Dharana

Dharana means “immovable concentration of the mind”. The essential idea is to hold the concentration or focus of attention in one direction.  “When the body has been tempered by asanas, when the mind has been refined by the fire of pranayama and when the senses have been brought under control by pratyahara, the sadhaka (seeker) reaches the sixth stage, dharana. Here he is concentrated wholly on a single point or on a task in which he is completely engrossed. The mind has to be stilled in order to achieve this state of complete absorption.”

In dharana we create the conditions for the mind to focus its attention in one direction instead of going out in many different directions. Deep contemplation and reflection can create the right conditions, and the focus on this one point that we have chosen becomes more intense. We encourage one particular activity of the mind and, the more intense it becomes, the more the other activities of the mind fall away.

The objective in dharana is to steady the mind by focusing its attention upon some stable entity. The particular object selected has nothing to do with the general purpose, which is to stop the mind from wandering -through memories, dreams, or reflective thought-by deliberately holding it single-mindedly upon some apparently static object. B.K.S. Iyengar states that the objective is to achieve the mental state where the mind, intellect, and ego are “all restrained and all these faculties are offered to the Lord for His use and in His service. Here there is no feeling of ‘I’ and ‘mine’.”

When the mind has become purified by yoga practices, it becomes able to focus efficiently on one subject or point of experience. Now we can unleash the great potential for inner healing. (more here)

This morning was one of my most joyful practices in a long time.

For many it was one of the most unpleasant and awkward experiences on the mat yet.
We were “bumper to bumper”…
Literally.
I think back to being “stuck” in traffic rushing to get somewhere and realizing…
wait
…I AM the traffic.

By exploring Dharana a little more,
venturing away from “me” and ‘I’, ‘my’ space ‘my’ practice…
we are open to discover the *gems* hidden in Dharana.

Today I appreciated:

Morning (5am)
1 litre of lemon water and MSM

Later on before teaching (8am)
‘Brain on” 2 oz
Water, water, water

Later Morning (10am)
Green Juice – Celery, spinach, apple juice. (over 1 litre of juice)

Afternoon
Colonic!
Awsome results – looking forward so much to my regeneration phase now!

Later
With my *very* slow integration of foods, (with awareness of their effects)
I stuck to 1 liter of water melon juice.
2 punnets of blueberries – absolutely out of this world!!!

Evening
Green Juice – Pear, celery, romaine with chlorella added
Herbal Tea
Bee pollen

I feel terrific, wonderful and excited about the next phase of reboot wee yogi!
♥

Later on before teaching (8am)
Water, water, water
Bee Pollen

Later Morning (10am)
Some whole water melon juiced with celery and kale (over 1 litre of juice)

Afternoon before 5pm teaching…
I am *very* slowly reintegrating foods, with awareness of their effects.
I have always wondered about strawberries…
The results are in
* I am 100% a strawberry girl! *
Horray!

Loved this moment today, just me, the sun and some fresh Scottish Strawberries at Earthy, Edinburgh.

Evening
Green juice – spinach, celery, apple, chlorella – one of my faves
Bee Pollen
Herbal Tea before bed

Tomorrow…
* Colonic *

Lessons…
To conserve energy for yourself before you serve others
To do what you love
♥

• Reboot? CHECK! √
• Better inner balance? CHECK! √
• Benefits spreading out into the world? CHECK! √
• Living life? CHECK! √

Morning (6am)

Pro-biotics (BIG dose every day, just forgot to say it in every post)
1 litre of lemon water and MSM

Later Morning (9:45am)
1 whole water melon juiced (over 1 litre of juice)

Later morning again! (12noon) after teaching
… more of the above (Watermelon Juice)

late afternoon before 4pm teaching
Green juice with some crazy wild greens and 500mls coconut water!
Bee Pollen

Evening
1 whole water melon juiced (over 1 litre of juice) with 1 tablespoon chlorella blended in

What am I craving?
Berries – namely of the blueberry variety (organic of corse) I am so high maintenance

♥

6am out my window - the birds and the bees are awake and so am I

Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s environment. They are found in most living things, including animals, plants and many tiny microbes.
Circadian rhythms are not the same as your biological clock but they are related. Biological clocks drive our circadian rhythms. The biological clocks that control circadian rhythms are groupings of interacting molecules in cells throughout the body. A “master clock” in the brain coordinates all the body clocks so that they are in synch. The “master clock” that controls circadian rhythms consists of a group of nerve cells in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN. The SCN contains about 20,000 nerve cells and is located in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain just above where the optic nerves from the eyes cross.

Circadian rhythms are produced by natural factors within the body, but they are also affected by signals from the environment. Light is the main cue influencing circadian rhythms, turning on or turning off genes that control an organism’s internal clocks. Circadian rhythms can change sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, body temperature and other important bodily functions.

Circadian rhythms are important in determining human sleep patterns. The body’s master clock, or SCN, controls the production of melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy. Since it is located just above the optic nerves, which relay information from the eyes to the brain, the SCN receives information about incoming light. When there is less light—like at night—the SCN tells the brain to make more melatonin so you get drowsy and therefore, when it is light – it is time to wake up!

Circadian rhythms have been linked to various sleep disorders, such as insomnia and disrupted sleep-wake cycles. Abnormal circadian rhythms have also been associated with depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder.

My Farmers Market Haul!

Second Breakfasts!

... and another! This juicer works hard but she LOVED celery greens!

Guess Who?!

1. She says… Why not? Sabine loves to explore and find things out.
2. Happiness for no reason!
3. Positivity & determination!

This is the way to approach anything if you want to succeed!.

I heared some one I really admire say today -
“You are born and then you die, in between there is this a space for you to do something with. So why not make it the best time ever? Enjoy life fully instead of sitting in front of the TV on the couch eating a fast food meal waiting for something awesome to happen… it won’t. You have to take control and make a change yourself.”

Morning
1 quart of lemon water (whole skin added + MSM crystals)
1 x teaspoon of raw honey

Before teaching the mysore programme at 6:30am – 2 oz of ‘BrainOn’

I then did my own practice but first drank some soaked *mulberry* water – oh my YUMMY-ness
… the soaked mulberries then created an incredible juice for after practice:
1 handful Mulberries (soaked)
1 Apple
1 large bag spinach

Mid Morning
Another juice with 1/2 of this lot:

*GREEN*

Afternoon
After my vinyasa class I had a some time out in the sun so wen went prepared with a coconut water and some bee pollen.
The sun is well and truly *out* – thank you sun god!

Later on…
The rest of the green above juiced It made another 100mls of green juice!.
(I leave romaine for the evening because it has sedative properties!)

Movie night was small and sweet.
We watched this:

It was really awesome to catch up with the juicy ladies and hear how much they have loved it.
We also had a visitor from Glasgow and a few new faces – I ♥ movie night!
The juice feasters are all looking forward to our last wee meet up on Sunday after yoga for a juice.
It will be time to break the fast.

Time to start to think more about what you are building towards for this full moon cycle on 4th June 2012.

At the end of the day (and very early in the morning!) we are on our own to do the work.

♥

Preparing for college today. Coconut water with chlorella powder before I leave, a huge green juice for 'on the road' & some *delicious* rock rose bee pollen which tastes like lemons this time!

I ♥ green

Morning 1 quart of lemon water (whole skin added + MSM crystals)

Before teaching the mysore programme 6-9:30am – 2 oz of BrainOn and lots of soaked goji water while I taught … folowed by, 8 oz of goji and beetroot juice with added 500ml coconut water.

Mid Morning (See Pics above) More coconut water (500mls) with 1 tablespoon of chlorella powder! *YUM* Bee Pollen (about 4 tablespoons throughout the whole day)

Afternoon At college I neck my huge green juice (tons of leafs) and get out of there asap (I scored well on my exam so don’t need to re-sit today – woo hoo!)

Later on… More coconut water (a total of 1500mls today!!!) Herbal teas

How do I feel???

