Goods and News

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - February 2012

2012-02-14T03:33:00.000-08:00

Can You Get Hurt Doing Yoga?

Practicing Yoga with integrity

Yogis all over America are popping out ribs, snapping tendons, and experiencing nerve pain. All in the pursuit of yoga--really?

Several weeks ago there was an article in the New York Times that caused quite a stir in the yoga community and beyond. In it, the author cited examples of people hurting themselves in yoga classes.

Read the Rest of the Article here...

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Love!

A treat for Valentines Day and beyond

Sweet, delicious and creamy desserts don't have to be loaded with processed sugar and fats. Nature already has some wonderful staples in her pantry that can tame even the fiercest sweet-tooth!

I've been tweaking this recipe for some time now, and think it's just right at this point. Chris (the engineer who loves his treats!) has calculated how many evenings of deliciousness are still in the freezer at any given moment. I'm sure he'll let me know when to make more!

Peanut Butter Fudge Bliss Recipe

Flow with Adversity

Learning to embrace life's challenges - full on!

Ever notice how some people are positive no matter what? They look at difficulties as opportunities rather than impediments to living fully. Seems some of us are born that way, but many of us are not. The good news is, if you're in the "not" camp, you can turn that around in 5 simple steps:

1. Look for the silver lining
2. Look at challenges as a learning opportunity
3. Keep and open heart
4. Take care of yourself... first
5. Laugh long and hard... and often

Read the rest of the article here...

A Valentine Poem

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)

I am never without it (anywhereI go you go,my dear;

and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)

I fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet)

I want no world (for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)

ee cummings

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - Janujary 2012

2012-01-14T02:15:00.000-08:00

Winter Yoga Practice

Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation

Winter is a time of renewal, and nothing can rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit like Yoga Nidra. For those new to the practice, Yoga Nidra employs guided relaxation techniques to bring you to a level of rest below awake and above sleep - a sort of Yogic Twilight.

For a limited time you can download a free MP3 that I created specially for the 2011 Winter Solstice. Put it on your iPod or other device and set aside some time to rest and renew in the comfort of your own home.

Free MP3 Yoga Nidra Download (available until 2/15)

The Importance of Intention

Using Commitment to create your Best Life in 2012!

Making change is difficult at times - and committing ones self to change can be an even bigger challenge. Deepak Chopra shares some wisdom around creating intention

Engaging Life with Commitment.

Stunning Video

Nature is amazing, and when humans get to witness her show, it's a gift to be treasured. If you missed this link that I posted on Facebook last month, here is a rare look at a phenomenon called murmuration: a flock of starlings flying in perfect union and symmetry with amazing grace. Yoga isn't just a human endeavor...

Murmuration

January is National Soup Month!

Did you know that we have a National Soup Month? Neither did I! But boy was I excited to know that my Sunday morning ritual of making a cauldron of soup for the week is so in vogue!

Below are a few of my favorite soup recipes to try. Also the wonderful thing about soup is that you can totally wing it! Too much seasoning" Add water! Too little? add more! Here are three tips to get you started...

1. Start with aromatics: chopped onion, garlic, ginger and celery. Saute in water - yes, water - no need to add oil as the soup is wonderful and fat-free without it!

2. After sauteing aromatics, add the rest of your broth or water, and then hard veggies (carrots, potatoes, etc.). Bring to a boil, then add more delicate veggies (greens - always have leafy greens!). Bring back to a boil and then shut it off right away!

3. We always let soup "rest" for at least 20 minutes. After the 3-6 minute boil, turn off heat, leave covered and go out for a brisk walk. When you get bac k, soups on!

Recipes:

Easy Bok Choy Soup

Sweet Potato Cabbage Soup

Spicy Ginger Miso Soup

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - November 2011

2011-11-20T04:16:00.000-08:00

Fall At-Home Yoga Practice

A guide to navigating transition

As fall yields to the cooler, windier, and drier months ahead, it's time to draw our energy inward and cultivate a slower internal rhythm.

This month's Fall At-Home Yoga Practice Guide is just what we need to navigate a healthy seasonal transition.

