LotusFlowerYoga ॐ : LIVER, AYURVEDA AND MORE

Hi Yogi's and Friends

So whats has been happening so far? Well the year is creeping on and the spring is finally coming into bloom. I suddenly get that huge urge to spring clean, declutter and buy lovely bright flowers to make the room even more pretty and bright. My yoga practice is also taking a shift and i feel it is becoming a lot more stronger and active. More flowing, more movement and more core work and cleansing breathing.

Those who attend my classes will see that things are slowly beginning to shift away front the nurturing and slow practice to a much more strengthening practice. For some of us this might be a troublesome shift due to the heavy hibernation and warm foods we endured in winter. Ayurveda medicine points out that Kapha is the main dosha that becomes more predominant in winter, and if we have an imbalance then the shift from winter to spring may take a few simple changes to help it along. But remember don't be to hard on yourself, by being aware that the shift from one season to the other is not easy is the first stop to getting yourself into the spring step! Going with nature and your instincts as well as the body's signals is a good starting point, our body is very clever and has a way of telling you what it needs (if you listen to it closely).

Here is the trick start where you are today, not yesterday, not tomorrow (where you want to be), here, now with what your body is.

Kapha Dosha is heavy so taking your time to shift it back into balance is the best way. Make smallllllllll changes create consistency and go slow and don't beat yourself up if you have a little drop back again, we are all human after all. But notice how good, bad it makes you feel by doing certain things, changing certain things.

Its now time to give the Liver and Gallbladder a little love due to it dealing with the heavy food that we may have consumed over the winter months. Not only do these organs help to filter toxins but they also help to process our anger that can build up and create depression. How is your liver after the winter?

Signs of a healthy liver:

1. strong moist nails;

2. Healty blood supply;

3. Musculoskeletal flexibility.

Signs that the liver could be overwhelmed:

1. Menstrual/Gynecological problems;

2. Thin, brittle nails

3. Inability to relax

4. Abnormal level of sexual energy

5. Eye disorders, blurry vision.

"Liver and gall bladder help all your other organs work together harmoniously and in balance. Your liver also holds your drive to live or survive. If your liver or gallbladder becomes constricted, energy slows to a standstill. This creates a backlog of energy that erupts as anger, irritation, impatience and frustration. By the same token, negative emotions such as resentment and anger weaken your liver. Diseases of the liver, such as Hep-C show long-held suppressed anger. Resentment and anger will also manifest as arthritis and degenerative states of your bones. There is also a correlation between anger and heart disease and stroke (constriction of energy), and urinary problems ('pissed off')" http://www.enlightenedfeelings.com/symptoms.html

Books from Louise Hay can give you a good idea of symptoms and causes and some healing solutions.

http://www.louisehay.com/

Try to introduce lighter foods, a little more asana practice (just slowly don't shock your body). Its better to do a little and often so we progress, rather than setting loads of diet changes fitness routines and giving up because we over do it. Yogi lovers be happy that you made that simple meal change from something loaded with heavy stodge to something light like a salad. If your struggling to banish the heavy hearty food try making it smaller and adding a huge salad, or eating the salad first to fill you with the lightness first. (Fruit always on its own or before food, never after). Try changing your morning coffee or warm tea to a warm Hot Lemon drink that will give the digestion a kick and help flush toxins.

With dietary changes and your yoga practice in class and at home you should slowly see the shift and feel lighter, enabling you to have a spring in your step.

Don't forget that Our Charity event workshop is in May. A full two hours of yoga to get more cleansing going and aid the body and mind to a better, happier, healthier place.

Namaste x