Life is funny sometimes…. I was just skipping along and getting my work done when BAM I tripped over my own two feet. Now, this is not the first time I have fallen— fallen flat, fallen over the obvious, fallen in love, fallen down, [...]]]> or Wearin’ my “Man Boots” depending~

image courtesy Cole Imperi

Life is funny sometimes…. I was just skipping along and getting my work done when BAM I tripped over my own two feet. Now, this is not the first time I have fallen— fallen flat, fallen over the obvious, fallen in love, fallen down, fallen away, fallen for ‘it.’ I have taken all kinds of falls in my life and yet everytime I am suprised. I never see it coming… or do I just pretend that I am falling so I don’t have to see what I am really doing? Sometimes taking personal responsibility is a tough fit, after all everybody likes the ol’ comfortable shoe. But we walk taller, faster and a trurer step when we are valuing ourself and taking responsibility. Check out my collegue Cole’s post on this subject:

Yogis and Designers: Charge What You are Worth, Damnit!

I couldn’t have said it better myself…. then come back here and let me know your thoughts. This one is a toughy!!

My teacher shared with me the following words, I do not know [...]]]> Dear Shiny Clean Folks,
Yep it is time…savor that last sip of master cleanse. Luxuriate at the smell of your last cup of CCF. Say a big thank you to your kitchari. “Coz you are about done and like every ending, now you’reready to start anew!

My teacher shared with me the following words, I do not know if they are his or he was quoting another, “Asana changes our relationship to the past, Pranayama changes our relationship to the present, Meditation changes our relationship to the future.” I share this with you as you’re ready to set your intentions for what you want to manifest for your future with a clear mind. “Carpe Diem!” (not Sanskrit, and means seize the day). 

Tonight we will review the post-cleanse information. If you’re running late no worries, just come. Endings are so important. So many of us are not too good at them, and thus we have rocky starts.Tonight will be a wonderful practice for other endings that may happen in your life.

In our asana we practice endings by taking savasana, or corpse pose. It is our physical daily practice of death. This asana allows us the opportunity to practice releasing physical tension that builds up from our fear of death. Asana almost never permanently changes the way we think for very long. However, it does help the body imprint and practice change in a loving and peaceful way.

No asana tonight as we have been working on our relationship to the past via our cleanse. We will work with our breath tonight. The breath is a precise mirror of how we think. If we change the way we breathe, we will challenge the deeper pattern of how we think. We practice new beginnings when we change our breath. It is a rebirth. Just like waking up every morning is a rebirth. Please take a look at this Alternate Nostril Pranayama here.

Try to meditate tonight. Meditation transforms our relationship to the future. If we keep thinking the same thoughts, we will have the same life (or variations on the same theme). Change the way you think and gradually your life will change. To change the quality of your life, think different thoughts. Easy to say, but that is why we practice. Little by little our relationship to the future changes.

Oh, and tonight there will be a lovely surprise!

A good night’s sleep!

So, please enjoy the day.

Peace,

k

Well, here we are at day #6, who’s counting?  So many concerns and discoveries have been occurring it may seem like you need a cleanse from your cleanse! Not to worry, this is the process. Your experience during this week (cleanse) is whatever it needs to be for where you are in [...]]]> Dear Cleanse Almost-Grads,

Well, here we are at day #6, who’s counting?  So many concerns and discoveries have been occurring it may seem like you need a cleanse from your cleanse! Not to worry, this is the process. Your experience during this week (cleanse) is whatever it needs to be for where you are in your life at this very moment. Some of us deal with the “blocks” or gratis (Sanskrit for knots) early in the process and some of us hit the wall about now. 

Consider what you are attempting to do. You have stayed in the flow of everyday life; all the speed, demands and external forces of nature and chosen to alter how you respond to that experience. You have set yourself a mighty task. My guess is that might be your nature, setting up mighty tasks for yourself and then working through those tasks, sometimes with grace. Sometimes without grace, then what? Judgment. Gosh, that does not sound useful. Here is another opportunity to turn your gaze inward and love yourself.

