My Favorite Healthy and Healing Things

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Aryn Rannazzisi

I have writer’s block and have had for a few months.  Ideas pop in and out of my brain, but nothing has reached the keyboard.  So, rather than writing something original and creative, I am opting to promote a few of my favorite healthy and healing things.  Think Oprah.  Before you ask- No, there will be no cars given away.

1)      I love acupuncture.  I have had some great results recently from my acupuncturist Haunani Chong Drake.  She combines her knowledge of Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and yoga to offer some phenomenal results.  Now, before you shy away from acupuncture because of the cost, know that Haunani offers very affordable sessions, as well as military discounts.

www.haunanichong.com

2)      Many of my clients are moms or children- hence the name Aryn’s Family Yoga.  The mother of one of my darling toddler yoginis is offering a great workshop in April geared towards moms.  Kelly Rose Achenbach is a mom and postpartum doula.  She has organized the “Mama Self-Healing Workshop” which includes exploration of the mind, body, energy and self.  It sounds amazing!

www.mamaselfhealing.com

3)      Shakti Rising is a leading social change organization for women in San Diego.  Combining a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to healing, Shakti Rising treats many young women who are battling eating disorders, abuse and trauma.  For the past 6 years, a group of women, including myself, diligently put together Karma Yoga San Diego- a day of health and wellness, benefitting Shakti Rising.  The 2012 date has been set for September 30th.  Please stay connected to your website for upcoming details.

www.karmayogasandiego.com

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Let’s be Grateful for the Little Things

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Aryn Rannazzisi

Yesterday, I stopped by the grocery store after I picked my son up from school to get a couple of things to take to a friend’s house for dinner.  On most days this would be an easy trip, but it was Halloween.  And though the only drop of sugar my kids had consumed was from an organic fruit smoothie- they were wound up.    I had spent most of the day helping in kindergarten with my two year old by my side and I was tired.  I found myself impatient and grumpy with my kids.  The lady in front of us at checkout had a ton of groceries and let us cut.  She laughed at me and said she remembered those days well.  She was a mother of four.  As I grabbed my groceries, I smiled at her and said, “I need to remember that these are happy moments.  My kids are excited for Halloween.  This is happy chaos.”

Which leads me into November- the month of Thanksgiving.  I am making an effort to be grateful for the small stuff.  Sure my kids were shaking boxes of mac ‘n cheese and begging me to buy them frosted baked goods.  But I am grateful to see them have so much fun in their costumes on Halloween- it is one small period of time every year. 

I am grateful that persimmons are in season and available at stores.  I am grateful my son loves kindergarten so much.  I am grateful that my daughter is begging me to take her to the library for books and movies.  All of these are so small! 

So, I encourage you to express gratitude for the small things this month.  At least once a day try to come up with one or two little things that make you smile.  Share them with me as a comment or post them on facebook.  I am grateful that you read this.

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Namaste and the dying pet

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Aryn Rannazzisi

We recently had to put our beloved Chili dog down.  My husband and I knew the dreaded event was inevitable, but we were not prepared for how our children- especially 5 year Ben- would take it.

Death in any term or at any age is a daunting concept.  So, how could we explain this to Ben.  Though both children are baptized and Ben has been taught about heaven and God, we have not plunged much deeper.  We avoid mentioning the words death or dying.  Ben deeply questioned how is loyal dog could be here with him on Earth one minute and gone the next.  Specifically he asked, “will the doctor put Chili in a rocket ship and blast him to heaven?”  I was overwhelmed trying to find a way to comfort my son.

I often close my children’s yoga classes by giving each child a heart sticker that he or she can place on their chest.  I then suggest that a parent, grandparent or caregiver tell each child something that is loveable, good or happy about the child.  We talk about how wonderful this makes us feel.  Then, each child is directed to look around the room at the other kids’ hearts so that they can all see the love, happiness and goodness inside each other.  “This,” I tell them, “is our Namaste.” 

So, to answer Ben I reminded him of Namaste.  We talked about the good and happy things inside of Chili and all the ways we loved him.  I told Ben that Chili’s body was too sick to get on the rocket ship, but his healthy Namaste would go to heaven. 

I can’t honestly say that Namaste solved the death puzzle.  I can’t say that there weren’t more tears.  And, there were certainly more questions about rocket ships.  But at least I helped guide Ben and offered him a coping skill he could grasp.

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Karma Yoga for a Cause- San Diego 2010

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Aryn Rannazzisi

I spent all of Sunday at the San Diego Botanical Gardens celebrating Shakti Rising and Karma Yoga for a Cause.  The benefit was established 4 years ago by Jenny Barrett, a longtime Shakti Rising volunteer.  Jenny wanted to give back to the Shakti Rising community and help them raise money as they continue the cause of empowering young women in the San Diego region.  Jenny teamed up with Deborah Ifill, Heather Feemster, Jennifer Miller, Elissa Klaus, Maura Rassman and Shirley Inniken and Karma Yoga for a Cause was born!

I volunteered at the event 2 years ago and loved it so much I begged Jenny to let me help last year.  This year, I was asked to be on the planning committee.  While there were moments I felt overwhelmed the last few months planning, I am so proud of what we accomplished. 

Karma Yoga For a Cause- San Diego began with an hour long Anusara Yoga class led by Michael Fukumura.  Following yoga, a graduate of the Shakti Rising program addressed the crowd.   After, there was a yummy vegetarian lunch served in the gardens consisting of salads, rice, grilled tofu, hummus, bread and Coconut Bliss ice cream.  Guests chose from a variety of workshops to attend  including: Yoga with Alison Lewis Polan, Theta Healing with Gianna Mia DeFlice, Acro Yoga with Michelle Bouvier and Shakti Rising’s Signature Class Transformation 101.  The day also included a silent auction, take home gifts, lively closing ceremonies by Roots Dance Theatre and time to mingle in the peaceful gardens.   I must admit though, my favorite part of the day was the dessert provided by Sorrel Weiss.  Vegan and gluten free brownies, macaroons infused with passion fruit and oatmeal cookie with raspberries!  Amazing!

I left the day exhausted, but buzzing with great energy.  The committee is already to go for next year.  If you’d like more information about Karma Yoga for a Cause or Shakti Rising, please visit: www.karmayogasandiego.com and www.shaktirising.org .

Shakti Rising defines itself as: “a leading edge 501C non-profit organization working to create large-scale social change transforming the lives of women, girls, and the larger community. Shakti Rising cultivates health and emerging leadership in women and girls, ultimately empowering them to utilize their personal transformation as a catalyst for positive change in their families and communities. This creates gradual cultural change that supports sustainable, cooperative, healthy societies. Their work actively promotes community well-being by creating woman and child-friendly societies that are safe, healthy, vibrant, diverse, sustainable, and culturally alive. Shakti Rising’s mission is to empower young women to uncover, rediscover, and reclaim their whole selves.

Shakti Rising uses an innovative model in its approach and its overarching success is due to the creation and implementation of a proven and unique empowerment-based model of transformation.  Shakti’s model is a radical technology that displaces the orthodox approaches used by a majority of society and its core is: women centered; holistic; trauma-informed; expressive arts based; community based; sustainable; and leadership-oriented.  The premise is that those who transform themselves can initiate change in other individuals, groups, and communities.”

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It seemed so noncompetitive.

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Aryn Rannazzisi

I have always advertised kids’ yoga as noncompetitive.  I guess I always associated this as a yogini: all kids play, everyone is a winner, yoga is fair.  Then, I signed my four year old son up for an under six basketball league this summer.  Competition became a whole new concept.

Six year olds are developmentally different than four year olds.  There were some kids on Ben’s team who were actually pretty good basketball players.  And they were already six- one even about to enter the second grade.  This didn’t seem like a big deal to me, until the first game.  Sure, all the kids got equal amounts of playing time.  When a child made a basket, both teams got a point.  Parents and grandparents cheered all the kids on.  It seemed so noncompetitive.

Until, I realized the older kids didn’t want to pass the ball to the younger kids.  I get it- like I wrote: six year olds are developmentally different than four year olds.  If I were six, I probably wouldn’t want to pass the ball to a little 4 year old either.  I watched my son run up and down the court, yelling for someone to pass him the ball.  Instead, the older kids would dribble down and shoot the ball.  My husband and I tried to not let it bother us, but we couldn’t help feel sad when we heard our son ask his coach how come he never got a chance to shoot the ball.  Must there be such extreme competition that teammates don’t pass to each other and coaches don’t enforce such passing.  I know this sounds very whiney, but I just keep saying that the kids are four, five, and six.  They should be sharing the ball.

