Winter 2020 Newsletter  After being away from the studio now for 9 months I can’t even begin to express my wish to be with you all in person and sharing practice. And yet, you’ve shown up, logged onto Zoom and continued to join me. You have inspired me, helped me grow to better teach you and been incredibly patient and gracious as we all do our best in the midst of so many challenges. I promise to be here, holding the zoom door open for you to help you find your feet when everything else seems too crazy to bear.  Bless you all for your continued support. The studio is still enduring. This practice is good medicine and helps us return to center when it seems as though everything else is falling apart. We’ll be on break for two weeks from December 19th through January 3rd. And from there, Winter Quarter will run from January 4th through March 19th.  Below you will find information about: Free classes coming up during our Break, Winter Quarter Class Schedule with links to register, NEW Free Intro Class happening on the first Tuesday of each month,  Tips on staying healthy this winter along with one of my favorite recipes And, a video of the Yin Yang Medical Qigong which will be the focus of our Qigong practice on Saturdays this Winter. Winter Break Free Classes & Fundraiser links for more information are underlined in blue. – Sat. 12/26, 10am, Silk Reeling, Standing & Intro to Yin Yang Medical Qigong – Mon., 12/28, 10am, Chen Tai Chi for Everyone – Wed., 12/30, 10am, Yang Tai Chi for Everyone – Fri., 1/1, 10am, New Year Spiral Qigong FUNDAISER a 2020 Detox

WINTER QUARTER WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE:

Here is a favorite recipe I make throughout the year, but is particularly yummy in the winter.

Winter health tips & recipe
In traditional Chinese Medicine, Winter is associated with the Water element – your Kidneys and Bladder. Imbalances arising as the cold of winter sets in may manifest as:
lower back or knee pain
fatigue
tinnitus
memory issues
menstrual pain
lowered libido
poor circulation
fearful emotions (anxiety and phobias)
urinary disorders

Good balance of the Kidneys and Bladder helps you manage stress, sleep better, and avoid the above-mentioned problems.

Here are 3 tips for Winter Wellness to support your Kidneys and Bladder:

1. Go Inward, Reflect, Take time to be still and quiet. Give yourself time each day to be still, sit or stand and go inside yourself with breath and calm. Start with a minute and increasing a little each day up to 5, 10, 20 min. (uh, sounds like Qigong, right?)

2. Keep warm. Cover up, avoid exposure. Use a hot water bottle or heating pad to warm your feet and or back before bed. This can help if you have back pain or a tendency to have cold extremities. It is important to not walk barefoot on cold floors, to avoid cold entering into the body.

3. Healthy Winter Meals. Eat warm nourishing foods, warm beverages, teas that are easier for your body to digest. Avoid cold foods and beverages which drain your energy and are harder to absorb.

 Kitchari – Curry porridge
Ingredients:
1 onion diced
2 inches ginger chopped 
2 stalks celery chopped
2 carrots chopped
1 C red lentils, mung or adzuki (washed)
1 C basmati rice (washed)
and combination of any fresh veg:
potato, cauliflower, sweet potato, winter or summer squash, cabbage, broccoli, peppers, peas, green beans, kale, chard, whatever you like
Kombu seaweed, soaked, rinsed, and chopped (start with a couple stalks, then add more as you like)
optional golden raisins.

spice: Combine and adjust as you like
Cumin seed 1 T
mustard seed 1 T
fennel seed 1 t
ground coriander 1-2 t
turmeric  1 t
asoefodida (hing) 1/4 t (optional reduces gas)
onion seed  1/2 t (nigela)
whole clove  1/2 t
whole cardamom pod  5 or so
whole cinnamon stick 1
whole red chile 1
bay leaf 2
curry leaves  pinch
fenugreek seed  1 t

Salt & pepper to taste

Stock or bouillon of choice, can of chopped tomatoes

Begin with a large stainless steel soup pot. Warm it on med. heat, then add a couple T of high-quality oil once hot, add (whole hard seeds) cumin, mustard, and fennel seeds along with cinnamon stick, clove, and cardamom pods and chile (if using jalapeno, add fresh at end before serving). Brown for a few seconds to a min. and then add
Onion stirring with spices and cooking till translucent
add ginger, celery, carrot, and rest of spices and cook for an additional minute or two
Then add and stir into spices the lentils and rice
cover with 6-8 cups of water cover and cook for 20-40 minutes, depending on whether using light red lentils or adzukis, until rice and lentils are cooked.
Add vegetables at the appropriate time to cook completely, along with raisins if like
Season with salt and pepper to taste

If adding Cilantro, chop the whole bunch and add at the end before serving.

Serve with a dollop of yogurt and a squeeze of lemon

This pot usually feeds us for a week of dinners. I like to freeze some to have later. Enjoy with love from my table to yours.

NOTE: You can adapt to instant pot by doing spices with lentils and rice with pressure for 5-7 minutes, open add veg and pressure for another 5 min. Enjoy experimenting with this very flexible nourishing porridge. Can serve for any meal.

This time of year it is important to slow down. Do exercise that does not expend a great deal of energy.

And here is some Yin supportive practice to help you maintain your health and vitality through the winter. Join us on Saturdays at 9:30am as we practice and breakdown the Yin Yang Medical Qigong. 

Be well, stay safe, and enjoy your holidays. I look forward to sharing practice with you soon.

With much love and gratitude in
Patience, Peace & Practice,
Viola