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

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.

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! ...

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

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 ~ 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

Posture: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

(SET-too BAHN-dah)

setu = dam or bridge

bandha = lock

Lie down on the mat, bend knees and set feet on the floor hip-width apart. As you lift the hips up, walk the shoulder blades towards one another and interlace the fingers. Push the tailbone upward toward the pubis, engaging the hamstrings and glutes. Arms press into the mat gently and extend long towards the heels to help stay on the tops of the shoulders.

Lift buttocks until thighs are about parallel to the floor. Keep knees directly over the heels and lengthen the tailbone toward the back of the knees. Lift pubis toward the navel. Chin lifts away from the sternum and shoulder blades firm against the back. Stay in the posture for 5-10 deep breathes and exhale as you roll the spine slowly down onto the mat.  

Benefits: stretches the chest, spine and neck * calms the brain and helps alleviate stress and mild depression * stimulates abdominal organs, lungs and thyroid * rejuvenates tired legs * improves digestion * helps relieve symptoms of menopause * relieves menstrual discomfort * reduces anxiety, fatigue, backache, headache, and insomnia * therapeutic for asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and sinusitis

Be cautious of the following: If you've had a neck injury, avoid this posture unless you are practicing under the supervision of an experienced teacher.

~ Thanks to YJ for helping me out this week as I didn't have a photo of me in bridge! 

Mantra: Don't worry, be happy!

"Happiness is the natural state of human kind. God has given us, free of cost, unlimited and inexhaustible sources of happiness. Life evolved on earth against tremendous odds. This life itself is the greatest happiness. OH! To be alive is the greatest happiness. To have a sound body and mind is a privilege which we hardly appreciate. God has seen to it that we are born in a family and later acquire a family which gives us great happiness and joy. God gave us beautiful sun and moon, starts and sky, mountains and forests, rivers and oceans, fruits and vegetables, and rain and snow and sunshine - all for our happiness and to keep us happy!
Humans rival God in everything. The motive behind human progress is happiness. Humans made all things for their happiness and enjoyment. They discovered fire and wheel, made houses and tools, engaged in agriculture and crafts. They made cars and airplanes, radio and TV and computers. They developed music and dance, fine arts and literature. All these things are not only useful; they are also great source of happiness to humankind.
But the ultimate happiness lies in mind. With a happy and positive attitude human kind can be happy in very difficult circumstances too. There is no use in worrying for past things and things to come. Enjoy the unlimited happiness scattered all around us in unlimited quantity in God given and human made lives and things; be happy in your mind by having a positive and happy attitude; and keep your soul in a state of perfect happiness, bliss, and nirvana in communion with the universal soul. Make others happy and you will Be HaPpY!"
- happinessmantra.com

Tunes: Seone

This album totally kicks as(ana)! Check it out... it's new on my class playlist this week! You can preview music here.
My friends at Yoga Shala and I will be doing a yoga demonstration tomorrow afternoon (Saturday) at lululemon at the Quarry from 2-3pm... come by and say hello!
My classes this weekend:
~ Yoga Shala - Saturday 9:30am-11am
~ San Antonio Yoga - Sunday 10:30am-11:45am
Come join in the fun! Have a lovely weekend!

Grub: I Heart Nanogreens

I wanted to share what I eat most mornings for breakfast. Now I know it doesn't look like much but know that this is usually an hour and a half before practicing. Most traditional yogis do not eat anything prior to practice, but if I don't eat anything I begin to feel nauseous.  I first started eating rice cakes a few years ago while on a cleanse and since then, I have been addicted! I buy the Flax with Tamari (Lundberg Family Farms brand). The flax contains omega-3 that promotes cardiovascular health, supports the immune system and promotes general health. These are wheat free, gluten free and made with natural brown rice. I top the 'ol cakearoo with organic strawberry spread and a handful of blueberries - who wouldn't look forward to this for breakfast?
That green stuff off to the side is Nanogreens. Eddie and I drink this algae-looking drink daily and LOVE IT!! You gotta be able to look past the outside and focus on what's in the inside to really enjoy and benefit from it. (Sort of like yoga!) In a nutshell, it's fruits and veggies to the power of 10. It's considered a 'fast' healthy food for energized lifestyles. It has a naturally sweet taste to it and is surprisingly enjoyable. We actually look forward to having our 'greens and crave it when we've run out and don't have any on hand. Here are more benefits:

•                increase energy, naturally, without stimulants

•                reduce appetite, improve metabolism and assist weight loss efforts

•                restore regular elimination and assist digestion

•                reduce inflammation, relieve stiff and achy joints and muscles

•                lower risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke

•                inhibit hardening of the arteries

•                protect your vision from age related vision loss and blindness

•                maintain strong bone support, immune function and increase resistance to infections

•                reduce allergy symptoms without drowsiness

•                improve mental acuity and protect mind and memory

•                detoxify toxic meals and chemicals, help slow aging of the skin and dulling of the hair

I sell various Biopharma products including Nanogreens so if you're interested let me know!

Here's to happy breakfasts to kick-start your day!