Everything Yoga

A Yoga-Inspired Approach to New Year Planning

Ever since I can remember, I've loved the time between Christmas and New Years. It seems that this sacred time is for slowing down and enjoying and is a nice change from the breakneck speed of holiday preparations. Just as I do every year, I welcome this time. It's my time to integrate all that has happened in my life over the past year and to consider how I want to live the next year of my life.

Around this time I get a flurry of emails talking about the importance of goal setting. The word achievement is bandied about as if it were the most important thing in the world -- and don't even get me started on all of the New Year's resolution talk. I chuckle to myself because while everyone else is planning to do more, I'm conspiring to do less. My thoughts on goal-setting have been captured perfectly in this interview with Zen Habits blogger and The Power of Less author Leo Babauta. I love what he says about eliminating the non-essential. I notice that when I used to choose goals they weren't truly essential -- they were simply accomplishments I felt I needed to work towards. This year I'm looking at things differently.

My yoga studies of late have addressed the topic of Dharma, so my plans for the year are going to take on a new meaning. It's more about what lights me up rather than what seems reasonable or practical. It's common for me to change course and move from one thing to the next rather quickly. In the past I viewed that as negative -- like I was quitting. Now I see it as being fluid and more in tune with who I am as a person. After all, I'm not stagnant but always changing. Doesn't it then make sense that my goals would follow suit? Yoga Journal has an excellent article that ties dharma to health. Before you think about sucking it up and sticking it out yet another year doing what you don't enjoy, read it.

And when you find yourself ready to make a change or you desire to plan simply for the coming year, check out Lululemon's free Goaltender site. It makes planning fun!

And the biggest question you should ask yourself as you look back on 2008 and ahead to 2009 -- what joy have your brought?

Namaste!

Christmas Memories and Christmas Present

I'm fully enjoying my time in South Carolina and I feel grateful for this time that I'm spending with my family. I've been keeping up with my yoga practice and noticing the differences of practicing at a higher elevation (the house is situated on a mountain). This morning I practiced The Five Tibetan Rites and am still feeling the energy circulating through my body. If you'd like to practice, click here for a great version of the Rites from Yoga Today's Sarah Kline.

I notice that I'm quite nostalgic this year and I've been revisiting a lot of old family traditions that I haven't participated in for quite some time. Despite the fact that my brother and I are in our 30s and 40s respectively, the other night we put decades-old cookie cutters to good use and decorated butter cookies in all kinds of festive shapes to holiday tunes sung by Nat King Cole and Andy Williams -- all while Mom beamed with pride as she watched our creative endeavors (she also chided us for eating too much cookie dough and cookie decorations). Just yesterday I read an amazing blog post from personal coach extraordinaire Drew Rozell that brought back yet another childhood tradition. The post, entitled Do You Believe, captured one of my favorite memories from childhood -- trolling through the Sears Christmas Wish Book in search of things I desired from Santa. I'd dogear pages and circle the longed-for toys and then compile a list for Santa.

When I celebrated Christmas as a child, I was enchanted by receiving gifts. I loved tearing through the wrapping paper, eager to see what would be unearthed. And the feeling of having all of my desires come true -- magical! I understood there was a deeper meaning to the holiday, yet my focus seemed to rest solely on my own little world and the greedy desires within it. It was fun to watch the faces of my parents and brothers light up when they received a gift that they wanted.

Even though decades have passed, I am still inclined every now and again to dogear a page that boasts something that catches my fancy (I've ripped out quite a few pages from yoga magazines -- instead of stuffed animals and games, it's now books, CDs, and yoga accessories). I still love receiving, but the emphasis is less on gifts and more on the feeling behind the gifts. These days when I find myself desiring something, I often find that what I really want is the feeling I believe the thing that I desire will give me. Let's just say that my list for Santa looks very different now than it once did.

Now it's all about feelings and states of being rather than things. Do I still enjoy receiving gifts and tearing through that wrapping paper? You bet! Nowadays I only get a fraction of the amount of gifts that I used to receive as a child (my parents were very generous to us kids) yet I feel that I'm receiving so much more. My yoga practice has reminded me that the best gifts in life are always laid before you -- you only have to recognize their presence and welcome them into your life (and say thank you, of course).

