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Yoga Special – Now Available in Special Print Edition!

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Our groundbreaking, 125 page Yoga Special is now out as a special print book-a-zine! Get it here on Amazon!
 

If you are not a subscriber, but would like to be, you can purchase digital subscriptions here. If you would like to purchase this magazine in Digital Format as a single issue, or browse our back catalog, you may do so here.

Great Tips for Avoiding COVID-19 (The Coronavirus)

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Here is our article previously titled "How to Never Get the Flu Again." We thought it would be very timely to feature it again, considering these are great tips for avoiding any virus, including COVID-19. 

As a young person, I was frequently sick. I remember that familiar feeling of the sore throat that inevitably led to the same symptoms three to four times every single year. Each time the seasons changed, my health would take a dive and I would be out of commission for about a week, sometimes with a cough that lingered for a month or more. Sometimes I would just get what we would call a “head cold.” That meant I would get the upper respiratory problems of a runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes, ear aches, and a cough.  Sometimes I would get a fever, body aches, diarrhea and vomiting. This we would call a flu. Often there would be a combination of the two or one would lead to the other. The point is, I was miserable and sick and tired of being sick and tired so often. So around the age of 19, I decided to start reading up on how to strengthen my immune system.  Fortunately, this was also around the same time that I decided to give up eating all animal products, also due to a great deal of reading about health. 

The problem in seeking health information is that everyone has a theory, some based on real science and some not. Some of the science is even not so good. I had to wade through a lot of conflicting information and read a lot of heavy science. There are tons of books, and now websites full of well-meaning advice on how to boost the immune system. Some of the tips I picked up worked, and many did not. But after a short time of putting forth real effort, I managed to keep myself flu-free—for a season, a year, and now, whoo hoo, it’s been 26 years since I have had anything resembling a flu. I have had occasional head colds over the years, but they are very rare now—maybe one every 5 years or so. And, they only occur when I neglect doing the things I have listed below.  This list is a compilation of the things that I have learned work well for boosting the immune system, after many years of study and personal experimentation. I have shared these tips with friends and have successfully kept many others free from sickness for extremely long periods of time also.  Now you can benefit from them too.

  1. Eat an all plant-based diet. Many flu viruses come from poultry, egg (bird flu), pig (swine flu) and other animal farms. The viruses are zoonotic and even if you intend to cook it well, the products from these farms will contaminate your kitchen before you get a chance to fire up the range.

(Hall JS, Dusek RJ, Spackman E. Rapidly Expanding Range of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2015;21(7):1251-1252. doi:10.3201/eid2107.150403. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4480408/

Wilhelm, Barbara, et al. "A scoping review of the evidence for public health risks of three emerging potentially zoonotic viruses: hepatitis E virus, norovirus, and rotavirus." Preventive veterinary medicine 119.1-2 (2015): 61-79. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25681862)

  1. Eat all organic. Pesticides work by breaking down the immune systems of pests. GMOs are widely believed to harm the consumer in many ways. This is backed up by numerous large scientific studies, and that is why many countries have banned them. 

Crinnion, Walter J. "Organic foods contain higher levels of certain nutrients, lower levels of pesticides, and may provide health benefits for the consumer." Alternative Medicine Review 15.1 (2010): 4-13. (http://go.galegroup.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA225739685&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=fulltext&issn=10895159&p=AONE&sw=w&authCount=1&isAnonymousEntry=true

Dhouib, Ines, et al. "From immunotoxicity to carcinogenicity: the effects of carbamate pesticides on the immune system." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23.10 (2016): 9448-9458. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-016-6418-6

Dona, Artemis, and Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis. "Health risks of genetically modified foods." Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 49.2 (2009): 164-175. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408390701855993

Paparini, Andrea, and Vincenzo Romano-Spica. "Public health issues related with the consumption of food obtained from genetically modified organisms." Biotechnology annual review 10 (2004): 85-122. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/15504704)

  1. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. If you work out hard or are dealing with stress, you may need 9 hours. Your body does most of its healing while you are asleep. Give it time to do its job.

