For the last several weeks, I have been adding more spiritual practices to my daily schedule. I've been getting up at 5 am to meditate or chant for an hour. It's been pretty good. I feel like I give some time to God right from the beginning of my day. This is a really good thing, right?
Well, for me it was kind of not a really good thing and I just realized that I have been falling into a "spiritual" trap.
You see, my husband leaves for work really early. Our routine for many years is that I make him a cup of tea and sometimes a sandwich to carry to work. Then we visit for a while as he gets ready to leave and gets mentally prepared for his day.
For the last few weeks, he did not get his tea. He did not get his bread. He did not get a visit either as I have been engrossed in my "practices." I have managed to squeeze in a "Bye, I love you. Have a good day!" before the next line of text in my chanting book as he headed out of the door.
I was having a nagging feeling lately that we are not as connected recently as we usually are. It has been a bit easier for us to feel grumpy with each other. And we haven't taken as many opportunities to visit and chat. The ironic thing is that one of my intentions for my practices is that I hope to be better in my roles of mother, wife, and teacher.
But, yeah! Today I woke up to what has been happening! Thank goodness. As independent as my husband is, he does need some thoughtfulness and nurturing from me...especially as he sets off for his day. And I have time later in the day for practices. I do.
So, I have a new practice. I've been really getting into making homemade Chai tea which is yummy, has lots of healing spices, and feels like heaven as it goes down the throat. So, I will wake up and do a 5 minute chant before I make delicious Chai tea for me and hubby to share. Of course, I'll make his sandwich too. But most importantly, I will make the time and space to be present for this very dear man that I love.
Email me for an easy chai recipe if you're interested.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Greater Yogic Diet
In Thich Nhat Han's book, The Art of Power, he describes a greater yogic diet which is part of the Buddhist Fifth Mindfulness Training. He says:
“Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society, by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I am committed to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I shall work to transform violence, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.”
Is it really true that we can take in toxins from TV programs, media, and conversations?
In yoga, all matter is composed of three kinds of energy: sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Sattvic evergy is pure and helps the mind be restful and at ease,rajasic energy is over-stimulating and over-exciting, and tamasic energy makes one feel tired, heavy, lethargic, and lazy. So, it makes sense that our TV programs and conversations can be classified in the same way.
Noticing:
- Have noticed that if you watch too much TV or talk to others for many hours, that you feel tamasic, tired, and drained?
- Have you noticed that watching TV right before bedtime may lead to a rajasic, disturbed, uneasy sleep?
- Gossip may be entertaining and attractive to indulge in on the internet and in conversations, but how do you feel after?
- Do you see a link between violent TV shows and video games and violence and disrespectful behavior in society? How about in your own mind and behavior?
- How about our purchases? Is retail therapy just a quick fix high or are our purchases bringing us deeper levels of tranquility and contentment?
On the other hand, if you are mindful and pursuing a greater yogic diet, you may be spending some time in prayer, meditation, positive thinking, exercising, scriptural study, charity work or selfless service, religious services, and other spiritual practices. You may see the link between these kinds of practices and sattvic energy that puts the mind at ease.
So, everything in our life can be worthy of our contemplation and part of our yoga practice.
May your greater yogic diet give you a strong, stable, and peaceful foundation for your life. And may all your yoga practices bear great fruit for you, your family, and your community.
Namaste,
Monique
“Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society, by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I am committed to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I shall work to transform violence, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.”
Is it really true that we can take in toxins from TV programs, media, and conversations?
In yoga, all matter is composed of three kinds of energy: sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Sattvic evergy is pure and helps the mind be restful and at ease,rajasic energy is over-stimulating and over-exciting, and tamasic energy makes one feel tired, heavy, lethargic, and lazy. So, it makes sense that our TV programs and conversations can be classified in the same way.
Noticing:
- Have noticed that if you watch too much TV or talk to others for many hours, that you feel tamasic, tired, and drained?
- Have you noticed that watching TV right before bedtime may lead to a rajasic, disturbed, uneasy sleep?
- Gossip may be entertaining and attractive to indulge in on the internet and in conversations, but how do you feel after?
- Do you see a link between violent TV shows and video games and violence and disrespectful behavior in society? How about in your own mind and behavior?
- How about our purchases? Is retail therapy just a quick fix high or are our purchases bringing us deeper levels of tranquility and contentment?
On the other hand, if you are mindful and pursuing a greater yogic diet, you may be spending some time in prayer, meditation, positive thinking, exercising, scriptural study, charity work or selfless service, religious services, and other spiritual practices. You may see the link between these kinds of practices and sattvic energy that puts the mind at ease.
So, everything in our life can be worthy of our contemplation and part of our yoga practice.
May your greater yogic diet give you a strong, stable, and peaceful foundation for your life. And may all your yoga practices bear great fruit for you, your family, and your community.
Namaste,
Monique
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
AHIMSA - Non-Violence
Patanjali is one of the great fathers of yoga. He codified the science of yoga and wrote the Yoga Sutras. These sutras explain how one can live the path of yoga in the world. One concept from these sutras is Ahimsa, which means non-violence.
AHIMSA – Non-Violence
“It is blasphemy to say that nonviolence can be practiced by individuals and never by nations, which are composed of individuals.” – M.K. Gandhi
We are all able capable of violence. We have all been victims of violence, have committed acts of violence, and have witnessed many acts of violence. It is a part of being human. Violence is practiced in deed, word, and thought. In yoga, we do face and accept all of our parts and all of our feelings. However, violence does beget more violence. If we want to heal ourselves, our bodies, our relationships, our families, our friends, our communities, our rivers and streams, our nations, our world, and our Earth, we must learn and practice the ways of non-violence.
In his book, Yoga for a World Out of Balance, Michael Stone says:
“When we react out of fear and hatred, we do not yet have a deep understanding of the situation. Our actions will only be a very quick and superficial way of responding to the state of affairs, and not much true benefit and healing will occur. Yet, if we wait and follow the process of calming our anger, looking deeply into the situation, and listening with a great will to understand the roots of suffering that are the cause of the violent actions, only then will we have sufficient insight to respond in such a way that healing and reconciliation can be realized for everyone involved.” p.78
The process of Attracting Perfect Relationships with the Yogic Diet enables us to look and listen deeply so as to understand this suffering – of ourselves and our loved ones. When we understand the roots of suffering more deeply, and make a plan utilizing the Law of Attraction, we can begin to deepen our own relationship with non-violence and all of its healing ramifications in our lives.
Contact Monique to find out more information on our Attracting Perfect Relationships classes.
AHIMSA – Non-Violence
“It is blasphemy to say that nonviolence can be practiced by individuals and never by nations, which are composed of individuals.” – M.K. Gandhi
We are all able capable of violence. We have all been victims of violence, have committed acts of violence, and have witnessed many acts of violence. It is a part of being human. Violence is practiced in deed, word, and thought. In yoga, we do face and accept all of our parts and all of our feelings. However, violence does beget more violence. If we want to heal ourselves, our bodies, our relationships, our families, our friends, our communities, our rivers and streams, our nations, our world, and our Earth, we must learn and practice the ways of non-violence.
In his book, Yoga for a World Out of Balance, Michael Stone says:
“When we react out of fear and hatred, we do not yet have a deep understanding of the situation. Our actions will only be a very quick and superficial way of responding to the state of affairs, and not much true benefit and healing will occur. Yet, if we wait and follow the process of calming our anger, looking deeply into the situation, and listening with a great will to understand the roots of suffering that are the cause of the violent actions, only then will we have sufficient insight to respond in such a way that healing and reconciliation can be realized for everyone involved.” p.78
The process of Attracting Perfect Relationships with the Yogic Diet enables us to look and listen deeply so as to understand this suffering – of ourselves and our loved ones. When we understand the roots of suffering more deeply, and make a plan utilizing the Law of Attraction, we can begin to deepen our own relationship with non-violence and all of its healing ramifications in our lives.
Contact Monique to find out more information on our Attracting Perfect Relationships classes.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Pilgrimage to India
In the year 2000, I went to my teacher's ashram in India. Imagine hours of meditation in deep silence with the accompaniment of trickles of monsoon rains, sipping hot, rich chai made from buffalo's milk, chanting in the early hours of the morning as fans whirled full blast overhead, delicious mangoes, nighttime fireflies, the smell of gardenias, sipping coconut water with straws, deep, strong prayers for transformation, and the outside village and its cows, women carrying bundles on their heads, colorfully decorated cars, dogs, Indian men nodding their heads, hot springs baths, and holy places.
I had some miraculous experiences there. I had traveled on a several day journey from the States, but had no jet lag. I heard inner music playing when I was in deep meditation. My eyes lost their ability to see during one ecstatic chant. And more.
My intention for the trip was to learn how to offer seva, or selfless service. The funny thing is that I given a cushy, easy seva, but then I was yanked out of that half an hour later and put into a seva to deep clean vacant bungalows filled with dirt, stains, spiders, other bugs, and so on. I scrubbed and scrubbed. I became very happy scrubbing and sometimes even showed up for dinner unknowingly wearing badges of dirt from a day's work. One of my friends was a bit worried about me. But I was into it, happy, and fine. I believe that this seva prepared me for motherhood and some of the other things that I've come to be able offer in the last ten years.
