Let me start, with full disclosure. I know Brian Leaf. He lives in my community. I've shared potluck meals with him and his family. Our kids have even done Yoga together. But now I know Brian Leaf. After reading his book, I feel like I've been on an adventure with him. Learning about real life while traveling in a converted 1990 Toyota Previa minivan, and holding my sides because they hurt so much from laughing. Honestly, my facial muscles have gotten a good workout while reading the book because I've been chuckling to myself all through it. Maybe this is what laughter yoga feels like? Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi highlights the many ups and downs of Leaf's journey as he quested for a connection. A connection to yoga, to health, to spirituality, and to happiness. Through much experimentation and exploration he finds just what he is looking for. And some things he wasn't! Leaf's writing is interspersed with gleeful tangents that closely mirror what goes on in my mind when meditating. I'm thinking about my breath, which reminds me I should be feeling my breath, which reminds me of a funny story about my Aunt Sally's breath. Really, it's all connected. And Leaf does a beautiful job of showing the interconnectedness of everything. Even something like Aunt Sally's breath. This book highlights how each of us is on a spiritual journey. And it's okay. It's okay to not know, it's okay to explore, and it's okay to not always be at your best. It's about the journey. Being in the present moment and finding those keys that truly can unlock your heart and set you free. Leaf found his set of keys. Start finding yours at http://www.misadventures-of-a-yogi.com/. There's even a trailer! Check it out at the end of this post. And, you don't have to believe me that this is a good book. Check out what some others are saying as well: “Brian Leaf is like the Bill Cosby of yoga — recounting common emotions and situations on a yogi’s path in a way that makes you laugh with acknowledgment. His story is so graphic, I felt like I was practically holding his hand! This book is a great reminder of why everyone needs a little yoga — a true dose of physical, emotional, and mental medicine.” — Kathryn Budig, yoga teacher and author of The Women’s Health Big Book of Yoga “Brain Leaf’s charming and engaging account of his yogic journey is sure to strike a chord with readers who are embarking on their own adventures toward health and self-discovery.” — Leslie Kaminoff, yoga teacher and author of Yoga Anatomy “Leaf’s tale unfolds like a trail of delicious bread crumbs leading to the heart of yoga practice. Whether you choose to scarf them down mindlessly or savor every morsel is up to you. But definitely take time to savor Leaf's brilliant self-inquiry.” — Yoga Journal Be Well, Kristin
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There he is. There's the little bugger who decided to sting me a few days ago. Okay, so that's not the bugger, but still. Ouch. Actually what was worse than the sting (which was acquired by completing minding my own business by the way), was the sense of betrayal. Bees are my friends. They pollinate all my plant friends, they make the delicious and nutritious honey I use for so many herbal preparations. They even give me the beeswax that I need to make topical applications. I have friends who study you, bee. And I fully appreciate you in all your amazzzzzzzing complexity. So be nice.
Clearly I'm being dramatic. But hey, it was the first time I've even been stung (even my kids were stung before me). So in lieu of screaming and crying, there it is. Luckily, Plantain was there to rescue me! Old reliable plantain. It's everywhere, from the first tentative greens to first frost. Here's the breakdown: Scientific Name: Plantago (various species) Common Names: Ribwort, Greater Plantain Description: Perennial plant, grows to 0--4 meters. Leaves are long, oval, or lance-shaped. Usually plantain has a rosette of basal leaves with one flowering stalk, ending in an oblong spike of small flowers. Flowers are densely concentrated along the spike. Habitat: Almost everywhere. Throughout N. America, Europe and Northern Asia. Can be found on lawns, pastures, roadsides, fields and meadows. It is a common weed on cultivated grounds. Blooms: April to August. But the leaves (which are the most useful) can last through November. Uses: This is a great plant to use externally for general would healing. Bites, stings, cuts, etc. You can also use it internally for for urinary tract infections and inflammation. Externally, you can simply mash up the fresh leaves between your fingers and apply the poultice to the wound. Make sure you get some of that good green juice in there! Hold in place until swelling or pain subsides. Re-apply as needed. The astringent properties help to stop bleeding, and promote the healing of woulds and injuries. The cooling nature of this plant helps to decrease the inflammation and relieve associated pain. To use internally, make a strong tea out of the leaves and drink as needed until symptoms subside. This is one plant my kids know really well! When we are on a bike ride and the inevitable skinned knee happens, we immediately begin to look for Plantain. It not only takes their minds off the owie, but the plant soothes the pain and allows them to enjoy the rest of the ride. See if you can find it growing outside your front door! ~K Permaculture. Perhaps you've heard this word before. Perhaps you even know what it is and how it works. For those of us who don't, here's the definition: per·ma·cul·ture/ˈpərməˌkəlCHər/ Noun: The development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient. This includes culinary herbs. This includes food. This includes homegrown medicine. It all sounds good in theory, but how does this actually work in the real world? Below