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CO Yoga + Life Magazine | Spring Summer 2016

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Colorado

Creates

SPRING/SUMMER 2016

COMMUNITY, ARTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS, CANNABIS, BUSINESS, FESTIVAL GUIDE, TEACHERS, & MORE


COLORADO IS PART OF THE YOGA + LIFE FAMILY OF MAGAZINES.

YOGA + LIFE MAGAZINES Juli Rathke - Founder/Publisher

COLORADO EDITORS

WWW.YOGALIFEMAGAZINES.COM

Sami Lea Lipman Juli Rathke

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sami Lea Lipman

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NATIONAL & REGIONAL SALES

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OPPORTUNITIES

Please contact our publishing office to inquire about adding new regions and titles to our network of YOGA + LIFE magazines. www.yogalifemagazines.com | 815.414.YOGA (9642) Email: juli@yogalifemagazines.com 2016 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.

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FALL 2015 // COMPLIMENTARY

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WINTER 2015 // COMPLIMENTARY

HOLIDAY RECIPES MINDFUL SHOPPING ETHICAL FASHION EVENTS KARMIC TRAVEL

WINTER 2015/SPRING 2016 // COMPLIMENTARY

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WHY CHOOSE GOYO ADVENTURES? We are a boutique retreat company with years of experience planning and hosting retreats all over the world. When booking with GOYO there are NO BOOKING FEES EVER! We match every client with the right destination, adventure, teacher, and experience. Enjoy incredibly detailed pre-trip planning with each destination. With our hosted retreats as well as our partner adventures ALL OVER THE WORLD, you can can guarantee a better experience because your trip is our priority.

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phone: 860.540.GOYO | email: info@goyoadventures.com | web: www.goyoadventures.com


Spring/Summer 2016

CONTENTS 14

PROFILES

TEACHERS // STUDIOS // ENTREPRENEURS

10. TEACHER PROFILES

A few of our favorite teachers

12. STUDIO PROFILES

Odyssey Yoga & Amana Yoga

14. WHAT ON EARTH?

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Shannon Paige tells us about her new studio

16. COLORADO ENTREPRENEURS SHARE

Good Day Chocolate, Bhakti Chai, and Y + L Founder

18. COFFEE. HUMOR. MANTRA

Daily medicine with Juli Rathke

20. Q&A WITH JEWELRY MAKER

Cristine Googins, Owner/Artist at Synergy Designs

LIFESTYLE

COMMUNITY // TRAVEL // BOOKS // ART // MUSIC

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22. MADELIFE

The art and community

24. LIVIN’ LA PURA VIDA

Eco-chic luxury at Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort

28. BOOK REVIEWS

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I am Yoga, Ayruveda Cookbook, and Meditation as a Way of Life

30. THE ART OF ANDROID JONES

Digital Alchemist

38. ART IN THE COMMUNITY

Local Colorado artists talk about what drives them to create

43. SOUNDTRACK

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Now That’s a Yogi by N8tron

YOGA

ASANA // HOME // SEVA // BUSINESS // MEDITATION // PHILOSOPHY

44. YOGA FOR SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS

A practice to prepare you for the slopes

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48. WHAT’S A MUDRA

Learn about chin mudra

49. YOGA AND TBI

How yoga helped me rehab my traumatic brain injury

50. 5 KID-FRIENDLY YOGA TOOLS

Poses to cultivate creativity for kids

54. UNITY TABLES

Off the Mat with Ari Pliskin

56. KIRTAN

Achieve peak happiness

58. BREAKING OPEN

A goddess getaway to the Telluride Yoga Festival

62. THE YOGA OF NO YOGA?

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A crash course in non-attachment

64. LOVE YOURSELF

Taylor Rose Worden talks love

67. WHAT ARE YOU BUSY CREATING?

A mantra for living a creative life

HEALTH

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FOOD // PSYCHOLOGY // ASTROLOGY

68. WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Shifting the paradigm for complementary alternative medicine

70. IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE

The dish on doshas

72. CANNABIS

And the unification of consciousness

76. RECIPES

Eggs Benedict, Parmesan-Crusted Chicken, & Blueberry Peach Pie

80. HAVE THE GUTS

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Stay healthy with fermented foods

82. ASTROLOGY

Trifecta of the T-square

EVENTS FESTIVALS // LISTING

84. UPCOMING EVENTS

Listing of this season’s best events

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88. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST

What are you doing for selfless service?

