It is day 30 of my 30 days of Ayurvedic living. I took some time to reflect on the past month and was proud to note that I met all the goals I set for myself. Before day one commenced, I imagined everything I was hoping to experience. I knew I wanted more energy, more strength and flexibility, improved digestion and elimination, more interest in cooking and preparing foods, a higher level of commitment to my daily Ayurvedic practices, clearer decision making, more restful sleep and an increase in my sex drive.
I am happy to report that I experienced all that I hoped for and more. I have officially renewed my commitment to Ayurveda and fanned the flame of my passion for it. I even feel like I can be more of a benefit to my clients because I am “practicing what I preach”.
My body feels more alive because of the healthy foods I have been putting in my body. Foods that are appropriate for my body type and my imbalances keep me feeling grounded and nourished. I have more energy, strength and flexibility from my practice of yoga. I feel grounded and aromatic from my personal essential oil blend that I massage on my body every day. The systems of my body function more efficiently because of the herbs I take in the form of my personal blend tea and my personal spice blend I add to my foods.
My mind is more focused because of my daily practice of meditation. The breathing incorporated with the yoga also helps to calm my mind. The Rescue Sleep - homeopathic sleep remedy, gives me a restful sleep at night so I don’t wake up worrying about what I have to do when I get up. My emotions are more fluid and I’m experiencing more peace of mind. I also don’t seem to have the tendency towards worry or anxiety like I used to. I’m much more clear I my intent for the future and where I see myself going.
My spirit feels more free. I have a new acceptance of myself and who I am. I don’t mean from an ego perspective, I mean I feel more connected to my true essence. I have a huge sense of gratitude and I feel so blessed in the moments of my life. I also notice that I am more present. I’m not as attached to the past or replaying old scenarios in my mind like I used to. I’m more accepting of the now moment and appreciating its power and blessedness.
All in all, I feel much more connected to me. I’m in tune with my body, its functions, needs and desires. I just feel happy being who I am. I remember that Greg Soucy, my Ayurvedic Practitioner mentioning in my first consultation that part of the reason for my state of imbalance was because I wasn’t regularly taking time for myself and doing things for me. These past 30 days weren’t just for the sake of blogging, they were for me. And that’s why I feel such happiness for being me. Doing the right things for my health and wellness was the greatest gift I could give myself.
I used to have all these excuses for why I wasn’t taking good care of myself. I think the main reason was, I just didn’t think I was worth it and I was afraid of the time and energy it would take to do it right. Now I know that taking care of myself is so worth it and I can make the time to what’s right for me.
So I want to complete my Day 30 post by offering thanks to the great sages of ancient India who gave birth to Ayurvedic Medicine. I give thanks to my Ayurvedic Practitioner, Greg Soucy for his wonderful wellness coaching. I thank my husband for ongoing his support during these past 30 days. I thank my Divine Creator for the inspiration to do this. And I want to thank my Self for having the courage to transform my health. I am healthy. I am blessed.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Day 29 - Cooking is Now a Spiritual Experience
I made an incredible discovery today. As I reflected on this month of self-healthcare, I noticed an important and unexpected blessing. Cooking is becoming a sort of spiritual practice for me. The entire process has become blessed.
It starts when I wash my vegetables, soak my beans or even when I boil water. I begin to get in touch with the foods. As I chop vegetables or juice fruits I take in their color, texture, smell and consider the different vitamins and minerals they provide. I find myself being so grateful for the bounty of the Earth and for all of the people that worked so hard to bring these wonderful foods to my kitchen.
I add oils, spices and seasonings to my recipes and they begin to evolve in this amazing amalgamation of tastes and textures. I now have the experience of cooking as a beautiful form of art. This is new for me. I’ve never been this connected to my food or this excited about cooking. My 30 days of living the Ayurvedic lifestyle was worth it just for that.
It’s true what they say, “You are what you eat.” I know from my education as an Ayurvedic Practitioner the therapeutic benefits of foods, herbs and spices. I know what I’m putting in my body. So if I am what I eat, I am colorful, delicious, nutritious and easily digestible. I am fresh and life-affirming.
