Chakra Healing

The smell of sage danced through the air, cleansing space for the yogis as they arrived. Optional body paint was displayed in the art gallery, and we invited the group to join and feel their way through colors that were speaking to them. One guest needed some solar plexus loving (that part of your body that screams, identify, independence, and craves the warmth of the sun)…so we passed her the yellow paint!

In the background our guest yoga instructor, Jen Lyons, shook out a cloth and mindfully displayed a collection of crystals and gems. The outdoor patio was ready for meditation and a gentle journey. 

Painted like warriors, dazzled in all of the bold and bright colors, we streaked our faces, arms and legs. Some dared greatly and covered their entire bodies. It was here, that all the colors of the seven chakras manifested in physical form, just before we offered space to open and heal these energy centers through our yoga practice.

The yogis were carefully guided into unique asanas that would cater to each chakra from perineum to the crown of their heads. As we found our way up to our heart, we thought green, just like the rolling hills around us. We opened the space just a little bit deeper and allowed the light to radiate before moving on to the next posture. 

Eventually the group moved onto their backs, and the warm breeze sent them deeper into meditation. Our instructor took the group on a journey, visualizing some unfamiliar spaces, feeling the breath, and relaxing the entire body. As she spoke, her voice gently echoed in the distance. Butterflies floated around (spirit guides to some) and sound bowl healing filled the area. Crystals were carefully placed on the chakras of each yogi offering deeper healing. A few smiled, some sighed, and others allowed tears to roll down their cheeks. 

Very slowly, but surely, we nurtured each and every chakra of these physical bodies that hold our mind and spirit. Easing our way from the mats, and gently coming back to the present moment, the yogis gazed out over the sunlit farm. The baby blue sky and rich green fields seemed to go on forever.  

We offered up endless gratitude for our final gathering of the summer, bowed forward, and eventually flowed as a group From Mat To Table.

Around the art gallery the group began to graze on dishes that would nourish, heal and cleanse their chakras. A family-style feast of rosemary flatbreads, rubbed with roasted garlic and topped with colorful vegetables and juicy figs to feed our lower chakras: red, yellow and green. And, as we moved around the room we found bold hues and salad stacks, this time feeding our upper chakras: blue, indigo and purple. All of these flavors were intended to heal those energy centers we just opened. So we continued to dine on a roasted beet, goat cheese, arugula and quinoa salad; layered fresh buffalo mozzarella, seasonal tomatoes and basil clipped from the garden; and delicate stacks of roasted zucchini, orzo, purple eggplant, feta and micro-greens.

And on that warm summer afternoon, we sampled tea and toasted to a wonderful chapter with Heron’s Meadow Farm. 

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We gathered. We loved. We gracefully healed. And at the end, we felt kinda warm and free inside. The afternoon gave us time and stillness to receive as much love as we put out into this world. Namaste beautiful people. Namaste.

Love + Gratitude

There was a sweet, soft, summer breeze, and the tiki torches and candles burned a gentle blaze of orange and yellow, just as the sun painted the sky. 

As the yogis arrived, they set up their mats facing the horizon ready to breathe their way through a vinyasa practice.

Grateful to be back on the east coast, Molly opened up with some prana, breath-work, that helped slow dooooooownnnn the group’s breathing as a whole. And, like, so, unhurriedly…helped them find their way from their busy work-week right into the present moment.

(((Pause…Right…Here…)))

Let us groove to some acoustic tunes, and flow in and out of some hip openers. Let us play with edges and energetic balancing postures, and seek to find the balance between effort and ease. Let us feel the deep tempo of the tribal drums, as we ring out unwanted energies. Let us move into a final inversion, and then find stillness in savasana. 

And just as the sky turned to dusk, the fireflies made an appearance and the group flowed their way…From Mat To Table.

Awaiting them inside the art gallery, were rows of perfectly-plated roasted kale salad. Each dish had layers of pine nuts, goat cheese, raspberries and a little balsamic-honey drizzle. The group began to sip on tea, grown just feet away from their yoga mats. And the energy in the room started to buzz as we connected with some familiar faces and a few new souls.

The night was clear, the stars were out, and everyone eventually found their way back out to the patio. We toasted to the marriage of From Mat to Table and Heron’s Meadow Farm; and, raised our glasses to the endless gratitude and magic that is created each time community is brought together.

