Downward Doggy Style: The Yoga & Sex Combo Convo

By now, many yogis have read the New York Times article titled, “Yoga and Sex Scandals: No Surprise Here”, published on February 27^th.

Two of my chicanasanas (hey Shifra and Tanya! xoxo) emailed their thoughts, which really got my mind churning as well. As it happened, the first person I was able to share my own thoughts with was my naturopathic doctor (ND). Both of us quite intrigued, we re-read the NYT article together, and then I conducted an impromptu interview with him. Check out what surfaced…

Me: Is this issue just about sexual energy, or does this go much deeper?

ND: God has given us each individual a sustained inner intelligence that doesn’t leave us; that stays submerged and rooted in a human anatomy (or to be more specific in the subtle etheric anatomy). That subtle anatomy in Eastern doctrine is known as kundalini. It is the kundalini energy that people are trying to erect, call upon and increase its natural flow throughout their own constitution.

Me: Okay, so how responsible is the yoga teacher for what happens in fostering this energetic erection (pardon the pun)? How responsible is the yoga student?

ND: There’s always a dual consent by way of verbal or non-verbal cues between the teacher and student. The keys that haven’t been found, in my opinion, are classes in esoteric science and energetic physiology.  There are no leadership guiding principles in yoga other than teacher training, which I view irresponsible. Obtaining certification or not, all yoga students need required supplements to their yogic experience to truly understand what’s happening. There should be lectures, along with asana, to understand the psychological and emotional imprints that sit in our structural bodies.

When people start to feel things moving inside them (from asanas), it does emit and start to move energy that was once blocked in a different energetic paradigm of the human anatomy. People in the yoga construct talk about chakras, and supposedly what they do, but very few experience the full intent of each particular chakra.

The mental, spiritual, emotional and sexual (stimuli) are all tied to the same energetic construct in the human platform. If the discussion were brought to a more “esoteric meets science” level, we would bring things down to earth and take the light out of the darkness.

Me: So lecture, in addition to asana, for all yoga enthusiasts (not just aspiring teachers). Profound. So what should we all be doing? And how do these efforts get misconstrued?

ND: From an energetic paradigm, you must know how to DIRECT energy accordingly. And consequently (if you do not), wherever you are weakest is where you will be more vulnerable or a victim.  Weaknesses lead you into addictions. You have to add interdisciplinary modalities (i.e. meditation and breath therapy) to yoga in order to balance the energy flow. These discussions are important to understand the physiology of yoga.

Me: So is that what happened with this (and other) yoga leader(s) in their sexual scandals?

ND: Yes. Clearly, there is an imbalance here. True yogis understand the sacredness of this energy flow- that it has to be nurtured, cultivated and transmuted. Go back to the original intent of yoga… you are stimulating your own divine consciousness. That cannot happen if you are not rooted/grounded in your own energy base.

Me: Is yoga the only exercise that has this type of sexual, or broadly speaking, energetic impact?

ND: No. This is also true for belly dancing, African dance and other spiritual and therapeutic exercises.

Me: All things considered, what do you suggest we yogis do in response to this article and this prevailing issue in our community?

ND: Ignorance is NOT bliss. Leaders are not exempt and they bring their own issues  (dirty laundry) to the mat. People can often forget their own humanness because of the status they have or are being given by others. Question your leadership. Find out their background because at the end of the day… authenticity does not lie.

Me: Any last thoughts?

ND: Remember once ego supersedes spirit… you’ve already lost the original intent of your own divine pursuits.

Grounded Glamour 101: Tried and True Beauty

I’m no expert, but I’ve always been a reliable consumer. And thanks to packing, unpacking and repacking my beauty basics this holiday season, My Top 10 Rituals are pretty obvious! * pun intended*

1.100% All Natural Shea Butter- beyond its tub of nutrients for my dry skin, there is no skimping on its application benefits for my muscles. It’s like an interactive massage. I’m fully circulated by the time the steam clears ; )

2.Vinyasa- Just in case I haven’t made myself clear… Yoga makes all the difference, folks. Its full-body maintenance, inside and out, leaving me with a clear mind, toned limbs and a natural glow! (BTW- My BFF gave me yoga socks for Christmas! No mat needed! NamastHEY!!)

3.     Dr. Hauschka Holistic Skin Care- Dankeschön, Drs. Rudolf Hauschka and Elisabeth Sigmund for adding such a natural bliss to beauty. Moisturizers are supreme and that Lip Care is matchless!!!

