Humans are designed to be connected with nature. Even in our modern world, we are still synced to the natural world. If you’re feeling burnt out, tired, or unhappy, reconnecting with nature can help to bring you a sense of calm and refresh yourself. There are a few things that we can do to feel connected with nature, and pause, refresh and notice the world around us.
Bring the Outdoors Inside
If you can’t get outside, it’s easy to stay in touch with nature by creating a mini-ecosystem. Buying plants for your home or balcony is an easy way to bring nature inside, or you can even create a mini terrarium or vertical gardens. Perhaps you can even enroll in a community garden. Spending a little time each day tending to your plants, and watching them grow can help to bring a sense of happiness to you. Starting small is a great way to ease yourself into the plant world, so try things like herbs or lower-maintenance plants. Indoor gardening is one of the best ways to reconnect with nature.
Take a Walk
Getting outdoors is a great way to break up your day and escape from the stresses of everyday life. Spending the day with technology and devices can make your day sedentary. Our time spent outdoors has taken a hit in recent years. Going out for a walk or a jog can help to give us a change of scenery, and fresh air can help clear our minds. Also, this is a great way to include physical activity as well as noticing aspects of nature like plants, birds, and wildlife.
Try a Seasonal Diet
A seasonal diet is a great way to reconnect with nature. In the modern world, everything can be available all year round, and while there are upsides to this, it has also led us to lose connection with nature and the local environment. A seasonal diet has lots of health benefits because produce is freshly harvested. The body's nutrient demands can vary with the changing seasons. Try visiting your local farmers' market and picking up fresh fruits and vegetables in season.
Walking Barefoot
One of the best ways to stay grounded and connect with nature is to touch the earth. This can create contact with the earth’s surface electrons and it also has multiple physical and physiological benefits such as improved sleep, reduced pain, and increased immunity. Spending a few minutes in the morning walking barefoot in the grass, breathing in the fresh air, feeling the sun on your skin. Even better, if you have access to a beach, you can walk and feel the sand underneath your feet to rejuvenate yourself. This connection with nature can help to make you feel grounded.
Spend Time with Animals
Another way to connect with nature is to take an interest in other living creatures. Animals and birds are a great way to stay grounded by spending time with them. Quality time with pets is proven to have great health benefits and can teach us to be better beings. There are a lot of ways to get reacquainted with nature, such as walking your dog or even spending time at a local animal shelter or farm. You can even foster an animal, for example.
Go Camping
If you’re able to, spending a night or two outside can be a great way to enjoy time in nature. Take a break from technology and try an outdoor activity like rock climbing, glamping, fishing, or even canoeing. Most camping sites can offer hike trails and maps too. If you can’t get away, even pitching up a tent outside can be a great way to get out of your routine. Do camping activities in your back garden like stringing up a hammock or star gazing. This is a great way to get out in nature and get away from screens.
This earth day, try and do one of the above to help you to pull away from the modern digital age and back to your natural instincts. It’s never too late to reconnect with nature and find your roots.
By Amy Cavill
Happy Earth Day 2022! On April 22nd, the fifty-second Earth Day, join us to commemorate this year’s Earth Day theme of Invest in Our Planet. Yoga practice, comprised of the earth’s elements of earth, air, fire, water, and ether, naturally honors our planet and is embodied in the yogic concept of Ahimsa or non-harming. To celebrate, YogaDownload is offering our biggest sale of the year so you can maintain a consistent yoga practice and feel connected to the earth beneath us.
Sometimes we can get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to express gratitude for the planet that sustains us with air, water, food and all that nourishes us. We’ve got a few suggestions for you to try this Earth Day to honor this universal worldwide celebration.
1. Practice yoga outside. Instead of practicing indoors, grab your yoga mat and practice on the grass or the dirt with the sun shining down on your skin, the earth supporting you, and the fresh air refueling you with each and every breath. The more connected you feel to the world around you, the more each action you take can help preserve it. Hint: try one of our earth-themed classes releasing this week.
2. If the distance allows it, ride your bike or walk to work. If not, carpool or hop on the train or the bus to help minimize pollution. Each mindful act we take as individuals to implement change benefits our communities.
3. Small actions add up. Here are some suggestions to try:
If we all focus on making changes together, our contributions add up and help preserve a healthy planet. When we practice yoga, we’re renewing our own spirits and creating more peace and well-being within ourselves. If we’re all feeling healthier, our world will benefit from our positive energy. Check out this week’s classes, each with a specific theme dedicated to Mother Earth. Happy Earth Day 2022 from YogaDownload.
Elise Fabricant - Mindful Movement 2 (Free Class)
Denelle Numis - Earth Yoga
Katie Silox - Earth Grounding Tantric Flow
Here is a simple recipe for you that so far everybody who has tried it loves. The middle eastern recipe called tabbouleh is based on a load of fresh herbs (really, make sure you use a lot of herbs) and bulgur. Bulgur is wheat that is crushed and pre-cooked, then dried again, so there is no need to boil the bulgur before adding this to the salad – the moisture from tomatoes, oil, and lemon juice soaks right into the grains making them softer and even more flavorful. Of course, if you don’t have 40 minutes to wait until the bulgur slowly absorbs the liquid you can also quickly boil it for 5 minutes, but I really do not recommend this.
The salad itself is already quite filling in my opinion, but I recently hosted a dinner party where a vegan main was needed, and so I felt the need to add another element. Eggplant with zaatar seemed appropriate in my head, and luckily it translated well into the real dish too. While roasting eggplant, please make sure you leave it in the oven for long enough, as this is probably the only vegetable that tastes a lot better when overcooked and just terrible when undercooked.
The recipe is also a good thing to meal prep as it is really good at least for 5 days and the eggplant tastes good also if cold or at room temperature.
Tabbouleh with Zaatar Roasted Eggplant
Cooking time: 1 hour (most of it waiting time)
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
1 ½ cup of bulgur
3 ripe tomatoes (using different colors is always fun)
1 long cucumber
1 medium red onion
A huge bunch of flatleaf parsley (at least 2 ½ ounces)
A huge bunch of mint (at least 2 ounces)
½ cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the eggplant:
1 large eggplant
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp zaatar
½ tsp salt
Instructions:
Chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onion into small cubes and mix them all with bulgur (there is no need to cook the bulgur). Make sure to drizzle in all the juices from the vegetables as these are flavors!
Add in lemon juice and olive oil, and season with salt and pepper – adding the liquid and juicy ingredients first, the bulgur can already start the soaking process.
Then chop the herbs finely and add them in. Leave the salad to gather flavor for at least 30-40 minutes. Then check back and make sure the bulgur is softened nicely and the flavor is on point.
For the eggplants, mix olive oil, lemon juice, zaatar, and salt for the marinade, cut the eggplant lengthwise in quarters, and cover evenly with marinade. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then cook in 400F oven with fan on for 20 minutes until nice and tender.
Serve the warm roasted eggplant on top of a refreshing salad for a light, yet filling plant-based meal.
Sleep problems are all too common for many adults. While there is no one universal cause or fix for everyone, yoga and meditation can certainly help calm your mind and nervous system to help you better prepare for a night of sound sleep.
Amongst YogaDownload's vast collection of 2400+ online yoga classes, are many practices that are specially designed to help you doze off to sleep more easily. Below are 15 of our top-rated yoga classes for better sleep.
This list is a mix of movement asana practices, gentle Yin classes, yoga Nidra classes (meditations done lying down), and some are a blend of all of these components. To come up with this list, we picked classes that are designed to help you sleep more soundly and classes that are top-rated, by those who practice on this site, from all over the world!
