Elemental OM Discussion Forum

Magical Yogi Superpowers...total fail

2012-01-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

Today I stopped by the fish counter at Kroger. It’s finally a night when everyone is going to be home at the same time. I forced my kids to cancel their evening’s activities and I’m doing the same. That means we get to celebrate our togetherness with a nice dinner.

The store was oddly empty. I stood at the fish counter for quite some time watching a man in a blue shirt spray the floor behind the counter with a hose. I decided he must be maintenance and reminded myself to be patient as I waited for the return of an actual fish guy.

Finally the man put down his hose, glared at men and asked me what I wanted. He reached behind him for a box of the plastic gloves that people who work with fish must wear. There was only one left. He threw the box angrily and rolled his eyes probably at some other fish guy who was so lazy as to leave a box with only one glove. He left to meander around checking for another box.

He came back having failed and put the one glove on.

I flash of anger sparked in me and I took a breath. In that breath, I looked at this man. I saw him. I saw his whole life. Forty years of age or so. No partner to love. Morbidly obese and physically limited. Hating his job working with dead fish. I wont' say I felt sorry for him. I know that everyone is learning their own lessons, but I did feel compassion for his suffering. I don't know that I could do it.

In that moment I decided to turn on my magical yogi superpowers and I sent him all the love from the universe that I know I exists in my heart. I expected his eyes to widen and for him to take a step back with this amazing jolt of cosmic love.

He just looked at me and then explained that 8 - 10 scallops come in a pound. He then gave me the “hurry up and make up your damn mind” look. I took another breath and turned off my superpowers. I decided to simply be human so I placed my order and chatted him up about the weather. I told him it looked like snow. He predicted a dusting. I remembered that people like to be heard and like to be smart so I asked him if he thought the weather seems off. He talked about the last few years, predicted a mild winter this year and then a nice snowstorm to finish off spring. The summer will be very hot which he hates.

As he talked and I listened, he visibly shifted. By the end of our little conversation he was smiling. He asked that I talk to mother nature about the weather this summer and I told him he seemed more in touch with her than me and would he do me that favor. He laughed.

As I walked away with my fish, I heard a whistling. I looked back. He had picked up the hose again and was spraying down the floor...whistling a happy tune.

I left my yogi powers off and smiled at the power of being human.

Integrity or Satya

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

As a practicing yogini I wake up with the daily intention to live by the standards of yogism. Yes, yogism is another of my made-up terms. The funny thing about the standards of yogism, Pantanjali's 8 limbs of yoga, is that you can't really understand them on an intellectual level. You have to live them and experience them to truly get it.

Satya is a yama and yama is one of the 8 limbs. There are five Yamas. You can think of satya as a sub-yama. Yamas are the rules of social conduct. They are the foundation for the establishment of a peaceful society and good relationships. The word satya means truthfulness. That seems pretty straightforward. If you tell the truth, you are practicing satya. More profoundly, however, satya is having integrity in thought, word and deed.

Integrity...

Is that a concept you have thought about lately? I don't think I've paused to think about integrity, well maybe ever. I think its because I do live my truth. I say what I mean. I intend to share my thoughts kindly. More importantly, I wake up with an attitude of service to humanity. It's the little things like realizing on the highway that you are no more important than the others dashing off to work and allowing the right of way. It's the bigger things like working cooperatively and for everyone's greater good. It's also knowing who you are and what you believe in. It's having the inability to lie to yourself.

Each day, as I become my yoga, I grow more painfully and beautifully innocent.

It was explained to me long ago by a guru "esque" kind of person that by 2014, no one would be able to tell a lie. It was explained to me yesterday, that 2012 is the year when the masks are taken off. False prophets will be revealed. The true motives, natures and identities of others will shine true as their truth. In a nutshell, integrity is the new black. In an ethical debate, integrity is the opposite of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a lack of consistency between who you think you are and who you want others to believe you are and who you really are. Its the internal debate.

When you get up and look yourself in the eyes each morning, do you see a person with integrity? Would you lie to another or cheat another? Do you act selfishly. Do you justify your actions for some "greater" good? Who are you?

learn more about the 8 limbs of yoga>>>

"Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn't blow in the wind or change with the weather. It is your inner image of yourself, and if you look in there and see a man who won't cheat, then you know he never will." - John D. MacDonald

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

2011-12-31T12:37:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year when we think about our future and what we would like to manifest. Of course love seems to always be right up there with money, security and status to make us happy. I have lots of friends who do lists of characteristics of the perfect mate that they intend to meet. A girlfriend shared her list of the perfect mate with me the other day.

Here are my unedited thoughts….(sorry):

Wowsie. This guy looks great. I’m just gonna use her list to manifest my guy. Yummy…he must be a cool mix of Brad Pitt and Willem Defoe. He’s so sexy (Willem). I don’t think I could get a Brad Pitt, but I might be able to attract a Willem. This guy must have a masters degree from Harvard or something…gosh…I wish I would have went to an Ivy League. I’m sure he would not be impressed with OSU. I’ve always wanted to learn to fly a plane. He must have lots of money to own a plane. Wow, he rock climbs…he skis…he runs marathons. He sky dives…he feeds the homeless and takes in rescued dogs. How does he have time for all that? He’d think I’m a wreck. I don’t have time for all of that. I don’t think he’d like me. Maybe I’m looking for more of a couch potato. I don’t think she is going to like this guy. He sounds narcissistic…except for the dog part.

Whoa!! Wait a minute. My head.

When I finished laughing at myself, I stopped to realize that what she should be doing (me too) is to make a list of not my perfect mate, but my perfect me. Seriously, what am I bringing to the table? What do I need to cultivate in my own body, mind and Soul to resonate at the level needed to attract a perfect mate.

So I devised this exercise for you (and me) to do. Get out your pens and paper and start the process of listing your characteristics and qualities under the following categories. Please be kind to yourself. Be honest. Practice as a kind and dispassionate observer. Step out of yourself and just look without judgment.

Body:

· Age: How old are you? How old do you look? How old do you feel?

· Weight: How much do you currently weigh? Would you like to weigh less or more? Is it realistic?

· Build: Are you an athlete, a dancer or a belly dancer? What movie star do you look like?

· Stamina: Do you have energy and staying power or do you burn out quickly?

· Vitality: Do you sparkle? Do you get up in the morning with a smile on your face? Does life excite you?

· Sexuality: Is this important to you? How often do you like to have sex? What does sexuality mean to you? What does it represent? Is it a physical outlet? Is it an expression of love? Is it a chore?

· How do you feel about your body?

Mind:

· Education…what is your education? Is education important to you? Are you a person who is always learning and improving or are you settled into your life? Do you like to read, go to museums, and go to workshops? What areas of new learning excite you…politics, religion, fitness, cooking? What’s your thing?

· What interests you? What do you like to do every single day that you think is so much fun you couldn’t imagine life without it?

· Are you happiest on the go or do you like to stay put?

· What is your dream vacation?

· What have you always wanted to do, but never have?

· What is the craziest thing you ever did and why was it so awesome?

Heart:

· Intimacy…how much can you love? How do you express love? What is “communication” to you? How do you know when someone values you? What makes your heart melt?

· If you had all the money in the world, who would you help and why? How does that make you feel?

Spirit:

· How do you help and serve?

· What is your life’s purpose...what drives you?

· What is your sadhana (daily spiritual practice)?

· How do you feel about religion?

· Who is god and what does he/she/it look like?

· Do you have a conversation with Spirit?

· What happens when you die?

Family:

· What is a family?

· How do you parent?

· How do you feel about your parents?

· What makes a home a home?

· How do you express love for your family?

· How do you celebrate the holidays and why?

Finally, Describe the happiest day of your life….

(Use three different colors if you need) Now that you have done all of this, I want you to circle all the things that seem wonderful and make you happy. Next circle the things that pop out to you as “values”. Next circle all the things that need more attention by you to cultivate. I’m talking about the areas that you struggled with or seem unclear. Finally, circle all the things that seem like places you need to improve upon.

The happy things are the things you don’t have to worry about. Your perfect mate is simply going to adore those. The Values are the non-negotiables. If a person doesn’t respect your values, they are not your person. The areas needing cultivation need to cultivate prior to meeting that one. Know you are and what you believe in. It’s okay to be flexible, but you want to stand alone as your own person before you merge with another. Finally, there are those things that need improvement. Set goals for 2012 to cultivate awareness around those habits or traits and make a plan to take action.

Now that you know what you are bringing to the table and what you are willing to do to cultivate what I call “sattva” or purity in your own life, flip this around and design your perfect mate.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Never skip breakfast again...

2011-12-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

From an Ayurvedic perspective, breakfast is an absolute MUST if you are a Vata or a Pitta. If you are a Kapha, you may choose to skip breakfast if you are not hungry.

Pittas eat breakfast because they get hungry and if they don't eat they get really grumpy. I find that I don't have to encourage Pittas to eat breakfast.

Vatas skip breakfast because they don't have strong appetites and they don't plan well. This is really bad for them as it adds to their lightness, their inability to focus and their inability to effectively manage immunity.

An easy fix for all is the Yogi Drink. It's packed full of nutrition, heating and super quick to make. If you are in a hurry, you can drink your breakfast in the car on your way to work. It's a great replacement for your morning caffeine as well. Here's the recipe:

1 cup of soy, almond, hazelnut, rice or your favorite non-dairy milk
6 almonds (organic and natural..no salt)
favorite spices (just choose the ones that you like):
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Allspice
Turmeric
Ginger
Honey

Heat the milk on the stove with the almonds and spices. Bring it to the boil that just has little bubbles appearing on the sides of the pan.

Remove from heat.

Place the honey in the bottom of your mug (never heat honey). Pour your drink on top and you are good to go. The almonds get soft and warm and are oh so good!!

When you are choosing spices, consider the medicinal value of the spice. Turmeric is a great addition. It has little flavor, gives the milk a pretty yellow color and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Ginger is heating to your digestion and contains beneficial enzymes that boost immunity and sooth the liver. Have a little fun exploring what your spice cabinet can cure.

Enjoy! Pamela

Divorce, Freedom and Love

2011-12-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

I was in the studio the other night after yoga and my yogis were kind of hanging out, talking and shopping. I’m eavesdropping as usual as they talked about their marriages... the dullness and the typical resentments that you hear about marriage. I don’t know what overcame me, but I blurted out “I LOVE BEING DIVORCED”. It caused a brief moment of pause and then another woman in the studio stuck her hand in the air and blurted out “ME TOO”. Of course, everyone laughed, but I had a moment of regret because I saw that little “flicker” of possibility cross a few faces. A few others had a sad moment of resignation.

Now, I do love being divorced. I enjoy unimaginalbe freedom. I do what I want when I want. My mistakes are my own. My home looks and feels like I want it to. Dirty...clean...it doesn’t matter. I eat what I want, when I want. I save. I spend. I travel. I LOVE IT. I have only to take care of me me me me me. (and two kids, two dogs, a cat and a mortgage).

but....

It wasn’t always like that.

I used to hate being divorced. I couldn’t stand to be alone or the thought that I would end up alone. (Worse yet, the thought that I would end up with three dogs and two cats.)

So what changed?

As I pondered my own divorce and those sad “flickers” of some of my yogis, I suddenly realized that the reason I love being divorced is that I am no longer lonely. I am alone more than I’ve ever been in my entire life, yet I am not lonely. It really hit me hard as I realized that my marriage came to an end because I was lonely in it. I felt all alone in my marriage.

You marry a person thinking the person is your other half not realizing that two halves in the realm of weird-math relationships makes one quarter...not one whole. Another person cannot fill you up. Over time, you get more and more despondent because your needs go unmet. The problem is, your needs could never have been met because another person cannot fill you up. Two wholes make a marriage, not two halves.

I’m alone, but I’m not lonely. That’s huge. I’m all filled up. I’m filled up with purpose. I’m filled up with love.

I look back to my own marriage with wiser eyes. I don’t want anything to change but I do naturally wonder how it would have been different knowing then what I know now. Perhaps I just needed to fill up with love for self, service for others and a splash of creativity. Perhaps he just needed to do the same. Perhaps then, there would be no loneliness in marriage.

If you are suffering in your relationship, pause and ask yourself if you are lonely. What can you do to fill yourself up? You would be amazed at how you can shift by finding meaning in your life through service. You can serve through the work that you do, the home that you keep, your creative expressions and yes, volunteering your service. Fill yourself up with love. Of course, yoga is a great place to begin the process of self-study.

Shanti, Pamela

Spirit Expressing Through Me

2011-11-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

This weekend was the Victory of Light Festival here in Cincinnati. It's a super groovy festival with lots of Spiritual Seminars, Products and Healers. I always go because it's a consolidated gathering of many of my friends that do healing work. It's a big social gathering.

Of course while I'm there, I always have a reading. This time around, my good friend Kimberley (Organic Oracle who reads in Montgomery on Wednesdays) told me to go check out a Native American Indian named Ted Silverhand. Wowsie! He was cool.

He expanded upon lots of things going on in my life...business, relationship and children. He gave me a little glimpse to the future (it looks really good). The most powerful thing he said to me though, was that I am a teacher. God intended for me to be a teacher of many. God chose this life so that He could express through me as a teacher.

I've heard that sort of thing before...that we are an expression of God. I think I've even talked about it myself, but in the moment that he said it I really got it. I am sitting here in this amazing human form with some pretty cool gifts that were given to me so that God could have a good time teaching. There's some abstract notion of whatever is out there (God to me or something else to you) learning, growing and experiencing through me. It goes much much deeper to dharma and whatnot, but that's a bit much for this post.

Anyhow, today I was working on finding a name for our upcoming EOM Teacher Training Progam. (you get a 200 hr yoga certification AND are certified as an Elemental Cleansing Coach...it's going to be AWESOME!!) Anyhow, I sure was having fun with names. It hit me that Spirit was having fun to. It was so tangible and so real. I get it now. I am an expression of a desire that Spirit manifested. Spirit desired my existence. Not only did Spirit desire my existence, but jobs were given to be done and the daily job is to have a good time.

I'm here to play with my kids because Spirit sure thinks that's fun.
I'm here to walk my dog because Spirit always wanted a Golden Retriever.
I'm here to teach my yogis yoga because Spirit loves yoga and to teach. Spirit also likes to cook, dance and has an affinity for very unpractical shoes.

How simplistic. How real.

Holiday Blues....

2011-11-17T08:49:00.000-08:00

Sigh...the holidays.

We all have this dreamy picture of family and friends celebrating. Glasses of champagne, gourmet food, hugs and wonderful conversation abound. Of course we look and feel fantastic!

ugg...the holidays.

The truth of the holidays is that they can make you feel like crud. It is a time of intense loneliness, sadness and stress for many. Believe me, I know the drill. My inner family is divorced and my larger family estranged. I also find myself this year without relationship and still coming up for air from the grieving process having ended my engagement.

The plans for this year were to include a celebration with a fiance, children and my larger family. The reality turned out much different. It really got me to thinking about all the other people that will find themselves a little lonely this holiday. If you know me, I'm not one to sit back and let life happen. I came up with a bold plan to mitigate my misery on Tday eve when I find myself alone and I think it will work for you too if you find yourself on your own.

The dream:
My dream would be to have a party with all of my local friends and kids and eat Italian. I don't know why Italian. Champagne would flow (sparkly apple juice for me). I think we would play charades. Of course someone would take to my piano and I'm pretty sure we would sing xmas carols. Everyone would be dressed in white. It would snow unexpectedly and we would take to the yard for a snow ball fight that would turn into a big football game...all the neighbors would join....snow fairies and magical elves would appear. We'd finally have world peace.

The reality:
I'm on my own. Kids are at their dads. Friends are probably busy with their family and friends (I know, I know...I've been through this before TRUST me...they are busy).

New dream: Go to yoga during the day. Give myself the treat of getting my nails done after. Hit the grocery store and enjoy the chaos of everyone's pre tday shopping. I've got my own shopping to do because I'm going to try to make an exotic dessert (from tofu) and lord knows what else I'll come up with. Drop off my groceries, grab the doggies and hit the bike trail for a long fall walk letting my mind wander and dream for the future. Decorate the outside of the house for xmas. Turn up up the tunes and start cooking. Make some popcorn, watch a holiday movie and I'm off to bed. Not a bad night. I'm looking forward to it and having fun finding recipes and shopping for xmas decorations.

Thanksgiving does find me with children and family and I'm grateful for that.

If you find yourself alone for any of this holiday season, make a plan. If your plan is to be alone, then empower yourself to take charge and turn it into a healing and fun event for yourself. My dream is intact. Next year, party is at my house! Mark your calendar and go buy a white outfit. Pray for snow.

(p.s. you are never really alone. I realize that's a bit to esoteric for this post though.)

How Stressed are you? take the quiz.

2011-11-16T12:16:00.000-08:00

We all are suffering from stress to some degree. It’s simply a result of the modern world we occupy and the pressures placed upon us. Your level of stress has a huge impact on your health and happiness.

Take the following quiz to find out the Ayurvedic classification of your stress.

Check any of the following that apply:

I am experiencing:

___Insomnia

___Cold hands and feet

___Constipation

___Unusual weight loss

___Increased sensitivity to pain

___Racing hearbeat or palpitations

___An inability to concentrate

___Short term memory loss

___Nervousness, Panic or Anxiety

___Headaches

___Bachaches

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these, you are experiencing stress that has pushed the Wind in your mind out of balance.

_____________________________________________

Please continue:

I am experiencing:

___Sweating

___Acne

___Irritbility & Impatience

___Frustration

___Anger

___Chest Pains

___High Blood Pressure

___Sexual Problems

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these, you are experiencing stress that has pushed the Fire in your mind out of balance.

_________________________________

Please continue:

I am experiencing:

___Chronic Fatigue

___Frequent Colds

___Frequent illness

___Eating Disorders

___Substance Abuse

___Depression

___Hopelessness

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these, you are experiencing stress that has pushed the Earth in your mind out of balance.

