105 Yoga Opening in Oak Park, Chicago

Hey friends. So I've got some exciting news to announce for local yogis in the Chicago area. Want to try Bikram? Are you a regular and want to try a new studio?


105 Yoga is opening soon in Oak Park, Chicago!


One of my favorite teachers from Bikram Yoga Evanston has branched out and is taking the leap to start her own space. I'm so proud of her!


Nancy is a compassionate, smart, and superbly motivating teacher who really knows her stuff and sticks to the foundations of Bikram's teachings. She delivers a stellar and dynamic dialogue, and is one of those naturals who can pick up on everyone's name even if it's your first class. My favorite is when she reminds us to quiet the Monkey Mind, that ever-present nagging voice in the back of our head that makes us crazy all the time.


In Nancy's classes, you find stillness and peace and you end up proud of yourself for the work you've done in the heat. As she once reminded us in class, "You're worth more than a hundred bucks!"


I love 105 Yoga's look & feel, and the yoga quotes that Nancy shares on the site. Here's one:

"Faithfulness in the performance of small duties gives us strength to adhere to difficult determinations that life will someday force us to make." 

-Paramahansa Yogananda (1893 - 1952)

This is so true! Only when we stick it out, when we suffer through the pain, when we let go -- only then can we truly be healed and become stronger in ourselves.

Another one she shared:

"I will be calmly active, actively calm. I am a prince of peace, sitting on the throne of poise, directing the kingdom of my activity." 

-Paramahansa Yogananda (1893 - 1952)

This is beautiful. Can you picture yourself a prince of peace next time you're in class doing one of the harder postures? How about a peaceful Triangle pose? Can you relax even in the struggle?


Try it. Challenge yourself. You may just be surprised by what you find.


Keep up with 105 Yoga's site for their progress, class schedule, and pricing. If you need more info on why it'd be great to try the yoga, go here.


And of course feel free to contact Nancy directly.


Oh, and enjoy all of the photos on the site -- they feature yogis at Bikram Yoga Evanston! (No, I'm not in there. But Nancy is, along with some of my favorite people ever!) Strong postures, peaceful people. That's the yoga.

Namaste, Nancy. Congrats and best wishes on your beautiful studio!

Blog Action Day 2010: WATER

I'm participating in a great cause coming up and if you blog, you should too!

Check it out:

Change.org|Start Petition

More to come soon. Stay tuned. And enjoy your day!


Note: apologies for the repeated image/content up top right now, but I want to get the word out about this. :)

A Killer Frying Pan: Thanks, CSN Stores!

Once upon a time, there was a girl who loved the clean, bright, peaceful atmosphere of an empty kitchen. It always enticed her to cook new and delicious dishes with fresh ingredients and exotic flavors.


One morning, she discovered the perfect dish: tagliani primavera. A creamy noodle, ham and vegetable dish featuring some of her favorites. Fresh asparagus. Smoked prosciutto. Real whipping cream. Heaven!


She knew she had to make it. But what cookware would she use?


Ah! The perfect frying pan! A beautiful red pan that would fit the ingredients just right. The generously-gifted sample product from CSN Stores! It was meant to be.

She donned her new kitchen apron and set to work.

She cooked. She smiled. She smelled. She tasted.

A more serious note about the pan, fairytales aside :)


This Trimmer Gourmet Chef 10" x 10" pan is a stellar product. Top-notch, beautifully made, lovely color. Keeps heat even and thorough while you're cooking on the stove, and the coating was in premium condition to keep anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Many thanks to CSN Stores for carrying this and hundreds of other awesome products for your home. And for having a wonderful staff of extremely helpful and responsive people!


The size is great for working with large dishes. In fact, I probably could not have made this recipe without it!


Also note: the photos don't accurately capture the gorgeous thunderstorm I could hear in the distance, the quiet fall of rain outside the window, or the awesome Phil Collins songs I was blasting while I paraded around the kitchen.


It was love, pure love. What are you cooking lately?


Here's the recipe for you to try if you like. Thanks to my stepmom for sharing it!


Tagliarini Primavera


1/2 lb asparagus, cut diagonally into 1 inch lengths
1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced
1/4 c slivered prosciutto
1/4 butter or margarine
1 med carrot, sliced thin
1 med zucchini, diced
8 oz. thin noodles
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 c frozen peas, thawed
1 teaspoon dry basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of ground nutmeg and of white pepper
1/2 pint (1 cup) whipping cream
1/4 c Parmesan
fresh chopped parsley
*Note: I also added fresh spinach to the mix, about 3/4 cup. Also, I suggest using the rest of the whipping cream to make homemade whipped cream to go on a pie or ice cream. 


