My mantra for the year. I've been decluttering, refocusing, letting go of bad habits and saying hello to new (good) ones. Part of living in a sustainable way is making sure the ol' noggin' can sustain all that's thrown at it as well.
And who do I have to thank? Well, yours truly, of course. But I couldn't have done it without my loved ones, and a few dear strangers that I know mostly through books and blogs. Here's a list of those who get me through the day in one piece:
Thich Nhat Hanh
It doesn't matter which book you start with, all of this Vietnamese Buddhist monk's writings are simply stated and sure to calm the mind and spirit. Not one iota of religious dogma. I'm psyched to be hearing him speak at the Beacon Theatre this October.
Patanjali & Sri Swami Satchidananda
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - this is what yoga is all about. I read a sutra or two before I go to sleep at night.
Gail Blanke
I was skeptical of this one, especially since the title is telling me to 'throw out' things. I don't take kindly to that sort of message. But inside this little gem are some practical (and somewhat ecological) tips on letting go of the stuff that clutters your physical and mental space. Right on, Gail.
Elephant Journal
I can't quite remember how I stumbled upon the elephant, but I'm ever-so-glad I did. I caught them just as they were shutting down print ops to launch their all-online version. I knew as soon as I opened the first page and saw what kind of ads they were running (yoga, healthy food, eco stuff) it was my kind of magazine. Here's a little story: I was in a cafe in Sydney, Australia last year, reading one of the ol' paper & ink issues of the mag and a young lady (another American) sitting at the table next to me asked where I got it. I told her I subscribed. She told me she contributed, and was just so surprised to see someone in Oz reading the humble magazine from Boulder, Colorado. Small world.
Bikram
I'm not really talking about the man, here, more about the method. Not sure how I feel about all of his principles (the proprietary ones), but this 90-minute, hot & sweaty, 26-posture "open-eyed moving meditation" has sure gotten me through some tough days. I'd say it's at least 95% mental, and it ain't so bad for the bod, either.
Think Simple Now
Through a sparse and thoughtfully written blog, Tina Su, et al, help others do just as the title suggests: Think Simple - Now. I used to be skeptical of self-help stuff like this, but some little voice started telling me that it can actually help to be open-minded and take a serving of helpful advice once in awhile. It's good to listen to those little voices sometimes.
Zen Habits
Nope, this isn't a blog about monk's robes. It's another well-thought-out and simply stated blog that reminds me to keep it simple, and do it with a smile.
Lots of Tweeters
Twitter can be a distraction, but it's also been an amazing resource for connecting with some new friends and like-minded individuals. Here are a few (off the top of my head) who remind me to simplify:
@HappyLotus
@unitedyogis
@thedeeperwell
And here are a couple of tools that don't hurt:
My zafu & zabuton (meditation cushions)
Made in Vermont by Samadhi Cushions
Meditation candles
100% Beeswax & essential oils by Big Dipper Wax Works
Who keeps you sane?
23 July 2009
simplify, simplify
06 July 2009
kripalu center for yoga & health
The beautiful grounds of Kripalu
Want to improve your health, get centered, cultivate peace in your life, and enjoy the company of the friendliest strangers you'll ever meet? Sounds like a tall order, but that's exactly what's offered at Kripalu center for yoga and health in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.
I got back from there last Wednesday and I'm still totally blissed out.
Before I planned my trip, I perused the catalog for all of their program offerings. I think I circled a workshop on every page, from meditation intensives to yoga for my aching wrists and shoulders. So many programs appealed to me. In the end, I chose to do a simple Retreat and Renewal (R&R) package, a go-at-your-own-pace set up.
My friend Jane and I drove up on Sunday and jumped right in with a massage (not included in the R&R package). After that, we had a delicious dinner - all the food at Kripalu is organic and local whenever possible. The rest of the time was filled with yoga classes, hikes, leisurely walks on the grounds, and more amazing meals - all part of R&R (as were the accommodations).
Monk's pond, a popular stop on morning hikes
It's a trip I won't soon forget. Mindful meditation and slow-paced days will do that to you.
