Super Models

I had a few names for today's blog, and the close runner up was:

I always feel like somebody's watching me - (for those of you who like 80's music, it was popular)

So my thoughts were about how there are different levels of surveillance.  The highest level is of course God, and depending on background, religion, culture, and beliefs that could mean different things to different people.  Then there is our government, maybe not with a spy camera, but definitely through all of our technology can see our every step through our spending and living.

I really feel that one of the most important people that are always watching are our children, and they really are super models, like an actor, they memories line by line, and repeat it back, sometimes very colorfully.  We recently had this experience, kids hear you say certain things, and then when they say it, you think, how did they get that in their head, only from mama and papa (along with others of course, teachers, friends, etc.)

Once we have children, we really do need to have a filter, to check ourselves, because they will do as we do, not necessarily as we say.

We are two weeks before our trip, excited, so much to do, so much amazing things going on while we are here.  However now I am ready to step off the world.

Shabbat Shalom,
Coach Yulia

My baby has had a fever for a couple of days but no other symptoms, eating, pooping, playing but last night it was 103!!! Went to the doctor, he has an ear infection, I am happy to know we figured it out, usually fever is just the body fighting, and he is such a happy guy, only when it is this intense is he fussy, so happy he will be in tip top shape before our trip :)

Queens

Do you see our skin glowing?  My sister in law and I enjoyed our morning at the Korean Spa, it is such a treat.  We both got body scrubs, and before that enjoyed the Jacuzzi, Steam Room, and Sauna.  This is my husband's sister, she recently moved to Denver, but before that we were able to hang out once in a while.  We had such a nice day, just us, no babies, mine is just over one and hers is 9 months.  Girl talk, Spa, and giving us some "me time," priceless.

We had talked about a lot of different concepts, and one of the things that is the main message in the work I do is, take care of you, or who else is going to do it for you.  We must recharge, and re energize ourselves, so we could be there for everyone and everything in our lives.  Especially as a wife and then a mother, we are really the neck.  Our goal is to make our husband feel he is the head, he is the King, we aspire to treat him like the King.  The best part is that we deserve to be treated like a queen, and we are queens.  Both Kings and Queens have power, and the beauty  is that each couple figures out what balance works for their family.

Yes it is challenging, the life of a wife and mother, especially with children in the mix, the whole dynamic of husband and wife is brand new as well as enhanced.  There is such a connection with the children, but there is also a memory of what was, and what initially attracted and connected the couple to each other.  That spark always gets you back on track no matter what life throws your way.

I really think husbands are able to experience their wives as many women.  First the girl they met on a date, then a beautiful bride, following that a glowing pregnant beauty, and afterwards, someone curvy and mothering.  They are quite lucky to have this variety and should feel very blessed  :)

Women of the World,
We are so unique,
We bring life into this world,
We nurture and support our children to fly as well as stay grounded,
Rejoice together in the Happy times,
Support each other in the Challenging times,
Get together and let the Feminine Energy Recharge you,
Sisters Unite,
Coach Yulia

Toot Your Own Horn

We are placed on this earth to figure out our gifts and talents and to be of service, feel fulfilled, build relationships, and be happy.   The challenges are always there along the way, and we are meant to face them, figure it out, take the next step, overcome, move on, and celebrate.  Some challenges are bigger than others, and if there is no one else to cheer us on, we must toot our own horn, be our own cheerleader, pat ourselves on the back and say, I am doing the best I can.

Oh the simple joys of childhood, I taught a Yoga class in my son's class today, and they all just had so much energy, and it was so much fun.  The kids were climbing all over me as I was demonstrating fun poses on the floor.

Just got back from teaching a class, exhausted, baby has a fever, maybe from teeth, kids asleep, tomorrow going to enjoy Korean Spa with my sister in law.

LIFE IS GOOD,
GOOD NIGHT,
Coach Yulia

My husbands sister and our littlest cousin came to visit

Fun is Exhausting

Work is reviving - there was a time in my life when these two may have been reversed, and definitely fun always won out.  Now it is really the opposite, hanging out with friends, night life, even fun stuff with family and friends who are visiting really affects me to the point that I need a vacation from the vacation.  I had such a great time with my brother and family, I love being the hostess with the mostess, everyone had a blast and so did I.  I love stepping out of the routine, and as I show people around get to do things that I don't get a chance to do that often.

They left Sunday morning, Thank God my husband took all the kids that day and I just slept.  Monday I had some clients to see and work at my kids school, and last night I just couldn't sleep, kids kept waking up for various reasons.  Today I just felt totally exhausted, I really cannot function without good sleep, luckily I didn't have anything demanding this morning.  I had a wonderful Prenatal Yoga class that I taught and I felt great.  Once the kids came home from school, I felt so tired, but I had two classes to teach, a Pilates at 24 Hour Fitness and right after another Prenatal Class.

Once I start teaching, something comes over me, I just get recharged and revived, everyone feels good and is giving their all and I feed off of that energy.  The prenatal class was so amazing, we ended up dancing together.

I feel so blessed to be doing what I am mean to do, everyone benefits, I came home feeling so happy.

Thank God For Feminine Energy,
Thank God for Women's Strength,
Thank God for making our husbands feel like Kings,
Thank God for encouraging our children's light to shine bright,
Thank God for taking the time to acknowledge, recharge, and give back to ourselves,
It's an absolute must to know our own fabulousness,
Coach Yulia

Kinda Funny looks like this picture was widened somehow, took it with my phone, but yes my baby has totally chubbed up after he turned one, he is so excited here, figured out how to sit in the chair - go baby go!

 

Book Review - Need a Publisher

Some of you may remember many blogs ago, I was excited to start reading again.  I really love to read, and have not done so in a long time.  The thing is when I really get into a book, I want to escape into it 24/7, I really go for a ride, and as a mom of three as well as a business woman, where is just no time for that.  A very interesting and fascinating book fell into my lap last week, I have not been able to put it down, every chance I get I read a few more line, and I am almost done.

