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from stuck to success (or, there’s an ostrich in my bathroom)

April 26, 2013

In my bathroom, I have globs of peanut butter jamming up the sink drain, 0s & 1s raining from the shower head and a raincoat hanging where my towel used to be. Oh — and a hungover ostrich propped over the toilet. Why??? Because I’m reading a new book, The Plateau Effect, and I find it deliciously fascinating to play along.

The Plateau Effect is the most powerful force of nature you’ve never heard of.  Plateaus are the reason all good things come to an end: why trends fade, relationships fail, people achieve less from doing more.  Anything I want to do better — yoga practice, run a business, learn to paint with watercolors — begins with understanding the forces that drive plateau effect.  The Plateau Effect is about being able to spot and overcome a plateau for the quickest, most effective way to achieve human potential and happiness.

I have an advance copy of The Plateau Effect: Getting from Stuck to Success
courtesy of the publisher that makes the chaos in my bathroom look positively brilliant.  On the back cover: AUTHORS PHOTOGRAPH © CHRISTINE GACHARNA (that’s how I got the sneak peek.) The book is available for pre-order on Amazon and releases next Thursday, May 2.

A candid of authors Bob Sullivan (foreground) and Hugh Thompson:

I even gave them a horizontal crop option.  :)  But of course, the final image was a bit more textbook:

About the authors: A veteran investigative journalist for NBC News, Bob Sullivan is the New York Times bestselling author of Gotcha Capitalism: How Hidden Fees Rip You Off Every Day-and What You Can Do About It
and Stop Getting Ripped Off: Why Consumers Get Screwed, and How You Can Always Get a Fair Deal.  He has made multiple appearances on NPR’s “Fresh Air,” The Today Show and other NBC programs.  Hugh Thompson taught mathematics and computer science at Columbia University.  He is currently the RSA conference program chair and is an internationally sought-after speaker.  These entrepreneurial analysts have forty years of experience between them researching, writing and analyzing systems and human nature.

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Christine Gacharna - May 9, 2013 - 3:04 pm

Bob M Sullivan discussing THE PLATEAU EFFECT on WWL 870AM at 10:10AM!

Christine Gacharna - April 30, 2013 - 3:38 am

Hey Twitter users — a chance at a free book — @DuttonBooks: Follow us and RT to enter to #win a copy of THE PLATEAU EFFECT by @redtapechron and @DrHughThompson – US only.

Christine Gacharna - April 29, 2013 - 2:11 am

reminded me of our early 20s, of course! no seriously, not so much stuck out as so easily remembered — I mean, I truly have a relationship with that ostrich now. really a lightbulb moment. (read the book, people. then you’ll see what I mean.)

Robin Edelstein - April 28, 2013 - 11:39 pm

I’m going to read it! All of it:)

Bob M Sullivan - April 28, 2013 - 11:07 pm

I’m glad it’s the hung-over Ostrich that stuck out for you from the book. I wonder why?

Jeff M. Verges - April 28, 2013 - 4:29 pm

Looking forward to reading.

John Downey - April 27, 2013 - 2:42 am

great post. will read.

Eleanor Lynch - April 27, 2013 - 12:05 am

Book sounds very fascinating.

Jingjing

January 16, 2013

It’s NOT possible NOT to love a girl named Jingjing.  Seriously.  (I know, double negative.  But I’m serious.)  She’s like a fabulous little porcelain doll.  I want to scoop her up and put her in my pocket and carry her with me everywhere.  :)  Not literally, but you get what I mean.

I met Jingjing in yoga class.  Born and raised in China, she came to the U.S. for college, fell in love, graduated and never left.  She’s an accountant and an Etsy artist, East and West, she cycles effortlessly between Chinese numbers and English words — a very rare mix of right and left brain.  She’s one of the most delightful, educated and interesting people I know.

