Month: October 2018

Categories
Healthy Activities

Oktoberfest table center

First time hosting Oktoberfest … so keeping the gathering under control and relatively cozy:) just a little over a dozen to show up ?

A cute mini-keg for a table center ? Variety of mostly bottled beers from around the world in ice chest outside by the grill …  Hot spiced apple cider and mulled wine … it’s really Autumn in California with fallen leaves rustling under our feet.

It’s so much about sausages, what could vegetarians and vegans eat?  No problem – Sauerkraut with NO BACON:) Replace with organic garbanzo beans and top onto tofu-based sausages – quite lovely.  It’s practically only once a year I visit this German butcher/deli in Silicon Valley to get what’s needed – the owner’s son, jumped out from behind the counter with so much enthusiasm when I uttered the word “Oktoberfest”.  His energy and love to help others spilled over to affect me in such a way that I now was in the mood to skip around –  our energy – aura is so catchy and I actually learned something about “teaching” from him.  His was all about teaching me about German food culture and an attitude of “I will take care of you !!!” “leave it to me; I know everything about this” !!! not in a patronizing way but in a way that fosters instant trust.

It seemed as though he danced and waltzed around this store as he made all his recommendations – must haves?  wow, Traditional German Egg Noodles “SPAETZLE” is made with cage-free eggs and pure durum semolina? (not for vegans, right, but great for vegetarians okay with eggs).  Or if you are like me – not rigid, not dogmatic – make some small exceptions when it’s culturally unique and special.

He gave me the recipe verbally and so easy.  Apparently he has helped locals put together Oktoberfest for last 20 years or so and he said with confidence, all will come back to him the following year to repeat the tradition.  First time for me so does this mean, I am going back to this gentleman every year should I decide to host this again?  Why did I come all the way here?  I am so against preserved or processed meats but at least, this place makes their own sausages fresh daily so no preservatives – in fact, must buy the sausages within a day or two from day made he says to have them “fresh” for the occasion.  He was dead against refrigerating it for more than a day – it’s got to be fresh to or it’s just does not taste the best – we don’t use any preservatives – it’s all natural – I see.

If you are staying away from meats, absolutely no problem – lots of root veggies like squash, pumpkin; lots of dark and light greens with array of colorful beans and peas – Mulled wine and spiced apple cider … local farmers market breads and …

Apple, pear tarts + vegan chocolate moose cake … and beer is … vegetarian.  lol:)

One of the guests was a 12 year old boy who danced some crazy moves – So funny to watch a boy slouched immobile on a couch intently staring into his cell phone screen maybe for 2 hours?  – then – surprise –  boom! all the sudden he’s off the couch and full of action,  teaching his dad the steps and arm movements – a rather cool dad keeping up – and me, a newbie into this Fort Nite craze – sooo crisp and sharp are his moves ! Mine?  ahhhh, well.  Google Fort Nite dance challenge (with professional dancers) it’s quite a challenge – I cannot keep up with middle schoolers – it was a harsh realization? lol –   They are fast quick learners and Hilarious to watch the crazy moves. If I were teaching Kids Yoga, definitely would incorporating them between poses:)  Get the wiggles out 🙂 Do the “Floss” then YOGA to balance out !

Categories
Beautiful Deeds Beautiful People Beautiful Rituals Healthy Activities Healthy Living Yoga

In 15 more days

Then, Day Light Savings will be over.  As we shift with setting the clock one hour to “Fall” back, we will truly be in midst of Autumn season.   Even in California, we do have subtle seasons that loosely reflect the 2018 calendar’s markings of seasons…

SPRING EQUINOX March 20
SUMMER SOLSTICE June 21
FALL EQUINOX September 22
WINTER SOLSTICE December 21, 5:23 P.M. EST

Already it’s getting darker and chillier outside in the mornings … and that means extraordinary will, a determination to make it to the gym, the studio, to your practice before sunrise.Sunrise being around 7:30am these days, for me, the drive is to feel and see the sunrise, which … is a spiritual feeling … a magical awakening.

So being that it’s with an effort, we make our way to this undertaking called “practice”,  I am more in awe and gratitude for anyone showing up for self-care.  Is it more a self-care to lick our wounds and stay under cover or do some other activity to let your body rest (good!) … maybe.We are all busy … but happy if we all carry just a little yoga intention off the mat so days off, we all need to care for self and others.

Many friends go on walks and so do I when I want to catch up by walking and talking. I love that time with our dogs … walked by our dogs, venturing into paths as they pull us to forge on.  I guess this foxy dog can be a sled dog …lol.

So I am not saying walking is not as good as yoga – there’s no comparison – they are both good to do for common and different reasons – just noting this helpful information – Here.

TGIF & Oktoberfest coming up:)  Please have a wonderful weekend capped by Sunday 4:15pm Deep Stretch Gentle Mellow Flow Yoga … it’s sweet for sweet yogis who deserve the time to be with Self to ready for Monday the start of week – a preparation starts the night before as my mom used to say.

Categories
Yoga

Experimenting with Props

Hanging from the sturdy Yoga Wall (@ Yoga Health Center with Jason Cull, Yoga Therapist, yoga teacher training I & II levels- something like 20 hrs.) allows us to feel soooo good ! Release in the shoulders which you never get in the usual inversions – relief for the whole back – stretch of hamstrings and Achilles then … all good effects of an inversion … without the risks of harm to shoulders and neck  … just enjoy the brain cleanse !

Yes, while headstands and handstands look awesome, there are some contraindications and even dangers associated with those poses, if done incorrectly or done by those who probably best not.  There are two carotid arteries moving through the neck to bring oxygen from the heart/body to the brain – Neck region is a major thorough-way so be prudent whenever you exert pressure/weight by loading in a certain way that affects the cervical spine – sure, we don’t fear falling but … it’s more about how stacked your spinal column from top to bottom will be and how that’s support by your core muscles and skeletal balance – so …exercise caution people especially if you suffer from high blood pressure, glaucoma or some eyes/neck related issues.

With this Yoga Wall – some of aforementioned concerns and risks are minimized  – breathe easy 🙂

Finding pelvic freedom … with support.

See the head placement in mid-air – without block;

then observe the triangle pose with block – chin centered and leveled.  Which so you think is better for you? Do you notice the subtle difference?  A lot of things that makes a world of difference is … subtle. Sharpening our sensory system so we can actually take notice … it’s the Princess, it’s the noble royals who with refined sensitivity notice and feel that little tiny pea under the mattress – as fairy tales are told.  When you have sharpened sensitivities and an ability to zoom in, one-pointed focus, tune in, a whole world opens up to more abundance. The dull fuzzy feelings of a … sloth … make way to crisp, fresh clarity.  Precision and that subtle intuition … give way to stability and ease … to sense of calm strength.  A place of no agitation; angst … fear.

With sandbag – with and without blocks

Going a little deeper with support … yummy.  Sandbag placement … by the esteemed teacher as she watches my alignment and weight distribution for … safety.

Experienced teachers look out for students’ … first and foremost. As Matsy Ezraty once said in a workshop, best teachers may not necessarily be popular but they know what’s best for the students and not caught up by ego and insecurities in measuring self-worth through headcounts. Each person entering the practice room is not a dollar sign but a spirit, another soul, a light, with its own story, and is here to be seen and honored.

Their concern is safety and ease while challenging the students to always find the better versions of themselves – they are concerned with creating that safe sacred space built on trust.