Here we are.

Ever wonder how to best soak up the present moment? Sometimes its easier when the "right now" is enjoyable. A sunny day, a relaxing book on the sofa, or talking with a good friend and we don't want it to ever end. However, yoga doesn't ask us to just stay in the pleasant moments. Sometimes we go through those tough times too. Feeling sick, a migraine, and loss or injury of someone dear, or simple a time in life when we feel a little unsure or overwhelmed. It's far easier to try and escape these un-fun epochs. I say, those difficult moments absorbed may make the delightful times all the more sweet. So, please make hay while the sun shines but also try to see the bright side of a dark time or maybe just let the dark play out. All moments will pass, eventually, and the highs and lows give depth to the opposites.

Namaste,
Kat

Plant a seed.

How do big life shifts and "goals accomplished" start? With the little steps of course. Lately we've been considering cutting down a large and ailing tree in our front yard. I image how this maple tree started long ago, perhaps it was planted by a person or squirrel, beginning to thrive just a millimeter at a time, creeping and warming and growing in the sun. At any point very early, it could have been thwarted, altered, removed. And yet now it stands 75 feet tall, rigid and imposing. It has been a source of beauty, CO2 removal, cooling shade, and home for some. But now it's a cause of concern as well, given that it has dropped some large branches, as you can see in the photo.

Do we allow our life path to grow this way sometimes? YES. Those small steps, both good and bad can lead to something flourishing in our lives until it has grown to very large proportions. We must be careful to maintain, nourish and nurture those small steps that work us towards our goals. If any negative steps take place, before they become fixed and "expensive" to remove, we have to take a conscious effort and control over them. This may entail pruning or removing them before they become a nuisance or even worse, a danger to our happiness and safety.

So, take this moment to plant a positive seed today in your life. No matter how small, it counts. If an early difficulty is encountered, do not waver - sometimes the most fragile beginnings become the strongest trees in our life. If it takes time and energy, most likely it is worth it. In addition, look around for any changes that are not desired, and actively determine how to stop them. This might involve journaling on paper, plans with a friend, you could even check out www.stikK.com if you want to contract yourself into change, that can be powerful as well. I wish you well in your tending.

Namaste,
Kat

Boost that Mood! The Dr. says so!

Thanks to my friend Erin G. (M.D.) for sharing the following continued research about yoga and its benefits to mood, and anxiety levels...it is possibly better than walking!

"Exercise has been linked to improvements in mood and anxiety, but it is unclear if certain types of physical activity are more effective than others. A new study suggests that yoga may be more effective than walking.
The recent trial included 34 health adults who did not have significant medical or psychiatric disorders. The participants were randomly assigned to practice yoga or walk for 60 minutes, three times a week for 12 weeks.
The participants' mood and anxiety levels were measured at the start of the study and again at week four, eight and 12. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy scans were also performed throughout the study.
Greater improvements in mood and anxiety were reported in the yoga group compared to the walking group. The researchers suggest that these beneficial effects may be related to the increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels that were noted in the yoga group. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate nerve activity. Because many mood disorders have been associated with low plasma levels of GABA, supplementation with GABA has been suggested for disorders such as anxiety and depression.
However, more research is needed to confirm these early findings."

Namaste,
Kat

Are you what you EAT???

Have you noticed how our diets can run amuck so easily? For emphasis, I just looked up the word amuck so as to better clarify my thoughts. Surprisingly and perhaps profoundly it stated, "a murderous frenzy". That truly could describe the typical fast food joint on a Saturday around noon. Wall to wall people glaring, children riled up in anticipation, cell phoning, impatiently inching their way forward towards something that satisfies our oh so tapped-into primal urges for salt, fat, and heh heh "taste" in our food. Ironically, on a cellular level, the awaiting meal is like a clutch of biochemical daggers, traipsing down the gullet ready to maime, possibly silently over a few decades.

Perhaps the fact that I'm pregnant (and have been sick to my stomach at times) is what is causing me to question more and more just exactly what the heck I'm ingesting lately either out of desperation, convenience or simply lack of culinary know-how. "Corn syrup" okay that's a notable villian in the army, but what about his much lesser questioned hoarde: MSG, xanthan gum, sodium benzoate, guar, and resin just to name a few??? There's some arrogance to our modern culture, maybe partially our infantile trust in modern food science, that we'll eat something packaged for days, weeks, months maybe years, simply due to the fact that some date stamped on it assures that's just fine and dandy, not to mention a few unmentionables packed in for good measure. I know the days of our ancestors were not easy, lives were shorter, hunger a more present danger, but I'd almost prefer to be there taking my chances on a lean week or two, if that meant those meals I did enjoy were fresh, and what I was evolved to consume.

