<![CDATA[COREQUEST SKIN CARE SPA & YOGA STUDIO 920.787.7800 - BLOG]]>Tue, 12 May 2026 00:49:03 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[My Brow Tattoo Experience!]]>Tue, 28 May 2019 02:31:04 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/my-brow-tattoo-experienceThis is Day 1 directly after the tattoo service: (ie: freshly inked) It will take 14 days to heal and lighten up to reveal the lighter, true natural color. SEE days 8 and 14 below! 
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MY WHY:
As a former make-up artist, busy aesthetician & yoga/fitness instructor I was 
​SO OVER dealing with a make-up pencil to shade-in my now sparser-by-the-day,
post-menopause brows! Even more frustrating, they rarely lasted the day,  usually getting wiped off after a sweaty yoga class or the ever so sexy color outside the lines mid-day smudge that I didn't notice until I got home....PRETTY...LOL  
So when I learned about the newest techniques for semi-permanent brow tattooing that were smudge proof AND waterproof ...
I definitely raised these eyebrows and decided to take the leap!  ​
The BEST Soul Warming Benefit that happened! 
Hearing from all the people that were inspired by my experience. I LOVE THIS! I've had a grandmother contact me about her granddaughter with alopecia, A cancer survivor whose brows never grew back the same and so many women from my both my spa and yoga studio that had either lost their brows to hormonal aging, over-plucking back in the day etc. that never knew natural looking opportunities like these were available to them. ​​

​READ ON...
to learn more about my brow tattoo experience
OR JUST SCROLL DOWN
to see the final results after healing

First The Choices! 
Where to go and what technique to choose?

The most important this to do is find a reputable technician that has plenty of experience, pictures of their work on display to check out and happy, happy customer reviews!
I chose Megan from Best Brows Microblading in Madison. She had all the check marks! 
(I posted her business info below.)
 
Microblading, Nanoblading and Ombré Powder Shading?
Microblading and nanoblading both use soft hair-like strokes while ombré powder shading uses a soft pin point technique to shade and fill in brows similar to how it looks when using your eyebrow pencil. Sometimes these techniques  are used in combination and all can provide a realistic, beautiful natural looking brow. Great for filling in sparse, light, non-existent brows or simply enhancing the ones you have. Because I had a fairly good brow shape that was simply getting sparser due to hormone changes, 
 Megan and I chose the ombre' powder shading technique. ​

THIS PICTURE IS A CLOSE UP RIGHT AFTER THE PROCEDURE.
The final color will be approximately 50% lighter as they heal and shed...for me it was around days 8-10 that I noticed the difference. See my pics for days 8 and 14 below. Notice also how she enhanced my natural shape to create more lift and symmetry.

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How Long Does It Last? 
Depending on which technique you and your technician choose they will last between 1-3  years or literally as long as you want with a color boost every few years to keep them looking fresh. 

How Will I Know If It Will Look Good On Me? 
A good technician knows their stuff and takes their time! Megan spent 
2 1/2 hours with me discussing what I wanted, mapping out the correct shape, matching pigment to my hair color and skin tone, pre-drawing and making sure everything was perfect before beginning the tattoo procedure. She paused and handed me a mirror several times throughout the procedure to ask me questions and point out areas she wanted to shape or fill in, asking my opinion along the way.  It was fun seeing the progress and being a part of the process! 

Does It Hurt? 
A little in spots but it was really minor. Megan lightly numbed the areas she was working on to keep the me comfortable during the whole process.  When she was working on the inner corners it really triggered an urge to sneeze but OMG...I surpressed them because I'm guessing that might have not gone well with a tattoo tool in her hand!  

​Healing Time and Upkeep:
For 14 days, You can't get them wet which makes it VERY tricky to wash your face or shower. I did get mine wet a couple of times and simply blotted them dry right away. You don't want to expose them to the sun or rub them during the healing time, You also can't allow ANY products to get on them. Basically, during the 14 day healing process...simply leave them alone. 
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Day 8
My brows began to lightly flake as part of the tattoo healing phase and they were also lightening up to reveal my true color...I was REALLY excited for this but dang, did they ever itch during this phase! 

