Lifestyle

I only began studying yoga about 20 months ago. While I fell in love with the benefits immediately, I wasn’t sure how I could bring that experience into my own home practice. The classes were so very neatly ordered and teachers rarely slipped up in their well thought out and rehearsed classes.

I didn’t know how I could possibly run myself through the complicated sequencing I was walked through in class. I am not a natural born yogi and was a bit intimidated by the complexity of it all. Anytime I got on my mat at home I would remember the first few poses we did in class, perform them and then become lost.

What next? How do I build my practice? What are the rules? How will I ever remember all of these positions? And when I do, what order do I do them in? And the names! Padagustasa what??

I always felt like I was doing something wrong. Usually I gave up and threw on a Youtube video, which gave me the instruction I seemed to need to feel like I was doing yoga.

I got to India and realized that these perfectly coordinated classes were only a version of yoga. I have practiced with some high caliber teachers here and for the most part have experienced a very basic, accessible practice. The ego of yoga practice is just not there, at all.

These teachers, in their 30s, 40s and 50s, who have been practicing not since they were 21, but rather since they were 6, sit on the floor and spend the first half an hour sitting and doing stretches you would do with your team mates before a soccer game as a child. We stretch out our necks, reach high for the sky, touch our toes, make tight fists and stretch out our fingers. We even take time to open our eyes as wide as we can and then shut them tightly, and move our eyeballs looking around in biiiiig wiiiide circles.

We get warm, we move our big muscles and our little muscles, it is not fancy and it doesn’t have to be.

Then nearly every class we come to a standing position and spend the next 10-20 minutes going through sun salutations. This is a very basic traditional sequence anyone can learn in a few days.

It is only at this time, nearly half way through class, that we begin to pick our way through some asanas. Usually beginning again very simply with Tree Pose (standing on one leg) or Tadhasana (standing on tippy toes with hands above the head). Usually afterwards we move into some sort of side bend, back bend, forward bend, twist, and another balancing posture or two. Then we go to a seated position to go through some more forward/back bends and some twists. Then to a laying position for 5 minutes or so of simple abdominal work, bringing us to a final set of twists. At this point the energy of the room is slowed down and we are walked through a calming Savasana.

There are excellent tips along the way, a lot of attention to detail, and incredible lessons in anatomy and philosophy. That is what makes the classes unique and worth attending, not some fancy flowing sequences.

So how has this effected my home practice? The format has not changed at all! Rather, the change has been in confidence, and confidence is everything. In the beginning, I was doing it right, I just didn’t know it. I was hopping on the mat and stretching it out, breathing my way to a better day. This is what separates yoga from other exercise. This is what soothes the mind. Moving the sacred body in sync with the sacred breath. Get on, mat or no mat, and move your body with your breath.

Yoga is not sexy pants and fancy postures. Yoga should not be scary for anyone. Self practice should never feel incorrect. Yoga is loving yourself, by simply taking care of yourself. Yoga should have no walls to climb, no clubs to access, no uniform. We should all be welcomed to be within ourselves, to practice being, in class or at home, with no expectations.

Written by Jordan Ross Dore

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When I found kitchari my life completely changed for the better. And everyone who knows me well has heard about kitchari and my infatuation at some point. So, what’s all the hype about this soupy little dish?

Ayurvedic practitioners swear by kitchari for its ability to balance all of the doshas and its ability to promote healing, digestive health and overall well being. Have you been a little overindulgent and need to clean up your digestion? Kitchari. Feeling sick or recovering from illness? Kitchari. Changing seasons or just need a fresh start with a clear mind? Kitchari. It is one of your most powerful tools for clearing out the old in order to make way for the new.

Now, I’ll be honest with you, I have explored practically every cleanse out there from cabbage soup to the master cleanse to air and light (yes you read that right). But kitchari made me a believer. This simple, soupy dish made primarily of rice, split mung beans, seasonal veggies and spices changed my whole outlook on cleansing and transformed my relationship with food and my body. Instead of feeling deprived, it made me feel nourished. Instead of frazzled and delirious I felt grounded, safe, and secure. And coming off it I felt clear and connected. I knew this was the one for me.

The beauty of this dish is that you can eat it for a single meal to give your digestion a break or do a full cleanse of 5-7 days where you really begin to release stored toxins and accumulation. It’s a great introductory cleanse because you still get to eat something throughout the day but at the same time it is the most effective tool I have found for healing and soothing the digestive system, increasing agni (digestive fire), reducing bloating, clearing the mind, healing attachments to food, and kick starting the body’s natural ability to heal itself. And yes, you may loose a few pounds long the way.

HOW TO DO A KITCHARI CLEANSE

• Determine the number of days you will cleanse for
• Begin to eliminate common foods that cause imbalance a few days before the cleanse (alcohol, caffeine, sugar, meat, processed foods, etc)
• Make kitchari daily (if possible) and eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Drink warm, herbal teas and water throughout the day
• Get plenty of rest and take time for self care (oil massage, warm baths, yoga, meditation)
• In the mornings drink a cup of warm water with lemon followed by another glass of warm water to flush the system
• If you need to eat something other than kitchari try some fresh, seasonal fruit in the morning or cooked grains with ghee

HERE ARE FIVE TIPS THAT I FIND HELPFUL WHEN DOING A KITCHARI CLEANSE:

1. Use fresh, organic and seasonal and local veggies. This will give you the most vibrant energy, keep your nourished and connect you with the cycles of nature. Be sure to use organic veggies since we want to make sure you aren’t adding more toxins and pesticides while you are trying to clean them out.

