These past few weeks I have been so inspired by my students who come into class and try something that they don’t think they can do.  Often times the first word out of their mouth is “I can’t do that,” but with guidance, patience, determination and a lot of hard work, many of my students have been able to lift, leap, twist, hold, and balance into poses they never thought they could.  So with that, I thought… I need to practice what I’ve been preaching and meet one of my biggest yoga pose challenges and enrolled in her workshop. 

Feeling a little bit anxious, I arrived with plenty of time to sit and collect myself.  The room quickly began to fill up and soon I was mat to mat with at least 45 other students.  Several yogis were already warming up with impressive handstands and jump throughs.  As I surveyed the room I knew there were definitely some advanced practitioners here to learn more complicated inversions from Kathryn, that unlike myself, were just trying to learn how to balance in Adho Mukha Vrkasana (handstand).  Kathryn came out to explain how the workshop would progress and started us out with a lovely albeit very challenging flow sequence.  Just my cup of tea!  Then she introduced the first of many inverted arm balances.  With grace and ease Kathryn lifted her legs over her head at least a dozen times or more that afternoon to show us the next and the next and the next inversion we were supposed to be practicing (all three pictures I’ve attached of Kathryn here were introduced to us).  I on the other hand, not so graceful.  I must thank the very nice yogi that saw how much I was struggling and offered to help me up or be my wall through many of the poses.  By the way, the pics you see here are filed in the poses labeled “um maybe not this lifetime.”  With my man made wall I did as much as I could.  Several times in the 2.5 hrs of practicing, the inner dialog would start with “I’ll never be able to do this”,”I’m so bad at arm balancing”, “Why don’t I practice this more often” and wouldn’t you know it, I would loose my focus and not be able to kick up.  Kathryn would then so kindly interject and reminded all of us to be okay with where we are at and said ‘You are perfect, right now’ several times to encourage students like myself who were scratching our heads thinking, “How do I even get my foot off the ground here?”  She also reminded us that we will fall, that this isn’t easy and we will experience soreness tomorrow morning.  She also said, if you want to get this, you have to practice a little bit of this EVERY single day.  

So it’s now Wednesday night and I can honestly say I’ve done a little bit everyday since Saturday.  My goal is not to be able to master the poses you see pictures of here.  It’s simply to gain more confidence and a better sense of balance upside down.  Besides inversions there are a lot of poses I’d let to get better at like Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana (standing split), and I know wanting and doing are two different things.  Saturday’s workshop was an uplifting eye opener for me, reminding me that I need to also bring attention to that which I don’t like so much, and like my students who diligently come week after week, I need to commit myself with discipline, practice with an open-mind, and every time I fall get up again and again.

Namaste,

Claudine

1.  Be Impeccable With Your Word

2.  Don’t Take Anything Personally

3.  Don’t Make Assumptions

4.  Always Do Your Best

I’d read this book years ago and was re-directed to it recently by a good friend who wisely sensed that I was beginning to take a few things rather personally.  After re-reading the second agreement I realized that I was also Making Assumptions around the situation.

Ruiz says “The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth.  We make assumptions about what others are doing or thinking- we take it personally, then we blame them and react by sending emotional poison with our word.  We make an assumption, we misunderstand, we take it personally, and we end up creating a whole big drama for nothing.”

I was creating the drama in my head, and while I can usually stop, take a deep breath and bring myself back to the moment…I let this one snowball.  I’m sure you all know what happens when one thought leads to another.  Well in my case, they kept piling up and sooner than later I found I had created a whole story in my head and had forgotten how to deal with THE issue of the moment.  I took information personally and started to create assumptions in my mind about whom, what and why.  I was losing sight of what the actual situation was, the real issue that needed to be dealt with.  These assumptions were made because I started to take it personally.  I was creating my own suffering, all in my head.

After reflecting on the agreements from the book I was able to snap out of it.  I felt so much lighter, like my own personally contrived burden was lifted off my shoulders.  It literally felt as if I took the heavy weights off and was able to see things more clearly, as they were, not as I was concocting them to be.  I took the agreements to my mat and set the intention of not to take personally anything that came up during my practice and to detach from judgment about how bad my practice might be since my mind was so ‘busy’.  I chose to re-align myself back to higher energies.  I chose to get unstuck.  Within a few minutes of creating spaciousness in the practice, I was able to take me, myself, and I out of focus and instead, bring myself back to center.

