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Contents
special edition 2012
in every issue 6 Publishers Note / contributors 8 Community Sweat 10 eco swag 18 sweat science 13 om news 28 sweat etiquette
14 Opposites attract
Hot Yoga Wellness & Qigong
17 living your moksha Keepin’ it Green
Features 19 gurus in our midst
A Celebration of Our Community
22 Thai Massage toronto school Modern Day Masters
24 spring cleaning An Inside Job
26 the truth ain’t always pretty The Ugly Side of Beauty Products
27 sugar ridge
How Sweet It Is!
27 Inbalance nutrition
Photo: Kristof (foto-studio.com)
Making Healthy Choices
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3
Special Edition PUBLISHER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Fred Antwi fred@sweatequitymagazine.com
Tap into yours
Associate Editor Mairead Walsh editor@sweatequitymagazine.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR/PROMOTION MANAGER Debra Antwi debra@sweatequitymagazine.com
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COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENT David Good community@sweatequitymagazine.com
sWeetened
With pure pineapple Juice
CIRCULATION circulation@sweatequitymagazine.com While every effort has been made to ensure that advertisements and articles appear correctly, Sweat Equity Lifestyle Media Group cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. All material is intended for information purposes only. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editors.
Traditionally used to calm the mind and relax the body
Traditionally used to increase & balance energy and reduce stress
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CONTRIBUTORS Colin De France, Stephanie Dickison, Jen Kirsch, Liana Louzon, Kristen Ma, Joy McCarthy, Erin Moraghan, Nestor Ponce, Dina Rich, Mairead Walsh SALES ACCOUNT MANAGERS Leslie Best, Beryl Wong sales@sweatequitymagazine.com
calories
Traditionally used to increase & balance energy and reduce stress
COPY EDITOR Eryn Kirkwood
hibiscus flower with lemon green tea & lychee burst
Traditionally used to calm the mind and relax the body
hibiscus flower with lemon
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Owned and published by Sweat Equity Lifestyle Media Group 6-1500 Upper Middle Road West, #118 Oakville, Ontario L6M 0C2 info@sweatequitymagazine.com Sweat Equity Magazine is published 4 times a year (February, May, August, November) For advertising/sales inquiries please contact: sales@sweatequitymagazine.com Printed in Canada on paper from a sustainable source using vegetable-based inks. CONTACT US Readers are invited to contribute comments, views and photos.Article submission and photography should be emailed to: editor@sweatequitymagazine.com
TradiTionally used To suppress appeTiTe and help promoTe a healThy weighT. TradiTionally used To naTurally increase & balance energy levels while reducing The effecTs of sTress.
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MODEL/PROFILE SUBMISSION If you are interested in being considered for a model/ trainer/instructor profile please submit photos to: editor@sweatequitymagazine.com
Introducing the New
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Publisher’s Note
A Celebration
Fred Antwi, Publisher
This special issue of sweat equity is a celebration! Upon
eco-fashion marketplace and the Sweat Equity Yoga Pavilion. Here
reflection, we realize that we have learned so much from the short
you can watch various yoga demonstrations including some classes in
time that we’ve been publishing this magazine. Our personal experi-
Qigong, workshops on wellness and demonstrations of Thai Massage.
ences with each of the teachers and mentors has been beyond
You can even try your hand at some BollyFit created by Reshmi
valuable. We hope that we have been able to positively impact you
Chetram, a Toronto-based Indian classical dancer. She will take you
by sharing some of that inspiration and wisdom.. There is a strong
through some Bollywood dance moves to experience the excitement,
sense of community within yoga and we certainly felt that while each
exoticism and exuberance of traditional Indian dance. It’s a total body
teacher and mentor we connected with had their own unique contri-
workout and a whole lot of fun!
bution, it is all still very much connected. This spring is an exciting time for us. For the first time, we have
This issue we also highlight many of the eco-conscious companies that we are working with at the show. Find out more about their start-
created a yoga pavilion at the Green Living Show. For three days, you
ing places, their stories and specialities and what they are doing to
can come and join in North America’s largest green consumer show
help the environment. We have lots of free passes and other swag to
dedicated to educating people about easy solutions for leading a
giveaway so be sure to follow us on twitter and visit us on facebook to
sustainable lifestyle. New features at the show include an expanded
stay informed.
