Do you enjoy learning new things? I certainly do! For the past few months I’ve been taking a yoga training intensive and loving every minute of it. It’s wonderful to be exposed to new ideas. As a part of my training I’ve been researching and writing about yoga philosophies. One that I’d like to share with you all is Bhakti Yoga.

Bhakti Yoga is one of the six major branches of yoga. The six branches are Bhakti, Hatha, Tantra, Karma, Raja, and Jnana. Bhakti Yoga really caught my interest, so I thought I’d share a little about what I’ve learned about it with you and how you might be able to incorporate it into your life to support your personal healing journey.

Bhakti is a form of yoga that aims to create a union with Creator (i.e. God, Source, etc.). The root of the word in Sanskrit includes the meaning “to worship”. Bhakti Yoga focuses on devotion, awareness of being, and service—acts that bring about feelings of love for and connection to Creator.

The Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba said, “…Bhakti Yoga, in simple words, means the art of worship. But it must be understood in all its true aspects, and not merely in a narrow and shallow sense, in which the term is commonly used and interpreted. The profound worship based on the high ideals of philosophy and spirituality, prompted by divine love, doubtless constitutes true Bhakti Yoga.”¹

It is said that while all the other forms of yoga are valuable, Bhakti Yoga is the only path to Creator, enlightenment or Divine Realization. “Bhakti Yoga is described by Swami Vivekananda as, the path of systematized devotion for the attainment of union with the Absolute.”¹

The path of Bhakti Yoga is a journey of devotion and honor at the highest form. One literally dances with Creator through surrender, worship, honor, devotion, and service to intimately connect with All-That-Is and Self Realize—that is—to know oneself fully.

The Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, Hindu sacred texts, outlines nine main activities of Bhakti. It is understood that by following one or all of the activities perfectly, one can achieve enlightenment.

Sravana: Listen to virtuous poems or stories about Creator.
Kirtana: Sing or chant Creator praises.
Smarana: Remember Creator at all times; keep Creator in the forefront of one’s consciousness.
Padasevana: Expresses love for Creator through service to others.
Archana: Worship Creator through external images or through internal visualizations.
Vandana: Paying homage to Creator.
Dasya: Carry out Creator‘s commandments; meditate on the words of Creator.
Sakha-bhava: Experience Creator as a family member of dear friend.
Atma-nivedana: Surrender to Creator.

Bhakti Yoga can be practiced by a person of any faith or religion as it is a means of focusing the mind and creating space to see Creator in everyday life. It seems to matter less about the form Bhakti takes and simply distills it to devotion, worship, love… Since Bhakti Yoga means “to worship,” generally speaking one can create their own philosophy around what worship means to them. It is an open invitation for connecting to Creator to bring union and enveloping love.

“Many modern bhakti yogis believe that “the guru” can be found in all things. Bhakti, then, becomes a state of mind, a consciousness that involves embracing the Beloved—in whatever form that takes.”⁴ After researching this wonderful topic I began to see ways that I could include Bhakti Yoga into my daily life. Can you think of ways you can incorporate Bhakti Yoga into your life?

The essence of Bhakti Yoga can simply be distilled to gratitude, love, and appreciation. Consider taking a few moments and bring awareness to your breath. Notice the pause between the inhale and exhale. How do you feel when you do that? After you sit down to your meal, consider taking a pause to give gratitude for the food and nourishment you’re about to eat. These considerations you probably have heard before and they sounds simple, but a little bit goes a long way.

Taking brief moments of pause are known to decrease feelings of stress or tension, reduce blood pressure, improve digestion, and enhance overall well-being just to name a few. As you walk through your day, consider how you can incorporate Bhakti Yoga principles into your life. Thank about how you might find ways to honor your life and that which brings feelings of connection and appreciation to you. Enjoy!

Article Sources:

1. Wikipedia. (October, 2012). Bhakti. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhakti

2. What is Bhakti Yoga? Retrieved from http://www.bhakti-yoga-meditation.com/bhakti-yoga.html

3. Wikipedia. (October, 2012). Bhakti Yoga. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhakti_yoga

4. Isaacs, Nora. (November, 2012) Everyday ecstasy. Yoga Journal. Retrieved from http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2661

5. Practice of Bhakti Yoga. Retrieved from http://www.thesecretsofyoga.com/Bhakti/Bhakti-practice.html

Change is ever present. We see it every day with the variations in weather patterns to what we need to do each day. We often see change at a personal level (whether we like it or not), from gray hairs springing up to changes in personal relationships. So often we resist change. Why is that? Usually because it can be difficult and challenging to face.

