Tag Archives: Yoga with Elin on Venice Beach

community, events, travel, Uncategorized, writers retreats, writing

50 Shades of Orchids

February 8, 2016 emmapalova 1 Comment

Writer’s encounters: 50 Shades of Orchids

By Emma Palova

Venice, FL- During my annual writer’s retreats in Florida, I always come across a gem; it may be an artist, a breeze, scuba divers or sand castle builders, students of architecture on their spring break. This is my seventh year on the Gulf Coast exploring treasures washed on sea, and not just seashells.

This year, it was the “50 Shades of Orchids” show organized by the Venice Area Orchid Society, (VAOS) an affiliate of the American Orchid Society.

The VAOS is celebrating 50 years of existence. The show is put on at the height of the tourist season and it attracts 3,500 visitors annually and premier growers.

Perhaps, the most striking upon entering the exhibit hall at the Venice Community Center was the unexpected fragrance filtering in from all corners. I am a lifelong lover and collector of these enigmatic flowers. To see the orchids displayed in all colors, shades, hybrids and varieties was stunning.

The orchid stems and spikes were bending under the weight of the magnificent blooms.

Some of the blooms looked more like the faces of animals, birds or butterflies. Others resembled spiders. The large tricolor blooms resembled the Iris or more common flowers home to northern climate zones.

Each display consisted of 50 different orchids, hybrids and species wrapped in palm greens.

The participating growers offered most orchids for sale including the ones adaptable to various climates like the cattleya, Phalaenopsis, oncidium and vanda hybrids.

My favorite is the ornate Phal that comes in many different shades. I have a nice collection of these that has grown over the years on my windowsills facing the soft northern light.

Years of experimenting have rendered valuable experience. Unlike popular belief the flower doesn’t like a lot of water, only two ounces per week, less in winter. The orchid does not like to have her feet wet. The pots with orchids should be emptied.

There are more than 25,000 orchid species in existence. However, many are being destroyed by poaching and deforestation.

The orchid society promotes conservation and educational projects. It has grown into one of the largest and most active orchid societies in Florida.

The magical orchid can also be found at the Marie Selby gardens in Sarasota, Fl.

For more info go to: www.vaos.org

Or www.aos.org

Marie Selby gardens www.selby.org

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community, healing, health, wellness, yoga

IW Inspiring Women-Yoga with Elin

June 11, 2015 emmapalova 1 Comment

Yoga changes lives

By Emma Palova

Orchids in full bloom — Enigmatic orchids

Note: This is another installment in a feature series about Inspiring Women. It is dedicated to all women who are trying to make a difference and better other people’s lives, as well as their own. In putting together this feature series, I was inspired by several moments in life that in particular stand out.

No.1 A dedication of a Relax, mind, body & soul book by Barbara Heller from my son Jake: “I dedicate this to my inspiring and motivational mother.” Kuba

No. 2 While on a story before Mother’s Day, I dropped in at Ace Bernard Hardware to talk about the prizes with owner Charlie Bernard. We talked also about the Lowell Area Chamber and its director Liz Baker.

“You know what I like about Liz, she keeps re-inventing herself,” Bernard said.

No. 3 Again on a story for the International Women’s Day I talked to Sow Hope president Mary Dailey Brown.

“If you want to make a difference in this world, seriously consider helping impoverished women. Helping women is the key to unlocking poverty.”

No. 4 At a parents teacher conference at Cherry Creek Elementary in Lowell in mid 1990s: “Mrs. Pala, we do not give up,” teacher Karen Latva said.

Yoga with Elin on Venice Beach changes lives

Yoga instructor Elin Larsen on Venice Beach.

Following is an interview with yoga instructor Elin Larsen. If it wasn’t for Elin I would have never started doing yoga. I started in 2009 with Yoga on the Venice Beach with Elin. Coupled with meditation with Deepak Chopra, it changed my life. I wish it will do the same for all who read this.

Yoga is gentle and relaxing. It doesn’t overpower or overwhelm. It helps me focus and concentrate on writing. It gives me new ideas for my work. It motivates me. I have all three Elin’s DVDs and can’t wait for the fourth one.

Name: Elin Larsen

Occupation: Seasoned Yoga instructor ~ Yoga with Elin

Position: Head honcho

Residence: Venice, Florida

Family: 5 senior dogs and 2 goldfish

Hobbies & Interests: I have many diversified interests. I have a small Stand up paddle board company. I take folks out for lessons, but mostly take my friends out and have fun on the boards in the Gulf of Mexico.

I have extensive gardens, veggie and ornamentals. I spend a lot of time in the dirt. I love dirt! I ride bicycles and motorcycles. I am very interested in my health and am constantly tweaking my habits. I love body structure and posture. I am also a certified Ergonomist. I make much of my dog food.

1-What are you currently working on? Any specific project?

I am always in the gardens. I am tearing out and redoing things. I have a jig saw and make silly things. I want to make another Yoga with Elin DVD and I am beginning to put that together.

2-How and when did you get started with your current profession? It was in 1975 I began. I was an athlete and needed an off-season jolt. Yoga fit the bill. I realized that I never had an injury while all my team mates were plagued with them. Yoga found a permanent place in my life.

3-What was your first job? I baby sat for people for $.25 per hour. I then began to buy my own clothes. Kids loved me because I was so young and had lots of energy to play. I didn’t love it, but it worked for me. My mother was sick most of my life and I have a sister 7 years my junior. Since I was watching her, I would bring her with me and we had a ball! Now I watch over older folks!

4-How would you describe yourself? I am a strong and determined woman. I am a pit bull when it comes to defending my rights, my health and my student’s yoga time with me. I care about people who care about themselves.

To be continued when Elin is not busy.

For more info go to http://www.yogawithelin.us

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