April 2006 Newsletter
Inspirational Thinking
When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary
project, all your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends
limitations, and your consciousness expands in every direction, and
you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.
Patanjali
I have been having
one of those truly periods where everything seems to go your way. It
is of course, simply the fruition of all the work I have been doing
for the past years manifesting itself. And to that I say, YEAH! It
is about time. It feels great to be in such a wonderful place. I
hope you are experiencing the same thing. If not, just wait. It is
on its way. Anyway, a long explanation for why my quarterly
newsletter was delayed by a month. Thanks so much for your
understanding, and patience.
Yoga Bound continues to be a work in progress. It has really grown
and expanded and I love what it is about, how it is looking and
evolving, and where it is going. Each of you receiving this
newsletter has been instrumental in its growth and development. I
appreciate so very much, your support, so that we can continue to
help people by providing information on the benefits of yoga, and
other holistic therapies. Have you stopped in
lately? I would love your
input on our new design.
Yoga continues to
keep me sane. And in spite of all my injuries (knees from years of
running, and neck from an auto accident last year) which has forced
me to adjust my practice, all is well. In addition to my own
classes, workshops and privates, I had the good fortune of being
able to teach a few classes at my friends Karin and Ally's new Yoga
Studio, Anala Yoga, in Clearwater. If you have the chance to attend
a class there, DO!
Sarong Boutique, another expression of my passion, continues to
change, and grow, and is becoming what I envisioned. Our product
line, too, is evolving. I feel it just keeps getting better as I try
to make, and find, the coolest, and most unique products available.
A formidable challenge today with so much of the same old stuff
everywhere. Our customer base is growing like crazy, and people are
finding their way to both of our websites from all over the world.
Could I use some help? You betcha. Let me know how you might want to
be involved, and I will let you know how that might work for me. If
you haven't checked us out lately,
please do. And
let me know what you think,
as there is always something another set of eyes can see that I may
have overlooked.
In addition to the
above, we have been doing work on our house. Painting the inside,
and out. And finally beginning to put the plan for our yard, which
has been a disaster, into action. As Florida gets less and less
rain, and the ban on watering continues, it simply isn't practical
to have a lawn. And we want as much as possible to also avoid
pesticides. Our plan was to turn our yard into something similar to
the way we live when in Bali, a park like setting, using plants and
trees indigenous to Florida. And those requiring little water. Not
as tropical as Bali, but it is going to be beautiful.
Because it was such a huge project, we had to put this off until
this year. It was also difficult for us to find someone that got our
vision, as this was no ordinary landscaping job. Our yard was
steeply sloped. Any rain we did get, with the sandy soil in Florida,
never penetrated, just ran down and into the street. So our idea was
to terrace the yard, using natural rock. This was a literally a
re-sculpting project. And we knew based on who did it, could look
really great. Or, very bad. It got done, as did phase one of the
planting. And does it look GREAT!
In this first phase we only planted what we thought would survive on
its own since we won't be there to water. When we return home we
will add lots of plants and trees, ponds, benches, statuary, turning
it in to what we imagined. Our own little sanctuary. Which leads to
our next endeavor. Bali Homes and Gardens, bringing you beautiful,
and unique things for your home, and garden.
Blessings to you all. With gratitude, deb
Sawadee Kha from Thailand
It is hard to
believe that we are on our annual six month trip to Asia. Where does
the time go! If it seems we only just just arrived home, and, well
we did. It was only five months ago. We had our Bon Voyage party on
Sunday and enjoyed spending our last hours with friends, and family.
The food was as always, simply delicious as Roger whipped up his
Thai and Indian favorites, and friends brought appetizers, desserts
and other scrumptious side dishes. I want to add our recipes to the
website and will when I have a bit of extra time, or another set of
hands.
We flew out of
Tampa International Airport on Monday evening on a direct flight to L.A.
After a couple of hours, we boarded our EVA flight. After a very long, but uneventful flight, we
arrived in Bangkok approximately 30 hours later on Wednesday around 2:00 pm.
I have been coming to
Thailand for over 13 years. Roger for almost two decades.
We have pretty much seen and done everything around the city, so have just been
letting our bodies adjust to being 11 hours ahead, hanging out
while applying for, and waiting on our visa's to Indonesia. And
doing our yoga on the rooftop most mornings. Our Sun Salutations are
literal, as we watch the sun rise over the buildings. We
leave May 3rd for Bali, and our first
Bali Yoga Retreat begins May 8th.
 Bangkok
is quite an amazing city. Now where in the world can you walk down
the street and run into an elephant.
Yes, the trainers bring the elephants into the city where they share
the roadways with pedestrians, tuk tuks, motorbikes, cars, and food
vendors. It is quite a site.
Like most big cities, Bangkok is not without its extremes. You have
the most prestigious five star hotels in the world like the Oriental
shown here.
 And
people living in shacks next to the railroad track. You
can pay a fortune for a meal at an international restaurant with
renowned chefs, or eat fantastic food on the street.
You can visit a mall that carries all the designer fashions, or get
excellent quality and really unique clothing from a vendor on the
street, or at an outdoor market.
Parts of Bangkok continue to be exotic. Other parts sophisticated,
but overall there remains an air of casualness, and a down to earth
quality.
 I
am sure there are a number of reasons for this. I attribute some of
this to the fact that this is a city near the equator. It is quite
Tropical, and very hot. Most tropical places we visit seem to
be much more laid back. Maybe it's just to hot for people to get
crazy over anything.
Of course, the Buddhist religion (philosophy) is another factor. It
promote non-confrontation. The people here appear more tolerant. Getting around is easier
than ever as they now have a Sky Train which is like a monorail. And
just last August they opened their underground subway.
