Have you ever been privy to a conversation that two people are having about you, yet they don’t know you’re in the room? This exact thing happened to me on Monday at the local health club where I work. While I was in a bathroom stall, two women started talking about my yoga class and how much they love it, where they feel they need improvement and about how strong they are both getting. I was smiling in my stall, blushing and too embarrassed to step out, when another women joined in on the conversation adding that she feels like she looks awkward in the poses and always sets her mat up in the back so she won’t distract other people. To which her friend replied, “Don’t worry, Niccola always says awkward is awesome!”
I started laughing and the jig was up so I had to come out red-faced. The women who thought she was “awkward” was laughing too and I had to explain to her that it doesn’t matter what the pose looks like per say, it’s much more important to experience how it feels. Of course there are alignment guidelines for all of the poses but if you can’t get your leg straight because it shakes or is painful or because you’re not flexible enough yet, these are reasons to back away from the edge, forget about what you look like and instead, enjoy the stretch. Students are always comparing themselves to the “person next to me” and I know this because they tell me this without actually meaning to do so.
Someone will ask, “Why can’t I get my leg straight in that pose?” and I will say, “Who says it has to be straight?” And they immediately reply, “Well the person next to me has their leg straight.” Remember every BODY is different just like everybody is different! My piece of advice is this: let go of the fear of looking awkward in a pose and focus on how awesome the pose makes you feel instead. In Chicago, I practiced with the same Ashtanga Yoga Mysore group for years and at first, I was constantly judging my practices with theirs, wondering why I didn’t look more like them or wasn’t as advanced as they were. I didn’t get it then but I sure do get it now; in yoga, especially Ashtanga, wherever you are in the practice is exactly where you need to be.
In the practice of Mysore Ashtanga yoga, you are not given more advanced poses until you can complete the poses that come beforehand. Because the system is a set series, you know what you have coming toward you and you also know what you have to get past or achieve before advancing. I have been in the same pose for years, no seriously it’s been like five years now, but that doesn’t stop me from getting on my mat each day and practicing those poses that come before the one I’m currently stuck on. I have no ego or attachment to where I’m at and when my students progress beyond me, I am ridiculously happy because those who don’t, teach! For me, yoga practice is all about the journey, not necessarily the progression.
I’m addicted to arm balancing!
I love trying new poses outside of the Ashtanga tradition because well, it’s really fun! On Instagram (are we friends yet? I’m @niccolayoga) I posted this fun variation of one of my favorite arm balances and it’s so great when in response, students, or in this case my cousin Becca, post pictures of themselves trying to get into the same posture and doing so”awkwardly” as she put it! See, yoga is for everyone, just not lazy people.
My cousin Becca!
And yoga student Colby!
So speaking of yoga, let’s chat about free yoga for a second because as far as I’m concerned, free yoga is the best kind of yoga! That’s why I feel in love with it… you don’t need any equipment, you can practice on the lawn, sand, and on your living room carpet if you don’t yet own a mat. San Luis Obispo’s new LuLuLemon has asked me to be the featured teacher this month and I’m offering a free class in the backyard of the store, which is a beautiful and quaint space. The class is on Sunday’s from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and only for the month of June. Sunday is “husband-wife day” as Andy refers to it as and I usually never teach but I’m making an exception because I love this space that has been created for the community. So please, bring a mat and come join me this Sunday for an all-levels class… beginners welcome as usual… Tell your friends!!!!!!
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Let’s turn to food now! My garden is doing so good right now and I have six tomato plants that have totally taken off and are going to (hopefully) produce me some yummy cherrystone, beefsteak and heirlooms for my meals. I also have squash and carrots that I’m to pull and candy cane beets too. You all know my love for beets so I’ll share some of my favorite ways to incorporate beets into your life!
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Just Beet It Hummus- makes one cup
Ingredients:
-3 large beets, peeled and chopped
-2 T tahini
-1 lemon, zest and juice
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
-1/4 tsp cumin
-1/2 cup red wine
-1/2 tsp sesame seeds
-1/4 tsp salt
-pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Boil the beets in a large pot with the red wine and water. Let cool, then peel.
2. Take off the ends of the beets and chop up a little. Toss the beets into your food processor with the garlic, tahini, spices, zest and juice of the lemon and mix.
3. When the beets are throughly mixed, transfer to container and add the sesame seeds.
4. Enjoy as a spread on crackers, a dip for vegetables or on it’s own! Let your dog lick the bowl like Corduroy did!
Check out that color!
I took just a few slices of beets from the last recipe in order to create this salad today using the greens from the Farmer’s Market yesterday. Making salads and planning meals are two of my favorite things to do, can you tell? Again, this is a quick fix so you can make it ahead of time and add the dressing later on.
Just Beet It Salad- serves one or two
-1 cup arugula
-1 head of Little Gem lettuce (Love the name)
-1/2 red onion, chopped
-1/4 cup beets
-4 radishes, minced
-1 packet Oh! My Omega Nut Mix from Trader Joe’s
Directions:
1. Wash your greens and add everything to a large bowl, tossing well. Add the dressing below and enjoy!
For this Citrus Dressing, all you’ll need is 1 T olive oil, 2 T each of rice and apple cider vinegar, the juice of one lemon and a dash of salt, sugar and pepper. Mix well!
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Okay, before I go I have to tell you how hard I cried reading The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman… I cried really really hard. Think ugly cry, that’s how beautiful of a story it was and the characters were each so lovable I had a devoted interest in what would happen to each of them. I’ve got to give it to the author, the ending of this novel was magical, sad and brilliant all at the same time. I couldn’t put it down!
I’m currently reading the June selection for my book club called The Round House by Louise Erdrich about a boy who lives on an Indian Reservation and the politics involved between the whites and non-whites after the unspeakable happens to the boy’s mother. The story is history rich and it’s a no wonder she won the National Book Award for it. Pick it up at your local library today! Read! And avoid extinction!
