We are wrapping it up at EOM. The final week of the cleanse has includes a nutritious and easily digestible diet. Meditation twice daily. Yoga, walking, being silent and working on various emotional clearing exercises.
I can honestly say that at this moment in time, there are no other people in Lebanon as healthy and as connected as these participants. I don't know why the news crews haven't shown up yet. It is such a blessing and honor to me to see everyone show up, do their work and to see them reap the benefits. People have eliminated habits, lost weight, skin has cleared, some hard life questions have been asked and some tangible experiences of spirit have been had. Thank you!
Coming off of the cleanse needs to be performed very gently.
Nutrition:
Gradually add back to your diet the things that were eliminated...or don't add them back. If you never eat red meat or drink milk again, that would be wonderful! As you add alcohol, caffeine, dairy, sugar and fried or processed foods, notice how your body reacts. Eat very consciously. It won't take but a few sips of coffee and you will feel that Vata buzz. One glass of wine will probably be enough. A filet and cheesecake will make you throw up if that is your celebration dinner. Listen to your body.
Eat for your dosha now that you are balanced. If you want to continue to lose weight, stay on the plan or eat a Kapha reducing diet which is a Vegan Diet.
Body:
Continue with your yoga practice. Practice 2 - 4 times per week. Allow one of your practices to be a yin practice to ground you. Hot yoga is great, but not for Pittas. Vatas need a grounded practice. Kaphas need to get it moving.
Mind:
Of all the things we have done, your meditation practice is the most important. Make it part of your life. If you fall off, notice that your mind starts to run crazy and you become stressed. Commit back to it. Ten minutes a day will change your life.
Continue to work on your Intentions and Desires once a week. In the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, we work on our Intentions and Desires every Thursday. Make it a practice. Set long term goals to eat for your Dosha and stay with Meditation and Yoga.
Supplements.
You may continue on the Neem and Triphala for life! The Guggulu is not necessary to stay on unless you are pushing weight loss or have high cholesterol. A lot of people stay on it because it hardens their nails and thickens their hair. Choose to do the Sesame Oil Massage for the rest of your life! In addition to Neem and Triphala, I recommend Flax Seed Oil daily and a probiotic.
Namaste, Pamela
Showing posts with label Immersion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Immersion. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Ghee and the Dhatus
We are heading into the final week or Pancha Karma Phase of the Immersion. Pancha Karma is a methodology used in India to flush out toxins within the mind, body and emotions. It is a powerful way to connect or reconnect to spirit. It is typically undertaken with the changing of the seasons or when disease is in the body. It cleanses the body, improves digestion, improves metabolism and reestablishes life purpose and Connection to Spirit. It should be performed, at a minimum, once a year by all people. If you are suffering a serious illness, depression or weight gain, it should be performed with your course of treatment or ideally before so that your body can receive treatment and process efficiently.
In India, Pancha Karma consists of oleation (ingesting oil through nose, enemas, eating and skin) laxatives, heat therapy, vomiting and blood-letting. In a self-administered Pancha Karma, you do not participate in vomiting and blood-letting as this must be guided by an Ayurvedic Physician with a Medical Degree. Both practices can be dangerous if performed without supervision.
Panchakarma works on the dhatus or tissue layers as following:
Ghee and Enemas Part of the Immersion includes a couple of things that seem rather....odd.
The first is the ingestion of Ghee. Ghee is clarified butter. In small no larger than one teaspoon at a time, ghee is heating and stimulates digestion. If you are constipated, you can actually heat a little milk, place a teaspoon of ghee to melt and drink and it will facilitate elimination. We ingest ghee prior to our final intensive week to loosen up the final bit of Ama (toxins) that have been brought to the surface dhatus by the three initial weeks of good living and eating. The ghee also paciifies the Wind or Vata, cools the Fire or Pitta and nourishishes the Earth or Kapha. The ghee, in combination with the ginger tea and the extra cumin and turmeric added through our Detox Dish (Kitcheri) cause the cells to "spit out" the toxins. Finally, the small intestine is flushed with castor oil and all the loosened toxins come out. You then go into the final phase of eating easily digested food and then rebuilding Agni or Fire by eating for your dosha.
