Shadows of Serenity is released ~ a magical realism novel from Marsha A. Moore

Joyce Runsey spends her life savings to open a yoga studio in an historic Victorian St Augustine house, only to discover the property is haunted. A female ghost’s abusive and very much alive husband still tortures her by using dark witchcraft. The disruptive energy thwarts Joyce’s ambition to create a special environment to train students to become yoga teachers.

Joyce engages in a deadly battle with not only the tormented spirit, but also the dangerous husband. To protect her students from harm, she must overcome mounting obstacles. An unknown swami pays an unexpected visit to give advice on how to free the anguished ghost. Can Joyce comprehend and follow the wise man’s guidance in time to save everyone who depends on her?

Read an excerpt on my website.

Available to purchase at Amazon.

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Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy and fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous, epic fantasy romance. Or enjoy a magical realism tale of a haunted yoga studio with SHADOWS OF SERENITY. For a FREE ebook sample of her writing, read her historic fantasy short story, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

2013 transitions open the door for a wonderful 2014!

I seldom make resolutions at the start of a new year since I make more than enough all year long to keep me too busy--to which my husband can attest. But the end of 2013 was marked by three noteworthy transitions, which together taught me much and are opening my life and writing world to wonderful new horizons.

For most of the past year, I’ve been busy attending a yoga teacher training program. The personal introspection involved in that journey taught me much about myself. It was an arduous but invaluable training. I will be forever grateful for those who shared that path. We graduated in early December, but their spirits will remain with me always.

At the very same time, I closed the sale on a property I owned that had been my mother’s. Many of you know I helped her through a difficult struggle with dementia until her passing. Emptying, cleaning, repairing, and selling her property was one more goodbye in a string of many. But as my final tangible responsibility to her, it marked a passage and a moment of growth.

A third transition caught me off guard with the release of the fifth and final book, Quintessence, in my epic fantasy romance series—Enchanted Bookstore Legends. All year I’d been eager to actualize completion of the long and interwoven tale. Yet when I approached writing the last five chapters, I fought against myself to finish the book. I puzzled over my hesitation—not writer’s block since I well knew how the storyline ended. It surprised me to feel emotional, a sense of loss upon leaving my characters and their world with the final words. Now, like a parent, I stand back, proud of their achievements, and am eager for readers to enjoy the final adventures.

With so much closure, my slate feels squeaky clean as I look to 2014. New paths await! In my yoga teaching world, I’ll be pursuing an extended training to become certified to help injured veterans with adaptive yoga therapy. With my writing, I’m eager to follow a fork in the fantasy road to bring my readers some magical realism. I’ve been planning this shift for a few years. I’m so excited, ideas are spilling into my fingers!

I feel fortunate to be able to pursue these new journeys with new clarity.

I wish you all a great 2014!

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Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

What is Yin Yoga?

Yoga has been a part of my daily life for twelve years. The peaceful inner strength it fosters definitely shapes my writing, my outlook on life, my relationships, everything.

This past Sunday I attended a yoga workshop that was very new to me—Yin Yoga. Most strength-based practices are designated as Yang type, masculine and powerful. Yin is feminine and softer, a slow stretching of deeper tissues.

Yin yoga has been popularized in Western Culture by teachers Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers. I own and use three recorded teachings of Paul Grilley—they’re wonderful. His technique incorporates ideas related to traditional Chinese medicine, qigong, and Taoist yoga. Yin yoga improves the flow of chi or energy through the body. It is often used to prepare the body for meditation postures, where flexibility is required in the connective tissue, ligaments and tendons of the hips and spine.

In a yin practice, the asanas or poses are held for much longer, usually three to five minutes, but can be held for as long as twenty minutes. The reason is while muscle, being more elastic, stretches relatively fast, the connective tissue requires much longer. Only after the muscle is fully stretched will the deeper tissues respond. Obviously, patience is needed.

By now I’m sure you’re thinking it hurts to hold a pose that long. Not really. The tissues soften and release. It is work, but more to embrace the stillness than to hold the pose. We want to move; seldom do we remain motionless. The only difficulty I had was getting out of a few poses. After loosening, it was sometimes tricky or unnatural to find the route back to where I began.

The practice is a wonderful balance to any strength training, whether Yang yoga, weight-training, or any muscle-building sport. Increasing your range of motion through Yin is a benefit those activities do not emphasize.

While I’ve practiced Yin with recordings many times, the live instruction was rewarding. It was beneficial to have an instructor help position me according to my specific body structure. The workshop I attended was taught by yogini Tiffany Cantrell. http://tiffanytheyogini.com  I highly recommend her instruction or the study of Yin Yoga in general.

