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Dear friends - "A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together." - Garrison Keillor. Because of our culture, this seems to be true whether you're a Christian or not. And it's about now that we all start to feel a bit overwhelmed by our to-do lists, traffic, cold weather, dark afternoons - and the difficulty of travel. And the holidays acutely bring to mind those who are no longer with us - because of death, alienation, abandonment. These stresses are universal, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. So how can we make this season less like thunderstorm and more like a soft, sensual rain? We can be proactive to alleviate the effects of all of this on our bodies and well being. And these nilambu notes offers some suggestions from the realm of yoga. Namaste - Cassandra
Doctors from the Mayo Clinic and from NIH give the best explanation I've ever heard that accounts for what happens in the body physically when we are under stress. And they reveal the latest scientific data on how to help temper the adverse effects. The Mayo doctor even has a "Stress Blog" !! And get this, the first caller to the program was a yoga teacher who offers a yogic breathing technique! Among the suggestion are expected ones – exercise (even just 20 minutes). But others are a bit unusual like how to trick your brain into thinking you’re more in control they you are. Find out what the doctors thought…..You can listen to the NPR segment here. And check out the Mayo Stress Blog here. Too busy to listen to a 24 minute radio segment right now? Well, Beliefnet.com also has a 10 minute mindfulness guided meditation you can do right at your desk!
This desire usually arises out of a sense of deprivation. Donna Farhi suggests we "relate to others from the vantage point of abundance rather than neediness." There are many ways to do this - ask someone if they have time to talk before you launch into a tirade, offer the gift of your time and energy or be full of thought when selecting your gifts to signify your love - so that they signify love and are not simply an obligation. For more ideas, I suggest a great web site, New American Dream. This month they feature a 24 page guide on how to simplify your holidays and make them more meaningful. The suggestions are very helpful and it's not too late to implement some! All you have to do is register and it's free!
Rebecca Mohning MS, RD, LD of Expert Nutrition offers a healthy spin on that classic holiday treat - using natural sweeteners. I've been working with Rebecca to help me manage my medical condition, and I can recommend her services and her chocolate mousse. Enjoy! January Class Schedule Being Formulated
When you're making your list and checking it twice, give some thought to when you'd like to come to yoga. The schedule is being formulated so email me and let me know when you'd like to come and I'll schedule a class. Please send first and second choices. And if you've got a friend or two, and you've got a time you'd like to come, I'll do my best to accommodate. Classes will begin the week of January 21st, 2008. Here is nilambu's proposed schedule of classes. Do not hesitate to contact me with feedback or suggestions or requests. I will adjust if at all possible. Flexibility and responsiveness is an advantage of a small studio!
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NPR's Talk of the Nation featured a terrific 24 minute discussion on holiday stress. "Health experts discuss the effects that stress can have on your health, and offer some suggestions for keeping your cool during this frantically festive season." 
In nilambu's holiday yoga classes this month,
we focused our thoughts on the third yama of
Patanjali
which is asteya. Most often
translated as "not stealing," the principle
encompasses more. Misappropriation, waste,
hoarding are other aspects of asteya.
And not only of things, but time, emotional
resources, energy.
When I was a little girl, I liked chocolate mousse so much that once a New York City restaurant owner presented me with the entire serving bowl. I thought I had died and gone to heaven!
Well, it was just terrific to see some of the
regulars in the free holiday classes this
month. And I'm looking forward to
returning to a regular schedule in January.