2. Make a new batch of kitchari every day. Having it fresh will keep you motivated and interested in eating it, and it will also allow you to enjoy the prana (energy) of the food, which is depleted in leftovers.

3. Set an intention. Remind yourself of why you are doing this cleanse and dig deep to find your higher purpose for it. Your body and your energy will respond to your thoughts and intentions. Your body doesn’t respond in the same way to “I want to lose 5 pounds, I want to lose 5 pounds, I MUST do this…” as it does to “I want to heal my body and come back to balance. I am willing to release old habits and connect to something deeper…” Personally, I like to set and intention to heal and connect to my deepest self. To remind myself I simply say “I love you,” to my body every time I feel hunger. This brings new awareness and sweetness to the practice and reminds me of my intention. In short, setting an intention brings the practice from the ordinary to the sacred.

4. Feed yourself nourishing thoughts and energy rather than food. We are nourished by our thoughts and actions just as much as we are nourished by food. So clear out your calendar as much as you can. Know that you are prioritizing you and your health during this 3-10 days. Take the time to ease into the morning, start a meditation or yoga practice daily, get yourself a massage or take baths each night. Let this be a time for total self-love, reflection, and connection. It is amazing how much time and energy we have when we don’t need to think about food and preparing it. Use that time to connect to spirit, God, the deepest part of yourself.

5. Get your friends involved. Let people know that you are on a kitchari cleanse and see if you can get them on board (hint: share this post!). This will keep you accountable. I think cleansing is always more fun and easier with a buddy. On a recent cleanse I would look forward to an email from my cleanse buddy each day like I used to wait for mealtime. It’s an opportunity to reflect, connect, and encourage each other.

MY FAVORITE KITCHARI RECIPE

This recipe comes from a friend of mine at the Ayurvedic Center in Vermont. He told me his theory that adding the ghee and salt later in the process made the flavor come out more, and I totally agree.

This makes about 4-6 servings. You can cut it in half if you are cooking just for yourself. Or make a bunch to eat throughout the week (though I do recommend making it daily if that is a possibility for you).

SIMPLE KITCHARI

PREP TIME10 minsCOOK TIME30 minsTOTAL TIME40 mins

Serves: 4-6 servings

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup split mung beans (these can be found at most natural food stores or online. They can also be found whole rather than split, you can use these but be sure to increase your cooking time to break them down fully)
• ½ cup organic basmati rice
• 1 3×2 inch strip of kombu, cut into small pieces
• 6-8 cups of filtered water
• 3-4 cups fresh, organic and seasonal veggies (use at least one green veggie such as spinach or kale and one orange or root vegetable such as carrot, sweet potato or squash)
• 1-2 Tbsp of CCF blend (made by grinding equal parts of cumin, coriander and fennel seed or by mixing the pre-ground spices)
• ⅛ tsp asafoetida
• ½ – 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh ginger root
• ¼ – ½ cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup loosely packed chopped, fresh organic cilantro
• 2-3 Tbsp ghee (Vegans can use coconut oil in the warmer months or sesame oil in the cooler months use less ghee if you have kapha imbalance, lots of accumulation, or excess weight).
• 1 tsp rock salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Rinse the rice and split mung beans (I don’t really measure I just do a 2:1 ratio of rice to beans) then put them in a pressure cooker with the kombu and water enough to cover by at least an inch or 2 (about 3 cups of water depending on your pot).
2. Boil until soft, 10-15 minutes (longer if not using pressure cooker). Chop veggies and cilantro and grind spices (if using whole spices) as the rice and beans cook.
3. Add the veggies (keep kale or quick-cooking veggies out for now), add 2 more cups of water and cover. Cook 3-5 minutes or so until the water boils veggies are starting to soften. Add more water and adjust temperature as needed.
4. Once veggies start to soften, add the diced ginger, coconut and spices (cumin, coriander, fennel, asafoetida and turmeric).  When making a warming kitchari in the fall or winter I’ll add a little black pepper and a dash of cinnamon too, maybe some raisins.
5. Add the kale, spinach or other quick- cooking veggies and the fresh cilantro. Stir.
6. Then add ghee and rock salt.
7. Turn off heat, and serve with fresh cilantro and coconut garnish and a wedge of lime if you like.

Author: Krissy Ruddy

Journey into India, where every blink of the eye brings something new!

With well over a billion people, over 100 native languages and tens of thousands of Gods and paths to spirituality there is truly no place on the planet like India.

Visiting India can be overwhelming – it’s hard to decide where to even begin! To help ensure your trip hits all the right marks, we’ve taken the time to get to know mother India so we can offer unique access to its best teachers, hidden gems and most incredible experiences.

For those interested in exploring the roots of yoga as a way of life, there is truly no alternative to India. Here we find yoga everywhere, from schools and prisons to the homes of everyday people. The practice has been a part of the very fabric of Indian society for as many as 10,000 years, though some practitioners will tell you it’s actually been since the very beginning of time.

The explosion of yoga in the western world has been a beautiful thing, as the spread of this positive practice only makes the world a better place. But some key elements have been lost in translation, and going to the source of this magic can completely transform and elevate your path as a yogi.

Learn more this amazing trip here!
 
 

Every time you walk into a grocery store, you have thousands of choices. Everyone has to eat and most consumers attempt to make good decisions in the face of colorful, happy packaging touting the latest improvements in taste, quality, and content.

