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Healing and Appreciating… With a Little Help From the Ancestors

Written by Todd on . Posted in Articles.

Musings Inspired by Pitru Paksha (The Hindu Period of Ancestor Worship)

The view from my late cousin’s place of rest.

My mom called me today with a camping update. She was excited to have spent the night sleeping next to the grave of an ancestor. It was a whimsical act born of a passing comment from a local that her cousin had been buried in that area a number of generations ago. Upon learning this, my mom immediately rounded up an elderly resident who had been shown the burial area by his grandfather years ago. Together they approximated the burial spot to an overgrown bramble. She felt compelled to camp as close as possible for no obvious reason.

As I thought about what might have drawn her to spend the night with a cousin who had long passed I remembered that it is now the period of Pitru Paksha (fortnight of the ancestors). A Hindu practice where ancestors are remembered, prayed to and for, consulted, and appeased. In 2020 this takes place between September 1st and 17th. This is a time to contemplate the contributions and sacrifices of those who came before us, to cultivate gratitude, and receive insight that will help us live a better life. We pray for their peace and ask for their help as we invoke their presence.

Given that I am not Hindu I suggest that you consult Hindu texts, or seek clarification from someone who is of this faith, if you are interested in learning more about this sacred time of worship. My understanding would be of a surface depth at best. I am grateful however for Pitru Paksha, and similar ancestor practices from a number of traditions, that remind me to pause and create space for those who have paved the way for my own time on this earth.

Many philosophies teach that imbalance in our internal and external worlds may be the result of an unresolved relationship with an ancestor. In the book It Didn’t Start With You,Mark Wolynn explores the many ways that family trauma may be passed on and expressed in unhealthy cycles of emotion and action. Wolynn explores genetic studies showing physiological and emotional PTSD characteristics passed on to children who were not conceived when traumatic events occurred. In addition to genetic changes, social interactions and family culture can also unwittingly pass on unresolved emotions from one generation to another.

Wolynn suggests reflecting on repeated language habits and expressions in our core language during challenging times. To look into the places in our lives where intentions are at odds with actions. Maybe our behaviours are sometimes irrational because they didn’t start with us.

Holidays such as Pitru Paksha inspire me to contemplate the lives of family members such as my late grandmother. Her first husband, at a young age, died suddenly from a massive heart attack as he was walking down the street. This left her in complete poverty with a house full of young children. Various receptive families “adopted” her children and she moved to a neighboring town to be a servant girl to “earn her keep”. No roads meant that regular (if any) contact with her young children was impossible. As a mother I feel sick and breathless when I think of what she must have endured. The unimaginable and heart piercing sorrow of dropping off sobbing children one by one to households that would probably be extending lukewarm welcomes at best given that they were all struggling with the subsistence existence that was the norm at the time. My Nan eventually met another man (my grandfather) and started a new family. I never heard her speak of this part of her first family experience.

Nan with an later child of the family.

I now sometimes wonder if Nan’s trauma may impact on my own way of interacting with my family. Whether the occasionally powerful resentfulness I felt when my husband slept through diaper changes, or missed a parenting cue was connected to Nan’s feelings of anger at being abandoned (or course in this case it could just be because sleeping through diaper changes is totally uncool in partners, am I right mommas?). OK, obviously me and Nan still have work to do on that bit. Maybe that is why I have once again chosen to spend this September meditating with my Nan and sending her love and healing. When I do, I feel as though she is sending me back love and appreciation. I sense that she is grateful and soothed by my acknowledgement of her pain. As if we have become partners in our healing experiences.

I am wondering if my mother was called by my late cousin to sleep in close proximity of her grave for such a healing session. Maybe this cousin from our past had a message to share, a gift to give, or a request to make.

With a couple more days of Pitru Paksha remaining I invite you to spend some time with your ancestors. We are at the end of a long line of genes, experiences, loves, hurts, and accumulated wisdom. In whatever setting or ritual that works for you I implore you to listen to their whispers, send them love, and ask them for direction.

It might be helpful to draw a family tree and note anything you know about each person’s life that stands out. Then close your eyes, focus on your breath, and create space for flow. This is not an intellectual process. Resist choosing a specific person. Wait for your body and heart to be touched by an ancestor, maybe someone from the family tree you drew, or possibly someone else who simply sensed that now is a time for valuable connection. Journaling your experience afterwards can help to reinforce insights and explore meaning.

