The Eight Limbs of Yoga, a Brief Overview

The beautiful yoga poses we see are but one of the eight 'limbs' of yoga.  There are seven additional core components to the practice, each of equal importance.

The components are like limbs in the sense that:

• they all belong to the same body,

• each one is essential,

• one is not regarded higher than the other.

Together they form the framework for the yoga practice that ultimately brings unity of the mind, body, and spirit.

The eight limbs of Yoga are:

1.   Yama:  Ethics. Guidelines for interaction with others.

2.  Niyama:  Self-discipline. Rules for attitude and interaction with oneself.

3.  Asanas:  Physical postures.

4.  Pranayama:  Breathing exercises.

5.  Pratyahara:  Withdrawal of the senses. Non-attachment to external objects.

6.  Dharana:  Cultivating inner awareness and learning to focus our attention.

7.   Dhyana:  Meditation.

8.  Samadhi:  State of Oneness.  Transcending the self, and realizing an interconnection to all living things.

Pics, and Snaps, and Posts, Oh My… Useful Apps for Taking and Editing Pics on Your Smartphone

Aside from yoga, a topic I’m often asked about are my Instagram photos – who takes them, what apps do I use to edit them, and where do I find the locations to photograph them.  So I've put together this post which is dedicated to answering those questions, and to sharing photo tips and some of my favorite apps.

App: Camera! – It’s always easiest when someone else is around to snap a pic - a friend, relative, or even a stranger – but when I’m on my own this is the app I use to take photos.  It has a built-in timer that you can set to go off as often as once every second to once every minute.  When you’re finished snapping you can go through the images and export any you like to your phone’s camera roll.  My favorite part of this app has to be the cheeky little messages it displays while exporting your selected photos.

App: Snapseed – This is, hands-down, the app I most often use for editing and adding filters to photos.  You can do all of the basics - lighten, saturate, rotate, & crop, but there are also stronger filters such as the ‘Drama’, 'Grunge', or  ‘HDR Scape’ that can really alter the appearance of a photo. While I used to gravitate toward those more intense filters, lately I prefer a more subtle touch, such as adding a vignette, or simply increasing the warmth of an image. This is an app that offers a lot, so make sure to take some time to experiment with it and see what filters and styles you like best.

CAMERA! SNAPSEED

App: Over – Ever wonder how to add text to one of your images?  This is a fun app that lets you do that and more.  There are plenty of other apps out there that offer similar features,  but I happen to really appreciate the ease of this one.  There's a nice selection of colors and fonts to choose from, and the latest version of this app even offers fun artwork that can be added to your photos.

App: InstaSize – Admittedly this was more of a necessity back before Instagram allowed non-square images to be uploaded, but this app still has a lot useful tools & features built in.   Aside from turning rectangular images into square ones, you can also create a collage from numerous images, incorporate playful stickers, or use one of the many unique borders to give an old photo a whole new vibe.  

OVER INSTASIZE

When it comes to finding locations that make for a  good background, the truth is that it can happen just about anywhere.  The key is to keep your eyes open wherever you are, and to look out for interesting details, like unique textures, vivid colors, or exceptional lighting.  Often I'll find an intriguing spot in a place I'd least expect. The secret is simply to pay attention.  The more you look, the more you’ll see.

Fashion & Fitness... can they co-exist?

As someone who left the corporate world to work in the yoga field, one of the most noticeable perks of my new job has been the work attire, or rather lack thereof.  Trading in blouses, slacks, and briefcases for tank tops, stretchy pants, and yoga mats has been liberating in every sense.  And while I’ve never felt more comfortable, I’ll admit, there are days when style has completely been tossed out the window, and when walking around in spandex probably looks as effortless as it actually is.  So I’m left wondering, can comfort and chic co-exist in one outfit?

Let’s face it, as women we want it all – ease, performance, and style.  I went about the research, aka online shopping, and came across a pair of pants that offered the full package: the ‘Do Everything Cuffed Pant’ by Lucy Activewear.  They looked promising - effortless style and fashionable comfort - the perfect pair of pants to wear both in the yoga studio and then out to brunch.  When the pants arrived I put them to the test.  I paired them with a cropped tank, and took them out for the afternoon.  They were stretchy enough for any yoga pose, but still cute enough to wear while walking around Brooklyn without looking like I just stepped out of the gym.  Mission accomplished.  I’m left with hope and joy; fashion and fitness have finally found common ground.