Now step back and look at the big picture. If you had most of your “x’s” in the Wind area, we can pull you back to balance pretty quickly with lifestyle and routine modifications. Follow the plan for the Wind for a few days>>>

If you had some x’s in the Wind and then some in the Fire, now you should follow the plan for the FIRE for a week or more until symptoms decrease>>>

If you had “x’s” in all categories including the Earth, we are going to have to really spend some time pulling you back to balance. Your health needs to be a primary focus for you because you are heading down a really ugly path of feeling bad. To immediately relieve some of your symptoms, follow the plan for the EARTH>>>

Know that the Elemental Cleanse™ is designed to quickly bring you back to balance on all levels in 28 days. It is the most powerful and effective way to learn to manage and relieve stress. It will also help you to shift the stressors in your life and manifest a life that is stress free! Learn More about the Cleanses>>>

2011-11-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

The force of the Earth is the tension needed to allow the elements of Water and Earth to combine. This force in Ayurveda is known as “Kapha”. You do have the other forces of Fire (Pitta) and Wind (Vata) in your mind; however, their expression is not your first response.

To understand how your mind behaves, you only have to think of the elements that combine to make the force of the Earth… Earth and Water. Earth and Water are heavy, cold, soft, lubricating, sweet, stable, immunity enhancing and slippery. Envision a boulder covered in a bit of moss sitting in a cool forest. The boulder is a constant and if you were to walk by it every single day, you would not notice that it is changing in any way. If you were to lean against the boulder you would find it to be cool and also grounding at the same time. Something about its presence is calming and nurturing.

You probably exhibit the following characteristics in your personality.

The Earth in all minds regardless of the predominant force is what gives a person stability, compassion and love. Combine that with a predominance of Earth (Kapha) and you have a person who is very grounded, very nurturing and very stable. When I think of my Earth friends, I think of the people that I go to when I simply want a shoulder to cry on or someone to make me feel at home. The Earth is the mother in all of us.

Because of your stable mental state, you are prone to being very laid back. You take things in stride and don’t obsess or worry very much. In fact, you can be a little too laid back and not effectively deal with your situations. Many Earth types will shut down or seclude if life gets a little too heavy. You may even escape on occasion when you feel you simply can’t deal with what life is handing out.

You may appear stubborn to others. It takes a very long time to come to decisions. You simply do things in your own time and take the time to absorb information and choose. The Earth tends to do everything a bit slower including reading, but has amazing long-term memory.

You probably love all things that are of family and have a story. You are the person in the family that creates the photo albums and hangs onto report cards, old records and your grandmother’s recipes. You remember everything and love to share all the memories of childhood and family vacations. You are very attached to your family and will make anyone in your life your family including your friends and co-workers. You like taking care of them and showering them with love and affection.

You are focused and love routine. The Earth enjoys doing the same things each day. You are a person who loves to have a 9 to 5 job that is stable and predictable. You are a long-term employee. You are attached to your employer and co-workers. You may choose to stay in a job that you have grown out of due to the feeling that the Company needs you. In fact, you love that your desk has been in the same spot for many years and would be unsettled if it were to move. You get attached to objects and may accumulate clutter at work and at home.

You are fabulous at finishing projects and following through. You take great pride in your work, your dedication and your loyalty. Your friends, family and co-workers know that they can depend on you.

You are very caring. You love to take care of others and give and give of yourself. You must be cautious to not give all of yourself away. The Earth has incredible stamina and will suffer greatly through situations even though they may not be benefiting from them anymore. The deep sense of caring and obligation can be overwhelming to the point that life decisions cannot be effectively made.

The following are some examples of situations that you may be prone to due to your Earthy nature. Don’t worry that you are doomed to experience these. Living in a balanced state will allow you to manage these conditions:

Weight Gain

Dullness

Inertia

Depression

Oversleeping

Lethargy

Stubbornness

Suppression of emotions such as anger

The force of Pitta or The Fire in your Mind

2011-11-09T05:13:00.001-08:00

The elemental forces or "doshas" are the tension created between the elements to keep the elements playing nicely. You are some unique combination of the 5 great elements. Because you may have a predominance of certain elements, you exhibit certain characteristics in your body and mind.

If you resonate with the force of the Fire in your mind it means that you predominantly express characteristics of the Fire in your thinking patterns and personality. The force of the Fire is the tension created when the elements Fire and Water combine. This force in Ayurveda is known as “Pitta”. You do have the other forces of Wind (Vata) and Earth (Kapha) in your mind; however, their expression is not your first response.

To understand how your mind behaves, you only have to think of the elements that combine to make the force of the Fire; Fire and Water. Fire is hot, bright, intense and abrupt. Water is cool, smooth, nourishing, moist and oily. There is more Fire than Water in the force of Fire or Pitta. Your personality exhibits these qualities.

You probably exhibit the following characteristics in your personality.

The Fire in all minds is the process of discernment. Combine that with a predominance of Fire (Pitta) and you have a person who is very good at making decisions, managing others and leading. In a balanced state, this is a person who is “large and in charge”…a dynamic speaker, leader and motivator. Even in balance, this can also be troublesome as you may find that you take on the problems of the world and the responsibility to solve them.

Because of your determined mental state, you are prone to suffer from work related stress. You may find that you feel you are the only one who can do things the correct way and that those around you are not as intelligent or capable. The lesson for the Fire is to learn to delegate through leadership and to allow other’s the freedom to be who they are.

You stay focused. Fires have incredible follow through. They don’t necessarily want to do the work of completing a project, but they like to see a project from start to finish. Fires have the ability to plan long-term and love goal setting.

You are fabulous at leading others to do tasks. In fact, you should be working in a job where you are in charge of others. Fires suffer enormously when working for a company or boss who micro-manages. If working for another, Fires need to be empowered and set free to make decisions and follow through. A Fire will be led only by someone that they greatly respect, admire and are learning from.

You take care of others. Fires are passionate about family, friends and the world. They truly see themselves as humanitarians and desire to solve problems for others. They are self-reliant and rarely ask for help from others, but constantly offer it.

You can be very reluctant to share your emotions and fear that the emotional ups and downs in life are a sign of weakness. Others may not realize how badly you are hurting as you are very good at masking your pain. You hate mistakes and perceive that they are the fault of others incompetence. You prefer to do everything yourself so that it is done the “right” way. Sometimes you feel very stressed by the heavy load of responsibility you carry. You will find that you need periods of intense physical activity followed by rest to release your stress. You crave nature especially water.

You probably love your routine, are very disciplined and very organized. Fires like their offices and homes to be neat and organized. Fires tend to get up and go to bed at the same time each day as well as eating meals in a routine fashion. Fires can be vain and are disciplined in their physical practices gravitating towards energy releasing activities such as running, hiking, biking and lifting weights.

Fires are good with money. When purchasing, a Fire will go for the big ticket item that is luxurious.

Fire minds tend to have very passionate and active dreams.

The following are some examples of situations that you may be prone to due to your Fire nature. Don’t worry that you are doomed to experience these. Living in a balanced state will allow you to manage these conditions:

Stress

Tension

Stomach upset

Heart attacks

Migraines

Acid reflux

Excessive sweating

Bad breathe and bad body odor

The force of Vata or The Wind in your Mind

2011-11-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

The force of the Wind is the tension created when the elements Space and Air combine. This force in Ayurveda is known as “Vata”. If you have a predominance of the Wind (Vata), you still do have the other forces of Fire (Pitta) and Earth (Kapha) in your mind; however, their expression is not your first response.

To understand how your mind behaves, you only have to think of the elements that combine to make the force of the Wind; Space and Air. Space and Air are dry, rough, cool, light, penetrating, moving, broad, unlimited and unbounded. Envision a dry leaf blowing erratically on a cool autumn breeze. The leaf goes every which way and suddenly stops. It is unpredictable and may just as suddenly start moving again. There is no rythmn or routine to the movement. The breeze brings with it a sense of excitement and change. The leaf is dry and fragile and if the breeze blows too hard, it begins to fray.

You probably exhibit the following characteristics in your personality.

The Wind in all minds is the activity of thinking. Combine that with a predominance of Wind (Vata) and you have a person who does a lot of thinking. Even in a balanced state, your mind tends to go and go and jump from thing to thing. This can be wonderful because the Wind mind is very enthusiastic, lively, energetic and creative. This can be troublesome as you may find that your sleep is interrupted even when you are totally living in balance. You dream a lot of vivid dreams. You are intuitive.

Because of your active mental state, you are prone to anxiety and worry. You may find that you worry about absolutely everyone and everything including much that is completely out of your control. The lesson for the Wind is to surrender to outcome and stay in the present moment.

You probably love all things new. You are familiar with the top 10 on the bestseller list, you know the latest headline news and you are signed up for a class in the latest trending fad. You know a lot of people and have a large circle of friends. You have excellent short-term memory. You love to shop and spend and pick up lots of small little treats for self and friends. You have a hard time saving money.

You can be easily distracted. In fact, you may be reading all 10 books on the bestseller list at the same time. You may find it hard to finish any one of them and you may not retain the story very well. While you are familiar with the latest headline news, you may not exactly understand the history or geography of the world’s events. You are very big picture. You tend to jump from thing to thing, so while you are a “jack of all trades”, you may not be a “master” of any one. Your circle of friends is wide, but you may have few close friends. You can appear aloof and you may struggle to listen to others.

Your imagination and creativity make you a very entertaining person. In fact, the Wind is usually the life of the party. Quick witted and able to outthink most others, you generate laughter and excitement. You are the person that picks other’s up. In fact, your strong intuition knows when others are a bit down and you are always quick to lend a smile, hug or laugh to shift the energies of others.

You are fabulous at finding creative solutions to problems. In fact, you should be working in a job where you initiate creative solutions. You don’t necessarily want to be in charge of others, but you do like to have freedom of movement and freedom in how you spend your time. You lack follow through and finishing projects may be very hard for you. Surround yourself with people who can take your fabulous ideas and see them to fruition.

You are very sensitive. Others may not realize how deep your feelings truly run and you may find that you are easily hurt. You hate making mistakes and worry that what you do is never good enough. Sometimes you feel scattered. You will find that you need long periods of rest and silence each day to soothe your nerves and nourish your sensitive heart.

The following are some examples of situations that you may be prone to due to your Windy nature. Don’t worry that you are doomed to experience these. Living in a balanced state will allow you to manage these conditions:

Insomnia

Worry

Anxiety

Tremors

Palpitations

Headaches

Backaches

Constipation

Stomach Sensitivity

Shanti, Pamela

peace full holidays

2011-11-07T05:52:00.000-08:00

http://www.icontact-archive.com/aQ28mr_Hb-JOJtFju32KofFvbJhxPmCN

2011-11-07T03:43:00.000-08:00

Earth or “prithivi” is grounding.

It’s job is to “create stability”

Properties: Cold, dense, heavy & slow

The sense of smell is associated with this element

In your body & mind, it is your larger mass; bones, muscle, fat and cartilage. It is your memories, your compassion and your love.

When I think of the Earth, I always think of a boulder sitting in a shaded forest. The boulder has a little bit of moist moss growing on it. The boulder is heavy and dense. You push, but it won’t budge. You touch it and it is cool.

If you were to sit down on the boulder, you would feel very secure and grounded. It never appears to change. You could walk by it every single day for 20 years and it would appear the same. All changes are happening so slowly you wouldn’t even notice.

Go outside and pick up a stone or better yet, sit on a boulder! Notice how it makes you feel very connected to Mother Earth.

Isn’t it interesting that all humans have the same response to nature. Anyone walking in the woods, sitting on the beach, listening to the wind, experiencing a storm has a primal response that is nourishing, grounding and soothing. You are one with nature. These experiences simply tap you back in.

Now that you are familiar with the elements, spend some time in nature and simply observe like the Rishis did. Notice the plants, animals and atmosphere and ask yourself how your mind or body behaves in the same way. Spend some time with your senses…sight, taste, smell, touch and hearing. Stimulate and enliven your senses with nature.

The Element Fire in Ayurveda

2011-11-06T05:17:00.001-08:00

Fire or “Tejas” is transforming.

It’s job is to “transmute”

Properties: hot, bright, intense, abrupt

The sense of seeing is associated with this element. We take in the light of the world through our eyes.

In your body & mind, it is your ability to discern and decide. It is transformation in your body; digestion, fighting infection

When I think of the Fire, I always think of a bonfire. It is hot, intense and bright. It snaps and crackles and kind of talks back to you. It is very abrupt, suddenly flaring up and then calming again.

There’s just something about the Fire that holds your attention. The intensity is mesmerizing and you find that you want to stare. You are drawn to the flames. The fire shares its warmth with all.

When the Fire has done its job on the wood, the wood is left transformed forever.

Sit quietly for a minute and imagine yourself in your last moment of anger. Did you suddenly erupt? Did your body become hot? Did you begin to sweat? Now let that thought go as well as the stressful situation. Remember a time when you had an infection. Did you have intense bursts of heat? Was there any pain involved? Was it intense?

Light a candle tonight and stare into it.

The Element Air in Ayurveda

2011-11-05T03:48:00.000-07:00

Air or “Vayu” is moving everything

It’s job is to “expand”

Properties: Moving, Unpredictable, Cool, Light & Dry

The sense of sound or hearing is associated with this element

In the body & mind, it is any moving function like thinking, speaking, breathing and eliminating

When I think of this element I always think of a dry leaf blowing on a fall breeze. The leaf itself is dry, brittle and fragile. The fall breeze brings with it a sense of and excitement. It energizes you, brings freshness and makes you want to try something new. Think about the start of the school year and how all the energy of your family shifts.

The breeze is unpredictable. It gets strong and then softens. It blows up and then down. It suddenly stops and just as suddenly starts again. The breeze brings a chill and makes you want to snuggle up and dress warm. Standing in the breeze for a long time can exhaust you especially if it really begins to blow.

Sit quietly with your thoughts for a few minutes and notice how they move. Feel the air rush in and out of your lungs. Feel your blood coursing through your veins. Go outside and feel the movement of the fall breeze across your skin and listen to the leaves rustle.

2011-11-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

Water is the element of love.

It’s job is to “nourish”

Water is very difficult to affect.

Properties: Cool, smooth, nourishing, moist and oily

The sense of taste is associated with this element

In the body it is the plasma, blood, mucus and saliva

I always think of Water (Jala or Apa) as the element of love. It is nourishing and closely linked to the sense of taste. I think it’s interesting that Water is nourishing and loving and linked to the sense of taste. It supports a lot of the emotional eating we do. Without water, the human body would start to die within three days. Without love, the human heart withers.

Water is a very stable element. There really isn’t too much that you can do to personally affect this element in your body other than to drink too much or too little. Salt intake directly affects this element. I’m sure you have had the experience of bloating after a salty meal.

You do need to know how to drink for your body type. The Wind (Vata) body should be more conscious about drinking water. Because of the Wind’s dryness and lack of routine, more water is necessary and focused drinking is also necessary. The rule of 8 glasses of water a day applies to the Wind, unless you start to bloat.

The Fire (Pitta) body tends to run hot. The Fire type drinks when they are thirsty and does a great job of self-monitoring. The Earth (Kapha) body has a lot of water in it already. Drink when you are thirsty, but don’t attach to the idea that you need to drink huge quantities of water or “flush” your system. If you drink to much water, you quickly bloat and completely put out your digestive fire. 4 – 8 glasses of water each day depending on your thirst levels is appropriate for the Earth.

For all body types, do know that tea counts as “water”.
Please drink your water at room temperature. Iced beverages put out your digestive fire or Agni.
Do not drink when you are eating. Eat your food, wait and then drink room temperature water if you are still thirsty.

Water is a precious resource that is Sacred in many cultures. Some deem water to be so sacred that they do not even have a word to name it. Some whisper the name of water, but never speak it. In fact, all the elements are revered as entities and gifts from the God. Our planet is in a not so highly publicized water crisis due to our abuse of our ecosystem. I think its incredible that any person ever had the thought that they could dump toxic runoff into our streams, rivers and oceans without harming themselves.

 The next time you are bathing, experience water as sacred. Feel its silky smooth and nourishing texture. Imagine a life with limited water or no clean water. Conservation begins in the home. Consider the following:

Never let the water run when you are washing dishes by hand. Use the dishwasher, it saves water.
Soak pots and pans instead of scraping under running water.
Run your dishwasher and clothes washer when you have a full load only.
Put a pitcher of cold water in your fridge. That way, you don't have to let the sink run to cool the water.
Buy an organic vegetable cleaner and soak your veggies and fruits to clean instead of running water over them.
Collect the water that you use to rinse fruit and veggies and use it to water houseplants.
When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient. Look for Energy Star certifications
Designate one water glass as yours each day. If you have more than one member in your family, color code your glasses.
Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink.
If you have a newer dishwasher, don't bother to rinse your dishes. Just scrape clean and load.
When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
Put a timer in your shower and limit your shower to 5 minutes.

Light & Love, Pamela

Space, Akasha and Ayurveda

2011-11-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

In Ayurvedic terms, Space is the element that contains everything. Space, unlike the other elements, does not change. It is the one constant in your body and your environment. Space in your body does not go out of balance. It is a consistent containment of your nature...it is your spirit.

Space is holding everything together

It’s job is to “contain”

You cannot affect Space through your thoughts, words or deeds.

Properties: Cold, Light & Dry

The sense of sound or hearing is associated with this element

In the body, it is the empty space between. On a Quantum level, we are only empty space.

I always think of Space (Ether or Akasha) as the foundation of the other elements. Perhaps it’s the vastness of the night sky when I look up that makes me think that there is something around us that is holding all of this together. That’s the element of Space from Ayurveda. From the perspective of science, I believe they are calling this dark matter or dark energy.

It’s a bit of an argument in Ayurveda what element was first. Some will argue that it was the Earth element, others Space. I believe it was Space because Space to me seems like the most intimately connected to Spirit. When you look to the properties of Space and Spirit, they are similar. Both are holding everything together, both cannot be changed by you, both are simply a consistent presence regardless of what you are going through or choosing. This makes me think of the non-judgmental and ever present nature of Spirit.

