Lessons of Mindfulness

Approaching your life from a healing perception, requires inner wakefulness and personal acceptance of personal responsibilities. Lack of motivation, old habits, laziness, self-deception and passive states of mind are not conductive for those who seek to walk path of freedom and bliss.

Ayurveda and yoga are tools that encourage mindfulness in every aspect of your life. From the simple acts of awaking to the morning sun, taking your dog on a morning walk, holding the elevator for a co-worker, making time to enjoy a meal, and of course retiring at night to a star filled sky, the elements of yoga and Ayurveda teach conscious choices at every step in your life.

We all have varying experiences with food. I sometimes equate eating with relationships. At one moment the senses stimulate pleasing memories, taste activate moments of bliss, and there are times when we eat so fast that we barely remember what we ate. The tools of Ayurveda and yoga help us to become aware of the joyous process of food. It initially starts with purchasing organically grown foods from local farmers, cooking with fresh ingredients, inhaling with deep appreciation the bounty you have been given, and finally mindfully consuming the meal.

With food and in life, allow yourself time to slowly connect and experience of joy in front of you. When we consciously slow down the process of accepting the beauty in front of us, we naturally return to our true state of happiness.

Ayurveda, yoga & fibromyalgia

Here are a few recommendations I'm including in the July 2008 Shakti eNewsletter. I'm really into Ayurveda, and each month I share a few tips and recommentations.

Simple Treatments for Fibromyalgia

Do you have pain from head to toe? Are you tossing and turning each night and unable to sleep? Do you wake up to pain and a foggy brain in the morning? These are common symptoms experienced by those suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Within the science of Ayurveda, it is believed that these symptoms are a result of a Vata imbalance. Vata is the main imbalance and Aggravated Vata destabilizes the nervous system and can create hypersensitivity leading to pain and tenderness. The following are Ayurvedic treatments that can bring Vata in balance, directly address of the cause of FMS/CFS and effectively treat the symptoms.

Things to eat: Vegetable juices & soups (carrot, cucumber, & beetroot), coconut water/coconut milk, cooked vegetables, spices (cumin, coriander, & ginger asafetida), green salad with a dressing of lemon juice and a little salt.

Things to avoid: Eating hot, spicy & fried foods, drinking too much tea, coffee, alcohol, sleeping during the day and staying up late at night, and of course, avoid mental tensions.

Yoga Practice: It is well documented that fibromyalgia is often worsened by heightened stress, anxiety and mental fatigue. Therefore, the practice of yoga is highly recommended. Practice meditation, yoga asana (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), or study spiritual philosophy. All of these will help support personal healing and relaxation of the mind.Yoga Asana Class recommendations: Restorative Yoga (Shakti Sweetness every Sat at 4pm), Yoga Nidra (soon this will be added to the Shakti schedule), slow moving vinyasa (if it feels comfortable – pausing in child’s pose when needed).

Things you can do at home: hot baths, relaxation music, bodywork (gentle massage), energy work (Reiki), and gentle exercise at home.