Gem of the week

I am very tired today. I just finished fixing our garden. I trimmed all the bushes and trees and watered, dug some beds.

Here is a beautiful Gem from Wailana's Medstation:

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses.
Chinese proverb

Do enjoy. A thought to ponder upon.

Sweets

I just love sweets. Anything sweet makes me happy, and now that apples are going to be abundant soon, well...
Here is one of my favorite cake recipes:

Apple Caramel Cake

Fresh ginger juice gives this cake a gingery bite, while fresh apples give it a soft, moist texture. Topped with a sweet caramel frosting, it's delicious by itself, but also great with a spoonful of plain yogurt or a dollop of whipped cream.

Apple Cake:
1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1/2 + 1/8 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup safflower oil
1/4 cup eggless mayonnaise or yogurt
1/4 cup apple butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. fresh ginger juice*
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup raw sugar or granulated fructose
2 cups apples, peeled and chopped into small cubes
3 Tbsp. roasted almond slivers
2 Tbsp. raisins

Caramel Sauce:
1/2 cup fresh cashew milk**
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. safflower oil
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbsp. water

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk lightly.

2. In a separate bowl combine the oil, mayonnaise, apple butter, vanilla, ginger juice, water, and sugar. Slowly add this mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to blend. Fold in the apples, 2 Tbsp. of the slivered almonds, and the raisins and mix well.

3. Pour the batter into an 8x8-inch oiled baking dish and bake for 1 hour, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

4. For the sauce, make the cashew milk as directed below and set aside. Place the next 5 ingredients in a small saucepan on medium heat. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sugar is dissolved.

5. Slowly whisk in the cashew milk. Cook for 2 more minutes, then gradually add the cornstarch mixture and whisk until thickened to a thick syrup consistency. Remove from the heat and cool for 30 minutes.

6. Spread the sauce over the cake and top with the remaining roasted nuts. Slice into 9 squares, then halve each square to make 18 small triangles.

Makes 18 pieces

*To make fresh ginger juice, simply grate some fresh ginger, then manually squeeze the pulp.

**Cashew milk: Blend 2 Tbsp. raw cashew pieces with 3/4 cup hot water until smooth. Strain through a fine strainer.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 202, Fat 8.7g (79 cal), Carbohydrate 29.4g (117 cal), Protein 1.4g (6 cal)
Added information: Saturated Fat 0.7g, Cholesterol 1mg, Sodium 132mg, Dietary Fiber 0.9g

Wailana Lifestyle

Wai Lana's Biography

It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find anyone as influential as Wai Lana in bringing yoga to the mainstream. Her internationally aired TV series continuously attracts a huge audience and plays a key role in yoga’s skyrocketing popularity. Famous for making it easy and effective, Wai Lana excels at making the ancient art of yoga a life-enhancing experience for anyone who practices along with her.

Wai Lana is not only a beautiful and charming modern-day yoga advocate, but also a highly energetic and prolific artist. She has produced several yoga videos and DVDs for people of all levels, published books, designed kids’ products, recorded music and meditation albums, and produced and hosted nearly two hundred half-hour television programs of yoga instruction. Wai Lana is one of the most well known yoga teachers in the world today. Her daily yoga TV shows are regularly watched by millions of people around the globe on five continents, including in the United States, where her shows appear nationwide on many PBS stations.

Along with co-directing and hosting her TV shows, Wai Lana also designs the colorful clothes and flower garlands she wears during production. She travels the world to shoot her projects in the world’s most beautiful, pristine locations in order to create inspiring visuals for her audience. Instructing us from the breathtaking coastlines of California and Hawaii to the snow-capped mountains of New Zealand to the spectacular red rock deserts of Sedona, Wai Lana has become a favorite of viewers of all ages—from preschoolers to great-grandparents.

Among Wai Lana's most recent endeavors is her Little Yogis line for children. Two lively, colorful DVD workouts combine live action, catchy songs, and playful cartoons to make yoga fun for kids. She also gives us her Daydream CD and DVD to help children calm down and rest with soothing sights and melodious sounds. Her Little Yogis card games and coloring books are also a delight for the family with hours of fun and games. An artistic accomplishment in itself, Wai Lana’s beautifully illustrated Fun Exercise book is filled with charming characters, funny jokes, playful activities, and secret surprises to get kids exercising and loving it.