After completing the Dirgha Pranayama and Cat-Cow movements, do a couple of rounds of Sun Salutations to stoke the fire a bit. Then move slowly and with intention to rejuvenate the body and calm the nervous system through the deep and gentle twists and bends in this sequence. Do some or all of the postures every day and have a smooth transition from Fall to Winter!

Fall Detox in 9 Steps
Things you can do now to stay healthy all winter!

Many traditional cultures give particular significance to the changing of the seasons by organizing celebrations and rituals around these times. The practice of honoring these times of transition is an opportunity for people to reflect on the prior months and look forward to what lies ahead.

Continue to article...

Note: this article has some instructions for Ginger tea that I have been telling some of you about - it's my secret weapon for winter immunity!

Lightly Cooked Soup is Best

We've all heard that Chicken Soup is good for fighting colds. But when we look at the science behind the soup, is it really the chicken, or the soup?

The Chest Study in 2000 gave scientific evidence that it's the veggies, not the chicken, that makes soup a cold-fighter!

Not only that, but it seems that the soup that's cooked least heals best, so preparation time is a snap!

Read the article here...

And if you're interested in a quick soup recipe, try this super easy Bok Choy Soup!

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - October 2011

2011-10-14T02:40:00.000-07:00

Fight Colds Flu and Allergies without Drugs

In the same way that massage nourishes and rejuvenates the skin, Neti and Nasya nourish and rejuvenate the breathing passages. This process can reduce seasonal allergies, chronic sinusitis, and sore throat, reduce cold symptoms, and decrease your chances of contracting upper respiratory infections. It helps keep your breathing passages moist before and after air travel or after being indoors with the heat on.

What supplies do I need?

The first thing you need is the neti pot itself - shaped like an Aladdin's lamp, there are many types to chose from: ceramic is best for every day - plastic is okay for traveling.
High quality mineral salt is an important ingredient. Be sure to avoid white salt, as it's about as beneficial as white sugar: bleaching and processing removes all the trace elements that make the salt effective.
Third, and sometimes overlooked, is a good, organic oil to lubricate the nasal passages. Sesame is best for fall and winter, and, quite frankly, can be used all year as it contains a natural agent that prevents it from going rancid.

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - September 2011

2011-09-13T02:38:00.000-07:00

The Last Heart Attack
Making the Choice to Be Healthy

Would you choose to have a heart attack? According to the pioneering docs on the front line of real "modern medicine", that is exactly what heart disease is - a choice.

It turns out that good diet and lifestyle habits are the keys to staying healthy - that's right, your genes are no match for how you eat, exercise and manage your stress. Doctors Dean Ornish and Caldwell Esselstyn say, unequivocally, that changing your diet and lifestyle can make you heart attack proof. And former President Bill Clinton is walking talking proof that it can be done.

If you didn't see the show "The Last Heart Attack", hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, click here now to view it on line. Informative and well worth the 45 minute investment of your time, especially if you think your family history of heart disease is your future.

Balancing Will and Surrender
Let go and see what happens!

Balancing poses are some of the hardest yoga postures to master - it requires a skillful combination of strength and letting go.

And yoga goes beyond the mat in its teaching: when we seek balance in life it's the same combination that can set us free. Once we let go of the resistance, the "holding on", then we can take skillful, mindful action that is centered on the best possible outcome, not one we are trying to force.

Eckart Tolle so eloquently speaks about how surrendering to the present moment gives us the peace and power to create balance , and to live aligned with our highest self. Read the post here...

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - August 2011

2011-08-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Your Brain on Yoga
The Science & Psychology of Yoga

We are constantly pulled into the mind-state that has us reacting to thoughts. Then our bodies react by shutting down or becoming tense. The breath changes to facilitate the fight-or-flight call. And the cycle continues, leading to more and more stress.

Consistent yoga practice has shown that we can break this cycle, and get on the road to better health, both physically and mentally. After all, the mind and body are simply expressions of one another, so where we take one, the other will follow...