Namaste.

Art credit: Phantasien by Veronika Pinke

Video Saturday: How not to pick up girls in yoga class!

Keeping with the yoga theme of my past few posts, here's a fun one!

What do you do with a cranky muse?

When does your writing muse demand a break? What sorts of diversions does she expect before she’ll calmly sit at the keyboard again?

Mine always seems to throw a fit after I finish edits on a manuscript. Once it’s submitted, she balks and doesn’t want to be near the computer. I guess I should consider myself lucky, since during the writing process, no matter how long, she’s compliant. I’ve heard some muses are cranky and must be bribed with chocolate cake. Mine just expects a treat after working hard. Seems fair enough.

After a new book submission, last week was her week to get away and see the real world. We did some spectacular things I’d wanted to do for at least a decade. 

Jai Uttal

One night I attended a kirtan led by Jai Uttal and his percussionists. What’s a kirtan? It’s a traditional Indian spiritual group singing event, a sort of sing-a-long using names of Hindu gods and goddesses as well as other words of prayer. I’ve been a fan of his for about a decade and it was a rare treat for him to play here in Tampa. The event was held at the yoga studio The Lotus Pond, inside its lovely log cabin nestled within the woods. The room was warm and inviting with wool carpets on the floor and tapestries on the walls. Jai led us through three kirtan songs lasting nearly two and a half hours. The energy of lifting our voices together singing those devotional names and words was moving, inspiring, and relaxing. I'm including some pictures I took at the kirtan.

Later the same week, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a master yoga class led by the world-famous instructor Shiva Rea. Sponsored by Yogani Studios of Tampa, it was held in the old Cuban Club of Ybor City. I went with a small group of awesome yoginis from my local yoga studio.

Shiva Rea

The theme of the evening was mandalas, circular Hindu and Buddhist art. In the ornate, old ballroom, our yoga mats were arranged in concentric circles around a center informal altar with statues of Hindu gods, candles, flowers, incense. Over 150 students practiced with her for more than two hours. The vinyasas (series of poses) flowed in circular patterns, again following the mandala theme. She was accompanied by a wonderful percussion band that kept us moving. My body embraced greater ranges of movement, and my senses drank in the aesthetic beauty—together it formed a holistic experience which was truly uplifting. 

Natural lighting was utilized to add to the ambiance through the sunset hour, so photography was limited, but here are some pictures from the early hour of the event.

Julie, Angela, Marianne, me

It’s a very cool thing my muse refuses to write a few weeks during the year, so I get to do such neat things. 

When does your writing muse demand a break? What sorts of diversions does she expect before she’ll calmly sit at the keyboard again? Muses are all different. Let me know about yours.

Marketing my book at a yoga studio open house?

Yes, indeed, and it was a great time!

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of joining the excitement at the Apollo Beach Yoga's Open House. I was invited by the owner, Julie Chavanu, to bring materials to showcase my latest book, Tears on a Tranquil Lake. I was pleased to speak with many folks who were interested in my book.

The event was lots of fun with new folks to meet and plenty of tempting foods to nibble. An introductory Tai Chi class was presented. Several teachers were on hand to discuss a variety of yoga styles. The studio has recently expanded into a wellness center, offering massage and reiki  therapies. Both therapists were available to demonstrate samples of their treatments. I received my introduction to Reiki--an intriguing experience. Very cool!

A wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Jule Chavanu, owner, and Angela, both yoga instructors

Angela and April, awesome yoginis

Sandy, Lisa, and me in a deep discussion

Video Saturday: Is it ballet or yoga?

For the second day of my A-Z Blogging Challenge, showcasing the letter "B," I'm showing the similarities between Ballet and yoga.

Variations On Surya Namaskara, also known as Sun Salutation

This is a common vinyasa or flowing yoga asana sequence. I'm amazed by the beauty...and difficulty.

Phillip Askew, yoga instructor, and Lydia Walker, formerly of the School of American Ballet, present their "Variations On Surya Namaskara" as part of Columbia Ballet Collaborative's Fall Show at New York City Center Studio on November 22, 2008. With the improvisational accompaniment of pianist Jonah Rank.

Video Saturday: Power Yoga Pedestrian Stoplight Signal!

It's Saturday and that means another great video find. A yogini pedestrian stoplight signal! A large part of my life has been spent studying and practicing yoga, so I found this very cool. Hope you enjoy it too!

Traffic light by Li Ming, courtesy of www.yankodesign.com