Today my husband and I met my parents at a local restaurant to see them off before they fly off to India for two weeks. It was a restaurant I usually enjoy, but I wasn’t into it. I was disenchanted by the experience. I ate a home cooked lunch before I left the house and when we got to the restaurant, I only ordered a smoothie. I’ve realized that I have the ability to make better tasting, healthier meals for less money than the restaurants.
I’m not saying there is anything wrong with eating out every once in a while. But I’m recognizing my new viewpoint when it comes to my own cooking. I used to find cooking and grocery shopping to be such an annoying chore. Going out to eat was my thing. If I ever had the choice, I’d prefer going out to eat every time. And even that has changed in me.
Valentines Day is coming up soon and my husband and I were recently listening to a radio station that is giving away a free dinner and his and hers massages. My husband lit up and said, “What do you want to do for Valentines Day.” I laughed and said, “I like the radio station’s idea but we can do the same thing without leaving home. We can cook a fabulous meal and give each other massages.”
Self-healthcare is my new thing. I’m discovering new aspects of myself and having new experiences of myself. It’s like rediscovering me all over again. This is me as a healthy person. It’s a new and improved me. I like this person.
It starts when I wash my vegetables, soak my beans or even when I boil water. I begin to get in touch with the foods. As I chop vegetables or juice fruits I take in their color, texture, smell and consider the different vitamins and minerals they provide. I find myself being so grateful for the bounty of the Earth and for all of the people that worked so hard to bring these wonderful foods to my kitchen.
I add oils, spices and seasonings to my recipes and they begin to evolve in this amazing amalgamation of tastes and textures. I now have the experience of cooking as a beautiful form of art. This is new for me. I’ve never been this connected to my food or this excited about cooking. My 30 days of living the Ayurvedic lifestyle was worth it just for that.
It’s true what they say, “You are what you eat.” I know from my education as an Ayurvedic Practitioner the therapeutic benefits of foods, herbs and spices. I know what I’m putting in my body. So if I am what I eat, I am colorful, delicious, nutritious and easily digestible. I am fresh and life-affirming.
Today my husband and I met my parents at a local restaurant to see them off before they fly off to India for two weeks. It was a restaurant I usually enjoy, but I wasn’t into it. I was disenchanted by the experience. I ate a home cooked lunch before I left the house and when we got to the restaurant, I only ordered a smoothie. I’ve realized that I have the ability to make better tasting, healthier meals for less money than the restaurants.
I’m not saying there is anything wrong with eating out every once in a while. But I’m recognizing my new viewpoint when it comes to my own cooking. I used to find cooking and grocery shopping to be such an annoying chore. Going out to eat was my thing. If I ever had the choice, I’d prefer going out to eat every time. And even that has changed in me.
Valentines Day is coming up soon and my husband and I were recently listening to a radio station that is giving away a free dinner and his and hers massages. My husband lit up and said, “What do you want to do for Valentines Day.” I laughed and said, “I like the radio station’s idea but we can do the same thing without leaving home. We can cook a fabulous meal and give each other massages.”
Self-healthcare is my new thing. I’m discovering new aspects of myself and having new experiences of myself. It’s like rediscovering me all over again. This is me as a healthy person. It’s a new and improved me. I like this person.
Day 28 - Setting Myself Up to Win
There’s a phrase I’ve heard Tony Robbins say when referring to your goals and intentions for the future. He says, “Set yourself up to win.” I love that phrase. Too often I’ve set unrealistic goals for myself.
In the past, I’ve had high levels of expectation for myself. I’d expect myself to be perfect, that’s clearly an unrealistic goal. So basically I’d set myself up to lose.
Now that my “30 Days of Ayurveda” is getting closer to the final day, I’m looking into the future and setting myself up to win. What I mean is, I don’t want the momentum of health and well-being to end. I feel better than I have in years. So I have to set myself up so I can maintain this higher level of being, thinking and feeling.
In order to set myself up to win I first need to let go of the expectation that I have to be perfect in my healthcare regimen. It’s what you do most of the time that counts. So if I decide I would like a slice of pizza once in a great while. I’m not going to sweat it. I’ll just make sure to sprinkle my churna (spice blend) on it to help me digest. I’ll eat it warm and be sure not to have left over cold pizza for breakfast causing it to turn to a brick in my stomach. I must understand that trying to be perfect or being a fanatic about my healthcare regimen is not a balanced way of living.
