“… [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][A] yogi never forgets that health must begin with the body… Physical health is not a commodity to be bargained for… It is something we must build up. You have to create within yourself the experience of beauty, liberation, and infinity. This is health. Healthy plants and trees yield abundant flowers and fruits. Similarly, from a healthy person, smiles and happiness shine forth like rays of the sun.”
-B.K.S. Iyengar
*Photo above by Renee Choi, wearing Ohm K’s new eco elephant gear at YogaWorks NYC.
Another year, another series of lessons.
Whether it’s opening up to let something in or chilling out a bit to let something go, we can practice sticking with the practices we’ve learned that serve our mind, body and spirit.
I am so jazzed for many exciting happenings, partnerships, and creations that will begin to come into fruition in 2016 [and beyond] that I am bursting at the Christmas-sweater seams to share with you, but for the sake of staying in the present moment I’ll just advise to stay tuned…
Till then, here are a few of my favorite healthy and sustainable lifestyle tips from 2015 to take with you into the new year, onward:
- Cooking at home takes time, but it’s worth it. Practice does not make perfect, but it does make for more ease and understanding, especially in the kitchen.
- Prepping food ahead of time like steaming greens and root veggies, soaking oats, boiling eggs or cooking grains makes for easeful, healthy meals to throw together throughout the week, no matter how busy you are.
- Keep compost in the freezer to keep the trash can from stinking, and drop it off at your local community garden or farmer’s market. An excellent, non-smelly way of giving back to the earth, because it gives so much to us.
- Just because something is intimidating doesn’t mean we should not or cannot do it, whether it’s cooking, working out, adopting new sustainable practices, or asking for a raise. Being fearful is just a way of getting through the initial roadblocks and softening potential disaster.
- If disaster does hit, it will eventually pass [see above].
- Worry is a waste of energy. When anxiety creeps up, remember the most important moment is the present moment. Acknowledge what has happened, including future desires, without letting them override the current experience.
- Things don’t have to be “hard” to achieve a goal. Yoga, and working out in general, is not all about “feeling the burn/stretch” or over-working. If we don’t feel strong sensations, it doesn’t mean something isn’t “working.” We have the ability to create a sense of ease and space as we take whatever dedicated form of physical activity suits us best.
- Being busy does not equate to being successful. Self-care and time off are imperative ingredients of successful productivity. This is an ongoing lesson that is finally starting to settle in as I work with healing muscle pains and stress. Whether it means exercising more [or less] or starting/finishing a project – rest to reset.
- What we want to do with our time is our choice and is immeasurably more important than what we feel we “should” be doing with our time [see above].
- Social media does not have to be a black hole of time, attention and compassion. It can be quick and actually mindful, and can connect you to people [like Ksenia of Breakfast Criminals!] and things you might never have discovered otherwise.
- Nothing beats the power of a supportive, encouraging community. If you don’t have one, set an intention to create one.
- If something you want doesn’t yet exist, work toward creating it, even if it’s just putting it out into the universe that you want it.
- Being healthy means so much more than being able to twist ourselves into arm-balancing pushup pretzels or eating kale. Using the physical body through your form of yoga and meditation is the gateway drug to healthy insides [see Iyengar’s beautiful quote above].
- Comparing ourselves to anyone else is pointless. Being wholly, honestly ourselves is the bravest thing we could ever do and will inspire others to do the same.
- Loss eventually means gain, if we allow it to be so.
- Dancing and singing is the MOST fun and cures unhappiness, even if momentarily.
- Traveling and learning about other people, places, cultures, food, and lifestyles is one of the most profound ways of cultivating understanding, compassion, and love for all beings.
- Gratitude is everything.
- Matcha lattes are delicious and addicting.
- Hu Kitchen reigns the mecca healthy eats in NYC.
- We are powerful. Iyengar’s quote above says it beautifully: we have to create within us the experiences we want, and they will manifest into our external world.
- We are enough.
What are some things you’ve learned that you might let loose or keep in your back pocket for 2016?
Thank you for your continued support! You are all incredible beings and I admire your interest in taking care of yourselves – this is an imperative component to be able to take care of each other.
Read the full last newsletter of the year for festive cookies, upcoming happenings, great music and more.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
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