Labels

LABELS… what do you do? who is that with you? what religion are you???

Whether they define relationships, personal achievements, beliefs, or whatever… I’ve learned that labels lead to all sorts of expectations and preconceived notions. They put us in a box and make us conform to some sets of rules and ideas, they rob us of our uniqueness and force a relationship to comply with certain standards. Labels cannot define me… I am just me and I am fluid and I change and I flow like a singing brook experiencing life and all that it has to offer. The more I soak in as I walk my path, the less I realize I know, the more honest and fearless I am about my feelings and needs, the less I need a label for a sense of security and identity… for I am nothing but a transient star in the sky but then I am everything the eternal all encompassing sky… chittanad roopah shivoham shivoham!!!!

Not a Size 4

I am not the size 4 I was three years ago, I am not the 23′ waist I was fifteen years ago… do I see disappointment as I stand before the mirror????
I stepped out of the car, the breeze kissed my face,my hair out of place, my eyes smudged with kohl from the day before… my body not a size 4.
I took a few strides, the rays caressed my skin, my heart began to sing, the song of breath, of hope, of love, of unbridled passion… the song of life… my life… my body not a size 4.
I began to dance, to the rhythm of my heart, I saw my daughter’s beautiful face and thanked my waist which was not 23″ anymore for the gift it had borne.
I skipped up the hill and looked at my legs, legs that could stand for hours to teach, to cook, to move, legs that did not walk and stop at the command of someone else as they had done once before… legs which leaped, which danced, which walked to the command of life… legs which were not a size 4.
I felt my arms as they swung with my stride, arms that worked to feed all whom they loved, arms that hugged, that held, arms that swung to the song of my heart… arms that were not a size 4.

My body had been shaped by the hands of life, a body that worked hard to give the stars and the moon and some fairy dust to the child it had borne. A body that bowed in devotion to its creator for the songs it could sing,for the strength it could give. A body that was healthy and strong which harboured a mind which did not sucumb to please. A body that was an instrument to be kept in tune so it could play the song of the divine.

aah, the joy the gratitude of a body that was not a size 4!!!!!

Sat Chitt Anand Cafe – June 15

SAT CHITT ANAND CAFE

Friday, June 15

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5:40 – 7:30 p.m.

Shibana’s Home

Please place orders three to four days in advance by contacting

shibana_s@yahoo.co.uk or 510-676-9147.

We are continuing to put in our efforts with total surrender to the

divine will, doing our karma without being attached to the fruits of

our action! (The bhagvad gita)

We are opening the house to food, fitness and faith for children, we

are hosting the showing of a very special movie on reincarnation, we

are organizing cooking classes, music lessons, yoga, poetry, and a

space to commune until we can find a way to have a space which will

host all of these, all of us, and more.

(Please email or call Shibana @ – shibana_s@yahoo.co.uk

shibana_s@yahoo.co.uk – shibana_s@yahoo.co.uk / 510-676-9147 for

more information on any of these)

SAT CHITT ANAND CAFE WILL BE HELD ONCE AGAIN ON JUNE 15TH FROM 11

a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Please place your orders three to four days before June 15th. You

are welcome to come in, sit, enjoy music (tabla, sitar, singing),

talk, commune, or order for take away!

All funds received will be put into the SAT CHITT ANAND TEMPLE AND

COMMUNITY CENTER FUNDS!

with heartfelt gratitude and deep love,

shibana

MORNING MENU:

QUICHE (asparagus and fresh greens) served with salad

ALU PARATHA (Home made whole wheat tortillas stuffed with spiced

potatoes and cooked in fresh ghee) served with mint raita

POHA (Flattened rice cooked with nuts,raisins and vegetables) served

with raita

HOT/ICED CHAI

MANGO LASSI

EVENING MENU:

BUTTER CHICKEN (succulent tender organic chicken in a flavorful

sauce)

PANEER IN MINT AND CILANTRO SAUCE (fresh cubes of home made cheese

cooked in sauce)

GOBI ALU (a cauliflower and potato vegetable)

TAGINE FISH (fish cooked with special spices in a tagine)

SAFFRON RICE

KHASTA ROTI (handmade tortillas slow cooked on a flat griddle)

KHEER (A DELICIOUS RICE DESSERT SIMMERED IN MILK, AND FLAVORED WITH

CARDAMOM, PISTACHIOS AND FRESH EDIBLE FLOWERS) WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR

BOTH TIMES!!

