I taught a beautiful hatha practice this morning to my level 2-3 students - I did some of the poses with them and talked them through some of the sensations you can become aware of during a yoga practice. I started experiencing a scratchy throat, mild fever and stuffy nose yesterday and today it is settling in a bit. However, I have been taking naps for 2 days in a row (getting ready for my 3rd after writing this!).
I just had to share this! About 15 minutes into the class, my sinuses drained, my voice became stronger, and I felt a surge of energy in my body. That is my #1 yoga cold remedy: practice yoga daily and get plenty of rest, healthy food & water. I actually feel great in spite of having a cold.
Showing posts with label healthy yoga food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy yoga food. Show all posts
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Fav Homeopathic Remedies #2...
There's a chill in the air - Minnesota! I woke up with a bit of a pre-cold runny nose/throat thing this morning and now I know what my fav #2 homeopathic remedy is!!! It is called Muco coccinum! It comes in a package with 10 tablets. Those 10 tablets are enough to keep you and one or two other family members healthy in the respiratory system for the winter! Now I am not selling this, and it's funny - in our country - the good old USA - I get nervous saying that - because people are not allowed to say, in our country, that anything heals something. I didn't say that though. Muco coccinum is a remedy that will "trick" your immune system to think it is being attacked by a cold, pneumonia, flu or bronchitis causing virus and your immune system will rally to defend itself, thus giving you that added boost to protect you - much like a vaccine - but with NO side-effects.
awesome! You can buy it online btw : ) - just google it!
awesome! You can buy it online btw : ) - just google it!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Holistic Health and Yoga
I don't know if you know this about me as I always write about yoga and meditation: before I taught yoga, I taught people about natural healing. Homeopathy, reiki, nutrition, herbs, acupressure, weight loss - these are the tools I taught about. There are so many options available that actually work!
There is also alot of confusion about these options. We read in the media that a certain herb is good for something, then we read somewhere else that a certain way of eating is good for something else and we start to see so many options that we think we can't possibly take all of these in, get overwhelmed and just give up and end up eating what everyone else around us is eating. This can be okay or not depending on how healthy you and your family & friends actually are.
I feel fortunate that I started out pretty sick and now I'm not. I had nothing to lose by trying out different natural healing methods. I was constantly struggling with my weight (my father was very overweight most of his life); constantly getting colds (even bronchitis & possibly pneumonia once) and whenever I exercised, ended up injuring myself.
Before I shifted my diet and lifestyle so dramatically, I had bladder and kidney infections about every other month. I even went to see a specialist - a urologist - to find out why I kept getting sick. After a painful test, when the "specialist" said idiopathic (translation "we don't know why"), I gave up on medicine. I prayed. Then a new friend showed up in my life.
She was a vegetarian and went to a naturopathic doctor. Since I was desperate for something new and intrigued by her health & vitality, I went for it. Within 3 months, my bladder and kidney infections that I had suffered through for 8 years, ended. My healing path began.
I then had a voracious appetite for knowledge of holistic, natural healing modalities. Long story, many years later, I now have a certification in Natural Therapies, Certificate in Holistic Weight Management and Wellness Coaching. I have also studied yoga now and it's therapeutic effects for much of the past decade or more. I also have a B.S. in Psychology and Reiki Master/Teacher.
Healing takes place at many levels - the gross physical to emotional-mental to the spiritual. True healing takes place at all of these levels and if you want to go down that path, the answers you seek will find you.
Since 1986 when I started on the road to wellness, I have completely transformed my own health and also helped many others along the way. I recognize that there also is a political battle and financial battle in this country over health care. Every year the pharmaceutical industry gets some senator or congressman to introduce a bill to take away our right to purchase some vitamin (or all of them) or herbs, or even to take away our right to find this information! Even now, many vitamin companies are in danger of having to close shop because there is a bill that takes away our right to buy vitamins without a doctors prescription!
Now - I know we do not have to take "vitamins" - research shows that whole foods are what the body recognizes for food & healing. However, there are some really great supplements out there that are whole-food based - not chemically created individual vitamins - that are having a tremendous impact on individuals health & wellbeing. And these supplements have decades of research backing up their claims!
Also homeopathic medicine and herbal medicines have hundreds of years of success at helping people with minimal or no side-effects.
We MUST learn about these and pass this knowledge onto others for future generations. Knowing how to heal our bodies and help our loved ones too, empowers us. Now is the time to take your life and health into your own hands!
