This time of year, air and space (together forming the Vata dosha in Ayurveda) are especially prevalent in nature.  This means it can be an especially fruitful time spiritually (because of increased access to the ‘etheral realms’).  However, if we are not really grounded, instead of being able to make the most of this time around equinox we are often left a bit out of sorts, ungrounded and easily tossed out of center.

Sound true for you?  Even if you are feeling 100% grounded in your spacious awareness, experiencing deep abiding contentment as your default state, you too will enjoy these lovely practices.  If not, take some time to nourish yourself.  Either way, pick two that you feel inspired to do this weekend.

1. Soak your feet.

This is a simple, easy and very effective way to ground yourself.  Get a plastic dishwashing tub (nice because your feet can spread out flat) or the biggest bowl you have and fill it with warm water.  Add a cup of Epsom Salt (best) or Sea Salt and whatever herbs or spices you have handy.  Good choices:  lavender, chamomile, ginger, peppermint.  A great option is to open a bag or two of your favorite tea, like the Tulsi Tea from Organic India that we carry at Anahata, or any herb tea and add it to the water as your tub or bowl is filling.

2. Go to Maui.

While Hawaii does sound lovely, especially for us Alaskans, what I am actually suggesting is the wonderful restorative yoga pose that I have heard described as ‘going to Maui.’  For this variation of Viparita Karini, or legs-up-the-wall pose, simply place your legs on a padded chair or your sofa, at a 90 degree angle.  Make sure to keep your chest open by rolling your shoulderblades under you and turning your palms face up. Cover your eyes with an eye pillow and provide support under your low back and/or neck as needed for maximum comfort.  Relax and enjoy the grounding, restorative effects of this mini-vacation.

3. Self-Massage.

Oil is in many ways the opposite of Vata, the dosha made up of the elements of air and space, the energies that tend to increase at the change of seasons and contribute to feeling ungrounded, out of sorts, spacey, unfocused, anxious and eventually depressed.  Daily oil massage is one of the best ways to combat this increase, but  incorporating it into your self-care even occasionally has wonderful and immediate benefits. Sesame oil is definitely the best for balancing Vata.  Link to PDF instructions for self-massage.

4. Take a breather.

Literally.  Like a time-out. Lay on your belly with your forehead on your hands.  Breathe deeply into your belly, in and out through your nose, increasing the rise and fall of your low back. Place special attention on breathing out all the way. Take a full minute or two.  Then lift up to your forearms, as if you were going to read a book in this position.  Continue the same complete breathing here.  Repeat both positions at least once.  This is a great way to disengage the sympathetic nervous system (the aspect responsible for the stress response).

5. Get to yoga class.

And then get there again.  Establishing even a little bit of routine is extremely helpful in regulating Vata and restoring a sense of peace and grounding.  Commit yourself to a regular class schedule, perhaps with a friend. Look honestly at how you feel after class.  I recommend finding a class that leaves you feeling rejuvenated rather than depleted, peaceful rather than irritated, deeply content rather than exhausted.  Seems obvious, but not all yoga is created equally. You need to find the right class for you. Yoga is not ‘one size fits all.’ Mention this blog post to get a two-for-one special on a two week unlimited class pass at Anahata! Unlimited passes are a great way to try different classes to see how you feel and what really works with your schedule.

6. Clean up your energy.

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) does just that by cleansing (shodhana) your nadis (energy pathways).  For maximum balancing effect use an easy breath, not artificially long or with more than momentary pauses between the inhale and exhale.  Be sure to enjoy sitting in your clarified awareness after you complete this pranayama. Link  to PDF instructions for Nadi Shodhana.

7. Eat nourishing food.

In a book I read several years ago, a detective story set in India, one of the main characters, a jaded criminal, had a tough day (jaded criminals are prone to feeling out of sorts too). He promptly went home, cooked himself kitchari (sauteing the spices in ghee), took a short walk, rested and took a warm bath before going to bed early. If only self-care was so pervasive in our culture!  For the most healing type of kitchari, be sure to use split yellow mung beans (available at Anahata) and white basmanti rice, along with veggies, ginger, and mild curry spices. Link to a PDF document of nourishing recipes including kitchari and ghee.

Which have you picked for this weekend?  Share in the comments below.

Fall is a beautiful time in Alaska…but is a time when some extra care goes a long way.  Most of us have spent the summer working and playing hard, accumulating a lot of extra pitta or heat (it doesn’t just come from hot weather but also drive and hard work).  If we’re not careful we’re prone to ‘burn-out’ this time of year!  However, as we approach the equinox, everything in nature is supporting our return to balance so it’s a great time to incorporate more Ayurveda into our daily lives:

- be sure to take advantage of the abundant garden greens and include them in at least two meals per day, but reduce salads to the level of garnish or small side-dish. Try sautéing or steaming greens and  add a little ghee and a squeeze of lemon or lime to garnish.

- eat up the apples. Delicious apples are back and this is the time of year to enjoy!  An apple a day really does keep the doctor away, and the beneficial action they have on the liver makes them especially appropriate this time of year.

- if you feel a little sniffle, tickle in your throat, or you’re just a little tired….STOP and REST! This is common sense but often the momentum we’ve built up over the summer makes this a little harder to do than usual.

