Is your body releasing?

The Elemental Immersion is well under way for fall! Many participants are starting to experience symptoms of detoxification! This is good. As the body releases toxins stored in your cells, they enter your digestive system. Through meditation, your mind begins to release accumulated bad thoughts and memories. In a nutshell, your toxins, physical and emotional, are activated as they push from your body. As you release, you may experience the following:


Clogged sinus
Constipation
Cough
Diarrhea
Depression
Fatigue
Fever
Flu symptoms
Cold symptoms
Gas
Headache
Irritability
Moodiness (extremes of sadness and happiness)
Skin rash
Stomach ache

This is part of the process. If you are having this experience, it's time to rest. Be gentle with your body and mind. Nourish yourself. This is a great time to receive a professional Abhyanga massage, take a day off, journal and even nap! It's likely that you have been pushing yourself very hard for years and years. Let your body and mind heal.

Herbs for digestion

Neem (caution: pregnant women should not take neem..it has contraceptive properties)

In India, the Neem Tree is considered sacred because of its miraculous healing properties. It has been used as a holistic medicine for 4,500 years. In India, it is used to treat or prevent intestinal worms, malaria, encephalitis, menigitis, scabies, fungi, smallpox, head lice, diabetes, epiliepsy, ulcers, headachaches and fevers. It works miracles on skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, allergic dermatitis and eczema. It protects the liver against toxic related injuries caused by drugs, alcohol and viruses. It is used to relieve joint pain and muscle aches. It is a key herb used in the treatment of diabetes, obesity and weight gain.

More than six hundred million people use the branches of the Neem Tree is as a natural toothbrush. Neem has been shown to be effective in reducing cavities, healing gum disease and treating gingivitis.

Neem can be found in toothpaste, shampoo and soap to control everything from dandruff to eczema. It acts in the following ways:

• Neem decreases the Earth and Fire elements and increases the Wind element.
• It's tastes are Bitter and Spicy. The combination of Bitter and Spicy encourages cells to release ama or toxins.
• Antiviral capable of destroying viruses
• Antifungal able to destroy fungi
• Antimicrobial able to inhibit or destroy the growth of disease-causing organisms
• Antibacterial able to destroys or inhibit the growth of bacteria
• Antipyretic able to lower body temperature or prevent or alleviate fever
• Anti-inflammatory able to reduce inflammation
• Anti-tumor able to reduce the risk of tumor growth
• Analgesic able to relieve painImmune stimulation
  
• Alterative able to cure or restore health
• Anthelmintic capable of expelling or destroying parasitic worms
• Anti-emetic able to prevent or stop nausea or vomiting

RECOMMENDED READING: "Neem: the Ultimate Herb" by John Conrick.

MORE ON NEEM

Guggul (this is from Natural Health Magazine, July 2008)

How it works: An Ayurvedic remedy, guggul is used for relieving joint pain, lowering cholesterol and aiding weight loss. In a 1999 study conducted by researchers at the University of Nebraska and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, people who took 750 mg of guggul each day and did a combination of strength and aerobic training workout three times a week for six weeks lost an average of six pounds; those who exercised but did not take guggul lost only a half to one pound. "Guggul helps the body metabolize fat and improves thyroid function by increasing thyroid hormone levels," says John Douillard, Ph.D., director of the LifeSpa School Of Ayurveda.

MORE ON GUGGUL

Triphala

Known as THREE FRUITS
Amalaki, Bibhitaki, Haritaki

Triphala is a classic Ayurvedic formula comprised of three fruits. Amalaki is a source of antioxidants and vitamins. Bibhitaki fruit augments levels of protein and good cholesterol in the body and Haritaki is an anti-spasmodic.

Claims of weight loss have been made using Triphala. While it is true that Triphala has laxative properties and can assist in the weight loss process through balanced elimination, Triphala alone will not promote weight loss. It can boost digestive and intestinal health and aids with constipation, parasites, diverticulitis, colitis, gas, cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis

Triphala is an integral part of an Ayurvedic weight loss program. An Ayurvedic weight loss program addresses all dimension of a person’s life…….sleeping, eating, eliminating and movement.

Herb Fact

The fruit in triphala contain compounds known as anthraquinones, which stimulate intestinal contractions to speed the digestive process.

MORE ON TRIPHALA

What are we really doing here?

Why are you doing yoga? Why are you participating in an Ayurvedic Cleanse? What are we really doing here?

