Fall DeTox

This Fall, "cleansing" and "detox" seem to be all the rage.  As an avid reader of Yoga Journal, I have been interested in their 7-day Fall DeTox, but I also know of no fewer than 3 other people who have been doing some sort of Green Tea or DeTox cleanse in as many weeks. 

The reasons for doing a cleanse are as varied as the number of people doing them.  Some do it to recharge their batteries, some do it for weight loss (which will be fleeting unless you radically change your eating and exercise habits following the cleanse!) , and some do it to literally cleanse the body of toxins.  When I thought about it, I was surprised to consider that toxins come from anywhere: from medications, environmental pollutants, additives to cosmetics and beauty products, unhealthy foods, bottles of champagne and wine at your friend's house on Tuesdays, etc. After reading up on some of the benefits of the program from Yoga Journal and considering the summer I had, I decided that this is something I should do. 

Yoga Journal's 7-Day Detox is based on the principles of Ayurveda.  In order to properly reap the benefits of this cleanse, you start by taking a short quiz to determine which Dosha is dominant with you right now.  We are all a combination of Vata, Pitta, or Kapha, but one or two of these may be stronger in you than others.  Weeks ago, I already determined that I was strongly Pitta with slight tendencies toward Kapha.  What this means is that I will be adding Pitta-balancing nutrients and foods to the Detox recipes.  What I like about this Detox is the fact that you are instructed to eat real live food.  Delicious food, full of flavors, exotic though they may be.  Food that I would normally eat at an Indian Buffet on any given Sunday.  Other cleanses severely limit your food intake (The Green Tea cleanse has you ingesting nothing more than green tea for 5 days.  Sure, you'll lose a bunch of weight, but when you go out to eat a nice meal on the 6th day, you'll put most of it back on and likely suffer indigestion as your body goes into shock from processing actual food).

I checked out the recipes, and despite an abundance of local Indian grocers where I could root around and find some of the more exotic spices and ingredients, I took the shortcut and ordered an Ayurvedic Cleanse kit from Banyan Botanicals.  It was a little pricey, but it saved me a lot of time and I can be sure that I have all the right herbs and supplements needed for the 7 day detox.

The main dish I'll be eating for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner is a rice-based stew called Kitchari.  It's made with ghee, a clarified butter, that I've heard about but never actually tried.  It also includes Mung Beans, which are oval-shaped beans similar in texture to a lentil.  I started by warming the ghee and adding some of the spice from a pouch that came with the Ayurvedic kit.  Then I added the Mung beans, Basmati rice and several cups of water.  This simmered on the stove until tender (about 30 minutes because I had pre-soaked the beans and rice).  My Pitta tendencies dictated that I should add some carrots, green beans, and zucchini to the recipe to DELICIOUS results.  Yes, it's going to be hard to choke the same meal down for 21 meals straight, but at least it tastes good!  I can vary things a little by adding a spoonful of coriander "chutney" now and then and drink some vegetable broth, but for the most part this Kitchari is it. 

So, I'm in the middle of my 3rd day, and I have been less than perfect.  My kids asked for candy corn at the store yesterday, and I indulged them...and proceeded to indulge myself throughout the afternoon!  I'm annoyed with my lack of willpower, but nothing unpleasant has happened to me.  The scale isn't doing anything spectacular, but I'm not necessarily doing this to lose weight.  I mean, don't get me wrong - a pound or two less would be welcome, but the increase in energy, the introspection, the clearer skin, and general improvement in self esteem are what I'm after.  I already feel like I'm doing something great for myself, and that in and of itself gives a great boost.

Well, I'm off to give my kids some RedMango and do everything in my power NOT to give in to temptation.  This will be the ultimate test!

What he had yearned to embrace was not the flesh but a downy spirit, a spark, the impalpable angel that inhabits the flesh - Antoine deSaint-Exupery

End of Summer Practice

Summer is not "technically" over until September 21st, but for many of us, the start of a new school year makes it feel like Summer is over.  There is a lot of stress and tension in the air for all of us as the transition from "summer mode" gives way to "school mode", no matter what id going on in your life.  For parents, there's the hectic pace of adjusting your kids' sleep cycles from one that is more relaxed to one that ensures your child is out the door with a belly full of nutritious breakfast in time for school to start.  For morning commuters, there's the added stress of many more cars on the road in the morning and again between 3 and 5.  For fashionistas, there's the stress of "What the heck do I wear during this shift in weather?!?".  Yes, everyone has their own form of stress that builds up during this time of year, and this is where a yoga practice can help.  Think of it as "extra ammunition" against stress!

