All we are saying... (from John, no not that one)

Hi everyone! Well, I missed all of last week.... I'm still covering for a colleague of mine in Oregon (she's tending to a sick mom). I was informed that she is coming back so December should start my (hopefully) exclusive local travel (hurray!). This must be one of those attachment things, because I sometimes feel irritated that I'm missing out on everything going on at home (including attending class). I did, however, bring my mat with me and thought of you all as I went through asanas and meditation. I'd like to relate an observation. I was driving up the "5" and was again struck by the beauty of the fall foliage juxtaposed against the pine evergreens (I thought of you, Rod!). The car I was renting had that Sirius radio which allowed for 4.5 hours of uninterrupted radio (it's 300 mi. - Medford to Portland). Well, it being the season of politics, I thought I'd amuse myself. I danced between NPR, Talk Left, Fox and Patriot (I'll let you figure out which side of the political spectrum each is on). Anyway, I became dismayed during the call-in periods. Believe me when I say that all sides were equally venomous. I've come to the conclusion that our country's political parties could all benefit from a little (or lot of) Yoga!

Later that night, I finished about 1.5 hours of asanas (4.5 hours of driving and listening to political commentary puts a lot of kinks into you) with a simple, but sincere, Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. I always feel better after that. It just seems to help me to wipe that last stubborn bit of tension away. It got me to thinking that it is just as important to wish (and practice) Peace for yourself (and mean it) as it is to wish it for others.

Jump on the Peace Train!

John

Miss your practice last week?

Did you miss or skip your yoga practice last week? Share with us what's going on, maybe doing so will help you get back on track? How you handle transitioning back to a regular schedule can really determine how well the immersion and cleanse help lift you out of your old ruts. Please let us help!!

Restorative Yoga Tonight

Good Sunday Morning to you all!

In case you had a tough week and maybe didn't make it to your yoga practice at all, may I suggest you take some time tonight to regroup, restore and reinvigorate yourself for the week ahead. Laura will be leading you on a restorative journey to "reboot" your nervous system and release the tension and judgements that have established themselves again since the cleanse.

Restorative Yoga Workshop
Sunday, October 29
6:30-8:00pm / $15

Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour today! Enjoy each "extra" moment! :)

Namaste,
Gina

Bad Photos, Good Memories!

Somebody needs to ask for a new camera this year!!! As with many things in life, these didn't turn out as lovely as I'd hoped but they're good enough to evoke a smile and perhaps a sense of renewal...

http://www.moyoga.com/FallCleanseKulaPhotos/

Love to you all,
Gina

Day 4 of the Rest Of Your Life

Hey Kula!

How are things going on Day 4 after the cleanse? Are you finding it easy to continue your mindful eating? Or did you sigh a big sigh of relief and dive into a double bacon cheeseburger? Keep in mind our rutted thinking - if you went to the game and ate a chili dog with beer and an ice cream, don't fall into the trap of "Oh, I totally blew it, it's all over now". That's an old rut, let's start to lay some treads on a new path and realize we can always start again, mindfully.

Have you practiced yet this week? Asana? Meditation?

I'd love to hear responses from as many of you as possible, if not just for a way to connect this week!

Love,
Gina

It's Been a Tough Day

For almost two years, I have been discussing with my managers the creation of a new role within my company - one which I would be perfectly suited for and would love to undertake. Finally, after two years, the position was created, I interviewed and found out today that I was not chosen for the position. I must admit that I am more than devastated and I feel like I have been kicked in the stomach by a professional wrestler. So how did I react? Was it the reaction of someone that just spent 6 days cleaning out the yuck from their body and opening a more mindful spirit. No.
First, many tears and then many more tears. Then, I turned to the usual culinary medications - chocolate....which didn't even taste good. More tears. Then the mind began to wander. I was thinking about the 'How Yoga Works' book and wondered if this was the result of some seeds sown earlier in my life? I wondered how I would be able to go on through the day when I couldn't even breathe. What could I do to make the best of this and go about my merry way? But I couldn't find any answers. I called John but he was in flight. I emailed one person I worked with, careful not to be negative about the position, the person who got it, the people that made the decision - only looking for some words of encouragement to get through the rest of the day. He didn't fail me.
Next - feeling quite down, it was time to take the kids to gymnastics. I yelled at them in the car - loudly, with great force. More seeds. My dad used to yell like that. On Saturday, I shared that I wanted to change the way I handle my kids - no more spankings, no more yelling - patience and kindness. I want them to treat others that way. Again, more seeds but this time for them too. Saturday and Sunday were terrific and I felt good at my progress. Today was a small hiccup but it only added to my disappointment. Luckily, I saw Leslie for a brief moment in the parking lot and her sparkly smile gave me cause to smile too. Thanks Leslie.
More culinary medicine - don't ask what it was because it was disgusting and I feel like crap.
Parents came over and it felt good to talk to my mom and dad about the job. Being good parents, they said, 'They don't know what they are missing.' Some really great seeds. On the way to Home Depot to buy paint, I was thinking about what I would say to people tomorrow or whenever they find out that I didnt' get the job and this awful little voice spewed forth the most awful sarcastic, juvenile responses so I stopped thinking about it and concentrated on the color I as going to have my bathroom painted.
Back home, more inspiring words from mom and dad - hugs and kisses from my beautiful children and 15 minutes practicing piano helped alot. Another 30 minutes on the mat and 15 minutes meditation and I am feeling alot more peace. Still a few tears but only when I call John - he is my mountain to lean on when needed. Tomorrow is unknown but I am going to carry my mala around all day to remind me of my wonderful friends and my dearest teachers. With much love and gratitude to you all. Becky

Food suggestions

Eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables is optimal. But, if you're lazy like me, here's a couple of options that Suzanne has turned me onto:

1. Ultimate Meal. It's a powder that we put in a blender with blueberries, bananas and apple juice to make a smoothie. Chock-full of a lot of good stuff, mostly organic and totally vegan. Available at Wild Oats and at www.ultimatelife.com.

