Greetings,

Many blessings to you during these lusciously warm days of late July. As we transition from the season of summer to the early fall season we arrive at a time of year when pitta dosha (fire and water elements) is at its height. Moving through time we also come closer to autumn. As we do vata dosha (air & space) is also accumulating in the environment and in our bodies.

What does this mean exactly? Ayurvedic wisdom tells us that each season brings with it a certain predominance of elements that must be balanced by our diet and routine so that we may enjoy the yearly cycle without becoming susceptible to common seasonal maladies or more serious illnesses.

In addition to understanding the seasonal influences on our bodies and minds the ancient ayurvedics also stressed the importance of coming to know oneÕs own personal rhythms. They said that each of us has a unique constitution, called prakriti, which will dictate the particular balance of the five elements that exists in our bodies. Pitta predominant people will show the brilliance, heat and irritability that relate to the fire element in the structure and function of their bodies. Similarly a vata dominant person will be governed largely by air and space elements displaying creativity, anxiety and sometimes digestive impairment. People with a kapha dominant prakriti find the stability and stubbornness of water and earth elements is natural to them. In an imbalanced state they may be susceptible to depression.   

The study of the rhythms of the seasons as well as our own personal rhythms is the core ayurveda wisdom. That understanding joined with cultivating the ability to take a regular conscious pause in our lives is the key to health and happiness.

August Workshop: Introduction to Ayurveda

Throughout this past year I have offered workshops exploring many topics of ayurveda and yoga from mudra practice to making healing masalas. I have had a repeated request from students and clients for a basic ayurveda introductory course for the purpose of offering a foundational understanding of this beautiful healing art and science. This August I will offer such a course.

The autumn season is vata season. Vata is the principle of movement in the universe, our bodies and our minds. Vata season is a time when we have the opportunity to set in motion tremendous positive change in our lives. We also have the opportunity to establish the basis of health in our bodies to see us through the winter and spring seasons that follow. If we allow ourselves instead to keep going with the hectic flow of life with no end in sight we lose this precious opportunity. In fact we put ourselves at more risk for ill health and imbalance. You can see it is a very important time!

To prepare for this important time IÕm offering the Ayurveda introduction before we find ourselves in the shift and activity of autumn. By growing our awareness and bringing healthy patterns into our daily lives now we will be well-prepared when it comes time to move inward for self-examination and contemplation.

 

Ayurveda Fundamentals Workshop

Topics include:

      .       A study of each dosha: vata, pitta, kapha

      .       Determining your dosha

      .       Learning daily routines to balance your dosha including yoga, meditation and breath balancing

      .       Dietary guidelines for each dosha

      .       Learning how to honor the seasonal rhythms for health and healing

 

Date and Time:

Thursday August 14^th

7-9 pm

 

Location:

The Spirit Room

111 Broadway, Fargo

 

Cost:

 25$

 

Ayurvedic refreshments joyfully provided.

Pre-registration required. Call 701-388-2967 to reserve your space.

 

Goddess Mantra CD

I recently collaborated with Sheila Sorinson and Darcy Simonson to create a beautiful collection of mantras dedicated to the Goddess in four of her potent forms. This CD contains written and verbal descriptions of  the Goddesses as well as their mantras. What makes this compilation of sacred sound so special is that it contains essence sketches of each of the Goddesses by Darcy that can be used as a visual focus during meditation or as a beautiful piece of art to admire.

Anyone who is interested in the Divine Feminine, mantra and/or meditation will enjoy this CD. We put a lot of love and healing energy into its creation! CDÕs can be purchased at www.thegratefulgoddess.com

 

Looking ahead:

In September I will be headed back to Chicago to train in Luk Pra Kab therapy. This is a deeply healing herbal therapy from the Traditional Thai Medicine Tradition. It involves the use of heated, aromatherapeutic and anti-inflammatory herbal packs along the energy lines of the body. This therapy is incorporated into the traditional Thai Massage routine to clear energetic blocks and reduce pain and inflammation. More to come in SeptemberÉÉÉÉ

 

I hope you enjoy this precious time of summer in health and happiness.

 

With Care,

Juliet