I have had teachers in the past who allow us to finish the practice on our own and somehow I feel shortchanged because we do not come back together after creating so much energy in the room during the practice.
At the studio where I currently teach, the class always ends with tea. The first time I experienced this tradition, I was so touched...a sweet little gesture to unify everyone once again. The tea was so delicious. It was a combination of chai that is steeped for 1o minutes in boiling water, soy creamer and sugar or sweetener (like Stevia Leaf). It tastes like a chai latte---rich, wonderful and slightly spicy. Perfect end to a class.
A gesture like giving tea to the class or ending with a poem or a yoga sutra or can make a huge difference!
I'm excited to carry on the tea giving tradition and hope to begin some of my own with my students.
Here's a recipe I found on superluminal.com
Masala Chai Indian Spiced Tea
Milky, sweet and intensely aromatic, this version of tea is served at chaikhanes throughout Central Asia.
Total time
30 minutes
8 cups water
2 sticks cinnamon
20 whole cloves
20 pods cardamom
8 1/2" slices ginger root, unpeeled
1 tsp. peppercorns
2 tsp. coriander seeds
8 tsp. loose black tea leaves or 8 tea bags
2 cups milk, Sugar or honey to taste
Combine fresh cold water and spices in a pot, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the milk and return to a simmer; then turn off the heat, add the tea and steep for 3 minutes. Strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve and sweeten to taste. Makes 8 servings.
Enjoy!!
Namaste
