Nanopro Chocolate-Banana Smoothie Bowl

Post-sweat session smoothie bowl at our favorite local yoga studio, Mantra Yoga & Juice Bar in Carlsbad!

Nanopro Chocolate-Banana Smoothie Bowl:

1 cup almond milk
1 ripe banana
1 tbsp almond butter
1 scoop Nanopro chocolate protein powder
1 tbsp honey 

Blend all ingredients with a cup of ice & top with toasted, shredded coconut, banana & cacao nibs.

Thanks for adding the Nanolove Mantra!!!

Where The Magic Happens

Being submerged in the yoga world, as a regular practitioner and as a teacher, I hear a lot of conversations around me about what yoga is, what yoga does, how you should do yoga, which style of yoga is the best, which style of yoga is the worst, and everything in between. But yoga is yoga..is yoga, which is.. yoga. Whether or not I am in a heated room, practicing vinyasa flow, taking a restorative approach in a yin class.. whether I am taking this person or that person’s class.. it all happens here, on my mat. My magic carpet ride.. and boy, is it bumpy..
 
My yoga mat has absorbed every intention I have offered up during a practice, and has convinced me that I have the power to become the very best version of myself if I choose to.

It has soaked up the tears I have poured out into it & the pain I have felt in my heart.. it has helped me accept what is and let go of what was, purifying my soul in the process.

It has reminded me over and over that I live a life abundantly blessed, and that gratitude is where joy can be found.

My yoga mat holds the quivers of my weakened spirit on the days when I don’t feel like I’m good enough. It reminds me that I am.

It holds me in child’s pose when I cannot muster the strength to press forward, and reassures me that the sweet embrace of the unwavering earth below is waiting to catch me when I’m ready to let go.

It has silently observed the friendships I've made practicing next to like-minded people, who open their hearts and minds, share their expressions of hope and strength, and give me sweaty hugs no matter what.

I have relaxed in bliss on my yoga mat. I have cried my eyes out. I have fallen to my knees, fought battles, found courage - I have found myself.

It is on my yoga mat that I learned how to breathe, to find peace in the present moment and savor every second that I am still breathing.

Yoga is yoga. And we shouldn’t judge others based on the style of yoga that they choose. 

Yoga transforms lives.. ALL of it.

If we are making a choice to consciously step onto our mat and let the process take place, we are exactly where we need to be.

Namaste.
Tammy Fodrey
Follow Tammy on Instagram @tammyfodrey & @nanoloveforlife 

Running & Yoga: Opposites Attract

For years I have found balance through running and yoga. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describe how opposite forces compliment each other. They are interconnected; dependent on each other to form a dynamic system where the whole is greater than all its parts. Just as a shadow cannot exist without light, we cannot exist without both masculine and feminine qualities. Our "yang" qualities that energize us to push, endure, strengthen and overcome are complimented by our "yin" qualities that soften and ground us.

As runners, we strap on our watches, we track our pace, we clock our time. We push through fatigue, and we endure. At the end of our run we feel that we have either succeeded or failed, because as runners we are goal-oriented: we strive to achieve a certain time, pace or mileage. This focus and determination is the reason why men and woman are able to train, run, and finish a marathon, and it is a force to be reckoned with.

As yogi’s, we approach our mat with stillness and awareness. We strive to stay in the moment, focusing on the breath and the subtle movements we make. At the end of our practice we feel light, calm, and sound in mind. As yogi’s we are soul-oriented, focusing on the journey rather than the outcome. Pushing the "re-set" button, stress and anxiety melt away.

Our yin and yang qualities are interdependent: they cannot exist without each other.

What a great reminder for us to love all of our parts, all of our qualities. Instead of getting down on ourselves for the way we feel, we should embrace the mood we are in. Be soft when we are called to be soft, push & endure when we are called to dig deep and find strength. 

On the surface, the runner and the yogi appear to be very different.  In the end, these opposing qualities cultivate the same intention within us: To reach our full potential and to become the very best version of who we are. To achieve balance and live a full, abundant life.

Keep running.. and keep practicing.


Tammy Fodrey & Biopharma

Fitspiration Friday!

Excited to introduce this amazing woman! Meet Candice Robinson, stay-at-home mother of four .. yes FOUR kiddos.. ages 8, 7, 6 & 4! When she’s not driving kids to practice, wrangling her youngest & doing the toughest job on the planet, being a MOM, she is sweating it out, inverting in headstand and strengthening her body & mind in yoga class.

TF: Other than your four kids, what gets you out of bed in the morning and why?!