The Tea below is the perfect additional to your Immersion: Yogi Bhajan’s YOGI TEA You have probably seen packaged Yogi Tea in its many delicious flavors on the shelf at your natural food store or grocery market. Here is how you can easily make it from scratch! The spices are known in Ayurveda to help improve digestion, purify the blood, improve immune fitness, ward off intestinal parasites, and increase vitality. As the saying goes, "A cup a day keeps disease away..."
I like to make at least a gallon at a time. When it’s done, strain it (you can freeze the spices and save to make another smaller batch another day) and pour into a jar or lidded pitcher. Then when you desire a cup, just add the milk of your choice, bring it to the boiling point, sweeten if desired, and enjoy.
Plain Yogi Tea keeps refrigerated for several weeks. 4 qts water 25 whole cloves 30 peppercorns 6-8 3-4" cinnamon sticks 25 green cardamom pods 3-4" gingerroot (scrubbed clean, not peeled) thinly sliced 1 tsp. black tea (or 1 tea bag), optional Bring water to a fast boil in a stainless steel pot. Add whole cloves and let them dance for about 1 minute. Add peppercorns, cinnamon, cardamom and ginger root. Turn heat down so it is just simmering, cover, and let lightly boil for 45-60 minutes. Remove from heat, add black tea, and let sit for another hour (or overnight). This way it gets nice and strong so you can best enjoy this potent spice blend! Then strain and refrigerate.
VARIATIONS: Add 1 Tbsp. or more of Fennel seeds with the other spices. This will make the tea somewhat diuretic, and gives a nice sweet flavor.
In India, Pancha Karma consists of oleation (ingesting oil through nose, enemas, eating and skin) laxatives, heat therapy, vomiting and blood-letting. In a self-administered Pancha Karma, you do not participate in vomiting and blood-letting as this must be guided by an Ayurvedic Physician with a Medical Degree. Both practices can be dangerous if performed without supervision.
Panchakarma works on the dhatus or tissue layers as following:
- The immune system is flushed (Rasa or lymphatic fluid and plasma). This improves immunity and the bodies ability to fight disease. Emotionally, Rasa is associated with the ability to feel joyous. Rasa is thought to be a sacred fluid that sustains life.
- The blood (Rakta) is purified. Emotionally, Rakta is associated with the ability to live passionately and to have vigor.
- The skin and muscle (Mamsa) release toxins. Emotionally, Mamsa is associated with the ability to discern in any situation.
- The fat or Medas is flushed. Medas is assiciated with feeling loveable and giving love.
- The Ashti or bone is rejuvenated. Emotionally, this will give you confidence and clarity of intention.
- The nervous system or Majja is soothed. This gives calmness and clarity.
- The reproductive tissues and fluids are restored (shukra) giving creativity.
Ghee and Enemas Part of the Immersion includes a couple of things that seem rather....odd.
The first is the ingestion of Ghee. Ghee is clarified butter. In small no larger than one teaspoon at a time, ghee is heating and stimulates digestion. If you are constipated, you can actually heat a little milk, place a teaspoon of ghee to melt and drink and it will facilitate elimination. We ingest ghee prior to our final intensive week to loosen up the final bit of Ama (toxins) that have been brought to the surface dhatus by the three initial weeks of good living and eating. The ghee also paciifies the Wind or Vata, cools the Fire or Pitta and nourishishes the Earth or Kapha. The ghee, in combination with the ginger tea and the extra cumin and turmeric added through our Detox Dish (Kitcheri) cause the cells to "spit out" the toxins. Finally, the small intestine is flushed with castor oil and all the loosened toxins come out. You then go into the final phase of eating easily digested food and then rebuilding Agni or Fire by eating for your dosha.
The Tea below is the perfect additional to your Immersion: Yogi Bhajan’s YOGI TEA You have probably seen packaged Yogi Tea in its many delicious flavors on the shelf at your natural food store or grocery market. Here is how you can easily make it from scratch! The spices are known in Ayurveda to help improve digestion, purify the blood, improve immune fitness, ward off intestinal parasites, and increase vitality. As the saying goes, "A cup a day keeps disease away..."
