Finding Steadiness in Vata Season

"Remaining still will be the Vata challenge as well as the reward."
                                                                  -Dr. David Frawley and Sandra Summerfeld Kozak M.S.-


During the Vata season, the body mirrors the changes in the weather: dry, cold, ungrounded.  Literally, Vata means wind.  This time of year can be challenging for all constitutions, especially Vata.  In order to pacify the flighty, anxious, cold qualities of Vata, an asana practice consisting of slow, deliberate movement is beneficial.  Forward folds, twists and standing postures serve to move the prana into the pelvic bowl and the legs to ground and warm the body, calm the mind and maintain regularity in the system.   Quick movements with short holds exacerbate Vata, so move through asana slowly and hold postures for several breaths.  Nadi Shodhanam (alternate nostril breathing), is a calming pranayama practice and bhastrika (the bellows breath) is a warming pranayama practice.   Because Vata tends toward dryness, internally and externally, a diet of warm, moist food is key.  Add warming spices and oils to your food, to stoke your fire and lubricate the body. Since Vata tends to be cold, avoid iced drinks in favor of warming teas and even hot water.  Before showering, massage warming sesame oil on the skin and allow it to absorb for 20-30 minutes, pulling out toxins and moisturizing the skin.
Make space in your day for quiet time, being still and meditating. That might be the most critical tip for pacifying Vata.  Slow down, be still, honor your Vata and be restored.

6 YEARS AND GOING STRONG

"Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude."                                                                  -A.A. Milne-


 I am holding a rather large amount of gratitude in my heart, today, as I celebrate my 6th year of teaching yoga. On September 17, 2008, I taught my first class to an eager group of mostly beginner yogis. That one class soon grew to two, then three and before long, seven classes a week. I feel blessed to be able to share my love for yoga with all who walk through the doors. How lucky am I to wake up every morning and joyfully go to work? I find it difficult to even call teaching yoga, work. Many thanks to all of you who come to the mat to practice with me. You are my motivation to continue to learn and practice. Here's to another 6 years and more. Om, peace, peace, peace.

My First Yoga Video is Here!

Good news! I got the video set for you to practice while I'm away. This is my first endeavor, so, please be patient with the low volume and buffering. The practice is mostly the joints and glands series, which is for all levels. I hope you take time to do the practice. Let me know how you like it. Blessings, Kate http://">www.veoh.com/watch/v737401402pcMcXfe To view the video, copy and paste the link onto your browser.

Connecting to the Manipura Chakra

"When the energy of this chakra flows freely, the effect is like that of a power station, constantly supplying vitality-bestowing balance and strength." -Yoga in Daily Life- Literally translated, maipura means city of gems. This 3rd chakra,located at the navel center, is clearly highly regarded to bear such an auspicious name. The manipura governs digestion and metabolism on the physical and energetic levels. In ayurveda, it is believed that this is the seat of our health. It is aligned with the fire element- too much fire, or too little fire create ill health. A strong, balanced fire at the navel center allows us to not only digest the food we eat,but to assimilate the world around us- emotions, experiences, other people. Just as fire transforms, so too does a strong, healthy manipura chakra. It helps us to overcome feelings of inertia and sets us on the path to strengthening our will, determination and ability to stay the course. When the navel center is well cared for and nurtured, there is a sense of being comfortable in your own skin, a sense of confidence. I attended a workshop several weeks ago, in which the facilitator spoke of how she had used Abdominal Squeeze,or Akunchana Prasarana, to transform her life after a particularly depleting time. To do this practice, stand with your feet mat width apart, knees bent, hands resting on your thighs, just above the knees. On an inhalation, allow the abdomen to fill and on the exhalation, draw the navel towards the spine, squeezing the abdomen. Breathe at your normal pace and begin with about 10 repetitions. All the breath is through the nose. I use this practice in the classes I teach and extoll its virtues, but I have taken on the practice with increased fervor. I committed to doing 50 repetitions as part of my morning practice. It has been about a month now and I have gradually increased my practice. On a purely physical level, this is great work to strengthen the abdominal muscles,toning and lifting the internal organs. I have found that my appetite has increased and my energy is more balanced throughout the day. I have noticed that I have motivation to take on projects and complete them. I've heard that Swami Rama, the founder of the Himalayan Institute said that if you did 100 Abdominal Squeezes a day, you could digest a pebble! I might get to 100 reps daily, but I think I'll skip the pebble!

