Here is a novel idea – What if we measured our weight by laughter and contentment instead of pounds and kilos?
If we stopped obsessing about how much we weigh and lived more by our worth as a person. If the saying – you are worth your weight in gold became a marker of our potential to live to. Wouldn’t our world be a better place and wouldn’t we each live a brighter existence?
In a morning conversation about how we did not value our bodies when we were younger, I was thinking how can we instill value to our youth, where they grow up loving and appreciating their bodies for what they do and feel, over how they look. How can we gift this to our sons and daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren?
Obviously, having less emphasis on looks, size, weight, shape would be a great start. I made a passing comment that if we had dedicated the same amount of time that we spent obsessing on how our bodies looked, to something of deeper importance, we would alleviate a lot of suffering. Losing weight, getting fit, and loving your body is valuable, but incessantly hating your body is a sad waste of time and energy, that surely could be put to better use.
Imagine a life that had no measure for bodyweight? What if the focus was on worth and value as a human being instead? What if we had a simple measure of goodness or humanity, would people then strive as hard to be kind and compassionate as they do to be skinny?
I have worked in the fitness industry since 1998 and the “weight loss” industry is massive. Australia, where I live, and many other parts of the world are facing an obesity epidemic. Every magazine you open, every television show you watch, makes some reference to looks and loss. Can you imagine if the same attention and the same amount of money was dedicated to the “negativity” loss industry? If as many resources were available to help us lose the destructive thoughts, negative feelings, and self sabotage tendencies? I am all for an industry focused on loss, but rather than pounds and kilos, let’s lose negative self-talk and focus on loving and accepting ourselves more.
I dream of a world that has a quantitive measure of how good you are over what size you are. Where people describe one another by their talents and achievements rather than their looks. Recognizing people by their value weight, a measure of how they occupy their physicality.
Now, this may sound funny coming from a PT, who spends their days encouraging people tow work out, who preaches about the importance of eating well, losing weight and make the strongest, healthiest and happiest version of themselves. I definitely see the need as a nation and as a globe to pay more attention to what goes in our mouths for the good of all humanity. Better food choices, seasonal produce, whole and healing foods and quality energy transactions, is not only good for ourselves, but better for the environment.
But I am just as passionate about what comes out of our mouths. It would be like heaven on earth for me, if we were also more conscious of the words and energy that came out in our words, not just to others but more importantly our thoughts to ourselves.
Rather than calories in versus calories out, your "worth weight” should be measured in kindness, generosity, and charitable acts. Be kind to yourself and love your body!
By Amy Booth
Amy is a yoga and pilates teacher and personal trainer in Brisbane, Australia, where she runs a cute riverside studio and a personal training business. In addition each year she runs yoga and hiking retreats.
To find out more: Website: www.ambertreeyoga.com.au Instagram: @ambertreeyogaandretreats Facebook: Amber Tree Yoga and Retreats
Start loving your body now, with Body Positive Yoga!
Are you already leaping into a New Year’s Resolution type of mindset, but haven’t taken enough time to relax after the hectic holiday season? Fostering a balance between action and rest is essential. The “doing” pattern of life is helpful to fulfill our desires and achieve our goals, but if we aren’t mindful, it’s easy to slip into only doing and not being. Why not try a less is more attitude this week?
One of yoga’s true gifts is teaching us how to be present––not anticipating the future and not fixating on the past. If we are too focused on what is happening next, we cannot be fully present in what is happening right now. Consider a few of your favorite activities where you’re simply in the flow––running, surfing, gardening, dancing, listening to music or whatever is your perfect state.
Contemplate stepping back and slowing down to find your sense of flow and nourish yourself. Sure, it is a New Year, but that doesn’t mean you need to move full steam ahead regardless of how you are feeling. Check in now: are you feeling buoyant and light or weighed down on some level? A quieter style of yoga allows you to dive deep and truly feel what arises within each pose. Choose a more serene approach to create more peacefulness within.
It’s vital to balance out your output of physical energy. This week’s classes will benefit you by tapping into your parasympathetic nervous system, which is your relaxation response When we are so busy doing, our adrenal glands can get stuck operating in a “fight or flight” mode and that means we’re headed for burn-out. Stress is a fact of life and using various modalities of yoga to keep ourselves balanced is key.
Slower types of yoga are designed to help recuperate and restore not just your physical energy, but your emotional and mental energy too. When you settle into stillness and there’s no action required except to breathe and relax, a sense of freedom arises where you can examine your thoughts and emotions. A slower-paced class is an excellent way to prepare yourself for meditation and deep contemplation.
Life is a dance between rest and work, softness and strength, and yin and yang. When we make time to truly relax and restore our body, mind, and spirit we create more energy for the times we need it. It’s a new year and time for a fresh start. Choose to take care of yourself and enjoy these practices designed just for you.
1. Jackie Casal Mahrou - Slow Flow: Grace & Ease
2. Erin Wimert - Yin for Runners
3. Christen Bakken - Slower & Deeper: A Gentle Vinyasa Flow
4. Shy Sayar - Therapeutic Yoga for Wrists, Shoulders, & Neck
I will not say that the cake is exactly healthy, but it is definitely better for you compared to regular chocolate cakes. I have not used any white sugar or flour; also, I chose applesauce instead of a whole lot of fatty ingredients. Avocados, dark chocolate, and banana replace the regular sugar and fat packed filling. On top of all that, the cake is entirely plant-based—a complete winner in my book. As a disclaimer, I need to mention that for some people, used to a lot of sugar, this cake might taste too healthy. I have been practicing life without much white sugar for a long time, so if you are still a beginner, you might want to add more sugar. The cake is vegan, so feel free to taste the batter before baking and adjust the sweetness.
I have made this cake at least 10 times, and I still can’t get over the fact that the base of this cake is so so soft and juicy without adding a ton of fat to the batter. Make sure not to overcook the cake. I have given you the baking time suitable for my oven, but the ranges can be quite different, so use your judgment and check on the cake if you think it might be overcooked sooner. And if you still somehow manage to overcook the cake – use a little more coffee to moisten the cake. A lot of filling helps too.
I always make the cake in 2 layers, but if you want to go very fancy, you can double the cream/filling recipe, cut the cake into 3 rounds and build it up even higher!
Plant-Based Chocolate Cake
Cooking time: 1 hour
Serves: 12
Ingredients
For the cake:
1 ½ cups almond milk
2 tsp white wine vinegar
½ cup strong coffee
1 ¼ cups apple sauce (no added sugar, please)
2 tsp vanilla paste
11 oz spelt flour
3 ½ oz coconut sugar
3 ½ oz cacao powder
3 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
For the filling:
3 ½ oz dark (I use 80%) chocolate
3 ripe avocados
1 very ripe banana
½ cup of strong coffee
To serve:
Orange slices, fresh berries, whipped coconut cream
Instructions:
For the cake base:
Preheat the oven to 360F and prepare an 8-inch pan (if you have several pans, you can use two) – oil it lightly, then dust with cacao powder. Keep the pan in the fridge as long as you prepare the batter.
Mix almond milk with vinegar then set aside.
In a different bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cacao, baking powder, and salt.
Mix all other ingredients to the milk mixture first, then add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until you have no lumps.
Pour the batter into the pan (or divide between two pans). Bake for 40 minutes if using one pan and 30 minutes if using two.
Let the cakes cool completely before assembling.
Melt the chocolate.
Add the banana and avocado and whizz it all up to a smooth cream with a stick blender.
To assemble the cake:
If you only have one pan, then carefully slice the cake into two. If you have two, your life is easier, and you can skip this step.
Use the remaining ½ cup of coffee to keep the cake moist – using a small spoon, distribute the coffee between the cake bases equally.
Smear about 1/3 of the filling between the two cake bases and cover the cake's top and sides with the rest.
Use whatever you like for garnishes. I recommend orange, berries, or whipped coconut cream, but you can also use sprinkles, more chocolate, or even edible flowers.
Notes:
If you are not a coffee-lover, you can substitute it with orange juice.
By Kadri Raig
Kadri is a food blogger and yoga teacher from Estonia. She loves to spend time in the kitchen, but most of her recipes are simple and don’t take more than 20 minutes of active cooking time. She thinks that everybody can find time to cook healthy food at home, it is just a question of planning. "I work in an office full time, teach yoga 7-8 hours a week and write a blog. So if I manage to cook most of my meals, then so do you!" Connect with Kadri and enjoy many more of her delicious healthy recipes on her website here: www.kahvliga.ee.
Can I be honest with you?
Sometimes I get burnt out, grumpy, and in a funk. Just like many of you, I fall into the trap of glorifying busyness. Subconsciously I believe that I’m not doing a good enough job if I’m not running from one thing to the next, crossing things off my list, working late into the night and then rising in the wee hours of the morning to work again. As much as it benefits others, my career of massage and yoga education is not immune to stressful deadlines and schedules.
Today a friend innocently asked me “so, how are you?” When I paused long enough to bypass the automatic answer of “fine,” I realized that I don’t know how I truly am doing. I haven’t made enough time to check in and listen lately.
I know from my own experience that exhaustion is the number one cause of getting sick. The body’s healing capabilities are miraculous, but we must live in a restful way for it to do the work needed to keep me healthy and bouncing back.
We all need the time and space to process and move through the curveballs of life. Otherwise our experiences get stuck. We get sick, or in a funk. In other words, we can get emotionally, mentally and physically constipated without taking this time to slow down and digest.
Appropriate stress hormones are important and valuable. But when we run a level of underlying and chronic stress, worry and anxiety, the body acts in the same way it would when faced with a real, big stress factor and therefore never lets go of those crazy stress hormones. This means that we stay in the sympathetic nervous system, avoiding the parasympathetic nervous system which promotes healing.
Luckily we yogis can consciously shift into parasympathetic with appropriate asanas, breath patterns and meditation.
When we forget to listen deeply to what our body needs – which is often rest – we keep pushing ourselves, even in our asana practice. Yoga is a technology allows us to revitalize with true healing. But sometimes we get lost in the gymnastics of yoga asana, when we really need to to take a break and slow down. Let’s instead turn to the nurturing and meditative practices of Yin and Restorative yoga.
