Yoga Detox November

Picture from yoga-photos. So beautiful.

If you weren't aware yet, recently I have been studying a yoga course- a yoga diploma to be exact! This is not a 2 week intensive course, as tempting as it sounded, I chose the longer road where theory, history, meditation and spiritual integration are as important as the physical yoga practice. This course is absolutely fascinating but it is a lot of work and demands a lot of my energy outside of work. As the saying goes, you get out what you put in...

Every year I do a detox, some more intense than others and I'd have to say diet wise I eat ideally most of the time. This is normally as a Summer preparation, to be super healthy by Christmas. This year I've decided to do a Yoga Detox. My theory is I eat so well all of the time and the next level is fasting, which I'm not in real need for. Instead I'll be committing myself to yoga everyday, focussing on core strength, flexibility, grounding and mind/ body integration. My normal yoga routine is 1 hour 3 or 4 times a week but for the month of November I'll be doing an hour a day, every day.

Seane Corn's Detox Flow Yoga A Guided Practice to Purify Body, Mind, and Spirit, is my source of inspiration and what I'll be referring to a lot throughout the month. 

How does yoga detoxify?
On a physical level yoga like all exercise stimulates the circulation of blood and Qi/ Prana/ Life force, "switches" on certain organs and glands, moves the lymphatic system, improves the respiratory function and encourages waste flow out of the body but that's not REALLY what yoga is about. Yoga is about becoming one with yourself and the universe, to not identify with your mind/ ego, to discover who you are and be at peace with that and everything else. Consistent yoga practice will calm the mind and consequencely stabilise the emotions.

We can say this is a "karmic" detox, let me explain how...
                                                                                                                                                                   
Yoga and Vegetarianism by Sharon Gannon
"Karma means "action" and includes every thought, word, and deed we have done."
In my words Karma is experience.

"We energetically relive past karmic experiences that have been stored in the cells and tissues of our physical body."
Everything we have experienced is brought to consciousness, up to the surface through yoga postures.

"Our bodies don't lie: they tell the story of our past."
Our karma is part of our cellular memory. It's what makes us who we are and is never forgotten, perhaps it becomes a part of our DNA.

"For something to be a yoga practice, it must help us purify these karmas"
If we have stored all of our experiences in our body then we can use the body, by practicing yoga, to make peace with our karmic experiences. No more skeletons in the closet...

"While we are engaged in certain asanas, particular physical and mental feelings arise. These feelings provide valuable insight into the nature of our personality- self."
 As the karma is released we feel it, learn from it and let it go and become more "enlightened" or aware.


By the way, "Yoga and Vegetarianism" has a cute and quirky cover but don't be fooled by the pretty girl on the front (I was!). Sharon Gannon, a long term vegan, speaks about the ethics of using animal products, the exploitation, history and the reality of today's animal product industry in the name of fashion, health, politics, science and survival. I admit that one part brought tears to my eyes and I had to put the book down!

Why am I doing this?
My intention is to commit more to my health (yes!) but also in dedication to clearing some karma. 30 days of yoga to "detoxify" myself on every level and to see where a fully practicing yogini lifestyle could take me. Will I gain more insight into myself or my life? Besides firmer thighs and sparkly eyes, what else will reveal itself to me?
I'd like to motivate anyone else who reads my blog to consider doing something similar. Commit to your health for the month of November. It can be a small goal such as a daily walk, a freshly squeezed vegetable/ fruit juice or 10 minutes of solitude/ meditation/ "me" time. Make one thing happen this month for an hour a day to honour your health.

What will I be doing exactly?
1. An hour's yoga practice a day (minimum)...
It doesn't seem like much but I have to work, rest, study and play still PLUS my sister is getting married this month and I still need to keep up the commitments I have to everything else.

2. Weekly journal...
To reflect on how I'm feeling; what I'm looking like and what I've been doing. As long as it's somewhat interesting, I'll post it.

3. Final yoga sequence... my take on the month and what I've achieved.

4. Karmic detox completed : )

What's in my shopping basket?

I'm a fan of organics and most of my weekly shopping is at the organic markets/ shops around Adelaide. My favourite for groceries is The Stirling Organic Market and Cafe, the produce is awesome and I enjoy the drive. The green section is what keeps me going back... plus the hippy, little cafe section serves great food. The menu never changes and it's always busy.

My shopping list updates itself regularly, depending on season, new information and availability but this is what it's looking like this week...

Jasmine and green Qi tea
Biodynamic eggs (very happy chickens)
Paris Creek raw milk (very happy cows)
Raw honey by the Honey Lady in Willunga (Yum!)
Loving Earth chocolate
Fresh greens, pink lady apples, bananas, cabbage, chillies, sweet potato, cucmber, capscium, almonds, durian, coconut, buckwheat and muesli

This is a good range of foods to make salad, soups, breakfasts, smoothies, desserts and snacks... easy!