I like to make at least a gallon at a time. When it’s done, strain it (you can freeze the spices and save to make another smaller batch another day) and pour into a jar or lidded pitcher. Then when you desire a cup, just add the milk of your choice, bring it to the boiling point, sweeten if desired, and enjoy.
Plain Yogi Tea keeps refrigerated for several weeks. 4 qts water 25 whole cloves 30 peppercorns 6-8 3-4" cinnamon sticks 25 green cardamom pods 3-4" gingerroot (scrubbed clean, not peeled) thinly sliced 1 tsp. black tea (or 1 tea bag), optional Bring water to a fast boil in a stainless steel pot. Add whole cloves and let them dance for about 1 minute. Add peppercorns, cinnamon, cardamom and ginger root. Turn heat down so it is just simmering, cover, and let lightly boil for 45-60 minutes. Remove from heat, add black tea, and let sit for another hour (or overnight). This way it gets nice and strong so you can best enjoy this potent spice blend! Then strain and refrigerate.
VARIATIONS: Add 1 Tbsp. or more of Fennel seeds with the other spices. This will make the tea somewhat diuretic, and gives a nice sweet flavor.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Coming off your Cleanse!
We are wrapping it up at EOM and YogahOMe in Oakley. The final week of the cleanse has included a nutritious and easily digestible diet. Meditation twice daily. Yoga, walking, being silent and working on various emotional clearing exercises. We've done a few "weird" things too with oil! I believe someone commented that it was the "hazing" portion of the program. I have to laugh, because they might be right. A dear teacher of mine once introduced me to my "Coyote Spirit". I guess that guy likes to do everything with a sense of play and fun and he runs wild through me!
I can honestly say that at this moment in time, there are no other people in Cincinnati as healthy and as connected as these participants. I don't know why the news crews haven't shown up yet. It is such a blessing and honor to me to see everyone show up, do their work and to see them reap the benefits. People have eliminated habits, lost weight, skin has cleared, some hard life questions have been asked and some tangible experiences of spirit have been had. Thank you!
Coming off of the cleanse needs to be performed very gently.
Nutrition:
Gradually add back to your diet the things that were eliminated...or don't add them back. If you never eat red meat or drink milk again, that would be wonderful! As you add alcohol, caffeine, dairy, sugar and fried or processed foods, notice how your body reacts. Eat very consciously. It won't take but a few sips of coffee and you will feel that Vata buzz. One glass of wine will probably be enough. A filet and cheesecake will make you throw up if that is your celebration dinner. Listen to your body.
Eat for your dosha now that you are balanced. If you want to continue to lose weight, stay on the plan or eat a Kapha reducing diet which is a Vegan Diet.
Body:
Continue with your yoga practice. Practice 2 - 4 times per week. Allow one of your practices to be a yin practice to ground you. Hot yoga is great, but not for Pittas. Vatas need a grounded practice. Kaphas need to get it moving.
Mind:
Of all the things we have done, your meditation practice is the most important. Make it part of your life. If you fall off, notice that your mind starts to run crazy and you become stressed. Commit back to it. Ten minutes a day will change your life.
Continue to work on your Intentions and Desires once a week. In the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, we work on our Intentions and Desires every Thursday. Make it a practice. Set long term goals to eat for your Dosha and stay with Meditation and Yoga.
Supplements.
You may continue on the Neem and Triphala for life! The Guggulu is not necessary to stay on unless you are pushing weight loss or have high cholesterol. A lot of people stay on it because it hardens their nails and thickens their hair. Choose to do the Sesame Oil Massage for the rest of your life! In addition to Neem and Triphala, I recommend Flax Seed Oil daily and a probiotic.
Namaste, Pamela
I can honestly say that at this moment in time, there are no other people in Cincinnati as healthy and as connected as these participants. I don't know why the news crews haven't shown up yet. It is such a blessing and honor to me to see everyone show up, do their work and to see them reap the benefits. People have eliminated habits, lost weight, skin has cleared, some hard life questions have been asked and some tangible experiences of spirit have been had. Thank you!
