This month at The Yoga House......
Meet our Ambassador for the month of August...
Learn about Parivrtta Trikonasana, a yoga pose from our Winter Sequence...
Find out how our Cooking Day went, and take away with you a delicious healthy recipe...
Keep up to date with all that is coming up at The Yoga House, Mount Eliza!
The Yoga House Ambassador
Each month we will invite one of The Yoga House students to share with us a bit about themselves and their yoga practise. Our Ambassador for August is:
Carissa......
How long have been practising Yoga, and, how long have you been coming to The Yoga House?
I have been practising yoga on and off for about 13 years. I started coming to classes with Anna when she first opened The Yoga House in 2008 and have been practising consistently since then.
What first drew you to Yoga?
I was first drawn to yoga as a way of improving strength, tone and relaxation. I found it a great way to take time out from my busy day and just focus on myself. I danced for many year and was really drawn to the similar style of movement you find in a yoga class. Also yoga seemed to fit really well with my idea of living a healthy lifestyle.
What benefits have you experienced since having a regular yoga practise?
Hopefully all of the above! Yoga has been a great way of recognising problem areas in my body that I may not have noticed in my day to day activities, for example tightness in my shoulders. And then also offers me a way to work on that problem. I always feel amazing after class, light and open. Even though my body has gone through changes, particularly with the birth of my son Tom, yoga has helped me stay connected to my body and has brought a sense of normality back to my life.
Which is your favourite yoga pose?
Apart from Savasana (or anything involving a bolster!) probably Shoulder Stand. It's so nice to take the weight off my feet and feels like being in an altered state when I am upside down - very relaxing!
Why do you like practising yoga at The Yoga House?
I love that the classes are smaller and the same people have been coming for a long time. I've made some great friends here! The teachers are fantastic and the class size means you get personal attention.
Thanks Carissa for sharing your yoga story with us!
Parivrtta Trikonasa (Revolved Triangle Pose)
Parivritta ( revolved) Trikonasana (triangle), this is the revolving triangle pose. It is a counter pose to Trikonasana (triangle pose).
►►Benefits
· Strengthens and lengthens the leg muscles
· Stretches the hips and increases movement in the spine
· Opens the chest to improve breathing
· Relieves mild back pain
· Stimulates the abdominal organs
· Improves sense of balance
Cautions
Back or spine injury - perform this pose only with the supervision of an experienced teacher or avoid it altogether.
Avoid this pose if you are pregnant, or have....
· Low blood pressure
· Migraine
· Diarrhea
· Headache
· Insomnia
► Modifications / Variations
►►►►►►This pose is slightly easier with a narrower stance. Taking the feet towards the outside edges of the mat (taking feet wider apart) may also assist with balance.
Beginners should bring their hand to the outside of the leg or alternatively use a block on the outside of the foot and press hand into block.
Only lift other arm towards ceiling once balance is attained, otherwise leave hand on lower back to ensure hips are even. Focus on lifting the shoulder to bring twist to upper body.
Only turn the head if neck is ok, otherwise keep neck in comfortable position.
Cooking Day.......
Healthy Cooking Day 23 July 2011
The idea behind the Healthy Cooking Day is to introduce healthy and easy vegetarian dishes to The Yoga House students and help introduce a few more vegetarian dishes to our family weekly menu. It is also a great opportunity to try out different ingredients you may not be used to using and you can try it out before you buy it for your family.
This year the cooking day was more popular than ever and we had a great time sharing stories, recipes and tasting delicious food. If you haven’t participated before, this is how it goes:
We cook 3 vegetarian meals an entrée, main course and of course a dessert. We divide into little teams and then start cooking. At the end we get to taste our “hard labours” and enjoy a delicious lunch together.
This year the menu was as follows:
Entrée: White Bean and Spinach Soup with corn bread
Main Course: Lentil Shepherds Pie
Dessert: Flourless Orange Cake with Almond Cream
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| Gretchen, Jen, Sheridan and Katie. |
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| Kirsten and yoga friend. |
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| Carissa, Sheridan, Gretchen, Katie, Kirsten & Anna. |
If this sounds delicious and exiting to you, join us for the next Healthy Cooking Day 2012.
RECIPE
Flourless Orange cake
Cooking time: 55 mins
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
2 large oranges
5 large eggs
250g raw sugar
250g almond meal
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp orange liquor (optional)
Method:
- Place oranges in a saucepan and boil for 2 hours adding water as necessary
- Allow oranges to cool then cut into pieces, place in a blender and blend until smooth
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees C and line a 20cm round cake tin
- Beat eggs and sugar together
- Mix in baking powder, stir in the pureed oranges and gently fold in the almond meal
- Mix in orange liquor if using, then pour mixture into tin
- Bake for 55 mins or until knife inserted in centre comes out clean
- Allow cake to cool in pan before removing
- Dust cake with icing sugar before serving
- Serve with almond cream
ALMOND CREAM
1 cup natural Greek yoghurt
2 tblsp honey
2-3 tblsp almond meal
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl and serve with any cake or fruit instead of cream.
Upcoming Events at The Yoga House.....
Don't forget our upcoming Spring Yoga Retreat in Red Hill - 21/22/23 October 2011.