is a video that does a great job of showing just how permaculture works, and how it can bring beauty and inspiration to a community. And......your viewing will help bring funding to local schools for their own permaculture gardens. Watch. Be inspired. Enjoy! Here in New England Fall is just peeking through. Cool weather, bright blue skies, and the slightest twinge of reds and golds coloring the edges of leaves. For me the change of seasons signifies a time to cleanse my system and get ready for the new season. Sweeping those toxic cobwebs out also helps to build immunity. Always a good thing, especially since the cold and flu season has already arrived at my door. Which brings me to the Pose of the Week... Don't let the name of this pose scare you. Sure, it's long and hard to pronounce. It's Sanskrit! But just like the actual pose, once you break it down it doesn't seem so scary. The actual translation of this pose: Half Lord of the Fishes. It's not even a whole Lord. This pose is great for stimulating the liver and the kidneys, which makes it a fantastic detoxifier. The liver helping to break down the toxins, and the kidneys flushing them out. Not to mention it feels fantastic on your shoulders, hips and neck, and assists in digestion. Let's break it down. 1. The best way I've found to get into this pose is by starting in Criss-Cross Applesauce. That's my Sanskrit version of sitting with crossed legs. 2. Keeping your right leg where it is, place the sole of your left foot on the floor outside your right hip. Your left knee should be pointing up at the sky. 3. Take a deep breath in as you lengthen your spine by reaching the crown of the head towards the ceiling. Exhale and twist toward the left, starting at the belly and then revolving the chest and then shoulders. Who knows, maybe your head will follow suit. 4. Place your left hand slightly behind you for support, as you deepen the twist by placing the right elbow on the outside of the left knee. 5. Keep the integrity of the pose, by lengthening the spine with each inhale, and twisting a little deeper with each exhale. 6. Release with an exhale, and repeat on the other side. Be sure with this, and every posture, to listen to your body. Really. Listen. If it doesn't feel good, it probably isn't good for you. Now go forth, practice, and detoxify! ~K I've decided that since this site is mostly about herbs and yoga, I should write some specifics on well, herbs and yoga. I am the type of person that loves taxonomy (what can I say, scientific names intrigue me), deep descriptions of the anatomical inter-workings of a pose, and practical breakdowns of how-to-do pretty much anything. This has inspired me to pick apart some of these amazing plants and poses every week. I promise to sprinkle the occasional parenting rants and random thoughts in these post as well, though. It can't be helped. So…..since this particular plant has popped into my life quite frequently during the past few weeks, I decided to first focus on Jewelweed. Lovely name, isn't it? For me it conjures up the image of a green field of tall grasses topped with rainbow colored gems as far as the eye can see. Here are the actual specs on this plant: Scientific Name: Impatiens capensis Common Name: Jewelweed Description: Plants 2-5', stems succulent. Leaves oval or elliptic. Flowers are orange and yellow, solitary, drooping, with nectar spur (which basically looks like tiny little cornucopias or trumpets). Habitat: Moist roadside ditches, woods, and streams Blooms: Summer-Fall Fun Fact: Jewelweed is actually water repellant, so water droplets bead up on its surface. The drops look like tiny jewels on the surface, hence the name. Just another great reason for a rainy walk. Okay, do you have a picture of it in your head? Probably since there is a picture right here. Uses: This is a fantastic anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, analgesic (pain reliever), and anti-itch remedy. Just break open a stem and slather that lovely juiciness onto your cuts, scrapes, warts, etc. This plant is fantastic to treat poison ivy. Trust me, I am nursing a patch right now. Scratch, scratch. For treatment of poison ivy or other rashes, you can simply make an infusion (strong tea), by gathering a nice big handful of Jewelweed, mashing it a bit, and adding a pint of water. Simmer this for about 30 min . It comes out a beautiful orange color! Cool it, then pop it into a spray bottle and spritz when needed. Keep it in the fridge for 7-10 days. If you want it to stick around a little longer, you can make a tincture or salve out of fresh jewelweed. I see a tutorial in our near future! Then you can apply it or take it internally for specific conditions. Of which I'm sure you will research thoroughly. My favorite way to extract the medicinal constituents in jewelweed is witch hazel, however. You prepare it the same as the tincture, but replace the vodka with witch hazel. Don't take this one internally! Added bonus: witch hazel is great for skin conditions, and preserves the medicinal goodness. Apply as needed! This plant is almost everywhere in the country, except the far north and the southwest. Sorry my Flagstaff and Alaska peeps! You'll have to visit to catch this one in bloom. Scratch, Scratch, ~Kristin It's come. Tomorrow marks the first day of school for my little ones, officially ending our long days of summer. I can honestly say that we have squeezed the life out of every single day. Soaking up each moment of sunshine possible, and being as creative and spontaneous as can be. But even though my thoughts are turning to cool weather and sharing pots of hot tea with friends, it's still not Fall quite yet. I liken these transitional times to the pause between the in breath and the out breath. The brief moment that you hold all that sweet energy in, and it nourishes you all the way down to your lovely little cells. I encourage you to be aware of that powerful space between the breaths. And this lovely transitional time. When you can still feel the warm kiss of sun on your shoulders, but can appreciate the warm cup of tea between your hands as you reflect on your favorite moments from the season past. Here's some of my favorites..... ~Kristin
