Tea Sparrow & the Happy Tea Drinker

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Photos by me; illustration via Tea Sparrow.

All around the world, people love a good cup of tea. 

Whether you're living in Chicago...

 
New York, 
 Lake Tahoe, 
 San Francisco,
or the chilly woods of Minnesota,

... chances are, you like to warm up in the winter months with an exotic chai blend, a light green tea, or perhaps a smooth earl grey.

Well, tea drinkers of the world, I encourage you to check out Tea Sparrow, the latest and greatest online specialty tea company. The company's motto, "The world of tea to your door," says a lot about their approach to delivering high-quality tea to monthly subscribers.


I was lucky enough to sample Tea Sparrow's "mixed" box, which includes their royal blend, earl grey supreme, chai americaine, midsummer night, and red rocks flavors. I loved every one! 

Read on for my week-long diary of tea adventures...


Sunday night: My tea box arrives in the mail. I promptly begin dancing around the kitchen and sniffing each resealable bag. I heat my first pot of water and try the earl grey, which I find to be bold with the perfect amount of citrus flavor. I put my feet up, relax on the couch, and plan which tea I'll try tomorrow.

Monday evening: It's been a long day and I could use a little rejuvenation, so I steep a mug of midsummer night after dinner. This lightly-caffeinated blend of green tea and oolong perks me right up. Its subtle highlights of jasmine, rose and lotus make me feel at peace. I'm inspired to roll out my mat for a calming vinyasa flow before bed. 


Tuesday morning: After noticing how full my tea cabinet is at home, I get a genius idea: I decide to spread the word about Tea Sparrow and share my teas at the office! I promptly pack up my tea selection (except for chai -- I'll save that for me since it's my fave), and bring it along to work. I set out the tea in a central location, send an email to my coworkers, and promptly receive emails filled with exclamation points, big smiles, and thank yous. By mid-morning, there's a consensus: Tea Sparrow is a hit! 


Wednesday morning: I wear my favorite winter hat, and as soon as I see the little love birds kissing design on it, I'm promptly reminded of my new favorite tea source: Tea Sparrow. Today, I try the royal blend, an English black tea with notes of caramel and rose. I stick my little pinky finger out sipping this one -- I just feel so fancy drinking it! :)

Thursday afternoon: Today I go for the red rocks blend, a caffeine-free rooibos red tea. This is now officially my favorite so far from the Tea Sparrow box. The calming, earthy taste is perfect for this gray Chicago day. I add some organic cane sugar and half and half, and the mixture is delicious... sweet but not overly so, rich and creamy. Even better than my morning cup of coffee! I don't even mind the tiny rooibos particles that managed to escape my tea infuser; in fact, I hardly notice them at all. (Note: I recommend a super fine weave on your infuser for this tea since it has itsy bitsy particles; you could also try using the Ingenuitea pot.)



Friday afternoon: I cuddle up on the couch with a cozy cup of chai and my Kindle fire to watch hilarious YouTube videos and read Mockingjay. It's a perfect, quiet Friday evening at home.

Saturday morning: I enjoy more chai with my incredible weekend brunch. I enjoy every sip, and can't wait to refill my mug with more of this tasty tea.



Thanks, Tea Sparrow, for a beautiful week of tea sampling! To learn more about how you can sign up, visit Tea Sparrow's subscription page, or check out their FAQ page. Keep in mind they carry a lovely line of herbal teas, too.


Cheers to all you happy tea drinkers out there!

A New Series on Karma Yoga

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Lately I've been thinking a lot about the power of karma yoga. Do you know what it is?
Karma yoga can be thought of as:
  • Selfless action and service to others
  • The path of action, and a movement toward balance and harmony in the world
  • Love for others
This quote by Tagore says a lot about how we can use what we practice on the mat to translate to the world at large:

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.

Photo via Pinterest.

Do you have a story to share about how yoga has inspired you to give selflessly?

I'd love to hear! In the next few months, I'm going to be featuring the stories of individuals, studios and organizations who have been inspired by the personal experience of yoga to give back to their communities. If you'd like to take part, please email me at aliveinthefire at gmail dot com.

