Namaste Y'all

Yin vs. Yang Yoga Sequences

2012-01-12T16:34:00.000-05:00

black with white dot = yin/feminine

white with black dot = yang/masculine

Here's a quick quiz:

Lately I have been feeling: A. Aggressive B. Passive
My breath is longer on the: A. Exhales B. Inhales
I feel tightness in my: A. Right side B. Left side
I have more energy: A. During the day B. At night
Temperature-wise I am: A. Hot B. Cold

If you chose more As than Bs you are yang.
If you chose more Bs than As you are yin.

Knowing your feminine/masculine energy is important when practicing yoga. If you are drastically one or the other it is good to re-balance yourself my nurturing your opposite energy. Here are some basic sequences to get back in balance:

(Enlivens) YIN
Warm Up
Rather than heating your body up with the Sun Salutations try warming up with Cat and Cow.

Standing and Seated Sequence

(Hold these standing poses for 5 breaths each and complete the entire sequence before going to other side)

Warrior I
Warrior II
Reverse Warrior
Warrior I
Warrior III
High Lunge
Low Lunge with an option to gently twist
(Hold these seated poses for 15-20 breaths)
Pigeon Pose (right side)
Fire Log Pose (right side)
Pigeon Pose (left side)

Fire Log Pose (left side)
Wide Legged Forward Fold

Cool Down

Legs up the wall
Savasana

(Enlivens) YANG
Warm Up
Sun Salutations A and B with option to do 1-legged Chaturangas or additional push ups

Standing and Seated Sequence
(Hold these poses for 5-10 breaths each and complete entire sequence before going to the other side)
Warrior I
Warrior II
High Lunge with knee dips to the mat (x10) into twist
Warrior I
Warrior II
Wide Legged Stance with Plies (x10) into Wide Legged Forward Bend inhaling at the center and exhaling to lunge to either side (x10 each side)
Warrior I
Warrior II
Warrior III (with leg lifts)
(Hold these poses for 5-10 breaths and complete entire sequence before going to the other side)
Down Dog to Chaturanga with right knee going to your left elbow, then center, then to right elbow (x10 )

Pigeon Pose

Fire Log Pose
Cow Face Pose

Cool Down

Wheel Pose (x3)

Savasana

Have fun re-balancing!

Namaste, y'all--Becca

Yoga Sequence: Hour of Power

2012-01-02T10:52:00.000-05:00

I thought over the next few weeks I would offer different yoga sequences for those of you with a home practice. This blog entry is an Hour of Power yoga sequence and will be what I am teaching Mondays @ Jiva Yoga Center from 12-1.

Warm Up:

Sun Salutation A (x5)

Sun Salutation B (x5)

Standing Sequence:

Warrior I
Warrior II into Reverse Warrior II (x10)
Triangle Pose with side oblique lifts (x10)
Revolved Triangle
Crescent Pose with back knee dips (x10) and calf raises (x10) into Pyramid Pose
Tree Pose

Seated Sequence:

Plank pose with knees 3 ways (side, center and other side) and One Legged Dog hip opener *optional arm balances
Pigeon Pose
Seated Staff Pose into Reverse Table Top with tricep raises (x10)
Seated Staff Pose into Boat Pose (x20)
Cow Face Pose

Cool Down:

Savasana (Corpse Pose)

Namaste, y'all--Becca

OOPS! Class Correction

2011-12-30T12:20:00.002-05:00

Tripod Headstand on the beach

In my last blog I gave y'all the wrong class time. Jiva moved the class to 12. So here's what you need to do to start the new year right:

Go to Jiva Yoga Center Monday, Jan. 2 from 12-1 for an hour of power... and then keep coming back every Monday on.

Namaste, y'all--Becca

Get Your Yoga On!

2011-12-28T08:15:00.001-05:00

Flying Split on the beach

Good news, y'all--I picked up a new class on Mondays from 12:30-1:30 at Jiva Yoga Center starting Jan. 2nd.

The class is called Hour of Power. It is an all-levels class that intensifies your yoga flow to get your heart rate, flexibility and strength up and your stress and worries down.

This is class is perfect for meeting your New Year's wellness resolution or just decompressing from the holidays. So, join me and next Monday and get your yoga on!

Namaste, y'all--Becca

My Yoga Year

2011-12-20T07:12:00.000-05:00

When I first started practicing yoga 10+ years ago, it was very much about the physical challenges of doing advanced poses like Bakasana and jumping back to Chaturanga Dandasana and then back to Bakasana.

Last year, though, yoga could not longer be about the physical for me. As many of you know, we had a challenging time not losing our 3rd child. For 3 1/2 months (from September to December) I was on bed rest and in and out of the hospital/doctor's office. My yoga shifted to focusing on breathwork, staying positive and keeping Camellia in my belly until she could be viable.

Camellia at 1 week and 5 1/2 lbs

When Camellia was born last Christmas season, she was a preemie and struggled to breathe and gain weight. My yoga responded again and shifted to the spiritual side of yoga as I prayed for her.

Then in August, we discovered that I had a serious uterine infection that had caused the preterm labor with Camellia. We (my new OBGYN and I) believe that my former OBGYN had given me a non-sterile IUD. (My former OBGYN is undergoing several lawsuits for inserting non-FDA approved IUDs into her patients and has refused to turn over my medical records including my IUD consent form--even after being requested by a lawyer.) My yoga once again shifted--this time to getting truly healthy and managing my emotions.

Camellia turns 1

Today, December 20th is Camellia's 1st birthday. This past week has been extremely emotional. It has been filled with moments of sadness for all the stress of last year and then moments of happiness for all that we have overcome. As I look at my once preemie who is now in the 98th percentile for height and weight and wears 2T clothes, I can feel my yoga shifting again. This time, I think it is about helping others--whether it is through a difficult time or to learn more about the benefits of yoga.

Namaste, y'all and happy holidays--Becca

Metabolic-ing Through the Holidays with the Metabolic Research Center

2011-12-07T08:41:00.001-05:00

After saying I wanted to lose 5-8 lbs (of fat, not water weight) for the past 5-8 years, I finally decided to put the "i" in diet and join the Metabolic Research Center (MRC) plan. I know, I know. It's the holiday season. But the way my life goes--and probably yours, too--time races by at warp speed and this Mama Chewbacca (see below) is ready for the force to be with her metabolism.

Our family Christmas card (Lee--Hans Solo, Me--Chewbacca, Ransom--Princess Leia, Ruth Love--Yoda, Camellia--an angry Jabba the Hut)

For most of us, the word "diet" is a four letter word. It stresses us out. Whenever we utter the word "diet" we growl out the word "die" and then let the letter "t" fall off into an abyss of anxiety. But, truth be told, we have been misusing the word. According to Merriam-Webster:

So now that you've got the skinny on the word "diet," let's breakdown the MRC diet and why it will help you (as it has me). According to MRC manager Mike Pearson:

The MRC diet is a comprehensive wellness plan that integrates all natural, energizing supplements and a structured but filling meal plan individually designed to help you lose 3-5 lbs per week.

