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All this possibility and beauty from our breath and yet, often our breathing reinforces our identification with our smallness, our minima. There is a direct connection between breathing and emotions. We feel this when we are sobbing in grief, breathing the tremble of anger, or holding our breath from fear or pain. Also, we may habitually and unnecessarily breath shallowly or with jerks which keeps us in a loop of fearful emotions, panic, and anxiety. But unlike most of our involuntary functions, we can have conscious control over our breathing and set our own new normal.
 So right now, take a deep, full, smooth breath down to your diaphragm --- let's release stuck emotions and begin a new year with new vitality, increased prana, and infusion of spirit.
A new morning ritual may be offering your first deep breath to spirit and recognizing that you can live this day "inspired'. As you move through your activities, periodically take a moment and breathe to the deep place for your health and for your pranic radiance.
Live with intention and be well, Rhonda
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 Expansion: I would love to distribute this newsletter more widely.
If you know of anyone who could benefit from this knowledge and the practical tips, please feel free forward Radiant Life Ayurveda eNews.
You may hit the Forward Email button at the bottom of this email or send this link to your friends: http://www.radiantlifeayurveda.com/
Many thanks and blessings for your expansion as well in 2012.
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| Breathe on me, breath of God
This hymn is based on a prayer inscribed on the walls of a monastery in Belgium, dating back to the 8th century. The words were turned into a hymn by Edwin Hatch, a 19th century Anglican academic at Oxford. Below is an excerpt.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Blend all my soul with Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.
Listen to a children's choir from Capetown, South Africa sing a glorious rendition--it is fully breath giving!
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Classes: January and February 2012
Rhonda Egidio, Ph. D. is an Ayurvedic Practitioner with great passion for sharing the wisdom of Ayurveda and the simple
yet effective practices that can make important upgrades to our digestion and overall radiant health. For more information visit: http://RadiantLifeAyurveda.com
Unity of Kalamazoo
Ayurveda Basics for Radiant Health. Thursdays January 19 and 26, 10am-noon. $45 (registration/ payment by January 12) or $55 after. Details
Ayurveda Home Remedies for Colds, Flus, the Blues...and more winter hardiness formulas and strategies. Thursdays February 2 and 16, 10am-noon. $50 (registration/payment by January 26) or $60 after. Includes herbal tea samples that we will make. Details
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Awake and Aware Ayurveda Basics-Assessment and Strategies for Vibrant Health in 2012. Saturdays January 21 & 28, noon-2pm. $50 (registration/ payment by January 14) or $60 after. Details - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sangha Yoga Winter Detox Course: Four Wednesdays January 4 - 25, 5:15-6:30pm. $55 or $16/week drop-in. The primary instructor is Kara Aubin, This class will include asana, pranayama, and meditation practices for purification and detoxification of body, mind, and heart. Rhonda Egidio will be a guest instructor for the class on January 18 to focus on Ayurveda diet and lifestyle. Details - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Checks may be made payable to Rhonda Egidio and dropped off at the host site or mailed to Rhonda at 1630 Grand Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49006
For classes coming up soon pleases send me an email to confirm registration and arrange payment. Advanced notice is needed as there are lots of handouts. You may also call me at 269-345-2991. |
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Science of Breath
Yogis who are masters of "svarodaya" claim to be conscious of every breath they take. When we are not conscious of breath, an unconscious part of the mind kicks in and breathes for us. This autonomic functioning comes out of our primitive brain which also holds emotions and thoughts of which we have little or no awareness. All of this running on automatic becomes haphazard and irregular and links breathing to unconscious thoughts and emotions which, for the most part, are troubling for us. But mindful breathing can avert this process. First, some science.
Air we inhale moves to the trachea, which splits into two bronchial tubes supplying each lung. The bronchia in turn branch off like limbs on a tree until they get smaller and smaller, eventually ending in tiny air sacs called alveoli, which are one cell thin and appear like bubbles. From here oxygen goes into the bloodstream.
There should be a balance between the amount of blood flowing in the receiving capillaries and the amount of oxygen reaching the alveoli. But blood is not evenly distributed throughout the lung field: Gravity influences blood to collect in the lower lung. Because typical breathing focuses more on the upper lungs, the blood to oxygen ratio is inefficient. This inefficiency increases if alveoli become damaged through smoking or inhaling other toxins.
