I wanted to share with you some feedback from a participant of the Yogic Diet 2011 retreat in Bali. Here is what she had to say:
Changes from Retreat:
Diet:
The foods we ate during the retreat left me feeling so good that I wanted to continue that when I got home. I am much more aware of what I eat and how it makes me feel. I have had a couple cups of coffee and a little wine and some meat. The coffee I really enjoyed, the wine just made me feel like crap, and the meat was good - but left me feeling heavy. I have also had some desserts too. The best part about what has changed is that I am enjoying a treat now and then (coffee, ice cream, etc), but then I move on and don't look back. Before I would have felt bad about myself and just totally went overboard and eaten everything bad for me all the time. Now I am not in an ALL of NOTHING mentality. I am excited enough about the foods that my husband is attempting a detox like diet for 5 days like we did during the retreat. We are doing the best we can to follow the guidelines and remembering what we ate. I am excited for him!
Lifestyle: My rut was a pretty deep one and I am having to work hard to get out of it. I am better but find it easy to slip back in. I am making more time for myself and using my time more effectively. I am more aware that I waste a lot of time and I am not sure on what (hence the waste). I do know that I was not taking care of me before the retreat. Now I am concentrating on making time for me (quality time).
Yoga: So I am hooked on yoga. It makes me feel great. I gained a lot of confidence in myself during the retreat. I can do it on my own with a video or just audio. I am working on a schedule so I can do it more often.
Positive Thinking: Overall I am more positive. I am very aware of my self talk and how it has not been positive. When I catch myself with negative thoughts I shift them to a positive.
During the retreat I lost 3 pounds and I have continued to lose another 3 pounds since I got home. I am very excited about this because I have had some splurges with my eating and I have not found the right routine to do regular exercise. So going back to that All of Nothing idea..... I have gotten away from that. I am physically active (but not as much as my goal is) and happy that I have done something. I am not beating myself up over not getting it all done. This is a big one for me.
Aspects in my life that have been influenced:
Diet - I am more aware of how foods affect me.
Body image - I look good. I am not seeing all the trouble spots I used to.
Exercise - I am more active.
Yoga - I want to do more and I have more confidence in my abilities.
Relationships - I am more calm with my children; I am using my law of attraction notes and it seems to be helping.
Meditation - I enjoy it, but must make more time for it! Miss it.
Insights:
From Tomasz - Seriously would be "NO DRAMA." He also taught me that I CAN do yoga!
From Monique - I can obtain what I am wanting and the law of attraction does work. I am an awesome person!
Thank you so much for this opportunity.
The Queen of Happy
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Our Retreat
Our first Yogic Diet retreat was recently held in the lush and surprisingly breezy, cool mountains of Bali, Indonesia. Our group of 14 met at dinner and then wrapped ourselves in sarongs to prepare for a blessing from a Balinese Hindu priest. Every aspect of life is ritualistically blessed in Bali and each of us, carrying our own intentions for positive change, were ready to receive. We sat on the ground on this full moon night and held incense sticks while the aged priest chanted. When he finished, we sipped three spoons of holy water from our palms to bring the blessing within. The retreat had begun auspiciously.
This auspiciousness continued as each conversation seemed blessed. Each sharing from the teachers Monique and Tomasz, from Richard our Australian Bali mountain man, and from the participants about yoga, diet, health, life, relationships, challenges, and more entered our bodies, minds, and spirits. Each yoga session took us deeper into our strong bodies and higher into our big hearts. Each coaching session was a peeling back of layers as we unwrapped the golden nugget that we really do create our own realities and all it takes is a new thought to create a new reality. Each trek through the jungle or rice paddy encouraged us to remember that abundance in nature really is our birthright if we can just be in harmony with her and strive to take better care of her.
And oh my gosh, the food! Most people on the retreat had never taken a break from caffeine, alcohol, meat, processed food, white flour, and sugar like that. Some were worried about how they would handle such a detox. But the yummy, colorful, delicious, Balinese vegetable laden dishes kept appearing to satisfy our appetites and the ginger-lime-honey teas and fruits kept appearing to quench our thirsts. The food was amazing and especially cooked for us with love. And even though I eat a similar diet at home...I feel a longing for the food we had at the retreat. It was good and it somehow fed the soul.