Now ten years later, it is my great fortune to return to this ashram to deepen my sadhana,or spiritual practices. Soon, I'm going for a one week retreat that includes five days of silence. I feel excited and slightly nervous. And my intention this time is to shed light on some of the remaining dark corners of my life...some worries, fears, and old patterns that need to be released.
Thank you for your blessings and support and I will be bringing you all with me.
May we all deepen our capacities to heal and be healed!
Blessings,
Monique
I had some miraculous experiences there. I had traveled on a several day journey from the States, but had no jet lag. I heard inner music playing when I was in deep meditation. My eyes lost their ability to see during one ecstatic chant. And more.
My intention for the trip was to learn how to offer seva, or selfless service. The funny thing is that I given a cushy, easy seva, but then I was yanked out of that half an hour later and put into a seva to deep clean vacant bungalows filled with dirt, stains, spiders, other bugs, and so on. I scrubbed and scrubbed. I became very happy scrubbing and sometimes even showed up for dinner unknowingly wearing badges of dirt from a day's work. One of my friends was a bit worried about me. But I was into it, happy, and fine. I believe that this seva prepared me for motherhood and some of the other things that I've come to be able offer in the last ten years.
Now ten years later, it is my great fortune to return to this ashram to deepen my sadhana,or spiritual practices. Soon, I'm going for a one week retreat that includes five days of silence. I feel excited and slightly nervous. And my intention this time is to shed light on some of the remaining dark corners of my life...some worries, fears, and old patterns that need to be released.
Thank you for your blessings and support and I will be bringing you all with me.
May we all deepen our capacities to heal and be healed!
Blessings,
Monique
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Day in the Life of the Yogic Diet
Many people have practices that they do to keep themselves fit, happy, and steady. Some people emphasize different areas of fitness over others. To be well rounded, happy, peaceful, healed, and whole we should aim for a balance of keeping ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually fit. It is essentially the sum of these practices that I call "the Yogic Diet." Your yogic diet will be different from mine and from your teachers and friends. What are some of the practices of your yogic diet?
Experiencing the "light" of yoga makes me tick. So, many of my practices revolve around lighting up what I feel needs to be regularly re-lit and re-freshed.
1. First, I aim to LIGHT up whatever is going on in my mind. Mornings are best.
- I do about 15 minutes of spiritual practices to quiet my mind and then I affirm what I really want for myself and others in my life. If I'm worried about something like "Will I have enough participants to make a new class?" Them I affirm, "I feel successful and attract abundance into my life. My classes naturally attract an abundance of clients. I release all worry and concern."
- I also use this process to pray for others. If my parents or kids are struggling with something, then I affirm a positive way for it all to work out for them.
- I stay with it until I release every last worry. When I finish, I feel positive and happy...lit up.
2. Time to LIGHT up the body
- I walk briskly to get my heart rate up, feel energized, and burn calories.
- Practicing hatha yoga helps to light up whatever feels tired or achy in the body, to open the energy flow, to stretch and strengthen my muscles, and to draw my senses within.
- I mostly eat a light diet that is filled with fruits and veggies, nuts, some dairy, lots of water, healthy added oils, and less snacks.
3. Filling up with LIGHT
- Once I've cleared my mind and refreshed my body, I sit for meditation. This practice is my lifeline. Going within I have so much more to give out. I can focus more on "How are you?" rather than so much on "How about me?"
Believe it or not, this set of practices has taken years to develop. And though these practices give me great happiness, a feeling of steadiness, and the ability to serve others with my heart, sometimes I can still go days without doing them. Then when I go back to them, the steadiness returns. I feel that when I can do them like a world-class athlete who practices 2 x 7 x 52 x 10 (2 times a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year - for 10 years), it'll be time for my PBS special!
All my classes are essentially about learning to develop, practice, and deepen your own yogic diet. Contact me for more details on how to develop your yogic diet today.
Love and Blessings,
Monique
Experiencing the "light" of yoga makes me tick. So, many of my practices revolve around lighting up what I feel needs to be regularly re-lit and re-freshed.
1. First, I aim to LIGHT up whatever is going on in my mind. Mornings are best.
- I do about 15 minutes of spiritual practices to quiet my mind and then I affirm what I really want for myself and others in my life. If I'm worried about something like "Will I have enough participants to make a new class?" Them I affirm, "I feel successful and attract abundance into my life. My classes naturally attract an abundance of clients. I release all worry and concern."
- I also use this process to pray for others. If my parents or kids are struggling with something, then I affirm a positive way for it all to work out for them.
- I stay with it until I release every last worry. When I finish, I feel positive and happy...lit up.
2. Time to LIGHT up the body
- I walk briskly to get my heart rate up, feel energized, and burn calories.
- Practicing hatha yoga helps to light up whatever feels tired or achy in the body, to open the energy flow, to stretch and strengthen my muscles, and to draw my senses within.
- I mostly eat a light diet that is filled with fruits and veggies, nuts, some dairy, lots of water, healthy added oils, and less snacks.
3. Filling up with LIGHT
- Once I've cleared my mind and refreshed my body, I sit for meditation. This practice is my lifeline. Going within I have so much more to give out. I can focus more on "How are you?" rather than so much on "How about me?"
Believe it or not, this set of practices has taken years to develop. And though these practices give me great happiness, a feeling of steadiness, and the ability to serve others with my heart, sometimes I can still go days without doing them. Then when I go back to them, the steadiness returns. I feel that when I can do them like a world-class athlete who practices 2 x 7 x 52 x 10 (2 times a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year - for 10 years), it'll be time for my PBS special!
All my classes are essentially about learning to develop, practice, and deepen your own yogic diet. Contact me for more details on how to develop your yogic diet today.
Love and Blessings,
Monique
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Keeping up the Resolutions
My teacher once said that in this day and age it is easy to give up our resolutions when something becomes challenging...not very challenging, just challenging.
What are some resolutions we may have made?
- Stop snacking between meals
- Give the kids/spouse/dog more attention
- Jog/Practice Yoga/Lift Weights X days per week
- Read scriptures
- Meditate daily
- Cut carbs
- See the good in everyone
- Reduce gossip
- Just say no to diet cokes
- Release the past and forgive everyone
What are some challenges we may face in keeping them?
- Time
- Faith
- Fear
- Success
- Emotions
- Hormones
- Working, eating, sleeping, drinking, talking, doing too much
- Fatigue
- Carelessness
- Boredom
So, how can we follow ever through? After he arrived in India in 1959, a Buddhist lama was asked, "How did you manage to escape from Tibet and cross the high and snowy Himalayas by foot?" He replied, "One step at a time." And so it is with our resolutions.
Each time we take a step in the direction of fulfilling our resolutions, we add to the momentum of change, of fulfillment, of heightened self-esteem. And so what if we take a few steps back? We owe it to ourselves and our families to find our resolutions, dust them off, and begin anew. Doing so helps us live an inspired and inspiring life.
Also, beginning over and over again and sticking with our resolutions does bring lasting change. One step at a time, we find ourselves more and more lit up from the inside and surrounded by abundance on the outside.
May we all release the hold that we have on our obstacles and the hold that our obstacles have on us. May we feel successful and attract abundance into our lives.
Namaste,
Monique
What are some resolutions we may have made?
- Stop snacking between meals
- Give the kids/spouse/dog more attention
- Jog/Practice Yoga/Lift Weights X days per week
- Read scriptures
- Meditate daily
- Cut carbs
- See the good in everyone
- Reduce gossip
- Just say no to diet cokes
- Release the past and forgive everyone
What are some challenges we may face in keeping them?
- Time
- Faith
- Fear
- Success
- Emotions
- Hormones
- Working, eating, sleeping, drinking, talking, doing too much
- Fatigue
- Carelessness
- Boredom
So, how can we follow ever through? After he arrived in India in 1959, a Buddhist lama was asked, "How did you manage to escape from Tibet and cross the high and snowy Himalayas by foot?" He replied, "One step at a time." And so it is with our resolutions.
Each time we take a step in the direction of fulfilling our resolutions, we add to the momentum of change, of fulfillment, of heightened self-esteem. And so what if we take a few steps back? We owe it to ourselves and our families to find our resolutions, dust them off, and begin anew. Doing so helps us live an inspired and inspiring life.
Also, beginning over and over again and sticking with our resolutions does bring lasting change. One step at a time, we find ourselves more and more lit up from the inside and surrounded by abundance on the outside.
May we all release the hold that we have on our obstacles and the hold that our obstacles have on us. May we feel successful and attract abundance into our lives.
Namaste,
Monique
Monday, 13 September 2010
A Mirror
About ten years ago, I was visiting one of my teacher's ashrams and a woman who was leading one of the programs made an impression on me. She was beautiful, confident, down to earth, and warm. I noticed she was happily married to another yogi and they made a lovely couple. I remember feeling that I'd like to be like her. I wanted to be more powerful, confident, and whole in my life. I wanted my husband to join me more fully on the yogic path. It was an impression and a thought...and it was gone.
Fast forward ten years. Last summer, I was attending a retreat with my family at another one of my teacher's ashrams. The energy was as powerful as I remembered. I easily tapped into my own greatness and inner divinity and to that same greatness in others. This is the power of yoga. I watched my husband and children shift in powerful ways. It was an amazing retreat and a blessing for my family.
One evening, I sat down with some ladies that I had not had a chance to meet. We hit it off and began sharing about our lives. One lady shared that she was a life coach and had her own business. Wow, just like me. She also taught kid's yoga. Just like me. She was attending the retreat with her family. Just like me. She felt very powerful and strong in her life as she had healed many issues by following the path of yoga. She still sometimes struggles and is open and honest about that with her clients. Just like me.
Then it hit me. This was the woman that I had seen years ago. I asked her if she had indeed been there leading that program and she confirmed my intuition. The thought of wanting to be like her had manifested. Through grace, she had returned to mirror and show me how much progress I have made over the years. I told her my experience of wanting to be like her and we marveled over our parallel lives.
The magic, mystery, and power of yoga practices continues to amaze me. Yoga works. Yoga transforms. Yoga heals. Yoga empowers.
May the universe continue to guide each one of us toward the people, places, teachers, and ideas that show us a glimmer of who and what we are capable of being.
Namaste
Fast forward ten years. Last summer, I was attending a retreat with my family at another one of my teacher's ashrams. The energy was as powerful as I remembered. I easily tapped into my own greatness and inner divinity and to that same greatness in others. This is the power of yoga. I watched my husband and children shift in powerful ways. It was an amazing retreat and a blessing for my family.
One evening, I sat down with some ladies that I had not had a chance to meet. We hit it off and began sharing about our lives. One lady shared that she was a life coach and had her own business. Wow, just like me. She also taught kid's yoga. Just like me. She was attending the retreat with her family. Just like me. She felt very powerful and strong in her life as she had healed many issues by following the path of yoga. She still sometimes struggles and is open and honest about that with her clients. Just like me.
Then it hit me. This was the woman that I had seen years ago. I asked her if she had indeed been there leading that program and she confirmed my intuition. The thought of wanting to be like her had manifested. Through grace, she had returned to mirror and show me how much progress I have made over the years. I told her my experience of wanting to be like her and we marveled over our parallel lives.
The magic, mystery, and power of yoga practices continues to amaze me. Yoga works. Yoga transforms. Yoga heals. Yoga empowers.
May the universe continue to guide each one of us toward the people, places, teachers, and ideas that show us a glimmer of who and what we are capable of being.
Namaste
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Turning Into a Sugar Monster
It all started so innocently. I had been studying about the amazing health benefits of coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut meat. I had been using coconut oil to cook all my veggies and using the coconut milk as a base to soups and smoothies for several months. I even found a lady here in Sumatra who presses the coconut oil fresh from coconuts for me to buy! I had been noticing higher energy levels, less food cravings, and much smoother skin. It was all good. Then came the coconut ice cream.
I started making coconut milk ice cream for my kids as a healthier alternative to dairy ice cream. And they loved it. I made maple walnut, strawberry, orange cream, and the undeniable best (beast), chocolate. I was making a new batch everyday almost as a religious ritual. The problem is that I was eating it too.
I convinced myself that it was fine because it was coconut after all. It was just a bit of sugar. I became an after dinner dessert eater and sometimes an afternoon cream tea person. I also started craving artificially sweetened chewing gum to sweeten my mouth in the mornings and then the afternoons. My veggies and fruits were seeming a bit more boring than before. The sugar monster had crept in undetected and I was blissfully unaware.
The first crash came with my emotions. I started being short, impatient, and grumpy with my family. My husband inquired if it was "that time." No, it was not thank you. My face broke out with lovely little pimples. Then, the dreaded moment for many women...the jeans were much, much tighter. That just makes a person mad! And for me, it can make me feel a little panicked as those old body image patterns resurface.
Well, of course I cut out the ice cream and the gum cold turkey once I realized what was going on. But that is not the real miracle of the story. The miracle is where the yoga came in. After doing some yoga practices one morning, I had a powerful experience. These words arose within me so clearly as a prayer of gratitude, "Thank you God for this experience and for allowing me to learn more about myself and go deeper into the yogic diet." I felt a tangible, positive shift and my body softened. My mind relaxed.
Releasing fear and anger and embracing love for who I am and acceptance for how I may still struggle is the true gift of all of those yoga practices.
I started making coconut milk ice cream for my kids as a healthier alternative to dairy ice cream. And they loved it. I made maple walnut, strawberry, orange cream, and the undeniable best (beast), chocolate. I was making a new batch everyday almost as a religious ritual. The problem is that I was eating it too.
I convinced myself that it was fine because it was coconut after all. It was just a bit of sugar. I became an after dinner dessert eater and sometimes an afternoon cream tea person. I also started craving artificially sweetened chewing gum to sweeten my mouth in the mornings and then the afternoons. My veggies and fruits were seeming a bit more boring than before. The sugar monster had crept in undetected and I was blissfully unaware.
The first crash came with my emotions. I started being short, impatient, and grumpy with my family. My husband inquired if it was "that time." No, it was not thank you. My face broke out with lovely little pimples. Then, the dreaded moment for many women...the jeans were much, much tighter. That just makes a person mad! And for me, it can make me feel a little panicked as those old body image patterns resurface.
Well, of course I cut out the ice cream and the gum cold turkey once I realized what was going on. But that is not the real miracle of the story. The miracle is where the yoga came in. After doing some yoga practices one morning, I had a powerful experience. These words arose within me so clearly as a prayer of gratitude, "Thank you God for this experience and for allowing me to learn more about myself and go deeper into the yogic diet." I felt a tangible, positive shift and my body softened. My mind relaxed.
Releasing fear and anger and embracing love for who I am and acceptance for how I may still struggle is the true gift of all of those yoga practices.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Sugar, Sex, Violence, Dysfunction, Medication
Recently, I just returned from spending the summer of 2010 in the USA. As our family is stationed overseas, we return home to the US for summer vacations. We are so excited and emotional when we pass through US immigration that every year I shed a few tears when the immigration officer says "Welcome home." This year was no exception.
It is wonderful to see so many people of different races, colors, and religions living for the most part peacefully together. There is a feeling of youthful energy in the air that can make one feel that "It's never too late" and "There are always second chances." Infrastructure works, there is minimal obvious corruption in daily life, people mostly abide by laws, and as my friend says: it's place where all things are possible. In many ways, it's the greatest place on earth.
However, after I eat my first pint of blueberries, reconnect with friends and family, drive on the "correct" side of the road, and fill my suitcases with Target and Old Navy's newest items, I feel like I'm being hit over the head with a culture that is pushing sugar, sex, violence, dysfunction, and medication. Oh, how I wish it was more like "Water, connection, peace, healing, and meditation."
There was a time when Jerry Springer TV was confined to a few late afternoon programs. However, now it's on the morning shows, Animal Planet, evening shows, and Cartoon Network. It is all day, everyday, everywhere.
Most nice restaurants offer huge portions of fried food and sugar in lieu of tasty, nourishing, and light fare. I found that the only edible thing on most menus was salads. And I did have some amazing salads. Still, it was disappointing that such a great country has so much nutritionally poor/calorie rich food. Some Australian friends of mine traveled to Florida's Disneyland and said that they could not find one healthy item to eat in the whole park.
My intention here is not to complain. I am proud to be an American and I love my country. At the same time, I am so grateful that my family is in a place with fresh, healthy foods that are not polluted with artificial sweeteners, chemical cocktails, and that are pesticide free. Cartoon network just has children programming and not commercials about how to make bail. I am not prompted to ask my doctor about needing the latest medication on the market.
I just hope that when we move back to the US, we see a trend towards healthier lifestyles. And I pray that even if that is not the case, that we can continue to practice what we have learned. In the end, positive growth and change are more about love than fear. May we Americans love ourselves and our families enough to, as Ghandi said, "Be the change we want to see."
It is wonderful to see so many people of different races, colors, and religions living for the most part peacefully together. There is a feeling of youthful energy in the air that can make one feel that "It's never too late" and "There are always second chances." Infrastructure works, there is minimal obvious corruption in daily life, people mostly abide by laws, and as my friend says: it's place where all things are possible. In many ways, it's the greatest place on earth.
However, after I eat my first pint of blueberries, reconnect with friends and family, drive on the "correct" side of the road, and fill my suitcases with Target and Old Navy's newest items, I feel like I'm being hit over the head with a culture that is pushing sugar, sex, violence, dysfunction, and medication. Oh, how I wish it was more like "Water, connection, peace, healing, and meditation."
There was a time when Jerry Springer TV was confined to a few late afternoon programs. However, now it's on the morning shows, Animal Planet, evening shows, and Cartoon Network. It is all day, everyday, everywhere.
