A Yogi Grows In Brooklyn

Group Benefits

Aetna is a company that is putting “its money where its mouth is” by offering onsite yoga and meditation classes at their company for all employees. Oh, and the CEO also provided raises to lowest paid employees. You can check out the NYT article on this story here.

The research and science has shown the benefits of exercise and relaxation for employees to improve productivity and health. As we transition further into careers and workplaces that make individuals more sedentary, I hope that more companies will follow suit with Aetna to provide tangible and readily accessible opportunities for fitness and wellness. Go Aetna!

Om shanti.

Mostly Plants: Falafel Wrap

This baked falafel recipe is delicious and you can add all of your favorite veggies for garnish:

Ingredients: 2 cans- chickpeas (drained), 1/2 bunch- cilantro, 1 onion- diced, 6 cloves- garlic (peeled), 1/3 cup- panko bread crumbs, 1 tbsp- olive oil, 1 tsp- corriander, cumin.

– Add chickpeas, cilantro, onion, garlic, and bread crumbs to food processor and blend (or mix in large bowl by hand.)
– Add mixture to refrigerator and allow to sit for at least 30 minutes.
– Remove from refrigerator and create 2-inch falafel balls from mixture.
– Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees.
– Brush a cookie sheet with olive oil and place falafels on sheet.
– Place sheet in oven for one hour, at 20 minute intervals, roll falafels to baken evenly.
– Remove from oven and allow falafels to cool.
– Add falafels to wrap or pita along with favorite veggies and hummus.

Bon Appetit!

Birds of Paradise Pose

With the arrival of spring, I see “Birds of Paradise Pose” or Svarga Dvijasana as symbolic of spreading your wings and flying. The pose is a stretch of the leg and shoulders and offers a slight twist of the spine.

Some of the preparatory poses for Svarga Dvijasana are Side Angle pose (Parsvakonasa) and Bound Side Angle pose (Bhaddha Parsakonasana) to assist with the opening of the hips and arms. This pose can also be held with the knees bending slightly or deeply, as needed for the body.

Enjoy the sensation of feeling tall and strong in your Birds of Paradise Pose.

Peace.

Mostly Plants: Red Rice

This is another recipe, adapted from my mom’s southern Red Rice recipe. It meatless (my mom’s original used sausage, but I substitute beans for the meat. Check it out:

Ingredients: 1 cup- rice, 16 ounce can- Pigeon peas, 1 tomato- diced, 1 green pepper- diced, 1 spanish onion- diced, 2 tablespoons- olive oil, 1 teaspoon- paprika or yellow coloring powder, 1/2 teaspoon- annatto powder, onion powder, cumin, 1 cup- water (or two cups, if using brown rice.)

– Add oil, onion and green pepper to pot on medium heat. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
– Add tomato, beans and spices to mixture, cook for another five minutes.
– Stir in rice to mixture and add water.
– Reduce heat and cook for 25 minutes or until rice is cooked through.
– Remove from heat and flush rice with fork.

Bon Appetit!

Heart Opening

Opening the heart is symbolic both spiritually and literally. Physically opening the area of the heart is a stretch of the pectoral muscles and muscles that attach on the ribs. Opening this area can help to support and improve posture. Spiritually, the heart is represented by Anahata chakra. Anahata chakra is the chakra center responsible for compassion and love.

You can open the heart region by placing a yoga block beneath your upper back while lying on the floor, so that your upper back is fully supported, but your head and neck are off the block (if you don’t have a yoga block, you can use a rolled up towel). Allow your arms to relax beside your body with palms facing up. If your neck is uncomfortable, place a towel or two beneath your head to reduce some of the back bend. Lay in this position, for as long as you are comfortable.

February is Heart Health Awareness Month. Be sure to love yourself and take care of your health and heart.

Om, Shanti.

Mostly Plants: Broccoli & Crispy Tofu w/Garlic Sauce

Broccoli is a delicious vegetable that provides fiber, vitamins C and B, and is known to boost immunity and reduce risk of certain cancers. Check out this recipe for Broccoli and crispy tofu w/garlic sauce:

Ingredients: 2 heads of broccoli cut into flowerettes, tofu (drained), 6 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon- olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon- cornstarch, 1 teaspoon- sugar, 2 tablespoons- teriyaki sauce or soy sauce, 1 shallot- minced, 1 teaspoon- red pepper flakes.

– Drain tofu and cut into one inch strips, dab with paper towel to remove moisture
– Brush olive oil on both sides of strips and place on baking tray. Bake at 375 degrees until brown (about twenty minutes) then flip strips on other side and cook until browned on both sides. Remove strips of oven and allow to cool.
– Add olive oil to a large pan or wok on medium heat and add garlic and shallots, cook for two minutes.
– Add teriyaki sauce to pan with garlic/shallot mixture. Add cornstarch, sugar and mix.
– Add broccoli to pan and cover. Cook until broccoli is tender (about 6-8 minutes.)
– Add tofu strips and red pepper flakes and mix. Allow to cook for another minute.
– Serve over rice.

Bon Appetit!

New Year/New Mat

If you are in the market for a new yoga mat, you’ve probably noticed that mats come in many varieties and at many price points. After some time, you may notice that your mat begins to lose some tread and becomes slippery or find that your hand and feet imprints have molded into your mat, causing it to be flatten and be generally less effective. (And we’ve all seen the mats that have the toe nail scratches.)

When thinking about purchasing a new mat, it doesn’t have to be very expensive (although the quality and longevity may be aligned to the price to some degree.) Thicker mats offer more support for the joints, so this is an important consideration. Many varieties also offer anti-slip technology, which is great to keep hands and feet from slipping on your mat during your practice. And don’t overlook color; select a color that makes you feel good. These are the top items that I recommend considering when making your next mat purchase.

Peace.

Meditation of Reflection

The close of the year is often a time for reflection and assessment. Meditation is a powerful means through which we can connect with ourselves, our thoughts and reflect on the events of our year.

Any comfortable seated position (even seated in a chair) is fine for practicing meditation. Closing ones eyes and focusing on the breath is a method that allows a person to become present in the moment. When the mind begins to quiet, begin to think about your year and notice what moments and events are prominent in your reflection. Make a mental note of all of the events that arise. To close your meditation of reflection, think about noting your blessings (occurrences and people) that have enriched your life in the past year (and even acknowledging gratefulness for the present moment that you have to engage in your meditation.)

Om, Shanti, Peace.

Trending: Inspiration Wear

There are numerous ways in which we seek inspiration for being active and healthy. The desire for fitness inspiration is now supported by the clothing we wear everyday. Fitness and wellness inspiration or motivation apparel is becoming a hot item; a trend that provides a boost and reminder to engage in fitness, wellness and physical activity.

Inspiration can come from many places and these days the source can now be found resting right on our backs.

Peace.