I can't wait to hear from you!

In the meantime, here is a video from Yoga with Chelsea about her project in India. Chelsea also writes for The Travel Yogi so be sure to check her out there.






Photo illustrations via 365 Days Yoga and LilieZenCoach.

I Love My Ordinary Life

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Photo via Jaquilyn Shumate. 
 Photo via Pinterest.
Photo via Sarah Rhoads.

Lately I've been thinking about how much I adore the simple moments of my life. How happy I am when I allow myself permission to be ordinary, to live an ordinary life, and to be in love with my life.


We don't have to be ambitious every day. We don't have to focus on the future, the next step, the right goal for what's coming later. We can be here, now.

Photos via Pinterest. 

We can enjoy the small things: a walk in the snow, a cup of tea, a long hug. The taste of a home cooked meal. A laugh shared with a friend. Knowing your partner loves you back. Watching a cloud float by.


This is what it really means to live in the moment: to love an experience as it happens. This peaceful presence produces gratitude in the heart, and allows us to be fully intimate with our own lives, our own selves.


Photo via Sarah Rhoads.


Here are some blogs I love because they capture the beauty and magical nature of the everyday: Public::Bookstore, Sweet Fine Day, Pacing the Panic Room, Foxtail and Fern, Threading in the Choirs, Simple Village Girl, Angela Hardison and 3191 Miles Apart. These bloggers know how to capture simple moments that are worth treasuring -- nothing too fancy, just life.

What do you read or look at when you're in the mood to cherish the little things?

Your Own Sweat Box: How to Set Up a Bikram Yoga Hot Room at Home

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Photo via Bikram Yoga Redmond.

Have you ever considered setting up an at-home space to practice Bikram yoga in the heat?

If you've been practicing Bikram's beginning series for a while, this could be a great step to deepen your practice. Setting up your at home "Torture Chamber" does take a little planning, but it's well worth it.

Photos via Berries and Bikinis and  Christina Earl.

So, where do you start? Here's a list of what you'll need to get your hot room ready.

  • Adequate space (large enough for your mat plus a little extra space around the edges; make sure you can extend your arms at full reach in all directions).
  • A heat source (space heaters seem to be the trend), plus a thermometer to measure the temperature and keep it regulated.
  • A humidity source (optional - some people go without this at home; also keep in mind that certain heaters offer better humidity than others).
  • Yoga mat and towel, plus some yoga wear you're willing to sweat in. I recommend K. Deer bumbum bottoms, Onzie, and Iluka Activewear. 
  
Photos via Iluka Activewear, K. Deer, and Onzie.
  • A mirror (preferably full-length) so you can monitor your alignment in each posture.
  • Studio experience with the postures for a basic understanding of Bikram yoga. Warning: if you don't know the series, don't practice it at home! At least until you've had some practice in a studio under the guidance of a certified teacher.
  • The Bikram class on CD (sold on Amazon).
  • I also highly recommend you check out the book Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class to increase your knowledge of each posture.

Photo illustration by me.

Here are some space heater options, listed from cheapest to most expensive:

       
*Note: I haven't tried any of these and I don't have my own Bikram space set up at home, but in my online research these seem to be popular choices among the Bikram yogi crowd!

Additional tips for a safe and rewarding at-home Bikram practice:
  • If you have a large bathroom, you might consider setting up in there. I've read that many people turn on their shower or fill a bathtub to increase humidity. This sounds like it might work well, but keep in mind it's not the most eco-friendly approach!
  • Insulate: consider adding carpeting to hardwood or tile floors to add heat. You might also want to look into plastic treatment over windows so that warm air is held in and cold drafts can't enter the room. A door snake can also help keep the room contained; learn how to make one here.
  • Fans can help circulate air inside the room, so heat isn't concentrated in one spot.
  • Hydrate! As when you practice in a studio, be sure to drink lots of water before your Bikram class. Drink 16-32 ounces at least 2 hours prior to practicing, and double that after you shower.
  • Remember to be safe. Keep water in the room in case you feel overheated. Especially if you're fairly new to Bikram, include emergency props in your home space as well: a cushion or chair to elevate your legs after laying down, and a washcloth so you can wipe down your mat and keep it from being a slipping hazard. Sit down if you feel lightheaded, dizzy or faint -- you are your own teacher at home, so don't risk injury.
   Photos via Bikram Yoga Dallas and Sierra Sun.