I also think it is fascinating that Space is associated with sound. The Bible tells us that the universe was created with a “word”.

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. ~ (Psalm 33:6,9)

Yogis will tell you that the Universe was created with a “sound”…the vibration aum or om. OM or AUM is a Sanskrit letter. It is deemed to be the most powerful letter of the Sanskrit alphabet. Sanskrit is the most sacred written language known to man. Many languages are derived from Sanskrit.

OM,

The imperishable sound, is the seed of

All that exists

The past, the present, the future -

All are but the unfolding of OM

And whatever transcends the three realms of time,

That indeed is the flowering of OM

- Upanishads

You need to know its properties, which are Cold, Light & Dry. You were born with a certain amount of Space in your body and mind and there isn’t anything to do that can change or affect it. Do explore your Spiritual nature. Do look up at the night sky and be amazed by your very existence. Look into the vastness and wonder…

What is Ayurveda?

2011-11-02T05:35:00.000-07:00

Ayurveda is a system of holistic living and medicine that originated in India many thousands of years ago. The word Ayurveda is Sanskrit and translates to “the knowledge of life”. It is a systematic science that utilizes the natural rhythms of nature to prevent, diagnose and treat disease. The influence of Ayurveda can be seen in all the world’s holistic medicine.

Sadly, with the invasion of India, many of the traditions of Ayurveda were forsaken, not forgotten, forsaken. Recently, however, Ayurveda has seen an unprecedented comeback, especially in the West. We can thank Dr. Deepak Chopra, my teacher, for much of the resurgence in interest.

Ayurveda is the most widely embraced and accepted preventative holistic medicine in the West. In large part, this is due to the fact that Ayurveda embraces new medicines and technologies. The Ayurvedic view is if it is working for you, then stay with it. If you are controlling sleep disorders, depression, high blood pressure or any other ailment with Western drugs, you should take the advice of your physician. What Ayurveda can do for you...and doctors absolutely love this...is change your stress levels, your sleeping routine and your nutritional choices making you healthy at the root of your disease and ultimately eliminating many of your drug choices. Western physicians are really smart and caring people. They want you to prevent disease. They actually never want you as a sick patient. They just want to see you once a year for annual check up to tell you that everything is wonderful.

Ayurveda is a simple science for life that teaches and empowers the individual to reconnect with the rhythms of nature. Ayurveda honors that you are one with nature affected by the rotation of the planets, the pull of the tide, the changing seasons and the movement occurring throughout your day in each minute. It honors that you are unique. It honors that you are a creature of this earth as well as of the divine.

The Rishis of India identified the building blocks of nature and indeed the whole universe as five great elements, space, air, fire, water & earth. Rishis are legendary yogis thought to have magical powers known as “Siddhis” and believed to live for hundreds of years. Imagine an aging man sitting in a loincloth on the top of a mountain in the snow meditating in perfect peace and physical comfort. Rishis of India sat in meditation and contemplation and asked God, The Universe, The Cosmic Mind or their Higher Selves many of the same questions that we ask ourselves today. Why am I here? What is my life's purpose? How do I stay healthy, vibrant and young? It is believed that through the meditation process the Rishis downloaded from cosmic consciousness, the formula for living a healthy and happy life.[1] This formula includes diagnosis with and management of the elements

I don’t know if it is true that the Rishis received a download or not. I guess it seems kind of far out. Perhaps these Rishis of 5,000 years ago were simply great observers of nature. Perhaps they simply sat by their fires and noticed that when a piece of wood goes into the fire it comes out transformed. Maybe they then had the thought, “Wow, that’s just like when I eat, it goes in one way and comes out another. Perhaps I have fire in my belly.”

Maybe they watched a dry dead leaf blowing on a fall breeze and observed that the leaf would quickly dart one way, then another and finally come to an abrupt halt only to fly up again. Perhaps they had the thought, “Wow, that’s just like my mind. My thoughts go this way and that and suddenly stop. I must have wind in my mind”.

Imagine the people of 5,000 years ago planting their spring gardens. A rock sits in the middle of their field. They push and push and it just doesn’t want to go anywhere. They think wow, that’s just like the 5 pounds I put on after the Spring Solstice celebration. I must have earth in my body.

It’s really a very assessable way to identify with our bodies and minds. It is truly amazing what was known over 5,000 years ago. People knew the earth is round and rotates on an axis. People knew that the earth traveled around the sun. Ayurvedic physicians knew how to diagnose and "treat" diabetes. They also knew how to deliver complicated births. They even performed surgeries. More fundamentally, a plan for living that prevents disease, aging and needless suffering was devised. Learn more about this amazing lifestyle at Elemental OM. We offer the Elemental Cleanse™ to immerse you in this lifestyle for 28 days. Bring your body, mind and Spirit to balance. LEARN MORE>>>

[1] This formula was passed down for generations in prose and finally captured in the Vedas and around 500 BCE in two medical texts called Susruta Samhita and Carkaka Samhita.

Raw Foods, Cleansing and Ayurveda

2011-11-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

Many people are advocates for Raw Foods diets and have a wonderful experience of them. Ayurveda does hold a place for the unique constitution that can thrive on a raw foods diet. This would be a person who is a Fire or Pitta body type or some balance of Fire/Earth (Pitta/Kapha). That type of person has naturally strong digestion and more heat. I believe that this person would also need a very strong presence of Fire in their mind as it takes incredible planning and discipline to maintain a raw foods diet and appropriately meet all nutritional needs.

If you are choosing this lifestyle and feel great…awesome!!! If you are suffering from any of the following, ask yourself if you are getting enough energy of the Earth or Kapha in your life to ground the uplifting nature of your diet. Food does affect emotion too.

Lack of vitality
Always cold
Weak digestive digestion

Cravings

Stalled weight loss due to low metabolism
Emaciation
Amenorrhea (menstrual cycles cease), even in young women
Loss of libido
Hair loss and nail problems
Dental erosion
Insomnia and neurological problems
Constipation
Diarrhea

Infertility

If you find that you are suffering from any of these, I recommend the following while maintaining your diet. Additionally, if you are participating in the Elemental Cleanse and do not wish to participate in cooked food, you will need to do the following:

· Daily meditation of no less than 20 minutes. Use mantra with the focus of union of energies in the heart. Do not turn your meditation into an escape to connect to what is perceived as “higher than”. Meditation & Spirituality is to be in your body and embrace the life you are currently living.

· Self-Oil Massage with Sesame Oil (it's heating externally and internally). Do heat your oil prior to your massage

· Vigorous yoga or exercise producing sweat with an extended rest (Shavasana) of no less than 10 minutes to ground your energy afterwards.

· Spice up your food with spicy spices.

· Eat your food at room temperature

· Take a daily dose of triphala (Ayurvedic blend of 3 fruits promoting digestion and elimination)

· Drink hot teas (ginger tea is the best). Add citrus (lemon or lime) to your teas.

· Add fruit juices and vegetable juices to your diet.

· Use a food processor or blender to “pre-digest” the food you consume.

· Take a daily dose of flax-oil. You may consume up 6 - 8 teaspoons of oil each day for healthy digestion.

· Use ginger elixir before each meal to stoke your digestive fire. (grated ginger marinated in sea salt and lemon. Take a pinch before each meal).

· Go for a 10-minute walk after you eat.

· Seek out heat therapy; dress warm covering throat and head, saunas, hot baths, hot tubs, hot yoga (if appropriately acclimated and not more than 2 times a week) and sun.

· Go to bed by 10 pm and arise by 6 am.

The final week of the Elemental Cleanse must be modified to accommodate those on a raw foods diet. Food will be blended and processed and taken without exception at room temperature. Focus will be on vegetables over fruits. The final week may be shortened to just 3 days.

I find that people who take the Cleanse and are raw foodies are not taking the Cleanse to clean out their bodies. Most are interested in what Ayurveda has to offer and are curious about the Spiritual aspects of the Cleanse. Great benefit can be received through the emotional, mental and Spiritual Cleansing process. Shift your focus to journaling, meditation, walking and yoga. Because you already have a healthy diet, the food portion will be easy for you and not a focus.

Most Raw Foodies that I know are very attached to their diet because they have put a lot of effort into this lifestyle and they have seen benefits. That’s perfect! Simply be aware of the imbalance that a raw foods diet can potentially cause if not balanced with the emotional and physical body. Do know that you simply must focus a bit more on “grounding” your energy. Raw food creates high prana. This always sounds good as we perceive prana to be a positive force. Prana, however, is a neutral force. It goes where your mind goes. If you are happy, it increases the happy. If you are sad, destructive, critical, judgmental or angry, it will also increase those. Too much prana, ungrounded, causes imbalance.

If you are currently participating in the Cleanse and not currently a Raw Foodie, please cook all of your food and eat it warm! If you are interested in Raw Foods and are of the appropriate mind/body type as discussed above, explore when the Cleanse is complete.

Shanti, Pamela

Facing Codependence

2011-10-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a really great book right now called "Facing Codependence" by Pia Mellody. In it, she gives not only her professional view as a consultant at a treatment center for addictions, but also her personal views as a recovered co-dependent. It's insightful and very educational.

She recommends an exercise very similar to one that I teach during the Elemental Cleanse for honoring and releasing your past. My exercise is more general and encompassing of situations outside of co-depenedency. Her's is more focused for co-dependency. Honestly, though, I think everyone could benefit from her recommendation.

Pia asks that you sit down pen and paper and write about each year of your life from age 1 to 17. As you go through each year, you are to identify and focus your attention on what shaming acts were received and who participated in the shaming act. You are not to focus on whether the person who did the abuse intended to cause harm. You are simply to get your history down. You may hold your abusers accountable, but you are not to blame or judge. Just get your history down and acknowledge what really happened.

Do not compare your history to another persons history. This will make you feel that your story is not as valid and important. It is important and valid. Do not shift your attention to your own parenting of your own children. Do your own work first.

When writing your history, simply describe behaviors as dysfunction. There are five levels of abuse...physical, sexual, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Label the dysfunction in one of these five areas.

The purpose of this exercise to to allow you to specifically see how the parenting you received affected you. To recover, you must release these feelings from your physical and subtle body. Finally, and most important, as a co-dependent adult, you tend to surround yourself with people who recreate the dysfunction. You need to be able to clearly see your life in the past to clearly see your life now.

I would recommend this as a book to buy if this issue is up for you. I've given here the short version of her exercise to get you going and thinking. See you in the studio! Pam

I'll show you, I'll get me

2011-10-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

Last Week, during the Elemental Cleanse, I spoke about unconscious choice making, specifically co dependency. It’s one of the big “sleeping dragons” as I call them. Many others call unconscious choice makers shadows, your shadow self, the wounded healer and the wounded child.

Unconscious choice making happens because there are thoughts that naturally arise in your consciousness that you are unaware of. These thoughts stem from the mistreatment of a person as a child. Typically, the child is from an alcoholic or abusive family. The child uses the thoughts to survive trauma, lack of love, abandonment and abuse. In yoga, we call these patterns Vasana.

Vasanas are bits and pieces of experience stuck in your subtle body. These are habits and patterns that drive your life. They are very hard to discern. You don’t even know you do these things and you don’t know there is a better way. The vasanas are quiet subtle choice makers that are your thoughts. Your thoughts drive your desires and your desires drive your deeds. Your deeds become your life.

The issue of co-dependency is near and dear to my heart. Having grown up in a home of alcohol abuse and abandonment, my child mind certainly learned to protect itself. It’s been a lifelong battle to identify and begin the process of changing these thought patterns. The patterns in my mind have not allowed me to have successful and loving relationships. It’s recent experience for me to come to terms with co-dependency. It’s something I am actively working on myself.

Common behavior and patterns of thinking for a co-dependant include the following:

Feelings of Shame: You feel that you are not enough just the way you are so you pretend that everything is okay with you all the time. You will not ask for help because asking for help would make you appear weak and you need for everyone to believe that you are fine. You cannot handle criticism and yet you constantly criticize yourself. You have a need to be perfect, to outperform, to outshine and to outwork everyone else.

Feelings of Fear: You tend to analyze all situations intellectually. You do not listen to or trust your heart. You are always thinking and planning ahead to avoid what you believe to be your inevitable failure and demise. You self-destruct or destroy others to maintain control of situations. You are so frightened of loss that you create the loss so that you can simply get it over with.

Black and white thinking: You cannot see the grey in others. You assume that when any one person says any one thing, they must mean exactly what a past bad experience was and you assume the worst. You judge yourself very harshly. You believe there is a right and wrong and anything in the middle is not good enough.

Have to/Should: You have a never-ending list of things that you HAVE to do or SHOULD do. The list never gets shorter no matter how hard you work. You work all the time. You do not feel that you have permission to play and you do not know how to play. If you have down time, you create more work for yourself. You feel worthy when you produce and work, but otherwise you do not feel worthy.

Worry: You constantly worry that people are judging you…that people will leave you...that people are pretending to like you. You have no basis for this worry other than past experience. You assume that people are just pretending to like you, that they are not genuine and inside you don’t really believe that anyone really values you or wants to be with you.

Sabotage: You are out to get yourself. When someone else has bad behavior, you turn on yourself and begin the process of destroying yourself. You surround yourself with needy, critical, controlling and often times alcoholic and abusive people. For some reason, they make your child mind feel at home and you gravitate to them. They are all you know so that's where you go.

It’s sad really that we can’t see the beautiful person that we really are…that we don’t tangibly know unconditional love. Unconditional love is learned as a child and if you grew up with “conditional” love, then you are wired to believe that you are not perfect, not worthy and quite frankly, unlovable.

This is not true.

You are lovable.

If you want to begin the process of breaking free from these Vasanas, start with education. Read some books on co-dependency with an open mind and simply ask yourself if you are exhibiting those behaviors. If the answer is yes, go to mantra or affirmations as a tonic to your thoughts. Monitor your thoughts and notice when you are thinking those subtle thoughts. When you go off into negative fantasyland, use mantra to interrupt it.

This process is not easy. You are going to become supersensitive to this situation and probably drive yourself a little crazy at first. You may find that the Vasanas tighten their grip and your behavior becomes even more co-dependant as you try to destroy yourself and your relationships. I don’t know why it gets worse before getting better. Just be aware and stick with it.

Be gentle with yourself, the people around you and your life. This is a time when it is easy to drive everyone away. Be aware and allow yourself to gently unfold.

“I am light, I am love, and I am perfect in this moment”

Occupy Your Body, Mind & Spirit

2011-10-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Be where the problems arise.....

What do you do if you are a person who is doing everything "right" in their life and still suffering?

How do you answer the complicated questions and subtle challenges in your life when you are doing things right...or are things just slightly off?

How do you consistently choose the more "right" thing and what does that mean?

How do you transform problems in your life that relate to health, love and financial security?

Check out the November session of the Elemental Cleanse™. This seminar answers those pressing questions and so much more. It gives you a toolbox of transformation.

Beginning October 31st, this seminar delivers a comprehensive and immersive program to bring the passion, soulful connection and enduring self-love into your relationship with self and others. This happens as we peel back the layers though an amazing body, mind & spiritual Cleanse.

This Cleanse is like no other. It gives each person exactly what they need. If you need to lose weight, you will. If you need to gain weight, you will. If you need to transform your marriage, job, relationship with children, you will. If you need to establish a working relationship with Spirit, you will.

How does it do all that? it doesn't. YOU do. You will receive a program that holds you accountable for doing the hard work of life that you don't really want to do. You will establish a meditation practice, you will establish a movement practice, you will understand how your food choices are affecting your health, your weight and your emotions. You will learn to make better choices. You will become aware and once you are aware...there's no turning back.

A lot of people worry that this program is a lot of work. It is. It is FUN though. In fact, I can't think of a more fun way to shift than in a group environment full of love, compassion and loads of laughter.

Speaking of work...suffering is work. Learning to embrace joy and health...that's not work.

Best of all, if you sign up NOW we will extend your one month FREE unlimited yoga pass to TWO full months. LEARN MORE>>>

A yoga retaliation...

2011-10-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

A friend of a friend sent me a link to an article about yoga in the New York Times. LINK>>> They wanted to know what I thought and this was my reply. I wrote is passionately and with much to learn, but I was surprised by my passion and my journey. Actually, I was surprised that my journey has taken me back to a very simple place.

George, all debate for yoga is good for me so it makes me very happy to see that people are curious.

Yoga is a technology when properly used will facilitate the attainment of happiness. The purpose of yoga is to create happy homes. Yoga encompasses the whole person when practice appropriately and with a proper teacher.

Ayurveda is the nutritional science of yoga. If you are only practicing yoga and meditation and not taking in the proper nutrition, you will not balance. It is conceivable that your metabolism would slow and you could gain weight. However, given the nature of yoga, a yogi organically begins to make better choices as the psychology behind the sugar, caffeine, food, alcohol and other abuse is revealed. Your choices become more "sattvic" or pure and you naturally begin to consume less meat, processed foods and other not so healthy items.

Hatha is the physical movement of yoga that also includes Tantra. Tantra is not the sexually abusive form of yoga that has been popularized in the West, it is the psychology of the mind. Through Hatha and Tantra you unite the opposites in body and mind. You embrace your duality and you learn to sit in your divinity. The search for something to make you happy is relinquished as you realize that "this is that, and that is that and that is all that there is". Your love and devotion to your family grows as you begin to accept them as they are and see their beauty. You learn to meet yourself in the mirror with your own limitations. You meet others with their limitations as well.......this is just life. It is all just life.

This takes discipline (tapas), non-violence in thought, word and action (ahimsa) and belief in something greater than yourself. It is done in a devotional daily practice called sadhana. The devotional practice and the path are as many as there are people walking the planet.

In essence the physical posturing of yoga is limited on its own independent of Ayurveda and Tantra. A yoga practice should be tailored to the unique individual. Most people over the age of 35 should not be practicing headstand. People with certain conditions like high blood pressure should not be practicing headstand. All poses of yoga are dangerous when done incorrectly and in an unprescribed manner.

