Discover the ancient remedy that can transform your health: turmeric. This golden spice, cherished in Ayurvedic tradition for centuries, holds powerful secrets to restore balance for women struggling with hormonal imbalances and digestive issues.

Ayurveda, an ancient system of holistic healing, celebrates turmeric for its healing powers, especially its active compound, curcumin. This mighty ingredient boasts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, essential for soothing hormonal imbalances and calming digestive woes.

Turmeric’s versatility is a blessing for women seeking relief. Whether brewed into comforting teas or added to daily meals, it gently nurtures the body, kindling Agni—the digestive fire—to ease bloating, gas, and indigestion.

By taming inflammation, turmeric becomes a steadfast ally in supporting joint health and overall well-being, vital for women navigating hormonal fluctuations. Its skin-nourishing benefits and immune-boosting properties further enhance its appeal, offering a holistic approach to wellness.

Incorporating turmeric into your routine is simple yet transformative. From golden milk to flavorful dishes, its healing touch can be savored daily. Remember, quality matters; opt for potent supplements or fresh, organic turmeric for maximum benefits.

As you embrace Ayurvedic wisdom, let turmeric be your guide to a harmonious, balanced life. Unlock its healing potential and embrace vibrant well-being, naturally.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, our bodies often bear the brunt of stress, pollution, and unhealthy habits. To hit the reset button and promote overall well-being, consider incorporating a quick Ayurvedic detox into your routine. This ancient holistic approach to health can be easily practiced at home, providing a rejuvenating experience regardless of the season. Let’s explore a simple Ayurvedic detox routine that you can follow anytime, anywhere.

Step 1: Tongue Scraping:

Ayurveda places great importance on tongue scraping as it helps remove toxins (ama) that accumulate on the tongue overnight. Use a copper or stainless-steel tongue scraper or a soup spoon to gently scrape from back to front, eliminating bacteria and promoting oral hygiene.

Step 2: Start your day with Warm Lemon Water:

Begin your day by drinking a glass of warm water infused with a squeeze of lemon. This helps kickstart your metabolism, aids digestion, and flushes out toxins. Lemon water also balances your body’s pH levels, setting the tone for the rest of your detox day.

Step 3: Abhyanga (Self-Massage):

Before your shower, indulge in a soothing self-massage known as abhyanga. Warm some sesame or coconut oil and massage it into your skin using long, sweeping motions. This not only nourishes the skin but also stimulates blood circulation and aids in the elimination of toxins.

Step 4: Detoxifying Yoga or Pranayama:

Engage in gentle yoga postures or pranayama (breathwork) to enhance the detox process. Poses like twists and forward bends help massage the internal organs, promoting detoxification. Incorporating deep, mindful breathing techniques further facilitates the release of toxins and calms the mind.

Step 5: Ayurvedic Detox Tea:

Sip on a cup of Ayurvedic detox tea during the day to support your body’s cleansing process. A blend of cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds (CCF tea) is a popular choice, known for its digestive benefits and detoxifying properties. Boil the seeds in water for 10 minutes, strain, and enjoy.

Step 6: Nourishing Meals:

Opt for light, easily digestible meals throughout the day. Include a variety of colorful, seasonal vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Avoid processed foods, caffeine, and heavy, oily meals to allow your digestive system to rest and recover.

Step 7: Digital Detox:

As part of your holistic detox, take a break from screens and electronic devices. Spend some time in nature, engage in mindfulness practices, or simply relax with a good book. Disconnecting from technology supports mental detoxification and rejuvenation.

This quick Ayurvedic detox you can do at home is a simple yet effective way to revitalise your body, mind, and spirit. By incorporating these easy-to-follow steps into your routine, you can promote balance and well-being, irrespective of the time of year. Remember, consistency is key, so make it a habit to embrace these Ayurvedic practices regularly for optimal results.

You may be feeling the urge to wrap yourself in warmer clothes and nourish your bodies with warm foods and beverages, but winter is not a time to hibernate and skip your yoga practice.  It is the time to bring self-care to the forefront, to boost your immunity, increase Ojas and warm up from the inside out.

By maintaining your yoga practice throughout winter, you can keep the blues away, combat stress and increase your energy levels.  Winter is a time when you can build more heat with your yoga practice by Saluting the Sun, enjoying Vinyasa flows and moving mindfully with the breath throughout your practice.