(Opp, Mark R., and James M. Krueger. "Sleep and immunity: A growing field with clinical impact." Brain, behavior, and immunity 47 (2015): 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4685944/)

  1. Stay warm and moist. It is especially important to keep your torso, head and throat warm. The rhino virus needs your throat temperature to drop below 90 degrees F/ 32 C to replicate. For this reason, I will wear a scarf all day and even to sleep at night when it is chilly and my throat temperature is at risk of dropping below 90 F. Moisturize the insides of your nostrils and ears. When it is cold out, it is also dry. Viruses enter the body through the nose and can enter the bloodstream easily if there are little cracks in your nasal passages. You will also prevent ear aches from the dry air if you moisturize the ear canal. Olive oil or coconut oil are good, natural options that are also anti-viral, anti-fungal and full of antioxidants.

(Ikäheimo, Tiina M., et al. "A decrease in temperature and humidity precedes human rhinovirus infections in a cold climate." Viruses 8.9 (2016): 244. http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/8/9/244/htm

Royston, Léna, and Caroline Tapparel. "Rhinoviruses and respiratory enteroviruses: not as simple as ABC." Viruses 8.1 (2016): 16.) http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/8/1/16

  1. Things to eat more of: onions and garlic, citrus fruits, apples, leafy greens, cherries, blueberries, pineapple, and seaweed. This is not a complete list, but these are items I found to be especially helpful when germs are flying. However, make sure to eat a wide variety of many colors from the produce department, and, avoid processed foods as much as possible. 

(Butt, Masood Sadiq, et al. "Garlic: nature's protection against physiological threats." Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 49.6 (2009): 538-551. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408390802145344

Kyung, Kyu Hang. "Antimicrobial properties of allium species." Current opinion in biotechnology 23.2 (2012): 142-147. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958166911006720

Griffiths, Gareth, et al. "Onions—a global benefit to health." Phytotherapy research 16.7 (2002): 603-615.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.1222/full

Zou, Zhuo, et al. "Antioxidant activity of Citrus fruits." Food chemistry 196 (2016): 885-896. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814615014156

Economos, C., and W. D. Clay. "Nutritional and health benefits of citrus fruits." Energy (kcal) 62.78 (1999): 37. http://www.fao.org/docrep/x2650T/x2650t03.htm

Boyer, Jeanelle, and Rui Hai Liu. "Apple phytochemicals and their health benefits." Nutrition journal 3.1 (2004): 5. https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-3-5/

Randhawa, Muhammad Atif, et al. "Green leafy vegetables: a health promoting source." Handbook of fertility. 2015. 205-220. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128008720000184

Manganaris, George A., et al. "Berry antioxidants: small fruits providing large benefits." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 94.5 (2014): 825-833. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsfa.6432/full

Pandjaitan, Maruli, Tutun Nugraha, and Kezia Hendardy Pamudja. "Bromelain enzyme in fresh pineapple juice as a healing pathway for HIV/AIDS." Advanced Science, Engineering and Medicine 6.1 (2014): 119-123. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asp/asem/2014/00000006/00000001/art00020

Aquaron, Robert, et al. "Bioavailability of seaweed iodine in human beings." Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France) 48.5 (2002): 563-569. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/12146713

Mohamed, Suhaila, Siti Nadia Hashim, and Hafeedza Abdul Rahman. "Seaweeds: a sustainable functional food for complementary and alternative therapy." Trends in Food Science & Technology 23.2 (2012): 83-96. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224411001737

Miller, D. W. "Extrathyroidal benefits of iodine." Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons 11.4 (2006): 106. https://jacewellness.com/articles/JPandS%20Extrathyroidal%20Benefits%20of%20Iodine.pdf

  1. Put a drop of organic pure oregano oil in your water bottle and drink lots of that water. Hydration is key in beating illness since it gives the body an easy way to eliminate toxins through urine. And oregano oil contains powerful anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties. 

(Gilling, D. H., et al. "Antiviral efficacy and mechanisms of action of oregano essential oil and its primary component carvacrol against murine norovirus." Journal of applied microbiology 116.5 (2014): 1149-1163. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jam.12453/full

Pilau, Marciele Ribas, et al. "Antiviral activity of the Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano) essential oil and its main compound carvacrol against human and animal viruses." Brazilian Journal of Microbiology 42.4 (2011): 1616-1624.

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1517-83822011000400049&script=sci_arttext

Daferera, Dimitra J., Basil N. Ziogas, and Moschos G. Polissiou. "GC-MS analysis of essential oils from some Greek aromatic plants and their fungitoxicity on Penicillium digitatum." Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 48.6 (2000): 2576-2581. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf990835x)

  1. Avoid caffeine. You need to be able to sleep for adequate hours and depth. Caffeine has also been shown to suppress the immune system in many ways.

