Stop messing with my food!

Ignorance is bliss. Those words might be "true" for countless life situations...but never when it comes to food and anything else you may put in or on your body, or what we do to the environment, for that matter.

I may not want to know what goes on behind the closed doors of upper management at my job. I might be happier not knowing some of my family history and scandals. And I might be happy handing my car over for service and saying "whatever it takes." BUT, I must say that I am completely fed up with companies, corporations, lobbyists and government officials making decisions (or should I say taking decisions away) that affect food sources of millions of humans and animals, not to mention those decisions that fail to take the environment and our collective health into consideration. The fact that these "powers that be" make these decisions--decisions that have long-term and irrevocable impact on our health and that of local ecosystems--and are able to do so without consulting the voting public is completely beyond me and is one of the few situations in life that really make my blood boil.

In most urban environments, and even in a lot of suburban neighborhoods, people are often limited or prohibited from growing their own food, weather it be gardens for vegetables or chickens for eggs. (God forbid the neighbors be woken up by a crowing rooster.) But, get a bunch of industry leaders, lobbyists, and policy-makers together in one room, and they're likely to cause more damage to the environment (environments that they themselves have rarely, if ever, had the pleasure of experiencing) than an entire city full of backyard chickens and gardens.

The recent decision by President Obama to allow for the UN-regulated use of genetically modified alfalfa is cause for alarm and action. Speak about change all you want, I think it's about time we change the fact that it's lobbyists and corporations who are directly influencing our health in a negative way. It would be one thing if they were "up there" deciding to do away with harmful pesticides, keeping our water and air free from pollution, and keeping only pure healthy food on our grocers' shelves. But the fact is, they're not. Are they truly ignorant of the long-reaching effects of GM alfalfa on our entire ecosystem? The fact that it renders the term "organic" meaningless for anything that's come in contact with the stuff?

The day I find out Monsanto is contributing to Obama's re-election campaign fund, I seriously might flip out.

The more globalized our world becomes, the more obvious it is that everything is connected. It might come as a surprise to some folks that GM alfalfa would have any impact on their lives whatsoever. But, tell that to the scientists studying the connection between Monsanto's genetically engineered "roundup ready" corn and soybeans:

A plant pathologist experienced in protecting against biological warfare recently warned the USDA of a new, self-replicating, micro-fungal virus-sized organism which may be causing spontaneous abortions in livestock, sudden death syndrome in Monsanto’s Roundup Ready soy, and wilt in Monsanto’s RR corn.

I'm sorry, but that paragraph alone gave me chills to think about even continuing reading the article--you mean there's more?

Basically, what it all boils down to on this Earth Day is that consumers need to start educating themselves (and allowing themselves to be educated); we need to start acting on the information as we learn from it, making decisions to not buy and not tolerate harmful, toxic foods and organisms in our grocery stores and restaurants--and we need to let Uncle Sam know that we know and we won't tolerate decisions made that are not in the interest of the greater good of all living things.

Yoga. Ego? A circular rant.

I have found myself a bit overwhelmed lately about the path of yoga in so many classes I attend and media I watch and read. I don't strive nor claim to be a "purist" by any means, yet I still cannot shake the notion that so much of the yoga "for sale" today is somewhat removed from the meditative, contemplative, ego-controlling practice I have come to know and love. So many times, rather than teaching students how to relieve themselves of the control of the ego, many teachers are allowing themselves being controlled and driven by their egos--whether it be through their clothes, how many students they have in class, how many "master teachers" they've studied with, how many students "like" them on Facebook, or how many views they get on YouTube. They are driven by these phenomena, rather than being motivated purely by the reliability and effectiveness of the teachings they are striving to share. By the time a student arrives to a teacher, all these external influences, the desire to "succeed" and become a much-loved yoga teacher, have somewhat tainted the original message.

What are we missing here?