Love the fact you are in this wacky, kitchari-eating, maple-syrup-drinking, nostril-oiling thing! Love the fact you care enough about yourself to pause and oil your own body. Allow the critical voice to call, but instead of answering, let it go to voicemail. Why not? You know what it wants to say. It is well meaning but not needed at this time.

Change, my friends, is first about death. We have to let certain behaviors die so new ones can be reborn, same with thoughts. The ‘little deaths’ of activities and thoughts we used to have living with us hour-to-hour and day-by-day is tricky. Choosing to sit and meditate might be the death of going to the TV and being over stimulated, an activity that we might have enjoyed and so when we don’t engage we experience loss or death. Choosing to be aware of the things we are not doing for ourselves in the cleanse, the cheats, or perhaps even insight that this was not the time to cleanse, due to stress or our environment (family, job) not supporting us. That awareness is a death of the hope we had that the cleanse experience would be different. All these changes involve deaths, letting go of what was and an opportunity to except “what is”, with grace and without judgment. That is the trick!

Ishvara Pratiaharya is a wonderful meditation that I use when I am struggling with a ‘little death’ or change and grace has not made it to my door. Seating my beloved (God, the Divine, nature, ganesha) who or what inspires bliss, in my heart and meditating on their radiance offers me a way to undo that wall between myself and grace. It is a way back to loving myself as the divine loves me. Seeing myself through the eyes of God as a lovely soul who deserves kindness and gentleness. Then, I allow myself to receive that kindness and gentleness in my heart.

This is my hope for each of you. Allow yourself to be loved by the divine, fully without judgment or the shoulds.’ In fact, that is what this whole silly cleanse thing is about, clearing out the blocks, the knots in our minds and bodies so the fire/agni, the illumination of the divine flame and prana (life force) and love can circulate into our every cell, thought and action.

First allow yourself to feel the love you have for yourself, fill up the tank with your own shine. Then all will see and feel your radiance, your self love, it will inspire their lights to shine back. We say it everyday in yoga class. Namaste, this is what Namaste means. It is your great gift. It is the dharma of all our lives

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”

peace,

k

As we are taking special care of ourselves now, and perhaps feeling sensations we were not noticing before we began to remove the habitual grind. In the past, folks have described feeling “off balance, or aches and pains that are brand new.” This happens when those habits are disrupted. So, I want [...]]]> Good Morning Cleansers,

As we are taking special care of ourselves now, and perhaps feeling sensations we were not noticing before we began to remove the habitual grind. In the past, folks have described feeling “off balance, or aches and pains that are brand new.” This happens when those habits are disrupted. So, I want to address the daily routine or dinacharya and how important is now to cultivate new behaviors of self care. Once the ama clears, and the digestion is kindled, we are prepared to rebuild up the body’s tissues to create a healthy and efficient system so we can enjoy life. An important mechanism to set up and practice is a proactive, self-loving daily routine. Creating a new habit to remind the body and mind that you are an auscpious being.

This is just a reminder of the daily ritual and an invitation for you to see what other ‘daily rituals’ sustain you and are useful in helping you see your self and all others through the eyes of compassion. This is one of our main goals…to loosen the attachments we have so that we can stretch ourselves to embrace a more expanded sense of self. A sense of self that is comprehensive and aware that we are writing our own story, the plot does not need to be painful or repetitive. Our narrative can transform as soon as we are willing to let it.

Each morning we begin life (waking up) with appreciation. This is key to ayurveda’s approach to health. Paying homage to nature, the divine, God whatever idea resonates with your spiritual practice. Usually we do this before we rise just after our eyes have opened, we say a prayer of thanks. Then we leave the bed with the foot of our dominant nostril. Yep, we are that detailed! Put your hands just below your nose near your chin and while laying in bed exhale through your nose. The hand that gets the most breath tells you which nostril is dominate. When you leave your bed, do so with that foot. As Dr. Lad says, “stepping into the flow of life one must be aware of your flow of prana and sutra (sew) the mind to the body.”

