Pretty new blog art
look at the new illustration by molly crabapple for the header of this blog! isn’t it lovely?
nicola back of nicola black design oversees much of my online presence, newsletter and blog.
together they make this piece of cyberspace a beautiful place!
thanks ladies!
Great new yogi questions #1
i have a rather intense screening process for my private yoga studio. because i don’t accept walk-ins every one has to email me to to get an appointment for a class. i encourage a 2 way dialogue at this time and try to not only find out as much about the student as possible, but i also encourage them to ask questions of me. most are the same, “what to wear” , “what to eat”, but i got a couple of good and different ones today.
Q: Do you engage in any physical manipulation of students to help them achieve proper forms ?
A: sometimes, it depends on the student, the day, the posture and if what is needed will benefit the student. (if you do not want to be touched, please say so when asked. if you are not asked, please say so if the teacher approaches you for a posture assist, no offense!!)
Q: How would you describe the awareness of yoga studio ettiquette in your classes from that of the students? An example would be people who “pop” their mats to lay the mats out on the floor or late-comers or persons who may leave class early. I am unhappy with how the studio I have been using tolerates what I feel is inconsiderate behavior.
A: people are people. i stress courtesy and awareness certainly. but i rarely “call people out” in class for behaviors i consider rude, unless they are also unsanitary. everyone is encouraged to stay for the entire class… but if someone feels sick and needs air, they are allowed to step out. if someone needs to go to the bathroom they may, and if i feel like a student needs something (ice, or water) that is not immediately available I MAY even leave the room. try to remember, regardless of how we try to control other people, ultimately we can only control ourselves and our reactions to them. it’s much easier and brings peace of mind faster.
so reader? do you have a question? please ask!
mother’s day silent
1. have you practiced yoga with darla before?
2. have you been trying to get to Darla’s Yoga Garden but have not yet been to the space?
3. are you a mother? (or even a Mutha’ occasionally?)
tomorrow sunday, mother’s day at 2pm we have our regularly scheduled silent class for experienced students. (i.e. experienced in the heat, done some yoga with darla)
BUT Mothers, if you are “new-to-the-new-location”
and you are not a “hot yoga newbie” your class is on me!
you should e-mail me to get in.
yogadarla@gmail.com
going in.
it’s funny, how things are, how things turn out and how things seem to us.
thursday’s 4:30 class turned out to be a silent class.
all experienced well acclimated students were there, so i answered the earlier request for such. silent at my studio is one in which there is minimal verbal instruction, i am leading the class by practicing in the front and music is playing. so silent is not silent. depending on the day and the vibe of the class the music varies from a mix of kirtan and “world music” to a mix of all that and old rock, new stuff, 80’s bluegrass… you never know what’s coming next. (i do of course, and have tailored the music to how i intend to teach the postures) it’s usually a great, super sweaty time.
yesterday though, was different. i was grateful for the opportunity to practice with this group, they challenge me. all of them have been practicing with me for years, they are loving and patient, they have loved me through my yoga career. they have practiced with me the last decade through lots of “life”. and now they lovingly support me while i heal my shoulders, and strengthen them. oh, and they are STRONG.
of course i am a little nervous, i am before every class silent or spoken. but i started the music and we were off! about 30 minutes later we were soaked and had crossed the “irritation threshold” and everyone was… quiet. i could feel the shift. the class had a sequence that was unexpected but the postures were familiar to everyone, the focus was palatable the asanas were more than healing. they were transformational.
when i teach “regular classes”- as an originally bikram trained teacher i am talking. loooottttsss of talking. lots of instruction and a class full of individual instructions directly to the yogis who need it. these are intense classes for everyone. this is not a “memorized dialogue” the spirit moves through me when i teach. i see the students move, i see their auras/ energy. as a healer and intuitive and an empath this can be almost trance-like at times. sustaining this for the 90 minutes of class is important, but occasionally while i am “in there” watching, processing, feeling… i can get “lost”. (was that left or right?) i sometimes feel awkward, and sometime say silly or curious things. of course while they maybe curious to the onlooker they are connected in some way for me- perhaps only energetically. (and i feel awkward again)
while teaching yoga is my calling, you can see it is also an endless source of interesting opportunities to learn about myself. i may be watching you, talking about you, looking at you- but you -my darling yogis, are teaching me. as i am moving you through the postures, and telling you how to move your body; it’s moving me along in a spiritual place. when we do yoga together in silent classes i am there leading you, but you are going a little further. you are not distracted by the words and “doing it right for darla”. your journey is also more inward. with your advanced state of access to the self, i am able to hopefully bring you along a little further thru the stuff … closer to You. closer to You is what yoga is all about. frankly getting your foot over your head is how we distract you while you are getting there. funny huh?
Food, Sweat and Beers
Hot Yoga is a strenuous physical endeavor. You don’t have to be in good shape to do Hot Yoga- you can be “FAT” and do Hot Yoga and receive many many benefits including weight loss.
