In response to: “The Future of Yoga in America”

As a current yoga teacher trainee who is just over half-way through a 14 month, 200-hour teacher training program, I feel compelled to respond to the article that Ira Israel published on the Huffington Post a few months ago (read it here).  Ira has not only issued pure opinions as facts, but has also chosen to use scare tactics to get his point across.  Come on man, the ‘scare tactic’ trend is getting a little old, don’t you think?

Anyways.

I too, am working towards becoming a licensed counselor.  I am finishing up a master’s degree program that also costs tens of thousands of dollars and am completing hundreds of hours of internship for no pay.  Just as Mr. Israel mentioned, I also will have to take a barrage of licensing exams.

Although I do appreciate the training I have received through my formal education, I must admit that this teacher training program has been more intensive than my master’s degree ever was.  By the time this training is completed, I will have spent hours not only learning how to teach asana, but also completing multiple apprenticeships with some of Chicago’s top teachers, over 50 hours of anatomy classes, a video review process where I am thoroughly critiqued on my teaching, multiple workshops learning Sanskirt, the Yoga Sutras, the Vedas, Ayurveda, ethics, and the Yamas and Niyamas.  And to wrap it all up, I will complete a thesis project.  Once finished, I expect that I will have spent anywhere between 700 and 900 hours on this “200 hour” certification.  So to assert that, “yoga studios pump out a plethora of under-experienced teachers. Many of these are the same teachers — who are all in competition for a limited number of jobs and students — are the ones “wrecking the bodies” of students” is a gross generalization.

The Yamas and Niyamas, which he so conveniently left out of his article, contain ethical guidelines set forth by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.  They are (in English): nonviolence, truthfulness, nonstealing, nonexcess, nonpossessiveness, purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and surrender.

The article that Ira wrote seems to be in direct violation of almost all of the Yamas.  It is violent, untruthful, excessive, and possessive.  In choosing to write this article, the author has chosen to devalue all up-and-coming yoga teachers.  Not only speaking in huge generalizations about how new yoga teachers, “don’t understand that yoga is primarily a spiritual tool, not a physical exercise practice to make you look better”, but by publishing the absurdly confident rant in the paragraph beginning with “Here’s how it will happen”.  I guess Ira has never heard of the Law of Attraction.  He should be careful about putting those types of statements out into the universe.

In the midst of his argument that perhaps teaching yoga should include more regulations, he has also possibly frightened even more people away from yoga and away from new teachers whom are eager and passionate about sharing this beautiful and spiritual practice.

Lastly- as a fellow therapist, I recommend that Ira review the term projection and explore where his harsh sentiments are really rooting from.

Om Shanti

The Yogic Diet

This video was just posted a couple hours ago by the amazing Kino MacGregor, and I just had to share it here.  She provides some insight as to why so many yogi’s choose a veg lifestyle.  Kino has such a vast amount of yoga knowledge and I am grateful for her daily videos- so inspiring!

Check out my previous post inspired by Kino.

White Bean and Kale Stew

Ok, I know it has been FOREVER since my last post, and I could start with a million and one excuses about why I haven’t been blogging, but I will save you the details.  Basically, I have been enjoying this wild new ride that my life is on and my trusty old blog got pushed aside.  But that’s ok, because now I am back with a mouth watering new recipe in tow!

I have been gaga for kale lately.  Especially since my local grocer started selling GIANT bags of pre-cut kale.  It’s not organic, so I have to double wash it, but it’s totally easy to grab a handful and throw it in my smoothie, or toss some in the oven for tasty kale chips.

Today, I finally have a little more time on my hands so I made a snuggle-worthy white bean and kale stew.  It’s pretty quick and easy, and uses ingredients that are staples in my kitchen:

6 cups kale chopped

1 tablespoon evoo

5 cloves garlic minced

1/2 large yellow onion chopped

1 can white beans drained and rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes partially drained

4 cups vegetable broth

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (can be adjusted for more or less spice)

3/4 cup fresh parsley chopped

Rinse the kale in a colander or salad spinner and set to the side.  Add garlic, onion, and olive oil to a large pot and saute until soft.  Add all of the kale and stir for a few minutes until just beginning to wilt.  Add 3 cups of the broth, tomatoes, half of the beans and all of the spices/herbs to the pot.  Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.  Add the remaining beans and 1 cup of broth to a blender and blend until smooth.   Stir into the soup as a thickener.  Let simmer for 15 minutes and serve.

I added a dollop of greek yogurt, because come on- everything is better with a dollop of greek yogurt.  Plus, it adds a little extra protein to this veggie dish.

This stew has vitamins B,K, A, and C, and adds LOTS of fiber and iron to your day (which we could all probably use a little more of).

So-give this healthy stew a go and let me know what you think!

Yoga: The Original form of Psychology

Yoga sutra 1.2: Yoga is the control of the modifications of the mind-field.

Or in layman’s terms:

Yoga is diving headfirst into the murkiness in your mind- those places that are so tightly wound around old memories, bad habits, and negative self-talk that they prevent you from fully living.

