NOURISHing in Route to Washington, DC

Today I take off my teacher hat and put on my student hat. I'm off to DC for the Food as Medicine annual conference. I look forward to bringing back a wealth of new nutrition information for everyone I will be working with upon my return.

As you can imagine, I take healthy nutrition on the go when I travel to ensure that my health isn't sacrificed to Starbucks at various airports or the phytochemically-lacking plane snacks. Here's what I packed for my trip (most snacks courtesy of NOURISH, of course). Looking forward to traveling NOURISHed and being fed in mind, body, and spirit! Jocelyn

New Blog

If you have stumbled onto this site and are interested in reading more NOURISH blog posts, we have re-located. You can find our new blog here: http://www.nourishsantacruz.com/blog/

Be well!

Essential Yoga Practices

For the last several years I have been encouraging students learn and engage some essential yoga practices. These have been around much longer than the last several years. They are the 8 limbs of yoga, ashtanga, that Patanjali codified in the Yoga Sutras.

I have also promised over the past several weeks that I would blog the definitions for a few of these. These definitions are in no way intended to be the end of a conversation, but rather the beginning. It is my intention that students and others will not simply take what I say as gospel, but will dig deeper and come to their own conclusions about the best way to define and practice each of these.

Finally I would like to note that while some of these practices can be construed simply as philosophical concepts or as end points to be acheived, they are intended as processes of exploration and are best engaged actively.

Asana: posture; mindful physical action;
Pranayama: intentional breathing;
Pratyahara: turning the outer senses inward; inner reflection; deepened awareness;
Dharana: concentration; mental focus;
Dhyana: meditation; presence; openess to what is;

More to come next week.

Victor

The Fuzz

So, I know I tend to get on my soap box a little bit in class sometimes.  It's just that I think yoga is fascinating.  It's been a great gift to be teaching again after taking time off to have the little one.  Sometimes I get a little carried away!

Speaking of my soap box, I was going on in class a few days ago about "the fuzz".  "The fuzz" are strands of  cobweb-like connective tissue that develop between the muscles and between muscle groups when we fail to move our bodies around in all the magnificent ways it can move.  These strands of connective tissue multiply and bind together during long periods of inactivity (like when we sleep).

As time passes the fascia thickens and hardens between those once juicy, smooth and slippery surfaces rendering them less and less able to slide and glide past one another.  As the individual muscles lose their ability to move freely and independently of other muscles our movements become less multidimensional and refined.  We call this 'stiff'. If you've ever had an injury that left you immobilized in a joint for a number of weeks, you've noticed this in your process of rehabilitation.  Physical therapists include deep tissue massage in their treatments as ways of recovering this loss of mobility and literally breaking up "the fuzz".  A sedentary life, or physical activities that limit motion to simple gross-motor movements can have the same effect.  We notice we're no longer able to stretch as high for the tennis serve.  Turning around in the car to parallel park becomes more difficult.

I first saw the video about "the fuzz" a few years ago in a workshop I took from a dear teacher of mine,  Paul Grilley.  Paul teaches the most practical (and eye-opening) anatomy lessons I've ever had.  He transformed the way I think of alignment in yoga (and in everything else too).

I had never actually mentioned the 'fuzz' concept in any of my classes before.  I'm not sure why. Anyway, that very day...the day I (it felt like not so eloquently) introduced "the fuzz" for the first time in one of my classes, my dear friend Brendan Armm posted "the fuzz" video on Facebook.  What are the chances?  I snapped it right up, and am happy now to pass it onto you.

The video is by a brilliant Ph.D, Gil Hedley.  Anyone interested in anatomy can take his workshops and attend a dissection of a human cadaver.  For the less adventurous, you can buy a video of a dissection, and see the real world examples of what is going on inside your body.  He's a fascinating narrator, as you will see below.  The unique thing about Dr. Hedley, is that he is very spiritual in his approach to understanding the human physical form; he is personal, respectful, and sensitive in his explorations.

A little warning:  The following video includes some very palatable for the average person (in my opinion)  video of  "the fuzz" in the tissues of a real human cadaver.  Enjoy!!

A New Year Means New Food

So it's not the most original New year's resolution... but in 2010 I told myself I would eat healthier. I generally don't have a terrible diet. Compared to some of my acquaintances, who live on a staple of Burger King and Taco Bell, I am positively zen. However, I do have weaknesses that bring me down. Weaknesses like bread - I could easily eat a loaf a day - and white rice and Miller HighLife (it's the champagne of beers) and British tea with milk and sugar and, well, anything that tastes remotely sweet and candy-like. It was with these weaknesses in mind, and a desire to improve my diet, that I went to see Jocelyn.

