Dance With Yoga Asana. I choreographed and performed this a couple of days ago. It was a lot of fun and very healing. Feeling that creative energy flowing. Excited to put on a show! I hope to write and dance more soon. ❤
Tiff
Category: dance
The Gypsy and The Sorcerer
There once was an evil sorcerer, who lived in a large dark cave, on a mystical mountain, in a land far, far away.
Everyone in the region knew that this man possessed a mysterious gift, and people traveled throughout the lands to seek his magic. But his powers fueled his ego, and he became hungry to gain more power. He wanted more followers, more gold. As his ego and lust for power grew, his true soul began to shrink, into a tiny tightly closed, marble sized ball of energy, which settled in the bottom of his belly. This was a powerful man, with no compassion. A master manipulator in every way. He took advantage of men, by emptying their wallets, he took advantage of women,by putting them into a trance, and entering them.
One day, a traveling gypsy came to a village, near the mountain where the Sorcerer lived. The Gypsy had her own magic and wisdom, but unlike the Evil Sorcerer, the Gypsy, had a warm heart. She smiled through her eyes. Her life had always been different. She was often “sent” places, for reasons that even she didn’t understand. She traveled by faith. Trusting her life was being weaved together by the strings of Fate.
When the Gypsy neared the village, the Sorcerer felt her presence, her strength, her power. Wearing a dark black cloak, he set out down the mountain, to get a glimpse of this powerful Gypsy. He noticed her right away, and for the first time in a very long time, he felt a real sense of fear. He knew she had the power to destroy him.
The Gypsy felt his eyes burning on her, she looked up, stared straight in his eyes and felt his coldness. She knew right away, that this man was dangerous. Fully aware of the stare and potential threat he posed, the Gypsy felt that fate wanted her to spend some time in the village. At first, all the villagers stared at her, but one woman, walked right up to her, smiled, and held out her hand. The Gypsy instantly became friends with one of the most beautiful women in the village. The woman asked the Gypsy about her travels, her strange life, her strange stones and tarot cards.They talked and laughed and shared tea. The beautiful woman, wanting to share some knowledge, told the gypsy of the powerful Sorcerer up the mountain. She told the Gypsy stories of her visits to the powerful Sorcerer and how he chanted over her head causing her to become paralyzed. He “worked” on her, while she was unable to move, unable to speak.
The Gypsy sat quietly listening to the story. She knew fate had brought her to challenge that Sorcerer. She would spread true wisdom. She began to teach techniques of energy healing, she taught about nature magic, yoga, reiki, meditation, protection.
The Sorcerer used black magic, to try to destroy the Gypsy. He sent curses her way, and even planted seeds of hatred in some of the villagers. The Gypsy endured accidents, misfortune, exhaustion, heartbreak, poverty, but still she continued.
At times, she felt his vampire energy trying to drink up her soul. She often saw him riding a horse by her house. He always stared at her. After a few years in the tiny village, and a few years of his attacks, the Gypsy was exhausted. Worn down, and feeling a little lost, she left the village, and continued her travels.
Time passed quickly. Four years past, and oceans apart, the Sorcerer was still sending psychic attacks. She met many shaman on her path, and they imparted wisdom and healing. During one healing session, it was revealed to her that it was the Sorcerer who was continuing to try to harm her. She worked to strengthen her protection magic and she developed a strong relationship with the angels, particularity Archangel Michael, and he shielded her from harm.
As the Gypsy grew in spirit, the evil Sorcerer grew old and tired. He developed a sickness in his belly. It ravaged him. He shriveled down to bones.When he had only hours left to live, he looked back on his life with regret and sadness. All his power was gone. In a vision, The Gypsy appeared at his bedside holding a small teacup. With compassion in her eyes, she looked at the dying man, smiled, touched his arm and said, “I forgive you.” She offered him a cup of healing tea. She held the cup up to his mouth and helped him drink. And after enjoying every sip of the special tea, he smiled at her, with warmth in his eyes, and took his last breath.
The Gypsy kissed his forehead and continued her journey.
Green Magic: A Sea of Veggies
We bought our first hybrid car last week, just in time to take a trip to Northern Florida. The car is not new, but it gets 55 miles to the gallon, the gas expense is low.
Anyways, every year, On New Years Eve in Gainesville, which is nearly 300 miles north, our friends have a dance party in the woods.With the new car, there was no question we would be dancing straight into the New Year. Dance is such a powerful way to heal, release, and restore. And it is so fun. I danced for hours with both of my kids, but without a doubt, my 2 year old daughter ruled the dance floor. She has impressive dance moves and she loves it.
The friends that host this party, inspire me so much, and not just because of the booty shaking in the woods.
