inflammatory types of foods.

Hydration (ie. drinking water) is the most effective natural strategy to detox and dilute pollutants, and aid their breakdown and elimination. Hydrating heavily in the morning by drinking 32 or more ounces of water before consuming your first meal will help flush out your body and get it primed for the day. Water should be purified and free of contaminants such as chlorine, fluoride and heavy metals, etc. I recommend reverse osmosis water and adding natural Himalayan pink salt to provide proper electrolytes.

Popular anti-inflammatory supplements include fish oil, curcumin or turmeric, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D3, glutathione and glutathione boosting agents, devil’s claw, cat's claw, mangosteen, frankincense, willow bark, hyssop, ginger and cannabis.

Regular movement and exercise is essential to healthy bones, muscles, organs, circulation and the anti-inflammatory process. Twenty minutes of regular exercise daily is shown to calm the immune system ongoing. Muscle movement also acts like hydraulic pumping to push inflammation out of our tissues. Yoga is great for this — twists in general are great for wringing out body tissues.

Reduce stress and improve sleep. This is how the body heals and takes stress off its immune system. Also, when you’re stressed out, you are also producing the hormone cortisol, inflammation’s BFF. Restorative yoga and meditation work to soothe the nervous system and promote calm healing throughout body and mind, making them some of the best go-to activities for inflammation prevention and relief. +

DR. JONATHAN BLOCH is a full spectrum integrated family practitioner and osteopathic physician with a mission is to inspire personal health through mind, body and spiritual practices. You can learn more about him and his practice at www.yogischoicehealthcare.com.

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wellness / Inspiration

By

HOW I GOT MY

I

groove back

was sitting in the Muddy Buck Café in the heart of Evergreen, Colorado, with my vision board when a man in Carhartt overalls and heavy looking work boots leaned in, looking at all the pictures I had mapped together on the corkboard, and said, “this is nice, you did a good job.” I shrink into my seat wondering, but at the same time not really caring, about what he thinks of the corner of my board which is all about feminism.

Shortly after my latte gets delivered, my goal coach arrives. Jacki Carr, goal coach extraordinaire, sits down and marvels over my board, and then asks me, “Karstee, do you want to make space in your life for a relationship?” I hate this question, because admitting I do feels like betraying all the leaps and bounds I’ve made to be happy

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without one. But I do, I really do want to make space for someone, so I say, “yes.”

Instantly, Jacki gets to assigning homework, “It’s time for you to heal your sacral chakra then.”

Just a few months before the end of my Yoga Teacher Training, my yoga teacher Raj Seymour led us through a class that explored the chakras. As we started to explore the sacral chakra he had us doing cat/cow type of moves, but even more restricted to the pelvic region of our bodies. As we did this gyrating motion repeatedly he asked us a series of questions: “When was the last time you loved someone romantically?

When was the last time someone loved you? How did it end?”

I found myself becoming painfully aware of just how long it had been since some-

one had loved me like that, how long it had been since Karstee I had moved my hips like that. Ten years exactly. Not Davis since I was married. I felt so self-conscious and so uncomfortable and suddenly something just burst open and I wept onto my mat — things that had been pent up in my bones just flowed out.

Ten years ago, I was married to a man and living abroad and trying to start a family, and in a matter of a few months all of that had changed. I went home to Colorado while he went to Afghanistan. I found out I had Endometriosis, a painful disease which can make reproducing difficult. Shortly after sharing that information with him, he filed for divorce. From halfway around the world, over the phone and emails, my marriage ended and I never saw him again.

For years, I confused my sadness as a symptom of the loss of my marriage, of the betrayal I felt from my husband. But over the course of my years as a yoga student and many hours of therapy I have learned that the sorrow I felt was more from how betrayed I felt by my own body. Both things just happened simultaneously and so it was easy to pin the pain to one thing rather than to have to explore what it really meant to be reproductively challenged.

And rather than do the work, I left my body. I stopped communicating with it. I numbed it. Everything became cerebral, nothing was physical. Until yoga. But even then, that was more of a mental practice for me. I delved more into my thought patterns then I ever did my hips.

As fate would have it, one morning post goal coaching session, I lay in bed with my assignment to heal my sacral chakra. Raj had said that there are three things to help heal a sacral chakra deficiency: healthy sex (which is not going to happen anytime soon — the catch 22 is I probably need to heal my sacral chakra before I can find myself having healthy sex), water (but I seriously drink more La Croix than anyone I know) and dance. Rather than looking up local dance classes, I lay there watching Instagram stories. It was then that it happened: a story came onto my screen with a woman dancing so joyfully, so freely, happiness and confidence were oozing out of all of her pores. And I thought, “I want that, I

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want to feel that way.”

I used to love dancing. But, in the past 10 years I could count the number of times that I’d really let go and danced my ass off, and every single one of those times had included alcohol.

What would it be like to intentionally go to a dance class? Sober?

As luck would have it that beauty that was dancing on my screen was Jill Emich, a local lady of Boulder with many talents, one of which she shares every Thursday morning at The Alchemy of Movement in Boulder in a class called Soul Sweat.

I’d found my dance teacher. My first class with her was a free community offering that she led at the Hanuman Festival. I repeated mantras over and over to myself, “No one is looking at you. Be here, be in your body. Who cares what you look like? Dancing is fun. You used to love it. You are someone with a beautiful heart who deserves love too. Dance. Shine. It’s ok.”

I made it through the first class and I felt so good. When I said bye to the girls I had danced by and told them it had been fun to dance with them, I was welcomed with mutual love and kindness and greetings of “you too mama, you rocked it.” Even though I knew it had felt silly and wasn’t graceful, I had done it.