Let’s slow down, allow some things on the list to remain undone, take a deep breath and notice. This pause, on and off the yoga mat, ultimately equals freedom.
By Elise Fabricant
Elise Fabricant is a top teacher on YogaDownload.com. She's also always at your service for one-on-one coaching. If you’re ready to make big changes in all aspects of your life, sign up for a complimentary clarity session with her from her website here.
Need to chill out? Practice yoga at home with Elise right now, for free!
Morning Quickie 2 with Elise Fabricant
After an indulgent Christmas, you might be thinking about rolling out your yoga mat and getting back into your fitness routine for 2021.
Some of us, however, might be finding it daunting after taking time off.
A detoxing yoga routine can be just what you need to feel refreshed and ready to take on a new year.
Do you feel like you need to give your body a cleanse and detox? You are not alone, as the holiday season is a common time for many of us to fall out of healthy eating habits, or a regular yoga or fitness routine. Fortunately, there are postures that can help kickstart you back to more vitality.
Here are our top poses to detox after indulging.
Twisted Prayer Lunge
This twisted pose again helps to strengthen your lower back, as well as improves posture - perfect for if you’ve been slumping on the sofa for a day or two! This pose can also release any tension you’ve been holding in your shoulders, helping to release anxiety and stress, making room for a more positive 2021.
Start in Downward Facing Dog, then lunge forward with your left foot between your hands. Bringing your hands to your heart center, twist from your core to your left. The advanced variation of this pose is to eventually hook your right elbow onto your thigh, but if you’re not there yet, don’t worry. Twist more with each exhalation, then repeat on the other side.
Warrior II
Warrior II is a strengthening pose that can help bring power to your mind and body for the new year. It builds physical and mental strength and also helps clear your mind and release emotions. Physically it also tones your legs and strengthens your arms.
Starting from the Downward Facing Dog, step your left foot between your hands. Turn your right heel down spinning your foot parallel to the edge of your mat. Pull your arms upright arm back left arm forward, keeping your legs wide, and bend your left knee over your ankle, keeping the right leg straight. Now drop your hips and lift your pelvis, keeping your shoulders and hips stacked. Repeat on the other side.
Three-Legged Downward Facing Dog
A great family of poses to aid in detoxification are inversions. Three-Legged Downward Facing Dog also helps to get your blood circulating around your body, helping you feel refreshed.
Starting in Downward Facing Dog, press your hands into the floor and float your left heel back and up behind you. Keep your shoulders squared and keep your hands pressed into the floor to create length and stability. Hold for 5 breaths and then try on the other side.
The wide-legged forward bend helps to boost circulation as it positions the head below the heart. The pose also helps facilitate digestion.
Wide-Legged Forward Fold
This inversion helps to kick start digestion and clear the digestive organs, as well as giving a boost to your circulation.
Enter this pose by standing your feet wider than hip-distance apart, standing tall with your next inhale, folding forward on your exhale
Step your feet about one leg-length apart! The outer edges of your feet should be parallel to the edge of your mat.
Put your hands on your hips and as you inhale, and reach skywards with the crown of your head. Keep your back long and strong, putting your hands on your hips, or down on the mat if you’re able to. You can either stay here or walk your hands back lining them with your toes. Try to relax into this pose, releasing your back body for 5 breaths before you carefully come out of it.
Seated Twist
Another twist to aid in detoxing, the compression and gentle twisting motions of the seated twist will help to kickstart your digestive system and get things moving. Our digestive system is crucial in the detoxification process, so poses like the seated twist are ideal.
Sitting down with your feet together, pull your head up to lengthen your back. Take your right hand behind you on the mat, and hook your elbow to the outside of your right knee, twisting your chest open to this side. Try to keep seated to keep the twist in your upper body, and use your inhale to lengthen up and exhales to deepen the twist. After 5 breaths, switch sides.
Legs up the Wall
This pose is not only detoxifying but can also be relaxing and restorative. The deep breaths you take in this pose can help to increase lung capacity, bringing oxygen to every cell in the body. This also helps reduce stress and anxiety. Grab a pillow for some extra relaxation.
Sitting sideways against a wall so your right shoulder and leg are against the wall. Now, as if you are going to sit on the wall, pull the right side of your bottom up on the wall, so both your seat bones are touching the wall, swinging your legs up. Now recline back into a comfortable position.
While you're in this pose try to do some deep breaths to help you relax, with one hand on your belly and one on your heart to increase your breath awareness.
Twisted Chair
This pose is great for detoxing the digestive system, ‘twisting’ the body to wring out toxins and negative energy. It also helps to increase flexibility and tones your internal organs - perfect for if you’ve overdone it over the festive season.
To do this pose, start from a standard chair pose, and bring your hands to your heart center, with wide elbows. Twist from your core to one side, and stay for five breaths, lengthening your back as you inhale, and deepening the twist as you exhale. Repeat on the other side.
By Amy Cavill
Never in our lifetime have we shared so much together as a global community, yet experienced more solitude. 2020 has been a year of contrasts and for many a year of profound challenge and change––whether you planned on it or not. Whether you were able to spend the holidays with family and friends or were unable to travel, you may have had a tougher time maintaining a sense of balance.
Around the holidays, emotions amplify and rise to the surface for many of us. It’s tougher to find that sense of equanimity and as a result this time of year your healthy habits and positive practices may disappear. Instead of stepping onto the yoga mat, you nibble on another cookie or sip more Irish whiskey and suddenly find yourself parked on the couch feeling sluggish. Of course, there’s no reason not to indulge and spoil yourself, but if you feel you’ve overdone it, re-energize with some movement. Self-care is a form of spoiling yourself, right? Go for a brisk walk, turn on some music and dance around your living room, roll out your yoga mat and flow for a few minutes.
To find a sense of equilibrium in these final days of the year, remind yourself that life, like yoga, is all about balance. Yoga Sutra 2.46, Sthira Sukham asanam, is commonly translated to mean the posture should be steady and comfortable. By finding a balance between effort and ease on your yoga mat, you can carry that feeling into the rest of your life. Too much effort or indulgence can leave you feeling depleted. Too much ease can leave you feeling lethargic. Life is a dance to find that middle ground of contentment. Even taking twenty or thirty minutes a day to move and breathe will keep you feeling vibrant and at your best.
This week, we’ve got four energizing and challenging classes to boost your energy and your mood. Spent eight hours on the couch bingeing the latest show on Netflix? No problem, get up and take half an hour and sweat it out. If you polished off the cookies your grandmother baked––all three dozen––don’t worry about it. Press play and take one of these quick revitalizing new classes or one of your favorites. It’s all about the balance.
You can have it all!
1. Ben Davis - Fitness 'n' Yoga: Flow on the Go
2. Elise Fabricant - Pre-Workout Warm-Up
3. Becca Riopelle - Hardcore Yoga with Weights: Booty Camp
4. Pradeep Teotia - Sweat, Sweat, Sweat
I love eggplant. The sad thing is that my partner does not, so the amounts in this recipe are given for one person, but they are very simple to double or triple. Baking only one eggplant is a little sad, so I always bake more than one and make something else out of the others. I already wrote it down in the recipe too, but I can’t stress enough – do not undercook the eggplant. Undercooked eggplant is not a nice thing to eat. Baking whole like we do today, it is practically impossible to overcook it as the skin protects the tender flesh, so baking for longer is in this recipe always a better choice.
I have included one of my favorite condiments in this recipe – marinated onions. As there are bigger onion lovers and the ones who only tolerate them, I did not mention amounts in the recipe (in fact, I never measure the ingredients when making marinated onions), so you can choose yourself how much of them you wish to include. I always marinate a bigger batch of onions, keep them in an airtight jar, and use them within a week or two. The basic recipe is 1 large onion, 1 small lemon, and 1 tsp of salt. Just slice the onions as thinly as possible and massage it between your hands with salt and lemon juice. That’s it. Now you can use it in this recipe, between tacos, on nachos, or anything else, really.
Oh, and the bean salad used as a filling in this recipe is a nice salad on its own, too, if you don’t have time to bake the eggplant or you are just one of those people who does not like this beautiful vegetable.
Butterbeans in Baked Eggplant
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
1 small eggplant
7 oz butter beans
1 red chili (feel free to omit if you don’t like spice)
A handful of fresh mint and parsley
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Marinated red onions (recipe added in the text)
Salt
Bake the whole eggplant with the fan on 400F for at least 40 minutes until it is tender. The exact cooking time depends on the size of the eggplant. If you are not sure if the eggplant is tender enough, leave it in for a little more – undercooked eggplant is not a nice thing to eat.
In the meantime, marinate the onion (instructions in the text).
Mix the filling – chop up the herbs and chili, mix with the beans, and season with salt. Add a fair amount of marinated onion.
Once the eggplant is tender, remove it from the oven, cut it up lengthways and pull some soft flesh apart with a fork. Fill the eggplant with bean salad and serve immediately – the heat from the eggplant lightly warms the salad too.
"One hundred actions are not worth as much as one moment of stillness" - Xiang Zhai
Standing still is perhaps the most contradictory activity in which we can engage. While we are seemingly doing “nothing” in fact we are challenging ourselves both physically and mentally, using every muscle in our bodies, strong, deliberate breath and an iron-willed focus.
All to do that which our culture regards with little respect. To many, to stand still is to stagnate. To lose momentum. Not to keep up with progress. The truth is, many consider standing still as actually falling behind. Yet standing still has taught me valuable lessons. It allows me to be inside myself. Instead of always wanting to be the busy one, the active one, the catalyst, standing still allows me to watch.
It helps me to see things and in that moment of truly “seeing”, the world looks different to me. Or maybe it doesn’t look different, maybe its just that I am looking at it differently.
This is new to me. I am listening to quiet and it doesn't sound awful, just different. When I am standing still I can listen. When I am talking and planning my next clever response, I cannot.
When I can see and hear, I can learn new things. I can change. I can grow.