Namaste!

Community and Being Peace

As I spend time surrounded by family I am once again struck by how important being part of a community is (for juice, love, support, and a sense of oneness). There's nothing like resting in the support of loved ones, like-minded people, those with a common bond. If you're desiring to join a yoga community in your area, I suggest trying MeetUp. This great Web site has a sub domain devoted to yoga -- YogaMeetUp. A simple search on YogaMeetUp can find you a local celebration of Deva Devi Ratri (the night of the God and and Goddess) tomorrow night. Check it out and get involved in the new year.

If peace (both for yourself and the world) is on your wish list this holiday, check out Thich Nhat Hanh's Peace Meditation, which offers up an excellent reminder about how we can bring about peace.

Namaste!

A Mid-Winter's Nap

"Generosity is giving more than you can and pride is taking less than you need." -- Kahlil Gibran

This holiday season I'm going to focus on being (being with my loved ones, enjoying the moments of the holidays) rather than doing (I consciously decided NOT to send cards this year) and spend time with people rather than in front of a computer. That means that my posts may be sporadic from now through New Years.

I wish all of you to know gratitude and to be present for all the joys that the holidays bring. Celebrate with joy and abandon. And don't forget to take out some time to practice yoga...

Namaste!

Bliss Out: Holiday Stress Tips, a Jivamukti Yoga Quickie Routine, and Chanting with Tina Turner

Is holiday stress draining you and the joy of the holidays? If you're struggling this season, check out the helpful tips on the new Turn Stress Into Bliss blog. The blog is authored by Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy founder and author of the book Turn Stress into Bliss - the Proven 8 week Program for Stress Relief Michael Lee. I'd also suggest buying the book and starting out 2009 by doing the 8-week program. I've done the program myself and loved it!

Many of my students complain that when things get busy and time gets tight, their yoga practice falls by the wayside. There are no hard, fast rules regarding the length of your yoga practice, so I suggest taking the pressure off by simply fitting in 10 minutes of practice (it's a lot less intimidating and stress-inducing to fit in 10 minutes of practice than 60-minutes, right?). Believe me, 10 minutes is better than nothing! And the time you spend practicing will pay off in stress dividends. It's a worthwhile time investment. If you're looking for some short yoga practices, I highly recommend the new Padmani Yoga podcast (check out the 30-minute quickie) and the variety of brief yoga practices from Sadie Nardini (I've already recommended her Fists of Fire detox sequence in a previous post).

Another way to banish stress is to chant. Chanting balances and calms, and it's perfect for squeezing into a busy schedule. Try just 10 minutes and notice how it positively affects your inner and outer world. The Buddhist chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is not only beautiful but it is believed that by chanting it one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion. One of my favorite rockers (and ass-kicking woman) -- Tina Turner -- rocks this chant. Click here to listen (just listening put me in a state of bliss).

Namaste!

90 Years of Wisdom From BKS Iyengar

"Yoga is the supreme religion. The body and intelligence are the same everywhere. The mind is individual and yoga helps it become universal. It brings about a vibration in the body and this music is due to the practice of the asanas. Its benefits are immeasurable and that is the only reason for its popularity."
---BKS Iyengar

Yoga illuminary BKS Iyengar credits yoga for his going strong at 90 years old. Iyengar shared a bit of wisdom gleaned from his long life and his practice of yoga in a recent interview. You can read it here.

Namaste!

Odds and Ends: Yoga & Meditation Blogs, A Yogi's Viewpoint on Economics, and Yoga for Cancer Survivors

Welcome to the random thoughts of a yogi...

I find myself in a bit of a pickle lately -- in a time when outside forces are wanting me to speed up, my body is telling me to slow down. Since I know that my body is filled with infinite wisdom, I tend to defer to it. Still, it's hard when I've got a lot to accomplish within a limited time frame. I'm saying no (with a smile, of course) more often and trimming obligations from my schedule (for the first time in a long time I'm liberating myself by not sending out Christmas cards) and I make my yoga, pranayama, and meditation practices a priority.