The next day I was so sore. I had moved parts of my body that I don’t move every day. I wanted more, so I bought a 30 dollars for 30 days pass to the studio and arranged with my boss to take a month’s worth of Thursday mornings off from work so I could make it to Jill’s class.

Every week I was the first student there; the studio felt familiar, like a yoga studio — bare feet and hardwood floors, floor to ceiling mirrors. There was an older gentleman who would arrive and warm up doing moves from an era long gone, which made me smile. There was a little pistol of a woman who shocked me with her accuracy and buoyancy; she is an inspiration for sure, a vision for someday. There was a mother with a wild head of Jennifer Lopez type curls, and her daughter. Often times as a song and dance came to a close they ended hugging each other or laughing. The class overflowed with young women that would embrace each other at the beginning and end of class, women whose eyes could meet themselves in the mirrors, women who swiveled their hips and might let out a holler. I was completely out of my element, but I wanted to be there.

Every week I was sore, but every week I kept showing up. That last week of my pass, I’d finally found my groove as Beyonce’s “Formation” blasted from the speakers. Finally, a song I knew well. For a moment I felt like that girl I used to be, the one who would dance in front of the mirror in my wedge heels, the performer, the girl who replicated moves she’d seen on MTV. The woman who when I was a young wife would dance bare foot on the stone tiles of my kitchen in England.

My pass is over now, and Thursday mornings are back to being relegated to just an ordinary work day. But a miraculous thing happened: the other night as I stood in my tiny kitchen chopping veggies from my CSA and listening to a podcast, I noticed myself swaying my hips to a salsa-sounding song playing in the background of the podcast. I turned the podcast off and turned on a real playlist and danced in my kitchen just like I used to. +

www.alchemyofmovement.com

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wellness / Food

WINTER + SPRING

recipes

photos courtesy of: Jeff Jepsen

By jeff jepsen

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CARROT SOUP Ingredients 1 lb carrots 3 dates 3 cups organic cashew pieces 6 cups alkaline water 2 tsp turmeric powder 4 tbsp fresh or dried curry leaf 2 tbsp salt 3 tsp black pepper 1/4 cup ghee or olive oil Directions

Cut carrots into small or half inch size pieces.

Bring a large pot to medium heat. Add ghee or olive oil. Add carrots and cook on low heat 15-20 minutes or until completely tender.

In a blender, add cashews, dates, and water. Blend until smooth.

Add cashew mixture to pot. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Add turmeric, curry leaf, salt and pepper.

Laddle soup into blender. Blend on high until smooth. Taste and add more salt/pepper to your preference.

JACKFRUIT TACOS Ingredients 1 jackfruit 1/2 red cabbage 2 carrots 4 cups alkaline water 4 limes 3 tsp salt

Shred cabbage and carrots using a cheese grater or food processor. Add juice of two limes and salt.

Massage cabbage and carrots using hands until they become soft.

To assemble, char corn tortillas using a gas flame on high. Cook tortillas for 5 seconds on both sides.

Add tamarind sauce to jackfruit and plate on top of tortillas. Use cilantro to garnish.

CAULIFLOWER CURRY Ingredients 2 heads assorted cauliflower 2 tbsp ghee 1 cup whole milk 1 tbsp turmeric powder 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp black mustard seed 2 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper Jasmine Rice 2 cups organic jasmine rice 1 cup alkaline water 1/2 cup cilantro 2 tbsp salt 2 tsp black pepper 1 lime juiced Directions

Tamarind Sauce 1 package sweet tamarind 1 guajillo chili 3 cups alkaline water 1 tbsp cumin seed 1 tbsp black pepper 2 tsp salt Corn tortillas Directions

In a small pot, add tamarind, chili, water, and spices. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until sauce is nice and thick. Strain sauce through a fine mesh strainer and blend till smooth in a blender. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Cut ends off of cauliflower and separate into small pieces using hands. In large sauté pan, add ghee and cauliflower. Cook on medium heat until cauliflower becomes tender. Add spices and milk.

Cook for another 3 minutes to incorporate all of the flavors.

Cut jackfruit in half lengthwise. Pullout pulp and seeds. Remove as much pulp from fruit as possible. In a large pot, add jackfruit, juice of two limes, and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook the jackfruit slowly for 30 minutes.

In a heavy pot with lid or rice cooker, add water.

Bring to a boil, add rice, reduce to low heat.

Cook rice for 15 minutes or until all the water has evaporated. Season with chopped cilantro, lime, and spices.

ROASTED BEET SALAD WITH FRESH PANEER Ingredients Roasted Beets 8 medium size beets 1/4 olive oil 1 tbsp salt 1 tsp pepper Garnish 1/2 cup roasted pine nuts 1 oz frisée lettuce or greens of choice Black Pepper to taste Paneer 2 quarts whole milk 2 tbsp lime juice 1 tsp salt Directions In a large bowl, toss beets in oil, sprinkle salt and pepper, coat evenly. Roast beets on sheet tray in oven at 375 F for 20-30 minutes. Pull beets out of oven. Test with toothpick to ensure beets are cooked and soft.

Place pine nuts on sheet tray and bake in same oven for 5 minutes or until golden brown.

In medium saucepot, bring milk just to a boil and turn off heat. Add lime juice to milk and stir with spoon. If milk curdles, strain through a cheesecloth or fine strainer. If milk still looks the same, add more lime juice. Salt to taste.

After Beets have cooked, peel and cut to preferred shape. Toss frisée or other greens in oil and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper. Plate beets, cheese, and greens.

GOLDEN MILK Ingredients 2 cups whole milk or nut milk 2 tsp turmeric powder 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp salt 1tbsp succanant Directions

In small saucepan, add milk and bring to a simmer.

Add spices of choice and stir in succananf to taste.

