Who am I? Why am I here? These are questions most of us ask ourselves at some point. There are ancient teachings that we can use to guide our modern lives and help us to answer these questions.
Read MoreThe month of May brings to mind, for me, many wonderful things – May Day and Mother’s Day, planting seeds in freshly tilled dirt, the scent of lilacs blooming, the return of the hummingbirds to my feeders, and the absolute joy of our herd of Scottish Highland cattle when we send them out to graze on pastures of bright green grass for the first time after a winter of dry hay. All of these things speak to me of beginnings - full of hope, possibilities, and potential.
Read MoreThe gentle breeze carries fragrant whispers of soil and fertility, and soon there will be lilac perfume wafting through the air. I sit on my stoop, enjoying a sunbeam shining on my face, watching the world burst into color and sound and aroma, feeling the qi of spring. I feel the world opening up to new beginnings, reconnections, and vast possibility.
Read MoreIf you are new to yoga, you might not know the term Sun Salutation. If you are a regular yogi, you’ve likely not only heard of it – but also have been guided through many in your yoga classes. Often, we come to yoga class and do whatever the teacher says, sometimes not even really knowing the “why”. In yoga, understanding the “why” behind things can be just as illuminating as the “how”. Understanding the logic can help facilitate deeper personal growth and thus, a more robust yoga experience.
Read MorePartner yoga, at the very least, is simply fun - and can be so much more. Communication is the most important tool during a couple’s practice. Unlike a traditional yoga class where you quietly focus on your breath and turn inward, in partner yoga you focus on the other.
Read MoreI knew right away when I walked in the door that Green Lotus would play an important role in my life. I actively was seeking a yoga teacher-training program that felt right and offered the skills needed to teach yoga in a professional, safe, and meaningful way. What I did not know was that I would not only graduate from the RYT-200 program, but also…
Read MoreNo matter where you live - in the city or in the country - summertime in the Upper Midwest is a time to enjoy the weather, not to spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals!
Read MoreThis all-natural, skin soothing body butter is easy to make with just a few ingredients that can be found at a natural food market or ordered online.
Read MoreWhen I feel a tightening or an uncomfortable burn in my Solar Plexus, I stop. I feel. I “listen” with my whole being. Is this anger? Is this a desire to be “right”? Is this a play of a sheer force of will? Is this over-excitement? Is this nervousness or shyness?
Read MoreEating with the seasons is a simple way to eat healthier and nurture Mother Nature. Strawberry season is in full swing and blueberries aren't far behind. These refreshing fruit soup recipes are easy to make and can easily be modified to use whatever fruits are fresh and available.
Read MoreMuch as we take in food, water, and oxygen, we also take in sights, sounds, and other sensory information as well as subtle energies and impressions from our environment. Our senses “feed” our minds and spirits, much like food feeds our bodies. If we are to truly cleanse, we must bring attention to what we feed our minds and spirits.
Read MoreOne of the many reasons a yoga practice supports physical well-being is because asana and pranayama build internal heat in nearly every kind of class that includes movement….
Read MoreAccording to Ayurveda health-care philosophy, oil pulling draws out toxins in your body to improve oral health specifically and to improve your overall health.
Read MoreAbhyanga is the Ayurvedic practice of self-massage, which can nourish and cleanse our external body just as we cleanse and nourish internally with clean foods and new eating habits.
Read MoreWhat are beginnings and endings? Are there beginnings and endings? What is consciousness? What is its relationship to time? Is time real?
Read MoreAs we dive deeper into the practice of yoga and start to investigate the philosophies that inform our practice, questions like “Who am I?” emerge. Perhaps who I thought I was isn’t so clear anymore. Perhaps I am letting go of attachments and identifications, and I’m starting to feel differently now. Perhaps as my mind got quieter, I started to see more clearly. Who am I unbecoming?
Read MoreWhen grief comes calling, it rarely arrives alone. Sometimes guilt accompanies it. It’s complicated and many-layered. Sometimes relief does – the innate gratitude that the loved one no longer suffers – and inadvertently triggers more guilt….
Read MoreTapas remains our spiritual kick in the rear to get it together because our true nature knows we are capable. In fact, our true nature depends on us to break through the pains to grow. Can we handle our own flames? Of course we can….
Read MoreElderberries and garlic have been shown to help to prevent flu viruses from invading the body and replicating themselves. There are many herbs that can help build your immune resilience, and it’s much easier than you may think to incorporate into your day-to-day routine.
Read MoreIn mindfulness, we can observe each moment in any situation with calm abiding, clear seeing, non-judgment, and non-attachment. This is a valuable practice to bring in to our daily lives. As the name implies, it is not something we can just do. It requires practice. It can be practiced during any activity, even something as simple and routine as doing the dishes.
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