Next we scrape the tongue to clear the ama and stimulate digestion. At this point you might make subtle changes to your daily routine depending upon your morning. I usually put the water on to boil after evacuation. (Yes, very personal or TMI as my kids would say!) I neti/ nasya while the water is heating and then start to sip my tea (lemon, honey water). I take my morning practice (differs each day to some degree) that includes prayer or mantra, pranayama, asana. I generally do abhyanga before I meditate so I can sit with the oil being absorbed into my skin. Then I rinse and eat breakfast.

Your morning ritual will be different as we each key in on what we need to do to supply the love and nurturing our bodies and minds require. Listen to what you enjoy doing naturally. I find starting folks with the rising prayer, stepping off into life with foot of your prana, and tongue scraping is an excellent start; after that experiment. For a full description check out Dr. Lad’s website,  http://www.ayurveda.com.

I am so happy for you all having the courage to do this for yourself. I know it is not easy and what you thought would be no biggie, often takes you by surprise. Please know that you’re almost done and the benefits will keep being reaped for months to come. The outcome so outweighs the investment. Please let me know what you need from me so I can continue to support you in your efforts to regulate the doshas, reconnect with yourself and live in your own light of the divine. Om tat sat.

Many blessings to each of you.

Peace,

k

Another beautiful day! Ahhh, is it starting to dawn yet? Today or tomorrow you will be able to breathe easier as the ama is leaving and digestion (agni) is beginning to regulate now. Remember, hydration is key at this point. Folks have asked about “how much water, master cleanse and tea to consume?” [...]]]> Dear Cleansers,

Another beautiful day! Ahhh, is it starting to dawn yet? Today or tomorrow you will be able to breathe easier as the ama is leaving and digestion (agni) is beginning to regulate now. Remember, hydration is key at this point. Folks have asked about “how much water, master cleanse and tea to consume?” Here are some basic guidelines for when you are not on the cleanse. While cleansing, one should increase consumption at least 6 to 8 ounces more than the guidelines below. Basic rule of thumb… sip when thirsty!

Guidelines regarding daily water consumption:

Vata should consume about 6 to 8 glasses of water a day

Pitta 5 to 6 glasses of water a day

Kapha 4 to 5 glasses of water a day

(“Water”  includes tea and Master cleanse beverages)

Drinking lots of liquids just before a meal might dampen the agni. Drinking lots of beverages right after a meal creates more kapha-causing weight gain. It is best to sip beverages during the meal. It helps digestion, absorption and dhatu (tissue) building. Sipping throughout the day is recommended too. Once the cleanse is over if you want to regulate your hydration and you prefer drinking a glass at a time, follow this schedule:

1 glass right after waiting up—on an empty stomach

(then lemon water sipping for digestion)

1 glass one hour after breakfast,

1 glass one hour after lunch,

1 glass 1 hour after dinner

1 glass before bedtime

(Remember, when your feel thirsty you are already dehydrating. Dehydration can cause rashes and redness on the skin and headaches or muscle tension. So, keep sipping and help yourself stay hydrated.)

Remember that you can add veggies into to your kitchari, just use the ghee to heat your spices and than sauté veggies in the spiced ghee. Add ghee even more liberally now as we want to encourage the ama out of your system. Consider adding another teaspoon of ghee to your kitchari at each meal along with the amount your using to sauté your veggies. You are increasing moisture, yet not water. The ghee is important to lubricate the internal pathways (srotas) where the ama adheres. Once the ama is loosened up it is easier to move out of our bodies. You may notice a ‘sour’ smell to your perspiration, bad breath, more ama on the tongue… these are good signs at this point in the cleanse, as the toxins are leaving through the bodies natural openings. This may have already happened, especially for those “A students” who started the diet during the pre-cleanse. (I won’t mention any names!)

It is time for us to begin to turn our gaze to the subtle practices of pranayama and energy management. Understanding how to encourage prana (life force) to move into areas of the body and mind where healing is needed, where there have been blocks, so we can begin to cultivate prana and kindle the subtle agni of each tissue (dathu).

