Lifestyle

Simplify the Holidays

Why has this season become about buying a lot of stuff? Don’t get me wrong, I believe that having things that make life more easeful and enjoyable is a good thing but we all know that our self-worth and true happiness does not depend on the things we own. Again and again studies show that having more stuff actually lowers our life satisfaction while spending time with friends, loved ones, and in nature increases our day to day pleasure and well-being. The Center for a New American Dream has some great suggestions to simplify the holidays. Here are just a few, but you can see more and take the “Beyond Consumerism Challenge” HERE GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME by creating your own gift card for a service (e.g., babysitting, carwashing, petsitting, chores, making dinner, organizing an outing). GIVE A HANDMADE GIFT like a memoir of cherished memories with that person, a […]

26 Minutes to Greater Well Being

Are you finding yourself spread thin this time of year? Working all day then off to the office holiday party at night? A Saturday full of errands and shopping then headed to a cocktail party with your friends? PAUSE! In the late afternoon take a 26 minute nap. If you can’t fall asleep it’s fine, treat it like Savasana. Studies show that a 26 minutes nap each day is the perfect amount of time recharge, rejuvenate, and revitalize your body. More than that can make you sluggish, less might not give your body the time to restore enough to get the boost you need. Make this a daily habit to reduce fatigue and stress and watch your productivity, alertness, mood, and even your health improve.

Clear the Clutter!

As human beings we tend to accumulate stuff! If you have things around you don’t use they represent stagnant energy, even the stuff you have forgotten about in the garage or storage. Energy likes to move. When you clear out your space not only does it feel good and make things lighter but when you give what you are not using to someone who will use it you are in the flow of abundance. Go through your things and clear the clutter. Decide what truly has meaning and value to you, keep what you use and need and get rid of the rest. Offer items you don’t use to local non-profits and charities. Many make it easy for you by offering curbside pick up. Warm Coats Warm Hearts sponsored by Burlington Coat Factory Drop off your old coats at: 899 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94103 or click here to […]

Swish

Oil Pulling is an Ayurvedic process that pulls toxins from the body and has numerous health benefits. • First thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything, including water, put about a teaspoon of oil in your mouth. Coconut, sesame, sunflower or olive oil are all great options. • Swish the oil around in your mouth and through your teeth for 5 minutes. You do not have to swish vigorously, relax your jaw and let the movement be natural. Do not swallow the oil! • It might take some time to get used to doing this for so long. You can also start with less oil in the beginning and/or less time – work your way up. It’s normal to want to gag, you have a mouth full of toxins! Remember to breathe through your nose it helps. • Brush your teeth immediately. Some Ayurvedic practitioners suggest rinsing with […]

Moderation: Enjoyment in Balance

‘Tis the season to celebrate by sharing feasts, sweets, and drinks. We all have experienced the remorse of too much! Over indulgence leaves us depleted, sluggish, and hazy and our bodies need days to truly recover. The method of Anusara yoga emphasizes balanced action and the middle path. We are householders, yogis who are living in the world therefore we are not looking to renounce anything or refuse the delights of embodiment. By all means, enjoy yourself; eat, drink and be merry but use yogic discernment to know when enough is enough. Practice moderation, you will be glad you did. One of my first yoga teachers continually reminded us that too much of a good thing never proves to be good, it’s all about balance. Let the holiday parties begin!