Food, Fitness, & Faith for Children

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Our children live in a hurry-up world of busy parents, school pressures, incessant lessons, video games, malls, and competitive sports. We usually don’t think of these influences as stressful for our kids, but often they are. The bustling pace of our children’s lives can have a profound effect on their innate joy — and usually not for the better.

When children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and inner fulfillment, they can navigate life’s challenges with a little more ease. Children derive enormous benefits from yoga. Physically, it enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, their concentration and sense of calmness and relaxation improves. Doing yoga, children exercise, play, connect more deeply with the inner self, and develop an intimate relationship with the natural world that surrounds them. Yoga brings that marvelous inner light that all children have to the surface.

When children imitate the movements and sounds of nature, they have a chance to get inside another being and imagine taking on its qualities.When they assume the pose of the lion (Simhasana) for example, they experience not only the power and behavior of the lion, but also their own sense of power: when to be aggressive, when to retreat. The physical movements introduce kids to yoga’s true meaning: union, expression, and honor for oneself and one’s part in the delicate web of life.

We will co create lessons  and learning using movement, song, dance, food, drawing, and anything else that the children will teach me. We hope to sow in them a seed of consciousness which will bear fruit as they get ready to embark into the world.

Food, Fitness & Faith for Children

(3 to 7 years)

June 4 through 7

11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Cost: $88 for all 4 days (includes meals)

PLEASE ENROLL IN ADVANCE by contacting shibana_s@yahoo.co.uk or 510-676-9147

India-intoxicating,inspiring and illuminating!!!!!

As  I bask in the unconditional love and sensory experiences that India offers at every turn,my thoughts go back to my global family in the USA,the country I will always be indebted to for helping me the light when I was in the darkest abyss of life.The country which has given me family that goes beyond the relationship of blood or labels,friends who have been a pillar of strength to my daughter and I at every step.The country which has opened my heart,given me wings and grown my roots!!!

  India is my motherland ,stepping down from the airplane to this blessed land after  11 long years of lessons on life and love,it took all my self-control not to bow down and kiss the earth as i loudly sang SARE JAHAAN SE ACCHA( an Indian patriotic song describing the glory of the nation)as my embarrassed 13-year-old daughter looked on.

     India today is the fastest growing economy in the world.The land that conjures up images of snake charmers,elephants and starving people to the unexposed mind has a G.D.P rate  of 9.1% and adds to the millionaire count at the fastest rate in the world. India is the oldest culture in the world.It is diverse and complex ,experiencing India is like tasting a buffet of cuisines on your palate.It has the largest millionaire count in the world yet the poverty is stark and undeniable.It has a spiritual history older than civilization,people entrust themselves to the will of the divine before any new beginning, bow in obscience to elephants and the images of  the thousands of gods ,yet corruption is rampant in big and small ways. It has had women in position of power since times immemorial,the female form is worshipped as shakti,yet female infanticide is prevalent.India has the untouched ,breathtaking and virgin beauty of hills,forests,deserts,oceans ,landscapes and colours that would make Wordsworth and Van Gogh write more poetry and create more art,it boasts of being the abode of the cleanest village in the world,yet you can find garbage and dirt strewn around cities and monuments which are heritage of the country.India has given the world physicists,writers,economists and artists; yet illiteracy is a challenge.

