An Uncluttered Home Supports Wellness and Reduces Chaos

When your home is in chaos, your mind is in chaos.

When your mind is in chaos, your home will follow.

We spend our lives trying to find balance and reduce stress. We look at food, exercise, meditation, yoga, walks, vacations, and everything in between. Each of those things is a component of a person’s mental well-being, of course. But if you do all of that, and yet come home every day to a home that drains your energy, all of your hard work becomes undermined.

Our homes are the space that supports all of those other things.

It is impossible to maintain a healthy mental state in a cluttered home.

Depression and anxiety are increasing in prevalence throughout The United States. GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men. GAD often co-occurs with Major Depressive Disorders.

With so few affected adults actively treating their anxiety and depression, it’s important to identify other ways to reduce their vulnerability to those often-debilitating concerns.

Whether you live in a tiny efficiency (mine in college could have fit in my current bedroom), or a 5,000 square foot home, the space you live in affects your emotional state.

54% of Americans are overwhelmed by the amount of clutter they have, but 78% have no idea what to do with it.

Decluttering Coach Kate Evans

When you feel overwhelmed by your home, you may experience any or all of the following.

• Become less productive.
• Are more distractable.
• Have increased emotional vulnerability.
• Have reduced resources to cope with life.
• Struggle with decision-making.
• Feel shame over the state of your home.
• Judge yourself and fear the judgements of others.

All of these impact vital areas of life that we attach our self-perceptions to, including but not limited to the following.

• Productivity.
• Health.
• Finances.

So, let’s take a closer look at these areas, mental health, and clutter.

Productivity and an Uncluttered Home

People are more productive, as well as less irritable and less distracted in a clutter-free space.

We value productivity as evidence of our own value or worth. When you feel inefficient and scattered you feel “less-than”, don’t you? Less worthy, less worthwhile, even less lovable, than all of those other people you think have their act together better than you.

Americans spend an average total of 2.5 days a year looking for misplaced stuff.

When your home is in disarray, it naturally follows that you will struggle to find things. The time spent looking for something like your keys, glasses, or the remote control, let alone larger items, could be spent in something like self-care or time with loved ones.

Getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of housework in the average home.

I’ve experienced this myself. When I decluttered my home the first time, it took me a while to realize how much time I had given myself. I was so surprised by this outcome that it was months before I stopped remarking on it after every meal clean-up. It’s pretty logical, though, isn’t it? The less stuff there is to clean or to work around, the less time it takes to care for it.

Health and an Uncluttered Home

People who sleep in cluttered rooms are more likely to have sleeping problems.

We require sleep, good sleep, to be the best version of ourselves we can be. With interrupted or insufficient sleep, we’re more likely to be irritable, and to struggle in decision-making.

Sleep deprivation affects your psychological state and mental health.

When you are already struggling with mental health concerns, lack of sleep will increase the struggle. Doing anything you can to assure good sleep can be vital to your health. Sleep is when your mind works to process information (during REM sleep) and when other systems slow down so that vulnerable ones can get more attention for healing.

When in cluttered spaces, people are more likely to make poor eating choices. Those with extremely cluttered homes are 77% more likely to be overweight. 

It will come as no surprise that obesity is on the rise in this country, as that fact has been in the media for decades. What most people don’t consider is how the state of your home might affect your eating choices.

If your kitchen is in chaos, you aren’t likely to want to cook in it. So, it becomes easier to eat frozen meals, fast food, or whatever Door Dash will bring you.

Weight issues coincide with mental health issues, low self-esteem, and higher incidences of self-criticism.

Finances and a Cluttered vs an Uncluttered Home

When we talk about clutter and mental health we have to talk about money, too. 78% of U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck.

And yet… The average American spends $18,000 per year on non-essential items.

On the whole, Americans are in credit card debt above and beyond their means and income. The stress of finding ways to pay bills increases anxiety and depression. Interestingly enough, even the weight of wealth, and the social pressures that come with it, also lead to anxiety and depression. I see both scenarios in clients every day.

Americans collectively spend $2.7 billion dollars every year replacing the items they can’t find. 

That’s what happens with clutter. You can’t find it, so the easiest thing to do is to go out and buy another one. That’s how I ended up finding five rolls of packing tape during my own decluttering journey, even though I rarely mail packages.

But think about the financial pressures this could cause when it isn’t something as small as packing tape?

Heck, what if you can’t even find the bills you need to pay because of clutter (paper or digital)? Financial pressures lead to stress, which leads to increased vulnerability to mental illness.

What You Can Do

According to the Mayo Clinic, those who described their homes as being restful or talked about their beautiful outdoor spaces were less stressed and reported less sad feelings as the day went on.

In short: an uncluttered home reduces stress and sadness.

In addition to decluttering and organizing you do need to take care of yourself overall to reduce your vulnerability to mental health issues. This will also increase your resiliency during those stressful situations that lead to mental health concerns.

Ideas for self-care include the following.

• Work on a healthier sleep routine.
• Work toward healthier eating habits.
• Get more exercise.
• Spend more time outdoors.
• Put your phone down more often.
• Reduce your scheduled obligations.
• Plan fun events with loved ones.

However, doing all of that will only get you so far.

You need to have a calm and peaceful home environment to allow all of your self-care to truly take root and set you on a path to healing.

A decluttered home can lead to better focus, higher self-esteem, better relationships, lower risk of asthma and allergies, and improved lifestyle and well-being.

If you’re struggling to gain control over your own home or find yourself so overwhelmed you don’t know where to start, seeking the support of a professional like a therapist or coach, can help give you direction, while addressing the emotional causes of your clutter.

Decluttering Coach Kate Evans

Often my Decluttering Coaching clients are those who have been in therapy and feel like they’ve taken care of most of the big stuff, but have a cluttered home hanging over their head.

My Coaching clients are generally intelligent, educated women. Many of them, technically, have the skills to declutter and organize their homes. But the way they run their lives, and the chaos they live in makes it too hard to for them to make progress without coaching support.

Whether you use books, blogs, podcasts, YouTube videos, a coach, a therapist, or articles like this one to help you live a decluttered life, be gentle with yourself. Remember that we’re all struggling. Clutter is just a symptom, it does not define you.

Kate Evans

Kate Evans is the owner of Soulful Space, a virtual life coaching and decluttering company. Kate helps overwhelmed women declutter their lives and homes. She has worked in the field of psychology since 2004, is an RYT-200 certified yoga teacher, and a writer currently working on a book bringing self-help and decluttering together for lasting change. To learn more about Kate, the work she does, and to read her weekly blog for your mind, body, soul, and space, go to www.soulfulspacecoaching.com. Kate can also be found on Instagram and Facebook @soulfulspace.coaching.

www.soulfulspacecoaching.com

The post Why Your Mental Health Depends on an Uncluttered Home appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

How A Decluttering Coach Helps You Make Essential Shifts in Your Space

If all you needed to create the home you’ve always wanted were a handful of inspirational ideas and organizational tips, you could get those from blogs, books, articles, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

However, if you haven’t been able to begin your decluttering process, maintain a decluttered and tidy home, maintain organizational systems, or keep up your momentum, then you need more than a handful of skills you read in a book.

What you need to understand in order to declutter.

• If you’re overwhelmed by your home there is no quick fix.
• If you don’t know where to start, you will never start.
• If you’re fearful of change, you will avoid changing.
• If you aren’t honest with yourself about your fears, you will stay stuck.

You can hire a decluttering expert to come into your home and power through five hours of decluttering everything in your home, which might give you a jump start on a few projects of your own. However, if you have not faced the real reasons why the clutter got there in the first place it will all be back again within a year.

That’s why you need a decluttering coach.

Regardless of the skills organizing and decluttering experts have in creating a beautiful and functional space, they are not psychologists. They are not trained to understand the human psyche. Their job is to create a space of beauty for you, and then it’s your job to live in and maintain that space.

Whether it’s one room, one closet or a five-bedroom house, if you are stuck, there is an emotional reason for it.

In Decluttering Coaching with me, you identify, face, and process the emotional reasons for your clutter and disorganization before creating solutions with new skills. This takes time and effort.

We live in a fast-food culture. We want fast fixes. We want instant gratification we want to snap our fingers and have it done now. We want a delivered to our door. We don’t want to have to put in the energy effort.

Difficult does not mean impossible.

We want the secret answer that will help us to skip over the hard parts. We want somebody to show us how to get what we want without facing our own internal crap.

It can be scary to start work with a coach. It can feel easier to hire someone to do the work for you. The problem is that the first part of the work, figuring out how you got here and how to not let it happen again, gets skipped.

My job is to help you to see yourself clearly so you can have a life and home that you love.

A life and home you deserve.

It’s true, it isn’t always fun. The internal work makes you sweat just as much as the physical work. But I promise that as you address all the things that keep you stuck, you will start to move your clutter, feel lighter and even have a little fun.

You may also cry. It’s okay, tears are healing. You will laugh at me, and you will laugh at yourself. You will have those fantastic “ah-ha!” moments, and those “I wish I had a V8!” moments (google 80’s V8 commercials).

What You Will Learn From a Decluttering Coach

• How to Honor yourself.
• How to Honor others.
• How to Work with a spouse who’s not on the same page as you.
• How to Let go of resentment.

Decluttering is not just about creating a Pinterest-worthy home.

Decluttering your home isn’t just about moving items around, or deciding what to donate, toss, or sell.

Decluttering is about facing all of the things you didn’t even know you needed to face inside yourself.

• How you show up in the world.
• How your relationships work.
• How you grew up.
• Who you want to become.

And of course, it is also about moving items around figuring out whether to donate, sell, or toss them, finding organizational systems for your decluttered space, and, heck, it can even be about creating that Pinterest-worthy home!

The reason you need a Decluttering Coach, is because this is hard to do by yourself.

It’s not that you can’t do it on your own, it’s that it’s so hard you might never do it without help.

Without help you will to the following.

Blame yourself and say “This is ridiculous! I ought to be able to do this. I’m X-years old for goodness sake. Shouldn’t I be able to do these things by now??”

• Struggle to make the connections between the clutter in your home and in your mind.
• See it all as a reflection of you and your worth, and that will keep you stuck.
• Struggle with trusting yourself to follow through.
• Struggle with accountability.
• Wonder why every system you try falls apart eventually.

However, with help you will experience the following.

• Have a gentle guide who will make those connections for you.
• Have somebody who believes in you even when you have a hard time believing in yourself.
• Have somebody holding you accountable.
• Have a psychologist and life coach to hold your emotional space safe.
• Have somebody normalizing the things that you think are so very weird or wrong about you or your home.
• Be able to face all of those difficult things and become a victor instead of a victim.
• Finally reach a place where you can use all those nifty tips and tricks that you read in those books and articles.

You can do this.

Giving yourself the gift of support means you are ready to choose yourself. You’re ready to create change, even if it terrifies you. When decluttering your home is the journey that you’re ready to take, I’ll be there to take it with you.

Kate Evans

Kate Evans is the owner of Soulful Space, a virtual life coaching and decluttering company. Kate helps overwhelmed women declutter their lives and homes. She has worked in the field of psychology since 2004, is an RYT-200 certified yoga teacher, and a writer currently working on a book bringing self-help and decluttering together for lasting change. To learn more about Kate, the work she does, and to read her weekly blog for your mind, body, soul, and space, go to www.soulfulspacecoaching.com. Kate can also be found on Instagram and Facebook @soulfulspace.coaching.

www.soulfulspacecoaching.com

The post Why You Need A Decluttering Coach appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

How Decluttering Your Home Relates to Yoga

• Do you want to learn how yoga relates to decluttering?
• The yamas and niyamas of yoga philosophy can guide your decluttering journey.
• Yoga is a philosophy and a lifestyle that is a way of being in the world that creates harmony inside and out.

Our homes need the harmony of yoga! Yoga is the perfect partner to any decluttering process.

As a decluttering coach I help clients to find their authentic self and their authentic home space.

As a yoga teacher I have studied the philosophy of yoga and seen its connection to how we care for not only ourselves, but also our living spaces.

How Does Yoga Philosophy Relate to Decluttering?

The Eight Limbs of Yoga come from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a text written around 400 BCE that acts as a guide to daily living. The 5 yamas and 5 niyamas are the first two of those eight limbs.

The 5 Yamas and the Art of Decluttering Your Home

Yamas: The yamas are considered the restraints or moral disciplines that guide us in interacting with the world around us. Here the yamas will focus on the physical world of your home space. The 5 Yamas are: Ahimsa (non-harming), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (right use of energy), Aparigraha (non-attachment). You’ll see how these relate to the yoga of decluttering.

1. Ahimsa (non-violence, non-harming) at Home

• Your home environment needs be as free from harm as your mind and body. If your home is cluttered, it likely causes you anxiety, which is harmful.
• It may also cause shame, which is even more harmful.

Giving yourself the gift of a home that creates a sense of peace and relief
is the cornerstone of the decluttering and organizing journey.

2. Satya (honesty, truthfulness) and the Yoga of Decluttering

• We are far too good at lying to ourselves about what we’re going to do and when.
• You say you’re going to get to that closet Saturday, and then something always manages to come up.
• You say you “just don’t have the time.”
• This is a lie. We all have the time for the things we prioritize.

To prioritize your home is to prioritize yourself.

There are many other lies you may tell yourself that keep you stuck like “I can’t”, “I’m just a slob”, “I’m not good at this sort of thing”, and so forth. You are a unique and wonderful individual who can make the time and face your truth to create a home of joy.

3. Asteya (non-stealing) in Our Homes

We steal from ourselves and others. Time, joy, hope, safety, and peace are just a few of the things we steal.

When your home is cluttered it takes longer to do everything,
therefore you are stealing time from yourself.

The same can be said for things like peace and joy.

• How peaceful have you ever felt when looking at a disorganized closet?
• How joyful are you when you’re trying to find something to wear in an overstuffed cabinet?
• In decluttering your home you are honoring yourself by giving to yourself instead of taking.

4. Brahmacharya (right use of energy)

• To be mindful and intentional in your own home is to decide how you want to spend your energy.
• Do you want to spend your energy being frustrated at the state of your home?
• Or would you like to spend your energy enjoying the space you have created for yourself, sharing it with friends and family?

It does take a lot of energy to tidy a cluttered home in the first place,
but it is a right use of energy focused on caring for yourself.

5. Aparigraha (non-attachment) and Decluttering

• You are allowed to release your attachment to the obligation to keep that butter dish your grandmother gave you, even though you already have one you like better.
• You are allowed to release the feelings of shame that hold you back.
• You are allowed to release your attachment to the material objects in your home, while still enjoying those you choose to keep.
• Attachment to things, feelings and beliefs is how a home becomes cluttered in the first place.

The 5 Niyamas and the Art of Decluttering Your Home

The Niyamas generally refer to the duties we have to ourselves, and how we show up in the world.

Here the niyamas will guide you in your relationship with your home. The 5 Niyamas are: Saucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (self-discipline), Svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to something greater than ourselves).

1. Saucha (cleanliness, purity) and a Healthy Home

It may seem like a given that saucha is tightly linked to the decluttered home. In theory a decluttered home is clean, right? Only if you keep it that way!

Dust and grime block energy, and the decluttered home is far easier to care for because there is less to clean. Saucha also includes cleansing the energy of your home. Ridding your space of energy-clogging items, like broken or unused things, creates space beyond the physical to live and grow.

2. Santosha (contentment) and Feeling Comfortable at Home

I see self-sabotaging behaviors in my clients who do not believe they deserve to have a tidy home or happiness.

Allowing contentment is not always easy when you are accustomed to being discontented.

When you decide you are worthy of contentment you are free to release any expectations of perfection that block you from being satisfied with what you have.

Santosha allows you to relax in your home and be at peace with what is.

3. Tapas (self-discipline) and the Yoga of Decluttering

To maintain any habit requires discipline. To maintain a yoga practice requires self-discipline and to maintain a home you love requires self-discipline.

For example, instead of leaving the mail on the kitchen table every day and letting it pile up, make a new habit of going through the mail immediately and putting each item in a designated space takes commitment to consistency.

Once you declutter your home it will only stay that way when you attend to it.

You don’t have to be hyper-vigilant, but you do need to have systems in place that work for you and the willingness to have the self-discipline to use them.

4. Svadhyaya (self-study) at Home

• Your ability to learn is one of your greatest gifts.
• Learning about the world around you helps you sustain your relationships with the people around you: including friends, family members, and coworkers.
• The willingness to study yourself and have insight into yourself, creates your growth.
• If you block yourself from learning, you will stagnate at home.
• If you block yourself from personal insight and self-honesty, you will remain stuck.
• And you may not understand why you cannot motivate yourself to care for your home or to maintain the momentum when you do begin.

Take the time to look inside and out and learn something every day.

5. Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to something greater)

There is a point at which all of the pushing and planning and preparing in the world won’t get the job done.

You live in a world full of wonder. Open yourself up to solutions by taking a deep breath and believing that what needs to happen in your home will happen. You are a part of that wonder.

• Manifest the home you want by creating a clear picture of that home.
• See the space you desire in your mind’s eye.
• Imagine the smells, sounds, and energy of the home of your dreams.
• Now let that picture become a reality by letting go of anxiety and expectations.

Living Yoga: Get Started Decluttering Your Home

• Begin your journey and take one small piece of this information.
• When you are ready for the next piece it will be there.

The beauty of yoga is that it builds upon itself naturally. Give yourself the gift of using these teachings that have been around for millennia as a guide for the life you deserve and a home you can live your life in with harmony and joy.

Kate Evans

Kate Evans is the owner of Soulful Space, a virtual life coaching and decluttering company. Kate helps overwhelmed women declutter their lives and homes. She has worked in the field of psychology since 2004, is an RYT-200 certified yoga teacher, and a writer currently working on a book bringing self-help and decluttering together for lasting change. To learn more about Kate, the work she does, and to read her weekly blog for your mind, body, soul, and space, go to www.soulfulspacecoaching.com. Kate can also be found on Instagram and Facebook @soulfulspace.coaching.

www.soulfulspacecoaching.com

The post The Yoga of Decluttering Your Home appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

What is Vastu Shastra?

You’re probably familiar with Feng Shui. It’s become popular over the years as a way to bring luck and prosperity into the home. But you might not know that Feng Shui has its roots in Vastu Shastra, the architecture science from ancient India.

Vastu Shastra, the science of building in harmony with nature, comes from a body of knowledge called the Vedas, which was written in India seven to ten thousand years ago. Ancient seers (rishis) observed the workings of the universe and how it affected the human physiology and our external world and they described it all within the Vedas – from astrology through jet propulsion to zoology.

There are many texts within Vedic knowledge and Vastu comes from a text called Artharva Veda. Within this text are sciences that address how to improve the quality of your life. Atharva Veda not only includes Vastu Shastra, but also its sister sciences of Ayurveda, Jyotish astrology, yoga, and meditation. Ayurveda and yoga seek to balance the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space in the physical body. Vastu takes it a step further to balance the five elements in the body of your residence.

Lissa Coffey at Home

Lissa Coffey, is the founder of CoffeyTalk.com and author of the bestselling What’s Your Dosha, Baby among many other titles centering around Vedic science. Her release Song Divine is a modern musical interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita; she is someone whose live is steeped in the application of the teachings of the Vedas.

Lissa and her husband Greg took me on a tour of their custom-built Vastu home in the Conejo Valley. From the outside it looks very much like other houses in the neighborhood, in a traditional Spanish style. But a closer look reveals so much that is special about it. Here’s what Lissa, and her Vastu architect Michael Mastro shared with me about their experience and how it all ended up.

A Personal Experience with Vastu Shastra

Lissa, how did you come up with the idea of building a Vastu home?

I started learning about Vastu through my research on Ayurveda. When Michael Mastro came to the Hindu Temple in Malibu in 2006 to talk about his work, Greg and I went and we all became fast friends. Michael went through and fixed up the home we had at the time, and it planted the seed that someday we would build a true Vastu home. That opportunity came up in 2015 when we purchased a piece of land. We went to Michael, had him evaluate the lot, and together we collaborated on a floor plan that met the Vastu criteria. It was really fun working with Michael.

Not many homes have a dedicated meditation room. How do you like that feature?

LC: We feel so lucky! This is a “must have” for a Vastu house. Our meditation room has windows in the north and east, to let in morning light and great energy. When we sit to meditate we face east, where the altar is placed. We put in a pyramid ceiling per Michael’s suggestion to amplify the vibes. I also keep my Vedanta books in there. And I have a photo of Swami Sarvadevananda, my teacher at the Vedanta Society, on my altar. Michael even taught me how to Vastu the altar. This is actually my favorite room in the whole house – I love it.

Did you do the decorating all yourself?

Yes! The floor plan was set, so I knew the function of each room, and Michael gave me the Vastu guidelines for colors and such. I was going for a “Spain meets India” aesthetic, a little Bohemian casual, and yet a touch of elegance. Lots of wood, lots of light, warm and comfortable. I used some Spanish tile mosaics for a bit of whimsy, and a peacock feather Mexican sink in the kitchen island – that blends the two cultures right there.

We mostly used all the same furniture we had before. I got some “hand-me-downs” from my mom – including a Spanish hutch to house a lot of our treasures from our travels in India. I recovered her dining room chairs in this modern peacock fabric. The big dining table is the only new piece I got – and that will come in handy when I hold classes here. The grand piano is from my step-dad, so I’ve started playing again after all these years!

Do you feel a difference with this being a Vastu home – as compared to other homes you’ve lived in?

Absolutely. Pretty much everyone who comes to visit notices it! It’s a calming, grounding energy – very balanced. It’s a good thing, because Greg and I both work from home, so we’re here a lot. We have been living an Ayurvedic lifestyle for many years now, and to have a home that really supports that is just amazing.

Michael, how would you explain Vastu to someone who hasn’t experienced it?

My wife Robin and I call Vastu “yoga for the home.” Vastu eliminates the stress that so often exists in life so you can be more productive and successful In a Vastu home, all five elements are in perfect balance and in harmony with nature. With this harmony you receive the support of nature in terms of fulfillment in career, finances, health, and relationships.

