Inner Light Outer Peace Yoga Blog

To my friends from the Five Tibetans Workshop on Saturday and all interested in the Tibetan calendar.

Here is a link to the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute’s calendar.

Yesterday, February 14th marked the first day of the New Year which means we learned the practice on Tibetan New Years Eve, how symbolic! Even if you missed practicing yesterday, it’s still a great time to start your commitment to The Five Tibetan Rites as often in the week as is manageable. Remember to carve out time for the practice and do your best to stick to that time.

Please keep me posted on how your practice is evolving. If you missed the last two workshops and would like another one scheduled, send me a note or leave a comment below!

Happy New Year and Presidents Day too!

Thanks Ceil from GE Fitness for sharing this article with me.

Yoga Improves
Back Pain Outcomes

With more than 200 million Americans potentially suffering bouts of chronic back pain, simple c ost-effective treatment programs are necessary to improve outcomes. Yoga has been studied previously as one such solution, although it has produced mixed outcomes. Most recently, a study published in the journal Spine optimistically reported that Iyengar Yoga improved the symptoms of chronic back pain suffers. Iyengar Yoga is known for its more progressive nature and adaptability to special needs.

Researchers divided ninety participants into yoga and control groups, which were provided typical medical care for their symptoms. The yoga group participated in 6 months of Iyengar yoga classes twice weekly. Information was collected at baseline, following 12 and 24 weeks, in addition to a 6-month follow-up. Researchers incorporated a variety of questionnaires to determine the outcomes.

Following the intervention researchers reported significantly greater improvements among participants in the yoga program compared to controls. For example, there was less disability in the yoga group, the self-reported pain intensity was lower among yoga participants, and mental wellbeing was improved in the yoga group.

Although there were greater improvements among the yoga participants, the use of pain medications was not different between groups after 24 weeks. However, there was a reduction for both groups. Benefits appeared to be sustained at the 6-month follow-up although there was a slight trend toward regression.

A variety of treatments currently exist for chronic back pain sufferers. Iyengar Yoga is a relatively inexpensive activity that, when used consistently may provide cost-effective pain-relief.

Williams, K. et al (2009) Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficacy of Iyengar Yoga Therapy on Chronic Low Back Pain. Spine. 34(19): 2066-2076.

Don’t miss the Equinox Ayurvedic Special. See below for details!

The class flow combines Ayurvedic science, vedic astrology and asanas to bring balance to the body. Ayurvedic science, which dates back 5000 years, is a system of healing that examines the body, mind and spirit in the context of the universe. Ayurvedic theory believes that each individual has a constitution composed of a balance of 3 doshas … vata, pitta and kapha … that are influenced by climate, seasons and age. This series is meant to bring balance and harmony as the seasons change.

Who can’t use a little balance and harmony?!?

Check it out, Domus is hosting this wonderful event – rain or shine! Dew Yoga will be on hand offering free Yoga for kids plus they are hosting lots of other free activities including martial arts, dance, face painting, healthy food, nutrition advice, chinese medicine and lots more!

Chia, the newest to join the ’super foods’ little known for it’s incredible nutritional value and famous for it’s ability to sprout into the Chia Pet we so longed to buy from TV. Was it the wonder of growing something so simply or that catchy jingle?

On advice from Xell Calderer, Elysa added chia seed to her diet. And then she made some for me. Being a vegetarian, I was quickly interested in the high protein supplement which also boasts, calcium, potassium, omega fatty acids and plenty of fiber. I found a tablespoon of chia in the morning was better than a cup of coffee with a sustained energy to keep me going through lunch.

The recipe Elysa taught me is demonstrated below but I also put them in the coffee grinder and sprinkle it on cereal, salad or mix it in a glass of juice.

Elysa’s recipe:
1 tbsp Chia seeds
4 tbsps Rice Milk (or any kind of milk, juice, water)
shredded coconut, cranberries, agave nectar
Mix chia and milk and let sit for ten minutes. When mixture thickens and becomes gelatinous add fruits, sweetner and anything else you like.