Part I: The Science of Yoga

Part II: the Psychology of Yoga

Enjoying Summer's Bounty
A one-pot meal makes cooking a breeze!

Ok y'all... farmers markets, CSAs and gardens all over Massachusetts are bursting with corn and chard right now.

We recently discovered this recipe for Pan Toasted Corn and Swiss Chard that combines toasted corn kernels (cut fresh from the ears) and tender fresh chard along with black beans and pumpkin seeds to create a delicious, satisfying, one-pot meal.

Now that's my kind of summer cooking! BTW, we love this one so much we've been eating it every week (and sometimes more than once a week!).

Bon Appetit!

In Defense of Sunshine
Vitamin D - it's a natural!

It seems like every time you turn around there is some new "health discovery" that we consumers need to take heed of. Unless you've been living under a rock, you are probably aware that vitamin D levels are the hot topic, and our seemingly low levels are to blame for everything from depression to cancer.

Vitamin D is synthesized by the body from exposing our un-spf'd skin to sun. A little bit goes a long way - we only need about 15-20 minutes of sun exposure in order to make adequate vitamin D. Unfortunately, sun shine has become public enemy number one over the past 25 years as we are slathering on the sunscreen even in the winter!

Dr. John McDougall, someone whose advice I have been following for almost 30 years, has a little something to say about vitamin D - read his thoughts, and, as always, decide for yourself if this rings true or not...

In Praise of Blueberries

2011-08-02T03:09:00.000-07:00

It's mid-summer and the blueberries are ripening all over Massachusetts. Now is the time, bucket in hand, to get out there and pick as many of these antioxidant powerhouses as you can, and freeze them for the winter months. Berries are one of those amazing foods that retain their flavor and nutrition when frozen fresh. And they are delicious when used in pies, muffins, breads, or even in your oatmeal up to a year later.

I remember as a kid there were wild blueberries all over the place. Low bushes, so you would have to kneel or sit to pick: these were the tiny blueberries, the amazingly full-flavored little bombs that we just couldn't' get enough of. My family used to grab pails in July and August and head out to the fields where the blueberries were. It was a real family outing, each of us trying to find the "best" bushes, the places where you could plunk yourself down and get a load of the bounty all within arms reach. We each had our "spots" and would run to claim those as soon as we arrived in the field.

Then we'd pick until the pails were overflowing, Dad having to carry everyone's pails in two strong arms, and home we'd go. Some of the berries got eaten fresh, or baked into delicious muffins right away; others were washed, dried, and stored in the freezer until those snowy months when blueberry fields seemed like a distant memory from another lifetime.

There don't seem to be those fields of wild blueberries anymore, but there are plenty of farms in the area that offer pick-your-own for a fixed price per pound. While these berries are bigger and (to me anyway) not quite as robust in flavor as the little wild ones of my youth, they are sweet, tart, and packed with vitamins and nutrients. At the farms you can take your bag-lined pail and navigate the taller blueberry bushes (much easier to pick from) and work until your pail is filled.

So why would you opt to go out in the heat, get sweaty and pick tons of blueberries as opposed to buying a pint a the local grocery store? First, local, fresh produce can't be beat, even if the fruit is only making it's way from New Jersey (which is where many of our blueberries come from this time of year); second, being involved in the process of gathering your own food makes you part of the process as opposed to a disconnected consumer; and finally, filling that pail and then bringing the berries home to freeze is a time-honored rite that many of us remember doing with our parents and grandparents.

There is nothing more satisfying to me than baking blueberry muffins or making pancakes in January with fruit that I picked and froze in August. So here are a few pointers for freezing that I hope will inspire you to get out there and pick blueberries in the next few weeks:

When you get home, dump the blueberries in a large pot or bowl of cold water with a splash of white vinegar (I use vinegar to wash all my produce as it cleans well with no residue or funny taste). Pick over the berries and get out all the stems and debris that comes along with picking.

Place some large towels on the counter and spread the blueberries on the towels to dry - make sure they're in a single layer - they should dry in about an hour, so once you complete this step you can go off and do something fun!.