Melt butter in frying pan, sauté mushrooms, prosciutto, asparagus, carrot and zucchini. Cook 3 minutes.
Boil water for noodles and prepare per package directions. To vegetable mixture, add green onion, peas, basil, salt, nutmeg, pepper and cream. Cook on medium-high until mixture boils and forms shiny bubbles. Pour sauce over noodles, lift and mix gently until coated with sauce. Add Parmesan and mix again. Top with fresh parsley. Yields 4-6 servings.

Eat with a pineapple VitaCoco and you'll be completely re-charged after Bikram class!

Focus Forward Friday: Mix it Up!

You see that silly graffiti-like illustration? Yeah, well, it's actually serious business. The picture's from (can you guess?) Starbucks, the inventor of Rituals. Sure, you need your cafe latte just right, but no drama in yoga class. No drama, my friends.

Focus Forward Friday: A weekly ritual for deepening your Bikram practice.

Today's focus: please don't create rituals for yourself in the Hot Room! How many of you set up your mat in the same place every time you practice? Have to have a certain water bottle to survive class? Require a specific amount of distance between your body and your fellow yogi classmates?


Get out of your own head! This is madness! No drama in the room. No craziness. You don't need all the fuss you think you do. It's just like when you resist the urge to wipe sweat, fix your hair, pull on your shorts. You don't need it. You think you do, but you don't.


All you need is the breath, in and out, the still mind, the postures. Cut all the other crap and watch how it transforms your yoga!


I'm over halfway through 30 days of straight Bikram every day, my big challenge. And I leave the rituals at the door. I change up my location in the room between where it's hot and cool, crowded and spread out, close to the mirror or far away. I bring different water bottles, and sometimes I don't drink at all.


I rely on nothing but the teacher's words and my body's movement to get me through class. Because that's all it is: THE YOGA. Not the drama, not the madness. Not the Monkey Mind. And guess what? I have better, more strengthening classes because of this conscious decision to be aware. To let go.

Just do the yoga. Pick something new to let go of today. Challenge yourself. Set your intention. 

And then stick to it.

My papa is in Colorado for work right now, and he recently sent me this beautiful picture of what he calls aspens that are a riotous shade of yellow. I couldn't agree more. And how beautiful when you find something simple, pure, serene. Love you, Dad!

Loving Lululemon's New Eagle Bra, Dark Icelandic Chocolate & Design Blogs

Lululemon Athletica carries awesome yogi wear and travel bags. Their stuff is top notch! Photo from their website.

Oh hey again. How's your Thursday afternoon turning out?

Mine is pretty lovely. I'm enjoying a little square of dark Icelandic chocolate (thanks, Whole Foods!), a glass of Cera Sport pomegranate acai berry rehydration mix, and a glance at this new blog I love, For Once, Then, Something.

I'm also meditating on this:

Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind.

- The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

I'm saying aaaaaaaah. Heading to Bikram soon. It's super hot and humid here today, so I'm guessing the room will feel cooler than usual. I hope. I'm sleepy!


I think I'll wear my new Lulu bra that a friend treated me to. It's comfortable, supportive, and sexy. Pretty much a perfect fit!


Now for some rockin' out to folk music (or terribly indulgent pop) on my way to the studio. Enjoy your evening, yogis!

I Dare You to Change the World

Happy Thursday, yogis!

Yep, that's right, I put this little photo illustration together. Hope it inspires you to live big!

What are you up to as we usher in the autumn season?

I'm off to a community lunch for Evanston business owners who want financial advice, then I'm tuning in to a Google webinar on Search Engine Optimization. Should be an informative afternoon!

Just wanted to send you a quick little inspirational message for the day.

I dare you to dream big.

I dare you to be the person you really want to be, today. Who you were made to be.

I dare you to change the world!

This one is via Flickr. Did you know you hold your future, and the future of our world, in your hands?

Feels Like Summer: A Guest Post from a Friend who Attended The Renegade Craft Fair

All photos and review below by the talented Sarah Klein, a friend of mine who's livin' it up in Chi-town. And about to start Bikram too!

So a few weeks back I hoped to make it down to the lovely Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago, but I missed out. I was super busy all weekend...but fortunately a talented and gracious friend of mine, Sarah, checked it out and took some beautiful photos to prove it!

Here's her stellar review.

The Renegade Craft Fair Chicago

A Review by Sarah Klein

Division street was packed. I've honestly never seen so many indie-artistic-looking 20-somethings in one place. Walking around, I was greeted by colorful pottery and screen prints, the smell of funnel cake and lemonade, multi-colored sunglasses, and a girl creating giant bubbles with a bubble wand. It felt like summer.

What struck me was how many of the products were recycled and re-purposed material... jewelry made from old maps and typewriter keys, bags and clothing made from reused plastic and wool, and stand upon stand of recycled paper goods. The first stand i went into was full of hand-made cards and journals with quirky prints on the covers. I bought myself a journal with two purple upside down octopuses on the cover.