CR: I became a morning person once I had kids, that’s for sure! But I really do love the fresh start of a new day. I start every morning with music and tea, this gets me going in the right direction. It's a chance to set the tone and pace for all that follows.

TF: How do you stay motivated and committed to your yoga practice?

CR: I look at it as something I "get" to do rather than something I "have" to do. It's the only time in the day that I can dedicate 100% to myself. I like to alternate between yoga and running, but I don’t hold myself to a strict schedule. Instead, I just listen to what my body needs. When I take care of myself I am able to give more. I am a better mom, wife, and friend.

TF: What are 3 things you couldn't live without in regards to your health regimen?

CR: Music! I like all kinds of music, but mostly Indie rock and folk. Hydration is key.. I try to stay away from sugar-filled drinks out there & stick with water. I couldn't live without my lulu lemon bottoms! I absolutely LOVE their pants for yoga and their shorts for running. I need clothes that stay put when I move and these do the trick. They are worth every penny!

Candice's tip:  "You can’t always control what goes on outside, but you can always control what goes on inside." I can't control what others do but I can control my own perception and reaction. I try to focus on working on myself, not others. It's always a work on progress.

Thank you for sharing with us Candice! You are an inspiration to Moms everywhere. As a mom myself, I am familiar with the importance of committing to self-care. Our health is the MOST important gift we can give to our children. We need our sanity just as much as they need us to role model a healthy lifestyle. It’s a win-win!

With a genuine personality and a playful yet grounded attitude, Tammy Fodrey speaks to the spirit inside each of her students. Tammy uses practical application of yoga postures with strong, engaging messages to encourage her students to break free from self-imposed limitations and create every opportunity to grow and thrive in life and on the mat. As an experienced yoga practitioner and teacher, Tammy’s classes are a mixture of rhythmic vinyasa flow and alignment based education of traditional yoga postures. Her classes are characterized as challenging yet gentle, as she inspires her students to stimulate self-awareness, vitality, and connection. Tammy

Love, light & healing

I'll never forget the first time I encountered the word 'chakra'.. There was some eye-rolling, some judgment and some critical thinking as in 'that sounds like a bunch of hippy dippy BS to me.'
As I entered my yoga teacher training 4 years ago, I was still somewhat thinking along those lines. Sure, I'll learn the postures, recite the sanskrit, take people through a sequence that makes sense. I can connect to my emotions, and talk about it. I can do that. But a big fat N-O to those chakras! What was my beef with them? Why did I resist so much?

The turning point was when I realized that something was missing. There had to be more. More than just a body, more than just a mind. And more to my feelings than just the sense of being out of control any time I let myself feel. As I began an intense study of the Chakra system my mind was BLOWN. Of course! Now it all makes sense. This is where our practice comes to life:
E N E R G Y. The flow of our energy is crucial to our existence. It connects us to our spirit. It is everything. And just as the breath connects the physical body to our subtle, energetic, emotional body.. I finally connected to my practice, and the puzzle started to come together.

Fast forward..
I teach what I am passionate about, and instead of my eyes rolling at the thought of chakras, my eyes light up when I get the chance to speak and teach others about them. This week I am focusing on Manipura, the solar plexus.. or 3rd chakra.

The message of the 3rd chakra is this:

You have the power to choose. Consciously harnessing the energy of Manipura gives us the ability to move forward in life with confidence. To make conscious choices and act on those choices from a place of self-love, self-acceptance, knowing our self-worth. Whatever you believe about yourself on the inside is what you will manifest on the outside, and as we come into a loving relationship with our SELF we are then able to fully and completely love others. This is the first act of love. Love yourself first.

You have the power to choose. Do you choose love, light & healing? Do you value yourself and your work? Are you confident in your ability to do something well, do you love & accept yourself, and are you willing to express that to others? If we continue to struggle with self-love, chances are we will greatly struggle with outward-love and our relationships. We will suffer, and they will suffer right along with us.

It's time to choose.

Stop having the conversation with yourself that you aren't good enough, that you will fail. Start loving yourself and own your greatness!

And it's okay if you're rolling your eyes at me, I've been there. And I love you anyways. But the point is..
Do you love you?

