I’ve always had an obsession with elephants ever since I was a child but probably more obsessive when I was in high school or so.  Here’s a small portion of my crazy collection of elephants that I acquired but mostly others have given me (it was quite easy to shop for me during those years).

I dreamt to meet one.

During those “madly in love with elephant” years, I often dreamed about meeting one in person, and not at a zoo behind a cage.  I wanted to hug one, to look one in the eye, and to stand in his/her presence.  I did ride an elephant once when I was  about 10 or so but I vaguely remember the magnificence of being so close to such a creature… probably because it was at a zoo and all I remember was standing in line for what seemed like days and then we were piled into the riding box and the elephant walked around in a circle.   My heart is aching just saying that now.

A dream forgotten.

In the midst of moving so many times in the past 7 years or so, I stopped collecting elephants because I just got tired of packing and repacking all my stuff.   Naturally much of the “junk” that I collected got thrown out, except for the elephants.   They were wrapped up neatly and stored in a box for the last 7 years.

A forgotten dream come true.

Last week, I traveled to Bali on a yoga retreat.  I had no idea what was in store for me.  I was intrigued by the culture, the people, the sites, the smells, the food, etc.  Then half way thru the week, I learned that we were going to the Elephant Safari Park to visit a baby elephant that was just born two weeks ago.  How exciting is this?!

Not only did I get to meet an elephant, but they cuddled me, looked me in the eye, and let me feed them.  Elephant Safari Park was built to save about 30 elephants from the island of Sumatran who would otherwise be killed from deforestation and habitat loss.   Sumatran elephants are the smallest of Asian elephants and have recently been moved from the endangered to critically endangered species list.  

Just as I was about to explode with happiness, I met her:

Baby Fajar.

Her name means Dawn as she was born at 5:50am.

Why I love elephants.

Elephants remind me of who I want to be.  They are so magnificent and their commanding presence says so much.  So big but yet so gentle.  Their eyes tell the story of their journey.  Sometimes you see love and compassion and sometimes you see sadness and fear.  They are definitely expressive.    I love how they play and how they care for each other in their tightly connected family pack.  They are wise and passionate creatures.  Did you know that elephants mourn the death of their loved ones and go back to the site of death every year?  It’s so amazing that they are intuitively connected to each other and also connected to the mystical spirit world around them and they never forget.

I’m so glad the elephants didn’t forget about me and my dreams.  I will never forget my magical moment with the elephants from Bali.

Warning… you might just die because your heart will burst with so much love from watching this video.

Keeping it simple…

No more heavy bags, extra bags, no more high maintenance personal items.  Just the bare essentials.  Security was a breeze and I kept my peace of mind while everyone else was fumbling with their belt, shoes, laptops, etc.

Simple actions…

Prior to the trip, I was feeling kinda grumpy because I had purchased two tickets.  The other person was not able to come anymore and now I was stuck with an extra ticket that the conference was not going to refund.  It sucks!!  So when I arrived, I had asked again about a possible refund or credit.  I already knew what the answer was going to be, but thought “why not ask again in person” hoping I could bat my eye lashes for some sympathy.  They still said ‘no refunds’ but she offered to let me know if someone was going to buy a ticket during the weekend to buy mine.  This simple action she took made me feel some what better about the situation. I tried, she tried and if I don’t get any money back.. oh well. I’m not going to waste my energy getting upset over it.  I’ll see it simply as a donation to the conference.

Simple ideas…

The first night began with a Ganesh Puja performed by Eddie Stern.  A puja is a ceremony/ritual/offering.  Ganesh is the elephant god known as the Remover of Obstacles and The Lord of Beginnings.  He was honored tonight to insure an auspicious beginning and successful completion of the weekend.

Ganesh adorned with offerings from the puja.

This was the first time I’ve participated in a puja but the idea is not foreign to me.  I’ve seen this type of ritual performed at Buddhist temples while I was growing up but have never been interested in this sort of activity until I saw what a simple action and idea like this could do. I like the simple idea of rituals and how they can increase our happiness and change the world around us.

Simple actions and simple ideas can make a huge impact and possibly change our world.

