Creativity and the Power of intentions..

As typical as this may sound, I'm going to say it anyways.

I believe in the power of intentions and positive thinking. I have been working to manifest a level of stability in my personal life and career that would support me in moving to the next step with my creative projects. To get some of the music and story ideas out of my head and onto the page.

After months of visualizing and meditating on what that might look like, my dream of having the time and space to write has manifested in a month long artist-in-residency workshop on Martha's Vineyard to co-create a new musical called Pyramidica: Songs of Freedom, with my writing partner, Lucas Papaelias. The process thus far has been both humbling and thrilling as we moved into a house on the Vineyard and took up residency in a beautiful (gigantic) artist work/live space specifically for the purpose of writing this music and crafting our story.

You can read more about Pyramidica on our IndieGoGo page and learn about ways to get involved.


My intention for sharing this post with readers is to encourage you all to believe in your dreams (again I don't care if this sounds cheesy!) and follow your instincts!

The impossible is possible. The dream can become reality and you can achieve this by taking time each day to see yourself in that place you want to be. Create a visual and then breathe into it. Really see yourself doing what it is you wish to accomplish.

It works.

108 Days of Yoga

Tazima Davis (Compassionate Renegade), my holistic health coach from IIN challenged all of her clients to integrate yoga into their day, every single day for 108 days starting on 1/11/11. I read all of her e-mails and thought, "I could never pull that off, I'm way too busy". Then I read further and listened to her basic guidelines for what it meant to bring yoga, mindfulness and balance into a daily practice, and determined that I could definitely find time every day to spend 30 minutes in quiet or meditation, ideally on the mat, stretching and toning my physical body as well, but at very least, in a place of rest and inner calm, breathing deeply and steadily, and quieting the chatter in my mind. In fact, this is exactly what I need heading into this new year, a year of building strength.

Since January 11, I am proud to say I have met this challenge to very best of my ability and have done yoga for 14 days. I try to get over to HOSH yoga in my neighborhood where they have built a beautiful community studio, which is also pay-what-you-wish and run by volunteers, but I have also done some video tapes and downloads from the internet. On the one day that I could not actually get to a class, I made time to meditate on my train rides (believe it or not on the subway!) and at the end of my day when I was getting ready for bed, I still got on the mat for a bit and stretched while breathing deeply.

I never thought I would even make it this far, but so far the joy of taking that time for myself to turn inward and find the balance in my body has been such a gift that I am looking forward to it again every day.

The most significant thing that I have noticed is how busy my mind is and how long it takes me each class to find my breath and focus on being in the moment rather than leaping ahead to what I have to do next, or hanging onto an experience from my past.

I hope I can stick with it and that this begins to lessen as I go....

With compassion I invite you all to challenge yourselves to an exercise or activity that would help to balance your day and make you feel great, but may seem just a bit out of reach. Give
yourself the treat of realizing that there is so much that you CAN do... become inspired.

with love,
Deborah

Guided Detox Cleanse and Yoga Week!

Join Us for an amazing Fall Detox Cleanse!

Rid your body of unwanted waste and stressful toxins. Check in with your body's state of natural balance through meditation and yoga. Learn how to cleanse physical, mental and emotional toxins.

GUIDED DETOXIFYING CLEANSE & YOGA WEEK
w/ Juice Truck Owner and Holistic Health Coach, Deborah C. Smith and Yoga with Ashtanga Goddess Lisa Kazmer

September 10th - 17th, 2010
Greenpoint, Brooklyn

"This cleanse experience is amazingly supportive and a true catharsis."

"I feel so much more energy then I did just a week ago"

"The cleanse helped me to understand what foods I need more of and less of in my everyday life. Deborah was a tremendous guide in getting through the week."

Guided Detox Cleanse and Yoga Intensive includes:

- Juicey Kick-off! Cleansing Plenary Session (group)
- Weekly menu plan
- Nutrition and Cleanse Educational Materials
- 2 Basics Detox-focused Yoga classes- 75 minutes (group)
- 30 minute private health coaching session (individual)
- Detox Tea Blends for the week

TOTAL CLEANSE PACKAGE - $100 per person.

** Fresh Squeezed Juice Delivery for the cleanse is a separate option which each individual may inquire about.

** Individual Private yoga sessions are available with Lisa

DISCOUNTS

Sign up before Labor Day and receive a $15 discount!

Register and pay securely with Paypal!