#favoritepantsever 

Wearing: the ‘Do Everything Cuffed Pant’ by Lucy Activewear

Wearing: the ‘Do Everything Cuffed Pant’ by Lucy Activewear

Southwest Summer

Life has a funny way of reminding you not to plan too hard, and one such reminder was exactly how my 10-day trip through the scenic Southwest began.  I hadn’t even gotten off the plane in Phoenix when I received an e-mail from the airlines notifying me that my baggage was still back in JFK.  Remembering that I had an upcoming photo shoot in Nevada two days & 300 miles away, and realizing that the wardrobe for the shoot was all in my luggage, didn't help ease the sense of panic creeping in.  I paid a visit to the customer service center at the airport, where they gave me a complimentary toothbrush for the evening, located my baggage, and arranged for it to be sent over the next morning.  Thankfully the rest  of my 10-day trip through the Southwest went a lot more smoothly, and more than made up for the turbulent start.

Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

After my luggage arrived in Phoenix the following day, we embarked on the first leg of our journey.  We visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, and then headed straight for Las Vegas, where we spent the next few days.  I’ve been to Las Vegas a number of times, so the allure of staying on the Strip is not what it used to be.  These days I prefer a place that’s a little more ‘off-the-beaten-path’, somewhere that offers more than just the constant cycle of the usual Las Vegas vices.  The beautiful resort at the Red Rock Casino & Spa was exactly what I was looking for.  Based right outside of the scenic Red Rock Canyon, the views are incredible, and the vibe is exciting but also relaxing.

Red Rock Resort pool

Wearing Mara Hoffman, photo by Jessica Passecker 

My photo shoot with the wonderful Jessica Passecker on the following day was another highlight of the trip. Jessica and I discovered we had quite a bit in common (from matching handbags to the same hometown), and we spent the afternoon hiking and shooting among the scenic Red Rock Canyons.  We ended up chatting so much that our shoot lasted until well after the sun had disappeared behind the canyons.  

After a few incredible days in Nevada, we left for Utah.  We drove through the forest, dry lake beds, and some mountainous terrain, stopping along the way to savor the breathtaking views of Cedar Breaks National Monument, Bryce Canyon, and Glen Canyon, truly some of the most beautiful areas in the entire country. But my favorite moment in Utah was something I didn't bargain on - getting photo-bombed by a flock of sheep while taking a yoga photo in middle of the road... you just can't plan for that!

Getting photo-bombed by a flock of sheep in Utah

From there we drove on to Colorado, where we went white water rafting in Durango, and then headed into New Mexico.  I’d been to Santa Fe briefly in the past, but  I remember thinking that I hadn't spent nearly enough time getting to truly appreciate all of the history & the beauty of the area, so I was very happy to return for another visit. 

We ended our trip in Albuquerque, where we visited the historic old town, as well as the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History.  On our drive to town we took the road less traveled, where we discovered the quaintest little café, with peacocks roaming around the front, and a small farm in the back.  And once again I was reminded that some of the most memorable moments are the ones you don’t plan for.

Quaint cafe on the Turquoise Trail, somewhere in between Santa Fe & Albuquerque 

Infused Water, Healthy and Delicious Hydration

Over the last few of years I’ve made it a goal to replace my beverage of choice from soda to water.  I admit it wasn’t easy at first, but with a few tricks, I’ve found that water can be tastier and much more refreshing than any soft drink out there.  One of the easiest ways to pump up the flavor in H2O is by adding fruits, vegetables, and herbs to produce infused water.  It’s easy to make, and you can add any ingredients you like. Organic fruits are best, but not a necessity (just make sure to thoroughly wash the fruits first before adding them into the water.)  You can easily control the intensity of the flavor by adding as little or as much fruit as you want. 

Here are a few of my favorite summertime recipes:

Grapefruit Cucumber Water

Ingredients:

Pitcher of ice cold filtered water

One large grapefruit, cut into slices and then halved

Two small cucumbers, cut into slices

Directions:

1.  Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2-24 hours to allow the water to infuse.  You can also squeeze some of the grapefruit juice into the water to intensify flavor a bit.

2.  Serve cold.

Raspberry Lemon Mint Water

Ingredients:

Pitcher of ice cold filtered water

Two lemons, cut into slices

A handful of raspberries

A small handful of mint leaves, scrunched

Directions:

1.  Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2-24 hours to allow the water to infuse.  You can also squeeze some of the lemon juice and muddle the raspberries to intensify flavor a bit.

2.  Serve cold.

Blueberry Orange Water

Ingredients:

Pitcher of ice cold filtered water

Two oranges, cut into slices

A handful of blueberries

Directions:

1.  Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2-24 hours to allow the water to infuse.  You can also squeeze some of the orange juice and muddle the blueberries to intensify flavor a bit.

2.  Serve cold.

Watermelon Kiwi Mint Water

Ingredients:

Pitcher of ice cold filtered water

Two slices of watermelon, cut into cubes

Two kiwis, cut into slices

Directions:

1.  Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2-24 hours to allow the water to infuse. 

2.  Serve cold.