Tuesday, September 29, 2009

End of class rituals

The end of class is what students will take away most. It is the moments right after Shevasana (Final relaxation) that make the class for me.


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

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