Most nice restaurants offer huge portions of fried food and sugar in lieu of tasty, nourishing, and light fare. I found that the only edible thing on most menus was salads. And I did have some amazing salads. Still, it was disappointing that such a great country has so much nutritionally poor/calorie rich food. Some Australian friends of mine traveled to Florida's Disneyland and said that they could not find one healthy item to eat in the whole park.
My intention here is not to complain. I am proud to be an American and I love my country. At the same time, I am so grateful that my family is in a place with fresh, healthy foods that are not polluted with artificial sweeteners, chemical cocktails, and that are pesticide free. Cartoon network just has children programming and not commercials about how to make bail. I am not prompted to ask my doctor about needing the latest medication on the market.
I just hope that when we move back to the US, we see a trend towards healthier lifestyles. And I pray that even if that is not the case, that we can continue to practice what we have learned. In the end, positive growth and change are more about love than fear. May we Americans love ourselves and our families enough to, as Ghandi said, "Be the change we want to see."
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Healing My Dis-Ease
In 1996, I moved 5,000 miles away from home to Beijing, China. I had finished my International Studies degree in college and I went to China to teach English, to learn more about Chinese culture, and to try to find myself.
Of course, it wasn’t easy. In China, I was so stressed that a lot of my hair fell out. I was really alone in an unrecognizably different culture. I taught English at a medical school and was shocked when my adult students would cough and spit on the floor of the classroom. There were many sorts of unknown rules of protocol like you should say no three times when offered something and then finally say yes and so on.
I got sick a lot that first year and I was truly depressed. I turned to food, especially chocolate, for comfort. I also turned to calling my fiancée and we amassed thousands of dollars in phone bills. Maybe it was costing him too much because he started sending me self-help book in the mail like Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits for Highly Effective People and Dr. Andrew Weil’s Spontaneous Healing. I needed to get a grip.
I found the courage to show up and teach at the university everyday and seemed to be a natural teacher. However, I was riddled with self-consciousness, insecurity, and unhappiness. To the credit of my wonderful Chinese students, they really supported me in those days. On the weekends they took me to parks, to sing karaoke, to dance, and to eat nice food. I made some lasting friendships with many of them.
One day in my journal I wrote that it was my LIFE's GOAL was to find a way to deeply take care of my body, mind, and soul. I was 23 years old. I had a wish to heal myself on all levels. I started to pray for answers to help me with my dis-ease. Answers started coming in and I found yoga. First, yoga was for spiritual healing, then mental/emotional healing, and finally for the body.
It took about 10-15 years to heal the samskaras (old tendencies and patterns) that surfaced in Beijing. Through the spiritual, mental, and physical practices of yoga, I became healthier and less likely to fall ill, I gained enthusiasm for working and serving, I learned to eat healthier, exercise more, and turn to food less for emotional reasons, I learned to be less needy and more masterful in handling my own emotions, and I became less self-conscious, more secure, and very happy. This is why I developed the Yogic Diet program to help others with the same things that had troubled me.
Contact Monique@yogicdiet.com to find out more about our programs.
Of course, it wasn’t easy. In China, I was so stressed that a lot of my hair fell out. I was really alone in an unrecognizably different culture. I taught English at a medical school and was shocked when my adult students would cough and spit on the floor of the classroom. There were many sorts of unknown rules of protocol like you should say no three times when offered something and then finally say yes and so on.
I got sick a lot that first year and I was truly depressed. I turned to food, especially chocolate, for comfort. I also turned to calling my fiancée and we amassed thousands of dollars in phone bills. Maybe it was costing him too much because he started sending me self-help book in the mail like Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits for Highly Effective People and Dr. Andrew Weil’s Spontaneous Healing. I needed to get a grip.
I found the courage to show up and teach at the university everyday and seemed to be a natural teacher. However, I was riddled with self-consciousness, insecurity, and unhappiness. To the credit of my wonderful Chinese students, they really supported me in those days. On the weekends they took me to parks, to sing karaoke, to dance, and to eat nice food. I made some lasting friendships with many of them.
One day in my journal I wrote that it was my LIFE's GOAL was to find a way to deeply take care of my body, mind, and soul. I was 23 years old. I had a wish to heal myself on all levels. I started to pray for answers to help me with my dis-ease. Answers started coming in and I found yoga. First, yoga was for spiritual healing, then mental/emotional healing, and finally for the body.
It took about 10-15 years to heal the samskaras (old tendencies and patterns) that surfaced in Beijing. Through the spiritual, mental, and physical practices of yoga, I became healthier and less likely to fall ill, I gained enthusiasm for working and serving, I learned to eat healthier, exercise more, and turn to food less for emotional reasons, I learned to be less needy and more masterful in handling my own emotions, and I became less self-conscious, more secure, and very happy. This is why I developed the Yogic Diet program to help others with the same things that had troubled me.
Contact Monique@yogicdiet.com to find out more about our programs.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Yoga and Our Cells
Cells make up our tissues which make up organs (liver, heart, kidneys) which make up systems (like digestive the system) which make up the organism of you.
The cell is the smallest unit of life in the body. Each cell needs stable conditions (homoeostasis) in order to survive. All the different organs and systems in the body are working to keep environmental conditions constant so that the cells can survive. However, acidity, toxins, stress, and pollutants from diet and lifestyle disrupt this homeostasis and can cause cells to die.
In the Anabolic stage of growth until we are about 20 years old, cells are replaced faster than they are broken down. However, in the Catabolic phase of life, from the 20’s until death, cells are not being replaced as quickly and the quality of the cells being produced is lower. Therefore, tissues, organs, and systems work less well...eventually leading to organ failure. However, this process can be slowed down.
Yogic practices such as the yogic diet, yoga asana exercises, relaxation, deep breathing, positive thinking, and meditation can slow down and/or reverse the aging process by ensuring cell homeostasis. Yoga exercises that bend and stretch the spine increase fresh blood, oxygen, and nerve flow that revitalize the cells and all major glands and organs. The yogic diet also decreases stress on the cells and the body by increasing plant based, antioxidant rich, nutritious, alkaline, and easily digestible food.
Email us and find out more about the Yogic Diet today!
The cell is the smallest unit of life in the body. Each cell needs stable conditions (homoeostasis) in order to survive. All the different organs and systems in the body are working to keep environmental conditions constant so that the cells can survive. However, acidity, toxins, stress, and pollutants from diet and lifestyle disrupt this homeostasis and can cause cells to die.
In the Anabolic stage of growth until we are about 20 years old, cells are replaced faster than they are broken down. However, in the Catabolic phase of life, from the 20’s until death, cells are not being replaced as quickly and the quality of the cells being produced is lower. Therefore, tissues, organs, and systems work less well...eventually leading to organ failure. However, this process can be slowed down.
Yogic practices such as the yogic diet, yoga asana exercises, relaxation, deep breathing, positive thinking, and meditation can slow down and/or reverse the aging process by ensuring cell homeostasis. Yoga exercises that bend and stretch the spine increase fresh blood, oxygen, and nerve flow that revitalize the cells and all major glands and organs. The yogic diet also decreases stress on the cells and the body by increasing plant based, antioxidant rich, nutritious, alkaline, and easily digestible food.
Email us and find out more about the Yogic Diet today!
Monday, 3 May 2010
Making Peace With Your Body
Are you at war or at peace with your body? Do you look into the mirror and think hateful thoughts? Do you try to force your body into looking a certain way through overly taxing diets and exercises? Or conversely, do you indulge in behaviors that you know are harmful to your body like overeating or making unhealthy choices? Do you hold yourself back from certain activities because of the shape of your body?
In her book Yoga from the Inside Out, Christina Sell proposes that a yoga practice can be a peace offering to our bodies. She says, “We cannot simply jump from a war with the body to a perspective that simply claims ‘the body is our temple.’ We must begin with the practice of making peace, over time aligning our behavior with our intention to offer peace. Through our various practices we treat the body with the love and respect it deserves.”
My personal peace offering to my body started with practicing the Yogic Diet. I began adding in more nutritious foods and cutting out some things all together that felt natural and easy to do...alcohol, most meat, and diet sodas we easy to cut, but coffee and sugar were not. Still, I did not force myself to cut out anything from my diet. I let it unfold naturally as I maintained my intention to make peace.
This started a process for me that led to such breakthroughs as: ending my lifelong emotional eating patterns, making exercise as routine as brushing my teeth, never weighing myself on a scale, switching to green tea and having coffee as an occasional treat, and gently nudging sugar out of my breakfast. And I know this peace process will continue.
Practicing yoga and the Yogic Diet are definitely great starting gates in beginning your own peace process with your body.
In her book Yoga from the Inside Out, Christina Sell proposes that a yoga practice can be a peace offering to our bodies. She says, “We cannot simply jump from a war with the body to a perspective that simply claims ‘the body is our temple.’ We must begin with the practice of making peace, over time aligning our behavior with our intention to offer peace. Through our various practices we treat the body with the love and respect it deserves.”
My personal peace offering to my body started with practicing the Yogic Diet. I began adding in more nutritious foods and cutting out some things all together that felt natural and easy to do...alcohol, most meat, and diet sodas we easy to cut, but coffee and sugar were not. Still, I did not force myself to cut out anything from my diet. I let it unfold naturally as I maintained my intention to make peace.
This started a process for me that led to such breakthroughs as: ending my lifelong emotional eating patterns, making exercise as routine as brushing my teeth, never weighing myself on a scale, switching to green tea and having coffee as an occasional treat, and gently nudging sugar out of my breakfast. And I know this peace process will continue.
Practicing yoga and the Yogic Diet are definitely great starting gates in beginning your own peace process with your body.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
To Latte or Green Tea? That was the Question
Sometimes we have a hard day and we want some special pleasure or comfort. And for many of us, we want that comfort through food. Many times it is sugar, caffeine, alcohol, unhealthy fats, and processed food. Recently, I had one of those days. My morning was frenzied, rushed, and frustrating. What I really WANTED NOW (desire) was to drive to town (30 minutes from our camp in the jungle), escape from all my responsibilities, try to escape from my irritable feelings, and find comfort in a LATTE.
This would have been fine and no harm really done, except some small voice inside said, "Not so fast, Monique. First of all, do you really want to act on this impulsive desire? Do you really want to lose about two hours in running around and then possibly feel distracted for the rest of the day? You just counseled someone yesterday on letting go caffeine; how about that? huh? Is this a treat or an escape? Think about it."
Somehow, I listened to that voice. And instead of a latte, I made a piping hot green tea. Green tea, by the way, contains caffeine that our systems can handle better so it's not such a hit to the nervous system (and not such a let down later). Tea in one hand, I picked up the phone and connected with some old friends. We really laughed! I didn't do my "work," but I did feel stable, grounded, peaceful, and connected to my heart. As it turned out, it was a blessing that I stayed home because I actually needed to be there to handle a certain situation.
The diet part of the Yogic Diet is not about saying NO! to any particular food. Rather, it is about crowding out unhealthy choices with healthier ones. It is about making choices to deeply nurture ourselves with food, activity, and a positive lifestyle. It's about bringing awareness to our habits, patterns, thoughts, and tendencies.
This would have been fine and no harm really done, except some small voice inside said, "Not so fast, Monique. First of all, do you really want to act on this impulsive desire? Do you really want to lose about two hours in running around and then possibly feel distracted for the rest of the day? You just counseled someone yesterday on letting go caffeine; how about that? huh? Is this a treat or an escape? Think about it."
Somehow, I listened to that voice. And instead of a latte, I made a piping hot green tea. Green tea, by the way, contains caffeine that our systems can handle better so it's not such a hit to the nervous system (and not such a let down later). Tea in one hand, I picked up the phone and connected with some old friends. We really laughed! I didn't do my "work," but I did feel stable, grounded, peaceful, and connected to my heart. As it turned out, it was a blessing that I stayed home because I actually needed to be there to handle a certain situation.
The diet part of the Yogic Diet is not about saying NO! to any particular food. Rather, it is about crowding out unhealthy choices with healthier ones. It is about making choices to deeply nurture ourselves with food, activity, and a positive lifestyle. It's about bringing awareness to our habits, patterns, thoughts, and tendencies.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Starting All Over Again
No matter how many times you have to start over, just start over again! Whether it is with your fitness plan, your diet, your spiritual practices, practicing yoga, an intention to read to your children each day, cleaning your desk off, or turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth, it is worth it to start your practice over again and again and again.
Life will always give us obstacles in pursuing our path, our practices, and our dreams. There are illnesses, hormonal fluctuations, scheduling difficulties, financial problems, relationship troubles, and times of indecision and confusion in everyone's life. And of course it takes courage to pick up the pieces and start again. We all know that breaking promises to ourselves can hurt the old self-esteem. So we may doubt and fret over starting again. Nevertheless, we must! The alternative could mean giving up.
Also, my teacher says that if you have pursued a discipline in the past, you still retain it's merit. For example, if you used to practice hatha yoga and now you have stopped, when you start again you can quickly get back to the level of body awareness and flexibility that you once had. You never lose the merit of your past discipline.
So, just do it! You know what you need to do. Follow your inner wisdom and start over again. May your return(s) to discipline and consistency bring you great happiness.
Life will always give us obstacles in pursuing our path, our practices, and our dreams. There are illnesses, hormonal fluctuations, scheduling difficulties, financial problems, relationship troubles, and times of indecision and confusion in everyone's life. And of course it takes courage to pick up the pieces and start again. We all know that breaking promises to ourselves can hurt the old self-esteem. So we may doubt and fret over starting again. Nevertheless, we must! The alternative could mean giving up.
Also, my teacher says that if you have pursued a discipline in the past, you still retain it's merit. For example, if you used to practice hatha yoga and now you have stopped, when you start again you can quickly get back to the level of body awareness and flexibility that you once had. You never lose the merit of your past discipline.
So, just do it! You know what you need to do. Follow your inner wisdom and start over again. May your return(s) to discipline and consistency bring you great happiness.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
The Secret of Yogic Diet Success
Remember that blue giant in the law of attraction movie “The Secret?” He appears towering before a person and bellows, “Your wish is my command.” That film urges us to crystallize a vision or wish for ourselves (energetic body, radiant health, loving relationships, fulfilling work, abundant prosperity) and then watch it manifest.
The actual point of the movie, "the secret" if you will, is that whatever vision we hold of ourselves, even unconscious beliefs of unworthiness, have been and are becoming the MGM movies of our lives. The blue giant is our very soul telling us: You Create Your Own Reality. So then the question becomes WHAT do you want? WHAT do you wish for? And how much of your energy is going toward reinforcing the obstacles that are blocking what you want and how much are you actively welcoming the blessings and changes coming your way?
One key aspect of the Yogic Diet program is that you have the opportunity to crystallize your visions for yourself and write them in your Strategic Attraction Plan(TM). Discovering your goals, dreams, and plans adds energy to your body-mind-soul practices. You are energized from the inside out and from the outside in and you begin to watch the deepest dreams you have for yourself come true.
The actual point of the movie, "the secret" if you will, is that whatever vision we hold of ourselves, even unconscious beliefs of unworthiness, have been and are becoming the MGM movies of our lives. The blue giant is our very soul telling us: You Create Your Own Reality. So then the question becomes WHAT do you want? WHAT do you wish for? And how much of your energy is going toward reinforcing the obstacles that are blocking what you want and how much are you actively welcoming the blessings and changes coming your way?
One key aspect of the Yogic Diet program is that you have the opportunity to crystallize your visions for yourself and write them in your Strategic Attraction Plan(TM). Discovering your goals, dreams, and plans adds energy to your body-mind-soul practices. You are energized from the inside out and from the outside in and you begin to watch the deepest dreams you have for yourself come true.
Monday, 12 April 2010
The Space Between Thoughts
During one retreat at the ashram that I visit for meditation and yoga programs,I learned a teaching from an ancient yogic text that made a big impression one me. The sutra is "Mudya vikasat chidananda labaha" which means "when the center expands, the bliss of Consciousness rises." The thing is, I did not just learn this sutra, I actually had an experience of it which lasted for three days!
When the center expands can mean...when the space between two thoughts expands. When the mind is truly quiet, this bliss is supposed to rise up from within. You can try it right now and see if it works. Let your mind be completely quiet and notice how you feel. No judgments, no chatter, just silence. Looking at nature enhances the experience. Eckhart Tolle calls it "the power of Now" and Dr. Wayne Dyer calls it "getting into the gap."
Yogis say that the reason we practice regular meditation, yoga, and chanting is to still the mind for a while, so that we can experience the blissful and healing energy that exists within us. With regular practice, we can also extend the experience of the space between the thoughts into our daily lives. And one who can experience this quiet space indefinitely (or who knows how to get back into it at will) is known as an Enlightened Being.
Having an enlightened teacher has perks. When I was given this sutra, I was also given the experience of its teaching. I was a cheery and studious 27 year old with lots of ideas, thoughts, opinions, and feelings milling around inside. While at the ashram, I had a lot of commentary to share with others at breaks, meal times, with roommates, etc. However, once that teaching entered inside of me, I made shift.
I became deeply and completely quiet in all ways. I had no opinions yearning to be shared, no room for idle chit chat, I was silent. Being in nature was the most satisfying as nature easily mirrored outside what was going on within me. I was in an enlightened state for three whole days.
People who knew me said that my quiet was not stoic-feeling or unwelcoming as it was set off by a full smile and a lot of sweetness coming through the eyes that they could feel. I experienced many miracles in the days following the sutra suggested silence. And through the ongoing practices of meditation, chanting, and yoga that still my mind and infuse my days with the touch of silence, I still do.
When the center expands can mean...when the space between two thoughts expands. When the mind is truly quiet, this bliss is supposed to rise up from within. You can try it right now and see if it works. Let your mind be completely quiet and notice how you feel. No judgments, no chatter, just silence. Looking at nature enhances the experience. Eckhart Tolle calls it "the power of Now" and Dr. Wayne Dyer calls it "getting into the gap."
Yogis say that the reason we practice regular meditation, yoga, and chanting is to still the mind for a while, so that we can experience the blissful and healing energy that exists within us. With regular practice, we can also extend the experience of the space between the thoughts into our daily lives. And one who can experience this quiet space indefinitely (or who knows how to get back into it at will) is known as an Enlightened Being.
Having an enlightened teacher has perks. When I was given this sutra, I was also given the experience of its teaching. I was a cheery and studious 27 year old with lots of ideas, thoughts, opinions, and feelings milling around inside. While at the ashram, I had a lot of commentary to share with others at breaks, meal times, with roommates, etc. However, once that teaching entered inside of me, I made shift.
I became deeply and completely quiet in all ways. I had no opinions yearning to be shared, no room for idle chit chat, I was silent. Being in nature was the most satisfying as nature easily mirrored outside what was going on within me. I was in an enlightened state for three whole days.
People who knew me said that my quiet was not stoic-feeling or unwelcoming as it was set off by a full smile and a lot of sweetness coming through the eyes that they could feel. I experienced many miracles in the days following the sutra suggested silence. And through the ongoing practices of meditation, chanting, and yoga that still my mind and infuse my days with the touch of silence, I still do.
Friday, 2 April 2010
Feeding the Inner Hunger
Everyone has deep seated hunger and feelings of emptiness and lack. We try to fill this hunger by satisfying our desires and sense pleasures. We eat and drink, watch TV, spend money, meet with others, try to find fulfillment in work, and go on vacations all to feed this hunger. However, we can never fill the hunger inside by satisfying our desires for sense pleasures.
In the Bible, Jesus says, "Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled." (Luke 6:21) The great yoga master Paramahansa Yogananda elucidates this passage saying "Blessed are you who thirst for wisdom and who esteem virtue and righteousness as the real food to appease your inner hunger, for you shall have that lasting happiness brought only by adhering to divine ideals - unparalleled satisfaction of heart and soul." (The Yoga of Jesus, p.78)
So how do we feed this hunger that we are blessed to have? The great masters tell us that the deep seated hunger that every man feels is actually the soul's desire for God. And to appease this hunger, we actually have to turn our hunger around from seeking to fulfill the desires of the senses on the outside to going within and seeking the kingdom of God within. This can be practiced in big and small ways.
Practices such as prayer, meditation, hatha yoga, scriptural study of your religion, stilling the mind in the present moment, mantra repetition, formal worship, and making some time to be with yourself in contemplation can all be forms of going within.
Desires can also be turned around with awareness and managed in order to start to truly feed our inner hunger right away.
Here are some ways that the Yogic Diet teaches to manage desires:
- I feel hungry, but I don't overeat (desire) because I want to have a lot of energy to do my my practices and be there for others.
- I want to eat a mostly highly nutritious diet, but I crave sweets (desire). So I pass on the cookies, gum, and diet coke and reach for the fresh pineapple and raisins instead.
- I want to be fit, but I feel a little lazy (desire). So I nudge myself off the sofa to go for a brisk walk in the evening.
- I want to be and feel beautiful, but I dislike parts of my body and want to criticize it (desire). So I train myself to love my body the way that it is.
- I try to remember to nurture myself and refrain from harming myself by smoking, drinking, picking my face, overeating, etc (desire).
- I want to have good health, but I am still holding on to resentment from the past (desire) which makes me susceptible to illness. So, I practice forgiveness and positive affirmations and achieve great health.
- I want to please others (desire), and sometimes I over commit. I turn it around and take time for myself first to deeply relax in meditation. Then I can serve other others with light-heartedness.
Learn more about practices like these in our Yogic Diet Workshops!
In the Bible, Jesus says, "Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled." (Luke 6:21) The great yoga master Paramahansa Yogananda elucidates this passage saying "Blessed are you who thirst for wisdom and who esteem virtue and righteousness as the real food to appease your inner hunger, for you shall have that lasting happiness brought only by adhering to divine ideals - unparalleled satisfaction of heart and soul." (The Yoga of Jesus, p.78)
So how do we feed this hunger that we are blessed to have? The great masters tell us that the deep seated hunger that every man feels is actually the soul's desire for God. And to appease this hunger, we actually have to turn our hunger around from seeking to fulfill the desires of the senses on the outside to going within and seeking the kingdom of God within. This can be practiced in big and small ways.
Practices such as prayer, meditation, hatha yoga, scriptural study of your religion, stilling the mind in the present moment, mantra repetition, formal worship, and making some time to be with yourself in contemplation can all be forms of going within.
Desires can also be turned around with awareness and managed in order to start to truly feed our inner hunger right away.
Here are some ways that the Yogic Diet teaches to manage desires:
- I feel hungry, but I don't overeat (desire) because I want to have a lot of energy to do my my practices and be there for others.
- I want to eat a mostly highly nutritious diet, but I crave sweets (desire). So I pass on the cookies, gum, and diet coke and reach for the fresh pineapple and raisins instead.
- I want to be fit, but I feel a little lazy (desire). So I nudge myself off the sofa to go for a brisk walk in the evening.
- I want to be and feel beautiful, but I dislike parts of my body and want to criticize it (desire). So I train myself to love my body the way that it is.
- I try to remember to nurture myself and refrain from harming myself by smoking, drinking, picking my face, overeating, etc (desire).
- I want to have good health, but I am still holding on to resentment from the past (desire) which makes me susceptible to illness. So, I practice forgiveness and positive affirmations and achieve great health.
- I want to please others (desire), and sometimes I over commit. I turn it around and take time for myself first to deeply relax in meditation. Then I can serve other others with light-heartedness.
Learn more about practices like these in our Yogic Diet Workshops!
Thursday, 11 March 2010
My Perfect Client
Does this sound like you?
- Inspired by YOGA lifestyle and philosophy + Law of Attraction – You love yoga and the power of positive/attractive thinking.
- Ready to Implement Body, Mind, and Soul Practices - You are ready to create the time and space to be with yourself to contemplate, meditate, do spiritual practices, exercise, improve your diet, practice positive thinking, and heals samskaras, old tendencies and patterns.
- Ready to Permanently Lose Weight and/or Ready to Improve Body Image and Heal Self-Esteem Issues – You are ready to love and accept your body as it is and raise your energy to attract a healthier, stronger, more flexible, fit, slim, and beautiful form.
- Ready to be Masterful in Handling Your Emotions – You are ready to be emotionally self-reliant with the support of self-inquiry and contemplation.
- Ready to Improve Your State of Mind – You want to attract a more serene, happy, positive, secure, relaxed, patient, loving, courageous, focused, and disciplined state of mind.
- Ready to Deepen Your Connection to Source/God – You want to deepen your relationship with Source and practice spiritual practices that build upon your own faith.
- Ready to Improve Your Relationships - You are ready to make huge shifts in your relationships with the keys of yoga philosophy and the Law of Attraction.
- Ready to Make a Dream Come True – You have a special dream for your life that you are ready to make happen.
- Ready to Let Go of Limitations – You are ready to release old limitations that no longer serve you.
- Manifesting a Good Life and want to Manifest a Phenomenal Life – You already have a highly functioning life and want to tweak/improve your physical, mental, and spiritual states and relationships to create a phenomenal life with the support of coaching.
Contact me at Monique@yogicdiet.com for more info or check out our website at www.yogicdiet.com for more info on the Yogic Diet Six Week Workshops and Consulting programs.
- Inspired by YOGA lifestyle and philosophy + Law of Attraction – You love yoga and the power of positive/attractive thinking.
- Ready to Implement Body, Mind, and Soul Practices - You are ready to create the time and space to be with yourself to contemplate, meditate, do spiritual practices, exercise, improve your diet, practice positive thinking, and heals samskaras, old tendencies and patterns.
- Ready to Permanently Lose Weight and/or Ready to Improve Body Image and Heal Self-Esteem Issues – You are ready to love and accept your body as it is and raise your energy to attract a healthier, stronger, more flexible, fit, slim, and beautiful form.
- Ready to be Masterful in Handling Your Emotions – You are ready to be emotionally self-reliant with the support of self-inquiry and contemplation.
- Ready to Improve Your State of Mind – You want to attract a more serene, happy, positive, secure, relaxed, patient, loving, courageous, focused, and disciplined state of mind.
- Ready to Deepen Your Connection to Source/God – You want to deepen your relationship with Source and practice spiritual practices that build upon your own faith.
- Ready to Improve Your Relationships - You are ready to make huge shifts in your relationships with the keys of yoga philosophy and the Law of Attraction.
- Ready to Make a Dream Come True – You have a special dream for your life that you are ready to make happen.
- Ready to Let Go of Limitations – You are ready to release old limitations that no longer serve you.