My mother has two brothers, one of them is a journalist and so is his daughter, they wrote a book together in the Russian language.  My mother translated it into English, and it was sent to Los Angeles to a friend of mine who is a lawyer.  She did not have time to take a look at it, so my uncle asked me to retrieve it and give it to his son who was coming to visit Los Angeles.  That is him below, my cousin with Eli Tzvi in Long Beach.    We saw his wife and daughter earlier, they went to take a nap, and we hung out together outside.  I just love that with family and close friends, it is just nice to connect, nothing elaborate, they are one of our stops on our cross country adventure this summer.

So back to the book, once I got it, I decided to take a peek, and have not been able to put it down.  I asked my uncle if I can hang on to it until I finished reading and then mail it to him, he was excited that I was excited.

It is fiction, but with a lot of historical facts and stories throughout, plus I learned so much about the allure of diamonds, I am literally at the edge of my seat to see how it ends.  My mom was thinking that it would make a great movie, but we first need to get it published.  In this town and all over the world it is all about connections, would love to hear if anyone out there has any ideas how I can get this in the right hands.

Please message me or call 323.377.0707,

This could be the next BIG THING :)

Coach Yulia

Now I Can Breathe

Wow, what a whirlwind, and what a blast, we were non stop with my brother and his family.  Last night the kids were playing, and my husband and brother finished the day with a few rounds of Shesh Besh -  Backgammon.  "In Israel it is known as shesh besh ("shesh" being the Persian word for "six", and "besh" the Turkish word for "five")." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tables_(board_game)

This morning they came by before going to the airport, we had a nice breakfast, the kids cannot get enough of each other, and they were off.  Just now Sam took the kids to see his mother, and FINALLY, I get a quiet house all to myself, to finish reading an amazing book, which I will share with all of you tomorrow, and to take a long nap.

I love being a host, when friends or family come visit, I want to make it fun, delicious, and most importantly really find out what everyone really wants to do.  It was definitely a mission accomplished, my brother loves to play Frisbee Golf, he found the only course in LA near echo park - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_golf

My sister in law, Director of the http://www.high.org/?gclid=CIi0gMTNtLcCFYp_QgodbHsA8g, got to see an exhibit she was looking forward to at http://www.lacma.org/.  The kids wanted to go to the beach, we went to the Santa Monica Pier, and the best part was, with no plan and no bathing suits, my brother's kids went into the ocean, and Eli Tzvi followed, I was so proud.  He was always hesitant to go into an ocean, swimming lessons and a pool were OK, but he told me he thought and thought about it and even though he was scared he went in and had a blast.  So now on our cross country adventure I am excited to have a swimming buddy, there is nothing like the Miami Beaches, soooooooo excited to share it with him.

We had a wonderful Shabbat meal on Friday night, and my husband went all out, it was a great visit.

Exhausted,
Enjoying the Quiet,
Happy,
Excited to Read Right Now,
Looking forward to the Best Nap Ever,
Enjoy this gorgeous Sunday and Memorial Day Weekend,
Coach Yulia

 

Matis-Google

My brother and his family were in town for a long weekend, and the cousins had a blast. The girls changed their outfits multiple times, and totally look like supermodels posing in the picture above.  The boys were enjoying building full cities while throwing in Yoga poses, so I would like to call them Flexible Civil Engineers.  We all started laughing when instead of calling my baby by his name Matisyahu, my brother started saying Matis-google, and then other variations, but that one cracked us up the most - get it?





We live across the country, but the bonds are strong, they couldn't get enough of each other, excited to visit them in the summer time.  I am thoroughly exhausted from all the fun and non stop activity, but I feel like the mission was fully accomplished.

Sleep is Good,
Laila Tov,
Spokoiny Nochi,
Buenas Noches,
Good Night,
Coach Yulia

What is your age backwards?

My Yoga teacher said he turned 18 today :) He really turned 81, and is soooooo amazing, here is a look at him when he first started doing Yoga at 40 years old, he is still that agile and in control now.  He still does teacher training, all info is on his website below.

http://www.raghavanyoga.net/#!asanas

Words cannot describe how blessed I feel that we have crossed paths.  My personality is very strong, hard worker, but when something does not click with me right away, like a sport or a job, I am OVER IT.  It's just who I am, that is why my mom never put me in gymnastics or ballet, she knew I would be miserable.  I love belly dancing where it is more of a flow, but the technique is so intense, it is like you are a drummer moving every part of your body in different directions at the same time.

Yoga is different than everything, of course you improve, get strong, and flexible, but that is not the point.  The goal is to be present, accept and respect your body where it needs to be today.  It is also a flowing movement from pose to pose like a dance or martial art.  When you do slowly, gently, and consciously into it, you actually have much more control and could go much deeper, just listening to your body.  The part I love best is:

THERE IS NOT ONE WAY

THERE IS NO PERFECT WAY

THERE IS JUST YOUR WAY

This concept really spoke to me because I do strive for perfection, and when I am told to just find what feels right, to guide myself and enjoy, that is FREEDOM.

Another beautiful part of Yoga is the energy exchange, student and teacher feel lifted, peaceful, and full of energy.

Thank You Raghavan,
You Are A Light,
Keep Shining Until 120!
With Love,
Coach Yulia

Comedy

My brother and I at the comedy store, it was hilarious and interesting at the same time.  My brother, his wife and two kids came to visit for a few days.  The cousins are having a blast, and when the kids fell asleep, I decided to join my brother for a night out.  It is really amazing how comics always talk about universal topics, everyone and anyone can relate.  This is a world famous place where big comics come to try out new material.  I had a margarita, and was brought to laughing tears a few times, so happy I went even though I am exhausted.

I wanted to squeeze this in before I went to bed, and relate my feeling of gratitude.  I am so excited for my upcoming trip.  I am so excited for family visiting, and visitors in general, so I can step out of my routine and enjoy the rest of the world out there.  So cool hanging out with my brother, we are 18 months apart, and our kids have such a great time together.

