Thai Green Curry

It’s time to relish Thai food again. It’s has been a few days that I have been already missing Thai food after returning from Thailand. I love cooking for fun and therefore I took a cooking class from May Kaidee Vegetarian and Vegan Thai food Cooking School in Chiang Mai. And I have also been also missing the lovely city of Chiang Mai too!!


Well, so in the memory of beautiful Chiang Mai I am posting some of the recipes that I learnt over there 



Thai Green Curry

Ingredients

Oil - 2 tablespoon

Green curry paste – 1 tspn

Mixed vegetables like carrots, baby corn, cabbage, steamed pumpkin, mushrooms and onions – a handful each of them

Shallow fried tofu cut in small cubes – a handful

Coconut Milk - 6 tblspn

Sugar - ½ tblsp

Soy Sauce - 2 tblsp

Water - ½ cup

Sweet basil - a handful

Fry green curry paste with vegetables in hot oil on medium flame. Add coconut milk and steamed pumpkin. Add light soya sauce, dark soya sauce and sugar. Let it cook till the vegetables are soft. Add three tablespoons of coconut milk again. Put sweet basil and turn off the heat. Garnish with a tablespoonful of coconut milk and serve hot with rice.

Surya Namaskara

Surya Namaskara is a series of yoga asanas comprehending a total of twelve postures (including repetitions) performed in flow. They provide a alternate backward and forward bending exercise, flexing and stretching the spinal column and limbs of the body. But Surya Namaskar can be considered more than just and exercise of the body. As per its name Surya means Sun and Namaskara means Salutation, then Surya Namaskara is the practice of Sun Salutation.

It is know that many ancient cultures from immemorial times adored and worshiped the sun. Many ancient traditions had incorporated various solar symbols and deities, but in the Vedic Culture this traditions have been preserved till these days and, in fact, sun worship is still practiced as a daily ritual in many parts of India today.

Before presenting you the 12 postures of Surya Namaskara bear in mind the following: (i) only practice it alone if you are completely health; (ii) first try to become familiar with the postures individually and then after as a whole; (iii) while performing the sequences, synchronize the breath with the movements by inhaling with each backward bending and expansion of the chest and exhaling with each forward bending and compression of the abdomen; (iv) do not repeat the practice so many times in the beginning, starting with 2 repetitions and increasing it up to 10, gradually, in few weeks, is enough for the maintenance of health for the average man; (v) at last but not the least, try to bring bhava (feelings) to the practice, performing it slowly, preferably at the early hours of the morning, facing towards the east, along with the rising sun.

So here they are:

Pranamasana (Prayer Pose)

Hasta Utthanasana (raised arms pose)

Padahastasana (hand to foot pose)

Ashwa Sanchalanasana (equestrian pose)

Parvatasana (mountain pose)

Ashtanga Namaskara (salute with eight parts)

Bhujangasana (cobra pose)

Parvatasana (mountain pose)

Ashwa Sanchalanasana (equestrian pose)

Padahastasana (hand to foot pose)

Hasta Utthanasana (raised arms pose)

Pranamasana (prayer pose)

Keep health and enjoy your practice of Surya Namaskara. Keep in touch for more yoga techniques. Namaskar :-)

Get Set Go!!

With the ups and downs of life, turns and twists, often we find ourselves lost and low. The best thing is to not to allow yourself get stucked in this turmoil thats harpens personal growth. I think success is always there, waiting to embrace.... However we have to believe in Success. I think quotes are such a great way to express positivity. Short and simple. I am a fan of quotes. I just go searching for some best quotes and trust me sometimes they just shake me up. Have a look at few of my favorite quotes!!

More to Tai Chi

So let’s continue with Tai chi, in my previous post I had mentioned about the various Tai chi movements. But Tai chi is more than this.

I learnt the Yin and Yang breathing, it’s very interesting. It involves some visualization and right concentration. Such gentle exercises improve delivery of the oxygen to the body cell.

I also learnt the Six Healing Sounds. It also required a lot of visualization. I think it really helped me. I have always experienced that visualizations has a healing effect on the body. Let me tell you more about these healing sounds. Each organ can be healed with the visualization of a colored metallic light entering the body and after emitting a particular sound simultaneously feeling negative feeling coming out from the organ and positive energy coming into the organ.