The awakening of what we call Kundalini energy can bring psychosis if the psychology has not been worked through. Kundalini energy is the spiritual energy depicted as a serpent coiled at the base of your spine. As Kundalini begins to awaken, it arises through your spine and nervous system to mate with the Divine. Kundalini energy is feminine and represents the ego. It is depicted as a snake with 3 coils. Each coil represents a "guna" or a chain that is binding us to our reality...the illusion of separation. The gunas are purity, action and deadness. Deadness is obvious to be avoided. You need a little action to manifest desires. Purity binds you to your illusion with knowledge and happiness so that sounds pretty good. The lesson is to be non-egoic. That doesn't mean to lose yourself, it means to make choices that benefit you and others. It means to stop harming others with your own personal needs and desires.

As the gunas fall away, this Shakti energy begins to unite with the Shiva energy. Moon/Sun...Cool/Hot....Feminine/Masculine... It's your duality. Reality/Spirit. You begin to sense that you are one with all, yet apart. You begin to respect the 5 elements of air, fire, water, earth and space. You make better choices for all and the planet. You have a tangible working relationship with Spirit that is very rewarding. It's like having a best friend...no more, no less.

Some people become very sensitive and intuitive. Magical powers called Siddhis develop. I have experienced many of these that I have set aside as distractions because I am a very practical Ohio girl with two kids to raise and I like reality. People with Siddhis that are uncontrolled become psychotic as they cannot maintain their duality.

Yoga is sitting in the duality.
Yoga is loving your family and serving your family without exception.

So that's what I think! : ) Pamela.

Alternate Nostril Breathing

2011-09-14T04:02:00.000-07:00

Nadi Sodhana

Alternate Nostril breathing is a powerful way to balance the left and right sides of your brain. This pranayama will allow you to relax more quickly into your meditations, not to mention it helps you focus, think and sleep.

You probably don’t realize this, but you do not breathe equally through your left and right nostril. Depending on the time of the day and your activity level, you will favor one or the other. Your body automatically shifts from left to right every 80 minutes or so.

If you are breathing through the left side of your nose (Ida Nadi), the right side of your brain is activated. This is the side of your brain that doesn’t understand boundaries, time or individuality. It is your child-like and creative side. If you are breathing through the right side of your nose (Pingala Nadi), the left side of your brain is activated. The left side of your brain is the analytical planner that lives inside of you. It knows the past, the future and identifies with the “I am” part of ourselves that believes only in separation.

To practice Alternate Nostril breathing, simply gently close your left nostril with you’re pinky finger or thumb (depending on which hand you are using) and begin to breathe in through your right nostril. Exhale through the left and then breathe back in through the left, exhale through the right and breathe back in through the right. You are taking one full breathe out and in on each side. You can stretch your breath to a count of 4 or 6 seconds depending on your comfort level. Practice this breath with your eyes closed.

Another Awesome Breath

Another amazing breath to calm you and focus your mind is the Dirga breath, “3 part breath” or “Complete Breath”. This may be my favorite breath because it delivers exactly what you need regardless of the situation. If you are feeling anxious, stressed, worried or can’t sleep…if you have a headache or even if you need energy, this breath knows where to go.

To practice the complete breath, simply imagine that there is a balloon in your belly and fill the balloon all the way up with air, pull the air up into your lungs and let it out through your shoulders. Don't be afraid to really puff your belly out as you take in air. You can do this sitting, standing or lying down. Do it for a few minutes.

2011-08-31T05:27:00.000-07:00

Our FREE Introduction to Ayurveda is Tuesday, September 6th in Lebanon at 6 pm and Monday, September 12th in Montgomery at 6:30. Take the quizzes!

Learning to recognize and manage when the forces or “doshas” in your body are going out of balance is very important for maintaining short-term and long-term health. If you are empowered to quickly respond to the initial onset of imbalance, you will always have good health.

The elemental forces or “doshas” are the tension created between the elements in your body. Just for a quick recap, the elements are Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Space and Air do not want to combine. Space constrains and Air expands. The elemental force of The Wind or Vata is created to keep the two playing nicely. Fire and Water do not want to combine. Fire wants to transform and Water wants to soothe. The elemental force of The Fire or Pitta is created to keep the two from annialating each other. Water and Earth do not want to combine. They always separate from each other. The elemental force of The Earth or Kapha is created to keep the two mixed nicely together.

On the day that you were born, your predominant element or “dosha” was determined. You can take a quick look back at your Element quiz (take the quiz>>>) to remind yourself of the predominant force in your mind and your body. This is your true nature or “first response”. As a reminder, you do have all the elements in your body as well as all the forces, its just that one or the other usually ends up predominant and it is your instinctive nature to behave with its properties. This is important because depending on your predominant element you are more likely to experience certain disorders. (See table below).

You are more likely to go out of balance more quickly as it relates to that predominant nature. Know who you are and know what diseases you need to watch out for depending on your predominant element.

Regardless of your predominant element, the forces behave in the following way: The Wind (Vata) is always the first to go out of balance. The Fire (Pitta) is always the next to become aggravated and finally The Earth (Kapha) goes out of balance. Everything follows The Wind (Vata). It leads.

Read the following carefully and twice…it’s profound:

10% of our healthcare dollars are spent on 90% of disease. 90% of disease is related to The Wind (Vata). Examples include the initial onset of cold, headaches, back aches, aches and pains in general, constipation and sleep disorders. These are easily treated with routine and nutrition. You don’t have to go to the doctor or pharmacy and spend money to remedy these conditions. Now think about the fact that The Wind always leads the other doshas. If you could stop the imbalance in the The Wind dead in its tracks, you wouldn’t have to worry about those other diseases. Simply knowing when your Wind is going out of balance and knowing how to soothe it would prevent denser diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis and depression.

90% of our healthcare dollars are spent on 10% of disease. 10% of disease is related to The Earth (Kapha). Examples include diabetes, cancer, heart disease, arthritis and depression. When you experience these types of disorders, you must go to the doctor and the pharmacy. Typically you are in for a long journey through these diseases as well.

The good news is that the Elemental Cleanse™ will quickly pull you back to balance in 28 days. The Wind disorders will dramatically shift within the first two weeks. Any Fire disorders such as heartburn, indigestion and skin irritations will shift by the third week and through the fourth. If you are battling an Earth disorder, this will take time beyond the 28 days to shift. At the end of the Cleanse you will be in balance and feeling great, but you will have to continue to work on weight loss, high cholesterol and the other chronic conditions by eating for your Element or staying with the Cleanse eating plan.

Below are some interesting charts and facts. Don’t worry that you need to understand all of this. This is just for fun and for those who want to take their Ayurvedic education a little deeper.

Situations by Element or Dosha

The Wind (Vata)	The Fire (Pitta)	The Earth (Kapha)
Dry skin, nails & hair	Redness & Rashes	Sluggish digestion
Interrupted Sleep	Inflammation	Weight Gain
Insomnia	Ulcers	Obesity
Constipation	Heartburn	Sinus Congestion
Fatigue	Indigestion	Asthma
Headaches	Poor Vision	Allergies
Intolerance to ‘cold’	Intolerance to ‘heat’	Cysts
Malnourishment	Premature greying	Arthritis
Anxiety	Premature baldness	Heart disease
Worry	Aggression (road rage)	High Cholesterol
Racing thoughts	Irritability	Depression
Loss of Memory	Impatience	Inability to decide
Inability to Focus	Thinking you are right	Bloating
	Heart Attack

How Healthcare Dollars are Spent:

From: www.ahrq.gov (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

In 2004, the United States spent $1.9 trillion, or 16 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), on health care. This averages out to about $6,280 for each man, woman, and child. However, actual spending is distributed unevenly across individuals, different segments of the population, specific diseases, and payers. For example, analysis of health care spending shows that:

· Five percent of the population accounts for almost half (49 percent) of total health care expenses.

The 15 most expensive health conditions account for 44 percent of total health care expenses. Top 5 are heart disease, cancer, trauma, mental disorders and pulmonary disorders.
Patients with multiple chronic conditions cost up to seven times as much as patients with only one chronic condition.

Twenty-five percent of the U.S. community population were reported to have one or more of five major chronic conditions:

Mood disorders.
Diabetes.
Heart disease.
Asthma.
Hypertension.

Spending to treat these five conditions alone amounted to $62.3 billion in 1996.¹³ Moreover, people with chronic conditions tend to have other conditions and illnesses.

Yoga

2011-08-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

I wrote the following for the online Cleansing program...yes I'm still dumping data...and quite liked it. I thought I'd share.

The following discussion will be a nice read for your bedtime practice of reading something Spiritual instead of watching television. It is very deep in Yoga and you may find that you simply are not interested in Sanskrit and in learning all of the “deep” stuff just now. The most wonderful thing about the Eight Limbs of Yoga is that you are receiving all of the information in an easy to understand and organic way through the Cleanse. During the Cleanse, you are learning to practice all of the below. Perhaps when the Cleanse is over, you will re-read this and have an “ah-ha” moment of understanding.

Enjoy or skip!

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

There are Eight "limbs", "branches" or "chapters" of yoga. It is not just the physical posturing that is yoga. That, in fact, is just one branch of the tree. The limbs, when practiced together and daily, become part of you and part of your life. They help you to live a good life and to find your life's purpose. They guide you to better choice making, better habits, and a better life. They are only understood through the tangible experience of yoga. They cannot be intellectually understood. You must practice yoga for the understanding to unfold. Intellectually you may not understand when reading this. After the Cleanse, you will re-read and simply think…”wow…I get it”.

Maharishi Pantanjali is best known for the Eight Limbs of Yoga. The purpose of embracing the Eight Limbs of Yoga is to connect you to the real you. You are layered and cloaked in veils that hide your inner spirit. These practices part the veils that hide you.

All of the limbs of yoga come to pass naturally as you grow spiritually.

First Branch of Yoga

YAMA - rules of social behavior

The Yamas are rules of social conduct that engage you with others. They are important because we must have “understood” rules of conduct in each society. Depending on where you live and your culture, your yamas will differ. Pantanjali broke the Yamas down as follows:

The First Yama - Ahimsa

Ahimsa or Non-violence is really the foundation for all that we do in yoga. It’s the most important rule and if you only learn this one rule, the rest will follow. Ahimsa is the practice of not harming yourself, others or your planet through violent thought, word or deed. It is a caution to monitor your thoughts and always choose the more nourishing thought. Your thoughts become your words, your words become your deeds, and your deeds become your whole life. Begin with peaceful thoughts and the rest will follow.

The Second Yama - Satya

Satya means truthfulness. It is having integrity of thought word and deed. To be truthful, you must know your truth. Challenge yourself to ask what you believe? When speaking the truth, always begin with Ahimsa. Ask yourself the following questions before you speak:

Is it true?

Is it necessary?

Is it kind?

The Third Yama - Brachmacharya

Brachmacharya has been very misunderstood in yoga because religion somehow made it’s way into Pantanjali’s interpretation. Brachmacharya has been defined as celibacy. It is my opinion that celibacy goes against our nature and is a religious construct. We are of nature, which is an expression of divinity, and therefore a healthy expression of sex is part of our experience.

Brachmacharya has been loosely redefined as “appropriate” use of one’s energies. By that, it is meant that sexuality should be enjoined in a healthy and loving way. I personally believe that sex enjoyed in partnership with love is the most nourishing choice.

You can also think of Brachmacharya as how you spend your energy. Spending energy in unfulfilling situations such as bad relationships, bad friendships, bad jobs or gossiping can be very draining and unhealthy.

You can make this very simple by always asking yourself what is the most nourishing experience?

· A loud metal rock concert or classical music playing in the background of life?

· Walking by a trash dumpster or walking in the middle of a field?

· Sex with someone you hardly know or sex with a partner who knows your body, your mind and your heart?

The Fourth Yama - Asteya

Asteya is translated as honesty, but isn’t honesty the same as truth (Satya)? Honesty is relinquishing the idea that things outside yourself will provide you happiness and security

During the Cleanse we work on manifesting our hearts desires. We then learn to simply release all of this as we begin to realize that we have all that we could ever desire in this moment. It’s way too esoteric to be intellectually absorbed. It is a tangible understanding that you will obtain through the experience and practice of yoga.

 The Fifth Yama - Aparigraha

Generosity or shifting from ego responses to Soul responses.

During the Cleanse you will learn to resonate with the Sattvic or Pure qualities of your Soul. You will embrace and accept your ego because it is beautiful and giving you your personality and your experience here in this realm as yourself. You will learn to respond instead of react. You will bring the pure qualities of your Soul into your responses, thereby diminishing the drama of life that ego responses can create.

Second Branch of Yoga - NIYAMA - rules of personal behavior

How do you live when no one is watching? If you are living a balanced life, these characteristics develop on their own.

The First Niyama - Shoucha

Purity - make choices that are nourishing to your body, mind, and soul

Always choose the more nourishing thing for yourself including food choices, exercise choices, who to hang out with, what to listen to and what to watch. Choose what to believe and what to let go.

The Second Niyama -  Santosa

Present moment awareness, acceptance without resignation. relinquish your attachment to the need for control, power, and approval.

Practice present moment awareness. Accept things as they are. Know that right now everything is perfect. (This is a PRACTICE)

 The Third Niyama - Tapas

Tapas are the disciplined practice of yoga on and off your mat. During the Cleanse you will learn a routine to live by the rhythms of nature. Once you tap into those rhythms, tapas becomes easy.

The Fourth Niyama -  SVADHYANA

Look inside. Your value comes from a deep connection with spirit. During the Cleanse you will experience many Spiritual exercises to take you deep into your psyche. Why do you think what you think? Why do you believe what you believe? Why are you having thoughts?

The Fifth Niyama -  ISHWARA-PRANIDHANA

Embrace uncertainty and let go of the past. You life is about to change in the most dramatic way. It’s literally going to unfold in from of you. This niyama is about surrendering to Spirit. It is a tangible experience that cannot be intellectually understood.

The Sixth Niyama – What do you stand for?

I’ve added this Niyama. I think Pantanjali would be okay with it. This Niyama is a challenge for you to develop your own personal rule. What do you live for? What do you value? What defines you? Mother Teresa’s personal Niyama was to treat every person as she would Jesus coming off the cross. This allowed her to serve lepers and untouchables with loving kindness. Martin Luther King’s personal Niyama was to teach tolerance and the meaning of freedom to the world. Gandhi’s personal Niyama was peaceful resistance. Those are some pretty big names and some pretty big challenges. Perhaps your personal Niyama can to simply be to serve your family. Spend some time thinking about it.

Third Branch of Yoga - Asana - position

This is the disciplined practice of yoga. This is the posturing that most people are familiar with.

Fourth Branch of Yoga - Pranayama - prana, life force, breathing

This is the disciplined practice of breathing. It’s super easy. Breathe in. Breath out. Be aware that you are breathing.

Fifth Branch of Yoga - Pratyahara - tuning into your subtle sensory experience.

Pratyahara is the practice of becoming acutely aware of your senses to the point that you are able to withdrawal your senses from the world. To practice, you focus on your senses and ultimately you are able to turn them off. This practice aids in meditation and in mindfulness.

Pay attention to five senses and how your body reacts.

Spend time in silence and alone

Sixth Branch of Yoga - Dharana - mastery of attention and intention.

Dharana, Dhyana and Samdhi all have to due with Meditation. They are practiced concurrently. Together, they make Samyama or Control.

Dharana is the point in which the mind needs an instrument to play in order to keep it from wandering. This instrument may be a mantra, japa mala or even attention to breath. During the Cleanse, we use the mantra “so hum”. Note that even the most experienced meditator has days where the mind wants to wander and goes back to an instrument. That is why Dharana, Dhyana and Samdhi are practiced together and not consecutively.

Be aware of your intentions, pay attention to clues. Synchronicity.

Seventh Branch of Yoga - Dhyana - development of witnessing awareness.

You are in this world, but not of this world. Everything is always changing, but not your soul.

Be aware of the silent presence that resides within you. As you experience the drama of living, remove yourself from it and watch it. Notice your thoughts and emotions as if you are watching a movie unfold.

Eighth Branch of Yoga - Samadhi - the state of being settled in pure, unbounded awareness.

Know yourself as a spiritual being disguised as a human. Samadhi is not easily defined or described. It is a state of being known as bliss. This experience is unique to the practitioner. You will know when you have entered Samadhi without any definition or description coming from outside yourself.

Samadhi is experienced at and in death so we will all have this experience.

Enjoy the Journey!

When your yoga fails you

2011-08-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

I've been doing this for a long time. My actual yoga experience began in 2002 with a back injury, a dissolving marriage, depression and truly a lack of purpose. I'm sitting here 9 years later having learned so much. My yoga toolbox is stuffed to overflowing with breathing modalities, meditation techniques, self-analysis worksheets and reams of journals. I've taken the art of Svadyaya or Self-Study to levels that the Gurus probably didn't imagine. Each problem methodically analyzed and resolved with the determination of a Warrior. My niyama (personal mission statement) has been "I've never met a problem I can't solve". In fact, I thrive on problem solving...mine, yours, the deficit, global warming and race relations. I never stop.

It seems that I burn through one Karma (problem) to simply wake the next day to a new one.

I tell myself that the Universe continues to throw stuff my way because it must have big plans for me. Perhaps my Soul planned a super-charged existence of Karma busting because it was intent to resolve this humanity and not come back in the future. Regardless, the lessons keep coming.

At some point, the desire to throw my hands up and turn in my yogi towel overcomes me. My yoga fails. My mind turns negative and pessimistic. I tell God that I don't really want to do this anymore. I'd like to have a normal life. I laugh knowing that there is no turning back and that normal doesn't exist. I grow grumpy and resentful of the people who appear to have it all and then experience disdain for the people who aren't doing their work. Who am I?

I go back to my meditation chair and simply pray for God's grace to resolve all things in my life. That's called surrendering and that's when you realize that there are bigger plans for you. It's also when you realize that you are very small and fragile and perhaps it would be okay to let someone else take care of you for a while. Breathe in, breathe out. Remember you are only human. A sudden realization dawns that my personal niyama is dictating my whole life. I've been sending out a powerful subtle intention for problems to come to me to solve.

