MY APPRECIATION

Some of the most rewarding and beautiful moments of friendship happen in the unforeseen open spaces between planned activities. It is important that we allow these spaces to exist.
So who is a true friend?
You see, a true friend is one who knows your weaknesses, but shows your strength; feels your fears, but fulfills your faith; sees your anxieties, but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities, but emphasizes your possibilities.
Under the magnetism of friendship the modest man becomes bold, the shy becomes confident, the lazy becomes active, and the impetuous becomes prudent and peaceful.
These are the friends I have acquired within a very short time. These are men and women that have recently made me a better person. They have nurtured my desires and are helping me to be the best that I can ever be. They have brought out the hero in me......they have taught me to look deep inside myself, deep into my sacred alters, and to discover that which lies within me....that which I can bring out during my practice to give myself the courage to grow.....that which nobody....nobody....can ever take away from me....

Just to pay a tribute to these great, awesome men and women, please allow me to mention a few names.
Mimi Rieger (purefitnessdc.com) introduced me to Budokon. Then she is the reason behind my very first hot yoga, ever....before she introduced me to heated yoga, I had never ever experienced it before, now am glued....She is amazing, one of a kind, simply the best. She is so gifted with unbelievable talents and gifts that I only used to see in the movies when I was growing up...now I still struggle coming to terms with the reality that I take her classes....what an amazing opportunity.....what an honor...And who assisted me with my very first headstand, ever? You bet she did......Mimi is truly amazing, she is an inspiration beyond compare.
Andrew McAuley and Rob Hess, these are men who have inspired me to embrace Yoga with all my heart and soul...I cannot find the right words to describe their greatness.....they are exceptional.....what an honor to be part of their practice....
Karin Bertozzi, she even inspired me to start taking sunrise Yoga at 6am, to enjoy the sweetness of life before the sun rises....what a wonderful discovery she brought to my life....I can only say "Thank you"
Robert Sherman has re-enforced my knowledge about muscle activation, and reminds me that it is not how strong we are, but how we use our strength to empower our lives.....he is a source of knowledge that I consult every so often....
Then there is Erin Pillman, the sweet young soul who sings at the end of her yoga classes (savasana)..... what a wonderful gift of singing that only comes from the Heavens......no one can ever take that gift from her.... 

These men and women, and many more that I have not mentioned, are very special to me. They have renewed my strength, revived my spirits, and revitalized my hopes and dreams. They are gloriously gifted with the magic of eloquent, generous, great talents. God is so wise that He never created these friends with price tags. If He did, I would never be able to afford friends as priceless as they are!!!! They will always occupy a special place of honor in my heart. And until the day that I die, I will remain a better person, thanks to these friends who taught me how to shine the bright light of my heart into the world....

 

And now, the last word....Those who tread the earth gently, when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace. In the privacy of the night, they meditate. When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place. So, meditate my friend, and let your eye be single, and your whole body shall be full of light.

LET'S TALK HAIR AND NAILS

No doubt you know that eating healthy is good for you in a plethora of ways—it can decrease your risk of disease, improve your immune system, increase your energy levels and even affect your sleeping habits. But did you know certain foods can improve the way you look, too? Read on to find out which nutrients will give your hair and nails extra luster, strength and shine.

Biotin/Vitamin H

Biotin (a.k.a. vitamin H) can improve hair that is splitting or thinning as well as strengthen weakened nails. Taken with zinc and the corticosteroid clobetasol propionate, biotin has even been used to treat alopecia, an autoimmune skin disease marked by the loss of hair. Nina DiBona, RD, dietitian and nutritionist at the Sports Club/LA in Boston, agrees. “A deficiency in biotin may result in brittle hair or even hair loss.” An easy way to remember: The H in vitamin H stands for “haar and haut,” which means “hair and nails” in German, DiBona notes.

Foods to Try: Bananas, beans, cauliflower, eggs, lentils, peanuts and salmon.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

To get shinier hair, introduce more omega-3s into your diet, which “help support scalp health and may give your locks extra luster and shine,” according to DiBona. The three active ingredients—alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid—are all essential fatty acids and "are important components of the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis that contains keratin and has water-holding capabilities. Deficiency in essential fatty acids can result in dry scalp or dandruff," she says.

Foods to Try: Eggs, flaxseed, fish oil, mackerel, salmon, sardines, spinach, tuna and walnuts.

Protein

Protein intake is important for many reasons, notably when it comes to hair and nails. Both "are made of structural proteins known as keratin, so adequate dietary protein is important for providing the building blocks for growing strong hair and nails,” explains DiBona. Lean meats are the easiest way to pack protein into your diet—just make sure to steer clear of any that are overly fatty.

Foods to Try: Chicken, eggs, lean red meats, lowfat dairy, nuts, seafood, soybeans and whole grains.

Vitamin A

“Vitamin A helps produce a conditioning substance for the scalp known as sebum, which keeps hair looking and feeling healthy,” says DiBona. In addition to these beauty benefits, this vitamin contributes to better eye health and immune system function, which keeps you vital and strong from head to toe.

Foods to Try: Apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, Cheddar cheese, egg yolks, mangoes, oatmeal, spinach and sweet potatoes.

Zinc

Zinc is another nutrient active in helping the immune system function properly, and DiBona also notes that it plays an important role in the formation of your connective tissues. "Zinc is a component of hundreds of enzymes in the body, some of which regulate the body’s ability to make new proteins that will become building blocks of healthy hair and nails," she says. "Alopecia, hair dryness and brittleness can be signs of zinc deficiency."