***Welcome to the Living Yoga Newsletter***
Here you will find more of my Radiant Health & Energy Tips
you signed up to receive, as well as valuable articles and
other inspirations and resources selected to support you on
your journey to total health!
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Local Happenings of interest:
***Very Special Event September 16th!*** Unique one-day
course, 9am to 5pm, with visiting teacher/clinician and 14
year raw foodist, Don Bennett, DAS. Don has been
researching human physiology, anatomy, and diet for 30
years, and living an all raw/living foods life for 14 years.
You will receive 2 fabulous textbooks, delicious healthy
food, and tons of inspiration! We guarantee you will be
empowered, or your money back! Go to www.LivingYogaNow.com
to register, or call Ellen at 734-995-0875. Registration
closing soon, so act now!
Wild Edibles Experiential Class on Tuesday, September 11,
6:30-8:30 p.m., with Mary Light, at the Gaia Center for
Herbal Studies in Ann Arbor. www.gaiahealingarts.org, or
call Mary at 734-769-7794 for more information.
Lecture by Victoria Boutenko, visiting raw food leader,
at The Glass Academy, 25331 Trowbridge in Dearborn, MI.,
Monday, September 17th, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., $15.
Books, info., smoothie, and more!
Michelle@furnacehotglass.com to register, or call (313) 561-4527.
Health and Happiness Raw Food Retreat, with Michael Dwyer.
Friday, September 28 through Sunday, September 30, just west
of Ann Arbor near Brooklyn, MI. Ellen will be teaching yoga
at the retreat on Saturday! For more info. and to register,
go to www.2007retreat.rawdwyer.com.
Raw Food Potluck on Sunday, September 9th, 1 - 3 p.m.,
in my westside Ann Arbor home. www.LivingYogaNow.com for more info.
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YOGA CLASSES
Living Yoga classes in my home studio: currently these
ongoing vinyasa flow classes are level I / II, appropriate
for beginning to intermediate students. Join us as we build
healthy community in a fun and intimate environment where
you will receive one-on-one attention, a raw food snack, and
access to my unique lending library of healthy lifestyle
resources. www.LivingYogaNow.com for more description and
to register.
Drop-ins available space permitting, and FIRST CLASS FREE!
Mondays, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Wednesdays, 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Ellen's other community yoga classes:
www.A2Yoga.com : Fridays noon - 1pm, Restorative Yoga
Sundays, 9 - 10 am Beginning Yoga
www.Sun-Moon-Yoga.com : Saturdays 10:45 - noon, Basic Yoga
NEW!! www.mbsacademe.com : Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:45, Vinyasa
Flow Yoga
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Sunrise Salutations
by Ellen Livingston
This summer I made a pilgrimage to the coast of Maine with
my extended family. We all stayed together in a large,
rambling house overlooking the ocean. In the mornings I
awoke before my children and slipped outside, yoga mat
tucked under my arm, and stepped lightly across the
expansive dew-covered lawn. I headed toward the
irresistible ocean, drawn into the glow of the sunrise,
spread my mat on the wet grass and kicked off my shoes.
Ahhh . . . it was heavenly to inhale deeply of the fresh
ocean breeze, and to soak up the gentle, health-giving rays
of earliest morning sun.
After sitting quietly for a few minutes of meditation, I
began my salutations, mat angled so that I faced the sunrise
full-on. These, I knew, were true sun salutations! I just
kept going until I'd had my fill of this glorious
experience, and then moved naturally into various other
asanas, finishing with a delicious few minutes of savasana,
my body stretched out fully on my back under the sun's still
gentle morning rays, feet tickled by the cold wet grass.
Throughout each of my sunrise yoga sessions I felt so full
of gratitude! It just poured from me naturally, easily, so
beautiful was the landscape and the sun's warming light.
When I came into forward folds, seated postures, or
belly-down postures I came right up close to a dew-sparkled
spider web, an inchworm on a leaf, or a flower just opening
to the new light. When I stood, I drank of the ocean in the
near distance.
The entire rest of my day was enlivened by each precious
outdoor morning yoga practice. I am moved to share my
experience in the hope that I might inspire you to step
outside of the box with your yoga practice, literally, and
take your mat out into the open air. Sunrise is an
auspicious time, and dusk or sunset would be another
beautiful time to practice outdoors. After sitting quietly
and centering yourself, simply allow yourself to flow into
whatever postures you feel inspired to do. Tune your senses
to the outdoor beauty, and feel your oneness with nature.
I love that I had the opportunity to practice in such a
spectacular setting, but a natural spot in an average
backyard can offer similar benefits. Just hold the
intention to connect with nature, and invigorate yourself
with some real sun salutations while the weather is still
warm!
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Surya Namaskara, "Sun Salutation"
Surya means the sun and Namaskara is a greeting of honor and
respect to the divinity present within each of us. Sun
Salutations are invigorating and enjoyable. You will
develop strength, flexibility, grace, stamina, and
coordination. This is an excellent whole body exercise that
strengthens the back, arms, and legs, awakens the spine,
opens the chest, stimulates the organs, and builds heat.