India is not for the feeble hearted or the overly rational minded.It is not for someone who thinks that the woman labourer who carries a load of cement on her head and a baby on her hip as she toils in the sun should be reported for child abuse.It is not for someone who thinks that garbage on the street and cows grazing lazily qualifies it  for being a third world country. It  is not for the mind that thinks because people bow their heads to elephants and worship cows, they should be educated on science and technology.It is not for those who think that because many educated women fast and pray for the long lives of their spouses; there should be a  feminist movement in India. It is for the minds and hearts, that are equally open to pain, poverty, and all the darker shadows of life; as they are to joy, economic development, and the shades that add color to this journey. This by no means is advocating  to become non-chalant  or immune to suffering and injustice, On the other hand it is a plea to all of us to try to “be the change we wish to see in the world.” To walk on a path that will benefit all beings; but with dispassion and non-judgement.

    India is myriad of sensory experiences; of color, of love, of noise, of art, of culture…..and without any bias of being under the intoxication of God’s own country, I have to say that it needs to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. As a t-shirt I bought says, ” Come to India! One billion people can’t be wrong!”You will either be enraptured or overwhelmed by the offerings of India

  To enable my family  in the U.S; to experience India; I will be offering  ‘Food, Fitness, and Faith’ to the country. The trips will be an experience in the rich cultural heritage, the diverse art, the loving hospitality, the therapy of yoga, and the science of Ayurveda. It will be transformational to the mind, body, and spirit. My dear friend Pravin Agarwal (a PhD in psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies) says, “One trip to India is worth a thousand sessions of therapy.”

    My first retreat will be in September 2012 to Delhi–the heart of India–adjoining areas, and the northeast areas; which contain the untouched virgin beauty of India. So get those passports, fasten your seat-belts, and get ready for a journey that will began the metamorphosis!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

India

India is no doubt a country of striking contrasts. This is evident in its cuisine, as it is in its climate, geography, culture, and customs. India’s food reflects the colorful and varied life led by its people, as well as the external and internal influences that have shaped its style of cooking.

The Mughals invaded India from their homeland in Afghanistan and the Middle East, bringing with them exotic spices and dried fruits; which; when combined with ingredients create the rich ‘Mughlai’ dishes.

Indian recipes are generally handed down from one generation to the next. Weights and measures were never used, and the quantities of ingredients were estimated. Cooking and feeding people is a passion  for me; and I do it with my heart rather than my mind; as I do everything in my life. Hence, it is difficult for me to formalize my recipes.

I have made an attempt to write recipes for my cooking class; and I apologize for what may seem an abstract and unorganized method of teaching.

Biryani

(a fragrant and delicious chicken and rice casserole.)

(serves 2-4)

Ingredients

Chicken: 6 medium size pieces (traditionally it is used with bone, as it increases the flavor.)          

Yogurt: 1 cup

Onion: 1  (large)

Garlic: 6-8 cloves

Ginger: 1 small piece 

Tomato: 1

Rice: 1 cup (soaked and washed) 

Saffron: 5-6 strands

Lime/Lemon Juice: 2 limes/lemons

Spices: salt (to taste), turmeric (1/2 tsp.), red chilli powder (1/2 tsp.), clove powder (1/2 tsp.), cardamom (2), cinnamon (1), coriander powder (1 1/2 tsp.), garam masala (1 tsp.)

Herbs: cilantro and mint (chopped fine)

Oil/Ghee: 3-5 tbsp (depending on how you want to make it and if you use oil or ghee)

Milk: 6-8 tbsp. (to soak saffron)

Method:  Fry onion,ginger and garlic in 1 tbsp oil and then grind in blender

Marinate chicken in ground mixture,yogurt and spices except cardamom and cinnamon either overnight or for a few hours before cooking.

Take 2-3  in oil in a big pan.Add coarsely ground cardamom,cinnamon stick,bay leaf (cumin seed is optional).Put Marinated chicken and cook until almost tender and set aside.

Take a deep pan and fill with water.Bring to boil with salt,cardamom and cinnamon stick.Add drained rice and cook till al dente.

