Yoga & Ayurveda resources
If you’re anything like me, you’re totally over New Years resolutions – how trite do they feel? We’re getting a yogic infused upgrade and setting Sankalpa. This is about getting crystal clear and realizing your purpose, shifting the focus from what needs to be “improved” to what we wish to create for our outer life and what we want to cultivate inside. Sankalpa is igniting your passion, willpower and making this year radically worthwhile.
You all know how much I've been swooning over these super delish candles of late, this week I took some time out with Nicky Sandover, founder of Perth-based, soy wax candle business, Coconut Gypsy.
Some friends have been grossed out when I explained this puppy to them but when you think about it, pads and tampons are actually revolting. So, lets get real and talk periods for a sec. This thing is WAY better for your hoo-haa (did you know, they put heaps of chemicals in tampons that actually make you bleed more – so you have to buy more…!!!) WAY better for the environment, cheaper in the long run and WAY less hassle (you almost forget that you’ve got your period) All you do is pop it in, in the morning, over the day it will fill up and you can take it out up to 12 hours later – depending on you flow. Clean and Simple. Life changer. They retail for about $50 and you can grab them at Royal Beauty in East Perth or the pharmacy on Newcastle/Beaufort cnr in Northbridge. You’re welcome.
I’ve been through my fair share of green powders and this one is my all time fave. I used to think that having a heap of ingredients n a green powder meant that it wasn’t as potent but now I understand the body loves variety and there’s no fillers in this little baby. So it’s full of green leafys, seaweeds, aglaes, sprouts, grasses and berries. And it works to support detoxification, the immune system, liver, kidneys, blood, bones, colon, pancreas, muscles, brain, regularity, circulation, and longevity….so, it pretty much does everything. AND it actually tastes good! I just add it to my cold-press juice or smoothies. Available at prana health foods at Subiaco station markets and iherb.com
I’ve always wanted one and after getting used to sleeping on super firm beds through India, I just could not go back to smooshy cloud like spring mattresses. Aside from the benefits for the spine and overall sleep hygiene, I sleep deeper, wake up easier and enjoy longer periods of undisturbed sleep. (Also, really awesome if you or your sleep buddy suffer allergies or sensitivities) I got a futon made of 100% cotton which is outstanding, best investment of the year fo’ sure. I got mine locally at Brett’s Futons all made in WA.
Julie Andrews eat your heart out!!
1. get your skin ready to bare; if you ‘re not already using one these bad boys get on to it! This will be your bestie leading up to mini-dresses and bikinis. Dry body brushing boosts circulation and removes dead skin cell, all you need to do is take about 5 minutes before you shower, using long stroked toward your heart <3
2. ramp up the morning yoga; this is the wisest time of year to work up a sweat and get things flowing in your practice, while the mornings are still cool. Spring is all about renewal and cleansing and when we don’t do this thoroughly, the heat of summer can be overwhelming and may deplete our prana lifeforce.
3. get super sun savvy; ok so here’s the thing. Sunscreen is toxic, it’s terrible stuff (do your research) unless your using an organic one. I LOVE using natural oils that have a SPF of their own. Raspberry seed oil has an SPF of 30+!! and I’ve found that a combo of cacao butter, grapeseed oil and macadamia oil does the trick pretty nicely. Obviously in Perth you don’t want to be sitting out in the sun all day, but some vitamin D is essential for us to feel happy inside. Check out iherb.com for heaps of organic and cold pressed oils.
4. Lighten your load; start embracing smaller and lighter meals, like I said Spring is about cleansing so this is a great time to jump on the juice bandwagon and cut heavy grains and proteins. We use 80% of our energy digesting so when we give the gut a break we have way more pizazz to move n groove n heal.
Check out our latest upcoming events for November and December here, we have oh-so much to celebrate and share with YOU!
