Summer Solstice Walk....

The Summer Solstice is almost here and what better way to celebrate than to go for a walk in the countryside.  

Sal at the Willow Clinic is organizing a Solstice Walk this Sunday June 21st.  Please visit her website listed below for full details.  

Treat yourself to a happy and healthy mid-Summer celebration.

Namaste      Luma

http://www.thewillowclinic.com/clinic/

Outdoor Holistic Yoga! Fresh Air, Sunshine and Yoga... what could be better!

      OUTDOOR HOLISTIC YOGA! 
       BRING ON THE SUNSHINE!



Come and join me for outdoor Holistic Yoga every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 am to 12pm at the Medicine Garden in Cobham.  The benefits of exercising outside include fresh oxygen in your lungs, sunshine on your skin and the stimulation of Vitamin D production in your body.  Often the air we breath indoors contains negative ions which leave us feeling tired and lethargic.  Fresh open air is filled with positive ions lifting our spirits and our energy levels.

I hope to see you in the Medicine Garden this Friday for some fresh air, sunshine and Holistic Yoga.  

Namaste     Luma

The Seven Chakras

                         The 7 Chakras

The Seven Chakras are the energy centers of the body through which our energy should flow freely.  When these energy centers become blocked it is possible to release blocked energy through specific Yoga postures.  Depending upon which Chakra is malfunctioning you can design a practice which targets specific Chakras and remove blockages.  When energy is blocked it can cause a variety of physical and mental health problems.  Restoring the flow of energy will improve your physical, emotional and mental state.




1. Root Chakra - Represents our foundation and feeling of being grounded. Associated with the color Red.

2. Sacral Chakra - Our connection and ability to accept others and new experiences. Associated with the color Orange.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra - Our ability to be confident and in-control of our lives.  Associated with the color yellow.

4. Heart Chakra - Our ability to love.  Associated with the color Green.

5. Throat Chakra - Our ability to communicate. Associated with the color light blue.

6. Third Eye Chakra - Our ability to focus on and see the big picture.  Associated with the color deep blue.

7. Crown Chakra - The highest Chakra represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually.  Associated with the color purple.

Namaste          Luma

Glorious Garlic....

  

Garlic is a vegetable that evokes strong emotions... you either love it and can't get enough of the stuff or you hate it and are repelled by the mere mention of the name... But love it or hate it, there is no denying the many health benefits of eating garlic.  

• Lowers High Blood Pressure
• Lowers High Cholesterol
• Protects the heart keeping arteries elastic
• Combats Allergies
• Protects the body from colds and coughs
• Balances Blood Sugar Levels
• Contains Anti-Cancer properties
• Helps relieve Toothache
• Helps prevent Iron deficiency and Anemia
• Reduces Arthritis Pain
• Fights Fungal Infections

So eat more Garlic and you are sure to experience enhanced health and well being.  If you really dislike the taste you can take Garlic as a supplement in capsule form avoiding the taste but benefiting from the healing power of this infamous vegetable.  

Namaste   Luma

Are you addicted to Coffee? Are you ignoring the effects on your health and well being?

 

My Mother used to say to me don't talk to me in the morning before I've had my coffee.... The role of coffee in many people's lives can be surprising... When I decided to give up coffee I was fascinated by the reaction of friends and colleagues.... The responses ranged from ' Are you crazy?... how are you going to manage?  to ' Coffee is my best friend... its the only reason I get up in the morning...!' to ' I'd rather give up my husband than my coffee...'  The range of emotion was intense and extreme.  

What role does coffee / caffeine play in your life?  Are you able to take it or leave it? Or does it play a far more profound role than merely a mid morning pick-me-up... 

The fact is coffee is a highly addictive substance that has significant side effects both psychologically and physically.  I would like to suggest an experiment. Write on a piece of paper how you feel about drinking coffee... does it make you feel... happy, secure, restored, rewarded, comforted, valued, pampered, awake... is it a reliable port in the daily storms of life?  

And then I would like to you write down any side effects you experience from drinking coffee or.... when you skip a routine cup of coffee... I think the results might disturb you.  And they should.


Symptoms of excessive Caffeine intake

• An elevated heart rate
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Difficulty sleeping
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Urinating Excessively
• Dehydration
• Vomiting
• Large amounts of caffeine may stop the absorption of calcium and lead to thinning bones 
• Caffeine may lead to painful, lumpy breasts

Withdrawal symptoms

• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Vomiting

I would like you to take a week off drinking coffee and replace it with Green Tea... Green Tea is the Fairy Godmother of Coffee... transforming the detrimental effects of coffee into a fairy-tale of positive health benefits.

It will not be easy... Do you feel that you physically NEED your coffee?  This need is partially physical, caffeine is an addictive drug that your body will have to withdraw from and withdrawal can be both physically and psychologically difficult.  But the real need is usually more psychologically difficult than physically.  So I suggest you replace your coffee fix with Green Tea.  Once you have passed through the physical withdrawal symptoms you will notice the many benefits Green Tea provides without the side effects of coffee.  

I hope you will take up the challenge and free your body and mind from an unhealthy dependence on coffee. 

Namaste               Luma

The Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

                  

Add some excitement to your juicing routine.... add frozen yogurt or greek yogurt .... a boost of protein and tastes like dessert!

Delicious juices can be turbo charged with healthy doses of protein by adding either frozen yogurt or Greek yogurt to the mix.  

If you would like a juice but need a bit more substance adding protein can really provide sustained energy for far longer than drinking just the juice itself.  

Smoothies are a great and equally healthy alternative to juices.  And it is a great way to get your kids to drink up those lovely juices that they may not be as keen on in juice form.

So shake up your juicing and experiment to find the combinations which give you fantastic vitamins and minerals combined with muscle building protein.

Especially delicious when the weather heats up.  

Namaste     Luma