Launched yesterday, on Guru Purnima, in the wonderful energies of the Full Moon, Ek Mutthi Anaaj is a wonderfully simple idea dating back to the days of our forefathers. In the past, every day when a householder cooked food, they would put one fistful (mutthi) aside to give as alms to the poor, needy, or sadhus. Today, in the hustle and bustle of life, we've forgotten this, though each time we see a hungry child begging, or an underage child working, or a family sleeping hungry on the footpath, we wish we could do something!
Ek Mutthi Anaaj is a simple concept, and its beauty lies in its simplicity! Each morning, before each of us leave home for the day, just reach in and take one fistful of rice and put it in the bucket. At the end of the month, a representative of the foundation will come to your home and empty the bucket. Easy? Do-able? Of course!!!
The MCKS Food For The Hungry Foundation, India was set up in 2004 to realise our Master Choa Kok Sui's vision of a hunger free world. The FFH Foundation is a non profit relief and development oganization. For more details on this foundation, and their work, please visit www.mcksffh.org or call 4652 3905 or email mcksffh@gmail.com or contact mother of 4 boys who are super excited about joining this drive, Jhilmil Breckenridge, at jsbreckenridge@mac.com.
Thanks for opening up your eyes, heart and fists... Contact Jhilmil or the foundation if you want a bucket and want to join this drive!
Jhilmil Breckenridge
jsbreckenridge@mac.com
www.jhilmilspirit.blogspot.com
98186 88388
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Post Partum Depression: Not Just the Baby Blues!
Post Partum Depression (PPD) can be a debilitating disorder, and I myself, have suffered it for 4 years after the birth of Ethan, who is now 6...untreated and undiagnosed, it later turned out to be full blown bipolar disorder.
A simple definition:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/postpartumdepression.html explains Post Partum Depression as:
Many new moms feel happy one minute and sad the next. If you feel better after a week or so, you probably just had the "baby blues." If it takes you longer to feel better, you may have postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression can make you feel restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. Some new moms worry they will hurt themselves or their babies. Unlike the "baby blues," postpartum depression does not go away quickly. Very rarely, new moms develop something even more serious. They may stop eating, have trouble sleeping and become frantic or paranoid. Women with this condition usually need to be hospitalized.
My definition:
I agree with most of the symptoms above, though want to add that it is a disease which can spiral out of control very very rapidly. Untreated and undiagnosed, the new mother feels more and more trapped, not in control of her feelings and emotions (caused by the huge hormonal changes of pregnancy and childbirth), angry, tired, and in many cases, even suicidal! The number of cases of infant mortality if the mother is suffering from PPD is also alarmingly high, and I must admit, however much I love my last 2 sons, Ethan and Liam, it did come to me, in flashes of manic craziness, that maybe all will be well if somehow they could die... gruesome and horrifying, as now, I cannot visualise life without them! But at the time, the illness takes over the mind, and it's very very dangerous.
Common reasons for PPD:
In my opinion, there can be many causes, I am listing some of the common ones, as well as mine.
Common causes & risk factors (from http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/postpartum_depression/riskfactors.htm):
Pregnancy - any pregnancy, not just the first baby.
Miscarriage
Weaning from breastfeeding
History of mood disorders
History of depression
History of postpartum depression
Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Non-supportive partner
Stress
Bipolar disorder
Insufficient rest
Cesarean delivery
My causes:
Having 3 children at home under 5 (I had a demanding 5 year old, a calm 3 year old and an infant)
No help from mother and in laws
No help from domestic help (had a maid problem at the time!)
Husband too busy with work and though loving, was travelling extensively
Third and traumatic C-Section
Bipolar Disorder (though I did not know it at the time)
Was obsessed with starting a new business (was in mania, and was working day and night on plans for my maternity store, Motherware)
Insufficient sleep
Was filled with anger and resentment at having yet another son (at that time, had 3 sons)
No exercise/meditation/spirituality
Expectations from mother, angry at having expectations not met (like why can't my mother come and help me, etc.)