Unfortunately, in order to make those “improvements,” all sorts of chemical additives are included in the final product. Flavor enhancers like salt and sugar, preservatives to make them last longer in your pantry, and colorants to make them look better are a marketer’s dream and are hugely profitable for an industry that fights for consumer dollars.

In an attempt to fight the confusion and strengthen health, many of us are choosing the benefits of organic food. An important thing to remember though is that “organic” doesn’t always mean “healthy.” It’s the latest marketing ploy to attract people like you who are interested in serving better quality foods to your family. Words such as “natural” and “whole grain” are other marketing catchphrases that can muddy the waters of healthy eating.

There are organic snacks available for children filled with sugar. Even organic food benefits are lost when they contain too much of this ingredient. Sugar is unanimously considered dangerous to overall health, especially in the quantities the average population in America consumes.

Is There a Difference Between Organic Foods and Non-Organic?

As long as you read your labels, experts agree that most organic foods are healthier for us to consume. Food grown without the use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides is always better.

Organic foods also tend to contain more vitamins and minerals that are missing from commercially grown or raised fruits, vegetables, or livestock. That means they have a stronger impact on your immune system, help you sleep better, and have a more positive effect on body weight.

The Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) project is a study in the European Union researching the benefits of organic food. They raised cattle and grew fruits and vegetables on adjacent properties. One was organic, the other a traditional non-organic site. What they discovered was shocking.

• The organically produced fruits and vegetables contained 40% more antioxidants.
• They contained higher levels of vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc.
• Organically raised cows produced milk that tested with almost 90% more antioxidants.

These findings show that eating organically can increase nutrient intake for people that don’t normally consume the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. You’ll get more nutritional pop with the benefits of organic meat and produce.

As a result, European countries are considering changing their public opinion of organic foods. Currently, the majority of the population identifies “eating organic” as a lifestyle choice rather than a recommended course of action.

In America it’s Business as Usual

In the United States, instead of truly moving more firmly toward organic food benefits, large food manufacturers are slapping the “organic” label on foods that might not deserve it. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry and sales of organic foods are growing by approximately 20% every year. Consumers believe they’re buying healthy when they’re actually being ripped off.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) put half of their federally certified organic producers on probation for certifying foods as organic when it couldn’t be verified.

This compromises your ability to trust the labels on your food.

• Organic milk is a prime example. It is still pasteurized and has most of the same issues as regular commercially-produced milk. Unless it’s raw milk, it’s not organic.
• Potatoes are available organically and are an excellent choice. Organic potato chips, however, are still junk food. They’re made with hydrogenated cancer-causing oils and remain one of the worst foods you can eat.
• As far as cake, cookies, and ice cream – they might contain organic ingredients but they’re still loaded with sugar that makes them a poor choice for your anti-cancer diet.

Issues with Imported Organic Food 

There is also a huge issue with foods imported from other countries such as China.

With other items making national news (toys testing positive for lead and contaminated dog food, for example), there is no way to safely assume that imported so-called organic foods are even safe for consumption, much less organic in the first place.

The Chinese government doesn’t allow foreign inspectors on their farms and many of the Chinese inspectors won’t report poor farming practices out of fear of retribution from their own agencies. Imported Chinese ginger being sold under a popular organic label was found to be contaminated with Aldicarb – a pesticide that causes nausea, blurred vision, and headaches. The amounts found on the contaminated goods weren’t even permissible for non-organic fresh ginger.

Can You Trust the USDA’s Labeling?

Even the USDA’s “organic” label is misleading. The National Organic Program (NOP) is responsible for overseeing foods that receive this label. Their interest lies purely in agricultural production and profits. It doesn’t take farming methods, soil quality, or environmental pollution into consideration.

The USDA recently chose to deem some chemicals and food additives as acceptable in foods carrying the “organic” or “made with organics” labels. These include pasteurization, irradiation, and modified sterilization. These techniques are believed to be the best ways to make food safe and the USDA accepts the word of food scientists as truth.

With none of the world’s largest food producers shouting for doubling and tripling organic food production, and labels providing misleading or outright false information… what’s a consumer to do? Until the USDA changes their shady business practices, diligence is key.

There are things you can look for to ensure the safety of your food. You’re going to have to look deeper than the label to ensure the following:

• The item is grown in a sustainable way and without chemical enhancements. These practices include minimal water, natural fertilizers, protected soil, and natural forms of pest control.
• The item was not produced on a factory farm.
• Absolutely no artificial additives and/or preservatives were added to the food.
• Animal products are from free-range animals not fed with grains or by-products but with native food occurring naturally in their environment. Grass-fed cows and free-range chickens scratching for their sustenance, for example
• No added hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs
• Not genetically modified (GMO) crops. The biggest culprits are soy, corn, and sugar beets. The list of GMO foods grows daily and companies are not required to tell you!
• The item is fresh. Sometimes fresh, non-organic produce can be a better choice than organic food that is wilted and not as fresh as it should be. Make sure you soak it thoroughly in a sink of cold water with a bit of vinegar to remove bacteria and surface pesticide residue.

Getting the Most Health Benefit From Organic Food

Farmers markets and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) are an excellent way to purchase your food. They enable you to develop a relationship with the people that grow your food. From naturally, humanely raised meats and eggs, to raw milk and fresh produce, it’s important to nurture a relationship and know the name of the person that sold it to you.