My friends own and operate an impressive Organic farm, called Siembra Farm. I have been to the farm many times over the years. But I hadn’t been to the farm in over two years. I was shocked and super impressed by how much it has grown, and what they have going on now.
Acres of kale, collard greens, sweet potatoes, turmeric, carrots, tomatoes.. Looking out at the field, you see a sea of healthy vegetables. Mmmm
If you live near an organic farm, please support it. Many organic farms offer CSA shares.Community supported Agriculture. Weekly boxes of fresh seasonal veggies. If you are in the Gainesville area, check out Siembra. http://www.siembrafarm.com/
We left the farm with a trunk full of fresh sweet potatoes and carrots.
Eating fresh organic vegetables is a completely different experience than eating store bought and transported, non organic veggies. For example, A couple years ago, in the Azores, we had a big garden and we grew a bunch of carrots. I juiced our freshly picked organic carrots and juiced store bought carrots, just to compare. Completely different taste. Completely different feeling. Completely different!!!!! The fresher the veggies, the better they taste, and of course more nutrients too. Woohoo!
Everyone should have access to fresh, healthy food. Food can be medicine or poison. What we eat has a direct impact on our health and the health of our planet. Fresh, local, organic food is the way to go. The choice is up to us. Change begins with us.
Have a Happy New Year, full of growth, positive change, and fresh veggies. 😉 ~Tiff
Therapy For The Crown Chakra
The Crown Chakra- The Sahasrara
Crown Chakra Energy: This Chakra is associated with Spiritualism and enlightenment. The link between individual consciousness and Universal consciousness.
Color:White or Violet
Element: Inner Light,Divine Energy, Spirit
Location: The Crown Chakra is located right above the top of the head.
Bija Seed Sound: Om
Yoga Asanas For Crown Chakra: Meditative poses, such as; Ardha Padmasana or Padmasana-Lotus or Half Lotus, Easy Pose-Sukhasana. Also Crown to Earth poses,such as; Headstand-Sirsasana and Prasarita Padottanasana-Wide Legged Forward Fold, and more…
Gyan Mudra: In this mudra, the index finger, which represents the individual soul, connects with the thumb, which represents the Supreme or the Collective Soul. The individual dissolves or merges into the collective.
Foods That support Crown Chakra: Sattvic foods. Fruits, Vegetables, and seeds. Foods in their pure, natural state. This Chakra does not get “fed” the way the other chakras do. However, health and balance in the entire energetic system is essential for an open and balanced Crown Chakra.
Crown Chakra Affirmation: “I am open and divinely guided to enlightenment.”
Visualization:Begin in a seated position, close your eyes, and visualize white light at the Crown Chakra. Visualize and feel that energy entering the body and purifying every cell. Breathe deeply. And when you feel properly purified, visualize golden light at the crown. This light is recharging you with positive energy. The light is blessing the body, speech, and consciousness. My spiritual guide and teacher, Lama Geshela Tenzing Tamding, taught me this simple but powerful exercise many years ago.
My first experience with the crown chakra, that I remember, was nearly 13 years ago. I was living in Hawaii, getting my Reiki I attunements from a powerful Hawaiian Reiki Master. I was seated, and she was giving me the attunements, and I felt and heard cracking at the top of my head. It was strange and intense. That sensation gave way to a sweet, heavy, honey like energy, and I suddenly was in a state of pure bliss.
Wishing us all healing, guidance, and balance from Root to Crown.
Tapping into Cosmic Consciousness-Tiff
The Little Old Man
The other day, I was at the grocery store, and a little old man caught my eye. Something about him was handsome, familiar, strange, I kept looking at him.
I wasnt sure why or what I liked about that little old man, but I made sure to take one more look as I walked out the of the store.. When I was heading to my car, he was behind me and said to me in Portuguese “You don’t know who I am, do you?” I smiled shyly and shook my head. He continued “Your Grandfather Jose da Ponte loved to sing. He could sing and sing and he played the guitar so well.” Shivers through my body.. It turns out, that I am related to that little old man, yet another relative I didnt know anything about.
Weirder still was that I was getting groceries to go spend the weekend with my friend, who happens to be the granddaughter of my mothers childhood Doctor. He was the only Dr. who lived on this island for many years. Our grandparents, long since passed, are probably laughing.. Stories, memories, connections..
I still don’t exactly understand how or why I ended up on this tiny island of 5000 people. My mother left this island when she was 16, she rarely spoke of life here, and she didn’t return until a few years ago, when a strange dream sent me here.