All my love, yogis
Amanda
Time. Kick that “time poor” mentality out of your sphere and give yourself specific time-out (or time-in?) Human culture has evolved around the cycles of nature, with festivals and ritual to honour the inward pull. At the time of winter solstice (late june/early july) it is a particularly rich time to set an intention to be still.
Space. Creating physical and internal space to just Be. Often times we need to get right out of our everyday surroundings to gain greater perspective and clarity. Taking a step back from the norm can be an inspirational and nourishing way to shake things up and see clearly what we want to do, who we want to be and where we want to go. Creating external space can open up the floodgates to internal spaciousness and peace.
Talalla Beach, Sri Lanka
Nature. Nothing beats recharging our little urban souls in the hugeness and simplicity of nature. Whether it’s a quick ocean dip or immersing in a tumbling waterfall, getting in touch with water, fresh air, sacred ground, solar and lunar currents is like a big hug from Mother Nature. Reconnecting to what’s real and bearing witness to the ever-changing cycles of nature is a real game-changer.
Sadhana. The Sanskrit word for self study. It may sound confronting or maybe enlightening, but all this time and space calls for a moment to have a little look inside. The ritual of retreat is to enjoy reflective yoga practice, reading, writing and meditation. Let’s do it.
Unplug. Think of this as your opportunity to do some energy conservation. This might mean a digital-dextox or that might mean conserving your personal energy supply. Living simply, with the rise and fall on the sun and eating locally is a wonderful way to minimize your impact on the planet as well as on You!
I often think, we’re never going to get more hours in the day, so we have to change our perception of it. Each day can be a ritual from sunrise to moonrise, I’ve found that incorporating pauses through the day, noticing the in-betweens slows down the flow and makes every moment way juicier.
Want the ritual of retreat for yourself?
Click below for all the juicy details
Talalla Beach, Sri Lanka
Our dear friend Claire from This is Lifeblood is shares our love for inspirational book, life changing reads - have you checked out our Yoga Library yet? Read on to grab an insight into this Radiant chicas bookshelf....
Books, books, books! I love books. I have always been a massive book worm. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have a list of ‘To Read” books that you’re constantly adding to, never quite getting to the bottom of, before another one jumps up on your radar! And we wouldn’t have it any other way, would we?
I’m definitely a non-fiction, autobiography kinda girl (although I do love Harry Potter), as I go wild for a life lesson, an incredible story, a snippet of truth that Makes Life Better. So today, I thought I’d share 10 books that have changed my life, in some way or another. Just for fun, I’ve listed them in the order I initially read them. Although for most of them, I’ve gone back again and again… Enjoy!
1. The Liver Cleansing Diet by Sandra Cabot
Struck down with severe liver inflammation at 17, this book was my bible as I learnt all about food as medicine and the healing power of whole foods. I still refer back to it, 10 years later (really – 10 years?!) regularly for simple and easy to understand wisdom, recipes and inspiration.
2. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I read this book while I was travelling a few years ago; I read it in India BEFORE traveling to Italy, so I did things a little backwards to Liz, but holy heck I love this book. The story-telling, her vulnerability and hilarity, the characters and the TRUTH and the way you see yourself in everything she writes… Gilbert is the bomb.
3. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
How many people’s ‘journey into self’ begins with this book? I’m betting on a bunch. I remember the promising feeling I had buying this book, that things were about to change… I was definitely not disappointed. Louise Hay is a goddess and this book is a must read.
4. The Art of Happiness by His Holiness the Dalai Llama and Howard C. Cutler, MD.
I took this book with me on a yoga retreat to Bali in 2012; a week that turned out to be a real game changer for me. I’d bought it second hand, so there were a few pages missing (!!) but it didn’t take away from the powerful concepts in this book. Lessons I needed to learn (the inevitably and importance of suffering, for example) at just the right time.
5. I Quit Sugar by Sarah Wilson
Without a doubt, of all the books I’ve read on What To Eat and How To Eat, this one stands out for me. It’s not just the food (and it’s definitely not just about the sugar), but more-so the gentle and playful, PRACTICAL attitude that Sarah brings to deciding what to put on your plate. She’s my hero.
