In a week, I will be traveling to the Mid-West with my partner in love Willie. We will be somewhere in Omaha, St Joseph MO, and Kansas City KS or on the highway in-between for 9 days. Let me say that again...Nine days...NINE days. This is not our first trip back over Christmas. Our first trip back was four years ago and we were gone for about the same amount of time. We had just moved to Los Angeles the previous July and the trip was much needed but also exhausting. The next year we traveled home for Christmas Willie and I were in a solid financial state and we went home for almost 3 weeks. We wanted to make the most of our trip because we weren't going to be back till the following October and with my family in Nebraska and his family in MO and all of our college buddies, we wanted to make sure we were able to spend an ample amount of time with everyone. We came home completely exhausted. Willie and I agreed that it was just too much time. We both love our families and each other’s families very much. However, being that far from your home, your stuff, your habits and the daily day to day became stressful in its self. No matter how comfortable the various beds were, they were not my bed. In addition, I rarely had any time to myself let alone an afternoon when I could do as I pleased, such as picking at my toes and dancing around like a ballerina. That was the year that we realized the importance of home, our home. While Willie and I are not actually married, we are each other's family, each other's comfort & joy. The following year we were financially unable to return to the Midwest, Christmas tickets for the both of us were $1000 or more. Our families were distraught. We had to explain repeatedly that it’s not them it’s us. They could not help but take this personally, tears were shed for weeks! And I feel a little guilty because Willie and I really enjoyed our Christmas together. We did what we wanted to do, when we wanted to. We didn't have to subject ourselves to one of the snowiest Christmases in the Midwest or to the hectic airports and hours of driving in-between families. Again, we realized the joy and comfort that we as a 2-person family provided for each other.
   This year we return to the Midwest and so far, this journey has not been without tears being shed. Each family wants each child for the whole nine days. It just isn't possible. While we are trying so hard to spend time with all of our dear family members, I know that we won't be able to please everyone as much as they would like. "But its Christmas" the wavering voice of our mother's comes over the phone. "We love you" is our reply. My hope is that in these blessed family moments we can focus on, take comfort in each other’s company, and have joy in the time that we do share with our families.

  Oh man! I think I'm hilarious, I doubt anyone gets it but I think it's hilarious. Let me clue you in. In the cult classic, Rocky Horror Picture Show the two main characters, Brad and Janet sing a beautiful song about hope and well a light. This song actually comes to my mind rather often. I was in a production of Rocky Horror once and this song was actually my favorite, I thought it was beautiful. So, when I feel surrounded by darkness and I'm looking for the light this song plays in my head over and over again. Here are the lyrics if you are curious:

"In the velvet darkness,
of the blackest night,
burning bright,
there's a guiding star,
no matter what or who you are.

chorus:
there's a light (over at the frankenstein place)
there's a light (burning in the fireplace)
theres a light, light, in the darkness of everybody's life.

The darkness must go
down the river
of night's dreaming
Flow morphia slow,
let the sun and light come streaming,
into my life
into my life

Theres a light...

chorus:Over at the frankenstien place

Theres a light
burning in the fireplace
theres a light...a light

in the darkness of everybodys life

I can see the flag fly
I can see the rain
Just the same there has got to be,
something better here for you and me. "

  However, that is not the true point of this post. This blog is reeeally about a great find I had at St. Vincent DePaul's a month ago. It was in the wrong spot and if it hadn't been for my uncanny eye for detail I may have passed it over. Ladies and gents I found B.K.S. Iyengar's "Light on Yoga" for $1.99 at a thrift store. Amazing. This book is a great guide for any yoga practice. He sums up what you need to know about the practice of yoga, provides extensive detail on asana (physical postures), and includes information on bandhas and pranayama. This is a great guide and resource for those who are knew to yoga or are looking to strengthen their personal practice. There are probably zillions of copies out there so it really isn't a rare book but it's not a book that most people would give away.

So you get the joke now right? Light on Yoga...Frankenstein's place Iyengar's....hilarious!

With Joy & Laughter!
Christiana

Namaste darlings!!

