On Yoga...

Hi Everyone!

Before I talk about yoga, here is a pic I took 4 years ago when I was in LA and I wanted to share. I feel that the sunset and water make the most wonderful combination to help me relax and remember how beautiful our world is.


Now, I have some really exciting news. I have had a growing desire to start teaching yoga for several years now, and this fall I am making it happen. I have been accepted to the teacher training program at Sankalpah, one of my favorite and one of the most challenging yoga studios at which I practice in NYC. I am thrilled to start this lifelong journey of teaching and being taught, inspiring and being inspired and, above all, growing deeper in my yoga practice, which is one of the most important parts of my life. I want to share some thoughts on yoga and why we practice...
These excerpts are taken from my Sankalpah teacher training application. Enjoy!

1) What does the word yoga mean?
Yoga literally means “union,communion,” and is related to the root yuj which means “to join, to yoke,” referring to our will uniting with God’s will. If you believe that Divinity lies within you, this union becomes more significant because the practice of yoga leads you to a state in which your mind and body are no longer at odds with one another. Instead, the mind and body find friendship, companionship, and acceptance within. They find stillness, reflection, and strength through observance without judgement. They lead each other and love each other.

In his book Light on Yoga, Iyengar describes yoga as “…a poise of the soul which enables one to look evenly at life in all its aspects.” If one “looks evenly,” he is able to observe and consider himself and others with an open mind, having the wisdom and clarity to avoid the drama and judgement that accompany so many aspects of our culture and lives. The person who truly commits himself to a life and practice of yoga is a person who is climbing the mountain of enlightenment, but feels no rush or anxiety about reaching the top.

2) Why do you practice yoga?
Primarily, I practice yoga for the stillness it brings to my life. I have always been a type A personality with perfectionist tendencies, so life was, in many ways, a constant struggle for me because I could never be still enough to hear my inner voice. A while back, I was journaling in a stream of consciousness when I had a revelation: “It is in the stillness and silence that I find the peace to move.” I have, over the course of my practice, learned to silence the struggle, the pain, and the voice of doubt and replace it with courage, patience, and hope (and I still have a long way to go!).

I also practice for the strength and power I feel in my body. There are poses and periods of stillness within every class that I once though I could never endure. However, my body continually amazes me and rises to the challenge every time I take a risk. My body is really my teacher, and I have found that if I refuse to choose its limitations, it will surpass my expectations about what it can or cannot do. I feel so fortunate to experience this growth and depth in my mind, spirit and body through yoga.

3) Why is it important to start where we are physically, mentally and spiritually?
The phrase “start where we are” reminds us to accept ourselves in the moment without forcing any particular pose, attitude or belief on ourselves. By saying “yes” to what already is, we open the door for growth and opportunity without putting pressure on our minds and bodies. It helps us to be patient with our own personal growth track, and helps us to avoid comparison and competition with others. In our yoga practice, we bring ourselves to the mat as we are and we are healed and restored each day. This is an ongoing process, and some days we will feel healthier, more vital, and more equipped than other days. If we struggle with ourselves and judge our progress, we are causing unnecessary discouragement. If we accept our physical, mental and spiritual state as it is, we find the peace of mind and courage to evolve and move forward. This is the purpose and hope of our practice.

I hope this inspires you and helps you to understand the meaning and practice of yoga. If you ever have any questions and don't know where to start, please ask me!
Namaste,
Tara ;)

Listen to your mind, listen to your body...

When it comes to exercise, I want to encourage you to listen to your mind and listen to your body...

They are one. Often times they need the same love and attention. Sometimes that comes in the form of physical, stress-relieving challenge; at other times that means meditation, yoga, or stillness that allows you to be alone with your thoughts. Stillness that assists you in becoming present. I will talk more about "presence" in future posts, but let me just say I am learning a great deal about living in the moment, or as Eckert Tolle's book puts it, "The Power of Now" (I am currently reading this book at the recommendation of my grandmother, and loving it).

I have been a runner throughout my life, but when I moved to New York in January, 2009, I realized I needed to find a way to exercise my mind and body at the same time. I needed a workout that challenged me to be still. To be present and remember that the traffic, the noise, the rat race of this city is not me. It is not part of me. I am stronger and separate from all of the craziness, and I can be calm in its midst.

So, I immersed myself in yoga and I have been devoted ever since. When I first moved here I practiced Bikram (hot room, 90 minutes, challenging poses), but now I am a fan of hatha/vinyasa yoga, also known as "flow." Vinyasa yoga stirs a creativity within me, while reminding me to stay connected to my breath, my life source. Right now, it is exactly what I need- it feeds my body and my mind. This might change sometime in the near future, and I will try my best to listen and adapt accordingly.

