5 Vedic Actions to Stay Centered This Holiday

by: Robin Mastro and Michael Mastro

Thanksgiving, which marks the beginning of the holiday season in the United States, is supposed to be a time where we come together to give thanks for the blessings and bounty we have received. However, the chaos of holiday travel, shopping for a large meal, or preparing for guests can distract us from the true meaning behind this season of gratitude.

There are effective ways to remain centered and energized during this busy time of year, including breathing and chanting techniques. Here are five activities to help you move through your day fully present with your heart open and feeling calm, peaceful, and productive.

Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

Begin each morning with a few rounds of Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, a breathing exercise that steadies and calms the mind and body to help eliminate anxiety and stress. 

Sitting comfortably, with eyes closed, place the index and middle fingers of the right hand between your eyebrows, your ring and little finger on the left nostril, and the thumb on the right nostril.

Pressing the thumb down on the right nostril, breathe out through the left nostril. Do not strain. Breathe in through the left nostril; then press it with the ring finger and little finger. Lift the right thumb and exhale through right nostril.

Inhale through the right side and at the top, press the right nostril closed with your thumb, and breathe out through the left nostril. Inhale through the left, and gently press the left nostril closed with the ring and little fingers, lift the thumb from the right nostril, and breathe out.

Keep moving through the pranayama for nine rounds, breathing in through both nostrils alternately.

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namaha (Chanting the Moon Mantra)

Chanting a mantra fills the environment, and you, with its energy. The Moon mantra is “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namaha,” and chanting this opens the heart to the blessings of gratitude. Slowly chant this mantra nine times, once a day, each day.

It's best to do this first thing in the morning to experience its benefits throughout the day. This mantra aids in attracting positive relationships, successful communication, and mental stability. Mantra chanting, like alternate nostril breathing, is a form of Pranayama and will help bring your mind into the present moment.

Phonetic Pronunciation: Om Na-mo Ba-ga-va-tay Va-su day-vai-ya Na-ma-ha

Meditation

This ancient practice releases stress and induces deep rest, which supports balanced health in the mind, body, and spirit.

The practice of meditation is easier after alternate nose breathing or chanting because the mind becomes quiet following these techniques. Place your attention on your breath … and let go to enjoy the host of mind-body health benefits of meditation.

Give to Others

Many find the holidays a stressful time of year. Instead of reaching out, they withdraw, and isolate themselves. Volunteer your time at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or other charity. Go through your closet and donate extra coats, blankets, and warm clothing.A simple act of kindness to others is a blessing to you as well. 

Create a Vedic Gratitude Altar

Altars act as focal points for creating something positive in your life. Northeast energy is the confluence of the positive magnetic energy coming from the north and the positive solar energy that comes from the east. The Northeast energy is the most powerful and positive energy in your home and specifically supports your spiritual connection to the Divine and the unseen forces that guide your daily life. An altar built in this area of your home enhances that connection.

Creating an altar focused on gratitude sets in motion the energy of attraction and brings more of what you want into your life. Practicing gratitude helps you bounce back more quickly from challenging times, and strengthens the immune system. Gratitude can also strengthen your social relationships.

These five steps are powerful tools to use during the season of gratitude—and beyond. They will support you to keep your heart open, count your blessings, and remain energized and happy all year long.

http://www.chopra.com/ccl/5-vedic-actions-to-stay-centered-this-holiday

New Belly New You

Congratulations to all the Hot Belly Challengers! So proud of each and every one of you! This was a time of immense transformation and release for a lot of you. Understanding what your body is going thru is one of the hardest parts of making any sort of change. For a lot of you there were a few "adverse" effects, but rest assured, that these are all part of the transformation process.

In Ayurveda, we refer to toxins or any undigested material in the body as AMA. Now ama can come in many different shapes or sizes. Whether it is junk/processed food that is sitting in your stomach for a lot longer than you had hope, or a traumatic relationship that hasn't been fully understood and acknowledged. All undigested, uncomprehended, and unmetabolized foods, thoughts, desires, can all manifest in the body as ama. So when we underwent this hot belly program, the main ideology behind it was to increase the fire in your body or AGNI to help you break down all of the ama that has accumulated over the span of your life time.


One of the most comprehensive ways to understand what you need to do moving forward is to get an Ayurvedic consultation. This will allow you a chance to sit down and really make sense of your body and what you need to do on a daily/monthly/seasonal basis to keep it in balance. You will get both an immediate regimen to bring your body into balance as well as a long term plan of ideally what you should be doing in terms of diet, routine, exercise, etc.

For different people, there were different "releases" For some, they had an upset stomach, or others went thru a very emotional time because of deep rooted feelings being surfaced and purged. Others might have felt angry or easily agitated because of the increase of PITTA or fire in your body.

Whatever your release was, it is crucial to understand how vulnerable your body is right now. This is an outline of a diet that will help you regain some of the strength and vitality that was cast aside during this purgation process.




HOT BELLY GROCERY LIST

Protein: Chicken, Fish, Eggs, Yellow or Green Lentils, Mung Beans. NO: Red meat or Turkey

Veggies: Asparagus, Green Beans, Spinach, Cilantro, Bok Choy, Cucumber, Red or Green Chard, Zucchini

NO: RAW salads, Fruit Smoothies,

Grains: Quinoa, Couscous, Barley, Amaranth, Basmati/Jasmine

NO: brown rice or oatmeal.

Fruits: Cherries, Plums, Apricots, Melons, Berries, ANY SWEET fruits NO: raw apples, pears, or citrus.

Milk: Whole (for those with no sensitivity problems) coconut, almond, or rice.

Spices: cumin, coriander, fennel, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne, black pepper, salt.

KEY POINTS:

1.   Warm, soft, unctuous foods and drinks. Think to yourself, How much of the digestion process can I do before the food enters my mouth.

2.   Fruits/Veggies, Protein, Grains. IN THAT ORDER!

3.   Incorporate all 6 taste in each meal!

a.   Sweet

b.   Sour

c.   Salt

d.   Pungent

e.   Bitter

f.     Astringent

4.   Without proper diet, medicine is of no use, With Proper diet, medicine is of no need!

Day 10! With so much gratitude...

Stories shared of what a life-changing journey this has been. Partners and lifemates noticing such a beautiful difference in those participating in this challenge. Not just a "change", but life is way more glorious.

This has also been an incredible journey for us, the staff, at Serenity Spa | Soul Yoga. We are honored to have been with all our yogis through this challenge.

"I want to say thank you to all of the yoga teaching staff who gave of their time and energy to help us all to reach our goals. Thank you Manas for helping us all to get our bodies back in harmony. Much love to all of you at Serenity Spa. Blessings.
~ Felicia, yogi

Day 9 is DONE!

Day 9 is DONE and yogis are feeling better than ever!

 Attention all Hot Belly Yoga Challenge participants:

- Book your Ayurvedic Consultation with Manas for only $100 (regularly $150), with a follow up consultation for only $50 (regularly $75)! Celebrate your journey and continue to keep your body & mind in balance after this beautiful detox.

- Sign up for the Winter Grocery List shopping trip on October 31st (tomorrow!) Call the spa for details 797-8550!



"So much laughter and tears today, lots of excitement and much joy and chatting and sharing of stories and gratitude for this time. Weight loss, flexibility and reversal of arthritic conditions."
~Tammie, yoga instructor

"I can't believe it that I  made it. There were a couple of times I thought omg I am not going to make it. But staying on the wave got e to the 9th day."
~Felicia, yogi

Day 8 - It's the home stretch!

Day 8 is done. Yogis are doing so great - keeping up with their detox / cleanse / and Hot Belly Yoga!

Hot Belly Detox essentials:


Khichadi - mix yours with fresh veggies! Yummmmm

Detox Massage Oil -

1. Boost the body’s natural detox process
2. Helps to cleanse your Lymphatic system
3. Helps to reduce cellulite, excessive fatty depositions
4. Helps to reduce water retention and puffiness
5. Helps to relax the mind during detoxification
6. Improves your circulation
7. Helps body aches and joint pains

Detox Tea or Weight Loss Tea - sip throughout the day. Mix with green tea, or steep with fresh ginger or mint!



Castor Oil - USDA Organic, Cold pressed, Hexane free.