This sequence of 20 postures is "just what the yogi ordered"; it's a gentle, Hatha-style sequence.  What this means is that you'll be holding and breathing moreso than being active with this set.  You'll also need to be relatively familiar with the poses, as I've merely listed the posture names.  My suggestion is to hold each posture for a count of 8 breaths, focusing on making your inhale last as long as your exhale.  This in itself is quite a challenge.  Most of us do not breathe properly, and when stress arises within your life as you adjust to a new daily routine, simply turning to conscientious breathing can help.  I promise!  If you should find that one of these postures is challenging, shorten your breathing to a pattern of 5 inhales and exhales.  The number of breaths is not imporant.  What IS important is making your Inhale=your Exhale! 

Due to the Labor Day holiday, the Monday morning yoga class was not held today, so I did these postures this afternoon (not exactly in this lovely sequence* I've laid out for you).  With a series of 8 breaths for each pose, it took me 20 minutes.  I did not work up a sweat, but I certainly feel a heck of a lot more relaxed about the start of school tomorrow!  Namaste.

1.  Open to grace with Hero pose.  Shift your focus inward, telling yourself you deserve just 20 minutes to yourself to help center and ground your spirit.
2.  Lean forward into Frog pose.
3.  Adjust your hands and feet, and stretch back to Downward Facing Dog.
4 & 5.  Step the right foot forward and windmill up to Warrior II (4 breaths on right leg.  You'll get the other 4 breaths on the left leg in a minute).  With the right foot still forward, straighten the right knee, hitch the left hip back, and come forward into Triangle (4 breaths on right leg).
6 & 7:  Windmill out of Triangle, step the left leg to meet the right, and step the right leg back to Warrior II (4 breaths on left leg.  See, I keep my promises!).  With the left foot still forward, straighten the left knee, hitch your right hip back, and come forward into Triangle on this side.
8:  Windmill out of triangle and step your feet together.  Balance in Tree pose.  It doesn't matter which leg comes up first, make sure you take turns, and hold each for 4 breaths.
9: Heels together, tilt your feet out at and angle.  Bend your knees and prepare for Crow.  You probably will not be able to hold this posture for more than a few breaths (unless you're Shiva Rea), so consider yourself accomplished if you even catch a short glimpse in the posture!
10: Have a little fun and jump back into Plank.
11: Lower yourself to the ground and lay on your mat.  Stretch back into Locust.
12:  Stretch back even more into Bow.
13:  Swing your legs forward and Double Toe Hold
14:  Stretch your hips with Double Pigeon
15:  Open further with Cow Face Pose (4 breaths for each leg on top).
16:  Lie on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor.  Bend into Bridge.
17:  Straighten legs, adjust arms and come into Fish pose.
18:  Bring legs up and overhead for Plow.
19: Relax the spine in Happy baby.
20:  Begin your cool down with Legs up the Wall.
21:  Finish your practice with Reclining Cobbler or Savasana.  Silently honor yourself for the work you did, thanking your muscles for attempting the poses and thanking your breath for making it possible.

(*sequence adapted from The Yoga Body Diet by K. Dollard © 2010 by Rodale Inc.)

A fitting quote for those of us heading back to the classroom: 
"One must command from each what each can perform" - The Little Prince

Yoga while on Vacay? Sign me up!

