Archive for March, 2012

Everyone! ….Okay I mean almost everyone. Very old people, severely sick people and children are exempt. But everyone else is in.

The world is toxic in so many ways these days – car fumes, pesticides, herbicides, denatured food, negativity in the news….toxins for body, mind and spirit. Now more than ever we must maximise our bodies capacity to cleanse itself if we don’t want to contract disease, go totally mental or feel disconnected.

If you experience any of the following it is time to lighten up: extra pounds, bad breath, skin irritations, allergies, constipation, low energy, swelling, copious mucous, Mucous in your poop, smelly sweat, clouded mind, nervosity, anxiety, anger, lethargy or simply having too little energy for the day.

A group Detox is starting up March 23.

See you there!

Here is one of the foods you’ll get to enjoy during your detox. A filling and yummy meal that leaves you satisfied 

Serves 6

1 cup yellow mung dal

1 cup basmati rice

11⁄2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped fine

2 Tbsp unsweetened, shredded coconut

1 small handful cilantro leaves, chopped

1⁄2 cup water

3 Tbsp ghee (clarified butter – can get at Whole foods)

1⁄2 tsp turmeric

1⁄4 tsp salt (good quality rock salt or something similar is best)

6 cups water

Wash the mung dal and rice two times. Soak the mung dal for a few hours or overnight, if you have the time, then drain. Put the ginger, coconut, cilantro and the 1⁄2 cup water into a blender and blend until liquefied.

Heat the ghee on medium in a large saucepan and add the blended items, turmeric and salt. Stir well. Next mix the rice, mung dal and the 6 cups of water.

Bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Then cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar, turn down the heat and simmer and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, until the dal and rice are tender.

Although tridoshic, this kitchari is especially suitable to Pitta The cilantro and coconut add the cooling qualities that Pita needs. If you don’t know what Pitta means you definitely need to come to the Detox workshop starting March 23.http://www.sattvayogaandpilates.com/news/

From Ayurvedic Cooking, but Usha Lad& Dr. Lad

Actually not true. You have the option of eating all kinds of yummy food depending on what kind of cleanse is appropriate for you – and you definitely won’t starve.

There are so many ways to detox. You could just fast on hot water, do a juice fast, a raw food fast or a cooked food fast. The more radical fasts are suitable for some people – namely those who have a lot of body mass (Kapha individuals) – but can be detrimental for others.

The gentler cleanses are much more easeful in a way. You can still go about your day and simply adjust your food choices  and daily routines in a way that supports the bodies natural detoxification process.

Some yummy recipes coming soon!

Check out the upcoming Detox 101 workshop, starting March 23.  http://www.sattvayogaandpilates.com/news/

At a high level, most of us know our physical bodies are pretty complex. When we are young, most of us don’t even give our body a second thought. We run, we jump, wrestle, hop and it somehow all works for us. As we begin to get older or sustain injuries, we might seem to notice that movement isn’t as free as it used to be. We start to ‘look under the hood’ a bit to figure out where the trouble is and find there are all sorts of super complex systems and parts. The systems and parts sometimes poorly adapt if we don’t put focus and effort in directing the level of physical wellness we’d like to enjoy. We might even find ourselves measuring our wellness in terms of “not being sick” or even “not hurting” vs. being full of health!

Yoga and Massage are a great combination when you’ve decided its time to focus on physical (as well mental and emotional) health. When we utilize and challenge our bodies (all of those internal systems, muscles, joints, etc), we also need to rest them so they can recover and rejuvenate. Yoga and Pilates focuses on precise muscle movements to strengthen you from the inside out. Integrative Massage also focuses on precise musculature, rejuvenation and actually helps out ALL of your systems and parts!

Other than the obvious, nervous system relaxation and stress reduction, benefits of massage therapy include:
Increased circulation (blood, oxygen, lymph, energy, nerve)
Increased recovery time from illness and injury
Improved muscle tone
Removal of metabolic waste and toxins
Improved posture and range of motion
Improved sleep patterns
Reduced pain and tension
And for those of us who don’t have many opportunities for human touch, the nurturing touch of a massage therapist can bestow that wonderful feeling of being cared for…

So, don’t consider massage as a fluffy luxury or pampering yourself, consider it a part of your overall wellness routine.

Much Peace and Wellness,
Sylvia Harrell

For more information about Sylvia’s background and training, visit www.MindBodyBalance.name <http://www.MindBodyBalance.name>

Women as a group seem to have embraced the amazing benefits of doing pilates – core strengthening, improved posture, flexibility, ability to move with grace and ease. This has unfortunately left many men thinking pilates is exclusively for the ladies.