JEFF JEPSEN is a holistic chef and wellness coach who specializes in plant based cuisine. His mission is to empower individuals to connect back to nature through food and foster a more holistic approach to health and wellness. His passion for cooking grew into studying organic farming and foraging for wild foods along with other plants native to the region. The practice of Yoga, Ayurveda, nutrition, and meditation all have played a role in shaping his unique cooking style. He currently is a personal chef for yoga retreats as well as public speaker for yoga festivals and other speaking engagements.

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wellness / Food

SHINE FROM THE

inside out

Foods to Alleviate Anxiety and Depression of anxiety and depression which include genetics, brain chemistry, personality and life events and guide you on a path to feeling your best.

Nutrition plays a key role in the prevention and care of anxiety and depression. There is plentiful research to support the fact that individuals who eat a diet high in processed, refined, sugary and fried foods are much more likely to experience anxiety and depression. To that end, it is up to each of us to feed the body high-quality, whole, nourishing foods. Not only do these foods help prevent and heal anxiety and depression, they’ll protect the body from a variety of other diseases, too. There is no quick fix or one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to healing the body. Today, you’ll be provided a list of food suggestions; please honor the needs of your body, give things a try, listen to how your body responds and adjust as needed. You are your own best advocate!

Be kind to yourself in this process, trust that your body can heal and give thanks and gratitude for all your body provides you. +

Connect with Angela and access free resources at www.AngelaGaffney.com

ANGELA GAFFNEY, CHC, is a catalyst for healthy transformation. After overcoming a disease she was told would take her life, Angela teaches others simple strategies to achieve health and excel in their career.

Angela is the best-selling author of Feel Good, Look Good, For Life. To hire Angela to speak at your next event, discuss a wellness program for your corporation, or take advantage of complimentary health tools, please visit www.AngelaGaffney.com.

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A WHOLE-FOOD APPROACH TO ALLEVIATE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION: 1.

Avoid foods that enhance your risk: processed, refined, sugary and fried foods.

2. Avoid foods that your body has a negative reaction to; common allergens include gluten, dairy, corn and soy.

3. Select organic produce as often as possible: vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, nuts/seeds, legumes and fruit.

4. Select organic, grass-fed animal protein, wild caught fish, and poultry and eggs from pasture-raised birds.

5. Eat three meals per day.

6. Each meal should include 3-4 oz of protein, a serving of healthy fat (coconut oil, avocados, avocado oil, pumpkin seeds, nuts, flaxseed and flax oil, olives and olive oil, organic butter or ghee), and 2-3 servings of plant-based foods (vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and fruit).

7.

Hydrate the body; consume 80 oz of filtered water daily.

8. Opt for gluten-free whole grains (brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, teff and certified gluten-free oats).

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Photo courtesy of Angela Gaffney

T

he Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older, or 18.1 percent of the population every year. Even more astonishing, anxiety disorders affect 25.1 percent of our children ages 13-18.

Anxiety is accompanied by depression about 50 percent of the time, and the true is same in reverse. More and more people are dealing with the challenges of these two conditions and find themselves having a difficult time functioning as they used to. Motivation goes down, productivity is compromised and sometimes it is debilitating. If you’re experiencing anxiety and/or depression, please speak with a professional and create a team of providers to support your needs. There are various options available: working with your primary care physician, seeking the counsel of a psychiatrist and therapist, and connecting with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners who can support you with natural supplements and dietary guidance. This team will help you navigate the many causes

wellness / Food

THE BENEFITS OF

Bone Broth

Photo by: carley smith

By Carley Smith

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B

one broth is the newest health trend brewing up quite the buzz.

Unlike the buzz from your morning long shot double espresso or perhaps your hand crafted, muddled old fashioned, this particular buzz resonates within your core, leaving you glowing from the inside out. The reason is simple and can be explained in two words: gut health.

Nearly your entire immune system is located in the gut, making gut health a primary concern when considering optimal health. Gut health is defined as a healthy balance of bacteria, or microbiome, and fungi, or mycobiome, in the gut as well as a healed and sealed gut lining.

One of the best ways to heal the gut lining is through nourishing and nutrient-dense bone broth as it has been proven to help reduce inflammation, often thought to be the root of many diseases. Bone broth is full of nutrients like collagen and cartilage which aids in repairing sore muscles and overall body aches and pains. In fact, many star athletes like Tom Brady and Kobe Bryant have reported consuming broth as a means of healing from sports injuries. I’m convinced bone broth is the newest superfood that everyone should incorporate into their daily routine.

The same nutrients that help maintain skeletal structure and facilitate fascia repair also aid in restoring and rebuilding the gut lining.

Leaky gut, a term commonly used to describe a permeable gut lining, allows undigested foods and toxins to seep into the bloodstream. This has been linked to countless illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and autoimmune conditions, to name a few. Amino acids like L-glutamine, an abundant protein in bone broth, can be helpful in sealing the tight junctions of the gut lining, ultimately reversing symptoms of leaky gut.

Bone broth contains countless vitamins and minerals which not only help in restoring nutrient deficiencies, but are also essential for proper hydration. In fact, many nutrient deficiencies are a result of dehydration. Proper hydration is dependent on minerals, or electrolytes, so that water can

properly assimilate into the body. Consuming bone broth throughout the day is an excellent way to ensure proper hydration and replenish vitamins and minerals.

Among other health benefits, bone broth supports digestion by boosting digestive enzymes which are essential in properly breaking down our foods. It also helps open elimination pathways by facilitating detoxification. Broth even helps in promoting a healthy metabolism!

It is evident that bone broth has many health benefits, but what about vegans and vegetarians — are there any bone broth options for them? And does a bone broth alternative still maintain the same healing benefits? This is one of the most common questions I am asked, and the answer is yes; however, the nutrition profile will vary depending on ingredients.