A new niyama comes to me as if by magic, "embrace each moment in joy..." Wow, now that's a big shift in thinking...I better go get my toolbox.

The EOM Manifesto

2011-08-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Drink for your body type. The Wind (Vata) needs to focus on drinking more water and being mindful of thirst. The Fire (Pitta) will drink when they are thirsty and don’t need to be told to drink. The Earth (Kapha) does not need to consume so much water. It’s bloating you. Drink when you are thirsty and don’t force yourself to drink when you are not.

Move every day. 30 minutes of walking and a little bit of gentle yoga. You don’t have to bend yourself into a pretzel to maintain health.

Do one thing a day that is only for yourself…meditation, quiet walking, a bath, a nice meal or a nice inspirational read.

Listen, listen, listen and then drop into your heart center to find your answers.

Sit down every single week and work on your intentions and desires. Bring them to life through meditation, correct thinking and action.

When things are not going your way, find the lesson in the situation and move forward.

Your thoughts become your words, your words become your deeds and your deeds become your whole life. Start with kind thoughts towards self and others.

Prioritize your needs placing your physical and emotional health first.

Poor health is caused and aggravated by stress. Take time to manage your stress daily. Breath, move and journal.

Let other’s achievements inspire you.

Change can be very difficult to implement. Simply accept your current situation and start where you are. It’s perfect where you are. Just begin.

Know what you value. Cultivate your own Niyama to guide your life. This is your personal mission statement.

Maintain breath awareness.

Take in good food and good water. A multi-vitamin each day as well as Calcium with D for women is a must. Use other vitamins and herbs with caution and sound advice.

Plan for financial security and financial “moksha”….freedom.

Plan for your death…in doing so, plan for your life. Live.

Observe your thoughts. Interrupt your less-favorable thoughts with mantra and thought replacement.

Spend time in nature. Know that you are deeply connected.

Spend time in a creative activity…dancing, singing, writing, reading, cooking, gardening, coloring.

A wish is simply a desire that lacks intention. Stop wishing. Don’t stop dreaming.

Are you a stereotype? Take the Quizzes

2011-08-03T04:39:00.000-07:00

We are all here on this earth to enjoy this big "play" or "drama" that is apparently supposed to teach our Souls some lesson. In Sanskrit, this is known as "lila". Each of us, as unique as we are, are still molding our thoughts and choices in common archetypes or stereotypes. Some of this is good and some of this is not so good. A few not so good stereotypes include the addict and the co-dependent.

Answer a few of the questions below and see if you fall into any of these stereotypes. Don't feel bad if you do. Just begin the process of learning about yourself and cultivate a plan to break the mold.

Are you Co-dependent?

Do you suffer greatly from saying "No"?
Do you put yourself in situations where you really didn't want to be there or help, but commit anyway? Do you find yourself resentful in these situations?
Does helping others make you feel worthy or superior?
If you stopped helping, would you feel guilty or worthless?
Do your relationships end when there is no longer a need for your help?
Do you resent those that you help and think that they are not grateful enough to you?
Do have a very hard time asking for help and in fact, rarely do?
Do you have a hard time receiving help?
Do you pretend that everything is fine?
Do you surround yourself with people who live in chaos and have one problem after another?
Did you grow up in a family that had a lot of emotional chaos or addiction problems?
Are you emotionally involved with an addict?
As a child, did you take on the role of holding your family together?
As an adult, is it important for you to be thought of as the “dependable one”?
Are you a negative person?

If you answered yes to any of these and really took a pause of awareness, you may be what is termed "Co-dependent". Your mind has simply wandered into the territory of this archetype or stereotype as a means of coping. It's an unhealthy pattern that you can and must break to achieve happiness.

Explore yourself more and empower yourself with education. The following is my book recommendation to shed more life on this negative stereotype: "Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself" by Melody Beattie

Are you an Alcoholic?

Click through to this quiz prepared by Alcohol Screening.org and then return here:

CLICK THROUGH

If you are taking a long pause right now, I suggest the following book to further empower you and to expand your education: "Healing the Addictive Mind: Freeing yourself from Addictive Patterns and Relationships" - Lee Jampolsky.

In this book you will find some classical thought patterns of Alcoholics.

Are you addicted to Sugar?

Take the following quiz. Be honest.

Do you eat refined sugar every day?
Do you find it hard to go a day without sugar?
Do you crave sugar, coffee, chocolate or alcohol?
Do you hide sweet snacks in your home or office?
Do you have a hard time stopping consumption after a small serving of sugar?
Do you have very few periods of time without sugar in your house?
Do you find it hard to resist sweets if they are in your home, office or at an event?
If you skip sugar, do you experience shakiness, fatigue or altered mood (negative mood)?
Do you eat something sweet after every meal?
Do you start your day with coffee and a sweet treat?
Do you drink sweetened soft drinks on a daily basis?

If you answered a lot of "yes" and are taking that long pause, please educate and empower yourself this weekend. EOM in Montgomery is having a special workshop on Sugar Addiction at 11 am with Becky Morrissey, Yoga Teacher and Mental Health Therapist. The price is only $15. LEARN MORE>>

If you are "pausing" around your answers, congratulations. The first step of healing is developing awareness. Make a plan. Educate yourself and take action.

Relationships....sigh....

2011-08-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

Last night during the Elemental Cleanse we focused on bringing the manifestation process into our meditations. I give Cleansers "categories" to place their attention on to cultivate awareness around what they really want in their life and what they want their life to look like. One of the more important categories is relationships....relationships with partners, children, relatives, co-workers and even neighbors. I tend not to get too specific when I teach this because each person is shifting in some way through relationships and its very different. There are some basics to relationships, however, that I feel are most important.

The relationship that you are sharing with a spouse or partner is your most important relationship. This is because this person is truly your best teacher and is a reflection of things that you are being guided to work on yourself. If you find yourself in a relationship that is challenging, stop judging and criticizing the person and start asking yourself what is being triggered in you? Why? Is it hitting upon past experience? Is it hitting upon your own frustrations with yourself? Cultivate awareness around your mental and physical response to stressful situations. Journal around it until you truly get to the heart of the matter.

When cultivating your intentions and desires for your relationships, I always suggest that you focus on the "feeling" of the relationship vs. the person in the relationship. It is very common for relationships to go south for quite a long time and to the point that there is so much negative energy in the relationship that it becomes impossible to think about the person in a less than judgmental way. We will talk about shifting that below, but in the meantime for the purposes of intending, simply focus on the "feeling".

What is the "feeling"? The feeling is how YOU want to feel in the relationship. Simple questions to ask yourself are: Do I want a partner that does everything with me? Do I need personal freedom? How do I need another to express themselves in order for me to feel loved? Do I need a very physical person? Do I need a person who calls me three times a day? Do I simply want to connect over the weekends and be allowed to focus on my own things? Do I want a person who shares like goals? Do I want a person who does their own thing and we share expressively our life's experiences?

Ultimately, we are all seeking a person who is vibrating at the same frequency as us. This vibratory energy goes in and out. As you change and grow as a person...hopefully into a more "sattvic" or pure person...you will shift a level up. You cannot expect those around you to shift with you, especially if they are not doing the same work and are not on a Spiritual path. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater though. Simply by being your most amazing you, they will begin to glow a little brighter.

I always recommend that students read the book "True Love" by Thich Nhat Hanh. In it, this Zen Buddhist Master, gives you a simple daily practice for cultivating True Love. It's simple, but it's very very hard to do especially if you are sitting in one of those toxic relationships that has been festering. In that case, you have developed between you a formation in your emotional body. If you pause here to think about the person you are suffering with and simply feel your body respond, you will feel the energetic formation lodged in your body somewhere...frequently your heart. It presents as tension and discomfort. The most powerful thing you can do to free this formation is to simply put your attention on your own personal practice. Allow your meditation to begin to dissolve it by shifting your thoughts to awareness that it exists. Just intend for it to loosen its grip and dissolve.

This is not enough however. You must take action in your relationship to facilitate the shifting of the other's formation and to simply re-educate both parties as to the true ways of love. You will do this by practicing Karma Yoga and implementing the daily practices for love from the book, "True Love". Karma Yoga is basically selfless service. You serve the other person on every level. This is very difficult because it is a ONE WAY practice. It must be done without any expectations that the other person will serve you. You must simply look to the other's highest good and serve it. Starting the process is the most difficult because your formation wants you to be critical, judgmental and withholding of affections. The formation, in part, believes itself to be protecting you. Just grin and bear it for the first few days and then you will begin to see a noticeable shift in not just your energy, but in the energy of your partner as well.

Here is the practice:

Be there:

Be there goes to present moment awareness. It goes to time management. You must make time for the one that you love. This means that when your love calls you on the phone, you stop what you are doing and you listen to them. You intend to meet their needs and their special requests. When they come home from work, you stop what you are doing, you greet them at the door and you listen to their days activities. You really listen and try to understand what their day and their life was like. Like I said above, this is a one way practice. They may not listen to your day or be actively engaged with you, but this does not matter as you know in time that will come.

As you are listening to their day, hold your tongue. Just listen. Let them talk. If they ask for help and advice, give it kindly. Otherwise, just listen and allow them to process and figure out their solutions on their own. 90% of the time, people just want someone to listen to them. If they do want your help and you can't help them, simply say to them that you understand what they are going through, but you don't have a solution for them. Tell them that you are confident in them and that you are there for them as they process.

Hug the one you love each day. Really hug them. Close your eyes and intend that their energy will merge with your own. Take them into you. Tell yourself that this is the person you love and that they are perfect just the way that they are. As you hug them, allow your breath to soften and place your attention on the movement of your breath and theirs. Let the breath merge.

Make plans be alone with your partner. Know what they love to do and plan for it. I know this can be frustrating because sometimes you may be the only one who has been planning for years and years and you feel that they need to step up to the plate. Know that it doesn't matter who makes the plans. You may be the person in the relationship who is more creative and more of the mover and shaker who gets things done. Honor that in yourself and be the one to make the plans.

Honor the presence of the one you love.

This one sounds esoteric, but it's really simple. Say thank you. Honestly, this is the simplest way to begin a shift in any relationship. Start by talking to yourself about all the things about the person that you are thankful for. Of course your mind wants to go to the negative, but stay with it until you shift to gratitude. Start small. Simply be thankful that your partner is the one who sleeps with the alarm on their side of the bed and they promptly turn it off each morning. Simply be thankful that they hit the hamper with their clothes, that they make the coffee, that they take out the trash, that they remember your birthday, that they know your favorite color, that they have curly hair, that they clip their toenails regularly. Seriously, sometimes it can get so bad in a relationship that you have to start that small.

As you continue this process, you will notice that there is more and more to be thankful for. Start saying outloud and to them "Thank You". Thank them for everything. Thank you honey for clearing the table, thank you honey for taking out the trash, thank you honey for going to a chick flick. I appreciate that you let me pick the movie and I love snuggling up with you in the movie. Thank you honey for allowing me some personal time today. I missed you when we were apart. Thank you honey for running to the grocery with me. It's so much more fun when you shop with me. You pick out better fruit..... You get the idea. BTW...this works soooooo good with children.
and coworkers.

Recognize the suffering of the other:

This one sounds obvious. If you love someone, then clearly you know when they are suffering. If they are short on smiles and long on worry lines, they are suffering. If you are practicing "being there", then you probably even have a pretty good idea of why they are suffering. Now of course, you cannot fix their problems, but you can be a good listener and be compassionate. Sometimes all this means is giving someone a hug and saying "I know you are having a rough time. I love you. I'm here for you". Be patient.

If you understand the person, you will know how to alleviate some of their suffering as they work through their personal problems. You will know their favorite restaurants, meals, desserts, activities, books, movies and more. You will know what distracts them and relaxes them. Make plans around that.

This practice is hard especially if you are living with someone who is suffering a lot and for a very long time. Sometimes you cannot see the end in sight. Just know that all suffering comes to an end and practice being patient with the person. You cannot solve their suffering, but you can express compassion.

Overcoming Pride:

This is the hardest one of all. You must be able to look at the one you love and tell them that you are suffering. You must be able to ask for help in those times of need. You must be able to tear down that fortress of strength that makes others believe everything is okay and ask for help. Of course they can't solve your problems, but they can show you compassion and understanding and that will help you to shift. Just ask for love and understanding in your moments.

Know that your ego and your wounded pride are closely linked to your formation. They want to protect your heart. Tell them to step aside and allow yourself to go through this process.

Practice:

This is a practice. It's a magical practice and it totally works. It takes time, energy and effort. It's totally worth it. If it does not work, you may be in a relationship that is not truly based on love or serving you.

Give yourself a long term plan to shift the energy. If its a temporary set back in love, you can shift the energy with this practice very quickly. If you have been suffering for a very long time, the formation is very large and it will take more time. Give it 3 months, 6 months or 1 year even. Remind yourself every day to practice.

In the end, if the one you are practicing with and love does not take time for you, does not listen to you, does not understand you, does not say thank you, does not recognize your suffering nor you theirs, then you can be very confident that you are not in a healthy relationship. You can also be very confident that if you were doing the practice, then you have probably eliminated the Karma in that relationship and you can be free to move on.

Please remember that your formation is very strong and has a life of its own. It wants to protect you, so you must be kind to yourself and it while it dissipates. Start small and allow the relationship to shift slowly.

Shanti, Pamela

To ghee or not to ghee...that is the question

2011-07-28T14:38:00.001-07:00

I had a great question from one of my Cleansers today about Dairy. She read the materials from the first week and noticed that we gently give up our dependence on dairy products. We do this for many reasons.

MILK
First, let me just say that dairy has a sacred place in Ayurveda. Milk is nourishing and sweet and soothes the nerves, promotes tissue growth, balances your emotions and is soothing to all the elemental forces (doshas). The perfect Yogi food is actually what I call "yogi breakfast" and is basically milk, almonds, ghee, cinnamon and nutmeg. There are Yogis who live on this concoction alone and it promotes the development of magical yogi powers. Please don't try this, you are not doing enough yoga or meditation to receive the benefits of this practice, not to mention you do not have access to the proper milk. RECIPE>>>

The cows of India are nourished and absolutely loved. They feed them well, rub them down with medicated oils and string garlands around their necks. The mothers are allowed to nurse their naturally born babies for 2 months before any milk is taken from them. You can imagine, based on that alone, that the milk based remedies prescribed by an Ayurvedic physician differ dramatically than the "copies" of any remedies we could make in America. We simply do not have access to those kinds of cows.

Did you know that in ancient days, cows would be sacrificed to the Gods...but never ever the female cows? They are called "Devi" which means "Goddess".

The organic industry is doing a good job compared to the non-organic industry, but it simply isn't enough to make dairy products easily digestible to mass humanity. In fact, 75% of the world's population is lactose intolerant to some degree. To make milk more easy to digest, Ayurveda suggests that you boil is slowly for 5 minutes or so. This actually changes the molecular structure of the milk and mitigates the effects of the force of the Earth (Kapha). As a reminder, Kapha is cold and sweet. Drinking cold, sweet milk makes your digestion sluggish and slows your metabolism. A wonderful trick is to add some cinnamon, turmeric or ginger to your milk. These herbs work to stimulate digestion and further negate the "Earthy" (Kapha) qualities of the milk.
For the purposes of eliminated Kapha and Ama-ick (toxins) from your system, switch from cow's milk to Almond, Soy, Rice or whatever else suits you.

CHEESE
Cheese is not well addressed in Ayurveda. Think about it, they don't really eat a whole lot of cheese there. For certain, the hard cheeses are to be avoided. If you simply go to the grocery and read labels, you will see that the harder cheeses contain more calories and fat per serving. This is saturated fat that is proven to cause heart disease and cancer. Just don't go there. Give it up. The softer cheeses are okay in life, but not for cleansing. Use them as a decoration on your food to make your food more interesting and to "ground" it. For example, a salad at room temperature with a bit of feta, some nuts and olive oil is very easy for even the Wind (Vata) to digest. (Vatas have very delicate digestion and should not eat raw foods.)

I'm going to blunt here, so please prepare. When I ask most people how much cheese they are eating, they will tell me just a little bit here and there. It's simply not true. Most people go to the fridge, pull out the brick and have consumed 1/3 of it before they even realize it. It's sweet and salty and very satisfying to our American palette. We just can't stop. Give it up and replace that snacking tendency with a good snack like hummus and blanched veggies.

BUTTER
Now back to the origin of this blog...my yogi was confused because I had listed on the shopping list "unsalted organic butter". She couldn't figure out why she would be buying this if we are giving up dairy and we are supposed to be eating healthy. Doesn't everyone know that butter is full of fat??? Well, we are not eating butter. We are going to make Ghee.

Ghee is basically clarified butter. It too has a sacred place in Ayurveda. It is said that 100 year old Ghee can cure any disease. I haven't tested this nor do I wish to. What I do know about ghee is that it is very yummy. If you are used to using butter, you will find that ghee is so rich, you can cut your consumption by 1/3. Ghee is heating in your digestive system. If you find yourself not eliminating regularly, you can melt a little ghee into some warm almond milk, drink it down and eliminate in the morning. Ghee is good for all the doshas. Also, you need a little fat in your diet to digest properly. We will be getting our fats from natural plant oils and just a wee bit of ghee.

Click through to the recipe for ghee. Heating butter makes the moisture evaporate, the sugar and protein separate into the white curds that float or sink to the bottom. The leftover is pure sweet nutty and yummy ghee. Do scroll to the bottom and you will be able to watch a video that shows you how to make it. RECIPE AND VIDEO>>>

Enjoy your non dairy lifestyle! It's only 28 days....(and hopefully more)

Our Lebanon Studio

2011-07-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

I'm getting loads of emails with concerns and worries that the Lebanon Studio is closing. I'm so sorry! The news is exactly the opposite. We are expanding in Lebanon! Mindy Ayers, certified yoga teacher and masseuse, is the new Franchisee of the Lebanon Studio. Mindy will be teacher more classes (including Wednesday and Friday at 9:30), adding classes, adding massage services and expanding into other healing modalities.