Top 15 YogaDownload Classes for Better Sleep:
1. Unwind Your Spine, Unwind Your Mind with Erin Wimert
Rating: 5.00 rating | Released: 2019
50 min class | Level: All Levels | Intensity: Ahhhhhh
2. Bedtime Yin with Body Scan with Erin Wimert
Rating: 5.00 rating | Released: 2017
40 min class | Level: All Levels | Intensity: Ahhhhhh
3. Slow and Relaxing Yoga with Jackie Casal Mahrou
Rating: 4.98 rating | Released: 2016
4. Yoga Nidra for Self-Healing with Shy Sayar
Rating: 4.98 rating | Released: 2019
35 min class | Level: All Levels | Intensity: Ahhhhhh
5. You are Resilient AF with Kylie Larson
Rating: 4.97 rating | Released: 2020
35 min class | Level: Adv. Beginner & Up | Intensity: Ahhhhhh
6. Therapeutic Yoga for Stress, Anxiety, & Insomnia with Shy Sayar
Rating: 4.95 rating | Released: 2017
25 min class | Level: All Levels | Intensity: Ahhhhhh
7. Yoga Nidra with Celest Pereria
Rating: 4.94 rating | Released: 2014
8. Yoga to Close Your Day with Robert Sidoti
Rating: 4.94 rating | Released: 2020
9. Evening Relaxation Yoga with Jackie Casal Mahrou
Rating: 4.93 rating | Released: 2019
10. Evening Yoga for Stress Relief with Keith Allen
Rating: 4.92 rating | Released: 2019
11. Evening Yoga for Stress Relief 2 with Keith Allen
Rating: 4.91 rating| Released: 2021
12. Yin Yoga & Breathwork for Relaxation with Caitlin Rose Kenney
Rating: 4.91 rating | Released: 2018
13. Quickie Stretch & De-Stress with Celest Pereira
Rating: 4.91 rating based on 130 reviews | Released: 2014
14. Nighty Night, Don't Sleep Tight with Kylie Larson
Rating: 4.90 rating | Released: 2015
15. Chillax Before Bed with Elise Fabricant
Rating: 4.86 rating | Released: 2018
If you want to lift heavy things physically, you need to increase your physical strength. Strong, big muscles go a long way in helping you to be able to carry more. Well, the same can be said for your mental muscles. If you struggle with tackling big challenges and overcoming more obstacles, you need to increase your mental strength.
Just like going to the gym to work out your body - your mind needs a good workout too. Here are some exercises to help you to develop your mental strength and help you achieve anything.
Reframe Negative Thoughts
If you suffer from negative thoughts and self-doubt, it can help to reframe and replace them with more realistic thoughts. While everyone has bad days that can lead to negative thoughts, by searching for the positive and realistic scenarios you can eliminate damaging negative thoughts, and equip yourself better for any bad days.
Make Realistic Goals
Create realistic goals, instead of aiming high and dreaming big - which can be more likely to lead to disappointment. Smaller, achievable goals make you more motivated to move forward and give you confidence in your ability to be successful. This can also help you to work out what goals are and are not challenging you enough - and which might be too challenging!
Set Up Your Day for Success
If you change your environment to fit your goals and needs, it can be easier to stay mentally strong and makes your life a little easier. Put your gym clothes out before you go to bed so they’re there in the morning if you want to work out more. Get rid of junk food if you want to eat healthy. Small things will help you to conserve your mental energy and help to set yourself up for success.
Do Something Hard Everyday
You don’t get stronger by accident. Challenge yourself on purpose, and try something new that’s just outside of your boundaries - it’s important to be aware of your own boundaries and what is going to be challenging for you. Try making a small step everyday, like doing something like enrolling in a new class, or speaking up when you feel shy. Push yourself a little bit everyday.
Be Okay with Feeling Uncomfortable
Feelings of discomfort can lead people to look for unhealthy shortcuts and can lead people to common emotional crutches that can be unhealthy, like binge-eating, watching too much TV or leaning on alcohol. These crutches can lead to bigger longer-term problems. Next time you feel discomfort and catch yourself leaning towards quick fixes - think about the bigger picture. Managing uncomfortable emotions can really help you to gain the confidence you need to reach your goals.
Balance Your Emotions and Logic
If you act on logic 100% of the time, you’ll probably not really have much fun, pleasure, or even love! But on the flip side, if you base everything on emotions, you might spend all your money on frivolous things, and miss out on savings and investments. The best decisions come from a balance of logic and emotion. Check-in with yourself before decisions, and make sure you are balancing emotions with logic - being overly excited, angry, or anxious can lead you to make an emotional decision - so try to make some pros and cons and consider the logical side of things before you make a choice.
Fulfill Your Purpose
It’s hard to stay motivated unless you’re in tune with your overall purpose. Think about your mission statement and what you want to accomplish in life. When you find yourself struggling or faltering, take the time to remind yourself why it is important that you keep going. Focus on your day-to-day goals, but also make sure that you’re giving yourself goals that align with your greater purpose in the long run.
Don’t Take Any Excuses
From yourself, that is. When you fall short of your goals and objectives, don’t make excuses for yourself - try to look for an explanation and then find ways to help yourself to do better next time. Take on responsibility for any shortcomings and don’t place blame. Try to learn from your mistakes to avoid repeating them.
10-minute Rule
Being strong mentally can help you be productive, but if you’re not feeling it, it can be hard to stay motivated. The ten-minute rule is the great way to get past feeling unmotivated. Try doing something for just 10 minutes. If you’re still feeling like you don’t want to do it after 10 minutes, then you can give yourself a break. However, more often than not - once you try for just ten minutes you’ll find it’s not that hard anyway. Getting started is always the worst part.
Remember, you won’t develop mental strength overnight - just like you won’t get big muscles overnight. It takes time to get stronger and become better at all these techniques. But by being consistent, you can build up your mental strength, and have the resilience and power to meet your goals - living a more fulfilled, happier life!
Who could use a dose of stable, grounded strength to boost your body, mind, and heart? Often in yoga, we emphasize the flexibility aspect and many people who haven’t tried yoga assume yoga is a stretch class. While flexibility is one of the important components of a well-rounded yoga practice, building external and internal stability is equally essential. This week we turn the spotlight on ways to amp up stability and strength when you step onto your yoga mat.
Yoga Sutra 2.46 Sthira Sukham Asanam is one of the best known tenets from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. What does it mean? The posture should be steady and comfortable or the intersection of effort and ease. By emphasizing strength and grounded energy, you build sufficient physical power to find the sense of comfort and ease in an asana. If you’re struggling because your muscles aren’t developed enough to support you, the comfort won’t be easy to access.
Standing Poses like Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II) and balancing poses like Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III) build strength in the lower body and core. When you are in weight-bearing positions like these ones, your bones and muscles are growing stronger, which helps maintain healthy joints. If you’re too weak to balance on one leg for thirty seconds, your joints often take over and develop instability or cause injury. Rooting your feet and savoring the connection with the earth beneath you creates grounded, stable energy.
Building a solid foundation keeps you centered and is the perfect basis for developing and maintaining flexibility safely. Another vital component of strength and stability is developing a strong core to protect your spine and prevent back pain. Navasana (Boat Pose) and Phalakasana (Plank Pose) both create a strong center and contribute to a toned physique. Integrating these poses and other spine strengtheners will also improve your sense of balance, whether that’s on one leg, your hands, or in your thoughts and emotions.
Prioritizing both strength and flexibility will create a body and mind that’s both flexible and strong, inside and out. This week’s classes create a sense of stability, whether you need to connect to your inner confidence, prevent injuries, regain strength after having a baby, or just want to tone your body.
Jackie Casal Mahrou - Inner Strength Flow
Kristen Boyle - Postnatal Strength
Desiree Rumbaugh - Strengthen, Protect, & Heal the Lower Back
Shannon Paige - Strength for Grace
A plant-based diet is more and more popular and even though this type of eating is completely doable (and delicious!) without any meat substitutes, there are still many of those widely available. I eat about 80% plant-based and rarely consume any of the substitutes, but my partner sometimes likes the feeling of eating meat, so I have been trying out some of them. As I haven’t given up meat completely, these products do not trick me to think I am eating meat, but that said – they do taste good! So if you need to cook a meal for somebody who does not believe that a plant-based diet is delicious and filling, then these meat-free balls are a good place to start!
