November 27, 2009
Party Tricks
I hope you all have had a delightful Thanksgiving and are still basking in the joy and comfort from a delicious feast, family and friends. I ran across a few tips from the Yoga Journal’s daily insight about healthier eating habits and like them enough to share. This is the time of year for gatherings and parties, so imagine the joy you have yet to experience before 2009 comes to an end.
Have you ever heard the saying: “Calories don’t count when you’re with friends.” While that might be a wonderful reminder to let loose and have fun while you’re visiting with old friends, unfortunately, the calories, fat, and sugar you take in during that time count just the same as your lonely digressions.
A little indulgence is natural at friendly gatherings and holiday parties. But get carried away and you’ll end up bloated, tired, and bummed out. According to Ayurvedic principles, there’s a physiological reason for this: When you eat in moderation, your body and mind are happy. But when you eat too much, you overwhelm your agni (the digestive fire), creating chaos in your belly and inviting unpleasant imbalances such as gas, weight gain, and depression.
The key to making sure you’re not eating too much in the company of friends—or anywhere else you may be easily distracted—is to bring your awareness back to the task at hand, your food. As a rule of thumb, anytime you’re ready to sit down to eat, remove yourself from distractions. Turn off the television, step away from your computer, hang up the phone, or step away from your friends so you can really focus on what you’re taking into your body. That way you’ll be able to savor the flavors and you’ll be able to tell when you’ve had enough. When you’re done, you can re-join the party feeling nourished, but not weighed down.
November 18, 2009
Thanksgiving Stuffs
We have so much to be thankful for. Every day. I am loving this November challenge and feel like it is going to stick with me through December…and who knows, maybe longer! I am so thankful for all of your continued support and love.
– Check out the website for new Autumn Recipes, some delicious new opportunities for your Thanksgiving feast! http://www.DivineShantiYoga.com
– Community Yoga in Cornelius is accepting donations of high quality non-perishable foods for Thanksgiving meals for Loaves and Fishes this year. http://www.communityoga.com
– Many studios are having a “Burn off the Turkey” Yoga practice the day after we over-indulge, so check schedules and mark your calendar! You will feel so much better about that leftover pie that you will continue to devour. 🙂
November 10, 2009
Meditation for Pain Relief
For many people who suffer from chronic pain, spending quiet time
in meditation has proven to be the first step in learning how to cope with their pain.
The human body can produce its own natural chemical
self-stimulants called endorphins. Among other things, this group
of molecules alleviates stress, reduces pain, and gives a feeling
of pleasure.
During meditation, when the brain is in a highly synchronous and coherent state (as measured by EEG brainwave biofeedback machines), it produces large quantities of these endorphins, making the whole experience pleasurable, giving an overall feeling of well-being. Many report a feeling of peace, happiness, connectedness, and having a sense of wholeness.
Scientists have found that when the brain is stimulated by a
pleasurable experience, it is capable of overwhelming or
inhibiting other stimuli. Thus, pleasure can overcome depression
or pain.
Meditation is a very powerful, yet flexible tool. Experiment with different methods and techniques to discover which work best for you.Simple techniques like conscious breathing, having a transformational life view, visualization or imagery can all be quite effective for relieving pain.
A transformational life view brings about an ability to act with greater balance and inner security in the world, especially when encountering stress, pain, or illness. This category includes the popular mindfulness meditation which is used extensively by stress reduction clinics that have helped thousands of chronic pain sufferers and people with illnesses.
Find a group in your area to meet for meditation. Take a mere five minutes for yourself in the morning, and again in the evening for meditation. Even ten minutes a day can have amazing healing benefits. Ask your Yoga teacher for assistance. Perhaps hiring them for a private class for learning meditation techniques could be an investment for your health. As with any new practice, consistency is key and will make your practice more fulfilling.
We may sometimes feel that we don’t have time to slow down, or don’t have time for ourselves. Only you can allow yourself this gift of being truly with your mind, your body and your spirit. Meditation is a great tool for finding relaxation, inner peace and becoming pain-free.
November 4, 2009
November Challenge
Wowsa…I am home from teaching tonight and STILL feeling the effects of AMAZING energies in class tonight. THANK YOU all for sharing them! After our continuous, triple vibrational “Om” at the end of class, my body and mind felt so infused with joy and love, I had a hard time speaking my next words. I just wanted to sit there in the yumminess! Thank you all again!
All who have been to my classes this week know what the November challenge is, and this is a friendly reminder. Our practices this month are all about being thankful. For each day of the month, think of one thing that you are thankful for. Transform this one thing into one word. That is your word for the day. WRITE IT DOWN. We hold ourselves more accountable when we write things down. Take it with you throughout your day. In the car, on the dashboard; at the office, on your desk; at home, on your fridge, mirror or someplace where you will see it regularly.
Carry this word into daily meditations. Breath in ______(the word), breathe out ______(the word). We have so much to be thankful for and so many reasons to smile! Allow this practice to challenge your views for this month. Allow this practice to bring you a constant inner smile, it will catch you off guard!
So tomorrow morning, whatever comes to you first that you are thankful for, write it down! There are 26 more days of the month to be mindfully thankful!
LOVE, SUNSHINE, MUD PUDDLES, FREEDOM, LIP GLOSS….
November 1, 2009
Meditation and Color Therapy
Colors influence our minds and our lives on every level. In color therapy, various shades of color are specifically applied to regenerate the organs and glands, as well as to activate the processes of elimination, respiration, and circulation. Colors also influence our mood and every type of mental activity.
- RED stimulates the circulation, makes us alert, warms and relaxes, but can also bring out agression;
- ORANGE improves the mood, promotes lightness, stimulates sexuality, but can also stimulate superficiality;
- YELLOW stimulates digestion, makes us mentally alert, and lets life appear in a bright light, but is can also be obtrusive;
- GREEN is generally calming; it regenerates on every level, and gives us the desire to start something new;
- BLUE is also calming, but this calmness goes deeper and provides a sense of security; it conveys protection, and symbolizes the silent yearning for the incomprehensible;
- VOILET is the color of transformation, change and spirituality;
- BROWN is the color of stability and connection to the earth, but too much can lead to stagnation;
- WHITE bears the entire spectrum of the other colors within itself, containing birth as well as death;
- BLACK is the color of protection, of gathering strength, of retreat, and of the emptiness that already bears abundance within itself. Too much black weakens the organism, puts us in a sad mood, and promotes pessimism.
While meditating, you can visualize a color or concentrate on the color of an object. You can imagine the color as dark or light, dull or bright, connected to forms, free-flowing, etc. Most of these colors can also be related to Chakras, or energy centers within the body, which can create additional meaning and sensation.
Allow the colors to take you someplace healing during your meditation. For example,you feel the need to go into the forest because you can best regenerate yourself there but don’t have time to do so. You can imagine a very green forest, and in your thoughts, you can totally luxuriate in the green of the leaves. This will refresh you inwardly. Give it a try!
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