You can ask questions directly about their practices and methods. Most of these farmers are full of excellent information and advice, and may even encourage you to try growing some of your own food.

The benefits of fresh, high quality organic food for your body and health outweigh the extra effort. Choosing organic is a wonderful part of your anti-cancer lifestyle.

Blog by Ty Bollinger from The Truth About Cancer

Art by Beth Hoeckel
 
 

I want to know if you belong or feel
abandoned.
If you know despair or can see it in others.
I want to know
if you are prepared to live in the world
with its harsh need
to change you. If you can look back
with firm eyes
saying this is where I stand. I want to know
if you know
how to melt into that fierce heat of living
falling toward
the center of your longing. I want to know
if you are willing
to live, day by day, with the consequence of love
and the bitter
unwanted passion of your sure defeat.

I have heard, in that fierce embrace, even
the gods speak of God.

– David Whyte

This beautiful poem was introduced to us by our trip leader and yoga teacher Sarah Zandbeek. She says “It’s all about cracking open the mind and the body simultaneously. One does not open without the other, though there are exceptions to everything.”
 
 

 
 
Meet two of our three founding team members, Melissa Jol & Chris Elliott. Here is a little bit about them and what led to the creation of Breathe in Life.
 
 
The name “Breathe in Life” came to Melissa in a dream. Her most cherished of all, her mother, uttered those 3 words then suddenly Melissa jolted awake and was overcome with the absolute realization that this idea will work and it will be life changing!

Melissa has a deep desire to help people, give tools to create more compassion and happiness, and show people what life has to offer; mentally, spiritually & physically. She is dedicated to the goal of breaking down the limitations in people’s minds and helping them to discover their full potential. She hopes people leave a Breathe in Life trip with a new appreciation for their life, a new love for themselves, less judgment and more acceptance, and most importantly a profound deepening of awareness and a commitment to not taking life too seriously.

She feels extreme gratitude for her time spent working with Free & Easy Traveler and for all her 10+ years of travel and adventure. Those experiences led her to think outside the box and to never give up on her passion for guiding people through the countries which she has grown to love with all her heart. With the support of an amazing team beside her she feels Breathe in Life is unstoppable!
 
 
“After first discovering my love for travel when visiting Thailand 10 years ago, I set out on a life path of exploration to further my development as an individual, while incorporating a passion for yoga and a fire for improving myself and the world I live in. This love for travel organically turned into a job opportunity as an international tour guide/ manager, which was well suited after completing school for tourism and business management. Getting to spend so much time overseas and being able to live and breathe in all the culture and experience has given me a deep appreciation for the beauty of life and love which I strive to share with as many people as I can. I feel truly blessed to have crossed paths with so many phenomenal teachers and friends and for my continuous travel adventures all over the world.

Recently, I have been fulfilling my dream to start up Breathe in Life with close friends and family. I wear many hats within the company and pour my heart and soul into everything and everyone that Breathe in Life comes into contact with. I look forward to a bright future in doing what I love and devoting more time on my yoga mat as it has always been a place to ground my thoughts in my incredible, ever changing lifestyle.”
 
 

 
 
And here is a little bit about beauty Chris Elliott and his gorgeous hair.

Back in 2011 Chris was given a life changing opportunity to begin working as a travel guide for Free & Easy Traveler. He had finished University and also completed school to become a fireman but his itch for travel was much too strong. He followed his heart and took the job as a tour guide. Soon after he started a relationship with Melissa and with their goals for a more health conscious travel lifestyle, Chris naturally fell into the role of getting #BreatheinLife off of the ground.

He wanted to help create something that not only provided unbelievable experiences through travel, but also gave traveler’s something to take home with them. Opening their minds to new ways of living, thinking, and focusing on the important things in life.

Growing up Chris always seemed to find himself working in a leadership role. Whether it was working as a snowboard instructor, camp counsellor or wakeboard instructor, the reward of passing new skills on to others was always something he thrived on. Sharing these life changing experiences on the road that changed him, along with so many others, is what keeps Chris ticking.
 
 
“Although health and wellness has always be an important part of my life, travel didn’t come into the picture until I finished university. After graduating from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Criminology and Seneca College with a degree in Firefighter Education, the path to a “normal” life and career seemed imminent. A trip to Thailand in 2008 created a new spark and from that point on I developed a love for travel. After returning to Thailand in 2011, I was hired as a tour guide for our friends at Free and Easy Traveler. I guided hundreds of guests on trips throughout Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nicaragua, and the Philippines. As time progressed I moved on to become country manager in the Philippines and spent time in the Free and Easy headquarters involved in flight co-ordination and customer service. Throughout my time as a guide I discovered the difficulties of maintaining a balanced healthy lifestyle while guiding on the road.

When Breathe in Life came along, the concept of providing that same adventurous exploration of a country whilst supplementing it with yoga and a healthy lifestyle presented a perfect combination for the next steps in my life. I look forward to introducing you to the beautiful places our planet has to offer while creating calmness and clarity within yourself.”
 
 
Check out our website for more: http://www.breatheinlife.com/why-breathe-in-life/the-team
 
 

Raw “Tuna” Salad Wrap

Spring is in the air and it’s time for renewed commitment to your health. Winter comfort food cravings start to subside and fresh, lighter foods are where it’s at. A perfect recipe to add to your mix is the sunflower “tuna” salad below. Perfect for topping on rice crackers, cucumber slices or lettuce wraps with the recommended goodies. Go to http://www.innerglownutrition.ca/something-to-chew-on to read up on more health benefits of sunflower seeds and be sure to check out this month’s Chew Tube Video as well! Just 2 minutes! http://www.innerglownutrition.ca/chew-tube

Recipe Serves 2

This Delicious faux “Tuna Salad” is a huge hit. Enjoy on top of crackers, (rice crackers or raw), with just cucumber slices or as a wrap as per below.