I'm so in love with the Rosemary growing in my yard right now, I decided to pull this post out of the archives. This is one plant you NEED to know. It's easygoing, always around when you need it, and willing to listen to all of your rantings and ravings. Just like a good friend. :) Whether you choose to put it in a pot or in the ground, it is almost guaranteed to get tall, bushy, and permeate your yard with its amazing scent. Its scent is also great for keeping herb loving insects at bay, so may want to consider planting it around your garden as a natural insecticide. Personally I use Rosemary almost every day in the kitchen, and also use it to make an herbal shampoo that smells divine! Check out the stats of this old friend below and the recipe for the shampoo that follows. Rosemary (Rosmarius officinalis) Description: Rosemary belongs to the Lamiaceae, or mint family, and have square stems, purple two-lipped flowers and abundant fragrance-bearing oil glands typical of many members of the mint family (HerbSociety of America, 2010). Growing Tips: Set out plants in the spring when the weather has warmed. Plant in full sun, but in the warmer climates they will accept some light shade. They thrive in a light, well-drained, soil. During the growing season, pinch back growth tips two or three inches to promote bushy plants; cut back hard only in early spring to allow the new growth time to mature (NGA, 2010). Most rosemary varieties are reliably hardy to only 20°F; however, gardeners in cold-winter areas can successfully grow rosemary indoors in a container with a fast-draining potting soil. Bring the plants indoors at least several weeks before your area's first frost date. Feed the potted rosemary regularly with fish emulsion and provide good air circulation to ward off harmful mildew (NGA, 2010). Parts Used: Leaves Uses: Rosemary is a great treatment for headaches. It is also useful for indigestion, colic, nausea, gas, and fevers (Tierra, 1998). It is also high in calcium and thus is a benefit to the entire nervous system, as well as having antibiotic properties. Rosemary can also be used for the hair and scalp; use as a cooled strong tea as a rinse after shampoo (Tierra, 1998). This herb is used in just about every type of culinary dish with fruit, eggs, salads, sauces and meat. Rosemary Herbal Shampoo 8 oz water 3 oz Liquid Castille Soap 4 TBSP Rosemary Leaf 20-60 drops essential oil (optional) 1/4 tsp organic Jojoba or Olive oil (adjust as needed – use more for dry hair or may omit for oily hair) Make an herbal infusion, or strong tea, by pouring boiling water over the herbs. Cover, and allow them to steep for at least 4 hours. Strain the herbs out and pour the remaining liquid into a bottle, then adding the Castille soap and oils. Rosemary is good for any hair type. It is also effective treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, dermatitis, and hair loss. *This recipe is adapted from Mountain Rose Herbs (2011). References: Herb Society of America.org (2010) Herb Society of America Fact Sheet. Retrieved May 31, 2010 from www.herbsociety.org. Mountain Rose Herbs (2011). Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www.mountainroseherbs.com. National Gardening Association.org (2010) Retrieved May 31, 2010 from http://www.garden.org Tierra, M. (1998). The Way of Herbs. New York, NY: Pocket Books. I love the ocean. The vast expanse, the rhythmic rise and fall of its waves, and the inevitable sense of calm it instills in me. I am eagerly anticipating our next visit to the ocean in a few days. But most of the time, I'm not at the ocean. Luckily, there is another way to reach out and grab a piece of that calm and stillness; Ujjyai pranayama, or Ocean breath. While often called upon during Yoga asanas to cool the body and focus the mind, Ocean Breath can also be used during meditation as well. It's a great tool to create the stillness and focused attention that meditation requires. I encourage you to try it out. Here's how: 1. Find a comfortable seat. Maybe it's a chair, or cushion on the floor. Find what feels good to you. 2. Inhale deeply and exhale completely. Feel your chest and belly expand and rise with the inhale and condense and fall with the exhale. Do this until you begin to feel your body relax. 3. On your next inhale, softly constrict the back of your throat. These are the glottis muscles, the same muscles that work when you have a quick intake of breath. Breath deep and slow. You will hear the air flowing into your lungs, and understand where this breath got its name. 4. Exhale slowly. Keep that same slight constriction at the back of the throat. Try to make your exhale as long as your inhale. Repeat for at least 10-15 breaths. Meditation can be intimidating. But this simple little breathing exercise isn't. Try it out; you'll feel the vast expanse, the rhythm of life, and the stillness that helps us appreciate it. Breathing in…….and out, Kristin Henningsen, M.S., C.H., R.Y.T. Yoga is not just for adults anymore. More and more research has come out on the benefits of yoga practice for children of all ages. From the cooing baby to independent teenager, Yoga can benefit all ages. While there are more and more Yoga classes geared towards these different age groups, there are also a lot of ways to engage your kids at home. Introducing Yoga to your kids will not only help them be physically active, self-confident, and able to handle stressful situations; it will also help you do the same.