6. The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle La Porte
Danielle La Porte is my hero too. I’ve read this book a few times now and each time I’m guided to something new; for anyone with creative dreams, a fire in their belly, a story to be told… This book will get you moving – with soul – quick-smart.
7. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
I struggled with this book at first. I think you need to be in a certain place to read it… But when I did melt into Tolle’s words, I was mesmerised. This book is truly like coming home; it’s like remembering. It’s expansive and life-changing and you won’t ever see the world the same after finishing it. A read over-and-over again book.
8. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
Want a book (or an Author for that matter) to ignite your desire to put pen to paper? Read this book. Strayed’s brutal and beautiful writing style is addictive, astonishing and awe-inspiring. This book is real and strange and lovely and fucked up. I dig it.
9. Money: A Love Story by Kate Northrup
This. Has. Changed. My. Life. I’ve had such an irky relationship with money (particularly over the last few years) and Northrup has helped to iron out some stuffy old beliefs I had around money BIG time. She’s delivered a wicked set of practical, soulful tools, insight and advice that have actually (truly) got me excited about budgeting, tracking, saving and spending my money. So grateful for this book!
10. Women Food & God by Geneen Roth
I read this last week while I was in Bali (an interesting choice considering I was basically eating my way around the island), and damn I wish I had this book when I was 22 and battling big time with my body. While I’ve already make some big shifts re: intuitive eating, losing the scales and reduced the food obsession to a fraction of what it used to be, there was definitely a lot of aha! moments surrounding emotional eating, FEELING our feelings (rather than eating them), meditation and presence in regard to food that I found extremely useful and enlightening.
So there you have it – 10 reads that I highly recommend. Have you read any of these books too? What books would you add to the list?
Claire Baker is a certified coach and mentor, passionate writer and speaker and author of ‘She Is Radiant: Your 6-Week Wellness Adventure To Get Glowy & Feel Rad’. Claire guides vibrant young women as they get from where they are, to where they want to be – in their health and life, blog and business.
With a background in visual arts and business management, her gorgeous clients (from all over the world), experience greater confidence, improved relationships, more joy and clear complexions. They throw out the scales, book the flight, launch the blog – and fall back in love with their life.
Through her honest and empowering blog and unique coaching packages, you can consider Claire your personal advocate for living an energised, playful and heart-centred life.
Come say hi at This is Lifeblood, her online space to share her passion for all things nourishing, soulful and creative. You can also find her on hanging out on Facebook,Instagram and Twitter @_clairebaker_.
Amanda Noga from Yoga Alchemy | Soul Cleanse Series - Part 1
Amanda Noga is a kind-hearted, funny and soulful woman / yoga teacher. For the longest time, Amanda and I were pen pals. I could sense her relaxed and welcoming energy just through the emails she'd fire my way and when I finally met her in person, I wondered how I would make her my new best friend.
Since then, we've spent hours chatting, laughing and making stupid jokes. We talk yoga, the way water tastes better out of glass bottles, business and love and she's even shown be how to do fishtail braids which I still don't quite understand. She's one of these super modest teachers who knows so much and has experienced a trove of learnings, done heaps of travel and self-discovery, yet still keeps it real, grounded and accessible. I kind of love her.
I am beyond thrilled that she's a key player in the Soul Cleanse Urban Retreat. Get to know Amanda a little better by peeking through our chat below.
What does it mean to Soul Cleanse?
Our Soul is the part of ourselves that is constantly calling us to go deeper, to shed our layers and live in alignment with our true, divine nature. To Soul Cleanse is to take time to clear the clutter, the noise, the fears that cloud our intuition and deepest knowing.When we dive deep it can be a fiery adventure. As we burn through these layers, it's vital to take time out to get quiet, be nurtured and recharge so we can emerge renewed.
What are some of the most nurturing things you're currently doing to keep yourself in alignment?