I had my first session with a "Celebrity Yogi" while on vacation in California last week.  It was up to me to plan the itinerary this time, and I was so excited to take advantage of the extremely agreeable weather in Southern California.  Of course, we did the obligatory LegoLand visit for the kids (quick review:  Go while you can.  It's expensive, but it's worth it.  Lots for the 3 and up set to do, but it's not nearly as nicely maintained as Disney properties are.  "Miniland", which was incredible, already seemed to be showing signs of sun-fading and weather beating.  It might look like a dump in 5 years if they don't get a handle on that.), but I also wanted to explore some of the lesser-known areas (LaJolla and DelMar) and get in some physical fitness.  We did some light hiking at the Torrey Pines state park, which provided amazing views. 
It was great, but the highlight of the trip for me was the quick jaunt we took up to LA, staying in Santa Monica.  I did a little research on what to do in LA (besides eating at In and Out or Pinks - both on Husband's agenda), and found not only was there a YogaWorks studio there, but there was a class instructed by Sara Ivanhoe while we would be in Santa Monica.    Yoga while on vacation?  With a "celeb"? Sign me up!
My experience with Sara Ivanhoe is through her Crunch DVD, "Fat Burning Yoga", which I purchased shortly after the birth of my second son, when I was really getting into yoga.  I didn't buy it because of Sara.  I bought it because it said Fat Burning.  But I liked Sara's style of instruction.  She has a little sidekick in the DVD, who demonstrates the modified postures.  The "sidekick" is Natasha Rizopoulos, who I think is a little more well-known, which I always found funny.  Anyway, the Fat Burning DVD is good, and every so often I return to it when I'm at a loss for home practice.  I have never purchased any of Sara's other DVDs; in fact, I wasn't even aware that she had other DVDs.  After practicing with her "LIVE", perhaps I should look into them for more variety.
So, my experience with Sara in person was interesting.  It was a level 2/3 class, and I was anxious about the class all week.  I was looking forward to it, but unsure of my ability to "hang" with the level 2/3-ers.  I was nervous that the class would be so packed that I wouldn't feel comfortable.  Neither was the case.  The class had maybe 30 people in it.  Some of Josh's and Heidy's classes have that many folks in them, so I was totally at ease there.  The sequence of postures in Sara's class was also totally manageable - in a normal setting.  The class was quite a bit longer than I'm used to.  It went from 4:15 to 5:45 - so I definitely got my money's worth as far as time was concerned. 
I certainly got my money's worth as far as "kick-yo-ass" is concerned as well.  As I mentioned before, the sequence of postures was not unfamiliar to me at all...but the fact that there was no (ZERO) air conditioning was unfamiliar to me.  It felt like I was in a Bikram studio.  Except I wasn't taking a Bikram class.  I sweat more than I've ever sweat in a regular yoga class.  There were some postures that I didn't attempt - not because I couldn't do them, but because I was frightened that I would slip right off of my sweat-drenched mat!  The room had massive ceiling fans, and I'm not sure why they weren't utilized, although I have my theories.
Frequently throughout the practice, Sara kept asking us to close our eyes and focus inward.  I am sure that there was more to this than just focusing inward.  She did not practice along with us, instead walking the room and adjusting here and there (she even adjusted me in my triangle!).  It became clear to me that many people probably come to the class to see her, and that might prohibit them from getting the most of the practice.  If you're busy watching the celeb the whole time, you can't focus and practice properly.  I got that totally, and obliged whenever she asked us to close our eyes.  I wasn't focused on "Oh, it's Sara" the whole time.  I was focused on my posture - and also focused on how dang hot it was ("why the heck aren't those huge ceiling fans on?!?").  The Tom Brady look-a-like (obviously it wasn't him because the Patriots were on the field far, far away from Santa Monica) and Jared Leto look-a-like (still not sure if it was him, but he had a weird knotted hairdo, so it might have been him) next to me were sweating buckets.  My ponytail was drenched - you could honestly wring it out like I just stepped out of the shower!  My clothes were sopping, and my mat was slick.  My muscles were nice and loose, and I think if you asked me right then and there, I could have folded right into a double lotus followed by a Marichiasana bind! 
So, practicing with Sara was a lot of fun.  She was attentive to our postures, could have used a little more imagery, but overall I felt fantastic after the practice.  I'm glad and so grateful that I took advantage of the opportunity!  I only wish I had the courage to talk to her and let her know I enjoyed the session, had a yoga blog and would be writing about it so she could check us out!  In another lifetime...

"One sees clearly only with the heart.  Anything essential is invisible to the eyes." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery