Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Cherry Blossom Wisdom
Thursday, April 02, 2009
SPRING NEWSLETTER
Planting Seeds, The rites of Spring.
Hello. I am thrilled, perhaps like many, to see the bursts of confident colors pushing through the last grasps of winterfs deep chill. Here we are, just past spring equinox and before the birth or resurrection, of new life and initiatives. We are no doubt in a season of change, amidst a time of change. The shift from the dark inner embers of winter to the spring stirrings of undeveloped seedfs, be they thoughts or zinnias, so mirror the personal experience at this time. These collective rhythms embrace us all like the tide whether we are aware of it or not.
It is no surprise to me that many of the general conversations I am hearing from people these days are expressing things about major life challenges, such as dealing with drastic health issues, relationship & family upsets, to making important choices- or perhaps noticing the drain of ones you may have previously made under illusion or denial. Oh yes, it is time for planting again, and the universe has been aligning things to jolt us out of our sleeping patterns in order to prepare the soil for these auspicious times. Some of these mechanisms are obvious like a major weather shift, or an entire country altered by an election and the energy of a new leader. Other forces that influence us can be more subtle, especially if we arenft conscious of them, such as karmic patterns. Nonetheless most of us could agree there are many changes afoot. I certainly feel and notice these powerful forces and shifts at work in my life, how about you?
When we have more information we are better able to see the interrelatedness of things and it helps us to understand the small picture, and cope with the impact of an occurrence by seeing it in the bigger light. For instance, when we consider the new position of Jupiter this spring we discover that Jupiterfs influence is timely. Jupiter (good fortune/expansion) in its least expansive of its placements (taking the place of stern Saturn) will force countries and individuals to take a scrupulous look at their use of resources. Jupiterfs influence will not tolerate wasteful spending, excessive behavior, irresponsibility, or hoarding. Of course there is more to it, here is the link to the vedic astrologer I am citing http://www.dgoldsteinphd.com , suffice it to say nonetheless there is a lot of that gre-structuringh going on, and it isnft just the Americans. We are all in some way going to be feeling Jupiterfs influence ¡V especially beginning in March and throughout the year.
Personally I canft imagine not having some sort of reference point to help understand and consolidate these experiences - an overarching philosophical world view that diffuses and cancels negative fears and doubts with its wisdom. That world view for me needs to be broad enough to address everything from the nature of the current financial crisis, to the ways energy moves in my body; to astronomy, astrology, anatomy, physics, even the nature of the mind ¡V It needs to explain it all. Yoga is the science of consciousness; energetic and physical, it sees and acknowledges the patterns or ways in which energy/nature/life force ¡V such as the seasons - moves and behaves. And it is also a methodology for creating the perfect environment physically, mentally and spiritually for providing that very life force the best possible environment for consciousness to occur.
In a time of intense movement of life forces - the spring equinox and the renewal and influence of the astrological skies spurring new beginnings - we are in a prime place to align, clean out and re-design. Attuning yourself to the natural cycles and creating rituals and practices to honor and imbue the power of creation is highly beneficial and rewarding. Many of these techniques reflect the processes at work already, such as weeding the garden for sowing, flushing of rivers, removal of old debri. Here some of the practices I have found helpful and which you may want to consider.
The yogic tradition, like many traditions, offer guidance for this time such as doing a fast or an internal cleanse. An ayurvedic practice, such as panchakama was revered at this time for clearing the ama or wastes and building ojas or fire as well as willpower. Try looking up http://www.indigoyogahealing.com which describe these practices in detail. You can also find a recipe on Mary-Jofs site http://www.mary-jo.com for gkitcherieh a single bowl food that is excellent for cleansing and fasting on. Remember the importance of staying ggroundedh by doing simple sama vriti ¡V equal breathing with the inhale and exhale; you can also visualize deep roots growing down from your spine into the earth; & check out trinityfs website http://www.trinityyoga.net for the Dragon & Tiger practice or any other guided meditation from the classical Tantra yoga tradition.