I also made this meal gluten-free and used high-protein lentil pasta. With all gluten-free pasta types, it is important to make sure you do not overcook them. Of course, it is never good to overcook the pasta anyway, but most gluten-free versions turn mushy quite quickly, so I always try to cook them a little less and then finish the cooking in the sauce.
How do you feel about plant-based meat substitutes? Let us know in the comments!
Meatless Meatballs with Gluten-Free Pasta
Cooking time: 25 min
Serves: 2
1 large onion, chopped finely
½ tsp black pepper
2 tsp dried oregano
1 jar of chopped tomatoes
Salt, to taste
Sugar, to taste
10-12 oz plant-based mince of your choice (Impossible, Beyond…)
4 oz dried lentil-, buckwheat-, or chickpea pasta (or regular pasta if you don’t prefer gluten-free)
Fresh basil and more black pepper to serve
Mix half of the onion, black pepper, and oregano with your plant-based meat. Do not add salt as these products usually already contain quite a bit. Roll out to balls and fry until golden from each side.
Set the balls aside until you prepare everything else. In the same pan, sweat the onion on medium-low heat until translucent. Add in tomatoes and the rest of the spices. Depending on the tomatoes you might need to add a little salt or even sugar to balance out the sauce. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Cook the pasta 1 minute less than the packet instructions say. Then drain and add the pasta to the tomato sauce, and let simmer for 1 more minute.
Serve the balls on top of the saucy pasta garnished with fresh basil and extra pepper.
By Kadri Raig
Kadri is a food blogger and yoga teacher from Estonia. She loves to spend time in the kitchen, but most of her recipes are simple and don’t take more than 20 minutes of active cooking time. She thinks that everybody can find time to cook healthy food at home, it is just a question of planning. "I work in an office full time, teach yoga 7-8 hours a week and write a blog. So if I manage to cook most of my meals, then so do you!" Connect with Kadri and enjoy many more of her delicious healthy recipes on her website here: www.kahvliga.ee.
Kapalabhati pranayama technique creates fire and power and is wonderfully detoxifying for you. This breathing practice builds heat in the body and raises your energy levels leaving you feeling refreshed and invigorated. If you have ever been to a Kundalini yoga class, you have most likely done Kapalabhati breathing.
How to practice Kapabalbhati breathing: Sit up tall, exhale completely and relax. Then take a small inhalation and begin Kapalabhati with a quick forceful exhale out of your nose. The quick strong exhale will draw your belly in and blow air out of your nose somewhat forcefully, and it will make some sound. From your strong exhalation, your inhalation will come naturally, like a rebound effect. Once it comes in, exhale again forcefully. Continue to repeat this pattern over and over, up to 60 times in a row (try at least 25-30 times to get the full effect). Apply forceful exhalations out of your nose and passive inhalations, and you will start to engage your core and build strong inner fire and heat.
* This is powerful pranayama, so it may not be suitable for everyone, especially if you are pregnant, or have high blood pressure.
Now that you know how to practice this pranayama technique, here are some remarkable reasons why you'd benefit from practicing this!
10 Benefits of Kapalabhati:
Boosts lung function
Removes toxins and other waste materials from the body
Can improve concentration by removing stagnant, heavy, distracting energy from the body and mind
Helps reduce belly fat, by working the abdominal muscles
Kapalbhati boosts liver health and helps maintain the change in albumin and globulin (natural proteins) levels due to liver-related ailments
Helps support metabolism and digestion and promotes weight loss as a result
Can help sleep quality and relieve symptoms of insomnia
Improves kidney function
Mood-boosting and can help relieve depression and anxiety
These are just some of the many benefits of Kapalabhati. Of course, all of us are unique, so some benefits might be more prevalent for you, than for others. Explore for yourself, by practicing this breathing technique and noticing which benefits are most pronounced for you. Below is a 5-minute guided Kapalabhati class, you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Pranayama: Kapalabhati with Pradeep Teotia
Harness the power of ritual to maximize the benefits of your yoga practice. You probably already have rituals in place for many aspects of your life, from your career to your dinner plans to how you start each day. A ritual is essentially a set of habits you repeat regularly, often in a special or ceremonial way.
One way to commit to a consistent, powerful yoga practice is to create a sense of ritual around it. Whether you choose to energize your day with a morning yoga practice or soothe your senses with yoga in the evenings, here are 3 simple ways to uplevel your practice:
Create a Dedicated Yoga Space: A powerful way to enhance your yoga practice is to set aside either a room or a corner of a room specifically for yoga and meditation. Sometimes it’s tough to filter out distractions, like the television nearby or your partner sitting on the couch watching you.
You can make it as simple as a spot cleared out for your mat and props or more elaborate, with a small altar including candles, small statues like Ganesha or Lakshmi or Shiva, and decorations that help you shift into yoga mode the minute you step into the area, not just when you unroll your mat.
Set a Specific Schedule (ideally the same time every day): Repeating an action at the same time ingrains the action into your system. Your body will be ready to breathe and move, even before you’ve consciously decided it is time for yoga.
Journal Your Experience: Power exists in the written word, so find a beautiful notebook and keep it in your yoga space. One of the most impactful journaling rituals is a gratitude practice. Take a few minutes to write down three things you’re grateful for, every single day, despite the circumstances. In addition to feelings of gratitude, try writing down how you feel before your practice begins and after Savasana.
One of yoga’s magical powers is how it impacts our emotions and thoughts. If you’re feeling angry or sad prior to practice, note that down. Then compare when you’re finished and see if you were able to lighten up. Refer back to your experiences whenever you want!
This week, we’ve got four classes for you that celebrate the power of ceremony and ritual. Try one or all of them for inspiration to create your own.
Mark Morford - Devotion Intensive II: Arms to Hold
Elise Fabricant - Morning Yoga Ritual
Life Force Project - Sacred Ceremony in Nature
Bone broth is all the buzz in the health food world these days. And I’m not talking about broth or stocks that come in a box or a can. These shelf-stable soup bases don’t have the same nutrients and vitality of a homemade broth. They can be fine in a pinch but they don’t share the same superfood status of bone-stewed liquid gold. True bone broth comes from the slow-simmering of animal bones, together with scraps of meat and lots of nutrient-dense veggies. The result is a flavorful elixir of health.
Just as the good stuff in juice becomes highly bioavailable once you remove the fiber, slow-cooking bones, meat, and vegetable deposits concentrated nutrients into the broth for easy absorption. Bones, such as those from chicken, beef, turkey or even fish, transfer their minerals to the broth, which in turn, help us to strengthen our bones and teeth. Bone broth also delivers ample protein, like collagen, which helps our joints stay strong and flexible. The abundance of amino acids free-floating in bone broth is highly effective for rebuilding our tissues too.
Not only can sipping homemade bone broth promotes healthy skin and quick wound healing, it can also boost digestion and immunity by reducing inflammation in the gut and healing the tissues that line it. The best part of broth is that it’s easy to enjoy at any time: every morning, during illness, coming in from the cold, and even during a purification weekend!
Since bone broth is such a powerful source of nutrients, it’s important to make sure you start with good “clean” bones. If shopping in the grocery store, always choose organic bones and meat. If you have access to local agriculture, check with local butchers and ranchers to make sure their animals are healthy and raised on a clean diet before buying the bones. By getting to know your meat supplier, you can often find less desirable cuts of meat (like chicken feet), which will deliver more nutrients for less money!
Although time is a major ingredient when it comes to making your own bone broth, the actual process of making it is very easy and hands-off. This recipe is great for beginners because it uses a common roasting chicken and any combination of organic vegetables. While basic and flexible, our recipe employs specific tips that will optimize nutrition. Soaking the bones in vinegar, for example, helps pull out the minerals while the addition of onions and garlic promotes mineral absorption into our bones.
Ready to take the bone broth plunge? Be sure to leave me a comment below.