We have the whole weekend together, still figuring out the details, but also enjoying going with the flow.  I really love enjoying these kind of moments in life, that is what it is really about.

Relationships,
Connection,
Friends,
Family,
Fun,
I'm about to drop,
Good Night,
Coach Yulia

Endings = New Beginnings

Summer is around the corner, we are about to go on a cross country road trip, which will also be a business trip.  I will be promoting all of the coaching work that I do, and my husband will be promoting his business as well.  I am letting all of my clients now that in one month I will be on the road with my whole family for six weeks.  I love getting out of my routine, I love new beginnings, I love change!  It is not always easy to move on from things, sometimes it is even important to mourn, but ultimately, we must LIVE.  I recently heard an amazing story and the whole point of it was that there is LIFE and there is DEATH.  There is no such thing as dying, and a person hates to be treated like they are dying.  It was from a hospice workers mouth, and I found it very powerful.

I really feel it is so important to understand is that everything keeps moving along, and to be present to that.  I am excited my kids are finishing school, I am excited my prenatal mamas will be giving birth, I am excited that the journey of health, fitness, and wellness is a lifestyle.

The video above perfectly describes how what we do now will affect what will happen or not happen in the future.  We cannot predict the future, but we can control our reactions and the way we decide to move forward.  He was the motivational speaker and close friend of the founder of Herbalife.

I fell like pretty much everything in life we can have a certain amount of control over, with one exception, CHILDREN.  They challenge our ego, our being, our view of ourselves, our authority, and even our sense of self.  They are really a mirror, because they will mirror what we do and say.

Everywhere else I feel like I am in tune and I flow, with my kids I work hard to stay present so I can understand and respect their point of view and feelings - NOT EASY - EASY IS BORING.

Wanna have an adventurous life?
Have Children - LOL
Coach Yulia

Guided by the Gut

Life changes every second, and so do our thoughts in our brain.  I honestly do not come to the computer with a topic every day.  Sometimes it is a fun event, sometimes its parenting perils, but most of the time a thought just pops in and I feel like, this is it!

This morning I was feeling so grateful for everything in my life and everything that has lead up to my life as it is now.  When I moved to Los Angeles on July 1, 2000, I met one of my dearest friends on Malibu beach.  I figured coming from the Atlantic Ocean in Miami directly to the Pacific Ocean would be symbolic of the beginning of a new journey in my life.  I had no plan, found an apartment in 2 weeks, only $375 a month for a studio!!! When I left Miami my thinking was New York or LA, and New York was too cold, and also financially not as easy or comfortable to start from scratch.  I found 24 Hour Fitness in a month as a Sales Associated, hated it, but that took me on an amazing path, that is where I met my Yoga teacher, who this week is turning 81, and am still with that amazing company that allowed me to go to front desk, personal trainer, while training for and teaching all kinds of classes.  Once I stepped into my Yoga teacher's class, I knew it was for me.  I had no debt, yet no money, called my amazing, supportive parents for $2000 to do the teacher training, and it has become my life's work.  It has also become my balance, my energy exchange, as well as my healthy active lifestyle.

I always knew and know I will be OK, everything will work out, and I kept trusting my intuition, my spiritual connection, my gut, the universe, whatever you want to call it, Thank God all of my life it has pointed me in the right direction.

Do this exercise with me:

1. point to your computer

2. point to your feet

3. point to the sky

4. point to yourself

Where does your finger end up? Everybody always goes right to the heart, our heart center, our intuition.  Trust what you feel right there, if you have a decision to make and it feels like its closing in, you can't breathe, the answer is no.  If you feel light and open, and even excited, then the answer is yes.

My Prenatal Yoga only came to my awareness after I had my first child, and because of my amazing experiences with a Doula, after my third baby, my Doula was not available, and I consciously did it myself.  After that experience I knew what my purpose was and that there was a great need for it.  When I made that decision into my life came a client and a teacher, and it was all the right fit.

I am in awe,

I feel blessed to be of service,

Grateful that I am connected to my purpose in this world,

Trust your Gut,

You will find yours too,

and to all of the parents out there, right in front of us are beautiful souls whose light will shine on the world,

Our goal is to allow them to feel their power, strength, light, and fly

Coach Yulia

The Right Fit

This is what life is about my friends, we are looking for the right fit of everything in our lives, from shoes to relationships.  At different points of our lives we attract and enjoy something totally different than at other times in our lives.

I love running into friends from all the adventures I have had, it is so fun to reminisce, however I am so happy to be exactly where I am now.

I feel so blessed to be the go to Prenatal Yoga in our community, as well as Yoga and Doula Services.  Especially for first time moms, it is really a mind boggling journey.  Even if you have a million friends having babies, even if you have nieces and nephews, or even if you are a nanny or babysitter.  Once the pregnancy journey begins, it is the first time for you, and no matter what anyone says, it is all new, you have to start from scratch.  It's great to have advice, but the best thing to do is to listen to your gut.

Mommy knows best, trust that, know that, if something doesn't feel right, listen to what you feel.

My goal is for every mom to feel comfortable to ask all her questions, find what works for her, and ultimately surrender to the moment and consciously make choices that have to be made in the moment.

Doctors come for the delivery, Nurses are in and out of the room, family is sometimes too close to be objective and calm, a Doula is by the mother's side as soon as the labor begins until the baby is resting in her arms.

Coach Yulia

Center of the Universe

Everybody is always inside their own head, everything we hear is translated into our own words, experiences, and perspective.  It is quite rare to just have a conversation, person to person, where both are really listening, and not interpreting.

This theme of feeling like I am the center of the universe, keeps coming up lately, and I mean "I" as in every person saying that to themselves about themselves, and really feeling like everything revolves around them.

I don't know if this is making sense, but here are some examples:

On Saturday we were at the synagogue for our Day of Rest, and my son saw his teacher that he had when he was 2 and 3 years old, he is now in a different school.  I had spoken to her earlier, so when he told me he saw her, I said yes I saw her too.  He kept on wanting me to come over to her, so finally I did, and she told me she tried to say hello to him, but he was shy to go up to himself.  So I thought he was talking about me saying hello, but he was really talking about himself saying hello.  I was so happy I went over with him, and he was happy to say hello.