I grew up completely disconnected from my portuguese heritage. Now here I am on this tiny island, with a portuguese partner, living a life that needs to be written into a book. (If you want to support my writing, click the donate button..haha)
I am not sure what the future holds, there are real difficulties living on an island so small. But there is beauty, history, memories. There are ghosts, there is magic. And there certainly is a reason I am here.
Breathe, believe, and walk with grace and gratitude.
-Tiff
Therapy For The Sacral Chakra
The Sacral Chakra/Svadisthasana Chakra
Element: Water
Color: Orange
Bija Mantra (seed sound): Vam
Feelings and Energy Associated with the Sacral Chakra: Creativity, fluidity, sensuality, sexuality, pleasure, abundance,
Foods That Support Sacral Chakra Health: Fruits, especially with high water content, high quality chocolate,
Location: A few inches below the Navel, area of the genitals
Asanas: Malasana, Pigeon, Skandasana, Goddess Pose, Dancer Pose, and many more.. Flow Yoga and free movement and dance also stimulate this chakra.
Affirmation: I Feel creative energy flowing to and through me. I am creative, abundant, sensual, and fluid.
I have had many points in my life, where I feel a massive surge of creative energy. And during these times, I am compelled to choreograph a dance, make art, write, practice flow yoga, dance, etc… Yesterday I went on a morning walk with my family to look at the huge waves (and take these photos) and I was just in awe of the ENERGY!!! Ever wonder where our waves of creative energy come from? A Healthy and Balanced Energy System! Lets harness our Sacral Chakra Magic and share our creative energy with the world.
We have the power and the knowledge to heal.
Be Fluid. ~Tiff
This is just some very general and basic information on the Sacral Chakra.. Consider this an introduction.. Chakras can be deficient or have excessive energy. And there are many different techniques, including breath work and visualization, amongst other things that can help!
Flowing With Strength and Grace
8 months ago, I moved with my family to a small island in the Azores. And while this island is full of stunning natural beauty, and amazing people, in many ways, it has been a struggle. Often, I have felt out of my element and exhausted.
I am living in a new land, learning to speak a new language, trying to understand the rules and rhythm of a different culture and government, meeting new people, trying to make friends, taking care of my family, breastfeeding, and trying to share my love of yoga in any way I can.
It truly is when we are out of our comfort zone that we are actually experiencing much-needed growth. A push in the direction our lives are destined to move in. This is what I remind myself when I start to feel down, overwhelmed, or just desperately want everything to be easier. This is when I really turn to the teachings of Yoga for guidance. This is when I have to remember to let go, stay in the flow, and trust.
Find Ease within the effort.
Speaking of effort, It has required a great deal of effort to learn to teach Yoga in Portuguese. Hours upon hours sitting with my partner, asking “How do I say this in Portuguese?” Writing it down, and trying to pronounce the words properly. More than once, I have gotten frustrated, felt stupid, and wanted to give up. “It is just too hard, I miss my old life, my old students, my old classes, my old community.”
Anyways, after a teaching several classes, I saw that even with my limited vocabulary, people are still getting the benefits of yoga and meditation. Yes, it is different. I cannot poetically describe the process in words, not yet anyways. I have to show how to do a pose. If I don’t know how to say something, I simply say “Do this.” and show with my own body. But it works. The breath and the flow are the true poetry.
The truth is, when I remove my ego, my insecurities, my fears, and look at what has happened in the last several months, I see so much growth. I have much to be grateful for, there is magic at work, and clearly I am being guided.
Being out of my comfort zone, I started writing more, and I have had a few articles published.
I recently had a surge of energy guiding me to make short yoga videos, here is my latest. I honestly love the entire process of making these videos, and I am learning so much. Made with intentions of love, and deep healing, I hope you enjoy it.
My sweetheart and I are in the September issue of Yoga Journal. Something I never thought would happen. But something I see as a message that I am on the right path and I need to keep flowing with whatever life brings.
One of the experiences I am truly grateful for is teaching yoga outdoors this summer. I have been teaching yoga all over the island. Some of my classes have been small. Some of my classes have been large. All part of the journey. Beach yoga, forest yoga, valley yoga, fort yoga, hiking and yoga, moonrise yoga, and more. There is nothing like teaching yoga outside. There is so much wisdom in nature. The magic of yoga, the magic of nature, and the magic of the Azores. Wow. Profound healing.
I don’t know what the future will bring. But I know we all have the power to flow through life with strength and grace.
~Yogini Tiff
Performing Through The Years-The ‘Gore’geous ‘Gore’skis
There were three of us. My sister Karla, my cousin Jennifer, and I. When we were kids, nearly every weekend for many years, we got together and rehearsed at my grandmothers house. Our dads sat around the living room eating Doritos, drinking Pepsi, and watching tv. Our moms often sat around the kitchen table, laughing and swapping stories about life, sharing a special bond by being married to a “Gore.” My dad is the oldest of 6. All men. All tall. All Grumbly (but soft under the grumbles). All the kids, there were many of us, would run around, sneak into my grandmas pantry,and load up on sweets.
