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The Healing Practice of Pratipaksha Bhavanam
Our thoughts have the power to transform our reality.
The Healing Practice of Pratipaksha Bhavanam
Vitarka badhane pratipaksha bhavanam – Respond to negative thoughts and patterns by thinking and doing the opposite.
If you’ve followed Tasty Yummies for sometime, you are aware that my yoga practice has played a very integral role in my healing and my health, along with my journey toward self-love and self-confidence. I jokingly say that yoga is the gateway drug that came into my life, rocked me and changed me forever – the “drug” that got me on the path to healing. But in full honesty it truly was the stepping stone that brought me to a place where I could finally prioritize my health and from a totally non-ego centered approach, it allowed me to place ME and my happiness above all else. Yoga was the first introduction I had to learning to love and celebrate my body, to trusting myself and most importantly, to knowing that I was actually worthy of being happy, vibrant and well.
It was sometime in 2006 that I first stepped onto my yoga mat, and while I didn’t know this at that time, it was that first unrolling of my mat that fully changed the trajectory of my life moving forward. It was the first time that I made a choice to prioritize my self-care above all else, to give myself permission to fully love myself and to trust that what lied ahead, while intensely challenging, would make for a better version of me.
My yoga practice has evolved greatly over the years. From a daily, rigid, before dawn, self-led mysore practice, to group ashtanga practice, to sweaty vinyasa classes anywhere and everywhere I could take them in, from coast to coast. A few years ago my personal practice eventually reached a place that I was yearning for more and it was then that I received my 200-hour and then 500-hour certification to teach, which I used to host retreats and teach regular classes, publicly and privately. These days, my personal yoga practice is much more private and intimate, with a far less stringent, regimented approach.
While I don’t have a scheduled 90 minute practice daily anymore, yoga still seeps into every single one of my days, even if just by way of the philosophies and methodologies inspiring my approach to daily living. Often it’s the practice of conscious breath work in a stressful moment, or quite literally physical stretches prior to or just after lifting heavy weights or having a rigorous workout of some kind. Some days I make my way to the beach to flow. Often I don’t. I find myself, most days, without consciousness, creating a symphony of breath and movement when I need it most or finding that beautiful balance between effort and steadiness in all aspects of my living. There may not be any greater constant in my life than the practices I have cultivated through yoga.
Throughout my yoga teacher training in 2014, I had a great many lightbulb moments. Literally open mouth “Aha!” moments. Realizations not just in what my body and mind were capable of, but rather in recognizing the control that I had unknowingly harnessed through my practice over the years up to that point. The control of creating my own happiness on the mat and in my life. There were beautiful practices that I had cultivated, unconsciously, which greatly contributed to changing me and much of it finally had explanation with these teachings. I could finally put words and thoughts to them and almost tangibly hold them in my hands so that I could study, cultivate, practice and share them with others.
Studying the yoga sutras and more specifically, Pratipaksha Bhavanam, were probably the most eye-opening aspects of my teacher training and to this day, despite my practice and my teaching career having changed drastically than what I ever could have imagined, they continue to provide daily practices and inspiration for a better life.
Yoga at 8,839 feet?
It was at the very top of Half Dome mountain on a trip to Yosemite last week, at the end of the most intense and rigorous hike (and experience) of my life, after facing my biggest fears and heading head on into place of great discomfort – that I had a great moment of true revelation! It was on top of that mountain, while sobbing in pure pride for what I had just accomplished, that I had the great realization that it was my yoga and the practice of Pratipaksha Bhavanam that got me through and to the top of that mountain that day! Both literally in the actual hike to the peak, but also the years of healing and transformation that led me to even being able to take that journey to be there, in the first place.
In every moment of self-doubt on the journey that day, in every intense thought of great fear, in every question of “But, what if I fall?” I had the unconscious ability to tap into this important practice and change both the dialogue and the outcome. I wouldn’t allow it to continue, I honored it in the moment, I expressed gratitude for it’s teachings and it’s purpose, then I shut that shit down and then literally heard the words – “Oh, my darling, but what if you fly?” (Erin Hanson)
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Photo Fun Day Friday
Hey guys!! Hope everyone is enjoying their November. I feel like this is the calm before the crazy holiday storm! I personally love this time of year and cannot wait to get into all the festive stuff. I tend to get started earlier than most folks. (As you’ll see.)
