Welcome, dear readers, to a tranquil journey towards restful nights and rejuvenating sleep. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's essential to carve out a moment for self-care. What better way to unwind than with a soothing yoga sequence designed to prepare your body and mind for a night of deep, restorative sleep?
So, roll out your Big Raven yoga mat, slip into your comfiest yoga attire–or PJ’s and let's embark on this gentle adventure together.
Child's Pose (Balasana):
Begin in a comfortable seated position, then gently lower your torso forward, extending your arms in front of you. Rest your forehead on the mat, and breathe deeply. Allow the soothing stretch in your back to release tension and quiet your mind. Visualize bringing the tips of your fingers further away from your sit bones. Create length in your spine. Hold for 3-5 breaths.
Cat-Cow Stretch (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana):
Transition to your hands and knees, moving through a flowing sequence of arching your back (cow) and rounding your spine (cat). This rhythmic movement warms up the spine, promoting flexibility and easing any stiffness. Repeat for 5 rounds, syncing your breath with the motion.
Forward Fold (Uttanasana):
Stand tall and slowly hinge at your hips, lowering your upper body towards the floor. Allow your arms to dangle or hold onto opposite elbows. Feel the gentle stretch in your hamstrings and let your head hang loose. Take 5 deep breaths, letting go of any lingering tension.
Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani):
Find a wall and lie on your back, extending your legs up against it. Rest your arms by your sides. This restorative inversion promotes relaxation and eases fatigue, encouraging a sense of calm. Stay in this pose for 5-10 minutes, focusing on slow, rhythmic breathing.
Supine Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana):
Lie on your back, draw one knee towards your chest, and gently guide it across your body, keeping the opposite shoulder grounded. This twist releases tension in the spine and promotes a sense of serenity. Hold each side for 3-5 breaths.
Corpse Pose (Savasana):
Finish your sequence with the ultimate relaxation pose. Lie on your back, legs extended, and arms comfortably at your sides, palms facing up. Close your eyes and surrender to the stillness. Focus on your breath, allowing any lingering stress to dissipate. Rest in Savasana for at least 5-10 minutes.
As you rise from your final relaxation, take a moment to appreciate the peace you've cultivated within. This simple yoga sequence is your gateway to a night of deep, rejuvenating sleep. Incorporate it into your bedtime routine, and let the gentle embrace of these poses guide you into a world of tranquility. Sweet dreams, dear friends.
]]>Crafting for Everyone
The idea that crafting is exclusively for artists or creatives is a common misconception. In reality, crafting is about creativity and personal expression, which we all possess in some form. Paper crafting, in particular, is a wonderful starting point. It’s simple, requires minimal tools, and the results can be stunning. I’ve met many who started their crafting journey later in life, finding a newfound passion and a community of like-minded individuals.
Here’s the best part: there is no ‘right’ way to do any of it. Embrace the imperfections in your creations – they add character and uniqueness. As you craft more, the more you'll find your own style emerging. It's not about competing with others; it's about the happiness and fulfillment you get from the process.
Moreover, crafting isn’t just about the end product; it’s a process that offers immense therapeutic benefits. It’s a form of meditation that allows you to focus on the task at hand, providing relief from stress and the hustle of daily life. Many people have shared how crafting has brought them a sense of peace and accomplishment.
Let us take Paper crafting as an example.
Paper crafting is a delightful and accessible way to tap into your creative potential. It’s not just for artists; it’s for anyone willing to try something new and enjoy the process of creation. It’s a versatile and accessible form of art that offers a range of activities suitable for everyone, from beginners to seasoned crafters. Whether it's the simplicity of creating a handmade card, the intricacy of origami, or the personal touch of a scrapbook, these projects are ideal for those starting out, requiring nothing more than basic supplies like paper, a few embellishments, and a dash of imagination. The beauty of paper crafting lies in its flexibility; you can choose a project that resonates with your interests, be it a set of personalized greeting cards or a uniquely crafted scrapbook.
And if you’re looking for a place to start, check out Joleen's Tik Tok Account where she shares a plethora of crafting tips and project ideas that are perfect for both beginners and experienced crafters. Her creative approach to paper crafting, combined with easy-to-follow tutorials, makes her an excellent resource for anyone looking to dive into this hobby.
You may also consider joining an online Craft Club, such as the Art Kit of the Month Club offered byJoleen Emery of Big Raven Farm. This club provides a unique opportunity to receive monthly art kits, ensuring a steady stream of new ideas and materials to fuel your creativity.
Alongside online resources, local crafting groups also offer a community of support, allowing you to connect with fellow enthusiasts and share your crafting journey.
Additionally, you may join art retreats, such as those offered at Big Raven Farm. Nestled in the tranquil settings of Spring Grove, Minnesota, it is a haven for crafters. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced crafter, this farm offers a nurturing environment to explore your creativity. With specialized workshops and a supportive community, it’s the perfect place to delve into your passion projects. The farm hosts various art and craft retreats, providing an ideal backdrop for inspiration and creativity. If you’re interested in experiencing the unique atmosphere of Big Raven Farm, here are the upcoming art retreats and contact details for booking your next art retreat. Don’t forget to check out our online crafting community for more inspiration and support in your crafting journey. Happy crafting!
There's something to be said for getting away from it all, even if it's just for a few days. And while a retreat might seem like a luxury, the peace and tranquility of nature can be a powerful force in your life — one that leaves you more grounded and refreshed than ever before.
Here are several reasons why it's a great idea to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature:
Whether you seek relaxation, inspiration, personal growth, or simply a break from the demands of daily life, a retreat in nature can offer a wealth of benefits. It provides an opportunity to step back, reconnect with yourself, and find solace in the beauty and serenity of the natural world. So, consider embracing the healing power of nature and embark on a retreat that will nourish your mind, body, and soul.
At Big Raven Farm we offer a variety of retreats from yoga to crafting to fine dining and cooking. We are located in the beautiful driftless region where Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa meet. Our secluded property boasts a 2.2 mile hiking trail, 10 wooded acres, and our breathtaking country estate complete with a yoga studio, gift shop, and plenty of places to enjoy the view of the vallies and vistas. For a complete list of retreats click here.
]]>Discover Your Oasis at Big Raven Farm:
Located amidst the idyllic landscapes of Spring Grove, MN, Big Raven Farm provides the perfect setting for an enchanting weekend getaway. Surrounded by natural beauty and fresh air, this retreat offers an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of your life. As you enter this haven, you'll be greeted by Joleen Emery and her husband chef-Darin Warling, who are dedicated to ensuring you have a memorable and enriching experience. They are absolute pros and taking care of people and making sure they feel welcomed.
Choose Your Own Adventure:
At this Craft Retreat, the power to curate your experience lies in your hands. Whether you're an avid crafter or simply seek tranquility, the retreat offers a plethora of options to cater to your needs. Engage in various crafting workshops led by Joleen Emery herself and discover your hidden artistic talents. If you prefer a leisurely stroll, the picturesque landscapes of Big Raven Farm are at your disposal. Feel free to take a relaxing nap, explore the charming village of Spring Grove, or witness the beauty of nature as you set up a hammock and watch the deer roam the farm. The retreat encourages you to listen to your heart and embark on the path of self-care that resonates most with you.
Farm-to-Table Delights:
One of the highlights of this retreat is the delectable farm-to-table meals made from wholesome ingredients. Prepared by Darin with love and care, each meal is a culinary delight, satisfying both your taste buds and your soul. As you indulge in these savory dishes, you'll experience the joy of nourishing your body with nature's bounty.
Connect and Create:
One of the most cherished aspects of the Craft Retreat is the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. As you bond over crafts, meals, and leisurely activities, you'll forge lasting friendships and create cherished memories that will stay with you long after the retreat concludes.
Take the Leap - Register Now!
Are you ready to embark on a weekend filled with creativity, relaxation, and self-care? Don't miss this chance to join Joleen Emery's Craft Retreat at Big Raven Farm in Spring Grove, MN. Registration includes meals, accommodations, instruction, and all the supplies you need for crafting sessions. Treat yourself to this extraordinary experience and return home with a rejuvenated spirit and a renewed passion for your craft.
