5 Things I’m grateful for today: 1) my breath 2) my Black Cherry “Manduka Pro” Yoga Mat 3) my Rip Curl summer wetsuit 4) my friend Justin for detailing my pink beach cruiser 5) chocolate chip pancakes, from Blue Plate on Montana

This morning I woke up and practically BOUNDED out of bed. Now, on a normal day, I would attribute this to the very bold French Roast I typically enjoy first thing in the morning, but today, there was another reason. This morning I was headed to Venice Beach for a Yoga + Surfing workshop! Now, ordinarily I would not choose a “blissful” activity that began at the ungodly hour of 6:45am, but this endeavor seemed well worth bypassing the (very tempting) snooze button. SO… sans coffee, I rode down to the shore on my pink beach cruiser & met my friend Cristi for our sunrise yoga practice on the beach. The flow focused on heart opening & core strength. I felt invigorated by my own breath, & the haze of the rising sun as it struggled through the sticky marine layer. After almost 90 minutes of practice, and what seemed like approximately 7, 685 chaturanga pushups, I felt ready to pop up on my board and face the ocean head on. That is….. until I physically approached the ocean head on, and found the surf wild, gray, dangerous…… and actually BEATING the shore as if in retribution for some unforgiven offense. Ummmm…. This did not look at ALL like the flyer with the picture of the cute, bikini-clad cartoon surfer girl smiling and happy on her pretty pink surfboard, and drinking what I could only imagine was an organic mimosa. No…. this was more like a scene from The Perfect Storm. Only…. minus George Clooney. (Or even Mark Wahlberg). As I stood there in my wetsuit, watching my fellow yogis (all of whom suddenly seemed to be seasoned surfers) dive headfirst into the ocean, only to get immediately pummeled by bone crushing waves, I seriously contemplated bailing altogether and trading in my surfboard for chocolate chip pancakes, the New York Times, and the safety of shore.

But I didn’t. Instead, I channeled my inner yogi, and took a breath….. deep & calming….. and then dove in after my companions, who by now were out past the white water. After all, someone once said: “The brave do not live forever, but the timid do not live at all”. Was it Twain? Franklin? Maybe it was Dumbledore…. In any case, it seemed applicable. And, in this moment…. I wanted to Live! And, miraculously…. despite my limited experience and a raging tide, I did. (barely)

In the very midst of the challenge, and the fear, (and the several gallons of salt water I inhaled), I managed to completely give over to the experience. I felt a truly heart-opening life shift out there in the pacific. 2 hours of breathlessly tackling insane winds and herculean inside breakers. Paddling with everything in my being just to barely tread water. Getting pummeled… over, and over, and over again. Crushed, breathless, & beaten, I’d get right back up, and go right back out. Now, SOME might call this obstinance, but I prefer to think of it as HEART. I summoned all my strength, endurance, determination & fearlessness…. until finally… JUST when I thought I’d never get there, I pushed past the breakers to the awe inspiring tranquility of the quiet, rolling water beyond. I sat on my board and surrendered to the beauty of this stillness. A stillness I had not experienced in a VERY long while. Simultaneously exhausted and exhilarated, I smiled and cried at the awesome power of the ocean, and the astonishing majesty of life.

After a few moments reveling in this languid bliss… I found my balance, and rode the most perfect, most frightening wave all the way to the shore. And then another. And another. Each time I paddled out, I found myself tackling the breakers with more and more confidence…. in awe that surfing is such a prodigious metaphor for life: Sometimes… just when we reach our breaking point, and feel as though everything is over…… The greatest ride of our life BEGINS.

Well……. It’s been awhile since my last blog. A long while, to be truthful. Many times in the past several months I have sat down to the computer to share words of wisdom, and found myself distracted by phone calls, or emails, or Facebook. I’ve made excuses (“but there’s a re-run of FRIENDS on”), I’ve procrastinated (“I’ll do it right after I watch this re-run of “FRIENDS”), and I’ve scolded myself for my laziness (“I’m Horrible for watching a re-run of FRIENDS when I should have been blogging!!!!”). All of this worry & stress still was not enough to motivate me toward my laptop, which was very busy gathering dust in the back corner of my closet, somewhere behind my box-set of FRIENDS. I would occasionally even get minor panic attacks at the mere thought of writing a blog…. “what will I write about??”, “what if it’s not good enough??”, “would Chandler think this blog was funny??”. Time and time again I avoided the dreaded task…. Wondering how something that I once enjoyed SO much, was suddenly more foreboding than the Mayans’ predictions for 2012. Then, one day in July, after a particularly tragic attempt at writing (I think that blog may have actually begun: “GLUTEAL WORK: Don’t get “Behind”. Yikes.), I realized. It wasn’t the phone, or the re-runs, or facebook. It was fear. Plain & simple. I was afraid that…. for the first time in my life… I might actually have nothing to say. This is because for the last 8 months, I have been going through a very challenging & contentious divorce. And on that particular day in July, I was afraid that the whole terrible process had stolen my voice.

