Books – The Inspired Stone

Yoga Things

Posted on August 2, 2017September 9, 2017 by Monarch Way

Tried And True

2,100 Asanas By Daniel Lacerda is a great book whether you like to challenge yourself at home or whether you teach yoga and need a good reference guide. I use this book weekly to challenge both myself and my students.

Cleaning your mat is a must. So I recommend a mat spray. You can find tons on Amazon or at Target. I like the Asutra Natural and Organic Yoga Mat Cleaner that also comes with a microfiber cleaning towel.

I typically wear my Nike Studio Wraps for Barre but if I am going to a hot yoga class I love the extra grip these shoes give me.

Wish List

Magic Carpet Yoga Mat

Manduka Yoga Strap

Yoga Blanket

Manduka Cork Block

Dog in Lotus Pose Figurine

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Japan Itinerary

Posted on April 17, 2017September 8, 2017 by Monarch Way

The first thing obviously before booking anything was figuring out what were the most important sights I felt I needed to see. I am pretty frugal so I wanted to find a way to see what I wanted without spending an insane amount of money. Originally, I thought we might just spend three days in Japan, but those three days were quickly increased to seven because I wanted to do more than just hang around Tokyo. I decided seeing Mt. Fuji, staying in a ryokan, and learning about the history of Japan were priorities. Personally, I was most interested in the history of Japan so I allotted for more days in Kyoto versus Tokyo. I also got a physical book, which was really nice because I had tons of information in one book rather than a million open internet browser tabs. I used colored tabs to mark my book pages for each city in Japan. I searched and searched for itineraries and researched the costs of guided tours as well as tried to figure out train schedules. I do not have it timed out but I think I have a least some what of a plan and though I am sure things will change, here is my current itinerary for my trip to Japan.

Tokyo, Japan

Day 1 (Day of Arrival)

CHUO Ward

Imperial Palace District [10 minutes from Tokyo Station]
- Hibiya Park (near American Embassy)
- Imperial Palace
- National Diet Building

Ginza District [Yuraku-Cho Line Subway from Imperial Palace or Hibiya Line Subway from Hibiya or Yamanote Line JR]

MINATO Ward

Roppongi District
- Tokyo Tower [along route of Hibiya Line]
- Hardy Barracks

Day 2

CHUO Ward

Asakusa District [Yamanote Line JR To Ueno]
- Tokyo National Museum (Open 9:30 AM-5:00 PM)
- Ueno Zoo (Open 9:30 AM-5:00 PM)

Day 3

Check Out Of Hotel
Leave For Hakone (51.39 miles)

Hakone, Japan

Day 1

Open Air Museum
Cherry Blossoms (Miyagino Hayakawa)
Pola Museum of Art
Hakone Glass Forest Venetian Glass Museum
Viewing Mt. Fuji
Latique Museum
Lake Ashi
Hakone Shrine
Owakudani Hot Springs

Day 2

Check Out Of Ryokan
Leave For Kyoto (233.22 miles)

Kyoto, Japan

Day 1

Fushimi (Southern Ward)
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
  [JR Nara Line- 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchichō, Fushimi-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 612-0882]
Higashiyama (Head North From Fushimi)
- Kiyomizudera
  [294 Kiyomizu 1-chōme, Higashiyama-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 605-0862]
- Tōfuku-ji
  [JR Nara Line- Japan, 〒605-0981 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Higashiyama-ku, 本町１５丁目778]

Gion District and Maruyama Park
[Maruyamacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-007]

Day 2

Shimogyo (Head South)
- Yumeyayata Kimono Rental 11:00 AM
- Tea Ceramony at Jinmatsuan OR Shosei-en Garden
- Return Kimono
Nakagyo Ward (Head North)
- Nijō-Jo Castle
  [541 Nijōjōchō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 604-8301]
Kamigyo (Head North)
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
  [3 Kyōtogyoen, Kamigyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 602-0881]

Day 3

Ukyo (Head West From Nakagyo)
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  [Walk from Saga-Arashiyama train station on road to Okochi Sansoa- 12 Saganonomiyacho, Ukyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 616-8393]
Kita (Head North East From Bamboo Grove)
- Kinkaku-ji
  [1 Kinkakujichō, Kita-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 603-8361]
Sakyo (Head East From Kita)
- Jisho-ji/Ginkaku-ji
  [2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8402]
- Philosopher’s Path
  [Tetsugaku-no-michi, Jōdoji Ishibashichō, Sakyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 606-8406]
- Nanzen-ji Temple
  [Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8435]

Day 4

Check Out Of Hotel
Leave For Osaka (34.61 miles)

Osaka, Japan

Day 1

Day 2

Check Out Of Hotel
Leave For Jinan, China

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Home and Health

Posted on January 13, 2016September 9, 2017 by Monarch Way

InnoGear 300ml 9-10 Hours Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser

Essential Oils Natural Remedies The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing

Asutra Natural and Organic Yoga Mat Cleaner

Everyone Body Lotion

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Summer Plans and Projects

Posted on May 19, 2013July 14, 2017 by Monarch Way

I finally get to spend more time using Rosetta Stone to learn Japanese. I starting reading my books last summer and then I got Rosetta Stone for Christmas and started using it immediately but school and work got hectic and I had less time to use it.

I have to lose ten pounds. I have been doing P90x and plan on purchasing 10 Minute Trainer to switch up my workouts.

I have had this book for over a year. I am determined to read it this summer.

I love all things mint. I love mint tea. I love mint green tea. I love mojitos. But I have never had a Mint Julep. My husband is from Kentucky, I don’t know how I have never had one. But I am going to try this recipe from Oh So Beautiful Paper.