This idea of rituals can be as simple as brushing your teeth.  Rituals are things/actions we do everyday.  They are a part of our “routine.”  The problem is that our daily routines have become mundane with a “go thru the motion” mentality.  We lose ourselves and the present moment.  A simple act of brushing our teeth every morning can be a meaningful routine… a ritual…  and instead of losing yourself and mindlessly performing the task and lose the present moment, get lost in the present moment.  Get immersed in the present moment.   Can you imagine if we woke up every morning and made teeth brushing a ritual?  That simple 2 minutes or so can become a sacred time to connect to ourselves and get grounded for the day.  Can you imagine what type of impact you would have on the world if you left your house feeling connected and grounded?  All because you brushed your teeth in the morning

Ganesh waiting for the Puja to begin

Don’t turn your back on the present moment… keep things simple so you can face the present moment mindfully.

Well I humbly take that title. 

While I was leading my yoga retreat in Maui earlier this month, I injured my knee.  I wish I could’ve said it was from diving with sharks or something noble like that, but it was from yoga.  My very first real yoga injury.  Not bad for a 6 year streak.  I was in samakonasana (side splits) and was making a transition to hanumanasana (forward splits).   The scene unfolded like the Matrix in slow motion, I saw and felt the top of my left knee go one way and the bottom go another way.  I remember vividly the sensation that slowly arose and finally registered in my mind that I needed to stop and pause.   There was no panic.  No one even realized what was happening to me.  It all happened so quickly but in my mind so slowly.  I was actually teaching this transition and still talking to the class and watching them transition.  No hiccups.  No burps.  No pauses in my teaching.  As my insides pause, the top of the knee and the bottom of the knee came back together and I carried on.  No big deal… until I stood up and felt like my left knee was gonna buckle under.  

So for the last 4 days of the retreat or so, I hobbled along with a brace and polluted the sweet smell of Maui with my tiger balm fragrance.  Of course my ego was not pleased and fueled my desire to continue my practice for the sake of my other body part’s happiness.  

I got on the mat, 5:30am the next day and have never been so humbled by my practice.  I could not even take child’s pose.  Talk about a bruised ego!  Bending it all the way was not pleasant and straightening it all the way wasn’t either.  ”It’s not all bad,” I thought because I could still do 90 degrees.  So I attempted some very very very slow sun salutations followed by some shoulder openers, mild backbends, and long inversions.   I moved so slowly that I only got in 7 poses before I pooped out.  So my practiced primarily involved sitting.  UGH!  You know how much I love sitting

As I sat, I witnessed so many emotions surface… from anger, pity, regret, frustration, sadness, shame, and eventually ended with curiosity.  I wondered, if I can’t even do child’s pose of all poses, why do I even practice?   Why should I continue to practice?

In the silence that morning, I saw more clearly than ever before that my practice in the last 6-7 years has all been about the physical aspects of yoga.  I’ve embraced the other limbs of yoga and they’ve been a guide for my practice , but they have never been the foundation for my practice.  Wow!!!  When I realized that I no longer had the physical ability to do what I knew my practice mainly consisted of, it was like my whole entire yoga life has been knocked down.  ”Now what?!!  You can’t even do child’s pose.  What a loser, right?!”

After I got over the loser thoughts, I really came to appreciate my practice in a whole new light.  The idea that the other limbs of yoga:

1. Yama :  Universal morality
2. Niyama :  Personal observances
3. Asanas :  Body postures
4. Pranayama :  Breathing exercises, and control of prana
5. Pratyahara :  Control of the senses
6. Dharana :  Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
7. Dhyana :  Devotion, Meditation on the Divine
8. Samadhi :  Union with the Divine

could be the foundation of my practice and not just a sprinkle here and there when it was convenient to study and live them.  It’s been about 3 weeks since the sprain (thank goodness nothing tore) and I still can’t put all my body weight down in child’s pose but a very interesting thing occurred…. the moment I let go of my attachment to my physical practice (what I couldn’t do, still could do, wish I could do), I could see and feel the healing process unfold in slow motion similar to when it got injured.  Funny thing is that some poses that I stopped doing for a few weeks have become stronger without me even trying so hard like I used to.  Hmmmm….  Continue your practice, in whatever form it comes to you in, and all is coming.  Most definitely!  