Namaste,

Claudine

Over the Memorial Day weekend my aunt came over and wanted to see where I meditated.  Then she asked me what I do when I meditate, she asked ‘what are you supposed to be thinking about?’  When one first begins practicing dhyana or meditation, it’s recommended to focus on your breathing, or a single object in your mind or a mantra.  I often read a translated version of the Tao by Wayne Dyer to help me focus and come back from where the mind has been.  For a few short moments I had my aunt sit at the altar and told her to just breathe and find comfort in stillness, as that is exactly where my meditation practice is right now.  I think perhaps, it is stronger as I cultivate a deeper pratyahara practice, or the fifth limb of Patanjali’s eightfold path of yoga.  Pratyahara is the withdrawal of your senses, where you are so focused on your core being, your center, that all outward distractions become mute.  When the distractions cease, the mind can then rest.

Savasana is a great pose and time to practice pratyahara.  It only takes 5 minutes to turn down the volume of your surroundings enough to turn inward. 

Give it a try….Begin lying on your back.  Have your arms resting beside you, but not touching you, with your palms face up.  Separate your legs about hips distance apart and let your feet and ankles roll out to the side (if it’s more comfortable for you back, place a rolled up blanket under your knees).  Close your eyes and begin to focus on your breathing.  Then feel the rise and fall of your belly as the breath moves in and out.  As you start to hone in, feel the outer lines of your physical body begin to dissolve.  Be present to what you feel and what your experience is. 

Deep Peace.

Claudine

Summer is here and unlike your local gym, we don’t hike up the air conditioning at the studio.  If you’re finding it more difficult to stay on your mat this summer, pick up a Yogitoes Skidless.  Skidless is the same size as a traditional yoga mat that has nubs on one side that grip your mat to create a towel like layer that helps to keep your feet and hands from slipping during sweater vinyasa practices and warmer months.  This is a must for me when I’m taking a class, no matter the season.  I’ve had my skidless for a couple of years now.  It’s easy to clean, just throw in the wash using warm water and toss in your dryer.   

We have the groovy collection and blue skidless at the studio now.  Pick up yours today!

Wonton chips – We went for sushi one night and I tried this amazing “salsa” with tuna, avocados, and tomatoes.  Their chips were made of wonton and I accidentally had about 3 chips before I realized what I was inhaling.  Not even a minute later, I had a reaction.  My face felt bloated and my eyes got puffy.  This literally was my first bite of gluten 10 days into the program.  I had forgotten my wheat- free soy sauce so opted for none at all therefore it couldn’t have been from the added sodium. 

Xtreme Sour Punch Straws –Now this isn’t even real food which upsets me.  I’ve said this before my sweet tooth is my nemesis and Kayla was in the car eating these sour fruit straws.  I began to salivate, asked for a bite and then looked at the ingredients (which by the way I couldn’t even pronounce).  There in black bold letters Made with Wheat.  Aaah!!  If I wasn’t driving I would have spit it out, but instead, swallowed with a mouthful of guilt.

Mystery Sauce – There was another time I devoured a piece from a delicious maki roll at a party.  I must confess I wasn’t sure what was in the brown sauce.  I know Asian foods are often made with oyster, soy, or teriyaki sauce - likely not the wheat-free version. 

Garden Veggie Chips – Quantity wise, this was my biggest oops of all.  I read a list on the back of the package that said made with potato, tomato, spinach and pure sunflower oil, and only 135 calories a bag.  After the second day and my second bag of Veggie Chips I read under ingredients (duh that’s where I should have looked to begin with) Wheat Starch.  I think I had started to get lazy looking at the list of ingredients all the time.  Oye!!

Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds and Raisins – There was much debate among participants on whether or not dark chocolate had some dairy and caffeine in it.  We learned dark chocolate was better than milk chocolate and found articles that said chocolate only has minimal traces of caffeine.  We agreed that dark chocolate would be ‘okay’ though not recommended.  Just this past week my sweet tooth was really bad and I mixed myself a small bag of dark chocolate almonds and raisins at Whole Foods.  Can I just tell you this was the first time I had chocolate since Easter.  I don’t really regret this.  I’m sure I could have gone without, but my gosh it was good!

There you have it, my big oops. 

