Sometimes, the most simple things in yoga never get explained or are explained incompletely by those who poorly understand them. A familiar mudra or hand pose you’ve probably done a hundred times (especially if you grew up in a religious household) in yoga classes is “prayer pose”, or anjali mudra (prana mudra in kundalini yoga). […]
Some Changes Coming – INtuitive Yoga Lab
In my last two posts, I wrote about how a recent injury has made me more aware of my essential approach to yoga as well as how my own practice is having to change as a wounded yogini. In light of my ponderings, I’m going to be slowly introducing a new class style called INtuitive […]
The Wounded Yogini Part II: Yogic Essentials
In my last post, I wrote about how a recent injury and subsequent discovery of health issues has inspired me to develop a clearer picture of my approach of yoga and how I want to facilitate it for others Today, I’d like to attempt to clarify what are for me, the most important aspects of […]
Words for the Soft (and Hard) Hearted
When you picture your own heart or that of someone else, what do you envision? Do you see the typical valentine heart with two symmetrical bumps in a shade of red or pink? Maybe you picture a more biological heart like a bulbous fist? Maybe you see one of those hard resin models used in […]
The Wounded Yogini
You may be familiar with the term “wounded healer”. The idea is that one has to go through his or her own healing journey in order to be able to help someone else. For the last month, I’ve been a wounded yogini after a fairly innocuous warm-up left me with an odd feeling in my […]
The Path of Kriya Yoga
Since January of this year, I have been taking Raja Yoga courses with Ananda.org in preparation to receive the yogic practice of Kriya later this year. Kriya itself simply means “technique” and refers to the actions one takes on the path of Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga pertains to the highest goal of yoga…self-realization. It is […]
On God and Guru: Cleaning Our Symbols to Access Their Gifts
In my books, The Unknown Mother and Your True Voice, there are three chapters dealing specifically with the power of our words. In those chapters, what I refer to as the 3rd Gate (Letters), 4th Gate (Words), and 5th Gate (Storytelling) of Sound, I shared many practices about empowering our words, reclaiming definitions, and creating […]
Imagination: Rules & Tools for Tough Times
I was talking with my sister yesterday with whom I share many a philosophical conversation. We were talking about those times in life when things really are difficult, when the only thing we can really do is withdraw to the realm of our dreams or imagination as a means of survival. When our situation is […]
Stop the Pain Cycle
It happens. We’re active. We enjoy moving around and getting things done. We might even take pride in all the things we accomplish on a daily basis. Then one day, we get hurt or sick. Maybe we pull or strain something. Maybe we get a diagnosis. We might even break something. The human body is […]
Yoga Intentions
When I start teaching a yoga class, I usually guide my students to consider their intent for the class. Another way to put it is, “Why are you here?” I throw out a few suggestions… “Maybe you’re here to feel more relaxed in day to day life, or maybe you simply want to be more […]
Toasted Garlic & Chickpea Soup with Eggs
Today is a gray day. And there’s nothing like warm, comforting food when the sun isn’t shining. Today, I created a very tasty dish inspired by a soup I once had in Peru and an Isreali dish I recently saw served on a foodie show. It’s quick and easy to make and brings the tastebuds […]
Learning Yoga Online: Tips for a Great Class
Online yoga videos are a fabulous well-established yoga tool. They are a great way for students to learn new things, gain exposure to various styles, maintain a home practice and have the convenience of access. For teachers, videos are a fun way to share their unique approach, help reinforce learning for clients, and to reach […]
That Which Frees the Mind: The Power of Mantra
Mantra is a word that means “that which frees the mind”, and Japa (or mantra) yoga is the practice of projecting the mind into a repeated word or phrase imbued with spiritual significance. One of the most universally known is the OM, but there are thousands of mantras ranging from one syllable to complete spiritual […]
Ginger Carrots in Lime with Peanuts
Well, it took quite a while for summer to arrive in France this year, but it’s finally here. Sometimes, the heat wrecks havoc on my appetite. Eating light and raw is easy and healthy. Here’s my latest raw creation perfect for hot summers. Ginger Carrots in Lime with Peanuts Grate carrots into a bowl. Add […]
Cookie Dough “N”ice Cream
I confess. I am a dessert addict. After I eat lunch or dinner, I always have to have something sweet to seal the meal…even if it is just a dinner mint. But in my efforts to eat less of the bad stuff (not all of it, mind you; just less!), I was thrilled last year […]
Yummy “Raw” Chocolate Chip Dough
I have confessed to my sweet tooth before. Because it can become a real problem if I’m not careful, I do everything I can to find satisfying alternatives that are delicious and better for me. Then the problem isn’t so much the need for a sweet treat as it is not eating too much! I […]
Crunchy Fennel & Chickpea Salad
Nom, nom nom. Nothing like food you can really sink your teeth into to satisfy. My latest colorful creation has plenty for you to chew on! Fresh fennel, crunchy sunflower seeds, snappy cucumber, and crisp carrot blend nicely with the flavors of nutty chickpeas and dill. What I prepared fed me and hubby. But don’t […]
Tahini Carrot Salad
Call me crazy, but I get very excited over color. Vibrant colors in my environment makes me smile. There’s something about a bowl full of color that makes a meal all the more appetizing…even if it’s just one color like in this fabulous Tahini Carrot Salad. It’s cruncy, tangy, and entirely satisfying either by itself […]
Zesty Zucchini Salad
One of my favorite restaurants in Asheville where I used to live was raw. I considered dining there a rare treat and never really considered making raw food for myself. I had it in my head it was far too labor intensive…all that slicing, dicing, culturing and sauce making. But lately, I’m having quite a […]
Movement for Life
All of life is movement. The moment we’re born we’re wriggling, pandiculating, breathing, and finding our way through space. We explore and thereby learn to master our movements. Or we struggle, and the body, miraculous organism that it is, finds a way to overcome our limitations. It’s those patterns that we then habituate. And then […]