The World According to Om Gal

Please Visit Our New "Om"

2010-10-26T08:32:00.000-04:00

Thank you for reading! After nearly three years, OmGal.com has a shiny, new hOMe. No longer located on Blogger, we've created a clean, unique, and user-friendly design, just for you! Please visit by retyping www.omgal.com into your browser or clicking here. (Be sure to change your bookmark).

I'd love to hear your feedback on the new site, and I am so grateful for your support.

Om Shanti,

Rebecca

Seated Yoga for Head of the Charles Athletes & The Rest of Us

2010-10-25T07:35:00.000-04:00

In honor of the athletes who participated in the Head of the Charles Regatta this weekend, in Boston, I wanted to share a simple seated yoga sequence to relax tight shoulders, stretch the entire spine, and massage abdominal organs. For those who didn't row (skull?) in the world's largest two-day rowing event, this short sequence is also very beneficial. For one, it counterbalances computer hunch by improving posture and opening the upper back . . . Not that you ever slouch at your desk, right, OGs?

Advanced Backbending Series: Wheel to Handstand

2010-10-18T05:00:00.008-04:00

You know I would bend over backwards for you, right, yogis? Or, in this case, I'll show you how to bend over backwards. The video, here, is an advanced sequence that I enjoy a lot, so I thought I'd share it. Please note: it's important to be highly proficient at wheel pose (urdhva dhanurasana) before attempting the first stage, which is simply to lift one leg and place your foot against a wall. Over time, you'll transition into handstand, initially, with the help of a teacher or spotter. For backbending tips of all levels, see 6 Tips for Safe Backbends.

If there's a pose or sequence you'd like to see broken down on video (beginner or advanced), please post a comment.

Om Gal Gear: My Multi-Tasking Skirt-Scarf Thingy

2010-10-14T10:30:00.000-04:00

Multi-tasking can be good, like meditating while the water boils for a pot of tea, reading on the elliptical machine at the gym, or emptying the dishwasher during a commercial break. However, it can also be a terrible idea. Texting while driving, answering your cell phone during yoga, or using your yoga class as a bendier, sweatier version of Match.com.

When it comes to clothing, I'm a believer that multi-tasking is great. For instance, while studying abroad in college, I bought a piece of fabric in Kenya. First, I hung it on the wall in my dorm room, then I wore it as a sarong. Next, it became a tablecloth, and, finally, a scarf. Snicker all you like about a gal who wants to wear a tablecloth around town, but I call it being "resourceful." (Shhhh, if you're quiet you can almost hear the exasperated sigh of Om Mama).

Fast forward ~~a couple~~, ~~a few~~, 10 years, and I am still pulling off (and putting on) the same creative dressing antics. My latest inspiration is a skirt-scarf-thingy that I bought at lululemon a couple weeks ago. Ever since, I've been incorporating it into my wardrobe on and off the mat.

It was an added layer of warmth, as a skirt, while climbing Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire.

Then, it came in handy as a disguise when I had to run from authorities. Kidding . . . It was a useful hood to block the wind at the top of the mountain.

Naturally, it makes a nice scarf.

It also works as a vest, which Om Gal intern Megan thought was pretty nifty. (She took this photo).

For those who get chilly in sivasana (body temperature tends to drop during meditation), it's a cozy, light blanket.

Or a meditation shawl.

What do you think, OGs [om guys and gals]? Which function is your favorite? When is multi-tasking good? When is bad, very bad?

I've Been Shot During Yoga & KO'd on a Golf Course

2010-10-12T11:08:00.002-04:00

Last week, I thought I was being shot at during a yoga class. It’s embarrassing, but I can explain.

It was a special class featuring a live DJ, and my mat was positioned near the speakers. While DJ Mantra was making some technical adjustments, something backfired or short-circuited, which caused a huge kaboom! I swear it sounded like a gunshot. From downward facing dog, I hit the deck and reflexively curled up in a ball, protecting my head. Good instincts, right? Except for one crucial fact: I WAS IN A YOGA CLASS. Not a war zone. Not on a hunting trip. Not stranded in a back alley in gang territory. Not, even, visiting a movie set where gunfire is simulated. A yoga studio: where the most violent crimes against humanity include leaving your cell phone on and flatulence.

My dear friend, Chanel Luck, who was teaching class, found the whole scene highly entertaining (who could blame her?), but, although ridiculous, she'd probably tell you it wasn't totally out of character to those who know me best. In other words, I'm great at making a fool of myself. It's not a frequent occurrence, per say, but when I humiliate myself, I do a really thorough job, especially in athletic settings.

There was the time, as a teen, when I got stuck in a rowing machine while admiring a cute boy at the gym. My T-shirt snagged under the seat, rendering me trapped, and the gym staff had to use scissors to cut me free. The back of the shirt had a giant chunk missing afterward, so I told people I'd been attacked by a shark.

More recently, I nearly knocked myself unconscious while golfing with Om Bro, my Dad, and my then new beau. We'd just teed off in a friendly tournament, when I hustled back to the cart. Unfortunately, the roof of the cart was precisely my height, so I slammed my head full-force into the cart, falling flat on my back (thank goodness for the semi soft landing of a manicured green). My Dad and beau were stunned in silence. From the ground, in my KO'd state, I could only hear my brother, exasperated and more than a little amused, "Rebecca, are you serious?"

Yes, I am serious. A serious klutz. A serious hazard to myself, even in sports and activities with as little contact as yoga, indoor rowing, and golf. Sad, isn't it? So, now that I've shared some of my more colorful, more embarrassing moments with you, it's your turn, om guys and gals.

Tell me about your most embarrassing yoga or athletic moment. I have a feeling there will be a lot of anonymous comments on this one . . .

On Columbus Day: 6 Pioneers Who Changed the Yoga World

2010-10-11T07:11:00.000-04:00

The following is a list of people whom I'd call the great pioneers of modern yoga-- teachers who changed the shape of the yoga world, from a "flat" existence in one corner of the map, to a rounded, global experience by countless cultures and people.

6 Pioneers of Modern Yoga

Patanjali (150 B.C.E.): Like Christopher Columbus, Patanjali is sometimes credited with "discovering" yoga; however, the truth is that people had already been practicing yoga for centuries before he collated the sacred teachings into an organized text called The Yoga Sutras.

Krishnamacharya (1880): Krishnamacharya believed yoga to be "India's greatest gift to the world," and through his teaching and, later, his disciples (Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar among them), he further developed the practice and disseminated it to a larger audience.

Paramahasna Yogananda (1893): Author of the book Autobiography of a Yogi, Yogananda moved to the United States in 1920 and is thereby credited with being the first Hindu teacher to make his permanent home in America. Yogananda had a brother who was also an influential yoga teacher and the guru of Bikram Chouhury, a popular and polarizing figure within the yoga community today and the first to franchise a style of yoga practice.

Pattabhi Jois (1915): The late Pattabhi Jois was one of Krishnamarycha's most recognized students. The creator of ashtanga yoga, Jois was the first yogi to accept Westerners as students at his ashram in southern India. Some of these students included Norman Allen, Sharon Gannon and David Life, of Jivamukti Yoga, Doug and David Swenson, Tias Little, and many others.

Maharishi Mahesh (1918): Perhaps best known for his mentorship of The Beatles and other celebrities in the 1960s, the Maharishi was the most visible yogi to travel and teach outside of India in his day.

B.K.S. Iyengar (1918): Like Jois, Iyengar is also part of Krishnamarycha's lineage. The living legend turns 92 in December. His books are among the most influential, accessible, and articulate yoga resources on the market. He trained several of modern yoga's top teachers including Boston's Patricia Walden.

For A Guide to Different Styles of Yoga, click here.

Quote: John Lennon

2010-10-11T06:34:00.003-04:00

We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself. You've got to keep watering it. You've got to really look after it and nurture it.

-John Lennon (former Beatle, who would have been 70 today).

Night blooming cyrus, a rare blossom, nurtured by Om Mama all year. It blooms once annually, at night, for just a few fragrant hours.

Step on a Crack; Don't Break a Yogi's Back: 6 Tips for Safe Backbends

2010-10-08T10:24:00.003-04:00

Safe backbends keep the spine supple, heart open, and core strong, among many other benefits. When done correctly, these poses energize and detoxify the body, leaving yogis feeling cleansed and revitalized—no master cleansing required. Whereas a forward bend is calming and introspective, a backbend is opening and awakening. Last weekend, I held a workshop that focused specifically on backbends, called: Fall Head Over Heels.

On the heels of the workshop (sorry, you know I'm a sucker for a good pun), I've been answering a lot of questions regarding backbends, such as upward facing dog (urdhva mukha svanasana), shown above, bow (dhanurasana), camel (ustrasana), wheel (urdhva dhanurasana), and more advanced variations, including transitions from wheel into camel, drop-backs, and more. To help make your poses more accessible, safe, and advanced, I've compiled some key backbending tips to keep in mind.

Solid foundation: Every asana must begin with a steady and relaxed foundation. In upward dog (shown above), my ankles and feet are relaxed, while my thighs are squeezing and lifting, helping to alleviate any pressure in my low spine. My hands, too, should be well-aligned (shoulder-width distance apart) and rooting strongly into the earth. My right hand, for example, should be flatter to the ground, here. (Shame on me).

Strong legs: After intense backbending, I tell yogis that, if anything, their legs should be sore, as opposed to their backs. Before I reach backward in the pose below, my legs must be wide awake. The front thigh is driving forward, while the back leg is, again, squeezing and lifting.

Tucked tailbone: This is very important for the safety of your lower back. Tucking your tailbone helps lift and lengthen the spine upward before it bends back.

Supportive core: Think of your core as a supportive, broad belt (like the type worn by UPS workers or body builders). Its job is to protect your spine. The abdominal work often incorporated into yoga classes today helps to support poses such as backbends, along with inversions, in particular.

Relaxed shoulders: My male students, especially, are sometimes perplexed by backbends. They know they're strong enough to do them but often struggle with accessing poses such as wheel or king dancer (below). The magic ingredient for these backbends is space and flexibility in the shoulders. More muscles in your upper back and shoulders (likely found in om guys, buff gals, swimmers, and others) leads to less flexibility. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (be proud of your strength!); however, it will hinder some of your backbends. Aim to open the shoulders before attempting deep backbends, and in any backbend, focus on dropping your shoulders down. This will also create space and safety for your neck . . .

Safe cervical spine: Keeping your spine safe during backbends is the utmost priority. For this reason, the tailbone tucks, the mid-spine lifts, the shoulders drop, and the neck remains long. It can be tempting to crank your head back in upward dog or wheel, for example, but this doesn't provide any discernible benefit to the pose. Over time, it can hurt your all-important neck. In most cases, try aiming your eyes/gaze (known as drishti) straight ahead, rather than overly up or down.

Focus on these tips and you'll be able to open your heart and energize for the weekend ahead and beyond. Enjoy!

Style Saturday: I Heart Hats

2010-10-02T05:47:00.015-04:00

A few years ago, after working late at a magazine in Boston, I hovered in the doorway of my boss's office to say good night. Unfortunately, I scared the crap out of her.

"Jesus Christ!" she gasped. "You look like broccoli."

She had a point. I was wearing this hat.

It's come to my attention, recently, that I have a thing for hats. Along with broccoli hats, I am fond of:

Boyish hats . . .

Bohemian hats . . .

The flower is real, a gardenia from Om Mama.

Championship hats . . .

I went home and cried after this photo was taken. It was my first official night of Boston Marathon training: 9 miles, up Heartbreak Hill to Kenmore Square, in sub-zero temperatures, and I knew it was only going to get worse. My hair was partially frozen beneath my 2004 Sox hat.

En route to the gym.

While not wearing a Patriots hat, per say (of course I need to represent all 3 of my teams), this photo was taken at Gillette Stadium with my marathon training partner, Cara, in October 2009. Yes, really . . . October, and yes, that's snow.

Fedora hats . . .

On Vinita (left), Livity. Me: Billabong.

And, the newest addition: Ear-flappy hats . . .

Purchased at the first Ibex store, Newbury Street, Boston.

I'm not sure why I dig hats so much. It might be an unhealthy obsession, or a creative form of self-expression. (Thoughts, om guys and gals?) For now, I'll chalk it up to a harmless vice to protect me from the elements this fall and winter. Hats off to October & happy weekend, all!

We All Want Only One Thing in Life: Happiness

2010-10-01T05:50:00.008-04:00

People who inspire me tend to illustrate how similar we all are, rather than how different. They reveal what is most special inside each one of us, instead of insisting that they are more special than the rest. They are leaders who unite, rather than divide. Teachers who speak with integrity, as opposed to ego. Spiritual guides with grace, and without grandiosity Friends, relatives, and neighbors who do selfless, substantial, soul-strengthening things when no one is looking, all day long, just because . . .

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai, for example, will often tell audiences that we are all the same. We fundamentally want only one thing in life: To be happy. In the video below, taken last year when he was in Boston, the Dalai Lama explains that our best chance for being happy is by, first, being present. He offers that by continually distracting and overstimulating our senses (with TV, music, etc.), we run the risk of being dependent on these experiences and sad when we do not have them. This leaves us feeling "lonely" and "uncomfortable," he says.

So, today, I'd like to turn it over to you, readers . . . What makes you happy to the fully present core of your being? Let's enumerate all the ways, large and small, triumphant and trivial, in which we feel grounded, joyful, creative, supported, and calm. Happy Friday!

Quote: Meditation

2010-09-29T22:54:00.000-04:00

"When we speak of meditation, it is important for you to know that this is not some weird cryptic activity, as our popular culture might have it. It does not involve becoming some kind of zombie, vegetable, self-absorbed narcissist, navel gazer, 'space cadet,' cultist, mystic, or Eastern philosopher. Meditation is simply about being yourself and knowing something about who that is. It is about coming to realize that you are on a path whether you like it or not, namely, the path of your life. Meditation may help us to see that this path we call our life has direction; that it is always unfolding, moment by moment; and that what happens now, in this moment, influences what happens next."

-Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go There You Are

6 Tips for a Fall Detox

2010-09-27T07:21:00.007-04:00

Toasting fall with a carrot, beet, cucumber, & apple juice in Boston.

This may come as a surprise, but I'm not so keen on cleanses. If I'm feeling toxic or low energy or- let's call it like it is- like I've gone hog wild with red wine and chocolate lately, then I curb my overindulgent ways by erring in the direction of raw fruits and vegetables and plenty of water. I go for a run. I meditate. I spend some time in the steam room of my gym. I don't endure days of a liquid-only diet. I don't condone grown ups eating baby food for any reason. And when students or friends tell me they're on the Master Cleanse, it makes me completely anxious.

'Please don't faint in my yoga class,' I think.

'Please don't end up with an eating disorder.'

I see the merit of giving one's system a rest and healthful restart, especially during certain times of the year and with proper supervision, if your organs need it. However, more often than not, I watch cleanses used as starvation diets, with the virtuous disguise of a yogi ritual.

On the other hand, I am a junkie when it comes to lifestyle cleansing. I would detox my home, thoughts, and habits all darn day if I could. Give me a stack of junk mail, and I'll happily go to town. Show me a bulging, bloated closet, and I'll delight in extracting the Mrs. Roper dresses and trucker hats until what remains is a functional wardrobe of wearable clothing. Plop me down on a meditation cushion to consider my toxic thought patterns, and I am IN.

Cleansing of this kind is essential. De-cluttering like this energizes us. Evaluating the pollutants in our lives (both physical and psychological) helps us reconnect to our power source. No forgoing of solid foods necessary . . .

To help you feel re-energized and inspired for the new season, here are my 6 Tips for a Fall Detox:

Closet Cleanse: Each season, it's important to review your wardrobe and shed items that no longer fit, you don't wear, or could be put to better use at a local homeless shelter. If your duds seem too posh for the castaway pile, try consignment, perhaps using the earned money for a fun, fall purchase.

The fruits of a previous closet cleanse, heading off to Goodwill.

Technology Diet: Pratyhara is the fifth limb of Patanjali's 8-limed yogic path, and I've been thinking about this guiding principle a lot lately, especially as it relates to technology. Pratyhara teaches us a "withdrawal of the senses," as a way to hone our abilities of delving inward and examining our inner lives. Before you kick off your newest chapter of 2010, try unplugging for a day or weekend. Turn off all iPods, iPhones, Blackberries, TVs, laptops, etc., and experience the quiet and clarity that comes from this simple experiment. You'll immediately notice that you, as well as your devices, will be recharged afterward.

Recharging my laptop and myself at the Denver airport this summer.

Natural Supplement: To truly appreciate a change of the seasons, no matter how subtle, get outside! Be with nature. Supplement your daily routine with a trip to the mountains, a beach, lakefront, local park, or garden patch. Even the smallest doses of time spent in nature can clear nervous energy and make you feel rooted.

A stolen moment during the Natural Living Expo this weekend, Sturbridge, MA

Feel the Burn: Sounds like I'm going to tell you to try Crossfit or some other calorie-scorching activity, right? Nope. (That's for another post someday). Fire is one of the most cleansing elements, and integrating it into our lives can be effective for clearing old energy. An aromatherapy candle easily calms, while the first sparks of a campfire excite. Recently, I received the gift of a sacred piece of wood from Peru, known as a palo santo, which is said to purify and protect when lit throughout one's home. I can't wait to try it. The woodsy smell alone is enough to snap me back to the present moment.
Play with Your Food: Too often conventional cleanses are restrictive and rigid. Why not have fun with your food? To savor the new season, bake apples for breakfast. Be the first on your block to carve a pumpkin. Try a new recipe using seasonal ingredients to connect you to the time of year.
Go Organ-ic: While I recommend buying organic whenever possible, I'm referring to your organs, here. Twisting yoga poses bring attention to your organs, helping to cleanse internally. No joke. Try adding more twisting poses to your practice right now, such as twisting triangle (parivrrta trikonasana) or a seated twist (ardha matseyendrasana), below.

