African Bum Shaking Playlist

I really enjoy doing asana to African Beats! It gets you into your body, it grounds you into your legs, and it definitely makes you shake your bum bum- that takes care of the hips!!!!

If you'd like a beautiful African themed album, check out the soundtrack from The Constant Gardener. Watching the movie will give you a greater appreciation of the music too.

You can get most of these songs off itunes!

Enjoy xo

Guramayle- Gigi (female artist from Ethiopia. Her album Gold & Wax is amazing)

Gati Bongo- Orchestre Baka De Gbine

Sangi Sangy- African Guitar Summit II

Morena Wotetea- Gigi

Nigeria What? - Debruit (just discovered this guy-great beats! DJ instrumentalist from Paris)

Kula- Al Gromer Khan

Kaira- Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate

Mali Sadio- Toumani Diabate

Homeless- Rarities, B Sides vol.2- Sarah McLachlan

Kothbiro- Constant Gardener Soundtrack- Ayub Ogada

2011 Fall Harvest Retreat

This yoga retreat made top 5 experiences of my life!!!!

When I approached Alex Altheron to help me plant the seeds to one day lead a yoga retreat, I as thinking 5 years down the road. Little did I know he came prepared with a business proposal and a manifestation strength to be reckoned with.

5 months after this, we'd find ourselves on a ferry leading 15 people to Stowel Lake Farms, on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Now here I am, two days after our magical weekend and I'm still pinching myself. I'm so grateful for Alex's faith in me, and for the special individuals who decided to nurture not only themselves for the 48 hrs, but my dream as well!

Arriving on the 125+ acre farm set the majestic theme which was continuous. The long lane way opened up to 3 beautiful barn like structures, yurts, ponds surrounded by a detailed gardens, numerous greenhouses, and lots and lots of green, wide open space. The land put our city energy to rest and let our imaginations run wild. I personally had feelings of being Anne of Green Gables as I walked amongst the apple trees. In the kitchen (see above) I was taken away to an Old English Country home in the 1800s. It was fun for all of us to play the "could I live here?" game. For Diana, I doubt she could think this far into the future as she was basking in each minute's discovery; this was her first time on a farm EVER!!!!

We all learned a lot about farming, as each meal was organic and grown on location... something you don't get everyday. The food was outstanding and our bodies thanked us. I've never felt so light, healthy and cleansed after a HUGE, HEAPING plate of seconds:) Alex and I had never been to Stowel Lake Farms before, and some thought we were nuts for trusting that the food would be good. Food can really make or break a trip! Horseshoes up our ass on that one !!!! How professional:)

Although way better food than Camp Tawingo's, the farm did remind me of summer camp. The whole experience did, right down to the labeled mugs and moccasins. It was the way 17 complete strangers came together free of ego, and free of awkward, surface conversations. Unusual surroundings and events bring this on. I was so amazed at how much effort everyone put into getting to know each person individually. We all were so different, such characters, ranging in age and backgrounds, yet I felt no judgement or categorizing. Sometimes it takes stepping out of the daily grind to re-connect to the Sri, or innate goodness and beauty that is naturally in us all.

After extraordinary experiences like these, traveling included, the toughest part is to bring it back to your "regular life". How long can you make the high last? How can you integrate the potion into your life, and make sure it lasts? Will you recognize when it runs out, and will you take the time to replenish yourself again?

This notion of nurturing your highest self, was completely new to one of our guests. She'd done just a few classes of yoga before, but something inside told her she needed this trip. After our first class on Friday night, she pulled me aside. She explained that after savasana, she sat up for meditation and felt an overwhelming rush of emotion. Following the class she went into her room and bawled. Expressing that she wasn't particularly troubled by anything, she wondered what had gotten over her. Yoga got into her! Hearing this reaffirmed my love for this practice.

Yoga has a way of clearing away your ignorance of your Divine Self. You sweat, move, and breath more then usual which often digs up stuffed emotions, memories, relationships, etc. Its like peeling off a tough layer, layers that often muscle us through our days.

Recently I read an excerpt from the book "Jivamukti", which describes this exact thing:

The intention underlying all our practices must be clear. The motivation under the yoga practices must be Yoga- union with the Divine Self. For any practice to be a yoga practice one must consciously and continuously cultivate a desire for self-realization.

