This is a site about yoga, life, food, travel, and fun…

Category Archives: Stories

I know that  healing work, especially energetic, can bring up issues, memories, and cause detoxification (sometimes severe). And with this chakra therapy I  have been doing, I feel it.

During the week my class and I focused on the throat chakra, I really felt challenged. I felt tired. I felt irritated.  I felt like I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I knew I needed to be in nature,away from the computer, away from the freeway, away from the city.

So on a whim,I booked  a campsite in the Florida Keys, and went on ‘retreat’. I told my family and friends,” I will not be talking on the phone for the next two days, or responding to messages. I am going on retreat. ” My ‘retreat’  was an essential part of my healing.

The Healing Waters of the Florida Keys

The Healing Waters of the Florida Keys

So, we were on our way to the Florida Keys. Just me, my son, my dog, and my sweetheart.  As soon as we got to Key Largo, I could really feel the energy change. I started to relax. And about 70 miles south of Key Largo was our campground.  Bahia Honda State Park. Bahia Honda is my favorite place in the Keys. The park is beautiful. There are trails, a nature center, nice bathrooms, and hot showers. The park is  popular, so Reserve early (or check for cancellations). By the way, there are three campgrounds in the park. My favorite campground is called Sandspur..And it has some campsites with amazing ocean views.Me and my dog Sadie:Dogs are Welcome at the Park, on a Leash, and not on the Beach

Me and my dog Sadie:Dogs are welcome at the Park, and on the Trails,  but no Dogs on the Beach
Reflecting, Cleansing Healing.... Had the beach to myself...;)

Reflecting, Cleansing,Healing…. Had the beach to myself…;)

As soon as we arrived and set up the tents,I felt so good.  The entire weekend was spent relaxing, healing, cleansing. Yoga on the beach, walking on nature trails, long meditations, good food, camping under the stars. The stars were magical….

Sometimes the best therapy, is turning off the phone, getting out of the city, looking up at the stars, and taking a retreat.

Relax and Breathe~Yogini Tiff


It has been awhile since my last post. Sometimes I think I should become more disciplined with my blog. But most of the time, I think I should just relax and flow:

The weather is warm here in South Florida. All the windows are open. I am thankful for the breeze. I have been teaching a lot of yoga, both private and group classes, and more than ever, I have been giving Reiki treatments.. sometimes a few times a day.

The yoga and chakra therapy series I am teaching is really amazing..   Every week we focus on a different chakra, and every week we are processing, healing, and growing. Through Asana (poses), Pranayama (breath work), mantra (chants), and guided visualization, we are on a chakra journey. We are all learning so much.Sometimes there are tears, sometimes there is laughter. During the week we worked with the Sacral chakra, one person in the group discovered a new and unexpected pregnancy, and one  in our group began menstruating again after menopause.  Energy work… ;)

This week we have been studying, healing, and strengthening  the heart chakra, the Anahata Chakra. For me, it has brought up events, issues,and memories that I haven’t consciously thought about in years. I know I am working through some deep wounds and healing my heart.


Healing through love in South Beach...

Healing through love in South Beach…

And as for healing my heart, my Portuguese sweetheart has been here visiting for nearly a month now (I lived in the Azores for 6 months). Our time together has been beautiful. Dancing, swimming, painting my house, exploring, theatre, yoga, friends, family, and good food. We speak Portuglish. Our own combination of Portuguese and English. We understand each other…. but when we don’t, we  laugh, play a bit of charades, and slowly figure it out….. ahahahaha, the language of love.

Love in all forms is the most powerful healer. 

To our Chakras and our healing~Yogini Tiff


I have a group of yoga students who have been studying and practicing with me for a few years now. We are all friends, and before class starts, we all laugh and ‘bitch’ a little, we help each other process stuff, we keep it real. Then class starts, we quiet our worries and thoughts, and focus on the breath. Then we begin to flow, linking the body and the breath in movement.