Have your own surefire ways of clearing old energy and making way for the new? Share them here, and happy fall to you!

Fieldhouse of Dreams: Yoga Reaches Out/Global Mala Boston at Gillette Stadium

2010-09-20T14:23:00.006-04:00

In what you might call the Battle of the Beautiful Quarterbacks (also known as the New England Patriots vs. the New York Jets game), Tom Brady's team fell to Mark Sanchez's 28-14 yesterday. Despite the Patriots' loss, there was much rejoicing on its practice field, in the Dana-Farber Field House. Sadly, this had nothing to do with football*.

Instead, hundreds of yogis convened for Yoga Reaches Out/Global Mala Boston, a daylong event featuring talented yoga teachers and musicians to benefit Children's Hospital Boston and Yoga for Single Moms.

I was honored to emcee the whole event and teach during the morning session's Global Mala celebration. Boston has participated in this worldwide yoga event (the brainchild of Shiva Rea) since its inception four years ago. 10 of Boston's favorite teachers treated yogis to a 108-minute practice that included everything from Vinyasa, to Hip Hop, to restorative yoga. The featured instructors were (in order of appearance): Brian Lam, Chanel Luck (co-creator of Global Mala Boston), Me, Jacqui Bonwell, Roberto Lim (co-creator of Global Mala Boston), Lynne Begier, Christine Raffa, Amy Leydon, Bo Forbes, and Bonnie Argo. Here's a video clip from Lynne's Hip Hop Yoga sequence, to one of my fav running songs. It still makes me think of Heartbreak Hill whenever I hear it (but, in a good way) . . .

Global Mala concluded with music as well, though, not the hip hop variety. Daphne Tse performed an interlude during sivasana, followed by a set of kirtan chanting before lunch. After lunch, Ana Forrest, creator of Forrest Yoga, took the stage to lead a challenging, heart opening, thigh scorching, toxic energy releasing practice. She began the class by invoking the spirits of all four directions: North, South, East, and West (Ana derives much inspiration from Native American culture and philosophy). I thought you might enjoy seeing a portion of the sacred ceremony.

In between my emcee and teaching duties, I still found time to enjoy the company of my fellow yogi friends (new and old), soak up the experience of being at Gillette, and goof off a bit. Shocker, I know . . .

Fellow Boston-based teacher Bo Forbes and me. (The matching outfits were an accident).

Feeling the turf between my toes.

The 40-yard line, like never before.

Coconut water, anyone?

The event concluded with another stirring musical performance and guided meditation by kirtan and indie-pop rock performer Wade Imre Morissette. Keep an eye out for his forthcoming movie musical, "Ultimate Boon," shooting in India soon.

Finally, it was time to go, and the gratitude among us was profound. The event's key organizers, all inspiring women whom I am proud to call my friends: Chanel Luck (left), Bonnie Argo (not pictured), Sarah Gardner (center), and Laurin Panzano (right), took the stage.

Tomorrow, the New England Patriots reclaim their practice field, and I can't help wondering if there will be some residual love and gratitude in air. We'll have to ask Tom Brady . . . For more photos of the event, please visit the OmGal.com Facebook fan page, Facebook.com/omgalblog.

*I fully acknowledge that there are certain subjects about which I cannot be neutral and unbiased. Among these are: Boston sports teams (staunchly loyal), yoga (constructively critical), and mayonnaise (I hate mayonnaise of any kind).

Get Your Global Mala On!

2010-09-15T11:26:00.004-04:00

For more information about the Global Mala tradition around the world, each September, and to find a celebration near you, visit the Global Mala Project's website. To sign up for the Boston event at Gillette Stadium, where I'll be teaching, please visit the Yoga Reaches Out website.

The clip below, featuring my friend and one of the event organizers Bonnie Argo, offers more details regarding the festivities in Boston, including a workshop with Ana Forrest. Bonnie's accent is way cooler than mine, too. Enjoy!

Peace,
Rebecca

Prima Laugha-rina

2010-09-14T11:14:00.002-04:00

When I was young, I did ballet, and like many young girls (and some boys), I loved it. I had high hopes of living in New York City one day and dancing professionally, no doubt mentored by Barishnykov or the elegant, eclectic troupe at Alvin Ailey. I would wear tattered jeans over my tights and live in a studio apartment (which, at the time, conjured up visions of an urban dwelling that resembled a spacious dance studio with an open layout and hardwood floors . . . oh, the irony).

In truth, a studio apartment is a shoebox; I could never live in NYC (the Yankees play there), and I'm built more like a beach volleyball player than a ballerina (without an ounce of volleyball related skill), not to mention my second toe is abnormally long and, therefore, a nuisance in pointe shoes. I digress . . . I loved ballet, and soon after I stopped dancing regularly in high school, I started doing yoga. At that stage, my flexibility came in handy, and I naturally gravitated toward yoga's gracefulness and precision. And, I haven't danced since.

While I've toyed with the idea of an adult ballet class here in Boston (heck, I live a few pirouettes away from Boston Ballet), I never make it past the mental check list of "where does one buy ballet shoes?" and "how ridiculous will I look in a leotard?"

Fortunately, I was able to bypass the check list and experience a glimmer of my ballet days last night at the gym. Yup, the gym. Perhaps you've noticed that ballet-inspired workouts are leaping into popularity right now. Some are fused with weights such as Equinox's Barre Burn or yoga and pilates (a la Barre3- Madonna is a fan), and all aim to let you plie your way to long muscles and a tutu-worthy tush.

I had a blast. I looked ridiculous. I can't wait to do it again.

Quote: Henry David Thoreau

2010-09-12T06:09:00.001-04:00

"Only that day dawns to which we are awake."

-Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Photo: Yogis arriving on Boston Common the morning of Global Mala Boston, September 2009.

The Evolution of Yoga Events

2010-09-11T10:47:00.004-04:00

When I was in college, I would often wake up at the ungodly hour of 8:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings (the college equivalent of roughly 5:00 a.m. for the rest of society) to attend an ashtanga yoga class in a church basement off campus. It was an incredibly challenging 2-hour class, and I was younger than the other yogis by a decade or more. I still recall how peaceful, reverent, and special these classes felt, and this Saturday morning ritual became my first idea of a yoga "event." I would look forward to class all week, and, for me, it took on the air of a special occasion.

My peers, of course, thought I was a weirdo, and I can scarcely blame them. I would slip out my apartment's front door, past the beer pong table, while my three roommates slept. One sunny Virginia morning, I trotted toward my car, yoga mat in tow, surprised to see that my neighbors were awake, along with their entire fraternity on the front lawn. Just a few hours earlier we'd heard them "sledding" down their carpeted stairs on cookie sheets, so I suspect they probably hadn't gone to bed yet. This might come as a shock, but they weren't going to yoga. They were getting an early start on tailgating for the football game that day. Now, that's an event, especially in the South.

I winced when one of them asked me where I was going.

"Yoga," I offered sheepishly (a hint of a question in my voice).

To which there wasn't so much of a response as a confused and drunken expression (without being drunken, the expression would doubtless remain confused: what the heck is yoga? said the expression), followed by the generous offer of a huge red plastic cup filled with jungle juice. I politely declined, waved good bye, and drove away.

This was ten years ago, and, oh my, how yoga and the criteria for its events have changed. From stealing away for my makeshift Saturday morning yoga parties in 2000 to joining 10,000+ other yogis for a class in Central Park this June, to flying to Colorado for the newest yoga and music festival in July, big yoga and wellness events with broad appeal are now the norm.

This month, there are several events on my radar:

Yoga Reaches Out/Global Mala: The largest yoga event in New England to date, this daylong yoga benefit for Children's Hospital Boston and Yoga for Single Moms will be held at Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots. This event coincides with Global Mala, an annual yoga event, wherein yogis around the world gather in their respective cities to practice yoga and support local and national charitable organizations (is your city participating?). I'll be teaching at Boston's Global Mala at Gillette, along with featured om gal pals such as Chanel Luck, Bonnie Argo, and Amy Leydon. The day's headliner will be Ana Forest, creator of Forest Yoga, who is sure to bring her A-game.

Reach the Beach: It's not a yoga event but a 200-mile adventure relay in New Hampshire. I ran it a few years ago with an inspiring team of gals (that's us at the finish line, below), and this year I'm honored to help teams feel more zen before their 24-hours of running (at times with a head lamp to light the way), riding in a van (praying that the elected teammate-driver knows the way), and not sleeping (which makes the way a little delirious). The sheer fact that this hardcore endurance race, in its 11th year, is offering a yoga session the night before race day shows you how far yoga events and experiences have come in the last decade. I can't wait to help these "om athletes" gear up for the adventure!

Natural Living Expo: The focus of this annual event in Western MA is more holistic than strictly yoga, but you can bet your Birkenstocks there will be plenty of yoga types in attendance. Myself included.

Beauty, Fashion, & Wellness Event in conjunction with Boston Fashion Week: I'm looking forward to seeing the photo exhibit associated with this event (I'm featured along with other talented yoga teachers and friends) by photographer Arturo Martinez. The posh party benefits the Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies at Dana-Farber, which provides new approaches to cancer care such as meditation, acupuncture, and more.

Which yoga events do you plan to attend this fall, and in your opinion, what makes a great yoga event? The size? The venue? The teacher(s)? ~~The jungle juice?~~ The kombucha samples? Share the inside scoop here by posting a comment.

Quote: Vimala Thakar

2010-09-08T13:26:00.002-04:00

"When the state of observation is sustained, it changes the quality of your biological structure. The nerves are steady, the chemical system has an equilibrium, and there is relaxation, equipoise. You live in the clarity of knowing who you are."

-Vimala Thakar, The Eloquence of Living

Photo by Jonathan Pozniak, for lululemon.

Back to School, Yogis!

2010-09-06T15:35:00.042-04:00

My pal and marathon training partner Cara (right) and I love to read. Here we are with some of our favorite books. Post your most inspirational reads below!

Few months of the year hold the same anticipation and excitement as September, largely because of its association with going back to school. Right now, pencils are being sharpened, new clothes selected, notebooks organized, and class schedules reviewed. College roommates are getting acquainted, study partners scouted, and attendance policies surveyed.

Even those of us who aren't hitting the books often wish we were. As an admitted nerd and one-time English teacher, I can't help feeling a tad envious when Boston crawls with co-eds, again. I get wistful at the sight of a bookstore window freshly arranged to display curriculum classics like "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." And don't think for a moment that I'm not jumping on the knee sock fashion trend this fall. Who says you have to enroll somewhere to dress schoolyard chic?

Likewise, who says you have to enroll somewhere to be a student? We're all students in some capacity, right? Some of us are students of yoga. Others study favorite sports or hobbies or strangers in coffee shops. Many of us, at any given time are learning a new chapter of life, such as a relationship, business venture, marriage, or parenting. As we age, too, studies show that minds that continue to learn new skills later in life stay more agile, longer. For yogis, svadhyaya (study) is a key principle of the practice, cited as one of the niyamas within the 8-limbed yoga path of the Yoga Sutras.

All of this school year nostalgia got me thinking about my favorite books for spiritual education-- literary companions that have bailed me out, lifted me up, or awakened me to some new insight or duh-how-could-I-forget-that! wisdom. Here are a few of them organized to correspond with a school curriculum. In other words, depending on which subjects you liked best in school, you might enjoy the corresponding book that pertains to yoga, wellness, or spirituality. Happy reading!

The OmGal.com Syllabus: Fall 2010 Semester*

Anatomy:

Yoga Anatomy, Leslie Kaminoff: If you enjoy sitting your gluteus maximus down and analyzing the architecture of the body in colorful illustrations of muscles and bones, you'll love this yoga-oriented anatomy book. It's a helpful text for teachers.

Art:

Creative Visualization, Shakti Gawain: Truthfully, this book is an excellent resource for anyone willing to tap into their imagination to "create what you want in your life;" however, creative types might find it particularly inspiring. I did.

Botany:

New and Selected Poems: Volume One, Mary Oliver: With the exception of "The Buddha's Last Instruction," this book isn't outwardly about spirituality, but it is, nonetheless, a marvel for the soul, especially one that loves nature.

Classics:
The following books are among the most referenced and revisited in my yoga library.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, various translations
Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health, B.K.S. Iyengar
Living Your Yoga, Judith Lasater

Home Ec.:

Care of the Soul, Thomas Moore: This "guide for cultivating depth and sacredness in everyday life" encouraged me to think more carefully about how I arrange my home, work, and relationships to evoke happiness rather than happenstance.

Phys. Ed.

Mastering Your Metabolism, Jillian Michaels: Confession? I just dig Jillian and her no-nonsense, tough-love, tackle-life-with-abandon approach, so she made the list. The book is good, too, and will seriously cause you to reconsider the chemicals and habits that hinder your overall wellness, not just your weight.

Physics:

Seat of the Soul, Gary Zukav: Zukav is said to have a "scientist's eye and philosopher's heart." If you can relate to either, you'll enjoy this book. It's one of my most heavily underlined and highlighted (a true sign I want to remember its contents).

Political Science:

Bhagavad Gita, various translations: This ancient text about a warrior prince headed into battle provides a literary scavenger hunt. Each time one reads it, there are new insights to uncover. It inspired the likes of some of my favorite American writers of the transcendentalist era, including Henry David Thoreau. New Age quips and contemporary sound bytes seem to pale in comparison to this essential resource from the first century. How's this for a timeless tidbit: "Your own duty done imperfectly is better than another man's done well." Gets me every time . . .

Pre-Law:

Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Deepak Chopra: These laws set people free rather than imprison them. Reading this book might enhance your life for a maximum sentence.

Pre-Med:

The Eloquence of Living, Vimala Thakar: If you're pre-med, you don't have time to read. Ergo, I prescribe a little 109-page dose of peace. You can pick up and put down this tiny treasure at your own pace, and each vignette stands alone, as a poem. No elaborate plots or heady dissertations--just a sweet, small book filled with "freshness, fearlessness, and compassion."

Psychology:

The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck: I'm pretty sure this book shepherded me through a sh*t break-up years ago, and judging from its status as a bestseller for more than two decades, I guess I'm not alone. You'll love it. Promise.

Sociology:

Return to Love, Marianne Williamson: Speaking of love, this book is a bit like having tea with a sage aunt who knows all the answers to life's big questions. It's a very healing and heartfelt read, which contains an incredible passage often misattributed to Nelson Mandela.

Theology:

When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron: I cannot say enough about this book by Buddhist nun Pema Chodron for its ability to provide people with peace during difficult times. You will treasure it.

*All books available on Amazon.com.

Om Gal Seeks New Intern

2010-09-01T12:36:00.000-04:00

It's September 1st, which means my sweet city of Boston has been invaded by U-Hauls and SUVs brimming with futons and mini fridges. New and old residents alike, particularly of the collegiate variety, know it as Moving Day. It's a festive and frustrating harbinger of fall that welcomes scores of incoming students to Boston's many college campuses (including Boston College, Boston University, Emerson, Harvard, M.I.T., Northeastern, and more) and causes lots of traffic jams. It's also a massive moving date for the recently graduated set (someone needs to vacate the plum apartments for all those late-night "study groups," right?). Among those flying the college coop is Erin the Intern (~~sniff, sniff~~) [insert hysterical sob], bound for the "real world" or, in this case, NYC.

Perhaps you've followed the adventures of Erin this summer. She contributed ideas and insight to many posts on OmGal.com, including popular pieces on fashionable fitness apparel and cheap, health food options, attended and assisted some of my workshops, and even provided me with an earnest explanation of the buzz surrounding Twilight so that I wouldn't be a pop culture outcast. Now, she's gone, and I'm forlorn . . . and likely back to being a pop culture outcast.

If you're interested in being the next Om Gal Intern, send me an email at rebecca@omgal.com. It's a fun, creative gig that doesn't involve any coffee runs (I don't drink coffee). Yoga OR media experience required. Video and podcasting skills might elevate you from intern to superhero. Details regarding time commitment and upcoming projects available via email.

Happy trails, Erin! OmGal.com will miss you.

A Poem for a Summer Sunday

2010-08-29T08:35:00.002-04:00

The Sun

Have you ever seen

anything

in your life

more wonderful

than the way the sun,

every evening,

relaxed and easy,

floats towards the horizon

[A photo I snapped of my friend, Caroline, taking in a Boston sunset].

and into the clouds or the hills,

or the rumpled sea,

and is gone--

and how it slides again

out of the blackness,

every morning,

on the other side of the world,

like a red flower

streaming upward on its heavenly oils,

say, on a morning in early summer,

at its perfect imperial distance--

and have you ever felt for anything

such wild love--

do you think there is anywhere, in any language,

a word billowing enough

for the pleasure

that fills you,

as the sun

reaches out,

as it warms you

as you stand there,

empty-handed--

or have you too

turned from this world--

or have you too

gone crazy

for power,

for things?

-Mary Oliver, New & Selected Poems: Volume One

Hey, Baby, What's Your Mantra?

