There's a drug for that....

We spend about 3 trillion dollars on medical expense here in America...therefore the rest of the world should envy our health over here, right? (Fill in a game show Buzzer sound when you get an answer wrong here). Why is it that for a country that spends so much money on health care, we have so many health issues. The more problems we have, the more pills there are. You name it, there's a pill for it. Broken heart? They have a pill for that... no not really, but who knows maybe one day. We want it to happen quick, and now, without having to do much work, and that's why the drug market here in America is sky rocketing. I wonder what would happen if some of that money went to supporting ways to prevent illness's rather than just fixing them. Educating the people on healthy eating and a healthy life style seems like beating a dead horse, but in reality how far have we gone to promoting a healthier lifestyle. I don't mean a few commercials here and there on T.V, there needs to be more. There are so many clashing ideas out there today; milk is good for you, milk causes cancer, egg yolks are ok to eat, no they contribute to high cholesterol, this diet and that diet. It's no wonder people are confused to say the least! So the answer of course is, quick fix- I have the perfect medicine for you. (Oh and the side effects are only explosive diarrhea, blindness, and death) Now I know I'm being over the top here, but how many times do you read the side effects and question whether it's worth even taking it in the first place. My intention is not to bash the medical system, there have been drastic improvements in peoples health due to the advances we have had. However, I believe that we are taking it too far. The answers lie more then in just the capsule form. Obesity, diabetes, CHD, high blood pressure, how many American on are medications for these? Sure some people can't survive without them and they have been life saving. BUT what if we worked on preventing these ailments all together? It's not a radical idea. Its the hope of the future. It doesn't have to be one extreme or the other- it's a delicate balance between the two. Not one thing works for everyone, but what I can tell you is that what we have going on here in America doesn't seem to adequately be doing the job. In 1980 50% of American were overweight, now its 65% and what about 10 years from now? It's so sad and breaks my heart to see children overweight with illnesses that were once only seen in adults. I hope that one day I can really help make a difference in peoples lives through a natural holistic healing lifestyle. It's not a cure all by any means, but it's an idea to adopt (one that has many proven benefits). I am so passionate and believe so much in this; we have been given the tools and knowledge we need to live a healthy life, it's just up to us to see it and utilize it. Not all the answers are behind the pharmacy counter.

Heart Openers- Keep the love flowing

Chest openers, also called heart openers really help to bring vitality, and a sense of calmness to your mind and body. Heart openers offer health benefits on many different levels.

~It helps to tone th

e spine
~Increase breathing capacity of the lungs
~Stimulates the thyroid
~Increases blood circulation
~Stimulates abdominal organs- helps aid in digestion
~Tones buttox
~ Stretches abdomen
~Relieves stress
~In yoga philosophy, the body has many energy centers, or wheels, called chakras. The heart chakra is known as the Anahata chakra. By opening the chest, it symbolizes the opening of the heart, increasing compassion for yourself and others. As well as growing connection to others and decreasing feelings of isolation and depression.

Chest Opening Postures:
Cat/cow
Bridge
Cobra
Upward Facing dog
Bow
Camel
King dancer
Locust
Wheel
.....just to name a few

Open your heart to more love for yourself, and others ♥

Home grown organic tomatoes and fresh mozzarella

Mmm YUM...best way to eat your fruits and veggies (you know exactly what your putting in your body)

Healthy Radiant Skin

Did you know the most nourishing and versatile skin care products can be found right in your own kitchen. If you haven't tried it yet, you might want to adopt the idea from the ancient holistic system of Ayurveda. Sesa

me oil has been used in Ayurvedic medicine dating back to about 5,000 years ago. Your skin is your largest organ, and so it's no wonder the beauty industry makes well over 50 billion a year. Our skin absorbs whatever is put on it, and eventually ends up in our bloodstream. It's been shown that significant amounts of cosmetic ingredients, including carcinogenic substances, penetrate the skin and end up in our blood stream. You can't avoid everything and I'm not saying get rid of all your skin care products, but incorporating sesame oil into your routine has quite the number of benefits.

~Can attract and trap toxins that are soluble in oil. This detoxification of the skin can be done by applying warm oil to the skin, leave it on for around 20 minutes and then rinse it off.

~Can be used on the face, it cleanses the skin gently by dissolving oils, it can help eliminate blackheads by pulling toxins from the skin.

~Helps joints keep their flexibility. Can be used on stiff joints.

~Hydrates, nourishes, and moisturizes the skin.

~It has tranquilizing and soothing properties, is beneficial for people suffering from insomnia.

~Contains antioxidants that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps you maintain youthful skin.

~Helps aid in the treatment of skin related disorders like psoriasis and eczema.

~Can be used on the scalp if you have dandruff or dry skin

~Used to soothe skin and reduce inflammation that can occur from the sun damage.

~Antibacterial and anti fungal properties

~Provides a natural radiant glow to the skin

It can't hurt to give this wonderful oil a shot. If you choose to try it out, make sure to go with an unrefined cold pressed sesame oil.

Only Breath

Not Christian or Jew or Muslim, not Hindu

Buddhist, sufi, or zen. Not any religion

or cultural system. I am not from the East

or the West, not out of the ocean or up

from the ground, not natural or ethereal, not

composed of elements at all. I do not exist,

am not an entity in this world or in the next,

did not descend from Adam and Eve or any

origin story. My place is placeless, a trace

of the traceless. Neither body or soul.

I belong to the beloved, have seen the two

worlds as one and that one call to and know,

first, last, outer, inner, only that

breath breathing human being.

Wake up and breathe this into your heart... then enjoy some breakfast

Paulo Coelho is such an inspirational author, I love his work...

Yoga- an inquiry

A mind, body, spirit approach. What does that even mean anyway?
A "6,000 year old science of healing" is a broad way to begin to cultivate the depth of it. Yoga for me is my passion, my sanity, my serenity, my love, my sweat, and my tears. It's not about everything being pretty, quiet, still and nice- it's about waking up to what's real, what's true-- to what is. My mat is a

place to get very comfortable with the uncomfortable, and dance in that. Where does your mind go when strong and uncomfortable sensations build in your body? Does it have any relation to where your mind drifts during unpleasant times in your life? Can you meet pain, grief, and sadness with the same grace you meet joy and love? Can you dig into your darkness, take a step to the side, look it it the eye, and still like the company you keep? On my mat it's right here, right now. Building strength in my mind and physical body. Using that strength where I need it, and surrendering to what is no longer serving me. Warrior 2 is far much more then how strong your legs, and core are capable to holding you, how strong are your thoughts, and where do they drift? I breathe that into my heart; and that's when my practice really begins. Strength and flexibility are just mere attributes, being authentic in who you are, and lettings that flow; that's the practice I'd like to build upon.
Who showed up my mat today? Not a new age, or philosophical idea, but rather, anger, joy, anticipation, fear... grasp that tightly in the palm of your mind, and then completely release it. This moment is exactly as it should be, no need to fix or change it. You just need to show up and get out of your own way. Inner peace, happiness, serenity, gratitude...whatever resonates with you; it can not be read in a book and I can not teach it to you. But rolling out your mat, closing your eyes, and waking up... thats when the mystery and miracles start happening. 

 

 

Yoga teacher training at Kripalu