That is perhaps why trees are so big. They stand still and witness the seasons, the rain, the sunshine, the animals in their cycles. They gather up strength from the earth below. From one deep place, they reach into the air—rooted yet light. They stand still but they don’t stay the same. Running around all the time allows me to stay the same because nothing has the time to change me.
Constant activity does not allow us the opportunity to see things as they are…the world is a blur of movement instead of a place of peace, stillness, and contemplation.
It’s possible that being patient and gathering our energy allows us to do what we think running around trying to change things will achieve. How can we change what we cannot really see or understand because we are too busy running past it to get to the next it? Too often we believe that what needs change is the world around us. In some ways, it seems easier to change the outside world than to change ourselves. Move to a new city. Stop using plastic bottles and straws. Vote.
If we keep running we can stay as we are because we too are a blur—even to ourselves. Ironically, coincidentally, cosmically, as I have been challenging myself to stand still and listen, today, I was able to hear my teacher, Colleen Saidman. She said what I probably would never even have registered two weeks ago because I would have been fidgeting around wondering if I should go to a movie or stay home and do the laundry.
“We’re all exhausted from running around. But what are we running from? What are we running to?"
She quoted Mr. Iyengar: “Intimacy with another is only possible when we are first able to be intimate with ourselves. And the only way that can happen is if we take the time to go inside instead of always living on the outside.”
On this January day I thought there might be something going on here that is not only a philosophical truth but also a practical one. Face it-- it’s cold outside. It is warm inside. I think I’ll go there and stand still a while.
By Gaillane Grosso
Gallane is a creative director/writer with a long career in advertising and PR. She has written a novel called The Other Side of NIce and served on the board of directors of the Iyengar Institute in New York. She has been practicing for 35 years--gratitude to Eddie Stern, Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman Yee, Seane Corne, James Murphy, Debby Green, Karine Plantadit, Erika Halweil, Alison Cramer and so many more gifted inspirational guides.
Get still with meditation!
2021 is around the corner, and not a moment too soon. It’s been a tumultuous year for many of us, so New Year's resolutions probably haven’t even crossed your mind. Big changes and new challenges may be a little too much to take on after the year that we’ve had, but there are plenty of small changes you can make that will help bring you a little more joy in the year to come. Here’s our list of small changes to make for a happier 2021.
Start reading
Many of us would have spent more time than ever this year watching shows or movies at home. However, a good way to change up this activity to a more productive one is to switch out just 10-15 minutes of your viewing time and dedicate it to reading a book. Reading is a good way to not only learn, or have a bit of escapism for a while, but it's also good to keep your brain sharp. Reading just a little each day can strengthen your brain connectivity - so give it a go, just for a few minutes.
Save a small amount of money every week
No matter what you earn - saving money can be hard for us all. Try to put away a small amount each week, and don’t touch it till the end of the year - when you can use it to treat yourself to something you wouldn’t usually be able to purchase. Saving a small amount can start a good habit of saving regularly, and you might find yourself being able to put away a little bit more each week.
Journal for 10 minutes a day
Writing down thoughts, feelings, stresses, and fears can be a great way to strengthen your mental health. Using a journal, even if it’s just a little bit every day, can help to offload any of the stressful thoughts that come into your mind throughout the day, and help you rest a little easier. If you suffer from anxiety, this is a tried and tested way to relieve some of the symptoms.
Move your body every day
We’re not about to tell you to run a marathon or work out for hours each day, but moving your body each day can do wonders for your physical and mental health. Even if it’s just taking a walk around the block, if that’s all you can manage, that’s great! Yoga is also a great way to keep your muscles flexible and strong and can be a great way to start your day right.
Learn to cook something new
You don’t have to be the next Michelin star chef, but having a few new recipes under your belt is a great way to boost your confidence and also a great way to impress friends and family. Choose something that you love to eat, and you’ll find enjoyment from learning how to cook, and not only will you have a tasty meal at the end of it, but you’ll have gained new skills you can share with others.
Drink more water
We all should probably drink more water, and dehydration can actually have a very adverse effect on our health. Water can not only keep your skin clear, but also helps to regulate your body temperature, and help keep your body moving. Try to drink 8 glasses of water daily, or to at least increase your water intake next year.
Reduce your screen time
Looking at your phone or other screens too often can impact your mental health and exacerbate anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that people who spend more than five hours on their phones everyday are more likely to be at risk from depression. Keep track of your screen time and try to reduce it day by day - try other activities such as sports, socialising and other hobbies.
Improve your sleep
The one resolution that is super simple, is to get more sleep! Mostar of us don’t get the right amount of shut eye, and sleep deprivation is a real and serious problem. Sleep deprivation can have lots of side effects including a weaker immune system, stress, and weight issues. Between seven to nine hours should be enough to avoid these side effects of sleep deprivation.
Speak more positively
A slightly harder resolution is to stop thinking and speaking negatively about others, yourself, and anything else. Try to reframe your language when you catch yourself speaking negatively about things, even when you talk to yourself. A positive attitude will make you feel immensely happier in the long run, and it's a hard habit to break. Try to replace just one negative thought or phrase with a positive one and see how it affects you each day.
Make your bed each morning
Making your bed each morning can be hard when you have a million and other things that you need to get on with and do, but just taking a couple of minutes to tidy your bed space and make your bed will make you feel more positive each morning. And actually, making your bed each morning will help you to improve your sleep quality.
Make time for yourself
Having some alone time and making sure you’re making time for yourself is essential for a happier and healthier mindset. Whether it's self-care, taking time for hobbies, or just doing something for yourself, time for yourself leads to less stress and a happier lift. Try to schedule time if you struggle to find time to yourself - and make sure you stick to it!
Sign up for a FREE 3-Week Yoga challenge to get your 2021 off to the right start!
Can you feel the transition happening all around you? December 21, 2020, marked the Solstice, the day where the sun stands still and creates the longest night or longest day of the year, depending on where you reside on the planet. A once in a lifetime planetary event occurred on the same night, an event astronomers dub the “Great Conjunction” ––also referred to as the “Christmas Star.” The two planets will appear as a sparkling bright light to the naked eye, shining in the Southwestern sky.
This incredible union is the planets’ closest encounter since 1623 and the first time it will be visible since 1226. How remarkable is that? What’s even more helpful is that this intense once in a lifetime experience is a great time to make positive changes in your life and step into optimism for 2021. Even better? This conjunction is in Aquarius, the sign of social change, humanitarian efforts, and justice for all. Sign us up!
This week’s yoga classes center around celebrating the change in seasons and this incredible planetary union. During this auspicious natural cycle, we are provided the perfect opportunity to align ourselves with nature and create personal rituals to celebrate the shifts internally and externally. As 2020 comes to a close, it’s an ideal time to reflect on our goals and intentions and realign with nature.
Carve out some time to reflect on this year. As a collective, we’ve experienced a once in a lifetime event with the global pandemic and the world has changed in profound ways. Look back, take notes, reflect on the lessons learned, and the gifts gained. Harness the power of this Solstice week to decide which patterns, habits, and emotions can be left behind. Release what isn’t serving you. Create the space to set intentions and begin the journey toward fulfilling your desires in every area of your life. For thousands of years, the Solstice has been a time of celebration, rest, and emotional and physical nourishment.
Aligning ourselves with nature means we are going with the flow, as opposed to battling against it. Using this time to plant and nurture your intentions gives you a boost toward living your best life. Turn inward and create rituals to ignite your inner fire to manifest gratitude for your blessings. Go outside and spend time in nature––savor the evening stars and breathe in the fresh air to boost your inner light. Step onto the mat and practice yoga and meditation with us as a global community celebration.
We invite you to rejoice in this time of transition and to harness the power of the change of seasons to strengthen your powers of reflection and renewal. Try all of this week's classes honoring the sun and the stars, while you move into the next chapter.
1. Jackie Casal Mahrou - Sunrise Flow 4: Be Fluid
2. Keith Allen - Straight Up Sun Salutations
3. Caitlin Rose Kenney - Seasons of Life: Flow for Times of Transition
4. Maria Garre - Beat the Winter Blues Pranayama
I used to think that it is impossible to do good soft cinnamon buns without a ton of real butter. This recipe is proof that I was seriously wrong. I still eat butter sometimes, but already for years, this recipe here has been the only one I use for cinnamon buns. In fact, I use the same dough with other fillings too – in Estonia, we do a traditional yeasted pastry with all kinds of different fillings – carrot, cabbage, meat, mushrooms, jam, cheese, and pretty much anything else you can think of. The traditional dough is made with cow’s milk and butter, but I don’t see any need to use either, even if I sometimes do use some animal ingredients to fill the pastry.
Back to the cinnamon rolls – these are the softest, fluffiest and tastiest cinnamon rolls you have ever seen. Like really. You need to make them today. And the good thing is that they don’t take much time to bake at all. The resting takes time, and this is the process that you can’t skip, but everything else is effortless, and even a 5-year-old could do them. In fact, a very similar recipe (the traditional way) is the first recipe I remember myself cooking. I have no clue how old I was but definitely under ten, and I made a huge pastry called kringel in Estonian (it is a yeasted dough similar to this recipe here, filled with a lot of butter, sugar, raisins etc. and then braided into wreath) all on my own.
So no more waiting. Make them now, and let me know in the comments if you like them as much as I do!
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Cooking time: 1 ½ hour
Yields: 12 rolls
2 ½ cups flour
A sprinkle of salt
2 tsp dry yeast
1 cup cashew milk
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp grapeseed oil
2-3 tbsp ground cinnamon
½ cup grapeseed oil
Mix the flour with salt and yeast.
In a small pot, heat the cashew milk with sugar and keep mixing until the sugar has dissolved and the milk is lukewarm.
Pour the milk into the dry ingredients and mix with a spoon until pretty much incorporated, then switch to your hands and knead for a few minutes until the dough is nice and smooth.
Cover the bowl and leave it to rest in a warmer place for about an hour. The dough will double in size.
Mix all the filling ingredients.
Once the dough has doubled in size, roll it out to ½ inch thickness and cover with the filling.
Roll the dough and cut into 12 equal pieces.