On an even brighter note, I hope you enjoy this video of my yoga retreat.  I’m so thankful for the opportunity to hold space for these wonderful yogis.  I don’t even regret my sprained knee.  

Mix these ingredients together and you have a very happy, certified organic Nikki

Then it was off to film my video… again on a full stomach.. there just isn’t enough time to digest and wait… time is running out.

Of course all that shooting made me hungry so off to my next favorite place for lunch:  Mama’s Fish House.  

First course: lobster guacamole with local chips (taro, bread fruit, plantains)

Second course: Opakapaka ceviche

Finally, a trio of sashimi with various black, red, and macadamia sea salt

Well the whole thing wasn’t just about eating… Mama’s has an Inn that is attached to the restaurant and sits right on the beach.   Possible retreat option… of course!

Imagine yoga on this lawn that faces the ocean and then a quick dip in the water afterwards... or nap in that hammock works for me too

What a day!  Another round of video making (yes my belly is full so I gotta work it off).   Then off to check in the last possible retreat place at the Blue Tile House.  It’s another property that sits right on the beach.  

My head was starting to spin trying to decide which place would be best for my retreat so I decided to go scout out some snorkeling places and where my next meal was gonna be.  I ended up at the end of  Makena at La Perouse Bay where a local friend told me had good snorkeling.  Saw many varieties of fish but it was cloudy and dark… so back towards the Makena resort area to just chill and watch the sunset.   

Off in the distant I see something bob up and down… it looked like a head.  There were no swimmers or snorkelers around so it couldn’t have been a person.  I ignored it.  Then up it came again and again.  Perhaps it was seaweed or some other debris drifting in the waves.   All of a sudden two people come running on the beach with their snorkel masks and shouted towards me, there’s two turtles out there.   What?!  I look closer and it was!  

Oh my!  My heart pounding.  My snorkel mask was way at the other end of the beach so I ran.  I hate running and hate even more running on sand in a hurry.  But when you need to do something, you just do it.  I’ve always wanted to swim with a sea turtle but could never do it because you have to go out far and deep into the sea (you all know the lack of my swimming skills).  These two turtles were about 15-20 feet off the shore at a nearby rock. 

I jump in and WOW!!   Jaw dropping or in this case, teeth biting my snorkel moment.  The two honus (green sea turtle) were feeding on the seaweed growing on the rock.  They were massive!   Their shells were probably about 3 feet across.  They didn’t mind us at all.  I was so close I gently touched her shell and for a moment I stopped breathing.  It was such a magical moment.  

The hono's I saw glided just like this one that was taken by a photographer I know, Adam A. Palmer

I spent over an hour swimming with them and watching them eat.  They didn’t leave and I didn’t want to leave either.  I didn’t want it to end.. until I couldn’t feel my fingers anymore because it was getting cold as the sun was setting.

So I listened to my own belly that was growling.  Next order of business… FOOD!  

Drove into Kihei and decided to try a Japanese restaurant that everyone raves about, Sansei.  Yes, more fish!  

Their award winning, mango crab salad roll.

Poke Duo: ahi and hamachi

Finally, spicy lobster ramen to warm my belly

What a day!  I could not ask for anything more.  My last day could not be more perfect.  Sea food, sea turtles, and a beautiful sunset!  I am in awe at how this whole week turned out.  Nothing planned.  No rules.  No expecations.  It all started with just one mantra:  “Life’s a Beach,” (day 1) which inspired, “I will let my heart fall to the ground and let it be my foundation,” (day 2) which inspired, “Don’t lose your breath in challenging situations but find things that take your breath away,” (day 3, day 4, day 5 and all the way to the last minute).

Maui, I will be back!

I always leave another piece of my heart with you, Maui.

Although Hana was gorgeous and sleeping under the stars was fun, I was so glad to be back in Paia town and even more glad that the internet cafe had such a pleasing menu.   This is a green smoothie made with organic kale, chard, cucumber, apple, and coconut water.  The acai bowl had acai and berry purees, yogurt and banana, and my favorite yogi green tea that reminds me to “Be happy so long as breath is within you.”  Oh and the grapefruit I picked up from a fruit stand on the side of the road was saliva slurping good.

