Instead of only focusing on what you need to change or fix or improve in 2009 (i.e. the resolutions), try this interesting excercise.

Take out a piece of paper or your journal and number it from 1 to 108.*
Write down everyone or everything in your life for which you are grateful from 2008.
It can be friends, families, places, businesses, events, specific moments that inspired you throughout the year, etc.
Don't censor yourself... just write whatever comes to mind.

I did this for the first time last year (and just completed it again this year). It's amazing to realize how much wealth and abundance we have right now in our lives. It provides a great sense of motivation and empowerment for the things we hope to accomplish in the upcoming year.

See you soon in this beautiful 2009!

*Why 108? It's an intriguing number. Check out this list of theories...

Stress is a given in the workplace, right? No way around it?

Check out this excerpt from an article at Lifemeetswork.com and then let us know how we can help you find creative solutions for your stress woes. New Year Detox Series, Fresh Start Yoga Package, Private Yoga and Thai Bodywork sessions... we've got the tools!

Excerpt from The Real Impact of Stress & Ways to Make a Change, by Laurie Arendt

“There’s a common misconception that stress can make you more productive, more creative,” says Dr. Bruce Wilson, president/CEO of HeartMatters.MD. “There’s a lot of research out there that has proven that all stress does is create a toxic reaction.”

Repeated studies continue to confirm that stress has a real impact on our health: On average, these studies show that 75 percent to 90 percent of all doctor visits, both medical and psychological, are considered to be stress induced.

Read the full article...

Why do you practice yoga?
I originally practiced yoga when going for a run wasn't enough stress relief. I now practice yoga because I love it, I have truly connected to it on both physical fitness and personal levels.

Why do you teach yoga?
I want to share the happiness, the fitness, the relaxation that the practice has brought to my life. Yes you can be fit, flexible, and more from yoga... it's an all-encompassing practice!

What on earth is "Therapeutic Yoga" and who is it for? What can I expect from a session with you?
Therapeutic yoga is yoga geared for healing, be it emotional, physical, or stress-related. In a therapeutic yoga session, you can expect full attention on YOU... your body, your needs, your emotions, your stress levels. Expect a practice directed, in a way, by you, and expect to leave feeling better than when you came in!

I don't have any injuries. Why should I do Therapeutic Yoga?
If you have stress, if you have tension, you should do therepautic yoga. Yoga is all about opening up muscles and opening boundaries. A therapeutic yoga practice catered to your needs could change your stress levels, your amount of stress hormones in the body, and even impact levels such as blood pressure.

What makes your yoga classes unique and who should take them?
I naturally have a lot of energy, so you can always count on me to give a class that will involve some flow & some hard work. I also love music and play everything from relaxing mantras to pop culture music. I love having an "open format" where students can ask questions or even have a laugh!

UPS drivers in California are adopting wellness programs featuring yoga to stay fit and safe.

"Safe by choice, not by chance," is the motto.

Balance. Energy. Helps quite smoking... these are just some of the benefits drivers are experiencing as a result of their yoga practice.

Check out the following video:

http://money.cnn.com/video/#/video/news/2008/11/12/news.111208.yogaups.cnnmoney

If it's good enough for UPS...

“Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.”
- John Petit-Senn

Hey everyone, Morgan's newly published book, In Lumine Tuo, is now available on Amazon.com. Congratulations, Morgan!!!

Synopsis: In Lumine Tuo

Meet John Morgan (JP), descendant of financier Pierpont Morgan and the contemporary Morgan Bank lineage-holder. And meet JP¹s nemesis Will Devis, founder of the world¹s top pharmaceutical company.

JP has never liked representing Devis Pharmaceuticals, and he has never been more suspicious of Will than now, as the bank prepares to finance protein research that could affect the health of millions. JP can¹t figure out why Will gets to him like he does.  Maybe because their fathers were killed in a double murder, and Will¹s alibi has never been proven? But it¹s been years since then, and JP has begun to doubt his own suspicion.

None of it makes sense until, late one evening, JP comes home to a terrifying scene. He calls 911, but instead of the operator he hears a familiar voice, which guides him on a journey he never could have imagined.

November's featured Infuse yogi is Morgan McDonald.

Why do you practice yoga?
To feel more fully and perceive life more correctly – physically, emotionally and mentally.

Why do you teach yoga?
Teaching yoga is a way to contribute, learn and celebrate.

What is "Energy Awareness" and what can I expect from a session with you?
In an energy awareness session, the client lies on a mat, and I touch the client (often on the bottoms of the feet) and allow energy to move through me into the client. There is often a shift into greater awareness on the physical, emotional and/or mental level.

What makes your yoga classes unique?
I have several years experience working with clients one-on-one, so I can see both strengths and blocks in individual bodies and invite them to move into greater harmony.

Who or what inspires you?
Today, wisdom.

Favorite yoga pose.
This varies. Today it’s handstand, because it taught me something new.

Least favorite yoga pose.
This too varies, but I’ve been practicing long enough to see a coming gift in my least favorite pretty quickly.