Drema Yoga & Centered Wellness in Bethel CT

Springtime, “It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”.   No no no, that's not a spring song that's a winter time cheer.  I guess it is time to pack away those comfort foods of chicken pot pie, cookies, cakes, hot cocoa with marsh mellows.  All those snuggle in a cozy up kinds of foods.  So what do we do now?  Great question.

Spring is a great time to reevaluate.  Let's get really honest.  Is what your doing working for you?  Do you have weight issues, headaches, sinus congestion, indigestion, gas and bloating, constipation, diarrhea, can't sleep, anxiety, depression?  What if I told you these are symptoms of your body trying to tell you that something is not working for you any more.  Maybe eating the way you always have has finally caught up and now your body can't keep up.  No worries, this is not a diagnoses this is just information that we can use to our benefit, to help us find the balance that works for you and your body.

Spring is the time of birth.  Every year I am reminded of this as one bird comes back to lay her eggs in our plants on our porch.  Last year I had the amazing privilege to watch one of those little guys literally “get their wings” and fly for the first time.  It was such a process and as I sat there and watch for the hour or so, I felt deeply connect to my environment.  Being part of nature was not a philosophy it was my experience, I was experiencing the natural rhythm of springtime.  I embrace this season and rebirth or transition into the next phase for me with an annual springtime cleanse.

I believe a cleanse should support the body rather then challenge it.  I always try to eat seasonally, Holbrook Farms is a great resource for that, and for the two weeks of the cleanse I follow specific guidelines.  As well, I take supportive supplements to aid the body in its natural cleansing process.  These products support the body's digestive, assimilating and especially eliminating systems.  I drink enough water for my body weight and get 8hrs of sleep with daily exercise and meditation.  I am a yoga instructor so my preference of physical movement is yoga, but I do love to go for walks in the spring time as well.  I usually incorporate other healing modalities to assist this process and provide more mind, body, spirit awareness. There is so much to be gained when we are capable of watching as we participate in this life experience.  In Yoga, we call this the Witness.  It reminds us that we are “Spiritual Beings having a human experience”.  As the body shifts mind will want to follow.   As we work with the mind, there is value in physical integration, then the body represents the new you.  It's a great time of year for inspiration and motivation. When the mind is clear and the body is at ease, we have just removed two of the primary obstacles from living a life full with potential.  For me, I want to be balanced enough on all levels of my Being to fully embrace what this season is all about, Life!

I will be offering a Group Spring cleanse in the Bethel at Sat Nam Yoga Studio and in Newtown at Yoga Dimensions.  Check out my website or the Studio's website for more information as they will be run slightly different at each location.  You will also find there my Yoga schedule.

Laura and I are happy to announce that we will offer this cleanse right in our Bethel office.  We feel it is best to limit the number to 10 people so if you are interested it is a good idea to call soon for more information.  The cleanse will be a two week period of specific dietary choices and supplements to support this time period.  We will meet, as a group three times and you will have online support as needed.  Each participant will receive two acupuncture treatments with Laura.  We hope you will join us and we look forward to working with you.   

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The winter holiday season is a time when family and friends enjoy celebrating with rich meals and sweet desserts, and I too enjoy the occasional indulgence.  Don’t let the holiday habits become your norm.  The holiday sugar cycle is tough to break, so proceed with caution.  From my experience, breaking the habit is more pallet-able when approached little by little.   That’s why I give myself the entire month of January to get back into the swing of things.  When the cycle is broken we are in a place of choice; it is no longer the drop in blood sugar that is dictating the next meal.   Sugar is detrimental to our health and weakens our immune system during the winter when we need it strong to avoid colds and flu.  Sugar is hidden in so many foods, and Americans eat an average of 120 pounds of sugar every year — a figure that has risen from just eight pounds less than a decade ago!  So, take the steps to curb that inflated holiday sugar intake and let this year be your best.

So, it is now approaching February and if you have not broken the cycle, it is time.  If you are craving sugar or feel a real low in energy mid afternoon, it is time to look into why?  What are you feeding yourself?  How are you beginning your day?  It is important to eat breakfast.  It is a good idea to eat with in 90 minutes of your waking.  Be sure you are having amble amounts of protein in your diet.  Balanced meal planning is key.  Even more so, Meal Planning is Key.  You must have a plan or you will have to make a last minute choice.  If in some form happens to be available, your brain body will see that as the fastest way to energy.  Unfortunately, you will also incur the soon to be drop of blood sugar, as well.  It is a cycle and it needs to be broken.  It is also important to understand that this is not a case of lack of discipline.  It is more about body chemistry and blood sugar levels.  The work is to balance out the levels so that you don't feel the up and down, roller-coaster like, experience.  Plan meals that are balanced with adequate carbs for your activity level, adequate protein, fiber from vegetables and fat.  Yes fat.  Stay tuned for information on how fat does not make you fat.  One other thought, do you know the affect antibiotics have on the body long after they have done what they have set out to do?  Could there be a link between the sugar cycle and antibiotics?  When was the last time you were on one?

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Pranayam is the practice of working with breath energy, also known as prana. This calms the mind and prepares the body for meditation. There are many different breathing practices, but deep breathing alone can shift our mood. When we are breathing deeply we can not help but to sit up taller and vice versa, when we sit up taller we naturally take a deeper breath. Focusing on the breath has a way of drawing us in and helping us to let go of what is outside.

This is also known as Pratyahara or withdrawing your senses. You experience yourself through the body in asana and then yourself beyond the body in meditation. A great place to start is five mindful breaths everyday. Breathing in for a count of four and breathing out for a count of four. Both inhale and exhale are done through the nose. Carving out time to connect with yourself becomes an anchor in your life. Life will flow more smoothly around this time that you have scheduled with yourself.

In times of groundlessness, life feeling out of control, you can remember your anchor and know that at your core you are grounded, you are calm.

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