Betsy "Lunafly" A.'s Profile

Okay, you could put everything I know about guitars in a thimble...but that's about to change. On Saturday, I got a "wild hare" you know where and decided to dust off my little Alvarez and start all over with my "circa 2004" decision to learn to play guitar. Step 1: tune it up! So, I headed over to the Guitar Center in Castleton, hoping  I wouldn't look too foolish asking somebody else to tune my instrument - you see, since it's autographed, it kinda' looks like I actually play it  - LOL - Turns out,  I had to wait on line for the guitar geek (what? the term works for IT guys, so why not guitar techs?) Anyway, I really liked this  place...very loud, tons o' stuff (not that I know what to do with most of it)and well, as I said to my dad when we entered, it just smells like a guitar, drum, etc. store....you know, as if there had been a jam session in there after hours the night before....was probably the patrons - the ones with musical talent or training at least - who most likely HAD, most of them, been playing somewhere on Friday eve. Ahhh....if only!! I did see what appears to be some great deals on whatever musical whatchamacallit one's little heart could desire. My choice? The brilliant turquoise electric number hanging high up on the west wall....yeah, baby! That one has my name on it :-) But first, the acoustic.....
While I love the commercials Guitarworks runs on WTTS, Castleton is just closer for this BroadRipplean (ite? er?...ack, who knows?)  
Caveat: was wall-to-wall on Saturday afternoon and very loud, what with all the folks trying stuff out. Maybe go during the week  if you don't want to wait for service.

The review for this local home baker should be "OMG!"
Ms. Carrie Sample is a bright, cheerful Indy mother of two who, as her side gig, whips up some amazingly toothsome treats. I was fortunate enough to meet Carrie one day whilst getting my hair cut. Having finished up earlier in the day at a local holiday bazaar, she was out and about seeking to divest herself of the "goodies" left in her basket. I was more than happy to oblige after one look at a stylist's facial expression following her nibble of Carrie's cranberry-orange scone. I bought two pans of scones and three jars of the fab apple pie jam. Let me put it this way....if you ever dreamed as a child of biting into a cloud, just get yourself some of those scones. Not lumpy, dense and hard as some commerical varieties tend to be, Carrie's little teatime morsels are, to quote Paula Deen, "Smack your granny good!"
But, but, but......this review was really intended to be an ode to Earthly Delight's "Bollywood Bread." BB is an original recipe that Carrie cooked up mainly because she loves the flavors of Gajar Halwa, an East Indian carrot-based pudding that is "mmm.mmm.good." Consider this bread a tea bread, not something you'd make a sandwich on, but something you'd have, well, duh...with tea (of coffee if you must). It is so moist and fragrant and redolent with the spices that make Indian cuisine so tantalizing. It is anything but ordinary! I bought several loaves to give as holiday gifts, but am already down half a loaf due to my own indulgence this afternoon. I did manage to get one loaf to its rightful owner thusfar :-) Carrie makes Bollywood Bread as a regular-sized loaf that runs $6; however, the same recipe yields three mini-loaves, which is what I recommend if you want to gift them...they are so darn cute. And, with the smaller loaf I somehow don't feel so bad cutting off 3-4 slices for my afternoon break...
I love local, especially local that is this good - give Carrie a call or email her and see what all the fuss is about! Free delivery of your stuff to Broad Ripple and M-K neighborhoods, btw!!
To order: carriesample@sbcglobal...

