I am excited to be making the Russian style sour kraut called kapusta by hand.  I remember my father making it in large buckets when we were kids, and it is the easiest thing to make, so delicious, and amazing for digestion.  I was making it and had cabbage and carrots, the only ingredients you need, and I kept on kneading it and squeezing it, and even put it in the jar, and kept wondering why there was no juice, it usually gives off a juice right away.  Then it hit me, I forgot the salt, one ingredient is missing, and it changes the whole recipe, once I put the salt, when I was squeezing it, it looked like rain drops.  I am actually very inspired to start making Challa, I enjoy the kneading with my bare hands, but my husband would have to put together the recipe, he is the chef, and always seasons everything I make, I am truly blessed, ready to have 15 people over for Rosh Hashana, and I want to make a traditional round Challa, http://www.aish.com/h/hh/rh/guide/Why_Round_Challah.html.

Forgetting one ingredient is a metaphor for life.  I had a Yoga class on Friday morning and we were talking about how in dance and in most everything else in life there is a perfect way to do something.  In Yoga there is no perfect way, and as a Doula I see that in birth there is no one way, each experience is completely unique and different for each person and each baby.  Each person has to trust and listen what their body is telling them, it is great to be inspired by others, but we will never be anybody else other than ourselves.  I like to say that Everybody is different, there is Nobody that is exactly the same, there is no perfect way, there is no one way, there is just your way.

The other side of going with the flow and doing what is right for you, is having some structure and discipline.  In exercise there is form, alignment, and core, and if it is not followed exactly, over time injury can occur.  I love that form and alignment is universal, but how we express it in each person is unique, we are all different proportions, flexibilities, levels, and energies.  Everyday we are different, so important to check in what feels good in the moment.

As we get ready to celebrate Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, I remember a great explanation for the Torah and how to lead a Jewish life. It is similar to getting an appliance or some kind of machine, and for it to work properly you need to read the instructions, one thing is off and it may not even turn on.  The Torah is the Jewish instruction booklet how to live a balanced, connected, happy, and spiritual life.  I love to keep learning, and I enjoy hearing what my children are learning.  We eat apples and honey as a symbol for a sweet year ahead.

So excited to celebrate tomorrow night,

Coach Yulia