The scoop

Hello loves! For those of you that have been wanting an update on my current teaching/job situation here goes...

I have already lined up a teaching job with Dharma Yoga Studio here in Greenville, SC

Check out their website:http://www.dharmayogastudios.com/

Over the next few weeks I'm working towards branching out and teaching at other facilities including possibly Corporate Yoga.

I'm also going to be serving at a lovely fine dining restaurant in the heart of beautiful downtown Greenville called Larkin's on the River.

Check out the menu at: http://www.larkinsontheriver.com/catering.htm

My other plans including gathering research and completing literature reviews regarding Yoga and Wellness. Future plans include hosting Yoga workshops, and opening my own Wellness Coaching Business.

In addition, I am enrolled in two distance learning programs:

Spencer Institue: to become a Certified Wellness Coach.

Check it out: http://www.spencerinstitute.com/

Traditional Yoga Studies: a three year 800 hr course that thoroughly covers the history and philosophy of Yoga.

Check it out: http://www.traditionalyogastudies.com/

peace and love all!

Simply Delicious Summer Side Dishes

Simply Delicious Grilled Corn

Sometimes less is more... by cutting out traditional fixings like butter and salt you allow the sweet natural flavors of the corn to shine and the hint of black pepper gives it a nice kick.

Ingredients:

6 corn on the cob, skin and husks removed

2 tbl. oil

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat up the grill. Brush corn with olive oil, sprinkle with black pepper, wrap in a thin layer of aluminum foil and set aside.

2. Once the grill is hot and the fire has died down, place corn on the grill rack, cover and cook for 30-40 minutes turning occasionally.

3. Let cool before serving.

Nutrition Facts: 6 servings

Calories 137

Total Fat 8 g

Saturated Fat 1 g

Monounsaturated Fat 5 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g

Protein 3 g

Carbohydrate 17 g

Dietary Fiber 2 g

Cholesterol 0 mg

Sodium 13 mg

Potassium 243 mg

* Nutrition Facts were calculated using Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Sauteed Asparagus and Mushrooms with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Tomato-Basil Goat Cheese

The creamy characteristics of goat cheese pairs well with texture of the vegetables and the strong flavors of the sun-dried tomato to make an addictive combination. Try this combo. over green beans or broccoli for a delicious alternative! Using water along with olive oil allows the water to burn off protecting the nutrient composition of the olive oil which has a low smoke point and may be damaged by high-heat.

Ingredients:

2 tbl. extra virgin olive oil

2 tbl. water

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 lb. asparagus, rinsed and ends removed chopped into 1-1/2 pieces

2 c. shitake mushrooms

6 sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in hot water and chopped

2 oz. tomato-basil goat cheese

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and water. Once heated add in garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.

2. Add asparagus and mushrooms and saute for 5-7 minutes or until desired stage of doneness is achieved. Set aside.

3. Sprinkle sun-dred tomatoes and hand crumbled goat cheese over the vegetables, season with black pepper if desired.

Nutrition Facts: Serves 6

Calories 107

Total Fat 8 g

Saturated Fat 3 g

Monounsaturated Fat 4 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g

Protein 6 g

Carbohydrate 7 g

Dietary Fiber 2 g

Cholesterol 8 mg

Sodium 108 mg

Potassium 434 mg

Cilantro Lime Rice with Diced Tomatoes

Fragrant rice loaded with cilantro and salsa verde - a definite crowd pleaser! Top with fresh red tomatoes for a little color serve with extra lime wedges for even more citrus flavor.

Ingredients:

1 c. water

1 c. salsa verde (green salsa such as Herdez)

1 c. basmati rice

1-1/2 tbl. fresh cilantro, washed and finely chopped

1/2 c. diced tomato

lime wedges (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Pour water, salsa verde, and rice into a medium sized sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and let simmer for 25 minutes.

2. Remove from heat and stir in fresh cilantro. Place diced tomatoes in a serving bowl along with lime wedges.

3. Serve immediately and top with diced tomato.

Nutrition Facts: Yields 6 -1/2 c. servings

Calories 127

Total Fat <1g

Protein 3 g

Carbohydrate 28 g

Sugars 2 g

Dietary Fiber 1 g

Cholesterol 0 mg

Sodium 260 mg

Photo Credits:

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/296/2963009ee9cf5062a07be3c9aa17edc4_db5.jpg

http://buyorganicvegetable.com/images/Sweet%20Corn.jpg

http://www.dshedu.com/Research/Mycology/LentinulaEdodes/shiitake_mushrooms_m.jpg

CD's are in!

