Fall Energy Exchange Program

Shakti Yoga Studio would like to make our yoga classes accessible to dedicated students regardless of their financial situation. If you are a reliable worker and can demonstrate diligence and attention to detail, you may be eligible to exchange service for free, unlimited yoga.

Participants in this program work one 2-hour shift per week cleaning the yoga studio (or providing another service) in exchange for unlimited free classes.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall Energy Exchange program that runs 
from September - December 2011. Please send your cover letter and resume to Bobby@ShaktiYogaStudio.ca to be considered for the program.

 Restorative Techniques for Summer Balance

As summer began to lure our winter weakened bodies into the gardens and onto the trails, students began pouring into the studio complaining of back pain and aching muscles in just about every part of the body. The question frequently posed was "What kind of postures/series should I do to fix this?" While your regular practice will keep you in condition to help avoid injury and stress, once it has occured the yogic antidote is almost always to be found in a restorative yoga series.

Those who live active lifestyles sometimes dismiss restorative yoga classes as not being a work out and thus of little value. However, those who take part in activites that require a lot of exertion tend to be the most physically in need of restorative yoga. Yoga is, after all, about balance. Runners and other athletes report that a restorative yoga practice helps their bodies heal more quickly from their rigorous sport. This is not news to cyclist Lance Armstrong who is known to tweet about his regular yoga classes and also offers restorative yoga classes for cyclists at his own bike store.

The restorative yoga edge in promoting healing is partly a result of holding poses for longer periods, in greater comfort, due to the prop support. A restorative pose brings the usual benefits of a similar active yoga pose while initiating a more intense activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system that is active when we are calm and balanced, unlike the sympatetic nervous system whose activation is also known as the fight-or-flight response. Doing poses that activate the parasympathetic nervous system results in the body being able to allocate more resources to areas that need repair, allowing it to go into a healing mode. Without being distracted by signals telling it to prepare for activity the body is able to focus on relaxing and regenerating, the ideal state to reduce inflammation and optimize immune function.

After a strenuous period of activity, try the series of postures pictured below to balance and bring relief to the body. This series provides fatigued muscles with time to release and opens the spine to the back and front before ending with a balancing spinal twist. Try spending 5 minutes in each pose if time allows. An egg timer might be helpful to keep time. Focus on your breath. Imagine each long breath out leaving the body more and more at ease. The key to restorative success is to feel completely relaxed. Any space between the body and the floor is an opportunity to add a supportive rolled blanket or cushion. Try putting an eye pillow over your eyes to bring release to this part of the body as well. Remember that the body temperature drops in deep relaxation so consider covering with a light blanket unless you are outside on your sunny deck as you enjoy these deliciously restorative poses.

Restorative poses are also useful to help balance emotional disruptions. In general, heart-opening/back-bending poses are more effective in treating depressive moods, and forward bends  are more grounding and calming for anxious moments. So whether your summer is spent gardening, hiking, biking or running don't forget to fit in some restorative balance and get the most enjoyment possible out of your summer activites!

Restorative yoga classes take place on Sunday evenings at 7:30pm at both the Torbay Road and the Mount Pearl location.

 Mangos: Lassis, chutney and Frozen Bliss

The mango, like yoga itself, originated at the foothills of the Himalayas a few thousand years ago. In India mangoes are considered to be a symbol of life, and mango leaves are used for decoration in festival celebrations and weddings. In Hindu mythology it is thought that when Shiva and Parvati came from the Himalayas they missed this heavenly fruit so much that Parvati asked Shiva to use his powers to recreate it here on earth. He did, and that is how the mango is said to have appeared in India.

I have many wonderful memories of buying freshly picked mangos from Indian street vendors to go home, roll up my sleeves, sit outside and let the mango juice run down my arms as I enjoyed every last morsel of these sweet, juicy and perfectly ripened fruit in the 40 degrees plus heat. It always left me feeling cooler, hydrated and happy. Maybe this is not so surprising since the mango is credited for having properties to help avoid and treat heat stroke.

The mango's rich flavour, tender texture and myriad health benefits have resulted in this fruit being widely refered to as the "king of fruit". It is rich in amino acids, vitamin C and E, flavonoids, beta carotene, niacin, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Due to their vitamin and mineral content mangoes are considered to be an anti-cancer food, a memory booster, beneficial to the health of the eyes, skin, digestive system and are considered helpful in diabetes control and anemia.

In addition to being a nutrient power house, the mango is also known for it's numerous useages as a home remedy. They are sometimes used to treat skin conditions externally. Just remove the pulp and apply to the skin for 10 minutes before washing. You will look great and smell yummy too! 

So if you have yet to introduce yourself to the mango, August is the month to pick up a few and make one or all of the recipes below. Whether or not you are at risk of getting heat stroke you will not regret spending a sunny summer afternoon with a mango.

Mango Lassi's and Creamsicles

Ingredients:

1 cup organic plain yogurt & 1/2 cup milk

(Or, as I prefer, replace these two ingredients with 1.5 cups of plain mediterranean-style thick yogurt to get a thicker creamy consistency)

1 cup chopped mango (peeled and stone removed)

3 tbsp of honey (or to taste)

A pinch of salt

A dash of ground cardamom

Lassi: Blend ingredients and serve as is.

Creamsicle: Blend ingredients, pour into popsicle holders and freeze overnight to make creamy popsicles.

This recipe has so much room for flexibility. Some people add bananas to the mix. The amount of yogurt or milk can be adjusted to taste. The same applies to he honey. Some mangos are sweeter than others. Thin or thick the flavour is always magnificent. Experiment until you have the right mixture for you.

Mango Chutney

Indian mango chutney is the original and most traditional chutney. It goes beautifully with veggie burgers (and admittedly the meat variety as well).

Ingredients:  

3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

2 large mangoes, peeled and chopped

1/2 medium sweet red pepper, chopped

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) sugar

1 cup (250 mL) finely chopped onion

1/2 cup (125 mL) raisins

1/2 cup (125 mL) white vinegar

1/4 cup (50 mL) finely chopped peeled ginger root

1 tablespoon (15 mL) lemon juice

2 teaspoons (10 mL) curry powder

1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) each: ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt

Combine apples, mangoes, red pepper, sugar, onion, raisins, vinegar, and ginger root in a large saucepan. Stirring occasionally, bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat, and boil gently, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until fruit is tender and mixture is thickened. Add lemon juice, curry powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt; boil gently for 5 minutes.

Follow canning procedures and bottle a few of these so that you can enjoy the sweet taste of summer all winter long.