iggy.

Oh, what a week it's been. Dancing, working, seeing shows and a little bit of everything in-between. 

This week I'm off to Kelowna to host The Vibe Dance Competition for the second year in a row. Like I've said before...this was the kicking point to make some major changes in my life. I've got several shows, clients and more under my belt since I've moved to B.C., and couldn't be happier. 

Have a great week friends. 

boom.

I'm very lucky to be surrounded by some strong, independent and very creative women in Vancouver.

Last night, I had the opportunity to partake in a "Goddess Circle" by my good friends and colleague, Karoline of Divinity Bones Yoga.

It was pounding rain, but as women from all walks of life entered the RoofTop Yoga studio, it felt like all my troubles washed away.

After our practice, we spoke quite a bit about what we wanted to achieve over the next year. Having just made a major change in my life and moving to another city, I was stumped and had a moment of doubt:

"What else can I do this year? What do I really want?"

I won't lie, I may have looked calm on the outside, but I was stressing hardcore on the inside.

Then it hit me...I want to work stronger, not harder, at everything.

I want to do work that matters and makes a difference - whether that's in dance, social media, writing, teaching, etc., I want to do good work, not just things that pass people by.

Yes, this will be a challenge and I might not be able to do it at full capacity right away (girl has gotta have money to eat man!) BUT, I can start putting those actions into place.

My mantra for 2014: "I wanted to to do it, so I did."

Boom. Let's do this. More to come.

happiness.

I stumbled on this article a few weeks ago, and for whatever reason, it really struck a chord with me.

As I read the piece, I immediately started thinking about my answers. The farther I got, the more I started thinking about how many answers have changed - especially over the past year.

I think this might be a great addition to goal lists. Taking a moment to check in and see where one is on our goal paths is always a good idea, but so is answering the eternal question: Am I happy? 

If not (or you're on your way, this is a good list to start with.

8 Things Every Happy Woman Should have 

A go-to drink 

Gin and tonic, extra limes. 

Whiskey sour. 

A go-to karaoke song

Lose Yourself, Eminem & Careless Whisper, George Michael

A uniform

Monday to Friday: pencil skirts, lady-like dresses and a good leather jacket. Heels.

Weekend: Well-loved boyfriend jeans, tank top, big scarf and blazer/jacket. Flats. 

Always: Three silver bracelets my father got me in Mexico. Left wrist. Good manicure and pedicure. 

A hair stylist they love

I only trust my locks to one stylist, and she's in the Okanagan. Truth: every time I was back home from Toronto, whether I needed it or not, I got a haircut. 

An exercise routine 

It's no secret that dancing is my go-to and favourite form of exercise. Being in the studio a few times a week, with a couple yoga classes (and if I'm lucky, time to jump in the pool for a swim) keeps my mind and body in check. 

A hobby 

When I'm not dancing and working, I love to sip good cocktails with good friends, see live music in small venues, blog, cook and most recently, explore new neighbourhoods.  

A best friend 

I'm lucky enough to have a couple incredible girlfriends from various stages and parts of my life. There are 3-4 women from high school, university, my dance life, Toronto and Vancouver who would jump on a plane if I needed them (and vice versa). 

A healthy sense of self

Funny enough, during a Saturday night hangout, my friend and I fell onto this topic. That's when I realized three things about myself: 

1. Life is too short not to listen to good music 

2. I'm over trying to be perfect - my goal is to be as good as I can be

3. Compete with myself, not others 

surrender.

While some have gone back to work, school and commitments with the start of September, I have gone back to the yoga and dance studio. 

After an old injury reared its head earlier this year, I stepped off the mat because I was literally in too much pain. I danced as full as I could, but still held my freedom and ability to just let go. 

After several months of rest, strengthening and revaluation, this is the first week I have truly felt one hundred per cent myself. 

I have written a bit about my relationship with dance - it's what fuels my heart, my release and in a totally unexpected turn of events, has become steady co-career. 

Tonight in yoga class, my teacher was talking about surrendering not just your body to the movements, but also your mind. Earlier this week in dance rehearsal, we spent and entire hour focusing on freestyle movement. 

In both of these cases, you could only move if you felt compelled. Maybe the song didn't do it for you, or maybe it did. Maybe you had a bad day. Maybe you had the best morning in weeks. 