  I can't believe that a week has already passed! However, when I think about everything that happened this week I think, "That was only 1 week? It feels like a month!" So clearly my internal clock should not be trusted.
  I'm getting ready for this Sunday's class at Celebration Belly Dance and Yoga studio and I am pretty excited about it. No particular reason, I mean I like the sequence I put together, really I'm just ever so grateful to share my yogic wisdom with people who want to listen and that really gets my gears turning! There are so many people that I meet or can't help but hear talking near me of different physical and mental ailments. And I, great yogini with vast amounts of knowledge (okay I'm exagerating). Must stand by quietly and listen. Yup, that's right I have to listen. I listen and wish that they'll look up and suddenly say, "Does anyone have any ideas on what could help me?" Then I'll get to sing from the rafters and roof tops, "YOGA!!!!!" But for some reason they never look up & they never ask for help. To my students, thanks for asking for help, thanks for recognizing that things could be better, and thanks for giving me the opportunity to be of service to you. I can't express enough my gratitude for people who will let me help them. 

Wow! What a rant...didn't expect that. I just sat down with some coffee and voila! 

Today though I wanted to share another mantra. This one is longer but it is beautiful. My Celebration students will recognize it because I use it in class. I also sing this over pots of soup, roasting turkey, while driving, and when I'm anxious.

 "Lokah Samasta Sukinoh Bhavantu" (Lo-ka Sam-as-ta Soo-keen-o Ba-vaun-too)
   May all beings be happy and free and may my thoughts, words, and actions contribute to happiness & freedom for all.

  It's amazing how 4 words convey that message isn't it? I always feel the need to repeat it to make it feel like I've really said the entire message. I found this mantra in an old issue of Yoga Journal some time ago. They translated it into the definition above and that's all I've ever seen of it. Here's what I was able to come up with using my Sanskrit translator

Lokah - lokahita भवन्तु means social concerns
Samasta - समस्त has a few definitions; whole, united, all, put together
Sukinoh - Sukin सुखिन् means happy!
Bhavantu - भवन्तु means they shall

   Based on my finding I would say a very rough, and not nearly so eloquint, translation would be "All social concerns united shall be happy". Or let's look at it like this; Sociology 101 taught me about behaviors that we learn from living as part of a society. These behaviors (social concerns) can be seen in how we think (thoughts), how we speak (words), and how we act (actions). I think what they are trying to get at here is, may society as a whole have thoughts, words, and actions that contribute to happiness for everyone. And that is beautiful. It reminds me of the Sanskrit word, ahimsa अहिंसा, which means non-harming which has in fact has been my theme for the week. I love it when things come full circle don't you?

 Namaste!

 Wheee what a whirlwind day! Eugene got snow yesterday, and not really watery snow, snow that crunched and crackeled when you walked on it. Snow that sucked the moisture from your eye-lashes. Mind boggeling "I thought it didn't snow here" snow. weird..

Snow aside, it's mostly melted now anyway...mostly, I've started cooking for Thanksgiving today. I'm making vegan creamy mashed potatoes today (heating in the oven tomorrow), burnt sugar almonds, and pear raspberry crisp before I good to bed tonight. So far I have completed the potatoes and the pears are creating their own syrup as we speak. I'm trying to remember that this is fun, that I offered to make a bunch of food for my friends, that I'm making more than I offered to because I wanted to, and that Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday..next to my birthday. So here are my tips to hold on to that thankful attitude.

1. Stand in Tadasana - Tadasana or Mountain Pose is the basic standing asana and is the first building block in proper alignment. I notcied while mixing, peeling, chopping, stiring, and shaking that I had a tendancy to shift from hip to hip, feet to feet, round my shoulders forward, and just all around bad posture. By standing in tadasana while you cook you will reduce feelings of leg fatigue, won't strain your shoulders and upper back, and will encourage proper blood flow. That means your body will be happier while preparing for Thanksgiving, which means you'll be happier enjoying Thanksgiving, which means you'll be happier cleaning up your Thanksgiving! It's a snow ball effect you see. 
 So,
 ~Feet are parallel under your hip bones
 ~ Each foot has 4 points, 2 in front 2 in back, stand evenly on all 8 points
 ~ lift your inner arches, shins, and knee-caps
 ~ Tail-bone relaxes down
 ~ Ribcage is stacked on top of your hips
 ~ gently roll the shoulders up, back, and then relax them down
 ~ lift out of your shoulders through your neck and out the crown of your head 
 ~ jaw is relaxed and tongue is flat on the floor of your mouth
 ~ breathe deep

