WHAT ? Molasses?....huh? You thought Molasses was just another way to sweeten your gingerbread...Nope ..there are a bunch of health benefits to incorporating Molasses into your daily diet.
Did you know that molasses, that dark syrupy sweet concoction can actually improve your health?
Blackstrap molasses contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium, and manganese, vitaminB6, selenium .
According to an article in Farmers Almanac written by Deborah Tukua ... breaks down the benefits of Molasses. I stumbled upon this article researching ways to reduce inflammation in the body and constipation ..WOW!!!..who knew there were so many benefits to this wonderfully yummy goodness.
Here are just a few of those benefits :
1)Arthritis -Blackstrap molasses has anti -inflammatory properties that ease symptoms of arthritis by reducing , swelling, joint inflammation and general pain. About one tablespoon will do you right ...straight from the jar! 
2)Strong Healthy Bones - Because of its rich supply of calcium, molasses helps support healing and improves bone as well as connective tissue ..how about that !
3)Prevents Anemia - Molasses contains iron, which helps hemoglobin and red blood cells to prevent anemia .....great for us vegans/vegetarians !
4)Good For the Brain - molasses is loaded with calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins to help fight fatigue anxiety and stress, all while contributing to brain function, mood and focus....WOW ! What a great pick me up for those mid-day slumps !
5) Constipation- its a natural stool softener and prevents constipation, something we def do not like admitting.... but it happens.
6) Digestion -Blackstrap molasses is a super way to stimulate digestion..just a spoonful after big meal or in general if you're feeling a bit full.
7) Stabalizes Blood Sugar Levels - How? Because Molasses has a low glycemic index, it naturally slows glucose and carbohydrate metabolism which in turn produces less insulin.
There are just a few of those Health Benefits, molasses also acts as a natural sleep aid , increases stamina and energy , promotes Healthy skin and hair, Menstrual relief  etc..
WOW..who knew there were so many incredible health benefits to this dark yumminess. A spoonful of blackstrap molasses might just be the answer . I've started incorporating it into my daily dose morning and/or evening straight form the jar. Or you can mix molasses in a warm mug of plant based milk before bedtime as a natural sleep aid. Go ahead and give it a try ! It's  an inexpensive and easy way to get those vitamins and minerals without having to buy overpriced supplements.
references: Farmersalmanac.com/deborahTukua

Its been 7 months since we have been out of our studios. Some of us have taken to teaching live stream classes as well as outdoor classes. Some of you have even changed careers or taken advantage of online courses , learning a new skill. I have been exploring those options myself as well.
With that said, THIS , has become our NEW NORMAL, is it really? As disheartening as it may seem ,there's one thing that we are capable of and that is adaptation. 
As a species we are able to adapt to various environments and climates ,Its out mindset that sometimes is resistant to  that change ,myself included.
So after much agonizing , soul searching ,exploring and redefining. I have taken what I consider a leap of faith (lord knows how resistant I am to change ,UGH)..YES... I have decided to Finally, publish my website for my organic Whipped Body Butters, Spritzers and Talc free body Powders....rebranded as Skin ur in  Organics www.skinurinorganics.com
YES ..I FINALLY DID IT......please check out the website and play 

Peace Love and light 
From the Dancin' Yogi

Aaahh endless summer, that quntessential teenage tagline , it never gets old, you here in song lyrics, poetry, movie titles etc...it lends itself to and end that evidentally leads to a new beginning, Fall , school starting again, shorter days, cooler nights. 
For me, personally , I miss summer already, its never quite long enough. I love the long summr days , sulrty nights , eating fresh cut watermelon on a hot summer day. Meeting friends for a night out etc. 
But as the summer winds down, I find mysef re-motivated ,as it were, eager to begin a new exciting fall/chapter that brings about change, because , as we all kow change is inevidalbe. Hunkering down, starting new projects, cleaning out closets, moving etc.
Each season lends itself to a new discovery, a new change ..change of habits, change of clothes (obviously), change of environments , possibly even a change in outlook. With each change of seasons , we have an opportunity to renew ourselves in some way, shape, or form. 
For example, this summer my personal goal within my yoga practice, was to nail my handstand and get my goal weight to 102lbs
well , still working on the handstand (getting longer hangtime each time) and already achieved the goal weight . It might seem insignificant to most, but to me these are achievements, regardless. 
There are Many other goals that Ive set for myself , not just physical . 
BUT ... the Physical and phsychological go hand in hand, when something is achieved physcially , it has a definite impact on the mind and spirit. 
In other words when we set our mnds on somethng, be it physical ,mental or spiritual , know that each one of those aspects directly affects the other two, cause and affect? Maybe? I just view it as Growth..as I always say , I am a work in progress !