Notice the layers we are moving through. In our pre-cleanse we brought awareness to our habitual patterns to “turn on the lights” to see ourselves, without judgment, but with clarity. We brought awareness to our intentions/actions and how they might differ from our ‘just do from habit’ unconscious behaviors. Starting our cleanse week we made thoughtful changes to our diet and habits of feeding ourselves while adding in self-nurturing behaviors. Now we are beginning to look into the casual body, the chakras (energy centers), the nadis (subtle energy pathways), and the vayus (the vital winds). You might begin to work with your awareness of the energy body by using yoga postures, pranayama, and mantra to restore and renew yourself.

keep the faith…almost done.

Peace,

k

Oops! I forgot to give you all the spice mixes to add to your kitchari! These mixes are called ‘churna.’ I generally take a few tablespoons of ghee and add the spices then let simmer. I then put in my kale or butternut squash and let them bathe in the mix. The next [...]]]> Cleansers…

Oops! I forgot to give you all the spice mixes to add to your kitchari! These mixes are called ‘churna.’ I generally take a few tablespoons of ghee and add the spices then let simmer. I then put in my kale or butternut squash and let them bathe in the mix. The next two days I wil

l make the ghee and spice oil and add to my rice and mung dhal for flavor and to help me feel satisfied when eating.

Here are the churnas:
kapha
turmeric, coriander, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, garlic

pitta
turmeric, coriander, cardamom, cumin, ginger, fennel, cinnamon

vata
ginger, tumeric, asafoetida (also called hing in asian grocery stores), cumin and fenugreek

There are variations on these combos depending upon the cookbook and the ayurved. Let me know if you find others and are interested in using them.

peace,
k

I want to share with you why certain practices, like cleansing, bring up fear. Yep, my F word! This is important to talk about because your mind might be unhappy at the moment with so many adjustments in your eating and drinking. The everyday rhythm has been ‘messed with’ and the mind [...]]]> Dear Courageous Cleansers,

I want to share with you why certain practices, like cleansing, bring up fear. Yep, my F word! This is important to talk about because your mind might be unhappy at the moment with so many adjustments in your eating and drinking. The everyday rhythm has been ‘messed with’ and the mind ain’t too keen on this type of behavior. So, fear is often a loud voice that lands with both feet on the deck of your mind and tries to regain control over the ship.

Pema Chodron, in her book When Things Fall Apart writes about fear saying:

“Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.”

She goes on to say that going on a…

“Spiritual journey is like getting into a small boat and plopping into the vast ocean looking for unknown lands. For all we know, when we get to the horizon, we are going to drop off the edge of the world.”

Spiritual journeys require dedicted practice and a great deal of courage to push off from the known world in search for what lies deeper, in the vast waters of the unknown. This “unknown” is often what we have forgotten about in our internal world. That relm sometimes gets forgotten and lost amidst the speed of the internet or the multiple roles we play in a given day: mother, daughter, partner, teacher, healer, taxpayer, yoga student…

What the heck does this have to do with our cleanse? Well, remember when we talked about letting go of old habits and the need to offer up something to put into their place? The space between letting go of the old behavior and beginning the new one is often where fear sneaks onto your ship and takes over. The idea of meditation is not to avoid the fear, but rather to become intimate with fear. When people are considered brave we think they have no fear and it is not so. They may be a ‘coward’ yet they are intimate with fear and have the courage to do the thing they fear anyway. Keeping our feet on the deck, having the courage to be with fear is the trick; not check out, avoid the fear or distract our minds with foods, alcohol, buying something…whatever the technique, as this keeps fear in charge and we cheat ourselves out of the present moment.

This is one reason the ‘sweet’ taste is so important in the ayurvedic diet. When the body feels loved, tastes love—it thrives. The sweet taste provides that signal to the mind and the ‘intelligence’ of each cell. When the intelligence remembers it is loved it thrives, it cozies up to fear as simply part of life without attachment to the natural impulse to dissociate or ‘freak out’, rather the intelligence knows it is all going to be okay, it will pass, and finds courage to be in that moment standing on the deck of the mind with fear by its side singing a pirate song.

yo ho, yo ho, a yogi life for me :-)

peace,

Kathryn

PS: Click the image to get to our Spring Cleanse page!

