Twisting and Sweating

Hi guys!

Bikram this morning was awesome. It was definitely challenging, as I haven’t been to a Bikram class in a looong time. Great to sweat everything out and release all those nasty toxins though! I left feeling refreshed and anew. Before I left, I snacked on a yogurt and a clementine because I knew lunch wouldn’t be until 2:00

When I got home I decided to try a cup of my new Amy’s soup—

Yuuuuuuuuuuum!!!!!!! This was by far the best canned soup I have EVER HAD. It was awesome!!! It had zero “canned” taste, was incredibly filling and tasted very authentic. Love at first spoonful! I will have to stock up!!!

I also had a slice of freshly baked olive bread (baked this morning by Publix, not me sadly) with provolone:

Another clementine—

And a piece of dark chocolate toblerone for dessert 😉

My mom and I are headed out to Linens and Things because apparently they are going out of business and everything is on major clearance. I am trying to find black-out curtains for my room for when I start my new job! Tonight my mom’s friend, Margaret, is coming over for dinner with her cute little 6 year old daughter, Bella. I believe chicken of some sorts is on the menu….

Oh and this is fun! I found out about this workshop when I was at yoga this morning. Apparently, Kishan Shah, a world renowned yoga instructor that currently teaches at UCLA, is coming to Tampa in January and giving an entire weekend workshop titled “Vinyasa Yoga & Ayurveda—Detoxification and Pranification Weekend“. Here’s some info on the weekend—

Friday night 6-9 pm

“The Friday night practice is a celebration of our bodies, calling awareness to our own natural healing abilities and empowering that natural gift with the practice of Yoga and Ayurveda. Using Dinacharya (daily cleansing techniques), intention setting, through the practice of Sankalpa, Herbs, and a special Yoga Asana sequence we will empower the body and mind to detoxify itself. This session is designed to help uproot deeply seated toxins. These toxins are called Ama in Ayurveda and over time they bind into the body’s tissues which are weak and unstable. Practitioners will learn how to integrate this practice into a daily ritual (Dinacharya). We will begin by sipping on a specially prepared Ayurvedic tea which helps in the detoxification process and then massage herbally medicated oils onto the body. From there we will then launch into a Yoga Asana practice sequenced to help detoxify the internal organs and the tissues while integrating Marma Points (acupressure points). It is a fun, challenging Yoga practice in a heated room for level 2/3 practitioners only. The class will end in an intention setting guided Yoga Nidra and Vedic chanting. Followed by re-hydrating beverages and cleansing fruits”

Saturday morning 12-2:30

“The Saturday morning class is a Vata Pacifying practice. Vata Dosha is comprised of the elements of Akash (Space), and Vayu (Air). In Ayurveda this Dosha is the most important to keep in balance as it is the Vata dosha is the physiological function in charge if all movement principles in the body as well as the nervous system, cardiovascular system, etc. Common symptoms of Vata imbalance are constipation, bloating, cracking joints, body pain/aching, insomnia, anxiety, depression, emotional sensitivity, and an over-active mind. The asana class is sequenced to alleviate excess Vata dosha through lots of grounding work, opening and mobilizing the major joints in the body, working with the lower chakras if Mooladhara and Swadisthana as well as Manipura. It will emphasize the balance of the pancha vayus, or 5 sub-doshas of vata . The integration of marma point therapy into the asanas will aid in the pacification of Vata, and the stimulation of the metabolic force in the body called Agni. This class is most suitable to Intermediate and Advanced level practitioners but is open to all levels with prior yoga experience.”

Saturday afternoon 4-7 pm

“Lecture. In this lecture Kishan will explain basic Ayurvedic principles and how they apply in the world and our lives, practical Ayurveda for staying in balance this season and moving forwards to this coming Spring, Dinacharya which is the Ayurvedic daily routine, and an open session for questions and answers”

Sunday morning 11-1:30

“A Prana Vinyasa Yoga class devoted to transformation through Tapasya on the yoga mat focusing on Agni Bala, or the strength of metabolic transformation within the Body and Mind. Kapha Dosha has been accumulating in the body over the winter season. Incorporating Yoga Asana, Pranayama, Mudras, and Bandhas to ignite our internal flame catalyzing our bodies down to the cellular level. A challenging and empowering practice to uplift the spirit, awaken the body, and center the mind in Dharana of the Self. For level 2/3 practitioners”

Sounds interesting, no?! The whole weekend package is actually only 100 bucks, which is pretty good for all that and Kishan is supposedly amazing. Check out his website—his bio is crazy! I am totally going to do it. I’ll probably sign up later today or tomorrow to make sure I have my space reserved!