6
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Experience the power of yoga at the Green Living Show. The Sweat Equity Yoga Pavilion will feature an interactive stage and participation area where you can join us for free classes, workshops, demos and even some stretching in style with our catwalk flaunting the latest trends in eco-active fashion. In partnership with a select group of businesses, we look forward to offering you a space where you can engage, connect, gather information and most importantly... do yoga! Visit us in the centre of the Green Living Show for an event that will move you. Stay tuned for a schedule! @sweatequitymag
sweatequitymagazine.com
greenlivingonline.com
Community Sweat
Community
Sweat Upcoming special events April 13 – 15th, 2012
Sweat Equity Yoga Pavilion Mind | Body | Sweat
Saturday April 28, 2012
Amnesty International’s Yoga Day for Human Rights Ottawa and select cities across Canada
Stretch yourself for human rights! On Saturday April 28, studios, schools, workplaces, and community centres across Canada will roll out yoga mats with one common goal: to raise money and awareness for Amnesty International’s work on women’s human rights. This year, Yoga Day is raising awareness on courageous women’s human rights activists in Iran, who face harassment and imprisonment as a direct result of demanding equality for women. Join one of the events taking place in Ottawa, Edmonton, Barrie or Toronto, or organise your own by registering at yogaday.ca.
Lolë Meet-ups
On a mission to keep women healthy and passionate about life, Lolë created a program that encourages women to keep moving and stay active: Meet-ups. Lolë’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle inspired them to create a program where women can enjoy a variety of activities, including yoga, pilates, zumba and even ballet — all free, all year long. Local Lolë Ateliers also organize workshops on nutrition, health and other topics of interest to the community in an effort to bring together women for the purpose of well-being. Visit the online event calendar for more information. lolewomen.com 8
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Sweat Equity brings yoga to life this year at North America’s largest green consumer show: The Green Living Show! Here, at the Direct Energy Centre, you’ll find a diverse selection of food, home décor, automotive, fashion and now - yoga! Our pavilion will be hosting demos, mini-workshops, and yoga classes from top teachers in the GTA. Experience various yoga styles, from Ashtanga and Acro Yoga to Vinyasa, as well as Qigong and Tai Chi. Participate in some wellness workshops, bring your kids for yoga and see a cat walk of some eco active fashion. You can also get a workout in by taking a class with Reshmi Chetram, creator of BollyFit! Visit our partners, Moksha Yoga, JadeYoga, Hot Yoga Wellness, Thai Massage Toronto, Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre, Inbalance Nutrition, Oneka, and The Brand New One with some of their feature programming. Come and stretch with us and celebrate our great ‘green’ community and living la vida yoga! sweatequitymagazine.com greenlivingshow.ca
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Om News
JadeYoga
Invest in Your Environment “Trees are part of the lifeblood of our industry,” Dean Jerrehian, President of JadeYoga (former lawyer for the Environmental Protection Agency).
Yoga Mats Made of Eco Materials Environmentally friendly products are a big part of what JadeYoga is about. They’re leaders in creating ways to make use of undervalued, renewable and sustainable resources like natural rubber, which is what their mats are made of. How about their inventive use of naturally growing non-engineered balsa wood for their Jade Balsa Blocks? Balsa wood is a rapidly renewable resource that reaches maturity in just a few years. Even their yoga towels are made of certified US-grown organic cotton, an eco-friendly fibre containing no genetically modified seeds, toxic or persistent pesticides/ herbicides, bleach, heavy metals, or synthetic fertilizers. It seems they’ve gone out of their way to source not only what’s en vogue, but what’s truly best. Give to Jade, Jade Gives Back JadeYoga supports many causes worldwide, and through partnerships with Trees for the Future, the Water Project, and Tropical Rainforest Coalition, they give back to Mother Earth with every product sold. But they take the spirit of giving one step further by allowing customers to give back too, when they purchase certain products:
Buy a Mat, We Plant a Tree | Trees for the Future Since 1989, Trees for the Future has been helping communities around the world plant trees. Through seed distribution, agro forestry training and our country programs, we have empowered rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands. Planting trees protects the environment and helps to preserve traditional livelihoods and cultures for generations. treesftf.org
Buy a Block, Preserve Rainforest | Tropical Rainforest Coalition The Tropical Rainforest Coalition’s mission is to preserve tropical rainforest ecosystems, their indigenous people, and cultures at the local level by enabling volunteerism, through community education and at the international level via technical and financial support for recognized organizations involved in the conservation of tropical rain forests. rainforest.org
Buy a Towel, Provide Fresh Water | The Water Project Inc. The Water Project, Inc. is a non-profit organization that’s bringing relief to communities around the world who suffer needlessly from lack of access to clean water. thewaterproject.org/
JadeYoga Wants Your Yoga to Be Great Just because JadeYoga has thought about the environment and world causes, don’t think for a moment they’ve neglected their products. You’ll find the same dedication and high-quality commitment with these as with everything else they do. Take their Jade Harmony™ Yoga Mats, for instance. They’re made of open cell rubber, which keeps you from slipping, even if you perspire while Downward Dogging. So you can focus on your breath and not on the mat! It’s there to support, not disturb, you. And it’s cushiony, so whether you’re in a high-end studio or a church basement, you’ll be comfortable. In fact, you can customize your own mat. Jade mats offer four options for thickness, three different lengths and widths, and ten beautiful colours. jadeyogamats.ca
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Eating by the Book
Opposites Attract Qigong and Hot Yoga Unite at Hot Yoga Wellness By Stephanie Dickison
The history of Qigong (pronounced chee-gung) goes back
more than 4000 years. In 2400 B.C. Qigong emerged in China and contributed to the writing of Yi Jin or I Ching. During the Shang Dynasty, everyone from lay people to royals practiced Qigong. Today it’s practiced worldwide. Peter Meech, author of Mysteries of the Life Force: My Apprenticeship with a Chi Kung Master, describes it as “an internal art devoted to the cultivation of chi, or the life force.” Qigong at Hot Yoga Wellness Sujun Chen opened Hot Yoga Wellness four years ago and offers Qigong as part of their programming. Here they focus on Health Qigong, a form of Chinese yoga that aligns breath work, movement, awareness and meditation. It is believed that you can improve your overall health by increasing your Qi circulation. Sujun says “Health Qigong will help balance mental and physical energy by stilling the mind and creating awareness. It nourishes and tones your internal organs, and allowing Chi to flow freely leads to better function of the organs. Reducing anxiety; lowering high blood pressure; strengthening and toning the body; increasing muscle, tendon, and joint flexibility, [Qigong] is a great way to reduce stress and with regular practice will slow the hands of time.”
Yin exercise to manage your internal energy and to receive energy from the universe. That’s why Sujun offers Health Qigong: “When you cleanse your body you need two kinds of energy: one from nutritious food and the other from the universe (Chi). Your body becomes open when practicing hot yoga, making it easy to absorb good energy from food and the universe.” Yoga Qigong Therapy With the guidance of a yoga instructor, Yoga Qigong Therapy teaches students how to manage and maintain their own energy. A therapeutic yoga session is designed according to individual need. It isn’t just physical exercise. Although a posture sequence might be created to enhance a student’s overall wellbeing, yoga therapy delves into the psychology of yoga as well to combine both physical and meditative elements, bringing balance into one’s daily life. Hot Yoga Wellness also offers Yoga Qigong Therapist Training. This unique program gives yoga teachers an opportunity to explore a deeper means in which to help people.
Hot Yoga Wellness offers yoga programs for people of all ages, in addition to a kids’ summer camp, Health
Blending Qigong with Hot Yoga There are two kinds of exercise: passive (i.e., massage and acupuncture) and active (i.e., hot yoga, breathing and meditation). Hot yoga is a typical type of Yang exercise: it induces sweating and builds strength and endurance; that is, it’s an “energy-out” exercise. Your body needs 14
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Qigong, meditation, heated and non-heated yoga, workshops and Yoga Teacher Training. No matter your age or level of ability, there’s something for everyone in this non-competitive and communityoriented environment. hotyogawellness.com
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Living Your Moksha
Keepin’ it Green Moksha’s Green Initiatives By Erin Moraghan Moksha Yoga is a flourishing community of independent hot yoga studios that began with the vision of Ted Grand and Jess Robertson. Their commitment to the environment has remained at the forefront of their expansion with each of the over 60 hot yoga studios worldwide, dedicated to ethical, compassionate and environmentally conscious living. The growth of this family is a result of the support of each Moksha Yoga studio owner, Moksha teacher and a community of devoted students, all working towards bettering the world. Their mission is nurtured by Grand and Robertson’s belief in the limitless benefits of yoga, keeping it accessible to all and their efforts in keeping it ‘green’. Ted Grand on Living Green
effect, like magic. They turn stress into relaxation, fear into courage,
“We recognize that we don’t exist without the stability and strength of
sadness into peace, loneliness into joy. We bring this magic yoga stuff to
the planet’s ecosystems. The earth plays a vital part in our practice,
everyone - athletes, couch potatoes, patchouli wearing hippies like my
as yoga teaches us that this interconnectedness creates a necessity to
mom, or a suit wearing business man like my uncle Bob. There are no
protect and preserve what gives us life and vitality. We are the water we
pre requisites to being a Moksha student. Just come!”
