Wednesday, 25 December 2013

Namaste Christmas & Peaceful New Year 2014

Have a safe, festive family Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

When you are ready to start working off the extra kilos you may have gained due to enjoying the yum healthy snacks you've indulged in over the holidays - check back in with Yoga Palm Beach and see what the timetable holds for 2014.
Have a look here at the facebook page also Yoga Meditation

Namaste

Thursday, 5 December 2013

To Do List

My To Do list for today

* count my blessings
* practice kindness
* be productive, yet calm
* let go of what i can't control
* just breathe
* tell my family how much I love them
* make a difference in someone's life

What does your To Do list look like?


Make a difference, turn your friends onto yoga, meditation, kirtan. Practice real kindness.

Namaste


Sunday, 3 November 2013

Benefits of Chlorophyll in our diet



This article is a little long, but very interesting and helpful.
Chlorophyll absorbs energy from the sun and facilitates photosynthesis in plants. Its unique ability to convert the energy of the sun through photosynthesis is used to make carbohydrates from water and carbon dioxide.
No one can argue with the health benefits of green vegetables which have high concentrations of chlorophyll .Another characteristic of chlorophyll is that it is quite similar to human red blood cells or heme. We have heard about the scientific description of chlorophyll, but there are other interesting facts to know in order to understand completely the biological relationship between chlorophyll and heme.
The Chlorophyll and the Heme
The chlorophyll molecules have similarity to human blood. The only difference is that the central atom in human is iron, while it is magnesium that is the central molecules of plants.
The groundbreaking research was revealed as early as 1926 by Charles Schnabels when he studied about cereal grasses and the possible relationship of the component of pheophytin in chlorophyll and the hemoglobin of human. After that remarkable discovery, there were subsequent researches conducted to variety of animals for further confirmation on the claim. All the findings drew one conclusion: that chlorophyll acts like a physiological stimulant of the red blood cells in the bone marrow.
It was in 1936 when Dr. Arthur Patek reported the fascinating results from the study done with fifteen patients who were diagnosed of anemia. They were asked to take different amounts of green foods along with iron. The level of blood hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells increased faster than with taking iron alone. Therefore, based on the irrefutable reports, the chemical perspective of chlorophyll is similar to the chemical structure of red blood cells.
The Green Color of Chlorophyll
Have you wondered why green is the color associated with chlorophyll and not red or orange? The magnesium which is the central molecule of chlorophyll contains special ring shaped formation which captures wavelengths of light but green is not captured. So, the overall effect of green color is reflected back to our eye. The magnesium provides high alkalizing effect on the body that delivers essential oxygen to body tissues and cells.
Changes in Chemical Structure of Chlorophyll
Please take note that when green vegetables are cooked, the magnesium is removed from the center of the molecules and replaced by a hydrogen atom causing some vegetables to turn olive-gray in color.
Let’s take for example the studies conducted to broccoli. The two thirds of the chlorophyll content of broccoli were removed after 20 minutes of boiling. The World’s Healthiest Cooking suggested technique in preserving the concentrations of chlorophyll present in green vegetables through short steaming times. Nevertheless, the best way to eat these vegetables is in raw form to obtain the complete health benefits of chlorophyll.
Benefits of Chlorophyll
Green foods are considered blood-building foods because of the similarity in structures of the two colored pigments, the red heme and the green chlorophyll. Here are the lists of health benefits we can get from chlorophyll.
1. Chlorophyll is the best aid in gastrointestinal problems.
Refined, low fiber and animal fats contribute to major diseases start in the colon. Gastrointestinal problems can be best treated by improving the digestion and assimilation. Among those natural nutrients that heal the intestinal track, green vegetables high in chlorophyll content aid in loosening and cleansing the colon.
2. Chlorophyll Promotes formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells.
Hemoglobin is the iron-containing substance that provides red blood cells their red pigment and transports oxygen to the body tissues. In fact, we may not realize it but our blood is composed of 75% of hemoglobin. If the central atom of blood is iron, how does chlorophyll help in the formation of red blood cells? As we digest green food, the magnesium helps in rebuilding and replenishing the red blood cells which is responsible for boosting our energy.
3. Chlorophyll treats bad breath.
Bad breath is caused by oral bacteria that resides in a person’s mouth that excrete odiferous waste products. The sulfur compounds of waste products usually lie at the root of breath odor problems. With the double action of chlorophyll, it acts as a deodorizer that eliminates bad odor and reduces the stringent smell of urine and infected wounds.
4. Detoxify toxins that cause cancer.
Researches found that the damaged genes caused by carcinogen substances can be prevented by chlorophyllin, a derivative of chlorophyll wherein the magnesium is removed and replaced with copper. It reduces the binding of carcinogen from foods like cooked meat products that damage the DNA and other organs of the body particularly the liver.
5. Beneficial in assimilating calcium and other heavy minerals.
Chlorophyll is very easy to absorb and assimilate. It is so amazing how it gets into the bloodstream so fast with the least amount of digestion that saves more vital energy. Not only that, cataract cases which is same as an arthritic formation, the hard calcium has come out of solution and becomes milky so that patients cannot see clearly with their cataract condition. Again, chlorophyll can assimilate calcium and balance other trace minerals to rebuild, replace, and exchange with the new tissue.
6. Chlorophyll fights infections.
It is the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds contain Vitamin A, C and E that are responsible for reducing inflammation. In connection to this, the healing aspects of chlorophyll were reported in 1940 by Dr. Benjamin Gruskin. With this vitro experiments, it showed that chlorophyll possess bacteriostic property that kill harmful bacteria. Moreover, the antiseptic properties of chlorophyll have the ability to kill germs by strengthening the tissues.
Article courtesy of C.Del Carmen

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Vegan Berry NaNa Pie

Craving something sweet and healthy?

Try this Berry NaNa Pie

Base:
1/4 cup dates
3/4 cup almonds (soaked)

Filling:
3 large ripe Bananas
4 cups fresh or frozen berries strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries what ever's in season is best.
1 cup soft pitted dates.

Toss nuts and dates into a food processor and blend to desired consistency. Press into 9" pie plate.

Slice bananas nice and thin and cover the nut crust base.
Keep any extra banana for the filling.

Combine the 1 cup dates, berry fruits and any remaining banana in processor and process until smooth and creamy.

Cover the base with the blended fruit mix and top with a few extra berries.

Scrummy ...!

Friday, 20 September 2013

Time out for Yoga

Hi yoga fans, just a reminder to pop over to Yoga Palm Beach, they are centrally located and offer community yoga, meditation, ukulele and djembe drumming classes. Have an epic week...!

Gauranga
Namaste

Saturday, 10 August 2013

Gauranga Meditation - How to practice this meditation and experience the benefits

Gauranga Meditation

When you go along to a Yoga class you will find that not only do you get to stretch, breathe, build strength and stamina, twist, detox, rejuvenate, practise concentration, determination and have lots of fun. You also get to practise relaxation and meditation.

At our yoga meditation studio we practise a lot of different yoga meditations. We also practise a few different meditation techniques which all have a very harmonising effect on whom ever takes part in the practise BUT generally when combining meditation with hatha yoga we keep it simple.

The Yoga sound Gaur ra an ga which is very easily pronounced in 4 syllables as shown above is one of the primary meditations we teach. Gaur ra an ga means Golden One, so some call this the Golden One Meditation.

The meditations, prayers, or mantras taught at our Yoga meditation studio are all spiritual meditations. This means that the meditations are NOT combinations of ordinary material sounds BUT are exactly what the phrase says 'spiritual meditations' meaning that they descend from the spiritual realm, bringing with them spiritual potency.

How amazing is that. I think that is so cool. All we have to do is plug into the
Gaur ra an ga meditation and experience the rejuvenating and soothing affects of Transcendental sound or spiritual sound for ourselves.

It is such a simple and enjoyable way of meditating and comes with all the associated benefits such as clarity of thought, peacefulness, relaxation, rejuvenation, happiness, stress reduction, and so on and so forth.

This is a timeless process which has been gifted to humanity by the wonderful self realised souls who once walked this planet and those who are still with us today, if not in person - via their words.

Come along and learn more. Life is an amazing gift, extremely precious, find out how we can make the most of ours.

We look forward to meeting and practising yoga and meditation with you.

Namaste

Thursday, 4 July 2013

Stress - What can we do to reduce stress in our lives - How can Yoga Meditation help

 

Be Aware of Stress:

To protect ourselves now  days, we must consciously pay attention to the signals of stress. In a world of psychological rather than physical danger, we must consciously pay attention to unique signals telling us when we are stressed.

Some of us may experience these signals as physical symptoms like tension in our muscles, headache, upset stomach, racing heartbeat, deep sighing or shallow breathing.

Others may experience them as emotional or psychological symptoms such as anxiety, poor concentration, depression, hopelessness, frustration, anger, sadness or fear.

As soon as we recognise these symptoms we need to take a break and try to relax, possibly find a quiet spot to do some yoga breathing and yoga meditation.

If you would like to know how to practice some very, very, simple yoga meditation techniques contact us about a free yoga meditation class.  Or a yoga stretch and relax class. 


Make time for yourself. Take a breather and let the worries of the world float away as you de-stress.

All welcome

Namaste


Yoga Meditation Studio Palm Beach 4221
www.ympbgc.blogspot.com.au



Friday, 14 June 2013

Laughter is good - Benefits of laughing and Yoga Meditation

Three Zen monks went to a mountain cave to contemplate the Ultimate Reality.                
Three years later... 
A mountain goat walked by the entrance to the cave.        
The first monk said, "Did you see that?"
Three years later, the second monk said, "What?"
Three years later, the third monk said, 
"If you guys don't shut up, I'm outta here!"

Benefits of Laughter

1. Laughter creates happy feelings:

Laughter helps people who are suffering from anxiety and depression. Laughing reduces tension and stress, lowers anxiety and irritation. These are all major factors that contribute to feeling blue. Having a good laugh releases endorphins resulting in feelings of wellbeing and happiness. If you feel sad, laughter may provide you with a temporary relief.

2. Laughter is good for your heart:

A study by heart specialists at the University of Maryland found that people with heart disease laughed less compared to people of the same age without heart disease. Believe it or not, laughter increases your blood flow. This improves the health of your blood vessels, heart and overall cardiovascular system. Research showed that 15 minutes of laughter a day can benefit your heart as much as exercising 3 times a week. A side benefit of laughing is that you appear happier and healthier.

3. Laughter defuses anger and tension:

Have you ever tried telling a joke in a tense situation? Try it! Laughing eases anger by giving a much needed break. It can also help you shift gears and see a situation with a fresh point of view.

4.  Laughter lowers blood pressure:
 
People who laugh a lot on a regular basis have lower blood pressure than the average person. When people have a good laugh, the blood pressure increases at first, but then it decreases to levels below normal. Breathing then becomes deeper and this helps to send oxygen-rich blood and nutrients throughout the body.

Come to a class, it's always fun. You get to relax, rejuvenate, chill out, practice yoga, meditate and discover why the use of sacred sound  is so important for your over all good health and wellbeing. You will be pleasantly suprised by what you learn. We encourage a hands on approach to learning so you will be able to practice as you learn and take home a very simple and enjoyable method of meditation that you can easily add to your daily life. In this way you will experience for yourself the very real ... benefits. See you in class.

Namaste


Friday, 10 May 2013

Anger what is it? How can Yoga Meditation help with this problem

 
Anger 

Is a powerful emotion. If it isn’t handled appropriately, it may have destructive results for both you and your loved ones. Uncontrolled anger can lead to arguments, physical fights, physical abuse, assault and self-harm. On the other hand, well-managed anger can be a useful emotion that motivates you to make positive changes.

The physical effects

Anger triggers the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response. Other emotions that trigger this response include fear, excitement and anxiety. The adrenal glands flood the body with stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. The brain shunts blood away from the gut and towards the muscles, in preparation for physical exertion. Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration increase, the body temperature rises and the skin perspires. The mind is sharpened and focused.

Health problems

The constant flood of stress chemicals and associated metabolic changes that accompany recurrent unmanaged anger can eventually cause harm to many different systems of the body. Some of the short and long-term health problems that have been linked to unmanaged anger include:
  •     Headache
  •     Digestion problems, such as abdominal pain
  •     Insomnia
  •     Increased anxiety
  •     Depression
  •     High blood pressure
  •     Skin problems, such as eczema
  •     Heart attack
  •     Stroke.
Unhelpful ways to deal with anger

Many people express their anger in inappropriate and harmful ways, including:

Anger explosions – some people have very little control over their anger and tend to explode in rage. Raging anger may lead to physical abuse or violence. A person who doesn’t control their temper can isolate themselves from family and friends. Some people who fly into rages have low self-esteem, and use their anger as a way to manipulate others and feel powerful.

Anger repression – some people consider that anger is an inappropriate or ‘bad’ emotion, and choose to suppress it. However, bottled anger often turns into depression and anxiety. Some people vent their bottled anger at innocent parties, such as children or pets.

