Monday 11 July 2011

From India to Mountainous mexico.

In the last 12 years I have yogered all over the world and each experience has been a learning one. Some painfully so, others more mild but each has its teachings. This week I found myself in the mountains of Chiapas, a beautiful region in south east Mexico, rich in mayan culture and home of many indigenous tribes each speaking their original native language. I could have spent months exploring and have purposefully left things to see so I have to go back. Apart from the stunning Mayan Pyramids, incredible dense jungle and fascinating people I discovered a wonderful yoga teacher in the heart of San Cristobel de las Casas.
Vaidya Srimati Kuntidevi has a small studio in her garage with beautiful turquoise and white tiles floors, bright yellow boardered windows and a Ganesh Shrine. Mahalakshmi is a treasure, with 3 hours of yoga morning and evening. From Iyenga and Kundalini to Ashtanga and Vinyasa aswell as Dosha and Yoga Therapie This beautiful Hindu lady has everything covered, she teaches all the class with such grace and gentleness even if the Vinyasa class is one of the fastest I have ever done. The hi speed Hindi music also gave me the giggles, it was just such unusual circumstances, to be in the mountains in mexico doing ankle circles to up beat Bollywood tunes but quickly there was no time for giggling (although a smile remained) and even breathing had to be carefully monitored as we were launched into the quick step of yoga, springing from Warrior 2 to standing split, dropping back to warrior 1 and then launching into a one armed headstand. The instruction was minimal and of course in Spanish(Via India) so when I was facing the back of my mat in Ardha Chandrasana it was a flexi feat to try and see what my next more would be.
But amongst all the madness I loved it. Her sequencing was fun, interesting and innovative and my body felt as if it had come home. We opened and closed every joint, stretched every muscle with never a moment to worry or wobble. It was a wonderful excersize in harbouring the mind and clearing stagnant thoughts. There wasn't time to think about errands, feel bad about late bill payments or missing boyfriends and that is exactly why yoga is so powerful. Above and beyond touching our toes we have a desire to feel present. To do things consciously and not always be thinking about something else. Yoga helps you live in the present moment. To be alive and aware in your body and mind, it's an invigorating practise that sheds light on every corner of your life. There really is yoga for everyone, fast, slow, chanting, acrobatic or even on a paddleboard!( check out Kimberly Bragg- Depasquale's Love Life Paddle)  I guarantee there is a style that will suit you. If you do find yourself in Chiapas you have to go to Mahalakshmi on Cuahtemoc 24A but you will probably find a great place a little closer to home. Just be sure to find a teacher that you feel comfortable with and a style that lights a spark in you and compels you to go. And let me know who you find and where so we can spread the love.

x

Monday 20 June 2011

Traveling bugs

For me travel bugs have come in many forms. The first is obviously the desire to travel. Catching the travel bug from a recently returned friend, seeing a long sandy beach draped down the side of a bus or watching a film and longing for the fun and vibrance of a new city. But there are also the bugs you catch while in these divine destinations and these are not so enticing or romantic.
I am writing from Mexico City. An exotic sprawling city, thats life and energy exudes change and growth. It is an exciting place to be. It's people are kind, warm and hard working. Those fortunate enough to have had a good education bring passion, energy and determination to everything that they do. Maybe they know that they are the ones to drive this change. They are the ones to make Mexico be recognised as the affluent country it is. There is a buzz. Art, education, finance and technology all emerging together. The diversity makes for a fascinating dynamism. And I somehow wish I had found this place sooner.

But I guess the right time for me is now so I am trying to embracing every moment on this magical path. The good and of course the not so desirable.  Like many travelers, foreigners and world wonderers I have found myself with a different kind of travel bug. One that somehow impregnates your intestine and leeches on the good things in life.
It was noticable enough to know I wasn't well but not bad enough to stop me partying! In fact Vodka did wonders and Mezcal on an empty stomach practically made me feel like new. But alas at gone 30 a life of alcohol straight up and no food is not conducive to language learning or even living. In 10 days my yoga practice was non existent and I spent most of my afternoons trying to catch up on sleep deprivation as the only time I seemed to feel well was between midnight and 5am. I was unwilling to admit I was sick and take antibiotics so limped plassidly along until finally I met a wonderful Yogi called Amado  www.muktayoga.com.mx
He said the first thing I had to do was take Eskopar, a rather nasty bright yellow opaque sap that would kill the ameba or parasite and probably reduce the content of my colon to a pulp. Then I needed to eat local yogurt so my gut would be filled with friendly Mexican bacteria to help me fight future bugs. It made total sense. I had religiously taken my probiotic (friendly bacteria in a capsule) but of course needed something more indigenous, just like one eats local honey to help prevent summer allergies.
So although I am a huge believer in probiotic and am sure it supported my immune system enormously, stopping me getting dangerously sick, we need to think local. get yourself accustomed to the native bugs so your body builds the right immunity.

I love how our bodies adapt but sometimes they need help and we must each take responsibility for our own health, gaining knowledge and respect for the world we are living in, beastly worms and all.
You should use a complex probiotic with at least 3 strains of bacteria for maximum immunity. Culturelle and  Bio-Kult by Protexin are two of my favourites.

For the moment I have chosen Mexico City as my home and after an unpleasant experience, I am rejoicing as my body finally succumbs to loving it as much as my mind and spirit.
So now I can sleep at the right time and party when I choose to, with or without the Vodka!
x


  

Sunday 20 March 2011

Feeling fabulous

It has been 7 days since I embarked on what seemed like an epic journey but it has been easy and enjoyable, so much so I am considering keeping it going for a little longer, mad as it may seem. But I have learnt some invaluable lessons, not just that life doesn't revolve around sweets but that we really need very little food to sustain ourselves and that in some way less really is more.

In the Indian culture they believe in fasting and keeping your food intact low, not just because it is sometimes scarce but because it takes up a lot of your bodies energy that could be used for other things. If your body is digesting food for 6 hours a day it has limited time to heal, repair, cleanse, or even rest. Eating less or fasting for one day a week gives your body a break, some well earned down time, allowing you to feel the subtleties in life and not be weighed down by your gut.

I of course don't mean you have to for go your roast lunch or pudding and never eat a 3 course meal again but just sometimes remember how over indulgent we can all be and  think about honoring our bodies rather than stuffing them full of things our brain is telling us it wants.
It is not starvation or continuously eating less than the daily recommended calories, just be conscious, grateful and appreciate the complexities of what our body is having to do when it uses food as fuel. That food is vital and delicious but we never over fill our cars, it would just be a waste.

All that said I am so looking forward to not being on "detox" Luckily  my rebellious streak hasn't kicked in to convince me I need peanut butter and jam on white bread for breakfast even if I do love it on occasions, so I am hoping to make a smooth transition back to the real world and enjoy everything I eat with a new conscious calmness, chocolate brownies and all ;-)

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Ancient super food of the Aztecs

I feel amazing, I can't explain how satisfying it is to be healthy and enjoy it. I have done deep cleanses in the past that have left me feeling deprived and restricted and while this is obviously not a free for all, it allows me to live my life while being consciously healthy. There have been the odd headache but usually through lack of water and some hunger pangs but really only because I was eating an excessive amount before.
Today I felt good, light and fresh. I barely got hungry even at meal times and had no desire to eat anything nasty.
I had the most delicious breakfast of Chia seeds soaked in Almond milk with blueberries on the top.
Chia seeds are an amazing source of Omega 3 and anti oxidants as well as being high in Protein and a great source of fibre, making them good for the heart, mind and body. In the UK we are just discovering the wonders of the Chia seed that the Aztecs used as a superfood so long ago. You can sprinkle them on cereal, on your toast, in salads or soups and even in baking to add great nutrition to your cakes and biscuits.   A good excuse to have a cheeky slice of banana cake, Sugar free of course.
Day 3 is said to be a turning point when you settle in the the healthier rhythm, with less desires for salt and sugar. Your system begins to re balance itself and find an alignment. Really enjoy this time of centering and grounding so you can access it when needed to or bring it into your life more permanently. xx

Sunday 13 March 2011

Persistence & Pot holes in my Preparation

It has been a busy week of Yoga training and teaching but my preparation has not gone too badly, there was a cheeky Green & Blacks Butterscotch chocolate slip on thursday but it was delicious and I obviously needed the magnesium hit! I even shared it with my father on our way back from swimming who said it was the best thing he had eaten and was I sure he was allowed it! He has learnt so well!

Just eating supper early has made me sleep better and feel lighter, so I am hoping next week will not feel so dramatic. I have decided to have a little help from the Raw fairies! They are wonderful wizards that prepare healthy, balanced meals for however many days you need. No starvation, no hassle and NO nasties.
They have an array of options to help us on our way to a clear mind. A days worth of food consists of juices for breakfast and mid morning followed by a large salad for lunch and a salad and healthy vegan protein option for dinner. They even make delicious non brain fogging puddings for when the desire calls; sadly I won't be implementing them this week :-(

Non the less I am looking forward to an early rise, a grounding yoga practice to keep me stable and connected and a refreshing juice to start my week of treats. (Detox sounds scary and horrid so have decided to change my perception and call it a treat). You probably think I am crazy when I say I am genuinely excited at the prospects of a mind body cleanse to propel me in to spring, coming up a new, like a shiny white snow drop!!
Morning juices are an easy and great start to the day. I love a green juice
Think 2 Celery sticks, 1/2 cucumber, handful of spinach and parsley with an apple and a squeeze of lemon. But any green veg will work so feel free to doctor it to your taste. You will be surprised how delicious it is. If you can't make it at home get your local health food store or juice bar to do it. Never be shy from going off piste, the delicious fruit ladened smoothies look great but don't leave you feeling so holy.
So whether your week consists of an extra green juice a day, early suppers, no alcohol or you are saving it as a brilliant idea for later I will be supporting you in spirit and hope you have a good one. x

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Cleanse with a Spring in your Step

It has been a long winter and some time since a chilly leafy green salad has seemed appealing. So after five plus months of stodge my body is actually craving a cleanse even if my mind thinks it's craving chocolate. In fact for me this uncontrollable urge to eat  a huge bowl of pasta followed by a large apple pie shortly pursued by a latte and a praline truffle is a sure sign something has to change.
So before my insides slowly grind to a halt and my bottom permanently parks itself, I have in writing, by way of my diary, committed to doing a 7 day cleanse starting monday. 5 raw days followed by 2 Just green veg Juice. My preparation usually entails me eating as much pastry in the week running up to D day so that I will be guaranteed to feel like death as I initiate the Detox. But I will endeavor to behave and have as of tomorrow decided to cut sugar and eat my dinner early. Nothing too traumatic. Not only does sugar cloud our brains it is lethal to the blood sugar and can play havoc with our health. The myth that we need Sugar for energy has been blown out of the water. There is an Incredible book called Sugar Blues by William Dufty that will alter the way you view sugar forever, bar the odd cocktail or dark chocolate of course!
For those of you who feel like you are wearing a winter coat you can't take off why don't you join me in some healthy days and start your Spring clean. From One day of fruit and veg, to 2 days Vegan or a week being veggie, what ever suits your lifestyle and helps you feel better. It should not be impossible and make you miserable, you should feel like you are honoring your body and respecting your life. I will post some recipes and ideas to help along the way so watch this space.............................