I’m also planning my winning strategy ahead of time. I went to the grocery store today and loaded up on fruits and vegetables, grains, fish, poultry and fresh herbs to make delicious meals that are right for my body type. I bought butter to make another batch of ghee (clarified butter). I made plans to create another personalized herbal tea blend for myself and a refill on my personalized essential oil blend.
Since I’m starting a new part time job this coming week I’m also considering heartier breakfasts, nutrient rich lunches and dinners I can make that are healthy and easy. I also decided that on Sunday’s I’ll make an extra meal like kitchari or something. So on Monday, dinner is already made. I just have to heat it up.
Setting myself up to win means I have to be well-stocked with herbs, essential oils, nutritious foods, and a daily/weekly schedule of practices like yoga, meditation, time in nature, skin brushing, self massage and setting goals. It’s important for me to set myself up with a good mental diet, regular exercise, and delicious-nutritious foods so that I can win the ultimate prize - optimum health.
In the past, I’ve had high levels of expectation for myself. I’d expect myself to be perfect, that’s clearly an unrealistic goal. So basically I’d set myself up to lose.
Now that my “30 Days of Ayurveda” is getting closer to the final day, I’m looking into the future and setting myself up to win. What I mean is, I don’t want the momentum of health and well-being to end. I feel better than I have in years. So I have to set myself up so I can maintain this higher level of being, thinking and feeling.
In order to set myself up to win I first need to let go of the expectation that I have to be perfect in my healthcare regimen. It’s what you do most of the time that counts. So if I decide I would like a slice of pizza once in a great while. I’m not going to sweat it. I’ll just make sure to sprinkle my churna (spice blend) on it to help me digest. I’ll eat it warm and be sure not to have left over cold pizza for breakfast causing it to turn to a brick in my stomach. I must understand that trying to be perfect or being a fanatic about my healthcare regimen is not a balanced way of living.
I’m also planning my winning strategy ahead of time. I went to the grocery store today and loaded up on fruits and vegetables, grains, fish, poultry and fresh herbs to make delicious meals that are right for my body type. I bought butter to make another batch of ghee (clarified butter). I made plans to create another personalized herbal tea blend for myself and a refill on my personalized essential oil blend.
Since I’m starting a new part time job this coming week I’m also considering heartier breakfasts, nutrient rich lunches and dinners I can make that are healthy and easy. I also decided that on Sunday’s I’ll make an extra meal like kitchari or something. So on Monday, dinner is already made. I just have to heat it up.
Setting myself up to win means I have to be well-stocked with herbs, essential oils, nutritious foods, and a daily/weekly schedule of practices like yoga, meditation, time in nature, skin brushing, self massage and setting goals. It’s important for me to set myself up with a good mental diet, regular exercise, and delicious-nutritious foods so that I can win the ultimate prize - optimum health.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Day 27 - What Happens after Day 30?
Today I found myself feeling a little fearful about my state of health. Don’t get me wrong, this 30 day commitment to Ayurvedic living has left me feeling absolutely fantastic. It’s just that I was comparing the new me to the old me or rather my state of health prior to this 30 day journey and a little fear crept in. What if I fall off the wagon of my healthful regimen?
I guess its part of our human nature. As soon as we achieve something or gain something we begin to fear we are going to lose it. And although it was a fleeting moment of fear it got me thinking…
We’ve grown accustomed to the stories of people who have accomplished great things like losing a ton of weight or people who have overcome an addiction only to find themselves right back where they started or worse months or even years down the line. So in that sense, I suppose my concern is valid.
I’ve been so committed to my health and maintaining my state of balance and I’m loving the results. I’m also blessed with a rather controlled environment and the luxury of having a home based business. There are some pitfalls I’ve managed to avoid during these last 27 days and there are some I’ve been thrown right into. But, I still managed to keep myself balanced.
Next week I will be starting a part time position at a local health magazine and I couldn’t help but wonder how it’s going to affect the schedule I’ve become accustomed to. I know I’m going to have to be vigilant in continuing to make my herbal tea, doing my yoga, meditation and self massage. I know I’m going to have to make sure my diet and my new found love of Ayurvedic cooking stays true.