Stressful environments create dis-ease in your body and affects your well-being and productivity. Everyone has had the experience of walking into a home that looks beautiful, but for some reason, you feel uncomfortable and are anxious to leave. This stress or anxiety indicates that one or more of the five elements is out of balance.

How do the four directions come into play with Vastu ?

MM: There are two primary forces of nature that impact the level of success we experience in our lives. The first is positive solar energy that rises in the east, and the second is positive magnetic energy that comes from the north. These two positive energies enter your environment from the northeast and collect in the southwest for your benefit. Scientific studies have demonstrated that energy moves most harmoniously in a rectangular dwelling. All five elements –earth, water, fire, air, and space– are in balance in a rectangular shaped structure.

When a building or lot is not rectangular, these five elements are out of balance and energy can get stuck in any jogs, such as missing corners, cuts, or extensions, creating stress that effects different aspects of your life. When a home or office is aligned with the forces of nature through the science of Vastu, it is like swimming with the current of a river, not against it. You experience your life with more grace and ease.

Building from Scratch – Om Sweet Home

Tell us about Lissa’s home and how you designed the Vastu for it.

MM: Lissa’s home is rectangular and emits beauty. In a Vastu home, there is an open area in the center, open to the sky in the form of a skylight or atrium. This area is called the Brahmastana, or “center of awareness.” This open area adds to the flow of energy and creates a feeling of sacred space. In Lissa’s home, we used her family’s Vedic astrological chart and came up with formulas, based on Vastu, that determined the length, width, and height of her house. We also used astrology for specific dates to clear the land, begin construction and the perfect timing of the move-in. Doing so created a Vastu home that has vibrant harmony for Lissa and her family. It also feels uplifting for all others who enter.

In a Vastu home, we also align our physical bodies with these two previously mentioned forces of nature, the solar and magnetic energies. Placement of functions within a home take on a special meaning. In Lissa’s home, the placement of the master bedroom, kitchen, study, bathrooms, prayer/meditation room, as well as utilities, was designed to give Lissa and her family the maximum support of nature for all their endeavors. Colors used, proportions of the rooms, down to the artwork on the walls was all taken into consideration in the design process. Working with Lissa and her husband, Greg, was a great gift. Their natural design sense made this a wonderful collaboration.

Vastu Works in Any Home or Workspace

Not everyone can take the time or expense to build an entire house from the ground up. What are some things we can do to apply Vastu to a home we’re already living in?

MM: Vastu suggests a variety of actions you can take to support the aspects of your life that are not in harmony with the ease and well-being you desire. To understand how to enhance your environment and your life through Vastu, it is important to know how the five elements work from a Vastu perspective. From this point of view, creating a more fulfilling life is directly influenced by the five elements being in their proper balance.

Balance of the Five Elements through Vastu Shastra

Here are some basic ways you can make small changes to your environment to help you experience the benefits of Vastu.

The Space Element

Space is associated with the center of a home or office and is connected to your sense of hearing. When the space element is in balance, you experience yourself living more within the present moment and your success in all areas of life is supported.

• Playing inspiring or soothing music brings the space element into balance.
• Fix any disturbing noises such as squeaky doors to reduce environmental stress.
• This is a good area to keep open as much as possible to allow the beneficial energy to flow.
• Lighter colors on the ceiling create a greater sense of vertical spaciousness and wellbeing.
• If there are central walls, hang a painting or photo representing the stars or planets, something that inspires expansion.
• Clutter in the center of your home adversely affects every area of your life because it is the source of the other four elements.

The Air Element

The air element is associated with the northwest area of your home or workspace and is connected to your sense of touch. When the air element is in balance you feel clarity in communication and harmony in your relationships, within the self and others.

• Open windows and allow fresh air to circulate through your space, whenever possible.
• Daily, take some long, slow, deep breaths in and out through the nose to bring life-force energy into the body.
• Close your eyes and feel the sensation of the air touching your skin.
• This is a good area for a guest room.
• Use light blue colors either on the walls or accent pieces such as pillows or curtains in the northwest area of your home or workspace.
• Art that contains expansive sky scenes supports the air element in the northwest.
• Hanging wind chimes in northwest areas of your home, inside or outside, also supports the air element.
• Fragrant incense or an essential oil diffuser purifies the air in the southwest.
• Clutter in the area creates stress in relationships.

The Fire Element

The fire element is associated with your sense of sight and the southeast area of your home or workspace. When the fire element is in balance you feel passionate, healthy, vibrant and productive.

• Open blinds and curtains whenever possible to allow sunlight to enter your home or workspace.
• This is a good area for exercise, a kitchen or dining room.
• To support the fire element in the southeast, use warm accents colors for curtains, pillows, spreads, pottery, etc., in the spectrum of light pink to dark rose.
• Artwork that depicts desert scenes works best in southeast areas.
• Use a Himalayan Salt Lamp in the southeast area of any room to purify the environment and assist in balancing the fire element.
• Clutter in this area will affect your health, productivity and passion for life.

The Water Element

The water element is associated with your sense of taste and the northeast area of your home or workspace. It is also associated with spiritual and material growth. When the water element is in balance you feel very fluid and flexible and your inner and outer success blossoms.

• Place a fountain inside any northeast room or outside in the northeast area of your property.
• This is a good place for a meditation room or area to do your spiritual practices and creative work.
• Drink plenty of fresh water and stay well hydrated.
• Use light yellow colors as accents for walls, pillows, curtains, spreads, etc., in the northeast area of your home or workspace to enliven the water element.
• Art that contains bodies of water enhances the water element when hung in the northeast area.
• Clutter in this area will adversely affect your finances.

The Earth Element

The earth element is associated with the southwest area of your home or workspace and your sense of smell. When the earth is in balance, you feel very grounded and stable. You feel supported in your career and you experience more clarity regarding your life purpose.

• Indoor plants enhance the earth element and can be added to any southwest area in a home or workspace.
• This is a good area for restful sleep for the head of the house.
• Use earth tones such as browns, beige, and taupe to support grounding energy.
• Art that depicts earth scenes of mountains, forests and valleys bring a sense of wellbeing in the southwest.
• Heavier furniture works well in this area.
• Clutter in this area  affects the stability of your career.

The Relationship Altar ~ Your Connection to the Divine

For those of us who have a limited amount of space, is there a way that we can use Vastu?

MM: Yes, anyone can find space for an altar! Altars created using the principles of Vastu support your connection to the unseen forces at work in your life. Over the years, so many of our clients have shared their stories of how Vastu altars have helped them find success, love, and fulfillment. One of the eight directional altars, the Relationship Altar, is one that we teach and write about in all our books. It will have positive impact if you follow the instructions below.

The Relationship Altar

Whatever form of love you wish to enhance or manifest in your life, a Relationship Altar will be your ally in supporting your heart’s desires and help you cultivate a deeper understanding of who you really you are. To make sure your altar speaks to your heart, place items upon your altar that you feel enhance its beauty. When looking at your altar, it should evoke a feeling of appreciation and upliftment.

The altar picture below is for inspiration only and to instruct you in the placement of the elements.

Relationship Altar Layout

Suggested Items for Your Altar

Remember to have the area you are using to place your altar on clean from dust or dirt. The Relationship Altar is placed in the northwest area of your home or office, on a windowsill, table or other surface. Place it on a north wall, which will support the concentration and focus you need for success.

• Use a compass to make sure your altar is in the proper location.
• Colors of yellow and blue should be represented in some of the pieces of the altar.
• Some suggested items that can be used for the air element in the northwest are standing chimes, feathers, incense, a bird figurine, an angel, fan, etc.
• You can energize your altar by hanging a 20mm blue crystal on a red string in increments of nine inches above the offering tray.
• The water element in the northeast could be a cup or bowl of water, or a vase in one of the altar colors. The water needs to be visible, so if it is in a vase, make sure that it is translucent or clear. You can also add fresh or silk flowers to the vase, as well. If fresh flowers are used, make sure your flowers are indeed fresh. They should be as alive as your dreams.
• To symbolize the earth element in the southwest, use a natural crystal or stones, like blue lace agate, or even pearls. A green plant or one that has yellow or blue flowers, like an African Violet, would also do nicely.
• A candle in the southeast is a good choice for the fire element. The plate or holder you set it on/in can be silver, blue or yellow. If you like to add a candle with fragrance, look for one that contains ylang ylang. You can also use an oil lamp. If using an oil lamp, look for one that is silver in color.
• The offering tray can be in colors of yellow or blue, made of silver colored metal, or clear glass; whatever you use, make it a complimentary addition to your altar.
• Your personal symbol, in the center of the altar behind the offering tray, might be a statue of Quan Yin, the goddess of compassion and mercy. You could also use a statue of Krishna, who exemplifies loving relationships. Besides using a statue, you can create a collage that evokes the experience you would like. Your collage can be made of old photographs or even magazine clippings whose inspiring words, symbols, and pictures of people uplift you. When you’re finished, it can be framed in a silver-colored metal frame.
• If this altar is to encourage a new partner relationship or to enhance an existing one, add items in pairs. Two fish, two doves, two hearts, etc., are symbolic of successful relationships.
• For a boost of cosmic energy, add a Moon Yantra  to your offering tray to encourage an abundance of love. You can also add an appropriate Angel Card® or any other symbol, including gems or necklaces, of the correct corresponding colors to infuse your altar with energy.

The Activation Ceremony ~ Attracting Successful Relationships

You can also ignite your altar with the yantra of the influential planet that corresponds to the energies of the northwest, which is the moon. A yantra is a physical representation of a sound, or mantra, that emits a specific frequency.

There are thousands of yantras and associated mantras, each with a specific purpose. Yantras have the ability to create an intended shift or change in your life and the environment.

The Moon Yantra and its accompanying mantra support success in relationships and the stability of the mind. You can email us at michaelmastrovastu@gmail.com for a printable copy of the Moon Yantra. It can be used to ignite your Relationship Altar in the ceremony offered here.

The Moon Yantra Moon Yantra Activation Ceremony

• Stand or kneel in front of your altar.
• Light any candle or incense that is on your altar. If you have bells or chimes on your altar, ring them to purify the energy in the environment. The sound of bells eliminates stress and illuminates the present moment.
• Hold the Moon Yantra in your right hand and take ten to twelve long, slow, deep breaths in and out through the nose.
• Experience the feeling of having what you desire. Do not focus on specifics, just feelings such as happiness, a sense of peace, fulfillment, harmony, love, etc.
• Place the yantra on the offering tray.
• Use your right hand and extend the small (pinky) finger and your index finger, folding the two middle fingers in against your palm. Place your thumb over the top of these two fingers to hold them in place.
• With your hand in this mudra (a specific gesture and/or movement performed with the hands and fingers) facing the altar, move your arm forward and back nine times.
• Each time you extend your arm toward your altar you will say the following mantra with passion and intensity.
• Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namaha Phonetic pronunciation: Om Na-mo Ba-ga-va-tay Va-su-day-vai-ya Na-ma-ha.
• Once you have completed this process, your altar is ignited.
• One important thing to remember is to feed your altar with your love and appreciation every day. The more energy you give it, in acknowledgement, love and appreciation, the more energy it has to work its magic. Doing so will positively influence the results you will have.

Vastu Creations

Michael and Robin Mastro are considered two of the foremost practitioners of Vastu Shastra in North America. They are teachers of yoga, meditation, and spiritual awareness techniques and the founders of Vastu Creations and the American Institute of Vastu. Corporate clients include Boeing, Intel, Microsoft, World Bank, Amazon and NASA, as well as thousands of individuals worldwide. Individuals seeking to align their homes and workspaces employ the Mastros to eliminate blocks to productivity, success, and wellbeing. Their books on Vastu have been recognized with awards and honors. For more information about the Mastros, please visit: www.vastucreations.com, www.americaninstituteofvastu.com or call 206-661-1117.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Vastu Shastra – Yoga for Your Home appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Many people, myself included, are drawn to plants. Research shows that nature has restorative properties for the human psyche. The good news is you don’t need to look any further than the plant on your windowsill. But beyond this all-around general goodness of nature, more specifically, houseplants can elevate mindfulness practice by providing grounding and teaching us lessons on patience and acceptance.

When Plant Proper started their online plant shop in early 2020, they had no idea what was in store for their young business in the following months. By summer, Covid lockdowns created a surge in houseplant popularity as people turned to joyful hobbies during an otherwise grim time. Many shops were closed to the public, but online retailers like Plant Proper made it easy for prospective plant parents to shop safely for their favorite varieties.

Caring for a plant (or many) has allowed lots of people a taste of nature during stay-at-home orders, when public natural places may have restrictions in place. As the world starts to open back up, the same plants that comforted us during the pandemic can be a useful tool for re-navigating the stresses of everyday life.

Here are some ways that you can use plants to elevate your yoga and mindfulness practices and some helpful tips to get you started.

Ground Yourself in Nature

Grounding is a great mindfulness exercise to improve focus and reduce stress, and there’s no better way to practice than to experience something that grows from the ground. Some grounding techniques involve focusing on your body or thoughts, but here we’re going to discuss how to use an external object, your favorite new plant.

Plants both large and small offer a variety of sensory experiences to focus on when grounding, so no need to worry about picking the “wrong” kind. They’re all perfect!

Find a comfortable seat where you can observe your plant. Let your attention focus entirely on it, and bring your mind back if it wanders. Take in the plant’s qualities with as many senses as you can.

Here are some questions you can ask while observing to help you get started:

• What color are the leaves? Is there more than one color?
• What shape are the leaves? Are they thick or thin? How big are they?  Are they smooth, rough, or fuzzy? Are they stiff or flexible?
• Does the plant have any flowers? What color are they? What do they smell like?
• When the wind blows, What sound does the plant make?

This is a great practice for whenever you get a new plant in order to get to know it. If you want to incorporate this kind of grounding regularly in your mindfulness practice, tie it in to your watering habit.

Slow Down and Connect with the Present

Do you ever feel like time slips out from under your feet? When our minds our disconnected from the present, our perception of time tends to lurch and drag. Tuning into our plants’ growth cycles can help enhance our perception of time and anchor our minds in the present.

Think of it like this. Plants grow at their own pace. Sure, we can help them out by offering water, sunlight, and fertilizer, but they won’t grow any faster just because we tell them to! Some plant species, like pothos, grow fast while others grow much slower (I’m looking at you, succulents).

As you tune in to your plants over time with a regular grounding practice, you’ll start to notice how their growth ties in with the seasons and time of year. By connecting with the present in this way, you can teach your mind to slow down.

In the same way, plants also teach patience. It’s easy to become discouraged by plants in the winter when their growth slows to a crawl, but you have to remain patient for the explosion of growth that will come in spring. Just like plants grow at their own pace, your body changes exactly as fast as it wants to. Remember this the next time you hit the mat and get frustrated about not being able to hold Crow pose. With regular practice, over time, you will be able to look back and notice a difference.

Listen to Physical Cues

How do you know what your plant needs? It’s too bad they can’t talk. Or can they? You could get an app that tells you exactly how often to water or what nutrients your plant needs. But in reality, taking care of a plant is both more complicated and much simpler.

Listen. Observe. Watch how the plant reacts to your inputs.

Some plants will give clearer signals than others (which is why I don’t recommend succulents for beginners). Some signals can be easy to misread. By tuning in regularly and understanding your plant’s natural rhythm, you’ll be able to give it exactly what it needs and even anticipate problems.

At this point, you may be wondering what the heck this has to do with mindfulness.

As a living thing, your body will react to the inputs you give it, both good and bad. In your next yoga or meditation session, take a moment to connect with the physical sensations in your body. Maybe your hips are tight from sitting at your desk, or maybe you feel energized after trying a new breakfast habit. Listen to these physical cues, as they will tell you what your body needs.

Celebrate Different Shapes and Sizes

One of the first lessons I remember from when I started practicing yoga is that everyone is different, and that’s okay. Most poses have variations for exactly this reason, because every body is different in what it can do.

In the houseplant world, weird is wonderful. Unique plants are prized for their ability to stand out from the rest. Even among “normal” houseplants, shape and size and care requirements vary a lot from one species to the next. Let’s translate this sense of wonder and amazement to our perceptions of ourselves and modern beauty standards. Appreciation is one of the ways houseplants can elevate mindfulness in our lives.

Houseplants Can Elevate Mindfulness through Daily Practice

Our houseplants have a lot to teach us about living mindfully if we stop and listen closely. Take some time today to pause and reflect on these lessons with your own houseplant. And if you don’t have one yet, check out these care free plants to get you started.

Jessica Onion

Jessica Onion is a writer, gardener, and environmental scholar who strives to learn something new every day. She believes the best way to develop a green thumb (and grow as a person) is to make lots of mistakes and then learn from them. Her personal mission is to make her corner of the world a better place. For more information on Jessica, visit her website or reach out on Twitter or Facebook.

www.jessicaonion.com

The post How Houseplants can Elevate Mindfulness and Yoga Practice appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

A Cluttered Home Equals A Cluttered Life

• You make to-do lists that don’t get done. You try everything you can think of from time blocking to meditation, but your life still feels chaotic.
• You start new workout routines and commit to clean eating, yet after two weeks you find your self sliding back into old habits.
• You try to get into cleaning routines, but they don’t stick. You feel overwhelmed by your home and don’t know how or where to start in regaining control.
• Why can’t you just get motivated and get it all done?
• Because when your life is cluttered it’s hard to find the motivation to declutter your home, and, yet, when your home is cluttered it’s hard to organize your life.

What’s the solution? Declutter your home and your life at the same time.

What I’ve Learned about the Importance of Decluttering Your Home

Through nearly 20 years of work in psychology as a therapist and life coach I have dedicated myself to empowering women to live their most authentic and joyful lives. Over time, I have seen the overwhelm women face day to day and knew there had to be something we were all missing. That’s when I developed Soulful Space, a life coaching system focused on integrating your mind, body, soul, and space to create that life you deserve.

Yes, I said “space.”

Mind, body, and soul are a great start, but I discovered the missing ingredient was the space we live and work in. Let’s face it, women tend to be the ones in most households doing the lion’s share of the housework. So, when our castles are in cluttered chaos it’s no wonder our minds are, too.

According to a Cornell University study from 2016, stress triggered by clutter may also trigger coping and avoidance strategies, like eating junk food, oversleeping or binge-watching Netflix. I teach women the difference between what is selfish and what is self-care. I, like so many others, was raised with messages that teach women to value the care of others over our own and now it is time for a change.

My Story: Declutter My House, Declutter My Life

I never ask anyone to do anything I wouldn’t be willing to do or haven’t already done myself. That includes integrating self-care and home-care. Let me tell you a little about myself to help explain.
I could give you the long version of my life story that starts with “I was born in 1974 to two alt-culture parents living on a small farm in eastern Michigan…” but that would get pretty long.

So, I’ll fast forward to the summer of 2017 when I woke up one morning and couldn’t stop crying. Seriously, it was frightening. The tears wouldn’t stop. What was happening to me!?

Within two hours I had restarted my own personal therapy. Within eight months I had begun yoga teacher training.

What happened that morning? I’ll never really know, other than the build-up of my own overwhelm and lack of self-care regardless of how together I looked to everyone else on the outside.

Therapy got me settled back in, yoga opened me up.

I had been practicing yoga for a decade at that point, but this was the first time I had been exposed to the philosophy of yoga; and it changed my life. I finally had that how-to guide for life that we’re all looking for and I ran with it.

I worked on myself, my boundaries and my self-care, getting one step closer to who I wanted to be with each new challenge.

Then, in February 2019 I found myself sitting at dinner with my husband (who is patiently supportive of all my decluttering and yoga shenanigans) and glared around at our kitchen with disgust.

“What is wrong with you?” asked my sweet redhead.

“I hate all this fucking shit!” I spat out.

Wise man that he is, he did not comment further.

A study out of Princeton University’s Neuroscience Institute found people were more productive, less irritable and less distracted in a clutter-free space.

Over the next three months I would touch about 90% of our belongings and decluttered about 35% of them out of the house.

With each decluttered and file-folded clothes drawer I felt lighter.

With each torn apart, decluttered and systematized closet I felt greater control.

Over those months I did a ton of research, too.

According to The National Association of Productivity and Organizing (NAPO), 80% of the things people keep when they “declutter” are never used.

I read about feng shui, and cleaning routines. I watched YouTube videos on decluttering, tidying, life and cleaning hacks, and mixed it up with cat videos.

At the end of those three months I stepped back from my new morning routine of dishes and tidying, and smiled. I now loved my kitchen. That was when it hit me:

Caring for your home is self-care.

What I Want for You

• I want you to know you are perfect just as you are.
• I want you to know you can have the life you want.
• I want you to know you can have the home you want.
• I want you to know you’re going to have to work for it.

In my own life, didn’t go from life-long slob to decluttering expert in one day. I didn’t go from lying to myself about how “fine” I am to really being fine in one day. I worked at it and so will you.

Like alcoholics, drug addicts and over-eaters, clutter addicts use their addiction to avoid reality, to keep other people and a world in which they’ve lost trust at a distance.

I want to empower you and teach you the value of decluttering your mind, body, and soul while supporting you in developing effective systems in your home, to take the chaos out of everyday life.

Through this integrative method, I address all areas to dissolve my clients’ barriers, find their truth, and create the home and life they have always wanted. If we only focused on one area, like nutrition, you might wonder why you’re still depressed. If we only focused on decluttering your home, you might wonder why you still don’t feel a sense of purpose in life.

An international retailer’s survey found that 31% of its customers were more satisfied after clearing out their closets than they were after sex. (New York Times)

You Can Do This!

Yes, you can do this. I’ll do it with you. You are not alone. You don’t have to prove how strong you are by refusing to ask for help.

By giving yourself the gift of taking care of your mental health, physical health, spiritual health, and home health all together, you will make your life so much easier!

According to research by the National Soap and Detergent Association, getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of housework.

Step-by-step you can identify your goals, what gets in the way of those goals, and you can identify your solutions. You will feel more in control of your life, and therefore less anxious. You will feel more pride in yourself, and therefore less depressed.

What Do You Do Next to Declutter Your Home

Now it’s time to take action.

Start by writing down your goals for yourself. All of them.

Four categories of Goals:

1. Mind (thoughts, opinions, learning, etc.)
2. Body (physical health, whatever that means to you)
3. Soul (the things that feed your soul)
4. Space (your home, office, environment, etc).

Pick one goal and decide what has to happen first.

Do that. Once you’ve done that decide what comes next. Do that. Repeat.

Getting overwhelmed? That’s okay. It’s normal, actually. That’s also where I come in.

With my knowledge of decluttering and organization, health and wellness, yoga and yogic philosophy I help overwhelmed women just like you declutter their lives and homes to create the joyful lives they deserve.

So, I ask, are you ready for your joyful life?

Kate Evans

Kate Evans is the owner of Soulful Space, a virtual life coaching and decluttering company. Kate helps overwhelmed women declutter their lives and homes. She has worked in the field of psychology since 2004, is an RYT-200 certified yoga teacher, and a writer currently working on a book bringing self-help and decluttering together for lasting change. To learn more about Kate, the work she does, and to read her weekly blog for your mind, body, soul, and space, go to www.soulfulspacecoaching.com. Kate can also be found on Instagram and Facebook @soulfulspace.coaching.

www.soulfulspacecoaching.com

The post Declutter Your Home to Declutter Your Life appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Manage Clutter on Countertops

It is a good idea to direct your attention, on a regular basis, to the tabletops of your home. Why? Because tabletops become covered in junk so fast that it’s incredible. Coffee tables, kitchen counters, work tables, cabinet surfaces, dressing tables, and office desktops all collect it. Any elevated surface will invite you to place your bags, grocers, files, and envelops upon it—so it is necessary to devise a method for keeping tabletops at least reasonably clear.

Throw out Chipped and Broken Utensils

Go through the crockery, vases, and ceramics that are in your home. Be firm with yourself. Do this and you will be surprised at just how much damaged crockery, broken plates, and utensils lurk in your kitchen cabinet.

Clean the Refrigerator

Clean the refrigerator once a month, so that leftover food does not get lost in the back of it. Do the same for the cabinets. For example, people have a habit of ignoring canned food for so long that it turns bad before they notice. The same thing can happen with exotic sauces and seasonings that can degenerate in half-open bottles and containers.

Take Stock of your Cookware

In the kitchen, all physical junk should be thrown away. Included in this category are not merely stale food and foodstuffs, but also broken plates, cups, and bowls. Cooking pots and plans don’t last forever. Don’t buy a new frying pan and keep the old one with its scratched Teflon surface—or that worn-out coffee maker that you have already replaced with a brand new model.

Double-Check Trash Cans

Make sure to clear the garbage regularly and to throw away rotting food. I have seen untidy, dirty kitchens ruin more marriages and cause more heartache than I care to tell.

Foster Good Fortune in The Dining Room

It is always a good idea to maintain a clutter-free environment in the dining room, since this is where the good fortune of the house manifests on a daily basis in the form of food on the table. The dining room is the heart of the home, a place which much be kept clean and full of vitality—a veritable storehouse of good chi. In many homes, insufficient attention is focused on keeping this room energized.

Promote Energy Flow for Healthy Home Feng Shui

Revitalizing your life and your home should be an exciting, joyous activity. This is because this kind of work opens up channels and unblocks the energy flow so that light and chi may permeate every pore of your body and every atom of space around you. In a healthy home, there is warmth and constantly moving energy. There is little stagnation present. This is the kind of home that has and encourages a spirit of abundance.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Home Feng Shui to Improve Energy Flow in the Kitchen appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Everyday Chic Author Molly Sims. Photo by Amy Neusinger. 

In her book, Everyday Chic, Molly Sims offers pages of helpful suggestions for stress-free parties and having more ease and organization at home. She says this about drinks, “Always have a signature bevvie. It’s fun and festive and adds a little personality to the party.”

Signature Beverage Photo by Erica Hampton

You know when you talk about someone being a supermodel? Well, Molly Sims is an actual supermodel whose work includes appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She’s representing CoverGirl, hosted MTV’s House of Style, and starred in the NBC comedy Las Vegas. These days you can add words like supermom and best-selling author (Everyday Supermodel and Everyday Chic) to her resume. The road from single girl and supermodel to supermomma and elegant hostess. doesn’t necessarily come with a roadmap. Until now.

Molly is gracious in her words, generous with her ideas and credit to her collaborators, and humble in her storytelling. She shared some of her secrets with us. They include: Set up your Thanksgiving table in advance, leave politics off the menu, use baskets for organizing, and plan ahead. While Molly does all of this in her own unique style, her suggestions offer simple solutions for all of us who are navigating the holiday season. Whether you’re setting a table for one or for your entire family, choose a color scheme, brighten with candles, and celebrate!

Molly Sims on Everyday Chic

LA YOGA: First, congratulations on your latest book!

Molly Sims: Thank you! You know when you work on a project for so long you’re sick of it? Well, I can tell you this … I’ve been working on this book for five years and I’m still not sick of it. It’s a really good book and I’m not just saying that … I mean it. I was able to take everything that I’ve learned from all of the experts that I’ve worked with and put their tips and tricks in one place.

LA YOGA: If a person were to just scan through your Instagram and read your blog, your everyday entertaining looks, well, effortless! Although in the beginning of the book, you speak about how you weren’t necessarily born this way when it comes to setting what seems like a perfect family table. Yet one of your gifts, which you also share in your first book, is your willingness to share your secrets with the world.

MS: Well first off, thank you but believe me … perfection is a unicorn. It doesn’t exist. My Instagram may appear like my life is perfect but it’s far from that. What you guys don’t see are the 40 other photos that I take of my kids where I look disheveled, am sweaty, and I possibly have throw up on various parts of my body. Scratch that—I for sure have throw up on various parts of my body.

I was that girl who stored cashmere sweaters in her oven and only had rose and skim milk in my refrigerator. I got pregnant on my honeymoon and had to instantly figure out how to be a wife and a mom at the same time. I’m not one of those people who hides things from her friends. I love to share my tips with whoever needs them. And since I get to work with amazing chefs, decorators, nutritionists, party planners… you name it, I decided to share it with those who can’t.

Everyday Chic Author Molly Sims and her family. Photo by Amy Neusinger.

Holiday Hosting Hints from Molly Sims

LA YOGA: Since we’re coming up to the holidays, which the season of parties, parties, and more parties, we’d love to hear some of your tips and tricks.

MS: I just love the holidays. The other day I took out our Halloween décor and the kids and I went to town. But as for parties, no matter what the occasion is, always have a theme and then go from there. You don’t HAVE to cook the most lavish meal… order takeout and put it on really great china. Or serve sparkling water in beautiful glasses—it’s about making the things in life that take a lot of effort, look effortless.

LA YOGA: What do you love most about entertaining? Is there anything that you’re looking forward to this year?

MS: I love entertaining because I get to bring together all of the people in my life who I love. We all enjoy an evening together just to celebrate.

LA YOGA: What inspires you when decorating during the holidays?

MS: As for my inspiration during the holiday season, I like to stick to a color palette. Whether it’s making a winter white tablescape or finding the most beautiful Christmas tree. I love a Christmas tree. The holidays are the best time to get together with your family and form traditions. This year, we’re going to Florida for Thanksgiving which we’re all excited about since it’s totally new.

LA YOGA: If you have family coming from different places and with different views, do you have any ideas for maintaining the peace across the table?

MS: The best way is to avoid that conversation at all cost. We’re not here for that; we’re here to enjoy each other’s company. I’ve learned from experience… do not discuss politics at the dinner table, EVER.

Everyday Chic Author Molly Sims shares ideas for entertaining. Photo by Braedon Flynn

LA YOGA: You talk about entertaining in your book and you have include some suggestions for party prep including your day before do-ahead list.

MS: Yes! There’s so much that goes into throwing a good party, which is why I have lists on lists. For the day before the party you need to:

• Set the table, and add candles and décor pieces like flowers.
• Make any dishes that simply need to be heated up later.
• Cut up garnishes for cocktails and beverages.
• Program music playlists.
• Get excited, and get your guests excited about your event. Send them an email or give them a call to let them know how much you are looking forward to them coming!

LA YOGA: Do you have a preparation timeline that helps you organize for Thanksgiving week or the Thanksgiving season?

MS: I’m not hosting Thanksgiving this year, believe it or not. However, when I do host I start out with a list. I’m a huge list maker. Get your menu, flowers, color scheme, china, and utensils together so you don’t have to worry about it when it’s time to cook. Once you have that all set, start grocery shopping. Do NOT be that person who’s in line at 11am on Thanksgiving Day. Plan ahead. That’s the best advice I can give.

LA YOGA: What do you set up in advance?

MS: I always set my Thanksgiving table weeks in advance. It’s the one thing that can be set up for weeks and can’t go bad. You can even start putting your floral arrangements together about five days out and they’ll still look good come Thanksgiving.

Molly Sims’ Holiday Table Setting. Photo by Jean Randazzo.

LA YOGA: Do you have a favorite method of table setting?

MS: I always love to have a floral arrangement on my table to go with the theme of the night. For example, during the holidays I love using rich burgundy colors mixed with metallic. One tip is to make sure your arrangement isn’t higher than your guest’s eyesight and if you add candles to your table, make sure they’re different heights to create depth on your table.

LA YOGA: Do you have any supermomma secrets for fun appetizers for fussy kids (or adults)?

MS: You bet I do! I have a section in my book on how to feed picky eaters. Kids will eat anything that’s on a stick. You can turn anything into a kabob. The kids love the fruit and berry kabobs, which include strawberries, grapes, blueberries and cantaloupe. For adults, you can make a kabob with prosciutto, melon and mint. They’re always a crowd pleaser.

LA YOGA: When you’re invited to someone else’s potluck, do you have favorite dishes that you bring?

MS: I make a mean Moroccan chicken. It’s a rich, flavorful chicken dish that I serve over couscous. I believe that everyone needs to have one signature dish and this one is mine.

LA YOGA: What are some of the things you do to make clean-up easier, either while you’re organizing your event, or after everyone has gone home?

MS: Don’t be that person who is cleaning up after others as they’re walking around the house. It’s a party and you should enjoy it too. The clean-up can wait until everyone’s gone.

Beyond the Holidays–Organizing Hints for the Home

LA YOGA: Are there methods you’ve used maintain a sense of style when it comes to living with a family?

MS: My biggest tip I can give mommas is to reupholster your couches with outdoor fabric. ALL of my furniture has outdoor fabric and it has changed my life.

LA YOGA: What are few things you’ve learned that help you stay organized?

MS: Use baskets. Ever since the Home Edit came into my life, they’ve changed my life. Each of my kids have baskets for everything… toys, snacks, shoes; you name it.
They also taught me to keep my drawers 80% full and 20% empty. Never have a clutter drawer… you don’t need it! Also, when you’re going through your closet, have three baskets: Donate, Keep, Ditch. If there’s something that you really can’t get rid of but you haven’t worn it in a while, put it in a separate section and if it you don’t wear it in six months…then give it away.

Finding Balance while Hosting Holiday Gathering

LA YOGA: What do you do in order to maintain your own balance when you’re being pulled in multiple directions by friends and family during the holidays?

MS: I’m not gonna lie, there are times where I run into the pantry to escape it all. I’m a big believer of taking a big breath to deal with the stress. It’s all about how you handle it. Take a few deep breaths… think about what you need to accomplish and then do that. Take everything one step at a time.

Everyday Chic Author Molly Sims. Photo by Amy Neusinger

LA YOGA: Do you have a non-negotiable daily routine or ritual to maintain your own energy level and commitment to happiness?
MS: Every morning I drink organic coffee with coconut milk. I’ve noticed that the more kids I have, the more I need my coffee.

More information about Molly Sims and Everyday Chic

For more information about Molly Sims and her books and to check out a variety of lifestyle tips, visit: mollysims.com

All photos from Everyday Chic. Used with permission of Dey Street. Copyright 2017 by Molly Sims.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Holiday Hosting and Home Hacks with Molly Sims appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

On Earth Day and beyond, implement some the following landscape tips for water saving garden design.

1. Be conscientious with your sprinklers:
Staying on top of your irrigation is always important, but it’s crucial in a drought. Overwatering is unnecessary, and easy to avoid. 30% of the average American family’s water use is devoted to lawns and gardens, so turning the sprinklers off when it rains can really add up quickly. When it isn’t raining, water in the early hours of the morning to reduce evaporation.

2. Catch rainwater and air conditioner condensation with stylish rain catcher planters:
There are so many stylish rain catchers now, that double as storage tanks and planters! They have thought of everything – spigots make it easy to attach a watering hose, and the back is usually flat to maximize space if you’re placing the catcher against a wall (think: next to the air conditioner to catch condensation.) Here is a charming 65-gallon product that I love! You could be harvesting rainwater all over the yard without anyone ever knowing it!

3. Replace portions of grass with gravel:
Remove portions of your grass and install gravel or decomposed granite, surrounded by shade canopy trees. The design possibilities with this additional outdoor entertaining space are endless! Create a gravel sitting area with tables and chairs, or turn a blank canvas into a relaxing retreat with benches, pillows and throws. With your feet up and a margarita in hand, you won’t miss grass at all.

4. Plant drought-tolerant items such as rosemary, lavender and Little Ollie shrubs:
Contrary to popular belief, succulents aren’t the only plants that are drought-tolerant. Fragrant herbs like rosemary and lavender are not only beautiful, but extremely water-conscious! For fantastic border plants, Little Ollie shrubs are a compact-growing and clean shrub that requires very little attention or water.

5. Add a rain gutter catch basin to your rain gutters:
Add a rain gutter catch basin to your rain gutters, redirecting rainwater to a drought-tolerant herb garden or storage tank. There are very discreet underwater storage tanks that hold quite a bit of water, and are completely out of sight. There are also slim, wall-mounted tanks that can run alongside walls and fences. Attach a hose and water your yard with pride knowing that you are doing something great for the world.

6. Keep a pitcher or bucket by the sink, and collect greywater to keep potted plants looking bright:

There’s no need to get rid of your favorite potted plants if you work a little harder for the water needed to irrigate them! It’s surprising how much greywater we produce without realizing it. To see what I mean, keep a pitcher or bucket by the kitchen sink (or better yet – every sink in the house), and collect excess water over just one day. Save the water that usually goes the drain while you wait for the faucet to warm up, and add the water used to rinse fruit and vegetables. Even water leftover in drinking glasses and water bottles can be collected. At the end of the day, you’ll feel so accomplished giving this saved, repurposed water back to Mother Earth, that you’ll want to continue your crusade! And, you can keep your favorite potted plants looking beautiful, minus the guilt!

Even if your entire garden is drought-tolerant, if you have a leaking pipe or hose, you’re wasting water. A great way to check for leaks is to check your water meter at the beginning of a two-hour window of no water use, and then check again at the end of the two hours. If the number is different, you have a leak.

7. Add mulch around trees and plants:

Mulch discourages weed growth, minimizes water runoff, and retains moisture. Adding a few inches of compost or mulch around trees and plants will help slow the evaporation of moisture, and give your garden plenty of time to take a long drink of water! Mix mulch with all of your soil to encourage moisture retention in the entire yard!

8. Install a drip irrigation system:

Drip irrigation systems save 50% more water than sprinklers, with little to no water loss from runoff or evaporation. Drip irrigation systems can be installed anywhere from large yards to individual planters. You have total control over the amount of water supplied to each designated area, and it works wonderfully with mulched areas, thoroughly soaking the moisture-retaining mulch without getting any runoff.

9. Think about the Bees & their needs!

Bees pollinate one-third of everything we eat, and we’re seeing fewer of them every day due to climate change and habitat loss. They pollinate all kinds of fruit and vegetables, such as broccoli, apples, almonds and squash. Indirectly, bees contribute to our meat resources by foraging crops like beans and clover, used to feed livestock. Bees need flowering plants and herbs to thrive, and with the popularity of suburban lawns and the destruction of native landscapes, bees are rapidly disappearing. Encourage bee production by planting flowering trees and clover in your yard or in planters, and avoid chemically treating plants and flowers, since chemicals can negatively affect a bee’s system. Bees like volume in their flowers, so plant plenty of the same type of bloom together. A few good examples are lilacs, lavender, sage, wisteria, and verbena. These are beautiful plants with a purpose!

10. Plant a tree (or two!)

Scientists estimate there are about 200 billion tons of excess CO2 in the atmosphere, and planting a single tree eliminates one ton of CO2 every year. Planting a tree is not only good for nature and for the battle against global warming, it’s good for us, too. In one year, a single acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people, and trees help keep cities about 10 degrees cooler, releasing water vapor into the air and breaking up urban hot spots. Shade from trees slows water evaporation, and surprisingly, most new trees only need 15 gallons of water per week. Surround your home with tree after tree, and enjoy the benefits that trees provide while also giving back to Mother Nature.

Try one or more of these water saving garden design ideas as part of your landscape upgrade and enjoy the beauty and sustainability they provide.

Staff Writer Lakshmi

The post Earth Day tips for Water Saving Garden Design appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Maple Syrup Photo by Susan Currie

“Each beginning is the end of a waiting. We are each given exactly one chance to be. Each of us is both impossible and inevitable. Every replete tree was first a seed that waited.” —Hope Jahren, Lab Girl

When I need to recover my sanity or steady myself, I call for my canine soulmate, Tug, and head out into the woods. Something deep within compels me to do this, and almost immediately and unconsciously, my whole being slows down and I am drawn in to the folds of my surroundings.

Sometimes it is just a single tree that is required to work its healing magic on me. I lay at the base of a tree and peer up through the branches— this is an unusual and glorious perspective. In the fall, from this vantage point, I watch the leaves float down around me, wondering just how long I’d have to stay there until I was completely covered or which leaf will be the last to remain on the tree.

In the late winter through early spring, the dry brown leaves of beech trees still rattle against one another in the breeze, heroically clinging to their branches months after all the other leaves have fallen to the ground. I cannot resist running my hand over stumps and fallen logs that have become impossibly lush and furry with green moss. The spongy forest floor creates a spring in my step, and tempts me to fling myself to the ground in a sunny spot for a lengthy nap. The bark of the paper birch glows white against a backdrop of brown and grey trunks as well as the combination of colors in the evergreens. On occasion, I am moved to throw my arms around the oldest of trees—knotty and gnarly, twisted with age, replete with grace, dignity, and quiet wisdom. Oh, how I wish the trees could tell me their stories.

Sometimes I come across a comfortable seat that nature has put in my path: a broad flat stump, or a low branch that beckons me to come sit a spell in stillness. When I am in the woods, I remember what the earth smells like and how the air feels on my skin.

Looking at the trees around me, varying widely in size, shape, and other features, I am reminded of the slow and steady process of development. How very long it takes us all, trees and humans alike, to become what we are meant to be. I ponder the drastically changing outward appearance of trees through the seasons and over the years, and note that whether showy or unadorned, grand or humble, the elegant and arduous processes of life march on ceaselessly. I marvel at the faith each seed has demonstrated, the risk it has taken in anchoring itself to a single location for the duration of its days—trusting that the universe will place within its reach all that it needs to survive and thrive, and trusting in itself to make good use of the resources provided.

In recent years, I have become particularly enamored of the maple tree. My husband and I own a small commercial maple sugaring operation in southern Maine (Maple Moon Farm), and one of my favorite days of the year comes toward the end of winter when it is time to start tapping the maple trees. Under brilliant blue skies, I place a tap in the small hole I’ve drilled in each tree, and hang a metal bucket off the tap. If the temperatures are above freezing, the sap often starts to run immediately, and the “ping” of sap droplets hitting the bottom of the buckets becomes music that fills my ears from all directions.

I continue my work among a chorus of “pings,” feeling lucky to spend much of my days this time of year outdoors, absorbing nature’s lessons.

To ensure the continued health of the trees on our property, we must adhere to strict guidelines regarding the number of taps a tree of a particular size can accommodate. The ethos is to take as little as possible from your surroundings. As I look for a spot to place my next tap, I note evidence of taps from previous years; small holes in various stages of the healing process. It takes time, but eventually the trees neatly and nearly completely repair themselves, so that only a faint scar remains to tells an important story about a season in the life of the tree.

I approach the matriarch maple tree on our property, which is likely 200-300 years old. I observe the markings of larger, fully healed taps from generations ago and imagine sugar makers of years past standing in the very same spot using a brace and bit to insert an old wooden tap into the tree. I feel a palpable connection to the past. I greet the ancient tree as the dear friend she is and ask how she’s doing this year. I choose to place only a single tap in her trunk, though her substantial girth could easily accommodate several more. I give her a pat and say out loud, “Thank you old girl for sharing just a bit of your sap with us this season,” and move on with a heart full of gratitude for the treasures, hidden and apparent, that nature offers us in great abundance.

Jennifer Schultz

Jennifer Schultz is a Midwestern girl living in New England. She is happiest when living, working, and playing close to nature, and can frequently be found with her hands in the dirt at Maple Moon Farm: maplemoonfarm.com.

www.maplemoonfarm.com

The post What the Trees Teach Me: Spring, Maple Trees, and Maple Syrup appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

A thoughtful Approach to Tiny Houses

If you’ve ever dreamed of downsizing, choosing what is most essential, or living a more mobile lifestyle; if you’ve imagined yourself as a minimalist, or looked for ideas to increase the efficiency or creativity of your space, you may be following the tiny house movement. The categorization of a tiny home varies a bit based on what source you consult, but basically, a tiny home is usually described as smaller than 400 square feet (500 on Tiny House Nation). The definition also depends on how many people are living in the space—or what you are downsizing from. In any case, the creativity and artistry of these homes offers inspiration that we can all learn from, whatever our personal dwelling.

The movement is gaining momentum to the point that there are a number of TV shows related to the themes of designing, building, or living in tiny houses. On Tiny House Nation on FYI (part of the A+E Networks) people build creative tiny houses that add power and performance to their lives. Show host John Weisbarth’s affable and relatable nature is complemented by co-host and contractor Zack Giffin’s creative building and problem-solving techniques.