drink, the trees that provide oxygen, the animals that create diversity, and the soil that provides food. When mindless consumerism and poor
ahhh... a tea moment
political decision-making threaten that life and vitality, it is a deeply yogic response to protect and preserve that source of what we are.”
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Jess Robertson on Accessibility “The word ‘yoga’ comes from the verb ‘to yoke’ or ‘unite’. One of the most fundamental ways that the Moksha community creates this unity
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is through ensuring that all classes are open to everyone! With a block, a strap, a well educated teacher, and a sense of humour... any yoga posture and idea can be of benefit. Yoga postures have an alchemical
Go-Green Quick Tips! 1. Clean Green: Unsafe products are wreaking havoc on the planet...and if that’s not enough motivation, 15% of asthma are due to yucky fumes from toxic household cleaners! Choose earth-friendly options or make your own from water, vinegar and lemon. 2. Eat Local: Most fruits and veggies travel 2500-4000 km to our plates. Choose local, and organic when possible. 3. Go Veggie: 7 football fields worth of land are bulldozed every minute to support factory farming. That’s a darn good reason to choose chickpeas over chicken. 4. Morning Pick Me Up: Over 58 million beverage cups are thrown away annually. Save cash and the planet - brew your own java and take it to go in your own mug. 5. Cold vs Hot: Using a cold wash and rinse saves up to 93% of energy compared to hot.
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250HR Teacher Training Certification with Ron Reid, Diane Bruni, Marla Joy & David Bruni Intensive Format: May 14 - June 8
This program is Yoga Alliance Certified and students will be provided with an official Tuition Receipt For more details about this program and our Teacher Training programs in Toronto go to: www.downwarddog.com
: info@downwarddog.com Contact Info:| info@downwarddog.com 416.703.8805 | 416.703.8805 reet East | DOWNTOWN: BEACH: 1977 Queen Street 735East Queen | DOWNTOWN: Street West, 735 Queen 2nd StreetFloor West, 2nd Floor
Yoga · Fitness · Lifestyle
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MOST CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS IN YOGA
Featuring
SEANE CORN
OFF THE MAT INTO THE FRAY
Bending the Truth
Healthy Ageing and Yoga
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Locking down inner peace
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Eating by the Book
Gurus in our Midst Homage to the present-day pillars of yoga By Debra Antwi
To borrow from a well-known adage, there’s no such thing as a self-made yogi. When we pause to consider who inspires us to be our best, we realize that over the past few years, we’ve had the pleasure of standing on the shoulders of some remarkable yoga giants. Our pages, our practices and our lives have been graced by the legendary likes of Seane Corn, Baron Baptiste, Russell Simmons, Diane Bruni, Ted Grand, Trish Stratus, Simon Park and Cynthia Funk.
