COVID 19, Yoga, Immune Boosting Tips

Nothing like a pandemic to get us all working on our website, blog post, and other internal, home oriented projects. I have not created a blog in a while, the original purpose of the blogs that you find on this website were to share information, insights and ah-ha moments related to yoga and wellness. Today’s post is about acknowledging our position on managing the virus, to share ideas about how yoga, breath work and good nutrition can help us to stay strong physically, mentally and spiritual in the coming days, weeks and help us to face the unknown with a little humour, a lot of science and some good old fashioned movement.

Now I wish to underline the importance of greater prudence in balancing – as Stephen Colbert put it –  "hysteria and an abundance of caution" in how in the yoga community we personally and collectively respond to the coronoavirus pandemic. Social distancing is a new concept for many of us. Most epidemiologists and immunologists believe that social distancing, along with hygiene, is the key to minimizing the spread of the virus.

We understand this is a concerning time with all the fear around the coronavirus, but don't forget: 

We are Yogis, this means we have tools that can control the constant chatter of fear in our mind. Our yoga and meditation can be grounding places where we can let go of stress and worry. Let’s make yoga and meditation a daily habit to keep our immune system strong and resillent to help protect us. In addition, incorporate these immune boosting practices into daily life routine:

• Daily yoga and meditation practice from home, practice yoga and meditation to lower stress levels and increase immune system stength

• Walks in the fresh air also increase Vitamin D levels that support the immune system 

• Drink lots of water. You can add fresh lemon juice into your water because it has been shown to wash virions off of the pharynx and into the stomach where they can be killed.

• Promising research does suggest that vitamin D is vitally important in helping the body fight off respiratory ailments; our bodies need adequate vitamin D to produice the anti-microbial proteins that kill viruses and bacteria. I have always turned to vitamin C and I take a full range of basic vitamins to support healthy living. Stick with your routine or begin to research what might be best for you. I will write more about this in the coming days/weeks.

• Avoid sugar, this lowers the immune system. Consider a few dark chocolate squares with a 70% or higher ratio of cacao in the bar for your sweet tooth - giddy yoyo is one of our favourites - we can ship you one (or a box) today :-)

• Make 8 hours of sleep a big priority 

• Stay connected with friends and family - stream the same movie and jump online and discuss it together afterwards, create book clubs to read the same book and make time to discuss online on FaceTime, google hangouts or zoom (some of my favourites). Have a family member join you for dinner with the same tools - even go so far as to make the same easy to prepare meal and have them at the table on your laptop, iPad or cell phone.

• Up your intake of dark leafy green veggies and freshly made green juices - if these become hard to find - use frozen or canned vegetable in the short term. Lightly cooked greens are easier to digest and at a time of stress the body needs a little help getting the most from our veggies.

• Use lavender and essential oils for stress relief, theives for killing germs and I will write more about using essential oils at this time in a later post.

• Let’s Turn off the news 24/7, stay informed but also don’t overload the nervous system with panic and fear, opt for listing to inspiring content like your favourite podcast, interviews or take time time to read those unread books on the shelf. I am reading one about Carl Jung and the Sioux People - fascinating. Remind yourself that stress lowers your immune system. 

I’ll be sharing some supplement suggestions this week in the meantime stay mindful of the practices that can keep your immune system healthy and don’t live fear. Plus I've created a few recorded yoga classes for you that I am figuring out how to start our online membership a little ahead of schedule. Those classes should be available this week. Everyone who is a current student at the studio will get free access to these recorded and live yoga class session while the studio is closed. New students will be able to contribute 10.00 for unlimited monthly access to all recorded and live classes. We are also working on a podcast that we will also be stepping up our production schedule to make this available as soon as possible.

Your online membership will include:

· Access to Live and recorded yoga classes

· Yoga, Meditation and Wellness Classes

· Podcasts on yoga, meditation, health and wellness

· Live Q + A throughout the year

· Watch Anytime + Anywhere 

I’m so excited for you to experience all these life-enhancing classes and interviews!

Are you ready to experience Master Classes from Master Teacher from the comfort of your own home? 

Join us today! 

Wishing you much metta,

 Denise Davis-Gains and the Atlas Studio team of Teacher, Volunteers and Supporters

5 Tips for Home Practice

1. Create a favourable (clean, light, warm) space.

2. Commit to a specific amount of time or a specific practice.

3. Minimize distractions (turn off the cell phone).

4. Plan your practice (what days/times will you practice).

5. Set clear intention (at this time we might want to set our intention that all those who are suffering due to this virus find peace and wellbeing).