For me, this time of year is all about nourishment and going inward so there is a lot!! I am loving my self massage with Ayurvedic oils to balance dry winter skin & stiff body! Drinking loads of spicy tulsi chai tea with coconut milk and reading yummy inspirational books. Getting warm with dynamic yoga, getting quiet with sitting meditation & mantra and reflecting with my “free-flow” writing practice.
Tell us about your delightful and heart warming studio, Yoga Alchemy.
Alchemy is almost one year now and she’s growing into a little urban sanctuary! I love that the space is so warm and as soon as you step into the studio all of the busyness and noise of the city outside seems to drop away. The process of Alchemy is all about transformation and we are loving sharing this practice with our community and watching their paths unfold.
We offer a range of yoga classes as well as workshops to educate and support students in taking their yoga off the mat. It's so exciting to integrate yogic lifestyle through the food we eat, creativity, environmental activism, community - this is where the magic happens!
What are you most looking forward to with the Soul Cleanse Urban Retreat?
Community!! It sounds kinda cheesy I know but there is something really potent that happens when we come together to practice and be real about who we are. I have had many wonderful experiences practicing in big groups at various festivals in India and America. I’ve found that even if we don’t speak to our yogi neighbours, there’s a strength that comes from a supportive group, intentionally allowing our true selves to be revealed. Hopefully we can create a space for that to ignite.
What are your big dreams for the next year?
I have some exciting projects in the pipeline. I love being a student of yoga and I am constantly learning from inspirational teachers (and life inself!). I’m currently in the process of studying with Shiva Rea, undertaking her advanced teacher training which is just so rich and juicy. It’s so cool to share these gems with the students at Alchemy and have the space to play and be creative!
I’m also hoping to get back to beloved India for my fifth pilgrimage. I’ve learnt so much about myself from my travels to the home of yoga. I love the colourful craziness - it forces you to let go and get real!
Click here to register now!
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances with our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.”
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”
“All religions are true but none are literal.”
“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe to match your nature with Nature.”
“A bit of advice
Given to a young Native American
At the time of his initiation:
As you go the way of life,
You will see a great chasm. Jump.
It is not as wide as you think.”
“Follow your bliss.
If you do follow your bliss,
you put yourself on a kind of track
that has been there all the while waiting for you,
and the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living.
When you can see that,
you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid,
and doors will open
where you didn't know they were going to be.
If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else.”
If you've been hit with a final bout of winter sniffles this week, you're not alone! It's totally common to get sick at the junction of two seasons, when natures doshas are all amix. Take care of your nose and zoom into Spring with our beloved Lacey Haynes....
So many of us spend countless hours fixing up our bodies on the outside - putting on makeup, tidying our nails and picking out nice clothes.
Purifying and cleaning the inside of the body is far more beneficial than a pedicure or snazzy fringe. Sutra and Jala Neti might seem gross or make you a little squeamish at first, but with practice, patience and relaxation, cleaning out your nose becomes kind of fun
Yogic cleansing techniques, also known as kriyas, are used to purify the inside of the body. The two below are meant to cleanse the respiratory system, restoring balance while cleaning away any unwanted muck (you know, like boogies).
These yogic kriyas have been around for thousands of years and are actually more rooted in the traditional practice of yoga than the sun salutation or stretchy yoga pants.
Jala Neti is when salt water is passed from one nostril through the nasal cavity and then out the other nostril. It helps to keep the sinuses healthy and free from excess mucus. If you have chronic sinus problems, this might be a really great practice for you to explore.
Sutra Neti is the act of flossing the nasal passage. It is an ancient and effective cleansing technique for both body and soul. It opens up the sinuses, helping to improve eyesight while also removing excess mucus from the nose and throat. Some say it also aids in clairvoyance. I think this is true.
Disclaimer! Since Sutra Neti is an advanced form of cleansing, I'm claiming this article as show and tell only. If you decide you want to try it out, I recommend doing it with an experienced teacher first. Jala Neti is pretty accessible though so do your research and give it a go at home. Let me know in the comments below how it goes!
