In April we will start a foundational yoga course for people who are new to yoga or who have been away from the practice for long periods. In a four week session we'll explore the fundamental yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation methods in a comfortable, supportive environment. Each class will explore new ideas and techniques so that at the end of class #4 participants are prepared for a full-length practice. This is a pre-registered session. The next session begins on Saturday April 24th at 12:30pm.

As Spring approaches we feel an overwhelming urge to cleanse. This is different from the knee jerk response to overindulgence that we experience after the holidays. Spring  awakens an innate desire to seek out physical, mental and spiritual renewal. A yoga lifestyle can help us tune in to these cues and shake off the winter by cleansing and revitalizing our lives. This can take many forms. We all have our Spring rituals. Here are a few ideas to help make your transition from Winter to Spring as smooth and rejuvenating as possible.

 

Certain yoga postures work to remove the sluggishness that winter leaves behind. Postures than open the pelvis and energize the legs in particular work to create space and allow movement in the densest parts of our bodies. Try adding goddess pose, chair pose and garland pose to your regular practice to restore energy to the legs and hips. Twists are also  naturally cleansing poses that are perfect for helping the body make the seasonal transition by re-energizing and cleansing the spine and vital organs. This is also a good time to re-evaluate your asana practice in general and inject vitality into those aspects that have become stale. Moving into each posture as if it were the first time, playing with your foundation, your breath and your visualization can open you up to new discoveries.

 

Diet is another important aspect of making a smooth transition into Spring. The body processes food differently in each season. Spring is a time to start eating lighter foods like salads and other vegetable and fruit rich items. Cleansing teas after meals help us use food more effectively and assist in flushing the cells. Cinnamon, black pepper and ginger tea is one such tea. Chamomile tea in the evening also boosts digestion and helps the body get rid of the excess mucous that it accumulates over the winter.

 

Unloading mental weight also works to heal the body and mind, allowing us to move forward rather than remain mired in past thoughts, actions and events. All thoughts are accompanied by physical responses that have a profound impact on our physical as well as mental health. Try starting a daily meditation in the morning or evening before bed. Start with just two minutes and work your way up to sitting and observing your thoughts for up to 10 minutes. This can make us aware of what thoughts are dominating our internal space. Using this new awareness of your internal space you can choose to give yourself permission to accept the wisdom gained from past events and to release the regret, frustration or anger that some thoughts keep locked inside the body and mind. Until this is done we are not fully free to move forward and embrace future growth.

 

And finally, we can use this motivating time of year to get rid of excess baggage on the outside. Spring is a great time to pull all of that junk out of the basement and the back of our closets. You can donate it to a good cause or hold a garage sale. If you do go the latter route why not decide to use the funds earned to do something that feeds your soul and creates clarity and appreciation for whatever and wherever your life is at this point. And remember that it is usually the simplest pursuits that reap the largest rewards.

 

 

Mix all of this avacado goodness with antioxident rich cocoa and you have a power food that will make you feel great about eating dessert.

 

Ingredients:
- 3-4 Ripe Avocados, 3 large or 4 mediums
- 1 Cup Organic Maple Syrup (or Agave nectar, honey, etc)

- 1 Tbls of Pure Vanilla Extract
-  1 Cup of Cocoa Powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon


Directions:
Slice each avocado open and scoop the insides into a food
processor or blender. Add maple syrup, vanilla, cocoa powder and cinnamon.
Blend until mixture is fully blended. It should be smooth and
the color of chocolate. You can serve right away or chill. If you are a fan of milk chocolate you can add milk to the mixture until your get the desired texture and taste. (Plain yogurt also works) You can serve this as is, topped with whipped cream, or even served over sliced bananas.