The good news is that there's a lot of online support out there for those of us who make out yoga practices a priority. Just check out this list of the Top 100 Yoga and Meditation Blogs (yes, I'm grateful that this blog made the list). There's so much great information about yoga out there and what I love about blogs is the varied viewpoints you'll find on the subject. Browse the list (or take a look at the Yoga Blogs and Podcast list on the left hand column of this blog) and find a blogger who offers a new perspective for you. Happy reading!

I'm in NYC this weekend for a workshop and I was delighted to come across this fantastic list of holiday attractions/experiences in NYC. Other than shopping for gifts for my family, I haven't really taken time to take in and enjoy the fact that it's the holiday. Again, I need to resist the messages to operate at light speed, slow things down, and do a little appreciation of the season. If you live in or around NYC, check out this Web site for holidays NYC style.

I have an addition to the last post which spoke about practicing yoga in these financial times. One of my favorite yogis -- Syl Carson -- happens to have a banking background and recently offered her perspective on the state of economics at this time. You can watch the video here.

My final piece of information comes from a holiday memory from around 5 years ago. A friend who died from cancer was receiving treatment at Sloan-Kettering around the holidays and when I went to visit him I found myself struck by the juxtaposition of the seriousness of what was happening in the hospital room with the buoyancy of the holiday celebrations outside. Every year around this time I think of that visit to the hospital and I remember to be grateful for my health and all that I am blessed with in my life. Unfortunately, over the years, I've had more friends and acquaintances be diagnosed with cancer. If you or someone you know has been afflicted, I suggest the latest DVD by Susi Hately Aldous -- Yoga For Cancer Survivors. Five dollars from every DVD purchase goes to support the Yoga for Cancer Survivors' Research Program.

That's all for me today. I'm going to take a little time now to rest and breathe before moving on to the next thing. May you create moments of peace and relaxation during this hectic holiday season.

Namaste!

Yoga for Finance and Travel Stress

It seems like everywhere you turn these days there are folks talking about the economy. Yesterday I filled up my gas tank for $16 and I let out a happy sigh of relief that something is actually decreasing in price. Still, the holidays are fast approaching and folks are dealing with job layoffs, budget stretching and rising costs. A few weeks ago, YogaBasics offered up an excellent post on practicing yoga in a financial crisis. Click here to read the article and get some tips for keeping your budget in check.

Practicing yoga is so critical to remaining balanced in these challenging times. If your yoga classes and/or private sessions are something that need to be eliminated from your budget, don't fear that you have to stop practicing althogether. There are a number of low cost (yogatoday.com is free) sources for yoga. Thanks to the Internet, there are sites like myyogaonline, ihanuman, beyou.tv, Core Power Yoga on Demand, Yoga Journal Practice Podcast, Jiva Diva Podcast, yoga downloads from Eoin Finn, yogi2go.com, gaiam yoga club, and yogayak.com (just to name a few) that offer low-cost yoga classes via MP3 download. You don't have to have a lot of money to practice yoga -- you just have to be willing to hunt around and be open to classes in a different format than you're used to.

If travel is what's getting you stressed these days (I'll be traveling this holiday and I usually meet one or two white-knuckle travelers), I suggest Yoga Today's Yoga for Weary Travelers. Sarah is my favorite teacher at Yoga Today and she offers a great routine that's only 16 minutes. The practice is meant for travelers who have reached their destination, but Yoga Today also offers up some tips for folks before and during travel.

I stay happy and comfortable when traveling by doing the following:

• Hydrating
• Packing my bag full of goodies that bring me pleasure -- books, aromatherapy, healthy snacks, a comfy wrap, my iPod, etc.
• Leaving for the airport with plenty of time to spare -- I don't mind getting to the airport early. I simply use the time to catch up on reading or thanks to my nifty phone, I catch up on email.
• Stretch -- take breaks in the airport and on the plane to stretch. Seated stretches on the airplane are my favorite!
• Smile and be open -- I've met some wonderful folks during flights and at airports.
• Keeping it simple -- I pack light and I plan my travel outfit according to the airport security restrictions (I wear little jewlery and slip on shoes)

Namaste!

