Yoga and Meditation For Low Energy

I have 2 choices which always work for me and make me feel full of energy. It depends on the amount of time I have but also which appeals the most. I usually start to feel tired around 2 pm and if at home this is my special time to practice. They don't require physical effort, all you have to is lie down!

The two asanas that always work for me when I"m feeling tires are:

Legs Up The Wall   Viparita Karani for a minimum of 15 minutes

Corpse Pose    Savasana. I have a collection of CDS which I am gradually adding to. Yoga Nidra, Chakra Balancing, Childrens Meditation. I chose one lie down for 15 - 30 minutes and relax.

Yoga doesn't have to be HARDWORK Yoga means union, union of the body, the mind, the breath and once connected, rested and restored I feel as lively as when I first woke up. Occasionally I fall asleep but only if I am really tired/feeling a bit un well and I always come back when prompted. Sometimes you need to sleep.

Ayurvedic Therapy for Winter

I have started moaning about the cold. When I catch myself I remind myself we have such beautiful weather here on the coast. Winter is the time for putting on some extra layers, lighting the fire, enjoying the crisp morning air, bush walks and enjoying the warmth of the sun. If you are beginning to feel the winter blues as we move into this colder and darker season.

Take yourself down to the beach, breath in the ocean air, feel the sun warming and energising and appreciate the beauty around you. No matter what happens in your life the sun will shine again. Live in the moment.

Ayurveda offers lifestyle. diet and even yoga postures to keep you healthy. We are connected to and influenced by the weather and the seasons.

We will begin classes standing and practice more strengthening warming asanas before our sitting/lying down postures.

We have been practicing some of the more warming postures and flow sequences already. These are simple VINYASA moving from one position to the next - one breath, one movement. I introduce them slowly because it is easy to fling yourself into these positions and injure yourself. You need to have a good feel for each position in the traditional HATHA holding form before moving on. I will always carefully demonstrate each posture first and encourage you to stay there until you feel confident with all the asanas in the sequence.

A change of diet? Winter is the time to add a little warmth to your diet. Spicy food, stew and warming soups. Nearly all spices are warming in nature and can be used in cooking. Be careful with chilli's though they can be an irritant and should not be used in excess.

A RECIPE      GYPSY SOUP      A KAPHA WARMING SOUP

From the MOOSEWOOD COOKBOOK

It is best to soak and cook your own chickpeas. Soak overnight and cook for 1 1/2 hours.

Use a tin if time is limited.

Saute in 3 -4 tablespoons of coconut oil, ghee or butter, 1 chopped onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup chopped celery and 2 cups of sweet potatoes. 3 - 4minutes.

Then add spices 2 teaspoons of paprike, 1 teaspoon basil, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, dash cinnamon, dash of cayene pepper, 1 bayleaf.

Add 3 cups of filtered water and simmer covered for 10 mnutes.

Then add chickpeas, 1 cup of fresh tomatoes and 2 capsicum. Different colours add different flavonoids to the soup.

I use as amny organic ingredients as possible.

I will make a couple of soups for lunch at the retreat in August and October.