Your Irresistible Life: 4 Seasons of Self-Care Through Ayurveda and Yoga Practices That Work

by Madhuri Phillips, Glynnis Osher

Overview

Feel empowered.
Look youthful.
Love your irresistible life.
Despite our greatest intentions (and having the knowledge and tools at our fingertips), we too have struggled at times to make self-care a priority. As a result we have ended up feeling worn-down, stressed-out, disempowered, and less than ourselves.
Sound at all familiar?
We will guide you through four seasons of self-care that can transform your life. We draw upon the ancient principles and practices of Ayurveda and Yoga with the sass and sensibility of the busy, modern-day woman.
These easy-to-follow food routines, Yoga practices, beauty secrets, home remedies, cleanses, and self-care suggestions will bring you radiant health for life. Everything in this book has helped us shine in our own lives. If you too desire...amazing energy, glowing skin, restful sleep, excellent digestion, and a positive outlook...this illuminating Ayurveda and Yoga guidebook is for you!
"Madhuri and Glynnis have united the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda and the ancient spiritual discipline of Yoga in a most simple, practical way that can heal every individual and unfold the inner harmony of life in daily living."
--Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc, Ayurvedic Physician
Author of Ayurveda: Science of Self-Healing, Textbook of Ayurveda series and more
"With their earned expertise, Glynnis & Madhuri have made the immense power of Ayurveda so incredibly easy to practice--daily and deeply. As a big fan of Ayurveda, this is the system I've been looking for--both logical and loving, ritualistic and practical, ancient and modern."
--Danielle LaPorte, creator of The Desire Map & The Fire Starter Sessions "Instead of feeling exhausted at the end of each day, Your Irresistible Life allows us to flow with the seasons, with the current of nature, finishing each day with the same energy as we started."
--Dr. John Douillard DC, LifeSpa.com

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452577579
Publisher:	Balboa Press
Publication date:	08/21/2013
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.57(d)

Read an Excerpt

Your Irresistible Life

4 Seasons of Self-Care through Ayurveda and Yoga Practices that Work

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By Madhuri Phillips, Glynnis Osher

Balboa Press

Copyright © 2013 Madhuri Phillips and Glynnis Osher
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4525-7757-9

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CHAPTER 1

How to Use This Book: Preparing for Your Journey

Our intention with this book is to guide you through a year long process that will radically transform your life to whatever degree you would like. We decided to live, explore, and enact the teachings of this book as we wrote it, putting ourselves through everything we are asking you to try out (and sharing with you some of our personal journal entries through the year).

Nature Herself will be your guide as she takes you through the changing seasons. We, feeding off Her wisdom and the proven solutions of Ayurveda and Yoga, will suggest a variety of appropriate foods, practices, and processes that compliment the time of the year. Each season is different from the next, so that what is beneficial during one season may not be optimal during another.

Align yourself with Her. Honor Her. Allow your own inner wisdom to be your greatest teacher. Your personal life will be the raw canvas of inspiration, challenge, and transformation. So please, begin this book at whatever season you choose.

Join us on this amazing journey as we introduce you to the ancient principles and practices of Ayurveda and Yoga, combined with our modern day sensibilities and savvy.

Everything in this book is here because it has helped us in our lives. We hope this book will be a strong, loving, and compassionate guide.

Wherever you may be, and wherever you would like to go, this book sets out to help you create the life you know you are here to live.

"Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance."

~ Yoko Ono

Paving the Way

Going on any journey requires some preparation, sorting out what to bring and what not to take, a clear direction, and an idea about what kind of journey you are taking.

The journey inwards is no different.

Here are some questions for you to journal to help you establish where you are, where you want to go, and how you are going to get there.

1. How do you define yourself?

2. What three things are most out of balance in your life right now or need the most attention? (Relationship, health, finances, career, creativity, family, fun, etc.)

