My Yoga Teacher Training Journey: Part 2

My yoga teacher training has really begun to open me up. It's giving me more self-confidence, piquing my interest in other modalities of alternative healing, and I've seen some muscles I didn't know existed in my arms starting to appear. ;)

During our most recent weekend of YTT, I taught my first 75-minute yoga class. It was incredibly nerve-wracking leading up to it (I've never been a great public speaker), but afterwards, talk about a sense of accomplishment. I seemed to get more relaxed as I got into the class,  and if I felt a flash of anxiety, I could recover and bring myself back within the pose.

That same weekend I guided yoga nidra. If you're not familiar with yoga Nidra, it's a yogic "nap." You're not really asleep, but you're guided into a state of deep relaxation. That was also pretty scary for me, but my "students" all loved it. :)

It's hard to believe we're already 7 months into our training. Only 3 more weekend sessions and I'll be a certified 200-hour yoga teacher!

Over the last two weeks, I did yoga on a horse, on a stand-up paddleboard and I had a reiki session. If you're scratching your head wondering "why?!" or "what the heck is reiki," I'll explain...

Wow. Talk about exhilarating and nerves. I'm familiar with horses, I had a pony when I was younger and took lessons for a few years. So my awareness of their ability to unintentionally hurt someone made this experience a little less relaxing than I'd hoped for.

Not to discredit the experience, I enjoyed the practice and being around a horse again after a 5-year hiatus. However, I don't think this will be a regular style of yoga I'll be taking up.

If you currently have balance issues, be prepared if you try SUP Yoga. It's a very strange sensation to be in downward dog (or any other yoga pose for that matter) while the ground moves beneath you.

The class I took was a Full Moon SUP Yoga class, so it was in the evening and dark by the time we were done. Luckily I didn't fall in, however, I did have a couple close calls and one of the other girls did.

SUP Yoga requires serious balance and control. I'm excited to try it again this summer when I'd happily jump in and have fewer worries about falling in.

If you're looking for other uncommon yoga classes check out this article I wrote for St. Augustine Social on 5 Yoga Classes You Haven't Heard of in St. Augustine.

Flourite, Reiki's power symbol on a quartz pendant with amethyst
inclusions, and a chevron amethyst egg from my collection.

Reiki... if you've been a reader here a while, or know me at all, you know that my home and purse are scattered with crystals. Reiki is a similar form of energy that cleanses and aligns your chakras.

The technical definition of reiki from Google:

1. "a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient's body and restore physical and emotional well-being."

After I go through my training and I better understand how to explain it, I'll write a full post on Reiki and my training. I'm going through the training to offer it to my future yoga students in Shavasana (a final pose in yoga practices) as it provides an amazing sense of relaxation.

Are you interested in taking a yoga teacher training course? 

If you have completed yoga teacher training, do you have any advice or stories you'd like to share?

My Yoga Teacher Training Journey: Part 1

A Lunar Event at Magnolia Supply

A blue moon and a fun event/sale at Magnolia Supply was the way to close out July in St. Augustine. With free cocktails, a braid bar by Philosophie Salon, live music, and some serious sales, Magnolia Supply was the place to be last night. Bri and Tara, the adorable owners of the shop, threw a rockin' event, and I'm glad I attended.

Mandy and Brittney from Philosophie Salon were tying up braids left and right. I was happy to see so many familiar faces and spent some time chatting with Sarah, Blogger at Vegan on the Run and Editor for St. Augustine Social. We both had braids put in by the lovely Mandy, but I'm sad to say mine didn't get much visibility as dinner was a Chipolte sofritas bowl on the couch. :/ 

Aslyn and the Naysayers performed as guests milled around with Blue Moon beers in hand. There were stones scattered throughout the shop building on the energy from the full moon. I found a sweet pair of druzy earrings that look like peacock ore. Stay tuned for those in a future post.

Read Bri and Tara's blog for posts on their travels and beauty/fashion advice like this one: To Bang or Not to Bang. Stop by their shop if you are in St. Augustine or view their shop online.

Magnolia Supply

58 San Marco Avenue, Suite B, St. Augustine, FL 32084

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Did you do anything special for the blue moon? Or is it just like any other moon to you?

Blue Moon in St. Augustine

Somehow my week got thrown off. I woke up this morning thinking it was Saturday (on a Thursday).  :( Don't you hate that? Everything is going fine, it's not like I have some extravagant weekend plans either... just an odd feeling. Then I thought, maybe it's something in relation to the full moon we are having tomorrow night.

Do you have any big plans for tomorrow night's blue moon, or this weekend in general? I'm really looking forward to the Full Moon Sales on San Marco here in St. Augustine. I still haven't had a chance to stop by my friend Bri's shop Magnolia Supply and I'm excited to check it out.