For example, I was explained that an emotion like aggression can affects the liver adversely. For this I had to visualize a metallic light of emerald green color entering the liver, simultaneously I had to bend sideways stretching the right side of the waistline, and feel peace coming into you and anger getting out of you by emitting a sound like SHHHH… from the mouth.

Similarly, I practiced all the healing sounds for Lungs, Kidney, Heart, Spleen and the Pineal gland. Wow, it was really healing!

Anther great thing was Chi Massage! Again for all the above six mentioned organs, I learnt different ways to massage. This massage revitalizes the body, tones and beautifies the face, and helps in free flow of Chi.

Wow, this was a great experience. I am going to continue to learn more Tai chi on Saturdays with Sir Christopher at the Holy Family School:-)

I will be back with many interesting things!! Love and Peace!

Tai Chi

I went for a Temple Style Tai chi – Level I workshop organized by Sevangi to a nearby hill station in Lonavala. Our Tai chi teacher was Sir Christopher Fernandes.

Personally, I felt that Tai chi had a very tranquilizing effect on me. It demands high level of concentration and one pointedness. In fact, the beauty of this technique is that it does not allow you to get distracted for even a moment. The focus comes in very naturally while practicing the movements. It’s an amazing combination of breath, body and mind.

(Jeenal practicing different Tai chi movements)

Tai chi chuan is an internal Chinese martial art often practiced for health reasons. Tai chi is practiced as a soft martial technique and to keep good health and fitness levels. Tai chi means Supreme Ultimate force or fist. Today, Tai chi has spread worldwide. Now a days both traditional and modern form of Tai chi exists, aiming for the same above mentioned benefits.

(Jeenal and Daniel with thier Tai chi teachers and students)

I learnt the Tai chi walk, Tai chi kick and the basic of Tai chi form in the first session. The slow graceful movements are quite surprising as they cause sweating and an increase in the heart rate. It’s various forms are really powerful and extremely beneficial. I personally felt my flexibility improving in the first day itself. Apart from it there was a feeling of lightness and well being at the end of day.

I am sure that my sleep was deeper and wholesome. Western science says that Tai chi is beneficial in controlling high blood pressure, in reducing stress, to increase bone density, strengthening the immunity. Tai chi helps in delaying degeneration, bringing energy and vitality. People having stiff joints, low libido, low energy levels and poor concentration levels can be benefited from Tai chi.

(Daniel practicing Single Whip)

(Daniel Practicing the step of punching the opponent's ears)

(Press)

(Recoil)

Coming back to the various forms, I and Daniel learnt some forms like- Grasping the Bird’s Tail, Brush knee Twist Step aside, Wave Hands like Clouds, Snakes creeps low, Kick and Double punch, Fair lady works at the Shuttle and Repulse the Monkey. It was not just fun, but a great learning experience. I felt that the these various forms were having a great impact on my stamina .

(Jeenal practicing the closing form, Lifting the Kun Lun Mountain)

(Jeenal trying to recorrect her posture, Brush Knee step aside)

(Jeenal practicing Left Heel Kick)

(Jeenal practicing Repulsing the Monkey)

(The complete video of Jeenal practicing the entire 24 Steps Combined Beijing Short Form)

Apart from this we practiced Chi harnessing and Chi cultivating early morning during sunrise. It involves step by step instruction to sense the Chi, Chi gathering, Rolling the Chi ball, Pushing the Kun Lun Mountain and a few more.

It's not yet over!Have a look at my next post!!

Ajanta Ellora Tour Report

In the second week of Jan'09 the Yoga couple Dani and Jeena (that's me) had organised a Buddhist tour to Ajanta Ellora which are world famous destinations listed as World Heritage Sites of UNESCO.

The Ajanta- Ellora Buddhist tour held in January was a super success!! Thanks to our participants Andrea (Brazil), Bruna (Brazil), Carlin (USA), Michael (Ireland) and Margita (Germany) for making a lovely group. I and Daniel escorted the group throughout the tour.

The 3 day tour consisted of discussion on Buddhism and Yoga. In the early morning during sunrise there was an Asana and Pranayama session conducted in the open lawn followed with breakfast and caves visit. I had also arranged for a small session for the participants to learn Hindi. It was fun!