THE ITCHING DAYS: 
DAY 7-11:  They began to go through a flaking process and I basically wanted to itch my eyebrows off!  I found that just tapping around the brow helped to alleviate the urge to itch. It's also important to let the shedding happen naturally so you don't prematurely pick off pigmented areas not ready to shed yet. Basically, no itching, no picking, no rubbing...this phase was a bit harder to keep hands off for me!  With the Ombre' Powder Shadow technique the shedding was actually pretty minimal and I sailed through it really well. 


Day 14 -My thoughts on the final results  
I'm so glad I made the decision to have them done!
They are perfect for me and my lifestyle...I LOVE them, my husband loves them, my dog loves them! They've inspired & started conversations, 
and those make-up pencils...GONE!  
In 6 weeks I'll be going in for my complementary post tattoo touch-up.
After that, I'll be good to go for a few years until a color boost! 
This ​Maintenance Free Beauty Boost
Was Definitely Worth The Eyebrow Raise!
Thank You Megan at Best Brows Microblading! 

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Oh Yeah, Almost Forgot ! How Much Does This Cost?
It can vary based on location and technician. Mine were **$325 plus optional tip. As a service provider myself,  I personally know how wonderful it feels to receive a gesture of gratitude from your clients for the extra care and excellent work that's provided. Take care of people...It comes back to you!  
**Her pricing also includes a free touch up 4-6 weeks after your service.  

 I hope You Enjoyed Learning About
My Brow Tattoo Experience.
​xo, Cathy  

This is where I went to have mine done: 
​BEST BROW MICROBLADING-Megan Mackowiak
433 Grand Canyon Dr. Suite 6, Madison, WI 
906-553-2924 
You Can Also Find Her On Facebook

]]><![CDATA[From Your 20's To Your 50's & Beyond-Top Strategies For Beautiful Skin!]]>Thu, 07 Feb 2019 16:00:04 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/from-your-20s-to-your-50s-beyond-top-strategies-for-beautiful-skin
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YES, It's possible to have the healthiest skin you've ever had with the right anti-aging strategies and smart lifestyle changes at ANY age! As a board certified aesthetician specializing in skin care health I'd like to share a few of those strategies through the decades.  

The 20's: It's important to get started on a good skin care regime with gentle cleansing, prevention and protection. Daily use of a gentle, sulphate free cleanser, a chemical-free sunscreen and an antioxidant serum that protects against harmful environmental factors and help keep your skin mantle strong and resilient is the foundation of what you'll need to keep skin healthy and glowing in your 20's! 

The 30s: it is time to get serious about incorporating anti-aging products that target any signs of premature aging you may be experiencing. You'll need a moisturizer with retinol, that does more than just hydrate. Retinol stimulates the production of new skin cells. It also helps fade some of those dark spots produced by the sun or any hormonal changes experienced. It is also time to up exfoliation, whether it is chemical or mechanical with a gentle scrub or products containing BHA/AHA's like glycolic and lactic acid. Now is the time to be more serious about increasing cellular renewal and maintaining the building blocks of your  healthy skin mantle. 

The 40s: It is all about making sure your skin has a strong barrier function to maintain it's resilience and function!  A properly functioning and healthy skin barrier protects against transepidermal water loss (TEWL) or dehydration. Levels of hyaluronic acid decrease as we age. We start noticing that water loss leads to volume loss, creating a collapsed look in the face. To help plump and rehydrate, it is important to use a serum containing hyaluronic acid in the morning and evening. The more mature skin becomes, the more factors come into play revolving around hormones and stress. Continue with your Retinol and peptide infused hydrators, and a good Vitamin C serum to maintain your skins firmness and radiance well into your 40's. 

The 50s and beyond: It's never too late to make significant changes in your skin's appearance  In this decade  we begin to notice a significant change in brightness, firmness and texture of our skin.  Unlike in the past, there is not one product that solves everything. You need to look for products that will help the skin protect itself, maintain hydration, and stimulate collagen production with Retinol, peptides and Vitamin C in stronger clinical strength formulations. Increasing exfoliation is also key to help keep the size of the pores more refined and the texture smoother and brighter. For that, use  products that contain enzymes and AHA/BHA acids to keep pace with older, sluggish skin proliferation. Hyaluronic acid based serums will help plump up fine lines and wrinkles and help assist with some of the volume loss that increases as we age. Less is more when it comes to make-up and using a great breathable primer under a foundation that includes anti-aging ingredients can assist in taking your appearance and your skin's health to the next level throughout the day.

