February Newsletter 2024

TAPAS…

Dear Friends,

We hope this finds you healthy and happy as we near the end of winter.  Every February, as I turn inward and take more time for reading and deeper study, I like to deep dive into the philosophy of yoga in order to tune up my mindset, my outlook, and to inspire my teaching and practice.  I often study Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga which offers a road map for inspiration and personal growth. The limbs are moral codes, social contracts, that guide us toward positive behavior to ourselves and others. 

When we are lacking motivation or need to shift our perspective we can find inspiration from the practice of Tapas, part of the 8 limbs of yoga.  Tapas is the practice of self-discipline, passion, and courage in order to burn away physical, mental and emotional impurities so that we can stay on the path towards greatness. 

How has your outlook and energy been lately?  What practices help to keep you inspired and on track when it comes to following your goals and your passions?  Tapas stokes the fire within us that heightens our desire for personal growth and reminds us how much we love our yoga practice! 

Practicing Tapas could mean making time for meditation if you have been too hard on yourself lately, or it could mean an intense Vinyasa class if your body is feeling slow and weak. Tapas means practicing even if you don’t feel like it.

If you are feeling a little uninspired right now, make time for your yoga practice. It is such an incredible offering for your self-transformation.  We know that Spring is right around the corner which has us preparing for our annual yoga retreat on Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos.  Going on retreat as a means to recalibrate and prepare for the more extroverted, energized months ahead is the ultimate way to embrace Tapas. We would love for you to join us! 

With love,

Christina (and Andrea)

by Nutrition Stripped

You can enjoy these Tahini Miso Covered Cauliflower Steaks as an entree with a side of protein, greens, and maybe some grains/carbohydrates or as a side dish — regardless of how you enjoy it, the star of the show is really the tahini miso sauce.

INGREDIENTS:

1 head cauliflower

2 heaping tablespoons miso paste (Miso Master organic mellow white)

1 tablespoon hot water

1/4 cup tahini

1 tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce

1/2 inch ginger, minced

2 teaspoons minced garlic

Juice of 1/2 a lime

Pinch of sea salt

Black pepper

Optional garnishes: fresh chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice/wedges, black sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, nori sheet ribbons, and a drizzle of the extra Tahini Miso Sauce

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prep a baking sheet with a rack inside, this is key to make sure the cauliflower steaks don’t get soggy if they were cooking directly on the baking sheet. (as pictured)

Step 2: Slice the cauliflower head into 3-4 large slices (these are the steaks) about 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide. Lightly drizzle each cauliflower steak with olive oil and place on the rack on top of the baking sheet.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, using a whisk, combine all remaining ingredients to make the sauce. — this should yield a thick paste. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Step 4: Spoon the Tahini Miso sauce onto each cauliflower steak and bake for 35-30 minutes at 400 degrees F or until the cauliflower is tender and golden on top.

Step 5: Garnish with any of the optional garnishes, serve warm, and store any leftovers in a glass container. To reheat, put the cauliflower steaks in the oven for 10 minutes or until warm.

Enjoy!

I love how Deepak Chopra walks us through the importance of the eight limbs of yoga in this powerful book.  Yoga has so many physical benefits and when practiced mindfully it can unlock our full creative potential, our capacity for love and compassion, and our ability to find success in all areas of our lives.  The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga reminds us of the potent spiritual depth that yoga offers us as well as steps to a happier, more harmonious and abundant life.