Hi everyone! Today we are going to talk about liquid intake. This is an important factor for hydrating oneself appropriately for practicing Bikram (hot!) yoga. It is also a very important factor in the Macrobiotic approach to healing and maintaining healthy kidneys. It would be so easy if both camps were telling us the same thing but this is not always the case, here is why and what to do about it:

When most of us begin to practice Bikram, or any yoga practiced in a heated room, the mind reacts very strongly. The only distraction we are allowed is to drink water. And drink we do. Guzzling here and there as the mind demands, we stop focusing on our selves and our practice. To bring the Mind under conscious control is the goal of yoga. Supple, limber bodies are a sweet bonus.

Some yoga teachers say drink “plenty” of water thirty minutes before class. And drink much more after. In fear of dehydrating or becoming too hot, we guzzle. However, guzzling and drinking too much water or any liquid all at once taxes the kidneys greatly and leads to problems down the line.

Here is the Macrobiotic perspective quoted directly from George Oshawa (the great Japanese teacher who brought Macrobiotics to the West after WW2):

“The drink-as-much-as-you-can system is a simpleminded invention because the originator of such a theory completely ignored the marvelous mechanism of kidney metabolism. He erred in conceiving the kidney to be similar in structure and function to a mechanical sewage system. Large quantities of liquid will flush out and clear a clay or cast iron pipe. The kidney, however, is not a cast iron pipe. It contains tissue that must be flexible and porous so that the process of filtration, diffusion and reabsorption can take place. If liquid is taken in large quantities, the minute openings in the semi-permeable kidney tissue decrease in size (these openings are surrounded by tissue that is sponge-like, that soaks up the liquid and swells) and little or no liquid can pass through! For all practical purposes, the kidneys are blocked. The net result is a complete reversal of what the drink-as-much-as-you-can system intended. Help your tired, overworked kidneys: DRINK LESS.”

The hot room is not the real cause for us wanting to take in so much water. The real problem lies in our diet and our absent thought on the matter. The modern theory which prescribes the drinking of much liquid was born out of necessity. It is important indeed for the meat eater to drink great quantities of liquid in order to wash down that which can pollute the system. If you eat processed food, meat and flour products, you will need to drink the water that would otherwise come in natural form. For example, cooked rice is 60% water. Fruits and vegetables are mostly water. Soups, and other whole grains boiled or pressure cooked are mostly water. The greatest cause for overheating and exaggerated thirst in the hot room is eating meat, drinking coffee and alcohol (all heating in the body) and not eating enough water-rich foods. Small amounts of liquid should be sufficient for those who do not make meat their main food and coffee their main drink. Don’t take my word for it, EXPERIMENT on yourself and discover the Truth for yourself!

Learning to drink less is much more difficult than learning to eat wisely and simply. And in the hot conditions of Bikram yoga it is a subtle, yet profound practice of choosing when and how much to drink. Observe yourself – your mind - honestly. Most of the time, a sip will do, if any water is required at all. The stronger your practice, the less and less water you will need. And if you think George is harsh, I will end with a quote from another great Macrobiotic author, Naboru Muramoto, who says, “The theory of flushing out the body with water is very widely observed, but it leaves man everything but free. His pathological desires run his life and he is forced to submit to their consequences. To summarize, drinking should not be a perfunctory action involving no decision of mind or body. Excess drinking harms the digestive process, prevents one from chewing properly and dulls the thinking. It is advisable to sip liquids rather than gulp them down. That improvement alone will prevent much trouble.”

Blessings on your path,

Tannis 

Hi there! Tannis here, with more delving into the esoteric theme that I touched upon in my last blog.

It is no secret that the Secrets are out and the common person can now access once hidden knowledge to help bring about transformation in the Mind, Body and Spirit. We live in a thrilling era, as we compress ever more into smaller bits of time. Rome rises and falls 9 times in an hour as we move at roller coaster speed toward ?!! (Check out Terence Mckenna’s Time Wave Zero Theory for THAT scoop!)

The biggest Secret to gain publicity in recent years is the beautiful and simple LAW OF ATTRACTION, which goes as follows:

Thought + Emotion = Attraction

Simple, but how does it really work? It works on the idea that like attracts like, and that all is energy; or frequencies. We all vibrate at our own individual frequency and attract the like. Our thought is our image of the FUTURE ~ what we wish and desire to come to us. It is our VISION. Our Emotion is how we FEEL NOW ~ in the PRESENT moment. Our E-motions are our greatest gift and the only compass we ever need. CULTure has denied us this Truth by convincing most people to ignore or repress their emotional body when it comes to knowing. The cat is out of the bag, people. Get in touch with your feelings because they are the magnets for what you attract in your life.

Here is the trick. Inherent in the equation is the Paradox of Intention. You have your vision of the future; the GOAL. But you MUST be HAPPY independent of reaching your goal. Have your focus and don’t ever quit until you get it, but cultivate feelings of bliss and joy as much as you can. Remain aware of your emotional state and what it will attract more of.

It’s called Positive Stamina (Donald Trump coined this one). That in the face of negative situations, circumstances, pain and trouble, you remain optimistic and focused on the POSITIVE in EVERY situation and full of the JOY of life. The stamina part is keeping your personal vibration high, contrary to external stimuli that will try to break you down. It’s not easy but you will get better with practice.

Remember that 10% of life is what happens and 90% is how you react to what happens. There is always choice. Practice makes you strong. Simple things like yoga, sunshine, deep breathing, whole and living foods help keep us grounded in this crazy world.  So, DREAM BIG, don’t worry and BE HAPPY!

Blessings on your path,

Tannis

We are very excited to welcome Rositha, a certified reflexologist and alternative practitioner to the Stafford Street Hot Yoga family! Read on for more details about the wonderful healing coming to our Winnipeg hot yoga studio...

Message from Rositha, our new reflexologist

Happy New Year everyone!  This is the year for "changes".  One of the changes here at Stafford Street Hot Yoga is that I have joined the centre and am offering Reflexology, Thai Foot Massage and Flower Essence Consultations available on Mondays.  My name is Rositha and I am a Certified Reflexologist and a member of the Reflexology Association of Canada. I have been doing Reflexology for over 7 years and have also taken courses in Hand, Ear and Meridian Reflexology.  Reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body through the application of pressure on reflexes in the foot.  I always think of Reflexology as an internal massage working on your organs, glands and various body parts.

The feet don't lie and if there is an imbalance in the body, it will show up in your feet. I also do Thai Foot Massage, which is similar to Reflexology but is more of a massage for the entire leg from the knee to the toes. It restores balance to the body/mind through the reflexes of the feet that are linked to the energy meridians.  It is a treatment for the lower legs and feet using massage, thumb-walking and a wooden stick to stimulate reflex points. It's very relaxing and good for circulation and moves stagnant energy from the body.  It is usually an hour and a half session.

My passion for the past 20 years is working with the flower and tree essences.  This is not essential oils, but vibrational energy medicine. There are no scents or smells, just the energetic life force of the flowers, trees, and herbs in the essences. We all have emotional "stuff" that we need to let go of and the essences are used to release the emotional and mental disharmony within us.  They are safe, non-addictive and will not interfere with medications.  They help support us emotionally in a safe, natural, holistic way.  Depending on your specific issues, a remedy bottle can be made up just for you and whatever it is you are going through and it's taken in water or on your tongue on a daily basis.  The essences have been around for over 80 years and are a great way to help us move through and support our emotions.  Particularly now, in 2012, we need to keep our own vibration high.

If you'd like to book an appointment with me on Mondays at Stafford Street Hot Yoga, please call me at 792-8723.

A Reflexology session is $45, Thai Foot Massage is $55 and a Flower Essence Consultation including the remedy bottle is $45.  All taxes are included.

For the month of January I am offering a discount of 10% on Reflexology and Thai Foot Massage. In addition, I have a yoga blend essence that is normally $20 a bottle and I will discount that 15%.

If you have any questions, please email me at rositha@mymts.net or check out my website www.rositha.ca