Change is what makes us experience life in a different way. Whether we’re forced to change or chose it, change forces growth because it makes us step outside our little boxes we like to put ourselves into. Life can get so comfortable in those warm and cozy boxes. Where is the excitement in that? It’s like always taking the same route to work each weekday morning. We can get so used to the same scenery during the commute that we fail to notice much of anything after a while. Then, one day they’re doing construction and you’re forced to take a different route. When you do, a new discovery of places and scenery are gifted to you. But, it is up to you whether you chose to receive the gift. Allowing change can open ourselves up to a whole new world and life experience, and resistance to change only causes more frustration.

Labels, boxes, titles, etc. tend to define everything in our lives. We begin to identify ourselves by those labels and boxes, and then we tend to stay within those boundaries. What if you gave yourself just a little bit of freedom to see beyond  those boundaries? What will change look like to you? What if you gave yourself the freedom to really explore yourself in a new way?

Ask yourself how you are resisting change. Give yourself permission to ask yourself those hard questions that will illuminate where there might be resistance in your life. Resistance stagnates personal healing and growth. By witnessing yourself and your emotions, you will come to know yourself better. When you do this, you will be able to understand why and what part of yourself is resistant to change. I heard a quote recently, “If you say you can’t change, that just means you don’t want to.”

Embracing change and being creative gives you the power to create, explore, and journey into areas never previously explored or rarely ventured to generate something new and exciting in your life. It opens doors that would otherwise remain closed. It opens opportunities to get to know yourself and others in a new way. It also opens you up to expanding beyond your personal comfort levels, understanding, and ways of thinking and doing; some might call this a definition of growth.

Allowing more and resisting change less will bring creative energy into your life that can positively affect how you experience the world. It can give you an opportunity to free yourself into a new way of living and experiencing. You’ll be able to honor yourself and give yourself the freedom to connect with what it is you really need, what you want, and what it is that you must do next. Change is a gift if we receive it as such.

People have been known to receive “miraculous” healings after spending a prolonged amount time in nature. Why? Although difficult to prove scientifically, we know this happens. There is something very tangible and soothing that happens from spending time in nature. Have you ever experienced this?

Nature helps us find our quiet place within and connect with our larger self. Nature has an energy and character that isn’t affected by our personal emotions or thinking. Time outside can be a healing force for you—the simple act of being there to immerse yourself in nature’s energy. The harmony that exists in nature’s field of energy is more easily found in the gentleness, peace and quiet of the outdoors.

When was the last time you spent a solitary moment in nature and allowed yourself to feel it deeply and intimately? In the hustle and bustle of life we can become distracted from really taking notice of the beauty and depth around us. Even in the time we do have to enjoy being outside we are distracted by thinking, the to-do list, or getting to the next appointment.

Mindfulness in nature and in those times of respite is key to not only helping yourself become more present but to also feeling a greater sense of peace and blessing. Even if you lack access to nature, just spending some time outside of your office or home every day will go a long way. You can simply take a few minutes outside and enjoy the air, sky, wildlife, or the trees, sound of a bird, or the movement of clouds. Those few minutes a day can have a powerful and prolonged influence on your health.

If you are unable to step outside, visualize yourself sitting by a pristine bubbling brook under the gently warm sun with the majestic sound of birds chirping. Visualization can put you in a place of experiencing a deeper part of yourself and feeling the stillness. Yes, even conjuring up the sensations and the sound of nature impacts well-being. Listening to a CD of running water, trees blowing in the wind, or ocean waves can take you away from the chaos and into the joy of your being.

Stress can cause us to get lost and lose our feeling connection to the peace and joy available to us. We have our to-do list and an inventory of shoulds or ought-to’s. We have mental programs running that keep us on task saying, “I have to do this or I won’t be happy” or “If I don’t get this done, my day will be a waste”.

What has happened to simply allowing the day to unfold gracefully and surrendering into it? That is to say to merely slow down long enough to feel what needs to be done, what is calling you to do, or where you are most inspired and take action from there. Too often we hold ourselves separate from life, from peace, and from truly living because we’re too busy doing.

In many ways we are our own worst task master. We push ourselves beyond the natural harmony our body seeks. We drive ourselves past the point of healing or health. We go, and then we go some more. Always seeking…doing. What about being?

The idea of simply being seems frivolous. What does being entail anyway? Simply allowing what needs to be done to be done—and more importantly, being able to know from a feeling place what you need. That is true inspiration.

A list won’t tell you want you need. Your heart can. Your emotions can. Feel your way through you day. Feel your way, gracefully, through your to-do list or need-to list. Find your center before doing anything, that place where your truth and honesty are housed. Simply breathing can take you there.

Consider the following: Your mind follows your breath and your body follows your mind. If you can focus on deepening and expanding your breath in times of stress, tension or indecision, your body will soften into a state of relaxation and your mind will become clear into a place of knowing.