There is something very satisfying about buying a craft straight from an artist, even if it's only a silly journal. I spent a few hours wandering around, taking pictures, and people watching. I ended the day with a funnel cake and a sleepy bus ride home. Yay local crafts!

The Yoga Is Supposed To Hurt: An Inspiring Teacher-in-Training

Video interview via Bikram Yoga Manhattan on YouTube.

"The only way out is through."

So says Bikram Yoga Manhattan's Jeanne Heaton, a yogi with an inspiring story that's about to get even more inspiring. And yes, she was talking about the experience of pushing through the pain that Bikram yoga can bring our bodies and minds, and the fact that the only way we can relieve that pain is to undergo it. As my teachers often say during Locust Pose: "Experience pain in the elbows now, so you don't have to outside this room."

It may be surprising at first to discover that sometimes Bikram yoga is supposed to hurt, but it's true. It's not all candles and bubble bath, like some other yoga practices.

Sometimes it hurts, and that hurt makes us stronger, tougher, better.

Anyway, back to a lady I've never met but who I admire already... Jeanne was interviewed during a series done by BYM's studio where they chat with local teachers about their practice, what it's like to the life of a yogi, and the experience of training with Boss himself.

"If it hurts, do it more," she says, smiling and gesturing. "Until it goes away. I didn't believe that was true until I experienced that myself."

What honest, beautiful words. No doubt, this can surely be a challenge, as Jeanne is ready to admit in the video. She talks about the way Western medicine generally prefers that patients who are suffering stop doing whatever it is that's bringing the pain. But in the East, and in our yoga, we learn that in order to get over the hurt, we must endure it first.

During her interview, Jeanne also spoke about her motivation to become a teacher once she received a scholarship for the Fall San Diego Teacher Training session.

"In order to keep what you have, you have to give it away. So that's what I see happening around the studio. In order to stay here and be healthy, I believe that I have to teach it so that I can help others...I totally identify with others' struggles. This yoga is about service."

I couldn't have said it better myself! The yoga inspires us to give, compassionately, and share it with those around us. This is a huge part of why I want to complete the training, too: it's not just about my own practice, but about encouraging passion in others to stick with the yoga.

"Health and love and service. That kind of complete change is what people do in here," as Jeanne said.

Since the beginning of my Bikram experience, I've been amazed at the solid community of practioners that come together. Whether we're chatting or laughing in the studio lobby before and after class, or sweating it out like crazy on our mats, moving as one, we learn and benefit from the presence of each other.

And that "Namaste" that we utter at the end of class truly starts to mean something, to take on true value.

The good in me sees the good in you.

As they say in Avatar, "I see you." I get who you are, where you're coming from, and I wholly accept who you are and what your purpose is in this world. I'm glad for you. That's the real kind of namaste.

Jeanne put it this way: "This is the right place to have community and love." Have you considered the weight of a statement like that lately?

What if you actively pursued community and love at your yoga studio? What if you gave up a little bit of yourself -- your personality, gifts, time -- to benefit those who practice beside you in the Hot Room? What would change?

My guess: your whole life, your whole practice.

I can picture Jeanne here in the Teacher Training tent where she's rockin' out on her mat and learning to deliver the dialogue like a true master. Hope it's going well, Jeanne, and best of luck in your beautiful life! Photo via The Missus on her BKTT blog.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness: A New Post in the Letting Out the Domestic Series

Know what I love about this 60-day yoga challenge I'm completing?

It's inspiring me to change a whole lot more in my life than just my Bikram practice. My eating, cleaning, and general living habits are improving, too.

That's right: not only am I making inner changes to my muscles, skin, circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system and mental health, but I am also consciously choosing a healthier lifestyle. Bones to skin, inside out, beyond my own flexibility.

I've kicked soda, alcohol and super sweet foods.

I'm making more nutritious recipes, including lentil soup, foraged greens with garlic and chile, honey-vinegar braised chicken, and creme fraiche ice cream (so it's rich, but still better than Ben & Jerry's!). I also want to try my hand at cheaper and healthier alternatives for granola and trail bars. I'm a sucker for the Luna brand, but they can be pricey!

I'm limiting my caffeine (specifically coffee) intake and increasing the amount of water and hydration-rich foods I take in each day. I'm also trying to eat more superfoods that benefit women, like berries, grapefruit, salmon and low-fat yogurt.

I'm meditating more. (I'll be posting a review quite soon about Julie Rader's Mukti Meditations CD.)

I am doing my best to get more sleep, and rest my Monkey Mind when it should be relaxing instead of worrying.

