Yoga Life in Our Home

Although Yoga Life Studio closed its doors yesterday (insert sad face here), parts of it will continue to live on, not only in people's hearts and memories, but also...

...IN. MY. HOUSE.!

Although Sara and her husband loaded up most of the things from the shala in their own truck, there were a few things that they neither wanted nor needed.  So, as we finished packing up, Sara offered to give us several things for FREE.  Among them were:

• several Yoga Life t-shirts for Bo and I;
• a fancy shmancy (Yes, that IS a word!) paper towel holder;
• a decorative wall display; and
• a large, L-shaped desk.

Perhaps the best thing we received was the desk.  We have been in dire need of a desk for months now, and just haven't had the money to spend on one.  In fact, we purchased the desk that we have been using for the past year from Craig's List for just $30.00 (including the desk chair).  Needless to say, it's not the most sturdy desk I have ever come across.  

Case in point:

Oh, did I forget to mention that it is BRIGHT. LIME. GREEN.?!  

Honestly, how could I be so forgetful?...Hahaha!

The point is, we needed a desk; and amazingly, one just came into our lives at no cost at all!  

Isn't Divine timing just amazing?!

This desk allows us to really spread out and not be so cramped.  

FINALLY!

Additionally, Bo now has a perfect place to spread out all of his books and study.  No more hogging the living room coffee table and not allowing me to watch TV while he is studying!

Plenty of breathing leg room.

And an extra office chair in the corner...you know, just in case we both need to look at the computer at the same time Bo needs a place to put his backpack!

As I mentioned earlier, we also got a fancy shmancy paper towel holder!  It's the perfect place to display my antique tea pots, don't you think?!

Sidenote:  I can't wait to live in a kitchen that isn't white.  Then this paper towel holder - among other things - will really shine!

Finally, Sara let me take home one of the mandalas that had been hanging on a wall in the studio.  Now it's hanging over our TV in the living room.

I have so many memories of either taking - or teaching - class and looking at this mandala on the wall.  It truly is a beautiful memory of my time at Yoga Life.

Whether it is the desk that I sit at every day, the paper towel holder that I pull from various times a day, or the mandala that I gaze upon on my wall, I will never forget my time at Yoga Life Studio.  From the students, to my fellow teachers, to Sara, to all of the memories of sweat, tears, struggle, and love, Yoga Life will always and forever be in my heart.

Question of the Day:

Have you ever received hand-me-down furniture or decor?  If so, what?!  Did it serve you well?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Well, we've been on pins and needles for the past three weeks, and today the wait was FINALLY over.  

Today, we were told that we will be moving to...

...drum roll please...

WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA!

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As you can see on the map above, Whidbey is about an hour and a half from Seattle, and about an hour south of Vancouver, Canada.  From all the pictures I have seen, it looks GORGEOUS.  I can't wait to experience the cooler weather and an actual. winter. season.!

I definitely see lots of skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and lots of outdoor activities in our future, not to mention many a Canadian adventure!

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It's also exciting because Whidbey will be our our first permanent duty station, meaning that we will be stationed there for approximately three years (the longest that Bo and I have lived somewhere since we got married)!  During that time, Bo will complete his first (and possibly second) deployment, and we will probably try to expand the Behne clan.

Whatever happens, we are looking forward to it!  

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In other "changing" news, Yoga Life Studio (where I am a Business Partner and Co-Director) is closing this Friday.

Although it is hard to let the studio go, a variety of things factored into Sara's (the owner's) final decision to close - a tough economy and growing lease fees among them.  Perhaps most importantly, the owner's son has autism and (understandable and rightfully so) needs her undivided attention, energy, and love.  I think that Sara said in best in her farewell letter to the community:

After prayerful consideration, I have decided to close Yoga Life Studio on Friday, October 5th.   I want to extend my deepest gratitude to every student who has walked through our doors and shared their life, energy and breath with me.  You have inspired me, changed me, lifted my soul and transformed me in so many countless ways.  I truly enjoyed being your guide and mentor on the path of yoga.  I am eternally grateful to my students who understood the challenges we faced this year, and supported me with their presence on the mat, a kind word of encouragement, a hug, and so much more.   When you come to that place where you know you cannot do it alone...it's actually the sweetest place to be.   Only then you really see how God works in your life.  I saw God working in so many of you this year and I will never forget our time together.

So, as I conclude this post I am reminded that there are times to let go, and there are times to move forward.

Today was a time for both.

As they say, "when one door closes..."

Question of the Day:

Have you ever made a BIG move to a new city/state/part of the country?  Tell me all about your experience below!  We need all the advice we can get...

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

New Yoga Life Website is LIVE!

Today's post is a little out of the norm for the ABC blog because it isn't about a recipe, a book review, life in the Navy, or yoga (per se).  I say "per se" because today's post is about Yoga Life Studio's NEW (and improved) website!

CHECK IT OUT BY VISITING: 

www.yogalifejax.com

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For the past couple of months, I have been working very hard with the Studio Owner and a Web Designer to create the new site.  During that time, I:

• was in charge of creating (almost all of) the site's content;
• learned the HTML codes for a variety of plug-in's and cosmetic features;
• became familiar with a whole new website host (Wordpress, specifically); and
• much, much, more!

To be honest, when we first started this project I wasn't sure that I was smart enough to figure it all out; but I ended up surprising myself!  Now, I am incredibly pleased with the result, and am beyond proud of the final product.

So, what do you think?  

Do you like the new site?  

Does it seem user-friendly to you?!

Question of the Day:

What is something that YOU have recently accomplished and are proud of?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo