Posted by Sylvia on December 7, 2015
It’s been rather windy and a lot more rainy here in Seattle (I think we got used to the great summer we had just few months ago) I still can’t believe that it is already winter! Changes in nature and weather always lead to changes in our bodies so during this time, you might be feeling slow, heavy, and sluggish sometimes and it can feel a bit difficult to shake off.
Here are a few suggestions to create balance and to energize and lighten you up.
Finding Balance:
- Detox! – A good way to detox your body is to do twisted yoga poses they help wring out your internal organs. Try the Bharadvaja twist – this gentle twist is a tonic for the spine and the abdominal organs. I also like to do a juice cleanse; there are lots of detox programs out there that you can find online. Make it your own for your specific needs and be really mindful of what works for your body and ask yourself if there’s any extra ‘weight’ you’re carrying around that you can shed? Perhaps it’s a way of thinking about what maybe keeps you feeling weighed down. Reflect and take it one step at a time to eliminate unnecessary baggage.
- Practice Yoga – It takes a certain amount of will to practice yoga, finding the balance between will and acceptance in life is what you are learning in your yoga practice that can bring you an endless amount of peace, joy, courage and so much more. I know I feel better if I practice at least fifteen minutes of yoga or meditation a day, so I make it a part of my routine and priority.
Make Space:
- Making space within your body helps Prana (vital energy) move around more freely. You can make space in a number of ways: For the mind try meditating even if it’s only for a few minutes. I also like to create space by free writing in my journal every morning. Just write out whatever you’re thinking about; it’s a good way to release stagnant, repetitive thoughts so you can start your day clear minded. I try to do this throughout my day and most importantly in the morning, it helps create a positive outlook for the day ahead of me. For the body when you feel physically lethargic and heavy, focus on your legs by doing poses like Malasana (Squat), Utkatasana (Chair Pose), Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (one-legged Pigeon). These poses will help increase circulation and free up your joints.
- Try dry brushing – I have just recently tried this at home and I have experienced wonderful results, this helps release and eliminate waste and toxic build up by stimulating your lymphatic system. It also increases circulation and ladies, it also reduces cellulite!! The key is to start at your feet and brush your skin towards your heart.
- Eat lighter meals – I know, I know, the holidays are right around the corner and a large serving (or two) can be hard to resist but just try to limit yourself on all the sugar and heavy greasy and yummy foods that we know will be around at the dinner table. Digestion is an important part of our health and affects how we feel on so many levels, so it’s important to eat to support our digestion. You want to focus on foods that are easy to digest, light on the stomach, and not too heavy that won’t leave you feeling bloated, light-headed, or in a food-coma.
- Use warm herbs & spices in your dishes – this is especially great during the winter and holiday season. Ones like anise, basil, fennel, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, nutmeg, rosemary & vanilla. Using spices like cayenne and peppers to your meals is a good idea too. This helps turn the heat up in your body and will help burn away excess Kapha – according to Ayurvedic practices. Also spices make food taste even better!
Let Go:
- De-clutter! Letting go of things can be really helpful and quite liberating when you aren’t feeling your best, it’s like spring cleaning! Practice detachment from material possessions, comforts and things that upset you and do a thorough cleaning so you can feel refreshed. I used to have a difficult time getting rid of clothes that I never wore, they just hung in my closet. But learning how to let items go in the physical world makes such a huge difference in my internal world. I promise you, you’ll feel like a new woman/man!
- Is there anything in your life you’re resisting? It’s true when they say whatever you resist persists. Stop resisting and start releasing, which increases energy and creates flow. It’s about creativity and letting new ideas, new passions and new friendships grow. It can be scary if we aren’t used to change but it’s so rewarding if we let things unfold the way they are suppose to. How else would we blossom and get out of this winter funk.
In Conclusion, this season is really about simplifying our lives. Let go of things we no longer need and getting ready to for another season of changes, a better, happier, and healthier you – and in turn of allowing all of this to flow will make space for more love, joy and happiness to rush in.
Posted under Food and Cooking, Health and Fitness, Meditation, Styles of Yoga