Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 31, 2013

10

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

 Mountain Views News Saturday, August 31, 2013 

THE JOY OF YOGA

A TEACHER’S STORY


by Lori Koop, Right Brain Business Coach 


Unconditional love. Imagine receiving it from another. Being allowed, even 
celebrated, for being exactly who you are. No apologies. No censoring. Total 
acceptance. I believe that’s what we all want… to be loved “no matter.”

Unfortunately, we can’t control what others do or feel. Whether they offer 
unconditional love is “their business.” Your business is what you do, including 
how you love and treat others. Do you give unconditional love?

Brené Brown, in The Gifts of Imperfection, says you can’t give out what you 
don’t have. Do you have unconditional love for yourself? Do you love yourself 
“no matter?” I mean, really? 
Listen to your self-talk. Is it 
loving and kind? Or is it mean and unkind? 

 Imagine you were able to act and make decision as 
your authentic self, with no “right” or “wrong” label 
affixed to it. What if it was simply the decision being 
made. And the outcome, well, it was just the outcome… 
something to base a new decision on. Without 
judgment. The truth is we make the best choice 
we can at the time, but there is no way of knowing 
what we don’t know -- after all, nobody can predict 
the future. We can hope, but we can’t guarantee. So to 
hold yourself to perfection, that’s just not fair. We cut 
others slack, so why not ourselves?

 We feel best when we accept what is. Even better, as 
author Byron Katie says, “loving what is” (the name 
of her book). How would life be different if you “did” 
without fear? If self-love was not dependent on performance 
or success? If love was what you gave yourself 
each and every moment of every day. How amazing 
would that feel? 

 “Nothing you become will disappoint me; I have no 
preconception that I’d like to see you be or do. I have 
no desire to foresee you, only to discover you. You 
can’t disappoint me.” - Mary Haskell

 Sounds like your spirit. 

I can remember when I first 
began practicing yoga, it felt 
so natural. It felt like it was 
meant to be, I was in the right 
place. Like HOME. Even after practicing just a 
couple of months, it felt like I had been practicing 
for years. Attending a teacher training had actually 
crossed my mind back then but when I looked 
for programs, they were on the other side of town 
taking place while I was at work. And not to mention 
the part I was already working and 8-5 and 
attending night school from 6-10 most evenings. 
So, I settled in to develop a practice. Not only did 
my physical asana practice improve, but my spirit 
started to evolve. I began to loosen up and some 
of my anxiety was relieved. I started to have fun! 
Granted I was no stranger to spirituality or seeking 
that out, but I needed more --time to just be. 

Upon 2 pregnancies, I continued to practice; 
right up until birth and then right after. My yoga 
gracefully carried me through all of these stages. 
I remember being impressed by the support from 
the yoga community. My Love for yoga continued 
to grow. 

And yes, another natural step came next; a 
Teacher Training. This time it could be a reality! 
It was Yoga Madre's program, taking place on the 
weekends. Right here in town. But what about the 
time? the money? the baby?! Somehow it worked 
out. I was so excited. And I can't say I was frightened 
of any spiritual work and self study to be 
had--I was excited to go deeper. I was keen on the 
part about growing & moving forward; there's 
going to be uncomfortable moments & stuff--
fear, pain, judgement. It became my job to be 
fearless in this pursuit. 

You ask what has come of this? Knowing myself 
better, getting in touch with my dreams, developing 
a sense of where my energy is going, sharing 
(teaching) what I love with others, and a regular 
meditation practice (something I've longed 
for). This an ongoing continuous journey filled 
with love, fear, joy, and countless opportunities 
to learn! 

So, there. For those seeking to deepen their practice, 
get clear,and follow your dreams, we offer 
you our Teacher Training/Advanced Studies program. 
Next 200hr starting in November. 

Namaste and Love, 

Keely T. - Honored to be teaching yoga


NATURE’S ENERGY DRINK 

by Dr. Tina 

Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside a young 
green coconut. Coconut water and coconut milk are not 
the same thing. As the coconut fruit ripens the water 
is replaced by the coconut meat. Coconut water is very 
hydrating and naturally rich in electrolytes with a slight 
nut flavor. It contains twice the potassium of a typical 
banana and is low in calories. It’s a natural isotonic 
beverage which means it is a solution that has the same 
salt concentration as the normal cells of the body and the 
blood. 

In other words, coconut water has the same level of 
electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. The five 
electrolytes found in the blood which are calcium, 
sodium, phosphorous, magnesium and potassium are 
also in coconut water. We need to replace electrolytes 
regularly to prevent headaches; muscle cramping; 
fatigue; and to help our heart, nerves and muscles to 
function optimally. During the Pacific War (1941-45), 
both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water 
siphoned directly from the nut to give emergency plasma 
transfusions to wounded soldiers. This 
could be accomplished because coconut water is naturally 
sterile.

Sports drinks were created to help athletes rehydrate when 
fluids are depleted after training or after a competition. 
Electrolyte replacement promotes proper rehydration, 
which is important in delaying the onset of fatigue during 
exercise. Commercial sports drinks contain similar but 
not identical 
concentrations 
of salt and sugar 
as in the human 
body. Why not 
drink a beverage 
that has identical 
mineral salt 
concentrations 
and made by 
nature? 

Coconut water is very nutritious and very low in calories. 
It is a great beverage anytime not just as a sports drink. 
Staying properly hydrated is a key factor in living life well. 
Coconut water is a great way to rehydrate when you are 
ill. Unlike many sports drinks and sodas, coconut water 
contains no caffeine which is a diuretic. I recommend 
you reach for coconut water and forgo the soda, and those 
popular energy drinks the next time you are thirsty. Just 
make sure it is pure coconut water and nothing else. 


Dr. Tina is a traditional 
naturopath and nutritionist 
at Vibrant Living 
Wellness Center