Spring, scratch that, Winter Clean

I started a cleanse today, and so, for your interest … perhaps entertainment … I thought I’d blog a little about my progress along the way.

What am I doing?

The Kali Ayurvedic Yoga Detox lead by Lauren

What does it involve?

What doesn’t it involve?!

The full program will include:

*        Vegan diet (including 3 days of juicing)

*        dry-brushing and abhyanga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhyanga)

*        liver, colon and kidney cleanses

*        yoga, meditation and breath-work

*        self-reflection

How does it work?

Ayurveda is the sister-science to yoga, honed in over 5000 yrs and specifically tailored to your distinct dosha (you can find any number of dosha tests online – here’s a good example: http://www.yogajournal.com/health/2630 )

I fall in a split category, physically I’m Kapha, emotionally more of a Pitta.

It really doesn’t matter where you fall, and you will change over time / according to stresses etc, what’s important is trying to balance them.

Just as with yoga, the sister science works on balancing you out so that you feel more centred and relaxed, which in turn promotes well-being in all aspects of your life.

Ayurveda is not a quick fix, it is largely a preventative treatment (although an Ayurvedic specialist can work with you to treat and heal specific illnesses) that aims to promote a thoughtful approach to your nutrition and body care.  It focuses both on what’s going into your body and what you are putting on and doing with your body.

Why am I doing it?

Simply put – it’s time to clean.

I had a big move, lots of travel, holidays and sickness. It’s time to blow the cobwebs away and reset my body in preparation for the depths of winter.

And why follow this cleanse? A few reasons, initially I took interest in it because it was at my neighbourhood studio and I figured it would be a great way to meet some new people in the area. Having spent time with Lauren I’m so glad I signed up with her – she makes it so easy. We were all provided with a book of recipes, talked through every stage of the cleanse and given a bag of goodies to get us kicked off. For me the idea of “just eat vegan” is too hard, but if you give me a handful of recipes to work from I’m off, Lauren did all that and more and it’s super easy for me follow along and stay on track.

So … how are you doing?

Well, it’s only day 1 of an 8 day cleanse, but so far so good. Started the day at 6.30 (okay I lie, I snoozed and got up at 6.40 … but heck, it’s much better than the usual rushing out the door for work!). The early morning was actually lovely, and it gave me a chance to spend just a few minutes on breath-work and meditation, something I’ve long wanted to start but kept getting side-tracked by the comfort of my bed! It also feels good actually spending time on myself – not the usual rush – time to properly treat my skin, my body, and my morning.

The kidney cleanse is not enjoyable, not going to lie about that, but then I’m really not a fan of turmeric, so a blend of water, lemon, turmeric and cayenne pepper just doesn’t do it for me… but I got it down me (with some moral support) and I can manage that for 8 days …. I think!

Although I am constantly smelling turmeric today, literally everywhere, I think maybe I got some up my nose.

Worst part of the day for me was the hunger in the morning. I’m always hungry in the mornings, ALWAYS, and the cleanse requires that you always leave at least 3 hrs between meals. That for me is killer in the morning. I usually start with a protein shake, shortly followed by fruit, and then sometimes even a second piece of fruit or some nuts before lunch. Not unhealthy stuff, but constant snacking and this cleanse is designed to allow your system time to breathe and refresh itself.

I won't lie, I was pretty moany until lunch today.

Having said that it’s already close to 8 in the evening and I’m not feeling any real tiredness from the early start, if anything I feel fuller and more alert than usual. I’m actually eager to get myself home to do some yoga and take the pups out … which is a good a sign as any to sign off J See you tomorrow!

My Om is better than your Om

"Is the healing you do physical as well as everything else?"

"the three dimensions, are but one. and that, we are. so most definitely. yet the right answer to that question is however its best received by a specific audience in linear time. ya know what I mean?"

a-sphincter-say-what?!
This is an actual exert from a conversation I had with a friend of mine not too long ago. Now, as a disclaimer, I really like this guy, he's always been very sweet to me, but this was a perfect example of that occasion you try to turn to someone for help and they make you feel so confused and ridiculous that you just back off.

We've all met them right? That guy or gal who thinks they're just so much more zen then you. They look at you with those pitying eyes when you explain you're really enjoying your yoga practice and say something banal like "oh my dear, what you're doing is just an asana practice, true yoga runs so much deeper...".

Don't get me wrong, I know there's a whole lot more to this yoga lark than just a physical practice and I actively work every day to incorporate yoga into all aspects of my life (believe me - it ain't always easy living in LA in 2012, so it's definitely a "practice"). Nonetheless, I try to keep my spiritual and lifestyle opinions to myself unless I am directly asked. Okay okay - that's not strictly true - my ever patient boyfriend and my closest friends do have to put up with me offering my advice whenever I see fit, but that's what they're there for right?! (I'm sure they all gave a big sigh of relief when I finally joined my Teacher Training group and found like-minded yogis who were happy to chat with me all day about doshas and the best asana for a head cold ;)) In general though, I try to honour other people's space and journey, if someone chats to me about it I am really happy to talk and share my personal experiences, suggest books to read, places to visit etc, but I try to respect where they are and what they are looking for, rather than try to push where I believe someone should be.

When I first started yoga I really wasn't looking for anything other than a new style of work out. For me that's all I thought I needed. I was lucky to have a friend that introduced me to yoga and pushed nothing, she was obviously happy, healthy and content and could see that yoga would eventually get me to that stage too, but she did nothing more than suggest I take a class, the rest was up to me. The CorePower Yoga studio suited me perfectly. It looked and felt like a gym - clean, bright and modern - and the teacher didn't try to tell me to "drop into a meditative state", instead he told me to breathe and push it during the core series. The mental and emotional benefits took time for me and I was glad to be able to do this at my own pace. When I approached my friend or one of the teachers about why I felt overwhelmed during half-pigeon they were there to talk to me and help me and they never made me feel anything but secure and safe.

Sadly, that can't be said about everyone I've come across. I've been told on numerous occasions that if I were a true yogi I would be vegan, or that I wouldn't touch alcohol, I've even been told that I couldn't possibly expect to have any sort of spiritual understanding unless I meditate for at least 2-3 hours a day. Well, bugger that! I enjoy cheese pizza and beer far too much and, whilst I'd love to have the time for a regular meditation practice, I also have a full time job and friends, a work-out routine, a puppy and a relationship.

So, here's my advice (whether you asked for it or not :)), you are exactly where you are supposed to be. If you want to know more about yoga then ask someone you trust and love and don't listen to the oh-so-perfect yogis who make you feel like you're at the bottom of the totem pole. More than likely your own yoga practice is actually much clearer and more honest. Think about it this way, if you're really happy with your relationship do you feel the need to shout about it and tell other people how happy you are and how they could possibly achieve such a great boyfriend or girlfriend too? No, more than likely you're so happy you don't have time to preach to others. The same goes for yoga, if you feel someone is judging you for not being as "perfect" as them, just brush it off, they're fighting their own demons. That guy sitting in the lotus position, eyes closed, smiling wryly and shaking his head at your "naive" question about the meaning of Om has much more to deal with than he probably realizes. Walk away and find someone who can really help you.

And to this end, keeping a sense of your own intuition keeps you safe, trust yourself and you will avoid these awkward situations, and importantly those groups or individuals who prey on the open hearts and minds of yogis (unfortunately there are some not so great people out there). Listen to your gut, if something feels off it usually is. And if you're not sure what it's telling you, talk to someone you've trusted for a long time, or someone within a known and respected studio.

Don't ever be made to feel that you're silly for asking a question or that you could never be a "true" yogi because you like to watch Glee and eat a gallon of ice cream on a Tuesday night. Being a yogi is about being the best you that you can possibly be, yoga recognizes any path to an open heart and joyous spirit and it is non-judgmental. Hell, if Robert Downey Jr can be a yogi after all his mischief there's hope for us all!

And if you ever feel hurt or embarrassed by someone's reaction - try to remember this and I guarantee you'll giggle every time.