July 2018

I am typing this newsletter with my left hand and I am enjoying the experience. Injuring my right arm is slowing me down and helping me practice every day mindfulness. It has also made me realise how weak my left arm is compared to the right. Yoga teaches how important it is to be balanced. My yoga postures feel balanced, I feel balanced, but clearly I am not. Even when I have my right arm back, I am going to spend more time using my left. I could see my injury as a negative experience but I am using it to teach me to SLOW DOWN and be more aware of what I am doing. I enjoyed vacuuming maybe for the first time…!

What else has it taught me ?

I have a strong core and good balance.

When I need it most my meditation practice is there for me. After I tripped and landed hard on my outstretched wrist. I felt dizzy with pain. I laid on my back in the grass, closed my eyes and chose to stay for 100 breaths, it was lovely. The sun was warm and the pain disappeared quickly, a horse came over to keep me company. I got to 100 breaths and didn’t want to get up. But I decided it was time to try and drive home. I had the new car with it’s power steering and stability and I was able to drive, a bit slow around the bends but safely.

Practice your own left handed house work meditation and enjoy being in the moment, being more focused and becoming balanced and stronger in both arms.

MUSIC THERAPY

Music is very important in yoga. Hearing is one of our 5 senses and effects how we feel. Sound healing or music therapy is  regarded as a powerful tool for wellbeing and health. Not all music has positive benefits, music with swearing and jarring tones should be avoided as it can increase anger and mental health issues.

 Yoga music and song has been practiced for thousands of years with special instruments and harmonies for different health problems. Musical notes effect different parts of the body and mind. When you sing  low notes they vibrate in your belly and high notes in your head.

The music I play before class is from a carefully chosen yoga music CD for a specific purpose. Usually it is to relax you as you come into the room. It is a reminder to your mind, to let go of the outside

world. I like to imagine the vibrations from my singing bowl which I use at the end of class connecting us all and creating harmony.

Here is what Dr Gaynor an oncologist, has to say about music or sound healing.

“music can boost the immune system, decrease stress and lower heart rate and blood pressure, and induce alpha and theta brain wave patterns which are associated with the production of endorphins, the bodies natural pain killers...As a physician I have never found a more powerful healing modality”

This month some of my meditation workshops will be listening to Dr Gayors music and meditations. They are more uplifting than what I am used to and make me want to dance. Perfect for winter when we need more motivation. Chanting and singing also lifts the spirits and helps bring joy and happiness into your life and we will be extending the Om workshops as everyone including me has enjoyed them.

To create balance in our noisy lives I will also teach you SHUNYA MUDRA. Observe a daily practice of silence, start with 5 minutes. Without speaking, reading, watching TV or listening to music and move into the void or nothingness...no thoughts, just calm. Remember practice makes perfect with everything in life, yoga and meditation can slowly change your life. Your body becomes stronger, you become more focused, calm and content.

Essential Oils for winter

These are warming, stimulating and uplifting oils as winter is the time we tend to slow down. Winter can bring on depression - the winter blues. They are also good for colds and flus, fluid retention and weight gain. The oil blend I use for this time of the year is for balancing kapha energy. Earth and water and smells wonderful. In a diffuser add 4 drops of Orange, Eucalypt and Peppermint.

Food Therapy - Fruit for Winter

Oranges and Mandarins are wonderful to eat this time of year. As you peel them you inhale the essential oils which are uplifting - zest for life. (Orange juice from a carton, even freshly squeezed has lost most of its nutrition and is very acidic. Avoid it !)

Eat the white pith which contains vitamin P. Vitamin p is essential for strong blood capillaries and protects against varicose veins it is also needed to absorb vitamin c

Oranges contain a high amount of calcium and phosphorus which in combination with vitamin p promote healthy skin and hair.

Hesperidin in oranges lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and is anti inflammatory.

If you need inspiring to eat healthy, natural food this nutritional information came from Laugh With Health by Manfred Urs Koch. A wonderful book full of knowledge, colour and advise.

We are lucky enough to be able to grow mandarins and oranges on the Coast, my mandarin trees are fruiting and the taste is vibrant and delicious. Winter is a time for planning, plan your own small citrus garden. They take about 10 years to produce well. If you move you are leaving something special behind for another family to enjoy. When they flower in spring and summer the fragrance can’t help but make you smile.                

   Enjoy the cooler months.   Namaste Julie