I have to echo what both Janet and Heather said about Breathe In. Having suddenly developed something of a "heated Vinyasa jones" during my recent trip to Chi-town, I found myself this past weekend searching to re-create the transformative, endorphin-laden state of mind I found chez Harmony Yoga Studio near the Mag Mile. Enter Breathe In! I actually hauled myself downtown for Dusty's Sunday noon heated Vinyasa class. While the room was not as hot as at Harmony's digs, the class itself was a bit longer and slightly more intense. That being the case, I generated enough of my own heat, got on a good sweat and left feeling totally blissed out and energized. I really resonate with Dusty's teaching style - neither drill sergeant-esque nor too "zen" - just the right balance of instruction, encouragement and mindfulness. She made the flow seamless and threw in the proper amount of "erase and reset" moments to make the practice very personal and introspective, rather than a "Chaturanga Dandasana" -a-thon! Good on you, Dusty, for blending workout with "mind out." I just love it when a yoga class feels like a yoga class and not a gym class or athletic competition - as it should be!!!
I really can't wait to get back to this studio and try more classes. The Sunday community classes are a great deal at $5 each and honestly, what do you have to do that can't wait until after a great yoga practice? The studio is also currently offering a new student $25 unlimited (I think only for one month, but still, a GREAT deal!)
Nice, intimate yoga studio for the dedicated practitioner :-)

I was in Chicago last weekend for just over 24 hours. I had to go up on Friday in order to make an early Saturday-morning appointment. I just HATE it when I have to spend a whole day wandering about Chicago :-)...yeah right! So, after finding out where my Hotwire home-away-from-home would be, I set to planning to juice the most out of my visit. Naturally, this meant "must find yoga class." I briefly scanned Yelp - hang on to that word "briefly" as it plays a key role in my review a bit further down the page. I found Harmony and noted with delight that a Friday night by candlelight class happens there - easy to get to, early enough to allow for some nice chow afterward, followed by a pre-beddie-bye swim @ hotel....great, count me in! Fast forward to me arriving at the space, a bit tired from having traveled all day, walked around in the chilly rain on Chicago's streets and okay, having taken the right CTA bus in the wrong direction....way in the wrong direction... to get to my hotel. As I approach the building that houses Harmony, something catches my eye. "Eek, what's that," I ask myself, all the while knowing full well it's a "Hot Vinyasa Yoga" sidewalk sign advertising the studio. I relax and exhale as I remind myself that the Yelp review (yep, briefly read) said "candlelight" practice. Up the elevator I go. On arrival, I discover that the class will indeed be a hot Vinyasa class. Oh, Holy Cow-Face pose! I haven't done hot practice in three years. This agonizing thought is further enhanced by my sighting of several svelte, young yoginis in the kind of yoga threads I only wish I could wear. I have to make a quick decision, so I pay for a towel, attempt to pull my pants up over my thighs into makeshift yoga shorts, gulp a glass of cold water and saunter on into the studio. The room begins to coax droplets of sweat from my bod even as we take our starting asana - child's pose...lol! Tiffany, our instructor, gently guides us to set our intention for that which we want to get out of our practice. Um, I just want to get through the practice :-) An hour later, I find myself elated at how nicely my practice has gone. Transformative is an understatement. Being in that studio in the warm cocoon of the candlelight, gazing softly through my soaking bangs at the tower formerly known as Sears off in the distance....amazing! Heather and Tiffany were the best, the studio and class were just what I needed when I needed it. I definitely recommend this class and certainly hope I will get back there myself soon. My only caveat: either remove your mascara beforehand, go without or check a mirror before you hit the street....and the bus, and the Thai restaurant, and another bus....
By the time I made it back to my hotel, my sweat, tears of joy and mascara had mixed, run and dried on my face, making me look like a reject from an Alice Cooper look-alike contest. Funnier than an "Ogden" YouTube clip!

I second everything that Meagan says about MNS! Granted, I am blessed with the opportunity to work here part-time. But, even if I did not, I would dwell here as much as possible. Many of my favorite people in the world are here and all the talents and treasures they bring to this space make it truly a one-of-a-kind experience in the city.

Mother Nature's Sun has it all, I tell you. Where else in Indy can you come for a yoga or dance class, followed by a massage, perhaps get an angel card reading, and top it all off with the Oneness Blessing?