Escape to the tranquil surroundings of Big Raven Farm and immerse yourself in a weekend of self-discovery and creativity. Joleen Emery's Craft Retreat promises to be an enriching and unforgettable experience, where you can choose your own adventure and indulge in farm-to-table meals. Register now and embark on a journey of artistic exploration and self-care like never before! We look forward to welcoming you to this one-of-a-kind retreat in Spring Grove, MN.
]]>Spending a weekend at a craft retreat is a great way to take care of yourself by doing what you love.
Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just getting started, spending a weekend at a craft retreat is a great way to indulge in your passion and just play. You'll have the opportunity to learn from craft influencer, Joleen Emery, shoot the sheet with other crafters, and dive into a range crafty mediums you might not have tried.
We offer craft retreats to suit a variety of interests and levels of experience. Craft Retreats at Big Raven Farm are organized by project. Search through what we have to offer and discover all of the amazing projects Joleen has prepared. If you are new to crafting–honestly no worries–Joleen is such a good teacher. Just take a look at what others have said about her teaching style. (Lyn insert three or four Joleen is a great teacher testimonials)
No matter what your level of expertise, our craft retreats provide a supportive and welcoming environment for you to explore your creativity. And with the energy and excitement of others who share your interests, our craft retreats are so so so much fun!!
Enjoy the company of fellow craft lovers
One of the best things about taking a craft workshop is enjoying the company of fellow craft lovers. There is nothing quite like being surrounded by people who share your passion for crafting. You will have ample opportunity to get to know your fellow crafters and make some new friends. We have some crafters who have made arrangements to attend more craft retreats together.
And you know––sometimes crafting can be a very solitary activity, so it is always nice to have some companionship while you are working. At Big Raven Farm craft retreats you will be in such great company. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, you’ll enjoy your time away. The joke at Big Raven Farm is that time moves differently here than anywhere else. You’ll walk through the doors, you’ll blink, and before you know it you’ll be packing up to head home.
Relax at our charming country estate nestled on 10 acres in the breathtaking Driftless Region.
From the moment you walk through our doors you’ll be enveloped in comfort. Our guest rooms have been curated for your comfort with the luxurious linens, bedding and peaceful décor. Throughout your stay our in-house chef will surprise and delight you at all 8 meals. With fresh ingredients, whole foods and elevated menus we promise you will be nurtured and satisfied. You will sleep well, eat well, and be well taken care of–it’s an easy promise to make because you are guests in our home.
]]>If travel is in your future—maybe you're planning to see family you haven't been able to see in awhile or maybe you're planning to head home for the holidays... no matter how you plan to get there your Big Raven Yoga mat is perfect for the journey.
Not too heavy and completely foldable and packable your Big Raven Yoga mat will plop back into shape as soon as you reach your destination.
In this video Hannah demonstrates how she packs her mat in her rolling carry-on
We don't suggest you leave your mat in this position for a long period of time—but for there and back your mat will be fine!
]]>Social media influencers and digital creators have taken the world by storm over the last decade. These individuals have found a way to leverage their online presence to create meaningful connections with their followers and monetize their content. Joleen Emery, a rising star in the world of social media, is no exception. She recently launched a craft club that is both creative and unique, attracting a lot of attention from her fans.
Joleen Emery is a social media influencer and digital creator with a passion for all things creative. Her online presence has gained her a large following on various social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. With a focus on DIY and crafting, Joleen has become known for her creativity and unique ideas. Her followers love her for her ability to inspire and empower them to explore their own creativity.
Recently, Joleen launched a new venture, a craft club that offers subscribers monthly DIY projects and supplies. The craft club is designed to provide an outlet for people to explore their creative side and learn new skills. Each month, subscribers receive a box filled with almost all the materials they need to complete a new craft project. The projects range from home decor to jewelry-making, and everything in between.
What sets Joleen's craft club apart is the level of creativity and uniqueness that goes into each project. Joleen's background in art and design shines through in each project, with a focus on using unexpected materials and incorporating unexpected elements. Her projects are not just about creating something beautiful; they are about pushing boundaries and exploring new ways of crafting. By using repurposed materials like books, magazines, catalogs, and cardboard, Joleen is not only reducing waste but also creating unique and one-of-a-kind pieces. It takes a lot of creativity and skill to take materials that may be seen as disposable and turn them into something beautiful and functional.
The craft club has been a huge success, with subscribers raving about the quality of the projects and the supplies. Joleen's attention to detail and dedication to creating something truly unique has resonated with her followers. The craft club has become a community, with subscribers sharing their finished projects on social media and connecting with each other through their shared love of crafting.
The monthly live zoom call is another fantastic feature of Joleen's craft club. It provides a sense of community and allows subscribers to connect with each other and with Joleen. Being able to see the monthly project being demonstrated in real-time and having Joleen on hand to answer questions or troubleshoot any issues is incredibly valuable. It also shows that Joleen is dedicated to ensuring that her subscribers have a positive and successful crafting experience.
Joleen is not only focused on creating a community of crafters but also promoting sustainable practices. In a world where environmental issues are becoming increasingly pressing, it's essential that we all take steps to reduce waste and promote sustainability. Joleen's commitment to using repurposed materials in her designs is an excellent example of how we can all do our part to create a more sustainable future.
Joleen's craft club is a fantastic way for people to explore their creativity and learn new crafting skills. It's great to know that Joleen has created a community of like-minded individuals who can connect and support each other through their love of crafting. Her kind-hearted and supportive approach is sure to make the craft club a continued success. Because her community is at the heart of everything Joleen does craft club members can pause, skip, or cancel at any time.
]]>My mom is Joleen Emery, Founder and CEO of Big Raven Yoga. She is a yoga mom. She is leggings everyday...wanna go to yoga with me... take a deep breath...you are worthy just as you (no changes required) kind of mom.
My mom has been practicing yoga since before I was born. We call her "yoga obsessed" behind her back and to her face. When we were growing up, her idea of a great afternoon would be taking all of us to a community yoga class or going on a hike and then suggest we try a pose to "better connect with nature." Think tree pose while walking among the trees. I still remember how excited she got when my brother Jack stopped and did a scorpion right in the middle Colorado mountain trail.
Jack hits his Scorpion (Colorado Springs, CO)
I have so many wonderful memories of my mom demonstrating poses and encouraging me and my siblings to try them. All of us down on the floor laughing, falling (the floor wasn't that far away) continuing to try—we lovingly teased her while secretly adoring how much fun we were having. Her favorite pose back then was hurdler, we were so proud of her strength as she rested one knee on her elbow and lifted her other leg high to the sky. It was actually a surprise to me to learn that not all moms did yoga, that not all moms begged their kids to go to class with them, that not all moms planned the rest of their life around their daily yoga practice.
Joleen's Hurdler's Pose (San Simone, CA)
There were so many times my sister Hannah and I joined her at Core Power for CP2 or Yoga Sculpt. I could just feel her joy as she walked into the studio with us. I'm not sure if she was proud or simply delighted that we were on this path with her. Whatever it was, I liked it. No. I loved it. I loved how my actions brought my mom an emotion I could feel coming out of her body and into mine.
Charlie's elevated pike (Spring Grove, MN)
Hannah's updog (Los Angeles, CA)
When my mom announced she was going to get her Yoga Teacher Certification none of us where surprised. When she announced she was going to start a yoga mat company that would focus on amazing artwork on great mats we thought that made sense. When my mom shared they were going to invest in several thousand dollars in specialized printing equipment we thought of course they are. When she said they were going to buy a farm for yoga retreats and move us from our wonderful life in Minneapolis to a small town of 1,300... we raised our hands and said, "what's that now?
We have been in Spring Grove one year this week.
On our farm my mom has her own yoga studio, a print shop for yoga mat production, sleeping accommodations for 14, a dining hall that seats 60, a 2.2 mile nature trail that surrounds our property, and a home that is quite honestly breathtaking. She is now an accomplished skid steer driver, she loves having free range chickens, she has been clearing the grove, painting miles and miles of trim and during all of this she has still been practicing and leading yoga.