The key is the fuel you run through your body.
So what to eat on days when you are planning to practice in the hot room? Well, it depends on the time of day. Whether or not you are trying to thin down these guideline will be helpful for you to plan your yoga practice.
EVENING PRACTICE PLAN
EAT breakfast: cereal or fruit or eggs or waffles whatever you want.
EAT Lunch- A nice salad with some meat or protein. (Salad with chicken breast or a nice piece of fish) maybe a reasonably sized sandwich or some soup
2-3 HOURS BEFORE HOT YOGA- eat an apple and have a couple of spoonfuls of peanut butter or almond butter or some other “nut butter”. (or Maybe a couple of handfuls of nuts) Have a banana if you prefer if you are not fond of “nut butters” have an apple and some nice mozzarella cheese. (I like to have Horizon Organic Cheese Snacks to control portions you know- those singly packaged string cheese things)
Have a V-8 perhaps but definitely have some electrolytes like Emerge’n-c.
AFTER HOT YOGA- If you MUST- Here is where you can skip a meal! If you are doing evening classes and are trying to lose weight it is my opinion that dinner is the ONLY meal you should skip. If you are STARVING after yoga- how about a bowl of cereal or some toast. Maybe some steamed veggies sprinkled with lemon juice.
MORNING PRACTICE PLAN
When practicing morning hot yoga you need to have the self-discipline to get up a bit earlier and eat. you want to finish eating breakfast at least an hour before your scheduled yoga time. Ideally you would get up and eat to finish 2 hours before your class. go back to bed and sleep a little more if you want. (BUT don’t forget to set the alarm to wake you for your class!)
Breakfast before yoga: have toast and peanut butter. If you don’t like peanut butter or nut butters then soak some (raw unsalted) almonds in fresh spring or filtered water overnight in the fridge and have those with toast. If you don’t want toast, have an apple or banana and the almonds. (eggs can cause gas for some, if they are okay for you, have an egg and some toast)
Avoid milk, coffee, oranges, orange juice and meat before morning yoga.
AFTER YOUR MORNING YOGA CLASS;have a nice satisfying lunch! Remember, It is “better” to have a bigger lunch and to have a nice light dinner than no lunch and a big dinner.
HOT YOGA DAYS: WHAT TO AVOID?
Beer, Champagne, Coke, Diet Coke and all carbonated beverages (yes! even carbonated spring water like Perrier and Pellegrino)
Beef (bad karma)
Veal (VERY bad karma)
Potato chips and other fried snacks (how about a few salty pretzels instead?)
Candy- Candy bars, Sugary Stuff
Cookies
Ice Cream (have frozen fruit bars or Sorbet)
Whole Milk and Milky salad dressings
IN GENERAL HOT YOGA DAYS: WHAT’S GOOD TO EAT?
Salt!
Good Fats: like low fat cheese and avocado
Put Celery and Carrots in every salad you make. snacking on celery is like eating FREE of calories!
Vinegar on your salad- Balsamic vinegar both red and white are wonderful add the best olive oil you can afford with a little FRESH GRATED Parmesan cheese and you will feel like you are FEASTING SINFULLY!
Steamed Veggies, yes have a little butter!
WATER WATER WATER
Fruit Juice in moderation
Veggie Juice- as much as you want
Fruits- especially cooling fruits like watermelon and other melons- go easy in the oranges-feast on grapefruit
The idea here would be to go to bed with as much of an empty belly as possible. You will be “fasting” while you are sleeping and you will feel fantastic in the morning. You might even feel “skinnier”. BUT no matter how “skinny” you feel, you MUST have food through out the day.
Yes, some may disagree with these guidelines, I am not a doctor nor a nutritionist, but I have been doing yoga in a hot room for almost 11 years. I was certified by Bikram 10 years ago and I have been teaching Bikram, Barkan and Forrest Styles of Hot Yoga for over 10 years. I have seen THOUSANDS of people do this yoga with every body type imaginable! I have seen the “fainters”, the “fatties”, the “athletes”, the “dancers”, the “bodybuilders”, the “runners” the Doctors and nurses, the “type-A’s”, the “lazy ones”, all doing it in the hot room. I have seen them all benefit and thrive. I have helped hundreds of people lose weight and gain body confidence. I know these suggestions can work for for many of you.
If you want to feel better, DO HOT YOGA! If you want to lose weight read these guidelines again and incorporate them into your practice!
Hot Yoga Clothes
Hot Yoga is a type of physical movement that is practiced in a very specific environment. It matters what you wear to class. It’s not because you need to be stylish or look a certain way- the wrong clothes will make you miserable. Some would say there is already misery enough to go around in the hot room, but i say, clothes can make the class. There is a misconception about clothes and yoga. People think “yoga is nice and relaxing” so they should wear loose flowing clothes to a yoga class This is a huge mistake.