When you bring air into your body, you nourish it, support it and bring in spirit and vitality. Everything can change with just one breath—from doing to being and from thinking to feeling. Take a moment now and recognize the surrender and grace gifted to you through your own breath, then go about your day being inspired and taking action from there.

Making your own lotions is not only fun, but using them will prevent you from absorbing harmful chemicals added to commonly used bodycare products. Your skin is the largest organ of the body and can absorb everything you put on it.

Chemicals that are often used in store-bought products include: parabens (mimic estrogen, preservative), triethanolamine (preservative), artificial fragrances, synthetic colors, and phthalatesto name a few.

Fatty tissue can store these chemicals and may cause health problems when exposed to them over time. In the short term, the chemicals can cause allergic reactions like skin irritation, joint discomfort and headaches. If you’re wondering about the chemicals in the bodycare products you use, check out the Environmental Working Group’s website to get toxicity ratings.

To help you get starting making your own products, here are two simple recipes for making your own products. They are easy to store in used glass jars or you can buy your own at a supply store. They make great gifts too!

I’ll be teaching a class next month on how to make your own bodycare products. Check my class schedule for details!

Cleansing Oil / Dry Skin Oil
2 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
2 small capsules vitamin E
20 drops lavender oil

Combine ingredients and shake well to blend. Keeps for 6 months; no refrigeration necessary.

Simple Creamy Lotion
10-12 tbs. olive oil
2 tbs. beeswax
2 tbs. coconut oil
1 tbs. cocoa butter
20 drops essential oil (optional)

In a saucepan over low heat, melt coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax together. Add olive oil and stir to combine. (You may want to add more olive oil depending on the time of year and climate where you live; the cooler the temperature, the harder the lotion will be. Remove from heat and pour in storage containers. Add essential oil to each and stir. Let cool at room temperature. No refrigeration necessary. (Note: Once cooled, if it is too firm or soft, simply reheat and add more oil or beeswax.)

Many people tell me that eating healthy is too expensive for them. I am here to tell you it is doable, even on a budget! What is the best way to eat foods that are health-promoting and still stay on a budget?  Check out these creative budget-friendly tips to help you improve your health.

Buy seasonal foods. Often foods that are in season are cheaper. Check out this list of Washington’s seasonal foods and farmer’s markets in your area. Foods that are in season can be more nutritious as they can be grown and sold locally. Think fresh!

Shop in the bulk section. Buying from the bulk section saves you money and gives you a chance to try a variety of products without having to buy a large box or bag. Many foods in bulk are 100% natural like quinoa, barley, spelt flour, and brown rice. Check your local market for these ancient grains that are tasty and nutritious, and commonly found in the bulk section.

Take a lunch with you to work. Going out to eat can be expensive, and though eating fast-foods can be inexpensive, they are not the healthiest for you. When you prepare the majority of your meals at home you have control over the ingredients and can save on travel money, sales tax, and tip.

Buy some foods organically grown. Eating organically grown foods allows you to avoid exposure to toxic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and genetically modified products (GMOs). Check out the Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen Guide and learn which foods are safe when conventionally grown and which organic foods to invest in for your health.

Prepare your own snack foods. Every time you make your own meal or snack, you have control over the ingredients. Over-the-counter prepared snack foods often have many harmful ingredients that are better avoided. Try some of these simple snacks:  almonds, cheese, stove-top popcorn, dates with almond butter, smoothie with fresh ingredients, hard-boiled egg.

Cook in large batches. Making foods in large quantities saves you time and money. Refrigerate what you will eat in the first 3 days and freeze the rest for another time. Using glass containers is a great way to store food, as it easily goes from freezer, to oven, to dishwasher. Try making extra homemade pancakes or waffles and store them in the freezer. Reheating will be easy in the toaster!

Try vegetarian sources of protein. Beans, peas, lentils, and nuts are an inexpensive source of vegetable protein. Adding slivered almonds or cashews to a vegetable stir-fry or beans to a vegetable soup adds lots of fiber and protein to your diet.

Go shopping with a list and while you’re not hungry. Whenever I go grocery shopping hungry everything looks good. Plan ahead before you leave for the store—eat a healthy snack and make a list of the ingredients you need for what you plan to make for the week.

Grow your own herbs. No matter the time of year, you can have an indoor herb garden that is low maintenance and that provides you with fresh herbs for your meals. The more fresh foods we add to meals, the healthier our diet becomes.

Look at the store flier for sales. Nearly every grocery store produces a flier with their weekly specials. Scan through it when you enter and check for any products that are on your list. Also, seek out sale items that are fresh like vegetables, fruit, dairy, and meat— foods that are found in the perimeter of the grocery store.

I’ve been making my own toothpaste off and on for a few years now. It’s a fun process and I always feel so empowered afterward because I know what’s in it and know that all of the ingredients support my health.