Big Raven Yoga's Gorgeous Studio (Spring Grove, MN)
If you read this blog you know there have been some challenging times for my family. We are normal and just like everyone else—there are highs and lows. There was a time in my life when I was feeling a little lost. During that time I thought a lot about my mom and her dedication to yoga. I could hear her words in my ears as I thought about breathing in through my nose—exhaling through a closed mouth—making the sound of the ocean. I thought about pulling peace, love, forgiveness, and tenderness into my heart. Letting the abundance of those words surround me and bring me comfort knowing all of those things were right there within my reach because that's where I put them. I believe my mom when she says, "yoga is a metaphor for our life... it's just practice... you get as many do-overs as you're willing to take."
I think about getting to yoga every day—I plan my life around when I'll be able to get to practice. I feel better every time I step off my mat. I miss it when it's been awhile between classes. I love taking care of my body while I'm fueling my mind. I am so much like my mom and wanted her to know that having a yoga mom is the best. I love feeling her influence in my heart.
Joleen and Georgie's side by side Reverse Warrior
I'm proud of you mommy and I love you.
GG
]]>Lucy Penfield has been practicing yoga since 1991—Hatha Yoga is her favorite type of practice because it helps her to “center her crazy energy.” She is also a mom, wife, business owner, and something of a celebrity here in Minnesota — and certainly elsewhere — although she’s much too humble to let on or admit it. She is well regarded, valued, and admired as a business leader and visionary. I’ve been a Lucy fan for quite some time, so when I saw her yoga mat order come through our system — I had something of a fangirl sized stroke.
Lucy’s work in Interior Design has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Florida Design, Artful Living, HGTV Magazine, Midwest Home, Mpls St. Paul Magazine and about a gagillion others.
Her love of color and interesting textile combinations are elements of her signature style… and it’s nummy, wonderful, and inspiring. When I was embarrassing myself a little with my admiration and love for her work — she very humbly said — I love having a team that is known for being collaborative, interactive — designing for people’s dreams and bringing those dreams to reality.
I reached out to Lucy several months ago and asked her if she would like to be our first Guest Art Director — willing to help me craft designs that appeal to her atheistic, tone, and style. To my absolute delight, Lucy was willing and excited to collaborate! Together we’ve created six Lucy Penfield designs — that are featured in our Compassion Collection.
A portion of proceeds from the sale of each design from The Lucy Collection will benefit Design for a Difference and their collaboration with The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) two non-profit organizations important to Lucy and her team at Lucy Interior Design.
Design for a Difference is the first-ever community based, design-driven movement that makes over much needed spaces at local charities in the U.S. and Canada. Non-profit organizations that receive these deserving makeovers serve a variety of worthwhile causes that impact people from all walks of life. The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) exists to permanently close the achievement gap and end generational poverty in North Minneapolis. Together with their partner organizations, NAZ is walking side by side with low-income families as they put their children on a path to college. NAZ has a game-changing approach that is closing the achievement gap. NAZ’s wraparound framework effectively supports low-income children of color so that they will graduate from high school prepared for college.
The Lucy Penfield Collection at Big Raven Yoga was a beautiful collaboration— several of the designs have Lucy’s hand-drawn doodles and others were created from our interpretation of her sketches. Lucy loves color, energy, action, and helping others achieve their dreams—this compassion collection is a perfect reflection of all of that love.
I'm thrilled to be working with my beautiful friends at Big Raven Yoga. I hope you love what we've designed for you.
You can see more of Lucy's design work by visiting her Website or follow her on Instagram.
]]>I am so excited to tell you about Samm Wehman—like so excited as I type, my fingers can’t keep up with my thoughts. Samm is light and energy—she radiates a warmth that you want to be near. She communicates in such a way that you actually see color—she is vibrant, bold, and has a soul filled full of passion. Characteristics that are made evident through her colorful, whimsical and funky art especially her Rainbow Monarch design in our Guest Artist Collection.
Rainbow Monarch by Samm Wehman
Samm is an animal loving artist from Gainesville, Florida—her biggest passions are painting and animals. Samm hopes her piece, Rainbows & Butterflies inspires you to have hope, to experience positive transformation and metamorphosis, and to ultimately change and find happiness. Samm believes that for many change is viewed as a fantasy—just out of reach. But—Samm has a different view, your life is what you make it—if you want to live in a life of rainbows and butterflies you can.
Samm’s personal mantra is one of the things I love most about her—Let the beauty you love be what you do.
I am so honored to welcome Samm Wehman as a Guest Artist at Big Raven Yoga and encourage you to get to know her and her art—you’ll feel different after you do. Better—because she is loveliness and light in human form.
I asked Samm, what has been the best advice she ever received? Her responses reveal what makes her so colorful, bold, passionate and easy to love:
Please help me welcome Samm Wehman to Big Raven Yoga as a Guest Artist. We are thrilled to be keeping company with such a talented artist and inspiring human. In fact, Samm is offering a personal note and enamel butterfly pin to the first five who order her Rainbow Monarch design. You’re gonna wanna hurry—these won’t last long.
You can learn more about Samm by visiting her website, or following her on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and Youtube Official Account
]]>Katie Cleveland, a Fine Art painter living in Denver, is generous, thoughtful, delightful to spend time with, and so sweet you’ll never want your conversation with her to end. A self-described daredevil, Katie is most at home outdoors— snowboarding, hiking or enjoying a wide variety of adventures. Her art has deep rich pigment, abstract patterns and pathways, and evokes a sense of freedom—one without boundaries or judgement. Her designs in our Guest Artist Collection; Poppy, Inner Freedom, Sunlight, and Let Go are so unique—vibrant—unguarded and compelling.
Originally from Washington D.C Katie loves yoga, art, and the outdoors. Katie creates intuitive— energy based—gouache watercolors that move from abstract to richly detailed. Katie listens to her intuition to bring her art to life. Her brushstrokes are the result of being guided by her intuition instead of having a plan or specific destination in mind. Her results range from playful and whimsical to controlled and elegantly restrained. Katie loves the journey each painting takes her on— the final destination of each piece is always something of a surprise.
Katie wants people who look at her art to smile and feel happy when they see it. She hopes that no matter what is going on with your life, you can stop for a second and be in the present moment— If she has made you stop and think, she feels she has done her job. We are thrilled, excited, send in the-marching-band giddy to welcome Katie to our family of artists.
I let my intuition guide me, whatever thought or idea keep being persistent in my mind, I decided to follow it. Inner Freedom was created during the stay at home order for Corona Virus. There are three different aspects to this painting. While I was creating Inner Freedom I thought about who I was when lockdown started, how I have grown during, and what I am I willing to let go of that no longer serves me. So each section represents the twisting of all these thoughts and the pink represents new life. Poppy is playful, it's about the fun of summer. I felt connected to the Poppy Flower and wanted to mix abstract blue elements to bring this summer painting to life. Next I created the painting called Sunlight. This painting is about about stepping into the sun and being fully present in the moment while the sun warms your body. The orange shapes represents sunlight, the green is the grass, and the blue represents the sky. Lastly, I created Let Go. We weren't born to be stressed out and crazed by the chaos of life. We were meant to thrive and join the wild dance of life. I am reminded of this every time I step into nature. It's where I can truly let go and just be. It's been a healing space for me to let go of all those onion layers I didn't know I had still inside me. The sharp orange shapes represent the stress of life. I used orange for the lettering to make sure you really felt the words come off the painting. I hope you when you see these words you are able to feel them. The mountains and the flowers takes over the stress, like the crash of a wave. The blue lines above the mountain peaks represents that crazy wind you feel when you are at the top of a mountain.Every time life gets too much, I run to the mountains to where I feel home.
I am thrilled to welcome Katie Cleveland to the Guest Artist Collection at Big Raven Yoga. Her deep pigments, unique color combinations, and abstract compositions are wonderful and rare we hope you love them as much as we do.
You can learn more about Katie’s art, the art classes she teaches, and the other Katie Cleveland Art products available by visiting her website, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook
Do you ever have a conversation with someone you’ve just met and feel forever changed when you say goodbye? I had one of those recently and can’t stop thinking about it… or the person on the other side.
Emily LaVelle is a Deaf artist from Northern California—she is wildly talented, incredibly joyful, wonderfully insightful, and a treasure to spend time with. Emily is a new Guest Artist at Big Raven Yoga and we are really excited to welcome her to our little family. Her first addition to our collection is Fog in Yosemite the design is peaceful, balanced, detailed, and a beautiful contrast of hard and soft—gentle and powerful, much like Emily.