It can be hard to find the motivation when the body is feeling stiff and cold and it is dark outside yet doing so will help to move stagnation in your body, warm you up and help keep your bodily systems in balance. Regular exercise helps to boost your immunity and sweating will help you ward off any nasty colds which is important at this time of year.

Winter is the perfect time to redirect your energies. By adopting healthy rituals in your daily life, it is possible for you to enjoy winter and to maintain your mind-body balance.  In addition to regular exercise, schedule some time for self-care practices such as Abhyanga (self-massage).  As the dry cool winds pick up, you will notice your skin drying out. So bring it back to balance by applying warm sesame oil with a soothing massage before taking your warm bath or shower before bed.

Your digestive fire is strongest during winter. This is because during the cold weather affects your body and it will need more fuel to stay healthy and warm.  Nourish your body with nutritive and wholesome foods at this time of the year.  A winter diet will help keep your body warm, bring you comfort, and hydrate your tissues. Generally speaking, winter meals should be warm, cooked, slightly oily and abundant in spices. 

You can brighten even the dullest of winter days by wearing colours like orange, gold, deep red, and yellow.   Layering up your clothes is also important.  At yoga you may want to start your practice with an extra layer which you can remove as the body warms.  You may even want to keep your feet warm with some toe socks with grip.  The ultimate bliss in winter is relaxing the body under a blanket for savasana.  This will really help you to feel grounded and cocooned in warmth at the end of your practice and allow your body to absorb the benefits of your practice.

So, layer up, sip some chai and make your way to yoga class to keep your mind and body healthy this winter.

Namaste

Are you tired?
Is your mind overactive or over-stimulated?
Are your energy levels erratic?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, YIN YOGA is for you…

Yin Yoga is a slow, grounding practice which focuses on working the deep connective tissues and joints of the body to improve well-being. Yin brings balance to your more active Yang style classes designed to work your muscles, build strength, stamina and flexibility.

A Yin yoga class is a perfect combination of:

Asana (a series of long-held, passive floor poses that mainly work the lower part of the body – the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine.

Pranayama (a system of breathing practices to control the breath, which is the source of our prana, or vital life force energy).

Meditation (a practice of focusing your mind on a particular object, thought or activity, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state.)

Yin Yoga is a nourishing practice. It will help you find stillness and time to build awareness and connect between your body, mind and breath.  Reported benefits of a regular Yin yoga practice include reduced stress and anxiety, increased circulation, improved flexibility and improved joint mobility.  Yin yoga helps to balance the internal organs and improves the flow of energy in the body.  This energy is what we call “Prana”. It’s an effective way of calming and balancing the mind and body.

You can now join Uplifting Yoga Yin online classes on Friday nights from 6pm – 7pm.

Have you wondered about the beads that adorn the wrists and necks of yogi’s?

They are known as Mala beads or Malas.

Yoga Mala bead necklaces or bracelets often hold special significance for the yogi based on where they got it, why they chose the stones, and the energy resonance they feel with the beads. Sometimes these are worn and other times they are used for mantra repetition, known as Japa meditation.

“Mala” translates as “garland”

Traditionally they have 108 beads knotted together, a guru bead which is larger than the rest and a tassel. Sages and those with spiritual aspirations have been using Malas for thousands of years to enhance their spiritual practices. Nowadays Malas are made out of a variety of materials including wood, seeds, gemstones and crystals.

The string of beads is commonly used to count mantras in sets of 108 repetitions (Japa meditation) and you can wear it to receive its healing powers and as a reminder of your intentions and life goals. The guru bead is used to signify the end or the beginning of each round of mantra repetition.  The tassel is symbolic of a lotus blossom and represents enlightenment.

Special marker beads are sometimes placed after every 27th bead to make it easier to keep track. You’ll also find bracelets and decorative necklaces with 54 or 27 beads, representing half and a quarter of the 108 respectively. The number 108 is thought to be an ideal 3-digit number, whose digits 1+0+8 add up to nine, which is another great number of three 3’s.  The number 108 has spiritual significance and there can be as many as 108 reasons why if you do a quick Google search!