Anyways, after several years practicing together, everyone is able to do their asanas, listen to their bodies, honor their bodies, and comfortably meditiate.  Everyone is becoming more sensitive. Last week, I felt intense amounts of energy,while teaching.  I opened my eyes during our final seated meditation, looked at my students (friends) and I saw that everyone was really in a deep meditation. Blissed out, connected, and healing. After class ended, nobody moved. For about 20 minutes after class, no one spoke, no one moved. I  decided then and there that it was time, to week by week, teach in depth, about the chakras. So starting today, with this particular class, I am going to add a new element to our practice -Yoga and Chakra Therapy..

My Lake Worth Yoga crew....I Love you!! (I am the one standing under the orb)

My Lake Worth Yoga crew….I Love you!! (I am the one standing under the orb)

Focusing on the Chakras while practicing yoga helps activate, cleanse, and heal the Chakras and it helps encourage the energy to flow , upwards and towards the crown of the head. This is often referred to as awakening the Kundalini. Kundalini is often described as a coiled energy that lies dormant at the root chakra, and as people ‘awaken’ the energy activates and starts to move.. I have experienced major surges of energy and felt the power. It is intense. When you are able to truly feel the energy, there is no turning back, it is undeniable, it is life changing.  It  opens the door to a new path. A path of healing, connection, wisdom, and magic.

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means spinning wheel or vortex.  There are seven major chakras in the human body and over 72,000 nadis, smaller energy centers. The study of chakras and the human energy system is over 5,000 year old and various religions, ethnicities, and cultures in the past and present share the core belief of chakras.

Chakras are usually invisible to the human eye but practicing yoga and other healing arts and sciences helps bring the bring the practitioner into awareness of the subtle (or not so subtle) energies of the chakras, the nadis and the entire energetic system.

The seven major chakras in the human body run parallel from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Chakras are centers of prana (life force energy).

The chakras basically act as pumps or valves and they regulate the flow of energy.  Each chakra resonates with a certain color, sound, or frequency.  Tuning into the chakras helps bring us closer our true nature.Each chakra gives off one of the seven colors of the rainbow.  When all the chakras are open and balanced the person is vibrant, healthy, and all of the colors of the rainbow surround the persons body, which is known as  the person’s aura.

There are specific issues, emotions, and energies  that correspond with each chakra :

The Root Chakra, the Muladhara represents survival, relationship security, and inner safety. The element is earth.

A little farther up and orange in color is the Sacral or Svadhisthana Chakra.  This Chakra represents water and the emotional connections are blame and guilt,money and sex, power and control and relationships.

The next chakra,the solar plexus, or Manipura represents the element of fire. The color is yellow and it said to be the core of our will power.   The emotional connections are will power, self-esteem , sensitivity to criticism and care for oneself and for others.

The fourth Chakra, the heart Chakra, also known as Anahata is a vibrant green Chakra located at the heart center.  The element is air and the emotions associated with this Chakra are, love and compassion, forgiveness and acceptance,but also hatred, loneliness, grief and anger. These emotions are all connected to the functioning of the heart Chakra.

The fifth Chakra is the Vissuddha, the throat Chakra.  The element is ether or space and the emotions are personal expression, judgment, criticism, addiction.The key function of this Chakra is communication.

The sixth Chakra is commonly known as the third eye Chakra. The color is purple, or indigo and it is located near the center of the forehead.  The Chakra is associated with truth and intuition.  It is said that psychic abilities center around the third eye.  The element is light.

The seventh Chakra the crown Chakra is located at the top of the head and is commonly thought to be white, violet, or gold in color.  The element for this Chakra is ‘not of this world’ and awakening this Chakra is believed to lead one towards enlightenment.

If one finds they have unbalanced energy they can set their intention for their yoga practice to be on healing and balancing the chakras.

Practicing breathing exercises encourages the energy to balance. Finding time for self-care can have enormous healing effects on an unbalanced Chakra system.  Sometimes people have excessive Chakra energy  usually one or two Chakras.  This can be seen in people with addiction to sex, drugs, alcohol, relationships, food, etc. or it can be seen on someone with a large ego or a “I am better than you” type of personality.

Sometimes a person is so ‘closed off’ that they are deficient in Chakra energy. This sometimes happens after a traumatic events, broken hearts, or health issues.   Use of color therapy along with chanting, yoga and meditation will help balance the Chakras.

I have found that Gemstones that correspond to specific Chakras are very useful as well.

