Flowing With Yogini Tiff
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Category Archives: Stories

Sunstreaks From Paradise

November 15, 2012

I can’t believe it has been a month since I have posted. I think about writing a lot, and I have so many stories I want write about.. But I have had some sort of writers block…hmm..

Anyways, I am going to try to give it a shot, and share our latest adventures here in Atlantis…

Sunset, Santa Maria, Azores

Living in the Azores is like a dream. Winter is here. It is very different from summer. It rains a lot. The wind is strong. The ocean is raw, alive and roaring. .

Ocean Energy

I spend so much time at the ocean. Sometimes I take my ukulele.. sometimes I meditate. Sometimes I just walk.I breathe. So healing.

In the mornings, I wake up, drink coffee, and eat bread (The Portuguese make the best bread in the world)..I laugh with my cousin. I look out at the ocean and up into the hills. Valverde (the green valley) is a beautiful place to live.The energy is so different here. I move slowly. I clean up puppy poop. My son does his school online through Florida Virtual School.. But we all know his real schooling is through life. This experience. We are living in a new country, learning a new language, a new culture. New and old family. Our Roots.We speak using a combination of  Portuguese and English. We learn. We grow.

Hiking

Santa Maria is a small island. 5000 people. From the highest point on the island, called Pico Alto, one can see the entire island. All the way around. And it is beautiful. The ocean seems to go on forever.

paradise

The only real traffic here is from cows. Very different from life in South Florida.

Afterschool Traffic…

This island doesn’t  have an operating movie theater. It also doesn’t have a McDonald’s. No Wal-Mart. No freeways. No crime.. (well, very little). People work hard and help each other. We celebrate. We  hang a lot of clothes  and we eat a lot of potatoes. Our family always makes sure we are stocked with crates of them….onions too.. People really depend on their gardens.

Dinner in Valverde

With winter here, It gets dark earlier. Earlier hikes. More layers of clothes. More time indoors. Dinner parties.  Baptisms. Birthdays. Festivals. Fado music. Beekeeping. Herbs. We go dancing at a little dance club in Sao Pedro called Chamine.. We  play guitar and sing. We drink wine. A lot. We eat a lot of chestnuts. We indulge and laugh. We do meditation and Reiki.. We all feel change. I attuned two powerful women into Reiki practitioners.. They were already healers.. BUT NOW…

Three Reiki Practitioners connected by Azores Roots..

This journey has also brought me the magic of romance. Heart Chakra is open..Romance is alive in the Azores…Love comes to us in many forms…

Portuguese love song

Winter is here.  The water is cold. We hike. We sing. We live. This is yoga .. Being in the present moment.

Love is Love

Enjoy the sunstreaks..~tiff

Posted by in Dreams, Homeschooling, love, Magick, Mother Earth, Music, Nature, Photos, Reiki, Stories, Travel, Ukulele, Uncategorized, yoga

2 comments

The Magic Of Portuguese Music…

October 16, 2012

Learning Portuguese Music with the amazingly talented  Roberto Freitas..

A few days before I left the United States, I went to the music store with my sister, to buy a case for my ukulele.. I told her, ” I really want to learn some Portuguese songs while i am on this trip! ” In my mind, I visualized myself sitting alone, in a field in the Azores, trying to figure out lyrics, pronunciation, and chords to some simple Portuguese songs.

I had no idea that fate would  introduce me to the talented (and really cool), Roberto Freitas!!

Roberto is in a band called Ronda da Madrugada.. They are well-known. And they are good.  Amazing in fact.

When they play here , the crowd goes wild. So much pride and love for this place, this culture, and this music…

Roberto and I have some interesting connections.. both of our Grandfathers, lived in the tiny village of Santana, and they both played guitar (they were legends here).. I laughed and told Roberto, that our Grandpas were probably sitting together on a cloud, smiling,  singing along with us, laughing about our connection, and wishing they could have a drink!! HA!

Chestnuts, Wine, Portuguese music, and good people.. Another amazing night in Paradise..

Roberto’s cousin also happens to be my Portuguese sweetheart. ;)  LIFE!

Roberto left his 12 string guitar at my house, and told me to practice. 12 Strings! I have enough trouble with 4 strings- haha!! Slowly, I am learning the chords and songs..  The music is beautiful… Music is magic.. Especially in Portuguese.

Learning the Guitar, on my porch in Valverde, Santa Maria, Azores

If you have been following my adventure at all, you know that this trip has been magical, since the beginning. This land. My roots. My life will never be the same.  Especially now that I can play Portuguese music! Ha! xx~Tiff

Obrigada Roberto!

