Caribbean Body and Soul Issue 4

Caribbean

BODY & SOUL

The Holistic Health and Lifestyle Magazine

SRI VASUDEVA HIS INSPIRING STORY of

SELF-DISCOVERY HAVE YOU GOT OJAS? TIME TO CLEAN UP— TAKING CARE OF YOUR COLON HEALTH EAT WELL—EASY BREEZY HEALTHY RECIPES THAT WILL TANTALIZE YOUR TASTE-BUDS! LOOK YOUR BEST— OXYGEN TREATMENTS AND SKIN CARE CULTIVATING THE SATTVIC MIND

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Contents July 2016

vol. 1 issue 4

4 Cover Story

journey to enlightenment— Interview with Sri Vasudeva by Shrimati Charan

10 Body

time to clean up—by Dr. Ernest Hazelwood the gift of yoga—by Dr. Sunder Iyer PhD, M.D. (M.A.)

16 Mind

cultivating the sattvic mind— courtesy Maharishi Ayurved Products International

18 Beauty

oxygen treatments and skincare—by Launa Whittier

23 The Book Nook

3 must read book titles

24 Good Vibrations

music to soothe the mind, body, and spirit

26 Diet & Nutrition

got ojas? nourish your vitality—

by Dr. John Doulliard eat well—Recipes by Annick Lewis

32 Harmonious Living

the what colour do you feel today? with Christy Maingot

Contribu John Doulliard, dc, directs the LifeSpa Ayurvedic Center in Boulder Colorado. He is the former Director of Player Development for the New Jersey Nets nba team. He has been featured on the Dr. Oz Show, in Woman's World Magazine, Elephant Journal, Yoga Journal and dozens of other publications. (www.lifespa.com) Christy Maingot is a Trinidadian Interior Designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the International Academy of Design and Technology, Orlando, Florida, as well as a Master of Design Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Design from the Boston Architectural College, Boston, ma. (www.cmidinteriordesign.com) Annick Lewis is a Graduate of Oxford Brookes, ceo & Nutritionist (BSc) at Green Balance by Organnick, a nutrition consultancy practice with focus on improving lifestyles through plant based clean eating dietary patterns and collaborating with clients to create new healthy habits with relevance to Caribbean lifestyle/living.

Caribbean Body and Soul is published by SC Designs Lot 13, Goindoo Street, Petit Curucaye, San Juan, Trinidad, W.I. Tel: (868) 730-6443 • Email: shrimatic@gmail.com www.caribbeanbodyandsoul.com

SC

DESIGNS

Copywriting * Graphics * Interiors

utors Dr. Ernest Hazelwood is a preventive medicine practitioner who aims to teach people more about their body, mind and spirit, which are the main pillars to achieving good health. He has conducted in-house health seminars and retreats for many top companies both locally and abroad. His workshops, courses, seminars, radio and tv sessions are based on stress management, spiritual growth, health and longevity, etc.

Dr. Sunder Iyer, is qualified as an md in Alternative Medicine, a PhD in Banking and Finance and an ordained ecumenical minister. He has been practicing the science of Yoga since the age of ten. Dr. Iyer has spent over fifteen years in India, learning traditional yogic practices and philosophy. He has also studied ancient Sanskrit texts and yogic approaches across different yogic schools during his time there. (www.iyerzone.com) Launa Whittier is a certified therapist who received her qualification from the Steiner Training Academy, London, uk, after which she gained experience working on board the Croisieres de France cruise ship. She is the owner of soma Spa & Body Treatments.

Editor's Note

Sometimes behind the scenes can provide more drama than the actual show, but when the curtain rises, everything must unfold flawlessly.

This issue has provided its fair share of backstage challenges, but we are on stage now and we hope that you enjoy all that this issue has to offer.

We are pleased to welcome on-board our newest contributors, Dr. Sunder Iyer, Dr. Ernest Hazelwood, and Ms. Annick Lewis. They are all fully accomplished and highly respected professionals in their field who are most delighted to share their wealth of expertise with you.

We would also like to invite you to tell us of your experience with the magazine—what are your favourite books and music cd's? We would love to hear!

And do please give us some love on your social media so that others can benefit from the magazine just as you may have. We are working towards expanding to the digital format as well, so as to make our content available worldwide. Hope that can happen soon. Won't that be something to celebrate!

As always, my sincerest appreciation to you, our faithful readers. Keep calm and keep it together.

Shrimati Charan, Editor / Designer shrimatic@gmail.com

JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 3

JOURNEY TO ENLIGHTENMENT —A CONVERSATION with SRI VASUDEVA, FOUNDER OF BLUE STAR Sri Vasudeva is a respected and international spiritual teacher who brings together Eastern and Western knowledge in a unique way to foster the evolutionary potential of his students and to co-create conditions for more harmonious, inter-connected and peaceful world communities. His books, (You are the Light, Seek God Within, Self as Leader and Reflections on the Inner Light) and his regular streamed programs, talks, international retreats and personal meetings are a constant source of inspiration and guidance.

sc: I think it would be nice for the readers to understand what your journey was like.

sv: My real journey started at twenty. Before that I had a fascination for yoga, metaphysical, esoteric and sacred subjects. While these fired my imagination, I was more focused on school and seeking to excel. Then at eighteen, I was out of school, wanting to go to university, but didn’t have the funds so I went into the oil industry, thinking I would work for a couple of years.

I put spirituality on a back burner; though I was fascinated by it, I thought “Later on.” When I went to work I was nineteen. During the first year, I was excited about working and acquiring money and being able to do all the things I wanted to

At the age of 21 years Sri Vasudeva left his home in Trinidad for India on a quest of Self-discovery. Whilst there, he had a series of deep spiritual and Kundalini awakenings which over three years brought about a profound inner change in his life. This radically trans-formative experience brought him back into the academic and professional worlds, but with a difference.

His goals were now to serve with love and not for selfgain and to work towards awakening consciousness and energy at both individual and societal levels.

do. But after that first year, a spiritual depression came upon me and I started to look at things differently; in a very subjective way inside my soul.

sc: So the fire wasn't there? sv: No, not for worldly living.

When I looked at people with Masters' and Doctorate degrees in the research facility where I worked, they were very educated but I didn’t see the integrity, the wisdom. I didn’t see self-mastery. I didn’t see that finesse, those fine qualities of human existence. I thought “This is not what I really want” and the more I contemplated, the more disenchanted I became with things around me, to the extent that I resigned from my job and decided I would go into teaching. Whilst waiting to start teaching, it was

4 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

really difficult trying to grapple with existence itself, and the thought that invaded my awareness was that I had no control over my mind. My mind was restless and I was not sure of who I was. I lacked confidence, and so I wished I could master my mind. I wished I could be peaceful. Then another thought came—I wished I could feel more love, be more loving in every moment. I wished I could be happy like all the people I saw around me. I felt so deficient emotionally. Then the root question held me; “Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going?”

sc: Self-inquiry. sv: Yes and it became so intense that I couldn’t get it out of my mind; the more I read, the more intensely

COVER STORY Interview by Shrimati Charan

Blue Star TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Sri Vasudeva, Spiritual Leader & Founder

39 BANDOO STREET, UNION VILLAGE, CLAXTON BAY TEL/FAX: 868 6590440 EMAIL: INFOBLUESTAR.ORG WWW.BLUESTAR.ORG BLUE STAR

BLUE_STAR

motivated I became to answer these questions. Then suddenly, as if by the law of attraction, people started coming around me who wanted to teach me. Everywhere I went, I asked questions and those who thought that they knew some philosophy or yoga wanted to mentor me. If they were not practicing what they were preaching and hadn't reached that depth of self-mastery or self-realization, I didn’t want to hear from them; I didn’t think they could teach me anything. I remember listening to a swami who gave a wonderful lecture and I said, “Wow, look at this swami, he is so powerful!” I requested a private meeting and when I got there, I asked him, “Have you experienced that state of freedom that is called Turiya?” (the fourth state of consciousness beyond waking, dreaming and dreamless sleep). He said, “No, no,” and my heart dropped.

Then I became fired up about visiting India. The Satya Sai Baba movement was predominant so I started to go to meetings, looked at movies about him and thought this man seemed to have everything that I was seeking. He is an Avatara (an incarnate Divine teacher) according to what everybody was saying.

By this time, I had joined the teaching service so I saved my money and went directly to his ashram in India in 1975. I couldn’t meet him for a week and when we met, he looked at me and was able to tell what was happening in my mind. He said, “I’ll give you something to wear and when you wear this, your mind will become quiet.” The next day, he came into the crowd and materialized a pendant and gave it to me. I immediately went to buy a string to put it on, thinking “Now, my mind will be free.” But it got worse, so I thought “My God, what is this?” But

6 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

I always take the lesson to be mine; “Maybe I was not doing this thing right” as he was so loving, kind and embracing. Then after a week I felt the urge to move on so I took his blessings and left.

sc: So you stopped wearing the pendant?

sv: No I cherished it. It was a gift from him, but I left his ashram and decided to travel through India, thinking I might experience the presence of another Master.

sc: You did not have a plan where you were going?

sv: No, there was a lady from Trinidad that I heard of so I thought I would visit her. She lived as a sannyasin in an ashram and when I went there, I was enamored with it. It felt so different; there was a peacefulness and a beauty.