Grow your own food if you can - eat more fruits and vegetables. Cut out meat; sugar & dairy products (all of these can make you sick if you eat them too often). Read about natural ways of healing your body too! Do you know that water is one of the most healing substances ? Many of our ills are from dehydration?!
Since I began practicing yoga daily, I have had little in the way of health challenges. The supplement I have eaten for more than 20 years - is spirulina (I have bought from the same company - see http://karenswellness.rbclifesciences.com - that's me - if you get a $35 lifetime membership it's 20% discount on it and less costly than co-op spirulina!).
When my cat is sick, I use food and homeopathic remedies and water that is reverse osmosis filtered. My cat has not been sick since we started with that water and some food for sensitive digestion that has pro-biotics in it.
When raising my children, their medicine was homeopathic remedies and herbal teas and healthy food. Why does yoga keep me healthy? Well, the daily practice keeps my whole circulatory system, lymphatic and muscular, cellular and neurological system clean (detoxified), massaged inside & out, oxygenated and energized (with breathing/prana) and balanced.
Spiritually, emotionally, mentally I am healthier because of my meditation and spiritual life. I read uplifting spiritual texts, I pray, I take time out everyday to meditate and contemplate and connect with God.
Socially, I stay in communication with the people I love. And I balance it out with plenty of alone time. I rest enough, eat healthy, entertainment is also positive and uplifting. I am in charge of what I put into body and mind.
It is time to do this and to share this with others. I will continue to share with you this knowledge and get into more detail in this blog. Check back again soon, I will post some information on homeopathy next time.
Namaste,
Karen
There is also alot of confusion about these options. We read in the media that a certain herb is good for something, then we read somewhere else that a certain way of eating is good for something else and we start to see so many options that we think we can't possibly take all of these in, get overwhelmed and just give up and end up eating what everyone else around us is eating. This can be okay or not depending on how healthy you and your family & friends actually are.
I feel fortunate that I started out pretty sick and now I'm not. I had nothing to lose by trying out different natural healing methods. I was constantly struggling with my weight (my father was very overweight most of his life); constantly getting colds (even bronchitis & possibly pneumonia once) and whenever I exercised, ended up injuring myself.
Before I shifted my diet and lifestyle so dramatically, I had bladder and kidney infections about every other month. I even went to see a specialist - a urologist - to find out why I kept getting sick. After a painful test, when the "specialist" said idiopathic (translation "we don't know why"), I gave up on medicine. I prayed. Then a new friend showed up in my life.
She was a vegetarian and went to a naturopathic doctor. Since I was desperate for something new and intrigued by her health & vitality, I went for it. Within 3 months, my bladder and kidney infections that I had suffered through for 8 years, ended. My healing path began.
I then had a voracious appetite for knowledge of holistic, natural healing modalities. Long story, many years later, I now have a certification in Natural Therapies, Certificate in Holistic Weight Management and Wellness Coaching. I have also studied yoga now and it's therapeutic effects for much of the past decade or more. I also have a B.S. in Psychology and Reiki Master/Teacher.
Healing takes place at many levels - the gross physical to emotional-mental to the spiritual. True healing takes place at all of these levels and if you want to go down that path, the answers you seek will find you.
Since 1986 when I started on the road to wellness, I have completely transformed my own health and also helped many others along the way. I recognize that there also is a political battle and financial battle in this country over health care. Every year the pharmaceutical industry gets some senator or congressman to introduce a bill to take away our right to purchase some vitamin (or all of them) or herbs, or even to take away our right to find this information! Even now, many vitamin companies are in danger of having to close shop because there is a bill that takes away our right to buy vitamins without a doctors prescription!
Now - I know we do not have to take "vitamins" - research shows that whole foods are what the body recognizes for food & healing. However, there are some really great supplements out there that are whole-food based - not chemically created individual vitamins - that are having a tremendous impact on individuals health & wellbeing. And these supplements have decades of research backing up their claims!
Also homeopathic medicine and herbal medicines have hundreds of years of success at helping people with minimal or no side-effects.
We MUST learn about these and pass this knowledge onto others for future generations. Knowing how to heal our bodies and help our loved ones too, empowers us. Now is the time to take your life and health into your own hands!