I am tempted to end by saying something like “Happy Pitru Paksha” but I have no idea if people actually say things like that on Pitru Paksha so I will instead wish you a powerful and fulfilling visit with whomever answers the prayer of your soul.

Coconut Green Tea Ice Cream

Written by Todd on . Posted in Articles, Recipes.

A Dairy Free Antioxidant Blast!

I honestly wasn’t much of an ice cream lover until I lived in Japan for a few years and discovered the matcha (powdered green tea) version. The bitter and sweet flavour balance completely changed my relationship with this creamy dessert. Once back home though I discovered matcha ice cream to be both difficult to find, and often without the intense matcha flavour that I loved so much. That, and the fact that I eat very little dairy these days, meant I hadn’t enjoyed matcha ice cream for some time. That recently changed when I realized that I could probably make it myself with things I always have in my cupboards, mainly matcha, coconut milk and maple syrup.

My kitchen has been a mess of bowls and green tea powder ever since I began trying to work out a method of making this without an ice cream maker. The recipe below is my current work in progress. Who knew that making ice cream was a bit of a science. This recipe actually doesn’t have that many ingredients and it has turned out to be pretty creamy and tasty.

Matcha is known to be packed with anti-oxidants, and coconut milk is often touted for its MCT oil benefits so I guess you could call this a healthy ice cream. It is so yummy that I didn’t require that designation, but I will admit that it makes me feel less guilty about having a second bowl.

Ingredients:

2 cans of Coconut milk (Just the thick creamy part- not the watery portion)
4-5 tbsp Maple Syrup (or use your favourite sweetener and adjust to taste. I prefer it on the less sweet side so stop at 4tbsp)
2 tbsp Matcha (more or less depending on how much bitter flavour you enjoy)
2 tbsp vodka (this stops the mixture from freezing too hard)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp guar gum or xanthan gum (I left this out once and it still seemed to work, but it is supposed to decrease ice crystals, so I suspect its value increases the longer your ice cream is in your refrigerator. Mine got eaten way to fast for that to happen! This ingredient is available in most grocery stores it seems. I have also read that egg yolk is also a natural emulsifier so may also do the trick. )
A pinch of salt

Directions: Place all ingredients in the refrigerator overnight. Also put your bowls/pans in the freezer overnight (this helps to decrease crystallization of the mixture). Once ingredients and bowls are cooled scoop the thick creamy portion of the cans of coconut milk into a blender (I use a vitamix). Then add all the other ingredients and blend. Pour into a cold metal bowl. Place in the refrigerator to cool. Pull mixture out every hour or so for a quick mix with a hand mixer etc. That should make it creamier. Serve when it is firm enough to scoop. I found this to be the creamiest and tastiest version when I was serving the day I made it.

Storage: The ice cream seemed to get really hard when kept overnight so I decided to spread extra mixture in the bottom of a frozen bread pan (a shallower spread decreases the ice crystals). Once frozen I tipped it out of the pan, sliced it into ice cream sticks, and wrapped them in parchment paper for easy portions. Then I would take it out and let it soften in a bowl for 10 minutes or so before eating.

Popsicles: This seems to work really well because the mixture freezes kind of hard and this is an easy way to pull out a portion. Yum!

Ice Cream Maker: I don’t have one. This probably makes things easier. I wouldn’t know. Those who have one can follow whatever you usually do for making ice cream I would guess.

Green Tea: I used high quality drinking matcha because that is all I had in my house. I probably could have bought an ice cream maker with the cost of all the top grade matcha utilized in figuring this recipe out. If you are buying matcha you could look for cooking grade matcha since most people use that for baking matcha sweets etc with good results. Matcha should be used when fresh. The flavour changes when kept for long periods and it’s bright green colour fades.

Coconut Milk left Overs: I just couldn’t throw it out. So I made a new batch of ice cream with it. I just followed the same process above and added a bit more stabilizer (guar or xanthan gum). It was a bit icier but worked well for popsicles.

Summer is coming to an end so don’t wait to try these out. Of course you could just turn up the heat and eat this throughout the fall and winter. I probably will.

Enjoy!

 

Three Books to Unleash the Wild Woman Soul

Written by Bobby Bessey on . Posted in Articles, Books.

