OMmmmm Donuts

With the dry- cold season of autumn, we are whirling in the Ayurveda Dosha of Vata.  We are dissolving in this season and letting go.  While it is best to eat warm foods that are easy to digest and avoid the Kapha indulgences, sometimes we all may get a craving for something sweet.  As long as we do things in moderation, there is no sense in depriving yourself.  If we all could approach our bodies as a system of science, with the understanding that the foods that we consume are fuel, nourishment and heal our bodies we all will avoid many bumps in the road of health.

So back to the indulgences.  All over North America are coffee shops with an assortment of donuts.  Normally donuts high in sugar, and fried.  What about making our own donuts, only baking them?.....sounds pretty yummy to me.

Nowadays you can purchase muffin trays, and donut trays that have the hole already.  Regardless of what shape you choose to use, here is the recipe.

OMMMMM DONUTS
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
3/4 Cup Maple Syrup
1 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/4 Tsp Salt
1 Tbs Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (optional) *
4 Tbs Vegan Margarine
1 Flaxseed Egg (1Tbs Ground Flaxseed + 3Tbs Water - let it sit out for 4 minutes)
1/2 Cup and 3 Tbs Vanilla Coconut Milk (non dairy milk)
1/2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4 tsp Coconut Extract
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Love

* If you want them to be Red Velvet Donuts just add 1tsp Red Food Coloring
** If you want to add more fibre to the recipe you can add some flax seeds, and or Beet Pulp from your juicer.

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray donut pan with no-stick spray. In a bowl, combine dry ingredients of flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder, and shredded coconut. Stir and combine.

In a different bowl, combine melted margarine, flaxseed egg, non-dairy milk, apple cider vinegar, and extracts. Stir to combine. Add in red food color (optional – see note).

Combine wet and dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Don’t over mix!

Fill donut pans with batter. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, until cooked through. Remove from pans and let cool.

Once donuts are cooled you can add a frosting, but frost the ones you plan to eat, because frosted donuts do not store very well:
2T non-dairy cream cheese
2T vegan margarine
1C powdered sugar
2-3tsp warm water

* option for cocoa to give chocolatey flavor
* unsweetened coconut flakes for topping

Makes 8-10 donuts depending on your tray.  Serve with a smile and ENJOY!

Meditation & Mindfullness

Recently I made the decision to cancel all teaching engagements for the remainder of the year.  While I am grateful for all the amazing invitations to teach and I look forward to more opportunities to share the practice of yoga, I wanted to help a dear family member who is transitioning to the next life.  For those who know me, my each day begins with prayer, meditation and yoga, which is usually followed up with more yoga, happiness, healthy eating and adventure.

This was a chance for me to put my practice to the test.  What I learned so far in 3 weeks in a hospice, bedside 24hr, is the power of yoga and meditation.  We all have challenges in life, whether it is job, family, grieving, personal relations, and the intensity of every challenge is only determined with how we focus on it.  Do we give more attention to our complaints, sadness, failures, or do we give attention to our faith, victories and blessings?  Many times we hear that life is our creation, our thoughts determine the days.  I agree 100%.  We enable every aspect of our journey.  We choose what we allow in our story.  So regardless of the challenges, let us look at it as lessons.  Along with that, begin every day with some meditation and prayer.  We have 1,440 minutes in a day so we can spend 10 to 20 minutes with silent prayer, pranayama and meditation.  This is a chance for us to quiet all the noise that we allow to take presedence.  We can breathe in gratitude for life, and exprience the peace within us that exists in all of us.

तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपेऽवस्थानम् ॥३॥

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali highlights 1:3, Tada Drastuh Svarupe Avasthanam.  When fluctuations of consciousness cease, the Drastuh meaning seer or witness swells in his own splendor/nature. 

For many people Meditation and Mindfullness is a daily practice.  Forbes online news journal recommends meditation for busy people: http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterbregman/2012/10/13/if-youre-too-busy-to-meditate-read-this/2/

For some people who say that they cannot meditate, I say if you can sleep, if you can watch tv, if you can breathe..... you can meditate.  The ultimate goal of meditation or Dhyana is to quiet the mind and we can do this with focus/concentration or Dharana.

Five simple meditation techniques include:

1. Sit quiet and reflect on blessings, allowing every breath to be a breath of gratitude.
2. Sit quiet and recite your favorite prayer. mantra, or affirmation.
3. Sit quiet and focus on an object, candle, or deity.
4. Listen to guided meditation music.
5. Place crystals on your body, or in your hand and just breathe. Be mindful of the crystals you choose to use as they have their own specific metaphysical properties.

For those who are interested in embracing a meditation practice feel free to visit my website www.zogayoga.com and contact me.  There are some guided meditations available on my Youtube Channel Ambriali.  I am now offering online meditation certification courses via skype.  The benefits to meditation are endless and some include alleviating stress, bring peace of mind, increase consciousness, deepen faith, increased joy, inner healing, psychic awareness, improved intuition and so much more.

Yoga with the Incredible Renee Diamond

During the summer I was fortunate to be teaching an amazing Zoga Yoga 200Hr Yoga Teacher Training in NYC, and made some time to take a yoga class for myself, with an incredible teacher, Renee Diamond.  For a long time I heard about Renee from another awesome Yogini/Inspiration, Tao Porchon Lynch.  Tao had mentioned numerous times that my energy reminds her of Renee and she was surprised we did not meet.  So finally, I met Renee.

Ambria and Renee Diamond after Diamond Fit Flow Yoga at Equinox

Renee Diamond is a powerhouse lady with a finesse for teaching.  I went to Equinox in Greenwich and Scarsdale to take her class.  The first attempt was not successful as I was late, and she was teaching her diamond cuts class, which was more like group fitness.  I watched from the window as this incredible teacher was smiling, leading, and encouraging people to get into the fun cardio-intense workout, and it reminded me of the Zoga-Laties class I once taught.  She appeared to have awesome energy and gave attention to every student!  The other thing that caught my eye was her funky pants.  Since Tao had mentioned her name a few times, I was hoping that before I leave NYC, I will get the chance to take her class.

Ambria and the AMAZING Tao Porchon Lynch

So I went to Greenwich and made it in time to her yoga class.  The class was packed.  We arrived just on time and she welcomed both my friend and I to take some tennis balls.  I was excited as I love when teachers bring unique things to class.  The class began with her guiding us where to place the balls on the sides of our spine, as we would roll through the most therapeutic floor vinyasa flow/massage I have experienced in a long time.  From there she guided us through more restorative and hip opening yoga asana.  She introduced students to a way to alleviate bodily tension in a cost effective way, because anyone can get a tennis ball and roll on it.  Basically using our own body weight allows us to control, but we also used these little massage balls while flowing through some yoga asana.  We placed the balls aside and went through some more yummy yoga asana.  Renee encourages students to use variations of asana that suit their ability level without pushing and with focus on breath.  The class had such a beautiful energy, and Renee's verbal cues were extremely precise.  From start to finish everything Renee took us through was with purpose/intent to take us out of our own minds, out of the reality of our bodies being in a busy gym, and bring us to the most incredible Savasana ever.  Without question everyone felt safe in her class, knowing that this is a person who has years of experience studying the human body, mind & spirit.  Once again, I was also struck by her awesome funky pants.  After class I thanked her for a wonderful yoga class, and we spoke of Tao, yoga, and she laughed and mentioned she had the same yoga pants as me.  She mentioned that she thought I was a long time yoga practitioner or yoga teacher by my practice, and I said yes to both.  I am so grateful to have finally met Renee and taken her class.  Though I am not a member of Equinox, and moved from NYC to pursue invitations of teaching in India, Europe etc., Renee invited me as her guest anytime I am in NYC, thank you Renee!!! This incredible teacher is someone I had recommended to my students in the past because of the referral from Tao, but now I recommend her because I have had the good fortune to take her awesome class.

Renee was one of the most gracious yoga teachers I have taken class with in a long time.  Her knowledge of the body is inspiring, and her ability to articulate it to a packed class of students is brilliant.  Thank you Renee and Equinox for bringing another incredible experience to my journey.

For more information about this amazing Yogini Renee Diamond, please visit her website:
http://www.diamondfit.com/

Yoga with Rockstar Adam Levine

With amazing billboard hits like "Makes me Wonder", "Payphone" and "Moves like Jagger ft Christina Aguliera" with the bandmates of Maroon 5, (to name a few), the gorgeous Judge/Coach job on NBC's the voice, Adam Levine attributes his incredible physique to Yoga.  Like many people worldwide, celebrities embrace this practice into their daily routine.

Nearly six years ago, Levine embraced the yoga practice to help with back pain and tight hamstrings, and has not returned to a gym since. Adam shares how yoga has helped to ground him, prepare for shows, and keep him relaxed.  He has noticed the physical benefits of the practice and states the best thing about Yoga is that you can practice it anywhere! 

Adam Levine in Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) a great pose for balance and hip opening.

Adam Levine in Headstand (Sirsasana) the King of the Poses.

Adam Levine in One Legged Koundinyasana for arm balance strength.

Saucha - Niyama of Cleanliness on and off the Mat

As yoga practitioners we observe the eight limb practice and embrace the First Niyama of Saucha (Purity or cleanliness).  In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2:40, Saucha is defined as "purification results in the abandonment of physicality and the cessation of physical contact with external things".

शौचात् स्वाङ्गजुगुप्सा परैरसंसर्गः ॥४०॥

śaucāt svāṅga-jugupsā parairasaṁsargaḥ ||2: 40||

The entire eight limb practice of yoga is a path of purification.  Naturally by practicing Asana, Kriya (Kappalabhati, Neti, Nauli, Basti,  etc), Pranayama, Yogic Diet the yoga aspirant can evolve in the path of purification.  This Niyama is about observing the practice of purification in body, mind and environment.  When our body becomes clean we will notice improvements in digestion, energy, skin, emotions, overall health and of course our asana practice.  Normally a person who desires a purified body will be very conscious in food choices, knowing that food intake has a direct relation to our overall health.  When we have a Purified mind it leads to a cheerful, optimistic and patient disposition.  The person who embraces this Niyama approaches life with a compassionate heart and always understands that love or a call for love is found in human behavior and therefore necessary in all things.  For those who study subtle body, we know that most physical ailments are a reflection of mental and emotional tendencies which lead to dietary and exercise habits.  Ultimately, purity of body and mind will ultimately allow the yoga aspirant to prepare for meditation.

Long ago yogis would practice in caves with cow dung on walls, ash on their bodies and practice various kriyas for cleansing.  Also keeping an altar with the elements in offering (water, fire, earth, metal, and ether).  Patanjali highlighted how the aspect of giving offering to the altar, practicing aarathi, are part of purification as well, symbolizing how pure we offer ourselves to the Supreme.

While modern day yoga studios may not want to practice all traditional aspects, or even understand many traditional aspects of the yoga practice, we can still practice the Niyama of Saucha.  As a Teacher perhaps arriving early and making sure the space is swept, perhaps lighting incense/candles, burning sage, gridding the room with crystals, setting the vibration of OM to begin and conclude class, possibly doing some meditation, or even embracing chanting after class.  Be the example you wish to witness in your students.

As teachers it is wonderful for us to practice a clean diet, and clean hygiene.  What about the yoga mats?  Some studios have mats to borrow or rent, which means different peoples sweat and possibly fungus can be on the mat.  Therefore, proper mat cleaning is necessary.