Grow your own food if you can - eat more fruits and vegetables. Cut out meat; sugar & dairy products (all of these can make you sick if you eat them too often). Read about natural ways of healing your body too! Do you know that water is one of the most healing substances ? Many of our ills are from dehydration?!
Since I began practicing yoga daily, I have had little in the way of health challenges. The supplement I have eaten for more than 20 years - is spirulina (I have bought from the same company - see http://karenswellness.rbclifesciences.com - that's me - if you get a $35 lifetime membership it's 20% discount on it and less costly than co-op spirulina!).
When my cat is sick, I use food and homeopathic remedies and water that is reverse osmosis filtered. My cat has not been sick since we started with that water and some food for sensitive digestion that has pro-biotics in it.
When raising my children, their medicine was homeopathic remedies and herbal teas and healthy food. Why does yoga keep me healthy? Well, the daily practice keeps my whole circulatory system, lymphatic and muscular, cellular and neurological system clean (detoxified), massaged inside & out, oxygenated and energized (with breathing/prana) and balanced.
Spiritually, emotionally, mentally I am healthier because of my meditation and spiritual life. I read uplifting spiritual texts, I pray, I take time out everyday to meditate and contemplate and connect with God.
Socially, I stay in communication with the people I love. And I balance it out with plenty of alone time. I rest enough, eat healthy, entertainment is also positive and uplifting. I am in charge of what I put into body and mind.
It is time to do this and to share this with others. I will continue to share with you this knowledge and get into more detail in this blog. Check back again soon, I will post some information on homeopathy next time.
Namaste,
Karen
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Seasons Change - What about change?
Today I am reminded of the nature of change. It is always occurring and I catch myself resisting it, again. Once more I surrender and allow it in. Why do I resist and try to zone out? What am I resisting? When I ask myself that, I remember something I read in the Bhagavad Gita - that as human beings, our greatest driving motivation is pleasure, and if that is so, then we are strongly motivated to resist anything uncomfortable. Change is uncomfortable.
I relax again, noticing my breathing, being aware of my muscles being tense, consciously relax them, then ahhh, throw on a shawl while I sit at my laptop.
The body adapts to the change in seasons too. If we are aware of this and provide the nutrients we require, this time of year is a great time to keep eating those greens, start adding squash to our diets, all of the bright yellow and oranges give our bodies the vitamin A (via beta carotene) that we need to have healthy mucous membranes. What that means is we are more resistant to virus taking hold! Cleaner diets mean stronger resistance to those seasonal colds. Avoiding sugar, other processed foods and animal products that steal our energy while adding these vegetables in generous (nature's abundant now!) portions, we revitalize ourselves. Doing our asana practice- if only for 15 minutes each morning, keeps our organs and digestive system operating at peak efficiency. Don't forget the water too. Most of us are dehydrated, drinking pure water also protects us from all kinds of ills. Some doctors say that drinking 2-3 glasses of water first thing in the morning before anything else will take care of just about anything that ails you.
One more thing - I add a few extra nutrients to my daily regimen: spirulina everyday, some added fish oil on occasion and the calcium/magnesium supplement (whole food based). Sometimes I add some vitamin C to my diet, but I try to get most of what I need by eating a plant-based diet and not overeating. Overeating clogs up the digestive system and actually prevents you from absorbing the nutrition from your food, thus creating a vicious circle of lack of nutrients and excessive hunger. Longevity research has proven that those who are slightly underweight live longer than if you are carrying around extra pounds. I find that I am much more energetic if my meals are smaller and I eat my 3 a day. My smoothie in the morning, late morning snack, late lunch & light supper.
If you want more of these type of tips and some great coaching support, try my "Boost Your Metabolism" 6 week program. You will likely shed some pounds, and very likely boost your energy level. We are also going to have Mary Battista's one hour workshop (power packed) called "Eating for Energy" on Sept. 30 at 11 am in the studio. Also in September "Know Your BodyType" with Asavari Manvikar - another piece of the wellness puzzle is knowing your body type and what types of foods balance you or throw you out of balance. (sign up for Asavari's workshop through Eden Prairie Community Ed's website).
So Change?! I'm so excited for it - bring it on! Namaste
I relax again, noticing my breathing, being aware of my muscles being tense, consciously relax them, then ahhh, throw on a shawl while I sit at my laptop.