Take heat proof dish and coat bottom with oil/ghee.Layer with rice and then with chicken mixture,sprinkle with saffron milk ,lime juice and chopped cilantro and mint.Repeat layers following same method

Close lid tightly over dish(cover securely with foil first to ensure it is air tight) ann low heat for then cook on low  heat about 30 minutes.

Sprinkle with lemon juice and garam masala and serve hot with raita

optional;you can add raisins and almonds which have been browned in ghee on every layer or just on top if you choose.

RAITA:

Blend yogurt with hand whisk or fork with salt ,cumin powder and pinch of sugar.Add chopped cucumber,tomato and onion,stir well.Sprinkle with with paprika,cumin powder and chopped mint!!

much love

shibana

OUR NEXT FOOD,FITNESS AND FAITH CLASS WILL ON SEPTEMBER 11th FROM 11 A.M.

WE WILL COOK CHANNA MASALA(A GARBANZO BEAN CURRY COOKED WITH SPICES)PARATHAS(TORTILLAS COOKED WITH GHEE AND HERBS)KADHAI PANEER(CHEESE WHICH IS COOKED WITH TOMATOES ,ONIONS,CAPSICUM AND MILK) FROM THE NORTH  WEST OF INDIA AND DISCUSS PANCHAKARMA-THE TRADITIONAL METHOD OF THERAPY AND DETOXIFICATION IN AYURVEDA(I HAVE JUST ADDED TO MY AYURVEDA TRAINING IN INDIA STUDYING UNDER VERY EXPERIENCED TEACHERS)AND TAKING APPOINTMENTS  FOR POUTLI TREATMENT(AN AYURVEDIC THERAPEAUTIC MASSAGE DONE WITH A WHICH HAS BEEN MADE WITH A VARIETY OF WARM HERBS,THEN DIPPED IN WARM OIL AND MASSAGED OVER THE BODY.THIS MASSAGE IS ESPECIALLY USEFUL IN TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS BESIDES BEING VERY REJUVENATING)

COST:$55 FOR THIS CLASS

VENUE:TBD

FYI;AYURVEDIC AND SATTVICK COOKING IS BECOMING A PART OF THE CUISINE IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!!!!YAY TO THAT AND CONGRATULATIONS TO US FOR BEING AHEAD OF THE OBAMAS!

Glimpses of India May 29th

May 29th Glimpses of India

INDIA….mesmerising, mystic…exotic, exhilarating, spiritual and sensational.

Click here to see photographs from the event

It gives us great pride to bring to our beloved family in Santa Fe an evening of glimpses of exotic India….

“One trip to India is equal to a thousand therapy sessions.Conscious Traveller-Self Transformation Through Travel to India (web site)

Click for complete information

 Enjoy a taste of Shibana’s Wellness Rituals for the Month of May

To all of you…my global family I will be traveling to god’s own country…INDIA for the summer this June. I look forward to seeing you in September…rejuvenated, refreshed and ready to share experiences and life with you!!!

Shape up package:

2 Sculpt Your Body classes – Tuesday & Thursday 9-10:15 a.m

2 Step into Grace Yoga Classes –  Monday & Friday 9-10:15 a.m

8 classes for $80 or $10 drop in

Nirvana package:

2 Step Into Grace Yoga classes – Monday & Friday 9-10:15a.m

1 Candlelight Gentle Yoga & Meditation classes – Monday 7p.m-8:15p.m

1 Sunrise Yoga Class-Saturday 6:30pm to 8p.m

10 classes for $120 or $15 drop in

Teaser package:

1 Sculpt Your Body class – Tuesday 9-10.15a.m

1 Step Into Grace Yoga class – Monday 9-10:15a.m.

1 Mid Morning Movement class – Friday 12-1:15p.m

1 Zen Your Weekend Yoga class – Saturday 12-1:15p.m.

8 classes for $80 or$10 drop on

add any class to above package for $7 or $10 for two