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Saturday, 16 March 2013
Yoga Lifestyle Programme - Divine Synchronicity
Friday, 15 March 2013
12 Gauge Yoga
 It has been a great start to the year at 12 Gauge Yoga. We have welcomed lots of new students on to the mats including Matthew Thorpe, a former professional MMA fighter, head coach and founder of 12 Gauge MMA.
He is leading by example and already noticing lots of benefits.
"Having been part of a tough, guelling sport for over 15 years now my body has seen its fair share of injuries. These are becoming ever more prominent as I become older. With this in mind I started yoga. I have found this to be a great way to build up strength and flexibility and help rehabilitate following my injuries. I now include yoga in my regular training programme and can highly recommend all that train do so. It will not only help with strength and flexiblity but is a great way to help with recovery after hard training. Yoga is a must in all modern training plans!!" Matthew Thorpe The class is open to anyone of any fitness level, the poses can always be modified and made easier and also harder. A high percentage of students at this club are 12 Gauge warriors and find that regular yoga practice has improved their flexibility, balance and strength and made them better fighters. This class is a fantastic asset to any type of fitness programme and will enhance your specific sport. Claim your free trial at http://stockport-yoga.co.uk/ Namaste,
Sharon xx
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Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Ayurveda for back pain
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Reduce bitter, astringent and pungent foods such as coffee, bitter melon, unripe bananas, pomegranates, chick peas, green beans, yellow split peas, sprouts, hot peppers, onions, garlic, mustard and fenugreek. Avoid raw cold food.
Your body is made up of roughly 70% water and it is important to consume plenty of water throughout the day. Lack of water contributes to chronic muscle spasm leading to poor healing and inflammation. Aim to have around 2 litres a day, even more if your are training hard.
Ginger and Turmeric Tea
Ginger and turmeric are both powerful anti-inflammatory's that reduces pain and aid in healing.
Ingredients:
1 cup of water
1/2 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp honey
Heat the water in a saucepan, add the ginger and turmeric and simmer for 15 minutes.
Allow the tea to cool before adding the honey and strain if you prefer no bits in your drink.
Ginger and turmeric are both powerful anti-inflammatory's that reduces pain and aid in healing.
Ingredients:
1 cup of water
1/2 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp honey
Heat the water in a saucepan, add the ginger and turmeric and simmer for 15 minutes.
Allow the tea to cool before adding the honey and strain if you prefer no bits in your drink.
Make sure you keep warm in cold weather and use a heat pack to help relax the back muscles. The herb valerian is a muscle relaxant and will help to reduce pain.
Backbends strengthen the back and can be used to prevent back pain and also to relieve it. Backbending poses such as sphinx, cobra, upward dog, locust, cow and camel can be helpful poses depending on the type of back pain.
Twists help to release an tension in the spine relieving pain and forward bends can provide ease depending of the type of back complaint. If you suffer with any type of back complaint, it is important to learn with a trained yoga teacher to ensure you are practicing the right poses for your condition.
Namaste,
Sharon xx
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Student of the month, Michelle Croston
Student of the month, Michelle Croston
How I went from chronic back pain every day to achieving my black belt in karate!
"I spent years suffering from back pain; I would have good days and bad days and I was constantly taking different painkillers. Over the past 12months the bad days were becoming more frequent to the point where I was considering stopping my martial arts training, which I had really enjoyed doing for many years.
I was introduced to Sharon and began the back care program with her. Initially, coming from a medical/nursing background I had mixed feeling as to whether it would be as effective as the very medical approach I had been using, yet I was opened minded and willing to give it a try.
I don't think that I was really prepared for what happened next. I was blown away with the results almost instantly the pain reduced, then the bad days became less frequent, the amount of pain relief I needed reduced down considerably and then stopped. I now can't remember the last time I had back pain.
For me the program has been life changing, something that I never thought I would be saying, not only has it reduced my back pain it has also complimented my martial arts training"
When I first met Michelle in September 2012, she was in chronic pain with her lower back. I could clearly see she was a very positive and confident woman but there was a sadness in her eyes that I truely resonated with. I could sense her misery related to her condition and truely empathize with patients who suffer with back complaints as I know how painful and depressing it can be.