3. What do you need to let go of to be more of the person you want to be?

4. What qualities do you need to cultivate or expand to be more of the person you truly are?

5. To whom or where do you give your power away?

6. Why do you give your power away?

7. What three things can you start to do today to live in alignment with the truth of who you are?

8. What would your ideal, non-negotiable self-care time look like?

9. What does making a commitment to your own self-care mean to you?

10. What is one thing you are willing to eliminate from your daily routine that is not serving you?

11. What is one thing you would be excited about incorporating into your daily routine?

12. a. What five words do you use in your day-to-day conversations that you would like to eliminate?

b. And what five words do you rarely use that you want to use more often?

Preparation For Your Journey

The journey to your irresistible life begins now.

Preparing for your journey is about setting the foundation for your practice and helps you to begin with stability, confidence, and ease.

Having all the right tools sets you up for success in your commitment to your own self-care. We can often be stopped in our tracks if we suddenly find we are missing a basic support tool, or we do not plan properly for the journey ahead.

What You Should Pack for Your Journey

• Your intention.

• A journal to write your daily inspirations, affirmations, and observations.

• A yoga mat.

• A comfortable meditation pillow or chair.

• An altar space set up with your symbol of empowerment that can inspire and ground you.

First, Clear the Clutter

Where there is no space, nothing new will bloom. Think of the areas of your life that feel cluttered, full, or perhaps overflowing.

Is your to-do list endless?

Are your closets stuffed with things you no longer remember are there?

Is your mind overwhelmed with thoughts or beliefs that leave you in a negative mind-rut?

Clearing the clutter in all aspects of your life is essential in order to remove anything that is weighing you down, keeping you in an old version of yourself or one that you wish to evolve beyond.

Go through your closets and give away, recycle, get rid of the things you no longer need, use, or like. As you shift who you are, your beliefs, priorities, and energetic frequency will change, as will your preferences. Just let go!

Easier said then done. We understand. If you have a challenging time letting go of things start with smaller stuff like clearing out your bathroom and dispose of make-up or products that are aged or rancid. Clear your kitchen of old spices, herbs, teas, and foods that are well past their due date.

A fresh start.

CHAPTER 2

I Intend

Where the mind goes energy flows. Where you place your energy through thought, intention, and emotion will determine what you manifest in your life. If you are constantly focusing on the negative, you will see more of that. If you choose to see the positive and focus there, you will get more of the positive showing up for you.

Living intentionally is one of the most power-packed tools you can use to align yourself with the flow of life you wish to be in. Initially, this takes great practice, and eventually, it becomes so ingrained that you will be consciously co-creating your world and meeting life's ups and downs with greater ease and grace.

How to Set Your Intention

1. Phrase your intention in the positive.

2. Keep it fairly short and succinct so that it is easily repeatable.

3. Once you have chosen an intention that resonates with you, stick with it until it becomes manifest.

4. Write your intention out 50 times and repeat it as often as possible (sticky notes on the fridge, in your car, and on the bathroom mirror work as great reminders).

Setting your intention and energizing it daily is imperative to keeping you on track. Repeating your intention with heart and soul begins to reprogram the neuro-network that sends signals from your brain to the rest of your body.

You are what you think.

Most of what goes through our minds are thoughts, beliefs, or conditioning from our past. We react from circumstances or past experiences, very rarely from an empowered place of the present. The past is merely a story we repetitively tell. The present is creation. To live in the here and now, we need to be present and consciously see, feel, and know when we are choosing with awareness ... or just reacting. This may be a lifelong practice as you continually refine your present moment awareness.

Sharing Our Personal Intentions From the Time We Spent Living and Writing this Book

M

My intention for the year is self-acceptance, self-love, and expressing myself creatively by being a clear channel through which the Divine energy can effortlessly flow. I plan to commit to my intention in the various aspects of my life in the following ways:

• Health—experience increased vitality and balance through my yoga practice, biking, kayaking, and getting out into Nature.

• Wealth and Abundance—experience my true value and self-worth, and be well compensated for the work that I do in the world.

• Creativity—write a book!

• Fun—get back into dancing and spend more time with friends and family.

G

I intend to thoroughly investigate the root causes of suffering in some areas of my life that are obstacles towards healing so that my spirit can flourish and I may fulfill my destiny.

• I intend to commit to a life of beauty and joy through a steady self-care practice.