(Adam, Kirstine, and Ian Oswald. "Sleep helps healing." British medical journal (Clinical research ed.) 289.6456 (1984): 1400.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1443671/pdf/bmjcred00529-0006.pdf

Horrigan, Louise A., John P. Kelly, and Thomas J. Connor. "Immunomodulatory effects of caffeine: friend or foe?." Pharmacology & therapeutics 111.3 (2006): 877-892. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163725806000222)

  1. Avoid alcohol. It depresses the immune system by hurting beneficial gut flora. Healthy gut flora is the key to a strong immune system. Relax with some nice chamomile tea instead of that glass of wine.

MacGregor, Rob Roy. "Alcohol and immune defense." Jama 256.11 (1986): 1474-1479.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3887500/

Bode, Christiane, and J. Christian Bode. "Effect of alcohol consumption on the gut." Best practice & research Clinical gastroenterology 17.4 (2003): 575-592. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521691803000349

Bujanda, Luis. "The effects of alcohol consumption upon the gastrointestinal tract." The American journal of gastroenterology 95.12 (2000): 3374. https://www.nature.com/articles/ajg20001580

  1. Avoid processed sugar. It harms your gut flora while attacking your teeth. However, whole fruit, fruit smoothies, and even a moderate amount of fruit juices provide natural sugars to invigorate the body, combined with loads of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to hydrate and nourish the body. However, when only the sugar is extracted from a plant and then it is processed with heat and often harsh and unnatural chemicals, it becomes something else all together that harms instead of benefitting the body. The most harmful affect is the spiking of insulin that occurs, giving the body a quick rush of energy. That spike is followed by a fairly quick and hard crash, leaving the body more depleted energetically than before the ingestion of the sugar. That is why nature provides sugars wrapped in a food that contains fiber. The fiber slows the absorption of the sugars, while the plant food also provides needed nutrients for healing and longevity. So while you should avoid processed sugar, as mentioned above in number 5, you should eat plenty of fruit to help boost the immune system.

Kruis W, Forstmaier G, Scheurlen C, Stellaard F. Effect of diets low and high in refined sugars on gut transit, bile acid metabolism, and bacterial fermentation. Gut. 1991;32(4):367-371.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1379072/

Winer, Daniel A., et al. "The intestinal immune system in obesity and insulin resistance." Cell metabolism 23.3 (2016): 413-426. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550413116000371

  1. Don’t get a flu shot. Recent research shows that they do more harm than good.

(Ramsay, Lauren C., et al. "The impact of repeated vaccination on influenza vaccine effectiveness: a systematic review and meta-analysis." BMC medicine 15.1 (2017): 159.https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/59/10/1375/2895694

Roos, Robert, Studies shed light on effects of serial flu shots, current vaccine's benefits, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, February 10, 2017

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2017/02/studies-shed-light-effects-serial-flu-shots-current-vaccines-benefits

Block SL1, Yogev R, Hayden FG, Ambrose CS, Zeng W, Walker RE., Shedding and immunogenicity of live attenuated influenza vaccine virus in subjects 5-49 years of age. Vaccine. 2008 Sep 8;26(38):4940-6. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.07.013. Epub 2008 Jul 26.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18662737

Benjamin J. Cowling  Vicky J. Fang  Hiroshi Nishiura, et al., Increased Risk of Noninfluenza Respiratory Virus Infections Associated With Receipt of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 54, Issue 12, 15 June 2012, Pages 1778–1783, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cis307

https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/54/12/1778/455098

BONUS:  If you do get sick…

  1. Lemon juice is a natural cough suppressant. If you find yourself in a coughing spell that won’t stop, suck on a fresh lemon and you will be amazed.
  1. Olive oil on a cotton ball inserted into the ear canal instantly stops an earache.
  1. If you get a runny nose or tickle in the throat from post-nasal drip, the best way to get rid of that quickly is to rinse the inside of the nose and throat with saline. This can be done with a neti pot or saline spray.
  1. Do all of the above 10 to boost the immune system for a speedy recovery.

Kindness is the Call and Answer: A Yoga Perspective

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by Anna Ferguson

Veganism is a way of life that embodies kindness, generosity, and respect for oneself, our fellow humans, the planet, and all living beings. This requires practicing regular self-care so we are fueled with the gentleness and compassion necessary to truly put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, hooves, fins, paws, or claws—and view all others as our equals. This is what the practice of yoga is all about. Ahimsa, nonharming—or in the positive, kindness is both our call and our answer.