The second day, I was chanting kirtan (devotional song) in the meditation hall in that ashram and I started to have a deep experience inside of me—a feeling like I was floating and my body was moving by itself. It was some sort of energy awakening inside of me. I never had this kind of experience before but it felt good. It felt like a magical thing that was happening, so I became very interested. There was a book in the dormitory that I read a day later and it described what was happening to me as a sign of Kundalini awakening. I’d always feared Kundalini and moved away from it. I was more into Swami Vivekananda and intellectual thinking, and not so much into the energy, so it was totally strange.

The Master of that ashram, Swami Muktananda, wasn’t there.

But I could feel the energy and power. The sannyasin (a monk who has renounced all formal ties to

COVER STORY social life) lady told me more about the whole process and so did the foreigners who were there. I had intended to pass through, but I ended up staying.

After a few days, I started to open up and felt deeper awakening; my heart burst open and I could feel all this love flowing out of my being.

I became happy and my mind was more peaceful, so the things that I was looking for started to happen to me. Then I realized that this was Kundalini awakening and it did not stop; day by day it got stronger and stronger and after about a week, I felt happy and so fulfilled in my soul.

I had held Sai Baba as my Guru who I honored and adored, but now this other Guru was in my space and having such an impact on me, so for days I was deliberating “How do I choose?” In that dilemma, I read a book by Swami Muktananda where he said that when you meet your Master, there is going to be some kind of impact; a process of spiritual awakening will happen and that will continue with the alignment to the Master. And if it is a true Master, eventually he will take you to freedom. He said, “If you are with a person and there is no kind of deeper awakening, you need to be careful about how you follow.” With Sai Baba, there was an experience of love and I felt blessed, whilst here there was a powerful energy experience of spiritual awakening.

sc: Like two circuits connected? sv: Yes. So I thought “I'll continue to honor Sai Baba, I believe he blessed me, but this is the Master that I will follow.” So immediately I turned my mind onto this Master and started to really follow him and that was the beginning of spiritual transformation. So I stayed there for about a month and a half before

traveling to another part of India, but I was a different person. I felt happier.

sc: Some people when they have spiritual awakening, they fear losing it. Did that happen to you?

sv: No, no, it grew day by day. I felt that I was floating when I walked. I felt like my voice was singing almost by itself; the words just flowed out of my mouth. Suddenly everything about life started to feel light.

I became happy and joyful and it was only then that I understood that it was my heart chakra and throat chakra that were open.

After about a month and a half there, I decided I would travel through India. Another person from the ashram was traveling to North India so I went with him, thinking “Let me explore other ashrams in India, maybe there is a resident swami I will get something from.”

I went to Agra, then New Delhi, and then Rishikesh, to the ashram of Swami Sivananda (Divine Life Society). The swami who was there seemed more intellectual. I loved the place and the legacy of Swami Sivananda; the place was beautiful, next to the Ganges, and I enjoyed the Hatha Yoga. The swami said, “You need to have a plan, you need to know what you want.” I thought, “I can’t even make a plan, I don’t even know my mind.” I stayed there for about a week and then coming down to November, it was getting cold. So as a Trinidadian of twenty one years, not prepared for winter, I journeyed back to Delhi, invited by a retired psychologist to stay at his home. I stayed for about a month in Delhi, meeting devotees and assimilating all that I had learnt.

I came back to Ganeshpuri and I spent the rest of the time within the ashram. I then had to make a

decision as to whether I was going to stay in India as I only had a fourmonth ticket. I decided to come back to Trinidad because I felt so free. I felt I had the tools of practice.

I understood and felt connected to a divine power inside called Kundalini. I felt that the Guru within me became alive. I could actually feel that the Master was also communicating inside of me and I came back here very happy, a different person all together.

When I came back from India, I went back to teaching and it was very different. In the classroom, I felt as though I was guided. I felt as though my words flowed as if I was chanting. All my motions were

“I became happy and my mind became more peaceful, so the things that I was looking for started to happen to me and then I realized that this was Kundalini awakening, and it did not stop.”

graceful, as though some kind of Shakti (that which powers spiritual growth and the awakening of consciousness) was moving within me. I looked at the influence in the classroom; how children loved being around, listening and learning from me. At noontimes I would sing or tell stories. In the classroom, even though I was teaching science, I would give a little talk about life itself, so teaching became very different.

Before leaving for India I was teaching but then I was much more reclusive, so much more into myself, asking questions. When I came back, I was exuberant, I was full of light. I was different. When I came home, first thing in the morning I would get up to chant and my family

JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 7

COVER STORY members started joining me one by one, without being asked, and soon I had a little group around me. Then I started to reorganize the house.

sc: So this is how the whole ashram came about?

sv: Yes, the ashram evolved around my family.

sc: So how long did you continue to teach for?

sv: I taught until I went back to India. In 1977, during the summer holidays, I went to do a teacher training course in Siddha Yoga and Swami Muktananda was present at the ashram at that time. I became a teacher in the organization.

sc: You didn't get to meet him the first time?

sv: No, he wasn’t there. I felt so fulfilled and I felt there was so much work for me to do, so it wasn’t important whether I met him physically or not. I thought it was better he was not there, as it would have been busy and I might be taken up with his physical presence. I felt blessed that I was not caught

“As I closed my eyes, listened

to his voice and centered inside of myself, I thought ‘Oh my God, listen to that voice, that is not a normal voice. That voice is coming from somewhere so deep that I cannot fathom; that is not a human being.” in that. Two years later, when I returned to the ashram and went up to him, I looked at this man, thinking “This is a physical being. I am accustomed to being guided by the power inside, the Kundalini.” When I thought of the Master, this energy

would come alive in me so Kundalini became my Guru. When I met him, I had trouble in trying to focus on an outside Master. It took me an entire week before I could even assimilate or integrate that.

Then one day when I was listening to him, I decided “I can’t manage this, I am going to close my eyes.

I do not want to look at him.” As I closed my eyes, listened to his voice and centered inside of myself, I thought “Oh my God, listen to that voice, that is not a normal voice.

That voice is coming from somewhere so deep that I cannot fathom; that is not a human being.” The moment I began to focus on that voice, it was almost as though I went inside of him. I felt that he was influencing me, inside of him.

So bodies disappeared, and then for the rest of my stay, it was nothing to do with Swami Muktananda as a body, but everything to do with Swami Muktananda as an energy, and I have stayed with that. Before I left India, I met him in a personal interview. He gave me his blessings and the name “Vasudeva.” I didn't feel that I was leaving him. I felt that the same power inside of him was the same power inside of me and he taught me well; from inside of me and from outside.

sc: When he give you the name “Vasudeva,” you had his blessings to teach?

sv: Yes, I was trained and certified in their tradition already so he blessed me as a teacher but it was not in a class setting. I asked for a private meeting with him and having stayed and done the course, he wrapped a shawl around my shoulders and blessed me. At that moment, I thought “This man has changed my life so significantly over the years, why don’t I ask him

8 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

for a name?” He closed his eyes and his head went back and when he opened his eyes, he said “Vasudeva.”

As destiny would have it he gave me the perfect name, which means “The Light that is in Everything.” So my teaching is universal.

When I came back to Trinidad I started a Siddha Yoga Centre. I became so wrapped up in the discipline that after about seven months, I started to have some very intense kriyas (spontaneous cleansing movements) featuring in my head space that I never had before. It affected my voice, my lifestyle, my stomach. I was guided to go into seclusion and I followed where the energy wanted to take me and what it was doing, and that held me in a space for exactly forty days.

sc: Was what was happening now the rising of the energy to the higher chakras?

sv: Before I left India in the first visit, I started to feel the energy in the third eye. When I came back here, the third eye energy had become very strong over the years of teaching and my spiritual practices. So that was already very powerful when I went to India in 1977 for training.

During that period of forty days, a whole new awareness came to me.

There was not the disciple there; I came into a consciousness that was growing that “I am the Master.” It went to “Aham Brahmasmi” (I am the Supreme manifesting in form); I could actually say that I am Divine, like the Shivoham (I am Shiva) and the Soham (I am That) started to vibrate in me. Not the supplicating disciple, but the disciple who started to command himself. This energy started to come into me that “I am the Master, I am That.”

sc: Sri Vasudeva started to manifest then?

sv: There was a strong urge in my soul to affirm its Divine nature. The feeling of “I am That” arose in me very powerfully. The more I stayed with that, my head would become very strong in energy; and all the energy from the lower areas would come to my heart. My identity seemed to be just from my heart to my third eye centre. I felt I needed to pierce that brow centre, so day after day, that was my way of meditating. Night became day because even when I went to sleep, I was having these kriyas in the dreams.

