Musings from the Mat
Wellness+ Yoga Blogs
You know how some people seem to be happy no matter what happens to them? There’s no great trick to it but rather a few simple steps and adjustments, starting with an understanding of the nature of true happiness. Our values, beliefs and morals help define and express our inner selves.
Cultivating balance in life is the most important act of true love we can express for ourselves. Self-care--an essential survival skill—consists of any activity we pursue deliberately to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
There is a concept in Chinese Medicine that wind has the power to bring illness into an unprecedented body. A “cold” in Chinese medical vocabulary is called a "wind cold.” As the weather changes, the body must adjust, and outward energy begins to move in.
Studies associate olive oil intake with a decreased risk of heart disease, as it supports us with antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene, and unique molecules of hydroxytyrosol (HT), to strengthen cellular walls.
Since childhood, my family has used herbal elixirs and tonics to help heal the body and mind, and I remember my beloved Grandmother making strong ginger root tea for menstrual cramps or snow fungus and goji berries for winter health.I made an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant drink that has helped me fight the flu, colds, and bronchial attacks in Winter.
I lost someone this week, who was very dear to me.From a very long time ago. But it feels like just yesterday we were 13 and running around in those woods in Vermont.
Do you have a place like that in your childhood?
A safe place, a comfortable place. Home.
There are many mudras and variations in each country for usage and meaning. Ive put together a list of some of the most common ones found in Buddhism and Hinduism.It is often helpful to know these variations when looking at temple art, especially Buddhist art, as the iconography and imagery can help bring the figures and stories to life.
A mudrā is a symbolic gesture and energetic seal in the spiritual practice of East Asian religions. Some mudrās involve the entire body, but most are shown with hands and fingers.In Tibetan Tantra, the body, speech and thought of the Buddha are the Three Mysteries. The mystic power (Adhisthana) of the Buddha can be expressed through humans, with our body, speech and thought.
If you grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70’s and were around the Whole Earth Catalog, you might remember nut loaves. They were one of my favorites and felt like really yummy goodness. It’s a great vegetarian option for the holidays, and sometimes called vegetarian “meat loaf “. Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy for a modern traditional wholesome meal.