Whatever it is, having two back to back lessons about tapping into that inner surrender has totally changed my perspective this week. 

I think it's helped me finally let go of that fear. Fear of pain, hurt, pushing too far, not going far enough. 

I'm fascinated by the feeling that I'm back, yet I feel like I never left. 

Just a thought. 

goals.

This post is inspired by a little lady I like to call Ty. We met about five years ago in journalism class, and has been one of many friendships that prove age is just a number.

Even though I was graduating high school just as she was starting her term, we bonded and have been connected via social media and through the blogosphere. 

After reading her latest blog post, on Ty Peace n Love, I was inspired to take on same the challenge she did - confirming can creating your goals.

This couldn't have come at a better time, with my move to Vancouver. 

Do it now: write down two personal, two career and two health goals for the next one, five and 10 years. 

Do this four times a year. 

Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer

- Lululemon Manifesto. 

Okay...so without further ado, here are the goals. 

1 Year Goals - 2014 

Personal: 1. Buy the domain and create PortiaFavro.com, integrating this blog into it 2. Learn to really salsa dance. 

Health: 1. Continue dancing, swimming and exercising five days per week. 2. Work with a personal trainer one on one to learn what I'm doing right and wrong for my body 

Career: 1. Enroll, study and complete HootSuite University to keep my skills sharp. 2. Continue working, training and performing with the Army of Sass in Vancouver and the Okanagan

5 Year Goals - 2018 

Personal: 1. Compete in a ballroom dance competition 2. Visit Europe and go on epic tour of art, dance and food. 

Health: 1. Sign up and train for a triathalon or a tri by tri. 2.Continue dancing, teaching and training as much as possible (in my heels, of course).  

Career: 1. Covered the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games on the ground. 2. Be teaching regularly with a dance studio, company and/or production group. 

10 Year Goals - 2023 

Personal: 1. Own a vacation property somewhere in the world. 2. Get a dog. 

Health: 1. Swim the English Channel or the Escape from Alcatraz swim 2. Be able to do a handstand during my yoga practice. 

Career: 1. Supporting myself completely on my social media, writing and blogging work. Maybe even have my own company, if the time is right. 2. Have covered the 2020 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in whatever city it will be in (we'll find out this Saturday!) and/or Fifa World Soccer Cup. 

Whew...there we go. 

Can I do it? 

I'm going to be positive - yes. 

2014, you're first. Let's go. 

unplugged.

I know it's still the beginning of the week, but I'm already craving the weekend again.

Not only does weekend mean free time (and with the weather so warm and lovely in Toronto, who doesn't want to be outside?) but also time for Yoga Unplugged.

After seeing tweets, Facebook posts and the like repeatedly about the free yoga class put on by Lululemon and 889 Yoga, I decided there was no time like the present to check it out.

Last Saturday I packed my bag, grabbed my mat and headed to the swanky Thompson Hotel, where class took place on the outdoor patio overlooking the water.

Even better, the theme of the evening was "Diva Soul" - cue Whitney Houston, Nina Simone, Sade and Beyonce on the playlist.

I was literally surrounded by yogis dancing on our mats and taking in the cool evening while the sun set.

Somewhere between side angle pose and another downward dog, I looked up at the number of people on the deck with me. This weekly event is HUGE. There were easily 150 people sweating and om-ing it out together, yet the only noise you could hear was the teacher's voice and the music.

Needless to say, I'll be back at every chance I get. This week's theme is Roots Rock Reggae, I'm beyond pumped.

Yoga Unplugged runs every Saturday afternoon from 4-5PM at the Thompson Hotel until September. Discover more by searching #YogaUnplugged on Twitter and Instagram.

Namaste.

salad.

Instead of meeting up for one too many coffees, a few of my friends and I have started a new weekly ritual: girls yoga.

I must say, it was such a nice way to start the day - stretching, sharing workout tips and getting some catchup time.

Post-Om, we decided to congregate back in my apartment for lunch (healthy of course). One lady brought salad dressing, one brought corn and arugla, and together, we put together a green salad and also what I'll call Yogi salad. Yogi salad could be perfect just on its own, but definitely good mixed with the greens as well. It's light, fresh and good for you.

