I haven't much to say as I'm taking a bit of a step back from my regular teaching and writing to find and settle into a new place, a new life.

The holiday season has been thrust upon us in full force, lights, extravaganzas et al.

I'm in the spirit and in slight sadness as the struggle for me continues. I know it's not for long and I'm not worried, so you shouldn't be either.

Health problems aside, I take a cue from the Hallmark channel and realize that this is the season of miracles and I have hope and faith that I will find a place to live and finish the tests I need to in order to figure out what is going on with my innards.

I had another doctor's appointment the other day, at 3:30 PM. I thought, if I can just get through this and get to the beach, to the sun, before it sets, I’d be ok.

Besides some slight cursing to the drivers to my left and right, "I need peace, stat, people!!" I calmed myself and my attitude towards the other drivers just long enough to get to my place, with parking, very important, not only in LA, but when you have a daily date with the sun who has no intention of waiting for your sorry ass or appointments to meet with it.

If you are new to my blog, here's the deal.
I haven't a place to live right now and my most favorite thing to do is yoga AND running, on the beach right around sun set. It doesn't matter what is going on in the world or with me, as long as I am there, I am free, to create, to be inspired, to be a better person, teacher, friend, etc. Think of it like a prescription or an AA meeting. For me, running on the beach, jumping hurdles, climbing steps, leaping great strides, watching the sun as it colors the sky so beautifully...people, every time, not kidding, makes me freekin' weep.
It makes me so happy to be alive. It makes me feel so connected to myself, to others, to the earth.
I know it might sound crazy, but I feel complete. It completes me! I'm so Tom Cruise, I know, but really, when I know that I can end my day or pause my day between clients and appointments to go, play, literally like a freekin' kid, by the beach, I have accomplished what I need to.

I go to the beach to work out, but most importantly, that is where I find and create the workouts I do with my clients.
My clients are very busy, type A peeps like me. We get bored easily. I take classes, fitness, Pilates and yoga classes all over the city so I can learn and grow from the great teachers here and bring new stuff to my clients.

When I go to the beach, I do/practice what I have learned in a practical way so that my students can do my workouts wherever and whenever.

I get to play, burn calories and stress, work for others and ALSO, take in the most beautiful site I have ever seen.

Like I said before, I get bored super easy. I NEVER get bored of looking at that beautiful, expansive sea, rolling in and out and the tremendous sun burning bright and subtly making its exit into the evening. It is like watching a great Opera as a piece crescendos, culminates into the full expression of an emotion or feeling.

I feel that. I know that, every single time. It never fails to amaze and inspire me into peace and gratitude.

Nothing makes me smile more.

That is why my mission to stay in Santa Monica is imperative.

Of course, music always accompanies this great experience and I am so thankful for the great resource I have for music. Mostly, I get my inspiration from my old friend, Jason Bentley who is now working mornings at KCRW. But, also from the great teachers who play awesome music in their classes as well as my friend, Becky and my sister, Karin who always supply me with endless music possibilities that I appreciate while running, creating and teaching.

I love music.

Music with the sun is likne an orgasm for me as I run along the Palisades Path. Hate to be graphic, but it's that freekin' good for me.
I can actually attest to a rungasm.
I'm so happy that the Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack has finally come out.
It's making all this crap a little less crappy as I look for my new place and finish this physical 'testing' for my health.

Perhaps there is nothing here for you in this blog or the past few as I digress.

I hope there is because like I told my mom, in the middle of the freekin' earthquake we had tonight, this is probably the most challenged I've felt. Besides when my dad got sick and when my family was forced out of our childhood home because a toxic mold was growing inside of it for years and making us all sick, this is an all time low.

Sucked, big time, but this sucks a lot more and I promise you, it's a lot better to live with when you have wonderful things to look forward towards. For me that's the sun, running and playing at the beach, music, especially the Slumdog soundtrack and, of course, if I had a place to live that would be superior.

Until that happens, unfortunately, all my blog is going to be is venting.
After that, lessons on yoga/fitness/nutrition and more super cool videos on working out that you can do anywhere on a budget of time and money.

I hope things are blissful for you, but if they aren’t, find the little things that can get you through. Perhaps it’s as easy as the sun set. And I know you don’t have to live at the beach to experience the beauty of it.

It sure makes it better though.

Of course, a glass or two of Ravenswood wine’ll do the trick too.

Enjoy the lights, the parties, the cookies and overindulgence of the holidays.

‘Cause guess what people, you'll need to burn it all off and center yourself for your goals in the New Year. And when that time comes, I will be there, blissed out in my new pad in Santa Monica, healthy and ready to work your butt off and make you relaxed and balanced at the same time.

Have fun, drink lots of water, especially between cocktails, be good to yourselves and call your mother.

Struggling with a spring in my step, smooches and Happy Holidays,
Laurie

PS really enjoying Emiliana Torrini from Iceland. You can find her on iTunes (Big Jumps and Birds are awesome ‘case you need more music for your catalogs and need a little inspiration.)