Green smoothie, acai bowl, green tea

An hour later, I met a friend for lunch at a flatbread place that makes everything from local organic ingredients.  This veggie special with tomatoes, basil, mozz, pineapple, and roasted bell peppers with balsamic drizzle was so good, I ate the whole thing!!! A 12″ round!  It felt good to eat

The veggie special for the day

I spent the rest of the afternoon lounging at Baldwin beach and did some yoga graffiti so I’d feel better for pigging out on all that flat bread pizza.  

handstand yoga graffiti... I think I needed to wait another hour or so to digest more before doing this

Then it was off to look for Eco Retreat Center that is somewhere in the boon docks.  I needed to make sure I found the place before dark because in Maui there are so many nooks and turns that are often not marked clearly. 

The eco retreat is beautiful!   Statues and culturally themed rooms make the property so peaceful and meditative.  I mean who wouldn’t want to meditate in this room:

Meditation room overlooking the ocean

My favorite hale (house) on the property is the Thai Hale:

Thai themed hale with hand made door frame from Bali

My favorite statue on the property is this Thai woman playing a stringed instrument.   She’s gonna be my inspiration for learning how to play my ukulele.  Anyone know her name or the significance of this statue?

Thai woman statue playing an instrument

It was a quiet and relaxing day… just as I wanted it to be after the last two days of camping adventure.  But I spoke too soon… the volunteers at the property gave me a tour of the place and suggested a few activities that I should try before leaving:  propelling down the cliff to the ocean and a hike to a nearby waterfall.   Since I just saw the most epic waterfall in my life, I opted for the cliff.  I didn’t choose the cliff just because I already saw a waterfall, but because the moment the volunteer started talking about it, I could feel my skin try to crawl underneath itself with fear and I could hear in my head, ‘oh hell no, girl!’ 

The beginning of the trail... doesn't look scary right?

Well after surviving the first part of the hike that went thru a crazy jungle of trees, shrubs, and SPIDERS, I said, what the heck.. what’s next?   A jaw dropping DROP….. oh how I thought it would be so convenient to forget about my mantra at this point, “Don’t lose your breath in challenging situations but find things that take your breath away.”

The first rope. It was rinky dink and tied to a very skinny tree stub that was shaking already

I don’t know what was worse, the rinky dink rope that was tied to a skinny tree shrub that shook like a kid’s tooth that is about to fall off, the slippery slope or the gust of abrupt wind.  My hands are sweating again just looking at the pics and writing about that moment:

The second rope

And I don’t know what made me happier… each successive rope getting thicker because  of 1) I am getting closer to the bottom or 2) the rope’s getting thicker because the path is getting narrower, or 3) that it’s getting dark and I could quit before getting to the bottom but that would mean I would have to go back up and through the now even darker forest:

I think this was the 5th rope

I think I lost count of how many ropes there were… I wanted to stop debating with myself whether I should stop and go back up or continue a little further.  My insensible self won…. so down a little further til the last rope.  At the end was this:

the prize... a gorgeous view that took my breath away

I later find out that I wasn’t at the end of the path… only at the end of the path that had ropes.  YIKES!!!!  In my book, my breath was taken away… mantra complete! … and all those carbs burned

it's a very very very long drop

Every area of the rainforest was jaw dropping gorgeous.

a small water fall tempting my eyes

I’m so glad I didn’t continue the hike last night because the bamboo forest was very dense and little light shown thru the thick layers.

The bridge into the bamboo forest

It's so thick you can feel the weight of the air and the mositure from last night's rain

A path where light came thru and I needed oxygen to my head

climbing between bamboo sticks is as much fun as climbing a door frame

You just can't help but feel zen when surrounded by bamboo

I got eaten alive by mosquitos and had to cross several streams and muddy areas but it was worth every itch to encounter this moment that took my breath away:

Getting close to Waimoku

and closer... she's in sight

ohhhhh my! one more stream to cross

and here she is... I feel so free to at her foot steps

I was on such a happy high that I didn’t mind the down pour of rain on the way back down the trail, more mosquito bites, and even more muddy puddles.

On the way back down the trail.. saying good bye to the Seven Sacred Pools.