One of the most important benefits of making your own toothpaste is avoiding fluoride. Fluoride has been known to cause cancer, weaken teeth and bones, and damages the nervous system.

Here are two easy recipes that you can make at home:
3 tbs. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 tbs. liquid glycerin
10-30 drop peppermint essential oil (optional)

This recipe is best used in warmer climates or weather since coconut oil hardens with cooler weather.
4 tbs. baking soda
4 tbs. coconut oil
10-30 drop peppermint essential oil (optional)

Enjoy!

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) has dominated the news recently. Have you seen articles or news stories about the health threat posed by HFCS? TV commercials contend that high fructose corn syrup can be a safe and healthy alternative to sugar. Food manufacturers note that their products are made with sugar and not HFCS.

What are the facts? Health and nutrition experts often send conflicting messages. Vibrant Horizons is on your side to find and share the facts so you can decide for yourself.

HFCS is made by changing the sugar in corn starch (known as glucose) to fructose. This helps extend the shelf life of products and is a cheaper alternative to sugar. It is heavily processed and is often found in equally processed and de-natured foods. HFCS is metabolized into fat more rapidly than any other sugar and has been linked to obesity and type-2 diabetes.

Most of the corn used to make HFCS has been genetically modified, which is suggested to produce long-term side effects and potential allergic reactions. Additionally, at least one of the enzymes used to convert corn starch into fructose is genetically modified. A recent study published in Environmental Health stated that nearly half of commercial HFCS tested contained mercury, which has been linked to a number of nervous system disorders.

The important thing to know is that HFCS is found in many products including yogurt, soda, bread, crackers, muffins, etc. Because of this, many people are consuming a large amount of HFCS without realizing it. Per capita consumption of HFCS increased from less than one pound per person per capita to over 60 pounds from 1970 to 2000 annually. (USDA Economic Research Service)

Don’t be deceived by headlines on the front of packages. “Natural Whole Wheat Bread” may contain HFCS so be sure to check your food labels before buying any products.

Regardless what the media or anyone else tells us, the bottom line is: know your body. Consider what you consume and its effect on your health. What is health-promoting for one person could be deadly for another. Begin to listen and pay attention to your body’s signals, and you will come to a new way of knowing what is healthy for you.

1. Use a Toaster Oven in Place of Your Microwave
* Microwaves cause the molecules in food to vibrate at high speeds, creating friction and heat that destroys healthy vitamins and enzymes.
* Microwaves reduce the nutritional value of all foods/beverages heated inside.
* The chemical alterations may cause lymphatic malfunctions, which affect the body’s immune response.
* Microwaves may form free radicals which are atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons. They become highly reactive and are associated with oxidative damage (aging and cell damage), which is why antioxidants are so important to health and healing.
* People ingesting microwaved food show a higher-than-normal percentage of cancer cells in their blood.
* Studies have shown that humans, animals, and plants that are located within a 500-meter radius of an operational microwave show a decreased function in vital energy.

2. Use Stainless Steel or Cast Iron Pans
* Aluminum and tephlon cookware has been connected with brain disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, behavior abnormality, poor memory and impaired motor/visual coordination.

3. Seek Out Alternatives to Plastic
* Use glass storage containers to store food, like Pyrex, that can go from your freezer directly to your oven.
* After purchasing food stored in plastic from the grocery store, remove and repackage in glass or ceramic that is lead free.
* Always recycle one-time plastic containers; don’t reuse.
* Use stainless steel or glass water bottles for every-day use.
* Store flour, sugar, and other pantry items in glass containers. (Try reusing finished containers of almond butter or pickles.)
* Use a wooden cutting board.
* Use a wooden spatula.

Did you know that bee pollen contains more than 5,000 enzymes and co-enzymes? Enzymes are powerful and life-promoting. Enzyme-rich foods = energy!

Bee pollen also contains 22 amino acids including the eight essential ones. Amino acids are important to sustaining energy, building blocks of proteins, and aid in metabolism. Bee pollen also has 27 minerals and an array of vitamins, hormones and fatty acids. Check out your local farmer’s market for a fresh, local supply.

Been pollen has been used successfully to treat a variety of ailments including allergies, asthma, low energy, arthritis, cancer, and menstrual irregularities.

How to take bee pollen
Start with a small amount and slowly build up to one tablespoon or so a day. Bee pollen has detoxifying effects and may provoke an allergic reaction for those taking it for the first time, so it is good to start off taking a small amount.

You can mix bee pollen in with your oatmeal, smoothies, or add it in with your honey and spread it on toast.

Note: Be sure the bee pollen has not been dried at temperatures higher than 130 degrees because high temperatures deactivate the live, active enzymes.