2010-08-27T07:30:00.022-04:00

A mantra is a thought or intention expressed as a sound. These sounds include syllables, words, or phrases, which may or may not have their own translatable meanings. "OM" is the most popular mantra.

A mantra can be said aloud, repeated silently to oneself (as in meditation), sung with devotion (as in kirtan and bhakti yoga), or visualized in written form. Many Sanskrit mantras, such as Om Mani Padme Hum, a central mantra in Tibetan Buddhism, are often captured in art, beautifully written or carved on stones and sculptures, or incorporated into clothing, jewelry, and talismans.

A yoga student and Buddhist friend of mine generously brought this stone back from Nepal last year; it features Om Mani Padme Hum (a mantra without direct, translatable meaning but believed to encourage enlightened awareness) on one side and the eyes of the Buddha on the other. It resides on the bookshelf above my desk, where I write.

Mantras anchor the mind during meditation, soothe or energize the body in times of physical challenge, and connect the soul more deeply to God or spirit.

And yogis aren't the only ones to incorporate mantras into their lives. Athletes, for instance, often use mantras or affirmations to improve performance, which is nicer than steroids, don't you think? World-class distance runner Kara Goucher chooses a new word while training for each race. Words like "confidence" and "fighter" helped Goucher maintain focus in grueling races at the 10,000 meters and marathon distances last year, according to an article in the March 2010 issue of Runner's World.

I'm not running any marathons this week, but I've chanted Om Namah Shivaya and repeated Catholic prayers under my breath, over and over, on multiple occasions. It isn't intentional, which is the interesting part, and I realize, now, how much the brain craves the structure and repetition provided by mantras, especially in difficult times, such as the loss of a loved one. For me, it's been one small, silent outlet for staying calm and remaining present.

Do you use mantras, as a meditation tool, coping skill, or sports performance enhancer? What are your favorites?

Om Gal's Take on Eat, Pray, Love: What's Yours?

2010-08-24T16:40:00.002-04:00

Eat. Pray. Love . . . Three individually simple and unanimously positive words that, when combined, as in the title of the book by Elizabeth Gilbert and newly released film starring Julia Roberts, conjure up mixed feelings within the yoga community. It’s hard to pinpoint the precise root of these feelings, especially when the book was, by most accounts, well-written and well-received. I suspect our reservations stem from the ongoing dialogue about how yoga’s mushrooming popularity and commercialization makes us feel—a discussion we have on this site often.

“I’m curious because it’s Julia Roberts,” says a friend several weeks before the movie debuts. “If it were, say, Jennifer Aniston, I would NOT see Eat, Pray, Love. And I like Jennifer Aniston, but I would already know what kind of movie I was getting, and—no, thank you.”

With this statement, my friend (who happens to be from India, where a portion of the book and film take place) summarizes the precarious task of taking a heartfelt and hilarious spiritual memoir and turning it into Sex and the City for the yoga set. The girls-night premier parties, product tie-ins (Fresh cosmetics released a line of fragrances in conjunction with the movie; they include—wait for it—Eat, Pray, and Love), and oodles of coverage in the media all suggested that the film adaptation might be nothing more than a spiritually bereft and trite “chick flick.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t Jennifer Aniston, a lovely and infinitely likable comedic actress but one lacking the depth of Julia Roberts, and it wasn’t Sex and the City for the yoga set. It just wasn’t that great of a movie.

It was entertaining, and I enjoyed it, but it didn’t rock my om gal world. I liked it most after the first 1/3 of the film, which was slow and clumsy. I recall Elizabeth Gilbert’s heartbreak in the beginning of the book as being more potent, with the subsequent pilgrimage to Italy, India, and Bali legitimized by the level of that heartbreak and her determination to heal. Moreover, Gilbert’s craft (writing) was more prevalent in the book, and it was evident she intended to write about her travels from the start. Without this underlying objective, the movie bordered on self-indulgent at times. How many newly divorced people can afford to heal their broken hearts by vacating all responsibilities for a year and taking a soul-searching sabbatical around the globe? When a laptop finally made an appearance more than an hour into the film, I breathed a sigh of relief. Then again, I’m a writer, so it’s possible this didn’t bother anyone else . . .

The absence of yoga, in asana form, bothered some. Alas, not me. I rejoiced in seeing nary a poorly aligned yoga pose or Hollywood orchestrated yoga class in the film. Even if executed well, a yoga practice in Eat, Pray, Love might be too obvious or, worse, kitschy. And it doesn’t hurt to show a Western audience that there’s more to spirituality in India (and yoga as a whole) than the tricky yoga poses featured in chick flicks such as: The Next Best Thing (Madonna), What Women Want, Spanglish (Tea Leoni), Failure to Launch . . . Do I need to keep going?

For some, the film not only didn’t rock their worlds; it pissed them off thoroughly. Ask our pal David Romanelli about the response he got from heterosexual male friends when he suggested they see the film together and get some “fro-yo” afterward. Peruse some of the critiques, comments, and blogs online, and you’ll find that people describe Eat, Pray, Love as everything from "fickle," to "insufferable," to "racist."

I disagree with the harshness of these reviews; I liked the movie and found it charming, albeit a tad bland and unfulfilling (not the food, though; the food in Italy looked exquisite). I walked away feeling entertained, which is I think the point of going to the movies, no? It’s a visually alluring story of heartbreak, friendship, forgiveness, and love, peppered with some male eye candy (hello, James Franco) and infused with a few spiritual nuggets (though not as compelling or complex as the book).

Wait a second . . . maybe it is a chick flick? Maybe I’m OK with that.

Quote: Strength

2010-08-22T22:17:00.000-04:00

An oak and reed were arguing about their strength. When a strong wind came up, the reed avoided being uprooted by bending and leaning with the gusts of wind. But the oak stood firm and was torn up by the roots.

-Aesop

Ask Om Gal: Which Direction Should My Yoga Mat Face?

2010-08-18T15:01:00.001-04:00

Hi Darling*:
So, I was doing yoga, yesterday, after my run, and was wondering . . . Is there an optimal location/direction that one should position a yoga mat (i.e. towards East, or Northwest)? I realize this may be a weird question, but it got me wondering about whether or not there was an optimal, zen-capturing position for a yoga mat?
xo Angie

Should she face this way . . .

. . . Or that way?

Hi Angie:

Not a weird question at all! I'm happy you thought to inquire about the optimal "zen-capturing" placement of a yoga mat. Traditionally, yoga is practiced facing the sun. Sun salutations (surya namaskar), for example, literally "salute" the sun, so, ideally, we position our mats accordingly.

In the event that this is not possible given the layout of your space (at home or in a yoga studio), I recommend doing what feels best. Feng shui, a Chinese system of aesthetics, may naturally be a factor without your knowing. For instance, you might gravitate toward an area of your home that feels light and airy for your yoga practice, as your body will absorb these energies by being there. Also, you might not enjoy resting in sivasana with your feet toward the door, as the Chinese believe this is an inauspicious position. (I once heard that the reason for this is that the dead are carried out this way. Spooky, I know . . .).

In summary, face the sun if you can. If you can't, choose what feels best. Good luck with your home practice!

xo Om Gal

[Disclaimer: this person is a personal friend, hence the "darling."]

DRINK, Pray, Love: Water for Widows

2010-08-17T08:04:00.003-04:00

The yoga community is abuzz this week over the film Eat, Pray, Love, based on the eponymous spiritual memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert. I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts on the movie soon, so please stay tuned.

In the meantime, I am moved and humbled by a much shorter film, by Katie Ullman and her classmate at Vanderbilt University, Vasanth Kuppuswamy. You may recall that this inspiring om gal and I (along with help from a dear mutual friend, Abby) collaborated to create a yoga benefit here in Boston called Put Your Money Where Your Mat Is. I taught a class at Brookline Ballet, and all the money raised by the yogis in attendance was donated to Katie's fundraising efforts for a freshwater pipeline in India, serving an ashram for widows with nowhere else to go. You can see photos of the event here and watch a short film about Katie and Vasanth's fascinating, sometimes-frustrating, and heartfelt journey.

Thanks to their "karma yoga," the women at the ashram in Vrindavan, India now have access to one of life's most basic necessities: clean water to drink.

With All My Heart: Thank You

2010-08-14T09:48:00.000-04:00

Open the heart

and the heart opens you--

salt of the creator

eye of the beholder

stretch your arms overhead

receive

the rainfall of pure clarity

and let it come down.

Surrender to the boundless

earth, sea, and sky

place them like a garland

around the altar of life,

seal

a prayer for peace

at its base,

swim

in its mysteries,

unafraid of sinking.

Open the heart

and the heart opens you.

-Matsyasana/Fish by Leza Lowitz, Yoga Poems: Lines to Unfold By

Practicing matsyasana/fish, a posture of gratitude, with kids at the Franklin Park Zoo this week and below-- to represent proper alignment. (In the top photo, we're still in motion).

With all my heart, thank you for another year of support, insight, and readership. My birthday is tomorrow, and I'd like to celebrate with you. In the coming days, you'll receive a sparkly present to play with: a NEW OmGal.com. We've outgrown our home, here, on Blogger, so we'll be changing hosts and improving the user experience. Stay tuned for the site's upcoming launch, and, as always, please share your thoughts.

Much love,

Om Gal

This Just In: Erin the Intern is Famous

2010-08-13T07:29:00.005-04:00

Famous people like New York, and New York likes famous people. Ask anybody who lives there to rattle off their most recent celebrity sightings, and you'll hear about starlets in yoga class, gaggles of models at the club, the latest It boy or girl strolling the streets with a latte, or a professional athlete in line for the loo. NYC Gal, a Gawker-stalker before Gawker existed, was sure to text me when the last one happened. It was A-Rod. She says he's even prettier in person.

This week, however, was the first time a friend of mine, nay, ours, was the celebrity being spotted. It's true; Erin the Intern was recognized in New York City by an OmGal.com reader.

I don't know all the details yet, as Erin is now too famous to call me.

The best intern on the planet shooting the recent Salutation Nation event in Boston--probably the last time she'll be on this side of the camera. The paparazzi will be unbearable soon.

It made me wonder, though: If you could spend time with any celebrity yogi, who would it be? Lady Gaga (a new fan of yoga)? Julia Roberts (a fan of Hinduism and star of Eat, Pray, Love, which debuts tonight)? Someone famous for being a nimble yogi: B.K.S. Iyengar? Or, a karmic one: Mahatma Gandhi?

I can't wait to hear your choices!

Free Yoga for Kids: Franklin Park Zoo

2010-08-09T14:16:00.001-04:00

What: "Roar like a lion; pose like a camel; float like a butterfly" with a FREE yoga class for kids.

Where: Franklin Park Zoo (on the grass at Serengeti Crossing)

When: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 (11:00 AM, 1:00 and 3:00 PM)

Please bring: Mat or towel.

We'll have lots of fun doing yoga poses inspired by . . .

SNAKES . . .

. . . DOGS ("Remy" is hiding behind me!) . . .

. . . HORSES, and much more! See you there, yogis.

I Can Do Fancy Yoga Poses; I Have No Problems

2010-08-09T00:30:00.003-04:00

Since the age of 16, I have been practicing challenging yoga poses, and my life has been devoid of problems ever since. I have never been poor, issued a parking ticket, dumped on my ass by someone I loved, or woken up with a massive zit on my nose. I am unfamiliar with backstabbing co-workers, road rage, and the ire that Sarah Palin inspires in so many of my friends.

What's the big deal you guys? If you can do fancy yoga poses, she won't bother you at all. In fact, you might think she's kind of charming. Maybe even a savant . . .

Do you believe me? Of course not! (A savant? Seriously, people . . . Give me a bit more credit).

Intricate yoga poses are fun, require focus, and cultivate great flexibility and strength; however, they do little to improve the quality of our lives. They cannot stave off illness or hardship, and the intrinsic value of, say, hanumanasana (shown above) is no greater than that of sivasana (below).

So, why bother?

Challenging yoga poses are useful because they allow yogis to practice being in challenging life moments (however small and controlled, as they are on a yoga mat) with courage and compassion. Unfortunately, it's easy to be seduced into thinking that the flashy pose is the goal. Don't be fooled, friends!

All yoga poses serve the same greater purpose: to prepare the body for meditation and thus, samadhi, the superconscious state and eighth and final "limb" of the yogic path. Instead of feeling defeated because we can't touch our toes or balance on our hands (check out my near faceplant below), we should see these "experiments" as blessings.

Rather than curse tight hamstrings, what if we viewed them as a fond nod to our active lifestyles, spent running, cycling, and simply living in motion? What if faulty balance became a luxurious opportunity to recommit to quieting the mind? And, gravity defying arm balances helped us to look fear and physics in the face and say, "Yes, I see you, but I am going to try anyway."

Which asanas challenge you? Why are they difficult (or scary, or frustrating)? And, how can this challenge help you elsewhere in life?

Quote: Problems in Your Life

2010-08-08T16:39:00.004-04:00

The problematic situations in your life are not chance or haphazard. They are specifically yours, designed specifically for you by a part of you that loves you more than anything else. The part of you that loves you more than anything else has created roadblocks to lead you to yourself . . . it doesn't want you to lose the chance. It will go to extreme measures to wake you up.

-A.H. Almaas

Salutation Nation

2010-08-07T10:59:00.001-04:00

Today, lululemon athletica encouraged yogis to "take their asanas outside" by practicing in community parks and lawns around the country. To see more pictures of the event, check out the OmGal.com Fan Page, here.

Did you attend Salutation Nation in your town? What was it like to practice outdoors among so many other om guys and gals?

Yoga in Mainstream Media

2010-08-05T13:43:00.000-04:00

Perhaps you've noticed there's been a lot of yoga coverage in the media recently, in major journalism outlets covering "serious" news. Typically, yoga in the news largely consists of Yoga Journal, the defining voice of yoga in print media, or glossy celebrity and fitness magazines occasionally featuring worthwhile yoga stories but often falling prey to crafty publicists touting "celebrity yoga gurus." You might recall from the OmGal.com Facebook Fan Page that I received a press release pitching a "celebrity yoga guru" earlier this summer and can assure you the teacher was neither a celebrity, nor a guru . . . Conjoining these words (along with a dash of ignorance) makes serious yogis think only one thing: This person just doesn't get it.

Thankfully, mainstream media is starting to get it. Sometimes. And, their focus on yoga is both expanding and improving.

The New York Times, for example, carried three articles about yoga in last Sunday's paper alone, and none of them caused the involuntary eye rolls that can strike when food or travel or beauty editors are assigned yoga stories-- resulting in ho-hum coverage if we're lucky and drivel if we're not. The most ballyhooed piece in the Times, featuring founder of anusara yoga John Friend and his grand plans for the future of one of the newest and fastest growing styles of yoga in the world, was written by Mimi Shwartz, whose experience with yoga seemed apparent and appreciated by the yoga community following the article. Not only does she claim several years of asana practice, but she also tempered "The Yoga Mogul" with insight from Judith Lasater as an expert source. You may recall Lasater as a seasoned teacher, author, and the founder of Yoga Journal. I recently recommended her book Living Your Yoga and shared a short excerpt from it, here.

At the crux of the article lies a conversation we often have on OmGal.com: What is lost when yoga and capitalism converge? In other words, as yoga evolves from a centuries old (5,000+ years) spiritual practice in Buddhist and Hindu cultures to a fashionable and fitness-oriented pursuit around the world, how do we preserve its tradition . . . or do we care?

The answer, of course, is that some care, and some don't.

Chronicling both camps (yoga purists who care deeply about its roots and the yoga populous who cares less) and the progression from one to the other are The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America and The Great Oom: The Improbable Birth of Yoga in America, two new books recently reviewed in- yes, you guessed it- the New York Times by Pankaj Mishra. Mishra trains a critical eye on both, which I appreciate. However, he appears quick to lump all American yogis into one shallow, spiritually bereft bunch.

To which, blogger Paul Raeburn wondered aloud later this week, Why is the New York Times Obsessed with Yoga? and provided his assessment of the latest yoga media blitz:

For about $15 or $20, anybody can sign up for a yoga class, and spend 60-90 minutes bending, twisting, and sometimes chanting. Some like it; some don’t. For some, it’s exercise. For others, the exercise is a prelude to meditation, and perhaps even part of a voyage of self-discovery or a spiritual search. I’ve practiced yoga for 10 years, and I’m pretty sure I figured this out after my first few classes. It’s not that complicated. For the New York Times, however, yoga seems to be something of an occult art, riddled with danger and badly contaminated by greed and corruption, more about fashion and fads than fitness.

He makes an excellent point. Put simply, yoga means different things to different people, and that's OK.

It means a lot to yoga bloggers, like Yoga Dork, for example. The Times also ran a piece on this New York based blog, which you may recall seeing nominated for Best Yoga & Fitness Site in the 2010 Intent Web Awards, along with Elephant Journal, Tara Stiles, Living Room Yoga, and yours truly. (With your gracious support, OmGal.com won). The Yoga Dork coverage brings to the fore the fact that bloggers (good ones, anyway) provide expert insight and spark informed conversations on niche subjects.

Let's review, shall we? The New York Times, one of the world's most respected media outlets has been bitten by the yoga bug. In one week, they've given us a "yoga mogul" in John Friend, an informed and acerbic review of two new yoga books, and featured a charming "dork" who digs yoga. Are they obsessed or earnest? Joining a movement or jumping on a bandwagon? Shedding new light on an ancient art or diluting something sacred?