A few final things to keep in mind... as an intermediate to advanced Bikram practitioner, starting your home practice can lead you to improve your yoga. You'll learn the valuable skill of self-correction by monitoring your own practice closely in private. This also means each posture will be better for you because it's more precise.

You'll also experience deeper focus than in a crowded class. At home on your own, there are no distractions to keep you from your yoga, so your monkey mind will quiet down.

That's perhaps the greatest benefit of experiencing Bikram yoga in a quiet, peaceful place: the meditation that follows.

Yoga Retreats

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Photos by Christine Hewitt of www.yogicphotos.com.

Have you guys ever been on a yoga retreat? I've always dreamed of going on one.


I've done a few day-long silent retreats, but nothing longer or faraway. Wouldn't it be amazing to escape to northern California for a week of relaxation, yoga, meditation and spa treatments?


Or spend a few days at Kripalu in western Massachusetts for a healthy living immersion program? They do weight-loss, nutrition, Ayurveda and stress-relief workshops that look amazing. They even offer programs for people who need to heal from cancer, heart disease or diabetes! Talk about taking the time to take your life back.


A Bikram retreat would also be amazing. Rajashree Choudhury and Emmy Cleaves hold an annual Bikram Women's Retreat that I've heard great things about. It sure would be inspiring to be in the hot room with a few hundred women pushing through class together!


If you've done a yoga retreat or have any recommendations, I'd love to hear about it! 



Speaking Bikram in All Languages (A Guest Post from a Bikram Yogini)

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Photo courtesy of Noa.

Bikram Yoga knows no borders. It's a style that can be found across the globe, whether the dialogue is being spoken in English or another language, or not at all.

Have you ever taken a Bikram class in another country? Or tried a silent class?

Today I bring you the story of one culturally-savvy yogini and her reflections on the Bikram dialogue, language barriers, and the beauty of silence. I especially love her videos at the end, too. Enjoy!


Y-Lingual
by Noa Glow

I’m one lucky yogi. The roster at my home studio – Bikram Yoga Vancouver – includes instructors from far beyond Canada’s borders: Spain, Germany, South Africa, the U.S. … the list goes on and on.

Last night, Jerome “from Pareee” led the class. When it came time for salabhasana (locust pose), he counted us down in English on the right side and “en Français” on the left.

“Very good,” he said as we lowered our left legs down. “Much better in French.” I started thinking about the Bikram Yoga language barrier – or lack thereof.

I never did take a Bikram Yoga class when I traveled throughout Spain several summers ago; my guess is it would have been taught in Spanish. I’m almost certain this would not have been a problem. 

Once you know the series by heart you don’t necessarily need an instructor’s words to guide you. But wouldn’t something be lost across the language barrier? Isn’t the reason I keep attending class each day because I learn something new every time I go – no matter how many times I hear the dialogue?



I recently had the privilege of attending a near-silent class. Instead of constant direction, the teacher gave only a few instructions (particularly the all-important "change!" to signal the end of each posture).

For the better part of the session the room was eerily quiet; the only sound was the gurgling of the humidifier. It was brilliant. I love hearing the dialogue, but being able to work it out myself (for the most part) was refreshing – more time observe my own thoughts and associations during the Bikram series.

Class literally flew by that day, and the silence made me realize the true meditative value of yoga. Forcing my focus on my practice and my breath helped me push beyond my limits and experience something new. I'd recommend a silent class to anyone who has the opportunity to try. It never hurts to get out of your comfort zone once in a while; you can only grow from it.



