Sattvic Meal #1

One of the biggest concerns a lot of people have expressed regarding this Sattvic Diet Challenge is, "What am I supposed to do when I go out to eat?" While I can't speak for any other areas in the country, I do think those of us in the Ann Arbor area are extremely fortunate! Yesterday to ring in the New Year, my good friend and I went to a restaurant on Liberty St. Seva's offers really delicious vegetarian food at a relatively reasonable price.

The entire menu was full of yummy-choices, but everything except for one dish had loads of garlic and onions. The picture above is of the only purely Sattvic meal I was able to find: Basil Pesto with Mozarella cheese and one slice of tomato on whole wheat bread. Since potatoes are considered too starchy for the Sattvic tradition, I opted to order a side of steamed broccoli instead of the standard French Fries.

This is a super simple meal that is easy to re-create in the comfort of your own kitchen! To make the basil pesto sauce simply grind fresh basil leaves (I have basil plants all year round) with olive oil, salt and some pine nuts. You can either grill or toast the whole wheat bread and mozarella and tomatoes should be available all year round at all grocery stores.

Enjoy!

SATTVIC DIET CHALLENGE 2011

Many people seem to wonder exactly what yogis (people who practice Yoga) eat. Known to some as a Yoga Diet, the Sattvic Diet (Sentient Diet) is, in fact, one that dates back thousands of years ago; it has little to do with weightloss. Sattvic Diets are more about creating a sense of balance between your mind, body and spirit.
Slightly rigid by nature, the Sattvic Diet is known to provide clarity of the mind and offers a myriad of benefits to the body. Usually, it is assumed that while eating foods encouraged in the Sattvic traditions, yoga is practiced simultaneously, hence a strengthened inner-spirit is cultivated as well.

Here are a list of foods and beverages that are OKAY in the Sattvic Diet:
* Fresh, organic fruits
* Fresh, organic dairy
* Unsalted nuts (which have not been overly roasted), seeds and oils
* Organic Vegetables which are mild in nature (for example, Sattvic Diets require that you avoid pungent veggies like peppers or starchy veggies like potatoes)
* Whole grains: rice, oatmeal, barley, etc.
* Legumes like split mung beans, yellow split peas, organic tofu, etc.
* For sweetening dishes use honey

* For spices avoid anything that heats the body up such as Garlic or Onions. Stick, instead to mild spices like Basil, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cumin, Nutmeg or Corriander

Foods and Beverages one should completely avoid in the Sattvic Diet are:
* All meat products including fish and eggs
* All alcoholic beverages including beer and wine
* All forms of smoking including Cannibus and Tobacco
* Any stimulant such as caffeine or sugar

All right, now that it is absolutely clear what can and cannot be consumed... here is my challenge for you all:
Let's enter 2011 with a purely Sentient Diet for the entire month of January! Who's with me?
I will be posting what I've eaten for breakfast/lunch/dinner so that you all can get some ideas of what to prepare. I hope you either comment on this blog with your own recipes or you e-mail me at: takefiveyoga@gmail.com

I'm SOOOOOOOOO excited about this!!!!!!

Take Five for a quick video :)

One On Ones

Enveloped in the cold December air, my sister--who's visiting for the holidays--and I marched on over to Crazy Wisdom Bookstore for the last of this year's Take Five Yoga Wednesday NOON Sessions. Though at first it seemed a little disheartening that no one showed, within a matter of a few Asanas, I couldn't have been more grateful for the opportunity to have a one on one with my very own sister.

Here are some pictures from our lovely afternoon together:

GaGa for Yoga! Have you checked your GABA lately?

I'm so excited to share this amazing news with you all. A new study from Boston University's School of Medicine found that Yoga boosts moods more effectively than walking. Doing an hour of yoga 3 times a week for 12 weeks increased GABA levels by 13%. GABA, is (a neurotransmitter that shows up once in a while that’s linked to a number of various medical and psychiatric disorders) lower in people who are depressed; levels usually rise with the use of medicine.

Remarkably, walkers showed no significant increase in GABA levels. So, if ya wanna put your pills down, pick up your mats and plop right on for some yoga!

"This is the first study to find a behavioral intervention [yoga] that has an effect on brain chemistry similar to that of antidepressants," says study author Chris Steeter, MD

So, hip-hip-hooray for YOGA!

From the soles of my feet, to your inner soul: Namaste & Happy Yoga!

Back from "T-Dot"

I'm back in Ann Arbor from a weekend getaway trip to Toronto. I went with a really good friend and I find it's always nice to explore a foreign city with someone who's extremely familiar. I've known my friend since we were both 11 years old. We've gone to places in Europe together numerous times, but aside from Michigan this was a first in exploring North America.
We went to a yoga studio in Toronto (which shall remain nameless) and though my friend doesn't practice yoga regularly, she was kind enough to join me early Sunday morning for a brief visit to one of Toronto's most popular places. Afterwards, we had a lovely breakfast at Niche and discussed the aforementioned yoga studio over Eggs Benedict. As an actual practitioner, I felt oddly intimidated by the students at the Toronto studio. My friend said she felt the same--to a terrifying degree. She said had she walked into such a studio on her own, she would've, "Walked right back out."
Not only did everyone look like a gymnast straight out of the Olympics, sadly there was an air of superiority as well. I smiled at a girl and she gawked back, almost offended. This studio was clearly well-invested... amazing hardwood floors, gorgeous murals of Laxmi, lavish statues of Hindu dieties lined all the windows which were hidden behind Chiffon curtains. A slight pedastal was built in the center of the room, surrounded by tea-candles. Our instructor did all of her Asanas in such a graceful manner, right on it. Glowing amidst the candles, it was all undeniably beautiful.
Nevertheless, neither my friend or I felt even remotely comfortable.
My own space is very limited and holds no fancy decorations, paintings, etc. but I hope it is welcoming.
This has made me wonder--what can I do as an instructor to ensure 100% of my clients will feel a warm, fuzzy feeling in their hearts upon setting foot inside Take Five Yoga?? If anyone has any ideas, please don't hesitate to contact me with ideas!

Turns out life is all Ha Ha Hee Hee!

I've just come back to Ann Arbor after a two-day conference on Laughter Yoga.

What a joyous weekend!

In 1995 Indian medical doctor Madan Katarai began Laughter Yoga with just five people at a random park in Mumbai, India. Over the past few years this little movement grew to include over 8,000 Laughter Clubs in around 80 countries! Who says life isn't all ha ha hee hee?

 Laughter Yoga combines Pranayama (breathing) from traditional Yoga with physical exercise that involves laughing. It is based around the scientific fact that generating fake laughter can provide the same benefits that genuine laughter offers. Conducted in group settings where laughter becomes contagious, it is an amazing way to de-stress, connect with others and it always leaves you with a little pep in your step!

 If anyone would like to contact me to conduct a Laughter Yoga session, please do not hesitate!

Laughter Yoga boosts company morale, peaks work performance by energizing employees and hightens teamwork amongst workers. Everyone who tries it always gives a huge Thumbs Up!

Namaste :)