It was the same thing waking up, so it became very intense and insights were coming to me every day as to what was happening and where I should go. I had a couple of books with me on Kundalini, including The Play of Consciousness by Swami Muktananda, so the more I read the more I understood the journey.

sc: This was your crown chakra being opened?

sv: I didn’t even know about crown chakra. All I knew then was I wanted to break this brow. Eventually after the thirty-ninth day, the brow energy went straight up into the head; then my head felt so relieved, so open. My stomach felt lighter, but I was not the same person. The one who was saying, “I am That” began only to say, “I am.” It didn’t want to force anything, didn’t want to break anything, didn’t want to burst anything. All it wanted to do was revel in “I am, I am.” I didn’t want to say “I am That” or “I am Shiva”or “I am Kundalini” or “I am Guru” or anything like that. I just wanted to say “I am.” My whole being was completely at peace.

There was only one person who did everything for me, my spokesperson, when I was in the state of silence. She was my sister and she

totally understood what was happening within me and honored the silence that I was in. On that particular morning when I came out of this experience, I began to observe people and listen to them and I could feel their energies inside of me, so that was very unique—experiencing another person’s energy field inside of me.

When I walked down the stairway and looked at the plants, I could actually feel that “This is not just a plant, this is life.” I started to see with a whole new eye. I could see life and consciousness in everything. I could relate to the energy of things. When I looked at someone, I could feel their emotional and mental energy in my space. I became a whole other person having an experience of the world, energetically, in the consciousness, so it was an amazing experience.

But I was twenty-three years old; I didn’t know how to process the experience. I knew that this was a gift and I would use it to help people, but I was totally inexperienced.

I thought to myself, “Why don’t I master the outer world now because if spirituality is worth anything, I will be able to do this easily.” I always had a passion for education, for learning and for teaching.

sc: So you took your spirituality, all the things that you were feeling at that time and you felt that you wanted to meld it with the real world?

sv: That is not the real world for me; the real world is the one inside.

But I wanted to integrate spirituality with daily living. I liked mastery.

I got a job because I needed to survive. I went into the steel industry and I started to work there.

sc: Why steel?

“All it wanted to do was revel

in ‘I am, I am’. I didn’t want to say ‘I am That’ or ‘I am Shiva’ or ‘I am Kundalini’ or ‘I am Guru’ or anything like that.

I just wanted to say ‘I am’. My whole being was completely at peace.” sv: Because I was in quality control in petroleum and a similar position came up in steel. And it was there that I developed the desire to go to university. I thought “I can be like these supervisors and engineers, I can improve myself,” because I felt the sense of mastery. At the same time, the company advertised scholarships. They sent me on training earlier in quality control and I enjoyed it. It was a whole new experience of learning and being able to observe the world fearlessly from a spiritual space, and because of this experience of energy, everything became alive around me.

When I went to university, I was twenty eight years old and I totally enjoyed the experience. It was just gymnastics for me because learning about the external world became easy. So I went through university trying to excel at everything, and I did.

I returned to the steel plant as an engineer and went on to become a general supervisor and eventually a manager. After this I went into a business organization for the experience and stayed there for two years as a senior manager.

sc: That experience must have been useful for you in having to run an organization.

sv: Absolutely, I had the experience of being a maintenance manager in continued on page 36 JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 9

BODY

Time to Clean up!

T understanding autointoxication and the importance of colon hygiene to your

health

By Dr. Ernest Hazelwood Holistic Health Educator, Vibrant Health Ltd

W

ithin the last few years there has been an acknowledgment by medical specialists studying the human intestinal tract and how toxins in the intestines can adversely influence general health. This usually occurs when waste matter in the colon has become stagnant and causes putrefaction (decay of toxic substances) in the intestinal tract.

Any food will putrefy if it is held in the body too long and foods that are held for a long period of time tends to form excess mucous. This excess mucous becomes glue-like and holds the residue of foods that was eaten and can cause buildup of parasites.

There are many problems today that most people may not associate with a toxic intestinal tract. Some indicators are body odor, foot odor, halitosis (bad breath), chronic constipation, digestive disorder, body pains and so much more. This could be due to a high levels of putrefaction in the colon. That’s a clear indication that the body needs to be cleansed.

Why Should We Cleanse? ˌˌ Cleansing helps you to look your best. If your primary 10 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

motivation is to improve your health or to improve your appearance, it will be wise to incorporate cleansing in your life style. ˌˌ Cleansing may be beneficial to achieve your ideal weight.

Overweight may be a sign that the body is not metabolizing food properly. Don’t judge your body by the scale or by weight only; your body needs detoxification to remove the excess. ˌˌ Cleansing helps to reverse the signs of aging. After cleansing you may notice more energy and youthfulness. You would experience a zest for living.

You would also experience healthier skin. Your body will start to repair itself and renew cells that have been burdened by toxic load. ˌˌ Cleansing has mental and emotional benefits. Cleansing may improve your memory, relieve anxiety and depression.

Gastroenterologists agree that a healthy colon should contain about 85% lacto bacteria which is the friendly bacteria and no more than 15% coliform bacteria, the unfriendly ones. This is not the norm today because of putrefactive

waste due to poor colon hygiene and improper diet which leads to colon cancer and other problems associated with a toxic colon.

When undigested food particles get into the blood the intestinal wall it will cause problems, this action is called “leaky gut syndrome.” A primary cause of leaky gut is the insidious action of a common yeast infection —Candida Albicans. This yeast is found in the digestive tract.

The continuous growth of yeast can change into a fungal form and establish itself on the colon walls.

Food allergens and toxins are then more easily passed directly into the blood steam.

Candidiasis has become a large problem in our society, it mimics over 100 diseases in the human body. Candida can rob the body of its nutrition, poison the tissues with toxins and contribute directly or indirectly to conditions such as

gas/ bloating, constipation, menstrual problems, allergies, lethargy, depression, suicidal thoughts, headaches, body odor, indigestion, food craving, anti-social behavior, dry and itchy skin, frustration, bad breath, nausea, bladder infection, over/ under weight, intestinal pains, thrush, acne, muscles aches, and so much more.

When friendly intestinal bacteria are compromised, it sets up the environment for unfriendly bacteria to take over our system. When unfriendly bacteria enter your gut, it throws off your pH balance also throw toxic load onto the liver, (the liver is the major detoxifying organ of the body). When the liver can’t keep up with its detoxifying schedule, some of the poisons will overflow into the blood which goes back into the heart and the rest of the body.

Improving the gastrointestinal

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tract by cleansing of the colon, proper diet and beneficial bacteria also called probiotic is highly necessary. Probiotics help support life, produces the antibacterial substances that support the immune system, it improves digestion, it manufactures B vitamins, helps to reduce high cholesterol, helps to recycle estrogen, helps in the treatment of acne, psoriasis, eczema, allergies. Probiotics help protect radiation damage and deactivate

many toxic pollutants. It can also protect us from some cancer.

Cleansing the system through colon irrigation and other forms of detoxification along with an alkaline diet will help to relieve this toxic burden in the system. The main objective of colon cleansing is to remove stagnant material from the colon and the entire alimentary tract.

As long as bowel movements are infrequent, it creates various health problems in the body.

Massage for Maintaining a Healthy Colon Lie on your back, place the right palm on the lower abdomen. Put the left palm on top the right. Gently press down on the lower abdomen and start massaging in a rotation movement from right to left. Do this approximately 20 to 30 times clockwise and repeat 20 to 30 times anticlockwise.

The abdominal exercise can be done twice daily preferable early morning or before a meal at night. ____________________________________________ A Colon Hygienist is one whose training includes the detoxification of the colon and advising a client on maintenance of the gastrointestinal tract and identifying common abnormalities relating to the colon.

JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 11

By Dr. Sunder Iyer PhD, M.D. (M.A.) Director, IYERzone Yoga Center, Trinidad

y

BODY

The gift of oga

A young morose girl walked into my office one afternoon. She was in her early twenties and was fighting off depression due to a breakup with her boyfriend. Her mother was with her, when they arrived to meet me. Even as they entered, the concerned mother quickly told me what happened with her daughter and asked the million-dollar question, “Can Yoga cure her depression and how soon?” In my experience with yoga practice and therapy, I’ve come to realize how anxious patients are.

They are often desperately looking for cure and after having tried conventional and alternative medications, they turn to yoga expecting an overnight healing, as if it was some sort of a miracle drug!

I politely replied, “Yoga does not cure anything, leave alone depression. Yoga merely helps restore

the body to a state of equilibrium and the mind to its natural state of equanimity.” I assured them there was a good chance the girl might find relief, provided she adopts a regular practice. Barely had I said this, the anxious mother responded, “Great! Can you please give us the list of poses that she can practice?”

I requested them to sit down and spent the next hour explaining that Yoga was unlike physiotherapy, for instance, where the emphasis is on physical exercises. Yoga was more than a practice of poses and that it needed adjustments to one’s body, mind and lifestyle. It took a while, but slowly it began to dawn on both of them, that the benefits of a yoga practice would take time, but nevertheless be everlasting.

Everyone, these days, seem to appreciate that Yoga is a practice

of body and mind. However, not many seem to understand the real implications of this concept. A simple definition of the word, “Yog”’ implies “union.” The term “Yoga” comes from a Sanskrit word, ‘Yug”, which means “to yoke or unite.”