With a vegan broth, I recommend choosing the most nutritious vegetables you can find, especially those high in nutrients that heal the gut lining. For instance, mushrooms are a great source of B vitamins, fiber and even protein! They are also high in antioxidants and have been said to fight against certain bacteria strains linked to dysfunction of the gut, making them an excellent ingredient in a broth.

One of the least prevalent nutrients in a vegan bone broth is collagen, or the proteins that help heal the gut lining. As a replacement, I recommend opting for vegetables that are high in L-glutamine, like carrots, cabbage, beets and celery. L-glutamine is a building block of protein that has been said to aid in reducing intestinal inflammation, ultimately aiding in healing the gut lining. Miso is also an excellent addition to a broth because not only is it fermented and populates the gut with beneficial bacteria, but it also is a great source of L-glutamine as well.

Regardless of the type of broth you decide to make, there are countless health benefits to be consumed with both options. It is no surprise why bone broth has found its way back into our daily routines so that we can work on healing from the inside out.

wellness / Food

VEGETABLE BROTH

1 chicken carcass or whole chicken (thawed or frozen) 6 Carrots, chopped 4 Celery Stalks, chopped 1 yellow onion, chopped, skins on 1 small sweet potato, chopped 6 black peppercorns 3 bay leaves 1 tsp sea salt Option to add a splash of apple cider vinegar

1.

Add all ingredients to slow cooker and fill with filtered water about 2-inches from top.

2.

Cook on low for 24 - 42 hours, stirring occasionally.

3.

Strain and store in air-tight containers or Mason jars. Generally stays fresh for about a week or frozen for a year. You can also freeze in ice cube trays and pop a few whenever you need!

1.

Add all ingredients to a stockpot or slow cooker.

2.

Cover with filtered water until about 2-inches from top of pot.

3.

Bring to boil then reduce to simmer for 24 - 48 hours, stirring occasionally.

CARLEY SMITH, AKA Fairy Gutmother®, is a Nutritional Therapist, Certified GAPS Practitioner, and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). She became interested in health and nutrition after being diagnosed with Lyme disease and using food as medicine emphasizing gut health to help heal. She became so empowered in the progress in her healing just based on diet and lifestyle changes and focusing on gut health that she started Fairy Gutmother® so she could help spread awareness around nutrition and help others. Carley has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show and is a frequent guest and writer for Denver’s Modern Eater Show on iHeart Radio. Her articles have also been published in MindBodyGreen and Paleo Magazine. When she is not working or cooking up something delicious, she loves spending time in the mountains, hiking, yoga, reading and being with her family and friends and of course her dog Marty. www.fairygutmother.com

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PHOTOS BY: Carley Smith

CHICKEN BROTH

1 leek, chopped 1 yellow onion, quartered, skins on 1 red onion, quartered, skins on 6-8 garlic cloves, mashed and skins on 4-6 carrots, roughly chopped 4-6 stalks celery, roughly chopped 1 large sweet potato, coarsely chopped 1 head of bok choy, halved 1/2 c shiitake mushrooms 6 slices of ginger (or about 1-inch cut) 1 small jalepeno, sliced (or add a few slices to taste) 1 lemon, juice and zest 1 lime, juice and zest 1/4 c wakame seaweed 1/4 c kombu (or about 4 slices) 1 TBS oregano 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp black pepper 3-4 bay leaves

paid partnership

LET’S RIDE TO TELLURIDE

by Gina Caputo, the Yogini On The Loose 1. Location, location, location. I’ve said it before.

There’s just NOWHERE LIKE TELLURIDE. The quaint and historic downtown, the breathtaking scenery, and the community and vibe of a real mountain town are incomparable. If I had a dollar for every Front-ranger I’ve met that says “Yeah, I’ve heard it’s amazing but I’ve never been there”, I could retire to Telluride right now! Maybe it feels far away but its remoteness lends to its unsurpassed glory.

T

elluride. I call it the Crown Jewel of Colorado. When I first moved to Colorado, each new place I went became my new favorite place and the most beautiful place on Earth.

And that’s how it went until I finally visited Telluride, Colorado. Whoa. Oh, it definitely became my new favorite place and the most beautiful place on Earth but the difference is, nothing has unseated it from that top spot for years now. Tucked away in the San Juan National Forest in Southwestern Colorado, the absolutely stunning Telluride is home to some of the best festivals in the country like music, wine, film and YOGA. The Telluride Yoga Festival began in 2008 with a vision of amplifying and elevating community yoga practice by bringing folks together in one of the most truly awe-inspiring places on Earth! And every year, their perfect mix of beauty, integrity, intention and inspiration brings us back again and again for more. The festival has experienced steady but sustainable growth each year in a time that the yoga festival scene has grown increasingly saturated and many have come and gone. What makes the Telluride Yoga Festival so special? Here are my top three reasons:

2. Vision. The owners, Erika Henschel and Albert Roer, are committed to curating an exceptional yoga and wellness experience for attendees that requires them to do a lot of asking, listening and evolving. They stay true to their values but remain open to possibilities. And each year, the Festival meets us right where we are, feeds our curiosity and supports our growth as humans. In addition to exceptional yoga classes, the festival is full of opportunities to expand your horizons off the mat. Want to climb the via ferrata? Try SUP yoga? Meditate in an aspen grove? Practice overlooking the San Sophia Mountains at sunset? Listen to some incredible music? It’s all on the docket for the weekend.

3. Teachers. The Telluride Yoga Festival is less interested in Yoga Influencers and more interested in seasoned, multi-faceted Yoga Teachers. Each year you can expect to find experienced teachers from many different lineages with different expertise, passions and points of view. This diversity helps students broaden and deepen both their understanding of yoga as well as their own practice of it. +

This is your year! Join me for the 12th Annual Telluride Yoga Festival from June 27-30, 2019. You can thank me later!