And the other important change I've implemented? Healthy cleaning! That's right. It makes me look like this:

I smile because I am no longer inhaling toxic chemicals, nasty bleach, or ridiculously harmful materials while I wipe down the kitchen and bathroom countertops, or while I scrub the toilet, or when I mop the floors.

Fresh air. Natural products. Healthy, thankful lungs! It's a beautiful thing.

I'm also excited to try out some new home spa remedies, like an Epsom salt and baking soda bath (great for the skin), an invigorating coffee/salt body scrub, and a lavender foot and hand wash. So lovely!

Especially with the transition to cooler weather -- and the threat of the impending cold & flu season -- it's great to be thinking holistically about my health. I feel more conscious now than ever of the products and potions I allow myself to come in contact with and the way I keep my body and home pure.

It's like they say: you are what you eat. But you are also what you practice, what you inhale, what you believe, and what you put your time and money into -- whether it's your yoga practice or your tub cleaner!

Be conscious. Use green products. Respect your body.

Live in a way that's sustainable!

If you're interested in reading more, I'd suggest these sites which are new to my Google Reader:

The Daily Green

Care 2

Care 2's Econesting Blog

Seventh Generation

Tree Hugger

Inhabitat

Healthy Living Blog

Also, you're reading Seth Godin's blog by now, right? If not, get on it!

Photo via SustainableEcho's Flickr Photostream. A bit grammatically incorrect, but I love the sentiment!

Learning to Be a Linchpin: I Photographed the Seth Godin Conference, Chicago 2010!

Yup, this photograph (and all of 'em in this post) by yours truly. I had so much fun being Photo Girl!

Are you indispensable?

Do you want to be?

Start by reading Linchpin by Seth Godin. And following his blog every day. Then, sign up for the next stop on his road trip where you can hear him speak, get together with other linchpin-minded entrepreneurs and artists, and enjoy the beauty that happens when people gather to dream big.

You'll find out how you can beat your own Lizard Mind (that part of you that resists taking risk and stepping out of your comfort zone), how you can set great goals and meet them (Seth calls it "shipping"), and how to enjoy great vegan food including sushi and cupcakes!

Me and the man of the hour: Seth Godin himself! Here we are outside the beautiful Harris Theater downtown.

What I loved most about the Wednesday night dinner, all-day conference, and various Seth speeches and Q&A sessions was the chance they gave me to really consider my passions, talents and goals.

Like how much I want to grow this blog, finish Bikram Teacher Training, and continue to create a community around the yoga I've grown to love so much.

And how my truest, deepest passion is writing. How I need to be sure that poetry, editing, and changing lives through my editing with editZING! clients continues in my future, whether's it's the next few months or the next ten years.

Seth has that aura and that urgency about him -- when you're close, you begin to see that the time is now and if you've been waiting around all your life to do what it takes to make you happy, you're wasting time.

After I practiced at Bikram Yoga Chicago's Lincoln Park studio for the first time, I adventured over to Karyn's On Green, the lovely vegan restaurant where the volunteers dined with Seth and his talented assistant, Ishita. Within minutes, I could sense the goodness and creativity radiating from both of them.

I quickly fell in love with the restaurant's chill atmosphere, delicious dishes, and this rare opportunity to get to know some really brilliant people. Plus, my friend Shuling and I teamed up as videographer/photographer duo, so it was awesome to catch up with her.

Wonderful people, tasty food: what more could you ask for in life, really?

It was a breathtaking evening: stimulating conversation about dreams and life goals, surviving the economic recession (and what Seth calls the end of the industrial era itself), surviving on low salaries as recent graduates, using the Shazam app to look up songs (Seth's totally an expert), and coming together with other enthusiastic entrepreneurs ready to make a difference in the world.

I ate hummus, I drank a ridiculously wonderful fizzy berry drink (no alcohol woo!), and I sat back, relaxed and photographed the beautiful crew, the beautiful Chicago night. Oh, and our sweet treats like this one:

Here are some sweet shots from Thursday...

The talented Shuling Yong interviewing a fellow Linchpin, Carol Roth.

Amazing volunteer team gets briefed before the attendees begin to arrive.

Those rad glasses and shoes? Oh yeah, Seth's got it.

Tasty sushi!

Demonstrations during the presentations included props like this rubber chicken, a toy shark and a Star Wars light saber!

Kind enough to sign books after a long, but rewarding, day.

One last thought to leave you with as you reconsider your purpose, focus and drive based on Seth's inspiring day...

As he says, it's important to remember that you'll never be satisfied (or successful, really) if you let everyone's opinions get in the way of your own determination. You can never please everybody, so you have to let go of something.

As singer/songwriter Ryan Adams so eloquently put it in a Paste magazine interview,

"The only way the art I make is gonna be any good is if I keep it between me and the canvas, and what hits the canvas."