The overwhelming popularity of yoga in the West is partially responsible for the shift in focus. With so many people becoming interested in getting their weekly yoga fix, usually in less than an hour's time, teachers are trying to deliver the message to a larger, more diverse population, and trying to keep everyone happy in the process. With so many new students, many of whom are somewhat concerned that the teachings of yoga may conflict with their own spiritual beliefs, teachers are avoiding the spiritual, psychological aspects of the practice altogether. Left with only asana to teach, instructors are left with more space to worry about wardrobe, soundtrack and inspirational quotes, rather than delivering the scientific facts that yoga practice is designed to teach us to withdraw our senses in order to see the truth.

So, if yoga is truly a deeper, more powerful, more meditative practice than simply asana. If it truly is about recognition of the ego as the driver behind our thoughts, words and actions, what does it say that so many of today's "up and coming" yoga teachers allow themselves to fall victim to the very ego yoga is designed to help us vanquish? I've been so saddened to see some truly beautiful and inspirational yogis follow the path of celebrity, popularity, and the almighty dollar, seeming to forget the true meaning and practice of yoga. And yet, perhaps it's a case of "when in Rome..." I know many teachers who also claim that they are using their celebrity-yoga-teacher, best-that-money-can-buy status to further propagate the teachings; because they're famous, they'll be able to get the message to more people. This may be true, but I also think that only a true master of yoga can walk the fine line between Guru and Celebrity Yoga Model without losing some connection to the true Self, without letting the Ego regain a bit (if not a lot) of control. Can a yoga teacher become a yoga celebrity and still walk the yogic talk? The teachings of yoga have been around for centuries—they speak for themselves. But is the teacher capable of living the teachings they're committed to delivering?

It shouldn’t matter if the conveyor of the message is wearing pink and blue designer yoga capris or sweats and a t-shirt; it shouldn’t matter if they’ve studied with 8 big name yoga “masters” or one true nameless guru; if they’ve traveled to exotic, far-off shalas or if they’ve taught upstairs at a natural grocer: if the teachings are true to the source, seek to shed the ego, aim to reveal the true nature of the Self—if the teacher walks the talk, then that ‘s all I need to know.

To veg or not to veg?

So much chatter going on right now about the vegetarian "controversy," and so many valid points on both sides of the argument. Even without taking yoga into account, the vegetarian lifestyle is so often a point of contention between strangers, friends, and even family. I come from a family omnivores who on more than one occasion while I was growing up would make fun of or pass judgment on those who chose to go the vegetarian route. How ironic when one of their own decided to follow that path for herself!

Then, there are those people who have tried to go veg, and have even lasted 5, 6, or even 10 years without eating any meat. But, then, one day, they caught the aroma of a neighborhood bar-b-que and left their vegetarian ways behind them. I still encounter people on a regular basis who give me an incredulous look and ask, "Do you eat chicken or fish? How do you live without meat? I have to eat meat!" And of course, eating out is always a challenge in my skills of explanation when I have to explain to the server that no, I don't want bacon bits, or bacon or Caesar dressing on my salad, or that I want a BLT with no bacon!

But back to the point at hand here: to veg or not to veg--can you practice yoga and still eat the occasional Big Mac?

Many consider yoga to be a strictly personal endeavor, a journey to the inner depths of the soul in an effort to find peace and enlightenment. One doesn't always need to refer to any outward source to find the path to inner peace. And for many people, this is exactly what yoga is. A way for them to find peace and balance in their own minds and daily lives, with no need to reference ancient or foreign texts or teachings. The physical practice brings flexibility and physical wellbeing, while the meditative practice helps to bring clarity and understanding. Whether one chooses to eat meat or not, then, is an entirely personal decision based on one's personal journey. All that's needed is to listen to your own conscience.

If you're approach to yoga is more, perhaps, universal or buddhist in nature, then it might make the consumption of meat a little more difficult. In following closely both the Buddhist and Hindu influences on yoga, one will find that both histories are closely linked to the vegetarian lifestyle. Commitment to the first Yama of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras is itself a commitment to vegetarianism. How can one be committed to non-violence and non-harming and continue to eat meat? I must say, you cannot have both. The belief in the Oneness of the Universe is the belief that all things are connected, everything impacts and is impacted by everything else. No one, no thing is an island. One can interpret this to mean that we should respect and honor all things, and not cause harm to others as to do so would be to cause harm to ourselves. (This could also be interpreted to mean, in everyday lingo, that it all washes out in the end, and that eating a cow now will be balanced by being eaten by worms later.)

