I'm not really a writer.

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I'm not really a writer.

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I'm not really a writer. What I am is one who is interested in things; one way I deepen what I am interested in is to write about it. If I had a video camera, I would film it, but for now it will have to be writing. I love to see beauty - simple, authentic, maybe even a bit messy and imperfect,  beauty. I am beginning, and maybe I have know for a long time, to see that yoga is really not about what happens on the mat, it is, but more so about what happens when I step off that mat, that is the most interesting. How can I practice yoga while at work (my other job is has me bringing food to happy people), or in the kitchen making dinner for my family or lunch for myself, or while weeding or feeding the chickens, or walking or driving or writing? How can I practice yoga while watching shows and eating pizza? These are the questions to live into (as Rilke says) and live into I will.

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Wabi-Sabi

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Wabi-Sabi

prt_250x167_1316021181According to Wikipedia, Wabi-sabi is an aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. It is beauty that is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Asymmetry, asperity (roughness, irregularity), simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy and appreciation of the ingenuous integrity of natural objects and processes. If an object or expression can bring about within us, a sense of serene melancholy and spiritual longing, then that object could be considered wabi-sabi. Wabi-sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple truths:

Nothing lasts. Nothing is finished. Nothing is perfect.

...my thoughts to come.

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Vernal Equinox 2013

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Vernal Equinox 2013

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Vernal Equinox and Navaratri: Spring is in the air! -by Alessandra Pecorella

In coincidence with the vernal equinox (the arrival of Spring, literally when night and day have equal length) we also have the occurrence of the Hindu festival Navaratri, literally 9 nights , celebrating Shakti in her manifestations as Durga, Lakhsmi and Saraswati.

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During the calendar year Navaratri is celebrated 4 times, corresponding to the change of the seasons (equinoxes and solstices). This is a time to profoundly reconnect with the Motherly Energy of the Earth, Shakti, the power lying at the base of the spine and in the very core of the planet. It is a time for reflection, cleansing, meditating , releasing the past and planting new seeds for the future. The festival of Navaratri is closed by a tenth day of music , parades and dancing to acknowledge the victory of Maha Shatki (the divine feminine energy).

Living Practices to tangibly reconnect  this time of year. Fasting in a way that is appropriate for your system is also traditionally part of Navaratri. Kirtan for the divine mother. Chanting  18-27-54 or 108 rounds for the different aspects of the Goddess, while meditating within your heart upon : Om Dum Durgayai Namaha, Om Shrim Maha Lakshimaye Namaha, Om Aim Saraswataye Namaha Days 1-3 Purification of Inner and Outer Obstacles on the Spritual Path (Durga Shakti) Days 4-6 Worshiping the Healing Beauty and Abundance of Maha Lakshmi Days 7-9 Awakening the Divine Wisdom and Creativity of Saraswati Ma Day 10 Victory of Shakti

Hope you can find the space and time in your Sadhana to appreciate this transition in divine tune with the Earthly energy.

Reposted from 2012

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4 Day Cleanse

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4 Day Cleanse

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You'll be ready for anything your yoga teacher will throw at you. Thank my yoga teacher in Bend, Sundari (Heather Lucey) for this :-)

Day 1: Clean up and Throw out the Garbage

Eliminate caffeine, alcohol, soda and drinks with sugar. Eliminate all processed foods made with white flour. Eliminate all refined sugars. Eliminate mucous building grains like wheat and crackers. Start by waking up and making a glass of warm water with squeeze of half a lemon. Breakfast: Put one pat of organic butter and cook to organic eggs any style. Eat with half a piece of rye toast. Drink either: a glass of water with 1 tbs "Just Cranberry" juice or a cup of Raspberry Leaf Tea. Wait 4 hours until lunch, drink water!! Lunch: Prepare and eat mindfully, enjoying the Prana and extracting the nutrience. Silently observe it moving into the body's temple. Create a salad (here are some ingredients you can use): celery, cucumber, radish, onion, red/green leaf lettuce, sprouts, walnuts - with a squeeze of a whole lemon and tbs flax oil + either 2oz firm tofu, half a cup soy or lentil beans, or 4oz wild salmon. Wait 5 hours until dinner, drink water moderately, drink a cup of Raspberry Tea in the the afternoon. Diner: Eat a load of light steamed vegetables: kale, zucchini, green beans, asparagus - with 1 tbs flax oil + 2oz firm tofu or 4oz grilled chicken + brown rice. Drink of cup of Raspberry Lea Tea and take a greens supplement. Take full yogic breaths and sleep well!