Jala Neti is actually really easy. With a specialised Neti Pot, you run purified, luke-warm salinated water through your nasal passages to remove any impurities or unwanted funk. I find it especially helpful when I've been in dry, dusty climates or when I'm feeling a little congested. After flying or being in air-conditioned environments, it always makes my sinuses feel refreshed and restored. Jala Neti is a must before performing Sutra Neti.
This cleansing technique is called Sutra Neti. Always lube up the sutra with some ghee (clarified butter) so that it slides in with ease. You can also use coconut or sesame oil if you prefer. As you can see, I'm keeping my cool, staying relaxed and being gentle. Once the sutra passes through my sinuses, it's easy to reach in and grab it at the back of the throat.
After some slow and gentle flossing, you can see that I remove the sutra by pulling it out through my mouth. This helps to remove any excess goo and completes the cleansing cycle. It feels weird but also really good, ya know?
Sometimes, one side is a bit of an ass hole. This side was stubborn so I had to come at it from a few different angles about half a dozen times. Then it got a little stuck in my throat and took a few extra moments to pull out, at which point I began to gag, laugh, cry and dribble all at the same time. It doesn't look pretty but really, it's not so bad. If you freak out then it becomes a drama. But if you breathe, stay present and relax, things get sorted out pretty quickly.
Success! Looking a little dopey and soggy but all in all, feeling pretty rad. I did one more round of Jala Neti and then enjoyed my Saturday afternoon with happy, open sinuses.
Like a bird cracking it’s shell or a seedling bursting through from the deep, fertile soil of winter, we are taking the first tentative steps into the new cycle!
The whole “spring clean” thing is no coincidence. This is the optimal time of year to detoxify all aspects of life.
Sometimes the best place to start is on the ground; begin this cycle by eliminating clutter and activating stagnant areas of your home.
Many of us experience allergies and chest infections at this time of year, this is our wonderful body’s way of clearing out impurities and excess kalpha* Of course the Ayurveda Yogis have many practices we can use to balance accumulated kalpha from the winter months.
*General qualities of kalpha are heavy, dull, dense and oily.
Start the day with hot water, apple cider vinegar and local honey (organic, raw) The local bit is important as this helps build up immunity to pollen in our immediate environment. The ACV helps to cut through kalpha and stimulate digestion. Avoid dairy and wheat as they aggravate mucous production, heaviness and dull energy.
Get outside and enjoy the increasingly abundant sunshine! Our yoga practice in spring is focused on increasing circulation of lymph and blood, invigorating the tissues and skin as well as lightening the body. As we relish in the growing warmth and length of the days in Perth, we can harness the solar energy to inspire a warm, dynamic yoga practice.
Now is the time of rebirth, to give full power to the seed dreams you mulled over through winter, dissolve any limiting beliefs or toxic behaviour and flourish into your sublime potential.
How are you starting your spring cycle?
Let me know in the Comments below!
Huge Love,
Amanda
The reason we love a good, strong handstand is not because it looks pretty or even because feels super fun; It's the dedication, effort, persistence and patience thats required to get up there. It's not gunna happen overnight but it will happen, especially with these tips and practice - practice - practice.
Before moving safely into yoga handstand, it is important to build the strength that is needed to keep the arms straight and the core strong.
The handstand requires the shoulders to be strong and open at the same time. Focus on poses that strengthen the arms and shoulders, poses that open the shoulders and some poses that strengthen the core before moving into handstand.
Begin by taking a few rounds of cat tilts and downward facing dog to warm up the spine and shoulders, followed by some sun salutations. To access the core, take a few cycles of navasana (boat pose), focusing on keeping the belly button moving in and up to support length throughout the spine.
