A-HA!!!!

Today while in  a meeting I expressed what I think many of us are feeling. When the teaching portion of my day is over I often wonder which of the zillion other projects I am working on should occupy the remainder of my time. Work on recipes for my cookbook? Prepare for my next retreat? Add to my blog? Ditch the work and go out surfing? :)

While my friends and I were discussing the challenge of time management one of them wisely said, "I would recommend the surfing over the other things". I was pleasantly surprised. She added, "Think about when your A-HA moments occur. Not when you are operating in frantic mode, but when you are out on the ocean, taking a walk, or sipping tea". The observation hit me like a ton of bricks, ironically producing my own A-HA moment. It reminded me that most powerful moments in our lives happen during non-doing. 

Gratitude Day

I am still floating after an amazing Summer Retreat in Southampton yesterday. I officially have the best students in the universe. We had a beautiful, intimate day with strong yet peaceful energy. I have already begun receiving "thank you" emails from participants but it is I who am the most grateful.

I am blessed to be able to do what I love each day. The fact that I can now do it in some of the most gorgeous settings available and provide peace, beauty, relaxation and help people to just BE for a while is the icing on an already amazing cake. Thank you to all who attended yesterday, of course, but also to participants of past retreats and regular classes. I am overwhelmed with joy. 

The fall rejuvenation retreat will take place on October 18th at the Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport. Let's continue the journey together!

How To Eat Like A Yogi Part Six

People, namely nutritionists and western medicine "experts", are always yapping about counting calories and the percentage of which should be from fat, carbs, proteins, etc. What they do not talk about are the REAL sources of those calories. They fixate so much on the numbers that they forget to investigate what is in their food. It is so simple yet often ignored. Would 500 calories of freshly juiced veggies have the same affect on your body as 500 calories of white bread? I don't think so.

I must admit, I do not have FDA approved studies to support this. But I do have my own body, one which I NEVER thought would change. I would show you before and after photos but I have intentionally disposed of most "before" shots ;) After almost 5 years of being a vegetarian, 7 years of yoga, and countless hours of consciously observing how various foods (not to mention sleep habits, daily scheduling, and stress) impact my entire being I feel that I am at my optimal health, strength, endurance, and energy levels. Did I mention I am down 25+ pounds (from 4 years ago)??? 

Bottom line: we need to eat clean. There is a reason for all these various food movements that are returning us to local, organic, grass fed, vegetarian, and even raw foods. They have so much prana, as we mentioned in the last nutrition post, that our body uses them quickly and efficiently. The result is becoming a well oiled Yoga machine. Or surfing machine, or Super Mom machine. When we eat foods that weigh our digestive system down, like dairy, preservatives, and white products, it is no wonder we feel heavy and sluggish. There is no energy in them, so how can we expect to feel energized? 

The problem is that so many diets focus on the numbers. Did the Atkins diet (which I admit to trying when I was a carnivore many years ago) promote organics, local and live produce, and natural eating? Not if I remember correctly. While trying to lose weight I remember drinking diet soda every day. No wonder I felt bloated. My body had no idea where to put those chemicals, so it held onto them. To remedy this calorie counting ruse we must become accountable eaters. Know where every piece of food you eat comes from, whether it is strawberries from the next county, young coconuts from Thailand, or factory farms in California. If you can't trace it back to the earth, don't even bother eating it. Unless you want to feel sluggish again. You will become less focused on calories and more tuned in to what your body actually craves for its peak functionality. I guarantee that if you need to lose weight, you will. 

One way to start? Read ingredients rather than "nutrition facts". If you can't identify its source, return it to the shelf.

The Cook Book is on its way!!!!!!!

My dream of writing my own cook book is coming true as we speak! I am in the process of writing and editing. While my passion for Yoga will always be in the top spot my passion for food is a close second. I practically get high when a meal I've created receives rave reviews, and over the years my recipes (which usually start as experiments) have gotten many. It is time to share them with the world! It is exciting knowing that I will be able to help others' change their lives in a different way. 

As I prepare for this new venture I am magnetizing all forms of assistance from the universe. If you work in publishing, know someone who does, are an editor, or know any way in which you can encourage momentum on this project then please email or call anytime. Food is a crucial part of our lives as Yoga practitioners and this book is going to provide a much needed link between these two vital elements. I thank you in advance for your support and energy. You will see the final product of all those good vibes very soon!

Private Lesson Summer Special!

I am very pleased that I can extend this offer to my students. Private yoga lessons with me (normally $100 per hour), are currently being offered at $85 per hour effective now through July 31st! This offer applies to students whom have not yet done private lessons with me, even if they normally take my group classes. Further discounts are offered when lessons occur 3+ times per week. You can use the hour for yourself or with a group of friends. The hourly rate applies regardless of how many people you choose to participate. Be sure to take advantage!

If you are working through an injury, looking to enhance your alignment and focus, or simply ready to commit further to Yoga as a lifestyle, then private lessons are your answer. The intimate atmosphere gives you the attention required to take your practice to the next level and bring you the unity of body, mind, and spirit which you are seeking. 