I know that there are holidays, parties and dinner invitations in my future that will more than likely offer foods that will not jive with my body type. I know that old habits die hard and I live in a society where convenience is paramount – processed foods, fast food, sugar laden treats and caffeinated beverages are the norm. Our society thrives on drama, stress, sex and violence. The potential for imbalance is everywhere.
Then I realized I have to let it go. Like my Ayurvedic teacher said, “It’s what you do most of the time that counts.” There are so many things about Ayruvedic Medicine that I absolutely love and I’ve seen the benefits first hand. Once I finally let go of my fear, I recognized that I’ve actually made it this far in spite of the many temptations. I remained committed to my balanced living.
This blog has helped me to be accountable for my health and wellness. Knowing that I have to do daily posts on my progress has helped to keep me on track. In three days it will be up to me to maintain the momentum I’ve created. Can I do it? Yeah, you know what? I think I can. As long as I remain in tune with my body it will tell me what’s working or not working. I have the knowledge, the willingness and the technology to do this.
When all is said and done, I guess there is nothing for me to fear but fear itself.
I guess its part of our human nature. As soon as we achieve something or gain something we begin to fear we are going to lose it. And although it was a fleeting moment of fear it got me thinking…
We’ve grown accustomed to the stories of people who have accomplished great things like losing a ton of weight or people who have overcome an addiction only to find themselves right back where they started or worse months or even years down the line. So in that sense, I suppose my concern is valid.
I’ve been so committed to my health and maintaining my state of balance and I’m loving the results. I’m also blessed with a rather controlled environment and the luxury of having a home based business. There are some pitfalls I’ve managed to avoid during these last 27 days and there are some I’ve been thrown right into. But, I still managed to keep myself balanced.
Next week I will be starting a part time position at a local health magazine and I couldn’t help but wonder how it’s going to affect the schedule I’ve become accustomed to. I know I’m going to have to be vigilant in continuing to make my herbal tea, doing my yoga, meditation and self massage. I know I’m going to have to make sure my diet and my new found love of Ayurvedic cooking stays true.
I know that there are holidays, parties and dinner invitations in my future that will more than likely offer foods that will not jive with my body type. I know that old habits die hard and I live in a society where convenience is paramount – processed foods, fast food, sugar laden treats and caffeinated beverages are the norm. Our society thrives on drama, stress, sex and violence. The potential for imbalance is everywhere.
Then I realized I have to let it go. Like my Ayurvedic teacher said, “It’s what you do most of the time that counts.” There are so many things about Ayruvedic Medicine that I absolutely love and I’ve seen the benefits first hand. Once I finally let go of my fear, I recognized that I’ve actually made it this far in spite of the many temptations. I remained committed to my balanced living.
This blog has helped me to be accountable for my health and wellness. Knowing that I have to do daily posts on my progress has helped to keep me on track. In three days it will be up to me to maintain the momentum I’ve created. Can I do it? Yeah, you know what? I think I can. As long as I remain in tune with my body it will tell me what’s working or not working. I have the knowledge, the willingness and the technology to do this.
When all is said and done, I guess there is nothing for me to fear but fear itself.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Day 26 - Ayurvedic Pulse Evaluation - The Follow Up Appointment
Today was the moment of truth. My Ayurvedic Practitioner, Greg Soucy gave me my follow up appointment from my original consultation. I have to say, I was very excited to see what results he would find during my pulse evaluation. These past 26 days I’ve been posting about all of the wonderful experiences I’ve been having and how my body and mind have changed. But the pulse analysis is the true test.
Ayurvedic pulse evaluation is very different from how Western Medicine takes the pulse. According to Ayurvedic Medicine there are seven levels to the pulse. Each level allows you to “feel” what’s happening in the different organs of the body and the body as a whole.
The first level indicates your imbalance and the seventh level indicates your birth body type. The levels in between offer insight into what’s happening in the hollow organs like the large and small intestine, stomach, bladder, and gall bladder. It also gives the practitioner and idea of what’s going on in the solid organs like the heart, lungs, liver, spleen and pancreas.
Understanding the pulse in such a unique way allows the Ayurvedic Practitioner insight into detailed information about the client’s state of health without the need for expensive or invasive tests offered by Western Medicine. Ayurvedic pulse evaluation has been practiced for thousands of years, long before the arrival of modern medicine.
