Style – MEGAN BETTIS

DFW | Jenny Lewis

April 13, 2019June 28, 2019Leave a comment

After going through a brief bout of “WTF?!?” after my break-up in late December, I quickly found myself itching to surround myself with the things that bring me joy – yoga classes, hiking, friends, group dinners – oh, and the arts! Theatre, live music, visual art – you name it. Basically all the things I hold nearest and dearest to my heart that had been but on the back-burner during my relationship.

When I found out that Jenny Lewis (one of my all time favorites/spirit animal) was dropping a new album and stopping in Dallas on tour, I immediately bought tickets and asked a girlfriend if she’d be interested in joining.

It turned into one of the best weekends I’ve had in forever. Music, laughter, friends, art, tacos x3, yoga… perfection. I could try to write how much fun we had, but sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Here is our weekend in images.

Jenny Lewis at Canton Hall.

An afternoon at The Modern in Ft. Worth.

Before dinner at El Bolero.

When your dog steals the show.

April 13, 2017June 28, 2019Leave a comment

Let’s face it: No matter how brilliant, attractive, funny, or charming you are… If there’s a baby or a dog around, they steal the show. No questions asked. Cute wins every time.

I should have known better. But I let Mr. Darcy tag along to a Nativ photoshoot a few weeks ago. Not only did he photobomb about 70% of the images, but he stole the show with his excess of sass, style, class, side eye, and superior athletic ability.

No, seriously. I’m almost 5ft2. Dude has jumps.

Images by Mandy Yelvington.

Meet Mr. Darcy

April 12, 2017June 28, 20191 Comment

I’m pleased to introduce Mr. Darcy, the babydog love of my life. We’ve been together since February 6, 2016 when he moved into my place at the ripe old age of 6 1/2-weeks-old. We’ve had our ups and downs, and even have the occasional spat, but overall we get along. While Mr. Darcy learns most of the tricks, somedays it feels as if he’s the true teacher in this relationship. Each day is an adventure.

Name: Mr. Darcy (Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy Bettis)

Alias: Darcy, Darce, Puppy, Little Dingo, Babydog, Devilbeast

Breed: Australian Cattle Dog (AKA: Red Heeler)

Age: 1 year, 4 months

Sign: Capricorn

Favorite snacks: Peanut butter, carrots, bell pepper slices (especially red!), Brussels sprouts, Ace & Tito’s Treat Co‘s biscuits, and Pizza Mutt Treats by DogChewz NYC.

Likes: Herding, Running, jumping, swimming, barking to hear his own voice, tug-of-war, digging mama out of bed at nap time, NPR

Dislikes: City buses, sirens, bass, baths, snuggling

Nativ | Texan

April 11, 2017June 28, 20191 Comment

When people ask where I’m from, I almost always reply: Texas.

I spent my childhood in Little Rock, but I was born in Dallas, transitioned into womanhood in Austin, found my true calling in the great state of Texas. Theoretically, we all continue to grow and evolve as the years pass, but from ages 18-32 I feel like that change is pretty profound. Maybe it’s because so many of the experiences are unprecedented, or perhaps with newfound understanding of yourself and the world you interpret and absorb things differently. I have spent literally half of my life in Texas. It is home.

You can guess my answer when Mandy Yelvington messaged me asking my origin for a project she was working on with, Nativ, a local apparel company. Nativ believes that no matter where you roam, adventure, explore, or wander – your roots are with you always. Home isn’t a location, it’s a part of who you are, and how you experience the world around you. Nativ has finally introduced state collections so that we non-Arkansans can enjoy their clean designs, bright colors, and super soft t-shirts and tanks. You can check out all of their awesome products at www.livenativ.com. And as they say… Wander far.

Images by Mandy Yelvington.

Image by Mandy Yelvington

BASIK CANDLE CO | Keep it BASIK

April 2, 2017June 28, 20191 Comment

BASIK CANDLE CO is a San Francisco-based producer of handcrafted, naturally scented candles and home fragrance goods. They believe that what you leave out is just as important as what you put in, and they create environmentally friendly products made of specially blended natural coconut wax, 100% cotton wicks, and skin-safe, phthalate-free fragrances infused with essential oils to create a product that you can feel confident burning in your home. Sometimes less is more.

The man behind BASIK CANDLE CO is my dear friend, Travis Troyer, and I had the privilege of assisting him in the launch of the company’s website while in San Fransisco two weeks ago.

Here we are in Mexico on my first yoga retreat this past January. (Note: He is going to be super pissed that I shared this photo.)

Let me tell you… when I offered to help, I had no idea what I was getting into. Here are some behind the scene photos of what goes in to constructing each BASIK CANDLE:

First, pounds of coconut wax are melted in this black crockpot-like contraption. This takes for-f*cking-ever. As the wax melts, Travis measures specially-concocted, super-secret, delicious-smelling fragrance oils in that clear beaker looking thing which is also weighed for accuracy on the flat shiny object that closely resembles an iPad. Travis has done hours upon hours (and hours) of testing research to find the perfect combination of wax-to-fragrance ratio.