Expressing anger in healthy ways

Suggestions on how to express your anger in healthy ways include:
If you feel out of control, walk away from the situation temporarily, until you cool down.
  •     Try to pinpoint the exact reasons why you feel angry.
  •     Identify the problem, consider coming up with strategies on how to remedy the situation.
  •     Do something physical, such as going for a run or playing sport.
Suggestions for long-term anger management

The way you typically express anger may take some time to modify.
Suggestions include:
  •     Learn meditation
  •     Practice Yoga asanas
  •     Learn relaxation techniques
  •     Keep a diary of your anger outbursts, to try and understand how and why you get mad.
  •     Consider assertiveness training, or learning about techniques of conflict resolution.
  •     Take regular exercise.
The benefits of regular exercise in mood management:

People who are stressed are more likely to experience anger. Numerous worldwide studies have documented that regular or daily meditation and some form of physical exercise like hatha yoga asanas can improve mood and reduce stress levels.
The effect may be twofold: physical exertion burns up stress chemicals, and it also boosts production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, including endorphins and catecholamines.

Teaching children how to express anger

Expressing anger appropriately is a learned behaviour. Suggestions on helping your child to deal with strong feelings include:

  •     Lead by example.
  •     Treat your child’s feelings with respect.
  •     Teach practical problem-solving skills.
  •     Encourage open and honest communication in the home.
  •     Explain the difference between aggression and anger.
  •    Teach your child different ways of calming and soothing themselves.
Where to get help
  •      Find a trained Meditation Instructor. An instructor who is expert in Yogic teachings, who can explain what is actually happening when anger is present.
  •     Your doctor may also be able to give you some practical advise.
Things to remember
  •     The long-term physical effects include anxiety, high blood pressure and headache.
  •     Anger is a positive and useful emotion, if it is expressed appropriately.
  •     Long-term strategies for anger management include regular physical exercise, yoga asanas, daily meditation, relaxation techniques, and management strategies. 
Wishing you Peace
 
Contact us about a Yoga Meditation class.  Find out how this timeless practice can help you understand the root cause of anger and how to deal with it. 

Namaste

Friday, 19 April 2013

Friendship - Spiritual friends are good for our health

Good friends = good health

Read about the health benefits here:

Numerous studies have shown that having a group of good friends you can count on is invaluable and necessary for a healthy lifestyle. These studies are now demonstrating the importance and benefits of friendship using scientific evidence, but we all can relate to situations in our own lives that point to these same conclusions.

Studies are showing that having good friends is likely to increase longevity, reduce stress and improve self-esteem. One study shows that people with the largest number of close friends outlive those with the fewest by 22 percent. Another study of women with breast cancer found that those without close friends were four times as likely to die from the disease as women with 10 or more friends.

Friendship improves mental health by helping us maintain brain function and improve memory as we age, adding to the quality of those extra years. The happiness of our friends is infectious and breeds a more positive attitude on life. Having social support can protect against dementia, reduce the risk of depression and improve our outlook on life and life’s challenges.

Stress management is, in fact, one of the greatest gifts of friendship. When women gather with other women (and with children), they release more oxytocin, the feel-good hormone which has a marked calming effect. A strong network of friends helps lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of depression.

Social media such as Facebook work great as a quick fix to connect or reconnect with old friends, share photos, support a cause, play games and meet people with shared interests. However, a study in 2006 found a sharp decline in friendships. Don’t let the convenience of social media keep you from getting together in person whenever you can.

Finally, cherish the friends you have. They’re worth their weight in gold. We might not all be fire fighters or surgeons that save lives on a daily basis, but science now tells us that we just might extend someone’s life simply by being a part of it.

The secret seems to be choosing well-balanced, health as well as spiritually-conscious friends, engaging together in health-promoting spiritually centered life-styles. So whether you are a “Golden Girl” or a "Youngster", don’t underestimate girl-power. Simply having a cuppa with a girlfriend, or reconnecting with someone you’ve lost touch with can lift your spirits and lead to a happier, healthier life. Be grateful for all of your friends and be happy to know that spiritually based friendships continue beyond this world.


Sunday, 10 March 2013

Yoga Meditation - Wellness


 

 
Yoga Meditation

There are a number of different holistic meditation methods and techniques being taught these days. Some are authentic meditation practices which originate from the ancient teachings of the Vedas, where as others are very new and are more like off shoots of traditional meditation as it was practiced 1000's of years ago.