Later that night I was talking to a friend on the phone that just had a baby girl, her boy is almost three years old, and is showing some signs of jealousy, and saying no to things. So I told her, especially when a second child comes along, it is such an important lesson for the first child, that they are not the center of the universe.

I also think a good example is when parents are trying to teach their children, at any age, and the children have their own point of view, are independent and head strong.  It boggles my mind for sure, how could they not listen to me? I am the parent, I know what I am talking about!!!! Anyone else feel this way? :)

The final example is my good friend who came over today was telling me that she was getting to know someone, and really felt they had a connection, and then she found out from someone else that he asked another girl out.  Definitely a blow to the ego, but such is life, even when a connection feels strong to one person, the other person could be having a completely different experience.  Also she was getting to know someone long distance, who she did not have anything in common with, but was enjoying getting to know him.  She started realizing that for him their conversations meant a lot more, and he was telling all of his family about her.  He probably will be shocked that she does not return his feelings.

All I know is that before I met my husband, there was always something to figure out, or some drama, or something did not fit.  My roommate would ask me how things are going when I was dating my husband, and I told her its just going, there is nothing to talk about.  THANK GOD.

It is important to have a strong sense of self,
A love of self,
but it is the connections and relationships throughout our lives that make it meaningful,
physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually,
All four must be present for a complete connection,
It also helps to be connected to whatever is out there,
To know that there is something above us,
It is not for nothing,
Enjoy the moment,
Live,
Experience,
Love,
Do,
Appreciate,
Share,
Coach Yulia

Enjoyed this beautiful day with my kids outside with family and friends, can you spot my princess?

Trust, Having Faith, Everything Will Work Out

This is the way I view the world.  No matter what is happening, I know that ultimately everything will work out, and life goes on.  I feel this keeps my sanity with raising kids, especially little kids, who run towards danger all the time.  I cannot afford to worry in advance and drive myself crazy, yes sometimes I raise my voice, but overall I just act but try not to react.

It is amazing that some of the most religious people of any faith still have a lot of fear.  I feel blessed to really be in touch with the fact that there is good in the world, and I will focus on it, pray for it, be in tune to it, and surround myself with it.  If something should happen that is out of my control, I will deal with it.  I choose to live in a happy, blessed, and positive mindset.  Life is not easy, and honestly the reason we were put on this earth is to go through the challenges and grow.

There is no such thing as no pain or avoiding pain, without it we really do not know pleasure, change, and transformation.

Everybody is always dealing with something, and I read the most powerful article about a man who is not religious, when it was time to act to help in the Boston marathon, he just did it because it was what he had to do.

http://www.jewishjournal.com/opinion/article/my_cousin_bruce_a_boston_hero

At the end of the article it quotes Rabbi Shai Held:

"You want to serve God? Run towards the very people and places you most want to run away from," Held wrote.  "You want to be religious? Learn to be present for other people when they are in pain.  All the rest is commentary."

Coach Yulia

Happy Friday

For an instant I thought I would get some peace and quiet this afternoon, I squeezed in my Yoga class with my teacher this morning, and got the kids out of the house for the day, they didn't have school because of our holiday we just had.  We visited my mother in law and hung out at a park with my brother in law.  She woke up right after I transferred her into her bed, I guess the 15 minute power nap was all she needed to recharge, she is running and yelling and full of energy. 

I have a client in an hour, then we we will get ready for our guests that are coming for Shabbat.  It is kind of odd having Shabbat after a few days off already for another holiday.  Nevertheless, holidays are usually not relaxing, and this is just the vacation from the vacation that I need :)

In the picture above I thought it was sweet how my baby was holding his sisters hand, he always likes to hold my hand as he is falling asleep.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Shabbat Shalom,
Yulia

I Am Ok

One of my dearest friends wrote me wondering if I was ok because there wasn't a blog for two days :)  I really love all of my friends and readers for enjoying it and looking forward to it daily.  On Friday I had written it in advance knowing my day would be nuts, but didn't publish it because I wanted to put a specific picture that I had to scan and insert once I got home.  The getting home was for minutes, and before my final class of the day I literally passed out. My daughter was super fussy, I handed her to my brother in law and told him I needed to sleep.  We were invited for the first night of Shavuot, and knew we would not get home before midnight, and we got home exactly at midnight.  I told my kids it was important to sleep, my oldest had a very long nap, my baby slept with me.  I told my husband to wake me up half hour before 6pm class, he passed out too, so luckily I woke up ten to six, my work is 5 minutes away.  I couldn't find my car keys, later I learned my brother in law borrowed the car and took my daughter with him, who slept in the car for half an hour.  Thank God I made it to class only 5 minutes late with the other car which was low on gas.  I walked into the class with a sleepy face and told them I just woke up, and everybody laughed :)  I thought it was more important for me to be there than have a sub and do the class anyway even though our holiday started around 7:45pm, and I would get home around 7:10pm.   It has been wonderful, all of the Jewish people all over the world gather to hear the reading of the ten commandments, and celebrate with everything dairy, my kids loved the ice cream and everyone loves the cheesecake.

Today I stayed home and slept with the baby and my husband took the kids to the final day of the holiday to the synagogue.

We are planning our big summer trip, have family coming to visit all of next week.  I am working on a new website and a bio for my recurring topic of "Taking Care of Mama."  I am excited for so much amazingness going on, but see the clock ticking.  The kids school ends mid June and we are off to our cross country adventure.  So excited to visit friends and family and just be on the road for a while away from it all, the kids loved it last summer, and now that they are older, they will remember it for life.

I sincerely apologize for missing a blog day, and in that blog I was explaining how I would not blog for a day due to the holiday.  I miss it as much as you do, trust me :)  Thank you for all of your comments and for all of your love.