Lastly, Hyperpigmentation (age spots) have surpassed wrinkles as the #1 physical  trait of aging skin. There is a 3 prong approach to reducing hyper-pigmentation. 1. Exfoliation to increase sloughing off of the damaged, older skin cells and to increase cellular renewal. Facial peels will accelerate your results, especially those that contain lactic, mandelic and kojic acids. 2. Daily application of clinical strength products that are formulated specifically to lessen the appearance of hyperpigmentation and assist in repairing those damaged skin cells to a healthier, more normalized state.  3  Diligent, daily use of an anti-oxidant infused SPF protectant to fast forward the brightening effects you're working on and to prevent further damage. 

Professional Facials Fast Track Getting Your Skin In Shape! Facials aid with detoxification, exfoliation, hydration, and increasing circulation. Even in just one session, you'll feel and see a difference in your skin after dulling, dead skin cells are professionally removed and your skin is returned to it's optimal functional ph and hydration levels along with the application of higher tech delivery systems of clinical strength reparative  nutrients and skin barrier protectants. A regular regime of skin care can catapult skin's appearance, health and results! 

No matter how good a your skin care routine is, diet and lifestyle have a huge impact.

Nutrition:  Food is essential to overall health. You should eat foods you like, but food that will also nourish the body and give you energy and stamina. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean protein are all jam-packed with vitamins and minerals that will impact the condition of your skin. For example, avocados, my personal favorite, are filled with mono-unsaturated fat, which helps skin stay hydrated, while helping absorb the vitamins that skin needs. 

​Move More:  According to recent studies, there is a direct link between looking young and exercise. Doctors say exercise impacts you on a cellular level. It also maintains a regular level of cortisol, the stress-related hormone. We all know the pitfalls of stress. Once  you stop sweating the small stuff, your appearance reaps all of the benefits! It even helps you sleep better at night. A good night’s sleep is also crucial in skin function and repair. Lack of sleep can greatly contribute to dull, dry, swollen eyes and dark circles, not to mention a major slow down in all your bodies functions including the skin's circulation and rebuilding mechanisms. 

Did You Know? The skin is the body’s largest organ, weighing up to eight pounds and approximately 22 square feet. Love the Skin Your In! 

xo, Cathy Favelle,
Board Certified Aesthetician & Owner of CoreQuest Skin Care Studio 
]]><![CDATA[One Big Reason You May Not Want To Do Yoga!]]>Mon, 07 Jan 2019 13:39:33 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/the-amazing-benefits-of-yoga
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I really believe there is ONLY ONE REASON you would not want to do yoga and that's only if NONE of the health benefits below matter to you! 

