The seasons, they are a' changin'. We celebrate Summer Solstice this weekend, which means it's time to celebrate the season of light and bounty (think long days, more time in nature, fresh fruits and vegetables, and warm temperatures). It's ironic that lately I find myself making the sun a part of my practice (that could also be because I miss seeing it due to all of the rainy/cloudy weather we've been experiencing in NY) whether it's sun salutations, or chanting the Gayatri Mantra, or visualizing the sun warming and inhabiting my body, or simply doing some candle gazing (Tratak) before bed. I suppose I've been preparing for the season change.
I'd like to celebrate the Summer Solstice by giving gifts to those who bring much bounty and light into my life -- my blog readers. I have some delightful goodies to give away to a few lucky readers:
#1 Green Beauty Starter Kit from Beautorium Valued at $150 I'm delighted to be partnering with beautorium, the natural & organic beauty emporium. They are generously donating a Green Beauty Starter Kit with over $150 worth of top green beauty booty to this giveaway.
I'm a fan of beautorium and all of the goodies they offer. If you've never shopped beautorium before, you should know that it takes the guesswork out of going green:
- Choose from 20 brands and over 600 products—each hand-picked and carefully screened according to 5 strict criteria to ensure you get the most ethical and effective experience.
- Unique “Good –to-Know” Guide gives you the low-down about each product. Shop by brand, category or beauty issue.
- Free beautorium natural tote bag and samples with every order over $50; Free shipping over $100!
- Satisfaction Guaranteed or your Money Back!
A Beautorium Bonus for Everyone
And because beautorium wanted to make sure all of my readers win, they have given me a unique coupon code that will get you 15% off your first purchase at beautorium. Simply type the coupon code itsallaboutyoga at the checkout page to receive your discount!
*offer valid against full price stock through the end of May 2010.
#2 My Other Car is a Yoga Mat License Plate Holder
If you're a yogi and you know it and you're really proud to show it, put this on your car. I did. Yep, that's a picture of my car -- affectionately named Silver Bullet -- and it's backside. Amongst the Life is Good sticker (because hot damn life IS good), my goddess bumper stickers (yep, I like to make my goddessly nature known) and my VT ovalo (I have a soft spot in my heart for Vermont) proudly sits my "My Other Car is a Yoga Mat" license plate frame. For the low price of $10.00 I just couldn't resist. Yet, one lucky reader will get this jazzy license plate holder for FREE.
This awesome license plate holder comes from an even more awesome source -- Beth Lapides. She's a comedian, yogi, artist, creatrix, and lover of life and laughter all rolled into one. You can get to know Beth here.
Even if you don't win, you can get a free ebook filled with funny and inspiring stories from Beth herself. Just click here and enter your email address to receive your free copy.
#3 A Great Summer Read -- The Handbag and Wellies Yoga Club I loooooved Lucy Edge's first novel, Yoga School Dropout. And it left me hungry for more. Luckily the lovely and talented Lucy obliged by writing a follow-up novel entitled The Handbag and Wellies Yoga Club. This book continues Lucy's adventures but this time, she has relocated herself and her yoga mat to the country. She's ready to start a new phase in life and this book captures every whitty detail. The book hasn't been released yet, but you can get an advance copy through this giveaway.
#4 SIGG Water Bottle
I rarely leave home without it. My SIGG water bottle has become my constant companion. I get to stay hydrated without harming the environment with plastic bottle waste. But does being healthy and environmentally conscious mean that I have to lug around an ugly bottle? Heck no! Check out the awesome designs that Cafe Press is offering: Namaste, Breathe, Live Love Yoga, Yoga, Peace Love Recycle. If none of them suit your style, you can customize your SIGG bottle with your own awesome design.
If you win, you'll be sent one of the 5 yoga-friendly designs listed above.
How to Win
Here's the deal -- I want to give some lucky readers a few gifts AND I want to get your feedback. Lately I've been struck by the desire to create an online membership site where like-minded folks (those of us who want to live a happy, healthy life) can gather together for support, yoga audios, breathing audios, and all things related to being in the moment, enjoying life, and embracing ourselves and each other for who we are.
I'm thinking about having monthly themes, a very active forum, audio, possibly video, inspirational reading and more all for an affordable monthly charge. Here's what I want to know from you --
- Do you like this idea? Would you join? If no, why not?
- What do you think is a fair price? What are you willing/able to pay each month?
- What do you want to see in this community to make it worth your time and money to participate?
Every giveaway entry MUST have the answers to these questions along with your full name and email address. You can enter to win one of the items mentioned above or all -- it's up to you. Here's what you do:
- Send an email to uncommonyogi at gmail dot com. Put which giveaway you are entering in the subject line (beautorium, license plate holder, book, water bottle -- specify all four or whichever ones you want). NOTE: By entering the beautorium giveaway, you are providing your name & e-mail address to enter the free draw and you will be subscribed to the beautorium newsletter.
- Include your full name, email address, the answers to the questions above in the body of the email and restate which giveaways you want to participate in.
This giveaway ends on July 7. Winners will be picked sometime later in the week of July 6th and announced shortly thereafter. All you have to do is answer a few questions, specify which giveaways you want to enter yourself into, send an email (uncommonyogi at gmail dot com) and OM -- you're done. Readers/entrants whose emails contain the proper information will be entered in a random drawing to decide the winner of each giveaway.
Fineprint FYI -- the beautorium and Sigg gifts will be coming directly from beautorium and cafe press respectively and the book and license plate holder will be coming directly from moi (yep, I'll take care of the shipping costs).
Woo hoo -- I love giving stuff away. May you enjoy receiving just as much.
In Closing...An Idea for Adding a Little Sun into Your Yoga Practice
One more word about celebrating Summer Solstice -- why not try incorporating this seasonal event in with your yoga practice? The sun is associated with will, vitality, accomplishment, victory and fame. Why not try adding a bhavana (visualization) and intention into your practice by holding visions of these qualities during your practice? Here are some other suggestions:
- Before you begin your practice acknowledge your accomplishments.
- During your practice, hold an intention to be filled with vitality.
- When you're resting in Savasana, visualize the sun coming into your body and filling your body with light and warmth.
If you can, try practicing outside in the sun this weekend. You could even ditch the mat and practice barefoot directly on the ground. Mmmmm...delicious!
Happy Summer Solstice! Best of luck in the Giveaway. May the power of the sun be with you!
Namaste!
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wow, these are great giveaways!! be sure to check out my blog, i gave you an award :)
Posted by: melita | June 22, 2009 at 09:34 PM