One more song, to make you smile… 

Posted by in Grandparents, love, Music, Stories, Travel, Ukulele, Uncategorized

1 comment

Love at first sight… Or something even weirder….

October 8, 2012

Sao Lorenco Bay, Stories of Romance

When i first arrived to this island,   I had a very intense attraction to a Portuguese Fisherman. I saw him in Sao Lorenco bay, and i thought my heart might seriously explode.   He was working in the warm sun. When our eyes first met,  everything stopped.  I had never experienced anything like it. He wasn´t really handsome, and he was dressed horribly, but something about him, was so familiar, our connection was so strong, that i could barely breathe. He felt the same way.

I was walking with my family, and my uncle, who was completely oblivious to our magical moment,  walked right up to the fisherman (who was still staring at me) and started talking to him ..   Portuguese is the most beautiful language.  Anyways, they talked  for a little while, (my heart was pounding) and then we said goodbye.

Lost in thought and strange emotions, we walked slowly to a little cafe in the village, to have a drink… I sat down, and looked out the window towards the ocean. And then i saw him again! The fisherman! He sat right outside the cafe, and boldly stared at me. The entire time!! Slightly flattered and slightly scared, I quickly smiled in his direction before we left.

We drove up into the Mountains to my aunt’s house. As soon as we got home,  I called my friend and told her of my odd encounter with the fisherman. I was walking around outside,  talking, smiling and laughing…..THEN I FROZE.  The Fisherman was standing in front of me. He had followed me home.

Somehow I hung up on my friend…I was in complete shock. The fisherman could see my surprise. He smiled and said “Ola!” and then walked away and up the hill. Feeling a nervous rush of energy, I ran inside to tell everyone. My Aunt  laughed.. “When I was a kid, if a guy liked you, he would follow you home and then walk back and forth in front of your house until you talked to him.”   My head raced.. “WHAT?!?”  That is totally insane… I replied.. “Aunt Bella, we call that Stalking”.  She said, “I know it seems weird, but this is how they do, especially if he is old-fashioned.”

The “Little House” in the Mountains. Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Azores..

We all had a laugh, and then he walked by again. And again. I sat inside the little house with my family, we drank two bottles of wine, and laughed as we recorded the number of times he walked up and down in front of the house. 17 times. Each time he walked by he looked inside the house and smiled.  It was a “I know I am being an idiot, but I can’t help it!” type of smile.  Day turned to-night, he finally stopped walking by.

I was a little sad, I thought my fisherman had left…BUT NO!!!! He started driving up and down the hill. In his grey work truck…Flattered, shocked, and a little scared..I had never experienced anything like this. I went to bed with a smile. I woke up with a smile.

There is much more to the story, it continues (and possibly becomes weirder), but not with the ending one might expect…..Oh, the drama and the romance of the Portuguese!  Days have turned into weeks, and weeks into months.. and still the strange connection remains…. It will always remain…

In many ways, he and I exist in different worlds. When we see each other now, we don´t speak. We don´t need to. We smile and remember.

Sometimes we have intense connections with people and we have no idea why. Sometimes connections are from a past life. Sometimes strong connections arrive in our lives to make us laugh and feel alive.

 Have a LOVEly day… ~The  gypsy

Posted by in Heartbreak, love, Magick, Stories, Travel, Uncategorized

8 comments

As Fate Would Have It..

September 27, 2012

Paradise

This morning, I drank a cup of coffee with my cousin, and looked out from the balcony at the view. The village, the ocean, the mountains, the cows, and even the clothes hanging on the clotheslines; it is all beautiful.  Breathtaking. This place is like a fairy tale.  I am still amazed to be here.

With my cousin, in Santana (my mothers birthplace), Santa Maria Azores…

And then I realized, today is the day I was originally supposed to return to The United States. But as fate would have it, I am still here!!  Our visas were extended so we are staying for three more months (at least)!!

The Women of Atlantis.. (Who needs clothes?)

In fact, at the moment, I am here on the island of Santa Maria, covered in puppy vomit.  Gross.

Life is full of surprises.. (and some surprises bring lots of love!)

Yesterday, my cousin found a very young puppy in the woods, so now, unexpectedly, we have a new member in our family! Life! All the plans we had made for the next few days have changed. Now we are caring for a sick little puppy, nursing it back to health,  and trying to keep it warm. And cleaning up lots of puke.