As people who belong to the camp that cares the most about yoga and its future (that's you, readers), what do you think about all this attention?

Style File: The Non-Workout T-Shirt

2010-07-28T22:17:00.011-04:00

Rebecca,

You’ve got a great sense of style . . . Where have you been shopping lately? I’m looking for those really unique (and comfy) tees but haven’t had much luck anywhere. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Jill

Hi Jill:

Style is, of course, highly subjective, but thank you so much for recognizing mine. I have also been told I dress like Mrs. Roper and, on occasion, a man (I went through a vest/trouser phase when I worked at Boston magazine). In other words, when it comes to fashion: to each, their own!

Whatever your personal style, T-shirts are a comfortable and cool wardrobe essential, for fitness or fashion. And they're increasingly fashionable, today, with many more options than your basic, boxy-cut design. However, if you like the retro look, American Apparel makes great variations on the original (see below).

Brainstorming in a basic tee.

For more stylized versions that are also super comfortable, I've had good luck at H & M this season. I bought this tank (below) in two colors and have had them on steady rotation all summer. I even bought a couple for Erin the Intern, as they caught her eye around her birthday last month. (She'd also like you to know she's a fan of Vince tees). Side note: the H & M shirt is somewhat sheer, so in the interest of saving you a wardrobe malfunction, you'll need to layer. Forever 21 can impress with some of its tops, too. I bought colorful and striped cotton tees in NYC when I was there to cover Yoga at the Great Lawn: The World's Largest Yoga Event.

(Left to right): Me, Eliza (lululemon, Boston), yoga teacher Amy Leydon, and Goldie (lululemon, Boston).

I thought it might help if I polled some of my most fashion-forward friends, too, for their insight. Answers ran the gamut from stocking up on T-shirts in Asia because he prefers the slimmer fit (photographer friend, Jonathan), to praising purveyor of the effortless chic James Perse (retail expert pal, Vinitha), to seeing tees as wearable art from hard to find labels like Comme des Garcons PLAY and nautical inspired designs from Rogues Gallery (artist and graphic designer dude Matt), to steering clients toward the classic and cost effective white v-necks at Club Monaco (stylist and personal shopper, Alisa).

I hope this helps with your search for the perfect shirt. Remember, it's not what you wear, but how you rock it, gal.

Comfy & cool summer wishes,

Rebecca

10 Tips for Guys Who Do Yoga (or Want to Start)

2010-07-27T15:29:00.001-04:00

There are Yoga Guys. And there are Guys Who Do Yoga. This post is dedicated to the latter.

Yoga Guys know their way around a yoga studio already and, for the most part, don't need my help. They speak the lingo, dress the part, and can bust out a bakasana quicker than their counterparts- Guys Who Do Yoga- can crack open a beer, which isn't to say that one is better or cooler than the other, or that Yoga Guys don't drink beer, too, or Guys Who Do Yoga can't do advanced yoga poses like bakasana/crow, it's just that there's a difference.

Yoga Guys are more experienced, while Guys Who Do Yoga are typically newer to the practice. They might become Yoga Guys down the road (if desired), but for now, they could use a little help navigating the new found territory of yoga classes, where women frequently outnumber men. For newcomers especially, yoga classes can be intimidating for even the most alpha males. Have no fear, your Om Gal is here . . .

Top 10 Tips for Guys Who Do Yoga (Or Want to Start):

Don't Ogle: I don't care if Giselle is practicing on the mat next to you, nothing brings bad boy karma like ogling at a fellow yogi (or the instructor) in class. You can smile warmly, say hello before or after class, or even strike up pleasant conversation in the lobby, but for the love of all that is holy (yoga is a spiritual practice), keep your Lothario moves separate from your lolasana in class.
Don't Talk During Class: You wouldn't gab during your buddy's back swing on the links, so think of yoga class in the same way. It requires maximum concentration and minimum distraction; therefore, please keep quiet. This includes the few minutes when you might be waiting outside the studio for class to begin while a prior class is concluding. Chances are they'll be in meditation: shhhhhh.
Don't Score Front Row Seats: This isn't a Sox game; forgo the front row and opt, instead, for the back of the class (this tip is for newbies only). This way you can watch more experienced students and mimic their alignment in a pose. Please note: visually learning from the yogi in front of you is not the same as ogling their "asana." (See #1).
Don't Compete: Competition is a major source of male bonding, and it's the way the animal kingdom works; however, yoga is not a sport, nor an animal kingdom. Nobody is keeping score, and nobody wins or loses. The mental focus you'll develop will help you compete in other areas of life by teaching you to be more present, but there's no place for competition on the mat. Your goal is to connect to yourself-- pure and simple, and the only opponent is your own ego.
Don't be Late: If you're doing yoga for the first time, arrive at the class early. The added time will help you get acquainted with the teacher, stake out a spot in the back row (see #3), and ask any important questions, which leads me to the DOs . . .
Do Ask Questions: How long is the class? Is it heated? Can I rent a mat? Where are the nearest exits? These are all important things to know. If you're nursing an old football injury, for example, it's wise to tell the teacher in advance and, perhaps, ask for modifications. (This is important for yogis of all skill levels).
Do Use What You Learned in the Boy Scouts: Be prepared by packing the essentials, such as water, a change of clothes, a towel (key for hot yoga), and even a snack. Again, particularly if the class is heated, you want to be energized and well hydrated.
Do Bring a Friend: Bringing a buddy who knows the ropes (or even one who doesn't) is a great way to feel more at ease. If you can't do this or prefer not to, it's always helpful to seek the insight of a friend who can recommend the right style of yoga, studio in your area, and instructor in advance. All of these elements have a huge impact on your first experience, and a pal who knows you can help you make the best choices for your personality type and level of ability.
Do Doff Your Cap: Nothing screams "I don't know what I'm doing here" like a guy who wears a baseball cap to yoga class. You'll be upside down a lot of the time; it will fall off. You'll keep adjusting it. It will be annoying. Take it off before stepping on your mat. Please, just trust me on this one.
Do Watch What You Eat: Try to curb your manly appetite before class, as having a full belly will hinder your range of motion in twisting poses and increase the likelihood of gas. And there's nothing that will wear out your welcome in the girl's cabin faster than being the boy who stinks up their yoga class.

Quote: Perfection

2010-07-23T00:15:00.001-04:00

"Perfection is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life . . . I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it."

-Anne Lamott

In what areas of your life do you need to give up the cramped, insane search for perfection? What would happen if you could do this?

3 Cool Tips for Summer

2010-07-22T09:45:00.001-04:00

We all have our own strategies for staying cool. We wear skimpier clothes; we think breezier thoughts; we befriend people with central air. However, if that micro mini is inappropriate for the office, there's a forecast for heat and humidity even in your breezy imagination, or your pal catches on that you're an AC mooch, you might need a few more options.

Here are 3 of my current favorite tricks for keeping cool:

1.) Sheetali Pranayama is a cooling breathing exercise practiced in many yoga traditions, including Ashtanga and Iyengar. My friend, Vinitha, reminded me of it after we ran 5 miles on the beach, at high noon, when the temperature was pushing 100 degrees. Needless to say, it was an ill-advised move, and we were dangerously overheated afterward. Thankfully, sheetali, along with Gatorade and a sun shelter constructed out of a sheet and two golf clubs (thanks to our urbanite version of MacGyver, a.k.a. O.G.'s S.O.), we bounced back. Performing sheetali is simple. First, start by doing this:

Sheetali pranayama on my stoop last night. Goofy expression not necessary. You can close your eyes.

Next, you'll breathe in slowly, through your mouth, for about 5 seconds. You'll notice a cooling sensation on your tongue (if you can't curl your tongue, form your mouth into a small 'O,' as if you were sipping through a large straw). To exhale, close your mouth and breathe out your nose. Repeat.

2.) Cooling Tea Mist . . . My addiction to hot tea is well documented. Nevertheless, steamy summer temps make steamy cups of tea less appealing. A brilliant little trick to try with your green and herbal teas (especially peppermint, chamomile, or lavender) is to brew, refrigerate, and use them as a refreshing toner for your complexion. All you need is a spray bottle and voila you've created a stimulating (peppermint), antioxidant rich (green), or calming (chamomile or lavender) beauty trick on the cheap. Bring the chilled spray bottle to the beach or share with pals after a hot yoga session, and you'll be the most popular om gal or guy of the summer.

Flower tea with blossom at Sofra, Cambridge, MA.

3.) Straw Fedora for Stylish Shade. If you still don't feel cool, try looking it. Rocking a straw fedora provides shade and style, which might help you forget that you were stupid enough to run too far, too fast, when it was too hot outside.

To the coolest readers ever: What's your tip to beat the heat?

Do I Have to Leave?

2010-07-18T01:29:00.002-04:00

First, here's the view from the room in which yogis practiced today at Yoga Rocks the Mountain, held at the Viceroy Snowmass. After that, what more does a gal need?

Throw in a morning class taught by R.R. Shakti, with live music by Walter Parks (below), who plays with Woodstock legend Richie Havens (remember, I met him once?), and I was pretty jazzed. Please excuse the pun . . .

Then, I took a class with Mike Matsumura, who not only dropped some serious yoga moves on us, complemented by solid Yoga Sutras insight, he also cracked me up. Among his many entertaining quips, he continually reminded us not "to break anything" when attempting advanced asanas (such as Scorpion pose, below). "You break it; you buy it," he cautioned.

The afternoon session of Yoga for Foodies with Dave Romanelli did not disappoint; in fact, it topped off the already scrumptious day.

Without the picturesque view, chill playlist, or organic, local, gourmet light fare that followed, Dave's practice still would have been an enjoyable, well-crafted class. With these added elements, however, it was a delightful and totally unique sensory experience.

Bravo, Dave!

I'm not quite ready to leave "Snowmasana," my new friends in CO- including the gracious event organizers who hosted me- or these stunning mountains. Thankfully, I get to eek out a bit more yoga fun tomorrow morning.

A mountain of love to you,

Om Gal

Greetings from "Snowmasana," Colorado!

2010-07-17T01:04:00.003-04:00

We're doing yoga. We're in the mountains. It rocks. Hence, it's called: Yoga Rocks the Mountain, a yoga and music festival in Snowmass, Colorado. I've taken to calling it "Snowmasana" for the next couple days. You can too.

Is there anything better than yoga outside?

Tonight's kick off evening class featured two teachers and a live musician. If you look closely, you might recognize Dave Romanelli, who's here to present his Yoga for Foodies experience.

Yoga "lifts" us.

A mini om gal.

(L to R): Event organizer, Josh Behrman, yoga teacher Amy Baker, musician Cameron Williams, and yoga teacher Aaron King.

Quote: Writing

2010-07-15T22:29:00.001-04:00

They ask me if I were on a desert island and knew nobody would ever see what I wrote, would I go on writing. My answer is most emphatically yes, I would go on writing for company.

-William Burroughs

With a wake up call at 2:30 a.m. to make tomorrow's 5:00 a.m. flight to the Yoga Rocks the Mountain festival in Snowmass, CO (which should really be called "Snowmasana" for the weekend, don't you think?), it's time for me to retire for the night. Check back later for posts, photos, and videos of the event.

What a Yogi Packs to Rock the Mountain

2010-07-14T19:24:00.007-04:00

Packing for a yoga trip takes discretion. On one hand, you want to feel liberated from worldly possessions and the trappings of your daily routine, such as work clothes, makeup, and constrictive footwear. On the other hand, you need to pack for optimal peace and happiness. Let's face it; being exposed to the elements, insects, or funky yoga B.O., for example, can hinder your meditating mojo.

Here are the items that top my packing list as I prepare for my next yoga adventure, the Yoga Rocks the Mountain festival in Snowmass, CO.

Active Wear & Gear:

Apparel for asana
Apparel & footwear for non-asana activities & chilling out
Yoga mat

Inspiration:

Journal
Inspiring book (I'm packing Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater)

Healthy Essentials:

Vitamins/medication (I pack arnica for sore muscles)
Tea (I'm a confessed addict, remember?)
All natural snacks for airports & road trips (such as Lara Bars and YogaEarth nutrition products*)

Little Luxuries:

Eye mask and/or ear plugs
Dr. Bonners soap (it's all natural, multi-purpose and can be used as body/face wash, shampoo, and laundry detergent if you need to hand wash clothes on the road)
Essential oil (I bought geranium while teaching in France last year, and it is luscious! Lavender is calming; peppermint stimulating)
Travel beeswax candle

Blissful Baubles:

Mala beads (wrapped around left wrist, below)
Y'arf (Don't know what this is? Ask David Romanelli)

Yoga Rocks the Mountain* kicks off on Friday, July 16, featuring topnotch teachers such as David Romanelli, fellow Baptiste alum Lisa Black, Dharma Mittra protege Mike Matsumura . . . ., and R.R. Shakti, among others. Musical performances, too, will draw flying yogis like me, arriving by air, and driving yogis from nearby cities and states via road trip. Accommodations range from local campgrounds to the swish Viceroy Snowmass, which means yogi attire at the festival will surely run the gamut from Bear Grylls-in-the-outback to hippie haute couture. Anything goes, yogis! Start packing and get your asana to Snowmass!

Safe travels & light luggage,

Om Gal

*Disclosure: Rebecca is on the advisory board of YogaEarth and a partner of the Yoga Rocks the Mountain festival.

I Call This One: "Writer's Block"

2010-07-12T14:04:00.000-04:00

A WTF Yoga Moment

2010-07-11T14:52:00.003-04:00

Yoga practice has the potential to change our reality. We step onto our mats feeling one way (tired, stressed, inflexible, sad), only to discover that reality can shift drastically through asana, pranayama, and/or meditation. Quicker than one can say "namaste," we feel energized, peaceful, limber, and happy.

Unfortunately, this was not the case in a yoga class I attended recently.

Instead, I experienced one of the biggest WTF yoga moments of my life. After 15 years of practicing yoga, witnessing my fair share of eyebrow-furrowing situations as both a teacher and student, that's saying a lot. There was the time a woman was forcibly removed from a class I was attending and banned from returning to that studio for life. Then, there was the teacher who made a pass at me at a workshop. Another poorly behaved yoga teacher who regularly vilified the dietary choices of students in class. The person who showed up to a hot yoga class wearing jeans . . . Oh, wait, that was me. I forgot my yoga pants, so I stubbornly did an entire class in my street clothes. Not recommended. I digress.

The above drama, debauchery, diet-policing, and denim-wearing aside, I've never quite experienced the simple shock that comes with hearing a phone ring in yoga class . . . wait, I'm not done yet (unfortunately, un-silenced ringers are common). . . watching a woman stand up from half pigeon pose . . . wait for it . . . yes, you guessed it . . . ANSWER HER PHONE, then proceed to walk the length of the yoga studio TALKING ON HER PHONE, at which point she presumably made herself comfortable in the studio's lobby and finished her call.

(Photo: Om Yoga Center, New York, NY)

In her defense, it's possible that this was a crucially important call. Perhaps the person on the other line was incarcerated, or gravely ill. Perhaps the woman is a surgeon who needed to instruct a nervous resident through open heart surgery while trapped in a broken elevator with a dying patient.

These are all possible scenarios. But, not likely.

To her credit, the teacher kept her focus on the the rest of the class (comprised of about 40 other people in half pigeon, not on cell phones) and commented that we can only worry about ourselves. She didn't go bat shit crazy in all the ways I was thinking about going bat shit crazy in that moment. Fiercely protective of my students and the experience I help create for them in a yoga class, I honestly don't think I would have been so nonchalant.

I know it's not quite the same as answering one's phone in church, but it felt pretty close. Yoga, above all, is a spiritual practice.

Days later, with the cell phone gaffe still fresh in my mind and visions of how I might have handled the situation had I been teaching, I happened upon some clarity from author and veteran yoga teacher, Judith Lasater, in her book Living Your Yoga:

How do you practice when the environment does not support you or is even openly hostile? It would be easy to separate yourself from those who you decide are not on "the path." If you relax your view, you may see that it is all one path and that we are all on it.

So, there we are: cell phone yoga lady and me, walking the same path. You're there too, along with all your favorite om gals and guys and some not-so-favorite ones. Toxic co-workers, estranged relatives, even your ex (yes, that one): they're all walking with us, at their own pace, down the same spiritual path.

How did I forget this!

We don't need to accept harmful or disrespectful behavior, but we do need to share the path with everyone. I am so happy for this yogic reminder that I thought I'd share the story with you. I want to share it with everyone I know. Quick, somebody give me a phone. I have some calls to make.

Share your biggest WTF yoga moments by posting a comment.

Quote: Counting Our Blessings

2010-07-06T11:08:00.005-04:00

I thank You God for this most amazing day; for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes."

-e.e. cummings

Bharadvajasana II, above "greenly spirits of trees and a blue dream of sky."
(Cape Cod, MA)

Yoga Rocks the Mountain & Interview with Dave Romanelli

2010-07-05T17:25:00.003-04:00

You may have noticed I've been bouncing around a bit lately, from NYC for the world's largest yoga class, to Cape Cod, where I demonstrated how to integrate gomukasana into the sunscreen application process, back to Boston to teach at the Urban Yoga Retreat, back to the Cape, and, again, home to Boston. Later this month, I'll be venturing West on a couple yoga adventures. First up: Yoga Rocks the Mountain, a yoga and music festival held in Aspen, CO from July 16-18.