“Mantras are not small things, Mantras have power”                                                                  Yogi Bhajan

 

“Mantra” is a Sanskrit word made up of two syllables: “man” (mind) and “tra” (liberate).  Therefore the word “Mantra” translates to “liberate one’s mind”. Whether chanted aloud or repeated in one’s mind, a mantra has the power to create transformation on a physical, emotional or spiritual level.  By repeating your chosen mantra daily in rounds of 108, you will begin to tap into the power of that mantra and start to quieten the mind.

“Om” mantra is a great way to begin a daily Japa meditation practice using a Mala.  Om is said to be the sound or vibration of all living things. By repeating Om as a mantra you are tuning into this vibration and acknowledging your connection to all other living beings, nature and the universe. Reported physical benefits of daily Japa meditation using OM mantra include: improvements in focus, concentration and steadiness, feelings of peace and calm, and a reduction in stress and anxiety.

It is important to consider your intentions when choosing your Mala beads as wooden beads, seeds and gemstones all carry specific energies or properties for the wearer.  Your intention should also guide your choice of mantra for use in Japa meditation.

If I’ve sparked your interest and you’d like to create your uniquely inspired Mala, please let me know.  I run workshops where you have the opportunity to choose the gemstones, knot the beads, make a tassel, choose a mantra and learn more about Malas and the Japa meditation technique.

 

Are you looking for a unique handmade yoga mat bag?

You’re in luck. Here’s a sneak peak of my handmade yoga mat bags that I have recently sewn.

Details:

• Cotton fabric sourced in Indonesia.
• Made in Australia.
• Fully lined with a contrasting fabric.
• Sealed with a strong zipper.
• Internal pocket.
• Reinforced shoulder strap.
• Suitable for yoga mats 3-6mm thickness.
• $60 each* (*plus postage if required)

(**Please note: the yoga mat shown in the photos is for display purposes only.  Price is for the mat bag only.)

If you wish to purchase one of these bags or enquire about other fabric designs available, please contact me.

If you’re a student of yoga, chances are you’ve seen the lotus flower symbol on a mat, a shirt, tattooed on a body or displayed on a piece of jewellery adorned by a fellow student.  Have you ever wondered why this symbol is often associated with yoga or what it means to the wearer?

The Lotus is regarded as a symbol of beauty throughout the world. The plant is believed to have originated in the Middle East and Asia and is a common spiritual symbol in these parts.  The most striking quality of the lotus flower is its ability to bloom in muddy water.

Lotus Flower Symbolism

The lotus flower is an iconic symbol of beauty because it lives in the muddy water yet remains un-soiled. At night, the lotus flower closes, and sinks below the water, just to resurface again untouched the next day. The ancient Egyptians saw this pattern as a symbol of rebirth and creation. Hinduism regards the lotus flower it as the symbol of youth, beauty, and life. In Buddhism, the lotus is symbolic of the purity of the body, speech, and mind.

To a yogi, the Lotus flower symbolises the expansion of the soul and spiritual awakening. The roots of a lotus are grounded in the mud (earth/materialism).  The stem grows up through the water (growth/life experience) and blooms above the water, in the sunlight (awakening/enlightenment).

“May I live like the lotus, at ease in muddy waters” unknown

Where is the Lotus flower symbol seen in Yoga?

The Lotus Pose (Padmasana) is considered the ultimate yoga pose. This seated, cross-legged position with the feet resting on the opposite thigh, requires the hips to be open and constant practice. The internet is filled with images of this pose, especially in association with meditation.  Traditional yogic texts say this pose destroys all disease and awakens Kundalini.  It is also very calming for the brain.

The Lotus flower is also represented as a hand gesture known as Padma mudra.  It is formed by bringing the tips of the thumbs and little fingers together and the base of the hands together to form a lotus flower.  This hand gesture honors the purity and perseverance of the lotus flower as it rises above the muddy waters of desire, fear, and attachment.

If you’re familiar with the Chakra symbols you will have noticed that each one has lotus petals. Each lotus (chakra) comprises a specific number of petals which denote the vibration frequency of each lotus (chakra). When the number of petals increases, the lotus (chakra) vibration is said to be higher. The higher the vibration. the closer to awakening or enlightenment. The crown chakra is represented by a 1000 petaled lotus flower.

