A Few Words on Bladder Infections

Last month I was blessed with a UTI -  bladder infection.

It didn’t exactly feel like a blessing at the time, but if I learned anything in the last five years, it is that in every unpleasant situation there’s a generous helping of brilliance and insight to be served if one is willing to accept it. A proverbial silver lining, if you wish.

And so, as I lay awake at 3 AM, running to the bathroom every 15 minutes, I start to realize that I have approached this situation from a very holistic perspective. It occurs to me that I can not only share my findings on this particular subject with you, but also use a similar method as a platform to explore and address any chronic (or not so chronic, but nonetheless annoying) ailments that are plaguing you and stopping you from enjoying your life fully. Hey, even bladder-infection induced insomnia can be productive!

So now, every month, we’ll choose a topic together – whatever is current and urgent for you – and use blog posts and Facebook to delve deeper into the discussion. Have you liked Satori on Facebook yet? If not, now is the time!

Before we start, though, I want to remind you that I am not a doctor. Everything that I talk about comes from my own experience.
NO, I didn’t study pharmacology or anatomy in university; YES, I’ve worked in the health food industry for the last decade, I research everything to a fault and am passionate about healing. Consider this to be an invitation, not a prescription.

I look at the healing of any illness or unpleasant situation from 3 different angles. This is the very same approach I use in my private practice.

Here is the holistic approach –  Satori way:

1. iLIVE: How can a change nutrition, diet, lifestyle and supplementation support healing?
2. iMOVE: What are structural imbalances – breathing restrictions, unhealthy or inefficient movement habits and holding patterns – that are contributing factors here?
3. iAM: Is there an underlying chronic stress condition or emotional imbalance worth addressing?

So, in the case of my urinary tract infection here is what I did:

iLIVE:I chose to go on a mono rice diet for the first 3 days to give my digestive system some rest and also let my body use most of its energy for healing, instead of digestion. From there I stuck to an anti-inflammatory diet. If what I just said sounds like a complete gibberish, here’s some good news: Spring Detox course is coming March 25th: we’ll talk about ayurvedic cleanse options as well as herbal formulas available on the market today.  Did you miss the Anti-Inflammatory Diet class last November? Look for a virtual Anti-Inflammatory Diet course coming this summer. And, of course, if you need a solution right NOW, please book your one-on-one consultation – let’s figure it out!
I didn’t want to overcomplicate things with supplements. (A good thing to remember is that they are just that – supplements. They are to supplement an already healthy diet, not to replace it!) The only three I used were unsweetened cranberry juice, critical care probiotics and d-mannose.  Plus an ayurvedic tea made from equal proportions of cumin, coriander and fennel – all cooling, soothing herbs. And lots and lots of water.
I do believe that conventional medicine has a rightful time and place –not as a stand alone solution, but as a part of a complete program. So I chose to go on antibiotics, and discovered something worth mentioning. For the first round of antibiotics I opted for a milder, 3-day solution. My thought behind it was to be as gentle on my body as possible. Not only did this first round of antibiotics not work, they made me feel tired and nauseated. YUCK! I asked Dr. Lyddell’s advice for the second round. Here is what he suggested: “ You have to treat those infections aggressively, as now there are a lot of drug resistant bacteria because of wide – spread use of antibiotics.” So a broad spectrum, potent antibiotic was in order for the second round, and I felt better for it in a matter of hours. Surprisingly, too – I experienced no fatigue or nausea – and that’s because these new generation drugs are hard on bacteria, not on your stomach. Win-win, I like it!
I also made sure that I was getting at least 8 hours of sleep and still napped in the afternoon. Rest is essential!

iMOVE: From the movement perspective, I have designed a therapeutic yoga practice to enhance the blood flow to the lower abdomen to reduce pain and cramping, and improve circulation. I practiced a lot of deep breathing. I also had an enlightening conversation with Janet Wood (a physiotherapist and miracle worker) on the merits of pelvic floor tonus and my bathroom habits.  The pelvic floor is a foundational support of your internal organs and the corner stone of your core stability. If the topic of core strength and balance is of interest to you, sign up for the Essential Core workshop coming up on March 10^th – we’ll be discussing this in much detail.