Laughter echoed throughout the backyard as the family-style summer pasta was passed around the table. Our hearts and bellies couldn’t be any fuller. But, there's always room for dessert! An assortment of homemade, colorful, chakra-balancing, ice cream sandwiches were centered on each table. And then the sky turned from teal, to orange, to indigo, and finally black. 

Connection, community and healing are the pillars of From Mat to Table. 

We send our love and light right back out into the universe and bow our heads to the divine for sharing this space. We hope you'll join us and take part in the magic as we flow under the stars again on Thursday, August 30th with Sarah Mayhew. 

Limited Tickets Here

We wouldn't be exactly where we are without our partnerships. Our light and love honors Whole Foods - Columbia, Roots - Clarksville and Boarman's Market - Highland. Namaste Beautiful People. 

One Planet

Like we say after each event, ‘No this one was our favorite!’ We are quickly learning that you don’t have to have ‘favorites.’ Life is all about balance. Like evenly giving across all of your needs, but not forgetting about yourself. Our body is One Planet, mind, body and spirit. 

As we entered into the partnership with Whole Foods, we immediately felt connected to their values: good food that’s locally sourced, with as many wholesome ingredients as possible, and to try, with every piece of your being, to support local businesses. They took that business model one step forward when they established the Whole Planet Foundation. 

The Whole Planet Foundation sources microcredit loans worldwide to alleviate poverty. This isn’t done on the sole basis of money. The Foundation supports these small businesses with start-up capital, resources, and education about how to be an entrepreneur. These businesses sustain, as 97% of the loans are repaid and 87% of the loans are offered to women.

The idea of our One Planet event started here...

Let us bring From Mat To Table into some local business partnerships that can do good. If we have the opportunity to bring a community together through yoga and food and support a wonderful cause, we are moving toward a more peaceful world. We couldn't be more grateful to share this experience with both Whole Foods Columbia and the incredible media team of Doctors To You.

A more peaceful planet starts with YOU, you beautiful yogis! The event began as 21 light beings stepped onto their mats. The view allowed us to gaze over Lake Kittamakundi.  The group breathed their way in and out of a few heart openers, meditating on the idea of intentional energy toward oneness. We inhaled into a few hip openers and exhaled our way through some delicious twists, aiding digestion of an earlier meal and preparing for what was to come. Practice would not be complete without savasana hands on assists, equip with some peppermint essential oil temple rubs.

Three really loud OMS rounded out our practice and moving mediation together. The first breath: for you; the second: for the world; and, the last breath: for the universal divine that lives within each one of us.  

As we transitioned From Mat To Table, we immediately became present with the energy in the market around us. 

Appetizers were ready, and the pizza oven behind us kept busy all night. A curious crowd gathered around to peak past the chefs and see what was happening. 

We took our guests on a slow tour with six stops around the Planet. Our first visit was France where we were greeted with a slab galette loaded with fresh-gourmet ingredients. We jet-set over to Australia for a quick stop and some shrimp and skirt steak on the barbie, mate! And then we cruised North to Japan, and picked up about 16 pounds of fresh fish on the way. There were family-style platters of seared tuna encrusted with sesame seeds, served alongside of field-greens mixed with shredded multi-colored carrots and radishes. And, a few dressings were offered on the side with a dish of sautéed shrimp. 

Around this time in the evening, we stopped to talk about this event, why we we are all here (not sure we ‘truly’ understand exactly why we are here yet..), the passion that draws us all together (we get that energy), and then we breathed out endless gratitude for their support (and a breath for those across the world, and the lives we changed tonight). We wouldn’t be here without each other. 

Our two main courses came out family-style, which means we successfully landed the plane in Thailand and Portugal. (Impressive, we know.) There were dishes of coconut curry shrimp with lemongrass and turmeric, served with seasonal vegetables on a bed of rice noodles. And there were platters of skirt steak tacos, smeared with a spicy chimichurri sauce and pickled radishes. To aid in digestion, we had the group walk to their last stop, Italy. And they were pretty famished and parched by the time they arrived at a bucket loaded with gelato. Nine different flavors alongside hot-brewed espresso. It was time to create your own affogato. No one was ashamed to go back for seconds, there were too many choice to try. We are truly sorry. 

As we enjoyed the end of the evening together, we started to raffle off some pretty amazing give-aways. And, we announced we were able to change the lives of about 4.5 families with the money we raised through this experience. 

Everyone left with relaxed bodies, grateful minds, and beaming spirits.