I can’t imagine anything else I see on the road back from Hana to the north side would be any better.  Next stop is Wai’anapana campsite for the 2nd night of camping.  It’s not as beautiful as Kipahulu but the view is just as amazing.  I got finally see what a black sand beach is all about.   I would describe it as black rocky beach.  The black sand is coarse and there’s a lot of black lava rock.  It looked beautiful from a high view, but as I hiked down to the beach, it was kinda scary.  It’s drab.  The waves are rough and mean.  The cliffs look mysterious with their dark caves under neath.   I felt like something was gonna jump out at me so off I go to set up home base for the night.

Black Sand Beach at Wai'anapanapa

The waves roar here

blow hole from underneath the black lava tubes

This was my mantra for day 3.  It was definitely a challenging day.  It marked the end of my stay at the luxurious Lumeria.  I was trading a comfy warm fluffy bed for a camping pad.  I know.. poor me!  Before leaving this beautiful retreat center, I had to practice “allowing my heart to fall to the ground so it can be my foundation.” It worked!

It's easy when you let your heart lead and be your foundations

I tell myself, nothing really ends… a new adventure just begins.  So I’m off to Hana but had to fuel up at Makawao Market Fresh Bistro:

blackened ahi benedict at Market Fresh Bistro in Makawao

The waiter suggested I should drive the back route to get to my campsite at Kipahulu must faster so I could set up before it got dark.  “The road is less windy but there’s not as much to see,” he says.  I beg to differ.  Look at these breath taking views:

Driving the backside up to Hana

never ending cliffs and the bluest of blue ocean

Majestic Maui mountains

Probably the happiest healthiest cows grazing on greens with a view

I get to Kipahulu campgrounds and could not keep my jaws closed.  The view was awe-inspiring and every where I turn, my breath got swept away.   Mother nature, I bow to you!

A five star tent is one with an ocean view

The cliff where my 5 star tent overlooks

After setting up my bed for the night, I’m off to explore the area and it gets better and better.  I arrive at this place called the Seven Sacred Pools, where a stream of fresh water creates 7 sacred pools before it meets the ocean.   These pics are from the end of the pools where the fresh water will meet the ocean:

I think this is the 4th and 5th pool

The 6th pool

The 7th pool at the bottom of the Seven Sacred Pools

Further up the trail head, is another 2 mile hike to Waimoku Falls, the mother load of waterfalls where the 7 pools originate.   I started hiking and walked as fast as I could because it was getting dark.  Some downhill hikers told me it wasn’t far but advised me to only go if I had a flashlight because there is a dense bamboo forest I would have to get thru before climbing up towards the water fall.  

A dark bamboo forest was a challenge I didn’t feel like undertaking so I decided to head back to camp and let the sounds of the waves lull me to sleep.  The adventure will have to be continued tomorrow morning…

early morning rain not only brings a nice soothing sound during practice but also a beautiful rainbow for my drishti

Then it was off to do a photoshoot for my new website at Ho’okipa beach park on the North shore side of Maui:

Ho'okipa Beach Park

With only an hour or so left before taking a 3 hour handstand workshop, I had to fuel up… local style of course:

Hawaiian style shoyu and ginger po'ke (ahi tuna)... yum! so fresh!

The 3 hour workshop with the amazing Jennifer Lynn was playful and fun.  Learned so much.  Can’t wait to bring what I learned to class   I had the strength to hold a handstand but I discovered that I was missing a very key piece:  melt my chest towards the ground more than I ever thought I should.  It was physically a challenge with my tight scapula… or maybe it was something more than physical that was my challange so my second manta for this week:  I will let my heart fall to the ground and let it be my foundation.

What a discovery!  So of course I had to go sit and let this idea of “letting my heart fall to the ground” settle in… at the beach of course!

Keawakapu Beach in Kihei

Waiting for the sun to set at Keawakapu Beach in Kihei

Sunset over Keawakapu Beach in Kihei

The 2nd night ended perfectly with a delicious meal from Coconut’s Fish Cafe.

This casual cafe just turned 3 and was named after a cat!

The food was nothing but casual.  It was fresh and packed a mouthful of flavor.

The best mahi mahi fish tacos I've ever had and grilled ono with wasabi ginger cream sauce over brown rice. The best surprise was the cole slaw that was made with coconut cream instead of mayo... yum!

