Even though October is winding down, there’s still time to indulge in our Read of the Month: Stephen Mitchell’s Tao Te Ching. This book has been a great influence and inspiration to Marydale over the years. She often refers to its teachings in yoga class and at The Gathering, and she wants to encourage our students and clients to experience its wisdom for themselves. This is the kind of book that offers new insights every time you read it. There are many different translations of the Tao Te Ching, but Stephen Mitchell’s version has particular resonance for Marydale. Here’s a description from the publisher:

Lao-Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is the classic manual on the art of living and one of the wonders of the world. In eighty-one brief chapters, the Tao Te Ching looks at the basic predicament of being alive and gives advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit. This book is about wisdom in action. It teaches how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the Tao (the basic principle of the universe) and applies equally to good government and sexual love, to child rearing, business, and ecology.

The Tao Te Ching is the most widely translated book in world literature, after the Bible. Yet the gemlike lucidity of the original has eluded most previous translations, and they have obscured some of its central ideas. Now the Tao Te Ching has been rendered into English by the eminent scholar and translator Stephen Mitchell.

Pick up a copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite retailer and join the discussion. Happy reading!

One of our favorite things at the studio is Miracle II “Miracle” Soap. People might wonder why we sell soap in a yoga studio, but most people (hopefully!) use soap every day, so it is an important part of our lives that is linked to our wellbeing. Studies show that much of what we put on our bodies finds its way into our bloodstreams, so we want to use products that are as natural as possible and of a high vibration.

Miracle II Soap is unique in many ways, from its vibrant green color (derived from sea plants) to its rich, creamy lather, but the story behind its creation is what usually grabs people’s attention. The soap was created in 1980 by a man named Clayton Tedeton, who claims he received the formula through Divine revelation. He gave the soap away for 5 years before starting to bottle and sell it. Over the years, many people have claimed that the soap has healed a variety of skin and scalp issues.

Whether or not these claims can be substantiated, the product simply makes a wonderful body soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, and dish soap, along with a myriad of other uses. Each bottle of Miracle II Soap has been prayed over (the first ingredient listed is “Prayer”), and we at the studio know the power of intention and subtle energy to raise vibration, so we feel that this is the perfect product to offer to our students and clients. Grab a bottle the next time you’re at the studio and experience the Miracle for yourself.

OK, I said I’d talk about the food at Rancho La Puerta, so I’ll concentrate on tonight’s “Fresh from the Garden and Sea” dinner menu. The menu states that the meals are calorie-controlled spa portions, but as you can see from the pictures, nobody is starving here.

We began our meal with a bowl of Sautéed Asparagus Soup with Garlic Crouton. I have always been a huge fan of soup, and this first course did not disappoint. The soup was followed by a Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad with Sautéed Olives in a Purple Basil Vinaigrette. The simplicity of this classic salad allowed the flavors of the fresh herbs and tomatoes to shine through.

For the main course, my husband chose the Provençal Tilapia with Rustic Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli in a Wild Mushroom Sauce, while I opted for the Homemade Fettuccine on Sautéed Spinach with Roasted Carrots and Puttanesca Sauce. As evidenced by the picture to the right, I was unable to keep myself from taking a bite before snapping a photo.

All of this bounty was topped off by a delicate Neapolitan Flan for dessert, artfully presented with dried fruit and a sprig of herbs. If this is health food, sign me up!

Today was our first full day at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate Mexico and the feeling of awe has not left us. As we strolled along the pathways paved with interlocking stones, flanked by succulent gardens that shone in the sun, I couldn’t help but wish that everyone I love would have an opportunity to experience this beauty and peace. We have discovered that this place is an oasis where folks come from all over the world to reconnect with their bodies, minds, and souls with the goal of revitalization and calm. The entire property permeates healing, nurturing, and love. The nucleus of the activities of the resort are hiking, followed by all kinds of physical fitness classes, running, swimming, tennis and golf. Everyone is encouraged to participate in whatever physical activity makes their heart sing. Activities are set up in suggested modules that allow you to mix and match or simply follow the lead of the directors. There is an entire module for the week that is based on living in a meditative state that includes mindful hiking, golfing, eating in silence, walking the Reflexology Path, and meditating through a wonderful labyrinth each day! You are then encouraged to balance all physical activity by receiving spa treatments that include cranial sacral work, Tai Chi massage, Watsu water therapy, and dozens of other amazing opportunities. The payoff is…the food! The ranch has its own enormous organic garden and an extraordinary kitchen staff that boasts some of the finest all-natural, all-organic, to-die-for spa cuisine in the world! However…the portions are tiny (according to my husband), as the goal is to teach everyone that eating is nourishment, not gorging oneself!!! More to come…