Practicing a peaceful lifestyle is just that: it is a practice, as opposed to a perfect way of life. Just like anyone else, vegans and yogis have moments of frustration, anger, and get upset. The practice of ahimsa is doing our best to unconditionally accept and love both oneself and others. Accept, love, and give blessings to the slaughterhouse worker, the rapist, and the child abuser—as well as to your children, family, and friends. Accepting and loving others does not mean that we justify, condone, or accept harmful behaviors. While we strive to assist others in making kind choices, we accept and love them regardless of their behavior and treatment of others. This is not an easy practice to embrace, but it is an important part of our journey as vegans.

The practice of ahimsa, or nonviolence, involves a conscious choice as to how we act. Whether or not someone chooses a peaceful path is up to them, and as part of the practice of yoga practice we do our best to not destructively criticize others for their choices. Instead, we practice focusing on our similarities with others, rather than our differences. Sharing our commonalities is a form of celebration. The joy of living in a nonviolent and all-loving and kind way—one that is personal and shared with others—inspires me to embrace the practice of ahimsa and a compassionate lifestyle. This lifestyle, as I envision it, is both peaceful and empowering. It is one that enables us to take responsibility for our own lives while showing respect for the earth and other living beings.

Practicing yoga via conscious breathing, physical postures, and meditation makes for a more peaceful and joyful vegan that is able to hold greater capacities for compassion to all, humans included. When we are angry we tend to point fingers and may even feel hate or disgust toward people. This leads to burnout and deeper angst and frustration. When we practice conscious breathing, yoga postures, and meditation, it gives us the strength to pause before saying or doing something out of frustration or anger and to respond to the circumstances of life in a more calm way. This allows for a deeper connection with others and the opportunity to see things from their point of view.

Through a consistent yoga practice, I believe people make wiser choices and deepen their intuition. This may lead to more cooperation and collaboration amongst fellow vegans that are in the movement, as well the pre-vegans just coming into the movement. When we are working on ourselves to develop greater inner peace and are able to work in collaboration with others, rather than be in conflict with others, it makes for a more effective and stronger movement.

Ahimsa is a practice that involves making the best possible daily choices. Everything we think, say, do, watch, listen to, eat, drink, wear, and purchase casts a vote: Do I vote for ahimsa or against? For hitting or hugging? Numbness or empathy? Anger or happiness? Frustration or joy? Stress or relaxation? Confusion or clarity? Lies or truth? Worry or faith? Doubt or certainty? Rape or respect? Murder or life? Environmental destruction or sustainability? Poverty or prosperity? Disconnection or connection? Separateness or oneness? Violence or peace? Division or union?

We are each responsible for the world in which we live. Some of the most important votes happen every day, and they have the potential to create profound change. Some days our votes are more peaceful than others—it is a lifelong practice—but all are unique and possess the power to create a kind and peaceful world.

There are many paths to truth. There are many paths to sustainability. There are many paths to yoga. There are many paths to peace. There are many paths to veganism. None pass through violence.

To the Vegan Activist
by Anna Ferguson

To those that just went vegan

To those that have been vegan since birth

To the undercover vegan slaughterhouse workers exposing the darkness

To the vegan documentary film producers and filmmakers shining the light

To the vegans that share their signs and voices at marches

To the vegans that silently bear witness at vigils

To the vegan chefs changing minds with delicious food

To the vegan cook sharing meals with friends and family

To the vegan recipe sharers inspiring people to try something new

To the compassionate health professionals

To the plant-sourced fitness experts and bodybuilders

To the vegan life coaches

To the body positive vegans

To the high fashion vegans

To the hippy vegans

To the punk vegans

To the minimalist vegans

To the sidewalk chalktivism vegans

To the t-shirt wearing vegans

To the button and sticker wearing vegans

To the tattooed vegans

To the vegan authors

To the vegan bloggers

To the vegan YouTubers and vloggers

To the vegan social media likers and sharers

To the vegan musicians playing and singing from their heart

To the vegan celebrities using their platform for compassion

To the vegan artists painting, drawing, and molding a vision of a more peaceful world