Sometimes I go to the Vietnamese grocer in the Adelaide Central Markets. Loads of conventional greens, teas, condiments and weird food products I wouldn't know what to do with! My visit here is because I'm searching for durian, my Babushka has lost her sense of smell, so this fruit works for her. Also, the young Thai coconuts I plan on experimenting with to make kefir (may do a post on this experiement later).

My last stop is to pick up things I can't get from the markets ie hair ties, tissues etc at the local supermarket. It's interesting to note in recent years just how many Woolies brand products are on the shelves. Less choice means less competition and more control over price. I always avoid the plain labels as much as I can. Not only that but let's compare the quality of food they offer...

Wheat flour (bleached), iodised salt, soya flour (possibly genetically modifed, it doesn't say so otherwise), added vitamins and preservatives... yum???

I like how the packaging is so convincing, this product also has additives...

Oh this one peeves me! So fresh looking but lacking in quality. You can't compare this tea ...

to this tea...

I understand we all have bills to pay but put it in perspective. Value what you put into your body as much as what you wear, the cosmetics you use, the investments you own and the people you spend most of your time with. What you do now matters.

Best Chai comes from Bliss...

My favourite organic, veggo, healthy hang-out is Bliss Organic Garden Cafe, located on Compton Street, (just off Gouger) near the Adelaide Central Markets. It's family owned, locally sourced and sustained, environmentally conscious and a very cool place to eat at.


Bliss Chai...

They offer awesome food all organic vegan, cooked or raw, seasonal, healthy or indulgent and have the BEST chai in Adelaide. Also, if I'm not mistaken at the moment it's the only place in Adelaide that makes a green smoothie. It's laid back and has the cutest tea garden out the back. Perfect for a lazy brunch, lunch or tea catch up. These guys sell t-shirts, music, raw chocolate, supplements, healthy snacks and books and there is a yoga studio right next door. Bliss yes??

Tea garden...

Bliss also offers "raw" and gluten-free options on their menu (check out their food pics). If you want to eat somewhere and still feel like your belly loves you then choose from this menu, it's guaranteed to make you feel BETTER than when you came in. I've always noticed that no matter how "light" a meal I order from conventional cafes, I always end up feeling a bit bloated. My own home-made meals make me feel healthier, yet they contain mostly the same ingredients hmmm? Delicious food, made by someone else and makes you feel good. I'm a picky eater and that's a win-win for me!

I really want those t-shirts... mental note, pick up next time!

These guys are big on health and stock quite a few superfoods, ask them how to incorporate it into your diet... they'll be happy to help.


Organic goji berries...

This coconut butter is SO good!



Vanilla pods...



Kitchen staple...

South Australian made raw chocolate, this is gorgeous, handmade chocolate.... 

Make time to visit Bliss when you want healthy inspiration and have a beautiful day!

It's been a while and I'm SORRY!

I'm human and not a super hero, so I haven't posted. Luckily, it's well and truly Spring and being the season for growth and new beginnings, it has inspired me to do a little writing...

It seems we've had a long winter and now a little bit of sun to warm up our days and perk up our moods. Originally, this post was about "Beating the Mid-Winter Blues". It was going to be about how important the sun is for our health and wellbeing... It's obviously too late for that now, maybe next year ; )

This post is a review on "Naked Beauty" by Shakaya Leone, who has just launched the website Earth Empress. I love it! It's filled with practical information, recipes and ways to transform yourself from the inside out  physically and spiritually (the only way to do so, if you ask me). This book is all about cultivating self-love and it's written with passion. Shakaya lives her truth and has lovingly put it all into a book. It is very inspiring for all women.

The book is scattered with quotes and poetry on beauty, which is uplifting. I'm always looking for quotes on life, love, beauty, wisdom and the like but there are sections that will challenge your thinking. Perhaps not all of it is for me but I'm certainly interested in having a read of it. Shakaya also provides historical content from famous beauties like Cleopatra and also a beauty perspective from around the globe, East to West.

Her approach is based on a raw vegan diet, filled with copious greens, fresh fruit and superfoods, healthy oils and hydrating juices, elixirs and smoothies. Even if you follow around 80% of the ideas she expresses you can only benefit from it. Expect to have better hair, skin, nails and an inner glow that cannot go unnoticed.

My favourite chapter is "Goddess Soups and Fairy Teas" which are all natural, do-it-yourself recipes for Spa baths and body polishes. Mermaid's Oceania Detox Bath and One-Hot-Minute Neroli Body Oil are SO nice! The beauty of bathing and anointing yourself with body oils is gauranteed to make yourself feel and look like a Goddess.

Remember, now is the time to change what we've been eating. Increasing the proportion of lighter, greener, fresher and fruitier meals to the heavier Wintery ones will do wonders to your digestive system. Increase your fluids and improve your exercise regime. There are no excuses now, the sun is coming out so get intune with the season!