13. January 2010 by admin.

Since last Monday, the first “work day” of the new year, I’ve found myself floating through my work. . . attending to email, adjusting websites, working with my calendar and keeping a diligent eye on Facebook and other social media/marketing activity.  Though all work-related and important, none of these things are the tasks that most need my attention.

This fact has made me vaguely uncomfortable for the last week and a half.  While I know that it’s important to get organized and to enjoy getting back into the non-holiday swing of things, the time has come to light a fire under it and get focused.  In Yoga, this is referred to as tapas, which translates as heat, but can also be thought of as discipline or single-mindedness.

I love the non-judgmental, self-accepting ideals of Yoga.  They’ve helped me bring more calm and peace to my life.  AND, they can also sometimes lull me into the la-la land of spending too much time on things that aren’t the priority.  It’s that vague discomfort in the back of my head that increases when I get out of balance, and says, “Hey YOU!  Pay attention to the matter at hand here!  We’re not going to really be at peace until you address these tasks that you’re avoiding!”

And that’s where I am today.  Even though I’ve already grocery shopped, cleaned the kitchen and written a blog post (none of which are on the high priority list), it’s time to light a fire under it.  It’s time to give my most important tasks my undivided attention.  Through this, I know that I will find more peace, more ease, more connection to my best Self - the self that balances the work with the kinda-work.  That’s tapas in action.

Posted in Yoga Therapy | 2 Comments »

29. December 2009 by admin.

I sure have loved the special holiday foods this year.  I’ve loved sharing meals with special friends and family and splurging on things I might not usually buy, or eat.  I started with the eggnog BEFORE Thanksgiving.  But I also became more mindful with the choices around eggnog consumption, drinking mostly the soymilk variety and forgoing the homemade version.

Now that most of the meals and parties are past, and I’ve officially brought out my larger-sized “holiday jeans,” I am taking a look at how I feel about the choices I’ve made over the past month or so.  Choices regarding food, socializing, purchasing, attention, exercise.  Honestly, this is the healthiest, happiest holiday season I’ve ever had - in mind, body and spirit.

AND, the holiday season is coming to a close.  So, how do I transition back to my non-splurgiung self, while honoring the choices I’ve made over the past month?

I’ve decided to pull out a favorite recipe: Cleansing Kitchari.  It’s an Indian comfort food that people eat when fasting. It’s a porridge made of white rice, mung beans, ginger, coconut and Indian spices.  It’s creamy and savory, with satisfying spice combinations.  It’s delicious and I love it.

I think it will be the perfect transition out of the season.  One last treat - and this one will help me ground, and get my digestion back into sync.  What a great way to start the new year!

Check out the kitchari recipe!

Posted in Food, Yoga Therapy | 1 Comment »

24. June 2009 by admin.

I’ve finally admitted to myself that I have some food sensitivities, and have joined the ranks of people working to re-work the love triangle between mind, food and body.  Today, I’d like to simply throw out some tips that I have discovered, that have helped me avoid the dairy, yeast and eggs that have come up as questionable suspects in this journey.

I’d like to come back to this post, and comment, as I discover new helpful tips - however brief.  My hope is that by recording them here, in writing, they will be further solidified in my brain and in my life.  If you have tips that others could benefit from, please comment to this post.

Okay, here goes:

- Asian food - especially when going out to eat, I am finding the Asian food menus much less restrictive than those that feature cheeses and breads.

- Purely Decadent Coconut Milk Ice Creams - this non-dairy, soy free, coconut milk ice cream is incredible.  It’s available at Safeway (I’d guess New Seasons, too).  And although it is not cheap, it is worth every creamy, incredible bite.  I think I like it better than regular ice cream - no joke.

- Vegan cakes & pastries - I’ve tried some fantastic cakes recently - at New Seasons & Piece of Cake Bakery in Sellwood neighborhood of Portland: www.pieceofcakebakery.net.  I also heard that there’s a little vegan strip of businesses down on SE 12th & Stark, including Sweet Pea Bakery.

- Avodacos -are a fantastic substitute for the creamy & cheesy of the world, particularly in Mexican food.  I keep lots of avocados on hand & make guacamole often!

