Wednesday, May 8, 2013

May Schedule

Public Classes:

Tuesdays
5:45-7pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10

Thursdays

5:45-7pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10
Sundays
10:45am-12:00pm Restorative Yoga $10 
2-3:30pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10 


All classes at Greenville Yoga's Augusta Road location. Suitable for students of all levels.


Private Yoga Classes and Consultations:


Private Classes offered in a variety of locations around the Greenville area for individuals, couples, families, businesses, etc.  Health education consultations are available as well see website for details (www.BAYAWellness.com)

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Yoga Offers Relief for those with Low-Back Pain

According to a research study by the National Institute of Health, Yoga provides relief for those suffering with low-back pain when conventional health care has been unable to offer any relief. Recent studies suggest that a carefully adapted set of yoga poses can reduce pain in the back and promote quality of life. I love this video because it not only suggests it's healing capacity AND it emphasizes the importance of practicing yoga safely. When you are truly practicing yoga you are intuitively listening to and attending to the needs of your body and mind. Over years of practice I've realized that not every body should do every yoga pose, breathing practice, mantra, etc. We are all unique and ever changing. Our yoga practice should be a constant evolution that honors where we are in the present moment. Research like this is such a great affirmation that yoga with right application heals! :-) 


Friday, April 19, 2013

Spicy Crock-pot Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Chili and soups are definitely a go to food for me in the morning. I love how warming they are and how it can pack everything my body needs into one bowl. Best part is chili and soup are always better the day after so it's the ultimate reheat and eat food. When I have breakfast daily I try to sit down for 6-10 minutes and relax. It helps me prepare for my day. I can literally jump out of bed and run a million miles an hour. My body is wired on alert as soon as I wake up and something as simple as having breakfast that I have to sit down and eat makes me slow down so I can organize my mind and day. How do you set yourself up for a good day?

This is my latest creation and it's full of healthy nutrients like protein, vitamins and minerals. It's also full of nourishing fats from the coconut which will give the brain what it needs to guide you through a day of clear thinking! This soup is also loaded with fresh vegetables and dietary fiber for a healthy digestion.

Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Nut-Free, Paleo, Soy-Free

Ingredients:
2 tbsp bacon fat or coconut oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
4 small stalks celery, finely chopped
1-1/2 tbl. cumin
1-1/2 tbl. smoked paprika
1 tbl. ms. dash original seasoning mix
1 tsp. chili powder
1-1/2 lb. chicken thighs with bones
1 green bell pepper
5 kale leaves, stemmed and finely chopped
2 yellow squash, cut into half moons
1 can rotel with green chilies
3/4 c. coconut cream (could use 1 can of coconut milk)
1 qt. homemade chicken stock
sea salt
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
1 avocado, cubed (optional)

Directions:
1. Heat bacon fat or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onions, and celery. Saute 4-6 minutes until onions start to turn translucent. Add in spices. Stir and cook until fragrant (1 minute). Place vegetable mixture into a crock-pot.
2. Add all remaining ingredients to crock-pot except cilantro and avocado. Cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or until thoroughly cooked.
3. Remove chicken thighs and let cool 5 minutes. Using two forks pull the chicken from the bones and shred apart. Then toss chicken back into chili and stir to combine. 
4. Top with fresh cilantro and avocado and serve. :-)
*Recipe and photo by Keri Rogers.

Keri is an internationally Registered Yoga Teacher, creator of yoga props, and health lifestyle educator.  She owns and operates BAYA Wellness, LLC offering yoga classes, handmade props, and healthy lifestyle services. Keri teachers both privately and publicly around the Greenville area offering on-going classes and special events. 
BAYA... Be As You Are!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Yoga for High Blood Pressure

Here's another free yoga video featuring Keri and her friend Liz. This video is 11 minutes long but jam-packed with health tips. :-)

Monday, April 1, 2013

April Schedule

Public Classes:

Tuesdays
5:45-7pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10

Thursdays

5:45-7pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10
Sundays
10:45am-12:00pm Restorative Yoga $10 
2-3:30pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10 


All classes at Greenville Yoga's Augusta Road location. Suitable for students of all levels.