Hunger – NO!
Emotional – YES!
Loving it – YES!
Thinking about becoming a circus performer – YES…!

Gillian Watt teaches *super hero classes* - ahem - I mean 'ariel yoga classes' here in Edinburgh at the Crags Sports Centre!

Flying Bow

Flying Freestand Handstand

In the cocoon!

Because it is time to ReBoot

Today I l♥ved…

Morning
1 quart of lemon water (whole skin added + MSM crystals)
later on…
2 oz of BrainOn (a little more civilized than yesterday!)
and then, lots of soaked goji water while I taught
… folowed by,
8 oz of goji and grapefruit juice.

This mornings class was *busy* check out Karen’s take on it here!

Mid Morning
Another juice – Carrot, Beetroot, Cucumber, Apple, Celery…
… that is ALOT less leafy greens than I would usually take but who am I to complain – I feel ridiculously fabulous today!
Bee Pollen (about 4 tablespoons throughout the whole day)

Afternoon

After an all girls (not on purpose) vinyasa flow class at BYS…
A MASSAGE! A wonderful treat from my dear friend and superhero partner in crime… *Karen*
… She even topped it off with my favourate… a watermelon juice!
Karen you are a diamond indeed!

Later on…
Hailey Zislis saves the day by solving the projector problem for movie night this Friday…
We ♥ Hailey!

Superhero

And after that… a wee meet up with the juice feast divas at BYS – those ladies are truly shining.
The whole crew agrees, this is well worth the effort.
Hats off to them all for even just giving up coffee or bread or dairy or all three!!!
There is a general consensus that juice feasts:

1. Slow down time or you or both!
2. Make you the observer rather than the stressed our participant!
3. Bring up a whole lot of weird Sh*t! Funky tastes in the mouth, unusual poop, ideas, inspiration, desires…
4. Work – they just do.
   I also suggest doing a liver/gall bladder flush this weekend…

Evening
After another all girly yoga session (?!)… I juiced the rest of the above.
I am a bit gutted about the lack of green today…
Hey ho, for tomorrow I am considering an all coconut water and algae powered day…
But it is a long one – double morning Mysore to teach, 1-2-1′s then college, ariel yoga, and more 1-2-1′s so we shall see…

♥

100% better than yesterday.
Today I feel like this is already getting to be like the blissful juice feasts I remember.
I flew to BYS this morning and although my practice is not easy (still achey) I can see how in one day things are so different.
I can also see that achey-ness is for a reason and is there to teach you something.
One thing I am really learning this time is about how your mind tells you to do something and how it can often over ride our bodies true desires.
For example: I am not eating so instead I can observe the precise moments I would choose to eat and why.
During this feast I can stop and look and, do the thing I am avoiding or think about the the thing *I* don’t want to think about!!!
There’s no easy was of explaining this feeling – you just gotta do it!
So…

Watermelon juiced, skin and all, then blend the pure juice (no bits) with chlorella powder. This is my kind of heaven!

ON THE THIRD DAY
GOD
CREATED
THE WATER MELON!
Oh yes, my fave juice and it has *just come in* right on time for the feast.
Yipee!

Today I am grateful for:

Morning
1 quart of lemon water (whole skin added + MSM crystals)
later on…
2 oz of BrainOn (a little more civilized than yesterday!)
and then, lots of soaked goji water while I taught
… folowed by,
8 oz of goji and…. GRAPEFRUITS! YES, I got my grapefruit juice I am happy

Goji Grapefruit Gorgeousness

Mid Morning
Enema (to be sure the cleansing process is going full circle!)
Herbal Tea
Bee Pollen (about 4 tablespoons throughout the whole day)

weeyogi at the checkout - a decided lack of greens though I am going on the hunt for green leafy's!

Afternoon
After a wee bike ride to the supermarket… the almighty watermelon juice!

