By Michele

Not long ago I purchased a t-shirt with a small acoustic guitar on the front with the words “pick me� typed below. I thought to myself as I pondered the purchase that I often hear my inner voice saying just these words. “Pick me “ to win the vacation, new car or even a raffle at a non-profit fundraising event. “ Pick me “ to do something to change my course just a little bit, to make me feel special and rewarded for all the little things I do in life. Don’t we all have that feeling from time to time. That secret knowledge that we deserve a little break?

I met a woman recently who won a Harley Davidson motorcycle in a mayonnaise sweepstakes. Not just a little Harley, but a big one. I asked her what she did when she won and she said “I took a motorcycle driving course and learned to ride�. She then went on to tell me that the motorcycle course was one of the scariest adventures of her life. Driving the bike in the pouring rain, knowing that if it spilled over she would not pass the course and then would not be able to drive the bike that she so deservingly won. Her tailbone ached for weeks as well as other muscles from holding on for dear life. Which leads me to how I met her as a student in my yoga class! The point was that she accepted the prize deservingly and went out and learned a new skill and felt proud of what she had done. Without being “picked� for this prize her life would not have taken such a turn!

As I poured over the entries for the Best of Both Adventures for Women’s “Get Me Out of Here� giveaway featured in Women’s Adventure Magazine, I was struck by the reality of what life is like for many of us right now. It is a bit tougher than it has been in awhile. We all deserve a bit of a break from the realities of life. We are experiencing a world of less jobs, more expenses, deteriorating health of our elderly loved ones. Just to mention a few of the topics that were touched on in the “reasons to get me out of here� giveaway.

I want to take a moment to thank each and every entry in the contest. Your stories and hardships brought both laughter and heartbreak. One thing I know for sure is that the “sisterhood� of women is strong. Keep reaching for the dreams and hold steadfast through the tough times. Keep practicing yoga, surfing, getting outside and making the most of life.

As I wear my “pick me� shirt around I feel proud to have the inner voice printed on the front of my shirt. It is a chance to express my desire to be recognized for all that I do in life. Knowing that by expressing the reasons I should be picked, both internally and externally I am giving myself a great gift. The gift of realizing who I am and what I deserve. That is the first big step in changing the course of this road of life that we are on!

We still have room in our March and April Puerto Rico trips. Reserve your space now for a wonderful adventure!

“Congratulations Kathy Nelson from Yelm, WA” the winner of the Best of Both Adventures and Women’s Adventure Magazine “Get Me Out of Here” Giveaway.

As women our roles take on many titles. Mother, wife, daughter, girlfriend, teacher, cook, employer, housekeeper…you get what I am saying. Often these titles all describe just one of us. If you are one of these women and you find yourself in the last week of the Holidays, you may be feeling pressure of all of these rolls at once.

Here are some helpful hints to keep your sanity during the countdown to the New Year!

1. Count to ten! Also known as meditation.

If you find yourself ready to scream in traffic (or at the kids or your boss) slowly count to ten while breathing in and out of your nose. Connecting the breath to your body will relax your mind. I guarantee it!

2. Sing! Also known as chanting! Holiday music can soothe the soul. Repeating soothing words also known as mantras or calming sounds like with singing helps us to get in touch with our life force and will balance our world in a time where we may feel quite unbalanced.

3. Volunteer! Also known as Karma! Give a little of your time without expectation of a reward. Put together some extras from your pantry and drop if off at a church or food bank to help those in need during the season. Giving will help you to realize all that you have and the selfless action will take the emphasis off of your “list� of chores for a while.

4. Dance! Also known as energy! While that Holiday music is playing, get up and dance. Activate the chakras in your body by loosening up and awakening your inner energy, releasing blockages and creating positive vibrations through the whole body. Plus you will be burning a few calories and can enjoy more Holiday sweets!

5. Rest! Also known as relaxation! Play dead, literally. Lie down on a mat or blanket, let your entire body relax. Close your eyes, listen to your breath. Listen to the noises around you and then let them go. Let the thoughts of your mind enter and then release them. Try to spend just five minutes (longer if you can) within your own body. The effects will last into the New Year and beyond!

As women and humans in general, we tend to be hard on ourselves and when busy times like the Holidays arrive, where we are giving to all of those around us, we feel guilty for stepping out of our fitness, yoga or relaxation routine. The good news is that by practicing the hints above you are doing more good than you may realize.

As a yoga teacher I have learned that the principles of yoga are often simplified and the benefits far outreach the physical effects practiced in the classroom or studio. For example, by performing the rituals above you are in fact performing the essential practices of Hatha Yoga.

Beyond the physical practice of poses, or asanas, practiced in yoga these techniques teach us to relax and release physical limitations which automatically help us release our mental limitations and blockages. So by singing and dancing and breathing, we are practicing the essential practices of yoga and our mental and physical fitness just takes on a new look for a couple of weeks!

Happy Holidays!

As we find ourselves right smack dab in the middle of the Holidays, trips to the mall or on-line shopping experiences suddenly shift focus. Less emphasis is put on our own needs and desires and suddenly we are faced with what to buy for our mom, sister and best-friend. For a wonderful, thoughtful gift this year consider a Best of Both Adventures Gift Certificate.

Life has changed dramatically for many in the past few months. We have watched our economy lose stability, many friends and family members careers and homes have less value than they did last year at this time. A trivial gift seems unworthy of both giving and receiving. It is said that when we evoke abundance in our lives and open ourselves up to receiving what is offered to us, the cycle of giving and receiving continues in a virtuous cycle. Putting more thought into what we give will create abundance in what we receive.

The holidays are a time where purchase power is measured. There will be economic predictions based on the traffic at the big box stores the day following Thanksgiving. The point being that more thought is going into Holiday giving this year and therefore more meaningful gifts will be given.

Best of Both Adventures for women often sees friends, family and co-workers coming on trips together. A great gift in itself is the thought and planning that goes into committing to a trip that will bring fulfillment long after it is finished.

A great way to make the planning easier this year would be to purchase a gift certificate for a Puerto Rico Surf and Yoga Adventure. Present one to your sister, mother or friend and the let the planning begin. Or ask for such a gift for yourself this season. If deep, down inside you know that this is the winter to get away, jump-start your year with restorative yoga, tropical beaches and surfing in warm Caribbean waters. Purchase a gift certificate for your self and stuff it in your stocking. You can make the travel plans after the busy season is over!

Gift Certificates available in amounts of $300, $500 or full value of trips. Please email for more information at
info@bestofbothadventures.com or call our office today 787-823-0610. Happy Holidays from the Best of Both Adventures Team!