“It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.” -Henry David Thoreau

“Our ego loves to hold onto things and call them its own. Our ego loves to call ideas its own and cling to its ideas and opinions. But everything- including the world and ourselves- is always changing, and instead of a rigid ego, we need a flexible heart-mind to navigate these changes comfortably. The more stuff we have on the outside, the less time we have to go inside.” -Nicolai Bachaman 

Be flexible, I am!

Rejecting the concept of “mine” is difficult for the ego, but is necessary to grow in life. One of the greatest lessons that yoga has taught me is non-attachment, and if you’re like me and you fight change, you need this principle in your life too! In yoga, we have our own set of guidelines and they are called Yamas, or universal moral commandments. The five Yamas help control a yogi’s passions and emotions and keep them in harmony with their fellow practitioners. As we have discussed before, non-attachment or Aparigraha, the fifth Yama, is concerned with hoarding or collecting and the learning to let go of the many attachments, aversions, fears, and false identities that are clouding the true self.  “Just as one should not take things one does not really need, one should not hoard or collect things one does not require immediately. Neither should one take anything without working for it or as a favor from another for this indicates poverty of spirit,” says BKS Iyengar.

Teachers refer to the Yamas as “right living” and “ethical rules” that are needed for any yogi to transform negative energy and cultivate a deep abiding sense of peace. Non-attachment for me also means letting go of those circumstances in which you cannot change. Like that time in Germany when I lost an expensive camera my Ma had just given me and I spent hours feeling guilty and crying over it. Now I look at that situation and think, ” it was just a camera, a thing, nothing that I should feel attached to.” Or like when you get to the gym a few minutes late and someone is on the bike you “always” ride. Again, the bike is just a “thing” and nothing to get bend out of shape about!

I have yoga students who I have had to help break this habit of asking people to move their mat out of “their” spot and like my student Chris said yesterday on my Facebook page, “I’m the antithesis of this and like to make sure every part of the studio gets equal attention. Even small changes of perspective can be enlightening!” Well said Chris, if everyone on this here Earth thought like you, it would be a much happier planet! Life is short, don’t sweat the small stuff, yes?! I promise if you try and practice non-attachment, and it will MOST definitely take some practice, you will be happier and healthier, and it will change your life. But only if you let go and allow yourself to be free from attachments will it happen!

For more on non-attachment, pick up Iyengar’s book!

I didn’t let my anger out on Miss “My” Spin Bike because I knew I was heading to Cardio Kickboxing after the spin class and I could let it all out on the bag! And that is what I did. Actions speak louder than words and I think by removing myself from the situation, instead of getting into it with her, was the mature thing to do. My old self would have been happy! Rant Over.

Okay, let’s move onto food shall we? The combination of strawberry and rhubarb is one that was introduced to me when I was very young by my Ma who used to make the best Strawberry Rhubarb Pizza, the yummiest dessert I have ever had in my life! I still think about it to this day and if the recipe wasn’t so complicated, I would have probably made it but instead, I have a simpler concoction for you to try. Who doesn’t love crumble?

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Summer Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble- serves 10 people 

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup each almonds and pecans, toasted

-1 lb rhubarb

-1 quart strawberries

-1/2 cup almond flour

-1/4 tsp baking soda

-1/2 cup lite brown sugar

-2 T cornstarch

-1/4 tsp salt

-2 T vanilla extract

-1/2 cup almond butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. First make the filling. Cut up the rhubarb into 1/4″ thick pieces and quarter the strawberries. In a bowl, toss them in with the sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and salt. Let sit to thicken, tossing occasionally.

3. Then make the topping. Toast the nuts in the oven for about ten minutes or until they turn dark brown and you can smell them. Add them into your food processor with all of the other dry ingredients, flour last. Place on high speed until everything is incorporated.

4. Pour the fruit into a pie plate and sprinkle the crumble mixture on top, until fruit is hidden.

5. Bake for 40 minutes or until the topping is bubbling and is dark brown in color. Try not to eat it all in one sitting!

Nom Nom!

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Today, I’m going to leave you with a few wrist stretches. Whether you’re stuck behind a computer, the steering wheel or a pair of scissors, or maybe it’s worse and you suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, you need these simple moves in your life! Namaste!