And of course... Hot Belly Yoga!
Founded by Soul Yoga and based on the book “The Hot Belly Diet” authored by Dr Suhas Kshirsagar. Journey into a sacred space as you detoxify the body, calm the mind and connect through the heart. Ignite the fire in the belly with herbal steam kettles, the practice of powerful pranayama, the use of organic oils, and mindful movement. Enliven yourself and bring balance to all seven of your chakras through music, mantras and meditation. Return the body back to the temple, return the mind to the guru and allow the Divine to awaken the wisdom within. Cool down with the placement of icy cucumber and fresh mint on the third eye and Anahata energy centers.

Click here for our yoga schedules at both locations:
http://serenityspaonline.com/soul-yoga/

"Participants are full of vital energy that is rich and much more powerful. They are grounded, strong, and healthy... A huge difference in the last 8 days, lots of mental clarity, and a craving for Hot Belly Yoga!"
~ Tammie, yoga instructor

Lucky # 7 - Detox Your Life

Day 7 of the 10 day challenge winds down...

Have you had a chance to read the Hot Belly Diet book by Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar?


From an internationally recognized physician who combines principles of Eastern medicine with modern science, a groundbreaking diet and total body & optimal health plan centered on digestive balance and metabolic transformation.
 

The complaints that Dr. Suhas hears on a daily basis—from uncontrollable weight gain, low energy, and poor sleep, to chronic headaches, unexplained congestion, and depression—all have a surprising common denominator: a weak digestive “fire.” It makes perfect sense: the belly is the center of your being, and when you’re burning food inefficiently, you’re throwing your metabolism out of balance and triggering unpleasant side effects. Weak digestion causes food “sludge” to accumulate in your body, resulting in lethargy, toxicity, water retention, fat build-up, inflammation, and more.

Drawing on ancient Indian practices and principles, The Hot Belly Diet shows you how to optimize your digestive powers to foster rapid weight loss and vibrant health for total mind/body equilibrium.

At the core of this revolutionary 30-day, three-phase diet is a delicious meal that’s incredibly easy to make. Dr. Suhas advocates lunch as the most important meal of the day with a hearty, simple dish called khichadi (pronounced kitch-a-de), which clears out your “ama,” or the digestive sludge that antagonizes weight loss, provokes hormonal imbalances, and ultimately triggers inflammation—the root cause of virtually all disease. This unique book also identifies incompatible foods (milk and eggs, for example) explains why the sensation of hunger is essential, and demonstrates how to time your meals throughout the day without snacking.The Hot Belly Diet is not an elimination diet, with healthy carbohydrates as the key to the 30-day plan. With recipes and a month’s worth of delicious meals included, The Hot Belly Dietchanges your relationship with food to make healthy eating—and living—effortless.

Whether you’re trying to lose weight fast, suffering from a chronic condition, looking to prevent future illness, or just wanting to feel your best every day, The Hot Belly Diet will re-establish your body’s natural balance through a healthy metabolism, creating a thinner, healthier, and happier you—for life. Let the firing up begin!

ATTENTION YOGIS!

~ Castor oil and tongue scrapers are in stock! Pick yours up tomorrow!

~ Book your Ayurvedic Consultation NOW for November! Only $100 (regularly $150), and a follow-up consultation for only $50 (regularly $75)!

Ask the front desk for details!

 

Day 6 - Stay healthy through the detox process...

Tips from Manas for staying healthy through the detox process: 

There are a lot of changes going on during this cleansing process. You are shedding weight, purifying your body of toxins, gaining mental clarity, and most of all you are SWEATING! 

But along with these benefits, there are a few things you need to be weary of so you can gain the full and LASTING benefits of this program. 

1. WARM WATER: There is a reason your body craves warm foods and drinks when you are ill. It is trying to tell you, "Listen! My digestive system is weak right now because I'm trying to fight off this cold! Help me out!" Hydration is good, but it should be warm so that the actual uptake and assimilation of the water is quicker and more complete. 

Warmer foods are easier to digest and will put more emphasis on your detox process as opposed to having to worry about digestion. Warm soups, kitchadi, cooked veggies, and sweet fruits are all (for the most part) easy to digest. 

2. SLEEP: Sleep is essential for this process. Six days into the challenge your body is weak. It is straining itself to keep you bending and twisting in all those crazy positions Tammie puts you in! Deep sleep (stage 4) is where all the recovery and healing of your tissues, muscles, and organs take place. If you aren't tapping into this deep sleep, you will only weaken your muscles and tissues, and maybe even injure yourself.

