Since the beginning of the year I have envisioned creating a 21 Day Challenge at the studio. It would consist of an initial Saturday Foundations class followed by yoga five days a week for four weeks. Having experienced the benefits of a daily practice I wanted others to have the same experience of how much yoga can change your body and life in a short amount of time requiring no more than an hour and fifteen minutes a day, weekends off. With 3-4 classes offered a day, as well as a Sunday class it seemed plausible that each person could craft a schedule that fit into their own lifestyle.
Up against my own health challenges I've decided to be the guinea pig, posting each day to report the reality of it. Though I love yoga, I also love staying up late, cocktails and dancing, and the pleasure of taste sensation and so the next part of the challenge I will also post about candidly.
Too boot I have decided to up the ante by embarking on a cleansing program as developed by Dr. Susan Godwin, ND. at Woodland Wellness Center simultaneously. All my training and background is in Natural Medicine and Yoga so one would assume no big deal. But over the years I have developed an oppinion that being overly restrictive in an approach to health, acting as if everything that touches your lips needs to be organic, didn't float with me anymore, especially after being in areas where people were happy just to eat and drink and seemed very healthy despite their violation of "all natural standards". At the same time I have experienced in my own body and in observing others both acute and severe medical conditions turn around through Naturopathic and Yogic means. Once again I'm on the fence straddling two worlds. Knowing the amazing benefits and knowing the risks in becoming fundamental. If pleasure, fun and spaciousness gets taken out of the sensual experience of living that's not good either. Ask and the French and Italians who take time to enjoy their food and wine.
I have tried many different ways of consumption: eating vegan (i did miss cheese and ice cream); ruling out sugar (hard at first, beneficial, but a big bummer when the chocolate mousse pie shows up); no empty carbs (not that big of a deal but so not gonna be one of those ordering my hamburger without a bun people); live foods- nothing but raw fruits, vegtables and sprouted nuts and grains (man did i feel great in puerto rico but started to crave meat when I hit AK- 3 weeks great, establishing it as a regular thing-extreme diligence); eat-anything-you-want diet (my prefered- i figure if you don't create a bunch of restrictions your mostly going to choose food that makes you feel good or tastes good and a balance of both are important- health and pleasure); the rum-lobster-jerk chicken-beans & rice diet (you start to miss vegtables after awhile but tasty and lots of foreign fun, and fun is indeed, according to me, a vital ingredient of health)... the list goes on but the punchline is...
As soon as I decide yes this is the way, it's not the right way anymore. Life keeps moving, requires adaptability and asks something new of me. And right now I'll try anything because stress has taken it's toll and for a year now I have been encouraging my immune system back to it's full strength. So far what has brought the most relief is yoga; vacation with sun, fun and dancing; stess reduction through saying "no" and "hell no-more" when i need to; dare I say it, "good lovin" (there I said it); and yes cocktails (I have a European standard when it comes to that). So I'm going to see how Green Drinks and supplements fit into this which strangely I also enjoy and eliminating some of the previous for a 21 day stretch. I like to feel good and everyone has to find their formula. So here goes, I'll keep you posted.
