July 8, 2013

Ayurveda/Food

What is your dosha?  Find out with this online test:
http://www.prokerala.com/health/ayurveda/prakriti-analysis/prakriti-test.php
Not all diets are or should be alike because not all people are alike.

Try this drink from YogaJournal to cool you off this week:

Prana Fresca

Combine 1 cup honeydew melon chunks, 10 to 12 fresh mint leaves, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1/8 teaspoon himalayan or sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/4 teaspoon raw sugar, and 2 ice cubes in a blender. Add 1/3 cup filtered water and blend until smooth.

 

Pranayama/Breath

Here is a great video that teaches the ujjayi breath really well.  This is the basic breath that drives all your postures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nf3jTT2jT0

Asana/Poses

Let's talk about something that effects every pose you get into--alignment.

Alignment Starts at the Feet

Try this:
March in place and then stop.  Look down at your feet.  Are they turned out?  80% of people are duck-footed and pronated (stand weighted on the outside edges of the feet).  This causes major misalignments all the way up the body which can lead to back, hip, knees and even neck issues.

Notice the natural curves in the spine and the placement of the shoulders and elbows behind the coronal plane (the dividing line between front and back).

Stand with your feet turned out and notice how your knees are easily locked, your hips jut forward and your gluts are "squeezing the grape."  Now stand with your toes pointed forward and engage your adductors (inner thighs), weighting more on the inside edges of your feet.  This is the first step in good alignment.  If you find discomfort in a pose and feel like it's misaligned, realign the feet first and the rest should follow.

As for our bakasana variation, here's a little video to help you along.

 

Namaste!

Summer begins-Week 1

Summer begins this week which makes for a lot of heat (Pitta), great for digestion and energy but easily overproduced, leading to toxic conditions.  Shubhra Krishan, says, "If you let your inner heat spiral out of control, you expose yourself to a whole range of 'burning' issues, such as acid reflux, ulcers, sunburn, rashes, impatience, frustration, anger, and anxiety," 

Here are some ways to help you stay in balance:

Ayurveda/Food

The Ayurvedic tastes of sweet, bitter and astringent all reduce Pitta.  Balance that heat with light cooling foods such as organic milk, mint and coriander herbal teas, and sweet fruits in season such as pears, apricots, grapes, plums, watermelon and sweet berries. Cold soups, such as cucumber soup, and salads are also good (but avoid salads at supper time when lightly cooked foods are best). Avoid dark meats, tomato, garlic, onions, salty, spicy and sour tastes.

Pranayama/Breath

The shitali breath is cooling and helps relieve nervousness, thirst and can actually help alleviate discomfort from headaches and fever.  Here's how you do it:
1.  Roll your tongue into a taco (this is hereditary so if you can't then either make a small "o" with your lips or do this breath through closed teeth.
2.  Sit with a long, tall spine
3.  Inhale through the tongue (lips or teeth) to a count of seven.
4.  Close your mouth and exhale through the nose
5.  Repeat no more than 10 times

Asana/Poses

Forwards bends help dispel excess heat.  Here is Lion's pose.

Here's the pose we've been working on: One-winged Crow (bakasana variation).  Keep up the hard work.  You guys make me proud.