Regular practice of Yoga unites the body and mind into one integrated whole! Now, a skeptic may look at this interpretation of yoga and say, ‘We already know that body and mind are not separate and do not exist in some watertight compartments within us, that they need to be yoked together. And the skeptic is right! Physical, mental and spiritual aspects of our personality have always been united or integrated within each one of us. They have never been and will never exist as separate isolated entities. However, our everyday perceptions can be far

JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 13

BODY from this truth!! Let’s analyze this for a little bit.

The body-mind relation has always intrigued scientists, psychiatrists and philosophers alike. Is the mind a segment of the body?

If it is, then how big a segment is the mind? Or, is the body a component of the mind? If the latter is true, then how and where does the mind originate? Many theories and philosophies have been put forward to explain this mystical and timeless interaction between these two.

Nowadays, cognitive psychologists and yogis alike, take the help of the computer analogy to explain the mind-body interaction. The body is like the hardware and the mind is like the software—both cannot exist or function without the other!

In spite of these nagging questions and debates, however, the medical and scientific community are slowly beginning to accept the body-mind connection. There is enough documented evidence regarding a psychological state having a direct or an indirect impact on our physiology. William James, a psychologist as early as 1884, pointed out that we’re always familiar with physical experience having mental and emotional states, such as, the instinctual furrowing of the brow when troubled, the lump in the throat when anxious. James delivered the central point of his theory, when he stated, “If we fancy some strong emotion, and then try to abstract from our consciousness all feelings of its characteristic bodily symptoms, we find we have nothing left behind, no ‘mind-stuff’ out of which the emotion can be constituted, and that a cold and neutral state of intellectual perception is all that remains.” James, a trail blazer in the world of psychiatry, seemed to have grasped the

tangled meshing of the body, mind and emotions!

But, unknown to William James, the ancient practice of Yoga was essentially the study of this labyrinthine mind-body relationship.

Down the ages, until today, the practice of Yoga continues to be extremely effective in converging the cognitive principles of psychiatry with anatomy and physiology of the human body. Yoga, today has gained universal acceptance, not simply because of its ability to help us gain a healthy, youthful body, but also because of its capacity to help decondition our minds. Regular practice of Yoga seems to brings to us an enigmatic acquaintance of our mind-body integration—an integrated awareness. And, of course, systematic and regular practice is the key!

Intellectual ‘insight’ is one thing!

Actual ‘awareness’ in everyday life, is an entirely different thing. Intellectually and emotionally we know that we are holistic integrated personalities —mind, body and emotions. But, the actual everyday experience, unfortunately, seems to be different! When we sit at the dinner table, for instance, we do not pause to think whether the food on our plate will have any impact on the way we think the next day; Or when we spend hours stressed at work, we do not pause to think of the impact this quality of life would have on our bodies.

This is where Yoga comes to our rescue. The yogic poses, known as “asanas” were designed many millennia ago. These poses that stretch and contort our bodies, are integral in bringing the mind-body awareness within our grasp. Along with the mindful breath, these poses mesh our physical, together with the mental and the emotional, thus

14 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

awakening us to an awareness that we are more than a sum total of muscles, fibers and skin! And that awareness, that experience, is liberating—which is why Yoga has survived the test of time.

In fact, regular practice of these poses, breathing exercises and deep relaxation takes us even beyond simple mind-body awareness. Yoga has the potential to bring us to the doorstep of enlightenment, as we begin to perceive that we are not confined to the physical limitations of our body or the idiosyncrasies of our mind. The greatest gift of yoga, when learnt as a lifestyle—not just limited to flexibility routines, is to help one sustain this awareness of body-mind-spirit integration, constantly—night and day.

That afternoon at my office, the session with the mother and her daughter, was very fruitful. I managed to convince the young girl to try out yoga. She agreed to come regularly. She came as promised, three days a week, for sessions of Hatha Yoga, which involved stretching and maintaining poses, coupled with mindful breathing and ending with the practice of deep relaxation, where she learnt to allow the body to play dead, while giving her mind the opportunity to explore dimensions beyond the physical realms!

After twelve weeks of regular and intense practice she was a changed person! She was not only more flexible and lost considerable weight, but she had learnt the precious “art of letting go”, so nothing on earth could bind her joyful spirit!

So, to the question, what is the gift of Yoga, my answer simply would be this: “Yoga bequeaths you constant integrated awareness”—a treasured, awareness, passed down from man to man since time immemorial.

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JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 15

MIND

Cultivating the Sattvic Mind AYURVEDIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PURITY OF LIFE

T

hrough centuries of observing both cosmic and human behavior, ancient ayurvedic healers defined three basic gunas or qualities that influence everything that happens in the macrocosm of the universe or the microcosm of our minds. It's the quantity of these three gunas — Sattva, Rajas and Tamas — that ayurvedic healers believed can create or destroy harmony in our lives: Sattva is the most superior of all gunas. Sattva in the universe is responsible for creation. Inside our own self, it gives us the ability to visualize well, think right, do good and act in accordance with the laws of nature.

Rajas stands for action. In cosmic terms, Rajas is responsible for maintenance and nurturing of what has been created. In human beings, the Rajasic guna or quality means giving a concrete shape to dreams, being motivated and taking action. Excess of Rajas, however, leads to an unsettled and perpetually restless mind.

Tamas supplies us with the ability to finish or complete what was generated by Sattva and Rajas. In the context of the Universe, Tamas stands for destruction. While some may see Tamas as a negative guna,

ayurvedic philosophy says Tamas has its own role in the scheme of things. It weans us from the old and the lifeless, urging us to move on and invest in that which is still alive.

While a balanced personality blends all three gunas in equal measure, the most positive personality is that which is high in Sattva. Is it possible to cultivate more Sattva in our lives? Certainly, says ayurveda.

If so, how? Ayurveda suggests a twopronged approach. Pay attention, say vaidyas (ayurvedic experts), to the following: Aahara: diet. Vihara: activity or lifestyle.

A Maharishi Ayurveda expert from the Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians shares his tips on each of these pillars.

On Aahara: He begins with the oft-quoted saying "You are what you eat.

Ayurveda," he says, "believes this simple statement holds infinite meaning and truth." To illustrate this point, healers use the example of the elephant, the tiger and the jackal.

The elephant is a pure vegetarian.

He is strong, gentle and intelligent enough to work well in a human environment. The elephant represents the Sattvic mind.

16 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

The tiger represents the Rajasic nature. He kills and eats other animals, and this carnivorous nature makes him fierce and aggressive.

Restless and strong, the tiger is always on the prowl.

The jackal symbolizes the Tamasic mind. He is cunning, fearful and lazy, shunning daylight and surviving on food left uneaten by other animals.

Your goal should be to acquire the Sattvic qualities of the elephant.

This can be achieved by analyzing your eating habits and improving them in keeping with these guidelines: Eat vegetarian food. Light foods such as fresh vegetables, milk, fruits, most grains, split or whole mung dhal and almonds increase calmness, clarity and creativity of the mind — in other words, they enhance Sattva.

Use ghee as your medium of cooking. Ghee is clarified butter, free of milk solids, proteins and water. It has amazing nutritive and medicinal qualities, besides being extremely flavorful and aromatic. Its penetrative qualities make it an excellent medium for aiding the absorption of nutrients by the body, while also lubricating the tissues.

Reprinted with permission from Maharishi Ayurved Products International (www.mapi.com)

Avoid refrigerated, processed, artificially colored, canned and chemically preserved foods as far as you can.

They increase ama, or toxic undigested matter in the physiology; tax the body's agni, or digestive fire; lack vitality; and do not stimulate your Sattva.

Eat cooked food instead of raw. Ayurveda believes that the essential nutrients of food are not available to the body until agni, or fire, is applied to them in the form of heat. For ayurvedic recipes using ghee and healing spices, see our recipes section.

Avoid fermented foods, in which the disintegration of nutrients has begun even before they are consumed.

These foods, such as vinegar, ketchup, yeast breads and alcohol, increase Tamas, or dullness in the mind.

Always eat slightly less than what your hunger demands.

Eat all meals at regular times.

On Vihara: Vihara is essentially your behavior and action, as influenced by the quality of your mind. Take the example of a burning train. When a train catches fire, the three minds respond in very different ways: The Tamasic mind, being dull and weak, faints or panics — unable to act or react in an appropriate manner. The Rajasic mind is naturally reliant on action, and therefore immediately starts hunting for the nearest fire extinguisher or exit. The Sattvic mind, being calm and steady, takes a moment to analyze the situation and acts only after

weighing the right response to the situation.

Though each of us is born with one or more dominating gunas, it is in our power to increase the guna we want.

How can the mind be led toward Sattva? The answer is simple. You train the mind to act in accordance with the laws of nature. The vaidya's tips on how to do this are practical and logical. Among other things, the vaidya strongly recommends the following Sattva-building measures: Focus on activities that bring you joy. Do not restrain natural urges such as sneezing or yawning. Go for walks. Retire early and make sure you get a good night's sleep. Be gentle and forgiving of yourself. Practice moderation in everything — be it diet, sleep, or exercise.

Keep the company of the wise.

Fine-tune your senses, so that your indriya, or senses, learn to obey your manas, or mind.