3. And lastly, a gentle reminder that this is not just a physical transformation. There WILL be a lot of emotions and thoughts surfacing at this time. It is part of the detox process. It is important to acknowledge these thoughts, and just as they came out of nowhere, let them go. Practicing Detachment in all senses of your life right now will only benefit you in the long run. That doesn't mean ignore your partner or children!! It means honor yourself. Give yourself plenty of time to heal and allow your body to nourish your mind and soul. 

If you have any questions or just want to talk, you are more than welcome to call me or email me! 

So proud of everyone! We are halfway done!! Time to finish strong! 

Manas S. Kshirsagar
Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner
NAMA Professional Member
808-639-7141
msk@serenityspaonline.com

Day 5 - Let the ghee commence!

The 5 day ghee cleanse is the final gathering of toxins into a basket 

before emptying or taking out the garbage!

Day 5 not only marks the halfway point, but also marks the beginning of the ghee cleanse.
One of our yogis, Carol, mixes her ghee with warm almond milk and cinnamon. Delicious!
This is the brand of ghee that we recommend if you have not picked yours up yet. You can find Ancient Organics at Whole Foods Market. 

It was a record-breaking day in Roseville this morning for Hot Belly Yoga with Tammie. A total of 22 students! Wow!The energy in the room as palpable.

"Have to say I'm having a lot of fun creating new dishes with the Khichadi."
~Kristi, yogi

""Ghee" in your tea is key. I can see that changing in the students. I can see the emotion speaking but most of all I see the beauty within exuding from the outside."
~ Tammie, yoga instructor



"I began my ghee cleanse and I feel wonderful. I feel more connected to myself than I ever have."
~ Claire, yogi

Day 4 - #Transformyourlife - Hot Belly Challenge

Day 4 comes to a close. Students are experiencing great results already! Standing tall, increased balance and flexibility, less inflammation in the body. Yogis are feeling more energetic, mind is more clear, they feel lighter and most importantly - they are feeling like themselves again!

Tomorrow, (Day 5), we begin the ghee cleanse. We recommend Ancient Organics ghee that you can find at Whole Foods Market. Pick up your kitchadi and castor oil at our Roseville or Folsom location.

Rekindle your fire, Rekindle your life - Day 3 of Hot Belly Challenge!

Our very first 7:30pm Hot Belly Yoga class, concluding Day 3 of the Hot Belly 10 day yoga challenge!

Yogis were surrounded by candlelight. This class was soulful and emotional.

Today we celebrate The Law of Detachment - In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty . . . in the wisdom of uncertainty lies the freedom from our past, from the known, which is the prison of past conditioning. And in our willingness to step into the unknown, the field of all possibilities, we surrender ourselves to the creative mind that orchestrates the dance of the universe.

Looking forward to what tomorrow, Day 4, will bring. Namaste.

Issues in your tissues? - Day 2 of the 10 day Hot Belly Yoga Challenge!

Day 2 completed!

This detoxifying challenge includes daily Hot Belly Yoga, a Soul Yoga t-shirt, detox tea, detox oil, and a Hot Belly detox massage.

Every day, yogis are asked these three questions:
1. How did you feel before class?
2. How did you feel during class?
3. How do feel after class?
Their answers are incredible! We cannot wait to see these beautiful lives transformed in 10 short days.

"New people are still signing up just wanting to be a part of this important autumnal cleanse. They are inquisitive and genuinely interested in a healthy transition." 
~ Tammie Fairchild

Hot Belly Yoga - 10 Day Challenge - Day 1!

We are under way!! The Hot Belly Challenge started this morning! 

18 yogis have accepted this challenge! 

The premise of this book is to understand how big of a role your digestion plays in your everyday functioning. When we have a healthy digestive system, we set ourselves up for success! Everything you eat is either feed dis"ease" or fight disease!! Choose to strengthen your inner fire and take control of your life! 

"First day of the Hot Belly Challenge was better than I imagined. All the students were eager to detoxify before the winter chill. Building strength, grounding and lots of pranayam. Tea is the Key! Gratitude to all these amazing participants and students." 

~ Tammie (yoga instructor)

"The energy in the room was so positive, I felt connected with everybody in the room. Manas read my pulse this morning and I am on FIRE, I am a Pitta! This experience helped me really go inside and feel how I need to cool that fire." 

~ Lisa (yoga graduate and student)