Private Yoga Classes and Nutrition:


Private Classes offered in a variety of locations around the Greenville area for individuals, couples, families, businesses, etc.  Nutrition, Wellness, and Yoga education consultations are available as well see website for details (www.BAYAWellness.com)

Monday, March 25, 2013

Yoga for Weight- Loss

Hi all! This is the first of a whole series of free video featuring Keri and her friend Liz. This video is around 11 minutes long and packed full of yogic wisdom on why we gain weight, exercise to help you shed excess pounds, and nutrition tips to bring you back to balance. Stay tuned for more free monthly videos. :-)


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Yogic Perspective on Stress

Keri teaching kids downdog
Let's face it all of us our stressed to one degree or another. Even our children identify with "feeling stressed out." When teaching a kid's yoga class to a group of fourth and fifth graders last September. I asked the children on the first day of the class what they hoped to gain from taking yoga. Their answers were impressive. Before me was a room full of brilliant 9-11 year old kids telling me they wanted to feel angry less and happy more.

One boy talked in particular about how stressed and angry he becomes when other kids pick on him. He said that he hoped yoga could teach him how to find inner peace and calm. By the end of a few months of once weekly classes, for whatever reason, he was able to do just that. When I asked the young boy at the end of the semester how yoga class had helped him, he told me that everyone around him comments on how calm he is now and that he is no longer known as the angry kid. He reported using his breathing practice to fall asleep, meditate, and before big tests to calm down. What a cool little guy.

It was so beautiful to see the kids come into class each week. Some of them feeling noticeably awkward and unsure of themselves. While other kids were just plain oblivious. They hardly knew that they had feet much less which one was right versus left. With a row of grinning teacher's pets lined up few inches from my mat, and some serious yogi's with a focus spread throughout the room. Ironically, I see the same types of students in my adult classes.

According to the study of psychotherapy, somewhere between the ages of 5-8 each individual makes some very important life decisions that shape their habitual ways of thinking. These decisions impact how to perceive and manage stress. During those young years of life, we may decide for example that we have to take care of everything ourselves if mom or dad are not "showing up" for us physically or emotionally. Then as we grow older, we continue to think those same thoughts and may end up in frustrating relationship with partners and friends. These thoughts only hold us back from reaching our full potential. These habit patterns of thoughts and feelings which restrict us are called samskaras. 

However, a yoga practice can teach you that in all moments you have a choice. 
To suffer or not to suffer?

You can choose how you spend your time thinking, feeling, and living your life. You can break the cycle of negative thought patterns or continue to feed them so they grow ever stronger. To break the cycle you must take the time to become aware of them and continue to learn as you go along. Take some time to focus your awareness inwards and you will suddenly become more aware of what decisions will be good for you or not. Seek help from others when you need to and find away to let go of the stress in life. That stuff can really kill you. 

To relieve your stress levels and anxiety keep it simple and decide. Do you want to spend all your time feeding negative thoughts or ones that make you feel good?

When you have negative thoughts come to the surface take time to acknowledge them and try to relax into any discomfort you feel. You are not your thoughts and feelings. During a Bryan Kest workshop last weekend, it was mentioned that 90% of our thoughts are the same thoughts we think everyday over and over again. We mindlessly reinforce the way we feel about ourselves and our life in our unconscious mind all day long! So how many times a week do you tell yourself your fat? not good enough? etc. 

So instead of feeling like you have to run out and do something about your stress levels. Take some time to sit quietly and just acknowledge where you are and how you feel. Through becoming aware of your thought patterns you can grow towards a place of health and balance.

Here are some tips to manage your stress levels:
  • Notice how you think about yourself and how those thoughts make you feel. If they make you feel stressed or anxious do something about it. Try to take a healthy action at least 80% of the time.
  • Be with your samskaras in a meditation practice, restorative yoga, and in all moments. By simply becoming aware of your thoughts things will naturally shift towards a more balanced place. 
  • Allow yourself the luxury of learning continuously throughout your life instead of feeling like you have to get everything right every time. Life is a journey, not a destination. Take yourself out of the pressure cooker and into a big open space to grow.
  • Practice conscious breathing. Become aware of your breathing and take time to sit quietly each day and focus on it. Breathe in and out slowly and deeply to calm down your nervous system.
  • Do yoga or exercise. Yoga and exercise naturally reduce your stress levels, promote health, and detoxify your body. So that you can meditate comfortably.
  • Meditate to stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system and promote a relaxation response in the body and mind.
Article and first two photos by Keri Rogers.