By the end of the season, Ben had developed fierce defensive skills.  He would do his best to take the ball from players on the opposing team.  It seemed like his best bet to actually get a chance to be a ball handler. 

I grew up watching competitive sports with my family.  I love baseball.  I have gone to numerous hockey games with my dad and husband.  I like it when my team wins!  But, preschoolers should all be winners.  They should all get to attempt to shoot a basket in their summer league.  Their games should always end in a tie- and parents and coaches should accept the tie, rather than spend time during the game keeping a “real score”. 

I realized that we had signed Ben up too soon for a sport.  It wasn’t because he wasn’t ready to listen to his coach or learn some athletic skills.  It was because I wasn’t ready to see my son in a non-winning light.  I spend so much time encouraging him and telling him that he is doing a great job, I couldn’t stand watching him treated as if he weren’t.  I dreaded seeing his little face pleading for a teammate to pass him the ball.  I had prepared myself to see his team lose.  I hadn’t prepared myself to see him beaten by his own team members.

Oddly enough, he got over everything quicker than either of his parents.  He begged us to take him to basketball practice daily and is sad it is over.  I have a whole new perspective on organized sports and will be more prepared when he plays on his next team.  I continue to encourage him and try to promote a noncompetitive attitude.  In the meantime, we will practice and play at home and all be winners.

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Ashtanga Mama

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Aryn Rannazzisi

            After my son was born, I was blessed with the opportunity to quit my teaching job and focus on motherhood.  I was so happy spending my days with him.  However, I missed one thing: my yoga practice.  Before Ben was born, I attended class at least 5 days a week.  It was my “happy place”.  I tried to have a home practice, but with a new baby around, it felt like there were always things preventing me from going beyond a few sun salutations.  I took Mommy and Me yoga classes and loved the bonding time.  But, these classes always seemed light on the “Mommy” and heavy on the “Me”; I didn’t get much practice in.  I actually toted a sleeping Ben in his car seat to a few Mysore classes.  Inevitably, he would sleep for about 30 minutes and I would have to leave before he disturbed any of the other students.  Eventually, Ben grew and I would leave him with my husband so I could attend a couple of classes each week.  The situation started all over when Tess was born.  Now it is even harder to get a practice in with two kids.

            I was so thrilled when I shared these thoughts with Dana Rae Pare, owner of Infinite Yoga in Little Italy.  Dana responded with the concept of Ashtanga Mama, the class I teach at Infinite Yoga on Mondays at 9:00am.  Ashtanga is a powerful and traditional yoga style.  Motherhood is also powerful and traditional!  Incorporating the standing sequence at a dynamic pace, we draw on the inner strength of the mamas in the studio.  Motherhood isn’t weak and neither is this invigorating practice!

            Moms bring their little ones (yes- more than one little one is okay), toys, and sippy cups (no snacks please).  And, we get our yoga practice on!  Sure, there are interruptions from time to time, but I am always amazed at how well the moms work together and how well the kids play with each other.  I only wish Dana had thought of this 4 ½ years ago.

            So, I encourage all the local moms to come to class- at least twice.  Coming two times gives you a chance to know what to expect and your children a chance to become familiar with the studio.  Right now, Infinite Yoga is running a special- one free week for new, local students.  I would be honored for you to join me!

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Slow Down! Don’t Be in Such a Hurry!

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Aryn Rannazzisi

It never fails.  I leave a wonderful yoga class, feeling fantastic and calm.  I get in my car, relax behind the wheel and drive home.  Only to have someone speeding along in their car cut me off.  My body immediately tenses; maybe my foot even hits the brake.  I scream, “slow down!  Don’t be in such a hurry!”  The effects of my blissful yoga class reversed as I drive the remainder of the way home.

Slow Down!  Don’t be in such a hurry!  It is ironic I shout those words when I should ask myself how often I am in a hurry. I do not speed in my car.  But, I constantly speed around my home- sometimes projecting my hurriedness onto my children.  Just yesterday I wanted to take the kids to Balboa Park to a museum.  I was shouting at my son to hurry, go potty and get his shoes on.  Why?  Why exactly was I shouting at him?  He is 4 and only has minimal comprehension of time and tardiness.  I was taking the kids to the museum for their enjoyment (I would much rather have stayed home and finished my cleaning).  We eventually got to the museum and enjoyed ourselves, but I cannot help but regret the tone and actions I took to get there.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali define yoga as having eight limbs.  The first limb- the yamas- looks to change the direction of the individual’s thinking.  Within the yamas is ahimsa, meaning not to kill or be violent.  Many yogis and yoginis choose a vegetarian lifestyle based on the principal of ahimsa and the direct translation of not killing.  But, if we look at it even deeper, in Patajali’s text or B.K.S. Iyengar’s Light on Yoga, we learn that a yogi has a larger responsibility.  He should honor all creatures with love and dignity.  He must help and encourage those who are weak, such as someone who is ill or a newborn child.  Through ahimsa, a yogi finds justice and shows compassion.

When we hurry- we are lacking ahimsa.  When we hurry our children- especially with angry and harsh words, we are not encouraging the weak or showing compassion.  Perhaps Patanjali and B.K.S. Iyengar did not consider what it means to kill someone’s spirit, but as parents we should recognize this in ourselves.  I am far from a parenting expert.  I make daily mistakes.  But, as a yogini, I should know better.  Many yoga instructors and companies talk about “taking yoga off the mat.”  So, let’s all take a little yoga off the mat this week and mindfully approach hurrying our children.

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The Wild Feminine

Posted on May 23, 2010 by Aryn Rannazzisi

I was asked recently to write an article for Shakti Rising (www.shaktirising.org) on the Wild Feminine and motherhood.  The wild feminine is a return to mother nature as we use our intuition and our guts to harness our powerful feminine side.  As women, when we stay authentic and true to ourselves, we cannot escape our wild feminine and the inner strength that it provides us.

Yoga makes me strong!  But, motherhood has made me stronger.  Check out my article.

There was a time in my life when I wanted to become a gypsy—free, adventurous and wild.  I wanted to see the world with a backpack and a passport full of customs stamps. This was my wild feminine dream, untamed by responsibility. These days, my passport is expired. Motherhood has completely transformed my perception of the wild feminine.  I recently tried to sum up this change to an old friend, and the best way I could describe it is was a loss of spontaneity and adventure.  That might seem terrible to some.  It actually sounded terrible to me at first.

In 2005, during my very first prenatal visit for my son, the nurse told me that I should avoid walking in high heels.  When I told my mom about this she said “Aryn, being pregnant is not an illness.”  As usual, she was so right. Our society treats pregnancy and motherhood as weak.  Don’t get me wrong, there are so many things about pregnancy that are uncomfortable; but discomfort is not a sign of weakness.  Pregnancy and motherhood returns us to our essence, our most innate power as women.   Today, this is my concept of the wild feminine. I had never given much thought to reincarnation; but, when I touched my son’s little hand for the first time, I knew our souls had always been connected and he had always been a part of me.  It happened again three years later when my daughter was born.  They are my greatest accomplishments; so ultimately, it is okay that my passport is expired, because I don’t have plans to go anywhere right now.  I can’t leave two pieces of me behind, nor would it be fair to lug those pieces with me.  My adventures may now be kid-friendly, but not less wild.

The role of Mother is a not an easy one.  It takes bravery and instinct. We have to remain serious and calm, but never so much that we cannot laugh at ourselves or our children.  We overflow with love and intuition, so much that our tears are often a mix of joy and sorrow.  I wept the night before my daughter turned one.  The days are so long and difficult during the first year.  I was physically and emotionally consumed by my daughter’s needs.  It was exhausting.  But thinking of her butterfly birthday cake and number one candle, I couldn’t help feeling sad the year had passed so quickly and my baby was no longer an infant.   As mothers, we are the first to be blamed if our children misbehave – we blame ourselves, too!  We are the first to wake up to feed a hungry baby or comfort a sick child.  We dress, feed and bathe our children before we do ourselves.  We have all been embarrassed at one time or another by our children in public.  We are pressed to make quick decisions, and decisions that require great thought and research.  Mothers are so needed, not only by their children, but on a societal level. We must listen to our hearts and our guts.  When we do, our strength and power are truly manifested in our children, our families, and even our societies.  The role of Mother is the wild feminine.

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