Have anything fun planned for the weekend? We’ll be setup at the Patchwork Show in Long Beach this Sunday 11/17, selling our hand printed goodies. If you are around Southern California, come by and check it out.
My brand new 8×10 Namaste. Designed and hand silkscreen printed by yours truly. Available in the Tasty Yummies etsy store.
Finally got these hung in our new home. Reppin’ our roots and our present.
Look at that baby!!
REAL apple cider from Western New York. Who knew it would be this hard to get good cider out here. Thankfully our friend Frank shipped us some from Buffalo!
Went to see NIN last weekend at the Staples center with Meg and our hubbies. The suite tickets were sweet!
Scenes from the Rose Bowl Flea.
Scenes from the Rose Bowl Flea. A Buffalo skull like this one, will be mine for our dining area! I can’t wait. Read the rest of this entry »
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Photo Fun Day Friday
Here we go, it’s Friday again, here are some pics from the last two weeks! Hope everyone has a great weekend!! Got anything fun planned?
Infusing vodka with figs and other goodies. Look for the how-to and some fun cocktail recipes later this week.
Went to Alex’s Bar here in Long Beach, AKA Fangtasia from True Blood with our friend Anjuli who was visiting from Buffalo. (I stopped watching the show many seasons ago, but it was still cool to see where they filmed those scenes)
Loving these amazing bottles from Lifefactory. Glass bottles with plastic-free silicon sleeves and they are free of known harmful chemicals like BPA, BPS, phthalate, etc. The wide mouth is great for adding fruit or ice to your water and you can even carry fresh juice or smoothies, without fear of it ruining the bottle or the flavor of your drink being affected, etc. Check out all of their products here http://amzn.to/14YqQw4
My runs by the ocean, don’t suck. Just sayin’
Super excited to get an advanced copy of my friend Kelly, of The Spunky Coconut’s brand new book: “The Paleo Chocolate Lovers’ Cookbook: 80 Gluten-Free Treats for Breakfast & Dessert”. Preorder it now. Look for my full review and a giveaway very soon!
Made some raw vanilla bean almond milk and chocolate almond milk for the first time with a nut milk bag and OMG have I been missing out! What a breeze, so clean and easy. This is the nut bag that I used —–>http://amzn.to/17MhEau. Here’s my recipe for homemade raw almond milk.
Working from home means I get to enjoy mid-day cuddles and sometimes naps with this girl. I just love her so much!
A great reminder on the street near my acupuncture clinic.
I had a lady’s night dinner with Meg from Beard and Bonnet this week and I made this yummy treat to share. Grain-free flatbread with caramelized shallots, figs from our tree, goat cheese and arugula. Recipe coming next week.
I get some really fun products sent to me to try. This is wine spritzer that has electrolytes added. I cannot wait to try it. Half the calories of wine and zero sugar. Sounds like my kind of cocktail. I will report back!
I love taking Seri to the dog park to play ball. Nothing makes that dog happier.
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Photo Fun Day Friday
Happy Friday!! Hope all of my American readers had a happy, fun and safe 4th of July!! Did you do anything fun yesterday??
We’ve had a great week!! So excited that summer is in full swing and trying to enjoy every moment of it.I froze some watermelon balls (used a melon baller to scoop out fresh watermelon then put it on a parchment paper lined sheet until they were frozen and they have been delicious in sparkling water.
Seri can always find even the smallest patch of sunlight shining in.
The view from my yoga mat at Wanderlust Yoga in the City. Yoga amongst hundreds of strangers under the hot sun on the Santa Monica Pier. It was perfection.
I am getting really creative with the zucchini around here, since I have so much of it. Look for this recipe later this week.
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10 Things My Mom Taught Me
Happy Mother’s Days to all of the moms, grandmas, yia yias, step moms, foster moms, pet moms, etc! Mothers, you guys have one of the toughest jobs on the planet that takes more strength, compassion and patience than most anything else.
