80/10/10

Strawberry Milkshake

Strawberries, Dates, Oat Milk . . . Blended. Yum!

When the days grow longer and warmer I'm even more attracted to eating copious amounts of fresh, raw, organic foods. I agree with the ideal of eating more local fare, but sometimes I need a mango, haha, and well, I do eat a fair share of bananas. What can you do? Get creative, I guess. The best thing ever is when David and I decided to sign up for organic produce delivery. When we did, we were literally like, why didin't we do this sooner? Unfortunately, there really isn't a huge farmer's market scene in Stockholm. Or at least, that I know of. I mean, there are a few, but they pale in comparison to what I've been used to in the past, living in America. With that being said, per capita, I would say Swedes are a healthier bunch. Now why is that? You don't want me to go there.

Because of my fascination with diet and health I tend to experiment with food, within the confines of reason, and hopefully, common sense. I've just gotten wind of a concept of 80/10/10 way of eating. Wanting to keep an open mind, I like to hear differing points of view, and what I've come to realize is that anybody can make a compelling argument for anything. And well, I don't want compelling arguments, I want facts, and that comes with experience. So, I take a point in trying things out, do the research, experiment, and let me tell you, it can be confusing. There is definitely value in listening to my body, and opening up to my intuitive faculties. What feels natural? I can't always define things by what people think/feel I need and how I should be eating.

As for this 80/10/10 thing I want to learn more, maybe experiment with it. I don't know of anyone personally that has eaten this way. One problem is, it doesn't seem all that realistic living in Sweden, but whatever, I find it interesting. It's been a while since I've eaten mostly raw.

Anyone out there have experience with it?

Rāja Kapotāsana to Eka Pāda Rāja Kapotāsana

Over the Weekend

“Our task is to listen to the news that is always arriving out of silence.” - Rainer Maria Rilke

It was a wonderful weekend! Busy! I worked, but it wasn't work in the arduous sense. I hosted a weekend backbending workshop, and I had a blast. Something happens when I get lost in sharing a passion. Time flies as I loose all sense of time. Now that winter seems to be loosing it's hold, as well, I've become newly inspired. It's just easier when the temps rise, the sun comes out, and the greenery makes it initial debut. The challenge is taking that inspiration into the darker, colder months.

Living in Stockholm, I've definitely had to learn to adapt and change with the seasons. When last November came around I hit a major wall. At frist I tried to fight it, but then I realized, I need to go with it. I rested more, focused on proper diet to support the season, and accepted the fact that I would be working on a lower register until I re-calibrated.

Anyway, who wants to think about all that when we have loads of daylight now? No me. It's crazy how fast and how long the daylight changes by each passing day. Even though this is my fourth spring here I haven't gotten used to it at all. It's always fascinating. Coming out of winter it almost doesn't seem possible that it will get light and green again, but somehow it always does.

Expand

“A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.”      - J.R.R. Tolkien   

Life is abundant. Especially during this time of year. Living in Sweden seems to magnify this allure. What does it mean? I guess it means not needing anything and at the same time feeling as if the world is at your feet. Not always the easiest thing to tap into, but one worth trusting.

Even though I'm not always good at putting it into practice; actively participating in the daily decrease, as Bruce Lee would say, has been quite telling. Simplify, simplify, simplify. In everything. Or cutting the fat, as I like to say. Lately I've felt myself wanting to get rid of stuff, while sticking with what serves a purpose and holding on to only what I love and enjoy. When it comes to acquiring, often it comes down to wanting things that support my creative endeavors. Beyond that, dreams of travel. It's all about the experience. What will I take with me when I leave this world? A question that puts it all into perspective.

One blessing I can't deny is teaching. As each day goes by I feel absolutely grateful to be doing what I do. On top of that, the amazing people I have the opportunity to interact with on a daily basis. It doesn't get much better. There are days where I'm exhausted, and honestly, it always seems worth it when I wake up the next morning.

Without a doubt I find myself in a funk from time to time. It's only natural. Thankfully I have the insight to dig myself out of it in time. No, not easy, but necessary. Whenever I find myself standing in a place of lack I have to remind myself of the simple act of gratitude. Yeah, we've all heard it before, but this shit works! Take paper to pen, or type it out. Get in touch with what's important to you. Look at what you have.

From there the soil is rich to grow what you like. Expand into the possibilities.

One ÅR Mysore

“To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.”  - Jose Gasset 

Hahaha. I'm so late in posting this picture! We actually celebrated our one year anniversary of our Mysore program back in mid-March. I just can't believe how quickly time has flown, and also how much our students have grown! It's been an AWESOME year. 

LET GO

Spring Arrival

“If nature is your teacher, your soul will awaken.” - Goethe

Spring has been struggling in Stockholm. We had a few great days in March, a tickle, then BAM, it felt like winter again. Going through one of the coldest Aprils I have ever experienced, while closing out the month with a few warm Spring days, has made it well worth the wait. Lesson learned, don't take days like this for granted. 


What's been eating up most of my energy lately is jump establishing the Mysore program I started just over a year ago. In the beginning, it takes a fair amount of energy. More than I think most realize. At the same time it's been a labor of love. The growth I've witness in the students in the past year has gone beyond what I could have imagined. In many ways, it reaffirms the wonders of the practice. Again and again, I'm amazed how transformative it is when people dedicate themselves to showing up regularly. I mean, I have felt it in my own life, but to see it up close and personal in our students has been a rewarding experience. 

This go around it's been especially sweet with it being the fourth Mysore program I have taught over the course of 8 years. I've settled into steady place within myself, and in turn, feel better equipped to give and receive. I guess that is what comes over time with sustained practice. The learning always comes first, and well, the teaching stems from that. 