Evening
I am about to make more juice but I am not hungry at all!
(I am however excited about mixing in beet roots and carrots for a change!)
Special herbal tea is on it’s way also:

Reishi and Shilajit Herbal Tea Decoction

♥

Play:
I also practiced yoga 6:15-8am and cycled everywhere…
… including a wee trip to Earthy to get tonight’s juice supplies!

Today this carried me through on clouds (literally):

Morning
1 quart of lemon water (whole skin added + MSM crystals)
later on…
2 oz of BrainOn (a little more civilized than yesterday!)
and then, lots of soaked goji water while I taught
… folowed by,
8 oz of goji and apple juice (MUST get some grapefruits or i’ll be sweetened out to the max!)

Mid Morning
1 pint of green juice (mostly green leafy veg plus an apple and a pear – yum!)
Bee Pollen (about 4 tablespoons throughout the whole day)

Afternoon
500ml coconut water

Evening
More juice & herbal teas
…& another dose of good bacteria before bed.

How do I feel?
Last night I had terrible nights sleep with an achey lower back and horrendous dreams…
Today I had a couple of moments of the dull achey headache but I think a lot of that had to do with being down in a basement all day.
Tomorrow I MUST GET OUT!
Right now I feel good, inspired, excited, motivated…
(…plus a little swamped by my work load but hey, it is *so* worth the effort – there are some flippin’ fantastic treats ahead!).

I’ve heard a lot of folks are finding it really hard – and it is – it is never the same and it is never easy BUT there are some fun parts and the other side of this will be so magical so stick at it if you can!
At the end of the day, we all have to change our minds about how we approach any kind of change, even just a short term thing like this.
Juice feasts require a lot of energy on the inside, it’s a bit like yoga in that you simply *have* to look at stuff you don’t want to.
Physically, emotionally and spiritually.
It won’t allow you to ignore it any more.
So, change can be a good thing if you allow it to be, but it takes selfishness.
Time alone, excess energy for yourself and conscious decisions based on number 1 (i.e. YOU!).

Here’s some snaps from my weekend – moments I am grateful for ♥

]]> http://www.wee-yogi.co.uk/juice-feast-day-2-of-7/feed 0 http://www.wee-yogi.co.uk/juice-feast-day-1-of-7 http://www.wee-yogi.co.uk/juice-feast-day-1-of-7#comments Sun, 20 May 2012 17:45:13 +0000 wee yogi http://www.wee-yogi.co.uk/?p=2572

Breakfast - This morning after a few deep breaths I chugged a full bottle of BrainOn! And oh boy, was my Brain on!

NB: chugging a bottle of BrainOn is not ‘normal’ do so at your own risk!

Today this made me sparkle:
Morning
1 quart of lemon water (whole skin added + MSM crystals)
Enema & gentle skin brushing
16 oz of BrainOn (see pic above)
… folowed by,
8 oz of goji and apple juice

Afternoon
I was at BYS giving a workshop on Juice feasting, which included:
Candle gazing meditation, intentions setting, TONS of personal insights, laughs and of course juice!
(+ a wee bit of bee pollen)
Check out and join in with our 7 days of juicy-ness on Facebook here:  JuiceFeastEdinburgh

Evening
More juice (see below) & herbal teas
…& a dose of good bacteria (I use Bio-Kult) before bed at home
… topped off with an early night I think.

These pics show a wee bit of what today was like but *nothing* can depict the feeling of magic inside that is coming with this new start for my body…
…& the joy of being with a bunch of fab girls all ready to get juicy and bow down to their awesomeness!

Today I woke with a headache and then again another headache later but generally feel rather buzzing and like this is only going to get easier!

Yes!

Lemon Water First Thing

Goji & Apple

Gorgeous Girls get their juice ON!

Before...

After!

Remember I said this was a feast so drink!
Here is 1000ml of juice…
I drank this entire 1 litre tonight!
This filled me up but you might need more/less.
Make this your feast not mine!
Have fun and enjoy ♥

Good bacteria and algae are my allies this week!

There are lots of links on my website to places to find the things you might need,
… if in real doubt, send me a wee email and i’ll do my best to respond!