When asked to tell us a little bit about herself, Emily shared the following: “First of all, I am Deaf and proud of it! I love my culture and community. Secondly, I am passionate about art and nature. All of my artwork are inspired by the beautiful nature surrounding us. I like to bring awareness to people and help them to realize how important it is to take care of our beautiful planet because we only got one.”
Emily became deaf when she was eighteen months old and grew up somewhat shy and quiet—art became her medium for expressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions. She credits her Mom, Karen, who was a talented artist and great lover of nature, as her primary inspiration for the artwork she creates. Losing her mom when she was just 16 had a profound impact on Emily—her heartbreak became her fuel to pursue her passion as a full-time artist and follow the dreams she shared with her mom.
Emily smiles easy—laughs with contagious joy and creates artwork that will take you on a journey inward while appreciating the world around you. Emily’s challenges haven’t been the only defining variables in the woman she’s become but rather they are chapters in a story whose sum is greater than all of its individual parts. I guarantee Emily LaVelle is an artist to watch—there is something incredibly special about her and her artwork—I promise you’ll love both.
You can learn more about Emily and her art by checking out her website, following her on Facebook, Instagram, or taking a peek at her design, Fog in Yosemite in our Guest Artist Collection. We are delighted to welcome Emily to Big Raven Yoga and look forward to all of the wonderful things current and to come!
It’s Tuesday morning, and every week you’ve come to expect us to highlight one of our recent yoga mat designs (or two, or sometimes even three). You expect us to tell you a little bit about the designer, something about the inspiration for the mat, maybe a bit of history behind it. Last week was all about our Donut Worry, Be Happy yoga mat design. Well THIS week we’ve got something REALLY exciting for you: An entire COLLECTION of new yoga mats!
Introducing our new Zodiac Collection! We’ve created individual mats for each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac, and we’ve also created another 13th mat featuring all 12 signs and the phrase “You are perfect just the way you were made.” We love that sentiment (and especially as it pertains to my son, Jackson.)
This massive project truly was a group effort. While our designers sourced and scanned vintage artwork and laid out the designs, others of us researched the myths and legends and histories associated with each constellation, and yet others of us consulted with experts regarding the traits commonly associated with each symbol.
This was a super fun project, and we’re so excited to see it finally revealed! We SO hope you’ll be as excited about this project as we’ve been. It’s been months in the making, and it’s been a little hard to keep mum about it when people ask me what new designs we have in the pipeline! Go find your Zodiac symbol and check out the mat we’ve designed just for you and your tribe!
To make this stellar new collection even more out of this world (see what I did there?!), take $10 off ANY of our Zodiac Collection yoga mats this week ONLY using the promo code ZODIAC at checkout. Offer good until midnight this Sunday night, August 11.
]]>Well…no. Let me explain why they cost $137 AND why you still need one even at that price…
Unlike our competitors, we don’t crank out generic yoga mats by the thousands (or tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands). We’re a small, family-run business in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and we print each mat individually to order — custom made exclusively for you. We simply don’t have the same economies of scale as big-name yoga brands or big-box retailers and, truth be told, we’re not really interested in competing solely on price. Instead, we focus on quality and beauty and value. We know $137 might seem a little high when a yoga mat can cost less than $50 at Target. But our mat is not the same mat you get at a big-box store. Our price reflects the exceptional value you get in return.
Our goal is not to produce the cheapest and least expensive yoga mats on the market. Our goal is to create beautiful yoga mats from very, VERY high-quality materials. Our mats are both beautiful and durable and will handle years of daily use and abuse and still look like new. They don’t feel like other yoga mats, they don’t look like other yoga mats, and they don’t fall apart like other yoga mats.
The reason they don’t feel like other yoga mats is that they’re printed on microfiber suede, a man-made alternative to traditional suede. Over and above its ethical considerations, our suede has numerous advantages over traditional suede: It’s incredibly soft, with a luxurious, velvety feel. It becomes extremely grippy with even the slightest moisture, which provides improved stability and safety during your practice. While man-made, our microfiber suede is remarkably eco-friendly: It’s made from a proprietary blend of recycled polyester and nylon fibers and is brushed to an exceptionally smooth finish. Because we use recycled (and recyclable) materials, we’re reducing our use of water, energy and greenhouse gases. In addition, the base of our mat is made from thick, 100% natural tree rubber, which is both biodegradable and recyclable. It provides excellent traction on moist, humid floors, and plenty of cushion for your joints.
The reason our yoga mats don’t look like other yoga mats is that our mats are fully dyed from edge to edge, with one-of-a-kind designs created by us and for us (and for you too!) There are plenty of single-color yoga mats out there, and plenty of yoga mats with simple graphics and prominent logos. We decided to go a different direction, by creating intricate, vibrant artwork that you’ll look forward to unrolling. And, unlike other yoga mats, our mats are easily washable in your household washing machine: Simply throw it in the wash and hang it up to dry for a couple of days. (Don’t try that with your average big-box yoga mat!) Because we use eco-friendly, water-based dyes, you can rest assured that our artwork won’t fade or bleed. It’s 100% safe to throw your mat in with your beloved yoga clothes!
Finally, the reason our yoga mats don’t fall apart like other, lesser quality mats is that ours are built to last. Literally. Cheap mats that start to break down after a few months or a year of chaturangas are no savings. Our commitment to quality shows in the durability of our mats and in the craftsmanship of their construction. And because they wash up so beautifully, they’ll continue to look like new for years to come.
We started Big Raven to cultivate happiness. We’re yogis ourselves, and we’re on our mats every day. Our goal is to create beauty and durability as an alternative to low-quality, mass-produced mats. There are plenty of those out there already. We wanted to take a different approach, one that would appeal to yogis with an artistic eye, yogis who value quality, yogis who are willing to pay just a little bit more to get a lot more in return. We know that $137 for a yoga mat sounds expensive compared to what you might buy at a big-box retailer, but we believe it’s a fair and honest price for high-quality mats, made in limited runs, by a small, family-owned boutique business. Namaste!
Big Raven Yoga: Calm. Not Quiet. Yoga Mats for the Bold.
Overnight oats are a big thing in our home—our refrigerator always has mason jars full of this grab and go breakfast/snack.
Overnight oats pack a wallop with regard to calorie density and fill you up power. In our house, it's common to find partially consumed jars that someone has taken a scoop out of while grazing-with-the-fridge-door-open. Our 16-year-old son Charlie is the only overnight oat eater who can finish a whole jar in one sitting—Darin could but these magic jars are not his thing.
Typically I line up 6 pint-sized mason jars on my counter and create our overnight oats assembly-line-style. I don't stir or shake the jars once I've dumped everything in—the only step where I'm careful
is the with the blackberries—just so I don't turn everything in the jar into purple mash.
My favorite recipe is pretty tame when compared to the others we've collected. I've never been too fond of breakfast—I'm more of a cup of coffee with the newspaper type. The idea of rich nummy peanut butter or decadent chocolate protein powders sounds super tasty for an after-dinner treat—but I would never grab something so rich so early in the day. My milder and breakfast-typical-recipe works well for my time of day
food rules.
1/3 cup Almond Milk (any milk will work)
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup Faya Greek Yogurt
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
6 blackberries
If you're up for something a bit more adventurous and sexy in the wild world of oatmeal—check out these incredibly clever flavor combinations from around the web.
1. CHUNKY MONKEY OVERNIGHT OATS from Yahoo Sports
Make your breakfast exciting with a bowl of overnight oats made chunky monkey-style, filled with banana, coconut, peanut butter, and chocolate. They’re part breakfast, part dessert, and all things delicious!
2. MATCHA COCONUT CHIA OVERNIGHT OATS from Flavor the Moments
Matcha isn’t just for tea. Its earthy flavor plus the creamy sweetness of coconut milk are a perfect match in these overnight oats. They’re a delicious vegan and gluten-free breakfast/snack!
3. APPLE PIE OVERNIGHT OATS from Running on Real Food
These apple pie overnight oats taste like apple pie in a jar. Enjoy these year-round but especially in the Fall, when apples are in season and abundant.
4. PB&J OVERNIGHT OATS from Fit Foodie Finds
These 6-ingredient peanut butter and jelly overnight oats are the perfect way to start off your morning! They’re made with a peanut butter overnight oatmeal base and topped with your favorite jelly giving you tons of fiber, protein, and a whole lotta lovin’.