The same goes for your yoga! It's the best when you learn to see that it's just you and the mirror, body and mind drawn together, your movements and the teacher's words. Nothing else.

Thanks to Seth and fellow Linchpins for an awesome day!

Focus Forward Friday: Get Grounded

This beautiful tree was designed by one of my best friends, Heather. She's a talented artist with a killer portfolio, and one of the most grounded and loving and well-traveled people I know! 

Focus Forward Friday: A weekly ritual for deepening your Bikram practice.

Today's focus: in order to grow, you have to commit. I haven't posted too much about it yet, but I have embarked on a 60-day Bikram challenge. And it will probably turn into 100 days, actually!

Today will be Class #12 and I can already feel a huge difference in my stamina, flexibility, focus, and dedication. I love that when I wake up each day, there's not a question of whether I'll be doing yoga -- it's a given. The only choice I have is what time I will be attending class.

Leaving out the chance to opt for no yoga means I put roots down on my mat. I become better connected to my home studio. I meet more yogis. I try different times for class, different spots in the room. I get more benefits!

I highly encourage anyone interested in improving their practice to sign up (or self-create) a challenge. 30 days, 60 days, 100 days -- whatever you can truly commit to and get through. You'll feel the difference!

Yoga & Stress Relief on the Go: A Review of Deepak Chopra's iPhone Apps

First off, a quick apology for my brief hiatus! I'm not sure where the last few days have gone, but I've been missing the blog and I'm glad to be back. What have you all been up to since Friday?

Now, for the good stuff...

What do you get when you combine beautifully-orchestrated yoga postures with beautifully-designed modern technology?

Deepak Chopra's Authentic Yoga app, featuring Tara Stiles!

I was lucky enough to get free access to this app as well as Chopra's Stress Free program for a little test run. The result? Both are great! I experienced a few technical difficulties, but I think that was mainly due to the fact that I was in an area with low cell reception. This was actually over Labor Day weekend when I was enjoying the awesome Japanese sun room at my friend's place in Indiana. Read more about it here!

Anyway, back to the apps. Let me give you a run down of my thoughts from the Zen Room that day, where I practiced a little yoga, burned some calming incense, listened to the birds in the trees outside, and reflected.

Open mind, open heart. I sat comfortably on a meditation pillow. The breath, in and out. I rested. I was present. I could see. When we are quiet, we begin to see.

Review of Deepak Chopra's Authentic Yoga app featuring Tara Stiles

The verdict: I'd download this. Chopra explains that the vision behind the app is "spreading conscious and compassionate living to as many as possible." I'm down for that! Plus, Tara's beautiful execution of each step leading to effortless-looking asana is, well, breathtaking.

The basics: As its sections are outlined, the app allows you to: understand yoga, learn to practice, complete yoga routines, review poses, and ask questions (which post directly to Chopra's site where he'll get back to you!).

Awesome: I tried out the beginner's headstand video (headstand is still something I'm working on, and I definitely want to master it in time for Spring Teacher Training!). When I loaded up this video, I was able to listen to Chopra's explanation (audio) as I watched Tara execute each move to get to the final posture (set of still photographs). It was great, basic, straightforward info. I also thoroughly enjoyed Chopra's statement that he hopes this app will help yogis "access their highest intuition and awareness, and let go of their fears and insecurities." It's not just a simple instruction manual; there's true spirituality at work behind what you see on the iPhone screen.

What I'd change: While the app provides a great start at getting into yoga, I wish there was a BIG FAT disclaimer at the beginning (it should actually show up before you download and during your use of the program). HEY, BEGINNERS, it should say, DO YOGA IN A CLASS WITH OTHER YOGIS BEFORE YOU USE THIS! Not only from a safety perspective, but also from a community point of view, you should seriously consider making your practice something you share with others. Sure, every asana is completed on a very personal, physical level -- but that doesn't discount the need for a great instructor/mentor in the studio, as well as the support of friends (and the presence of your not-so-favorite people) on the mats around you! You learn so much about yourself from these interactions, from learning not to be distracted by others, and from discovering how you can avoid letting anyone else steal your peace.

You let someone steal your peace; you lose!

Review of Deepak Chopra's Stress Free! app and self-development course

The verdict:

I'd download this. The program walks you through a step-by-step guide for how to reduce stress in your life by understanding personal habits, goals and motives.

The basics: Chopra guides you through a step-by-step program to unlock "keys" to your inner self and let go of fears and anxieties toward areas of your life.

Awesome: The app itself was created with smart advice and practical applications in mind. Chopra offers an interesting and compassionate perspective on how handling stress can help you maintain better health and a happier lifestyle. Plus, his soothing voice just seems to hold a healing power behind those words...