When the flowing movements are coordinated with a deep,
steady breath, we experience a dynamic awareness of breath
as both the source of movement, and the core of our
existence. There are many variations of the Sun Salutation.
Here I provide illustrations for The Half Salute (a
warm-up), and the Surya Namaskara A. Be light and joyful as
you flow gracefully through these series.
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In The News:
ALERT OF THE WEEK:
USDA SAYS ALMONDS LABELED AS 'RAW' OR 'ORGANIC' MUST BE
PASTEURIZED
Under pressure from industrial agriculture lobbyists, the
USDA has quietly approved a new regulation that will
effectively end distribution of raw almonds, while putting
many smaller almond farmers out of business. The
regulation is scheduled to go into effect on September 1st,
unless thousands of consumers take action now. The rule
requires pasteurization of almonds, including organic, yet
allows those same almonds to continue to be labeled as
"raw". Nutritionists point out that raw, organic almonds
are far superior, in terms of nutrition, to pasteurized
almonds. One of the FDA-recommended pasteurization
methods involves the use of propylene oxide, which is
classified as a carcinogen in California and is banned in
Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.
Organic and family-scale almond farmers are protesting the
proposed rule, saying it will effectively put them out of
business, since the minimum price for the pasteurization
equipment is $500,000. Take action now:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6747.cfm
And this, from Seth Leaf, www.livingnutz.com:
As you probably know, starting in just a few days on
Sept.1st, all almonds grown in the united states must be
pasteurized. In addition to this, pasteurized almonds will
still be labeled as raw in the marketpace, even though they are
not. We own a raw food snack company and that obviously
does not work for us. We are now importing all of our
almonds from Europe. They are all truly raw, unpasteurized
and 100% organic. We are selling them in bulk for $9 per
pound. That is $225 per 25 lb box and we pay shipping on
any amounts. A lot of people want to boycott pasteurized
California almonds because many small organic almond
farmers are being put out of business due to the high cost
of the equipment needed to comply with this new regulation.
Seth Leaf
207-780-1101
http://www.livingnutz.com
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The Raw Secrets:
The Most Acclaimed Raw Food Book!
Did you know that you can double your energy levels
and rejuvenate your body with raw foods? But warning:
not all raw food diets are the same! Find out the truth
about raw in the bestseller, "The Raw Secrets".
For more information, go to:
http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/cmd.php?Clk=1999273
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The Fastest Way to Succeed on a Raw Food Diet
by Ellen Livingston
In my yoga classes we talk about the Sanskrit term
"samskara", which refers to our habitual ways of doing and
perceiving, both helpful and unhelpful. When you focus your
attention on creating and living in new, positive samskara,
old unhelpful habits wither and fall away easily, no longer
keeping their hold. It's like the law of attraction, which
states that what you think about grows, or what you focus on
expands.
To succeed on a raw food diet, you need to create new
samskara. You have developed many, many habitual ways of
being in relationship with food, and these habits run deep.
For most of us, our association with food seems inextricably
intertwined with our relationships with family members and
friends.
It is necessary to make (and re-make, over and over again!)
a conscious commitment to bringing about the healthy changes
you want, and you need to know why you want to change. When
you focus your attention on what you really want to live for
(for example, to be able to play with your children, or to
have the energy to launch a new business, or to get fit, or
to acquire the skills to scuba dive, or to express your
creativity, etc.), it becomes easier to achieve the
discipline needed to override the powerful pull of negative
samskara, or unhelpful habits and ways of perceiving things
that are keeping you from what you really want to live for.
The fastest way to succeed on a raw food diet is to immerse
yourself in knowledge and support. This may sound
simplistic, but the 2 biggest reasons why many people fail
to stay on a raw diet are lack of knowledge, and lack of
support. I really mean it when I say IMMERSE yourself in
knowledge and support. Remember, what you focus on expands,
and it gradually crowds out everything else, everything that
is not in alignment with your intention, or your attention.
But how do you immerse yourself in the right knowledge and
support? There is so much information available in today's
world, how will you know what to listen to? On my own path
to health I have taken many diversions, and I have learned
valuable information from them all. But I have also
experienced a lot of frustration, and made many mistakes
that cost me health, time, and lots of money. It took me
several years of digging to find the right knowledge and
support.
When I finally began to listen more deeply, observe more
closely, and choose my leaders more wisely, I experienced
success quickly. I became drawn to authors, teachers, and
guides whose lives inspired me, and who truly seemed to have
what I wanted. I sought out leaders who were successfully
living the lifestyle they promoted, and who had solid years
of experience. I responded to the most basic truths about
health: it made brilliant sense to me that health creation
ought to be simple and natural, not complicated and
technical. I was tired of so many supplements and
therapies, and so relieved to come home to the pure,
empowering teachings of natural hygiene
(www.healthfullivingintl.org). It was beautiful to learn
that my own body could heal itself if I could just get out
of its way, and simply support it in very basic ways.