Registration Fees

Full Registration Fee $100.00 Earlybird Discount $85.00 Internship (1 per cleanse) $50.00

REFER A FRIEND
Most of my client base and group workshop attendees arrive in my world via word of mouth. In order to reward those of you who pass along this valuable info, I offer the following referral plan.

Refer 1 client: Receive a FREE 30 minute Health Coaching session
Refer 2 clients: Receive a FREE 45 minute massage OR FREE private yoga lesson
Refer 3 clients: Receive BOTH a 45 minute massage AND private yoga lesson
************************************************************************************
ABOUT DEBORAH

For the past 5 years I have been cleansing regularly throughout the seasons and guiding groups and individuals in successful cleansing experiences. As a graduate of the renown Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I am trained to work with individuals from all walks of life in addressing their body's nutritional needs, but I received most of my real knowledge about the process by working with my own body and listening intently to the questions and concerns of my clients. I am highly experienced to offer a Guided Juice Cleanse plan that is unique to each individual that I work with.

As a certified Holistic Health Coach, I have been the nutritional guide for hundreds of busy New Yorkers seeking a healthier lifestyle. Many of my clients have reported that even several years later they are still applying the knowledge and education they received from my program to help them make the healthiest choices and live a more fulfilling and happier life.

Intention for the week

“The physical world, including our bodies, is a response of the observer. We create our bodies as we create the experience of our world.” - Deepak Chopra, author and spiritual philospher


Setting intentions is an opportunity for aligning ourselves with the universe.

When we create mental images of what our goals look like and create calm space to breathe and fuel this image, we are much more likely to reach this goal.

What's your personal intention for this week?

Have you been meaning to call that old friend that you love but its just been sooo long....?

What about picking up that instrument that you wish you played and just spending a half hour with it, or finally signing up for that dance class that's calling your feet to come hit the floor?

Are you in need of some exercise and would really love to make time for the long bike ride that you have been thinking about?

Whatever your personal goals are, take a moment this morning to set an intention. Try this:

1. Find a quiet place where you can sit for 10 minutes.

2. Clear your mind of other thoughts and distractions.
To do this try focusing only on your inhale and exhale for a few breaths.

3. Set your intention. Say to yourself " This week I am going to apply for a new job." Or, "This week I am going to try to exercise for 30 minutes every day." Or how about, "This week I am going to be kinder and gentler with myself."

4. Picture what it looks like.
Imagine yourself actually doing that thing that you intend. If you are intending to apply for a new job, maybe in your vision you are updating your resume and handing it to a potential employer who is smiling at you. If you are intending to be kinder and gentler, perhaps in your vision you would be taking a bubble bath or a gentle yoga class. Perhaps you are just taking a night to yourself to read.

5. Get clear! Whatever your intention or you vision, be really specific. See all the little details that go along with this vision. See the colors, the textures, even imagine the smells. Create the clarity of this intention within your own mind so that it can manifest in your life.

6. Breathe. Once you have a clear vision or symbol of your intention, just breathe into it. Take slow and deep breaths, and imagine that every breath is fueling that intention with power.

7. Smile. You've done it. Now its out there and you can go about having a beautiful week, knowing that the universe has been sent a powerful message about what you want.

I practice this method of creating intention for myself on a pretty regular basis and I have to say that it has changed my life. I refer you to Deepak Chopra's newest book "The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire" as a reference to the science behind meditation and intention. He does a wonderful job of explaining how the quantum physics of this type of communication works.

I wish you all the most abundant week and I hope you find time to manifest all of your intentions!

with blessings,
Deborah

Happy Day, Earth!

Happy Earth Day, earth! Umm...well. We're trying, right?

Big round of applause to all those folks out there who are working very hard to give Earth Day a face-lift. It's long overdue and I'm grateful for social networking as a catalyst for this change. I can remember when Earth Day was me and a bunch of young wanna-be hippie kids in our tie-dye tees and Burkenstocks, strummin' acoustic guitars and being pissed off that nobody came to our event, because nobody cared about Earth. Nowadays, Earth day marketing is slick, there are events happening globally and it's far more accessible to people of all walks of life.

But there's still a long way to go before the Earth and its inhabitants are in a state of balance. As we can see all around us, there are warning signs of the consequences of all our actions coming to a head; global warming (which by the way folks is probably REAL), natural disasters, new found disease that seem to result from chemical toxins in our air and water.... Luckily, more so now then ever, there is great information out there about what we can do each day to be a part of the solution. I think we should give a shit. I think we should care about what our kids will inherit.