For the three of us, collectively known as the ‘Gore’geous ‘Gore’skis, our weekly trip to grandmas, was rehearsal time. The garage was our rehearsal space. During rehearsal, all the other kids were strictly forbidden to enter. We had a little ‘jam-box’, a small selection of cassette tapes (remember those?) we would pick a song and choreograph. Play, rewind.. play, rewind. 😉 I remember rehearsing and performing to Gary Numan’s ‘Cars’ most vividly. When I think back on that time, I can’t help but smile. 3 ‘Gore’geous performers.
Even at home, my sister and I spent a lot of time making up dances.. And we were brilliant!! We had a really spectacular ‘bunk-bed dance performance’ to Cheap Trick’s version of ‘Don’t be Cruel’…But without a doubt, one of the most brilliant dances we ever made up, possibly the most amazing dance ever created, was to Phil Collins ‘Sussudio’. Oh..oh.. The dance moves, the half shirts, the memories. Haha.
My sister and I were in ‘real’ performances together too. The Tempest, the Wizard of Oz, Carousel, The Nutcracker, and more. I am certain our energy is still floating around at the Washington Center of Performing Arts.
In college I danced and performed a few times, Hula, Modern dance, and even a Javanese dance performance.. But it wasn’t until I was in my early thirties that I really started creating and performing again.
The last time I performed (with an audience) was when I was pregnant with little Luna. And it was so special. A group of talented friends all worked together and created a dance piece. Blackbird singing in the dead of night..
The other day as I was listening to music and cleaning the kitchen, I felt a surge of creative energy. I put down the dish sponge and began to dance. Inspired, I choreographed a short dance piece. It felt so good.
Stir the cauldron, CREATE magic.
Whether in a garage, the kitchen, or on the stage, ‘Find your bliss and go there often‘.
~Tiff
Flowing
On Saturday, after tending our garden, drinking coffee, and eating my awesome (and experimental) ‘cacao and magic seed cookies’, we decided to head down to the Port. There is a big old German Sailboat here on the island.. It looks like a pirate ship. With 25 sails on it, I have never seen so much rope in my life. So we headed down to look at the sailboat.
Although it was cloudy, the weather was pretty nice so we decided to go on a hike to see the ruins of a medieval fort. We walked down a hill, across a creek, up a hill, through a cow pasture, and then down to the ocean.
There was a slight chill with the wind so I was wearing a shawl wrapped around my shoulders. My dear friend (and yoga student) gave me this shawl, and I think she would be happy to know, how much joy the shawl gave me this weekend. 
Anyways, as we were heading down to the ocean, the wind caught my shawl.. I grabbed a hold of it before it blew away, and I became entranced by the beauty of the shawl blowing in the wind. I started playing around with the shawl, and then I closed my eyes. I could really feel the currents of the wind. I let go and began to dance. I felt beautiful. I felt magical. I felt like a goddess.
My sweetheart, accustomed to my strange and sudden trances, thought it was beautiful too, and without me knowing, he took a bunch of photos of my dance, the wind, the shawl, the ocean.
We looked through the photos last night, and it brought me back to that beautiful feeling. The spontaneous urge to dance with the currents of the wind.
Grace in the Flow~Yogini Tiff
Magical Messages in Dreams
Two years ago I had a very vivid dream. In the dream, I was given a message, more like a command, by my stubborn Portuguese grandmother (who died several years ago). In the dream, I was told, very clearly that I needed to go to the Azores. I woke up and knew this message was not to be ignored.
I have learned it is very important to pay attention to vivid dreams, signs, messages, visions, and intuition.
Magically and with very little effort on my part, everything lined up (including the money for the plane tickets), and my son and I were soon on an airplane.
I still had no idea why we were making such a trip. I had no idea what to expect..Other than a few short trips to Canada and Mexico, I had never even left the United States. I was STEPPING INTO THE UNKNOWN……….with nothing but faith and a Portuguese phrase book.
And now here I am two years later, living in the Azores (Atlantis) in a small cottage in a picturesque village. I have a beautiful little Portuguese baby, I am in love with a handsome and loving Portuguese man, and my teenage son is having the best time of his life and he is fluently speaking Portuguese.
I am amazed. I am grateful. I am in awe.
Follow the dream, dance your dance.. LIVE.
- Believe in Magic. ~Yogini Tiff
Flowing Yogini 