Pre-Xmas Family Yoga and Cookie exchange

Kindness

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple, the philosophy is kindness. - Dalai Lama

Cute Yoga Parody

Totally Enlightened is a totally funny yoga parody movie. Enjoy and take your yoga easy!

Spiced Persimmon Turmeric Tea

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: Serves 4 to 6

In this tea ginger supports digestion, fragrant cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar and has anti-microbial properties, persimmons are a natural remedy for acid reflux and turmeric along with the black pepper has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

• 8 cups/64oz filtered water
• One 3 inch piece peeled and thinly sliced fresh ginger
• One 3 inch piece peeled and thinly sliced fresh turmeric root
• 1 teaspoon fresh good quality peppercorns
• 6 good quality cinnamon sticks, preferably celyon cinnamon
• 2 small or 1 large fuyu persimmon, thinly sliced (save a few slices for serving)
• Sweetener of choice (ex. honey or stevia) to taste

Place the water, ginger, turmeric, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks and persimmon slices in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat, and simmer on low for 20 to 30 minutes.
Strain tea through a fine mesh strainer (or pour through a coffee filter to catch sediment).
Pour into cups or bowls. The softened persimmons may also be added or add a few fresh slices for garnish and serve adding preferred sweetener to taste.
Alternatively you can cool the tea to room temperature and refrigerate for a couple of days and reheat as desired.

Courtesy of: http://gourmandeinthekitchen.com

Discover Your Dosha

Transform your own practice and add extra to your teaching routine with this exceptionally useful video. 

But before discover your mind-body (dosha) constitution: Kapha-Vata_Pitta. ayurveda.com/pdf/constitution.pdf

Ever wondered what you've been chanting in the class?

Lokah samastha sukhino bhavantu.

This Sanskrit phrase translates into English as “May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May the thoughts and actions of my own life, contribute in some way, to the happiness and freedom for all”.

The Whole of Life is Show Business

I always have been feeling that some part of me relates to show business - entertainment, bringing fun, excitement and happiness to people. Even teaching yoga these days, I realize that this is part of my entertainment. My eyes, heart and spirit are asking for more and more when the class is finished. And I feel so satisfied and happy after exchanging the energy, seeing same faces and meeting new ones. It's just amazing!

And here is a regular Saturday portion of wisdom by Sri Gurudev, exactly about spirituality in show-biz. Enjoy!

Question: is it possible to develop spiritually while working in a highly competitive and hectic field such as show business?

Answer: We call it show business. Why? Do you think that show business is to show somebody else something? No. Show business is to show you something: yourself. it will teach you about the worth and the worthlessness of things in life. Yes. Show business means it's all just made up. It's all superficial. And when you learn that lesson, then you can use that same philosophy in your life. The whole of life is show business: what am I doing here? I'm playing my part. What are you doing there? You're acting your part. We are having a show. There is no superior and inferior cast in this. We are all needed to make the show. You have taken a part; so play it well. We are all one in spirit, but I am playing the part of the teacher today. You now are playing the part of being a little ignorant. Behave that way. Don't get up and say, "I know more than you!” The show will collapse. When the curtain falls, we are all one and the same. The whole world is superficial; it's constantly, constantly changing. Our relationships change, our situations change, our positions change, our names change. I was a baby, then I became a young boy, then an adult, then an old man. Changes, changes, changes. So what is the reality? The spiritual truth. We are all essentially one. That never changes. Where can you learn this truth faster than in show business?

~ by Sri Swami Satchidananda

Elvis doing Yoga

Hilarious!
Should re-watch the 1967 movie 'Easy Come Easy Go' with Elvis Presley as a Lt. Ted Jackson.
Enjoy the twist ;-)

P.S. Could be a good song for a kids yoga class ;-)

Enjoying the Today

My today's mantra: Keep being challenged, but stay grounded and true to yourself, on and off the mat.

Recent YJ article on perfecting asanas (poses) and discovering your new body after the birth made me feel a bit dualistic... hmmm!

It sounds not very promising for me when I start thinking and imagining myself having a postnatal break of getting joy and happiness from a regular teaching and practicing Yoga.... But I do realize that instead, I'm receiving the biggest joy in my life, a new arrival of a precious little one ... very soon.

So, as a closing line, it's really hard for the mind, but I'm trying to stay grounded, conscious and thankful of the present moment and expect nothing from the near future. Just enjoy fully what you are doing and having right now!

Peace & Love to All,
-LK-

Remember an old-school rolling tongue?

It's 97F/36C in DC today! Stay at least hydrated and cool... trying Sitali pranayam.

