Why is it important that we keep a healthy weight? And, what exactly is a healthy weight? These are both important considerations for our well-being. Ayurveda has an interesting perspective that doesn’t quite match our popular western standards or beliefs.
Ayurveda says that spice enhances an individual’s health. Yet, most of us just use salt or pepper to spice our food. And, while the use of salt can enhance the flavor of foods and black pepper has a lot of healing properties, there are so many more spices to incorporate into our diets. Just think of the old saying, “Variety is the spice of life.”
In general, adding spice to your food can enhance its flavor. But, a pinch of seasoning can add wonders to your life. In my last blog, I spoke of the reason for incorporating all of the six tastes into your meals. Choosing particular spices to cook with is one way to get all of those tastes included in your diet.
Continue reading “Spice Up Your Life!”
Ayurveda defines Ojas as clarity, dynamism, luminosity, and your glow.
Ojas is the body’s vital energy. Ayurveda says that we are born with a certain amount of ojas but that we must maintain it to stay healthy. Allowing it to dissolve would mean permitting our life to dissolve.
Ojas is known to develop in the heart. According to Ayurveda, the heart is the physical and figurative location of this essence. And, the prime reason is because the heart is the link between the body and the mind. It is our life blood.
The quality of Ojas is cool, heavy, soft and supple yet very stable. It is our protection against disease, and because of that ojas is best described as our immunity.
How do we get this Ojas?
Continue reading “Habits to Hone Your Radiance”Dedicate this time to your well-being, for the opportunity to build strength and lightness, flexibility and balance.
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
“What is the purpose of yoga practice? To open the heart. Measure your success in your postures not by how far you go but by how aware you are in each moment. What makes you feel most alive? Most present? Most whole?” -unknown source
Prior to the start of your practice, read a quote that is meaningful to you. The above passages have complemented my practice over time. Or, you may want to dedicate your session to a person that will benefit from your healthy and positive energy.
Providing yourself with gentle reminders of why you are taking time to practice will keep you motivated and devoted. Dedication is a profound way to start your day and can set the tone for the activities ahead.
May You Be A Blessing Unto Others!
“Yield to the flow. It is the most intelligent, fulfilling thing to do. Surrender your best sense of what to do or not to do and trust in the flow of Being.” – E. Schiffmann
Your challenge this week is to take 5 minutes each day to go with the flow by practicing what speaks to you.
You can simply sit and breathe, do one or two yoga poses that are familiar to you, or, if it’s a “down day”, enjoy a relaxation pose like Savasana (corpse pose). The important thing is to go to your dedicated space and set your timer for 5 minutes. Just 5 minutes – no more.
If you are a teacher, try this in class. Allow a few minutes for self-practice prior to the start of class.
Creating a home practice begins with honoring yourself. Continue reading “Establish A Steady Yoga Practice – Go With the Flow”
“Feel the life force flowing from you and drawing into you from the atmosphere: from the rain, from the sky, from the air around you and the stars and the moon and the sun, and everything that exists that represents energy.” -Rudi
Our “pillar” this week is to do some “mind clearing.”
Each day, take the following steps for Creating a Dedicated Space: Continue reading “Establish A Steady Yoga Practice – Open Your Mind”
“Regular (yoga) practice teaches us to stay present in every moment, achieving more than we were previously capable of.” -T.K.V. Desikachar
In order to be ready for this week’s practice, you’ll need to prepare a bit.
First, choose a location for your practice. The actual place you utilize is insignificant. It could be a room that you have dedicated to your practice, a smaller section within a certain room or even a place on the floor or a chair. Distinguish your area somehow by placing a significant object or even your rolled up mat nearby. Continue reading “Establish A Steady Yoga Practice – Here & Now”