Check out this video on how to say “Lock the knee” in many different languages. It sends shivers up and down my spine for the sheer fact that it demonstrates the true universality of Bikram Yoga, which really does make for common ground between us all. If you are human, you lock your knee!



Thanks, Noa, for your awesome post. Also, Bikram fanatics: be sure to check out Noa's incredible practice in this video. She's a rockstar for sure!

Wholesome Recipe: Green Smoothie

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Photos by me.

I know, I know: it's the middle of winter (at least around here!) and probably not prime time for making ice-cold drinks. Still, I couldn't help but share this tasty smoothie recipe with you guys.


If you don't have a juicer but still want to get some great nutrients in a green drink, this is the smoothie for you. Cuddle up with some knit socks and try one :)


Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
  • Large handful fresh spinach
  • 1-2 bananas
  • 4-5 ice cubes
  • A spoonful of almond (or other nut) butter
  • 1/2 c vanilla yogurt
  • 1/2 cup berries (or a pomegranate popsicle leftover from your freezer)
  • 2 Tbsp hemp seed
  • Drizzle of maple syrup
  • 1-2 cups Rice Dream rice milk (or other milk)
Blend well! I recommend putting the frozen ingredients on the bottom first.



I almost didn't add the yogurt (and you could certainly go without it if you wanted to be dairy-free here), but I threw it in at the last minute. I like creamy smoothies, and I couldn't resist :)

Note: you could also eliminate the nut butter if you wanted a more fruity taste. Be creative: there are lots of ways to do a great green smoothie!




Delicious!

A Yoga Sanctuary In Your Own Backyard (Guest Post)

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Photos in this post via Wari Om Photography and Pinterest.

If you're like me, you like yoga because when you practice, you know just where you are. 

There is something profound about the mind-body connection and the way the body's location in space determines how we feel. Experiences aren't solely internal; they also depend on the world around us.

Which is why creating a little yoga sanctuary for yourself is such a great idea -- it's a space where you can unwind, be true to your emotions, and be alone with your yoga mat.

I was so inspired when Alive in the Fire reader Sarah Oxley wrote to me recently with her idea for how to transform a backyard garden shed into a mini yoga-studio space. Read on for her beautiful story.

Wouldn't some boot planters like these be a fun way to brighten up your backyard yoga sanctuary?

I’m new to the world of yoga, and I’m enjoying all the calming benefits and health benefits I’m gaining from it. But when I first started, I had a very big problem.

I wanted to practice the postures and techniques I’d learned in class at home. I always felt energized and at peace after class, and naturally, I wanted to recreate this experience at home, but I simply didn't have the space. 

 
Creating a special space at home for yoga can help you deepen your practice.

We have a small house with a garden, and although there’s plenty of room for me, the significant other and our things, there’s not really the right space for me to feel comfortable doing yoga in.

I was always worrying about knocking something over or I was checking how close I was to something, like a bookcase, a wall, small table, lamp, you get the idea.

Inspiration hit me, when looking out the back window into our yard, and I spotted our garden shed. Our garden shed which barely had anything in it and wasn't really used at all. I decided to give it a new function as my yoga sanctuary.

The lawn mower was relocated to the garage, also rather empty, as well as the few gardening tools we have, a spade and some secateurs just about sums it up. Then a good clean out was in order, everything from giving the floor a good sweep to dusting away all the cobwebs. 

Natural light, greenery, and silence: nothing better to surround yourself with before yoga.

Now came the tricky bit: creating my yoga sanctuary. As the weather’s still rather cold and miserable and spring is a long way off, I put a portable heater in the shed. I didn't like the feel of wood beneath my bare feet, and my yoga mat could only cover so much, so I placed a white bed sheet, which I had spare, on the floor and stapled the edges and corners down with a staple gun.

Now there was plenty of room, and I really liked the look and feel of the white sheet when doing my yoga, as the vastness of it helped my thoughts find focus. I had space, I had comfort, and I even had a CD player for when the silence of the shed wasn't supporting my focus.

Ballet is so inspiring, don't you think?