With bone broth love, Jules
Back to Basics Chicken Bone Broth
Yield: 2 quarts
1 cooked chicken carcass (about 1.5 pounds of bones) 10 cups filtered water 1 TB. apple cider vinegar 1 large onion, quartered 10 cloves garlic, smashed 2 cups chopped organic vegetables (carrots, celery, mushrooms, parsnips, zucchini, leeks, etc.) 2 TB. fresh herbs, chopped (rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, etc.) ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp. sea salt, or to taste 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional) 1-inch chunk fresh ginger, sliced (optional) Juice of half a lemon Large handful fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
After removing all edible meat from the chicken put bones, skin, and connective tissues in a large crock pot. Add 10 cups of filtered water (and a bit more, if needed to cover the bones). Add the apple cider vinegar, cover, and let soak for at least 1 hour.
Add the onion, garlic, vegetables, herbs, seasonings, and fresh ginger (if using) to the bones and water. Turn the crock pot on low, cover, and cook for 24 hours or at least overnight. As the broth cooks, skim off any foam that forms on the surface. The liquid will cook down some but you may add more water if the level drops a lot.
A half-hour before the broth is done, add the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Take a sip and adjust seasonings, if needed. When the broth is done, remove the lid and allow the broth to cool. Following food safety precautions, make sure the broth has cooled to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours.
Once the crockpot is cool to the touch, pour broth through a fine sieve and/or cheesecloth to strain out all bits of bone, vegetables, and herbs. Refrigerate. Once chilled, a layer of fat may form at the surface. This fat helps the broth stay fresh longer and can be scraped off or added to cooking. If there’s enough gelatin in the broth, it may turn into a jelly which is great! To reconstitute, simply heat the jelly in sauté pan, adding a bit of water, if desired, to thin.
The broth will keep in the refrigerator for 5-6 days and it can be frozen up to 4 months.
Variation: Broth can also be made on the stovetop. Follow the same steps as above for soaking the bones. When it comes to turning on the heat, bring the broth to a boil first before turning it down to simmer at very low temperature for at least 8 hours. Exercise caution if simmering overnight!
Jo Schaalman and Jules Peláez are co-authors of two books The Conscious Cleanse: Lose Weight, Heal Your Body and Transform Your Life in 14 Days, a best-selling, step-by-step guide to help you live your most vibrant life and their brand new The Conscious Cleanse Cookbook! Together they’ve led thousands of people through their online supported cleanse through their accessible and light-hearted approach. They’ve been dubbed “the real deal” by founder and chief creative director Bobbi Brown, of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, beauty editor of the TODAY show.
If you’re looking to lose weight, making a few small changes can actually be easier than one or two big changes, and it’s more likely that you’ll be able to stick with it. Making healthy changes can be hard, and it can be made harder if you set unrealistic goals. Small changes mean you're more likely to stick to your plan, so here are our tips to help you throughout the day.
Switch to low-fat or non-dairy milk
Using lower-fat milk or milk alternatives is a really easy change that you will hardly notice. If you eat cereal or drink a lot of milky hot drinks, you can save many calories in a week, just by switching from whole milk to skim milk for example.
Check labels
Many foods can contain high amounts of added sugar and salt, so make sure you check the labels and don’t fall for any claims on the packaging like added vitamins without looking at the full list of ingredients. Look out for things like whole grains and no added sugars.
Switch out your bread
Choosing wheat or gluten-free bread is much better for you than white bread. You can also make your breakfast healthier by switching out butter for a reduced-fat spread or choosing toppings such as a poached egg, tomatoes, or even mushrooms.
Switch to healthier snacks
One easy change to make is to switch out chips for something like unsalted nuts. Nuts can contain nutrients like iron and zinc and are better for you. You could even switch out for an even healthier snack like carrot or cucumber sticks.
Add more fruits and vegetables
Adding in some fruits or vegetables to every meal helps to make you healthier. Think about which you like, and add them to your meal, perhaps a side salad in your lunch, or some berries or a banana as dessert. Vegetables especially are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and also can lower your risk of heart disease
Choosing leaner meat
Meat can contain varying amounts of fat. Choosing leaner or lower-fat versions can really help to reduce your saturated fat intake. Removing visible fat like skin and rinds, and also grilling meat, can help to reduce your fat intake.
Try going veggie
Choosing a vegetarian option such as beans, lentils, instead of meat can help to reduce your saturated fat intake, and help to add healthy fibers to your diet. Also, you can change from meat to fish, for a healthier choice.
Switch your carbs up
Switch to whole-wheat versions of bread and pasta to add more fiber to your diet. Also, checking your portion sizes is a great way to stay healthy, with starchy carbs ideally making up around a third of your food.
Make your hot drinks healthier
Instead of ordering a usually full-fat latte, or milk heavy drink, try a cappuccino or a skinny latte, which will reduce your fat intake without you really noticing. Alternatively, try black coffee, such as a filter coffee or an americano, to really reduce your fat intake. And always try and say no to things like whipped cream, syrups, and toppings which can really add up the calories to a hot drink, as well as increase your sugar intake.
Even better, reduce your sugar intake by switching to a low-calorie or natural sweetener. Experiment to find one you like the taste of, as they can all taste a bit different. You can also gradually reduce the amount of sugar you use, till you get used to a less sweet taste and you can skip it entirely.
Cut out sugary drinks
Drinks like fruit juice are a great source of vitamins, but they are very high in natural sugars - this means that natural sugars are released from the cells of the fruit in the juicing process. Try to stick to a small amount, or even better, eat fruit instead of drinking juice. You can also switch to no-added sugar fizzy drinks to reduce your sugar intake.
Drink more water
When you don’t drink enough water each day, your body can confuse your thirst with hunger. Increasing your intake of water can have a huge impact on how much you eat during the day. Try to carry a water bottle so you have a reminder of how much water you need to drink on a regular basis, and set goals for yourself to drink some water a while before you eat, to help curb your appetite.
Look at the texture of your food
Did you know the texture of food can influence how much of it you eat? Soft foods like ice cream are easy to overdo, as the texture is very soft and easy to keep eating. Foods that you have to chew for longer are harder to overeat, so be mindful of the texture of your food while you eat it, and watch how much you eat.
Get enough sleep
Finally, the level of sleep you get can influence your weight. Not getting enough sleep can increase stress levels, which can increase the likelihood of gaining weight. Additionally, the less time you spend asleep, the longer you are awake and the more time there is to eat. Try and get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
Make yourself stronger, with these yoga classes for strength, right now!
We are often a reflection of the world around us and world events. If you’ve been feeling heavy, you’re not alone. We are living through a time filled with an excess of tamasic energy. Many external circumstances are beyond our control, but yoga can help us manage our behavior and perspective.
Different situations call for shifts in our yoga practice, so we can maximize the benefits of our time on the mat to match how we are feeling. Many students shared with us that they’d gained weight and were interested in a yoga program that would help them in their quest to burn calories and lose weight. We’re excited to share we’ve got a new two-week Yoga for Weight Loss Bootcamp designed to help you push your physical limits to beat stress and help you tone your muscles, strengthen your bones, and feel lean and luminous.
One way to feel lighter inside and out is through more vigorous styles of yoga––ones where you break a sweat, get your heart pumping and stimulate your endorphins. Stoking your inner fire will quiet your mind, activate your digestive, circulatory, lymphatic, and endocrine systems. It’s a great way to exit a state of emotional and physical stagnation and generate an overall sense of wellness.
When you feel comfortable in your own skin, it bolsters your self-confidence. We frequently emphasize and discuss the emotional and mental benefits of yoga and sometimes downplay the physical. But why can’t we emphasize the physical asana if that’s what we’re craving or that’s what we need at any given time?