So, it is hard to imagine letting them go…much less releasing your attachment to a habit with [...]]]> To help inspire you in being daring and courageous enough to ask yourself to change some of your habits that, even if they are not the most healthy, they have been with you for a long, long time.

So, it is hard to imagine letting them go…much less releasing your attachment to a habit with noting to put in its place~ ugh, why, why Spring must we cleanse?? Well, because you’re getting clogged and that just won’t feel good as time goes on. Come on now, you know it is time…write a letter to inspire yourself…that is what I did:

Dear Cleansers,

Alrighty now cleansing Kathryn (and pals).. if you have not really started… start today! :-)

Now, to get us going I thought I would explain the ayurvedic idea of going within. This is not just exclusive to ayurveda, however it is central to understanding why meditation and “observations” are highlighted by both ayurveda and yogis. This is most important now in our pre-tox as it sets us up to cleanse our bodies, prana passageways, thoughts, habitual actions and our ability to circulate our energy efficiently.

It seems that in our life, along the way, we forget to listen to ourselves. There is a cellular intelligence that is constantly sending us messages and we are often too busy to listen. There is also, according to Samkhya philosophy, a cosmic intelligence which is guiding us and supporting us at all moments. We often feel separate from this source and thus alone, and at times, lost in our lives.

Sitting still offers us a way to begin to “hear” again. Sometimes, there is no “land line” or sutra (thread), or so it feels, and we cannot make out any messages. This is when yoga and pranayama are most helpful. The movements of yoga help to uncover those lines of communication within ourselves that we have buried so deeply, often due to lack of use.

You have all the knowledge you need to fully express your bliss. It sounds corny, but it is true. It is my hope that this cleanse will uncover your “land line”, help you thread the path between body and soul, so you remember, you hear, you feel the love that pulses within you and all around you at all times.

The bud

Stands for all things,

Even for those things that don’t flower,

for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing;

Though sometimes it is necessary

to re-teach a thing its loveliness,

To put a hand on its brow

of the flower

and re-tell it in words and in touch

that it is lovely

until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing;

 

© 1980 by Galway Kinnell, an excerpt from the Poem the Sow and St Francis

Now, let’s get out there and start letting go of some habits… well, after a bite of dark chocolate first:-)
After all this is just the pre-cleanse, right??

xo,

self

Now, please don’t click away because this idea seems too “out there”: you might  be surprised with how [...]]]> I am on my way home. Webb and I have been in India for fourteen days on a pilgrimage to Kumbha Mela in Allahabad and to experience the new Khajuraho Himalayan Institute campus and Sri Vydia Shrine.

Now, please don’t click away because this idea seems too “out there”: you might  be surprised with how much you can relate to this pilgrimage. Everyday, you and I are on a pilgrimage when we sit down to practice, pray, breathe, meditate. We are on a pilgrimage to cross over from unconscious, habitual daze to become aware and more deeply understand our true self, and rest within that awareness.

One morning, in Rolf Sovik’s  lecture he explained that “Tritha” is the Sanskrit term for “that place where one crosses over.” Several temporary bridges are constructed just for Kumbha Mela. These bridges are there to help us physically cross over the Ganges River; we move from one side of the river creating a clear demarcation. This crossing is a mirror for our internal bridges that clearly mark when we are leaving one thing and moving to another.

We have these same internal experiences of “crossing over,” as Rolf says, every time we pray or meditate. He went on to explain that our daily practice is a way to cross over within yourself. That crossing over is the meditative process. He suggested we pray in our own way, twice a day, and in a way that holds meaning to us. Rolf went on to say, “Prayer is a way to express our search for joy. Words often carry us beyond the rivers of our own sorrows. Prayer uses words to help us communicate the wish that lies in our hearts. SO…what does this have to do with ayurveda?

This tritha, or crossing over place, is exactly what many of us report is “lost” in our daily lives. Many of us wake each morning and want to feel that sense of letting go of our sorrows and disappointments; our pain…then be able to connect with those words/ideas that allow us to put forth our heart’s greatest wish and experience a drawing closer to the divine (insert whatever word speaks to your faith; God, Allah, Nature, Divine Mother, Lord of Life). We cross over into our self with meditation or prayer.