Today it will be 237 days since I ended my marriage. 238 days ago, I was married. Today, I am not. For 236 nights, and 237 days I have fought with everything inside to hold onto myself, while at the same time trying desperately to allow myself , the space & forgiveness to grow and heal. Since this website is all about finding Bliss, I will keep it brief, and simply say that the past 8 months have been, without question, the most challenging of my life. In, fact I was watching a study on the news recently, which found that people who have gone through a divorce are 40% more likely to age quickly, and die sooner. Forty Percent. Great. How was I supposed to Blog about “Bliss” & “Wellness” when experts say I am clearly doomed to premature crows feet, and probably only have another 6 months or so to live? The thought of tackling inspirational blogging at this point seemed just overwhelming. WHY would anyone be interested in ANYthing I have to say? So I said nothing.

Over the past 8 months, I have been tried & tested. I have been shattered, hurt, disappointed, and stressed near my breaking point. I have cried, hyperventilated, yelled, and screamed (sometimes at those who didn’t deserve it). I have felt lost, exhausted, confused, manic, and occasionally….. even broken beyond repair. But it turns out…. I wasn’t broken. During those same 8 months, I have smiled and laughed. I have danced and surfed, and cycled. I have painted, and journaled, and dreamed. I have witnessed breathtaking sunsets and heartbreaking Art. I have read books… from the inane to the classics, from self-help to the Yoga Sutras. I have lived and loved and healed. I have grown and learned and soul searched. In essence… I have survived. And beyond merely surviving…… I have managed to find a deeper version of myself. A more authentic ‘Me’. Despite the nearly unbearable havoc that Divorce has inflicted (not just on me, mind you….. but on ALL those who love me the most), I have NOT lost my voice. Or my heart. Or my laughter. Rather….. I have actually FOUND these things again. and… in a more profound way than ever.

From this day… from this very MOMENT onward, I intend to develop a deeper, more personal relationship with my Joy. with my LIFE. I had lost so much during my marriage, that I simply refuse to waste another breath NOT being the best version of myself I can possibly access. This of course, begs the question “HOW do I access my best self?”. And this is when, (as I have so often done in moments of major life crises) I turn to my Father ‘s sage advice. During a particularly challenging time, my Dad reminded me that “Happiness is a choice”. A conscious decision to control our own thoughts, feelings, & destiny. Well… I found this extremely comforting. Happiness is not something that simply ‘happens’ to us one day. We have to choose it. We have to love ourselves enough to truly believe that we deserve it. and To CHOOSE happiness takes hard work, peaceful dedication & patient nurturing. To take care of others, we have to first take care of ourselves.

And Thus begins my brand new journey! My commitment to help others find their health, wellness & Joy, by remembering to nurture and cultivate my own. Each day, I am going to do something…. At least ONE thing … that exists exclusively to fill my heart & feed my soul…. and then Blog about it. A daily commitment to my Bliss. I am going to show my gratitude for this amazing LIFE I’ve been given, by seizing every opportunity to choose JOY. I’m going to “Carpe Diem” my little heart out!!! I’ll begin each Blog entry with “5 Things I am grateful for Today”… and then share my journey. I hope you’ll join me on an adventure of your own.

5 Things I am grateful for Today: 1) The courage to talk about the end of my marriage, and the beginning of my new life 2) My tirelessly devoted Family & Friends, without whom this transition would have seemed insurmountable. 3) my students, who inspire me EVERYDAY with their strength, integrity, dedication, and open hearts 4) gummi coke bottles 5) The profoundly limitless possibilities of Life

We all need a little help along the way when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. My philosophy is to help you create a life of ‘living well’. This means eliminating the OR, and trading up for the AND. Learn how to eat foods that are healthy AND delicious. Find workouts that are effective AND fun. Choose workout clothes that are functional AND fashionable AND budget friendly. Here are some of my favorite sites that always help me find my “AND”!

fitnessmagazine.com and SHAPE.com are excellent and easily navigated sites that offer tips on everything from quick workouts you can do at your desk, to affordable running shoes. They focus on REAL people with realistic goals and provide advice that is accessible and easily implemented no matter what your fitness level or schedule restraints.