The goal is a strong clear and balanced energy system.  Consciously and unconsciously yoga works to purify, re-balance and awaken the Chakras, individually and also as a whole. Through the practice of yoga we can awaken and cleanse the Chakras and heal our spirits. Once the Chakras are functioning in a healthy manner we are able to safely raise the Kundalini energy up the spine to the crown of the head.  What a ‘trip.;)

I know this post is a very basic introduction, but I hope you found it helpful..if you have any questions, or wish to add something.. please contact me..

Growing and Healing...

Growing and Healing…retreat with my teacher

To our healing, and with love.  ~T


I  performed my first wedding ceremony on Saturday. It was something I had never even thought of doing, until last October, when my dear friend (and fellow yoga teacher) sent me an email and asked if I would perform the ceremony. I was honored and shocked.

The Magic of Love

The Magic of Love

I knew it was fairly easy to become an ordained minister, so I chose Halloween, Samhain, also known as “The day of the Witches” in the Azores, to officially become ordained to legally perform ceremonies. To me, the legal aspect of marriage is minor. The spirit of love, is what truly unites souls. I performed a ritual beforehand, and asked for blessings from my teachers and guides. And then, it took about 15 minutes online, to complete the majority of the legal stuff.

I spent a lot of time thinking of how to create a spiritual ceremony to  represent the couple, and the love they share.  Together, over several hang out sessions, we discussed ideas, and came up with a beautiful ceremony script that truly fit their relationship.

The ceremony was held on the beach, in South Florida at John MacArthur State Park.  Before the ceremony, I snuck away and walked on a trail alone. I practiced my script a few times, and then found a place to sit down. I sat in easy pose (sukhasana), closed my eyes, and called upon the power of my inner Priestess. I asked to be guided during the ceremony.

Mind clear and calm, I was ready.  We began the ceremony with our eyes closed. We invited the spirit of love to join us, in blessing their union. The ceremony was beautiful. Quotes from Paulo Coelho and Gandhi, Persian Poetry, a sand ceremony, part of a Persian Ceremony, and beautiful vows that were shared in both English and Portuguese.

Part of a Traditional Persian Wedding Ceremony..

Part of a Traditional Persian Wedding Ceremony..

Always connected, the circle of love

Always connected, the circle of love

After pronouncing the couple,  and after their kiss, we all formed a large circle, held hands and visualized love and blessings. We began our ceremony with love and we closed our ceremony with love.

Although the weather turned chilly as day turned to-night, the warmth of love blanketed us all. 

Once again, I truly feel I am being led down the path of magic.

Blessings and Love ~Yogini Tiff

 


Last night my friends and I participated in a movement called One Billion Rising. The movement was  founded by Eve Ensler, an activist, feminist, and the playwright who created The Vagina Monologues.

ONE BILLION RISING IS:

A global strike.An invitation to dance.A call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends.An act of solidarity, demonstrating to women the commonality of their struggles and their power in numbers.A refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given. A new time and a new way of being”    (from official website)

A few months ago, a friend of mine sent me an email about the movement. She sent the short film, and asked if I had interest in learning and performing the dance.   The beginning of the film was very disturbing. It was difficult  for me to watch. It gave me chills and a feeling of deep sadness. But the energy changes.  The film is powerful and beautiful. And it’s message motivated me and people all over the world, to rise up, take a stand, and DANCE!!

There is a song and a dance connected to this movement. The choreography is simple, and there is a youtube video available to help people learn it.

My friends and I (and my son),  all learned the dance together. Our initial plan was to flash mob, and perform the dance all over Lake Worth.  We set up a moving sound system,  a projector and slide show on the back of my friends truck. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. It was pouring down rain all night.

So we headed indoors, and performed the monologue and the dance at Coasters coffee shop, in downtown Lake Worth. No one was expecting our performance which made it even more powerful.

One Billion Rising

One Billion Rising ‘A Global Day of Dance’

It was fun to get together with friends and dance.  Especially for a movement like this.

There were events and flash mobs all over the world. Take a look at the official website-  http://onebillionrising.org/

Rise up and together create change.. ~T

 


Alfred Clayton Photography

Marlin Wagner with Burt Reynolds Alfred Clayton Photography

On February 9th, 2013, my son, Marlin Wagner, sang to Burt Reynolds.