You need to get clear about what you want to live for, and
then you need to acquire the knowledge that will enable you
to implement the needed lifestyle changes. Knowledge is
power, and knowing why the raw diet is an important aspect
of health creation, and knowing what constitutes a healthy
raw diet (raw diets are NOT all the same!) will empower you
to put it into action in your life, to stick with it, and to
succeed in creating health. It is said that if you read for
just 30 minutes a day on one topic, you will quickly become
an expert in that subject. You can become a natural health
expert!
It would be impossible to overemphasize how important it is
to get support on this journey. Support is available in
many forms. You could convince a friend to learn along with
you, and declare each other "raw buddies". I did this early
on, and years later my friend and I are both succeeding on a
raw diet, and still call each other raw buddies. You can
attend raw potlucks, share your process, and get to know
other health seekers. You can go on the internet and join a
raw food chat list. You can have honest conversations with
your family and friends about your desire to become
healthier, and enlist their support. You don't need to
convince them of the raw food diet, just share with them
your commitment to creating better health for yourself.
If you really want to cut through all the confusion and
dietary yo-yo-ing, and succeed more quickly, I sincerely
recommend hiring a coach. I did, and my coach is still
available to me whenever I have questions or want to refine
some aspect of my health program. This has been invaluable
to me. Professional athletes have personal coaches,
business leaders have personal coaches - they know how
helpful it is to have a guide, a knowledgeable sounding
board, and someone to hold them accountable. Your health is
worth it!
If you visit www.LivingYogaNow.com, you can read about my
coaching services, and get started with some reading and
listening materials I have carefully chosen for their
quality. Attend raw food classes and seminars in your area,
or be adventurous and travel to a raw food seminar. These
are great places to meet others exploring this path to
health, to explore your questions, and to experience
different leaders in the raw food movement. I must caution
you, however, that you will encounter lots of conflicting
information, and it is easy to become confused if you listen
to everything.
You must learn to discriminate, to listen for what makes the
most sense, for what is most whole and natural, and for what
feels best in your body. Immerse yourself in the books,
magazines, tapes, CD's, and DVD's that resonate most with
your deep inner knowing. Notice what inspires you. Spend
as much time as possible in the company of others who share
this interest. Focus your attention every day on health
creation, and your limiting beliefs and samskara will become
ineffective and fall away.
I wish you speedy success on your raw journey!
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Shopping tips:
Melons, stonefruit (peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots),
grapes, blueberries & raspberries, apples, figs (not
local!), tomatoes, and cucumbers are among the best fruits
in season now. For Ann Arbor folks, Arbor Farms has them
all. Check out these prices for organics: local seeded
watermelons $4.99 each; cantaloupes 2 for $6; plums
$1.59#; grapes $1.99#; nectarines & peaches $2.99#, figs
$4.99 for 8 oz.
Makielski Berry Farm has u-pick raspberries (red and yellow
varieties) with no spray, 7130 Platt Rd, Ypsilanti, ½ mile
west of US-23 and 1 mile south of US-12.
How do you know when a melon is ripe? Cantaloupes should
give slightly when pressed with your thumb, and watermelons
should have a hollowish sound when you knock on them. Try
to buy them ripe. Stonefruit should give to the touch, and
most will ripen nicely on your counter, so it's okay to buy
them a little hard. Figs should be VERY soft and squishy,
and very dark and sweet inside, and will ripen on the
counter. Break them in half and devour, skin and all.
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Simple Raw Food Recipes for Fall:
Peach-berry Breakfast Salad
Fill a bowl with lots of chopped peaches and some fresh
blueberries.
Toss with banana sauce (place a couple bananas in the
blender with just enough water to blend), and top with more
fresh berries. For optional crunch, stir in some finely
diced celery.
Fresh Fig Smoothie Blend and drink:
1 lb. bananas, ½ - 1 lb. fresh figs
16 oz. young coconut water
Orange Avocado Slaw
Grate with food processor or chop finely: 8 oz. celery and
8 oz. cabbage
Dressing: Dice 4oz. avocado, stir in 8 oz. fresh squeezed
orange juice, mix with a fork to make a chunky sauce and
toss with the grated celery & cabbage.
Avo-buttered Corn on the Cob
No need for butter and salt, just mash up some avocado and
spread it like butter on an ear of fresh raw sweet-corn. A
little messy, but oh so yummy!
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Who else want to know the easiest, simplest,
most delicious raw food recipes ever?
Instant Raw Sensations, a must-have recipe book!
Click here for more information:
http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/cmd.php?Clk=2005365
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Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows fall behind
you."
- Maori proverb
"Let us live the highest vision of what is possible."
- Inga Grace
"Life is breath. He who half breathes, half lives."
- Ancient proverb
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"White Dove" a poem by yoga teacher Danna Faulds
In the shared quiet, an
invitation arises like a
white dove lifting from
a limb and taking flight.
Come and live in truth.
Take your place in the
flow of grace. Draw
aside the veil you thought
would always separate
your heart from love.
All you ever longed for is
before you in this moment
if you dare draw in a
breath and whisper "Yes."
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Ellen Livingston
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