A Spiritual Summer...

I found myself at the bookstore yesterday escaping the oppressive heat and humidity of our Memorial Weekend in Cincinnati.  I absolutely love Cincinnati and have learned to rest into our hot, humid summers.  I feel its a small price to play for the glory of the spring and fall that no other state can rival.  Oddly, I migrated to the magazine rack where a cover of National Geographic caught my attention.  The topic was solar flares and there was a picture of the sun in full flare.   It was amazing.  Standing there thinking about the fact that I am standing on this little planet Earth and can feel the heat of the sun on my face moved me to tears.

How do we not go outside every single day and drop to our knees with gratitude for this miracle that we call life?  How have we gotten so far removed from the natural wonder that sustains us?  When did we begin to think of our planet as a machine instead of a miracle?  

I've intended to have a Spiritual summer.  I want to immerse myself in nature.  I want to touch every leaf, flower and creature that will allow my hand come near.  I want to sit for hours by my little pond under my honey locust trees and marvel at the complexity and diversity of the wildlife that joins me in suburbia.  I want to hike through the woods, sit in a field, wade through a creek, swim in a lake and get my hands dirty in the earth.  I want to turn my face to the sun each day in gratitude and lay down in the moonlight in amazement.

I want this Earth to know how much I love her. 

How will you spend your summer?

Om Shanti,  Pamela

Get out of my way!

This morning in hatha yoga I just couldn't resist teaching the Ganpati ("gun" "puti") Kriya.  I love this Kriya because Ganpati is the Kriya of Genesha the Elephant God.  A kriya is a directed action.  Genesha is a Hindu Diety.  As an American and probably non-Hinu, Genesha is going to be a little hard to relate to at first.  As you work with the mantra, you will activate the power of the elephant in you.  Just imagine an actual elephant walking down a path.  Most things are going to get out of its way.  It's a strong archetype.

Genesha is a little boy/man that has the head of an Elephant.  He is known as the remover of obstacles and the God of Happiness.  Genesha resonates with your root chakra (Muladara) located at the base of the spine.  This is where your karma or everyday choice making lives.  Genesha's archetype is wonderful to work with if you are trying to bust through some habit of food, drink or the negative mind. 

This kriya is very powerful and abrupt.  For that reason, I suggest you start with just one to three minutes.  Begin with an obstacle that isn't your biggest one.  For example, you have certain habits and some of those are more toxic than others.  Start with a habit that is a little less toxic.  I caution you in this way because this mantra is tapping into the space between or the space of creation.  Imagine the night sky and all the space between the stars.  This is were your potential or possible life lives...the life you imagine.  The energy of that space has the power to manifest.  As you live your life and make choices that are not so good for you, the space becomes filled with cobwebs.  This mantra rips the cobwebs down. 

You would imagine if you have a lot of cobwebs, it could hurt a little bit to rip it all down at once.  Yoga is a process of gradual changes.   Start small.  Start with one to three minutes.  As you harness the energy of the mantra, you can gently move to your larger obstacles.

To practice:

I begin by sitting in easy pose, taking a few breaths and calming.  I have a little statue of Genesha and I rub his truck as I say my prayers related to the obstacle that I wish to remove.  I personally pray to God, Jesus, Yogananda and Genesha.  In the beginning, I didn't know Genesha, so it felt odd, but now it doesn't.  Sit spine straight, arms straight with wrists resting on the knees. 

The mantra that you will use is sung quietly out loud.  Each word of the mantra is a one count with the final word (hung) being a two count. 

Sa-Ta-Na-Ma-Ra-Ma-Da-Sa-Sa-Se-So-Hung.

Each word of the mantra represents something and a finger is pressed as you move through it as follows:

Sa: Press the thumb to the index finger. (Jupiter finger)   means birth

Ta: Press the thumb to the second finger. (Saturn finger)  means life

Na: Press the thumb to the ring finger. (Sun finger)   means death

Ma: Press the thumb to the baby finger. (Mercury finger)  means rebirth

Ra: Press the thumb to the index finger.  means sun

Ma: Press the thumb to the second finger. means moon

Da: Press the thumb to the ring finger.  means earth

Sa: Press the thumb to the baby finger.  means infinity

Sa: Press the thumb to the index finger. means infinity

Se: Press the thumb to the second finger.  means personal

So: Press the thumb to the ring finger.  means merge

Hung: Press the thumb to the baby finger. means THE INFINITE

To me, the meaning is kind of like, I am that, you are that, all this is that and that's all there is.  