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this issue’s

OUR COVER STAR

Contributors

JUSTIN KALISZEWSKI OUTLAW Yogi, Justin Kaliszewski is an avid student, artist and adventurer. He teaches OUTLAW Yoga across the country infusing a creativity and perseverance into his teachings, along with a distinct blend of humor and wisdom that redefines what it means to be an Outlaw and a yogi...Author of The Outlaw Protocol: how to live as an outlaw without becoming a criminal, you can find him at www.outlawyoga. com, on the OUTLAW Yoga channel on www. yogadownload.com, and at his Littleton studio at 2590 W. Main St.

CHRIST Y PRIOR Christy is a slopestyle specialist from New Zealand and spends

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half of the year here in the northern hemisphere following the endless winter. This past season she took home a gold medal at the Burton European Open and bronze at both Winter X Games and Dew Tour. Outside of snowboarding, she is passionate about yoga, mediation and Ayurvedic medicine. In her own words, “I love to travel but I also enjoy time spent in just one place. I love learning, seeing other people learn and I hope to inspire others to be themselves to the fullest.”

LEE CLAYTON ROPER Lee is an award-winning cookbook author, cooking instructor, public speaker and TV personality. Her first book, A Well-Seasoned Kitchen, was co-written with her mother Sally Clayton, received numerous rave reviews, and is often featured in local and national press. In 2010, A Well-Seasoned Kitchen achieved national acclaim, winning the

prestigious “Living Now” gold medal. With Fresh Tastes, Lee expands the A Well-Seasoned Kitchen collection, serving up fresh, delicious and sophisticated dishes guaranteed to inspire creativity in kitchens everywhere.

CRISTINE GOOGINS I took my first yoga class about 18 years ago in Summit County Colorado and it definitely resonated with me in a big way. Throughout the years, I saw the amazing benefits of a regular yoga practice. I came to find that yoga became my favorite way to gain physical strength as well as mental and emotional strength and as a mom of 3 kids I need all the strength I can get!! I finally received my 200 hour RYT certificate through Core Power Yoga in Boulder after wanting to become a yoga teacher for many years! I now teach private and corporate classes as well as run my jewelry business Synergy Designs!

N8TRON More than a DJ but also less than a DJ, N8tron brings clean beats from all over the world. He crisscrosses genres with Mashups, Funk, House, Rock ‘n’ Roll & Hip-Hop. N8tron honed his sound playing late nights following bands such as The String Cheese Incident and Phish. He got his start on Radio Free Minturn in the Vail Valley of Colorado. Check out www.n8tron.net and www.soundcloud. com/n8tron for free singles and mixes.

JULI RATHKE Juli is the CEO/ Founder of YOGA + LIFE Magazines and has been teaching for over two decades. She has channeled her professional career into helping others do the same. Juli is a yoga and inspirational presenter/speaker. With an entrepreneurial spirit and mother of three, Juli also mentors and leads global retreats. Follow her @ julirathke, @yogabizgirl or watch her show on JuliTV online at julirathke.com.

AMY ZELLMER Amy is a professional photographer and author located in Saint Paul, MN. She suffered a traumatic brain injury in February 2014, and is currently advocating to raise awareness about the severity of concussions and TBI. She released her first book “Life With a Traumatic Brain Injury: Finding the Road Back to Normal” in 2015. www.facesoftbi.com

SAMI LEA LIPMAN Sami Lea Lipman is the Creative Director for Yoga + Life Magazines and a vinyasa yoga teacher in Boulder. She has taught at various festivals, internationally, and on the White House lawn. Sami chronicles the journey of love, suffering, and loss on her blog: grievingmybeloved.blogspot.com. Learn more about her at samileayoga.com.