The truest pulse reading can be found early in the morning upon waking. Since my practitioner, Greg is also a family friend I had no problem scheduling my pulse evaluation early in the morning before my yoga, herbal tea or anything else that would alter the truest pulse reading.
The results were astounding. Greg noticed my pulse was strong and solid not jumpy or thready. He said it felt strong all the way down, through all of the levels. He was happy to say, “You’re not Miss Vata Girl anymore!” Pulses showing a Vata imbalance are jumpy and weak and mine was anything but.
I was thrilled. I was over the moon. It’s obvious by the way I feel that this Ayurvedic way of living has made incredible changes in my body and mind. But to have it confirmed in my pulse evaluation by a fellow Ayurvedic Practitioner sealed the deal for me.
It’s my 26th day of living the Ayurveda’s recipe for balance and health. I’ve got four days to go to complete my 30 day commitment and I feel great. I feel blessed and grateful that this ancient medicine and this way of life came across thousands of years and thousands of miles from India and into my modern world where I can experience its wisdom and its gift of health.
Ayurveda, I love you.
To learn more about Ayurveda visit http://www.joytreeinc.com/page/168166203
Ayurvedic pulse evaluation is very different from how Western Medicine takes the pulse. According to Ayurvedic Medicine there are seven levels to the pulse. Each level allows you to “feel” what’s happening in the different organs of the body and the body as a whole.
The first level indicates your imbalance and the seventh level indicates your birth body type. The levels in between offer insight into what’s happening in the hollow organs like the large and small intestine, stomach, bladder, and gall bladder. It also gives the practitioner and idea of what’s going on in the solid organs like the heart, lungs, liver, spleen and pancreas.
Understanding the pulse in such a unique way allows the Ayurvedic Practitioner insight into detailed information about the client’s state of health without the need for expensive or invasive tests offered by Western Medicine. Ayurvedic pulse evaluation has been practiced for thousands of years, long before the arrival of modern medicine.
The truest pulse reading can be found early in the morning upon waking. Since my practitioner, Greg is also a family friend I had no problem scheduling my pulse evaluation early in the morning before my yoga, herbal tea or anything else that would alter the truest pulse reading.
The results were astounding. Greg noticed my pulse was strong and solid not jumpy or thready. He said it felt strong all the way down, through all of the levels. He was happy to say, “You’re not Miss Vata Girl anymore!” Pulses showing a Vata imbalance are jumpy and weak and mine was anything but.
I was thrilled. I was over the moon. It’s obvious by the way I feel that this Ayurvedic way of living has made incredible changes in my body and mind. But to have it confirmed in my pulse evaluation by a fellow Ayurvedic Practitioner sealed the deal for me.
It’s my 26th day of living the Ayurveda’s recipe for balance and health. I’ve got four days to go to complete my 30 day commitment and I feel great. I feel blessed and grateful that this ancient medicine and this way of life came across thousands of years and thousands of miles from India and into my modern world where I can experience its wisdom and its gift of health.
Ayurveda, I love you.
To learn more about Ayurveda visit http://www.joytreeinc.com/page/168166203
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Day 25 - One of Life's Simple Pleasures
One of the awesome things I observed today was my incredibly healthy bowel movements. As an Ayurvedic Practitioner, we are always curious to see what is coming out of the body as a sign of our health. Remember, when I started this 30 days I was having mild constipation. I was still going, but my bowel movements were kind of scant. I didn’t feel like my elimination was sufficient and I didn’t have that sense of relief afterwards.
Thankfully, that’s all changed. My bowel movements are bigger, longer, nicely formed and come out smoothly. Before, my colon was so dry I almost felt like I had to strain during elimination. Not anymore. And boy do I have a sense of relief afterwards! I feel lighter and if my abdominal cavity could talk it would probably respond by making a huge sigh, “Ahhhh!”
A wise man once told me, “There are a few simple pleasures in life. One of them is a good poop.” Truer words were never spoken. I attribute these wonderful experiences to my awesome diet, my daily intake of ghee and my triphala supplements. I also attribute it to my healthy emotional state. Like I mentioned in some of my other posts, I feel like I’m dealing with my emotions in a much healthier way. I’m not worrying or holding on to negative emotions. I’m letting them flow and letting them go. The same is true for my bowel movements.
