Ayurveda Class is Now In Session!

Hello friends!  I am so excited to share that I am offering my first Ayurveda class on July 14th from 2:00-3:15pm at Rainbow Natural Remedies.  It is a fun and interactive experience where students will eat, sample and try Ayurvedic foods, spices and beauty treatments.  It's everything that I would want in a class.  This incredible store feels like a spa right when you walk in.  Medicinal plants greet you with fresh fragrances.  The fountain waterfall bubbles as you peruse herbs, lotions and potions.  The class is held in the book room in the back of the store.  There's a sense of privacy, so students don't feel exposed in the front display window.

There's no need to register or pay beforehand.  We like to keep things simple.  Just arrive a few minutes early to park, check-in, make a donation (optional) and get settled.  The store will be open in case you'd like to purchase any supplements, herbs or oils before or after class.

Please help me spread the word to any friends, coworkers and family that are interested in health.  It's the perfect class to share with a friend.  It's affordable and a positive step towards wellness this summer.  In addition, this neighborhood is bubbling with fun shops, restaurants and excellent people watching. Perhaps you'd like to grab a tea at Remedies Teas or a coffee at Victrola Coffee Roasters next door.  For a little nature infusion, visit Volunteer Park after class and soak in all that you've learned.

I look forward to sharing this time together. Let Ayurveda make this your best summer yet!

Teacher Love (aka discount)

It's the end of the school year.  The rush to finish report cards, clean out the class, say goodbyes with hugs and cards, hurry to make the staff party and finally.....summer break.  This time of year is so sweet because the entirety of summer vacation stretches out before you waiting to be relished, one lazy morning at a time.  It's also the season of renewal and improved self-care.  More walks, more homemade meals and perhaps some new ideas around health.

To show my love for my fellow teachers, I'm offering discounted Ayurveda Health Coaching.  Through my years of teaching, studying yoga and meditation and now incorporating the ancient science of Ayurveda, I've mastered simple techniques that create major health benefits.  Whether you want to lose a few pounds, improve your complexion, create a healthy diet or start a meditation practice, health coaching is the key to your success.

 

I'm offering 3 one-hour sessions for $99 (a $270 value).  Since Ayurveda is not licensed yet, we can not accept insurance.  My vision is to make Ayurveda Health Coaching accessible to teachers accustomed to paying merely a copay for alternative health services.  If you've been wondering about yoga, meditation or Ayurveda, now is your time to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.

 

Join me at Glow Natural Health Center in Madison Valley.  Enjoy some tea in the waiting room, browse the other services available (hello, massage!) and invest in a little self care this summer.  You deserve it!  To register for this special offer, send me an email at nperriella@yahoo.com.

How to Let Go

Lately I've really been receiving the message, "Let yourself be guided."  What does this really mean?  To me, it means that I don't have to be in charge of every little detail of my life.  I'm not the only one working on my behalf.  I can relax into knowing that the Universe has got me.  It feels like falling back into a big cloud of supportive safety that will swoop me off into the right direction.  I just have to stop trying to steer and enjoy the ride.  I'm not saying that I won't work hard or hustle or put time into my goals, but the outcome of these efforts is not really up to me.  I'll put my best forward and the rest is up to (insert your word of choice here).  The same force that got me here is the one that runs my life.  As the Course in Miracles suggests, I start every day with these questions:

Where shall you have me go?

What shall you have me do?

What shall you have me say?

To whom?

 

Then I listen for an answer, an inkling, an idea or a push.  It's fun and exciting and a whole lot easier than struggling through my days.  Recently, I tried this exercise from Esther Hicks.  In your journal, create this table:

 

Things I will do this week	Things I would like the Universe to handle this week
1. 2. 3.	1. 2. 3.

 

My side had 8 items and the Universe side had 13.  I listed very specific to-do list items on my side and big wish items on the Universe side (for example, healing my knee).  Now, looking back about 3 weeks later, I realize that the Universe has already tackled 6 of her big items.  Wow!  I did all of my manageable to-dos, so together we are truly a force of awesome productivity!  I am confident that with time, the Universe will get all of her items done.  In fact, I'm betting on it.  What do you want to let the Universe handle this week?  Write me a comment, and I'll add it to my list, too.  Have fun!

 

 

Ayurvedic Health and Beauty for Summer

In Seattle, dreams of summer strolls and fresh berries at the farmers market dance in our heads all winter long.  As the days get longer and we leave our jackets at home, we embrace the ancient secrets of Ayurveda to balance our bodies.  An Ayurvedic seasonal routine helps us achieve the peaceful mind, abundant energy and gorgeous glow that we all desire.  Instinctively, we know that we don’t want to eat the same foods, dress the same way or have the same routines every day for the entire year.  We adapt to seasonal cycles because these external forces create internal changes as well.  Summer is known as the “Pitta season” because it is dominated by the fire element.

