Hi Reader,
Good morning. How has your week been? We started our weekly in-person Yoga sessions again. If you haven't joined yet, book your place here. We regularly practise one of the spring breathing techniques below, Kapalabhati; if you want to learn it, pop in.
I have been busy this week checking venues for a day retreat for this September. I found a great one just 40 minutes away, so stay tuned for the details. This is super exciting π!
We also had the 'How to Eat for your Dosha' masterclass on Thursday, with some great conversations at the end. To watch the replay, click here.
That's what's happening!
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3 Breathing Techniques for Spring
Here are three breathing practices to keep you energised this Spring.
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Still need to book?
Haven't secured your space yet for the in-person sessions? Here is the link again.
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Food Cravings? What do they show you?
Some say the body craves what it needs. Others say it shows an imbalance. So, which one is right?
Ah, bummer, both are. If it would just be easy for once, right?
Here's how you can gauge it.
When I come home after a day of Yoga teacher training, I sure crave a cup of ginger chai and a packet of salted crisps. I know, you might think I have some kitchadi on the stove waiting for me :) And for my dosha, where Pitta heavily features and salt increases Pitta, kitchadi would be the better option.
But the salty taste, among other things, moistens the body and helps maintain the water-electrolyte balance. It is also energising, nutritive, grounding, and soothing to the nervous system. The salty taste nourishes the plasma (the first tissue- rasa dhatu), clears the body's channels, prevents stiffness, and enhances the spirit.
So it is exactly what I need after that day of talking and moving a lot which is aggravating and drying. And I feel better afterwards. This is a balancing effect of food cravings: the cravings stop after you have eaten what you crave.
But if I continued craving salty food the next day, the day after, and so on, then it would highlight an imbalance. If I followed the cravings, the imbalance would progress quickly into increased heat in the body; maybe my eyes would start burning, my skin would be dry, heartburn would develop, and so on.
In short:
- if the craving stops after you have eaten what you crave, the body needs that particular substance or taste.
- if the cravings continue, it shows an imbalance.
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How to prevent cravings?
Ayurveda suggests that each meal should contain the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, astringent). This covers the body's needs and keeps cravings at bay.
Eating regular meals at regular times also prevents cravings because you nourish your body regularly, so again, cravings are kept at bay.
Sipping hot water throughout the day also helps to keep the body balanced.
What are your cravings? Do you have them? Do you give in or resist? I would love to hear about your experience with them; hit reply and let me know.
Have a great week.