Yoga CD

hello all! Wanted to give you an update on the progress with my upcoming Yoga CD. I'm going to record the CD during the second week of March. The Yoga CD is going to include: a one-hour Yoga practice, a guided meditation, and some mantra chanting. Look for more information to be released here on the blog soon. Tentative release date is scheduled for the last week in March.

"Finding" Time to Practice

One of the most common questions I hear from students, teachers in training, etc... is, "when do you find time to practice Yoga?"

I encourage you to answer a few questions:

- What counts as a Yoga practice?

- Why do I want to practice?

- Am I attached to what happens in my practice?

Food for thought:

- Every moment is an opportunity for practice. Think of life as a perpetual opportunity to learn. Standing in the line at the grocery store you can rotate your inner thighs back, extend your spine up, and practice some deep breathing.

Bring your Yoga practice off your mat and into your daily life. Riding in the car is an excellent time to focus on extending the spine, rotating the buttock flesh down, and lifting the low belly.

As Westerner's, we need to be creative in our practice. Yoga doesn't have to be practiced in a quiet room all alone. Instead of mindlessly repeating your daily tasks think about incorporating the principles talked about in Yoga class into your routine. Ex: practice standing poses (like Tadasana in the shower! ;-)

It is VERY important to specifically set aside time for your meditation and Yoga practice. Start slow with goals for five minutes then work your way up. Also, remember that the whole point of practicing Yoga is to tune into your body, spirit, and mind - so one pose done mindfully for several deep breaths is a Yoga practice.

- Think about what your motivations for practicing are. When you sit down, honor yourself by connecting with the part of you that wants to be nourished by your practice. All the reasons to practice Yoga/Meditation/Wellness are created equal. Taking time to really root ourselves in intention can enhance the spiritual aspects of any practice.

Examples of intentions: Listening in, softening the heart, Letting go, tapping into to energy, spreading love, etc.

- Let go of expectations when you sit down on your mat and center yourself. Open yourself up completely to the unique moment presented you and allow inspirations to come, guiding you sometimes into poses that you didn't "plan" on practicing that day.

Your body is constantly trying to communicate with you - listen! Sometimes our mind will tell us that a vigorous, backbending practice is best - when truly a more nurturing, restorative practice, would serve our highest good that day. If there are poses where you feel resistance, practice those more often with an open mind. Everyday you practice is unique, all moments are once in a lifetime.

Finally, as many times throughout the day send gratitude in to yourself, to God (light, breath, Jesus, etc), to all living creatures, etc. Find things to be thankful for, like health, going deeper in forward fold, or feeling love and respect from a friend. No moment is to small to feel grateful for!

Sweet Potato Hash Browns

A delicious recipe for a brightly colored twist on the traditional potato hash browns.

Ingredients:

1 medium sweet potato, rinsed, unpeeled and chopped into large pieces

3 red skinned potatoes, rinsed, unpeeled, and chopped into large pieces

1/3 butter nut squash, rinsed, seeded, and chopped into large pieces

2 small zucchini, rinsed and chopped into large pieces

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil,divided

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon creole seasoning

1 teaspoon cajun seasoning

freshly ground black pepper

1 large tomato, diced

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a food processor, grate sweet potatoes, red potatoes, butternut squash, and zucchini. Mix grated vegetables, half the olive oil, and seasonings together to combine and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, heat remaining oil and butter over medium high heat. Place grated vegetables in the hot skillet in two batches, flatten with a spatula. Turn every 3 minutes until lightly golden brown. Serve immediately with diced tomato.

This recipe is a great way to pack in a variety of vegetables and colors into your meal!

Adjusting for your dosha:

Vata: replace red potatoes with extra sweet potato or squash. Reduce the creole seasoning to half tablespoon.

Pitta: replace sweet potato with extra red skinned potatoes and/or butternut squash. Replace creole seasoning with unsalted lemon pepper seasoning. Replace cajun seasoning with basil.

Kapha: overall, this is not a kapha friendly and is not recommended.