Once up against a wall try taking one foot at a time off, if you can take both feet off the wall at the same time focus on the hands, think of your finger tips as breaks to stop you falling back onto the wall and the heel of the hands as the accelerator to stop you from coming back down onto the feet. Pull in and up through your pelvic floor and navel centre to help stabilize the hips and legs, and most importantly, remember to breathe and have fun with this invigorating pose!
Want more tips and time with Kelly?
Sign Up for our Evolutionary Vinyasa 6 week Course, starting September 6th.
Limited places available
Let us know in the Comments below:
What aspects of yoga do you find most challenging?
I have to admit, I have never been someone who hates flying (and I seem to have amazing seat-karma, always getting a spare seat or even whole row to myself - who needs business class?!)
However the whole process of long-haul flying (pretty much everywhere is long-haul from Perth) really does take it’s toll on body and mind. Over the years I have done my fair share of travelling and now have the in-flight thing down to a T.
As I pack my bags to head to Los Angeles for a couple of weeks to train with the powerhouse that is Shiva Rea I’ll share with you some tips to feeling fresh in-flight and my number 1 antidote to combat jet-lag. Oh Yeah.
Of course we all know how important it is to stay hydrated. I pretty much make it my project to drink as much water as possible before, after and during flight (and I always ask for an aisle seat so I can go to the bathroom as much as necessary)
Bring your own water bottle and ask the attendant to fill it for you through flight. Bringing a thermos is also seriously awesome; you can get hot water on the plane and at airports anywhere. I bring my Sleepytime and Vata balancing tea and this makes me happy. (Looking though the lens of Ayurveda, flying is Vata aggravating so this tea helps to get grounded and remain calm)
Organic Rose Hip oil is beautiful for keeping skin nourished and when flying around I re-purpose this and whack it in the ends of my hair and use it as a hand/body moisturiser to keep everything from drying out.
Essentials: Lavender to promote sleep (fingers crossed!) and Peppermint to wake up, refresh and also doubles as a mouthwash mixed with some water!
Good quality, noise-cancelling headphones are way better to watch movies and listen to music with AND they block out all the noise from around so you can really rest (warning: once you change over, you’ll never go back) Upload some yoga nidra and guided meditations to your device and you’ll be set.
A nice thick headband means you’ll look slick on arrival and doubles as an eye mask (the ones they give you are full of toxic crap)
I don’t even want to talk about how fake the plane food is. Bringing your own is totally do-able and worth it. Easy stuff like these chia puddings are filling and healthy, pre-cut veggie sticks and muesli bars are gong in my bag!
This is my all time, all-natural favorite trick to eliminating jet lag and I promise; ever since I learnt this I’ve been lag-free. Don’t ask me why it works but it does and it just makes sense.
When you arrive at your destination, you must watch the first sunrise or sunset with presence, make it you meditation. This seems to sync up your body clock with where you are. It’s worth a try!
Do you have any tricks to overcoming the lag? What are your in-flight essentials? Let me know in the Comments below
I often liken the way Suzi talks about Oil Pulling to a drug pusher, she's all over it!
Here Suzi Rice gives us the lowdown on what, why and how we can be too.
Recently, I threw a surprise birthday party for my partner’s milestone birthday and our return to Perth after vagabonding to incredible India and the soccer fanatic haven, Brazil. I thought I had everything returned to its proper place; however, a friend was perplexed when she found my beloved coconut oil on a shelf in the bathroom. She seemed quite baffled and looked as though she was preparing herself to hear something either totally kinky or considering the possibility that I may have confused the bathroom sink for the kitchen.
Cooly, I looked at my friend like she was the crazy person for suggesting that my oil was out of place “It’s there for oil-pulling, I swear by it!”
This lead to quite the conversation as it typically does with anyone I bump into complaining of a dental visit, sore gums, a cold, tired eyes, a fear of coffee stains or yellowing teeth.