So far I have lost 7 lbs (half fat, half water weight) in the past 2 weeks just doing the preconditioning and week 1. I literally feel lighter physically and emotionally. Here are some pointers so you can have the metabolic force be with you, too:

First, call (843) 757-6303 or visit the MRC web site--emetabolic.com.
Read through all the material MRC provides, call for your free consultation and continue regular dialogue with you supportive MRC consultant.
Tell your friends you are on the MRC plan. Rather than making social events about drinking and/or eating, make them about walking or having decaf tea.
Make faux red wine by mixing water and a yummy high nutrient supplement like pomegranate or grape.
Talk with your MRC consultant about which strategies and all natural supplements will help you with your weight loss, especially during the holiday season.
Get some herbal decaf peppermint tea to kill any cravings.
Lastly, you may think you already know how to eat healthy but this plan considers food combinations, quantity and other factors that make it a lifestyle and not the dreaded "die...t" word.

Namaste, y'all--Becca

NEW!

2011-11-30T14:28:00.000-05:00

Namaste Y'all! The blog is undergoing some changes, stay tuned!!

The Cure for a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2011-11-22T16:43:00.000-05:00

Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days are not only endured by little boys named Alexander.

I know. I'm having one right now.

Here's a run down. I:

Woke up with a migraine and a crying baby.
Tried to take crying baby on a walk to get some fresh air and exercise but crying baby was sticking to her original game plan and continued crying.
Spent 2 hours with TMobile customer service only to find out that my phone was a lemon (a very expensive lemon) and I needed to drive to Savannah (1 hour away) to get it fixed.
Went to get in my car and discovered the battery was dead.
Opened the hood of my car and found a dead bird stuck in my grill that needed to get out before it really started to smell.
Was late for a job interview.
Had to take a stress test because I have developed premature atrial contractions from complications from my last pregnancy.

(There was also a stubbed toe and other minor offenses.)

So, what's a girl (or in my case a very angry yogi/mommy) to do once she comes to terms with the fact that she is having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Wine? No. It's too early even for Danny DeVito to have a drink.

Go back to bed? No. Not an option.

Eat chocolate? No. The guilt factor just makes things worse.

I'm going with Adho Mukha Vrksasana [Ad-Ho, Moo-ka Vrick-sas-a-na], or Sanskrit for handstand.

Here's how:

Begin in Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose) with your fingertips a few inches away from a wall, hands shoulder-width and spread wide.
Now bend one knee and step the foot in, closer to the wall (we'll say it's the left leg), but keep the other (i.e. right) leg active by extending through the heel. Then take a few practice hops before you try to launch yourself upside down with your heels against the wall.
Hang your head from a spot between your shoulder blades and gaze out into the center of the room.
Remember to breathe!--Stay here for 10-15 breaths.

Handstand is a safe way to reverse bad energy and to feel happier.

Namaste, y'all--Becca

Domican't Republic

2011-11-07T21:16:00.000-05:00

2 Hot People on Our Beach

I just spent the last week at a wedding on the beach in the Dominican Republic. Our suite overlooked a sparkling pool and bubbling jacuzzi. Caribbean flora and fauna bloomed and colored us vibrant and happy. An outdoor, unlimited bar with fresh picked limes and throat cooling ice was steps away. And a chef made all our meals and let us know when they were ready with a big smile and a simple, "Esta lista" (Spanish for it is ready.)

This seems like paradise, right?

Wrong.

I learned a few things about myself during my week of being the ultimate perezosa (Spanish for lazy girl).

Relaxing by the pool stresses me out.
Living my day going from meal to meal makes me feel like a fat ass.
Drinking all day is for college students, not 30+ year olds with small children.
There are only so many times a sane person should play Pumped Up Kicks before going insane
Just because something costs only a few pesos, resist the urge to buy it, especially if it has an image of a freaky Jesus being crucified on the cross.

Dudu Lake (It's ok to laugh at the name)

It's not that I did not have a good time. I take from the DR so many fabulous memories of the wedding, seeing old friends, making new friends and falling in love with fried cheese and eggs for breakfast with hot sauce.

But I have too much energy to just laze around. When I am on vacation I want to see the sights and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Ironically, our next vacation is to a vineyard in Sonoma (my awesome husband gave the trip to me as a graduation present) but I have already declared no sloth-ness or hedonism. I have begun researching ways to get outside and not be excessive. If any of you have any suggestions, please send them my way.

Namaste, y'all--Becca

Staying Well During Cold and Flu Season

2011-10-20T10:59:00.000-04:00

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or (equally as mentally high powered) a mother of yellow-oozing nosed children to know cold and flu season is in full—a-chew!—effect. So since you’re so smart, I thought this week we would do a quick review of how you can keep me, I mean yourself, well by staying proactive about your health.

Steps to Staying Healthy

· Wash your hands—This might sound obvious but sanitizing is the #1 way to stay well. If you are fortunate enough to live near an Earthfare, Whole Foods, or health food store, try CleanWell’s non-toxic foaming hand sanitizer—I love it.

· Get moving—Maintaining a consistent workout program can boost your immune system and keep your lungs healthy. You can do this by really focusing on your breath in yoga class or incorporating some light cardio like jogging or biking.

· Rest—As we enter into the holiday season, we tend to be more on the go than ever. Make sure you are still making time for yourself—moms, out there I’m talking to you!

· Eat well—Head over to your local farmer’s market and get some good green stuff. For all of you Hilton Head Island readers, the Bluffton Farmer’s Market is stocked with flu-fighting foods like collards and mustard greens.

· Take your vitamins—Run, don’t walk (you can consider this part of your “Get moving” routine) to your nearest health food store. Find the most knowledgeable person there (generally this is not the 18-year-old chewing gum and talking on the phone). Ask him/her to put together a supplement wellness plan. (I also recommend using a nutritionist to create a year-long plan.)

Lastly, I know it is easy to pop a few Tylenol Cold and Flu tablets and call it a day—if in fact you do get a bug. But keep in mind there are some all-natural alternatives like using a humidifier, a neti pot, and saltwater or equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water rinse (if you get a sore throat).

Namaste, y’all--Becca

Take a Seat

2011-10-10T20:36:00.000-04:00

We often think yoga is about doing some mind-blowing, body-bending asanas (Sanskrit for poses).

Life is mind-blowing and body-bending enough. Take a load off and try a few easy seated postures.

Gomukhasana

6 of My Favorite Seated Postures:

Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) = Great for opening the inner thigh and hips
Sukhasana (Easy Pose) = Great chill pose for meditation
Agnistambhasana (Fire Log Pose) = Great for opening hips
Virasana (Hero Pose) = Great for opening hip flexors and quads
Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose) = Great for opening shoulders and outer thighs
Dandasana (Seated Staff Pose) = Great for hamstrings

Namaste, y'all--Becca

Miller Road--Good People, Bad Road

2011-09-27T21:24:00.000-04:00

Action photo

Last Friday afternoon, after getting some bad news, I decided to have a glass of wine with a friend. All thoughts of decompressing with vino and the cathartic result of a good old fashioned bitchfest were dashed--or rather dunked by Miller Road.