We are getting happy. Getting happy is a process...a technique. It isn’t that hard. It is simply an everyday disciplined practice. This is how happiness works. First, you must be physically comfortable. If you are ill, in pain, or suffering from life’s stressors like lack of sleep, poor digestion or fatigue, you cannot be happy. Not only can you not be happy, but you can’t grow spiritually because you are mired in misery that is physically tangible. This is why we do Asana or the movement of Yoga. So, go to a yoga class or go for a walk or both. Make good nourishing choices for food and routine. Go to bed.

Second, you must breath. I guess that should be first, but I’m talking about Pranayama. Focused attention on breath. This will relax you. It will focus your mind so that your thoughts begin to slow. You will become aware of tension that you are holding in your physical body and be able to release it and manage it in the moment. If you are unaware of your breath, if you are rushing through your day, you cannot be happy. Not only can you not be happy, but you can’t grow spiritually because you are mired in stress and rushing and not taking the time to connect to your soul. So, breath. Just be aware that you are breathing. In the moments of stress and anger, pause and breath.

Third, you must meditate. Now this really should be first because it is the foundation, but I’d like to get you through the door in a more mainstream way. The Asana of yoga is widely accepted. It is readily available. Meditation is a little more work. Additionally, if you are not physically happy and if you have no focus, you cannot meditate. Meditation is the process of becoming aware of your thoughts and finally of becoming without thought. Meditation is not visualization. Meditation is not listening to soothing music. That is called relaxation and it is very important, but it is not meditation. So, do a little asana to make your body comfy, breath for a few minutes to focus your attention and relax and then meditate. Just sit, close your eyes and bring your attention to any one thing. I love mantra and “so hum” is the perfect mantra to connect to your breath. Translated, it means “I am”. And that means “I AM” I AM the whole entire universe. I AM the reason for all that is here to be here. I AM the center of the world. I AM the co-creator of my existence.

Through meditation, we create a door to our soul. Before that door opens, you have to let go of a lot of things keeping you attached to this world. You must process your past. All the aches, pains, grievances, betrayals, bad thoughts and bad deeds of the past must be released. You must find compassion and forgiveness and ultimately blessing in everything that has come your way. Once the past is gone...and this is a process...you start to shift to present moment awareness and ultimately happiness.

But wait...we still have to deal with the future. Get clear about what your intentions and desires are for your future. Know that you, as the co-creator, truly can manifest anything that you desire. Know what you want. Ask for it. Know that you will get it. Through this process you can stop worrying about your future and living in the future. This facilitates present moment awareness.

Living in this present moment, through meditation you will be aware of your thoughts. When you start to worry, you can stop yourself. When you are being critical, judgmental, unforgiving or harsh, you can choose a different path. You will become compassionate, loving and helpful.

At some point in your practice of meditation, once you are done thinking about the past and worrying about the future, you will meditate. You will enter a zone of total peace and connection. You may or may not remember anything that happens during meditation. What does happen? I have no idea. For me, I come out of my meditation relaxed, focused and HAPPY!

What are we really doing here? We are getting HAPPY.

Symptoms that your body and mind are detoxing

The Elemental Immersion is well under way at EOM in Lebanon and at YogahOMe in Oakley. Many participants are starting to experience symptoms of detoxification...and we are only entering week two! This is good. As the body releases toxins stored in your cells, they enter your digestive system. Through meditation, your mind begins to release accumulated bad thoughts and memories. In a nutshell, your toxins, physical and emotional, are activated as they push from your body. As you release, you may experience the following:


Clogged sinus

Constipation

Cough

Diarrhea

Depression

Fatigue

Fever

Flu symptoms

Cold symptoms

Gas

Headache

Irritability

Moodiness (extremes of sadness and happiness)

Skin rash

Stomach ache

This is part of the process. If you are having this experience, it's time to rest. Be gentle with your body and mind. Nourish yourself. This is a great time to receive a massage, take a day off, journal and even nap! It's likely that you have been pushing yourself very hard for years and years. Let your body and mind heal.