Gray’s Anatomy – No, not the ABC show (though a little McDreamy and McSteamy action is ALWAYS good for the heart). I’m actually talking about ‘The Anatomy of the Human Body’ by Henry Gray. Originally published in 1918, it remains the quintessential book on the Human Body. With exquisite drawings and comprehensive detail, you’d be hard pressed to find a better source of information. MAYBE not the best beach reading, but great to develop an awareness of your own miraculous human body.

OrganicEating.com – a great healthy resource that provides important information on the benefits of an organic diet. While on both coasts, farmers’ markets and organic foods are in huge demand, the middle of the country may find it more difficult to regularly find access to organic foods. This site can help! Despite it’s name, the information on the site applies to much more than just food! Learn how to be environmentally friendly AND get healthy at the same time.

CookingLight.com – their mission statemnt is: “making healthy taste great”. Now THAT is the kind of “AND” I am talking about! I have made myriad recipes from this site, and they remain some of my perennial favorites. From beef stroganoff to peanut butter cookies… learn the lighter versions of all your favorite comfort foods, and start to live healthier without sacrificing flavor or the food you love!

To your Health!

~ Elise

Forget the Twelve Days of Christmas!  Nowadays, people start celebrating the holidays before Halloween can even make her grand exit.  Jack-o-lanterns give way to Jack Frost before you can wipe off your vampire-werewolf-warrior-princess make-up!  On the stroke of November 1^st, out come the colored lights, jingle bells, and pine scented candles!! We start going crazy for Frosty & Rudolph, and we just don’t stop celebrating until New Years Day!  This gives us 60 full days of hall-decking & merry making, and before we know it, Jolly Old St. Nick is not the only one with a belly “like a bowl full of jelly”!  We have cookie decorating parties, and Holiday Parties…. office parties, family parties, dinner parties, tree-trimming parties new years’ eve parties….. I could go on and on, but I think we get the picture.  As our raucous Christmakwanzakah celebrations rage on, we are faced with glaring & seemingly insurmountable temptations, coming at us from every direction!  One minute you are chatting up your office ‘crush’ under the mistletoe at a seemingly innocent company party, the next you are uncontrollably downing handfuls of gingerbread cookies, “bite sized” confections, and chocolate snowmen.  Don’t even get me started on the candy cane martinis!!  Of course we want to be fabulous, because… you know…. “’Tis the Season”, but how can we be “merry & bright” without waking up January first needing a separate zip-code for our ‘snowglobes’?  Here are some of my tried & true ways to show our love for the Jolly Fat Man in the red pants, while staying in our skinny jeans!

Don your ‘gay apparel’!: No matter what our size, we all have fun dressing up now & then!  We know the incredible feeling of slinking into your favorite little black number that highlights every curve, or putting on a sharp suit that makes you stand a little taller.  You might query: “what does this have to do with staying fit?”, and I answer you “Everything”!!!!  If you take the time to take pride in your appearance  from the outside in, it can inspire you to do the same from the inside out!  Baggy sweats, oversized Tees, & forgiving elastic waistbands invite us to be sloppy, out of touch with our bodies & to indulge with reckless abandon.  BUT…. When we dress up in our holiday finest, we remember how good it feels to look our best!  Sometimes, this incentive alone is enough to steer us away from the 7 layer cheese dip & over to the cru d’ete!

Keep “visions of sugar-plums” out of your head : to most of us, there is nothing more tempting than a seemingly endless buffet of sweet treats, and no more sure-fire way to give in than to walk into the party famished!  Eat before you go!  Nothing huge… (I mean, let’s face it, you KNOW you’re going to arrive & try at least one mini-quiche and maybe a cracker with spinach dip), but satiate your hunger.  A protein rich snack is best… maybe cottage cheese, or a handful of nuts.  You can even indulge your sweet tooth nature’s way, before leaving the house!  Try eating an apple, or even a banana with light coat of peanut butter. Mmmmmm!!  Satisfy your craving in a filling, healthy way & you’ll be less likely to stray.  If you really have a love/ hate relationship with your willpower, slide a few slices of dried mango or pinapple in a Ziploc & toss it in your bag.  Then instead of reaching for the coconut snowball, save hundreds of calories with your own sweet-treat!!