Claudine

Yesterday, I took my first trip to Costco since starting the program.  While picking up a few bulk items I was pleasantly surprised on how many ogranic labels I found including safe foods on the program.  I cannot tell you how excited I was to see Organic Quinoa at Costco!  This is my new favorite gluten-free grain.  I’ve been making this in my rice cooker.  It’s been one of the best finds since starting this program, quick and easy to cook, high in protein and very tasty!  Here are also a few other goodies I picked up:

Cashew Clusters with Almonds and Pumpkin Seeds $7.99

Gluten-Free Teriyaki Marinade (think summer bbq’s) $5.49

Organic Quinoa 4lb (regular grocery store 12 oz is $4.59!!) $10.49

Organic Eggs 18count $3.99

Organic Spinach 1lb $3.99

Our last meeting is this coming Monday.  We’re doing a potluck dinner of our favorite dishes/food finds during the 21-days.  I have enough quinoa to feed an army and will be bringing in my warm quinoa salad.

Claudine

-I feel really good, very energized.

-I lost weight and wasn’t even trying to!

-I’m learning to think about what I’m eating and not just mindfully grabbing for something in the fridge or when I’m bored.

-I don’t have that nappish feeling after I eat anymore.

-I feel lighter, my clothes fit better.

With the end in near sight, we’ll be learning at next Monday’s meeting how to come off of a cleanse like this one.  There’s already talk among a few about extending the cleanse past the 21-days (we learned last week that it actually takes three months for the body to rid itself of all gluten).  We’re learning new ways of eating and thinking about food.  The old habits are breaking and as we often say in yoga; we are letting go of that which no longer serves us.

Namaste,

Claudine

What I did have was a delicious nicoise salad with salmon. 

I ignored the bread and butter at the table and the chocolate cookie stick that came with our bill.  Temptation was everywhere, but I stuck with the plan and feel really good about it.  After I let the initial ‘oh my gosh, i have to have that!” moment or two pass (and a few deep breaths) I realized I didn’t need the bread, or the dessert with coffee afterwards.  I was completely satisfied with a nutritious and filling salad.  Today in particular, I experienced santosha (contentment) in what my body needed, not what my sweet tooth desired and practiced ishvar-pranidhana (attunement).   I made the choice to stick with the plan.  I knew I’d feel just awful after a bite of red velvet or a sip of coffee.  I made the higher choice to be as diligent as I could and stuck with the program.  So not only am I pleased with myself, but I walked away from lunch not feeling stuffed or ready for a nap.  I can feel my body adjusting to the cleanse and more energized than in the past few days.  It’s a great feeling!

Here’s today’s meals…

Breakfast: Gluten Free Chex cereal with soy milk

Lunch: Tofu salad sandwich – Here’s my recipe which is very similar to making egg or chicken salad, small square of extra firm tofu (the gluten free bread is small compared to regular slices of bread so not all that much tofu needed).  Add 1/2 tsp of mayo, 1/2 tsp of honey dijon mustard, sprinkle with Spike seasoning to taste.  Mix and mash with a fork until you make the egg salad type consistency.  Sandwich between 2 slices of Food for Life Brown Rice Bread.

Snack: Organic popcorn with olive oil and sea salt, half an apple, and 2 strawberries

Dinner: We went out for Chinese and I tried an awesome new dish – Japanese mushrooms and tofu.  Yum!  This is my new favorite at our Chinese restaurant, though was unhappy about giving away my fortune cookie : (

I am definitely learning right along with everybody else, thinking some things are gluten free but only to find out that it’s made with cow’s milk.  Or thinking something is made with goats milk to find out it contains cow’s milk.  I have found some yummy alternatives though and thought I’d share today’s meals.

Breakfast: Metagenics Ultra Meal 360 Soy Protein Powder with 1 banana, cup of rice milk, splash of oj and a teaspoon almond butter with 1 slice Food For Life Brown Rice Bread with Tofutti (imitation cream cheese).

Snack: Larabar cashew cookie bar.  I love these made with cashews and dates, that’s it.  Definitely needed something after a grueling spin class I took for my 1 day of another chosen activity.

Lunch: Amy’s Organic Lentil Vegetable Soup and a handful of Crunchy Curls (chip like snack made with lentils and potatoes).

Snack: Handful of shelled edamame and 3 strawberries.

Dinner: Pad Thai with rice noodles, Thai Kitchen Pad Thai Sauce, Paprika and Wheat free soy sauce to taste with scrambled eggs and tofu (chicken for Pete and Kayla).

We have a great group doing the program.  21 committed and motivated people that are ready to make a change.  Everyone is sharing cooking tips, websites they’ve found, food alternatives and local shops that make bread which is dairy and gluten free.  Wish us luck!