shit yogis say

I can't help but wonder if I say at least half of these things, I know I've heard others... and yes there are days I want to roll my eyes as well...
Thanks Lululemon for creating this wonderful (and sadly enlightening) spoof!

"I think your third eye could maybe use some visine"

Yoga Girl - Fog and Smog

Getting back on Track

So it's been awhile. really.

And this is changing.  Part of my reconnecting to myself and my practice I am going to start posting to the blog again.  I actually miss it!
So part of my resolution was begin a daily practice if only for 30 minutes. Unfortunately that was ended pretty quickly when I stopped a fall using my head.  Although legitimate it was disappointing because 2 days before I had bought myself a bristol board to track my progress and explore Eoin Finn's Blissology practice. Through my work I had bought his Blissology DVD at the end of November and had been enjoying it to help with my practice on those days that I feel so tired that even the thought of rolling my Mat out is painful.  The 4 week Blissology challenge is fulfilling "The Big Easy Bliss Commitments" each day throughout the month.  The 6 commitments are:

1. Yoga

2. Meditation

3. Nature Appreciation

4. Food Awareness

5. Gratitude

6. Wild Card

He believes that by following this and respecting these commitments that you will attain an upward spiral.  Over the four weeks you will experience:
An Attitude that creates habits, Habits which create Actions, and finally Actions that create our world.  Each influencing the next and thereby attracting positivity into your life.
So my official starting date for this will be January 1st, I am going to begin exploring the possibilities tonight.

My next resolution is to finish reading many of my books and keep a record or library of my books along with my thoughts on each of them.  So to start I am going to work through my latest new book, Wheels of Life: The classic guide to the chakra system.  So perhaps to integrate this into my bliss commitments, for the first week I can do something to do with this book and or exploring the chakras.

So there we have it, the beginning of my New Year's resolutions.  I am really looking to the possibilities and

Yoga in our Daily Lives

I've been thinking a lot lately about how yoga is or can be present within our lives without us even knowing.  And when I say "yoga" I mean it in the broadest sense, not just in its physical practice.

Yoga shows up constantly and it goes by many different names and themes.  Even in how it has become popularized in recent years and this sports compatibility, training complementing practice.  But really, most athletes have been practicing some form of yoga forever.  We just used to call it stretching.

I've been thinking about this for several reasons but mostly it always stems from my recent marriage.  Yes I just got married.  We have already passed the two week point.  But my journey of what makes a wedding so special began two weeks before that.  And to me, that is when the essence of yoga in our daily lives really began to shine around me.  The moral goodness, selfless service and unconditional love, these were all integral parts of what helped bring my wedding together.  All of these people that I have known to be part of my life, part of my core they each came to me to support me and to help in their way and I was amazed.

I think we each spend parts of our lives thinking that we are fighting through this life blind and alone, but really there are always people waiting next to you, for your hand to connect with theirs, always ready to help you. (to help you cross that intersection of life) It was so beautiful to watch and to be apart of.  I will forever hold those two weeks close to my heart.

Marriage is much more than the simple unity of two people, it is the affirmation of family.  Within that affirmation is yoga; it is all of the yamas and the niyamas.

Since this moment, I can't help but see yoga in a new way. I see it in myself more than before, the way that I think, the way that I react, even the way that I move.  I experience it in other people and I even think of the athletes in my life and how they practice yoga without knowing it.  Perhaps in their stretching or perhaps in how they prepare themselves mentally before or during a race.  We all do it, it is part of our being.  Yoga is so naturally part of our lives that we each are yogis, just some of us shine a little bit more, or some of us label ourselves.  But I see through these facades and I am happy that you are who you are and I will nurture this natural beauty and goodness because we each need it.  Thrive forward and let yourself be what it does best naturally. I love you all, and thank you for being you.

Ticks Tocks

There is so much beauty and grace; 

although my practice is no where close to include this I can't help but be fascinated...

Another free event

** EDIT: This event is running until September 4th, 2011. Every Sunday at 6pm at the Kitsalano Beach right next to the pool on the Grass. The teachers will be on a rotating basis. No need to reserve a space and this is open to all Semperviva Members and non-Members.

This is a slightly last minute event, so I apologize for those that might have been interested having time permitted.

Free Yoga at Kits Beach complements of Semperviva Yoga:

Colin Wolport will be teaching at Kitsalano Beach Sunday August 14th at 6 PM.  It is on the grassy shore next to kits pool overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean!
Bring your Mat, Bring your friend and be blown away with the presence of Nature so closely entwined into your practice!

Hope you can make it

This is Your Life...

Life is Simple. Life is Short.

Live your Dream and Share your Passion.

Open your Mind, Arms, and Heart to New Things and People. We are United in Our Differences.

