I read this poem by Aaron Hoopes, founder of Zen Yoga Breathe-Move-Relax at the beginning of this evenings yoga class. I love it, it reads a bit like Dr.Seuss for adults.

Too Busy to relax they say…………..complaints, excuses, everyday
They sound so weak, so stressed, so tired……..a mundane world in which they’re mired
No time to sit and just be quiet………their minds a rush of thoughts, a riot
No chance they have to hear the sound…….of nature’s wonder all around
Of birds and trees and clouds and air……….too much work, it’s just not fair
This really seems quite sad to me…….so much to do, no time to be

Breathe I say and move a bit
Then after that we can just sit
And watch the world at it’s own pace
There is no rush, it’s not a race
And if it were, what is the goal?
Where are you going mind, body,soul?

Too busy to relax I hear……….these words seem like they’re based in fear
Tired, weak, and too much stress………how did our lives turn such a mess?
We don’t need to look above…….to find a place that’s based in love
Turn instead and look within……….find your self, it is no sin.
Forgive,let go, and open your heart………..it’s the only place to start
Think on that and  you might find……..throughout your life you have been blind

Breathe I say and move some more
Run, walk, jump, stretch on the floor
Move your body, get up and go
Feel the energy, let it flow,
Don’t get caught in the negative
Habits that won’t let you live

Too busy to relax? Not true!……….this hoax must end, it starts with you
If all you do is just the same………you never will escape this game
Do something new, do something Zen……..begin right now, not “if”or “when”
Do one thing different, or two, or five………..change how you live, become alive
Do or do not, there is no try………..step off the cliff and start to fly

Begin with this, you won’t go wrong………..remember to  breathe, deep and long

It’s been 2 weeks now, that I have purposely not used the word “busy”. As I am a yoga instructor I am constantly observing the principals of pratyahara (withdrawl of the senses) and svadhyaya (self study). I decided to see if not using the word “busy” would actually cause me to be less busy, in turn, help me “find” more time in my days. Well, as it turns out, it worked beautifully. It seems alot of us find our identity in our work or in our accomplishments which equals “busy-ness”. Vritti in your citta (fluctuations in your consciousness) = a busy mind, and hence that is mirrored on the exterior walls of oneself. It took some time to get used to, and I noticed I was “select hearing” for the first few days. It seemed everywhere I went, in most every conversation I overheard or purposely evesdropped on (for the purpose of this experiment) the word busy came up.
It took a bit of readjusting to, and there were a moments of guilt, I too have many things to accomplish, lesson plans, laundry, administration, the breakfast dishes, but I prioritized, did what I could and then let go and let God! This is a picture I took yesterday morning. I took my little one down to Lonsdale key and we looked at the tugboats, they are her favorite thing. I cherish the time I have with her, and heck, I still made it to my staff meeting, happier and more relaxed. Try it for yourself and let me know how it goes!

Savary Island retreat

I am honored to be teaching the yoga portion of this amazing yoga retreat with Mari this Sept. 2-6th 2010. We will be lodging at Hemingway cottage on Savary Island , which is known as the “Hawaii of British Columbia” and we invite you to join us on this piece of paradise to immerse yourself in the healing arts of Jikiden reiki and Iyengar yoga.

This recipe came across my desk the other day, I think it is actually from a kids cookbook. In my never ending quest for easy, healthy food “fast’” food, this one did the trick, and I now share it with you.
First things first: Make sure your phyllo is thawed and your oven is preheated to 375F(190 c). Parchment paper helps tremendously, for lining the baking sheet, the counter etc.

Ingredients:
1 cup (250ml) chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
2 tbsp (25ml) olive oil

2 cups (500ml) sliced mushrooms
1 large bunch spinach,washed and chopped

5 oz (125 g) feta cheese, crumbled
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup bread crumbs ( I often use panko instead)
pinch nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Sesame seeds (I used sesame and hemp)

phyllo sheets

Method:

Saute onion and garlic until tender. Add mushrooms and spinach until spinach is wilted and remove from heat. In a large bowl combine cheese, eggs, bread crumbs, and seasonings. Combine with spinach-mushroom mixture. Place about 2 tablespoons onto each phyllo quare, wrap and spray with your olive oil spray, then sprinkle with sesame seeds!
As far as the wrapping is concerned, it was my first time ever working with phyllo and I am sure many of you have more refined techniques. I spread the phyllo, sprayed it with an organic olive oil and double wrapped, forming squares, or rectangles, like a real spanakopita.
BAked for about 18 minutes or until golden. These were enjoyed by my friends and family and are extremely portable. Let me know how yours turned out!

Lisa Relling, my friend and stylist at Kiss and Makeup sent me this invite and I extend it to you! Should be a lot of fun. For those of you who haven’t yet been in to Kiss and Makeup, it is definately worth it. Conveniently located in Park Royal Village, on the South side, right near Whole Foods, they offer a stunning array of scrumtious cosmetics, body care, clothing and accesories. Ask for Lisa, she will take good care of you.

Last weekend, while browsing through the complimentary Vancouver magazine I found in my room at the Pan Pacific Hotel, I scanned a review of the fresh baked goods at Giovane in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. Perfect, as I was directly across the street and craving just this sort of Sunday morning delight. It was actually my first time in the hotel, and I was impressed by the atmosphere on the whole. In Giovane, there was ample seating and a relaxed yet very modern,clean feel. The signature “sugar buns” were sold out (at 11am), so I took 2 chocolate ones to go, and sat down to a breakfast panini , a savory scone and roooibos tea. Absolutely hit the spot. The cake display was fantastic, I was especially taken with the peanut butter hedgehog globe which beckoned me to some altered state, but I resisted it’s siren song! Loaves of freshly baked bread, pizza, scones, almost a bit like Thomas Haas without all the chocolate, and bigger. We ate the chocolate buns at home, which were extremely decadent, (best to share) and returned the next day with my children (a treat on Victoria day for them, research for me). This time we got a creamy sugar bun and my 2 year old was in heaven, so was I. Go on, try it out, you deserve a break today……………..at Giovane’s.

“The state of  your bed is the state of your head” writes author Karen Maezen Miller in her recent Huffington Post article. I’ve been giving this alot of thought since I read it this afternoon. She writes that the simple act of making one’s bed in the morning is symbolic of the transition from sleep to wakefulness and an act of beginning one’s day with mindfulness. In my family I teach that no one should leave in the morning unless beds are made. It is such a simple act but one of moving from horizontal to veritcal, from rest to action.It shows respect for oneself and one’s surroundings. Just as a made bed gives clues to ones home and habits, as a yoga instructor there are certain “clues” I get about individuals through the way they inhabit their physical bodies. Are their hands curled into a fist or do they readily spread open in acceptance and trust? Do they stand evenly on their feet, grounding to the magnetic earth energy or do they tend to stand on the inner or outer edges of their feet, with hesitation? Can they lie still in savasana, or does fidgeting signal unease and a “busy” brain. Try it out, observe (svadhyaya)  yourself during the day, your habits, your yoga practice and see what you discover!