Many of you know the road. And many of you know not to drive down it--especially after a torrential rain pour.

But enough about you. Let's talk about me.

Santa Fe (not in mud with a crazy woman on the hood)

I got a few yards down Miller Road before the entire front end of my Santa Fe (which is Korean, not Mexican, for fake SUV) submerged into silty, sandy, stubborn mud. After crawling onto the hood of the car and escaping Angelina Jolie Salt-style, I started trekking onward for help only to have the heavens open up and begin dumping cats, dogs and maybe some midgets on me.

Yelling the F-bomb at the top of my lungs, I thought I might get God's attention but instead got a few neighbors of Miller Road's. As a result, I was pleasantly surprised by the good Samaritans that came to my rescue. These extraordinary people, from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, wanted nothing for their good deeds but a smile.

The experience verified:

When it rains, it does in fact pour (metaphorically and "meteorologically").
There are good people on this earth (and therefore behooves you to be a good person in return)

A view from Miller Road, but a far cry from driving down it

Namaste, y'all--Becca

Getting Fired Up With Firefly Pose

2011-09-21T08:51:00.000-04:00

Yoga poses often symbolize something in name (by honoring a deity, object, animal or figure) and in the practitioner's perception of the pose. For example, Tadasana is Sanskrit for Mountain Pose and Becca-speak for Waiting for the Bus Pose (because so many of my yoga students look bored doing it).

Lately, I have been on a Tittibhasana or Sanskrit for Firefly Pose kick (pun intended) and here's why:

Fireflies symbolize light and self-illumination.
Doing Firefly Pose is invigorating.
Everyone needs a good party trick.

Tittabhasana

Step by Step to Tittibhasana
Squat with your feet a little less than shoulder distance apart. Tilt your pelvis forward and bring your trunk between your legs. Keeping your trunk low, straighten your legs enough to lift your pelvis to about knee height.
Bring your left upper arm and shoulder as far as possible underneath the back of your left thigh just above the knee and place your left hand on the floor at the outside edge of your foot, fingers pointing forward. Repeat these actions on the other side.
Lift yourself off the floor by carefully shifting your center of gravity. Press your hands into the floor and slowly begin to rock your weight back, off your feet and onto your hands. Keep your inner thighs as high on your arms as possible.
With an inhalation, stretch your legs out to the sides as straight as you can, keeping your pelvis high to make your legs parallel to the floor.
Press through the bases of your big toes but pull your toes back toward your torso and spread them apart. The inner edges of your feet should be angled slightly forward, the outer edges slightly back.
Straighten your arms as much as possible. Hollow your chest as you widen your shoulder blades as much as possible; this will round your upper back, which will lift your torso higher.
Without tensing your neck, lift your head and gaze forward. Breathe slowly and hold the pose for 15 seconds or longer, then release your feet to the floor with an exhale.

Namaste, y'all--Becca

Svadhyaya and Makeovers

2011-09-13T06:32:00.000-04:00

Pronunciation Guide:

Svad (think Arnold Schwarzenegger saying "what") + YaYa (as in YaYa Sisterhood)

Have you ever heard of the expression, "The bigger the hair the closer to heaven?"

Chances are if you're from Texas, yes.

Anyway, here's a little self-study or--and get ready for a mouthful--Svadhyaya for you: check out Daily Glow's virtual makeover. You can get as close to God as Snooki with this website. It's a guilty pleasure for me and a great departure from over-analyzing myself.

Camellia as Rihanna

Namaste, y'all--Becca

(Note: Svadhyaya is the practice of self-study in order to have a better spiritual connection. Sometimes I think I better communicate with God when I relax a little bit!)

Aparigraha (Non-Coveting) at Water Boggan in Emerald Isle, NC

2011-09-05T17:00:00.000-04:00

A-pear-e (like E! news)-gra (rhymes with bra)-ha (as in ha!) = Aparigraha

You're probably thinking Water Boggan (a water theme park attached to an RV camp that has not been renovated since man first walked on the moon) is a strange place to work on personal growth and aparigraha (yama, or personal discipline, for non-coveting).

Water Boggan

In fact, you're probably thinking, "Why the hell would she be visiting this Clark Griswold's Wally World re-enactment at all?"

Just for fun, let's play multiple choice and see if you can guess the answer:

A. We love tribal warrior and Disney tattoos--especially when they're on the same arm
B. We think 100 degrees and dozens of screaming children is a winning combination
C. We find chili cheese corn dogs to be a culinary delight
D. We were tired of being couped up in a beach house with nothing to do but stare at each other and drink

If you guessed C you know me too well.

Anyway, while darting my eyes as a toddler announced, "Look daddy, I'm peeing in the pool" (Note: this was not my child--nor any child related to me) I spotted a young, gorgeous lifeguard.

No, it wasn't Brooklyn Decker but she looked like her twin

Suddenly, I felt super mommy-ish. I had to fix things--quick.

I pulled my wedgie out
I sucked in my belly
I undid my ponytail
And I pretended I was there because Water Boggan was a happening place and not the default day-time activity my children had been begging to get cooties from

Wading there in self-consciousness and some strange kid's urine, I played back images of my youth and started to laugh. Even when I was her age and flat belly-ed, I didn't have any game. But what I did have was some pretty funny memories of me trying to have game. I won't bore you with all my stories but I will tell you I'm thankful for them.

Namaste, y'all--Becca

PS-To all my old boyfriends, crushes and kisses--thanks!

Brahmacharya (Remembering) and Motherhood

2011-08-29T16:26:00.000-04:00

Bra (as in over the shoulder boulder holder) + Ma (as in, "Ma! Where's my Barbie?") + Char (as in Wendy's charboiled chicken, wait that's gross, try New England speak for "chair") + Ya (Valley girl for "yes") = Brahmacharya

Brahmacharya, a yama or self-discipline, reminds us to remember ourselves. Brahmacharya can be challenging when you are a mother of 3 and therefore have 1/3 of a brain. In the past week I forgot:

To put the washed clothes in the dryer for 2 days. (Which meant they were no longer clean when my brahmacharya kicked in.)
The first day of school for my 4 year old. (To my credit several of the other Sea Pines Montessori moms were confused too--after all they have 1/2 and 1/3 of a brain/brahmacharya like me.)
My chai tea in the microwave. (All morning I new I was missing something... like maybe my brahmachayrya-inducing juice!)
To call my grandmother. (She lost her brahmacharya a while back so this may go unnoticed but I love the woman dearly and try to connect with her regularly.)

Me (sunburned), Ransom (4), Ruth Love (3), and Camellia (8 mos)

Thankfully, brahmacharya is not just about having your shiznick together. It is also about remembering:

Who you are and who you want to be. (I'm a mom/wife/grad student/writer/yogi who wants to excel at all her endeavors.)
What you are thankful for. (I'm thankful for my family and friends, good wine and great travels, and lately R.E.M. and running.)
How to be a good person both inwardly and outwardly. (I try to be nice to myself and to others. To the idiot jamming up the 278 traffic circle today, I'm sorry I called you an idiot.)
How to connect to/honor a higher power. (This one's super personal. Your higher power could be Christ, Buddha, God, Muhammad, or your Fendi shoes--Katie, I know you're reading.)