Superwoman syndrome: oh, Jhilmil can manage, she is superwoman!
Exhausted, mentally, emotionally, physically, but punishing my body more by refusing to eat, sleep, etc.
The Problem in India!
My tentative findings are:
• People are casual and dismissive, putting down the illness and shrugging it off as Baby Blues,
• The medical community, gynaes, paediatricians who would first notice this, or some symptoms, do not take it seriously at all,
• Women who suffer are "ashamed" to discuss it, thereby reducing any support they may get,
• With the joint family system in India breaking down, there's very little support for a new mother, therefore increasing the chances of PPD,
• There a link between the growing Csection rate and PPD,
• There is too much medical intervention, and thus, we are interfering with nature, and thus, higher incidences of PPD, and
• Declining breast feeding rates are increasing PPD rates!
The Solution:
Love! As with any mental illness, the first concern should be for the health of the mother, and then the baby. All other family members need to put their needs and concerns after these two. Sadly, that is not done. In my case, I was constantly put down for "shouting too much" or "not being kind to my parents" or being asked "get a grip, what is wrong with you?!" I did not know what was wrong, and as a 33 year old woman, who was so used to being in control, the feelings in my body were terrifying. As with most mothers, I was so used to pushing my requirements to the bottom of the family requirements list, I had no idea what to do. I was clueless as I had never thought mothers should look after their needs first, and that will make them better mothers... Similarly, allow a new mother the space to look after her needs first, give her the "permission" that she needs the space to heal, and allow her to accept help. And give her what she craves after the fuss of the pregnancy and everyone is now fussing over the infant: love and assurances that she is still important, pretty and vital!
Also, medical help. At my 6 week check up with my gynaecologist, top Delhi surgeon, Dr Urvashi Sehgal, she asked me a simple question, "how are you?" My mother had taken me for the appointment, and I just burst into tears and was sobbing hysterically, as if my heart would break. I mean, someone was asking how I was... and there were so many feelings in me, I had no idea which of them to reveal to my doctor. At that point, she should have immediately thought of PPD. She did not, and smiled and said, "oh, you've got the baby blues, try this ayurvedic feel good tonic for women..." I believe we need to set up support groups for new mothers (in 2001, I had set up a group like this called Mum's The Word...), breast feeding groups, etc., to help women have a space where they can air their opinions with their peers and not be looked down upon. And maybe there, women will receive the love and healing they need, or the diagnosis, if the condition is more than the baby blues...
Now, looking back, I can see so much of the trauma and pain of the last 6 years could have been reduced had my family or my doctors recognized the symptoms of post partum psychosis. But it took another 4 years of counselling, painful therapy, my relationship with my parents and friends becoming wounded and damaged, and finally diagnosis when a caring friend, Sindhu, took me to Harley Street in London, and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder... Such a waste, and how much I emotionally scarred my sons while I was in that debilitating and difficult time... Think of how many new mothers are missing out on the joys of mothering and inflicting huge emotional wounds upon their babies and children...
Jhilmil Now:
The diagnosis of bipolar caused by severe post partum depression in June 2005 was the start of my healing. With diagnosis, after the initial anger (why me?!), comes acceptance. With meditation and prayer, from acceptance comes grace. And from grace, the healing.
I now manage my full blown bipolar disorder with yoga, chakral healing, and food. I do not take any medication, except Cetrizine on days when I just cannot stop sneezing (a symptom of mania for me). And I am surrounded by love, the best medicine of all!
A simple definition:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/postpartumdepression.html explains Post Partum Depression as:
Many new moms feel happy one minute and sad the next. If you feel better after a week or so, you probably just had the "baby blues." If it takes you longer to feel better, you may have postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression can make you feel restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. Some new moms worry they will hurt themselves or their babies. Unlike the "baby blues," postpartum depression does not go away quickly. Very rarely, new moms develop something even more serious. They may stop eating, have trouble sleeping and become frantic or paranoid. Women with this condition usually need to be hospitalized.
My definition:
I agree with most of the symptoms above, though want to add that it is a disease which can spiral out of control very very rapidly. Untreated and undiagnosed, the new mother feels more and more trapped, not in control of her feelings and emotions (caused by the huge hormonal changes of pregnancy and childbirth), angry, tired, and in many cases, even suicidal! The number of cases of infant mortality if the mother is suffering from PPD is also alarmingly high, and I must admit, however much I love my last 2 sons, Ethan and Liam, it did come to me, in flashes of manic craziness, that maybe all will be well if somehow they could die... gruesome and horrifying, as now, I cannot visualise life without them! But at the time, the illness takes over the mind, and it's very very dangerous.
Common reasons for PPD:
In my opinion, there can be many causes, I am listing some of the common ones, as well as mine.
Common causes & risk factors (from http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/postpartum_depression/riskfactors.htm):
Pregnancy - any pregnancy, not just the first baby.
Miscarriage
Weaning from breastfeeding
History of mood disorders
History of depression
History of postpartum depression
Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Non-supportive partner
Stress
Bipolar disorder
Insufficient rest
Cesarean delivery
My causes:
Having 3 children at home under 5 (I had a demanding 5 year old, a calm 3 year old and an infant)
No help from mother and in laws
No help from domestic help (had a maid problem at the time!)
Husband too busy with work and though loving, was travelling extensively
Third and traumatic C-Section
Bipolar Disorder (though I did not know it at the time)
Was obsessed with starting a new business (was in mania, and was working day and night on plans for my maternity store, Motherware)
Insufficient sleep
Was filled with anger and resentment at having yet another son (at that time, had 3 sons)
No exercise/meditation/spirituality
Expectations from mother, angry at having expectations not met (like why can't my mother come and help me, etc.)
Superwoman syndrome: oh, Jhilmil can manage, she is superwoman!
Exhausted, mentally, emotionally, physically, but punishing my body more by refusing to eat, sleep, etc.
The Problem in India!
My tentative findings are:
• People are casual and dismissive, putting down the illness and shrugging it off as Baby Blues,
• The medical community, gynaes, paediatricians who would first notice this, or some symptoms, do not take it seriously at all,
• Women who suffer are "ashamed" to discuss it, thereby reducing any support they may get,
• With the joint family system in India breaking down, there's very little support for a new mother, therefore increasing the chances of PPD,
• There a link between the growing Csection rate and PPD,
• There is too much medical intervention, and thus, we are interfering with nature, and thus, higher incidences of PPD, and
• Declining breast feeding rates are increasing PPD rates!
The Solution:
Love! As with any mental illness, the first concern should be for the health of the mother, and then the baby. All other family members need to put their needs and concerns after these two. Sadly, that is not done. In my case, I was constantly put down for "shouting too much" or "not being kind to my parents" or being asked "get a grip, what is wrong with you?!" I did not know what was wrong, and as a 33 year old woman, who was so used to being in control, the feelings in my body were terrifying. As with most mothers, I was so used to pushing my requirements to the bottom of the family requirements list, I had no idea what to do. I was clueless as I had never thought mothers should look after their needs first, and that will make them better mothers... Similarly, allow a new mother the space to look after her needs first, give her the "permission" that she needs the space to heal, and allow her to accept help. And give her what she craves after the fuss of the pregnancy and everyone is now fussing over the infant: love and assurances that she is still important, pretty and vital!
Also, medical help. At my 6 week check up with my gynaecologist, top Delhi surgeon, Dr Urvashi Sehgal, she asked me a simple question, "how are you?" My mother had taken me for the appointment, and I just burst into tears and was sobbing hysterically, as if my heart would break. I mean, someone was asking how I was... and there were so many feelings in me, I had no idea which of them to reveal to my doctor. At that point, she should have immediately thought of PPD. She did not, and smiled and said, "oh, you've got the baby blues, try this ayurvedic feel good tonic for women..." I believe we need to set up support groups for new mothers (in 2001, I had set up a group like this called Mum's The Word...), breast feeding groups, etc., to help women have a space where they can air their opinions with their peers and not be looked down upon. And maybe there, women will receive the love and healing they need, or the diagnosis, if the condition is more than the baby blues...
