As I have started replacing and restructuring, I have realized that sometimes when you move forward it is necessary from time to time to step back.

I realized that with all of the growth and changes in my life, that in many ways I had also stagnated and had gotten in a rut. I didn't do the things that I had done in the past, such as write my newsletter. For those of you who have came into Active Kat Yoga recently, since probably 2005, most likely you do not realize that I used to send out a monthly newsletter, it had recipes and news articles and it had information on various topics and it ALWAYS opened with Kat's Korner, which was my literal soap box.

Many of the few that were with me in in the beginning remember those newsletters, they remember my views on people blaming God for the tsunami's, they remember when I got Snuggz, and they remember when my sister died as a result of a very invasive medical procedure. They remember my recipe for quacamole, and what St. John's Wart is used for. That was when it occured to me, I gotta get back to basics. The above scenarios were the exact reason I went into this business in the first place.

SO.........welcome to the old method of doing our new newsletter. I'm not so sure I can do it once a month but I'm sure I can do it every 3 monthes. I hope you enjoy it!!!!! If you do, maybe you have a friend that would enjoy it ,forward it on so they can subscribe, if you don't enjoy it, you can just hit the little unsubscribe at the bottom of the page.

AND for those of you who remember.......YES, I still have Snuggz! (For those of you who don't know, Snuggz is my loud mouthed Pomeranian)

Til Next Time,
Namaste,
Kat

  There have been many changes over the last few months. We have expanded the classrom to accomodate larger classes and to make room for the new aerobics classes, with exercise physiologist, Mary Libla. These classes will be starting soon.

We are also offering children's yoga with Tonja. Some of you may remember Tonja from the Sewing Yoga DVD. She is my protoge and is very skilled in the teachings of young children. A yogi and mother of three give her all the credentials needed to bring focus, concentration and fun through yoga into your child's life.

Our fully appointed fitness center gives the opportunity to sculpt, burn fat, and pump up.
We are also offering different modalities of natural health such as Reiki, EFT, Qi Gong, yoga therapy, and my personal favorite, inversion therapy. We are also offering nutritional counseling and a tried and true weight loss program.

We have a fully functional resource center and library, equipped with books on numerous subjects and videos.
We are offering several yoga classes per week from gentle yoga in chairs to power vinyasa flow and everything in between.

We will soon be offering our teacher trainings and workshops on various topics of health and nutrition.
So as you can see, we have something for everyone at Active Kat Yoga and Energy Rejuvenation Center. Please stop by and do yoga with us, work out in the gym or just have a cup of tea and read.

Active Kat Yoga and Energy Rejuvenation Center

"The summer solstice is a symbol of fertility and life, which is why so many cultures have held and still hold feasts and celebrations during this time, when the day is the longest that it will be for the entire year. The Summer solstice coincides with the time of the first harvest and most cultures look to this solstice as a turning point in the year when the rains begin to fall. The significance of the solstices is not recognized by most people anymore, but in ancient times it was a sign of  new  beginnings with fruitful crops."

Being outdoors is one of the best things about summer. Whether you are picnicing or running a marathon it is advised to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and to limit your sun exposure.

BUT, if you have found yourself in the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation of overexposure to the sun then reach for the aloe vera. Commonly known as a the "Burn Plant," aloe vera can be found in most household kitchens. If you don't happen to have one, you can pick one up for pretty cheap at most any plant department or nursery.

Sunburn can be soothed by the gooey gel inside an aloe vera leaf. Simply break off a piece, tear it open and rub on the burn. It instantly soothes the pain and aloe vera has also been shown to reverse and repair the damage from the sun.

Keep one in your kitchen, not only is it a wonderful medicinal plant but it is also attractive.

Most of us know that the ingredient DEET in most insect repellents are not good to use. I take particular issue with using it on children. It has been known to cause seizures as well as a host of other problems from it being absorbed through the skin. It is recommended that it should not be sprayeddirectly onto the skin but onto your clothing. Now I don't know about you but my clothing breathes and so what is to keep it from coming through our clothes?
However, with the threat of West Nile Virus, what was once considered an annoyance is now considered a serious health risk.

So what do we do?

1. Mosqitoes are most active at dawn and at dusk, limit your time outdoors during these times of the day.
2. Stay away from dark colored clothing. Mosquitoes are are attracted to dark colors.
3. A natural mosquito repellent spray can be made from mint eucalyptus oil and lavender oil mised with water.   Both oils can be purchased a your local health food store. Since it only takes a few drops of each in a spray bottle of water, a small bottle will last a long time. But make sure you are getting "essential oils" not synthetic scented oils. Essential oils are actually derived from the plant whereas synthetic scented oils are just that....synthetic, they won't work.
4. And lastly, plant marigold's around your yard, insects hate the smell.

When the temperatures soar outside, it is important to keep our internal environments cool. It is important to eat according to the seasons, so by eating foods that are in season in the summer time you will naturally be keeping with the flow of nature and keeping cool at the same time.

Try this for a refreshing pick me up or even for a breakfast on  the go.

Watermelon Peach Smoothie

2 cups  seedless watermeol, diced
1 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup chilled unsweetened peach juice

Combine all ingredients in a blender, puree until smooth. Serve immediatly. makes two generous servings

• first, cleanse exposed areas with rubbing alcohol. 
• next, wash the exposed areas with water only (no soap yet, since soap can move the urushiol, which is the oil from the poison ivy that triggers the rash, around your body and actually make the reaction worse). 
• now, take a shower with soap and warm water. 
• lastly, put gloves on and wipe everything you had with you, including shoes, tools, and your clothes, with rubbing alcohol and water. 

Unfortunately, if you wait more than 10 minutes, the urushiol will likely stay on your skin and trigger the poison ivy rash. You may not be able to stop it on your skin, but you might still scrub your nails and wipe off your shoes, etc., so that you don't spread the urushiol to new areas. Commercial products are also available over-the-counter, if you don't want to use rubbing alcohol.

If you do develop a rash, the best way to treat the symptoms is with hydrocortisones. Some people find relief from calamine lotion. for very severe reactions, it is advised to see your doctor who can give you a shot to help relieve the symptoms.Remember that poison ivy isn't contagious though, so touching the rash won't actually spread it.

Kat's Seminar Schedule

Cincinnati, OH- PCM Expo,Sharonville Convention Center. "Sewing Yoga" June, 26th and 27th
Chicago, IL-ASG National Conference, "Sewing Yoga" July 10th-13th
To book your event call 573-996-5016

Our DVD "Sewing Yoga" is now available through Nancy's Notions.

Look for Sewing Yoga in the September issue of "Mark Lipinski's Quilter's Home" magazine. On stands in August.

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