To the vegan entrepreneurs sharing compassionate and innovative products

To the vegans that make a conscious effort to purchase those products

To the vegan-centric schools teaching compassion alongside core academics

To the homeschooling vegans

To the vegans navigating public or private schools

To the vegans passing out pamphlets on college campuses

To the vegan dads that gently remove spiders from their homes

To the single vegan moms shifting and encouraging their teens to share in a newly adopted lifestyle

To the vegan parents that are doing their best to raise their children with values that honor empathy and kindness

To the religious vegans

To the atheist vegans

And to the spiritual vegans living a compassionate lifestyle

To the self-care vegans

To the mindfulness vegans

To the meditating vegan yogis

To the sanctuary starting vegans

To the adopt a cat and dog vegans

To the community building vegans

To the vegans that show up and play a part in building these communities

To the environmental vegans

To the social justice vegans

And to the intersectional vegans guiding us in the understanding of the interconnected nature of all forms of oppression

To the vegans changing laws

To the vegans changing hearts

To the many vegans not mentioned…

To the Vegan Activist…

Those that are actively and consciously working on themselves to embody empathy and compassion and with every word or action taken, ask themselves: “Is what I am saying or doing an extension of my compassionate values?”

May we be united in our compassion—for each other and for any fellow being suffering from exploitation and oppression.

We are all on the front lines. Actually, no…there are no front lines. This is not a military effort. This is a compassion effort. We are all in this together…in this circle of compassion.

Stand in your power. Stand in your peace. Stand in your kindness. Stand in your empathy. Stand in your compassion.

There are many ways to be an activist. What inspires you? Who has inspired you?

ABOUT:

Anna Ferguson is the author of the first vegan-centric yoga and art book, World Peace Yoga: Yoga for People Who Breathe, a companion book to Dr. Will Tuttle’s The World Peace Diet, a #1 Bestseller on amazon.com that has been translated into 16 languages. In addition to being co-creator of World Peace Yoga studio in Cincinnati, Anna is engaged in several evolving paradigms as a co-founder of Heärt Montessori, a school where empathy and compassion are taught as part of core academics, the Jubilee Animal Sanctuary, providing a glimpse of what a peaceful world looks like, and the Cincy VegFest, an annual one-day vegan festival. Anna is active on social media and you may find her on Facebook and Instagram @annafergusonpeace.

A full spectrum exploration of why, how, and what yoga truly is and strives to be and embodies. This is the real deal manual for complete harmonic yoga oneness.” – Kip Andersen, Film director and producer of Cowspiracy and What The Health

Order your World Peace Yoga book at www.worldpeaceyogabook.com

Meet Tabay Atkins

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At 14, Tabay Atkins was the youngest certified yoga teacher in America. He was featured on ABC World News, Good Morning America, 60 Second Docs, The Harry Connick Jr. Show, The Doctors, and in Yoga Journal—to name a few. In 2018, he taught at Deepak Chopra’s Meditation and Yoga retreat, and also taught Kim and Kanye (he had no idea who they were!). He was a favorite teacher at the all-donation yoga classes at his mom Sahel Anvarinejad’s yoga studio in San Clemente called Care4Yoga. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a yoga class with Tabay at the Lululemon store or in a park on one of his many trips to Hawaii. Other places in the world where he has been flown to teach yoga include Dubai, Japan, and Australia. These days, at the ripe old age of 17, you can find Tabay's name and face plastered across his popular food truck in San Clemente. Tabay's Mindful Kitchen features recipes made by the young man himself.

"Our journey with yoga has introduced us to so many great lifestyle choices. A big one was veganism." -Tabay

Find this and many other great articles in our our new issue, The Yoga Special! Available when you subscribe here, or for purchase as a single issue here.

Video: Learning and Growing at Health Healing Happiness Expo

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World Peace Yoga by Anna Ferguson

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In honor of our recent Yoga Special Issue...

Ahimsa, nonviolence is a key part of yoga, and yet, many yoga teachers tend to overlook it. How do you incorporate ahimsa into your yoga classes? How do practitioners respond?

I feel that many yoga teachers are practicing ahimsa. It just tends to be narrowly focused to not hurting one’s self when practicing poses, or extending a smile to a stranger. These of course are wonderful things and at the same time, I feel it is imperative that we as yoga teachers take the meaning and practice of ahimsa deeper, so it impacts our daily actions from how we treat ourselves as well as fellow beings. Ahimsa is incorporated into my yoga asana (posture-based) classes through a deep focus on empathy and compassion.