2 Cups Sunflower Seeds, soaked 12-24hrs

1/2 Cup pickle Juice (Bubbies Brand is best for some fermented goodness!)

¼ Cup Lemon Juice

½ Cup White Onion, minced

½ Cup Celery, minced

¼ Cup Red Pepper, minced

¼ Cup Parsley, minced

¼ Cup Dill, minced

2 Tbsp Dulse Flakes (or ground fresh dulse)

*Optional toppings: vegan mayo, cucumber, tomatoes, pickles, sprouts

1. Process sunflower seeds with pickle juice and lemon juice.
2. Mix in remaining Ingredients.
3. Place in Wrap of choice: Collards, lettuce or sprouted grain tortilla with fresh sliced cucumber, vegan mayo if desired, fresh pickles, chopped fresh cherry tomatoes, mixed sprouts and enjoy!

Written by Kristen Fraser of Inner Glow Nutrition and cook for our March 17 – 27 2016 Rejuvenation retreat in Nicaragua with Sarah Zandbeek! Click the link below for details!

http://www.breatheinlife.com/trainings/rejuvenation-retreat/welcome

Facebook Link if you want to“Share”:

https://www.facebook.com/SomethingToChewOn 

For more info on recipes, cooking classes and retreats with Kristin Fraser go to www.innerglownutrition.ca .

Since the 1970’s Majuli islander Jadav Payeng has been planting trees in order to save his island. To date he has single handedly planted a forest larger than Central Park NYC. His forest has transformed what was once a barren wasteland, into a lush oasis. Humble yet passionate and philosophical about his work.

It is a month of higher highs and lower lows. You can expect intense emotional mood swings, lots of weeping, incredible chaos that you think you can’t handle, and then amazing synchronicity where everything falls into place. There will be bursts of energy as well as unexpected times of deep fatigue where you can’t get out of bed. You may on one day experience overwhelming inspiration, incredible clarity, courage and determination; and on another, debilitating despair, deep confusion, and paralyzing fear.

Everything is intensified this month. Nothing escapes. If you are grieving it will be at a level you have never experienced. If you are ecstatic, it will be almost more than you can handle. The higher emotional center is paired with the instinctive center this month in an interesting relationship whose purpose is to stretch you like a rubber band, expanding your container to eventually be more, do more, receive more, understand more and experience more. The ultimate goal is to break through the membrane of our limited beliefs about how this universe works and what we are actually capable of creating. So that is the reference point we need to hold out there as a carrot for ourselves when things get tough this month.

April is full of growing pains. We are in the process of replacing the fabric and patterns of how we operate in this physical universe with a new matrix and energetic circuitry much like replacing a light fixture that was only able to handle 100 watts to one that can handle 1000. And then replacing the bulb from 100 watts to 1000 watts. Imagine the intensity of light from that sudden change!

The adjustment to a higher intensity is difficult. The body is resistant and our comfort level suffers. It is easy to get trapped in the negative expressions of this intensity and we want to warn you all about going there. The discipline this month will be to focus on how to use and channel this increase in intensity to feed the positive, the creative and the inspired intentions in your life rather than anything negative.

This month could be life changing for some of you. When you have this level of intensity you can actually make permanent radical changes in your life. This is challenging since most of us are creatures of habit and we would rather live with lower intensity suffering than with the unknown territory and promise of a more intense experience of joy, love and success. After all, the skeptical mind tells us that what we don’t know could be dangerous to our well-being!

This is a great month to take risks and put yourself out there, reaching for a bigger dream, a better life, a more meaningful relationship, increased wealth, health and vitality, and a more fulfilling sense of worth, work and essence. This will take discipline and trust. Reaching for and experiencing the highs and the higher centers will always swing the other way at some point giving you the point of reference of the other end of the spectrum. The task will be to stay neutral, out of judgment and proceed to do what is necessary to continue clearing the lower frequency energies (physical, emotional and mental) out of your life.

If you find yourself crashing to the bottom, it means that there is something you are still carrying around that has to go. Often this is triggered by an experience of a higher center, of inspired possibilities, new ideas and creativity. As you reach for this brighter light, what is in the way of getting there will surface with an invitation to take a look, make a choice and take an action to free yourself and move on.

The most important thing this month is not to allow intensity to feed any martyrdom, disappointment, resentment, anger or judgment either of self or others. If you have to go there, take 30 seconds. OK, maybe 5 minutes, and then let it go. There will definitely be times this month where you will be tempted to wallow in misery. The intensity of the times will only take this indulgence to a place where you won’t be able to function to get yourself out of it. You will also need to watch cynicism. Cynicism when used wisely can bring humor into difficult situations but when allowed to negatively take over, it can nail you to the cross of your own false personality.

The instinctive center has a strong purpose that needs to be understood. It is there to keep us alive and functioning by informing our reactions based on all the information it holds about what it takes for us to survive. It is designed to keep us alive but in this process, it also keeps us limited. New information downloaded from the higher centers and from our own intense experiences needs to be processed by the instinctive center in order to change how our lives are being created on a daily basis. After a period of expansion and growth, there needs to be a down time for the instinctive center to assimilate and integrate new information. This can happen at night while you sleep but may also need other times of deep rest and going into the void.