I was still feeling a bit uninspired, so I added some pictures. As I’m a beginner I decided to hang up some pictures of yoga poses and asanas which I want to learn and improve. I've also got some pictures of favourite landscape photographs and prints of my favorite artists. Impressionists have me hooked at the moment, so Degas and Monet are up there. 

 
I think if I had a yoga sanctuary, I might put up an anatomy poster and a nice om design.

I thought it would be a good idea to share my yoga sanctuary with other yogis, as it was so easy to create once the idea came to mind. Of course, you don’t have to do exactly what I did for your own yoga sanctuary. I think what makes it so special to me is that I have space and I feel comfortable in it. So that’s the key: space and comfort. Enjoy creating your very own yoga sanctuary.

Talk about a dream yoga sanctuary!

Thanks, Sarah, for sharing your inspiration! This post has me dreaming about sunny skies and warmer temperatures. Now we can all plan our yoga sanctuary spaces before spring arrives. XO!

The Path Toward Handstand

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Photos by me.

I'm resolute to master handstand. 

I've recently learned something important: I'm at the beginning. In order for me to hold myself in an inversion that intense, I first need to build a foundation of strength and flexibility in my wrists and hands.


So I've been practicing the exercises in this video, as well as reminding myself that handstand isn't as big a deal as I sometimes want to make it. After I (like many of us in the yoga blogger world) saw that Yoga by Equinox video with Briohny Smith practicing amazing presses into handstand in her underwear, I really wished I could do that.


But, like everything in yoga, handstands take time. So I'm committing to be patient, build a strong base, and enjoy the process.


More than anything, I've been trying to encourage myself along the way and smile at all the little victories -- like feeling my hands grow stronger, watching my fear diminish, and feeling that rush of being upside down, even if it's only for a second or two to start.


Here are a couple more videos from Mike Taylor and Tara Stiles that have helped. I love how she keeps a positive and light attitude about things. After all, whether or not you can do a handstand doesn't determine your abilities as a yogi. :)


Party Hugs

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Photos via One Love Photo.

Isn't this the sweetest wedding? I love how simple it is: a man and a woman who love each other meet on a dock, surrounded by their closest loved ones (and a puppy in a basket!). 


Next thing you know, they're hitched! And toasting each other and dancing in the moonlight :)







Yoga is Sexy, But That's Not All

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Chances are, you've seen this video by now. If not, go ahead and watch it. Brihony Smyth's practice is a thing of beauty... but although that's what many of us notice upon first glance, that's not the only thing she has going for her.

When I first saw these fearless arm balances, I couldn't help but a) feel jealous of them, and b) feel jealous of Smyth's toned, practically-naked body. In fact, I was a little distracted by how little she's wearing, and I was quick to  judge her and Equinox's ploy to sell using sex appeal.

But then I read this interview with Kathryn Budig, celebrity yogini and a former teacher of Brihony Smyth, on Huffington Post. Budig talks about the controversy behind her experience modeling naked for ToeSox, the yoga company that she's a spokeswoman for, as well as her discussion with Smyth about peoples' reactions to her video.

After taking a closer look, it sounds like the three and a half minute YouTube posting wasn't just made as a way to show off Briohny's sexy yoga moves. In fact, it was an act of self-expression, and a beautiful reminder of struggles overcome -- turns out Smyth used to suffer from an eating disorder, and had poor self-esteem and a low body image. 

Also turns out, the video is a lovely reminder to yogis like me that appearances aren't everything, and we should be slower to judge others. 