Everything is connected and sometimes, it takes pushing yourself in a class designed to make you sweat and burn calories to access the emotional and mental benefits. Physical benefits include keeping your heart healthy, your blood pressure balanced, and your weight in check. We all want to be our healthiest and that doesn’t mean having to conform to a certain body type or look a certain way. Vigorous workouts play an important role in keeping your immune system strong, your mood elevated, and your metabolism chugging along at an optimum rate.
If you’re craving a program that will dial you in for two weeks of daily practices curated just for you, sign up for our upcoming yoga challenge. You’ll feel great inside and out!
One of my all-time favorite foods is chips and salsa. In fact, one of my typical indulgences is chips and salsa with a coin-style margarita con sal.
Usually, if we eat out at a Mexican restaurant, my entree of choice is a fish taco (grilled not fried, sub the cheese for avocado) on either a corn tortilla or lettuce wrap. Check out the recipe below, if you’re not cleansing.
Enjoy the fish tacos and be sure to leave me a comment below. Do you have a favorite Mexican dish that you’d like us to makeover the Conscious Cleanse way?
With love and zesty tacos,
Jules
Zesty Lime Fish Tacos with Cucumber Radish Salsa
Yield: 6-8 small tacos
1 cup cucumber, julienned ½ cup radish, julienned ¼ cup red onion, diced 1 ¼ tsp. sea salt, divided Juice and zest of 1 lime, divided 1 tsp. ground cumin ¼ tsp. smoked paprika ¼ tsp. ground turmeric 2 pinches of black pepper ¾ – 1 lb. cod or other flakey white fish 1 TB. coconut oil 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced ¼ cup cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar 1 head Bibb lettuce 1 avocado, sliced
In a medium bowl, make the salsa by adding cucumber, radish, and red onion. Cover vegetables with 1 teaspoon of sea salt and set aside for 10 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix the lime zest, cumin, paprika, turmeric, remaining ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and black pepper. Rinse the fish fillets and pat them dry with a paper towel. In a shallow dish, rub both sides of each fillet with the spice mixture, shaking off any excess. Set aside.
Transfer cucumber-radish salsa to a colander to rinse away the salt with warm water. Rinse the bowl out and return the vegetables to the bowl. Add the lime juice and stir to coat. Set for 10 more minutes.
In a saute pan over high heat, add coconut oil and allow the pan to get very hot. Once the oil is shimmering, turn the heat down to medium and add the fish fillets. Cook each fillet for about 3 minutes on one side and turn over. Add the sliced garlic to the pan. Cook each fillet on the other side for about 2-3 minutes, or until fish is cooked through and flakes easily. Remove fish and garlic from the pan with a spatula and allow to rest for at least a minute on a paper towel or clean plate. Once rested, gently shred into pieces using a fork.
Return to the salsa and add ¼ cup cilantro and apple cider vinegar. Stir to mix.
To serve, spoon ⅓ cup fish, a tablespoon or two of salsa and a few slices of avocado to a lettuce leaf. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro, if desired, and fold in half to eat.
One morning at my 5:30 am Mysore Ashtanga practice, I had one of those days where my body went on strike. Everybody has those days, where technically we can and have done all (or most) of these postures with grace and ease, but that day… not so much. My muscles fought back in even the simplest forward bends, my spine wouldn’t loosen up, and as a result, my inner-monologue was…well, let’s just say it was less than yogic.
Asana practice has two real main functions in the yogic tradition: to prepare the body to sit and meditate, and to open and balance energy lines in the body to facilitate personal development (so one can be comfortable in meditation internally). Typically on these days of physical ‘strike’, I’m left to contemplate in my Savasana what in my body/emotional patterning is so out of whack that it causes my entire physical being to seize up.
And it becomes days like these where one really begins to practice yoga. No, not Triangle Pose and Headstand, but Union with the Self. And apparently today myself is a little tough to look at.
The beautiful thing about practicing yoga is that it can be anything to anybody: we have dozens of styles of yoga spanning from extremely exercise-y and non-spiritual to extremely spiritual with minimal postures. We have classes with very little talking or music and classes that resemble a Krishna Das concert. And if Asana isn’t your thing, you can still be a yogi – you can chant, meditate, practice Bhakti or Tantra. You can practice in a studio, at an ashram, at home, in the park. There’s something for everybody.
But the one thing yoga is not is all smiles, hugs, and chanting ‘Hare Krishna’ all the time.
Yes, sometimes it can be those things. That’s how American culture got the stereotype of the flowery yogini dressed in vibrant clothes, a headband, sandals, and hugging everybody she meets. And yes, those people are out there – but yoga is not that way all the time.
Yoga is difficult in oh so many ways – physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s a constant process of breaking down to build up, letting go to create space – and inevitably yoga WILL make you take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror and make you face all those things we’ve been holding on to and avoiding for years.
Yoga isn’t designed to be an easy practice, and it certainly wasn’t designed to be a happy joyful practice all the time either. Yoga is a parallel to life, and both of them are a bitch to participate in (but we must).
I sat with my discomfort this morning for an extra-long time, and in my meditation afterward (after the 20 minutes of complaining in my head about how ‘unsuccessful’ today was) I realized that today’s practice served me more meaningfully than the last 20 graceful fluid practices before it.
By Elise Fabricant
Elise Fabricant is a top teacher on YogaDownload.com. She's also always at your service for one-on-one coaching. If you’re ready to make big changes in all aspects of your life, sign up for a complimentary clarity session with her from her website here.
If you are trying to be healthier, you might find that a quick fix or a fad diet never lasts and you find yourself slipping back into old habits. This is because as humans, we are creatures of habit, and if we want to see and make long-lasting positive changes in our daily lives, we need to work on improving habits one at a time. However, this way to a healthier and happier life doesn't need to be difficult or overwhelming. Making one small change every day for two weeks can be the secret to transforming your habits.
Here are 14 simple habits you can add to your day, over the course of two weeks. Feel free to add these daily intentions to your daily yoga, in YogaDownload's upcoming FREE 2-Week Yoga Challenge: Root and Rise.
Day 1 - Drink more water
We need water to function, and we need to drink it every day! Generally, an adult should be drinking around two liters of water a day - but listen to your body and your thirst and drink accordingly. When we are hydrated, this is the first step to a healthier lifestyle!
Day 2 - Think about what you’re drinking
This one will come easily once you increase your water intake. Whenever you drink something, try to be mindful of if it is good for you. Sugary drinks are one of the ways we consume more sugar and calories without realizing - and they don’t give our bodies any nutrients. Try water or green tea instead of sugary drinks or alcohol.
Day 3 - Eat more mindfully
Now we’ve nailed the drink, it’s time to think about what you’re eating. When we eat while on the go while working, or watching TV, we don’t pay attention to what we’re putting in our mouths. One of the best ways to be more healthy is to be mindful of your food, and if it will give your body nourishment and nutrients. Try to only eat when you’re hungry, and stop eating when you’re full. And try to chew more, as this helps digestion.
Day 4 - Prioritize sleep
Sleep is a vital part of our health - from producing serotonin to managing blood sugar, it impacts every part of our health. Getting at least seven hours of sleep a night is important for improving your health - but listen to your body, as you may need more.
Day 5 - Reduce junk food
Our favorite foods can be hard to resist, and hard to consume in moderation. But regularly indulging is not great for our healthy diets, so try to remove temptation. Don’t stock your cupboards with junk food, and delete those delivery apps off your phone. Removing things that are sugary, fatty, and greasy from temptation makes it so much easier to resist.
Day 6 - But avoid too many low-fat products
This might seem counterintuitive, but many low-fat and nonfat products can actually contain sweeteners and artificial flavors - which are not good for us! Dietary fat in moderation is fine, and it actually adds flavor, which makes our mindful eating more enjoyable!
Day 7 - Practice self-love
Day 7 is a big achievement! Practice some self-love and appreciation for yourself. Kicking old bad habits is really hard, and if you’ve been sticking to the above steps you’ve been working really hard. So try to take some time out for yourself and do something nice to make you happy.