5. BLUEBERRY OVERNIGHT OATS from Alpha Foodie
Start your day with this delicious combo of blueberry and yogurt in your overnight oats. This quick, simple & healthy make-ahead breakfast is the perfect way to jump start your day.
6. STRAWBERRIES CREAM OVERNIGHT OATS My Darling Vegan
Wake up to this delicious grab-and-go breakfast. These vegan Strawberry Overnight Oats are a hearty, sweet, satisfying, and wholesome meal.
If you give any of these recipes a try be sure to snap a pic and tag us on social @bigravenyoga! We would love to hear how it tasted or what modifications you made!!
Oh--and if you're interested in keeping the conversation going we have an incredible private Facebook group where we talk everything from yoga and recipes to essential oils and bubble bath.
Sending lots of happiness and light your way!!
♥♥♥ Joleen
]]>Source: https://www.asweetpeachef.com/infused-water-recipes/
Source: https://www.verywellfit.com/detox-water-89123
Source: https://www.delish.com/entertaining/recipes/a58370/energy-boosting-infused-waters-recipe/
Source: https://delightfulmomfood.com/detox-water-recipes-for-weight-loss-cleanse/
Source: https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/autumn-infused-water/
I hope these recipes help bring a little piece of joy into your day today! Be sure to tag us on Instagram @bigravenyoga if you give these a try, we can't wait to see what you create!
- Joleen
We live and work in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis — it’s this incredible little neighborhood of winding roads, 100-year-old houses, 200-year-old trees, and a hilly landscape not often found in the middle of a major city. Most locals don’t even know we’re here — tucked away just blocks from light rail and the up-and-coming Malcom Yards development.
One of our favorite features of our neighborhood is our proximity to the TCF Bank Stadium (Minnesota Golden Gopher Football) and Surley Brewery (possibly our city’s most famous export after Prince and Bob Dylan). Both of these venues (before Covid-19) had full summer schedules of live music. From our porch we’ve heard performances from so many talented artists including Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones, Courtney Barnett, and even the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
Last summer the live music wafting through my neighborhood from Surley Brewery was that of the talented Leon Bridges. Who, in collaboration with one of my favorite groups, ODESZA, released into the world the song Across the Room — an absolute favorite of mine for a fluid and flowy vinyasa practice.
ODESZA is an eclectic brew of hip-hop, electronic dance music, ambient sounds, and all-purpose happiness. The duo is comprised of two friends from college, Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, known individually as Catacombkid and BeachesBeaches. Harrison and Clayton have created something wonderful with ODESZA — they are collaborative, conscious, and compassionate. Their YouTube channel is a constant source of entertainment and enjoyment for me, and their three albums and remixes — ever-present on my playlists. Their collaboration with Leon Bridges is a favorite yoga sequence when I’ve got 4:44 seconds to reconnect with my practice and move with fluidity and ease.
So I, Joleen Emery, the founder of Big Raven Yoga loves ODESZA — for so many reasons.
Now imagine the emotion of collaborating with ODESZA to bring their album art from In Return and A Moment Apart to you and our community of yoga lovers.
Honestly, it’s hard to type. It’s hard to find words big enough to encompass how exciting, how purposeful, and how wonderful this announcement is — and not just for me but for all of us.
The artwork from both album covers is unique — it’s complex and simple, colorful and understated, straightforward and multilayered. In Return shows what appears to be the sun setting over a complicated skyline while the image of self looms large in the mind’s eye. A Moment Apart depicts a woman looking over a rocky terrain while an orange burst of light covers her eyes. The more you look — the more you see. There are metaphors and lessons aplenty for both designs.
Here are just a few of mine:
When you have five minutes this gentle flow has a generous heart opening and spinal stretch to start and a grounding finish.
Our good friend Zach Warren was instrumental in assisting with this collaboration — he too is a big fan of ODESZA, and he was kind enough to help us demonstrate my favorite yoga flow to Across the Room.
You can follow along with Zach either using the YouTube video or the text sequence.
Standing Mountain — hands at heart center.
Transition to Standing Backbend/Heart Opener with Cactus Arms — On a big inhale swoop arms down toward your knees and then overhead to rest in cactus (or “goalpost arms”), exhale to standing back bend with cactus arms — gently come up back to Standing Mountain.
Repeat/flow above 4 times.
Standing Mountain pose with side stretch to the right.
Standing Mountain pose with side stretch to the left.
Repeat/Flow above 3 times.
Standing Mountain pose to Forward Fold — On a big inhale swoop arms down toward your knees and then overhead — swan dive to Forward Fold.
Half Lift
Forward Fold
Half Lift
Rag Doll to Forward Fold Spiral Twist Right — Put your left hand in the center of your mat — reach your right arm to the sky — bend and straighten your knees — roll out your wrist.
Forward Fold Spiral Twist Left
Rag Doll
Come up one vertebra at a time.
Standing Mountain
Standing Back Bend/Heart Opener with Cactus Arms
Standing Mountain
Sun A
From Downdog right leg high step through to Crescent Lunge
Warrior 2
Reverse Warrior
Warrior 2
Reverse Triangle
Warrior 2
Vinyasa
Repeat above on the left:
From Downdog left leg high step through to Crescent Lunge.
Warrior 2
Reverse Warrior
Warrior 2
Reverse Triangle
Warrior 2
Vinyasa
From Downdog transition to Child’s Pose
Table Top
Cat Cow
Child’s Pose
It is with great enthusiasm and joy that we welcome ODESZA to our Guest Artist collection!
To learn more about ODESZA check out their website, YouTube channel, or find them on iTunes. You can see our ODESZA Collection at Big Raven Yoga by clicking here.
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Canadian Elyse Dodge, is a Los Angeles based artist and is the designer of Traverse featured in our Guest Artist Collection. Elyse creates artwork that is an amazing experience of delightful contradictions. Her pieces have elements of simplicity and complication, fluidity and hard lines, soft sweet daydreamy colors and bold vibrant eye-catching hues. Elyse creates artwork where the longer you look—the more you see. It’s immersive, experiential, remarkably beautiful and wonderfully unique.
Elyse’s experience as a graphic designer and love for painting has crossed over to create a hybrid style that she refers to as geometric abstraction landscapes
. Elyse blends the painterly strokes of impressionism with the precision of geometry—presenting memories in a surreal, colorful and dreamlike state.
Elyse Dodge is a thoughtful and compassionate artist. While talking with her about her art, process, and sources of inspiration she comes back frequently to the heart and soul of her work—the experience of her audience. Elyse enjoys the relationship inherent between artist and viewer, she especially loves collaborating on commissioned pieces and feels a deep and vibrant connection to her clients. Elyse’s artwork is highly sought after for immersive art installations and commissions. Elyse designs artwork to inspire people to see the landscapes around them with a new sense of curiosity and wonder—to recognize the spectrum of colors and shapes that make up our natural world.
Traverse is an illustration that Elyse created of the Stawamus Chief Mountain. The jagged cliff face is the beacon of Squamish, British Columbia, and is often speckled with mountain climbers, hang gliders, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Elyse hopes this piece conveys a deep sense of peace and determination. The beauty and boldness of this landscape is a reminder that we can be both— the experience of delightful contradictions.
I am over-the-moon thrilled to have Elyse as a Guest Artist at Big Raven Yoga! Falling in love with Elyse’s work is just as easy as falling in love with the artist herself. Elyse is sweet, funny, and absolutely joyful…
Because he has done an incredible job at bridging the worlds between art and design. I hope to expand my art practice into more immersive and installation projects and I would love to get his advice on how to do that.
Manage your own experience.
This one was important for me to hear because I am naturally a giver which means as a wife and mom I often put myself last. Managing my own experience looks like having boundaries in place and giving myself the permission to do what I need to be my best self and for my career.
I discovered Sweat Yoga in Playa Vista and fell in love. This class is basically flow yoga in a hot studio and you do a few minutes of weights so it really is a whole body workout. Once you add the music, people and candlelight its just an amazing experience. I can't wait until studios open up again post Covid and I can go back, until then I have to practice in my living room!
I am so excited! Once I ordered my own mat I could feel how luxurious the material was and was immediately hooked. I am very thoughtful with who I partner with and once I had done my own research and testing—I knew this would be a wonderful collaboration!