So, the retreat was a great success! People who wanted to lose weight did (from 2-8 lbs). People who wanted to feel happier did and seemed to feel more hope for their futures. People who wanted to have fun and do yoga did! Tomasz rocked it as always and twice a day! And each time one of the yogis walked up the steps to the open air yoga room to surrender to the ritual of practice...he/she was a hero.
Namaste,
Monique
This auspiciousness continued as each conversation seemed blessed. Each sharing from the teachers Monique and Tomasz, from Richard our Australian Bali mountain man, and from the participants about yoga, diet, health, life, relationships, challenges, and more entered our bodies, minds, and spirits. Each yoga session took us deeper into our strong bodies and higher into our big hearts. Each coaching session was a peeling back of layers as we unwrapped the golden nugget that we really do create our own realities and all it takes is a new thought to create a new reality. Each trek through the jungle or rice paddy encouraged us to remember that abundance in nature really is our birthright if we can just be in harmony with her and strive to take better care of her.
And oh my gosh, the food! Most people on the retreat had never taken a break from caffeine, alcohol, meat, processed food, white flour, and sugar like that. Some were worried about how they would handle such a detox. But the yummy, colorful, delicious, Balinese vegetable laden dishes kept appearing to satisfy our appetites and the ginger-lime-honey teas and fruits kept appearing to quench our thirsts. The food was amazing and especially cooked for us with love. And even though I eat a similar diet at home...I feel a longing for the food we had at the retreat. It was good and it somehow fed the soul.
So, the retreat was a great success! People who wanted to lose weight did (from 2-8 lbs). People who wanted to feel happier did and seemed to feel more hope for their futures. People who wanted to have fun and do yoga did! Tomasz rocked it as always and twice a day! And each time one of the yogis walked up the steps to the open air yoga room to surrender to the ritual of practice...he/she was a hero.
Namaste,
Monique
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Thank God I Got The Flu
Last week, I had the flu. I had not been sick in a long time...not even a sniffle. But somehow I knew that when my housekeeper starting sneezing around the house that I was going to get this one. Never mind that this year I had the second flu shot that I've ever taken in my life. I knew I was going to get it.
Then it came...the sneezing, fever, body aches, painful sinus cavities, naps, moaning, etc. No fun, not happy. C'est la vie. However, on the 5th day when I was still napping for three hours in daylight, I decided to see a doctor.
Fairly randomly, he asked me to go to the lab and do blood work. Half an hour later when the test results came back, he called me in and said that I had a problem, but the flu and the hurting nasal passages weren't it. He said my hemoglobin was down to 7 (12-16 is normal). And since we live in a developing country where the medical can be sketchy, he asked me to fly to Singapore the next day for further tests.
Imagine my shock as I sat in the waiting room of an Oncologist's office in Singapore the next day. I was panicking and my husband didn't look too relaxed either. Anyhow, to make a long story short, I didn't have the C word. It seems that I have an iron deficiency anemia. This means that I've been running around with about half a tank of oxygen and didn't even really know it. But looking back, I do see some signs: the dizziness that I felt doing Sun Salutations, the shortness of breath I felt when running around the block, and my growing need for afternoon caffeine weren't just in my mind.
Now why is this nutrition/healthy lifestyle person getting anemia? I believe that there are spiritual as well as physical reasons. On the physical side, I had not been really paying attention to eating particularly iron rich foods and my female cycle has gotten heavier over the last few years...a common reason for anemia. On the spiritual side, I can see that I've been pinching off the joy in a few areas of my life. And now I have a relatively small wake up call to make these right.
I did have a big pity party for about five days after the diagnosis. I got mad that I physically need more rest and naps and I felt afraid. But I'm coming out of the fog. Tonight, I did my first yoga practice in two weeks with an attitude of sheer joy and delight. Yoga is amazing...what a life affirming practice.
I TRUST that I will be well and that all will be well. I will listen to my body, keep up the iron, and smile, laugh, and give my love more often. May we all optimize our capacities to heal and be healed each and every day. ACHOO! God bless you.
Then it came...the sneezing, fever, body aches, painful sinus cavities, naps, moaning, etc. No fun, not happy. C'est la vie. However, on the 5th day when I was still napping for three hours in daylight, I decided to see a doctor.