There is a lot of instability this month and we may see many who are already on the edge literally losing their sense of reality and needing help and support to get back into balance. If you even think you are one of these, get some help before it gets there so you have a good container to support you. And if you yourself are fine but are witness to this imbalance in others, make sure not to take the unstable behaviors and reactions of others personally.

It is an exciting time, a difficult time, an unstable time and we are in the birth canal pushing to be reborn into a new landscape where we can be more. Keep pushing and don’t lose sight of the door on the other side of the temple of 10 thousand demons!

How the month shows up:

YOU PERSONALLY

It is a perfect month for making big and permanent changes. What you surrendered or surrendered to last month is still in the process of being integrated but make sure you are not trying to “get back to normal or to the way it was”. The idea is to welcome change and have things be new and different. It is important to spend some time focusing on bigger dreams and channeling some of the intensity this month into those bigger dreams. What do you want? Be clear and courageous about asking for it.

Pay attention this month to your personal needs. If you need to be alone, be alone. If you need to rest, rest. If you need some self-care, indulge yourself. It is a challenging month but with great rewards possible. Think of your own rebirth. What kind of environment would you like to be reborn into?

The discipline this month will be not to indulge in the negative. It is always your own judgment that identifies something as negative or positive. Try and see all experiences this month as neutrally Intense rather than judging them one way or another. If something does not feel good, don’t stay there. Accept it as a process and then move on.

Beauty is an important aspect to surviving this month. Beauty is related to the higher emotional center and should be present in your life on a daily basis. Beauty whether through nature, art, music, love, inspiration or ideas, will always bring you up out of the dumps. If it triggers weeping, it is a good clean out. Just make sure you never indulge for more than a few minutes in feeling sorry for yourself for anything. Trust that whatever experience you are having is all part of a greater plan.

If you don’t already have a good daily practice that keeps you connected to spirit, grounded to the earth, protected from energies from the outside, and neutrally balanced, start one asap. It could be as simple as honoring earth, sky, the four directions and all of your unseen support. Always be in gratitude and ask for help when you need it.

RELATIONSHIPS

This could be either a tough month for relationships or a really positive one depending on the nature of the relationship and where it needs to ultimately end up. The higher emotional center often acts as a catalyst to open up essence contact. Sometimes this is wonderful and just what is needed, and sometimes it can be misinterpreted. Just because you experience essence contact with someone does not mean they are your long-lost soul mate. Practice discernment this month with regards to relationships especially new ones that you may be connecting with for the first time. On the other hand, the higher emotional center is extremely helpful in supporting community and bringing people together in a more intimate way.

Because of the theme of intensity, expect relationship dynamics to be intensified. These could include heated arguments, intense reactions, overwhelming attraction, emotional outbursts, and past wounds and disappointments coming to the surface to get worked out. Keep it real, keep it grounded, keep it neutral, follow your instincts and intuition, be supportive not enabling, don’t take things personally and focus primarily on your relationship with yourself. Do what needs to be done, feel what needs to be felt, let go of what needs to end, and keep pushing through that birth canal.

HEALTH AND THE PHYSICAL BODY

You are going to feel things intensely. If you get the flu, it could be a bad one. If you need to change a pattern you could lose a tooth or break a bone. If you need to reset your assemblage point, you may create a shock or accident for yourself. It is important not to judge the whole picture by what may be going on for you on any given day. You may feel totally well and energetic one day and on another feel like there is something very wrong. The experience of good health is intensified as well as the sense of being off. Again, we reiterate the need for neutrality and acceptance of any state as part of a larger picture that we have no choice but to trust.

How can you support your health and well-being this month?

Don’t indulge in your additions. Whether it is alcohol, sex, medications, over exercising, obsessive thinking and rationalization, worry, cleaning, internet surfing, or something else, it will only give you temporary relief and never a permanent solution to any situation. We all have addictive personality behaviors that surface under stress and times of intensity can definitely produce stress. But is up to you to be disciplined about how you handle it. Don’t fall asleep under your addictions. This will only set you back and you will miss a great opportunity for growth, change and expansion.

The other way to support yourself this month is to pay attention to what you put in and on your system from the kind of food, air and water, to toxicity from environments and people. This includes what you put on your body as well. It is a good month to go through your closet and personal belongings and to purge what feels like an “old you”. Your discards will become someone else’s treasure.

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS PROJECTS

This is a good month to take a risk, expand your dreams and go for it. This area is a perfect one in which to channel some intensity in a positive way however be prepared for the consequences of this as it may include upgrading areas you were not prepared to upgrade. For example, if you set a great intention for expanding your business and you can really see and feel how that would be, the fall out may include employees quitting, computers crashing and other failures in your container that point to a need for an upgrade in order to better support your new dream.

If this happens, take it in stride with gratitude and acceptance. After all, you asked for it. This also goes for anyone who is striving for a better experience of life and work and suddenly finds themselves laid off a current job. The universe is taking direction from your intentions and this month the results may show up with more intensity than you may be prepared for.

Partnerships are important this month as part of building your container for something new. You can either feel and be intensely supported or feel intensely unsupported and abandoned. This is a matter of perspective only as there is always lots of support available if you are open to it.

