June 25, 2009

Think your life is too small? Think you need to do something significant, something with impact, something for your children to remember you by? When we start spinning our thoughts in this direction, it’s usually a sign that we need to to chill, breathe for a bit, and as Jen Louden, virtual life coach diva, says in her short film on making meaning, that we need to redirect ourselves and take a SIMPLE STEP toward one desire.

The entire plan is very yogic! We teach SMALL STEPS, whether it’s diet, your practice, your actual asanas, meditation, lifestyle… take it easy and institute one step at a time. Feel the ripples. Let them integrate, then go for the next piece of action.

We teach LOOK AT WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW. LOOK AT WHAT YOU ALREADY DO. Meditation can help this process; through silence your knowledge will surface. What you need to know will be there. How many times have I ended my meditation and sat in awe at what had surfaced for me? It’s the insights gained that draws me to the cushion over and over again.

Journaling, whether in writing or artwork or both, can be another fantastic aid to uncovering your present state. I can’t count the number of times I had an aha moment while doodling in my journal. Those moments when I’d say: OH, so that’s what I’m REALLY thinking!

‘Nough said! watch Jen Louden’s 5 minute video and check out her blog: COMFORT QUEEN should you wish for more of her practical wisdom.

Untitled from jennifer louden on Vimeo.

Category: Life, Meditation, VIDEO THURSDAYS, happiness, journaling | No Comments »
Tags: Jen Louden, Journaling, life meaning, Meditation, video

June 23, 2009

One of my teachers used to say to “ride the wave of the breath.” It’s a beautiful image, isn’t it? I have used it many times to reconnect with the currents of prana swirling in and out of my being.

I’m sitting here today in a different lesson. It’s riding the wave of LIFE. Geesh, do we really need to tell ourselves this? Yeah, sometimes.

I woke up with a sore in my mouth - sure sign that I’d been “processing” STUFF during my sleep. Grrr, Even yoginis can grind their teeth once in a while.

Yup, it’s one of those vata-iferous days.  It’s one of those days when I have fifty-million (at least) things burbling in me pea-brain….getting ready to fly tomorrow to coastal carolina where maybe I’ll be able to see my niece and nephew in action on the high seas, or their boards….packing - not my fav chore! …just tried on my old bathing suit - definitely not my fav chore….concerned about what kind of shape my folks are in, healthwise and concerned about how they’re holding up in their home…..good stuff is shimmering up in the grey matter as well (just more fodder for vata!) : celebrating dad’s 90th on Saturday (he may not be in BKS Iyengar’s shape, but he continued to play golf until last year - go dad!)…seeing 4 of my brothers and their families…..hiking in Croatan forest and on Emerald Isle….

This is all a prelude to confessing that I FORGOT to teach a class this morning. First time in my eight years of teaching. A BIG FAT SORRY to the Village Elders. Y’all think YOU have bad memories??? I even posted a tweet not too long ago about attention and memory that is simply too embarrassing and pretentious to repeat here cuz I am eating those words with mayo this morning.

There I was happily congratulating my yoga blogging buddies: YogaDork, YogaBrooks, and Yoga for Cynics for being mentioned in August’s Yoga Journal. Sorry YJ was not magnanimous enough to give them a link on their online version; you’ll find it at the end of the print mag in the MEDIA section. It’s a nice article by Lauren Ladocouer. When I went to refill my coffee mug, the thought of teaching a class that was by then more than half over, nearly knocked me down.

What can I do but apologize and laugh at this point? Breathe slowly and MINDFULLY for a bit.Take a turn in my garden and focus on the beauty of the gazillions of flowers that are simply opening to the glory of this day.

These moments also remind me that NOTHING is really that important.

Category: Life, Peace | 3 Comments »
Tags: Add new tag, mindfulness, riding the wave, robert kieber jr, vata, Village Elders, yoga bloggers, yoga for cynics, yogabrooks, yogadork

June 18, 2009

You don’t need to espouse Buddhism or Hinduism or any religion at all to practice yoga and meditation.
However, we can learn much from the Buddha’s life and the practices he developed and incorporate them as a means of deepening our own spiritual journey.