Rolf suggested we “sit down and pray in your own language. Let prayer be an aspiration.” An aspiration from our heart or soul and not our head or ego. We meditate with our heart—not our mind. We want to allow the mind to rest within itself. When this happens we can then access the river within us…

We can then “cross over” on the bridge of trustful surrender. We do this within our daily practice. We use our mantra; our prayer as a means to trustful surrender, to release our sorrows into the river that washes through us, and to be nourished with joy within our heart and soul. Remember ayurveda teaches that the mind, physical heart, spiritual heart, and soul abide in the chest area of our body. From Ayurveda’s point of view our heart and mind are the same.

This idea of aspiration, from our true and deeply loving heart/mind, is echoed in the morning prayers of our tradition. Rolf quoted the prayer translating, “In early morning (or first thing in your morning) I recall something that flashes in my heart. It is my own pure self. It exists, and it is aware and it exists; it is aware and it is filled with happiness. It calls to us, that we must acquire greatness, living our dharma, and leave some greatness behind… just like the river~

Happy Valentines day ~ Crossing over day, into your own deeply loving heart.

xo,

kt

Six Taste Tea

Ask for hot water and make a Six Taste Tea! When traveling, I find that we are offered a number of beverage options, especially on flights, but nothing that really helps us balance those attributes of Vata that we collect as we “ride the friendly skies”!

I like to [...]]]>

Six Taste Tea

Ask for hot water and make a Six Taste Tea! When traveling, I find that we are offered a number of beverage options, especially on flights, but nothing that really helps us balance those attributes of Vata that we collect as we “ride the friendly skies”!

I like to BYOS, yes, bring my own spices :-) Depending on the season, length and time of day I fly, I choose what tea to bring with me. My favorite travel spices and teas are: Stash Licorice Tea (great demulcent and helps me with any dry cough, throat tickle and overall dryness). Sometimes, I mix licorice, marshmallow root and vanilla bean for a warm, moist and sweet taste treat. Lemon water or ginger tea help keep agni fired despite all that air and ether.

Then, don’t forget to make a nighty nite tea for your first night to help regulate your body clock (great for jet lag). Include Jatamansi, Skull Cap, Chamomille and sweet dreams… or Dr. Lad makes a great tea called “Tranquility Tea”—licorice, tulsi, ginkgo and bhrami. Bring them either from the store or make at home and BYOS in your carry on bag!

Tummy Time 

Try a pinch of fennel seeds to help your tummy. Yep, fennel seeds, just like you might find at your favorite Indian restaurant. They are a great digestive aid and a tasty after-dinner snack!  This magic herb will help you with ‘flyers bloat,’ gas and indigestion in general. They even help calm PMS and support your digestive fire—agni.

Polish Up The Fire

Remember to keep up your daily practice with agni sara.

On the days that you are traveling, remember to keep that digestive fire burning bright! If not agni sara then uddiyana bandha kriya will do the trick to keep you ready to digest all the impressions, thoughts and foods that travel can bring.

Triphala

I find that taking Triphala before, during and after a trip is key for balanced digestion. As Triphala is made of three herbs, it is a tridoshic support! I take 500 mg in the AM in water (that has been sitting, covered, all night). Then, I use those same herbs, covered with water, as a drink after I brush my teeth at night. When traveling, and I dont have the opportunity to take in that manner, I take a 500 to 1000 mg. tablet twice daily.

OIL…Not Just for the Texans!

I bring my 3oz size on board and keep my feet, hands, nostils and ears moist and warm. Sometimes, I make friends, sometimes I clear the row…as with everything in Ayurveda, “It Depends!” More about oiling in our most recent Yoga International Magazine.

Prayer or Mantra

I bring my mala beads on the plane. I have a little mala bag that the beads reside in and i put my hand in my bag and will do a few rounds of mantra. Why? Well, it helps me to calm my mind, it is something that I do everyday and reminds me that while I might not land in the same spot I started out that day, I am still the same person…loved by the Divine with every breath.