Chronic back pain reflects in a patients mental wellbeing. When you are used to feeling apin day in and day out, it becomes familiar and you learn to deal with it.
This was me from April 2004 to summer of 2007. I was in pain every single day for over 3 years after breaking L2 and L3 in my lower back.
It wasn't until I started practicing yoga everyday that I discovered the true healing benefits of yoga. After only 6 weeks of practicing a yoga for back pain sequence every day, I felt amazing. The pain had pretty much gone! It was a miracle!
This was my life changing moment! I knew straight away I wanted to become a yoga teacher to help other people relieve their pain and live a healthy, happy and strong life. I enrolled on a hatha yoga course and never looked back.
I now dedicate my life to helping people like Michelle, gain their life back using yoga as a therapy..
Like myself and many others, Michelle has found a love for yoga and she went on to participating in the online Yoga Lifestyle Programme and now encorporates yoga into her everyday life. Michelle now feels stronger and happier than she has ever felt.
Michelle got in touch with me a fortnight ago to help her find relief from her overly tight hips and to prepare her for taking her blackbelt grading at karate. I could not believe my eyes when I saw her she looks amazing! Not only had the yoga lifestyle programme eliminated her back pain, Michelle had lost weight an radiates energy and beauty. This was the first time I had seen Michelle since before christmas and I could clearly see she had been following my advice by looking at her glowing skin, sparkly eyes and radiating aura.
I was delighted this morning to receive this text message of Michelle:
"A massive thank you for all your support and teaching. I wouldn't have achieved my blackbelt without it. As a result from woring with Sharon for the blacbelt, I have now introduced some yoga moves in to my warm up and my sensei is keen for me to continue to do this more as he has seen the benefits. My 11 year old daughter Harriet has also joined me on the yoga mat and now does sun salutations every day in order to improve her wellbeing and karate. Thank you so much Sharon!"
A massive congratulations is in order, Well Done Michelle, not only for your dedication to changing your lifestyle and recovering from your chronic back pain, but also to achieving your dreams! You are a superstar! :) I love how you have got the family on board so you all can reap the benefits of a regular practice.
Would you like to nominate one of our students for next months award?
Student of the month receives a free 60 minute yoga therapy session with yours truely!
I would love to hear your inspirational stories.
Namaste,
Sharon xx
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Kitcheri Recipe
After completing the 3 day Kitcheri Cleanse I feel absolutely amazing!
I have had so much energy, my digestive system feels cleansed, my mind has been clear and focused, I feel lighter and I DID NOT feel deprived at any point throughout the cleanse. It was an added bonus that I lost 2 kilo and 2 inches from my waist! Yes, in 3 days! My summer waistline is here early, now all we can do is pray that summer comes early too!
The dish is a complete protein and full of fibre and nutrients. I felt satisfied after every meal and can truely say I didn't crave or fantasize about any other food during the 3 days! Normally on a cleanse I would be thinking about all the delicious foods I could introduce after the deep cleansing phase. On this cleanse I actually looked forward to my next bowl of kitcheri. The good thing about this dish, it is so versatile. You can change the vegetables you have to make a whole new meal!
Kitcheri is so simple to make.
Ingredients (1 serving):
35g basmati rice
25g split yellow mung beans
400ml water
pinch of turmeric
Tarka:
1 tsp ghee
pinch of asfoteida
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
Cook the mung beans in a small pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 20 minutes and then add the rice. Simmer for a further 15 minutes or until rice is soft. (I like to add my vegetables when I add my rice, you may have your vegetables seperate if you prefer).
Heat the ghee in a seperate pan. Add the asfoteida and let sizzle for 10 seconds, then add the cumin seeds and let sizzle for 30 seconds. Add to the kitcheri pan and stir in well.
Add vegetables according to your constitution i.e. green beans, peas, parsley, broccoli, sprout, cabbage, cauliflower, squash and mushrooms.
Finally... Enjoy!
I would love to know how you like your kitcheri. Please leave your comments below!
Peace, Love & Light
Sharon xx
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Kitcheri Cleanse
I am really excited to be writing this article. It's a long one so hopefully I keep you interested throughout.
I have tried many different cleanses over the years (raw food cleansing, juicing, fasting, mono fasts and eating nothing but soups!) and I can hold my hands up and say, this is by far the best cleanse I have ever done!
First of all I would like to tell you where I discovered this amazing dish!
When I was studying in India I learnt a lot of yogic shatkarmas (cleansing techniques) including the Master Cleanse.
The Master Cleanse was amazing but very intense! I felt light after doing this cleanse and completely alive! This deep cellular cleanse totally transformed my life and I still feel the benefits to this very day!
We consumed a saline solution and practiced 6 specific yoga asanas in a controlled manner repeatedly until we went to the toilet to release the fluids from the other end of the digestive tract. We ingested 2 cups of water then done 2 sets of asanas. We were to repeat this sequence until we began the elimination process.
I do not like the taste of salt, so drinking this solution was very challenging for me. I got to 10 cups and couldn't physically drink any more my stomach was hurting from being so full! I was assured this is normal and advised to practice some pranayama (yogic breathing). I chose to sit on the toilet to meditate and could hear people scattering by my room. I thought to myself, "I am so jealous of everyone else being able to go so easily", and then I realized what I was doing. Immediately I let go my feelings of jealousy and affirmed to myself I am relaxed and healthy and concentrated on my breath. It worked, I had finally started the process!
Shankhaprakshalana (washing of the intestines) is the most complete and powerful of yogic cleansers, which cleans out the entire digestive tract and frees any old dried food and toxins that has become stuck to the walls of the intestines over a period of years.
This practice rebalances the digestive tract, dislodging any toxic particles and dirt that have been clogging the membranes and preventing secretion and absorption of nutrients.
The digestive system has a chance to rest giving the body chance to heal.
Shankhaprakshalana (Master Cleanse) only takes a few hours and you will receive the same benefits as you would on a fast for several weeks. Physically, the whole 32 foot of the digestive tract is fully washed and cleansed from the mouth to the anus. All toxins and impurities are removed from the body leaving the walls of the intestines and stomach as clean and as pure as that of a new born baby. After completing you will feel tremendous lightness in the body and mind.
Mentally the practice can alter your state of consciousness increasing your pranic energy.
The asanas practiced during the master cleanse stimulate the chakras in the spinal cord. This releases any blocked energy altering the state of our consciousness.
After completing this intense cleanse it is important to rest for 2 days. The stomach and intestines are brand new so you will need to eat a very sattvic diet. It is important to eat only kitcheri for 3 days and then to re-introduce vegetables, fruit, and other foods into the diet gradually. No dairy is allowed for the first week.
We practiced yoga nidra one hour after we completed the master cleanse and I felt much better. By time we had finished it was time for lunch! Kitcheri... This is when me and Kitcheri became best friends! I now incorporate kitcheri into my lifestyle and find it is a great substitute for meat.
Kitcheri is a traditional ayurvedic dish that is known for its cleansing and detoxifying properties.
It is the basic staple for a yogic diet.
Kitcheri is a complete protein, contains lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is completely delicious! The three main ingredients are rice, mung beans and ghee.
Rice is the king of all grains in ayurveda. White basmati rice is the best option. It is light, easily digested and packed full of nutrients. It is also low in fat and an excellent source of carbohydrates. Basmati rice provides the body with key nutrients such as iron, manganese and B vitamins. On the Glycemic Index, basmati rice and brown rice both have a medium G.I. White basmati rice is the better choice when making this dish for a cleanse as it gives the digestive system a rest. If you are incorporating kitcheri into your healthy lifestyle brwon rice can also be used.
Mung beans are a superfood and a nutritional powerhouse!
Mung beans are rich in protein, floic acid, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, manganese, thiamine, and vitamin C. They are high in fibre, low in saturated fat and contain no cholesterol. All the nutrients in mung beans strengthen the immune system, metabolism and other organs in the body.
The antioxidants in the mung beans protect us against free radicals and disease. Mung beans also contain anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
The beans are easily digested and make this dish a complete protein.
Ghee is very nourishing for the body enhancing physical and mental strength.
Ghee increases the digestive fire when consumed as part of a meal. The assimilation and absorption of nutrients is improved and ghee transports nutrients and medicinal properties to all the tissues of the body.
It protects the lining of the stomach and intestines keeping the digestive tract healthy. This was essential after the master cleanse. The whole digestive tract had been stripped of everything so the protective layer that ghee provides will prevent food from sticking to the walls creating a fresh new barrier for the nutrients to be easily absorbed through.
Ghee strengthens the eyes, brain and nervous system and improves memory and concentration.
It also lubricates the connective tissue making the body more flexible.
There is a lot of bad press about ghee and I have even had students reluctant to changing their oils over to this health giving choice. Yes ghee is mostly composed of saturated fat, but the body needs a certain amount of saturated fat in the diet so lets have a look at what is actually in ghee.
Ghee is full of the fat soluable vitamins A, D, E and K.
Saturated fats are either long chain or short chain fatty acids. The long chain fatty acids are dangerous to the body and are to be avoided in the diet. These types of saturated fat are found in most animal fat.
Short chain fatty acids are assimilated, absorbed and then metabolized into energy.
Ghee mainly consists of short chain fatty acids which means the body will use this fat as energy.
About 60% of ghee is saturated fat, mostly short chain fatty acids and is also high in monosaturated fat which is associated with the prevention of heart disease and cancer.
Polyunsaturated oils such as vegetable oils burn easily when cooking and create free radicals that are toxic to the body.
Ghee is an excellent choice to cook with as it does not break down in high heat, the burning point is high so you will not risk free radical damage.
1/2 teaspoon of ghee per meal is enough and 2 tablespoons a day is maximum amount allowed. Too much ghee increases kapha and can clog the system.
It is advisable for kapha individual to only have ghee in moderation.
For your kitcheri dish, you will also need a little asfoteida, cumin seeds and coriander. These herbs balance all three doshas.
You can also add vegetables to your kitcheri according to your constitution.
Good vegetables for vata include; asparagus, green beans, carrots, parsnip, leeks, squash, sweet potato, garlic and onion.
Good vegetables for kapha and pitta include; asparagus, green beans, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kale, leeks, mushrooms, squash and peas.
This dish can be made in so many ways, you want to find how you enjoy it most.
Play around with different vegetables and a bit of fun with it!
I started this kitcheri cleanse on sunday and now on my third day. I feel totally amazing!
I am full of energy, feel more awake, alert and focused.
Normally on a cleanse I would be hungry quite often but with this dish being a complete protein I find it keeps me going throughout the whole day!
You can do the kitcheri cleanse for 3 to 5 days and just consume this dish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is highly nutritious and you will not be left feeling hungry.
Do not practice a cleanse if you are feeling unwell or have a medical condition. Speak to your doctor first!
I would love to hear from you. If you would like any more information please drop me a message.
Have a great day!
xXx Namaste xXx
I have tried many different cleanses over the years (raw food cleansing, juicing, fasting, mono fasts and eating nothing but soups!) and I can hold my hands up and say, this is by far the best cleanse I have ever done!
First of all I would like to tell you where I discovered this amazing dish!
When I was studying in India I learnt a lot of yogic shatkarmas (cleansing techniques) including the Master Cleanse.
The Master Cleanse was amazing but very intense! I felt light after doing this cleanse and completely alive! This deep cellular cleanse totally transformed my life and I still feel the benefits to this very day!
We consumed a saline solution and practiced 6 specific yoga asanas in a controlled manner repeatedly until we went to the toilet to release the fluids from the other end of the digestive tract. We ingested 2 cups of water then done 2 sets of asanas. We were to repeat this sequence until we began the elimination process.
I do not like the taste of salt, so drinking this solution was very challenging for me. I got to 10 cups and couldn't physically drink any more my stomach was hurting from being so full! I was assured this is normal and advised to practice some pranayama (yogic breathing). I chose to sit on the toilet to meditate and could hear people scattering by my room. I thought to myself, "I am so jealous of everyone else being able to go so easily", and then I realized what I was doing. Immediately I let go my feelings of jealousy and affirmed to myself I am relaxed and healthy and concentrated on my breath. It worked, I had finally started the process!
Shankhaprakshalana (washing of the intestines) is the most complete and powerful of yogic cleansers, which cleans out the entire digestive tract and frees any old dried food and toxins that has become stuck to the walls of the intestines over a period of years.
This practice rebalances the digestive tract, dislodging any toxic particles and dirt that have been clogging the membranes and preventing secretion and absorption of nutrients.
The digestive system has a chance to rest giving the body chance to heal.
Shankhaprakshalana (Master Cleanse) only takes a few hours and you will receive the same benefits as you would on a fast for several weeks. Physically, the whole 32 foot of the digestive tract is fully washed and cleansed from the mouth to the anus. All toxins and impurities are removed from the body leaving the walls of the intestines and stomach as clean and as pure as that of a new born baby. After completing you will feel tremendous lightness in the body and mind.
Mentally the practice can alter your state of consciousness increasing your pranic energy.
The asanas practiced during the master cleanse stimulate the chakras in the spinal cord. This releases any blocked energy altering the state of our consciousness.
After completing this intense cleanse it is important to rest for 2 days. The stomach and intestines are brand new so you will need to eat a very sattvic diet. It is important to eat only kitcheri for 3 days and then to re-introduce vegetables, fruit, and other foods into the diet gradually. No dairy is allowed for the first week.
We practiced yoga nidra one hour after we completed the master cleanse and I felt much better. By time we had finished it was time for lunch! Kitcheri... This is when me and Kitcheri became best friends! I now incorporate kitcheri into my lifestyle and find it is a great substitute for meat.
Kitcheri is a traditional ayurvedic dish that is known for its cleansing and detoxifying properties.
It is the basic staple for a yogic diet.
Kitcheri is a complete protein, contains lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is completely delicious! The three main ingredients are rice, mung beans and ghee.
Rice is the king of all grains in ayurveda. White basmati rice is the best option. It is light, easily digested and packed full of nutrients. It is also low in fat and an excellent source of carbohydrates. Basmati rice provides the body with key nutrients such as iron, manganese and B vitamins. On the Glycemic Index, basmati rice and brown rice both have a medium G.I. White basmati rice is the better choice when making this dish for a cleanse as it gives the digestive system a rest. If you are incorporating kitcheri into your healthy lifestyle brwon rice can also be used.
Mung beans are a superfood and a nutritional powerhouse!
Mung beans are rich in protein, floic acid, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, manganese, thiamine, and vitamin C. They are high in fibre, low in saturated fat and contain no cholesterol. All the nutrients in mung beans strengthen the immune system, metabolism and other organs in the body.
The antioxidants in the mung beans protect us against free radicals and disease. Mung beans also contain anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
The beans are easily digested and make this dish a complete protein.
Ghee is very nourishing for the body enhancing physical and mental strength.
Ghee increases the digestive fire when consumed as part of a meal. The assimilation and absorption of nutrients is improved and ghee transports nutrients and medicinal properties to all the tissues of the body.
It protects the lining of the stomach and intestines keeping the digestive tract healthy. This was essential after the master cleanse. The whole digestive tract had been stripped of everything so the protective layer that ghee provides will prevent food from sticking to the walls creating a fresh new barrier for the nutrients to be easily absorbed through.
Ghee strengthens the eyes, brain and nervous system and improves memory and concentration.
It also lubricates the connective tissue making the body more flexible.
There is a lot of bad press about ghee and I have even had students reluctant to changing their oils over to this health giving choice. Yes ghee is mostly composed of saturated fat, but the body needs a certain amount of saturated fat in the diet so lets have a look at what is actually in ghee.
Ghee is full of the fat soluable vitamins A, D, E and K.
Saturated fats are either long chain or short chain fatty acids. The long chain fatty acids are dangerous to the body and are to be avoided in the diet. These types of saturated fat are found in most animal fat.
Short chain fatty acids are assimilated, absorbed and then metabolized into energy.
Ghee mainly consists of short chain fatty acids which means the body will use this fat as energy.
About 60% of ghee is saturated fat, mostly short chain fatty acids and is also high in monosaturated fat which is associated with the prevention of heart disease and cancer.
Polyunsaturated oils such as vegetable oils burn easily when cooking and create free radicals that are toxic to the body.
Ghee is an excellent choice to cook with as it does not break down in high heat, the burning point is high so you will not risk free radical damage.
1/2 teaspoon of ghee per meal is enough and 2 tablespoons a day is maximum amount allowed. Too much ghee increases kapha and can clog the system.
It is advisable for kapha individual to only have ghee in moderation.
For your kitcheri dish, you will also need a little asfoteida, cumin seeds and coriander. These herbs balance all three doshas.
You can also add vegetables to your kitcheri according to your constitution.
Good vegetables for vata include; asparagus, green beans, carrots, parsnip, leeks, squash, sweet potato, garlic and onion.
Good vegetables for kapha and pitta include; asparagus, green beans, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kale, leeks, mushrooms, squash and peas.
This dish can be made in so many ways, you want to find how you enjoy it most.
Play around with different vegetables and a bit of fun with it!
I started this kitcheri cleanse on sunday and now on my third day. I feel totally amazing!
I am full of energy, feel more awake, alert and focused.
Normally on a cleanse I would be hungry quite often but with this dish being a complete protein I find it keeps me going throughout the whole day!
You can do the kitcheri cleanse for 3 to 5 days and just consume this dish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is highly nutritious and you will not be left feeling hungry.
Do not practice a cleanse if you are feeling unwell or have a medical condition. Speak to your doctor first!
I would love to hear from you. If you would like any more information please drop me a message.
Have a great day!
xXx Namaste xXx
Friday, 18 January 2013
Eating for your Constitution
How did you get on with your constitutional analysis?
Hopefully now you have a better understanding of the characteristics of each of the doshas, so today I will be advising you on the best foods to consume and avoid for your unique constitution.
Firstly, we shall look at vata. Vata is the leader of all three doshas, it governs all movement in the body and mind, pitta or kapha would not be able to move or exist without vata. If you have more than one imbalance, it is important to pacify vata first.
You may have a vata imbalance if:-
* Your skin and hair is dry and rough
* You feel the cold easily
* You fatigue easily
* You suffer with constipation
* You have pain in the joints and lower back
If your mind is constantly anxious, restless, worried or fearfull, this may also indicate you have a vata imbalance.
The attributes of vata are cold, dry, light, rough and astringent, so to balance this dosha favour sweet, sour and salty foods. Avoid bitter, pungent and astringent foods. Avoid cold and raw foods and always eat warm food and spices, using cooking methods that will promote moisture, i.e. steaming, baking or sauteeing in a little ghee or oil.
All vegetables are to be cooked, and favour sweet vegetables such as sweet potatoes, turnips, carrots, zucchini, okra, green beans, asparagus, corn, garlic and onion.
Most fruits are good for vata especially sweet fruits like bananas, grapes, oranges, pineapple, kiwi, berries and pear. Apples are allowed if cooked.
Wheat is good for vata so include wholewheat bread, pasta, cous cous and bulgar in you diet.
Cooked oats and all varieties of rice are excellent for vata.
All dairy products are good for vata types but you must favour low fat varieties such as soft cheese rather than hard cheese.
All nuts are good, especially if soaked overnight in water and then peeled. Almonds are the best.
All oils are good and sesame oil is the best for vata.
Chicken, turkey, fresh fish, shell fish, tofu and eggs are very good for vata as they help to ground your energy.
The best drinks for vata are:
Ginger, Lemon Grass, Cinnamon, Orange peel, Licorice root and Chamomile herbal teas.
Snack on sweet ripe fruit, handful of nuts or a cup of natural yoghurt.
Pitta is made up of fire and water and governs all metabolic activity in the body including digestion, body temperature, hunger, thirst and endocrine function.
You may have a pitta imbalance if:-
* You are prone to rashes or inflammation either internally or externally
* Your skin is overly oily and you sweat a lot
* You suffer with diarrhoea
* You suffer with eyestrain and tension headaches
If you are prone to anger or get easily frustrated, aggressive, controlling or obsessive, this may indicate a pitta imbalance.
The main thing when pacifying pitta is to avoid hot, spicy and sour foods.
