Back in Action

Hello my dear readers,

I apologize for the long hiatus. However, the time was well spent. My husband and I welcomed our son, Rocco, on February 16th. He has added a new layer of joy and learning to our lives. Of course, my appreciation for yoga and its teachings has grown since becoming a parent. It has enabled me to enjoy the present moment to its fullest, dig deep to overcome challenges, and to find the time to just BE in the midst of the happy chaos.

I am pleased to announce that my site has been updated and many exciting classes and workshops are on the horizon. Please visit Sara Yoga for details.

Peace and love to all of you!

All or Nothin'

The all or nothing mentality is easy to spot, because we all become enraptured in it at some point.  So often a student of mine will say something resembling, "I couldn't come to class last night because I was tired", or "I didn't practice at all yesterday because I would've had to cut it short". My personal favorite "All or Nothing" quote comes from my own father, whom often says, "I can't go to yoga class yet because I am not flexible enough". 

The beauty of Yoga is that it is not black or white. Rather, it is a tool that helps us to find the gray area, that unique place where we are in this moment, and to determine what we need NOW. When we are tired, stiff, or pressed for time it is not our physical body preventing us from practice. It is our own mind. We figure that if we can't do our full practice then it isn't worth doing anything. We don't realize that "progress" in Yoga is not measured in time spent on the mat, nor is it dependent upon having a practice worthy of the Yoga Journal's photo spreads. It is to give us the strength and clarity to still our crazy minds. Five minutes of yoga for that purpose alone is more powerful than hours of asana (poses) without intention. 

There have been times where I've had to cut a practice short due to responsibilities. There have also been times where I was aching, sick, tired, and unfocused but practiced anyway. I might not have had practices that looked stunning on those days, but I know this: I emerged from my mat a thousand times more centered and emotionally stable then before I started. I have NEVER regretted a practice. One of the most amazing practices I've ever had was during a brutal ribcage injury (thanks to surfing). The pain forced me into mindfulness. My mind wasn't concerned about grabbing my legs in back-bending, it just wanted some peace.The result was feeling lighter than ever before. That day cemented for me the importance and the purpose of practice. Our practice, just like life, will rarely be perfect. As soon as it is we will find new challenges to conquer. Whether 15 minutes of breathing or a full 2 hour asana practice, the result is always the same.......and always crucial to living a better life.

Yoga Sutra I:II Yogas Citta Vritti Nirodhah; Yoga is the control of the fluctuations of the mind.

Karma Yoga

The Bhagavad Gita discusses Karma Yoga, the yoga of action. In order to elevate our own consciousness we must ACT on behalf of others. Without this crucial aspect of yoga our efforts would be self-centered. Karma Yoga is what enables us to take the beauty that yoga and life give us and pass them on. Below is what I feel to be a very touching case of Karma Yoga.

My sister, Natalie, is an advocate for the Jimmy Fund, a Boston based non-profit organization that helps people of all ages in the fight against cancer, not to mention their contributions to cancer research. This year Natalie is preparing for her 3rd annual Jimmy Fund Walk which takes the same route as the 26.2 mile Boston Marathon. Walking that far sounds pretty grueling, so I was not surprised when Nat mentioned that during last year's walk she became "cranky" around the 18 mile mark. Just as she started to unravel she walked past the mile marker's water station. A female cancer survivor, still without hair due to chemotherapy, handed her water, shook her hand, and personally thanked Natalie for walking to help those fighting cancer. It was the most humbling moment of Natalie's life. Suddenly the walk didn't seem so difficult, and she went on to finish while befriending other cancer survivors (including children) who had been directly helped by the Jimmy Fund.

Sometimes the only way we can work through our own "junk" is by helping another bear their own burden. Only then do we realize how small our own burden really is.

Above are pictures of Nancy and Natalie (R) with Jesse, their team's inspiration. Jesse has since lost her battle with cancer, but there are countless others who are still in need of healing energy. To join Natalie's Team for the fight against cancer please click here. 

If you have a cause close to your own heart and would like to inspire others to action, please email sara@sarayoga.com

Being in the NOW!

It seems as the last post really struck a chord with many readers. The question of balancing so many things at once and still managing to enjoy ourselves is undoubtedly a challenging one to answer. Yet, Yoga and other countless spiritual traditions answer this question in a downright straightforward way: Be Present. Absorb this moment and thus find contentment in its uniqueness and beauty.

Straightforward, yes. Easy to achieve? Yes and no. 