4.     Essie Nail Polish- Nobody answers the call of my ‘natural nail style’ better than she does! As a Mademoiselle, I keep my Sugar Daddy oh soo close! LOL

5.     Good Ol’ H2O- Still or sparkling. Room temp or chilled. Lemon or lime. Just gimme 64 oz. of agua each day, and I’m happy ; )

6.     Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs)- I will never EVER underestimate the power of ‘food medicine’ again. Eating organically and in season, while supporting a local community, is one of the most transformative decisions I have ever made. It truly changed my look and my lifestyle!

7.     All NARS Everything- I vote that its new West Village location be landmarked, and that Mr. Francois gets a fabulous ‘Key to the City’ he helps make soooooo beautiful! Muah!

8.     R & R - We all know the one thing we can’t ever get back is TIME. So I have learned (admittedly, the hard way) to use it wisely, by giving myself amble hours of rest and relaxation. *wipes sand from feet*

9.     Carol’s Daughter- When I first moved to Brooklyn, this quaint, yet coveted flagship was my one-stop gift shop. However, after a ginormous brand expansion (namely, its celebrity endorsements and nationwide Sephora residence), those lovely hair, body and home duds are now all for ME!!

10. Customized Supplements- Who knew that I would own one of those daily medicine dispensers at such a young age, and for such a GREAT reason!?! I am in (G-rated) love with my Naturopath and eternally grateful for his vitamin/herb/mineral prescription, which literally fills in the gaps of my health.

Well, Chicanasanas… I’ve just landed in Puerto Rico, so the beauty has just begun! Happy New Year, and lets follow my Christmas cactus’ lead (see pic below), and make 2012 GROUNDED and GLAMOROUS!! xoxo

Seane Corn, Russell Simmons and the NYC Yoga Community Occupy Wall Street in Love, Solidary and Action! #namaste

Detoxify from Head to Toe… Just Because!

Follow this season’s trends beyond fashion!! Fall is all about RELEASE and RESTORAL. The trees shed their leaves, the rain is abundant and the harvest bears its last. Nature ques us all to purge and take good care of ourselves.

So join me this Fall, and lets purify ourselves from HEAD TO TOE… Just Because! 

Book one of the AMAZING Hair Detox Treatments (details below) from Just Because Hair Therapy Salon, who is featured in the latest UPTOWN Magazine’s “Style Issue” !! Call now for your appointment with whom they call the “Queen of Hair Health” (Trust I am definitely under her rule ; ) 718.722.7810.  www.justbecausehairsalon.com 

And then grab your mat and join me ‘after salon hours’ for a Body Detox with Vinyasa Yoga 7-week Series: Mondays 7:15-8:30pm, October 17-November 28, held at Just Because Hair Therapy Salon ; )

Pre-Register for all 7 classes ($90- whatta deal!!) and get a FREE Just Because t-shirt! Drop-ins are also welcomed ($14/class), but space is limited. Email me: yoga@style-root.com.

Happy Fall, Chicanasanas!!!

1 Year Older, Happier & Healthier

 Joy is such an inner affirmation. No cake, party, gift or guest list can take the place of honestly knowing ‘how far you’ve come’.

This birthday was soooo chill. Sure I entertained loved ones, but more than anything, I honored my own solitude. Reflecting over my life, looking at my surroundings and knowing my milestones gave me a “buzz” like no other ; )

My growth has been soo electric. My charge to move forward is undoubtable. I’m ready to take another giant step!! Thus, my next fete…

Introducing Off the Mat, Into the World’s “Yoga in Action” Training!!!

By definition (from website)… “Off the Mat (OTM) uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and to ignite grassroots social change.”

… “Yoga in Action is OTM’s grassroots movement that brings the Off the Mat experience to your local area. These 7-week groups are an opportunity to build community around yoga and service, develop relationships with other yogis and activists in your area and collaborate on creating real change.”

 I am super excited about this training, and will definitely be sharing my experience as it unfolds! 

Happy Birthday to me and Namaste to all! xoxoxo

‘Me, Myself & Irene’ 1st Course: Tomato, Watermelon & Feta Salad

So, with all the talks of a potential power outage, I had to make sure I was ‘skraight’ when it came to food during Miss Irene! LOL Like many of us, I thought about convenient, healthy options: 1) fruit, 2) salad, 3) cheese, 4) crackers… (you know the drill). 

That said, I just enjoyed a BOMB rendition of LA Foodie and fellow Tumblr Jeanne Kelley’s Tomato, Watermelon and Feta salad… YUMMM!!!!! I strictly followed her recipe, but gave mine a bed of argula for a little more bite (pun intended!). 

Grooving to Coltrane, sipping on Merlot… this is one swanky state of emergency! *wink*

Off to prepare the main course (spinach turkey burger & homemade fries), while I’ve still got a stove!!!

Later Chicanasanas! xoxo

Photo: Courtesy of Jeanne Kelley, found on LA Weekly.