"Yoga: Exploring the Practice." is officially available for sale at this time! Within the next few days the CD will also be available on any legal music downloading website including: iTunes, amazon, rhapsody, napster, etc.

The flat rate for CD's in person are:

1 for $10

3 for $25

They vary in price online and can be found at the following places:

CD Baby - Buy album or download - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/KeriRogersRYT

Inspiration for the cd came from a wide array of my students who wanted to be able to carry my teachings and voice with them out of the classroom and into their homes. The CD includes a one-hour hatha (physical) Yoga practice, a meditation with healing nature sounds, chanting of a Sanskrit mantra entitled, Ohm Namah Shivaya Gurave, and a small window into the world of laughter Yoga.

One aspect of my teachings that my students claims to inspire them is the background information as to the purpose and benefits of the practice that is woven throughout the class. Core strengthening is emphasized in this sequence as well as focusing on leg strengthening and hip opening. Most students report that this is of a light-to-moderate intensity practice.

This CD is intended for individuals who are familiar with Yoga and would feel comfortable practicing without a physical image to look at. Practitioners should call on the intelligence of their own body, and past experiences to fully dive into to this practice.

The posture names are given in their english form and for any questions about what a pose should look like go to: www.yogajournal.com.

Thanks to all those who came to the Album Release Picnic held earlier this month in Statesboro, GA. We were surrounded by sunshine and enjoyed snacking on a wide array of foods ranging from Tomato-Herb Bruschetta to Crustless Tofu Mini Quiches.

Soon after, their was a group Yoga practice accompanied by a drum circle. Very fun - thanks to all who contributed!

Acknowledging the Choice

Yoga, an ancient Indian science and philosophy has roots in major texts like the Vedas that were created over 5000 years ago. The practice of Yoga encompasses a wide variety of tools to aid individuals in their pursuit of happiness and union with God. Yoga is such a large and complex entity that is practiced very differently in the east than in the west. Within the USA the diversity of hatha Yoga is incredible! Truly there is a type of Yoga for every person on the planet.

Due to the great diversity in the practices it is a very challenging to task to define the word in a timely manner. Astanga or Raja Yoga is the most popular of the Yoga's here in the West that is an eight-fold path with many options for practice. Astanga Yogas' eight paths or limbs includes the practice of hatha Yoga (physical practice of Yoga on mats). There is a lot of variation between the many paths of Yoga however they are all pointing toward the same common goal.

We all find ourselves practicing Yoga of many forms for a wide array of reasons, with unique bodies, and life experiences. When a group of students join together to share a hatha Yoga practice they are choosing to unite in the present and inspire one another to breathe deep and let the mind calm. No matter what brings you to your Yoga mat in class or what brought the person next to you there today - you have all chosen to join together.

In order to walk the strong, healthy, body you are blessed with into the Yoga room you had to make a choice to be active and engaged, to go out and avoid those urges to be lazy at home, and let go of all the pressures of daily life. That choice is powerful. The options for one moment are absolutely limitless and you chose to put everything else aside for a bit of time to share Yoga with others, calm your mind, promote your health, and enliven your spirit!

Life is truly perpetually presenting us with the opportunities to make choices. Every choice we make will undoubtedly have a consequence and even a lack of choices has consequences. This, choice, or growing awareness of choice is to me one of the more subtle lessons of Yoga.

In hatha Yoga classes we take charge of the parts of our being and spend time listening in. The simple yet daunting task of quieting the mind and tuning in is a devotional practice and with time leads an individual to a greater understanding of themselves, their relationships, and the nature of life itself. Knowing more about themselves, one is greater able to evaluate choices, and to do more feeling when it comes to decision making. The dual nature of emotions, all of which stem from a place of self-love or self-hate will become gradually more apparent. Normal scenarios that would set you off into a panic or rage begin to feel more surreal and one day you find yourself mentally debating whether or not you are going to cry or smile.

The more you practice Yoga the more in tune you become. The more in tune you become the more aware you are of an underlying choice in every situation. When you become aware of the choice you are empowered to direct your life in the pursuit of your own happiness and connection to God. We are all individuals and define God in a variety of terms, like: life force, breath, love, universe, Allah, Jesus, Krishna, or energy. No matter how you define God sending gratitude and love to a higher cause of any sort is good for the soul :-)

The practice of Yoga is what you make it... the choices are limitless!