Now the fun part.  After 1, 3, or 11 minutes, release the mantra.  Take a big inhale and suspend the breath.  Shake your body for 30 seconds like a crazy person.  Imagine you are flinging off cobwebs.  Repeat this step 3 more times.

After that, bring your hands to prayer pose and simply gaze at your finger tips with long deep breathing for 20 seconds and then relax.  

Keep a journal and notice synchronicity in your life that occur to help you remove this obstacle.  You may find much turbulence is created before the obstacle goes away.  I guess this is the idea of "be careful what you wish for, you don't know how you'll get it."  Think about something you went through in your life that was uncomfortable.  During the transition, you may have been very miserable and unhappy, but when you look back at it you realize it was perfect and couldn't have happened any other way.  That's what this mantra kinda stirs up.

Let me know what happens....  I want to hear about your experience.  Om Shanti,  Pamela

I think its possible that I may be perhaps tired....

a moment...kids playing on beach

It seems that school as been drawing to a close for the past month.  We've had the big Ohio tests that stress my children to the max.  Honestly, I don't know what the teachers are telling these kids, but my kids believe that the entire funding for the school system rests on their shoulders.  Dance has had it's final dance, the hip hop traveling all weekend long events have come to a close, 7 days a week lacrosse has ended, the tournaments are over, the final farewell dinners have been eaten, the honors award ceremonies and the band concerts...all done. 

I went to bed last night at 9 pm.  I couldn't even read.  I thought I would get up and meditate and then have focus to read.  I mean it was just 9 pm.  I love to read.  I wanted that one hour of bliss.  I lasted 3 minutes in my meditation, opened my eyes and just felt how tired I was.

Wow....really tired.  Where did that come from?  Have been saving this exhaustion waiting for the year the end?  Do I finally have permission now to feel tired?

Profoundly and in a new way it settled over me that I can't run these kids around anymore.  We've gotten through the school year, but I wonder will I even remember my son's 15th year and my daughter's 12th.  One game and event simply runs into another.  Of course last night I was tired and couldn't think, but even today sitting here writing this, I'm having a hard time remembering any stand out moments.  Was I not present?  Was I distracted?  Was I dumping one kid on one court and running the other to get to the next court to simply turn around to pick the other back up and then home to throw dinner (late) together to plow through homework and off to bed?

What will they remember?  I guess our intimate talks in the car.  Learning to breathe relaxation breaths at stop lights.  How to make "1st" dinner...that's the snack you make before mom get's home from work to schlep you during rush hour to practice and then mom schleps home after the quick pop in to the grocery to make healthy "2nd" dinner to rush back to pick kid up from practice. Mom sitting in the stands...sitting in the stands...sitting in the stands...not sitting in the stands. 

There has to be a more "sattvic" or pure way to allow your children to express their desires without interfering with family, food and rest.  There is a Wind or Vata imbalance in my family life and it has to get fixed.  We need consistency and a routine.  Here is my summer plan:

• Mondays:  plan.  sporting events, sleepovers and activities must be organized, well thought out and coordinated.  Veggie burrito night.
• Tuesdays:  afternoon family activity...swim, golf, parks and plays. Dinner with dad.
• Wednesday:  kids day with friends.  I'll schlep and drop. I'll even go to Kings Island.  Dinner with mom.  Indian food.  Modern Family night. 
• Thursdays:  family yoga night.   Pasta.
• Friday:  night in/out with friends.  Try a new kid friendly recipe.
• Saturday:  yard work, cleaning and some chores.  Fun dinner together.  Everyone cooks.  Friends can sleep over.
• Sunday:  nothing.  nothing. nothing.  connect with nature.  enjoy each other.

I'll let you know how it goes. If you have tips for organizing your family, please share!  I think this is a problem for the masses. 

Om Shanti,  Pamela

What does it mean to surrender?