Favour sweet, bitter and astringent foods that are warm or cool.
Avoid foods and spices such as chillies, pickles, vinegar, hard cheese, sour cream, citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic and onion as these foods will aggrevate the acid and pitta in the blood and intestines.
Enjoy sweet fruits like mangoes, sweet berries, sweet grapes, apple, pineapple, cherries, melon, coconut and figs.
Favour all dark green leafy vegetables, mushrooms and potatoes.
Wheat is good for pitta, and rice especially white basmati rice is great for pitta. Oats and barley are also very good.
Favour black lentils, chickpeas and green mung beans, other varieties will increase pitta in the body.
All dairy products are good for pitta except for hard cheese and eggs.Organic natural yoghurt is to be consumed with spices like cinnamon or corriander.
Sunflower, canola, coconut or olive oil are best for pitta and ghee is the best choice for cooking with.
All sweet herbs and spices are good especially mint, corriander, fennel, basil, turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon.
Chicken and fish are allowed in small amounts.
The best drinks for pitta are:
Cold water to cool down you fiery nature, all fruit juices excpet citrus fruits, sweet homemade lemonade is neutralizing and smoothies with low fat milk.
Peppermint, spearmint, chamomile, jasmine and lemon balm herbal teas are good.
Snack on a juice piece of fruit, low fat cottage cheese, raw veggies, bowl of salad or a homemade cookie and cold milk.
Kapha is made up of earth and water and governs the stucture within the body controlling growth, weight, lubrication and formation of all the tissues.
You may have a kapha imbalance if: -
* You gain weight easily
* Feel lethargic and lack in energy
* You experience bloating or water retention
* You suffer with sinus problems or chest complaints such as colds, flu, asthma and bronchitis
If you become over-attached, greedy and possessive, this may indicate you have a kapha imbalance.
Kapha types need dry food to balance their oily nature. All meals are to be light and nourishing to counter the heaviness of kapha.
Avoid heavy, oily and cold foods that have predominantely sweet, sour and salty tastes.
Increase intake of vegetables especially greens.
Lighter fruits such as apples and pears are best for kapha.
Rice, dry oats, millet, barley, buckwheat, corn and rye bread are all good for kapha.
Most beans are good providing they are cooked well, and lentils and dahl are very good.
All dairy is to be avoided, cow and goat's milk is allowed in small amounts.
Ghee, canola and corn are the best oils for kapha to cook with, all other oils to be avoided.
Pumpkin and sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts are good if slightly roasted and ground before eating.
All herbs and spices are excellent for kapha.
All meat should be avoided.
The best drinks for kapha are:
Hot water with lemon, hot water with lemon and ginger.
Snack on celery and carrot sticks, apple, pear or low fat crackers.
Try to implement these foods into your diet to bring yourself back in to balance and so you can achieve optimum health and wellbeing.
Namaste,
Sharon xx
Hopefully now you have a better understanding of the characteristics of each of the doshas, so today I will be advising you on the best foods to consume and avoid for your unique constitution.
Firstly, we shall look at vata. Vata is the leader of all three doshas, it governs all movement in the body and mind, pitta or kapha would not be able to move or exist without vata. If you have more than one imbalance, it is important to pacify vata first.
You may have a vata imbalance if:-
* Your skin and hair is dry and rough
* You feel the cold easily
* You fatigue easily
* You suffer with constipation
* You have pain in the joints and lower back
If your mind is constantly anxious, restless, worried or fearfull, this may also indicate you have a vata imbalance.
The attributes of vata are cold, dry, light, rough and astringent, so to balance this dosha favour sweet, sour and salty foods. Avoid bitter, pungent and astringent foods. Avoid cold and raw foods and always eat warm food and spices, using cooking methods that will promote moisture, i.e. steaming, baking or sauteeing in a little ghee or oil.
All vegetables are to be cooked, and favour sweet vegetables such as sweet potatoes, turnips, carrots, zucchini, okra, green beans, asparagus, corn, garlic and onion.
Most fruits are good for vata especially sweet fruits like bananas, grapes, oranges, pineapple, kiwi, berries and pear. Apples are allowed if cooked.
