Yogic Philosophy of the Week - Sadhana (a daily spiritual practice)
I invite you to create a sadhana - the idea of this, is that for just 15 minutes a day you get to think of you and only you.
A sadhana can be anything that makes your heart sing. There is only one rule - that you commit to it every day, no matter what. Here are some ideas of ways you can create your own sadhana - a Sun Salutation every morning as soon as you get out of bed (have your mat unfolded next to your bed the night before!), a meditation, a prayer, journaling with a cup of coffee before everyone else wakes up, setting an intention for the energy you want to have that day, writing poetry, being creative, doing Alternate Nostril breathing, going for a walk, busting out some crazy dance moves and making yourself laugh. We leave so little time for ourselves these days - it’s only 15 minutes a day just for you - totally worth it.
‘Fill up your cup because you can’t pour from an empty cup.’
Pose of the Week - Cat-cow pose
If you can only manage a pose or two in the mornings before your day gets in the way (I totally get that) - I’d say - go for the Cat-Cow pose. Breathing out while you’re doing Cat and breathing in while you’re doing Cow. In Cat - imagine energy from all around your torso being pulled to your spine and make sure to relax your head and neck. Think of how a cat arches its’ back when stretching and how a cow can never do that to remember which is which :o)
Cat-Cow is a gentle flow between two poses that warms the body and brings flexibility to the spine. It stretches the back and neck, and stimulates and strengthens the abdominal organs. It also opens the chest, encouraging the breath to become slow and deep - calming the mind.
This flow also helps with your posture and balance, and it brings the spine into correct alignment and can help prevent back pain.
‘You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.’
Muggle
In Ayurveda - ginger is called the ‘universal medicine’. And lemon juice is often used in Ayurveda - it’s so rich in Vitamin C. Every time I start to feel a sore throat or a cold coming on - I immediately make myself a Muggle. ManUka honey, GinGer, LEmon juice mixed into hot water. I was fed up of telling the husband all these ingredients every time so I came up with with the acronym ‘Muggle’!
Manuka honey is from New Zealand and it has natural antibacterial properties which is what sets it apart from ordinary honey - some hospitals and clinics use it topically for wounds and burns. Research has also proven that it can soothe sore throats, promote oral health, help protect against gastric ulcers and gut infections and it has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects. There are also some early signs that it may prevent tumour growth. To make sure the Manuka honey is genuine - it has to say ‘packed in New Zealand’ on the jar and it has to have a batch number. It has to have a high enough UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) such as +15 so that the antibacterial properties are effective. Manuka honey is not cheap but it’s been a worthwhile investment for our family’s health for the last few years. Here’s to good health!