Even though I've taken to a very Swedish trait of complaining about the weather, haha, at the end of the day, I have multitudes to be thankful for. Synergy. That's what I've been feeling. A culmination of things coming together, right at the perfect time. 

Stockholm

Ashtanga Yoga Intensive: Infusing Theory into Practice

I'm really excited to announce my first annual yoga retreat in Salento, Italy! Details below.

To book a spot please visit, www.yogainsalento.com!

Ashtanga Yoga Intensive

Infusing Theory into Practice, 

September 8-15th, 2012

Hosted by YIS in Solento, Italy

Delve inside the transformational attributes of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga method, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, during this 7 day retreat intensive; centered around connecting conscious movement with conscious breath, cultivating the inherent, meditative qualities of the practice. We will begin each day with Mysore practice (self-led), 7:00 – 9:30, with the careful attention and instruction of Laruga. Upon building on the foundation of the Mysore practice you have the rest of the morning to enjoy brunch, as well as, have the early afternoon to rest, integrate, and/or sightsee. We will meet again later in the afternoon (2.5 hours) for technique class, expanding on various topics in regards to practice and philosophy. However, on Tuesday, and Thursday we will have the afternoons off to further explore the sights around Salento and/or for further relaxation. Then after dinner we will wrap up the day with an open discussion, restorative practice, and meditation (1 hour) .

This retreat with benefit practitioners from all levels of experience, from beginners to more advanced levels. It will be a comprehensive week that will stretch your limits, as well as, expand your awareness into the greater depths of your inner being. And most importantly, a time to connect, enjoy, and experience.

We look forward to seeing you in September!!!


For more information and bookings visit, www.yogainsalento.com

Ängsbacka - Ashtanga Yoga Highlights

It was such a pleasure to participate in the Ängsbacka, Easter Yoga and Dance Festival.  Even though I served as one of the workshop leaders, the experience was new and unexpected. All good of course. Ängsbacka is a well held secret in Scandinavia, offering a plethora of festivals and courses throughout the year that attract those from all over the world. From learning about permaculture, mindfulness, yoga, scared dance, spirituality, and much more, there is an abundance of offerings that promise a wealth of experience. However, most important, it's a place where anyone and everyone can feel welcome.

A sincere thank you to the talented Hanna Pauser Lindgren for putting together such a great video! Omg! It's so frightening to hear my own voice on video, hahaha.

I'll be writing more about my Ängsbacka experience in another post, and if you would like to learn more, please visit their website at www.angsbacka.com

Wake up!

"Many spiritual seekers get “stuck” in emptiness, in the absolute, in transcendence. They cling to bliss, or peace, or indifference. When the self-centered motivation for living disappears, many seekers become indifferent. They see the perfection of all existence and find no reason for doing anything, including caring for themselves or others. I call this “taking a false refuge.” It is a very subtle egoic trap; it’s a fixation in the absolute and all unconscious form of attachment that masquerades as liberation. 

It can be very difficult to wake someone up from this deceptive fixation because they literally have no motivation to let go of it. Stuck in a form of divine indifference, such people believe they have reached the top of the mountain when actually they are hiding out halfway up its slope. Enlightenment does not mean one should disappear into the realm of transcendence. To be fixated in the absolute is simply the polar opposite of being fixated in the relative.

With the dawning of true enlightenment, there is a tremendous birthing of impersonal Love and wisdom that never fixates in any realm of experience. To awaken to the absolute view is profound and transformative, but to awaken from all fixed points of view is the birth of true nonduality. If emptiness cannot dance, it is not true Emptiness. 

If moonlight does not flood the empty night sky and reflect in every drop of water, on every blade of grass, then you are only looking at your own empty dream. I say, Wake up! Then, your heart will be flooded with a Love that you cannot contain"

—	Adyashanti

Ängsbacka Yoga & Dance Festival

Over the Easter Day weekend I'm honored to be serving as one of the workshop leaders at the annual Yoga and Dance Festival at Ängsbacka! April 5th - 9th. Followed by a 3-day Ashtanga Yoga Intensive, April 9th - April 11th, just preceding the five day festival. The opportunity came unexpectedly at the last minute, so I am announcing it last minute!!! For more information please visit: www.angsbacka.com

Eddie Stern on Ashtanga Yoga

Amor

Spread it . . . 

Please Shine

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."    -Goethe


I find it interesting, when someone is good at something, or better said great, some find it in themselves to make any excuse that brought about their success. Often omitting, that maybe, just maybe, it took hard work to get there. Ooooooohhh, a scary word to use when it feels safer to make up excuses and project on to someone who has done well. Why can't we celebrate in people shining their light? I hope those of you out there feel comfortable to do so! We need more of you in the world! Yes, when we stick our necks out we make ourselves vulnerable to criticism. It seems to be the way, but no one has made significant change in the world for the better without doing so. Let the naysayers be naysayers. How boring and unfulfilling is that!? It's easy to sit on the sidelines and offer only criticism. Being an active participant in the world, learning, breathing, taking up space, is not a bad thing. I say this, because I have suffered from shrinking back just to make others feel more comfortable. Well, no more. When we give ourselves permission to shine we give others permission too. It spreads. It's infectious. Ka-Pow!!!


I love the following quote by Michael Beckwith, "No one is special, but we are all unique." I really agree with this. Craving "specialness" is a quest for validation that can often be ego-centered. But at the same time, all of us have unique gifts to share. Truth. Some are gifted in areas of the arts, mathematics, sports, literature, you name it. Some are driven by passions that ignite a fire within themselves that seems to never flicker or wane. Support these people. We need more passion centered people, there's no need to blow out their flame with your criticism. 


I just had to get this off my chest.