I used to hang on to negative emotions rather than expressing them. I’d allow my abdomen to get all tense and knotted up over an emotional upset. Stopping the normal flow of emotions caused me to stop the flow of waste out of the body. We are not separate from our emotions. We are integrated beings. We are mechanism and feeling all rolled into one.
If you observe children you notice that they can run the gamut of emotions in a small space of time. They allow themselves to be in the moment and feel whatever they are feeling. They can get angry, throw a fit, cry and then be happy and laughing again all in the span of five minutes. They don’t hold back their emotions. As we get older we condition ourselves not to feel or express ourselves. We judge our emotions and hold them in.
Emotions are there to be felt and to be expressed. If we hold back our emotions we tend to stuff them somewhere in the body and turn them into muscle spasms, headaches, digestive disorders, constipation, nervous disorders or worse. I conditioned myself to hold back and I became emotionally constipated. Since I’ve learned to stop judging myself for my emotions and to express them in a healthy way I experience less physical constipation as well.
We truly are amazing beings. So when it comes to emotions and when it comes to poo, do yourself a favor – let it flow and let it go.
To learn more information on Triphala or to purchase Triphala supplements visit http://www.joytreeinc.com/product/New-287236561
Thankfully, that’s all changed. My bowel movements are bigger, longer, nicely formed and come out smoothly. Before, my colon was so dry I almost felt like I had to strain during elimination. Not anymore. And boy do I have a sense of relief afterwards! I feel lighter and if my abdominal cavity could talk it would probably respond by making a huge sigh, “Ahhhh!”
A wise man once told me, “There are a few simple pleasures in life. One of them is a good poop.” Truer words were never spoken. I attribute these wonderful experiences to my awesome diet, my daily intake of ghee and my triphala supplements. I also attribute it to my healthy emotional state. Like I mentioned in some of my other posts, I feel like I’m dealing with my emotions in a much healthier way. I’m not worrying or holding on to negative emotions. I’m letting them flow and letting them go. The same is true for my bowel movements.
I used to hang on to negative emotions rather than expressing them. I’d allow my abdomen to get all tense and knotted up over an emotional upset. Stopping the normal flow of emotions caused me to stop the flow of waste out of the body. We are not separate from our emotions. We are integrated beings. We are mechanism and feeling all rolled into one.
If you observe children you notice that they can run the gamut of emotions in a small space of time. They allow themselves to be in the moment and feel whatever they are feeling. They can get angry, throw a fit, cry and then be happy and laughing again all in the span of five minutes. They don’t hold back their emotions. As we get older we condition ourselves not to feel or express ourselves. We judge our emotions and hold them in.
Emotions are there to be felt and to be expressed. If we hold back our emotions we tend to stuff them somewhere in the body and turn them into muscle spasms, headaches, digestive disorders, constipation, nervous disorders or worse. I conditioned myself to hold back and I became emotionally constipated. Since I’ve learned to stop judging myself for my emotions and to express them in a healthy way I experience less physical constipation as well.
We truly are amazing beings. So when it comes to emotions and when it comes to poo, do yourself a favor – let it flow and let it go.
To learn more information on Triphala or to purchase Triphala supplements visit http://www.joytreeinc.com/product/New-287236561
Monday, February 2, 2009
Day 24 - Glorious Life Energy
Amazing! I woke up today and didn’t feel half dead. Prior to this 30 day journey of Ayurvedic healthy living there is no way I could have survived three consecutive nights of performing in dance shows without feeling like I was going to collapse. My body was a little tired today, but all in all I felt pretty darn good.
I waited to do my yoga until the evening to give my body the rest it needed in the morning hours. But can we just sit a moment and reflect on that?... After three nights of dancing I still felt the drive and the energy to do Rodney Yee’s Power Yoga Strength. That is really cool. I’m so proud of myself.
I took the time today to commune with nature, to eat delicious healthy food, to spend time with my doggies and my wonderful husband, to watch a movie, take a nap, to cook and enjoy my Sunday. I got some work done too. So after my marathon of dance shows I wasn’t dead to the world, I was actually functioning. It was glorious.
