5 Self-Healing Tips From Ayurveda

Once Hestia Retreat has a permanent home on Vashon Island, programs and retreats from a wide variety of healing modalities will be available to all those who visit the Retreat Center. Ayurveda, the 5,000 year old system of natural healing that has its roots in India, is one such modality.

Luckily for Vashon, Ronly Blau is an Islander who is a seasoned Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner offering 1:1 consultations, yoga instruction and ayurvedic bodywork.  Her style is friendly and informal, yet she has an enormous amount of knowledge that she shares freely.  Her clients appreciate her guidance and her “remarkable ability to make Ayurveda accessible without being preachy”.

We’re so grateful to Ronly for these tips on how to benefit from the wisdom of Ayurveda at home.  Read on to learn more about the simple power of self-healing.

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5 Self-Healing Tips From Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient nature-based healing modality originating from India. The word “ayurveda” literally means life truth. I take this to heart. At its deepest core, it is a profound method for healing so that we can live in our truth. These simple 5 daily healing rituals from ayurveda, are not more things to add to our “to do” lists. Rather, they offer us a different, more balanced way of doing the things we already do.

My suggestion is to read them over, see which one or ones resonate with you the most and try integrating them into your life one at a time. In this way, it is not overwhelming. You are able to see for yourself the impact of changing just one daily ritual. Once you experience some positive results, you will be motivated to add another. This is how Ayurveda works best, one step at a time, transforming your life through awareness and wisdom.

1) Warm lemon water in the morning:

Instead of reaching for that caffeine first thing in the morning, try a warm cup of water with a squeeze of lemon to rehydrate and awaken the senses and digestion. (Coffee is a topic all in itself, but suffice it to say, if you drink caffeine, it is better to have it with or at the end of your meal because of its acidic quality and negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract.) The protective stomach lining needs water to maintain its integrity and if there is not enough, the body will not make the appropriate amount of digestive acids, anticipating that the body is not properly protected. The warm water also serves to stimulate peristalsis and morning evacuation. The lemon acts as a cleaner on the digestive tract loosening up toxins and undigested food matter(ama). In addition the sour taste increases salivary secretions, stimulates appetite and enhances secretion of digestive enzymes. Try it. It feels clean!

2) Abhyanga (self oil massage):

You probably already use some type of lotion/moisturizer after you bathe. However, when you replace this habit with a high quality oil, you not only keep the skin supple and moist, but coat the nerves that lie just below the skins surface. Nerve cells need good fat to stay healthy and this ritual will help stabilize and calm the nervous system.  In addition, you avoid the many added chemicals, stabilizers, fragrances in most lotions that block the channels of the body. Purchase a high quality oil that you prefer such as: sesame, almond, sunflower, or coconut. Feel free to add your favorite pure essential oils so it smells exquisite. Before your shower or bath, coat the whole body with the oil, using long strokes over muscles and circular motions around joints. When looking down at your body, make clockwise circles around your belly and chest. In addition,you can add a light coat of oil after the shower before you dress. It is a great way to nurture self-love.

3) Eat your biggest meal at lunchtime:

Ayurveda recognizes that we are intimately intertwined with Nature and therefore subject to the influences of circadian rhythms that effect all of life on earth. Just as the sun is strongest midday, so is our own internal sun-digestion. Our strongest digestive capacity is midday and therefore we can handle more of our nutrition needs between the hours of 10am and  2pm. In addition, eating a satisfying and nourishing lunch will give us energy that lasts throughout the afternoon without needing that sugar or caffeine pick-me-up. We will also be less hungry for dinner, making it easier to eat a lighter supper, (think of “supper” coming from the word, supplemental) enabling us to go to bed without overburdening the digestive tract. This simple change can often have big results, including helping us shed any excess weight.

4) Go to bed early:

According to Ayurveda we have natural rhythms associated with the elements. From 6pm-10pm the earth and water elements (kapha) accumulate in the body giving us the feeling of being grounded, heavy and stable. These qualities are conducive to sleep and therefore if we can get to bed by 10pm we can ride that peak accumulation of kapha into a nice restful sleep. However, if we stay up past this time, the pitta or fire principle kicks in giving us that “second wind” revving up the mind and body, making it more difficult to get to sleep. In addition, the liver has been shown to be more active in its detoxification role between 10pm and 2am. If you are still up it cannot work as efficiently. It needs to be freed up to do its job well. If you are a night owl, move gradually towards this bed time. As you know, a good nights sleep changes everything.