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Seane Corn
Trish Stratus
In some ways,
these yogis are as different as chalk and cheese, as diverse as Lady Gaga and Gandhi. Stratus began her career in professional wrestling, loves fish and chips, and plays a bounty hunter on T.V. Baptiste studied at the feet of yogi parents as well as mentors like Desikachar and Swami Rama and has served on the coaching staff of a U.S. professional football team. Corn’s a New Jersey native, while Park was born in rural Korea. Funk’s Toronto studios are the result of two sisters’ simple dream to start a family business, and Simmons’ hip-hop-infused persona guides a multimillion dollar, multi-industry enterprise. Yet, for all their outward differences, they share some qualities that inspire, motivate and captivate that part of ourselves that has nothing to do with precise placement of our limbs in space or the specific brand of practices we call yoga. First and foremost, they embody a sense of humility and compassion that can feel so rare in a world that glorifies celebrity and all its trappings, showing that notoriety and narcissism don’t have to be inseparable 20
WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | special edition 2012
bedfellows. They freely admit that they’re not just teachers, but students of yoga as well; they never lose touch with the beginner’s mind that allows them to make beginners feel welcome. Bruni’s fond of saying, “You have to teach with kindness, because that’s what people will remember.” Given her long history in the Toronto yoga community, she’s not only “remembered,” but respected by devotees who now number in the thousands. Funk reminds us that “the more I learn, the more I can bring” to enrich others. Last summer, Corn bared her humble heart to our readers when she recounted her story of a misguided attempt to share her love of yoga with a group of disadvantaged girls; and Park, who tours the world teaching on a schedule that would rival any rock star’s, admits that even if he never brought one original idea to his students but only shared what he has learned from his teachers, it would be enough to fill a lifetime. These yoga stars also share a sense of open-mindedness and acceptance when it comes to defining yoga, preferring to err on the side of inclusion rather than exclusion. They recognize that there are
Diane Bruni
“convert every work into yoga with the magic wand of right attitude.”
Baron Baptiste
many possible entry points to a practice (Simmons admits he was first drawn by the beautiful yoginis he saw in classes), and they demonstrate a willingness to meet people wherever they are in their yogic journey. So when Bruni guides her advanced students through a challenging Ashtanga flow on the beach, Funk provides a 3-minute sequence that yogis can do at their desks, Park gets on another plane to bring Prana Flow to Germany or Spain, and Stratus demonstrates using beanbagweighted gloves to enhance muscle work in asana practice, they never seem to forget that the yoga in each case—although outwardly very different—has the same spirit and purpose: to use the body as a means to access and understand our inner selves. By the very diversity of their teaching styles and perspectives, they unlock the beauty of yoga for a much wider variety of practitioners, bringing the practice to fruition in the 23 hours a day that we aren’t on the mat. As Grand so eloquently puts it, “How I am as a parent to my three beautiful girls is my yoga. How I am when I vote is my yoga. How I am when I spend every single dollar that I
spend in my life is my yoga. Contained within yoga practice is how we are every moment.” Our yoga mentors are all passionate about what they do, and their enthusiasm is contagious! Yet they model the equanimity that keeps passion from morphing into mania and imbalance. Baptiste makes time to share his gifts with African children through a non-profit yoga project in Nairobi. Corn’s Off the Mat and Into the World program trains yogis to design and lead social activism projects. Stratus leverages her television celebrity status to contribute to a long list of charities. Grand’s environmental initiatives are extensive as he looks for cutting-edge ways to reduce the carbon footprint. And by inventing ways to share his wealth with those in need, Simmons shows us that the phrase “millionaire yogi” doesn’t have to be a contradiction in terms. Swami Sivananda counseled that we should “convert every work into yoga with the magic wand of right attitude.” Mentors like these prove that the magic is possible and that it has the power to change the world. special edition 2012 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM
21
Eating by the Book Profile
Thai Massage Toronto School Modern masters advance an age-old tradition By Stephanie Dickison
C. Pierce Salguero writes in the Encyclopedia of Thai Massage
that Thai massage is “based on Ayurvedic medicine and yoga,” and “has been handed down through an unbroken chain of masters for
Toronto Certification Training. Juan Villa (Deanna’s husband) became a Thai Massage Practitioner ten years ago and has since extended his expertise to include Reiki
centuries.” This art form “incorporates a traditional combination
Master and Craniosacral Therapist. He trained for both of these in
of acupressure, energy, meridian work and yoga-like stretching,”
Thailand. Juan takes a very hands-on approach, such that each is able
according to Salguero.
to offer their individual clients unique care and attention. Students of Juan enjoy massage treatments, so they can personally experience
Toronto Innovators
how Thai Massage from a master practitioner should feel!