Peace love and Light !!
from the dancin yogi :-)

On Sunday July 13th I had  the privelidge of conducting a workshop called Root Awakening , how to indeitify and access your core not only  for a stronger practice but how to apply it to  your everyday life. Some of my regulars showed up and a few who are very new to my class. Those of you who know me and my style of teaching I am very hands on and basically pretty straight forward.

 I encouraged people to bring note books to take notes as they go along. Why?, well think about it , when you were in college the best way to really comprehend  information is to repeat it by the act of writing , you memorize, then apply it.

The workshop began with simple breathing techniques  that incorporate the pelvic floor , getting the diaphragm accessed and simply put,  to get you focused. We then began to apply the breath to the movement coordinating the two creates  fluididty and a focused mindset, an awareness , if you will.

I then demonstrated each asana in direct correlation with  the breath, I had each student put their hands on me first to 'feel' which muscle was being engaged , example , plank pose and down dog ,I allowed students to apply their hands on my back where the lattisimus dorsi muscles are located, just under and side of the scapula (shoulder blades) I then allowed them to feel what it felt  like with those muscles disengeged , then then again as the muscles were engaged. They in turn partnered up with another student to do the same. Which reslulted in an immediate understanding and application of those muscles that make up part of the core.
The rest of the workshop continued on with the same format, demo then application. What I witnessed was that we all learn differently ,some of us audio, visual ,tactile and kinesthetic, as a teacher in both the dance  and yoga world I find it challenging yet exciting to observe and listen to each individual and how they process inforamtion based on their past experience and /or injuries and such . 
The Main thing is this, they ALL GOT IT!! Each student came away with a much clearer understanding of their bodies and a deeper awareness of themselves. 

I had the privledge recentently , of experiencing a rather intersesting encounter with a job/career related situation. I say privledge because it allowed me to observe not only my own behavior but also the person to whom I was speaking. I'll begin by stating that this "person" called me for a position that needed to be filled immediately and that I was indeed available for the time and dates needed, so I sent my resume, bio ,etc and of course my fee.
 All was agreed upon and good to go until the ill-fated phonecall ....da duuhnn...(que music)....the conversation began with all of the approporaite niceties and such, but, as the conversation began to turn to the "interview " process ..it clearly  and quickly changed tone and focus ... This "person" was hiring me for a specific reason based on my experience,training and knowledge. 

As the conversation progressed this "person" was adamant about the way in which they wanted me to do my job, I said implicitily that I would'nt do X, Y and/or Z as I am not willing to forgo my teaching ethics or be party to a possibility of injury to student or students...what ensued within this conversation was this verbal browbeating and manipulation that this "person" kept insisting upon wanting me to do exactly as they wished not was I was being hired to do.

Again , this "person" was getting more and more aggravated with me because I would'nt succomb to their "ways or wishes" ..I stayed my ground...the passive agrressiveness, verbal manipulation and browbeating ensued with various subtle put-downs etc...again, I held my ground... I was by no means "intimidated " by this display of immaturity.
I waited until the hyper -verbal incessant nonsense was done .....ahh, finally , a break in the non sensical innsessant chatter ..... I then, calmly stated that ..I think I'm going to pass on this job , it sounds to me like you need someone who is willing to do exactly what YOU want them to do NOT What they do best, I said , quite frankly, Im not comfortable with the way in which your're speaking to me, so I am going to Pass , but thank you for calling and contacting me ..have a lovely day .

You'd think that was the end...Yes?  

Oh No,,,this "person" kept the conversation going by further trying to justify their decision to me with further subtle put-downs, more verbal manipulation and browbeating ...again  I held my ground...... and I  said "im sure you need to make decisons based on you staying true to the integrity of your business , just as I am making a proffessional decison by staying true to the integrity of my teaching philosophies and ethics , I wish you the best and again,thank you for contacting me, have a lovely day.

So my point in all of this is...that this "person" actually gave me a gift....a gift of self observation....truth be told had this occurred a year ago I would have verbally blasted this person and told them emphatically where to go..and what they can do when they get there etc..... but I didn't .. I allowed this person to speak, say what they needed to say,......and I truly listened ,Then I responded appropraitely ...
 
Why ? you ask ,would I allow a person to speak to me that way ? 

I will tell you why...because it had NOTHING TO DO WITH ME ....... I attribute the calmness to my yoga practice and yes maturity/wisdom has something to do with that.... but also being PRESENT... In the NOW!!
and at the crux of all of this is in the KNOWING....knowing yourself well enough know what your'e willing to do and not do , what your'e willing to accept or not accept and there is no right or wrong here it just IS!!

So take the time to really know yourself ... observation, awareness and acceptance

peace love and light