1- I am eating healthy, very healthy, as in mostly salads or raw food when possible. Yesterday I tried flax seed oil with lunch and it felt as if my body was grateful. If it could speak it would have said something like "what took you so long"? "feed me this always". But what am I saying, it CAN speak... you know what I mean. The flax seed oil tastes delicious and is packed with nutrition. In general I am very conscious of what goes into my body, the spring has made it even more so.2- I am taking a supplement for joint-wellbeing that has Glucosamine MSM and Chondroitin, not exactly the brand shown in the picture, but rather one I found in the Whole Foods. Talking to Boodiba the other day she suggested upping the dose, so I am taking two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
3. I am pushing the practice a bit over the edge, breathing deeply and staying for 6 counts (or 10, or more, or a lot more) in the difficult poses.
4.- I am drinking plenty of water and a lot less coffee. Whenever possible I replace the after-practice coffee with a vegetable juice, which I find makes it easier to have a lighter or completely skip any plans for starchy breakfasts.
5- Focus on pranayama, so that attention to the breathing is easier during practice. Also I find that the breathing exercises help me in attempted drop backs. When the body gets into extraordinary pressured positions (as in the hanging in), having the air flow into all possible places makes a whole world of difference.
6- Allow myself other creative endeavors, like cooking, or un-cooking (raw), dancing, meeting friends.
7- I watch what goes into my mind too, and keep it light, towards a "santosha" attitude.
A few other things I may be trying soon involve bathing in castor oil and taking epson baths.
I feel very blessed to be able to do all of this, I do not take anything for granted, I give thanks every day.
Have you changed any habits due to the spring energy coming in?
Nice list.
ReplyDeleteIn case you didn't know this: Flax seed oil is excellent (I reaaally love it)however, it is a very Volitile Oil - it goes rancid extremely quickly. So always - keep it refridgerated - even if you haven't started using it yet.
And when you do start using it, don't leave it in the fridge too long (like over a few weeks).
What I do now, is get the smaller size bottle, so I use it up quicker.
You can also put a table spoon of the oil in your smoothies (depends on what kind of smoothy of course).
Also try Hemp seed oil. Very lovely!
Enjoy!
Judith
I didn't know flax seed oil was good to eat! I'm taking the supplements, but yes I keep the jar in the fridge. I have a sandwich baggie of the capsules at work though. I leave those on my desk for my lunch time intake.
ReplyDeleteMy spring time attitude this year could be summed up as Gratitude. It's made me feel lighter and happier. And so while I continue with my relatively debauched (for a yogi) ways, I am bouncy and merry.
I think my wardrobe could use a little spring update... All my clothes are SO vagabond...
True about the Estrogen...And since I so love the taste of the Flax Oil, and tended to use it too liberally, I have eased up on it, and at times leave it for many months.
ReplyDeleteIn my case I needed to do this, but again depends on the individual.
Like with everything, before using, it is good to know what the body needs. What to add - what to take away.
Judith
Hi Judith, thank you so much for telling me all of this about the flax oil, I actually did buy the small bottle, (just because of the price), did not know it was good practice, and will keep it refrigerated, and as per Anonymous and you I guess I will also go easy on it... No wonder my body liked it SOOO much, must be the estrogen...
ReplyDeleteDear, just did a google search on flax seed oil estrogen overload... getting an education right now... thanks guys
Boodiba, I like your attitude of gratitude, it does have that lighter effect you speak of, and also, at least in my case, sometimes I forget how lucky I am to be able to practice, have access to amazing teachers, have a studio nearby, have come accross yoga in this lifetime, there is so much to be grateful for... and as per a new wardrobe... that is ALWAYS a good idea, we are girls after all!
The one thing I am truly rich in is friendship!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't thinking a whole, new wardrobe, but I could use some new summer t-shirts for sure. If I can motivate myself I will do a little shopping this weekend. I am one of those rare women who does not really enjoy shopping.
Boodiba - I don't like shopping either! I put if off until it's dire, then I buy a bunch of clothes all at once, usually keeping it really simple. Last week, I bought 10 tank tops at Old Navy and the cashier's eyes were bugging out.
ReplyDeleteClaudia - This is such a great post! Thanks for sharing the information. I had to stop eating flax oil because it made my face break out (but fresh ground flax meal is okay in my smoothies). I'm curious about the castor/almond oil bath, though. I do have excess pitta and I've been noticing it lately.
Hi Kaivalya, you are welcome, interesting the reaction to the flax seed oil... today I had a salad again with it, and for some reason I just enjoyed it quite a bit AGAIN, and quite a bit, but will take it easy now, maybe not tomorrow.... I am not sure about the effects of the bathing in oil for the pita constitution... but I do know I enjoy those baths in the spring... :-)
ReplyDeleteand to both B and K, I kind of do the same thing, I like the Loft, and usually get lots of things all at once. Interesting that we seem similar in that way.
Anyone try Castor Oil in the Sauna?
ReplyDeleteI slather myself in it - esp. around the knees - shoulders - make a "pack" for my liver - and then stay in the sauna for about 20 to 30 mins.
Do it once sometimes twice a week. Sometimes I also put it in my hair.
Afterwards, shower it off - I love it. Think it is oke to do in the sauna, not sure though.
Judith
Oh that sounds great! I do a castor oil / epson salt bath nearly every night right now. It really helps with the soreness.
ReplyDeleteJudith, I tried the castor oil in the steam bath in Thailand and remember it being lovely, joints felt a lot better in the next practice. never tried it in a sauna, but that is a great idea!, I think I will!
ReplyDeleteDo you use a special soap to take it out? I like the castor oil, with lemon, it works pretty well, but I am curious what you use especially on your hair!
Bodiba, I did not know you did them EVERY night! wow!
Just about! Not every single night in the summer in NYC, but right now... with the length of my practice? Ya. I buy the really big bags of salt at Rite Aid, two at a time.
ReplyDeleteI just use a body wash, and it's fine. But even if I'm still a bit oily, I don't mind esp in winter the skin tends to be dry, so I don't mind if it doesn't all come off.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my hair, I shamppo it thoroughly, and like the skin, there may be a bit residue, but I figure....next day's shamoo...
I have been doint the Epsom Salt baths for decades on my mom's recommendation. Unfortunately, she can no longer do them, because she's a diabetic.
***Very important - diabetics should not use Epsom Salts*** It actually says so on the box.
Can result in death.
But otherwise, it's awesome.
J
hi Claudia
ReplyDeletein my nutrition newsgroups they mentioned how flax seed oil is very good for lubricating your body from the inside out, so that you won't need to use moisturizers. So how interesting that you're consuming it. I'm not sure i can get it in China, though.
hugs
Arturo
oh! i just learned i have a new use for the 5 packages of epsom salts that i will have back in SH now. people brought them so I could do an internal cleanse, but i could use it to soften the muscles. neat.
ReplyDelete