In terms of finances, they could go up or down depending on where you are in your process and what needs to happen for your expansion and move to the next level. Beware of higher emotional impulsive spending and practice being discerning and practical.

ENVIRONMENT

Be prepared. Pay attention to what needs to be purged, reconfigured, cleaned up, moved around and upgraded in your personal environment. There is a craving for more space both internally and externally. Honor that craving by getting rid of clutter. This month could bring sudden changes to your environment such as a move to a different space either for home or for work. We advise very regular energy clearing of any space and environment you work with on a daily basis to keep things neutral.

Expect intensity in the environment. Rain will turn into a storm, snow into a blizzard, wind into a tornado. Wind is a major element this month and adding wind to any climate event will intensify that event. Make friends with wind as an agent of change and use the element of air to focus on your own breath as a way of working with clearing and expansion.

DATES AND TIME FRAMES

April 1-7: Don’t let stress get the better of you during this time frame. There is no rhyme or reason for why your energy may be up and down and sideways so just leave it at that and accept that it is just the way it is. With that said, this is a good week in which to set up a new foundation of ideas and intentions and then to begin to feed them with positive intensity.

So, if you are irritated, go out and garden or dance. If you are intensely emotional, have a good cry. If you are restless, clean something. If you are inspired, be grateful and share your enthusiasm. It is all in the attitude and outlook so as long as you are being positive about what is happening in your life, the intensity will feed the positive aspects of where you are hoping to go. If you find yourself sliding to negative judgement, regroup and let something go. And most of all practice good stress management. Take a break when you need to and honor your own rhythm. Get support. It’s a good week to purge

April 9: Mercury goes retrograde until May 3. See this as a help in regulating some of the intensity of the month. Focus a bit more on details so things don’t fall through the cracks. Make lists so you don’t space something out.

April 8-14: This time frame can be a bit chaotic where you may not know what is going on and how to deal with it. There are a lot of moving parts that have not found a place to land yet. Communication may be wonky and some things may be misunderstood or may fall through the cracks. Be vigilant and pay attention.

It will be important to have your practices in place as well as ways you can do a reality check on what is important to you. Be disciplined about staying out of toxic environments and away from toxic people. Reactions are intensified during this time especially around the full moon on the 11th. It is a good time to use the intensity to fuel and feed an intention of something that you have always wanted.

The temple of 10 thousand demons represents distractions and addictions of the false personality. The door at the other end is the portal to the place we all want to end up. Keep your eye on the door and discipline yourself against the distractions. Know what is important and stay out of other people’s drama.

April 10: Full Moon is Tuesday, April 11, at 12:09 AM Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). Since it is just after midnight MDT, the 10th is a good day to begin honoring and celebrating this moon. The anchor of this time needs to be time out in nature, honoring both the higher emotional center with its beauty and inspiration, and the instinctive center with its link to vitality and raw energy.

A full moon intensifies everything and this is especially true this month. It is up to you what gets intensified. Don’t indulge in the negative.

April 15-22: This is an emotional time where we can come to terms with past experiences and do some deep letting go. The intensity shows up in our emotions. Rather than wallowing in old wounds and disappointments, use the emotional intensity to feed something you truly desire. Letting go of the old will always make way for something new and feeding your new desires with emotion will intensify them in a good way.

This is also a very good time for community, connections and support. The higher emotional center can create great intimacy and essence connection that will fortify partnerships and strengthen community. It is also a good time to launch projects that have the support of community and partnership. Don’t be afraid to take a risk as long as others are on board with it and there is some practical aspect that can ground it.

April 23-30: Expansion is a wonderful thing and it can come with a price. In the aftermath of change and choices, you will either witness what is working well by the synchronicity and ease that surrounds you, or it will become clear where adjustments need to be made. The most important thing is to stay out of judgment and to be neutral and accepting of the adjustments that need to be made.

This is a good time to take care of anything in your environment that does not reflect you or how you want to show up. This is probably the most potent time frame for intense change that may include a move, a loss or change of job, a break up or a commitment in relationship, a turnaround in health and something really big either leaving your life or coming into your life. Enjoy it whatever it is and however it chooses to show up.

April 26: New Moon is Wednesday, April 26 at 6:16 AM Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). A New Moon is always a good time to reset intentions and do an inventory of where you have been and where you wish to go. This is especially true on this new moon as you may have been through a lot of change, chaos, choices and letting go.

It is a good time to ask for more clarity of intention if you need it and to focus on creating a fairly detailed action plan based on your intentions. Although this could be a good time to spend with others, it is also important to take some time just by yourself without the distraction of another’s agenda.

Have a wonderful month!

Blessings,

Lena from powerpath.com

Yin Yoga has become increasingly popular as of late. We can all benefit from slowing our lives down and taking some time for a deeper, slower practice. Here we’ll break down the physiological and spiritual aspects of practicing Yin Yoga, and go over some of the do’s and don’ts.

Yin vs. Yang

According to Chinese background and philosophy:
•    Yin implies cooling, moon, feminine, soft, shade.
•    Yang implies hot/heat, sun, masculine, strong, bright.

Yin and Yang are relative terms. We can pretty much find these two elements in all existence of life.

Yin Yoga is More Than Just Stretching

Contrary to widely-held belief, there is very little stretching in a 75–90 minute Yin Yoga class. From The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga by Bernie Clark, Bernie explains the difference between stretching and stressing. Stress occurs when we apply tension to our connective tissues, whereas stretch is the elongation of the tissue that results from stress.