It's really fun, try doing it with kids/or a partner. Just imagine a spagetti in your mouth... and breath in ;-) Stay cool!

Yoga & Fashion, oh la la!

Be beautiful inside and outside! Purveyor of all things bohemian, Free People has partnered up with California fitness brand Solow to launch a new yoga label, FP Movement.

The debut collection includes 10 styles, including sports bras, tanks, pullovers, cropped leggings, yoga shorts, and workout pants in chic solid colors and tie-dye patterns.

Know the Do Not Eat List!

The Do Not Eat List - listen to the awesome exclusive interview with Dr. Alejandro Junger - cardiologist and cleanse specialist.

Sunday recipe: CHEESECAKE

Surprise someone you love with this easy breezy dream cake, especially if that special someone is YOU.

FAIRY LEMON RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE

Crust

• 2 c walnuts
• 1 c shredded coconut
• 1 c golden raisins, golden figs or candied ginger-soaked in water 15 minutes to soften
• ¹⁄ 3 t celtic sea salt

1. process everything together until coarse
2. remove from processor and place on the bottom spring form pan
3. using your hands press to flatten across the bottom of the pan
4. chill in the freezer while you make the puree next

Saturday Quote

I believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom.
-Les Brown-

Chocolate Mousse

Dedicated to my health conscious and sweet tooth friends!
A fabulous recipe is perfect for vegans and anyone on a dairy-free diet. Instead of full-fat cream and eggs, London-based healthy food business owners and sisters Melissa & Jasmine Hemsley, use a very Brazilian combination of avocado and banana!

Ingredients (use organic ingredients where possible)

• 1 chilled ripe hass avocado
• 1 frozen, medium-sized, ripe banana
• 3.5 tablespoons of raw cacao powder
• 2 - 3 tablespoons of raw honey
• 1 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of chilled water
• 1 tiny pinch of sea salt
• 1 bar of chilled sugar free dark chocolate - to decorate

Instructions 

1. This is an instant recipe, just keep a stock of sliced bananas in your freezer. If you only have a hand blender use unfrozen bananas, blend and then pop each serving into the freezer for an hour or two and remove 15 - 20 minutes before eating.

Saturday Quote

Let us be grateful for the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
-Marcel Proust-

Why Alternate Nostril Breathing is powerful?

Alternate Nostril Breathing is one of the simplest and most powerful pranayama in yoga. Breathing through the left nostril is calming, while breathing through the right nostril is energizing. Alternate nostril breathing balances these forces within you. Try it.. three minutes! And enjoy!

Saturday Quote

"One of the main discoveries of meditation is seeing how we continually run away from the present moment, how we avoid being here just as we are. That’s not considered to be a problem. The point is to see it."
(Wisdom Of No Escape)

What is Vinyasa really about?

I love the full and firm explanation of what Vinyasa is about by Tim Feldman. Specifically, that he talks about the importance and integration of body locks (bandhas) in your class.

Postures are linked together through flowing movement (vinyasa). Vinyasa means breath synchronized with movement. In Ashtanga Yoga the movement is always synchronized with the breath and there is never a separation between the two actions. When the synchronization of movement and breathing is an integral part of the yoga practice and the three body locks (Moolabandha, Udiyanabandha and jalandarabandha) are applied, an internal, purifying heat is generated in the body. Unwanted toxins are released and disposed of, vital hormones and minerals flow into the bloodstream and the nervous system is purified. The result is a light and strong body.

Text written by Tim Feldmann and approved by Pattabhi Jois, and his grandson, Sharath Rangaswami.

Need Fiber? Get Barley!

Here comes Sunday Recipe post from my kitchen to yours with love!
This barley mushroom pilaf is one of the easiest, heartiest and still healthiest weeknight dinner option. Try this delicious recipe with an Eastern European twist.
Comparing fiber content in one (1) cup of conventional carbs we eat for dinner, barley is the most healthy (!) and filling one.  [Fiber Content in Grams: Whole wheat bread  - 2 ; Brown rice  - 3.5 ; Oatmeal  - 3.9 ; Whole wheat spaghetti  - 6.3 ; Barley  - 13.6]

Barley Mushroom Pilaf

barley mushroom pilaf by -LK-

• 1/2 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
• 2 tsp olive oil (I used coconut oil)
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 3 cups vegetable broth 
• 2 tbsp chopped green onions
• 1/4 tsp crushed dried rosemary
• 2 tbsp grated fresh Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast - for a vegan twist. (I used sour cream, instead).

Preparation: