Ayurvedic Tips and Reminders- Sustainable Self Care
Dear friends,
The word “sustainable” means- able to be upheld or maintained. How many diets and exercise programs have you started and stopped over the years? Be honest with yourself. I know I’ve tried a bunch back when.
Regular self care that is upheld and maintained over a period of time is like a bank account that grows with small deposits. You feel good about each deposit and the accumulated affect is always positive!
In the same way, daily practices that include body, mind and spirit become integrated in your health over a period of time. I’m 60 now I’ve lived this ! Hurray, I learned and now can share this wisdom with you!
It is very true that fad diets, harsh exercise programs, and even austere spiritual practices will ultimately go by the wayside after a short period of time. There is no doubt about that. They become temporary fantasies of the mind for a “quick fix” solution or band aid to a problem or struggle.
Just for this week… I invite you to choose ” one ” practice from each of the categories below ( that you would enjoy) as a way to create a “sustainable” lifestyle.
Most of the practices come from the Ayurvedic wisdom of healing that has known for thousands of years that regularity, living with the seasons, and living in balance with who you are enriches the true meaning of sustainable. Ofcourse, if you’d like to choose more than three feel free! Let it be enjoyable and focused.
Body:
- Choose to walk 30 minutes either daily or 4-5 times this week outside in nature.
- Consciously chew your food until it is mushy before swallowing. Allow your mind to focus on the tastes, textures and sensations in your mouth and allow your sight to enjoy the colorful plate you have created.
- Consciously give yourself a massage with oil before you shower in the morning or before you go to bed at night and add one of your favorite essential oils.
Mind:
1. Prepare a space in your home or apartment ( if you haven’t already) to sit quietly and meditate and/or practice deep belly breathing.It can be 3- 5 minutes to start.
Choose your special chair, candle, essential oil, shawl and personal journal for this space.
There are plenty of guided meditation apps out there.
2.Spend five minutes every day doing nothing! No phones, no computers. You might listen to the birds, stare at your garden or look up at the sky ; daydream and breathe!
3. Plan something fun- either a day trip weekend or getaway to look forward to.
Spirit:
1. Put on your earphones and favorite music and dance in your bedroom for ten minutes with the door closed. ( I love this)
2. Start a creative project- some examples: making collages of old pictures you’ve stored, cut out magazine pictures for a collage ( no art experience necessary just scissors , glue and a canvas or board.) Take pictures of flowers or things that inspire you. Repaint a room or visit one of your favorite stores just for fun.
3. Do something consciously kind for someone else. Cook a meal, send a gift or reach out and say something complimentary and positive to someone ( especially if they are someone you may not think you like).
As you create a sustainable lifestyle for yourself you will affect those around you; your daughters, your sons, husband, neighbors and even your extended community. When people start asking you “what have you been doing” you can feel empowered knowing you have a simple answer that has truth and meaning rather than a fad that will blow away like the wind. It’s almost like the “apple a day” approach. And by all means, pass this blog forward as we as women are all healers!
I hope you begin to enjoy the sacred beauty of sustainable self care!
Also, I recommend seeing the movie “Cooked” on netflix by Michael Pollan- California food activist, writer and speaker. The movie uses Ayurvedic principles of fire, water, air, earth to cover how different countries and cultures cook food and what it means to them. A wonderful and enlightening series.
Please post your experiences and comments on gedaliahhealingarts facebook page. I would love to hear from you!
Upcoming Event:
Save the Date Wed May 25th 6:30-9:30pm the Heal Center Sandy Springs
This upcoming Grief and Loss class is simply a platform in which grief and loss can be transformed. Transformation means a change in your experience, not a temporary outlook or pollyanna approach. You will learn in this safe and healing environment some practical tools such as “toning the chakras” to give your energy body a tune up. Everyone is welcome. I promise you it is NOT a depressing class! You can email me @gedaliahdoc@gmail.com for registration details.
This class is in process for approval for 3 CE credits.
Grief and Loss can be recycled into renewable energy!
Testimonials from previous classes:
My experience at the Grief and Loss Workshop was an enlightening one. I had no idea how many types of Grief there were. It made me aware of how it can all affect us differently. With the tools that Gedalia introduced to us in the workshop with sound and color, it was a wonderful introduction into learning how these two things can lead to a clearer mind and a path in to accepting what is. And also learning in how they can help others around you who may be suffering from an obvious loss or a hidden one. Gedalia is a well informed healer and really has a genuine energy that is there to teach and support each of us. Excellent workshop!
Namaste’
Gedalia Genin
“I’m a holistic intuitive that helps women naturally change their lives”.