2. Dr. McDougall's cups. Also vegan. Just add boiling water and stir. On sale at Wild Oats and at www.rightfoods.com

3. My massage therapist-who we went to right after the yoga class on Saturday-recommended Lydia's Organics, particularly their trail mix which is made with sprouted seeds. Check them out at www.lydiasorganics.com

Basically, you could live on ultimate meal, cups and trail mix, never go to a store, and only spend about three minutes a day on meal prep. That way you'd have more time for yoga and meditation!

Gradual Change

Hi friends,

With all the other essential things to talk about on Saturday, we didn't have a chance to discuss in detail how to incorporate some of the foods we specifically cut out back into your diet, if you feel a need to do so.

I've been thinking a lot about this cleanse diet and this time something that came up for me was the realization that perhaps the simplest way to continue eating in a wholesome, healthy and balanced way (a la cleanse) is simply to make sure that vegetables are the main part of your meal. Anything you add to it should be complimentary and in a much smaller portion. In other words, rather than think of vegetables as your "side dish", begin to think of them as your "main dish" and anything else as "sides". This approach will help you consume more vegetables which are most nutritious, easiest for the body to process and digest, most alkaline producing and least likely to create mood swings, cravings, etc. Part of our problem is that the main portion of our meals is usually an animal or a wheat-based product (like pasta) which results in difficult digestion, less nutrients to the body, more acid, more trouble for the liver and in the case of pasta, an insulin response (sugar highs and lows). So if you're struggling, rather than get really restrictive with yourself, perhaps you simply choose to undertake the "Vegetables As The Main Event" diet plan and chances are you'll begin to get full on your vegetables and will be less likely to consume nearly as much from the animal/wheat families.

Now, should you decide to incorporate some of the "restricted" foods we avoided during the cleanse again, do it slowly! Just as you pre-cleansed, you should also post-cleanse so your body doesn't go into gastro-intestinal shock, or any other kind of shock for that matter! I must say, if possible, don't go back to caffeine and sugar. These two things seem to function like demons that begin to control your mind - one week away from them and we saw it! Do you want to go back into their grips? Ok, my personal preaching aside now, post-cleansing should consist of you very slowly and gradually bringing things you feel you want back in. So if you're going to start back on dairy, you might start by having a dish that has butter in the sauce, or maybe one with a little yogurt in it or some milk and honey in your tea rather than have a 32 oz glass of chocolate milk or an ice cream sundae or a quesadilla!

The main foods we cut out are:

Meat
Eggs
Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, cream)
Wheat products
Processed Foods (most packaged foods sold in the aisles of the store vs. the perimeter)
Sugar
Coffee/Soda
Chemicals (nutrasweet, splenda, diet drinks, etc)

In general, you would NOT want to start back by consuming things from multiple restricted groups, like eggs with cheese and toast, for example. Pasta with meat sauce and garlic bread...cereal with milk and a cup of coffee...you get my drift, right? Your body has had 6 days or more without these things and will probably not be too happy with your aggressive "re-entry".

You have to ask yourself, where are the vegetables in any of these examples? Yet, they are very typical meals. No wonder our bodies have so much trouble...Please don't think of these "restricted" foods as something to reward yourself with for having done the cleanse. Is it really a reward for your body, or just your mind? Your mind can be re-trained but our body can't get nutrients where there are none! This was a practice of mindfulness, not self-deprivation so no "reward" is needed.

Just as an interior decorator can design a whole house around something as humble as a single throw pillow, let us begin to design our whole meals around our humble vegetable dish. This way what is essential gets taken care of first - you're not restricting yourselves from other things but changing your food priorities to benefit this exquisite instrument we ask so much of each day for our entire lives.

Love and lettuces,
G

Friday/Saturday Playlist

Mornin' Kulis!

As I suspected I would, I'm spending this chilly Sunday morning thinking of you all, wondering how you're making your first "off the cleanse" choices. From your little i or your Big I? I'm sending you wishes for steadiness and ease.

I had some requests for the playlist we enjoyed on Friday and Saturday mornings so here goes. Many of these are available on iTunes...

