Nourish Santa Cruz Downtown | Yoga | Massage | Nutrition

Nourish

Nourish / Yoga — No Comments
22
Sep 09

Back To School

Minus one decade, each year of my life has revved up in September and slowed down markedly by the end of June. Yes, I have been either a student or a teacher for the majority of my life. Packing 12 months of energy into 10 months each year ended for me when I finished grad school and became a dietitian. But now that I’ve finally settled into a 12 month rhythm, I’m starting school all over again. No, I’m not getting another master’s or pursuing a Ph.D. Dalia just started kindergarten. Every time I see her proudly carrying her brand new Hello Kitty lunchbox, put on her new shoes, and run to the playground to go across the monkey bars, it takes me back to when I was a student. It was always so exciting to delve into the newness of it all each September. Now I’m getting ready for the first show and tell, reliving the first field trip, and meeting the first class pet all over again. As a self-proclaimed nerd, I’m almost as excited as Dalia to be back in school. I’m just counting myself lucky that my P.E. is yoga now instead of dodge ball.

Jocelyn

Nourish / Nutrition — 3 Comments
22
Sep 09

Sausage-less Sausage

I am not a vegetarian. My partner is though… which basically makes me a vegetarian.

However, my partner is not one of those vegetarians that does not like meat. She’s an ethical vegetarian; which means while she doesn’t agree with how the food reaches the plate, she sure likes the taste of some of it. Which is how why we came to discover the taste sensation that is Trader Joe’s Sausageless Sausage!

Now, without wanting to sound like a commercial, this product is seriously great. Coming from England, I have high standards when it comes to bangers. Previous to our discovery we had tried various other brands of veggie sausage; most of which, at least to me, tasted like rubbish. However, with the sausageless sausage, they have nailed the texture and flavors.

It does not taste exactly like it’s pork cousin, as fake meat never does, but the ingredients they use give it a warm and herby feeling; not unlike the stuffing you eat at Christmas time. What’s more, the reduced cooking time and firmer consistency make it super versatile. We eat it for breakfast and in pasta, stir-frys, salads and sandwiches.

In terms of it’s nutritional value, it’s not bad either. It has a fairly high sodium content (which no doubt explains why it tastes so good) and contains some saturated fats, but being made from soy it is full of protein and even has some fiber.

So if you’re a vegetarian, vegan or even a meat eater looking for a healthier option, I would recommend you give these little links of love a try… and thank me later!

Anthony

Massage / Nourish / Nutrition / Yoga — No Comments
14
Sep 09

What do you value?

Last week one of our dedicated yoga students sent and email regarding the NOURISH Core Values that are listed on our website. Here is the text of that email:

“Dear Nourish Staff,

Thank you for the confirmation for my appointment with Jocelyn. Today I had the pleasure of having time to read all of Nourish’s information. It is great.

I would like to add a Core Value that I believe is missing, having been devoted to the Om/Nourish family now for years. That is the value of LISTENING. I would like to see the core value “WE LISTEN to and embrace suggestions, questions, concerns and joys of our clients, members, students, and customers.” As I read the list, I missed that important element [of the Dubin family(well, Dalia is still in training)(smile)].

Though I have not had many classes with Kate and Roxanne, I have found them, as well, always willing to listen to any question, or happy to share some tidbit of life experience I or anyone after class had to share with them. They listen. I also find both of those ladies so open and willing to share their lives with us, supporting and giving a foundation for a family of professionals who truly care about nourishing the health of anyone who is willing to give even the smallest amount of their time toward bettering their lives and walking through the doors of NOURISH. Thus, both Kate and Roxanne seem to me to be in concert with Victor and Jocelyn in the Core Value of Listening.

In our cultural climate, in our political atmosphere, in a world where the importance of individualism sometimes erodes, or shades the importance of social values, compassion and the development of camaraderie, listening is a skill often missed, yet yearned for. Victor and Jocelyn Dubin have always listened well to me, my friends and family. I have over the years, observed them continually take an interest in participants’ needs through active listening, a quality that is essential to NOURISH anyone’s mind, body and spirit.

Thank you, Namaste, and Aloha,

Kulani Kamaha’o

Devoted to Nourish”

Thanks Kulani. We are listening and you can expect the addition to our core values page soon.

Victor

Massage / Nourish — No Comments
10
Sep 09

Massage: preventive medicine vs. indulgence

Greetings,

Let me introduce myself — With a lifetime of experience (I started massaging around 2nd grade, giving my teacher neck and shoulder massages on rainy day recess), over 1000 hours of formal education, and nearly 8 years with a professional background; I can no longer call myself just a massage therapist. Trained in over 16 modalities, I am known to utilize massage, energy and breath work, and guided meditation in any of my sessions. I specialize in pain relief, injury recovery, stress reduction, emotional transformation, and relaxation. My interest is finding the deep seeded root of any issue within the body, the intention I bring is to HELP create sustainable results in every one of my clients. Here at NOURISH I consider myself a “Healing Facilitator,” I choose the term facilitator because I merely assist in the process of healing. It is up to each individual client to bring one’s self to the state of well-being.

