Beauty and Radiance Workshop!

Come enjoy a fun, and educational afternoon learning about the skin from an Ayurvedic perspective, and how to obtain the “glow” which comes from the inside out!  

Join on meetup.com : http://www.meetup.com/Beauty-of-Ayurveda

Workshop in January! Radiance and Nourishment for Vata Season... Inside Out

Winter is the Vata cycle of the seasons (October-February), and as we are into this drier, cooler time of the year, learn to harmonize the “dance of the doshas” or the constant internal shifts happening within body and mind. Let’s learn what nourishes our skin from within!

Sunday, January 27th

11:00-2:00

*Nourishment, Radiance, and Beauty for the Autumn (Vata) Season

11 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

This segment of the workshop will cover the Vata season as Ayurveda follows it through to late winter time. We will discuss the skin, oils, routines, aromas and spices which bring moisture, radiance and beauty from the inside out. We will also make a moisturizing, nourishing homemade facial masque to take with you!

*Nourishing Inside Out.. Flavors for Winter

12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Work as a group in creating a cozy and nutritious Ayurvedically planned meal for this season, and learn the benefits of preparing your food as a meditation with spices and mindfulness. 

• Simple Beet, and Bean Salad w/ Dijon Honey dressing
• Leek, Fennel, Potato Bisque
• *Kitchari with veggies, pumpkin seeds, and coconut milk

*this will be made as a collective effort

Cost is $75

Receive $25 off of Ayurvedic Consult or Ayurvedic Facial Massage upon registration of class! 

Call me to register @ 949-910-9406

www.ayurglowskin@gmail.com

Namaste.

Jodi Kirtley, C.A.S.

Ayurvedic workshop Jan. 11-13th

Please join in on a weekend of education and illumination at Anya Flow Yoga in Lakewood the weekend of January 11th. Friday eve 7-9:30, Sat. 11-6, Sun. 11-6. 
Holly Robison, the founder of Sundara Yoga Teacher Training Program will be guiding the AyurYoga practice the first half of the day and theprinciples of Ayurveda will be taught by me in the afternoon portion!! Please contact studio for pricing details! 

Anya Flow Yoga Studio
11138 Los Alamitos Blvd

Los Alamitos, CA 90720

(562) 310-3411

http://www.anyaflow.com

Skin in the Vata Season

Do you know that your skin is the largest digestive organ of the body? That is pretty important to know, since all that we put on our skin topically then enters the body through our skin and effects us on a deeper level. In short, beauty is more than skin deep. 

As we are in the Vata cycle of the season, which tends to be drier if not colder here in Southern California here are a few tips for keeping the moisture and above all, luster to the outward skin from the inside and a few easy tips for the outward treatment and care as well:

• Favor warm herbal teas such as cinnamon, cardamom, tulsi, rose, and gotu kola to stimulate digestion and calm the mind in order to maintain overall health of the whole body.
• Using ghee, sesame oil and olive oil in cooking
• Ginger, sage, thyme, and marjoram are wonderful warming as well as cozy spices to use in your winter cooking and support warming your body during this dry and cold time of year,
• Self massage with warm oil (sesame/sunflower or jojoba) in morning or evening slightly warmed to body temperature. This can be done simply by placing a small bottle in a pan of hot water. 
• Use organic food grade facial products as your skin will “eat it up”. A hydrating cleanser, toning mist, facial oil and a daily moisturizer are the basics. 
• Most importantly, your sleep time is essential! Taking time to ground and calm the mind in the evening then getting to bed by 10 (or earlier if you so choose) is a kind as well as connected practice not just this season, but every season.

Upcoming Ayur Yoga 200 hour teacher certification in October 2012!!Join this unique and intimate teacher training led by Holly Robison. I will be teaching the Ayurvedic section! Early bird is ending soon!  http://www.sundarayogashala.com/

Ayurvedic Facials coming in September

I am so thrilled to invite you to enjoy the deeply satisfying and healing therapy of Ayurvedic Facials and Indian head massage. I will begin to offer these in September, and will be updating this info as I have more details on location. I will not be doing these at Lotus Salon due to scheduling conflicts with the existing facial room. I look forward to offering  the healing power of touch to my services! Please check under the consultations and services tab!

Weight Loss Confusion

Do we hear this everywhere? We do since, in America, it is an ever growing concern.

Clients who are dealing with ongoing weight issues seem to be confused as to why they cannot drop the pounds when they believe they are eating "healthy", and excercising like a maniac. In Ayurveda, since everyone has a different constitution, and taking into consideration their imbalance, every person has a different need. This means that no one persons approach to losing the weight, and never seeing it reappear is different.

Embracing an Ayurvedic lifestyle means making real changes slowly in order for them to truly become a part of who you are. When this happens, there is no yo-yo dieting, fluctuating weight, or frustration. These are unnecessary, but for someone to experience lifelong health without the effects of feeling unsatisfied, they must take responsibility for being a part of the change.

Kapha dosha (or one of the three energies which governs our bodies), comprised of the earth and water elements, is responsible for weight or heaviness. Earth and water together are heavy. When you think of earth and water mixed, don't you picture mud? Well, this makes sense that when you feel heavy in the body, and /or the mind, (sluggish) that we could describe it as stickiness or feeling stuck. On saying that, Kapha is a beautiful dosha in that it is the protector of our bodies, the stability, our immunity. It is matter, and keeps our physical forms grounded. It is love.

The Kapha constitution easily gains weight and has a tough time losing it. Once your imbalance is determined, our approach to your weight loss will vary. We will work a  specific food plan, herb formulas to aid in elimination and metabolizing, yoga posture, and even color and aromatherapy! Let's get moving!!

The Summer Season (Pitta season)

 We are now officially traveling through the summer season(Pitta), which means we have transitioned from the spring (Kapha) season which saw many a cold, sinus, and allergy challenge. Each seasonal change not only presents itself externally, but internally as well. Our bodies are in sync with the earths seasonal cycles, so the  heat is beginning to build and dry the heavier, stickier qualities of Kapha which melt away. On saying that, we are all unique in our constitutions, so those with more Pitta dosha (Fire element) can become somewhat, to terribly overheated if not kept in check. Here are a few recommendations to cool the fires of Pitta this season.

If eating spicy foods this summer, and enjoying a few cocktails, please counter these heat aggravating choices by using some cilantro on the side, and a simple little raw salad.

• Ghee used on rice or quinoa, over lightly steamed or sauteed vegetables. (Ghee is cooling in nature)
• Pure, filtered water (cool to room temp) adding a few sprigs of mint (or cilantro) with cucumber 
• Top your dishes with cilantro as garnish. This is balancing if there is a little more spice (heat) in your meal. Mint is also a wonderful cooling garnish.
• Avoid tomatoes, and othere acidic type foods such as coffee, alcohol, and other hot drinks.
• Aloe vera gel blended with mint and honeydew for a super summer beverage
• Steam or sautee some bitter greens ( kale, dandelion, spinach). Bitter greens are cooling for the blood.
• Be sure to include some quiet/meditative time in your day. This calm will help to bring the fire of Pitta down.
• Avoid excessive sun. 15-30 minutes should do it. Beyond that, you may feel the effects negatively, not only externally but internally also! Your beautiful skin will thank you for taking care not to mistreat it!

Enjoy the long, and hopefully sunny days of the summer.. be thankful for the life you live.. do one brave thing everyday, and love much..

Om. Shanti.

A Look At Who YOU Are

Ancient sciences throughout the world use plants, herbs, and minerals in which the earth has provided to remedy illness and prevent disease. These are still here for us to use, but have been sadly overlooked as modern day pharmaceuticals have become big business and have become a mask to the root of disease instead of the remover or healer. It is because we have become detached from nature and its love.We have simply forgotten that we are also a part of nature all around us. 