Fendi Shoes

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Satya (Truthfulness), Saucha (Cleanliness) and My Family Reunion

2011-08-22T13:08:00.000-04:00

In an effort to reunite with my yoga practice, I have decided to focus on one yama (social responsibility) and one niyama (personal responsibility) at a time. First up were satya (yama regarding truthfulness) and saucha (niyama regarding cleanliness both external and emotional)--and what better way to challenge one's self but to bring personal growth to a family reunion!

Camellia enjoying family bonding

That's right, folks. I decided to do a yogic upheaval at the most chaotic and probably inappropriate time. After cramming 11 adults and 7 children in a falling down beachfront house with no AC (84 degrees at night was considered "cool"), bottles of mysterious "Margarita Mix" (seriously, how does it get the color of comic book nuclear waste), and endless amounts of sodium, gluten and sugar bombs, I began my journey to self-improvement. Here's how it went:

As for Satya

Finding the right words can be easy, especially if you have consumed a bottle of wine, but you need to rehearse what you're going to say and wait for your window, which 9 times out of 10 is when you have NOT consumed a bottle of wine. I found one on one walks for adults and the hairy eyeball (also known as the mom look) for kids really did the trick .
The Buddhist principle that when you don't like someone or something they are doing, more than likely they are just holding a mirror to you--well, it's probably true as much as my ego would like to disagree. I found whenever I got annoyed by someone, it really was usually me and not them. (The only exception was when we went to a water park that was part of an RV camp that had not been renovated since the 60s.)
Throughout family fun week I realized you can physically experience truthfulness. When you are honest you know it because you feel it in your heart. When you are not honest you know it because you feel it in the pit of your stomach--and it was not just the onion rings and beer.
Finally, I found it was more important to be truthful with myself about how I was feeling and then weigh whether it was worth it to address my gripe with the person. Sometimes the angst you feel will dissipate if you put your finger on it and process it independently. I don't think you always need to clear the air intrapersonally.

As for Saucha

Okay, it's hard to be cleanly when you are salty, chlorine-y, sweaty, bloated and sleep deprived but thank god for baby wipes and 24-hour Walgreens (my favorite aisle is "As Seen on TV!").
I think the biggest trick to this is to really stay true to your health regime even though it is tempting to say, "Well, we are on vacation. Sure I can eat/drink that." Next time, I'm going to do better about this--and so will my kids (thank you sugar for letting them find their inner dancer.)
Being clean emotionally can be tricky--especially when there are multiple distractions (did I mention there were 11 people and 7 kids in a falling down beach house). For me, I had to really act not on impulse. I had to give myself a few time outs to make sure I maintained patience and perspective.

Sure, I might need a vacation from my vacation but I did find the spiritual side of yoga holds up pretty well to even the rowdiest of times.

Namaste, yall!--Becca

Have I Lost That Loving Feeling? (Part 2)

2011-08-15T11:51:00.000-04:00

After a little bit of soul searching, I think more than anything I am feeling a separation from the physical side of yoga and a greater bond with the spiritual side.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good hard workout but I think at this stage in my life I need to return to the yamas (precepts of social discipline) and niyamas (precepts of individual discipline) more than ever.

The Yamas are:

Ahimsa -- Non-violence and not harming others, one's self, or the environment. Ahisma enables us to tolerate things like 16 and Pregnant (i.e. dislike). This includes not saying things that would, even though truthful, might injure others.
Satya -- Truthfulness. Satya means not intending to deceive others in our thoughts, as well as our words and actions.
Asteya -- Non-stealing. Asteya applies to the emotional as well as the material.
Brahmacharya -- Remembering who we are so that we will protect our energy. For instance, by avoiding endless chattering with no clear purpose we are able honor ourselves and a greater good.
Aparigraha -- Abstention from greed and not coveting that which is not ours. Aparigraha means refraining from wanting objects that are not essential to maintaining life or spiritual study.

The Niyamas are:

Saucha -- Cleanliness. Saucha applies to not only external cleanliness of the body, but attending to internal cleanliness such as avoiding the impurities of anger and egoism. and moderation in diet.
Santosa -- Contentment. Santosa is not spiritual complacency, but acceptance of the external situation we are allotted in this life.
Tapas -- Austerity and deep commitment to our yoga practice.
Svadhyaya -- Self-study and spiritual self-education. This can be contemplation and application of the scriptures or sacred texts of your chosen path.
Isvara pranidhana -- Surrender of the self to God. By acknowledging that there is a higher principle in the universe than one's own small self, we learn modesty and humility.

Over the next few weeks, I would like to reassess what each of these concepts mean to me and my practice.

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Have I Lost that Loving Feeling? (Part 1)

2011-08-01T19:37:00.000-04:00

The Righteous Brothers (as seen above) were performing inside my brain the other morning when I went to yoga class and just couldn't feel the love. (Please know, it was not the teacher. It was not the class. It was not the studio. It was me.)

As I confessed in my last blog entry, I am like a cat on catnip (or Charlie Sheen on his Torpedo Tour) during Savasana these days. I just can't seem to get my mind and body in sync and it's starting to bum me out.

Yet, one thing yoga has really taught me is to be a witness and try not to judge. So rather than getting frustrated, I just wanted to bounce a few things off of you (and myself) about relationships.

When my husband and I were going through a rough patch, our counselor told us about the 7-year itch. The concept comes from the movie The Seven Year Itch and refers to the declining interest in a monogamous relationship after 7+ years.

This can stem from a variety of reasons:

As human beings, we are naturally given to change and curious as to how things could be different.
We all experience some major shifts in our lives (whether it be career, marital/familial, personal or health-related).
In relationships, the comforting feeling of familiarity can sometimes lead to a lackluster feeling/dread of something becoming mundane.
Similarly, what used to be exciting becomes predictable.
Lastly, the grass always seems greener--especially in today's bigger, faster world where immediate gratification often replaces work ethic.

Though it may sound strange, I do feel like I am in a relationship with yoga. And, up until now, the relationship has been pretty solid. But I think maybe now I need to have a heart to heart with yoga and try and figure out what's working, and what's not. Over the next few weeks, I will try to rekindle my love for yoga.

Rather than the Righteous Brothers, I want to hear Eternal Flame by the Bangles

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Dying to Relax in Savasana (Corpse Pose)

2011-07-26T14:32:00.000-04:00

In the history of time, there have been few feats that equal in comparison.