SHANNON PAIGE Living wholeheartedly as an author, yoga teacher, and mentor of yoga teachers; Shannon is a spoken word artist, poet, sacred storyteller and TedX speaker. She infuses her bodies of work with a fullness of artful living and passion for life on and off the yoga mat. Her instruments of instruction and expression are detailed and clear cuing woven through a fluid progression of imagery, poetry and truth. Shannon encourages and supports the practitioner to unlock secrets held in the human heart, release stuck patterns that no longer serve, and attain new levels of integrated embodiment. She is described by many as being “confidently vulnerable;” as a result, she is one who inspires positive change. Off the mat, she loves to spend time in the sun, wake surf, and run. Based out of Boulder, Colorado from her home studio, Earth, Shannon globetrots to deliver transformative classes, talks, trainings and retreats.

YOGALIFEMAGAZINES.COM


ADAM SOMMER I am an Astrologer, yes, yet I never planned on being one. It happened through a series of strange and synchronistic events, which I think all of us can relate to. I was trained and certified by Maurice Fernandez, and have been at it for seven years full-time, making podcasts, interviewing Astrologers, writing out my inspirations, teaching, and giving Readings to people all over the planet. It’s the greatest gift, and I think I found my calling… let me help you find yours!?

MIKE COHEN For over a decade, Mike Cohen has toured North America, offering accessible and potent Kirtan events in yoga studios, healing centers and at yoga/chant festivals. Mike released two critically acclaimed Kirtan albums, and in 2016 will release new music created with legendary producer Ben Leinbach. Founder of the Kirtan

COYOGAMAGAZINE.COM

Leadership Institute, Mike loves working with those who possess grand ambitions to contribute through Kirtan. Since 2010 Mike has trained and apprenticed hundreds of aspiring and emerging Kirtan Leaders across the globe, guiding them to build thriving chant communities, lead with power and grace, write compelling original music, tour, play at festivals, create albums and much more. More at www.MikeCohenKirtan.com.

LESLIE GLENN Leslie’s energy and enthusiasm for yoga and life is contagious. She was introduced to yoga 16 years ago and it has remained an anchor of balance, growth, and radiance ever since. Traveling the globe as a competitive snowboarder, Leslie integrated yoga into her life realizing its power harmonize the body, mind and breath cultivating focus and connection. These skills have proven advantageous on the mat, on the mountain, at the top of the X Games halfpipe and in everyday life. Examining yoga in a holistic way, she blends alignment, breath, creative sequencing and intention steeped in the traditions of Tantra Hatha Yoga to inspire courage, grace, and

freedom for students. As a teacher, she hopes to hearten students creating a safe environment to find balance, space and freedom in their lives, reach their full potential and shine bright.

NELSON OLIVER Nelson Oliver has been studying meditation his entire life, most recently under the guidance of Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda; is an old student of Vipassana meditation; is the Controller and Meditation Leader at O.penVAPE, the leader in cannabis extraction technology as an American brand dedicated to wellness through cannabis (www.openvape.com); and has as his primary goal in life to maintain centered awareness of the breath 24 hours a day.

DR. JONATHAN BLOCH Dr. Bloch is medical doctor, a yogi and

a father. He sought yoga as a reset by which to balance his physical well being with the mental stress of day-to-day living. Yoga became his new best teacher and a strong practice has helped carry him through great personal and professional challenges. As a new foundation for the exploration of health, he hopes to build a practice where patients achieve better medical outcomes through yoga and other more natural alternative approaches to treatment, either in lieu of or alongside standard western medicine.

TAYLOR ROSE Taylor Rose is a dreamer, writer, and wildly energetic being. She has her Masters in Environmental Leadership, certified in Authentic Leadership, and is a SUP Yoga Instructor. 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 strives to help others reach new levels of awareness and appreciation for the magic and the mystery of our world, both internally and externally.

