Issue: #3: February 2008

Namaste friends,

In Anna Quindlen's wonderful book, A Short Guide to a Happy Life, she credits a homeless man on Coney Island's boardwalk with one of her profoundest lessons. Puzzled why he spent his time outdoors in subzero temperatures gazing at the ocean, she asked him why he did not seek refuge at a shelter. His answer was simple: "Look at the view, young lady. Look at the view.

There's always an email to answer, an errand to run, a deadline to meet. We become so busy, so stressed, so caught up in wanting more--more money, more recognition, more love--that we become blind to the beauty and wonder that lies before us. We take it for granted. Just as we do each other, neglecting to make the time to truly listen and deeply enjoy. So often we forget that we are human beings, not human doings.

It's quite a view! Savor it.

Breathe well, be well,

Suzanne
Full Potential Yoga
suzanneausnit@optonline.net


Soul Food
"Exhaust the little moment.
Soon it dies.
And be it gash* or gold
It will not come
Again in this identical
Disguise."

  --Gwendolyn Brooks

*waste or superfluous

HEAL

Waiting to exhale
Watch yourself for a week and observe when you hold your breath--both on and off the mat. Holding the breath represents an unconscious desire to maintain control and master your environment. You may notice it carrying a heavy pot of water to the stove, fitting a sheet over the mattress, or balancing in tree pose. If you train yourself to recognize this holding pattern in physical actions, you'll observe it when upsetting emotions arise. With recognition comes the realization that you don't have to react by shutting down and gripping. Instead you can choose to open up, soften and receive the breath.

Siesta Time
According to the latest sleep research, napping can be as effective as a night's sleep. Studies show that even a 30-minute nap can lower the risk of heart attacks. Try savasana with a rolled up blanket under your knees. At the office? Prop a bolster on your lap and lean it against the desk at a 30 degree angle. Rest your chest against the bolster with your head turned to one side and your arms resting on your knees, hugging the bolster. (Just be sure your boss isn't around!)

STRENGTHEN

Off Kilter? Yoga offers plenty of poses to improve your balance. But how much are you holding yourself up with your eyes? To find out if your balance and strength are optimal, try this test.
Stand on one foot with your arms out to the side. Close your eyes and count the seconds until you lose your balance. At age 40 you should be able to stay 15 seconds. Balance declines with age, but at age 70, you should still manage 7 seconds.

Cool Down

You can prevent sore muscles after a tough yoga class, but the remedy (used by pro athletes) is not for the faint of heart. If you soak in an ice-cold water bath--dump a few bags of ice into the water--for twenty minutes, any swelling and inflammation will be significantly reduced. To adjust to the shock, simply alternate between hot and cold (use the shower before the bath) until you can stand the cold. Try the same technique for two days if you strain a muscle, just immersing the affected body part. Lie on your belly with your forehead on crossed forearms. Bend one knee to 90 degrees and lift the knee off the floor while pressing the hip down. You will feel your hamstrings in action, plus it's a great prep for bow pose.


LIVE

Eat Your Heart Out

Here are two of my favorite recipes. They're tasty, healthy and a snap to prepare.

Broccoli Avocado Soup. Steam a head of broccoli. In the blender, puree the broccoli with one avocado and two cups (or more) of rice milk. Season to taste with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Sprinkle with a fresh herb--basil, cilantro or mint.

Gingered Apples. Dice two granny smith apples and mix with fresh grated ginger and the juice of one orange. Sprinkle liberally with cinnamon.

Soul Searching

What really happens after you die? Science writer Mary Roach investigates reincarnation, near death experiences and more in her hilarious, quirky, thought-provoking guide to the hereafter, Spook. In her own words, "This is a book for people who would like very much to believe in a soul and in an afterlife for it to hang around in, but who have trouble accepting these things on faith. It's a giggly, random, utterly earthbound assault on our most ponderous unanswered question." Particularly intriguing is her journey to India, where she travels to villages with reincarnation investigators interviewing "prospective" candidates about their past lives.

Rise and Shine

Can't wake up in the morning? In a fog till noon? Your biological clock may have hit the snooze button. The best way to reset your internal timekeeper is to get outside for 10 minutes and expose yourself to light as soon as possible after rising. The worst thing you can do is stay inside and lounge around. Daylight shuts down the production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone, and stimulates the level of serotonin, a feel-good chemical, in your brain.