More often than not, the common reason I hear people use to NOT have a massage is because they don’t have the time, money, or need to “pamper themselves” or “indulge in frivolous things”. I’m hear to tell EVERYONE…yes that means you too, please listen up…

Massage is much more than a simple luxury to be had when you have the time or enough extra cash laying around. It is an ideal way to keep your body/mind vehicle rejuvenated and nourished, which is helps with your overall well-being and maintaining a body free of dis-ease. The physical and emotional health benefits list is long and very detailed, but because it feels SOOOOOOO good, too many people don’t realize or even discredit the actual effects it has on the individual – body, mind, and spirit.

So I have decided to dedicate a blog series to the holistic health advantages of massage therapy…stay tuned to learn more!!!

Many blessings of health and vitality,
Yarah

Nourish / Yoga — 2 Comments
1
Sep 09

The King of Yoga

I read a theory once that suggested the main reason for watching sport, be it soccer, the Olympics or surfing on Steamers Lane, was the desire to see humans go beyond what we think is physically possible. The writer argued that the best moments in sport were the days when you saw an athlete go beyond good and move into greatness.

Well, I know that yoga is not a sport and that the majority of us practice the activity for helping and healing oneself… but I read a story the other day about an Indian man who certainly seems to have made the move from good to greatness.

On June 14th 2009, Mr C Poovendran set the world record for longest yoga marathon when he performed yoga for an incredible 28 hours!

While attempting the world record, Mr Poovendran performed 1019 asanas and also sought to entertain the spectators by drinking water and taking off his t-shirt… while performing a headstand… with his eyes closed!

Now admittedly on first read this story seems a little shallow. The breaking of world records is something that tends to take up the last five minutes of local news broadcasts and this seemed no different. However, when I learned a little more about his life, I began to think about it a lot more.

Mr C Poovendran is currently a yoga teacher who works in Hong Kong. He started his yoga training with his father at just five years old. By the time he was 14 he gained his first yoga award – the yogaraj… or King of Yoga. He has also gained the Best Demonstrator Award at the 5th International Yoga festival, the Yoga Rathna award (jewel of yoga) from the Divine Life society of Chennai, India, and the Creative/Innovation Award in 2006 from Pure Yoga International.

So clearly, Mr Poovendran is not someone looking to have his five minutes of fame by breaking a world record. This is his passion. To take something you love and push it to the very limit must have been very hard. I would imagine that practicing yoga for 28 consecutive hours has a fairly negative affect on your physical and emotional state (so don’t worry, we won’t be extending our class times here at NOURISH). I think I would be afraid that the effort alone would scare me off from every wanting to do a tree pose again. But for Mr Poovendran yoga is clearly more than an activity – it is his life’s work and his commitment to it is something I cannot help but be inspired by.

Anthony

Massage / Nourish — No Comments
29
Aug 09

Something New at NOURISH

I just wanted to take a moment to introduce a new item we got at NOURISH this morning.

Jim Gallas, one of our massage and yoga practitioners, has created his own Zen Tai Shiatsu DVD which illustrates and teaches the viewer some new and interesting massage techniques which he has developed throughout his career.

The DVD contains an easy to learn session that will leave your clients, friends and family deeply relaxed and revitalized.

Done on a standard massage table- zen tai integrates well with other forms of bodywork. It is ideal for on-site work, including corporate events, conferences and festivals. Proper body mechanics are emphasized for safety, strength and ease.

The DVD also boasts an appendix with user-friendly meridian charts, as well as Spanish and English language options.

Although this DVD seems to be geared towards practitioners, I think we call can benefit from learning a few basic massage techniques. Enjoy this video with a friend or loved one and practice the techniques together for a fun and relaxing time!

Jim is a highly practiced massage therapist who had trained other practitioners in Santa Cruz, CA. He is available for massage appointments by request only at NOURISH in downtown Santa Cruz. His DVD is currently for sale at NOURISH’s boutique.

Kate

Nourish / Yoga — No Comments
26
Aug 09

Laughing Yoga

I’ve been curious about Laughing Yoga since our Sing Along Yoga Workshop here at NOURISH. It was briefly mentioned before the workshop started and since then I’ve been thinking about what it might be like to participate in a Laughing Yoga class.