Fairly randomly, he asked me to go to the lab and do blood work. Half an hour later when the test results came back, he called me in and said that I had a problem, but the flu and the hurting nasal passages weren't it. He said my hemoglobin was down to 7 (12-16 is normal). And since we live in a developing country where the medical can be sketchy, he asked me to fly to Singapore the next day for further tests.
Imagine my shock as I sat in the waiting room of an Oncologist's office in Singapore the next day. I was panicking and my husband didn't look too relaxed either. Anyhow, to make a long story short, I didn't have the C word. It seems that I have an iron deficiency anemia. This means that I've been running around with about half a tank of oxygen and didn't even really know it. But looking back, I do see some signs: the dizziness that I felt doing Sun Salutations, the shortness of breath I felt when running around the block, and my growing need for afternoon caffeine weren't just in my mind.
Now why is this nutrition/healthy lifestyle person getting anemia? I believe that there are spiritual as well as physical reasons. On the physical side, I had not been really paying attention to eating particularly iron rich foods and my female cycle has gotten heavier over the last few years...a common reason for anemia. On the spiritual side, I can see that I've been pinching off the joy in a few areas of my life. And now I have a relatively small wake up call to make these right.
I did have a big pity party for about five days after the diagnosis. I got mad that I physically need more rest and naps and I felt afraid. But I'm coming out of the fog. Tonight, I did my first yoga practice in two weeks with an attitude of sheer joy and delight. Yoga is amazing...what a life affirming practice.
I TRUST that I will be well and that all will be well. I will listen to my body, keep up the iron, and smile, laugh, and give my love more often. May we all optimize our capacities to heal and be healed each and every day. ACHOO! God bless you.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
A Quiet Mind
Recently, a friend of mine starting meditating and she loves it. She says she looks forward to her meditation time every day. I understand her enthusiasm!
One time I was at a yoga retreat where we engaged in many kinds of yoga practices. As you may know, most yoga practices and exercises are ultimately aimed at quieting our minds so that we can meditate. Well, we did lots of yoga and I had an interesting experience.
As the chattering voices around me became silent, due to us all being engaged in yoga practice, I could hear my own chattering mind more clearly. Several things came up in my mind that I recognized that I wanted to work on. So this was a good thing as I was able to pray and meditate on these items and then kind of let them go.
Then, my mind became more silent. This felt so good, peaceful, and refreshing. One yoga sutra says that when the space between our thoughts expands, the bliss inside of us grows. I could definitely feel that.
However, what happened next was the most touching experience. I found that as my own mind/voice became quiet, I could hear an Inner voice more clearly. That voice said to go here and do that. That voice was in the flow. It was a deeper, more intuitive voice. That voice was inside me and I could hear it clearly since I was quiet.
My mind is not nearly as quiet in my regular life as it is on retreat. However, just remembering that experience draws me back to my meditation mat and yoga practices again and again. Just a few moments of touching that silence space in meditation still infuses my day with sweetness and reminds me that I have access to that Inner voice.
May you create the time and space for your spiritual practices and attain all the benefits of a quieted, trusting, peaceful mind.
One time I was at a yoga retreat where we engaged in many kinds of yoga practices. As you may know, most yoga practices and exercises are ultimately aimed at quieting our minds so that we can meditate. Well, we did lots of yoga and I had an interesting experience.
As the chattering voices around me became silent, due to us all being engaged in yoga practice, I could hear my own chattering mind more clearly. Several things came up in my mind that I recognized that I wanted to work on. So this was a good thing as I was able to pray and meditate on these items and then kind of let them go.
Then, my mind became more silent. This felt so good, peaceful, and refreshing. One yoga sutra says that when the space between our thoughts expands, the bliss inside of us grows. I could definitely feel that.
However, what happened next was the most touching experience. I found that as my own mind/voice became quiet, I could hear an Inner voice more clearly. That voice said to go here and do that. That voice was in the flow. It was a deeper, more intuitive voice. That voice was inside me and I could hear it clearly since I was quiet.
My mind is not nearly as quiet in my regular life as it is on retreat. However, just remembering that experience draws me back to my meditation mat and yoga practices again and again. Just a few moments of touching that silence space in meditation still infuses my day with sweetness and reminds me that I have access to that Inner voice.
May you create the time and space for your spiritual practices and attain all the benefits of a quieted, trusting, peaceful mind.
Monday, 13 December 2010
A Spiritual Trap
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.
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.
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.
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