Some days…. and for some reason it seems to be particularly MONdays… life can seem exceptionally overwhelming. You know the feeling when you wake up in the morning (sometimes before the sun even rises) and you just want to pull the covers up over your face, hit the snooze button & hide from the world? Well on THOSE days, I need a little extra motivation to get moving, and to choose to face the world with open arms and an open heart. Even before my first cup of coffee.

Here are some of my favorite places to find ONLINE inspiration:

Specialolympics.org – My dad started coaching a special olympics bowling team in Virginia about 8 years ago. Whenever I was in town I’d go join in on their practices. Despite the fact that every kid out there easily beat me by upward of 60 points, I always had a blast. It is incredible how much courage and joy I saw in each of these extraordinary young athletes. A great reminder of how very much this life has to offer! Check out this site to learn how to get involved. Nothing feels better & more rewarding than making a substantial difference in someone’s life. Bring JOY to your community and your World.

Yogaeverywhere.com - Sometimes you just need to BREATHE! This website is filled with great information from the yoga sutras, to words of wisdom, to locations of studios near you. Now, there is no excuse! Trade your couch and your bag of potato chips (even if they’re “fat free”- yuck!) for a mat and a smart water! Get out there and live!

Epicurious.com – their logline is “for people who love to eat”.  Come ON! Now WHO can’t get on board with that? Get creative, and channel your inner “Julie & Julia”! learn to make a meal that is also a work of art. Pick up delicious tips on healthy eating, or grab your friends and learn how to entertain. This site has great tips on how to make life more tasty. What are you still doing here? Get going!!

Hautehealth.blogspot.com Ok… THIS site is near and dear to my heart. It is created and maintained by my dear friend Suzanne, who also happens to be one of the world’s most AMAZING women, and most inspired chefs! Suz uses her love of yoga, food, cooking and inner beauty to help you become the “whole, healthy, happy person” you’ve always wanted to be! Suzanne’s style is easy, accessible and fun. Best of all, I can tell you from experience that the main ingredient in all of her recipes…. is Love. In short, This site is absolutely delicious!

Nytimes.com – Let’s face it. Smart is Sexy!! Staying informed, and developing educated opinions about current events is IMPERITIVE to being a good citizen of humanity. Being a born and bred New Yorker, I am an absolute devotee of this paper (even though I have been living in LA for almost 4 years now). It’s easy AND “green” to view it on-line, so grab your cup o’ joe and your fluffy bathrobe and read up on the issues that affect you, and the lives of those around you. You can also try CNN.com for all the latest headlines

Komen.org – Most of us know someone, or know someone who loves someone who has fought breast cancer . For the past 2 years I have been a part of “pilates for pink”, a charitable organization which benefits breast cancer awareness, and encourages women to get & stay healthy with diet, exercise, and regular mammograms. Check it out at http://www.shapeonline.com/pfp/ . My feature in the October Issue of SHAPE Magazine was in honor of breast cancer awareness month, and proceeds benefitted the cause. From science, to stories of personal triumph, both of these sites give you ALL the info on how to run, walk, strut, or curl for the CURE!

Thelifestyleboost.ca – This is a phenomenal site started by another one of my incredible friends! I am SO lucky to be surrounded by people who are out there changing the world, one iPHone click at a time! Ipsita Paul (actor/ dancer/ singer extraordinaire) started this daily feed to help us learn how to live GREEN without loosing our fabulousity! As the fitness expert for the site, I can promise you that the health & wellness tips you’ll get here will be BRILLIANT!

Healthybitchdaily.com – yes. I am also the fitness expert for this fantastic new site! (I know, I know…. “how do I do it?”….. well, I am just so excited about being green, being happy and living well, that my wise words of wisdom cannot be confined to merely ONE fantastic daily feed experience!!). This site is specially designed for women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and locations. Think “sex and the city” meets ‘vegetarian chic’, and you’ll get the idea!

OnDemandBooks.com – My friend Johnny (who, by the way, I have known since we went to Paul VI catholic high school together and both survived the suffocating reading list of Fr. Lyle’s history class) is very busy in NYC saving the world of book publishing. Continuing on with our theme of ‘going green’, On Demand Books uses the “Espresso Book Machine” to create made to order books! This way, you can have the best of ALL worlds. Because, let’s face it, you saw “an inconvenient truth”, and you want to reduce your carbon footprint, but at the SAME time, you LOOOOOOOVE the smell of books, and you like to turn pages, and underline important symbolic passages. I know. Me too! Now… you can do both. Thanks Johnny! Looks like Fr. Lyle taught you something valuable after all!