- if winter can be a tough time for you, plan ahead.  Now is the time to really dial in your daily yoga practice and include more self-care in your life.  Schedule an Ayurvedic consultation and consider a cleanse or series of therapies.  An ounce of prevention….

Cool Summer Mock-tail

Place about a teaspoon of maple syrup (to taste) in the bottom of a tall glass.  Squeeze in the juice of a half a lime or so.  Top with carbonated water (my favorite is San Pellegrino). Skip the ice.

Garnish with a thin slice or wedge of lime, a mint leaf, a couple berries or even edible flower petals from your garden. I even enjoy the carbonated water at room temperature myself, but cool from the fridge might be more to your taste (or appropriate depending on your ‘room’ temperature!!).

Best-Ever Fruit Salad

Cut up whatever fruit you have around, that is ripe and delicious, enough to fill a large bowl.  I used bananas, peaches and navel oranges.  In that large bowl place about a half a can of organic coconut milk.  To it add a couple of tablespoons of honey and the juice of about 2 limes.  Stir well, taste and adjust your mixture accordingly.  I love it simple, like this, but you can also add spices like cardamom, coriander, or a little ginger. Add the fruit and toss to coat.  Enjoy!  Try this for a light summer meal all on it’s own.

 
Please report below if you try these or have other favorites to share! Questions? Ask here as well….or for more in-depth information personalized just for you, schedule an Ayurvedic consultation.

To avoid these imbalances simple changes in your diet and activities will be helpful.  The more Kapha that you have in your prakriti (nature) the more tendency that you will have towards these imbalances and the more important it is for you to put attention on making these changes.

Times of seasonal change are also a very important time to put attention on keeping Vata in balance as well. Keep up with your daily routine, oil massage, yoga and meditation practices.  An Ayurvedic therapy can be very helpful as well.

In general to avoid the breakup blues:
- Lighten up your diet a notch, always make sure to include all 6 tastes but   favor pungent, bitter and astringent tastes.
- Avoid Kapha increasing foods like yogurt, cheese and cold milk
- Increase exercise, yoga and breathing practices
- Get plenty of rest but get up earlier to avoid sleeping during Kapha time
- Sip on hot water throughout the day and take Triphala or Cleanse Within before bed to remove ama (toxins & wastes) that has accumulated in your digestive tract
- Use Nasya oil daily and neti pot as needed
- To avoid aggravating Vata, don’t overdo the raw foods and salad- keep the bulk of your diet warm and well cooked

It can get complicated, so if you have any doubt about your constitution or your imbalances, or if you would like to learn more about how this practical science applies to your life, this is a great time to get a consultation or a re-exam.

Stephanie

Yoga Class Schedule Fall 2010

Classes we’ll miss and look forward to returning:

Yoga Hour- Friday 3:30-4:30 pm & Sunday 11am-noon

An hour of yoga to open your heart, calm your mind and strengthen your body. Open to all levels. Includes meditation, pranayama (breathing), asana (postures) and relaxation.

A teacher we’ll miss:

Roxanne Christensen
Roxanne is a certified Hatha Yoga teacher with an Integral Influence. Her techniques include asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing practices), yoga nidra (yogic sleep) and deep relaxation. She completed her training in Orlando, FL and is a recent arrival to Homer, AK. Her interest and zeal for yoga is to shares with others the knowledge, techniques and practices that have been a great benefit in her daily life. She seeks to create a neutral all-encompassing space at Anahata for all individuals to relax the body, seek their inner light and find peace. She appreciates the opportunity to teach and grow personally at Anahata.

Now, on to winter solstice…..

No Class Thursday-Sunday November 25 – 28 For Thanksgiving

Introduction to Yoga

With Roxanne Christensen and Madeleine Fuller

Saturday, December 4th 1-3pm $24 or $48 with a 2 week Unlimited Yoga Pass

New Moon Gong Relaxation

With Anna Raupp

Sunday, December 5th 4-5pm $15

Yoga for Men

with Kenton Bloom

Tuesdays November 16, 23, & December 7 5-6:30 pm $18/class or $40 series or $72 for series + 6 class pass ($105 value)

Mother’s Blessing

with Anna Raupp

Saturday, December 18th 2-4:45 pm $22

With Stephanie Dickerson

Sunday, November 7 1-4pm $40

This class has been often requested and never taught in Homer, so don’t miss this opportunity!

‘And now the yoga begins…..’

With Roxanne Christensen and Madeleine Fuller

Saturday, October 30 1-3pm $24 or $48 with a 2 week Unlimited Yoga Pass

At Anahata we strive to provide down to earth ways of connecting to spirit through nature.  Yoga and Ayurveda foster this connection.

Ayurveda, the ‘wisdom of life’ is the perfectly practical science of living well, in harmony with the rhythms of nature. This basic life-affirming knowledge is contained in the blueprint of nature around us, and in each of us, at the level of the soul.

Yoga is a practical way to strengthen the body, mind and spirit, so connection to nature & Self is more readily available.  We offer public, on-going yoga classes as well as personalized private yoga sessions.

Massage and other Ayurvedic therapies dis-arm the nervous system, allowing for the release of deeply held tensions, allowing for an easier alignment with nature.  These treatments activate the body’s own healing responses and the benefits continue to accrue even after the treatment is compete.  We offer authentic Ayurvedic therapies and skillful massage therapy in an inspiring setting.  Experience for yourself, today, the power of these time-tested ways of creating health.