Deanna Villa founded Thai Massage Toronto in 1998. It was the first Thai Massage School and Massage Centre in operation in Toronto and
The School
among the first few in North America. Deanna, a master practitioner,
With locations in Port Credit and downtown Toronto, individual
began her practice in 1998 and started teaching in 2002. Her lineage of
classes and certifications (available in beginner, intermediate and
teachers includes Master Pichet Boonthume of Old Medicine Hospital;
advanced levels) are convenient. Registrants can chose between
Kam Thye Chow of Lotus Palm, School of Thai Yoga Massage; and Dr.
group, semi-private or private classes, both on- and off-site. Weekend
Anthony James from the International Thai Therapists Association.
and weekday schedules enable students to navigate attendance with their work and family life. If money is a concern, all tuition fees are tax
and discomfort for the practitioner, known as the TMT method,”
deductible, and there are flexible pay-as-you-go plans as well (You
students obtain skills in stability and alignment as well as focused
can contact the school to arrange an information session and tour).
attention to prevent injury, strain and fatigue. Deanna teaches the physical application of metta (loving kindness), so you can be sure
With Deanna and Juan at the helm, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands, good healing hands.
that her students come away with far more than just techniques and terminology. Always in motion, Deanna has authored ten Thai Massage manuals,
Thai Massage Toronto 664 Bloor St. West, 2nd floor, Toronto
recorded six instructional DVDs (including the DVD series The Art of
(416) 234-0011
Sensing) and an audio meditation CD to accompany the Thai Massage
thaimassagetoronto.com
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Photo: Courtesy of TMT
Modifying her teaching to “focus on techniques that avoid injury
SweatEquityNov_1:SweatEquity
10/18/11
2:32 PM
Page 1
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23
Nutrition
Spring Cleaning An inside job
By Joy McCarthy RNCP Get back on track with some healthy spring cleaning! Follow these tips and you’ll discover a renewed sense of wellbeing; your liver will feel
the love, your confidence will soar and you might even shed some winter weight. Now who can argue with that? Forget the grapefruit cleanse and cabbage soup diet. Start simple with new habits that won’t cause a rebound of the old ones six weeks later. The lifestyle habits listed here will support your overall success. Start your morning off right, with protein. After having lemon water or green juice to kick start your liver, enjoy a breakfast of champions. An award-winning breakfast is one with protein that’ll boost your metabolism. Protein is essential for detoxification. I’m not talking about bacon, though. Good sources of clean protein include nut butters, free-range eggs, quinoa, sprouted brown rice protein powder and dark leafy greens. A little sautéed spinach topped with poached eggs? Yum! S.N.A.C.C. According to Dr. Elson Haas, holistic-minded medical doctor and author of The Detox Diet, no detox would be complete without taking a break from SNACC-ing. In other words, avoid Sugar, Nicotine, Alcohol, Chemicals and Caffeine.
cigarette smoke contains 250 chemical toxins, many of them proven to be carcinogenic, contribute to coronary artery diseases and put your skin and organs on the fast track to aging. Need I say more?
Sugar You don’t have to be a cookie monster or candy addict to consume the equivalent of a chocolate bar a day. Sugar-laden cereals and granola bars are a prime example. The solution? Read labels. Look for sucrose, maltose, corn syrup, glucose and fructose. If a word ends in the suffix ‘ose,’ it’s sugar. Take a sugar break and you’ll be amazed at how incredible you feel.
Alcohol Now, I’m not suggesting you never drink a glass of red wine again; that would be cruel. But halting your consumption of alcohol will give your liver a rest, and you might even lose some weight. A glass of wine contains about 170 calories, and some mixed drinks have more sugar than a can of pop. And guys, listen up: we’ve all heard of brewers droop, right? Beer is an estrogenic drink (not so good for the man parts, if you get my drift).
Nicotine Although this is a no-brainer, smoking is still popular among 18 to 35 year olds. Each puff of
Chemicals Eliminate processed foods from your diet to reduce the amount of chemicals entering your body
To support your body in the detoxification process, look for a supplement that contains some, if not all, of these herbs in a blend. Consult a certified practitioner for the right dosage recommendations. Burdock Root is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that is cleansing to the cells. In addition to stimulating your immune system, it’s also an antibacterial and anti-fungal agent, so you’ve got all your bases covered. Watercress is a heavy metal detoxifier and rich source of
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WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | special edition 2012
(they can affect everything from skin health to libido). Unfortunately, our grocery stores are dispensaries of unknown and unpronounceable chemical ingredients. Avoid chemical-laden foods by following three simple rules: 1. Only buy food containing ingredients you recognize (or can at least pronounce!) 2. Choose foods with five or fewer ingredients. 3. Avoid foods that claim to be low sugar or low fat. Often they’re hiding something.
