Neti Pot Miracles

Maybe it is the dryness of my forced air heating or the damp of the California rains I'll never know. What ever the external cause I have had mildly blogged sinuses since I had an odd sort of cold a few weeks ago. Just the sort of thing you keep telling yourself, "this will go away on it's own" but it hasn't. So finally I'm taking my own best advise and getting out the trusted neti pot.

I personally like the plastic neti "horn". It is soft, warm and the angle of the spout makes the whole thing work really well. Plus, it comes with a little salt measuring spoon so you get the dilution right everytime for a pleasant no sting experience. (If you suspect you may have an infection try adding a pinch of turmeric powder. It is a natural antibiotic. Of course if the problems gets worse do see a doctor.) After gently but thoroughly blowing my nose I put 1/4 teaspoon of organic coconut oil in each nostril. The easiest way to do that is to lay on your back on your bed with your head over the side so your nose is as verticle as possible. Put the oil in semi solid and lay there until it melts. When you sit up have a tissue ready for drips! It has worked every time in the past. I'll keep you posted.

Here we are at the beginning of February with Christmas and New Year now a shadowy memory. But for us here at Diamond Way Ayurveda we have have a second chance to catch our breath, as we have celebrated Tibetan New Year for the last twenty five years or more, and set new resolutions once again.

After the rains California is jewel green so that too makes us feel like fresh energy and new beginnings. So what is new for us.

Our Head Support Pillows and Tummy Warmers now have beautiful new covers. With an increasing need to feel a sense of personal inner peace and to have quiet time to go inside we suggest the whole pillow set with the meditation CD as a great gift idea. Photos will be online very soon.

We have fallen in love with the new Kansa Vataki foot bowls and have been experimenting with using them on backs and necks with or without our Tension Lotion. We are amazed how easy it is to work deeply with such comfort for both therapist and client and feel they are going to be a great success at the Miami Show in April.

We have set up classes in Florida in April with our trainer Tracy Henson. Check the website for details. Classes in Florida are now two days and focused on practical hands on.

Melanie has been writing about how to green your spa and these short articles will be in LNE magazine.

AND Biggest of all we are searching for funding so we can go to India in August and train in a special therapy to help veterans with PTSD.

PLUS I feel more on board and have vowed to become a blogger and Face Book user so get ready for more notes about our new directions and achievements!

Ayurveda and The Season

Winters these days are so unpredictable. I remember when I was growing up in Cleveland that winter was cold and white. There was sometimes a weird thaw. But, lately, weird is the norm.

In the predictions made by more enlightened beings of the past, it was said that this time period would be Vata-aggravating. And so, we see more chronic illnesses, wild fluctuations in energy levels, mental instability.

When spring thaw came, the sedentary life we lead during the winter would make us need to detox some of the Kapha excesses of not moving so much, sleeping and eating more. But, the variability of the time makes Vata also get unbalanced.

To remedy this Vata aggravation, it is important to remember that this is STILL winter. Just because the temperature climbs to summer degrees doesn't mean that it is sensible to go out in a t-shirt and flip flops. Keep your body and mind settled, even if this seems the boring thing to do. For if one gets caught on the wind of unpredictability, more than likely you will will see immune challenges in the spring.

Back from Phowa and worshops...

Dear Friends,
The phowa retreat with our friend, Lama Ole, was quite wonderful. Melanie and I were especially happy as all 3 of our children learned the practice.

Now, over the next few weeks, we have 3 workshops to give. Starting on Monday, the 7th, we teach Tibetan Shirodhara. Then, over the weekend I do a Nine Star Ki Astrology class. Then the following weekend, on Saturday, the 19th, I shall be doing a class on conscious dying.

If you are in or around the central coast of CA and can join us, let us know. Best to call at 805-543-9291.

Yours,
Robert and Melanie

Pancha Karma and Phowa

This weekend, Melanie and I shall be giving Pancha Karma to some clients. These are the deeply detoxing treatments of Ayurveda. After this weekend, we are off to San Diego to attend a PHOWA retreat with our dear friend, Lama Ole Nydahl. PHOWA is the conscious dying yoga of Tibetan Buddhism. It is an extremely useful practice as it creates a reflexive channel for one to leave through the crown chakra at the moment of death - which can happen at any moment. It also helps you to do this for friends. If you have ever read or are interested in reading my book, Rebirth Into Pure Land, you can learn more about this practice. And, if you want to learn about the retreat, go to http://www.diamondway.org/phowa2009.

Also, a reminder that if you shop with us by calling or online, mention our 20% rebate on purchases. This sale is for all retail products and will last until the first of he year.
Much Love,
Robert (and Melanie)

The need for prevention

It will be interesting to see what the final health care bills look like. Hopefully there will be some form of universal coverage. But, that said, allopathic medicine is extremely costly. If this is the only form of healing included in the government offering, then it is bound to be costly and ineffective.

Ayurveda has the potential to be the holistic health paradigm par excellence in helping people to put together a lifestyle that eases their stress and tension, two of the primary causes that lead to chronic illness.

In that light, we are including more helpful hints on our website. And, you will see hints offered here each week as well.

So, hint Number 1 - If you are concerned about your weight, drink a cup of hot water (boiled and cooled slightly) first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. AND, to improve digestion for anyone, drink a cup of hot water about 5 minutes after each meal.

Let us know how this tip helps.

Changes We Hope You Like

We hope you have noticed the changes on our website. We have tried to make it so that there is more information about our treatments, our trainings, and our products. PLUS, we have made available a number of downloads which we hope are useful for your self-knowledge and practice.

That said, we would like to hear from you to find out if there is other information about Ayurveda or what we do that you would like to have more readily available. Feel free to comment on this blog or contact us directly.