There’s a Buddhist mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” (O jewel in the lotus flower), which represents enlightenment. It is believed that this mantra has great mystical power.  In Buddhist and Hindu writings, it is explained that “Om Mani Padme Hum” signifies not only the jewel of man’s divinity living within the lotus (the cosmos) but also the jewel of cosmic divinity living within the lotus (man). Put simply, the mantra is saying, “I am in you and you are in me,” thereby reinforcing the unity of all beings, as well as their inner divine.

What can we learn from the Lotus?

The lotus flower in all its beauty represents life. Life is not always wonderful. It can be hard, you can find yourself in muddy waters but this doesn’t make you any less worthy.  Instead of getting bogged down in this muck, choose to find the strength to look towards the sun, to grow and to bloom, just like the Lotus.

Laying like a corpse on your mat seems quite easy, but for many of us, Savasana is one of the hardest poses in the Yoga practice. It requires you to completely relax and find stillness so that the body can move into a deep meditative state. With the mind at rest, we can focus on our breath and release all of the tension and thoughts running through our minds. This brings us to a place of blissful nothingness.

Why is Savasana so important?

Savasana gives us the opportunity to pause, time to stop, listen and to breathe. It is the yin to our more active yang practice.  We have harmony in life when both internal and external forces are in balance.  If things are spiraling out of control usually it’s because the scales are tipped beyond the point of balance.  Savasana gives us balance.  It is like a 5-minute power nap for your soul, the reward after 55 minutes of a more active yoga practice.  It may be short, but it is very sweet.

Students often report that after Savasana, things become clearer and they feel less anxious, more at ease in their body and more able to manage stress.  But perhaps the best thing to take from this pose is the lesson it teaches us; to surrender and let go.

“We don’t have to go anywhere to obtain the truth. We only need to be still and things will reveal themselves in the still water of our heart.”  Thich Nhat Hanh

So exactly how do we quieten the mind?

In order to move into the blissful place of nothingness, we must first learn how to find stillness (surrender) and secondly how to quieten the Monkey Mind (let go).  If you’re not familiar with this term, the monkey mind is the ego part of the brain.  It is the noisy monkey swinging from branch to branch trying to gain your attention.  The thoughts that pop up are sometimes also referred to as the inner critic or the inner dialog of the ego.

Within minutes or maybe even seconds of Savasana, thoughts will come to mind.  The key to remaining still is not to let yourself get carried away with the monkeys (thoughts).  Instead, we can learn to detach from our thoughts and become an observer of our thoughts.

The steps to a sweet Savasana are as follows:

1.  Settle into the mat.

Take your feet as wide as the mat, allow the feet to comfortably splay out to the sides.  Take the arms away from the body and turn the palms up.  Tuck the shoulder blades underneath you to expand through the chest. Close the eyes, and soften the face.

2. Take a large long breath.

Breathe deeply in through your nose and fill your lungs completely from the bottom of the lungs to the collarbones.  Notice a subtle pause at the top of the breath and then exhale back out through the nose.  Continue to breathe like this until you can find a balance between the length of the inhale and the length of the exhale.

3. Scan for tension

Take your awareness around your body and see if you are holding any tension or tightness in the body.  Try to consciously soften and release any tension in your muscles and ligaments.  Allow yourself to surrender fully to the mat.  Pay attention to only what is happening inside your body, in the present moment.

4. Notice and label

Within minutes, or even seconds, you will notice thoughts drifting into your mind.  The idea is to simply observe them and refrain from engaging with those thoughts. Simply notice them, and let them go. You may find it useful as the observer of these thoughts to use labels to describe them. For example: useful or not useful, memory, fear, planning, judgement or sensation.

5. Tune into the breath

When you find the mind has wandered off, you’ve had a thought and labeled it, then bring your attention back to the breath.  Try to tune into the inner sound of the breath as the air is inhaled and exhaled.  Alternatively, you can focus on sensation, specifically the sensations at the tip of the nose, the difference in temperature between the inhale and the exhaled air.

6. Take your time coming back up to a seated position.

Keep your eyes closed and slowly reawaken the body when instructed by your teacher.  Wiggle the fingers and toes and take a few deep breaths.  Roll to your right side to allow the blood pressure time to regulate and the body time to adjust before coming up.  Continue to notice the breath.

Be patient, it isn’t easy to find stillness especially at first, but it does get easier over time. The rewards you will reap as a result of learning how to let go will make the journey worthwhile.  Next time when you set an intention for your practice, why not set it to surrender completely in Savasana.

Namaste.

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