As a yoga practitioner and vegetarian for over twenty years, Wai Lana’s commitment to good health couldn’t be more evident than in the luscious, mouth-watering recipes she shares in her popular book, Wai Lana’s Favorite Juices.

Well known by now are Wai Lana’s yoga exercise videos and DVDs. The Easy Yoga Series is now available around the world in different languages, as is her second series, Hello Fitness Yoga. A third, Fun Challenge, targets intermediate and more advanced levels. She also has a new series in the works.

Her faithful exercise products continue to impress with their quality, durability, and fashionable designs. Whether it’s a cushy Yoga & Pilates Mat or a body-sculpting exercise ball, Wai Lana is firm in her goal to bring people the best quality for the best prices.

The latest addition to her array of user-friendly products are her fusion fitness kits, which combine yoga and Pilates exercise with resistance training to make for fast, focused fitness on the go. Lightweight and portable, these simple accessories, like resistance bands and cords, stow easily in a briefcase or suitcase to help busy people stay fit. Each kit includes a yoga and Pilates-inspired video/DVD for the most effective body-mind workouts available.

In addition to the spectacular scenic backgrounds, all of Wai Lana’s productions feature beautiful, soothing soundtracks to help viewers relax and let go of stress while they exercise. Including many original vocal recordings of her own, Wai Lana’s yoga music has attracted an audience of its own.

The soundtracks from her yoga DVDs feature songs from the albums, Yoga Music of the Heart and Yoga Sound. These are just the first of several albums Wai Lana will be releasing in the category of New Age/Relaxation music.

To the serene and warm-hearted Wai Lana, the teaching of yoga is not a business but an important service to the global community. She has dedicated her life to this endeavor, and what began in a small way has grown very quickly.

Wai Lana has traveled the world for the past fifteen years, working with dedicated professionals from different countries to produce the highest quality work in every field into which she ventures. This has earned Wai Lana unmatched admiration and made her a household name. Wai Lana’s popularity and recognition is certain to increase as she continues to make the timeless gift of yoga easy and effective for millions more.

Wailana's Biography

Wailana on Yoga vs. Pilates

This is something a few of my new friends have been asking me about- what is better, yoga or pilates? There's a big argument. So well.. I go with what Wailana says here:

yoga and pilates

What is yoga?
Yoga is the best and most time-tested path to physical and mental well-being known to mankind. While some people think of yoga simply as physical exercise, it is actually a complete system for overall health and well-being. It includes everything from physical postures, personal hygiene, and a healthy diet to premeditation, breathing, and relaxation techniques. The most advanced forms of meditation and self-realization are also a part of yoga. Wai Lana’s workouts focus on yoga’s physical techniques.

Why do yoga?
Like many forms of exercise, yoga asanas effectively stretch and strengthen your body. The greatest benefits of yoga asanas, however, come from their profound effects on the internal systems of the body. By bending, stretching, twisting, and flexing in the various postures, you bathe your internal organs with oxygenated blood and prana, also known as life force energy or chi. Yoga asanas soothe and tone your nerves and regulate the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of hormones—one of the keys to both physical and mental health. They also improve digestion and elimination, strengthen the respiratory system, and tone the reproductive organs. Although yoga techniques like asanas, breathing, and relaxation are extremely effective in relieving stress, it is Yoga Sound meditation that relieves deep-seated stress and anxiety, enabling you to experience yoga's greatest gifts: spiritual happiness and inner peace.

Wai Lana
It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find anyone who has had as much influence as Wai Lana in increasing the worldwide appreciation of the beauty and benefits of the ancient art of yoga. Wai Lana's internationally aired TV series attracts a huge audience and has played a significant part in the skyrocketing popularity of yoga. Click here to read Wai Lana’s biography.

What is Pilates?
Derived from ancient yoga asanas, the Pilates exercise system was formulated by Joseph Pilates over 80 years ago for more specific and limited purposes. Although Pilates is not a complete balanced or holistic exercise and health system, it is quite useful. Pilates focuses mainly on cultivating core strength in the body and lengthening the spine. Practiced for decades by dancers, Pilates has become popular in recent years for its largely aesthetic body sculpting effect. Pilates can be a valuable tool for enhancing strength, definition, and good posture in partnership with Wai Lana Yoga. Click here to explore Wai Lana's Pilates Yoga line of products

Guidelines for yoga and Pilates practice:
• Yoga postures, especially inversions and those that compress the abdomen, should not be done on a full stomach. Listen to your body—if you practice too soon after eating or drinking, certain poses will feel uncomfortable.