Here are a few local to KC places that I would feel good taking my delicate little stomach, and not to mention the neo-nate, lately. Please add any places you enjoy in the comments area. Lately meat is not my friend as much so veggie places are looking up as well!! Guess that's where yoga ties into this post ;)

Chacko's Bakery - Mission
Avelluto's Italian Delight - Mission
Eden Alley - The Plaza
Great Harvest Bread Co - Prairie Village
Mediterranean Market & Deli - Overland Park
The Mixx - Midtown/Plaza
Waldo Pizza - Waldo!
Jerusalem Cafe/Bakery - Westport

Namaste,
Kat

Are you out of your senses???

My sister recently lent me an excellent book and it has got me thinking about how we go through this life, sniffing, caressing, glancing, harking, and savoring. In

A Natural History of the Senses

, by Diane Ackerman, you start with the nose and move along through our 5 fabulous perception options.

It has me thinking about sensory deprivation. So far, a couple of people that lost their sense of smell in the book feel lost from their own lives, homes, spouses, and that's not to mention the difficulties of trying to actually enjoy food without olfactory assistance. Helen Keller is brought up a few times. Any time I thought of her before reading this I sort of felt sorry for her, but in this book I learn the other side. Her sense of taste, touch, and smell are so enhanced that you might argue she lived a life more sensual and rich than most!

I am thinking of my own nose and a few special scents that are indeed complexly and inexorably linked to my memories. I have a certain conditioner that takes me right back to summer vacations with my dear family down by the ocean. A special Egyptian-reminiscent perfume and there I am on prom night, 17. Warm Vanilla sugar lotion transports me to my college road trip to the eastern Australian coast, and on and on. Do you have any special smells like these? It's fascinating and sad that a loss of smell is sometimes correlated with Alzheimer's disease. It's amazing how scent is so indescribable, yet so effective at drawing us out of our present moment. Perhaps it could also sink us more deeply? In yoga I often apply my herbal eye pillow of lavender and chamomile, I think I'll make it a point to do that more regularly.

I shall continue this theme for a few posts, tune in next time for touch.

Namaste,
Katherine

Are you on the D List???

You may have heard discussion lately over one of the hottest vitamins around: the Big D! Some recent research has shown that a chunk of us don't have enough D. Vitamin D is a fat soluble secosteriod and is produced in your skin upon exposure to you guessed it: sunlight! While you don't want to give up sunscreen and avoiding our solar friend at his strongest is still wise, a few minutes of sun per day DOES give you enough D to be healthy. Once generated, Vit D heads to the liver and other areas and helps regulate calcium metabolism and bone health, and may even aid healthier hair too!

So...the big question is where do you get Vitamin D in hazy shade of winter? Well even mild sun exposure is not a bad idea if you can get out for a walk on a sunny day here and there. In your diet be sure to examine labels, and to cover all the bases a multivitamin is a great idea. If you look to your diet for sources of D, consider drinking fortified milk, fatty fish, mushrooms, eggs and meat. To do a little self analysis, as your physician at your annual physical if you can check your D levels, some forward-thinking practitioners have already added this test to their required list of blood tests, my doc does and I'm happy to report my levels are aok! Remember, always check with your doctor if you're not feeling well, and before you drastically alter your diet or habits, make sure your doc has given you the go ahead. Soon enough we'll be heading out to the garden or pool and easily generating plenty of D. In the meantime, take care of your body and it will take care of you!

Namaste,
Kat

Dry, Cold, Winter...Hydrate!

Water is one of the very most important substances that living creatures require. Sometimes it can be taken for granted. Chronic dehydration is linked to multiple health issues, and it's unlikely someone that is not health conscious would even notice, especially in the cold months!

In the heat of summer, it is easier to realize the need for water. Many people are watering the grass, going swimming at the pool or ocean, or sweating it out during exercise under the sun. Winter on the other hand might catch us off guard. It may not be appealing to chug a large glass of ice water while out to eat in January. Don't be afraid to ask them to hold the ice. Would you water a house plant with ice-cold liquid? No! Why do it to yourself?

Even in cold weather, the body will sweat if exertion requires it to cool down. This could be dangerous if an individual is spending extended time in the elements and over-cools. In addition, the cool, dry air of winter, and the hot dry air of the heater cause moisture loss in the skin. If internal liquid levels are down, this skin thirst can amplify to the point of cracked lips, and skin, increasing risk of infection and pain. One of the easiest ways to gauge hydration is urine color. Go for level 3 or lesson the chart.

So, drink up on H20 this holiday season! Especially during the weeks of holiday parties, where people often choose to drink more alcohol or coffee than normal, and may even eat more, digestion requires water too! Those two drinks actually rob the body of water. And do not forget! If you are heading to the slopes, take that bottle and refill often. High altitude also necessitates greater water intake.

Lets cheers to water in winter! Hot tea, water with lemon, and cocoa with skim milk are all healthy ways to take care of yourself this holiday season.