Thanks, Briohny. I needed that little nudge. Plus, you'd be happy to know that now I'm working on my handstands, too :)


More from Briohny Smith about her intentions in creating the "Yoga by Equinox" video:
They gave me full artistic freedom and allowed me to express "My Yoga." We all agreed that minimal clothing was the best way to show the lines of the body. I felt very comfortable with that since most of my female teachers have been photographed in the nude by Jasper Johal. Equinox explained that the concept would showcase the home practice of Woman of our generation set inn NYC. I loved it!
Once on set, I put my outfit on and had a brief moment of panic... a relapse of old thinking. But when I revealed that to my fiancé he told me, "You look beautiful." And that stopped the chatter in my mind.
No one expected or hoped for controversy but I understand and respect all views.   This situation reminds me of an exercise my sponsor gave me during my recovery in OA. I made a list consisting of the names of those who I felt hurt me. I read the list to my sponsor, and to my surprise she tells me to think of ways to practice compassion for the people on this list. This exercise helped me learn that the way we react to something is a reflection of the way we feel inside. It helped me look within for the answers to my eating disorder issues rather than blame others for my pain. 
It felt incredibly liberating to be confident in my own skin. So, thank you to Equinox, Q Blog, and to everyone who was inspired by the video. 
Photos via Pinterest.

Do you argue the other side of the spectrum, that Briohny's video is a bit too much? 

Check out this reaction piece by The Washington Post that talks about how her performance in lingerie is "emblematic of the Western commercialization of yoga," where it's more about "having a cute ass" than being able to move toward inner silence and meditation.

What do you think? Were you inspired by the video in spite of its controversy?

Wind in Your Hair

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Photos via coquinete on Flickr.

Now is the time of year when I dream about faraway places. Warm, sunny beaches and long road trips where you can have the music blaring and the windows down.

Do you ever get wanderlust-y in the winter? Where would you go if you could escape somewhere?




Juice Tips

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Photos by me.

Here are three things I've learned during my juicing adventures so far. 


1. The perfect afternoon snack consists of a glass of green juice, plus some celery sticks with peanut butter. Mmmm!


2. If you want to step up your juicing regimen, make two batches at one. Drink the first one now, and save your second batch in a BPA-free water bottle in the fridge. It's recommended to drink your juice within 24 hours of preparing it, and remember to shake well since contents of different juices may settle into layers.



3. For even more hydrating power in your juice, throw in a Purity Coconut Water packet from YogaEarth! I like to put this in the bottom of my water bottle or juice pitcher, and it mixes in easily and adds a lovely taste.


Stay tuned for more juicing tips! Or check out some advice from Joe Cross of Reboot Your Life.

Green Machine

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Photos by me.

I am seriously a fan of this green juice I've been making. I actually find myself craving that fresh, vibrant taste instead of other (less-healthy) things. And there's nothing better than the beautiful color, delicious froth on top, and knowing that I'm getting a ton of great nutrients all in one glass.

 

Day or night, mixing together a green machine juice is the best. Lately, I throw together two batches -- one to enjoy right now, and one for later in the day. This means quite a bit of fruit and veggie prep, but it's so worth it.

I think I've graduated from being a casual juicer to a green machine lover. Soon I'll be on my way to a full juice cleanse :) Thanks, Joe Cross and the documentarians who made Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead -- you inspired me to get this far!

Wholesome Snacks

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Photos via Pinterest.

As you may already know, I'm on a quest this year to eat well. I'm preparing wholesome meals and juicing regularly. But it's not always easy, especially when I'm hungry for a quick snack.


That's why I'm excited to bring you a few healthy snack ideas from my sister, Laura, who is a personal trainer in the Raleigh area. She works with her clients not only to slim down and build muscle, but also to develop smart eating habits. Here are some fresh snack ideas she recommends for at home or work.


Smart Snacks
  • 1/2 cup Baby carrots = 35 calories 
  • Green or red bell pepper cut into slices= about 30 calories 
  • Celery sticks w/ 1 tbsp peanut butter = about 100 calories 
  • 2 rice cakes w/ slice of lean deli meat and peanut butter or cheese slice (sounds strange, but it's a great source of protein!) = about 250 calories
  • Wheat thins and cheese (8 crackers + 1 laughing cow cheese wedge)= about 180 calories 
  • 1 large cantaloupe wedge = about 35 calories 
  • 1/2 apple with 1 cup skim milk = about 125 calories 
  • Yogurt cup (I recommend Greek yogurt or other kinds high in protein and fiber)
  • Popcorn (Smartfood brand, or air popped)
  

What healthy snacks do you like?