Wheat is good for vata so include wholewheat bread, pasta, cous cous and bulgar in you diet.
Cooked oats and all varieties of rice are excellent for vata.
All dairy products are good for vata types but you must favour low fat varieties such as soft cheese rather than hard cheese.
All nuts are good, especially if soaked overnight in water and then peeled. Almonds are the best.
All oils are good and sesame oil is the best for vata.
Chicken, turkey, fresh fish, shell fish, tofu and eggs are very good for vata as they help to ground your energy.
The best drinks for vata are:
Ginger, Lemon Grass, Cinnamon, Orange peel, Licorice root and Chamomile herbal teas.
Snack on sweet ripe fruit, handful of nuts or a cup of natural yoghurt.
Pitta is made up of fire and water and governs all metabolic activity in the body including digestion, body temperature, hunger, thirst and endocrine function.
You may have a pitta imbalance if:-
* You are prone to rashes or inflammation either internally or externally
* Your skin is overly oily and you sweat a lot
* You suffer with diarrhoea
* You suffer with eyestrain and tension headaches
If you are prone to anger or get easily frustrated, aggressive, controlling or obsessive, this may indicate a pitta imbalance.
The main thing when pacifying pitta is to avoid hot, spicy and sour foods.
Favour sweet, bitter and astringent foods that are warm or cool.
Avoid foods and spices such as chillies, pickles, vinegar, hard cheese, sour cream, citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic and onion as these foods will aggrevate the acid and pitta in the blood and intestines.
Enjoy sweet fruits like mangoes, sweet berries, sweet grapes, apple, pineapple, cherries, melon, coconut and figs.
Favour all dark green leafy vegetables, mushrooms and potatoes.
Wheat is good for pitta, and rice especially white basmati rice is great for pitta. Oats and barley are also very good.
Favour black lentils, chickpeas and green mung beans, other varieties will increase pitta in the body.
All dairy products are good for pitta except for hard cheese and eggs.Organic natural yoghurt is to be consumed with spices like cinnamon or corriander.
Sunflower, canola, coconut or olive oil are best for pitta and ghee is the best choice for cooking with.
All sweet herbs and spices are good especially mint, corriander, fennel, basil, turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon.
Chicken and fish are allowed in small amounts.
The best drinks for pitta are:
Cold water to cool down you fiery nature, all fruit juices excpet citrus fruits, sweet homemade lemonade is neutralizing and smoothies with low fat milk.
Peppermint, spearmint, chamomile, jasmine and lemon balm herbal teas are good.
Snack on a juice piece of fruit, low fat cottage cheese, raw veggies, bowl of salad or a homemade cookie and cold milk.
Kapha is made up of earth and water and governs the stucture within the body controlling growth, weight, lubrication and formation of all the tissues.
You may have a kapha imbalance if: -
* You gain weight easily
* Feel lethargic and lack in energy
* You experience bloating or water retention
* You suffer with sinus problems or chest complaints such as colds, flu, asthma and bronchitis
If you become over-attached, greedy and possessive, this may indicate you have a kapha imbalance.
Kapha types need dry food to balance their oily nature. All meals are to be light and nourishing to counter the heaviness of kapha.
Avoid heavy, oily and cold foods that have predominantely sweet, sour and salty tastes.
Increase intake of vegetables especially greens.
Lighter fruits such as apples and pears are best for kapha.
Rice, dry oats, millet, barley, buckwheat, corn and rye bread are all good for kapha.
Most beans are good providing they are cooked well, and lentils and dahl are very good.
All dairy is to be avoided, cow and goat's milk is allowed in small amounts.
Ghee, canola and corn are the best oils for kapha to cook with, all other oils to be avoided.
Pumpkin and sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts are good if slightly roasted and ground before eating.
All herbs and spices are excellent for kapha.
All meat should be avoided.
The best drinks for kapha are:
Hot water with lemon, hot water with lemon and ginger.
Snack on celery and carrot sticks, apple, pear or low fat crackers.
Try to implement these foods into your diet to bring yourself back in to balance and so you can achieve optimum health and wellbeing.
Namaste,
Sharon xx
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