Slightly nervous, although everyone I spoke to who had seen Jocelyn assured me of her patience and brilliance, I sat down and shared what I had eaten for the last 24 hours. After talking to me about my eating preferences and habits, she then began to make some positive suggestions; taking into account my likes and dislikes. Suggestions such as yogurt and nuts with my cereal in the morning to provide me with protein to give me more energy throughout the day, or fish once a week to make sure I get those all important Omega 3's!

All the changes she brought up sounded very do-able. I can often be picky about foods and stubborn, I'm sure my partner would be glad to testify to that, but Jocelyn's smile and common sense approach prevented me from ever digging my heals in. She asked about my family history and any medical issues I had and looked for foods that could help me feel good and avoid any future health problems. I really valued this approach as it helped me to try things that perhaps I would ordinarily dismiss as "not for me"... such as hummus! After trying it once a few years ago I hated hummus and decided chickpeas were for hippies. After discussing what it was that I didn't like about hummus, Jocelyn suggested I try a particular brand and low and behold now I eat hummus on all of my sandwiches... and listen to The Grateful Dead.

At the end of the consultation she handed me a a list of everything we had discussed; complete with a grocery list of where to buy the items. And on the list there were even sweet treats! A week into my new regime I do feel better. There have been lapses, I guess that comes with the territory when your friends like Taco Bell, but on the whole I'm on a march to good health... powered by flax seed, walnuts and spinach. While many who make the resolution to eat better quickly recoil into a familiar groove of carbs and Coors come February, I think I can stick to it. Why? Well, fortunately for me, I work at NOURISH and have access to the all-knowing nutrition queen... Jocelyn Dubin!

A National Holiday For A King

All week I have been creating music mixes for classes to honor the life of Dr. King. Today it culminates with the national holiday in his honor. Most of today's exerpts come from the March on Washington speech, but some from the march to Birmingham and others from his later years in opposition to war in general and the U.S. participation in war specifically.

Monday 1/18/09
Beginning, 11:30-12:15 and 12:30-1:15
The Pleasure to Present Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Star Spangled Banner (Live) - Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye NBA At 50: A Musical Celebration
Beginning of a Movement Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A Change Is Gonna Come Sam Cooke Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964
Now Is the Time Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Freedom Now Tracy Chapman Crossroads
How Long Not Long Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Sojourner's Battle Hymn Sweet Honey In The Rock Still On The Journey
Happy to Join With You Today
America The Beautiful Ray Charles Ray Charles Anthology
Soul Force Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Soul Power James Brown Crooklyn, Vol. 2
Unearned Suffering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Redemption Song Bob Marley & The Wailers Uprising
My Country Tis of Thee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
My Country Tis of Thee Mahalia Jackson I Wonder If I Will Ever Rest
Let Freedom Ring Through Free At Last Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Someday We'll All Be Free Without Gospel Aretha Franklin Malcolm X Soundtracck
Free At Last Free At Last Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

5:45-7:00 Beginning
Free At Last Free At Last Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Star Spangled Banner (Live) - Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye NBA At 50: A Musical Celebration
The Pleasure to Present Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Books & Spoken
Shed A Little LIght James Taylor New Moon Shine Music
Happy to Join With You Today
What's Going On (Original Unreleased Detroit Mix, April 5, 1971) Marvin Gaye Unreleased: What's Going On (Deluxe Edition)
Life Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Get Up, Stand Up Bob Marley & The Wailers Songs Of Freedom [Box Set]
Now is the Time to Dream Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Freedom Now Tracy Chapman Crossroads
Soul Force Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Soul Power James Brown Crooklyn, Vol. 2
Unearned Suffering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Redemption Song Bob Marley & The Wailers Uprising
Even Though We Face The Difficulties Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dreaming On A World Tracy Chapman Matters Of The Heart
With This Faith Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A Change Is Gonna Come Aretha Franklin I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
My Country Tis of Thee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
My Country Tis of Thee Mahalia Jackson I Wonder If I Will Ever Rest
Let Freedom Ring Through Free At Last Dr. Martin Luther King
Someday We'll All Be Free Aretha Franklin Malcolm X Soundtrack
Integration of Moral Concerns Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away Stevie Wonder Fulfillingness' First Finale
Against the War with Love Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
America The Beautiful Ray Charles Ray Charles Anthology
He Who is Greatest Shall Be Your Servant Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
All That You Have Is Your Soul Tracy Chapman Crossroads
Mountain Top Prophecy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