A Literary Road map to Rediscovering your Feminine Power

This Summer I coincidentally and fortuitously found myself entangled in an insightful trinity of books that all provided direction for tapping into the innate source of feminine power and intuition. This eclectic list of three included a transformative modern-day memoir, an intellectual exploration of the wild woman archetype in myth, and an absurdly comedic fantasy novel. I am sharing them as a group in this post because, in a complex overlay of simultaneous book reading, they served to pry my heart and soul open in a myriad of directions this Summer. Whether you read all or just one, expect to transition into autumn on a wild wave of all that is tough, smart, and untamed in the feminine soul.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle: Wow! A memoir outlining one woman’s transition from a caged existence of societal expectations to personal freedom. In previous books Doyle shares her early metamorphosis from a woman struggling with bulimia and alcoholism to a feminine warrior who finds a powerful place of redemption and meaning in motherhood and marriage. These topics are also touched on in Untamed, however the spotlight of this narrative is Glennon’s realization that she had fallen in love with a woman. A complete restructuring of both her family and inner landscape are required to once again be whole and true to herself. It would be a mistake to categorize this book as simply a memoir. This book is a manifesto that calls on all women to carefully look inward and outward for the socialized perspectives and beliefs that serve to keep women imprisoned, and “in their place”. The reader is awakened to the unspoken set of rules that limit the full expression women in our society. The result of which is a loss of authenticity for both men and women. Fair warning, you may find yourself staying up all night to finish this. It is that good!

Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D: This book is a classic from the early 90’s. A deeply perceptive look into the feminine archetypes found in myth and stories worldwide. The author shares enduring myths and stories from a variety of cultures. Each is followed by an analysis of the hidden symbolic teachings of women’s mysteries that remain intact despite centuries of efforts by patriarchal forces to remove pre-Christian, Goddess, and feminine spirituality content. This book had been waiting for me on my book shelf for a couple of years before I pulled it out to read on vacation this year. A week later, mid-vacation, Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed was recommended to me. I promptly downloaded it and began reading both books simultaneously. I soon realized that I was moving back and forth between an intellectual analysis of ancient teachings articulating how to uncover the fierce nature of the feminine soul, and a modern day example of a woman going through this very same trial by fire to become whole. This book is a book for all, but especially for story tellers, dreamers, intellectuals, and soul seekers. It is the kind of book you keep on your book shelf for future references long after your first read.

Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett: The coming of age story of Eskarina, a young witch…or possibly a wizard. She was the eighth son of the eighth son…except she was actually girl. A complication which eventually creates a considerable upsetting of the apple cart of societal norms. The powerful (and hilariously practical) Granny Weatherwax agrees to mentor Eskarina but soon realizes that Esk’s power is of a dual nature, and Granny would (reluctantly) need to seek outside assistance. Thus begins a journey of biting and hilarious satire that upends every gender stereotype as the reader chuckles along for the ride.

Equal Rites is my fave book among many Terry Pratchett Discworld faves. Granny Weatherwax’s earthy wisdom resonates in my bones, and somehow I still giggle at the insightful absurdities EVERY SINGLE time. I had just finished a re-read before beginning the first two books on this list earlier this month. Realistically though, Equal Rites would have been included in any feminist favourite booklist of mine whether I had just read it or not. (Off topic but just in case you love this book, I reviewed another Terry Pratchett book, Thief of Time, a while back when I was preparing to take my family to live in the Dali Lama’s village in the Himalayas. Hilarity rather than history but really served to wet my boys interest in monks and prayer wheels).

As I write this book review Cardi B is defending her new WAP video that is igniting a fever of objections disproportionate to any leveled at the misogynistic and sexually explicit lyrics and images of male rap performers. Kamala Harris has been chosen to be Joe Biden’s running mate however her strengths are sidelined by a flurry of the same timeless terms of denigration used to belittle female strengths throughout history. She is “Nasty”, “Unpleasant”, and apparently dares to not smile and stroke the ego of every male who disagrees with her. The news is full of reports that women are losing their jobs at a much higher rate than men in COVID times. This is partially due to their higher representation in the lower paid service industry professions hit hardest by the pandemic, and also because the family workload has never been equally shared despite most women working outside the home. A disparity simply highlighted by the pandemic.

Every woman knows that the list of inequity could go on for pages. These are simply the headlines today that are screaming loudly and desperately that there is still work to do, that the world needs the raw, untamed, fierce, powerful, healing, and loving energy of the wild woman, as much as (if not more than) it ever has. To that end, pick up one (or all) of these three unapologetic celebrations of the divine feminine and tap into the undomesticated intuition of your wild woman soul today.

Fantastical Fiddleheads

Written by Todd on . Posted in Articles, Recipes.

Finally! After years of missing the short two week window that fiddleheads remain curled in the lovely (and tasty) shape that they are named for I finally caught them tentatively rising above the earth!

I have loved these deep green coils since I first tasted them in vegetable soba noodle dishes served in the Japanese mountains in springtime. Despite growing up frolicking in fern patches as a child, I had no idea that people ever ate them. My small town ancestors were suspicious of their safety. Which it turns out has some validity since they do need to be a specific kind of fern (the ostrich fern), and even then have to be boiled for 15 minutes, or steamed for 10-12 minutes before they are safe to eat. Having no internet to consult I guess Nana wisely chose to err on the side of caution.

If you plan to go foraging remember that only fiddleheads from the ostrich fern is edible. Do your research or consult an experienced forager before picking your own. Fortunately you can also find them in season in your local supermarket.

According to Health Canada ostrich fern fiddleheads contain vitamin C, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, making them a great way to boost your nutrition in the Spring with a locally sourced ingredient.

Ensure you clean as much of the brown scales off them as you can, and rinse in cool water a number of times before following the cooking guidelines above. Wash your hands after handling them as well. Cool them under running water after boiling/steaming. You can freeze them once they are cooked properly for up to a year.

Once they have been cooked add them to anything that works with veggies. Some compare their flavour to asparagus. I have so far added them to quiche, omlettes, sansai soba noodle soup, and the spicy Korean veggie dish known as bi bim bap (mixed veggies and rice). I have not done so yet but plan to add them to pasta sauce. You can also saute them as you would any other vegetable, and eat as a side dish.

The mid to late Spring opening time of the ostrich fern varies a little depending on your climate. I am writing this at the end of May in far eastern Canada. Keep your eye out at your local supermarket as they may source ostrich fern fiddleheads locally when in season.

Enjoy!

 

Heart Calming Avocado Pudding

Written by Bobby Bessey on . Posted in Articles, Recipes.

Balance your heart, mind and body with this anxiety soothing, immune boosting, avocado pudding. It just might be the thickest, creamiest and tastiest way fuel your cells this Season!

From an ayurvedic perspective anxiety is an imbalance of vata energy. The rich avocado, almonds, and coconut milk in this recipe work to nourish and soothe the nervous system by grounding overactive vata.

Because it is cold and flu season, the spices and sweetener were chosen specifically to support the immune response (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, honey). And finally, to pack an even more powerful wellness punch, our star ingredient is the adaptogen, ashwaganda. This powdered root provides a normalizing effect on our physiology, further lowering the stress response.

Savor this nutrient dense pudding as I have been enjoying it lately, with the brilliant green color of the avocado on display, or add cocoa (and possibly more sweetener) to transform it into a chocolate pudding that the kids might be more likely to try. However my 12 year old did give this green version two thumbs up!

Ingredients:

1 medium size avocado
1/2 cup coconut milk
10 almonds (plus a few to crush on top)
1/4 tsp each of cinnamon, nutmeg, & ashwaganda
2 tbsp honey (or your sweetener of choice to taste)

To make combine all ingredients in blender until creamy. Pour into dish, top with cinnamon, crushed almonds, and candied ginger bits.

This recipe made two small jam jar servings (see top photo). I probably could have easily served them into three.

*Ashwaganda powder can be found in St. John’s at the Health Food Shop on Stavanger Drive, and probably most of the other health food shops in your area. Just call ahead and ask. Support your local wellness shops. We want to ensure they will be there for us for a long time to com!

Enjoy!

Shakti Reads: Ikigai

Written by Bobby Bessey on . Posted in Articles, Books.

The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

The residents of the small southern Japanese island of Okinawa seem to have found the fountain of youth. It is not that they do not age. They do. In fact more people live to be centenarians here than anywhere else on earth. However, it is the quality as well as the quantity of the years lived that stand out on this idyllic island paradise. Study of the health, happiness, and meaning that these people experience in their lives promises to shed insight on how we could all be living longer, and more joyfully.

The key to living as well as Okinawans revolves around a concept called ikigai (or life purpose). It is finding your ikigai and living under it’s direction that is the focus of Hector Garcia & Francesc Miralles’ book entitled Ikigai.