It doesn’t take long when speaking with Zack to realize that he’s more than a builder with cool suspenders and a person whose dream of pursuing life as a professional skier led to his own build of a tiny house. Zack maintains a thoughtful perspective on the power and politics of the tool of a tiny home in the toolbox of modern living and how this movement relates to yoga. We spoke to him just before he gave a talk on Freedom at TEDxCoral Gables and then shared the stage with Tony Robbins in Toronto.

Themes Connecting Yoga and the Tiny House Movement

LA YOGA: Some of the themes we love around the tiny house movement relate to identifying essentials that you need in your life and how to set up your home for best performance. We appreciate the creative solutions that you bring to building a house and the scenarios that relate to performance, functionality, and efficiency.

Zack Giffin: I see a lot of parallels with the tiny house movement and yoga. Your body is a tool, right? And honing that tool, sharpening the tool creates a better experience in this world.

I like to look at a house as a tool to facilitate your life. I like to talk about breaking down the function of the home in terms of efficiency. With tiny homes, efficiency is the name of the game.

Another concept I get inspired by is the idea of the power of the home. To me the power of a home comes down to someone’s appreciation of the space as well as the ability for the space to facilitate a person or family’s quality of life.

This is similar to yoga practice. You’re talking about honing your tool, your body, to facilitate your enjoyment of this experience in this world. The home, in my mind, is much the same. When I talk about power it really comes down to—whether it’s a big space or a small space—finding those custom elements that makes someone feel like that space is theirs and creates an environment that someone can appreciate. That’s what I think is important in design.

I find it inspiring when a home is both powerful and a tool to open opportunity and facilitate growth in someone’s life. Many people are looking at the tiny home movement as a way to side-step a lot of the financial traps that leave people just treading water. So many people have dreams that feel unattainable, or work in jobs that they’re not totally passionate about, or feel for whatever reason they don’t have enough time for themselves, their family, or the things that make life worth living.

That’s what I really love about the tiny house movement. Having your house assist you in being able to take back this hold over your time and spend it doing things that make you feel like you’re directly in line with how you want to live your life.

As an example, I built a home for a young man and his wife. His dream was to be a pilot and he had this clunky flight simulator that just seems like the type of thing that has no place in a tiny home. If I could find a way to incorporate this in a way that doesn’t detract from the home, then this item has the ability to help him follow his dream.

If I create a writing nook for someone whose passion is to be a writer but they can’t seem to find the time—but then that writing nook inspires them to carve out the time and it enables them to finalize that novel and then turns into a scenario where they become a published author—that is another example. That sense of gratification and satisfaction will be with you for the rest of your life. That’s what I think about when I’m designing homes.

There’s a similar opportunity with creating space for yoga practice. A lot of people are fans of yoga but can’t always find the time. If you can build a space within a home that incentivizes someone to practice and that is what tips the scales to them making it a part of their life, then they get to enjoy all of the benefits from yoga—that’s another example of how a home can facilitate growth in somebody’s life.

Applying Lessons Learned to Designing Tiny Homes

LA YOGA: In any type of home, we look for ways to life effectively and harmoniously in our everyday lives, which is the case at Precondo. In the Tiny House Movement, what are some things you’ve learned working with all these people to set up tiny homes, that people can apply to their everyday lives whether or not they are in a tiny home?

ZG: I see a lot of commonalities when people start trying to move into very small spaces. People have to look at what they need and what they can live without. Yet, one of the very first things to go is the dining room table. To me that’s a shame, because when we’re talking about quality of life, the experience of sitting down and having engagement across from another person at a dining room table is something that we shouldn’t take away from ourselves.

When designing, I look at ways to transform a space so that you can get multiple uses out of it. In addition, I look for elements that are being left out. If someone doesn’t have a laundry option, I ask some of the following questions. “How is your life going to work without the ability to do laundry? Are you planning on going to a laundromat? Is that something that’s built in or are you just neglecting to prioritize it?”

After that I try to learn as much as I can about the person’s specific needs. There’s a couple in Sacramento, Melissa and Justin, who run a nonprofit where they get kids from urban settings out into nature. They’re always needing to create lunches for all these kids. What it came down to was they just needed a lot of prep space. They needed a counter space on a level that most tiny houses don’t actually incorporate. So we had a real fun time building these chunks of counter top that were tucked away that folded out and opened out to give them a lot of flat space that they could use to make sandwiches. I called it, “The industrial sandwich station.” John [Zack’s Tiny House Nation co-host] thinks it’s hilarious that I like to call everything “industrial,” I don’t know why I do it; I guess it sounds good!

Creating Greater Efficiency at Home

LA YOGA: What are some other examples related to efficiency?

ZG: We incorporate a lot of vertical storage; “vertical storage” is a big catch phrase you’ll hear a lot. That relates to efficiency and the mentality of tiny houses where everything has its place. If you’re willing to have an item to the point where you know that it has to have its own space, then it makes you think about whether or not you actually need that item. If you know where everything goes it’s like a well-organized wood shop—you know for example that your T-square goes over here so that every time you need it you go right for it.

The downside of vertical space is that it takes away from wall space—if you like surrounding yourself with artwork, or windows. We talk a lot about having big windows in small spaces to let the light in and it feels bigger, but as soon as you put a window there goes your opportunity to use that space for storage, so it’s a balance of priorities. Personally, I prioritize windows.

Appreciating Space in Tiny Houses

LA YOGA: That sounds like it relates to one of the concepts you began with, of appreciating the space.

ZG: Yes, and if it feels more open, you can feel as though you have some access to the outdoors. But then again, the decision can also come down to, “Do you have something outside your window that’s worth looking at or are you just looking at a straight brick wall?” Then maybe you’d rather have storage. It’s also all right to understand that your needs for space will fluctuate at different times in your life.

When we start to consider some of the larger factors of the needs in your life, it’s hard for me to talk to people about tiny houses without talking about the fact that I see tiny houses as a response to a growing set of environmental and economic factors in the world today. Once you start talking about those factors, the conversation takes so long because they’re really big elements and there are no perfect or easy solutions. But for a lot of us, tiny houses are a tool to live a life that we choose. They are a tool to avoid some of the economic traps that leave so many people treading water.

Advocating for Freedom

LA YOGA: Do you mean the economic trap of over-extending to buy a bigger house than you need?

ZG: Right, that limits our freedom in terms of mobility. That forces us into jobs that we don’t really love because we’re just trying to pay the mortgage. When I bought my motor home, it was about putting my foot down and saying, “You know what? The expenses in my life are forcing me to work 9-5 and I have this passion for skiing and I want to pursue this dream, and if it’s going to be a reality then I have to find a way to focus more time on it.” So it was this tool that I used, before tiny houses were invented, or the term was ever coined, to follow this dream. I think the reason I am an advocate for the movement is because it worked for me.

My responsibility as an advocate for the movement and one of the more visible people in it, is to not only realign people’s notions about what a tiny house is, because I don’t feel that it is just an infatuation with all things small and cute—I think it is people looking at tiny houses as a tool to regain their freedom. Many people today feel like we don’t have any power as individuals. That leads to apathy. The tiny house movement is a direct contradiction to that conclusion.

Zoning, Legal Issues, and Tiny Houses

The biggest problem with tiny houses right now is not, “How do you pare down your shoe collection so you can fit your life into one;” the biggest problem we have is laws that make it almost impossible to live in one legally.

As an ambassador to the movement I take it seriously to articulate how the tiny house can not only be a tool for individuals to regain control of their own lives, but it can be a tool for our country to address some of the needs for improved efficiency and empowered communities. That is where I think tiny houses have an amazing opportunity. Because of the sheer fact that they’re small they can fit into the cracks within our existing infrastructure, and we can implement housing that is disbursed throughout communities.

For example, there are places in our country that have set some amazing precedents. Fresno has re-written their zoning policy to allow tiny houses on wheels to be used as accessory dwelling units on existing properties on lots of at least 6,000 square feet (5,000 square feet for corner lots). In essence, it allows the property owner who could use the relief of having a rental space the ability to partner with a family who might not be able to afford to live in that community but can afford a tiny house in partnership. I love this because I love the concept of community and people partnering to solve problems. Ojai, California, is about to adopt the same zoning policy as Fresno, and it’s actually on the books in Los Angeles as well.

I’m hopeful that as we get closer to what I’m seeing as an unavoidable downturn in our housing, there will be ways for more municipalities to open up their zoning restrictions to tiny houses so it can be a multi-purpose solution.

I think the reality of the world is shifting. Families are smaller and are moving around a lot more than they used to, so the idea of owning a home on wheels could be a real advantage. The American dream of the white picket fence is getting rearranged a bit to incorporate this desire for experience over material possessions.

More people are moving into city centers, we have massive traffic problems, we have a climate that is in crisis, and we have an economy that is based upon using our real estate as an investment to the point that it is becoming out of reach to large segments of the population.

When we’re talking about the homeless problem, for example, the veterans’ supporters like to say, “Oh, the government is not supporting veterans.” It’s not necessarily about that as much as it is that veterans happen to be members of our society and we’re getting to this point where housing is unattainable to more and more of us. I see that this system is flawed and I just have the feeling that we can do better.

My work in building tiny homes has put me in a place where I’m constantly looking for solutions that solve two problems at once. If you can relieve stress for people who feel like they’re just treading water and at the same time provide a better method of affordable housing—that’s the win/win solution of multipurpose design. To me, that’s the hallmark of a powerful design.

Tiny houses are a tool. The needs of this world have shifted although our laws haven’t quite kept up. We need to start looking at all the tools available to us to address the needs of a changing world.

Transformation Beyond Tiny Houses

LA YOGA: Your commitment to the Tiny House Movement has a very big picture perspective.

ZG: Yes it does. That’s why I find it hard to talk to people about tiny houses just on the level of, “Oh it’s so cute and it’s so cool that they can do all this transformative stuff.” Because I’m drawing broader conclusions about what it’s all about.

LA YOGA No matter what kind of home you’re living in, you can incorporate these transformative lessons in every part of your life.

ZG: It might sound cliche, but it comes down to this awareness that there are necessities for happiness. We do need security, shelter, warmth, and food in our belly, but after you have those fundamental needs fulfilled, the actual things that make life beautiful have nothing to do with wealth. They’re all about the love and the time we get to have with each other, the way that we’re treated by the people in our community, and the ability to have positive self-esteem. These intangibles make up the beauty of this life.

I think more and more people are starting to not just understand that but actually take real physical action to make sure they prioritize that stuff with their life. That is what I believe is the common denominator of this entire movement, and it’s probably why I feel like there’s relevance to the tiny home movement within the world of yoga.

Tiny House Nation and Zack Giffin

All Photos Courtesy of FYI / Tiny House Nation.

Tiny House Nation premieres on the FYI network on Saturdays at 9pm ET. For more information, visit the show’s website: fyi.tv/shows/tiny-house-nation

For more information on Zack Giffin, his skiing life, his speaking schedule, and photos of his tiny house, visit: zackgiffin.com

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Lessons from the Tiny House Movement: An Interview with Tiny House Nation Co-Host Zack Giffin appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Photo of Karen Klein and Stanley Weiser’s home by Jeff Skeirik (Rawtographer). Design and Build by Bob Ramirez and Interior Design by Lorri Kline

No time of the year brings about more mixed emotions than the holiday season. How are we supposed to feel? We look forward to the holidays, we can’t wait until they’re over. We want to decorate, we don’t want to decorate. They bring joy, they bring pain. There is another way. We have the opportunity to create space in our homes for healthy and happy holidays.