I know I've been pretty quiet on the blog lately, but here's to changing that. I'm finishing up an online writing course over the next couple weeks and finally starting to settle into my new job. While my blogging slowed down over the last few months I established a solid yoga routine, worked on my writing, and was able to whip through some books I had on my summer reading list.

Sometimes you just need to take a break from blogging and refresh. Do you agree?

Thriving Under Thirty: Jessica Sutton, Self-Employed Personal Trainer

Jessica Sutton, a local personal trainer in St. Augustine is the feature for today's Thriving Under Thirty post.  A fellow Flagler College alumna, Jessica is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and currently self-employed. She spends between 8 and 10 hours a day training clients one-on-one, two-on-one, and in small groups. Jessica took some time to provide tips on working out and to explain what it's like to be a trainer.

“It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.”

What attracted you to personal training? 

I was graduating from Flagler College with a Business and Finance Degree when Brandon Rahe owner of GO HQ, gave me an opportunity. Brandon became my mentor and largely contributed to my success as a trainer. I was able to gain the knowledge needed and also find personal growth/strength to adequately train a variety of clients through being a part of GO for my first three years as a trainer.


What is an average day like for you?

I work a split shift, meaning I have clients 6-noon and then have a break and return in the afternoon for clients from 4-7pm (estimates).

Training myself is sporadic at best. I tend to take the occasional opportunity to train if a client cancels last minute in the middle of my shift but I have more time in the middle of the day before I go back for my second shift. In an ideal world, I would train early in the morning -it's the best way to start your day in my opinion!

People in the gym are always surprised to see me working out and like to comment: "Oh, the trainer is training herself!" I like to show people that I am human too...just because I am trainer doesn't mean anything is 'easy' for me!

I think an important part of training and even life in general is figuring out what you are bad at. I have found out (the hard way -through trial and error) that I am not great at the nutrition portion of my own training and since it's such an important part, I have found a solution to my problem: I order pre-packaged/pre portioned meals to help keep me on track. Nutrition is extremely specific to each individual person therefore I would recommend hiring a certified Nutritionist/Dietician for specific meal planning.

What do you like most about personal training?

The 'personal' part of personal training is definitely my favorite. I have developed so many long lasting relationships with my clients who I always refer to as my friends if not even as my extended family!

Each client is so individually different and that makes the challenge even more rewarding to help each client accomplish the specific goals they are looking for. One of my biggest career successes thus far is helping a business owner/wife/mother of five! lose 130 pounds to gain back her quality of life.

ALL of the other significant achievements each of my clients accomplishes add up to make every day rewarding for us. Crossing the finish line at their first running race, the look of awe when they do a set of push ups from their toes or even just showing up to their appointments ready and willing to be trained.

What is your favorite motivational quote?

“Do the best you can until you know better. And then when you know better do better.” –Maya Angelou


If a reader is trying to establish a new habit of training, what is the best piece of advice you could give them?

You cannot drive a car without an engine. Before you start stressing over supplements, if you have the newest glitter speckled Lululemon leggings... have you even sweated yet today? Start (overly) basic. Get moving!

And as with anything in life, be willing to ask for help! Remember: fitness is ever evolving!

You don’t have to figure it out all once but you must be willing to continue to keep putting forth constant, intentional effort to reach your goals. And if you ever deviate –jump right back in and try again.


How do you promote your services?

The best advertisement in a small town is word of mouth. I am thankful to have my 'regulars' (I still train my first ever one-on-one client) and am constantly being referred clients or recommended to new clients. Also spending 40(+) hours in a gym a week, I get random run-ins at local places: 'Hey, aren't you the trainer at the gym?'


Is there a certain type of workout you focus on with your clients?

Each workout is so individual to the specific client but the concepts all stay the same. I tend to focus on functional movements for most clients.

I whole-heartedly believe that you should never miss out on an experience just because you feel like you weren't ready in relation to your fitness level. You should strive for a life of balance and level of fitness that always makes it possible to go do the things you love or things you have always wanted to do.

What is the hardest part of running your own business?

I always say I wish I could clone myself. I am sure my clients would beg to differ, but there just aren't enough hours in the day!

When you do what you love, the stresses and obstacles seem smaller and more manageable to accomplish the tasks associated. Things always seem to have a way of working themselves out when you are positive and secure in knowing you are doing things the best way (for you) possible.


Other than working out, what do you like to do in your free time?

Yoga definitely counts as working out but I have been spending a lot of my free time practicing Bikram Yoga at BYSA. I think it's a very humbling experience to be quiet and focus on only your self in a mirror for 90 minutes. I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of taking the time to focus on inner peace and flexibility.

Jessica Sutton

Personal Trainer

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If you are located in St. Augustine and looking for a trainer to help motivate you for bikini season (which is pretty much starting this month!) contact Jessica. Her positive attitude, lenient scheduling options, and drive to help others achieve their goals will surely be a major help in realizing your own.

I will continue to bring you interviews with successful individuals 

under  (I'm getting old) around the age of thirty. If you or someone you know might 

be interested in being featured in a Thriving under Thirty piece please email meaghanmae@gmail.com. 

