Elevate - the movie!

I'm very excited and humbled to share with all of you a new Goodluck Prods. video recently completed about the amazing Elevate Yoga Trainings with Jill Knouse, here in Portland, Oregon.  You will see the journey we all embarked on together, growing and learning in so many incredible ways this past fall!  Please watch, pass along to your friends, like on Youtube, and enjoy!

Also, Jill Knouse is now taking sign-ups for her upcoming Elevate starting Jan 15th, which I highly recommend for any yoga teachers looking to deepen their teachings and practice, who live in the Portland area! :)

xoxo~
Cassie

Abundance in Gratitude

For Thanksgiving a couple weeks back, I guided a class with the theme around abundance and gratitude. Doing research for my theme, it turns out Thanksgiving and Yoga have a lot in common...

As I was thinking about what I was grateful for in my own life and where I have found abundance a vivid memory came to me of my recent trip to see my sweet Mom in the Phoenix, Arizona area.  The next to last day that I was there, we visited a labyrinth at a Franciscan monastery that my mom likes to visit sometimes.

We had just gone on a beautiful afternoon hike at Camel Rock ~

Camel Rock, Scottsdale, AZ

and the sun was setting over the green palm trees, bathing the rocks in red and orange hues. It was magnificent.

Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ

As I walked the labyrinth I went in with one question: what is my purpose, my dharma? As I was listening for answers, the word abundance kept coming to me.


As I came to the center I started to pray for more abundance to come into my life.  Then I stopped in the center and crouched down to set down an offering of a stone my Mom had given me.

I looked all around me, taking in the colors and beauty, seeing all of the creatures fly and run around me.  Then I realized my answer.  All I needed to do was truly open my eyes and take a look around me to see that there was already so much abundance all around me!

There was an amazing golden red sunset coming through the palm trees and beautiful plant life everywhere, lighting the labyrinth and garden.

There were little birds running and flying around everywhere.


There were two bunnies hopping around.

There was the beautiful majestic and giant mountains in the distance with the sun lit on them, that we had just hiked.

Camel Rock Mountain, Scottsdale AZ

There was my lovely, inspiring and sweet Mom who I was getting to hang out with, going on these  adventures and having this mother-and-daughter bonding time that I will cherish forever!

hiking with my Mom on Bell Rock, Sedona, AZ

Bell Rock, Sedona, AZ

I thought of my incredible husband's smiling face and outstretched arms with such an open heart - my best friend who is always there for me.

There was abundance, love and support in every direction I looked.  I just needed take time to open my eyes to see it.

As I left the center and started my meditative walk back around the labyrinth I realized how truly blessed I am and my heart welled up with gratitude and the sweetest love I could almost taste.  As I came out I told my Mom about my experience and as I said the word "abundance," she said she too had that word pop into her mind as she was walking the labyrinth!



We went into the tiny chapel on the monastery property and put our prayers on tiny pieces of paper in the basket there and sat in the quiet little space.  The sunset shone through its beautiful stained glass windows and we sat with our prayers, hopes and overwhelming sense of gratitude.

After the sun had set, it was a crystal clear beautiful night with the brightest stars you could see outstretched forever.

Sedona, AZ

We went to an gorgeous restaurant and sat under heated lamps on the patio, fountains and outdoor fireplaces all around us.  We had a delicious meal and spent the entire time talking about our dreams and how our intuition was always guiding us in the right direction.



It was such a sweet, abundant day that I will cherish always! <3

El Chorro Lodge & Restaurant, Scottsdale, AZ

BHAKTI YOGA SHALA TEACHER TRAINING W/ GOVIND DAS PROMO VIDEO!!!! (by GOODLUCK PRODS)

I am so thrilled and full of gratitude and love to share with you the video I created for my amazing, wonderful and truly inspiring Yoga teacher, Govind Das, who I completed my Yoga teacher training with at his one of a kind Bhakti Yoga Shala in Santa Monica, CA, over one year ago...

The experience was a life changer and has led me onto my current path of sharing the gems of Yoga with others and I continue to be inspired and deeply thankful for all of the great learning, friendship, sat sang, heart, love and devotion that I discovered, along with a whole community of like minded bhaktas on our incredible journey led by the awesome Govind Das!

Enjoy dear friends and Jai Ma!!!!!!!

Love, 

C

JUICIN' and SOUPIN'! :)

Hey y'all~ I'm pretty stoked about the new juicer (well it's used, but new in my eyes! :) that my sweet Mama gave to us recently.  Thanks Mom!