 

[The first four images were shot using a Fujifilm X-E1 with a 35mm.  I haven't had much time to play with it yet, and it was totally premature to use it during a studio session, but my initial reaction is that I could have done the entire shoot with it no problem.]

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Jingjing Yu - January 21, 2013 - 5:09 am

@[1299990219:2048:Lisa Weidman] lol, the camera was good, the photographer was good, but they are not as good as ME! lol!

Jingjing Yu - January 21, 2013 - 5:08 am

@[100001292016610:2048:Lisa Na] love sis!!!! >.<

Jingjing Yu - January 21, 2013 - 5:08 am

@[100003792994062:2048:Shuangze Tang] ?????????????

Rhiannon Tiger Clause - January 18, 2013 - 4:34 am

<3 I miss you two!

Lisa Na - January 17, 2013 - 8:42 am

u r beautiful inside and out! :D

Alicia D. Odewale - January 17, 2013 - 5:30 am

Wow my little jingaling is all grown up. I don’t know how I feel about this lol. U look even more beautiful than I remember.

Shuangze Tang - January 17, 2013 - 4:38 am

????????

Lisa Weidman - January 17, 2013 - 3:02 am

Like, seriously, you look amazing!!!

Lisa Weidman - January 17, 2013 - 2:58 am

UMMMM…GORGEOUS!!!!

Shanna Clevenger - January 17, 2013 - 2:41 am

great pictures….

Jingjing Yu - January 17, 2013 - 2:35 am

Love it LOVE IT! >.<

Certified Professional Photographer. !

January 16, 2013

When I was in college, I made up a list of things that I wanted to do with my life.  Somewhere in the Top 3 was to learn — really learn — how to use my camera on manual mode.

As an undergraduate, I enrolled in a photography class in the Art Department (something I now advise beginners not to do) where my instructor gave me a “C” and told me to move on.  So I did what any broken hearted college freshman would do: I went back to the English Department and embraced my first love, writing, which took me to graduation and graduate school and subsequent Real Jobs.

Fast forward 20 years. On my way out the door to make Christmas Eve party rounds with my family, I stopped to grab the mail and discovered my Christmas gift to myself:

“The Professional Photographic Certification Commission would like to extend its congratulations to you on passing your Certification Exam.  Your image portfolio was reviewed and your images passed the rigorous standards that our PPCC judges have set for the program.  Since you have completed and passed both of these steps, your CPP process is now complete.  Congratulations!”

On the way to the second party, I noticed the letter was addressed to Christine Gacharná, CPP.  :)

“The Professional Photographic Certification Commission is the leading body for certifying imaging professionals.  Certified Professional Photographers must complete a written examination, an image evaluation and adhere to a stringent code of conduct.  PPCC recognizes less than 2,000 Certified Professional Photographers.”

The best I can describe the feeling is a deep sense of accomplishment, not for me per se or for my photography business, but rather for my 19-year-old soul whose struggle is somehow vindicated.  That’s a CPP after my name, Harrison!  My undergraduate instructor inspires me to teach photography not by his subjective standards or fear of youthful competition but by the mastery of technical skills which then blossom into an individual’s unique perspective as an artist.  It’s not so much the recognition or the photo credit or the referrals or the commissions or the letters after my name; it’s about accomplishing a goal and sharing what I love.  (Having said that, it’s also nice to be respected and compensated for my work.)

Suffice it to say, I can now put an official checkmark next to “learn — really learn — how to use my camera on manual.”  :)

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Lauren

May 17, 2012

Lauren is a personal trainer and a power yoga instructor at my studio (click here to see her schedule!)  She’s a former collegiate runner who discovered she could prevent injuries by practicing yoga.  She’s also an actress, an aunt and she makes a mean homemade peanut butter cookie.  One day in her class, I caught myself thinking I wish I was photographing her rather than trying to keep up with her chaturangas.  And so I did.  It was a fun studio twist, me putting Lauren in the pose and watching her work to hold it rather than the other way around.  :)

 

 

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Yoga Booty Ballet

March 14, 2012

We do the best we can at the yoga studio to introduce Yoga Booty Ballet with words:

“Yoga Booty Ballet is a fun, sexy and spirited workout that will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired. Work your body, engage your mind and lighten your spirit as you practice this East-meets-West amalgam of meditation, cardiovascular dance, ballet, Kundalini and hatha yoga.The results are immediate and long term. Students consistently complete class feeling better about themselves than when they arrive.