I've been practicing yoga for over 30 years and it STILL blows my mind!
​There are so many benefits of yoga that make this 5000 year old wellness tradition the perfect match for our 21st century health and fitness regime!
Let's dive in to the main ones! 
  • Stress relief: The practice of yoga is well-demonstrated to reduce the physical effects of stress on the body. The body responds to stress through a fight-or-flight response, which is a combination of the sympathetic nervous system and hormonal pathways activating, releasing cortisol – the stress hormone – from the adrenal glands. Cortisol is often used to measure the stress response. Yoga practice has been demonstrated to reduce the levels of cortisol. Most yoga classes end with savasana, a relaxation pose, which further reduces the experience of stress.
  • Pain relief: Yoga can ease pain. Studies have shown that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain and other chronic conditions. Anyone from desk bound workers, busy moms, athletes and seniors benefit with better mobility and less pain! 
  • Better breathing: Yoga includes breathing practices known as pranayama, which can be effective for reducing our stress response, improving lung function and encouraging relaxation. Many pranayamas emphasize slowing down and deepening the breath, which activates the body’s parasympathetic system, or relaxation response. By changing our pattern of breathing, we can significantly affect our body’s experience of and response to stress. . It also helps to power boost your respiratory system and immune system. Better breathing function equals a healthier, more resilient body and more focused mind. This may be one of the most profound lessons we can learn from our yoga practice
  • Flexibility: Yoga can improve flexibility and mobility and increase range of motion. Over time, the ligaments, tendons and muscles lengthen, increasing elasticity.
  • Increased strength: Yoga asanas use every muscle in the body, increasing strength literally from head to toe. A regular yoga practice can also relieve muscular tension throughout the whole body. Yoga teaches you how to fully power up and integrate your muscles for whole body performance which also lessens body dysfunction  thereby helping to prevent future injuries. 
  • Weight management: While most of the evidence for the effects of yoga on weight loss is experiential, yoga teachers, students and practitioners across the world find that yoga helps to support weight loss. Many teachers specialize in yoga programs to promote weight management and find that even gentle yoga practices help support weight loss. People do not have to practice the most vigorous forms of yoga to lose weight. Yoga encourages development of a positive self-image, as more attention is paid to nutrition and the body as a whole. A study from the Journal of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that regular yoga practice was associated with less age-related weight gain. The lifestyle study of 15,500 adults in their 50’s covered 10 years of participants’ weight history, physical activity, medical history and diet. One of the magic factors of yoga is stress reduction which research now shows has a monumental effect on hormones and body systems that can actually control whether or not you lose weight even if you are eating well and exercising. Get Stress in control...YOU are back in control! 
  • Improved circulation: Yoga helps to improve circulation by efficiently moving oxygenated blood to the body’s cells.
  • Cardiovascular conditioning: Even a gentle yoga practice can provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen uptake during exercise.
  • Presence: Yoga connects us with the present moment. The more we practice, the more aware we become of our surroundings and the world around us. It opens the way to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time and memory.
  • Inner peace: The meditative effects of a consistent yoga practice help many cultivate inner peace and calm and provide easy tools for controlling stress in their lives which we now know...affects EVERYTHING both inside and out! 
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]]><![CDATA[Three Tips To AgeLESS Skin]]>Sun, 14 Oct 2018 21:44:28 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/three-tips-to-ageless-skin-this-fall
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 1. EXFOLIATION IS KEY!
The first step to smooth, healthy, luminous skin is to remove your accumulated surface dead skin cell layers with an enzyme or BHA/AHA gentle scrub or peel treatment. This first step not only begins the process of collagen stimulation and increased circulation to the skin but it also allows your skin to more effectively absorb and maintain the nourishing serums and hydrators you apply daily. It also gives skin a much smoother surface for your make-up to go on smoothly and stay on longer.
Need some exfoliation SKINspiration?  Check our our full spa menu HERE! 
​2. HYDRATE & NOURISH
​Skin is the largest organ of your body. Beyond looking and feeling beautiful in your skin it is your first barrier to staying healthy on the inside too!  If you take care of it, it will take care of you! While over-the-counter (OTC) products can offer adequate hydration, they simply cannot facilitate optimal results due to the regulations of lower OTC level ingredients.  For truly ageLESS skin results you'll need to bring on some bigger guns to optimize your skins PH, hydration levels and cellular health with clinical strength serums and hydrators that contain effective anti-oxidants, Vitamin C, retinol, peptides and anti-inflammatory ingredients that can be readily absorbed with effective delivery systems into the skin..
Not sure where to start?  See your skin care professional. They are trained to assess not only your skin's current state of health but also the many factors that affect your health and skin on a deeper level such as stress, sleep, diet, hormone fluctuations, medications, genetics, sun exposure and more. Great skin care should be effective, simple and affordable. You don't need a million products to get you there...you just need the RIGHT products that are EFFECTIVE AND SIMPLE TO USE for YOUR unique skin!   
3. PROTECT
Sunscreen is NOT just for summer! Regardless of weather or location, 80% of your skin's aging process is caused by UV sun damage. Using an effective moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily is the #1 most preventable thing you can do toward promoting ageLESS skin as well as protect yourself from skin cancer! There are formulations for every skin type PLUS an extra bonus is that many  double as a primer helping to keep your make-up on longer...Try our best selling Prevention+ matte w/SPF 32!. Not a make-up maven?  Try a tinted version like our mineralized tinted Prevention + 30 moisturizer for a natural soft blur of sun-kissed color. 


