Archive for August, 2009
Summer winding down
As the summer season is winding down and fall starting up, studio availability is unclear. I have moved the Tuesday hatha class to Thursdays at 7:15pm. I hope for the regulars this time works for you. Please check back for an updated schedule as September gets under way.
Namaste.
Forward bends teaches patience
Bending forward is a familiar action in our everyday lives, so why are forward bending asana so challenging? Our daily routine involves a lot of outward focus with the task at hand; bending down to pick up something, or hunching at our desks and computers while reading important emails.
A mindful forward bend, moved into with presence and awareness is calming and cooling. To maintain alignment in the spine your gaze is guided to look inward, into yourself. That may explain why I find my mind wonders in forward bends more then other asana, my ego is bored and wanting to move on, while my true nature is grasping for stillness in the mind and openness in the body – with practice and patience stillness with come.
The action of a forward bend curves the spine creating space between the vertebra, benefiting the nervous system and improving circulation around the spine. The abdominal organs that directly benefit from this action are the: intestines, pancreas, kidneys, liver, spleen, stomach and gallbladder. Anatomically, the hamstrings and inner leg muscles are lengthened, the knees and front of the legs are strengthened and the back muscles are kept supple. Forward bends help with digestion, body temperature, menstruation and well being.
Examples: Uttanasana (Standing forward bend) Balasana (Child’s pose) Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend)
No class :: Thursday, August 20
Hi everyone, I’m going to have to cancel tonight’s class, I’ve come down with the flu. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for understanding.
Party your berries off!!
With blackberries covering the landscape in Powell River this time of year, I thought I’d add to the excitement by sharing how good blackberries really are for you. For starters they are ranked one of the highest fruits when it comes to antioxidant strength. High nutritional contents of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. In all cases I’ve experienced, blackberries can be substituted for any berry in recipes and nothing beats fresh blackberries in my morning smoothie. Yum!
Technically, blackberries aren’t berries but an aggregate fruit that is composed of many smaller fruits called drupes. The differences between a blackberry and raspberry, (they look every similar when still on the vine) blackberries start off red but turn very purple when ripe, and when picking if they have a hollow center it’s a raspberry.
For those of you not in Powell River… I suggest you plan a visit this Friday. There is the Blackberry Street Party on Friday night, Marine Avenue is closed off and the whole town comes out for delicious blackberry treats, live music and to wander through the shops. Make sure you try some homemade blackberry gelato, I am this year. See you at the party!
Looking for yoga products?
Pictures from Halfmoon Yoga's website.
Look no further. Halfmoon Yoga Products have everything you’d need to make your practice comfortable and inspiring. All the props we use at Rootdown Yoga are from Halfmoon. They’re a Canadian company with one small shop in Vancouver on Granville Island, I have seen their products in specialty shops as well or look online HERE.
Quinoa and Feta Salad
Summer is hanging in there and so is my craving for quinoa. This salad is a favourite at my house in the heat; it’s light and refreshing. I acquired the recipe while at a week long yoga retreat in the Cypress Hills, east of Medicine Hat, Alberta. Linda, our wonderful cook for the week, generously shared her book of goodies. She had originally recorded the recipe from cdkitchen.com and I’ve included it here. Enjoy!
Quinoa and Feta Salad
3/4 cup quinoa
1/2 cup raw cashews
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 stalks celery, finely sliced
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
1/2 cup crumbled feta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lime, juiced
Salt and pepper
Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add quinoa and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes or until the grains are tender. Drain, rinse and drain again thoroughly. Spread quinoa on a baking tray to dry.
In a frying pan, toast the cashews over moderate to low heat, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown. Cool, then chop roughly.
In a large bowl, combine dried quinoa, nuts, herbs, celery, grapes and feta. Squeeze lime juice over all, add olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste and leave the salad to stand for at least 1 hour before serving.
Class location
With the nights getting cooler we will be moving back indoors. All classes will be at the studio at 7053 Glacier Street, which is also Sheridan Dance Academy. See you there!
Hatha vs Vinyasa flow
For those out there that are unsure about what class to attend for the first time, I’ll explain some of the similarities and differences of the two types of classes I offer.
Hatha yoga and vinyasa flow yoga are similar by:
• they both unify the mind, body and soul
• increase strength and flexibility
• come from the same philosophy and standards
• both practices are preformed on a yoga mat (for the most part, in the west)
• they make use of the same asana
The differences between the two styles are:
• Hatha has been prevalent since the 15th century, also known as Hatha Vidya or the science of Hatha. Where, flow is derived from hatha. And most likely influenced by the teachings of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the founder of Ashtanga yoga.
• Flow yoga links the poses together with breath which directly effects the cardiovascular system. Hatha yoga is a gentle and slower pace practice, becoming challenging physically when moving deeper and holding poses for longer periods of time.
• Hatha is perfect for beginners to gain experience and confidence. The time spent in positions allows the student to feel correct alignment and gain awareness in the body. Flow is considered a more advanced practice which is demanding on the systems of the body.
• Flow builds heat in the body every quickly by dynamic movements, the practice is the journey between the postures. The opposite is for hatha, poses are held for multiple breaths, the practice is the poses.
Sun setting on yoga in the park
I’m really enjoying this cooler weather our week has started off with, though the haze is a reminder of the fires raging inland. Sending some loving kindness toward all the volunteers and generous people helping to put out the flames.
Tomorrows yoga class will be held in Larry Gouthro Park. The flow of the class will keep us warm, but bring socks and a jumper for shavasana, to keep some of that warm in. See you there.
Yoga class
Class will be in Manson Park this Tuesday, 7:15 pm. The forecast is for showers on Thursday, please check back Wednesday evening for the location. Thanks!
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