More more more opportunities to heal in Lebanon.

Mindy is perfect for the job as she has a unique skill set, is highly motivated, very enthusiastic and has tons of fun and amazing friends in Cincinnati that offer holistic services.

You are going to be very happy with the transition.

I will be shifting to Mondays at 12:00 which has always been my favorite spot. I can't wait to get that class rolling again. Mindy will continue to teach in Montgomery as well. This is a partnership. EOM is dedicated to Lebanon.

Class passes are still good at both locations Pricing will not change

What we need from you is your continued and EXPANDED support. The $65 unlimited pass is a bipartisan reward ; ) We benefit because we have a consistent revenue stream. You benefit in that if you are doing 2 classes a week, your yoga class is only costing you $8. Many folks think that because they miss some weeks here or there that they should just do the $80 pass. Here's the math.

$65/month for 12 months = $780

$80/month for 9 months (assume you miss 3 months total) = $720. Throw in a class here and there (5 total) at $13 and you are quickly up to $780.

CLICK THROUGH TO CLASS PRICING>>>

Your support of our yoga community keeps us thriving in Lebanon and allows us to add classes (we gotta pay our instructors). Please let your YMCA friends know that we offer a discount if you are a member...$10/class>>> I've done the math and this makes us very competitive with the YMCA. (We've got the super cute studio and the quiet space that makes yoga, well, yoga).

We will be having a welcoming party (EOM's 3rd bday in Lebanon) on Friday, August 26th. Come welcome Mindy and celebrate our continued existence in Lebanon! Much Love, Pam

Sadhana

2011-07-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

It's early morning in Malibu and I'm sitting at a picnic table overlooking the expanse of the Pacific Ocean and enjoying a nice cup of coffee. I like mornings on vacation because it is the only time that you can actually get a little peace and quiet. Family vacations are fun and there is nothing like spending a week in an airstream trailor to rekindle "closeness".

I love my family. I love my solitude.

This week has been a bit challenging for me. My 40 day practice started and I sincerely view this 40 day practice to be of the utmost importance. It begins the next 20 years of my life (yours too!). You know how I love to manifest and the energy upon us now is truly going to determine the outcome of my life (and yours). I had big plans for yoga, meditation and writing. Now that I look back on it, my plans included a daily Spiritual practice of about 4 hours.

I spent a few days very frustrated and then sitting on a surfboard moving with the waves I remembered one very important detail; a Sadhana is a "spiritual practice". A Sadhana is any spiritual practice. A Sadhana is done with awareness of God and devotion to God and it can be anything that you are doing with focused attention on loving kindness for God.

Sitting on a surfboard feeling the saltwater lapping at your knees, closing your eyes and trusting King Neptune to bring you a groovy wave with total focus and connection to God is Sadhana. Deeply listening to the morning report of each child's very amazing, very detailed and very very long dreams with total focus and connection to God is Sadhana. Making a pb&j, shaking sand from a towel, getting lost in the night sky, letting sand sift through your fingers and wondering how it got there, jumping for joy each and every time you see a seal, a dolphin, a seagull, looking on your fellow humans and wondering about their life...marveling at their existence. Sadhana.

Yesterday, I meditated on the beach. My children played frisbee over my head. They thought it was funny...it was.

Just Keep Trying....

2011-06-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday in the Montgomery Studio, a group of yogis joined in our Hula Hoop Workshop. Mindy Ayers was teaching and she packed the house. The house was so packed, in fact, that I decided to give up my spot so that our clients could enjoy. Sitting outside the room, I heard Mindy say the best thing I've ever heard in recent years. It was presented in a simple, matter of fact way. It was said just the way you would talk to a child that you really really cared about. She said it to the group and it fluttered to my ears my sweet music....

"Just keep trying"

Wowsie! I haven't heard anyone say that to me since I was little. I don't even know if I heard it then. I was always that kid who had to do it all on my own... still am. At the age of 42, mostly people just tell me what I can't do.

I tell you what...I heard her say that and I picked up an extra hula and went out to the parking lot in the front of the studio. Mindy had given me a quickie lesson the day before that I totally failed. I picked up that hoop and started the hula. Her voice singing sweetly in my ear.... I just kept trying. You know what? After about 5 minutes I was hooping. At the age of 42, I was hooping. I've never been able to hoop. Hah! I just kept trying.

What are trying to do?

Summer Solstice...my 40 day practice

2011-06-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

The Summer Solstice is upon us and this year it is wedged between two huge lunar events. The full moon lunar eclipse on the 15th of June truly marked the ending of an era for those afflicted. If you've finally found a little breathing room, you know that one was hitting you. (it will feel like a dramatic shift that began the week of June 9th) On the chart of any eclipse, the point of the lunar eclipse is usually "revisited" many moons later by what we call the lunar "nodes". These are shadows across the earth. This whole cycle can throw you into a tailspin for years. The good news is those nodes aren't coming back to that point for another 19 years. We are free.

The next paragraph is astrology mumbo jumbo...
feel free to skip to the 3rd paragraph

The Solar Eclipse coming on July 1 is marking the beginning of an era. This era is to last for the next 1,000 years. (it's the dawning of the Age of Aquarius...(go ahead and argue with me, it's here)). It's dialed in and fixed by the grand cross it is forming with Pluto (transform or destroy), Saturn (do your work father figure) and Uranus (let's have some supercharged suprising fun in a new way). What all this means together is out with the old, in with the new and you'd better do your work. The Eclipse in cancer affects your emotions and your home. For the world, this grand cross is on the MC which is a spiritual point. The world MUST transform. Oddly, this eclipse will be visible for the Middle East greatly affecting our Arab spring. (Isn't it funny that a Uranian energy like Facebook is causing the world to transform/destroy (Pluto). The new (Uranus) is fighting the old (Saturn).

So all the astrology babble aside, this is a pretty big deal and a really good time for you to put some effort into the personal transformation that will set the tone for your next 19 years minimum, unless you plan to live another 1,000 years. I would like to challenge you to start planning for a 40 day practice of self study, meditation and cultivating "sattvic" or pure qualities. Starting today, begin working on your intentions and desires for the future.

What do you want your physical body to feel and look like?
What changes do you want to make to your personality?
What changes do you want to make to your mind?
What do you want your financial situation to be?
Would you like to make any big purchases?
Do you have debt to pay off?
Do you want to go on any trips?
Do you want to further your education?
How can you be of service to others?
What do you want your relationships to feel like?
What career accomplishments do you crave? a raise? a promotion? recognition?
How do you want to deepen your connection with Spirit?

Journal around these questions. A super fun practice is to create a "vision" board. Simply tear pictures of people, places and things that inspire you. Paste it all on a poster board and put this near your meditation nook so that you might bring these desires to manifestation.

Humility, healing, service and compassion is the theme from the Kundalini community. I'm going to join in their intentions and have my focus for my intentions and desires shift to these themes.

On Thursday, June 30th (pre-Solar Eclipse day), begin your practice. My practice will include the following:

Daily Meditation
Air Tattva: 11 minutes: link to download mantra>>
Daily Journaling
Daily Yoga Asana including the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

Pick something to challenge you to give up: Dairy, Meat, Alcohol, Smoking, Caffeine, Sugar, Processed Food, Television, Internet, Cell Phone, Bad Moods.....

Tuesday, August 9th marks the end of your practice. I'll be blogging daily starting July 1. I have a vacation in the middle of all this and a bunch of other stuff so it should be super fun to keep me on track too!

The Elemental Cleanse is starting July 25th. I'm pairing with that the beginning of our Samadhi Service in Montgomery. Monday through Friday from 6 - 7 AM!!! 25 minutes of yoga, 25 minutes of meditation, 10 minutes to discuss and connect. Doors open at 5:55 am. Class passes are valid. I'd buy the unlimited that month!!

MORE LINKS:
In case you love math and are curious about "40 days", click here>>>>
(if you can explain this to me in one sentence, you win a hug).

Will you see the eclipse? click here>>>

Kundalini Communities Summer Solstice Practice click here>>>

Yesterday I completely lost it....

2011-06-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

I mean I lost it. Zero to sixty in 2 seconds. A peaceful ocean with pretty lapping waves becomes a tsunami. A tornado in the middle of a gorgeous spring day. A bulldozer with a wrecking ball closely following. I got mad. I got really really really mad. The Buddha in me did not stop to pause and respond with care. The Buddha in me did not breathe. The Buddha in me did not find compassion and understanding. In fact, I told Buddha to go take a frickin' hike cause I was sick of him too.

If you know me, then you know that I'm the kind of person to allow for bad behavior. I think many operate this way. I'm a service oriented Pisces who is mutable enough to put up with a lot (think "no boundaries" here). I'll tell myself that the person is having a bad day, they must be sick or they must really be suffering. I'll even tell myself that's its my fault and that there is a lesson to learn that I must need. (Sound familiar?). The problem is, I hit a wall and there is enough insane Aries energy (think Mars God of War on steroids) that when I've had enough, I just blow like a volcano and I take everyone out in my path.

Everything I know, everything I teach and everything I really work to be and become just crumbles. Yesterday a situation came to a head (full moon lunar eclipse style) that I have been forced to passively "take" for the last two years. Looking back, it really was a great opportunity for me to apply what I know, but in the moment when I sent Buddha away, I just went with it. Boy did I suffer. Anger sitting in my sensitive heart is so intense and painful. All night and still today, my heart is literally hurting. I even wonder if I didn't do some actual physical damage to that little guy. The shame of losing my cool sits heavy in my stomach, yet my ego is still enough in charge to try to soothe me by telling me that I was right, that it needed to happen and that the situation will shift now. (all lies) Sometimes I just hate that ego guy.

My meditation today was scattered. I stared into Yogananda's eyes and simply prayed for God to soothe the ache in my heart. My heart flared with the heat of anger again. I decided I would try gratitude. It was so hard. I had to start really really small...thank you for the chair I'm sitting on, thank you for the blanket that grandma made that I'm covered in, thank you for that cute card from my yogi sitting on my altar. (open eyes to read card about how great I am...pause to not believe it...close card...close eyes again). Thank you for my kids. (that one always works). My soul shifts a bit, but not much. Dammit. Shift meditation gears....breathing in Om, breathing out Om. Sending Om to my heart. 10 minutes later, still nothing. Open my eyes. Stare at Yogananda and ask for help. A small voice (mine, or his, or God's...who cares) says, "Pam, please show some compassion for yourself. You are human."). Tears.

I never claim to be anything other. I teach to learn. I say it all the time. I teach to learn. I am learning just like everyone else. I look at Yogananda and I see the Divine Mother shining through and I really really yearn to be that person. I'm doing the work. I'm gonna get there. Please be patient with me, I'm not finished yet....

"However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act upon them?" ~ Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha...he's back).

What are you Addicted to?

2011-06-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

Ayurveda and Addiction

Addiction comes in many forms; sugar, food, alcohol, sex, shopping, gambling, drugs, smoking, working, TV and Internet. Some people go in and out of their addictive behavior easily. Some struggle an entire lifetime trying to destroy that demon. There is a purpose to your addiction that you will only be able to see once you get to the other side.

Getting to the other side is the hardest thing you will ever do. It takes acknowledgment of your helplessness, surrender, education, support and sheer brute willpower.

This is how addiction works from an Ayurvedic perspective in body and mind. The energy of the addiction is the force of the Wind (Vata). The addiction initially creates an uplifting and euphoric feeling. The Wind begins to blow through your body and mind and you feel enthusiastic, creative and wonderful. You have increased energy. However, the Wind tends to burn out quickly, so the feeling doesn’t last. You have to consume/do more and more to continue to get the uplifting feeling.

All addictions have a “sweet” taste to them. The sweet taste makes us feel nourished and loved. A little bit of the sweet taste can make you feel safe, secure and comforted. We naturally crave this sweet taste to balance and ground the energy of the Wind. The sweet taste is heavy & dense. It is the comfort food and the heavy American diet of meat, starches and sugars. In excess, it causes you to gain weight, accumulate toxins and ultimately leads to diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and depression.

Back to the Wind…you are craving the euphoric feeling…you consume more and more of the source of the addiction and finally that Wind energy gets really aggravated. Sleep patterns are disrupted, digestion becomes very irregular and shakiness may develop. You may become very exaggerated in your speech; have an inability to focus, to concentrate and especially to listen to others. You may find yourself talking excessively…even rambling. Your dreams may become chaotic and if you are deep into your addiction, you may even have a distorted sense of what most call “reality”.

Your life starts to go out of control, yet this demon has you so firmly in it’s grasp, that you can’t even see that your life is out of control. In fact, you may feel awesome thinking you can take on more and more. Long-term thinking is impaired and you find you are making “spontaneous” decisions that your deluded reality believes to be good. At this point, loved ones and friends may start to make little comments about your behavior that really don’t seem significant. You blow it off.

Over time, the Fire or Pitta gets involved. You may find that you are beginning to feel stressed. The life you have created for yourself is becoming a bit hard to manage. Perhaps your grumpy and short tempered with those around you. You start to feel that there is not enough time in each day to get everything done and you become resentful of the happy people floating around you in their stupendous state of bliss. Clearly they are idiots without purpose. You believe that people just can’t understand you and aren’t supportive of you. You become critical, judgmental and controlling. You are living in fear, but you can’t define the feeling as “fear”. It simply comes out as anger.

At this point, your health starts to really suffer. Your skin is ruddy. Perhaps you are breaking out with acne or suffering broken capillaries, redness or irritation. Your eyes are bloodshot and glossy. You’ve put on some weight from your overindulgence or you are malnourished because your digestive fire has been extinguished. Your blood pressure may go to “high” and you experience headaches, stressful sleepless nights and upset acid belly. You are convinced that no one really loves you and whether you will admit it or not, you are even more convinced that you are unlovable. You begin to alienate the people in your life, perhaps even eliminating them. You make really bad personal choices that can even put you in harms way.

If the Fire doesn’t completely burn you up, the Earth or Kapha moves in. Now you feel like total hell. You may be fat. You are lethargic. You are depressed. You are full of despair and perhaps even suicidal. You now know without a doubt that no one loves you and that life is not worth living. You begin to accumulate clutter. You lay on the couch. Every movement seems like impossibility and you can’t imagine a way out of your current situation. You are drowning and can’t even get the energy up to raise your hand to greet any of the hands still being offered to your for support.

At this point, something needs to happen. A lot of times, this is the point where your addiction…that demon living inside of you and controlling you… begins to fail. Now it doesn’t even matter how much you consume/do, you never feel a high from it. You never get a euphoric feeling. Your health may completely give out. Your loved ones may abandon you. If you are lucky, you’ve hit rock bottom. This is your turning point to get down on your knees and pray. You have a divine spark inside of you and it does not want to go out. It’s a survivalist. Rely on that spark to get you on and off your knees.

GETTING OFF YOUR KNEES

This part sucks and is bliss all at the same time. You surrender. You simply give in. You know that you can’t stay this way. You seek out help in the form of prayer, education, group and therapy. Now the real work of getting those elemental forces under control can begin.

This part is really hard. You can break a behavior in 30 days giving you an amazing opportunity to fully recover from your addiction. Breaking an addictive behavior in 30 days requires a ton of willpower. Some people can do it on their own. Most can’t. Most people need support of others. The energy of the out of balance elements (doshas) is very strong and it takes time to bring them under control. While you are busy bringing them under control, they are fighting you as well as that demon that doesn’t want to lose its host.

This is what happens to your elemental forces when you quit your addictions. All of the forces become simultaneously aggravated in an extreme way. You feel numb, super stimulated and out of your skin all at the same time. You sleep a deathlike sleep of exhaustion interrupted by insomnia. You crave sweet and are repulsed by its taste. You can’t taste. Lights are too bright. People talk to loud. Silence destroys you. You worry, you stress. You are grumpy and overwhelmed with loving-kindness. You are excited and depressed.

Imagine an ocean experiencing a tropical storm. You can imagine the force in that ocean creating those waves that are crashing onto the beach. The wave pulls out and then comes tearing back in. Now imagine you put up a wall about hundred yards from the beach. The wave continues to pull back, but when it comes crashing in, the wall stops it abruptly. The wave surges over the wall and then recedes only to begin it’s approach again. In time, the wave adjusts knowing that the wall is there, but initially, the wave is just as powerful and wants to take the wall out of its path. This is how the energy works in your body too. The elemental forces are in full swing; they want to take your wall out.

The elemental forces will come back to balance the same way that they went out. Wind…then Fire…then Earth. The Wind element will initially become very aggravated. Your thoughts will race and your cravings will feel insane. You will find you have tons of nervous energy and nothing to do with it. You make shake and experience tremors. Sleep patterns are interrupted and you will be very become anxious and worried. You will crave sweets and salts. This is a critical time for distraction, rest and support. If you are addicted to a substance, you will withdrawal physically and mentally during this phase.

The Wind will begin to calm and the Fire will move in. Now you will feel like taking some kind of monumental action. You may get really mad at yourself, others and your life in general. People will annoy you. You become short tempered. You may experience heart palpitations, sweating and heat throughout your body. You may begin to feel empowered and this is when the ideal of “trying out” your new status will appeal to you. You become sure that you can have just one drink, one cigarette, one cookie, one shopping trip, etc. You fail and fail again and finally come to terms that your source of addiction must simply be avoided at all costs.

The Fire begins to settle and the Earth will move in. A “now what” feeling settles over you. You’ve gone awhile without your source and you begin to address the real dysfunction of your addiction. This is a boring time of hard work. You realize that you are just like everybody else. You realize that you’ve made a mess and only hard work is going to get you out of it. You suffer through your regrets and past mistakes. You get quiet. You get alone. You do a lot of soul searching and shifting.

You wake up one morning and the birds are chirping with the energy of the Wind. You feel okay. Your first thought is not of your addiction. You notice this. Your second thought is that your addiction actually served a purpose.

You can’t do this alone. The Elemental Cleanse is a 28-day Ayurvedic cleansing program that will get you in touch with your addictive behavior and help you to break the pattern. Sessions Now Forming>>

Summertime...

