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BLOG: Pulse of the Stars
I'm delighted to share my first PODCAST on Vedic Astrology! Please enjoy: PODCAST - Vedic Astrology
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the Universe exist. Be curious." -Stephen Hawking
Interview by Nadege August with What the Fockery? Podcast
Photo by Rachel Ryan
I invite you to join me to honor and cultivate the smoothing lunar energies through exploration of the practice of Chandra Namaskar. In a world that is dominated by masculine, goal oriented, solar energies (known as rajas in Ayurveda) it is no wonder that most practitioners of yoga include Sun Salutations in their daily practice. I personally made Surya Namaskar a part of my daily routine for most of the past three decades until I found my practice beginning to burn me up, literally, instead of nurturing me. The practice of yoga is the art of deep listening, which is a constant practice. In the past few months I've turned to the cooler, more quieting lunar practices to tend the mind and body in such a way that involves participating with what is given to me instead of trying to force a perceived goal or agenda. After experiencing the healing properties of this practice, I felt called to share the lesser known Sister practice to Surya Namaskar.
Chandra Namaskar cultivates body balance and attunes us to the lunar cycles of nature and rhythm’s of our Spirit. Moon salutations are meditative, slow, and cooling. They help bring balance to busy schedules, over stimulation and the demands of the day. This practice is appropriate for all times of day, including late afternoon and early evening before bed. It can also be made into a ritual that would honor and attune one with the cycles of the moon when practiced with extra awareness and devotion during the new and full moon or outside beneath the rays of the full moon.
As with any practice in life, whether on or off the mat, the invitation is to come as you are and practice your yoga. At your own pace, with deep and slow consciousness breath, listening to what is needed, taking rest or modifying at any time. You may wish to begin with three to five or more breaths per pose and build up to one breath (three in Goddess pose) over time, which I have shared in the video below. Dropping into your own inner rhythm and pulse of the moon cycle, you may begin your practice by warming up the body with one cycle (practicing on both sides) of chandra namaskar or moving through the sequence as your main Sadhana (practice) with three or more cycles. When moving with a slow, and meditative pace, the practice will be around 4-5 minutes depending on the length of your breath cycle. Enjoy the practice!
I'm delighted to share with you one of my favorite lunches to pack when I'm on the go, in a class or workshop for the day or even for a date on the beach! In the Science of Ayurveda, kitchari is a dietary staple traditionally consisting of rice and lentils. A lovely and nurturing meal that is usually prepared in a crockpot throughout the day or on the stove stop for around an hour. The exciting part about this recipe is it only takes around 10 minutes to prepare. You'll be amazed by this hot, nurturing and delicious meal to go.
Yields: Two 12-oz thermos meals
Prep time: 10 min
¼ cup red lentils (washed and soaked)
¼ cup organic basmati rice or quinoa, I prefer the red variety of quinoa (washed and soaked)
(Tip: If using yellow mung dhal you can soak the rice and dhal overnight in warm water and one tsp. of yogurt, which makes it a bit easier to cook and digest.)
1-1½ cups of fresh vegetables
(Try green beans and carrots, red chard and yellow summer squash or sweet potatoes & zuccini. However, any seasonal vegetable will do as long as it is fresh.)
½-inch piece ginger root, finely shredded
¼ tsp. turmeric powder
½ tsp. cumin seeds
2 tsp. ghee
Salt and black pepper (optional) to taste (I prefer the pink Himalayan salt)
2¼ cups water
Add more water for soupy kitchari.
Insulated stainless steel thermos, 12 oz. or larger. (I prefer a 24oz Stanley Classic Thermos, Wide Mouth Bottle Stainless Steel)
If you have a mini cooler or another small wide mouth insulated container, I enjoy gnashing the kitchari with cilantro, avocado, coconut yogurt and sometimes a curried sauerkraut.
Svastha Ayurveda
Strain and rinse rice and dhal.
Melt the ghee in a large saucepan on medium heat. When it is hot but not smoking, add the cumin seeds.
After the cumin seeds turn brown, add the shredded ginger. Add the turmeric and some freshly-ground black pepper (optional). Stir quickly.
Add the rice and mung dhal. Add the water and bring to a boil.
Boil vigorously, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
Add the vegetables to the mixture. Boil uncovered for an additional 2½ minutes.
Add salt to taste.
Using a large serving spoon, pour the entire mixture into an insulated thermos and quickly close the lid. (Tip: pour the mixture into the thermos over the sink, as turmeric will stain.)
Pack the thermos lunch, allow the Kitchari to continue cooking for about four hours. Enjoy your freshly-cooked hot meal – it will taste like it just came off your stove!
Inspired from my studies with Maharishi Ayurveda.