The Server and the Star...

The Server and the Star…

My son is a talented performer, it is true. But, we were still completely shocked when asked if Marlin would perform for Burt Reynolds!

The event was called the Diamond Jubilee.  It was a fancy Gala that honored both the Lake Worth Playhouse and the talented Burt Reynolds. Burt Reynolds performed and directed at the playhouse when he was very young and starting his acting career.

I offered to work as a volunteer server, so I could both see the performance, and help out my Lake Worth Playhouse family. Let me tell you, serving is exhausting. And I am not sure the clothes are really my style (haha). But it was worth it!!!!

The Server and The Star...

The Server and The Young Star…

The night began with a silent auction, followed by dinner, performances, and dancing.. When Burt Reynolds arrived, he saw me working as a server, but he stopped, he smiled at me, grabbed a hold of my hand, and said “Hi, how are you?”. I was flattered and completely surprised that  he would take the time to stop and say hi to me.. I certainly thought that would be the end of my encounter with the Bandit.. But, I was wrong.

As the evening progressed and after dinner was served, I had a chance to talk to him for a few minutes. I told him my son was going to sing for him. He was so kind. I kissed his cheek.

burt reynolds and tiffany

The performances began, and they were incredible. Talented and beautiful performers. Performers I feel blessed to know.

My son Marlin, was the last to perform. I stood in the corner, a little nervous. With confidence, Marlin walked onto the stage, with microphone in hand, and he sang  Cruella Deville from 101 Dalmatians  He sang beautifully. Everyone smiled, including Burt.

Marlin singing for Burt Reynolds

Marlin singing for Burt Reynolds

When the song and the applause finished, Burt stood up, put his arm around my son, and talked to him. He asked Marlin how old he was, Marlin said “13″ . Burt Reynolds replied “I have underwear older than that.” Everyone laughed. He told my son he was handsome, and talented, he asked Marlin if acting was really what he wanted to do. My son said “Yes.” Burt got a little choked up and he gave my son some advice “Don’t ever, ever, let anyone talk you out of it.”  It was advice that resonated with everyone in the room. We were all emotional.

It was a beautiful night that will stay with us for a very long time.I am so happy for my son, and I am full of gratitude… ~Yogini Tiff

Thank you so much to the Lake Worth Playhouse. And thank you so much to Burt Reynolds.

photo taken by James Venable

The Performers..photo taken by James Venable


A beautiful morning.  Lake Worth Beach, with a group of beautiful friends. Connecting and healing in the ocean. Breathe in love. Breathe out gratitude.~Yogini Tiff

The Beautiful Moments in Life

See the magic. ..


As a single mom, everything is my responsibility. There have been times when I have felt so worn down and crippled by exhaustion, that the tears start falling and keep falling for hours.   I know I have narrowly avoided several potential nervous breakdowns. (Yoga and meditation help, and so do big hugs, and dance parties.) But the truth is, being a single mom is hard. And any single mom deserves respect and needs support.

Anyways, I could write, and write, and write about all the hardships I have dealt with as a single mom. My son’s dad, has not helped at all. There is no anger about this. Just sadness.. And acceptance.  In the past 5 years, I have received a grand total of  58 dollars in child support. There have been some real struggles. There have been some deep wounds. But this is life.  Life presents all of us with both challenges and blessings..

And in terms of blessings, without a doubt, my son has been the biggest blessing in my life. 

For the last 13 years, my life has been a constant adventure with my kid. I was pretty young when I had him, so in many ways, we have grown up together (and we continue to grow). Luckily, my son has the adventurous adaptable gypsy spirit (just like me).  So, we have had a lot of fun. We have lived all over the place. And experienced so much.  I am amazed at all we have done together.

Camping with my kid

Camping with my kid

24005025747803l beautiful blue mar

My son really is magical. And I am not just saying this because I am his mom.  If you know my son, you know what I say is true. He is mature, loving, thoughtful, intelligent, and handsome. Even when he was very young, you could see and feel wisdom radiating from his big brown eyes. Often, I think he teaches me more than I teach him. And in terms of maturity, without a doubt, he is far more mature than I am. ;) My Buddhist teacher  told me “Marlin is not a normal child, he is a very special being.” I know what my teacher says is true.  My kid has special gifts (aka-magic).  

