November 2009 Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Stand)
Pincha Mayurasana, or Forearm Stand, is one of my favorite poses. Pincha Myurasasa translates to “peacock feather.” Think of your feet lightly reaching for the sky in a multicolor display of energy! Okay, I am reaching, but you can get the image! This posture is one of the more difficult inversions, but is less injury-prone […]
Life is Yoga: November 2009
Change comes whether you want it or not. Beryl Bender Birch often says, “Celebrate impermanence!” I am still working on that concept, but I do know that much of my life I have spent preparing for things that never happened. Instead, something completely different happened. I am now, finally, and only sometimes, understanding what it […]
October 2009 Dynamic Core Strength for Backbending and Beyond
The spine moves in 6 directions: forward (flexion); backward (extension); sideways (lateral flexion right and left); and rotation (twisting right and left). Most of the time we are in forward flexion: think slouching. In order to maintain and even improve good posture we need to strengthen the spine in all directions, but especially in extension. […]
Life is Yoga: October 2009
Over the course of my life, I have been involved with many causes dear to my heart. I am a yoga teacher, peace activist, vegan, home-schooling mom of two, animal lover, and wife to an amazing man, among other things! Balancing all of these things is possible only if I maintain a sense of joy […]
Mimi’s Vegan American Chop Suey
Vegan American Chop Suey There is something about junky comfort food that I still crave every once in a while. I so remember eating American Chop Suey as a kid in the school cafeteria. It was made with all the stuff the USDA likes to dump on schools, nursing homes and hospitals’ ground beef, american […]
September 2009 Ardha Chandrasana: Half-moon Pose
Ardha Chandrasana is one of my favorite poses. It involves externally rotating the standing hip while keeping the elevated hip in neutral. It is also a standing balance which I consider a “leg behind balance.” What this means is the torso stays in line with the elevated leg. Other poses in this category include revolved […]
Life is Yoga: September 2009
Balance What does it mean to be in balance? Does it mean being perfect? I don’t think so. To be in balance means to be in neutral. No energy is needed to push forward or slow down. Balance is that point between the extremes. I wonder whether too many of us keep striving when we […]
Life is Yoga: July/August 2009
Recently, I was reading an article about small business owners who started companies based on their principles rather than simply to make money. Are these two things mutually exclusive? I say enthusiastically no! What does it mean to run your company based on your values? More importantly, what does it mean to live your life […]
Life is Yoga: June 2009
With the passing of K. Pattabhi Jois, I feel a sense of loss, but more a sense of vastness and respect. Thinking about how this man effected my life and the life of millions of others is mind-blowing. The practice of astanga yoga and all the forms of yoga that have been influenced by it […]
Kim Freeman’s Spinach and Zucchini Soup
This is a good soup for all of the spring spinach: Spinach and Zucchini Soup 3 Tbs. olive oil 2 cloves garlic, crushed/chopped 2 med. onions, chopped (as an onion-phobe, I tend to half the amount, sometimes quarter it–how much you like onions is up to you) 2 1/2 med potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 […]