Once the berries are dry, line a large cookie sheet with a dish towel, spread a single layer of blueberries on the towel (they can be touching), and place the tray in the freezer. Once the berries are completely frozen - this should take an hour or so - you can dump them into a labeled freezer storage bag, and stack them flat in your freezer. If you have a partial bag, that's ok, you can continue to add berries to that bag until it's full.

Trust me, the time you spend now washing, drying, and freezing berries will all be worth it when the winter snows are howling outside and you're inside enjoying fresh blueberries in your muffins!

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - July 2011

2011-07-13T05:00:00.001-07:00

Consciousness and Your Health
Change your Brain, change your Life

What if how you think is more important than who your parents and grandparents are? Deepak Chopra, a pioneer of mind-body medicine, believes that our thoughts are powerful instruments to our destiny.

In a recent article about meditation, he explains that our consciousness determines how we express our genetic code. This has amazing implications in the role of personal responsibility for overall health.

Yoga Practice
Cooling Summer Heat

When temperatures are high energy levels can get zapped. Let yoga turn that around with this summertime sequence. Just 20 minutes and you'll be cool as a cucumber!

And nothing beats Sitali Pranayama for it's ability to cool the body and focus the mind. Go here for a short how-to...

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - June 2011

2011-06-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Meditation to Stay Young
Well, it seems that you CAN teach on old dog new tricks!

Okay, so I feel like a broken record, but I just love it when scientists and researchers give us these amazing insights into techniques that have worked for more than a millenia! Now don't get me wrong, I think getting data to support health claims is a good thing.

I'm also a yogini, which means I trust the laboratory of my own body to tell me what is and what isn't effective. Meditation is high on my list of healthful habits - whether you have 30 minutes or just 5... every little bit matters.

So, brew a cup of tea, read this article from the Guardian, then close your eyes and sit with it!

Yoga at the Core
Toning the belly, buttocks, and pelvic floor

The creation of a good yoga practice includes working from and strengthening the core muscles of the body. When we move from a strong and stable foundation, the limbs move with less effort. remember Patanjali's advice to have a steady, comfortable posture? This is definitely one of the ways to help achieve that steadiness.

Try this great sequence to help strengthen Mula Bhanda (pelvic floor muscles), the Transverse Abdominals (girdle muscles) and the Glutes.

Personal Space
You think it's crowded at the Studio?

In America, we have a more luxurious concept of "personal space" than most other countries. We don't want other people too close, and we like to browse when we shop. People in many eastern countries have been living in tight quarters for centuries, and are masterful at using every available inch. But, I have to say, the resilience of these vegetable vendors in their "market" brings that mastery to an art form.

"I'll have some of those delicious greens... oh, wait, once I peel myself off the wall!"

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - May 2011

2011-05-15T04:29:00.000-07:00

Yoga Practice
Taming the Mind

Yogis say that life itself is an optical illusion - what we see is not necessarily reality. If we believe that life is hard, then it is - if we find ease and joy everywhere, then life will be gentler.

Discernment is the fruit of practicing Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (oneness or bliss). When we are skilled at withdrawing the senses and focusing our attention, how we view the world changes in ways that we may not expect.

Take a look at this image, and try concentrating on the parts of it, then try softening your gaze. Notice how you can literally change what you see. So what's real, and what's not? Life's kind of like that...

What's My Responsibility?
How Consciousness Changes the World

With world disasters and human suffering seemingly on the rise around the globe, it's hard not to get caught up in the drama of helplessness. One approach is to look at what we can reasonably be responsible for, and what we can't.

Once clear on the things that we can own, we can then to create more peace and compassion the world through right action.

Eckart Tolle has a gift for communicating the esoteric art of thriving as both a human and spiritual being.

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - April 2011

2011-04-15T16:28:00.000-07:00

Home Yoga Practice
Relieve Allergies with Yoga

Americans spend billions every year on over-the-counter allergy relief products. And with all these drugs come side effects and, quite frankly, not much real relief.

Try this yoga sequence of pranayama and asana every day to help quell the pressure and congestion due to allergies.

