Intro to Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is a lesser known form of yoga practice that I think deserves more attention. Here is the board I created for my first mini-workshop as an introduction to the basics of Kundalini Yoga Practice.

Poetry of Shane Koyczan

Great video..."Remember How we forgot" by Shane koyczan and Hannah Epperson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBVJuA0jr6Y

Ayurveda: The Dosha Quiz

I cant find the Dosha quiz that I used during my yoga teacher training, but here are some other good ones to try: http://doshaquiz.chopra.com/ http://www.doctoroz.com/ayurvedic-body-type-find-your-dosha

The Tibetan 5 Rites: The Fountain of Youth

This is my favorite resource introducing the Tibetan five rites and what they are all about: www.mkprojects.com/pf_tibetanrites.htm

Video: Strangers are Friends You Haven't Met Yet

This is an interesting video about a photographer that set out to take pictures of random strangers & found that it is easier to create connection with others than we think... www.finmsforaction.org/watch/photographer_proves_strangers_are_friends_you_havent_met_yet/

Malala Yousafzai: An amazing example of the Human Spirit

This video is great - Malala is only 16 years old but has such clarity and such passion for her cause. She is such a perfect living example of how we cannot fight violence and hate with more violence and hate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f506lCk6Tos I hope to read her book soon & I cant wait to see what amazing things she does during her life. This story gives me a better perspective - from being burdened by my student loans to feeling extremely grateful for my education and the opportunity to get an education. Please give to her foundation: www.malalafund.org

Plant Based Whole Food Diet Info: Justin Bean

Justin Bean has been to the Yoga studio to lecture on nutrition twice so far and I look forward to his next visit. Not only is he entertaining to listen to- he is extremely knowledgable on the subject of plant based whole foods nutrition. Each time I leave feeling a renewed passion behind my decision to be a vegetarian - and a bit more motivation to make the transition to being vegan. BUT even if you are not veg/vegan you will learn some great ways to change your diet to make you FEEL better!! Check out his youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/MyAcupuncturist He does weekly meetings at his office to learn about plant based whole foods eating. I will keep you updated for his next visit to Hummingbird Yoga Studio in Linwood NJ. Here is the SuperSoup Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_F225biOwk EAT MORE VEGGIES!!!

My MeetUp Group: South Jersey Holistic Living: Outdoor fun, Yoga & More for 20's and 30's

www.meetup.com is a GREAT website. It helps us to connect with other people in our area that love to do what we do! In this spirit of bringing like minded people together - I created my meet up group- designed to bring together YOUNG people in Southern New Jersey that enjoy HEALTHY activites, being active and spiritual growth. If that sounds like you...Go on the website: http://www.meetup.com/SJ-Holistic-Living-Outdoor-Fun-Yoga-more-for-20s-30s/ and join for free. It is a great way to keep track of my YOGA activites as well- I post my classes and workshops on the website calender. I am looking for people that want to step up and organize activites and events - so if there is something you are interested in doing post a suggestion & we will make it happen! Hope to see you at our next MeetUp!!

The Tiny House Movement

This post is long overdue - Here are some great links to a movement that I was immediately fascinated with- The Tiny House Movement. My goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle with less debt - and this seems to be a big step in the right direction. Check out these links for more details, videos and house plans: http://www.thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTTwzwKLZak http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syk4aHX_uhE In addition to the Tiny House Movement there are soo many interesting options for environmentally and financially friendly housing: My Pintrest page has a collection of options: http://www.pinterest.com/yogalaura/alternative-housing-think-green/

Yoga Music: Snatam Kaur

I just discovered the Mantra based music of Snatam Kaur on the recomendation of another Yogi. Just lovely. Cant wait to use her music in my class :) Check out her music on YouTUbe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gwrfAHaEBQ

CSA with Jah's Creation - Local Organic Farm

Community Supported Agriculture: South Jersey I drive past several small farms on my way to work each day - so when I heard that one of those farms offered an Organic CSA program I jumped at the chance to have my produce delivered! Our yoga studio organized a group of about 15 participants so the farm could drop off the produce in one stop (instead of individual deliveries). Every Other week we are surprised by the selection of pruduce in the box and at times it has been an education in new types of veggies i've never tried - but that is part of the fun. When there is a mystery veggy in my box i hop on google and figure out what to do with it, or I check Jahs Creation facebook page where they frequently post recipes. It has helped to expand my awareness of pruduce and even improved my cooking skills (a little :p ) Now each day as i drive past the farm I say hi to my future produce and smile because you cant get much more LOCAL than that! www.Jahscreation.com Looking forward to the Winter CSA!