Until you've given up life, you won't unite with the supreme soul ~ Rumi

After our Sunday morning Kundalini class (my personal favorite way to start the week), we were standing around socializing.  I absentmindedly rubbed my neck, shoulder and then jaw.  It's a habit I've developed over the past three years.  You see, my jaw hurts all the time.  This makes my neck hurt and travels to my shoulder and then travels all the way down my back on occasion.  It's very frustrating because I meditate to manage stress, practice yoga for all my aches and pains and have a pretty good handle on my routine.  It's not that I don't get stressed, but I know to sit with it, honor it, manage it, release it...etc. etc.  

The problem is, I have no idea what happens when I go to bed.  I think all the stress that I think I'm managing may actually be simply tucked away deep into my subconscious for my mind to figure out while I happily sleep away.  I sleep great, by the way, there's not a thought keeping me up.  If you were to ask me, I would tell you I'm managing my stress and life quite well.  It's all good. But dear lord, this endless jaw situation!  I'm obviously grinding my teeth.  The dentist and oral surgeon agree.

So, standing there rubbing my jaw, one of our Kundalini teachers who also practice Emotional Polarity Techniques and is insanely intuitive, put her hand on my shoulder (which makes me nervous cause I just know I'm getting muscle tested or tapped into or something out of my control...oh dear..there's the control freak again....) and she says to me, "When you give up, you will get better.  Surrender."

I'm not going to type "wtf" here, but that's what I was thinking.   I just don't know what that means.  Surrender to what???  It's so annoying.  Of course, as the Universe would have it that same evening, I'm watching a movie called Finding Joe about the Hero's journey.  At one point, it's explained that you have to slay your dragons.  I get that.  Huge battle.  Love it!! Now here's the big reveal that I seem to miss in my own hero's journey.  At some point, you have to simply realize that you are fighting yourself and surrender.  Give up.  Stop fighting.  Wow.

I don't know how this is going to work out for me, but I'm now practicing the following:

• Control Freak:  Hello dear friend.  You look exhausted.  Come sit down and relax.
• The Critic:  Hello darlllllinggggg.  I just love you.  You sure are pretty today.  Come on over here and give me a hug.
• The Overachiever:  Sweetie!  It's so nice to see you.  I missed you for the .5 milliseconds we were apart.  Seriously friend, what do you really think is going to happen if you just have a simple, normal, average and happy life?  Does that sound terrible?  Really?  Sounds pretty good doesn't it?
• The Unlovable:  You sure are cute and sweet for someone so unlovable.  Do you realize that (1) you are a work in process, (2) nobody is perfect including you and (3) even Charles Manson was loved by someone.  It's not that bad. 

There are others.  We're gonna have a party in a few months once we've all decided to stop killing each other.

Om Shanti,  Pamela

continuousnonstopworkinprocess

 

Another gooey Ayurvedic substance....

A delicious breakfast  is to toast whole grain bread with a little almond butter and a teaspoon of a dark brown gooey substance called Chavanprash.  It's an Ayurvedic Jam that is mostly made from amla fruit paste, also known as Amalaki and Indian Gooseberry.  Amla is one of the three fruits found in the Triphala that we use during the Elemental Cleanse™.  

Chavanprash doesn't just contain Amla.  Depending on the recipe, it can contain up to 50 other Ayurvedic herbs.  It is very satisfying because it contains 5 of the 6 tastes of Ayurveda.  In Ayurveda, if you have a balanced meal that includes all 6 tastes, you will feel satisfied and maximize digestion.  The tastes included in Chavanprash are sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent.  You are missing the taste of salt which can be found in the almond butter and bread. 

Amla is soothing to The Fire or Pitta dosha and is therefore wonderful for digestion.  It contains extraordinary amounts of vitamin C making it a superior antioxident.  A few of the other 50 ingredients that you will recognize include pepper, sesame oil, ghee, honey, sugar, shatavari, ashwagandha, ginger, licorice and clove. 

A dose = 10 grams or 2 teaspoons.  Take one in the morning and one at night.  Your total Vitamin C content will be around 150 mg. 