After some reading online, it seems that laughing yoga can be very similar to our Sing Along yoga class. Everyone being a little apprehensive at first, not knowing what it’s going to be like, how much they will actually sing aloud, etc. As it turns out, everyone sang their hearts out to every word that they knew and it seems the same is experienced in Laughing Yoga. The participants usually begin tentatively until you just can’t stop yourself from laughing even if you tried. By the end of the class everyone is feeling refreshed, more clear headed and feeling like they just had a really unique yoga experience.

The class begins with grounding and centering, then the laughing is introduced as an exercise. For example, try to give the deepest belly laugh you can, or add in a body movement that is in sync with your laughs. Soon enough you’ll be watching as those around you can’t help but join in the laughter. Can you imagine the potential health benefits from all the laugther? This can be a really fun yoga class to try out! (lol)

Nourish / Yoga — No Comments
11
Aug 09

The Downward Facing Dog

I heard someone in class ask the other day, “Why’s the downward facing dog so special?”

I completely got where they were coming from. Even before I really knew anything about yoga, I had heard the name. It seems like it is one of those yoga words everyone knows. But why?

Victor explained to the curious student that it is a pose that is used regularly and is often one of the very first stretches beginners learn. It’s a transitional pose that is fairly comprehensive in its benefits to the body; having a positive effect on the shoulders, legs, spine, arms and feet. Furthermore, it’s thought to improve digestion, increase the blood flow to the sinuses, build strength throughout the body and even help your immune system.

However, Victor was also quick to point out that despite its fame, it is not considered a superior stretch. There is no technical reason why downward facing dog has become entrenched within the mass public’s notion of what yoga is all about (alongside Sting and herbal teas).

So there must be some other reason. I would be so presumptuous as to suggest it’s good branding. It has dog in the title.

You may laugh, but a large portion of the population love dogs. Sure there are other “cooler sounding” poses (Warrior pose, Cobra pose etc.) but at the end of the day we are all suckers for a cheeky-looking cocker spaniel.

Perhaps on some level we also like the idea of copying the movements of a dog. I know at various points of my life I have watched a lovable mutt go about his day and thought to myself, “a dog’s life… they’ve got it pretty sweet!”

And there’s even a case to suggest it brings us closer to lost friends. I read about one lady who enjoyed the pose because it brought back fond memories of her very first puppy and made her feel closer to him in some way.

Whether any of this hits a chord, or you think I’m barking up the wrong tree, I think it’s fair to say… for a number of reasons… the downward dog is a special pose.

Anthony

Nourish / Playlists / Yoga — 5 Comments
7
Aug 09

Sing Along Yoga


I had the pleasure of listening to the sing along yoga class tonight while working at the Nourish reception desk, and I have to say that it was the MOST FUN class that Nourish has ever offered. I got to sing while I was working! I can’t even imagine how awesome it was for everyone who attended to sing while doing yoga. So for all those who missed the class, but still want the fun of yoga with a karaoke twist, or for all those who attended and can’t wait to do it again, here is the playlist from tonight:

Love’s In Need of Love Today by: Stevie Wonder
This Little Light by: The Montgomery Improvement Association
The Circle Game by: Joni Mitchell
Every Breath You Take by: The Police
Hey Jude by: The Beatles
Three Little Birds by: Bob Marley and the Wailers
Wonderful World by: Sam Cooke
Joy to The World by: Three Dog Night
Into the Mystic by: Van Morrison
Your Song by: Elton John
59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) by: Simon and Garfunkel
Lean On Me by: Bill Withers
You’ve Got a Friend (featuring special guest star James Taylor) by: Carole King
Bridge Over Troubled Water by: Simon and Garfunkel
Sunshine On My Shoulders by: John Denver
Imagine by: John Lennon

Dana

Nourish / Nutrition — No Comments
6
Aug 09

Why We Do This

Jocelyn works late on Thursday nights. It’s the schedule we’ve had for a while now (Dalia in preschool all day M/W/F; On Tues. with me during the day and Jocelyn at night, on Thurs. with Joc during the day and me at night).

Most Thursday’s she’s in the office seeing clients who need after work hours appointments, or taking someone on a guided grocery shopping at New Leaf/TJ’s/Staff/Whole Foods. Tonight she was in Monterey at CHOMP giving a presentation for the American Cancer Society, “Fight Cancer With Your Fork.”

Until February of 2009 Jocelyn worked part time at the Monterey Bay Oncology Center doing in person and phone consultations with cancer patients. In that capacity she mostly helped patients find foods they could keep down during chemotherapy, find nutrients to support getting well, and for some simply find joy in one of the basic pleasures of life during their transition into death.

Tonight, the spouse of one of those patients came to the presentation in order to meet Jocelyn in person and share how much the sessions his wife had had with Jocelyn in the last weeks of her life had meant to them and their family.

While she told me this my eyes swelled with tears. Tears of pride (I am so proud of my wife). Tears of sorrow (suffering and loss). Tears of gratitude.

Victor

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