5) A daily mindful task:

I like saving the best for last and this is definitely my current favorite!  For most of us, it is hard to find the time, space and quiet to take on a daily meditation practice. This, however, is a practice that needs no extra time, special alter, or TV sitter for the kids. In this practice you choose one task that you do everyday and you just do that task. I know, sounds too simple doesn’t it? But it really is that simple. It means not planning, worrying about the future, spacing out in fantasy or listening to NPR, while you hurry through the task. I chose a particularly stressful time in my day, the morning hustle of getting kids off to school which entails: making breakfast, kids’ lunches, chicken/dog care, and the occasional morning melt down, all in a 40 minute window. In the beginning, I recommend choosing something simple such as feeding the dog, putting away the clean dishes, folding laundry or walking to get the mail.

What I remind myself is, awareness is always here. It is not difficult to notice what you are doing while you are doing it...the feel of the knife moving through apples, the smell of eggs in the frying pan, the cold air on my face as I let the dog out. It is just a practice of noticing with interest. What IS difficult is remembering to do this. However, what I have found is that by keeping this mindful practice to one consistent task, it is reseeding itself. Another words, I have become conditioned to being mindful through this morning ritual. There have been times when I forgot and started making sandwiches in a frenzy and then upon noticing, immediately dropped into awareness. The mindfulness has even blurred over into other times I am preparing food as a new habit. But what really keeps me motivated in this practice is that I am much more centered and present with my kids through the busy morning, which actually no longer seems chaotic to me. wow!

Learn more about Ronly and Ayurveda at www.meadowheartayurveda.com.

How to Honor the Mother Within for All Women with Anne Pillsbury

Mother’s Day.  The absurdity of taking one day per year to appreciate the notion of motherhood notwithstanding, it’s an opportunity to consider the impact of mothering in your world and in the world in general. 

At Hestia we hold a special reverence for moms that’s not reserved for those who have children.  We see every woman as part of the legion of caregivers, nurturers, peace-spreaders, inspirers, teachers, examples, stewards and lovers of humanity that enables our species to thrive and our planet to survive.  We’re here to celebrate you for what you do, and to remind you that we have your back.

In honor of the traditional Mother’s Day holiday celebrated here in the United States, we asked an incredible woman who happens to be the mother of four to answer a few questions about mothering.  Anne Pillsbury is in awe of moms to the extent that she created a business solely to serve them.  She’s a coach, speaker and facilitator who knows a thing or two about navigating overwhelm and practicing resilience in service to pursuing your dreams, and helps other moms do the same.

Thank you, Anne, for the work you do!

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Anne, what does being a mother mean to you?

I come from a legacy of powerful mothers who dedicated themselves to raising their families and creating, beautiful, loving homes for gathering family together.  I always admired them and the only thing I was sure of growing up was that I wanted to be a mom.  I have been incredibly blessed.  Like my mother and my grandmothers, I have four beautiful, healthy, children, but my life looks very different then the women who came before me. My greatest wish for my children is that they are strong and confident.  What I didn’t understand is that your children can’t have what you don’t and confidence was always a challenge for me. 

I had so many messages of who I was “supposed” to be and a straitjacket of perfectionism that kept me from exploring options.  My journey in motherhood has been about letting go of all that I “expected” life to look like, and re-inventing it according to my values.  Courage.  Compassion.  Connection.  This is what I want for my children.  Each day I wake up and ask myself “How I can I model these values for my children?”  It is this question that inspires me to dare tp dream, to push my boundaries, to create a life fueled by my desires.  Life has gotten pretty exciting around here!

What does "mothering ourselves" look like?

Mothers are infinitely loving, compassionate and supportive to everyone but themselves.  It breaks my heart again and again when I see moms questioning themselves, beating themselves up, criticizing their looks or their mothering.  It is a particularly sensitive area for me because I struggle with this mightily.  My inner-critic has been a brutal partner for most of my life.    What I learned, however, is that the warm, kind mother I am is not reserved only for my children. I can access her as well.

How do you access your “inner-mother”?

It begins with simply being aware that she is available to you and then calling her in when needed.  Awhile back I was on a retreat doing some spontaneous dancing and I kept finding myself rocking back and forth, hugging myself.  I realized I wanted comfort.  My inner mother was nurturing me like I had nurtured all my babies, and she knew exactly what I needed at that moment.  This was a profound realization for me and now that we’ve been introduced, I call upon her.  Sometimes I catch myself driving myself so hard that all of a sudden in the middle of Target I am tearing up for no apparent reason.  I will pause and ask myself.  “What’s going on?”  I hear an inner voice compassionately saying, “Oh Honey, you are running too hard, you are depleted.  Get out for a walk, take a nap whatever it takes, but STOP running.”  I’ve learned to listen.

Where can we look for guidance on honoring the mother within?

Our mother within is dying to tell us how she’d like to be honored, but we need to give her a moment to speak.  Take five minutes today to ask her.  I know your life is full and things are crazy.  When are you going to get 5 minutes?  You won’t. Take them.  My best alone time happens to be in the car.  Before you dash into the grocery, or when you get home from work, turn off the engine and sit quietly.  Take five slow deep breaths.  Feel into your body, let tensions and thoughts go and ask, “How can I best honor myself today?”  Capture whatever immediately comes to the top of your head uncensored.