For More Information www.tellurideyogafestival.com

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events / Gatherings

McNichols Fit Fest

DENVER | FEBRUARY 8 - 10, 2019

C

olorado is one of the fittest states in the country, and with Denver as one of the fittest cities, this weekend of fitness and fun is all about bringing together a community that loves to sweat.

“Fit Fest is a three-day festival celebrating all things health, movement, connection and community,” shares co-founder Jillian Keaveny.

Taking place at one of Denver's historical landmarks, this event is made up of movement-based classes, workshops and panel discussions. The classes offered range from yoga, HIIT (high intensity interval training), cycle, barre, pilates, dance, meditation and everything in between.

“Fit Fest is fueled by people with a deep passion for health, wellness and the overall happiness of their community,” Keaveny says. “Each class, activity, discussion or workshop throughout the weekend is created with intention and dedication to accessibility and engagement.”

Many classes use technology and headphones from Sound Off Colorado, creating a more innovative experience of movement paired with sound.

For the 2019 Fit Fest, participants can expect a broader range of movement classes, more non-movement based panel discussions and workshops, as well as classes for kids and teens. +

photo courtesy of: Fit Fest

Learn more at www.mcnicholsfitfest.com.

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YOGALIFELIVE.COM

pink vail

MARCH 16, 2019

P

photos by: Zach Mahone

ink Vail might only have one color in its name, but the event benefits patients with ALL types of cancer.

Now in its 8th year, Pink Vail has raised over $4 million to date. Last year, nearly 2,500 participants attended, raising a record $920,000. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 at Golden Peak in Vail.

“We’ve been continually overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, support and generosity for Pink Vail,” says Vail Health president and CEO Doris Kirchner. “Every dollar raised represents someone’s fight against cancer and 100 percent of those funds benefit patients at Shaw Cancer Center.”

Pink Vail funds Shaw’s Spirit of Survival program which offers complimentary exercise training and classes, nutrition coaching, emotional support, a nurse navigator for each patient, massages and integrative treatments, outdoor adventures and much more. These services are shown to improve outcomes and dramatically impact patients’ quality of life, but are not typically covered by insurance.

“Every Cancer, Every Color” reminds participants and donors that Pink Vail celebrates everyone who has fought a battle with cancer, and it benefits patients with all types of the disease. With all-day live music, a costume contest, deck-to-deck ski challenge and fun activities for the whole family, Pink Vail is a fun day on the mountain that benefits cancer patients all year round. +

To register or make a donation, visit www.pinkvail.com.

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events / Community Listings

february

Steamboat Winter Carnival

Steamboat Spring, CO February 6 – 10, 2019 Celebrate 106 years of winter tradition at this unique event that embraces Steamboat's winter heritage and highlights its tradition of winter sports. Along with a parade, fireworks and more, watch as horses pull kids on skis down a snow-covered main street and marvel at the Night Extravaganza on Howelsen Hill. www.steamboatchamber.com

McNichols Fit Fest

Denver, CO February 8 – 10, 2019 Fit Fest is a three-day festival celebrating all things health, movement, connection and community. Class from HIIT, barre, cycling, dance, Pilates, meditation, yoga and everything in between. Many classes will be using technology and headphones from SoundOff Colorado. www.mcnicholsfitfest.com

Yoga Off Broadway – Buti® Certification

FNYC with Alex Sandoval

YogaPod Denver, CO December 14, 2018 Presented by EVO Hemp and Made in Nature!

Friday Night Yoga Club gathers local yoga communities on select Friday nights around the most innovative and inspiring yoga instructors, guiding you through a 75-minute all-levels flow. www.fridaynightyogaclubdenver.com

Bonfire Dub NYE at Pepi’s

Vail, CO December 31, 2018 Rock in the new year with Bonfire Dub in Vail Village. Join Bonfire Dub for their powerful blend of roots music at the one and only Pepi’s in Vail Village. Dance the night away and enjoy a few libations. www.bonfirentertainment.com

January

200 YTT – LC Yoga

Loveland, CO January 12 – May 5, 2019 (weekend modules) Join a group of like-minded individuals for a life changing experience! LC Yoga’s 200-hour yoga teacher training is a journey deep into the heart of yoga. This program is designed around a

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Aspen Gay Ski Week

Aspen, CO January 13 – 20, 2019 AGSW initially began from the efforts of a couple of local Aspen-ites to dance in the bars with other men turned into a landmark civil rights case. The week-long festival is the longest running gay ski week in America. It serves nights of parties, concerts, films, symposiums and dinner. www.gayskiweek.com

LifeTribe30

Online with Juli Rathke and Y+L Experts 2 Sessions: Starts January 14 & March 11 Truth in the power of numbers. Use this 30-day coaching challenge to help you find the confidence, clarity and courage to a more authentic you. She calls it her C.3 formula, as Juli has led people and groups from yogis to executive to entrepreneurs to aspiring authors to get up, remove the fears and get after it in life, family, health and business. The choice is yours! www.julirathke.com/LifeTribe30

WinterWonderGrass Steamboat

Steamboat Spring, CO February 22 – 24, 2019 The 7th annual WinterWonderGrass Colorado returns to the authentic western home in Steamboat Springs. WWG brings a more integrated music, mountain and brew experience. WWG is part music festival, part beer tasting, part snow holiday and part family reunion for all ages. This community gathering focuses on sustainability, local non-profits, kids’ experiences and support to the arts. Join them at two other locations Stratton, VT, and Tahoe, CA. www.winterwondergrass.com

march Frozen Dead Guy Days

Nederland, CO March 8 – 10, 2019 Come to one of the most unique festivals in the country for three days of frosty merriment. 30 live bands, heated super tents, coffin racing, costumed polar plunging, frozen t-shirts contests and much more. Celebrating its 17th