Last night and today, we just used what we had in store, and added a few carrots + 2 green apples + 2 clementines to the juicing machine and watched it churn out the most energizing and yummy juice ever! BOY was it amazingly delicious! It put me in such an elevated mood and got me curious to research a bit more...

I found this sweet list of the BENEFITS OF A JUICE CLEANSE on Lifestyle Juice Cleanse's site:

Feeling absolutely wonderful again

Increased libido

Strengthened immune system

Improved concentration and mental clarity

Increased energy and vitality levels

Weight loss (but only if you have excess weight to lose)

Clear and refreshed skin

Reduced cellulite – a reboot detox is a highly effective way to combat stubborn cellulite

Diminished allergies, runny noses and flu-like symptoms

Improved digestion and elimination

Reduced cravings for sugar, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and other stimulants

Normalized blood pressure

Reduced total cholesterol and changes up the LDL and HDL ratios

Improved liver function tests

Once completed; a mental change that draws you towards healthy dietary habits and makes you more inclined to exercise – an overall health boost

Pretty freakin' awesome.

********************

Then we also made some scrumptious acorn squash soup! 

We first roasted 3 acorn squashes soooo easily in the oven for around 45 minutes at 400 degrees. Just cut them in half, don't even bother scooping out the seeds, and face them down in a oven-friendly dish, and cover the bottom of the dish with a little water.  

I then diced up 4 large potatoes and put in boiling pot of water letting cook until soft (around 20 minutes).  

While the potatoes and acorn squash is cooking, dice up 1 onion, a few carrots, and a few cloves of garlic and sautee in butter in a large soup pot for several minutes, until soft. Then add 4 or so cups of vegetable (or chicken) broth and let simmer.  Add spices to taste. 

Add the potatoes once they are soft to the soup and continue to simmer on low heat.

Once the squash is done, take out of the oven and scoop out all of the seeds.  Then scoop out the delicious soft meat of the squash and add to the soup mix.  

Then time for pureeing. I used a large soup ladle to scoop batches of the soup into our food processor and puree.  After you are done pureeing all of the soup and back in the soup pot, keep simmering on low and stirring.

Then add 1/2 cup of cream, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Voila! You have the most delicious, autumn style soup you and your family will LOVE! I asked my hubby if he thought it was too spicy, and he said "No, it's just perfect." But make sure to season to YOUR taste. 

This is basically the recipe we went off although we used 1 extra squash > http://allrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-acorn-squash-soup/

Here are the Health Benefits of Acorn Squash taken from In Depth Info: 

One serving or one cup of acorn squash contains 145% of the daily recommended requirements for Vitamin A. It also contains Vitamin C, potassium, manganese, folate (folic acid), and 15% of the omega three fatty acids necessary to good health. It is also a good source of fiber. With all of these vitamins and minerals acorn squash has many health benefits.

Because it contains phytonutrients, acorn squash is thought by many to have an anti-cancer effect which is especially strong when the squash is turned into a juice. It may also promote prostate health in men by reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged).

The orange-yellow color in squash comes from the Vitamin A precursor. The strong presence of beta-carotene, helps reduce the possibility of lung cancer, even in smokers. Carrots have the same benefit. The beta-carotene also reduces free radicals in the body, even while reducing the chance of heart disease and colon cancer.

Folate in acorn squash is important for a healthy body as it works to reduce homocysteine which is a byproduct of metabolism. Homocysteine can damage blood vessel walls. In this way it helps prevent heart-attacks and strokes. It is also a factor in colon health. Folic acid is also important for brain health, combining withVitamin B12 to prevent nerve damage and brain shrinkage.

My awesome hubby Nate

Enjoy friends and Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo~
C

My new promo video for Jill Knouse Yoga!

I am super excited to share the newest Goodluck Prods. promo video for the lovely Jill Knouse- brilliant yoga instructor, business woman and mentor! It's a compilation of footage from her amazing Elevate yoga trainings this fall, her most recent yoga retreat to Prana Del Mar in Baja! Mexico, Yoga Rocks the Park (end of summer yoga session), and the chocolate, wine and yoga event with Dave Romanelli. Enjoy!!!

I hear this video will soon be featured somewhere on the Wanderlust website, as Jill will be teaching at this exciting yoga festival in Squaw Valley next July! Book your tickets! More videos to come soon, as Goodluck Prods. gets up and running! 

xoxo.

My Testimonial Video for ELEVATE Yoga Trainings!

Dear friends,

I want to share with you the testimonial video that I shot, edited and produced for Jill Knouse's amazing Elevate Yoga Trainings, which I just graduated from last month!