The body adapts to the change in seasons too. If we are aware of this and provide the nutrients we require, this time of year is a great time to keep eating those greens, start adding squash to our diets, all of the bright yellow and oranges give our bodies the vitamin A (via beta carotene) that we need to have healthy mucous membranes. What that means is we are more resistant to virus taking hold! Cleaner diets mean stronger resistance to those seasonal colds. Avoiding sugar, other processed foods and animal products that steal our energy while adding these vegetables in generous (nature's abundant now!) portions, we revitalize ourselves. Doing our asana practice- if only for 15 minutes each morning, keeps our organs and digestive system operating at peak efficiency. Don't forget the water too. Most of us are dehydrated, drinking pure water also protects us from all kinds of ills. Some doctors say that drinking 2-3 glasses of water first thing in the morning before anything else will take care of just about anything that ails you.
One more thing - I add a few extra nutrients to my daily regimen: spirulina everyday, some added fish oil on occasion and the calcium/magnesium supplement (whole food based). Sometimes I add some vitamin C to my diet, but I try to get most of what I need by eating a plant-based diet and not overeating. Overeating clogs up the digestive system and actually prevents you from absorbing the nutrition from your food, thus creating a vicious circle of lack of nutrients and excessive hunger. Longevity research has proven that those who are slightly underweight live longer than if you are carrying around extra pounds. I find that I am much more energetic if my meals are smaller and I eat my 3 a day. My smoothie in the morning, late morning snack, late lunch & light supper.
If you want more of these type of tips and some great coaching support, try my "Boost Your Metabolism" 6 week program. You will likely shed some pounds, and very likely boost your energy level. We are also going to have Mary Battista's one hour workshop (power packed) called "Eating for Energy" on Sept. 30 at 11 am in the studio. Also in September "Know Your BodyType" with Asavari Manvikar - another piece of the wellness puzzle is knowing your body type and what types of foods balance you or throw you out of balance. (sign up for Asavari's workshop through Eden Prairie Community Ed's website).
So Change?! I'm so excited for it - bring it on! Namaste
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Being a yoga teacher and the home practice
Being a yoga teacher gives me the added level of commitment to my practice that takes me deeper than I could have done without that. I am responsible and accountable for a yoga studio (I own the business) being open to our community. This is not a burden for me. It is a great honor that has been bestowed upon me.
It also gives me a very powerful structure in which to practice. What is a structure? It is something that protects and supports you.
In my teaching I talk about your structures of support, starting on your yoga mat that's what ever body part is touching the mat.
In my life, I see the structures of support are my home and relationships to those closest to me. This is where you can do your deepest work. I have been teaching and practicing yoga for many years, and to remain true to the teaching, my teacher within, I must continue to delve more deeply in my life practice. It is sometimes painful, yet it is the most powerfully rewarding experience imaginable.
Imagine not repeating patterns in your life - over & over - that you know are not good for you. Imagine your relationships improving, your home life, your career. Imagine that you live in a beautiful place all year around. Imagine being very healthy. Then let it go and imagine the opposite. The truth is, whatever you are attached to, will cause you suffering. Pain, pleasure, it is all very fleeting. When you have an established and deep practice - you know that, you allow it all to flow through you. You let go of the suffering and you let go of the pleasure. It is all the same. What is left, is so amazing. That is why you see me smiling and tear-eyed all of the time. What is left is Love, gratitude, joy, beauty and peace.
Namaste
It also gives me a very powerful structure in which to practice. What is a structure? It is something that protects and supports you.
In my teaching I talk about your structures of support, starting on your yoga mat that's what ever body part is touching the mat.
In my life, I see the structures of support are my home and relationships to those closest to me. This is where you can do your deepest work. I have been teaching and practicing yoga for many years, and to remain true to the teaching, my teacher within, I must continue to delve more deeply in my life practice. It is sometimes painful, yet it is the most powerfully rewarding experience imaginable.
Imagine not repeating patterns in your life - over & over - that you know are not good for you. Imagine your relationships improving, your home life, your career. Imagine that you live in a beautiful place all year around. Imagine being very healthy. Then let it go and imagine the opposite. The truth is, whatever you are attached to, will cause you suffering. Pain, pleasure, it is all very fleeting. When you have an established and deep practice - you know that, you allow it all to flow through you. You let go of the suffering and you let go of the pleasure. It is all the same. What is left, is so amazing. That is why you see me smiling and tear-eyed all of the time. What is left is Love, gratitude, joy, beauty and peace.