 These
are extremely inexpensive
and comfortable modes of transport. Especially when the traffic is
heavy, which seems to be most of the time these days.
The Sky Train also takes you down to the Chao Phraya River, where
for as little as a dollar, you can take the water taxis quite a
distance down the river, stopping at China Town The Royal Palace,
and other places along the way. It is enjoyable.
For a city that just a mere 10
years ago had no coffee except Nescafe with condensed sweet milk in
a can for cream, there is now a Starbucks on almost every corner.
Asia is booming.
There is evidence of
this everywhere. As well as an emerging middle class.
View more Thailand photos
here.
eNewsletter Winner
CONGRATULATIONS
to Jacqueline Messing. You are the
winner in our latest quarterly drawing which took place the end of
March. We are so happy that you joined our Community. And are please
to present you with a $35.00 gift certificate which you can use for
merchandise in the Boutiques at Yoga
Bound or Sarong
Boutique.
Now Jacqueline, keep in mind that we
are on our annual trip so I am sorry to say that you cannot redeem
this until we return in October. I won't forget, and it the timing
will be wonderful as you can treat yourself to a nice Christmas
present, or buy something for someone else. Appreciate your
understanding.
For those of your that signed up for
our eNewsletter, please know that you are automatically entered into
the drawing. The next one will take place the end of June. Good
Luck!
If you have friends that share your
interest, talk to them about signing up, too. If they agree, sign
them up by emailing us
their names and email addresses. You will get a $5.00 credit for
each person you sign up, up to 5 or $25.00.
Our annual Yoga in Bali Retreat begins
May 8th and runs through June 25th. As the time it drawing near,
please email us for any
information you may be needing. We love putting together yoga
retreats that are inclusive, but Bali seems to be one of those
places where people travel there on their own, so they just show up
for the classes/retreats. On any of our retreats, we can do the
legwork for you if it helps you get there. Or you can opt to make
your own travel arrangements, and we will guide you in any way we
can. Looking forward to seeing you next week.
Yoga in Thailand Yoga Retreat
We were
planning on a two month window for our Thailand Yoga Retreat, too.
However, we decided that we need to go to India, or China instead,
as we need to spend some additional time with our studies. We have
had a lot of interest in the Thailand Retreat, however, spread out
over the two months. I am working with everyone to try and see how
flexible people are on dates so that we might consolidate this
retreat into a two week period. Please let me know if you are
interested, and your dates. We are thinking of the last two weeks of
August or the first two weeks of September.
Yoga Bound
& Sarong Boutique Products
While we are
away, our boutiques are closed. We will re-open the middle of
October so please keep us in mind for gifts for yourself. Or, for
those on your Christmas shopping list, as we will have all new
things, as well as a restock on all of our popular classic
merchandise.
We hope to change
this situation, and are working to find a fulfillment, or other type
of partner than can help us when we are away. Thank you for your
understanding. And your support of our boutiques when they are open
for business.
We are dedicated to
offering beautiful, stylish, unique and functional products that are
like works of art. Yoga Bound's Yoga Boutique offers yoga products
like yoga mat bags and
aromatherapy eye pillows, the
coolest yoga tops, yoga pants including wrap and fisherman
style. Sarong
Boutique has batik clothing, beach wear, sarongs, bathing suit
cover ups and other tropical products. For exquisite merchandise, retail and wholesale,
check us out.....
To Your Good Health
Yoga Benefits-Yoga
is an ideal form of exercise. Yet unlike other forms, Yoga offers
the full range of fitness benefits. It develops strength, stamina,
flexibility, and vitality. The gentle stretching action involved in
each yoga posture promotes a gradual, safe increase in the
flexibility of the whole body.
The thousands of yoga postures were created to work every single
muscle in the body. And flexibility is developed gradually, safely,
and always at your own pace. Since none of us is alike, the effects
of Yoga vary from person to person. You don't have to be physically
fit. Or, spiritually inclined to experience these benefits. Yoga
boosts vitality, and enables recovery.
Yoga has rejuvenative properties that many are claiming cure
everything from diabetes to cancer. While these may seem like wild
claims, there's no denying the benefits.
READ MORE..................
Soy Products are
Toxic-I recently had lunch with my friend Sarah, a wonderful
person, and an incredibly talented Astrologer. Sarah shared with me
some information that I found alarming, so I am passing it on to
you. I was given some literature on the myths about Soy products.
Essentially, this brief, but comprehensive brochure explained that
the only complete protein from soy products is found only in Tofu.
And the rest of the Soy Products, milk, ice cream, etc., not only do
not contain this complete protein, but they are TOXIC! She found
this out the hard way, when she become ill, so I don't want us to
have to go through what she did. But I am going on memory here, as I
left the brochure at home. I am throwing it out there, like I do
with everything. But I encourage everyone to do their own research.
I want to add this to the website, too. So
let me know what you find out.
Share your yoga experience, travel story, recipe
We are always in the process of enhancing our sites through design,
relevant content and articles and other components that keep people
coming to our site. We invite you when you can, to share any
information you feel would be beneficial. Write an article. Send us
something that you found especially touching, inspiring or
informative. Or, submit your favorite healthy recipe.
There is much in the Universe going on right now that will enable
you to move in positive directions. Be sure to set your intentions.
Nurture your dreams and aspirations. Then relax and let it happen.
Best wishes for a wonderful year!
Ninaya-Seek what the heart loves!
Deb
Debra and Roger Bobier
Certified and Registered (YA-500 hour) Yoga Teachers
Founders of YogaBound.com and
SarongBoutique.com
debbobier@yogabound.com
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April 2006
