Categories
Yoga

Back to deepening the practice

Reviewing, observing, BEING … DOING:)
sm_IMG_0557I really don’t like being touched in yoga class too much – feel the tension coming on – so this is nice:)sm_IMG_0561Adjustments or focus gathering… not correction. Prom_IMG_6867sm_IMG_0735sm_IMG_1507Prom_IMG_6848

How did nearly 10 lbs creep up last year? Ironically by spending too much time on yoga therapy related studies which meant – hours of watching anatomy videos (homework) and reading about mind-body-&more connections (homework & more reading assignments), being stressed about getting that HW done when you are short on time, doing more homework, holding space rather than “doing”. Back to the Being of Doing. While I can’t practice as much as those good old days when I had more time (well nourished on 4-5 times a week practice peppered with weekend intensives …a fading memory to regain). One just has to dedicate a “me”-time when there’s no time. Like all of us with responsibilities – Yes, make time. Feels GOOD! Banish stiffness, find space in the constricted tightness, find freedom. Flow. Off to the gym or to a studio, or merely to space out the 10,000 steps a day – Have a great day !

New Year’s Resolution?
2 lbs a month weight loss in 5 months equals 10 lbs by June – without counting calories; engaging in yin yoga (because mindful resistance, strengthening (muscles are engaged then released), and stretching can help with the athletics) peppered with those interval training – yang activities.

Invite Diaphragmatic breathing, take it further and engage the Ujai breath, the victorious breath where there’s a little bit of resistance in the slow exhale … just with that alone, 3 lbs loss in one week already. Really powerful. Just eating plant based whole foods flavored with lemon, lime, Ayurvedic(learned from Jyoti) spices, miso, soy sauce, yuzu, rice vinegar … and sometimes EVO:) Nothing extreme … just easing into balance:)
Join me – feels good to get ready for Spring.

New Intentions are set for this New Moon Evening.

What are your intentions this year?

Categories
Beautiful People Healthy Food

YAKUZEN

YAKUZEN = or Yakuzen-ryori is a special medicinal cuisine served at a Buddhist temple. Similar to Shojin Ryori.

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I was reminded of Shinobeau who lives in the forest, as other day, I was passing by a street named “Wanowa” in San Francisco. Then my thoughts wondered … to the idea of all these unhealthy relationship with food people may be fighting … what if they tried or adopted Wanowa’s just as a “retreat” to refresh and reboot.

So interesting to learn about “othorexia” in yoga therapy TT as we have a tendency to restrict ourselves believing that strict, rigid discipline is what’s needed for our transformation.
Have you ever thought about the cultural context of our food relationship? There’s a lot of emotional attachment to foods and that sometimes dictates our diet.
For example,
If you are of Chinese descent and have fond memories of having dim sum with 3 generations of smiling faces on Sundays, I think that’s great; if you are Jewish and have fond memories of a certain New York deli, where you used to share a pastrami sandwich with your grandmother along with a big bowl of chicken soup rumored to stave off the sniffles during the flu season … isn’t that great? Medicinal elixir is what you believe it to be! If you are French, perhaps that fluffy omelette and buttery crepes your mother used to make brings up warm and fuzzy feelings. On my birthdays growing up, my late father used to take me out for sushi to celebrate – he’d have sake and I would be happy with green tea as we marveled at the fresh shiny morsel of delicacies. What about the good times memory you have when your late father fired up the BBQ and invited the neighbors… Well, I think all – what you may interpret as “bad” or “sad” or “impure”? foods should be honored. It’s okay – it’s all good – one should never be shamed. It is healthy to indulge from time to time – it’s good for our soul if not for our waistline. The soulful benefits we get out of these comfort foods far outweigh the benefits of restraint and denial of those positive memories – tied into the foods you shared with those important people. Telling myself to – Lighten up and be more flexible and spacious this year. Less judgement but just open mind; open, vast body cosmos.

The real cause of a weight gain in many cases is not from lack of exercise and eating too much – the major reasons for weight gain is often (1) too much stress where stress hormone cortisol is released causing cravings for emotionally attached but not necessarily good for you kinds of food – sugar, deep fried foods, high salt in take and high carbs … and (2) not enough rest/sleep. This happens a lot to students with needs to study longer, staying up late, reaching for snacks to keep awake. Sleep deprivation often causes the weight gain… as our metabolism is not functioning at the highest efficiency. If you are starting to think something is wrong with your thyroid because you wonder about your metabolism, address these two likely common causes first and then go check on your eating habits.

I do think that certain food professionals and coaches can really transform our health though by allowing us to look at our relationship with food with fresh new perspective.
Here’s a local chef, Shinobeau, whose cooking has really made me feel just so … pure:) each time I take a bite of her offering.
Her dedication to provide a well balanced dining experience is heartwarming.
Here’s her lovely homepage:)

Categories
Beautiful People

Eating Choices & Yoga for Weight Management

While some are on certain diets necessitated by doctor’s orders whether it be due to food allergies, heart conditions, diabetes, some of us, this syndrome can be a root cause of further anxieties. While most are well intended and truly caring people who are seriously alarmed about the well-being of this planet and the inhabitants, … some of the super restrictive dietary concerns verge on at times, obsession or preoccupation steeped in fear. Eating used to be about nourishing with JOY and really about …Gratitude. It’s still that but there’s more fear. Fear of getting fat; fear of aging; fear of illnesses… eating choices are made fear based in many cases and some really don’t know what and how to eat anymore – which is too bad – it would be nice if it’s all about a gathering and abundance (not gluttony). Evaluation of how we eat and what we eat seems like a good way to start the year – healthy eating doled out in moderate portions at a sharing table filled with good conversations and laughter … that would be enough for me.
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In the media, there’s a lot attention given to the 98 year old yoga teacher, Täo Porchon-Lynch, and rightfully so because she’s pretty amazing. Well, I was inspired to find that there’s someone like her at the local level, going about her compassionate ways without the hype. I admire Saraswathi Devi for what she does in Berkeley California. She must be in her 70’s or 80’s – have no idea – gosh, maybe she too is in her 90’s as yoginis tend to age so gracefully; she is a shining example of empowerment to those who feel limited whether by an illness, injuries or age or whatever else.
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Recently I was reminded how I have been fortunate to learn from many wise seasoned older women, including my mother and late grandmother and aunts and for all that, I am so grateful. Maybe because they were all rather accomplished home chefs, when it comes to memories of time spent with them, it is interesting that gathering around the table or that loving woman’s specialty dish brings up the most pleasant memories – one might call it the “comfort food” – food for thought. Thoughts of certain kinds of food is so connected to our emotions, losing weight is not just about counting calories and exercising more…We all know we should eat whole foods, mostly plant based … and then? We have to see how certain emotions dictate our relationship with our food…

You know what’s coming, right ? Yes … will be tackling “Yoga for Weight Loss” as most of us believes they gained too much during the holiday season. Apparently not true according to this article – and yet, we fear the cumulative effects of that one pound gain a year over time. Remember – yoga works.