One of the highlights of MNS is the yoga and movement room - windows facing north and south to let in the natural light, a dark, polished-to-mirrored-perfection wood floor and walls painted the color of sunlight on a late summer morning - the perfect place to practice and get your groove on! Case in point: I personally "crashed" Iva's morning kids' dance class along with MNS owner queen mermaid Wendy today - what a blast! Who knew I could pick up a Rhumba and Merengue step so quickly and have so much fun doing it?

And, I can attest to the power of receiving the Oneness Blessing - it has helped me manifest many uh-mazing things in my life that I would have not thought possible a mere two months ago. Not much detail, I know, but trust me, the Oneness is not something that can be explained - you have to partake - 'nuf said on that!

Be sure to check the Mother Nature's Sun Web site often and sign up for the e-newsletter because the center frequently offers special workshops, open houses, special events and such that you might miss out on otherwise  - and believe me, you don't want to miss out!!

A CAVEAT: Though MNS prefers to take appointments, the therapists and instructors here do keep "floor hours" and can often accommodate walk-ins or call-ins. Next time your chi is flagging, don't delay, head into the Sun!

Evolutions at Yoga occupies the space formerly known as Sacred Space Yoga. The studio sits in a very unassuming little strip center on the east side of S.R. 135, just to the north of Fairview Rd. in Greenwood. As a guide for newbies trying to find this oasis of spirit and asana, just keep an eye out for the ginormous L.A. Fitness - it's almost directly across the street from Evolutions.

Jenni and Ross are your hosts at Evolutions and they have really changed quite a bit about this studio since buying it from the former owner. The first thing you'll notice on entering Evolutions is the beautiful, brightly colored mural lovingly painted on the reception area wall. I'm not sure where Jenni came up with her composition ideas for this piece, but it really fits the studio's moniker. Also among my fave features of this studio: the devotional wall on the west side of the reception area. Here you will find handwritten thoughts, meditations and a carefully considered collection of many, if not all, of yoga's leaders - past and present....Krishna Das, Pattabhi Jois, Swami Satchitananda and so forth. I, for one, love this touch - it is rare to see this kind of unabashed love for the great masters and inspirational leaders on display for admiration and a nod of appreciation in many of the local yoga studios. And, if you're not familiar with these notables of the yoga world, you'll still find something on this wall that speaks to you most likely, as Jenni and Ross are of the all-embracing, solitary consciousness path.

The classes at Evolutions include a little something for everybody, whether you are just trying to get your mind around the idea of yoga, want to become more fit, or are somewhere in-between. If you really want to experience pure yoga in a yoga-devoted setting - and not some gym or fitness center - this is your place on the southside! Jenni was trained and certified through Nancy Schalk and Ann Miller at All People Yoga Center in Nora. She also practiced there for a long time before taking the teacher certification plunge and I remember her even then as somebody for whom yoga was a personal path and not simply an exercise routine. It came as no surprise to me that she found a way to purchase the former Sacred Space when it became available.

But, if you've made it this far, gentle reader, you are to be rewarded now with the best bits about Evolutions: the thing that really makes this place hum is the community it is starting to build and nourish through all the non-asana practices, workshops and special events it hosts every month. If you really want to live your yoga, come give one of the kirtans, drumming workshops or similar events a try. I attended the monthly drumming circle with Ryan Anderson in February and it was one of the most fun evenings I've had in a long time! I intend to make this event any time I possibly can - who knew I had such a natural talent for the rattles and chops????

As my final advice, yelpers, I urge you to go to Evolutions Web site and check out not only yoga classes for yourselves - including an occasional FREE community class - but also the upcoming workshops and events. Coming up next week (3/27 and 3/29): Didgeridoo workshop and a kirtan with Bloomington artist Baraka - come join us and introduce yourself, 'cause you know I'll be there!!!