In Ayurveda, when one quality increases, we add the opposite quality to achieve a healthy balance.  For example, when tea is too hot, we add ice (or time) to bring down the heat.  Similarly, in the warm summer months, we benefit from adding cooling spices, foods, activities and routines to our busy lives.  Cooling spices include fennel, coriander, peppermint and rose.  Cucumber, cilantro, mint, coconut water, lettuce, peas, apples, strawberries and figs are refreshing food choices for summer.  These make delicious additions to a smoothie, soup, salad or stir fry.

CAUTION!  You may notice that your Pitta is aggravated if you’re feeling angry, competitive, jealous or flustered.  You may suffer from acne breakouts or red, irritated skin.  Sour belching, heartburn, loose stools and excess sweating or thirst are other signs of Pitta imbalance.  When these undesirable symptoms occur, move towards cooling and soothing activities.  Reading in the shade, avoiding the noon sun, meditating or practicing yoga can be helpful.  Try a 10-minute self-massage with coconut oil (especially on the soles of the feet) or spritzing the face with rose water.  Taking a catnap or even a few deep breaths can help reset the system.  Essentially, self-care is the cure.

As we enjoy these long, sunny days of the summer months, take a few minutes to refresh and rehydrate your body.  The effects will show up in your skin, attitude and overall health. I wish you many sunny days and relaxing summer evenings as you relish your balanced, optimal health.

To learn more about Ayurveda Health and Beauty, join me for an interactive class at Rainbow Natural Remedies on July 14th from 2:00-3:15pm.  $10

For a personalized Ayurveda consultation, schedule an appointment with me at Glow Natural Health Center by calling 206.568.8298.

I Did It!

The Alcohol-Free experiment is complete.  I made it 31 days without a drop of alcohol.  I'm feeling a mix of pride, contentment and surprise.  I knew that I could do it, but I'm astonished that it actually wasn't that hard.  The month went by fast, and I have even gone a few extra dry days.  Tonight I'm planning to enjoy a glass of wine at dinner with friends.  That one glass will now be it's own mini-experiment since my system is clean.  It's funny how any sort of deprivation makes the next bite or sip of that item absolutely heavenly.  I came across this same idea recently in a captivating book called Wild.  The author, Cheryl Strayed, decided to hike the Pacific Coast Trail alone for months.  In her case, she has limited access to basic necessities like water and food.  It's fascinating to watch her experience unfold.  In a way, the hike is her own type of experiment.  At this point in my reading, she is killing it.  I'm rooting for her as she battles her demons and conquers this gruelling challenge.  Like Cheryl, I'm realizing that we can surprise ourselves with our own capabilities... if only we take the chance and dive in.  Ready, GO!

Permission to Party

Today is Day 27 of the Alcohol-Free experiment.  It has been surprisingly easy for me to resist.  I was around alcohol last night, and the thing that struck me most was the smell.  We all know that tequila has a potent smell, but it felt like I walked into a tequila cloud when I entered the kitchen.  It had never smelled that strong to me before.  Yes, it was a little enticing because I love margaritas.  But on the other hand, it made me reconsider what that fiery liquid would do inside my body.  I opted for a cranberry and soda with a big squeeze of lime.  Just having something in my hand helps me feel like I still get to participate and be social.

It's true that a lot of the silly stories and crazy adventures from the past include alcohol.  And that's OK.  It's funny to remember back on the times when we let our guard down and just let loose.  Now I'm practicing how to relax and do that without the alcohol.  My boyfriend can tell you that I sometimes don't know how to relax.  I'll buzz around the house cleaning, doing laundry, making calls, cooking food when I could just sit down and hang out.  As I mentioned in my last post, I'm ready for a party, and I'm giving myself permission to party without the alcohol.  Permission granted!

Here are the other ways I'm allowing myself to relax and unwind:
1. baths with Epsom salts and a magazine (favorites: Real Simple and the Oprah Magazine)
2. reading and eating popcorn in bed (so naughty)
3. meditation
4. exercising in the gym in my building
5. going out to eat with friends (on deck this week: Plum)
6. buying flowers at the farmers market with Kevin
7. getting vegan ice cream and sitting at the park (favorites: coconut chocolate chunk from Molly Moon's and sorbet at Cupcake Royale)
8. watching New Girl, Mindy Project and Million Dollar Listing (look who has a TV now!)
9. going to the movies
10. walking around my beautiful city (I love you, Seattle!)

As I cruise through the last few days of this experiment, I'm feeling grateful for this opportunity to reconnect with myself and cut through the haze.  Have you ever tried giving up alcohol?  What worked for you?

I Need a Party!

I sit here laughing as I write this because I just realized that I need to cut loose.  I have been so strict with myself lately that I'm strangling all the fun out of my life.  No gluten, no alcohol, too much work, too many commitments...it's enough to drive a girl crazy.  I am officially inviting fun back into my life.  Too many rules is suffocating.  I am reconnecting with the medium path and finding any excuse to giggle, do a dance and be silly.  Bring it on, Universe!