                                                       

With a genuine personality and a playful yet grounded attitude, Tammy Fodrey speaks to the spirit inside each of her students. Tammy uses practical application of yoga postures with strong, engaging messages to encourage her students to break free from self-imposed limitations and create every opportunity to grow and thrive in life and on the mat. As an experienced yoga practitioner and teacher, Tammy’s classes are a mixture of rhythmic vinyasa flow and alignment based education of traditional yoga postures. Her classes are characterized as challenging yet gentle, as she inspires her students to stimulate self-awareness, vitality, and connection. Tammy is a dedicated mother, yogi, runner and wellness ambassador whose ultimate goal is to find to grace and ease in a busy, fast-paced world. She offers group classes, facilitates workshops, and teaches private sessions in her community.

Fitspiration Friday!

It’s Fitspiration Friday! Meet Tara Steuernagel: Rock star runner, yoga devotee, mom and business owner! Tara is one of the most dedicated people I have ever met. She pulls off three runs AND three yoga classes per week.. effortlessly!

TF: What gets you out of bed in the morning and why?

Tara: I get up to see what life has to offer.  To get to see my wonderful son.  To live life & work on myself. Lately I have been refocusing and learning how to balance life for my family, my relationship with my husband,  as well as put some focus on myself.  I wake up excited to work on this and see what this new positive energy will bring myself and my family.

TF: Who and what inspires you? 

Tara: This has been a very long and stressful past few years. Moving from our home town to San Diego, then dealing with some health issues. I’ve met a few people this past year that have really inspired me with all their words of positive thinking and focusing on positive energy. Catherine Mazure, the yoga teacher I take classes with at Re:form Yoga in Carlsbad, has been a huge part of this for me. I am also very thankful for new friends in my life who inspire me every day.

TF: How do you stay motivated to stick with your workouts?

Tara: I get to go to my “happy place”.  I love the high I get from running.  I am a morning runner, because it’s such a great way to start my day.  The days I don't' run, I definitely miss it.
I am an early riser, so I try to get to bed early! My motivation to keep going is just how it makes me feel when I’m finished!

Tara’s Tip: Make time for yourself each day.  Don't let the stress that life can bring take over your life. You matter, you are important, and you need to take care of you too :-)  Focus on the positive and positive will come.


Thanks for sharing with us Tara! Keep inspiring us friends!


About Tammy: With a genuine personality and a playful yet grounded attitude, Tammy Fodrey speaks to the spirit inside each of her students. Tammy uses practical application of yoga postures with strong, engaging messages to encourage her students to break free from self-imposed limitations and create every opportunity to grow and thrive in life and on the mat. As an experienced yoga practitioner and teacher, Tammy’s classes are a mixture of rythmic vinyasa flow and alignment based education of traditional yoga postures. Her classes are characterized as challenging yet gentle, as she inspires her students to stimulate self-awareness, vitality, and connection. Tammy is a dedicated mother, yogi, runner and wellness ambassador whose ultimate goal is to find to grace and ease in a busy, fast-paced world. She offers group classes, facilitates workshops, and teaches private sessions in her community.

Relationships and why they help you THRIVE!

When it comes to genuinely connecting with others, it’s the simple, every day actions that connect us and bring us happiness. Human connection is the driving force in our life, and without it, we feel empty and incomplete. We each have what is called a "dharma": a purpose, something meaningful to contribute to life. Connection is when we recognize that our dharma can infuse joy into our lives AND the lives of others. Haven’t found your dharma? That’s okay. Start by seeing that your intentions & actions make a difference. In this way, you will be able to experience the joy in everyday life, while contributing to the Whole along the way! It's a win-win! Here are a few simple ways to stay connected throughout the day: 

TIME-OUT
Technology, social media, Netflix..all amazing. They connect us to business, history, fiction, future and other people’s lives! But we have to disconnect to reconnect to what is happening NOW. Commit to a regular “time-out” with your children, spouse, friends.. a real person, face to face, no distraction. Spend this time “wasting time” together. Every day. Be present and savor it! 

FREE HUGS 
A twenty-second hug releases oxytocin, otherwise known as “the love hormone” in your body. I’m not talking about a fly-by hug. Make it last. Move past awkward and into connection. Why unleash the love? Because love IS connection in the truest sense. Make sure the hug is reciprocated and hug your lover, your bestie or even your dog! Let the love flow! 

SMILE 
Have you ever smiled at a stranger, only to be given a confused look in return? Exactly. People are so conditioned to deal with negativity that they immediately think “what’s wrong” when you flash them you’re pearly whites. A genuine, heartfelt smile can connect you to a complete stranger, kick off a mind-blowing conversation, and really make someone’s day. Smile, and mean it. You have so much to be happy about, why wouldn’t you smile? 