Acts of Kindness

This post was originally written months and months ago, actually close to year ago now.  But as it clearly expresses, I was saddened and embarrassed about my lack of action or sincerity.  Well I'm posting a slightly darker side to me and what a city like Vancouver has doug out of me.  Although it doesn't make me proud (which it really shouldn't) I have since walked this gentleman across a street twice, but In fact beyond november, I have not seen him since. I can only pray for him and his safety.  That someone else had not taken advantage of his weakness.

Facing Grief as a Yogi

Death, it's never easy, but it is something everyone is apart of at some point.  And funny enough it is also one of those things that many people have a really hard time facing.

Different cultures celebrate it differently or even their way they mourn.  There is no right way nor any wrong way. So how as a yoga student can we be helped in facing this elephant?

This topic is something that has been staring at me for close to a week now, someone I actually don't even know, but seem to have a profound enough connection that I find myself mourning for her, even dedicating my energies for her and the people who surround her this week.

As a yoga student, like in life, you will find that there is a plethora of ways that you can work through your grief.  Each is individual and yet beautiful.

For me, there are days that rolling out my mat, is all that I can do.  Sometimes, that is all the therapy I can manage.  But, I do find that the healthiest and most helpful exercise is meditation.  It not only calms that mind, it slows the breathing and even helps you sort some of those emotions, the memories, and all of the balls of energy rolling around inside.

A Simple, Loving Meditation

Taking a seat on your mat, find a comfortable, but stable seat.  Feeling your own connection to the earth, yet noticing the light lift through the crown of your head, feeling the polar ends of your body. Resting your hands on your knees, hands facing up, to allow for openness.  Close your eyes and breathe.  Focus on your inhales and your exhales.  

Breathe.  

Keeping your focus centred and internal.  As we all do, you will notice yourself "thinking", your inner thoughts running rampant, maybe even cry.  

That's okay.  And notice that. 

Tell yourself that you recognize your thoughts and you see them, and say okay.  And then, return to the breath.  Each time you feel your mind wander away repeat this southing and accepting practice, and feel it each time, notice how you might feel a little taller, a little lighter.  Maybe only ever so slightly. 

But again, that is okay.

You might find you can only muster a minute or two and that minute might actually feel like ten.  and that my friend, is normal.  Ask yourself to practice, to just take a minute to sit down on a chair or on your mat, or perhaps behind a closed door.  That minute will help you manage the following 10.

Just always remember to say, okay.  This is all okay. 

New Class

It was such an honour to co-teach with my classmate, Annilee today.
We are co teaching over the next few weeks the students of the Explore Program at Langara College. These are both young and older adults who are in or finishing a post secondary degree but would like to improve their English.  (There is also a program for English speaking students who would like to improve their french if you are interested!)
It was so much fun to assist Annilee and to help the students go deeper into their postures as they explored the movements within the class.  I can't wait for next week!  It will be my turn to lead the class.

Yoga Class at MEC BikeFest 2011

Come one Come All!

I will be teaching 2 short 20 minute class Sessions at the Plaza in the Village along False Creek. These classes will focused around key areas for those avid cyclists that just need to spruce up their training to balance the single direction of movement.

A Life Lesson

A grandfather tells his grandson, "I have two wolves that are living in my heart. One is short tempered, vengeful and violent. The other is gentle, patient and compassionate...and they are at war in my heart." 
"Which one of them will win the war in your heart?" asks the boy. 
The old man answers "The one that I feed."

Food for Thought

Love is Hope

Stretch Festival ☆☆☆☆☆ Pondicherry Yoga Cannes Festival Lion

Quote - Swami Vivekanada

Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life, think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone.  This is the way to success.
~Swami Vivekananda

Dilbert: Yoga Prodigy

My confusing but humbling hand mudras

(note: The following post will be distinguishing what Jnana mudra and Chin mudra and their significance)

I'm nearing the end of my 6-month yoga teacher training.  Before I can blog about my confounding knowledge of hand mudras, I need to unload my guilty conscience and apologize for not posting a lot onto this blog during my training.  Although my intention sat tall, it sat too far away.

I am at a point now where the ball is rolling, I have my foundation of learning. It is now up to me to continue to learn, absorb, and translate. To embody this information, observe the changes within myself, and finally the most difficult; to transport this raw information, all of these experiences to others that wish to listen and learn.

I have decided that I love teaching, it's still new, it is still hard, and I am still figuring it all out for myself.  I don't want to stop teaching, but I need to recognize when I don't know how to convey this new knowledge before I realize I am teaching it and don't know what I am even saying anymore!

Part of my final testing and experience is teaching a 6 week yoga series to the same people.  This morning was day 4.  The first week I started to ask my students to place their hands in Jnana mudra (pronounced as "Gian") and quickly realized I didn't know how to tell people why they needed to do this.  So I went back to my class and I asked. I got a good answer which reiterated everything we had been learning, but of course I was still unable to get this into my own words.