Dear people, please don’t wear baggy clothes to hot yoga. You are going to sweat profusely. Once you start moving your loose clothes are going to get wet and heavy and start sticking to you. ICK! So think about wicking fabrics and cool, close silhouettes.
If you are a woman wear a tank top and/or a sports bra. Wear spandex Capri length pants or shorts that hug the thigh. The asanas (postures) sometimes put your legs in awkward positions so please wear underwear (or thong) for coverage and confidence.
Men: as delicately as I can ask…make sure your “business” will be “fully contained” in your shorts. The easy answer is wearing underwear with your non-spandex shorts. Many men’s swimsuits or shorts have built-in briefs, these are okay, but compression shorts under any other shorts is best.
Dark colors are best for hot yoga. Please do not wear white shorts or tops. White becomes quite transparent when wet; it’s a distraction you don’t want. Wicking fabrics help the sweat become manageable.
Scented lotion, perfume, body spray, powder and essential oil a no-no for yoga. Your sweat-your breath-your body odors that are natural are perfect for yoga. Cosmetics will melt and run into your eyes so at a minimum; wash off your perfume and your make-up with a dampened hand towel in the washroom.
Do not wear dangling or bulky jewelry.
It is customary remove your shoes before coming into the yoga room. It is a beautiful, ancient eastern tradition with lots of symbolism. Some say that leaving your shoes at the door is symbolic of leaving the cares, worry and negative energy of the world outside. What a beautiful custom.
It’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes for after yoga class. You will be sweat soaked (as if you were swimming) and you will be more comfortable in dry clothes on your drive home.
Lastly, if you are not able to wash your yoga clothes immediately when you get home, rinse the sweat out in the shower. Your nice yoga clothes will last much longer if you do.
Enjoy your class! Namaste!
pretty new post card!
thanks doug!
new news in new newsletter!
email me for a copy of the latest newsletter from Darla’s yoga Garden!
yogadarla@gmail.com
SMOOCH!
the newsletter
hey sweet yogurts!
i am here to tell you two things.
1. the kefir is growing like mad!
2. i am almost finished with the Darla’s Yoga Garden’s newsletter! there is fun stuff inside…. new news… and of course YOGA!
so look for it in your email box tomorrow… and if i don’t have your e-address…. send it to me! yogadarla@gmail.com
SMOOCH,
Darla
kefir (not southerland)
kefir is a delicious beverage. it’s made from fermented sugar-water, or milk usually. i like milk kefir. it’s become very very popular lately. it is riding on the coat tails of the probiotic yogurt wave. you know the one- Jamie lee Curtis and her poop commercial… kefir is actually a better solution for getting the good bacteria that helps you digest. many people swear by this and it is all over the grocery stores now. i make it at home because it is”cleaner”. at home it’s only milk and whatever i add to it. commercial kefir is full of sugars and preservatives. i like it because it’s good for me and since i use whole milk as food for the little kefir grain-babies it tastes great! also, i can have it without feeling too guilty about having whole milk! there are many more benefits of kefir, but this post is not to convince you to try kefir. this post is to show you how i grow kefir at home and to show you some pictures of what to do if you decide to try growing kefir at home.
i say “grow” because the grains are actually living little bacteria and they have to eat. milk kefir eats milk. but i am getting ahead of myself…
my last batch of kefir grains did not survive the shoulder surgery/move out/remodel/move in of the last half of last year, so i ordered some off the internet. usually kefir grains are ‘gifted’ to you from a friend, but none of my friends had any. after research and reading reviews i ordered milk grains to restart my kefir.”marilyn the kefirlady” turned out to be the best (according to various reviews and she had some available. so i sent my $20. cash to her and she sent this: 
also included was a booklet on the care of kefir and some recipes. she has a wonderful FAQ section, and offers to answer all questions via email or phone! how cool!
according to instructions i should be able to make drinkable kefir immediately. (in 24 hours) so as instructed, i put the grains in a super clean dry jar and covered them with 2 cups of milk. 
now you cover the top of the jar with some cheese cloth and place it on the counter for 24 hours. every so often give it a little swish around the jar and let it sit….
after 24 hour you have to drain off the new kefir, and transfer the grains to a clean jar.
here are the grains close up after draining. don’t rinse (not even with milk) and don’t squish. all these little grainy things are baby kefir grains. they will grow big, quickly, and then you will have plenty to share.
in their new home… with kefir to drink!
i keep my drained kefir in a nice jar in the fridge. though it is deelish, and i love it- i make much much more kefir than i drink. it is so much fun to me to grow the grains and share them… so if you are looking, if you want kefir grains RIGHT NOW. email marilyn the kefir lady. but if you can wait, check with me in a month or so.
oh by the way. marilyn is right. her grains produced sweet drinkable kefir in the first batch. yummmmm….. http://kefirlady.com/
darla cooks 