Tales of a Traveling Yogi: Baja, MX

"A funny thing happened in Mexico...."

If you have ever driven into Mexico, you know that feeling that arises as you drive south towards the border. As you pass the "Last U.S. Exit" sign and head down to Tijuana, a mixture of both freedom and fear set in as you enter the true Wild West.

Just 38 short kilometers south of TJ is our little home away from home - a surfer and sunbather's paradise. My husband, Devin and I make the trek down south every couple of months, usually staying at the swanky baja ex-pat community, Club Marena. When we come down with a group, this is our go-to spot because of the added security and their awesome jacuzzis that sit on the cliffs overlooking the famous surf break, K38, where the girls sip margaritas and watch our guys catch waves.

This past weekend, Devin arranged a trip for just the two of us to go down for my birthday and check out a new spot he described as "rustic". Being married to a man who wishes he lived in a yurt on the beach in Southern Baja, miles away from other human beings, I hesitated at his description of "rustic" but decided I was up for an adventure and went in with no expectations!

Situated at K59, Hotel La Fonda turned out to be charmingly rustic and full of surprises. Just a few minutes after checking in, we went to check out the rooftop bar and I hear "Mandy!" from a distance. Not expecting to see another familiar face for days, I was super stoked to see Heather, a beautifully vibrant yoga teacher friend from San Diego. She was down there with her husband, Nate and their friends, Clare and Brenden from PB. These four turned out to be the coolest crew in all of Baja. We all had so much in common and spent the next three days sharing stories about our big loves - Yoga, Surfing and Mexico - over some delicious almond tequila handmade by el gordo in Puerto Nuevo.

Days consisted of surfing, sun bathing, playing with the pups on the beach, eating shrimp ceviche, sipping cerveza Sol and finding cool places to take yoga pics, in no particular order. Nights consisted of one too many margaritas, listening to live music and hanging by the fire.

On our last night, came the biggest surprise of all - NO electricity! It went out around siesta time on Sunday and was still off when we checked out Monday afternoon. Not the biggest fan of camping or getting "rustic", I decided to try to have fun with it. So, we lit candles, drank by the fire and enjoyed the silence.

Initally, going down there, we brought 2 computers because Devin had to work and I insisted on finishing up some pieces I've been working on for a while. Usually devices are a no-no en Mexico, so this shows just how dependent we've become lately. I'm proud to say that, Gracias a Baja and its rustic-ness, both computers stayed tucked away all weekend and we had a chance to properly un-plug.

While disconnecting from technology, we were given an incredible opportunity to re-connect with eachother, make some new friends and simmer in the silence ~ Viva Baja! Viva Mexico!

SUP Yoga Workshop - June 2012

Hi friends! I am teaching a sup-er fun SUP YOGA workshop this weekend in San Diego.

Down dog on the water, floating Savasana under the sun....what could be better?

This 2-hour workshop will start with an introduction to paddling, then take your favorite yoga routines and put them on the water.  Yoga practice brings balance and restores all bodily systems by creating physical, mental and spiritual harmony. Yoga and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding combined are ideal for building better balance, coordination, endurance, and body strength.  

*No previous paddle board experience necessary.  

At least 1 year of Yoga practice preferred.  

Location: OEX Mission Bay

1010 Santa Clara Place  

San Diego, CA 92109  

Cost: $50 - paddle board rental included 

Space is limited to 12 students. Pre-registration is required.

Sign up

Sleep Good Stir Fry: Honey Glazed Tofu, Bok Choy, Broccoli and Pineapple Delight

It might possibly have been the best sleep I've gotten all month, maybe even all year! Maybe it was the awesome yoga class I took that morning or the fun bike ride I went on at sunset, but I have a hunch that it actually had something to do with the deliciously light, yet super filling dinner I came up with. Veggies and lean proteins like tofu have a way of doing that - making us fill totally full, yet light as a feather. The key to this meal is also going light on the sauces so that you aren't weighed down with too much processed sugar or salt. Here's to feeling great and sleeping oh-so-good at night!

Prep time: 20mins.  Cook time: 15mins.

Ingredients:

- 1-14oz package of Extra Firm Tofu, cut into long strips

- 1 head of Bok Choy, cut into six inch strips lengthwise

- A few crowns of Broccoli

- Light Marinade for Tofu

(I always use Trader Joe's Soyaki, but a light teriyaki with orange zest works too)

- Pineapple

 (I happened to have a fresh pineapple, which is always better than canned - no high fructose corn syrup or other preservatives - but use what you got!) Slice pineapple into small cubes.

