Motivation: Your Destiny

You are what your deep driving desire is.

As your desire is, so is your will.

As your will is, so is your deed.

As your deed is, so is your destiny.

- Upanishads

Tunes: Amos Lee

A little blue-sy, a little indie acoustic... this artist is a definite find on my yoga playlist! Listen to 'What's Been Going On' and 'Colors'... you're sure to fall in love by the first strum. Enjoy! And oh btw for those of you who were lookin forward to a new recipe this week, apologies! I've had a crazy busy week and so Thursday Grub will be back next week. Guess what we had instead... Kashi pizza! 

Happy Memorial Day weekend! We're checking out - camping in Concan here we come! 

Fab Find: Always Moola Bandha ribbed tank

This really is classic! For those of you who have never experienced the awkwardness of a teacher explaining this in a yoga class... here ya go: The technique is a drawing up of the muscles of the perineum, in front of the tailbone at the base of the spine. This energy lock then awakens the mooladhara (or root) chakra, arousing powerful energy.

"Once control over the practice has been achieved, we can begin to slowly awaken mooladhara chakra and the kundalini shakti which lies within it. Then we may enjoy the bliss which arises from the union of prana and apana, nada and bindu, the union of the formed with the formless."

~ Swami Buddhanadha in Moola Bandha: The Master Key

Price: $30

Posture: Salabhasana

(sha-la-BAHS-anna)

salabha = locust, grasshopper

Lie on your stomach with arms alongside the body, palms facing up and forehead resting on the mat. Gently lift your head, upper torso and arms. Lift your legs and keep arms parallel to the floor. Softly press abdomen and lower ribs toward the mat. Stay in this position for 5 breaths and lower. 

This picture was taken last Saturday in San Marcos. I taught a class to participants of the Tour de Cure bicycle race benefitting the American Diabetes Association. FuN!! 

Benefits: strengthens muscles of the spine, buttocks, and backs of the arms and legs * stretches shoulders, chest, belly and thighs * improves posture * stimulates abdominal organs * helps relieve stress

Be cautions of the following: serious back injury * students with neck injuries should keep the head in a neutral position by looking down at the floor

Motivation: Our deepest fear...

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God;
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

~ Marianne Williamson, quoted by Nelson Mandella in his inaugural speech)

Tunes: Trevor Hall

Trevor Hall... getcha some!

I love... The Lime Tree, Unity, Proof of Destruction... and every song off of the Lace Up Your Shoes album. We learned of him a few years ago in Austin. We were at Stubb's for a Martin Sexton concert and Trevor was the opener. We were blown away completely by his talent, lyrics and performance. He has a new album out called This Is Blue and I cannot wait to listen! You better believe he's on my yoga class playlist! Have a wonderful weekend, I know I will!
~ Namaste

Grub: Whole Wheat Greek Orzo Salad

Eddie's carnivorous version sans tomatoes. (Before he added his sriracha!) 

My veggie version... oh so delish! 

Now we're talkin! My great friend Stephanie sent me this recipe (via Pinch My Salt) and holy moly is it tasty! The cool thing about this salad is that you can add pretty much whatever you'd like (considering it blends well with the overall taste) and customize it to your palate's delight. I knew I wanted to make it my own when I saw that the original calls for finely chopped kalamata olives. I don't care how fine these things may be... we just don't get along. I've never been one for olives and so I kindly omitted them. I also decided to throw in some slivered almonds for an added crunch effect. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. This is the perfect dish for a summer bbq... quick and easy, fresh and so unbelievably healthy!

Serves: 6
Ingredients:
8 oz whole wheat orzo pasta
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
1 cup cherry tomotoes, finely chopped
1/3 cup kalamata olives, finely chopped (ew, it hurts just to type it)
2 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
salt, to taste
fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Prep:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water, then allow to drain well again. In a large bowl, toss pasta with olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice. Add remaining ingredients and toss well. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Best when served chilled.

You can also try adding these: finely chopped red onion, red bell pepper, artichoke hearts, fresh chopped dill, or grated lemon zest! I will surely be trying this one again, next time around adding more of these to make it more fun and colorful! Bon appetit!

Fab Find: KOR ONE

This is one cool water bottle man! These KOR vessels are made from BPA-free Tritan and other health-safe materials. There is a hinged cap for easy open and close and you don't have to hold it open when drinking! You don't have to worry about a metal or plastic after-taste and the spout is wide enough to fit ice cubes. I'm weird and like washing dishes, but for those of you who can't live without your dishwasher... these are totally safe! It holds 25 ounces comes with a variety of motivational stones to personalize the bottle cap. Neat-o mosquito - but that's not all... 

There's a KOR Register and Recycle program that encourages all customers (despite purchase location) to register their product online and when they are ready to trash the bottle, the company mails the customer a postage-paid return form so that the bottle is sent back to them for 100% recycling! Now that's sustainability! I want one now!!! 

Price: $29.95 or $35.00 for Special Editions  

Posture: Bakasana

(bahk-AHS-anna)

baka = crane
but a.k.a. crow

This posture is often used as a transition posture into a headstand. From standing, squat down keeping big toes together and separating the knees. Lower hands in front of feed, spreading the fingers wide. As you come to the tip-toes, draw knees into triceps/armpits and lean forward with torso and head. Round the spine, taking the weight of the torso onto the upper arms and keep the head up, the gaze out in front. To release, either slowly return feet to the mat or jump back with an exhalation into chaturanga dandasana.

This is one of my favorite postures... it poses a challenge for sure but also measures the strength of the upper body. Keep trying, it's one that definitely gets easier with practice!

Benefits include: strengthens arms and wrists * stretches through the upper back * strengthens abdominal muscles * opens groins * tones abdominal organs

Motivation: Peace Mantra

O SAHANA VAVATU SAHANA BHUNATTU
SAHA VIRYAM KARAWAVAHAI
TEJASVINA VADITAMASTU
MA VIDVISHA VAHAI
OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI OM

Together may we be protected
Together may we be nourished
Together may we work with great energy
May our journey together be brilliant and effective
May there be no bad feelings between us
Peace, peace, peace