Upon reviewing the lineup of presenting yoga teachers and musical performers, I quickly notice several familiar faces, including fellow yoga blogger, teacher, and contributing voice on Intent.com, David Romanelli. While we've never formally met, our paths intersect often (largely in cyber space). I wanted to get his take on Yoga Rocks the Mountain and thought OmGal.com readers might enjoy learning more about him as well. After all, his teaching style frequently incorporates nontraditional elements into yoga class, such as wine and chocolate.

I know what you're thinking: You invented yoga with wine and chocolate. Unfortunately, drinking too much red wine and passing out in sivasana with a bar of dark chocolate in one hand doesn't really count. Hey, don't shoot the messenger . . .

Instead, Dave's approach uses yoga as a prelude to meaningful meals among like-minded people, who may not otherwise sit down together and break bread. He also uses yoga as the platform for generating awareness and appreciation of the slow food movement. Here's what else he had to say about his latest Yoga for Foodies workshops, Yoga Rocks the Mountain, and my feeble attempt to persuade him to root for the Phoenix Suns rather than the LA Lakers.

OG: To what are you most looking forward at Yoga Rocks the Mountain?
DR: I live in the desert [Arizona], so I'm looking forward to cool, starry nights. Also, I'm excited to be part of a movement toward a younger generation of yoga events. Until recently, yoga events followed a standard educational format, whereas now, with Yoga Rocks the Mountain and Wanderlust, for example, there are new options.

OG: Were you a foodie first, or a yogi?
DR: I wouldn't even really classify myself as a "foodie." I'm more interested in creating an environment for people to enjoy food.

OG: What are your workshops like?
DR: Yoga for Foodies is all about introducing people to the slow food movement: getting in touch with local food producers and the compassionate treatment of animals (such as buying cage-free eggs and grass fed beef). . . [The format is] one-hour of yoga [followed by] a one-hour guided meal, led by the chef.

At this point, we detour into a conversation about the controversial territory of serving, eating, or promoting meat, poultry, and/or fish among yogis. It's a topic we've discussed on OmGal.com before, featuring some very insightful reader comments (as always, thank you). Dave says he's become more aware and sensitive to this potentially hot topic since beginning his workshops, in part because the first chef with whom he collaborated was vegan. Still, his approach to food is inclusive rather than restrictive. He openly admits to eating meat/poultry/fish on a weekly basis and insists that he is careful to maintain his respect for the slow food movement, with its emphasis on knowing from where your dinner hails and how it was prepared.

It's an enjoyable chat, with many common threads to discuss . . . with one exception. He's a Lakers fan. I, as you probably know, root for the Celtics. Always have. Always will. So, I feel compelled to ask:

You live in AZ, shouldn’t you be a Suns fan?

At this, he laughs.

"Noooooo, way!"

Originally from California, he insists that he's always cheered for purple and gold. He cites key games from the 80s, the era of Bird and Magic/Magic and Bird that first inspired his loyalty to the current NBA champs. At this, I know he's the real deal--not one one of those fair-weather LA types who wears sunglasses inside the Staples Center, spends the whole game on their cell phone, and probably can't name one other player on the roster other than Kobe Bryant. The only thing worse than a poser sports fan is a poser yogi. Gratefully, our interview unearths that Dave Romanelli is neither.

He's headed to teach now, and I'll be buried in a few writing projects for the remainder of the afternoon. I'm thankful for the connection and look forward to seeing Dave, other talented teachers, and friends from the yoga world in Aspen in a few weeks.

Before my next task, though, I take a moment to have a small bite to eat. All this talk about yoga for foodies has made me hungry. "People forget how special food is . . . Delicious food plugs you into the moment," I recall Dave saying. As I step away from my laptop and dig into a scrumptious, organic snack, I realize he's right.

Photo credit: sacrebleuwine.com

Hidden Beach Yoga Benefit

2010-06-30T00:20:00.004-04:00

If you're reading this blog, you're probably aware of yoga's myriad benefits.
Some of the most highly touted perks include stress reduction, increased
flexibility, and improved strength. However, there are many more fringe
benefits as well, such as one that may come in handy at the
beach this summer. (See video).

Are you better able to bend over and tie your shoes now that you practice
yoga? Possess a new found focus that makes you a Jenga champion?
Sleep sounder at night? What are the unexpected ways in which yoga
makes your life easier, happier, more fun, or, even, less sunburned . . .

Quote: Laughing at Yourself

2010-06-25T18:35:00.000-04:00

"You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself."

-Ethel Barrymore

Yoga at the Great Lawn: The World's Largest Yoga Class

2010-06-24T00:01:00.007-04:00

At 4:45 p.m. on June 22, 2010, Central Park’s Great Lawn is meditating on the evening ahead. Mostly, it’s quiet, even with sound-checks happening onstage and hundreds of volunteers convening at scheduled rendezvous points across the massive swath of green. The event’s featured yoga teacher, Elena Brower, needs to keep speaking so that the audio/visual team can adjust her mic. She talks to those around her, giving occasional shout-outs to nearby friends. She discusses logistics with a member of the event staff, “I won’t be doing the OMs. I’m going to introduce Dharma Mittra, and he’s going to do the OMs.” Then, she experiments with the verbiage of how she’ll announce Mittra, a yoga pioneer who’s been teaching in New York City since 1966. Even in rehearsal mode, she’s succinct, gracious, and real.

Photo: Sound-check with Elena Brower, Wah!, and others.

But, she’s a little nervous too. Understandably so. She’s preparing to teach the world’s largest yoga class, with more than 12,000 yogis registered to attend. To keep herself anchored and appease the guys in the sound booth, she continues her banter. She begins to recite a mantra—om namah shivaya—saying it repeatedly with various inflections and at different volumes. She’s not chanting but, rather, substituting the sacred syllables for standard sound-check lingo. She could say “testing 1-2-3” or recite her ABCs, but one gets the impression that Brower doesn’t care much for throwaway words.

The cavalry of yoga assistants arrives at the Great Lawn.

It’s clear that things are going well as the event nears. By 5:30 p.m., the weather is cooling down (ominously so, we would soon discover). Volunteers, staff, sponsors, security, and media all seem to be coordinating nicely. I’m roaming between my posts as a member of the media, for OmGal.com, and an assistant teacher. I bounce happily from the press tent where I am offered interviews with a “celebrity yoga guru” per an earlier press release from her people (I have never heard of her) and obliged by Dharma Mittra for an impromptu photo, to the lawn to watch thousands of yogis take their places, unroll their mats, and prepare to make history. I tell Mittra he is free to sit or stand as he pleases for the photo, so the septuagenarian jokingly gives me a muscle-flexing move (a la the Governator). It’s so unexpected for a man of his stature that I’m not quick enough to capture it with my humble digital camera. My brain captures it indefinitely. Below, he strikes a more traditional pose.

Sri Dharma Mittra

All around me, thousands of others are capturing the experience in their own ways. Some are dancing to the musical performances, while others limber up with a few asanas. Many take photos and talk with their friends—some they’ve just met while standing in line for the event. One woman wears a multi-color leopard-print body blanket of sorts and paints people’s faces, including my friend Daisy.

Yup, there's a person in there.

Daisy, who gave Om Gal a plug on NBC (I didn't even pay her).

Reggie Watts, who’s equal parts musician, beat-boxer, comedian, and emcee, adds a party atmosphere, partially because he thinks he’s been asked to host the MTV Video Music Awards.

Buddy Wakefield, a slam poetry champion admits to being a little overwhelmed by the size of his audience. Presumably, he’s used to smaller venues (aren’t we all?), and now, he’s shining on stage beneath a news helicopter and before an audience that makes him feel “like Bon Jovi,” New Jersey’s chosen son. Wakefield dedicates one poem to “anyone’s who’s in it—the sticky tar pit of it,” which jars me from being a yoga teacher/blogger/media gal bouncing to and fro, to being an anonymous yogi among thousands, thinking to myself, “Yeah, who doesn’t know that sticky tar pit?”

This feeling of being swallowed by a beautiful and powerful collective rises up again, when, under the threat of thunderstorms, Elena Brower welcomes Dharma Mittra to the stage around 7:15 p.m. to chant the OMs as planned. “Speak loudly, and do one OM because that’s all we have," I overhear her kindly say to him from my perch below the stage. At the sound of this one unified OM, rising up from the lawn, toward the steamy, gray, ready-to-open sky, I can’t jot another note or snap another photo. I shrink down to the grass, amidst the real camera crews and journalists, join my hands in prayer, and, through a quivering chin and vibrating chest, I OM with everyone else.

It doesn’t matter than Brower makes it through only a few sun salutations before Mother Nature closes the curtain on the night’s yoga history making. It doesn’t matter that 13,000 people scurried home sheltering themselves from the downpour with their newly gifted yoga mats. It’s irrelevant that I went to dinner in pajamas because my clothes were drenched. And, nobody cares all that much about whether a world record stands or not.

It matters only that it can be done: a collective realization among a mass of modern yogis that no experience, event, song, sun salutation, mantra, or moment is ever a throwaway, and it takes far more than a thunder shower to dampen the yogi spirit.

To see more pictures of the event, visit facebook.com/omgalblog.

Yoga at the Great Lawn: Reggie Watts Welcomes Crowd of 13,000

2010-06-23T08:55:00.008-04:00

In my lifetime, I will never be as cool as Seattle based entertainer Reggie Watts. I can only wish to be half as cool as his hair alone. Here, he welcomes 13,000 yogis to yesterday's Yoga at the Great Lawn, the world's largest registered yoga class, led by new found om gal-pal Elena Brower, with musical performances by Watts and others.

Thunderstorms abbreviated the event, but it was still a sight to behold. I have plenty of pictures and stories to share, so please check back later.

Summer Yoga Events & Escapes

2010-06-21T00:00:00.004-04:00

Some people like to laze away the summer months at barbecues and baseball games, while others prefer to run, bike, swim, surf, and soak up every extra hour of daylight in more physical pursuits. Of course, most of us enjoy a combination of the two, happy languishing in a hammock or hanging off a rock face, reading a book by the shore or practicing sun salutations on a sunny porch.

To help yogis maximize their leisure time during the summer months, many event organizers and yoga teachers offer unique, yoga-inspired experiences. These events range in size and vibe, from intimate island retreats to high-profile festivals featuring celebrity musicians and yoga teachers.

Here's a cursory list of key yoga events this summer. I plan to participate in many of them and wish event organizers and presenters (many of whom are readers, supporters, and friends) much luck as they entertain and inspire yogis around the country.

June 22, Yoga at the Great Lawn: The World's Largest Yoga Event

Event organizers, Flavorpill, anticipate 10,000 yogi attendees to take class taught by Elena Brower in New York City's Central Park. I'll be there: representing OmGal.com in the press tent, assisting class, taking in musical performances by Buddy Wakefield, Grammy nominee Dalien, WAH!, and others, and catching up with NYC Gal over Pinkberry afterward . . . Don't be silly; she won't be at the event. It's during happy hour, people. My ode to Pinkberry, below.

June 26-July 2, Urban Yoga Retreat

Conceptualized by my friend and fellow Boston-based yoga teacher, Chanel Luck, the Urban Yoga Retreat allows busy yogis to go on a retreat but save their vacation days. Classes occur in the early morning and evening each day, with a more intensive workshop on the weekend. I'll be guest teaching on Wednesday, June 30. The program is hosted by the swish Sports Club/LA. Check out the clip below, featuring Chanel and me playing with our food-- an obvious sign you'll have fun in our yoga classes, too.

July 8-11, Telluride Yoga Festival

Packed with veterans to the yoga conference teaching circuit, such as Richard Freeman and Tias Little, and new faces like Alanna Kaivalya and Scott Blossom, this weekend features topnotch yoga classes, music, and unbeatable scenery.

July 16-19, Yoga Rocks the Mountain

With most concerts and many yoga classes held outside against a picturesque Colorado backdrop, it's easy to imagine reaching elevated states of consciousness at this Aspen event. Featured teachers include fellow Intent voice and blogger David Romanelli, known for his wine, chocolate, and yoga workshops, and Lisa Black, a Baptiste alum like myself and the owner of Shakti Vinyasa Yoga in Seattle, WA, along with many other talented teachers.

July 25-28 and July 29-August 1, Yoga on the Vineyard

My first summer job was aboard the Island Queen, a ferry which travels to and from Falmouth, MA and Martha's Vineyard, so my Cape Cod roots and love for the Vineyard run deep. I'll use any excuse to pack up and set sail for the preferred island retreat of the Clintons, the Obamas, Spike Lee, James Taylor, Carly Simon, and others. For yogis, Amy Leydon's retreats, boasting hearty doses of yoga, mindfulness, local cuisine, sun, and sea, provide the perfect opportunity for you and your yoga mat to wash ashore.

July 29-August 1, Wanderlust Yoga & Music Festival

The most high profile yoga event of the summer, this festival in Tahoe, each year, features classes and concerts from big names in yoga and entertainment. This year, headlining yoga teachers include Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, Baron Baptiste, and more, along with musical performances by Michael Franti, the Brazilian Girls, Moby, MC Yogi, and oodles of groovin' others.

Please feel free to add your own yoga events and escapes by posting a comment.

Luck of the Irish? Not So Much.

2010-06-18T13:09:00.003-04:00

The Celtics weren't so lucky last night, despite a solid outing against the Lakers (until darn Derek Fisher drained a three with about 5 minutes remaining, thus setting off a firestorm of scoring, which the guys in green couldn't overcome).

However, om gal MICHELLE, another Boston gem, lucks out today with free registration to this weekend's Father's Day 10k to benefit the Leukemia and Lyphoma Society and Revere Little League.

Congratulations, Michelle! Please email rebecca@omgal.com to receive your prize. Happy running (or walking) to you and your dad!

Quote: Pray to be Stronger

2010-06-17T00:02:00.000-04:00

"Do not pray for easy times,

Pray to be stronger.

Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers,

Pray for powers equal to your task."

-John F. Kennedy

Good Day, Sunshine?

2010-06-16T13:00:00.003-04:00

This morning I awoke from a quality night's sleep, shuffled around the house getting my bearings, and settled into 15 minutes of meditation before a busy day. When I opened my eyes, a singular life question loomed . . . Did that really happen?

Of course I am referring to the thorough unraveling of my Celtics last night in game 6 of the NBA Finals-- a painful bait-n-switch, wherein a stellar team of basketball's finest eerily transformed into a hapless collection of rattled men scrambling up and down the court like my parents' chickens when the family dog circles their coop.

No synergy. No grace. No swagger. Just lots of running, pecking, and kicking up dirt.

Walking through Back Bay this morning, I saw Bostonians shake their bewildered heads over coffee. (These late-night games have us all a little bleary-eyed). They wondered aloud how it could be. A giant, implied "WTF" has descended upon us.

As any yogi will tell you, there's no better way to shake a giant "WTF" than a few sun salutations, particularly sun salutation B, with the strength and alignment of its Warrior I pose. Performed after sun salutation A (video demonstration here), sun salutation B is a well-rounded series of movements upon which many ashtanga, power, and vinyasa yoga classes are built. Traditionally, they are practiced in the direction of the sun (hence the name, signifying our "saluting" of the sun), as it rises or sets.

Today, yogis on both coasts and around the world, Celtics and Lakers fans, and sensible people who could care less about sports, will dutifully practice their sun salutations. Perhaps at sunrise, sunset, or some time in between, until they can do it all over again tomorrow. Ahhh, tomorrow. A fresh start for all, especially the Celtics.

Free Running, Beers, & Roast Beef

2010-06-15T00:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I encouraged you to eat pizza, fried rice, and ice cream (wink, wink). Today, I'm endorsing Free Running, Beers, and Roast Beef, all of which have little to do with yoga, our prevailing theme on OmGal.com.

So, what gives?

A few things, actually. But, first, I should confess my disdain for all three. Yes, even running, a former love of mine. We're on the outs these days. I think we might be headed for a break-up. No, really. I've had it. Today, I traversed the entire Boston metro area in search of magical running shoes to rekindle my old running mojo and failed (no one carries a size "ski"), which brings me to my earlier point: Me + Running = So Over. I mean it this time . . .

Beers have never much been my thing. I'll drink one on a couple occasions: 100 degrees at Fenway Park (the beer must be chillingly cold) and a sunny beach in Mexico (lime, please!). I'm not trying to be a party pooper. I've tried to like beer. It didn't work out. We've both moved on. Everyone is better for it.

Beef and I have been estranged since I was 9. No loss, there.

However, I am a BIG fan of road races to benefit good causes, and I am also a fan of Dads. Perhaps you are too? If so (and you're in the vicinity of my hometown of Boston), you should run or walk the Father's Day 10K this Sunday along Revere Beach Boulevard (accessible via the T). All proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Revere Little League.

**Special perk: Post a comment with why you love to run (or walk), and Race Menu, the event organizer, will waive one lucky reader's registration fee. That's right: free running, plus free (optional) beers and roast beef sandwiches after the race. Not to mention all that deliciously good karma on Dad's Day.

Not able to make it to the starting line? Post a comment about why you love to run anyway. Please, I need all the inspiration I can get.

**One winner will be selected at random by noon on Thursday, June 17.

Healthy Eats on the Cheap, Inspired by College Grads

2010-06-14T00:00:00.002-04:00

Each summer, a new collection of freshly minted college graduates enters the workforce. They move their futons out of campus housing or coveted off-campus apartments, shed their school-issued I.D. cards, which no longer provide easy access to food, photocopies, and laundry facilities, and experience an about-face with reality. It's an exhilarating transition and a tad shocking-- especially from a financial standpoint.