Deep Love (Aquilo's Arabian Dub) by DJ Raja from Ganesh Lounge
Kurthi Mal Mal Di, artist unknown, album unknown (bhangra music)
Within You Without You by The Beatles from Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
Positive Vibration by Bob Marley& The Wailers from Natural Mystic
Fly Like an Eagle by Seal from Seal: Best 1991-2004
Human Beings by Seal from Seal: Best 1991-2004
One by U2 from Achtung Baby
Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys from The Greatest Hits, Vol 1
Changes by David Bowie from Changesbowie
Brand New Day by Van Morrison from Moondance
Lean on Me by Bill Withers from Bill Withers' Greatest Hits
Knockin' On Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan from Bob Dylan: The Collection - Biograph
Let It Be by The Beatles from 1
Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel (with Kate Bush) from Hit (Disc 1)

A suggestion: This transition period is extremely important. What you do over the next couple of days may set the tone for your new habits to either take hold or not. Besides continuing mindfulness (and perhaps restraint) with your diet, I urge you to keep up your seated meditation practice. Each day set aside 15 minutes, use a kitchen timer and just sit with your mala and repeat and/or meditate on your mantra. If you don't have 15 minutes to set aside each day, maybe we should talk ;) In addition, please look at your week's activities and decide now which days you're going to practice asana. Practice making this a priority. If you skip a week, simply because you have just done such a big, long week of yoga and now you're busy, you will be shocked and amazed to see how quickly your current intentions fade. Just one week and it can evaporate, I've seen it happen too many times to not "warn" you about it now. It really happened with the Spring Kula. "I'll give myself a week long break" turned into months, no joke.

I'm here to help you put the changes you've initiated into practice - as are we all!!

Big love,
Gina

Thank you kula!!!

Kula,

Thanks to all of you for sharing your "nuggets of wisdom" throughout the cleanse - whether stated or written on the blog. I wish I would have opened up more during the cleanse, but I am, nonetheless, fortunate to have gone through the experience with all of you.

This morning, as we were all discussing our feelings about the cleanse, I was reminded of a temple I visited in Bangalore, India. It was a Shiva Temple, and the first thing you were able to do (after taking your shoes off) was to purchase a string to tie to a tree... there were "millions" of strings tied to this tree. The symbolism of this string was this... you think of something you want to leave behind, or let go of... and you tie the string to the tree to symbolize this letting go- and walk away from it. This was, of course, leading up to the Ganesha (remover of obstacles) statue / idol. I found this very helpful when I was there, and would love to find such a tree here. I still have more strings to tie!

As I said in this mornings discussion, I am encouraged to cast some anchors off because of our shared experience. I love the metaphore of being set free in the "sea of life"... possibly because I grew up in Miami - but I really like the sailing / sea metaphores.

I look forward to seeing you all in classes to come.

Blessings,
Jim (also Jim)

P.S. I would like to share my mantra... it is a translation of the Gayatri mantra:

Oh God, Thou art the Giver of Life,
Remover of Pain and Sorrow,
Bestower of Happiness
Oh, Creator of the Universe...
May we receive thy Supreme sin-destroying light,
May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction.

Hello friends,
As we sat and talked this morning, I could not help but to think how far I have came from out of darkness. When I look back and count my blessings. What a joy. How could I doubt or be afraid to move ahead, to grow, to step out but yet I am at times. Believe it or not I have a hard time talking in front of others for fear of saying the wrong thing or the wrong word at the wrong time and sometimes or a lot of the times I do. I have just learned to laugh at myself instead of beating myself up. It happens a lot right along with the bad speller in me. Facing my fears is not half as bad as I had ever imagined in fact quite the opposite.

Most of the time I am either repairing yesterday or preparing tomorrow in my mind. I know it is vital to reflect on our past to grow and to dream for tomorrow but sometimes I can get lost in that and not truly become present. I am a work in progress. Finding balance. Another thing that happens to me is random thoughts. They come at me so fast sometimes I can not comprehend them all. I have finally realized that I can cast down the wrong thoughts and focus on the right ones. What a treat to recognize and put into action. All obstacles are workable! Love That! Going to write that on on my wall!

Another note I have the worst headache ever! What's with that. I felt great all week and thought the diet was fun and even easy. Then wham right when we began yoga, Boom! Ouch! Headache!I came home and took a nap, woke up andit is still here. My first thought was to drink a diet coke but I am not going to. I am going to work through it. Then with talking with Michelle this morning, I'm thinking maybe it is not diet related but thought process related. Maybe I just need a bath and to go stand on my head. I seemed to get some relief when doing block stance in class.

I sooooo enjoyed the cleanse, Thank you for a wonderful experience. May this week forever be a positive effect in your lives.

Love is the answer,
Leslie

Gratitude to Oneness

I would like to express my feelings of gratitude to the kula,especially Gina for the energy, time, presences and mindfulness. It has been a privilege to watch you grow. I have made miraculous strides in growing my soul, thank you.
OM Namah Shivaya
Mike
.Om and salutations to That which I am capable of becoming

Sitting

It's me again.

I just wanted to say I am getting so much out of this cleanse. I absolutely love everything about it! Gina you still amaze me ever time! Always something fresh! A new twist, new pose, new insight, new music. Gotta love the music! During class today when asked to hold crescent, no problem but then to smile across the room, hard. Go figure. It IS all in the thought process. (Lightbulb moment.) Singing to the music really took me away from the action and brought me in touch with my heart. I was crying, a good cry with intense feelings of gratitude. What a awesome release. Thanks again for showing me, telling me how to sit. Realizing sitting is when we grow. Looking at failures or falling short as opportunities to learn, to grow. Then practicing what we know in our head by taking the steps one at a time.

Only one day left. What will you do on Sunday?

Choosing to be strong...

At the end of class this morning, Gina told us to notice if we had really enjoyed the practice...and to recall that the poses we did were the same poses we regularly do. So if there was great joy in our practice this morning (or great suffering), it wasn't about the practice...