iAM: Last, but not least, I made sure I fit morning and evening meditation into my day. While I do have a regular practice of meditation, sometimes it slips, as I get really busy – hey, I am human, too. But when I am not feeling up to scratch, meditation becomes essential.
From a spiritual perspective meditation connects us to the deeper part of ourselves untouched by illness, pain, stress and discomfort. It is not just about controlling stress or triggering a relaxation response, even though these are valid reasons to practice meditation. Meditation reminds us of our true, unbound nature; it takes us to a place were all these old tapes that have been playing in our heads for years and years do not exist anymore; it shows us that Perfect Health is indeed a part of who we are. From that standpoint, meditation needs to be an essential piece of any healing program.  You are in luck: Learn to Meditate class is scheduled for January 25^th; and if you are ready to delve deeper and finally resolve your chronic stress issues then the Mastering the Art of Stress – Free living program might be for you.
I also investigated emotional holding patterns that might contribute to urinary tract infections and was surprised to learn that control issues were right there at the forefront.

There you have it, the Satori approach to urinary tract infections. To re-iterate what I’ve said earlier, I believe that the holistic way of healing is the only way. To find true healing, not just the band-aid solutions, we need to attend to ourselves in all our holiness – that’s right, the word holy, holistic and healing all have the same root.

To those of you who are thinking, “ where am I going to find time to do all of that?” I have this to say: It is not despite, but because I find the time to take really good care of myself I am able to work 14 – hour days, be productive and take care of my students the way I do. It is the reason I am able to heal myself, educate myself, build a successful business, take care of the household and raise two children all on my own. If I can do it, so can you. Don’t doubt yourself. Not now, not ever!

We have a two contenders for discussion in February – elimination problems (a.k.a. constipation) and sinus infections. I am leaning toward constipation, because both urinary tract infections and constipation depend heavily on the inner workings of your pelvic floor and your bathroom habits – something we are going to discuss in Essential Core workshop this March.  They also both belong to the realm of VATA imbalances, but that’s a whole ball game. Please let me know which topic interests you and resonates with you, so I can continue to serve you to the best of my ability.

 

 

Why Does Stress Get the Better of Us?

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed – out or anxious? Do you experience symptoms associated with high stress levels, including weight gain, burnout, chronic medical problems, mild depression, insomnia or fatigue?

In my own experience, as well as working with others, I came to realize that most of us not only are lacking healthy coping skills, but, more fundamentally, missing a commitment to ourselves that is rooted in compassion.

We lose commitment to relaxation practice when we don’t feel entitled even to twenty minutes each day for our own well-being. We are so busy working and taking care of others that we neglect ourselves. Our inability to nurture ourselves ( and the feelings of guilt!) becomes a road block to all our efforts to manage stress, enhance health and energy.

Shift your experience of stress, and your whole life will begin to re-orient itself around new you. But only YOU can create this shift–from the inside out.

So, who are you waiting for?

Come learn how to address the negative impact that stress is having on your life, and regain your health, energy, and clarity. Experience the nourishment of your mind, body and spirit with “Mastering the Art of Stress – Free Living “ course.

In this program you will learn about the profound effects stress can have on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Discover how awareness and mindful living can address the issues that cause you stress, enhancing your resiliency, preventing illness, and improving the quality of your life.

You take away:

A new understanding of the dramatic effects that stress can have on our physiology and biochemistry.

An appreciation for the power of mind – body medicine to transform old habits and create a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.

Tools to use every day to recognize and transform stress into creative energy.

10 weeks of compassionate and dedicated support to help you establish and maintain self- nurturing practices.

A deep nourishing experience for your body, mind and soul.

Transform stress through mindful living and the art of nourishment. Transform your life by Mastering the Art of Stress Free Living.

 

 

 

Kitchary and Kanjee

In Ayurveda, food is considered to be the first and most potent medicine, and therefore changing and adapting your diet to the circumstances of your life is essential both to healing from disease and every day well-being.

