Child's pose.... the relief

© 2012 Saya Style

To anyone who does yoga, Child's pose is sheer relief and permission to REST.  During a class, it's incorporated between challenging and painful poses and often you just want to stay lost in it because it's everything comforting, relaxing and rejuvenating.

When you find yourself agonizingly holding that pose whilst shaking, aching and grasping onto every second until the teacher FINALLY says 'release'... the relief that comes at that instant is a delicious indulgence in complete rest and emptiness.  All of us who have done it know that this 'Child's Pose' moment is like bliss within emptiness whilst your body nurses it's aches and pains... and you're breathe is louder than ever.

So take rest... and while on the topic of being 'a child', why not add a little childlike colourfulness or goofballness (whatever you like) to your day and let go of that overly serious scrutinisation of everything.  Pure and simple views of a child are sometimes all you need to see things right. 

"Take rest: a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop" - Ovid

"Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." - Pablo Picasso

 "It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." - Pablo Picasso

© 2012 Saya Style

Simply Quinoa - delicious and nutritious

© 2012 Saya Style

This is one of my all time favourite and reliable recipes... perfect as a side dish or if you're like me and easily satisfied with vegetarian food.. perfect on it's own for a light lunch.
It's good to know that this humble food with a rice like consistency, is packed full of nutrients and is uniquely high in protein along with having a low GI.  Most people think it's a grain but it's actually a seed!

Saya's Delish Vegetable Quinoa - serves 6

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa (rinsed)
2 1/4 cups water
1 large onion
2-3 garlic cloves crushed
1 heaped tablespoon dried basil (or thyme or rosemary).  Mixing in some fresh herbs is good too.
1 punnet cherry tomatoes cut in halves
1 red capsicum diced
4 heaped teaspoons Massel vegetable stock powder (if you prefer light flavours reduce to 2 or 3 teaspoons)

Instructions:
Add quinoa and water into a large pot and bring to the boil. 

Then stir in all other ingredients and reduce temperature of stove to bring down to a gentle simmer.  Keep the lid of the pot off and stir occassionally whilst cooking.  Cook gently from anywhere between 20 - 30 minutes.  Basically until all the liquid has been obsorbed (little spots or holes appearing on the surface of the quinoa is a good indication of this).

Then remove from the stove and put the lid onto the pot.  Let it sit for 2 minutes then fluff quinoa up with a fork and you're ready to dig in!

Keeping me challenged

© 2012 Saya Style

Yoga - Challenging your strength, flexibility and the chatterings of the mind.... it's bound to hit your weaknesses head on and test how far you're willing to persevere.  That's why I love it so much.... it tests your individual weaknesses and in the process you discover how truly strong and capable your body is… a great tool in getting to know yourself.  Your body's strength will always surprise you in the most challenging of poses as long as you focus and push beyond your 'mental boundaries'.

Persevering to remain fully mindful on every touch and movement whilst sweating, aching, and challenging every joint and muscle.... the outcome can be frustrating or freeing... whatever you choose it to be. 

STRENGTH is my weakness and often my arms, legs and everything else will be shaking with exhaustion... begging for those long agonizing seconds to pass.  Oh and falling over?...no problem... I'm good at putting on a show for that.  One yoga teacher I knew would radiantly smile with delight every time we'd lose our balance and ungracefully thump to the ground.  He told us to be proud of every 'crash landing'  because it proved we were challenging ourselves and GROWING by pushing beyond our comfort zone.  To hold a simple pose with ease and grace doesn't compare to the commitment and strength to fumble through a difficult pose ungracefully. 

Yes... I actually LOVE being in that place of imperfection in my practice because it makes me more eager and hungry to keep on growing.

I definitely recommend giving it a go and perservering. You'll really get to know yourself.