In addition, attempt to do some sort of a renunciation practice, ideally giving up some habit or rut to a new rite or ritual ¡V this could be as simple as switching any negative thought, belief or judgment as soon as it arises to a neutral place or opposite in a state of acceptance and love. There is also much to be said for committing to a new practice at this time under the guidance of your teacher or someone you trust. With all of the external change and upheaval around us, it is essential to stay peaceful and calm, drawing deep from the eternal wellsprings of Truth and Light.
We here at Trinity are similarly going through change and new beginnings. In the hopes of offering you - the students, the very finest of what yoga has to offer and in giving time to incubate what my place is in that ¡V we will maintain our roots and yours and be available as we reformat, call or write at the usual coordinates. Please stay tuned for our new growth. In the meantime Ifd like to introduce to some, and rekindle for many, an old friend and Trinity gal - Sharon Thompson who will be tending the roots of our connections through the Trinity newsletter, welcome Sharon!
Blessings of love & Light,
Mary-Jo
Hello Fellow Trinity Yoga Alumni. This is Sharon Thompson.
I am writing to keep in touch with my fellow Trinity Yoga Teachers. This creation started with a conversation with Mary Jo where I made a comment something like this; “I would like to stay in touch with my Trinity Yoga community.” To my amazement the energy flowed with these simple words and evolved into the opportunity to communicate with all of you at one time. Writing this column for the newsletter, I am keeping in touch and creating a space for future connections for all the Trinity Yoga Alumni. How exciting for all of us.
I will refresh your memory by introducing myself as a reminder of our connection with Trinity Yoga. My name is Sharon Thompson, perhaps you will know me as your classmate and fellow graduate of Trinity Yoga teacher program during the year 2004/05. Others may have met me as a facilitator during their Trinity Yoga Teacher training program throughout your Level 1, 2 or 3 the following years in Alberta and BC. Some of you may know me as Mary Jo’s personnel assistant. No matter what - After my graduation from teacher training the door of my life blew wide open. Opening my heart, trusting my intuition, & believing in myself allowed me to accept invitations for growth and self development. Time on my yoga mat, Trinity Yoga personnel development skills, and encouragement from family and friends, gave me wings to relocated to the beautiful Sunshine Coast. Yes, letting go of my Alberta roots and following my heart, I am blessed to live and work at the beach. My yoga is developing with yoga retreats, workshops and learning with an Iyengar teacher.
Trusting my heart, asking myself want makes me happy has expanded my talents into the gift of touch with bodywork and massage. Now I am blessed to be surrounded by Mother Earthfs beauty giving people the gift of healing touch, by the grace of god. There were challenges along the way, tears of letting go, fears of unspoken doubts, however through it all was trust in the flow and my faith in the feeling this being right. I found the courage to move through the process and find contentment.
So, Trinity Yoga Alumni I thank you for the opportunity to share with you my life since graduation. More importantly, I invite you to keep in touch by offering your heartfelt memories of your teacher training, new adventures and lifestyle challenges, or perhaps a little insight to whats happening in your life now. I have feelings of love, and support for the bond that connects us through the fellowship of Trinity Yoga Alumni. Today, I am wishing for more experiences, sharing more adventures, and caring for each of our growth and development. Trinity Yoga Alumni let’s keep in touch. Blessings from Sharon
SPRING CLEANSE - KITCHERIE RECIPE
Mary-Jofs 1 week (or more if you choose) Kitcharee Plan Courtesay Madhuri, INDIGO YOGA. http://www.indigoyogahealing.com
*buy mung beans (the tiny yellow split mung beans/dal) and white basmati rice (it is more easily digested that brown rice and traditionally used in kitcharee
* mung beans are best soaked overnight but if time does not allow a good rinse before cooking works ok as well
* when cooking the kitcharee there may be a foam that surfaces, skim this off of the top as you are cooking this will assist in better digestion
* be creative with the choice of spices and please add vegetables into the pot as you cook to make a really tasty meal
* I have found that I like to use more spice than is generally recommended in a kitcharee recipie- this is fine to do for the nature of your week long kitcharee ecleansef
* the energy that goes into cooking the food is very important, chanting OM mentally or verbally is wonderful or the mantra: Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayi Vichee Namaha
many blessings,
madhuri
The Key to Health ¡X Agni
Food is converted into healthy tissues and organs when it is transformed by a healthy digestive fire, known as agni is then absorbed by the bodyfs cells. According to Ayurveda, everything we take into our bodies through the mouth, breath and skin, and into our minds through our senses and thoughts, is converted for use by digestive agni. In this way, the sum of everything we eat, see, hear, and think becomes who we are.