The core concept of ikigai is outlined in this leisurely read, along with the food, activity, and lifestyle approaches that flow from this basic philosophy of living a meaningful life. Okinawans believe that to thrive one must first uncover their life purpose, or ikigai. To determine your personal ikigai you assess what skills you possess, what the world needs, what you love to do, and what you can be paid for. Somewhere in the overlap of these four things lies your personal ikigai.

Ikigai is an attractive little book that holds much wisdom, ranging from such practical advice as hara hachbu (only fill your stomach 80% when you eat), and never retire, to more subtle lifestyle tips for giving thanks and living in the moment.

There is a Japanese saying that it is only by being active that one would want to live to be 100. Maybe so, but our exhausted, stressed-out western culture is evidence that not all activity is equal. Maybe by bringing some ikigai into our lives we can all learn to live as well as the Okinawans.

Top TWO Yogic Ways to Thrive in Self Isolation

Written by Bobby Bessey on . Posted in Articles, Yoga.


A Yoga Pathway for Keeping it Real

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When asked yesterday to write a post on yoga for self isolation I immediately began to compile a list of common yoga wellness techniques. I contemplated the use of breathing practices, asana, journaling, meditation, laughter, music, nature walks, and creative pursuits appropriate for this purpose. As I was organizing my thoughts and ranking activities by relevance, I realized that this was an impossible task. How could I possibly know what any one person in isolation needs right now? Of course, I could not. I remembered however that I do know someone who does know. So instead of creating a list of things to do (or not do) in isolation, I thought I would instead introduce you to the person with all the answers, and help you listen to them. Hint: It is you!

Yogi Tip #1: Tune In

What is needed to thrive in any situation varies from person to person (and moment to moment). Adding to this complexity is the fact that most of the time we don’t actually know what we need! The three-breath practice below is designed to help you find out.

First close your eyes, inhale a wave of breath, exhale and imagine that wave releasing your body and mind. And now begin.

Beath 1: Body Awareness Inhale and tune in to your body. Visualize your body filling with your breath and become aware of all the sensations in your body. This is a non-judgemental curious sweep. Exhale and imagine your body settling into ease.

Breath 2: Mind Awareness Inhale your breath into your mind. Imagine your brain filling with this breath. Exhale to release your brain into ease.

Breath 3: Heart Awareness Inhale to bring awareness to your heart center. Exhale to visualize this space relaxing and opening up. Ask yourself what you need right now? Maybe you want to pause and breath here for a while longer to wait for an answer or possibly you know immediately what you need. To move? To lie down? To breath fresh air? To connect with someone?

Social media is full of wrestling indignant opinions on whether we should be active or inactive right now. Don’t get caught up in the extremes. There is no right or wrong way to proceed. You are now, and will forever be, the only person who knows exactly what you need.

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Yogi Tip #2: Give Permission

This tip is every bit as important as the first. Without it, your tune-in is not going to be of much use. There are a lot of different emotions being felt right now. Be kind to yourself. Does your tune-in inform you that you need to cry? Take a nap?  Move?  Do you need a break from your kids/partner? If so, feel it and do it (even if you just lock yourself in the bathroom to sit on your vanity counter for a few breaths). The most important thing to do when you learn exactly what you are feeling is to greet it with unconditional compassion, interest, and acceptance.

Jung wrote that the modern man lives in endless transgressions against his instincts. While we may resist certain feelings, the reality is that it is natural to feel angry, sad, lonely, happy, etc. It is also ok to notice it and to feel it. Before doing the three-breath tune-in above commit yourself to non-judgmental acceptance of whatever you discover. If you feel like napping for example, resist the urge to think, “but really I should go for a run”. In this unusual time when we are unable to welcome physical guests into our home I suggest we follow the sage words of Jellaludin Rumi, and instead practice welcoming all of our internal guests. I provide his beautiful poem, The Guest House, below to further inspire. Enjoy

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The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

— Jellaludin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks

 

Eight Reasons to do Yoga Online

Written by Bobby Bessey on . Posted in Articles, Yoga.

Triangle Crop

The recent need to stay inside due to Covid-19 means that many yoga enthusiasts have had to move from studio to online classes.  While it is true that online classes are not the same as the in-studio experience, they do come with some special perks of their own. If you are wondering whether an online class may be right for you, read on for some of the unexpected joys that my students have shared with me since I transferred to a live streaming option.