Coming off of the cleanse needs to be performed very gently.
Nutrition:
Gradually add back to your diet the things that were eliminated...or don't add them back. If you never eat red meat or drink milk again, that would be wonderful! As you add alcohol, caffeine, dairy, sugar and fried or processed foods, notice how your body reacts. Eat very consciously. It won't take but a few sips of coffee and you will feel that Vata buzz. One glass of wine will probably be enough. A filet and cheesecake will make you throw up if that is your celebration dinner. Listen to your body.
Eat for your dosha now that you are balanced. If you want to continue to lose weight, stay on the plan or eat a Kapha reducing diet which is a Vegan Diet.
Body:
Continue with your yoga practice. Practice 2 - 4 times per week. Allow one of your practices to be a yin practice to ground you. Hot yoga is great, but not for Pittas. Vatas need a grounded practice. Kaphas need to get it moving.
Mind:
Of all the things we have done, your meditation practice is the most important. Make it part of your life. If you fall off, notice that your mind starts to run crazy and you become stressed. Commit back to it. Ten minutes a day will change your life.
Continue to work on your Intentions and Desires once a week. In the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, we work on our Intentions and Desires every Thursday. Make it a practice. Set long term goals to eat for your Dosha and stay with Meditation and Yoga.
Supplements.
You may continue on the Neem and Triphala for life! The Guggulu is not necessary to stay on unless you are pushing weight loss or have high cholesterol. A lot of people stay on it because it hardens their nails and thickens their hair. Choose to do the Sesame Oil Massage for the rest of your life! In addition to Neem and Triphala, I recommend Flax Seed Oil daily and a probiotic.
Namaste, Pamela
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Questions and Answers
Week 2 of the immersions and I'm getting lots of questions....
My goal is to lose weight. I'm not losing any.
Not many people actually lose weight the first week of the immersion. The 2nd week is when you will see bloating go away, your clothes will fit better and you will start to lose weight. Week 3 and 4 are the most dramatic shifts. I promise you will lose weight. If you step back and look at the big picture, you have eliminated most saturated fat, fried foods, processed foods, fast food and dairy. This means you have eliminated calorie dense foods. Two cups of food per serving on average is controlling your proportions. If you truly want to lose weight...don't snack! Walk every day. Do yoga 3 - 5 days a week. Drink lots of nourishing and detoxifying tea and you can't go wrong. You will lose weight.
I'm losing weight and that is not my goal.
If you came into the program with a Vata Body imbalance and you are already very thin, your goal is to become balanced which means you may need to focus on weight gain. If this is you, do snack. Do eat a meal until you feel full on the 1 - 10 scale, 7 being full. This may be more than two fists. Favor the "sweet" taste and heavy fruits and vegetables. The sweet taste includes meat, grains, pastas, breads, milk (think almond, soy and rice), sugar. You may be the person who continues to eat 3 - 5 servings of meat (chicken or fish) throughout the entire program. Heavy fruits and vegetables include squash, sweet potatoes, avacados, mangos, papayas and bananas. Simply pick the fruit or veggie up....if it feels heavy, then its good for Vata grounding.
I can't cook. I don't know what to eat.
Cooking class is this Wednesday! Lotus Healing Foods will cook for you! When you eat out, think Italian, Thai, Indian, Japanese and Mexican. Spice it up good and make good choices. Google VEGAN recipes!! It's all out there.
I'm experience discomfort and want Tylenol or Advil.
You may double your dose of Neem if you are experiencing aches & pains. Listen to your body. Pain is an indication to take your Yoga to a restorative level, rest, take baths and nourish yourself. Choose gentle walking and nourishing foods.
Is Neem safe for a nursing mother?