What better way to complement the work you are doing in counseling than to roll out a yoga mat and fully commit to freeing your mind of the modifications that limit your full potential. Counseling along with yoga can provide a portal to growing into your true-self, or your divine nature- and what a BEAUTIFUL time that growth can be!

Many people’s vision of yogis include slim young ladies twisted up like pretzels or dread-locked hippies meditating in full lotus position. But what people fail to realize is that yoga is not about being thinner or more beautiful, it is about working towards full self-realization and living the most basic form of your own truth.

The postures you see being practiced in yoga are there simply to move you more deeply into the mind-field, that same place that we speak from during counseling sessions. Out of the 196 Yoga Sutras, practicing physical postures, or asanas, is only mentioned three times. So why is it then, that so many people will tell a counselor their deepest desires, but are scared of what might happen on the yoga mat? Are they scared to look silly in a posture or are they nervous about what they may learn about themselves? Twisting your body into a pretzel shape on the yoga mat is simultaneously untwisting your mind from the pretzel that it may have been twisted into your whole life. The mind body connection is undeniable and when you restrain the body, you inevitably free the mind.

Tangy Sweet Potato & Black Bean Salad

I love this dish.  It can be served so many different ways and is hearty and healthy- making it perfect to balance your kapha energy this fall.

Also, this dish comes together super quick and uses minimal ingredients making it very affordable!

(adapted from Epicurious)

Ingredients:

1 Large Sweet Potato

1 can of Black Beans (drained and rinsed)

2 small Tomatoes, chopped

1 tablespoons Lime Juice

1 1/2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 teaspoon Honey

1 clove of Garlic, minced

1/2 cup Scallions sliced

1/2 cup fresh Cilantro roughly chopped

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt/Pepper

Preheat oven to 400.  Peel and chop sweet potato into 1 inch cubes.  Arrange cubes in a single layer on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.  Toss to coat. Add a few dashes of salt and pepper and place in the oven for 15-20 or until very tender.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together lime juice, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, and a dash of salt and pepper.

Add cooked sweet potatoes, tomatoes, scallions, black beans, and cilantro to the bowl with the dressing.  Toss to coat.

This dish can be served warm or at room temperature.  I usually eat it alone because it is that delicious and filling, but if you want to add even MORE healthy and filling benefits to this dish try serving it over a bed of baby spinach or brown rice- or both!

This recipe keeps in the fridge for a few days and can be served in all sorts of creative ways all week.

Enjoy! 

America’s Cancer INDUSTRY

Please take a few minutes to watch this eye opening talk on America’s food/cancer industry. The statistics are shocking. PLEASE educate yourself and your family on making smart food choices.

The food revolution can start with you!

According to youarewhatyoueat.tumbler.com:

“Oncologists have long been using crude weapons to fight cancer — cut out tumors or use chemotherapy that kills good cells as well as bad ones. Drug companies say that new cancer drugs will change this — for a price. Last year Gleevec grossed $4.3 billion, Herceptin made $6 billion and Avastin $7.4 billion.

Cancer drugs are often horribly expensive. Last year biotech drugs accounted for 70 percent of the increase in pharmaceutical costs in America. In general, cancer plays a huge role in raising costs. America’s National Institutes of Health predicts that spending on all cancer treatment will rise to $158 billion in 2020 — or, if drugs become pricier, as seems likely, as high as $207 billion.

None of this is likely to change so long as the conventional medical establishment and organizations like the American Cancer Society, which appears to be far more interested in money than it is in finding a cure, continue to have their way.”

(Source)

Fast Food vs. Home Cooking: A Price Comparison

And don’t forget to include the long-term healthcare costs of eating fast food regularly when deciding what is really less expensive….

(Source)

Atha yoga anushasanam

Yoga Sutra 1.1  “Now, after having done prior preparation through life and other practices, the study and practice of yoga begins”  (atha yoga anushasanam)

Over the weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a discussion with Kino Macgregor, a world renowned ashtanga yoga teacher and founder of the Miami Life Center.  Her presence is beautiful and she literally glows as she is talking about yoga, her life’s passion.  Knowledge of the yoga sutras poured out of her and her sanskrit and chanting seemed to come from another world – a place much older than this one.  She has the ability to channel something sacred.  With my eyes open, I saw an attractive young woman, but with my eyes closed there was a very old and wise soul in the sound of her voice.  A soul moving toward moksha.

Although, my head was swirling with information after her talk, there were a few key points that stuck out to me.  First, practicing yoga equals diving head first into the murkiness that is our thinking mind.  Yoga has the ability to bring to the forefront of our thought the ugliness that we have been hiding from.  This idea really made an impression on me.  As a counselor, I strive to help my clients understand that without going into those scary places, healing will not occur.  And the thought that dedication to yoga also means entering these very same scary places means allowing the samskaras to play out on the mat as well as in the default world.

