Looking back, I have had many breakthroughs both in my physical practice and in my life.  It’s always a pulsation: Sometimes big openings temporarily lead to deeper contraction, and at other times it pulses closer to the center.  My journey has been arduous, unraveling knots of physical pain and injury in my body, overcoming hurts and disappointments, and dismantling old emotional patterns that at one point helped me survive in the world.   Yes, there were times I wanted to get off the train because it felt like too much, but I knew I would never be satisfied with that choice.  Now, I can proudly say that I am happier and more vibrant than ever, I have been pain free for quite a while now, and feel as though I am living in alignment with my truth.

Yes, of course, I am still aware of subtle asymmetries, places of tension and holding.  As long as we are in a body we will experience that. But I am aware of them and feel blessed to have the finest tools on the planet to alchemize them into an even better me. (Thank you Anusara yoga!). I delight in how each opening reveals a new path to travel down.

The Upanishads state that for every 1/4 of the Universe that is revealed, there is always 3/4 more that is concealed.  So step on the path, come along for the journey, revel in the mystery, and join me in discovering the inner most depth of your consciousness.  It’s quite the ride!

Personally, I am feeling very optimistic about this year.  Yes, it’s true, our world is not in the best shape and these next several months will determine a lot about where we are headed.  While this is scary, I see it as a great opportunity. I am optimistic because in my world I see people everywhere waking up.  Great beings are consciously deciding to live in greater alignment with spirit, whatever that may mean to them.  The old ways of being simply will not work in our current times.

Inspired by the awakening I am seeing around me, and remembering that we need new ways of being, my theme for the year is LIVE VIBRANTLY!. Your nature is vibrant.  The life force energy pulsing within you is vibrant.  The question is: do you have a means to access your vibrancy?

Yes, our asana practice is one of the ways to access that vibrancy, but asana alone is not enough anymore.  As your awareness increases – which is one of the fruits of the physical practice – you must make choices in all areas of your life that serve and support you.  Vibrancy must be lived.  When your entire being is radiant, your every word, your every action reflects and offers that radiance.  We must consider how we are showing up in our relationships, in our jobs, and the way we treat the planet.  You are an extension of the earth and all beings that live here. When you tend to yourself, you tend to the collective.

As yogis we can be a bridge to all of humanity. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.  It’s up to us to step into living vibrantly: for ourselves, for our community, and for our planet!

In the spirit of this year’s theme to LIVE VIBRANTLY, I’ll be posting more tips over the upcoming weeks and months on how to live our yoga and access the vibrancy that is our true nature.

What now? I have put together a list of 12 ways you can continue what we have started here in December 2011 and make 2012 your best year yet!  If you have other ideas to make 2012 a more healthy and sustainable year, please post them, we’d love to hear!

Happy New Year!

1.  Bring reusable grocery bags with you every time you shop. This includes produce bags too!  Consider refilling containers in the bulk section of your local co-op. (Sustainability is Sexy)

2.  Shop local and seasonal whenever possible. In addition to the products you buy, please support smaller, locally owned businesses whenever possible.

3.  Challenge yourself this year to NO plastic water bottles or disposable cups.  If you already do this, how about reducing your take out food and bring containers and reusable cutlery whenever you can. (Sustainability is Sexy)

4.  Schedule a monthly massage appointment, if you have a specific injury or limitation, you may need to start with sessions weekly or every other week at first. (A Little Help From Our Friends)

5.  Educate yourself about what you are putting in your body, both the food you are eating and the products you use. Make the switch to organics, non GMO, and chemical free. Eat unprocessed, whole foods as much as possible.

6.  Schedule 20-30 minutes of quiet time each day to recharge.  Either nap, do Savasana, or put your legs up the wall! (See 26 Minutes to Greater Well Being and Just Put Your Legs Up the Wall!)

7.  Make sure you have at least a few unplanned hours each week to play and enjoy life.

8.  Go on a technology fast one day per week – perhaps during the time in number 7.  (I am going to try this one!)

9.  If you drive, can you reduce your time in the car?  Leave the car at home once a week; walk, ride a bike, or take the bus.  Carpool whenever you can.

10. Sign up for a workshop each month to continue your growth.  Deepen your yoga practice, start a meditation practice, educate yourself on health and healing, take a cooking class… Staying curious, open, and excited to learn keeps us young.

11. Are you holding on to anything from the past?  Resentment puts up a barrier that keeps you closed.  Give yourself permission to let go and forgive yourself and others. Don’t let the past weigh you down.