This will help you make healthful and happy choices, leading to increased Sattva in your life.

Twice a day for 20 minutes, practice the Transcendental Meditation® program, which is a scientifically proven way to heighten creativity, expand consciousness, improve relationships and increase Sattva.

In conclusion, then, the Sattvic mind always chooses those thoughts and actions that promote fulfillment and joy. It is rich in dhi, or knowledge: it knows just what is beneficial for it. Cultivate Sattva in your life, and you will be able to reconnect with the limitless power of your atma, or Self.

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BEAUTY

Oxygen Treatments and Skin Care T

o define how oxygen is important for promoting life, is to go deep within the very cells of every living organism. All life depends on oxygen which acts as a cleansing and rejuvenating agent, without which, our bodies are unable to detoxify itself. Oxygen creates hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide which disinfect the body. Oxygen also activates enzymes which can digests parasites, bacteria and cancers. Many diseases caused by microbes are anaerobic which means they thrive best in an environment that is starved of oxygen. Because oxygen keeps the detoxification pathways open, it stands to reason that insufficient oxygen could create insufficient waste disposal, leading to illness.

The pH Balance The solution inside the cells of the body, has an acid/alkaline balance. This is referred to as the pH levels. PH stands for power of hydrogen, which is a measurement of the hydrogen concentration in the body. The total pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 considered to be neutral. A pH less than 7 is said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline.

The acid/alkaline balance is maintained when we are sufficiently oxygenated and the cellular waste is efficiently removed in a timely manner via the body’s detoxification systems, mainly the lymphatic system and the liver working with the gall bladder and pancreas.

Factors Determining Oxygen Deprivation 1. Toxic Build-up: Every cell in the body produces toxic waste made up of sugars, fats and accumulated cellular castings. Added to that are toxins from antibiotics, the air, water and processed foods consisting of hydrogenated fats that are unnatural fats which are detrimental to your health.

2. Bad Sleeping Habits: Sleep deprivation can increase levels of hormones produced by the adrenal gland when we are under stress or worry. This results in fewer new cells being created. Fewer cells means less oxygen.

By Launa Whittier Certified Therapist and Esthetician

3. Emotional Stress brings with it the production of adrenaline which utilizes oxygen. When a person is experiencing or anticipating a danger of some kind, the hypothalamus in the brain signals the adrenal glands JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 19

BEAUTY to release adrenaline and other hormones into the bloodstream. The body's systems react to these hormones almost immediately and the person ability to be stronger and faster becomes intensified. This hormonal surge is what’s called an “adrenaline rush.”

Too much adrenalin in the body over a prolonged period of time can be detrimental to the heart in particular which is put under a lot of pressure to the point of causing heart failure. High levels of hormones in the blood will bring on insomnia and the cycle of sleep deprivation; worry; increased level of stress.

acidic environment is perfect for microbes, viruses and cancers. Excess acids congests the lymphatic system and prevents toxins from being excreted. Put the increased amount of free radicals and excess acids in the congested lymph, and you get a perfect recipe for disaster. To decongest the body, we need to oxygenate with food and exercise. It is important to note that oxygen keeps the digestive and lymphatic systems in balance. Also, as we age, we become vulnerable to genetic diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s which are activated by an acidic environment.

4. Diet: Too much acid in the body causes toxicity and this includes, overuse of antibiotics and foods containing caffeine, herbicides, pesticides and high acid content as in the case of meats and white flour, sugar and milk. So all those pastry and donut lovers, take note.

6. Weak Immunity: The digestive tract is an important part of the immune system. When our digestive system is compromised our immunity is weakened.

This causes autoimmune diseases e.g.: diabetes and Graves’ disease.

5. Poor Nutrition: In the intestines, there are parasites, candida and mold which are managed by the intake of “probiotics” or “good bacteria.” It is important to note that “bad bacteria” produce waste matter that is acidic, contributing to toxic build up in the body. An

7. Environmental Toxins: The body is constantly exposed to environmental toxins, antibiotics, heavy metals and industrial chemicals, not to mention herbicides and pesticides to the point that the body cannot detoxify quickly enough.

How Oxygen Helps Medical Use: It is important to note the significance of oxygen in aiding treatment and recovery today with chronic diseases.

Many oncologists recommend oxygen use in treating cancers in an attempt to reverse the effects of this common disease.

The following is a comparison of diseases caused by oxygen deficiency over the benefits of taking oxygen: Oxygen Starved

Oxygen Enriched

Bacterial viral parasitic infection

Quick recovery

Insomnia, restlessness

Reduced stress

More susceptible to common infection

Body remedies minor aches and pains

Exhaustion; incognizance

High energy; stable nervous system, more retentive memory

Dizziness

Sharper concentration

Poor digestion

Better absorption

Irrational behavior

Calm and decisive

20 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

Diet 1. Oxidant and Antioxidants: Oxidation is what makes an apple or banana that is cut, turn brown. In other words, oxidation causes things to rot. Oxidation also breaks down food so it can be digested. For this reason, we need to take in anti-oxidants which will reverse the effects of oxidation or decaying. Antioxidants or ant oxygen, can be ingested in the form of Vitamins c and e. Acid waste contains free radicals which the body can rid itself of with antioxidants.

Antioxidants also slow down the aging process.

2. Probiotic Rich Foods: such as yogurt and sauerkraut help to balance the flora in the intestines to improve and maintain proper digestion.

3. Elimination of Toxins: Alcohol intake and smoking are toxic habits as well as too much sugary foods which all contribute to liver damage and a foundation for free radical damage.

4. Strong Immune System: Echinacea and oil of oregano are antifungal herbs which helps to eradicate candida and mold toxins and improve immunity.

5. Oxygen Rich Foods: This is found in phytonutrients in the form of chlorophyll, in all dark leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach, swiss chard, parsley, sprouts, collard greens, and mustard greens; non-gluten grains, beans, flax seeds, nuts, fish eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, and free range chicken. Consider reducing the amount of processed and animal-based foods, which are acidifying. Attention should also be paid to organic super green supplements that help to alkalize the body, and sulfur-containing compounds such as those found in garlic, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts and leeks, which help the liver to detoxify.

6. Mineral Support: ˌˌ Iron—One of iron’s primary functions is helping to oxygenate your body. It helps you make functional hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. In your lungs, hemoglobin binds to oxygen molecules from the air you breathe, then gradually releases that oxygen into your tissues. If you don’t get enough iron, your red blood cells won’t have enough hemoglobin to properly carry oxygen, and you’ll develop an anemia that causes headaches, fatigue and shortness of breath. ˌˌ Calcium—Proper oxygen transport in your body partially relies on calcium, an essential mineral. Calcium helps control the passage of blood through your body by controlling blood vessel dilation. It can dilate blood vessels around tissues that need more oxygen at any given time to provide more oxygen-rich blood flow, or constrict blood vessels and reduce blood flow to tissues that need less oxygen.

Getting enough calcium might also help keep your circulatory system healthy as you age. A diet rich in calcium reduces your risk of high blood pressure. ˌˌ Copper—Getting enough copper, 900 micrograms per day, helps ensure your tissues get a constant supply of oxygen. Copper helps your body incorporate iron into hemoglobin. It also helps your body produce collagen and elastin, two proteins that make up the walls of your blood vessels to help keep them strong. Copper deficiencies cause anemia due to a loss of hemoglobin and affects other cells in your blood, people with copper deficiency might also develop low levels of infection-fighting white blood cells.

Lifestyle 1. Adequate Hydration: Drinking enough water daily is essential not only for the utilization of oxygen in the body but also for transporting the blood and other bodily fluids. Without adequate water, all bodily functions are diminished, including cellular respiration and the removal of toxins and metabolic wastes.

Drinking filtered water is necessary to get the full benefits of oxygenation. The Kangen Machine was invented in Japan to aid elderly and sick patients recover from cancer. It essentially produces alkaline water which helps to maintain the pH levels in the body.

2. Proper Breathing: Upper chest breathing takes in very little air with reduced levels of oxygen, insufficient

to supply the body needs. Chest breathing causes us to take in too little air per inhalation and constricts blood vessels. Healthy breathing is slow and from the diaphragm (rather than the chest), through the nose (rather than mouth) and is quiet and light. Contrary to popular belief, rapid breathing are shallow and do not increase oxygenation! Deep breathing forces old air trapped in the lung to be squeezed out. Limbic breathing which is a form of exhaling slowly with pauses, causes the oxygenated air to remain longer in the body. Ewot (Exercise With Oxygen Therapy), is an excellent way for getting rid of thickened blood and toxic build-up. While exercising one inhales oxygen from an oxygen machine, to which a face mask is affixed.

JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 21

BEAUTY 3. Daily Exercise: Increase aerobic exercise such as walking, hiking or bicycling. Aerobic exercise will help your body utilize oxygen and remove waste through the lymphatic system. Whereas the circulatory system has the heart to pump blood throughout the body, the lymphatic system has no

pump. Lymph gets circulated and flushed primarily through movement. Thus, from the standpoint of health and body oxygenation, you would be better off walking for 15 minutes a day rather than spending an hour or more in the gym 2 to 3 times a week.