Coach Yulia

I kept on trying to get them to smile at the same time, these are their "I don't want to" faces :)

Shavuot was Tuesday Night

Can you please forgive me my readers? I had the words ready early, but was waiting for the perfect picture, and it got too late with my holiday that evening, SO SORRY, I guess this is the perfect picture right here, LOL!  Here is Tuesday's Blog:

If you want to read all the details about this Jewish Holiday please click the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shavuot

It is not a well known holiday in American Culture, which is more familiar with Passover and Chanukah, and the High Holidays in the fall.  Chanukah is not even a major holiday, but because of its proximity to Christmas, it is more well known, and in some homes has added certain aspects like gifts.

Since I got married and became part of my beautiful community, there is rarely a day where there is not a celebration.  Shavuot is actually a major holiday, it is 40 days after Passover, when God gave the 10 commandments and the whole oral Old Testament to Moses.  The tradition is to enjoy dairy like cheesecake and ice cream, such amazing home made treats on this holiday.

We are excited to be with good friends tonight, and our kids are the same age, they will have a blast.

My daughter just had her first dentist appointment, and she got through it, but it wasn't easy.  She learned all about teeth, cavities, and dentists in school, Eli Tzvi was a champ, even got Xrays!

Later on my daughter and baby have a doctor checkup, I have one last class to teach before the holiday, and then the world turns off for a couple of days.

I will not be blogging tomorrow, so the next post you will see will be Thursday evening after the holiday.

Chag Sameach,
Enjoy this Gorgeous Los Angeles Weather,
Where ever you are, enjoy your week,
Signing Off,
Coach Yulia

4-3-2-1

 

My oldest was digging into his musical intuition, counting down to a break in the music and direction everyone to start playing again, AMAZING.  My mom is a professional musician from the Moscow Conservatory, she plays piano, conducts a choir, and has an amazing vocal range.  My daughter loves to sing and dance, and the baby before he ate it, was shaking those maracas and his tushy to the beat!

 

con·duc·tor  

Noun A person who directs the performance of an orchestra or choir. A person in charge of a train, streetcar, or other public conveyance, who collects fares and sells tickets.

Synonyms leader - guide - director - guard These so perfectly my amazing first born Eli Tzvi, he just feels it, it is a talent it is a gift, and I love the synonyms above, he definitely takes after his mama :) I loved being the leader, guide, and director - at a very young age, and was not to happy when everyone didn't want to follow - LOL - Thank God I found Yoga, it is something people are happy to follow, and its a wonderful energy exchange. I also love the word guard, he always says that he is the protector, and is always watching out for and taking care of his sister and brother, I am so blessed. I got a kick out of the second definition, because he is obsessed with trains and everything on the road.  Thanks to his father's knowledge, he knows every make and model on the road because of the symbols and always points it out. He is also very handy in the car, tells me when the light is green, when to look at the road when I glance at my phone, and when he sees a POLICE CAR :)  Thank God for this boy. Our children are such a joy, They are so unique, I was just thinking, I cannot believe they came from me, They are so independent, have their own way of thinking, own way of expressing themselves, My mission is to nurture it so they can thrive and share their genius, love, and energy with the world. Coach Yulia

Happy Mother's Day

I feel so blessed to come from an amazing line of strong, beautiful, passionate and happy women.  They passed all these amazing traits and energy my way and my goal is to pass it on to my daughter, and sons.

I feel like we really appreciate our mother when we become mother's ourselves, and I feel for myself we have really begun to understand each other and communicate in the same language.

My mother's mother, Babushka Anna, is the matriarch of our family, she is 96, God Bless Her, and the most positive and happy person I know.  From my mom I have learned to always look at the positive side of things and feel the blessings.

My father's mother, Babushka Zina, was strong, loved taking care of her family, and loved to look like a lady.

I wish all the moms a wonderful day,
Enjoy,
Celebrate,
Feel Good,
You Deserve It,
Coach Yulia

Babushka Anna, Babushka Zina, My amazing mom Irene, my brother and me way back when, Miami

Home Sweet Home

My parents fly out really early tomorrow morning, and they are so ready to be home.  They workout every day, have their own routine.  It is not easy for them to be around three crying kids who are under the weather.  Visits are great, but we are looking forward to having our home back.

It just makes me appreciate my life more, I am exactly where I want to be, and every family has to figure out the right way for them to live together, discipline, reward, and raise their kids.  There really is no one way.  Sure there is research and proven tactics, but nobody knows what happens on a day to day basis in anyone's home.

I am looking forward to my brother's visit in the next few weeks, he is coming with the whole family so the cousins could play.  For me it is all about the cousins, and the grandparents knowing the grand kids.  My cousins and I live very different lives and live all over the world, but they are always welcome, and I know I am always welcome, there is a close family connection.

There is so much in my head, but I am exhausted, all the kids have taken turns being under the weather, and I have used up all the energy that I have.  Luckily my husband took the kids to Synagogue today, and I slept a good three hours with the baby, who is also not feeling too good.

Take care of your health my friends,
Rest,
Drink Plenty of Water,
Eat Nutritious Foods,
Find Activities that are Fun and you want to keep doing,
Be Happy,
Surround Yourself with Positive Energy,
Coach Yulia

A few weeks ago my babyle was all dressed up for Shabbat, so I snapped this pic right before it started - YUM

 

On the mend

Thank God everyone is feeling better, my mom went to our favorite Korean Spa, and I got a Mother's day coupon out of it for next time :)  My father is feeling better, we just had a nice lunch.  The baby is still under the weather, but doing OK, Thank God.  I had a chance to do Yoga with my teacher this morning, always taking care of mama.  I barely slept last night, baby was tossing and turning, could not breathe because of stuffy nose, poor thing.  My shoulder felt off, and Yoga totally did the trick, I am tired, but my body feels taken care of.

I am about to pick up the kids and then go get my mom from the spa.  We are doing a very low key Shabbat tonight, since everyone is still not 100%.  Thank you everyone for your well wishes, just like everything in life, it comes, stays around a bit, and then passes. 