St. Augustine Creatives I'm talking to you!!

Thriving Under Thirty: Yield Design

Established in 2012 by Rachel Gant and Andrew Deming, Yield Design Co. is the feature of today's Thriving Under Thirty. This "independent design house" is new to St. Augustine, but not new to the business world. After graduating from Flagler College Andrew attended the California College of the Arts to get his MBA in Design Strategy, where he met Rachel who earned her Bachelors there in Industrial Design. Both Southern natives, Andrew and Rachel visited St. Augustine often over the last several years and were "lured by the idea of quieter living, warm beaches and room to grow." Yield designs and manufactures modern jewelry, bags, and home goods. Without further ado, here is our recent Q&A session.

Image via Yield Design

Where do you source your ideas for new pieces from?
Many of our products have resulted from the experience of imagining a product but not being able to find it (or at least not at the quality we expect). I really like the James Murphy quote “The best way to complain is to make things” and we really take that to heart. We’re also very inspired by our travels and our products are very directly influenced by it.

What is your favorite aspect of running your own creative business?
I value the ability to be able to own the entire process: from concept to delivery of a new product. It’s rewarding to create things that you want to see in the world and be able to get them into people’s hands.

Rachel working on their new Canvas Apron.

What is the hardest part about running your own business? 
Owning the entire process :) Andrew and I each hold many roles including design, sales, marketing, quality control, to name a few. It’s an incredible learning experience, but a never ending workload.


What has been your best selling item? 
Our Geo Stand photo and card holders. We released these last year and they’ve quickly become a favorite item and are versatile; used for photo display at home, recipe cards, or wedding place cards.

In St. Augustine what is your favorite:

Restaurant?
The Ice Plant


Shop?
It’s hard to name a favorite, but we really enjoy the selection of thrift and antique stores in the city. We've found some wonderful mid-century furniture for our new house and studio.

Spot to go and relax? 
Our quick escape is ideally an afternoon at the beach with our puppy, Clover or walking and perusing the assortment of architecture in the residential parts of downtown and Lincolnville.

Yield's sweet shop dog Clover looking down on us from the upstairs loft.

Yield Design

201 West King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

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I had a great time visiting the new location for Yield Design and meeting their young pup, Clover. Rachel and Andrew are talented and motivated taboot - a great addition to St. Augustine. Stop by at their location on West King Street or view their online shop. I highly recommend following them on Instagram too, their eye for design shines through with their images. 

I will continue to bring you interviews with successful individuals 
under  (I'm getting old) around the age of thirty. If you or someone you know might 

be interested in being featured in a Thriving under Thirty piece please email meaghanmae@gmail.com. 
St. Augustine Creatives I'm talking to you!!

Fashion Friday: Herringbone Under the Bridge.

I hope you enjoyed a love filled holiday with family and friends yesterday. As a blogger I find it difficult to turn off social media most days, but on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas I don’t feel so bad disconnecting from the rest of the world. And that’s the way it should be, right? 

Back to the holidays… my tree will be up through NYE, as will my Christmas decorations. Keeping up with the jolliness of the rest of the year- here’s a festive holiday look.

Herring bone screams winter to me and this vest is the perfect final layer for this chilly look. 

These were taken on a wooden trail under the bridge on Vilano Beach. I don’t think many people even realize this little trail is even there, definitely worth the time to seek out and take a walk down. You could make a little afternoon of just walking around Vilano: here, at the pier, at the beach, over the bridge… All worth a stroll.

Groopdealz Herringbone Vest similar / old Forever 21 Sweater similar / Jewelry c/o Marley Lilly / 

Jeans c/o Aeropostale / Vintage Louis Vuitton / old Boots similar

Many thanks to Lucy and Wayne Smith, the photographers behind these photos. This is the fourth in a set of recent looks they captured for Fashion Friday. I’m planning to work with them again within the next two months so be on the lookout for more Fashion Fridays here on Just Me aghan. :)

Photo Credit: Lucy & Wayne Smith of Foxtale Photography

Linking up with Style Elixir

Fashion Friday: Moto Jacket & Jeans on the Bridge

I'm in Maryland visiting family this weekend, but here's a slightly warmer look on the Vilano bridge from my recent photo shoot with Foxtale Photography for your Fashion Friday.

Top Marshalls / Moto Jacket Marshalls similar / jeans c/o Aeropostale/ 

Black Necklace c/o Aeropostale similar / bracelet Fab'rik / Similar Clutch

A moto jacket is the perfect amount of warmth for those days when it's cold but not yet cold enough for a full on winter coat.

I found the top necklace at the flea market recently, it's very intriguing with a different design on the other side. The bottom necklace is from the Pretty Little Liars line by Aeropostale. They were the perfect length to layer and I like the mixed metals. 

Photo Credit: Foxtale Photography