Elyse’s new mantra for her yoga practice is "Grounded feet. Soft spirit.” Traverse is a wonderful symbol of that—and are delighted to share it with you.
You can see more of Elyse’s work on her WEBSITE or follow her on INSTAGRAM.
Rosalie Haizlett’s artistic point of view is simultaneously sensitive and vibrant. This 25-year-old full time illustrator from West Virginia is naturally quiet and observant. She leverages her powers of seeing
in her work as she takes in the majestic
and fragile details of the natural world. Rosalie re-creates what she sees in a way that honors her subject by showing off its unique beauty.
We are excited and honored to welcome Rosalie as a Guest Artist—the highly detailed nature of her artwork combined with her choice of comforting and gentle colors has breathtaking results. Mountain Laurel and Mountain Moss are incredible works of art—they evoke a spirit of peace and comfort—almost as though you’re being wrapped in the warmth of nature’s embrace.
Rosalie aspires to remind viewers of the amazing intricacy of our planet and that after seeing her work, people will spend a few more minutes scouring the forest floor for tiny treasures on their next adventure into the woods.
I hope that my pieces help each person that practices on them to be reminded of the fact that they are just a small part of an incredible planet that is always growing, changing, and evolving. I hope that these mats bring an element of nature's calming powers to their practice.
Rosalie is kind, sweet, talented, driven, thoughtful, playful, patient, and a really-really beautiful human inside and out. I encourage you to learn more about this remarkable artist—and be inspired by her view of the world and our relationship with nature.
Put a little birdie in the tree]
Everything - I'm a redhead :)
yoga momentwhen she accidentally did a front-flip while flying during acro-yoga. Thankfully she didn't get injured, but she had to work through the fear of it happening again. Rosalie took a deep breath and continued to practice, determined to leave on a good note. [Yoga and life are full of lessons when we are willing to see them]
This design features a watercolor painting of sphagnum moss, a lush moss that grows in many bogs and provides habitat and safe haven for wetland creatures like dragonflies and frogs. On the surface, this moss looks like a green carpet, but if you kneel down and take a closer look, you'll notice that it is actually made up of all these amazing geometric spikes. This design serves as a reminder to slow down and notice the small, seemingly mundane things in nature.
[Isn’t that awesome?!?]
This design features a watercolor of a cluster of blossoming mountain laurel flowers. I was drawn to these flowers because even though they are soft and feminine at first glance, the inner section of each blossom has a strong, star-like shape radiating from the center. I hope that when you look at these blossoms, you are reminded that power and strength go hand-in-hand with femininity.[LOVE!]
Rosalie is an artist to keep your eye one—she has big things ahead and really wonderful things happening now. From online courses, nature illustration classes, and commission work—art is her full-time gig and is keeping her really busy. Learn more about Rosalie by visiting her website, following her on Instagram, Facebook, or enjoying the yoga mat unrolling video posted below.
Lauren Echo is an illustrator based in Reno, NV and Lauren is — hands down — one of the kindest, most generous, delightfully positive, and genuinely engaging people roaming the earth. Her charming and lovely disposition is evident in her artwork. Her artistry is uplifting, pure, and uncomplicated — it’s refreshing and easy to love — much like the artist herself!
Lauren is an avid lover of nature and outdoor recreation — climbing, hiking, and all versions of skiing call to her daily. Her days feel incomplete without some time spent outside. Nature is her artistic muse and inspires many of her illustrations.
Lauren is working on completing a degree in Outdoor Product Design and Development which is a great complement to her entrepreneurial drive and accomplishments. In addition to her Yoga Mat collaboration with Big Raven Yoga, Lauren has also developed a limited edition Kula Cloth (that has already sold out!) Toiletry & Zip Pouch Bags in collaboration with Dirt Chalk Bags, stickers, art prints, murals and eco-friendly water bottles.
Lauren has five yoga mat designs in our Guest Artist Collection — it’s incredibly difficult to pick a favorite. Each one is a beautiful representation of her statement as an artist — she communicates love, reverence, and passion for people and nature. Lauren’s art will bring you outside to discover and enjoy nature’s natural textiles and patterns.
Be sure to check out Lauren’s remarkable work in our Guest Artist Collection — your yoga practice will be enriched with a Lauren Echo design as your companion.
To learn more about Lauren you can visit her website or follow her on Instagram.
]]>God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
~ Reinhold Niebuhr
I had a poster of the Serenity Prayer on my bedroom wall when I was a teenager. I think it was nestled in between my Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA and my Charlie’s Angels posters. Back then I was attracted to the artwork. It was various shades of pink with gold lettering and captured the beginning of a sunset. I bought it at the local Ben Franklin five-and-dime because I thought it was pretty.
I liked it then.
It feels like my survival now.
I designed this mat for myself — and for anyone else who might appreciate having the Serenity Prayer as a part of their yoga practice and intentions.
This past fall we experienced a family crisis that I felt almost certain I wouldn’t survive. If you follow me on social media you probably saw the MISSING CHILD posters that were all over the internet asking for help in finding our 17-year-old daughter.
She was seen walking out of a residential treatment facility and then she was gone.
She didn’t have a phone, money, identification — just the clothes on her back. Not even a winter coat.
I wasn’t thinking too much about the Serenity Prayer in the 48 hours she was missing. I cried a lot. There was nothing working in the rational section of my brain. The only emotion I was experiencing was fear. Bless my friend Margo for sitting with me and encouraging me to give all of my emotions a name. I said what my imagination saw, I articulated what was gripping me from the inside. I let the fear talk, I surrendered to it. She was missing — and in the most painful moments, I had to accept I couldn’t bring her home by wishing and willing it to be so.
We’ve been making progress… and we’ve experienced setbacks. Good days and bad days are to be expected. The real challenge is taking things one day at a time, not getting too far ahead of ourselves, to allow ourselves to be guided by the Serenity Prayer so that we recognize what we can change and accept what we can’t.
Everything most teenagers do is documented, recorded, and discussed. I can’t even imagine what it must feel like to have your every mistake — your every choice you might one day regret on the menu of options for your peers to discuss. I believe history will look back on this era and will not be kind or forgiving. While these are generalizations, this is what I’ve experienced and observed lately — we’ve created a culture of wormholes and spaces to disappear and hide, we live looking down at our phones and not up at the person right across from us, our kids don’t know how to entertain themselves without the assistance of technology. Many have lost their ability to self-soothe, many have lost or never found their ability to find validation from within. We’ve changed the fabric of our society. It’s not real or valuable until someone likes, comments, or shares.
My child was significantly hazed as a member of a sports team. The hazing was captured on film and uploaded to social media. She was told by numerous young people that she should kill herself because of a misunderstanding in a love triangle. She’s had strangers reach out to her offering her money for nude photos. She’s had lewd comments made about her physical appearance. She’s been called all kinds of names by all kinds of people.
My child’s experience, while sad and challenging, isn’t unique — it’s common.
My child is beautiful — inside and out. She’s smart, funny, loyal, passionate. She is a process-oriented deep thinker. She is a varsity athlete, an honor roll student. She has parents who are engaged — who have set limits and boundaries who have provided safety and security.
Addiction doesn’t happen to any one kind of person — it happens to every kind of person in every pocket of our communities.
As a student of yoga, I believe we need to find our way back to Serenity — to listen to the humble and simple words of the Serenity Prayer.
Acceptance is not laziness.
It takes courage to change.
Hardship can be good for you.
Letting go requires courage too.
Happiness is attainable now and in the future.
In the months and weeks since she was found the spectrum of my emotions has been vast.
I’ve been reading Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change. I believe kindness is my superpower.
I’ve been actively studying the 12 Steps so I can understand what my child is working to learn and absorb.
I’m attending Alanon meetings and working to keep my oxygen mask on before helping others.
Yoga is helping us through this time in our life — just as it has every other time we’ve been challenged to find our way.
— Joleen
To find additional resources on 12 Step Programs please click here.
We've done zillions at Big Raven Yoga and we love creating them--we love it, even more, when our followers enjoy what we've created and share them with others.
I love the quick little bites of insight that make me laugh, remind me to be grateful or challenge a place where my thinking is stuck.