Marlin in the Azores..

Marlin in the Azores..

It is certainly his heart and warm caring behavior that are most important to me, but he is also one of the most talented artists I have ever known. He is a self-taught visual artist, and although born left-handed (like his dad), he has developed the  ability to draw equally well with both his left and right hands.

Marlin's art.. watercolors

Marlin’s art.. watercolors

Panda (Watercolors)

Panda (Watercolors)

Tiger (colored pencils)

Tiger (colored pencils)

He is also a talented performer.And an amazing singer. Marlin caught the ‘acting bug’ at a young age and has already been in 15 plays. In fact, right now he is rehearsing  for a solo he will sing on Saturday Feb 9th, for a fancy Gala honoring the famous Burt Reynolds.I am so proud of him.

Marlin as the Scarecrow in the Wizard of OZ

Marlin as the Scarecrow in the Wizard of OZ at the Lake Worth Playhouse

Marlin singing a Solo, as 'Star to Be' in Annie, at the Lake Worth Playhouse

Marlin singing, in Annie, at the Lake Worth Playhouse

Like I said, our life has been an adventure. Sometimes good, sometimes difficult..Never normal, but always with love.

Cheers to the amazing Marlin. And a big warm “Thank you” to everyone who has helped along our journey. I am truly grateful.

Cheers to Adventures with magic kids...

Cheers to Adventures with a magical kid…

Have a great day.. ~Yogini Tiff


Let me start by saying, I screw up all the time, I get moody, insecure, depressed, just like everyone else. I get annoyed with people, I judge people,  i judge myself, just like everyone else. Of course I try to be a good person, but sometimes I am not as good as I should be, again, just like everyone else.. Blame it on food, the moon, the planets, hormones, other people, or negative energy. But whatever the cause, it doesn’t feel good to be angry or sad. It certainly doesn’t feel good to suffer.

Despite my flaws, or perhaps because of them, I have developed a very close relationship with a Tibetan Buddhist Lama. Geshe Tenzin Tamding. I have written about him before.  He is my friend, and my spiritual guide. (His main temple is in Spain, but he has over 25 Temples throughout the world.) 

My son and I with my teacher and friend,Geshe

My son and I with my teacher and friend,Geshela

Anyways, through destiny, we met about a year and a half ago. My time with him, was life changing. He is the most loving person I have ever met. He radiates with kindness, wisdom, and love. He honestly glows with bright light.

Radiating love

Radiating love

When I have questions, I ask him.Even across the world, he always knows when I am hitting a low point, because it is during those times when he sends me a message out of the blue, either in an email- like when i got back from the Azores“I am always sending you and Marlin love”, or sometimes when I meditate, I see him or feel  him. When I am scared, I recite mantras he taught me.  I guess in a way, we have the typical “Master-student” relationship. He  has a special relationship with my son too. In fact, my son made him a painting about a year ago, and it is now hanging up in one of Geshe-la’s temples in Spain.

Great Souls..

Great Souls..

Lecture in Delray Beach, The process of dying, bardo, and rebirth

Lecture in Delray Beach, The process of dying, bardo, and rebirth

Well, luckily, Geshe-la is back in South Florida for a few days ( he must have known I needed some guidance-ha!). He gave a lecture in Delray Beach about the process of death,  bardo, and rebirth. I was nervous about the topic, but it was surprisingly comforting. And something I needed to learn about. Something we all need to learn about and come to terms with. 

After the lecture, my son and I had the extra honor of joining a small group of his students, for retreat. We stayed in a beautiful house that belongs to a dear friend of mine, in Wellington Florida. The house is surrounded by woods, and near a beautiful pond. Our time was spent with meditations, chanting, studying, good food, slow walks, a short fast, and deep laughter. We slept on the floor.  No internet, no cell phones, no tv, no music. No make up, no jewelry, no perfume. It was calm, quiet, and very peaceful.IMG_2293 (2) IMG_2292 (2) IMG_2288 (2)

The experience was amazing. And it was also overwhelming (a lot to process). I had never done anything like it before. I am still kind of floating in a daze. That could be from our fast. We just finished this morning.  I was so hungry last night. ;)

Yesterday, during retreat, Geshe-la and I went for a walk. Just the two of us. We walked slowly. We talked.  I told him about my problems, my questions, and my fears. I told him about my Portuguese sweetheart.  And I told him how much wine I drank in the Azores. He laughed. He loves me unconditionally. He LOVES unconditionally.