That is especially true in baby world, the biggest deal today becomes something to laugh about as you are dealing with the current big deal.

Grabbed the kids from school, went to the new city Target near us with a fabulous gift certificate that all the teacher's got for National Teacher Appreciation Week, Thank You Gan Chabad :)

Feeling blessed for my family,
Feeling blessed for their genes,
Feeling blessed for the roots they instilled,
Feeling blessed for my husband and kids,
Feeling blessed for my coaching business,
Have a relaxing, meaningful, loving, fun Shabbat,
Shabbat Shalom

You Just Gotta Deal

I do not mean the deal of a lifetime :)  It's really not a big deal, I mean dealing with life as it comes, and its true, my mom said that when you are a mom of little ones you are truly in the moment whether you like it or not.

My whole family is either under the weather or super kvetchy, me included.  Yesterday I brought home the dollhouse in the picture, it is huge, and fits perfectly into the kids room.  I already have a huge Thomas train table, and we recently got my daughter her own bed.  It all just fits perfect, and I am done.  They have plenty of toys and fun games in school.

So I took the kids with me after their school yesterday, everything took a little longer than I planned.   I dropped them home and partially installed the dollhouse, ran to drop off some shakes to a clients, then ran to my Yoga class on the other side of town.  Another client was joining me, and I had forgotten to bring her the Herbal Green Tea she ordered, so it was on my agenda today, she works past Downtown LA.

No matter what time my kids go to sleep, 6am bright and early the energizer bunnies are up and running.  Thank God Eli Tzvi is feeling better, so we dropped them both off at school, and my parents finally got to enjoy a quiet house to rest and recover.

We had a Brit Mila, Circumcision Ceremony in the morning, it was beautiful, then I ran to teach a Prenatal Yoga class.  My husband was hanging with the baby most of the day so it gave me the chance to run around, get a lot of things done, and just enjoy me time.

I went to visit my friend to drop of her Green Tea, then I decided to take a different route home, found a few cute tops at a store I know in my old neighborhood, stopped by one Whole Foods, looking for the exact glass water bottle that I love that totally disappeared last week, didn't find it.  Then ran to VP Discount, which is an amazing bargain for organic and natural foods and remedies, to pick up some cough medicine for my baby, yes he caught something too.  He had a super high fever last night, luckily no more, but he is super stuffy and running nose.  I finally stopped at another Whole Foods and was so excited to find the exact bottle I was looking for, same color, style, PERFECT!  I was literally jumping up and down in the aisle - to me it was a BIG DEAL :)

I had a client that I haven't seen in a while and she told me an amazing story how she was with her husband at a black tie event, and she had given blood earlier that day, fainted, and the paramedics came right after the show finished, her friend told her she had impeccable timing, and it was the most elegant emergency she had ever seen.  Plus the paramedics along with her husbands help very carefully loosened the dress to check her vitals, and her heels were never removed - I was cracking up.

I was done with my day, felt great, go so much done, came home, and had a great lunch, my husband made super lemony fish with dill, mouth watering.  Then the kids came home, tired, playing then fighting, didn't want to go to bed right away when it was time.  When they finally laid down I had misplaced the baby's pacifier, and he is under the weather as it is, so I ran out and bought a new one (we needed a new one anyone, the old one was kind of gross.)

He didn't fall asleep until 9pm, and still woke up coughing a few times, pacifier fell out, it is a different design, so he is not used to holding on to it, crying, moving all over the bed, poor guy.

Everyone is finally asleep, last night with his high fever was a tough night, at 2:30am I decided to rock him in his stroller so he could be upright and breathe better.  I am tired but wired. 

Thank you for letting me get this all out,
Hopefully everybody feels better tomorrow,
Soooo ready for a nice, happy, fun, and relaxing Shabbat,
Coach Yulia

My work is more relaxing than my home

Once you have kids, especially small kids, your home becomes a non stop restaurant, play area, and a place of non stop activity, Thank God.  I always laugh that we get exhausted during the couple of hours that the kids are home between school and bed time.  They finish school at 4pm and start preparing for bed around 6pm, I do not have a moment to think, rest, or for me - its all about being productive, making everyone happy, and then some days running off to my salvation - work :)

I had three classes in a row last night, and felt so recharged, free, present, and of purpose.  I know I am of purpose at home too, I guess its all about being appreciated.  They say that at home its the only place kids could unwind and just be, everywhere else hopefully they are on their best behavior.

This was my 4pm-6pm last night:

4:15pm Got my daughter home from school, she was crying all the way home because she wanted my husband to pick her up

I walk in the house the baby wants only me, I sit down to eat, and share with him, my other kids are also eating.

5:00pm My oldest Eli Tzvi has been home all day, not feeling good, I had to be out of the house in half an hour, and wanted him to have a little fresh air and get his energy out, so we took out the bicycles, to go up and down the sidewalk a few times

5:15pm Got a phone call from a client I was playing phone tag with, didn't want to miss it, Eli Tzvi riding his bike, baby in my hands, and my daughter calls me from the bathroom that she did number two and needs help.  Thank God my husband went outside with the boys, and I phone in hand helped her clean up.

5:30pm  There is a show that the kids like on TV for half an hour, so I got them back in the house, they were excited, dropped everything outside, and ran in the house.  While they were watching their show, I brought in their bicycles, changed bedsheets, and made some tea for myself before running out of the house to go teach a class.

My parents have both been under the weather, so they are just relaxing and hopefully healing, so the house is really full right now and it felt good to get out.

Got home around 10pm.

Woken up at 5am by tossing baby, my oldest got out of bed and soon after my lady was up too.  I am sitting on the chair blogging, and they are right next to me.

Agenda for today:

Doctors, Hospitals, Classes tonight, and Thank God a previously scheduled Mani-Pedi that I need for my sanity.  I pushed it off because my parents and I were going to go together, as they take care of themselves, I am going to take care of myself, and boy do my feet and hands need it.