But one of the most memorable happenings had more to do with the local fauna than the local positive vibrations. After dinner one night, Jane and I wandered the grounds and settled on some old steps on a hill, remnants of the old estate which used to preside there. Out of the corner of my eye, a big fuzzy black thing ambled down the hill less than 50 feet away. I grabbed Jane's arm. She took one look at the shock on my face and turned to face the animal. We both sat stiller than trees on a windless day. The black bear stopped, feeling our fear. She sniffed at the air in our direction. No muscle twitched, no eyelash batted. She turned to face the wooded area at the base of the hill. We waited a couple of beats before rising to go while "Mama Bear" crunched and crackled the branches in the woods.
Everyone in our path on the return to the building was subjected to our story. The security guard on duty told us he's seen Mama Bear a bunch of times (he's the one who calls her that), noting that she was a pretty big lady. We heartily agreed.
Jane re-enacting the bear's path
Aside from the excitement provided by the bear, I enjoyed the beauty of smaller fauna (birds, bees, dragonflies, butterflies) and flora (sweet-smeling wildflowers, the fresh aroma of pine) on nature hikes or while doing walking meditation in the labyrinth.
I definitely see a return trip in my future.
26 June 2009
r and r
Even when life is seemingly sailing along smoothly, it helps to take a break to quiet the mind and relax the body.
Some benefits of R&R are obvious: increased sense of calm, reduced muscle tension, overall sense of well-being. But there are other forces at work when we take time to chill out. So step away from the email, facebook, Twitter, and cell phone. Truly disconnect to reconnect with yourself and experience bliss from one of these activities:
massage
Some may think of massage as a luxury, but massage has several health benefits that warrant making it a regular part of your health regimen.
- Pain relief - not just in the area that's worked on, but throughout the body
- Immunity boost - through decreases in stress hormones responsible for illness
- Blood pressure drop - a boon for people with hypertension
[via Newsweek]Learn about 10 of the most popular types of massage
Find an eco spa near you:
Tip: Save money by visiting a massage therapy school where sessions with students are offered at a discount
meditation
There are many great benefits of regular meditation practice, including:
- Increased concentration
- Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression
- Improved memory and mental clarity
- Greater awareness
yoga
Hatha yoga, the physical branch of yoga, has many physical and mental benefits. Try yoga for:
- Greater flexibility
- Increased strength and muscle tone
- Improved posture
- Greater sense of calm
- Improved concentration and mood
- Beneficial effects on health condition like asthma, hypertension, pain
- Increased energy
There are several types of hatha yoga, from energetic vinyasa flow to hot and sweaty Bikram. Find your style of yoga and a studio near you:
I'm going to follow my own advice, take some time off from the computer and head on a yoga retreat myself. See you all next Wednesday!
09 April 2009
lovefast and bikram
Now I understand why some people who do Bikram yoga are into raw food. I hadn't been to Bikram in over a week and was curious as to how I would feel being on this detoxifying diet. Before I even got all hot and sweaty, I could see the glow on my face (in Bikram yoga, everyone faces a mirror -- it takes getting used to). I was able to participate in the class at the same level I usually do, but something felt different. Some asanas just seemed a little easier -- mainly camel (Ustrasana, pictured above), seated forward bend (Paschimottanasana), and seated spinal twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana). I guess everything was a little freer to move inside of me, there was little obstruction, so to speak.
I didn't feel weak, I didn't feel hungry. Those were my original fears. Guess there was nothing to worry about.
Related posts
08 April 2009
day 3 of the lovefast - some pondering
"Die fünf Sinne" (The five senses), Hans Makart (1840 - 1884)
It's day 3 of the live organic vegan experience and I'm feeling fine, despite sleeping like crap last night. From now on, I'm going to skip the formalities and try not to bore you with the minute-by-minute report.
On my way to pick up today's 7 goodies, I was thinking about the art of raw food. It really is a creative venture in food preparation. The ingredients are wholesome and beneficial, each raw, whole food is selected for both its nutritional benefits and its flavor. The food is vibrant and colorful, indicating that it is rich with nutrients. The combination of elements almost seems like alchemy. The napa chipotle wrap I had on Monday was spicy, savory, and delicious -- you'd never know that it contained apricot, orange, and date. The falafels I ate yesterday really tasted like deep-fried falafel (without the grease) even though there was no cooking involved.