There is much discussion in the Ayurvedic community regarding this topic. Most studies have been done on children, not on nursing babies. Some ill effects have been noted when infants have been treated with Neem OIL which is a concentrate that is used to wean a baby. It tastes and smells like garlic and therefor the babies choose not to nurse if you place it on your breast. Neem Oil in India is used much the same as Castor Oil is used in America. It is sold in large vats in the open markets of India and there have been many cases where the vats have been contaminated and resulted in illness in children and adults. The Banyon Botanical Neem is manufactured in accordance with Federal regulations. Let's play it safe though and skip the Neem for nursing mommies. It only makes sense.
I'm concerned about protein. I feel like I need meat.
If you are concerned that you are not getting enough complete proteins due to the cutting back of meat, no worries. The following are vegetarian sources of complete proteins: soy, spirulina, hemp seed, amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa. Easy combinations are: beans & seeds, beans & nuts, beans & grains, hummus & whole grain pita breat, any nut butter & whole grain toast or whole grain tortillas with refried beans. MORE ON PROTEIN
I just gotta have meat.
You can thank fellow Immersion participant, Michael Mandanis, for this: At Whole Foods they have an imitation chicken made from soy in the deli. It's kind of pricey, but I tasted it and it IS chicken. I actually made fun of him for buying chicken and thinking it is soy. Somehow they process the soy to even give it the texture of chicken. It's so yummy. Honestly, you will not know the difference. I'm glad I didn't put any money on that one!
I have a party to go to and there will be lots of alcohol. I'm worried that I will fall off my plan.
Go to the party consciously. Before you arrive, eat (unless it's a dinner party). Get to the party late. There will be less time for you to drink. Volunteer to be the designated driver. Be in charge of your glass. Don't let others get your drinks for you. Take over the role of host and get everyone else their drinks. You can always "pretend" to drink to avoid peer pressure. Get a beer in a brown bottle and just sip it all night. If people see you with a drink in your hand, they won't bother you. Another trick is to get a club soda and add a lime and a straw. People think it's a mixed drink and again, they don't bother you. Sip water throughout your evening. When you go home, drink ginger tea before you turn in.
Go to the party with the intent that you are going to simply observe, without judgment, yourself and others at the party. Just watch and see what happens as the evening progresses. Who are you hanging out with and why? Who pressures you to drink and why? At what point in the evening are you happy or tired? Just watch.
I'm becoming very concerned because I'm now aware that I am attached to alcohol. I feel guilty and shameful.
You are starting to wake up. Now let all the bad feelings around it go and step back and start to look at your life. Just observe your cravings. You can journal about them if you like. What are your triggers? Is it a certain time of day? Is it a certain person, situation or people? How do you feel before, during and after you drink? Do you drink when you are happy, bored or sad? Just start to drink consciously. When you do drink, pay attention. Notice the glass, the temperature of the beverage, the color the smell. Taste it. Hold it in your mouth. Close your eyes as you swallow and feel all sensations. Notice your moods and how they shift. This is the beginning of ending indulgence and embracing moderation or elimination.
Do not judge yourself. In this moment, you are perfect. You always are. Love yourself in this amazing moment where you have decided that you wish to transform. Know that you can. Know that it is a process. Be kind to yourself. Find distractions that do not include alcohol. Yoga, spiritual workshops, art museums, libraries, bike trails and gyms. Connect with people who are also trying to get healthy.
As you become more conscious, use your breath and meditation to get you through the stressful triggers. Use the gym and bike trails to get you through the "activity" triggers when you are blowing off steam. Use yoga and your spiritual base to process through emotional triggers. Talk to friends.
My final thoughts:
Everybody has got something going on. Everybody. If it isn't alcohol, it's some other issue. Every single person you meet is on some type of journey where they are learning lessons. Some people are addicted to sugar. Some people are controlling, jealous, insecure or full of hate. Some people are stuck in the past and can't move forward. Some people are self-centered, unable to connect, give or serve. Everybody has SOMETHING they are working on or they wouldn't be here alive today. We are here to learn lessons. Embrace your "thing". Learn the lesson of it and then move onto the next lesson. Do not judge yourself. This program is about getting happy and loving yourself. Part of of loving yourself is the automatic response to nurture and take care of yourself. Just allow it to happen.
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