The caves of Ajanta with different paintings depicted various stories of Buddha, and this added more light on the life of Buddha. The caves consisted of Chaityas with stupas and the Viharas with beautiful carved images of Buddha and other figures related to this period. It was a real opportunity for the participants to understand Buddhism more clearly. It was also an opportunity to experience India, and also Indian people.

Ellora with its interesting and vast layout of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves and temples had mesmerized both of us and our participants. We decided to do some OM chanting in one of the Chiatya of Ellora, it was great to sit in the caves and do some chanting. The vibrations were peaceful and we all felt really relaxed after it :-)

The enormous Kailash temple was very helpful to know more about Hinduism. The beautifully carved designs and images gave a dramatic effect to the temple.

Apart from this there was a lot of chit chat and fun time on the dinning table. It was so good to see different people coming from various countries exchanging ideas and their experiences. I was all the more happy to help them in selecting Indian dishes for their meals. Well, everybody relished the Indian food.

It was also an experience for the participants to travel by Indian Railway. We had time to talk and share, to have some chai (Indian tea) and snacks and have some fun!! It was really niceJ.

All of us took a lot of photos, did some shopping, played with monkeys....hehe, had good food, exercised and walked a lot. And above all this, we educated ourselves with the ancient history of India.

I am glad that we had an amazing trip and all the participants went back happy with sweet memories. I hope even you had fun reading this!

So do join us for our second tour to Ajanta and Ellora. For details call us on +91 9821231306 or +91 9821505029.

Paryankasana

Hey friends.. Let's do asanas !? How about Paryankasana !? I want to share my experience of this Asana. Initially it was really difficult, but with practice I am now able to do it easily. I have experienced great benefits of this asana. My legs seem more toned, flexible and stronger. Let me share with you the benefits and the method.

Benefits

Paryankasana gives a full stretch to the anterior and antero-internal muscles of the abdomen and the pelvic. The inner thighs as well get a good stretch. There is a deep pressure on the uterus and abdominal organs as well as the urinary organs and genitals. There is an increase in blood circulation around the abdominal and sex organs. It also leads to a better muscle tone. This deep pressure on the sex organs is very beneficial to a woman during pregnancy and to have a painless childbirth. It is advisable to avoid Paryankasana after the fourth month of pregnancy and during the first three days of menstruation. It is also extremely beneficial for women suffering from menstrual cramps. When done throughout the month, the cramps might reduce or even disappear.

Muscles that are exercised.

Leg extensors, hamstrings, quadriceps, medial rotators of hip. Plantar flexors, knee flexors and hips extensors as well as elbow flexors are exercised.

(Jeenal practicing Paryankasana)

How to do it?

First kneel down on the floor and sit then on your calves and place your feet under your buttocks. Now adjust to let your calves get positioned next to your thighs and your feet on the side of your buttocks. While keeping your knees together, slowly lean backwards while supporting your upper body on your elbows and forearms. Gently lie on your back with your body straight on the floor. Let your head and your neck rest on the floor. Keep both your hands and keep it on your abdomen.

Breathing pattern.

While getting down in the posture begin to inhale for 4 seconds. The inhalation should be deep, slow, gentle and rhythmic. The exhalation should also be equal as inhalation. Abdominal breathing is the most beneficial. If it is not possible to inhale and exhale for 4 seconds then 2 seconds or 3 seconds is also fine. The pose can be maintained in static as long as possible, but not more than two and a half minutes.

A few tips to make the posture easier.

Paryankasana is a difficult posture for people with less flexibility should first try to just flex the knees and sit for some days for a minute in the beginning. After, one can attempt to lay down with one leg flexed each time for a minute or depending on the capacity. If keeping the knees together when lying on the back is difficult, one can keep it away. After regular practice the pose can be accomplished and remaining in static will get easier. Initially lie supine for a few seconds and keep increasing the time span according to the comfort level.

Limitations.

-Pregnant women and menstruating women should not do as mentioned above
-People with knee pain
-People with any kind of back problem
-People with injured ankle

I hope this post was informative for the beginners who wish to get better with this asana. I will soon be back with more interesting posts. Do let me know if this post has helped you!!Take care!