2. Use your Mantras  - Using mantras is a great way to remain focused and a good way to pass the time when you have to stir constantly or are peeling you 8th pound of potatoes. And is also a great way to infuse your food and yourself full of positive energy. It's a very special seasoning, you can never use too much. Here are some good examples
~ Om Shanti Namaha (Invoke Peace)
~ Om Shradha Namaha (Invoke Faith)
~ Om Anahata Namaha (Invoke Love)
~ Om Samadhi Namaha (Invoke Joy/Bliss)
Or you can use whatever English words you like

3. Schedule You Time - If you have been running around all day, before guests arrive or before you leave to go to some place else, take at least 5 mins to relax. I know this may sound crazy..I can hear ya all the way over here, "Who does Christiana think she is? Mistress de Time?!" But really go some place where you can close the door, sit comfortably (even on the floor), take a deep breath in through your nose and slowly release out your mouth, and allow your self to just sit with your eyes closed for a few minutes. Your frazzeled nerves, hard working brain, and family will thank you for it. And while I said before guests arrive earlier, really this is available for you any time you need it...If anyone asks why you're sitting on the bathroom floor just tell them your yoga teacher gave you permission.

4. There is always next year - This isn't the end all, be all Thanksgiving. Ya know that dessert you really wanted to make but ran out of time? Make it tomorrow or next week or next year! So the turkey was a little dry, you know more now than you did earlier today, chaulk it up on the "lesson learned" bored and try again another day. I often here people remark that they don't really enjoy Thanksgiving because they spend so much time fretting and laboring over the food that they don't really enjoy the meal or spending time with the family. People, your friends and family love you not your creamy vegan mashed potatoes...well they probably love the mashed potatoes too but not so much that they want you to suffer for it! Just try to remember that the world will go on even if Aunt Martha's Sage gravy is a little too salty and enjoy the company of your family and friends.

I hope these few tips help your day to be something your thankful for!
 

    Many of my fellow Yoga Teacher Trainee Alumni will squeal with delight when I tell them that I found Judith Hansen Lasater's "Relax & Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times" at a local new & used book store called Tsunami Books here in Eugene. Judith Lasater is a well respected yoga teacher and as I understand it the Guru of Restorative Yoga. If you don't know, Restorative Yoga is a way of relaxing into yoga poses with the use of props. It's a form of gentle stretching that aids to relax the body and breath so the mind can follow. Feel free to ask me for more information.
  Back to the book, this is a great guide to restorative yoga regardless of your yogic experience. Lasater explains the purpose of restorative yoga and the props quickly and efficiently and this carries over to the poses with great guidelines on how to set-up, get into, relax in, and get out of several restorative poses. She even has sequence examples for a full Restorative class. 
   I am hoping to attend Judith Lasater's Restorative Teacher Training in March in Boise Idaho. Until then this book is an efficient substitute.  

  I got books! I have been so very fortunate to find some great books at my local Eugene book stores and thrift stores. The first amazing find was about a month ago at Smith Family Book Store where I found "Meditations from the Mat," by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. This book is great, thoughfully inspiriing great! It suggests you read one insert a day and will aid you to understand the 8-Limb Path of Yoga and yoga outside of the physical practice. Great for those new to yoga, advanced in yoga, or those looking for a yogic daily reflection.
   A have more books to tell you about but I'm attempting to make it a quick post today so....stay tuned! Until next time yogis, friends, teachers, and family ~ Om shanti Namaha!

 Today is Sunday, and today I make soup! One of the great things about living in the Pacific Northwest means it's usually wet but it always smells like I'm in the middle of a forest. The perfect compliment to this is fresh soup from scratch. The outdoors smell woodsy and fresh and my house smells warm and homey. I'm a soupy person for sure, there is an endless list or ingrediants, it can be creamy, it can be brothy, it can be chunky, and it's always savory. I like to double the recipe so that I have one huge pot that I can continue to re-heat through out the week. It brings a sense of easy to every day and that makes me happy, very happy. 
   Today's soup is a creamy mixture of vegies; zuchini, potato. cabbage, celery, carrots, red pepper, mushroom, and of course onion (every soup has onion in it, right?) I also got fresh tyme and rubbed sage. Now that's what I call mmm mmm good! 
  Oh yeah! While I stir my soup and the flavors begins to blend all together I like to chant over the pot sending postivie thoughts and energy into it, here's a couple easy ones you can use:

 Om Shanti Namaha (Om shan-tee nam-a-ha) - Invoke peace
 Om Anurati Namaha (Om an-oo-ra-tee nam-a-ha) - Invoke love

What's your favorite soup, or stew...or maybe chili? If the recipe is on-line share the link, I always love a new soup recipe!
Namaste!

