A little late to the game, but I learned that yesterday (Aug 26th) was National Dog Day! Let's have some fun and share/like your favorite Dog pictures. Don't have a dog? Share a picture of yourself doing Adho mukha savasana (Downward Dog) or Urdhva Mukha Savasana (Upward Dog). Here's a picture of my baby girl...Zora. And Kathleen demonstrating a supported Adho Mukha Savasana.

In Ayurveda, specifically the SVA lineage, we define toxins as one of 4 types which have different qualities and require a different approach to get rid of them through the use of food. These toxins are 1) AMA | Undigested or poorly digested food | Cold, sticky, heavy 2) AMAVISHA | Fermented AMA, Inflammation and outside the digestive system | Hot, sharp, mobile 3) GARAVISHA | External poisons from chemicals in the air, water and food | Hot, extremely sharp and mobile 4) INDRAVAJRABHIJYANA VISHA | EMF/EMR, Fake Prana | Subtle, mobile The general rule of getting rid of toxins is to first, stop making or taking the toxins. Second, Protect the digestive system and improve Agni. Third, eat foods that detox the tissues and channels with binding and eliminating foods. Our August class we cooked three dishes, that together support the detoxification, binding and elimination of AMAVISHA and GARAVISHA. Here's a list of common foods and their role. 1) Taro Root (Binder) 2) Okra (Binder and eliminator) 3) Tapioca (Binder) 4) Arrowroot (Binder) 5) Barley (Detox and Binder) 6) Coriander and Cilantro (Detox) 7) Kulthi/Horsegram Lentils (Detox) 8) Bittermelon (Detox) 9) Beets (Detox) 10) Moringa leaves or drumsticks (Detox) Check out the classroom for the recipes and demonstration of this delicious plate of Stewed Beet and Lauki, Taro Root Puree and Stuffed Okra.

In this month's class, @Kathleen Wright brought us back to our foundation with Tadasana (Mountain Pose). Before demonstrating how to create a strong foundation in your asana practice with Tadasana, she shares insight from her studies with the Iyengar family. Catch the entire session inside the classroom

This Sunday, we're back online practicing and cooking! Here are the Deets..... YOGA WITH @Kathleen Wright 10am CST/11am EST Tadasana or Samasthiti is often referred to as Mountain Pose. In this foundational asana we extend from the feet to the tip, or crown of the mountain. Tadasana is the foundational base for all standing postures in Iyengar yoga. 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱. Geeta Iyengar emphasized that mastering Tadasana requires an overall internal glance over the entire body to cultivate * awareness, * stability, and * a deep sense of the body’s existence and nearness. Doing Tadasana for even a short time at the beginning of your practice and in between other asanas gives insight into the effects of firmness, lightness and balance. Guruji Iyengar has often referred to it as one of the most advanced asanas. COOKING WITH @Carol Nace 11am CST/12 pm EST Certain experiences—such as heaviness, sluggish digestion, mental fog, stiffness, inflammation, irritated skin and impaired elimination—may indicate that ama (ayurveda's definition of toxins) or other forms of toxic accumulation are affecting your body's channels. If you're curious to learn about toxins, how they accumulate and mobilize within our body and mind, and how to bind and eliminate them with diet, the August 16th's Blissful Living Academy classes for you! Recipes covered in the Cooking Class: 😋 Lauki and Beetroot to cool and cleanse the blood 😋 Taro Root Puree to bind toxins 😋 Stuffed Okra to help escort the toxins out You’ll also learn: - The 4 types of toxins and how to identify signs of them within your body - Different qualities of foods that support cleansing, binding and eliminating the toxins - List of foods and ways to integrate them into other home cooked meals and recipes