The pond that will forever stay in my heart

The pond that will forever stay in my heart

We stood quietly together at a small pond. He gently put his hand on my shoulder and said “You have a very big heart, and you help many people.” and suddenly, I knew (regardless of struggles) that I am on the path that I am meant to travel.  It was such a beautiful moment.

In these few days I have learned and grown so much. I know I still have so much to learn. But the seeds have been planted.

 geshe

I feel honored to have such a wise teacher and friend to help guide me. Thank you so much Geshe-la. And thank you so much to my dear friend Jian.

Now I am going to go eat a huge  meal! HA! 

Have a beautiful day. Namaste~Tiff

“As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery… we have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace. The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger, attachment, fear and suspicion, while love and compassion and a sense of universal responsibility are the sources of peace and happiness.”~Dalai Lama


Following a bizarre dream, my son and I and spent 6 months on the most beautiful island in the world, Santa Maria, Azores. Our time there was magical. And Strange.  I met new friends, new family, new love. I was surrounded by  nature, mountains, forests, and the ocean.. my kind of paradise. Leaving was very painful. I cried many tears.

Garden and the beauty of San Lorenzo Bay

My Island Paradise


When our plane descended into Fort Lauderdale, I looked out the window, my stomach was in knots. South Florida is so overdeveloped.. and flat.

West Palm Beach..

West Palm Beach..

We were greeted and “bear hugged” by our close friends, and while I was genuinely happy to see my friends, I struggled to speak. I struggled to smile. My mind kept asking me “What are you doing here?!?”

Culture shock.

I was in a daze for several days. Exhausted, heartbroken, confused. My body was very tense. I kept waking up at 3am. My heart longed to go back to Santa Maria. All I wanted was to sit at the Cais (the Port), laugh with my cousin, hug my sweetheart, eat Sao Jorge cheese and Portuguese bread (with piri piri), and of course drink wine. Vinho Abafado being my favorite.

The Port on the island of Santa Maria

The Port on the island of Santa Maria

I felt the heaviness of depression begin to set in. I tried to mask my depression with smiles..but it was there.  I had a friend from out-of-town come and visit, so  right away, life in florida included  good friends, dance parties, bon fires, music playing, song writing, bike rides, yoga , theatre, the ocean, and good food..But there was an emptiness. A deep longing for my Azorean life. Reminds me of Brigadoon. 

And then, one day, I took a road trip, across the state to my sister’s house. I stopped at Myakka River State Park, (nature is the best therapy),  and I went for a hike. I found the most beautiful oak tree, and felt compelled to sit under it, and meditate. Instantly, I knew I was healing.  The voice of wisdom came to me, “This is your path. Live in the present moment.  Live with gratitude. Trust, you are being guided.”

Healing at the beautiful and magical Myakka River State Park

Healing at the beautiful and magical Myakka River State Park

With a smile, I opened my eyes, and really looked at the beauty of my surroundings..I could feel it.

Florida is beautiful. The swamps, the ocean, the forests, the islands.  And the weather in wintertime, is amazing!!!

Winter in South Florida

Winter in South Florida

There is a reason I am here. Teaching yoga, sharing Reiki, making music, working on my garden, and being an awesome mom (well, trying to be). ;)

And, I am officiating  a wedding ceremony in February.

 

I am also learning to sail…sailing close up

I guess the reason I felt compelled to write today, is this–We have to remember to live!  Life changes, situations change, we all go through both painful and wonderful experiences. Just Breathe. Wherever you are, You can find your center.

Every time I start to feel that longing for Santa Maria, I remind myself to live with gratitude. And then I ask my friend to take me sailing! HA!

Maybe I will crew on a sailboat to the Azores. ;)

Maybe I will crew on a sailboat to the Azores. ;)

Live. Love.   And always be open to Adventure.. ~Yogini Tiff



Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 100 other followers

%d bloggers like this: