Enlightenment In New Orleans

October 25, 2009Katrina Ariel2 Comments

Alright. I’m convinced. All this meditating and yoga is truly the best natural high.

Yesterday I woke up, did an hour of meditating, chanting, and being with nature. Then, after my green smoothie and a yoga practice, I got ready for an adventure into downtown New Orleans.

What I find is that, when I keep up with my meditation and asana practice, I’m more consistently happy. Content. Centered.

It makes for a much more enjoyable life. I walk around smiling at people, and then (generally) they smile, and the whole happiness thing expands.

Yesterday was the first time I’ve been to New Orlean’s French Quarter since I was here last spring.

Morning Light

October 23, 2009Katrina Ariel

The light is so beautiful this morning.

Everything green dances in the wind.

I simply sit and let the visions come to me;

The face in the tree, the waving branches,

The constantly shifting shades of illumination.

Kiwi Goodness Green Smoothie Recipe

October 22, 2009Katrina Ariel3 Comments

Okay, I’ve got a new favorite.

This morning’s green smoothie developed from whatever I could find to put in the Vita Mix. Since I’m visiting my parents at the moment, and my dad brought home some kiwis, I thought I’d throw one in.

At some point this summer I ate my first kiwi with the skin on. I know, if you haven’t done it this seems very strange, but it doesn’t taste bad at all, and gives you more fiber and other goodness. So for my smoothie this morning all I did was cut the very tips of the kiwi off (the hard bits) and toss the rest in.

Kiwi is very low on the glycemic index (meaning it’s less likely to spike your blood sugar and insulin levels). It also is high in potassium and vitamin C, as well as other minerals and vitamins.

Recognition Of The Heart

October 20, 2009Katrina Ariel8 Comments

heart

You know when you meet someone and you feel an instant connection? Like you’ve known them your whole life but really you’ve never met?

That’s a recognition of spirit. It’s a connection of heart on a deep level – on the truest level. When you feel that you tap into the awareness of an intrinsic connection that exists beyond time and space.

We call these chance meetings, though there isn’t any randomness to it at all…

This happened to me most recently on a plane ride from Albuquerque to Houston. Standing in the tunnel between airport and plane (I’m sure this has a name but can’t think of it) I turned around and found a friendly face.

Read More “Recognition Of The Heart”

A New Dawn Of You

October 17, 2009Katrina Ariel2 Comments

“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life… For me… And I’m Feeling Good!”

These words, sung by the great Nina Simone, are super relevant, especially today.

As the daylight wanes and night grows longer in the Northern Hemisphere, the veils between what we generally think of as ‘reality’ and the ‘mystical’ fade. This gives us a chance to connect in a new way with the energy that pulsates as life, and the current of manifestation.

Right now, the new moon halfway between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice, is the Indian New Year, also called Diwali. This time of year is a transition between the fullness of summer and the inward gaze of winter.

This is the time to plant seeds for the next cycle. It is time to look back at what has come before; to be grateful for blessings and identify what no longer serves. In India they do the equivalent to our spring cleaning at this time. This is a chance to get rid of things, ideas and habits that don’t support your vision for yourself.

Going Into Retreat

October 10, 2009Katrina ArielLeave a comment

Wow. Sometimes even the word “Busy” doesn’t quite describe the pace of life, does it?

How about something like “Radically crazy full of things to do, people to see, interests to explore… Overwhelming at times yet somehow enjoyable all the same”?

I know, I’m a yoga teacher. If we went with the general idea of what that means you’d think I have loads of free time spent doing pretzel poses and esoteric meditations. Well, I do some of that, but even teachers get super busy and need yoga retreats.

I should be sleeping. Really. I’m about to leave the country, I have multiple To-Do lists staring at me, and each morning it has been harder to get out of bed because I stay up late writing. Not to mention the fact that I just got out of the shower and am sitting, wrapped in a towel at my computer. Slightly ridiculous, yet true.

Questioning The Guru: A Yoga Practice

October 9, 2009Katrina Ariel6 Comments

“If you know how to listen, everyone is a guru.”
~ Ram Das, from Be Here Now

The word ‘Guru’ has taken quite a ride lately, breaking away from the world of yoga and traveling everywhere else. You’ve got computer gurus, marketing gurus, quilting gurus, and on and on.

Sure, there are a few traditional gurus kicking around India and the rest of the world, some more qualified than others. Occasionally there is a person who truly deserves the description ‘guru’, but often this person would be so humble as to not need the name at all.

In the yoga world the word ‘guru’ conjures up many ideas.

For some, there is the pure concept of the guru as a humble master with the highest intentions, truly enlightened and willing to share his or her knowledge. Then there are those who have called themselves gurus only to act in less than honest ways, of which there are too many examples.

Asana and Alignment ~ Ask a Yogini

October 6, 2009Katrina ArielLeave a comment

Have questions about the physical aspect of yoga? You can ask other yoga related questions in the Ask A Yogini section of the site, or add alignment questions here by commenting below.

The following alignment suggestions are offered to enhance your understanding of alignment. I speak from my knowledge as an Anusara-Inspired™ yoga teacher. As with all physical practices, it is up to you to discern if something is safe for your body. If in doubt, check with your local Anusara yoga teacher or ask your health practitioner if you have health conditions.

Here are some common questions and answers:

Q. What is the proper alignment for plank pose?

A. First off, by shifting from the idea of “right and wrong” to the concept of aligned and mis-aligned, there is more space for individual differences and less tendency to be hard on yourself. The Universal Principles of Alignment™ of Anusara® yoga are applied to every pose. In plank, key areas to focus on would be

How Can Yoga Help Me Sleep?

October 5, 2009Katrina Ariel2 Comments

I get this question often: “How can I use yoga for sleep?”

Sometimes we get all wound up and sleep becomes elusive. Insomnia isn’t fun, nor is it helpful for health. We need to be able to rest well so the body can repair and heal, and so the mind wakes up refreshed. Stress levels and busy lifestyles leave many people unable to sleep when they really need it.

The good news is this: Yoga can help you get to sleep and rest more comfortably through the night. Here are a few ideas on how to use yoga for sleeping more contentedly.

Read More “How Can Yoga Help Me Sleep?”

Yoga Magic

October 3, 2009Katrina ArielLeave a comment

We all seek magic. That something special that sparks and dances in our eyes, minds, and hearts.

Yoga can help us find it…

Meditation, asana practice on the mat, mantra (chanting) and other traditional forms of yoga are deeply potent with magic.

Yet there is more – much more – that we often miss in every day life. This is where the practice steps off the mat. This is where our yoga is played out on every level.

Magic awaits…

We look for it in the eyes of others, in the color of the sky, in the soft petals of flowers, in the play of light on water.

We seek it in the whispering of the wind, in the words of teachers and the laughter of children.

You know the thrill of a good story? This is another way we engage magic. The imagination (i-magi-ation – notice the ‘magi’ in there) is such a wonderful tool of creation.