Here is the fascinating story of Siddhartha’s life from the BBC and Discovery channel, directed by Clive Maltby. I found it on You Tube via dharmicjourney. The story of the archeological finds which helped piece together the Buddha’s human life is interesting in its own right. Hold on for the second half of the film which explains the obstacles Buddha faced during meditation and how he dealt with them.

Before you begin the film, pour yourself a cup of tea and make yourself comfortable so you can settle in for nearly an hour. It’ll be worth your while. Afterward, I’d love to hear how Buddha’s life and insights touched you.

Category: Meditation, Peace, Spirituality, VIDEO THURSDAYS | 2 Comments »
Tags: buddha, buddhism, Clive Maltby, Focus, Lumbini, Meditation, mindfulness, obstacles, practice, Siddartha, the life of the buddha, video

June 14, 2009

Laughing Yogini’s Recipes for Happiness

• Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry
• Carolyn’s Rice Pudding
  
• De-Lish Tomato Soup
• Moroccan Style Cabbage and Chickpeas
• Irish Soda Bread
• Mike’s Dal
• Asparagus Strata

Whenever I have guests for breakfast, I usually whip up a strata because it can be prepared the night before AND it tastes delicious. A highly variable dish, this asparagus version is a bit drier that some you may have tried, but guests have remarked that they especially like the texture. A bonus is using whole grain bread which helps to boost the nutritional value. Hope your early morning folks enjoy it as much as my writing group does! Serve warmed leftovers with a green, balsamic vinaigrette salad for a delish dinner.

INGREDIENTS

1.5 lb. asparagus spears

1 T. olive oil

8 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms

1 lb. chopped, thawed, drained broccoli rabe (optional)

2 cloves garlic or 2 garlic flower stalks

1/2 tsp. ground pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

3 C. or 1/2 lb. grated Swiss cheese

2 T. chopped fresh dill weed or 1 tsp. dried dill

1 (1 lb.) loaf whole wheat bread - I used a sunflower whole grain loaf (break the bread into 1 or 2 inch chunks and allow to dry out for a day or two - alternatively toast VERY lightly in the oven set on WARM)

10 large eggs

2 C. skim milk

1 C. half and half

1/2 C. grated Romano cheese

PREPARATION

1. Clean and cut asparagus spears into 3 inch pieces. Bring 2 inches of water to boil in a large saucepan. Add asparagus pieces. Boil one minute, uncovered. Drain and rinse in cold water.

2. Lightly grease 10 X 14 inch pan.Set aside.

3. In skillet, heat oil and add mushrooms, broccoli rabe, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Toss grated Swiss cheese and snipped dill weed in a large bowl.

5. Arrange 1/2 bread pieces on bottom of baking dish.

6. Layer half the mushroom mixture, half the cheese, and half the asparagus.

7. Repeat with remaining mushrooms, cheese, and asparagus.

8. Top with remaining bread pieces.

9. Beat together eggs, milk, and half-and-half. Pour over mixture in pan. Press down with back of spoon to thoroughly moisten.

10. Chill a couple of hours or overnight.

11. Bake at 350  for about an hour. Twenty minutes into the baking, pull pan from oven and press down with back of spoon again. then sprinkle with grated Romano cheese and return to oven. Strata will be done when top is nicely browned and most liquid is absorbed. Allow dish to sit for a while before serving.

Category: Recipes | No Comments »
Tags: asparagus, Breakfast recipe, Broccoli rabe, Eggs, Milk, mushrooms, Strata, Whole grain bread

June 11, 2009

Poetry can be used as a wonderful tool for your meditation. There is a layer of a good poem that is “off the page.” When I teach poetry, I ask my students to try to understand, not only the literal interpretation of a given poem, but also whatever levels they find off the page.