July 20, 1969--Neil Armstrong walks on the moon
May/June, 1979--Bill and Hilary apparently have sex and conceive Chelsea Clinton (born Feb 27, 1980)
May 2, 2008--Robert Downey Jr gets sober and makes a miraculous comeback in Iron Man (and surprisingly joins my top 20 favorite movies list)
June 12, 2011--Anderson, SC couple finds picture of Jesus on Walmart receipt

Jesus pic on Walmart receipt

But July 19, 2011, an amazing thing happened. I, Becca Edwards, found a small window of time--from work, school, and 3 girls under the age of 4--to go to yoga class.

I was super pumped. When the teacher said, "Inhale, raise your arms up toward the sky," I gulped in as much air as I could and extended my go, go gadget arms as high as they would reach. When the teacher said, "Exhale, reach your hands to the floor" I released all the air in my body and then some and gave the floor and energetic high five.

It didn't matter what pose was thrown my way--Warrior III or Crane Pose to Chaturanga--I was kicking asana.

At least until Savasana, or Sanskrit for Corpse Pose.

Savasana

When the teacher--in her calm, Zen-ed out, vegan voice--said, "Now, let's come into to Savasana. Just be still and let your mind go" I did anything but.

My nose itched. I mean REALLY itched. So I had to itch it.
My ponytail was pulling on my hair. I mean REALLY pulling. So I had to take it out.
I had a wedgie. Just a little one. But I had to pull it out.
I became cold. That sweaty, wet cold that gives you goose bumps. So I had to put on a blanket.
My mind wondered to dinner. The frig was empty. I had to start making a mental shopping list.
I heard a strange noise. Was that a fart or a snort? I had to know if the person beside me farted or snorted.

By the time I finally quieted down the chitta (Sanskrit for mind chatter) and started enjoying Savasana and the relaxation I truly needed, the instructor said, "Ok, slowly come out of Savasana and into the present moment."

Urgh!

Driving back home (I decided to order in for dinner), I realized that the hardest pose I had done that day was supposed to be the easiest. It concerned me that I couldn't just lay down and feel serene. Though I do think some days we are more restless than others, I realize this is something I need to work on in my practice.

Namaste, y'all--Becca

A Breakdown of My Kick Butt Plan (Part 1: The Paleo Diet and Candida)

2011-07-18T11:25:00.000-04:00

Week 1 of my kick butt plan, well, kicked butt--I feel awesome. Which, truth be told is surprising. In the past when I have done a cleanse or new diet/exercise plan I have gone through the same 4 steps:

Day 1--Get too excited about the plan and set unrealistic expectations. (For example, "I will lose 10 pounds in a week!")
Day 3--Begin feeling restricted and frustrated. (For example, "I have been such a boring/good girl I can sleep in today and not do yoga/exercise.")
Day 5--Cheat. This is when I get invited to a cocktail party and eat the entire cheese tray and drink red wine with conviction and blatant rebellion.
Day 6--Try to get back on track but really feel disappointed in myself and my unmet, unrealistic expectations.

The good news is this time it has been different. I'm not doing a cleanse, or new diet/exercise plan. I am doing a new lifestyle plan and enjoying the learning process. I have more energy, yet I do not feel like I am busting my butt to kick butt.

Many of you have sent me questions so I wanted to breakdown what I am doing and why.

About Candida

Candida contributes to ADD/ADHD, acid reflux, acne, allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, autism, autoimmune conditions, bladder infections, blisters in mouth, bloating, blood sugar imbalances, body odor, brain fog, bronchitis, cancer, chronic Fatigue Syndrome, colitis, concentration difficulty, confusion, congestion, constipation, Crohn’s Disease, depression, dermatitis, diabetes, diarrhea, eczema, endometriosis, excess mucous, fibromyalgia, flatulence, fluid retention, food allergies, food cravings, frequent colds, frequent infections, fungal infection, gas, headaches, heartburn, hormonal imbalances, IBS, immune system dysfunction, impotence, indigestion, infertility, irregular menstruation, itchy skin, joint pain, leaky gut, lethargy, migraines, memory problems, mood swings, muscle pain, nail fungus, osteoarthritis, PMS, poor concentration, poor memory, prostate enlargement, psoriasis, rashes, rectal itching, rheumatoid arthritis, sexual dysfunction, sinus problems, sores, sore throat, sugar cravings, swollen joints, vaginal infections, visual problems, and weight gain
Anti-candida foods/supplements include: Goldenseal (a natural antibiotic herb), garlic (one of the most potent antimicrobial and antifungal agents known), onions (like it's cousin garlic contains many sulfite compounds), Echinacea (an antiseptic and anti-infection herb that helps stimulate the immune system), oregano, fiber, and alkaline-forming foods
To fight candida: Avoid pharmaceutical antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, avoid chemicals and preservatives wherever possible, eat pure sugar-free foods, practice stress-management techniques, never wear damp clothing for long periods of time and add yogurt (goat's milk if available) to your daily diet.

Paleo Diet

Avoid: Gluten, dairy, sugar, caffeine and soy
Eat mostly: Lean meats and fish, leafy greens, raw (preferred) and cooked veggies, eggs, goat cheese, fresh herbs and spices
Eat in moderation: Fruits, coconut oil, butter, sesame oil, and olive oil
Shop the perimeter of the grocery store to avoid processed food
Get a good paleo diet cookbook

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Kicking Butt Through Healthy Eating and Exercising

2011-07-11T06:59:00.000-04:00

I've decided to kick it up a notch by kicking butt nutritionally and physically (and thus mentally and spiritually). And here's why:

I'm tired (and I think my husband is tired, too) of saying, "I just want to lose 5 more pounds." Wine and Cheese, I hope you're listening--you're no longer my best friends.
I'm tired of being tired. I want to have enough energy to sing Jingle Bells for the gazillionth time with my 4 year old while swimming in the "No pee pee pool."
I'm tired of not reaching my potential. I know with a little more effort I could be more focused on my thesis and freelance work.
I'm tired of saying, "Wait, is it really [insert month here]?"--I spoke about this in a an earlier post but I don't want my day(s) to rule me. I want to rule my day(s). So I'm really going to set goals and achieve them.
I'm tired of not truly enjoying my children. I love my children. I'm thankful for my children. But I do not have enough space and time to myself, which leads me to feeling anxious.

So here's the plan:

I have hired a nutritionist who has come up with a meal plan. It is based on the paleo diet.
I have begun an anti-candida and serotonin-building campaign with supplements and a cleanse.
I am cross training with yoga, running, tennis and lifting weights. I have set goals for each sport.
I will not drink wine during the week (but weekends it is game on).
I have set a weekly schedule of to do tasks. For example, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I have pledged to dedicate time to teaching my girls to be better swimmers.

Over the next few weeks I am going to track my progress and see if I can quit being tired and start kicking butt.

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

I Won't Come From a Place of I Can't

2011-07-06T07:31:00.000-04:00

I won't come from a place of I can't. And nor will my children. While researching my thesis (an oral history on today's teens), I came across some statistics that led me to this conclusion:

Anxiety is the #1 mental health problem in young people today (CDC)
13% of children and adolescents in America suffer from an anxiety disorder
15-22% of teens and young adults have purposefully injured themselves due to anxiety (Los Angeles Times )
65% of children living with an anxious parent meet criteria for an anxiety disorder (John Hopkins School of Medicine)

These and other alarming statistics might prompt you to ask why? Why are young people today so anxious? Many factors contribute to this but one that I found particularly interesting is the "helicopter parents" who hover over their child, overprotecting them from everything from a skinned knee to a broken heart.