instead. They have less caffeine than drip coffee, which can deliver a whopping 250 mg per cup. Cut out the caffeine and your energy levels will soar! joyoushealth.ca
Caffeine That java jolt that gets you through the day may be sabotaging your health goals, particularly if you’re already under stress. Caffeine taxes the adrenal glands and promotes the stress response. If you’re a coffee addict, it’s time to take a break. Try cutting the amount of coffee you drink in half or buy an Americano
chlorophyll. Chlorophyll cleanses your blood and increases the flow of bile, which improves digestion. Good digestion is essential for an effective detox. Turkish Rhubarb Root helps cleanse the liver and detoxify the colon. It’s a safe and effective laxative— hello happy bowel! This root is also an anti-inflammatory, acts as an antioxidant, and increases the flow of gastric juices for improved digestion. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a clean body, calm mind, and vibrant new you!
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Beauty
The Truth Ain’t Always Pretty
The ugly face of beauty: The Filthy Five
Learn to recognize the ugly in your beauty products
Coal tar is used to colour cosmetics
By Kristen Ma
and is carcinogenic. Coal tar is also
and hair dyes. It contains heavy metals toxic to marine life and may harm the
The mainstream beauty care industry endorses vanity, excess and the use of environmentally
disastrous chemicals, when it should be promoting restraint, simplicity and a natural approach. The use of cosmetics does not need to be frivolous, wasteful or harmful. If we perceive beauty as one
aquatic environment.
BHA is a preservative used for its
aspect of good health, then the use of natural skincare products supports our overall wellbeing. Using
antioxidant properties. It was listed
beauty products made from only pure ingredients allows us, and the environment, to avoid absorbing
under the Convention for the Protection
harmful chemicals.
of the Marine Environment of the North-
Why should you choose natural beauty products whenever you can?
East Atlantic as a chemical of concern due to its danger to aquatic organisms and tendency to bio-accumulate.
They Don’t Contain Nonrenewable Ingredients
Sodium Laurel Sulfate is a
Most commercial skincare products contain petroleum-derived ingredients. These go by names such
detergent used in shampoos and body
as petrolatum, propylene glycol and mineral oil, to name just a few. But petroleum is a nonrenewable
washes for its foaming properties.
resource that takes millions of years to form, making it near impossible to replenish. When we use
Sodium Laurel Sulfate has been linked
skincare and make-up comprised only of vegetable oils, plant waxes and flower waters, we reduce our
to kidney damage; it impedes tissue
petroleum consumption and support more sustainable beauty regimens.
formation in humans and has been flagged as non-biodegradable.
They Promote Wildlife Safety and Soil Quality Many cosmetic ingredients are detrimental to wildlife and our overall ecosystem. For example,
Petrolatum is a petroleum
petroleum and petroleum-derived cosmetic ingredients such as phlalates are also found to be harmful
derivative that constitutes the main
and toxic. Petroleum contains hydrocarbon molecules along with trace amounts of nitrogen and sulfur
ingredient in many skincare and
that are deadly to living organisms, and phlalates have been found to be carcinogenic when in contact
cosmetic products. Petroleum is a
with the bodily fluids of animals and humans. The cultivation of organic, natural skincare ingredients
nonrenewable resource that might
is less damaging to the environment, because organic agriculture avoids the use of nitrogen-based
also be a carcinogen.
fertilizers, such as calcium nitrate, which causes high concentrations of nitrogen in the water table and creates aquatic “dead zones.” Organic skincare also promotes soil fertility as these agricultural practices
Phlatates is a group of
help slow soil erosion. This along with the fact that organic farming locks carbon into the ground, thus
plasticizers used in nail polish and
reducing carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere, makes buying organic skincare
perfumes. They are carcinogenic and
products the right thing to do.
are hormone disrupters. A study on a selection of fish from the St. Lawrence River showed they had been affected
Kristen is an Ayurvedic practitioner and co-owner of Pure + Simple Inc., an independent chain of holistic spas in
by plasticizers, with fish developing
Toronto. She’s the author of Beauty: Pure + Simple and writes the popular blog, holisticvanity.ca. There she shares
roe (eggs) and testes.
her thoughts and knowledge on Ayurveda and its beauty benefits. Find out more about Kristen at pureandsimple.ca
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Insight
Sugar Ridge How Sweet it is!