- Tortillas & flat bread make a nice yeast bread substitute.  The pita at Trader Joes’s is fluffy & wonderful.

- Having foods ready to eat is key.  I’m a mother of two, and many others in my house don’t share my dietary preferences.  So, I find that it’s worth it to have some convenience foods in easy reach, so that I’m tempted by something that will support my body, not work against my goals.  So, whether it’s a tub of cut-up fruit, a banana, chocolate covered almonds, frozen chinese dumplings, or candied ginger  - I need convenient treats!

- Large selection of teas - herbal, green & black.  A hot or cold cup of tea can be really satisfying.  When I want the milk-tea bit, I use Silk soy creamer, or non-fat, non-dairy Coffee Mate.  And I LOVE Portland’s own, Stash Tea - particularly Double Spiced Chai.   When I want to get really crazy, I make it DOUBLE strong! 

- Exploration of local beers can be replaced by exploration of local wines & spirits.  Of course, alcohol doesn’t really support a healthy body & mind…. but I’m going to take one step at a time, here.

- Coffee, both decaf and regular, are on the outs for me.  Don’t even get me started on this.  It’s another entry, or series of entries.  I’ll just say that it gives me a lot to think of regarding the subject of attachment.

- Focused blogs… two blogs you might check out: Dr. Amanda Anderson’s http://naturopathic.wordpress.com/ .  She’s my Naturopath & my partner in this food/body journey.  And, Chow Vegan: http://chowvegan.com.

I wish you a healthy tummy, heart and head!  Please let me know if you have ideas to share.

Posted in Food | 3 Comments »

1. June 2009 by admin.

I’ve woken up this morning with a new resolution… that is, to take the time to organize my email filters, so that not all my emails come up during my work day.  Some friends recently suggested this, when I asked about how to feel more organized and less distracted during the day.

Maybe I’m late to come to this realization, but it occurs to me that this is a good yoga practice.  In yoga, we work to train our minds to support us in our quest for happiness.  For me, getting emails from the many corners of my life throughout the day does not contribute to my sense of calm.  It may make me feel connected, to lots of people and things, but that doesn’t help me be 100% connected to what I’m doing in each moment.

So, I’m taking the extra minutes, to learn the filters in my email program.  Hoping that this small investment of time, will help me with the tapas, or discipline, of being present with whatever I’ve set my mind to in each moment.  I also want to have my calendar send me reminders of “to do’s,” but that might have to wait for another day.  I’m concentrating on this for now.

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20. April 2009 by admin.

If you have 53 or so minutes, treat yourself to this interview with Jon Kabat-Zinn on the Science of Mindfulness.  It’s new, it’s great, it’s inspiring.  http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/opening-to-our-lives/

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16. April 2009 by admin.

I love this TIME article, because it describes our “brand” of yoga therapy (called Integrated Movement Therapy®), without actually being about IMT.  Check it out!

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1891271,00.html

Posted in Yoga Therapy | 2 Comments »

31. March 2009 by admin.

“Compassion without attachment is possible. Therefore, we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment. True compassion is not just an emotional response but a firm commitment founded on reason. Therefore, a truly compassionate attitude towards others does not change even if they behave negatively. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the needs of the other.”

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

15. March 2009 by admin.

Check out this excellent interview by Terry Gross, Fresh Air, with Johan Lehrer.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101334645

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25. February 2009 by admin.

I learned this week of another dear friend who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  It challenges me to call on some of my tools for coping with fear and loss.  One of my favorites of these tools is the “5 Remembrances” of the Buddha, as translated by Thich Nhat Hanh.  I found this beautiful portrayal, created by www.plumvillage.org.

5 Remembrances, Thich Nhat Hanh

Posted in Yoga Therapy, Uncategorized | No Comments »

10. February 2009 by admin.

“As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery… we have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace. The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as anger, attachment, fear and suspicion, while love and compassion and a sense of universal responsibility are the sources of peace and happiness.” - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I find that when I’m having trouble with someone, or even understanding a group of people, that these concepts are helpful to remember.

Long live HHDL!

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