Caffeine and your body

Caffeine is addictive. When you stop using caffeine, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal in as little as 12 hours. Symptoms include the following:

• Headaches
• Flu-like symptoms
• Irritability and Restlessness
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Muscles stiffness
• Chills
• Hot Flashes
• Jitters
• Insonmina
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Irregular heartbeat
• Flushed Face

The good news is that caffeine is an addiction that is easy to break and it doesn't have to be painful. To eliminate caffeine from your diet, do the following:

Week 1: Go about your daily routine. When you get up in the morning and want your cup of coffee, go ahead and make it just like you always do. Go to the sink and pour 1/3 off. Drink your coffee and enjoy. If you make a pot in the morning, go ahead and make the pot. Go to the sink and poor 1/3 off. Drink as usual. The same is true for sodas. Get your soda, pour 1/3 off, drink and enjoy.

Week 2: The same as above, but now you are pouring 2/3's of the cup away. This is the week when you may consider adding a decaf hot tea to your routine on top of the 1/3 cup of coffee. You may also try some flavored carbonated sodium free beverages.

Week 3: No more caffeine. Substitute teas and carbonated sodium free waters.

During this process, if you suffer from any of the above symptoms, have a very small serving of caffeine to ease your suffering. 1/4 cup of coffee will do the trick.

A special note: if you are having surgery or any medical procedure, you may be forced to not take in any food or drink up to 24 hours prior to the event. Many people suffer from withdrawal prior to, during and after their surgery. You want your body to be in a nice place to heal, so start to eliminate your caffeine addiction 3 weeks prior to surgery.

Why is caffeine bad for me?

Ayurveda teaches that all disease stems from poor digestion. Caffeine slows digestion.
Caffeine dehydrates you. Drinking caffeine stresses the physical, mental and emotional bodies. It increases the levels of glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, which actually make you hold onto fat. These are stress hormones. Caffeine has a negative effect on the immune system making it harder to fight viral and bacterial infections. Additionally, memory is impaired by caffeine use as oxygen is taken from the brain and the extremities. Caffeine, in fact, causes the brain's blood vessels to restrict. This is why caffeine can be found in some headache medications. Caffeine can increases blood pressure with little effect on heart rate. Caffeine is a big contributor to sleeping disorders including insomnia.

If you are trying to lose weight or detoxify your body through our Elemental Immersion, caffeine should be slowly eliminated from your diet.

Why does Yoga detoxify you?

Yoga is a beautiful system of postures that lengthen and strengthen every major muscle group. More importantly, yoga acts to detoxify you through twisting , bending and stretching your internal organs. Its the equivalent of receiving a massage from the inside out.

Concentration on breath brings more oxygen to your organs to nourish and cleanse them. Practicing a simple Durga breath can quadruple your lung capacity. Durga translated from the sanskrit means "invincible". To practice, simply imagine that you have a balloon in your belly. Inhale deeply into that balloon and fill it all the way up pushing out your belly. Pull the air up into your lungs and let it out through your shoulders. Use this breath when energy is low, if you have a headache or if you wake from sleep in the middle of the night.

The combination of Yoga and Breath facilitates a calm, connected and peaceful mind. Through yoga and meditation, we connect to our higher selves and find our life's purpose or dharma. When you are living in your dharma, you are happy and the world seems easy and perfect. You feel blessed.

Today, yoga is being used as a therapy to treat arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, weight gain, depression, asthma, chronic pain, inflammation, fibromyalgia, menopause symptoms and stress to name a few. We use as part of our Elemental Immersion to facilitate the detoxification of your body and mind and to connect to spirit.

Mini Ayurvedic Detox to reset digestion

Everyone has had the experience of going on vacation or simply having a big party weekend.....like memorial day......and waking up at the end of it feeling lethargic, bloated and having put on a few pounds.  The following "mini" detox is the perfect way to quickly pull yourself back into balance.  Go to www.elementalom.com for recipes and instructions for meditation and the eating routine.  Have fun!

Your Daily Plan

Breakfast           

Heat skim milk or soy milk in a pot with a little bit of honey, nutmeg and cinnamon. You may add some almonds to the bottom of your pot.  They get warm and soft and taste great!

Lunch & Dinner

brown or white rice and the detox dish.

Snack

Herbal tea, bliss balls or hot water with ginger or lemon

Ginger

Eat ginger mix before each meal.

Herbal Therapy

Neem & Triphala

Hot water

Sip hot water with ginger or lemon throughout the day

Eating Routine

No eating 3 hours prior to bedtime, eat 3 meals a day around the same time each day.

Meditate

Daily, 20 minutes

Exercise

Daily yoga & walking

Massage

Daily self massage with Sesame Oil.  Have one professional Ayurvedic massage on the last day.

Sweat Therapy

Seek out hot baths, saunas, sit in sun