I realize that with the birth of each of my children I have become more cautious. I am constantly saying to my girls (ages 4 yrs, 2 1/2yrs and 6 mos), "be careful" or "no, honey you'll get hurt" or "I don't think that's a good idea."

And then I carry this worry wort mentality to my yoga mat. I tell myself, "you shouldn't try that inversion without a wall" or "don't burn out your arms with that arm balance, you won't be able to pick up the kids" or "you can't do that ab exercise anymore."

According to William Glasser--a noted psychiatrist, author and theorist--over 50% of what children learn comes from modeling their parents, 30% from what they see, and 20% from what they hear. These numbers really got my attention and made me think about what kind of example I am setting for children.

Though my personality is to get out there and go balls to wall, motherhood has humbled me and made me weigh everything that is at stake--perhaps to a fault. I thought about this while sitting on my yoga mat this morning and I decided to pledge myself to being more daring.

Will I be jumping out of any planes any time soon?--no. But will I do that inversion without the wall?--yes. After all, yoga is about expanding physically, mentally and spiritually not shrinking.

Ransom and Ruth Love getting a little wild!

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Yin and Yang Success

2011-06-28T06:56:00.000-04:00

Keith Ferrazzi

In a recent lecture, Who's Got Your Back author Keith Ferrazzi said a quote that resonated with me and has become my new mantra:

What got you here, won't get you there.

Mahatma Gandhi

This quote reminds me of Mahatma Gandhi's inspiring words:

Be the change you want to see.

I know for me sometimes my get-up-and-go has gone up and left--even when I am diligent with my yoga. I think this is part of the cycle of life. Part of the flow.

But I cannot help but question "the flow"--is it too serendipitous? Ferrazzi spoke about goal-setting and being proactive. I left his lecture thinking:

You rule the day rather than allowing the day rule you.

So, dear readers, my question is this:

Is success dependent on a series of opposites?

For example:

Have short and long term goals AND be present in the moment
Hold firm to these goals AND be amendable to change
Set our own bar high AND be compassionate to those who do not exceed our expectations
Accept nothing but the best AND be prepared for the worst

Yin Yang Symbol

I am a then led to consider the concept of yin and yang, which is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world. The yin represents the feminine and the yang the masculine. According to my first yoga teacher Kate Shealy (and in some ways my guru, although I think that word is overused), our masculine and feminine energies need to be constantly re-calibrated to achieve optimal efficiency mentally, physically and spiritually.

Here's a simple meditation she prescribed for just that:

Sit in a comfortable seated position using props like a bolster to release tension in your hips or a wall to support your back.
Close your eyes.
Check in with your breath and notice which is easier, inhaling or exhaling.
Chances are if your exhales are longer than your inhales you are talking more than you are listening (masculine), maybe even dominating the conversation.
If your inhales are longer than your exhales chances are you are letting things happen around you without exercising your voice (feminine).
Place your fingers in yoga mudra with your index finger lightly toughing your thumb and rest the top of your palms on your knee caps.
Your right side is your masculine side and your left is your feminine.
Decide which energy you need to bring in. For example, if you are feeling aggressive or your exhales are super long cup your right hand on your kneecap and keep your left hand in yoga mudra.
Stay in this position for 5-10 minutes.

Yoga Mudra

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

When You Hit Your Yoga Wall, Try Using A Wall

2011-06-20T10:58:00.000-04:00

In the spirit of "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" I have found that when I hit my yoga wall it is a good idea to use a wall to advance my poses.

Good poses to try against the wall:

Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)

Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III Pose)

Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand)

Try the following flow sequence:

Place your yoga mat perpendicular to the wall.
Stand leg-distance from the wall and face away from the wall.
Inhale, lift the arms up toward the sky.
Exhale, fold forward.
Inhale, look halfway up and maintain a flat spine.
Exhale, place the right hand on the mat and lift the right leg up (right foot touches the wall) so that you open your body to the left for Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon).
Stay here for 10 breaths making sure to press your right foot into the wall like an accelerator (this should activate your entire right leg). Also continue to roll the shoulders down the spine and keep the chest open.
Repeat on the left side finishing in Balasana (Child's Pose).
Return to the front of your mat.
Inhale, lift the arms up toward the sky.
Exhale, fold forward.
Inhale, look halfway up and maintain a flat spine.
Exhale, lift the right leg up and press your right foot into the wall like an accelerator (this should activate your entire right leg). Rather than opening like you did in Half Moon keep your torso and right leg parallel to the floor.
Once you feel balanced, use your core to lift the torso upright and hands come to prayer position in front of your heart for Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III).
Stay here for 10 breaths.
Repeat on the left side finishing in Balasana (Child's Pose).
Face the wall and step 6 inches from it before coming to a kneeling position.
Inhale, interlace the fingers and place the crown of your head on the mat.
Exhale, lift your hips and straighten your legs to prepare for Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand).
Inhale, squeeze the triceps in and press into your forearms.
Exhale, engage the core and lift the legs up towards the sky.
Stay here for 10-15 breaths making sure to press both feet up toward the sky and to not collapse in the shoulders and chest.
Finish in Balasana (Child's Pose).

In each of the above poses, people often forget to send energy from the lifted leg and foot because they are so consumed with their balancing leg or the fact that they are inverting. Yoga for me is a metaphor for life and by using the wall I am reminded that subtle, less obvious things are helpful and can take me to the next level.

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Birthday Celebration

2011-06-13T06:41:00.000-04:00

Today's my birthday. I'm now 33. And looking back over this past year, I feel like I've earned this birthday.

I experienced more challenges last year than any other year in my life. But, looking back, I realize that good things can come from bad. For example:

The 3 1/2 months I spent on bed rest actually improved my marriage and made my husband an even better father.
Though Camille struggled at first and there was a lot of heartache those first few months, we were committed to thinking positively and now my preemie is my healthiest, biggest baby.
Yes--with 2 small children, my husband's election, grad school, work and a newborn--I took on too much this year, but I learned I could do anything with hard work, determination and gratitude.

This morning when I stepped on my yoga mat I did not feel older. Instead, I felt youthful and energetic. I felt like conquering the world--one breath at a time.

Camille (5 months): A reason to celebrate

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

The Peace Flower

2011-06-07T10:33:00.000-04:00

Monday I went to my 4-year-old's parent-teacher conference and this morning I learned that two more friends of mine were getting a divorce.

Q: What might these two seemingly different things have in common?
A: Maybe, the peace flower.

Example of a peace flower

When two+ people are in the throes of a disagreement my daughter's school employs the peace flower. The peace flower is nothing more than a plastic flower probably bought at Walgreens around Valentine's Day, at the counter of a gas station or from recycled materials (such as the above photo). But the peace flower means open dialogue, mature conversation (even for 4-year-olds), and a peaceful resolution.

