summer 2010 images and activities

  WE OPEN SHA RETREAT IN LADY SMITH.

Matthew and I open for the first time the space at lady smith for SHA retreat. I had tears in my eyes seeing our international group melting with the locals. Their cooperation in building our new tepe and sharing intimate sacred journeys demonstrate that the teachings open our hearts to new dimensions and relationships.

WE RETREAT AND GOT MARRIED IN TORONTO

A group of students took the Canadian pilgrimage to Toronto to accompany Matthew and I to our wedding ceremony.

We were embrace each day by our beloved guru ammachi, so beautiful and special to be with the embodiment of love as to share time with some of you. We thank you for your constant support and joy.

We were so enthusiastic after our wedding that we made a reception party in our new  home in Wakefield. We ended up cooking for 200 people in a small

stove. What a joyful journey!. We thank y all of you who join our efforts and celebrate that special day with us.

WE MOVED TO 22 HILLCREST

We officially opened the Wakefield house to our community.

I am proud to say I am out of the boxes.! It is a challenging task to move a house with the many details shamans carry.

 

We did public conferences and free assessments in Almonte and Ottawa

We continue uplifting groups and individuals.

We were in Quebec, Lady smith and Niagara.

Meditation For Healing Addictions

Sit in an Easy Pose, with a light jalandhar bandh. Straighten the spine and make sure the first six lower vertebrae are locked forward.

Eyes: Keep the eyes closed and focus at the Brow Point.

Mantra: SAA-TAA-NAA-MAA

Mudra: Make fists of both hands and extend the thumbs straight. Place the thumbs on the temples and find the niche where the thumbs just fit. This is the lower anterior portion of the frontal bone above the temporal-sphenoidal suture. Lock the back molars together and keep the lips closed. Keeping the teeth pressed together throughout,
alternately squeeze the molars tightly and then release the pressure. A muscle will move in rhythm under the thumbs. Feel it massage the thumbs and apply a firm pressure with the hands. Silently vibrate the five primal sounds—the Panj Shabd—SAA-TAA-NAA-MAA, at the brow.

Time: Continue for 5-7 minutes. With practice the time can be increased to 20 minutes and ultimately to 31 minutes.

Comments:
The pressure exerted by the thumbs triggers a rhythmic reflex current into the central brain. This current activates the brain area directly underneath the stem of the pineal gland. It is an imbalance in this area that makes mental and physical addictions seemingly unbreakable.

In modern culture, this imbalance is pandemic. If we are not addicted to smoking, eating, drinking, or drugs, then we are addicted subconsciously to acceptance, advancement, rejection, emotional love, etc. All of these lead us to insecure and neurotic behavior patterns. Imbalance in this pineal area upsets the radiance of the pineal gland itself. It is this pulsating radiance that regulates the pituitary gland. Since the pituitary regulates the rest of the glandular system, the entire body and mind go out of balance. This meditation corrects the problem. It is excellent for everyone but particularly effective for rehabilitation efforts in drug dependence, mental illness, and phobic conditions.

Amaranth the food to workship your body

V-, (eat in moderation), P+, K- (eat occasionally)
                                
Used by the Ancient Aztecs in their worship rituals
It survives in high drought and poor soil conditions
Amaranth is high in protein, calcium, vitamin C and the amino acid lysine
It contains more calcium, magnesium and silicon than milk
Dries dampness; benefits the lungs
Hot Amaranth                                                        
(taken from Amadea Morningstar’s book “The Ayurvedic Cookbook”

Preparation time: 30 minutes
-Vata, mildly, +Pitta, -Kapha

1 cup dry amaranth
2½ cup water
1/8-1/4 cup raisins
                 
Garnish: fresh coconut

Bring water to a boil in small, heavy pot; stir in amaranth and raisins.  Reduce heat to low and cover.  Cook until cereal is soft and thick, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Serve.

Comments: Sweet, protein-rich amaranth warms and energizes.  Great start for a cool morning.  Stores well in refrigerator; can be reheated for use the next day.

*Coconut garnish balances this dish to a neutral effect for Pitta.

Ashwagandha the restoring herb (VP-, K+ and ama+)

by Satkiana
"That which has the smell of a horse, as it gives the smell and sexual vitality of a horse."

Still interested?...honestly, I haven't found it to be too "horsey."

