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Moon Dates
New Moon August 29 Full Moon Sept. 12
New Moon Sept. 27
Full Moon Oct. 12 New Moon Oct. 26
Fall Equinox is September 23 |
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 Happy August! Welcome. We're deep into August and I'd like to offer especially warm and exuberant greetings to all the Leos! August is my birthday month, and I was born a Leo through and through... I was even born on a SUNday and my Grandfather Garland's first name was Leo. We Leos place a paramount value upon honesty and loyalty... and are naturally born with a pure, true, and generous heart. So from my heart to yours, please enjoy this month's edition. I'm happy you're here. |
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Inner Clarity
"Ch-ch-ch changes... turn and face the strain. Ch-ch changes." David Bowie
Everyone is feeling it. We're all going through rapidly changing circumstances in seemingly all facets of our individual and collective human existence. Some joyful, some painful, some catastrophic and devastating. So how do we navigate? We hear advice of all kinds... "just let go", "surrender to your highest wisdom", "surrender", "pray", "focus on the good", "meditate".
I meditate daily.... sometimes many times daily.... and I try to view every moment as a living meditation. It's a natural part of my life now, but it wasn't always that way. When I first learned to meditate, it was really hard, and not very pleasant at all. But over the years, I discovered practices that worked for me, and I've been blessed to pass along tips and techniques that have helped my yoga students find inner clarity through meditation.
My first point of advice is "don't try to meditate". Instead, begin by increasing your AWARENESS. Become aware of your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Check in with yourself throughout the day. For example, when stopped at a traffic light - what do you find yourself thinking about? What do your eyes gaze upon? What emotions are flowing to the surface? Avoid judging, just take note. Simply observe.
Practice being aware of what you feel and how you react physically and emotionally throughout the day. At first don't try to change anything, just be aware.
Once you get into the habit of observing your awareness, then begin to DIRECT your awareness.
The awareness flashlight technique is a great way to learn to direct your awareness. Imagine that all of your thoughts, feelings and emotions are in one large, darkened room. Your awareness is the beam of a flashlight that illuminates one small part of the room. Maybe your flashlight beam is focused on a feeling of anxiety or fear. Know that you can move your beam of awareness to another spot... maybe a spot in the room that holds acceptance, patience, tranquility. If you get stuck in an obsessive thought, or repeated pattern, know that it's just your beam of awareness that's narrowing in on one very small point. You can nudge the flashlight beam just a little to gain another perspective.
Yoga and pranayama are beautifully designed to help us develop and expand our awareness. After practicing asana and yogic breathing, you can more easily and naturally direct your awareness and then hold your awareness in concentration. Once you're there, meditation becomes effortless.
Take your time, be patient with yourself, but try to practice expanding your awareness a little each day. I'm available for your questions, and I'm happy to help you along your path.
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 Ayurveda Tips We're still in summertime pitta season, but in some climates the cool air of fall is signaling an approach of vata season. Here in the desert, we'll be managing pitta for a couple of more months, and it's important to pay close attention to seasonal transitions and weather fluctuations. Cleanses and fasting can be very effective as we transit from one season to the next. But... there is really not a "one size fits all" approach. Your unique constitution and present condition will determine the best course of action for you. Begin by learning your dosha type and then determine the best foods, and lifestyle practices that are most suited to create balance in your life right now. I recommend checking out Dr. Vasant Lad's website where you'll find dosha questionnaires, food lists, classes, recipes and treasure troves of information. Click here for the link to Dr. Lad's Ayurvedic Institute I am available for ayurvedic lifestyle consultations. Please contact me for more information. |
Pranayama Simple Abdominal Breathing (diaphragmatic breathing)
I'm including the abdominal breathing technique again this month because IT'S THAT IMPORTANT:). Learning to control your breath is exactly the same as the control of awareness, so it is good to be patient in the early stages. As you learn to breathe rhythmically and from the diaphragm, you release tensions in the solar plexus. You learn to be spontaneous and free on the inside, and life force, prana, runs through you vibrantly and uninhibited. You will reduce stress and anxiety, and increase your immunity, vitality, and happiness!
Check out the July newsletter in the archives for step by step how-to instructions. Once you've got the basics down, practice abdominal breathing anytime, anywhere. Becoming AWARE of how you're breathing will help you develop and expand your overall sensory awareness.... it's a beautiful thing!!.
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   Minted Peaches and Figs
In summertime we're blessed with an abundance of fresh, ripe fruits in season. In ayurveda, we know that ripe, seasonal fruits are pure nutritional nectar when eaten according to your dosha. When eaten alone, not with a meal, fruits require very little digestive energy and tranform into rasa, a nourishing fluid that is immediately absorbed into your tissues and enhances your immunity and vitality. Ripe, juicy peaches are packed with nutrition and vital fluids, but they can elevate pitta. I've paired them with cooling, sweet figs to provide the perfect marriage. Enjoy this dish as cooling, refreshing treat. And remember, for optimal digestion and nutrition - eat this, and any other fruit, well before or well after enjoying other foods. Minted Peaches and Figs 2 large, ripe peaches, diced 8 ripe black mission figs, diced 1/4 c fresh mint leaves, chiffonade (cut into fine ribbons) honey (optional) cinnamon or nutmeg (optional) Lightly toss together peaches, figs and mint. If you like a little more sweetness, drizzle a bit of honey or agave nectar and maybe sprinkle a slight bit of spice. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to intertwine. Yummmmm! Variations - Try basil in addition to or instead of mint. For a sophisiticated twist, drizzle just a little bit of super high quality basalmic vinegar:) |
Woodfired Ceramics I was so very fortunate to spend a good part of this summer fully immersed in woodfired ceramics. We are all artists, and throughout our life journey our modes of expression emerge, connecting us with one another... and connecting more deeply into our true nature. There is an inherent alchemy, unique to the woodfire process requiring the artist to work intimately with the elements and forces of nature. Earth, water, fire, air and space combine, intertwine, transform, transmute, mold, shape, create and destroy.... all inside the microcosm of the wood kiln. Wood firing is also a very communal process. All the artists are involved in loading, firing, and unloading the kilns.... Also chopping wood, stacking wood, hauling wood, sorting wood (feeling the muscles in your biceps and back and thighs yet????) Teamwork is required.... when the kiln is a roaring inferno at 2300 degrees and it's time to feed more wood it is a beautiful dance... "Time to stoke.... gloves on hands, welding mask on face, you open loading door, I toss in 5 big pine logs... as fast as I can before the flames broil me alive!!!" We all take shifts keeping the fire burning, sometimes for a few days around the clock. I am honored, in awe, and so thankful for having the privilege to learn and work with some of the best woodfire artists in the world. My gratitude to Jason Hess, Takashi Nakazato, Kazu Oba, Etsuji Noguchi, and all the artists from the July woodfire. click here to view my work that emerged from the kilns
There will be 2 showings of this work in October, one in Scottsdale and one in Malibu, and yes, it is available for purchase. If you are interested in viewing before the show, please let me know. And... of course I appreciate your sharing this link!
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 Balasana (child's pose) Those of you who practice yoga probably know this pose as a resting pose, or a pose to do when down dog is just too much. But the benefits of balasana extend far beyond the yoga class... this asana is not to be underestimated. Child's pose stretches your thighs, hips, ankles and lengthens the spine. Your internal organs are allowed to relax and absorb vital fluids. In this pose, your senses draw inward (pratyhara), allowing your mind to become still - relieving stress, fatigue and anxiety.
I'm featuring balasana this month because it's a great shape to put your body into while practing focused awareness. I love the way you can feel your breath expand into the entire back of of your body. Your heart-space begins to open, your neck and shoulders become soft, and you can feel the external densities melt. As your senses begin to withdraw, it becomes easier to observe your thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Make sure your legs are comfortable, so do this on the carpet or a yoga mat. Also try pressing your shin bones down into the floor to help activate your legs. Your head should rest on the floor. If it doesn't quite reach, place a pillow, folded towel, or yoga block under your forehead so it's supported. Your knees can be together, or separated. Ideally, your big toes should touch, but it's most important to be comfy, so don't strain if they're not touching.
Linger awhile in child's pose. Expand AWARENESS of your tailbone and the crown of your head at the same time. With each breath, stretch the distance between the head and tailbone, and feel your back become broad and supple. Take your time coming out of the pose. Allow yourself to enliven all of your senses in a kneeling position before attempting to sit or stand. |
 Aromatherapy Nebulizer My new favorite thing is this fabulous aromatherapy nebulizer I got for my birthday. You fill the reservoir with water and a few drops of essential oils. It infuses the room with a fine, cool mist of beautiful moist, clean scent. I've been delighting in a combination of geranium, rose, lavender and sandalwood. Lovely!!! |
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Coming Up Next Month
What is Vastu, and why should you know about it?
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Awareness
"Dear Prudence, open up your eyes. Look around, round round round round. Look around." John Lennon, Paul McCartney
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Contact Info: deborah garland deb@kaivalyadesigns.com
Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to a friend, and contact me with any questions, comments or suggestions. Thanks for being here!
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