• It’s best to practice yoga asanas barefoot, using a yoga mat or nonslip surface for standing poses. A mat, rug, or folded yoga blanket will provide firm padding for other asanas.

• Wear comfortable clothing, something that allows you to move freely.

• Ideally, the room should be well ventilated. Have enough space to extend your arms and legs in all directions without hitting anything.

• While practicing, concentrate on the feeling that the asana is producing in your body.

• If you feel too weak or shaky in a pose, come out of it. Gradually, you will build up your strength and be able to hold the pose longer.

• Don't go beyond your personal limitations, but extend your boundaries gently. Doing the asanas correctly means doing them to the best of your ability without straining.

• Throughout the workout, focus on your breath, inhaling and exhaling fully and completely through your nose. Breathing with awareness not only feels good, but also balances and regulates energy flow within the body, strengthening your internal organs and boosting your resistance to disease.

Wailana on Breast Feeding

Here's a beautiful article Wailana wrote about breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding
If you're having a baby, nature has arranged the perfect food for your child—breast milk. I breastfed my three strong and healthy children, much to the dismay of my family and friends. Even my mother, who breastfed me, was influenced by the times to believe that breastfeeding was old-fashioned. But I'm glad I followed my heart. Yoga has woken me up to nature's wisdom and the many benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child, which I'd like to share with you.

First, here are some of the benefits for your baby:

• Breast milk protects baby from disease. Colostrum, the first substance to come from the breast, is rich in infection-fighting antibodies. It also contains living immune cells. The milk itself provides effective immunity against a number of infectious diseases, including mumps, diphtheria, salmonella, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. It also decreases the incidence of ear infections, diarrhea, and chronic diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

• Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs during its first months, including iron and vitamins C and E.

• Mother's milk is easy for baby to digest and utilize. On the other hand, about 50% of cow's milk passes through the body unused, creating extra work for the child's immature excretory system.

• Breast milk does not cause allergic reactions as cow's milk and infant formulas can. It is believed that early exposure to allergens can lead to more severe allergies later in life. This is especially important if you or your spouse have allergies, as your child can inherit this tendency.

• Breastfed babies have an almost pure culture of Lactobacillus in their intestinal tracts. These beneficial bacteria quickly multiply, helping to break down food, make vitamin K, and dispose of harmful bacteria. The breastfed baby's stools are small and sweet-smelling, sometimes occurring only every few days. On the other hand, bottle-fed babies have mostly putrefactive bacteria such as E. coli in their intestinal tracts. As such, their stools are usually large and have a stronger smell. These infants are more likely to come down with gastrointestinal diseases.

Now, some of the benefits for you:

• Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to get breast cancer. Nursing your child also protects against osteoporosis and ovarian cancer later in life.

• Breastfeeding makes it easier to lose the weight gained during pregnancy because milk production burns calories.

• In the first days after birth, baby's sucking at the breast causes the uterus to contract, which protects mothers from hemorrhaging and returns the uterus to its pre-pregnancy shape more quickly.

• Breastfeeding releases a natural tranquilizing hormone, prolactin, that helps keep you relaxed and calm—your baby will like that.

And last (but certainly not least) for both of you:

• Breastfeeding provides an important bond between mother and child that provides great emotional satisfaction for both. This satisfaction cannot be measured in scientific terms. It simply offers a close, intimate, peaceful, and relaxed time with the baby. It is a model of love—of one giving generously of oneself with no expectation of something in return.

Wailana Weekly Message

A Wisdom Quote for today

Here's a Wisdom Quote from Wailana's Daily Wisdom

The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.
Albert Schweitzer

Beautiful quote indeeed. :)

Tight shoulders

I've had a stiff neck and tight shoulders for the past couple days. I've been doing a lot of gardening, so it's been tiring. I'm just excited, I can't wait til my garden comes fully alive... and my compost will look like this: And my veggies?


Anyhow, here's a short video clip of Wailana's exercise which never fails to loosen and soften up my shoulders and back. It's great stuff.

