Author: Katrina Ariel

Unless you’re upside down, your feet are your foundation. They do SO much work for us, yet they might be the most overworked and underappreciated part of the body.

Many people have pain and other issues that can be changed by working with the feet. Flat arches, bunions, weak ankles, knee pain – even conditions of the hips, spine and on up the body – all can benefit from awareness and optimal alignment in the feet. This may not be the entire solution to physical concerns, but it sure can help and is a great place to start!

Read More “Super Feet! Yoga Alignment For A Happy Foundation”

Listen…

There is a potency in each breath, in each word offered to you, and in each bit of silence.

Every person you meet has something to teach you.

Can you see it?

Not always. But often you can hear it, yet only if you know how to listen.

Listen with your whole self. It doesn’t mean you necessarily agree, but that you value the spark of spirit in the other person enough to care. To do this is an extraordinary and powerful ability.

To truly be heard is such a gift. Can you give that to someone today?

I’m listening…

“How can yoga help me be fit?”

Though you probably know at least one answer to this question, I’d like to give you more ideas on how to stay in shape with the help of yoga.

We all want to look and feel good, and physical fitness is a huge key which, balanced with healthy eating and meditation, can make all the difference in your quality of life.

The first thing I’d like to point out is that you want to supplement your yoga with other activities for a balanced approach to fitness. Unless you’re doing something like 2 hours of intensely playful, challenging yoga 5 times a week, you need to do some cardio.

That said, yoga is the number one thing you can do for all the systems in your body. It gets your circulation going, lubricates joints, strengthens muscles and stretches what’s tight. It balances your hormones, lowers stress levels, helps keep your internal organs happy and boosts your immune system.

Read More “Shaping Up: Yoga and Fitness”

World peace is the ultimate expression of Ahimsa, or non-violence, which is the very first teaching of yoga. Will you participate in making it a realtiy?

In the next week there are two days that are dedicated to peace on a global level, September 21^st and September 26^th.

Monday, September 21^st is Peace One Day. It’s a global cease fire and celebration of peace recognized by the UN and countries around the world.  What will you do for peace? Post a comment below to announce your contribution.

Saturday, September 26^th, there are gatherings around the world called Earth Dance. People are coming together at festivals, small groups, and even on their own to join in a Prayer for Peace at 4pm Pacific Standard Time.

“It’s our moral responsibility” says the Dalai Lama in the Peace One Day film that explains about Peace One Day.

Read More “The Dalai Lama on Creating World Peace”

Wouldn’t it be nice if life had an “undo” button? A chance to re-do certain things, re-phrase certain words, or re-think certain thoughts?

Sometimes we can be so hard on ourselves that mistakes turn into bigger monsters than necessary. Often small inconveniences morph into huge frustrations because we dwell on them.

But here’s the thing: Every single moment in life is fresh.

There is an opportunity in each trip-up. Mistakes, annoyances, and even tragedies come into our lives offering gifts. You can turn even the most sour experience into growth and bloom. Transformation awaits your willingness.

Read More “Do Over”

Sometimes it’s hard to get into a routine. Sometimes that’s okay, and other times the body thrives off having a rhythm that it knows and loves.

For me, when I skip meditation or yoga practice in the morning I have a much higher chance of getting irritable. That’s because these practices keep me balanced. They help my body, mind, and spirit all play nice together and contribute equally to my experience of the day.

In an ideal world I would wake up early every morning, and this is what my day would look like:

• Rise with gratitude
• Drink water
• Meditate (also pranayama)
• Eat fruit
• Go for a walk or run
• Green Smoothie
• Shower/bath
• Yoga Practice

  Read More “What About Routine?”