Want to be on the cover?

enter our cover contest! COLORADO YOGA + LIFE IS CONDUCTING A COVER CONTEST FOR THE NEXT ISSUE! SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO ENTRIES ONLINE AT: COYOGAMAG.COM

About our

cover

Model: Shannon Paige Photographer: Wari Om Location: Estes Park, CO Clothing: Hanuman Top & Lululemon Pants Studio Affiliates: Earth Yoga Boulder

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A CONTRIBUTOR FOR COLORADO YOGA + LIFE MAGAZINE OR YOGA + LIFE MAGAZINES?

GET IN TOUCH!

815.414.YOGA COYOGAMAG.COM

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profiles / Teachers

Rachel NELSON

PHOTOS: JAY RUSH PHOTO

Studio: Revolution Power Yoga City: Avon, Colorado

PHOTOS: (TOP) DANIELLE ZIMMERER, (BOTTOM) CHRIS TRACY

MEREDITH

Cameron Traveling yoga teacher based in Winter Park, Colorado

What has your practice instilled in you? My practice has allowed me to breathe bigger and take that home to my family, my friends and my pets. I strive to make the simplest of acts very intentional which has provided increase in my life. Every time I am on the yoga mat, I am also reminded to strive for greatness – and that is different every day. How do you create a powerful sequence? My sequences are highly inspired by what is going on in my own life and by reading the room to which I am teaching. I try not to stick to my sequence exactly. I think it’s really important to give the students what they need and you can feel that out by tuning into your classroom. Where do you feel the most creative? Both sequencing and words. My teachings evolve just as I evolve and I am a forever student. The students who took my class a year ago are still taking my classes now because I like to keep them fresh and different. I feel that my words can be inspirational for most and I hope to leave students something to chew on in regards to their life.

What has your practice instilled in you? My yoga practice has given me a deep, deep sense of acceptance and peace with myself. It has given me trust, faith, and love. How do you create a powerful sequence? First, I think it is so important to learn one sequence from a teacher and study, practice, and teach it A LOT, for years! It truly is the path to mastery, repetition forces the magic to arise. Having a great well-rounded sequence actually gives me freedom to create in the moment or create a something with a specific focus, like hips, or backbends. When creating a specific or new sequence I always think about the impact and experience I want the students to walk out of class with. Then, it’s what poses will bring that experience to the surface and what poses build up to that experience and then what poses are needed to close and counter and still keep that experience alive. I think of my sequences a lot like building a house – a strong foundation is needed first – then I can start to add to it so that everything supports the whole. Where do you feel the most creative? In nature and in the mountains. Name three Coloradoans who are creating big things... Jacki Carr – amazing goal coach and beautiful person! Scotty Stoughton of Bonfire Dub – his love of combining spirituality, music, connection and he just walks the walk! Rachel DeLong – amazing yoga teacher and so dedicated to service and bringing mindfulness to kids who need it most!

Name three Coloradoans who are creating big things... Me – with my message of finding your freedom, I know I am blazing my own trail in the yoga world. Shannon Paige – with her new studio in Boulder: Earth. Gina Caputo – Colorado School of Yoga is going to be amazing.