All healthy.. all happy

Wailana on Gambling

Yogis Don't Gamble

One of the activities yogis avoid is gambling. Why? Because it counteracts the effects on the body, mind, and consciousness of our yoga practice. For example, you may do yoga to relieve stress and tension. Gambling not only increases tension and stress but creates fear and anxiety as well. These mental and emotional feelings can become deep-rooted, leading to health problems such as insomnia, headaches, ulcers, and digestive problems.

Gambling can be addictive, too, and lead to other addictions such as drinking alcohol or taking drugs. In some cases gamblers lose sight of their responsibility to their relatives and community. They may turn to crime or even steal from family and friends to get money for their habit. And it's practically impossible for those addicted to gambling to meditate as their minds are never peaceful.

So if you want to enjoy good health and be peaceful in mind and spirit, follow the advice of the great yogis: Stay away from gambling. It will only make these worthwhile goals harder to achieve.

- Wailana's Weekly Message

Indeed gambling ruins so many lives. My mom's family was ruined because of my grandma being a gambler. She loved gambling so much my grandad just ... went to look for someone else. :/ It's a sad state to see when people just result to gambling, as if there is nothing else better to do.

China's Tainted Milk Scandal

Every mom knows it’s hard to juggle all the responsibilities of being mom. I’m a mom without being a mom, technically. I take care of kids of so many other people. It doesn’t make sense sometimes.

The tainted milk scandal which has caused deaths in China is a very worrisome one. Imagine that- babies with kidney stones or kidney failure due to tainted milk!. My heart aches for all those mothers out there whose babies are afflicted. I say though, it’s just another reason to really go with the cheaper, healthier, and more natural breast milk. It also enrages me that those people who made the milk and whoever checks the food products was not vigilant enough to catch the problem in the milk. Indeed, it is only right that the “quality chief” of China has quit

My prayers for all those babies and parents, I hope they’ll all be okay.

To read more about it, go here.

In this great time of worry, rest, relax... with Wailana Yoga

Mommy Blogging

I just signed up for Mom blogger's today :) I think it'll be a great way to share what I know and learn from other moms too.

It's been a hectic day today over all. I'll come on again a bit later.
I just came back from a Wailana Yoga session with some friends. It was great fun. :)

Hamsters

I love hamsters... I mean, how can you resist that:

Fuzzy boozieiee wooizzieiiee..

I just saw the story ofthe chicken footed duck . Animals are smart after all. It's great stuff. :)

Good Lord.. I was just reading the evening news... saw this article on the teen stabbing her roomate:

Teen smiles after she's convicted of killing roommate
TUCSON, Arizona (AP) -- A 19-year-old woman was convicted Friday of murdering her roommate in their University of Arizona dorm room by stabbing her 23 times.
Galareka Harrison, 19, was convicted Friday of stabbing to death her college roommate.

Galareka Harrison, 19, was convicted Friday of stabbing to death her college roommate.

Galareka Harrison made no expression as the jury's verdict was read. She was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Mia Henderson, a fellow Navajo tribal member from northern Arizona. She was also found guilty of three counts of forgery and one count of identity theft.

After court recessed, she gave a wan smile, stood up and put on a black coat before being led out of the courtroom by jailers.

Outside court, Henderson's sobbing mother and father huddled with family members.

Nearby, Harrison's family also cried as they talked to their daughter's attorney.

Both families left court without speaking to reporters.

Prosecutor Rick Unklesbay said the case was one "of overwhelming premeditated murder." He said Harrison planned the September 5, 2007, murder for days after Henderson accused her of stealing her student ID charge card, Social Security card, checks and $500 from a bank account.

Unklesbay said Harrison was a "master manipulator" who lied repeatedly to police after the murder. Harrison finally admitted to stabbing Henderson but insisted she had acted in self-defense.

Assistant public defender John O'Brien said Harrison was a naive, scared and confused girl who found herself unwanted as Henderson's roommate and worried she would be prosecuted because the theft accusations.

During testimony, a fellow University ofArizona student testified that Harrison bought an 8-inch kitchen knife on September 3 on the way back from a Labor Day weekend trip home to the Navajo Reservation.

Jurors also were told how on that trip back to Tucson, Harrison had mentioned having a friend who was considering suicide, asked whether police could detect fingerprints through gloves and said she thought her roommate was stealing from her.

Unklesbay said Harrison spent several hours before the stabbing at a campus library composing a fake suicide note pretending to be Henderson, and how she told investigators "I was thinking and thinking and thinking and thinking" in the dorm room before she attacked.

