(my-yer-ahs-anna) mayura = peacock One of the best detoxifying poses is Mayurasana. This pose is one of the first 15 asanas ever to be written down. The first Yogis practicing asana understood its tremendous health benefits. Here’s what Svatmarama wrote about mayurasana in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika: “Mayurasana quickly alleviates all diseases like enlargement of [...]

“Lower the shoulders. Revolve the stomach left and right with the speed of a strong whirlpool. This is called Nauli by the masters. This Nauli is the crown of Hatha practices. It kindles a weak gastric fire, restores the digestion, always brings happiness, and dries up all defects and diseases.” – From The Hatha Yoga [...]

In traditional Chinese medicine springtime is the season of the Liver. Dark and bitter leafy greens aid in detoxifying and toning the liver. This pressed salad is a deeply satisfying bowl of goodness. Make it with whatever dark leafy greens are abundant in your area. Dandelions are commonly considered a weed, but in fact they [...]

My godmother Clarissa is a fantastic chef. She is also one my best friends and mentors. Clarissa is an acupuncturist and herbalist (Chinese herbs) here in Portland and the owner of Jade Acupuncture in NW Portland (the best place in PDX for acupuncture and massage… Not that I’m biased). It’s Clarissa that I double-check all [...]

Ryan Leier is the energetic and inspired owner of ONE Yoga Saskatoon and Yoga For Youth which is a project that has been responsible for bringing yoga and meditation into public schools and community centers throughout the Saskatoon school district and into lower-income neighborhoods. I was lucky enough to get the busy man on the [...]

Michael Stone is a psychotherapist in private practice, lecturer, yoga teacher and author. He co-leads the Centre of Gravity Sangha, a community of Yoga & Buddhist practitioners in Toronto and travels internationally, teaching in academic, yoga studio and conference settings. Michael offers courses and retreats that focus on integrating yoga postures, breathing practices, meditation and [...]

Salabasana and Bhujangasana Salabhasana (sha-la-BAHS-anna) Salabha- Locust or Grasshopper, Asana- Pose Bhujangasana (boo-jang-GAHS-anna) Bhujanga- Serpent, Snake, Asana- Pose Salabhasana variations are simple backbends performed while lying prone (on the belly) that prepare the body for deeper backbending practice by strengthening and lengthening the muscles of the back, legs and “core”. There are many variations of [...]

Two days ago we crossed over the Equinox and into Autumn officially. Here’s an excerpt from the Fall newsletter in case you haven’t read it yet ; ) September is the transitional month between summer and fall. We can still enjoy warm days but the evenings are getting cooler, the days are shorter and it’s time to go [...]

From FTY Autumn Newsletter a variation on a recipe from “Vegetable Soups From Deborah Madison’s Kitchen”. Smoky Tomato Bisque Serves 4 Preparation time 45 minutes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced 5 garlic cloves, slivered 1 tablespoon Spanish smoked paprika (more to taste) 4 pounds of ripe Beefsteak tomatoes, cut into [...]

2 months of late nights, photo-shoots, research, recipe testing, interviewing and 9 pages later…