Have a fabulous day going with the flow of life,
Do not forget to insert taking care of yourself into your plans,
Coach Yulia

Transition

Isn't this weird? A watermelon with BLACK SEEDS!  I really don't remember the last time I had one like this, we are so used to the white seeds we can eat.  It's funny to me how something that has always been one way, becomes totally different, and then that becomes the norm.

It makes me think of a woman transitioning into motherhood, you literally become a totally different person.  People that have known you from before feel that something is different.  I have my wedding photo on display and one of my older guy friends said, wow you had such a glow then, what happened?  Not only do we go all out to be picture perfect on that day, I also told him "I haven't slept in 5 years!!! Since having kids that is, you parents know what I'm talking about.

My parents are in town, and my father was telling me how in awe he is of me in my new life, married with kids, and in my Jewish community.  He was remembering how in Miami, I was scantily clad, everyone was in that humidity :) I also was a party girl, worked in nightclubs, loved to go dancing.  Miami is really a 24 hour city, clubs do not close until 5am, and then after parties begin.  I would sometimes go from a party straight to my college classes.  I was always OK with getting a B in school, while enjoying and having fun in my life.  My personality needs the balance of fun and work, and luckily with what I do I really enjoy it so I have the best mix of both.

I was telling him that for me single and married are two different states of being, especially throwing kids into the mix.  It really is a whole new reality and adventure, super intense, non stop, and definitely a ride of its own.

Thank God For Parenthood,

Thank God For Amazing Partners,

I prefer no black seeds :)

Coach Yulia

Hollywood Weather

OY VEY!! It's raining, and my daughter is excited with her rain coat and rain boots, me not so much.  They say that if you dress right for cold or rainy weather there is nothing to complain about.  However, we live in Hollywood Land, and we really want our picture perfect warm sun and cool breeze, and when its even a little bit off of that, we are so confused, we forget how to drive, and we just don't feel that great.

It really makes no sense, it was hot as !@#$% a few days ago, and last night it was pouring rain.  I was recently talking to someone about our demand for Hollywood Weather, and she made a good point, she said "We Pay For It!"  It is so true, rents and cost of living have gone through the roof.  When I moved here 12 years ago from Miami, my studio apartment right above Korea Town area was only $375!  Large room with separate Full Kitchen and nice closet area leading into the bathroom.

Then yesterday someone mentioned that in New York City they pay even more, and their weather is less than friendly.  Super Cold in the Winter and Super Humid in the Summer.  Whatever, to each their own, I would not trade our weather for anything.  I grew up in Miami, Florida, and loved that crazy humid, tropical weather.  Everyone was always wearing very little and the beach was around the corner.  Oh that beach, that is the only thing I miss now that I live in Los Angeles.  It is just not the same, the Pacific Ocean is ALWAYS cold, even in the heat of summer in August, I remember I went all the way in and my ears froze and I got a head rush from the cold.

Miami Beaches and also in the Caribbean it is just magic, cool, refreshing, but just warm enough, heaven :)  My kids only know the beach to play in the sand, hopefully this summer I can share with them my love of the ocean.

Happy Rainy Day Everyone,
Coach Yulia

 

Babushka and Dedushka

So excited, my parents just sailed in after two weeks on board my former cruise line that I worked on, Norwegian, and its the same ship Sam and I just sailed in January, the Pearl.  They boarded in Miami, through the Panama Canal, visiting Colombia and Mexico along the way, ending up in Los Angeles.

We just got a call that they will be getting off the ship at 11am, I had a whole day planned, and now its time to switch things around, so everyone has fun, and things get done.

I have a reunion today of the birth class that was part of my Doula training, the couples were pregnant then, and now will be with their newborns, I am excited to see them now.  It will be at a park, so I am brining all my kids, and then my husband will bring my parents to us so we can enjoy the day together.

Its almost 3pm, plans have changed so many times because of circumstances, but that is life my friends.

When I woke up this morning the plan was to take the kids to pick up my parents from the ship and Sam would take the baby to a friends baby shower.

7am we hear from my parents that they cannot get off the ship until 11am, so I decided to take all three kids with me to the park where I had a meeting.

10am my meeting got moved from a park to a home because of the weather, so I decided to just take Ziona Sofia and the baby, and let Eli Tzvi take a ride with my husband to see the port and meet my folks.

Everything turned out fine and we are just relaxing, the sun is just coming out.  My mom is a bit under the weather, my Eli Tzvi has had a fever for three days, but no other symptoms, calling doctor tomorrow.  Other than that all is well, looking forward to this week with my parents, my kids call them Babushka which is grandma, and Dedushka with is grandpa.  I wanted them to know how I called my grandparents.  My husbands parents met in Israel, so the kids call them Safta which is grandma and Saba which is grandpa.

Thank God for Family,
Thank God for Languages,
Thank God that once you are parents, timing and planning become a go with the flow in the moment experience, which other parents completely understand.

Coach Yulia
 

Some Days There is No Time to make a Shake

Thank God there is actually a meal bar that is exactly like the Formula 1 Shake, it is new to the USA market, so we only have the cookies n' cream flavor so far.  For those of you in the Jewish community, it is Kosher but not Cholov Isroel.  Herbalife is in almost 90 countries, and the meal bars have been around for a while in Europe with great success.  It is interesting, I just ran across an article about cereal bars and how unhealthy they are because they are mostly carbs, go to this link to see other foods people think are healthy but are not:

F A C T

Cereal bars have the appeal of being a healthy snack on the go. We tend to think of these bars as nutritious and packed with fiber, but in reality many of them are made with high-fructose corn syrup and have quite a high amount of carbs and fat packed in a single bar!

More Unhealthy foods you though were healthy ! : http://bit.ly/16DTJPh

The best part about the Healthy Meal Bar is that it is actually a meal, protein to fill you up, and all plant based ingerdients that give you the RDA, recommended daily allowance of the FDA, Food and Drug Administration.  All I know is that I don't want to think or count calories, I know its yummy and I feel satisfied and don't crave junk or sweets, because it is like a treat.

There is no magic, and everyone has to find what works for them, and I know Herbalife really works for me.  Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions.