Thanks to Jaik for editing and uploading the video for us.

I try to be a conscious shopper, I try more and more often to purchase products that are healthy for my family and friendly to the earth. We need to collectively change the way we shop, eat and play. I have yet to see the movie, Food Inc. but one particular line has been in my stream of thoughts ever since I saw the trailer (see it here), “When we run an item past the food scanner we are voting for local or not, organic or not…”. This puts the power to change things in our hands (and wallets). Product marketing is a tricky business though and not every product bearing the word organic or earth friendly is true to it’s package.

Good Guide is the up and coming resource for smart shopping. They rate the everyday products we bring into our homes, put into our bodies and expose our children to. They give us the power to make an educated vote at the grocery check out.

Good Guide made me aware that Cheerios was a wiser cereal choice than a Kashi cereal I had bought. Check out some of your most common purchases on Good Guide and you may be surprised and then empowered to shop consciously and vote wisely.

Read their latest story on energy/snack/granola/power bars, you know those quick snacks we throw at the kids thinking they are better than cookies or candies. I currently have THREE of their lowest rated snack bars in my pantry!

Yesterday, I was having an ‘internet challenged’ moment which evolved into an internet challenged day. Having the need to get online for just five minutes, I spent far too many minutes rebooting, reconnecting, regretting dependence on technology, reasoning and then finally realizing I was not going to solve the problem on my own and phoned Cablevision.

A service interruption was my problem and it would be restored in the afternoon however, I needed to let the Beach Yogi’s know about class that very same evening and time was running away from me at full speed.

I headed to Starbucks to use their wi-fi and even though the Barista said it was simple, I remained challenged.

It was one of those moments where as a Yogini, I step back from the situation and dare to ask myself, “Jen, is this a sign that Beach Yoga is not meant to be tonight, or is the Universe challenging me at every turn just to be sure I really want this?”

I can not remember which brilliant teacher said, “Some hurdles, road blocks an brick walls arrive only to strengthen our resolve.”

Contemplating this, I was reminded to open myself to the grace of kindness and the importance of community in service to one another when a woman, sensing my frustration, all aglow with new life in her belly and a vivacious toddler at her side approached offering assistance.

After chatting, I realized it was Meg Robustelli who I had not yet had the pleasure of meeting in person but have been in contact with by e-mail. She runs a great blog called Fairfield County Child, “Unique Places to eat, shop and play with your little one” A while back she ran a post on Kids Yoga with super joyous Ronnie Oster. Check out Meg’s site, it is updated often and has all the low down on events, happenings, specials, even give always to her readers!

Meg, thanks for noticing I was stuck and taking the time to lend a hand even when your hands were already full. I think it take a village to raise a parent, or a blogger, or maybe it takes a human heart to get stuff done when we are so dependent on technology. You set a great example of kindness and community to your daughter.

Friends, pay it forward, random act of kindness – today! I promise I will too.

Buildings in the cities of the future.

Click here to read about the concept of big buildings that can provide freshly grown food for it’s inhabitants, dramatically reducing carbon footprint.

“Recyclers who hate separating paper from plastic are getting a reprieve, at least temporarily…
single-stream recycling, which means residents do not have to separate recyclables”

Starts now – Read it in the Stamford Advocate here.

Currently available at the Farmers Market – One bunch organic radishes @ $2.50 + one bunch beets @ $2.50 = $5.00.

Trim the greens off both bunches, wash well in cold water.
Slice the radishes and add to the greens.
Boil (or roast) the beets and add to the greens
Little olive oil, salt, balsamic vinegar.

Why is it cheap? Plentiful salad for five people for $5.00.

Why is it rich? Red beets provide Vitamins A and C, calcium and iron, and add fiber to the diet. Beet greens contain large amounts of vitamins K and A, along with large amounts of anti-oxidants beta Carotene and Lutein. Radish greens contain almost six times the vitamin C content of their root and are also a good source of calcium. Radishes have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and contain vitamin C and potassium.