My little cousin dancing in our village.. happiness, love, and more love..Hooray for puppies!!

On this tiny little island, in the three months I have been here, I have experienced hurricanes, black magic, bull fights, a portuguese stalker, sickness and death of loved ones,  ghosts, boat rides, dancing under the moon, amazing food, amazing wine, disco parties, love of family and friends, and even a sweet portuguese romance.  And, what could be better than an island romance???  BIG SMILE..

Me and my amazing kid, magic all around..

Looking back on my life, I realize that sometimes we have goals, make plans, or try to create a perfect path, but things rarely turn out the way we expect them. Sometimes, they turn out better. Ha! I love this little island.  Have a great and blessed day!! xxoo~Tiff

Posted by in Dreams, love, Mother Earth, Nature, Photos, Stories, Travel, Uncategorized

5 comments

The Magic of Dreams and Destiny

September 16, 2012

This is a short post dedicated to following your dreams and dedicated to my cousin, who I love more than words can ever say…..

After a long, heartbreaking, and confusing period of my life, I had a dream, and in the dream, My Portuguese grandmother (who died several years ago), came to me and told me very clearly, that i needed to go to the Azores… more specifically to the Island of Santa Maria, the island my mother grew up on.

Santa Maria.. view from Terra Velha..

I called my mom and told her about the dream.  I told her I had to figure out a way to come to the Azores. Everyone thought I was a bit crazy and no one (myself included) seemed to think I could pull it off…But, as if by magic, everything fell into place. The money for the plane tickets magically appeared, a friend offered to watch my dog and rent out my house. It all just fell into place. No effort! Seriously, the universe wanted me to take this trip…. but I had no idea why. I got on the plane with no real expectations…

I arrived to the island and felt like I entered a different world. So many amazing places. So many relatives. So many stories. So many feelings of Deja vu…whoa.

The Haunted Woods.On the trail near Barreiro da Faneca

And then one day, I met my cousin. A cousin I didn’t even know I had.  The first time we hung out, we laughed, danced, and cried (we drank a lot too. I don’t think I had ever been so drunk)… it was like long-lost sisters finally reunited!

Cousins, Enjoying the Magic of love and Sao Lorenco Bay….

Hiking in Valverde…

Now we spend almost all of our time together..Yoga, Reiki, meditation, dance parties, swimming, hiking, cooking, crying, drinking, and lots of laughing…I think we might be the talk of the island right now. Hahaha. We are both learning, healing,  and growing so much. We see the magic in our connection. And the timing really is a miracle!  (When a door closes, somewhere a window opens.)

And our kids love each other too!!!

My grandmother was the sister of my cousin’s grandfather

I know why I am here.  It was destiny that brought me here. Destiny and a strong connection to this place through blood, love,  and magic.

I am hoping to extend our stay. I love it here. We will see what will be.

And Grandma Rosa,  thanks for the message. :)

Lots of love~Tiff

Posted by in Dreams, Grandparents, Heartbreak, love, Magick, Nature, Photos, Reiki, Stories, Travel, Uncategorized, yoga

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The Land of Atlantis

September 6, 2012

This morning, I woke up, watched the sunrise, put on some music, and started to dance. There was so much energy to the dance, to the music, to the moment, so much energy, so powerful, that I became overcome with emotion and started to cry. I am still crying.

Sunrise.. waking up to bliss in Santo Espirito..

I have been in the Azores for nearly three months now, I have never experienced such kindness and love, from both family and new friends. And as for beauty, it is hard to even try to describe. Everywhere I look, is raw, breathtaking beauty.  In fact, I don’t think it is possible to explain with words, it is something that has to be experienced, like meditation.

Sao Lorenco Bay, Santa Maria Azores… My favorite place in the world

I promise I will write the story but right now, I have to go soak in more magic.  I truly feel this is Atlantis. Eternally Grateful… ~T (The Portuguese Gypsy)

Old Abandoned Cliff House near Anjos

Eu Gosta Pao (Pao da Casa) em Santo Espirito~hahaha

Posted by in Dreams, love, Magick, Mother Earth, Nature, Photos, Stories, Travel, Uncategorized

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Anjos, Santa Maria, Azores

July 26, 2012

The Walk to Anjos

There is a tiny village on the island of Santa Maria, called Anjos. The village itself is beautiful. And old. Very old.