There were many special moments of laughter, tears, debates, and even moments of silence. The fact that we could reach this place in a weekend can be accredited to our pure surroundings, the openness of it's owners, and the safety net that was naturally built by our gracious group.

I think the biggest lesson I learned from this experience was to never say no to yourself and the visions you have for your life. Each one of us heard a little voice to nurture and feed our spirits. We took a risk, we ignored our logic and found trust. AND I'M SO GLAD WE DID!!!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next retreat, and until then keep feeding your souls, keep sharing your essence.

Namaste All The Way,

Emily xo

For Lovers Only

Sunday night I was in the mood for a sappy romance and stumbled upon this on itunes:

For Lovers Only! It did the trick:)

Despite it's slow pace, the film holds your attention through its beautiful cinematography. I've never witnessed so many close up shots in my life, but it was necessary. The lead actress had features of a 1950's classical dame. You felt a part of each embrace she shared with the only other star in the film. Their chemistry made you painfully long for that same intensity in your own relationship. Thank goodness some scenes were quite over exaggerated, reminding you that THIS IS NOT REALITY!

It was fun to escape into a black and white world though. The past lovers themselves gallivanted around France, retreating from their married lives back home. It makes you ponder your own time line. It makes you ponder how much you should leave up to fate or how much you should be in the drivers seat. How long can we follow our hearts without hurting those around us? Yet how long can we live in our heads without hurting ourselves? The film sways back and forth between these two struggles.

All in all, this flick is about pure, intense, bright rouge romance, love and compatibility. It's beautiful, it's creative, and its appealing for the eyes and heart.

Do watch if you're feeling gushy or if you need of some art in your life.

BUT BEWARE: IT'S FOR LOVERS ONLY!!!!!!

Enjoy xo

Hipp Trip Travel Interview

Hi Hi,

Check out an interview I did for Hipp Trip Travel. This brilliant website was created by a good friend, Alyx Kottmeier. If you're wondering where to do yoga in the world, where to eat, where to stay, etc visit this site.

Enjoy xo

http://hipptrip.com/spiritual-gangsters/emily-millen/

The Sound of Sri

This is one of my favourite playlists yet! In class today, I read from "The Ringing Cedars" book series. The paragraph explains beautifully that when we become still enough, sensitive enough, to our surroundings we become one with it all. We connect, and are reminded of the Oneness. The pores on our skin open, the ears expand, our nostrils pulsate, and we the Universe moves through us. This is when we're fully aligned with the cosmos, natural, each other and ourselves. This is when we feel most at home.

I wanted to create a playlist to go along with this euphoric experience. Hopefully the arrangement of tunes will sweep you away to your special place in nature. You may discover a deserted beach paradise, find yourself lying in the middle of a wheat field, floating face up down a river, flying high above the ocean, or standing tall on the highest hill!

Enjoy xo

1) Aqueous Transmission- Incubus

2) Separator- Radiohead

3) Look Up - Zero 7

4) Brand New Day- Sting

5) Road To Somewhere- Goldfrapp

6) Porcelain- Moby

7) Guramayle- Gigi

8) Holocene- Bon Iver

9) Hourglass- Garth Stevenson

10) Give Up The Ghost- Radiohead

"Do you hear my heart beating? Now I shall increase the tempo of my heartbeat and you listen to see what happens all around."

Anastasia's heartbeat increased in frequency, and right away the rhythm of sounds I could hear around me joined in with a heightened tonality.

"Everything-absolutely everything: a little blade of grass, a big tree, even the bugs- they all react to any change in the rhythm of my heart. The trees accelerate their inner processes, and work harder to produce oxygen. I shall tune the rhythm of my heartbeat to yours, and you will feel it."

Little by little her heat adjusted its tuning and began beating in the same rhythm as mine. And something more amazing happened: I felt an unusually pleasant sensation, as though my mother and my relatives were right beside me. A sense of softness and good health came over my body, and my heart was filled with joy, freedom and a whole new sense of creation.