To top the night off, I spotted this restaurant/bar sign that just re-affirms my week’s mantra. How perfect!

This week's mantra: Life's a Beach

And of course, I had to attempt a handstand in front of the sign and entertain some of the drunks at the bar:

Handstand outside the bar

This was my last night at Lumeria before going off to Hana and roughing it at Kipahulu campgrounds.  So if you don’t hear from me by wednesday, call a rescue team

Buddah watching over Lumeria

Aloha!  I hope you will let your heart fall to the ground and let it be your foundation.

I’m back in Maui for a week to scout out some possible retreat centers that I will be hosting this summer.  I came here with no expectations and literally no place to stay because first order of business when I landed was FOOD!  

Saimin at Da Kitchen, my favorite place to eat right after I leave the airport.

Then it was find a place to sleep for the next week.  I bought my camping gear and planned on camping a few days and staying a night at each of the possible retreat places… cause I just have to make sure it’s safe and clean for my students right?  ;)

Well it’s a beautiful thing when you come with no expectations and literally no plans because every thing does work out… perfectly.  Within an hour of sitting at an outdoor cafe, I made camping reservations and retreat reservations all in the order that it was meant to be in.  Best of all, I had two nights left of no accommodations and was gonna plan on just roughing it wherever I was that night.  I got a call from Lumeria, a new retreat center up in upcountry Makawao that was only 10 mins from where I was sitting at the cafe.  I was immediately invited to come check it out and at the end of the tour, they offered for me to stay for the two nights I didn’t have a place to sleep.  Poor me right?

Lumeria Edventure Retreat Center

The last week has quite an adventure of unexpected outcomes and I am reminded again that I am exactly where I need to be at exactly the right time and everything is perfect just the way it is.  Here’s a reminder that life’s a beach… this is my mantra for the next week.

Last weekend in Santa Barbara, CA

Life’s a beach when you

1. aren’t afraid to sing out loud

2. smile so big that the other person can’t help but smile back

3. you’re eating your favorite scoop of ice cream

4. can laugh until you tear up

5. can laugh even more until your abs hurt the next day

6. keep learning new things

7. surround yourself with positive people and spread love to those who aren’t so positive

8. count your blessings…

It also helps when your view looks like:

Earlier in the week: amusement parking it up at Universal Studios, Flordia

My home for the next week:

North Shore Maui

Coast to coast travel sucks, but feeling blessed indeed.

Where does your travels take you this year?

Demetri Velisarius, is a Danda Yoga Flow and a Buddhist meditation teacher.  I was a little hesitant about the class because I couldn’t contemplate how I was going to “sit” for 2 hours when I could barely sit for 30 minutes.  To my surprise his approach was very different from what I had expected.  I enjoyed it.  We asked what is considered meditation?  There’s always a difference in opinion whether “real” meditation requires one to sit on a cushion for a specific amount of time while others believe a moving meditation (whether that’s yoga, gardening, walking, etc) is a “real” meditation.  His response?  It doesn’t matter.  A successful meditation is one that brings you into full awareness of yourself whether you focus on your breath or watch your fleeting thoughts or body sensations.  It’s that time when you stop talking to or listening to that monkey in your mind.

I was elated to hear that.   In my experience, if I force myself to sit, it doesn’t work.  The nugget I want to leave you with is this…. sitting meditation in intervals.  We did this in the class and I loved it.  We sat for 5-10 minutes at a time with a few moments to a minute off.  During the transition time, you allow yourself to move, re-adjust your position, or simply to take the “pressure” off… you’re still in full mindful state so doing jumping jacks in between would probably not be effective. As you progress, you can increase your intervals of sitting.

I’m certainly adding this to my bag of tricks when it comes to meditating on the cushion.  If you’re not a big cushion person like me, rest assured that it’s not the end of the world and you’re not doomed to never find enlightenment.  I had the opportunity to talk with Toe Socks Queen, Kathryn Budig and even this celebriyogi doesn’t sit on a cushion too often.  Her secret?   Meditation is everywhere… in everything you do.  Being at the top of the mountain certainly helps. 

image from: https://www.facebook.com/Wanderlust