The turning of the year is a good time to take the opportunity to look back and reflect – the highs and lows, the challenges and the bright sparks.
As the earth sleeps in the dark of the year a new cycle is beginning and already the light is returning slowly after the Winter Solstice to bring the new shoots of a promised Spring.
After the festivities many people feel exhausted, bloated and low on energy – too much of a good thing! I love that Ayurveda offers many easy ways to feel great! Clear and cleanse body and mind with simple methods that can be easily adapted to your daily routines such as starting the day with a drink of hot/warm water then having ginger + lemon tea – a simple and really great way to help the body to detox and refresh.
Beauty starts within – we really are what we eat! Diet and Lifestyle are a major factor in keeping body and mind healthy and balanced. Eat mainly cooked, warm/hot foods. Eat organic whenever possible, eat local, fresh foods and avoid processed foods. Get outside daily – even if only in your lunch break – head for the nearest park.
Be aware that most cosmetics and skincare products contain chemicals and what we put on the skin enters the body within minutes – go natural or choose organic skincare or minimise what you use.
What is to come in 2020 and beyond is yet to be revealed. The planets are aligned, the stage is set, the curtain is about to rise on a new play and players for this next unfolding production in our lives and those around us.
Some suggestions to help get you started: Give yourself time to take a step back. Make time to just “be”, breathe, relax – a few minutes each day will reap benefits. Strengthen your personal foundations. Value the true wealth of life; the natural word all around. Develop a spiritual practice. Help your community. Take care of something; someone, a plant, an animal. Let go of that which no longer serves. Keep an open mind – for what we think we know may not be the case! Keep an open heart – compassion is needed. Sow the seeds of potential – and tend to them. Laugh more. Love deeply.
Yoga – practice regularly. Go with the breath. Yoga is not about having a bendy, stretchy body! Some of the numerous benefits are increased blood circulation which helps the body to detox.
Zing into January with a treatment/massage to give you a kick-start for the year ahead!
Ayurvedic massages and treatments give attention to the channels of the body – Srotas, the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, Kapha, the 7 tissues and also Marma Points – energy points, when included in massage helps to remove Ama/ toxins. Here are some blissful treatments/massages to revitalise you:
Head Massages – Shiro Abhyanga done with oil or Indian Head Massage done without oil. Wonderful for the hair, relaxing, calming to the nervous system, reduces stress
Hasta Abhyanga – hand massage, so deeply relaxing.
Full Body Abhyanga – refreshing and rejuvenating, great for weight loss.
Facelift Treatment Massage – soft, dewy complexion, younger looking skin, anti-ageing.
Throughout January book any 3 treatments/massages and get 30% discount when paid in advance.
Wishing you all a very happy, healthy, prosperous New Year.
Photo credits:
James Wheeler Photography from Pexels