Find Your Natural Balance This Holiday Season

LIVE WELL-LIVE AYURVEDA

cherry tomatoes

Live Ayurveda

Issue #11

Dear Friends,

Wow, it's already October. I can't believe how fast this year has gone. We are headed into an intense time of year with shorter days, cooler weather and the craziness of the holiday season. This is a good time to simplify, reflect and take time to plan a strategy that will keep us healthy and happy.

Take some time in the next week to reflect on how you would like the next 3 months to unfold. What will that look like for you? How can you ease into the holiday season feeling grounded and nourished? Make a list of intentions you'd like to see fulfilled in the coming months.

I've started a daily routine of meditation, pranayama breathing, sun salutation, using my neti pot and doing self-massage every morning. I started slowly at first by re-committing to my meditation practice. I decided to wake up 30 minutes earlier than I normally do, so I can start my day with some quiet reflection. Next I decided to add alternate nostril breathing to my routine. This is a wonderful practice to do before meditation and only takes about 5 minutes. Soon I felt like doing some stretching, so I incorporated a simple yoga routine called Sun Salutation which takes about 10 minutes. I've also allowed some extra time before my morning shower to use my neti pot to clear my sinuses and to do a self-massage with sesame oil. This new routine takes about an hour but what a difference it's made in how I feel.

I've included information and/or links to all of these practices if you would like to add them to your routine. I have also included some tips on how to eat better during the holidays and some ways to manage holiday stress.

To your health,

Karen