Of this humble period in our lives, I'll never forget my friend and fellow yoga teacher, Karen, recounting with more than a little nostalgia, "You're so broke, and you don't care! You're sitting on the floor, eating a can of tuna for dinner, and it's awesome because it's your apartment and you bought that can of tuna."

Well said.

Nevertheless, all the independence in the world doesn't negate the fact that being strapped for cash is challenging-- whether you're a recent college grad or anyone else grappling with this rickety economy . . . Show of hands? Tight budgets force us to scrutinize our spending habits and forgo certain things; however, healthy and speedy meals need not be among them.

With the help of OmGal.com's favorite member of the class of 2010, Erin the Intern, I've compiled three quick recipes, inspired by campus favorites including pizza, fried rice, and ice cream, which scrimp on cost and time like their takeout counterparts, but not nutrition.

Original Dish: Pizza

Time: Whenever the delivery guy gets there.

Cost: $13.50 (1 large, thin crust pizza with 1 non-meat topping).

Om Gal Upgrade: Tortilla Pizza with Veggies

Time: Depends how crispy you like it.

Cost: $11.28 (with plenty of leftover ingredients for later).

After college, I went on a pizza hiatus and just regained my appreciation for it last year, while in training for the Boston Marathon. Ask my Thursday night training partners. On certain nights, I was fueled solely by the promise of pizza afterward. We joked that I should have worn a shirt that read: Will Run for Pizza.

This healthier variation comes from Meghan Telpner at Making Love in the Kitchen. Her recipe features many more vegetables, which I highly recommend; yet, for the sake of cost, I chose only a few key ingredients here:

Organic tortilla ($2.50 for a 10-pack)
Organic tomato & basil sauce ($3.00 for jar of Newman's Own)
1 small jar artichoke hearts ($1.79)
Organic baby spinach, ($3.99)

Healthy How-To: Assemble the ingredients as shown above. Sprinkle with pepper. Pop in the oven. Cook at 300 degrees, until crisp.

Original Dish: Fried Rice

Time: 20-minutes to an hour for delivery

Cost: $7.70

Om Gal Upgrade: Quinoa Goes to China

Time: 20-25 minutes.

Cost: $3.64 (or $7.28 for double the serving size).

Ingredients:

Quinoa (2 cups uncooked), $5.29
2 organic eggs (scrambled), less than $1.00
1 small can water chestnuts, .99
Soy sauce

Healthy How-To: The most protein-rich grain on the planet, substituting quinoa for rice instantly makes this dish more nutritious. While your quinoa is cooking, lightly scramble two eggs. Add the eggs to the fully-cooked quinoa, along with some water chestnuts (drained). Flavor with soy sauce. Do a victory lap around the kitchen at your new found culinary skills. Next stop: Iron Chef.

Original Dish: Vanilla Frozen Yogurt with Rainbow Sprinkles

Time: Depends how long the line & how hot the weather.

Cost: $3.75

Om Gal Upgrade: Yogi Approved Yogurt & Berries

Time: Just long enough to locate a clean spoon.

Cost: $3.25 ($6.50/2 servings, estimate)

Ingredients:

All Natural Tart Yogurt ($3.50)
Frozen fruit ($3.00, use the leftovers for a breakfast smoothie!).

Healthy How-To: You don't need a diploma to figure out this one. Buy a tart yogurt with as few ingredients as possible and add some frozen fruit. I dig Haagen Dazs, which isn't cheap; however, it still beats out most to-go counter options. Plus, even the most frugal guys and gals splurge on occasion. Why not make it on a scrumptious, summer dessert?

*Please note: Prices vary depending on grocer, location, season, etc.

Happy Sun[Salutation]day: Sun Salutation A How-To Video

2010-06-13T14:14:00.006-04:00

After you finish watching the World Cup and before the Celtics and Lakers tip off, hop off the couch and celebrate Sun-day with a few sun salutations. Traditionally performed facing the direction of the sun, this sequence of yoga poses benefits the entire body. Sun Salutation A (shown here) contains lengthening, strengthening, back and forward bending movements. Sun Salutation B, which provides a bit more lower body emphasis, is coming soon.

As always, I'd love to know what you think, especially if you're a beginner or pass along these How-To clips to beginner yogis.

Things That Are Green

2010-06-11T00:05:00.002-04:00

For today's semi-regular installment of Friday, I'm in Love, I thought I'd give big ups to things that are green, such as:

Basil: Tis the season for fresh herbs. In particular, it's a great time for basil to come out and play. While walking by a farmer's market in Copley Square last week, I was mesmerized by one purveyor's basil plants. It was love at first sniff, really. I bought one, took him home, and now we are living together quite happily. I call him Basil (pronounced BAZ-el). You may too.

Jade is the New Black: In addition to being the season of fresh basil, it's also the season of fierce nail polish, specifically- you guessed it- in GREEN. This color by OPI (shown above, along with a mini bouquet of basil) is called Jade is the New Black. I was wearing it this spring on occasion and rekindled the love affair this week in honor of . . .

The Celtics! From a purely team color standpoint, how could you root for the Lakers? Purple and gold? Together? Blecht. Not to mention all those pseudo fans in the Staples Center who don't actually watch the game but instead wear sunglasses indoors and feign nonchalance when the camera is on them. However, this post is supposed to be about LOVE, so enough about the Lakers. Crazy love to the Celtics.

The Heart Chakra: The heart chakra, coincidentally, is all about love, and I thought you might be interested to know that the color associated with the fourth chakra (located in the center of the chest) is . . . wait for it . . . GREEN. One of my favorite mudras to stimulate the heart chakra is Padma Mudra. Try it!

Have some love to send out, today, to things that are green, either in color or eco-consciousness? Post a comment, here. Let's hear your picks!

Quote: Uncertainty

2010-06-09T13:51:00.002-04:00

"Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next, or how. The moment you know, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark."

-Agnes de Mille

A Peek Inside Om Gal's Head[quarters]

2010-06-08T19:07:00.017-04:00

Blogs, by nature, can often run the risk of being self-indulgent and insipid. Each time I sit down to write, this reality chirps at me relentlessly. It implores me to spare you the mundane details of my life, such as what I ate for breakfast, how funny my best friend is (everyone thinks their best friend is funny), and the latest evidence that my family is crazy, albeit charmingly so.

This morning, I had plain Greek yogurt, berries, Grape-Nuts, and a drizzle of agave syrup. Last month, my best friend sternly told me to stop wasting my time on "nonsense." She was referring to my day job. My family recently adopted five chickens, which means my parents' bid to alleviate Empty Nest Syndrome included, first, a dog and now, chickens. They are literally filling the empty nest with chickens . . . Poetic, isn't it?

So I pour every iota of my yoga acumen into "serious" posts created solely for the purpose of solving some deep, existential yoga dilemma such as How Promiscuous Yoga Teachers Can Avoid Shagging Their Students, until someone comes up to me after yoga class or at the gym (or in line at McDonald's-- kidding) to say that he/she loved the post about the family dog hunting a mouse for hours or the one about how overstuffed my closet is with yoga clothes. One reader even emailed to see if I would mind if she included the family dog post in a book she was compiling about pets and their owners, to benefit an animal rights organization.

In other words: I think I know my readers (that's you) and how not to bore you, presumably by doing things like cataloguing my personal inventory of yoga pants, and then, every so often, I eat crow. "Tastes like chicken." (No offense, Mom and Dad). The challenge, therefore, becomes sharing personal information without oversharing or, perhaps, oversharing, as long as it is relevant, funny, or inspiring. Ideally, it would be relevant, funny, and inspiring.

Speaking of which, here I am, earlier today, at Om Gal Headquarters (OGHQ as Erin the Intern and I are fond of saying), seeking inspiration as I often do-- on the floor, in a position vaguely resembling a yoga pose, with a giant piece of paper, Sharpie pen, cup of tea, and my trusty laptop perched nearby . . .

As for the critical voices of reality imploring me to come up with killer yoga and wellness content that's neither self-indulgent nor insipid . . . They're perched there too. Fortunately, you can't see them.

How to Om at Home: Starting a Home Yoga Practice

2010-06-07T07:28:00.009-04:00

Having the ability to practice yoga at home, without the need for a teacher or studio, has many benefits, including convenience, cost-savings, and added creative license. Students often express an interest in practicing on their own, particularly while traveling away from their regular studios and health clubs during the summer months; however, they're unsure of how to begin.

I believe that practicing solo provides yogis with essential opportunities for growth. Free from the confines of a structured class, a home practice allows for greater self-expression and deeper meditation. Here are a few suggestions to help you cultivate a knack for om-ing at home.

1. Start small. Many people are overwhelmed by the prospect of remembering or recreating the sequence of a 60 or 90-minute class, which is why it's best to throw that idea out the window. Instead, start with 10-15 minutes. Your sequence can be as simple as 5 rounds of sun salutations and sivasana, or child's pose followed by seated postures such as half pigeon, upavista konasana (seated straddle), and pascimottanasana (seated forward bend).

2. Create space. It's important to create space for your home practice. This doesn't mean you need to build a yoga room with bamboo floors and import a statue of Ganesh from India. Truth be told, your home might not have a separate room for yoga but rather a little space on your bedroom floor or a few squares of linoleum in the kitchen, which is fine. The concept of creating space doesn't actually require much square footage at all-- just enough for the length of a yoga mat and the height and width of your arm span. While in college, I once worried about not being able to practice yoga while studying abroad. I'll never forget my ashtanga teacher's response: You can practice yoga in a prison cell. Fortunately, I've never had to test the theory, but he's right. The beauty of yoga is its simplicity. To that end, create an oasis for yourself by turning off all cell phones, computers, TVs, iPads, etc. Perhaps you light a candle to make the space feel serene and special. Your yoga space doesn't have to be elaborate or elegant, just welcoming.

3. Play favorites. The most liberating part about a home practice is the freedom to choose your own asanas. In the beginning, it's important to develop a sense of play on your mat. Don't worry about the "right" order of poses. Choose your favorites and build a mini class around them. Over time, you will learn how to order your yoga postures effectively. However, your initial goal is getting on your mat and having some fun, not reenacting one of B.K.S. Iyengar's books, pose for pose, page by page.

4. Cheat. Speaking of books, there are oodles of yoga resources to help you acquire the knowledge you need to fly solo, such as books, blogs, DVDs, magazines, podcasts, and more. For the study abroad trip I mentioned earlier, I left home with a yoga mat and Beryl Bender Birch's book Power Yoga and returned a few months later not only comfortable practicing by myself but also leading classes for more than 100 of my peers, professors, and members of the school staff at once. If you feel adrift on your mat without an instructor, use a "cheat sheet" in the form of one of the above resources or a few notes written on a piece of paper until you get the hang of structuring a practice on your own.

5. Groove. As you know, different teachers and styles of yoga have different- often strong- opinions about playing music during class. Some see it as a crucial element for setting a certain mood or theme; others think it's a crutch for both students and teachers. At home, none of this matters. First-time solo yogis usually benefit from playing music, as it encourages rhythm and provides another outlet for self-expression (not to mention drowning out the sound of your roommate playing bongos in the other room or the neighbor mowing the lawn). That's right, if you want to practice yoga to Rihanna or The Red Hot Chili Peppers or The Rolling Stones, go ahead! Rock on with your bad yogi self.

Readers: Do you practice yoga at home? If so, what are some of your keys to solo success?

Reader Query: Pre-Workout Breakfast

2010-06-02T17:14:00.007-04:00

One reader can't stomach breakfast before working out. Om Gal loves breakfast! Here are some stomach-soothing, workout-fueling tips. Readers, please add your own!

Hi,

Love the blog! With great apprehension, I realize I must become a morning workout person. In the past this usually meant a couple of dedicated mornings followed by a "sleeping in" day as a reward . . . followed by, well, more sleeping-in days . . . But now that I have a busy preschooler to take care of, the afternoon/evening workouts just don't fit in the schedule and my body is starting to reflect that! A major stumbling block for a morning workout has always been food. Food has absolutely no interest for me first thing in the morning, but with nothing in my stomach, my workout doesn't get too far. Any suggestions for a morning snack that won't repulse and will give me a little energy boost until I can have a better breakfast?

Thanks,

Carolyn

Hi Carolyn:

BRAVO to you for making the adjustment in your schedule to fit in exercise, especially when you would prefer to be doing other things, like sleeping. I can relate. I workout in the early a.m. only out of necessity. Otherwise, I, too, would rather be snoozing while saving my yoga practice, run, or gym session for the evening.

Proper nutrition is imperative for energy during the day and particularly during periods of physical exertion, and the old adage holds true that breakfast is the most important meal. However, you don't need to make yourself nauseous before a morning workout by eating when you're not jazzed by the idea of food. A small snack should suffice until you can eat a substantial post-workout meal. One helpful tip might be to pay closer attention to your dinner the night before. If it's hearty enough, with plenty of carbs and protein, you'll have some extra fuel to burn in the morning.

Here are a few more non-nauseating tips to try:

Bar low energy from your workouts. Energy bars have come a looooong way from their original cardboard-tasting brethren, and now, many brands make smaller, snack-friendly sizes, such as Clif and Luna. Perhaps test-drive a few flavors in the afternoon (this taste test could be fun for your pre-schooler too) so that your stomach is more likely to cooperate in its sensitive, morning state.
Shake things up. Shakes and smoothies are an easy way to get necessary nutrients. Like bars, several come in smaller, more chuggable or portable sizes. Muscle Milk, for example, makes a Light version in a juice box size that you might enjoy. If you can manage juice (though for some it's too acidic), Odwalla and Naked make mini products, perfect for grabbing on-the-go and combining with a piece of whole grain toast and nut butter, banana, or a scoop of granola. YogaEarth is a new line of products mixed with water or juice [disclosure: I'm on the board] that provide potent nutrients and sustained energy. For you, I would recommend Balance before a workout.
Switch your milk. Rice or soy milk could make cereal more palatable. During marathon training, I found that my own sensitive stomach fared best on rice milk and Grape-Nuts before a long training run.
Redefine breakfast. For some, the unappealing part of breakfast food is the "breakfast." If so, branch out to foods not traditionally eaten for breakfast. This is daring for a tender tummy (so if simply reading this point makes you cringe then you have your answer), but you might give it a try. For example, I sometimes love miso soup and rice for breakfast.
Trick yourself with a treat. Endurance athletes know well the stomach-churning affects of eating right before a workout or while working out, which is why there's a whole category of foods made to taste like sweet treats while being easy to digest. Sport Beans, Clif Shot Blocks, and Honey Stinger Chews (added bonus: Stingers are organic) pack a good dose of energy without upsetting intestines. Remember: these options do not constitute breakfast, but they could tide you over till your post-fitness feast.

I would venture to guess that the awesome and active readers of OmGal.com also have some suggestions. Many are skilled yogis, elite athletes, and topnotch nutrition experts in their own right.

Friends: tell us your favorite pre-workout or yoga meals?

Quote: Material Things vs. Spiritual Development

2010-06-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

"Toward material things, which necessarily have a limit, it is best to be satisfied with what you have, but with regard to the limitless development of spiritual qualities, you should never be satisfied with a mere portion, but continually seek higher development."

-His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

5 Yoga Poses for Swimsuit Season

2010-06-01T12:00:00.002-04:00

Do you remember having a favorite outfit as a kid? A prized article of clothing (perhaps a party dress or Little League jersey) that you would have worn every day of your life if possible?

Mine was a Miss Piggy bathing suit. I wore it all the time. I wore it to the beach. I wore it while jumping through the sprinkler. I wore it around the house in the middle of winter. For me, happiness and high fashion were captured by a pig wearing pearls and a boa.

Stories of women (young or old) enthusiastically donning a bathing suit 365 days a year are few and far between, so I thought this one was worth sharing . . .

More than likely, both gals and guys become a tad wary of stripping down to bikinis and board shorts at the start of each beach season. To help soothe the angst and slim your "asana," here are my 5 favorite yoga poses for summer.

1. Utkatasana Modification for Lean Legs: Traditionally, utkatasana (also known as chair pose) is done with both feet together and an upright chest position. The variation below is different, to inspire a bit more dynamic action in the legs and additional length in the torso and spine. To really cook your thighs, see how long you can stay in the lowest point of the posture. Be sure to breathe deeply using ujayi, which, coincidentally, sounds a lot like the waves at the beach.

2. & 3. Yoga Inspired Abs for a Strong Core: Many styles of yoga build extraordinary abdominal strength, among these are Ashtanga, Anusara, Forrest, Iyengar, Power, and Vinyasa. Here are a few of my favorite abdominal strengthening movements--ideal for developing the core power needed for many arm balances and inversions, protecting your spine from injury, and counter balancing your backbends (e.g., dhanurasana (bow), urdhva dhanurasana (wheel), ustrasana (camel), etc.). While getting a svelte tummy is no day at the beach (it's hard work!), its benefits are both body-healing and eye-appealing.

4. Handstands in the Sand for Sleek Arms and an Adventurous Spirit: Tis the season to practice your arm balances without fear. Grassy lawns and sandy beaches (see above left) provide perfect opportunities to try poses that seem intimidating in a studio environment or dangerous on a hard surface. The added benefit is that these carefree poses make you feel like a kid--while sculpting strong arms to boot.