Another topic that Kino shared with us was dedication to practice.  Without dedication, we will never truly bring to light and let go of our samskaras.  We cannot just practice yoga when it is convenient, or when we feel like it. We must practice everyday.  Whether it be 10 minutes of sun salutations or 90 minutes of vinyasa, we must be dedicated.  Something that really struck home for me was when she gave the example of choosing to have a few glasses of wine rather than practicing yoga.  I have struggled with balancing my ‘social life’ and my ‘yoga life’.  This Friday, I have the opportunity to practice with one of my favorite teacher’s teacher.  As much as I would love this experience, I keep shying away from it because of possible social gatherings.  Yet, Kino’s voice continues to reverberate in my head and I know deep down that I should go to the workshop.

Something has guided me to yoga, and now there is an even stronger force daring me to jump in head first.  And as I teeter on the edge, I can’t help but wonder where it will take me…….

Chipotle Rice and Beans & Cream of Cauliflower Soup

These recipes come to us from the Urban Zen Foundation- an amazing movement founded by fashion designer, Donna Karen.

Urban Zen’s mission statement:

“The Urban Zen Foundation creates, connects and collaborates to raise awareness and inspire change in the areas of well-being, preserving cultures and empowering children in mind, body and spirit. Urban Zen designs forums, partners with existing organizations and brings together experts to define solutions and implement action.”

After supporting her husband and best friend during their battles with cancer, Donna Karen noticed a hole in the healthcare system thus starting the wellness initiative at the Urban Zen Foundation.  The wellness initiative focuses on a much needed shift toward hospitals integrating holistic wellness into their treatments rather than just treating the disease.

Urban Zen now has an amazing Integrative Therapy Program which trains members of the yoga and healthcare communities in the modalities of yoga therapy, reiki, essential oil, nutrition, and contemplative care.  There is even a program at my alma mater, Kent State University, educating the nursing students on the importance of self care.

So when @Urban_Zen posted these recipes on twitter, I was on board!  The recipes are easy, healthy, and take minimal ingredients (in other words-cheap) so I knew they were Poor Girl worthy!

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

SERVINGS: 8

INGREDIENTS:

1 large head cauliflower, cut into chunks
1/2 medium yellow onion, halved
1 large sprig fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons rice flour
6 cups water
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

METHOD:

• In medium pot, combine cauliflower, onion, rosemary and water. Cook on medium (covered) for roughly 25 minutes or until cauliflower is soft to fork’s touch
• When done, remove rosemary sprig then add mixture to blender in 2 batches adding 1 tablespoon of rice flour to each batch
• Purée until smooth and creamy
• Pour back into pot; salt and pepper to taste

Chipotle Rice and Beans

SERVINGS: 6

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, small dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sundried tomatoes (unsluphered), rough chop
1/2 teaspoon ground chipolte chili powder
1 cup white basmati rice
1 15 oz can black beans
3 cups vegetable broth
salt, to taste
2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, rough chop

METHOD:

• In a large pan, add olive oil and sauté onions, garlic, sun dried tomatoes and chili powder on medium low until onions are browned (about 3-5 minutes)
• Add rice, black beans and broth. Mix well, cover and cook on medium low for 20 minutes
• Salt to taste
• Finish with parsley

Try them out for yourself and let me know what you think!

Chugging Along….

Holy Moly, these past couple weeks have been busy for me!  I’ve been going and doing non-stop and can feel the fatigue setting in.  A solid 48 hours of just being would suit me well right about now, but unfortunately the ‘nothingness’ that I am craving is not an option as of yet.

So, here is my plan to keep on keepin’ on:

1.  Have some fun tonight with my hubby!  If that means a dance party in the kitchen, then so be it.  I want to get my boogie on.

2.  Set my own schedule for tomorrow.  My schedule has been dictated by clients, yoga classes, and family lately.  Tomorrow-I’m calling the shots.  Sleeping in and vegan baking are both on the agenda! (oh yeah, and of course yoga)

3.  Coffee.

4.  Get re-organized.  Keeping things straight between my internship, yoga training, and class has been quite a task.  Especially when my ‘office’ is me sitting on the couch with a laptop surrounded by books and paperwork that my cat insists on laying on.  Today, I’m going to take some time to get everything back in functional working order.

5.  And last but not least, nutritious foods to keep me going-Duh!

Ok, so I admit- maybe this post was all about me, but I have been putting ‘me’ on the back burner lately.  And I needed to vent.

What do you do to stay motivated when life gets hectic??

What the Average American Eats in a Year

Americans are averaging 2,700 calories per day.  Check out this graphic that represents what we are filling our bellies with.

Source

Poor Girl Recipe: Kale Salad

What do you do when you have a bunch of kale in the refrigerator and don’t feel like cooking?  Make a kale salad.

Dressing:

1/2 red pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1 lemon
1 tablespoon agave nectar or sugar
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth

Salad:

1 bunch of kale, spines removed, chopped
1 large carrot peeled with a vegetable peeler
1 green onion thinly sliced
1/2 cup almonds roughly chopped

Pour the dressing over the salad and massage into kale leaves. This is good when eaten immediately, but REALLY good the next day (if it makes it that long)!

This salad is cheap, and super healthy providing lots of vitamin K, A, C, fiber, B6, B2, potassium, magnesium, and more!

To good health!