Now preheat the oven to 400 F and oil the baking sheet.
Add the rolls to the baking sheet leaving a little space between them; cover the pan and leave it to rest until the oven preheats but for at least 10 minutes.
Bake for 15 minutes until the buns are nice and golden.
We are all manifesting our realities all the time, whether we realize it or not. Conscious manifestation, though, takes some understanding and practice. These techniques are 100% testable. I encourage you: don’t just take my word for it, try it out for yourself!
Step 1: Get clear on what you want
Conscious manifestation requires your imagination. And to imagine something, you must get a clear picture of what you want.
This can be a stumbling block if you are unsure of exactly what you want, or you just don’t even know where to start. Plus, it’s common for some to fear wasting time and making the wrong decision.
But it doesn’t have to be as hard as that. Not only can you manifest clarity, but can manifest the fulfillment of individual desires you already have every day.
Manifesting your desires
We all have individual desires. Through triumph and struggles, joy and pain, we are constantly learning what we like and don’t like. It’s this contrast, while often uncomfortable, that pushes us forward.
It may be difficult for some to know what exact career you want, what your ideal relationship looks like, or even the amount of money you would feel comfortable with. We can all find clarity on what our individual desires are.
You may know you want freedom, stability, abundance, harmony, love. Good! That’s a place to start. Knowing these individual emotions is enough clarity to begin manifesting. No complete, detailed picture required.
Manifesting clarity
Even after decoupling the fear or uncertainty of making the “right” decision, some may still be finding it difficult to picture what they want in life.
Clarity, purpose, and drive are also all individual emotions that you can target and manifest.
So, if you really don’t know where to start. Start there! Choose “clarity” or “purpose” as a target. Use the following manifestation techniques to achieve greater clarity, and watch how it comes into focus.
Don’t overthink it
There is no finish line in life. You may feel that once you have something specific, you will be happy, complete, or can move to the next step.
While successes may move you closer to your ideal version of yourself, you are never “done”. Once you get there, you’ll either like it or dislike it, but regardless, you will simply move the goalposts to a new place.
So try not to overthink it! You always can choose again at any time.
Part 2: Use Your Imagination
After getting a clear idea of something to manifest, it’s time to begin the work!
Understand the mechanics
The mechanics of manifestation can be summarized in just one quote. It explains why we often unconsciously create the same experiences for ourselves.
“You don't manifest what you want, you manifest what you are.” - Neville Goddard
To want something is to acknowledge that you do not have that thing. So the phrases “I am” or “I have” are much more powerful than “I want”.
It’s really as simple as that. When you use your imagination to consciously manifest, it must be from the perspective of already having or being what you desire.
Meditating on the wish fulfilled
All manifestation starts in your imagination. All day every day, we are using our imagination, and that’s why all day every day we are manifesting.
For some it’s very visual, for others it’s more based on feelings or senses. But everyone, to a certain extent, can picture things in their minds. If I tell you to close your eyes and imagine an apple, I bet you can do just that. But there really is no wrong way to imagine. Just do what comes naturally.
So, in order to consciously manifest, you must use your imagination to feel, sense and/or see the state of your wish fulfilled, from your own perspective.
One of the best ways to do this is in a meditation practice, or right before you go to sleep. Sit (or lay) with your back and neck straight. Calm yourself with breathing exercises, and to begin to imagine yourself in the state of your wish fulfilled.
It may help to imagine a doorway, and walk through it into your new life where your wish is fulfilled. You can see yourself standing separately, then slowly enter that body and see through the eyes of that version of yourself.
What would you be seeing? How would you be feeling? What would you be doing? What conversations would you be having?
See yourself speaking with a loved one and telling them that you have finally achieved what you previously wanted. Imagine them congratulating you.
Let your meditation take its course. Then as if you were sowing a seed, release it, and trust that it is coming to you.
Trust the process
If you were a farmer and was interested in growing healthy crops, you would not plant a seed, and go back every few minutes to check on its growth. That would disturb the growth of the seed, and would probably prevent the plant from growing.
Manifestation works the same way. You have to trust that you imagining the wish fulfilled is sufficient (it may help to test this first on small things to gain confidence). Some plants and animals grow quickly, and others take a very long time to grow and mature. Manifesting your reality is no different.
For small, minor things, or things you have very limited resistance towards, it may take just moments to manifest, but others, it can take a long time. Just know it is coming to you, without worrying about the details of who, what, when, where or how. That’s not your job.
Part 3: Daily Maintenance
Once you understand the mechanics and apply the tools for manifestation, there are more practices that will keep you moving in the right direction.
Don’t plant weeds
After imagining the wish fulfilled, and letting it go. Trust that it is coming to you in its due time just like anything that grows in nature.
The only way that your manifestation will not actually come to pass, is if you imagine or entertain a belief about yourself that directly contradicts your previous intention.
Your dominant imaginative belief about yourself (in terms of frequency and strength of emotion), will always prevail.
Stay mindful
Mindfulness is super helpful in maintaining the state of the wish fulfilled.
Staying in the present moment, and keeping a peaceful mind through meditation, yoga or exercise is an excellent way to do this.
Also, continuing to plant new seeds that are in alignment with your wish, through mindfulness, meditation, scripting or gratefulness exercises will keep you along your path.
Or simply just letting your unshakable faith take over your physical senses. This becomes easier with practice, and as you test it out and see for yourself that these practices actually work. You truly are the creator of your reality.
Scripting from the wish fulfilled
Scripting is a powerful tool that can be very useful in helping you manifest. It is an excellent habit to get into on a daily basis.
By physically writing sentences on a piece of paper from the state of the wish fulfilled, your body combines the thought, feeling, kinesthetic motion, and the visualization of the statement. That’s a lot of reinforcement!
These statements must be written from the perspective of already having or being what you want.
Also, these statements are meaningless (and can actually be counteracted) without aligning the appropriate emotion with that statement. Be sure to feel from the state of the wish fulfilled as you write.
Even just 10 or 15 statements a day is a great way to practice manifestation techniques. It allows you to quickly plant the seed, and quickly release it.
By David Williams
David Williams is a healer, coach and teacher who has been living nomadically in various countries around the world for the past few years. As a student of psychology, neurology, quantum physics, spirituality, self-help and psychic energy work, his goal has been to accept no single philosophy or dogma as it is, but rather see the common threads that unite it all, in never-ending quest for finding a deeper truth.
For over a decade he has repeatedly thrown out societal, social and educational norms, while learning from everyone, and everything he can. It turns out, that there are profound truths that completely align throughout religion, physical sciences, metaphysics, and self-help realms, no matter how different they may seem. His goal is to combine the common wisdom found from experts in their fields, to help one million people throughout the world overcome their personal limitations, find their unique path, and contribute their light to the global awakening. Connect wtih him on his website here: www.imaginationgem.com
PRACTICE VISUALIZATION AND MANIFESTATION RIGHT NOW!
The ancient yoginis understood the concept of time and cycles they called yugas. Presently, we are living in a time of great intensity: the Kali Yuga. The Kali Yuga is a period of hundreds of thousands of years, and it shows a progressive decline in true spiritual connection.
We see this readily in many yogic myths where the feminine (Shakti) embodied conscious-ness is repeatedly disrespected and, as a result, leaves her human form. When she goes away, the demons take over the world creating environmental degradation as they pillage the Earth without a care or sense of responsibility. The world falls apart; the oceans fill with plastic; the air is unbreathable, and the respect for fellow humans is diminished.
While the Gods plead for her earthly return to restore balance, she first demands respect. If we are to call the Divine Feminine back into her body, we must confront our own shadow. A call to the feminine is a call to healing internal wounding where our ego believes it's in charge of life. When our attention focuses solely on the physical, we lose sight of the unifying star matter we are all made of.
We are at an exciting precipice where consciousness is evolving. For example, we see more people taking up yoga, meditation and Indigenous earth-based rituals that reconnect us to the essence in all things. In meditation, we have access to the healing energy hidden behind our scars, wounds, and conditioning. It’s here that we begin to heal the memories of shame, fear, insecurity, doubt, and inhibition.
This is a necessary confrontation to make something more beautiful with our lives. The great masters of the Tantric tradition understood that we could experience immense healing through an authentic path of Initiatory Mantra Meditation — a practice that literally raises the vibrational frequency within the body and mind. Over time, we go from a thickened, dense, contractive condition to a higher vibrational joy-filled experience of life. As a result, we tap more readily into our gifts, talents, and capacities.
This has enormous potential not only for healing our own pain but to add a positive contribution to healing our planet. The dawning of a new era and a progressive time of awakening is becoming more apparent as we watch financial structures collapse and top-down leadership fall apart. COVID-19 has stopped us in our tracks and driven us home. Home is the metaphor for our central channel, where-in deep states of meditative absorption, we alchemically shift our trauma into empowerment.
If the Kali Yuga has been an era of progressive decline, the Sat Yuga spins the pendulum back towards more light, creativity, and beauty where humans will once again express reverence for life. Presently, we are experiencing more collaborative efforts to eliminate differences of color, race, and gender. Backyard gardening, walking barefoot, outdoor activities, and women’s organizations are exploding worldwide as we lean into the call to heal the feminine.
While these exciting shifts are taking place, transitions are rarely smooth. It will take a daily commitment into our core where the masculine and feminine dance as one pulsing energy. It's here, inside ourselves, that we remain steadfast to working for the generations to come, to the upliftment of our planet and the evolution of humans towards a brighter, more awakened existence.
By Jeanie Manchester
Jeanie Manchester is a master yoga teacher and spiritual guide and a teacher on YogaDownload. She has trained and practiced extensively in yoga asana, philosophy, and meditation for the past 30 years. She is an E-RYT 500 Hour YA instructor offering yoga immersions, training as well as travel-based retreats to wondrous places all over the globe. She is a Priestess of Neelakantha Meditation Practice — the most subtle and powerful practice that she offers for those seeking depth and transformation.
After she rolls up her yoga mat, Jeanie is a mother of two and understands the demands of a daily householder life with serious commitment to a spiritual journey. She is also the creator of The Shakti Rise Immersion, as well as “Goddess Guidance”, an online membership group dedicated to guiding women into experiencing their full potential in themselves.
