Coming Up: Chakra workshop, Saturday Nov. 9th in Brooklyn!

Journey Through the Chakra System: 

Exploring & Balancing Your 7 Major Energy Centers

2pm-4pm on Saturday, November 9th, 2013.

Hosted by Jai Yoga Arts in Brooklyn (www.JaiYogaArts.com), and presented by yours truly.

Staying Grounded in the Season of Change

Oct. 23, 2013

According to Ayurveda, the autumn season (roughly, September 15 - November 15) is dominated by vata dosha, which represents the cold, dry, subtle elements of Air and Space. This is a time of change, as summer transitions to winter and life begins the process of settling into a state of hibernation; the sun's light becomes weaker, the air grows colder, and days get shorter. Vata has a propensity toward instability and mobility too, as felt in the winds that rattle the tree-branches, and the leaves that change color then literally "fall", drifting and flitting down to the ground.

In fact, we can mirror the action of these leaves by embracing our own change-ability this season, and also find warmth and comfort by grounding ourselves and connecting with the Earth before winter's deep chill arrives. Ayurveda recommends that when Vata dominates, we take actions that help us stay in tune with Nature and its rhythms: a stable daily routine, for example, can help us avoid distraction and confusion, or feeling tossed to-and-fro in the airy winds of autumn. It's also important to turn inward (i.e., begin the process of digging a space to hibernate), to connect with our own inner flame and firmly establish our change-less "inner" Self  in our changing "outer" self: by connecting with that inner source of light and clarity, we feel less compelled by external sensations and less sensitive to erratic thoughts (which are tendencies of excess vata).

This two-month fall season, as stated by Bri. Maya Tiwari  in her book The Path of Practice, is a time when we "surrender" and "simplify"; as farmers harvest their crops, we too should be reaping what we've sowed in the past year. Autumn is an opportunity to slow down, reflect on our progress, take stock of our achievements and leave behind the habits or things which do not serve us. Gather the nuts and seeds that will sustain you, and stop wasting time on activities that don't support your survival or growth.  By getting a better handle on what is working in our life and what may not be, and by feeling more certain on our own two feet, we are better able to face the cold, sometimes depressing or at least insulating, darkness of the winter that lies ahead.

Reflections on immunity (ojas) from my Week of Sattva

As part of June's "Eating for Joy!" Sattvic Diet workshop, I was much more selective about the foods I consumed, and more involved in the preparation of each meal I ate during that week. I must note that I had had symptoms of allergies or a cold for a little over a week, leading into the workshop -- which also happened to follow a vacation that threw off my sleep schedule (not to mention my daily eating habits!); these symptoms were likely a result of the 'come-down' from that fun and lively Memorial Day road trip. Luckily, the Sattvic diet (aka the Yogic or Ayurvedic "pure" diet) calls for lots of fruit and vegetables, as well as of course tea, rest and peace&quiet, so I'm glad to say I was feeling much better at the end of the Week of Sattva than I did at the start. :)

But this 'cold' got me thinking about my immunity (ojas)*, or, they body's ability to maintain a healthy balance and protect itself against viruses, bacteria, improper food or environment, and other pathogens (i.e., disease or cellular dysfunction).

  * The term OJAS is technically or traditionally discussed in relation to an individual's sexuality, e.g., as "the subtle energy resulting from the preservation of sexual energy" (from Sri Swami Satchidananda's glossary in his The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali). This is mostly because ojas is related to the water element in the body (Kapha dosha), or our bodily 'juices' such as our reproductive secretions, and sex is seen as one of the quickest ways to deplete the body of this essential 'sap', though for those of us with drier constitutions (usually Vata types), this sap is less readily available in our natural states.  Kapha (the dosha dominated by Water and Earth) is a cohesive and nurturing force, and indeed, Svoboda describes ojas as a "subtle glue that cements the body, mind and spirit together, integrating them into a functioning individual" (Ayurveda: Life, Health and Longevity by Robert E Svoboda). He later underlines its importance by saying that ojas is "the apex of the body's nutrition pyramid... [Ojas is] both the cause and the effect of good digestion, and its conservation is essential to good health because it controls the immune system and generates the body's aura, ...a subtle shield against the entry of dangerous ethereal forces." As health relates to the state of our energetic and mental bodies as well as our physical body, this essential 'juice' is required for our well-being on all levels.

For most of my life I've been able to boast that I only get "sick" once or twice a year (I would sometimes wave it off as allergies rather than a common cold) - usually during the juncture of the seasons, whenever I got really stressed (remember how finals began in May?) or had a chaotic schedule - and that it only lasted two or three days, tops. Usually I was well enough to take the remedial measures that I knew to work best, avoiding the prescription and OTC drugs suggested or offered to me. With my body guiding my choices, I would take: plenty of water and tea; the purest fruit juice I could find (which means no sugar, and no caffeine!) and perhaps some kind of vitamin C or herbal supplement; soup and other light-yet-nourishing, simple and warming foods; and as much rest as I could. I would also generally catch it early enough that I would still have the energy to do a big cleaning of all my stuff and the spaces I was in most often, getting rid of any remaining bacteria and also making myself  - in addition to the air I was breathing and the things I was touching - feel cleaner and clearer. In no time at all the cold was a thing of the past and I was back to my regular, energetic self.