Day 8 - Cut out sugar
Cutting down on sugary beverages will have helped, but now it's time to cut back in other areas. This can be a very hard challenge, but if you cut back on the amount of sugar you consume little by little, it can transform your health. So many studies show that the amount of sugar you consume can affect your health in a negative way, so it’s all about moderation.
Day 9 - Consume more fruit and vegetables
Eating more fruits and vegetables will improve your health, but it can be hard sometimes to incorporate them into your diet. Make a list of the different fruits and vegetables you like to eat, and think about your plan to add them into your diet. Try to make them a part of every meal and snack, and buy a little at a time so they don’t go to waste.
Day 10 - Try protein in the morning
A high-protein breakfast can help to curb snacking throughout the day. Protein in the morning reduces the amount of a hormone called ghrelin - this stimulates the feeling of hunger - in the blood, way more effectively than a high-carb breakfast. Try eating protein and see how you feel afterward, and incorporate it into your morning routine.
Day 11 - Brush your teeth properly and floss
We all know we’re supposed to floss twice a day, but sometimes we can forget. Try to carve out a good amount of time in the morning and before bed for a proper oral hygiene routine, and you’ll soon start to see the difference.
Day 12 -Move more
It’s time to start exercising. However, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming, try to make some small changes to get moving every day. Try to take the stairs, go for a walk instead of getting the bus, do at-home online workouts or yoga classes, anything to get you moving at least 30 minutes every day.
Day 13- Start to meal prep
Meal prepping is one of the best ways to keep a healthy diet on track. Healthy snacks and meals in the fridge mean we are more likely to choose them rather than ordering takeout. Pick an afternoon or an evening each week that's dedicated to preparing your meals. Try salads, vegetables that can be cooked, fruits, boiled eggs, and other healthy treats that you can eat throughout the week.
Day 14 - Practice gratitude
Finally, this one’s for your outlook on life. People aren’t happy because they have nothing going wrong in their lives, they choose to look at the positive in each situation. So try to find one thing each day that you’re grateful for.
2-Week Yoga Challenge: Root and Rise. The challenge is free for everyone and starts on April 11th!
“Yoga is 99% waste removal.” -TKV Desikachar
TKV Deiskachar was a legendary yoga master and son of the father of modern yoga, T. Krishnamacharya. He built upon his father's teachings and was one of the most respected leaders in the yoga world. One of the primary themes of his therapeutic approach to yoga was that its purpose was to cleanse the body, mind, and emotions. He often spoke of the importance of “burning away the rubbish” to find one’s highest self.
You know that tangible feeling of lightness after you deep clean your house? Not simply running the vacuum and dusting off the surfaces but digging deep and purging the junk or rubbish. Receipts for items you purchased three years ago, ticket stubs, a collection of socks without their mates––stuff simply taking up space as opposed to adding value to your life. We’re all guilty of allowing clutter to build up and not simply in our surroundings but in our bodies, minds, and hearts.
If you’re feeling lethargic and weighed down physically, a vigorous practice will help you sweat out toxins and energize you. If you’re in the mood for something more mellow, a Hatha or Yin class could be the perfect way to help you feel lighter. All styles of yoga will rev up your digestive, circulatory, and lymphatic systems. When your body feels stagnant, your mind and heart are also not operating at optimum levels of vitality. Cleaning and clearing out is a powerful way to fill yourself with clarity, calm, and purpose.
Often, we have repetitive negative thoughts and emotions and unless we work to process and release them, they color our entire life perspective. Use your yoga practice to promote clear thinking and positive emotions. We’ve got an incredible 2-week yoga challenge coming in April which will help you release whatever is weighing you down and leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. We’ll have a variety of classes of different lengths and styles each day so you can choose what suits your mood and schedule.
By committing to a daily habit of yoga for two weeks, you are essentially clearing out your overcrowded closet––tossing out the junk and creating space to welcome in the new. Join us and receive classes to your inbox every day and feel refreshed in two weeks.
I do a little cupboard cleanup at least once a year where I try to use up all the odd ends of dry ingredients that I have laying around. The raw buckwheat here is one of these ends, but it does not mean that I do not like raw buckwheat – I do! I just rarely eat it in savory versions as my favorite is buckwheat muesli that I just realized have not even shared with you, so I will fix that soon.
But this simple dish here is a quick weeknight dinner that comes together in around 30 minutes and most of this time you don’t need to do anything. Just chop your veggies throw everything in two pots, transfer some of the first pot over to a second one, stir a little and you are done. Easy!
You can also substitute almost everything in this meal – cauliflower instead of broccoli? Of course! Adding in zucchini? Why not! Replacing buckwheat with say, quinoa? Surely it would work! Just open your fridge and cupboard, see what you got and get creative!
Raw Buckwheat with Broccoli and Beans
Cooking time: 30 minutes
1 cup of green beans
1 cup broccoli
Drizzle of oil for frying
1 onion, chopped
1 cup raw buckwheat
2 tbsp sundried tomatoes, ribboned
1 cup butter beans
The juice of ½ lemon
Salt
(Vegan) feta cheese to serve
Bring a pot of water to boil, season heavily with salt and cook the broccoli and beans until your liking. I prefer them still a little crunchy, but it is up to you! Save the water!
At the same time, fry the onion on medium heat until translucent, then add in the buckwheat and a few ladles of the water you cooked the vegetable in (no point in wasting this flavor and nutrition) and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes stirring now and then and making sure there still is enough moisture (add extra if needed).
Once the buckwheat is almost tender, add the sundried tomatoes, butter beans, season with lemon juice and more salt if needed.
Lastly, mix in the greens.
Sprinkle some feta cheese on top to give a little extra tang and creaminess.
Many Full Moon blessings to you all. Our world is shifting rapidly, and we're all awakening, expanding, and collectively moving together into new horizons. Next month will be a whirlwind. Stay connected to your highest visions. This moon marks the completion of a cycle and brings a new cycle, a new epoch, a new order forward. What you hold in your mind, and within your heart are building and gaining form, keep the space clear.
Understand your environment, the waves you bring into space, and how you are being led. Consciously choose what is taken in, and engaged, it is building you and becomes a part of the new creation and self. Dharma has been reforming for the last 8 months and reaches a point of freedom this month. Two days before the Full Moon marks a point of energetic liberation. It liberates the self from previous masks, encasements, and works to open creative, generative forces of nature to birth a new beyond known horizons. This freedom also releases confines to karma. Yes, karmic balance is occurring and feels almost instant, either in understanding or in experience. An important aspect of this karma clearing is due to the reference point, or release of old confines no longer causing a reactive energetic effect within the self. It also shows that dharma ownership requires karmic ownership. Taking responsibility for all thoughts, actions, and all forms of creation within the now awakens a new form of inner power, resilience, and co-creative responsibility.
The wisdom carried forward will show how to be fruitful with efforts. Understand your resources, the cycles of life, and your lifeforce. It will be about serving the collective to know self. Mars rules this month and is rebuilding the ego and inner mind. We have shifted into a new time frame. Fertilization (the seed within you) is occurring carrying the next generation through wisdom and order. Protect the seed, keep movement and execution close to heart- through the guidance of the heart. The masculine and feminine are united, exalted, understanding the co-creative components awakens new faculties.
Contracts are being carried out, service and connection beyond ‘lives’ and for life. Many will begin to receive what you have wished for, or feel more connected to personal vision and directive. Many will come into new unions, roles, and awaken greater faculties. Collectively and individually we unify the self into new heights of self-realization. We are all being asked to receive what they have put into motion and creation.
The next framework for creative desires now moves into earthly form the ordering-divine intelligence. April will be a powerhouse of forward movement and expansion-blooming fruition. Do not hold your vision as something to be attained, or a wish into the future. It lives in the present within the heart, it is important to sense this emergence within. A new life requires lifeforce, the connection between temporal and eternal. Take responsibility for personal being-ness, ownership moves the mind to understand the nature and effects of energy exchange, as well as illuminating through junctures of connection and links.