First, let me point out that Pilates was developed by a man, Joseph Pilates – a gymnast and boxer who posed for anatomy pictures because his musculature was so perfectly developed.  While Pilates himself worked with many women clients he also had many men who worked with him.

And, today, there are plenty of real men who do pilates … LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson… Do you consider any of these men girly men?  I don’t think so.  They do pilates because it obviously pays off for them, as some of the top paid athletes we have in the sports world.  And, according the the NY Times, the US Army has started to incorporate pilates moves into their fitness regimen to help prevent injuries.

So, to all you men who want to improve your golf game; get stronger; get flexible; get centered — TRY PILATES!!  We promise it will pay off for you too.

When we think yoga, most of us think about going to a yoga class. While I absolutely love sharing yoga in a classroom setting, I would love to see each of my students in a private session at least once a month to focus on them one on one. In fact, most of my work teaching in Los Angeles was for private clientele (yes, some celebrities), but mostly busy people who didn’t have time to get to a studio and take a class.

So, why private yoga instruction? These sessions offer Individual care, specific to what your needs are. Private sessions allow for one on one attention to help you really understand how to move in your body, and to identify what areas you need to work on. In a private session I can have a discussion with you to create awareness of things you might not have even considered.

You’re probably thinking, “Who can afford private yoga sessions?” If you are seeking a strong yoga practice you can’t afford not to invest in this personal attention to get you into your body.

I feel like everyone should have the experience of learning proper alignment, how to adjust for injuries, and how to refine the poses they love and learn the ones they don’t know yet! I also believe that a LOT can transform from just a few starter sessions. With someones eyes on you for an hour as you practice- watching the placement of the hands, the little patterns in your body that you may not be seeing- you can shift and grow A LOT. You can then take all of this with you back in to your studio classes!

When you take a private yoga lesson, you get to set your own specific yoga intentions. The sessions are tailored to YOU and YOUR needs. Some of my clients really want to focus on breathing techniques and some just want to learn how to do a handstand! Sometimes it changes from day to day and that’s okay too! Usually the teacher will come to your home, but often they have access to a yoga studio or their own home studio allowing you to come to them if you prefer. Private yoga is also a beautiful gift to give to a yogi you love, and they will be forever grateful.

If you have any questions about any of this- I am around and teach Thursday nights, Saturday mornings and by appointment at Sattva. I and am so excited to share with you the knowledge I have learned from my studies, my students, and my teachers! Namaste, Emily emilyburton.com

As you may know, I’m an Ayurveda geek.  Ayurveda, which literally translates to mean “science of life” is an amazing healing system that I fully embrace as the way to live your life to its fullest!  It’s helped me tremendously in my life, and it’s helped those that I’ve worked with as clients.

It’s wisdom can guide you in making decisions about what to eat.  It can shed light on the best way to exercise.  It can create awareness that will help you in relationships and other parts of your life. It can help you cleanse, heal, rejuvenate, and improve your overall being.  And if you know Ayurveda, you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say “What’s Your Dosha?”  And, even more you’ll understand why that matters.

Thank you Dr. Oz for shedding light on this amazing healing system that has been with us for thousands of years.  This system of healing and living in balance that can address so many of today’s lifestyle inflicted modern diseases.

Don’t take my word for it, check out what Dr. Oz and his experts are saying — and if you want a personalized/customized clinical consultation please let us know.  We are here to guide you if you want to take yourself on an Ayurvedic Journey.

http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/secrets-ayurvedic-medicine-what-your-body-type-telling-you-about-your-health

This article is the first in a series of blogs about Ayurvedic Body therapies. At Sattva, we believe in encompassing the realm of massage within a greater context of optimum health and well being. In Ayurveda, Abhyanga is the first body therapy we use in beginning to restore health to the body.

By definition, Abhyanga is a full body warm oil massage that is performed as a precursor to Pancha Karma, (Ayurvedic program that removes toxic build up in the body and mind that can lead to disease and/or unhealthy states of mind.) A result of Pancha Karma is restoration of the body’s natural immunity, clearing of toxins (ama) in the body, and rejuvenation of the tissues and health of the body. Abhyanga is the first step in any Ayurvedic detox program, and is usually followed by other equally refined treatments to improve quality of life and health.