What I'd change: A bit simplistic at times, it can feel like the program doesn't really get you too far into really making significant life changes. But then again -- I only encountered it for an afternoon. I would recommend utilizing the program over a longer period of time -- say a week per topic, so you have time to think on it, perhaps journal, set some goals, and then apply the ideas to your day-to-day activities. You can also sign up for the email newsletter for other reminders and content from Chopra related to the app. The only other slight hitch is that the sound quality is slightly off at a few moments (lower volumes, etc). Give yourself time to download each part before you want to complete it; every key takes a couple minutes before it's ready to use so I'd say plan ahead!

Want to download Chopra's stuff? Go here and here.

Living in NYC? Want another free yoga app? Try YogaLocal NYC.

Interested in another yoga app? Pocket Yoga looks pretty bomb.

Want another opinion? Check out Yoga Dork's review of the apps. And as always, please share your thoughts below!

Man, now I really want one of these babies. Anyone know when the Verizon/iPhone deal's going to go down?

Focus Forward Friday: Don't Be Scared of the Bikram Backbends. Back's Meant to Hurt!

Focus Forward Friday: A weekly ritual for deepening your Bikram practice.

Today's focus: you can do more than you think you can. Yesterday in class I was holding back during the backbends. Not being fully present in the moment, with the words, in the dialogue. I realized this when my (amazing) instructor said calmly, during the first backbend of Half-Moon, "Hips forward, Rachel! Don't be scared to let go." And then, as I slowly pushed forward and tightened my lower half, I was so deep into the posture! It felt great.

And I realized what I am truly capable of... once I can manage to out of my own head. That's the key. In the moment, in the words, not focused on my own fears.

Same basic scenario, toward the end of class: camel pose. During the savasana right before, I decided I couldn't handle doing this intense backbend. Too tired, too dizzy. So I came up and sat on my heels in Japanese sitting posture as everyone else prepped for the asana.

A second later I hear my teacher, as she compassionately inquires, "Hey, do you think you can come up on your knees? Just let your head fall back. See what you can do." I smiled, realized I could. I set up. Leaned back. And then, big surprise, there I was in camel!

Second set I rocked it. And again, I felt great.

It just goes to show: you don't need to be scared in the backbends. Your body will guide you! And if you can ignore your mind and connect with your body, chances are it will show you that you're able to do more than you ever imagined.

September is National Yoga Month: Stats from Fast Company about the Rise of Om

Graphic via FastCompany's recent magazine issue.

Who's working on a 30-day challenge for the month of September, hailed as National Yoga Month? Anybody?

Looks like Fast Company, an awesome site and company who publishes a cool magazine, is aware of the om-centered month. Their recent print issue featured a page with some pretty intriguing statistics, including these:

• Nearly 16 MILLION adults in the U.S. practice yoga. 72% of them are women.
• The average cost of a YOGA CLASS is $12.
• Lululemon Athletica, the world's biggest yoga-inspired retailer, posted $452.9 million in net revenue for fiscal 2009, up 28% from 2008. Its stores generate an average of $1,800 in sales per square foot, about three times as much as apparel retailer J.Crew.

Looks like the yoga craze is on the rise & here to stay! Have you read anything interesting about National Yoga Month? If so, please share below!

A Guest Post from MissFitBliss: Bikram Stew!

As the weather shifts toward cooler temperatures, it's time to break out the fuzzy slippers and make a yummy pot of stew. Now you have the chance!

Joslyn over at Miss Fit Bliss was kind enough to share a delicious recipe here at Alive in the Fire. She's a fantastic blogger, talented and active lady, and passionate about her Bikram. And about keeping her body well-fueled before and after workouts!

Thanks, Joslyn, for your awesome post. I'll be making some soon!

You stew in the heat. Why not stew on this?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Joslyn, star blogger at Miss Fit Bliss

Rachel and I both share a love of Bikram yoga, so it makes sense that we would begin to contribute to each others’ blogs. Like me and other hot yoga addicts, Rachel understands the complexities involved in nourishing the body while keeping up a frequent yoga practice.

It may seem counter-intuitive at first, but there’s nothing more satisfying than a nourishing bowl of protein-laden soup after hot yoga to keep hydrated and energized. Soups are one of my favorite dishes to make once the temperature begins to drop, and this one is on my list of classics.

Start with about 15-20 baby carrots and chop them up. Or just use 2 large carrots and chop them up.

Take about 3 to 4 stalks of celery and chop them up.

Take a large potato and chop it up.

Toss all the chopped goods in a pot.

And add 2 cups of presoaked lentils. Green or brown, whichever kind is cheapest. By presoaked I mean just immerse 2 cups of dry lentils in water while you chop all your carrots, celery, and potato.

Now pour water over the top of the pre-soaked lentils and chopped vegetables.

