Ayurveda Workshop in Limerick

During this amazing Yoga Teacher Training in Ireland, we held a beautiful Ayurveda Workshop at the hosting Yoga Studio, Sun and Moon Yoga Centre.  Teacher trainees were joined by yogis in the local community to explore the concepts of Ayurveda & Yoga.  Very similar to the workshop I taught in Dublin, we learned some Dosha Analysis, Diet, Meditation, Yoga, Cleansing and really explored how to make Ayurveda applicable in day to day life.  It was a beautiful afternoon, and we ended with some lovely chanting.  Thanks to all who shared in the radiant energy.

Reducing Kapha with some detoxifying twists.

Happy Yogis

Happy Yogis Part 2

Getting warm in Asana with some Downward Facing Dog

Reading through Manuals and Exploring Ayurveda

Finding Peace in Moksha Hot Yoga

This morning I decided to take a break from my morning practice and try a new class.  While my morning practice is usually something along the lines of Ashtanga, Sri Dharma Mittra Shiva Namaskar flow, or just whatever I feel like my body is feeling like flowing through, I did something new today.  I did HOT YOGA at Moksha. Moksha in sansrkit means liberation.

Moksha is the new chain of Yoga studios that is sweeping across Ontario Canada.  Similar to the concept of Bikram, in that the rooms are heated and students are invited to go through a set series of postures.  Hot yoga is very beneficial for people in Kapha Ayurveda Constitution.  The heat helps to warm the joints and muscles.  The added steaminess to the room is said to create more sweat and result in a better detox experience.

I had apprehension due to my previous experience with a Bikram class.  Due to my ayurveda constitution being Pitta, I generally do not need extra heat.  I wanted to try anyways.  I get to class and like always make no mention that I am a Yoga Teacher, filling out the forms, and setting myself up.  The friendly receptionist was actually the teacher for the 6:30 am class.  Her name was Serena and she lead us through class with a lovely fairy like voice through the Moksha 60 Flow.  I loved that she invites students to go at their own pace, take childs pose whenever necessary, and she provided very clear verbal cues.  I thought the heat would be a challenge, and I surprised myself, only taking childs pose's that she would cue, and actually enjoying the steamy room.  It reminded me of the heat in India when I practice in there.  She mentioned that the 6:30 am class is not always as hot as the other classes throughout the day.  I was also amazed and happy to see that the class was full, nearly 25 or 30 people for a 6:30am HOT YOGA class.  They have a 30 day challenge for spring currently and it was also nice to see how many are participating in this Sangha. 

Since Yoga is about quieting the mind, and deflating the ego or "I AM" consciousness, I always encourage Yoga practitioners (students and teachers) to step outside of their comfort zone, their favorite teacher, or style of yoga, to challenge their compassion/humilty, and ability to truly be a student to the practice of Yoga.  While some pose names may be called different, while some yoga classes may be asana based with very little reference to the philosophy of Yoga, while no Western Yogi is living in a cave in the Himilayas or a renunciate, I feel like it is important to have an open mind and enjoy the practice.  Any judgements or frustrations that arise during a yoga class should be investigated deeper, because often times it is reflecting a deeper situation that needs to be explored and understood for our individual liberation.  I really enjoyed this class and very happy I attended.  Thank you Serena and Moksha for a wonderful experience.

Cheers to Amazing Health - Thankful Detox Juice

So while many people are coming down from their food comas (post thanksgiving) there is more incentive to detox and get healthy. While it is important to be mindful of how we exercise our body, and it's obvious Yoga is one of my favorite methods to exercise the Mind-Body-Spirit, what we eat is also very important to be mindful of. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetable provides our body with phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, water, and oxygenation to our blood and organs.

In the tail end of summer I did a 4 week complete Raw Vegan Cleanse. With daily juicing and smoothies that left my body with more energy than I ever imagined. You can actually witness the transformation in my skin and hair in the videos on my youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/Ambriali

In the past I have been blessed with amazing opportunities of doing detox challenges with Yoga Students, only to witness incredible transformations, and while I am no stranger to doing a juice cleanse or even multiple month long fasts myself, the inspiration behind this summers juicing detox, was to inspire my family to get healthier. Since the summer, family juice extravaganza my daddy who is already a healthy person, has kept my juicer, and joyfully makes juice 4-5 times a week (Yeaaa Daddy).

While the superficial benefits of doing a detox are amazing like a leaner body, glowing skin, healthier hair, the Spiritual benefits are amazing as well. Challenge yourself to cleanse your dietary habits and notice the shift in all areas of your life. Your meditation and yoga practice will be stronger, and you will feel a deeper sense of joy. Just a note, when embarking on any type of detox you may get initial hurdles like fatigue, and or headaches ...that is just the toxins leaving your body, it's very temporary, be patient and embrace the detox. Also, if your diet is not so clean/pure or "Sattvic" as they would say in Ayurveda, be mindful that the alkalinity of the fruits and veggies may be a taste that your acidic blood initially has to get used to.

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world" ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Today, I decided to try a new juice combo suggested by a friend.

The Thankful Detox Juice

4 Grapefruits

2 Gala Apples

4 Organic Carrots

1 bunch of Parsley

HAPPY JUICING!!!