Now, looking back, I can see so much of the trauma and pain of the last 6 years could have been reduced had my family or my doctors recognized the symptoms of post partum psychosis. But it took another 4 years of counselling, painful therapy, my relationship with my parents and friends becoming wounded and damaged, and finally diagnosis when a caring friend, Sindhu, took me to Harley Street in London, and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder... Such a waste, and how much I emotionally scarred my sons while I was in that debilitating and difficult time... Think of how many new mothers are missing out on the joys of mothering and inflicting huge emotional wounds upon their babies and children...
Jhilmil Now:
The diagnosis of bipolar caused by severe post partum depression in June 2005 was the start of my healing. With diagnosis, after the initial anger (why me?!), comes acceptance. With meditation and prayer, from acceptance comes grace. And from grace, the healing.
I now manage my full blown bipolar disorder with yoga, chakral healing, and food. I do not take any medication, except Cetrizine on days when I just cannot stop sneezing (a symptom of mania for me). And I am surrounded by love, the best medicine of all!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Yummy Recipe: Soul Food!—Prawns & Pasta
Ingredients:
500 g prawns (jumbo, if possible), 1 prawn chopped into 4 pieces
2 tbsp butter
1 cup fresh cream
4-5 cloves of garlic, chopped fine or crushed
2-3 green onions, chopped
1 small cup of white wine
Juice of 2-3 lemons (depending on your taste)
2 tsp cornstarch dissolved in a little water
Salt & Pepper
1/2 tsp Dried Dill (optional)
250 g pasta or rice (I don't eat wheat as I am blood type B+, and this is great poured over leftover rice, while the rest of the family enjoys their pasta!)
Method:
In a large saucepan with salted water, start boiling the pasta according to the instructions on the packet.
In another pan or wok, saute the garlic in the butter.
Add the prawns, saute rapidly until the colour of the prawns begins to turn pink (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the cream and the wine and the cornstarch dissolved in water and mix it all well.
The sauce is creamy and light, and does not need much cooking (Overcooking will turn the cream into ghee, and you do not want that!).
Add the green onions just a minute or so before turning off the heat.
Add salt and pepper (freshly crushed pepper makes all the difference).
Add lemon juice last.
Taste for seasoning.
This sauce takes all of 7-10 minutes to get ready and is delicious!
Meanwhile, your pasta should be ready. Drain the pasta, and pour the sauce over it immediately. I learned this trick from a celebrated Italian chef, never drain the pasta and let it sit and get congealed as you get the sauce ready, the pasta loves to have sauce poured on it right after we drain the water as that is when it can absorb all the flavours best!
Enjoy!
Variation: Instead of prawns, you will also have great results using a seafood mix of mussels, shrimp, etc.
500 g prawns (jumbo, if possible), 1 prawn chopped into 4 pieces
2 tbsp butter
1 cup fresh cream
4-5 cloves of garlic, chopped fine or crushed
2-3 green onions, chopped
1 small cup of white wine
Juice of 2-3 lemons (depending on your taste)
2 tsp cornstarch dissolved in a little water
Salt & Pepper
1/2 tsp Dried Dill (optional)
250 g pasta or rice (I don't eat wheat as I am blood type B+, and this is great poured over leftover rice, while the rest of the family enjoys their pasta!)
Method:
In a large saucepan with salted water, start boiling the pasta according to the instructions on the packet.
In another pan or wok, saute the garlic in the butter.
Add the prawns, saute rapidly until the colour of the prawns begins to turn pink (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the cream and the wine and the cornstarch dissolved in water and mix it all well.
The sauce is creamy and light, and does not need much cooking (Overcooking will turn the cream into ghee, and you do not want that!).
Add the green onions just a minute or so before turning off the heat.
Add salt and pepper (freshly crushed pepper makes all the difference).
Add lemon juice last.
Taste for seasoning.
This sauce takes all of 7-10 minutes to get ready and is delicious!
Meanwhile, your pasta should be ready. Drain the pasta, and pour the sauce over it immediately. I learned this trick from a celebrated Italian chef, never drain the pasta and let it sit and get congealed as you get the sauce ready, the pasta loves to have sauce poured on it right after we drain the water as that is when it can absorb all the flavours best!
Enjoy!
Variation: Instead of prawns, you will also have great results using a seafood mix of mussels, shrimp, etc.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Bipolar Disorder: Is this a silly question?
Just a silly question—if people agree that eating and exercising right help alleviate or even cure many illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc., why not for bipolar disorder? Is the head cut off from the rest of the body?!! I believe that people in general are so scared of any mental disease, maybe because all these disorders are so new to them, that the only remedy they can accept is DRUGS. And no amount of trying to tell people that I heal myself with yoga and eating seems to work, they keep asking but what about the drugs, and why do I not also take them...
I believe in a person's right of choice for his treatment. It's my body, after all. I'll have to live with the side effects, which are so easily pooh poohed! And believe me, the drugs, which are then life long, have plenty of side effects. I know of someone who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 10 years ago and was imprisoned in a hospital against her will and put on medication has just had gall bladder surgery. When I mentioned that maybe this was a side effect of drugs, they just smiled at me as if I was crazy, and said, oh many people get gall bladder surgery! Sure, but is there a study that sees how many bipolar people on medication have had gall bladder surgery? Or worse, taken drugs to alleviate the side effects that the anti bipolar medication can have?!
I believe in the healing capacity within all of us. Bipolar disorder is a serious disease, sure. It's damaging to the self and can destroy families and relationships if ignored or taken lightly. But, it's also a blessing, in some ways! Vincent Van Gogh was bipolar—I mean, hello?!—he cut off his ear to send to his girlfriend!! I find some of my most creative times are when I am in mania, when my brain works super fast and clarity is easy. Some of the most intelligent people in the world are and were bipolar like Ludwig van Beethoven, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Charles Dickens, G.F. Handel, Peter Tchaikovsky, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, T.S. Eliot, Victor Hugo, Michelangelo, Georgia O'Keefe, and Jackson Pollack. It is, however, sad to see that so many of those who had this disorder had taken their own lives, but easy to understand as there was no understanding of what causes this and how to manage the illness. In our current times, Rosemary Clooney, Dick Cavett, Kitty Dukakis, Peter Gabriel, Charlie Pride, and Ted Turner are some highly successful and famous people, who have stated publicly that they have bipolar disorder. For a more complete list of people with bipolar disorder who have made noteworthy contributions to our world, see web sites such as http://www.pendulum.org/pwbpd/famous.htm.
So, to come back to my silly question. Why do people give me a hard time when I say I treat bipolar disorder with food, meditation, yoga and chakral healing? Yes, I'm still eccentric and have strange outbursts at times. But isn't that human? Why should we all behave like robots, without feelings and our own idiosyncracies? Everyone is unique and that's what makes the world such a fascinating place!
Free choice. Consumer advocacy. Space to breathe and be. Understanding from family members who put the patient with bipolar first and their needs second. And a lot of love. Is that asking for too much? Sadly, from my own personal experiences, the answer is yes!
Take care, be unique, be conscious, be aware, be individual, and be you! Contact me if I can with your healing, it is very very do-able...
Photos from a group yoga session at IIPM, New Delhi
These are some photographs from a magical morning I spent observing my guru, Shivachittam, lead a large group at IIPM, Indian Oil Corporation's Training Centre.
Friday, July 20, 2007
A Great Way To Start A Day!
5:30 am I reach the auditorium of IIPM, the prestigious Indian Institute of Petroleum Management, the corporate training centre for Indian Oil Corporation Limited. My yoga guru, Mani, has been teaching hundreds and thousands of their employees the art of yoga, and today has invited me to observe the class. Mani has been blessed by the name Shivachittam by his guru, Guru Paramhamsa Swami Niranjananda Saraswati of Bihar School of Yoga.