All Levels, 7:15-8:45
Free At Last Free At Last Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Star Spangled Banner (Live) - Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye NBA At 50: A Musical Celebration
The Pleasure to Present Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Books & Spoken
Shed A Little LIght James Taylor New Moon Shine Music
Happy to Join With You Today
What's Going On (Original Unreleased Detroit Mix, April 5, 1971) Marvin Gaye Unreleased: What's Going On (Deluxe Edition)
Life Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Get Up, Stand Up Bob Marley & The Wailers Songs Of Freedom [Box Set]
Now is the Time to Dream Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Freedom Now Tracy Chapman Crossroads
Soul Force Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Soul Power James Brown Crooklyn, Vol. 2
Unearned Suffering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Redemption Song Bob Marley & The Wailers Uprising
Even Though We Face The Difficulties Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dreaming On A World Tracy Chapman Matters Of The Heart
With This Faith Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A Change Is Gonna Come Aretha Franklin I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
My Country Tis of Thee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
My Country Tis of Thee Mahalia Jackson I Wonder If I Will Ever Rest
Let Freedom Ring Through Free At Last Dr. Martin Luther King
Someday We'll All Be Free Aretha Franklin Malcolm X Soundtrack
Integration of Moral Concerns Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away Stevie Wonder Fulfillingness' First Finale
Against the War with Love Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
America The Beautiful Ray Charles Ray Charles Anthology
He Who is Greatest Shall Be Your Servant Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
All That You Have Is Your Soul Tracy Chapman Crossroads
King's Self Eulogy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Peace Michael McDonald This Christmas
Mountain Top Prophecy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I hope this week has been as inspirational for you as for me. Let's keep moving together toward freedom for all.

Saturday's MLK Celebration Playlists

Intermediate 10-11:30:
Love's In Need Of Love Today Stevie Wonder Songs In The Key Of Life
It Tolls For Thee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Everybody Got Their Something Nikk Costa
He Who is Greatest Shall Be Your Servant Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A Time To Love, Stevie Wonder (with India Arie) A Time 2 Love
Integration of Moral Concerns Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Strength, Courage, and Wisdom India Arie Acoustic Soul
The Weapon of Love, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Let Us Love Bill Withers
On the Move Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Move on Up Curtis Mayfield The Very Best of Curtis Mafield
Unearned Suffering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Peace Anyway , The Black Crowes Band [unreleased LP]
Victory For Justice and Goodwill Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We Are The Champions Queen, Queen's Greatest Hits
I Have A Dream Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I Had A Dream Last Night Joss Stone
Free At Last, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free Nina Simone Anthology
Now Is the Time Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
If Not Now... Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman
Soul Force Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We Shall Overcome FreedomSingers
How Long? Not Long. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Eventually Carole King The Carnegie Hall Concert June 18, 1971
Commitment To Non-Violence Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In Search Of Freedom
Love'll Set Me Free Michael Franti, Songs From The Front Porch
Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.
A Change Is Gonna Come Sam Cooke Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964
King's Self Eulogy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Peace Michael McDonald This Christmas

Beginning 12:00-1:15
Love's In Need Of Love Today Stevie Wonder Songs In The Key Of Life
It Tolls For Thee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Let Us Love Bill Withers
He Who is Greatest Shall Be Your Servant Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A Time To Love, Stevie Wonder (with India Arie) A Time 2 Love
Integration of Moral Concerns Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Move on Up Curtis Mayfield The Very Best of Curtis Mafield
The Weapon of Love, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Love That Will Never Grow Old Emmylou Harris
Unearned Suffering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free Nina Simone Anthology
I Have A Dream Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I Had A Dream Last Night Joss Stone
Now Is the Time Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
If Not Now... Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman
Soul Force Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We Shall Overcome FreedomSingers
How Long? Not Long. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Eventually Carole King The Carnegie Hall Concert June 18, 1971
Commitment To Non-Violence Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In Search Of Freedom
Love'll Set Me Free Michael Franti, Songs From The Front Porch
Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.
A Change Is Gonna Come Sam Cooke Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964
King's Self Eulogy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Peace Michael McDonald This Christmas

See you Monday!