&larr back to seva


Kishan Shah workshop weekend

April 28th, 2010

Friday, May 14 – Sunday, May 16

Kishan Shah is a teacher of Yoga and Meditation, practitioner of Ayurvedic Holistic Medicine, and Yoga Therapist based in Los Angeles. When not at home in Southern California you can find Kishan leading workshops, trainings, and retreats Internationally. He has trained in the Himalayas with Swami Govindananda, in Mysore with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy, and in Los Angeles, California with Shiva Rea. His primary influences on the method of practice are within the lineages of Sri T. Krishnamacharya and Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati Maharaj. Kishan serves as an adjunct Professor at the University of California Los Angeles in the department of World Arts and Cultures lecturing on Yoga Philosophy, Meditation, and the practice of Vinyasa Yoga. Born to an Indian father and an American mother, Kishan blends both ancient Eastern and modern Western cultural and philosophical ideas of spiritual evolution into his practice.
Read the rest of this entry »

sweet and sour tempeh

April 26th, 2010

We tried this quick and easy recipe for sweet and sour tempeh last night. It was delicious!

sweet and sour tempeh

A Chinese-inspired vegetarian and vegan tempeh recipe with pineapples and peppers in an easy sweet and sour sauce.

Read full recipe at about.com

-michele

therapeutic yoga workshop with Lynn Medow

April 21st, 2010

Friday, May 21 – Sunday, May 23.Lynn Medow

Friday 6:30pm – 8:30pm : The Postural Template :
Find your optimal alignment for freedom of movement and avoidance of injury.
Special bonus for yoga teachers, personal trainers, physical therapists and body workers of all types: Discover your best posture and begin to be able to identify misalignments in your students and clients.
*note* Friday night session is MANDATORY before attending Saturday, Sunday or both.

Saturday 1pm -4pm : What Doesn’t Bend, Breaks:
Specifically geared toward the athlete, from the elite competitor to the week-end warrior, learn to apply your postural template to individual sports and activities.
Special bonus for yoga teachers, personal trainers, physical therapists and body workers of all types: begin to assist your students and clients in shifting/correcting their postural misalignments.

Sunday 1pm-4pm : The Empowerment of Yoga:
Whether you are living with a chronic illness, a temporary injury or are advancing in years, learn how the postural template can support freedom of movement and peace of mind. Simple breath practices will also be introduced.
Special bonus for yoga teachers, personal trainers, physical therapists and body workers of all types: the information shared will enable you to offer additional support and guidance to your students and clients.

buy online:

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

April 4th, 2010

Another great recipe from Seva student Brian Fox. Thanks, Brian!

Awesome Vegetarian Black Bean Chili Recipe

This recipe is quick and good. It can be used a lot of different ways besides just chili too. Use it for taco salads, in burritos, over nachos, as sloppy joe’s, etc.

INGREDIENTS
o 4 Morningstar Farm, Spicy Black Bean Burger (thawed)
o 1 onion, diced
o 3 large garlic cloves, minced
o 2 can black beans
o 1 can corn
o 1 large can diced tomatoes
o 1 tablespoon chili powder
o 1 tablespoon cumin
o 1 brunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
o crush red pepper flakes (to taste)
o salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Other toppings
o shredded cheese ( I use Mexican blend)
o Finely chopped red onion
o Salsa
o Sour cream

Put garlic, onions in a sauce pan w/ olive oil and sauté . Add black bean burger, beans, corn, tomatoes and spices (except cilantro) and cook for 20 minutes, until tender stirring often. Add chopped cilantro , barbeque sauce, pepper flakes, salt pepper to taste. Simmer mixture 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Options:
o 1 /2 cup of barbeque sauce — this makes an awesome sweet and spicy flavor.

partner (or friend) massage workshop

March 30th, 2010

Friday, April 23 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Marro Spehar, Certified Massage Therapist, leads this workshop for partners and friends. You’ll gain the skills to work on each other and every day tips for specific trouble spots. This partner/friend massage class is based on simple, easy-to-learn Swedish and sports massage techniques and is designed to help you share the nurturing, relaxing, therapeutic benefits of massage with each other. I limit class size to no more than eight couples to ensure that each couple/pair gets personal attention. (Please bring 3 regular bed pillows per couple.)

Cost is $45 per couple

raw yoga with Michele and Mimi

March 30th, 2010

asana to fuel the rasa –

Saturday, May 1st 3pm-5pm

Rasa – is divine nectar; flavor – our essence….Rasa is – to taste, & enjoy an appetite for life. It is the best elixer – the juice, the potion – the magic! Rasa is pure delight.

Nourish your body, mind and spirit! Enjoy a vibrant and grounding Yoga practice followed by an intro to fast & delicious live foods for everyday. Michele and Mimi will lead participants through a balanced asana practice and then will prepare and enjoy raw green smoothies using organic fruits and veggies. Enlighten your day with yummy rasa & asana!

Cost is $40 per person

posture and pain lecture

March 29th, 2010

Saturday April 10, 1pm – 3pm

Eliminate pain by changing your posture.

Dr. Andrew Schafer, DC talks about the relationship between poor posture and back pain, neck pain, and headaches. If you don’t know what good posture is, how do you know if you have it?

Admission is free, but please RSVP by calling (616) 301-3000.

Seva Project, April – Humane Society of Kent County

March 16th, 2010

Greetings animal lovers!!! In February, volunteers from Seva gave their time and had a lot of fun caring for our feline friends at the Humane Society of Kent County. For April’s Seva project we’re giving more love to the animals at HSKC! All month long we’ll be collecting pet food donations at Seva. Please consider donating dry food for dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters.

Woof, Meow, Shanti!

yoga and aging

March 10th, 2010

Michele Fife and Ron Collins team up to show WoodTV’s eightWest viewers that yoga is accessible and beneficial to anyone, regardless of age:

mommy & me yoga

February 28th, 2010

April 6 & 9 11am -12:15pm

Has your yoga practice slowed down a bit with your new baby? Or are you wanting to start a yoga practice but don’t have the time with a newborn? If so, this class is for you! Mommy & Me Yoga is designed to give you the tools you need to continue (or start) your yoga practice while caring for a new baby. The poses are designed to give mom a well rounded yoga practice while interacting and stimulating baby. Both you and your baby will fold, twist and stretch in a fun and playful way. No experience necessary

What you need:
· Yoga mat (or rent one at the studio)
· Blanket
· Small towel
· Baby’s favorite small toy
· Sling or other baby carrier (if you use one)

Cost is $40 for the 2 sessions