2011-06-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give. ~P.D. James, Time to Be in Earnest

My son and daughter were very excited this morning to be going off to one of the last days of this school year. My 14 year son has planned a trick for his Spanish teacher that included making an enormous pac man costume this weekend. (My garage looks gorgeous splattered in yellow, btw.) My 11 year old daughter packed her bag for field day where she was certain their class would lose since she's been on the winning team her entire school career. (Of course I advised..."you get what you expect").

My kids have been graced with a beautiful life. Their summer days are filled with trips to Kings Island, the Beach, the pool and endless sleepovers. I let them stay up late every single night and sleep in until 2 pm. They have few chores with the exception of laundry, dishwasher and yard. I buy extra junk food and the ice cream truck makes a daily trip through the neighborhood. We see every summer movie on its opening night. They somehow seem to squeeze in 2 exotic vacations (yes...camping is exotic to a kid) and a trip to Cedar Pointe as well.

I want that life.

This thought makes me smile. I've doing my job as mother well. Now you might pause and think that my kids seem a bit spoiled by all this. I hope so. They deserve it. They are super smart, super kind and super helpful. I feel that God has a special purpose for them to help and serve humanity as this planet gets crazier and crazier. That's why he made them so super. I see the future coming for their generation and I fear that they do have suffering coming their way.

I believe my job as a mom is to be the person that can offer my children unconditional love. Between a mother and a child, that's the kind of love where you can see the good, the bad and the ugly and you embrace it all. I've never felt that with any other human, but have always felt it for my children. It's a magical love that I don't ever want to disrupt with the ugly lessons of life. I think the world will teach them all those things. I want my kids to know they are perfect and that there is one person walking this planet who still remembers that about them even when they forget.

So let's ROCK this summer. Enjoy your babies. Get in the freezing cold pools. Ride the roller coasters. Stay up late. Eat a chocolate covered frozen banana. Pitch a tent in the backyard and let the mosquitoes eat you alive! They are only little for a very short time.

Shanti, Pamela

Yoga for your Doshas

2011-05-20T04:45:00.001-07:00

Tonight is my night with the Yoganjali Teacher Training program to teach the Yoga Instructors more about Ayurveda. We've already learned about the forces of the Elements (doshas) in the body & mind and the importance of digestive fire or Agni. We've touched the concepts of Ama (toxic ick) and Ojas (Spiritual nectar). We've laid the foundation for meditation, mindfulness and eating pure foods (Sattvic) to support our coverings made of food ...the body. Now we get to move to the meat and potatoes which is developing a yoga practice for your element (dosha).

To find out what body type you are, take the quiz.........CLICK HERE (The quiz on my website is statistically weighted to push you more to your body's dosha than your mind. This is done with intent as I can get to your body more effectively with online education than to your mind).

Here is your practice and why: Overall, the point of practicing yoga is to balance the energies of the elements in your body, to improve the physical condition of your body, to facilitate ease, to increase Ojas (prana, vitality and lifeforce) in your body and mind and to create a mind that is calm, focused and clear.

Vata types resonate with the elements of Wind and Space. They tend to be a little more brittle and dry. Muscles are not so pronounced. Just like the Wind, they do like to move quickly and they tend to be more flexible. As we all age...all the doshas...the force of Vata increases and that makes us dry out a little bit from the inside out. Especially for Vatas, this can mean that flexibility and agility diminish. Of the 3 doshas, Vatas need yoga the most. They need a slow, gentle and grounding practice. If your Vata is blocked, you will experience pain in your body. If you have low Vata, you will experience lethargy, low body weight and be supersentistive to the 5 senses.

Body...Warm, Calm and Gentle B
Breathing....deep, calm and steady breath. The emphasis is on the inhale
Your Mind...focus inward...use mantra during your practice

Pitta types resonate with the elements of Fire and Water....just a wee bit of moisture. Pittas (Fires) tend to have a good muscular structure. The wee bit of moisture in their system gives them loose joints and so they are flexible. Fire types love their asana practice, but tend to keep it pretty "straight" up as the crazier poses are just not appropriate for their bone structure...bones are shorter. Fires need yoga for their mind more than anything else. They need to soothe that spark in their mind that can quickly turn to anger, tension, hostility and stress.

FIRE BODY AND MIND SHOULD NEVER EVER EVER DO HOT YOGA! WAY TO AGGRAVATING.

Body: Cool, gentle
Breathing: Cooling and relaxed. If you get too hot...exhale through the mouth
Your Mind: detach from your practice. be aware if you are critical to self, to others in the room or to the instructor.

Kapha types resonate with the elements of Earth and Water...a good dose of water. Kaphas (Earths) tend to put on weight easily and are always watching what they eat. (You should be a Vegan if you are Kapha). They tend to be the least flexible of the 3 body types, yet their endurance and steadiness far surpasses the other 2. Earths need to move. They need stimulation. They have endurance. Kaphas should challenge themselves with Vinyasa, Ashtangha and other powerful practices.

Body: Warm with effort and invigoration
Breathing: Very deep and rapid breathing to keep your Vata moving up...remember, you need uplifted and stimulated.
Your Mind: Open to the movement. Actively engage with stimulation in the process. Learn.

So let's take a pose.....

Warrior Pose II is good for all body types. The expression of it, however, varies:

The Wind...Hold it for a long time. Ujjayi breath. Still focus
The Fire...Short holds, long breaths, light mind
The Earth...Long holds with repetition, any breath, stay committed

Plank Pose is good for all body types:

The Wind...long holds, Ujjayi breathing
The Fire..Short holds, light breathing (Ujjayi okay, just light)
The Earth...Long Holds with repetition, normal breaths...Ujjayi good

You see there is a pattern. If you follow this pattern, you would expect that the Hatha Yoga and Slow Flow would be very good for The Wind and The Fire. The more powerful classes are reserved for the Kaphas.

This is not correct, however, because there is one more layer to consider and that is the 'quality' of the person coming to yoga. Most of us are living in the real world. That means that we are constantly on the go and making not the best nutritional choices. For this reason, we have a lot of dullness build up in our system, or what is called "Tamas". So, first we need to get the dullness moving and then we need to get the heat settled, "Rajas". After that, we can create the still quality of what we call "Sattva".

A great practice for our Western life:

Hatha Yoga

Begin with relaxation to let go of your crazy day.
Warm up inflexible joints and muscles.
Move through Sun Salutations to move the dullness and create heat
Cool down with Sun Salutations and start to cultivate peace in your body and mind
Move deeply into seated postures
Meditate
Relax

While you are doing this, focus your breath and mind according to your Dosha.

In a mixed dosha yoga room, empower yourself to move faster or slower than other's (even than the instructor) to get the most out of your practice.

The next time you come to EOM, do notice that we always end class with a 10 minute covered Shavasana! Consider it honey for your pure mind.

The Double Rainbow

2011-05-17T03:51:00.000-07:00

Last night I was sitting in week 4 of the Elemental Cleanse with my Monday group. Week 4 is always a bit sad for me as I get attached to my participants. I'm the lucky one who gets to sit at the front of the group and watch them change and grow. It's hard to let them go. I know that a few will become lifetimers at EOM, but many I will not see again. Some travel far to participate in the Cleanse and it is simply inconvenient to drive so far for yoga. Many, however, I simply lose back to the chaos of life.

Sometimes I will run into a former participant and they do tend to always keep a few things in their life that they have learned. This makes me happy, but what I really desire is that they stay on their path of self-purification. I know its hard. I live in this real world too.

This is what I know about this journey of the Soul.

The call of Spirit is indescribable
Once you've had a taste of it, nothing will ever again satisfy you. Your life will become quite dull without that daily touch. Meditate.

You are seeking what you already possess
We set Spiritual goals for ourselves. This is a foolish process. You will unfold like the flowers in your yard are doing right now...spontaneously and in your own time. Enjoy the process of unfolding and don't be sidetracked by "progress markers". There is no time-line. There is no specific path. Your Spiritual path is your own and it is as unique as you are. Be patient with yourself.

This is not about self-improvement
This is about self-acceptance. This is truly about loving the person that we are. Never forget that your Soul profile included the good stuff and the not so good stuff too. Your stuff makes you interesting. Your stuff is beautiful. We never stop looking inward and pulling outward the sattvic or "pure" qualities of our Soul. Study yourself daily. Asking yourself why. Help. Serve.

There will be no intervention
You will probably not have an Angel of the Lord appear to you in the middle of the night with a message of how unique and wonderful you are. Miracles happen every single day. Most of them are very small. Most of them get missed. The miracle that shifts you will be so small and subtle that when you finally figure out what it was, you will laugh at the simplicity.

You need to surround yourself with good company
You cannot do this alone. I know you've heard it said, "the soul's journey is a singular journey". It's simply not true. You must seek out like-minded people to support and encourage you along your way. Let others help, guide and love you. It makes the journey a whole lot more fun. Find a community to draw inspiration from. Find your Guru. (just ask and they will come at just the right time)

You will have many setbacks and want to quit
Don't. Don't quit. Embrace all the crud that comes up and keeps coming up. It never ends, but it does get easier and easier and easier. At some point, you will see that the events in your life are lessons and you will begin to move through the quickly and with grace.

There is no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.
There is only a rainbow. (a double rainbow). You will receive rewards and riches far better than gold. For me it was as simple as waking up one morning to my mess of a house and the chaos of my life and sitting very very happily in it.

I'm here for you. You are always in my prayers. Shanti, Pamela

The Divinity of a Yoga Teacher

2011-05-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

There's something different about yoga teachers. There's a longing there...a desire...that can never be fulfilled. We reach out to others to help and serve trying to heal ourselves.

I wrote the above quote in response to one of my teacher's requests to teach a private for donation because she just felt she needed to do something giving for someone to help her shift through her own grief. She'd moved through anger over her loss and really just needed to reach out and support others to shift her back to her sattvic (pure) state.

Wow. Read that again.

Elemental OM is blessed to have some of the most amazing Yoga teachers in all of Cincinnati. Everyday I learn something from them. Taking their classes, hearing their words and most importantly watching the way that they live teaches me so much. Each and every one is a divine example of how I wish to live my life. Each brings her own unique skills and talents. Each brings her own style and enthusiasm. Each brings their own brand of healing that flows from their own personal life experiences.

If you'd like to learn more about Elemental Om's instructors and what they love to do, CLICK HERE. We'd love to know how they have affected your life....

What is your Soul's Responsibility?

2011-05-12T05:38:00.000-07:00

I'm a Pisces. In your mind's eye picture a total bohemian chick running around in sparkly gems and feathers surrounded by stray dogs and hurting people trying to save each and every one of them. Picture too a person that is 20% here and 80% gone pretty much 100% of the time. Highly intuitive, totally empathic and so deeply connected to the world of Spirit that this earthly realm seems quite like a job that has to be done until that fantastic and total release comes either in the form of Samadhi or the ultimate Samadhi...death.

Sounds bleak, huh?

That's how I live. Serve, serve and more serve. Do your work and at the end of all of this you will be returned to your lover's arms. A painful pull pounding in your heart. Joyful moments dulled by the feeling that even the little moments of joy in this earthly realm are trivial in comparison. The longing to return....it aches. It's the constant ache of those first few weeks of Love when your Love has gone away from you, but this particular ache never ever diminishes even as the relationship deepens. Ever. You never get used to the separation.

Lordy...forget that!

To be honest, my mind is a little annoyed with my Soul. We (my bodymindsoul) had a long talk about this and it struck me that I have never ever in all my years of learning and teaching had the thought that my Soul has some responsibility in this game of life. I think I've been viewing the Soul just like I teach about it as this "ever present, non-changing, totally supportive" entity that needs my mind to make good choices so the Soul can have some experience that it craves. It's the thing sitting in the back seat of the Chariot...the observer. The Witnessing Awareness as all our "Spiritual Masters of this Century" call it.

Yesterday, I figured it out. It's total BS. Your Soul is not a "witness". Your Soul has a personality. It has Karma. It has desires. It's desire created your body and mind. Your mind is the engine. Your body the vehicle. Other Souls have colluded to program this engine with preferences, prejudices and social norms to facilitate this experience. Your body has been designed to look, feel and struggle in some way. Your Soul is a choicemaker. It's not neutral. It's closer to the ocean than the wave, but it's still waving. It chose you (bodymind). It is you.

I know...I don't even know what I'm saying either. It's a FEELING I can't convey through writing. (that's a very Pisces thing too). It's a very powerful feeling when you are just on the brink of totally getting something and it slips away and then you can't even remember what you were thinking about to begin with. It's amnesia. It's knowing you've met someone somewhere and can't for the life of you remember where.

it's total insanity.

oh my..

This is what I know. My mind is frickin' powerful. So powerful in fact that it can actually tell my Soul what to do. Yesterday, for the first time ever it had the thought to tell my Soul to make a choice. Merge or go snivel in a corner. This constant yearning for some esoteric touch of Spirit is not facilitating the experience that this choicemaking Soul craves. Step up to the plate and completely into this body. This mind is not in your way.

Some Kiss We Want

There is some kiss we want with

our whole lives, the touch of

spirit on the body. Seawater

begs the pearl to break its shell.

And the lily, how passionately

it needs some wild darling! At

night, I open the window and ask

the moon to come and press its

face against mine. Breathe into

me. Close the language- door and

open the love window. The moon

won't use the door, only the window. ~ Rumi

Anything is Possible

2011-05-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

Today begins our study of the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success in the Montgomery Studio from 4 - 5:30. Each Thursday, we will focus on a law incorporating it into a meditation, yoga and an "off the mat" practice.

Today we will focus on the first law, The Law of Pure Potentiality". This law simply states that anything is possible because at your inner core lives cosmic consciousness which is the divine thread of all creation. It's responsible for manifesting the unmanifest.

Now I'll be honest, this law on an intellectual basis has always seemed like a bunch of crud. Are you kidding me? Anything is possible? It doesn't seem true. I'm certainly not able to time-travel, turn rock into gold or transform into wonder woman. So what does this mean?

What it means is that inside of you is a very special guide. If you get still enough and quiet enough, you will meet this guide. This guide has a plan for you and it includes everything that your heart desires. This guide actually knows what your heart desires which may not include time-travel, making gold or being a super hero. Or, it may. The point is to get super quiet on this day and go within. Connect to that stillness and start to understand what you are doing here. Know that you are here to experience creation and joy. Know that all of the layers of suffering are to be peeled away so that this quiet stillness can shine through.

Mantra in Sanskrit		Om Bhavam Namah
Mantra in English		I am absolute existence

The Law of Pure Potentiality states that at the core of your being, you are pure awareness. To cultivate awareness do the following on and off your mat:

	Be Silent		Set aside 10 minutes each day to be silent. Turn off the phone, radio and TV and exist in silence.

	Be Still		Practice Savasana for 10 minutes each day. Savasana is the relaxed pose. Lie on your back with legs straight or knees bent, arms gently to the sides, palms up. Take a few deep belly breaths and then let it go. Just be.

	Practice nonjudgement		Do not judge your beautiful self or those around you.

"OM" work

	Give yourself a sesame seed oil massage every day. It will nourish your skin and keep it firm and youthful. Rubbing your skin releases toxins and enhances happiness.

	Go outside this evening and notice the stars. Contemplate your existence.

Today is Monday....give and receive

2011-05-02T04:34:00.000-07:00

Class begins this Thursday in Montgomery....4 - 5:30 pm

Are you a people pleaser? Are you the person in the family who is schlepping kids, running errands and going to the grocery? Are you the person who works all day and comes home and keeps it going until you crash into your bed? Chances are, you are driving your energy body into an early grave. That's because you are giving, giving, giving and not receiving. It's bound to make you feel angry, irritable and resentful. It doesn't feel fair because quite frankly, it isn't.

There must be energetic balance between you, your job, your relationships and the world. That means that you must receive. Monday's law honors the harmony between giving and receiving. During yoga we honor that each breath in is a gift and each breath out is a gift. It's true. What if you are not born with only so many years, but with only so many breaths. Each breath becomes precious.

Honoring your breath is easy. That's simple focus. Not so easy is the balance of work, love and life. Take an inventory of your time. Are you spending too much time at work? If you are and you love it, great! If you are feeling taken advantage of, its time to put the breaks on. What about love? Oddly, you have to give more of what you want to get. If you want hugs, give hugs. If you want kisses, give kisses. If you want to talk more, listen. It's a one way practice for just a little while and then the other person catches on. Is life getting to you? Take an inventory of the chaos in your life and simplify. Give some stuff away. Declutter. Say no with loving kindness.

Below is the practice for today. Use your mantra throughout the day to replace your thoughts.

Mantra in Sanskrit		Om Vardhanam Namah
Mantra in English		I am the nourisher of the universe and the universe nourishes me This law resonates with your Heart Chakra. Today's color is green.

The Law of Giving and Receiving states that the universe operates through dynamic exchange. You are constantly giving and receiving. Every breath in is a gift from the universe and every breath out is a gift to the universe. Incorporate this law off your mat daily:

	Maintain breathing awareness		If you feel resistance during the day, go back to your breath until you calm yourself.

	Practice Gratitude		Wake up each morning and give thanks for the beautiful life you have as well as for your beautiful body. Nourish your body this week with good food and lots of rest.

	Give a gift to everyone you meet		... a hug, eye contact, a smile. Cook a nice meal for a loved one. Accept the gifts given to you by others.

"OM" work

	Consider a meditation practice or simply sit in silence for 10 minutes each day. Just close your eyes and smile.

	Make a list of all the things in your life that you are grateful for.

	Practice 2 rounds of sun salutations each day.

What is your life's purpose?

2011-04-30T05:18:00.000-07:00

Have you ever paused to consider that you are here on this planet at this time in this current situation for a reason? Have you ever paused to consider that you very well may have a job to be doing here as a human being? If not, you should because you are here for a reason. You have a life's purpose or what we call in yoga "dharma".

Dharma is loosely translated as "life's purpose", but it is much more than that. It is the law. When you decided as a Spiritual Being to come back here as a Human Being, you basically signed a contract that you would accomplish certain things. Why? Your soul craves to learn and grow. Your soul craves experience and knowledge. Your soul craves love.