Thanks to my amazing mom for all she has taught me! I am who I am because of her. I love you mom!
10 Things My Mom Taught Me
1) Be who I am. Nobody can make me who or what I am and nobody can take that away from me.
2) Be thoughtful and considerate of other people’s feelings.
3) Always trust my gut and go with my instincts. It’s usually right on.
4) Always see the good in people and celebrate their differences.
5) Be compassionate and empathetic.
6) Be honest and speak my truth.
7) Cherish family and embrace friends like family.
8) Be strong and confident and stand up for my beliefs.
9) I am beautiful.
10) Love and happiness are always worth fighting for.
What has your mom taught you?
Happy Mother’s Day!
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Photo Fun Day Friday
It’s a short one this Friday, since I just did a photo post on Monday! It’s been a nice couple of days, we were getting ready for our trip to Chicago for the Renegade Craft Fair and we even had time to decorate our Christmas tree!! I hope you have had a nice week and have an even lovelier weekend! Do you have anything fun planned for your weekend?
My sweet baby, Seri, sleeping on me.
I just LOVE this stuff!!
We went simple and sweet this year with our tree. Handmade felt bunting with brightly colored flocked ornaments.
How insanely sweet is this photo? Ahhh!
Our new print “Beauty Shop” is now available in our etsy store (as long as a few other new prints).
We stopped for our obligatory road-trip Mexican yesterday on our way to Chicago.
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Photo Fun Day Friday
Hey guys,I really hope you’ve been enjoying the Very Tasty Thanksgiving series while I have been on the road. If you have a moment, take a minute to comment on their posts and let them know what you think, give us your feedback on the recipes, etc. We’d love to know what you think and if you’ve tried the recipes, etc.
I’ve been having a great trip so far. We’ve been to DC, Baltimore, Philly and now we are in Brooklyn. We have our last event tomorrow and Sunday, the Renegade Craft Fair, here in Brooklyn. If you are in the area, please stop by, we’d love to see you.
Hope you enjoy the photos from our travels so far. Being on the road with my hubby, doing what we love makes me so happy!
We hit the road last Friday and I’ve been doing whatever I can to eat as healthy as I can on this trip. I grabbed these dehydrated green peas for the road and they have been so yummy.
Our booth at Crafty Bastards in D.C.
Super tasty Korean BBQ Tacos from TaKorean at the Union Market in DC.
How I yoga on the road in a hotel room. Kathryn Budig vinyasa power packed flow on YogaGlo.
The incredible November Salad from sweetgreen. Mesclun greens, crispy kale, roast sweet potato, cauliflower, roast turkey and a cranberry vinaigrette.
So nice to spend some time with my cousin Sam in Georgetown.
Delicious and spicy Bloody Mary from Founding Farmers.
My handsome hubby at brunch.
Did a little of the touristy stuff in DC.
The new Martin Luther King monument in DC, brought tears to me eyes.
Delicious gluten-free and vegan pizza from District of Pi.
Us.
The Hero Pop-Up Shop in the Art Gallery at the University of Maryland as part of the “what it is, what it was. Music Video as Art Show”
The Jim Henson and Kermit statue At the University of Maryland. Gives me goosebumps every time.
A delicious raw kale and hemp seed salad from Whole Foods. So happy for some healthy nourishing food.
The Hero Pop-Up Shop at the Urban Outfitters (anthropologie and Free People, too) World Headquarters at Navy Yard in Philly.
Buddha statue and koi pond at URBN.
The ultimate in relaxation. So grateful for this wonderful place to stay while in Philly.
Had lunch at Pure Fare in Philly. Everything is gluten-free and made in house. Soo good, look for a full review soon.
Our Pop-Up Shop at Masthead Print Shop and Gallery in Philly.
Our helper for the evening, Esme.
Mark doing a live episode of the Adventures in Design Podcast at Masthead in Philly.
Had my first ever macaron in Brooklyn today. Yum.
So colorful and pretty.
Ohhhhh….and hey guys, look what happened! More info soon, looking at a closing date in January! West Coast here we come. Eeeeeeee!