Spa Treatments using Oxygen (Where Science and Beauty Come Together) The cosmetic world has embraced the importance of oxygen as a key ingredient in products designed for rejuvenating and decelerating the pace of aging. Many products now target a wide variety of skin conditions with amazing results. Certified skin care specialists are able to evaluate their clients’ skin condition and provide treatments, choosing the appropriate products that will improve the skin quality. Knowledge and training ranges from applying facial peals, masks, lotions, and creams to performing full body treatments such as wraps and massages.

1. Oxygen Facial Therapy: is one of the newest anti-aging treatments to hit the market. Oxygen is applied to the skin sometimes included in cosmeceutical ingredients to rejuvenate its appearance and create a more radiant look. Most of the products are geared to helping the skin regain its vitality, clearer complexion and radiant glow because they contain active ingredients such as Phytovityl, seaweed rich in vitamins, and trace elements, for maximum benefits and especially good for tired stressed aging asphyxiated skin and skin exposed to smoke and pollution.

Oxygen facials can be done on both genders, and adds such benefits as firming the skin, softening appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving blood circulation by providing the cells with oxygen to carry out their metabolic functions, and improving complexion. It is a non-invasive skin rejuvenating treatment with impressive benefits.

Some treatments are designed to deliver oxygen in the form of a mist mask or gel or facial cream. By restoring the o2 levels you can improve the health of your skin and delay signs of aging.

Most oxygen treatments also use some kind of anti-aging serum and is believed that oxygen can be used as a delivery mechanism to enhance the absorption of ingredients which are beneficial to the skin.

Bottom Line When we flood the body with oxygen and give it the right nutrients it needs to rid free radicals, improve 22 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

Since oxygen can kill bacteria it can be useful for helping to give the skin a clearer looking complexion or for treating skin disorders such as acne.

During an oxygen facial treatment, pure oxygen is sprayed onto the skin using an airbrush which can also contain a variety of anti-aging ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and moisturizers. At high pressure the anti-aging serum can reach deeper into the dermis where it can be absorbed more effectively and produce greater benefits.

2. Oxygenating Soaks: a combination of hydrogen peroxide, Epsom salts and castor oil. Hydrogen peroxide is a form of activated oxygen and when it is absorbed into the skin it immediately oxygenates the cells.

Castor oil when rubbed over the belly area, reduces bloating, gas and inflammation.

3. Oxygen and Ozone: Ozone is similar to oxygen and has the same effect on the body. The difference is that oxygen has 2 atoms and ozone has 3. Ozone can kill almost any virus, bacteria or parasites, including hiv.

An ozone sauna not only detoxifies the body but also kills other infections.

4. Ozone Therapy: Whole body ozone therapy has many benefits. The entire blood supply runs through a machine that ozonates it and returns it back into the body. This helps to filter out waste, excess fats, cholesterols and heavy metals and treat a variety of diseases. It increases organ and cellular oxygen, removes cholesterol and heavy metals from the blood and body, enhances nitric oxide production (dilating the arteries and lowering blood pressure), boosts the cellular antioxidant defense system, and improves blood flow to the brain, the liver and kidneys, which increases detoxification and vitality to the sexual organs. Ozonized water also aids in the detoxification of the body but slower process. liver function and restore gut ecology, the body begins to efficiently detoxify itself and allows the immune system to do its job. clw

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3B o o k T i t l e s MUST READ

The Prime

by Kulreet Chaudhary, m.d.

Integrative neurologist Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary discovered a beautiful side effect to the eating and lifestyle tools she gave her brain patients— spontaneously shedding excess pounds. In this, her first book, she shows us how to sharpen the brain, and smarten and heal the gut.

Weight gain is not about the food, but about the body’s environment.

Excess weight is a result of the body being in a toxic, inflammatory state. If your body is not prepared or ‘primed’ for weight loss, you will fight an uphill biochemical battle.

Her program is not about what you can't have or do, it's about adding simple teas and herbs, and succeeding without giving up any foods you love. With The Prime, Dr. Chaudhary has reverse engineered our way of eating, so we can stop dieting backward and start losing weight instead. Learn the importance of neuroadaptation and the brain. It's not about what you eat, but what you digest.

Anatomy of the Spirit

by Caroline Myss, ph.d.

The Book of Massage

by Lucinda Lidell A beautifully illustrated introductory guide to the healing powers of a massage, from traditional massage to shiatsu and reflexology.

The Book of Massage is the classic guide to the relaxing and healing skills of the hands. Featuring both Eastern and Western methods, it presents step-by-step, beautifully illustrated instructions on everything from traditional massage to shiatsu and reflexology. The Book of Massage offers easy-to-follow techniques for giving the perfect massage, including advice on creating the right setting (a warm room and soft lighting) ,suggestions for using aromatic oils and lotions. and finding a comfortable position The Book of Massage is a simple and comprehensive handbook that reveals how you can experience the myriad benefits of giving and receiving a soothing massage.

Based on fifteen years of research into energy medicine, Dr. Myss's work shows how every illness corresponds to a pattern of emotional and psychological stresses, beliefs, and attitudes that have influenced corresponding areas of the human body.

Anatomy of the Spirit also presents Dr. Myss's breakthrough model of the body's seven centers of spiritual and physical power, in which she synthesizes the ancient wisdom of three spiritual traditions—the Hindu chakras, the Christian sacraments, and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life—to demonstrate the seven stages through which everyone must pass in the search for higher consciousness and spiritual maturity. Dr. Myss shows how you can develop your own latent powers for your spiritual growth.

By teaching you to see your body and spirit in a new way, Anatomy of the Spirit provides you with the tools for spiritual maturity and physical wholeness that will change your life.

JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 23

Good Vibrations Music to Soothe the Mind, Body and Spirit

Liquid Mind VIII Sleep —Chuck Wild Liquid Mind’s tranquil series of deep relaxation music, is ideal for Yoga, massage, meditation, anxiety management, and all healing activities. Like the other Liquid Mind albums, this gentle album is used by people everywhere to relieve stress, by parents and teachers to help quiet hyperactive children, by insomniacs to assist themselves in going back to sleep in the middle of a difficult night, and by just about anyone to relieve the stress of a busy day at work.

Gypsy Grooves—Priyo Goddess Chants—Padma Previ Beautiful Indian Sanskrit mantras and chants masterfully woven with western arrangements and sound cascades, without loosing its exotic magic. Padma Previ's voice evokes a deep longing, reflecting the joyful Oriental way of life. Let yourself be touched and discover the ancient world of East Indian vibrations.

Perfect for Yoga and Movement Classes! Great for chill-out and progressive ambiance

24 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

If you're in the mood to awaken the soul-searching vagabond within, Gypsy Grooves will satisfy. Priyo takes us into an organic, roots-trance dreamscape of flamenco-infused guitar and a sultry blend of textures and rhythms for moving, grooving, or just relaxing. The eternal, searching spirit of the gypsy passionate and free burns within all of us. With Gypsy Grooves, Priyo gets it going with quiet intensity, moving us into our bodies, our senses, and the mysterious, secret spaces within.

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JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 25

Got Ojas?

Vitality DIET & NUTRITION

Nourish

Your

John Doulliard, dc has published over 500 health videos and articles that are available on LifeSpa.com. He has written six books, produced numerous health dvd’s and e-courses, and has formulated his own line of organic health care products. He is the former Director of Player Development for the New Jersey Nets nba team. He has been featured on the Dr. Oz Show, in Woman’s World Magazine, Elephant Journal, Yoga Journal and dozens of other publications and venues.

He currently directs the LifeSpa Ayurvedic Center in Boulder, Colorado where he lives with his wife and his six children.

W

hat if there was a special substance in the body that governed aging, immunity, radiant skin, vigour, mood, sleep, digestion, spirituality, and physical strength?

According to Ayurveda, there is.

take about 24 hours, it takes thirty days for the body to digest food and refine it enough to manufacture ojas.

Unfortunately, during these thirty days, many factors can compromise its production, and many people have depleted ojas and lack the vigor, immunity, radiant glow and longevity they desire.

Find out if you have “healthy ojas” and learn how to replenish it!

This substance is called ojas (OH-jas). In Sanskrit, ojas has two prominent meanings. In the context of physical health and vitality, ojas means “vigor.” In the context of spiritual and emotional wellbeing, it is referred to as “the physiological expression of consciousness.”

Ojas is considered the most refined by-product of digestion.

That means that, while complete digestion of a meal is considered to

Bees collect the nectar of flowers and turn it into honey—the ojas of flowers.

Perhaps the best way to describe ojas is to understand how honey is made. Ten to twenty thousand bees per hive collect the nectar or essence of thousands of flowers and concentrate them into honey—the ojas of the flowers.

In the same way, when we eat fresh, unprocessed foods,

What Is Ojas?

microscopic amounts of their essence accumulate over time through the process of healthy digestion and become ojas.

If the digestive process is disturbed, the essence of the foods will not be extracted and no ojas will be made.

How is Ojas Made?

According to Ayurveda, the entire digestive process takes thirty days to complete. Within that time, not only is food ingested and eliminated, but nutrients from the food are used to build what is known as the seven major tissues of the body.

