Time for Tuscany

It´s a privilige to teach, breathe and share my yoga in this beautiful area once again.
Blessed be the Universe

Restore & Revitalize 2013

S P R I N G

It´s happening again.
The Spiral Of Life
We have already passed Spring Equinox and the days are getting longer.
But I have to admit that I still feel like a hibernating Mama Bear.
It`s time for cleansing out old winterdust with heaps of meditation and breathingwork.
Plant the seeds you wan`t to grow in your inner garden.
And nourish the ones who`s already there.

Keep your heart planted in the dirt.



there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I'm not going
to let anybody see

charles Bukowski

Tussilago Farfara

Always Time for Abhyanga

Abhyanga अभ्यंग or अभ्यङ्ग in Sanskrit,
(ayurvedic self oil massage)  is a wonderful way to show yourself some sweet love.
Makes you glow from the inside.

Benefits:

• Cleansing your body (detoxify)  
• Nourishes mind and body
• Rejuvenates the whole body
• Increases longevity
• Delays aging
• Relives fatigue
• Builds stamina
• Increased circulation
• Toning of the muscles
• Calming for the nerves
• Lubrication of the joints
• Increased mental alertness
• Softer, smoother skin
• Better, deeper sleep at night
•  Pacifies vata and pitta

How to Do Abhyanga, a Self Massage with Warm Oil ( Banyan Botanicals )

Satya

Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?

These three short but very powerful questions have been attributed to Socrates, Sufi, Buddha and different people who all believe in enlightenment.

Three very useful reminders when we communicate with others.
And three questions you can ask yourself when you speak about other people and most importantly when you speak about yourself.

I believe that the words we use about ourselves are like written affirmations – they confirm what we believe about ourselves – and give permission to other people to treat us in the way we describe.

Satya – Commitment to Truthfulness
In the Yoga Sutra (Chapter II, verse 30), Patanjali presents to yoga students the concept of satya (truth) 
Read more about the yogic practice of satya (truth) in Yoga Journal here.

Satya means "to speak the truth," yet it is not always desirable to speak the truth on all occasions, for it could harm someone unnecessarily.
We have to consider what we say, how we say it, and in what way it could affect others.
If speaking the truth has negative consequences for another, then it is better to say nothing.

I´m preparing for six days study of  Zen Coaching, which, also includes the teachings of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), developed by Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D.
So far it`s been a great support for deepening my practice and understanding of satya on and of the mat.


To speak from satya is to bring out the very best in others and in ourselves.
Both on and off the mat.
When we speak from a place of awareness , we are creating the universe we want to be in for the rest of our lives.

In Love M

Google pic wisdom

Abhyanga

Come October, come November, change is in the air.

Outdoors the temperature is cool, the air is dryer, and the winds pick up -- in an Ayurvedic perspective: it's Vata season!

The Vata inside your body will increase because of the condition of the weather outside.
This is because like increases like in Ayurveda.
Everyone will feel better pleasing and nourishing Vata for these coming months

As your Vata gets aggravated, you may start feeling stressed or fatigued, dry skin, and lack of sleep.You may also have huge sweet cravings.
Make sure to establish a steady daily routine , staying calm, warm and nourished...


Abhyanga - the sanskrit word for ayurvedic daily oil massage.

When I visited India earlier this year, I had a couple of Abhyangas.
It was not like any massage I had before.
The first massage was at my birthday.
Februar. A very hot day,
Totally naked. H U G E amount of oil.
Lying on a wooden bench while 2 or 3 peope using their warm hands releasing any stress in your body.
Oil everywhere.
Then the shower. They give you a shower. Yes - you do not need to do anything.
Just relaxing(?) on a chair, waiting, while they slowly, wash away the oil. Every little corner of your skin.
Washing your hair. Singing. Humming.Smiling.
I felt like a newborn child. Purified.

I use organic sesame oil for self- massage all year around.
But it`s even more important during these cold and dark months here in the North.

You need:
Organic sesame oil. Make a note: Not the toasted, dark oil !
To purify the massage oil, “cure” it by healing it to about 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
You don`t n e e d to purify the oil, but if you have the time - make a try!
Do this once
Before using the oil. Warm the bottle a few second in warm water from the spring.

You can use the oil for massage in the mornings and evenings.
Begin with the feet. Rub the soles of the feet, especially good before sleep.
Massage the hole body before showering in the morning. Or just around your hip area.
Rub the oil gently into the scalp, yes, it will be greasy so maybe save that to the evenings or before schampooing the hair.


You can also place the oil in your ears and nose to help prevent colds, flus, sore throats, sinus congestion and allergies.
Just dip the pinky in some warm oil and insert through the nose :)


Be kind to yourself.
Make the cold, dark months a little more sweet.

Blesings maria

What`s Your Dosha?

In Ayurveda (often translated as the “science of life”)
the five elements of space, air, earth, fire and water make up everything in the universe including the human body. These elements come together to create three different constitutional types, or doshas, known as
Vata (airy), Pitta (fiery), and Kapha (earthy).
Knowing your type can help you understand what foods, exercises, and lifestyle elements can support and nurture your health and which ones can cause imbalance.
More than just a system of natural medicine, it is a way of living that encompasses lifestyle and diet, as well as medicine, bodywork, astrology, philosophy and psychology.
It touches upon every aspect of life.

Every individual will have one or more of these doshas in excess, and that is what defines one’s constitution. If you want to know your Dosha (or know more about yourself) I suggest you to visit an ayurvedic consultant. That can be a life changing process for sure.

You can also do a simple test on the web, just for fun.
Be honest when you read the 3 questions below, and get a hint of what dosha you might be ;)


Personality:
vata) “can I change my mind”?
pitta) “it’s my way or the highway”
kapha) “don’t worry be happy”


And smile ;)