Here are two of Ayurveda’s beloved healing foods: these are widely used in Pancakarma, or Ayurvedic detoxification ritual, and also throughout the year whenever your feel down or depleted. Simplifying your diet in times of stress, illness, emotional turmoil and changing seasons gives your body a chance to use the freed extra energy for healing and rejuvenation. These two recipes can be used as a stand- alone dish once or twice a week, or for monthly detoxifying protocol, as a part of 1 – 5 day monodiet. ( Monodiet simply means you are eating the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner). The duration of your monthly cleanse will be determined by your primary dosha.
To learn more about Ayurveda, doshas or Panchakarma please schedule a one-on-one consultation or register for one of Satori’s iLIVE workshops.

Kitchary:

1/2 organic short grain brown rice
1/4 split mung dal ( lentils)
salt to taste
1/4 tsp turmeric ( optional)
2 cups of water
2 tsp flax or hemp oil

In a medium pot on high heat combine all ingredients, except for oil, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover with lid, and cook for 45 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes, drizzle with oil before serving.

Kanjee:

10 cups of water
1 cup of white rice
pinch of salt

In a large pot bring the water and rice to a boil. Allow to boil for 1 hour, strain or puree, and eat ( or drink) as much of the mixture as you’d like.

Home For The Holidays: HELLO, STRESS!

Holiday magic…. The tree is sparkling with hundreds of shimmering lights, and the stockings are hung. You’ve spent many afternoons fighting crowds in the mall, and now carefully wrapped presents are tucked under the tree. Read more

Inflammation: Good, Bad & Ugly

Inflammation is bad news, right?

There’s much talk about hyper-acidity and chronic inflammation. Aging, heart disease, digestive problems, respiratory congestion, joint pain, and even cancer have all been connected to inadequate inflammatory response. No wonder many doctor super – stars and well – known athletes like Dr. Oz, Dr. Andrew Weil, Brandon Brazier all advocate anti – inflammatory diet.

But wait. Is all inflammation actually harmful?

Watch the video below to learn how inflammatory response works ( please ignore the ad at the end of the video; it is difficult to find a good educational video without ad of some sort attached to it)

Consider this:

Local inflammatory response is needed and necessary to repair broken tissue – be it a simple cut, a broken bone, a case of appendicitis or any other surgery. It allows the human body to be unharmed by viruses, bacteria or fungi by triggering an appropriate defense mechanism.

How come this vital part of the healthy immune system function can become such a menace? The reasons are one, two, way too many. For some of us it is genetic predisposition, for others – the state of chronic stress, and for many it is our diet.
All too often the link between the state of our overall health and the state of our digestive system becomes the vicious circle: the weaker our digestion, the poorer is our health; the poorer the health, the weaker the digestion.

Whoa, what a person to do?

You can, just like I did a few years back, pour over the books, experiment with different diets, try dozens of different supplements in hopes of finding something that works. It only took me about 7 years… give or take.

You can also attend Anti – Inflammatory Diet and Beyond:

You’ll get all the information I have collected and tested over the years of being unwell, working at the Health Hut and studying Ayurveda. Plus, as a special bonus feature, you’ll get a great overview of anti-inflammatory supplements available on the market from Kelly Stubbert (she had worked at the Hut for over 15 years; trust me, she knows her stuff).

So, what do you think? Quite honestly, if I was invited to one of these workshops 10 years ago when I was ill, I would have dropped my books and registered without even thinking twice. Lucky for you, though, none of that was available in 2001, so I had to do my own research and lots of it.

Anti – Inflammatory Diet and Beyond:
November 16 ( a Wednesday) 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the Northwest Wellness Centre. Register now!

Be Good…For Goodness Sake!

 

When I ask my students how are they feeling, more often then not I hear “ good…fine.”

Read more

Dreams, Desires, Accomplishments

“yoga is a path of finding the means to do something beyond one’s reach and then of gradually making it possible.
It is the movement from the place one is now, to a place one has never been before.”
~Marcia Langenberg Read more

The Fine Art of Self Care

 

Nowadays, the fine art of self-nurture is all but forgotten, replaced by eternal, all – consuming busyness. We feel guilty about saying no, guilty about feeling tired, even guilty about not being busy enough! Read more

The Breath Poem

I’ve been reading this poem in my classes this week, and some students asked me to post it.

Here it is: this poem came to me in one of my trainings; it is by Donna Martin, professional writer and speaker.

Enjoy!

Brain Works

Next Page »