Our physical, emotional, creative, and spiritual needs and desires change with time...I encourage you to consider these changes in your own life, and also consider the various forms of physical activity that could enhance your productivity, your joy, and your peace. Over the years, I have adapted my exercise regimen according to my physical environment, my creative needs, my career goals, and my time schedule. Consequently, I feel more healthy and in tune with my physical self than I have in my life.

One last note- exercise should never invoke feelings of dread. If you hate going to the gym, then find something new that you can look forward to. Do this for yourself. I can honestly say that I can't WAIT to go to my yoga classes each day...for me, yoga is a form of art and creativity that strengthens my body and makes my mind feel peaceful and energized. If you have not found this excitement yet, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, out of your routine, and try something new. It's like trying new food. You never know what you might like. You never know what will make your spirit dance.

Pilates, swimming, dancing, tennis, walking, yoga, tai chi, kick boxing....the list is endless.

Listen to your mind, and listen to your body. If you keep listening you will find what you need.

*Below is the link to OMFactory, where I currently practice....I love it! Especially my new discovery, Anti-Gravity Yoga. Check out their site and if you live in NYC sign up for their unlimited week for $30...if you don't live in NYC and want to find a great yoga studio, they abound! You just have to do a bit of research.

http://www.omfactorynyc.com

Love and balance,

Tara

Best Part of Waking up...

Folgers in your cup...right? Well, it turns out that this is questionable. The debate about coffee vs. tea is a well known source of dispute amongst dieticians, doctors, and your average joe-who happens to live for his cup of joe. But the overwhelming research favors a different beverage- one whose health benefits far outwheigh those found in coffee. Take a guess...got it?



That's right. The allstar of beverages, Green Tea. I do not want to exhaust you with research, but here are some interesting facts about Green Tea and its amazing health benefits:

- Green Tea contains a record breaking amount of polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant.
-Because of those antioxidants, this tea improves a plethora of health conditions: inflammation, arthritis, reduces rick of cancer, lowers cholesterol, increases immunity, speeds metabolism, and even spurs bone growth up to 79% (lucky for me, because I don't drink milk).

Now for the drawbacks:
-Oh wait... There are none.

Coffee also has some positive health benefits and antioxidants that aid with Alzheimers, Gallstone disease, Parkinson's, and cancer. However, it also has a number of drawbacks:

-The high acid content in coffee leads to gastrointestinal problems, acid reflux, etc.
-Coffee has over 100 mg of caffeine in an 8 oz. cup; green tea has a healthier level of 30-60 mg per 8 oz.
-It contains an unkown chemical agent that stimulates your body's production of cortisone and adrenaline...which leads to increased anxiety....and stress...and inflammation...and high blood pressure...and coronary artery disease...you get the point.

Now, I am not going to sit here and tell you to give up your morning cup of coffee. That's not my point. However, I encourage you to consider the health benefits of green tea. If you are one of those people who simply cannot function without 4 cups of coffee in the am, well then maybe you should consider switching one or two of those to Green Tea.

"Everything in moderation. Even moderation." I don't know who said it, but I try to live by it. I used to be addicted to coffee. I had to have at least 2 cups in the morning and by mid-day I had splitting headaches which I temporarily cured with my afternoon espresso. When I woke up each day, my mind was a pure fog until the caffeine in my coffee woke me up. Then I realized that I shouldn't have to depend on anything to wake me up. My body is naturally equipped to do that. So...I quit cold turkey and was miserable for about 2 days, but then I started to feel more energy and more alive in the morning and throughout my day.

So now, even when Starbucks calls my name or the smell of coffee beans entice me, I choose Green Tea instead. A healthier addiction. And a great way to start the day...here's how I am starting mine:

Welcome

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my blog. I am so excited to start sharing my personal experience and tips on finding balance in the various aspects of life....particularly in the body, but also in the mind and spirit, which go hand in hand. When I ran my first marathon I took my body to a new level of fitness, discipline, and reward. It was about that time that I also developed and interest in nutrition, and how our diet affects how we perform; not only in physical exercise, but also in our mind. I truly believe that finding balance comes from a daily effort to prioritize our physical, mental, and spiritual needs.

So, I want to offer my advice on achieving a balanced life. If we can achieve (or even strive for) this balance, we can live richer, fuller lives in the present. And the present moment, the Now, is all we have. So, I invite you to join me and hopefully find some encouragement in you own quest for balance.

I will mostly reference exercise and nutrition, but for now I will offer you a quote I heard in a yoga class today...

"When the spirit dances, the mind and body follow."

So true! It also reminds me of a scientific fact: your brain does not know the difference between a fake or real smile. Even if you don't feel like it, smile ;) because your mind will follow...Take a moment for yourself today and feed your spirit. What does it need from you? Patience? Love? Meditation? Prayer? Feed your spirit and watch the mind and body follow.