Spring Soup with and Asian Flair
A Blend of Tastes from Asia

Want a quick, delicious, and satisfying one-pot meal that will keep you nourished all week? Nothing fits that bill better than soup. And this recipe for Spicy Asian Sweet Potato and Cabbage Soup is one of our favorites.

Colorful, creamy and deliciously gourmet, it gives cabbage and potatoes a whole new status!

Some of the ingredients may be unfamiliar, like Miso Paste and Liquid Aminos, but don't be turned off - try something new! All products can be purchased at Whole Foods of Trader Joe's, and kept in the refrigerator and pantry for a long time. If you like this soup as much as we do, you'll go through your supplies pretty fast anyway!

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - March 2011

2011-03-16T05:46:00.000-07:00

What's Your Yoga Personality?
Know Thyself

OK, so even the medical community is recommending yoga as a way to manage stress, increase strength and flexibility, and get people moving. But with so many choices out there, how do you know what type of yoga to do?

While my professional answer is, "Talk with a qualified Yoga Teacher or Yoga Therapist to evaluate your specific needs", the kid in me can't help but have a little fun!

The Yoga Personality Quiz is like the "Magic Eight Ball" for yoga. Fun, quick, and at the very least, something to think about!

Managing Stress is Key to Health
A Visual Tour of the effects of Stress

Sadly, too many of us know first hand how stress makes us feel. Tired, anxious, hungry, depressed, angry... you get the picture. If you're reading this newsletter, you already know that yoga and therapeutic massage are two of the most effective ways to help manage your response to the stresses in your life.

Our minds and bodies are made to inherently stay well, but life's journey can be challenging, and the choices we make can throw us out of balance.

"The 9 Visual Rules of Wellness" is an initiative that explores and depicts how all of our systems are interconnected. In beautiful graphics, the series takes us through the deleterious effects that poor choices can have, and helps explain what to do to regain health and to stay well.

I especially love "Rule # 8: Manage Your Stress", as this gets right to heart of what we can do now, today, to change our response to stress... breathe!

Recipe Corner

Spring is starting to show up in the grocery store with fresh asparagus and delectable mushrooms!

Get a taste of these seasonal gems with this quick, delicious recipe for Spring Roasted Veggies and Pasta.

Bon Apetit!

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - February 2011

2011-02-21T03:08:00.000-08:00

Yogic Diet is Best
T. Colin Campbell on Health and Eating

The China Study is a seminal work of research on nutrition, and it's author T. Colin Campbell has been telling us for more than a decade that health is a choice we make with our fork and knife.

In a recent interview in the New York Times, Campbell talks about how his many years of research and investigation have convinced him that a plant-based diet is the first real step to true universal heath care.

Empower Your Intentions
Letting go of the illusion of control

Using the yamas and niyamas as the base for our understanding of right living, we circle around the age-old precepts and use our discernment to become more evolved.

Non-attachment doesn't' mean letting go of intentions, it actually serves as a foundation for manifesting those positive desires in our lives. The Seven Keys to Empower Your Intentions is a marvelous reminder that it's all about the practice!

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - January 2011

2011-01-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

Yoga Step-by-Step
First, Build a Strong Foundation

Around the third century CE, the yogic sage Patanjali (Pah-TAHN-jah-lee) codified the purpose and practice of yoga in about 195 short verses, called sutras.

The chapter on practice outlines the eight-fold path of yoga, which is used as a roadmap for all aspiring yogis. The very foundation of practice comprises the yamas and niyamas, our moral and ethical codes.

As we continue to examine Patanjali's yoga sutras and the ethical foundations in weekly yoga classes here at the studio, I hope you find these references for the eight-fold path, and the yamas and niyamas helpful.

Yoga Fights Colds 3 Ways
Asana, Mantra, and Anna (food)

You've done everything you could to prevent getting a cold: you eat a whole-foods diet with plenty of fruits and veggies, use the neti pot every day, get to bed by ten o'clock at night, and manage your stress with a daily yoga practice.

And then, it starts with a tickle, and before you can say "Echinacea" you've got that nasty cold or flu that's been going around.