Bottom line is, if you are a person who cares even just a little bit about the future of the planet, then it's actually IMPERITIVE that you make changes. And if you are not, well, you got your own thing going on and please just stay out of our way.

As we know, you gotta be the change you wish to see, so here are some ideas and thoughts for energy conservation and reducing your personal carbon footprint:

Start a Home Compost
You don't have to be a farmer to compost. You can just start one in your freezer at home by saving all the scraps of organic waste-matter that you create instead of throwing them in the garbage. Keep them in a small bucket or bin, a used orange juice carton, or even an old plastic bag from grocery shopping. Check with your local farmers market or grocer about who collects compost and find out where you can drop it off. In New York, there are composts set up at many major outdoor farmers markets and in some of the smaller community gardens and parks. Farmers are thrilled to receive donations of compostable material because its great for your soil. You can include all remains of fruits and vegetables, grains, coffee grounds, and even egg shells! DO IT TODAY!!! Feel free to email me with questions.

Ride A Bike!
If you don't already love riding a bike, then I promise you as soon as you get back on one and start rollin', you will love it again and the joy of cruisin' will come back with a new found purpose as you realize that not only do you feel more free as the wind whips through your hair, but Hey! you're saving money and reducine the amount of fuel-based toxins in the air. Get back on it buddy. Just DO IT. You will be so happy.


Unplug Appliances and Turn Off Lights
This is good for the environment AND your electric bill. It's so simple. Just make sure that unplug any appliances or lamps or stereos when they are not in use. Electricity seeps in very small amounts through the contact of the metals (even when your swithces are off). So you are wasting electrical energy, and wasting money. It's small but it's also big, you know.

Take the Plastic Challenge!
See how much plastic you use in one week and then make an effort to reduce it by half!
This is fun for the whole family. I bet you have no idea how much garbage or plastic waste you and your housemates or family create and if you did realize, you'd be embarrased.

So, here's what you do. For one straight week, just live normally, but bring home any plastic containers that you purchase and use both in and outside the house (eg: you had a salad at Whole Foods that came in a plastic carrier or you bought a 16oz soda and drank it on the bus).

Create a recycle bag that you fill with your weeks plastic usage so you can see it all pile up.
Make a note of how much you used and recycle it. The following week, see if you can cut that amount in half. The week after that, see if you can cut THAT amount in half, so now your down to 1/4 the original amount, and so on... If you're the competetive type, make it into a household challenge and set a reward for the person who makes the least waste for the week. This is a great way to SHOW your children the impact of their actions as well.

Remember things like stainless steel containers for water and bringing your own lunch from home in your reusable tupperwear.

That's all for now. Happy Day mama Earth!

Power of Intention Exercise

What's your personal intention for this weekend?
What's one thing you intend to do to improve your relationship with your self? with nature? with the food you eat? with your relatives or loved ones?
Where do you see yourself thriving in life?

I offer you a little assignment for the weekend...

You may not realize how valuable it is to begin every action with a clear intention.
Philosophers, scientists and spiritual leaders alike have been studying the impact of positive or negative thinking on the outcome of any given situation for years. What we
have learned is that overwhelming proof supports the idea that our intentions
directly effect the outcome of our actions.

We can create so much for ourselves through the power of intention. Much like prayer or meditation helps to calm the mind, allowing for greater mental clarity and a feeling of inner peace, setting a clear intention can help to better guide you on your path to achieving your goals.

Try this: (it will only take 10 minutes!!!)

Choose one personal goal for which you would like to set an intention.
(ex. I want to make a really healthy dinner. I want to have a better relationship with my mother. I want to make $50,000 this year. I want to travel to India.)


- Sit quietly in a comfortable position.
- Float your eyes closed and begin to focus on your breath.
- Take 3 deep inhales and exhales.
- Now clarify your intention to a single goal: travel to India.
- Begin to create an image in your minds eye of what that would look like.
- Create a symbol for your intention (ie: a statue of Ganesha!)
- See all the details of that symbol and breathe deeply in your relaxed state.
- Smile knowing that the symbol for your intention exists!
- Continue to breath quietly for a few minutes focusing on the symbol.
- When you're ready, float your eyes open again.

There you have it. You just carved a serious path towards acheiving your goal
and you got to relax and relieve stress in your body at the same time.

Have fun with this practice. Setting intention can be a powerful way to infuse meditation into your every day and get closer to living the life you desire.

Enjoy!