Beautiful Magical Anjos

I was lucky enough to spend two weeks in Anjos. It is like another world.. There are no stores. But there is one tiny oceanfront café, an ocean pool, a playground, and a very old church. My mom’s godmother lives in Anjos, (she is also my cousin). She welcomed us to her home, fed us amazing food and forced me to drink wine every single day with lunch and dinner (It was hard, but somehow, I managed).

Vinho e Favas= permanent smile

Madrinha (which means godmother in Portuguese), is a wonderful, hysterical, and tough Portuguese lady. I loved her the moment I met her.

Hanging out with Madrinha, nothing beats outdoor cooking!!

Her house is right next to the church.

The Casa we stayed in and the old church

The church is the oldest in the archipelago and is of historical importance . One morning while I was sitting outside enjoying my coffee, a tour bus stopped in front of the church,but  it was locked. I had to go get the key from the neighbor and open up the church for them. I chuckled as the American and German tourists all snapped photos of me while I opened the church, they thought I was the church caretaker…

Inside the little Church of Anjos (Ermida)

The village is rich in history. You can feel it. As you come into town there is a statue of Christopher Columbus (my least favorite thing in town). He stopped in Anjos, on his way back to Europe. Apparently Columbus attended mass in the tiny church (which was restored about 120 years ago). I am sure attending church wasn’t all he did when he stopped in the Azores. Ugh. (I used to teach History, I have my opinions!!) :)

Anjos has a history full of beauty, sadness, and massacre.

There is a story about this Cross, apparently it wanted to stay above the town..Every house in the photo has a connection to my family…

In the 1600’s Moorish pirates came and destroyed much of the village and killed many of the people in the village. The ones who escaped, went and hid deep in nearby caves, caves that are over a mile in length. There are still cannons from the massacre, rusting away on land that still belongs to my relatives. .

My son checking out one of the old cannons

My son and his Portuguese friends…about to enter the cave… Furnas de Santana

When my mom was 13, she started a job working for a fish factory in Anjos, she was emotional as she showed me where she used to work… the factory has long since closed, so much history.

My mom, standing in front of the old payroll window at the fish factory she once worked at…

　The area amazed me. There is hiking, swimming, snorkeling, surfing and more. There are figs, grapes, taro, and blackberries growing everywhere. There are wild herbs everywhere too, spearmint, chamomile, red clover, to name a few.

Fields of Wild Spearmint… the smell is amazing…ahhhh

cauldrons in Anjos… cooking up magic (soup)for the whole village to enjoy

　

The hills, cliffs, the rocks, the ocean, the caves, the tiny church, the people, and the houses are amazing. But even more amazing is spending time in a village that is so closely connected to my blood.. My family is from there…And now, a part of my heart will always stay there.

In love with Anjos

We are now on the other side of the island, living it up in the mountains… stay tuned for more exciting stories from our gypsy travels..xx  Beijos (kisses)

Posted by in love, Nature, Photos, Stories, Travel, Uncategorized

11 comments

Sao Miguel, Ponta Delgada, Azores

July 3, 2012

 If you are new to my blog, I will just start off by saying that by some miracle,  My son and I are spending three months in the Azores. This is my first time leaving the United States (aside from Mexico and Canada). My mother is Portuguese and grew up here on the islands. She met my Dad, an American who was stationed on a military base on the island of Terceira, they fell in love, got married and moved to the United States. My whole life, I heard stories of these little islands, and now after many years of wondering, I am finally here. It is magical.

After a very long day (and night) of traveling, we finally made it to the island of Sao Miguel. We are staying in Ponta Delgada, the biggest city in the entire 9 island archipelago. The city is old and beautiful. It really doesn’t even seem like a city, it is more like a village-an old village with cobblestone roads. I love it. I am amazed to be here. My entire life, I have dreamed of coming to the Azores.  We will be here for a couple of days, and then we will go to the island of Santa Maria, where we will be living for the next few months..so for now, here are a few pictures of Ponta Delgada.  Enjoy. There are more to come… but we gotta go eat amazing portuguese sweet bread (goodbye Gluten Free food!!).

Hooray for miracles! ~T

Beautiful. The Steam on the left is from volcano.

Posted by in Photos, Stories, Travel, Uncategorized

2 comments

Wise Beings Among Us

June 27, 2012

Nearly a year ago, I found a teacher,  Geshe Tenzing Tamding, that I really resonate with. He is a Tibetan Buddhist Lama, and truly a magical, beautiful being. There is so much light and peace and love in his being, you sit near him and are instantly transformed. He has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. He laughs all the time too. His laugh is so loud and wonderful, and very contagious.