Oh, and I tried a new recipe from the “Eat, Taste, Heal” Cookbook. Baked Bananas with Orange and Cinnamon Sauce. So exquisitely yummy. Words can not describe how delicious it was. My taste buds were still celebrating even hours after eating it. Ah, the joys of Ayurveda.
For more information on Ayurveda visit http://www.joytreeinc.com/page/168166203
I waited to do my yoga until the evening to give my body the rest it needed in the morning hours. But can we just sit a moment and reflect on that?... After three nights of dancing I still felt the drive and the energy to do Rodney Yee’s Power Yoga Strength. That is really cool. I’m so proud of myself.
I took the time today to commune with nature, to eat delicious healthy food, to spend time with my doggies and my wonderful husband, to watch a movie, take a nap, to cook and enjoy my Sunday. I got some work done too. So after my marathon of dance shows I wasn’t dead to the world, I was actually functioning. It was glorious.
Oh, and I tried a new recipe from the “Eat, Taste, Heal” Cookbook. Baked Bananas with Orange and Cinnamon Sauce. So exquisitely yummy. Words can not describe how delicious it was. My taste buds were still celebrating even hours after eating it. Ah, the joys of Ayurveda.
For more information on Ayurveda visit http://www.joytreeinc.com/page/168166203
Day 23 - Handling the Craziness Without Getting Crazy
I woke up feeling a little tired today and my hips were a little achy from two nights of dancing. No problem. I still got up and had a cup of hot herbal tea and decided to refrain from yoga and give my body a break since I had one more show tonight. In the morning I sat and reviewed my day and all of the things I needed to get done before show time. There was cooking, cleaning, sewing and a client I had to work with before I had to transform into a show girl for the evening.
I didn’t worry about a thing. In fact, I decided that since I was tired I would even squeeze in time for a nap to make sure I was fresh and rested for the last of the marathon of dance shows. I even had time for an emotional breakdown/break through with my husband. We had an ongoing issue that crept up again and needed to be dealt with. So we dealt with it. I was balanced enough not to let it ruin my day or upset my attitude beyond repair. All of this, and no worrying, how could that be?
As I drove to the hall where my show was taking place, I realized that I was able to accomplish all of my tasks before show time and I was feeling pretty good. My appointment with my client went overtime a little bit and I thought I might be a little late for the show. Still, I was determined not to worry and turn myself into a crazy person before I arrived at the gig. I already made it that far without getting frazzled, I wasn’t about to let a late appointment and slow drivers ruin my track record.
As expected, everything turned out just fine. I arrived just in the nick of time. The show went well. After the show I even decided to spend some time with my friend and fellow dancer who was going through her own emotional breakdown/break through. When I drove home I took another moment to review my day and was very satisfied with myself for being able to take it all on and not get crazy. In fact, I felt good enough to come home after three nights of dancing and still had enough energy to make love to my husband. That’s gotta be some sort of a record for me.
I didn’t worry about a thing. In fact, I decided that since I was tired I would even squeeze in time for a nap to make sure I was fresh and rested for the last of the marathon of dance shows. I even had time for an emotional breakdown/break through with my husband. We had an ongoing issue that crept up again and needed to be dealt with. So we dealt with it. I was balanced enough not to let it ruin my day or upset my attitude beyond repair. All of this, and no worrying, how could that be?
As I drove to the hall where my show was taking place, I realized that I was able to accomplish all of my tasks before show time and I was feeling pretty good. My appointment with my client went overtime a little bit and I thought I might be a little late for the show. Still, I was determined not to worry and turn myself into a crazy person before I arrived at the gig. I already made it that far without getting frazzled, I wasn’t about to let a late appointment and slow drivers ruin my track record.
As expected, everything turned out just fine. I arrived just in the nick of time. The show went well. After the show I even decided to spend some time with my friend and fellow dancer who was going through her own emotional breakdown/break through. When I drove home I took another moment to review my day and was very satisfied with myself for being able to take it all on and not get crazy. In fact, I felt good enough to come home after three nights of dancing and still had enough energy to make love to my husband. That’s gotta be some sort of a record for me.
Day 22 - More Energy, Less Worry
This marks my third week of Ayurvedic living. Three weeks ago I was full of mucous and coughing all the time. I can safely say I’ve rid my body of all the excess mucous that had been wreaking havoc in my body for weeks. Draining all those toxins has definitely helped my energy level.
