Despite my best efforts, there are some days where the only exercise I get is from walking my dog.  I’ve mentioned this to people (I’m looking at you, doctors!) who give me a look that clearly says “I’m trying not to roll my eyes right now” while telling me that I should really do more regular “real” exercise.  So let me explain: my dog walks aren’t leisurely strolls where we stop to sniff the sunflowers—my puppy pal and I set a brisk pace and incorporate all kinds of cross-training into the routine to make it a little more exciting and a lot more beneficial for our bods.

In our modern world, chronic and deadly diseases are a major problem that modern medicine is struggling to fix. In 2016, an estimated 595,690 died from cancer alone. While genetics do a play a role, we are not powerless to lower our risk of this deadly disease in all of its forms.

Basmati.com sits down with Kiara McBain to talk about Ki Yoga!

As a woman who used to go to the yoga studio as many as five times per day to either teach or take a class, having my first child really threw me. My body was so fit and my mind so calm that I went into withdrawal for my alone time on the mat. For years I tried to figure out ways to still make it to the studio, to teach and not neglect my growing child. I even got certified in Itsy Bitsy Yoga, so I could bring my baby to yoga with me. I was a yoga-addict.

Swedes are closely related to rutabagas and turnips, who are fellow members of the cabbage family. They are a relatively new plant cultivated in Sweden in the 15th century. They were introduced in Scotland in the 18th century, where a swede was known as a Swedish turnip and called a “neep.” It was often served pureed or mashed as a side dish with haggis.

Frog Pose

Benefits:

Stretches tops of thighs. 

Opens both chest and shoulders. 

Strengthens core. 

Foundation & General Alignment:

Start lying on stomach, bend both knees and grab bottoms of feet and gently press them downward. 

Chest is up off ground and pressing forward. 

Shoulders are back and away from ears. 

Keep elbows tucked in. 

Legs are engaged.

Knees are not flared outwards. 

Do your lips dry out in the winter? You're not alone: Dry, chapped lips are as common as hot chocolate come winter time. That said, just because it's common doesn't mean you have to accept it. There are a lot of things you can do to combat dry lips holistically.

On first glance, this principle may seem straightforward. From a young age, we are encouraged to share rather than take. We witnessed shoplifters get caught, burglars go to jail, and infidelity break marriages. The action of stealing is evident. Yet the subtler forms of stealing through intent and thought are often hidden in our habits, so deep that they are disguised. Asteya is the third Yama or self-restraint of Patanjali’s Yamas and Niyamas.

One of my favorite times to hang out in a garden is at night.  There’s a magical element there that isn’t necessarily present during the day. The beauty is less in-your-face and more subtle and nuanced.  For the night owls among you, consider building a moon garden! 

Lapis lazuli was the very first semi-precious gemstone that I had actual real-time healing experience with. It opened the door for me to the healing power of gemstones and from that day forward I have always carried a pouch of stones the color of the rainbow for healing purposes.