The 2008 Everything Yoga Blog Holiday Gift Guide

There's no denying it -- the holidays are upon us. As usual, I feel as though they snuck up while I wasn't looking. This year I've found some amazing items - from items whose proceeds contribute to a cause to wonderful clothes to goodies to pamper your body as well as your soul. Everything that I recommend here is something that I own, use, and love. I don't endorse anything that I don't absolutely love. That means that I haven't been paid to recommend the items here. They've made the list because I adore them and know that they will enhance your life in some way. As I write this the words to My Favorite Things are running through my head...

• For anyone who wants to get moving -- If you're desiring to move a bit more this year (or know someone who does), I highly recommend Nia.  Nia is a mix of Martial Arts, Dance Arts, and Healing Arts that will not only work out your body (you'll sweat even though you don't feel like you're exercising) but it'll work your mind, emotions and spirit. I feel in love with Nia a few months ago and I practice multiple times per week (in addition to my daily yoga practice, of course!). I can't speak highly enough of this wonderful technique. The music is amazing and the creators -- Debbie and Carlos Rosas -- are inspiring. It can be difficult to find a class near you, as there aren't a lot of Nia teachers out there, but the Nia Web site offers some wonderful DVDs. I only have one word of caution for you -- the Nia online store isn't the greatest. Often items are on backorder and the customer service is far from friendly and attentive (unfortunately, I have firsthand experience with this). Typically the DVDs are in stock, but buyer beware in regards to the other items in the store.
• For anyone with stiff, aching joints and/or muscles -- if you suffer from stiff muscles and joints, I highly recommend Kink-Ease MSM Salve. I've always used China Gel on my sore muscles but I was so impressed by Kink-Ease that I've switched. If you've overdone it during your yoga practice or if your muscles and joints have taken a beating, try Kink-Ease for rapid relief. I was a bit skeptical when I first tried it but it lived up to its billing and it's become a staple for me.
• For the tee-totalers -- if you're looking for high quality teas and an amazing selection of flavors, check out Amanzi Tea. I met the owner of the Greenville, SC store a year or so ago, and I order from them constantly. Their selction of Black, White, Oolong, Green, Rooibos, herbal, and Yerba Mate teas are unparalleled. They're recently redesigned their Web site, so it's easy to find the right tea for you.
• For the positive thinkers -- I've always been an optimistic person, so it's no wonder that I absolutely adore the blisscals from Creating Bliss. Blisscals are positive messages that are sure to uplift you and make you smile. You can either purchase reusable static cling blisscals or outside apply decals. Creating Bliss is currently running a special -- if you buy 3 Blisscals, you get 1 free. Whenever I spy my Blisscal (I have some on my mirrors at home as well as my windows), I smile. If you need a positivity infusion, check out Creating Bliss. 
• For those who want to support worthy causes -- I always like buying things where the proceeds go to worthy causes. If you'd like to shop and do good at the same time I highly recommend Warriors in Pink (which supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure) and Starter Kit for Change (which raises environmental awareness and donates proceeds to Action Against Hunger). You're sure to find goodies here that are perfect for anyone on your holiday shopping list (even those who are hard to buy for). Warriors in Pink offers great t-shirts, scarves, hats, keychains and the like and Starter Kit for Change offers a fabulous bag (which is handmade) made from recyclyed materials, a seedling for planting, a journal and pencil, Soduku booklet, gratitude cards and fair trade hot chocolate. These sites offer fabulous inexpensive gifts that pay it forward!
• For raw foodies -- although I'm not a raw foodist, I do try to add a fair amount of raw foods to my diet. By chance I found an amazing company that delivers delicious raw food snacks right to your door. The Cleanse's monthly raw food subscription (scroll down the page to the Monthly Raw Food Subscription section )comes in either a $44 or $75 dollar amount and can be shipped on either the first or the middle of the month. The food is amazing and I enjoy every bite. You can request favorites via email. I love the decadent macaroons! The packages also include yummy treats like Nori crackers, flax crackers, pizza crusts, cookies, and granola.
• For Artisan Soap lovers -- Sarva Soaps offers a fabulous selection of premium handcrafted natural vegetable soaps using essential oils, clay, botanicals, herbs, and rare exotic butters. The pictures on the site are divine but they don't come close to how amazing the soaps feel and smell. They're heaven! Sarva offers a festive collection of holiday soaps that are sure to get anyone in the holiday spirit. The variety is staggering, so be prepared to make some hard decisions. Of course you can't go wrong since all of these soaps are fantastic. You also get free shipping on all orders over $50. This is a splurge that I highly recommend!
• For belt wearers or anyone with a cool sense of style -- I admit that I wasn't much of a belt wearer until I stumbled across the unique customer designer belts from The Urge to Adorn. Now I wear belts all the time! The worst part about this fabulous online store is deciding which belt to choose. They offer a fantastic selection including Asian art; buddhas, saints and queens; vintage label; western; flower; romance; patter; insect; and animal kingdom designs. I decided on a Lotus Flower belt, but I'm sure I'll be buying more in the future. I just love the designs. These belts add flare to any outfit.