I would love to hear your thoughts and if you are interested in deepening your understanding and confidence as a yoga teacher here in the Portland area then definitely check out Jill Knouse's Elevate program. It's amazing! 

Confidence.

Community.

Love. <3

Viva la Mexico! {Prana Del Mar Yoga Retreat in San Jose del Cabo}

I'm soooo thrilled to share that I will be flying out to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico this Saturday morning to photograph and film Jill Knouse's amazing Prana Del Mar Yoga Retreat!!!!!

Jill Knouse's photo

Pictures and stories to come soon ~ I'm just so excited and honored to be going and working again with the amazing and wonderful Jill Knouse! She makes my heart smile BIG!

my amazing mentor ~ JILL KNOUSE! (her photo)

There will be Yoga (of course!), surfing, beach time, healthy food, and BABY TURTLES!!!  Who knows what other adventures are in store?  I can't wait.

Then on my way back I am flying through Phoenix to see my sweet and lovely Mom!!!  5 whole days of mom and daughter time.  Again, I can't wait.  The blessings abound.  So much gratitude! (But I'm going to miss my hubby sooooo much - skype here we come! :)

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I am also proud to say that we recently graduated our Elevate Yoga Trainings with Jill Knouse this past Saturday... although some tears were shed, we are joyful to have had such an incredibly uplifting and transformational journey together and have our beautiful yoga community surrounding us always!

I am happy that we learned so much, made so many lovely memories and dug deep inside to find our true voice as yoga teachers.  So blessed.

Testimonial and promo videos to come soon!!!

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Lastly, the North Portland Yoga garden shoot photos came back! So excited to share them!

{Jainee Dial: Photographer} 

{Jeffrey Bale: Private Garden Set}

{Caylan Wagar: Hair and Makeup}

Here they are~

     
 

Luv,
Cassie

We Move As One

I taught my 40 minute "showcase class" to my beautiful and fellow ELEVATE friends tonight... Even though I was a bit nervous (and excited!) with anticipation, what touched me as I was teaching tonight, was how BLESSED I am to be on this divine path of Yoga.. it was one of those A-ha moments when you realize you are EXACTLY where you are meant to be and these lovely people all around you are guiding lights, offering grace, encouragement and love for you to courageously go forth and SHINE! I'm humbled to say I've been blessed with many guiding lights along this path...

I found this song in my search for an array of uplifting songs to keep my yoga playlists fresh.  This is the perfect song to end your Yoga practice - whether in a class setting or at home.  With legs extended out, palms facing toward the heavens, heart softly open, head clear and light... Put one hand on your heart and your other hand either on top of your first hand or on your belly.  Really let this beautiful melody seep deep in your skin, deep in your soul.  You will feel like you have magically emerged as your truest YOU!

ENJOYYYYY DEAR FRIENDS! <3

Namaste,
C

One year of love & commitment

My dear husband Nate and I just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary in Bend, Oregon this past weekend.  It couldn't have been sweeter.  Full of love, adventure and fun to the brim, we got to enjoy exactly the kinds of things that brought us together in the first place.  Here are some of those unforgettable moments I will cherish always. (Warning: this may be 'sappy' ;)

Breathtaking views of the world around us on bike rides along the cliff above the deschutes river, riding down the road, screaming "weeeeeeeeeee" with such a feeling of exhilaration of just being together...   

Long talks filled with humor, appreciation and coming back to the true essence of us... 

Exciting white water rafting tour rolling over giant waves called names like "curly" from the Three Stooges and playfully pushing each other over the edge of the raft, laughing and filled with a child like joy set against the bright blue skies... 

Dressing up and going to see the Shakespeare romance "Much Ado About Nothing" with the dramatic backdrop of a rainbow-laden sunset, and my hubby's arms wrapped around me... 

Receiving the sweetest most thoughtful gift - a leatherbound book filled with both of our wedding vows, all of the readings, love poems and verses from our wedding ceremony, and re-reading our vows again to one another while sipping on delicious coffee and breakfast overlooking the deschutes river on our gorgeous balcony...  

Climbing the obsedian black volcanic rock mountains in the hail storm, in our hooded sweat shirts, getting soaked... 

Sipping on hot cocoa in the little lodge closeby, warming ourselves and waiting out the storm... 

Hiking along the lakes of the national deschutes forest and digging down to find our very own piece of heaven amongst the naturally formed hot springs bubbling up from mother earth... 

THIS is what made our one year wedding anniversary so special.  This is why I am the luckiest girl alive to have found my true love, my prince in shining armor, my best friend, soul mate and my husband Nate.  <3