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Karen Callan poses outside her studio in Tucson, AZ. Callan’s book “Just in Time: How to Find Joy and Synchronicity in Every Moment” was just published, and she will be at the Author’s Pavilion at the Festival of Books. The book explores her relationship with her grandmother, who influenced her life and her attitude, creating Karen’s connection to yoga and the benefits it produces. Photo taken Wednesday, February 12, 2014. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star. |
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Author and yoga lover Karen Callan exudes happiness in her home studio. Callan’s book “Just in Time: How to Find Joy and Synchronicity in Every Moment” was recently published, and she will be at the Author Pavilion West at the Festival of Books. Callan’s book explores her relationship with her grandmother, who greatly influenced her life and her soul, leading to her connection with yoga and its benefits.
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Article from The Arizona Daily Star published on March 13, 2014With scraps of paper scattered around her, Karen Callan sat on the floor of her home’s yoga studio and organized the chapters of her first book.
She spent more than a decade scribbling stories of inspiration and heartache on yellow legal pads, preferring handwriting to typing. She likes the flow of it. The stories begin with Callan’s relationship with her grandmother, Rosa Moore, a woman who taught her that “I love you” existed even when the phrase was mostly absent from Callan’s childhood home. Callan credits her grandmother’s joyful vigor to yoga, a practice the older woman discovered in her 40s at the suggestion of a doctor. |
She remembers her grandmother sitting in chairs with legs crossed in full Lotus pose and blazing confidently down the sidewalk, even in old age. Callan turned to yoga in her 30s as a treatment for her own health issues.
“Just in Time: How to Find Joy and Synchronicity in Every Moment” weaves family relationships and what she calls “divine” moments of serendipity.
Callan, 50, has planned on writing a book since high school. When she started jotting down moments with her grandparents and coincidences sprinkled throughout her own life, the book blossomed.
“I used to joke that you could write this down, but no one would believe you,” Callan said. “(Synchronicity) happens every day in my life.” Callan describes her life now as joyful and easy, but it has not always been that way. As a teenager, she was a “hard worker and A-student” but found her life serious and without happiness. She contemplated suicide.
“I went into this deep meditation right before I was going to take my life, and I saw the light, so to speak,” Callan said. “I experienced a peace that was greater than I had ever experienced and a love that was so deep, it literally is what I stuck to, moment to moment, breath by breath.”
Shortly after that realization, a friend introduced Callan to writing. Now, in both her writing and through her studio, RosaYoga, she hopes to share her love of life with others.
“I could do yoga on the kitchen floor. I could go outside. I do it everywhere,” she said.
Her home studio, converted from a living room in 2003, looks out to the Catalina Mountains. She teaches a Vinyasa Flow class several times a week. Throughout the years, her husband and four children have flitted in and out of classes.
“Yoga is not just physical,” Callan said. “It is a way of life, which is what my book is about ... The practice of what we do in a regular class brings us to noticing every moment, staying in tune and following our breath.”
A table tucked in a corner of the studio holds photos, one of her grandmother and another of a 5-year-old Callan standing beside her siblings on one leg, the sole of her foot pressed to her knee. It is how she stands naturally — tree pose.
“It’s full circle, and now I’m the grandma,” Callan said. “My book came out the day after my 50th birthday. It’s the beginning of my next chapter.
Isn’t that something? I love it. Every little turn is just amazing.”
Contact reporter Johanna Willett at jwillett@azstarnet.com or 573-4357.
Photo credit - Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
“Just in Time: How to Find Joy and Synchronicity in Every Moment” weaves family relationships and what she calls “divine” moments of serendipity.
Callan, 50, has planned on writing a book since high school. When she started jotting down moments with her grandparents and coincidences sprinkled throughout her own life, the book blossomed.
“I used to joke that you could write this down, but no one would believe you,” Callan said. “(Synchronicity) happens every day in my life.” Callan describes her life now as joyful and easy, but it has not always been that way. As a teenager, she was a “hard worker and A-student” but found her life serious and without happiness. She contemplated suicide.
“I went into this deep meditation right before I was going to take my life, and I saw the light, so to speak,” Callan said. “I experienced a peace that was greater than I had ever experienced and a love that was so deep, it literally is what I stuck to, moment to moment, breath by breath.”
Shortly after that realization, a friend introduced Callan to writing. Now, in both her writing and through her studio, RosaYoga, she hopes to share her love of life with others.
“I could do yoga on the kitchen floor. I could go outside. I do it everywhere,” she said.
Her home studio, converted from a living room in 2003, looks out to the Catalina Mountains. She teaches a Vinyasa Flow class several times a week. Throughout the years, her husband and four children have flitted in and out of classes.
“Yoga is not just physical,” Callan said. “It is a way of life, which is what my book is about ... The practice of what we do in a regular class brings us to noticing every moment, staying in tune and following our breath.”
A table tucked in a corner of the studio holds photos, one of her grandmother and another of a 5-year-old Callan standing beside her siblings on one leg, the sole of her foot pressed to her knee. It is how she stands naturally — tree pose.
“It’s full circle, and now I’m the grandma,” Callan said. “My book came out the day after my 50th birthday. It’s the beginning of my next chapter.
Isn’t that something? I love it. Every little turn is just amazing.”
Contact reporter Johanna Willett at jwillett@azstarnet.com or 573-4357.
Photo credit - Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Book Reviews
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A warm and gentle prose.................
By Gloria Flores Jackman on January 12, 2014 Format: Paperback a beautifully written book which takes the reader on a historical and spiritual journey. Karen writes lovingly from her heart as she introduces us to her adventurous and gregarious Grandmother Rosa. Lessons are learned and shared on the way that inspire and fulfill the reader. I read it all the way through in one sitting! Highly recommended. ***** By elizabeth on January 23, 2014 Format: Kindle Edition Amazon Verified Purchase Sometimes the right book comes along at the right time. For me that was “Just in Time” in more ways than the title suggests. I was grieving over my husband’s death and finding it difficult to find joy in my daily life. This book inspired me to reflect on who I am and where I am going. It offered me insights on how to value myself, and how to find joy again in everyday things. This book is well-written, the advice gently purveyed, and the sheer love of Karen for her grandmother and life itself shines through on every page. A most enjoyable read. Facebook reviewer – Carolyn Kisner “This book reaches people through their defense. The biggest thing that hit me was my ego and your recommendation regarding "silence". The entire book was full of RELIEF.. I’m not sure I'll ever look at things the same way again. Since I read the book. I have looked for synchronicity everywhere and it doesn't disappoint. It’s so strange. There is a song called ‘I Will Never Be The Same Again.’ That's what a week of studying your book did to me. I want everyone to feel that. I can honestly say that to be true. I will never be the same again.” |
Must read
By Judy Cochrane on January 6, 2014 Format: Paperback I received this book a week before the tracking date. I opened it at 8:45 pm thinking I would read the chapter titles and start it the next day. After reading three chapters I realized I was still standing up at my kitchen counter, the exact location when I took it out of its box. With ease and grace I finished it before midnight feeling deeply connected to the people in the book and also reminded of my own ancestral connections and the signs that I so often see when I am being present. The unconditional love that emanates from the story is so beautiful and also a reminder of how much good we do have in us and also shows it's effect on others. Beautifully inspired & In joy JC Cochrane A Must Read!!! By ShoeDiva on January 7, 2014 Format: Paperback Once I opened this book, I could not put it down! The author takes you through her life lessons and shares insight in how to be in the present. I cannot wait to read it again; I'm sure I will learn something new every time! Bravo!!!A joy to read and learn from |
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What is time? |