Monday, October 11, 2010

Motivation: What is your burning desire? Is it pure and of good will?

'That Self is indeed Brahman (eternal, unchanging, infinite, immanent), consisting of knowledge, mind, life, sight, hearing, earth, water, wind, ether, light and no light, desire and no desire, anger and no anger, right or wrong, and all things. Now as a man is like this or like that, according as he acts and according as he behaves, so will he be:--a man of good acts will become good, a man of bad acts, bad. He becomes pure by pure deeds, bad by bad deeds.
And here they say that a person consists of desires. And as is his desire, so is his will; and as is his will, so is his deed; and whatever deed he does, that he will reap.'
The Upanishads, Part 2

Friday, October 8, 2010

Tunes: Broken Bells

My lovely friend Esme introduced me to the up and coming band, Broken Bells. They'll be in Austin this weekend for ACL. Just a bit envious if you've got tickets! (Hot songs: The High Road and The Ghost Inside.) Also Saturday, previously featured The XX will be performing. This probably wouldn't be on my traditional yoga playlist, but you never know... I've been known to throw in a few funky tunes! Especially when we hit the core sequences... anything with a good beat will keep ya going a few more reps!
Have a lovely weekend... Namaste.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Grub: Blend of cous cous, veggies & tuna

Nothing too hot about this dish, but it sure is tasty! All you've gotta do is chop up some squash, zucchini, and whatever other veggies your little heart desires. Season them with a little olive oil, pepper & salt. Add in cooked, whole wheat cous cous and top with tuna. We're hooked on the Bumble Bee Easy Peel Sensations (Lemon & Pepper and Sundried Tomato & Basil). It's the perfect lunch or quick dinner. I especially like the crunch effect of the veggies... mmm, mmm, good!
Oh and because to me, this is so damn healthy - a sweet treat is the ideal way to wrap up this meal!

On a side note, Eddie and his mom just left down to the Valley for a few days. Quiet around the house - just me and the dogs! I think a cleaning party is on the horizon. Wine... check! Music... check! Swiffer... check! Clorox disinfectant wipes... check! ...

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Fab Find: The Yoga Sutras

Many of you know I love to read either during my classes or right before resting in Savasana. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Sri Swami Satchidananda is my go-to book for inspiration, motivation and peace. Sutra literally means a thread or a line that holds things together. Think of a string of pearls. I'll admit, I've never read the book straight through, it's rather deep. However, it provides great wisdom and knowledge as to how we as yogis should live our lives, interact with other beings, and learn to let go. The book is divided into four chapters: concentration, practice, progressing and liberation. These are very vague, so in order to see for yourself just how powerful this book is, I highly recommend adding it to your stash. Even if it's something you pick up every now and then. I guarantee, whatever passage you decide to read will have a lasting impact.

Price: $12.21 on Amazon

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Posture: Lord of the Dance Pose

(not-ah-raj-AHS-anna)
nata = actor, dancer, mime
raja = king

Stand in Tadasana (Mountain Pose). Shift weight onto right food and lift left heel toward left cheek (not facial cheek). Tee hee. Pull the knee cap up to keep the standing leg straight and strong. Reach back with left hand and grasp the outside of the left foot or ankle. Avoid compression in the low back by actively lifting your pubis toward your navel, while at the same time pressing your tailbone toward the floor.
Begin to lift left foot up, away from the floor and back, away from your torso. Extend left thigh behind you and parallel to the floor. Stretch right arm forward, in front of torso and parallel to the floor. And smile.
Hold posture for 20-30 seconds. Release the grasp on the foot, place left foot back and onto floor. Repeat for the same length of time on other side. 

Benefits: stretches the shoulders and chest * stretches the thighs, groins and abdomen * strengthens the legs and ankles * improves balance



Monday, October 4, 2010

Monday ~ Mantra

"I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door - or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present."

Rabindranath Tagore, was a Bengali mystic, Brahmo poet, author and Asia's first Nobel Prize winner
I subscribe to The Daily Love. It is exactly what it sounds like. Each morning, I roll over in bed to turn off my iphone alarm and since I'm there, I check the funky spam emails that have been sent to me overnight. You know the crap I'm talkin about... you get it too. There's always one email however, that is anything but trash. It's from TDL. I smile there with gunk in my eyes because somehow or another, the message speaks to me. 
The present is dark for me. As trying as these days are, I'm alive. I can breathe and move. I have my mat and I have Eddie.  Soon enough, I'll be making my door. 
It's good to be back,
Kristal