I resigned to just ask people to place hands down or palms facing up gently resting on the knees depending on the effect desired (palms down = grounding, knowledge, jnana  palms up = consciousness, receptiveness, openness to learn, chin)

I figured once I got the hang of this I would feel comfortable enough to ask people to place their fingers into this mudra or seal and I still would be able to convey their meanings.  Today, I once more fumbled.  I fumbled so badly I actually I had to say "I'm not sure where I am going with this, I think I need to start over" It was horrifying and embarrassing.

Fortunately my fiance is in the class and gave me some very honest but very good feedback.  He told me that it was unfortunate that I got flustered and lost in my explanation but after that my voice became so controlled he thought I was reading everything word for word, so much so that (and I noticed this) he kept opening his eyes to peek at me to see if I was in fact doing this.  He did say though that my voice returned to its natural tones once I started teaching the Asana. Probably because I was teaching something I am much more familiar with.

I can't say this was my best class taught, but it thus far has been one of the most humbling classes I have taught. so much so I've decided to go to my drawing board (this blog), and tell you about it and then explain what they are.  I will do this in a way that I can understand and teach it.  I do not ever want to enter a class and tell them that I don't know what I was trying to say ever again, and especially not at the very start of a class I am teaching!

I should have realized this since I am the type of learner that needs to physically be involved in the learning of it. It is completely one thing to practice and embody this mudra experiencing its benefits and listening to its explanations and and a complete other from me spelling out and translating this experience for myself.  Until I do this I might as well say that I am just "winging it"!  This is not a good teaching strategy for me!

I have always agreed to "teach what you know". Quite honestly, I thought I "knew" this.  But this experience has taught me that I actually need to confidently know it well enough that I can translate it into my own words so that others too can have the experience to learn it. So from this point forward if I have not picked something apart with words, whether written or spoken, then I should not be presenting it to a group.

I vow to honestly Teach What I Know!

I would like to thank my students for being my teachers as well.

Hari Om Tat Sat

The BEST Miso Gravy I can ever remember

I lived in Toronto for a couple of years and one of my favourite restaurants was Fresh by Juice for Life. When I think of Toronto those restaurants continue to remain as iconic memories of my time living there. Particularly the Queen East location.  As a lifeguard, one of our staples were the spiced fries with Miso Gravy. Till this day I have never had anything to come close.

A few years back I was raving to someone from BC about how good the Miso Gravy had been.  Well I soon found myself gifted with the Naam's miso gravy, not realizing who they were or what I had been given.  Despite the rave reviews that I know it still receives and having had it fresh a few times now, I still can only say it is okay.  Really, it does not even come as a close competitor.  That vinegar flavour is too much, not creamy enough, and its kind of watery in texture.

You know when time starts to pass and you find yourself starting to think that, maybe what you are remembering isn't actually so or maybe it was over-glorified at the time.

Well this is not the case.

I found the recipe recently, but still had yet to make it.  And having had it now, it was so good I decided everyone should be let in on this absolutely fabulous gravy.

I tweaked it slightly to make it less glutenous (Durum flour, although high in Protein is even higher in Gluten!).  I think next time I might use Kamut flour since that is one of the best versions of flour out there; being a hardy, resilient, very nutritious ancient grain.

I highly recommend this for your fries or BBQ potato chips, burgers, tofu, broccoli... who am I kidding, really anything. I'm telling you it is just that good!

Also, by tweaking the recipe in a few different ways: it makes it mine, better, and honestly I don't feel as guilty posting the recipe.


Miso Gravy
4 1/2 Tbsp.  Flour (White, Durum, or Kamut)
3/4 cup        Nutritional Yeast (inactive)


1 2/3 cup     Vegetable stock


2-4              Crushed Garlic cloves
1/3 cup       Vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp.     Dijon Mustard
3 Tbsp.       Miso Paste (pick your favourite flavour, but I love
                   the red one from AKA Miso from the Organic 
                   Amano Brand)
3/4 tsp.       Finely ground Sea Salt (If the vegetable stock that 
                   you are using is really high in salt I would perhaps 
                   cut this to 1/2 tsp since the Miso and the Yeast both
                   bring a fair amount of saltiness)

1. Mix the flour and the Nutritional Yeast together in a saucepan. 

2. If your stock is fresh off the stove, take half a cup worth and cool it down to first mix with the flour-yeast combination. This will help you from cooking dumplings, flour mixes better cold then warm or hot. Whisk the broth into the dry ingredients.  

3. On medium heat bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. after about 30 seconds of boiling you should notice it start to thicken. 

4. Lower the heat adding the rest of the ingredients starting with the oil, thoroughly mixing everything until smooth.  Serve warm.

Note: Last night I BBQ 3 Sweet potatoes cut into large thick slices and used those to dip into the gravy. today I'm thinking of pressing some tofu and making Tofu steaks with some roasted veggies on the side.  I'm so excited

Enjoy!
Hari OM