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A belated YAHOO!!!! for Shawna, our newest AllStar! I am so honored to have her brilliance in our pod of sassy goddesses!

Tonight's HoopSexy class has been cancelled. :( The space was double booked. Hope to see you in next week's classes!

Tonight we had Julie Wentz audition and gain membership in the HoopGirl Allstars! Wow! Julie is a phenomenal hooper with an obvious devotion to her personal practice, especially hooping"in the Buff". She radiated with her smiles, hip sways, and complex dance moves in a glittering costume while performing with dynamism and grace. It was truly an honor to have her audition and I am so excited she will be transmitting positivity and bliss with us on stage! Congratulations Julie!

Well friends, apparently there have been issues mailing out links from iTunes. From now on, I will be posting my music lists here on my blog instead of sending by email or newsletter.If you click on the title of this iMix, it will take you directly into your own iTunes application and open up the whole list in iTunes for you to purchase as desired. Enjoy!

Today I am including a practice in my blog from a book called, "The 15 Minute Miracle". Hooping is part of whole life practice of wellbeing and joy ... but there are other important aspects as well! One big part of my life is choosing to consciously create positive thoughts. When I combine hooping with these consciousness building activities, the benefits of both are amplified! Enjoy...

Today, Thursday March 13, 2008, is a clean slate for me to enjoy. As long as I can CHOOSE my thoughts, I can CHOOSE what I attract and create in my life. Starting today, my ongoing intention is to find healthy and fun ways to return to my center faster, with ease, laughter and a sense of divine connection to all beings!

I truely appreciate my job because it brings me the gifts of creativity, beauty, exhileration, inspiration, new remarkable friends, and financial support. I am so grateful for oxygen because it sustains my body and it is totally free and always abundant. I am so thankful for my husband because he is always here for me, full of love and committed to the success of our marriage. I am thankful for mentors who continually appear in my life and light the way for me so that I feel guided. I am so happy that the Internet was created and is always available to me because it links me to a world of infinite possibilities and information which makes me feel connected. I am so grateful for clean water because it allows me to nourish and cleanse my body easily ... plus it is always here in boatloads and practically free! I am so glad to have a wonderful car which easily transports me anywhere I need to go. I am so grateful for my mom because she is overflowing with love and demonstrates the power of an open heart to me. Thank you!

I love it when I feel giddy. When I feel this way, it makes it easier for me to smile and laugh for no reason at all, which makes it easier for me to relax, lighten up, and enjoy whatever I'm doing.

I take time to prioritize the things that really matter.
I eat mostly vibrant, colorful, raw foods which make my body feel light and energized.
I drink gallons of fresh clean water every day!
My company creates a constant cash flow which exceeds expenses, is being led by amazing leaders who share my vision and is providing income for my family for generations to come.
My "work", which feels more like play, is easy, fun and creating a flood of empowerment, positivity and wellbeing on the planet!
I wear clothes in beautiful colors which make me feel like a divine goddess.
My marriage is full of time for play, laughter, and new adventures which inspire us to have even more fun.
We own a wonderful home which is completely paid off in a heavenly place that feels amazingly peaceful, beautiful, close to nature, nourished in life energy, spacious and inspiring.
I have enough time to play for most of the day, hoop to my heart's content, dance, do Nia, have more heartfelt conversations with friends, swim in the warm ocean, relax, create art and inspired works of spiritual celebration.
I am surrounded by people who I absolutely admire in every way.
I am co-creating with luminous visionaries, creating exciting projects with little effort which bring much more peace and joy to the world.
I love relaxing and luxuriating in my body by going to Hot Springs and hiking in nature.
Part of my spiritual, creative and nourishing life practice is to travel all over the world to lush tropical islands where I can connect with the energies of the earth, including trips to: Penang, Dominica, Utila, Pico, Aruba, Vanuatu, St. Kitts, New Zealand, Taveuni, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Kauai, Maui, Bora Bora, Ko Surin, and dozens more.
I deepen my spiritual practice and know I am completely fulfilling my divine life mission on this planet.
I take time to communicate and receive guidance from wise beings, including the whales and dolphins, and I transcribe images and stories based on these inspirations which I share with the world.

I now invite assistance from the Loving Power that dwells within me and All of Life Everywhere. Dear Luminous Matrix of Light and One-Ness, Thank you for your perfect guidance, unconditional love, and ongoing support. If it is in the highest good for me and All Life Everywhere, please divinely orchestrate the following in just the perfect time:

Help me to communicate from a place of love, awareness and sensitivity and in a way which inspires and empowers.

Teach me to observe my thoughts, consciously infuse them with light, and how to choose to create a beautiful reality.

If it is in the highest good, give me the strength to persevere in my business and to have faith that I am on the right path and that all is well.

Inspire me to inhabit my higher self in my marriage, and to grow and evolve into a more loving, caring person.

I completely release all worries, doubts and fears to You, Great Spirit, As I trust you to take care of the details, everything unfolds naturally and falls into place with amazing ease.

As a special treat today, I give myself permission to make a reservation at a Hot Springs. My special way of being kind to someone else today is to make sure the house is neat and tidy so Kramer feels comfortable and loved.

With enormous gratutude, I now agree to receive these and even greater gifts in just the perfect time in delightful ways that bless and benefit All Life Everywhere. Signed, the magnificent Christabel!

I wrote this blog on my computer in the airport right after my last workshop with Baxter Saturday evening....

For whatever reason, I had a strong feeling that Baxter was leading me on a scuba diving expedition into the liquids of my body which connect the more etheric fibers of my being to a larger intergalactic whole-ness... Part preacher, part channel, part goddess worshipping mythologist, Baxter is a blast . Learning with him in the Bend warehouse was a froliking adventure all it's own, full of laughter and funky attitude... the Nia space, in contrast, had a resonant vibe of spirit which created a vessel, a basket, open, ready and receptive to his creative meanderings.... Teaching in the Nia space is a doorway, for sure. When I taught my own training there I found myself unlocked in a very magical way. Actually I am still somewhat amazed I was allowed to teach there! Such a blessing. To be sharing space with Carlos, Debbie, and Candice is pretty sweet~

Now being there with so many loved ones in the room, including Carlos whom I have admired and learned so much from, I felt, quite simply, blissed out. Slightly out of my body at the same time, Bax's words floated in and out of my consciousness... but I let it happen, allowing the floating like being on a wave and figured that his mojo would osmos even if I couldn't process all the words. I was flooded with respect for his awareness when he greeted Nia upon initiation of his workshop and felt from that moment on that a portal had been opened in my awareness. Was it the caffeine or his urgent reminders to "open, open, open!" that freed my hands, arms and shoulders to move through a flooding series of geometric symbols in succession? He just kept circulating among his students, remembering lots of their names, sharing from his own lens of the world. His workshop energized me at a deep level.

It felt fabulous to be the student again, to immerse into "beginner's mind" and to receive. Being a student really is a wonderful gift. You just get soaked with inspiration and gifts non-stop. I mean, what could be better than being a student? Your only job is to open and be nourished! Blossom, get ripe and transcend.

Gems for me... again, the realization of cross body opposite hand reversals. Also balancing for prolonged periods of time while standing or dancing on one foot, then the other. Getting approached by Sparkle Star and others who shared the love and appreciation with me. Seeing Candice, my ministry soul sister. Seeing Jess, my AllStar twinkling-eyed friend!

Ann is so quietly supportive of Baxter, gorgeous, attentive and everpresent, but honestly I long for her to break out and let her own wildness loose. I long for her to take the mic and lead too. How would the material emerge differently from a woman? She has harnessed the same elemental powers through hoopdance which he has... but at the same time, I also sense she is still taming the power of words which flood through her like a tidal wave. I can't wait to see how her power as a space-holder evolves...