Eating is one of the only (if not the only) activities where you can experience all 5 senses. Sight: The color and patterns and topography are evident. They're part of what make food appealing. Would a strawberry be as enticing if it were pale pink or white instead of juicy dark red? Scent: The aromas coming out of the kitchen are sometimes enough to get me salivating. Sound: The crunch of celery on the cutting board is one of my favorite sounds. Chewing makes its own music. Touch: The feeling of ice cream as it cools the mouth, coats the tongue, and slides down the throat. The creaminess of an avocado. Taste: Savory, sweet, pungent, spicy, sour. If it weren't for flavor, would we enjoy eating? I know that if the food in this fast didn't taste good, I probably wouldn't be able to endure it.
It's noontime and I'm feeling kinda tingly all over. I try to hold onto this feeling. It kind of feels like being in yoga nidra, the yogic sleep.
Just as I was marveling at the lack of heartburn I've been experiencing, I think the little devil showed itself. I'm hoping it passes as soon as I sip down some veggie juice.
The "veggie vibrance" tastes a little different today. It's a little more muddled in color. I can't pinpoint which vegetable tipped the balance. I think it's carrot.
Still feeling the burn. I think last night's chocolate mousse might be to blame. It probably doesn't help that I ate it so late. I'm counting on some food to soothe the beast.
More lovefast musings in a bit...
06 April 2009
my l.o.v.e. day 1 evening
If you've been reading at all today, you know this post is about. (If not, check out the previous posts here, here, and here.)
Sri Swami Satchidananda, founder of IYI
6:00 pm - My friend Amy talks me into going to Integral Yoga with her for some gentle Hatha. I think she thinks Bikram will kick my butt. I haven't been to IYI in a while, so I acquiesce. I get to the studio feeling really hungry. The easeful class is just what I needed. The pacing is slow, but I'm patient.
7:30 pm - Class is over and the hunger strikes again. It's amazing how I didn't feel hungry at all during class. Yoga is magic!
8:15 pm - The first thing I do when I get home is dig into #6, Vanilla Chia (Chia seeds, brazil nuts, agave, vanilla, sea salt). According to Organic Avenue, vanillin, the major constituent of vanilla beans, is one of the most important aromatic flavor compounds used in foods. Vanillin has antioxidant and anti-tumor activity.
Chewing on the Chia is like chomping on tomato seeds. They squish a bit and get stuck in my teeth. The vanilla is comforting.
8:49 pm - I'm still hungry and have one course left. I'm a bit off schedule, I might just half of it and then make myself a cup of chamomile tea. Looking forward to an early bedtime.
I make the mistake of opening a link to a recipe for Irish soda bread. The thought of baked goods and butter make me salivate. I can feel the bread crumbling in my mouth.
I get an encouraging email from the nutrition consultant. She alerts me to some symptoms I might experience (headaches, stiff joints, dizziness, nausea, low energy, runny nose or cough [mucus being released], mood swings, and low-grade fever). Dizziness, check. Low energy, check. Mood swings, check. There's one other symptom that's not on the list - hypersensitivity to the cold. The temp has dropped and I can feel it. My face is tingly and my nose, icy.
She also gives some tips on how to help speed the toxins out of my body. I don't think I'll be taking up the colonic offer - yoga and a facial and/or massage will do.
9:05 pm - It's a little late, but I crack open #7, Coconut Mylk (coconut water and coconut meat). According to Organic Avenue, Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal. Coconut oil is also used by thyroid sufferers to increase body metabolism, and to lose weight. Good for me since I fit into the thyroid sufferer category.
The "mylk" is so creamy and soothing. It's fulfilling and rich, and leaves a silky residual coating on my tongue.
A search for "coconut" online brings up a video for Harry Nilsson's "Coconut." My dad used to play that record for us over and over again. We'd dance around like little lunatics.
9:33 pm - As I finish the mylk, I feel a little sleepy. The ambrosial drink has satisfied me. Time to put on the tea.
11:14 pm - Getting ever sleepier. Off to bed to rest my weary head.
