Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic treatment you can do for yourself. Like food for your skin, warm oil (sesame, sunflower or coconut) massaged into your body relieves fatigue and rejuvenates the mind and body while lubricating the joints and making the skin soft and supple. This is traditionally performed in the morning to get your circulation moving and remove the toxins that accumulate during the night. However you can also try it in the evening to promote restful sleep. In Sanskrit the word sneha means both “oil” and “love”, Abhyanga is like saturating yourself with love! Let the oil soak in for up to 15 minutes to penetrate the subtle channels, then take a hot bath or shower. The benefits are numerous and include; soft, supple, beautiful skin, tones the muscles, lubricates the joints, slows down aging, nourishes the body, promotes restful sleep, stimulates the systems of the body, enhances […]
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Edible Grace
There is nothing like a home-cooked meal. That said, some of us just don’t enjoy cooking or we think we are not very good at it. I know that when I “eat in” my body feels better. In addition, when I have made a good meal there is a sense of satisfaction that nourishes more than just my body. For the last several years I have simply fallen out of the habit of cooking for myself. My busy schedule and unusual mealtimes coupled with the fact that it’s just so easy to get really good food in San Francisco, why cook? For the last few weeks I committed to cooking and it’s been wonderful. I feel good, have leftovers for the next day, and most importantly I know where all my food is coming from. Food should nourish us and be our medicine. Jana and Patrick of Shri Cuisine have generously […]
Continue ReadingSimplify 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 […]
Continue Reading26 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.
Continue ReadingClear 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 […]
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