Place the pot on the stove.

Cover the pot with a lid. Bring soup to a boil and then simmer on medium or low for about 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes, stir the soup.

Now take the black pepper and season to taste. Do the same with the salt.

Chop the 4 cloves of garlic very finely and sauté in a pan with about 2 teaspoons of olive oil.

Pour the garlic and olive oil over the entire pot of lentil soup. Stir and serve in bowls. It looks simple but it is delicious. And leftovers are even better. I suggest making a big pot of this over the weekend and enjoying the leftovers throughout the week.

Stew it up, yogis! And read more here at Joslyn's rockin' blog.

Upcoming Event for Those Who are Crafty @ Heart & Living In the Windy City

Got plans this weekend? Well, now you do! (In addition to the Bikram you've been planning for on, of course.)

The Renegade Craft Fair Chicago!

I'm hoping to be there, Hubs and his lovely digital SLR in tow.

Etsy is going to be representing, along with over 300 craftspeople. Admission is free. Workshops, food, beverages & more! How could you resist?

Be sure to contact me (koontz dot rachel @ gmail dot com) with tales of your crafty adventures if you attend. Hope to hear from you!

Focus Forward Friday: Love, Love, Love

Focus Forward Friday: 
A weekly ritual for deepening your Bikram practice.

Today's focus: letting your love flow. Yoga is not just a series of asanas to be completed in isolation. It's not just about changing your body; it's about changing your life. Your perspective on how to accept others, cherish your relationships, improve your ability to love and to show compassion to those around you. If you're smiling in class, but scowling as you walk around in the studio lobby, what are you practicing?

If the teachers at your studio pass each other and hardly speak, or their relationship their students ends when the final breathing exercise is over, what is your studio practicing?

Bikram is about community. About opening up. Moving beyond our fears, our loneliness. In the heat, we are one warrior.

My challenge to you on this beautiful fall Friday would be to open up, let go of your ego, and get to know some of those other yogis wandering around your studio, your neighborhood, your city. Hey, you could start by contributing a comment to this blog! Contribute to the community here, whether you are a regular reader or just topped by today.

Oh, and also be sure to have a lovely holiday weekend, get your Bikram on or get outta town, and hug your loved ones! FYI I will be celebrating in Indiana with some friends on their rockin' estate/ lake/ boat and although I may practice some headstands on my own (using the new iPhone app I just got for a free review!), chances are you won't hear from me for a couple days.

In the meantime you can enjoy the big Wedding Day Yoga post! Comment, share your stories, enjoy. Namaste!

Be My Thrill, Be My Honeypie

That's Steve and that's Deb of The Weepies, a really kick-ass folk/pop band I'm in love with. Check 'em out!

Next up in Letting Out the Domestic: A Series on New Apartment Life...

New Arrivals (It's in the Music)

Have you ever listened to The Weepies? They are one of my favorite bands, a folk duo with some of the sweetest tunes and most charming lyrics you'll find. Plus, Deb and Steve started just as bandmates and are now married with a beautiful little babe and that's just a lovely story all around :)

I highly recommend oogling at the beautiful pics on their Myspace page. You can see the adorable little Theo in all his glory and check out some of their awesome songs.

Oh, and also: they have a song titled "I Was Made for Sunny Days." Who wouldn't want to listen to that on a lovely end-of-summer afternoon?

I just downloaded the new album Be My Thrill and I'm stoked. It's some really great stuff, plus it's getting me even more pumped to see them live at Space in Evanston very soon! I am finally, finally checking them off the list of fave bands to see live.

The other night I was going through all my (32!) old ticket stubs from past shows -- everything from Spoon to Treasure Island fest to The Decemberists and Josh Ritter, too -- and I realized it's been awhile since I've seen some rockin' live music. And quite awhile since I've seen one of those intimate, life-changing acoustic shows that are the ones you really remember.

So, along with all of the other shifts and changes that this fall season will bring, I'm ready for a new arrival into great music, too. Other bands I hope to listen to more of as the weather turns cooler:

Lady Antebellum (for the smooth-talkin' days)

Rise Against (for the crazy days)

Innocence Mission (for the quiet times)

Mat Kearney (for when I'm longing)

The Ghost of Brown County (for when it's time to dance)

She & Him (for the long and winding days)

Amos Lee (for the peaceful moments)

Who are you playing on repeat lately? Who do you listen to get pumped up? To chill out? Who's bumpin' in your backseat on long travel days or in your speakers at home while you're cleaning? After yoga class?

Recommendations appreciated. Enjoy the tun-tunes!

Photo via Algo's Flickr Photostream. Beautiful, isn't it?

Critical Mass Chicago: One Less Car

Photo of the Silver Steed by yours truly. What a beauty, eh? This was her first long ride, and boy, was it lovely!