Coach Yulia

The Language of Love

This was a very powerful article that I found yesterday, and in our technological world, this might make sense to a lot of people.  I  have been blessed in this life to have unconditional love from my parents, as well as support and encouragement all of my life.  I just know things will be OK no matter what, and for some people who have had a challenging childhood, it takes time to figure this out.  It really is up to you to make decision of how you want to feel and be in this life, it is scary because then its completely your responsibility, no one to blame, no one to fall back on.  Personally I feel that we have to make a choice to be happy, and then everything stems from that.  I have had challenging times, and in the thick of it, I did not feel great, however I look at everything as a lesson, and also an experience that shapes who I become.  Maybe this will resonate with some of you too, read on:

Shabbat Shalom
Coach Yulia

Formula 1

Today's topic is all about the shake I have every morning and why.  My good friend and client sent me this pic in her text yesterday and I thought it just looked so yummy.  She started her shakes a few years ago and was able to fit into her high school jeans after having 2 kids.  Recently she contacted me again and said that she was happy with how she looked but wanted to restart the shakes again because she felt her body craved the nutrition and natural energy that it gave her.

I couldn't agree more, that is the exact same reason that I have my shake every morning.  I found Herbalife when I was 8 months pregnant with my second baby, my girl Ziona Sofia, and what I loved is that it filled me up, and I thought, wow, if it fills up a woman in her third trimester, anyone would feel satisfied at any stage of their life no matter age, weight, or circumstance.  Most importantly it just tastes so good  :)

Throughout the years it has just been my easy, yummy, affordable, and nutritious breakfast.  Scientifically it makes your blood sugar happy and even.  Most people have a carby, coffe, or no breakfast at all and it sends your body on a blood sugar roller coaster, where anything in your sight wants to be in your mouth, and usually unhealthy, sugary, and junk food kind of stuff.  The junk food and fast food is easy and cheap, honestly so is Herbalife, when you break it down a shake only costs $1.50 if you have it daily, the container is a 30 day supply.  The shake above I know for a fact is vanilla, so she must have added fresh or frozen berries.  I personally love chocolate on its own, with fresh strawberries, or my favorite peanut butter - YUM.  I really feel like I am having a treat every morning, and sometimes after my shake I might want something to chew on, which I do, but it is much less than what I would have put in my mouth without the shake, there is just no room in the belly after this protein and nutrient packed healthy meal.

Now that my baby is one year old I am ready to get my body back and with the 80% nutrition that I am getting with my shakes and eating balanced meals of protein and complex carbohydrates.  I am also going to focus full on the other 20% which is exercise.  The key to exercise is finding what you like, what is fun, and what you want to keep doing.  Of course athletes and people that are building mass have specific goals and are fueled by the results, we have a whole athletic line, for people that are serious about their workout and results, Herbalife 24, our Rebuild Strength which is a post workout Whey Shake, tastes like chocolate milk, and has L-Glutamine, Casein, and Amino Acids, it was named Top Post Workout Shake in Triathlon Magazine - YEAH.

I feel so lucky that Herbalife is the Nutrition piece of my Health Coaching, it is really top of the line, we partner with UCLA, low calorie, high nutrition, you really cannot beat it.

Please let me know if you have any questions, or want our Kosher list.

Coach Yulia
coachyulia@gmail.com
323.377.0707

The Snowball Effect

Isn't this the most delicious baby you have ever seen?!  We got him some passport photos, planning a fun trip for the summer, and I think he slightly resembles my sister in law's oldest son when I met him at one year old.

So happy to be home, this day just ended in a snowball effect:

Snowball effect is a figurative term for a process that starts from an initial state of small significance and builds upon itself.

I had very little sleep last night helping my wonderful friend out who had a beautiful baby girl last night, I was sleeping at her home while her son was sleeping.  When I got home, my baby was a bit fussy, so I decided to just wake up get the kids ready for school.  Once my husband took them I laid down with my baby for his morning nap and mine :)

I felt a little better when we woke, up ran some errands, then went to meet a friend before I picked up the kids from school, baby was at home with my husband for his afternoon nap.

Then it happened, the snowball effect had begun.  I was driving my kids home from school thinking that I wanted to give my husband some quiet, he really is just so supportive of all of my ventures, I was headed to teach Yoga at 24 Hour Fitness and they have a Kids Club, so I decided to take the three of them.

When we got home from school the baby was fussy, we gave them all some watermelon.  It took time to clean and change the baby, my daughter went to the bathroom and decided to change her outfit.  It took time to put Eli Tzvi's shoes back on.  We had to go fill up the car with gas, and I had to stop by my mother in law.  I had 10 minutes to get to class, I rolled down the back window so my mother in law could say hi to the kids, and it would not close.  Luckily nobody took the car seats, and the funny thing was I was parked next to a convertible.

I walk into the gym, checked in at the front desk, run into friends and say hello, bring the kids to the kids club, and notice that the baby needs a diaper change.  I took all the important stuff out of my car and on my way to class realized I had left my iPhone in the car, so I ran back to get it, go figure it would be the only thing a thief would want.

Finally made it to class, cut short our beginning and ending relaxation so we can get all the poses in, it was awesome and I felt so good afterwards, it is so nice to turn off the brain from everything and focus on positive energy and feeling good.

On the way home it took me some time to find a paper that was important to me but nobody else, and I was worried someone took it from the open window.  Luckily found it, stopped by my mother in law again on the way home to grab some snacks for the kids.  Got home, got them ready for bed, and now was just enjoying the quiet and relaxing with my husband.

As each new thing was happening I was just saying, no way, what else, and then something else, luckily when I walk into a Yoga class I just have to let it all go.

I don't know if I will be taking them to class with me again, and if my mind forgets everything that happened, I will just leave super early, then they will get more play time and I will get a stress free ride.

Life Keeps Moving,
Reaction is Human,
Moving on is the Challenge,
So important to go to sleep with a clear mind,
I am so looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight,
Sweet Dreams,
Coach Yulia