The Yoga Lodge on Whidbey Island Newsletter
Winter, 2009/2010

Namaste!

Welcome to the first issue of The Yoga Lodge on Whidbey Island Newsletter! I promise not to inundate you with e-mail activity and plan to write only when I'm inspired or have pertinent news to share. My intention is to keep you informed about what's happening at the lodge, keep our yoga community connected and offer support for your personal sadhana (spiritual practice). Each issue will include suggestions for reflection and home practice, ways to enhance your well-being through ayurveda and seasonal recipe(s), announcements, bed and breakfast news and/or specials, and upcoming lodge events. Newsletters will be posted on the website so that you can access the information again easily. This is a work in 'process' so your comments and suggestions are welcome.

In this issue:

• Sadhana
• Ayurvedic Tips for Winter + Seasonal Recipe(s)
• Announcements -- Class Offerings in January, 2010!!
• B&B - Winter Rates are in Effect!
• Upcoming Yoga Retreats
• Poem

HOME PRACTICE - SADHANA

One of my rituals to connect with Grace each day is to spend time immersed in nature. Often that's a walk with Maggie. It's a pilgrimage. The other day amidst the rain and wind, we walked on the beach as the tide was coming in. I remembered fondly the summer walks, in sandals, sun high in the sky, grazing on the ripe blackberries along the bluff, each an explosion of perfect ripeness for my taste buds. At the same time I realized that I love this time when nature roars. When the almost steamy foam capped waves of current smack the beach with an impact that's almost a deafening Om, the beach narrows to a sliver as the tide creeps higher, the salty mist showers my face like pellets and the clouds grow darker with fat bellies about to burst. There's a sense of adventure, exuberance, and expansion as I let myself touch the core of my sensation.

Both experiences serve as metaphors for meditation. These are the moments when we choose to step from the outer into the inner realms or are summoned to remember why we are here. These are the moments like the turning of the seasons, now winter, when we are drawn to go inward, when we embark on a conscious pilgrimage, pause and follow the roar of Rudra (a form of Shiva, the wild god of nature associated with storms; means 'to howl or to shine' with regenerative and healing qualities) or follow the sweet nectar of Soma (benevolent, celebratory, ecstatic) to the vastness of the heart space, the renewed awakening, and the opportunity to align with the great current of life, a never ending source of abundance.

During the upcoming holidays of gratitude and light, allow your sadhana (spiritual practice) to create opportunities to access this ocean of abundant energy. Incorporate choices that will emphasize gathering energy inward, renewing your energy like Meditation, Pranayama, and Restorative Poses. Consider an individual yoga session to learn more about these practices or to shift to a new level.

AYURVEDIC TIPS FOR WINTER

Your life energy naturally moves differently in the different seasons of the year. In winter the weather is typically grey, cold, damp and heavy, with life moving more slowly. These are the qualities of kapha dosha. Kapha combines water and earth elements and is the energy that forms the body's structure. The qualities of kapha include heavy, slow, cool, oily, damp, smooth, soft, static, viscous, and sweet. Winter is generally thought of as a season of kapha. A kapha-pacifying regimen can be very useful, especially by kapha individuals. For your life energy to flourish, follow these natural cycles in your practice.

Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc. in The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies suggests the following:

• Because winter is a season of kapha which is slow and steady, don't rush. Use this season as an opportunity to slow down. Expend only as much energy as you must.
• You probably notice that it's hard to get up early like in the summer. If possible allow yourself to arise less early, around 7 a.m.
• Yoga asanas which help open the chest, stretch the throat, drain the sinuses, and relieve congestion of the chest are postures for winter season. Don't forget Sun Salutations!
• After meditation apply some warm sesame oil to your entire body then take a hot shower. Sesame oil, which is warming, is beneficial for all constitutional types in the winter.
• Have something warm for breakfast - oatmeal, cornmeal, barley soup, cooked rice flakes. A warming tea: 1/2 tsp. dry ginger, cinnamon and a pinch of clove. Boil these herbs in a cup of hot water for five minutes and drink. It will increase heat, improve circulation, and eliminate mucus from the system. (do not drink this tea if you have an ulcer, as it will be too heating)
• For lunch, eat kapha-soothing food like whole wheat bread, steamed vegetables, and hot mushy soups with ghee. If you eat meat, Ayurveda says that winter is the time to eat it because agni (digestive fire) is strong.
• At the end of the day, rub a small amount of sesame oil on your scalp and on the soles of your feet.

SEASONAL RECIPES

Sweet Potato Soup

Scrub: 3 large sweet potatoes

Put them in a large pot with enough boiling water to cover them. Add: 1 inch fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced

Bring the sweet potatoes and ginger to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are soft, about 35-40 minutes. (I like to add 3 bay leaves and 2 cinnamon sticks to the water.)

In a small saucepan, bring to a boil:
1 1/2 c. soy, fresh raw cow's or goat's milk (try coconut milk - coconut is actually more sattvic than soy milk)

Reserve 1 1/2 cups of cooking water from the sweet potatoes (the rest of the water makes good soup stock). Blend this cooking water, the hot milk, the cooked sweet potato and ginger in a blender with:
1/4 tsp. freshly ground allspice (I used 1/4 tsp. cloves & nutmeg instead.)
1 Tbsp. maple syrup (optional - sweet potatoes are naturally sweet)
Salt to taste (try Himalayan rock salt - it's healthier than sea salt, as it assists the body in absorbing all nutrients)

Add more milk or water as desired to reach a creamy consistency. Puree the finished soup until satiny smooth. Caution!! Make sure soup is warm and not boiling if blending or it can be very dangerous.