Henderson was stabbed numerous times in the back but still tried fighting back.

Harrison faces life in prison, and could be eligible for parole after 25 years depending on the results of a hearing before her November 25 sentencing. Prosecutors had decided not to seek the death penalty.

From CNN

My... this is really sad, and scary.. what a world we live in... this is one reason why I love Wailana, she just helps me totally relax and feel like.. there's still some shelter I can run to despite all the horrible and scary things that may happen to me or other people around me.

Wailana Yoga - a new asana of the week

I love keeping up with Wailana's website. It's so beautiful- so full of color, and it's always got new stuff coming into it.

weekly asanas
This supported twist feels great! It releases tight back muscles and tones your waist at the same time.

1. Lie on your back with your legs extended. Interlock your fingers behind your head, pressing your elbows toward the floor.

2. Inhale and bend your knees to your chest.

3. Exhale and lower your legs to the right, pivoting from the waist. Bring them down as far as possible without lifting your left elbow.

4. Inhale and bring your legs back to center, then exhale and lower them to the left. Repeat 5 to 10 times on each side.

5. Bring your legs back to center, then extend them. Lower your arms and relax.

Hints...
Keep your knees together even if your legs don't come all the way to the floor. As your body loosens up, you'll be able to inch them a little closer. Press your elbows down to increase the spinal twist in your upper back and chest.

Breathe...
Coordinate your movements with your breath. Exhale as you lower your legs, inhale as you bring them back to center.

Benefits...
• Releases lower back tension
• Relieves gas and constipation
• Eases mild sciatica
• Strengthens and massages your abdominal muscles and organs

So easy, yet effective and feels good. You can watch the video here.

Wailana Yoga for better mornings

good morning yoga
Deep breathing oxygenates the blood going to the brain and every cell of your body, so it’s very energizing. It wakes up your body and mind—without jitter-causing caffeine. Deep Breathing
WaiLana suggests two simple wake-up exercises:
Energizing Breath
1. Stand with your feet together, then inhale slowly through your nose as you raise your arms to the sides. Fill your lungs completely as you bring your arms over your head until your hands meet.

2. Exhale audibly through your mouth as you lower your arms to your sides, emptying your lungs completely. Repeat 5 to 10 times, then relax.


Wake-Up Stretch
If you have trouble balancing on your tiptoes, stand with your back to a wall.

1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Inhale and raise your arms over your head.

2. Interlock your fingers and turn your palms up. Press your elbows straight and look up at your hands.

3. Rise onto your toes and stretch your whole body upward. Breathe slowly and deeply as you hold for 5 to 10 seconds.

4. Exhale as you lower your heels, straighten your head, and lower your arms. Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Wake up stretch

~

Wailana Yoga lifestyle tips

I've never been much of a morning person- that is, until I met Wailana. It's really changed my life heaps. :)

Wailana Yoga's Aloe slimming and energy booster!

Yay!! I just got my order of Wailana Yoga's Aloe Slimming and her "Wailana Yoga Aloe Energy Booster" . I also got the pure aloe juice as part of the buy 2 take 1 promo.

I'm thrilled to get em. :) they taste good too. Yum yum. :)

I love getting new things.

Up close and personal with Wailana

Here's the biography of Wailana:

It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find anyone as influential as Wai Lana in bringing yoga to the mainstream. Her internationally aired TV series continuously attracts a huge audience and plays a key role in yoga’s skyrocketing popularity. Famous for making it easy and effective, Wai Lana excels at making the ancient art of yoga a life-enhancing experience for anyone who practices along with her.

Wai Lana is not only a beautiful and charming modern-day yoga advocate, but also a highly energetic and prolific artist. She has produced several yoga videos and DVDs for people of all levels, published books, designed kids’ products, recorded music and meditation albums, and produced and hosted nearly two hundred half-hour television programs of yoga instruction. Wai Lana is one of the most well known yoga teachers in the world today. Her daily yoga TV shows are regularly watched by millions of people around the globe on five continents, including in the United States, where her shows appear nationwide on many PBS stations.

Along with co-directing and hosting her TV shows, Wai Lana also designs the colorful clothes and flower garlands she wears during production. She travels the world to shoot her projects in the world’s most beautiful, pristine locations in order to create inspiring visuals for her audience. Instructing us from the breathtaking coastlines of California and Hawaii to the snow-capped mountains of New Zealand to the spectacular red rock deserts of Sedona, Wai Lana has become a favorite of viewers of all ages—from preschoolers to great-grandparents.

