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REDUCTION in SLOW COOKING

It’s all condensed and really … it’s about LESS is MORE.
REDUCTION is the process of thickening and intensifying the flavor, in cooking technique. But it also applies in life. Reducing the excess, the clutter, the things, the indispensable for the silky shiny essence. It’s kind of that in yoga therapy. The complete opposite where I was always doing more and more. Instead, what results is simple yet complex, intense flavors of various degrees of delight. Enjoy as more and more serotonin is released when your gut is happy. Happy tummy, Happy life.

“GUTSU GUTSU” sounds … let it boil first then turn it down …simmering, heat reduced but beautiful silky sauce on the way…It’s a technique in the kitchen to try Sunday quiet afternoons for that nourishing supper to get ready for the upcoming week. Be nourished. Be strong. Exercise Mindful Eating – as exercise we played with Baxter Bell, MD. Reminded almost of Japanese tea ceremony or ceremonial ritualistic process, the steps to take:

– First see what you are eating. See how it’s presented.
– Smell it – bring the plate/bowl to your nose, smell and feel perhaps the steam …
– take it into your mouth but do not bite – just let it sit on your tongue.
– Let your taste bud turn on.
– Think about the flavors.
– Is it sweet? Savory? juicy? bitter? sour? what?
– slowly bite into it.
– think of that sensation – is it crispy, chewy, soft, crunchy, crumbly? what?
– very slow – do not swallow it for as long as possible without looking silly.
– bite as many times as possible – Kushi method recommends at least 50 times but … okay, I realize we are living a life timed.
– slowly swallow.
– begin every meal with a glass of water or tea if there’s no soup.
– At the beginning and end of the meal, always acknowledge – GRATITUDE:)

Obviously we cannot do this for every meal (or if we did, we would lose 10 lbs easily) but maybe at least for your Sunday supper to really relish the dining experience with friends and family. If alone, really relish the taste of something you put so much effort into making. Invite someone to share the goodness.

Now try it with an apple …

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Yoga

Tapas

When it comes to Neuroscience, my FAV is Oxytocin ! It’s about cuddling, hugging and being … maternal? Whereas, dopamine for all the striving gym-rats and the Rajasic life …a bit too much of that around here. Left the corporate life of self-promotion, and ah, the politics … re-started yoga for stress-management back then. It was managed yes, that’s what I was good at … managing, controlling. But now it’s more about taming the fire, reductions … (cooking term yet again!) , i.e., for stress-“reduction” (note – not “management”), and optimal health. Teaching is an extension of that practice of resurgence, regeneration and the desire to share anything good with fellow human beings. It’s never been about thinner waist line but we know it just comes naturally when we take up this practice. So if the environment or the support system (nil) is stress causing, ironic? Why do it? For money? For ego? For approvals and validation? or Are you incessantly striving for the dopamine rush over other good feelings? Yoga teachers, if you are stressed yoga teachers, you are due for “self-study” session. Why this passion? Why do you “love” yoga so much? Do you love it just as much when it becomes the “business” of yoga? Check in with more experienced teachers with decades of teaching under their belt to get their perspective, so we can learn and grow – it’s all about the tapas?
seratoninWhat does Tapas have anything to do with this?

What do I walk away from this weekend besides Yoga For Digestion covered by Baxter Bell, Yoga Therapist first and MD second ? (besides importance of good dose of sense of humor:) I know as I am always talking about food, you might think I am referring to “Tapas” as in small dishes of savory Spanish foods but I will be talking about Yoga Philosophy and how that philosophy is not something obsolete but ever more applicable and relevant today as we navigate ourselves in today’s world.

Tapas – it’s about the discipline. The motivation to practice. The FIRE. That fire in the belly for some; for me, being a Kapha (okay, so with a little Pitta), it’s the illuminating light, a fire, no it’s not a bonfire, a single candle light lighting up the entire surface of the lake… with each ripple, shaken at the surface but the core is deep and all embracing body of water. Whether storm and tidewaters come upon this body of water, always, returning to reflecting that steady flame. Calibrating that BALANCE that allows us to do all that we want to do with more joy, less stress. More satisfaction, less agitation.

Subbing a Vinyasa class today. Vinyasa practice this morning – would it mirror my morning practice?

(I’m the first to) Find out !

Subbing gives me pleasure because it’s about helping someone; and double-whammy in that I am doing something that’s out of regularity and comfort zone. Got to do that sometimes … It’s about gaining more experience thrown into a new group, new set of needs. Thank you for the opportunity, fellow Yogi. My fire burns more like a candles burning in different fashion – like multiples of birthday candles, full of mirth and joy; and sometimes, a single candle at a vigil, reflective and finding the light from darkness. Thank you to my teachers, past and present. Lovely closure to a weekend in need of digestion so it may nourish us so that we may feed others hungry for knowledge and … betterment.

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Anything Cute Beautiful Places Healthy Living

To the Beach !

So kindly, can you take off my leash, Please ~IMG_1595_02IMG_1793IMG_1812IMG_1348_01IMG_0904
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Down Dog
Up Dog
Down Dog
Puppy
Child’s Pose …
The ABCs of Asana, Breath, and Centering – YES.
All in balance.
Back feeling GOOD. All is well.

Earthing on the sands … fully grounded and in the flow, feeling the CONNECTION:
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What’s great about Bay Area, California is that … you can get there, to the Pacific Ocean so easily. Blessed.

Take care of yourself.