Next, we inspected each and every candle jar to ensure there are no imperfections. We hand-cleaned the jars (coconut wax + matte black = FINGERPRINTS EVERYWHERE), glued the 100% cotton wicks to the bottom and Travis poured the wax mixture into the jar. (Note: I was not to be trusted with this last step.)

The wicks are held taut by these silver wick-holder devices, to ensure the wicks stay in place while the wax cools and sets.

While the wax cools, Travis does important candle business things, and I was able to help with the labels. HELLZ YES, I GET TO HELP. Little did I know, helping means taking that glorious black felt marker and coloring the edges of each label since they are white. Travis has informed me that this is ugly and unacceptable.

I have suggested hiring an assistant for this step of the process. While edging labels isn’t difficult, it is tedious and time consuming. It also made me acutely aware of how much time, thought, and effort goes into every aspect of generating BASIK CANDLE CO products.

We continue to wait for the wax to cool and set. This takes a really, really long time.

Eventually it is time to cut the wicks, apply the labels, add the lids, and box the candles so they can go home to all of the wonderful people of the world.

You can purchase your very own BASIK CANDLE by going to www.basikcandle.com. You can also follow their adventures on Facebook + Instagram.

I’ll also be burning my favorite scents before class at the front desk at Barefoot Studio and in my Thursday 8:30pm Candlelight Flow class. Hope to see you there! xx

How to Create a Kick Asana Playlist

April 25, 2016June 28, 2019Leave a comment

Designing a playlist is very similar to pairing wine with a gourmet meal – you want the music to compliment your yoga sequences. Music, like yoga, sets the mood. It is therapeutic, affects our mindset, and elicits a myriad of emotions. Music makes us feel. Combining music and asana practice can have a very powerful effect if done well.

Songs should match the energy level of the class. Have you ever gone to a candlelit restorative class set to disco or heavy metal? No, because that’s about as chill and relaxing as jumping into an ice bath.

Slow moving yoga like Yin, deep stretch, or classes for beginners pair well with more ambient background tunes – think Euro Lounge or Americana. Save the more upbeat genres like pop, hip hop, and electro for Power Yoga, Vinyasa, and other yoga classes designed to get your blood pumping.

Know your audience. Seniors in your Gentle Yoga class do not want to hear the new Taylor Swift. The class you lead at the church does not want to yoga to gangster rap.

On the other hand, those 20 and 30-somethings on their mats first thing Saturday morning are ready to sweat out last night’s cocktails. They will probably be willing to overlook a few questionable lyrics if the beat can help them groove through six sets of abdominals. Honestly, they probably won’t even notice questionable lyrics over the sound of their abs screaming. I, personally, am a huge fan of giving an especially loud cue when I know profanity is coming up.

How to build your playlist.

Push play and go! Match the length of your playlist to the length of your class. Teaching is way more fun when you can focus on your students, your sequence, your cues, and not have to mess with your phone.
Stick to one or similar musical genres. As much as I love both The Weeknd and Black Sabbath, it is difficult (if not impossible) to place them on the same playlist in a cohesive way.
If you like to begin class by verbally guiding students through pranayama or other exercises to help set the class tone, consider instrumental music. For most of us, it’s easier to focus on one voice at a time.
As a general rule, there should be a direct correlation between yogi heart rate and musical BPMs (beats per minute). As breath flows and movement builds throughout the asana practice, so should the tempo. As cool down begins, the music should slow as well.
Abdominal exercises are best approached like running – people need super upbeat music to help power through.
Choose a calming song for savasana. Instrumental music is great because there are no lyrics for wandering minds to attach to. If there are lyrics, make sure they are either positive or neutral. Yoga practices often leaves us feeling raw, vulnerable, and emotional. If you can avoid making the mid-breakup yogini burst into tears during her time for meditation because the song just happens to be about love in some abstract way, do it.

Where to find music. Friends, family, your own personal stash of musical favorites. Take requests, ask for suggestions. Pandora, iTunes Genius, Spotify playlists and radio. I draw from a playlist comprised of songs I hear in passing that I think might be good for yoga class. Mix and match songs that you love with the tolerable songs from the radio that your students will love.

In the end, make sure you’re playing music that moves you. When you’re feeling inspired, that energy will leak into your teaching and into the hearts of those whose practice you guide. Plus, you’re the one hearing the same playlist over and over. Life’s too short for mediocre jams.

Chihuly Exhibit at Dallas Arboretum

December 1, 2012June 28, 20191 Comment

To welcome the first day of December (and Dallas’ 80 degree weather) we spent the morning at the Dallas Arboretum visiting the Chihuly Exhibit. Since so many of Chihuly’s sculptures have been inspired by nature, a botanical garden couldn’t be a more perfect setting.

Here are a few of my favorite sculptures:

Reeds (1995)