- Manifesting a Good Life and want to Manifest a Phenomenal Life – You already have a highly functioning life and want to tweak/improve your physical, mental, and spiritual states and relationships to create a phenomenal life with the support of coaching.
Contact me at Monique@yogicdiet.com for more info or check out our website at www.yogicdiet.com for more info on the Yogic Diet Six Week Workshops and Consulting programs.
Monday, 8 March 2010
Law of Attraction
The Law of Attraction simply states that "like attracts like." We get back what we put out into the universe. Many times our thoughts, feelings, and actions are focused on and reacting to what we don't want. For example, if we have a problem with someone, we may go over and over a list of their faults. That just brings more of their faults into our lives! We must learn to be focused on what WE WANT in order to attract it.
I discovered the LOA for the first time in 1996 when my friend Annie Sherwood mentioned that she was a life-coach and would love to help me improve anything in my life before she moved to Spain! Since I had done healing work in the past, I decided to give it a go. We worked through a Strategic Attraction Plan(TM) developed by Jan Stringer of Perfect Customers. This plan was originally devised to help businesses attract perfect customers. But, it also can help anyone to attract more of what they are seeking in any aspect of their lives. So, I did a plan with Annie and it totally rocked my world. My family life improved and I stepped into a flow of success and happiness that I had not known before and have not let go of since.
I don't just believe in the Law of Attraction, I have seen it's miracles in my life for several years now with me, my family, and my clients. Let me share some of these experiences.
On my first attraction plan, I wrote many of my goals. One was that I could weigh 120lbs. Having always struggled with my weight, I choose a magical number, though perhaps unattainable. Fast forward a year later. I took my yoga teacher training in Singapore in 2007 and we practiced yoga twice a day, two hours a session, for three weeks. We also only ate two meals per day. So the calorie reduction, lots of exercise, plus taking the subways in Singapore to get around had the net effect of me losing some weight. But I never got on a scale during the whole experience. Instead, I waited till I got home. And what do you know? The scale said the exact number 120. Not 119 or 121. I found it very cool that I attracted the EXACT number that I had written on my plan!
I have also taught my children to "see it in your head and feel it in your heart" if you want to attract something. In kindergarten, my son could not reach the top of a really high rock climbing wall in PE class. However, after he taped a picture of himself reaching the top of the wall onto his bedroom wall, he did it on the very next class. And recently, he was upset about a situation with a friend. So last Sunday he taped a picture to his wall that has a picture he drew of himself with his friends and a caption that reads, "I am happy and surrounded by friends. I am the best friend anyone could have. I am great!"
Yeah, for the Law of Attraction!
I discovered the LOA for the first time in 1996 when my friend Annie Sherwood mentioned that she was a life-coach and would love to help me improve anything in my life before she moved to Spain! Since I had done healing work in the past, I decided to give it a go. We worked through a Strategic Attraction Plan(TM) developed by Jan Stringer of Perfect Customers. This plan was originally devised to help businesses attract perfect customers. But, it also can help anyone to attract more of what they are seeking in any aspect of their lives. So, I did a plan with Annie and it totally rocked my world. My family life improved and I stepped into a flow of success and happiness that I had not known before and have not let go of since.
I don't just believe in the Law of Attraction, I have seen it's miracles in my life for several years now with me, my family, and my clients. Let me share some of these experiences.
On my first attraction plan, I wrote many of my goals. One was that I could weigh 120lbs. Having always struggled with my weight, I choose a magical number, though perhaps unattainable. Fast forward a year later. I took my yoga teacher training in Singapore in 2007 and we practiced yoga twice a day, two hours a session, for three weeks. We also only ate two meals per day. So the calorie reduction, lots of exercise, plus taking the subways in Singapore to get around had the net effect of me losing some weight. But I never got on a scale during the whole experience. Instead, I waited till I got home. And what do you know? The scale said the exact number 120. Not 119 or 121. I found it very cool that I attracted the EXACT number that I had written on my plan!
I have also taught my children to "see it in your head and feel it in your heart" if you want to attract something. In kindergarten, my son could not reach the top of a really high rock climbing wall in PE class. However, after he taped a picture of himself reaching the top of the wall onto his bedroom wall, he did it on the very next class. And recently, he was upset about a situation with a friend. So last Sunday he taped a picture to his wall that has a picture he drew of himself with his friends and a caption that reads, "I am happy and surrounded by friends. I am the best friend anyone could have. I am great!"
Yeah, for the Law of Attraction!
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Softly Marching Forth
Poem of the March 4th (march forth) Yogic Diet:
- sleep, rest, relax
- I eat right. I exercise.
- walking and stretching
- My mind is calm.
- I practice meditation. Even a few minutes stills my mind.
- I am dancing.
- Gratitude
- Nature, nature walks, and Mother Nature
- Children!
- Play!
- I buy that new comfy sofa.
- Soft, warm glow
- Endless possibilities…
- Creating, sharing, beauty, community
- Magical connections
- Deepen, experiment, risk, expand...
- Love.
- sleep, rest, relax
- I eat right. I exercise.
- walking and stretching
- My mind is calm.
- I practice meditation. Even a few minutes stills my mind.
- I am dancing.
- Gratitude
- Nature, nature walks, and Mother Nature
- Children!
- Play!
- I buy that new comfy sofa.
- Soft, warm glow
- Endless possibilities…
- Creating, sharing, beauty, community
- Magical connections
- Deepen, experiment, risk, expand...
- Love.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Inner Treasures
One of my great teachers, Annie Sherwood, recently asked me to make a list of things that I treasure about myself. This idea touched my heart because I know that it is only when we truly love, appreciate, and approve of ourselves, that we can treat ourselves and others with love and respect. On the other hand, if we don't fully love ourselves, we may end up harming ourselves in big and small ways, not setting boundaries, self-medicating with addictive behaviors, and feeling overwhelmed with fear, insecurity, anger, stress, worry, and so on.
So, she said to make a list. I need to make this list. I have had trouble setting boundaries with someone lately and then feeling angry afterward. Perhaps this list will set me free. Perhaps if I find more love and respect for myself by thinking about my greatness rather than worrying about my smallness, I can release the past. I can release resentment and fly freely.
This reminds me of a powerful meditation experience I had a few years back in an intensive in Jakarta. I was deeply inside and then saw a list of my faults. I anxiously began to go through the list of faults. God showed up (thank God) to go through the list with me. God was lighthearted and chuckled, “Oh, I love this fault. I love that fault. Even though you have this, I still love you. I love you despite your faults. I love you.” I went through the list until nothing was left and God loved me all the way through it. Of course, I was blown away by this experience of being with God. I also remember thinking that if God can love and accept me as I am, I could do the same.
Louise Hay says, "Everyone suffers from self-hatred and guilt. The bottom line for everyone is 'I'm not good enough.' It's only a thought, and a thought can be changed. We create every so called illness in our body. Resentment, criticism, and guilt are the most damaging patterns. Releasing resentment will dissolve even cancer. We must release the past and forgive everyone. We must be willing to begin to love ourselves. Self-approval and self-acceptance in the now are the keys to positive changes. When we really love ourselves, everything in our life works."
My Treasures
- I am courageous. Courage carrying me to Italy, China, and Indonesia. Courage attracting immense grace and healing in these journeys.
- I am faithful and I have faith. I believe in the power of family. I treasure my husband and our deep friendship and love.
- I am spiritual and steadfast. I treasure my 14 year commitment to my spiritual path and practices.
- I am a good teacher. I treasure this gift to be a teacher. May I deepen my capacity to heal, be healed, and to touch lives.
- I am willing to change. I understand that I attract whatever comes into my life and that if I want to change what I am attracting, I must be willing to look at myself and my beliefs and make a shift. I am willing to look. I am willing to change.
- I am not self-conscious (most of the time) and I dance like no one is watching.
- Almost 40 and just discovering my inner athlete. Got to love second winds.
- I am a good mother...which means more to me than almost all of the others put together.
- I love and approve of myself exactly the way that I am.
So, she said to make a list. I need to make this list. I have had trouble setting boundaries with someone lately and then feeling angry afterward. Perhaps this list will set me free. Perhaps if I find more love and respect for myself by thinking about my greatness rather than worrying about my smallness, I can release the past. I can release resentment and fly freely.
This reminds me of a powerful meditation experience I had a few years back in an intensive in Jakarta. I was deeply inside and then saw a list of my faults. I anxiously began to go through the list of faults. God showed up (thank God) to go through the list with me. God was lighthearted and chuckled, “Oh, I love this fault. I love that fault. Even though you have this, I still love you. I love you despite your faults. I love you.” I went through the list until nothing was left and God loved me all the way through it. Of course, I was blown away by this experience of being with God. I also remember thinking that if God can love and accept me as I am, I could do the same.
Louise Hay says, "Everyone suffers from self-hatred and guilt. The bottom line for everyone is 'I'm not good enough.' It's only a thought, and a thought can be changed. We create every so called illness in our body. Resentment, criticism, and guilt are the most damaging patterns. Releasing resentment will dissolve even cancer. We must release the past and forgive everyone. We must be willing to begin to love ourselves. Self-approval and self-acceptance in the now are the keys to positive changes. When we really love ourselves, everything in our life works."