Together, when we link arms, she has the potential. Mother Earth. One Planet. One Love…and you made it possible.

Peace and blessings,

Molly and Karli

(two humans in one big world, around 7.4 billion humans, roughly)

Ananda Bliss

The candles gently flickered around the room. Luminous white-light bled into the space from the windows. The smell of incense and paleo santo hung in the air. And, 31 beautiful bodies unrolled their mats in a circle, ready to practice something so simple, yet so sacred: yoga. 

Molly tip toed into the center of the group, as we started our flow with a echoing round of OM's. Spines were untwisted, curled, rounded and stretched and we gently woke up our bodies. This beautiful Sunday morning groove, included a few shoulder and chest openers. And before we knew it, slowly, and in unison, our breath began to match our asana. It was simply gorgeous.

Balancing together in perfect unison, the group made their way into tree pose as one. Branches tall, hands touching, and smiles radiating all the way up to the sky. The energy was strong and united.

As we reflect, on this From Mat To Table experience, the blessings are everywhere and the warm feeling of community, one big family, is what we hold near to our hearts. 

Savasana was a 15 minute slumber, full of gentle adjustments, love, and of course, lavender essential oil. On the other side of the large wooden doors, there was a subtle clanging of pots and pans and our stomaches started to grumble as we caught a few aromas from the kitchen.

Relaxed, restored and with restful bodies, the group flowed From Mat To Table. 

We encouraged everyone to make themselves at home, snuggle into a table, next to a big comfy pillow, and continue to enjoy the warm energy and vibrations of each other's company. As bottomless plates were made and mimosas were poured, we paused to welcome everyone to 'the Table' side of this experience. 

One of the reasons this venue was selected is because the food is centered on local, fresh, and non-GMO ingredients that literally fed our mind, body and spirit. Karli talked the group through the various dishes, as we learned a little bit about the rich spices, healthy cuisine, and simple recipes. There is no coincidence Indian dishes include seven main spices, and our bodies have seven chakras. We delighted in sampling so many courses packed with coriander, garam masala, turmeric, cardamom, chiles, cumin, and ginger. As we raised our glasses with this amazing group we toasted to each other, following our passions, and a wonderful year ahead full of health and magic.

Until next time, Namaste Beautiful People.

XOXO, Molly & Karli

Elf Sushi, Elf Juice & Elf Magic

The crisp, clear night was so cold you could see your breath. As the guests arrived, eager to snuggle up and defrost, there was a gentle buzz of light conversation floating in the ether of the mat and the table. The yoga mats were unrolled in front of the blazing fireplace, and we let the cracking embers and light guide us through our moving meditation. 

There was a request for shoulder openers, likely from too much time spent crunched over a computer doing some last minute Christmas shopping. (Don't worry girl, we got you.) The group flowed through a creatively sequenced set of asanas and our bodies started to warm up. And, Karli and her elves were busy in the kitchen toasting up the homemade egg rolls. 

We made our way down to our mats, turned off all the lights, and restored through the remainder of our practice by candles and the fading fire. Only two of Santa's helpers fell asleep in Savasana, but it's okay, you're still on the nice list this year (wink, wink). The snow started to come down around this part of the evening and continue for about the next hour. We feel this a beautiful acknowledgement from the universe that we are all exactly where we are supposed to be. Here, together, with each other. 

And with a gentle massage of peppermint oil on to their temples, the yoga part of the night ended and the group flowed...From Mat To Table.

The kitchen was filled with sweet and savory aromas and the table had a spread large enough to feed an NFL football team (well maybe). 

We toasted with a shot of healthy Elf Juice, ‘To all the good energy we can reflect on from this past year, let us manifest this same magic through the season.’ Just incase you are wondering, we patented the Elf Juice blend (kale, cucumber, mint, lemon and ginger). Thank you Roots Market for these delicious and fresh ingredients! 

The group grazed at their own pace on a few appetizers. Edamame, spring shrimp rolls, fresh greens with homemade ginger dressing and a lot of sushi and sashimi. And yes, we even had a Crazy Elf sushi roll, complete with all the red and green sushi fixings, of course! No cookies for dessert this year, because the little helpers wanted Mochi. We had six different flavors (salted caramel, double chocolate, mocha coffee, strawberry, mango and pistachio) straight from Whole Foods Market. 

December is about bringing people together. We shared in the magic and joy with a beautiful group last week. This positive energy exchange will undoubtably allow us to flow gently through the remainder of this holiday season.