Peace Not Perfection

I had a dream the Dalai Lama was performing a ritual similar to a foot washing ceremony. He said to me, “You did very well on tests in school?” To which I replied, “Yes.” He then said, “Life isn’t a test to perfect.”

My dream reminds me to be ok with mistakes, let go of control, and to stop over-analyzing everything and everyone. With that story in mind,

• What are you trying to perfect or control in your life?  How can you loosen the grip? 
• Is there a pose or sequence in your asana or physical yoga practice that you can enjoy for what it is today?

I think life is better experienced lightly. Taking things too seriously or making things personal blocks my view reducing joy and peace in my life.

May we lighten up and enjoy this moment for all that is, as is.

Fuel Level

The other day my car let me know its fuel level was low.  I began to wonder...

• What are the signs my fuel level is low?
• What happens if I ignore them?
• What do I do to refuel, recharge and restore myself?

For my car, the first flash of this warning means 48 miles to empty and the second less than 30.  I go to the gas station before it reaches zero and there is no problem.  If I ignore the the signals from my car, it's toast.

My body and emotions warn me with sugar cravings, lethargy, irritability, aches, extra emotional responses, lack of patience, pains, etc.  Of course, I can blame these things on a number of things like stress from work, family or lack of sleep; however, blame does not fix my low fuel level.  Instead I turn to my yoga practice, music, book, or a friend.  Oftentimes a walk outside lifts my spirit and calms my nerves; however, when time or location do not allow I use my mind's eye and within a few deep breaths I'm there.

What will you do today to recharge?  Will you take a couple deep breaths right now?

Almond Milkshake [Dairy & Sugar Free]

Summer begs for us to satiate our sweet tooth with a cold treat. This milkshake is easy to make, full of flavor and filling. The vitamins, minerals and other nutrients come from their root source which allows the synergistic effects to help your body absorb and embrace the benefits.

I don’t follow a diet but rather make choices in what I eat to best support my mind, body and spirit. Sounds like it could be called a holistic diet then. Anyway for me, eating foods free from dairy, gluten, sugar, chicken and rice keeps me strong and full of life. I’m hoping you’ll love this treat too!

Almond Milkshake

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds (soaked)
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup (wet measure) medjool dates [about 15 medium sized dates]
• 3 Tbs. almond butter 
• 3 Tbs. raw cacao powder
• 2-3 tsp. vanilla extract 
• 1 Tbs. coconut butter
• Pinch sea salt

Directions:

1. Make almond milk by blending 1 cup soaked almonds with 3 cups of water and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
2. Pour 1 cup of the almond milk in ice cube tray.  2 cups of almond milk should remain.
3. Add 1/2 cup medjool dates as a wet measure.  To do a wet measure add the dates into the milk and measure by how much the liquid rises. With 2 cups of almond milk, you will add the dates until the milk rises to 2 1/2 cups. Make sure the dates are fully immersed in the liquid.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients (almond butter, cacao powder, vanilla, coconut butter & sea salt) to the blender of milk and dates.  
5. Blend well to emulsify the dates.
6. Chill the milkshake.
7. Add 1 tray of the creamy almond milk ice cubes 
8. Blend on low to break up ice cubes.
9. Pour & enjoy =)

Recipe inspired by Chaya-Ryvka.

Opening Our Hearts

How are you sitting?  Is your spine round or tall?  Is your chest open or closed?  We reverse this slouch with yoga by arching the back in back bend poses like cow or cobra.  In our asana or physical yoga practice, heart-opening has become synonymous with back bends.  My Holistic Approach to Wellness, embraces the triangular factors that influence each other in creating balance or imbalance; meaning when we work with the physical body in our asana practice, we also work with the emotional and chemical body.

Not only do we sit slumped over our keyboards but also when we stand, walk and eat.  Is it any wonder that a majority of us are hunched over physically guarding our hearts?  Are we afraid others will hurt us or that they may be disappointed to see who we really are?  I wrote about my experience in opening myself after experiencing hardship in the article Trusting to Bend Back.  Back bends or heart openers have a way of showing us the courage that lives within while exposing our vulnerabilities.

Those often strong poses that build heat and energize also have the potential to give us feelings of hope and strength.  What does it mean to open our hearts?  My cues in practice usually include, "Tuck your tailbone.  Lift the shoulders and glide the heads of the arm bones back.  Lift your heart by squeezing the bottoms tips of your shoulder blades together.  Strengthen your back body to open the front."  I may even add, "Soften your heart.  Feel the warm space in your chest."