My Treasures
- I am courageous. Courage carrying me to Italy, China, and Indonesia. Courage attracting immense grace and healing in these journeys.
- I am faithful and I have faith. I believe in the power of family. I treasure my husband and our deep friendship and love.
- I am spiritual and steadfast. I treasure my 14 year commitment to my spiritual path and practices.
- I am a good teacher. I treasure this gift to be a teacher. May I deepen my capacity to heal, be healed, and to touch lives.
- I am willing to change. I understand that I attract whatever comes into my life and that if I want to change what I am attracting, I must be willing to look at myself and my beliefs and make a shift. I am willing to look. I am willing to change.
- I am not self-conscious (most of the time) and I dance like no one is watching.
- Almost 40 and just discovering my inner athlete. Got to love second winds.
- I am a good mother...which means more to me than almost all of the others put together.
- I love and approve of myself exactly the way that I am.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Affirmations from Louise Hay
Last summer I took a Hay House "I can do it" cruise to Alaska with my husband and kids. The cruise was completely chartered by Hay House and so everyone on board was a teacher, writer, thinker, healer, searcher, researcher, etc. It felt like a floating ashram. I even met Louise Hay, Dr. Wayne Dyer, and many other famous self-help powerhouses.
I am so moved by Louise Hay's personal story. She went through so much suffering in her life and was able to overcome. She wrote her first book in her 60's and now she's a mega-publisher and in her 80's. She says this is the best decade of her life so far.
I found transformation and healing in her book "You Can Heal Your Life." I did not know I still had so much to release from the past, but apparently it was (is) so. And that's fine. Thank you L. Hay for helping me widen my toolbox to include more forgiveness and releasing of the past to add to the yoga, meditation, and positive thinking that I practice. On that note, here are some lovely affirmations from Louise:
"I love myself; therefore, I take loving care of my body. I lovingly feed it nourishing foods and beverages, I lovingly groom it and dress it, and my body responds to me with vibrant health and energy.
I love myself; therefore, I provide for myself a comfortable home, one that is a pleasure to be in. I fill the rooms with the vibration of love so that all who enter, myself included, will feel this love and be nourished by it.
I love myself: therefore, I work at a job I truly enjoy doing, one that uses my creative talents and abilities, working with and for people I love and love me, and earning a good income.
I love myself ; therefore, I behave and think in a loving way to all people for I know that which I give out returns to me multiplied. I only attract loving people in my world, for they are a mirror of what I am.
I love myself; therefore, I forgive and totally release the past and all past experiences, and I am free.
I love myself; therefore, I live in the now, experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright and joyous and secure, for I am a beloved child of the Universe, and the Universe lovingly takes care of me now and forever more.
All is well in my world."
I am so moved by Louise Hay's personal story. She went through so much suffering in her life and was able to overcome. She wrote her first book in her 60's and now she's a mega-publisher and in her 80's. She says this is the best decade of her life so far.
I found transformation and healing in her book "You Can Heal Your Life." I did not know I still had so much to release from the past, but apparently it was (is) so. And that's fine. Thank you L. Hay for helping me widen my toolbox to include more forgiveness and releasing of the past to add to the yoga, meditation, and positive thinking that I practice. On that note, here are some lovely affirmations from Louise:
"I love myself; therefore, I take loving care of my body. I lovingly feed it nourishing foods and beverages, I lovingly groom it and dress it, and my body responds to me with vibrant health and energy.
I love myself; therefore, I provide for myself a comfortable home, one that is a pleasure to be in. I fill the rooms with the vibration of love so that all who enter, myself included, will feel this love and be nourished by it.
I love myself: therefore, I work at a job I truly enjoy doing, one that uses my creative talents and abilities, working with and for people I love and love me, and earning a good income.
I love myself ; therefore, I behave and think in a loving way to all people for I know that which I give out returns to me multiplied. I only attract loving people in my world, for they are a mirror of what I am.
I love myself; therefore, I forgive and totally release the past and all past experiences, and I am free.
I love myself; therefore, I live in the now, experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright and joyous and secure, for I am a beloved child of the Universe, and the Universe lovingly takes care of me now and forever more.
All is well in my world."
Thursday, 4 February 2010
I Loved God as a Child
Ever since I was a child, I have loved God. When I was a very small child I would walk to church by myself. I remembered feeling that God was with me and I remember my grandma’s insistence that I go to church. My family was Church of Christ which was a conservative path in which no musical instruments or dancing was allowed. As a young teenager, I had many strong experiences of God by participating in a Methodist church’s youth group. However, as an older teen, I lost touch with my spiritual seeking and starting seeking other things like boys, etc.
A lot of emotional baggage and dis-ease from my childhood crept up in college and I suffered feelings of depression, anger, insecurity, and unworthiness. I was not at peace, but I was functional enough and muddled through. Although I was not particularly looking, I found my treasure shortly after college while I was in teaching English in China. Through a friend there, I met an enlightened Indian saint. The experiences I had from following this saint’s teachings were undeniably powerful. I received a very physical experience of Kundalini awakening. Kundalini is a dormant spiritual energy that lives within everyone and resides at the base of the spine.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within” and I have found that to be true in meditation experiences. So that is where I look for God, in my own heart. When I experience the depth of my heart in meditation, I notice more goodness, light, and beauty on the outside as well. I have HUGE signs, miracles, protection, dreams, and experiences of God on a regular basis and I understand that God is in everything, but most especially in the human heart. I believe everyone has access to God and by putting their attention on it, and even going more deeply into their own path, they can be taken very deeply into their own hearts. I have seen Christians, Buddhist, Muslims, Jews, Mormons, Hindus, and yogis all lit up by divine love.
I would love to hear from others about your experiences of the divine. Please feel free to share your light on the path.
A lot of emotional baggage and dis-ease from my childhood crept up in college and I suffered feelings of depression, anger, insecurity, and unworthiness. I was not at peace, but I was functional enough and muddled through. Although I was not particularly looking, I found my treasure shortly after college while I was in teaching English in China. Through a friend there, I met an enlightened Indian saint. The experiences I had from following this saint’s teachings were undeniably powerful. I received a very physical experience of Kundalini awakening. Kundalini is a dormant spiritual energy that lives within everyone and resides at the base of the spine.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within” and I have found that to be true in meditation experiences. So that is where I look for God, in my own heart. When I experience the depth of my heart in meditation, I notice more goodness, light, and beauty on the outside as well. I have HUGE signs, miracles, protection, dreams, and experiences of God on a regular basis and I understand that God is in everything, but most especially in the human heart. I believe everyone has access to God and by putting their attention on it, and even going more deeply into their own path, they can be taken very deeply into their own hearts. I have seen Christians, Buddhist, Muslims, Jews, Mormons, Hindus, and yogis all lit up by divine love.
I would love to hear from others about your experiences of the divine. Please feel free to share your light on the path.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Today's Issues - Tomorrow's Freedom
Recently, I went to get my hair done and brought with me two magazines for the three hour stay at the salon - Oprah and Yoga Journal. It seemed that every other page of the Oprah magazine highlighted talented, smart, and exceptional women who still struggled with their weight, their looks, or their self-esteem. These stories touched my heart because I can relate and because many of my clients can too. In Yoga Journal, people shared about how their yoga practice helps them find peace and freedom from addictions, blockages, worry, pain, and fears. I can relate to this too as yoga has been a path for me to lighten my mind, body, and spirit for many years.
One article in Oprah had both of these topics in one article. A lady who is 80 pounds overweight and has a life in shambles is taking on a 60 day hot yoga challenge. She says she does not just want to renovate her life, she wants a “tear down.” She felt this would be possible with the inner and outer work she would do in this yoga challenge. I am so proud of her and impressed by her understanding that the weight is just a symptom of the deeper issues swirling around in her heart.
Reading these magazines was a confirmation from the universe for me that I am on the right path. Also, that helping people love and accept themselves and their bodies is a valuable mission to be on. The weight, food, body, and self-esteem issues that I want to help people address are important, deep, spiritual, and relevant. After all, in the end our obstacles are our path. Today a self-acceptance issue, tomorrow healing, freedom, and enlightenment.
One article in Oprah had both of these topics in one article. A lady who is 80 pounds overweight and has a life in shambles is taking on a 60 day hot yoga challenge. She says she does not just want to renovate her life, she wants a “tear down.” She felt this would be possible with the inner and outer work she would do in this yoga challenge. I am so proud of her and impressed by her understanding that the weight is just a symptom of the deeper issues swirling around in her heart.
Reading these magazines was a confirmation from the universe for me that I am on the right path. Also, that helping people love and accept themselves and their bodies is a valuable mission to be on. The weight, food, body, and self-esteem issues that I want to help people address are important, deep, spiritual, and relevant. After all, in the end our obstacles are our path. Today a self-acceptance issue, tomorrow healing, freedom, and enlightenment.
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