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photo by: thao le hoang

December

strong and supportive mentor relationship. The intention is to create an environment where students will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to strengthen their practice and understanding of the mental and spiritual benefits while obtaining the skills necessary to become a professional yoga teacher. www.lcyoga.com

Eagle, CO February 16 – 17, 2019 Be brave with your life and join Yoga Off Broadway for an unforgettable experience that will deepen your Buti® practice on and off your mat forever. This certification includes two full days of instruction, demonstration and testing with a Buti® Yoga Master Trainer. They recommend being either a certified yoga instructor or having a consistent practice for 2+ years. Students with an AFFE, NASM or Yoga Alliance certification receive CEUs. www.yogaoffbroadway.com

year paying homage to Bredo Morstol, who is frozen in a house in a tuff shed on dry ice high above Nederland. www.frozendeadguydays.org

The Play That Goes Wrong – Denver Theater

Denver, CO March 5 – 17, 2019 Welcome to “the Murder at Haversham Manor” where students of the Cornley University Drama Society are attempting to stage this 1920s production. However, everything that can go wrong is and the opening night is quickly going from bad to disastrous. With and unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead and actors who trip over everything they struggle to get their final curtain call. www.denver-theater.com

april FoCoMX

Steamboat Spring, CO April TBD 2019 FoCoMX celebrates the Northern Colorado music scene for the 11th year in a row. The festival generally features 300+ performers playing at 30+ venues. www.focomx.focoma.org

SkiTown Breakdown

Crested Butte Mountain Resort, CO April 5 – 7, 2019 Crested Butte’s Winter Closing Weekend is the perfect combination of snow, sun and events.

Don’t miss the season’s send-off concert, SkiTown Breakdown, featuring a weekend-long lineup of performances on the mountain and at the base area. www.skicb.com/music

Women’s Wellness Weekend with Wild Souls Yoga SunMountain Center, Manitou Springs, CO April 5 – 7, 2019 Join Kristin Schooler and Lisa Reeder for a women’s retreat in beautiful Manitou Springs. Wild Souls Yoga believes women’s health requires a holistic approach of leaning in to community with other amazing women, creating a balanced life based with equal elements of space, sweetness and structure, honoring the innate feminine within, all while giving ourselves tremendous grace!

The weekend will include four yoga classes (flow, yin + yoga nidra), community time spent with other amazing women, and personal time for reflection and nourishment. Retreat guests will enjoy a complimentary two-hour soak at SunWater Spa and delicious vegetarian meals. www.sunwellnes.net

Unify Yoga Retreat – LC Yoga

Nosara, Costa Rica April 13 – 20, 2019 In the modern world, we often lead busy, compartmentalized lives, in which it is common to lose touch with our sense of deeper meaning, purpose, and connection. UNIFY provides an opportunity to slow back down and reconnect both within yourself and with the world around you. In this week-long retreat, you will practice and live yoga daily in the beautiful landscape of Costa Rica. Each morning will begin with an energizing, detoxifying and stimulating yoga class. Each evening session will be designed for relaxation, slowing down and unwinding. Blue Spirit, the top-rated Yoga Escape of 2017, is an ideal location for relaxation, transformation and growth. www.lcyoga.com

5Point Film Festival

Carbondale, CO April 25 – 28, 2019 This is an amazing adventure that pushes the boundaries of film making and content bringing an inspiring experience of short films that takes over the town of Carbondale. The focus is stories with a human element bringing in their 5 guiding principles Respect, Commitment, Humility, Purpose, and Balance. Get your tickets the day they release to secure your spot www.5pointfilm.org

may

The Colorado Marathon

Fort Collins, CO May 5, 2019 The Colorado Marathon is an annual event that also includes a half marathon, 10K and 5K run.

Attended by runners from all over the U.S., the marathon advertises itself as "America's Most Scenic Course." www.comarathon.com

Meta Yoga Studios – 5 Week Yoga Training

Breckenridge, CO May 6 – June 7, 2019 Enjoy five immersive weeks to steep yourself in the ancient teachings of Tantric Hatha Yoga, led by a variety of facilitators with over 100 years of combined teaching experience. This program can help you to develop or strengthen your personal practice and provide you with the foundations to share the practice with other curious yogis. Create and sustain your most purposeful life. www.metayogastudios.com

In Your Element Moab 2018 Adventure Retreat

Moab, Utah May 10 – 13, 2018 Join In Your Element for good times around the fire at Moab’s Goose Island campsite. Navajo Sandstone cliffs and the Colorado River provide COYOGALIFEMAG.COM

the backdrop for the morning and evening yoga and meditation practices. Enjoy gourmet camping cuisine for breakfast and dinner, and free time during the day to explore Moab’s world-renowned trails, rocks, rivers, rejuvenating spas and unique down downtown. www.facebook.com/BeInYourElement

Campout for the Cause

Buena Vista, CO May 31 – June 2, 2019 Campout for the Cause is an experience held in the Colorado Rocky Mountains featuring live music, camping, yoga, lifestyle workshops, stand-up paddle boarding and more. This is a true family event for all ages. Join the tribe in this beautiful setting. A portion of the proceeds go to local non-profits. www.campoutforthecause.org

june

Telluride WOW Festival

Telluride, CO June 6 – 9, 2019 This weekend is for those who are ready to get back to the simplicity of life, for those ready to stop and enjoy the beauty of nature, good food, healthy activity and good company. Customized programs for each guest based on their needs and goals. www.telluridewow.live

GoPro Mountain Games

Vail, CO June 6 – 9, 2019 The country’s largest celebration of adventure sports, music, yoga and the mountain lifestyle.