The culmination of this process is the production of ojas.

As I mentioned, many factors exist that can compromise or block its production.

Here’s How it’s Made: step one: Healthy, wholesome, unprocessed food is ingested. The

Reproduced with permission from Dr. John Doulliard, dc © September 19, 2015. Original Document: Got Ojas? Nourish Your Vitality

DIET & NUTRITION coordinated effort of the stomach, pancreas and liver/gallbladder prepares the food to be assimilated (assimilation is when the nutrients are drawn out of the food and into the bloodstream).

This first product of digestion is a nutrient fluid called rasa which is the first of the seven major tissues of the body. A small amount of local or not-supreme “ojas” is released as each of the seven tissues is made.

The thirty-day process of building supreme ojas begins; it is gradually building as digestion continues and each tissue is made. step two: The rasa or first product of digestion is converted by enzymes— also called agnis or digestive fire—into blood, which in Ayurveda is called rakta. Here, another small amount of local ojas is released into the blood. step three: The rakta or blood converts into muscle or mamsa with the help of blood-based enzymes. A small amount of local ojas is released into the muscles. step four: The mamsa converts into fat or medha with the help of muscle enzymes, and releases a small amount of local ojas into the fat. step five: The medha or fat converts to bone or asthi and releases a small amount of local ojas into the bone. step six: The asthi or bone converts to nerve tissue or majja and releases a small amount of local ojas into the nervous system. step seven: The majja or nerve tissue converts into the reproductive fluid where a small amount of ojas is released into the sperm or ovum. Remember, supreme ojas has been building with the production of each tissue, making the reproductive fluid the bodily tissue with the most accumulated ojas. step eight: The final product,

supreme ojas, is released and stored in the heart. From here it nourishes the subtle energy in the body, which in turn feeds the body’s vigor, vitality and immunity.

The Western Equivalent The skin of babies and small children glows with ojas.

According to Ayurveda, ojas is made mostly of peptides, small protein-like molecules. In the form of ojas, these peptides control immunity, endocrinology (hormones), the nervous and digestive systems, and the psychology.

In the west, cutting edge research

by Candice Pert, PhD at the National Institute of Health discovered that certain peptides also known as neurotransmitters act as carriers for the immune, endocrine and nervous systems and the emotions. These peptides, as described by Dr. Pert, act much like Ayurveda’s concept of ojas (1).

Activities that Deplete Ojas According to Ayurveda, stress and excessive activity depletes ojas. This makes sense when we consider the recent research by Dr. Gerson in his book The Second Brain confirmed that humans process the majority of their stress through the digestive system. Remember, ojas is the most refined product of digestion. In fact, 95% of the body’s serotonin and the majority of its neurotransmitters in general are manufactured and stored in the gut (2).

Stress is also the key cause of excess degenerative stress-fighting hormones, inflammatory molecules and free radicals, which will alter the function and flow of the body’s peptide (ojas) based information network. But it should not be forgotten that this stress and the production of “ojas” and the neuro-peptides are dependent on the efficiency of digestion (2).

28 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

Excessive sex: Since the production of the reproductive fluid is the last step before supreme ojas is made, the reproductive fluid carries all of the accumulated supreme ojas getting ready to be stored in the heart. Excessive sex can deplete the ojas both in the sperm and ovum as well as rob supreme ojas from entering the heart, and even depleting the reserves of ojas in the heart.

Multiple orgasms a day or sex everyday for extended periods of time will deplete ojas reserves.*

How the Seven Body Tissues Can Deplete Ojas When any one of the seven bodily tissues described above engages in excessive activity, this will deplete ojas and compromise overall vitality and wellbeing.

The production of rasa, which is the first nutrient fluid and eventually becomes lymph, is literally stopped by the chemistry of chronic stress. The lymphatic fluid flows best in an alkaline environment.

Stress releases stress-fighting hormones that have acidic waste products. Excessive stress results in excess acidity which causes the lymph to congest. It can be stress from work, exercise, emotions, travel or digestive stress from bad food that can block rasa.

Rakta, the body’s blood, can deplete ojas when it becomes inflamed and toxic, carrying damaging inflammatory and degenerative chemicals throughout the body.

Mamsa, the muscle tissue, most commonly depletes ojas through excessive exercise and exhaustion.

Medha, the body’s fat, will deplete ojas when it is stored and taken out of circulation due to the excesses of stress. Most toxic chemicals are fat soluble and thus are stored in times of stress.

Asthi, the body’s bone, will deplete ojas due to chronic issues such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. These conditions are extremely rare in second and third world countries where the culture of stress is not as rampant.

Majja, the nervous system, depletes ojas when it is directly affected by chronic stress and excessive activities. Excess stress stimulates the release of degenerative hormones which accelerate aging, cause chronic disease, fatigue, sleep issues and much more.

Shukra is the reproductive fluid.

Excessive sex will deplete ojas. *Note: Since ojas accumulates

in each of the seven tissues, the last three are the more common sites of symptomatic ojas depletion, i.e., the nervous system, bone density and reproductive fluid as noted above.

Consider the Royal Pace—Can you imagine a king or queen stressed out, out of breath or running down the halls of their castle? Consider living life without the haste and stress and adopt a “royal (stress-free) pace.”

Activities That Build Ojas Laughing and loving others are two of many activities that replenish us and build ojas. ˌˌ Loving others ˌˌ Laughing

ˌˌ Acting on what you are passionate about ˌˌ Giving and serving others ˌˌ Yoga, breathing and meditation ˌˌ Nasal breathing exercise ˌˌ Being in nature ˌˌ Eating fresh wholesome foods in a relaxed manner ˌˌ Getting ample rest: 7–8 hours of sleep with the cycles (up early, to bed early) References: (1) Pert, Candice. Molecules of Emotion. Simon and Schuster. 1999 (2) Gerson, Michael. The Second Brain.

Harper Collins. 1998

Recipe: Using Foods to Build Ojas There are certain foods and herbs in nature that literally build ojas. Eating these foods in combination with a more balanced lifestyle will support immunity, sleep, vitality, complexion, mood stability and longevity.

To boost ojas and gain the predicted benefits of ojas-producing foods and herbs, consider making the following recipe for an ojas tonic before bed: This is about as yummy of a drink as you will ever have.

1. Add very small amounts of each to 1 cup of milk (non homogenized cow, almond or coconut) as you slowly bring it to a boil: Chopped dates Chopped almonds Coconut meat or flakes Saffron Ghee Cardamom 2. Add Ojas-building herbs to the milk (1/4 tsp of each): • Shatavari (woman with 100 husbands, sometimes spelled Shatawari) • Ashwaganda (strength or sweat of ten horses) *A convenient blend of all of the above ojas-building foods is called Ojas Nightly Tonic and is available in LifeSpa’s online store and at our onsite Ayurvedic boutique.

3. Once the milk, herbs and ojas-building foods and night for 3 months to rebuild ojas levels and support spices are cooked and off the flame, add 1/2 tsp of sleep, immunity and overall health. ojas-building raw honey.

For best results consider supplementing with Shatavari Drink one cup of the ojas-building hot milk tonic each and Ashwaganda (500mg of each 3x/day for 3 months).

JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 29

EAT WELL. RECIPES BY ANNICK LEWIS, CEO AND NUTR

Roasted Cauliflower Salad 4 cups arugula

1 cup chopped parsley ½ red onion 1 cucumber 1 red bell pepper 1 1/2 cups chopped cauliflower 1/2 cup chopped squash 1 lemon 3 tbsp cider vinegar 1 tsp ground flaxseed 1 garlic clove ¼ cup olive oil (evo) 1 tsp sea salt 2 tsp Italian Herbs Preheat your oven to 370 degrees.

Salad dressing Add lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, 1 tsp ground flaxseed, 1 handful parsley, pinch Italian herbs, pinch salt, cider, and blend.

Roasted Veggies You will need to get started with a chopping board, bowl, tray, and ingredients laid out ready to go.

Use the bowl to add all chopped veggies to toss in evo and Italian herb seasoning then bake em until roasted on top.

Toss in pumpkin seeds towards the last 7 minutes of roasting to crisp.

Tossing Use another bowl to add veggies arugula, cucumber and Parsley.

Toss all ingredients with dressing and serve with Grill Salmon / Chicken and enjoy the combination of the roast with the cold leafy flavor burst.

30 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

DIET & NUTRITION

RITIONIST (BSC) AT GREEN BALANCE BY ORGANNICK

Vegetarian Cauliflower & Red Lentil Soup ¾ cup squash 1 cup red lentils 2 head cauliflower chopped 2 tsp paprika 1 clove garlic ¼ cup chopped parsley ¼ cup chopped shadow beni 1 tbsp pink salt / to taste 1 stalk celery 2 1/2 cups filtered water pepper if desirable vegetable stock / chicken (avoid monosodium glutamate and yeast). Make homemade broth.

Start by having the kettle boiled and veggies chopped in med-large chunks.

First, sauté garlic, squash, cauliflower and celery in some 2 tbsp. coconut oil.

In about eight minutes add lentils and continue stirring.