12. Reflect on your life each month.  The new moon is a good time to check in with your intentions and progress while planting seeds that keep you on your journey.

Sure an alignment based yoga such as Anusara® can help us to create healthy habits in our body.  A regular yoga practice will shed much of the surface tension our body holds while creating more awareness. However, if there is a biomechanical misalignment, even the way you do your yoga practice can continue to create disfunction.

In my opinion, bodywork is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.   I am a firm believer in getting a little help from a team of highly trained, skillful, and intuitive body workers.  I am not talking about a spa massage, which can be nice sometimes, I am talking about work that will help you to unwind unhelpful patterns, increase your range of motion, and guide your body to find it’s own natural rhythm of ease and freedom.  As yogis that is precisely what we are seeking to do, so why not treat yourself to something that will enhance your efforts and give you more access to your practice?

An experienced bodyworker will be able to see and feel into your body and tailor the session to your specific needs helping to make permanent shifts in your body mind.  Each time you are on their table the session will be a bit different based on what presents itself.

Here are some of my favorite bodyworkers in San Francisco!

Mike and Jennifer Lane mobilize the joints and soft tissue optimizing range of motion, function, and balance through the Hendrickson Method. They both have a deep appreciation for the yoga practice and understand the body as a dynamic interconnected system.
www.mobilizethebody.com
mobilizethebody@gmail.com

Leni Mostaghim brings the insight gained from a devoted practice of Anusara yoga, as well as from over 10 years work as a certified Pilates instructor, to every session.  By interweaving Cranial Sacral work with the basic concepts and techniques of Ortho-Bionomy and honoring the body’s inherent wisdom, Leni’s work resolves injury and trauma and facilitates greater ease and connectivity, and is profoundly restorative for the central nervous system.  You can email Leni to inquire and book a session: integrative.healing@yahoo.com

Mark Haviland takes you on an adventure to unearth the kinks that limit the flow of chi in your body. His eclectic style is attuned to your needs and is a co-creative dance that can catapult ones healing journey exponentially and expeditiously.
Beyond Bodywork
http://www.yelp.com/biz/beyond-bodywork-san-francisco
https://www.facebook.com/BeyondBodywork

Katie Sutherland has trained in a wide range of modalities including neuromuscular therapy, craniosacral therapy, deep tissue & shiatsu which allows her to custom-tailor each session based on your needs. Her work brings awareness and openness to areas of tightness which can help you experience new places in your asanas that you may not have reached as quickly on your own. www.katiesutherland.com

In addition, if you have a specific injury it is also helpful to do a private yoga session with a qualified teacher trained in therapeutics.  This will help you to shed the light on your habits and patterns and teach ways to take care of yourself. Any Certified Anusara® yoga teacher will be able to see your habits and guide you to create balance. Check my website for more information on private yoga sessions. 

Disclaimer:  I am not one who follows a recipe and I am not a chef or a writer of recipes.  When I cook I do a lot of improvising and “eye-balling”, I did my best here to communicate what I do!

Put  1 1/2 cups of Quinoa in the rice cooker with a box of vegetable broth and assorted seaweed. Turn on to cook.

Wash and chop your favorite cooking greens such as kale or chard.

Add 1 tablespoon of chick pea miso to 1 cup of boiling water, 1 tablespoon of tamari, 1 teaspoon of Ume Plum Vinegar (you can use Rice Wine Vinegar instead). Stir well to dissolve the miso.

When the quinoa is finished stir in the greens and the miso mixture. The greens will steam in the hot quinoa. Top with sesame oil.

Now you have a delicious base to eat on it’s own or for any protein.
Two of my favorite ways to each this are:
1. Poached eggs and avocado
2.  Smoked salmon, avocado and pickled ginger.

Sometimes I add pumpkin seeds or shiitake mushrooms to the rice cooker, I invite you to be creative!  I also love to top it off with Gomasio.

This year why not try a different approach?

Reflect on the past year and make a list of all the major events in your life.  Your successes, your challenges, the lessons learned from difficult situations, the things that are working in your life, the things that aren’t…

Then highlight the things you want more of.  For example, if you are proud of yourself for  going to yoga once a week this year, start a second list and write that along with how you have benefited from your practice.  This is something you want more of.  Perhaps you will make it twice a week this year! If you got a raise or a promotion at work for a job well done, write about your success, you, of course want more of that!