Coincidentally situated on Forgets Road, Sugar Ridge offers the perfect get-away where you will sleep better, eat better and indeed forget at least some of your stress. Liz Frost, a former chartered accountant, had a passion to create a place where people could go to reconnect to themselves. She was able to make that dream come to life with Sugar Ridge. This intentionally simple yet comfortable retreat offers guests unique spa treatments, customized yoga classes, even belly dancing if you prefer - and fully operates keeping the environment in mind. The kitchen is vegetarian catering to all of its visitors needs (gluten free, dairy free, vegan etc.) and all meals are prepared using only organic food. Other eco practices include the use of environmentally safe cleaning products, bedding is cotton, and the laundry soap is natural. So what can visitors expect from a Sugar Ridge retreat experience? Throughout the property, a number of trails can be found that are great for hiking and biking, walking or meditation. The winter boasts beautiful slopes for those looking to ski, even painting and wine-tasting can be part of your itinerary. Most important to Liz is the personal attention to individual or group needs. Her top priority is offering acceptance and some peace along with the yummy food, comfy beds and snuggly duvets. According to Liz, “We want the experience here to be one that lasts for you long after you leave.” For more information on this magnificent retreat, be sure to visit sugarridge.ca.
Inbalance Nutrition
An eco-friendly approach to living inbalance Nutrition was founded on the principle that eating
healthy should be easy and enjoyable for everyone. All of their products are designed for active lifestyles, and are made using only the purest organic, all natural, and non-GMO ingredients. Inbalance Nutrition also believes that balanced, sustainable, and healthy living is about more than what’s put into the package. In selecting the raw materials and manufacturing partners for their products, Inbalance also considers the implication of their choices on the health and well being of others and the environment. In 2011 for example, they made a decision to eliminate the use of plastic bottles and scoops and relaunched Inbalance (New Zealand) Whey Protein Isolate in resealable pouches, effectively reducing their total packaging by more than 85%. Additionally, all of their beverage products are dry powders, designed to be mixed with water prior to use. This further minimizes the environmental footprint, since transporting water is terribly inefficient and bottling it can have a negative impact on both the environment and local populations from where it is taken. Inbalance Nutrition also supports the growing movement towards organic agriculture and manufacturing practices, and is a proud member of the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA). Inbalancenutrition.ca
special edition 2012 | WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM
27
Sweat Etiquette
Mental Medicine Yoga every day keeps the crazy at bay
By Jen Kirsch And so it is, another to-do list ridden, on-the-go, non-stop,
don’t have time to breathe, do yoga. And when you don’t have time to
anxiety-inducing kind of day. Not only do you have to balance your
do yoga, do yoga; in fact, do it twice that day.
itinerary, and your relationship, but you also want to sit back, Baddha
The practice itself is both physically and mentally medicinal. We
Konasana style, and get your sweat on. In an ideal world, you can have
become better partners and better co-workers when we practice;
it all.
we become better at being in our own skin, at being physically and
Between coaching clients, writing relationship columns, making
emotionally strong.
TV appearances and dating, one thing I decided to maintain was my
Whether it takes getting honked at on your leisurely drive home from
yoga practice. In fact, the days I hit the mat were the days I felt more
the studio, (due to that inner peace that no one else on the road seems
confident in front of the camera, at a dinner date and even behind the
to have), or maybe you find yourself ignoring an aggressive email,
screen as I wrote my heart out.
knowing that the sender was just “worked up over nothing,” yoga
I hate to break it to you, but those who say they’re “too busy” aren’t too busy. What it comes down to is priority. We choose what we have time for. We analyze what’s more important. I’ve gone through phases
provides an inexplicable sense of calm. Doing yoga every day keeps the crazy at bay. You may not convince your other half to hit a class with you, nor can
of planning get-togethers around my yoga schedule. I’ve woken up at
you prescribe a months’ worth to your boss (wouldn’t that be subtle?!),
6:00 a.m. to get a practice in on a day I knew would put me six feet
but you can maintain your own daily practice. Connect with yourself
under if I skipped this necessary time for myself.
in a way that enables you to see clearly. Connect in a way that reveals
If you’re having issues with your significant other, do yoga. If you’re getting frustrated with a project at work, do yoga. If you’re so busy you
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WWW.SWEATEQUITYMAGAZINE.COM | special edition 2012
how precious and easy life can be, so long as you take it in, one breath at a time.
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