I'M BACK!

Pardon my three month absence, if you please. Though some have found this winter particularly harsh, it was a fabulous winter for skiers. I happen to be one of those skiers! So, I played hooky from my blog and enjoyed the great outdoors. Alas, the rain today is putting an end to the ski season. It's good to be back. I opened class this morning with this quote: "Submit to a daily practice. Your loyalty to that is a ring at the door. Keep knocking and eventually the joy inside will look out to see who is there." -Rumi- What is your daily practice? You can begin with a few short minutes every day. Eventually, your mind and body will ask for that mindful movement. When you miss a day or two, or three, your body will let you know. Find your breath, allowing it to initiate the movement and see what unfolds. What better reward for your loyalty than joy?

FINDING YOUR LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." -Elizabeth Kubler Ross- Here's the good news. We have 15 days left before the days begin to grow longer! Most holidays that are celebrated this time of year use candles to represent the light within. It certainly can be more difficult to find that inner light when it's cold and dark outside. There are many days when it would be so easy to cuddle up on the couch with a good book, instead of braving the cold outdoors for a walk, or stepping onto the mat. Good, consistent habits, like yoga and meditation help you to feel better, both physically and mentally. Take a few minutes each day to activate the navel center, the seat of your digestive fire. Do a few minutes of abdominal squeeze, or a few curls. When the body and mind are aligned, it is easier to find that inner light. Preparing healthy, nourishing foods to warm and comfort, also helps to ease the winter doldrums. A brief meditation, visualizing the light at the heart center, is a good way to start the day. A little trick I use is to smile just for the sake of smiling. Your whole being lights up when you smile, even when you're faking it! Choose one or two practices that you can weave into your day that will keep the inner light burning brightly. And,remember,smile. You are the light!

BEING MINDFUL

One of my favorite songs from back in the day is Simon and Garfunkel's 59th Street Bridge. The first verse goes like this: Slow down you move too fast, you got to make the morning last just kicking down the cobblestone, looking for fun and feeling groovy." Let me explain. No less than four times over the last 10 days, I have come uncomfortably close to being hit by a car. After the 4th close call, that song came into my mind and I began repeating it over and over in my head, like a mantra. I did an inventory of my actions, wondering if I might have been daydreaming, not paying attention to my surroundings as I crossed the street in those four instances. While I certainly have and can be guilty of not paying attention, or moving too fast, that wasn't the case. In each of the near misses, the driver was going very fast and clearly was intent on getting through the light. I think there are a couple factors at play: not enough pedestrians and a lack of mindfulness. Since there are very few people on foot these days, I don't think drivers look for or even expect to be slowed down by someone walking across the street. Secondly, people are multitasking behind the wheel: talking on the phone, texting, thinking about what's next on the to-do list, anxious to get to work or home to complete the next task. In yoga philosophy and asana, we practice mindfulness. We practice being in the moment, to feel the sensation in the body as we breathe, moving in and out of postures. The practice is not about what is planned for later in the day, but rather, what is happening in the moment- being present for the experience. I must admit that I am a bit tentative these days as I cross the street, especially at night! But, at the same time, I am being called to be mindful of my surroundings, making eye contact if possible with drivers before I cross the street. In the future, I am going to heed my own advice when I get behind the wheel, practicing mindfulness and, before I turn the key in the ignition, repeat my new favorite mantra, "slow down you move too fast!"