I’ve got shows booked three nights in a row. Tonight was the second gig. Thinking back on how I felt when I started all of this, I imagine I would have felt intimidated by having three consecutive nights of dance gigs. I probably would have been fearful of burn out. But now that my body is in better shape and I know what I need to do to ensure that I’m renewing my energy, I’m not worried at all.
Let’s talk about worry for a bit. When a person has a Vata imbalance as I did, they have a tendency towards anxiety. In fact, when I was in high school I used to joke that I wasn’t satisfied unless I was worrying about something. If there wasn’t something for me to worry about I would find something. I was so used to my Vata imbalance that I thought I was the imbalance. I defined myself as a “worry-wart”. I actually thought it was normal for me.
Life is easier to deal with when your body is imbalance. It doesn’t mean challenges won’t arise, it just means you’re better equipped to handle it. So the old me would most likely freak out knowing I’ve got shows three nights in a row. But this new balanced way of life allows me to prepare myself for what’s ahead of me in a logical way.
Since I knew tonight’s show was going to be high energy I was sure to eat very grounding foods. Good old immune soup and kitchari is warm, satisfying and delicious. Those two dishes are so comforting and nourishing to me – I was confident that my meal would serve me well and provide me with the nutrition my body needed to perform. I also made sure to bring a bottle of my personal blend tea. Water is a great hydrator, but when it’s infused with herbs, it provides therapeutic nourishment that also keeps me grounded. I’d choose my tea over one of those popular energy drinks any day.
When I arrived at the show tonight, my dance partner (and owner of the production company) decided to change our show set to include some songs I had never heard before. Again, the old me would have had a mini panic attack. I’m a planner and I like to be prepared, especially when I’m performing. But the new me took it in stride. I didn’t worry about it, I just rolled with the punches. I’m really starting to dig the new me.
I noticed that my performance was more grounded, I had more energy and even if I messed up a little on the choreography I didn’t sweat it. I didn’t leave the show kicking myself for forgetting a movement like I used to. I didn’t obsess over minor details. I had fun and when I got home I celebrated with a warm cup of immune soup.
I’ve got shows booked three nights in a row. Tonight was the second gig. Thinking back on how I felt when I started all of this, I imagine I would have felt intimidated by having three consecutive nights of dance gigs. I probably would have been fearful of burn out. But now that my body is in better shape and I know what I need to do to ensure that I’m renewing my energy, I’m not worried at all.
Let’s talk about worry for a bit. When a person has a Vata imbalance as I did, they have a tendency towards anxiety. In fact, when I was in high school I used to joke that I wasn’t satisfied unless I was worrying about something. If there wasn’t something for me to worry about I would find something. I was so used to my Vata imbalance that I thought I was the imbalance. I defined myself as a “worry-wart”. I actually thought it was normal for me.
Life is easier to deal with when your body is imbalance. It doesn’t mean challenges won’t arise, it just means you’re better equipped to handle it. So the old me would most likely freak out knowing I’ve got shows three nights in a row. But this new balanced way of life allows me to prepare myself for what’s ahead of me in a logical way.
Since I knew tonight’s show was going to be high energy I was sure to eat very grounding foods. Good old immune soup and kitchari is warm, satisfying and delicious. Those two dishes are so comforting and nourishing to me – I was confident that my meal would serve me well and provide me with the nutrition my body needed to perform. I also made sure to bring a bottle of my personal blend tea. Water is a great hydrator, but when it’s infused with herbs, it provides therapeutic nourishment that also keeps me grounded. I’d choose my tea over one of those popular energy drinks any day.
When I arrived at the show tonight, my dance partner (and owner of the production company) decided to change our show set to include some songs I had never heard before. Again, the old me would have had a mini panic attack. I’m a planner and I like to be prepared, especially when I’m performing. But the new me took it in stride. I didn’t worry about it, I just rolled with the punches. I’m really starting to dig the new me.
I noticed that my performance was more grounded, I had more energy and even if I messed up a little on the choreography I didn’t sweat it. I didn’t leave the show kicking myself for forgetting a movement like I used to. I didn’t obsess over minor details. I had fun and when I got home I celebrated with a warm cup of immune soup.
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