It reminded me of this favorite little quotation:
"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of the work is the same." Carlos Castaneda

Those Pesky Negative Waves-From John

Evenin' Folks!

It's John channeling through Becky's posting. I haven't figured out how to get the KS immersion blogsite to pop up on my user name. Sigh...ten years of higher education and all that...

Anyway, I'd like to relate something that happened to me on Monday (I know, it's Thursday.. almost Woohooday - that's how I like to refer to tomorrow since normally at the end of the day I lean back in my chair and say Woo-hoo!) but I'd like to share anyway.

I had come home from the first evening practice after a meeting filled day which limited my ability to graze. However, I felt great at class, and on the drive home. I walked in the house to the smell of cooked onions. Salivary glands do your thing! Still, I was okay. That was until I was rummaging around in the fridge and Becky let me know that the potatoes I was coveting were for a dish tomorrow. Now, you might ask yourself, are potatoes worth getting upset, even angry over? Did Becky intentionally tell me that she wanted to use those tubers in a recipe tomorrow just because I wanted them? I did not ask myself that until after it happened (about 30 to 45 minutes later). I was sitting and thinking quietly about my reaction trying to distill down to the exact moment when those negative waves made their first appearance. The funny thing was, there were several other things that I could have started gnawing on, but I was fixated on those spuds.

The reason this is relevant (to me at least), is that over the next two days I had to drive to Topeka and back. Let me tell you. There are PLENTY of opportunites to witness the generation of those negative waves while on I-70. When I started feeling less than charitable thoughts about the drivers (note plural) that just cut me off, I kept asking myself, "Self, did he/she REALLY cut you off just to make you upset?" My answer was invariably "No" and most of the time it actually kept those pesky negative waves from forming (alright some of the time.....alright, alright a few times - but it worked! There were a LOT of opportunites to test this). Most of the time, I was picking myself up off the ground watching my reaction (e.g. Do I have a sign on my car that says, "Please cut me off even though I'm already driving over the speed limit.") drive away like a runaway tractor trailer (they seem to have those as well on I-70) that had just flattened me (i.e. analysing after the fact).

I have been reading lately that those things that really tie my insides up with frustration are nothing more than my reaction to a thought about a given situation. And that with practice, you can first replace those negative reactions with positive (or at least neutral) reactions. And that eventually, you will notice the thought, identify it as being as destructive, counter productive (negative) and let it float along with the other 60,000 or so thoughts that we experience daily without reacting to it.

Participating in the immersion has given me the motivation, reason, excuse (pick a noun) to investigate this. For this, I would like to thank all of you for participating and contributing to the kula.

By the way, today was first morning session. Wow! The energy in the room was palpable.

Keep smilin'!

John

Fasting T.V.

Thinking of you Michelle:

Just an idea. We did this last year, kind of on accident. It paid off. Our cable went out and took awhile for them to fix it. We decided that nothing that great was on anyway so we just decided to not watch for a week. Along the same line as the cleanse. We chose to do other things. We played cards, painted toenails, made crafts, baked, read ect..Laughed a bunch. It was harder for the kids than us but they would rather have are attention anyway. We created a lot of time we did not think we had and our house in return became peaceful. I am not a big T.V. fan anyway but I've noticed this experience made me picky about what I watch because I realized how valuable my time and what I put in my mind is. Another great idea is to really think of a good family movie you have been wanting to watch together as a family. It would give you the whole week to think about and look forward too.

Enjoy the moment.
Leslie

The paralyzes of analyses

Hello Yogis.
I always leave feeling so inspired to be more, do more, not busy wise but heart wise.

The paralyzes of analyses.
I have always found it interesting that I can feel 100 different ways about a certain situation or person or whatever in any given day or hour.. Sometimes I over think it to death. Till it loses its essences. I ask everyone's opinion which then clouds my own. I sometimes act out of emotions instead of wisdom. The reason I have brought this up is because so far during this cleanse. I have found myself able to hear my higher self a little clearer and I believe it is because a lot of things. My diet, the time I have devoted to my practice and the support of all of you. It still amazes me how easy it is to look at someone and see their struggles and be able to put your finger on it so easy but to look at ourselves and do that is much more of a challenge. I was listening to the radio and heard something like this on the way home. A smart person surrounds himself with people that COULD bring them higher, a wise person TAKES their advise. I gather from this you have to be in constant contact with your higher being so you can hear and know when to take wise advise from those you admire and trust. Only ask the opinions of those that have your best interest at heart.

It still in awe of how much we need each other. What is easy for some is hard for others. I don't think we truly get that sometimes. We can really learn from one another just by sharing, setting an example. It's in the little things.

Time for my bath and nap. I look at it as part of my Om Work!

Namast'e
Leslie

Welcome to the obstacle course...

As I listened to everyone talking this morning, I couldn't help but think of the kleshas. They are obstacles to growth and change that are described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The five kleshas are avidya, asmita, raga, dvesha, and abhinivesa. Avidya is ignorance. Asmita is ego. Raga is attachment. Dvesha is aversion. And abhinivesa is clinging to life.

In truth, avidya (ignorance) is the root of all the other kleshas. Ignorance takes several forms -- mistaking the impure for the pure, the temporal for the eternal, pleasure for pain, and non-self for self.

So much of what we all said today illustrates these obstacles. How wonderful that we are cleansing our minds, bodies and spirits so that we can begin to see them! It is the first step to avoiding them, stepping around them, removing them.

