Feast on Gratitude

Food fuels much more than the body.  A good (or bad) meal can bring strangers together and friends closer.  It is no wonder than many religious traditions celebrate breaking bread as a community.  It is truly with intention that a meal unites bridging the gaps of time, language, and age.

My allergies to dairy and gluten can present a challenge at restaurants or with friends and family; however, I have been blessed with beautiful meals that have indeed been shared with love.  As I write this, I feast on gratitude for those that have put a dash of love on my plate.

Here are some delicious recipes I have enjoyed with friends and think you will too!

Tahini Sauce 
1/4 C lemon juice
1/2 C canola oil (I usually use olive)
1/4 C tamari or Bragg's (I use the coconut aminos)
1/3 C tahini
1 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1/4 C water

Combine in blender and blend until smooth.  Tastes delicious with blanched kale.

Honey-Balsamic Bean Salad - This salad has a zippy flavor that can be a lil addictive.  ;)  Would also be good with cherry tomatoes and a bit more romaine than the recipe calls for.

Spinach Quinoa Socca Cakes - Full of flavor, these cakes are good any time of day.  The "batter" can be made and stored in the fridge for a quick healthy dinner or breakfast.

Wild Stuffed Roasted Squash - The stuffing is good in and out of the squash.  I recommend adding oil and spice to the squash prior to stuffing.

Do It In The Tub

Now that we're all well versed in Toilet Yoga; let's get off the ahem mat (?) and do some yoga in the tub.

A lil soak in the bath warms the muscles and begs for the body to loosen with a little movement.  Relieve the hamstrings with a seated forward bend.  Assist the body in removing toxins with a twist.

No time for a bath, no worries strike a pose under the shower.  As the water flows, so can your body from chair to upward salute.  Don't stop there!  Wash your hair and take it to a backbend or warrior II as you reach for the loofah.

Let's quit texting in the bathroom and do some yoga!

Explore the Possibilities

Opportunities greet us everyday.  I can use this letter to remind you to seize the day and tell you doors are opening all around but I won't.  You know this and feel the pressure to do more, be more and know more.  So I am not going to add to the stress our productivity-driven culture exudes.  Ultimately I would like to encourage you to live mindfully - aware of your experience in this moment.  

I invite you to bring to mind opportunities that have presented themselves to you this day or this week.  How did you respond?  With many opportunities presented everyday, do you notice all of them?  Even the small ones?  How do you typically respond?  Knowing what those answers are for you... is that how you want to live?  Maybe today or this weekend you can make time a minute or five to sit with this or meditate to hear what your inner voice has to say.

Feel free to check out the 38 Ways Yoga Keeps You Fit to help motivate you to find or continue your yoga practice.  You may also be surprised to read why I practice yoga which I share in a new blog posting.

I hope to see you at a class soon.  Remember a mat is always open for you no matter how long it has been. 

with joy I bow to you namaste

Lynn Marie 

Confidence

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.  -Henry David Thoreau


I urge you today to really believe your own magic. Believe you are beautiful. Believe you are wonderful. I promise you, you are enough.  -Thais, Living in the (k)Now Blogger

Explore the Possibilities Today

Explore the Possibilities today... don't wait. There are so many opportunities that we may put it off until tomorrow... when we have more time. Well the days aren't getting any longer, so why not try it now.

• Aromatherapy - put a drop or two of an essential oil on the edge of your shower. Anatural diffuser will scent an entire room in no time without polluting your home with all the harsh carcinogenic chemicals of traditional home scents. Here are several more easy aromatherapy ideas. (My favorite brands of essentials oils are Aura Cacia andHankettes.
• Meditate - this step by step (only six of them) meditation to Invoke Joy will help you calm your mind and find balance anywhere, any time in only a few minutes.
• Breathe - With breath it becomes effortless to maintain balance and feel grounded throughout the idea. Bring intention to your breath with these ideas from my blog.
• Yoga - Practice at home, in the office or while you are waiting in line. Try this classic Sun Salutation sequence or if you don't want to get on the ground try this Half Sun Salutation. Or join me in class this week. 

Change Our Thought Patterns

It is amazing what happens to our practice when we change our thought patterns. A once seemingly unattainable pose is struck or balance is found. It is with intention or affirmations that we open ourselves to more possibilities. It is on the mat that we practice bringing awareness to our thoughts and off the mat we hope to continue. If you come across a thought that does not serve you pick a new one. Here are some intentions to use:

• I am open to possibilities. 
• I send my fear on vacation. 
• I release all limiting beliefs I place on myself and others.
• I am open-hearted. 
• I choose to see this as sweet grace.

You might like...

Why We Do Yoga On An Empty Stomach

67 Way to Be Healthier in a Minute Or Less

Natural Resources

Hankettes Essential Oil Blends - Great essential oil blends. Put a drop or two on the edge of your shower and the steam will turn your morning ritual into an aromatherapy haven.

Priti NYC - Non-Toxic Nail Polish

Health Benefits

The Benefits of Meditation

Five Surprising Ways Yoga Affects Your Health

Through the Eyes of a Child... A Bird's Song

An unexpected text from my brother-in-law led to a smile-filled lunch at King & I Thai.  Over a plate of three sushi rolls, TJ has no shame in eating huge amounts like me, we hear a lil voice "oooo."  We turned to Mallory, my almost two-year-old niece, who was grinning ear to ear then quietly says, "bird."  TJ acknowledged the bird out the window.  Mallory wasn't happy with that; then we hear the background music.  So soft and delicate, much the same as Mallory's voice, the bird shared a solo.




What great lessons Mallory taught us...
Slow down and listen.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Beauty is everywhere.
It is not always the obvious answer.
Your voice is heard.
Share your happiness.
Let your smile light the world.

Why Do I Practice Yoga?

A friend recently asked me, "Why do you practice yoga?"  I can go on and on about all the reasons why someone should practice yoga.  From the well researched health benefits of yoga to the intangible things a yogi feels from the practice.  So, one would think I would rattle off my answer rather easily.  However, being mindful of my response wanting it to be one of truth and not knowledge, I was not so quick to answer.

I have found that the reasons people come to or continue to practice yoga can fit into 6 categories  

Sport | Fitness Training | Therapy | Lifestyle | Spiritual

When I began my practice in 2004 I was looking for stress relief and physical fitness benefits.  But as time passed and my health changed I turned to my practice for therapy.  The yoga path behind me I knew, but I had not given much thought to my current reasons until presented with this question.

With a few deep breaths, I exposed my vulnerability and acknowledged the challenge of this question.  Through the conversation, I realized I primarily practice for what it does for my Spirit.  There are several days a month my practice is about physical benefits - assist my digestive system, loosen my muscles or get my sweat on.  Other times it is for fun; I simply enjoy yoga similar to a musician enjoying time with their instrument.  The majority of my intentions for stepping on to the mat and practicing off, is that of balance and spiritual opening.

I find that my practice grounds me.  Through asanas (poses), pranayama (breath exercises) and meditation I am able to release control, let go of worries and come to the present moment more fully.  I feel alive, patient, non-reactive, grateful, aware and so many other things.  My ego no longer leads; my Spirit guides.  As a heart-centered person I find my Spirit (residing in my heart) thrives when I maintain a regular yoga practice.  (Please note that I am not using the term yoga as defined as only poses rather yoga defined as the union of mind, body and spirit.)  

This explains why I practice yoga.  Perhaps in another post I'll share why I teach.  Until then, I encourage you to dive into the question, "Why do you practice yoga?"  The practice is beautiful because we bring our individual intentions, whether the same or different, to the mat and find them met.  So what is your intention for practicing?