What is yoga?

That’s what I asked my kids this week in class. It’s amazing to hear the truth about a process and a program of self-awareness from a six year little girl. “Yoga is focusing and concentrating on whatever it is you’re doing, and breathing.” Stop! Put the needle on the record! Can you say that again, mi amiga?! “Yoga is focusing and concentrating on whatever it is you’re doing, and breathing.” Amazing. Can I quote you Greyson? I just did. Thank you. Nothing more to say. She said it all.

Can I get a what-what?!

Photos by Anna Rose

“Being delivered into a new form comes about when natural forces overflow.” Patañjali trs. Chip Hartranft.

Nihongo - Japanese (language)

Mina san, kyo no hiragana no kotoba wa…desu.

Everybody, today’s hiragana word is…

Arigato.

Thank you.

Aroma - Sharp, spicy, warm, camphorous.

Therapeutic Properties - Anti-infectious, antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, anti-imflammatorry, expectorant, decongestant, analgesic, antiseptic.

With tea tree as your co-pilot, it’s a win win situation, people! I’m not lip-syncing! I’m not lying!

Chapter 4. Freedom

“The attainments brought about by the integration may also arise at birth, through the use of herbs, from intonations, or through austerity.” Patañjali trs. Chip Hartranft.

Hana - flower

Mina san, kyo no hiragana no kotoba wa…desu.

Everybody, today’s hiragana word is…

Arigato.

Thank you.

Aroma - Camphorous, minty fresh.

Therapeutic Properties - Antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-infectious, stomachic, stimulant, tonic, antiparasitic, expectorant, analgesic, digestive, decongestant.

Jeez! What else doesn’t this baby do?! It does just about everything except make your morning coffee and pay your student loans. Get some!

“Once the luminosity and transparency of consciousness have become as distilled as pure awareness, they can reflect the freedom of awareness back to itself.” Patañjali trs. Chip Hartranft.

I stumbled upon Enfleurage four years ago as I was filling in time between yoga classes. It’s a great resource for high quality aromatics. As I was walking around Bleecker and Christopher, they have since then relocated to W.13th Street between 7th Avenue and Greenwich Avenue, I could smell sage wafting through the city streets. My nose got the best of me, and I followed it to the store. Inside it was fresh, a bit warm, a bit spicy, herbaceous, and somewhat camphoraceous. Open. Radiant. Clear. Ever since then I’ve been slowly introducing aromatics into my life and teaching. So much so, that my clients are asking me to make them blends mixed with body lotion, body oil, and bath salt. I’m doing it! My blends extend the practice and teaching beyond the mat, and into their daily lives. It’s awesome and so much fun!

I’ve been taking classes on aromatics at Enfleurage this year, and I’ve noticed a positive shift with my clients. The aromatics, along with asana, vinyasa, and pranayama stimulate focus, concentration, resilience, and relaxation. The classes are led by Christina Dille, who is fabulous! She’s helped me so much as I make blends for my clients. It’s been exciting and successful that I’m going to make the blends available for purchase to anyone who wishes to experience them. Stay tuned for the details as I get it going. In the meantime, I’ll post the nuts and bolts about the oils and aromatics I use in my life and with my clients. Today’s aromatic is brought to you by:

English Lavender - Lavandula Angustifolia

Aroma - Fresh, herbaceous, and floral.

Therapeutic Properties - Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, decongestant, anti-depressant, restorative, calmative, and sedative.

Just before me and my partner go nighty night, this baby is diffusing by our bedside. Sweet dreams!

Tokidoki - sometimes

Mina san, kyo no hiragana no kotoba wa…desu.

Everybody, today’s hiragana word is…

Arigato.

Thank you.