The room is already set up for a large class, and I count about 50 mats on the floor, plus one on the stage for the guru. The walls are a cheerful orange, and even at this early hour, the room has a positive energy and vibe to it. Fresh green potted plants complete the picture, and now the stage is set for the guru and his students to arrive!
5:45 am Shivachittam arrives first, surprised to find me already there. He walks through the hall, fixing a mat here, a mat there, and slowly the first early birds begin to trickle in. There is no talk, no noisy good mornings, just the serious business of going inwards and being calm and meditative for the practice the world is turning to, yoga. Shivachittam assumes bhujangasana on one of the mats, some student starts stretching his toes, and one starts practicing full butterfly. As one participant starts the rocking and rolling asana, some people smile and Shivachittam looks on indulgently. People keep walking in and taking their places. I am amazed at the discipline of immediately trying to withdraw inwards, and no conversation!
6:00 am Shivachittam adjusts his chaadar around his shoulders and leads the group through the Om chanting. There is a pleasant hum and vibe to the room as the 25 participants prepare their bodies and minds for yoga, a great way to start the day!
Shivachittam leads the class in Pawan Muktasana series, Part III, the energy releasing asanas, carefully explaining the benefits for the participants. These are 40 day long workshops, and Shivachittam knows he has just that much time to make a change in the participant's mind, to help them internalise and experience the benefits of his method of yoga and meditation so that they can take some of their practice back home with them... today is about Day 29 of the 40 day workshop, and the people are engaged, ready and committed to learning and practising.
6:30 am I walk around taking photographs. One person strikes me to be the most engaged, he looks North Eastern, and is able to follow Shivachittam's instructions well... his name is Ranjit Borcohain from Assam, and I later found out that this was his first exposure to yoga. One person who was fidgety in the Om chanting is now off and doing his own thing... and you can tell that his mind is not yet ready to embrace this gentle, effective yoga that Shivachittam effortlessly teaches - his own blend predominantly influenced by his swamis of the Bihar School of Yoga.
6:45 am Pranayam Time. Shivachittam leads the group in Nadi Shodhana, Bhramari and Ujjayi pranayamas, deliberately leaving out kapalbhati and bhastrika pranayamas, as they are heating pranayamas and the weather is so very warm. Ujjayi appears to be new for them, and he walks among the participants, helping correct mistakes as he hears or sees them.
Even Nagarajan, whose very non yogic messaged T-shirt (Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Beer!) is completely immersed in pranayams and meditation... his work is sedentary and behind a desk most of the time. He comes from Mumbai and I ask later whether they practice chair yoga when they feel stiff, and they have not heard of chair yoga! He says they just take a walk every hour or so when they get stiff, and that is also good. He mentions that in every 10 years of working at IIPM, an employee gets the chance of a life changing workshop like this one, and says he is really enjoying himself, and will take some of his practice home.
6:50 I can already see a large group of people collecting outside the door—these are the people for the 7 am class. Punctuality and discipline is definitely the buzzword! As the class completes its last pranayam, Shivachittam helps them come back to being grounded and ready for the day. A little light hearted banter marks the end of the class, you can see the pride that many of them display at having practiced so well and with all their being.
6:57 The class is over, with Hari Oms, it's back to work for these IIPM workshop attendees, and another large group of people for Shivachittam to influence. All in all, a great way to start a day!
The room is already set up for a large class, and I count about 50 mats on the floor, plus one on the stage for the guru. The walls are a cheerful orange, and even at this early hour, the room has a positive energy and vibe to it. Fresh green potted plants complete the picture, and now the stage is set for the guru and his students to arrive!