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How do you create a powerful sequence? The way I go about creating a powerful sequence depends on what type of class I am going to be teaching. In my Women’s Yoga classes, the sequencing really revolves around the themes. If we are working with a particular goddess for example, I will choose mantras, mudras and poses that help us to feel and embody the energy of that goddess. When I am teaching women’s yoga, I do my best to surrender any ideas or agendas of how I think the class should go and instead I let myself be surprised by what arises. Often the class will go in directions I never could have imagined. For vinyasa style classes, I typically build towards a peak pose. I consider what parts of the body need to be opened or strengthened to move towards the more challenging poses. Then I try to find creative ways to start warming up those parts of the body right from the beginning. As the class intensity builds, we will move through a series of interesting transitions and revisit similar positions that continue to deepen and get more complex as we go. Where do you feel the most creative? I feel the most creative early in the mornings. When the kids are still asleep and the new day’s light is just starting to show, I love to tiptoe downstairs, light candles at my altar and dive deep into meditation, chanting and asana practice. Often I get some of my most creative moments of inspiration here. The other place I find it is out in nature. I go for long quiet walks whenever possible and consistently find that fresh mountain air, and the raw beauty of the natural world awakens a creative energy within me. Name three Coloradans who are creating big things... Xiuhtezcatl Tonatiuh – www.earthguardians.org/xiuhtezcatl Lucy Wallace – www.dance2bfree.org Chantal Pierrat – www.emergingwomen.com/team

PHOTOS: (TOP) VASCHELLE ANDRE, (BOTTOM) RICK CUMMINGS

KIRSTEN

warner

I ALWAYS KNEW THAT THERE MUST BE SOMETHING MORE TO LIFE THAN SIMPLY GETTING BY. I HAD MY FIRST REAL TASTE OF WHAT THAT SOMETHING MORE IS WHEN I FOUND YOGA.

Studios: The Little Yoga Studio, The Mama’hood Boulder City: Boulder, Colorado What has your practice instilled in you? Wow, that’s a big question! After nearly 25 years of practice it feels impossible to even imagine who I would be without yoga. Yoga has deeply influenced every aspect of my life. One thing in particular I think it has instilled in me is a tangible connection to the Divine. I grew up in a family of atheists and always felt like an outsider among them. I always knew that there must be something more to life than simply getting by. I had my first real taste of what that something more is when I found yoga. Now in my practice and my teaching and my life I am committed to letting myself be guided by that river of grace.

COYOGAMAGAZINE.COM

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profiles / Studios

Odyssey Yoga

Amana Yoga WHAT IS YOUR RECIPE FOR CREATING A STRONG COMMUNITY? Humility mixed with gratitude, remembering first and foremost as teachers and leaders in the community- we are all students of the practice. The focus is the true recognition of namaste, seeing the light of each and every soul in the community; the teachers and students alike, knowing we are all human, given this gift of life. The way the Amana teachers transmit the teachings of the practice to the students make them excited to feel embodied and develop the practice as their own tool, their unique prayer.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR STUDIO? WHAT IS YOUR RECIPE FOR CREATING A STRONG COMMUNITY?

While offering vigorous and sweaty classes, our teachers emphasize being in the moment, breathing deeply, and a higher purpose to the practice... I believe this creates a deep sense of calm, lightness, and connection. My teachers and students know and enjoy each other, and that shows up in our classes! Our community is full of trust, compassion, openness, and empowerment.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR STUDIO? Odyssey is a unique combination of being an intimate, privately-owned studio AND a beautiful, spacious studio with state-of-the-art heating. We have a highly qualified teaching team, and teachers are given freedom to explore and grow their own styles. And -my favorite- the students are incredibly dedicated and hard-working, without any of the competitiveness or intimidation.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF CREATING A SUCCESSFUL YOGA STUDIO?

(See answer to question one ha!). It’s special because we are about making the practice approachable, helping people develop the most beneficial habits that yoga help us to create, at any age, on your lunch break, no matter your level of fitness. Its not a show. Amana is a place to reconnect to SOURCE. The biggest piece of feedback that we’ve received about Amana is that the community has co-created the atmosphere of a sanctuary where one can come and practice in a way that nourishes not just their mind and body, but their soul.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF CREATING A SUCCESSFUL YOGA STUDIO?

Running a brand new business as a budding entrepreneur is daunting no matter who you are. But to open a new business with the 8-limbs of Yoga as your brand filter is the greatest challenge AND most wonderful gift. Keeping abundance, gratitude and balance top of mind under novice entrepreneurship... by using the very product that we are in business for- yoga! Social media is also inundated with beautiful people doing yoga, how do we promote this practice without tapping and appealing too much to the ego and aesthetics. Its such a gift to be given this challenge, it has become my greatest teacher.

