I recently read the book Healthy, Happy, Sexy by Katie Silcox. This book helps to explain the "life science", "sister science of yoga" - Aryuveda.
Here's the back story- I've been enamored with Katie since I met her four years ago at a workshop held at YogaHome in Symmes. Katie came in the room wearing a two piece bathing suit, and claiming she still wondered why people would want to do HOT yoga. She told us, the heat is unnecessary, yoga naturally builds heat, the Ujjayi breath naturally builds heat in the body- so why would we add more? She made us "massage" our livers, we felt our kidneys, and at the end of class, she persuaded us to spend 30 seconds on opening our knees out and then back in on Supta Baddha Konasana. Crazy- but the true me, loved it!
Her body had woman's curves, (what I know now after reading the book a Kapha body type) not like what I was used to seeing in my yoga classes. And her self acceptance and self confidence made her even that much more beautiful to me.
Her book does not disappoint! It is just as voluptuous and down to earth and as open and in your face with it all as she is.
So since I've read the book, I've taken more time for meditation - even if just 5 minutes a day- especially when I first wake up. I count my breaths or repeat the mantra SO Ohm (SO on the in breath, HuM on the out breath), I drink warm lemon water (1/2 juice of a lemon in a warm mug of water) first thing every morning, and I take time to do some of the meditations she includes in the SEXY part of the book. (I'll leave the book to explain those to you.)
I have found these small changes in my routines to be very healthful and health building.
I'm trying to live more consciously:
1. workout without the radio blaring in my ears so I can feel what my body is experiencing and truly be with the experience,
2. take mental pictures of each moment with my children and spouse knowing once we're in that moment- it's over (if I'm not present in that moment my heart won't own it),
3. acknowledging that success comes when I live life free of judgement- judgement of others, but especially judgement of myself and my abilities.
All in all, I'm trying to be a best friend to myself, or at least as kind and loving and accepting as I am to all my best friends.
And, most of the time, it's working for me.
Hope this helps you.
Here's the back story- I've been enamored with Katie since I met her four years ago at a workshop held at YogaHome in Symmes. Katie came in the room wearing a two piece bathing suit, and claiming she still wondered why people would want to do HOT yoga. She told us, the heat is unnecessary, yoga naturally builds heat, the Ujjayi breath naturally builds heat in the body- so why would we add more? She made us "massage" our livers, we felt our kidneys, and at the end of class, she persuaded us to spend 30 seconds on opening our knees out and then back in on Supta Baddha Konasana. Crazy- but the true me, loved it!
Her body had woman's curves, (what I know now after reading the book a Kapha body type) not like what I was used to seeing in my yoga classes. And her self acceptance and self confidence made her even that much more beautiful to me.
Her book does not disappoint! It is just as voluptuous and down to earth and as open and in your face with it all as she is.
So since I've read the book, I've taken more time for meditation - even if just 5 minutes a day- especially when I first wake up. I count my breaths or repeat the mantra SO Ohm (SO on the in breath, HuM on the out breath), I drink warm lemon water (1/2 juice of a lemon in a warm mug of water) first thing every morning, and I take time to do some of the meditations she includes in the SEXY part of the book. (I'll leave the book to explain those to you.)
I have found these small changes in my routines to be very healthful and health building.
I'm trying to live more consciously:
1. workout without the radio blaring in my ears so I can feel what my body is experiencing and truly be with the experience,
2. take mental pictures of each moment with my children and spouse knowing once we're in that moment- it's over (if I'm not present in that moment my heart won't own it),
3. acknowledging that success comes when I live life free of judgement- judgement of others, but especially judgement of myself and my abilities.
All in all, I'm trying to be a best friend to myself, or at least as kind and loving and accepting as I am to all my best friends.
And, most of the time, it's working for me.
Hope this helps you.
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