The addition of music or sound to your yoga practice can provide a host of new elements to your asana routine. In addition to cueing a change in pace or rhythm of the movement, music and sound can also provide another level of focus to your practice. Music is a medium through which you can create endless levels of variety and personalize your practice.

When teaching, or when practicing on my own, I sometimes play music and other times the practice is in complete silence.

Adapting to variation in music or sound not only helps to keep you on your toes, but also helps to keep your practice fresh and your mind present.

Shanti!

This veggie burger uses black beans, but you can use kidney or chickpeas for these meatless patties. Add lots of veggie toppings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, mustard) to personalize your burger!

Black Bean Veggie Burger

Ujjayi pranayama is a type of breath control technique that can be utilized during the yoga asana practice. Ujjayi means "victorious" when roughly translated from sanskrit to english. This breathing technique slows down the breath while also helping to heat the body. Ujjayi pranaymana has been shown to reduce blood pressure (as also observed during other slowed breathing activities) while its meditative quality calms the mind.

Ujjayi breath is practiced by slightly narrowing the throat (or the larynx- this narrowing action happens, similarly, during a yawn) while breathing in and out through the nostrils. The breath is slowed down and the practitioner should work to make the inhale the same length as the exhale.

Enjoy the many benefits of ujjayi breath.

Shanti!

Daal is a yummy soup, traditionally from Indian cuisine. The soup is made from yellow lentils (but you can make it with green, pink or whatever type of lentil bean that suits your curiosity.) Lentils are rich in protein, fiber and vitamin B.

Daal (Yellow Lentil) Soup