Understand how the universe draws through you. The fabric of the field, the planets, the forces of energy you command with your ‘being’. Mind the ‘being’. Doing no longer defines this go around. Be the love, emulate it. Freedom of new expression, the vibration of waking up. It’s a milking, drawing through you for all. Fertilizing the fullness of the ideal self from the soul serves beyond the self, it enriches us all. Be true to your potency, your potential, to the gold within your heart.
New revelations, recognition, and integration of the unknown is occurring powerfully. It is a refraction from September of knowing self as unique within the whole. There is a lot of relaying energy, moving forward quickly and building new. See between hinges and joints, the spaces between, the fractures. This reveals what keeps us separate from self, inner knowing, and each other. It will also show the false links, or connections that lack integrity. As within, so without. These links, junctures, or connections will reveal themselves dualistically (what is and was gained, what no longer holds, and what is needed to stabilize). There is a lot of wisdom and magic in these connection points.
Lastly, remember that your very being draws divine intelligence and gifts unto the Earth. Every thought draws from the divine lifestream to be birthed into individual experience and expression. This month connects the mind beyond 'me' and into a greater embodiment of collective power. The ordering of one's world will follow the mental nature. Focus on inner love, contentment. Remain humble. Remember your humanity. Desire and dharma move forward for new life through divine connection and to bring heaven unto earth through the heart of soul.
Asanas to work with this moon:
Seated open twists
Pigeon Pose
Warrior 2
Practice Geenie's Yoga & Astrology program now!
By Geenie (Gemma) Celento
Gemma, distills the ancient science through the stars. A teacher, Vedic astrologer, and Ayurvedic Practitioner Gemma unites Tantra through the wisdom of the skies and the power of plants. Based in Italy, Gemma's work and passion is rooted in guiding others through the sacred sciences to awaken the magic within and around.
Is anybody else ready to lean into the powerful transition of the Equinox? Here at Yogadownload.com, we’re ready for that push of energy from Mother Earth to help us align with nature. Whether you’re celebrating the move into longer nights in Autumn in the Southern hemisphere or eager for the blossoming of Spring in the Northern hemisphere, we are all experiencing the change in the seasons.
When we harness the seasonal shifts to empower our individual intentions and move with nature’s ebbs and flows, we can better implement our true desires. The cycles of the moon, the hours bathed in sunlight, the fluctuations of heat and cold all impact us––we are a part of the natural cycle, not separate. This world influences how we feel on every level––our bodies, our hearts, and our minds.
Here are three ways to amplify the Equinox’s energy:
Use nature to help you manifest your dreams! Carve out some time to take a walking meditation and journal on your reflections of how it feels to tune into the changes and cycles of the seasons. Write down your intentions for either the seeds you’re planting in the Spring or layers you’re shedding in the Fall.
If it’s Spring where you live, take your yoga practice outdoors and savor the warmth of the sun on your skin, the kiss of the breeze through your hair, and the stability of the earth beneath your feet. Absorb the fact that no matter how cold and dark life can become, the cycle of new life arrives each year. Trust that new flowers will blossom again.
If it’s Autumn, it’s time to appreciate the leaves falling and the recognition that we must shed layers to make space for new feelings, thoughts, and experiences in our lives. Dedicate some time to shift your awareness inside and notice what is no longer serving you and let it go. Look to the shorter days and longer nights as a signal that taking the time to rest and restore your energy is vital to bloom again.
A regular yoga practice requires you to be a good gardener––whether it is time to plant seeds or harvest them. Try one of the specially designed classes we’ve curated for you this week. Each one is perfect for when you’re on a journey of transition, on or off your yoga mat.
This week, align yourself with the Equinox and reaffirm your connection to the Earth and to everyone around you.
Jackie Casal Mahrou - Daily Decompression 2: Unwind
Natalie Maisel - Ostara Ritual
Christen Bakken - Rockin' Bhakti- Sacred Transitions
The recipe is from spring 2020 when we had our first lockdown here in Estonia. I remember it very clearly as I was supposed to be in Jamaica and in Miami, but then life happened, the world became a crazy place, and I still haven’t taken this trip. Maybe this year! Fingers crossed.
Anyway, as I had planned a three-week holiday and prepped well with doing all my work for this time beforehand and yoga classes were canceled, I just spent 3 weeks at home cooking, drinking (smoothies mostly, but also cocktails as I was supposed to be on holiday after all), cleaning out all the forgotten corners of my home and binging on I don’t even remember what, but most likely some cooking competition. And here I am almost two years later and I still have not gone on that trip!
I will not even tell you about all the goodness in spinach and this smoothie (it definitely is good for you containing loads of vitamins, folates, and antioxidants), but keeping your nutrition balanced during health trouble definitely helps a faster recovery!
So go, go make this smoothie now and be transported to a holiday!
Oh, one more thing – if you use all the ingredients in their frozen form, then let them thaw slightly before processing unless you have a very powerful blender. I usually use fresh pineapple and frozen banana and spinach, and this works well.
1 cup of pineapple cubes (fresh or frozen)
½ cup coconut milk
1 banana (fresh or frozen)
3 ½ oz frozen spinach
Add all ingredients to a blender and whizz until smooth. Serve immediately adding a few slices of pineapple as a decoration. Feel free to add an umbrella.
Smoothies are usually not considered indulgent, and neither is spinach. But whizz together this smoothie containing quite a bit of this leafy green, call this a pina colada, and feel like you are on vacation!
Massage with hot stones is an ancient technique that can fill you with the pure energy of nature. The technique of massage with natural stones is based on the natural reaction of the body to cold and heat. However, the stones themselves play an extremely important role in this mystery. Some say stones are some of the oldest inhabitants of our world, absorbing the energy of the cosmos and stars, earth, and water for thousands of years. In the process of stone therapy, minerals transfer the accumulated energy to the human body, healing ailments and soothing the soul.
What kind of stones are used for massage?
Stones of different geographical origins are used, from places ranging from Peru, Argentina, the Indonesian islands, the USA, Italy, and Norway. One of the favorite tools of stone therapy is called jadeite — a cobblestone of rich green color from Japan or China. It rightfully takes the place of an emperor among hot massage stones. Jadeite is attributed to the properties of an amulet and a powerful stabilizer, able to influence the course of energy in the body.
Some points on the body respond to the touch of a hot stone, while others are activated by the action of cold stones. This is the essence of the technique. In thermal massage, basalt is most often used because it equally involves all types of energy. This stone cools down slowly, generously sharing its warmth with the person. Exposure to cold is carried out through pieces of marble.
Masters of massage say that the strength of the impact of each stone is determined not only by its temperature. The weight, the degree of smoothness of the surface, the shape, the charge, and the ability to retain heat have their influences too.
How does stone therapy work?
Masters, who influence the patient's body with stones, always keep in mind the spiritual component of the interaction. Four elements co-exist in each stone: the power of fire and the calmness of the water, the life-giving energy of the earth, and the unstoppable wind. It is believed that on a subtle level, stones absorb negative emotions, tension and neutralize negative, disease-causing energy. And in return, they fill us with the pure energy of nature and can help beat depression. But how does this work in the physical body? After all, we are unable to see the movement of subtle energy.
The work begins with the spine, the ears, the temples, the feet, and the palms of the hands. Literally, in a couple of minutes there is a feeling of pleasant warmth, the skin turns red, the blood vessels expand. The capillary blood and metabolic processes are the first to react. This is followed by a massage with cold stones, which causes vasoconstriction, which stimulates the outflow of lymph, eliminates stagnation in the veins, and normalizes the functions of the vegetative nervous system. Indirectly the endocrine and immune systems respond to the influence, deep mechanisms of energy harmonization are activated, relaxation sets in.
Alternation of cold and heat, competent influence on certain points causes response at the level of lymph flow and capillary blood circulation. Stress, worries, and fears are released on the physical level, giving way to relaxation and peace. The body literally comes alive. Another positive effect of stone therapy is the increase in endorphins. The patient feels a rush of joy and relaxation, and the body triggers self-healing mechanisms.