So along with increasing fluids and getting plenty of rest, turn to yoga to help ease symptoms and speed recovery.

Asana: Restorative asanas like Supported Bound Angle (Salamba Baddha Konasana) and Legs-up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani) help open the chest, deepen breathing and relax the nervous system. Try this sequence if you are feeling under the weather.

Mantra: Vibrations from humming have been shown to open the sinuses and let phlegm drain, which can relieve pressure and may even help stave off a bacterial sinus infection. Try chanting Om, emphasizing the "mmm" sound to relieve nasal congestion.

Anna: Soup rounds out our yoga trifecta as a perfect antidote for colds and flu. Hydrating, warming and nourishing, this Spicy Ginger Miso soup works to prevent colds and flu as well as to ease symptoms if you do happen to get sick.

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - December 2010

2010-12-11T04:07:00.000-08:00

Enviro-Happy Holidays!

Shop, Cook and Eat Consciously...

It's easy for you to prepare your holiday feasts with your family's environmental health in mind. Just follow these three simple tips from the Environmental Working Group as you shop, cook and eat together.

Myth and Infrastructure
An artistic expression of life and Self discovery

Blending art, music and using her own body in shadow, this creative young artist shows us that when we allow the mind to expand, everything is possible.

Take 10 quiet minutes and dive in...

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - November 2010

2010-11-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

Wake Up The Yoga Way!
Pranayama to awaken the senses

The cold and dark of winter can be a real bummer when it comes to getting out of bed in the morning. Try the invigorating pranayama "Breath of Joy" to boost your energy and warm up your body first thing in the morning... or any time for that matter!

Sweet, Healthy "Candy Bar"
Tame the Sweet Tooth Tiger Naturally

The craving for sweet is coded into our DNA because carbohydrates are the brain's only fuel. And as luck would have it, nature provides us lots of natural sweet options. Fall is harvest time for dates, a rich source of potassium, selenium, and enough natural sugar to tame even the "wickedess" sweet tooth!

You won't believe how easy this Nutty Stuffed Date Recipe is to make: pack a couple for those mid-day snacks, and keep them on hand for a treat. And this is one even the little kids can help with!

Fatigue-Fighting Diet
Eat Right to Support Your Adrenal Glands

If you wake up tired, need that morning cup of coffee just to pry one eye open, or have to grab that afternoon sweet to finish the day, you may be running down your adrenal glands...

Read the full article here...

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - October 2010

2010-10-15T02:57:00.000-07:00

Yoga Practices for the Common Cold
Drug-Free Alternatives to getting well
Americans will get more than a billion colds this year. To try and relieve all that coughing, sneezing and feeling miserable, we will spend about $18 billion dollars on over-the-counter medications. While they may provide some symptomatic relief, OTCs won't make your cold better. Instead of being one of the feverish masses, stay healthy with the ancient practices of Jala Neti and Nasya.

The Dark Side of Vitamin Water
"Not-So-Smart" Water?
When did water become passé? When the geniuses that sell us things we don't really need discovered that we will buy sugar-water if they label it "Healthy". And the really interesting twist... under fire in a lawsuit for deceptive advertising, Coca Cola lawyers are using the "only stupid people think this is healthy" defense! Outraged?
Read the full article...

Meditation Changes Your Mind
Don't just do something...Sit!
Researchers continue to support the health benefits of ancient practices like meditation. AARP recently did a piece on meditation and it's benefits - it's never too late to start a practice!

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - September 2010

2010-09-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Perfect Fall Food
Mother-Nature always knows best!

In Ayurveda, September into early October is a transitional period from the heat of summer (pitta) to the cold of winter (vata). Fall Spiced Applesauce is natures perfect recipe. The balance of sweet, bitter and astringent tastes to stimulate healthy digestion and enhance your immunity. And did I mention that it's delicious and easy to make?

Strong Legs, Long Spine
Yoga Postures to bring you into Fall

Fall brings cooler temps and drier conditions, and your yoga practice should include postures that prepare the body for this shift. Include these asanas in your daily yoga practice and watch the strength and energy shift with the temperatures!

This is Your Brain on Technology
Dump the Digital Devices!

The digital world continues to push it's way into every moment of our lives, and now even the mainstream media is saying "enough already!". (You may need to subscribe to the NY Times (free) if you don't' already...)

Forget Healthy Eating

Coming Soon... Heart meds with your Happy Meal!

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - August 2010

2010-08-17T03:10:00.000-07:00

Yoga for Heart & SoulLoosen Your Wings And Feel Your Heart Soar
Postures that address tension held in the shoulder blade area have a wonderful releasing affect on the front of the body. Add these postures to your yoga practice to let your heart feel light.

Notes From the Universe Daily Inspiration at your fingertips
Sometimes all we need is a little encouragement, a kind word, or maybe an off-the-wall reminder that life is as free as we want it to be. As a (free) member of The Tut Adventure Club you'll receive fun, quirky and sometimes inspirational messages from "The Universe": daily, weekly... you chose.

Dressed Up and Ready to Go
The one summer dress(ing) you can't live without!With summer veggies at their peak, salads are more than just lettuce & tomatoes! Chop up tender swiss chard, kale, zucchini, beans, peas, corn... whatever your garden, CSA or Farmers' Markets are bursting with.
Then dress it up with this sweet-tangy dressing, and you have a meal that's perfect for a hot summer night or lunch. Try this delicious salad that we've been enjoying lately, or create your own.

Don't be Fooled by the Packaging
Organic Junk Food is Still Junk!A Cheese Doodle by any other name...

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - July 2010

2010-07-19T04:02:00.000-07:00

7 Simple Ways to Enjoy Summer
Being Green and Healthy is Cool!

Eat, Dress, Bathe, Breathe... and a few other simple things you can do to enjoy those hot summer days that we all dream about in January!

New USDA Dietary Guidelines
Health Beyond the Pyramid

"Eat more fruit and veggies, exercise and reduce salt, sugar and fat" - that's it in a nutshell folks.

For more than 30 years the USDA has published dietary guidelines, but we haven't become healthier... so what's the diff this time?

Well, maybe they've heard author Michael Pollan's mantra, "Eat food. Mostly plants. And not too much."

The board still has a long way to go in my opinion, but they may be headed in the right direction!

Cool Summer Yoga Poses
Relaxing and Stress-Free Asanas

Your clothes change with the season. Your yoga practice should too.

Minimize heating poses like warrior and triangle, and focus instead on cooling forward bends and inversions. With the air already hot, the muscles and connective tissue are receptive to these intensely satisfying poses.

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - June 2010

2010-07-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

Teach Your Children Well
You Say You Want a (Food) Revolution...

Jamie Oliver, that energetic, food-obsessed Brit, has been on a mission to change our unhealthy eating habits. He is passionate about teaching our kids not only how to cook and eat, but how to make the connection between diet and health. Thanks to Jamie, our kids have a chance at having a healthier, longer life...

Easy Breezy Cleaners
Safe, effective and best of all... inexpensive

Would you get in the shower with your tub cleaner? Not if you read the label! Most cleaners contain caustic agents that we don't want on our skin or in our lungs. Take a break from chemicals and try one of these easy-to-make, really inexpensive cleaners and see what you think!

Summer Dessert!
Tastes Decadent... but it's really Heart-Healthy

Summer in New England means sweet, juicy local berries -strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are everywhere! Dessert can be a simple dish of these luscious fruits, or you can dress those beauties up with this recipe for a delicious heart-healthy, non-dairy lemony cream (with a secret ingredient)!

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - May 2010

2010-05-12T02:33:00.000-07:00

Nutrition for the Rest of Us
Quick and Easy Food Label Info

Real nutrition information on food packages isn't always easy to understand: what's science, and what's marketing? Registered Dietitian Jeff Novick explains the top three things you need to know when buying packaged foods.

Flower Power!
Vitamins in Bloom
Artichokes are edible May flowers and nutritional
dynamos! Not only do they improve digestion, strengthen your liver and reduce cholesterol, but in ancient Greece they were revered as powerful aphrodisiacs. Talk about a flower for the heart!