In the various yoga postures, you become a dog, a cat, a cow, a mountain, a cobra, and other aspects of creation as a whole from elements to shapes to animals. Essentially, when we practice these poses, we are putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes, claws, hooves, wings, paws, fins, and so on, in an effort to empathize and understand our interconnectedness or sameness with others. The poses themselves are a method for developing greater empathy and compassion.

My experience is that people respond positively to this approach. I’m not telling people what to do or not to do. I’m also not telling people my perception of what is right or wrong. I’m simply talking about the practice of yoga, the philosophy behind it, and how we might take it into our daily lives. I’ve witnessed many people transform their life through the practices of yoga.

Please tell us about your beautiful book, the premise and why you wrote it.

The premise of World Peace Yoga: Yoga for People Who Breathe is to assist people to create peace within and create world peace. The sub-premise is that yoga and veganism are one and the same. Most people think of yoga as the postures and putting your leg behind your head. In reality, anyone that is practicing being conscious and aware of their daily actions is practicing yoga – and it’s important that we as vegans practice more aspects of yoga to avoid getting pulled down from the heaviness of life.

I wrote this book to bring together the multi-faceted aspects of a yoga practice and to create a holistic, fun, colorful, and practical tool for living yoga on and off the mat. I was also inspired by Will Tuttle’s book The World Peace Diet. Will beautifully shares in his book the far-reaching implications of our food choices and the connections to various spiritual traditions. I feel my book is a lovely companion book as it outlines the actual practices, such as breathing, posture, and meditation techniques to maintain inner peace in a non-vegan world. I provide the self-care tools for dealing with the stress of everyday life so that we may be more effective in all that we do—as an activist, a partner, a mother, a co-worker, and on. My dream is that this book touches the hearts of those who read it so they may live more fully from a place of authenticity and realize the gifts they have to share with the world.

What kinds of shifts do you see happening in the yoga world?

The practice of yoga is growing and changing. It is estimated over 36 million people are practicing yoga in the United States. And, while some aspects of yoga, such as ahimsa, nonviolence have been watered down, there are many yoga teachers and studios doing beautiful things, such as Holly Skodis who created Yoga is Vegan. There is also a paradigm shift happening.

The Old Paradigm: You take a yoga class, attend a workshop, or spend time at an ashram or spiritual center to find a guru and get as close to that guru and possibly worship and idolize that guru for as long as you are able.

The New Paradigm: You take a yoga class, attend a workshop, or participate in a retreat to connect with others, to be in community or sangha and get involved with advocacy/education/activism based on yogic principles, i.e. ahimsa/ nonviolence, aparigraha/ nongreed, and satya/ truth telling…being of service to create a more peaceful world.

Yoga is empowering people to be active in a variety of social justice movements. People are realizing both the value of immersing themselves in practices, such as meditation, for their own personal growth and healing, while also having an awareness of worldly matters. They are connecting with global issues of justice, equality, liberation, and radical inclusion as an important part of their yoga practice. People are realizing that we are all in this together. We are one.

How do you describe your yoga path and the connection between veganism and spirituality?

For me yoga practice and spirituality is about connecting with your most kind, compassionate, and authentic self…and to ultimately realize the interconnectedness of all beings and the earth. When we understand and tap into this connection, we develop greater intuition and empathy, which results in extending compassion—this is veganism. The wider our circles of compassion extend the better we know or intuit how to connect with others, how to resolve conflicts, how to create solutions, how to exist in harmony, and how to live in peace.

How do you maintain your dedication to the vegan cause and prevent burnout?

Things I do to prevent burnout include a consistent yoga/meditation practice, time outdoors and in nature, swimming, playing with my son, drinking green juice, fueling up on healthy eats, sharing plant-based meals with others, and the list goes on. I have found that a daily self-care practice is essential to avoid burnout, stress, and frustration.

Can you give our readers a glimpse of what your personal practice of yoga looks like?

My personal practice is always changing, especially now that I have a child in my life. My son Noah is 5 years old, and once we are solid in a routine and in a groove, that quickly changes to something else. A glimpse into my day-to-day right now looks like…

  • Drinking a large glass of water when I first wake up
  • Having a cup of tea in the morning before Noah goes to school (without being on my phone or checking email – just having a cup of tea)
  • 30-45 minutes of movement – it might be yoga poses or other form of exercise
  • 5-10 minutes of seated meditation
  • 5-10 minutes of lying on my back and resting my legs against a wall
  • And of course, a given is living a vegan lifestyle, which is a huge part of a yoga practice

In one sentence, how might you convince someone to practice yoga?