Add water and stock and leave to simmer down for about thirty minutes.

Next blend and serve.

Portion out extra into containers and freeze to use in the week for easy meals.

Makes 4-5 servings.

JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 31

WHAT

HARMONIOUS LIVING

AT COLOUR DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

H

ello readers!

Today I want to focus on colour and what it really means to us. For a brief moment I want you to close your eyes and visualize a world without colour.

How does that make you feel? Probably not very good. This is because colour has the potential to be a subtle persuader or a powerful lure, influencing health, well-being, and mood. Colour plays an important role in our lives as it is one of the most dominant perceptions of the physical world. It is also one of the most complex physical and psychological phenomenon to understand and use correctly.

When we think of colour and sustainable design, greens and deep earth tones are usually what come to mind. The truth is that sustainability doesn't have to be monochromatic but can encompass all colours of the spectrum. Sustainability is about connecting mankind with nature and if you think about nature without colour, it's virtually nonexistent.

An experiment by interior designer Shashi Caan during a 2006 design show found that the colour of a room can influence how much people socialize in it. Other research indicates that people’s perception of temperature can

with Christy Maingot

the effect of colours on our emotions and how to use it to create harmony in the home or office

change with the colour of a space: Bluegreen can lower the comfort range, while red-orange can raise it, by as much as 10 degrees in either direction. It is possible that something as simple as the right selection of colours can potentially aid in the reduction of reliance on air conditioning, in turn reducing energy consumption and costs. Colour can benefit the entire triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. So why is colour selection not normally considered pertinent to sustainable design?

Lance Hosey for Architect Magazine writes, “advertisements in colour are read up to 42 percent more often than the same ads in black and white, and the human eye can distinguish more than 10 million hues, so it stands to reason that colour perception serves a biological purpose. In the mid-1990s, researchers at Texas a&m University studied perceptions of scenic beauty in forest landscapes and found that people invariably were drawn to the green-yellow range of the spectrum. Apparently, we associate verdant colours with food-bearing vegetation—shades that literally nourish.” This can be linked to the concept of biophilia—humans are inertly drawn to nature.

JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 33

HARMONIOUS LIVING In interior design, I often use colour as a communication tool with my clients as it helps me influence mood and cause physiological reactions. This is because colour psychology plays an extremely important role in how humans react and interact with each other as well as the spaces in which they occupy. In addition to its physical effects on the eye and brain, colour carries with it many symbolic and associative meanings which can also translate across many cultures.

For example, red can symbolize danger or stop. Research has shown that the colour red also has the ability to raise blood pressure, colour

represents

pulse rate, tension and eye strain while blue has the exact opposite effect. Yellow has been linked to anxiety and is often avoided in small children's rooms as it agitates and makes them cry.

Although there has been a lot of research carried out colour and its effect on humans and their behavior, much if it has been inconclusive or conflicting. This is partly due to the large amount of variables that exist. These include cultural background, individual perception, the presence of light, the value or intensity of the colour itself and the overall environment.

One thing that holds true for most where to use

Predominantly Bedrooms and Offices

people despite these variables is that colour can be distinguished as warm or cool colours. The warm colours are generally considered to be red, orange and yellow while the cool colours are blue, green and violet. Black, white, brown and gray are considered neutrals.

The following are some common psychological effects of colours in the Western Hemisphere and how they can be used throughout the home. Keep in mind that certain shades or tines may result in very different meanings. Also, the context in which the colour is used and surrounding colours, can have an effect. effects

Accent

Blue

Intelligence, Serenity and Protection

Green

Healing, Wealth, Bedrooms and Nature and Meditation Balance Spaces

Kitchens

Green is the primary colour in nature which corresponds to life's riches. It represents nourishment and helps steady the body balancing equilibrium and encourages stability. It is often used in bedrooms due to its calming nature. Too much green however promotes laziness, depression and lethargy.

Yellow

Energy, Happi- Kitchens and ness, Caution or Bathrooms Attention

Offices

Yellow is known for enhancing intelligence and mental agility. It helps stimulate conversation and increases focus. As noted before, too much yellow causes distress and is best avoided in bedrooms. It is known that babies cry more in yellow rooms.

Orange

Warmth, Reassurance, Socialization

Living Rooms

Orange is vibrant and helps dispel darkness. It is the colour of laughter and celebration and reduces self-consciousness and allows confidence.

It also has motivational properties and helps promote activity. Too much orange however can make a space feel heavy and monotonous.

Kitchens, Dining Rooms and Gyms

34  CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL   JULY 2016

Living Rooms Blue encourages efficiency as it has been proven that students who are exposed to blue before undertaking exams were more successful and achieved greater results. Too much blue however can become cold and make people feel unwelcome. When using blue in your home, be sure to balance it with warm undertones.

HARMONIOUS LIVING colour

represents

where to use

effects

Predominately Accent Red

Passion, Optimism and Adventure

Kitchens and Dining Rooms

Bedrooms and Red is the colour of passion guaranteed to spark Living Rooms romance as i0t increases heart rate and helps awaken then libido. It also entices the appetite which makes it perfect for kitchens and dining rooms. Be careful though as too much red is linked to danger and can have the opposite effect.

Studies have shown that drivers with red cars, including females tend to be more aggressive.

Pink

Calm, Sweet and Love

Bedrooms

Living Rooms

Pink is gentle and soothing and promotes tenderness and comfort in times of emotional transition. Use it in a room in which you are trying to increase receptivity and understanding. It counteracts anger and aggression. In society too much pink can be linked to immaturity, a lack of will-power and self-worth. The use of neutrals such as black and grays tend to add balance to spaces with pink

Purple

Royalty, Spirituality and Mystery

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Offices

Purple encourages a fresh perspective and can be use in the home to enhance compassion. Too much purple however can promote depression and despair.

When used strategically, colour emphasizes your interior's best assets. The following are good principles to use when trying to enhance the spatial quality of a room: Bright, warm colours such as furniture would appear larger.

A darker colour would make an object appear smaller and heavier.

Light, neutral colours tend to extend a space while dark colours make them heavy and feel closed in.

Warm colours tend to advance while cool colours recede.

For example, a long narrow room can be “widened” by painting the end walls a bright, colour and by painting the side walls a lighter, cooler colour. High ceilings can be “lowered” by painting it a darker colour.

As you can see, there are many ways in which colour can be used to affect the appearance of a space and the objects in it.

“Don't just live a life in black and white when there's a spectrum of colours available for you. Don't confine yourself, instead express yourself and have some fun.”

—rubyanne Until next time…cm JULY 2016 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL 35

COVER STORY

JOURNEY TO ENLIGHTENMENT —A CONVERSATION with SRI VASUDEVA, FOUNDER OF BLUE STAR continued from page 9

the steel industry and then a senior manager in business, so I felt totally accomplished. All the things that I wanted to accomplish in the external world, I did. During the years of being in the steel industry, I taught part-time at the San Fernando Technical Institute, because I loved the field of education.

Then in 1993, when I was thirty-nine years old, I decided to start the work of the Blue Star here in my home, and then eventually it started to mushroom into what it is now In 1996 I traveled to different countries, first to Canada because I had family there. Then I went to New York and now we have a Blue Star Healing and Wellness Centre there. Then some visitors from Holland invited me and the Blue Star started to grow in Europe to include Ireland, Holland, Romania, Hungary, Denmark and England. Later a centre started in Jamaica as well.

sc: You said that in addition to the programs that you do now, your main focus is to help people to have that Kundalini awakening?

sv: Throughout my teaching, the main thing was meditation; meditation classes—beginners’ class,

advanced class, teachers’ class and meditation practice—that was very much into the line of Siddha Yoga.

Then I expanded that to healing, wellness and education. Now the Blue Star has fifty-two acres in the Brasso Venado area where we want to build an eco-community, to be in harmony with nature. So we are taking the spiritual teachings into every possible area.

The gentleman who invited me to Holland was interested in bringing spiritual principles into management. When his groups met me, they saw an avenue where I could help and support them so I started to talk to managers there about leadership using spiritual principles.

The leader of our Irish group, a renowned family therapist, impressed with my work, took me to conferences and meetings in Denmark, London and Ireland, and out of that, counseling became a part of our Wellness Centre.

I love healing, now I am more into it from a quantum space, I show people how to use energy for healing. I developed that skill and have done a lot of programs over the last few years about healing.

So I am into wellness, meditation,

36 CARIBBEAN BODY AND SOUL JULY 2016

physical fitness, education—we started a preschool and we want to let that grow—and I am into environmental awareness and practices as well.

Here at the Blue Star centre in Trinidad, we create a space where people can come stay and experience something different, where they learn to integrate spiritual principles in daily living.

I love Trinidad and Tobago; it is the country of my birth.

It is place with many things to be desired but also with many wonderful things. My wish is for the country to be a safer place for all to live in. I wish to see people more healthy, happy and living in abundance.

I know that I was not born here by chance. I pray every day for my country and for the environment. I am confident that things will get better. Prayer is a most powerful tool for change and when we do so together it becomes even more powerful.

sc: Thank you, Sri Vasudeva, for sharing this fascinating journey with us.

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