- 3 cloves of Garlic, chopped (more if feeling garlicky)

- Honey (locally grown honey or agave nectar works best)

- Olive Oil

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350*. Place strips of Tofu in a tupperware container or ziploc bag. Drizzle marinade overtop. Shake around gently a few times, making sure to coat both sides of the tofu. Once fully coated, place tofu strips in an 8x8" oven pan, or on a baking sheet. Drizzle Honey lightly overtop. Place in oven and let cook until golden brown on one side. Then flip to golden on the other side. (This process should take 20-25 mins total. Turn up oven heat if you need it cooked faster)

2) While Tofu is baking away, slice broccoli crowns into individual strips lengthwise, being sure to capture the tail ends, which hold most of the nutrients. Place a large sauce pan with 1" of water on stovetop. Cover and bring to boil. Once boiling, place broccoli inside, still covered and let soften for about 2 mins, to your desired texture.

3) Bring another large sauce pan onto the stove and coat the bottom with Olive Oil. Turn on medium heat and bring it to sizzle. Once sizzling, throw in chopped garlic for no more than 30 seconds (try not to let garlic brown).

4) Place Bok Choy in pan and toss around with garlic and olive oil, letting it soak up all the goodness. Let the leaves cook down a bit so that they are tender and the stems are softened. Then, add the broccoli to the stir fry and start to add a bit more marinade over top the veggies. I used more soyaki, but you can also use a low-sodium soy sauce, teriyaki sauce or anything else you are craving. The key is to go light on the added sauces. Let the veggies do the talking!

5) Now it's time to add the Pineapple. Try to move around the veggies so the pineapple can get some time down on the bottom of the pan, closest to the burner. You want to try to get the pineapple a little crispy. Let all the different flavors blend together here in the stir fry for 3-5 minutes, then pull it off the stove and plate it.

6) Finally, the Tofu should be just about done in the oven, so once both sides are golden brown, pull the tofu out and place it on top of the veggie and pineapple stir fry. The long tofu strips will create a elegant presentation on top of the green veggies and yellow pineapple.

7) Lastly, smile at your beautiful creation and enjoy with a glass of white wine! :)

Tales of a Traveling Yogi: Eat, Pray, Love

The end of 2011 sent me to some of the most beautiful places in the world. From the North Shore of Hawaii, to the sleepy surfer town of Sayulita, Mexico to ringing in the new year on the fast-paced streets of Bangkok to starting off 2012 on a motorbike zipping through the jungle of Koh Chang, an island in southern Thailand - whew!

A few months in to the new year, I've had a chance to catch my breath and ground myself back home in sweet La Jolla. Reflecting back on my own version of EAT-PRAY-LOVE, I learned alot about myself, my yoga and the world - and I am finally ready to share! Stay tuned for upcoming posts about this journey that I am on - that WE are all - on together. Namaste!

5 Yoga Poses to Help You Through a Break-Up

 

This is a guest post that I wrote for lifestyle blog, MindBodyGreen. In my own life, I am constantly thinking about the type of people I surround myself with. Are they supportive? Uplifting? Helping me become a better version of myself? If not, the hard part then is deciding when and how to start to remove their negative energy from your life. Sometimes it can even be a best friend or family member, in which case it feels equally as traumatic as breaking up with a lover. Here is my take on what breathing techniques and poses can help you heal a broken heart.....Happy reading!

5 Yoga Poses to Help You Through a Break-Up

By Mandy Burstein

As a yoga instructor, I am constantly trying to figure out how to best help my students liberate themselves from toxic energies and negative emotions. I’ve come to notice that most of the toxicity we absorb is a result of being in unhealthy relationships with partners, friends and family members.

To read the full post, click here: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4854/5-Yoga-Poses-to-Help-You-Through-a-BreakUp.html

STAY OPEN

My Intention for this Week:

Stay open to all the positive energy flowing my way 

and understand that when challenges arise,

they are lessons in disguise.
Who's joining me?



How 1 Hour on Sundays Will Change Your Life

This is a piece I wrote for MindBodyGreen after a super hectic weekend that left me feeling out of balance and totally unprepared for the week ahead.

Wishing you 60 minutes of zen on Sundays to center yourself for the new week!

You can read the full piece here: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4644/How-1-Hour-on-Sundays-Will-Change-Your-Life.html