• For the cosmetic buff -- I love natural products and I've gotten a lot more particular about what I put on my face and in my hair. After a lot of trial and error, I've found some amazing companies that offer fantastic natural products. Daybreak Lavender offers some wonderful natural skin care (they also sell soaps, bath and body care, and aromatherapy items) with my favorite being the Rhassoul Duo Daily Complexion Polish Soap Skin Care System. I've been using this product for months and my skins glows. I've even bought it for family members and so far everyone loves it. For hair care, I turn to Carol's Daughter. I heard about this line years ago but didn't try it until I stumbled upon it in Sephora. I'm so glad that I did. I love the products (who wouldn't love Mimosa Hair Honey?!?!), which smell and feel fabulous. In addition to the hair care items that I love so much, Carol's Daugher also offers bath and body products, skincare, and products for hands and feet (the Manicure in a Jar is my favorite, especially in the winter time). I love the natural fragrance of these products and they make my hair feel fabulous! As for natural makeup, my new favorite is MyChelle.  I love the cream foundation stick, the blush stick, concealer and the Apple Brightening Serum. This company offers more than makeup -- they offer fabulous skincare and bodycare as well. I love everything that I've bought and tried from them and I look forward to trying more.
• For writers -- I am a big fan of Yoga Lifestyle, as they offer a wide variety of high quality and unusual yoga items. My favorite find from them this year are their Buddha Writer Hand Painted Pens. These pens are the perfect gift for all of the yoga-lovers on your list. I love mine and I use it every day. Makes me smile every time!
• For the meditator -- When I meditate I use a wooden bench, which I love. Every since I found the meditation cushion from Comfort Zone Yoga, my bench has competition. This folded cushion's genius design props up my hips while at the same time cushions my knees, ankles and feet. I can sit for long periods of time in total comfort without my legs falling asleep. The cushion can also be unfolded to lie flat and used as a bolster. This great find is only $44 including shipping. I love it so much that I'm considering buying another one for when I travel.
• For the stressed, too-busy woman -- I know that I have a lot of stressed-out women on my holiday list. My wonderful friend Maryam Webster has written a book with dozens of helpful exercises and techniques to combat stress and recharge the woman's soul. The book is an easy read and everyone on my holiday list is getting a copy. The book is aptly titled Everyday Bliss for Busy Women: Energy Balancing Secrets for Complete Health and Vitality. I love this book and I can speak first hand of the effectiveness of the techniques inside. This book is a treasure that any woman on your holiday gift list would be grateful for.
• For the spiritual seeker -- My favorite read of the moment is I Am That by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. The book is substantial and it's packed with wisdom. It's a book that I come back to time and time again and that I highly recommend.
• For the goddess -- Fertile Goddess offers yoga clothes with a goddessly twist. The tops feature goddesses such as Lasksmi, Ceres, Athena, and Kuan Shin Yin (just to name a few) and each article of clothing has an inspiring message hidden inside. The clothes don't just look good, but they feel good. The Flow Pant and the Long and Lean Pant have become staples in my collection. I wear them all the time because they are comfortable and flattering. I even splurged on the notecards which offer beautiful goddess artwork and goddessly inspirational messages. Fertile Goddess customer service is awesome and it's obvious that the company is run by some very cool people. The Web site is easy to navigate and offers excellent pictures and descriptions of the clothing. I can't say enough good things about the products and this new company. If you want to honor the goddess in you and the goddesses in your life, check out Fertile Goddess.
• For the funky yogi -- There's nothing new about organic cotton yoga clothes, right? WRONG! The ladies over at Shining Shakti hand dye their yoga clothes to give them a one-of-a-kind look. Any time I wear a Shining Shakti piece, I get compliments. The colors are bold and beautiful and the pants fit amazingly well. They flatter while lending a fun air. If funky, groovy prints aren't your thing, they also offer au naturale pants for the purist. And who can resist the cool names of their collections -- Inner Spiral, Pantsplosion!, and So Blendy? I'm a huge fan of Shining Shakti and these pants have become a new addiction for me. They're so unusual and different from the average yoga pant that I just can't help but add more to my collection.
• For the body care conscious -- It can be hard to find natural, organic body care items but my friend Anna has a whole line of scrubs and soaks that are truly divine. Anna is trained as a holistic health counselor, is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. When you open a jar of Anna's bath soak or her body scubs her expertise is immediately apparent. I've never been able to find more pure products than the ones that Anna creates. The best part is that Anna will craft custom soaks/scrubs to meet your individual needs. You choose the herbs, scents, and oils, and Anna will send you a personalized body care creation that is like heaven in a jar. I use her products (Goddess of Yoga Bath Soak is my bathtime favorite!) all the time and I am continually amazed at how fabulous they are. Anna has spoiled me for life -- I've never buy store-bought bath salts and scrubs again! There is truly nothing like them sold in stores. If you're ready for a whole new body care experience, check out Anna's Web site.
• For those who appreciate sacred offerings -- Dharma Boutique offers a fine selection of one-of-a-kind items hand-picked by owner, Kirtanist, adventurer, and world-traveler Adam Bauer. All items are fair trade and unique. 

