Every year for the past ten years I have brought these delectable fruit balls into class before Christmas.  So many of you asked me for the recipe that I have decided to add this extra post and send it to everyone. 

Dried Fruit Balls

Thanks to the  few brave souls came out last Wednesday to celebrate the end of the Yoga year and the holidays. The menu seems to get better each year we go to the Bluestone. Although we were all satiated after our main course, most could not resist the delectable desserts.

As for Yoga, here is a link to Mukunda Stiles Joint Freeing Series we practiced in class early December.  Click HERE for the link.

Be sure to attend class this coming week (December 15th to 18th).  We’ll be practicing  Restorative Poses to help us prepare for the stress of the holidays.  

Don’t forget to register for the January/February Gentle Yoga session the cost of which is $136. For further details, you can contact me by clicking HERE.

Wishing you all blessings of the holiday season.

 Monica’s Footnote
Yummy! That’s the word that comes to mind  when I discovered the recipe for this Holiday treat – ‘Chocolate Bark’ I’ve added the recipe for those who requested it and those who would like to try it.  You can click HERE or click the recipe tab at the top of this page.

But a strong immune system can frost the invaders within a few days, preventing more extreme manifestations of the illness and in fact strengthening the immune system. Yoga postures done in a relaxed way and slow, deep pranayama can help relax the nervous system and boost the immune response.

Another way to build the immune system and improve sinus-related conditions is to focus on the thymus gland. Located in the chest, the thymus gland is the locus of the immune system. Thus both the thymus gland and the immune system are stimulated by any posture in which we open the chest and breathe deeply into it. The most beneficial postures for this purpose are the Cobra, the Pigeon, the Fish, the Boat, the Bow and the Bridge.

Since the thymus gland corresponds to the fourth chakra, these postures can be enhanced by including chakra sounds such as the fourth chakra bij mantra “yum” or the fourth chakra vowel sound “ay.” Kapalabhati breathing or slow deep breathing in postures where the chest is open can also be beneficial. Experiment with practicing the postures as you breathe deeply into the chest and sound the mantras.

With a relaxed nervous system and a focused and revitalized immune system, you’ll find you’re able to resist autumn allergens and throw off winter’s infections more readily.

Jeff Migdow, M.D., a former director of Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training

Monica’s Footnote
I’ve added a recipe page for the ‘yoga cooks’ in the group – the first recipe I’ve added is a yummy one. Tortilla Melts – you have to try them!  You can click HERE or click the recipe tab at the top of this page.

One of my students passed on this information to me – I found it very interesting and informative and thought it worthy of sharing with my readers:

Dr. Vinay Goyal  is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W). 
        
The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know 
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. 
        
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu): 
        
 1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications). 
 2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe etc). 
 3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt)… *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method. 
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.* Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive….under $15.  
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. 
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

If you believe you have the flu checking with your regular health advisor is recommended.

Monica’s ‘Footnote’
For a Naturopathic Alternative, I have found Dr Iva Lloyd’s, website be very helpful, especially the article on ‘Swine Flu Prevention’ - click HERE  for a link to her website.
 

 If your mat has become more stinky than sticky due to bacteria left by your hands, feet or sweat, I suggest you follow these steps to ensure your mat is clean and odor-free.

Heavily Soiled: Washing machine is not recommended. Your mat may loose stickiness and its shape. Instead, submerge your mat in a solution of warm water and mild detergent (bathtub works well)  use very little soap as any residue may cause the mat to become slippery during future use. Thoroughly hand wash the mat and rinse in clean water. After squeezing out the excess water, lay the mat on a dry towel and roll the mat and towel together. Stepping on the rolled up mat will squeeze more moisture out of the mat and into the towel. Then unroll and hang to air dry.”

Lightly Soiled: Use a spray bottle, damp sponge, or terry cloth rag to apply a solution of two cups of water and four drops of dish soap. Rub the soiled areas. Wipe the mat with clean water; then rub with a dry terry cloth towel. Hang to air dry.

Yoga Mat Cleaner: 1 part water, 3 parts vinegar, tea tree essential oil. Spray and wipe with clean cloth between regular cleanings. The antiseptic quality of tea tree helps to keep your mat bacteria free.

The saying “Everything in one place and a place for everything” prompted me to create ‘Gentle Yoga News’  Existing and potential students along with those with an interest in ‘health and yoga’ will soon have a central resource site.  In the next few weeks I plan to bring you everything from ‘what’s new at Gentle Yoga’, healthy living tips, class schedules, recipes, student comments and much more, even instructions on the correct way to clean your Yoga Mat.

I am looking forward and excited about ‘Gentle Yoga News’ and hope you come back and see me as we take this journey together.  In the meantime, if you have any questions or suggestions you can email me at gentleyoga@rogers.com or click HERE.

Monica

P.S.  I plan to let you know about updates as they happen – or you can press <Ctrl+D> and bookmark this page for future reference.