In particular, I found myself today reflecting on attachment and aversion. I find that attachment and aversion are easily illustrated on the physical level during the cleanse -- experiencing tremendous desire for a soy chai lets me know just how attached I've become to that sweet treat! I even experience this break from drinking soy chai as painful -- oh how I long for one! It's just not the same to sit at Starbucks and nurse plain green tea while journaling. That soy creaminess brings out the journaler in me...However, I know that my soy habit is no good. In fact, I know that I don't need soy. So, what I'm experiencing as painful is actually good for me -- and in that sense should be striking me as a tremendous pleasure.

Asana teaches many of the same lessons. I experience raising one arm while in plank as painful -- but it is good for me, not only on the physical level but also in that it is challenging...how can I begin to experience that as pleasurable? Oddly enough, my left side feels very strange in urdhva dhanurasana because of tightness caused by my surgeries -- yet I know that I need to lean into that strange, slightly painful feeling, need to work through it so that it doesn't get worse...thus even though it doesn't feel good, I don't experience it as painful.

It is crazy that the best of things can leave us hollow, disheartened, and the worst of things can lead us to amazing insights. Clearly the constant in each of these examples is me. How wonderful it is to be practicing being a still and bright flame as the winds blow all around me...

WITHIN

for Leslie
All you need is deep within you waiting to unfold and reveal itself. All you have to do is be still and take time to seek for what is within, and you will surely find it.

avoid seeking for and attaching yourselves to anything

Om Namah ShivayaOm and salutations to That which I am capable of becoming...

Focus?

Hi Friends,
I'm on the blog! Yes, I figured it out.

I am having so much fun and truly enjoying getting to listen to your stories, finding connections and maybe even looking through a different set of eyes to see things in a new light. There is so much wisdom within this group, I can just feel it. Thank you, I'm hoping some with rub off.

I am a multi-taker as most of us are but I seem to never get one thing completely done. I do not retain information well because I am always thinking of the next thing. Which also brings out the impatient me. Then there is the me that LOVES everything and needs to practice equanimity. Then you have the people pleaser me because I want everyone to be happy. Plus I think what makes me happy is what will make everyone else happy and I just don't get it when it doesn't work for them. I know there is medicine for this but I choose God and yoga, plus it is cheaper than therapy.

Honestly, I just want to Thank Gina and all of you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the tools, the insight, the human heart. As I listen to your stories it really helps me relate to the human side. I am not a perfectionist's at all and probably the worst speller you will ever meet and this has kept me from participating in the past but I am facing my fears and just blogging.

I like getting to know people and so I just wanted to let you know about me in hopes you'll tell me a little about you. I am 41. I have a husband of 15 yrs., 2 kids. A English Bulldog puppy (like having 5 kids). I am in search of what I want to do with my next 40 yrs.

Your stories connected with me:
My mom died of breast cancer at age 36, I was 10. I can only imagine what she went through. Listening to Ashley and Cindy, made me think of her at a whole different level. This is most of the reason I was to cherish each moment I have here on this earth by honoring my body, mind and spirit. I want to make the most of it. Having kids and knowing how my mom must of felt is hard but yet refreshing knowing the Love she was able to experience.

My Dad is alone and I want to take care of him as he ages by making time for him. (Burnidette)

I want more. All my friends are moving to bigger houses but I want to be with my kids more so I just have to learn to live with less. Less is definitely more. (Michelle)

My husband has had several jobs in the past years due to cut backs.(Susan)

Sometimes I get so focused I forget the big picture. I'm like a Martha.(Rod)

Anyway just wanted to share a little. We may all look different but we all have a story that helps create who we are and connects us. We just need to let it set us free instead of weighing us down. Yoga helps me put life into perspective and stay focused. I'm not where I need to be but thank God I'm on my way!

Thanks for being the wind beneath my wings,
Leslie

I came to Santa Fe this week to help a member of my chosen family (Elizabeth) while she has a knee replacement. Our plans changed when because of a siatica surgery was cancelled. It has been hard to watch someone I love in such pain.

My original plan was to do dissertation work from a hospital. Instead, I'm doing work among Elizabeth's grandchildren. This is more challenging because they of course want to spend time with me and I have to say no. Even so, I've made sure that work is getting done - but play is happening also. I'm lucky that I'm in an environment where both can occur. I'm not cooking meals, cleaning a house or any of those other things.

I was originally disappointed because I couldn't participate in the cleanse, and yet this week is teaching me something I need right now: juggling responsibilities. Hopefully I can take this lesson home - a place where I need that lesson the most.
Love,

Allison

Man my head hurts

I'm not sure really where I am going with this if only to share some of my experience this far. I have really felt horrible, so far my head will not stop hurting , I think at least 20 times today I said "Man my head hurts". I'm sure it's the lack of caffeine that is the culprit even though I never felt that I was dependent on it. To me it was always something that came along with my lovely diet pepsi that I drank 2 cans of a day. I'm getting kind of pissed that I can't have the things that I want and realizing that is exactly how I feel about the things in my every day life that I want (not just food). Things like another child, a bigger house, thinner thighs I'm not really sure where I'm going with this and how this experience will change me from where I am now.

I guess more to come!!

this is a test. I am actually in the blog. This alone is a major achievement. I am enjoying the sessions more than I thought I would. I like the yoga practice in the morning.