Professional and amateur outdoor adventure athletes from around the world converge upon the mountains and rivers of Vail. www.mountaingames.com

Hanuman Festival

Boulder, CO June 13 - 16, 2018 Hanuman Festival is a national reunion of yogis.

Open your heart and experience awakening, belonging and connection in a four-day celebration of world-class yoga, mind-blowing music, inspirational experiences and nourishing community. A community-oriented yoga and music festival with world-class yoga instructors, mind-blowing music and inspirational experiences. www.hanumanfestival.com

Telluride Yoga Festival

Telluride, CO June 27 – 30, 2019 A four-day yoga and wellness gathering featuring world class presenter and more than 100 offerings including yoga, meditation, music, hiking, dining, SUP yoga, social gatherings and more.

Join this amazing event in a special setting. www.tellurideyogafestival.com

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partners / Directory

where to find us A Purposeful Path

211 W. Myrtle St. STE 103 Fort Collins, CO www.apurposefulpath.com 970.682.8844

Aspen Shakti

535 E. Hyman Ave. Aspen, CO www.aspenshakti.com 970.925.1655

Acova Restaurant

3651 Navajo St. Denver, CO www.acovarestauaunt.com 303.736.2718

Barber’s Den 057 Edwards Edwards, CO 970.936.8091

Beautifully Savage

210 E. Oak St. STE E Fort Collins, CO www.theartofpugilism.com 970.305.5195

Bhava Yoga

505 S. Main St., A5 Breckenridge, CO www.bhavayogaco.com 970.409.3375

Bookworm of Edwards

295 Main St. Edwards, CO www.bookwormofedwards.com 970.926.7323

Compass Fitness

2059 S. Broadway Denver, CO www.compassfitness.com 303.521.3696

Eagle Climbing + Fitness 700 Chambers Ave. Eagle, CO www.eagleclimbing.com

Endorphin

717 Sylvan Lake Rd. #A Eagle, CO www.myendorphin.com 970.328.5770

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Yoga/Barre

www.myendorphin.com 303.993.4041

+ 2700 S. Broadway, Unit 201 Englewood, CO

+ 2212 Kearney St.

Denver, CO

+ 3115 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO

+ 2501 Dallas St., STE 144 Denver, CO

+ 66 South Logan St.

Denver, CO

Cycle/Hiit + 2738 S. Broadway, Unit 201

Englewood, CO

+ 3170 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO

+ 10155 E 29th Dr., STE 130 Denver, CO

+ 3210 Tejon St. Denver, CO

+ 7555 E Academy Blvd.

Denver, CO

Garden of the Gods Collection

Karma Yoga Center

1705 S Pearl St. Denver, CO www.karmayogacenter.com 303.284.8617

Little Lotus Yoga

110 E. Lincoln Way Unit D Cheyenne, WY 82001 www.little-lotus.com 602.690.2265

Loveland Community Yoga 284 E. 29th St. Loveland, CO www.lcyoga.com 970.368.9642

Lululemon Vail Village 193 Gore Creek Dr. Vail, CO www.lululemon.com 970.476.7040

Meta Yoga Studios

118 S. Ridge St. Upstairs Breckenridge, CO www.metayogastudios.com 970.547.9642

MindSpace

3320 Mesa Rd. Colorado Springs, CO www.gardenofthegodsclub.com 800.923.8838

34599 Highway 6 Unit B-10 Edwards, CO www.mindspacecolorado.com 970.818.0392

GOAT Training

Mindstream Yoga

High Country Healing

Mountain Soul Yoga

Hot On Yoga

Mudra Yoga

210 Edwards Village Blvd. #A-209 Edwards, CO www.goattraining.com 970.306.8524 40801 Highway 6 Suite 5 Avon, CO www.highcountryhealing.com 970.470.4794 5740 North Carefree Cir. #260 Colorado Springs, CO www.hotonyoga.com 719.440.4800

Hovey & Harrison

Café/Bakery/Market 56 Edwards Village Blvd.

Unit 120 Edwards, CO www.hoveyandharrison.com 970.446.6830

2733 Council Tree Ave. #129 Fort Collins, CO www.mindstreamyoga.com 970.266.9642 56 Edwards Village Blvd.

Unit 204 Edwards, CO www.mountainsoulyoga.com 970.446.6485 www.mudrayogastudio.com

+ 1550 S Pearl St., STE 202

Denver, CO 720.341.2233 + 560 S Holly St., #15

Denver, CO 303.388.8501

YOGALIFELIVE.COM

Native Roots Wellness

Shoshoni Yoga Retreat

O2 Aspen

St. Julien Hotel & Spa

1555 Champa St. Denver, CO 80202 www.nativerootsdispensary.com 303.623.1900 408 S. Mill St. Aspen, CO www.o2aspen.com 970.925.4002

Ohana Yoga

2308, 4342 Tennyson St. Denver, CO www.ohanayoga.com 303.495.5260

Origin House of Fitness

1400 Shoshoni Camp Rd. Rollinsville, CO www.shoshoni.org 303.642.0116 900 Walnut St. Boulder, CO www.stjulien.com 720.406.9696

Sunshine Message Studio

616 W. Lionshead Cir. Suite 300 D Vail CO www.sunshinemassagestudio.com 480.388.0590

1112 Oakridge Dr. STE 110 Fort Collins, CO www.originhof.com 970.223.1767

SunWater Spa/SunMountain

Outlaw Yoga

Spa Anjali at the Westin Riverfront

2590 W. Main St. Littleton, CO www.outlawyoga.com 269.779.5432

Pearl Street Fitness

www.pearlstreetfitness.com 720.441.5204

+ 1107 S Pearl St. Denver, CO

+ 3977 Tennyson St.