So here is what this means for your health. When we breathe deeply (called diaphragmatic breathing) we suck oxygen to the lowest part of the lungs which is thickest with blood available for transportation to cells throughout the body. Chest breathing requires more effort (needs more oxygen) to achieve the same amount of blood and air mixing as does slow, regular deep breathing. Chest breathing also requires the heart to work harder to supply blood to the upper lungs.
To Try: As you meditate, begin with deep diaphragmatic breathing first. If you practice yoga, include deep 3 part breathing. On your morning walk, breathe deeply. When aware of any lack of ease, take the oxygen past your habitual shallow, old emotional breathing to the deep place where your hemoglobin is waiting to carry oxygen to each and every cell. Live and breathe inspired!
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Personal Ayurveda Assessment 
Rhonda Egidio Ph.D., provides Ayurvedic assessments of primary health concerns, diet, sleep and lifestyle. The assessment includes pulse and tongue diagnosis and health interview to determine your Constitutional Dosha balance (prakruti) and more importantly your current imbalance (vikruti). You will receive a detailed written summary of your dosha states/assessment results, a list of personal recommendations, and recipes and other resources to support you in restoring balance.
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A New Year!
May 2012 be inspired for you in every way.
Cheers and blessings, Rhonda Egidio
Radiant Life Ayurveda
Ayurveda information shared here is for general educational purposes and is not intended to substitute for medical or psychological advice. Please consult with a qualified medical professional in these matters. |
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Upcoming Events
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Unity of Kalamazoo:
Ayurveda Basics for Radiant Health January 19 & 26
Ayurveda Home Remedies February 2 & 16 Awake and Aware: Ayurveda Basics-Assessment and Strategies for Vibrant Health in 2012 January 21 & 28 Sangha Yoga: Winter Detox Course: Four Wednesdays January 4 - 25
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Nadi Shodhanam (Alternate Nostril Breathing): The Value
Normal breathing automatically alternates from one nostril to the other at various times during the day. In a healthy person the switch happens about every two hours. Because most of us are not in optimum health, this time period varies considerably (often 3 hours or more) and further reduces our vitality.
According to the yogis, when the breath flows in one nostril for more than two hours, it will have an adverse effect on our health. If the right nostril is excessively open (left blocked), the result is mental and nervous disturbance. If the left nostril is excessively open, chronic fatigue and reduced brain function. The longer the flow of breath in one nostril, the more serious the condition will be.
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Nadi Shodhanam:
The Practice
Directions: Sit quietly in a chair or cross-legged on the floor and gently inhale through both nostrils. Block your right nostril with your thumb as you inhale through the left nostril to the count of 6 (or whatever suits you). Now release the right nostril and block your left nostril with your middle or ring finger as you exhale through the right.  Inhale right, then switch and exhale left. This is one round. Continue for about 4 rounds, or more as you become comfortable. Rest and breathe gently through both nostrils for a few rounds. For audio instructions |
Roasted Pears
Roasted pears are
warm and cozy for cold winter nights.
1/2 tsp star anise
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c raisins or dried
cranberries
2 Tbsp oatmeal
1/2 tsp cloves
4 pears
Preheat oven to 350. Powder the spices in a coffee grinder or pulverize with a mortar and pestle. Peel and halve the pears, slicing out the core. Place pears in a baking pan. Add 1/4c of water. Sprinkle with spices and raisins.
Bake, covered, for one hour or until pears are tender. Uncover, sprinkle rolled oats and, optionally, pecans. Broil for five minutes for a grilled effect.
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Sweet Breath
To keep your good, deep breath sweet, try these Ayurveda tips.
Chew cardamom or fennel seeds or a clove (the spice, not garlic :-) after a meal.
Chew mint, parsley or rosemary leaves.
Enjoy a tea from fenugreek seeds.
Scrape your tongue daily with an Ayurveda tong ue scraper, a spoon, or your toothbrush.
Drink plenty of water between meals, not during a meal.
Reduce toxins in your diet. |
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Your Reception of Mailings
I will send out a monthly newsletter and perhaps an occasional additional mailing. If you do not wish to receive future mailings from Radiant Life Ayurveda,you may unsubscribe at the bottom of this email. This mailing list will not be sold or shared with others in respect for your privacy. Rhonda
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