5. Padma Mudra for a Beautiful Heart: With all this talk of looking lovely while wearing less, it can be tempting to believe that beauty is an external experience. Not so, friends. If being beautiful and thin made people happy, tabloid magazines and reality TV shows, which make their billions by cataloguing the insecure, neurotic, and/or ugly behavior of beautiful and thin starlets, would cease to exist. Moreover, the primary purpose of yoga is not to chisel your booty but to reveal your own inner light- beautiful in all its calm and confident brilliance- to you, and to the world. Padma Mudra is a nice reminder of this.

Best wishes for a beautiful and blessed summer!

Rebecca

A Poor Gal's Pedicure

2010-05-26T00:04:00.001-04:00

If you practice yoga, you spend a fair amount of time looking at your feet. The more often you practice yoga, the more you look at your feet, and with the arrival of open-toe shoe weather, others, too, will now be looking at your feet.

What does this mean? You need a pedicure.

Not so fast. Pedicures feel luxurious and look lovely; however, you can provide your tootsies with some of the same health benefits at home, for free. (Save your money for your yoga classes or health club membership).

Toes Pose is a very simple and potent stretch for toes and feet. It is essential for athletes, people who spend long hours standing (think: nurses, chefs, hair stylists, etc.), and/or fashionistas, who teeter around town in sky-high heels. All these activities have the potential to jam our toes and confine our feet until they cramp, contort, and ache.

I should forewarn you that although this pose is simple, it is not easy. I recommend doing it at home while you watch TV, before yoga class when you arrive on your mat, or during your home practice. Over time, it will get easier, and, eventually, it will feel divine . . .

Step 1: Start by standing on your knees, curling under all ten toes (you might need to help your pinky toe by folding it back with your fingers).

Step 2: Next, sit back onto your heels. Try to stay here for ten deep breaths. If the sensation is too intense for your feet, return to Step 1. Don't let your mind panic and become unwieldy. Your deep ujayi breath will support you.

Step 3: Release the pose by un-tucking your toes, setting your hands behind you, and lifting your shins and knees off the floor. The stretch in the tops of your feet, ankles, and shins will feel amazing . . . and keep your toes looking spacious, straight, and happy.

And, if you must splurge on a pedicure. Try Tart Deco by Essie, my current favorite color.

Kale Chip = Fail; Salad Success!

2010-05-25T00:00:00.004-04:00

We all have our strengths and weaknesses, in yoga and life. I openly admit to being a crap pool player (perhaps the crappiest to ever live), but I'm pretty good at arm balances.

Regarding kale chips, I am very good at eating them. LOTS of them. By the handful. Crunching and munching them into oblivion. Making them? By dehydrating pieces of kale in the oven, set at a low temperature? Not so much.

The first attempt was an abject failure. A sloppy, slippery, goopy green mess. Still, I didn't lose hope. I persisted. The second attempt was better but overly salty. All I could envision was Padma Lakshmi delivering some scathing feedback at my own imaginary Top [Yogi] Chef Judges Table. "Did you actually taste these before you served them?" she would ask.

I redeemed myself on the third try. They were edible; I'd even say good. But not good enough for my readers. Instead, I leave all recipes and guidance regarding kale chips to the Canadian queen of holistic nutrition and fellow blogger Meghan Telpner. Her site Making Love in the Kitchen has 372 recipes for kale chips. OK, slight exaggeration. There are at least three, and they all look scrumptious.

Fortunately for all, I can hold my own with kale outside the chip category. Sunday night, I made an uber simple salad (per a suggestion from actual chef Dad) that was a big hit for dinner among friends and even bigger hit for leftover lunch for me on Monday.

Packed with vitamins K, A, C, and many more nutrients, yet slim on calories (a fringe benefit for swimsuit season?), this recipe is insanely simple to make.

1.) Wash, dry, and de-stem one bunch of kale.

2.) Roll leaves tightly and slice as thin as possible (4-6 leaves at a time).

3.) Massage with extra virgin olive oil (1 TBS) and fresh lime juice.

4.) Season with sea salt.

5.) Chill

Enjoy!

Let's Talk About Sex, Yogis: Brahmacharya

2010-05-24T12:00:00.009-04:00

As a general rule, I don't like sexy yoga. I concede that yoga can be sexy, and sex can be yogic, but I prefer that the two- yoga and sex- sleep in separate beds. To the likes of Naked yoga, Playboy yoga, and the mantra My yoga isn't about namaste, more like T&A, coined by former professional wrestler turned Yoga for Regular Guys founder Diamond Dallas Page, I say no, thank you. For me, there's something incongruous about combining asanas and ass-ogling.

Thankfully, The Yoga Sutras caution against the misuse of sexual energy. Brahmacharya refers to abstinence, and interpretations of this sutra vary widely, from celibacy to a more metaphorical definition relating to one's energetic commitment to the yoga path.

Evoking one form of brahmacharya, my friend Marc (a fellow yoga teacher), once asked the question, "What part of don't f--- your yoga students do you not understand?" He was referring to the caddish behavior of certain male yoga teachers. The comment was so blunt and, regrettably, accurate that I nearly laugh-snorted tea out my nose. However, there are many more ways in which we can observe brahmacharya to enhance our lives, relationships, and yoga practice. In other words, balancing your life through yoga, includes your sex life.

Most interpretations don't insist that we abstain from sex altogether, and even the ancient yoga scriptures make a distinction between the celibacy of ascetics and "forest dwellers," who retreated from society to meditate and practice yoga in solitude, and "householders" who maintained families, to which sex is paramount. In other words, defining brahmacharya plainly as abstinence is reductive and, yes, unrealistic for most people. However, we still practice brahmacharya when we abstain from wasting, diluting, or polluting our energetic life force through sexual behavior that’s irresponsible or harmful to ourselves and others.

This intention manifests itself differently for each of us. For some, it suggests not eroding relationships through infidelity or using sex to fill a void in one's life. But, there are also more subtle ways to observe this sutra. For example, I opt not to talk about or allude to sex in my yoga classes, as I think it's distracting and inappropriate in most cases. (You may have noticed that I usually shirk to discuss it here). I think it's important for yogis to keep in check their come-hither pheromones in a studio environment, and I manage my own to the point where Leonardo DiCaprio could stroll into one of my classes, and, frankly, I might not notice.

If, on the other hand, he sidles up next to me at a Celtics game: all bets are off (even if he roots for the Lakers). I've been given clearance by S.O. on this one and, likewise, he has my blessing if Scarlett Johansson woos him away. It's only fair . . . Speaking of the talented Scarlett Johansson, perhaps you recall her portrayal of a yoga teacher in last year's He's Just Not That into You? The breathy, sex kitten voice while teaching. Sleeping with a married man. Toying with the emotions of poor “E” from Entourage for comfort after said affair with married man goes awry. Sort of sums up the opposite of making conscious decisions about your sexual energy, right?

Nevertheless, yogis are people; we're not perfect. Thank, God. Think how boring movies, TV, literature, art, music, and culture would be if created by a bunch of celibate forest-dwellers.

Sex is the ultimate creative act, therefore, perhaps it's more useful to see brahmacharya as awareness around what you create with your energy, rather than abstinence from the creative act of sex. This approach suggests that by conserving or holding in our energy, we gain greater life force, and this interpretation makes brahmacharya applicable to many facets of our lives beyond the boudoir.

Just as we can be sexually promiscuous by engaging in numerous, indiscriminate affairs, we can be energetically promiscuous too--unaware of how our thoughts, words, and actions influence each relationship and bond we create, from a quick exchange with the Starbucks barista to your telepathic connection with your BFF. Do we choose our romantic partners out of love and respect, or something else, such as fear of being alone or some superficial trait? Do we honor our friends or take them for granted? Are we present in our commitments, whether romantic, friendly, familial, or professional, or do we "get around" without paying much attention to how our energetic output affects the world around us. Do our daily commitments align with our larger chosen path?

Notice where and on what you spend your energy (sexual and otherwise). This creates your reality. The practice of yoga, including the principle of brahmacharya, encourages us to create mindfully. When we do so, we are our most compassionate and powerful selves.

Resources:

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Translation & Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda
The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga, George Feuerstein, PH.D.

Like a DJ, I Take Requests

2010-05-20T21:56:00.003-04:00

Tonight, it came to my attention that there was a strong contingent of teenagers in my class. I'd even guess that they were in the same age vicinity as I was when I first started practicing yoga at 16. Three inspiring gals enjoyed a quote I read to conclude the practice, so here it is, per their request. Rock on, ladies; you have a long and lovely yoga path ahead!

I believe that only one person in a thousand knows the trick to really living in the present. Most of us spend 59 minutes an hour living in the past, with regret for lost joys, or shame for things badly done (both utterly useless and weakening)--or in the future, which we either long for or dread. Yet the past is gone beyond prayer, and every minute you spend in the vain effort to anticipate the future is a moment lost.

There is only one world, the world pressing against you at this minute. There is only one minute in which you are alive, this minute--here and now. The only way to live is by accepting each minute as an unrepeatable miracle. Which is exactly what it is--a miracle and unrepeatable.

-Storm Jameson

Quote: Friends

2010-05-18T09:07:00.004-04:00

A friend is one whom you can pour out the contents of your heart, chaff and grain alike. Knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

-Anonymous

OmGal.com = Best Yoga & Fitness Blog (Officially)

2010-05-17T09:25:00.010-04:00

It's official. OmGal.com is the Best Yoga & Fitness Blog, per the 2010 Intent Web Awards and, more importantly, has the most kick-asana, awesome, engaged, supportive, and super fabulous readers on the planet (per me). I wanted to shout my excitement and gratitude from the rooftops yesterday upon learning of the award but settled for a short asana practice on my roof after teaching at Saluting the Spirit instead.

Thank you so much for your votes, readership, questions, comments, insights, and inspiration. I humbly bow to you and promise to keep creating high quality yoga-inspired content.

Tonight, I'm doing another video shoot with FiVi.com. Have a pose you want me to demonstrate? Post a comment, and we'll choose one.

O.G. Readers Rock the Vote!

2010-05-12T17:57:00.007-04:00

Perhaps you've heard the word on the street that OmGal.com is up for Best Yoga & Fitness Blog in this year's Intent Web Awards. A few ways you may have heard this news:

1.) You're a fan of Om Gal on Facebook via Facebook.com/omgalblog.

2.) You follow me on Twitter at Twitter.com/omgal.

3.) My Mom called you.

It's possible you voted, too. Maybe more than once. Maybe even once a day (per the poll's rules). If so, we can probably attribute this to one of the following:

1.) OmGal.com provides you with high-quality, yoga and fitness content that inspires you (or, at least, provides a fun online diversion at the office).

2.) My brother, Reece, the yoga bully strong-armed you into voting for me. (If so, I apologize on his behalf).

The more exciting news is that I'm in the lead! However, I need your help to stay there. If you've ever connected with a piece of my writing, chuckled at my antics (like the time I got naked on Comm. Ave.), enjoyed a favorite quote, picked up a new asana here or a wellness tip there, submitted and received a response to a reader query, appreciated my neurotic attention to grammar, or just plain pitied my pitiful cry for help at mile 22 of last year's Boston Marathon, please take a moment and send a click my way.

In gratitude,

Om Gal

Yogi Fashion with Erin the Om Gal Intern

2010-05-11T00:25:00.005-04:00

Meet Erin, the OmGal.com intern. This week she graduates from college, along with millions of other co-eds across the country taking part in commencement ceremonies in the month of May. Congratulations to all of them! A few details on OmGal.com's first intern: she's a yogi (a bit of a pre-requisite), former ballerina, and aspiring marketing maven. She's fond of Converse sneakers, lululemon duds (she works part-time at the Prudential Center store), and volunteerism. Instead of a typical spring break this year, complete with all the trappings of an episode of MTV's Jersey Shore, Erin washed up on the shores of Costa Rica for a one-week service project.

In summary, "Erin the Intern" is pretty flippin' awesome. I thought you might like to meet her.

I also thought you might like to scope out her killer sense of yoga-inspired style. Like many avid yogis and athletic types, she's often on the go from yoga class to dinner with friends, work to the gym, etc. I can relate and frequently ask my wardrobe to perform double duty: yoga pants as leggings, a favorite lululemon bamboo T-shirt under a blazer for work, and accessories galore to transform gear for working out, into going out.

For her unmasking on OmGal.com, Erin selected three outfits from her closet (along with a few items from mine), which easily convert from fitness to fashion and vice versa.

Work to Running . . .

Conceal slim-fitting running shorts with built-in underwear and a lightweight tank under a flowy yet modest sundress. Add a classic belt and loose cardigan for added polish at the office.

Dress (Anthropologie), cardigan (Anthropologie), Run Speed Short (lululemon), Run Swiftly Racerback (lululemon), belt (H+M).

Pilates to Out-on-the-Town . . . Black basics, such as a halter top and 3/4 length tights, for Pilates, yoga, or dance easily transform into a chic evening outfit by adding a colorful mini skirt, tailored blazer, strappy sandals, and sparkling accessories. "A blazer goes with anything," Erin declared during our photo shoot, which is how I feel about Indian-inspired gold bangles from Forever 21 (I wear them with everything). Erin rocks them, here, along with two other accessories: an H + M handbag and a yogi "mocktail" (water with lemon).

Blazer (J.Crew), Scoop Neck Tank (lululemon), Wunder Under leggings (lululemon; I wore these to run the Boston Marathon last year, in hot pink), skirt (Urban Outfitters), sandals (Aldo), clutch (H+M), bangles (Forever 21).

Yoga Practice to Lunch with Pals, Shopping, or even a Sox Game . . .

Nautical stripes instantly add a dash of playful preppiness and timeless style to any outfit. Meanwhile, a lightweight scarf updates the look, so that Erin doesn't risk looking too much like a sailor. These navy yoga pants are cropped to a length that flatters with sneakers or ballet flats, and the delicate camisole easily works on or off the mat, alone or layered with a tunic, hoodie, or jacket.

Abi & Joseph Stretch Camisole, lucy hatha power capri, T-shirt (Intermix), scarf (H+M), shoes (Converse; not shown), mat by Plank Designs, Om Gal messenger bag (sorry friends, this item is one-of-a-kind).

One-of-a-kind, much like Erin the Intern!

Did you enjoy meeting Erin or any previous posts over the years on OmGal.com? If so, take one click to vote in the 2010 Intent Web Awards in the Best Yoga & Fitness Blog category. Pretty please . . . It's good karma.

Om Shanti to the Mamas!

2010-05-09T13:33:00.004-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the om mamas out there. Thank you for reading, sharing, and inspiring.

3 Yoga Poses to Spark Afternoon Energy (Plus a Caffeine Confession & a Quick Video)

2010-05-05T06:41:00.008-04:00

Hi, everyone . . . My name is Rebecca . . . And, I’m an addict. My drug of choice is caffeine, specifically, steaming, piping hot black tea with soy milk. Tame, I know. It’s not even coffee, which- let’s face it- has more street cred. Nevertheless, I am a shell of a person without it.

Writers before me have had their vices. For Kerouac, it was Benzedrine; Hemingway had his booze. Oscar Wilde got wild on absinthe. Meanwhile, I reach for assam—preferably organic, however, in a pinch, a good old Tetley tea bag (British Blend, please) will suffice. I can’t help but wonder whether a more substantial substance might elevate my writing chops to the level of my predecessors. Maybe the hard stuff makes for a literary heavyweight? Alas, there’s something more than a bit hypocritical about a yoga writer who regularly slugs back absinthe while encouraging readers to practice a path of balance and moderation. So, I stick with tea.

When energy wanes, I admit, it's often my pick-me-up trick of choice, but I have others too, including a decaffeinated selection of asanas, ideal for the late afternoon hour of desktop slumping, catnap longing, and proper teatime drinking (traditionally around 4 p.m.).

Allow yourself to steep in one of these yoga poses for as long as needed:

Start with a Simmer

Spark a little energy spurt by warming up the body with this simple variation on utkatasana (above) or try some invigorating breath work. I learned to do a Breath of Joy from my first yoga teacher more than 14 years ago and have kept it in my bag of tricks ever since. To my own students, I describe it as the asana-equivalent of espresso (no disrespect to tea). The beauty of this movement is that it can be done anywhere (no mat needed) and by anyone (even yogi kids love the energizing effects of this powerful breathwork): begin standing. Next you will inhale three times while moving your arms like the conductor of an orchestra (inhale once arms together to the level of your navel; inhale twice arms open wide to the level of your chest; inhale three times arms together overhead). Finally, you'll exhale all the breath out with an emphatic "ha" sound as you transition into a low squat, reminiscent of a downhill skier (arms behind you, as shown in the above video).

Flip Me Over . . .

Backbending postures, too, provide an excellent source of energy, particularly if you sit at a desk or spend large amounts of time driving a car. Both of these activities can constrict the chest, with shoulders hunching and posture caving forward. To counterbalance this blocked energy, add a few repetitions of urdhva dhanurasa (wheel pose) to your yoga practice. Or, try a standing back bend (also referenced in today's video) by scooping your hips forward, lifting your chest, looking up, and possibly letting your head fall back gently, opening your chest and throat. You can do this with your arms overhead or supporting your low back with your hands. Be sure to breath in your backbends, through your mouth, if needed. Otherwise, use ujayi breath.