In Ayurveda, Amla is considered a Rasayana.  Rasayanas increase strength, vitality and minimize the effects of aging.  Chavanprash is eaten daily because it tastes awesome and helps out with the following:

• Constipation
• Gastritis
• Peptic Ulcer
• Intestinal cramping
• Cough
• Asthma
• High Cholesterol 
• Diabetes
• Acidic Belly
• Pregnancy and nursing
• Anti aging
• Immunity Boost
• Libido boost
• Lowers blood glucose levels
• Stimulates hair growth

Chavanprash is a tasty way to facilitate healing and prevent disease.  

You can purchase Chavanprash in the studio or online>>>

Can a black sticky tar-like substance really be good for you?

Stress causes you to age the most.

The studio in Montgomery has been open for a little over a year now.  Our yogis, especially those who have participated in the Elemental Cleanse,  have received a  foundation in Ayurveda and they are starting to explore further.  That means that I have been making some decisions on herbal supplements and some of the more interesting oils to stock in the studio.   

Most recently, I started carrying a supplement called Shilajit.  The California College of Ayurveda, in clinical studies, have confirmed that Shilajit acts to counter ulcers, anxiety and stress.  I don't know about you, but they had me at stress.  Studies out of India are showing a reversal of the aging process in rats.  I'm going to assume that the rats are experiencing less stress and therefore less aging.

I'm all in.

Now here is the weird thing.  Shilajit is not an herb.  It's a sticky tar like substance that oozes out of the cracks and crevices of the rocks of the Himalayas.  It's called "rock sweat."  It contains at least 85 minerals that are naturally occurring  in what is called "ionic" form.  That means that it has a negative charge.  Negative charge is a positive for humans especially as it relates to aging.  The free radicals that are inside of you running around causing damage will attach to the negatively charged ion and become neutral.  Hence, anti-aging. 

I've just added it to my anti-aging routine which also includes yoga, meditation, Sesame Oil massage on face, neck and body daily, Neem, Triphala, B-Complex, RejuvenAge Ultra and Hyaluronic Acid.  Eating sattvic foods and sticking to your daily routine are also critical success factors to anti-aging.

If you want to learn more about Ayurveda, meditation, yoga and anti-aging, join us at the studio or sign up to experience the Online Elemental Cleanse.  learn more>>>

Can you have wealth and simplicity?

When I teach the Elemental Cleanse™, we spend time making a plan to achieve our heart's desires.  This is the idea of manifestation or getting what you want.  This portion of the Cleanse can make people uncomfortable because the language of spirituality in our culture is simplicity.  People who have attained great wealth are thought to be less spiritual than those who are living more meagerly.  The idea that the meek will inherit the earth has translated to guilt around material possessions.  To be meek simply means to be humble and non-power seeking.  Americans view material possessions, especially money, as power. 

A person cannot incarnate into this world and immediately get on the path to spiritual evolution.  There is a process of living that creates the yearning for union with spirit… Atha Yoga Anushasanam….after the letting go of the primary stages of life, the practice of yoga begins.

Once a person meets certain basic needs, then they are open to working on themselves and embracing a spiritual practice.  This person will have experienced childhood and early adulthood.  If this person has chosen the path of the householder, then they will have children of a certain age that are less demanding.  If this person has chosen the workforce, then this person will have received higher education and be established in their career.

Ayurvedic philosophy includes the accumulation of wealth.  There is a process of life as follows:

Dharma or life’s purpose: This is why you incarnated or why you were born.  You are here for a reason.  You are here to help and serve humanity using your intellectual, emotional and physical assets.

Artha or wealth:  You need material possessions to fulfill your Dharma.  Let's face it, you aren't going to get very far spiritually if you are struggling to pay the bills.

Kama or desire:  God’s desire created the entire universe.  Desire is not a bad thing.   Your desire is part of the creative force.  If you manifest your desires using right action and spontaneous heart-centered choice making, you are using this creative force appropriately.  If you expect rewards, fame or wealth, you are not using your desire appropriately.

Moksha or freedom:  This is the highest goal.  You are working to be free of your delusions, your maya and your misunderstanding that you are separate from spirit.  You realize that there is more to life than dharma, artha and kama.  You can’t get here without those, however.  It’s a process. 

You have to go through the process.  Spend time thinking about what you want and desire.  What does it mean to you?  Is it in alignment with your purpose?   

The Elemental Cleanse is changing lives.  learn more>>>