However, in the five and a half years I've been living in New York City (Brooklyn to be precise) I've noticed an increase in the frequency and duration of these 'allergy attacks' or colds, or whatever you prefer to call them. Sometimes the sneezing/congestion, brain fog, sore throat, and itchy eyes have lasted so long that I really did think I had developed seasonal allergies (I never had those as a kid). But whatever the symptoms add up to be, the "sickness" is a result of the environment and habits that now (or recently did) comprise my daily life: with waitressing came an upside-down sleep/wake cycle and a lack of access to proper meals and mealtimes; with the office job came the long cross-borough commute and late nights, eating lunch in front of the computer and taking dinner at midnight; and with the city of course comes opportunity and longing, temptation and distraction, stimulation and sensory-overload. Not to mention the overall pollution levels we encounter in New York -- from noise pollution to water pollution to plain ol' trash on the street -- as well as the onslaught of images that affect our mind's sense of harmony -- seeing impoverished populations first-hand, alongside media images of sexy indulgences. In Ayurveda our "diet" includes not only the food we eat, but also everything that we take in through all of our senses; needless to say the "Big Apple" diet is not generally considered the most nourishing or supportive, according to Ayurvedic recommendations.

Of course, I wouldn't trade my life in the city for anything (at least, not right now, when I'm still having such a good time!) nor do I intend to rant about the state of our society today.  I'll likewise spare you a soliloquy on my love affair with Brooklyn, and suffice it to say that I'm still on the quest that I began in the fall of 2007: to attain Zen in a subway car. My underlying goal is to find ways to stay in balance, despite the urban affront to my ojas (immunity).

Registration now open for "Eating for Joy" ayurveda workshop!

Hi folks,

I'm glad to let you know that you can now sign up for my upcoming workshop on the sattvic (balanced), or 'yogic' diet. Register and pay by Saturday, May 25th for a discounted rate!

"Eating for Joy" is a two-part workshop where we'll learn first-hand what a healthy, balanced diet could look like in here-and-now New York City... read: how to choose the foods that are right for your health - and your lifestyle.

After going over the qualities of different foods in the first of the two sessions, we will follow specific ayurvedic eating guidelines for one week. In the second session we'll reflect on how our body responded to this "diet", then take a closer look at the unique needs of each of your own body-types (your dosha or constitution) to get a better idea of what foods the ancient science of Ayurveda suggests are right for you, and which foods may be causing conditions of dis-ease in your body,  mind, or spirit.

First two Sundays in June, 2pm-3:30pm
6/2 and 6/9/13 at Jai Yoga Arts in Bushwick
www.JaiYogaArts.com 
47 Thames @ Morgan Ave, Brooklyn
(L train to Morgan Ave)

$35 Early Bird by May 25th
$40 for both sessions
Register now at www.JaiYogaArts.com
or follow this link directly to the events page and scroll down to the third entry:
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=15836

Ode to the Tridosha: A Zoological Musing and Expression of Gratitude

May 3, 2013

While pondering the traits of the people I know and the ways their characteristics correspond with the pancha mahabhutas (Five Great Elements), images came to mind of different animals I've loved and admired since my formative years. So, in accordance with the tradition we see in the Vedic sciences of using animals and plants to represent or describe aspects of the human world (ie, the chakra system, hatha yoga asanam or postures, and even our pulse), I'd like to play with creating a vkrti "zoo" here, for your enjoyment as well as my own. ;)

~~~~

New Workshop next month in Brooklyn! How to eat Ayurvedically

The Sattvic Diet: Foods for Balance

(Just in time for summer!)

Next month I'll be offering a two-part experiential workshop where participants will gain a deeper understanding of how different foods affect their bodies, minds, and spirits. On Sunday, June 2nd we'll go over which foods are considered "sattvic" or balanced, having a harmonious effect on our selves; then we'll challenge ourselves to eat only those foods for one week. When we meet again the following Sunday, June 9th, we'll share our experiences and take a closer look at our personal body type or constitution, and then learn more specifically what kind of diet is right for our own constitution.

I'm very excited to be facilitating this experience for all of you! Details and registration will be available soon at www.JaiYogaArts.com -- I'll be sure to keep you posted -- or sign up for their e-newsletter so you'll know as soon as it's available on the site.

I hope to see you there!

Love,

Katie

Ayurvedic Diet Workshop
Sundays, June 2nd and 9th, 2-3:30pm
at Jai Yoga Arts in Brooklyn
47 Thames @ Morgan (Bushwick / L train)
register soon at www.JaiYogaArts.com

Pay the Mind no mind

(Originally written for The Philistine, March 2012 - since revised.)


The ultimate goal of Yoga is to transcend the Mind in order to be able to reach a state of blissful meditative Awareness called samadhi. While many of us consider the mind to be the definitive plane of existence, yogic philosophy argues that although our cerebral capacities are indeed what separate us from the "lower" animals, we do not give ourselves enough credit if we believe that our experience must stop there.

The function of the brain or the Mind is to create thoughts in response to stimuli communicated to it through the sensory cells. This is its job, and the mind does not necessarily care what kind of thoughts it creates - it takes information in from the senses and then gives orders to the cells in our nerves and organs about how to respond. 

Yet, we possess the ability to have some control over this system of thought-production. For example, say your co-worker yells at you for making a mistake. Your mind's initial reaction may be to yell back, or to run away in fear, or to cry (depending on your 'state of mind', as it were). But if we gain mastery over our impulses - i.e., our brain's auto-response communication, we can stay calm and steady in this or any situation. Instead of letting that rush of adrenaline determine our reaction, we can first tap into the truth of what is happening and let our greater awareness guide our actions.