A four handed massage, Abhyanga is performed by two practitioners, and is considered a rhythmic synchronized massage. By utilizing warm medicated oil and four hands, Abhyanga is significantly different than a Swedish or Deep Tissue massage. Having two practitioners working on one body allows both sides to be worked on at the same time, head and feet to be massaged simultaneously, and a unique experience that leaves a person feeling light, rejuvenated and completely relaxed. The application of oil in Abhyanga is essential. Oil is always medicated, as the rhythmic motions and synchronized movements are designed for optimal absorption of the medicine. We use copious amounts of this oil to ensure optimal absorption of medicine, and maximum nourishment. In Sanskrit, the word for oil is Snehana, which means “to love”. When adding oil to the body we nourish ourselves in a very deep and affective way. This is the first stage in detoxing the accumulated ama in our bodies. Snehana removes dryness in the body and creates softness in areas that are worn out or dried up. Strokes in this massage are performed for two main reasons, the first is to aid in the absorption of the medicated oil, the second is to drain ama and stimulate the lymphatic system so that it performs at its highest function. This primary function of Abhyanga massage underscores the whole process of Pancha Karma and any cellular detoxification.

Healthy function of the lymph system is important for anyone interested in creating harmony within their body. Stagnant lymph means stagnant toxins and waste that build up in the body and can lead to negative health function. Lymph is a fluid in the body that contains lymphocytes, a substance that helps perfume immune function by killing virus infected host cells tumor cells.

The lymphatic system in our bodies performs the following functions:

Aids the immune system in destroying pathogens and helps filter waste so that the lymph can return to the circulatory system. (And in Pancha Karma, waste products and toxins are trained to return to the digestive system to be eliminated through other procedures)
To remove excess fluid, waste, debris, dead blood cells, pathogens, cancer cells, and toxins from the cells and the tissue spaces around and between cells.
Works closely with the circulatory system to deliver oxygen, nutrients, and hormones from the blood to the cells that make up the tissues of the body.

Given the important functions of our lymph system, its important that we keep this organization running properly. There are two ways to stimulate the lymph into action. The first is exercise, the second is massage. Our heart pumps and circulates blood through our bodies, the lymphatic system has no pump, and is designed so that the lymph only flows upward through the body. As it travels through the body, it passes through many nodes (600-700), where it is filtered and eventually becomes plasma again, then is sent back into the bloodstream. However, accumulated toxins may stick in the lymph and/or lymph nodes may not drain properly, thus creating a detrimental cyclical process that can create long term effects on our health. Abhyanga and Pancha Karma were specifically designed to aid in the removal of stagnant lymph.

Along with carrying away stagnant lymph, there are a myriad of benefits that Abhyanga offers.

Physical benefits include:

Calms the nervous system
Lowers blood pressure
Reduces chronic pain
Reduces tension headaches
Relaxes the body
Improves skin tone
Relieves aches and pains
Speeds recovery from illness and injuries
Supports and strengthens the immune system
Loosens muscles that have been tight or overworked

Mental benefits include:

Reduces mental stress
Promotes healthy and better sleep
Improves concentration
Induces mental relaxation
Calms bad temper

Emotional benefits include:

Anxiety reduction
Provides a fantastic feeling of well-being
Minimizes feelings of depression
Increases self love and self image

Clearing away the toxicity in the body gives us the opportunity to feel great, look great, and be calm in the mind. Exercise is a very important tool to use in the clearing stagnation from our bodies. However, over the course of our lives, we tend to build up layers of collected ama, which can clog our interpretation of our life experience. Clearing the body of wastes and junk allows us to open the doors of good health and happy lives.

I trust everyone has heard that we are having a great contest called the Plank is On! Yeahh…Just means you gotta reaalllly work hard on those planks this month to build up your strength and shine out your best. This is going to be a fun contest; always good to have something to work towards.

While I am rather thrilled about it, I am reflecting upon the non-competitive nature of yoga. While in the extremes of a competitive mind, we won’t be able to achieve a balanced mind of harmony and joy (which is one of the great side effects of yoga). Being in the current of competition feeds ones ego.  Hey, we definitely gain something, like a pat on the back, a feeling of self-confidence, pride of having achieved something we thought impossible. Those are great things if we receive it with the right attitude.

Competition is an opportunity for us to practice two things: compassion and sympathetic joy. Compassion is the ability to accept one’s own or another’s hardships. In our case that means just fully accepting where you are at. Whether you can do plank in the fullest expression you know or not – who cares (but you maybe). What we might care about though is about how much joy, enthusiasm and love you bring to your practice. Sympathetic joy is the ability to be happy for someone else’s achievements.  No matter who ‘wins’, we are happy anyway.

Can’t wait till everyone is strong enough to take the plank up to a handstand.