The meditation element serves to focus busy minds as well as awaken dull ones.  The dance portion improves cardiovascular endurance, promoting weight loss and improved body composition.  The ballet section increases strength and agility, building muscle and bone density. The yoga sections promote flexibility, balance and inner wellness.  Classes are fun and easy to follow, designed to draw out individual self-expression in a comfortable, non-competitive environment.Various dance styles explored include jazz, hip hop, burlesque, Latin, Bollywood, go-go, and more.

Come dance, play, and fall in love with your body!”

Hard as we try to paint with words, there’s still something missing.  It isn’t until you step into Courtney’s class that you feel the full expression of a Yoga Booty Ballet class — the beat of the just-right playlist, the laughs, the stretching, movement, smiles and fun.  So we got an idea: lets take some pictures and record a short video that we can put on YouTube so people can SEE, HEAR AND FEEL Yoga Booty Ballet!

Last weekend, Courtney (pictured below in the green scarf) brought her tremendous flair for music, fun and dance to a special weekend class and the ladies moved through mirror-slaps, flashes, and long, distracting lenses pointed right at them without missing a beat.  I’ll post all of the images and the video when we’re finished editing, but I wanted to share these final two shots with a big :hug: and thank you to all who participated!  :)

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Sha - April 8, 2012 - 11:11 pm

love the pics! :smile:

Brooke

March 13, 2012

I’ve had some fun the last few months photographing instructors from my yoga studio.  Brooke is the first of these sessions:

 

Brooke teaches at Namasté and 5 other locations in New Orleans.  She is the owner of YogaLagniappe.com and serves on a local alumnae board with me, which is how we originally met.

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christine - March 13, 2012 - 10:06 am

:) Made my day. I’ve learned a LOT since those days in my garage, including how to photograph a very tall yogi without her feet extending off the confines of the backdrop (Brooke is tall like you!) and how to grab plank quickly (I tell them all about you and that 3-minute plank you held for me to get the perfect shot!) and I’ve also since learned how incredibly difficult it is to hold plank, let alone hold plank, smile, breathe and instruct all at the same time!

You wouldn’t even have to move to New Orleans, you could just bring all your boys over for a summer visit. I’ll put you to work as a guest instructor, so the whole trip will be a tax write-off.

Wait’ll you and Myra see my next yoga studio post — it’s a product shot. You won’t believe what my brother found in Oregon. If that doesn’t get you two here for a visit, nothing will…

Elise - March 13, 2012 - 9:31 am

Very cool photos!! How long did you make her hold plank? ;-)
I miss you so very much! These photos make me want to move to new Orleans and sip wine with my dear friend!! Love you!!

the Rowell family

December 10, 2011

How lucky am I?  I fell into this beautiful, lively, friendly, interesting family simply by moving in!

And I love my job.  :)

 

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Lori - December 10, 2011 - 1:11 pm

Wow, absolutely beautiful! Love them all – thank you!

Christopher and Colin

December 9, 2011

Adventures in holiday family portraits isn’t just for kids — it’s fun for the whole family!  Just ask the parents of any 2-year-old boy, and their stories will make you laugh.  :)

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Eliza

November 19, 2011

Baby Eliza is my very special, first official portrait session in the Big Easy.  Giving credit where credit is due, she came with confident parents who never ran out of stamina.  Eliza is flashing her best grin not for the photographer but for the studio soundtrack — her Mommy’s amazing voice, singing original songs inspired by Eliza!  I was in awe.

