I have been studying French on and off since I was a child in middle school. When I got to university, I was fortunate enough to make friends with just about every French exchange student that walked through the dormitory doors on campus and gain the inspiration to settle a bit more into my studies. 

Fast forward to 2011, a lot of growing took place, my body started requesting sobriety, my mind started requesting clarity, and my future was calling me to dive deeper into myself so I blossom into the person my soul knew I could be. The first step... going to France. 

I spent 3 months in France completing an extended stay with one my very best amis. It was an adventure that threw me out of my comfort zone on many levels - physically, environmentally, and linguistically. Loving every bit of it. 

France taught me so much myself and the world around. It also encouraged me to continue stepping outside my comfort, continue learning the language, and traveling to learn more about the world thus leading to experiences that allowed me to learn more about myself. 

Fast forward to now. I find myself at a place where life is asking me to step outside my comfort zones again. They've changed over time and have brought new obstacles to overcome.

So here I am. French in mind and the ready to be released through classes and movement. So... here we go. Live classes in French begin soon (in 2024). They will be more than stretch and asanas. They'll be learning opportunities of kindness, patience, and new challenges and overcoming. They'll be moments filled of mistakes and laughter. Will you join me on this journey? Whether you're a lover or yoga or a lover of French. All are welcome. 
Classes can be found through the Eventbrite Classes & Events Page. 

Download the habit tracker that started it all... well sort of. It really started before I even realized... the journey, self awareness, and healing. Then, it took getting over feeling that I was the victim. Which led me to a habit tracker that welcomed me to the present moment and into a space of realization and clarity. To come into the understanding that I am the author of the book that is my life. I may not have control of others, but I have control of myself and the capability to know that I am the one who chooses my actions, words, and responses. Now, I'm offering a tracker that can assist you on your journey of healing.

​Download the Habit Tracker - It's Not What You Think! To get started. Have questions? Leave 'em in the comment section or reach out at [email protected]. 

BonjourLapinCanard is a traveling market and online consignment shop that helps keep group classes and offerings low cost and donation based, and virtual workshops free. When you purchase an item from BLC brought to you by CarmitaSmilesYoga, the funds help pay for gas, yoga props, venue fees, food, and give-a-ways to execute events and classes. The shop is always open online.

You can also donate to BLC! Accepted items include but are not limited to clothes, purses, shoes, yoga and wellness items, jewelry, soaps, candles, cooking supplies, pet items, and other goods to support the cause. To learn more and donate text 216.375.4934 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Bizzy organic coffeewww.bizzycoffee.com/carmitasmiles was founded in Minneapolis, MN, by best friends Alex French and Andrew Healy who started making their own cold brew coffee in their cramped apartment in 2013 after being fed up with paying $5 for a cup from a coffee shop.

Today, their ready-to-drink products are sold in more than 5,000 grocery stores across the country.

​An 8 ounce cup of Bizzy Coffee has about 137mg of caffeine with ethically sourced beans from Central and South America.

Use CODE: CARMITA SMILES to save 15% off your order.

All seeds are not equal and you can count on True Leaf Market for super premium quality. 

True Leaf Market has offered NON-GMO and organic seeds and gardening goods since 1974. 

Warehouse located in Salt Lake City Utah.  You can order online and have seeds and gardening items shipped or picked up at their warehouse.

BetterHelp makes professional therapy accessible, affordable, and convenient — so anyone who struggles with life's challenges can get help, anytime and anywhere.

Yoga at Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary 2024 dates have been scheduled! Registration will be open soon.

Save The Date below.

​For details and registration please visit ​https://happytrailsfarm.org/

People are drawn to colors for various reasons. One reason may be that the body is calling for connection to the meaning of the color (awareness). For example, all my life I've been drawn to the color Teal. A color that represents balance and harmony. Which makes sense since my astrological sign is Libra, which also represent balance and harmony.

Are you drawn to a specific color or color variance? Discover what it means below. If you don't see the color you're most drawn to? Send me an email to let me know. I'll add more colors and meanings by request. 

When I say Body I am talking about the physical body. 
When I say Emotions I am talking about feelings, how one feels - happy, sad, angry, anxious, loved, or a sentiment that surfaces from a thought, memory, reflection, or future event to come.  
When I say Energy I am talking about breath (prana), how an emotion makes one feel (hyper, sad, depressed, excited), and/or movement within the body. For this particular article energy related to emotions/feelings.
This topic will get one thinking about how energy (normally related to negative emotions) can get stuck within the body in certain parts - hips, stomach, back - to name a few places. Usually energy related to an event in life (for example a traumatic event) causing whatever feelings that arise during that time to get caught within the body if they are not processed properly. For example, if someone is bullied as a child and they never receive an apology from that bully. The person never has a chance to process, heal, and forgive the bully. Any feelings that upset the person may get buried deep down in the mind or body. This could cause future unrelated events to upset the person, leave them in a state of fear, low confidence, or anger. As you can see it is quite important for forgiveness, peace, and love to be a part of one's life. When this is unable to occur naturally it's important to use movement, breath, meditation, and other forms of self healing to help move negative emotions from getting stuck within one's body (the physical, mental, and spiritual body - which can begin with the physical).  
In the yoga community there is a lot of discussion around energy (also known as emotions or relating to) stuck in the lower body and its release through forms of Yoga like Yin, or Restorative. These forms tend to focus on opening the lower body. I recently did a podcast touching on this subject matter. Which brings attention to not only opening the lower body but the center. How it can also hold (negative) emotions, release emotions, and heal one from opening the core, center, or abdominals. This can also and usually include the lower back, side, chest, and obliques.   
Emotional energy or stuck energy usually caught within the lower body, like the hips or groin, can be the following: fear, anxiety, or sadness. 
Emotional energy or stuck energy usually caught within the core, heart center, or abdominals can be the following: grief, tension, or stress. 
For each area of the body different types of emotions can get stuck. So just as it is important to release emotions from the lower body, it's important to do so for the upper body. 
There are various ways to release these emotions from within the body - breathing exercises, meditations, physical activities like walking, jogging, yoga, and streching. It's wonderful to incorporate various types of activities to promote the release of stuck energy from within different parts of the body to find a sense of calm, peace, and love.