When considering taking up meditation it's a good idea to find out a little bit about the history behind it. Yoga meditation has always been passed on free of charge and it is in this same spirit that we "Yoga meditation studio palm beach " choose to pass these meditation practices to others.

We hope you will try all of the methods out. Meditation is a very effective tool, recommended by the medical profession to help reduce stress and increase feelings of well -being.


Why not come to a holistic yoga meditation wellness relaxation class, experience the feeling of deep peace and re-vitalisation from taking time out for yourself, time to completely relax, to release tension, stress and anxiety. Feel your body relax, your mind find peace and your heart smile. Check out our times and contact details, you will be glad you did.

Namaste

Yoga Meditation Studio Palm Beach

www.ympbgc.blogspot.com.au

Sunday, 17 February 2013

Material Sound Spiritual Sound - What's the difference


Material versus Spiritual Sound

In previous posts we have discussed a little about different types of sound. To recap briefly, there are 2 different categories of sound, material and transcendental / spiritual. Material sound is that sound which originates from matter in the material world. Within this category there are many different varieties that I won’t go into here.

Transcendental / spiritual sound is sound vibration which does not originate from the material world, but descends from the spiritual world. To our ears it might seem the same, but the difference is that this sound carries with it a potency that is not present in material sound. This potency, is the ability to touch and purify the heart of every living being. The word transcendental means beyond the influence of matter. Within every living body is a spirit soul (symptoms of the souls presence is life). When a spirit soul comes into contact with spiritual sound, that person is benefited regardless of the body they are in.

The positive influence of spiritual sound vibration helps the soul to clearly see the world for what it is, temporary in nature. To expose ourselves and others to spiritual sound vibrations truly is the ultimate in humanitarian effort. Without discrimination or exception everyone benefits.

If you would like further details, you are most welcome to contact us. Leave a comment if you like, along with your details and we will contact you as soon as we can.

Om Shanti Om
Namaste

Thursday, 24 January 2013

Yoga meditation practice - Reconnect spiritually



We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Have you ever felt like a fish out of water? Has your intuition prompted you to ask 'Is this it? Is there more to life than what I am currently experiencing? Have you ever felt as though there was more to LIFE's story BUT had NO clue what? The missing piece of the puzzle so to speak.
If we were to ask these same questions of others, the majority would admit to questioning life and the purpose for existence. This is good thing, this is great, a good healthy sign. The human form of life is meant for contemplation, introspection, spiritual enquiry, self realisation. This is an indication that you  are ready to look beyond the material experience, that you are ready for more.

Unfortunately because we don't know where to look for answers we try to figure it out for ourselves. If you were to spend a relatively short time on google you would find that there are so many out there who are offering what they believe to be perfect answers and solutions. What is one to do ... there are so many options, so many choices.

A word of caution

When we are searching for good solid information and guidance we need to spend time on our own due diligence, we need to be thorough and carefully enquire, ask questions. Question everything with a sincere enthusiastic respectful attitude, not challenging. We should then consider what we have been told.

We need to check the lineage of the teachings. How far back the lineage can be traced. Does the lineage consist of a line of spiritually perfect teachers. Find out if someone may have recently concocted the information they are presenting. Check to see if they had a teacher, whose care they were under, who they studied and trained with.


I think that even a novice would appreciate this common sense approach. In every day life if we want to go to the best universities, or have the best teachers we do rigorous research to find the best. If we were to have an operation, or if we had cancer or some serious disease we would try to make sure we were under the care of the best surgeon. Even down to renovating our home, we would want references for builders, plumbers, tilers, and so forth. This to me would be a common sense approach.

If we are so meticulously careful with our day to day lives, we should apply at least the same amount of vigour and effort, or be even more fastidious when seeking  a guiding light, teacher, mentor, spiritual guide. We cannot leave it up to chance or whim, this is our precious life we are talking about, our eternal spiritual life, nothing is more valuable than that. 

We must try to listen carefully to what we are hearing, we check with our intuition (the lord within our heart) and also check with the ancient sacred writings. If we find that all 3 are in harmony we can rest assured that we are on the right path. We can then give thanks, feel gratitude, feel safe and know that we are blessed.

Come over and do some meditation, yoga, yoga nidra, guided meditation, or pranyama healing breath meditation with us. Pick up some information on our 1 day mini yoga meditation retreats.

Namaste

Have a great week

Yoga Meditation Studio 4221
Palm Beach