I’ve gotten a lot of questions from people recently remembering the following post, originally released in April, 2010. Then, a friend sent this youtube video (warning: funny) and couldn’t resist reposting.

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Last week, I went to a party and this guy and I got into a lively conversation about…neti. You know, the yogic practice where you run a mild, warm saline solution into one nostril and out the other using a little neti pot?

Yes, at a party. It’s Berkeley, people.

Anyway, somehow I started to wax on about my newly acquired giant neti pot which I got about 6 months ago and how much the larger size neti pot has changed my life. I mean it. Changed. My. Life. I swear by this thing. The wild part is, he responded with equal enthusiasm! He had recently gotten the big kind, too, and couldn’t believe the difference. I’m not alone on this one.

Again, it’s Berkeley, people.

I’ve been using neti pots for years. I mostly used what I had access to: cute little ceramic numbers from the generic yoga studio or health food store that hold maybe a cup or two of water. This small amount of water, split between both nostrils, makes for a paltry jala neti experience. Still, even with the tiny pot, I was pretty excited about jala neti when first discovered it and I practiced it regularly for a time. I was impressed with the results. I even gave my family members little hand-thrown ceramic neti pots one Christmas. Poor guys.

Enter the new giant neti pot. I got it about 6 months ago for my birthday and it has been an amazingly different experience. The big neti is where it’s at. I even took a picture. That’s big neti across the table from me at a candlelight dinner. As you can see, it’s getting pretty serious.

It’s made by healthandyoga.com and I even tried to get a discount code for y’all, but I have been reticent about making this forum commercial in any way, even if it saves YOU money. So, just submit a comment here or on fb if you want me to do it to save you 15% or something. (UPDATE: DUE TO READER RESPONSE, THERE IS A DISCOUNT CODE HERE.)

Anyway, this pot. I feel like I want to tell you guys about this pot the way I used to want to tell a girlfriend about a new guy. This neti? I mean wow. Shiny and nice and new, but what it comes down to is that…it’s big.

Size matters.

And it can go again and again and again. I usually fill it twice in a session–once for each side. It’s incredible.

What more could any girl ask for?

[Note: it's a great idea to talk to a qualified yoga instructor if you are interested in starting a jala neti practice. Despite what you'll read on the internet, it *is* a practice, not something to take up now and then when you're feeling congested. It does so much more than 'clean the sinuses' or whatever they say. And, if you're a renegade and are gonna watch youtube and try it anyway, please please PLEASE use good, filtered and boiled water and dry your nasal passages gently and thoroughly afterward. Your head will thank you.]

Pregnant mamas, please come to get ready!

Postpartum mamas, bring your babe and learn some tricks to make it a bit easier!

The postpartum period is so much easier with a few tips and tricks up your sleeve! Class will include herbs and food cures that are easy to have on hand to self-treat.

Natural approaches to common concerns will be given: managing baby blues, natural pain relief, balancing appetite, toning the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor, lactation issues, prevention and home treatment of mastitis, strategies to maximize rest and minimize stress.

For new moms and moms-to-be. Bring your partner.

$35, but partners attend for FREE.

When:  November 20, 2011 12:30-3:00pm

Where: Berkeley Yoga Center

call 415.938.7421 to register or click below to pay online.

This just in! I’ve got a discount code! Go to HealthandYoga’s website and use the discount code: sri2580!

Thanks to those of you who responded to the last post, now you’ll all be able to get in on the big neti action. Maybe once you beef up your neti practice, you will appreciate my obscure humor in the last post. (Yes, that *is* a picture of a candlelit dinner with Big Neti. And yes, the other picture shows the two of us snuggled up in bed. You and your Big Neti will fall in love all too soon and you’ll know just what I’m talking about!)

Good news and bad news: the discount wasn’t as high as I hoped–only 5%, but it applies to your ENTIRE PURCHASE! Yay! At least I think that’s how it works. Y’all let me know if there is a problem, ok?

Have fun!

During pregnancy, so much emphasis is given to prenatal support and preparedness for “labor day”. Books guide parents in creating a birth plan, classes offer birthing techniques and all manner of doulas and therapists can be hired. But what about after the baby’s birth?

In this workshop, Sri Lalita will guide moms-to-be and their partners through essential information about the postnatal period with the intention of making that time a relaxed and sacred transition. Education about Ayurveda will be given, with application to healing from childbirth, easing into lactation and creating a close mother-child bond.

Healing herbal formulas, nutritive recipes, teas and sitz baths–even placenta recipes–will be discussed. Strategies for promoting optimal recovery from labor and delivery will be offered, including remedies for common postnatal discomforts.

New moms, moms-to-be, partners and birth professionals are encouraged to attend. Partners are welcome to attend for free so that they, too, can support the new mom and baby.

Cost: $60 (Partners are welcome to join for FREE!)

Location: Yoga Mandala
2807 Telegraph Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705
Dates: Sunday, January 17, 2010
Time:  10:00 AM-3:30 PM
Contact: 510.486.1989 pre-registration

A winter yoga practice is so delicious.

Now that we have been on Daylight Savings Time for a bit, I’ve gotten used to the fact that our regular Sunday afternoon yoga class at Yoga Mandala occurs during magic hour. While my favorite place to be at sunset is probably outside gazing at the amber horizon in quiet contemplation, I don’t make that happen very often. It’s usually a busy, but soft time at home when I’m feeding and bathing my boy and ushering him gently off to bed. That’s why I’m so pleased that my public class falls at this time. To be in the mandir practicing through the sundhi–the joining of the opposites of day and night, in this case–feels so rich.

At this wintery time of year, our yoga practice is focused on keeping the cold, rough vata down (especially since it can be so windy in the afternoons here in the Berkeley winter) without letting the gluggy kapha stagnation accumulate. To that end, we have been focusing on P I, II & III series plus some long, steady holds in standing postures to open the channels and really let the asanas marinate. This allows the core warmth to be gently circulated and distributed throughout the body. Since winter seems to naturally lend itself to introspection, I’ve been enjoying highlighting forward bending and hip opening in a gradual, but consistent way.

Our class is a Hatha I-III and I’m always pleased to see the regulars and the brand new folks alike. If you’ll be new to the studio, let me know. My hatha class is strongly flavored by my favorite practice–Adi-Yoga–as I am ongoingly studying that with my esteemed teacher, Dharmanidhi.

Location: Yoga Mandala
2807 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
Time: Sundays 4:30 p.m.
Contact: 510.486.1989

Our yoga studio has a really great deal going on now where you can bring in a friend for free all this month. Consequently, we’ve met lots of new people. It has been a really fun opportunity to teach more than just the usual suspects at Yoga Mandala in Berkeley.

In response to the newcomer energy in class, I’ve had to contextualize a few of the things we do at our studio that are unique–er, “unique” in the sense that they are *so* traditional and rootsy yogic they feel radical to us in comparison to the contemporary, commercial American yoga scene.

Take, for instance, our mandala chanting. Yes, we make it short and sweet. Yes, we provide a pithy explanation every time. But for me, it is one of the most important aspects of practice. Chanting orients the entire session, setting the tone for whatever practice follows.

To me, it’s serious stuff. Here’s a (sadly) not uncommon scenario: it’s morning and I’m all shined up and ready to rock it on the yoga mat, only to find myself–COMPLETELY UNINSPIRED! You know the feeling: uh-ok-i-guess-i’ll-do-some-(sigh)-Pawanmuktasana-and-then-see-what-happens sort of thing.

It is tamas central, folks. Closed channels. Animal realm station on the BART train of the 6 realms. I mean, obviously, I know I’m going to pull myself out of it and will be stoked by the time breath is in full swing or later when it’s time to sit and yet, I’m thinking, “but how (oh HOW?!) am I going to get there this time, again, today?!” Essence nature is in there and I’ve gotta smuggle Her a file so she can break out of jail or something before limited ahankara notices.

Enter chanting.

Hands in supplication, there I am with no choice but to actually contemplate the innate mystery of Nature with my mind, voice and body (Oms): its totally Unbound, Flexible and Limitless Variegation (Ganesh chant), the Truth of its Wisdom (Sarasvati), and the Graceful Force and Power of Gratitude and Auspicious for Unbroken Living Wisdom (Guru Stotram). Oh yeah, and how could I forget the Teacher-Student Prayer which harmonizes me with everyone else I’m practicing with in this Fortunate Community of all practitioners throughout time? What a family. How many others have sat in this pose and opened their voices just like me today? How could I *not* open up?!

Boom: instant gratitude! With that, it is easy to practice.

So, yes. At Yoga Mandala–and every day–we chant with heart. It’s either that or fake it, folks, and I’m not that kind of girl.

Sri Lalita’s Hatha Yoga class is at 4:30 at Yoga Mandala.

Lovers of yoga,

This is just a quick one to let you know I’ve got a great sub for my usual 4:30 Sunday class at Yoga Mandala for a brief period. I’ll be out for May through the first part of June.

Kamesh, the studio manager, really went out of her way to find a nice sub. Isaac is a really sincere yogi who studied in Bihar. Check out his class. I would if I could, but if I could…well, then I’d be teaching, right?

Anyway, come June 21st you can count on me to be back in the temple for rich, Sunday afternoon helpings of nutritious hatha yoga asana, pranayama and meditation suitable for summer. Please join me then.

Caring for the Neck: A Daily Yoga Regimen

We know that building and maintaining strength and flexibility the spine is key to health, longevity and a sense of vitality. However, we sometimes forget that the neck is part of the spine! In many exercise and yoga regimens, the neck is often overlooked.

In this brief, 45 minute class, we will discuss the basics of neck care. We will learn basic yoga postures and easy strength training to gradually increase range of motion and strength in the neck, affording greater stability and circulation to the structures in the neck and helping to prevent injury and tension. This simple regimen can be practiced almost anywhere.

Location: ALIVE Chiropractic
4223 Piedmont Ave.
Oakland, CA
Date: January 14, 2009
Time: 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Contact: (510) 457-5874