Keri is an internationally Registered Yoga Teacher, creator of yoga props, and health lifestyle educator.  She owns and operates BAYA Wellness, LLC offering yoga classes, handmade props, and healthy lifestyle services. Keri teachers both privately and publicly around the Greenville area offering on-going classes and special events. 
BAYA... Be As You Are!


Contact for details: Website  BAYAWellness@gmail.com or 864-430-1275

Monday, March 11, 2013

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Granola Bars


Granola bars are one of the easiest portable snacks to make at home ever! These crunchy bars contain a super nutritious blend of a variety of nuts and are only sweetened with honey. Many commercial granola bars contain high-fructose corn syrup, gluten, and nuts that may be rancid. Took these to yoga teacher training last weekend and they were a big hit. Hope you enjoy! :-) 

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free*, Soy-Free

Ingredients:
½ c. flax seed, raw
½ c. pumpkin seeds, raw
1 c. pecans, raw
1 c. almonds, raw
1 c. cashew nuts, raw
3 c. gluten-free rolled oats
3 c. dried fruit blend (cranberries, cherries  blueberries or your favorite mix)
½ c. dark chocolate chips
¾ c. honey, raw & local
2 tsp. cinnamon
dash sea salt

Directions:
1.    Grease large baking sheet with coconut oil. Preheat oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
2.   In a food processor, blend all seeds, nuts and oats until resembles a coarse ground meal. If you don’t have a food processor you can chop by hand (but this takes much longer.)
3.   Add berries, dark chocolate, honey, cinnamon and sea salt. Stir to combine.
4.   Spread granola mixture out onto a baking sheet. Press down with clean hands. To avoid the granola sticking to your hands, wash fingers and coat with a small amount of coconut oil.
5.   Bake in a pre-heated oven for 1-1/2 hours or until lightly toasted. Let cool completely in pan.
6.   Slice into bars and store in airtight container for up to 3 weeks. This recipe makes around 36 bars store in freezer if you would like them to last longer.
*can be made dairy free with Enjoy Life chocolate chips
Recipe and photo by Keri Rogers.

Keri is an internationally Registered Yoga Teacher, Creator of Yoga Props, and Nutrition/Wellness Educator.  She owns and operates BAYA Wellness, LLC offering Yoga and Nutrition Education Services.  Keri teachers both privately and publicly around the Greenville area offering on-going classes and special events.  Her path as a nutritionist is all about making healthy living approachable... she teaches the components of healthy cooking, eating, and thinking while also offering specialized services like menu planning.  Healthy living is about the whole pictures of wellness... find your path to living well.
BAYA... Be As You Are!

Contact for details: Website  BAYAWellness@gmail.com or 864-430-1275

Monday, March 4, 2013

March Schedule



Public Classes:

Wheel pose... is like sunshine pouring into your heart. 
Tuesdays
5:45-7pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10 at Greenville Yoga (AR)*

*AR stands for Augusta Road location.

Thursdays

5:45-7pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10 at Greenville Yoga Studio (AR)

Sundays
NEW - beginning on March 17th. Restorative Yoga 10:45am-12:00pm $10 Greenville Yoga Studio (AR)
2-3:30pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10 at Greenville Yoga Studio (AR)

Private Yoga Classes and Nutrition:


Private Classes offered in a variety of locations around the Greenville area for individuals, couples, families, businesses, etc.  Nutrition, Wellness, and Yoga education consultations are available as well see website for details (www.BAYAWellness.com)

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Mom's Fried Green Tomatoes with Manchego Blackberry Cheese Sauce

One of Mom's favorite recipes.

Admittedly, this is not exactly a healthy recipe. In my journey through health I've learned that a diet is a healthy diet is about finding something you can maintain long-term. For me that is a mostly an extremely healthy, vegetable rich, low-carb (50-80g net carb) per day with the occasional homemade fried foods, and even a cookie every once in a while. I think sometimes being in balance means acknowledging that we are all imperfect - we must give ourselves the space we need to follow our unique journey of health. With hopes and open mind that we can improve our health throughout the course of our lives. Be you...be healthy.


Mom's Fried Green Tomatoes
While picking up a few items at our local Farmer's Market yesterday. My mother's face lit-up with excitement at the sight of beautiful, plump, fresh green tomatoes. So for dinner last night she made her classic recipe - but gluten-free so it fit into Tanner and my diet.




Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free

Ingredients:
2 large green tomatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
1 c. gluten-free all purpose flour
Sea salt and pepper to taste
2/3 c. cooking oil (we used a blend of coconut, grapeseed, and olive)

Directions:
1. Mix flour, salt and pepper in a medium sized bowl. Coat tomatoes on both sides with flour mixture. Set aside on plates or wax paper and let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Re-coat tomato slices in flour again. 
3. Heat oil in large iron skillet at medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add first batch of tomatoes to skillet. Simmer tomatoes for 1-2 minutes or until brown around the edges. Reduce heat to medium. Continue to cook tomatoes until fully browned (approx. 5-8 minutes per side).
4. Remove tomatoes from skillet and place on paper towels to absorb some of the oil.
* Recipe of Tammy Goben.

Manchego Blackberry Cheese Sauce
This sauce is rich, savory, and full of sharp cheesy flavor. It pairs so nicely with the flavor of the tomatoes. Some varieties of Manchego cheese are made with sheep's milk and some with cow's. So be sure to read the labels if you need a dairy-free version.

We served with chicken and roasted vegetables.












Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free

Ingredients:
1 tbl. coconut oil
4 blackberries, finely chopped 
1/3 c. unsweetened coconut milk
4 oz. plain goat cheese
1-1/2 to 2 oz. Manchego cheese
1/2 tbl. fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. lemon zest
juice of 1 wedge lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Melt coconut oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Add berries and cook 1-2 minutes until softened. 
2. Add coconut milk and cheeses and reduce heat to medium low. Let simmer until cheese is melted. Stir frequently.
3. Add in parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper. Stir to combine. If sauce is not thick enough, make a slurry with 1 tsp. arrowroot power (or cornstarch) and 2 tbl. cold water. Whisk powder/starch and water together and add to sauce.
4. Drizzle over fried-green tomatoes.
*Recipe by Keri Rogers.

Keri is an internationally Registered Yoga Teacher, Creator of Yoga Props, and Nutrition/Wellness Educator.  She owns and operates BAYA Wellness, LLC offering Yoga and Nutrition Education Services.  Keri teachers both privately and publicly around the Greenville area offering on-going classes and special events.  Her path as a nutritionist is all about making healthy living approachable... she teaches the components of healthy cooking, eating, and thinking while also offering specialized services like menu planning.  Healthy living is about the whole pictures of wellness... find your path to living well.
BAYA... Be As You Are!

Contact for details: Website  BAYAWellness@gmail.com or 864-430-1275

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Yoga Therapy Takes A Big Step Forward


Seated forward fold pose may reduce blood pressure.

According to a story in Yoga Journal's March issue "The Yogi Is In." The nationally renowned hospital, the  Cleveland Clinic located in Ohio recently hired a full time yoga therapist and program manager. This is a huge step forward for the yoga therapist to be recognized by the medical community in such a huge way. The yoga therapists at the Cleveland Clinic will be assigned to patients with a wide range of health issues, such as, type 2 diabetes, chronic pain, obesity, multiples sclerosis, and other diseases. Each day more research is emerging supporting the healing benefits of yoga when practiced therapeutically.

Yoga Therapy is practicing yoga as medicine. The practice of yoga is an eight-fold path with many limbs or tools. Examples, of yogic practices would include: meditation, breathing practices, postures, concentration, moral and ethical observances, chanting, etc. These practices all have their own unique healing capacity to influence the body. Some practices relieve stress others increase breathing capacity, calm the mind, boost the immune system, promote weight-loss, balance the blood sugar, and even reduce anxiety. 

To find out more about how yoga heals, check out the testimonials and links below:
www.IAYT.org - International Association of Yoga Therapists
www.YogaJournal.com - Yoga Journal Magazine
New York Times on Yoga Therapy


Keri is an internationally Registered Yoga Teacher, Creator of Yoga Props, and Nutrition/Wellness Educator.  She owns and operates BAYA Wellness, LLC offering Yoga and Nutrition Education Services.  Keri teachers both privately and publicly around the Greenville area offering on-going classes and special events.  Her path as a nutritionist is all about making healthy living approachable... she teaches the components of healthy cooking, eating, and thinking while also offering specialized services like menu planning.  Healthy living is about the whole pictures of wellness... find your path to living well.
BAYA... Be As You Are!