Here's To A More Beautiful, Healthy You Inside & Out! 
​xo, Cathy Favelle, facial guru & holistic health educator at CoreQuest Spa


​Contact CoreQuest Spa at:  
920.787.7800 
cathy@corequestyoga.com ​

]]><![CDATA[Say YES to one of our FAVE comfort foods with a healthy twist!]]>Mon, 25 Dec 2017 20:05:52 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/say-yes-to-one-of-our-fave-comfort-foods-with-a-healthy-twist
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As the weather gets colder outside, It's nice to indulge in some of our favorite comfort foods! Here's a little twist on one our favorites! 
Healthier Baked Mac and Cheese 
  
Ingredients
1 (375g) box whole wheat or other macaroni of choice (about 3 cups dry)
1/4 cup butter
 (we use unsalted) 
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups 1% milk or any alternative milk option of choice
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
 (we use low-sodium) 
1/2 teaspoon salt
  (recommend leaving this out if you are not using low or no sodium butter & broth) 
2  cups (plus 1 cup for topping) shredded cheddar cheese (low fat if desired) (we personally use the regular whole cheese) 
1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs  (great seasoned w/garlic and herbs of choice!) 
NOTE: This is a great basic recipe. We often add caramelized onions, veggies that we love, tuna or salmon, a touch of fresh garlic just to name a few! Enjoy playing and making this recipe your own! 
Instructions
  1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Pour into a greased 9x13" pan and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

  2. In a large skillet, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. 

  3. Whisk in milk and chicken broth and cook over medium heat, whisking often, until thickened (approx. 5
 min). 

  4. Stir in salt and 2 cups cheese until melted. Pour over macaroni in pan and stir until combined. 

  5. Sprinkle with Panko bread crumbs and remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until bubbly. Broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the top if desired. 

Serve with a nice green garden salad as a side and ENJOY! 
 
]]><![CDATA[The Benefits Of Diffusing Essential Oils And What You  Probably Didn't Know!]]>Mon, 29 May 2017 18:34:10 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/the-benefits-of-diffusing-essential-oils-and-what-you-probably-didnt-know
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Looking for a holistic and effective way to elevate your mood, purify the air you breathe and improve brain function? Consider diffusing essential oils!

Therapeutic-grade essential oils affect the brain in positive ways and it goes way beyond smell alone! The brain is protected by a membrane called the blood-brain barrier, which separates it from  the blood circulating around the brain. This barrier blocks damaging substances from getting to the brain and into the cerebrospinal fluid. The American Medical Association did some research on whether or not positive agents could cross the barrier to help treat certain diseases and degenerative conditions that affect the brain. They discovered that sesquiterpenes, found in some essential oils, had the ability to go beyond the blood-brain barrier. These sesquiterpenes increased oxygen in the brain, which in turn increased antibodies, endorphins, and neurotransmitters.
The easiest way to to put oils in the air for inhalation is with an aromatic diffuser.  Cold-air diffusers work best because they do not alter the chemical makeup of the oil.  The cold air breaks the oils up into an oxygenated microfine mist that improves the quality of the air. When diffused, essential oils reduce airborne bacteria, fungus, mold, and chemicals.
Depending on the mood you want to create or the health issue you want to address, there are endless essential oils you can choose from along with making your own unique blends! 
Here are some tips for choosing which oils to diffuse:
  • Oils like lavender, geranium, chamomile, frankincense, Serenity blend, Peace blend. Breathe blend or AromaTouch blend are helpful for promoting relaxation, calm and promoting a better nights sleep.
  • If you need an energy boost, try rosemary, juniper berry, nutmeg, wild orange, peppermint, lemongrass, grapefruit, clove, Cheer blend, Elevation blend, Passion blend, Motivation blend or Arise blend
  • For clarity, diffuse basil, peppermint, ylang ylang, bergamot, jasmine, peppermint, Motivation blend or In Tune blend
  • If you need more balance and harmony in your life, try lavender, sandalwood, wild orange,  lemon, frankincense, Balance blend, Aroma touch blend or Align Blend. 
  • To give your immune system a boost, use oregano, clove, On Guard blend, melaleuca, ginger, peppermint, Holiday Joy blend and frankincense 
  • If you need grounding, renewing or comforting try essential oils like sandalwood, frankincense, vetiver, patchouli, Console blend, Forgive Blend and Anchor Blend 
For more ideas and to view our essential oil page 
CoreQuest Yoga & Spa Essential Oil Page



Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2017 Edition, pp. 11, 27, 639–42.and excerpt from Abundant Health
]]><![CDATA[How Cracked Glass, A Pack of Lies And A Muscle Of "Kick-assery" Became A Thing Of Beauty]]>Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:13:21 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/how-cracked-glass-a-pack-of-lies-and-a-muscle-of-kick-assery-became-a-thing-of-beautyPicture
I enthusiastically signed up for my friend's glass pendant making class with absolutely no reservations. She is an incredible artist, a patient and talented teacher, I was excited to tap into my creative side and try something new PLUS she had assembled a wonderful group of women, many of whom I am fortunate to call friends. THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME! 

Then it happened, shortly after listening to the instructions, meeting the tools of the trade drooling over all the beautiful glass options and eyeing pendants already completed that made my heart race with gleeful expectation of my own unknown creations that I began to score my first piece of glass. ...CRACK! Oops,  grabbed a second piece to score...YIKES crooked...We need 5 even pieces....Let's try again....ahhh YES! Nice straight score, Let's break this baby and make some jewelry...CRACK AND CROOKED...seriously!!...are you kidding me?.Why can't I get this? WTF!!  I could hear other directions being called out in the fog of my concentration and then quite by surprise, I felt it coming...the trolls of my mind were trying to take over the drivers seat  Oh no...as I was running out of glass to score my mind was happily filling the void with all kinds of creepy crawlers like self doubt, expectations, disappointment, failure, nerves, comfort zone alert, low confidence meter, perfectionism radar on overdrive and a "You suck at scoring" thrown in for good measure! 

My mind was trying to throw a giant road block down one by one....No more creating for you...you're out...hasta 'la vista baby....you're no artist...walk away. I actually stood there for a few minutes doing nothing as everyone else around me was busy creating. I was at the ROADBLOCK of resistance... a minds standstill. OMG, This was very unfamiliar emotional territory for my usual "go with the flow" mindset AND THEN, in that pause of a breath, that one quiet moment,  I saw it for what it really was...A pack of.LIES that stood between my beautiful new creations, the road to regret and the experience of the day.  Yep, I could see clearly now what had to be done....I needed to use my muscle of kick-assery and take that roadblock down for the count!

Looking your feelings right in the eye is the first step to knowing who they are,  As soon as I did that and chose...not today my friends... the "emotional sunshine" began to flood back in. I asked my friend to score a few for me (love how that sounds) and off I went happily creating in my own unique one-of-a-kind artistry way. Just as I had imagined, it was indeed an experience of a lifetime I will remember and cherish. It was such a fun class with creativity swirling about, laughter in the air along with squeals, moans and other noises of pure engagement while we ALL learned something new! .  

LESSON: So often, we fail to take that pause and ponder what we really need, what we really want, what we really feel. We let the demons of our emotions stop us in our tracks too many times. I teach self-empowerment, I study embodied mindfulness and yet in moments of frustration or even anger our lesser selves,  will often prevail in our human-ness over the quieter whispers of the loving, creative mind and heart. Do not let the trolls, demons and creepy crawler into your minds drivers seat. They are always happy to steer you in the wrong direction! 
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FAVORITE NEW QUOTE:
Learn to use your muscle of "KICK-ASSERY"  
The muscle of kick-assery is like any other muscle - you have to use it or lose it. 

Keep moving, keep growing, keep pushing through obstacles, keep evolving. You break through at one level, arrive at the next, and take another step up. Each time you grow, you get to learn something new, which basically means you have to get uncomfortable again because when you arrive at a level you've never been at before, you're faced with the challenges you've never experienced before. 

It's the willingness to keep pushing through new challenges, not shrink from them back into your comfort zone, that separates the successful from the unsuccessful." And I might add the happy from the unhappy.

​TAKE PAUSE and don't be afraid to use a little mind muscle every now and then to keep the REAL you in the drivers seat! 