Surprisingly, I have not been exceptionally hungry, in either the physical or psychological sense. So far I haven't had any intense cravings. Its still early in the week, but I have had a lifelong sensitivity to low blood sugar. Maybe cutting out sugar and caffeine have made a difference. (also its pretty early in the week).

to my "kula" mates. May your road be smooth and your load be light.

Chris

I Can See Clearly Now...

I've noticed that today I'm not nearly as fixated on eating as I was yesterday. Yesterday it was mostly all I thought about after the 2 morning classes and today I am finding I have to remind myself to eat something or I won't make it through the classes tonight. It's like my mind has cleared and it's easier today to divert energy to other contemplations, not just my fixation on something crunchy and salty. I felt more primitive yesterday, whereas today I feel a bit more "evolved".

It's as if my food fixations yesterday represented the mental clutter that's usually present and the mindfulness we've been practicing with our food, our relationships in the kula, our practice, our meditation and our blog (or journal) is serving to carve away at that clutter. And by eating more simply, we're redirecting energy usually spent in processing complex foods.

These simple observations are important and beneficial to our spiritual evolution, which is why I highly recommend a journal or a few blog entries (and your OMwork if you haven't done it yet) during this significant week together. What you observe is perhaps not even as significant as the practice of observing. Slowing down enough to put it on paper will allow you gain some insight and may guide your future choices about how you nourish yourself and how you chose to live. During this cleanse and immersion we're practicing how to shift out of auto-pilot and become present in our experiences. Noting what we feel really helps us to learn from what we do, it forces the mind to slow down enough to pluck something and hold it for awhile.

May you view all your obstacles as workable :)

Love to all,
Gina

unattached

In keeping with what we talked aboutthis morning.
The brightly shining mind is never absent but is colored by the thoughts and emotions that people put upon it. If you were to see the luminous freedom of this mind, you would cultivate it before any other, keeping it free from all attachments.-Anguttara Nikaya
From "The Pocket Buddha Reader,"

Powerful Beyond Measure

Thanks to ashley for her wonderful words of wisdom, just a moment longer. They reminded me of a quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” by Marianne Williamson

Just a moment longer...

The little tag on my green tea this morning said, "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

It seemed a particularly appropriate thought for the day when I reflected on the way Gina always reminds us that we can hold certain asanas longer than we think we can -- if we just get beyond our own thinking, our own pattern of resistance to anything that's challenging. It seems to me that we all have a far greater capacity than we acknowledge...and we often attribute others' successes to some mysterious "it" factor that we don't have, when in fact it could just be that they have stopped thinking they can't do it.

I am always on the lookout (particularly during the cleanse) for those moments when I am tempted to congratulate myself for my lifestyle, my yoga practice, my diet, whatever...to take something that should be for the good of all and use it as an ego-fortifier rather than illusion-remover. Because the truth is that we all have the capability to do this cleanse and immersion and many other amazing feats if we would just breathe into them and believe rather than hold our breath and listen to the "little I."

Colon Cleanser Unplugged

This morning was such a sweet beginning to our week together, I thank you all so very much.

Just in case there is any confusion about why we're taking the colon cleanser, it is to provide the bulk to push all the decaying waste in your colon out the exit. The ingredients of the cleanser include 3 bulking agents (psyllium husk, flax seed and oat bran). These are what bulks up when combined with water and begin the push towards the out door.

So, the idea is NOT to dissolve the particles by blending them madly nor to make them dissapear into oblivion mixed with other things. It's to take them as-is so they can do their thing.

So, please take your colon cleanser ONLY with 8 ounces of water or apple juice. It has to be apple because it is non-acidic and support colon cleansing. Then, follow your 8oz with a glass of pure water.

Mixing it into something else or trying to get the particles to dissolve completely will only reduce their efficacy so then you're eating the foul stuff for nothing! Please take it by these specific directions so you can get the full benefit of this cleanse. Open your throat wide and banzai!! You can do it.

Let me know if you have questions...

Love and fiber,
G

Thank you to Gina

I just wanted to thank Gina for all the love, time, and energy she has taken to get everthing together for this cleanse! It is wonderful to have such a loving person decide to teach in Blue Springs!

Julie

Jeopardy

What person shared these great quotes with us?

Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.

The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible.

Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving
Mike

A Brilliant New Discovery!!!!!

One of the surprising and not-so-delightful things I have noticed about myself in my yoga practice is that I am no good at balance poses. This is outrageous to my ego because I am a Libra, for goodness' sake! Balance is my middle name! Then Gina has the gall to stand up there on her little stage and suggest that a lack of physical balance is related to a mind that lacks focus and stillness! This ridiculous theory of hers makes me angry, which makes me have less balance! Since we all know that the heart of yoga is doing the poses right and looking good, two weeks ago I decided to cut short my frivolous meditation time, and practice tree pose on each leg every morning until I am GOOD AT IT. So far I've seen no improvement at all, but that is O.K. because this morning I made an inspired discovery --- IF YOU CHANGE THE NAME OF THE POSE TO FIT WHAT YOU ARE DOING, THEN YOU ARE DOING IT RIGHT!!! For instance, my tree pose is now called "Beautiful Willow Flailing Dramatically In A Hurricane." My half-moon pose is now officially called, "Lunar Eclipse During A Giant Meteor Shower." I refuse to do Warrior 3 any more because it doesn't adequately express my essential nature; I now do my own version called, "Clever Warrior Lying Flat On The Ground In Ambush." I have not had time to translate these new classics into Sanskrit yet, but I am sure they will sound even better when I do. You can see me performing these asanas at my next yoga class, but the important thing is for you to be creative and take control of your yoga practice. It is now 6:45 a.m. and I picture you guys filing into the studio for the first session of the fall cleanse. Namaste ! And remember, if you get too tired, just collapse and say your inner buddha told you to!

