Source: http://www.sonima.com/yoga/tantric-practices/

In the 13th century a group of radical yogis, led by a man called Goraksha, saw that meditation was the main spiritual practice being taught in India, though the teaching process seemed to him slightly misguided, if not entirely unsuccessful. Preparatory exercises were being ignored while ethical and moral principles were overemphasized. The radical yogis followed the non-dualistic philosophy of tantra—instead of seeing the physical body as a distraction to spirituality, they believed that the body could be used to accelerate spiritual growth and reach Samadhi, or complete meditative absorption, which the sage Patanjali outlined in the Yoga Sutras as the ultimate goal of the practice. This process, called hatha yoga, is a tantric elaboration of the eight-limbed approach to yoga.

One of the most seminal texts on tantric practices, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, lists physical practices that could be used for spiritual awakening. The first step was asana (physical postures) and shatkarma (purification techniques) followed by pranayama and kumbhaka (breathing techniques with breath retention). Next, techniques called bandhas and mudras (physical locks and gestures) helped to seal in, redirect, and ultimately stop the flow of prana (vital life force or energy).

Stopping the flow of energy is the key here. Hatha yogis believe that when prana stops, so does chitta (consciousness). If our awareness is constantly jumping from one thought to the next, we begin to ide…

Source: http://www.niashanks.com/diet-solution/

How many diets have you tried?

This is a serious question; take a moment to reflect on the answer.

How many? Several at the very least, right?

Why aren’t you still following the first diet you tried? Heck, why not the second, third, or possibly fourth diet?

These questions are posed to my clients and the most common answer is because the diet was too strict and unrealistic to practice for an extended period of time. For many the diet led to obsessive eating habits, and for some binge eating behaviors because they felt deprived from having a list of foods to avoid from said diet.

So they gave up. The diet was too strict, exhausting, sometimes expensive, and they abandoned the diet and began looking for the next big thing.

But here’s the crucial point …

Another diet is not the solution to problems created from a previous diet.

If your previous diet caused you to binge eat, develop disordered eating habits, made you obsess over everything you put in your mouth, led you to punishing yourself with exercise when you gave in to temptation, or other self-defeating actions then why would you look for another diet to fix these issues?

It’s worth repeating: another diet can’t fix the problems from a previous diet.

Th…

Source: http://www.fannetasticfood.com/2015/12/22/philadelphia-adventures/

Hello my friends!

As you know, yesterday I spent the day hanging out in Philadelphia with two of my college BFFs, Turner and Kris! The three of us were roommates senior year of college – ah, memories. These ladies have seen me at my very best and my very worst, that’s for sure. So lucky to have them in my life. <3

That’s Turner’s adorable daughter, Brooke. Such a cutie! Fun to see her again, too – she’s growing so quickly! 7 months now – time flies.

I took the train up to Philadelphia so I could work on the way there and back (and, let’s be honest, so I could have wine at dinner and not have to drive afterwards). I a…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/booze-you-are-mispronouncing?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

The menu at a bar can look more like a string of random consonants and vowels (Gewürztraminer, anyone?) than a list of legit words.

After struggling to sound out a beer, wine, or spirit, we usually just throw our hands in the air (OK, maybe just metaphorically) and order something familiar. Which is we put together this handy guide to all the booze we’ve been mispronouncing. Keep it bookmarked and covertly pull it up next time you’re at your favorite bar.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/yogadork/dwhv/~3/X9H1tURSozo/

Not all yoga props are created equal. You have blocks (or bricks) and now you have eggs. No it’s not Easter, or breakfast. That’s egg-shaped yoga blocks from Three Minute Egg and they’re the ergonomic alternative to your common rectangle, aka the One-Stop Yoga Prop. Made out of a patented 100% biodegradable foam and 100% Made in […]

You’re reading YD Deal: Take 10% Off Three Minute Egg Yoga Prop Starter Kits by YogaDork. Follow YogaDork on Twitter and Facebook.

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Source: http://www.foodpolitics.com/2015/12/coca-cola-reveals-who-it-funds-in-england-organizations-researchers-other-individuals/

Last Friday, Coca-Cola UK joined its US counterpart in revealing the names of the organizations, researchers, and individuals it funds and the amounts it pays for these services.