Stress is a vital element in sustaining and promoting good health. For example, an effective way to stimulate bone density is by exercising. Through appropriate amount of weight bearing exercises, like walking up the stairs or lifting weights, bone calcium naturally depletes due to impact. Through homeostasis, the body detects the depletion and increases calcium absorption through our food intake. Same with our tissue, an appropriate amount of stress followed by rest strengthens the tissue, over time it becomes stronger. Rest, this is the key to practicing Yin Yoga.

The rest intervals between poses allow the tissue time to recover, hence less prone to over-fatigue or injury. This is in a way similar to weight lifting in terms of work and rest intervals. So in Yin Yoga we’re not stretching the tissue but rather, stressing it, and then allowing time for rest and repair. Applying just enough pressure in any given area of the body can stimulate change in the long term.

So you might wonder … what tissues are we working with exactly?

Learning which tissues are targeted in Yin Yoga is fundamental to preventing injuries. Our bodies are composed of muscles and connective tissues which may include ligaments, tendons, bones, joints and fascia. Muscles are essentially elastic, heating up when exercised. They respond well to repetitive and rhythmic movements because their elastic qualities allow the muscle fibers to elongate when appropriately stretched.

Conversely, the connective tissues remain generally cool when exercised; it does not elongate much due to its plasticity element. We can think of muscles as Yang tissues and connective tissues as Yin.

In Yin Yoga, we’re focusing on stressing the connective tissues. There is a concept among physiotherapists that stressing the ligament is dangerous. This is absolutely correct, but only if we’re applying repetitive Yang movements to the Ying tissues.

As Clark exemplified in his book, imagine bending your credit card repetitively, it will snap pretty quickly! Our ligaments/tendons are the credit card. We cannot apply forceful movements on them! Rather, we need to hold the poses for a long time and allow gravity to slowly work its way to the deeper Yin tissues. Practitioners should refrain from active muscles engagement, as this will stiffen the area around the joints thus makes it harder to get to the ligaments/tendons.

Moving Beyond the Physical Realm

According to Clark, when practicing Yin, there are only two reasons why a practitioner should move.
1. If he/she is in pain.
2. A space has been created within the Yin tissue and invites the practitioner to move deeper.

Unless you check one of these two options, you should remain still. Therefore, all Yin postures are in fact meditation postures. Whether it’s a seated Forward Fold or

Happy Baby, you’re in it for the long haul!

Once the clock starts ticking, 5 minutes of Happy Baby may seem blissful, but if your hips are tight, that baby isn’t so happy anymore. When facing such challenge, a practitioner would find meditation particularly helpful. Rather than dwelling over the painful sensation, you can engage in soft Ujjayi breathing or silently chant “So-Hum,” a classic meditation technique.

Discovering the right type of meditation can help the practitioner ease into the posture, find deeper relaxation in the body, and enter a space of spiritual tranquility.

Flexible or Not, Yin Yoga is Not Easy

A gumby-like practitioner might find the physical aspect of Yin relatively unchallenging. However, such yogis would have a harder time focusing in the posture because he/she cannot feel the physical discomfort. The mind might start to wander a million miles away, rather than staying focused on the present. Without meditation, you cannot receive the full blissful benefits of Yin Yoga.

Those who are very active will also find Yin Yoga challenging or even excruciating. Individuals with lots of Yang energy like to move, achieve and conquer. We know them as the “Type A Personality.” Funny enough, these are the people who may need Yin Yoga the most.

A well-known Chinese proverb: “Things will develop in the opposite direction when it becomes extreme.”

A person who is over-exercised may weaken their immune system and become prone to sickness overtime. If all we did were Power Vinyasa classes, the body would be overrun by too much Prana (or Chi), and we would experience difficulty sleeping and restlessness. Yin Yoga slows the overactive mind and cultivates mindfulness.

When Not to Practice Yin

Yin Yoga is generally safe for all ages when practiced mindfully. It’s also safe to practice if you’re pregnant; however, it’s always best to check with your doctor first. During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is produced in the expectant mother. This is to increase mobility in the joints and help with the delivery of the baby. I would recommend decreasing the amount of time spent holding a pose in Yin Yoga and put more emphasis on meditation and breathing.
You should also avoid practicing Yin if you’ve been stagnant for a while. If you haven’t gotten off the couch for a week, do something active first!

7 Simple Yin Yoga Rules to Live By

1.  Find a space with very little clutter. Uncluttered space means uncluttered mind.
2.  Quiet. Shhh. Hide your phone, computer, TV, kids, husband, and dog. Put on some meditation music and enjoy tranquility.
3. Wear comfortable clothing. Sometimes I put on socks and a meditation shawl.
4. Fragrance free. Leave the Christian Dior for a night out. Fragrances can disturb the mind (and others around you if you’re in a class).
5. Timer. Yin Yoga is time sensitive so you’ll need to set a timer. I use the meditation app Insight Timer. However, make sure to turn to turn your phone on airplane mode––no text messaging!
6. Start gentle. For beginners, hold the posture for 1–2 minutes. Eventually work up to 5 minutes.
7. Use props! Lots of them. Have pillows, blankets, blocks, and straps ready. Finding a comfortable position is helpful in minimizing movement during the posture.

There is so much more to Yin Yoga than just physical postures. We calm our nervous system, have better concentration and in general, feel more blissful over time. It is good to balance your yin practice with your yang practice. I’d recommend at least one Yin Yoga class per week.