When our digestive fire is strong and healthy, our tissues and organs are healthy, we have good immunity against disease, and our outlook on life is naturally vibrant and joyful. If our digestive fire is not strong, the food we eat putrefies inside us, which can lead to premature aging, obesity, low energy, low immunity, or emotional disturbances such as depression or anxiety.
The Start of all Disease ¡X Ama
When the digestive agni is weak, undigested food particles begin accumulating in the digestive system, resulting in a mucus-like, toxic substance called ama. This ama forms first in the digestive tract, but sooner or later spills over into the blood, muscles, fat, bone and even the nervous system. According to Ayurveda, accumulated ama is the start of all illnesses. It creates blockages in the bodyfs channels causing stagnant energy of nutrients and leading to disease and emotional disturbances.
How does ama form?
钋 Eating fried or fatty foods, red meat, wheat, and refined sugar
钋 Drinking excess water during meals
钋 Drinking ice cold beverages or ice cream regularly
钋 Eating dry, heavy or cold meals regularly
钋 Staying up late at night or traveling excessively
钋 Having a sedentary or stressful lifestyle
How can you get rid of ama?
钋 Maintaining a strong digestive fire so that all food you eat is fully digested
钋 Taking supportive herbal formulas that dissolve ama and blockages caused by ama
钋 Eliminating ama from the body by fasting or detoxification practices like pancha karma.
Foods that Weaken Digestive Agni
The digestive fire can weaken if you overindulge in spicy, cold or fatty foods, if you eat the wrong kinds of foods for your unique constitution, or if you are under stress. Below is a list of foods that may weaken the digestive fire in all constitutions. These should be avoided or eliminated from your diet if you want to regain vibrant health. If you must eat these foods, try for a maximum of three times per week.
HEAVY TO DIGEST FOODS such as wheat, meat (esp. red meat), refined sugar and deep fried foods. These foods severely decrease the digestive agni and produce mucus and toxic ama.
SOUR AND SPICY FOODS such as tomatoes, all sour fruits (oranges, pineapples, lemons, grapefruits etc.), vinegars and hot spices like chilies. These foods, when eaten excessively, increase pitta heat in the body and eventually reduce digestive power.
FERMENTED FOODS such as yogurt, alcohol, cheese (especially old and hard ones like Bleu cheese, camembert, brie, etc.) and yeast containing foods such as veggie pâtés, soy sauce and beer. Foods that are fermented are sour and heating in nature and though they balance vata in small amounts, they increase pitta. This results in more gas, as well as decreased digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
ICE COLD FOODS AND DRINKS kill the digestive fire. They are best avoided totally. If taken as refreshment during hot summer days, wait 2 hours after or before meals.
CANNED, PACKAGED AND MICROWAVED FOODS! They have limited nutritional value, weaken the digestive fire and produce toxins in the body.
Ayurvedic Recipes
Food should taste, smell and look delicious, as this combination causes our digestive fire to blaze and our food to digest well. Like any cooking discipline, there are elements of both art and science involved. The key to learning how to cook Ayurvedically is to start with a good recipe, and then gradually branch out from there.
Kichari
THE PRIMARY BALANCING FOOD
Kichari is a nourishing and delicious dish of basmati rice cooked with split mung beans, ghee and spices. It is one of the staples of the Ayurvedic diet and is often the only food that is served during the detoxification and rejuvenation therapies of pancha karma. Kichari is suitable for all body types and is highly nutritious, a near perfect blend of proteins and nutrients. Since it does not aggravate Vata, Pitta or Kapha, eating it alone for a few days at a time allows the body to rest and recuperate during illness or intensive therapy. Kichari can be served by itself or with vegetables, and the consistency may be like a soup or more like a rice dish or casserole.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup basmati rice
1 cup split mung beans (yellow mung dhal)*
1 tsp. mustard seeds
1 tsp. cumin powder *
1 tsp coriander powder *
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp Grated ginger
Serve with grated coconut, sea salt, fresh lime, chopped cilantro
* These quantities can be doubled or modified for more flavor or different properties.