Having a solid vision while constantly working on personal growth! Creating a successful studio takes passion, curiosity, and confidence. Yoga in America is a dizzying array of variety, opinions, ancient lineages, new science, and competition... it can be overwhelming!! I have learned to simply grow my own practice, follow my heart, connect with my community, and love the journey!

longmont, COlorado / odysseyyoga.com

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boulder, COlorado / amanayogaboulder.com

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What on

Earth? BY: SHANNON PAIGE PHOTOS: RICHARD CUMMINGS

Blaze on with Fearless Heart! – Alan Clementz

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health / Medicine profiles / Studios

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t happened: the idea was born, the perfect studio space emerged, the lease was signed, the walls went up, the floor went down, and the collaborators gathered. Even the smallest of the pre-opening details were somewhat thrilling; as we stepped forward in the creation of Earth, our new yoga studio in Boulder, Colorado.

As life had done what life does, taken its toll over the last several years, I had shifted some serious gears. I thought I was done stewarding a studio. I had nearly stepped out of public yoga teaching and had stepped into simply directing my yoga teacher trainings and writing full-time. The idea of stepping back in front of a classroom full of people gave me more than a few twinges of fear. However, underneath my doubts, I felt my great love of community glow. Though glowing, my great love of community still fell prey to my wondering whether or not this offering might land well in a town more than sprinkled with great yoga studios. Further like many, manage a litany of enough-ness complaints against myself daily. I have memorized all of my mistakes and missteps and am an expert in making them weapons against my happiness. Taking this leap of faith and opening another studio only seemed to made them louder. There are a 1008 ‘what if’s’ in manifesting anything. With any creation, a piece of art, a poem, anything might not be celebrated to the degree that the creator had hoped. However, what would happen if the creator simply ceased worrying about the creation’s outcome and simply created for the love of it? What would happen if you, if I, if we, created from our unique passions simply for the joy in its endeavor?

wonder, and shared purpose in several teachers, our builders, and marketing partners. It turns out, Earth, is more than a studio. It is a project aimed at connecting people, celebrating diversity, igniting passion in art, effort, value, and positive world change making. It is a home for creativity on every level. Creativity changes everything. It changes everything for everyone. Once it is lit, passion burns and cannot be easily put out. It tends to burn the shorts off of self-limitation, doubt, and fear. If Earth Yoga Boulder is an example of life changing by diving in deep to what one and many love, may it serve as an inspiration for many to lean towards their inspirations, dreams, and creative sparks.

I began a practice. Every time fear gained a small foothold, I turned my attention towards one aspect of the studio’s beginning. It was a dance between creativity and fear.

Awesome-ness. That’s what. I began a practice. Every time fear gained a small foothold, I turned my attention towards one aspect of the studio’s beginning. It was a dance between creativity and fear. Though these two poles of reality were loud in my head everyday, every schedule choice, class description, paint chip, and floorboard that went down seemed to light my heart on fire. Creating something new, from the depths of my passion, was lighting me up and limiting the heaviness of the shadows about its being received. I was tireless and on fire. “Passion burns down every branch of exhaustion…” – Rumi This project shifted the balance in my head and heart. My heart took over and my head sat and listened. I watched the project, from its inception, not just light me up, but others as well. Fear and doubt were not just the monkeys on my back; they seemed to be an epidemic for many of us. This project turned on a sense of childlike fearlessness,

COYOGAMAGAZINE.COM

15


profiles / Entrepreneurs

Colorado entrepreneurs share... SIMEON MARGOLIS & DR. ANDY GOLDMAN,

BROOK EDDY Founder of Bhakti Chai

Founders of Good Day Chocolate

What is your secret for success in bringing an idea into physical existence and sharing it for profit? The secret is - there is no secret. If you’re looking for a magic formula or welltrodden path to follow to insure your success - be prepared for a healthy dose of disappointment. Bringing your idea to market will be both a painful and exhilarating exercise in managing the unknown. Once you recognize this, then you can begin working on the tried-and-true fundamentals that will ultimately lead you step-by-small- step toward an outcome. At Good Day Chocolate, we strive to: always make execution our #1 priority; listen to others – our customers, our advisors (and recognize when to ignore them and trust our gut); stay humble in our approach; empathize with (and learn from) our customer’s experience, and to find pleasure in the smart decisions and small (and medium sized, and big) victories.

