Here are some oils I use to get me through this part of Winter. In Minnesota it has been mostly below zero since before Christmas. If it is sunny outside, then it means it's even colder. The chances of getting much sunshine are slim to none.

I made an essential oil + crystal grid this morning focused around my February Bullet Journal Spread and center Sunstone.

I've encircled this month with sunny vibes and cheerful crystals. I've even added Vitamin D Gummies to this grid to ensure maximum sunshine and joy absorption. 

In the center is my February Bullet Journal spread and my Sunstone. Citrine and Rose Quartz point towards the center to charge up my sunny intentions for a happy and cheerful month ahead.

Creating a crystal grid helps charge an intention. Use crystal grids for healing, meditation and to achieve your goals. All the crystals I have chosen are helpful in manifesting positivity, abundance and cheer. Each essential oil I chose to include in my grid helps with physical, and emotional healing.

I have been using each of these above oils a lot this winter. Some of the benefits of the above oils include happiness, creativity, uplifted mood, elevated energy, zest for life, and are the perfect antidote to SAD and depression.

Here is a brief description of why I use each oil: I use Rose for self-love, and Jasmine for happiness. I enjoy Citrus Bliss for welcoming guests into my home with happiness and for uplifting my mood and creativity. I use Lime when I am really feeling low. Lemon is wonderful so so many things including focus, air purification and cheer. Wild Orange is one of my all time favorites for feeling abundance and uplifting my spirits while simultaneously calming any anxiety I may be having. Tangerine is newer to me -- it feels like liquid joy!. Bergamot is another all-time fav! I use it to feel my best -- to increase my self-esteem and as a perfume -- it is one of my favorite smells. Slim & Sassy makes my tummy flat and helps with my digestion and self-image. Petitgrain wakes me up a makes me feel alive. Melissa is the oil of light -- it is the quintessential depression fighter!  

I wish you all a happy February! May joy be with you!

If you are interested in using the best essential oils Mother Nature has offer, click here.
Also, if you are interested in making DoTerra an essential part of your life, I would love to work with you. Connect via social media or email with the icons below.

​      Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) has been gaining popularity in the last 5 years. It’s a great workout, it’s safe for everyone and you can see nature up close and personal – the reasons go on. The sport has grown in many different formats from racing to leisure and from bootcamp to yoga classes. Anyone can find a reason to get on a SUP.

4. Relaxing – If you’re not into racing, you can use your board as a chance to get some “me” time. Being on the water is a way to unwind listen to the birds chirp and hear the tide splashing on the shore.
5. Socialize with Friends & Family – Paddling is a great why to disconnect from any technological distraction and enjoy great company like we used to. Enjoy great conversation with friends, family or take your 4-legged friend along for a ride. Time flies paddling alongside your buddy and chatting away.

I can't believe it's been a whole year since Prince passed. I wanted to share some of the ways Yoga Camp and I remember him. Pictured above, Lacey, @MinnesotaYogini, and I pose in front of First Ave. If you have never visited Minneapolis, it is a must see because it's amazing and it's where Prince filmed Purple Rain.

Lacey and I actually went to check out this mural by Rock Cyfi Martinez the artist was still in the process of painting it. It was cool to meet him, and even better that he posed with us. Rock was still wearing his mask in the photo because he was taking a break to pose. 

In remembering Prince and grieving for the loss of one of my favorite artists, I took a journey through Minneapolis trying to honor in an artistic way some of his most iconic images and pay homage to him.

I got to go into local artist Erin Sayer's studio with with Sara, @LightfulYogini, pictured above.

Here, artist Erin and I are during Art-A-Whirl last spring with the stencil she used to create her Uptown mural pictured here. Lacey and I do a handstand to honor Prince!

Originally Prince's star at First Ave was always silver, pictured on the left on the day of his death, April 21st, 2016 -- one year ago today. Later that summer, pictured on the right with Patience Stopke, First Avenue changed his star to gold -- the only star like it.

Prince was mourned all over the world. My friend  Zara visited from Pakistan last summer and told me people honored and mourned him there. That made me happy. His creativity and daring touched the lives of people across the world.
 
