back to basics

keep it simple

*Photo by Ashley Mead at Sangha Yoga Shala, wearing Hyde organic yoga apparel.

I recently had an aha and DUH moment with an applied kinesiologist doctor I've been seeing for several years that was so simple yet almost hilariously profound. Whenever I visit I learn something new, but this experience was almost like re-learning something I've known all along.

I asked him about my low energy levels lately - having just started teaching earlier classes, my body is getting used to its revised schedule, and alongside seasonal allergies I have been feeling a bit sluggish.

Since I've been working with him for a while now, he is familiar with my eating habits and general routine, so he simply asked about my current work schedule. I replied the way I normally do, laughing with a side of discontentment, telling him I work almost all day every day unless I'm eating, commuting, practicing yoga/dancing/exercising, or sleeping.

His response was a heavy dose of enlightenment: we have lots of fancy tools we work with [yoga, meditation, chiropractic adjustments, cleanses, tapping, acupuncture, herbs, etc], but the body has an amazing ability to heal itself if we give it what we need. These essential components of survival are just air, water, and sleep.

He didn't discount the other dietary, energetic, physical and mental tools - they are important and can have incredibly healing impacts on our lives and our wellbeing, but they are secondary to the stuff that keeps our physical bodies intact: air, sleep, water.

So his answer to my conundrum: work less, get more rest, and you'll have more energy. No supplements or special foods to eat more/less of, just friggin' relax.

Easy, right? How did I miss something so simple? As someone who toots the horn of self-care, I felt a little ridiculous for not giving myself that essential space to reboot and refuel my gas tank, but was also so thankful for the reminder. Sometimes we need an outside source to spark that something within us we might recognize, but haven't yet put into action [or inaction, if you're me].

Click here to read the full post, including some basic tips to strip away the fancy stuff and feel better, inspired by my doctor.

What do you do to bring things back to basics? I would love to hear your practices, tips and experiences - please share!

Read on for a hearty and healthy spring recipe, event updates, music and more.