If you had a relationship challenge this year note the attitudes and behaviors that caused the problem.  Then on the second list write about the lessons learned from the difficult situation. Perhaps a health problem prompted you to change your diet or your lifestyle to heal. You get the idea…

Now you have a list of what you have already achieved, what is working in your life, what you want more of, rather than a list of unattainable goals.  The attitude you start with plays a part in determining where you are headed!  Start 2012 with a list of how great your life is and be the creator of an even more fantastic year!

If you do have a big goal you really want to reach, be realistic.  I suggest writing your goal down with many small, clear actions toward achieving it, don’t expect an all at once transformation.

Happy 2012!

Supta Padangustasana – (Reclining Big Toe Pose)  photo –  3 variations
1. leg up, 2.leg to the side, 3. leg across the body as a twist. The main action is to press your thigh bone toward the back of your leg and maintain the natural curve in your lower back. It does not matter how close your leg is to your chest!  Use your hands on the back of your thigh or use a belt around your foot. Hold from 10 breaths or up to 1-2 minutes per variation.

Suchirandrasana – (Eye of the Needle) – see photo below – Flex the feet and spread the 4th and 5th toes to engage the muscles on the outer shins and protect the knees.  As in the pose above, the main action is to press the thigh bone toward the back of your leg and maintain the natural curve of your lower back.

Ananda Balasana – (Blissful Child) – photo – start with one leg at a time.  You can straighten the bottom leg or  bend the knee with the foot on the floor.  Engage the muscles of the legs and pull down on your foot like you are trying to bring your knee to the floor.  Keeping that, from the core of your pelvis push back up though your foot.  Once you do each side on it’s own then try both legs at the same time as pictured.

Supta Baddhakonasana – (Reclining Bound Angle Pose) - photo – There are many different ways to prop yourself in this pose.  Be sure to put a prop your under your shins to support your knees and hips.  For more open hips you can lay without support.  You may also want to support your spine with a bolster or a blanket. Stay 5-20 minutes.

Suchirandrasana - Courtesy of Yoga Journal

I hope you have been enjoying the posts this month.  Today, how about going back through the blog and reading one you might have missed.  Perhaps make a comment on something you liked or have tried and share your results.  Below you will see I’ve made a little table of contents  for you for easy access!  Please tune in next week for all new posts.  Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Happy Everything!
Stacey

Asana
•12 Minutes to Calm, Ground and Energize
•Asana for Lower Back Relief
•Just Put Your Legs Up the Wall! 

Recipes
•Kitcharie
•Edible Grace
•Building Community Through Food 

Self Care
•Moderation: Enjoyment in Balance
•Oil Pulling – Removing Toxins From the Body 
•26 Minutes to Greater Well Being
•The Magic of Oil – Abhyanga
•What’s in Your Bathroom? 

Sustainability
•Clear the Clutter
•Simplify the Holidays – Ideas for Gift Giving
•Sustainability is Sexy

Do you know what’s in your bathroom?  Most soaps, cleansers, cosmetics and even toothpaste is made with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is disguised under 150 different names.  SLS is a de-greaser used to clean car engines, garage floors, and other greasy surfaces. How has this known carcinogen found it’s way into our self care products? Well because it makes them bubble up and it is extremely cheap.

So what is wrong with SLS?  For starters, it is very drying to the skin, a known irritant, but more importantly it cannot be metabolized by your liver and studies have shown that trace amounts stay in your liver, lungs, heart, brain.  SLS has been linked to many health problems including cancer.  SLS and many other cheap, synthetic toxins are in your everyday products throughout your bathroom.

I challenge you to convert your bathroom.  Get rid of all products containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and other petroleum based additives. Switch to organics.

My favorite skincare line is Pangea Organics. Pangea Ecocentric Bodycare products and the company itself is healthy through and through.

ALWAYS • nurturing  • handcrafted  • organic & fair trade  • cruelty-free

NEVER • petroleum-based ingredients  • sulfates or detergents  • synthetic preservatives  • artificial colors or fragrances

There’s lots of information on Pangea’s site about them and their products.  You an order online or find them at Rainbow Grocery, Whole Foods Market, and Scarlet Sage in San Francisco.

Another great line is 100% Pure – you could literally eat any of the products they are so natural!  Why wouldn’t you only use something you would eat on your skin?

If you suffer from dry skin and are wondering what to do, check out my previous post, The Magic of Oil.

Let us know if you use any other natural, organic lines you like on my Facebook Page.