• I intend to walk this journey mindfully, transforming habits that no longer serve me.

• I intend to embrace a life of abundance, wealth, beauty, creativity, grace, and awareness.

• I intend to offer authentic service to others.

• I intend to play, dance, sing, create, shine, and love.

• I intend to give myself enough space and time to do this.

Symbol of Personal Empowerment

Your intention is one tool for you on your journey. Your empowerment symbol is another way to connect with the energy of the direction you are choosing to go.

This symbol is the sign post for your journey to remind you that you are on track and to assist you to stay the course when obstacles, issues, and challenges stand in your way. Having a tangible symbol that you connect and resonate with is very powerful to keep you on the path and remind you of your strong intention.

Take some time to listen to your intuition rather than logically choosing something as your personal empowerment symbol.

Go out in nature or sit very quietly and ask yourself what symbol, representation, or object would most reflect your intention at this time. There is no right or wrong way to choose your symbol. Feel free to draw, paint, or colour it. Create your symbol, find it, and make it your own, whatever it is.

Once you are sure of your symbol, write down what it means to you and how it empowers you.

Sharing Our Symbols of Empowerment

M

My symbol of empowerment is a statue of Nataraj, the Lord of the Dance. To me this statue represents power, vitality, and the ability to move gracefully with the flow of life.

G

My symbol of empowerment is the Lotus. A Lotus flower symbolizes the sun, creation, and rebirth. At night, the flower closes and sinks under the muddy water: At dawn, it rises and opens again, growing into the light. To me, this flower represents the chance to begin anew each day without being discouraged by guilt and regret, or being bogged down by any shadows within myself.

CHAPTER 3

Ayurveda: It Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

Ayurveda is derived from two roots: Ayu, meaning life; and Veda, which means knowledge. The knowledge of life, the science of life, is Ayurveda. Today, we associate Ayurveda with India and it can get confusing because some people think they have to eat Indian food or wear traditional Indian clothing to practice Ayurveda. Not so.

Ayurveda is an inclusive healing modality. It is the mother of all medicine, and, at its essence, it understands everything through the lens of the five elements theory. In India, this art and science has been developed, notated, and systemized for over 5,000 years.

The profound transformational practices within the scope of Ayurvedic Medicine are still being used today because they work, irrespective of culture or belief system. However, throughout time, every ancient culture and civilization embodied an understanding of living in harmony with nature: This organic evolution is how Ayurveda also originated.

• By observing Nature, we realize we are Nature: We are not separate.

• The five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—make up everything on this planet, including you and I.

• We are all beautiful expressions of a unique alchemical combination of these five elements in distinct form. No two people have the exact same ratio of earth, water, fire, air, and ether.

When you learn the principles of Ayurveda, you will see how timeless and applicable they are to every single being. You will be empowered by connecting to the qualitative embodiment of how the five elements are not some esoteric idea, but a practical and applicable system to understanding how you can be balanced and healthy. This universal knowledge will be your greatest ally throughout your life as your health and needs continue to change. Awareness is the key to healing.

We must first be aware that we are not living in balance before we are inspired to make a change. So often it takes a major trauma or sickness before we are literally forced to reassess the way that we have been living our life. Sometimes, this comes in the form of an accident or disease; sometimes, it may be a divorce or loss of a loved one that wakes us up to the realization that we are not living the life we really want to be living.

Sharing A Realization of My Life Out of Balance

M

For me, it was an illness that the Western medical world was not able to diagnose or even treat that catapulted me into fully absorbing the practices and philosophy of Ayurveda. On one of my pilgrimages to India, I became very ill. A plethora of symptoms (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, delirious behaviour, sweating, coughing, and extreme fatigue) left me lying on a wooden bed at the ashram, wishing I were anywhere but there. I pushed through the illness, feeling guilty for not contributing to duties and chores, doing 16 hours of karma yoga per day.

After leaving the ashram, I continued on my planned journey, traveling through South-East Asia for seven months. It was not until I returned home to Canada that I was able to admit that I wasn't well. Previously, I was able to dance eight hours a day, but after my journey through Asia, just walking up a flight of stairs was exhausting.