  1. PJs welcome! Tired from all day at work and wish you could change into your pajamas but it is yoga night? No problem. Yoga at home has no dress code. If you are working from home you may have been in them all day anyhow!
  2. Relieve stress. Something we need to do more than ever right now. The onslaught of news coverage, and worries about loved ones mean that our usual anxiety load is higher than usual. Yoga breathing and meditation studies repeatedly show a powerful impact on the nervous system.
  3. No sitter? Want to introduce yoga to a family member? Online yoga is your solution. Bringing yoga into your home provides a little window into what yoga is all about for hesitant partners or friends. Kids can be put to bed before class, or join in as you move through your practice.
  4. Stay active at home. My students are telling me that even if they are doing the same job at home, they are not moving to and from work, up and down stairs, etc. This means they may be doing significantly less moving than before. The fitbit does not lie!
  5. Savasana followed by proximity to your bed! For my students, this is the most commonly swooned about aspect of doing yoga at home. Especially in a Canadian Winter when going home after class frequently requires one to first scrape frozen rain or snow off the windshield.
  6. Maintain your regular schedule. For some, this alone can ease the anxiety of a sudden upheaval like many of us are experiencing right now. Another perk is that it may help you remember what day of the week it is!
  7. Missed a class? No Problem. Each studio or teacher will have their own policies on this. If you miss a class ask your teacher if there is a link available to a recording. You may be able to do it at a more convenient time for you.
  8. Support a local studio or teacher. Small businesses are struggling right now. While some are fortunate to be able to work from home others are not. If you are in St. John’s and find yourself in a position to support a local business check out the  Guide to the Good website for an easy and efficient way to find local services via  this keyword searchable platform.

Enjoy!

Ardha pasch w student HandFoot crop

Calming Adapotgenic Tea

Written by Bobby Bessey on . Posted in Articles, Recipes.

An Elixor to Melt Stress and Help You Sleep Better

Adaptogenic Ashwagandha Tea

Whether you need a daytime calm infusion, or a nighttime sleep-ease this warm soothing drink is for you.

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Most of the ingredients in this mixture of ayurvedic remedies can probaby be found in your kitchen already. Dates, almonds, and healthy oils are easy to find and great options to ease stress and anxiety year-round. However, in the winter months when cold temperatures and dry air bring vata energy even more out of balance, the impact of this beverge is needed even more. For added calming impact I have also added the herb Ashwagandha to this recipe.

This is where you may need to leave your house and pop out to your closest health food store. Ashwaganda is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. It’s botanical name is withania somnifera. It has been used medicinally in Ayurveda for centuries. Recent studies indicate it can play a role in decreasing anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders. Much research is also currently being done on its’ antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immune-enhancing, thyroid balancing, and many other effects (Braun & Cohen, Herbs & Natural Supplements, 2015).

This herb is known as an adaptogen, meaning that it supports our immune and neuroendocrine processes by adapting to the current needs of the body to promote balance! This ability to create a non-specific response depending on our unique requirements is one reason why it helps us decrease anxiety and cope with stress so effectively. It brings us “back to the middle” and at some point we all need little of that.

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Adaptogenic Tea Ingredients:
1 tsp ashwagandha powder
1 date (or your favourite sweetener, honey, agave, etc to taste)
2-3 almonds (can skip if you are using nut milk)
1 c hot water (or warm almond/nut milk)
1 tbs of coconut oil/ghee or combination of both (optional, but adds creaminess and brain feeding oils)
¼ tsp vanilla
Pinch of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and sea salt (all optional)
*If I feel like a chocolate version I add 1 tbs of cocoa powder. You may need more sweetener.

Combine all ingredients at high speed in your vitamix or smaller blender.
Enjoy

Hatha Yoga 101

Written by Todd on . Posted in News.

Dates and times are: Jan 6-Mar 23 (12 weeks), Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm

A yoga FUNdamentals class. This series is a pre-requisite for every yogi! Apropriate for absolute beginners, and those who would like to revisit the foundations of Yoga.

Each week specific poses, and teaching points, will be demonstrated and broken down.  There will be time for questions and personal guidance, and lots of information on how to modify postures to suit your needs.

Whether you are an absolute beginner, already a yogi but need a refresher, or have always wondered, “Am I doing this right”, this is the class for you!

Click this link to the Shakti Yoga 101 page for more information or to register and hold your space!