Namaste
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Practice every day
Many of the great teachers - the ones we can trace our lineage back to, have all said the same thing. Practice. The past week, I have appreciated my practice more than ever. My practice is a daily habit. Every morning. Meditate. If I cannot focus, take care of something for someone (service with love & devotion). Then practice my asanas. Observing my breath, my body, how I use my body, how I feel, my mind. Observing it all, at the same time keeping my body strong, alive & healthy.
The practice - when it is a habit - it supports you. How? Well, do you remember how you feel so much better afterward practicing yoga?
You know that when you are not in the habit of practicing...when you feel sad, sick, low energy, upset, busy - any number of human excuses - the last thing you want to do is go sit on a yoga mat or meditate.
If it is a habit - like brushing your teeth - you have to do it. You cannot not do it. No matter how I felt before my practice. I feel alot better after.
How to get into the habit? Read about the 40-day yoga challenge or 108 Sun Salutations in my blog...
Live with Beauty, Connection & Love. . .
Karen
The practice - when it is a habit - it supports you. How? Well, do you remember how you feel so much better afterward practicing yoga?
You know that when you are not in the habit of practicing...when you feel sad, sick, low energy, upset, busy - any number of human excuses - the last thing you want to do is go sit on a yoga mat or meditate.
If it is a habit - like brushing your teeth - you have to do it. You cannot not do it. No matter how I felt before my practice. I feel alot better after.
How to get into the habit? Read about the 40-day yoga challenge or 108 Sun Salutations in my blog...
Live with Beauty, Connection & Love. . .
Karen
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Costa Rica Yoga Retreat
I have just returned from Costa Rica. After spending 7 days at Samasati, I am feeling great! As one student put it "the view alone is worth the trip" then after eating lunch, she said "the food alone is worth the trip!". I agree on both. The view - the rainforest mountain overlooking the ocean - is breathtaking, it is nature at her finest. The greenery, the vibrancy of life there will feed your energy like nothing else can. Then there's the food that Samasati's cooks lovingly prepare 3 times a day.
Food
We all started out hungry for live fresh food. In Minnesota winter, that is not something that is easy to find. I wrote down a few of the meal menus while I was there:
Lunch Monday:
Cooked green beans w/tahini sauce
Fried plantain
Steamed vegetables (cut into cubes): yellow & green squash & carrots
Blackbeans & rice
Rice pudding w/cinnamon
Dinner Thursday evening:
Brocolli cream soup
Garbanzo burgers w/tomato sauce
Cooked Spinach w/spices (onion, jalapeno, etc)
Roasted Vegies
Couscous
Cucumbers & tomatoes
Dessert: Coconut cake
Breakfasts always included the choices of fresh cut local fruit (papaya, mango, watermelon, cantaloupe, banana, freshly blended juice (local fruit); blackbeans & rice, cereal, granola, yoghurts, fresh baked bread w/butter & jam selection, eggs
As you can imagine, I was stuffed full each meal - there was so much bounty of live, healthy food. By Tuesday, I had my fill, so I naturally cut back on my meal portions. With the healthy meals and all of the yoga and walking, I feel slimmer, stronger and greatly energized now.
See more about the trip in the next post
Food
We all started out hungry for live fresh food. In Minnesota winter, that is not something that is easy to find. I wrote down a few of the meal menus while I was there:
Lunch Monday:
Cooked green beans w/tahini sauce
Fried plantain
Steamed vegetables (cut into cubes): yellow & green squash & carrots
Blackbeans & rice
Rice pudding w/cinnamon
Dinner Thursday evening:
Brocolli cream soup
Garbanzo burgers w/tomato sauce
Cooked Spinach w/spices (onion, jalapeno, etc)
Roasted Vegies
Couscous
Cucumbers & tomatoes
Dessert: Coconut cake
Breakfasts always included the choices of fresh cut local fruit (papaya, mango, watermelon, cantaloupe, banana, freshly blended juice (local fruit); blackbeans & rice, cereal, granola, yoghurts, fresh baked bread w/butter & jam selection, eggs
As you can imagine, I was stuffed full each meal - there was so much bounty of live, healthy food. By Tuesday, I had my fill, so I naturally cut back on my meal portions. With the healthy meals and all of the yoga and walking, I feel slimmer, stronger and greatly energized now.
See more about the trip in the next post
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