Special thank you to Katie Gruber. This blog may not have been had it not been for your private message.  Also a BIG  "heart" to J.D. for being the best art teacher EVER!! You have found your true calling by inspiring others, C.H. for offering to make me a ring at the end of class that didn't require me to score a single piece of glass...You rock! And finally to ALL the ladies I had the opportunity to share this time with. I was so impressed with the beautiful creations that kept unfolding. ​Excerpt Quote above from "You Are A Badass" by Jen Sincero.
]]><![CDATA[Life is a difficult assignment]]>Thu, 29 Jan 2015 23:33:27 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/life-is-a-difficult-assignment
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This picture hangs in our hallway at home. A beautiful gift from my mothers that reminds me that every day is a gift, that dreams are meant for living and to cherish the support from family and friends...they will keep you from falling! The poem below is one of my favorites and exemplifies this perfectly. ENJOY! 



Put your hand out and ask life to dance with you! 
It is never too late, you are never too old, too sick or too anything to be who you are meant to be! “Life is a difficult assignment. We are fragile creatures, expected to function at high rates of speed, and asked to accomplish great and small things each day. These daily activities take enormous amounts of energy. Most things are out of our control. We are surrounded by danger, frustration, grief, and insanity, as well as love, hope, ectasy, and wonder. Being fully human is an exercise in humility, suffering, grace, and great humor. Things and people all around us die, get broken, or are lost. There is no safety or guarantees.

The way to accomplish the assignment of truly living is to engage freely, richly, and deeply in the living of your dreams. We are made to dream and to live those dreams.” – SARK
]]><![CDATA[FOR PERFECT BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE STOP The perfect!]]>Thu, 08 Jan 2015 17:52:54 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/for-perfect-balance-in-your-life-stop-trying-to-be-perfect
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Wellness tip # 2: How does balance in your life, love, eating, moving and thinking look like? I can tell you what it doesn't look like and that is with a controlling 100% effort! To find balance in any area of your life you have to drop the hard grip on the things you are trying to control and get busy living out loud, listening to your inner wisdom and what actually works in YOUR real life with more ease and less effort! That looks more like 80/20...NOT the "set myself up for deprivation, dissatisfaction, frustration and ultimately failure of a 100% mindset. ACTION PLAN: 80% of the time you are invested in living, eating, moving, learning, loving and taking actions that nourish you. The other 20% you are allowed to fall off the "healthy, empowered, and balance seeking" wagon and smile about it because it is part of your nourish and grow LONG TERM plan toward re-inventing balance in your life! Sorry guilt...you don't win this time!!  SHARE SOME OF YOUR TIPS ON YOU FIND BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE! 
]]><![CDATA[14  dAYS  OF hEALTH & wELLNESS tIPS TO LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE!]]>Tue, 06 Jan 2015 17:06:55 GMThttps://www.corequestyoga.com/blog/14-days-of-health-wellness-tips-to-living-your-best-lifePicture
 WELLNESS TIP #1: 
Assessing Relationships, Is it time to let go or get busy? 
(Get your action plan exercise at the end)
Is it time to re-assess the time and effort you put into the relationships in your life that don't fill you up...in fact, they often leave you feeling empty? Take a look at what I lovingly call "lip service" friends, people that don't support or lift you from a place of friendship and love unconditionally. People in your life you call friends but in reality they rarely show up in your life unless it's convenient for them or there's an agenda/ expectation. It can be an energy sucking, guessing game, emotional roller coaster ride that sadly takes time away from your healthy relationships. How do you spot them? 
Assess: Who calls or texts you just to say hello? Who invites you to share time together with no agenda attached?, Who shows up to support you when you're down as well as celebrate your "ups" with you? Who loves you, flaws and all, just the way you are? Who makes the effort in this friendship? Does it feel imbalanced to you? Does the relationship feel like work? Do you feel included or often left out? Listen to your gut....if that friendship continually burrows a hole in your heart...it might be time to look at it a little closer and decide how much time you really want to invest in it and how much space you allow your heart to occupy for it and in some cases, it may be time to just let go trusting that the new space you've created will naturally invite abundance back in, attracting new  relationships  that fill you up! 
BUT WAIT...What about you? If you just identified YOURSELF as a "lip service" friend to someone you care about...,lucky you...it's probably not too late! HERE'S A MANTRA TO HELP YOU OUT: I will nurture and take time for the important relationships in my life....a FAB 2015 goal! 

HOMEWORK: Call or text 3 people in your life today and let them know how important they are to you! BONUS: Make a friend date, no agenda....just FILLING! 
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