Pause here to wonder for a moment what your life's purpose is.

When I ask people to do this, most of them simply give me a puzzled look. I mean, geez, that's a big one. I know it seems big, but its not that hard to initiate the process of finding your life's purpose. You simply need to start studying yourself. What are the things that you love to do? What are the things you are naturally good at? What are your talents? Hidden within these, is your purpose.

Questions to get you rolling?

Do you love to work with kids, the elderly, animals?
Do you love math or writing?
Do you love politics & change?
Do you love cooking, cleaning and taking care of your family?
What do you love?

Today is Saturday. In the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, today is the day that we honor our Dharma or "Life's Purpose". Below is the practice for Saturday to start the process of connecting. Spend time in silence. Wonder why you are here.

Most importantly, ask how you can help and serve all day. When we connect what we love with serving others, we find our life's purpose and experience total joy.

Mantra in Sanskrit		Om Varunam Namah
Mantra in English		My life is in harmony with cosmic law.

The law of Dharma states that we are spirit in nature and that we have taken a physical form to have a specific experience and fulfill a specific purpose. Every person on earth has a purpose.

	Each of us is here to realize that our true nature is spiritual. We are spiritual entities that are on this earth to have an experience.

	Each person has a unique talent or gift that no other person has. There is one thing that you can do and one way of doing it that is better than everyone else.

	You are here to serve humanity.

	In yoga, move your body with awareness.

"OM" Work

	Every day and in every situation, ask How can I help? How can I serve?

	Practice witnessing awareness. Pay attention to the quiet stillness within you.

	Make a list of things in your life that bring joy to you and to others while you are doing them.

My journey

2011-04-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

My name is Pamela Quinn. I'm the founder of Elemental OM and the creator of the Elemental Cleanse. I am also a certifed Yoga Teacher and Ayurvedic Practioner through the Chopra Center for Wellbeing. My yoga studios and my cleansing program have helped hundreds of people over the years transform in magical ways. I've been blessed to watch my yogis and participants start anew, live more fully, achieve success and make a difference in the word.

My gift is that I have been blessed with an amazing Spiritual education that resulted from a debilitating back injury. In May of 2002 I woke to the worst pain of my life. My entire back was in spasm. I could barely move. I received physical therapy for one year. My first exercise was to simply lay on my back and hold my belly in. I couldn’t even lift my legs. For that year I lived on muscle relaxers, valium, ambient and loads of alcohol. I got really depressed. I’ve never experienced chronic pain or the deep dark depression that comes with it. It consumes you and it destroys everything. It hurt to put my shoes on. It hurt to unload the dishwasher. I could only drive when I wasn’t loaded on muscle relaxers. My daughter was 3 at the time and I would go to the swimming pool with her just to hold her. Needless to say, my marriage quickly started to decay as my (now-ex) husband grew impatient with my depression. I was miserable.

After a year of therapy I was still in pain, but I could function. I went to yet another doctor who simply told me that there was nothing wrong with me and I would have to learn to live with the pain. At the time, I thought he was the worst doctor ever, but as it turns out he was an Angel in disguise…and a very good doctor. You see, 90% of back pain is psychosomatic (in your head).

Everyone always asks me what I did to hurt my back. I usually joke that in my sleep I rearranged all the furniture, because the truth is I didn’t do anything. I simply woke up unable to move.

If you were to look at the circumstances of my life at that time you would be shocked to think I wasn’t happy. I was a stay at home mom to two awesome kids. I lived in an 8,000 square foot home on a golf course with crystal chandeliers and all the fixins. My AmEx had no budget. I had a white mini-van , a convertible sports car and even the golden retriever. If you looked at my life, you would think I had it all. I call it buying “The Brochure”….that American Dream.

I think it was George Carlin who said they call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.

My brochure also included a husband who was very critical and controlling, not only of my actions, but also of my appearance. (I starved myself to stay thin) My brochure didn’t include the fact that I love to work and needed to work to feel fulfilled. My brochure didn’t include my connection to Spirit which has been with me my whole life and was tucked away because it didn't fit in with what I knew from society.

That final doctor freed me from my Brochure by telling me there was no hope for me. I knew at my core that was wrong. I went home, threw out all of my drugs…including the anti-depressant…and want to work healing myself. I had heard that meditation could ease back pain so I bought a Deepak Chopra book about meditation. If I’m going to do something, I like to do it right so I signed up for meditation lessons and a 7 day retreat. I met some amazing people at my meditation lessons including many spiritual healers. I had no idea that these people even existed. I was hooked.

At my retreat, we practiced very gentle yoga twice a day. We ate Ayurvedic food. We meditated. I started to feel so good. When I returned home I found a yoga studio near my home and went 5 days a week. After 5 months, I was pain free. My meditation practice was tough. The first 3 months of it I simply sat down twice a day and cried. I called it “scheduled crying”. I had a lot to process. My father was a very dark man…an alcoholic. He left when I was 13 . My mom never recovered. I was alone at a very young age. I had to make some tough decisions about my marriage and my life. At the end of the 3 months I did meditate. I started to change my life and I started to heal on every level.

My life now is so different. I wake up happy pretty much every day. I still have problems come up in life, but I’ve learned to stay happy through them. I feel young, vibrant and capable of accomplishing anything. I have no fear. I’ve learned to love myself and be kind to myself. I no longer have the husband or the lifestyle, but I still have the kids and the golden retriever who I love in a much healthier way now.

This practice works. I have to share it with as many people as possible because I know that it can help and heal them. I love to see people shift and grow. There is always a moment when I am teaching this course….usually week 3….when I will see a light turn on in someone’s eyes. I will see them light up with hope. Everything about them in that moment changes. I get to see their entire life change in that moment when they realize they are going to heal. They suddenly realize that they are coming up for air. It’s magical. It’s beautiful. I want to see people shift every single day. I can’t even describe it adequately. I’m addicted to it. When I see them heal, it heals me too. That’s the real reason I do this.

Let me help you. Take the Elemental Cleanse. It's 28 days that will change you forever.
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Shocking Discovery at Krogers

2011-04-19T04:43:00.000-07:00

Standing in the peanut butter lane at Krogers the other day, I casually grabbed for the supersize jar of Jif Creamy Peanut Butter. My kids love. I love it too. It's so smooth and creamy. I know I teach you guys to buy whole and organic, but there's just something about Jif. I figure...what on earth could be so terrible about the peanuts that they are putting in Jif? I'm sure this is moderately okay and my kids fight me on all the "natural" peanut butter choices and simply refuse to eat their sandwiches.

Having that thought, I scanned the isle and noticed that Smuckers has introduced a "natural" creamy peanut butter. I pick it up wondering what could possibly be the difference....

HORROR!!!

On the Jif list of ingredients, I see the term "hydrogenated" next to the word vegetable oil. On the Smuckers Natural, I do not see this word. Nor do I see the word vegetable oil at all. Neither have any trans fats listed on the label which I know to cause cancer and tell you guys to not eat. My heart starts thumping.....

Every morning for years and years I have been making pbj as the healthy choice for my kids. Have I been giving them cancer????? What is "hydrogenated"??? I can't think...I can't remember...oh gawd...am I killing my kids? I speed home to google.

I go to the experts at the Mayo Clinic.

If you see the following:

"partially hydrogenated".....don't eat it.
"fully or completely hydrogenated".....it may be okay or it may contain some trans fats that can be hidden in the labeling. If it's not one of the first 4 ingredients, it may be okay.

(back to Jif...peanuts, sugar (that's not good) molasses, fully hydrogenated veg oil (that's number 4, but marked less than 2%...is 2% okay?)

Wow...that's super clear. Thanks guys.

Let's see what Jif has to say.

Should pb be avoided?

No. Based on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations about trans fat labeling, peanut butter would declare ZERO (0) grams trans fat per serving. (is that a weird sentence or is it just me?)

What is the difference between natural and regular Jif?

Based on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, peanut butter must contain at least 90% peanuts. Also, natural sweeteners, salt and stabilizers, such as hydrogenated oil, can be used in peanut butter and can be found in regular Jif peanut butter products. Jif Natural peanut butter spread is classified as a peanut butter spread because, although it contains 90% peanuts, it is stabilized with palm oil, which is outside of the definition for regular peanut butter.

I think I'm okay on the trans fat thing. The fats that cause cancer. In 2006, the FDA declared it has to be labeled clearly. Both say "zero". I think its all good.... Is it?? Of course the FDA believes .5 grams or less of trans fats to mean zero. uggg.

Here's the kicker....Hydrogenating Oil turns good fat into bad fat...unsaturated to saturated. Saturated fat causes heart disease and cancer. And then there's the sugar thing...

You know, I still don't really know the answer. My mommy gut tells me to buy the natural and organic product. It also tells me to go over to the organic section of Krogers and pick up an off label because these large food manufacturers have so many frickin' lobbyists that our very own FDA intended to protect us thinks .5 = 0. Thank you for spending my tax dollars wisely.

My daughter taste tests as I write this. Her eyes light up at the Jif. Her face does a weird thing at the runny congealed texture of the natural Smuckers.

Tough. She'll thank me later.

Chocolate Energy Bars with Coconut

2011-04-13T04:23:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 cup dates....awesome dates at Costco
½ cup almonds (unsalted)
¼ cup pecans(or other nut that you love...walnuts, cashew, macadamia, peanut, pine nut, pistachio)
2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut (organic at Whole Foods)
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder or use 4 - 6 Tablespoons of yummy organic dark chocolate
honey, syrup or molasses

In a food processor...yes you must do this with one...blend up the dates to smooth. Add the nuts and blend those in. Add the coconut and the chocolate and pulse. If the mixture is not sticky enough, add more dates or add some honey, syrup or molasses.

Get a pan and line it with wax paper. Smooth the mixture onto the paper. Press it down good and cut into bars. If you like, you can dust with more coconut to make less sticky. Wrap individually in plastic and you have a treat to go!!

Don't eat these at night. Caffeine in chocolate....energy bar....

MORE RECIPES

5 ways to increase your sex life!

2011-04-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

The other evening at the studio two woman were talking about an herbal supplement I had recommended to them to calm their minds and help them sleep better. They were kind of laughing amongst each other because the one taking the herb was shocked to find that her libido had taken a positive turn as well. I personally don't sell this particular herb as a libido enhancer only because I tend to get a little embarrassed talking about those things. They were so giddy though, it got me to thinking about things that you can do to increase your sex life. After all, we are here on earth to enjoy this experience, right?

So here goes:

Greet your partner at the door.
When your hubby, wife, partner or friend walks through the door, stop every single thing that you are doing to go give them a big hug and a kiss. Look them in the eye and tell them how happy you are to see them.

Make dinner your lightest meal.
Now I'm not saying that the lights have to be out to enjoy a little roll around, but most people are probably enjoying each other in the evening hours. Let lunch be your big meal of the day. Eat a light dinner and then your belly will be happy to receive other treats.

Go for a walk after dinner.
Go out and enjoy a quiet walk together after you eat. Hold hands. Talk or don't talk, but just spend some quiet time destressing and alone with each other.

Say thank you:
I can't stress the importance of this one thing enough for improving not just your sex life, but your relationship in general. Thank your love for all they do and are. That means you actively express gratitude every single time they do even the smallest thing for you. Say thank you for cleaning the kitchen, cooking dinner, folding laundry, working hard and bringing the trash can in. Say thank you for watching movies they didn't want to watch, driving kids all over the planet and going out to events they didn't want to be at. Tell them how much more fun it is to have someone with you and helping you.

Herbal Supplements:

Shatavari for Women. LEARN MORE
Ashwagandha for Men. LEARN MORE

EOM in Montgomery is hosting a Couple's Yoga Party this Friday! Yoga, music, food and friends. It's a great romantic healthy alternative for a Friday night out! LEARN MORE

I want to add just ONE MORE THING because I think its super important and super true...Just do it. If your sex life is tanking and you are not in the mood, you are suffering from a Kapha or Earth imbalance in your relationship. Too much of life has simply settled in. Sometimes you gotta just do it. Once you get started, you are always happy and there is nothing better to shift your imbalance.

5 ways to decrease your chance of heart disease

2011-04-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

Today is National Start Walking Day promoted by the American Heart Association. It got me thinking about how easy it is to take care of that gorgeous heart. Here are 5 things to do to make the turn:

Go for a 30 minute walk every day. Seriously, that's 15 minutes out your front door and 15 minutes back. Do it after a meal to help you digest as well! Double whammy benefit.

Favor foods in the following order:

beans
veggies
whole grains
fruits
dairy
nuts & oils
meat (fish and poultry)

Do notice that the food that contains fat (dairy, nuts, oils and meat) is listed last, but it IS listed. You need "good fats" in your diet to digest and be healthy. Good fats come from vegetables...think olive, sesame, hazelnut, safflower, grapeseed, coconut and other oils. Cook with oil instead of butters and margarines. Fish is the best source of fats from animals.

Give up or cut back on some habits...
Caffeine, Alcohol, Processed Food

Stress:
Stress is killing us. De-stress our life. Do a little yoga, live a little more quietly. Turn off the TV, the media, your cell phone. Take a little time for yourself each day to be silent and alone. Meditate!!! Find some good company to hang out with. Find people who are grounding and nurturing to share time with. A great match would be a person who is interested in working on their body, mind & spirit just like you. If you find yourself frequently on your own, start a dialogue with Spirit. Praying, meditating and even just talking to the invisible "what if" will soothe your heart.

Herbal Supplements:

Flax Seed Oil...take every single day of your life LEARN MORE
Triphala Guggulu LEARN MORE
Neem for High Blood Pressure LEARN MORE
Ginger LEARN MORE

We are offering a FREE Introduction to Meditation on Tuesday, April 12th at 8 pm in the Montgomery Studio if you would like to learn how to relax and connect to spirit.

Increase your energy!

2011-04-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

Why is there such a demand for increased energy?

Why are we feeling so tired and lethargic?

Are supplements the answer?

Everyone is looking for ways to increase their energy. Company's (even the holistic ones) are now selling "energy" drinks, energy supplements and tooting the benefits of vitamins and a whole lot more!

We are simply doing too much, not sleeping and making poor food choices that long term (a) don't give us the nutrition we need and (b) destroy our digestive fire so that when we do get the nutrition we need, we can't even begin to properly absorb it.

For those of you who are doing too much, have no time and probably just want to pop a supplement to get you through, read the following and go to the store:

B12, B6, C, D and E

For those of you who want to start to really live again, think about the root cause of your energy slump. Do you have any of the following habits?

Alcohol
Caffeine
Processed Fast Foods and Sugars
Staying up late
Skipping meals
Non-stop running around
Stressful jobs
Unhappy Marriage
Small Children
Illness, Disease or Weight Gain

If you are experiencing any of these situations, we need to take control of your life. Now obviously, you can't simply quit your job, leave your spouse or abandon your children (nor do you want to). That would actually just cause you to lose more energy. What you want to do are small little shifts that are manageable to get some of these situations under control. What can you do?

Go ahead and take the supplements. They will only help you and the simple act of getting up in the morning with a healthy glass of organic OJ and some supplements is going to remind you that you are on a "get healthy" path.
Eat 3 meals a day around the same time each day.
Favor whole grains, beans, veggies, fruits, nuts and oils...in that order.
Get up and go to bed around the same time each day.
Begin to monitor your consumption of alcohol, processed foods and caffeine. Start to slowly cut your consumption by replacing alcohol with fruit juice, processed foods with packed lunches and caffeine with decaf teas.
Take a 2 hour (or more) "noise" break each day. Turn off the TV, the stereo and the cell phone. (shhhhh..stop talking so much too).
Spend a little time in nature each day...go for a walk and enjoy.
Sit down with pen and paper and make a 3 month plan for (1) getting some "me" time in each day that includes eating good and movement and (2) shifting some of the stressful situations in your life.

This will get you going in the right direction. For a total "reset", clarity and maximum energy, I want you to experience the Elemental Cleanse. It incorporates all of the above and much much more to dramatically improve your life on all levels.

Behavior Modification Strategy....Karma Busting

2011-03-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

I love the following exercise because it can be used for any "less favorable" habit that is getting in the way of your mental and physical health. I adapted this a bit to include some "self-study" follow up. Failing is part of the process. Use your failures as educational tools to empower you to succeed. Failure can be one of our biggest teachers and friends.

KARMA BUSTING EXERCISE

1. What is “the one” choice that you are making everyday that is no longer serving you? This is your most undesirable behavior that you are actually aware of.

2. What is going to happen if you continue to make this choice? This is your cost/benefit analysis. What is it costing you?

3. What is going to change in your life if you make a better choice?

4. Please write in one sentence (a mission statement) what your new behavior looks like. This is a positive goal. For example, if your sugar addiction is your negative choice, your sentence could be “I’m at my ideal body weight. My moods are even and positive. My skin is glowing. I have good relationships”. This is reframing the situation.

5. What must change in your life so that you make a better choice? This includes attitudes, perceptions and behavior.

6. What can you do today to change your path in a positive way?

Follow up:

Was I successful? Why? Why not?

Example of Karma Busting Exercise

1. Choosing to stay up late every night.

2. Continue to be tired, groggy, uncreative and weight gain.

3. I will be be vibrant, clear and alert with loads of energy.

4. I am jumping out of bed with enthusiasm every morning!

5. I must honor that my body needs to rest to heal. I must place my body’s needs above the needs of my family and my head.

6. Get my buddhi to bed. Talk to my spouse about the need for us to go to bed early. Get my kids to bed ontime so I can have a little relaxation and me time before bed. Stop obsessing over the cleanliness of my home. Just let it go a little bit.

Was I successful? I failed the first week, but I realized that stress and trying to relieve stress was a big factor in staying up. Watching a show or puttering around the house relaxes me. I’m now more focused on using my meditation, my breath and mindfulness to eliminate some of the stress. I now look at bedtime as a reward for a hard day of work. It’s a sacred time and I did much better the 2^nd week.