Yoga begs us to take the practice off the mat.  In a Ted Talk, Brene Brown suggests we honor what is ordinary in our lives as an idea to open our hearts.  Her work dives into individuals' willingness to numb themselves to avoid vulnerability suggesting that it comes at the cost of experiencing happiness.  The cues that guide us to opening our heart continue with practicing gratitude and awareness of the present moment.  By expressing ourselves, we accept the ultimate invitation to vulnerability and open our hearts to ourselves as well as those around us.

What is your asana or physical yoga practice making you aware of emotionally?  Are you protecting your heart?  What from?  How can you embrace vulnerability?

I leave you with this final tip... hug your friend, spouse or child to the right to align your hearts creating a physical and emotional connection.

What I Mean

I am continually asked, "How often do you practice yoga?"  To which they get an answer much longer than expected.  Most people define yoga as the physical practice or asana.  I practice yoga everyday; however, to me yoga is much bigger than a physical on my mat practice.  I love taking advantage of a teaching opportunity, so I explain the difference between yoga and asana then circle back to their intended question which I will elaborate on more in a later entry.

Here I have defined a few words I use often in class and writing:

• Yoga - to yoke or union of mind, body, & spirit; to put to active and purposeful use; to hitch up. Essentially, yoga has come to describe a means of uniting, or a method of discipline. 
• Sanskrit - an ancient Indic language 
• Hatha - describes a type of yoga which encompasses meditation, pranayama and asana 
• Meditation - the observance of life 
• Pranayama - breath control exercises 
• Asana - physical poses of yoga 
• Spirit - mind, consciousness, essence, divine, or other definition you find applicable 
• Savasana - deep relaxation that typically occurs at the end of class 

I thought you might also like this nice resource of 200 Key Sanskrit Terms as defined by Yoga Journal.

May you find your practice of yoga more frequent than your time on the mat.

Chair Yoga for All

A little yoga in a chair reaps benefits for just about everyone. From increased feelings of relaxation and mental focus to improved circulation and energy levels, taking a little time to practice yoga will GIVE you time. Try one or all of these at your desk, dining room table or in any other chair.

• Sit with good posture. From a Seated Pose, sitting close to the edge of the chair with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle. The ankles below the knees and the feet hip width apart. Lay your hands on your thighs or knees. Roll your shoulders back and blades down resting them on your back. Lengthen your spine by lifting your torso towards the sky beginning with the crown of the head. 
• Feel your breath. With mouth closed, inhale through your nose allowing your belly to expand and chest to lift. Allow the air to fill your lungs. When your lungs are full, exhale through your nose allowing your chest to lower and belly to contract. Do not strain to hold or release the breath. Invite your breath to be smooth and even - inhale matching the length to your exhale.
• Move your spine through seated Cat Cow. Lay your hands on your thighs, palms down. As you exhale, round your spine pulling your belly button toward the wall behind you. Release your head forward, but not forcing your chin to your chest. As you inhale, lift your chest toward the ceiling, allowing your belly to push forward and look up. Repeat. 
• Seated Forward Fold.  Inhale, and keeping the front torso long, lean forward from the hip joints, not the waist. Your hands will rest on your thighs as you extend your torso over your legs. With each inhalation, lift and lengthen the front torso just slightly; with each exhalation release a little more fully into the forward bend. As you bend, continue to reach your sternum out past your knees.
• Move your arms. Inhale inviting your engaged arms to lift out at your sides and up towards the sky with your palms facing up. Your gaze follows. On the exhale, lowering your arms and gaze to the earth.
• Bend to the side. Rest your left hand on the seat of the chair. Inhale raise your right arm toward the sky. Reach your entire side body up. Exhale to bend to your left. Stay as long as you would like with a free flowing breath. Repeat on the other side.

May you find peace in your body.

A Sweet Gift

Yes, YOU are the sweet gift. It is you who shares a smile so bright it lights up the room. Just by being you, a sweet gift is given to others - one of love, happiness and peace.

Your inner beauty inspires me to share more ideas to balance and connect with your brilliant being. I want you to know how valuable you are... not because you "did" anything... but because you are you. I am truly honored that in your times of joy, stress and celebration you choose to practice with me. I enjoy being welcomed into your holiday, wedding and family gatherings and maybe even more so into your every day.

I want to give you opportunities for rest and relaxation. Let me take over the plans of food and weather. Let me give you an afternoon to connect with your spirit. Perhaps it is time for you to give to yourself or suggest to another (for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, graduation, or ...) that you would like a retreat. Perhaps a retreat is just what you need to nourish your body and soul.  I have completely changed the "structure" of my Illuminate You Yoga Retreats and will be posting the details for the 2013 opportunities soon.

Those useful suggestions, intentions and links you have come to appreciate are always streaming in my social media outlets as well as my blog Always a Yogi. As always let me know if you have any questions. I hope to see you soon... remember a mat is always open to you no matter how long it has been or your current physical/experience level.