A stone therapy session usually begins and ends with a hand massage. The gentle, gliding touches first prepare the skin, making it as receptive as possible to the action of the stones. And at the end, the massage enhances relaxation, supports endorphin levels, and soothes. If you're a massage enthusiast, consider treating yourself to a massage with natural stones next time to experience these unique benefits.
By Ellie Yantsen
Want extra relief and nourishment for your back? Enjoy this Yoga for Back Pain program!
The benefits of yoga are becoming more well-known and mainstream. That said, there is still a sizable part of the population who would like to practice yoga, but get stuck on some common excuses of why they can't. Whether they believe these excuses or not, these common myths are busted below and can help motivate you to get onto the yoga mat and experience this practice's immense benefits.
1. I’m too busy for yoga. Classes never fit my schedule.
Yoga is now available to you any time and from anywhere you have an internet connection! Try online yoga classes on YogaDownload from the ease and convenience of your home or hotel room or office. Classes online are also shorter than a lot of classes in studios. Rather than an hour or more for a class, plus the time to commute there, you can put a 20-minute class on, from the comfort of your home. Regardless of your schedule, you can always find a time to practice yoga.
2. Yoga has gotten so expensive. I’m too broke for such luxury.
Many studio owners are recognizing that regular drop-in class prices may not be accessible to folks during these hard economic times. They are responding by offering more affordable classes at certain times of the day.
Furthermore, it is now more affordable and more convenient than ever to practice yoga online! Platforms like YogaDownload give you unlimited access to yoga classes at any time for the price of lunch and half the cost of some studio drop-in classes.
Regardless of the monetary cost, yoga is an investment in yourself and your well-being and worth the money.
3. I’m too inflexible for yoga. I have to get in shape first.
I can’t speak for other yoga teachers, but my classes always emphasize compassion for your body and practicing without judgment or criticism. We start with where ever you are and go from there. All bodies can benefit. Yin yoga is a great place to start a yoga practice, as there’s no emphasis on range of motion – i.e. no perfect pose to work towards. And, if you are still intimidated to hit up a regular class, private yoga sessions to work with you individually can help! YogaDownload also has a 3-week program for inflexible beginners.
While we celebrate offering yoga classes that appeal and benefit a wide range of individuals, it’s also important that we provide niche classes that are created for specific populations. Who doesn’t want a yoga class that recognizes we may need something different at times? It’s a great reminder that we aren’t alone in that need, we’re part of a community.
There isn’t an identical path for any of us. We’re all unique. Individually perfect or perfectly imperfect. What really matters is how you feel during and after your yoga practice. Whatever your personal experience, there’s a universal premise that yoga is a process of turning inward. Of getting quiet so you can truly be present. Of finding your brightest inner light or—gasp- even achieving Samadhi or enlightenment.
The yogic path is outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and begins with Yoga Sutra 1:2 Citta Vritti Nirodha––which translates to learning to calm the mind’s fluctuations or learning to direct your attention where you wish it to go. What’s beautiful about yoga is the journey to achieving calmness and clarity doesn’t have to progress in one particular way. There is no perfect pose and no perfect practice. Our needs fluctuate depending on the season or the season of life we’re in. If the end result is that you uncover your best self, you shed the layers weighing you down and shine bright, isn’t that actually the “right” path for you?
This week we’re offering classes that embrace certain populations. Robert Sidoti is back with another offering in his Yoga for Men program––classes that take into account the strength, mobility, and anatomy unique to guys. For our Spanish-speaking yogis, Michelle Smith’s has a new class just for you.
Claire Petretti Marti, a twelve-year cancer survivor, created her Yoga for Cancer Recovery class to help manage physical and emotional side-effects, and rebuild strength and mobility. And for Seniors, Jeanne Dillion’s Gentle Chair Yoga for Neck & Shoulders targets posture and stress relief, all while in a seated position. Check out these and other classes that may be perfect for you this week.
Robert Sidoti - Yoga for Men 4: Becoming a Priority
Claire Petretti Marti - Yoga for Cancer Recovery
Jeanne Dillion - Gentle Chair Yoga for Neck & Shoulders
How would you describe your perfect birthday cake? For me (Jo), carrot cake is the ultimate birthday feast centerpiece. It’s always been my favorite cake since I was a kid. And every year I try to re-create a new favorite version!
My birthday was just last week, so I’ve been daydreaming about a new carrot cake recipe for weeks now. My friend and nanny Kerry is an amazing baker, so I asked her to make my daydream into a reality. I wanted this cake to be a spin on the typical carrot cake flavors while incorporating elements of my favorite grain-free pumpkin rolls with a citrus cream for some extra decadence and an extra veggie punch.
The end result is this super flavorful and delicious Carrot Cake with Citrus Cream!
And now for the highlights: this Carrot Cake is gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, low-sugar, coconut-free, AND soy-free — making this an extra easy cake to share. Plus, if you want to make it vegan, you can simply swap the honey for maple syrup. It’s super easy to adapt!
What makes this cake really special is the addition of canned pumpkin in the cake which keeps it extra moist and prevents it from drying out. The added Citrus Cream frosting perfectly brightens the earthiness of the pumpkin and gets its rich creaminess from organic palm shortening.
The clementine juice in the frosting also enhances the sweetness of this cake without having to add lots of sugar. This way we could reduce the added sweeteners to a little bit of honey mixed with a few tablespoons of monkfruit, which combine perfectly with the raisins in the batter for balanced but minimal sweetness.
If you love carrot cake, you have to give this version a try. It’s sure to be a hit wherever you serve it — even my kiddos love it!
With love and cake crumb kisses,
Jo & Jules
Carrot Cake with Citrus Cream Frosting
For the Cake:
1 15oz can pumpkin purée 3 tbsp lakanto 1 tbsp honey 2 tbsp palm shortening, melted 1 cup Himalayan buckwheat flour 1 cup cashew flour 2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground cloves ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp ground cardamom 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1½ cup shredded carrots (about 2-3 medium carrots) ½ cup raisins ⅓ cup walnuts, roughly chopped 1 15oz can of chickpea liquid (aquafaba) whipped
For the Citrus Cream:
2 cups palm shortening 2 cups clementine segments Zest of one lemon 3 tbsp lakanto 1 tbsp honey ½ tsp salt
Preheat oven to 350ºF and line two 9” cake pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, lakanto, honey, and palm shortening. Mix in the flours, spices, baking powder, and baking soda. Add in shredded carrots, raisins, and walnuts.
In a separate bowl, whip the aquafaba until it has stiff peaks and fold it into the cake batter in three parts. Divide the cake batter into the two pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
To make the Citrus Cream Frosting, combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Once the cake has cooled, frost it and refrigerate until serving.
Lots of guys drive or sit at desks with their wallet or cell phone in their back pocket, but they can’t figure out why they moan and groan in pain when they stand up to leave the car or chair.
Here’s the physics: One butt cheek sitting higher than the other can trigger chronic pain in your back, hips, and shoulders, and set off foot cramps.
Here’s the physiology: Eventually, you may compress the sciatic nerve (it runs from each side of the spine down through the back of each thigh to the foot) and cause searing leg pain and numbness called sciatica. You also can aggravate the piriformis muscle (it’s near your glutes), which can irritate the nerve and trigger lower back and sciatic pain.
Here’s the fix: Get that wallet or cell phone out of your back pocket! Slide them into your front pockets or get a “man-purse.” Also, do stretches to restore alignment and relax tense gluteal and lower back muscles. Pilates and Hatha Yoga or Yin Yoga will help to counteract the years of sitting lopsided.
Get their wallets out of their back pockets for a month and see what happens in their bodies. Women, you’re challenge is to cease and desist with the high heels for a month. One lucky challenger will be chosen at random to win a free massage!
Practice this free yoga class with Elise!
Morning Yoga Quickie 2 with Elise