Among Wai Lana's most recent endeavors is her Little Yogis line for children. Two lively, colorful DVD workouts combine live action, catchy songs, and playful cartoons to make yoga fun for kids. She also gives us her Daydream CD and DVD to help children calm down and rest with soothing sights and melodious sounds. Her Little Yogis card games and coloring books are also a delight for the family with hours of fun and games. An artistic accomplishment in itself, Wai Lana’s beautifully illustrated Fun Exercise book is filled with charming characters, funny jokes, playful activities, and secret surprises to get kids exercising and loving it.

As a yoga practitioner and vegetarian for over twenty years, Wai Lana’s commitment to good health couldn’t be more evident than in the luscious, mouth-watering recipes she shares in her popular book, Wai Lana’s Favorite Juices.

Well known by now are Wai Lana’s yoga exercise videos and DVDs. The Easy Yoga Series is now available around the world in different languages, as is her second series, Hello Fitness Yoga. A third, Fun Challenge, targets intermediate and more advanced levels. She also has a new series in the works.

Her faithful exercise products continue to impress with their quality, durability, and fashionable designs. Whether it’s a cushy Yoga & Pilates Mat or a body-sculpting exercise ball, Wai Lana is firm in her goal to bring people the best quality for the best prices.

The latest addition to her array of user-friendly products are her fusion fitness kits, which combine yoga and Pilates exercise with resistance training to make for fast, focused fitness on the go. Lightweight and portable, these simple accessories, like resistance bands and cords, stow easily in a briefcase or suitcase to help busy people stay fit. Each kit includes a yoga and Pilates-inspired video/DVD for the most effective body-mind workouts available.

In addition to the spectacular scenic backgrounds, all of Wai Lana’s productions feature beautiful, soothing soundtracks to help viewers relax and let go of stress while they exercise. Including many original vocal recordings of her own, Wai Lana’s yoga music has attracted an audience of its own.

The soundtracks from her yoga DVDs feature songs from the albums, Yoga Music of the Heart and Yoga Sound. These are just the first of several albums Wai Lana will be releasing in the category of New Age/Relaxation music.

To the serene and warm-hearted Wai Lana, the teaching of yoga is not a business but an important service to the global community. She has dedicated her life to this endeavor, and what began in a small way has grown very quickly.

Wai Lana has traveled the world for the past fifteen years, working with dedicated professionals from different countries to produce the highest quality work in every field into which she ventures. This has earned Wai Lana unmatched admiration and made her a household name. Wai Lana’s popularity and recognition is certain to increase as she continues to make the timeless gift of yoga easy and effective for millions more.

- from Wai Lana's Official Website

It is obvious that Wailana is a very wonderful person. Learning from her- even from a DVD or some sort of a video, the way she is really just shines through. Some people think that they can hide how they are inside- that they can mask their real attitudes with a fascade of so called "niceness". But really- even if we somehow "trick" others - at least temporarily, about our own attitudes, in the end it's really ourselves that we are tricking and cheating.

It is wonderful to me to have come to known Wailana, and have my life so changed by her.

Sharing - life

I was thinking about how some people just make themselves blind to everything going on around them. They'd just rather not see the pain, the suffering, the lack of life, and happiness of all the people around them. They'd rather not see the suffering that animals go through, or the ruination being done to the environment. They don't want to see all this because they'll have to change the way they live. They'll have to... do something about it or make themselves harder. So eventually people live in this veil of illusion- where, basically, "ignorance is bliss".

So what got me thinking about all this? I stumbled on Animals Need Help. I've been an advocate of animal protection and environmental awareness for most of my life. I continue to fight against animal abuse and environmental destruction by trying to open the eyes of people about how it isn't actually necessary to create so much destruction and pain in the world.

This is actually one aspect that practicing Wai Lana Yoga has awoken in me. By practicing hatha yoga I have become more aware of myself. It made me more aware of the things happening around me, and to me- and therefore it's made me also more aware of other people. It just awakened me to a whole new existence.

Oh and side note- Wai Lana's got some new products! She's got some supplements out. I'm going to try them for sure. I'm going to order a big bunch while they're all on sale still and give my friends and family these supplements for thanksgiving and Christmas.