The closing jam really was a wonderful release. Knowing that I would probably be unable to hoop for the next couple days.. with 3 flights and a red eye, followed by wakes and a funeral ahead of me, I just pretty much unleashed in every way possible. I rocked a new small light hoop which I have only played with a few times... it was perfect. I LOVE hooping in this way. Raw, unbridled, unharnessed. I feel like a cheetah, charging across the savanah, I could almost feel the air rushing my the fur on my face and sense my eyes, glazing over slightly to protect me from the rushing air... and the blur of brown and green all around me under an expansive blue sky and blazing sun. Faster, faster, faster, envisioning my heart inside my body, red and pumping, the rhythm syncing with the music, the rush... the high. The purest place of connection I know. So grateful I could visit this place, even if only for a few moments while at this event! Usually I have connected with this place occasionally at BAHs or usually at Burning Man, or on stage.. but there she was, my cheetah guide, there again to greet me. Open arms. Yes!

What I especially l loved was a deepening awareness also, of how radically different my teaching style is than Baxter's. Sometimes, frankly, I don't appreciate myself and the unique things I provide. It's hard to see myself. While Baxter's wise words took me on a magical journey all of it's own, at the same time I felt a precious thankfulness for my own way -- a teaching style which sometimes I have questioned -- A unique channeling all of it's own. I was able to see clearly the energetics which I work with -- joy, beauty, blissful exuberance .. freshness like ripe orchid blossoms... delicious nourishing and vivid imagery.. like grasses and flowers and dirt in a field under foot, rubbing against my legs, making their own earthy smell. A style that is uniquely feminine, powerful and vivid... guiding like a nurturing mother, an urgent lover, a thrilled best friend. I felt myself flooded with appreciation, validation.. in Baxter's words, "following my own inclinations". Yielding to my own poetics... claiming my own divine link and soundings. Thank you! I feel re-inspired to re-immerse myself in my own channelings, my own sonar seeking psychic senses ... what a sweet reminder of my own value.

So here I am in San Francisco airport. Took a plane here after a group dinner following the workshop. It is 10:31 pm and after landing and waiting an hour Kramer arrived to continue on the journey with me. We are taking a red eye back east for the family gathering.. my hoops are checked in with my bag.. I'm envisioning them arriving since we have to drive from Connecticut, once we land, to New York... I know I could always replace them, but i could sure use their support now. Regardless, I know I can do the same exercises I did on the plane on the way here.. playing music on my ipod, closing my eyes and imagining my hands, blurring, playing, guiding, teasing, flirting with my hoop in connected movements of love and ecstatic flow.

We arrived into Portland yesterday and Ann, Jasmine and I went to a steam and sauna spa for a while... a wonderful release of sweat and lots of girl bonding time. I feel so lucky to have such remarkable friends!

We had a big group out for sushi dinner and Carlos put on his shamanic business hat while speaking to me/us about business building challenges...

So many gems of wisdom!

On people "stealing"/"copying" hoop programs/companies: Carlos advised that when you get fearful and controlling people are attracted to that energy and provoke that very behavior even more. He suggested staying strong in my own identity and remembering that what people are attracted to is, not the product, but the very energy I am sending out. He encouraged me to directly speak my truth to those who I feel are trespassing my boundaries, but to avoid investing myself in the outcome and instead investing myself back into the passion of the work I am doing and letting that re-nourish the being of my creation.

On getting "burnt out" by overwork: He shared a quote about our creations often growing so big that they consume us --- that is the natural order of things. He said that you have to have a balance of nourishing the being of your creation in a way that directly feeds it's most important growth, and then specific times when you allow your creation to feed you. He encouraged honoring both. There will be times when intensive non-stop work is required, but the balance must be set with intensive non-stop rest/play.

One thing I have always been fascinated about with Carlos and Debbie is that they each speak of Nia as a conscious non-physical being who is literally transmitting to them how to share it's essence. I am deeply inspired by this to connect to the energy of HoopGirl, as a force of nature which is wanting to be birthed, and to serve her in ways which remember to balance giving and receiving. I think if I keep my focus on being a sort of temple priestess to this energy, with the awareness of serving a higher energetic of beauty, youthful nourishment, bliss and joy, all will be well.

It is a tricky balance to find the balance of "minding my own business" and defending my creation when I feel it "threatened". The insights which Carlos shared were really about questioning my definition of "threatened". He asked me questions like,
"what are you specifically afraid of?"
"what will you loose if this person 'copying' you continues?"