Day 2: Nutrient Filled Blessed Day

Start by waking up and making a glass of warm water with squeeze of half a lemon. Breakfast: Eat half a cup of organic yogurt with any of these fruits: cantaloupe, honeydew, green grapes, raspberries, blueberries, papaya, kiwi. Drink a cup of parsley tea and take two psyllium husks (found at Whole Foods) or a cup of decaf coffee. Wait 5 hours until lunch, give intestines a rest. Drink water to flush. Lunch: 2 cups leafy greens (steamed or raw) 4oz wild salmon, turkey, chicken, tuna, or tofu or 2 eggs + half a cup of quinoa or brown rice. Drink 1 cup of organic mild. Drink a cup of parsley tea with honey. Wait 6 hours until dinner, drink water moderately, drink parsley tea in the afternoon. Dinner: Eat a load of light steamed vegetables: kale, zucchini, green beans, asparagus with 1 tbs flax seed oil + 4oz chicken, tofu, or salmon with a squeeze of lemon and some fresh chopped ginger (steer clear of salt and pepper), take a greens supplement. Hurray! You are doing this and your half way there! Practice 20 min of silent observation. Rub lavender oil on you and take a long hot bath, have a good nights sleep and make this your special week!

Day 4: Jiva Mukti - Soul Liberation!

This is the day you feel strong and light. Make sure you eat and drink well even though your feel life a super hero! Wake up, practice break work and do 5 rounds of Sun Salutations.

Start by waking up and making a glass of warm water with squeeze of half a lemon. Breakfast: Put one pat of organic butter and cook to organic eggs any style. Eat with half a piece of rye toast. Take a psyllium husk supplement. Wait 4 hours until lunch. Drink water! Lunch: 1 cup of Cucumber Salad: cucumber, celery, sesame seeds, white onion with 1 tbs flax oil, a splash a vinegar and a squeeze of lemon + 1 cup brown rice or quinoa + 4oz of wild salmon, chicken, turkey. Drink a cup of Raspberry Leaf Tea and take a green supplement. Wait 5 hours until dinner, drink water moderately, drink a cup of Raspberry Tea in the the afternoon. Take a 20min walk in the afternoon. Dinner: Eat a load of light steamed vegetables: kale, zucchini, green beans, asparagus with 1 tbs flax seed oil + + 4oz of wild salmon, chicken, turkey or you can throw a butternut squash in the oven for 45min + 1 half a cup of quinoa. Drink Raspberry Leaf tea and water. Read some inspiring literature, listen to relaxing music, take another bath with lavender oil, wear cozy clothing, do full yogic breath and have a good nights sleep!

Day 4: Walking on Sunshine

Enjoy the benefits, drinks lots of fluid. You made it!

Start by waking up and making a glass of warm water with squeeze of half a lemon and tbs of "Just Cranberry" Breakfast: Put one pat of organic butter and cook to organic eggs any style. Eat with half a piece of rye toast. Take a psyllium husk supplement. Wait 4 hours until lunch. Drink water! Lunch: 1 cup of Cucumber Salad: cucumber, celery, sesame seeds, white onion with 1 tbs flax oil, a splash a vinegar and a squeeze of lemon + 1 cup brown rice or quinoa + 4oz of wild salmon, chicken, turkey. Drink a cup of Raspberry Leaf Tea and take a green supplement. Wait 5 hours until dinner, drink water moderately, drink a cup of Raspberry Tea in the the afternoon. Take a 20min walk in the afternoon. Do Standing Forward Fold and Standing Back Bend (2 hours after food). Dinner Eat a load of light steamed vegetables: kale, zucchini, green beans, asparagus with 1 tbs flax seed oil + + 4oz of wild salmon, chicken, turkey or you can throw a butternut squash in the oven for 45min + 1 half a cup of quinoa. Drink Raspberry Leaf tea and water. Have a good night's sleep knowing that your body is purified, stay clear of caffeine, sugars, and wheat and be compassionate with yourself.

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