5:45 am Shivachittam arrives first, surprised to find me already there. He walks through the hall, fixing a mat here, a mat there, and slowly the first early birds begin to trickle in. There is no talk, no noisy good mornings, just the serious business of going inwards and being calm and meditative for the practice the world is turning to, yoga. Shivachittam assumes bhujangasana on one of the mats, some student starts stretching his toes, and one starts practicing full butterfly. As one participant starts the rocking and rolling asana, some people smile and Shivachittam looks on indulgently. People keep walking in and taking their places. I am amazed at the discipline of immediately trying to withdraw inwards, and no conversation!
6:00 am Shivachittam adjusts his chaadar around his shoulders and leads the group through the Om chanting. There is a pleasant hum and vibe to the room as the 25 participants prepare their bodies and minds for yoga, a great way to start the day!
Shivachittam leads the class in Pawan Muktasana series, Part III, the energy releasing asanas, carefully explaining the benefits for the participants. These are 40 day long workshops, and Shivachittam knows he has just that much time to make a change in the participant's mind, to help them internalise and experience the benefits of his method of yoga and meditation so that they can take some of their practice back home with them... today is about Day 29 of the 40 day workshop, and the people are engaged, ready and committed to learning and practising.
6:30 am I walk around taking photographs. One person strikes me to be the most engaged, he looks North Eastern, and is able to follow Shivachittam's instructions well... his name is Ranjit Borcohain from Assam, and I later found out that this was his first exposure to yoga. One person who was fidgety in the Om chanting is now off and doing his own thing... and you can tell that his mind is not yet ready to embrace this gentle, effective yoga that Shivachittam effortlessly teaches - his own blend predominantly influenced by his swamis of the Bihar School of Yoga.
6:45 am Pranayam Time. Shivachittam leads the group in Nadi Shodhana, Bhramari and Ujjayi pranayamas, deliberately leaving out kapalbhati and bhastrika pranayamas, as they are heating pranayamas and the weather is so very warm. Ujjayi appears to be new for them, and he walks among the participants, helping correct mistakes as he hears or sees them.
Even Nagarajan, whose very non yogic messaged T-shirt (Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Beer!) is completely immersed in pranayams and meditation... his work is sedentary and behind a desk most of the time. He comes from Mumbai and I ask later whether they practice chair yoga when they feel stiff, and they have not heard of chair yoga! He says they just take a walk every hour or so when they get stiff, and that is also good. He mentions that in every 10 years of working at IIPM, an employee gets the chance of a life changing workshop like this one, and says he is really enjoying himself, and will take some of his practice home.
6:50 I can already see a large group of people collecting outside the door—these are the people for the 7 am class. Punctuality and discipline is definitely the buzzword! As the class completes its last pranayam, Shivachittam helps them come back to being grounded and ready for the day. A little light hearted banter marks the end of the class, you can see the pride that many of them display at having practiced so well and with all their being.
6:57 The class is over, with Hari Oms, it's back to work for these IIPM workshop attendees, and another large group of people for Shivachittam to influence. All in all, a great way to start a day!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Yoga in Pregnancy
Yoga in pregnancy has a host of benefits. Yoga is the union of the mind and body, and what better time to do this when pregnant? I practiced yoga and meditation through my fourth pregnancy, and the resulting baby is calm, happy and fills my life with joy.
I want to now share my experiences with other pregnant women looking to stay fit, destress and calm their minds, and gear up for the most exciting journey of their lives: motherhood!
Pregnancy yoga asanas will help loosen joints, open up the cervix, alleviate pregnancy irritants like backaches, nausea, and help you looking and feeling great through your pregnancy and beyond. Pranayam breathing will give the foetus the oxygen their minds need from the fifth month of pregnancy to nurture the emerging soul. Meditation will help the mother stay calm and centred and aware of the awesome responsibility she carries when pregnant to the unborn baby.
The class will be led by me, mother of 4, and founder of Delhi's top maternity boutique, Motherware. Call me at 98186 88388 for more details. Classes will be held in Shanti Niketan, New Delhi. Tuesdays & Fridays 11 am for an hour. Rs. 350 per class or a discounted Rs. 2500 per month.
I want to now share my experiences with other pregnant women looking to stay fit, destress and calm their minds, and gear up for the most exciting journey of their lives: motherhood!