1. Hosing it down with water, soft cloth/sponge and light dish soap
2. Filling a spray bottle with some water, tea tree oil (anti bacterial/anti fungal) and even some lavender essential oil for a light fragrant smell.  Just spray and wipe.  This is cost effective and students can all do this after class to promote saucha.
3. Josha wipes, similar to baby wipes with sweet aromatic scents.  These can be sold in yoga studios and seem to be growing in popularity.

The best Saucha to practice is a pure and clean heart.

Kids Yoga Camp with Hamilton Malayalees

While kids are back to school and routines, I am reminded of the amazing summer that flashed before our eyes.  This summer after exploring months of teaching and travels in India, LA, and NYC I was invited to do yoga for the Hamilton Malayalee Samajam Kids Camp.  The Hamilton Malayalee Samjam is the association that joined South Indian families to celebrate traditions and socialize when I was growing up, and it is still going strong today.  It was a few days of awesome fun to share yoga with this group of kids.  The kids ranged in age from 5-10, so I had to make the yoga fun, engaging and inspirational.  We explored Sun Salutations, Warrior Poses, Tree Pose, Partner Yoga, Yoga Games, Yoga Stories, Meditation, and much more.  I have always loved teaching yoga to kids. For me Kids are our greatest teachers, as they have a zest for life, optimism that most adults can learn from, and humility.

Thank you HMS for inviting me to share some yoga with you.

Equinox Yoga

With September 22 2012 fast approaching marking the fall equinox many changes are happening.  Kids are going back to school after summer vacation, warmer clothes are being pulled out of the closets, and harvest time is approaching.  Equinox is a time when night and day are equal.  This is also around the time for the beloved Ganesh Festival.  With autumn harvest in abundance, it is a time for giving thanks.  Many people suggest to begin rituals for manifesting new harvest in their lives.

Recently, after the close of the NYC Zoga Yoga Teacher Training Course, I was invited to explore yoga class at Equinox gym.  This is one of the leading chains of gyms in North America.  I took a Kripalu Yoga class and Yoga 360.  For me, I tend to prefer yoga classes that facilitate a mind-body-spirit experience, meaning classes that weave spiritual concepts through the flow, allowing me to burn through tapas, and clear my mind.  Teachers who have usually done this for me have been found in Ashrams in India, and others like (to name a few) Sri Dharma Mittra, Tao Porchon Lynch, David Swensen, and a few others.

There is always the stigma of "gym yoga".  However, I believe the class is how receptive you are to the practice, so I always like to venture with an open mind.  While like everyone, I may have my preference, each experience will teach me valuable lessons and increase my gratitude.

The Kripalu Yoga teacher brought us through a slow flow, with pigeon pose being the goal.  He gave brilliant adjustments to my friend who is brand new to yoga, and created an awesome energy in the packed sunday morning class.  Since I did not even seem to have a bead of sweat form on my body, I stayed for the next class called Yoga 360.  Basically if you have a round mat, it would be similar to circular or mandala type movements through a vinyasa flow.  Since we did not have round mats, we would use two mats and form them in a shape of a lower case "T".  The catch was, when we were in downward dog, we would jump our feet to the perpendicular mat and continue through the flow.  The teacher eventually brought us to a wide legged plank, which had my abs singing praises of "gym yoga" the next day.  Thank you to both teachers for an awesome experience.

Finally, with the theme of Equinox I want to share the beautiful video by Equinox Yoga Teachers & Yoga's Dynamic Duo: Dice Lida-Klein and Briohny Smyth.  This beautiful couple makes inversions and advanced asana look effortless, and their sweet personalities make it so easy to enjoy taking their classes.  In this video, the beautiful husband and wife team are exploring ACRO Yoga, which is more physics and trust than anything else.  It is so poetic to watch people flow through an Acro Yoga flow.  Thank you Dice & Bri for inspiring people as we approach the fall equinox.

If you have not seen the video yet please click the link below:
The Balancing Act with Dice and Briohny