During the weeks from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day (and beyond), we may feel like we’re on a carnival ride, zipping from high to low and back again. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. It might not surprise you to hear that there’s an energetic reason for all this seesawing.

The holiday season presents us with a stark juxtaposition of yin and yang energy. Winter is yin, but the busy-ness of the holidays forces us to be yang, throwing our natural rhythms into confusion.

Yin and yang are the two opposing energies that were introduced through Taoism and are found within many Eastern-based healing modalities, including feng shui. Feng shui is the art and science of arranging living spaces in harmony with the earth’s energy. It is based on Taoist principles, particularly the Five Elements cycle, which is a further exploration of yin and yang energy.

Yin is the quiet, passive, still energy; yang is active, energetic, and moving. Seasons are one of the primary ways we see the Five Elements cycle, the yin and yang. Winter is yin; summer is yang. In fact, the Winter Solstice – when day is the shortest and darkest – is the highest expression of yin energy.

In the Five Elements cycle, Winter is the Water phase. The season’s Water element is a quiet, contemplative energy ushering in death and rebirth. We can see this reflected in nature when the leaves have finished falling and the ground is cold and still. It’s during this time when many internal decisions occur and then manifest come springtime, which ushers in the Wood phase.

The veils between heaven and earth are at their thinnest in the Water phase. It is a time to go inward, a time for reflection, journaling, and meditating. It’s no wonder that many religions have chosen this time of year to celebrate their deities. Holi-days were originally intended to be Holy Days.

Unfortunately, this is completely contrary to what our culture calls us to do.

Travel, presents, commercialism, decorations, and family obligations take center stage and are often combined with financial strain, inordinate pressures, and loneliness. Perhaps we as a society have devised these distractions as a way to not face the Water phase. After all, the Water phase is a time of looking inward, which most of us would like to avoid.

When we go against the natural rhythms of nature, we go against the Tao, or the Way. We miss important phases of birth, death, and rebirth through the seasons that are essential for new things to come into our life and old things to pass away. Instead of a time of awareness, it becomes a season of doing just the opposite. Instead of facing our inner world, we face the outer world in the form of traffic jams at the mall, uncomfortable questions from family members, boundary violations from relatives, or annoying travel snafus.

Photo of Karen Klein and Stanley Weiser’s home by Jeff Skeirik (Rawtographer). Design and Build by Bob Ramirez and Interior Design by Lorri Kline

Here are some ways you can take advantage of the Water phase to make the upcoming holidays holy for you.

Element: Water Nurture and Nourish

1. If you haven’t already, dedicate some area of your home as your sacred space. A sacred space is a place you come to re-center your energy. When you go there, your nervous system automatically knows it can chill. Creating physical space is essential to creating personal space in your life.

Make your sacred space functional to the activities that help center and ground your energy. This could be your favorite cozy chair, a bathtub, or a dedicated meditation and yoga space. What accessories do you need? Maybe a side table for books, incense, and portable speakers for music. Create a sense of space that you love being in.

As we head into shorter days of the wintry Water phase, counterbalance your energy and your home’s energy with a few Fire elements. Fire elements bring warmth to a space. Consider adding your favorite wool blanket, spiced tea, and some low ambient lighting. Turn off overhead lights and turn on decorative lamps, candles, or a subtle string of lights to add the warmth of the Fire element.

2. Only decorate for the holidays if it brings you joy. If you feel an obligation to decorate, then don’t. If it makes you happy, then do. Decorations can add to the amount of stuff we already have in our home – a metaphor for taking on additional stress that we probably don’t need. In other words, don’t voluntarily add things to your life if you’re already stressed, which can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Don’t let the holiday pressures for decorating clutter up your life to where you miss the magic of the holidays.

If decorating for the holidays brings you joy, then by all means deck the halls. Just be mindful not to overclutter your home. What may seem festive, might just add to the visual clutter. Like any décor item in your home, make sure you love it. Just because you got a stuffed Santa in last year’s grab bag doesn’t mean you have to display it. Instead, decorate with intention.

The holidays are full of symbolism and memories. For some people, it’s a great time to display religious or spiritual deities. For others, it may be a time when family rituals hold special importance with decorations playing a role. The last family photo with my mom was taken on my iPhone on Christmas day. A framed version will always be a special part of my Christmas and throughout the year.

Use holiday decor that organically blends with your existing interiors. For example, if you use a soft, monochromatic palette in your home, then decorating with bright red and green colors won’t feel good. Instead, opt for more natural holiday décor items with a hint of silver or gold accents.

The more your holiday decorations integrate with your existing décor, the more appropriate it will be to keep them displayed throughout the winter season. This will help relieve the pressure come New Year’s Day to put the decorations away. You may even decide to keep the string of lights on the Ficus tree year round.

3. At this time of year we can find ourselves closer to source energy if we take the time to connect. Focus more on your internal world, instead of the external. The more you can touch that, the more inspiration you will receive that will then be put into physical manifestation come Spring – and that is the true gift of the holy days.

Take advantage of the longer, darker nights. You may notice that your dream state is more accessible this time of year. Keep a dream journal nearby so that you can record them as soon as you wake up while you’re still connected with your subconscious mind. The more you record your dreams, the more they’ll make an ongoing appearance.

Build in extra quiet time, including sleep. This may sound impossible, which is the exact reason it’s so important. Our self-care practices tend to go out the window just when we need them the most. Instead, amp them up. Meditate longer, write morning pages, try a 12-days-of-gratitude practice, sleep longer, and dream sweeter.

The Water phase is the time of year many animals go into hibernation. Take the cue from nature and create your own cozy den for rejuvenation. Your bedroom should feel like a refuge for sleeping, dreaming, and journaling. Even if it’s not your designated meditation space, don’t let that stop you from a before-sleep meditation. A guided meditation or meditation music to take you into sleep may be just the transition you need for a good night’s sleep.

4. Create a restful haven in your bedroom. Reduce visual clutter in the bedroom, in addition to hidden clutter under the bed or in drawers. Our energy body can feel energy even if your eyes can’t see it, especially in the sensitive sleeping state. For a more restful sleep, books should be kept at a minimum in the bedroom. Have only on your nightstand the books you are currently reading. Have a lamp on your nightstand that creates a cozy ambience while also allowing you to read and write without strain.

Create More Time for Yourself

With extra obligations on your plate, from holiday parties to entertaining family, it’s essential that you build in some time for yourself and for self-care. By adding 15 minutes here and there you might just discover that these can be year-round practices to build in everyday. Start with going bed just 15 minutes earlier. Instead of automatically moving on the next episode of your Netflix show, press Pause. Program your coffeepot the night before. While your coffee’s brewing in the morning, sneak in a meditation. You’ll have a better chance at wrangling the monkey mind before caffeine hits.

When midday rolls around, give yourself a time out with 15 minutes for some quiet time. Put headphones on with relaxing music or a guided meditation to chill the nervous system. And finally if the shorter days are slowing down your blood flow a little too much, then hit the yoga mat at your favorite studio. With the shorter days and the cooler temps, you may have the urge to head home after work. This makes for the perfect opportunity for a home yoga practice.

Carve out an area in your home for doing yoga. With a designated space, you are more likely to make it happen. It only needs to be the size of your yoga mat. When not doing yoga, store your mat and accessories in a basket or other organizer. Feel free to keep it sitting out to use as a visual reminder. Out of sight will be out of mind and turning on the TV will be that much more tempting. Just a few poses will do wonders for your holiday slumbers.

Enjoy a chamomile nightcap or try mixing lemon, turmeric, and honey with warm water. With cooler temps, it’s easy to forget to take in plenty of the actual Water element. Avoid Fire element drinks at night, such as caffeine, carbonation, or alcohol that stimulate the nervous system.

12 Days of Gratitude Practice

Regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs and practices, the holidays are ripe for getting in touch with your higher power. Gratitude is one of the best ways to do just that. By placing your focus on positive thoughts and experiences for which you are grateful, you instantly take yourself to a higher vibration.

Take a few minutes each day for 12 consecutive days to journal what you are grateful for. This is an easy practice before you go to bed. Keep a Gratitude Journal on your bedside table. It can be a small notepad designated for gratitude or an ongoing journal. Jot down a few things you are grateful for during your day. Start with the prompt, “Today I am grateful for….” Even on the worst of days, you can find a few things to be grateful for. Taking a few moments to note these will immediately shift your energy positively and attract more of those good things to you. Go to sleep with gratitude and you will wake up on the right side of the bed every time.

Complete the 12 days by the end of the year (or keep it going!) and then follow it up with a 12-day Manifesting Practice to jump-start the New Year.

The number 12 holds significance among religions and in mystic sciences, representing the passage of time in combination with nature and turning form into matter. This is a sacred way to close out the year and begin anew.

Photo of Karen Klein and Stanley Weiser’s home by Jeff Skeirik (Rawtographer). Design and Build by Bob Ramirez and Interior Design by Lorri Kline

Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

Schedule time for reflection or a spiritual practice. With the extra emotions flying around, it’s important to ground yourself and come back to center.

Create a sacred space in your home where you can quickly drop in instead of check out. Add inspiring pictures, quotes, or affirmations to your space for instant inspiration.

Don’t feel pressured into decorating for the holidays. If you’re home is already cluttered, it will only add to the distractions.

With shorter days, use candles to create a warm, cozy, and romantic vibe. Why not candlelit dinners every night?

Add a little sparkle to your living room or bedroom with a simple strand of white lights.

If you decide to decorate for the holidays, try discarding one item for each holiday decoration you set out.
Sometimes the holidays bring up emotional memories, use it as a time for reflection and healing instead of distraction. Connect with your core through meditation, journaling, or healing modalities.

Maintain self-care practices and, in fact, take more time out for yourself to schedule and engage in yoga, massages, or connecting with nature.

Spread self-care practices with friends and family too. Yoga is infectious. As soon as you start, your dog, cat, and family members will want to jump in too. Take turns picking out a pose and make it fun. Invite a friend to go to yoga class, get a facial, or attend a group meditation.

It is certainly possible to have a peaceful, enjoyable, and reflective holiday season. With more attention to your home space and more intention to how you invest your time with yourself and loved ones, these Holy Days can be the most refreshing and revitalizing time of the year.

Even if your holidays aren’t postcard perfect, there is always something to be grateful for. My gratitude practice consists of sitting down each morning with my coffee. I feel into my heart and am overcome with gratitude for simply being alive.

Tisha Morris

Tisha Morris is the best-selling author of Decorating With the Five Elements of FengShui (Llewellyn 2015), Mind Body Home: Transform Your Life One Room at a Time (Llewellyn 2012), and Feng Shui Your Life: The Quick Guide to Decluttering Your Home and Renewing Your Life (Turner Publishing 2010). Tisha is based in Los Angeles and works one-on-one with clients in their homes and businesses and also facilitates workshops and certification trainings: earthhome.tv.

The post Create Space at Home for Happy Holidays appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.