T.R.E.E. Guide to Yoga Postures

By Jennifer Walsh-Rupakheti – Owner & Founder of Namaste Yoga Centre Belfast

If you are struggling with a Yoga posture, take a breath and remember T.R.E.E.

Try – Give it a go. Try the Yoga Posture and see how it goes. If you don’t try then you will not know what you are capable of

Relax – Remember to relax into the Yoga posture. When you tense up and try too hard, your muscles will contract. This means that you are tensing the muscles that you are trying to stretch. Ooch.  So relax and allow your body to gently stretch and release tension

Ease – Be gentle with yourself and your body in the Yoga pose. Don’t push and force. Go easy, slowly and gracefully through the posture. Remember, Yoga is not a competitive sport.

Enjoy – Smile, laugh and giggle. Take time to enjoy it. You are amazing!

For more Yoga Tips Read Namaste Yoga Tips

Jaulo – Nepalese Stew

Reminiscing back to childhood meal times, brings up memories of Irish stew, shepherds pie and chicken soup. Homely and lovely comfort food.

Jaulo is the Nepalese version of  this hug in a bowl. Made using the Nepalese and Indian staples of Rice, Lentils, Garlic and Ginger, it is scrummy and the perfect dish when it’s raining outside or when you need something warm and satisfying.

Ingredients:

1 Cup – Red lentils or Moong Dal

1/3 Cup – Rice

1 or 2 Garlic cloves – finely chopped

Fresh root Ginger – Thumb size piece – finely chopped/grated

1 teaspoon – Turmeric

1/2 teaspoon – Garam Masala

Cumin seeds – pinch

Salt to taste

Optional – Veg or Chicken stock

4 – 5 Cups – Water

Method:

Wash lentils/dal until the water runs clear (soak for about 30mins to reduce cooking time-optional)

Heat a little oil in a medium sized pot

Add the pinch of Cumin seeds and allow to cook for just a few seconds

Add the garlic and ginger & soften for a minute or so

Add lentils/dal and stir in

Add the Turmeric and Garam Masala. Stir together to combine ingredients and cook for 30 secs

Add the rice and again stir in

Add 4-5 cups of water (depending on how thirsty your lentils and rice are)

Add salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon)

Add veg or chicken stock if desired

Stir well and bring to the boil and simmer for 25 minutes or until the lentils and rice are well cooked.

Stir a few times during the cooking and add water if needed. Some people like this dish to be really thick and others prefer it to more thin, it’s up to you!

We like to have ours with a lovely spoonful of natural yogurt and a sprinkling of coriander leaves

Namaste And Enjoy!

Jennifer Walsh-Rupakheti

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