Last weekend, I attended the Yoga Journal Conference in San Francisco. Throughout the weekend, I had the opportunity to try many different styles of yoga, such as Anusara, Ashtanga, and Vinyaasa. I especially enjoyed the Anusara class with Master Teacher Desiree Rumbaugh. Although all these various classes and styles were fun, I did not resonate with any of them. Unfortunately, after all those classes over the weekend, all I felt was good…that’s it. But that is not enough for me. After a class at my local studio, I always leave feeling happy, clear, refreshed, energized, and inspired.

With so many different styles and teachers out there, it’s all a matter of finding which style of yoga you like best and which teacher can you relate with. The style of yoga I personally prefer is Hatha Yoga. But each person has their own style and teacher they favor. I have had many people tell me that yoga is not their thing. Yoga is for everyone. It’s just a matter of finding a style that you can connect with. Try various styles and yoga studios until you find one that you enjoy and can resonate with. If you would like to find yoga studios and/or certified yoga teachers near you, go to Yoga Alliance’s website at www.yogaalliance.org and you can search for studios and teachers in your area.

Yoga is not only for the physical benefits. It is also about how you feel on the inside. Find the practice in which you feel at peace and as if you are expanding your boundaries. I know that Hatha yoga is my style, but what is your style?

Varsha

With the financial and economical market in turmoil, everyone has higher amounts of stress. Many people resort to drinking to combat their stress as a way to “get away.” However, drinking or even taking your anger and frustrating out on your loved ones is not the solution. Next time, instead of reaching for that alcoholic beverage, reach into yourself. Take one hour everyday to get away from your stressors and focus on you. Focus on taking care of yourself. Here are my top five recommendations on how to please your heart, mind, and soul, so that you are better able to deal with the stress.

1) Exercise. Have you noticed that exercise is always on every list? Well, that’s how important exercise is. Besides keeping you in shape, exercise is also a great way to loosen up and release all that built up frustration and heat into something more productive and meaningful. Next time you feel like “exploding,” go for a run, lift some weights, or take a boxing class.

2) Meditate. Meditation is an excellent way to nourish the heart and soul. This will give you the inner peace and stability to better handle your stress. Your daily meditation will be the time for you to go inward, explore yourself, release stress, and become a fresher you. You’ll be surprised how many people meditate, including corporate executives. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose.

3) Journal. No matter how old you are, there is nothing wrong with keeping a journal. Writing in a journal is a great way to release all your thoughts onto paper. Many people find that after writing in a journal, they feel more at ease and begin to even wonder why they were so tense to begin with. When you journal alone, its just you, your thoughts, and your notebook, therefore there is no judging and there are no secrets. Most find it helpful to journal at the end of their day in order to have a good night’s sleep.

4) Read. There is nothing like a good novel to get lost in. Do not be afraid to entertain yourself. Reading a good book means that for the time you are reading, you are following another story, thereby taking a break from your normal routine and thoughts. Your mind will thank you later.

5) Once a day! Do one thing everyday that makes you truly happy from within. Your one a day supplement should be the one activity that brings a smile to your face. Whether its  going for a walk, talking to your loved one, baking, knitting, crossword puzzles, anything really, just do it. Happiness and laughter is the best remedy for the soul.

After all, what does happy hour really mean? It means the hour that you are happy. So why not put your happy hour into a productive, healthier use? Next time you feel like drinking off your worries, try one or more of these five techniques and I guarantee you that you will feel much better.

Happiness and Health,

Varsha

I am positive that either you or someone you know is lactose intolerant. Lactose is a type of sugar found in all dairy products. Being lactose intolerant is the inability to digest and metabolize lactose. Some people truly are lactose intolerant, but most people are just allergic to the GMO milk. Many of my clients come to me saying that they are lactose intolerant, but in a matter of a few weeks, they realize that they are not lactose intolerant. They are allergic to the non-organic milk and other dairy products. Many of my “lactose intolerant” clients drink organic milk. It’s all a matter of making a few slight adjustments.

But what if you really are lactose intolerant and cannot have dairy products? Many people struggle with getting enough calcium and therefore resort to calcium supplements, which is not ideal for your physiology. Many other foods contain calcium. Some vegetables which contain calcium are spinach, turnips, broccoli, peas, brussel sprouts, and bokchoy. Other foods are salmon, tofu, sardines, beans, sesame seeds, and almonds.

If you are eating proper, balanced meals, then you do not have to worry about where you will get your calcium from. Calcium is most needed in maintaining strong, healthy bones. Getting plenty of calcium in your diet and with proper exercise can prevent osteoporosis. In fact, studies show that women you consume the same amount of calcium in their diet have a higher bone density than those who consume that same amount of calcium as a supplement.

It is possible to overcome being lactose intolerant. In most cases, it is about strengthening your digestion. With a strong enough digestion, you can digest anything you consume. Most people have become lactose intolerant due to all the unnecessary chemicals and hormones that are in the non-organic milk. Organic milk is much richer in nutrients, higher in antioxidants, and it tastes much better.

Ayurveda has always promoted milk for great health. Some of the most prominent benefits of drinking milk, especially cow’s milk is that it instantly nourishes all the tissues of the physiology and acts as a rejuvenate. Cow’s milk is also rich in protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A, B12, and C. With all the nutrients milk has to offer, it will also give you more strength, energy, and increase Ojas (immunity) in your physiology. If you feel that you are not able to digest milk well, boil it first and then drink it. Boiling milk allows the milk to become lighter and therefore it is more easily digestible.

Enjoy your milk!

Varsha