Message from Sara Favorite Winter Recipe Moon Calendar Winter/Spring Events in Asia Summer Events in Europe 2007 Yoga Teacher Training Boutique Spotlight

"At the center of your being you have the answer. You know who you are
and you know what you want. There is no need to run outside for better
seeing nor to peer from a window. Rather abide at the center of your
being, for the more you leave it, the less you learn."
Lau Tzu

Greetings! 

I am happy to share with you four mermaid’s first bi-annual newsletter. 
Winter has arrived here in Chiang Mai, full of sunny skies, cool air and seemingly endless streams of tourists.

This new year brings with it many blessings and opportunities.  Jonas and I have settled into a new house here in Chiang Mai and are enjoying teaching weekly drop-in classes at the Yoga Studio.  I look forward to seeing many of year here, or else on the road during our trip back to the US and Europe this summer. 

Also take a look at the new interactive website for yoga teachers and other healing artists: ihanuman.com. This founded by an old friend of mine from Charlottesville, VA (also "Sara"). Soon I will be posting a blog, magazine articles, interviews, as well as audio and video clips on this site. Stay tuned….

I just finished reading a very inspiring book written by Amy Schmidt on the realized Buddhist teacher, Dipa Ma (a single mother, no less!). As winter is the season to go inside, to investigate our deeper truths and to care for ourselves, I must share with you some of Dipa Ma's insightful probings:

"Can you live so that everything you do is blessed? Every joy, every sorrow, every person? Have you let yourself look deeply into what is true?

I wish you fresh perspectives, fun and ever-widening wisdom in 2007. Below are some offerings to encourage you to deepen your engagement with and enjoyment of LIFE!

With love,
Sara

This recipe, adapated from Maya Tiwari’s The Path of Practice, is one of my favorites on cold days.  Split mung beans cook quickly, are easy to digest and  both fortify and detoxify the system.  Serve with your favorite green vegetables and brown rice or whole grain bread.  Delicious!

Mung & Coconut Dahl (Serves 4) 4 cups water 3/4 cups split mung beans  4 bay leaves 1/2-teaspoon turmeric 1/2-teaspoon sea salt 1-teaspoon ghee or sesame oil 1/2-teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 clove garlic, grated 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped optional:  1 cup shredded coconut  (dried or fresh) Bring the water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan.  Wash and strain the mung beans and add to the boiling water, along with the bay leaves, turmeric, and salt.  Cover and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes.  Heat the ghee in a small skillet and roast the cumin seeds and garlic for 1 minute, until the seeds turn golden brown.  Add to the dahl by rinsing the skillet in the dahl water.  Add shredded coconut and simmer for about 10 minutes.  Toward the end of the 10 minutes, introduce the cilantro to the dhal.  Remove from heat, cover, and allow dahl to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

By honoring the cycles of the moon, we can connect with the rhythms of nature and the pulsations of our own souls.

New Moons:
Use these days to relax, sleep in, meditate, curl up with a book and eat simple foods like salads and steamed vegetables.

 2/17, 3/19, 4/17, 5/16, 6/15

Full Moons: 
Use these days for high-energy celebrations.  Dance, go for a hike, bathe in the moonlight, indulge in rich desserts and festive meals with family and friends.

2/2, 3/3, 4/2, 5/2, 6/1

February 23-25:  The Way of the Happy Woman: Bangkok, Thailand; Yoga Elements.
Step out of the city's bustle this weekend to enjoy a weekend of yoga just for women.

March 2-4:  Eye of the Tiger Practices with Jonas & Sara: Ubud, Bali; Bali Spirit.
Take your practice to the next level with these 4-hour transformational journeys.

March 9-10:  Eye of the Tiger Practices with Jonas & Sara: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jiva Yoga.
Take your practice to the next level with these 4-hour transformational journeys.

April 7-8:  Celebration of the Heart: Koh Samui, Thailand; Healthy and Fun.
Enjoy Anusara-Inspired vinyasa yoga, Yin Yoga and gourmet whole foods.

Koh Samui, Thailand

Meet up with Jonas and Sara while they’re on the road in Europe this summer….

Yoga and Hiking in Zermatt, Switzerland; August 2-9

Yoga & the Art of Healthy Eating  in the Archipelago of Stockholm, Sweden; August 17-19

Anusara Yoga Weekend in Reijkavik, Iceland; August 24-26

5-day Anusara Immersian  in Crete (Chania), Greece; September 5-9

Anusara Yoga Beach Retreat in Crete (Agios Pavlos); September 14-16

Matterhorn Mountain; Zermatt, Switzerland.

Agios Pavlos, Greece

2007 Hatha Yoga Teacher Foundation Course  
November 16-December 15, 2007; Chiang Mai, Thailand

With 27 happy graduates and much enthusiasm from our first teacher training here in Chiang Mai, we are now accepting applications for the 2007 course.

2007 Hatha Yoga Teacher Foundation Course 

2006 teacher training graduates

click here to download flyer "This course was priceless, most inspiring, and well worth the time, money and effort.   I could not have asked for more dedicated, true, skilled, gracious and authentic people and teachers than Sara and Jonas.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Lizabeth Maris; Massage Therapist Wolcott, Vermont