Contact for details: Website  BAYAWellness@gmail.com or 864-430-1275

Friday, February 15, 2013

Simple and Delicious Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower is a cruciferous
vegetables and nutritional power-
house. Enjoy it a fe types a week
to reduce inflammation and
aid in detoxification.
Cauliflower soup is such a light and healthy comfort food. One thing my chef fiance has taught me is that gourmet food is about simplicity and balance. This recipe takes less than 45 minutes from start to finish and only uses 5 ingredients. You can garnish this soup in many different ways. We love to top it with different combinations of things including: crockpot-pulled beef, sliced avocado, sauteed greens with curry, or bacon. 







Candida Diet, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Nut-Free, Paleo, Soy-Free

Ingredients:

1 tbl. coconut oil
2-3 garlic cloves
1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1-1/2 to 2 cups chicken stock
sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions: 
1.  Melt coconut oil in a saucepan. Add garlic and onions. Saute for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. 
2. Add cauliflower and chicken stock. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add more hot liquid if necessary, but use extra liquid sparingly. 
2. Once the cauliflower has softened, pour the soup into a blender or food processor. Pulse until it form a smooth and creamy texture. Season to taste.
3. Serve immediately. 
*Recipe by Keri Rogers. Photo by SnazzyApple.


Keri is an internationally Registered Yoga Teacher, Creator of Yoga Props, and Nutrition/Wellness Educator.  She owns and operates BAYA Wellness, LLC offering Yoga and Nutrition Education Services.  Keri teachers both privately and publicly around the Greenville area offering on-going classes and special events.  Her path as a nutritionist is all about making healthy living approachable... she teaches the components of healthy cooking, eating, and thinking while also offering specialized services like menu planning.  Healthy living is about the whole pictures of wellness... find your path to living well.
BAYA... Be As You Are!

Contact for details: Website  BAYAWellness@gmail.com or 864-430-1275

Thursday, February 7, 2013

February Schedule



Public Classes:

Twisting postures help to
detoxify body, tone
the muscles of the core, and
stimulate the vital organs.

Tuesdays
5:45-7pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10 at Greenville Yoga (AR)*

*AR stands for Augusta Road location.

Thursdays

5:45-7pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10 at Greenville Yoga Studio (AR)

Sundays
2-3:30pm Mindful Flow Yoga $10 at Greenville Yoga Studio (AR)

Private Yoga Classes and Nutrition:


Private Classes offered in a variety of locations around the Greenville area for individuals, couples, families, businesses, etc.  Nutrition, Wellness, and Yoga education consultations are available as well see website for details (www.BAYAWellness.com)

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Keri's Daily Green Juice

For those of you are
aren't in love with dark leafy
greens. Spinach has one of
the mildest flavor of all
greens, and still very
nutrient dense! 
For christmas this year, my fiance set me up with an amazing juicer. The first few weeks I was experimenting with making a low-carb version of my classic green juice and it's just wasn't coming together for me. The ginger and lemon made me cringe no matter how small of an amount of it I put into the juice. Which is weird, because I LOVE lemon and ginger. 

Anyways, most of the fresh juice recipes out there contain a fairly large amount of carbohydrates due to the use of apples, carrots, and many other fruits. When you're on a weight-loss diet or anti-candida diet those carbs are just not worth the health benefits they could provide. I love, love, love this green juice because it is really mild, simple, slightly sweet, low-carb and oh-so-refreshing! Let this recipe remind you don't need all the sugary fruit to make a delicious, nutritious, fresh juice. :-) 


Candida Diet, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Nut-Free, Paleo, Primal, Raw

Ingredients:
3-5 handfuls baby spinach
3-5 sprigs fresh parsley, ends trimmed and coarsely chopped
Parsley can help to freshen
your breath naturally and is
a good source of vitamin C.
1 medium cucumber, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
2 stalks celery hearts, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1 green bell pepper, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
optional add-ins: dash sea salt or cayenne, lemon wedge

Directions:
1. Juice all ingredients except optional add-ins. Sprinkle add-ins on top and serve immediately or refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to 24 hours.
2. Save the pulp from your juice and mix with tomato sauce, mashed avocado, into your protein smoothie, etc. 
*Recipe and juice photo by Keri Marino.


Keri Marino is an internationally Registered Yoga Teacher, Propmaker, and Yoga Therapist.  She owns and operates Yoga Unique LLC offering mobile Private classes, Yoga Therapy and Yoga products. Keri teachers both privately and publicly around the Greenville area. Check out more here: YogaUnique