SPRING YOGA RETREAT with Vivica Schwartz & Annmarie Soul
March 17 - 19th, 2017 • OJAI SANCTUARY
Are You Ready To Pamper Your Beautiful Self On A Three Day Journey Of Turning Inward And Practice The Ancient Art Of Self-Transformation?
I am joining forces with co-teacher Annmarie on this retreat and together we lead you through a deeply nourishing and rejuvenating weekend of Yoga, meditation, Ayurveda talk and live music. The retreat will coincide with next year’s Spring Equinox, in an exquisite sanctuary in Ojai, at the foot of the Los Padres National forest, within walking distance from downtown Ojai.
Come unwind with us, and enjoy the beauty of Ojai’s hiking trails, or soak in the saltwater pool and read. There will be time to connect and unplug, to socialize and find solitude. Our food will be prepared by a celebrated Ayurveda cook, who infuses his meals with love and gratitude. Give your Self a gift of selfLOVE and join us. Spaces are limited and will fill up fast, so reserve your spot now!
YOGAWORKS TEACHER TRAINING
I will be assisting Malachi Grieves' 200 Hour Teacher Training at Yogaworksthis coming January on Main St in Santa Monica.
My kids are getting older and I can spend more time apart from them without causing too much emotional pain in either of us. ;-)
If you are looking for a solid foundation to teach asana safely and learn about sequencing, anatomy and pranayama this will be a good one. This training is in an intensive format, one month, every day except weekends, starting January 9th. I am happy to answer any questions you might have.
PARA YOGA TRAINING IN TOPANGA
I am beyond excited to be collaborating with Tracee Stanley on her next Para Yoga Training in Topanga beginning in March 2017. I will be teaching the Ayurveda module, something I am very passionate about.
This teacher training will be taught over the course of 10 months (every 3rd weekend of each month) and will include in-depth knowledge about the subtle body, chakras, anatomy, the 4 desires as taught by Rod Stryker, Yoga Nidra, Ayurveda, the Yoga Sutras, Vinyasa Krama, pranayama and meditation.
Viveka Essential Oils Update
I couldn’t be happier about the feedback from my Ayurvedic Healing Blends! They are in strong demand and now available at The Healing Tree in Thousand Oaks, Kingfisher Road in Woodland Hills, and Topanga Mercantile in Topanga.
I am working on 2 new blends that will surely transport you, one containing Jasmine, the other feels like a walk through a deep forest. You’ll have to wait for the next Newsletter to hear more!
AYURVEDA TIPS OF THE MONTH
1. Ayurveda talks about 3 seasons that correspond to the three primary doshas: Fall/Winter is Vata season (November-February), Spring is Kapha season (March-June) and Summer is Pitta season (July-October). Watch out for dry skin and irregular digestion, both Vata related and easy to balance. Use the Vata Massage Oil for your daily abhyanga. This oil is made from organic sesame and olive oil and is infused with herbs that are grounding, relaxing and warming, such as ashwagandha, sharavari, tulsi, bala and others. It is very light and luxurious.
2. Take extra care to keep your internal fire (agni) kindled. Eat warm, moist foods—think stews, soups, and root veggies — and save the salads and cold snacks for summer. Avoid raw or cold foods. Stewed apples, pears and prunes with cloves make a great breakfast! Eat more proteins and fats to rebuild the body and mind while insulating us from the colder months. Prepare foods that taste sweet, sour, and salty. Why these tastes? In each case, nature is providing something the body needs to pacify the change of season and balance the qualities of Vata.
3. Relax and sit down when you eat.
4. Stick to a routine: eat, practice, play, rest at the same time every day.
5. Wear hats or beanies to keep your head warm.
6. Snuggle up in front of a fire with a good book and a blanket and a cup of chai or hot tea. Warm milk (almond is fine) laced with ghee (or coconut oil), honey, cinnamon and cardamom is a perfect nighttime elixir (I add half a teaspoon of Ashwhaganda and Shatavari powder).
7. Go to bed earlier (before 10pm) and rub some more oil on your feet (sesame oil with lavender, or my Vata Balancing Blend).
MY FAVORITE HERB THIS FALL IS TULSI (HOLY BASIL)
Highly sattvic in nature, it heightens awareness & promotes mental clarity.Tulsi is one of the most sacred plants in India, and is often kept in courtyards and houses for its purifying and beneficial influence on its surroundings.
Tulsi promotes healthy circulation and supports proper function of the heart.
It strengthens digestion and bolsters the immune system.
It is said to open the heart and mind and bestow the energy of love and devotion.
I LOVE the tincture, it is more potent than drinking the tea.
To get it CLICK HERE.
'Til Next Time
For now, stay well friends on the path, continue to thrive and shine your inner light.
V.
Kosha means "sheath" in Sanskrit. In yoga, the term is used to describe metaphorical layers within the human body. This meaning comes from the ancient Hindu texts called the Upanishads. The koshas are often likened to Russian nesting dolls or the layers of an onion.