Immerse yourself in this unique 50-Hour Training with Jeanie!
Practice one of Jeanie's many mythology inspired classes in her Goddess Yoga Package!
It’s the two-week countdown to 2021 and time to set yourself up to transition and transform. We don’t know about you, but we are more than ready to kiss 2020 goodbye and step into the realm of new possibilities. Starting January 1, 2021, we’ve got a three-week challenge designed to usher in a fresh start and provide you with the framework to start your year feeling empowered and renewed. Yoga is one of the most potent tools we have to navigate the ebbs and flows of change.
By concentrating on building our strength and balance from the inside out, we are better equipped to handle whatever comes our way. Yoga and meditation are two practices that will fortify your mind and heart and smooth the inevitable shifts ahead. We’ve all been reminded, rather forcefully, that we don’t have much control over external events, only over our reactions to them. If you’ve found yourself more anxious, more depressed, more emotional in general, you aren’t alone. The good news is you can learn to flex the internal muscles of your mind and train yourself to be less reactionary. The more you practice, the more strength and balance you’ll embody, regardless of prevailing circumstances.
These next few weeks are perfect to prepare yourself and begin the journey toward transformation. Can you slow down and savor this transition? This in-between time? Often, we’re in a hurry to get started on new projects and endeavors, but the space between is vitally important. Just like when you’re on your yoga mat, the transition between poses is important and many of us hurry through to the next pose without recognizing and appreciating that the transitions are part of the practice.
Transitions are when you check in on your breath. Check in on how you’re feeling. Where you concentrate on the journey instead of the destination. Transitions are where the gift of being fully present is realized.
The holidays may look different this year because most of us won’t be traveling. Take this opportunity to slow down and plan for next year. Review 2020 and write down a list of what you’ve learned through this global experience we’ve all shared together. Consider what you’re ready to release and leave behind so you can reinvigorate your mind, body, and soul. Having a structure and a community to share your 2021 commitment to deepening your yoga practice with will make the experience even sweeter.
This challenge is suitable for all levels, from yoga newcomers to experienced practitioners who want to be challenged. There will be a mix of styles including Power, Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin. This challenge will also feature yoga philosophy lectures, meditation classes, and technique workshops to broaden your horizons. All you have to do is show up and we've made it as easy as possible for you in this challenge, as every morning, you'll receive your class choices for the day directly to your inbox.
SIGN UP HERE!
Hanukkah is just around the corner and today we wanted to share one of our favorite Hanukkah recipes with all of you – Root Vegetable Latkes with Apple Pear Sauce! These latkes are a tasty and festive way to get some extra veggies in, and pair deliciously with our homemade apple pear sauce. The perfect addition to your family’s Hanukkah traditions!
This recipe is one of the many delicious healthy holiday recipes you’ll find in the extra special bonus Holiday eCookbook we’ve put together this year as a FREE instant download when you purchase our new cookbook.
We’ve included all our personal faves that we love to cook up for our families during the holiday season. We hope you love them as much as we do!
You can be sure that many of these dishes will be on our holiday menu! What recipes are your holiday go-tos? Share with us in the comments below!
With love and holiday cheer,
Root Vegetable Latkes with Homemade Apple Pear Sauce
Yield: 8-10 small latkes and 1 ½ cups applesauce
Ingredients for latkes:
3 cups root vegetables, shredded and peeled (we use a combo of 1 beet, 1 parsnip, 1 potato, and 1 carrot) 1 small onion ¾ tsp sea salt ½ tsp pepper ½ tsp garlic powder 4 tbsp chickpea flour 2 cups olive oil, for frying
Ingredients for Apple Pear Sauce:
2 apples, peeled and chopped finely (we like gala or honeycrisp) 1 pear, peeled and chopped finely ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp nutmeg 1 ½ tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar Pinch of freshly ground pepper 1 cup apple juice or water Maple syrup or stevia to your taste
Instructions for Latkes:
In a food processor or by hand grate the root vegetables and onion. Place half of the grated root vegetables on a paper towel and squeeze most but not all of the moisture out. Repeat with the remaining half. Place the root vegetables and onion into a medium-sized bowl and add the sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chickpea flour. Mix thoroughly.
In a medium skillet, pour olive oil until it is ½ inch deep. Heat until simmering. Form the mixture into small patties (if the patties don’t hold together, add a bit more flour). Place the patties into the oil. After golden (3-5 minutes) on one side flip them and continue to cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until golden and crispy on the other side. Keep the latkes warm in a 200 degree oven until ready to serve. Top with Apple Pear sauce.
Instructions for Apple Pear Sauce:
In a medium saucepan, mix apples, pear, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, pepper, and apple juice or water. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the fruit breaks down. Sweeten to taste if desired. Remove from heat and place mixture into a high speed blender and blend until almost smooth, or skip this step and leave it chunky. Serve with the Root Vegetable Latkes.
Jo Schaalman and Jules Peláez are co-authors of the book The Conscious Cleanse: Lose Weight, Heal Your Body and Transform Your Life in 14 Days, a best-selling, step-by-step guide to help you live your most vibrant life. They've also just released their brand new cookbook! Together they’ve led thousands of people through their online supported cleanse through their accessible and light-hearted approach. They’ve been dubbed “the real deal” by founder and chief creative director Bobbi Brown, of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, beauty editor of the TODAY show.
Enjoy this FREE 30-minute yoga class, from the comfort of your home!
Daily Back Pain Relief with Kristin Gibowicz
This New Moon Eclipse will come in with quite an upheaval. It asks us to transform our outer world relations and will trigger a set of transformations that will unfold over the next year.
I want to emphasize that there are a lot of planetary energies at play here. This isn’t the typical Solar eclipse when the moon and sun meet in the same sign. No, this eclipse has an entourage. The Sun and Moon will join Ketu, the south node of the moon and be accompanied by Mercury and Venus. This is a 5 full planetary conjunction, and will occur in the very yogic lunar house of Jyestha Nakshatra.
This Nakshatra (lunar house) marks the ending of the previous forms of relating and the point in which new ways of being emerge. This new way of being is more spiritualized, more embodied. At this unique point within the cosmos there is a lot at play, the primary being that collective consciousness is rising to another level of unity, of spirituality. The process of this spiritualization will occur on multiple levels thanks to the unique party of planets in Scorpio.
This eclipse will ask to see beyond senses, beyond the wheel of wanting.
It is an awakening to merge into oneness through contentment, to see the purpose, passion, and truth lie not in the material manifested world, but through the true self. This is fulfillment.
Spiritualization is the purpose of this moon. It can create detachment and dissatisfaction along the material world and through senses and sensory pleasures. Previous forms of sensory pleasures will fall short, mindfulness is required. Mindfulness around wanting more, wanting a different lifestyle, wanting to define self and status. This will trigger the opposite effect and drive frustrations and discontentment. The intellect is thwarted so thinking, analyzing, and projections of previous mechanisms will falter.
It will drive the self to look inward. Intuition, seeing, understanding and connecting spirituality into the material world will take a deeper level. Seeing how one created their own suffering and fortune will be revealed. To see purpose, and the meaning without applying meaning or definitions is important. There lies an opportunity to become different.
To recreate a new life, not based on material satisfaction but soulful fulfillment.
The Sun-soul is rising and opposite Mars, there will be more pranic energy to lift the Sun-soul self into greater awareness. Know yourself beyond this world. This eclipse will show you beyond illusion, constructs, delusion, and paradigms. It is important to practice Pratyahara (removal of the senses during this time). Name the demons, embrace them, look through fear at what lies hidden behind it all. Integrate what has been condemned, and know the oneness, peace.
This eclipse falls on a unique point on the zodiac wheel in which the dark waters of Kali (goddess) are creating healing, resurrection, and purification. This is Kundalini within the cosmic body, and at this point, pranayama is important as well as chanting. These practices urge us to go into the ethereal and know the wisdom beyond the physical.
Lastly, expect upheavals, expect the unexpected, but KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that life is ALWAYS, and HAS ALWAYS happened for you. Use this lunation to understand and see what lies within you, beyond the senses, beyond the body, beyond the thinking mind. Beyond all of it, you are the creator. Connect with the dark waters, which is to be one, to be everything and nothing. To be a place of contentment and absorption. Surrender, then surrender more. Your greatness is taking new form.
The New moon flow and Meditation, will aid in working with these Kali energies.
New Moon Meditation & Breathwork with Geenie Celento
New Moon Flow with Geenie Celento
*Depending on your unique chart there will be variations within these planetary energies.
By Geenie (Gemma) Celento
To learn more about your planets and, book a full astrology reading here.
Book a fixed star reading to understand your mental/emotional body and how to empower your yoga through your lunar birth star.
Geenie, also known as Gemma, is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, astrologer and student of the Sri Vidya Tantric lineage. Her classes on YogaDownload are often inspired by astrology and aimed to guide each student to unfold a deeper connection from within. Her diverse knowledge and continued studies in the spiritual sciences can be felt in her class offerings. With humble devotion Gemma weaves the wisdom of yogic practices into accessible and impactful mat experiences. Her website is here.
What sets yoga apart from other forms of fitness, is the uniquely holistic approach it takes to strengthen your body, mind, and soul. For many, yoga serves as an essential retreat from a chaotic or busy life, a time to regroup, unwind, and build mindfulness. In the process, it will help you improve muscle tone and flexibility, everything you want from a standard workout at the gym.
Yoga provides a myriad of both physical and mental health benefits. In addition to engaging muscle-groups in poses — or Asanas — that promote strength, flexibility, and balance, yoga also incorporates deep breathing, meditation, and body awareness. This helps decrease stress, relieve anxiety, and promote deep relaxation. Yoga is accessible for beginners and a great way to build a more healthy lifestyle. You don’t need much in the way of specialized equipment to start practicing in your own home yoga room today.
Why a Yoga Room?