 

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Carlos - November 20, 2011 - 12:12 pm

Wow, great job Christine. Beautiful photos.

So…I bought a yoga studio yesterday. !

November 10, 2011

Three weeks ago, I set out as an aspiring student in search of a yoga studio.

Today, I bought it.

The journey from Point A to Point B was every bit as whirlwind and/or crackpot as it must sound, plus some.

The short story version begins with the move to New Orleans. First things first: find a new dentist, chiropractor, doctor for the kids, hair salon. Get the kids settled in school and into their new routine. Learn my way around and the quirks of traffic. Meet my neighbors.

After those details of life (that we tend to take for granted until suddenly they are no longer routine) are once again familiar, I begin Phase II: figuring out where I fit into it all.

And when there’s figuring out to do, I do what I’ve been doing since junior high: I go running.

And while running clarifies, simplifies, strengthens and empowers just about everything for me, it doesn’t offer much in the way of flexibility. This is especially true when I stop. Stretching my reach toward my feet to untie my laces after a long run reminds me of my mere mortalness (to say nothing of my age.)

Yoga. I need a yoga class. For years, I’ve been chasing the perfect yoga class. In the D.C. area, class times either conflicted with morning carpool or coincided perfectly with commuter traffic. New Orleans, on the other hand, serves up yoga classes easily and conveniently. I was thrilled to find a studio in my neighborhood.

And then I learned, talking with my instructor after class, that the owner was closing the studio in December. Crushed by the news, I lingered in the doorway and took in my little snapshot of this community I’d just discovered. Something in me shifted — that’s the best I can describe it.

I drove straight home and asked my husband how he felt about buying a yoga studio.

• • •

Fast-forward through three crazed weeks of talking with investors, bankers, accountants, attorneys, friends, family, neighbors and just about anyone who will listen to last night, when we met with the owners, Dave and Jen.  We made a formal offer, and they accepted. Looking back, that moment when Dave and Carlos shook hands and Jen and I embraced encapsulates all that is this yoga studio we are buying: a business — one welcomed by and entwined with community. Our community. Our new home.

“Bloom where you’re planted,” wrote my graduate school advisor when I announced the move to New Orleans. “You always do.”

A lotus blossom, perhaps?  :)

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Randy Smith - January 26, 2012 - 9:54 pm

Congrats Christine!
Wishing you all the best!

Randy

Danny P - November 25, 2011 - 8:51 am

C, SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! Hope it not only profits your wallet but you soul. And would a ganja leaf be so bad? Has enlightened plenty of journalists and writers over the years. ;-)

Susan - November 19, 2011 - 3:57 pm

Wow, congratulations, Christine!! That is exciting news. I wish you all the best! Namaste.

Schulze - November 15, 2011 - 1:32 am

Absolutely awesome! You are kinda crazy, and I’m sure that is what makes you who you are! You are outstanding and a model for many of us who should do more things like this. Kinda outside of our box, so to speak! Congrats and good luck with this new adventure!

Trevor Hadley - November 14, 2011 - 10:06 am

Hey Christine,

I just wanted to let you know that you are officially the 15,000 client of MBO. You are kind of a big deal around and just wanted to let know that you are now part of MINDBODY history. Congratulations and welcome!

Best Wishes,

Trevor Hadley

Ray - November 10, 2011 - 3:19 pm

That’s incredible, Christine. Congratulations.

You always surprise, in a good way.

christine - November 10, 2011 - 12:04 pm

Thank you!

Woodhams, you make me laugh. :) How’s this?

mark - November 10, 2011 - 11:51 am

ummm…looks more like a marijuana leaf than a lotus blossom.

Teressa - November 10, 2011 - 10:25 am

How absolutely exciting!! I love yoga and am green with envy but tickled pink you’ve found something…..something wonderful!!

Erin - November 10, 2011 - 9:10 am

Namaste!