by Flow, November 17th, 2011

Sharing the Lessons Learned Along the Way – A Journey Through Yoga, Books and Community by Chris Newcomb

Being a lifelong student of literature, it was a natural transition for me to create a Book Club at Flow Yoga to share the incredible lessons that are available to enhance the practice of yoga through reading the philosophy, foundations and history that has come before us.

As a child I recall having a difficult time learning to read. With an impatient, young and frustrated mother as a first reading teacher, my early experiences with reading were not the most pleasant. My personal drive and discipline made this childhood experience a catalyst for what has become a complete escape, joy and therapy through the various stages of my life.

As a grade school student, I thrived in the humanities, with English being my favorite subject. I loved to write and was a complete Catholic school grammar freak!  When I entered college, I started out as a Business Major and quickly found through my economics class that the English Department is where I belonged. After changing my major to English, everything began to flow and feel natural for me.

My love for reading spread as I created Book Clubs in two of the Loudoun County neighborhoods that I have lived: Stratford and Lansdowne. As a student of life in this area and as a Book Club leader I found myself lost in a sea of shallow and meaningless “Book Club” discussions which revolved more around the food, wine and gossip than the literature. The intellectual stimulation I missed was found again as I began a new journey in my life becoming a yoga teacher.

Many of you know through my bio, that I began practicing yoga to deal with a difficult time in my life at the recommendation of my ex-husband’s aunt. Little did I know that when I walked into the Flow Yoga Community that I would discover so much about this beautiful practice, myself and others through breathing, poses and meditation. After one year of practicing at Flow, I signed up for teacher training.

As a student of yoga for over four years and as a yoga teacher for over 2 years, I have loved the process of self-discovery, the relationships and the beauty of the practice of yoga and how I see it transform lives every day. I am honored to be a part of the “Flowgi” community and I hope to continue my journey with you as a student, teacher and friend on this journey together.

Please join us for the next Book Club at Flow on December 11th from 1:30-3:30 where we will discuss: The Laws of Spirit by Dan Millman and The Diamond Cutter by Geshe Michael Roach. We will be having a Potluck Lunch at the December Book Club and collecting donations for a local charity. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the studio.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to discussing some of the following books in the 2012 New Year: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz  and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Namaste,

Chris 

Categories Events
by Flow, November 11th, 2011

Greetings Flow(ers),

Refined sugar, saturated fats, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners and preservatives.  My diet was loaded with them. No wonder I was sluggish, irritable, gaining weight and suffering from migraine. Last Fall I removed most of these things from my diet and was delighted with the results. I had more energy, my yoga practice was evolving, and according to my doctor, my blood pressure and weight both went down. Oh and those migraines – they vanished!

This Fall, I decided to try a detox in conjunction with Flow Yoga’s 25 day challenge. Since it was my first attempt at detoxing, I chose to detox during the day by enjoying a green juice/smoothie for breakfast, soup and/or salad for lunch followed by a regular, healthy dinner.

Here’s what I learned:

- Don’t let the color fool you – green smoothies are surprisingly good. The trick is finding the ingredients you like so that you will want to drink it! Even though my 7 day detox officially ended two weeks ago, I still have – and look forward to – my green smoothie each morning.

- Try a handful of kale in your morning smoothie – not only is it packed with nutrients, it’s delicious.

- Getting up just a half an hour earlier will allow you time to stretch, make a green smoothie or juice, and pack a healthy lunch.

- Don’t wait until you are hungry to think about what you will eat.  A little planning will help you make healthier choices and save money.

- Schedule yoga – or whatever exercise you enjoy – just like you would schedule a doctor appointment.  Put it on the calendar.

- Eating out is more expensive than buying healthy, organic foods.

- We all need fat in our diets. Olive oil and avocado are good fats esp. on a salad! Raw foods are better for our digestive systems than fiber. Who knew??

- Having a beverage with a meal actually hinders digestion.

- Don’t be so hard on yourself.  If you slip up, no big deal. Just begin again and focus on your accomplishments.

- It is much easier to fold, twist and bind in yoga class when your body is not full of processed foods.

- Frozen coconut milk – SO delicious! 

Congratulations to my fellow detoxees/challengers for a job well done! Here’s to healthy living!

Suzy

Categories Yoga Diet & Nutrition
by Flow, November 5th, 2011

Greetings,

It is interesting how this season of Fall settles in, at least for me.  I am always very aware of this shift of seasons when the idea of welcoming soup to nourish my body and mind begins to manifest. It is just this “feeling” that starts to take root right around October, just as the leaves start to change and fall down to the earth.  Looking at what is in season I am drawn to lovely root vegi’s that just came from the ground. Now is their time!  Any root vegi that you can think of… potatoes, parsnips, turnips, etc…  Always best to slow roast these beauties for a deep rich flavor.  Simple, delicious soup to celebrate your roots… This sumptuous soup has become our “Best Soup Ever!”  Feel free to swap in other root vegi’s if you like.  So cultivate a grounding experience with the foods that you put into your body and eat for the season.

Be creative and enjoy

-Turi

Hearty Roasted Root Vegetable Chowder

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Tble olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 Tble minced garlic (I always add more…)
  • ¾ caraway seeds (not a fan, so I didn’t add)
  • 2 cups chopped yam/sweet potato
  • 1 cup chopped parsnips
  • 1 cup chopped celery (or celeriac if you can find it)
  • 1 cup diced turnip
  • 1-2 cups cauliflower
  • 5 cups water (or chicken/vegi broth)
  • 2 tsp salt to taste
  • 2 tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp dried rubbed sage
  • One 8-ounce package light cream cheese (or tofu to replace crème cheese) or crème fraîche (may omit if you are dairy free)
  • Fresh-ground pepper to taste
  • Fresh Herb Variations:  Add 3 sprigs of fresh lemon thyme, or fresh rosemary or tarragon. 

PROCEDURE

  1. Peel and cut up all root vegi’s (cubed), garlic, onion and sprinkle with some turmeric & dried rubbed sage…Roast at 375 degrees until all vegi’s are browned and cooked till you can push with a fork about 45 min to 1 hour.
  2. Add 2/3 to food processor and pureed with broth (& crème cheese if you are using.)  Add to cooking pot all ingredients and simmered to blend.  Add more broth to make souper if need!  If you are using crème fraîche add now.  Simmer for 15 min or so.
  3. Ladle into bowls, top with fresh ground pepper and serve.
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