Thank you Prince Rogers Nelson for creating some of the best music ever that has accompanied the soundtrack of my life. I will continue to listen to your music and you will be in my heart. Great music and creativity is at the core of Yoga Camp. We love partnering with local bands and DJ's each summer and it's part of what makes Yoga Camp so special. We hope you join us this summer for our events. Dates and registration coming soon.
Much love, 
e 

Elizabeth Camp
Yoga Camp
​4/21/17

About a month ago I started a new journey with my body. I felt something coming on on the first day of the Minneapolis Yoga Conference while I had the pleasure of taking an all day intensive with author and world renowned teacher, Rolf Gates. It was subtle, and I ignored it, and in denial I thought it would pass. Later that weekend I had the honor of being a guest presenter during the Devanadi Yoga Teacher Training. In the middle of my presentation when I was standing up to make a point, I felt it. That same feeling that come over me about a year and half ago, although this time I wasn't rollerblading with my Great Dane, I was in the middle of presenting for Pro-Day, to about 30 women, me, a pro. The feeling was immense pain, although this time, it was just a twinge.  It wasn't until I got in my car after my presentation to drive home that I knew this was real and it was not going to be pretty. 

I drove around Lake Harriet to get home and I had to pull over because I was in so much pain. I called my husband and told him. It was Sunday afternoon so I couldn't get into see my chiropractor, but I left a message to get in first thing the next day.  When I got home I put on the old TENS-Unit form my last episode a year and half ago. I also took 2 Advil, which is a big deal for me. This goes without saying, but I also used a lot of my essential oils.

By Monday I had graduated to the leftover pain medication I had from my previous attack and my husband had to leave work briefly so he could drive me to see my chiropractor. I could not operate a motor vehicle. Insert laughing crying emoji. 

When I got to Dr. Kim, I couldn't even lay on the table to receive my entrainment. I had to just sit. I wasn't worried, Dr. Kim always meets me where I am at. It is really great to know that she is there for me. Thanks Dr. Kim. 

That first day of recovery I cancelled everything and just laid in bed excluding multiple trips to the chiropractor. That week I saw Dr. Kim everyday. I was in so much pain I couldn't even think about getting a massage -- that would be too much.  Over a week later I received some Shiatsu from Aaem Mitchell which was really helpful. It was a gentle way to get my energy flowing and and ease into massage. 

I've continued receiving bodywork, massage and acupuncture from Jason Lee, and chiropractic care multiple times a week this entire month with some yoga here and there. It is really hard for me to get on my mat right now because I am going through all my healing stages: anger, humility and gratitude. My natural reaction is to push away all those feelings and avoid it. Yoga makes me cry because I have to face my new limitations. I am mostly still in anger and humility, I haven't quite gotten too much of the gratitude stage yet. 

I've been going through my days limiting my physical activities to take care of myself and heal. Last week I got to travel to Spokane, Washington to visit my brother, and niece and nephew. I started daily workouts again with my niece, Isabella. It has felt really good. Again, I am frustrated because I lost a lot of the strength and ease I had gained from ramping up my fitness in February, bit still, it feels good to get gently moving again.

This Tuesday I had a photo shoot with Marjorie so she could take some photos of me for this project my company, Healing Media is working on with the Yoga Center of Minneapolis. It was nice to see Marjorie but I didn't feel like myself really. The shoot, thank goodness, was mostly centered on portraiture and personality, not on crazy poses. 

Triangle pose is not a crazy pose and I thought it could be a good posture for me. You can see pain and anger on my face as I try to get into a once effortless posture.

Needless to say, I won't be submitting this photo for my portrait a The Yoga Center, but I wanted to show you a moment Marjorie captured of what it is like to work with injury. It's like you know your body, but now you have a totally different body with new, crazy quirks. I've been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching for over 10. Each time I work through a set-back or an injury I always come through a better, more experienced and more compassionate teacher. I know this, but it is really hard for me right now, when I'm in the middle of this pain. My reaction is to crave the other side of this. The side where I am better for it. The side where I'm not in pain. The side where I have a story to tell. I'm not there yet.  I know this won't last forever, nothing does, but when you're in the middle of it, it is really hard to maintain the clarity of impermanence.  

I came across a quote this morning that makes me feel pretty awesome and also inspired me to write this blog today.

At my visit to Dr. Kim yesterday she assured me that I was going to come out better for this, and that
​I am improving.  I know this is true, but that doesn't make it easy.

This post isn't sponsored but I do love to connect people, it is one of my favorite things to do actually.
If you are looking for a great chiropractor, check out Dr. Kimberly Berkus. 
If you are looking for awesome massage, here are some therapists I love:
Aaem Mitchell, Jason Lee, Cindy Gorbonow, Gary Heyer, Lynda Flores

Please share some of your healing journeys and insights in the comments below. Also, if you are reading this blog but don't live in the Twin Cities, give your city a shoutout and share some of your favorite go-to massage therapists and chiropractors in the comments below, you may help someone who needs it.