Yes in that all we need to do is allow ourselves to truly BE in the moment. Of course the yoga mat is the perfect place to practice this. So is a quiet spot by an atlar, out in nature, etc. When "conditions are perfect" it actually isn't hard to truly be present with all that is. But how much of the day is actually spent on the mat, by the altar, or alone in the woods? HMMMM......now we can see why being in the moment is harder than it looks.

If we run through a typical day in our mind we will probably find a few of those peaceful moments scattered amongst the day's errands, child care, career duties, and household responsibilities. The key is to remind ourselves that conditions do NOT have to be perfect in order to find peace in the now. In other words, when we are doing the dishes let's try to be doing them with our mind and body, rather than going through the motions while our mind is at Starbucks or on a shopping spree. There is serenity in feeling the warmth of the water, the smell of the soap, the meditation of being completely involved in one single thing instead of thousands. The same can be done with any activity that pops up in our day, and if we embrace it while it is happening instead of wishing we were someplace else the situation will be much less drab. Not to mention, we will probably be much more productive as all our energy and intention will be committed to the NOW. Think about it.....have you ever missed your exit on the highway or burned yourself in the kitchen when you were totally present? I usually do those things when I am daydreaming about India, my future beach house, or surfing, but NEVER when I am fully conscious of the now. Practicing presence has helped me to enjoy my "fun time" more because I am more deeply in it, instead of my mind being at work, updating my website, and the like.

Yes, this is easier in theory than it is in practice. The good news is that the mind is like a muscle. It must be trained to be stronger and more controlled. Practice it, just like you would practice your yoga poses. When you need some motivation juice, here is what I recommend:

-The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle

-Living with Joy, by Sanaya Roman

-Meditate, meditate meditate!!!!!!!!!!

-I would LOVE to start a meditation group. Please contact me if you are interested and we will find a mutually agreeable date and time. 

-Just get on your mat and do some YOGA. Even a little bit will go a long way, mentally speaking.

Is It That Time Already???!!!!!

It's official: fall retreat registration has officially begun and the first few spots are already taken. I know, I am in denial that fall is around the corner. Heck, I have forgotten that winter even exists! Please, don't try to remind me......I'm enjoying the bliss brought by ignorance in this department. Sorry, I digress.

This is the 3rd retreat I will be holding at the Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport, NY. It has proven to be a setting of unparalleled natural beauty and tranquility. Perfect for a rejuvenating day of yoga. The food is amazing, as many of you know. One of my beloved students has nick-named it "the retreat of stuffing your face". With all local, healthy, and organic food, of course! Live music, 3 yoga sessions during the day, 2 amazing meals, gorgeous surroundings, and the company of kind, like minded people. I hope you can take the time for yourself to enjoy this wonderful gathering.

For those of you whom have attended before, know that the 3rd retreat will be even more relaxing and enjoyable. There are MANY surprises in store for the day!

When: Saturday, October 18, 2008

Where: The Jedediah Hawkins Inn, Jamesport, NY 

For all the details please click here. Contact me with any inquiries. Previous retreats have sold out, so it is never too early to reserve your space. See you there!

How To Eat Like A Yogi Part Four

Now that we have discussed WHEN to eat it is time to venture into WHAT to eat. I anticipate this topic will be covered in several posts. I figured I would begin with a popular question:

Why are so many yoga practitioners vegetarians?

This is a multi-tiered answer. Actually, in the Yoga Sutras, vegetarianism is not discussed. This is a shock to most people. Why then, do the two seem to go hand in hand?

Well for starters, Yoga's roots began in India where the primary religion is Hinduism. Hindus believe cows are sacred animals since they are plant eating creatures whom also produce a non flesh food, milk. Most Hindus are vegetarians and since India is the birthplace of Yoga, most early Yogis were also Hindus. Thus, going vegetarian became linked with the science of Yoga very early on in history. Additionally, India's ancient system of medicine, Ayurveda, recommends a vegetarian diet to balance the elements in the body and to keep it in tune with nature.

Another, more well known reason for going veg has to do with Ahimsa, the principle of non violence and non harming. This is derived from the first limb of Yoga, the Yamas or moral observances. Ahimsa has many levels ranging from "don't kill another human being" to don't harm the environment (hence the Yoga community's desire to be green). It is silly to think that you can eat anything on this planet, especially an animal, without first harming it. Yogis also believe that you absorb the energy of what you ingest....not just from food but from your surroundings, your relationships, etc. Many sources have publicized the horrifying way animals are treated in slaughterhouses and how even non organic plant based foods are farmed with chemicals and antibiotics. The idea is not just to avoid eating the pesticides but to also avoid taking on the bad energy of irresponsible farmers and producers.