Laughter and love are contagious!!!

I was able to spend a lot of time with him. Lunches, dinners, lessons, and even an air boat ride through the Everglades. When we went to the Everglades, Geshela changed out of his traditional robes, and wore, “normal” clothes, and even a baseball hat. I remember the shock I felt, when I saw him ”whoa, he looks like a normal person!!” I sat next to him on the boat, smiling almost nonstop, I felt like I knew this amazing secret: There are wise beings, sometimes in disguise, that are sent to guide us.

Everglades Group Photo… Geshela Blending in….

Well, last night, I got to hang out with another Tibetan Buddhist Lama. Nyari Tritul Rinpoche. He is from India, but lives mostly in Spain. He has studied with, and is friends with my teacher.  He and I are the same age. And both born the year of the Snake (my teacher  is also year of the Snake).   We are the same age, but in terms of wisdom, he is lifetimes ahead of me. When Rinpoche was 3 years old, he was formally recognized as the Third reincarnation of the 89th Ganden Tripa. Ganden Tripa is the title of the appointed spiritual leader for Tibetan school of Buddhism. He has been formally studying Buddhism since he was 5 years old. He is very wise.  He has so much love in his eyes and peace in his heart.

Hanging out with Tritul Rinpoche… and other wise beings..:)

We really just hung out, as friends, and talked story. I told him that sometimes I feel wise and kind, and full of trust. But then at other times I feel critical, judgemental, and confused. He assured me that this was very normal, and he had a simple but powerful message: Love and Compassion.  As we develop more love and compassion, we radiate more love and compassion, and it spreads. Together we grow. He reminded me that “We are all the Buddha, it is in all of us, we just have to remember.”

I asked him about spirits and other beings. I have seen spirits before, and I wanted to know what he thought. He told us that “Yes,  there are other beings, spirits, angels, dark entities, but not everyone can see them.” More often people feel them. He then explained that in Buddhist thought, there are 6 realms of existence.  He said some of us can see glimpses into other realms…

Rinpoche gave us protection bracelets, a Buddhist Heart Mantra and blessing,  his email address, and Skype contact. He said “we must take advantage of this technology, it is here to help us grow.”  Anyways, I feel like this hang out session came at the perfect time. It seems like whenever doubt begins to take over my thoughts, I spend time with someone who helps remind me of my true path and purpose. There are wise beings among us sent to guide us, to teach us, and help us grow. I love my Buddhist Sangha (family)!

Have a blessed day.

Love and Compassion. ~T

Posted by in Buddhism, Energy Healing, love, Stories, Uncategorized, yoga

2 comments

Flying with Aerial Yoga (Sarasota Yoga Adventures)

June 22, 2012

We have made it to Sarasota Florida. We are visiting my sister and her family (they moved to Florida from Hawaii a few years ago too). My sister has been talking to me for months about her love of Aerial Yoga, and last night, I finally tried it. It was very different from any yoga I have ever done, but definitely fun. And hard. We took a class at Reflex Arts in Sarasota.  The teacher Kerry Tice, is both a yoga teacher and a circus performer.

That’s me doing a Hip opener… Aerial Yoga Style

At first I was a little unsure of the class. I was nervous that I might fall, and clumsy with the hammock. But the teacher was very knowledgable and helpful. Not only did I start to feel like an acrobat, but, I was able to stay in inversions for a very long time. Hooray for (nearly) weightless inversions!!  We did an amazing series of poses where we  flipped both legs in the air and then floated one leg around to the ground.. I loved it. Aerial yoga clearly requires strength, and my core definitely was worked.  My arms are sore too.It was a good workout, an awesome experience, and a reminder to always try new things. I left class feeling like I could someday run away with the circus. Yeah! 

Floating in Anjali Mudra

Aerial Yoga/ Fun in Cobbler Pose

 

Speaking of yoga, I also took a class at Rosemary Court Yoga in downtown Sarasota.I took a Hatha Flow class with Venessa. I really enjoyed it. Her pace was good. Her asanas connected nicely. It was a good strong practice, but not too hard. It truly was a multi-level class. I like the studio a lot. I will definitely go back. :) (The Aerial yoga teacher teaches Vinyasa classes there too).  If you are in Sarasota, you should check out both Reflex Arts and Rosemary Court! Whether flying or floating, Sarasota has some good yoga classes.  

Peace. 

~T

Posted by in Stories, Travel, Uncategorized, yoga, Yoga Reviews

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