DROP THE BADITUDE 
You are important. You matter. The world does not revolve around you, rather, the world needs you to put forth your best self. We all want to be first in line and be the exception to the rule, but remember: you have bigger fish to fry. You see the Whole. And you are contributing to something bigger. Be patient, be kind, and remember that life is not happening to you, it’s happening FOR you, and for everyone else, too. Stop. Take the time to authentically connect throughout your day, and watch the joy blossom in you and all around you! 

“Connection is that process of knowing our importance to the Whole, as well as comprehending that others share this importance with us. When we do so, we are less likely to hate or fear. We can rest, secure in the knowledge, that we are all eternal threads in the grand design.” - Judith Lasater, Living Your Yoga

Gratitude: breathe it in, give it out.

We all know how important practicing gratitude is for our well-being. Take a look around Facebook and you can see that gratitude can be, well.. a challenge. Most of us spend our days in the analytical mind: thinking, planning, taking inventory of yesterday's events, and worrying about tomorrow's to-do list. Worrying is the exact opposite of gratitude. We cannot be grateful while worrying. Trust me, it doesn’t work. I’ve tried! Since worrying is an action and gratitude is an action, we have to choose. What action will we take? The moments of gratitude live in the every day experiences, the fleeting moments that pass by in an instant. If we aren’t careful, we miss out on these moments of joy that our experiences let us borrow, if only for a second. Since gratitude is part of my daily meditation, I’ve found practical ways to get out of my head and start putting gratitude into action. BREATHE This is where gratitude begins. If you are reading this post, you are breathing. That breath is a gift that many no longer have. Stop and become aware of your breath. Breath is energy and this energy sustains your life. Start every morning off by being present with your breath. If you only get that far, half the battle is won. GIVE & RECEIVE WITH GRACE You have so much to give. Whether it’s a compliment, a smile, a phone call to a friend or a message of appreciation.. keep giving. Let your gifts be acknowledged and appreciated. Recognize that you are worthy to receive. Allow others to support you, accept compliments and accept help. Do so with grace. Yes, you are superwoman (man), but allowing others to help you will keep the exchange of positivity flowing through your life. CELEBRATE Life is not merely a to-do list that needs checking off. Life is a celebration. Your first cup of warm, delicious coffee in the morning.. savor it for the ritual that it is. A joyful life is made from these moments: cook a meal with your lover or with your friends, gather around the table and tell stories about your day. Laugh..big, belly-full, boisterous laughs. And by all means, bless your meals and give thanks for the abundance of food that nurtures your body. Do this often. Not just on holidays! BEGIN AND END WITH LOVE Break open that big, beautiful heart of yours. I know you have been hurt, judged and criticized. And most likely, you have suffered greatly through the pain of loss, disappointment and grief. It’s time to come home. The Yoga Sutras teach us Pratipaksha Bhavana. “When presented with negative thoughts or feelings, cultivate an opposite, elevated attitude.” When we infuse thoughts of love & gratitude into our awareness, we reduce depression, lessen anxiety and improve our over-all mood. Make the effort to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Today is a new day. Be humbled by the challenges you’ve had to face and recognize that they have grown you. Don’t let the world harden you. Keep your heart wide open to love. What are some ways that you practice gratitude? Please share in your comments below.. I would LOVE to hear! Thanks for reading! "Practice gratitude relentlessly. As you practice gratitude you will attract more thoughts and feelings of gratitude. In a short time your entire being will be saturated with it, and you will experience a happiness that is beyond what you can imagine. This is what is ahead for you when you choose gratitude as your way of life. And if you can really live in this highest state of gratitude, you will never have to ask for anything. Everything you want will be given to you before you even ask, because gratitude is the magnetic substance that opens every single door in the Universe. " -- Rhonda Byrne in The Secret Scrolls About Tammy: With a genuine personality and a playful yet grounded attitude, Tammy Fodrey speaks to the spirit inside each of her students. Tammy uses practical application of yoga postures with strong, engaging messages to encourage her students to break free from self-imposed limitations and create every opportunity to grow and thrive in life and on the mat. As an experienced yoga practitioner and teacher, Tammy’s classes are a mixture of rythmic vinyasa flow and alignment based education of traditional yoga postures. Her classes are characterized as challenging yet gentle, as she inspires her students to stimulate self-awareness, vitality, and connection. Tammy is a dedicated mother, yogi, runner and wellness ambassador whose ultimate goal is to find to grace and ease in a busy, fast-paced world. She offers group classes, facilitates workshops, and teaches private sessions in her community. http://www.tammyfodrey.com/