I Second That Emotion

Like Clara, I too want to bless and congratulate the fall kula members. Also like Clara, I am sad not to be able to participate physically in the fall cleanse and immersion, but will hold all of you lovingly in my heart each day and in my daily meditation practice, which by the way, is a direct fruit of my participation in the spring cleanse and immersion. The second fruit of that labor, and by far the sweetest, was the experience of connection that came from spending a week with a group of like-minded people , all so "normal" on the surface but so breathtakingly beautiful on the inside. You guys are in for such a treat, and I am so happy for you!! Pema Chodron, my hero (whose books are available in the handy and ever-so-lovely Kansas Siddhi Yoga Boutique) says, "Taking refuge in the sangha -- other people on the path of the bodhisattva-warrior -- doesn't mean that we join a club where we're all good friends, talk about basic goodness together, nod sagely, and criticize the people who don't believe the way we do. Taking refuge in the sangha means taking refuge in the brotherhood and sisterhood of people who are committed to taking off their armor."

Blessings to the Fall Kula

Good Morning to the Fall Kula,

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you begin this incredible experience. I'm sorry not to be joining you. For those who are going through the cleanse for the first time, breathe deeply and enjoy this special time you have set aside for yourself -- everything from that wonderful internal cleanser (mix it with apple juice -- the only way to go!!) to trying new veggies that you will no doubt add to your regular diet.

Remember that you are not only doing this cleanse for yourself. You will be reaching others as well. Your family, co-workers, friends may be curious as to what you are doing -- what a great way to tell them of the magnificent way of Yoga! Don't miss an opportunity to share. It's planting a seed. You never know when it might take root and blossom.

While I'm not there with you physically, I will be getting up early and meditating and praying that your journey be a blessed one.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Aloo Mutter Recipe

Hi friends,

Thought I'd share one of my most favorite and simple Indian recipes that is cleanse friendly. It's called Aloo Mutter. "Aloo" is potato and "Mutter" is peas! I tend to cook by eye, smell and taste so I'm not good with giving amounts.

Cube some potatoes (peel if you like). Use enough potatoes for however many people are eating. I'm currently using some yummy purple potatoes from the farmers market but yukon golds, red potatoes, any good ones will do. Russets tend to get too mushy.

Chop an onion finely or whiz in your food processor. Also grind a 1" piece of peeled, fresh ginger or a couple teaspoons of bottled crushed ginger (available at HyVee in produce section).

Put 2Tbls or so of vegetable or olive oil in a pan, add the ground onion and ginger and fry them up until they are golden brown.

Add 1 teaspoon (more if you're making a lot) each of ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, 1/2 teaspon of turmeric and anywhere from 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne or any red chilli powder, depending on how spicy you like it. Stir these around in the onion/ginger mixture until they become fragrant. Add a 14oz can of organic canned tomatoes (diced, Muir Glen brand at HyVee or Nature's Pantry) and fry briefly.

Add your potatoes and 1/2 to 1 cup of organic frozen peas, stir to coat, add salt to taste (1 tsp or so) and fry for about 5 minutes.

Add 1 cup of water, stir to mix and cover with a lid. Simmer over gentle heat until the potatoes are soft and ready to eat. Adjust salt if necessary.

Serve over basmati rice (starting day 3 of the cleanse). No rice and it's ok for days 1 and 2!

After the cleanse you can add a 1/2 cup of plain yogurt after the tomatoes to make the sauce a little creamier.

Enjoy! Aloooooo!

pay attention

Women observe subconsciously a thousand little details, without knowing they are doing so. Their subconscious mind adds these little things together--and they call the result intuition.-Agatha Christie

I'm a Pepper, You're a Pepper, We're a Pepper...

A few weeks ago, I went to a little program on meditation. The guy leading the program was really personable, and I enjoyed his guided meditation. After he'd concluded his presentation, he asked if there were any questions from the assembled group. Someone asked him about food and its effect on the mind. He acknowledged that food does indeed affect the mind, and he suggested consuming living foods that are simple. What interested me most about his response, though, was that he said (based on his background in Ayurveda) it takes three days for our bodies to convert what we eat into what we are...That is, three days from today, my body will be composed of what I ate today, a reflection of what I ate today. As I've been preparing for the cleanse, this image has actually inspired me. It's not that I'd never before heard that we are what we eat -- who hasn't heard that? I guess it is the clarity with which he described that it takes some time for the effects of the food we eat to make themselves evident at a cellular level. I think our culture teaches us primarily to think about food with respect to how it will make us look -- as in whether or not it will add fat to our bodies -- rather than how it will impact our health in the long run. Beginning to really focus on whether I am consuming healthy building blocks for the cells and tissues of my body makes eating an experience in self-care rather than a mindless activity.

And, fortunately for me, I will not be composed of fritos and bean dip in three days, but rather grapes and a really colorful raw salad!