To get your kids involved, it's a good idea to start by doing yoga with them. This doesn't require that you enroll in expensive classes, however. There are many resources that you can explore at home. Below is a list of my favorites. Books, Cd's, websites, and videos. Check them out and have fun! Books Bersma, D. & Visscher, M. (2003) Yoga Games for Children. Alameda, CA: Hunter House Inc. Solis, S. (2006). Storytime Yoga. Boulder, CO: The Mythic Yoga Studio. Tummers, N. (2009). Teaching Yoga for Life. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Wenig, M. (2003). Yoga kids: Edcuating the whole child through yoga. New York, NY: Stewart, Tabori, & Chang. CD's http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kirawilley/ http://www.karmakidsyoga.com/ComePlayYoga.html http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ckcarbone Websites http://www.youngyogamasters.com/ http://yogakids.com/ http://www.karmakidsyoga.com/yoga_poses.html http://shaktakaurkhalsa.wordpress.com/ Videos http://www.namastekid.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmeTZGr_R5Q http://www.storytimeyoga.com/ Once engaged in Yoga practice, try exploring those classes in your area. You can enroll in classes with your children, or register them for an independent class. Find what works for you and your family. The benefits will be great! Namaste, Kristin Henningsen M.S., C.H., R.Y.T. If your summer is anything like mine, it's been an almost daily get up and go, go, go! It seems that every day is a new excursion and adventure for me and my two little ones. Beach, camping, hiking, biking, picking fruits and veggies, museums, trips to the library….I'm getting tired just writing it down. While I love the spontaneity of summer, I tend to thrive when I have a routine. Some things just don't get done when there's chaos! However, this summer I have been particularly proud of myself at the consistency I've kept with my home Yoga practice. This is usually the first thing to go. But when you compromise on your healthy practices, the next thing you compromise is your health. Here's some strategies I've used to keep my home practice consistent this summer. 1. Get Up Okay, this is a no brainer. But in the summer it can be easy to sleep in, especially when your kids are sleeping late (aka 7:30). So….get up! Before the kids and have some alone time, even if it means going to bed a little bit earlier or setting an alarm. Quiet Yoga in the morning= bliss. 2. Make it a Priority Yes, you need to vacuum, sweep, and clean the bathrooms. But first….you need to practice. It will make every action and interaction for the rest of your day so much more engaged, peaceful, and meaningful. If you don't get to the sweeping, forgive yourself and smile. You stood up for yourself and what you believe in. 3. Get Creative Yoga doesn't always need to be on the mat. In fact, I most often do Yoga off my mat. While making pancakes, waiting in line, while the kids are taking their time, even driving. It's easy to find time and space do practices breathing exercises and meditation. Even some standing postures and balance postures are totally appropriate for public. If anyone stares, smile. 4. Break it up Sometimes I feel like I am at the constant beck and call of my kids. And I am. It is a rare event that I get to practice Yoga without being interrupted by someone or something. So, I break up my practice into bits. Warm-up sequences here, sun salutations after breakfast, standing postures after clean-up, final stretches before bedtime…You get the idea. 5. Forgive and Forget If you don't get to your Yoga practice one day, it's okay. Forgive yourself and move on. Tomorrow is another day. The important thing is that you are aware of how important your practice is to you, and that you honor yourself by taking the time for it every day that you can. And now…time for my Savasana (Corpse Pose) for the day. Ahhh! The sweet rewards of practice! Namaste, Kristin Henningsen M.S., C.H., R.Y.T. |
AuthorI am constantly amazed by the healing power of yoga and herbs. They inspire me to heal, to write, to teach, and to keep exploring. Archives
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