Here's how it works:

Ella is playing in her Pottery Barn Retro Kitchen Collection (soooo jealous!) and making dinner for her baby dolls when Tommy decides he wants to make play-pretend spicy hot chicken wings while he watches Sports Center, I mean Noggin.
Tommy makes a mess in Ella's kitchen and takes her favorite mixing bowl (the nerve!).
Tommy and Ella begin a screaming match for the mixing bowl until suddenly both remember the peace flower over by the toy chest.
They know that they will each have an opportunity to discuss their feelings.
They know that only the person holding the flower is allowed to speak (i.e. no interrupting).
And they know that the speaker needs to use kind words and give equal speaking opportunity to others.
After both Tommy and Ella have had a turn with the peace flower, they forgive and hug each other.

As adults we encounter larger issues than mixing bowl tug-a-war. And yes, I agree that not every married couple should stay together (especially in situations of abuse or other really serious matters).

But I can't help but think that if we all held the peace flower a little bit more (including myself) we could avoid tense situations and the mounting frustration that comes from continually arguing.

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Experiencing Bliss

2011-05-31T15:19:00.000-04:00

A few days ago I used the 1-hour massage gift certificate my husband had given me for Mother's Day. (The therapists's name was Greg Schenkel and he rocks!)

Cross Island Bridge

My shoulders were tense with stress (all 3 of my children were sick with a cold). My head was dense after working on my thesis. And my legs were sore from running the Cross Island Bridge.

The massage table was heated and the sheets smelled of lavender scented laundry detergent. I focused on being comfortable and fought the urge to rolodex through my to-do lists.

With each passing moment, I felt my mind and body drift off until the next thing I remember Greg was asking me (above the roar of my snore), "Becca, would you like to roll over onto your stomach?"

After wiping the drool from the corner of my mouth and lumbering over onto my belly like a sea cow, it occurred to me I just achieved absolute bliss.

But this did not happen from the much publicized yoga concept of "being in the present moment." Yes, I had eliminated stressors from my mind. Yes, I utilized pranayama, or Sanskrit for breathwork. But I was not focusing on the present.

Instead, I believe I willed myself to be chill.

The experience got me thinking:

Why can't I do this at night when I'm tossing and turning in bed?
How can I get to this relaxed state more often?--sans snoring!?
Is being present as blissful as being absent?
Can I rig the lottery so that I can afford more massages?
Am I doing enough with my yoga practice to insure that I maintain a level of serenity?
Am I taking on too much that I have to conk out to chill out?

Listening to Yourself

2011-05-31T14:47:00.000-04:00

Goonies never say die and nor do I. It's just not my personality.

The Ultimate Warrior

This is a good thing. And this is a bad thing. Like swimming o-natural, bean burritos from Fiesta Fresh and WWF, it's situational.

During a challenging yoga class, I think it's important to not over-exert yourself. Over the years, I have seen yogis injure themselves by simply overdoing it.

Yet, it's equally important to believe in yourself and be open to new or difficult poses. I have seen even more people try something outside their comfort zone and be surprised by and proud of the results.

I think the trick is listening to yourself--and this applies to life off the yoga mat, too.

I have been go, go, go since winter (juggling a newborn preemie, 2 small children, grad school and a career). As a result, I feel accomplished and more confident in my ability to handle challenging situations.

But my body is telling me to slow down. So this summer I am dedicating myself to chill yoga, napping and swimming with my girls.

What's your body telling you to do this summer?

Yoga + Paddle Boarding = Fitness Fun

2011-05-31T12:06:00.000-04:00

Here's a good equation this summer in Hilton Head:
Yoga + Paddle Boarding = Fitness Fun

Glenn Barroncini paddle boarding in Calibogue

Ken Rioux from Jiva Yoga Center and Glen Barroncini of H2O Sports have joined wellness forces and will be offering yoga-boarding classes off the beach of Harbor Town and along the scenic Calibogue Creek every week this summer.

Anyone can do this. Anyone. All you need is:

Confidence. If you fall in the water, you get wet. No biggie. So be fearless and try all the poses. Even if you have never tried either sport.
Bathing suit. I would err on the side of coverage. I wore a string bikini (not because I should be wearing one, but because all my other suits were dirty/wet from teaching my daughters to swim over Memorial Day weekend) and I was constantly making sure "all was good in the hood" if you catch my drift.
Heavy-duty waterproof sunscreen like SkinCeuticals. I know this seems obvious but because you are sweating and in salt water many sunscreens will wear off. (I know my Aveeno did).
Core awareness. You do not have to be in awesome shape per se, but it is important that you know how to balance using your core strength. (Your instructor will help you tap into this if you are a beginner.)

Much like a typical yoga class, yoga-boarding incorporates a warm-up, standing sequence, seated sequence, inversion and cool down. Some poses we tried included:

Cat and Cow Pose (my favorite)
Warrior I
Plank Pose
Upward Facing Dog
Downward Facing Dog
Warrior I
Warrior II
Camel Pose
Bridge Pose
Corpse Pose

Here's a cool video of yoga-boarding:

Practicing Yoga at Home

2011-05-26T13:21:00.000-04:00

If I had a dollar for every time someone said, "I would love to do yoga but I just don't have the time to get to class!" I would be a rich woman (who got weekly massages, bought expensive wine and traveled first class to exotic places).

To all of you who I should have been collecting money from, here's my advice: If you can't make it to yoga class, bring the classroom to you.

All you need:

· Yoga mat (check out Gaiam)

· Comfortable clothes (check out Old Navy)

· At least 15 minutes

· And, most importantly, a quiet space! (I don't have a link for this one but if you find one let me know)

Designing a yoga routine is simpler than you may think. The basic structure to a yoga class is:

1. Warm up

· Sun Salutation A

· Sun Salutation B *optional

2. Standing Sequence

· Virabhadrasana A, Warrior I

· Virabhadrasana B, Warrior II

· Utthita Parsvakonasana, Extended Side-Angle

· Trikonasana, Triangle Pose

3. Balancing Pose

· Virabhadrasana C, Warrior III

· Vrksasana, Tree Pose

· Najarasana, Dancer Pose

4. Seated Sequence

· Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, Pigeon Pose

· Upavistha Konasana, Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend

· Marichyasana III

· Dandasana, Seated Staff Pose

5. Inversion

· Adho Mukha Vrksasana, Handstand

· Salamba Sirsasana, Headstand

· Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, Bridge Pose

· Viparita Karani, Legs up the wall

6. Cool down

· Supta Baddha Konasana, Reclined Bound Angle

· Savasana, Corpse Pose

· Seated meditation

I would recommend reading the provided links and trying out some of these poses first and then putting a flow together.