Twisting Your Outcomes
In a recent class on twists with Aadil Palkhivala, we repeated Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose) numerous times on each side. I secretly hoped the fourth repetition would be our final. Apparently I was not alone; when Aadil requested we do it again, some members of the class grimaced.
Aadil responded with a twinkle in his eye, as he cautioned against the mistaken interpretation of pleasure as pain. Letting the message sink in, I approached the next repetition of the twist with the anticipation of pleasure, rather than pain, and indeed found myself going deeper into the twist and deeper into my enjoyment of it.

This week, notice the areas of your practice—and your life—that you approach with trepidation, or even anticipation of pain. If the way you keep your mind determines the way you experience the world, could you be twisting your outcomes with these projections? As an experiment, devote one practice session to your most challenging pose, and infuse your efforts with the Shiva-like quality of chidananda—supreme bliss that is self-aware. If you have any trouble maintaining your good humor, take Sally Kempton's advice and fake it till you make it. from yoga journal
mike

Courage To Change

.....................be present
Courage To Change
To Seek Unknown Potential
It takes great courage and inner strength to change from what is known and comfortable to something which is new and fresh. That which is unknown often contains our greatest potential. To seek our potential by risking change is the path of true greatness. Such action brings great favor and untold blesings.
Namaste,
Mike

Oh how I love dandelion tea...

Hi all,

I know some of you also found the dandelion root extract especially nasty. I have been experimenting with different amounts of hot water. It is pretty tolerable if you add 1.5-2.0ml to at least a half-full mug of hot water and drink it like tea.

-Jeff

Thoughts So Far

Good morning kula!

How is the pre-cleanse period going so far? Please share with us your thoughts so far or if you've been "too busy" to think about it yet. This is an opportunity for us to really come together as a group so please don't succomb to feeling shy or being concerned that you're not a good writer.

To share a few words about your experience, please click the "Comments" link below this posting and after typing click the button to publish it. If you have problems, let me know!

Namaste,
Gina

Ode to the Liver and More...

Forgot to share this little recipe yesterday, so am posting it here. Now, before you immediately write it off as, well, disgusting, let me tell you that I've tried this and it is actually pretty tasty -- you just have to try it.

1 beet peeled and grated
1 granny smith apple peeled and grated
2 carrots grated
Fresh squeezed lemon mixed with olive oil to make dressing

Mix the grated apple, beet and carrot together in a bowl. Top with the lemon & olive oil dressing. Mix well and eat immediately.

Beets are excellent liver cleansers, and apples and carrots are great for the digestive system, so this mixture is very cleansing and actually tastes good. Carrots and beets are both very sweet, so using the tart granny smith apple is important to cut the sweetness. Give it a try.

The "and more" of this post relates to the fact that there are twenty-seven beads in our cleanse malas and twenty-seven people in our Fall Cleanse kula. That makes each one of us like a bead on the mala...like a mantra or a prayer. Each one of us linked together in a prayer that is being said by our community for our world. What we are offering to the world is clean bodies, minds and spirits. Bodies and spirits that can breathe. Prayers said with our bodies in each asana practice we have done and will do together. As we cleanse ourselves of not only the accumulated toxins of our diets and environmental exposures (and in my case chemo and radiation), may we simultaneously be offering our clean bodies, minds and spirits to the world...because when we are clean, we see more clearly, and when we see more clearly, we know ourselves and others more fully. Knowing ourselves and others allows us to offer our hearts and our love and our service more freely.

Sunday Morning Satsang

Please join me this Sunday morning, October 8, at 9:30 am for our Kansas Siddhi Yoga Satsang. If you've haven't been yet, these are informal gatherings where we come together to explore our yoga practice off the mat. It is an opportunity to deepen our existing sadhana (practice) by learning more about the teachings of yoga, pranayama (yoga breathing) and meditation.

The yogic sages believed that meditation was the sure way to samadhi, a state of perpetual bliss despite anything that's happening around us. In theory meditation sounds great, putting it into practice is rarely easy.

Come and explore the other limbs of yoga, beyond the physical practice and spend time basking in the supportive glow of your yoga kula.

Sunday, October 8
9:30-10:30am
By donation

Namaste,
Gina

one more reason to connect

Aging Gracefully .. Sarah Wilson celebrated her 100th birthday in 2002. Still involved in family and religious activities, she maintains many close personal relationships. At her retirement center, Sarah keeps a sign on her door: "I need your company more than my sleep. Please wake me." Researchers say that Sarah's connections with people may be a major reason she's in such good shape. Read more
Namaste,
Mike

I'm in...

I've joined the blog... and I'm looking forward to meeting other participants and asking rookie questions on Friday.

-Jim

Welcome New Fall Yoga Immersion & Cleanse Kula!

A warm and joyous welcome to all who are participating in the Fall Yoga Immersion & Cleanse!

We have a magnificent and inspiring group of yogis joining in, a perfect blend of repeaters and newcomers. Please help the newest members of our kula feel as welcome and supported as possible. Please feel free to offer any advice or anecdotes and teach by example by posting your experiences, thoughts and feelings like we did last time.

And if you're a repeater, please don't feel the need to be a "perfect" example. Sometimes simply by sharing your "imperfections" during this time, we are giving others permission to be imperfect as well.

If you're a newcomer, be brave and use this space to truly open yourself to the loving support of your kula. This will help you beyond measure.

Love to you all,
Gina