Picture this: shards of the setting sun are bouncing around the square. The gathering crowd squints from the glinting light off of the fountain's water, from the reflection of skyscraper windows, from the sliver of a glowing orb they spot in the distance. The sun is setting on Daley Plaza, downtown Chicago, on the last Friday evening in August.

Who are all these people gathered? Passersby stare out their open car windows with confused looks. And why all those bikes?

Those of us who are here know what's about to happen. The ride. A journey around the city where we can take over the streets. We call out around every corner, safe within the ebb and flow of The Mass. The sound of gears clicking and brake handles pumping -- it falls like rain in the place of what would be the indistinguishable, hushed roar of traffic. Instead, the warm night air is filled with the sound of vuvuzuelas hounding the neighborhood, the shouts of riders awakening their onlookers with enthusiastic "Happy Friday!"s and fist pumps.

We all wave as we fly by. We smile at the people who gather to stare, bewildered, in wonderment.

We're the bikers. The Critical Mass.

On Friday night, I participated in Chicago's last summer ride for Critical Mass, a group that organizes large biking events throughout the city. Basically what happens is a huge, well, mass of people gets together at Daley Plaza, starts circling the block until everybody's joined the pack, and then they launch off on an adventure throughout city streets. Generally the mapped plan moves either north or south and then loops back toward The Loop.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a marathon but by no means is it a quick trip. It makes a difference if you've got a decent bike, a helmet (of course!) and comfortable clothes, but I'd say any enthusiastic environmentalist (or outdoorsman) would certainly enjoy this adventure.

Here are some of the best moments

I experienced during the ride:

1. Screaming under any tunnel/ overpass, just to hear the echo.
2. Waving to bikers across the water riding over not one, but TWO other bridges crossing the Chicago River.
3. Getting high-fives from strangers along the sidewalk who were beaming ear-to-ear at our antics. One was from an old lady with gray hair who exclaimed, "What the hell are you doing?" when some riders in front of me left her hangin'. It was hilarious.
4. My friend Shiana yells "Happy Friday!" at some workers at a restaurant. They don't react and sort of grimace and scowl in our direction. "Come on, look a little happier, it's Friday!" she countered. Then they smiled. :)
5. As we rode by the big Harpo Building where The Oprah Show is filmed, another biker exclaimed in a high-pitch voice, "Helloooooo, Ooooooprah! It's Critical Mass! Happy Friday, Ooooprah!" The best. Thanks, crazy guy!
6. Meeting crazy peeps: a guy who I helped hook on a fake plush tail to his belt loop; the little girl on a tandem with her Dad who was wearing a neon sparkly skirt; everyone there who had beautiful tattoos (inspiring me/ making me jealous about the one I'm hoping to get!); the Old Pros who rode with stereos attached to their bikes; The Veteran Man who used a blow whistle to direct bikers, stop traffic, and generally keep order on the ride; and, of course, every Chicago PD officer who helped support our safe integration into the streets.
7. The bike pump that saved my friend Shuling's tire so she could ride on and enjoy the open road. On a completely different note, she writes an awesome blog about social media and documentaries and films, and she's super talented. I recommend you check it out, plus she's going to post about our journey soon, too!
8. The Jamba Juice we enjoyed post-ride. Yum, yum, yum. Yay protein + matcha green tea!
9. Managing not to lose our bikes to gravity on the L ride back. Feeling super bad ass while standing there in our sweat and biker gloves. Also feeling pretty BAMFy while waiting around at the Ogilvy station before we set off for Daley Plaza. That's right, we got kicked out for blocking traffic. So we decided to ride all night, blocking traffic...
10. Experiencing the beauty of The Mass -- surrounded by bikers, warm summer air, the buzz of traffic on the other side of the road, the shouts of strangers staring and honking their horns, the pride of the little green pin I stuck to my shirt and now wear to remember that fantastic night. It was all groovy, baby!

Do you bike? Do you do other activities to complement your yoga practice? Sometimes we need a little break from the heat. Sometimes we need the open road, or the pleasure of company while working out. Sometimes we just need to bike it out, and Critical Mass is there for us. I highly recommend you participate in another ride next month in your city, whether it's Chicago or elsewhere. (Those hills in San Francisco: what?! Astonishing.) Write me about the crazy awesome time you have!

Last Day to Win Some Ultima Replenisher...

Thirsty? Dehydrated after Bikram class?

In the mood for a tasty summery smoothie treat?

You can still win a sample pack of Ultima Replenisher!

Simply comment below and let me know which flavor you'd like to try: orange, lemonade, raspberry or grape. You might get some free packets in the mail! Also read below for another post in my newest series on my experience making this tasty concoction in the blender with fresh fruit and the supplement. Tasted fantastic!