Serve hot with fresh greens

Variation: Yams are acceptable as well

Serves: 4

From Ayurvedic Cooking For Westerners by Amadea Morningstar

Barley & Wild Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Seeds

2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 med. onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup wild rice, rinsed
1/2 cup pearled barley
3 cups vegetable broth
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 cup pomegranate seeds (approx. 1 pomegranate)
2 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest
2 Tbls. chopped fresh parsley

Beat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened. Add wild rice and barley: stir for a few seconds. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the wild rice and barley are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. 45 - 50 minutes, longer if using raw barley. Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a small dry skillet over med-low heat, stirring constantly until golden and fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Add pomegranate seeds, lemon zest, parsley and toasted pine nuts to the pilaf: Fluff with a fork. Serve hot.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Class Offerings in January!

Brush off your yoga mat and join a class again. The Tuesday 6 - 7:30 p.m. Level I class and Wednesday, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Level II class will run from January 5 - February 23 and March 10 - April 14 (8 week sessions for $96 each) with Doug McKenna. Kate Casey will teach a Gentle/Level I class from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month from January - April (8 classes for $96). Click here to read more about Doug and Kate. Classes will continue at $12/class if you commit to the 8 weeks. That's a great motivator to attend regularly! Drop-ins are still $15/class.

212 Take-Out Restaurant Now Open

Scott & Stephanie of The Midnight Kitchen have announced their newest food adventure, 212 Take-Out, a new take-out restaurant at Ken's Corner. They will be open from 4:00 to 8:00, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and are located in Suite 212 of the Ken's Korner shopping plaza. Scott and Steph have provided catering for The Yoga Lodge for the last several years, supporting and cooking local fresh produce to the overwhelming delight of retreat guests. By supporting their new venture, you will be supporting our local farmers! It's quite a gift for commuters too. For full details, and menus, please visit them at www.212take-out.com.

7th Annual Yoga Journal San Francisco Conference
January 28 - February 1, 2010

Register now for the Yoga Journal San Francisco Conference! Choose from 100+ classes with innovative programming for an unforgettable weekend designed by you. There are classes in all styles for all levels; from the Beginners Track to the famous Main Conference to All Day Intensives there is something for everyone. You'll have access to 40+ world renowned yoga teachers including Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Dharma Mittra and more.

Plus special events including Saturday Night Ignites dance party with DJ Dragonfly, Friday Evening Classes, Free Community Classes, the Yoga Marketplace and much more!

Register now at www.yjevents.com/sf10 or call 800 561 9398.

Because The Yoga Lodge on Whidbey Island is a sponsor, register with promo code SF15 to save $50 off the Main Conference.

BED & BREAKFAST

Because winter is a time of renewal, a personal retreat to rest, reflect, and restore can be invaluable. Including an individual yoga session, taking a class, treating yourself to a massage and/or time in the wood powered sauna are all ways to enhance your journey. Winter rates at the lodge are reasonable at $65/night plus tax !!! An organic vegetarian or vegan continental breakfast, kitchen privileges and use of the sauna are all included.

Note that we are slowly replacing all of our 100% cotton towels and bedding with 100% ORGANIC cotton.

UPCOMING RETREATS

Whidbey Island Retreat with Jennifer Isaacson
Friday, December 11 - Sunday, December 13, 2009
Click here for more info.

The Journey: A Weekend Retreat for Women
Anusara Yoga & Shamanic Journeying
with Elizabeth "Rainey" & Linda Secord
Friday, January 29 - Sunday, January 31, 2010
Click here for more info.

The Great Reconnection
A Re-treat for Couples: Deep Work and Deep Play
Alina Frank and Dr. Craig Weiner, DC.
Friday, February 12th - Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Click here for more info.

Spring Renewal
A Weekend Retreat of Yoga & Ayurveda
with Tami Hafzalla & Sarah Kruse
Friday, March 26th - Sunday, March 28, 2010
Click here for more info.

Pranayama - Breathing Techniques

The following two breathing techniques are particularly useful in winter to help create warmth in the body and increase the digestive fires.

Benefits: increases the vital capacity of the lungs, relieves allergies and asthma, helps make the lungs strong and healthy, heats the body

• Bhastrika Pranayama (Breath of Fire)
  

Technique: Sit comfortably. Inhale passively through the nose but exhale actively and with a little force. Start slowly and increase the speed like a steam locomotive slowly picking up speed. Do one round of 30 exhalations and then rest for one minute. You may do up to five rounds of bhastrika in the morning and five in the evening.

• Surya Behedi Pranayama (Right Nostril Breathing)
  

Technique: Sit comfortably. Block the left nostril by gently pressing with the ring and little finger of the right hand. Breathe in and out through the right nostril only. Repeat ten times.

POEM

Love's Constancy

Anyone who has waded
Through Love's turbulent waters,
Now feeling hunger and now satiety,
Is untouched by the season
Of withering or blooming,
For in the deepest and most dangerous waters,
On the highest peaks,
Love is always the same.

-Hadewijch of Antwerp (13 c. mystic)