Denver, CO

Piante Pizzeria

520 S. Main St. #3M Breckenridge, CO www.piantepizzeria.com 970.423.6693

Revolution Power Yoga

101 Fawcett Rd. Avon, CO www.revolutionpoweryoga.com 970.478.3176

Samadhi Center for Yoga www.samadhiyoga.net 303.860.9642

+ 639 East 18th Ave. Denver, CO

+ 1070 Bannock St. Denver, CO

+ 3496 S. Broadway Englewood, CO

COYOGALIFEMAG.COM

El Paso Blvd.

Manitou Springs, CO www.sunwellness.net 719.696.7077 125 Riverfront Ln. Avon, CO www.spaanjali.com 970.790.3020

Sweaty Buddha

100 Jenkins Ranch Rd. Durango, CO www.thesweatybuddha.com 970.403.8885

Telluride Fuel

205 E. Colorado Ave. Telluride, Colorado www.fueltelluride.com 970.708.1590

Telluride Yoga Center 201 West Colorado Ave. Telluride, CO www.tellurideyoga.com 970.729.1673

The Hornet

76 Broadway Denver, CO www.hornetrestauaunt.com 303.777.7676

Vail Vitality Center

352 E. Meadow Dr. Vail, CO www.vailvitalitycenter.com 970.476.7960

Village Bagel

34500 Highway 6 #B7 Edwards, CO www.villagebagel.co 970.855.2940

Yellow Belly

www.yellowbellychicken.com

+ 2161 N. Frontage Rd., #14

Vail, CO 970.343.4340 + 2525 Arapahoe Ave.

Boulder, CO 303.532.4596 + 2501 Dallas St.

Aurora, CO 720.259.2393 Yeti’s Grind

www.yetisgrind.com

+ 330 Broadway #C

Eagle, CO 970.328.9384 + 141 E. Meadow Dr., #108

Vail, CO 970.476.1515 Yoga Center of Steamboat

701 Yampa Ave. Steamboat Springs, CO www.yogacenterofsteamboat.com 970.875.4568

Yoga Loft Boulder

www.yogaloftboulder.com 720.612.4321

+ 633 S Broadway, Unit N Boulder, CO

+ 6565 Gunpark Dr., Unit 108 Gunbarrel, CO

Yoga Off Broadway

717 Sylvan Lake Rd. Eagle, CO www.yogaoffbroadway.com 970.328.9642

Yoga Pod® Boulder

1890 30th St. Boulder, CO www.yogapod.com/boulder/ 303.444.4232

Yoga Pod® Lowry

101 N. Ulster Ct. Suite 101 Denver, CO www.yogapod.com/lowry/ 303.444.4232

97

namaste / Parting Shot with Kevin Banker

and it takes a lot of light to get a proper exposure with it. This is why in the past people would have to sit still for up to 30 seconds to create an image. I decided to use this to my advantage, while knowing that our model would have a darker skin tone, I chose to use high powered strobe lights to create the scene. I was able to shape the light with these photo strobes, and add a glow behind our model to pop her out of the background. I also used a lower front light to bring a shine from underneath. By lighting from behind, above and under the model, we were able to bring quite the wonderful shine to our model.

PHOTOGR APHER

Spotlight

TELL US ABOUT THE STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY THAT WE’VE FEATURED ON THE COVER, AND WHY YOU’VE DECIDED TO EMBRACE THIS ART. The style of the image on the cover is called Wet Plate Collodion. It was started back in the 1800s and was one of the first forms of photography. It was widely used to capture portraits and quickly became the favorite format for studio photographers. The images created are shot on metal and glass plates, using a liquid film, so the images are very unique. One of the main reasons I have embraced this format of photography is because it requires patience, something I also found through my yoga practice.

With the photography industry quickly becoming a place of shooting 2,000 images and hours and hours of editing afterwards, I found myself on the computer way more than out shooting. I started to become an assembly line for photos, timelines started to shrink, and the phrase “Can’t you just Photoshop it?” had become way too prevalent. That's when I started to look for

98

something that took me back to my roots.

Something that required more pre-production and craft, as well as no editing after the image is captured, bringing back creating a photograph back to its truest form. About a year ago I discovered the kind of photography I was looking for. It combined both chemistry and art—two of my favorite subjects while I was in school. It's amazing how it has brought me back to a more zen state while creating images. It's methodical and precise, with a beautiful variance to each photograph.

It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to create one image. It's such a unique and powerful process. Most people have never held a large format plate in their hands with an image on it made from a combination of silver and light. Some would even say ... its magical.

HOW DID YOU USE THIS STYLE AND THE PHOTO SHOOT TO HELP BRING THE THEME OF SHINE INTO THE COVER? The Wet Plate process is inherently dark

WHAT PROJECTS AND CAREER MOVES ARE YOU CURRENTLY EXCITED ABOUT? The growth of this Wet Plate Collodion work is what I am currently most excited about.

I’m working on making it both studio based, as well as allowing it to be mobile to create travel projects. With the length of time it takes to create these photos, I feel that when people experience this form of photography, it allows them to step away from the hustle a bustle of their daily lives, and get back to their true selves. Every plate created is one-of-a-kind, because I can’t pour the same plate twice. Each photo is a one off which makes each photo that much more valuable. For more information please visit www.revivalphotographic.com. +

From spending almost 19 years behind the lens, KEVIN BANKER can't be placed into one facet of photography. From architecture to aerials, food and fine art, his work can be seen with such luxury brands as Ritz Carlton and Vail Resorts.

When he's not out shooting for an architecture firm or a new restaurant, you can usually find him in his darkroom mixing chemicals for Wet Plate Collodion photography. When not working behind the lens, he is most likely found camping with his girlfriend and dog or wrenching on his old Toyota FJ40. Check out more of his Wet Plate work at www.revivalphotographic.com.

YOGALIFELIVE.COM

photo by: KEVIN BANKER

COVER

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