The range of surrounding sounds caressed me and communicated the truth- not a truth comprehensible in all it's detail, just something I felt intuitively. I had the impression that all the pleasing and joyous feelings I had ever experienced in my life were now merging into a single and wonderful sensation. Perhaps it is the sensation that is called happiness. ~ Anastasia- The Ringing Cedars Series

CASE CLOSED CD Release

My band and I are finally releasing out first CD after 2 years. A lot of love and sweat went into it as our bass player, Greg Monforton, recorded and produced the entire thing,

The release party is Sunday, Aug 7th at 130pm. It will be held at St. James Hall, 3214 W. 10th Ave. Mimosas, Bailey's coffee, tea and treats will be served, so make a Sunday out of it and wear your best afternoon dress.

We'll be selling our album, entitled "Four Years Apart". We conjured up the title, as there is exactly four years between each of us. The theme is expressed through the artwork, hence the lifelines of the tree trunk, and the "height tracker" penciled on a door frame (seen on the back of the CD tracking our song list).

Since we all sing and play various instruments, our sound is difficult to explain. Although we have been compared to Bob Dylan, The Barenaked Ladies, and Joni Mitchell!

Have a listen and you decide!

Email me if you'd like to buy a copy of "Four Years Apart", for $12 mlemillen@yahoo.com.

Namaste and Music All The Way,

Emily

AYA FALL HARVEST YOGA RETREAT

Hi All,

Exciting news: Alex Atherton and I are hosting out first yoga retreat!!!! It will be held at Stowel Lake Organic Farm, on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

Fall is my favourite season, so we'll really be milking the harvest theme throughout. The weekend will include 2 daily yoga classes, journaling, a candlelit mediation, campfire jams, organic meals, field hikes and GREAT COMPANY :)

Below is more info, but if you have any questions, email info@anandayogaadventures.org

NAMASTE,

Emily

WHEN: Fri Sept, 20th/11 to Sun Oct, 2nd/11

Arrival Time: Option to leave on the 10:10am ferry (arriving at 1:10pm) or 8:25pm (arriving at 10:15pm)
* We strongly recommend taking the earlier ferry so you arrive for orientation.
Departure Time: 3:30pm ferry back to Vancouver for 6:30pm

COST:
Register Now, Space is Limited! $488 per person
Early Bird Special: First 10 to register: $398 per person
** Single Accom Upgrades available on request.**

INCLUSIONS:
2 nights: beautiful and comfortable boutique accommodation
6 Healthy and Organic meals (Fri-Dinner, Sat, Breaky, Lunch, Dinner, Sun-Breaky, Lunch)
7 Blissful Yoga Classes
Forest Meditation Walk, Evening Candlelit Meditation, and Journaling
Complimentary Shiatsu Massage Treatment
Saltspring Village Field Trip

YOGA: Alex and Emily are both Anusara trained, and will offer heart oriented classes with clear alignment, and deep movement for all level of students. All classes will have themes that help student to reflect, move closer to the source of inspiration and essence of self (sahaja). Morning classes will be energetic, and powerful vinyasa-flow. Afternoon classes will be balanced Hatha style classes, with long hold for amazing opening, and Evening classes will be Restorative/ Candlelight Meditation classes.

ACCOM:
Standard Accomodation is shared, funky boutique-rustic (luxury in nature).
Private rooms are available at an additional cost, please ask us!
Stowel Lake Farm is an established organic farm
located in the south end of Salt Spring Island.
The accommodation on Stowel Lake Farm is
comfortable and charming. Most of the rooms sleep two people with a few that sleep three people. The Gatehouse, the yoga and meditation space, has
large windows that allow panoramic views of the
stunning farm and natural environment. The
building itself is warm, light and beautifully
handcrafted by local woodworkers.

FOOD:
The staff at Stowel lake work with several experienced and talented
caterers to provide delicious and healthy meals for
retreats. The emphasis is fresh, organic and locally
produced food infused with LOVE. Vegetables grown
on the farm is used whenever possible.
Where do we eat? The Barn!
The Barn, a post and beam structure, was built in the early 1970’s using Douglas fir trees from the property. It was first used as a sheep barn and housed over 100 ewes (the sheep have left).