Much like my mother, I cook with a mix of ingredients and measurements. Some people find it insane, but I love to work with the food - if I feel like it needs more of this or that, I make it up and mix until things taste right. Personally, I like my food to have a kick of spice, zest, hot or sweet, so adjust your dish accordingly. The leftovers pack up nicely for lunch the next day too!

Yogi Salad

1 can of chickpeas
1/2 red onion
1/2 cucumber
1-2 cobs of corn (preferably fresh)
1 clove of garlic
1-2 tb olive oil
lemon juice
balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper (to taste)

Drain chickpeas and pour into a bowl. Chop red onion and garlic each coarsely, cube the cucumber.

If you are cooking a fresh ear of corn, do so and then cut the kernels off the cob.

Add the ingredients together and mix.

Depending on the size of your salad, add about one to two tablespoons of olive oil, a dash of lemon juice and a drip of balsamic. This is where you can really customize the salad based on yours and/or your guests taste preferences. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!

What are you favourite post-workout recipes?

names.

I really try to live my life without hate. Hate takes time and energy out of what you really should be doing in the present, and personally, causes me to worry. Most of the time, it's about something stupid that I can fix easily.

However, I really hate Mondays.

There's something so lovely about Sunday that you lose when the alarm goes off in those early hours after the day is done. Monday never works for me, as I feel like I'm jarring or throwing myself into situations too quickly. This is where I get overwhelmed.

Tonight I decided to throw away all my emotions and head to yoga class. As fate would have it, one of my favourite teachers was leading the class. Having been away from my studio for four months, my teacher put her arms around me and said, "It is so wonderful to have you back Portia."

Being a camp counsellor, I hear hundreds of names each summer, but must admit that I have forgotten most of them...and it's only been a few weeks. I had no idea that everyone would still remember my name, my quirks in my practice and favourite posture (dancer, duh) so clearly after not seeing me for months.

To know that a little thing,

like a teacher remembering your name

can turn your mood around.

This changed my Monday.

Now to find this when I'm in the edit suites during school, that's the next challenge.

Here's the chant we do in Anasura yoga and the translation. It's beautiful and reminds me to look back inside and to the simpler things when the going gets rough.

ॐ Om
Namah Shivaya Gurave
Saccidananda Murtaye
Nisprapancaya Shantaya
Niralambaya Tejase
ॐ Om

"I offer myself to the Light, who is the True Teacher within and without,
Who assumes the forms of Reality, Consciousness and Bliss,
Who is never absent and is full of peace,
Independent in its existence, It is the vital essence of illumination"

Namaste.

PS - made is to 20,000 views! I'm over the moon and in love with you all. I will be having a little surprise coming soon, keep your eyes peeled.

chord.

Here we are, almost done our first last week of school (at least for the time being). It's scary, knowing that people are starting to look at jobs, start careers and leave the university nest that has been home for the past four years.

It's beyond exciting, but terrifying all at the same time.

Last night at my yoga studio, I came out of class and saw this quote on the chalkboard outside. It hit such a chord with me to stay totally in the moment and take each day at a time. None of this getting way to stressed about the future. If you're prepared and ready to go, those things will come.

Yes, it's essential for me to plan ahead, and that's just part of the process. WIth that preparation and comfort, we can live even more in the moment.

Just a thought.

lemon.

Must say that I'm a tad freaked out by this antigravity yoga business. Nonetheless, the experimenter in me is dying to try it out, just for fun.

resist.

My yoga teacher said something really interesting in class this evening.

"We cannot fight change. Resist it, yes, but at the end of the day, the fight can make us weaker."

Well this put me in a bit of a funk. Somewhere between the bird-of-paradise and happy baby poses, all I could think was about things I wanted to change, but may physically or mentally not have the capability to do. But yet, things I can't control are changing around me all the time.

As I was pulsing my foot against the ground, bind with my arms around my back, I figured it out and gave in. It's been said before - you can't change fate but you can embrace what the challenge may be in that moment.

My teacher said to practice tonight like it was your last yoga class ever. I decided to challenge myself and do a full bird-of-paradise. I thought I could fail miserably, but tonight, I was able finally make it up on my bad leg.

Change isn't the enemy, it's out resistance that can be.

Just a thought.

(I got pretty freaked out when I thought about tonight being my last yoga practice, and it made me realize how much I love doing it!)

suits.