Right now, I especially appreciate quotable little nuggets. My brain feels too full to absorb much more than a sentence or two.
When our days are uncertain-- when our new-normal changes daily-- when we observe or participate in painful-life changing realities...these small little bites offer a little soothing balm to our emotions.
We've chosen 13 quotes from our Big Raven Yoga social feed that just might help you feel better.
Maybe.
Some of these quotes suggest emotions or behaviors that might feel impossible right now.
What's helping me is to think more about the perception rather than a specific action. The thirty-foot view instead of the view right in front of my nose.
For example our first quote, "Don't wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life."
With the current pandemic and the state of our world, there are days when it seems impossible to "enjoy my life."
I'm afraid, I'm worried, I am at times extremely overwhelmed.
Darin is heading to the grocery store right now and I kissed him goodbye like it was the last time I would see him. Charlie asked to go on a bike ride with friends and toss around the football-it was a lengthy negotiation and a discussion about safety and distance... and sorry no football.
Our new normal changes by the day sometimes by the hour--it's a lot.
It is just so many a lots.
As I read the first quote again, I'm reminding myself of things I already know. I don't have control over any of this-- I only have control over how I react to it. So I'm taking my little quotable nugget this way:
This is what I'm enjoying in my life right now, today.
My morning coffee was delicious.
The sun is shining today.
I took a long hot bath and tried to calm my fears.
Right now the ways I "enjoy my life" are simple... but I'm trying to do it. I feel like it's the right thing for me to do right now as I have the privilege of currently being a healthy Covid free person.
I hope these quotes provide a little balm and soothe what's aching for you as they have for me.
All my love,
Joleen
1. "Don't wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life."
(Who is Joyce Meyes find out here)
2. "When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person realize their dream."
(Who is Paulo Coelho find out here)
3. "Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change."
(Who is Jim Roth find out here)
4. "We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope."
5. "With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."
(Who is Eleanor Roosevelt find out here)
6. "Life is measured in love and positive contributions and moments of grace."
(Who is Carly Fiorina find out here)
7. "You are enough. Just as you are. Exactly as you are. Exactly. With exactly that body & exactly that mind. Exactly as you are right now.""
8. "Kindness keeps the universe fastened into place."
(Who is Maureen Joyce Connolly find out here)
9. "Do something today that your future self will thank you for."
10. "You do not need to seek freedom in a different land, for it exists with your own body, heart, mind, and soul."
(Who is B.K.S. Iyengar find out here)
11. "Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions."
12. "The quieter you become, the more you can hear."
13. "Your soul is your bestfriend. Treat it with care, nurture it with growth, feed it with love."
(Who is Ashourina Yalda find out here)
If your news feed is anything like mine you’ve probably been bombarded in the recent days and weeks with information. So much information. Everything from tutorials on how to best wash your hands to suggestions and best practices for managing your stress.
It’s clear that most content creators have the best of intentions — and I appreciate that most folks have their heart in the right place. For me, it’s been a little overwhelming getting through the deluge of information.
Weeding through the Need to Know, Nice to Know, and the Fun to Know is a big job for those of us who already feel the state of the world right now is already “too much” or “waaay too much”. Many find themselves wishing for the “Enough Already” magic button we wish was a real thing to make this all stop.
I’ve recently figured out that I don’t feel the best if I consume too much information from any one of those categories. Too much of the harsh reality leaves me feeling unwell and too many cute animal videos leave me feeling a little mushy brained.
I’ve learned over these past several weeks to practice balance with my online viewing, reading, and engaging.
When I’m done taking in a few of Need to Know/Nice to Know I reward myself with a few of the Fun to Knows.
I’m also the kind of content reader who prefers short consumable bites — a mini cupcake instead of a whole slice of a 5-layer cake.
The articles below have specific strategies, actions, and behaviors that I can implement. I crave what’s tangible so as soon as I’m done reading I know exactly what to do. They also follow my practice of balance — there are a few Need to Know/Nice to Knows and a few Fun to Knows.
I hope they will be of some use and comfort to you too.
Please let me know if you’ve found other valuable articles — I appreciate the help of being pointed in the right direction!
xx
— Joleen
Instagram has been a remarkable place for us to connect with talented, unique, and incredibly amazing artists. Just look at this list of talent — all because of the reach and wonder of Instagram:
Rachel Pohl
Denise Griffin
Lyn Sweet
Nicole Labonte
Lisa Martin
Max Flow
The ol’ IG has done it again!!
Instagram has recently brought New York-based artist Amy Diener into our world — and we are extremely grateful!
Amy creates incredible pieces of art from a sequence of dots — the texture, the color, the symmetry — it’s amazing! As it all comes together it’s easy to get lost in the journey the collection of dots creates.
Amy is currently living in Thailand and her art is inspired by the colors of nature and the city surroundings she encounters during her travels. The color combinations of the lupins of New Zealand, the sunflower fields and turquoise waters of Thailand, the neon pink and sky blue taxis of Bangkok, the bamboo forests of Kyoto, the colorful houses of Burano, and the multi-colored sea glass along the beaches of Barcelona have all provided Amy with sources of inspiration.
Amy paints dots because she finds the painting practice to be extremely meditative, bringing her to a state of “liminality” - a pause or space in between. It is this space where thoughts become silenced, and she becomes aware of the present moment. The process requires a lot of focus and repetition, embodying a steady hand and steady mind.
There’s a yogic lesson contained in there for all of us. Being aware of the present moment —keeping a steady mind. So many of us say this exact same thing to ourselves daily.
Just take a look at some of Amy’s incredible work:
Amy’s color palettes contain juxtaposing hues or monochrome gradients that she hopes evoke both uplifting and calming responses. Amy is interested in how her selected color combinations can affect sensory and psychological perceptions. When colors are placed next to each other, Amy is excited and intrigued by how the viewer’s mind, body, and spirit react.
These are the two yoga mat designs Amy currently has at Big Raven Yoga:
We are overjoyed to welcome Amy’s mesmerizing artistry to Big Raven Yoga — we hope you love it as much as we do!
To learn more about Amy, check out her Instagram and her website!
]]>Sometimes the Internet annoys me.
Which is a really dramatic statement for a woman who owns and operates online businesses.
But you know what I mean, right?
Depending on my feed and surfing habits the Internet sometimes brings frustration, or comparison syndrome, or a touch of melancholy.
But other times (like the example I’m about to share) something happens where I’m reminded to remove my veil of skepticism and look for the wonderful, the blessing, the big OMG YES.
The Internet recently helped me connect with an awesome human and I feel changed.
We found each other through Instagram (actually, through the Instagram account of one of our guest artists, Rachel Pohl) and OMG, of course, let’s collaborate = Joleen + Nicole BFF4EVAH!
Nicole Labonte — as an artist, incredible.
Nicole Labonte — as a human, OMG!
Nicole Labonte — as a friend, OMG!!!! The laughter and connection — I’m blessed!
Long story short, Nicole is now a new Guest Artist at Big Raven Yoga and we are excited and thrilled to have her. Her artistry is unique and comes from a very specific point of view — it’s magical and we’re sure you’ll love it as much as we do.
As an illustrator, Nicole communicates her internal driving force — a connection between the earth and those of us who inhabit it. Thousands of Instagram followers and several thousand Etsy customers would agree, Nicole’s art is engaging — once you start looking at it, you don’t want to look away. Her art is whimsical in a way that engages your imagination and her art is as symbolic as it is cathartic — at a glance you’ll feel something. You’ll feel connected to the outside world in a way you probably were not expecting.
This sushi-loving artist makes the world a better place through her compassion for others, her love of nature, and her generous and kind soul.
Nicole is an amazing listener. She engages in conversation in such a way that you feel like the most important object of her attention. She is present, thoughtful, witty, and so beautifully charming (and charmingly beautiful). Nicole is a people magnet — she has an energy and spark that it’s easy to be drawn to.
Be sure to check out Nicole’s designs featured in our Guest Artist collection.
You can see more of Nicole's work by following her on Instagram or visiting her Etsy store.
]]>You’ve received personalized thank-you notes from her, you’ve loved her artwork, you may have even seen pictures of her, but this is your chance to finally hear her voice and watch her live on camera talk about her company’s origin story and what inspires her!
]]>Big Raven Yoga Guest Artist Max Flow is on an endless journey searching for enlightenment through flow.
