Gratitude and connection lie at the heart of our yoga practice.
Each time we gather, I hope it feels as though every day is Thanksgiving—a celebration of community, presence, and light.
I am deeply grateful for Toula Yoga: for the beautiful, safe spaces we share, and for the wonderful people who help this community thrive, grow, and blossom with light. I am thankful for the gift of movement, for the strength we discover together, and for the support we offer one another when it is needed most.
I cherish the quiet moments of connection—the tightly held hugs, the gentle reunions before class—where gratitude flows both ways and each meeting feels like coming home.
May this season be filled with simple joys, meaningful interactions, and loving words.
From all of us at Toula Yoga, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Padma Mudra
Also known as the Lotus Seal, the Padma Mudra is a powerful hand gesture used to enhance feelings of joy, love, gratitude and compassion. It is also used to help nurture feelings of calmness, self-love and emotional well-being. In many traditions the Lotus flower is used to represent the journey from dark into light as the Lotus is known to travel through mud and silt in the water on its journey to bloom at the surface.
How to Practice:
- Find a comfortable and quiet seat
- Place your palms together at heart level.
- Open the hands, leaving the bottom of the palms, pinkies and thumbs touching.
- Gently place the thumbs against the sternum.
- Finding an even, deep inhale and exhale pattern begin by visualizing a green glow between the palms, symbolizing the heart chakra.
- Imagine filling the cup of the hands with the gratitude that you have for all that is in your life and allow it to overflow, into your heart and to those spaces and people around you.
Teacher Feature: Andrea Parks
For this month, it only feels fitting to celebrate and get to know Andrea, the founder of Toula Yoga.
Yoga initially found me in the 90’s when I was a high school teacher in Dubuque. A student gifted me a yoga mat, so I decided to sign up for a class at the gym that I attended. A few years after that first gym class,
I had moved back to my hometown of Cedar Rapids and was looking for a way to connect with my old friends and get some stress relief. My friend invited me to a class with Marsha Nieland. Marsha was about to lead her first yoga teacher training, and she said she thought I would be a good teacher, so I listened and signed up. My journey continued as I decided to open Toula so I could offer yoga to specialty groups like chair yoga and prenatal yoga. I wanted a place for the whole family to enjoy the stress relief of yoga.
The name means “divine light” in Greek and “balance” in Sanskrit.
Over the years, the breath work we do while moving through yoga poses and the movement has made my body feel so much better. I have scoliosis and the curve is about 27 percent, but you’d never know it! Many doctors are shocked that I don’t have pain. Thank goodness I found yoga and have kept it up. Even if you do only one full class a week you’ll notice if you skip a week. My favorite type of class to lead is an intuitive, breath guided, balanced mindful flow. Looking back on my yoga journey, I’m amazed at how much the yoga community in this area has grown. When I used to teach the very first NewBo meet me at the market classes, almost everyone was new to yoga. Now when I ask the crowd, it’s rare to have someone brand new. If you are new to yoga, understand that yoga is more than just physical although it can make your body so strong and balanced. Yoga is a way to a journey back to yourself.
Outside of the studio, I love taking quiet walks with no distractions in nature. I have three daughters which have been the biggest blessing in my life, and I am a huge animal lover! I used to teach German language and love learning as many languages as I can. I love traveling so I’m out of my comfort zone. This allows me to learn more about others which makes me grow as a more compassionate human and also learn more about myself.
Silken Tofu Chocolate Mousse Pie
The base for this recipe is a surprising find from my recent quest to fuel my body with more protein and less dairy but still needing that chocolate boost. Don’t let the name scare you! Tofu can be a very versatile ingredient, and this recipe is both kid and husband approved. (If there is any left to share) Best yet, you can prep it with one blender cup and minimal dishes!
For the Crust:
2 boxes chocolate cookies to equal 1 1/2 cups crumbs (I love Simple Mills Seed and Nut Chocolate Brownie Thins)
4 tbsp melted butter or dairy free substitute
Ingredients for Mousse:
1 block silken tofu
1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (melted)
2-3 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
Additional Add in Ideas:
1/2 cup freeze dried raspberries
almond or nut butter
2 tbsp protein powder
Varying milk vs dark chocolate
espresso powder
Directions for Crust:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
blend cookie crumbs and combine with melted butter or substitute
Press into 9in tart pan or greased pie dish and chill for 15 minutes
Bake crust for 10 minutes and allow to cool completely before adding filling
Directions for Mousse:
Melt DF chocolate chips in microwave safe dish or melt over double boiler
Add all mousse ingredients into blender cup, topped with melted chocolate.
Blend until completely incorporated (approx. 1 minute)
Pour into cooled crust, chill for at least 2 hours. (The chilling process creates the mousse texture)
I’ve only made this in the crust for Thanksgiving (will do again). Normally, I love to eat it as a dip for strawberries, raspberries or just out of a cup. I don’t feel so bad about having this as a mid-morning snack either because it goes great with coffee and packs in close to 14g of protein and only 15 carbs per serving (without crust) When stored in an air tight container, it can hold in the fridge for 4 days with minimal separation. I doubt it will last that long though!
Enjoy!
Green Witch Column
Tips for using the natural magic of herbs, flowers and essential oils
Tea Ritual for Gratitude
Holy Basil (Tulsi): helps open the heart and promotes emotional connection
Ashwagandha: helps the body manage stress and reduce anxiety
Ginkgo: improves focus and circulation to help with feeling present in the moment
Choose your tea blend or create your own herbal blend. Boil your water and steep your tea according to the blend directions. Set an intention and reflect on what you are grateful for before sipping your tea. This mindful connection to the herbs, warmth and aroma deepen your intention and creates a deeper sense of gratitude.
200 Hr Cloud Nine Yoga Teacher Training
January - May 2026