As some of you may know, I am teaching yoga for a week at Rancho La Puerta in Mexico, which was voted World’s Best Destination Spa in both 2010 and 2011 by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. My husband decided to accompany me and make it a special getaway for the two of us. Our arrival at the iron gates of Rancho La Puerta opened to an entire world of elegant beauty and peace. The architecture, art, and landscaping offer a broad tapestry of texture, color, and fragrance that is unforgettable. The colors that meet your eyes are bright, vital, and dazzling in the sunshine placed against a backdrop of high desert rolling hills and a huge canopy of azure sky. We were escorted to our own personal casita (house) for our week’s stay. Much to our delight, we discovered that our slice of heaven was tucked into a private knoll surrounded by natural landscaping that we share with countless birds, rabbits and ground squirrel. The inside of our casita is appointed with numerous tapestries all in bright Mexican colors complemented with embroidered pillows, a huge wreath above our stone fireplace sculpted out of pottery, and two papier-mâché roosters standing guard—crowing—on our mantle. (This is a great omen for me as my maiden name, Hahn, means rooster!) We have a large step-down bedroom filled with natural light and more extraordinary artwork placed perfectly to nurture your soul. Actually…I am beginning to believe that this is exactly what Rancho La Puerta is all about—soul soothing! We arrived at dusk and, after settling in our room, it was time for a ten-minute stroll to the massive dining hall where we were in for the most extraordinary eating experience. Greeted by staff, we were seated at a table for six where we met three women from different parts of the country, all of whom had arrived for “soul soothing”. We discovered that part of the charm of the Rancho is encouraging folks to meet one another. At a later date, I shall go into detail about the food experience, as it deserves complete, undivided attention!

It was wonderful coming together last night to share Spirit and community. This quote came to me in morning meditation and I felt it was meant for all of us:

Do not take life’s experiences too seriously. Above all, do not let them hurt you, for in reality they are nothing but dream experiences…If circumstances are bad and you have to bear them, do not make them a part of yourself. Play your part in life, but never forget it is only a role. What you lose in the world will not be a loss to your soul. Trust in God and destroy fear, which paralyzes all efforts to succeed and attracts the very thing you fear. – Paramahansa Yogananda

Life is beautiful and so are you!  Have the most brilliant week of your life and SHINE ON!!!!

For those of you who missed this week’s Gathering, there will be another Gathering on Thursday, October 27th from 7:00-9:00 pm, and every other Thursday after that. Check the schedule for dates. More more details on The Gathering, click here.

We love to share our favorite books, CDs, DVDs, health tips, and products with our students and clients. Today we want to give you some information about one of Marydale’s favorite nutritional supplements: NanoGreens10. This is a vegetable and fruit “superfood” powder that you mix with water or juice. Marydale starts every day with NanoGreens and can’t image a day without it. She has tried other, similar powdered supplements, but none of them tastes as good or makes her feel as energized as NanoGreens.

Each glass of this superfood powder contains 10 servings of fruits and vegetables from the most colorful and phytonutrient-rich plants available. That’s more than double the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 3-5 servings per day. In addition, NanoGreens has a patented SuperSorb™ Delivery System that breaks the food down into micro, nano-sized particles to help your body absorb and use the nutrients instantly.

Whether you drink NanoGreens to start your day, before or after a workout, or as a late afternoon pick-me-up, you will get a burst of energy without any of the negative effects of coffee or other sugar-laden, caffeinated energy drinks. On the contrary, you will feel good about knowing that you are feeding all of the cells of your body with high-quality nutrition.

At Param Yoga, we sell the NanoGreens10 12.7 oz. canister, which lasts a month if used daily, and the single serving packets for some post-yoga nutrition or an energy boost on-the-go. Next time you’re at the studio, make an investment in your health with NanoGreens.

A few days ago, my assistant asked me to call her cousin, Heather, who has a crippling fear of flying. Heather was about to take a trip from Boston to Los Angeles and was becoming increasingly panicked as the date of her departure neared. My assistant thought I could calm her fears by sharing my intuition about the flight. However, I knew that a more holistic approach was warranted.

A 1982 study by the Journal of Travel Research found that 1 in 6 Americans (25,000,000 people at the time of the study) are afraid to fly, making it one of the most common fears among U.S. adults. Statistics about the safety of air travel usually do not help with this phobia, so people with a fear of flying need more than assurances: they need tools they can use to deal with their anxiety and remain calm. This is where yoga can help.

I spoke to Heather and, in addition to my strong sense that she would be safe, I gave her a simple four-square (or “box”) breathing technique to use whenever she felt anxiety or panic:

1. Exhale completely until you’ve emptied the lungs.
2. Breathe in slowly through the nose for a count of five, making each count about one second in length.
3. Hold the breath for a count of five.
4. Breathe out steadily through the nose for a count of five.
5. Hold the exhale for a count of five.
6. Repeat 12 times, or until anxiety passes.
7. Repeat throughout the day (at least 4 times), as necessary.

This controlled breathing technique displaces the shallow breathing that often accompanies stress, anxiety, and panic. It is a simple exercise with a multitude of benefits.

Heather felt empowered by having a technique she could use when her fear of flying got the best of her. I’m happy to say that she had a smooth flight and was even able to sleep for a couple of hours on the plane.

To learn more about pranayama (breathwork) and experience the benefits of yoga for yourself, check our class schedule and stop by the studio for yoga class. No appointment is necessary. Or, register and pay for classes online by clicking here.

All Love,

Marydale

Sheryl Ritchie is our angel yogi of the month. She is a pivotal part of our growing community, attending and supporting all of our events and contributing often as a guest teacher and faithful backup for Marydale. Her soothing demeanor and positive attitude bring a breath of fresh air to the studio. Whether it’s at The Gathering with Spirit, our Self-Realization Fellowship discussion group, or our Community Yoga Class, Sheryl is always a welcome and valued presence.

We bow to you, Sheryl!