I was sent by my family doctor to a foreign disease specialist in Toronto where every test known to man was conducted for all manner of illness: diabetes, parasites, AIDS, hepatitis, and on and on. I gave more blood than I thought I had and became really good at peeing into tiny plastic containers. After months of patiently waiting for my appointment with the specialist, I anticipated receiving a definitive diagnosis of my condition and a suitably great action plan. Nope.

I was told there was nothing wrong with me.

But, but, but ... I wanted to scream. Cry. Give up. How could the specialist tell me there was nothing wrong with me when my body was clearly sick, exhausted, and depleted of all energy? I moved home to live at my Dad's place. I didn't have energy to hold down a job, let alone teach Yoga to anyone.
(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Your Irresistible Life by Madhuri Phillips, Glynnis Osher. Copyright © 2013 Madhuri Phillips and Glynnis Osher. Excerpted by permission of Balboa Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgements....................     xiii     

Foreword by Maya Tiwari....................     xv     

Introduction....................     xix     

Part 1 Now We Begin....................          

Chapter 1 How to Use This Book: Preparing for Your Journey.................     3     

Chapter 2 I Intend....................     6     

Part 2 The Essentials....................          

Chapter 3 Ayurveda: It Doesn't Have to Be Complicated....................     11     

Chapter 4 Dinacharya/Ritucharya (Daily and Seasonal Routine)...............     20     

Chapter 5 Seasonal Food Practices: The Food Fantastic....................     26     

Chapter 6 Self-Care Is Sexy Not Selfish....................     33     

Chapter 7 The Truth About Yoga....................     36     

Chapter 8 Breath Is Life: Pranayama Practice....................     41     

Chapter 9 Meditation: "Is the Noise in My Head Bothering You?".............     43     

Chapter 10 Seasonal Ceremony and Ritual....................     45     

Chapter 11 Cleansing: When? Why? How?....................     47     

Part 3 Spring Time....................          

Chapter 12 The Verve of Spring....................     53     

Chapter 13 Spring Routines....................     59     

Chapter 14 Spring Food Practices....................     61     

Chapter 15 Spring Self-Care....................     69     

Chapter 16 Spring Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation....................     76     

Chapter 17 Spring Ceremony and Ritual....................     84     

Chapter 18 15-Day Sensational Spring Cleanse....................     87     

Part 4 Summer Time....................          

Chapter 19 The Exuberance of Summer....................     93     

Chapter 20 Summer Routines....................     97     

Chapter 21 Summer Food Practices....................     100     

Chapter 22 Summer Self-Care Practices....................     109     

Chapter 23 Summer Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation Practices................     116     

Chapter 24 Summer Ceremony and Ritual....................     124     

Chapter 25 7-Day Easy Juicy Summer Cleanse....................     127     

Part 5 Fall Time....................          

Chapter 26 The Abundance of Fall....................     133     

Chapter 27 Fall Routines....................     137     

Chapter 28 Fall Food Practices....................     139     

Chapter 29 Fall Self-Care....................     148     

Chapter 30 Fall Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation Practices..................     154     

Chapter 31 Fall Ceremony and Ritual....................     163     

Chapter 32 Fantastic 14-Day Fall Cleanse....................     167     

Part 6 Winter Time....................          

Chapter 33 The Hush of Winter....................     173     

Chapter 34 Winter Routines....................     177     

Chapter 35 Winter Food Practices....................     180     

Chapter 36 Winter Self-Care....................     188     

Chapter 37 Winter Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation Practices................     195     

Chapter 38 Winter Ceremony and Ritual....................     204     

Chapter 39 Winter Restoration: Rasayana....................     207     

Part 7 Going Deeper....................          

Chapter 40 Weird Ayurvedic Practices ... That Work!....................     213     

Chapter 41 Ayurvedic Home Remedies....................     215     

Chapter 42 Tongue and Face Diagnosis....................     223     

Chapter 43 Not So Common, Common Sense Ayurvedic Tips....................     228     

Epilogue....................     231     

Glossary....................     233     

Bibliography....................     237     

Resources....................     239     

Index....................     241     

About the Authors....................     245