If you’re looking for a good way to add movement into your routine at home but find yourself daunted by the cost of home gym equipment, a yoga room might be right for you. Yoga may be the perfect avenue to reach your physical fitness goals. It is ideal for almost every body type and will help you grow strong and limber with dedicated practice. Rather than sinking hundreds of dollars into expensive weights and treadmills, all you need for a yoga room is some free space clear of visual clutter and a mat. Online yoga classes will help you practice at home too! You may wish to invest in blocks or straps down the road, but can get started without them.
A “yoga room” doesn’t even require you to set aside an entire room in your house; a corner in your living room or bedroom will do. The space you set aside for yoga practice is simply an area for you to practice mindfulness of your physical body and mind. You can use this space for high-intensity, strength-building yoga exercises. You can also use this space to meditate, read, or practice self-care.
Think of your yoga room as a combination of your lounge, meditation room, and exercise area. This will help you get more use out of the space.
You should set up your yoga room as a place that inspires mindfulness and tranquility. Remember that sense of zen you feel when you step into your favorite yoga studio? These studios are often set up with elements that play on your senses to help get you into the right frame of mind. Think scented candles, calm lighting, or a smiling Buddha statue. When designing your home yoga space, incorporate elements that help you stop, breathe, and be present in your body.
How to Prepare Your Space
Preparing and decorating your home yoga space should be done with thoughtfulness and intentionality. A yoga room should be calming, inviting, and relaxing. In addition to basic yoga supplies, you’ll want to consider visual aesthetics, lighting, and sensory inputs to help you achieve the best possible yoga experience.
Minimize clutter
A clean space with few visual distractions will help you get into the right frame of mind for an at-home yoga practice. How do you feel when you come home to an apartment full of piles of laundry and dirty dishes in the sink? Clutter isn’t great for your mental health, so your yoga room should serve as a refuge.
When it comes to a yoga room, less is more. Be very intentional with what items you include in your yoga space. Only leave those that are functional and beautiful.
Lighten and brighten your space
Lighting has a significant effect on your mood, energy, and overall wellness. Consider installing dimmer switches for your ceiling lights to alter the mood of your yoga room quickly or get lamps that set a good mood. Cotton drapes are also an excellent tool to soften and brighten a space. They can also be used to curtain off your yoga space from the rest of the living area, filtering light and adding privacy.
You may wish to take advantage of natural light by setting up your space near a window or balcony. Doing so can help make the area feel more open and airy. Conversely, if you feel calmer in a dark environment, set up your yoga space away from windows, or consider adding blackout curtains.
Satisfy your senses
Once you have established your yoga area, it’s time to add all those little touches that make you feel calm and grounded. It may be a little difficult to decide what to place in your home yoga studio, particularly if working with a small area. To get inspired, use your five senses as a guide for items and decor that get you into that yoga vibe.
Sight: What visual cues help you cultivate mindfulness? Consider wall prints and paintings that help you feel spiritually connected. Some people find including natural objects, such as beautiful stones or carved wood, useful to create a calm visual atmosphere. Be mindful of the colors you choose. For instance, bright red might make you feel on edge, whereas light blue might help you feel serene.
Smell: Your olfactory senses are a powerful trigger for both memories and moods. Using different scents can inspire feelings of unease or calm. Scented candles, oil diffusers, and incense holders are all great ways to set the mood for your yoga room without taking up too much space. Feel free to experiment with different essential oils and incenses to find those that work for you. Lavender is a popular choice for yoga practices since it is known for helping people relax.
Touch: Think about the items in your yoga space that your body will make contact with. Items that are rough, scratchy, and uncomfortable should be left outside. Make sure to choose a comfortable mat that has a good grip and is soft enough for bare skin.
Sound: Different sounds and auditory cues quickly shift your mindset and inspire positive emotions. Tibetan bells and singing bowls are visually beautiful and great for chiming at the beginning and end of each yoga session. A water fountain is a great way to infuse your yoga space with calming, natural noises.
Taste: There’s nothing like a yoga session and a mug of herbal tea to unwind after a stressful day. Set up a mug to steep with your favorite herbal tea and place it where you can easily reach it. Water infused with lemon and mint is an excellent option to stay hydrated throughout a more intense yoga session.
Décor
The great thing about having your very own yoga space is that you can personalize the décor according to your own style. Consider which design elements inspire your soul, mind, and body. What would you like to see and feel most when practicing yoga?
Plants are a great option for making the air feel fresh and alive. Including items of sentimental value is a great way to make space your own. Remember not to go overboard on décor. When it comes to a yoga room, less is more, so make sure to leave plenty of open space.
Assemble yoga supplies
Now that you’ve achieved that perfect atmosphere for your yoga room, it’s time to get the actual yoga equipment in order. The most fundamental piece of equipment you will need is a mat. Choosing a yoga mat with a color or design you love will inspire you to practice more often. As you progress in your practice, you may find yourself incorporating yoga blocks into your routine. Make sure you have everything you need to carry out your favorite poses.
Yoga for Your Mind and Soul
Use the time you practice yoga to be consciously mindful of your day and thankful for everything going on in your life. One of the best aspects of yoga is that it has been proven to impact mental health positively. Because yoga requires you to be highly conscious of and present with your body, it’s an excellent practice to see yourself from another perspective, cultivates body positivity, and take some time to love yourself.
Your yoga sessions are a special time to focus on your body, breathe deeply, and let go of stress. While there are many styles of yoga that are focused on building physical strength and balance, you don’t have to use your yoga room exclusively for physical routines. A yoga room can also serve as a calm, tranquil spot to simply breathe and meditate.
Enjoy Your Yoga Room
While you may not make it to the studio every week, a home yoga studio makes it easy to fit yoga and meditation sessions into a busy life. A regular yoga practice conditions both the body and mind for inner stability and centeredness; you will quickly find that this positively impacts all aspects of your daily life. Setting up your yoga space to inspire peace and tranquility is key to unlocking the myriad of benefits that come from practicing yoga daily.
By Rocio Espinoza
Practice in your new beautiful yoga room, whether you're brand new, or experienced, with these programs.
What is your go-to coping mechanism when you feel overwhelmed or can’t control your reactions to anything and everything? Does heading outside into nature help reduce your blood pressure or a phone call with your best friend do the trick? Did you know one of the best ways to manage stress and anxiety is through a balanced yoga practice?
Mindful movement and controlled breathing patterns positively affect your nervous system. Yoga helps us shift from fight or flight, a reactive state, to rest and digest, a receptive state of being. Through physical asanas and Pranayama breathing techniques you can lower blood pressure, regulate heart rate, and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. With an intelligent combination of active practices, passive practices, and meditation, like our new one-week Anxiety Relief program, you’ll feel more calm, energized, and balanced.
When our autonomic nervous system isn’t in balance, managing our emotions can be a challenge. Anxiety is often tied to anticipating the future and depression is often linked to an inability to release the past. Over time, if we fall into these types of patterns, our bodies and minds begin to suffer. Yoga teaches us to focus on the present moment, which encourages a grounded sense of being and a focused, clear mind.
Yoga isn’t simply about touching your toes or balancing on your hands, although both those abilities are great. The mental, emotional, and physical health benefits of yoga are intertwined, so even when your focus is predominantly on opening your hips and shoulders, you’re positively impacting your entire being.
Whether you need to relax with some restorative yoga to encourage your parasympathetic nervous system to kick in or you need a vitality boost from an energetic Vinyasa flow, yoga will help. Check out all these practices and see just how balanced you can feel!
Enjoy and let us know what you think in the comment section below.
This soup recipe is perfect for a cold day and is full of healthy ingredients.
Have a personal favorite healthy soup recipe?
Tell us about it.
With love and orange smiles,
Curried Carrot Soup
Yield: 8 bowls
3 TB. coconut oil 2 tsp. curry powder 8 medium carrots, peeled and sliced thin 4 medium stalks celery, chopped 1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped 5 cups vegetable broth 1 TB. freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tsp. sea salt Freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
In a medium saucepan over low heat, cook coconut oil and curry powder, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in carrots, celery, and yellow onion; toss to coat; and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Stir in vegetable broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are very tender. Allow to sit for 1 minute, and skim grease from top of soup if necessary. In a blender, and working in batches of no more than 2 cups, purée soup. Return soup to the pot, and heat through. Season with lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper, and serve.
Many of us are familiar with at least one of the seven chakras. The third eye, our intuition center, tends to be the most spoken about chakra; however, all of the other chakras need our time, attention, and TLC, too!
If you have attended yoga or meditation classes, you have perhaps heard the teacher speaking about the chakras. Below, you will briefly discover what the chakras are, where they are located, and each of their main characteristics.
If you're curious about learning more about the chakra system, there are 3 must-read recommended books about the chakras for you to continue on your path of chakra discovery. There are also yoga classes for each of the seven chakras, if you'd like to learn more about them through movement, and experience.
What Are Chakras?
The chakra system can be thought of as energy centers within the body. The first discovery of the chakra system can be traced back to ancient Indian texts thought to be written about in 1500 BC.
Each of the 7 chakras can be thought of as individual energy centers, each having its own vibrational frequency. Every chakra has a specific function and purpose to regulate many processes in the human body from immune function to emotions to organ health. It is believed that when your seven chakras are open, your energy is free-flowing, and your mood is stable and positive and the body’s systems are working cohesively. Each serves a clear purpose in balancing different facets of our organs, emotions, and well-being.
The seven chakra centers are located between the crown of the head down to the base of the spine, each in their own unique spot.
A brief explanation about each chakra:
1. Root Chakra: Your root chakra is associated with your feelings of safety, grounding, and survival. This chakra is our foundational chakra and our anchor to the present world. Its element is Earth.
2. Sacral Chakra: The sacral chakra is associated with sexuality and feelings. Its element is water and it is motivated by pleasure. This chakra is the driving force for the enjoyment of life through the senses, whether it’s auditory, through taste, touch, or sight.
3. Solar Plexus Chakra: The solar plexus chakra’s center is near the naval and the main meanings associated with this chakra are accountability, mental ability, personal identity, and confidence. Its element is fire.