Pregnancy yoga asanas will help loosen joints, open up the cervix, alleviate pregnancy irritants like backaches, nausea, and help you looking and feeling great through your pregnancy and beyond. Pranayam breathing will give the foetus the oxygen their minds need from the fifth month of pregnancy to nurture the emerging soul. Meditation will help the mother stay calm and centred and aware of the awesome responsibility she carries when pregnant to the unborn baby.
The class will be led by me, mother of 4, and founder of Delhi's top maternity boutique, Motherware. Call me at 98186 88388 for more details. Classes will be held in Shanti Niketan, New Delhi. Tuesdays & Fridays 11 am for an hour. Rs. 350 per class or a discounted Rs. 2500 per month.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Yogic Eating In Non Yogic Times!
Convenience. Fast Food. Eating in front of the television. No awareness of what our bodies need. Is it any wonder, then, that we are so dis-eased and prone to many more chronic illnesses much younger than our earlier generations?
The mind-body-spirit connection has been researched and written about extensively. We all believe in the powers of self affirmations and healing. So people proudly enroll for yoga and meditation classes to tone the body, calm and still their minds and feed their spirits, but keep eating the wrong foods! Because the food-mind-body connection is not as discussed, perhaps?
Food is integral to life. We know it affects us when we pick up a cup of coffee to get a buzz or eat a bar of chocolate to get the brain to feel happy! So, why, when we get unwell with a serious or chronic illness, don't we turn to food for healing? Having khichdi (mushy rice and lentils) and drinking oral rehydration solution when we have heat exhaustion or diarrhoea seems to be extent of using food for healing...
I have been using food for managing my depressive illness, bipolar disorder, for over two years now. I know the foods that perk me me up, like sour and acidic fruits, tomatoes, chillies, etc., and use these through the winter when I am in my depressive state. In the summer, when the longer days make me manic, I eat very sweet and alkaline foods like bananas, potatoes, honey, rice and papaya and steer clear off caffeine, and any other stimulants. To me, it seems very logical. And when I see someone who's hyperactive, and keeps drinking a coffee after another, and fills themselves with sugar, I wonder what they're thinking!
Awareness. Be conscious. Before we we put anything in our mouths, think, do I really want this now? Is it going to heal and soothe me? Or is it going to just aggravate already aggravated intestines and systems and is it just going to go straight to my hips? The answers are all so easy, so yogic in their simplicity!
Here's to you: yogic eating in these non-yogic times!
The mind-body-spirit connection has been researched and written about extensively. We all believe in the powers of self affirmations and healing. So people proudly enroll for yoga and meditation classes to tone the body, calm and still their minds and feed their spirits, but keep eating the wrong foods! Because the food-mind-body connection is not as discussed, perhaps?
Food is integral to life. We know it affects us when we pick up a cup of coffee to get a buzz or eat a bar of chocolate to get the brain to feel happy! So, why, when we get unwell with a serious or chronic illness, don't we turn to food for healing? Having khichdi (mushy rice and lentils) and drinking oral rehydration solution when we have heat exhaustion or diarrhoea seems to be extent of using food for healing...
I have been using food for managing my depressive illness, bipolar disorder, for over two years now. I know the foods that perk me me up, like sour and acidic fruits, tomatoes, chillies, etc., and use these through the winter when I am in my depressive state. In the summer, when the longer days make me manic, I eat very sweet and alkaline foods like bananas, potatoes, honey, rice and papaya and steer clear off caffeine, and any other stimulants. To me, it seems very logical. And when I see someone who's hyperactive, and keeps drinking a coffee after another, and fills themselves with sugar, I wonder what they're thinking!
Awareness. Be conscious. Before we we put anything in our mouths, think, do I really want this now? Is it going to heal and soothe me? Or is it going to just aggravate already aggravated intestines and systems and is it just going to go straight to my hips? The answers are all so easy, so yogic in their simplicity!
Here's to you: yogic eating in these non-yogic times!
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