No way - no other reviews yet?? It must be misspelled in another listing or something....
I really like Cityoga and if I lived downtown or closer to downtown, I would take class here more often. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in the 'burbs and though I do travel to the city twice per week, I'm usually tied up with those pesky graduate classes and can't get to yoga.
Alas! This past week I made a wonderful discovery at the behest of an old friend: Kundalini Yoga with Diane Hancock on Sunday @ 11:00 a.m.
Now I have taken Diane's classes before and I knew she was a bright, cheerful spirit with a love of and devotion to KY, but I didn't realize how great it would be to partake of a yoga class on a Sunday, mid-morning, in the oasis of calm yet positively charged energy that is Cityoga. Diane is about as enthusiastic as they come and her teaching style is right up my alley: plenty of explanation about the kriyas, clean logical instructions, and the infectious optimism that keeps one going during the more intense portions of class. Though this was my first visit to Cityoga for Diane's Kundalini Yoga class, it will not be my last. Word is she always brings something different - sort of like Forrest's box of chocolates, never know what you're gonna' get!
All I know is this...I felt 100% better after Diane's class - it was truly the highlight of my week!

I love this shop! The staff at TYF is so friendly and really knows how to chat with customers without making them feel pressured - and you never feel like they're just "faking it" ....know what I mean? Some of my all-time favorite accessories, especially jewelry, have come from TYF. I also love their soaps and candles. They have one line of soaps that comes in scent-coordinated trios of mini-bars....I swear, good enough to eat...but don't of course! The name brand escapes me, but trust me, you'll find them. I always, always find something here to take home with me. This last trip netted a gold-plated "good luck" fish from China - a teeny-tiny thing for my desk to remind me of the day when I'll have my own business again :-), a buddha pocket jingle (like a thumb stone)  and a candle carved and painted to look like a house wren (smells like crayons, but is so cute). I was offered a "wish list" for me by the salesperson, which I of course quickly jumped on and filled out.
Fun store, great staff - everything an eclectic little boutique should be!

Alexander's resembles and old-fashioned soda shop, complete with painted tin ceiling and counter service. I'd like to think it was once a pharmacy/card store/soda fountain, but I don't know this for sure. Alexander's is fairly good size, with several booths along one wall, a few tables in the middle of the space and a small counter service area wedged in between the ice cream freezers. On my visit, several families were happily chowing down on "basket" lunches of sandwiches and fries (the reuben looked really tasty) and bowls of chili. Since we had already eaten, we were relegated to ice cream only....darn! Alexander's carries the "Velvet" brand, which I had heard of but never tried. I chose the Florida orange sherbet and it was just perfect on such a sunny day....true orange flavor and not too sweet. I will definitely look for this in the store and recommend you do the same if you like orange sherbet :-) A single serving here will get you what is normally a double scoop elsewhere. Nice young folks working here on our visit, but we did have to wait quite a while because the place was busy.

What an awesome store for kids (of all ages)! The last time I was in Noblesville, The Wild was closed and I was so bummed. We caught it open on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Long and narrow and stocked to the hilt, this shop is a treasure trove of books, games, creativity kits and second-to-none stuffed animals. The latter are wonderfully crafted and about as realistic as you'll find apart from at a taxidermy shop (we won't even go there!) I was drawn in by the black standard poodle rendition - which, while not a scale model, is about the size of my 32 lb. pup. At $50, this is no ordinary stuffed animal, but so gorgeous, I had to have one. The poodle and several other dog breeds are the creations of a company called Melissa and Doug. The Wild also carries several other items under this brand, including a number of creativity kits. We saw several great book titles here and one window of the store was set up with a very clever display with a presidential theme and featured several titles about both candidates, among other educational tomes.

At the register, I did spy some pencils called "Smencils" that are made from 100% recycled newspaper and are scented with over-the-top sweet fragrances like "very berry" and "cotton candy." You know I had to have one of those - editing will be so much more fun when it smells like a sno-cone :-)

Two of the coolest things about this shop have nothing to do with what's on the shelves: Bunnicula the black & white shop rabbit and a very portly "security cat" who spends most of its time in the front window sunning itself and practicing mindfulness :-)