http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMqEylHQAHc
So, I discovered this song a few weeks ago and am just getting around to share it. This is (kinda, but not really) different from the music I usually post on the blog. My music tastes vary and I love almost every type of songs; hip-hop, r&b and rap definitely have a special place in my heart and I'm definitely not a Nicki Minaj fan. So, when I was recommended of Jhene Aiko by my cousin, I found another female rapper, whose songs actually have some depth and a decent beat to it, I liked it. This song is pretty powerful, in my opinion, and very nicely written. It's a little depressing; well I have to admit I discovered it when I was going through some things, and although I'd rather not relive those days again, this song is good enough for me to replay it without getting emotional again. I love freestyle and also love the way she goes from third person to first person, smooooth. She's also got a great voice, and you know how much I love songs that have a great a story to it. Enjoy!
xoxo,
N
Monday, February 17, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Top 10 V-Day Playlist: Bob Marley
Whether you're falling deeper and deeper into love with your honey, in the beginning of a new relationship, getting over one, a happy single, or just a fan of reggae music, I've got 10 songs from the great Mr. Marley that will get your lift your mood up, whatever the situation. Life's too short to be sulking around! Happy Valentine's Day, lovers.
5 Tips to Start a Yoga Practice at Home
Yoga is in high demand and for the right reasons (mental, physical and spiritual wellness), but what do you do when you can’t seem to find the time (or money) to join a local yoga studio? One of the most liberating aspects about yoga is that it is accessible: you don’t need high-end equipment or a very specific facility to practice in; your home can be your yoga studio, if you make it.
TRY: Breathing & Yoga Stretches At Home
While the benefits of doing yoga in a class with other yogis and a teacher are tremendous, there’s no reason you cannot have a successful yoga practice at home. If you follow the very tips that yoga teaches, you’ll find yourself closer to the practice than you think.
1) Build a sacred space.
Nothing can be deemed more important in yoga than focus and concentration. Find a space in your home that is the least cluttered, away from your loudest (and smelliest) rooms. When it’s time to begin your daily routine, treat it as you would a professional yoga studio: with respect, cleanliness and consciousness. This means turn off/silent all electronics, keep shoes off and make others in your home aware of your practice.
WATCH: 4 Ways to Create Zen Spaces in Your Home
2) Pick a time slot and commit.
Whether it’s 5 or 50 minutes, commit yourself to those minutes every day to practice. Remember: this is for you and no one else. A great tip is to stick to practicing at the same time each day. This is even more beneficial when you have an at-home practice; you can do a quick 10-minute flow when you hop out of bed every morning or every night before getting in.
3) Use the vast resources at your fingertips.
In this time and age, you can figure a lot about yoga before you even decide to start practicing a life with it. The internet is a powerful resource, so ask questions about yoga etiquette, find professional online videos for all levels, subscribe to a yoga on-demand service, I use Veria, Veria Living Go, and YogaGlo and learn more about the practice off the mat.
4) Be safe.
Know what you can and cannot do. The benefits of going to yoga class are the variations to poses a good yoga teacher will always show you. These variations will be in your at-home videos as well, just make sure you don’t do anything you’re not sure of.
5) Be proud of yourself.
One of the many great things yoga teaches is discipline and if you are able to press pause on everything that is going on around you and give yourself a few minutes consistently, then commend yourself and remember that you are growing everyday on a successful, happy, and healthy journey.
TRY: Breathing & Yoga Stretches At Home
While the benefits of doing yoga in a class with other yogis and a teacher are tremendous, there’s no reason you cannot have a successful yoga practice at home. If you follow the very tips that yoga teaches, you’ll find yourself closer to the practice than you think.
1) Build a sacred space.
Nothing can be deemed more important in yoga than focus and concentration. Find a space in your home that is the least cluttered, away from your loudest (and smelliest) rooms. When it’s time to begin your daily routine, treat it as you would a professional yoga studio: with respect, cleanliness and consciousness. This means turn off/silent all electronics, keep shoes off and make others in your home aware of your practice.
WATCH: 4 Ways to Create Zen Spaces in Your Home
2) Pick a time slot and commit.
Whether it’s 5 or 50 minutes, commit yourself to those minutes every day to practice. Remember: this is for you and no one else. A great tip is to stick to practicing at the same time each day. This is even more beneficial when you have an at-home practice; you can do a quick 10-minute flow when you hop out of bed every morning or every night before getting in.
3) Use the vast resources at your fingertips.
In this time and age, you can figure a lot about yoga before you even decide to start practicing a life with it. The internet is a powerful resource, so ask questions about yoga etiquette, find professional online videos for all levels, subscribe to a yoga on-demand service, I use Veria, Veria Living Go, and YogaGlo and learn more about the practice off the mat.
4) Be safe.
Know what you can and cannot do. The benefits of going to yoga class are the variations to poses a good yoga teacher will always show you. These variations will be in your at-home videos as well, just make sure you don’t do anything you’re not sure of.
5) Be proud of yourself.
One of the many great things yoga teaches is discipline and if you are able to press pause on everything that is going on around you and give yourself a few minutes consistently, then commend yourself and remember that you are growing everyday on a successful, happy, and healthy journey.
Happy (Belated) Birthday, Bob!
...you make me feel like a sweepstakes winner
I'm a full week late on writing on my annual Happy B-day Bob blog post, sigh. But, as a fan, I learn from Bob and have learned (especially in recent events), that I must -ABOVE ALL- forgive myself. If I hold every little thing I do against myself, then how will I ever forgive someone else, right? Anyways, this isn't a post on self-love, forgiveness, etc., but on the celebration of the existence of Robert Nesta Marley!
While many genres of music may debate until they reach their graves on whose the king/queen of that genre, I think with reggae, it's pretty damn easy. Of course- there's many, many bands/artists that have reigned on the stages of reggae and ska (some of my faves being UB40, Jimmy Ciff, Gregory Isaacs, Peter Tosh, Inner Circle, Burning Spear, and the list goes on and on...), but Bob Marley was the King and still manages to stay the King. It must have been how much he was loved on every continent, his political choosings, his death, and his happy, sad, lovely, and political songs. He even managed to use almost literally an entire speech by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I before the United Nations General Assembly in June 1963 to record one of his famous songs, “War.”
Bob has always been close to my heart and the discovery his music (and reggae music) brings back many happy memories of my life and personal growth. He was first introduced to me by my brother, Ali, and although right now, my brother is not really the same guy I once knew, whenever I listen to some of Bob’s songs, I manage to tap back into the memories of the brother I knew and loved and keep the hope alive that he’ll return one day.
Bob’s always been in a constant in my love life and the love(s) of my life... he just seems to have a way with with the words of love, romance, and everything that follows after.
Happy B-Day Bob. I sometimes wish I was born in a different time so I would've had the opportunity to see you in concert.
But it's all good xo,
Nadia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8GCc8OhTz8
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