4. Heart Chakra: The heart chakra is not directly located where the physical heart is, but it is aligned at about the same height of the heart along the spine. It is associated with compassion, love, and beauty. The heart chakra’s element is air and its energy is associated with movement, connection, and breath.
5. Throat Chakra: The throat chakra is considered by some to be the center of human emotion. It is located in the throat region. The energy of the throat chakra is associated with communication, creativity, and self-expression. Its element is ether.
6. Third Eye Chakra: The third eye chakra is perhaps the most commonly talked about chakra. Its location is on the forehead between the brows. This chakra is associated with openness and imagination, it is also connected to cultivating wisdom and insight. Its element is light.
7. Crown Chakra: Wisdom is controlled through the crown chakra, which is also the 7th chakra. It is the most spiritual chakra of them all. Some describe this chakra as the gateway to the divine self and the connector to universal consciousness. Its element is the cosmos.
Recommended Chakra Reading List:
Whether you meditate frequently or are simply eager to learn about connecting your physical body with your spiritual being, reading more about the chakras is a brilliant way to gain more insight. If you are interested in practicing chakra-focused meditation or you are curious about tapping into and tuning your chakras to naturally lighten your mood and feel more harmonious inside we can highly recommend reading the books below. Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology And The Chakra System As A Path To The Self - Anodea Judith Chakra Awakening: Transform Your Reality Using Crystals, Color, Aromatherapy & the Power of Positive Thought - Margaret Ann Lembo The Chakra Book: Energy And Healing Power Of The Subtle Body - Osho
Recommended Chakra Yoga Classes:
Yoga for the 1st Chakra with Elise Fabricant
Yoga for the 2nd Chakra with Elise Fabricant
Yoga for the 3rd Chakra with Elise Fabricant
Yoga for the 4th Chakra with Elise Fabricant
Yoga for the 5th Chakra with Elise Fabricant
Yoga for the 6th Chakra with Elise Fabricant
Yoga for the 7th Chakra with Elise Fabricant
By Heather Jacoby
Heather is the founder and creator of TheYogaTique.com. She is also a global citizen of 7 years and counting who has lived throughout SE Asia and Latin America. When she set out to live a life abroad she had the vision to create The Yogatique to connect yogis with online yoga studios to encourage everyone to take their yoga practice wherever life may take them, too.
If you deal with back pain, yoga might be exactly what you need. Yoga is a mind-body remedy that helps efficiently treat back pain and stress that accompanies it. Here, we’ll discuss yoga poses that can reduce pain, relax, and strengthen your body.
There can be tens of different causes of back pain; poor posture, a weak core, and sedentary work are among them. It’s always essential to find out contributing factors and reasons for pain so that you can treat it the right way and prevent it from happening again. However, in most situations, practicing even basic yoga poses will relieve the strain and pain in your back.
In 2017 a study was conducted and it proved that yoga is really beneficial for back pain. A group of 320 adults was assessed to see whether yoga was efficient as physical therapy for reducing chronic back pain. Participants in both physical therapy and yoga classes showed analogous improvements in pain levels.
But what yoga poses to choose? We all are aware of how many yoga poses exist, and some of them are rather challenging to perform, especially if you’re a beginner. To make your life easier, we’ve divided yoga poses based on their complexity. So, regardless of how fit, strong, or flexible you are, in this post, you’ll find helpful yoga poses to suit your fitness level.
Yoga poses for beginners for back pain relief:
Child’s Pose
This is one of the easiest yoga poses, it takes the strain off the lower back by aligning the spine. This pose gives you a nice stretch.
Instructions for Child's Pose: Kneel on the mat with your knees hip-width apart, feet together behind you. Breath in deep, and as you exhale, place your torso over the thighs.
Try lengthening your neck and spine, moving your ribs away from the tailbone and the crown of your head away from your shoulders.
Lay your forehead on the floor, arms are extended out in front of you.
Keep this position for 1-3 minutes.
Sphinx Pose
This pose generates a great natural curve of the lower back. It also involves your abs that support the lower back. These factors make this exercise one of the best yoga poses for lower back pain.
Instructions for Sphinx Pose: Lie on your belly with your feet together and straight behind you.
Put your elbows right under your shoulders and forearms on the ground and lift your chest off the ground.
Press your thighs and hips to the ground and try lengthening your spine and keep your shoulders comfortable.
Feel deeply a nice stretch in your lower back. However, be careful not to hyperextend the spine.
Cat-Cow Pose
This pose provides a good flexion and extension of your back, improves mobility, and relieves tension in the lower back. This yoga pose also helps to enhance posture.
Instructions for Cat/Cow pose: Start on your hands and knees.
Inhale deeply and round your spine towards the ground, lift your head and chest.
Exhale slowly and go on with the next step.
Inhale deeply, and on the exhale, round your spine toward the ceiling, drop your head toward the floor - it’s a cow position.
Keep exercising for 1-3 minutes.
Knees to Chest and Slow Rock
Add a slow rocking movement to your basic stretch. This easy yoga pose provides a natural, nice bodyweight massage.
Start lying on the back
Embrace your knees that are over your chest.
Rock your torso slowly back and forth
Keep doing this exercise for 1-3 minutes.
Here are some more yoga poses that might be better suited for Advanced Beginners & Up:
Downward Dog
This yoga pose strengthens your back and shoulders, plus, it reduces back pain.
Instructions for Downward Facing Dog pose: Start on your knees and hands on the mat: knees under hips and wrists under shoulders.
Press your palms against the floor, tighten your toes, and lift your knees.
Move your hips towards the ceiling.
Extend your tailbone from the back of your pelvis, bending your knees slightly.
As you exhale, press firmly on your hands.
Make sure to distribute weight evenly on the shoulders and hips, and keep your chin tucked in.
Keep this pose for 1-3 minutes.
Triangle
This yoga pose alleviates pain from the neck and back. Besides, it stretches and strengthens hips, legs, chest, and shoulders.
Instructions for Triangle pose: Stand with your feet about 4-5 feet apart.
Rotate your right foot forward, leaving your left toes at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
Raise your arms with palms down, parallel to the ground.
Leaning on your right thigh, extend your arms and torso forward.
Lower your hand to the ground, shin, or foot, while extending your left hand towards the ceiling.
Place your shoulders and hips so that your spine is aligned.
Look up, toward your left hand.
Keep this pose for 1-2 minutes, then repeat on the opposite side.
Happy Baby
This exercise includes rocking motion as well as the one we’ve already described; however, it requires more flexibility. The pose stretches shoulders, neck, hips, and relaxes back muscles.
Instructions for Happy Baby pose: Start lying on the back and bend your knees over your belly.
Inhale deeply, hold your feet with your hands. Open your knees to your armpits.
Make sure your ankles are over your knees and your heels are bent.
Bring your arms down to create pressure and resistance.
Keep rocking for 30-60 seconds.
Conclusion:
Yoga poses we’ve described here are safe to do daily. They are great for working on core stability, correcting posture, and flexibility - all that you need for a healthy back. However, it’s important to listen to your body and stop doing exercises that cause any discomfort. If the pose hurts, ease up on stretching. Depending on the severity and location of your back pain, different poses will work better for you. Remember also, that yoga poses that help heal back pain, are not limited to just these postures. Keep exploring and find what brings relief and vitality to you!
We hope these tips will help you to reduce or prevent back pain and make your life healthier.
By Alex Green
Alex Green is a copywriter who is fond of healthy living and knows everything about home improvement. In his spare time, Alex likes walking with his golden retriever, meeting with friends, and attending the gym.
Enjoy this 30-minute FREE Daily Back Pain Relief yoga class.
Practice YogaDownload's Heal Your Back Pain program for short and long-term relief from the comfort of your home!
Have you ever noticed that when you’re worried about money, all of a sudden, your lower back “goes out?” Or you were reprimanded at work and a crick appears in your neck? Of course, suffering a physical injury or the culmination of a lifetime of poor posture causes pain, but what’s happening internally is often the root of external pain. Yoga’s three-pronged focus on physical, emotional, and mental wellness offers back pain relief for every layer of your being.
In yogic philosophy, the subtle body is a blueprint of the physical one. The subtle body consists of energy or prana which flows through channels called Nadis. The primary Nadi, the Sushumna Nadi, runs from the Muladhara (Root) Chakra at the base of the spine to the Sahasrara (Crown) Chakra at the crown of the head. Keeping the seven primary Chakras or energy centers balanced is essential to keep our prana flowing freely so we feel invigorated, calm, and pain-free.
When emotional energy blockages occur, pain often manifests in the tissues surrounding the spinal column/Sushumna Nadi. Through mindful asana (postures) and pranayama (breathwork), yoga can help free up your life force or prana in this central channel and assist in creating a pain-free healthy back. What’s magical about yoga is that the practice simultaneously addresses all the causes of pain, inside and out. Once your prana is flowing freely, it’s easier to address the specific external aspects of back pain.
Three primary muscular factors contribute to chronic back pain: a weak core, tight psoas muscles, and tight hamstrings. When you strengthen the core, which consists of your abdominals, your back and your trunk, you create a protective girdle for the spine. Yoga is also an excellent way to open up the psoas or hip flexor muscles at the front of the hip that are often responsible for causing lower back pain. Stretching and elongating the hamstrings will also aid in keeping the lumbar region more spacious. A well-rounded yoga practice helps you target these three goals for long-term spinal wellness.
Of course, if you’ve suffered an accident or injury to your spinal discs or sprained muscles and ligaments, make sure you’ve addressed acute pain before embarking on a yoga program. Once you’re ready to bolster your posture, create a stronger core, and maintain a healthy spine, check out this week’s assortment of classes. These practices are specifically designed by expert instructors to help you feel your best. Enjoy!
1. Kristin Gibowicz - Daily Back Pain Relief (FREE class)
2. Dana Hanizeski - Heal Your Back Pain with Iyengar Yoga
3. Angela Kukhahn - Hug the Midline
4. Shy Sayar - Therapeutic Wall Yoga for Hips & Back
Years ago, I’d do anything for a box of Junior Mints or Peppermint Patties. I’d fallen prey, like many of us, into the low calorie, nonfat mindset of the 90’s where Snackwells and Fig Newton’s were all the rage.