Yoga for your Wrists & Hands - My most popular video:

By Request...Here is my most popular video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZP8JNQHH4A

New "MEET UP" group to post upcoming events and outings - Join for FREE :)

I've been using MeetUp.com for a while now to find fun activites in the area - Soo last - feeling inspired- I finally decided to Organize my own Meet up group. I wanted to create a group for young adults (20s/30s) that promotes healthy/active/outdoor/animal friendly activity with like minded people. (It seems like most of the meetups for this age group focus around drinking or eating really unhealthy food - and the healthier activities cater more to an older crowd) SOOO here is my solution... *********South Jersey Holistic Living: Outdoor Fun, Yoga and More (for 20s & 30s) ************ http://www.meetup.com/SJ-Holistic-Living-Outdoor-Fun-Yoga-more-for-20s-30s/ Sign up for www.meetup.com - IT IS FREE- I will post all of my upcoming yoga classes, workshops, outdoor trips, dog friendly activites and healthy social events. There is a really helpful calender that shows all of the upcoming events, location, time and cost (if there is any). Hope to see you at a future MeetUp!

"20 Things Happy People Never Do" - By Shannon Kaiser

I recently signed up for a news letter from MindBodyGreen.com – I was pleasantly surprised by all of the interesting and helpful articles they have each week. Here is my favorite article from this week: "20 Things Happy People Never Do" by Shannon Kaiser http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10547/20-things-happy-people-never-do.html Check out the article - Here is a list to sum up Shannon's article: LOVE this list!! 1. They don't ignore strangers. 2. They don't give anything in order to get something in return. 3. They don't distrust themselves. 4. They don't think with their heads, but rather with their hearts. 5. They don't take anything personally. 6. They don't believe their fear is real. 7. They don't refuse to forgive. 8. They don't body bash themselves or others. 9. They don't try to change anyone; they accept everyone for who they are. 10. They don't feel obligated to do things they don't want to. 11. They don't ignore their inner guidance. 12. They don't resist change. 13. They don't stay in a situation that no longer serves them... ever. 14. They don't look outside of themselves to be happy. 15. They don't ignore their dreams and inner desires. 16. They don't think they are broken or that they need to be fixed. 17. They don't judge others. 18. They don't complain. 19. They don't avoid risk 20. They don't blame others and they take full responsibility for their lives. FOr more inspiration check out Shannon's book: "Find Your Happy" http://www.playwiththeworld.com/

What is The Meaning of Om? EVERYTHING!

Why do we Om???

What does it mean?

How do you Om correctly?

Video: Mom Yoga

Mom Yoga

Getting your practice in even when you have little ones...this is great

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guo3Fenys2k

Video: Brene Brown at TedX Houston

Lecture

Expanding perception:
The only thing that keeps us from feeling loved and connected is our perception that we are not worthy of being loved and connected to others


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0

Movie: Food, INC & 10 Things you can do to CHANGE our Food System

After much encouragement from my Vegetarian friends I finally got around to watching the movie:
Food, INC.         (check your local library - I was able to rent it for free)

(Disclaimer - you dont have to be a Veg to get something out of this movie, but it may sway the way you look at the meat on your plate)

My Husband and I both found this movie to be eye opening, moving and incredibly important.

First- It bolstered my reasons for being a Vegetarian ( as I had suspected before watching)

Second- It reminded me that we make a very important choice 3x a day in selecting what we eat.  We have great control over the food industry through the concept of supply & demand. If we make a choice not to eat a product because of the way it is made or the company that makes it there will no longer be a demand for it. If we choose to consume food made by ethical companies and farms we are creating a demand for products made in a manner that we agree with.

Third- It painted the clear picture that food is BIG BUSINESS. We think of big tobacco or pharmaceutical companies or Oil companies being the "problem" but these food conglomerates have immense political, legal and financial power over our society. 