Turn yourself on

Haha

Turn "Off" Days into "On" Days
Have you ever noticed how your body and mind work better on some days than on others? How one day things come easy to you, but on other days those same things require much more effort? These "off" days have a variety of causes. For example, if your body is stiff or tense, or if you're constipated or suffering from indigestion, your mind will also be disturbed. On the other hand, if your mind is disturbed because you're stressed out or emotionally upset, you may also feel lousy physically.

Yoga helps counteract both the physical and mental factors that give you "off" days. Asanas reduce tension and relieve common problems like constipation and indigestion. They also boost circulation, which energizes both body and mind. Regular practice will definitely reduce the number of "off" days you experience.

So if you're feeling down and out, turn your "off" day into an "on" day by getting into some yoga.
- Wailana

Darn, now I really can't be lazy.

Start small, dream big

Here's some food for a thought from Wailana's meditation station/daily thought:

The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
Chinese proverb

True enough... just start small... dream big. Kinda like the hamster
effect see. I love hamsters.

I worked myself real hard again today and am exhausted. I should have a more interesting post tomorrow.

Wailana on tiredness

Oh have I been tired. Like that dead tired. I've been sleeping at midnight for the past week or so trying to catch up with work and well - the other day, watching a movie. :o

Anyway.. I was starting to feel lazy for my yoga practice. I was thinking of just skipping my yoga and sleeping! I mean, it's like the most practical thing to do right?
Or so I thought. I did a bit of research, and sure enough, I found a little something
on Wailana's website about tiredness:

Too Tired to Practice?
If you feel tired and exhausted at the end of the day, exercise is probably the last thing on your mind. But yoga asanas, as well as breathing, relaxation, and meditation techniques, actually relieve fatigue, stiffness, tension, and stress. So take your pick, or do some of each. If you practice regularly, you'll have more energy and you'll tire less easily. But if you do get tired, stressed, and tense, you'll have some powerful tools to help you feel better instantly.

Ah. Darn. So there went my idea. Not so surprising enough- I forced myself to practice and hey.. I did feel better.

So the saying is right, that "An hour of yoga is as energizing as an hour of sleep" -Wailana (or at least I think that's how it went.) Kudos.

Wai Lana on Water

I've been a very active athlete throughout my life, and drinking enough water during practice is always really important. Some of my friends suffered all kinds of weird symptoms which were all caused by one thing- lack of water.

To quote Mr. Thoreau & a few others:

I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man. ~Henry David Thoreau

Filthy water cannot be washed. ~African Proverb

Anyway, here is Wai Lana on Water:

Water Replenishes Body Fluids
If you've been doing yoga asanas, you've probably noticed that they can cause you to perspire a lot, especially in hot climates. But don't worry, sweating is good for your health. It cools down the body and eliminates toxins. However, if you perspire a lot without drinking enough fluids, your body can dehydrate, and this can cause both minor and major health problems.

In general, you should drink between 6 to 10 glasses of water each day. If it's hot and you plan to exercise vigorously, you can drink more. Some yoga asanas should not be done too soon after drinking. But an hour or two before you exercise, you can drink a couple of large glasses of water. Then, around 20 minutes before you begin your session, you can have another small drink. For example, if you drive to a class or to a park to do yoga, it's more sensible to drink well before you leave so you're not thirsty when you arrive. If you forget, though, a few sips of water right before you start won't hurt.

If you do yoga outside, the best times are in the morning and late afternoon when it's not too hot. Practicing in the hot midday sun may dehydrate your body and drain your energy.

Just remember that before you do asanas, you should empty your bladder. And if while practicing you feel the urge to go, go right away. Otherwise, you'll feel uncomfortable and won't be able to relax.

My Review of "Wai Lana's Favorite Juices" Book

Originally submitted at OnlineSports

If you're traveling the road to better health, you'll want to take along Wai Lan's Favorite Juices. In her beautiful new book, Wai Lana shares more than 85 recipes for fresh juices, luscious smoothies, and guilt-free desserts. A wellspring of nutrition and inspiration, Wai Lana&apo...