What motivates you? New products, new flavor combinations, innovative marketing ideas, the intersection between nonprofit, policy, and business. Being told no so that I have to find a way to make it a yes!

What are some of the obstacles of an entrepreneurial lifestyle and what have they taught you? The list is long and often obvious: long hours, very little pay, stress, sleepless nights (thank goodness for our Sleep formula), and sacrificing the time you enjoy doing other things. Perhaps the toughest one is coming to terms with the fact that ‘no one cares.’ While you’re giving your entire life (financial, emotional, and physical) to build something, you’re often be faced with the reality that people, even the ones that should, just don’t care. Why should they?

What does the word “create” mean to you? To us, “create” means setting an intention and committing to a course action, listening and learning every step of the way. If you’re in it to “create” something for yourself, be prepared to block out the world, focus on your internal motivations, and truly pay attention to that little voice inside. It can be powerful, even spiritually enlightening. And if you’re “creating” something for a consumer audience, your evolutionary road map must include empathy and the ability to truly understand what others are saying, even if they’re things you don’t want to hear.

Another day dream was to build a company that focused on social impact. My ginger-infused, homemade chai just happened to gain a cult following and became what Bhakti Chai is today. It’s our commitment to supporting small projects and women and girls via our GITA Giving platform that has made Bhakti truly shine. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur. Unpredictable. What is an obstacle of the entrepreneurial lifestyle and what has it taught you? Lack of balance, non-stop stress, and there is never a real “off” button – even on vacation. It’s taught me that since we only have a limited amount of energy output per day, choosing carefully how I expend that energy is vital to my balance. That’s why my yoga practice is so important to my survival. The most critical yoga pose is the one that’s not on my mat – it’s the stance I take in the world and how I move through the world grounded in letting go, breathing, trusting and knowing that it always works out. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur? Vision, tenacity, and stamina – it’s a long distance course! How many hours do you work a day on average? 10-14. My most productive time is usually 8-12pm when my kids are sleeping and I’m not interrupted. What does the word “create” mean to you? Letting inspiration take you on a ride. It could be subtle moment pulling flavors together for an amazing feast, throwing down an impassioned poem in a rebellious mood, or bringing a new arousing product line to market.

WWW.GOODDAYCHOCOLATE.COM

WWW.BHAKTICHAI.COM AND WWW.GITAGIVING.ORG

Understanding this last piece is the single most important lesson needed to survive the entrepreneurial obstacle course. More often than not, you’ll find the answer to “why should they” is “they shouldn’t!” Once you get comfortable with that, the obstacles you’re facing begin to look a lot more like building blocks. What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to fall out of love with your idea so you can fall in love with executing on it. When I say love, I mean insane love, the kind you’d do even the most extreme things to fulfill. If you don’t have the support (or the solitude) to make executing your vision the #1 priority in your life, just forget it.

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What is your secret for success in bringing an idea into physical existence and sharing it for profit. Setting intentions, day dreaming, and thinking of ways to work around obstacles. For years, I dreamed of Bhakti owning a beautiful Rickshaw or Tuk Tuk. It took time to be able to afford such an endeavor, but we now own the first-ever, street legal electric Tuk Tuk in the U.S. We named her “Ginger” and take her all over the country where she connects with people and spreads the spicy love of Bhakti.

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CO Yoga + Life Magazine | Spring Summer 2016 by YOGA + Life® Magazines - Issuu