Being vegetarian doesn't mean just eating vegetables

I am tired of keeping quiet on this subject.  Many years ago, more than 30 years now, I noticed that I was exercising, eating well, drinking coffee, sodas and, as I worked out hard, could pretty much eat what ever I wanted to eat and still look ok.  Meaning my body weight and how my clothes fit stayed the same.  But, I did not feel well.  I had chronic indigestion, painful periods and felt exhausted all the time.  I was moody and reactive and believed that there must be a better way to feel and live.  I began to explore and read. I worked in a fitness club and my manager, Chafik, was insightful and had great resources. He frequently sent me to the health food store to solve common problems and it was through Chafik and the health food store owner that I learned about cleansing, fasting, enemas and the toxic effects of eating meat.

I read "Be Here, Be Now " by Ram Das at an early age and was profoundly moved by what he shared.  My life turned a corner and every decision that I made from that time forward was influenced by the philosophy and words of great wisdom encapsulated in this auto-biography.  Ram Das'  journey from unconscious druggie to awakened spiritual aspirant would prove to change my life in many ways, but first, I was introduced to the concept that I was eating meat that was full of adrenaline. I figured I had enough adrenaline to fill a football field, and had the conscious thought that maybe I would feel less angry if I ate less meat.

If anyone can relate to feeling angry out of proportion to the situation, that was me and over a period of several months this proved to help.  The less meat that I ate, the better I felt. This decision to eat less meat, led me to discover the benefits of a plant based diet and how that way of eating could effect the environment.  In the beginning my reasons were self-centred and over time, became more about the environment and the violence to the animals, fish and foul of our planet.

There are 4 main reasons to explore vegetarianism.  Our health: physical; mental; spiritual; and emotional health can be affected by the consumption of meat and meat products.  This is no longer conjecture.  The research is in and the results support leading life with less meat.  The second reason, animal cruelty, there is no good way to kill an animal.  All beings want to live.  Don't you?

The third reason would be the food supply issues.  We are decimating our rain forests for cattle production.  It takes 75lbs of corn and about 2,500 gallons of water to produce 1lb. of beef. This does not have sustainability.  Which leads to the 4th reason, which is the sustainability of our planet.

There are easy ways to get started. Try meatless Mondays or another day of the week. Have a chat with your family if you live with others and try to get everyone on board - makes it easier to make the commitment. Then for one day a week eat a plant based diet. Or commit to one meal a day being plant based. Try not to get overwhelmed - you don’t have to become a vegan or a vegetarian to make a lasting difference for you body, your community, your planet and all of the beings on it.

Wild Soulful Food - Spicy Cabbage Recipe

Introduction

33 years a vegetarian and recently turned vegan...look out.  We are coming out with our sprializers blazing and we are not holding back any punches in this tell it like it is, face the truth and get the flip over our fears and human-up to the challenge of saving this beautiful planet of ours one meal at a time.

Return to your deepest knowing, instinctual self and make conscious choices about food.  We choose what we are made of every day in every bit and sip we put in our mouths.  Let's practice waking up and getting real together. Sanga creates the strength when we are weak, pulls us up when we fall and has our back when we feel alone.

One meal, one day, one week, one month, one year, one life ....no matter what your commitment to change it WILL make a difference.

The first recipe that I want to share with you was inspired by my friend and colleague Adrienne McDonald from food2florish.  She said the words carrot hotdog and my mind went AWOL.  I searched for recipes and found a new world that would transform my experience of the traditional summer treat.  The soy based veggie hotdogs had never really thrilled me and were a poor substitute for the tasty treat of my pre-vegetarian childhood.

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Spicy Cabbage

On my mind today, taste buds and food stories.  What was the worst thing that anyone ever sat you in front of and made you eat? Think about it ... take a minute ... and really think about it.  The first time, as an adult, that someone asked me this question my mind flashed back to a harrowing day spent in front of a cabbage role.  My mother, who was not the best cook I have ever know ( a kind way of saying that she could turn any vegetable into an undistinguishable mush), insisted that I eat the cabbage roll dinner she prepared.

Many hours later, I choked that thing down and threw up.  It would be may last cabbage roll for about 3 decades. Fast forward to Korean high school students living with us and my explorations in finding foods that matter to them and fit into our vegetarian lifestyle.  The Korean students kept asking for kimchi and I experimented with cabbage.  I don't think that I ever came close to making kimchi but I did find a couple of fantastic cabbage recipes that I still use to this day,  Tonight I made a dish I like to call Spicky Cabbage .

For the simplest version of this dish ....

• 2 tbl spoons of good oil (I prefer sesame for this recipe)

• 1/4 cup of vegetable broth or water

• 1 head of cabbage

• 1 Jar of your favourite salsa/hot sauce

In a large wok place the oil, broth and salsa, chop the Cabbage and put in the pot as well.  Cover and bring liquids to a boil, reduce the heat and keep the lid on until the cabbage is soften, Stir and cook to desired texture. I like my cabbage a little firmer.