Oil-pulling is one of those fabulous ancient Ayurvedic techniques from Mother India that has been improving dental hygiene and curing over 30 types of disease for centuries. It is not a new discovery, but it has recently been featured in Western medicine bridging holistic practices with scientific medicines. And, thank God! Oil-pulling is believed to whiten teeth, strengthen gums and teeth, freshen breath, and detoxify our bodies. Medicinal practitioners often state that disease begins in the mouth; thus, I find it extremely believable that if oil-pulling really activates our enzymes to draw toxins out of the blood, then oil-pulling can most likely reduce our likelihood of disease.
I get it. Just the name oil-pulling sounds totally bizarre. But, it’s so incredibly simple and an easy add on to your morning or evening routine.
Essentially, we’re going to swish coconut, sunflower, or sesame seed oil in our mouths (your choice; they’re all beneficial) on an empty stomach (in order to really detoxify ourselves) pulling and pushing the oil in-between our teeth, around our mouths, over our tongue, etc. for up to thirty minutes.
Sooooo, That’s ambitious.
Start with two or three minutes, working your way up to twenty and, if it works in your routine, eventually, maybe try 30. Start slow, it can become quite a jaw workout at first and it’s best to create a habit moving at a pace that enables you to keep the habit rather than get sick of it. Then, after your swish swashing around, you want to spit out the oil. Do not swallow it. This oil will be full of mouth toxins that we want to get out of our system by spitting it into the toilet (easier to clean up) or into the sink (in winter be sure to rinse thoroughly as coconut oil hardens in the cold). Then, rinse out your mouth with water and get on your teeth brushing routine.
I have this fear of new doctors, so upon returning to the U.S after living abroad for 18 months, I had a cavity and had a filling performed a few days before moving back to Australia. Worse, this filling was the most painful thing that has happened to my mouth since getting my wisdom teeth pulled out ten years ago. There was nothing I could do to numb the pain and I completely abandoned chewing on the right side of my mouth.
So, my cousin shared this article on oil-pulling and I started reading about it and figured it was worth a shot. Within three days of oil-pulling twice a day I could chew with the right side of my mouth again. The pain went away. Short of bewildered, I decided to keep going with it and have loyally been pulling since February of this year.
Pull It, Push it
Those Moves! Those Outfits!!
Anyway, In addition to alleviating my tooth pain, since beginning oil-pulling my gums have strengthened, my teeth have whitened, and my tooth sensitivity has completely decreased. Also, I suffer terrible hay-fever and often I can’t use my contact lenses; oil-pulling has brightened the whites of my eyes and made the difference in my ability to wear contacts! I can’t help but believe this result is related to the oil-pulling.
Give it a go for a week or two and see if you can recognize any difference in your dental or physical health. I love it!
Other fun facts:
Want to learn more about Ayurveda with Suzi?
Check out her upcoming workshop August 17th
Julie Khan
Aya-wha?! You say? Pronounced Aye-yur-vedd-a, this holistic medical system, native to India and around 5,000 years old. At it’s core, Ayurveda focuses on achieving a continued state of optimal health. Treatments ‘prescribed’ in Ayurveda include diet, herbal medicine, massage (yes, you read that right), acupuncture and yoga, meditation and mantras. Ayurveda is unlike Western medicine in that it focuses on how people live so they don’t get sick, rather than waiting for illness to develop. An Ayurvedic treatment will be based on your specific dosha type.
What is a dosha?
I’m glad you asked. Ayurveda operates on the basic principle that everyone has a unique combination of three energy types, otherwise known as doshas. These doshas have certain functions in the body and nature. They appear in us as mental and physical attributes, as well as personality traits depending on the combination. Each dosha, known as Vata, Pitta and Kalpha is also associated with a season.
What’s my Dosha?
What's interesting is that our Dosha or constitution can change throughout the seasons of a year and the seasons of our life. There are numerous tests available through Ayurveda consultations as well as online to figure out your dosha type. I really like the one available through the Chopra Foundation because it goes through a series of questions helping you assess your traditional dosha type as well what circumstances you are experiencing temporarily (like stress, sleeplessness, or increased anxiety). Don’t be surprised if after taking the test on the Chopra site, you start ‘diagnosing’ your friends and family (‘Dan is soooo Vata!’)