Anne Pillsbury is a change catalyst for moms who are ready for their next chapter, even if they don't know exactly what that looks like. A mother of four, Anne launched her career as a coach and marketing communications specialist after thirteen years of being a full-time mom. Come visit her online home annepillsburycoaching.com and get her Emergency Resilience Cheat sheet -7 tips to help you keep your momentum when life has gone sideways.

Mother’s Day Musings for You, From Hestia

We at Hestia celebrate women every single day.  We celebrate women of all types, grateful for the kaleidoscope we create and the impact we have on the world around us.  

Mother’s Day is an opportunity for us to express our reverence to women who mother -- whether they mother children, movements, or the Earth.  We salute all of you.

You.  And you.  And you.  Happy Mother’s Day to you.

Hestia has formed an allegiance with another organization devoted to our kaleidoscope, called Emerging Women, that aims to change the world through feminine leadership.  Emerging Women produces live events for women that are truly life-changing, and will be hosting an evening in Seattle on Thursday, June 5.  Please save the date for this; we’ll be back with details soon.

Meantime, Chantal Pierrat, the founder of the organization, has written a Mother’s Day blog post we want to share with you today.  It’s a compilation of women who “rock the world” in their expression of mothering.  While there are plenty of biological and adoptive moms in the mix, we appreciate Chantal’s inclusion of women who “channel the mother archetype in order to uplift those in need”.

"Mothers not only physically create us, they shape our ideas of the potential and possibilities available to us as we grow into our true selves. From creator to protector, healer to warrior, different representations of motherhood in our lives can serve to empower all of us during periods of emergence.”

Click here to read the full post.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and intentions this Mother’s Day.  What qualities of motherhood do you want to bring forward in your own life right now?  Please add your comments below.

With great appreciation for the mothering you do,

The Team at Hestia Retreat

How to Re-Enter Your Life After Retreat

It probably took some doing to make your retreat happen. 

If you’re like most of us, taking a retreat wasn’t as simple as booking time on your calendar and finding a room to stay in.  You likely had to wrangle with the snarky inner voice telling you that retreats are luxuries or that you’re being selfish.  Then you had to rationalize spending time and money on yourself – this runs counter to your genetic programming and your learned behavior.

Brava, dear one.  Good on you for making your retreat happen.  It was a challenge, and you did it. 

You researched, you planned, you created.  If you went to a retreat center perhaps you budgeted and saved for months.  If yours was a homegrown retreat, you set up circumstances to step out of the ordinary and into intentional space for whatever length of time was do-able and desired.

Your retreat was what you needed to recharge; you reset your thermostat.  You rested, you shook up your routine, you got perspective by turning inward.  At the end of it you find yourself relaxed and renewed. 

So now what?  How do you head back “out there” once your retreat is over?

The return from what you experience on retreat can be disorienting and upsetting if not carefully navigated.  Take time to plan not only your entry but also your departure from retreats of all types, formal and informal.

Here are some tips on transitioning back to your life once you’re ready to leave the cocoon of your retreat.

 

Close the door behind you

Consciously end your retreat; having a hard stop enables you to step away from the temporary container you created for yourself.  The phrase “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” might apply here … think about what you may not want to share with others, so as to preserve its integrity.  Your time on retreat was sacred; honor it.

Declare to yourself that the retreat is over, and mark it in some way.  You may want to speak it out loud, take a specific physical action or create an image in your journal that evokes closure.  Leave when you have truly closed the door, metaphorically speaking.

Inhabit the buffer zone

Jennifer Louden, in her Women’s Retreat Book, talks about “liminal space”, which is the not-quite-in and not-quite-out phase we walk through on our way back home from retreat.  Consciously inhabit this container as you conclude your experience and begin the process of coming back to ordinary life.  Allow yourself to be somewhere between the ritualized nature of your retreat, and the habitual busyness of your existence.  Do this by moving slowly, gently guiding yourself with encouraging words, and resisting the temptation to drop back into habits like checking email/phone or multitasking. 

Stay present with what’s happening in the buffer zone until you feel strong enough to step back into your world.

 

Small sips

Once you’re back in the saddle, keep your retreat alive by returning to what you discovered there.  Take regular breaks that include an invitation to drop into the spaciousness you experienced, and recall any insight or “aha’s” that surfaced while you were there.  The effects of your retreat are both immediate and gradual; be open to receiving what will show itself to you slowly over time as a result of the experience you created for yourself. 

Building regular retreats into your life is a beautiful way of honoring yourself and deepening your self-knowledge.   With each successive experience you allow yourself, you’ll better understand how to integrate the simple and profound practice of retreat. 

What is your experience with returning home after some time on retreat?  How do you ease the transition?  How do you continue to reap the benefits of retreat once you’re back to your usual schedule and lifestyle?