Interested in replacing your stress with serenity, your fatigue with vitality, and your uncertainty with clarity—the practice of yoga may just be for you.

Anna Ferguson is the author of the first vegan-centric yoga and art book, World Peace Yoga: Yoga for People Who Breathe, a companion book to Dr. Will Tuttle’s The World Peace Diet, a #1 Bestseller on Amazon.com that has been translated into 16 languages. In addition to being co-creator of World Peace Yoga studio in Cincinnati, Anna is engaged in several evolving paradigms as a co-founder of Heärt Montessori, a school where empathy and compassion are taught as part of core academics, the Jubilee Animal Sanctuary, providing a glimpse of what a peaceful world looks like, and the Cincy VegFest, an annual one-day vegan festival. Anna is active on social media and you may find her on Facebook and Instagram @annafergusonpeace.

“A full spectrum exploration of why, how, and what yoga truly is and strives to be and embodies. This is the real deal manual for complete harmonic yoga oneness.” – Kip Andersen, Film director and producer of Cowspiracy and What The Health

 

Banana Nut Muffins – Oil Free, Gluten Free

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Ingredients:

  • 2.5 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 ripe medium banana (or large banana if omitting the maple syrup)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • Optional: 5 tbs maple syrup
  • Optional: nut pieces like pecan, walnut or almond slivers
  • Optional: mini chocolate or carob chips

Directions:

(Oven 350 degrees)

  • Mash banana with a fork in a large bowl, then add all other ingredients and mix until it has the consistency of a batter.
  • Add a little more flour if necessary.
  • Taste...add more maple syrup if desired.
  • Add nut pieces of choice.
  • Add small chocolate chips if desired, then mix well.
  • Pour batter into a mini cupcake tin.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes -- until muffins puff and brown nicely.
  • Enjoy!

I Became Vegan Because of Goats

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by Kelly Mitchell

I became a vegan because of goats. Yes, goats. I was a vegetarian for years, mainly for overall health and well-being, but I wasn’t paying attention. I was a pet lover, not an animal lover.

Three years ago, I had a puppy fundraiser at my yoga studio. Jokingly, I asked the shelter coordinator if she had any goats. Her answer was no, but she knew someone. A week later, Karen (a local farm owner), asked me if I’d like to teach goat yoga. I said yes before she finished her sentence. I was excited, yet hesitant because I know goat yoga can be an issue in the yoga community. It borders on cultural appropriation. But the idea of hanging out with goats was too enticing to pass up. The first day, a goat climbed on my back and peed on me. It was amazing.

I immediately observed that goats are curious and affectionate. They know their names. Most of the animals on Karen’s farm are rescued. The babies recognize her as their mother. Karen started referring to me as Aunt Kelly and during the break I was on bottle duty. When students are distracted, goats head-butt each other and chew on bright mats and long hair. Animals respond to the energy around them. When Karen took a bathroom break, they would cry and wait by the door. Each one has a unique personality, just like a dog or a cat. As students settle down, goats find comfort in the curve of a back. I felt dizzy. Bacon is a pig. Meat is a cow or a goat. Buffalo wings are chickens. I made the connection. That is yoga.

For years I immersed myself in trainings, certifications and courses to become the best teacher possible. Yoga saved my life and I wanted to pay it forward, but I learned more about being a teacher on that field than from any book or training. I teach large groups of people of all ages and levels of ability. Some have physical limitations. Some are flat out rude. I hold the space while people squeal, take goat yoga selfies and barely pay attention. One night I scanned the pasture with my eyes. A sea of green, sprinkled with colored mats and funky tank tops. The roster was full, with hundreds on the waitlist. I have a voice.

From that day on, I started every class explaining ahimsa: non harm toward all beings. I spoke about the climate crisis, reducing meat and dairy intake and making better choices. I would stop the class every time a goat walked up to Karen and looked up at her lovingly. It was so clear. They needed to be picked up for a hug, just like a tired toddler. Students began to pay attention. That is yoga.

Within two weeks of going vegan, I felt lighter, but I didn’t lose weight. I knew it was spiritual. The aura of fear and slaughter was no longer in my body. I spent most of my life inadvertently killing animals. I will devote the rest of my life to saving them. It’s not our fault. Most of us were raised to eat meat and drink milk. The horrors of animal agriculture are so well hidden. It’s easy to disconnect from the truth. I’m so glad people, including myself, are beginning to wake up. How can there be peace on this beautiful planet when billions of animals are slaughtered each year for human consumption? This is not a death planet. It’s a green and blue spinning sphere of life.

