From yoga to yogi: a diary of change

A few ideas

2010-02-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

Today I went for a good run along the beach. (the best place for it, I think). After that I did a one and a half hour Rodney Yee strength building yoga dvd. I am still finding my style in yoga, but I must admit. Rodney Yee is easy to follow and comprehend; I like him. I found this a good yoga session, for the very reason that I'm trying to build more strength in my upper body. I'm naturally quite strong, but I cannot stay in Adho Mukha Svanasana (or as us laymen's know it downward facing dog) very long. Maybe less than two minutes. I'm trying to build this up to five minutes, by a couple of weeks.

This week-end, I have been spending the time with my best friend. My diet was good, because she is quite healthy. And on top of this, she doesn't really drink alcohol. However, a few late nights have led me to be a little exhausted. This doesn't go with my dosha type, as Kapha I need a regular sleeping pattern, as well as lots of it. On the subject of Dosha's, I found some nice you tube clips on how to balance your dosha. Check them out, if you found the last blog of interest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcnaw6mVy74&feature=player_embedded.

If you find it difficult to find clothing which suits what you do in yoga, and don't want to fritter away money on items that may be unsuitable; too hot, cold, or uncomfortable. I'm thinking of writing an objective critique blog about the different styles of yoga clothing that's available on the market, and other materials. For example I will try out different attire and where them for different types of yoga; to determine which outfit suits the yoga best.

This will take a great deal of work on my side. So if you're interested, let me know.

I have tried very hard to completely eliminate tea and coffee, but as my friend was here. We went to Starbucks. I love their caramochiato's. They are full of calories, but I just couldn't help myself. I'm only human after all. And we all have our naughties. But, Monday is tomorrow. So no more naughties for me. If I want to lose a couple of stone, I must not submit to the calorific treats. they say that if it isn't high in fat or calories, then it's not worth eating. But this is what my journey's all about. Re-training my mind. I am soon to order some lacto-vegetarian books with the recommendation of my yoga teacher, when I see him tomorrow. When I receive, and start cooking from them, I can comment and include recipes, that I find to be really tasty. If you like this idea, let me know once again.

Thank you, Emma.

What's your Dosha ???

2010-02-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

I was delving further into my research about yogic eating today. And I stumbled across some influential points, about an individual's particular constitution and circumstances.
Firstly, diet falls into three gunas: they are Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic foods.

Sattvic - This food type encourages clarity and calmness of the mind. Foods that are considered Satvic are important, as they are favorable for spiritual growth. Satvics foods are seen as fresh and agreeable; consisting of most fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, (particularly the green leafy variety), whole grains, honey, pure water and milk. I think this can sometimes be difficult to follow rigorously, not only for me as a student, but also in most Western countries. The problem is that fruit and vegetables must be super fresh; most of our food is imported from very long destinations. Milk is not sattvic unless it has been produced in an ethical way: it then becomes tamasic (I'll explain in one minute). In particular for me, as a student. I cannot afford to pay the price of organic food, or fresh food every day. I use a lot of tinned and frozen fruit and vegetables, which guess what, yes: they are not sattvic. so I guess, I have to be flexible with these three Gunas.
Rajasic - food types that fall into this category are considered to promote activity, and therefore induces restlessness of the mind. Rajasic food disturbs the equilibrium of the mind, and yoga practitioners avoid these foods for this very reason. Rajasic include most spicy foods, coffee and tea, eggs, garlic, onion, meat, fish and chocolate, as well as most processed food. It is also considered rajasic to eat too fast or with a disturbed mind. If it is peace of mind that one requires, these foods should be avoided. And yes, I am on a journey to become a true yogi, so these foods are out of bounds.
Tamasic - This guna must be avoided habitually. It induces heaviness of the body and dullness of the mind. As a yoga practitioner, tamasic will affect total ability to perform daily practices. Included here is alcohol, as well as food that is stale or overripe (my problem of being a student again). Overeating is also tamasic. The traditional advice is to fill the stomach half with food, one quarter with water, leaving the last quarter empty.

Now, back to the title. What is your Dosha, and it comes from Ayurveda, the 5,000 year old ''Science for life' from India. I discovered that although the three gunas have to be considered in diet, individuals also have to consider their genetic constituent. For example myself, when I eat bread I feel heavy and bloated. But my friends can eat it with each meal, and still weigh 7 or 8 stones. So basically Ayurveda is the art of living in harmony with nature. And to start with this journey, we have to know our Dosha type. I won't go in to detail about each Dosha, the information is here, visit http://www.whatsyourdosha.com/articles.html.

I hope you have found your Dosha. Mine is Kapha. And I very much agree with it. I wouldn't say I'm particularly heavy framed, or sturdy, but I am of a medium build. But I do have a good physical strength and stamina. I do need lots of exercise, every day. Exercise affects my mind, and I feel human and clearer after a good workout. As for sleep. If I don't get less than a good 9 hours, I am definitely ineffective. And I end up binge eating on chocolate.

What was your Dosha. Tell me, do you think it is correct ?????????????????????????

Now, before I end the blog for today, I'll go through my diet, and exercise regime.

Well. I woke up and weighed myself, an unhappy 10 and a half stone. Then I went for a run, but my weight wasn't behind me, it was on top of me. It was really difficult, but I managed it. Then I ate natural yogurt, with seeds and raisins. I remembered the tamasic guna about overeating. Half food, quarter water and quarter empty stomach. I didn't drink tea or coffee (which I think is the reason for my headache now), which is difficult. I love coffee. Happy days for herbal tea. I don't mind it actually.

For lunch, I was bad because I went to Las Iguanas, a Latin American restaurant. But the bad was outweighed by the good, and I ditched the oh so wonderful 'Mochito' for yummy, yummy water. Plus, I usually eat chicken and mushroom (two forbidden foods) chimichanga, with love and passion, but I traded it for the beetroot and quinoa salad, which I must admit was wonderfully flavorful, but huge. And once again, which is difficult, because I love my food; I remembered overeating very tamasic; I left half.

Dinner, home made cabbage soup. I'm hungry now.

From yoga to yogi: a diary of change: A diary of changes

2010-02-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

From yoga to yogi: a diary of change: A diary of changes

A diary of changes

2010-02-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hello.

I have decided that this is the year. I am going to change my life, forever. I am going to become a real yogi. This task, is based on a 12 month change, and I'm revelling in the idea of having a nice, slender body too :) .

So far I have been researching about diet. Because I read (and it sounds pretty logical) somewhere that you have to be light in weight. This is a problem for me now, as I'm currently 67kgs. But I'm on the road to success now, when I publish this blog.

Away with diet: In yogic terminology, this is called the sattvic diet. This diet is purely vegitarian. This part I don't mind. I do not eat too much meat anyway. However, I do realise that imagination is key for my daily meals. I don't want monotony to become part of this change.

The part I'll find difficult is the social part of my life. Yes, I have to completely give up alcohol. It was chololate, but i have managed to keep this new year resolution so far.

So this is it. This is day one of a beautiful experience.

Yours in yoga Emma xxx