Basically, where is the fear? Because the reaction is based in that and perpetuates it. Not to say that lawyers don't have their own place in things, but his comments have really got me thinking about all of this in an even deeper way. Where is the balance. Where is the power held in the most revered and respected way as a divine energetic? I'll have to keep chewing on this...I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful friend who can share these seasoned insights!

Today's image is Ixchel, Maya Goddess of healing...

I decided to come up and spend some quality time with close friends in Bend and Portland for the Hoop Path workshops. I guess you can say I'm a junkie! Studying with Baxter and Ann last year really changed the course of my development as a hooper and teacher... development, which at that time was somewhat plateauing. They opened my eyes to practicing hooping as a LIFE PRACTICE. Before I was a "lifetime" hooper, loving it, doing it all the time, having fun, empowering myself and others. But afterwards, it was like I had the eyes of an old Chinese woman, looking deeply into the matrix of my body while hooping on a much more regular schedule... striving for every day if not several times per week -- alone-- doing it wether I wanted to or not. Pushing through resistance and just doing it the same way one would approach daily yoga, for the immediate gratification, but more so for the long haul of cellular transformation. I am so grateful!

The gems gained from my time studying with them at 2 workshops last year at this time of the year carried me through an entire year and sparked a journey within me that has deepened and enriched my experience of hooper beyond belief! I can quite honestly say that the personal practice I have developed has nurtured and sustained me through good times and bad and bestowed upon me skills which feel like gaining the ability to fly. Also, the block I felt in developing my own materials evaporated and inspiration poured into me which allowed me to follow through on creating levels 2 and 3 HoopStar Workout™ trainings. The TIME invested allowed a spectacular download of information which deeply has transformed me.

So last night.. the first 3 hour workshop in an industrial warehouse. Gems for me... what I like to call "Sugar Ray" paddling, another exercise we did dancing together around the whole room in outflow... for the first time I was able to dance while traveling in Snake in my outflow and truely explore levels such as touching the floor or jumping high in the air. Another exercise of stepping away and back with balance... while doing it blindfolded I felt my breathe become audible and found my arms taking on a life of their own in martial arts like movements. Two handed stops and continuing on the same or other direction. It was exhausting, thrilling, and hugely inspiring to watch Ann in her shrinky-dink hoop with all the flow and grace I could ever imagine. Paddling outside the hoop... I had forgotten that bruising, yet deeply satisfying practice until I saw Baxter immerse in it again. These moments of breakthrough, as a seasoned hooper, are very precious to me. I feel so blessed to have come here. How could I have ever doubted it was the perfect thing to do???

Baxter's teaching style has also blossomed and enriched since the year ago when I studied with him. He seems so much more relaxed, his teaching is much tighter and he is so funny! I love that he has brought such a lighthearted element into his teaching... deep material, and amazing group of people. He is so utterly original and unique.

We are again blessed to be hosted by the wonderful HoopDazzle, Mollie Hogan, while here in Bend, and her generous fiancee Chris. We are staying in a gorgeous massive house which they built themselves by hand. Mollie is a superstar, stylish, super-together realtor who is the mama of the local hoop community. She is so gracious and focused on giving to her students... she just attended my Level 2 training and is already thinking about how she can keep her students' hunger for more satisfied! She teaches in a fabulous studio which her brother owns and collaborates a lot with Brandon of the Spinsterz. After the workshop, we came home to a delicious meal of Chicken curry cooked up by Chris and some fabulous wine and great conversation surrounding a large wooden table with candles burning and ambiance galore. Not you average hosting location or person, to say the least!!! Everything is luxurious, beautiful.. .and so SPACIOUS compared to my tiny apartment in San Francisco. What a wonderful breath of fresh air!

Of course I am traveling with the fabulous Jasmine as well, my soul sister! It is so deeply nourishing to spend time with her. I am so glad.

Todays image, called "Spring Path" is by Sean McHugh (www.pbase.com/compuminus/image/27751862)