   Did you think I deserted you?! Never fear, Christiana is here! I am so very sorry that I have been away for awhile. I was thinking about you though, I missed you tons! I'm not even sure who you are, where you are, or if you're even out there at all, but I missed you! I'm not going to make excuses but I am gonna say this, things got a little...let's say stressful. Hey, it happens. Unfortunately that ment that I had to put my focus and energy elsewhere. The stress is good stress though, improving, learning, and expanding stress. It's all a part of growth, and while challenging it's really really good for you! Just lengthen your exhale, deep breath in, hold it -feel it flow through your body and sigh it out, ahhhhhhhh...better? Sorry about all that growth talk, I know it can frighten you.
   Anyway! I have a mantra to share with you. This one I like to think I made up myself..sort of. Have I mentioned you can do that? You can. I know! Yoga is so crazy they let you be in charge of yourself, how liberating, how expanding, how allowing room for growth! Oh wait, deep breath again, still with me? Good. 
   So, yeah you can make your own mantra. It can be whatever you want. Let's say, the word necklace brings you to a calm place, well then let your mantra be necklace! It's all about you. 
 
   The mantra I want to share is this, Om Paurusha Namaha (Om par-oo-sha nam-a-ha) ओम् पौरुष नाम

   It means, "I connect to my true self, my inner strength." Om, of course, connects you to the universe, higher power, greater good or whatever you like to call it. Namaha - respect, bow to, invoke, connect to. Paursha is your inner truth, inner light, inner knowledge. It is your absolute true self. One common way we Westerners refer to paurusha is instinct. "Something just told to take the path less traveled by," that is paurusha. A few of the meanings the Sanskrit translator gives is valour, strength, prowess. Great words, right?! I use this mantra in times of struggle or challenge, when I need to take a moment to connect to my inner strength so that I might shine my true self out.
  The reason I say I came up with it is because I've never heard or seen it before, but Om ___ Namaha is a classic basic mantra. Inserting whatever word you like inbetween Om and Namaha. I wanted to, needed to connect to my inner truth these past few days. I needed my strength and I wanted to act according to the true me so I came up with this mantra. I hope you find it as encouraging as I do! How do you connect to your inner strength or truth? Let me know!
That's all for now but I'll be back soon!
Many joyful blessings! 
~Christiana
 

You may have noticed that OM or Aum is used alot not only in a yoga class but also in mantras and chanting. If you haven't noticed this yet you will soon as I post more mantras. I thought we should take a second to go over this widely used and seldom understood sound and symbol of OM.
Today I'll begin with the symbol that we Westerners are familiar with, ॐ. This symbol is from an Indian alphabet that uses sounds, instead of letters like our English alphabet. It is an Ancient symbol though and to be honest there is tons of information on it, I'm trying for the basics here. The Cliff notes of the symbol to the left is this, numbers 1,2, & 3 are the three parts of the self, the dot next to the number 4 is enlightenment and the line below the dot is what prevents us from seeing enlightenment. Here is the more involved version;
1. The lovwer curve symbolizes the waking state of the mind, jagrat. The large curve symbolizes that this is the most common state of the mind. Consciousness is turned outwards through the senses, possibly why the large tail points away.
2. The upper curve represents a state of deep sleep, sushupti, where we are unconscious and desire nothing.
3. The Middle curve represents a dreaming state, swapna, where the concious and unconscious mix together and we are turned inward but in a dream state. It's interesting to note that this stems more from the large lower curve, perhaps suggesting that in Swapna we are still very much affected by our outwardly senses and are still ruled by our attachments and desires.
   All together these three parts represent the three states of an individuals physical consciousness, combining together to create our manifested reality.
4. The dot represents the fourth state of consciousness, turiya, where we neither look inward, outward, nor the two combined. This is enlightenment, bliss, or peace of mind (however you choose to look at it) when we reach this state we are able to illuminate the other three states and we can achieve true perception with out illusions.
The line below the dot represents maya, illusion or fraud, and is what we must overcome in order to realize the higher state. Often this curve is seen touching the upper curve but never touching the dot itself, this may suggest that even in our deep sleep we can be affected by illusions but our highest state is not affected. Maya prevents us from achieving our goals or the unmanifest. Hence, OM represents the manifested and the unmanifested. 
  I myself wear a ring with OM symbol on it. For me this is a constant reminder that my life is what I make of it. With practice I can learn to move past the illusions and reach a state of peace and bliss. Isn't that Great?!
  I really want to move on with sharing my mantras but I think this is enough to ponder about for one day and we'll go over the rich sound of OM tomorrow.
   Here's a short mantra to tide you over, OM
Hehe! Have a great day!