The general population doesn’t know anything about the philosophy and lineage of yoga. Maybe (as yoga teachers) we need to stop being so snobby. This trendy fad gets people outside in the fresh air. They laugh, breathe and stretch with family and friends. If one person decides to take a traditional yoga class or make a life change to save animals, I leave knowing I’m a good yoga teacher. Most attend because goat yoga was featured on reality TV or to snap the perfect pic for their social media page. But when a goat snuggles up next to them in savasana, they get it. They feel the connection to nature, animals and love. That is yoga.

Find a wealth of great yoga articles in our our new issue, The Yoga Special! Available when you subscribe here, or for purchase as a single issue here.

Video: Beginning the Journey of Vegan Bodybuilding

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Article Preview: “Yoga Is Vegan” by Holly Skodis

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photos by vegan/ yogi photographer Fabio Filippi
photos by vegan/ yogi photographer Fabio Filippi

Meet Holly Skodis, the dedicated yogi, activist and vegan coach who created Yoga Is Vegan.

" ...ahimsa, which we translated simply as ‘non-violence’...is how veganism is directly connected to yoga. My heart opened and I saw all beings as one." -Holly

Find this and many other great articles in our our new issue, The Yoga Special! Available when you subscribe here, or for purchase as a single issue here.

The Yoga Special Is Here!

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Yoga Special

If you're interested in yoga at all, whether you're a newbie or if you've been teaching yoga for 50 years, you're going to love this one! With 125 pages of content, there's something for everyone.

Cover - Seane Corn represents what this issue is about so well on our cover. Yes, she has graced over 40+ other magazine covers, but this one is truly special as we celebrate her new book as well as her activism Off the Mat. The issue begins with a quote from her book about what yoga means and that sets the pace for the entire issue that flows like your favorite vinyasa class.

Featured yogis – This issue is bursting at the seams with yogis of all ages and styles. From the youngest yogi in the world outside of India, to some of the most seasoned sages. Each has something to teach that is unique and enlightening in a different way. Let them inspire you as yoga meets you where you are in your journey, and enhances the view. Whether you find yourself seated or upside down, yoga has a way of opening your heart. Our teachers explain it all in a way that will enliven and engage your inner yogi like never before.

Recipes – This issue focuses on the most delicious and nutritious soups - with a grain and veggie bowl (yes, with a peanut sauce recipe that is to die for!), and a refreshing smoothie or two thrown in for good measure. Learn how to craft whole plant foods into something comforting and delicious with minimal time and effort.

Science – Learn about the many benefits of yogic breathing techniques, as well as a bonus technique that is all-the-rage with yogis all over the world. Plus, learn how to train yourself to not only survive, but thrive, in colder weather! Boost your immune system and increase your metabolism with techniques to increase your brown fat (Don't know what brown fat is? You will be glad you learned.) Don't miss this important information that will greatly improve your life!

Travel – Our amazing travel writer visits Oregon and enjoys vegan cuisine and exercise among the vineyards and gorgeous landscape. Plan your vacation here and don't miss out on all the healthy and fun activities that Oregon has in store for active vegans.

Asana- Of course, this issue is full of favorite poses, a routine you can do in the park with your dog, and discussions of how your body-connection helps to heal the mind and soul as well.

More than asanaAhimsa baby! Vegan yogis see the obvious, direct connection from yoga to their lifestyle off the mat in the concept of ahimsa. As our yogis say, yoga is so much more than poses. It is an inner experience as well as an outer experience - the inner light that we recognize whenever we say, "namaste," wants to light our way to a more peaceful planet in so many ways!

 

If you are not a subscriber, but would like to be, you can subscribe here. If you would like to purchase a single issue, you may do so here.

Article Preview: Meet Markus Medius

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Meet Markus Medius, a champion bodybuilder who has dramatically improved his performance by switching to plant-based foods!

"...let me be clear that my ethos is to cause minimum harm to animals by not consuming meat or dairy products. After I made the full transition my lifting and endurance got even better. I turned into a machine, both inside and outside the gym." - Markus

Find this and many other great articles in our Holiday 2019 issue! Available when you subscribe here, or for purchase as a single issue here.