As Jon Woods, General Manager of Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland, explains:

Earlier this year, my colleagues in the US published a list of the health and wellbeing partnerships, research and individuals funded there, dating back to 2010. In October, I committed to do the same and today we have published the details of what we have funded in Great Britain.  I believe this is the right thing to do…The total amount of funding we have provided in GB since 2010 is £9,328,095.

Like the US list, which has been analyzed extensively by Ninjas for Health, this one is interesting to read.

Here is a small sample from the list of organizations:

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council — £20,000
British Dietetic Association — £5,600
British Feeding & Drinking Group Annual Meeting — £1,200
British Nutrition Foundation — £33,000

A sample from the list of scientists and other individuals (not otherwise identified, alas):

Fiona Hunter
Prof. Ken Fox
Lynne Garton
Dr. Geoffrey Livesey
Dr. Sigrid Gibson
Dr. David Haslam
Prof. Marion Hetherington
Penny Hunking
Angie Jefferson
Prof. Ian Macdonald

I’m sure British public health advocates will have fun looking up what these people have said about sugary drinks an…

Source: http://www.sonima.com/food/homemade-chocolate-truffles/

Why give store-bought chocolates when you can whip up these homemade chocolate truffles? Dreamy, decadent, and impossibly easy to make, these bite-size treats by Candice Kumai, author of Clean Green Eats, are perfect for any occasion. Try whipping up a batch for your next party. Or pack them in pretty paper liners in to-go boxes as gifts. Top the truffles with crushed peppermint candy canes for a fresh holiday twist.

The post Decadent Homemade Chocolate Truffles appeared first on Sonima.

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Source: http://www.thefitbits.com/2015/09/positive-affirmations.html

I reached a turning point this week with my triathlon training. Just in time really, with only three days to go until I (literally) jump in the deep end at Dorney Lake, Eton, for the Diamond Tri.*

*Not sure how much jumping I’ll be doing actually, maybe more strategically lowering myself in… 

Looking back, I can see how it happened – on Tuesday I treated myself to a walk in to work with a latte rather than cycling in, and started the week in a really good mood. Having cycled to work every day for most of my working life, it’s really nice to not have to concentrate on the road and just amble along with my thoughts every now and then.

Just back from an adrenalin-fuelled few days caving, mountain biking and climbing with hubs to celebrate our first anniversary, (more on this later), I was feeling refreshed and energised as I entered the hive of anticipation that is race week.

Playtime at Bike Park Wales

 Butterflies 
There I was, minding my own business at my desk, when my mind wandered to the tri once more, and my tummy turned and heart fluttered in the way that it does when I’m about to step into th…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/hello-parody-healthy-eating?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

OK, we know, another parody of Adele’s hit single, but hear us out. You’ll be hooked after hearing this husband-wife comedy duo artfully turn lines like “hello from the other side” into “hella cravings for some fries.” They get to the heart of what makes healthy eating so hard when they belt: “The ice cream truck is the only reason I run.” So what are you waiting for? Just be warned: The reworked tune might get stuck in your head for days.

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Source: http://summertomato.com/foodist-approved-roasted-butternut-squash-farro-and-kale-salad-recipe/

Butternut, farro and kale salad

This delicious salad with roasted butternut squash, farro and kale has become my family’s go-to nourishing winter salad to fight the onslaught of cold viruses.

One bowlful has it all going on: crisp kale, sweet butternut, hearty farro, salty Parmesan, and an addicting homemade dressing. It’s chockfull of vitamins and minerals including C, K, A, calcium, magnesium, and potassium—all enhanced by the enzyme-rich apple cider vinaigrette. But of course the best reason to eat it is that it’s delicious.

Prepping a butternut squash requires a good quality chef’s knife and a little muscle power (learn the best technique here), or many grocery stores sell it freshly cubed to save you time. You’ll just want to chop the cubes into smaller 1/2-inch pieces for guaranteed roasting perfection.

Make this colorful salad as an impressive side dish on a Sunday night then stowaway the leftovers for a work lunch that will be the envy of the office.

Roasted Butternut Squash, Farro and Kale Salad

Yield: serves 6

Ingredients

1 cup whole-grain farro*, rinsed and drained
1 small butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon extra-v…