You might be wondering, "how can I integrate this into my life when I was brought up eating meat"? The beauty of Yoga is that it teaches us to be in the moment. Don't worry about radically changing your life. Instead, what can you focus on doing TODAY to change? Maybe you have eggs with bacon and toast for breakfast on Sundays. If you wake up one Sunday and don't feel like eating bacon, don't eat it! Habits do not equal awareness. Part of Ahimsa is to act in a way that produces the LEAST amount of harm possible. If you consciously need bacon on a Sunday morning, buy organic and research a farmer who allows his animals to live with respect before they become part of the food chain.

When Wholefoods stopped selling lobsters the CEO gave the reason that they didn't feel they could provide a good quality of life for the lobsters prior to selling them (I have summarized this interview but google it to read in depth). In an interview a reporter asked him, "What does it matter if they are going to die and be eaten anyway"? His response was, "You are going to die anyway at some point. Does that mean you shouldn't have the best possible life while you are here"?

If you are moved to become a vegetarian I encourage you to do it as a slow process rather than jump in at warp speed. Slow change tends to be more permanent. Here are some suggestions to help you give it a go.

• Read books like The Omnivore's Dilemma and The Three Season Diet to educate yourself first
• Start by filling your plate with veggies, grains, etc. and leaving meat as your side dish
• Start with a detox or cleanse to help get the old junk out of your system. This will prevent cravings as well.
• If you aren't in the mood for meat, don't just eat it because it is there. Be choosy!
• Eat fish and eggs more frequently as a substitute for protein when you are starting the process.
  
• Get a few great cookbooks like Vegan Fusion, my favorite. Vegetarian food is only boring when you don't know how to prepare it....and it isn't hard! It is just different.
• Before meals, ask yourself what you FEEL like your body needs and eat that instead of what you "planned" to eat that day.
• Google the environmental reasons for being a vegetarian. It is the greenest thing you can do. Prepare to be shocked by the facts.
  
• Ask a vegetarian friend plenty of questions. They will be thrilled to help.
• Give thanks before meals and bless your food. By bringing good energy to it you can alter the energy that you ingest. If you are eating a piece of salmon consciously send gratitude to that fish that gave itself up to nourish you. You will feel the difference.
• Invite your children to do all these things with you.
  

When I return I am going to plan some Yoga and cooking classes to make it fun for everybody. Please email me if you are interested.

India Part Three!

I am making my third trip to Mysore, India in 10 days! I am thrilled to be a student at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute once again. To be with my amazing teachers, Guru Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (93 years old), his daughter Saraswathi, and his grandson Sharath  is a huge blessing. This experience is only a car ride, a 13 hour flight to Dubai, an airplane change, another 4 hour flight to Bangalore, and then a 2.5 hour car ride away :)

I am now in the midst of what I call "Pre-India Chaos". I seem to be drowning in a to-do list a mile long, another list of all the items I need for a month in a 3rd world country, my regular teaching jobs, and the desire for some QT with my adorable husband before I jet out of this place on our first anniversary!!!! Yes, he still loves me despite this. 

Following my arrival in Mysore comes the "India Chaos". This is actually when all the fun begins. The mixture of cows and other farm animals in the road, stares at my curiously platinum hair color, noise from the neighborhood TV's during Bollywood shows, bucket laundry, dirt roads, and the zillion other things that push your nervous system to its limits are not for the faint of heart. I wouldn't change it for anything. In the midst of the swirling I am studying daily with my Guru, learning the roots of Sanskrit, and most importantly, being taught by the life surrounding me. In the west we strive to be in the moment for a glimpse at a time, but in India they actually LIVE in the now. Time stops. After all, where else is there to be but HERE and NOW? People enjoy cooking for hours, having chai each morning, and engaging in meaningful conversations with strangers on the street. It teaches me that life is not the to do list but the amazing things that occur when you leave the list behind and allow yourself to stop doing and start existing! 

Priceless.

Welcome to Sara's Yoga Blog!

Welcome to Sara's Yoga Blog! I, Sara Intonato, have been teaching yoga for over five years and practicing for seven. I have learned an immense amount thus far but I know it is only the tip of the iceberg. I often get caught up in interesting discussions regarding yoga, spirituality, holistic health, nutrition, astrology, etc. with my students and even with strangers. I am happy to open this blog up as a means for those discussions to continue and grow. Please contact me at sara@sarayoga.com if you would like to begin yoga or if you have any other questions. Namaste.