The beautiful heat of Summer!

above: Escape to Westchester for the day, real Nature!

It is the crux of summer here in the city. This is my absolute favorite time of year! (I guess that's why I decided to move to Singapore, 2 years ago- since it's 95 degrees there, all year 'round!)
And in only 2 short days it's my BIRTHDAY month!!!! (I know, I am such a birthday-obsessed Leo! haha)

Sunset on the Hudson

But here I am, back in NYC, and finally adjusting back to life in the USA and slowly but surely getting a routine together. Recently my friend remarked how busy I am. It's funny- I don't have many actual time commitments, I work only a small handful of hours per week (although this will change in the Fall!) but committing myself to my a) health and b) improvement/getting in shape as a dancer is a full time job!
The good news is that I love what I do and how I spend my days, even though I must admit that my self-imposed busy-ness can't be denyed: infrared sauna (one brutal winter I splurged on one to put in the apartment ), jumping on my rebounder (today I tried the African moves urban rebounding dvd....amazing!), meditation/chanting, washing and juicing greens, cleaning the juicer (not my fav), taking a dance or strength-building class, going to auditions, working here and there teaching classes/private clients, taking care of my balcony garden,...this list could go on and on...and I am sure that if you're reading this, you also have a list just as long of everything you do to maintain your well-being and growth.

July was a tremendous month with lot's of intensity for me and I really feel a shift now that August is approaching and the astrology has shifted significantly. This past month I also had the wonderful opportunity to perform the dances of Isadora Duncan with Dance Visions NY at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Long Island. That was pretty amazing- to have my mom dancing, my sister singing, my aunt dancing, and my little cousin dancing all together in the same performance!

In addition, I began a group cleanse on July 1st, which I am continuing into August on my own. The "Extremely Green Detox", led by Natalia Rose, has been the most fun version of a cleanse you can imagine! Lots and lots of green goodness.

I have lot's of exciting projects in the "creation" mode and very excited to move towards their completion.....soon to be unveiled!

That's all for now, enjoy the pics!!!

"Amazons"

"Southern Roses" (Dance Visions NY)

Aristotle had it right!

 "There is only one way to avoid criticism:

do nothing,

say nothing,

and be nothing."

-Aristotle

I recently came across the above quote on Doreen Virtue's Facebook page. Doreen Virtue is pretty much one of my favorite people, even though I've yet to meet her! I love all of her work. She's the "angel lady" who teaches about how accessible the angel realm is, and I have learned SO much from her. I don't think a single day goes by when I don't talk to either Arc Angel Micheal or Raphael. It is so comforting to know that angels are ALWAYS available to help us, and it really gives them great joy to do so. I learned a lot about the Arc Angels when I listened to Arc Angels 101, a 6 CD set by Doreen...highly recommend it! I have had way to many angel experiences to list here, but it can suffice to say that the angels have saved my life many times as a result of my sincere prayer and gratitude to them.

But the reason I posted this quote is because it's like a little push saying, "Go on, do it! Don't be scared!" So many times we don't go after our true dreams in life because we're subconsciously afraid of what might happen if we go against the grain. Aristotle reminds us that living a life to avoid judgement and criticism is not really a life at all. Doing something bold and daring will undoubtedly bring judgements, but that is not going to hinder you as long as you remind focused on your goal.
 

Isadora Duncan Celebration

2011 Celebration, with Dance Visions NY

Every May, to honor Isadora Duncan's birthday, a group of Duncan dancers perform her original choreography in Central Park at the beautiful Bethesda Fountain. This has been happening every Spring for as long as I can remember...maybe that's because this is the 24th year of this celebration, and I happen to be 24 years old!

My mom hasn't missed dancing a single year...24 years in a row!

The location is so surreal, as you can see from the photos. Although the photos can't capture the real magic of being there in person. You certainly would never guess you're in the middle of New York City! It's a fairytale location :0)

The video above is of the Musette, a dance that would perfectly take place inside a fairytale!

This is from the 2011 performance, with Dance Visions NY

Prelude. From 2013 performance

My new favorite green smoothie-pudding

Green smoothies are nothing new to me, but this one I created has a special zing to it that I find really extraordinary...plus, no fruit= no sugar=A+ in my books

Also, it's quite thick so that you can also opt to eat it with a spoon like a pudding or custard.

Courtney's spring renewal zing zing minty green surprise smoothie-pudding:

1/2 zucchini
1/2 cucumber (leave peel on if organic)
large amount fresh peppermint leaves
handful fresh basil leaves (these came from right off my new little basil plant, yay!)
some dark leafy greens of choice (I used dandelion, but kale, collards, or spinach would work too)
1/2 a small avocado
juice of 1 lemon
zest of 1/2 lemon
1/2 dropper full of liquid vanilla stevia
water
ice cubes

Blend all in a high-speed blender such as the Vita-mix or Nutri-bullet until smooth.

Then take a sip, close your eyes, and ENJOY!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art...my new hang out spot?!

I find it incredible and kind of crazy that I went to school for several years during my childhood about 1 block from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, yet never went inside. I honestly had no interest. I was very busy I suppose with ballet class, and more ballet class, and in my free time...more ballet class! But now, at the ripe old age of 24 with my priorities straightened out a bit (hehe) I can take the time to appreciate a good museum when I see one.

You see, museums have not really been a part of my daily or weekly routine. Usually, I would go to several museums when I'm visiting a new country. I absolutely LOVED visiting museums in Paris...it was just the thing to do! But back in daily life, museums to me were just for tourists. Kind of like Broadway shows, or the Empire State building....you get the point!

Before I go any further into this post, I have to say that the number one reason for my renewed interest in art museums is the super generous gift I was recently given of a year long membership to any museum of my choice! Of course I chose the Met. It is beautiful and massive and I can wander around and get lost and be inspired by Monet, Degas, and Renoir. The Moma is not really my scene. I love classical art just as I love classical music and classical dance.

I have been several times to the Met in the last couple weeks and am still exploring and probably have only seen a tiny fraction of what's there. It is very important that to me that I find quiet places that don't remind me of a crowded street in Time Square. Pushing and shoving in a museum is no fun! But aside from the art, the ambience in general is very uplifting and exciting.

Here's to my newfound appreciation of art museums!

Welcome!

(Beautiful Thailand...taken by Me)

Hello and WELCOME to my blog, I am so glad you found your way here!

This blog is about all things related to health, wellness, the Arts, and life in NYC.

You may be wondering what "Bluer than Indigo" refers to. It comes from a writing of Nichirin Daishonin, a 13th century monk who created what is now Nichirin Buddhism (see SGI-USA.ORG  for more info on Nichirin Buddhism

The writing says, "From the indigo, an even deeper blue." This passage means that if one dyes something repeatedly in indigo, it becomes even bluer than the indigo leaves. So by continually striving to improve ourselves, we deepen who we truly are, coming closer moment by moment to our truth. It is in the continual efforts, day after day, that form the most magnificent, deep color blue that is deeper than the indigo leaves themselves.

Pretty profound stuff!

I hope you enjoy this blog and feel free to comment on the posts, it's always nice to know that someone else is out there...