Try this easy, delicious, and oh-so heart-healthy recipe for steamed artichokes with celery salsa.

Hip and Happening
Postures to increase vitality in the hips and pelvis
The hips and pelvis are the foundation of good posture. Try hip openers like Bound Angle and Garland Pose for more flexibility and greater vitality.

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - April 2010

2010-04-13T03:05:00.001-07:00

Balance Your Life
Tips for Your Dosha

If you took last month's dosha quiz, now find out how to for balance your particular dosha. (If you didn't take the quiz yet do it now -it takes less than 5 minutes!)

Balance Vatta
Balance Pitta
Balance Kapha

If your results show that you're bi-doshic (or even tri-doshic), read the suggestions for each dosha, and then think about how that works for you personally. For instance, if you are a Vatta-Pitta type, you may find that the cruciferous foods for Pitta, like broccoli and cabbage are hard to digest. So, eat these foods in smaller quantities, avoid having them raw, and lean more towards the Vatta-pacifying vegetables like leafy greens, carrots, asparagus and summer squash.

Yoga Poses for Spring
Increase Your Energy Naturally

From an ayurvedic perspective, spring is the season associated with Kapha dosha, and the elements of water and earth. When in balance, we can feel grounded, stable and loving: when out of balance, we might feel tired, sluggish and heavy.

Try these three yoga postures to balance kapha.

Quantum Physics, Yoga & Reality
Is it all in the Mind?

Yogis have known for thousands of years that what we perceive with our senses is not reality.

Quantum physics is how we explain this truth to our logical minds. So what is reality? That depends on who you ask, and even more importantly, who is asking.

Check out this video and let it begin to blow your mind...

Tangerine Meditation

2010-04-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

by Thich Nhat Hanh

One day, I offered a number of children a basket filled with tangerines. The basket was passed around, and each child took one tangerine and put it in his or her palm. We each looked at our tangerine, and the children were invited to meditate on its origins.

They saw not only the tangerine, but also its mother, the tangerine tree. With some guidance, they began to visualize the blossoms in the sunshine and in the rain. Then they saw petals falling down and tiny green fruit appear. The sunshine and the rain continued, and the tiny tangerine grew. Now someone has picked it, and the tangerine is here.

After seeing this, each child was invited to peel the tangerine slowly, noticing the mist and the fragrance of the tangerine, and then bring it up to his or her mouth and have a mindful bite, in full awareness of the texture and taste of the fruit and the juice coming out. We ate slowly like that.

Each time you look at a tangerine, you can see deeply into it. You can see everything in the universe in one tangerine. When you peel it and smell it, its wonderful. You can take your time eating a tangerine and be very happy.

Neponset Valley Yoga Newsletter - March 2010

2010-03-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

What's Your Dosha?
It's about what makes you tick...

Ayurveda teaches that we are all unique, with needs and preferences that are constantly changing. So how do we know if a certain food, exercise, or lifestyle is good for us?
The first step is understanding our constitution, or "dosha", and getting started is as easy as answering a few simple questions.

Take the Dosha Quiz now...

Viola ~ It's Magic!
Brita Filters turned into toothbrushes!

Whole Foods Market has partnered with Preserve, maker of recycled plastic household goods, to recycle your Brita water filters.
Just drop off expired (and dried) Brita filters in the white "Gimme 5" bin at the Customer Service booth.
Whole Foods sends the filters back to Preserve where they're transformed into toothbrushes, razor blade handles, cutting boards, and other cool consumer products.

Learn How to Recycle Brita Filters

Deep Fried What?
Coronary Bypass Anyone?

I recently heard about this deep-fried creation that was served up at the Dallas State Fair in September 2009.
Honestly, the first thing that popped into my mind was a line from My Cousin Vinny, when Joe Pesci asks the diner cook, "Have you heard of the ongoing cholesterol problem in this country?"

So, what d'ya think, would you eat this?
(Scroll to the bottom of the article for a short video!)