PREPARATION
Heat the spices in a large deep saucepan with a little bit of water. When the mustard seeds pop, add cumin, coriander, turmeric. Sauté for a minute or so, then add the split mung beans and finally the rice. Stir until all foods are flavored and colored with the spice mixture. Add 5 to 8 cups of water and let the food come to a boil. After 5 minutes, reduce heat to simmer and let cook for about 30-35 minutes or until the beans are completely soft. Then and only then, add a little salt. Serve the dish with freshly chopped cilantro. You can add more water if you like a more soupy consistency. As mentioned above, you can experiment with different vegetables and spices to create different flavors and different properties. You can add your chosen vegetables during the last 15-20 minutes of your cooking time. Always be mindful of the properties of all foods you eat, and try to eat according to your dosha. Winter squash is best for extra fiber, greens are best for balancing the spicy qualities of the herbs.
Green Mung Bean Soup
BENEFITS
In Ayurveda, Mung Bean Soup (also called mung dal) has a magical and powerful effect! It helps to balance all 3 doshas. Its spices are part of the medicinal quality of this delicious and nourishing soup. When combined with certain sharp and penetrating herbs, the blocks created by ama (toxic mucus that lodges in the body over time due to poor diet, lack of exercise and wrong lifestyle) are broken and flushed out of the body.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup whole green Mung beans - soaked overnight in 2 cups water + 1 tsp. salt
4 cups fresh water after straining soaked beans ¡V add more to make it more soupy
1 tbs. Sunflower oil or ghee
½ tsp. Mustard seeds *
1 Bay leaf
½ tsp. Turmeric
1 tsp. mixed Cumin and Coriander Powder *
1½ tsp. Ginger - chopped or grated
1½ tsp. Lemon juice
1 tsp. raw Sugar cane juice—succanat (optional)
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
*you can double the amount of these spices if you want to add more taste
METHOD OF PREPARATION
Soak the whole green mung beans overnight in water. Drain the mung beans, wash them two times and then cook them for about 40-45 minutes (the hulls should be broken.) In a separate large and deep saucepan, heat the oil or ghee and add mustard seeds. When mustard seeds pop, bay leaf, turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well and do not allow to burn. Place the cooked beans with the fresh water and the remaining ingredients into the herbal mixture in the saucepan. Bring to a boil then simmer for a few minutes more. Enjoy!
MUNG BEAN SOUP CURE:
It is beneficial to fast on Mung Bean Soup. You can start with 3-5 day fast, eating only mung bean soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then add cooked vegetables like squashes and leafy greens for two days. Finally, add a ½ cup of rice for two days. Then return to your normal diet. You can also do a mung soup fast for half a day if you feel you have eaten something too heavy the day before.
Rice Gruel
HEALTH BENEFITS:
Rice gruel is a light and digestible breakfast or snack food to eat during the day. It is a very nourishing food.
INGREDIENTS
½ cup basmati rice
2-4 cups hot water
1 tsp ginger root
1/4 tsp. salt
PREPARATION
Rinse the rice and cook for around 35-40 minutes
For different tastes: Use ¼ teaspoon each of cinnamon and cardamom, with a pinch of saffron, sweeten with maple syrup or succanat. Or, alternately: Use ¼ tsp each of cumin, coriander and fennel, with a squirt of Braggfs Liquid aminos or squeeze of lemon juice to taste.
NOTE: You may add more water and blend into a warm smoothie for easier digestion.
Ginger Water
Ginger water has the quality to cut into and loosen mucus as well as stimulate your digestive fire. Due to this stimulating action on the digestion it is also the perfect drink to be taken either before you eat a meal or half an hour afterwards.
To make:Cut 4-5 slices of fresh ginger root and place in a pan of water. Bring it to a boil and allow it to simmer for at least 5 minutes. Strain into a mug and enjoy! If you wish to sweeten it with honey, add it only after the liquid has cooled to drinking temperature, as honey is not heat stable.