You want to take this herb if you are experiencing any of the following:
run-down
stressed
fatigued
lacking vitality
experiencing insomnia
low libido
aging concerns, like loss of memory and debility
loss of muscular energy
tissue deficiency
weak eyes
rheumatism
cough
difficult breathing
anemia
infertility
glandular swelling.

How ashwagandha will benefit you:
the Ayurvedic equivalent of Ginseng...but much cheaper
helps build and tone the tissues
rejuvenates the body
supports and strengthens the nervous system
calms nervous conditions
stimulates the sex drive.
can be used by children and adults of all ages
stabilizes the fetus in weak, pregnant women
regenerates the hormonal system
heals tissues
can be used externally on wounds or sore to heal the tissues
great for night workers who have sleep disturbances
promotes deep, dreamless sleep
can be used by those who suffer from chronic diseases

Precautions in taking this herb:
do not take ashwagandha if you have high ama, (toxins), or severe congestion

Taking Ashwagandha:
You can take 1 tsp, 3x's daily with meals.
Place the powdered herb in your mouth and swallow it with a glass of warm water.
You can also mix a little honey with the herb, as it does not have the most pleasant taste.

Where to buy it:
You can find ashwagandha at most health food stores. Or, you can order it online from Banyan Botanicals. They are based in New Mexico and sell a great variety of Ayurvedic herbs. www.banyanbotanicals.com
May you be nourished and restored in your full vitality!

Blessed-be...

Brain and Beauty with seaweed

By Satkiana, Ayurvedic Nutritionist
www.satkiana.com

Seaweed is full of nutrients. Its vitamin and mineral content includes: calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, iodine, iron, zinc, vitamin C, niacin, B1, B2, B6 and B12.
Seaweed is a great cleanser which helps to remove toxins from your body.
It lubricates the colon, making it an excellent choice for those prone to constipation.
When digested, seaweed feeds the hair shafts and helps improve the health of your hair by opening the ducts in the scalp and releasing any oxidation that has occurred.
Seaweed regulates the hormones
Speeds up metabolism
Promotes young looking skin colour
Feeds the mind and promotes mental well-being
A must in a Vata or Vata imbalance diet
You can buy good quality seaweeds at a health food store, such as Rainbow Foods or The Wheat Berry.

Satchitananda Seaweed Salad
(this recipe was taken from a lovely cookbook written by Nibodhi, the Ayurvedic Practitioner who tours with Amma).

This recipe is tridoshic, (good for Vata, Pitta and Kapha)
Serves 3-4
Ingredients:
1/4 cup dulse
1/2 cup agar
1/2 cup arame
1/4 cup hiziki
1/2 cup carrots, grated
1/2 cup beets, grated
1/2 tsp organic cane sugar (sucanat, turbinado, etc)
1/2 - 1 tsp black pepper fresh ground
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1 tsp fresh mint, chopped
1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
1/2 tsp fresh tarragon or 1/4 tsp dry
2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil or ghee

Note: This salad tastes great with Annie's Goddess Dressing (available in most health food stores. If you use Annie's Goddess Dressings, leave out the lemon juice, vinegar, water and oil.

Instructions: Wash the seaweed and soak in fresh water for 20 minutes. Rinse the seaweed again. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Stir for several minutes. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.

Your mind drives you crazy? Massage your feet

Do you have difficulty sleeping because your mind drives you mad for worries of being too this or not enough that, unresolved stuff from the day, a long to-do list for tomorrow, next week, next month? This busy mixture usually likes to come with restless legs or the flip-flop-from-side-to-side syndrome? Of course it happens.
And you have tried many things, especially reasoning with yourself. That’s the big error. Your mind is already tired, so stimulating it will simply bring more of the same. So how to stop the flow of thoughts?
The trick that has worked best for me this summer is to distract the mind by cooling off feet and legs with a cold shower. Yes, sometimes it’s better to get up from bed, even if you showered before going to bed. Then massage them gently and deeply with a cooling moisturizer or oil (something with chamomile, mint or rose essential oil) without focusing on technique. If this is still not enough, pamper them some more by spraying cooling or calming floral water (lavender or peppermint) on them.
Mind you, in the winter time, cold feet and legs prefer a more warming foot moisturizer that could include essential oils of cinnamon, cassia, cloves and ginger are.
Feeling incomplete or still a bit restless, continue the massage to the thighs or any part of your body that is asking for your conscious attention.
If any other trick has worked for you, I would love to hear about it. Simply send to info@facetograce.com.
Yours in service,
Samyukta Blanchet