As I’ve transitioned into a healthy lifestyle and a new way of eating, I’ve found myself looking for healthy sweet treats. I’ve realized that the packaged so-called “health foods” just fed my sugar demons, leaving me with an artificial sense of healthy and a sugar hangover to boot.
Instead of going cold turkey, I started looking for other options to satisfy my sweet tooth, something delicious and decadent that could replace, if not outperform my old guilty pleasures. Below is one of my favorite new recipes. It’s so rich and creamy you’ll hardly believe it’s actually good for you!
With sweet sassy smooches,
Creamy Banana Chia Pudding
Yields: 6 servings
2 TB. hemp seeds 1 ½ cups water 2-3 dates, pitted 2 bananas ½ cup chia seeds ½ tsp. sea salt 1 tsp. vanilla Cinnamon to taste Cacao nibs (optional)
Mix hemp seeds and water in a high-speed blender until completely smooth. Add in dates, bananas, sea salt and vanilla. Pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in chia seeds. Let it sit for 30 min or overnight in the refrigerator for a super thick pudding. Top with a few cacao nibs and a dash of cinnamon. Enjoy!
Co-founders and authors Jo & Jules have led tens of thousands of people through their 14-day Conscious Cleanse program. Through their experiences, they’ve learned that the single most important skill when it comes to taking control of your health is learning to cook simple, nutrient-dense meals. Their new cookbook, The Conscious Cleanse Cookbook, has everything you need to master the art of clean cooking.
Giving something back, aka philanthropy, isn’t a new concept. Being generous has been a part of our everyday lives for decades, and is an integral part of our modern society. However, giving back doesn’t have to be hard. Yes, there are those that dedicate themselves to philanthropy, but you can also do something as simple as carrying groceries for a neighbor. Any act of kindness, big or small, can have a positive impact on social issues, wellness, and community spirit. Isn't that the world we want to live in in 2020?
Here are some small ways you can give back.
1. Volunteer Your Time
If you’ve got a lot of spare time on your hands, volunteering is a great way to give back and help others. This could be at places like non-profit organizations, animal shelters, or homeless shelters, a lot of which desperately need help especially this year. You can also find organizations in your area where you can volunteer your time remotely, perhaps by volunteering to call and chat to those isolating and without much human interaction.
Random Acts of Kindness
Doing something unexpectedly kind for someone in your life can make someone’s day! Volunteering your time and energy to someone who needs a hand can help to strengthen your bonds and community. Next time you see someone struggling with something, take the time out to do something to make their lives a little easier, a simple act that will leave a long-lasting impression.
Charity Events
If there is a cause or charity you feel strongly about, why not get involved in raising money for charitable activities to help them out. Feeling passionate about an issue can massively motivate you to help out and give back. Have a search around for local charities that aid issues you care about, and contact them to see if they need volunteers or any other assistance. They usually need help!
Volunteering with Children
Helping children in need is a great way to help others in your community who might not be able to help themselves, whether that’s through mentorship or donating resources. Children can be the most vulnerable in our society, and there are a wealth of organizations that can always use a helping hand to give back to children in need. If you have the time, mentoring a child who could benefit from good role models, can be transformative for both you and the child.
Volunteering with the Elderly
Our older generations can be some of the most lonely out there, especially this time of year. There are many organizations that revolve around providing companionship and someone to talk to for many isolated elderly people, or you can volunteer at your local senior center. Being alone can cause depression and feelings of isolation among older generations, so this is a great way to boost someone’s day and give back to the community.
Planting Trees
A great way to give back and to make your community a better place to live is to join a tree planting initiative. Trees are essential to both the environment and to the community, as they help to clear the air of pollution. Trees provide oxygen and absorb harmful carbon dioxide, so you’re doing something for the whole planet when you plant one.
Clear Out & Donate Your Stuff
There are many organizations and charities that would benefit from unused household items and clothes. Whether it’s a local secondhand store or a shelter, you can find an organization that can breathe new life into your old stuff, and get use out of items that would previously be gathering dust. Why not contact local charities who accept donations, and find out what they’re in need of?
If you’ve not got much lying around the house, you can even organize a fundraiser to purchase goods in need, or rally your friends and neighbors to donate anything un-used too!
Donate Blood
Healthcare providers are working non-stop in these times, and many countries are still in need of blood donors and are actively looking for blood donations. If you’re a viable candidate, you can help save someone’s life by donating blood. In fact, every time you donate blood you can save 3 people’s lives! Now there is technology to store blood for longer, so the effects our your donation can help people in the long term too.
Shop Local
While it might be easier to order items for Christmas with one click from one of the many many big-name online stores, local businesses need our support now than ever. With restrictions in 2020 putting strain onto smaller businesses, now we can give back by supporting local shops and smaller businesses during the holidays.
Volunteering with Animals
Volunteering at an animal shelter is a great way to give back to our furry friends, as well as boost your mood - spending time with animals is proven to relieve stress and alleviate depression. Check in with your local shelter if they need volunteers, or donate some blankets and food if you can’t donate your time. Have neighbors got pets that they might need a hand with? Offer your services as a dog walker, if they ever are sick or overwhelmed with other commitments.
However you choose to give back, be confident in the fact that by the simple act of being kind and helping others, you are helping to make the world a better and kinder place for all of us who live in it, with the added bonus of that warm and fuzzy feeling you get by helping someone in need!
Want to give the gift of yoga to someone? Buy someone a discounted membership during our Black Friday Sale!
Awaken Your Generous Spirit with Elise Fabricant
This Full Moon lunar eclipse will occur from November 29th -30th. There is heavy Capricorian energy at play that is solidifying recent self-discoveries, new inner revelations from this fall. This solidification will create more grounded wisdom regarding self. It will carry forward an initial expansive push. Think of it as an energetic push to support breakaway and breakthroughs. This energy can seem intense for some, it’s swift and disruptive.
As the days carry forward the expansion will feel constricted. Jupiter’s conjunction with Saturn in Capricorn will create a push and pull. An outward urge met with restrictions. This is a blessing, and try to remember that. It will force new ways of expansion, new ways of creation, and quite literally cultivate new methods of achievement. It will release old paradigms and reliance on previously defined mechanisms within the self and external world. Prudence and perseverance will aid in working with the new ways of solidifying gifts, creativity, and new wisdom.
As you can feel practicality is aiding in creating structure, and solidity in this new alignment. Within this lunation Venus is a unique point of exact debilitation within the cosmos, no worries as this is assisting creative means beyond previous measures and paradigms. Venus in this position will also aid in self-realization as it pertains to the material and external world.
Desires and what you want from life becomes clear.
The alignment during this eclipse is asking you to believe in yourself, to invest faith into the gifts that are incubating. Connections around paradigms unfold on a final layer, and an offering of heart healing is available to you. Feel through the shifts my loves, new ways of relating, seeing, and connecting are on its final stretch. There may be a sense of shakiness, but it is the residual breaking away into new horizons. This energy is focused on foundations of growth, and grounding innerself into realization within the material world and the inner gifts are now starting to be concretized. The energy is shifting towards organization around new endeavors, getting your ducks in a row for soul desires.
Lastly my loves, this Full Moon lunar eclipse has a strong numeric significance. It is uniting the 7s. Esoterically you know this as the 7 planes of manifestation, the 7 energy centers (chakras) and the 7 dimensions of consciousness. We have reached a cycle completion and collectively will move forward with new ways of interrelatedness within one another and within the self. During this time, many of you may experience physical symptoms of recalibration. Do not try to make sense out of it. If your sleeping habits, food cravings, digestion, emotions, and reasoning are abnormal-allow it. Many of you will wake at odd hours of the night and have creative insight, or you will recieve guidance from your spirit guides and higher consciousness. Honor the downloads and heed the guidance.
Energy never dies, it is being recycled, renewed, and reshaped. Allow this process to occur along all 7 planes, do not hold onto ‘normalicy’. It is also so important to stay focused on your higher goals, and rooted in yourself. Small actions, discipline, and conviction to your becoming and the higher good for all will best serve you and the collective.
This Full Moon lunar eclipse is bringing the Kleshas - the 5 veils of ignorance and ego separation, to the surface. These Kleshas are the ways in which we hold ourselves separate from divine, from inner power, inner truth and the fullness of self-awareness. During this time allow the old to break away. Hold yourself gently and take a step back from definition, criticism, and especially judgment. These are protection mechanisms that create separateness. This separateness is the veil of ignorance that depletes prana-life force. We are all one. All connected. All divine. When in doubt, or if turmoil sets in. Come back to your practice, to your breath.
One final note on this eclipse, this is a reflection from the Eclipse on December 26, 2019. Take a moment to reflect, to recognize how far you’ve come in less than 12 months, how much strength you possess and revel in the fact there lies more to be discovered. It is from the void that all is born and all is possible. You are unlimited, and whatever holds back the awareness of true self (limitless nature) will be released. It is the full circle of evolution and creation.
Full Moon Ritual: Fast the day before or on the Full Moon eclipse. This will aid in removing previous karma and also clear the body for the subtle transformations that are occurring across the planes of consciousness. Meditate for 10-20 minutes focusing on white smoke clearing the body inside and out. Allow the awareness to rest in the third eye, Ajna. Do not set anything in motion. Now is the time to honor your ancestors, guides, and if you feel ‘lost’ or any turbulence, ask for guidance. Give thanks every day to your ancestors and guides. Stay humble, stay open.
Herb: During this time until the next New Moon, Ashwagandha will best serve sloughing off the odd while strengthening the inner self. It will nurture what has been neglected, and empower your heart with grounded faith. Ashwagandha tea, or tincture 90 drops 1x daily. Herbal info is for spiritual and energetic purposes.
Click here for the Audio Reading
Depending on your unique chart there will be variations within these planetary energies. To learn more about your planets and, book a full astrology reading here. Book a fixed star reading to understand your mental/emotional body and how to empower your yoga through your lunar birth star.
Practice Geenie's Yoga & Astrology program now!