   So a few days ago I had this great idea, I wanted to share the joy I have for using Sanskrit and so I wrote the post "Dr. Sanskrit" to prepare everyone for my favorite mantras. I thought the "sharing my mantras" part would be easy but as you may have noticed it's been a few days and no mantras. I've gotten onto this site a couple times, fingers posed over the keys, and...nothing. I appear to have hit a large brick wall that prevents me from typing out mantras. I mean Mantras! What a strange thing to have trouble sharing. Mantras are a way of seeing past the obstacles, a way of connecting to your inner truths, I guess I need to go use my mantras myself. I haven't found the bloggers mantra yet but I'm sure there is one.
  Today though I am taking that brick wall down, one brick at a time. My dear friend Gretchyn mentioned this mantra in her comment on the Dr. Sanskrit post. I was going to wait to share it because it's longer and maybe a little chalenging for you to remember just starting out. However, it is my favorite mantra and I use it often...and by often I mean at least once a day. It's very useful, I actually used it to move the first brick on my giant wall so really it's only fitting that it be the first. Here you go
    Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha (om guhm gana-pat-ee-ay Nam-a-ha)
   This mantra is the obstacle remover, and the bringer of wealth and abundance. My Teacher taught me that Ganapatayei was another word for Ganesh and this mantra is asking Ganesh to remove your obstacles and bring you wealth. Another source doesn't mention Ganesh and translates the mantra to this, "To remove obstcles that are standing in the way of your progress."
   So let's break it down, Om  is the sound of the Universe, or a way of connecting to the Universe. Namaha means bow to, respect, honor, invoke. Gum and Ganapatayei are a little more difficult. I tried using a Sanskrit translator but they do not have a translation for ganapatayei or gum. However, there are several words for Gahna; lump, mass, gross, and solid, just to name a few which makes me think of a brick wall.  Pathi means "on the path" so I think we could say that this Mantra may also translate to be "Om I invoke the power to get this brick wall of my path." 
   This is perhaps where the giant brick wall came from, Sanskrit translations. I have not profesionally studied Sanskrit, I know a few words, probably pronounce them wrong, and am constantly looking them up again. Sanskrit is a very rich language and the way words get shifted around adds to there meaning. I am not Dr. Sanskirt I'm just a yoga teacher with a love for these Ancient words that my Teacher gave me and google at my finger tips. Just like there are many different translations of Ancient books the same is true for Sanskrit. If you know a different translation please share!  
   It may be that since Ganesh is known as the remover of obstacles on your path to sucess, when you put Gahna and pathi together to make ganapatayei it means the idea of Ganesh. If you rather not invoke Ganesh you can leave him out of it and think of this Mantra as, "Please help me see around my obstacles". The important part is, does it work for you? Then Great!
   I use mantras at different times; for meditation, in yoga class to help me keep focus, and when I get that stressed feeling of "how am I ever going to..." I have used Om gum ganapatayei namaha driving to work late, when I have an argument with my partner, and other times when I need to take a minute to reconnect with true me. The traditional way to use a mantra is in meditation, repeating the mantra 108 times or a division of 108. This is very powerful and I highly recomend it, but any time through out your day is good too. 
   Wow! Look at that, I guess that brick wall is down! I hope this mantra helps you as much as it has helped me! Om gum ganapatayei namaha!