I know my type now; I want to learn more please.
Stay tuned to this space! It’s such a vast and comprehensive system, I could write for days on end and still not get everything in. There will be a heap of Ayurvedic-related knowledge being shared here, in classes during August and through upcoming workshops - all so you can dive in to Ayurveda even deeper! Because at the end of the day, don’t we all want to live in a state of optimal health, enjoy elevated energy levels, contentment and love?
Here's another way to Elevate your Friday - Thanks Bono
Julie Khan is a writer, filmmaker and avid proponent of yoga. She believes that yoga can be a benefit to any person of any colour, shape or size. She recently completed a research project and documentary on the benefits of yoga as experienced by five very different women, entitled Getting to the OM: How women experience the benefits of Hatha yoga. In her personal time, Julie enjoys being a perpetual student of yoga herself.
Whether you want random people to talk to you or not, these 4 books have each cleared my lens of perception, shaped my current thinking and undoubtedly changed the trajectory of my life. Immersing in these high vibe words and teachings is a seriously potent way to receive personal experience and insight into living a yogic life.
After a full month at a silent Zen meditation centre in South India, I had convinced myself that I was going to die up there on that mountain (now looking back, I see clearly a part of me did die) I was on a horrific overnight bus ride, coming down the mountain, coming to terms with mortality and reading this book. A fellow passenger, the first person I had spoken to in a month, started reading over my shoulder and asking many, many questions, Indian style. This went on for hours, until we arrived on the plateau, disembarked and I felt reborn. The sun rose over the bustling depot and I thought “Last night, Jack Kornfeild saved my life”
6 months later, at the Northern tip of India, Darjeeling, I ran into this same man, he tapped me on the shoulder “Hello Miss Amanda, are you still on the path with heart?”
And so….
This has become my bible to the Chakras and understanding all things body-mind. If you want a new way of looking at illness, disease and habitual thinking check this out. Anodea has devoted her life to working out the Chakra system so this is an incredible reference; and there’s some really cool stuff on childhood development too.
In 2009 I was reading this book at a café in Perth city and an incessantly excitable man struck up a conversation with me, believe it or not, this guy is now one of my closest friends. Within the first few pages of reading this beautiful, practical guide I had a massive penny-drop, ah-ha moment and suddenly I ‘got’ what all the yoga books I’d previously read were going on about.
If you’re thinking “Bagava-what?!” Don’t fret, this book is a totally accessible way to get cozy with the ancient Bhagavad Gita, applying this epic spiritual framework to a crazy, modern life.
At first I couldn’t get my head around accepting life as a ‘Catasrophe’ but now I know it’s all about embracing the fullness of human experience – the good, bad and ugly – with open arms and an open mind, acknowledging that “this too, will pass” After reading this book and completing the 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course over 5 years ago, I still find myself mentally referring to and using the tools from this book almost everyday. Do It.
We are launching heart-first into the fire element – it’s look, taste, feel and how it will change your life (for the best ever) We’re inviting agni into our yoga, meditation and diet, because with our inner elements in check winter can be exceptionally fortifying and nourishing.
If there is one way to balance the cold, damp and static nature of winter, it’s with Fire. And I promise, she will lick every aspect of your being; this transformative goddess leaves nothing untouched.
So, Let’s Ignite.
Playing with fire can be wild and even scary sometimes, I know. She cannot be tamed. But if we get out the way, quit trying to contain it and harness it’s potential; Fire has the power to transform our old habits, stale relationships, misaligned workpaths, creative blocks, stress reactions and unconscious choices. Without a shadow of a doubt.
Some Billy Joel.
The longer I practice this crazy-beautiful thing called Yoga, the more I think, “Holy crap, this stuff actually works!” And the more I invite all it’s craziness and beauty into every. single. layer of my life, the more crazy-beautiful things become.
