by admin | Aug 29, 2012 | Uncategorized
Excerpt from “Staying Healthy with Nutrition” by Elson M. Haas M. D. Vitamin L (the love vitamin) is commonly known as the “universal” or the “love” vitamin, as coined by humanologist, Bethany ArgIsle. One of the most important nutrients for optimum health is a daily dose (or more) of Love. The vital human emotion/expression/experience is necessary for the optimal functioning of people and all of their cells, tissues, and organs. It is found in most of nature – in foods, domestic animals, friends, and family – and is used to heal a wide variety of diseases. There are no toxic effects, but deficiency can cause a wide range of ailments. Sources: As stated, vitamin L is found in a great variety of sources but must be developed and nurtured to be available. Fear, anger, worry, self-concern, and many other human emotions can destroy vitamin L. It is found readily in most mums and dads and is very highly concentrated in grandmothers and grandpas. Sisters and brothers may be a good source of vitamin L, though often this is covered up in early years, develops in the teens, and is more available in adulthood. Massage therapy is a particularly good source of vitamin L. Vitamin L is also found in cats, dogs, and horses; in flowers and birds; and in trees and plants. In food, it is especially found in home-cooked or other meals where vitamin L is used consciously as an ingredient. It is digested and absorbed easily and used by the body in its pure state, being eliminated almost unchanged; in this, it is unique among the vitamins. It is also made...
by admin | Aug 22, 2012 | Uncategorized
On August 26th, we celebrate the birthday of Yogi Bhajan, a beautiful man whose love and energy helped transform countless people’s lives. His gift to all in this lifetime was Kundalini Yoga and White Tantric yoga. Yogi Bhajan was born in India in 1929 and became a Kundalini Yoga Master by the very young age of 16 years. In the 1960’s he brought Kundalini Yoga to the Western world by settling in America. In this hippy era, he wanted to teach people to ‘get high’ without drugs and to learn to find their spiritual centre and touch the infinite wisdom within. Did you know Woodstock Festival was opened with a Kundalini yoga kriya? It was! Yogi Bhajan was a Sikh, however Kundalini Yoga is non-denominational and is for everyone. Click on this image below for more about the great man: On his birthday, Kundalini yogi’s all over the world will chant together long Ek Ong Kars (Adi Shakti Mantra or Morning Call) for 2.5 hours before sunrise. My personal first powerful experience with this mantra was in India. I had gone to India to stay in the home of an older Kundalini Yogi who had spent many years with Yogi Bhajan as a member of his personal staff. I was lucky enough to spend time with her over the course of a few months while I experienced India and learned more about Yogi Bhajan and Kundalini Yoga. We chanted long Ek Ong Kars one morning at the end of our morning practice as the sun was just beginning to rise. The vibration of this mantra opened me up to...
by admin | Aug 17, 2012 | Uncategorized
Did you know that most of the time we are only breathing through one nostril? One nostril opens for a certain amount of time and then the other, this alternates approximately every one hour and twenty minutes. It’s a way of systematically regulating the brain and the nervous system by channelling prana (life force) into the body via each nostril. When we breathe through the left nostril, we are connecting to the right hemisphere of the brain, creating a calming, relaxing effect in the body, integrating unwanted negative emotions and easing stress and tension (excellent to do before bed). When we breathe through the right nostril, we are connecting to the left hemisphere of the brain bringing clarity and focus and a positive mood (great for when feeling sleepy and we need to wake up and take action). The left and right nostril channels meet at a point between the eyebrows. At this same point, another energy channel also meets. This channel is the central channel (called sushumna nadi) that runs up the centre of the body. When we make both left and right nostrils active through alternate nostril breathing, this central channel is activated. When this happens, our mental and physical energy becomes even and rhythmic, thoughts are stilled and the mind becomes calm. We connect to spirit. Nadi Cleansing breath meditation. This meditation is perfect for creating a sense of total internal balance. I also love it as it gives me great clarity and focus, combined with a super-chilled calm overall sensation. It creates a powerful purifying and cleansing effect in the body. Breath suspension is used in...
by admin | Aug 9, 2012 | Uncategorized
Visuddha chakra, also called the fifth chakra or throat chakra sits in the throat, neck and shoulders area. It is shown as a bright blue colour. It represents voice, communication and expression. When working with Visuddha chakra we work on releasing blocks and held tension so that we can speak honestly and express ourselves clearly. We’re also working on how we listen to others and take information in. It’s particularly about how we communicate to ourselves. Does our inner voice speak kindly or critically? From a place of love or from fear? In any given situation we’re always listening for what that inner voice has to say. This inner dialogue affects our energetic field. This energetic field is communicating all the time. Feedback we give ourselves has a direct and immediate impact on how others feel about us, by picking up on our energetic field. Growing awareness of our internal dialogue and creating a space of non-judgement around that can lead to a kinder inner voice. Choosing to direct compassion and forgiveness towards our own selves can have a deep and powerful effect on our ability to give this to others. It can also have a profound effect on how we’re treated by others. “How we speak to ourselves creates our reality. How we speak to others results in how they respond in our reality” (Harijiwan Singh Khalsa) The associated element for Visuddha chakra is ether. Ether is subtle matter, the non-physical element beyond earth, fire and air. It’s that feeling you get when you walk into a room; you feel like you want to be there or you...
by admin | Jul 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
The thyroid gland is one of the major glands in the endocrine system of the body. It sits in the neck below your larynx (or below your Adam’s apple). It plays the important role of producing the thyroid hormones involved in regulating your metabolism, and in the growth rate and function of other bodily systems. It also effects the careful stabilising of body temperature and energy levels. Both these things effect us continually throughout the day. If the thyroid gland is not functioning optimally, it doesn’t produce enough of the important hormones needed by the body. Your thyroid’s functions are directly linked to your mood. Excessive thyroid hormonal secretion produces nervousness, irritability, excessive hunger and an abnormally fast digestion. An underactive thyroid results in apathy and tiredness. Kundalini Yoga is an excellent way to maintain a healthy thyroid. Designed to work on the entire endocrine system, the practice of Kundalini yoga helps keep the whole glandular system healthy and functioning optimally. This maintains our internal balance and enhances our mood and feelings of stability. Support for your thyroid: Breath of fire is a key breath that supports the thyroid gland. Alternate nostril breathing also supports healthy thyroid hormone production. Simple neck rolls and figure 8 head rolls wake up the thyroid. Mantra is one of the key supports for the thyroid gland. There are numerous specific kundalini kriyas for the thyroid gland. Other...
