Life Challenges and Yoga Challenges

Today I will have completed my first challenge. My first challenge of ANY kind! 20 yoga classes in 30 days! Everyone who finishes the challenge will be entered into a drawing for prizes but to be honest (and this sounds cheesy), the reward is in deepening my practice, bonding with new people, and unexpected lifestyle changes.

I love to eat fat greasy burgers, nachos, fried chicken, soda, and anything sweet. Without even realizing it, I'm suddenly bringing veggies to work for lunch, opting for vegetarian courses at restaurants, and drinking a lot more water. This has been gradual, I didn't wake up one day with an epiphany and shout to the world - "I'm changing my diet!" I simply noticed that the heavier foods dampened my energy that I worked so hard to build during class that day. I also noticed that caffeine was playing a big role in my anxiety and so I am gradually cutting down caffeine! No doubt that any diet changes are a challenge in itself, but the reward is to FEEL BETTER. Not to mention, a better body and mind!

I used to be a night person and have a hard time waking up in the mornings. I would hit snooze 5 times before moving my body - what reason do I have to get out of bed besides work? Now, although I do still drag a bit getting out of bed, I am able to wake up at 4:30 and go to yoga class. Crazy? Maybe. But the yoga challenge has made me remember commitment, dedication, and most of all - I know going to class will wake me up gently and I get to see the sun rise while meditating to soothing music in a serene space. When I get home I even have time to walk my dog. Remember: the very hardest part about yoga is getting to the studio. Once you are there, that space on the mat is all yours to decompress, to detoxify, to lighten, to awaken, to breathe, to be however you are, whoever you want to be.

These are only a few major benefits (and challenges!) I have noticed in the 2 months of a regular 3-5 day a week practice.

I only re-started yoga as a tool to condition for snowboarding season. One key thing for me to continue was that I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the studio, the friendliness of the staff, and the non-intimidation factor. When I started at this studio, I was unexpectedly given a free month of classes due to an unfortunate circumstance of the teacher not showing up for her 6am class. I saw this as a sign and so I continued through the month. However, snowboarding season was approaching and I didn't want to spend the money for another month - but there was this challenge! And all these workshops! How fun! I had to participate. So I bought an unlimited monthly membership and haven't regretted one bit of it.

So here I am, practicing yoga 4+ times a week, journaling after every practice, making new friends, and improving my lifestyle in unexpected and welcomed ways. Challenging yourself in any way takes courage and you must trust yourself that you are capable. Reward yourself for completing any challenge big or small. Maybe the challenge is to not hit the snooze button. Maybe it is not reaching for that candy bar when you're hungry. Maybe your challenge is to just get through the day. Look for space in your life where you can breathe and soften, and put something in front of you that you know you can conquer - and always reward yourself for acheiving that goal no matter the size. Keep going, keep practicing, keep challenging yourself and your life will be full.

Herbs for Stress and Anxiety

With all the things that are expected of us, tasks that need doing, lists that need crossing off and pressures from others to hurry and get things taken care of it is no wonder that the majority of us have health related problems due to STRESS. There are many ways to reduce stress but one way is to incorporate some medicinal herbs into our lives to help reduce the effects of stress on our bodies and mind. Clinical studies have shown that the effects of some herbs are comparable if not better than regular prescription medications such as xanax.

This is not a comprehensive list or 'everything you need to know', but rather a quick guide for distinguishing which herb maybe suitable for the type of stress or anxiety that you want to reduce. I encourage that if you find an herb that sounds right for you, to do a little more research into it before consuming it.

Please note that I am NOT an herbalist or medical practictioner and am only suggesting herbs based on my own personal experience and knowledge. Feel free to leave any questions, comments or suggestions in the comments section below!

Kava Kava Root - For social anxiety: I put a tincture of kava kava in my tea at work every day so that I don't feel so hesitant to speak my mind or ask questions when I need to. It has a very potent and earthy taste, and if a lot is consumed it will slightly numb your tongue or make it tingle! There are warnings about kava kava and the liver so it is suggested that you use 30-90 drops 3-4 times per day maximum and to not prolong the use of kava kava. I have heard that the study on kava kava and the liver was biased due to the part of the plant or type of plant used, but I encourage you to do your own research on this and always take the road of caution!

Valerian Root - For nervousness, headaches, hyperactivity, insomnia, associated depression.  I have never used Valerian root myself, but it sounds like I need to try it! This can also be taken as a tea, tincture, or pill form. Often this helps with anxiety that is associated with depression and tension.

Skullcap - For racing thoughts (mania). A tea made from skullcap (photo right) is delightfully sweet and buttery, and I cannot honestly drink enough of it! This is an especially great anti-anxiety tea for generalized anxiety and racing thoughts associated with mania. I am particularly manic and this makes me a bit drowsy if taken near bed time - which is OK because racing thoughts are a nuisance and counterproductive. I prefer organized thoughts myself :)


Passionflower - For insomnia, generalized anxiety, asthma. I have tried this as a tea, tincture, and smoking (photo top). It is a very grassy, earthy tasting green colored tea, a bitter tincture and a harsh smoke. Despite this, it greatly reduces my anxiety much like a traditional benzodiazepene, or like drinking a few glasses of wine. It is also used to treat asthma or breathing problems, particularly at night - so I have also taken this when I have colds and a hard time sleeping. I recommend this herb to many of my friends.

Ashwagandha - For general anxiety, trouble thinking, sexual anxiety. I have not tried this herb but it is supposed to relax the mind and clear out thoughts, and is relatively mild from what I've been told. If you have anxiety before sex, I would recommend the herb Damiana - it is more effective with anxiety and nervousness especially related to sex.

Lemon Balm - For restlessness, menstural pain, hyperactivity, melancholy. Again, I have not tried Lemon Balm specifically for anxiety but it does relieve symptoms of anxiety such as restlessness and hyperactivity. It calms muscular spasms and can relieve menstural cramping and other types of spastic pain.

Lavender and Chamomile - Used in aromatherapy. Ahh, the smells of chamomile and lavender are joyous aren't they? Make this as a tea and just the smell alone will be enough to calm you down. The two mixed together tastes wonderfully sweet as well!



St John's Wort - linked with depression (anxious depression). This particular herb is often used in treating or adjunct therapy for depression and can help relieve the symptom of anxiety associated with depression. Please consult a doctor before taking St. John's Wort.

Again please feel free to leave questions or comments below. I will give updates as I continue on my herbalism journey!

Celebrate the Fall Equinox

Today is the fall equinox which means day and night are about equal in length around the whole world. Here in the United States, days begin to become shorter and nights become longer. We think about the holidays approaching, the colder weather, and the year ending. Today we celebrate the concept of balance.

Balance is something we would all like to achieve, in one form or another. What is your work-life balance and how can you improve upon that? How is your mental and physical energy balanced? Do you need balancing of your chakras? Do you need more balance in your relationships with others? With your self? How can you keep your energy balanced as the holidays and other obligations approach? Whether you choose re-organizing your schedule, incorporating more physical exercise, changing your diet, or simply waking up a few minutes early, find new ways of balancing aspects of your life and you will see immediate improvement and a sense of refreshment and happiness.

However you wish to do it, celebrate the equinox by working on balancing something in your life, starting today.