Timing:

· Sun Salutation A—5-10 minutes

· Sun Salutation B—5-10 minutes

· Standing, Balancing, and Seated Poses—hold for at least 5 breaths on each side

· Cool down—5-10 minutes

Wellness Clarification

2011-05-25T08:57:00.000-04:00

Just a quickie post about wellness. I believe wellness comes form within. Therefore, in addition to being about:

Eating healthy, whole foods
Exercising regularly
Sleeping at least 7+ hours a night
Maintaining good hygiene

Wellness is also about:

Spreading kindness and compassion (Ex-My post about Brennen)
Being patient and in control of your emotions (as much as possible)
Avoiding negative emotions like jealousy or judgement

I must admit integrating healthy eating habits, exercising, etc. in my life is really doable for me. However, being patient and avoiding negative emotions is not.

In an effort to work on the latter, I believe in:

Moving meditation such as walking on the beach, yoga, or gardening
Deep, steady, yoga breathing
Giving myself a time-out when I feel overwhelmed or aggressive
Spreading good karma
Counting my blessings (namely my daughters as seen below)

Camille (5 months)

Ruth Love (2 1/2)

Ransom (4)

Spring Cleaning the O-Natural Way

2011-05-24T07:46:00.000-04:00

I am on a cleaning rampage. No more maternity clothes. No more projects (like scented candle making) that I will never get to. No more drawers filled with hotel shampoo and lotions.

And as I slowly peel away the layers of clutter I am overwhelmed with an urge to scrub, spray and disinfect every nook and cranny of my house.

Yet, with 3 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat and 1 hubby with a sprained ankle (husband + sprained ankle = man-baby) I worry about using too many chemicals in the house. So I did some research and found there are several all-natural alternatives to bleach, ammonia, and other harsh substances.

Lemon-The acid in lemon juice removes dirt and rust stains. To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Apple cider vinegar-The acetic acid in vinegar is an effective disinfectant, deodorizer, and cleaner which will cut grease and soap scum, dissolve mineral buildup, and inhibit mold and bacteria growth. Try using it on hardwood floors (Recipe: 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon warm water).
Lavender and Baking soda-Lavender essential oil is known as an antimicrobial and for its fragrant aroma. Baking soda is a great abrasive. Put the two together for a chemical-free soft scrub substitute. (Recipe: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup all-natural, odor-free liquid soap like Seventh Generation, and 5-10 drops lavender essential oil from health food store).

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Coping with that lonely sinking feeling

2011-05-18T07:16:00.000-04:00

I love the Cowboy Junkies. The group's lead singer Margo Timmins emits beauty both visually and audibly. In her country-Canadian/velvety plush voice she moans about "that lonely sinking feeling" in the aptly named track Lonely Sinking Feeling.

When my husband left at 5 a.m the other morning to do a one-week long boat delivery, I experienced that lonely sinking feeling. Suddenly the house seemed out of balance, the children and my work load seemed overwhelming and my bed seemed entirely too big and empty.

My gut reaction was to retreat under my covers and sleep it off but with three children under the age of 4 that just isn't an option. So, I devised a strategy:

Smile and repeat, "Make it fun. Make it fun."
Get outside and garden with the kids for some vitamin D good mood juju. (A gardening hose is a great tool for generating laughter.)
Eat healthy--junk food just slows down your metabolism and makes you even more sluggish.
Do an inversion--standing on your head or hands reverses the energy flow and gets you energized. (Note: Beginners can try reclined legs up the wall.)
Plan some fun, self-expressive activities like an art project with the children.
Take a warm shower.
Wait until all the children are tucked in bed and enjoy a glass of wine and chill music.

By the end of the day I was actually feeling pretty good. I had successfully kept that lonely sinking feeling from dragging me down into a major funk.

As I was celebrating my "turn the beat around" moment, my phone rang. It was my husband. His boat had broken down near Beaufort, was being repaired and he would be home in the morning.

I had to laugh at the irony of the situation. I guess that lonely sinking feeling was going to be replaced by dinner duties, snoring and some extra laundry!

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Getting Ripped and Relaxed: Yoga with Weights

2011-05-16T22:49:00.000-04:00

So, I'm on a mission. After having 3 babies in 3 1/2 years and being on bed rest all last fall, I'm ready to rock it out.


OK, obviously this is not me--yet!

In an effort to become a mom bomb I have been incorporating some 5 lb weights with my practice. A few things to try:

1. Try the Sun Salutations with your weights. First, go at a normal pace for a few rounds. Then hold plank and alternate lifting the weights from the floor in plank. Make sure to keep rolling your shoulders down your back and to not collapse in the wrists.

2. Try Trikonasana, or Triangle Pose but rather than holding the pose, get a waist by using the obliques to lift and lower your torso. (Weights optional)


Triangle Pose

3. Try leg lifts with the weight cradled between your calf and thigh. (Remember to keep your heel flexed to keep the weight from falling.)


Leg Lift (without weight)

Now, if I can just give up cheese and Pinot Noir, I might just accomplish my goal!

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Community comes together to support local boy's lung transplant

2011-05-16T22:26:00.000-04:00

The first time I met Brennen Reeves was three years ago. He was on an airplane traveling from Hilton Head to Charlotte with his father. I remember doing a double-take because Brennen was so young and seemingly so healthy, yet he was hooked-up to an oxygen machine. It was that day that I learned Brennen lived in my neighborhood and suffered from cystic fibrosis.

When we think about wellness, we often think about healthy eating and exercising. Yet, a major contributor to wellness is caring about others. This is not only good for your soul but it can contribute to someone's healing process.

From the moment Brennen was summoned to Duke to be considered for a lung transplant my neighborhood--Point Comfort--was behind him. The Reeves set up an account with the website caringbridge.com and we anxiously followed his heart-wrenching battle. We posted words of inspiration and support on his site. We spoke compassionately about him while walking in the neighborhood. And we went to bed every night praying for his recovery.

And it worked. Brennen recently returned home from Duke with no signs of rejection. I'm thrilled to say the last time I saw him was two weeks ago. He was gearing up to go paddle boarding and he had a giant smile on his face.

Namaste, y'all!--Becca

Honey Horn Farmers Market: Wellness From Within

2011-05-16T06:15:00.000-04:00

Wellness comes from within and how well you nurture yourself.

Local fresh produce

Nurturing can come from (but is not limited to):

Eating well
Fostering good will and a sense of community
Being outside and absorbing the radiant goodness of your natural surroundings
Supporting causes like buying local produce
Taking care of yourself with healthy habits like using chemical-free soaps

Variety of tasty soul-satisfying soups

The Honey Horn Farmers Market accomplishes all of the aforementioned points--and then some. It offers:

All-natural soaps and lotions
Fresh organic or local produce
Homemade wholesome soups
Local treats like Lowcountry brittle
Organic coffee
Herbs and flowers
Locally-made jewelry
Sweet and savory crepes
Homemade pastas
Sweetgrass bowls and baskets

I go to the Honey Horn Farmers Market every Friday. I load up on fresh veggies and daydream about healthy dishes I can make for my family. I visit with neighbors and long lost friends. I see the marsh tacky horses, the live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and take in the salty humid air and relish in the Lowcountry vibe. And I think to myself, "This just feels right."

Namaste, y'all!--Becca