I am so excited to join my mentor Yogiraj Utkarsh and the World Yoga Federation, as a student, for this incredible tour of India in October 23 – November 6,…
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You asked for it, you got it! More Longevity!! Join us for Part 2 of Kristina’s Workshop on Longevity, Sunday, April 14th 2-4pm, at the YogaNestVenice! (Updated date!) And if you missed Part 1, do not worry, you’ll get just as much information, if not more!Movement & exercise is absolutely the most powerful tool we have for longevity, it might be the most potent “drug” we have for extending the quality and perhaps quantity of our years of life. My framework for exercise is built upon four pillars: stability (balance), strength, aerobic training, AND mindset! I can acheive much of this through my yoga practice. And I am going to show you how to add some key components to your practice to extend your longevity.
I never want anybody to think, “I’m too old to do yoga or I can’t do what she does.” I think as long as you’re breathing, breath is yoga, you have the foundation! In my regular “Power Vinyasa” class, we may challenge ourselves a bit aerobically. In this workshop, I’m going to break things down a bit more, showing how aspects of yoga help our stability and strength for longevity.
For me, longevity means training for brain health as well as physical, and adding the mental, social, and spiritual elements while physically moving has been scientifically proven to multiply the benefits of exercise alone. But in addition, some specific movements, show an increase in neuro activity while practicing yoga. Not to mention, the benefits of goal setting, managing emotional stress, and overcoming challenges!
Neuro-specific yoga moves for increased strength, balance, and endurance. More insight into the lifestyle elements that shape the quality of our lives. Learn the critical elements to age the way we want to, to live our best versions of ourselves well into a long healthy life!
Be sure to go to the YogaNestVenice online to sign up!
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Ingredients:
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1-1/2 tsp himalayan salt + more to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 ribs celery, chopped
4 medium carrots, chopped
2 pkgs. assorted mushrooms
(I used Shitake & Seafood but button mushrooms would work)
2 tbsps tomato paste
1/2 cup veggie broth
(1) 28-oz can diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp chipotle powder
1/4 tsp ground black pepper oat pasta (gluten-free for us, but any pasta will do!) to serve
Method:
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion & 1/4 tsp salt and cook until tender and golden. Add the garlic, cook for 1 minute. Add the celery, carrots, cook for 4-5 minutes, then add the mushrooms. Stir in the tomato paste, until well combined, then add the broth to simmer for a minute. Add the tomatoes and spices, remaining salt, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes. While this is simmering, cook your pasta. Taste for additional salt.
Serve, enjoy!
Great to have as leftover lunch the next day, prep a thermos!
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Throat Chakra… it’s a funny chakra, isn’t it? What does it mean?
About 15 years ago, it was setting in that my toddler had a disability, he is nonverbal autistic. I was heartbroken for him. So my mom called a pastor. If you know our family, this is funny. My parents didn’t follow organized religion, referring to God, still, as God-Allah-Buddha. So the pastor walks into my home and sits down, and asks, “What is your relationship with God?”
I replied, “To be honest, I’m pissed! God had all these beautiful babies, and he’s passing out voices, and he skipped mine!”
Without hesitation, the pastor said, “He didn’t skip your baby. He CHOSE your baby. And He chose you to be his mother and to be his Voice!”In an instant, my heart filled with such a passion, such purpose, it flowed up to my collar bone, into my throat, and activated my voice. Until then, if you had said, speak publicly, I would’ve had a panic attack! But from then on, my heart was so full, so purposeful, I felt it bursting up to my collar bone, like I mention in class, it had no choice but to activate my throat and my voice! I became an advocate, a teacher, a public speaker, and when I’m asked for a speech, I say, “I can’t give you one… I just get out there and let me heart overflow into my words.”
To me, THIS is the meaning of the THROAT CHAKRA.
What fills your heart so much, up to your collarbones, that it overflows and gives you voice? What is your voice?
And, Charlie, now 18-1/2, still short on words, long on personality! The love of my life. The reason for all my words! ♥️♥️♥️
Become autism-aware…
The latest research in 2023 from the CDC shows that one in 36 children is now diagnosed with autism. This is an increase from one in 44 children two years ago. And in comparison, the prevalence of diagnosed autism was about 1 in 2,500 in the early 1970s, when I was a kid.
About 25–30% of autistic individuals are nonspeaking or minimally speaking.
Be sure to come check out class with me at the Yoganest Venice! (check my schedule page for details)! Now through March 14th, I’ll be teaching this Throat Chakra. And you can hear my playlist for this class, all about the voice on my spotify page! As always, new theme, new flow, new tunes, every two weeks! 😉 See ya on the mat!
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Autism advocate, yoga ambassador & instructor & health coach based in Venice Beach. athlete. wellness-activist. Specializing in longevity & recovery from injury.
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Kristina’s Quick & Easy Weeknight Vegan ChiliPrep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1-1/2 tsp himalayan salt + more to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tosp sundried tomato paste
6 carrots, shredded
128-oz can diced tomatoes2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp chipotle powder
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1-1/2 cups water
115-oz can black beans
115-oz can red kidney beans
115-oz can chili beans
(all beans drained & rinsed, use organic when possible, or substitute 1-1/2 cups cooked)
2 cups frozen corn
warm tortillas & cilantro to serveDirections:
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion & 1/4 tsp salt and cook until tender and golden. Add the garlic, cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste, until well combined. Add the tomatoes, vinegar, spices, remaining salt, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes. Add in the carrots and corn, then simmer, partially covered for 10 minutes. Taste for additional salt.
Great to have as leftover lunch the next day, prep a thermos!Serve and Enjoy! 🙂
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image by Marc Serota If you’ve been in my class, you know I talk about this a lot, usually around the 5th minute in chair-pose (*joke) as we burn the tapas and get into some Svadhyaya (self-study). It’s one of the many aspects of yoga that I love, diving deep into our selves, finding out what our inner dialogue is. Mindset is everything!! In every part of our lives! How we face life! How we face relationships? How we face our goals! How we face challenge and adversity! And what I’m focusing on now… how we face aging! Do you know your mindset towards aging can mean as much as adding or detracting 8 years from your lifespan?! And as I always say, it’s not how long we live, but HOW we live, so let’s face it feeling and knowing, WE ARE AT OUR BEST!