Often, we read this layer with our hearts and have a difficult time explaining that level of the poem to another person; we’ll say it’s hard to put into words or we’ll say “you know” a lot while nodding our heads. It’s the layer of the poem that speaks to us the loudest and with a universal message of what it means to be human. We know, and again it’s a nonverbal knowledge, that the other person understands, or maybe I should say FEELS what it is the poet is trying to convey.

When listening to or reading poetry, RELAX open your heart center, and invite your Self to become the poem. If that sounds too airy-fairy to you, just sit back and softly focus your awareness on each line of the poem.

The first video, created by IshqDaFakeer, contains the lovely Soundtrack: Oceanic (Part 1) by Anoushka Shankar.

Here is the transcription of the poem:

Not Christian or Jew or Muslim, not Hindu
Buddhist, sufi, or zen. Not any religion

or cultural system. I am not from the East
or the West, not out of the ocean or up

from the ground, not natural or ethereal, not
composed of elements at all. I do not exist,

am not an entity in this world or in the next,
did not descend from Adam and Eve or any

origin story. My place is placeless, a trace
of the traceless. Neither body or soul.

I belong to the beloved, have seen the two
worlds as one and that one call to and know,

first, last, outer, inner, only that
breath breathing human being.

The second poem-video, “Say I Am You” was created by rahmama2. The music is by the composer, Eleni Karaindrou, and is the theme music called “Eternity and a Day” from the movie, Aggelopoulos.

And if they don’t speak to you, don’t worry, I’ll post something completely different next week.

After you have “experienced” each video, you may wish to sit quietly with your eyes closed for a few minutes and let them reverberate in your heart and mind. As you do so, welcome whatever bubbles into your awareness consciously. Then let that thought go as you create room for whatever else may come before your mind. Do this as long as you feel comfortable.

If you’re inspired, by all means pick up your pen and paper, or head to your keyboard and let loose. Mevlana would be pleased with your efforts, I’m sure.

Category: Poetry, Spirituality, VIDEO THURSDAYS, journaling | No Comments »
Tags: "Only Breath" "Say I Am You", Anoushka Shankar, Eleni Karaindrou, IshqDaFakeer, Jallaludin al Rumi, Meditation, mystical poetry, rahmama2, reading poetry, sufism, video

June 10, 2009

A preliminary list of

processes in life that metaphorically

relate to yoga:

Eating—breathing in prana

Excreting—exhaling prana

Walking or other exercising—stoking the metabolic fire as in backbends, also releasing tension like forward bends, also could be dhyana,  pranayama

Sleeping—metaphorically yoga nidra/ restorative yoga—allowing the body and mind to heal

Dying—letting go of our grip on the world as we do in asana practice and meditation

Gardening—cultivating the body temple

Studying – focusing the mind on an object

Praying—opening to the movement of Divine Energy

Chatting on the phone—depending upon conversation, could be relaxing, union of energies

Teaching—channeling of energy, opening so shakti can flow

Traveling—keeping yourself on the edge, challenging boundaries

Writing—focusing the throat chakra energy, opening the throat

Sex—release into union, softening, allowing energy to flow

Birdwatching—becoming mindful of movement, tension, release

Star Gazing—being aware of the dual aspects of every asana:the light/the dark…

the push/the pull…the release/the holding

Emailing—minimizing excessive noise, letting go of chatter

Parenting—following & teaching the yamas and niyamas

****************************

What do you see happening in your life?

Category: Life | 2 Comments »
Tags: emailing, Gardening, Life, metaphors, parenting, praying, sex, sleeping, studying, teaching, traveling, walking, yoga

June 5, 2009

Category: Life, yoga | No Comments »
Tags: Anuradha Sen Gupta, B.K.S.Iyengar, embodied meditation

May 28, 2009

In class, many of you have asked me about home practice. I sense much insecurity about practicing :”the right way.” Some have expressed fear of doing IT WRONG, worried that they’d hurt themselves.

Maybe some of this comes from over-emphasis on CORRECT alignment.

Correct alignment needs to come from inside the student.

ONLY YOU KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!

The BEST teacher in the world can only make an educated, experienced GUESS as to what is happening inside YOUR BODY.