"Wai Lana's Favorite Juices" Book

Wai Lana's Juice book- exemplary

By Mandy Andy from Washington on 9/10/2008

 

5out of 5

Pros: Recipes all taste great, Simply beautiful, Easy to Understand, Very relevant helpful, Easy to read, Recipes are very accurate

Cons: Too few recipes

Best Uses: Younger Readers, Gift, Family use, Community nutrition, Family nutrition, Reference

Describe Yourself: Everyday Reader

I love Wai Lana's juice book. I've bought 8 more of them to give away to friends and family. I think it's a perfect gift. My mother in law gave it to me as a present a few months ago, and our juicer's never been so busy. And better- we've never felt healthier

(legalese)

Wai Lana's tips for fighting winter flu

With winter just around the corner, I thought this would be an interesting thing to talk about here.

When I was growing up my mom didn't ever have any ginger in our kitchen, and well.. it was only when I went traveling around Asia that I actually got an introduction to ginger and started liking it. It's really a wonder root. It's good for preventing and treating any upper respiratory tract diseases, helping treat sea sickness/nausea (pregnant mums!), and it's helps boost the immune system.

Ginger for Winter Ills
Ginger is well known for its spicy bite in Asian cooking, but not everyone knows it's also an effective remedy for a number of ailments, including colds and flu. Ginger is a stimulant that helps increase agni, the internal fire that regulates the digestive and circulatory systems. Low agni causes blockage and constipation, allowing toxins to accumulate, which creates a breeding ground for disease. Ginger helps by increasing the agni, which, in turn, burns away toxins and waste matter, improves digestion, and paves the way to recovery. Ginger even helps eliminate harmful bacteria and parasites.

Ginger is especially good during cold and flu season. It helps clear the sinuses, relieves congestion headaches, and reduces fever. It's also an expectorant that expels mucus from the lungs and throat. The most effective way to take it for colds and flu is ginger tea. Here's a simple recipe:

2 cups water
¼ cup diced fresh ginger
2 tsp. honey

Boil the water, then add the ginger and simmer for about 20 minutes. Strain into a cup and add 2 teaspoons of honey (or to taste). If you like, you can add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pot to increase the stimulating, heating effect. Let me forewarn you now, though: This tea is fiery! Sip it—don't gulp it down.

Just put less ginger if you find this recipe too hot... or add more honey or maple syrup or something. It's all good stuff.

My Review of Ocean Kayak Angler Scrambler XT

Originally submitted at Dick's Sporting Goods

The Old Town Angler Scrambler® XT kayak brings you a versatile design with room in the cockpit to accommodate large paddlers. The extra length allows for improved tracking and added features like paddle keepers.

Ocean Kayak Angler Scrambler XT

Kayak

By Jaycie Angler from Wisconsin on 9/9/2008

 

4out of 5

Pros: Easy to Paddle, Comfortable, Easy Entry & Exit, Stable, Easy To Lift, Good Maneuverability

Cons: Not Enough Storage

Best Uses: Single paddling for space

Describe Yourself: Recreational

Ever since I was a young girl, I loved kayaking. My dad would take me out on his kayak and he'd fish and I'd just appreciate the beauty of the water and everything about it. I got my own kayak when I was 14, and ever since then I've never been without a kayak. This kayak is relatively good. Even if you're on your own, it's easy to maneuver. The only thing that I don't like about it is that when I have someone paddling with me, there's hardly any space for any fishing rods or what not.

(legalese)

Wailana Yoga fan speak

I want to write into Wailana's fanspeak when I get my yoga tote. I ordered a nice aqua one from today. My mom and sister are having birthdays this month, and I'm thinking of just buying them some yoga stuff. I'm sure they'll love it as much as I've come to love it. :)

I always like birthdays... as long as it's not mine. I don't like having all the attention and having people do things for me like they do on birthdays. But if it's someone else's birthday then it's enjoyable. Last year I got my dad a lot of stuff last week too.

On a side note, I really love the Wailana videos they put up here:

I need to do my yoga!

I've been so stressed trying to meet all of my deadlines my neck - which had already improved so much from all of the yoga I've been doing with Wailana, is back to its old tauty self. Of course I only have myself to blame for not putting time for my yoga for the past week. I'll get back into the system soon... and stop eating so much!!

I notice it's such a vicious cycle I go through when I don't get to do yoga. All the stress, cravings, and un-satiable appetite just.. kinda makes me want to scream.

Anyway, I purchased some dumbells from here today:
http://www.bodyofgrace.com/SCAT/WAILANAYOGA_808M.cfm and I'm looking forward to getting them. :)

welcome to wai lana yoga fans blog