Welcome Spring!
Sprin arrives on the Vernal Equinox - March 21, the time of total balance between the earth and the sun. The forces of nature call us to get back into balance. It is the perfect time to get things in order, do our spring cleaning inside and out. So this month's Health Matters is all about Balance.
Dr Beth Quinn shares this about balance:
Ahhh, to achieve balance in body, mind, and soul so the spirit may feel free!
How do we achieve balance in our full and demanding lives? In these times of dramatic world change, we are being asked to awaken to the ebb and flow of the universal current.
We are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. We can do this consciously, gracefully, and with full support when we let go into the process. It is time to manifest our highest and greatest dreams, desires, needs and aspirations. It's not work to care for the self, the body, the mind and the soul; it's our conscious presence.
Balance yourself. Come, join us in celebrating our existence on this beautiful planet. As we balance ourselves, so will Mother Earth be balanced. And it is only through our imbalance that we know what we need to achieve balance and wholeness. We are the heroes and heroines of our own sacred lives. It is time for conscious community. - Dr Beth Quinn We hope that no matter how you find your own balance that this newsletter offers you insight, inspiration and motivation.
Be Well,
The Staff at All That Matters |
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posture in practice
VRKSASANA - TREE POSE
Posturing for Balance
by Cathy Cesario, E-RYT
Those who practice the physical aspects of yoga, usually do so in order to come into a physical and mental balance from within. For many of us in this hectic world, we allow the "busy mind" to have its way with us, keeping us up at night, keeping us on the go, telling us we have obligations, responsibilities, things for which we must continue to strive, or else...yes, or else what? The physical practice of yoga, called Hatha yoga, offers us an invitation to bring body and mind into balance, which usually means quieting the "busy mind" and becoming a compassionate observer of the self. This kind of attention heals the body and quiets the mind.
Tree Pose is one of the foundational yoga postures for increasing balance. As you focus on balancing poses, the invitation you have before you is to explore what gets it the way of your finding balance. Does your ankle wobble, telling you that you never quite regained your strength back after that sprain? Does your mind wander off? Is your ego so intent on "doing it right" that you rush into the final pose without taking your time to get grounded and supported in that standing leg?
All of these questions can be quite revealing in what patterns or habits you have when it comes to finding balance in your life. So as you consider the technical steps to Tree Pose, allow yourself to ask some questions and make some observations about your relationship to finding balance. The above was excerpted from Cathy's complete article " Posturing" for Balance. To read this article in it's entirety and a step by step approach to Tree Pose click here... |
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optimal health.....naturally Spring is the perfect time to consider a fast or cleansing detox diet.
There are many ways to approach a spring body cleanse.
Naturopath, Dr Keri Layton says "Cleansing is a tool that can put control over your health back in your hands. I have worked with many chronically ill patients and have often seen this detoxification process as the turning point in a person's road to health. When I teach about detoxification, I encourage people to think about their health within and beyond their body. The critical truth is that no one plan fits all people. For one person, a liquid fast can be pivitol, while for another, it is toxic relationships or environments that need to be cleansed. Making the space to see what is weighing you down and taking the steps to change it can profoundlly improve your health and happiness.
Pick a length of time, 3 days or 2 weeks, whatever you can wholly commit to. Then focus on improving those areas that are stuck. Stick to the program you design for yourself until you meet your goal. Once the time you've set aside is over, keep some of the good habits. You do not need to continue an aggressive fast, but checking in with your stress or diet regularly can be the mini- cleanse you do for yourself on a regular basis. "
Dr Keri Layton is a Naturopath at All That Matters and is offering a class called Ready Set Cleanse beginning Mar 4.
There are so many books on the topic and here is one that you might consider available in the Store at All That Matters:
 by Elson M. Haas, MD a practicing physician since 1973, instrumental in the development of the field of Integrated Medicine. He is the founder and director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin, an Integrated Healthcare Facility in San Rafael, California, where he specializes in Family and Nutritional Medicine, Detoxification, and Individualized Health Programs. He also oversees regular Detox Groups for people to learn this important process of healing in their daily lives. |
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ask our teachers
We asked some of our teachers:
What does balance mean to you and how do you find it in your life?
Making the commitment to consistently make time for my yoga practice is how I connect to balance.
Coral Brown, Yoga Instructor
"I consciously cultivate a life that is evenly balanced between responsibilities and other things that are necessary to nourish me. This takes some effort and letting-go of the things that become too heavy, but the stability that is created makes it much easier for me to weather the storms."
-Erin Sharaf physician's assistant
Balance to me means being able to juggle a lot of things at once while still moving forward with ease. I find balance when I spend time outside connecting with nature. I love spending as much time as possible outside. I usually go out every day for at least for a few minutes even on the coldest days. - Heidi Gabrilowitz, Integrated Energy Therapy Master Instructor. Heidi will be teaching IET Level 1 on Mar 21.
. ...I get amazed at how 5 minutes of yoga can change my attitude and calm anxieties. Chanting and singing spiritual mantras can balance my mind in 3 minutes. The most difficult challenge is finding the discipline to take the time to do "it"....Making time for me is my priority because I hate feeling "out of balance"! Being in balance gives me fresh energy to give my attention to the people around me, and uplift their spirits. I really feel balanced if I have helped make someone's day--how rewarding is that! Oh yes one more thing -- I watch a funny movie -laughing feels soooo good!
- Margaret Trezza, Kundalini Yoga Instructor
Coming from a macrobiotic background.. I love the concept of balance and yin and yang. Those minutes or days we feel aligned or balanced ... are like flying on the wings of grace.. ....I believe balance and vitality are our birthright yet we have forgotten how to care for ourselves and honor ourselves and our bodies and that tips the scales of balance.
Dave (my husband) and I like to say that yoga, meditation and eating well are all just basic hygiene for good health. If we take care of our basic health... the wings of grace swoop down for a ride!!! I hop on whenever I can!
- Joan Dwyer, owner/co-founder All That Matters
Joan will be teaching Whole Foods 101 again May 30th. To read all the great responses we received click here... |
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eat pray laugh
Recipes, Mantras and Jokes to Feed Your Spirit
eat
Yogi Bhajan's
YOGITEA
Yogi Tea is health promoting, delicious and soothing and a great coffee substitute. The benefits of Yogi Tea would fill pages.
Click here for the complete recipe and other Kundalini cleansing recipes.
Kundalini Yoga - Get Ready for Spring March 21 with Margaret Trezza
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Mantra
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
I honor my true self.
(lit., Om, salutations to Shiva) Om is the primordial sound; Namah is to honor or bow to; Shivaya denotes divine Consciousness, the Lord who dwells in every heart.
The repetition of this powerful mantra opens the heart and can bring you to a place of inner peace and balance.
To hear this mantra sung by Deva Premal click here |
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laugh
A group of bats, hanging at the ceiling of a cave discovers a single bat STANDING upright underneath on the floor of the cave. Surprised by this unusual behavior, they ask this fellow: "What's wrong with you? What are you doing down there?" And the fellow shouts back: "Yoga!"
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browse and
be inspired
The Nose Knows
Finding Balance through Aromatherapy
by Kendall Sheldon
Aromatherapy brings balance right through your nose.....
Quality body care lines base their products on being in balance with nature. Both Dr. Hauschka and Weleda Body Care go as far as producing the essences from plants by harvesting them at specific times of the year, cycle of the moon, time of day and the plant itself. "In Harmony With Nature" is Weleda's motto, and looks into the structures of life and nature, as well as insight into the human soul and spirit. You just don't find that kind of philosphy and practice in many companies. That is why we choose to carry these two high quality body care lines in The Store at All That Matters.
Here are 5 specific qualities of different plant essences that you can find in our store. Often you will be naturally drawn to the smell that can give you the most sense of balance.
Lavender is most commonly known for soothing and calming. It is known to help unwind tension as well as to be protective and comforting. Good if you are around sick people or work in hospitals
Rose harmonizes and revitalizes, and is good for exhaustion, nervousness, sensitivity
Arnica is soothing, warming and helps restore tired, aching muscles before and after physical activity
Blackthorn- warming, firming and toning
Citrus and Lemon are enlivening, firming and energizing... like taking in the sun.
We hope you will be inspired to come in to the store, smell and sample for yourself....
Kendall Sheldon has over 30 years experience in the practice of yoga and is the founding teacher of the All That Matters yoga program. She is the merchandise buyer and manager for THE STORE @ ALL THAT MATTERS. |
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