The first thing we do in class is sit and listen. Listen for when to begin. Listen to an inner urging to point you towards the first asana. Listen with your inner ears tuned up to how deep and long to hold the pose. Listen to how you feel before, during, and after the pose.

This listening is a type of meditation.

Try to incorporate listening into your practice and you’ll have taken a major step in understanding yoga and if you can begin doing that in your life off the mat, you’ll have leaped into becoming YOUR SELF.

Here is a short video of master teacher, Erich Schiffmann.

Category: Life, yoga | 2 Comments »
Tags: alignment, Erich Schiffmann, inner listening, practice, yoga

May 22, 2009

Laughing Yogini’s Recipes for Happiness

• Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry
• Carolyn’s Rice Pudding
  
• De-Lish Tomato Soup
• Moroccan Style Cabbage and Chickpeas
• Irish Soda Bread
• Mike’s Dal
• Asparagus Strata

MIKE’S DAL

(a South Indian Sambar style Dal - what you might enjoy in a thali platter)

INGREDIENTS

8 oz. split red lentils (1/2 package)

1 T. ground turmeric

½ choppd cauliflower

2 chopped carrots

1 diced and seeded jalapeno (or chili) pepper

Optional: 2 chopped stalks of celery

1 chopped onion

1 T. canola oil

1 T. black mustard seed

2 chopped tomatoes

1 tsp. ground ginger root

2 T. Sambar Masala (we use Badshah brand, available at Indian grocery stores)

½  tsp. (or to taste)  Salt

1 T. (or to taste) lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Rinse lentils and sort through to remove any stones, etc.

1. In a deep saucepan, place lentils, 1 T. Turmeric, and 4 cups water – Bring to boil.
2. Boil until soft – about 20 mins. Stir occasionally. At this point you may wish to whir the dal with a hand blender for a minute or two.
3. Add chopped cauliflower, chopped carrot, diced jalapeno pepper and the optional chopped celery
4. Simmer until soft
5. Meanwhile,chop the onion and set aside
6. Heat canola oil in fry pan with black mustard seed on high heat. Fry until you hear the seeds start popping. PAY ATTENTION AND DO NOT BURN. Immediately turn the heat down to medium.
7. Add the chopped onion to the oil mix with 1 tsp. ground ginger root, 2 T. Sambar Masala and stir for one minute.
8. Add the chopped tomatoes to the fry pan and stir for another minute.

1. Add the mixture that’s in the fry pan to the DAL
2. Season to taste with salt and lemon juice.
3. Serve in a small bowl and enjoy eating with a chapatti or pappadum.

Category: Recipes | 4 Comments »
Tags: black mustardseed, carrots, cauliflower, dal, onions, recipe, red lentils, sambar-style thali, South Indian, tomatoes

May 21, 2009

A sense of abundance is deeply connected with a sense of gratitude. Laughing Yogini has talked a fair amount about gratitude; here I broaden the topic to include developing a sense of abundance in life. Really life is too short to live any other way, isn’t it?

I practice my lovingkindness meditation using repetition of the four line mantra:

May I live without fear.

May I live in happiness.

May I live in physical health.

May I live in ease of well-being AND ABUNDANCE.

The final two words (AND ABUNDANCE) are my tweak on the traditional phrases translated from the PALI by Sharon Salzburg. I pray for the sense of abundance to fill my life because from there I can learn to love my life and other’s lives.

The Christian term for abundance is GRACE. May I live in a grace-filled life! How beautiful that sounds. Isn’t that exactly what we want in our deepest self? And it’s a SENSE of abundance, it’s nothing physical that will satisfy this longing…only the sense that we are living abundantly that satisfies. This is the root of our power, our confidence, our joy.

Are you ready to turn your thoughts away from a poverty-mentality? How’re you going to look at your cup? I know mine’s more’n half-full. Wanna share?

Category: Life, VIDEO THURSDAYS, happiness, transformation | 2 Comments »
Tags: abundance, Gratitude, lovingkindness mantra, poverty-mentality, sharon salzburg