I highly Recommend that EVERYONE watch this movie - as the cover states "You'll never look at dinner the same way again"

10 Things You Can Do to Change our Food System
1. Stop drinking sodas and other sweetened beverages. You can lose 25 lbs in a year by replacing one 20 oz soda a day with a no calorie beverage (preferably water). 2. Eat at home instead of eating out. Children consume almost twice (1.8 times) as many calories when eating food prepared outside the home. 3. Purchase fewer processed foods. Visit the outer aisles of the grocery store where healthier items are placed. Processed foods tend to live in the inner aisles. 4. Tell schools to stop selling sodas, junk food, and sports drinks. Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have tripled in children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years. 5. Meatless Mondays—Go without meat one day a week. An estimated 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States are given to farm animals. 6. Buy organic or sustainable food with little or no pesticides. According to the EPA, over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the U.S. 7. Protect family farms; visit your local farmer's market. Farmer's markets allow farmers to keep 80 to 90 cents of each dollar spent by the consumer. 8. Make a point to know where your food comes from—READ LABELS. The average meal travels 1500 miles from the farm to your dinner plate. 9. Grow your own food. Start a garden in your back yard or plant some tomatoes in a pot. You’ll be surprised how much you can grow in a small space! 10. Join the Healthy Hometown Food in Neighborhoods Committee.  spread the word - educate others & end the "Ostrich in the sand" feeling that most people have about where their food comes from

  http://www.takepart.com/foodinc/action
http://www.takepart.com/

Yoga Quotes: The Dalai Lama

I read this quote several months ago and It really stuck with me.  I find this to be so true in western society and I know that I get cought up in this same "need to work as much as I can" mentality because it is what I "should" do as a productive member of society.  When in reality I know that this leaves me exhausted and barely able to participate in the rest of my life- in the things that are truely meaningful to me.   I am working on adjusting this Idea that has been so ingrained in me since birth.

When asked what surprised him most the dalai Lama responded with this:

"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. Then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn't enjoy the present: the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

In my daily work I am "fortunate" to spend a lot of time talking with older people and people nearing the end of their life.  As a person in my 20's I have found this to be extremely difficult, but also a great learning opportunity.  I have come across far too many people nearing the end of their life that are full of regret. People that spent their life working and working, putting off their dreams and the real pursuit of happiness until a later date, only to find that they had put these things off for too long.  The result is a person that is deeply depressed when they come to the realization that their life is nearly over and they did not really live.  The comments I hear several times a day include "these are the golden years??" and "I never thought my retirement would be like this".  This is usually followed by the advice that I hear several times a day from my patients: "Dont get old!".  To which I reply with a smile "I dont really have a choice". 

Now when I hear this advice "dont get old" I add my own subtext: "Dont get old" (without truely living your life).

In my work I have come across a handfull of people that are also in the twilight of their life, but they have a very different outlook on things.  They are filled with a sense of contentment and completion that is palpable.  They can tell you endless stories about the places they have been, the things they have done, the relationships they created and the joy that it brought them over the years.  These are the unusual people that spent their entire life living out their dreams rather than waiting until retirement to do so.  Unfortunately, in my encounters with older people in western society I can say that these individuals are the small minority.  I guess that is a product of the way that our society pushes us.  These individuals made a choice to live differently...and I hope to learn from that choice.

It has been an interesting process as a young person to see what it is like to be at the end of your life.  This is something that other people my age never really think about.  It reminds me of the psychology exercise where a person imagines their own funeral and thinks about what they want their Eulogy to sound like.  Then they work backwards to live a life that will reflect what they want their story to be in the end.  Death is a very uncomfortable topic to think about or discuss, but the truth of the matter is that we are all heading to the same finish line and knowing that can help us to live a life that is truely aligned with our dreams and passions. 

To quote one of my favorite songs..."Dont let your Dreams be Dreams"

For me this means exploring ways to make more time for what brings me true happiness (practicing more yoga, reading, being outdoors, being with my family, volunteer work, spending time with my dogs, learning, traveling, and growing as a human being) rather than working my self into exhaustion on a daily basis to pay for my house and my car and all that Stuff I "need". 

Now It is about taking small steps toward a life that truely lets me embrace my health and my time -  to live in the present moment.  To live my dreams every day - so that when I am ready to cross the finishline I can do so with a smile on my face.