It does take change for our bodies to once again become in tune with where it should be, and this is a challenge for many. Ayurveda simply suggests making ONE small change at a time, that change becoming rooted in your daily life, therefore becoming a part of who you are. As an Ayurvedic practitioner, I always begin a clients road to wellness with food.In Ayurveda, the act of eating is a divine sacrament to your very being, forming and building the structure of your body and mind like devotees build a place of worship and contemplation. Food then, is something much more powerful than mere nourishment, it forms the essence of your very being. It becomes who you are. We've all heard: "You are what you eat." It is true.YOU ARE FOOD. Any Ayurvedic program will most times begin by offering a food program It is where it all begins simply because all disease moves outside of the site of the colon (all that is not taken into the system, but becomes toxic) and moves out into the body creating "dis-ease". Usually, one change in dietary routine and content is given so as not to overwhelm the person. Then, other routines and suggestions are made outside of food. It is amazing that once each change is implemented and accepted, how going back to old routines becomes almost unthinkable. I can speak from experience since my lifestyle is such. Each and every action I take for my well being everyday (which is to say that every routine I have adopted into my life) is something that I cannot go  too long without. Even if it is one change which takes you one month to "get", it is absolutely okay!!  Ayurveda brings us to examine ourselves beyond food and taking herbs.We all have different time frames for change, but whenever you are ready, it is YOUR time to discover yourself on a  deeper level.  Om. Shanti.

Spring retreat cancelled... :(

Due to a few complications, the retreat has been cancelled for the spring. Stay tuned for another fall retreat!!!

Spring Retreat again in Ojai this May!

March Cooking Class! ...India's Layers of Flavors

Cooking With Love... February classes

It's almost autumn, and time to get re-aquainted with the rhythms of the season, and get your doshic (energetic) imbalance in check! The best way to approach this is by committing to a three month program. This keeps you on track and accountable, as well as offering your first herbal preparations to support your changes, and a cooking class which is beyond invaluable!!  Check out the Three Month program on the Consultations page, and make this seasonal decision for yourself. Namaste.  

September Mantra and Meditation Retreat!

At the base of the foothills of the Los Padres National Forest, Villa Ojai is the location for a blissful and peaceful weekend of mantra, meditation, and yoga. Included in this amazing and heart opening weekend are sound vibration therapy with the use of the ancient gong and singing bowls, morning meditation, yoga classes, hiking, and the use of  hot tub/pool.  I have the honor of creating the menu and preparing Ayurvedic meals to the guests, providing them with nourishment which supports the meditation and yoga practice through the weekend. There are a few spots left! 
www.villaojai.com         www.ayurmuktiyoga.com

From Mountain Rose Herbs.. charitable donations.. awesome!!

Charitable Giving and Non-Profit Support
One of the finest expressions for all of us at Mountain Rose Herbs is the ability to extend our sincere support to the numerous organizations and individuals who all share a reverence for the world we live in, and we do this by allocating an average of $90,000 dollars each year for charitable giving, sponsorships, community functions, conservation work, and plant related projects. In addition to generous financial contributions, we also work directly with numerous non-profits by helping them organize events, distribute information, and garner new members. To view a short list of the organizations we support and the specific work we do for them please click here.

Seasons

Ayurveda teaches that our bodies correspond to the changing seasons in nature. With each change in the seasonal cycle, we can feel the internal shifts physically as they also manifest mentally and emotionally. Since we are indeed not separate from nature, we then also must transition from one season to the next. The difference here is that we have the ability to make choices in our lives which don't always allow us to flow into a seasonal change in the way that every other sentient being naturally harmonizes with those cyclical changes. This is why the importance of knowing who we are and what we need as individuals is paramount to achieving our optimal health.

Energy shifts.. a new thought

Now that we are officially into the next season of the year, there are shifts naturally taking place around us and inside of us. With the latest catastrophe in Japan, there have been literal shifts in the landscape, a shift in the planets axis, and a shift of reality in those who have experienced this natural evolving of our Earth. This has also caused a shift worldwide, even if we aren't always conscious of it. If it's not already obvious, our consciousness is the largest shift of all. With everything happening so quickly, we must remember our interconnectedness with beautiful and powerful Mother Earth, each other, and all other beings in this world. Let us be thankful for every event, whether it be joyful, tearful, or one which seems tragic. This is how we learn to shift and grow in our lifetimes, just as the Earth has done for billions of years.

Om. Shanti.

Cooking for the Spring Season (Kapha)

This upcoming class is closing soon.. be sure to call to register!!!!  It's being held at Haute Cakes Caffe in Newport, with full use of the kitchen as it is a hands on class. Hope to see you there. 

Thoughts

There is more success in changing diet using the mentality of abundance than the mentality of deprivation.