And Pour Me Out

Few poses have my heart like inversions, particularly sirsasana (headstand). Anatomically, the benefits are simple: tip yourself over (yes, like a tea pot) and you receive a rejuvenating supply of fresh blood to your brain. However, you need not be a seasoned yoga student to experience the benefits that headstand creates. A more accessible approach includes a standing forward bend (uttanasana), often referred to in yoga classes as “rag doll.” Spend a minute or two in either of these postures, and once you return to an upright position, your uplifted energy and clearer thinking will remain.

Not-So Relevant to the Kentucky Derby . . .

2010-05-01T18:20:00.007-04:00

The following quote is from a book I'm currently reading about our survival skills and instincts, and the intangible factors that influence how we react in life-altering situations. Truthfully, it has little to do with today's Kentucky Derby, but the annual hoopla made me recall this excerpt including an inpsiring metaphor of how the brain and body, reason and emotion, communicate under pressure.

The human organism, then, is like a jockey on a thoroughbred in the gate. He's a small man and it's a big horse, and if it decides to get excited in that small metal cage, the jockey is going to get mangled, possibly killed. So he takes care to be gentle. The jockey is reason and the horse is emotion, a complex of systems bred over eons of evolution and shaped by experience, which exist for your survival. They are so powerful, they can make you do things you'd never think you'd do, and they can allow you to do things you'd never believe yourself capable of doing. The jockey can't win without the horse, and the horse can't race alone. In the gate, they are two, and it's dangerous. But when they run, they are one, and it's positively godly.

-Laurence Gonzales, Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why

Quote: Andy Warhol

2010-04-30T06:58:00.001-04:00

"They say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."

-Andy Warhol

Reader Query: Yoga for Weight Loss After Injury

2010-04-26T03:06:00.009-04:00

Hi Rebecca,
I got your email through the blog . . . Keep up the good work, girl.

I’ve got a question about my health: About eight months ago, I had a fall from the swimming pool knocking my spine against the edge, causing a minor slipped disc (affecting 2 vertebrae) – I’m feeling much better now with less pain. However, I’ve put on weight like mad, too, because of lack of physical activity. How good would it be for me to engage in yoga? Just thought I’d ask your opinion. Thanks!

Best Regards,
Nadi

Hi Nadi:

Thank you so much for reading the blog and seeking my thoughts on recovering from your spinal injury along with staving off weight gain. Yoga can support both these endeavors; however, the answer is less obvious than you might think.

Students often seek my input when trying to lose weight, and I happily oblige if there's excess weight to lose. My style of teaching is known for being vigorous and, by extension, an effective means of weight management, muscle toning, and more. An admitted fitness addict and lifelong athlete, I'll be the first to share a killer abdominal sequence around swimsuit season or illustrate how arm balance postures can be a fun substitute for lifting weights. Simply put, the asana practice is a topnotch resource for battling the bulge.

However, yoga is comprised of several other facets beyond asana (the actual yoga poses we practice), and I would argue that many of these endeavors are powerful tools for reshaping both your physical and/or energetic body. They include seven other "limbs" on the yoga path as stated in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: yamas (one's attitude toward the world), niyamas (attitude toward self), pranayama (breathwork), prathayara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dyana (meditation), and samadhi (enlightenment). In other words, poses done blithely for the purpose of a slim waist or nice booty deprive us of yoga's most potent benefits, chief among these, Patanjali claimed, is cultivating the ability to "still the fluctuations of the mind."

While exercise is paramount to weight loss, and many styles of yoga are great forms of exercise, I believe that the psychological resources yoga provides are even more formidable tools for achieving a healthy weight and positive body image. Consider my personal situation, for example (one that I have not mentioned here before). I have been exceedingly active my entire life, beginning with swim teams as a little tadpole tyke through a stint in Division I athletics in college. I have a tall frame (5' 9") and am preternaturally muscular. I was always bigger and weighed more than most of my female peers growing up, so I exercised like a fantatic and was very limiting with my diet for most of my life. Despite this vigilance, I never felt thin. Fit, yes. Thin? No. According to some standards, I was overweight. After college, I started doing more yoga and gradually lost about 20 lbs.- ironically- without realizing it. I don't attribute this purely to the physical practice of yoga. Yoga became my predominant form of exercise, and, yes, it burns calories, but it wasn't more vigorous than the level of activity to which I was accustomed.

From the outside, it appeared that going to yoga class more often reshaped my figure. This isn't altogether false, but it isn't the whole truth either. Downward dog was not slimming my thighs nor garudasana sculpting my arms in some magical new way. Instead, I was gradually seeing and treating my body with greater compassion (characterized by ahimsa, one of the yamas). Yoga helped me to stop focusing on my weight and start making better, more mindful choices about nutrition (my diet actually became more inclusive rather than restrictive), sleep, and lifestyle. And, at the risk of sounding like a total flake, I was "talking" to my body differently. Instead of looking in the mirror and fixating on how my body didn't look, Why don't you fit into these jeans, you big-field-hockey-butt! I started noticing all it could accomplish, Holy crap, I'm strong! I can break up fights [I was a teacher in an inner city school system at the time] or even heave a vending machine off the ground when a snack gets stuck. Non-violence and vending machines: that is to say I was focusing on the important things . . .

While your spine heals, I encourage you to honor your body as it recovers, rather than judge its appearance. Acknowledge how it avoided what could have been a grave injury. Accept that it may have held onto added weight to protect you for a time. And, understand that our bodies are ever-changing. Now that you are better, you're free to experiment with all kinds of fun and liberating styles of movement, including, yes, yoga.

Truthfully, a vigorous vinyasa style of practice will shed weight quickest; however, I would recommend that you start more gently and let the proverbial scales fall where they may. Focus, instead, on the non-physical "limbs" of the practice mentioned here, such as meditation and pranayama, which teach a deep inward listening and the invaluable skill of being present.

I believe that our bodies know what to do when they need to do it: when to eat, how much, when to exercise, when to rest, when to moderate, and when to indulge. The power of yoga allows us to tap into this instinctual knowledge and reveal our best selves to the world, regardless of the size of our jeans.

Love and "light,"
Om Gal

Friday, I'm in Love: Definition of Success

2010-04-23T01:07:00.000-04:00

"If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day."

-Alex Noble

I Heart The Earth

2010-04-22T05:45:00.003-04:00

Happy Earth Day, om guys and gals! There are plenty of ways to celebrate Mother Nature today, such as cutting the lights, recycling your kombucha bottles (wine bottles, old iPods, sneakers, etc.), donating to an eco-friendly cause, or planting a tree, to name a few. Honoring holidays in meaningful and unique ways is an important part of life, whether the holidays are large or small, official or not, somber or silly.

To kick things off, I thought it might be fun to give mad props to the Earth by sharing something you love about it. Post a comment, as specific or general as you like, that captures your respect for the air, sea, or land. I'll start with a few of my own random musings. . .

I started running longer distances while in college in Virginia and I will never forget this one tree, far off campus, each fall. It was as though its leaves caught fire; the colors were so vibrant. I still recall how this tree could take my breath away as I ran by.
I stare at the ocean and can just about make peace with all my problems, if only for a moment.
I flip for farm stands and the completely different taste of food when it's grown locally, responsibly, and without chemicals.
I love to hike with friends, sometimes without speaking. Instead, we just walk together, in quiet, listening to nature and smelling the intoxicatingly fresh mountain air.
I would always rather walk than drive.
I love that Om Mama has been composting at home for decades.

Now, it's your turn! Oh, how we heart the Earth (and its day). Let us count the ways . . .

Photos: (clockwise from right) Kripalu, winter 2009; a beach in Truro, MA; overlooking the Adirondacks, and St. Francis of Assisi in my Mom's garden.

2010 is 30% Complete . . . Time to Revisit Your Goals

2010-04-21T07:29:00.006-04:00

2010 is 30% complete, which means it's a great time to re-evaluate, recommit, or re-energize your goals. The following Ten Healthy Things To Do in 2010 might be a helpful place to start. The original post appeared here and contains additional photos. How are you faring so far with the goals you set earlier this year? What are the major challenges? Tell us about your triumphs. Add your own inspiring suggestions to the top 10 list below.

1). New Year; new asana. If you want to broaden your understanding of yoga, try a new style this year. If you're a dedicated ashtangi, drop into a Restorative, Yin, or Kripalu class. Worship at the sweaty throne of Bikram? Refine your alignment in Iyengar. Love the fast pace of Baptiste or Vinyasa? Experiment with longer holds in Forrest yoga, greater emphasis on philosophy with Jivamukti, or heart-centered intention in Anusara. The purpose of practicing yoga is to evoke balance in our lives, thus it's important to inspire balance by including some variety in our practice.

2). Less reality TV; more reality. Look, I don't want to be a downer, but too much TV over-stimulates your brain (especially before bed), fattens your ass, saps your creativity, and erodes the personal, one-on-one relationships with real people that matter in your life. This year, watch the shows that inspire and entertain you, but cool it with the incessant background noise, relentless channel surfing, and late-night brain drain.

3). Forgive someone. Speaking of real people . . . They make mistakes. Big ones. Hurtful ones. Unforgivable ones. Forgive them anyway. Besides being the compassionate thing to do, it's crucial to your health. The anger we feel toward others, if allowed to fester, pollutes our thoughts, and as the Buddha once explained, "All that we are is a result of what we have thought."

4). Make this your mantra: Eat whole foods. You can eat at the grocery chain Whole Foods too, if you like, but that's not what I mean here. Whole foods are characterized by being as close to their natural, original states as possible. Skip the latest diets, swearing off carbs, and counting calories. Eat real food; think about where it came from; know how it got to your plate. Savor each bite. Eating mindfully will change your life and your body. Promise.

5). Get thee to Goodwill. Most of us have too much stuff. Get rid of what you don't need; give it to someone who does. It's a wonderful way to create space, physically and psychologically.

6). Turn your world upside down. If you only do one yoga pose all year, make it an inversion. If you're familiar with uttanasa, viparita karani, shoulder stand, and downward dog (your head is below your heart in all of these poses, directing fresh blood to your brain), perhaps set an intention to learn more advanced poses such as headstand, forearm stand, or handstand. These potent postures provide immediate shifts in perspective and are among the most effective asanas you can perform.

7). Get acquainted with karma. Making resolutions to be a better person in the coming year are nice, but they don't mean squat until you take action. The word karma actually translates to mean "action." To that end, good actions beget good actions and negative ones do the opposite. If this is the year you plan to take action in your community, help others in need, or volunteer for a cause in which you believe, quit talking about it. Find your focus, and take action.

8). Skip town. Taking a mental holiday need not be expensive or time-consuming, but it's important to get a change of scenery on occasion. Maybe you spend a weekend in the mountains, drive to the beach for a day, or simply take a walk in a different part of town. Experiencing new places and people keeps us young.

9). Write it down. No matter what your goals are, you are more likely to achieve them if you write them down. Trying to lose weight? Keep a food diary. Need to get your personal finances in order? Write down everything on which you spend money over the course of a month, then strategize where you can make improvements. Hoping to cultivate a better relationship with someone special? Send them a hand-written, heartfelt note. Writing things down allows us to see the truth in black and white, and that is the most powerful step toward change.

10). Meditate. It always helps. It never hurts. It costs nothing. It improves everything.

Ab-solutely Psyched It's Friday?

2010-04-16T07:28:00.002-04:00

Strengthen your core with this yoga-inspired abdominal exercise. Having a strong center protects your spine and supports arm balances and other yoga poses . . . and makes a swimsuit more flattering (just saying). Be sure to pull your abdomen down toward the mat the entire time. Your head and shoulders stay grounded as well.

If you have any history of back injury or are just starting out, please be sure to modify. This is advanced abdominal work and should be done slowly at first. Start with 3-5 repetitions and work up to 10-12.

Hey Marathoners (of Life & Running): This is Your Pose

2010-04-12T00:40:00.005-04:00

Today marks the one-week countdown to the 2010 Boston Marathon and the one-year anniversary of the scariest week of my marathon virgin life. I managed to survive the 7 days leading up to my first marathon last year and the grueling 26.2 mile race that followed, thanks in large part to my friends and fellow runners, discovering that Klondike bars make great recovery food, and viparita karani. For runners leading up to the race and following it, this restorative yoga pose is essential.

It's also essential for anyone else who spends a lot of time on his/her feet. Whether it's a long night behind the line for a chef, a jam-packed day at the salon for a hair stylist, a lengthy surgery for a medical staff, or the adventures of chasing and looking after small children, each of us experience our own "marathons" on a day-to-day basis. We run around, without much rest. We stand for hours on end. Our backs hurt; our legs ache; our feet swell. Our minds dart. Our heart rates elevate.

One antidote for real or metaphorical marathons, busy schedules, racing minds, and even high heels is the following pose, often referenced on OmGal.com and demonstrated, here, in video for the first time.

Enjoy. Rest up. Keep running.

Hanging Out in Lululemon

2010-04-11T07:15:00.009-04:00

The Lululemon store in Boston's Prudential Center recently did some redecorating, revealing posters that feature its latest selection of ambassadors, including yours truly. Here I am hamming it up with my photo upon seeing it for the first time this week. The ambassador shot shows me in a variation of ardha chandrasana on Commonwealth Avenue and was photographed by my friend, long-time fellow yogi, and standout New York based photographer Jonathan Pozniak. It was the hottest day of the year (a sweltering afternoon in mid August) but a fun and creative experience-- especially the part when I had to use my creativity to find ways of changing my wardrobe in public without getting arrested. (Some of the behind the scenes moments).

If you want to hang out with me (just a little poster humor there), come take a free class next Sunday at the Boston store. It's an abbreviated version of my specialty Yoga for Runners workshop in honor of next week's Boston Marathon. For runners, yogis, and runner/yogis, it will be a fun, free, inspiring way to spend Sunday morning. Plus, we'll send our positive intentions to all the runners readying for Boston's storied 26.2 mile race the following day.

If you miss next week's class, you can still swing by the store to point and laugh at my poster; it will be up for the coming year.

Mastering Yoga for Golfers

2010-04-06T00:00:00.002-04:00

This week marks the annual opening of the most storied golf tournament in the world, the Masters, with yesterday's practice round kicking off the high profile, high stakes festivities. Winners of the Masters immediately join the estimable ranks of golf lore’s finest. It’s the most coveted win in the sport, with the most coveted prize—the green jacket, not to mention a hefty winner's purse.

For one golfer, the stakes are higher than usual this year, as the 2010 tournament marks a return to the game for Tiger Woods, the world's most famous (and now infamous) golfer. In case you missed it, Woods took a break from golf for about 4 seconds, largely during the off season, to tend to the personal and public fallout following his recent sex scandal.

Since breaking the story, my blogging brethren have covered and commented on these events ad infinitum, along with sports analysts, members of the media, and just about anyone with a Twitter account (#TigerWoods was among the top ten trending topics in 2009, and the scandal didn’t even break until late November of last year). I’ll leave the commentary to those who are more qualified, more snarky, and/or more invested.

I don’t want to talk about Tiger Woods.

However, in honor of the Masters this week, I do want to talk about golf—specifically, how yoga can help golfers of any level, from amateur to elite, improve their game. Upon the request of a pro golfer pal, I’ve developed a yoga program to meet the unique needs of golfers. The objectives of the program are captured by a simple acronym that I created called F.O.R.E., as in the command a golfer might yell upon hitting into another group of players. If we ever hit the links together, you will surely hear this one on occasion . . .

F.O.R.E. stands for Focus, Openness, Rotation, and Efficiency, representing the four key elements of a yoga practice that supports and enhances one’s golf game. Below, you’ll find an example of each element of my program and how to master it on your own.

Focus: Any golfer knows that vision is paramount to success on the course. From lining up a putt to aligning your eyes properly before, during, and after your swing, your eyes are a powerful way of gathering information, adjusting biomechanics, and focusing energy. Yoga is no different. The Sanskrit word drishti refers to the focus and power of one’s gaze. To practice this concept, try keeping your eyes open during meditation. Set them on a steady point on the floor; let them be soft and relaxed, and see how your brain responds to having a visual anchor. Add the uninterrupted flow of your breath, and you'll immediately feel your nervous system become steady and energy level sustainable. Next, apply this principle to the ball during play.

Openness: Golfers, like most athletes, seek yoga as a way to improve flexibility. For golfers, key areas of the body to open, stretch, and expand include the hamstrings, hips, lower back, shoulders, neck, chest, and hands. To get you started, here's a great series for the hips, using a foam roller, a helpful and cost effective piece of equipment for athletes.

Rotation: Creating space and strength in the torso is essential for golfers who rely heavily on their ability to rotate through their golf swing seamlessly. Tightness and imbalance in the body translate into a choppy swing, and a choppy swing translates into crappy golf. A seated twist (shown above and explained here) is a very easy movement and an important posture for golfers. For added strength in your core, check out the following abdominal exercise (video).

Efficiency: The most essential element of yoga and golf is the same. Meditation. In its most distilled form, meditation is the skill of being aware in the present moment. When we are present, we are always more effective, as golfers, yogis, and people. Golf is a fickle game—even maddening at times; the best golfers know this and accept it. They train their minds to adapt to obstacles (physical or metaphysical), thereby becoming more aware and efficient in a given moment. It’s widely understood that you cannot excel off the next tee if you are still focused on the frustration of being in a bunker on the previous hole. Here's one of my favorite meditations, geared toward soothing nerves, creating a feeling of trust, and developing a sense of grounding. Yogis and golfers, both, meditate to find greater peace and efficiency on their course.

Whether you're watching the Augusta action on TV this week or hitting the links this season, happy golfing, om guys and gals!