Health, Happiness, Rejuvenation through Yoga          
 May 2013
        
Photo by Terence Galuszka
Obstacle or Divine Alignment?   
    

If you just happened to be in a very remote region of Northern Australia last week, you could have witnessed this spectacular annular solar eclipse.  On May 9 for a very brief time, the earth, moon and sun positioned themselves relative to one another in perfect alignment.

 

It barely made the news, but I think eclipses are a pretty big deal.  We're in a period now with 3 eclipses in a row within a very short span of time.  We had a lunar eclipse on April 25, solar eclipse on May 9, and we'll have yet another lunar eclipse coming up on May 25.  

So what's all the fuss about?  Well, it depends on your perspective.  Eclipses have fascinated writers, poets, scientists, intellectuals, mystics, yogis, and curious kids since the beginning of humanity.  You name it - you can find just about every possible angle for in-depth exploration of eclipse phenomena.... (love search engines!)

 

During this condensed and action-packed eclipse-fest I'm finding it interesting the way people describe these natural occurrences:  "block," "obscure," "get in the way of," "cover up," "obfuscate,"  "shadow."  As a teacher, a yogi, and space-science nerd, I naturally look for parallels in the nature of the outer atmospheres with with the nature of our human lives.   We're aware on some level, "as above so below," "within you - without you,"  "we are a microcosm of the macrocosm," and we truly are  "the stuff from which stars are made."

 

So when something in our personal life appears like a block, a big problem, some great unknown mystery, some seemingly unsolvable predicament, a major obstacle.... it's most likely (just like an eclipse) a beautifully orchestrated confluence of natural forces in perfect, divine alignment. 

 



Thank you for being here!  I am wishing you the lightest and brightest illuminations in this season of unlimited possibilities.


   

"Our thoughts, our words, our deeds are the threads of the net which we throw around ourselves."  ~ Swami Vivekananda

Big Solar Flares! 
 

     

  
Woo Hoo... as if exciting eclipses weren't enough to keep the Merry Month of May interesting, our sun exploded with 4 X-Class (the largest category) flares in 3 days!  So maybe you were feeling a bit charged up and fire-y on May 13, 14 and 15? 
Check out the details at www.spaceweather.com 

 




OK, yogis - this one falls into the
"by popular request" (or "you asked for it") category;-) 
 

Slow, Steady Breath + Strong Abs + Calm Mind = Nabhi Kriya 
Several of you have asked me to record this abdominal strengthening set to practice along with at home or while traveling.
Your wish is my command... so here it is. 
This is the short set, it's 26 minutes long.  For the full-length set, please check my website in a day or so... it will be waiting for you.
This yoga set is from the Kundalini Yoga tradition.  It's designed to strengthen the abdominal region quickly - from the inside out.  It stabilizes the nervous system and balances the digestive system.
It's important to:
Keep your lower back on the mat the entire time. 
Breathe slowly, deeply and evenly. 
Maintain a neutral mind.

nabhi kriya short set 
Nabhi Kriya - short set
 



Ayurveda Tips

Keep It Cool 

With the temperatures rising, and increased solar activity, it's important to balance Pitta dosha, associated with the fire element.  When Pitta becomes aggravated we may experience anger, irritability and impatience.  We may become sensitive to heat, develop skin rashes, heartburn, acne, and insomnia.  To balance Pitta, follow the ayurvedic advice , "like increases like and opposites balance,"

 

To keep Pitta from flaring up, consider these tips:

  • Eat cooling, sweet, bitter and astringent foods like cucumber, watermelon, coconut, sweet fruits and green vegetables.   Try adding fennel, watercress and endive to your salads.
  • Try to avoid tomatoes and spinach (I know it's difficult, but both of these favorites aggravate Pitta)
  • Reduce intake of dairy and meat
  • Avoid spicy food and cut back on salt
  • Never skip a meal (Pitta types become like grumpy bears when they're hungry!)
  • Exercise during the cool hours of the morning
  • If you exercise during the heat of the day, reduce the intensity, be non-competitive and make sure you spend time in a long, slow cool-down
  • Drink cool water infused with mint, cucumber and cilantro
  • Keep a spray bottle of rose, sandalwood or lavender water nearby at all times for a cool, refreshing spritz
  • Nurture the cool, calm, soothing qualities in yourself and others

Want Some Profound Insights Into What Life Is Showing You?  Do What I Do... Call Charlotte! 
Charlotte Benson 

Charlotte has been my  astrologer for nearly 20 years. She's right here in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area if you would like an in-person session, and is also available for sessions over the phone.   She is highly regarded as a respected leader in the fields of western and vedic (jyotish)  astrology - she is truly a gem. Contact Charlotte for a reading (vedic and/or western astrology).  Astrology readings make great gifts! 
 602.952.1525

   


 



Gophers Don't Like Kale
... or swiss chard, but they LOVE cauliflower and zucchini!!  My beautiful, bountiful backyard garden was resembling a sequel to Caddyshack... until this month I finally raised the white flag and fully surrendered.  I mean, truly... I would walk out to the garden for my typical morning harvest, planning to select a plump white head of cauliflower from a 2ft high plant, only to find the whole thing sucked down into the gopher hole.  Nothing visibly remaining but maybe just a leaf tip popping up out of their secret tunnel.  I tried all the gopher-be-gone remedies, but the path of surrender was the only road that led me to peace.  I am taking comfort in knowing that there are some very happy gophers in Paradise Valley, well fed on the finest organic cauliflower and zucchini grown in the richest composted soil from Singh Farms!  My kale and swiss chard are still holding up in the heat, and they are a daily staple.  I like them best freshly picked and gently sauteed in olive oil with a bit of celtic sea salt and black pepper...
aahhh the simple pleasures in life!
 

 

How About a Good Laugh!!!
Have You Tried LAUGHTER YOGA??? 
These wild and crazy guys will show you how to do it... ha ha ha - hee hee hee!


 


Teaching Schedule
Gainey Village:  6am Monday/Wednesday
Gainey Village:  10:30 Tuesday/Thursday

Private Appointments for Pranayama, Yoga and Life Enhancement Coaching available, please contact me to schedule.

602.332.4584 
 
[email protected]

  

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About Deborah 

 

"I am passionately committed to help people look and feel radiantly healthy and vibrant through authentic yoga practices."

  

Deborah has been teaching yoga for over 13 years.  She is a certified Registered Yoga Alliance RYT E-500 teacher specializing in Yogic Breathing and Yoga for Rejuvenation. She teaches in a fun, fluid style based in the classic traditions of yoga. Her classes incorporate breath (pranayama), alignment, fluid sequencing (krama vinyasa), meditation and energy movement (pranic flow). She encourages students to discover their highest sense of self-awareness, peace, and radiance from profound inner-knowing. Deborah's path in yoga, ayurveda and tantra has led her to many contemporary Master Teachers.  She has studied extensively with, and is eternally grateful to Shiva Rea, and to Swami Shankardev Saraswati of the Bihar School of Yoga (Satyananda Yoga).  Her teaching style and methods are also influenced by Erich Schiffman, Bhavani Maki, Gurmukh Khalsa, Hari Jap, Dr. Vasant Lad, and Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri). When she is not studying or teaching yoga and ayurveda, Deborah is enjoying her two children, creating wood fired ceramics, gardening, hiking, traveling, and simply breathing.

 


"Love transcends all space and time   
      And Love can make a little child smile 
Oh can't you see
This won't go wrong   
      But we got to be strong
      We can't do it alone
      We got to let Love rule
       Let Love rule"   
~
Lenny Kravitz