So, go with whatever is your personal decision (and it is personal, whatever you decide). Next to the teaching of non-violence, yoga teaches compassion, understanding and tolerance. And so it is most important that we respect others' decisions, regardless of whether or not they fall in line with our own. My personal decision to not eat meat is entirely my own, not influenced by others, and I try not to push my opinion where it is not invited. For me, it makes sense, and I enjoy such an enormous variety of food that I have not once "missed" meat. But to each, his/her own. We certainly do not need such a controversy to muddy the (relatively) clear waters of the yoga community.

AcroYoga Experience

It's thanks to one of my fellow teachers that I had the opportunity to practice some acroyoga over the weekend. It blew my mind how acroyoga enhances and intensifies the focus on all of those yogic elements: breath, bandhas and drishti. I had to pay such close attention to all three, otherwise I would lose it and fall out of the posture. If you're looking for a way to either deepen your personal practice or just wanting to play with yoga with fellow yogis, I would recommend you try this at least once!

What is the primary series?

"Ashtanga yoga is for all. Everyone can benefit from this practice." ~Sri K Pattabhi Jois

Ashtanga. The primary series. What's there to love?

The primary series of ashtanga yoga is known as "yoga chikitsa" or yoga therapy (this should be the first clue as to why I love it). The first of six progressively challenging series, it is set sequence of postures and vinyasas designed to "unlock" the body part by part, like a combination lock with the purpose of internal cleansing and healing. Starting from basic sequences that focus on major muscle groups (such as forward bends and side stretches), the primary series progresses toward more and more refined postures, requiring attention to smaller groups of muscles and more specific movements(including spinal twists and inversions). Ashtangis fly and float from posture to posture, carried by the breath and fully focused on the present moment. The internal heat created from the continuous flow from one posture to the next, as well as the twists and inversions, acts as a personalized detoxifying agent, aiding in eliminating impurities and inconsistencies from the body. Translated-you'll sweat and wring out whatever bad stuff might be in you.

Asana practice has often been explained to newcomers as "moving meditation," but it takes more than a class or two to gain an inkling as to where the meditation part comes into play. The beauty of the primary series, though, is in its accessibility to all practitioners. Even those new to the universe of yoga can benefit from the practice, as it was designed to be a naturally flowing progression from start to finish. For beginners, their first exposure to the primary series may simply be through the sun salutations and a few standing postures. And yes, it may take a class or three before they're flowing, being carried by their breath. But, due to the very nature of the primary series, the fact that there is a pre-determined sequence, it won't be too long before newcomers are fully experiencing the breath, bandhas and dristi through those first introductory asanas, allowing them a glimpse of what is meant by "moving meditation."

I know of people who get bored with the primary series. They say it's too predictable and they want a class where they don't know what's coming next--the element of surprise and mystery, perhaps? I understand this perspective, because I've been in similar places myself. I've attended classes where all I could think was, "could we please just do something different?" Or, I've wanted to slow down and experience each posture more deeply, but by the time I could engage my bandhas, we were moving through the next vinyasa. It's taken time-some of it more challenging that others. But, I'm happy that, through it all, I've stuck with the primary series and I've been witness as it's taken me to a place where I am able to experience each posture differently, more deeply each time we meet. It is the very fact that I don't have to think about what's next that allows me to be fully present and focus on the experience of each moment.

So, to those yogis who are out there, seeking mystery and adventure both on and off the mat, I would invite you to return to the primary series. Dare yourselves to dive further into the practice and revisit the tried and true sequence. Rather than just jumping about from posture to posture, the primary series offers a beautiful opportunity to take your yoga practice deeper and to a different level each time you step onto your mat.