This is an exact quote and to hear Max say it — it makes perfect sense. Max is one of those people who convey an absolute love for nature, our environment, and the notion that we are all capable of making the world a better place. To Max, our flow is how we navigate through the world. It’s our movement, our journey, our method of being connected to the world around us.
“Fall Leaves in the Valley” by Max Rowe
Max is thoughtful. He answers questions in a way that lets you know he’s giving deliberate and thoughtful consideration to his answers. He’s not a make-up-what-sounds-good kind of person. He is a be-what’s-good-kind-of person.
Max was born and raised in Colorado. He studied studio art at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He is recently married, he and his wife, Charlotte Lin, are madly in love traveling the world, expanding their vision of the future, and growing their community. Max and Charlotte’s goal is to bring prosperity through self-awareness to everyone they meet.
In addition to fine art, illustration, and design, Max also hosts and guides ski trips in Japan, and works as an Executive Life Coach.
Max is the kind of person the rest of us are delighted to know. He makes the world a better place just by being exactly who he is.
Max Flow Guiding a Ski Trip
“White Room” by Max Flow
Max and Charlotte
Big Raven Yoga is thrilled to have the art of Max Flow in our Guest Artist Collection. You can learn more about Max by visiting his website or following him on Facebook or Instagram.
Guest artist MAX FLOW finds the mountains of the Colorado Rockies to be a place of great peace and serenity. “Nothing makes me feel more calm than looking out over huge peaks, especially high in the mountains of the place I call home.”
This design was originally a photograph Max took on the way to a camping trip in southern Colorado. He was immediately struck by the ranch quietly resting, nestled into the bottom of this unnamed peak. Max’s use of color gives the piece a friendly atmosphere that evokes fantasy over the stark realism of the original photograph.
Max hopes his piece conveys a love for calm and majestic places and helps the user reflect on finding those places within.
Check out Max’s design here: Mountain Magic
]]>Jasmine Dawn Smith is a yogi, crystal healing practitioner, and Reiki lover. She is super mom to three wonderful boys by day and moonlights a local crystal shop by night. Currently, Jasmine is working on her Reiki Master Certification and hopes to share her insight and healing with others.
I was cruising through one of the Yoga Centric Facebook groups that I’m a part of when Jasmine’s poem hooked me. I am able to visualize myself through her words. I identify with My Yoga and am so grateful it came across my feed. I loved it so much that I reached out to Jasmine and asked if it would be okay to share it with our yogi’s at Big Raven Yoga.
Thank you so much, Jasmine, for putting a little bit of yourself “out there” for the rest of us to learn from and enjoy. We are grateful!
You can follow Jasmine Dawn Smith on Facebook and Instagram!
by Jasmine Dawn Smith
My yoga is 11 years old.
You won’t find it on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube
You can’t capture it in a single cell phone snapshot or print it in a Shutterfly album
My yoga looks like last night’s pajama pants with an ugly sweater and wool socks that are shed across the room one piece at a time as my body temperature slowly rises to meet that of my passion.
My yoga has warm blankets that envelope me and my mat throughout the bitter Colorado winters, and my yoga wears a “clothing optional” sign on the door when the energy of summer’s sun fills the room.
It has tattered old foam blocks falling apart from years of love, and a yoga mat covered in dog hair that I still have to remind myself will be there to clean up when my practice is through.
It is a forward fold where I can finally touch my toes- but the touch of the forward fold feels exactly the same as day one.
It is a crow that weightlessly flies off the mat…
Sometimes.
It is a dancer effortlessly balanced on top of the world…
On the right side.
It is a girl who still mixes up her right from her left…
Daily.
And it is a thread of deep breathing that is slowly woven into a tapestry of patience, just waiting for me to wrap myself inside of it whenever I need.
On Monday, my yoga is a monkey mind with a caffeine drip, bouncing on a trampoline who refuses to settle down no matter how many mantra repetitions I politely ask her to juggle.
On Tuesday my yoga is a crescent moon, bursting with the potential of an unopened novel- proudly bearing a gold label that announces “bestseller.” It is on the mat at 7 am sharp ready to salute the sun with some sweet, sweaty vinyasa’s.
On Wednesday my yoga is a down dog whose heels yet again do not make it to greet the floor- and yet who greets my soul with utter delight. Tail wagging in gratitude. Little wild thing.
On Thursday she is a half-moon that despite all her effort ungracefully falls from the sky to meet the earth with a “good morning” pat on the back. TWICE. On both sides.
On Friday- my yoga spends half the class as a child curled into a ball of surrender on the floor crying out “I will try again…tomorrow”
On Saturday I never see her on the mat, but she still shows up as a subtle tree pose rooting me into the depths of a conversation I would rather not explore- but know that I must.
On Sunday evening my yoga evolves into a helium-filled-balloon of yin & bliss that carries me straight up through Shavasana and into another world where I find restoration and peace- so that I can wake up and do it all over again…
On Monday.
I was a recent guest on the Wedded Wellness Podcast with Ashley Sondergaard, the founder of Wedded Wellness and because Ashley is such a dynamic “yogipreneur”, energetic connector, and radiant human being it was just like sitting down with a dear friend — a friend who listens with such great attention that at that moment you feel like you’re the center of their universe. Imagine walking away from a person like that — you leave on top of the world just for having spent time with her. Ashley has an inner light that is contagious and inspiring. She is a woman to know.
Wedded Wellness marries two worlds that aren’t often paired — weddings and wellness. Ashley helps wedding couples learn simple tools that ease stress and create routines that help couples show up as the best versions of themselves on their big day and beyond. Ashley helps wedding couples by integrating yoga into the planning process, bachelorette & couples parties, and by leading yoga on the big day.
Big Raven Yoga has been working with bridal couples designing custom yoga mats for their wedding parties. Wedding couples sit down with me and together we collaborate to come up with a custom design that best represents their aesthetic, colors, flowers — whatever they want. Often our bridal couples choose to personalize each mat for their wedding parties and in one case… their wedding guests:
Listen: Gifts that Stick, with Joleen Emery of Big Raven Yoga
Ashley Sondergaard interviews Joleen Emery, founder of Big Raven Yoga mats.
“Joleen Emery, founder of Big Raven Yoga Mats, is a strong human being. Not only is she strong enough to raise four children, become a yoga teacher, support other artists like her, and maintain her sanity while doing it all, but she’s strong enough to start a successful yoga business after a leg-shattering accident. Literally. After healing from her injuries, Joleen returned to her yoga practice with an idea — a yoga mat that’s not only functional, but noticeably original and beautiful…”
Ashley and Joleen chat about her journey into entrepreneurship, her self-care secrets, and why Big Raven Yoga Mats just might be the best bridesmaids gift out there!
I love chocolate and peanut butter.
I love chocolate and popcorn.
I love chocolate and pretzels.
I love chocolate and crackers.
(Anyone else see a pattern in my chocolate-ing?)
Sweet and salty gets me every time.
I subscribe to a number of nutritional “rules”
Everything in moderation…
AND
When I overindulge there is always tomorrow to make it right.
AND
If there is a healthier alternative — it’s certainly worth exploring… it may not be the winner but it’s worth a looky-look.
And that’s what this list is…
Here are five healthier alternatives that still check the ol’ “Chocolate is My Life” box!
Love a quick and easy one-bowl recipe? If so, this is the perfect brownie recipe for you. And, there’s a chance that you can find all the ingredients in your kitchen.
The fudgiest, darkest, thickest brownies out there! This rich blackout brownies recipe have fudgy middles, crinkly tops and all the chocolate you’ll ever need.
Be amazed and astounded! You are about to discover the most deliciously chocolatey, sweet, rich and squidgy raspberry raw brownies recipe that is also vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, nutritious, and yes, healthy.
Try this high-in-protein and gluten-free Fudgey Black Bean Brownies without the guilt. You’ll satisfy your cravings while staying healthy. We have made these SEVERAL times! They are soooo (infinity) good!
Craving brownies on a ketogenic diet? This healthy sugar-free keto mug brownie is perfect for you! Only 1.6g net carbs per serving!
Eggless but fudgy and gooey brownies using almond flour and stevia! Your ultimate low-carb and keto dessert, perfect to satisfy any sweet tooth.