Well, there you have it -- all of my favorite finds from the past year. Happy shopping! I hope you and yours enjoy these recommendations as much as I have.

And in honor of my teacher, Krishnamacharya, I would like to offer up one more gift idea for students/devotees of the Krishnamacharya lineage. Masters in Focus is a limited edition photographic book that compiles rare images of the 5 greatest yogis of our time. Krishnamacharya is one of the featured yogis. The timing is perfect, as today would be Krishnamacharya's 120th birthday.

Namaste!

A Yoga Lesson From Judith Hanson Lasater

Long before I knew that Judith Hanson Lasater was one of the founders of Yoga Journal, I was a fan. It was her wisdom-packed book -- Living Your Yoga -- that got me. I've been a fan ever since. Just last month, Lasater was interviewed in Yoga Journal and offered up some words about yoga and the practice of yoga that lit me up and I wanted to share:

"Follow your nature. The practice is really about uncovering your own pose; we have great respect for our teachers, but unless we can uncover our own pose in the moment, it's not practice -- it's mimicry. Rest deeply in Savasana every day. Always enter that pratyahara (withdrawn state) every day. And just enjoy yourself. For many years I mistook discipline as ambition. Now I believe it to be more about consistency. Do get on the mat. Practice and life are not that different."

I think it's helpful to remember these words and especially helpful around this time of year when things can get hectic. I'm heading off for a savasana rest right now. I'll be back tomorrow with the 2008 gift guide. Until then, take Lasater's advice and enjoy yourself!

Namaste!