Jordan will be offering two different classes this January, Winter’s Bounty and Comfort Food.  He has been kind enough to share a few of his recipes with us this week.

As always, I’d love to hear from you on my Facebook Page.  Let us know if you find your inner chef!

Still need that last minute gift?  Consider a gift certificate for one of Jordan’s cooking classes.

Miso bowl with Udon Noodles and Wild Salmon (optional)

12 cups water
½ ounce dried dulse
1 inch knob fresh ginger, peeled and julienned
8 ounces Udon noodles, cooked
1 carrot, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
1 two-inch long daikon radish, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
1 cup shitake mushrooms, stems removed and julienned
½ cup green onion, thinly sliced
1 baby bok choy, sliced horizontally into quarter inch pieces
Heaping ½ cup miso paste of choice
2 teaspoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
½ teaspoon chili paste
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
6 pieces wild salmon, 3-4 ounces each  (optional)

In a large pot, combine the water, dulse and ginger and bring to a simmer. Add the carrots and mushrooms and cook until the vegetables are tender, about ten minutes. Add the daikon radish and the bok choy and cook for an additional two minutes or so, until softened. Remove two cups of the broth to a bowl and whisk in the miso paste until it is fully emulsifed. Return the miso mixture to the pot with the vegetables and add the fish sauce, soy sauce and chili paste. Stir to combine.

Preheat the broiler and place the pieces of salmon on a sheet tray. Season lightly with salt and broil until just cooked through, about five minutes depending upon its thickness. Remove and set aside.

Divide the udon noodles into soup bowls and then ladle enough broth and vegetables into each bowl. Garnish each with green onions and toasted sesame seeds and top with a piece of salmon. Serves six.

Three Beet Salad with Oranges and Pistachio:

2-3 pounds beets, red, gold and Chiogga (rinsed)
12-14 thyme sprigs
Peel of three oranges
3 oranges, segmented
¼ cup pistachios, toasted and chopped
3 cups orange juice, fresh squeezed
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 shallot, finely diced
½ to ¾ cup canola oil
8 handfuls wild arugula
Few sprigs mint, leaves only torn
Extra virgin olive oil

Preheat your oven to 450F. Place the beets on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Cover with two thyme sprigs and a few slices of orange peel and wrap tightly with the foil. Roast in the oven until beets are tender, about one hour. Remove the beets and when cool enough to handle, peel. Discard the orange peel and the thyme. Slice the beets into pieces, keeping each color beet separate and set aside.

While the beets are cooking, pour the orange juice into a small saucepan and over medium heat reduce by half. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Add the diced shallot and rice wine vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Whisk in canola oil to make your orange vinaigrette.

Pour a third of the vinaigrette over your three kinds of beets and allow them to marinate as time permits. The beets will taste best if you allow them to sit overnight.

To assemble the salad, place the arugula in a bowl with the mint and the orange segments and lightly coat with olive oil and salt. Plate and then add a few spoonfuls of marinated beets. Sprinkle the plate with a few chopped pistachios and serve. Serves eight

Butternut Squash Risotto with Sage

2 small butternut squashes, halved lengthwise and seeds removed      
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for rubbing squash
1½ cups Arborio or Carnaroli rice
1 red onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
½  teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
Pinch ground cinnamon
6 cups vegetable stock
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese, optional
8 fried sage leaves

Preheat oven to 450F. Lightly rub the flesh of one squash with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Bake, flesh side down until cooked through and nicely browned, about forty-five minutes. Let cool slightly, scoop the flesh into a bowl and mash.

Peel and dice the neck of the other squash into quarter inch pieces. You need one and a half cups. Steam the diced squash until just cooked through. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In a saucepan bring your vegetable stock to a simmer. Meanwhile, heat another saucepan over medium heat. Add four tablespoons of olive oil and when hot add your onion, sage and thyme. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and sweat the onions and herbs over medium heat for until softened, about five minutes. Add your rice and mix well to combine. Allow the rice to toast in the pan for a few minutes and season with salt and pepper. Begin to add your hot stock to the rice one cup at a time, maintaining a simmer. Do not add more liquid until the previous cup of stock has evaporated. Repeat this, stirring often until the rice is just finished cooking.

Remove risotto from the heat and add your diced squash and the mashed squash. Stir in the butter and once it has melted begin to fold in your Pecorino cheese if using Season to taste and finish with crumbled fried sage leaves. Serves six to eight.