Private lessons also make a wonderful and unique gift for special people in your life. Give the gift of fulfillment, joy, and awareness that can only come from inside ourselves.

Email sara@sarayoga.com or call Sara at 516-521-7545 for details.

How To Eat Like A Yogi Part Five

At last, we are back to nutrition. In part four of this series we discussed some of the reasons for vegetarianism. However, not all vegetarians are created equal. For example, my college boyfriend was a self proclaimed "vegetarian whom didn't like vegetables"!!! His diet consisted mostly of pizza, cheese, eggs, and taco bell. I cringe looking back on it! Although all of those foods are meat free they aren't necessarily healthy. There is a difference and many people are wondering what, in fact, should we look for when examining our food?

The sad fact is, most people don't examine it at all. Journalist Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma (which you should read immediately), states that while researching for his book he discovered that most people put more investigation into buying a new TV than they do into their food choices. If this sounds familiar, don't fret. Through the many years I have spent as a yoga teacher, vegetarian, food lover, and cook, I have discovered something crucial. What we want in our food is the same thing we want to build in our bodies and minds: PRANA aka Chi aka Vital Energy.

Prana is what we create during yoga practice using the alchemy of breath, poses, mind control, etc. But it is also present in our bodies and in nature in varying degrees. For example, you might see two women of the same height, weight, and shape. While one looks vibrant, has bright skin and eyes, silky hair the other has dry skin and hair, dull and saggy eyes, and lacks that certain vitality. While a doctor might say they are both in fine health, the naked eye can see that the former is full of prana while the other is much less so.

How does this relate to what you eat? Prana occurs in nature. Freshly picked produce from the local farm is full of it, as it doesn't waste away in trucks and shelves before it gets to your plate. The sooner food is consumed from the earth the more nutrients and prana the eater receives. As a result you will probably need to eat less to feel satisfied because the food is much more nutrient rich. This is the reason for the Raw Food Movement, which will be a posting in and of itself very soon.

Not surprising, food produced in factories by machines and kept on shelves thanks to man-made preservatives is very low on the prana scale. It may be low in calories too, which is unfortunately why many people eat it and presume they are being healthy by doing so. This is likely to be that person who looks dried out and lacks vibrancy in their appearance. I went down this road many years ago and in hindsight I always felt hungry, probably because I was never truly satisfied by what I was eating.

When there are thousands of food options within reach how can we be wise and choosy shoppers and eaters? Below is a list of ways to eat as clean as possible. Do whatever is within your desire and convenience levels for now. The more you get into it the easier it becomes.

• Grow your own organic produce in the garden (I have not done this yet but I have resolved to once we actually buy a house).
• Find a local farm stand for seasonal produce. It may not be listed as USDA organic but that may not matter since smaller farms often avoid expensive pesticides anyway. The best thing to do is call around and ask. Makinajian Farm in Huntington is my FAVORITE! I buy my eggs there too. Golden Earthworm Farm in Jamesport makes a great pit stop after a trip out east. 
• Whole Foods often lists the origin of the fruit and veggies they sell. Choose the ones closest to you as they have spent less time in a truck and contain more prana. Less traveling also reduces petroleum usage and fuel emissions into our environment.
• Cook at home! Unless you are the chef in the restaurant you visit you may never know where your food is coming from, how fresh it is, and the hidden preservatives that might be inside. Lots of butter, oil, and salt can mask signs of decomposition. People are always saying that eating out contributes to weight gain but they never specifically say why aside from calorie counting. This is because the food has such little prana that they give you bigger portions to feel satisfied. Sound familiar?
• Have a raw component to each of your meals. Salad is most common, of course. Even super tasty items like pesto can be made raw. Freshly juiced beverages are raw too. Luckily summer is upon us so making delicious greens with dressing or tomato salads can spice things up a bit.

Have fun and don't become a Food Nazi! In other words, start with small changes and increase your awareness as you go. Eating should be enjoyable, not just something on the to do list.

Coming up in How To Eat Like A Yogi Part Six: Why measuring calories is useless.

Summer Shopping

This is going to be great! My favorite designer and friend, Stephanie Hammitt, is holding a trunk show for family and friends next week! 

Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Time: 10am-1pm

Location: The Baschnagel Residence

  118 Locust Street, Garden City, NY 11530

Phone: 718-490-6609

Let the fun begin as Hammitt Bags releases their new summer collection! Stephanie is an innovative and practical designer of gorgeous handbags and accessories. She is environmentally conscious and doesn't use any endangered leathers. She also has synthetic, animal friendly bags to choose from and they are just just as stylish as the rest! I carry her bags often and get compliments almost daily. Join us at the Trunk Show and receive the special discount for the day. Katie Costello jewelry, another L.A. based company, is also showcasing their hot new items. Cash, credit cards, and personal checks are accepted.

Come play :) You know you want to!